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Good things certainly come to those who wait

Santhosh S02-Dec-2002Good things certainly come to those who wait. Ramnaresh Sarwan had to wait until today to score his first international hundred, failing to do so in 27 Test matches and an equal number of one-day games. Though on many occasions he had come close, Sarwan finally got the monkey off his back with a sterling knock of 102 against Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, taking West Indies to an emphatic 84-runs victory under lights.After Sarwan had set it up with the bat, it was the wily Vasbert Drakes’ turn to destroy the Bangladesh batting line up with an inspired medium-pace bowling (9-4-18-4). West Indies took a 1-0 lead in the three-match one-day series, with the first game abandoned due to rain. The teams meet in the third and final encounter tomorrow in a day-night game at the same venue.West Indies never looked like posting a big total after electing to bat on a track that kept very low in the first 25 overs. Too low, effectively killing any sort of strokeplay. The tourists lost their hard-hitting opener Wavell Hinds for a duck, lbw to Tapash Baisya. West Indies were losing the plot, struggling to 77/2 at the end of the 25th over, having lost the valuable wicket of Chris Gayle (21) in the process.Marlon Samuels and Ramnaresh Sarwan, the two young batting hopes, dug in deep, calling on all reserves of concentration to keep out the balls that kept too low for comfort. Samuels smashed a couple of sixes to make his intentions very clear; he stepped up the tempo and went on to make 82 off 119 balls, yet another elegant knock. The third-wicket partnership between Samuels and Sarwan yielded 146 valuable runs.Sarwan played exceedingly well, using his feet to get to the pitch of the ball, and striking the ball nicely through the gaps. With the final over to be bowled, Sarwan was on 97, inching closer to his maiden hundred. With all the pressure on his young shoulders, Sarwan almost choked, stuck on 98 with the final ball off the innings to be bowled. A thick outside edge off a swipe at a full toss rushed past the ropes at third man, and Sarwan was celebrating (102 off 100 balls). West Indies had made 266/4 in their allotted 50 overs, with Daren Ganga unbeaten on 22.Bangladesh had a dreadful start to the chase, losing opening batsman Al Sahariar for a first-ball duck. Drakes had drawn first blood and found a good rhythm to trouble the Bangladesh batsmen. He struck twice in two balls in the ninth over, removing debutant Ehsanul Haque (9) and Habibul Bashar (0).The hosts were in deep trouble, losing six wickets with just 94 on the board. A 72-run partnership for the seventh wicket between skipper Khaled Mashud (41) and Naimur Rahman (37) delayed the inevitable. Drakes broke the partnership, brilliantly running out Rahman, and then picked up his fourth wicket – Mohammad Rafique caught by Sarwan for a duck. Cameron Cuffy claimed the wickets of Khaled Mashud and Manjural Islam as Bangladesh were bowled out for 182 in 48 overs.

Steve Bull has called on Wolverhampton Wanderers to take advantage of James Tarkowski’s precarious contract situation at Burnley.

Tarkowski has entered the final 12 months of his £50,000-per-week deal at Burnley and has yet to commit his future to Sean Dyche’s side.

Premier League rivals West Ham United and Leicester City were interested in signing the former England international defender last year, with the Hammers seeing three bids rejected for the man the Clarets valued at £40m.

However, Wolves legend Bull believes Molineux would be the perfect destination for Tarkowski.

Bruno Lage is looking to add reinforcements after taking over from head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, who resigned at the end of last season and has since taken charge of Tottenham Hotspur.

Wolves have already signed central defender Yerson Mosquera from Colombian outfit Atletico Nacional, while winger Francisco Trincão will add a creative spark following his loan switch from Barcelona.

But Bull feels former Benfica head coach Lage should turn his attentions towards Tarkowski next.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “You need players who have Premier League experience.

“Conor Coady had an up-and-down season and Willy Boly was out for a bit.

“You need players like him [Tarkowski] to come in and take ownership, say ‘get behind the ball’ or ‘you go’ instead of running around like headless chickens. We need someone to calm the youngsters down, say ‘get back in and do your work at this end of the pitch’.”

Matthew Hayden says the injury that has ended his tour of the West Indies will not finish his career

Cricinfo staff29-May-2008
Matthew Hayden had a hamstring injury earlier this year and now his achilles tendon is causing him problems © Getty Images
Matthew Hayden says the injury that has ended his tour of the West Indies will not finish his career. Hayden was sent home from the Caribbean after Australia discovered the tendinosis in his right achilles, which kept him out of the first Test, would stop him from playing the remaining two matches.It will be the biggest lay-off for Hayden in years, after he played 86 consecutive Tests until missing the WACA game against India in January with a hamstring problem. But Hayden, 36, brushed off reports that the niggling injury might prompt him to start thinking of retirement.”I’ll be back bigger and better than ever,” Hayden told the . “This isn’t the kind of thing that is going to end my career. With the way the calendar is at the moment, there is a good opportunity now to get it right before a pretty busy schedule starts up.”So we decided that, rather than push it, it would be better to just get it right once and for all and go from there. I am completely confident that I will get this right and be back soon.”The team’s medical staff thought Hayden could probably have played in the one-day internationals that will follow the Tests in the West Indies. However, their cautious approach means he will target the three home ODIs against Bangladesh starting in late August, ahead of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and a Test tour of India.While Simon Katich is the top-order beneficiary for the remaining Tests in the Caribbean, Hayden’s absence from the one-day team means Australia will have an unfamiliar pairing regardless of who is chosen. They have not played an ODI since Adam Gilchrist retired at the end of the CB Series.Hayden’s replacement is yet to be named but of the men already in the one-day squad the most likely candidates to open are James Hopes, who filled in at the top twice in the CB Series, and the uncapped Shaun Marsh. Both have been in excellent form in the Indian Premier League, where they have opened together for Kings XI Punjab, and Marsh is the tournament’s leading run scorer.”That’s big news [Hayden’s departure], and big too for Shaun knowing that because now he’ll be playing over there,” Hopes told . “We’ve spoken about how good it would be to be able to bat together for Australia, a lot of the times in this tournament he’s been kicking on.”

A number of Manchester City fans are fuming with La Liga president Javier Tebas after he suggested that the Citizens have lost €270m (£230.1m) during the global pandemic and could only sign Lionel Messi via financial doping.

The Citizens are preparing for a new season in which they will once again aim to win the Champions League after May’s final defeat to Chelsea in Porto. There is likely to be plenty of business done at the Etihad Stadium, and with Messi now a free agent after departing Barcelona following the end of his contract (Sky Sports), City may have him on their radar.

However, according to Tebas, it would be impossible for the Citizens to sign him. He even said it would be “incredible” if the Premier League champions are able to bring him to the Etihad.

The news was shared on Twitter by @CityXtra, and it did not go down well with the supporters – many believed Tebas was making up the figure, and given their financial backing, City are one of the few clubs who probably could afford the 34-year-old.

These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the matter.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the comments from Tebas

“This guy is obsessed”

Credit: @Leslley20

“Rent free”

Credit: @bdeanMCFC

“Tebas is getting nervous now, things I love to see.”

Credit: @Cityzen932

“This guy is obsessed, can’t we just sue him”

Credit: @DenisDuff8

“Pep owns you”

Credit: @baldyprop

“He’s deflecting so hard, using City as some sort of scapegoat as they are in serious danger of being wiped off the map financially.”

Credit: @Vhero

In other news, lots of Man City fans weren’t happy with these Kevin De Bruyne comments.

A newspaper reports that ECB chairman Giles Clarke had to be physically separated from the Independent cricket correspondent at a dinner

Cricinfo staff10-Jun-2008ECB chairman Giles Clarke had to be physically separated from the Independent on Sunday cricket correspondent Stephen Brenkley at a dinner during the Nottingham Test, according to the Daily Mail.Brenkley, along with a few Test Match Special journalists, had been invited to dinner by Clarke. During the meal the conversation turned to Zimbabwe and the possibility that the UK government would refuse to allow them to tour England in 2009. At that point, the article stated, things grew increasingly heated until Clarke grabbed Brenkley by the collar. The pair had to be split up by Test Match Special administrator Shilpa Patel.”It was a thoroughly pleasant evening with some robust conversation on a number of matters,” Brenkley told the newspaper. “I know I have the ability to get people’s pin. No apology was asked for or received and we parted company great friends.”

Celtic are getting a “modern-day centre-half” in Osaze Urhoghide, former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer has told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview.

The 20-year-old recently joined the Scottish giants after his contract at Wednesday expired.

He joins Liam Shaw, who has also made the move from England to Scotland after agreeing to join Celtic back in March, with his Wednesday contract having also expired this summer.

On free transfers, the two youngsters look like clever pieces of business done by Celtic. And in Urhoghide, Palmer believes the Bhoys are getting a very modern-day footballer capable of playing in more than one position.

“He’s a modern-day centre-half,” the ex-Wednesday star said when asked by TT what kind of player Celtic are getting. “He’s over six foot, he’s very mobile, he’s comfortable on the football and he’s equally at home in the middle of the park.

“He’s tall, he’s strong, he’s physical and he’s only 20 years of age. He’s going to grow in stature and I think he’s going to go on to be a very good player.”

Ultimately, what is Wednesday’s loss looks to be Celtic’s gain. And as Palmer mentioned, still just 20, Urhoghide can still become a much better footballer. Supporters will surely be pleased to see a player with so much potential arrive at Celtic Park.

From the Owls’ perspective, they will surely start to deal with the futures of their top talents much earlier to avoid a repeat of what has happened with both Urhoghide and Shaw.

Jagmohan Dalmiya, the former ICC and BCCI president, has filed his nomination for the election to the post of CAB president

Cricinfo staff19-Jul-2008
Jagmohan Dalmiya is confident of returning as CAB president © AFP
Jagmohan Dalmiya, the former ICC and BCCI president, has filed his nomination for the election to the post of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president, his first step in returning to cricket administration after his faction had lost the BCCI elections to the Sharad Pawar-led group in 2005.Dalmiya is confident of a successful comeback to a position that he had previously held for 13 years. “We are very confident and 100% sure that our panel will win. I will talk about my plans once the results are out,” Dalmiya told Cricinfo.Dalmiya brushed aside suggestions on problems that will emerge between the BCCI and the CAB if he becomes president. “The law is in favour of the association and me … and there will be absolutely no problem,” he told reporters. “Nothing can stop me from contesting the elections.”Dalmiya was expelled from the BCCI in December 2006, and he subsequently resigned as CAB president. The expulsion prevented him from holding any post in the BCCI or its affiliates, but the Calcutta High Court stayed the decision around a year ago, allowing him to contest the CAB elections. However, the appeal was still pending in court when the elections were held last year, and Dalmiya stayed out of contention.Dalmiya was chargesheeted for alleged embezzlement of funds during the 1996 World Cup earlier this year, but he was immediately granted bail by the Mumbai metropolitan court. The case hearing has been adjourned till December 29.The CAB elections will, in all likelihood, see Dalmiya contest against Prasun Mukherjee, the incumbent, for the president’s post. Mukherjee is expected to file his nomination on Monday.

Leicester City have been linked with a move for Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles as Brendan Rodgers looks to strengthen his first-team squad this summer.

What’s the story?

According to BBC Sport (as reported by the Leicester Mercury), the Foxes are one of three Premier League clubs interested in signing the 23-year-old over the coming months alongside Burnley and Southampton.

Maitland-Niles is one of the players named as a potential makeweight from the Gunners in their proposed move for James Maddison, but it is understood that Leicester’s interest in the England international is not related to Maddison’s future.

Brendan Rodgers needs him

The versatile youngster made a big impression when he first burst onto the scene, putting in several solid performances in a variety of positions for the north London outfit.

His impressive displays saw Maitland-Niles earn a call-up to the senior England squad in August 2020, earning praise from former Nottingham Forest full-back Stuart Pearce.

“I think he’s been outstanding. I was surprised he didn’t get the nod to start before Saka last Thursday (against Wales). That was strange, for me,” revealed Pearce.

“Saka hasn’t done anything wrong, but I’m a big fan of Maitland-Niles. I saw him last season against Wolves, and he was up against the big lad Adama Traore. He was brilliant and coped really well up against him.

“For me, he’ll be integral to any success Arsenal have this season.”

Despite Pearce’s prediction, Maitland-Niles found first-team opportunities hard to come by at the Emirates Stadium last term, starting just five Premier League games in the opening months of the campaign.

The £14.4 million-rated gem was linked with a move to the King Power Stadium back in January as a result but ended up spending the second half of the season on loan with West Bromwich Albion.

Despite putting in some solid performances, Maitland-Niles was unable to prevent the Baggies from suffering relegation and returned to his boyhood club at the end of the campaign.

However, it doesn’t seem as though he’ll be back for long. His versatility, age and potential make him an ideal Leicester signing, and Rodgers needs an extra option on the right-hand side of attack or further back in defence.

Cengiz Under has departed following a disappointing 12-month spell with the Midlands outfit, leaving them lightweight in that particular position, with only Marc Albrighton a natural fit.

Therefore, director of football Jon Rudkin must swoop for Maitland-Niles this summer, adding another promising, young English talent to Rodgers’ ranks.

And, in other news…Rodgers must axe struggling £16.2m-rated Leicester dud, he’s been shocking 

According to 90min.com, Southampton are interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey this summer.

The Lowdown: Saints stepping up preparations

After a 15th-place finish in the Premier League last term for Southampton, Ralph Hasenhuttl and co will be desperate to improve this coming campaign.

So far, they have made two new signings – Romain Perraud has joined from Stade Brestois (southamptonfc.com), and Dynel Simeu joined from Chelsea (chelseafc.com).

The Latest: Saints eye Bailey

Now, though, it seems the Saints are ready to launch a stunning move for Bailey.

They are not the only side interested, however, with Aston Villa, Leicester, Everton and Wolves all also said to be in pursuit.

Leverkusen are looking to for £25m to part ways with the Jamaica international.

The Verdict: Stunning

There is no doubt about it – if Hasenhuttl and co are able to capture Bailey, it would be a major coup for the St. Mary’s Stadium outfit.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a magnificent campaign last term, scoring 15 goals and providing 11 assists in all competitions for Die Werkself (Transfermarkt). He has long been an exciting talent – he has even been compared to Arjen Robben (Bundesliga.com).

The £25m fee could well be an obstacle for the Saints – Hasenhuttl previously said they would struggled to spend more than £10m on a single player this summer (Sky Sports). However, if they could make an exception in this case, they would have a truly top player on their hands with room to grow at just 23 years of age.

In other news, Southampton fans are livid with an update on this 27-year-old.

Zimbabwe’s decision to pull out of the ICC World Twenty20 in England next year is just a one-off decision, the ICC has said

Cricinfo staff05-Jul-2008
Giles Clarke: “We have reached a conclusion that is undoubtedly the right one for cricket” © Getty Images
Zimbabwe’s decision to pull out of the ICC World Twenty20 in England next year is just a one-off decision, the ICC has said. The decision cleared the roadblock for the competition to be staged in England, but Zimbabwe retained its Full Member status in the ICC, a compromise outgoing ICC president Ray Mali termed as a “win-win solution”.The ICC statement read: “The Zimbabwe delegation have agreed to take this decision in the greater interest of world cricket and the ICC. This recommendation should be viewed as a one-off and will not be taken as a precedent.”The boards of England and South Africa had raised the issue of Zimbabwe’s Full Member status going into the ICC board meeting in Dubai, but India is believed to have played a major role in brokering the compromise. Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, said Norman Arendse, the Cricket South Africa president, highlighted Nelson Mandela’s recent comments, in which he mentioned “the tragic failure of leadership in our neighbouring Zimbabwe”.”This statement was quoted during the board meeting by Norman Arendse, the chairman of Cricket South Africa and had a significant impact,” Clarke told the . “Nelson Mandela is a legendary figure and, as Mr Arendse said, he is a modern-day saint. His pronouncements carry weight.” But it was Sharad Pawar, the BCCI president, who managed to persuade the Zimbabwe delegation, led by Peter Chingoka, to pull out.”We have reached a conclusion that is undoubtedly the right one for cricket,” Clarke told the . “Norman [Arendse] was very strong and when Sharad [Pawar] determined what he thought was the right course of action, there was no doubt what would happen. He made a very, very significant decision.”I am very pleased with the agreement. We made our position absolutely clear all along, that Zimbabwe would not be coming, and that was the right position,” Clarke said. “I was determined that it would be settled by us in the boardroom and that our players would never again be put in the situation where they had to make decisions.” David Morgan, the new ICC president, had said the issue of Zimbabwe’s membership was never discussed at the board meeting.Meanwhile, Haroon Lorgat, the new ICC chief executive, praised Chingoka’s role in effecting a resolution, and said politics must be kept out of cricket. “We cannot as a sports governing body be mixing the issues of politics with sport,” Lorgat told the . “I was very encouraged by the robustness of the debate around the executive board table but at the end of the day the issues of politics and sport should be kept separate.”The Zimbabwe Cricket Board president Peter Chingoka helped broker the solution. It would have been extremely difficult if Chingoka was not in favour of the recommendation,” he said. “I’m now confident that with the goodwill that has come through in the process of our deliberations, everybody will look at the big picture.”Zimbabwe Cricket will have to ratify the decision made by their delegation. An ICC sub-committee will oversee Zimbabwe’s reintegration into mainstream cricket, and possibly the Future Tours Programme. The committee will be headed by Julian Hunte, the president of the West Indies Cricket Board, and will include Arjuna Ranatunga, the president of Sri Lanka Cricket, and an ICC official yet to be confirmed.