The Central Zone under-22 match between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthanat Indore ended in a tame draw on Sunday. There was some engrossingcricket over the first two days but rain washed out play on the finalday.Opting to bat on Friday, MP were all out for 189 early on the secondday. They failed to build upon a good start given by openers S Tomar(35) and N Ojha (40) who put on 70 runs. At one stage, the home teamwere 151 for three but then ensued a sharp collapse which saw sevenwickets falling for 38 runs. The visitors replied with 217 for five atstumps on the penultimate day. Skipper AS Jain who opened the battingscored a patient 44 off 102 balls. V Saxena who came in at No 3 got avaluable 57 which was compiled off 133 balls with seven hits to theropes. S Bhatia batted more aggressively in scoring an unbeaten 67 off116 balls. He hit five fours and a six. Rajasthan got five points andMP three.
ScorecardMichael Yardy wants to ensure Sussex’s safety before he retires•Getty Images
This is an uncertain time of year. Three clubs – two of them playing here – are locked in the real relegation battle; Worcestershire, to the neutral’s disappointment, are all but gone. Hampshire are still fighting. But Sussex and Somerset know a win at Hove saves tricky seasons.For players too, it’s an uncertain time. Take Ashar Zaidi. Out of contract at season’s end, this, like the retiring Michael Yardy, could be his final home game for Sussex. Time, then, to make an impression. Things are uncertain for Yardy too, as he prepares for life after cricket. After a day delayed by – then twice interrupted by – blustery rain, and with Sussex looking vulnerable at 171 for 6, the pair came together to share an unbeaten 132 at upwards of four an over, securing three vital bonus points.There are, at first glance, uniting factors. Zaidi is a roly-poly sort of fellow, while Yardy these days is not svelte, and neither could be accused of haring between the wickets. Both are left-handed and both – Yardy for his extravagant crab across the crease and Zaidi for his compulsive fidgets – are downright awkward to bowl to. On Monday, both scored fine, fun half-centuries with Zaidi so defiant that he finished only 10 runs short of a century.But there are vast differences too. Yardy is a club stalwart, while many wonder exactly what Zaidi’s role is – part-time spinner, No 8 batsman, often hidden in the field – and few would be particularly surprised to see him released. The celebrations of their respective half-centuries told of this: fifties can seldom have been greeted as warmly as Yardy’s – a rainbow even appeared to the east as Zaidi came down to offer his partner a warm handshake. Zaidi’s brought smiles for its brevity, and sheer joyfulness.In method, Yardy is heavy footed with his double foot-plant across from on side to off, while Zaidi is fleeter, dancing around, down and across the crease depending on who is flinging the ball at him. If Yardy’s technique is idiosyncratic, he uses it watchfully and sensibly, while Zaidi swings from the hip. By day’s end, with one playing for stumps and the other appearing to believe they required eight an over, they looked a rather odd couple.On a day when rain was never far away and the wind blew so hard that the floodlights, switched on early, swayed in the gusts, Somerset would not have been unhappy to have been invited to bowl by Ed Joyce. It did not take long for Luke Wells to be squared up by Tim Groenewald and edge to second slip, where Marcus Trescothick was as safe as ever.Joyce was Sussex’s securest batsman. Strong on the cut, flicking to leg, and when leaving, he survived two sessions as flightier, more temptable partners came and went. Matt Machan looked in sublime touch, straight driving and bunting to leg, before slapping Jamie Overton to cover. Peter Trego probed and Chris Nash nibbled to Trescothick at second, while Luke Wright fell in the same manner to Jim Allenby’s medium pacers after also looking at ease, playing a magnificent flamingo through midwicket. Joyce’s fine innings ended when he was strangled down the legside by Overton with the afternoon session’s final delivery.It was Ben Brown’s wicket, just after tea, that brought Yardy and Zaidi together. Brown, who has had a fine season, had somehow contrived to turn a shin-high, leg-stump full toss from Jack Leach to cover, off his leading edge. Craig Overton barely had to move but that delivery’s cricket had hitherto been so poor that he really should have shelled it.Zaidi set about trying to cause more trouble than the 40mph winds, which sent detritus onto the field, blew off fielders’ caps and played with bowlers lines. He was away with a cut and an on-drive off Jamie Overton and never let up. For every handsome drive there was a loose waft and for every time the third man boundary was peppered intentionally, there was one that made it there by accident. With the close minutes away, he provided his innings in microcosm, deciding to amble down the track to Allenby and deposit him over wide mid-on for six.Yardy was as perversely elegant as ever, rolling his wrists delicately on cover drives and dabbing across the line. On a pitch that has a little spice, he was a good deal more straight-laced, but such was the fun had by Zaidi, it’s hard to believe Yardy was able to keep a straight face at the non-strikers. Thanks to the odd couple, Sussex’s position – in the match and that relegation scrap – looks strong.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has apparently been blown away by one player at N17 who he’s barely selected as some interesting news emerges.
The Lowdown: No room in Spurs’ defence…
It appears the likes of Eric Dier, Cristian Romero, Davinson Sanchez and Ben Davies are all ahead of one man in the pecking order with centre-back Joe Rodon unable to get a look-in this season.
Even Dier’s spell on the sidelines didn’t result in more game time for Rodon despite Conte previously stating that he is seen as a deputy to the England international.
The Welshman has made no Premier League starts this season, playing just 78 minutes in that time, with the vast majority of his minutes coming in the Europa Conference League.
The Latest: Conte now blown away…
Now, according to Wales boss Robert Page, it appears Conte has now been blown away by Rodon’s exploits on international duty.
The 47-year-old claims that Conte was ‘very complimentary’ about the defender’s performance last week during Wales’ 2-1 win over Austria.
“I know Antonio Conte was watching last Thursday,” Page explained (via The Sun).
“He was very complimentary about Joe’s performance, and rightly so. I thought he was outstanding.
“To come in off the back of not playing at club level, Joe deserves an enormous amount of credit for that level of performance.
“It shows he has looked after himself.
“If you are going to be a Tottenham player you have to be fit at this moment in time. I know that for a fact.”
The Verdict: Second chance?
As Rodon looks to battle his way into Conte’s plans, he wouldn’t have done his chances any harm.
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The 24-year-old could be a real asset for Spurs at club level going by his exploits for Wales and former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has made no secret of what he believes.
Mourinho called Rodon a ‘perfect’ player during his time at the club and it will be interesting to see whether Conte turns to Rodon more over the final stretch of 2021/2022.
In other news: Conte eyeing £25.2m-rated ‘game-changer’ who Spurs once agreed personal terms for! Find out more here.
Jhye Richardson could make his first Test appearance in four years with Australia locking in an all-pace attack for Boxing Day, on an MCG pitch described by Steven Smith as “quite furry, quite green”, while Usman Khawaja has retained his spot after being a last-minute replacement in Adelaide.Australia will wait until the morning of the game to make the final call on the composition of quicks. It will come down to two from Richardson, Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett, with offspinner Todd Murphy being omitted from the trimmed-down 12-man squad named by Smith, who also returns from illness, on Christmas Day. Josh Inglis has also been left out from the side that played in Adelaide.It means for the second time in the series – and third time in their last five Tests – Australia won’t have a specialist spinner on a surface that still had 10mm of grass the day before the game, with the match also set to start under cool, cloudy conditions.”I dare say it’s going to offer quite a bit,” Smith, captaining again in place of Pat Cummins, said. “Particularly, I think tomorrow’s similar conditions to today, quite cold and overcast. I dare say there’s going to be quite a bit of movement in that surface.”Smith added that even if Nathan Lyon, who injured his hamstring in Adelaide, had been available, there would still have been a discussion about not playing a spinner.”I think a lot of the wickets we’re playing on at present are certainly more seam-friendly than spin-friendly,” he said. “Last week [in Adelaide] was an anomaly. We saw some rough and we saw Nathan come in to play big-time last week. It’s a tricky one. You’ve just got to play what surface you’re presented with.Todd Murphy will have to sit out•Getty Images
“This one out here looks like it’s going to offer a fair bit of assistance for the seam bowlers. The weather throughout the week looks conducive for that, too. I think if Nathan was here, we’d probably still be having the same conversation as well.”It’s certainly nothing to do with Todd’s skill. We know he’s a quality bowler. He’s played some games for Australia and done really well. It’s great to see him here this week. I’m sure he’s going to be a pretty good chance to play next week in Sydney.”If Richardson plays, it will be his first Test since the 2021-22 Ashes. He was part of the squad a year ago for the corresponding match against India but shortly after that opted for shoulder surgery to correct a long-standing problem. In recent weeks, he has increased his workload across Cricket Australia XI and Australia A fixtures against England Lions and it was confirmed he wouldn’t be under any workload restrictions if selected.”He’s just got a great set of skills,” Smith said. “Swings the ball both ways, seams it, accurate. [He’s] a bit more skiddy than some of the others, he’s a little bit shorter, bowls decent pace. We’ve seen that when he’s had the opportunity at this level, he’s been outstanding. If he gets his opportunity tomorrow, I’m sure he’ll be extremely excited.”It’s been a long lay-off for him and he’s done all the work to get back. He’s been around the group for a couple of weeks now getting his loads up and he’s in a good spot.”Meanwhile, Khawaja will bat at No. 5 as Australia continue with the Jake Weatherald-Travis Head opening combination, but Cameron Green has been demoted to No. 7 below the in-form Alex Carey as he endures a difficult series with the bat and could be playing for his place. It means that Inglis loses his place after not being able to convert the starts he made in Brisbane and Adelaide.There was some thought Green could be squeezed out by Beau Webster but the selectors have shown faith in Green, who caused Smith a few problems in the nets.Cameron Green has endured a difficult series with the bat•AFP/Getty Images
“He’s bowling nicely,” Smith said. “Obviously picked up a key wicket in the last game with Harry Brook with a nice ball. Gave me a couple of those yesterday, actually. They were pretty similar.”I think in terms of his batting, he probably hasn’t got the output that he’s wanted so far. He’s had a couple of really good starts where he’s looked nice and comfortable at the crease. It’s about just making those starts and turning them into bigger scores.”We’ve seen how talented he is [and] seen what he can do in the game with bat, ball and in the field. He saves a truckload of runs at gully there with balls that no one else is going to stop. Hopefully he can make some runs this week.”Australia have made frequent changes through the series – some forced by injury, others tactical such as playing all-pace attacks – and have so far made the right call at every turn.”I think everyone who’s come in has done a great job,” Smith said. “And I think the beauty of this series so far, it hasn’t just been one or two players, it’s been a whole group of players standing up at different times and taking on the responsibility.”I think individuals, Starcy’s been magnificent leading the attack in all three games. Alex Carey behind the stumps and with the bat, outstanding. Travis Head, outstanding. It’s not about one or two individuals just standing up all the time, it’s everyone chipping in at stages. I think we’ve been able to do that in the big moments.”Our fielding has been outstanding as well. Some of the catches we’ve taken have really been able to turn the game and could have been the difference between the two sides at this stage.”
ScorecardA washed out game at the Sinovich Park in Sinoville, Pretoria meant hosts South Africa Under-19 need to win their final encounter against India Under-19 on Saturday to have a chance of qualifying for the final of the triangular tournament.After rain affected Thursday’s game between India and Bangladesh, it ruined the match between South Africa and Bangladesh, with even the toss not having taken place. South Africa had lost their earlier match against Bangladesh and with only two matches remaining before the final, the hosts must win against India, and hope India beat Bangladesh, which most likely will see South Africa qualify on a better net run-rate.South Africa, though, face a tough ask, as India have won both their matches thus far in the tournament.
India’s coach Greg Chappell will be provided special security when he arrives in Kolkata for Thursday’s opening one-day match against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens.Officials in Kolkata are clearly not taking a chance with regard to Chappell, who was confronted by an unruly fan during the recent home series against the West Indies. Chappell, 58, was pushed and hit on the back when the Indian team arrived at Bhubaneswar airport in the state of Orissa on January 22. Chappell, who was rushed into the team bus stationed outside the airport gate, escaped unhurt.Kolkata police official PK Chatterjee said his force will not allow such an incident to happen again when the Indian team arrives over the next 24 hours. “Special security has been planned for Chappell,” Chatterjee told AFP. “We will not allow Bhubaneswar to be repeated. We will throw a ring around Chappell during his stay in the city.”If Chappell travels by car from the airport, police vans will escort the vehicle till the hotel. If he goes by the team bus, at least five senior police officials will be deployed inside.” Thousands of security men will frisk each spectator at the entrance of the 100,000-seater Eden Gardens on match day, Chatterjee added.Kolkata police commissioner Prasun Mukherjee also heads the Cricket Association of Bengal, which is organising the match. Chappell, who took over as Indian coach in June 2005 for a two-year term, has faced close scrutiny in a cricket-mad nation desperate to see its team succeed on the international scene.
ScorecardPakistan chose efficiency over style on Saturday as they booked their place in the semi-finals with a straightforward win over Zimbabwe.Pakistan’s bowlers, so impressive in Friday’s defeat of New Zealand, impressed again to dismiss Zimbabwe for just 181, before knocking off the total in 48 overs. Anwer Ali Khan, whose 5 for 34 wrecked New Zealand, took 3 for 25 while his opening partner Jamshaid Ahmed captured 2 for 42 and Riaz Khail picked up 4 for 29.Zimbabwe’s innings fell into several distinct phases. First there was an early struggle as they limped to 31 for 3 in the face of an onslaught from Anwer Ali Khan and Jamshaid Ahmed. Then Donald ‘Kuda’ Samunderu (46) and Keegan Meth (33) pulled things around with a fourth wicket stand of 65 before another cluster of wickets fell and Zimbabwe slipped to 136 for 8.That collapse forced Sean Williams’ side to draft in their Supersub, Friday Kasteni, in place of opening bowler Ian Nicolson. Kasteni’s contribution in getting his side to a reasonably useful score was vital. Batting at number nine, he made 22 crucial runs and, together with Ronald Benade (18) the pair added 39, the second highest stand of the innings. Samunderu, Meth and Kasteni were the only players to reach 20 for Zimbabwe but 23 extras, including 14 wides, boosted their total which, inevitably, was no match for Pakistan.Ibrahim Mohammed (39) and Rameez Raja (39) both made solid top-order contributions to set Pakistan on their way before Riaz Kail (26 not out) and captain Safaraz Ahmed (22 not out) finished the match off with an unbroken partnership of 36.”I did not think there was much between the teams but I was definitely impressed by Pakistan’s fast bowling,” Zimbabwe’s captain, Sean Williams, said. “We kept them out there chasing the target for 48 overs but we just did not get enough runs and our top order has failed in every game.”Although Pakistan took their time in their run-chase, they were wary of a replicating the collapse they suffered against Bangladesh earlier in the tournament.”We did not want to make the same mistake we did against Bangladesh (when Pakistan collapsed) so we were happy to take as long as we had to in order to score the runs,” said Pakistan coach Mansoor Rana.Mansoor, whose team now face a rampant Australia in the semi-finals, was relaxed about his team’s fortunes. “As long as we are fully prepared then it does not matter who we play because they are all good teams and it is simply what happens on the day,” he said. “One good innings or one good spell of bowling can win a match.”
When the India-Pakistan series started, it was expected that the pitches would be dry and dusty to aid India’s spinners. However, the Mohali surface had a fair sprinkling of grass and, if media reports are to be believed, the pitch at Eden Gardens, the venue of the second Test, is also likely to aid the seamers.A report in , a Pakistan daily, suggests that a green-top awaits Inzamam-ul-Haq and his team in Kolkata. The newspaper quoted Inzamam as saying: “From what we have heard they have left a lot of grass on the pitch and have no plans to cut it down. By the look of things they are aiming to target us with their full pace attack.”The Indians handled Pakistan’s pace attack with ease at Mohali, but struggled against Danish Kaneria, who bowled with relentless accuracy and guile for 53.4 overs in the Indian first innings, returning figures of 6 for 150. In contrast, Pakistan’s fast bowlers had combined figures of 4 for 360 from 94 overs. India’s star bowler, though, was medium-pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji, who came up with match figures of 9 for 171. Anil Kumble had a reasonably successful match too, but his six wickets cost him 236 runs.If the pitch does turn out to be a grassy one, the Indian think-tank will have a tough decision on their hands over which spinner to omit – Kumble has been in tremendous form in Tests, but Harbhajan Singh has an outstanding record at Eden Gardens – 29 wickets in four Tests at 18.75.Pakistan have never lost to India at this venue: they have won one Test and drawn four, and have beaten India in all three one-day internationals. The only international match they have lost here was to Sri Lanka in the second final of the Independence Cup. (Click here for Pakistan’s Test results at Kolkata, and here for their ODI results at this venue.)
RETRAVISION Warriors fast-bowler Jo Angel will miss only four weeks with a knee injury and is an outside chance to play for the Warriors against Victoria in late December.Angel has been sidelined since Sunday with a tear to the meniscal cartilage in his left knee. It was initially thought Angel might have faced a near career-ending three-month lay-off.Angel had an MRI scan on Monday night and met his specialist on Wednesday evening to learn the extent of the damage.The scan revealed no major structural damage to Angel’s knee. Surgery will not be required. Angel will undergo intensive physiotherapy and believes he can be fully recovered inside a month.""It will be three, maybe four weeks before I’m right," Angel said."I was fearing the worst and the initial prognosis was not good on Monday. I had a similar injury four years ago and I was out for eight weeks."With physio I am a chance to play before Christmas."Angel announced before the season that this would be his final year of first-class cricket. The prospect of a three-month lay off forced him to think of the future."Everyone would like to play for ever but you can’t do that. I have a bit to offer in coaching. I would definitely like to put something back into the game."WA’s fast-bowling stocks have been decimated by injury this season and Angel laid down a challenge to WA’s young brigade of fast-bowlers."These injuries have provided opportunity for young guys to put their hand up and show what they are made of," he said.The Warriors face Tasmania in a day-night ING Cup match at the WACA Ground on Friday. WA is second on the ING Cup ladder with nine points from three matches. Tasmania is last on the ladder with zero points from three matches.The match starts at 2.30pm with gates opening at 1.30pm
New Zealand’s batting performance against England at Wellington on Saturday night was more like the sort of display coach Denis Aberhart would like to see consistently from his side.The way batsmen appreciated their role, especially after being three wickets down for 52, had heartened him and continued further the advances the side has made since starting the summer in Australia.New Zealand had played only part of the game well in the first National Bank Series match against England in Christchurch.”But I thought in Wellington the guys played with enthusiasm and pretty well went out and put our game plan in place,” he said.”We had good partnerships, we lost wickets but the guys went in and took responsibility to set up another partnership, and work hard for a while. Then with the ball we started well and did some very good fielding.”The two good partnerships between Stephen Fleming and Craig McMillan, then McMillan and Lou Vincent had been crucial.”Whilst no-one went on to get big scores, the partnerships were the key and we had two or three little ones after that.”At 40 overs we were 181/4 which is one of the first times this year we’ve been able to get to the last 10 with wickets in hand which meant the last few could score reasonably well. We got 63 off the last 10 which set us up.”There are still things we need to get better at, but from a team point of view I thought the batting was pretty good,” he said.Aberhart said it was significant now that there was genuine competition for places in the side and while there is a core of 12, to be reconsidered after Wednesday’s game, there were several different options available within that group of players.It also helps make practice sessions livelier as several New Zealand batsmen found out today when fast bowler Ian Butler was most impressive with the speed he mustered.Pitch reports for Wednesday’s game suggest it should be the fastest pitch in the ODI series so far. That could make life interesting for batsmen as the allowable one bouncer an over has not yet been a factor in the series.Weather forecasts have been varied for Wednesday, just as they have been all over New Zealand this summer, but the latest had today’s fine weather to continue for at least another two days, setting up a tremendous match in Napier.