Category Uncategorized

India have called up two uncapped players in Railways medium-pacer Meghna Singh and Baroda left-hand batter Yastika Bhatia for all three formats for their tour of Australia in September and October. The T20I squad includes another uncapped player, 25-year-old pace-bowling allrounder Renuka Singh of Himachal Pradesh.Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad returns after missing the tour of England owing to a knee injury and Covid-19.The 22 playing personnel selected for the Australia tour have been spread across an 18-member consolidated squad for the three ODIs and the one-off pink-ball Test, and a 17-player squad for the three-match T20I series. ESPNcricinfo understands that the selection of an additional player for the tour of Australia, compared to 21 picked for the tour of England earlier this year, was down to allowing Gayakwad and T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur more time to make progress on their fitness before the warm-up fixture scheduled for September 15.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Gayakwad, who had been at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for several weeks for rehabilitation work around her injured right knee, entered the ongoing preparatory camp in Bengaluru directly from the NCA last week, while the first batch of probables had assembled on August 10. Kaur, meanwhile, returned to India last week, having ended her Hundred stint in the UK prematurely owing to a quad injury. She then joined the other four Hundred-returnees in the camp to round out the pool of 35 probables.Kaur and Gayakwad are understood to be clinically fit, but their ability to sustain workload for the longer formats is yet to be assessed, especially of Kaur, who is currently serving a mandatory six-day quarantine in the Bengaluru bubble. Given the squad for the Australia assignment was finalised on Monday, the possibility of deferring a decision on the inclusion of Kaur and Gayakwad was off the table. They are both, however, expected to train ahead of India’s departure on August 29.The injection of pace in Thakur and Meghna aligns with head coach Ramesh Powar’s thrust on widening the fast-bowling pool ahead of next year’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand.Yastika had got her maiden India call-up in March, for the limited-overs series against South Africa in Lucknow, but she warmed the bench all through.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Wicketkeeper-batter Indrani Roy, top-order batter Priya Punia, and medium-pacer Simran Bahadur, who were part of the 21-member squad that toured England in June-July, have been left out. None of them featured in the playing XI in any of the matches against England.India have also decided to split the wicketkeeping duties, with Taniya Bhatia selected for the Test and ODIs, and Richa Ghosh chosen for the T20Is.Before picking the final squad, the five-member selection panel met with Powar and several senior players in Bengaluru. Selectors Neetu David and V Kalpana are expected to be in the touring party to Australia, where the visitors will serve a mandatory 14-day hard quarantine. Meanwhile, Gargi Banerjee, the India manager for the tour of Australia, entered the biobubble in Bengaluru on Tuesday after a two-day delay, and is likely to be in quarantine through the best part of this week. She was felicitated in Kolkata on Saturday by the Cricket Association of Bengal for her appointment, causing the delay.India will begin the tour with three ODIs, after which they will play a day-night Test. There will be three T20Is to conclude the tour.Only Test and ODIs squad: Mithali Raj (capt), Harmanpreet Kaur (vice-capt), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Punam Raut, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Yastika Bhatia, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Shikha Pandey, Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Richa Ghosh, Ekta Bisht.T20I squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Yastika Bhatia, Shikha Pandey, Meghna Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Richa Ghosh (wk), Harleen Deol, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh.

Celtic continued their perfect start to the Scottish Premiership campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over their Glasgow rivals in the first Old Firm clash of the season on Sunday.

The Hoops won, thanks to goals from Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Callum McGregor, and have won all four of their league matches so far.

Brendan Rodgers' side, who also won the title in the 2023/24 campaign, are yet to concede a single goal in the division and have scored 12 past Hibernian, Kilmarnock, St Mirren, and Rangers.

One player who has been key to the club's Premiership success, particularly their impressive clean sheet record, has been central defender Liam Scales.

Liam Scales' impressive form this season

FFC published an article after the Old Firm clash on Sunday describing the Ireland international as undroppable, after he won 100% of his duels against the Gers.

The former Aberdeen loanee has proven himself to be a dominant figure on the left side of the Celtic backline this season and has played a pivotal role in their perfect defensive record so far.

Appearances

4

Goals

1

Pass accuracy

93%

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.5

Duel success rate

68%

As you can see in the table above, Scales has won the vast majority of his physical contests in the Premiership across his four outings this term, which shows that opposition attackers have found it difficult to get the better of him.

The Irish colossus, who has also been a reliable passer with his 93% success rate, has not been the only star of the season, though, and there is an argument to be made that Nicolas Kuhn has been the true hero of the campaign so far.

Nicolas Kuhn's wizardry on the flank

The German winger is in his first full season with the Hoops after joining from Rapid Wien in January ahead of the second half of last season.

He recorded two goals and an assist against Premier League champions Manchester City in pre-season and has carried that form over into competitive matches.

The left-footed star has been on fire in the Premiership with a return of two goals, two assists, four 'big chances' created, and 1.8 key passes per game in four appearances.

No Celtic player has been involved in more goals (four) than Kuhn in the top-flight this term, which illustrates his importance to the attack, whilst he also added a goal and an assist against Hibernian in the League Cup.

Kuhn ranks within the top 100% of Premiership players in his position for xG (0.77), shots on target (1.83), and touches in the opposition's box (11.34) per 90 respectively, which shows that he has been one of the most dangerous attackers in the league.

Celtic are being rinsed by a player who earns 2x more than Scales

The Hoops appear to have blundered by signing the central defender last summer.

1 ByDan Emery Sep 3, 2024

The 24-year-old maestro, who has scored three goals and provided three assists in all competitions, has been the true hero of Celtic's season so far due to his exceptional attacking quality and influence in the final third, both in the league and in the cup.

Leeds United have pulled out of the race to sign a "top Bundesliga player" in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh claim.

Leeds eyeing late-summer business

This summer has been an up-and-down one at Elland Road, with Daniel Farke hit by the exits of some of his most important players. Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Georginio Rutter have all left the club, joining West Ham, Tottenham and Brighton respectively, and Wilfried Gnonto could also reportedly be on his way out of the exit door, as he pushes for a move away.

Leeds have also done some important incoming business, however, bringing in Largie Ramazani, Joe Rodon and Jayden Bogle, among other new faces, but there is still time for Farke to add the extra quality to his squad that could make all the difference in their Championship promotion push.

Spurs attacking midfielder Manor Solomon may also be a target for the Whites between now and the end of the month, allowing him to dovetail with fellow winger Ramazani. The former was limited to just five appearances in the Premier League last season, only two of which were starts, suggesting that a move away from north London could be best for his development.

Glen Kamara's summer exit to Rennes has left a lack of depth in Leeds' midfield, highlighting the need for reinforcements, and Lausanne-Sport's Alvyn Sanches has emerged as a possible option to come in and make up for the loss of the Finland international.

Leeds out of race to sign "top" midfielder

According to a report from Bild [via Sport Witness], Leeds owners 49ers Enterprises were weighing up making an improved offer for FC Koln midfielder Dejan Ljubicic this summer, having already seen one £3.3m bid rejected.

The update claimed that the 26-year-old wanted to move to Elland Road before the end of the current window, with the Whites very much "on his mind".

However, since then, a new report from the same outlet, relayed by SW again, revealed that Leeds have now pulled out of the race to sign Ljubicic. Koln wanted £6.7m to do a deal, while it is added that Leeds also found it complicated to deal with Ljubicic and his reps in recent days and that a dream move to Yorkshire is now off.

The Austrian has won nine caps for his country, while former Koln manager Timo Schultz has said of him in the past: "He is a player who has a big heart. He is an extremely important player. If he can maintain his performance, he is a top Bundesliga player who will be very important for us."

Ljubicic is now playing in the Bundesliga.2, following Koln's relegation last season, so there is no longer the lure of being in Germany's top flight.

On the list: Leeds keen on Gnonto rival who can “decide a game on his own”

Leeds United won’t be slowing down on the transfer front.

1

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 23, 2024

A box-to-box midfielder who can shine both in and out of possession, the Austria ace scored five goals in the Bundesliga in 2022/23, while last season, he averaged 1.7 tackles per game in the competition, showing what an asset he could have been for the Whites.

Having already ticked plenty of boxes on the incomings front, Manchester United and INEOS could be about to raise summer funds even further through a loan deal for one of Erik ten Hag's star men.

Man Utd transfer news

The Red Devils have enjoyed an excellent summer transfer window, recently adding both Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui to Ten Hag's squad, which already welcomed both Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee earlier in the summer. And if that news wasn't positive enough for those at Old Trafford, then Bruno Fernandes' fresh contract should have done the trick.

The Manchester United captain is now set to stay put until at least 2027 and expressed his delight at the news, telling the club's official website: "Everybody knows the passion I have for Manchester United. I understand the responsibility and significance of wearing this shirt, and the levels of dedication and desire required to represent this incredible club.

“I have had so many special moments here already; hearing my name sung from the Stretford End, scoring a hat-trick against Leeds, leading the team out at Old Trafford on European nights and lifting trophies at Wembley. But I wouldn’t have signed this contract if I didn’t believe that my best moments in a United shirt are still to come."

Keen to sign for Man Utd: INEOS targeting "monster" Eriksen upgrade

The veteran international would be an incredible addition to Ten Hag’s squad.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 14, 2024

That said, Fernandes' midfield partner might not have the same luck. According to The Times' Paul Hirst, Napoli are now in contact with INEOS over a loan deal for Scott McTominay. Manchester United are reportedly willing to part ways with their academy graduate for £30m this summer, so it remains to be seen whether they'll accept a loan move.

The Scotland international has been an unlikely hero at times under Ten Hag, scoring several late goals, but looks to have been shown the exit door, nonetheless, at Old Trafford.

Man Utd should keep "great" McTominay

Whilst it would be more than understandable if McTominay was not a regular starter should the likes of Manuel Ugarte arrive this summer, the Scot should still have a place in Ten Hag's squad.

His ability to pop up with the match-winner out of nowhere is an invaluable trait that is hard to find elsewhere. Given that United were fortunate enough to discover a player with that trait in their academy, they would be wise to take advantage of it.

Ten Hag is certainly well aware of what McTominay brings to his squad too, saying via TNT Sports last season: "Scott, he's great. He can score many goals, he's always coming in positions to score goals. We had some problems, it was too much like a tennis match. Every game we went for goal instead of waiting for the right decisions. With McTominay, he can get in the box and could score goals."

The city is the frontrunner to stage the Games in 11 years and could be confirmed by mid-2021

Reuters and ESPNcricinfo staff20-Apr-2021The Gabba is slated for an A$1 billion (USD777 million) rebuild before hosting the opening and closing ceremonies as part of Brisbane’s bid for the 2032 Olympics, officials said on Tuesday.Queensland state capital Brisbane was named preferred bidder for the 2032 Games in February and could be confirmed as host as early as July.Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Gabba would likely have its capacity boosted from 42,000 to 50,000 as part of a renovation to cost “around the A$1 billion mark”.”Every games needs a home,” she said in a statement. “The Gabba has been home to our sport since 1895. “A home for the 2032 Olympic Games could be its crowning glory.”Located in Brisbane’s inner-city suburb of Woolloongabba, the refurbished stadium would be linked to a new railway station under construction via a pedestrian plaza.Australia’s defeat against India earlier this year was their first at the Gabba since 1988. The ground will likely host the first Test of the Ashes in December although the schedule is still to be confirmed.Nick Hockley, the interim CEO of Cricket Australia, said: “The Gabba is one of the most important, iconic and historic cricket grounds in Australia and we are delighted that the Queensland Government has agreed to a major redevelopment should Brisbane win the right to host the 2032 Olympic Games.”Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison endorsed Brisbane’s bid last month and told the International Olympic Committee all levels of government in the country were firmly behind it.Palaszczuk said on Monday the bid was still “contingent on guarantees” from the federal government.Though Brisbane is the frontrunner for 2032, South Korea’s Seoul said this month it had sent the IOC a proposal for co-hosting the 2032 Games with North Korea’s capital Pyongyang.The postponed Tokyo Olympics start on July 23. Paris will host the 2024 Games, with Los Angeles hosting the 2028 event.

Ipswich Town appear to be working on a loan deal to sign another new midfielder who is at the peak of his powers.

Ipswich Town’s summer signings

Kieran McKenna and the Tractor Boys are preparing for their Premier League opener this weekend as they entertain Liverpool at Portman Road on Saturday lunchtime.

It has been a fairly productive window in the transfer market since winning promotion from the Championship, bringing in six new players on permanent transfers.

Ipswich Town summer signings

From

Fee (Transfermarkt)

Omari Hutchinson

Chelsea

€23.5m

Jacob Greaves

Hull City

€21.5m

Liam Delap

Manchester City

€17.85m

Arijanet Muric

Burnley

€9.55m

Conor Townsend

West Brom

€590,000

Ben Johnson

West Ham

Free transfer

Around £60m has been spent by those higher up at the club, but it looks as if more additions could be made before the deadline on August 30.

For example, reports recently have claimed that Fenerbahçe winger Ryan Kent could be on his way to Ipswich after the club had a bid accepted in the region of £2.5m.

Imagine him & Davis: Ipswich keen on signing "great" new defender

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ByKelan Sarson Aug 15, 2024

That story has gone quiet, however, links to Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips have emerged from Sky Sports. The former Leeds United midfielder has struggled for game time at the Etihad and could look to revive his career at Portman Road, with an agreement now reached for a season-long loan.

Phillips isn’t the only midfield target, though. Reports earlier this month claimed that contact had been made for Napoli midfielder Jean Cajuste. It looked as if he was on his way to rivals Brentford instead, however, that transfer has stalled and it looks as if Ipswich are looking to pounce.

Ipswich Town in talks for Cajuste – Sky Sports

According to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, Ipswich Town are now in talks over a straight loan deal for Cajuste after his move to Brentford broke down.

Meanwhile, journalist Sacha Tavolieri has added that Napoli and Ipswich have had an agreement for a loan without an option to buy until the rest of the season for around three weeks, with discussions ongoing between the player and the Tractor Boys.

Cajuste is primarily a central midfielder who can also play in a holding role and made the move to Napoli in 2023 from Stade Reims. Now 25 years of age, the Sweden international is at the peak of his powers with a career-high Transfermarkt valuation of €10m.

So far with Napoli, Cajuste has made 35 appearances in all competitions, however, he has also racked up 139 games of senior experience with Reims, FC Midtjylland and Orgryte.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has also hailed him in the past, saying: "21 years of age. Excellent performance in an extremely important game for Midtjylland. The future of Swedish football."

After their Scottish Premiership triumph last season, Celtic are looking to solidify their position at the summit of Scottish football by bringing in a number of new players this summer.

Schmeichel just the start of Celtic's summer plans

The big news out of Parkhead is that Brendan Rodgers seems to have finally found the man to replace the retiring Joe Hart this summer. A report on the X account of Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Celtic are close to announcing the signing of Kasper Schmeichel with the free agent set to join the Glasgow outfit on a one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.

Celtic struck gold with Ange signing who's worth more than Bernardo

The Hoops played a blinder when they brought the talented midfielder to Parkhead.

By
Dan Emery

Jul 14, 2024

At 37 years of age, the veteran keeper brings with him a wealth of both international and domestic experience, in particular his key role in Leicester City's Premier League winning campaign in 2015/16. The Danish shot-stopper will be a familiar face for the Hoops boss who managed the keeper for numerous seasons at Leicester.

Other recent rumours have linked Celtic with a move for Middlesbrough ace Riley McGree. A report this week claimed that Ange Postecoglou attempted to bring the Australian to Parkhead during his tenure at the club and that the Hoops will look to reignite this interest over the course of the summer transfer window.

The interest in McGree has likely come off the back of growing rumours linking Celtic star Matt O'Riley with a move away from the club this summer. Leicester appear to be the current front-runner for the Danish midfielder with a fee in the region of £25 million said to be enough to tempt O'Riley away from Parkhead this summer.

With Celtic showing no signs of slowing down this summer, it now appears that the club have set their sights on their next target with a signing set to be announced next week.

Celtic want backup option before pre-season starts

As first reported by Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, Celtic are working on signing a second goalkeeper. The outlet claims that the Hoops are in talks for a second keeper who can act as a backup to new number one Schmeichel.

O'Rourke goes on to state that the club expects this second deal to be completed before Celtic depart for their pre-season tour of the United States next week. It is claimed that the club want the new second-choice shop-stopper to embed himself within the Hopps' squad before the start of the next campaign.

Whilst the name of this new signing is not yet known, the deal could be for one of the players previously linked with the club. Serbia keeper Martin Dubravka is one name that has done the rounds in Celtic circles in recent weeks, however, it is not known whether the 35-year-old would be interested in being a backup option.

Despite the identity of the player in question remaining unknown for the time being, Celtic fans may only have to wait a matter of days to find out who their latest signing is.

Aston Villa are making headway in the transfer market this summer, expertly circumventing the Premier League's PSR restrictions, sacrificing Douglas Luiz but engineering a series of incomings to counter the blow.

But it was a blow. The Brazilian midfielder was one of the centrepieces of Unai Emery's success over the past few years, but Juventus' proposal mitigated the financial issues considerably – along with a couple of sales of academy talents (Tim Iroegbunam and Omari Kellyman).

Now, though, Villa have shown their ambitious hand by agreeing with Everton a deal to sign Amadou Onana for £50m, as per David Ornstein. The tough-tackling Belgium international has been described as a "real midfield powerhouse" by journalist Antonio Mango and could prove to be a significant investment down the line.

Amadou Onana: Euro 2024 Stats

Statistics

#

Matches played

4

Pass completion

90%

Touches per game

69.3

Key passes per game

0.3

Tackles per game

2.0

Clearances per game

1.0

Ball recoveries per game

2.3

Duels won per game

5.3 (78%)

Stats via Sofascore

Now, though, on to the next. Villa aren't resting on their laurels this summer; Onana's transfer hasn't been finalised but already efforts are being made to secure an exciting new forward to provide competition for Ollie Watkins.

Aston Villa transfer news

Turkish journalist Ertan Suzgun has recently revealed that Villa have submitted a bid for Besiktas striker Semik Kılıçsoy, who is only 18.

The Midlands club offered cash plus left-back Alex Moreno for the fast-rising forward's services, with the Spaniard expendable after the £35m addition of Ian Maatsen from Chelsea – albeit with the proposal having been turned down.

Fulham are also known admirers of the teenage sensation, having tabled a €20m (£17m) bid themselves this summer. Emery and Co will hope that Champions League football sways the odds in their favour.

What Semik Kılıçsoy would bring to Aston Villa

Kılıçsoy is in the maiden period of his senior career but has blitzed his way into the ascendancy, scoring 12 goals and adding three assists across 35 matches in all competitions.

The prodigious talent was called up to the Turkish national team for the 2024 European Championship but only played one minute of action – against the Netherlands in the quarter-final. Still, this is a feat of development that makes a big comment on the regard the teenager is held in.

Principally a centre-forward – though competent performing on either flank – Kılıçsoy is an adept dribbler and a sharp finisher, silky on the ball and combative off it. To illustrate that point: as per Sofascore, he averaged 1.7 dribbles and won 4.7 duels per game in the Turkish Super Lig.

Semih Kılıçsoy: 23/24 Stats by Position

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Centre-forward

15

6

3

Left winger

13

5

0

Right winger

7

1

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

Adding to a youthful sheen at Villa Park, the Turkish talent could be the kind of dynamic sharpshooter to forge a strong partnership with Jaden Philogene, who is on the cusp of being re-signed from Hull City for £13m.

Philogene, 22, took the Championship by storm last season, scoring 12 goals and supplying six assists across 32 appearances and being praised for his "ridiculous" ability by then-Tigers manager Liam Rosenoir.

A versatile winger, Philogene is usually found on the left but has proven himself valuable on the alternate too, and this could play into Kılıçsoy's hands as he fights to create a fluent base at Villa, entering a state of flux with his would-be attacking partner.

The Englishman completed 83% of his passes in the second tier last season while averaging 1.6 key passes per game, as per Sofascore, which further suggests that he could provide the crisp support to ensure that Kılıçsoy is never left isolated, enjoying a steady flow of playmaking complement.

He also ranked among the top 8% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Championship last season for progressive carries, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 4% for tackles per 90, as per FBref. This suggests that he will stretch Premier League defences and chip in with tackles to enrich the all-round vigour of the side; Kılıçsoy would only benefit from this.

Emery must now return with a second bid for the talented striker, especially with Jhon Duran the subject of a transfer offer from West Ham United. The Villans were perhaps slightly overreliant on Watkins' goalscoring last season – with the England international bagging 27 goals across all competitions.

Duran's sale would definitely call for an apt replacement, and the Besiktas man could certainly stake a claim for the role of understudy, young enough not to bemoan a secondary role and talented enough to make a positive impact when called upon.

And with Watkins earning the Premier League's Playmaker of the Season last year after notching 13 assists, he's in good company indeed.

For that matter, so is Philogene. Aston Villa are fast on the rise and the club have navigated around potential stumbling blocks over these past few weeks with aplomb.

With Champions League nights to look forward to, there's every belief that Monchi and the powers that be have the wherewithal and tactical acumen to forge a path toward even more exciting heights.

The stones are being set for a lasting position of power at the forefront of English football. The 'big six', perhaps, might just be starting to splinter, shards flying as a new behemoth grows in size and status, ready to take its place at the head of the table.

Related Perfect for Watkins: The Athletic confirm Aston Villa could sign £18m star

Unai Emery is prioritising a move for this touted player.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Jul 11, 2024

Wiaan Mulder, playing in his second Test 22 months after his debut, has assessed South Africa’s bowling performance as “a little bit shaky” and concluded that he doesn’t “think the guys are happy” with their efforts on day one of the Boxing Day Test.On a seamer-friendly surface, Sri Lanka scored freely and quickly at SuperSport Park against an attack that lacked control upfront. “We bowled a little bit short. The chat was to hit the top of off stump,” Mulder said. “We didn’t execute and gave them a few freebies and they got away from us.”Sri Lanka were scoring at more than four runs an over for most of their innings but South Africa pulled things back with three wickets in the final session. Mulder was responsible for two of those but said that he still regards himself as the workhorse of the attack.”Finding fourth and fifth stump – that’s my role in the team,” Mulder said. “My job is not to be a strike bowler. It’s to keep the run rate down and the economy down.”Mulder’s clarity over his job in the team contrasts starkly with former international quick, Makhaya Ntini’s, assessment. “It’s very simple for me, we bowled badly. Simple and clear,” Ntini said on pay television network . “There was no communication between the bowlers, there was no communication from the captain’s point of view, and it looked like it was just anyone who needed to bowl or was asked to bowl, they would be thrown the ball and told: find your own way.”Related

• Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram and Faf du Plessis put South Africa in control

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Ntini’s criticism of the leadership comes in Quinton de Kock’s first match as temporary Test captain, and with the former captain Faf du Plessis in the slips. While de Kock was also occupied with keeping wicket, advice to the bowlers came from the likes of Temba Bavuma, who was seen chatting to debutant Lutho Sipamla, and from each other. Lungi Ngidi also offered Sipamla some assistance during a tough first day for the newcomer.Mulder, who plays his domestic cricket with Sipamla at the Lions, also had a few words of comfort for his team-mate. “I just said, ‘do what you have been doing for so many years, you’ve been so effective’. And a couple of boundaries going through the slips showed he was bowling in the right areas. It’s a matter of time before we see the best from Lutho.”Sipamla already showed improvement later in the day when he beat the bat, cranked up the pace and got his first wicket. Ntini is hopeful the progress will continue. “The only thing that you can do as a team is to learn from the mistakes you’ve made so that in the second innings you can do better. They’re capable of bowling a side out cheaply,” Ntini said.Mulder knows South Africa can’t wait for the second innings and aim to get through the remaining Sri Lankan wickets with the second new ball, which is just five overs old, in order to allow their batsmen some of the best of the batting conditions. “We need to get them out as soon as possible, in the first session for as little runs as possible and lessen the damage,” he said. “The ball is nipping a little bit, especially the new ball.”

Evidence reveals “continuous references to taxi drivers and restaurant workers” in relation to Asian community

Matt Roller04-Dec-2020Former Yorkshire players and employees have given evidence in support of Azeem Rafiq as part of the investigation into allegations of institutional racism at the club.Rafiq spoke out about his experiences at Yorkshire this summer, telling ESPNcricinfo in September that he had been close to committing suicide after what he experienced. He was interviewed by the independent investigating team last month, and said that he had been “bullied and targeted because of my race”.Two former Yorkshire employees to have given evidence were Taj Butt and Tony Bowry. Butt, who was employed within the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation as a community development officer, offered his resignation within six weeks of joining, which he said was due to targeted language used at the club.ALSO READ: ‘I was ‘bullied and targeted because of my race’ – Rafiq”[There were] continuous references to taxi drivers and restaurant workers when referring to [the] Asian community,” he said. “They called every person of colour ‘Steve’. Even [India batsman] Cheteshwar Pujara, who joined as an overseas professional, was called Steve because they could not pronounce his name.”Bowry worked at the club as a coach until 1996 and as a cultural diversity officer at the Yorkshire Cricket Board from 1996 until 2011, before he was appointed as a cricket development manager to develop the game for black communities.”Many youngsters struggled to make progress, and the few that did found the environment of the dressing rooms very difficult and unwelcoming, as a direct result of racism they faced,” he said. “It affected performance… they were labelled trouble-makers.”Tino Best, the former West Indies fast bowler who played at the club in 2010, and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, the former Pakistan seamer who joined as an overseas player between 2008 and 2009, both reiterated their previous support for Rafiq.Yorkshire announced last month that they will appoint a head of equality in a bid to boost inclusion after the ECB revealed a number of new measures to tackle discrimination.Rafiq welcomed the measures both organisations had taken, and said that he would seek “an urgent meeting” with the ECB in order to discuss “how we can instil cultural and racial acceptance through all age groups”.”Part of the problem I faced was that my concerns and complaints fell on deaf ears,” Rafiq said. “I raised complaints about racism, including with the head of diversity, and no one took action. The key to change is to listen and then to keep listening.”In response, Yorkshire said in a statement to ESPNcricinfo: “We recognise that county clubs, with their vast pipeline of talent across age groups, are crucial to ensuring equality and addressing issues of racism in cricket. We wholeheartedly support the recently announced ECB initiatives and want to be part of meaningful change across all levels of the game.”In addition to the ECB measures, we will also seek to implement the recommendations due to be made by the independent investigation panel considering the allegations made by our former player, Azeem Rafiq. We appreciate that this is a distressing time for all involved, but this is an important investigation and we have committed to a full and thorough process to provide an in-depth set of recommendations which we will publish in early 2021.”Cricket is enjoyed by diverse audiences throughout the UK and around the world but it is clear that we must do much more to improve inclusion, address issues of inequality and truly reflect and embrace the many communities who contribute so much to our sport.”