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Nuwan Kulasekara found the perfect lines and lengths for the slow and low track that the USA has dished out, and ripped the heart out of New Zealand’s batting

The Bulletin by Sidharth Monga23-May-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were outNuwan Kulasekara troubled the New Zealand top order with three wickets in his first over•Associated Press

Nuwan Kulasekara found the perfect lines and lengths for the slow and low track that the USA has dished out, and ripped the heart out of New Zealand’s batting with three wickets in his first over. Although Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum, the only New Zealanders to reach double figures, avoided the ignominy of the lowest total in Twenty20 internationals, 81 was never going to test Sri Lanka even on this pitch.The win was set up by Kulasekara’s first two overs, three wickets in the first and no runs in the second. He made the necessary adjustments from the first match: everything was stump to stump, slightly short of a length, and offcutters were bowled aplenty. That the innings started with Kumar Sangakkara standing up to the stumps, with no slip in sight, said a lot about the pitch. It didn’t help New Zealand that their top-order batsmen were looking to play around their front pad, and the bowlers were hardly missing. There was no bounce in the pitch to take anything over the stumps either.Aaron Redmond and Rob Nicol both fell to ones that Kulasekara got to jag in sharply. Brendon McCullum got a beauty in between those dismissals, this one holding its line. Ross Taylor, in the next over, played across the line to Angelo Mathews and paid the price. Gareth Hopkins, in to replace the injured Martin Guptill, went for an ill-advised single, and many dubious records were in sight.Crisis man Vettori, though, found support from the older McCullum, and the two batted sensibly to add 45 for the sixth wicket. Neither of them looked to play across the line, both waited for the loose deliveries, which were rare. One of them was a full delivery from Mathews in the seventh over, which McCullum punched down the ground for the first boundary of the innings. Vettori hit two more boundaries, both cleverly played reverse-sweeps against Sanath Jayasuriya.The partnership came to an end when Vettori swept at Ajantha Mendis, and the fielding side and the umpire took the noise emanating for an edge. Vettori, though, demonstrated the exact spot on the pitch his bat had hit, which created the incriminating sound.When McCullum square-cut Thissara Perera through the fingers of Tillakaratne Dilshan in the 16th over, the only other boundary of the piece, the score moved to 76, two more than the lowest total by a major team. Even though McCullum kept New Zealand fighting, the lower order found full and straight bowling from Lasith Malinga too much, securing New Zealand’s smallest total in the format.In the chase, Sri Lanka were hardly under any pressure, especially after Mahela Jayawardene got them going with a 12-ball 17. During his stay in the middle, batting looked at its easiest on this pitch not conducive to attractive cricket. Perera was sent in at the first drop, and he did his job by hitting two fours and a six in his 25 even as Dilshan struggled for timing. Those two cameos were enough, though, to set the chase up, and Dilshan saw them through.

The strict action taken by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against the top players for their dismal performance during the tour of Australia, has drawn mixed reactions from former players

Cricinfo staff10-Mar-2010Inzamam-ul-Haq: “What sort of message are we delivering to the world by taking such decisions at a time when nobody is agreeing to come to Pakistan to play cricket?”•AFP

Players’ power was affecting team’s performance badly. There was no discipline in the team and it had become impossible for the board to tackle the players. That was why the board has been budging down to players’ pressure. The decision is beneficial even if we lose in the Twenty20 World Cup. The move has a lesson for budding players. They will always have in mind that if senior players can be punished, then they too are no exceptions
Zaheer Abbas,
Younis and Yousuf should go to court to challenge the decision. This is not a good decision for Pakistan cricket. The board is not setting a good example before young cricketers. I don’t understand the thinking that led them to take such a decision. The committee comprised employees of the PCB and there was no neutral person in it. What sort of message are we delivering to the world by taking such decisions at a time when nobody is agreeing to come to Pakistan to play cricket?
Inzamam-ul-Haq,
Our main problem was discipline, but barring players, I am not sure, it doesn’t look nice to just end the international careers of such talented players. It is surprising, but at the end of the day, the PCB needed to make an example and took a step to clean up the lack of discipline in the team. I am sure the players will challenge the life ban though.
Ramiz Raja,
Younis I think has been treated unfairly for long now, what was his fault and yet he is banned for life. This is not the way to improve things in Pakistan cricket. If things were so wrong in Australia then what was the team management doing. I am getting a feeling that the board has taken these decisions to save themselves after the recent poor performances and controversies.Rashid Latif,
It’s the end of players’ power from our national team, which is a very good sign. From now on, every player will be very careful because they know that they can be fined or banned if they violate discipline. Younis and Yousuf had played their innings in international cricket as they have got too old, but Naved and Akmal should have also been banned for one year.
Sarfraz Nawaz,

West Ham remain interested in potential January moves for Burnley’s James Tarkowski and Liverpool’s Nat Phillips, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: West Ham eye up January additions

The Hammers may be enjoying another excellent season but there is certainly a need to bring in reinforcements in the January transfer window, such is the extent of their injury crisis in the heart of defence.

First-choice centre-backs Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma are both currently out, and the former is expected to be missing for most or all of the campaign.

With David Moyes hoping his team can push for a top-four finish and go far in the Europa League, surely at least one new face in that area is required.

The Latest: Journalist makes key claim

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones claimed that there is interest in both Tarkowski and Phillips, even though signing the Burnley man could prove to be difficult:

“Everything I’m told about West Ham remains focused around the centre-back options that we’ve heard before.

“There’s Tarkowski, who will obviously be really hard to get out of Burnley, and Nat Phillips.”

The Verdict: Phillips an exciting option

If Burnley refuse to sell Tarkowski this month, Phillips could be a shrewd investment instead, with the Liverpool man clearly not a key figure at Anfield, making just three appearances all season.

The 24-year-old showed what he is capable of last season, however, filling in admirably in the absence of injured trio Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, earning plenty of praise from Jurgen Klopp, who called the young Englishman ‘absolutely insane’ after a win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Phillips averaged a whopping 5.6 aerial duels won and 4.8 clearances per game in the Premier League in 2020/21, highlighting why he could come in as an assured option for West Ham, still with plenty of potential left to fulfil as he is yet to enter his prime.

In other news, some West Ham fans are buzzing over a £200million claim. Read more here.

MatériaMais Notícias

MatériaMais Notícias

Com a queda para a Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro, a Ponte terá que lidar com uma redução significativa de orçamento. De uma cota de quase R$ 30 milhões, o clube vai receber aproximadamente R$ 4 milhões e terá de se adequar à nova realidade financeira.

Isso sem dúvidas vai impactar as folhas de pagamento do clube. A situação é complicada para a Macaca, principalmente quando se pensa em montar um elenco competitivo para disputar o Campeonato Paulista, a Copa do Brasil e também o acesso na Série B do Brasileiro.

Reforços com salários que se encaixem ao novo orçamento são o foco. O primeiro jogador anunciado, o zagueiro Wesley Matos, está dentro da nova receita. O caixa da Macaca também poderá afetar a comissão técnica.

O técnico Eduardo Baptista, que tem contrato até final de 2018, se mantém no cargo mesmo com o assédio de outros clubes, como o Sport.

O presidente Vanderlei Pereira irá se pronunciar sobre o planejamento do clube para a próxima temporada, após o dia 11, quando acontece a primeira reunião do conselho eleito.

حقق فريق توتنهام فوزًا صعبًا على خصمه برايتون، مساء اليوم، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واستضاف ملعب “أميكس” مباراة الفريقين في الجولة العاشرة من الدوري الإنجليزي، حيث فاز توتنهام بهدف دون رد. هدف فوز توتنهام أمام برايتون

هدف المباراة الوحيد جاء في الدقيقة 22 من عمر الشوط الأول، عن طريق النجم الإنجليزي هاري كين بعد أسيست من الكوري الجنوبي سون هيونج مين.

وسجل سون هيونج هدفًا لصالح توتنهام، في الدقيقة 75، ولكن تم إلغائه بسبب وجود حالة تسلل.

بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد توتنهام إلى 20 نقطة في المركز الثالث بعد خوض 9 مباريات، بينما تجمد رصيد برايتون عند 14 نقطة في المركز السادس بعد خوض 8 مباريات.

Waqar Younis has signed on as the new coach of the Pakistan side, in the process becoming the fourth coach of the team in three years

Osman Samiuddin03-Mar-2010

Waqar Younis has signed on as the new coach of the Pakistan side, in the process becoming the fourth coach of the team in three years. The former fast bowler has been in negotiations with the PCB over the last few days, but confirmed that he will now replace Intikhab Alam on a tenure that sees him through to December 2011.Waqar, who is based in Sydney currently, will arrive in Lahore next week to begin work, the first assignment of which will be to prepare Pakistan’s defense of the World Twenty20 crown in the Caribbean in April-May. “I’ve signed on and agreed to the contract,” Waqar told Cricinfo. “I’ll be arriving in Lahore from next week to begin work.”Though the PCB had talked of – and approached – at least one foreign option to replace Intikhab in the aftermath of the tour to Australia, Waqar emerged as a favourite to take over last week. He was sent a contract over the weekend and though there initially were a few sticking points, it is believed the chinks have been ironed out.”I’m absolutely honoured to take on the role and it is a very exciting challenge,” Waqar said. “Hopefully I can deliver on the role. Cricket has given me a lot over the years and I want to give something back to cricket and country now. I’ve always played my cricket with passion and aggression and I want the team to play like that.”This will be Waqar’s first official role as head coach at any competitive level, though he has worked with Pakistan twice previously as a bowling coach. The first was a stint under Bob Woolmer between March 2006 and January 2007, a successful stretch during which a number of bowlers prospered. The second time was on the recent Australian tour, where he was one of three coaches in a set-up headed by Intikhab and that appointment was for the series only.But Waqar believes his relative lack of experience in an expansive role will not be a hindrance, hinting that he would relish the broader sweep such a post would afford him. “I’ll probably have more control of various situations and have a say in more decisions. I really enjoyed my time as bowling coach, especially the first one under Bob.”The last one was a little more difficult but I’m confident I can deliver. I learnt a lot from Bob during his time and I’m hoping I can put that to good use.”

Everything that Hashim Amla has built so far in the series stands to fall apart tomorrow if he fails

N Hunter17-Feb-2010

The cruelty of sport cannot show up more starkly. Everything that Hashim Amla has built so far in the series, every patient, gritty minute he has spent at the crease for his 416 runs, stands to fall apart if he fails on Thursday. And, with a sunny day forecast, India’s primary aim will be to get rid of the batsman of the series.For Amla, the challenge couldn’t be any bigger: with just three more specialist batsmen for support, and two of them – Ashwell Prince and JP Duminy – struggling for form, he will have to come up with something special if South Africa are to snatch the No. 1 ranking from India.Amla has done everything that has been asked of him so far in India: in Nagpur, when South Africa’s series got off to a terrible start, losing the openers with only six runs on board, Amla retained his composure and, with Jacques Kallis, built the rest of the innings brick by brick. His unbeaten 253 set South Africa on the road to victory, which was completed by Dale Steyn’s awesome swing bowling.Even in Kolkata, but for Amla’s century on the first day, South Africa’s chances might have been washed away by now in the Hooghly. While his 114 was peppered with some aggressive and streaky strokes, today Amla came out more assured. It was evident in his strokeplay as he countered swing, spin, bounce, flight and some sledging without any fuss.Not once was he tentative. He got his eye in instantly and played with a freedom that can only come out of confidence. As the Indians grew desperate and tried to attack Amla replied with some aggressive strokes that forced MS Dhoni to spread his field. Kallis, whose 57-run partnership with Amla had soothed some frayed nerves in the South African camp, said the pair’s positive intent had affected India’s strategy. “They were probably trying to defend as well as take wickets and we need to keep doing what we did today,” Kallis said.Kallis said in Amla, South Africa possessed the best pilot to see them to safety. “He is mentally very strong, has good powers of concentration, knows his limitations and knows his gameplan very well and executed it very well.”Amla has had some experience already of being involved in a few rescue acts. In the first Test of the 2008 series in England, South Africa had been forced to follow-on. Only Ashwell Prince had shown some character in the first dig with a stubborn century. But second time around the visitors bounced back strongly with centuries by the opening pair of Graeme Smith, Neil McKenzie and Amla. Even if McKenzie led the fightback on that occasion, Amla’s knock was an important one, too, considering he had to survive for a similar duration (as in Kolkata), against a buoyant home side. The England fast bowlers tried unsettling him with incessant short stuff, but Amla remained unflappable and unbeaten as South Africa escaped with a draw. It was an important result as Smith’s men gathered confidence from that effort and eventually won the series 2-1.The only difference now is the roles are reversed with Amla needing to lead the resistance. Of the batsman remaining, de Villiers already has a fifty in the series so he would not sweat as much as Prince and Duminy who have been out-of-touch so far. But both men have played some fighting knocks in the recent past. Prince hit a spirited century in the final Test of the Australian series at home two years back in the absence of Smith. Duminy announced his abundant talent in his first two Tests including a 166 at the MCG which helped South Africa to become the first team to beat the Aussies at home in 16 years.”It is also an opportunity for Ashwell and JP to turn their form around,” Kallis said, adding South Africa have the wherewithal to survive the Indian challenge. “There is no reason we can’t survive 90-odd overs. The guys have good gameplans and if we can just keep positive and keep the pressure on India anything can happen.”But Amla holds the controls and Kallis said he can’t now afford to lose it. “He has been in fantastic form. The biggest lesson of all when you are in good form is don’t give it away.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A última rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro será decisiva para o Atlético-MG, que luta por vaga na Libertadores de 2018. De volta à Cidade do Galo, a equipe realizou seu primeiro treino em campo, visando o duelo contra o Grêmio, que acontece neste domingo, às 17h, no Independência. Na atividade, Oswaldo de Oliveira promoveu duas alterações em relação ao time que empatou em 2 a 2 com o Corinthians: Adilson retornou no lugar de Yago e Marcos Rocha deu lugar a Bremer.

Apesar de ter sido poupado do treino por conta de uma virose, o jovem volante deve ser escalado entre os titulares na partida contra o Tricolor Gaúcho. Por outro lado, Marcos Rocha é desfalque certo no time alvinegro devido ao acúmulo de três cartões amarelos. Por conta disso, Bremer foi escolhido para atuar improvisado na lateral direita.

Durante o treino na Cidade do Galo, Oswaldo de Oliveira manteve o foco na movimentação dos jogadores. Na atividade em campo reduzido, os atletas precisaram mostrar velocidade na saída de bola e precisão na marcação. A equipe titular contou com Victor; Bremer, Leonardo Silva, Gabriel e Fábio Santos; Adilson e Elias; Otero, Robinho e Valdívia; Fred.

A dois pontos de distância do Vasco, último time no G7 da tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro, o Atlético-MG tem a missão de vencer o Grêmio no Horto e ainda deve torcer por tropeços dos rivais na briga pela vaga na Libertadores.

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MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico Reinaldo Rueda confirmou que o Flamengo terá o retorno do experiente zagueiro Juan, de 38 anos, ao time titular na partida contra o Coritiba, nesta quinta-feira, no Couto Pereira, pelo Brasileirão. Já o meia Diego, que estava a serviço da Seleção Brasileira, viaja direto para Curitiba, sem treinar com o elenco, e será avaliado para saber se poderá começar jogando ou entrará no decorrer do jogo. O treinador rubro-negro concedeu uma entrevista coletiva nesta quarta-feira, após um protesto de torcedores na entrada do Ninho do Urubu, e disse entender as manifestações.

– Quando se chega numa instância dessas, em todas as culturas futebolísticas existe este tipo de cobrança. O torcedor tem todo o direito de fazer esta cobrança, mas é uma situação que só se pode resolver com trabalho em campo. Não valem as palavras, é preciso trabalhar melhor. Quando são protestos que se respeitam a integridade física das pessoas, se respeitam as vidas. Às vezes, vivemos numa guerra que não sabemos, não valorizamos um dano físico. É isso que temos de superar. É normal que haja cobrança quando não tem agressão física – opinou o colombiano.

Questionado se faria mais mudanças na equipe do que previsto – com a volta de Juan e, possivelmente, Diego – o treinador sinalizou uma negativa.

-Neste momento, precisamos ter equilíbrio, construir uma equipe é muito difícil. Fazer uma relação de 11 jogadores é muito fácil, mas entrosar é muito difícil. E quando estamos neste processo, com a pressão, dificuldades, temos que abraçar, respaldar a equipe para melhorar. Vamos tratar de não mudar muito, conservar um pouco o equilíbrio, não é fácil – disse o comandante.

Rueda lamentou o fato de não contar com jogadores importantes neste momento. O Flamengo está desfalcado de Réver, Guerrero, Berrío e Trauco. Ele voltou a falar sobre o alto investimento feito pelo clube no futebol nesta temporada. Foram gastos cerca de R$ 60 milhões em contratações.

-Investimento requer tempo. Alguns investimentos não puderam participar da Copa do Brasil. Quando os jogadores estão tomando forma, vem outro insucesso: perder seis jogadores em duas semanas. Isso não é desculpa, mas que equipe do Brasileirão perdeu seis jogadores? Juan, Réver, Trauco, Berrío, Guerrero, Diego… Seis jogadores com bom nível individual. Não tivemos sorte. Quando estamos recuperando um, sai outro. Seis jogadores é um buraco muito grande. Estamos numa situação em que assumimos as responsabilidades. Isso tem nos dificultado – ponderou.

A delegação rubro-negra viaja na tarde desta quarta para Curitiba.

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