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Preview for the first one-day international between South Africa and Australia in Durban

Cricinfo staff02-Apr-2009Match factsGraeme Smith should be fit for Friday’s match•Getty Images

April 3, 2009
Start time 2.30pm (12.30GMT)Big PictureIt seems that every time these teams go head to head there’s a No. 1 ranking up for grabs. Nothing has changed. South Africa took the top ODI spot thanks to their 4-1 victory in Australia in January but to retain their new status they need to stop Australia winning this five-game series. They will feel quietly confident with their captain Graeme Smith returning from a broken hand but Jacques Kallis is still not available due to a groin injury that kept him out of both the Twenty20 victories, although he should return for the second ODI on Sunday.This series is the finale in what has been a fascinating summer between these two sides, who by the end will feel as if they know each other intimately after six Tests, 10 ODIs and four Twenty20 internationals in the past four months. The hosts have no more cricket on the agenda until the World Twenty20 in England in June, so this will be the last opportunity for a few players to put their names forward for that tournament. Australia will head straight from South Africa to the United Arab Emirates for a limited-overs series against Pakistan.Form guide (last five ODIs, most recent first)South Africa WWWLW
Australia NWWLL
Watch out forGraeme Smith hasn’t been part of the South African side for any of the Twenty20s or one-day internationals against Australia up until now. A broken left hand kept him out of the matches in Australia and an almost identical fracture in his right hand stopped him playing the third Test and two Twenty20s in South Africa. After his side conceded the Tests at home Smith will be desperate to finish the summer on a high.Mitchell Johnson was responsible for both of the breaks to Smith’s hands and he will be keen to take the new ball and have a few more cracks at the South African captain before leaving the country. Australia’s star in the Test series, Johnson has much to offer with bat and ball in the shorter format as well.Team newsThe South Africans had been hopeful that Kallis would be fit but he didn’t quite come through in time for the first game, although Smith is a definite starter. Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini have been added after being rested for the Twenty20s, while Yusuf Abdulla, Robin Peterson, Justin Ontong and Johann Louw were the Twenty20 squad members to make way. South Africa couldn’t find a place for Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Roelof van der Merwe or Wayne Parnell in the starting line-up.South Africa 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Herschelle Gibbs, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 JP Duminy, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Albie Morkel, 8 Morne Morkel, 9 Johan Botha, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Makhaya Ntini.For Australia, Shane Harwood and David Warner have both headed home after the Twenty20s while Marcus North and Ben Laughlin will be aiming to make their ODI debuts at some point through the series. It is strange that there was no place for Phillip Hughes in the limited-overs squad after his brilliant and aggressive arrival on the Test scene and instead Australia will likely rely on makeshift openers Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin.Australia squad Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Callum Ferguson, Marcus North, James Hopes, Cameron White, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Brett Geeves, Nathan Bracken, Ben Laughlin.Pitch and conditionsKingsmead is famous for its pace and bounce and in the day-night conditions the so-called “green mamba” influence of the tides is said to help the bowlers. The forecast for Friday is warm and cloudy.Stats and TriviaShould Australia win the series they will regain the No. 1 ODI ranking from South AfricaAustralia have beaten South Africa four times in ODIs in Durban; South Africa have triumphed over Australia twiceQuotes”It’s always good to get the opportunity to bowl with the new ball to an opening batsman such as Graeme Smith who is such a great player.”
“Friday, for us, is huge. We want to go one-nil up, and hopefully take momentum from that. So, yes, nice to win the Pro20s, but it’s a different beast.”

Australia’s opening bowler Emma Sampson has shocked the cricket world by retiring at the age of 23

Jenny Roesler in Sydney22-Mar-2009Australia’s opening bowler Emma Sampson has shocked the cricket world by retiring at the age of 23. She plans to go travelling for an unspecified amount of time and confirmed it was not related to Australia’s under-par World Cup campaign.Sampson, who has no immediate plans to come back to cricket, said that even though the World Twenty20 was around the corner – with all its promise of increased exposure – and then the Ashes, her heart wasn’t in it at the moment.”I decided to retire because I am going to travel and work overseas for an unknown period of time,” she told Cricinfo as she watched the World Cup final at North Sydney Oval. Asked if she would consider coming back, she said: “I’m not going to say yes or no because I’m not really sure. I’d been thinking about it for a little while. Obviously I was hoping to finish this tour on a pretty big high. But that’s okay, I still had a good time on tour.”Looking relaxed and content with her decision, she added: “I don’t want to go on playing just because I don’t think my heart will be in it just as much as the rest of the girls. So the best thing for me and the team was to retire now.”Sampson has played in the Ashes and against all of the top women’s sides and has no regrets about calling time on her career which included 30 ODIs, a Test and five Twenty20s. Her best analysis was 5 for 30 against New Zealand in 2008.Leonie Coleman had also retired, although her action is less surprising, given that she is 30. Coleman has had few chances this World Cup, with Jodie Fields preferred as the wicketkeeper. Coleman played 24 ODIs with 23 victims.”It’s always a surprise I think,” Sampson said of Coleman’s decision. “She’s had a good career.”

Nairobi Gymkhana’s future as Kenya’s premier international venue could be under threat

Cricinfo staff03-Feb-2009
A dank scene at the Nairobi Gymkhana during last October’s ODI tri-series. Four matches at the venue were washed out and there was considerable criticism of the drainage © Cricinfo
Nairobi Gymkhana’s future as Kenya’s premier international venue could be under threat.The ground hosted the 2000 Champions Trophy and was given a substantial million-dollar refurbishment by the ICC to help prepare, but since then there has been little investment and the facilities have grown increasingly shabby.Nairobi Gymkhana is not controlled by Cricket Kenya but, like many clubs in the country, is privately owned and run. However, the club has been bedeviled by internal squabbling and is in a poor state. Its cricket and hockey sides, which used to form its backbone, have fallen on hard times and whereas on a weekend hundreds of locals used the facilities, it is now almost deserted.One club member said that between major tournaments the facilities were allowed to go to seed, and work on the pitches and outfield was only stepped up ahead of important games. Another said the problems there resulted from years of infighting within the club’s administration which had left it on the verge of collapse.Cricket Kenya has to pay to use the ground, and given that attendances for almost all matches can be counted in the hundreds rather than the thousands, there is talk that the board would be better off investing in developing one of the other venues rather than continuing to pour cash into the Gymkhana. Nairobi now has two other ICC-approved international venues, and there is an excellent ground at Mombasa which last week hosted two ODIs against Zimbabwe.Board officials are also reported to be very unhappy at having no say over many aspects of matches staged at the Gymkhana. Last October’s ODI tri-series was ruined by heavy rain, and privately there was scathing criticism of what one official described as “hopelessly inadequate drainage” on the outfield.There appears to be little to gain from remaining at the ground but any decision is likely to be delayed until after the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in April. If Kenya qualify for the 2011 tournament and retain their ODI status then there will be a sharp increase in central funding and commercial opportunities. That could be the catalyst for CK to start looking for an alternative home for the national team.

A number of Liverpool supporters are concerned about the extent of Thiago’s injury after a photo appeared to show the Spaniard on crutches.

The Reds could only draw 3-3 away to Brentford at the weekend, blowing the opportunity to pull three points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool fielded Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Curtis Jones in midfield, with Thiago unavailable after picking up a calf injury against Crystal Palace while Naby Keita was also ruled out, and now even more worrying news has emerged in the form of an image from Instagram.

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The 30-year-old will be out until the upcoming international break, but there are now fears that his absence could be more long-term.

That’s because a photo that Thiago’s wife shared on social media [via Anfield Edition on Twitter] appears to show him on crutches, suggesting the injury is serious.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-4/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans shocked and worried

It may be that fans are reading too much into the image and that the midfielder will be back in good time, but these supporters have jumped immediately to shock and worry.

“He’s out for at least 2 months”

Credit: @NocturnalPsycho

“So much for just a minor calf strain. I bet all my money he’s out until Christmas”

Credit: @AnfieldOpinion6

“Watch how this 2-3 week injury turns into 3+ month saga where the club go cold on any news”

Credit: @HypeTrainSam

“Injury FC strikes again”

Credit: @NolesAndPhins

“This is exactly why squad depth is needed”

Credit: @beamerrrrrr

“We’re finished”

Credit: @Shadyy_

In other news, some Liverpool fans are excited about a transfer rumour that has emerged. Read more here.

Rangers return to Scottish Premiership action on Sunday afternoon as they take on Ross County away from home, with Steven Gerrard’s side needing a win to kick start their title defence.

The Gers have already sacrificed their unbeaten run in the Premiership after suffering a 1-0 defeat against Dundee United in their last away trip and they will have to perform a lot better than they did on that day if they want to pick up three points against Malky Mackay’s side.

Changes seem likely for the Gers after another disappointing performance in midweek, which saw Gerrard’s side scrape a win over Alaskhert in the Europa League playoff at Ibrox.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Gerrard to line his side up at Victoria Park, with five changes from the team that started on Thursday night…

Gerrard has rotated his goalkeepers regularly so far this season, so it seems fairly likely that Jon McLaughlin could come back in for Allan McGregor in goal.

There’s one change in defence as Borna Barisic returns to the starting side at left-back, with Calvin Bassey rested ahead of the Europa League trip to Armenia next week.

It has been suggested that Scott Wright and Ianis Hagi could both be missing for this one, so Joe Aribo looks likely to start on the right-wing, which frees up a place in the middle for Stephen Kelly to make his first Rangers start.

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He is joined in the middle by Glen Kamara and Steven Davis, with John Lundstram, who was dubbed a “winner” after joining Rangers, dropped after his sending off in midweek, whilst Ryan Kent keeps his place on the left-wing, supporting Kemar Roofe up front.

And, in other news… Southampton miss out on 61-cap “leader”, Ralph needed him

Harbhajan Singh has hit back at Adam Gilchrist’s comments on Sachin Tendulkar and said that Gilchrist was not respected anyway due to his own on-field behaviour

Cricinfo staff25-Oct-2008
The war of words involving Adam Gilchrist, Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh has continued © AFP
Harbhajan Singh has hit back at Adam Gilchrist’s comments on Sachin Tendulkar and said that Gilchrist was not respected anyway due to his own on-field behaviour. Gilchrist labelled as a “joke” the evidence Tendulkar gave in January during the hearing into Harbhajan’s alleged racist remarks against Andrew Symonds.”He should not be talking about Sachin. It is all rubbish,” Harbhajan told the . “We don’t respect him. He pretends to be a saint and people say he walks when he nicks, but why did he appeal when batsmen don’t nick?”He always changes his mind according to a situation. If Australia is close to a victory he is always going up [appealing], whether it is out or not out. We don’t need him to say these things [about Tendulkar] just because he is retired.”Harbhajan was alleged to have called Symonds a monkey and was initially suspended for three Tests, although the ban was overturned on appeal. Gilchrist was annoyed that Tendulkar told the appeal Harbhajan had used a Hindi term that sounded like monkey, although he had earlier given evidence that he could not hear Harbhajan’s comment.”I don’t want to talk about that episode again and again. It is over,” Harbhajan said. “If you talk to any guy who plays or follows cricket about Sachin Tendulkar, they will talk about the respect he commands. These guys can’t come close to him. I am really shocked.”Harbhajan said the ill-feeling between the two sides that spilled over in the series in Australia had long since passed. He said both teams had played in the right spirit in the first two Tests in India this month.”We are very focused on cricket and on the next Test in Delhi,” Harbhajan said. “We know Australia will come back very strong. It has been a great series so far. There have been no dramas in the first two Tests. I hope the next two will be played in the gentleman’s spirit.”

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has dropped a worrying claim about Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce.

What’s the story?

The Magpies manager came under heavy criticism from supporters following another difficult campaign in the Premier League at St James’ Park, and with no signings made just yet in the transfer window, things are looking bleak for the Tyneside club.

Now, in a piece for The Athletic, Waugh has claimed that Bruce is under no immediate pressure from Mike Ashley and the ownership, and that even with a poor start to the season, there may not be any decisive move made over his future at the club.

He said: “Do not shoot the messenger but… seven (out of ten on how safe his job is). This is a really hard one to score, actually. Just about any other club would have dismissed Bruce earlier this year, particularly following the humiliating 3-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion in March, when it really did feel like the end. But Lee Charnley, the managing director, stuck by his head coach and, in a way, was vindicated as Newcastle recovered and finished 17 points clear of the drop.

“That underscored the hierarchy’s reluctance to sack Bruce, which is, in part, motivated by their determination not to pay his multi-million compensation package. As long as Ashley remains the owner, he will attempt to persist with Bruce. Yet the unknown factor is the return of supporters.

“In 2020-21, the  pandemic meant fans were not present during the difficult spells but, should the returning home crowd turn on Bruce, then that may force Newcastle into taking the decisive action they desperately want to avoid. They have form for ignoring the supporters, though, having kept Alan Pardew on as manager long beyond the point at which his relationship with fans had become irreparable.

“It will be fascinating to see how Bruce is received by fans in the weeks and months ahead and how that, in turn, affects his job security.”

Fans will be fuming

Make no mistake about it, if Newcastle endure a torrid start to the Premier League campaign, fans will want action to be taken and avoid yet another season of mediocrity or even worse.

Waugh’s telling statement that “as long as Ashley remains the owner, he will attempt to persist with Bruce” is one that will be real cause for concern for supporters.

And, the knowledge that the Magpies owner stuck with Pardew even beyond the point of no return is hardly the kind of precedent that Newcastle fans can take a bit of comfort in if things go south from this weekend onwards.

Even after back-to-back wins against West Ham and Burnley towards the back end of last season, many fans made it very clear they did not want to see Bruce take charge for another year after Glenn Hoddle suggested he could do with more time.

Waugh’s latest update is one that will surely have the club’s supporters fuming.

Meanwhile, Bruce must ruthlessly sell this Newcastle flop…

MatériaMais Notícias

Na noite da última segunda-feira, pouco antes do Cruzeiro embarcar para o Paraguai, onde encara o Nacional-PAR, na terça-feira, pela volta da Copa Sul-Americana, o treinador Mano Menezes divulgou uma lista com 20 relacionados para o confronto.

As principais ausências são o meia-atacante Robinho e o lateral-direito Ezequiel. O camisa 19 está afastado desde o dia 19 de março, quando lesionou o músculo posterior da coxa direita, com grau três. Inicialmente, o prazo de seu retorno era de seis semanas, que já venceram.

Na partida de ida, há pouco mais de um mês, o Cruzeiro venceu em casa por 2 a 1, com gols de Thiago Neves e Ábila. A Raposa precisa de um empate para não conhecer a segunda eliminação em menos de uma semana. Uma derrota por 1 a 0 classifica os paraguaios e por 2 a 1 leva a disputa para os pênaltis.

Confira a lista de relacionados

Goleiros: Fábio, Lucas França e Rafael
Laterais: Diogo Barbosa, Fabrício e Mayke
Zagueiros: Dedé, Kunty Caicedo e Léo
Meio-campistas: De Arrascaeta, Henrique, Hudson, Lucas Silva, Lucas Romero, Rafinha e Thiago Neves
Atacantes: Alisson, Rafael Sóbis, Raniel e Ramón Ábila

RelacionadasFutebol InternacionalRicardo Goulart brilha e dá vaga ao Guangzhou na Liga dos CampeõesFutebol Internacional09/05/2017CruzeiroHenrique quer ver o Cruzeiro marcando bem no ParaguaiCruzeiro08/05/2017

MatériaMais Notícias

A promessa era de um clássico tenso no Arruda. Expectativa que se concretizou na noite desta quarta-feira, em Recife. Dentro e fora de campo. Nas quatro linhas, o Sport derrotou o Santa Cruz por 2 a 0, placar que precisava para avançar à final contra o Bahia após te sido derrotado por 2 a 1 na Ilha. Fora de campo, teve confusão entre torcedores do Santinha e a Polícia Militar – e ação policial exagerada.

Com apenas 30 segundos, André levou perigo para o Sport, que precisava vencer por dois gols de diferença. E foi o Leão que abriu o placar. Se a torcida leonina ficou preocupada após Diego Souza sentir lesão e ser substituído aos 15 minutos, o alívio logo depois. Everton Felipe, o substituto do camisa 87, concluiu com categoria a investida rubro-negra pela esquerda.

O Santa foi, aos poucos, ganhando terreno e tentando transpor a marcação adversária. E a melhor chance veio aos 37, após finalização de Thomás. Pereira ficou com o rebote, mas furou, levando o técnico Vinícius Eutrópio ao desespero.

Veio o segundo tempo e a tensão só aumentou. As primeiras expulsões vieram aos 25 minutos, após Rithely pisar em Thomás e uma confusão se formar. Rithely e Elicarlos, do Santa, foram expulsos. Melhor, o Sport chegou ao segundo gol aos 32. Rithely voltou para o campo para celebrar e nova confusão se formou, com Evandro, banco do Leão, sendo expulso.

A reta final foi de cartões vermelhos para Wellington Cézar e Vítor, do Santa, e confusão nas arquibancadas. Sem critério, policiais usaram spray de pimenta contra torcedores do Santa e alguns precisaram ser atendidos. Diante de um rival sem força, o Sport fez o tempo passar e celebrou a classificação.

Sport e Bahia se enfrentarão nos próximos dias 17 e 24 (duas quartas-feiras), com o jogo de ida na Ilha do Retiro e a partida de volta na Arena Fonte Nova.

Derby County boss Wayne Rooney has spoken out on rumoured interest in some of his key players, in a recent interview (quotes sourced from Derbyshire Live).

What’s the story?

Derby County haven’t had the best preparation for the upcoming Championship campaign, with the Rams having a number of players on trial with the club this summer during pre-season.

But they’ve been unable to sign any of those players up until now, with the club being under a transfer embargo. However, the eFL have since made exceptional circumstances for Wayne Rooney’s side, as they’re considerably light on options at this moment in time.

That lack of squad depth hasn’t stopped some of Rooney’s key players being linked with summer departures though, with Lee Buchanan emerging on Nottingham Forest’s radar, whilst Nathan Byrne is reportedly being targeted by Celtic.

‘The two most important players’

Rooney has since poured cold water on any rumours of Byrne or Buchanan heading for the exit door anytime soon though, with the Derby boss revealing that they’re the two most important players in his team with the style he’s trying to implement.

“None of my players are going anywhere. Obviously, we haven’t got enough players as it is.

“The way we are trying to play, they are the two most important players on the pitch, so none of my players will be leaving the club this transfer window unless it is to benefit them, whether it is a loan, but that can only happen if we are allowed to bring players in.”

Byrne caught the eye with some strong displays for Derby in the 2020/21 season, in what was his first year with the club, having arrived from Wigan Athletic in September 2020.

The full-back had an average Whoscored rating of 6.81, which put him fifth in the list of Derby County’s best performers from a forgetful campaign last term.

Whilst Buchanan has been with Derby since 2010, and the club’s supporters will have been eager to see him stick around for the foreseeable future, and to not even entertain any interest from rivals Nottingham Forest anytime soon.

At the age of 20, he’s likely to still have his best years ahead of him, especially if the early stages of his development in senior football are anything to go by recently.

It’s been a worrying summer for Derby’s supporters, as they’ve seen their side struggle for numbers heading into matches, let alone having to even think about the quality of the players involved.

So, to hear that Rooney is looking to keep both Byrne and Buchanan this summer will be pleasing to hear for the Pride Park faithful, especially if they’ve got any ambitions of avoiding relegation into the third-tier of English football this term.