Oct
30
Pieterson: Injury break a blessing
Filed Under Cricket | Leave a Comment
Kevin Pietersen has admitted he was “falling out of love” with cricket before being sidelined by an Achilles injury.
The right-hander has endured a difficult 2009 during which he lost the England captaincy following his public falling out with then coach Peter Moores, before his Ashes campaign was cut short after just two Tests by an Achilles injury.
The right-hander was forced to undergo surgery on the complaint in July, but he believes the time out of the game since has served him well to refresh his mind.
Pietersen will make his return to the national team fold against his country of birth when England head off to South Africa for their winter tour next week, and is confident he will be fully fit to make an impact.
“This year has been one of the toughest of my career, with the captaincy debacle in January plus the injury,” Pietersen told The Times.
“This break has refreshed my head and who knows how I’ll come back as a player. My Achilles won’t hamper me any more and I definitely feel fresh mentally.
“I’ll be starting off really enjoying myself - and this year I haven’t particularly enjoyed playing cricket because I was in pain and because of what happened in January. It’s been a tough thing for me.
“I believe everything happens for a reason and these three months have happened to refresh me and knowing that I was sort of falling out of love with the game, it was a symbol or a sign for me to refresh and recharge my batteries.”
Oct
26
Mascherano: Let’s start again
Filed Under Football | Leave a Comment
Javier Mascherano has urged Liverpool to go on a winning streak to build on their 2-0 victory over Manchester United.
Mascherano feels that this win will be wasted if the Reds lose their next game.
Fernando Torres and David Ngog both scored for Liverpool to grab a 2-0 win at Anfield, with Mascherano bossing the midfield.
The Argentine enforcer was key in the midfield, breaking up United’s forays into Liverpool’s half, before being sent off for a second yellow card, and he know just how important this win is.
Liverpool were on a four-game losing streak in all competitions going into the game, but the victory over United has broken the run and has raised expectations that the Reds are back in the BPL title race.
Mascherano hopes that this win can propel Rafa Benitez’s men up the table, adding: “It was difficult for us to lose four games in a row.
“But now I say, ‘let’s start again’. Now we have won we cannot stop, and (we will) try to keep going. We are pulling together.
“If we want to fight for something we have to play every game like that. We cannot be relaxed with this win, that is the message.”
Liverpool may just trail Chelsea by a mere six points, but Mascherano insists that he is taking it a game at a time.
“We need to think about continuing winning, not to look at the table and seeing we are six points behind Chelsea,” he said. “We have to look forward and not drop important points in the future.
“If we want these three points (against United) to be valuable we have to show this performance in the future.
“Maybe people thought we couldn’t play as we can against the top sides, but we showed we can and we are really happy.”
Oct
25
Liverpool chief stands by Benitez
Filed Under Football | Leave a Comment
Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow insists Rafael Benitez’s job is safe even if the Reds do not win the Premier League this season.
He also says Anfield stars Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are not for sale at any price.
Purslow launched his support of Benitez as Liverpool attempted to arrest a run of four successive defeats against Manchester United this afternoon.
He said: “The most important aspect of the football club I was involved in in my first week in the job was securing Rafa for another five years. You only have to look at the Premiership era and our two major competitors in the last 10 to 12 years to see the benefits of longevity.
“Liverpool Football Club is on a long-term journey and that journey is to be the most successful club, firstly in our country and secondly in the world and you don’t do that by worrying about short-term results. You do that by having long-term plans centring on the people and the strategy. Rafa Benitez is absolutely central to that plan.
“The core of the team which won 86 points last season remains intact with some excellent additions so I have every reason to believe we can perform at that level this season over the season.”
To the direct question of whether he would guarantee Benitez’s position was safe even if the club did not win the league he said: “Yes I would.”
Purslow, who was speaking on BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme, also insisted Spanish striker Torres had no clauses in his contract which allowed him to leave Anfield if they did not qualify for the Champions League.
He said: “Fernando signed an extension to his contract this summer. He has a five-year contract. He is a crucial leader in our team. He loves Liverpool Football Club. He has been fantastic around the place. Fernando Torres and Liverpool Football Club go together and I believe they will go together for the length of his career.”
To the question that he was not for sale at any price, Purslow replied: “Correct.”
The same, he insisted, went for Gerrard, while he said Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano, whose future has been the subject of speculation, was also happy at the club.
Purslow said: “He is the leading central holding player in world football. It is inevitable that big clubs will covet players of that quality.
“We also had another central midfielder (Xabi Alonso) coveted by a world team in the summer who left us.
“We sat down with Javier at the time and he reasserted his total commitment to Liverpool. He has had a lot going on with the Argentina (World Cup) qualification situation which is now behind him. He is a hugely important player for us. He is a leader and this week in the aftermath of Lyon he has been a powerful figure.”
Purslow also revealed Liverpool were four weeks into a process of raising new equity in the club which could take six months.
He insisted, however, that it did not mean controversial American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett were prepared to sell.
Purslow said: “There has been a huge amount of interest in the club from some extremely wealthy and expert investors but it will take three to six months to pull that together.
“It means there will be new investment into the football club. Mr Hicks and Mr Gillett have no plans to sell their shares. We will be issuing new equity to new investors, broadening our ownership.”
Oct
24
Rooney: Ronaldo is irreplaceable
Filed Under Football | Leave a Comment
Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has revealed that he is missing the influence of Cristiano Ronaldo on the Old Trafford outfit.
Ronaldo left to join Spanish giants Real Madrid during the summer in a deal worth some £80million, taking with him not only an enhanced reputation, but also a prolific goalscoring record.
The talented Portugal international bagged a staggering 118 goals in just 292 appearances for the Red Devils, and his departure prompted United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to tell Rooney that he would need to up his goals tally.
Although happy to oblige, Rooney has been left in doubt as to the impact Ronaldo had during his six-year spell in Manchester.
“I don’t consider I was ever in Ronaldo’s shadow but, no, I’m not happy he left the club and I don’t think any of us are,” he told The Sun.
“I’d prefer him to still be in the team if I’m being honest.
“He’s a brilliant player, irreplaceable, the best player in the world - so no one’s happy he left.
“The manager said he wanted me to score more goals - but then he tells me that every season. As the season goes on, if I am not scoring enough, he’ll tell me I need to improve.
“And if I am scoring goals, he’ll still tell me I need to improve. That’s just how he is.”
Rooney will have a late fitness test ahead of Sunday’s massive Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield.
United currently find themselves top of the table, and, despite some indifferent early season form, Rooney is adamant that the United juggernaut is set to carry on rolling - regardless of what the critics say.
“It’s funny because as soon as we got beaten at Burnley, people came out saying ‘we’re not as good as last season, we won’t win the title, we’ll be lucky to finish in the top four’ and all that.
“It was laughable, we’d only lost one game. But then they’ve done it the last three seasons when we’ve won the league - the next season they’ve been straight out saying Chelsea are the favourites.
“I think because of United’s dominance over the last couple of decades, a lot of people like to see us lose. We just have to get on with it.”
Oct
8
England reveal South Africa squads
Filed Under Cricket | Leave a Comment
The England selectors today announced 16-man Test and one-day squads under the captaincy of Andrew Strauss for the tour of South Africa, which begins next month.
The Test squad contains three uncapped players; Surrey wicketkeeper Steven Davies, Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid and the Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright. Durham pace bowler Liam Plunkett has also been recalled to the Test squad.
Essex opener Alastair Cook has been named as vice-captain of the Test squad and has also been recalled to the one-day squad, together with Lancashire quick bowler Sajid Mahmood. Jonathan Trott, who made a century on his Test debut in England’s victory over Australia at the Brit Oval this summer, wins a place in both squads.
ECB national selector Geoff Miller said: “Andrew Strauss has made an outstanding impact as England captain over the past nine months and he will again lead the side in both five-day and one-day cricket in South Africa.
“Paul Collingwood led the side in the World Twenty20 this summer and he will continue to captain in this form of the game as we go forward this winter.
“We are delighted to welcome Steven Davies and Luke Wright into the Test squad for the first time. Steven is a player of great potential who has been a consistent performer for his county and he will act as understudy to Matt Prior in South Africa.
“The retirement of Andrew Flintoff has created a vacancy for an all-rounder in the squad and while we do not see Luke Wright as a like-for-like replacement for Andrew, we are excited by the way in which his all-round game continues to develop and believe he can make an impact at Test level.
“Kevin Pietersen is making good progress with his recovery from surgery on his injured Achilles. He will join up with the rest of the squad in South Africa following the first two Twenty20 internationals and his fitness will be reassessed ahead of the one-day series.
“Stephen Harmison has not been included in the Test squad because we feel his form has not been consistent enough over the past 12 months to justify a regular place in the side and we want to give an opportunity to other players to make a case for selection.
“Liam Plunkett has worked hard to improve all aspects of his game since he last played for England and his selection is reward for consistently putting in strong performances for Durham both with bat and ball. He will provide strong competition for a place in our pace attack this winter.
“Sajid Mahmood is another player who has had a taste of international cricket before and will be equally keen to make an impression in the one-day arena after continuing to show good form with Lancashire.
“Alastair Cook has shown great determination to improve his one-day game this summer, made runs at domestic level in both 50-over and Twenty20 cricket and the selectors believe now is the right time to re-introduce him to our one-day side.
“Likewise, Jonathan Trott who has made an immediate impact in our Test side and has also shown through his performances at domestic level that he has the talent and temperament to succeed in the shorter forms of the game.
“Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah will, of course, be disappointed not to be included in either squad but they are both high class players and will remain in the selectors’ thoughts as we go forward.
“Monty Panesar has struggled to find his best form this summer but he will play domestic first-class cricket in South Africa over the winter and we will continue to monitor his progress closely.”
Test squad:
Andrew Strauss (Middlesex, captain)
Alastair Cook (Essex, vice-captain)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Paul Collingwood (Durham)
Steven Davies (Surrey)
Graham Onions (Durham)
Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire)
Liam Plunkett (Durham)
Matt Prior (Sussex)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire)
Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)
Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)
Luke Wright (Sussex)
One-day squad:
Andrew Strauss (Middlesex, captain)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Paul Collingwood (Durham)
Alastair Cook (Essex)
Joe Denly (Kent)
Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire)
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex)
Graham Onions (Durham)
Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire)
Matt Prior (Sussex)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)
Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)
Luke Wright (Sussex)
Itinerary:
Nov 1: England squad arrives in SA
Nov 6: President’s XI - 50-over tour match, OUTsurance Oval, Bloemfontein
Nov 8: President’s XI - 50-over tour match, De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley
Nov 10: South Africa A - 20-over tour match, OUTsurance Oval, Bloemfontein (d/n)
Nov 13: 1st Standard Bank Pro20 International, Wanderers, Johannesburg (d/n)
Nov 15: 2nd Standard Bank Pro20 International, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Nov 17: South Africa A - 50-over tour match, Senwes Park, Potchefstroom (d/n)
Nov 20: 1st MTN one-day international, Wanderers, Johannesburg (d/n)
Nov 22: 2nd MTN one-day international, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Nov 27: 3rd MTN one-day international, Sahara Park, Newlands, Cape Town (d/n)
Nov 29: 4th MTN one-day international, Sahara Oval, St. George’s, Port Elizabeth
Dec 4: 5th MTN one-day international, Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead, Durban
Dec 9-10: SA Airways XI, tour match, Buffalo Park, East London
Dec 11-12: SA Airways XI, tour match, Buffalo Park, East London
Dec 16-20: 1st Castle Test, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Dec 26-30: 2nd Castle Test, Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead, Durban
Jan 3-7: 3rd Castle Test, Sahara Park, Newlands, Cape Town
Jan 14-18: 4th Castle Test, Wanderers, Johannesburg
Jan 19: England squad departs
Oct
6
Collingwood out of Airtel CLT20
Filed Under Cricket | Leave a Comment
England all-rounder Paul Collingwood has withdrawn from the Airtel Champions League due to a torn muscle in one of his buttocks.
Collingwood, 33, was due to play for his Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Daredevils in the two-week club tournament, which starts on Thursday.
However, a scan on Monday revealed a grade two tear in one of his gluteal muscles and he has been pulled out of Delhi’s 15-man squad on medical grounds.
The injury - similar to the one which kept Stuart Broad out of the Champions Trophy semi-final defeat to Australia last Friday - is not expected to affect Collingwood’s participation at the start of the tour to South Africa next month.
“It’s anticipated with rest and rehabilitation, he will be available for the tour of South Africa,” an England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman said.
Collingwood incurred the damage during his innings of 34 against the Australians.
“We have a contract with the IPL about making our players available, however Collingwood has picked up a little niggle in his buttock,” revealed coach Andy Flower, before England departed South Africa at the weekend.
“It is a genuine injury. We don’t know how bad it is but he definitely did something when he played one of his first pull shots on Friday against Australia.
“He actually struggled through the game with that problem. It is not in any way trying to get him rest.”
Oct
5
Hughes hopes fans welcome Barry
Filed Under Football | Leave a Comment
Mark Hughes has urged Aston Villa fans to welcome Gareth Barry rather than jeer their former captain when he returns to Villa Park.
Barry infuriated Villa fans after moving to Eastlands for £12 million in the offseason after claiming that he would only move to another club that was playing in the Champions League.
Man City are not in any European competition this season, but Barry is adamant that he is now locked in to being part of City’s vision for long-term success.
Although Hughes is sure that Barry will get the boos at Villa Park, he asked for the supporters to thank the England regular being a loyal servant of the club for a decade.
“I hope Gareth doesn’t get a bad reception,” said Hughes, according to The Daily Mirror. “The service he gave to Aston Villa was exemplary.
“Maybe, instead of trying to take issue with players, fans should thank them for what they did for the club while they were there and acknowledge that more readily.
“Unfortunately that very rarely happens these days. As a player you want good relations with the clubs you played for.
“It’s always preferable to go back to an old club and have people regard you with affection and respect.
“People should accept what Gareth did in terms of his career there. But unfortunately sometimes the small minority have the loudest voices.
“On reflection I think people will understand now why Gareth wanted to make the move here.
“A year before he said he wanted to play in the Champions League. We didn’t have that to offer but we had other things to show him this was the right place for him.
“Villa have real hopes themselves of a top-four finish and went close last year, but I think people can see we may well be in a position to challenge as well.
“From Gareth’s point of view I think he was happy with the decision he made, but it wasn’t an easy decision.
“We gave him an idea of the hopes, we’ve been able to keep the promises we made, for the most part.
“When you’re trying to bring a player to a club, all managers talk about their ambitions for the future. But we’d like to think we can fulfil those ambitions.”
Hughes also shot down suggestions that Barry joined Man City purely for the many.
“People make their own decisions on why players have come here,” said Hughes.
“Whenever a player moves there’s always a financial side involved, but that’s not why players are coming here.
“They’re coming here because they can see what we’re trying to do.”
Former City captain Richard Dunne will also be facing his old club for the first time since departing from Eastlands.
The Irish defender claims that he was driven out of the club by Hughes and was reluctant to leave. The City boss has rubbished the claim, saying that the decision to leave was entirely Dunne’s.
“If Richard wanted to stay he could have stayed by not signing for Villa,” said Hughes.
“Nobody put the pen in his hand. He gave us great service through some difficult times with the club.
“We could have been selfish and kept him here. At the moment we’re in a position where we can’t afford to lose another centre-half to injury.
“I could have protected myself by making sure he stayed, but I couldn’t guarantee him first-team football.
“Out of deference to him and for what he did for the club, I thought it was only fair that we allowed him to speak to Villa and I hope that’s remembered.”
Oct
3
Flower: Attack is the only way to go
Filed Under Cricket | Leave a Comment
England coach Andy Flower has backed his side’s attacking intentions as the way forward for their one-day cricket.
Last night’s nine-wicket defeat to Australia in the semi-final at Centurion halted thoughts of a maiden success in a global tournament.
Andrew Strauss‘ team were hamstrung by the loss of so many wickets in the first half of their innings and it took 80 from Tim Bresnan and 48 from Luke Wright to rescue things from a position of 101 for six.
The top order paid dearly for their positive intent and Australia captain Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson then produced a batting masterclass with unbeaten hundreds for the holders, to chase down their 258-run target.
“It was a very exciting tournament to be part of. It was a great pity we couldn’t get through to the final,” said Flower.
“What I did like was the attacking manner in which we played.
“It was also good seeing a couple of youngsters playing good cricket, which suggested they might be successful in the future.
“It’s the only way to go. There’s always a balance between attack and defence but the positive way is the way to go in international cricket.”
England were missing stars Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen in this tournament while wicketkeeper Matt Prior and all-rounder Stuart Broad were also sidelined for the day-nighter.
Despite being understrength, however, Flower was frank in his assessment of the defeat.
Like Strauss he appears happy with the intent but not necessarily the execution of some of the players.
“We were totally outplayed,” said Flower. “To be six down after 20 overs, it would have taken a miracle to win from there.
“Bresnan and Wright did a brilliant job in resurrecting some sort of total, which gave us a chance but it wasn’t to be.
“It exposed the batting strength again. It was a brilliant fightback but it wasn’t good to see us six down so early.”