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One-day tournament (Departments): Final Match Report

Mahmood Ahmad27-Apr-2001Habib Bank outclassed National Bank in all departments of the game, achieving a comprehensive 8-wicket victory of National Bank in the final of the One-day tournament (departments).Helped by attacking half-centuries from Saleem Elahi, Taufeeq Umer and Younis Khan, HBL cruised to their target of 193 (49 overs) in the 30th over of the innings.Saleem Elahi and Taufeeq Umer opened the HBL innings in a hostile manner, collecting 14 off Sami’s first over. Sami and Shabbir bowled a few tidy overs after that, but failing to find any breakthrough, they only assisted the batsmen in settling down. Elahi was soon to show his belligerence, as he smashed Sami for four boundaries in the 5th over, the first three, of which went between the two fielders posted at gully.However, it was more or less Elahi after that as he compiled boundaries at perfect ease. The right-hander reached his half-century, his fourth consecutive score over 50 in this tournament, off only 40 balls, which contained 9 beautiful boundaries.It was not long after that when the Bankers acquired the hundred of the innings in the 15th over, as Saleem found two more boundaries in one over from Imran Javed.However, the next over saw a slight reversal of fortunes. Mushtaq Ahmed, the skipper, struck twice in just his second over, 16th overall, when he first had the aggressive Elahi (61 off 53, 12 fours) caught at point by Naumanullah. He then tested the new comer Imran Farhat with a perfect leg break and found the left-hander missing the line of the ball to be adjudged lbw for naught. Younis Khan came in next and avoided a possible hat trick by fending the ball to the off.Taufeeq, meanwhile, kept his cool, finding runs to all corners of the park. He got to his fifty off 62 balls, after driving Mushtaq through covers for his sixth four. This shot was followed by a six over the head of the bowler. The little leggie conceded 15 runs in his next over, including two fours and a six by Younis, the scoreboard showing 162 in only 24 overs.The remaining 31 runs were reached in around five more overs, as Younis and Taufeeq unleashed a flurry of fours and sixes, taking Habib Bank to a comprehensive victory inside 30 overs.Taufeeq remained not out on 71 (84 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) and Younis Khan made an aggressive unbeaten 51 (38 balls, 6 fours, 2 sixes) to ease their side’s way to victory.Earlier, it was a fine collective bowling effort by HBL, which restricted NBP to a manageable 192 in their allotted 49 overs.The left-arm pace man Kabir Khan was the main destroyer for the winners. After getting rid of Qaiser Abbas in the first over of the morning, he went on to grab three more overs in his opening spell to finish with figures of 3 for 38.Losing 6 wicket for just 100 on the board, after initial fireworks from Imran Nazir (46 off 24), NBP never looked in contention of posting an imposing total. However, an 86-run 7th wicket stand between middle order batsman Mohammad Javed (49 off 96) and skipper Mushtaq Ahmed (32 off 46) brought a much needed respectability to the total, with their innings closing at 192 for 9 after 49 overs.Kabir Khan was well supported by veteran Sajid Shah, who bagged two wickets for 44. The left arm spinner Abdul Rehman, finding considerable turn in the pitch, took two wicket for 23.In a post-match ceremony, the Deputy Commissioner Sheikhupura Mr. Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera gave away the winner’s trophy and check of Rs. 75000 to the Habib Bank captain, Akram Raza.Taufeeq Umer and Kabir Khan were adjudged the best batsman and the best bowler of the final, and were presented with checks of 10,000 rupees plus glittering trophies.Saleem Elahi, Naeem Akhtar, and Kamran Akmal were declared, respectively, the best batsman, best bowler and best wicket keeper of the 8-team tournament.

A fresh report has linked Newcastle United with 22-year-old Vitesse Arnhem defender Danilho Doekhi.

Football Insider reported in April that Newcastle were in the race for the Dutch centre-back.

And now native publication De Telegraaf have named the Magpies as an interested party in their print edition (via Sport Witness).

They could face competition from relegation rivals Fulham and newly-promoted Norwich City. The report also identifies Atalanta and Rangers as possible suitors.

Newcastle target Doekhi profiled

The Dutch Under-21 international has played all but two of Vitesse’s Eredivisie matches this season.

They sit fourth in the table, having conceded just 29 goals – the second-best record in the division behind champions Ajax.

Doekhi also helped Vitesse progress to the final of the KNVB cup, where they were beaten 2-1 by de Godenzonen.

The 6 foot 2 defender has averaged 2.1 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, three clearances and three successful aerial duels per 90 minutes this season (via WhoScored) – that is more tackles and interceptions than any Magpies player not named Isaac Hayden.

Manager Thomas Letsch has hailed him as ‘one of the best centre-backs’ in the league, adding that Doekhi ‘makes almost no mistakes’ and is a ‘very calm player’, who ‘coaches other players very well’.

Doekhi could be available for small fee

Despite his promise, Doekhi is valued at just £1.8million by Transfermarkt.

That’s partly down to the fact he’s only got one year left on his contract at Vitesse.

A bidding war could drive the price up, but Newcastle may still be set for a bargain deal due to his contract situation.

Transfer Tavern verdict

This could be an excellent piece of business for Newcastle – Doekhi’s numbers are impressive, and based on his manager’s appraisal, he has exactly the right temperament to keep his head in the fast-paced and often frantic Premier League.

For a small fee, the Toon could secure a long-term replacement for out-of-contract Federico Fernandez, who is 32 and will need to pass the torch sooner rather than later.

In other news, read the latest on Fernandez’s future. 

As per the Daily Express, Tottenham could be offered David De Gea by Manchester United in part-exchange for Harry Kane.

The Lowdown: Kane future uncertain

Kane’s future at Tottenham is uncertain. At the age of 27, he is yet to win a single piece of team silverware despite being one of the best strikers in the world, and he is said to have told those around him that he intends to leave Spurs this summer.

Manchester United have been mentioned as one of the clubs in pursuit of his signature.

The Latest: United could offer De Gea

Tottenham are believed to value Kane at a huge £175m – a fee the Red Devils just could not afford.

As such, United could well offer goalkeeper De Gea in part exchange for the England international.

The Verdict: Worth considering

The possibility of Kane departing north London has never felt as pressing. He is on course to end the season as the Premier League’s top goalscorer (BBC), while he has also managed the most assists in the league so far, yet Tottenham are currently seventh in the Premier League and are in real danger of missing out on qualification for European competition altogether.

If the 27-year-old does move on, Daniel Levy must do all he can to get the best deal for the club. While not at his peak, the £19.8m-valued De Gea (Transfermarkt) is still one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and has won Manchester United’s Player of the Year on four separate occasions – more than any other player (manutd.com).

Hugo Lloris is 34, error-prone and does not have too long left at the top, whereas De Gea is four years younger. As long as the transfer fee is also considerable, this could be a good deal for Tottenham.

In other news, this Tottenham managerial target has responded to rumours linking him to the club.

Mushtaq Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim and Imran Farhat are the three players who have suffered the axe

Mahmood Ahmad29-May-2001Mushtaq Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim and Imran Farhat are the three players who have suffered the axe. The PCB Chairman, addressing a press conference last week, announced: “They are flying back home after the completion of the two-match test series against England. And the players joining the team would be Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir and Shoaib Malik.”Obviously, the three prematurely returning home must also be aware that, with their return seats having been booked, their chances of making it to the Old Trafford Test are bleak.Now for once, consider Mushi playing at Old Trafford and getting five wickets in each England innings or the left-hander Imran hammering a century. What would happen then? Obviously, a dilemma for the PCB.Ok! Without rushing on to things, let me take both parties’ case turn by turn, while examining each one’s most recent performances. Let’s first handle the ‘returning party’, if I can call them so.
Mushtaq Ahmed
Photo © CricInfo
Mushtaq Ahmed: Mushtaq played three of the four side matches (excluding the one-day fixture against Leicestershire) on the tour and got wickets. He gave a match-winning performance against the British Universities, bagging 8 wickets in the second innings. Again he got 4 in his last outing against Leicestershire, a four-day match, just a few days ago. He did not play against Derbyshire, whereas against Kent he remained wicketless, although he did bowl tidily in that three-dayer. So given a chance in the final test, he might prove handy. Moreover, his record in England, both in international and county matches, is sufficient proof of this top-class leggie in beguiling the English batsmen. He has 32 wickets in 8 tests, at 28.81, played in England.I thus feel, it does not seem a right decision to call Mushi back without offering him a chance in any of the international games.
Imran Farhat
Photo © CricInfo
Imran Farhat: Imran, on his part, has a highest score of 46, the third highest for Pakistan in the three-day match against Derbyshire. That certainly does not do justice to his talent but he is touring England for the first time, and history is witness that tours to England are always a tough challenge for even the most experienced of batsmen.It certainly would have been prudent to blood him some more by retaining him to prove his credentials in limited overs cricket. Remember, he was given only one match, the first one against Sri Lanka, in the tri-nation at Sharjah before being replaced by the more experienced Imran Nazir.Moreover, Imran Farhat is certainly better than some other members of the squad, who have been retained for the ODIs. And wasn’t it Imran about whom Geoff Boycott, one of the better judges of cricketing talent, uttered words of praise before the team’s departure to New Zealand earlier this year? Is it, thus, the right way to groom our talent?
Mohammad Wasim
Photo © CricInfo
Mohammad Wasim: For many, he was one of the most surprise choices even for the test series, no less than a miracle for a man who had been mostly out of active cricket for quite some time and whose domestic record had not been outstanding. One wonders, haven’t the national selectors showed a lot of generosity in picking him for the tour?Wasim’s performance in the side matches has not been of note. He batted in three innings, against the British Universities, Derby, and Leicestershire getting 27, 15 and 36. Interesting to note, he donned the wicket keeping gloves in the last match and held one catch. However, this certainly is not an impressive record, at least not sufficient to assure him a place in the one-day side. Moreover, his overall record in the shortened version of the game is not enviable. Thus for me, he’s the only appropriate choice among the returning party.Now let’s move on to the second of the two parties, the England-bound ODI specialist party:
Shahid Afridi
Photo © AFP
Shahid Afridi: No doubt about his credentials; one fails to find words to describe the power and ferocity of his shots. Apart from being a ruthless hitter, he is a handy right-arm bowler, a good replacement for Mushtaq (now that the decision has been made). A good fielder too, though I believe his ability as a sound fielder is a bit exaggerated. I have seen him many a time diving at the ball when he could easily have done without it, resulting in one or two extra runs. Still, he is a perfect choice for ODIs.Imran Nazir: He made an explosive appearance on the international scene a few years ago, only to lose momentum with the passage of time. He has been afforded a lot of chances and the fact is, he hasn’t really come up to expectations but still he finds himself in selector’s good books.He played some useful innings for Sheikhupura in the One-day tournament (Associations), the last one in Pakistan’s domestic circuit. His head to head centuries in the pool matches against Karachi Blues (148 off 110 balls) and Sargodha (102 off 63) are particularly worth mentioning but were they only an enviable record for record-keepers?
Imran Nazir
Photo © CricInfo
I happened to watch his batting in the semi-final, against Rawalpindi and also in the final, against Karachi. While he failed to open his account in the final, he played some productive shots in the semi-final on his way to a quickfire 37, but these cannot be termed as good cricketing shots. They were just slogs, like a baseball player and not by one expected to be aware of fundamentals of batting in cricket.Then, came the three-nation tournament at Sharjah. He was given ample chances, four to be exact, during the series, but apart from one innings of 35 (46 balls) against New Zealand, he was far from being impressive.Fielding at point, the local press brackets him with Jonty Rhodes and Ricky Ponting (I hope these two don’t know or a lawsuit might be around!). Well, there is exaggeration in this claim, just as there is in Afridi’s case. Preferring to say no more, I leave the judgment to critics and cricket fans.Shoaib Malik: I remember pointing out to the PCB Chairman, during the press conference, that Shoaib’s action was reported as suspect in the Sharjah final and that the case was under review. The General replied, “not his action but a particular delivery of his is suspect, so we would forbid him from using that delivery”. This was followed by a hearty laughter by the General and the pressmen. I thought to myself, it better be a joke because without that particular delivery, the so-called ‘wrong’un’, the bowler in question loses much of his effectiveness.Notwithstanding the controversy hanging around his action, Shoaib is a useful player, especially for limited-overs cricket, who he can ably make up for any bowling lapses by getting quick runs down the order and bring about a few astonishing catches and run outs. He is thus an appropriate passenger on the England-bound flight.All said and done, I would agree on the decision to recall Mohammad Wasim and send Afridi and Shoaib. However, calling back Mushtaq along with Imran Farhat and sending Imran Nazir to England is a decision that the selectors’ may yet rue and perhaps reflects hastiness. One can also question, knowing the idiosyncrasies of Pakistan cricket, was it only the selectors or has the team management something to do with it?

Article: Mudassar Nazar’s column on Pak v Eng, NWS Ist ODI

Mudassar Nazar08-Jun-2001
Mudassar Nazar
Photo © CricInfo
If any one cricketer can walk on water then he’s Inzamam. He carried his test match form straight into one-day cricket. Pakistan was unable to take full advantage of this memorable innings as they fell a bit short of a commanding total. Who could have thought this burly chap would score over 8000 runs in one-day cricket when first chosen to play for Pakistan.
Inzamam drives for 4 through the off side
Photo © CricInfo
Pakistan elected to bat first on an ideal batting pitch. It used to be a rather benign one until it changed character once Alan Donald signed up for Warwickshire. All the test matches there started to finish within four days and most of the county batsmen started to take time off when it was their turn to confront the Mighty Donald. Ironically, Donald parted company with Warwickshire last season and this pitch has now changed character again.Pakistan started this game on the back of their victory at Old Trafford amidst some very unfair and strong criticism. If Pakistan players felt that English pundits were unjust, then they were justified. When a McGrath or Caddick stares down at batsmen its called ‘raw aggression’ but if Wasim and Waqar do it the English media call it ‘disgraceful intimidation’ and labels them as bad boys of world cricket.One cannot ignore that England lost the test because they had two bad sessions in five days and Pakistan’s skipper was good and aggressive enough to wrest the initiative well: Enough about the last test match. I just wanted to get it off my chest.
Afridi executes a perfect cover drive off Gough
Photo © CricInfo
Afridi started Pakistan’s innings in his own fashion. Though he is exhilarating but one knows nine time out of ten this excitement will be short and sweet. Just when English bowlers looked helpless and baffled, he gave it away. I just cannot understand why he can’t settle down after he has given his team such an impetus.Razzaq was unfortunately run out. His dismissal was a blessing in disguise for Pakistan. Inzamam, in great form recently, needs as many overs at his disposal as he can. This is a strong reason why I want him to bat at number three. Saeed after a circumspect start did settle down to play an important innings. Together, they systematically destroyed the England bowlers. None of the bowlers seemed in control of the situation. Why did England drop Robert Croft for this game? In the face of a decent Pakistan partnership they had no back up bowler to support their new ball bowlers.Inzamam and Saeed entertained the full house at Edgbaston in brilliant fashion. Some of their strokes down the ground were truly memorable. Alec Stewart, desperate for a breakthrough, brought back his best bowler Darren Gough. All his teammates were horrified when he spilled a simple return catch off Saeed. Pakistan lost their two stalwarts in quick succession and consequently lost momentum. At this juncture, I’d have promoted the in form Younis Khan in place of Youhana. Anyway, Pakistan missed this trick and unable to score around 300 runs, which at the half way stage, looked a mere formality. After the productive Saeed – Inzamam partnership, 273 for 6 was certainly well below Par.
Waqar Younis, leads his side to victory in the 1st NatWest ODI
Photo © CricInfo
Pakistan started their defense in some extremely bowling friendly conditions. England is heaven for fast and medium pace bowlers and when you invite them to bowl in the evening you are simply asking for trouble. Wasim and Waqar bowled excellent opening spells aided by the evening heavy atmosphere moving the ball disconcertingly, in the air and off the pitch. It must have been disheartening for England because their own bowlers looked like club class bowlers in the afternoon sunshine.Waqar, bowling at a brisk pace accounted for his old teammate Ally Brown when he angled the ball away. Trescothick was looking dangerous when the captain outfoxed him too with a slower delivery. Then Shoaib Malik and Saeed Anwar splendidly caught Stewart and Vaughan. After the initial burst from Wasim and Waqar, England were never in the hunt for this game.Razzaq and Azhar seemed at home bowling in this one-day game. Razzaq in particular bowled at a sharp pace and looked a class act. I feel he likes this form of cricket. Lo and behold, Pakistan’s fielding standard was excellent today too! Shoaib Malik who came on as a substitute is the best athlete in the team.Towards the end, Shahid Afridi made a mockrey of the batsmen who could not wait to get out of the ground. In just two games all of England’s frailties have been exposed and they look disjointed in the absence of Nasser Hussain. Pakistan on the other hand, is fully committed to their captain who once again gave a commanding performance. There is no better time to take on the Aussies.

Ed:Mudassar Nazar is a veteran of 76 tests and 122 ODIs. He is currently the chief coach of Pakistan’s National and Regional Cricket Academies. In view of the overwhelming interest of users in CricInfo’s articles, we have invited him to write for us.

Steven Gerrard has teased transfers at Glasgow Rangers this summer in the aftermath of their unbeaten Premiership campaign.

The Lowdown: Preparations begin

After their 4-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday, the Gers completed an unbeaten league season (BBC). The players and staff celebrated at Ibrox, while many supporters took to the streets across Glasgow.

Now that the season is over, those in charge at Rangers must prepare for next season and beyond. Fashion Sakala and Nnamdi Ofoborh will join the club ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, and there are likely to be more incomings to follow.

The Latest: Gerrard teases transfers

Speaking during the celebrations on trophy day, Gerrard discussed the future. He told Sky Sports (via rangersnews.co.uk):

“This is a club where you can’t stand still – it’s about the future. This has to be a launchpad. We have to fix the roof now. The sun’s shining and everyone’s happy, but it’s my job to now to find the tweaks, find the little malfunctions within the group that we need to iron out.

“The recruitment is key now. You can see in the last few games that we’re short in certain areas. I’ve had some really interesting meetings with the board and they’re with me. They’ll back me and we’ll go again and we’ll try to build on this success.”

The Verdict: Don’t stand still

It shows the mentality of Gerrard that, even in the immediate aftermath of such a success, he is already thinking ahead to next season, and he is exactly right to do so. What Rangers have achieved this term has been fantastic, but they still have so much more to do – for example, they will embark on a Champions League run next term and have the chance of qualifying for the group stages for the first time in 11 years.

If the 55-time Scottish champions want to progress further, they will have to bring in new faces to introduce fresh impetus in the squad. Sakala and Ofoborh are a good start – expect more to follow.

In other news, Rangers are interested in this English Championship midfielder.

Ashley Giles is still not fully recovered from his Achilles injury – but remains hopeful that he can fulfil a childhood dream and play his part in an Ashes series

CricInfo16-Jun-2001Ashley Giles is still not fully recovered from his Achilles injury – but remains hopeful that he can fulfil a childhood dream and play his part in an Ashes series.At least the Warwickshire slow left-arm bowler is now back in the middle and getting some overs under his belt.And this is a huge relief to Giles, awarded a central contract by the ECB, who makes no attempt to hide that fact that he hates being on the sidelines.Giles made his comeback against Oxford University with a first innings returnof five for 46 and also played in the National League encounter withNorthamptonshire.Giles told PA Sport: “It’s so nice to be playing again. It’s been along and frustrating break for me and great to bowl a few overs in the middle.”It’s frustrating watching our boys at Warwickshire and England play,particularly when your side lose, and you feel you might be able to play a partin it.”I’m not a great watcher of cricket. I’ll pop down to the ground for a whileand then disappear again pretty quickly. Now it’s good to be around the gameagain.”It’s been a patience thing for me. I’ve been working in the gym onstrengthening work, then icing it, resting, stretching and working with thephysio. Hopefully all that will keep me on the field.”I’m not 100% fit. I still get some pain and stiffness and my body is goingto take some wear and tear from playing again so it’s important I’m careful.”But I am better than I was in Sri Lanka and I’ve just got to maintain orprogress on the state I’m in at the moment.”The timetable is to play as much cricket as I can before the First Test andthen it’s down to England to decide whether I am fit enough or in good enoughform.”I feel that I am bowling pretty well. I’m confident and I have slipped intoa pretty good rhythm already.”If they want me for the first Test, then I’ll be there. Obviously it’s adifferent world to bowling at Oxford University and the Australian Test side.”But in my head I’ll be confident enough to do a job although it would benice to get some more overs under my belt in the couple of weeks.”The Ashes is the Ashes. It’s as simple as that. It is a childhood dream toplay in those matches and I’d love to be part of a winning team againstAustralia.”I think this year we’ve got as good a chance as we’ve had for a long time towin the Ashes.”

Manchester United are ahead of Eredivisie champions Ajax in the race to sign FC Nordsjaelland forward Kamaldeen Sulemana.

What’s the story?

According to Football Insider, the Red Devils are expected to outbid the Dutch giants following recent talks after sending a delegation to Denmark in order to thrash out a deal for the 19-year-old sensation.

Sulemana has enjoyed a fabulous campaign with Nordsjaelland, bagging 10 goals and providing eight assists in just 29 appearances for the SuperLiga outfit, attracting the attention of some of the continent’s biggest clubs.

The new Rashford

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have made solid, if relatively steady, progress this season. A second-place finish in the Premier League table is secured with a game to spare, and Wednesday’s Europa League final will offer the perfect opportunity to end the club’s longest trophy drought in over 30 years.

However, a 12-point gap to Premier League winners Manchester City and a group stage exit in the Champions League outlines the work that is still be done to restore the Old Trafford outfit to their former glory.

While the starting XI have continually impressed throughout the current campaign, Solskjaer has often found his options limited when looking to the bench. The likes of Dan James, Donny van de Beek and Alex Telles have failed to grasp their opportunity when given a chance from the off, and the 20-time English champions are, therefore, keen to bolster their ranks over the summer.

Sulemana appears to fit the bill, and the similarities to Marcus Rashford in the pair’s style of play are clear for all to see. The Ghana international is a pacey forward who’s comfortable playing on either flank or through the middle.

The teenager has an extensive array of skills and tricks in his locker and is renowned for his directness and eye for goal, all key features of Rashford’s game. While James has made improvements this season and continues to work hard, it’s clear that Sulemana has more to offer than the Welshman.

If United want to secure his services, though, they’ll have to continue to fend of Ajax’s advances. The Amsterdam outfit’s sporting director Marc Overmars has been scouting the winger, while manager Erik ten Haag openly praised the Nordsjaelland man, stating: “He is an attractive player who is technically skilled and goes on an adventure and has a lot of speed.”

The Football Insider report claims Ajax have submitted a £12m offer for Sulemana, while his current employers are holding out for a £15m fee, a price United are expected to get closer to.

It could be a pivotal transfer window for Solskjaer as he attempts to real in United’s noisy neighbours, and securing some much-needed backup for Rashford out wide could significantly boost their title aspirations for 2021/22.

And, in other news…United headed for huge mistake over £58.5-rated disaster, Solskjaer must stay clear 

Captain Ricky Ponting said not even matchwinner Michael Bevan was an automatic selection in the Australian one-day team tomorrow as selectors face the toughest choice of the South African tour.

Michael Crutcher02-Apr-2002Captain Ricky Ponting said not even matchwinner Michael Bevan was an automatic selection in the Australian one-day team tomorrow as selectors face the toughest choice of the South African tour.They must drop one of the in-form batsmen for the day-night clash in Durban if Bevan recovers from the hamstring strain which has sidelined him for the last three matches.The left-hander has batted in the nets, suggesting he is ready to return to a batting line-up which has driven Australia to a 3-0 lead with three matches to play.In-form Queenslander Jimmy Maher shapes as the most likely casualty if Bevan returns, but Ponting was reluctant to discuss the possibilities as he awaited a phone call from chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns.”It will be a hard decision now but we haven’t spoken about it yet,” Ponting said.”I don’t think anyone is an automatic selection but who do you leave out if you put Bevo in? That’s the hard thing.”Jimmy has performed well and most of the batters have done a good job in all of the games. It’s going to be very hard to slot him back in.”Despite Ponting’s caution, Bevan would be a certain inclusion because of his excellent record in one-day internationals, boasting the best batting average of anyone to have played more than five matches.He dragged Australia to a desperate victory over New Zealand earlier this season with a century at the MCG, confirming his reputation as the most reliable batsman in the game.If Bevan, Ponting and Adam Gilchrist are rated definite starters, selectors must drop one out of Maher, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn or Darren Lehmann incricket’s version of musical chairs.Each of those four players has performed during the series especially Maher, who received the man-of-the-match award in the second and third games when calledin for Bevan.He followed that with a valuable 14 not out from 12 balls in Australia’s 37-run victory in the fourth match in Bloemfontein last Saturday.Lehmann has been excellent in the series, helping Ponting in his first matches as captain, while Hayden has been promised an extended run as opener, scoring 79 in the tied match in Potchefstroom last week.Martyn has regained speed at No.4 after a scratchy run with scores of 42, 35 and 24, not making the job any easier for selectors.But that could change if Australia wraps up the series tomorrow, with Ponting indicating selectors could try different combinations in the final matches in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.”I want to win every game we play and if we put our best team on the park then it’s going to make the job a bit easier,” Ponting said.”We have to win the series first but we might try a different combination for the last couple of games if we win this one.”South African selectors face their own problems as they try to work fast bowler Nantie Hayward back into the team.Captain Shaun Pollock has already admitted Hayward’s recovery from an ankle injury left a question mark over the best combination for the Proteas, who have used Pollock, Makhaya Ntini and Roger Telemachus in three of the four matches.

The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has dropped an exciting transfer update on Newcastle’s pursuit of Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock.

What’s the story?

The England U21 international has been a revelation for Steve Bruce’s side since joining on loan until the end of the season back in the January transfer window, recently bagging in his sixth consecutive Premier League game by scoring the winner against Sheffield United.

Now, Edwards has claimed that Willock is ready to leave his boyhood club to make the switch to Tyneside permanent this summer, with the Magpies “increasingly confident” of his desire to join.

The report adds that a deal could even then convince Allan Saint-Maximin to stay put at St James’ Park, with Bruce confirming once again in his post-match press conference after the game against the Blades that Newcastle will explore signing Willock permanently.

Fans will be buzzing

If you needed any proof of just how much Newcastle fans have fallen in love with Willock, and how much they want him to stay, then you only have to look at the St James’ Park faithful serenading him during his post-match interview against the Blades.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/newcastle-steve-bruce-premier-league-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-st-james-park-joelinton-shelvey-max-aarons” title=”Read the latest Newcastle transfer rumours and news!”]

The 21-year-old has been a breath of fresh air for a Magpies side who desperately needed his fresh injection of pace and energy, and his ability to break into the box and time his runs have resulted in some match-winning contributions.

It’s exactly why Edwards’ update on Willock’s intentions of leaving Arsenal, and then the double boost it could have of convincing Saint-Maximin to stay as well, is incredibly exciting news for the club’s fans.

Meanwhile, Newcastle must land this “unplayable” star…