The Indian team will undergo two training camps, spread over five days each, before leaving for Sri Lanka in August for the triangular series.”The team would have a general conditioning camp and, after a break during which they can be back home with their families, would undergo a cricket specific camp. Each camp would last for five days each,” Niranjan Shah, the Indian Board secretary said.Shah added that the squad would be chosen after July 15 and the camps would be held either in Chennai or Bangalore as the other parts of the country would be experiencing monsoon.India is slated to take part in a tri-series, featuring hosts Sri Lanka and South Africa, from August 14 to 29. The team will reach Sri Lanka on August 10 and take on Sri Lanka in their opening encounter on August 16 at Dambulla.
The ICC’s hearing to investigate accusations of racism levelled against the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) has been scrapped after what one of the two members of the panel described as “the inflexible attitudes of both parties”.The hearing was adjourned last night when the panel ruled that evidence from certain witnesses could be given without ZCU officials being present. The panel will now rely on evidence from written submissions to compile its report.The hearing started yesterday but the trouble started after the first witness – who was not one of the rebel players – had finished giving evidence. Chris Venturas, acting on behalf of the players, argued that the presence of three ZCU officials – Ozias Bvute, Max Ebrahim and Tavengwa Mkuhlani – would intimidate witnesses. Despite objections by the board’s lawyers, the panel agreed to the request and ended proceedings early to allow both sides to consider their positions.The panel – Goolam Vahanvati, India’s solicitor-general, and Steven Majiedt, a South African High Court judge – hoped that both sides would discuss the situation overnight, but there was no communication at all between them. With the ZCU refusing to accept the ruling, stalemate ensued.One prospective witness told Wisden Cricinfo that the hearing should never have been held in Zimbabwe. “It was obvious the ZCU was going to create a hostile atmosphere and intimidate the witnesses,” he said. “They did just that and have got away with it.”Ehsan Mani, the ICC’s president, said today’s events were “disappointing”, before explaining how the ICC will proceed. “I am disappointed that the hearing did not go the distance,” he said. “I would prefer to have had the oral evidence heard by the two-member panel, but this has now proved impossible. I will now await the report into the allegations.” The panel will now consider written submissions from both parties as it prepares its report for the ICC Executive Board.Prior to the start of the racism hearing, the ICC had agreed that the findings would not be acted upon until after a dispute concerning a number of other allegations involving the ZCU and some of the players had been resolved. “It is now important that the two parties move ahead quickly with the disputes-resolution process,” said Mani, “so that the issues can be dealt with and the report of the racism inquiry can be acted upon.”
Sourav Ganguly’s fitness has been a talking point ever since he was stretcheredoff the field during the final one-dayer at Lahore. Ratnakar Shetty, the managerof the Indian team, said today, “there is good news. An MRI scan was doneyesterday and it showed that there was no back injury. Sourav [Ganguly] onlysuffered from muscle pain.” However, it was not possible to say to say whetherGanguly would be fit enough to take the field on Saturday, when the first Testbegins.Ganguly, who arrived in Multan from Lahore on Friday morning, had undergonephysiotherapy sessions with Andrew Leipus, and his injury was not thought to beserious. He has to undergo two more sessions in the lead-up to the first Test.When asked whether Ganguly would be in a position to play the first Test, Shettysaid, “It’s too early to say anything now. He needs rest. We will have a clearerpicture only by tomorrow evening or on the morning of the match.”However, word on the ground is that while Ganguly’s injury is not serious, itmight prevent him from being fully fit in time for the first Test. It is learntthat Ganguly has a slight disc problem, and is still in considerable pain. Gangulyfound sitting down a painful experience for most of Thursday, and has indicatedthat it is unlikely that he will be in a position to play in the first Test, inwhich case Yuvraj Singh will get to play his second Test match in almost identicalcircumstances to those in which he made his debut in Mohali last October.On that occasion Ganguly had minor surgery to remove an abscess on his upper leftthigh, and pulled out on the eve of the match. This gave Yuvraj his Test debut athis home ground. That was also the only instance when Rahul Dravid led India in aTest match.”Obviously, if you are missing your captain, then you will find things a bitdifferent,” said Haroon Rashid, the Pakistan manager. “We are well aware thatSourav is a very influential member of the Indian team. He has done very well as acaptain, and has the backing of the entire team. I guess Rahul will do a good jobas captain, but there will be pressure on the Indians because they will miss avery key player if Sourav doesn’t play here.”Interestingly enough, Ganguly needs just one more Test victory to become the mostsuccessful Indian Test captain ever. India’s famous win in Adelaide last Decembertied him with Mohammad Azharuddin as the winningest Indian Test captain – they both have 14 wins apiece. Ganguly is also India’s most successful leader overseas with Test wins in Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, West Indies, England and Australia under his belt.Ganguly’s injury appeared to be very serious when he had to be carried off thefield. He was attempting to stop a drive at mid-off, off the bat of Inzamam-ul-Haq. When he dived, Ganguly fell awkwardly, hitting the ground sideways androlling over. Yet, when the game was won Ganguly walked out onto the field tocelebrate with the rest of the team.
Glamorgan have confirmed arrangements for their friendlymatches at the start of the 2003 season.The Welsh county will be involved in a three day gameagainst Somerset at Taunton on April 2nd, 3rd and 4th, with playstarting at 11 a.m.Two one-day matches have also been arranged, with an away gameagainst Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on April 29th, and ahome match against Middlesex at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on May2nd. Play in both of these games will also start at 11 a.m.
Usman Afzaal, omitted from the England side earlier in the day, suffered further misfortune when he was marooned on 40 not out as Nottinghamshire’s National League game against Warwickshire at Edgbaston was washed out by persistent showers.A two-hour delay in the start meant that the game had already been reduced to 30-overs a side when Notts opted to bat after winning the toss and it was Warwickshire whose hopes of closing on the First Division leaders perked up when seamer Charlie Dagnall got rid of both openers, Darren Bicknell and Jason Gallian, in his first two overs.Darren Bicknell was undone by some extra bounce and Gallian, making his first appearance of a season blighted by a knee injury, was beaten by one that moved away sharply to prompt a diving catch from wicketkeeper Keith Piper.Both sides needed victory to maintain their outside chance of challenging for the title and Notts’ claim improved sharply when Afzaal and Greg Blewett got going in a stand which added 82 in 14 overs.Blewett was badly missed at mid-wicket off Neil Smith before falling for 44 from 55 balls, including six fours, as Dougie Brown held a superb tumbling catch on the long-on boundary, but Afzaal continued to shore up the innings.Notts were 105-3 when rain made its terminal intervention.
Leeds United made several significant signings in the summer of 2025, which are already beginning to have an impact at the club. One of the most successful thus far has been left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson.
The Swede, who cost £10m, was described as “an absolute bargain” and called one of the best players in the league in his position by journalist James Marshment.
Another player who has stood out at the other end of the pitch is Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The former Everton star, who joined the club for free, has been in sensational form, with seven goals in 15 games this term, and six in his last five.
Leeds are looking to add another smart signing to the squad next month.
Leeds’ latest bargain transfer target
There are already rumours swirling ahead of a crucial winter window for Leeds. One player who is linked with a move to Elland Road is Swiss winger Ruben Vargas, an attacker who could cost upwards of £9m.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Rumours are also intensifying regarding a potential move for French defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu. According to German outlet Fussball Transfers, the Whites are ‘interested’ in the RB Leipzig star, who is reportedly looking to force through a move away.
However, the West Yorkshire outfit are not alone in making a potential move for Bitshiabu this winter. Fellow relegation candidates West Ham United are also plotting a move for the Paris Saint-Germain academy graduate.
It remains to be seen if this will be a loan or permanent deal, having signed for his current side on a £13m deal back in 2023.
Why Bitshiabu would be a good signing
It has certainly not been the season that the 20-year-old defender might have expected. He has struggled to lock down a place in the Leipzig side, something which has perhaps been further impacted by the lack of European football for the German club this season.
This term, the defender, who hails from a suburb of Paris, has only played five times for Leipzig. Just three of those appearances have come in the Bundesliga; he has only played 111 minutes in the German top flight.
His minutes in a Leipzig shirt have been sparse, though Bitshiadu has struggled with injury during his time at the Bundesliga outfit. He has played 39 games in total, but a run of games as first-choice last season showed why he is so highly rated.
In fact, his numbers from last season show the quality he can bring to Daniel Farke’s side. The former PSG star averaged 1.99 blocks per 90 minutes, which ranked him in the top 3% of Bundesliga centre-backs.
On the ball, he’s impressive too, and averaged 5.5 progressive passes each game, which puts him among the top 12% of defenders in the German top flight.
Bitshiabu key stats 24/25 Bundesliga
Stat (per 90)
Number
Percentile
Progressive passes
5.5
88th
Blocks
1.99
97th
Clearances
7.73
96th
Tackles won
1.43
86th
Stats from FBref
If Leeds do get this deal over the line, it might be reminiscent of a signing they made a few years back, of Georginio Rutter.
Now plying his trade at Brighton and Hove Albion, the attacker enjoyed a successful stint at Elland Road.
After joining in January 2023, the 23-year old notched up 66 appearances in that famous White shirt.
In that time, he scored and assisted 26 goals, with 21 of those coming in the 2023/24 Championship campaign. The summer after, he was signed by Brighton.
Of course, the similarity does not come from the position, with Bitshiabu a centre-back and Rutter an attacker.
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But, both players are highly-rated French talents, and will have moved to West Yorkshire from the Bundesliga in the winter transfer window. Those things, they have in common.
Rutter’s impact at Leeds was exceptional, and although he couldn’t quite get them over the line with promotion, he was a mey man for Farke.
How the Whites would love for their potential new centre-back to be the second coming of his countryman, and really have a huge impact for the club and help them stay in the Premier League.
He is an “exceptional” talent according to football scout Antonio Mango. Farke would love for that to be on show at Elland Road, as a huge second half of the season approaches for Leeds.
Better than Calvert-Lewin: Leeds star is now "one of the best" in the PL
Leeds United now have a top-drawer performer in their ranks, who is arguably an even better signing than Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Yorkshire are reported to have received clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan to play for the county this summer despite his participation in the unauthorised Indian Cricket League (ICL). A PCB official, however, denied this was the case, and said the matter was between the county and the England board (ECB).It had been thought that the PCB would refuse a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in view of his ICL links, and even when Mushtaq Ahmed was granted an NOC last week, it was believed that was not relevant to Naved-ul-Hasan as he had played international cricket more recently.Naved-ul-Hasan will now have to submit his application for registration to the ECB which is unlikely to be refused if he has an NOC as the board has always maintained that the certificate was the key document in the process.But a PCB official told Cricinfo that an NOC had not been given, though he suggested it might not be needed in this case. “Rana is not contracted to the PCB anymore and he is not allowed to play domestic cricket in Pakistan either. Therefore, this is a matter for Yorkshire and the ECB to resolve among themselves now. We have not given an NOC because he is not contracted to us, nor will he play domestically.”If Naved-ul-Hasan does play, this would seem to indicate a loosening in the policy all major countries have so far adopted against players participating in the ICL, by barring them from playing elsewhere internationally or domestically.
Percy Sonn, the president of the ICC, has died in Cape Town at the age of 57. He suffered complications following a routine operation on his colon last Monday..Sonn’s predecessor as ICC president, Ehsan Mani, led his tributes: “As a cricket administrator and a man, Percy Sonn was a giant. In all the circles in which he moved, he commanded a huge amount of respect and that was never more obvious than when he was in an ICC board meeting. Percy never spoke for the sake of it but when he did speak people listened. He was one of the most intelligent men I have ever met and cricket will be much the poorer for his passing.”Sonn, the former president of the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB), succeeded Mani at the helm of the ICC in June 2006, and immediately announced his intentions to be a “hands-off” president. This declaration was borne out by his low profile during the World Cup; after delivering his speech at the opening ceremony in Jamaica, he returned to South Africa for several weeks of the 47-day tournament, although that decision may have been attributable to his ill-health.The last time Sonn was seen in public was at the final of the World Cup in Barbados last month, when he was one of several dignitaries to be booed as they walked onto the podium following the farcical finish to the match. However Ricky Ponting, who received the trophy from Sonn as captain of the victorious Australian team, said: “I will always associate Percy with one of the happiest moments of my career.”Malcolm Speed, the ICC’s chief executive, said: “Percy was never afraid to speak his mind but his great skill, especially in meetings where discord was possible, was to do so in such a way that he got everyone together and pulling in the same direction. Percy was utterly committed to the game at all levels and his mantras were that the game had to be inclusive rather than exclusive and that it had to be played the right way, to be true to the Spirit of Cricket.”Sonn’s career in the game’s administration began while he was still a teenager in South Africa, in the midst of the Apartheid regime. He emerged as a leading administrator when he served as vice-president to Hassan Howa at the Western Province Cricket Board, for nine years from 1974, taking over the role of President of the Board from 1990 to 1992. He served as a vice-president of the South African Cricket Board before the UCBSA was formed, played a crucial role in the unity process in 1991.Ray Mali, president of the South African board, said Sonn’s legacy in South Africa would be a strong sport with role models from all sections of society. “This is a terrible shock and a devastating piece of news as I have lost a close personal friend,” added Mali. “I know Percy was so proud to represent South Africa and the whole continent of Africa as the ICC’s first president from this part of the world and he filled the role with great dignity and strength.”Percy was a great administrator who played a key role in the integration process the game underwent in South Africa either side of the end of Apartheid,” added Mali. “Percy never saw problems, just challenges, and usually he rose to those challenges, never more so than when he helped resolve the problems that existed within the administration of Kenyan cricket in the early years of this decade.”Sonn’s career in cricket administration was often tinged with controversy. In January 2002, as president of the UCBSA, he caused a public rumpus by overruling the selection of Jacques Rudolph for the New Year Test against Australia, opting instead for Rudolph’s black room-mate, Justin Ontong. And at Paarl during the 2003 World Cup, he caused a major embarrassment due to his well-documented fondness for a drink.Away from cricket, Sonn experienced a hugely varied career. Educated at Belgravia Senior Secondary school and the University of the Western Cape, he obtained a Law degree in 1972 and acted as a senior counsel during the match-fixing controversies in 2000. He also worked as an Attorney and an Advocate, served as Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and a legal advisor to the South African Police Service (SAPS).Sonn also formed and then headed the Directorate of Special Operations in South Africa, the organisation known as the Scorpions, which went after the perpetrators of serious economic offences, organized crime and drug trafficking. Latterly he was the CEO of a forensic investigation company.He is survived by his wife Sandra, and three children.
First came a sigh; then came the standing ovation. The moment the third umpire flashed the red light, declaring Brian Lara out for 36, he smiled. A wave of disappointment engulfed the ground – like some giant party being pooped – before Lara began his quick walk back to the pavilion. His final one-day innings at home had just been cut short, but Lara wasn’t going to moan. He was going to enjoy every moment of his walk back to the pavilion, saluting those who had watched him on his home turf.”It’s a difficult situation, knowing that I might not play ODI cricket here again,” he said when asked about his thoughts. “I’ve had a great time playing in Trinidad and Tobago. As I exited the field, Bravo took over things. He’s from Santa Cruz and probably the next one to look forward to, locally at least. I’ve enjoyed my time and the public at T&T have enjoyed me playing here. The public pay to watch cricket and at the end of it both parties usually leave saying ‘you’ve done a good job’. I must thank the public for their support through the years. I would love to play another Test match here. It may not happen in 2007. But I hope this is not the last.”Though he preferred to talk about the win, one that was achieved without a number of key players, Lara added that it wouldn’t make too much of a difference when the Test series gets underway. “What we won today has to do with one-day cricket. We won without Collymore [injured during the game], Chanderpaul, Edwards, Samuels – key players in our team. Psychologically we know they’re down but they are aware that we’re starting afresh on Friday. We now have to come up and face them full on … play competitive cricket and win the big points. You need to play well over 15 sessions. I will take nothing much from here into the Test series.”I think this is a great performance. We played the first game against Zimbabwe on April 29. I think we’ve won 10 of our last 11 games, and that’s including the last match in New Zealand. That is a very, very good run. I’m proud of the guys. But we have bigger fish to fry. We came in with confidence but this is just five days of cricket against India. We have 20 days of cricket to go. That is the ultimate test. We’re going to enjoy this but we know how important the next few weeks are.”When asked what the most satisfying part of this team’s victory was, Lara revealed that he’d been thoroughly satisfied with their planning ahead of the games. “What I’ve enjoyed and noticed about the team – I’m not going to go into details – is that 9 o’ clock meeting before practice and sometimes 6 o’ clock meeting in the afternoon is where we win the game. That’s exactly where we won the games. We discuss different things and come out of the meeting coming really, really strong and confident.”But what had gone wrong with India? Lara spoke about excessive cricket being one of the reasons but added that the main difference had been the absence of one man. “I think the West Indies team is a better one-day team than Indian team. Sachin Tendulkar will make a difference in any series. He is such a key player. He wasn’t there for the Super Series and we lost everything. He has over 300 ODIs and is the best batsman in the world.”
Victory was in sight for India in the first Test, never more so than when they had New Zealand six wickets down for 169 just before tea, but in the end the portents of the last two days and of history proved to be sound. Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle both made their second fifty-plus scores of the match, and batted for over 40 overs to make the game safe for New Zealand. The Test match, which was at its crackling best on the second evening when Zaheer Khan shot out the New Zealand top order, meandered to a draw, as India could not recreate that intensity and found the task of labouring for every New Zealand wicket too difficult after a point.The best moments of the day came in the first two sessions, which saw some fascinating tussles between the Indian spinners and the two best New Zealand batsmen on the day, Lou Vincent and McMillan. Anil Kumble, lost from view over nine months of nothing but one-day cricket, was seen again in his best form.Kumble bowled 33 overs in the day, as did his fellow spinner Harbhajan Singh, and it was only when he tired late in the afternoon that New Zealand began to play him with assurance. Sourav Ganguly only turned to him in the 13th over of the day, but when he came on he immediately made an impact, hurrying a ball through the defences of Daryl Tuffey and hitting his middle stump (68 for 2). India scented victory when Stephen Fleming fell shortly after to the wiles of Harbhajan, and then Kumble struck again, hitting Scott Styris flush on the front foot with a quicker delivery and ending his brief three-ball visit to the wicket (86 for 4).But New Zealand put together two crucial partnerships after this, as first Vincent and McMillan and then McMillan and Astle put paid to India’s chances. Vincent and McMillan produced a spurt of runs for New Zealand in the hour after lunch, taking full advantage of some adventurous field placements by Ganguly, and taking New Zealand past 150. It was Kumble again who brought India back into the game, in an over that exemplified the battle of wits fought between the New Zealand batsmen and him.
Kumble, who bowled over the wicket for most of the day,came round the wicket at the beginning of the over with two close-in fielders on the leg side, and just a mid-on and a deep square leg behind them. Vincent knocked the first ball for four through the yawning gap at midwicket, and then, emboldened by the stroke, rushed down the pitch to the next ball to take it on the half-volley and hit it away through the same gap for another boundary.Kumble came back over the wicket, and plugged away again at an off-stump line, but the rush of runs seemed to have had some effect on Vincent. Having hardly made a run on the offside all day, he shaped to cut a Kumble legbreak, was defeated by its lack of pace off the pitch, and bottom-edged it onto his stumps, spinning away in agony as he surveyed the damage behind him (150 for 5). Vincent batted with exemplary discipline for his 67, from 184 balls. He put on 64 for the fifth wicket with McMillan.
India might reflect that they got as far into the New Zealand batting as they did because of Nathan Astle’s indisposition. Astle suffered a stomach upset, and only came into bat at No.8, after Jacob Oram was out (169 for 6). In the first innings he had led the way for New Zealand with good support from McMillan, but this time the roles were reversed.McMillan’s 83 not out, off 191 balls, was the effort that put the game beyond India, for he batted with assurance, and the determination of one who has just returned to form after a long spell in the doldrums – his highest score in his eight Test innings before this game was 18, and he was dropped from the side for the tour of Sri Lanka. As in the first innings, he did much of his batting down on his front knee, sweeping or lapping the spinners.Often there was an element of risk in these strokes, as they flew off the top edge into the leg side. But even if these shots were not strictly necessary, he seemed to feel that playing them prevented the building up of the tension that comes from being scoreless for long periods of time. His methods were sometimes unconventional, but they worked, and New Zealand will proceed to the second Test at Mohali still level in the series.Now if only they could so something to their bowling, they could begin to think of winning it.Chandrahas Choudhury is a staff writer with Wisden Asia Cricket.