Las Condes, the 2002 Santiago League Champions, initiated their 2003 campaign on Saturday at the Grange School ground against a fancied Santiago side who were still smarting from a narrow defeat against the PWCC the previous week.Santiago were put into bat on what looked like and soon turned out to be a bowlers wicket and were soon two wickets down with just one run on the board with both Santiago’s openers back in the pavilion.Marcus Yorke-Long and Blair Douglas then steadied the ship before Douglas was well caught at first slip by Hollis giving Messner his second victim. Sean Jones took his second wicket for Las Condes shortly afterwards when Yorke-Long mistimed a straight drive giving the bowler a simple catch.The Messner-Hollis combination saw the back of Anglin four runs later, again superbly taken by Hollis in the slips leaving Santiago on 26 for 5 after just nine overs.Messner continued to rip the heart out of the Santiago order as Shalders and Desmaras quickly fell to his spell of accurate Medium quick seam bowling. At 40 for 8, early tea looked imminent, but the experienced Chris Brown had other ideas as he came in and leapt on the bad balls from the second string bowlers for a confident looking 31 not out. The Santiago tail, unfortunately couldn’t stay with him and when Graves became Messner’s sixth and Willemse was stumped by Wollocombe, Santiago were all out for just 77 runs.The Las Condes openers, Hickman and Wollocombe, achieved what Santiago had not, on the other hand, through a good deal of grit and determination against Santiago’s strong left and right bowling attack of Douglas and Anglin. The breakthrough didn’t come until the 10th over with the score on 22 as Wollocombe was alleged LBW to a full length inswinger from Anglin.Hollis was not able to pick up where had had left off in the South American Championships and was out cheaply giving Douglas his only wicket of the match. However, Matthew Hickman was still looking good despite the good bowling and, supported by Andy Salmond-Smith, the pair took the score to 46 before Hickman was bowled off another Anglin inswinging missile.Salmond-Smith continued to thump the ball with a relish until he holed out on 16 to Douglas off a good over from Santiago’s young hopeful JP Fassnidge.Shalders and Fassnidge then began to eat their way through Las Condes’s middle order to expose a shaky looking tail until the Las Condes Captain Clive Marriott managed to steady the ship and Messner cracked the winning runs with just two wickets remaining.Tim Messner was awarded Man-of-the Match for his fine spell of 8-3-13-6.Points awarded Las Condes:18,Santiago:7
With three man of the match awards from four games in the ongoingtriangular series in Zimbabwe, Sachin Tendulkar says he is extremelykeen to “score more and more hundreds”, a statement certain to ringalarm bells for the other finalists, the West Indies.”I am not easily satisfied. I want to score many more hundreds,” saidTendulkar yesterday after his unbeaten 122 shaped up India’s sixwicket win against West Indies in the last league match.Tendulkar’s 29th one-day international hundred, was his first of thesix-week tour where he has played two Tests and four ODIs besides athree-day game. The genius said he was disappointed at not getting acentury in previous games.”One always goes out to score hundreds. I wanted to score a hundred inboth the Tests. But it happens to all the players. If it was not to beso, then all the great players wouldn’t have got out in the 70 and80s. When I had embarked on this tour, I had personally decided to tryand hang around as much as possible. And that is what I was trying todo. I had told myself not to play big shots, even though that meant Iwould have to suppress my natural instinct to hit the ball. Ibasically did it because of the wickets here. I think on these kind oftracks you can’t play the way you play in India or anywhere else.”But, that the batsman does not forget defeat easily was evident whenhe recalled how the one hour on the fourth morning of the second Testcost India the match.”The tour has gone on very well so far, except for the fourth morningof the second Test. That one hour cost us the match. I thought wedidn’t play good cricket and we allowed them to get back into thegame. If we had given them 200 or 210 runs to get in the fourthinnings it would have been a different story.”India lost the second Test to Zimbabwe by four wickets after they lostseven wickets for 37 runs on the penultimate day.”I thought losing those seven wickets for 37 runs was the key. If youlose so many wickets in no time, it is very difficult to win a Testmatch. Right until that moment I felt that we were in the drivingseat. I know it is very hard to express in words as to what we shoulddo and what we shouldn’t do. It just happens,” the former skipper saidphilosophically.”The only thing one could have done was to wait and hang around therefor the new ball to wear out. Such things are going to happen. Wecan’t pin-point each other. We all need to take responsibility for itand try and ensure that we don’t repeat it.”On the brighter side, Tendulkar said the team had now some very goodyoungsters. “All the youngsters we have are very talented. They arealso hungry to do well. They are prepared to work hard and that is agood sign. It augurs well because if you look at the average age ofthe team it is around 23-24 years. The team is young and if this lotcan stick together for years to come, I am sure we can produce betterresults.”However, Tendulkar said, it was the bowling where India had profitedmost. “All the bowlers show promise. All the guys have differentqualities and that is so important when you form a team. From everyend, you have variety. Harbhajan Singh is a top class off spinner andhe is only 21. It is an added advantage to the side. Somebody who isso young and done well against quality sides, we can only expectbetter things from him.”The 28-year-old stalwart from Mumbai was also very pleased with thefitness level of the team. “It has improved by leaps and bounds. Nowwe are a very good fielding side too”.Tendulkar said he is always keen to lend a helping hand to youngstersin the team. “I know I am the senior-most among the players here. If Isee something wrong or an area where somebody can improve, I just goand tell him that this is what I feel. Then it is up to the player totake a decision. But as a senior member, I feel I should tell themwhere they are going wrong.”
It hasn’t been the prettiest campaign for Tottenham Hotspur, and Thomas Frank has work to do if he is to convince the Lilywhite supporters of his capacity to lead this team through a sustained period of success.
The conquering of the Europa League last season might have been used as a springboard, but Tottenham have reverted to type, 11th in the Premier League and lacking the attacking sparkle fans expect. This was painfully clear last weekend, during the 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.
To Dare Is To Do, but Spurs are not being brave enough, and their instability is becoming a big problem. It will be Frank’s undoing if he fails to mount a convincing assault against the Premier League’s elite, challenging in the Champions League and FA Cup too.
Defensively, issues linger from the Ange Postecoglou era. Tottenham have been blunted in attack too. But it’s perhaps the midfield which is epicentral to the lack of control and creativity and craftsmanship.
Spurs' plans to fix their midfield
Tottenham’s midfield ranks have left plenty to be desired this season. Frank will feel hard done by given James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have been absent since the summer due to injury, but the decision to persist with Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha isn’t providing the desired results.
Palhinha, a loan arrival from Bayern Munich, has added some punch to the centre of the park, but he’s not exactly a progressive midfielder on the ball. Bentancur, beside him, struggles to serve as a neat counterpoint, with the Uruguayan’s struggles in recent years even leading analyst Raj Chohan to describe him as a “candidate for worst centre-midfielder at a big six club”.
Clearly, Spurs need an upgrade, and they could find one in Leon Goetzka, who fancies trying his hand at something new after a lifetime of football in his German homeland.
That’s according to Spanish sources, who claim that Goretzka is seeking a fresh start after being consigned to a reduced part in Vincent Kompany’s project.
Tottenham are understood to be among the best-placed teams to complete a deal, with Premier League rivals like Nottingham Forest and West Ham United also ready to submit formal offers this winter.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Last summer, Manchester United’s interest led to Bayern relatiation, placing a £34m on the 30-year-old. ENIC Group will hope that figure has since diminished.
Why Leron Goretzka would be perfect for Spurs' midfield
Goretzka has enjoyed a glittering career with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, winning the Champions League and so many Bundesliga titles since joining on a free transfer in 2018 after his contract with Schalke expired.
Bayern Munich'sLeroySanecelebrates scoring their first goal with Leon Goretzka
A powerful and commanding centre-midfielder, Goretzka’s prospective success down N17 in the Premier League would come at either Palhinha or Bentancur’s expense.
Looking at how he contrasts with ex-teammate Palhinha for example, underscores the kind of upgrade Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici would strike.
Goretzka vs Palhinha (past 12 months)
Stats (per 90)
Goretzka
Palhinha
Goals scored
0.11
0.16
Assists
0.04
0.16
Touches
83.66
60.63
Pass completion (%)
90.8
84.9
Progressive passes
7.69
3.02
Progressive carries
2.18
0.49
Shot-creating actions
2.21
1.29
Successful take-ons
0.41
0.43
Ball recoveries
4.73
3.77
Tackles + interceptions
2.74
5.87
Aerial duels won
1.95
1.72
Data via FBref
He is a midfield powerhouse, and his energy and ferocity have seen him said to be “like a madman” on the field by former teammate Sami Khedira, who then hailed his countryman as a “machine” of a player.
Subscribe to the newsletter for expert Spurs transfer insight Craving in-depth Spurs transfer and midfield coverage? Subscribe to the newsletter for expert scouting, tactical breakdowns and stat-led analysis that put moves like a Goretzka pursuit in context and explain how they fit the squad. Subscribe to the newsletter for expert Spurs transfer insight Craving in-depth Spurs transfer and midfield coverage? Subscribe to the newsletter for expert scouting, tactical breakdowns and stat-led analysis that put moves like a Goretzka pursuit in context and explain how they fit the squad.
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He doesn’t churn out the same calibre of defensive actions as someone like Palhinha – who does? – but Goretzka is a more complete and balanced player. He would raise the level of Spurs’ wider system, trumping Bentancur in that regard.
Indeed, across 11 Bundesliga starts this season, the experienced midfielder has won 57% of his ground duels. He could actually partner Palhinha in the Spurs centre, striking a much-needed defend-attack balance. Control. It’s very important in the Premier League, and Goretzka would instil it.
With an intense work rate and a tenacity that cannot be taught, Goretzka would be a credit to Tottenham’s midfield. He would certainly work his way into the starting line-up at the expense of strugglers like Palhinha and Bentancur.
Tottenham need more dynamism in midfield, and Goretzka has the experience and the technical skillset to create a central system that could see Frank’s vision realised over the second half of the season and indeed the next few years.
Spurs have signed a "hidden gem" who could end Richarlison's stay
Tottenham are still searching for a Harry Kane replacement at number nine.
The South African fast bowler, Monde Zondeki, has signed as Warwickshire’s overseas player for the 2008 season.Zondeki, 25, has represented South Africa in five Tests and 11 one-day Internationals, having made his Test debut on South Africa’s last tour of England in 2003.His ODI debut came six months earlier, at Bloemfontein in December 2002, where he made an immediate impact with his first-ball dismissal of Sri Lanka’s Marvan Atapattu. To date he has taken 201 first-class wickets in 63 appearances at an average of 27.81, as well as 78 limited-overs wickets at 28.67.Zondeki will be available for all of Warwickshire’s competitions next season, except when Sanath Jayasuriya comes across for the Twenty20 Cup in June.”I am hugely excited about signing for Warwickshire,” said Zondeki. “The opportunity to work under Ashley Giles and bowling coach Allan Donald is one that was too good to refuse. This promises to be a huge year for the Bears and I am looking forward to playing an important role in the upcoming season.”Warwickshire’s director of cricket, Ashley Giles, said: “Monde comes highly recommended from South Africa. Myself and AD have had many discussions about world-class bowlers and he rates him as one of the quickest bowlers in South Africa.”Monde will add pace and experience to our bowling attack and will be a good addition to the squad. I look forward to welcoming to Edgbaston in March.”
Scott Styris feels he is “off the pace” after his lay-off with a back injury but remains confident he can be a major contributor in New Zealand’s World Cup campaign. Styris has had an interrupted few months since aggravating his problem at the Champions Trophy and has struggled to find form on his return to the ODI side.His CB Series and Chappell-Hadlee Trophy scores were 34, 16, 17 and 0, and he followed up with 26 in New Zealand’s warm-up game against Bangladesh on Tuesday. Styris conceded he would need to lift if he wants to help New Zealand fulfil their World Cup potential.”My form’s there or thereabouts,” he told . “I was quite happy when I came back into the side but I think I need to get more up to speed with the intensity of the game, more than anything. There’s a massive jump in intensity between our domestic cricket and here, and I’ve felt a bit off the pace, if anything.”But Styris is comfortable with Caribbean conditions, having made a Test century on debut there in 2002. “I’ve got good memories from the tour of the West Indies in 2002,” he said. “In the one-dayers I had an opportunity to bat higher up the order and did pretty well, and I guess that’s where I first persuaded the skipper and the selectors that I could play a front-line batting role.”The slow and low pitches expected during the World Cup would suit his playing style, Styris said. “They also tend to stop and turn a bit, which is conducive to what I try to do with the ball,” he said. “I feel I should be able to make a good contribution.”Having said that, they’ve got a whole lot of new grounds over here now and the pitches are pretty much an unknown quantity. There’s a suggestion that they’ll still be low and slow but I haven’t seen too many new surfaces play that way. We’ll just have to wait and see.”New Zealand’s final warm-up match is against Sri Lanka on Friday. They begin their World Cup campaign in earnest with a vital clash with England next Friday.
England A 283 for 9 (Joyce 85, Clarke 58, Solanki 47) beat West Indies A 226 (Joseph 45, Richards 39, Mahmood 4-37, Batty 4-40) by 57 runs ScorecardSajid Mahmood and Gareth Batty grabbed four wickets apiece to bowl England A to a 57-run series-leveling win over West Indies A under the lights at the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia on March 11.Rikki Clarke spurred England with an allround effort: he rattled a breezy 44-ball 58 to lift the visitors to 283 for 9 and then strangled the hosts, after they had run away to 95 for 1 in 15 overs, with a miserly 10-over spell – conceding only 26 runs and picking up Dale Richards’s (39) wicket in the bargain. Richards’s wicket opened up the gates for Batty and Mahmood to barge through, and the duo kept striking at regular intervals: seven wickets fell for 94 runs as West Indies folded up for 226.Ed Joyce, who top-scored for the second successive match, and Vikram Solanki, who missed the first game, got the visitors off to a great start, racing away to 97 in only 15.4 overs. However, their march was halted by Ryan Hinds, the left-arm spinner who bowled his 10 overs on a trot, grabbing 4 for 38. Hinds got rid off Solanki in his first over and removed Alex Loudon and Ravi Bopara cheaply before nailing Joyce to leave the visitors at a wobbly 168 for 5.It was then that Clarke stepped in, counterattacking his way out of trouble. Gavin Tonge came in for special attention from Clarke who hit him for four fours in succession in the 48th over. However, Tonge soon got his revenge, removing Clarke off the last ball of the over.The battle will now resume in Barbados on Tuesday where the final three matches of the series will be played.
Pakistan A 239 for 3 (Faisal 102*, Aamer 65*) beat England A 125 by 114 runs Scorecard Points tableEngland A’s winter ended with a whimper, as they crashed out of the triangular tournament after a crushing 114-run defeat to Pakistan A at Moratuwa. While Ian Bell’s side head home, Sri Lanka A will now face Pakistan A in the final on Tuesday, but they will face a stern test: Pakistan have won all four of their group matches.Faisal Athar and Aamer Bashir set up Pakistan’s latest triumph, their unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 168 lifting their side to 239 for 3 after a stodgy start from the top order, who were limping along at little more three an over. But Faisal and Aamer floored the accelerator when the dismissal of Ashar Zaidi – who made a painstaking yet painful 17 from 69 balls – brought them together in the 21st over. Faisal struck an unbeaten 102 from 133 balls and Aamer joined in the fun, bashing 65 not out from 79 balls.England’s batsman struggled from the outset and the writing was firmly on the wall at 25 for 4, the opening pace attack of Mohammad Asif and Abdur Rauf taking two wickets each. Imran Tahir then helped himself to the next three wickets to kill off England’s slim hopes (71 for 7).Richard Dawson and Paul Franks gestured at revival, putting on 38 for the eighth wicket, but it was far too little, far too late and England slumped to 125 all out.
ScorecardDay 5Bulletin – New Zealand win despite defiant RudolphDay 4Bulletin – Martin spell pushes South Africa to the brink News – Tuffey to miss third TestDay 3Bulletin – Cairns sparkles in a run-fest Day 2Bulletin – Styris and Martin make it New Zealand’s day News – Pollock becomes South Africa’s leading wicket-takerDay 1Bulletin – Smith and Gibbs make it South Africa’s day
The Tasmanian Cricket Association in conjunction with the Office of Sport & Recreation and the Indigenous Sports Unit of the ACS are pleased to announce the Tasmanian Indigenous X1 to compete in the Imparja Cup to be held in Alice Springs from 28th February to 2nd March 2003.All states and territories will be represented at the championship, with all teams playing four (4) preliminary matches. The two leading teams will then play off in the final in a 40 over a side match to be held at Traeger Park under lights.The Tasmanian team has a blend of youth and experience and will be keen to improve on its second place at last year’s event.The team will be captained by Colin Lamont, an experienced player who has played many seasons of first grade cricket with the South-Hobart Sandy Bay club in the TCA grade competition.The team will be coached by Ali de Winter and managed by Don Gardiner.The team is;Colin Lamont (Captain), Greg Medcraft, Sean Gower, Selwyn Deverell, Adrian Jones, Daniel Williams, Darren Jones, Jamie Green, Guy Grey, Bernie Lamont, Wayne Hogan, Shane Brown, Brian Summers.Coach: Ali de WinterManager: Don Gardner
Darren Lehmann spared Yorkshire’s blushing by steering them to a four-wicket victory over Bedfordshire at Luton in the third round of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.The Australian held the batting together with a faultless 88 off 98 balls with seven boundaries and he was only out when Yorkshire were nine runs short of their target.But it could have been a much different story without Lehmann’s expertise because Yorkshire were rocking on 62 for four at one stage and looked like plunging to a humiliating defeat at the hands of the plucky Minor Counties side.The man to do the early damage was paceman Shaun Rashid who took the first three wickets with only 41 scored and he later rounded off an excellent performance by clean bowling Lehmann.Yorkshire’s revival started when Lehmann found a reliable partner in fellow left-hander Vic Craven who helped him add 62 in 14 overs for the fifth wicket.When Craven was caught at mid-wicket off Will Sneath in came another left-hander in Gavin Hamilton who continued to ease the pressure with some well-executed shots.Lehmann’s 50 came when he cut Sneath for his third boundary and he increased the tempo until he went for a heave at Rashid and was bowled.Winning the toss, Bedfordshire chose to bat on a good pitch and played well for their 211 for nine but they were greatly assisted by a lot of inaccurate bowling which cost Yorkshire 24 runs in wides and 12 in no-balls.Skipper Andy Roberts and David Clarke laid a solid foundation with a 51 stand for the second wicket and James Knott and Andy Trott boosted the total later on with 48 in nine overs for the seventh wicket.Top scorer, with 34, was Oliver Clayson who was stumped going down the pitch to Lehmann while Ryan Sidebottom was Yorkshire’s best bowler with four for 39, despite sending down two legside wides which both sped to the boundary.Chris Silverwood and Lehmann each captured two wickets and there was a tidy 10 over stint from off-spinner Richard Dawson who went for just 39 runs in only his second competitive match.Yorkshire now look forward to a testing encounter with Surrey at Headingley in the next round.