The South African camp has been in a sombre mood since the news broke of the death of their former coach, Bob Woolmer, on Sunday. But of all the players in the squad who knew and respected him, none can have had closer ties than Jonty Rhodes, the team’s fielding coach, whose career was hand-moulded by Woolmer.”The two most important people in my cricketing career were Hansie [Cronje] and Bob and they’re both gone,” said Rhodes. “I just hope they’re not in heaven picking a team because I don’t want to be next.”Under Woolmer’s tutelage, Rhodes was transformed into the most electric fielder in the world, but he still had to hold down a place as a batsman alone. “My cover drive was beyond help,” he said, “but Bob adjusted it. Technically he was a good coach, but he had passion, and for me it was more the passion and his attitude towards coaching. He made it exciting, and he made it fun. It was not about ‘you have to do it this way’. He actually gave us options.”Every week we had the ‘Abuse the Coach’ award,” added Rhodes, “but Bob used to give as good as he got. I had an amazing relationship with him. He was more than just a coach, and he had a way of giving off of himself and it was something I could relate to. That made him more than a coach to me.”Woolmer was in charge of South Africa’s fortunes for five years from 1994, and Rhodes admitted that his departure – in the aftermath of the team’s traumatic exit from the 1999 World Cup – was a big loss that they are only now beginning to overcome. “Similar to Hansie’s leadership he wasn’t easy to replace,” said Rhodes.”In the same sort of way he too was an allrounder. He could be a batting coach and a bowling coach. Like Jacques Kallis, if you replace him with a batsman, the bowling side is weak, and if you replace him with a bowler, the batting side is weak. Bob had that allround ability as a coach, and that comes with the way I coach as well.”The emotions in the Australian camp, understandably, have not been running as high, although Mike Hussey spoke of the “hollow feeling” in the pit of his stomach that he has had since Sunday. “We’re pretty shocked by the news and it’s quite saddening. I had a great respect for the guy, he’s done a lot for world cricket and it’s disappointing news for everyone. All our condolences go out to the Woolmer family.”The latest revelations to have filtered out from Jamaica are uncomfortable for everyone associated with the game, although Hussey would not be drawn into the speculation surrounding Woolmer’s death. “I know they are doing the investigations and a lot of words are being thrown about,” he said. “But we’re very confident we have excellentsecurity in place, and we are very happy with how things have been run.”
Mark Benson of England, Billy Doctrove of West Indies and Asad Rauf of Pakistan are the latest additions to the Elite Panel of ICC umpires, increasing the panel’s strength from seven to ten. This follows the annual review of umpire performance at the end of March 2006.The composition of the panel was determined by Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive and Sunil Gavaskar, the chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee. The criteria for selection was the percentage of correct decisions given as well as reports from captains and match referees.Speed congratulated the new members on their achievement and explained that the panel was expanded with the purpose of reducing the workload of the existing panel, given the current volume of international cricket.”Umpiring international cricket matches is one of the toughest jobs in world sport and we felt a seven-man panel was probably a little light. We were determined, however, not to expand the panel for the sake of it. So over the last year we have given extra appointments to umpires from the second-tier International Panel who had a good track record in home ODI matches,” Speed said in an ICC media release.Benson made his international umpiring debut in 2004 and has umpired in matches involving all the Test playing countries and is well respected by the players. He was singled out for his creditable performance in the VB Series in Australia earlier this year.”It is a great honour to be named as one of the Elite Panel,” Benson said. “It is important to do the job as well as you can so that you earn the respect of the players.”Rauf recently officiated in the first Test between India and England at Nagpur and has stood in 17 ODIs since 2000. “It’s the biggest news of my long cricket career as a player and umpire,” he said. “It’s a dream come true but I believe the biggest thing is not getting onto the panel but staying there and that will be my focus.”Doctrove has been a familiar figure in ODIs, officiating in as many as 45 games and holds the rare distinction of reaching the top level in both cricket and football. Like Steve Bucknor, a senior panel member, Doctrove is a qualified FIFA referee.He said, “I feel very proud because it means that I have made good progress in my umpiring levels and I know that my country, Dominica, though a very small one of only 70,000 people will be extremely proud of my achievement as they have always supported and encouraged me throughout my career.”David Richardson, the ICC General Manager – Cricket, and former Test cricketer, congratulated the new members and justified the reasons for their elevation.He said, “It is important to remember that just as umpires only make it onto the Elite Panel by proving they are excellent officials, they only retain their place if they can maintain these high standards on a consistent basis from year to year. The ICC will be doing everything it can to support them along the way.”
Mathew Sinclair and Ian Butler have been dumped from New Zealand’s 20-man list of contracted players for 2005-06 after disappointing seasons. Sinclair struggled against Australia in Test and one-day series while Butler was given few opportunities to impress and was unable to stay ahead of the returning Shane Bond in the bowling pecking order.The naming of Bond is a significant boost for New Zealand after their No. 1 pace bowler suffered and then recovered from career-threatening back injuries. Bond re-entered first-class competition late last summer and has been selected for an Academy tournament in Brisbane in July. Chris Harris, who injured a shoulder in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series in December, has retained his place and will return to bowling through the England club side Lashings.Lindsay Crocker, the New Zealand general manager, said even though Sinclair and Butler were not contracted they were still in the frame for international matches, particularly after they used 33 players over the past 12 months. “Sinclair was not considered as an opener,” he said. “As a middle-order player he ranks behind a number of other players in what is a congested area. Butler is still very much a prospect but does not make the top 20 when considered against Bond, Oram, Martin, Franklin, Mills and Tuffey.”Crocker said the pair’s omissions showed the growing depth of the squad and the competition for contracts was encouraging. He said Jacob Oram’s back injury was healing well, Daniel Vettori had benefited from missing the two-Test Sri Lanka series and Michael Papps, who is best remembered for being hit in the head twice by Brett Lee in the same over, was recovering well from finger surgery. The three players all made the list.”Those who have narrowly missed out on NZC contracts are more than likely to pick up top ranked Major Association contracts,” Crocker said. The 12-month period begins today.Contracted players Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Chris Cairns, Craig Cumming, Stephen Fleming, James Franklin, Chris Harris, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall, James Marshall, Chris Martin, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Michael Papps, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, Lou Vincent, Daniel Vettori, Paul Wiseman.
Central Districts 108 for 7 (Taylor 56) beat Auckland 107 by 3 wickets with 19.5 overs to spare ScorecardCentral Districts qualified for the final of the State Shield championship, New Zealand’s domestic one-day tournament, when they beat Auckland by three wickets in the rescheduled semi-final at New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park.The match was postponed from yesterday after rain had made play impossible. It seemed the weather was going to thwart play again but the skies cleared, and a helicopter was brought in to help dry the ground, allowing a 40-over match to be played.However, the amount of time that the pitch had been under covers had its effect. Auckland were asked to bat first, and they struggled to 107 all out as the ball swung and seamed around a great deal. Central Districts had a tough time as well, but finally managed to get to their target despite losing a flurry of wickets towards the end.Auckland got off to a miserable start, losing their first four wickets for 22. Their lower order fought spiritedly, but were done in by some outstanding fielding by Central Districts, as four of the last five wickets fell to run-outs. Michael Mason and Lance Hamilton were the pick of the Central Districts bowlers, each returning figures of 2 for 14.When Central Districts batted, Ross Taylor, the 19-year-old batsman, made the difference with a wonderfully aggressive 56, scored off just 45 balls. His first scoring shot was a six, and then he struck two more, off successive deliveries, to post his half-century. He was out when five runs were needed for victory, but the steady hand of Glen Sulzberger was sufficient to ensure the win with 19.5 overs to spare.The one encouraging sign for Auckland, and for New Zealand, was the sight of Andre Adams showing some of his familiar aggression. He dismissed Taylor and Jarrod Englefield off consecutive balls and ended with figures of 2 for 16 from 4.1 overs.Central Districts will play Canterbury, who topped the points table in the league games, in Friday’s final at Christchurch’s Jade Stadium. Friday is New Zealand’s national holiday, known as Waitangi Day, the day the country’s founding document was signed in 1840.
The England women’s U19 team has reached the semi-final of Australia’s Under19 Women’s State Championship, convincingly winning all four of theirmatches in the group stage.England defeated Tasmania by 8 wickets on 2nd January, followed by winsagainst Western Australia by 222 runs, Victoria by 5 wickets and SouthAustralia by 6 wickets yesterday and will play New South Wales in thesemi-final tomorrow (7th Jan).Captain, Sally-Anne Briggs (Yorkshire) has been in spectacular batting form,amassing 244 runs in the four matches, including 114* against WesternAustralia. Her performances have been matched by Isa Guha (Berkshire),England’s seam bowler who made her debut for the senior team last summer,who has taken 18 wickets, with an eight-wicket haul against WA.As the Under 19 State Championship is a domestic competition, England willnot be able to contest the Final but the competition provides some valuablematch practice ahead of two One Day International matches against AustraliaU19s on 14th and 15th January.This winter tour is a first for the England women’s U19 team which has beenrestricted to playing in English summers until now. Due to increasedfunding for the women’s game, the most talented players will have the chanceto tour with England before making their debut in the senior squad.Gill McConway, ECB Executive Director for Women’s Cricket said “It’s greatto see our U19s performing so well and I’m delighted that the dedication ofplayers and support staff is paying off. It’s a competitive winter for bothour U19s and senior England team against quality opposition, and this is thebest possible start”.
One of the more difficult tasks a cricket writer embarks on is thewriting of an obituary. It is with a touch of sadness that one recordsthe passing of Trevor Nyasha Madondo, aged just 24 years. A talentedZimbabwean middle order batsman, Madondo was one of the most promisingblack cricketers in Zimbabwe when he succumbed to malaria at theParirenyatwa Hospital in Harare on June 11.When Zimbabwe came to India in late 2000, they arrived with high hopesfor Madondo. In the first warm up game that was played against theNational Cricket Academy at Indore, Madondo came good with the bat. Abatsman who favoured the classical approach to the game, Madondonotched up a quick 28 (34 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) in the first inningsbatting at number six. Tackling the spinners well, Madondo showed thathe was capable of adapting to Indian conditions and using his feetwell. In the second innings of the same game, skipper Guy Whittallthought it fit to promote Madondo, sending him in at number three.With two wickets falling in a hurry, Madondo was forced toconsolidate. Settling in well, driving through the offside withaplomb, Madondo compiled 65 (138 minutes, 7 fours) and put on 122 withAndy Flower.But that was Madondo’s best effort on tour. The second tour matchyielded scores of 26 and 17. The tour match however, showed anotherside of Madondo. In the second innings, Andy Flower took a breakbehind the stumps and Madondo donned the gloves. Tidy behind thestumps, Madondo made his contribution to a Zimbabwean victory.Not picked to play either of the two Tests, Madondo had to be contentwatching from the sidelines.In the one-day series however, Madondo was picked to play both thefourth and fifth matches. The big moment for the youngster came whenhe top scored in the final one-dayer at Rajkot. Making a 70-ball 71(10 fours) at the top of the order, Madondo gave Zimbabwe a fightingchance of chasing a mammoth Indian total of 302.In 13 limited overs games, Madondo’s top score was 71. In all, Madondoplayed only three Tests, and made a highest score of 74 not outagainst New Zealand at Wellington in December last year. Sadly, thatwas the last Test innings Madondo played.The cricket world is shocked by the passing of a talented cricketer soyoung. Perhaps a death of someone so young causes more grief than thedeath of someone in advanced years. In conversation, Madondo cameacross as an enthusiastic, cheerful young cricketer.A memorial service was held in Harare on Monday and he was buried thenext day.
He has not featured for the Merseyside club since early February, with a crucial set of fixtures ahead, including a game away at West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
While it feels unlikely he would immediately return to the XI against the Hammers, his return to action at Finch Farm surely means he is not too far off.
The Latest: Agbonlahor reacts
Speaking to Football Insider, former Aston Villa and England striker Agbonlahor, who is also a pundit for Sky Sports, has claimed that the Goodison Park faithful will be ‘buzzing’ to get Mina back, and suggested that he could replace Michael Keane in the team:
“Michael Keane has been absolutely dreadful in recent months.
“He’s lacked the pace, and he’s even lacked the intelligence at times.
“Mina coming back, for me, will be massive. I love him. He’s a big, physical, giant of a defender. He’s fairly quick, too.
“He’ll be one that I’m sure Frank Lampard will be relying on, they’ll be buzzing to get him back.
“Lampard has got a lot to sort out in the summer with that defence.”
The Verdict: Mina over Keane
It was not long ago that pundit Jamie Carragher called the Toffees’ defence a ‘Championship back four’ after losing 5-0 away at Tottenham Hotspur, and Keane played that night in the absence of Mina.
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The fact that the Englishman has been a just outside of the relegation zone suggests that his defending has not been up to scratch this campaign. In contrast, four of the Blues’ seven wins in the top flight have come when Mina is playing.
Nonetheless, once the Colombia international is fully fit, it seems like a logical swap from Frank Lampard to start him ahead of Keane.
In other news, find out which £18m-rated maestro EFC could now sign for free here!
Lord’s and The Oval have been nominated as two of the main venues to host next year’s ICC World Twenty20, with the ECB also recommending Lord’s to host the final.After being chosen as the hosts of the tournament, England have spent the past few months deciding on the venues to be used. The Oval has been chosen as a “preferred bidder” for the warm-ups, group and Super Eight matches and a semi-final.”I am delighted that Lord’s, a world-class venue with a famous history and tradition, has agreed to be recommended hosts,” Steve Elworthy, the tournament director, said yesterday in Auckland. “I was privileged to be director for [the] ICC World Twenty20 2007 and thrilled at the success of the event which generated record crowds and also made broadcasting history in India with 1.4 billion viewers tuning in for the final.”Now I am looking forward to the challenge of raising the standard of Twenty20 cricket even higher here in England and with Lord’s as a nominated venue and The Oval as a preferred bidder – as well as a third world class ground yet to be chosen – we have already got off to a great start.”Keith Bradshaw, the MCC secretary and chief executive, added: “The MCC committee is extremely pleased, and I am personally delighted, at the ECB’s decision to recommend that the final and other matches in the ICC World Twenty20 in 2009 be staged at Lord’s. It is bound to be an exciting and major global event, and MCC looks forward to contributing to its success.”MCC has supported Twenty20 cricket – a form of the game which virtually every cricketer has played – since the county competition started a few years ago. At Lord’s, these matches have regularly attracted crowds of over 20,000, and I am looking forward to seeing the home of cricket full for the 2009 matches.”
Michael Clarke has joined the growing list of players willing to battle through the pain barrier at the World Cup. He was forced to miss the Chappell-Hadlee series with a hip problem and admits he still hasn’t fully tested the injury.”I’ve had a couple of batting sessions and I haven’t been getting anywhere near as much pain, I should say,” Clarke told . “So I’m feeling good. Fingers crossed. But I haven’t done too much running, so I’ll have to do a bit of running over the next couple of days and see how it pulls up. But I’m pretty confident it’s going to be fine.”Clarke is slated to bat at the vital No. 4 position and his importance to the line-up grows with the concerns surrounding Matthew Hayden (toe) and Andrew Symonds (bicep). His form varied during the Commonwealth Bank series, but he has fond memories of the Caribbean.Clarke made 170 runs at 85 during the one-day series in the West Indies in 2003 and knows there is no bigger arena than the World Cup. “It’s the No.1 stage for one-day cricket,” he said. “That gives every individual an opportunity to step up on such a big stage.”Hopefully I’ll get the chance to stay batting at No. 4 and there’ll be plenty of opportunity, I would imagine, to get out there and score some runs. So I’ll be working my backside off over the next couple of weeks to make sure I’m ready to go for the first game.”Clarke’s left-arm spin will also prove useful to the Australians, who struggled to find a reliable fifth and sixth bowler in New Zealand. He will expect to take some of Andrew Symonds’ overs while the allrounder is recovering from his arm injury.In 101 ODIs Clarke has taken 30 wickets at 36 with an impressive best of 5 for 35 against Sri Lanka at Dambulla. Australia’s first warm-up match is against Zimbabwe on March 6 before they face England on March 9 in the lead-up to their opening group match, against Scotland, on March 14.
Security and health care are the two major items driving government spending ahead of the 2007 World Cup (CWC). That’s according to Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Owen Arthur, who has committed government to spending around $90 million to play its part in the Caribbean’s hosting of the world’s third largest sporting event next March.Arthur was speaking with the Nation in an exclusive interview shortly after laying the 2006-2007 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure in the House of Assembly yesterday.”These Estimates are occasioned by one major consideration,” Arthur said, “that over the course of the next financial year, we have to fully honour all of our Bid Book World Cup major obligations insofar as they have financial implications.” Barbados, he added, did not now have a choice as to whether it had to meet those obligations – it had to be done by the end of March 2007.”So these estimates are driven by the obligation to honour World Cup related activities,” the Prime Minister said, “and the one big change is that there is a 27 per cent increase proposed in capital expenditure.”Capital spending moves from just over $220 million to $300 million, he disclosed, but most of the increase would drop out after next year because it would be a “one-off” expenditure. “Notwithstanding, we are still trying to bring the Estimates in line with the fiscal target of 2.5% of GDP. So even though we are bringing World Cup expenditures to account, we are still honouring the obligation to try to be as fiscally prudent as possible.”Arthur noted there were other expenditures that would have been triggered by commitments given in the January 2006 economic statement, such as $3.6 million to 2,417 people with certified severe disabilities who began drawing $63 weekly from last month.He stressed, however, that World Cup expenditure had not been done at the expense of social services, although he was concerned that there were areas in the public sector delivery of services where costs had been spiralling out of control “a bit”.Explaining the “drastic growth” in spending on security and health care, Arthur pointed to the expansion at the air and seaports; a new telecommunications facility for the police; international conventions that required spending; and a mass casualty facility at Jemmotts Lane.He added that there was an expanded programme for construction and government was also trying to fix the roads and highways as well as the island’s premier attractions.