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Deccan Chargers dropped too many catches in the first half of the game to allow Kolkata Knight Riders to motor along to 169, and then dropped intensity alarmingly in the chase to succumb to their sixth defeat in nine games

The Bulletin by Nitin Sundar03-May-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsDeccan Chargers let themselves down badly on the field•AFPDeccan Chargers dropped too many catches in the first half of the game to allow Kolkata Knight Riders to motor along to 169, and then dropped intensity alarmingly in the chase to succumb to their sixth defeat in nine games. Yusuf Pathan was the biggest beneficiary of Deccan’s fielding largesse, surviving three clangers to pummel his way to his highest score of the season. His assault yielded 47 off 26 balls, and he helped Kolkata double their score in the last eight overs in Manoj Tiwary’s company.Deccan’s pursuit followed a similar template to their misfiring chase against Chennai: Sunny Sohal kept opening up the off side and swiping in hope and Shikhar Dhawan once again receded into a shell after starting with promise. As he has done regularly this season, Iqbal Abdulla made things happen, removing Sohal and Kumar Sangakkara in his second over with clever changes of pace. Cameron White then crawled listlessly as the chase slumped to a mid-innings comatose. Rajat Bhatia put White out of his misery in the 11th over, and the game was over as a contest when Daniel Christian was wrongly adjudged lbw three balls later. Dhawan tried to reignite Deccan’s hopes, but the innings had meandered too far off course by then.It seemed unlikely that Deccan would be chasing 170 when they limited Kolkata to 84 for 3 by the 12th over. Gautam Gambhir exited at that pivotal juncture, leaving two new batsmen to do a repair job. Deccan, however, simply refused to seize the moment. Pragyan Ojha kept attacking with flight, and Yusuf tried to break free by lofting over the leg side. He was beaten in the air, though, and Amit Mishra ran back at long-off to get under the mis-hit. Drop. In the next over, Mishra had Yusuf miscuing in the same direction, towards Christian. Another drop. The next ball was whacked with the turn over the extra-cover boundary, and Kolkata never looked back.Sangakkara missed a trick by holding Dale Steyn’s second spell back until the 16th over. Yusuf had got his eye in by then, and the fact that Tiwary faced that entire over did not help Deccan’s cause. Tiwary looted two off-side fours off Steyn, before Yusuf thumped Ishant Sharma for a massive six over long-on. By the time Dhawan grassed Yusuf again in the 19th over, Deccan were in damage-control mode, and doing a poor job at it. Tiwary launched Christian for six more, before Yusuf fore-handed Ishant and whipped Steyn for boundaries to ensure Kolkata finished with a bang.The start of Kolkata’s innings was a dawdle by comparison, in spite of Eoin Morgan’s innate energy at the crease. He nearly ran himself out first ball, and charged out to the third and dumped Christian over long-on for a six. Thereafter Jacques Kallis settled into accumulation mode. He checked in with a typically pristine set of boundaries, charming Steyn through the covers, before redirecting short balls from Ishant on either side of the wicket for fours.Gambhir took charge after Christian foxed Morgan with a slow offcutter. Gambhir lofted his first ball emphatically over the covers for four, before slashing Ojha through point. His joust with Christian was the most captivating mini-battle of the session, and included a heaved pull for six, a drop, a collision and a heated exchange of words. Kolkata progressed to 73 in the first ten overs, and Deccan were in need of some inspiration. The spinners produced just that, with Mishra foxing Kallis in the flight and Ojha hoodwinking Gambhir, but the fielding was about to let them down big-time. Yusuf exacted full toll, and ensured it was another forgettable night for the Hyderabad supporters who have witnessed only one home win in three-and-a-half seasons.

Crystal Palace have had a solid start to life under manager Patrick Vieira, challenging for a top-half Premier League spot and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, losing to Chelsea.

The former Arsenal captain has taken to Premier League management with ease and looks set to steer the side to their highest finish since 2014/2015, where they finished tenth.

What’s the word?

Building on this season’s success will require Vieira and his staff to recruit diligently and ship out players who are underperforming and surplus to requirements.

The Mirror (via Goal) has reported that Palace could be set to land £15m rated Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure following Vieira’s meeting with the player’s agent and a bid being made.

Kouyate upgrade

He was lauded for his performance against Nice at the start of April as he was “destroying everyone” who got in front of him, leading us to believe he’d be a wise signing for the Eagles.

With Chelsea loanee Connor Gallagher set to return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, it’s paramount the manager bolsters his midfield options for next season.

Doucoure could be an upgrade on current defensive midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate too, who will be turning 33 midway through next season.

The Mali international possess a significantly better attacking threat, with four goals scored compared to Kouyate’s one this term, however, it is the defensive attributes that are important.

Doucoure comes out on top in both tackles made and interceptions (77 and 67) compared to his potentially new teammate (57 and 44).

These stats alone prove that Vieira should be splashing the cash on the 22-year-old as it could well be a wise move in terms of thinking ahead to next term.

There aren’t many bargains to be had in today’s transfer market, with valuations and fees spiralling out of control, but the Frenchman could grab one here and he should act before it’s too late.

AND in other news, Vieira heading for disaster over “incredible” £60k-p/w CPFC gem, fans will be fuming

MatériaMais Notícias

A presença de Raniel no jogo de semifinal contra o Tupi, pelo Campeonato Mineiro ainda é dúvida. Apesar de ter passado por exame e não ter sido detectado lesão, Raniel estava sentindo dores no joelho direito. Vale lembrar que o atacante fez os dois gols da vitória sobre o Patrocinense, neste domingo.

Por conta do curto período para recuperação, existe a possibilidade de Raniel não estar em condições físicas para jogar. Perguntado sobre a presença do atacante no jogo contra o Tupi, o volante e capitão Henrique afirmou que acredita que o camisa 17 entrará em campo.

– Acho que, nós, dentro campo, saímos com bastante dores. O que é normal, dentro do futebol. Porque, você ali, dá o seu melhor, se esforça ao máximo. O Raniel saiu do jogo, fez os dois gols, foi importante e quarta-feira vai estar pronto para nos ajudar, mais uma vez. Fazer o seu papel, fazer sua função bem feita, como vem fazendo. Assim vamos seguindo, contando com todo – disse Henrique.

Fred, que voltou a treinar com bola nessa segunda, dificilmente será relacionado para a partida contra o Tupi. Rafael Sobis também desfalcará a equipe, já que está suspenso por ter levado o terceiro cartão amarelo. A princípio, Sassá e Rafael Marques estão à disposição de Mano Menezes.

Sassá ficou fora dos gramados por seis meses por causa de uma lesão no joelho direito. No dia 11, ele entrou em campo contra o Patrocinense, e jogou por cerca de 30 minutos. Devido as circunstâncias, Sassá pode ganhar a sua primeira chance como titular. Concorrendo à vaga, Rafael Marques iniciou entre os 11 diante do time de Patrocínio e chegou a marcar o gol do Cruzeiro.

Newcastle United are reportedly now eyeing up a move to sign Ivan Toney in the summer.

The Lowdown: Where it all started…

It is easy to forget that Toney used to play for the St. James’ Park faithful, but he only made a mere four senior appearances, and was subsequently sold to Peterborough United back in 2018 for just £351,000.

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Now rated at £31.5m, the striker has scored 14 goals and made a further five assists in 32 matches in total over all competitions for Brentford so far this term (Transfermarkt), and is really showing his worth in the Premier League.

The Latest: Newcastle lurking

As per Football Insider, a recruitment source has revealed that both the North East club as well as Brighton and Hove Albion are among a number of teams that are ‘keeping close tabs’ on Toney, who is thought to cost at least £30m.

Eddie Howe is thought to be a ‘big admirer’ of his ‘pace, power and presence’, and thinks that he would ‘fit well’ in his side.

The Verdict: Sign

It would be a remarkable story if the Magpies decided to bring Toney back to Tyneside, and he would certainly be a signing that would excite the Toon Army.

Described as ‘phenomenal’ by Brentford chairman Cliff Crown, the 26-year-old has not reached his peak yet, and so he will feel as if there is another level that he can get to.

Howe’s team could be the main beneficiaries of that, should they be able to strike a deal with the Bees.

In other news, find out what exciting NUFC transfer update Keith Downie has now dropped here!

A huge Glasgow Rangers injury setback has emerged on Swedish international Filip Helander…

What’s the latest?

Gers head coach Gio van Bronckhorst has confirmed that the centre-back will not play again this season after the issue he sustained last weekend in the Premiership.

The central defender was taken off in the 45th minute with a knock after an awkward landing left him unable to continue.

Van Bronckhorst said: “Filip’s injury is not good, we won’t have him for the remainder of the season.”

He now joins Alfredo Morelos and Ianis Hagi on the treatment table until the start of the 2022/23 campaign, at the earliest.

Ibrox faithful will be infuriated

This devastating update will surely infuriate the Ibrox faithful as it comes as a major blow to van Bronckhorst’s squad heading into the final part of the season.

Whilst he was ineligible to face Braga in the Europa League and his absence will make no difference to their fortunes at Ibrox on Thursday night, it will impact the squad rotation in the cup and the Premiership. The defender had started five domestic matches since the 20th of February and this shows that the head coach has been relying on him as an option on a semi-regular basis.

Helander has been a useful player for the Dutchman to call upon in the Premiership and in the Scottish Cup in order to rest the likes of Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey. Van Bronckhorst has now been rid of that option and will have to see out the rest of the campaign without one of his experienced defenders.

This could then pile the pressure on the other players in that position and lead to them being overloaded with minutes on the pitch, risking further injuries.

Supporters will also be frustrated because this is the second time this season the centre-back has suffered a major knee injury. He will now end the campaign on six league appearances and that may leave supporters wondering whether or not he is worth keeping hold of.

If Rangers are unable to rely on him being fit for the majority, or even half, of the season then that makes him a liability within the squad. They would be better off cashing in on him and attempting to bring in a more durable player to take his place going forward to prevent this situation from happening again.

AND in other news, From £4.5m to £25m: Wilson had huge Rangers howler over “remarkable” 12-goal gem…

South Africa A surged ahead on the third day in Pallekele, bowling out Sri Lanka A for 326 and extending their lead to 280 with eight wickets still in hand

Cricinfo staff12-Aug-2010
Scorecard
South Africa A surged ahead on the third day in Pallekele, bowling out Sri Lanka A for 326 and extending their lead to 280 with eight wickets still in hand.Sri Lanka began the day on 253 for 4 but collapsed to lose their last six wickets for 63 runs. Fast bowler Quinton Friend finished with four wickets and was supported by Vernon Philander and Rory Kleinveldt, who grabbed two wickets each. Sri Lanka’s overnight batsmen Kaushal Silva and Janaka Gunaratne looked good to take them close to the South African first-innings score but their dismissals put the visitors in control. Silva was run out for 84, while Gunaratne, who reached his century, fell for 122, bowled by Philander.South Africa ensured they didn’t squander their advantage. Dean Elgar Stiaan van Zyl struck half-centuries to add an unbeaten 110 and set the foundation for an imposing fourth-innings target for the hosts.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Dhawal Kulkarni embellished their reputations as India A bounced back from their shocking defeat in the previous game to thump Scotland by 152 runs in Glasgow

Cricinfo staff25-Jun-2010India A 281 for 7 (Pujara 122*, Mukund 50) beat Scotland 129 (Kulkarni 5-29, Abdulla 3-21) by 152 runs
ScorecardCheteshwar Pujara kept accelerating through his unbeaten century•Indian Premier League

Cheteshwar Pujara and Dhawal Kulkarni embellished their reputations as India A bounced back from their shocking defeat in the previous game to thump Scotland by 152 runs in Glasgow. The visitors started off edgily after winning the toss, losing Shikhar Dhawan edging to second slip. Ajinkya Rahane was reprieved by Richie Berrington at point, and in Abhinav Mukund’s company he settled down to see off the early threat. Fifty runs were on the board when Pujara took guard, and in Mukund’s company, he set his side up for another big score. The pair added 83 runs without fuss, before Pujara’s uncertain call left his partner stranded. Mukund had struck six fours in his fifty which came of 60 balls, and was flustered by the way his innings was ended.Pujara was determined to make up for the misunderstanding, and with Manoj Tiwary took the innings into overdrive. Tiwary hustled for 41 off 45 balls, but the mainstay of the 109-run stand was Pujara who kept accelerating through the innings. He began the onslaught with a six off Gordon Drummond in the 38th over and picked Ally Evans for 12 in the next over. Despite the loss of a few wickets in the end overs, Pujara kept going and finished with 122 off 117 balls, as India A posted 281.Scotland’s chase got off to the kind of start that necessitated another miracle comeback, but today the Indian bowlers ensured that it did not happen. Dhawal Kulkarni was the star of the show, as all three seamers kept the pressure up. None of the batsmen barring Moneeb Iqbal and Richie Berrington crossed 20 as wickets fell at regular intervals. Kulkarni finished with a five-for while the biggest highlight of the innings was Iqbal Abdulla’s freakish dismissal of Matthew Parker, out lbw sweeping an intentional double-bouncer. The hosts eventually folded for 129, not even half way to their target.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the itinerary of the ‘home’ series in the UAE against South Africa in October and November this year. The series will be shared between the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and the Dubai International Cricket Stadium; the two grounds will join Sharjah, which has hosted Pakistan in the past, as Test venues in the UAE. The series will feature two Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 international.Cricket South Africa had agreed to the PCB’s proposal of playing a series on neutral ground, back in April. The PCB even explored the possibility of playing matches in Sharjah, but have decided to restrict it to two venues. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have hosted one-dayers and Twenty20s but never staged a Test.” I am very grateful to Dr. Mtutuzeli Nyoka (CSA president) and Gerald Majola for their understanding of our position and supporting us to make this even possible,” PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said. “I would like to especially thank the Emirates Cricket Board for their unwavering support to Pakistan Cricket.”Pakistan has not hosted an international series since the Lahore attacks in March last year, and was stripped of its rights to host the 2011 World Cup as a result of the volatile security situation in the country. The UAE, with strong links to Pakistan cricket, emerged as an alternate ‘host’ and Pakistan have played ODI series against Australia and New Zealand in Dubai and Abu Dhabi since last year. Pakistan also played a ‘home’ Test series against New Zealand late last year, and will also ‘host’ England and Australia in England later this summer.Schedule:Oct 27: Only Twenty20, Abu Dhabi
Oct 29: 1st ODI, Abu Dhabi
Oct 31: 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
Nov 2: 3rd ODI, Dubai
Nov 5: 4th ODI, Dubai
Nov 8: 5th ODI, Dubai
Nov 12-16: 1st Test, Dubai
Nov 20-24: 2nd Test, Abu Dhabi

Former BCCI president AC Muthiah has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the board’s rules that permit BCCI and IPL administrators to own league teams

Cricinfo staff23-Apr-2010

Former BCCI president AC Muthiah has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the board’s rules that permit BCCI and IPL administrators to be part of the IPL and own league teams. The petition follows the Madras High Court’s decision last month to dismiss a similar plea filed by Muthiah and is significant in light of the fact that the board secretary, N Srinivasan, is also the owner of an IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings.Prior to the amendment, clause 6.2.4 of the Regulations for Players, Team officials, Umpires and Administrators, said: “No administrator shall have, directly or indirectly any commercial interest in the matches and events conducted by the Board.” After the amendment, though, the clause said “no administrator shall have directly or indirectly any commercial interest in any of the events of the BCCI excluding IPL, Champions League and Twenty20.”Muthiah’s petition echoes his recent statements that Srinivasan’s convening of Monday’s crucial IPL governing council meeting is invalid given the conflict of interest.The meeting is set to decide Lalit Modi’s future with the IPL. Modi, who is under fire over allegations of corruption, has questioned Srinivasan’s authority in convening the meeting for the same reason as Muthiah.”All he [Srinivasan] is actually is an ex-officio member of the council, as an office-bearer of BCCI, and he is a conflicted party who owns an IPL team. He has never and can never call a governing council meeting,” Modi wrote in a mail to BCCI president Shashank Manohar.Last month, however, the Madras High Court dismissed Muthiah’s application that sought to remove Srinivasan of his role as a BCCI office-bearer given his involvement in the IPL. Under its original rules, the BCCI prohibited its office-bearers from having commercial interests in the league, but this rule was retrospectively amended in September 2008, eight months after the inaugural round of bidding for IPL franchises.The Chennai franchise was won by the company India Cements, of which Srinivasan is the managing director, and BCCI’s ruling validated his involvement in the IPL.In December that year, Muthiah filed a civil suit in Madras High Court, questioning the BCCI’s amendment that effectively said the IPL was out of the board’s purview. Muthiah also filed an application seeking an interim stay on Srinivasan functioning as BCCI secretary, for the period until the suit was heard.That application was turned down in March this year, while the suit is yet to be heard by the court. The court’s stand was that the clause was a code of conduct and not a rule, and as such could not be challenged by an individual from outside the BCCI. The court however ruled that the merits and demerits of various clauses could be examined during the hearing of the civil suit.The governing council is set to meet on April 26, and at the latest on May 1, if Modi’s attempt to defer it is successful. The suit is unlikely to be tried between now and the meeting, which makes Modi’s line of defence against Srinivasan untenable.Meanwhile, Muthiah expressed his support to Modi’s claim, reiterating his original argument. “I quite agree with Lalit Modi. Srinivasan is an interested party and I filed a case against him for conflict of interest. He is a secretary and he is a holder of franchise. It is clear he has no right to call for a meeting,” Muthiah told PTI.

The Bombay High Court has directed that Sharad Pawar be made party in a petition regarding the levy of entertainment tax by the Maharashtra government on IPL matches held in the state

Cricinfo staff05-May-2010The Bombay High Court has directed that Sharad Pawar, the federal agriculture minister and president of the Mumbai Cricket Association, Lalit Modi, the suspended IPL chairman, and Chirayu Amin, the interim chairman, be made party in a petition regarding the levy of entertainment tax by the Maharashtra government on IPL matches held in the state. While hearing arguments on Wednesday, it also raised the question of whether a minister being a member of a cricket body constituted a conflict of interest.The court’s direction and observations came on a public interest litigation that challenges the Maharashtra government’s decision to waive entertainment tax for the recent IPL season. The petitioner – Subhash Desai, a member of the Shiv Sena political party – claims that in January this year the state government, of which Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party is a member, decided to levy the entertainment tax on IPL but the decision was not implemented.The exemption is estimated to have cost the government several crore rupees.”If a minister holds a post in a cricket association, and the state cabinet is to decide on granting some exemption to the association…perhaps conflict of interest may arise,” the bench observed, while seeking the federal government’s view on whether any “conflict of interest” arose if a minister was a member of a cricket body.The BCCI’s counsel contended that Pawar currently had no connection with the BCCI or IPL, though he headed the apex cricketing body two years ago. However, the petitioner contended that since the finance portfolio in the Maharashtra government was with the NCP, the decision not to levy the tax was “politically motivated”.”This is a very important issue,” the bench said, seeking the assistance of the additional solicitor-general of India, who represents the Union – also impleaded in the case – on this.The court observed that “prima facie this activity (IPL matches) is covered under entertainment tax. If there is no exemption, then state has no option but to recover it”.The court adjourned the hearing till June 22.