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Ryan Harris bustles into the crease and looks like he’s going to be a medium pacer, but at delivery everything changes and his speed shocks his team-mates

Cricinfo staff27-Jan-2010Ryan Harris bustles into the crease and looks like he’s going to be a medium pacer, but at delivery everything changes and his speed shocks his team-mates. Pakistan’s batsmen also got a fright in Adelaide on Tuesday when Harris, playing his second ODI, was Man of the Match for his 5 for 43, which helped Australia wrap up the series two games early.With Doug Bollinger and Shane Watson being rested, Harris will get another chance to push for an extended run in the side during the matches in Perth on Friday and Sunday. The return of Harris, 30, comes after he played his first one-dayer last year and follows a lengthy lay-off at the start of this season due to knee surgery.”He deserves his five-for,” the wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said in the Australian. “He’s worked hard to come back from a knee injury, and he’s a good guy and he deserves the success he got.”There was one thing that surprised Haddin: Harris’ speed, which at times was around 150kph. “He’s quite deceptively quick,” he said. “His first game he played for Australia … we got a bit of a shock at how quick he really was. And [Tuesday] was no different. He’s one of those bustling sorts of skid-in bowlers that are a bit deceptive with how quick he really is.”Harris was due to fly back home to Queensland after Tuesday’s win but was quickly re-routed to Perth with the rest of the squad. “I come and go when I’m needed and hopefully I do my job,” Harris said. “It’s good to be able to come into a group that accepts you like you’ve been there a while. It’s pretty easy to make that transition.”

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to bounce back from their midweek embarrassment as they return to Premier League action this afternoon.

Antonio Conte and his side travel to Turf Moor to face third-from-bottom Burnley, who could move out of the relegation zone with three points, whilst Spurs must spark a reaction after losing to the Europa Conference League’s lowest-ranked side NS Mura on Thursday.

He fielded a largely rotated line-up in Slovenia, so it would be a surprise to see many of those keep their places, though Harry Kane is one who will undoubtedly remain.

One of those who earned some rest was Lucas Moura, and his introduction in the second half very much changed the game for the Lilywhites after he found the England talisman for the equaliser before Mura bagged themselves a historic last-minute winner.

The Brazilian winger can be a game-changer on his day, and against a resolute side like Sean Dyche’s clarets, he will be needed to provide that cutting edge once again, so the 52-year-old head coach must look to bring him back into the starting XI today.

In just 36 minutes of action on Thursday, he created two key chances, won three free-kicks and registered one successful dribble and one interception, per SofaScore.

[snack-amp-story url = “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/tottenham-hotspur-latest-team-injury-team-news-updates-transfers-gossip-rumours-antonio-conte-thfc” title=”Read the latest Spurs news, transfer updates and much, much more!”]

Overall in the league, Moura has been Spurs’ second-best player (7.08), according to WhoScored ratings, who rank him just behind Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (7.16).

That would suggest that, despite the team’s inconsistencies on the pitch, he has been one of the few shining lights thus far. Indeed, he has proven to be a rare threat in the final third.

The £18m-rated dynamo has averaged a squad-high three dribbles, 1.5 shots and a second-best 1.3 key passes per game in the top-flight, meaning that on his day he has the ball-carrying and creative ability to provide Kane and Heung-min Son with chances, as well as for himself.

Whilst he’s yet to find the net in the Premier League from ten starts, he is certainly ahead of Steven Bergwijn in the pecking order after the Dutchman failed to make the trip to Slovenia.

“There’s no-one worse to train against than Lucas Moura. He’s a nightmare. He’s so fast, so sharp,” teammate and centre-back Eric Dier once claimed to the Premier League’s official YouTube channel.

Former Spurs manager Jose Mourinho previously dubbed him a “team player” in an interview with the club’s official website, where he added: “He’s always there for the team, playing amazing or not so amazing, but always there, always fighting for the team.”

That’s the sort of attitude that Conte will absolutely love, and in Moura, he could well have a game-changer in the attack. The Brazilian must start up in Lancashire today.

AND in other news, “In discussions…”: Journalist drops big Spurs transfer claim, fans should be hugely worried…

Crystal Palace are interested in ending Nicolas Pepe’s nightmare spell at Arsenal in January, with the Gunners interested in selling.

What’s the talk?

Pepe joined the north London side in a club-record £72m deal in the summer of 2019, signing a five-year contract with the side after an excellent season with Lille in Ligue 1 the previous year where he scored 23 goals and got 12 assists in 41 games. But after just 25 goals in 98 appearances for the club Pepe has fallen down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium.

The 26-year-old Ivory Coast international hasn’t featured since being given five minutes against Leicester at the end of October, with Eddie Nketiah getting the call from the substitutes bench in recent games ahead of him.

Palace were linked with a move for Pepe on loan with the option to buy, and it’s believed that the Gunners would be open to such a deal to free up space and cash in their squad for a player who is out of favour and currently valued at just £31.5m.

Vieira’s Gunners links

Eagles boss Patrick Vieira is an Arsenal legend, captaining the side through their “Invincibles” season and playing 406 times for the Gunners. With his good relationship with the club, it’s very possible that they will have an advantage in any race for the Ivorian winger.

The move would allow him to stay in London, while his international teammate Wilfried Zaha is widely regarded as a top player at Selhurst Park.

With Vieira opting for a 4-3-3 formation for much of this season, Pepe’s arrival on the right wing can allow him to get back to his best which was described by former coach Freddie Ljungberg as “lethal”.

He has great pace and his ability to beat players one-on-one is very good, it’s just the end product that has suffered since moving to England so playing for a team with more space to attack and less expectation could be exactly what he needs.

As Palace continue to struggle in front of goal, scoring just 19 goals in 15 games so far in the Premier League, an attacker with top-level experience is something that they probably shouldn’t shy away from. He will have a point to prove to English football fans and under Vieira could find his best form once again.

Despite a lack of goals, there has been a revolution ensuing under the guidance of Vieira who has engineered wins over both Manchester City and Spurs this term. Adding Pepe, a man who once scored 23 in one season for Lille, would not only continue that revolution but get them into a higher gear, laying a platform for more goals and consequently, more points.

AND in other news, Palace must win race for Sven Botman.

Afghanistan’s maiden first-class game on their now official home ground – Sharjah – got off to a poor start with Canada’s top order piling on the runs on the opening day of their ICC Intercontinental Cup match

Cricinfo staff20-Feb-2010
Scorecard’Afghanistan’s maiden first-class game on their now official home ground – Sharjah – got off to a poor start with Canada’s top order piling on the runs on the opening day of their ICC Intercontinental Cup match. Ashish Bagai top-scored, but missed out on a century, and there were half-centuries from Trevin Bastiampillai and Nitish Kumar as Canada reached 350 for 6 by stumps.Canada’s openers, Sandeep Jyoti and Bastiampillai, added 61 before Jyoti was dismissed by Mohammad Nabi for 32. Kumar then joined Bastiampillai for another protective stand for the second wicket, worth 50, but the innings’ best alliance was between Kumar and his captain Bagai. They added 155 but Canada were jolted when both fell in consecutive overs, leaving the innings on 271 for 4. Bagai had made 93 before he was caught by Samiullah Shenwari off Mirwais Ashraf.Ramesh David and Sunil Dhaniram were building another useful stand when Shenwari struck two blows late in the day, bowling David and trapping Jimmy Hansra lbw, to raise Afghanistan’s spirits. Canada, who were on 266 for 2 at one stage, finished on 350 for 6.

Daryl Harper has not been chosen to officiate at the World Twenty20 in West Indies

Cricinfo staff10-Mar-2010Daryl Harper has not been chosen to officiate at the World Twenty20 in West Indies although the ICC insist the decision has nothing to do with his controversial role in the fourth Test between England and South Africa, at the Wanderers in January, and is based on “general performance reasons”.Harper came under the spotlight when he was the third umpire in control of the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) in Johannesburg. He gave Graeme Smith not out under the review procedure when he was unable to hear a clear noise as the ball passed the edge.It was suggested at the time that Harper hadn’t had the volume level turned up when listening to the replay, although there were counter-claims that it was a problem with the original feed from the host broadcaster which they denied.”It will be noted that Daryl Harper…has not been selected for this event,” the ICC said. “This decision was taken by the selection panel for a number of general performance reasons. It must be categorically stated, however, that none of these reasons is related to his role as third umpire in the fourth Test between South Africa and England in Johannesburg earlier this year.”It wasn’t the first time that Harper had been involved in controversy either in the TV umpire’s chair or out in the middle and the ICC’s statement that his omission from the World Twenty20 is for general performance suggests it has been a build-up of errors.Harper isn’t the first umpire to miss a high-profile tournament. In 2007, Aleem Dar, Steve Bucknor, Billy Bowden and Rudi Koertzen were stood down from the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa – along with match referee Jeff Crowe – following their part in the chaotic conclusion to the 2007 World Cup final in Barbados. The game ended in virtual darkness when the umpires didn’t realise enough overs had been completed to register a match.While Harper won’t be in the West Indies, three international panel umpires – Marais Erasmus from South Africa, Australia’s Rod Tucker and Shavir Tarapore from India – will join their elite colleagues.The decision on the umpiring appointments was taken by a four man committee comprising of Dave Richardson, the ICC general manager, Ranjan Madugalle, the ICC chief match referee, David Lloyd the former England coach and now TV commentator and Srinivas Venkataraghavan the former elite umpire from India.Umpires Billy Bowden, Aleem Dar, Steve Davis, Billy Doctrove, Ian Gould, Tony Hill, Rudi Koertzen, Asoka de Silva, Simon Taufel, Asad Rauf (all from the elite panel of ICC umpires), Marais Erasmus, Shavir Tarapore and Rod Tucker (from the international panel of ICC umpires).Match referees Ranjan Madugalle, Alan Hurst and Jeff Crowe

Leeds United suffered a devastating 7-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League on Tuesday night, as Pep Guardiola’s side ran riot at the Etihad.

The Whites found themselves three goals down by the break, before City continued their onslaught in the second-half, and while a number of players weren’t up to scratch for Marcelo Bielsa, Junior Firpo in particular struggled more than most.

The Spaniard had the unenviable task of trying to stop the likes of Riyad Mahrez and co from wreaking havoc, and the summer signing just didn’t look at the races at all.

As per Sofascore, he won just one out of his four total duels on the night, while also making no tackles or interceptions and being dribbled past once too.

While the energy was there again, Firpo just couldn’t keep his composure at times, committing the most amount of fouls of any player on the pitch.

In possession, the former Real Betis man didn’t offer too much either, registering fewer touches even than goalkeeper Illan Meslier, and providing no crosses.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Beren Cross gave him a four, saying: “Some clumsy challenges and predictably his fifth yellow card of the season, but was at the heart of some of the best, if few, attacking moves Leeds built.”

That sentiment was echoed by The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth, who gave him a three and added: “Struggled to contain Mahrez, picked up a booking and had to walk a tightrope against world class attackers.”

With that yellow card, Firpo will now be missing from action against Arsenal at the weekend, and that has given Bielsa a major headache about how he will go about replacing him, particularly with Pascal Struijk out too.

It was just a nightmare display for both player and club.

Meanwhile, Leeds United are eyeing this Uruguayan star…

Leeds United defender Leo Hjelde was set to return to training on Tuesday following a calf injury, The Yorkshire Evening Post report.

The Lowdown: Calf problem

The Whites have 10 senior men injured at this moment in time, meaning Marcelo Bielsa has had to use a number of Under-23 players in recent defeats to Manchester City and Arsenal.

Hjelde, labelled as ‘superb’ by Paddy Kenny, hasn’t been available in recent weeks after suffering a calf problem in a 3-2 defeat against Manchester City’s Under-23’s at the end of November.

The 18-year-old arrived from Celtic in the summer and is clearly rated by Bielsa, after being named as a substitute in six successive Premier League games between September and November when the club’s injury list wasn’t as big.

The Latest: Training return

Leeds’ Under-23 manager Mark Jackson was talking to the media following the 0-0 draw with Everton on Monday evening.

He revealed that Hjelde was due at Thorp Arch for a return to training on Tuesday, labelling it as ‘a welcome boost to the club as a whole’.

The Verdict: Finally…

Although Hjelde is still yet to make a senior appearance for the Whites, having him back fit is still a welcome boost considering the situation at Elland Road.

Defender Kris Moore was named in a matchday squad for the first time against Arsenal, but with Hjelde now back, Bielsa could select him in the 20-man squad once again.

Hjelde will be able to provide cover at both centre-back and at left-back, and with the way Leeds are going at the minute, it wouldn’t come as a shock if the Norwegian receives his first taste of Premier League action for the Whites before 2021 comes to an end.

In other news: Leeds focused on sealing move for former England U21 ace; fans know all about him. 

Victoria had their best day of the final as they amassed a 321-run lead that has effectively eliminated Queensland from the game

Cricinfo staff19-Mar-2010Victoria 305 & 2 for 273 (Quiney 73, Jewell 70, Hussey 63*, Finch 54*) lead Queensland 257 (Broad 82, McDonald 3-64) by 321 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsRob Quiney led Victoria’s impressive reply with 73•Getty ImagesVictoria had their best day of the final as they amassed a 321-run lead that has effectively eliminated Queensland from the game. The hosts collected an advantage of 48 after the Bulls were bowled out for 257 in the first session and then raced ahead to finish the third day at 2 for 273.Rob Quiney and Nick Jewell started the second innings in excellent shape as they combined in an opening stand of 154 at more than four an over. With each run they made Queensland’s task even harder – they were already without the bowling services of James Hopes – and it will take a freakish effort from the visitors to upset the competition leader now. The Bushrangers only need to draw the match to raise the Sheffield Shield so they can bat for as long as they like over the final two days.Cameron Boyce, the rookie slow bowler, broke through twice in nine balls to remove both openers but David Hussey and Aaron Finch made sure there were no more losses. A fine legspinner from around the wicket bowled Quiney for 73 after he had collected 10 fours and a six during his 112-ball display. Jewell was slightly more cautious and he departed to a strange shot that ended in a catch to Chris Simpson at first slip.Victoria were 2 for 155 but Hussey and Finch quickly regained the momentum in a brisk stand of 118 in 150 balls. Hussey enjoyed attacking Boyce (2 for 60) and finished unbeaten on 63 while Finch was 54, including three fours in a Ben Cutting over late in the day.The Bulls were dismissed after adding 58 in the morning thanks to Cutting’s aggressive 35. Simpson was lbw to Damien Wright (2 for 48) early before the bowler hobbled off with a hamstring strain. Chris Swan and Luke Feldman were knocked over by John Hastings before Andrew McDonald, who had 3 for 64, finished the innings by bowling Boyce.It hasn’t been a great match for the bowlers with Hopes unable to deliver any more overs after suffering a grade one calf injury. The problem means Hopes will be out for up to three weeks, which threatens his plans of appearing in both the World Twenty20 and the IPL.

With the January transfer window opening in a matter of days, Everton could do with splashing the cash and bringing some new players in given how they’ve only managed to win one of their 11 previous Premier League games.

However, one piece of business that the Merseyside club should be doing would be to get rid of one of their current players – Lucas Digne.

The left-back was left out of the squad for Everton’s 2-1 win over Arsenal at Goodison Park earlier this month as a result of a reported falling out with manager Rafa Benitez behind the scenes.

Digne hasn’t appeared for Everton since playing the full 90 minutes in their 4-1 home defeat against Liverpool.

Prior to his falling out with Benitez, the 28-year-old, who is currently picking up a weekly wage of £110k-per-week according to Salary Sport, had played in all but one of Everton’s Premier League games, donning the captain’s armband on three occasions, showing how important he is to the team. That’s despite being slammed by commentator Andy Hinchcliffe for having a “nightmare” period in their 3-0 defeat against Aston Villa.

Everton signed Digne from Barcelona back in August 2018 in a deal worth a reported fee of £18m. Since then, the defender, who is currently valued at £31.5m according to Transfermarkt, has made 127 appearances for the Toffees across all competitions, scoring six goals and providing 20 assists in the process.

That said, looking ahead to January, Everton must bite the bullet with Digne and get him out of the club if his relationship with Benitez is beyond repair, which would be a shame to see him throw his career at Goodison Park away.

However, with Everton reportedly close to securing a deal for Dynamo Kyiv left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko for a fee of £17.9m, this could spell the end of the Frenchman’s time at the club anyway, especially with Ben Godfrey playing in the left-back position in recent weeks.

With the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle United and Leicester City reportedly interested in signing the full-back, there’s every possibility that Everton could be facing him in the Premier League at some point this season after being such a regular for them at the start of the campaign.

In other news: James 2.0: Moshiri could spark fury at Everton with swoop for “lazy” £380k-p/w flop – opinion

Sarel Burger’s all-round effort helped Namibia brush aside Bermuda’s challenge yet again in Windhoek

Cricinfo staff11-Apr-2010
Scorecard
Sarel Burger’s all-round effort helped Namibia brush aside Bermuda’s challenge yet again in Windhoek. Burger hit a quick, unbeaten half-century to shepherd the chase after his three-wicket burst had limited Bermuda to an insufficient 155.Even that moderate score was reached thanks to a generous helping of wides from the Namibia bowlers – 24 of them. Extras was the highest contributor, boosting Bermuda by 30 runs. After the visitors chose to bat, Bermuda progressed to a satisfactory 60 for 2, but the innings unravelled with the quick dismissals of key batsmen David Hemp and Steven Outerbridge.Bermuda lost six wickets for 48 to slide to 108 for 8, and were spared further embarrassment by the ninth-wicket pair of Malachi Jones and Jordan DeSilva, who added 45 in the biggest stand of the innings. As in the previous game, though, Bermuda were unable to play out their full quota of overs, folding up in the 40th.Namibia’s chase was smooth, the only hiccup was the early exit of opener Raymond van Schoor. After that, Gerhard Rudolph and Burger added 57 for the second wicket, before Rudolph was caught behind. That brought in captain Craig Williams, who smashed a 37-ball 49 to finish the game with more than 20 overs to spare.