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Enhanced footage from the hotel surveillance camera may have given the investigation a vital breakthrough © Getty Images

The investigations into the murder of Bob Woolmer, the late Pakistan coach, are reported to have reached a significant breakthrough with a likely suspect being identified through footage from the hotel security camera. According to a report in the UK-based , detectives from Scotland Yard and a team of 30 officers studied the digitally-enhanced footage and the suspect was understood to be a male, though police were unable to confirm his identity.”The cleaned-up images from London show at least one individual of considerable interest to the inquiry,” a source close to the investigation told the paper. “The time of the footage and its location mean that this individual must be considered a suspect. Further work is being done on statements given by individuals to look at any inconsistencies. It is good progress.”Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room in Jamaica on March 18, a day after Pakistan’s loss to Ireland, and though the cause of death was determined, the authorities had struggled to develop lasting leads in the murder case. There was speculation that Woolmer may have been poisoned first before being strangled, as a toxicology report stated that samples taken from his blood, stomach and urine had shown the presence of a foreign substance.An inquest into the murder was scheduled for April 23 but had to be postponed owing to ‘significant developments’ into the case. Twenty witnesses were due to provide evidence but a statement from the Jamaican justice ministry on Thursday said the hearing would be postponed following advice from the coroner.

Andrew Flintoff and Mahela Jayawardene with the npower trophy © Getty Images

Distractions come in all shapes and sizes, as both England and Sri Lanka have been discovering on the eve of the first Test at Lord’s. While Sri Lanka’s preparations have been undermined first by some untimely criticism from the chairman of selectors, Ashantha de Mel, and latterly by the impending return of their veteran opener, Sanath Jayasuriya, England have a more intangible problem. They just can’t lay the Ashes to rest.Admittedly, it is the nicer problem to have. England’s first home Test after the summer before is set to take place almost eight months to the day after the Ashes triumph at The Oval last year, and for England’s stand-in captain, Andrew Flintoff, enough is enough. “There’s still an excitement about cricket and people are still talking about last year,” he told reporters on the eve of the game, “but at some point we’ve got to move on, and that’s going to be tomorrow morning.”Lord’s in the spring sunshine is a living, breathing metaphor for rebirth and renewal, with the smell of cut grass and the verdant greenery leaving you in no doubt that summer is round the corner. And when England take the field tomorrow, with a team comprising at least four men who’ve never played in a home Test before, they’ll have no option but to accept that the future is, in fact, the present.One of those new faces seems certain to be Sajid Mahmood, the Lancastrian paceman who endured a tough baptism in a one-day defeat against New Zealand two years ago, before re-emerging with mixed success against India this winter. “I’m sure he’ll have a few nerves jangling about,” said Flintoff, “but he’s a laid-back lad and he’ll get on with it. He’s quick, tall and gets bounce as well, so there’s definitely a good future for him.”England have delayed naming their team until they’ve taken one last look at a pitch that Flintoff imagined would be a good, flat batting deck, but with Alastair Cook already guaranteed his place at No. 3 ahead of Ian Bell, the final name seems a straight choice between the spinner Monty Panesar, and the extra seamer, Jon Lewis, who destroyed the Sri Lankans with nine wickets for England A at Worcester last week.

Monty Panesar: anticipating a first home Test© Getty Images

For all that England start as overwhelming favourites, to go into the match without a recognised spinner would be a huge gamble. As Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka’s captain, pointed out, visiting sides have a tendency to raise their game whenever they visit Lord’s. In three separate visits since 1984, five Sri Lankan batsmen have added their names to the dressing-room honours board, including Jayawardene himself, who led a Sri Lankan run-fest in 2002 with 107 out of a towering total of 555 for 8.Only three of England’s players were around to witness that performance, but seeing as they were the key triumvirate of Flintoff, Marcus Trescothick and Matthew Hoggard, it’s a safe bet that their team-mates will be guarded against complacency. Hoggard endured a particularly torrid time, disappearing for 160 runs in 39 overs. Four years later, however, he stands on the brink of becoming the ninth England cricketer to take 200 Test wickets.”It would be fantastic to join an elite group of Englishmen,” said Hoggard, whose own Test debut also came at Lord’s, a gripping two-wicket victory over West Indies in 2000. The identity of his new-ball partner has yet to be confirmed – but it won’t be Steve Harmison, whose return to competitive action for Durham against Middlesex has been postponed because his wife has gone into labour.”I don’t think you’ll find a like-for-like replacement for Steve Harmison,” added Flintoff, as if to underline both England’s loss in this match, as well as the burden on his and Hoggard’s shoulders. Between them they have taken 97% (364 out of 372) of the wickets shared by England’s anticipated attack.As ever, Flintoff was his cheery phlegmatic self as he fronted up for the cameras. “I don’t think you can put the England captaincy and burden in the same sentence,” he reiterated when asked about the workload that has been forced upon him in the absence of Michael Vaughan.And besides, he still seemed a little starstruck after performing a duet with Elton John at his benefit dinner in Battersea the night before. “It was fantastic, something special for everyone there – though not me singing!” he said of his duet to the strains of Rocket Man. “But now I’m getting back to what I know best, playing cricket.”If only it were so simple for Sri Lanka, however. A desperately destabilising week shows no sign of abating, and the arrival of Jayasuriya midway through the match will only complicate matters further. However, their coach Tom Moody denied that the off-field issues had been a distraction. “We’re at Lord’s, we’ve had a couple of very good days of preparation, and we’re blessed with good weather,” he shrugged. “We’ll just concentrate on our game, and if we perform consistently, we’re sure we’ll be where we want to be after the fifth day.”Any side with Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas in their bowling attack cannot afford to be taken lightly, however, and for Murali, who has 611 wickets to his name but none as yet at Lord’s, the urge for a command performance in what is likely to be his first and last Test at the ground will be overwhelming.”I’m not the best one to ask!” joked Flintoff when asked what tips he had passed on to England’s youngsters. “Murali’s tricky, but he’s a great bloke as well. I’ll pass on advice, but when you face him, you’ve got to figure it out for yourself. Against someone as good as him, you just have to think on your feet.”England (probable) 1 Marcus Trescothick, 2 Andrew Strauss, 3 Alastair Cook, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Andrew Flintoff (capt), 7 Geraint Jones (wk), 8 Liam Plunkett, 9 Sajid Mahmood, 10 Matthew Hoggard, 11 Monty Panesar.Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Michael Vandort, 2 Upul Tharanga, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 5 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 6 Thilan Samaraweera, 7 Farvez Maharoof, 8 Chaminda Vaas, 9 Nuwan Zoysa, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 Lasith Malinga.

Peter Moores: ‘the Academy is a fantastic job’© Getty Images

Peter Moores, Sussex’s highly rated coach and former captain, was today unveiled as the new director of the ECB Academy. The appointment was confirmed at a press conference on a second rain-affected day of Sussex’s opening championship fixture at The Oval, and Moores, 42, promised to build on the solid foundations that have been laid by his predecessor, Rod Marsh, who steps down from the role in September.The England & Wales Cricket Board has long had its eye on Moores, who joined Sussex as a wicketkeeper in 1985, and went on to become their coach 12 years later. In 2000-01, he was asked to lead the England A squad on their winter tour of West Indies, but his county stint reached its zenith in 2003, when he steered the team to a maiden County Championship title after 164 years.”My whole philosophy on coaching is one of getting excellence out of players,” said Moores, “rather than putting it in.” As a wicketkeeper, his career overlapped with the era of Jack Russell and Alec Stewart, but he insisted his lack of international experience would have no bearing on his ability to do the job. “My ambition, like every county player, was to play international cricket, but I never quite got there. Even so, I loved the fact that every year you had that opportunity.”Since moving from playing to coaching, however, Moores’s international call-up has been looming large. Last winter he was on a shortlist of two to take over as West Indies’ coach, a role that eventually went to Bennett King, and now he has beaten off other likely contenders such as Tom Moody for the Academy role.”I didn’t have a burning desire to do the West Indies job,” admitted Moores. “They asked me to apply so I did. But the Academy is a fantastic job in its own right, so I’m going to get stuck in and give it the best I can. Coaches are no different to players. You play with a view to playing internationals, and as a coach, the thought of coaching the best players on the best stage available is very appealing.”It is a large pair of shoes that Moores is being asked to step into, however. In his four years in charge, Marsh has built the Academy from concept to fruition, and a steady flow of players is now beginning to graduate through the ranks, with Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen the most prominent of England’s recent additions.”Rod has a reputation as a fantastic coach,” said Moores, “but I’ve got my style, he’s got his. I’ve never worked with him, so I’ll just being doing it in my way, which is to judge it as you see the player. The most important thing is whoever does the job does it well. Rod’s been there, put the groundwork in, established the standards that are needed, and started to produce players. My job is to build on what Rod’s done, and move it forward.”By 2007, the ECB have said they hope that at least 90% of the England team will have come through the ranks of the Academy, although Moores was wary of setting such targets. “For me, the challenge is to make people better. Getting into the England side depends on how well the team is doing, and the individuals in that team. The better they do, the harder it is for new players to come through, so it’s difficult to know if we can achieve those targets. All we can do is ensure that everyone who goes through the Academy can come out a better player and a more rounded person.”Moores refused to single out the Academy as the single most important aspect of England’s recent renaissance. “There have been so many different factors,” he said, “although the Academy is definitely a very positive move. It allows you to know the people, meet the standards and understand the way things are meant to be in an England set-up, before you actually get there. And it gives you a chance to work positively on your game in the winter months, when you might not otherwise have had the opportunity.”The new coach takes up the reins on October 1, which means he has plenty time in which to settle into his new role, and perhaps most importantly, forge a working relationship with Duncan Fletcher, something that was not always apparent about his predecessor, Marsh. “Obviously I’ve met Duncan before, but I’m looking forward to working closely. Until then, however, I’ve got a county season to run, and I’m going to make sure I leave Sussex in good shape, and maybe even with a trophy.”That might be easier said than done, however. The timing of this announcement will ensure that a visit to Hove will be at the top of every aspiring England candidate’s wishlist. Sussex may just find themselves becoming the team that everyone wants to beat.

Ehsan Mani: encouraging words for England© Getty Images

The International Cricket Council will deliver its verdict on England’s proposed tour to Zimbabwe on Wednesday morning.The ICC, whose board is meeting in Auckland, has been debating a number of issues, with the Zimbabwe situation high on the agenda. Although the England and Wales Cricket Board is yet to formally make a decision on whether to tour in October, the signs are that it will opt to stay away.There has been talk that if England do follow this course of action, then the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in England in September, could be moved elsewhere. On Monday, Ehsan Mani said that his view was that the tournament should not be affected by any bilateral issues between England and Zimbabwe – no matter how serious they were.The meeting will also discuss the possibility of the ICC moving its base from Lord’s to another cheaper location. Malcolm Speed, the ICC’s chief executive, revealed that it is looking at relocating to one of six other countries. He explained that the major factors will be tax benefits and cost of living.

Speaking after the cancellation of England’s opening World Cup match against Zimbabwe in Harare, the ECB chief executive, Tim Lamb, has insisted that the Board’s primary concern is the security and safety of the players.”The ECB stance is, was and has always been that the safety and security of its players and officials is its primary and ultimate concern,” Lamb said. “Concerns about the players and officials’ safety have manifested themselves in two ways.”Firstly, in the receipt of overt threats directed at the players and their families by the organisation known as the Sons and Daughters of Zimbabwe.”Secondly, in the deterioration of public order in the country. Certain evidence given to the World Cup Technical Committee and accepted by the Appeals Commissioner has now been thrown into doubt.”The players are naturally concerned for their own safety and that of their families. The ECB and players are concerned this fixture was not moved some time ago.”There are no winners in this situation.”The ECB chairman David Morgan said: “This has not been a sordid squabble about money. We are concerned for the cricket fraternity in Zimbabwe and particularly those who would have been spectators at the match on the 13th.”Throughout this process we have been trying desperately to keep the world of cricket united and are mindful of our responsibility in this regard. Although this process been lengthy we have not dithered or been guilty of procrastination.””The safety and security of our players and their families has been a matter of paramount importance.”

The crusade marches on with our third championship win of the season,convincingly beating Warwickshire by 150 runs.Warwickshire were in secondplace with a game in hand so it was vital we left Birmingham with maximumpoints.Warwickshire was the county that Roger Twose played for and had successwinning several trophies, particularly in the One-Day leagues. It was alsowhere Roger introduced himself to Brian Lara, their overseas pro at thetime, by hanging a sign on Brian’s locker welcoming the second best left-handerto the county. The best left hander was obviously himself.I had personal success this game aggregating 159 runs for the match. Nocentury, being caught on the boundary from a top edge sweep shot for 92.Disappointing, but nice to be back in the runs after a lean couple of weeks.Unfortunately, the team’s form in the four-dayers hasn’t been matched in the One-Day competition. On Wednesday we lost our third game on the bounce and may nowstruggle to get promotion come the end of the year.My one day league woes continued, so far I’ve only flirted with doublefigures averaging 10 from my three games. Yesterday I had more problems,dislocating my little finger when fielding on the boundary. It’s prettyunnerving when you see one of your digits pointing 90 degrees the wrong way!X-rays this morning show no break which is of great relief as there aresome important matches coming up, including the One-Day series in Sri Lanka.A lot of ice and a bit of luck should see me fit for Friday which is ournext championship match.With England’s poor performance in the recent triangular tournament, therehas been a lot of comment made in the papers over the last few daysconcerned with the future of One-Day cricket in this country.I have a theory on the English One-Day game, and it is not having a crack attheir players – I’ll leave that to the tabloids, but more a moan about thequality of pitches that are served up for Sunday league (45 overs) cricket.In the championship, pitches must be of the highest quality otherwisecounties are fined and points are deducted. There is a panel of turfexperts that travel the country inspecting each wicket before it’s played on.This is a good system allowing positive conditions and stopping teamsdoctoring wickets to suit their side.They have nothing like this in place for One-Day wickets, in fact, it worksthe other way and teams can get away with murder. So far this year wehaven’t played a 45-over match on a fresh pitch.All the wickets have beenused for previous games so, in most cases, you are playing on wickets that areinto their fifth day.Now you think in a test match, batting last on a worn wicket is never easy,try scoring five an over on it!What happens on pitches like these is thatmediocre bowlers who don’t usually bowl, all of a sudden become worldbeaters. The slower you bowl, and the more accurate you are, the better.These bowlers that are having success week in week out now get looked at forhigher honors, but everyone knows that once on a good wicket againstinternational batters, it will be a different story.The other problem forthe selectors is finding batters who are consistent in these conditions.There aren’t many, so the One-Day side seems to be selected fromperformances in the championship.If you play on a better standard of wicket you will get a clear idea of whatplayers can do. It gives players confidence and is a far better spectacle.

Newcastle fans have been discussing making a surprise swoop for Jermain Defoe, and fans are completely split on a move for the former England international.

Newcastle are on the hunt for some more firepower up front this summer, so should they make a bargain swoop for Defoe?

The Chronicle list the 35 year-old as a possible target for this summer, and his age and lack of playing time at Bournemouth could make him available for a bargain price.

The Magpies have been linked with a move for Bournemouth’s Josh King, but a deal for the Norwegian would be a lot more expensive and could even mean Matt Ritchie, a fan favourite, heads the other way.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255847″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Newcastle’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]

Defoe wouldn’t be the first choice number nine Rafael Benitez is looking for, but he could operate as a “super sub”.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

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Many fans feel they need a minimum of two new strikers this summer, as Aleksandar Mitrovic will almost certainly leave and Dwight Gayle and Joselu simply aren’t Premier League standard.

Fans are split on a move for Defoe, as it seems plenty haven’t forgotten about the fact he spent two years at Sunderland, where he was a fan favourite. The slight majority are leaning in favour of making a shock swoop for the 57-cap striker though, and you can find the full poll results down below…

The Indian team may well be playing an ODI series in Pakistan in case Australia don’t tour in March-April © AFP

Pakistan are considering inviting India for a quickfire series of ODIs if, asis becoming increasingly likely, Australia pull out of their scheduled tour inMarch-April.Doubts about whether Australia will come for their first tour in nearly a decadehave increased day-by-day over the last week, the latest coming from Ricky Ponting,the Australian captain.The Pakistan board has all along insisted its priority is to get Australia to cometo visit, but has privately admitted they are working on alternative options, whichinclude inviting another country over.And a well-placed source revealed to Cricinfo that informal talks had been held withthe BCCI about a series of ODIs in Pakistan in case Australia don’t come.”There have been informal discussions with the BCCI but nothing has been firmed up.Things will become clearer in a day or so,” the source said. “The first priority is still to getAustralia to come over but if they don’t come, options have to be and are beingexamined.”Two PCB officials, including the chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi arecurrently touring India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for bilateral board talksregarding scheduling ahead of an ICC meeting to devise the Future Tours Programme(FTP) till 2013. The ostensible purpose of the mission is to fill the gaps inPakistan’s schedule in the current FTP.The current Pakistan administration is said to be unhappy over their predecessor’swork on the last FTP, which has left Pakistan with a number of gaps in theircricketing calendar. “Pakistan played half the number of Tests that Australia didaccording to that FTP and that is something that needs to be rectified,” the source said. But as a result of Australia’s hesitancy, the trip has become an opportunityfor Pakistan to try and arrange an alternative contest with countries who are freein March-April.Both boards, however, are officially denying the development. India, as ever, ishemmed in by a hectic schedule. Between their return from Australia and the firstTest against South Africa, an ODI series, even just across the border, seemsunlikely. “It’s not possible,” a senior BCCI official told Cricinfo. “The Indian teamreturns from Australia on March 8 and the first Test against South Africa starts inChennai on March 26. Where is the time?”Ahsan Malik, the PCB spokesman, explained the board’s focus was on gettingAustralia over. “This is an official trip with regards to the FTP till 2013. Theywanted to meet boards and have a pre-scheduling round of meetings with them. Ourfull concentration is on playing Australia.”

A Pakistan supporter lights candles for Bob Woolmer © AFP

Mark Shields, the deputy commissioner of Jamaica police, said there was still no evidence of Bob Woolmer being murdered and confirmed Pakistan players would be interviewed after the coach’s death on Sunday. Ten forensics experts spent the day looking for clues in Woolmer’s room on the 12th floor of the Pegasus hotel and footage from security tapes was also being viewed.”We’re waiting for further information from the pathologist before we make any more statements,” he told Associated Press. Staff at the hotel have been interviewed and Shields told Jamaica’s Nationwide News Network that Pakistani players were also being questioned.”We’re going through a process of speaking to people, including members of the team,” he said. Shields did not say whether the meetings would be finished before the squad was due to leave on Saturday.Those expecting further updates on the case during a Pakistan news conference at the hotel after the game against Zimbabwe were disappointed when each member of the squad had a turn to speak about Woolmer. Adrian Birrell, the Ireland coach, was also present to pay his respects.Pakistan had no hope of qualifying for the Super Eights after the loss to Ireland and Inzamam-ul-Haq, who was playing his final ODI, dedicated the 93-run victory over Zimbabwe to Woolmer. “He is not in this world anymore but every Pakistani and every cricket lover is sad about what happened to him,” Inzamam said after the match. “I am also very sad about him and it is why I’m emotional.”Woolmer died in hospital a day after the shock Ireland defeat. His wife Gill told an Indian television station on Wednesday she did not see any conspiracy in Woolmer’s fate.”He emailed me the following morning [after the Ireland loss],” she told NDTV. “He did mention that he was really depressed and could not believe how this could have happened. The Pakistani team’s poor performance affected him, as any other big tournament that he lost as a coach.” Mrs Woolmer said her husband was healthy and was not taking medication for type two diabetes, but he had been prescribed some anti-inflammatory tablets.

Rahul Dravid can now start thinking about the long-term future in right earnest © Getty Images

Rahul Dravid’s 100th Test match dawned sweet as the Board of Control for Cricket in India appointed him captain of the Test and one-day teams till the 2007 World Cup. In an almost unprecedented move Sharad Pawar, the BCCI president, announced that the national selection panel decided it was best Dravid be appointed captain till the end of the World Cup.Traditionally, India only name the captain for a series, and only recently they broke with convention and gave Dravid the reins for two one-day series, against Sri Lanka and South Africa. Only once in the past has an Indian selection committee appointed a captain for a lengthy duration, when Mohammad Azharuddin got the job for the whole year in 1998.The selectors, who met in Mumbai late on Friday evening, thought it was best to give Dravid a long-term tenure so that there would be stability in the team as India prepared for the forthcoming World Cup. Dravid, has led India in 32 ODIs so far and has an impressive 18-13 win-loss record. Of these 14 came when he stood in for Sourav Ganguly. As full-time captain he has won 11 out of 18 games, a win percentage of almost 65, beginning with the series against Sri Lanka at home in late 2005.