Oct
28
Waugh: India series rival Ashes
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Former Australia captain Steve Waugh believes the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India is now on a par with the Ashes.
Waugh is in no doubt that the rivalry between Australia and India has the potential to eventually become the biggest on the international stage.”It’s really at its height now because of the two premier sides in world Test match cricket coming together,” Waugh said ahead of the third Test in Delhi, which begins on Wednesday.
“The rivalry’s been built up, we have had some great series, the last couple have been fantastic and it gets bigger and bigger every year so it almost rivals the Ashes series and it probably is right now.
“And it will get bigger because India really is the focal point of world cricket right now.”
Waugh said that he has found the latest instalment of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy enjoyable so far coming off the back of the memorable series in Australia last summer between the two countries.
“Australia did well in the first Test, probably dominated that, obviously India played very well in the second Test at Mohali,” added Waugh.
“Australia have got a chance, there’s no doubt about it. India will feel confident coming into this Delhi Test match but Australia also know that if they play well they’re a chance of winning so it’s all set for a good last two Tests.”
Waugh’s optimism for the visitors’ chances of victory in the third Test is based in part on what he has seen from the players at training after joining a session on Tuesday.
“It’s been a really impressive session actually, really good intensity,” said Waugh who hit 32 centuries in 168 Tests.
“The fielding was good, which is always a good sign for a team leading into a Test match, so I think they’re in pretty good shape.”
India lead the four Test series 1-0 after winning the second Test in Mohali by 320 runs following the drawn first Test in Bangalore.
Oct
2
Kinnear reveals Ashley talks
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Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear has revealed that he may be at Geordie helm for longer than he had at first thought.
The 61-year-old, who was drafted in as interim manager last Friday, knows his stay at St James’ Park will be finite. However, as efforts continue to push through a sale, Kinnear hinted he could be at the helm for a little longer than first thought.
Asked if his stay could be permanent, Kinnear said: “I don’t think so, to be honest, because I know for a fact Mike is talking to eight consortiums.”
He added: “I don’t know the outcome of those. I haven’t got a time-scale on it, so I don’t really know what the outcome is.
“But I know he is in talks with at least eight consortiums because he has told me that himself.
“Who they are, what they are, when it will happen, there is no time-scale on it.
“I am contracted for eight games, but I assume that should due diligence and the deals go on a little bit longer, it may run into 10 or 12 games.”
It is understood prospectuses of sale - an official document detailing the club’s current financial position - have been sent out to seven interested parties with consortia from Nigeria and South Africa among the most prominent.
However, the potential purchasers have all had to sign a confidentiality clause to prevent those figures being made public.
The Nigerian group has made no secret of its interest, while the South Africans had kept their own counsel until Thursday when a report named and quoted Jonathan Cleland, a South African-raised Scot, as its head.
Sep
26
Champions League venues revealed
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The inaugural Champions League Twenty20 tournament will take place in Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai from December 3-10, organisers have confirmed.
The event will feature the two top teams from domestic Twenty20 competitions in India, South Africa and Australia.
Middlesex: England's Champions League representatives( image and news from sky sports )
Twenty20 Cup champions Middlesex and the winners from Pakistan’s domestic tournament - which starts next month - are also set to participate.
The teams will be divided into two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. Mumbai will host the final.
Sep
24
Flintoff talks about retirement
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The home of Lancashire CCC will not host an Ashes Test in 2009 after the England and Wales Cricket Board chose to hand an inaugural Test to Cardiff’s SWALEC Stadium instead.
The decision has prompted Lancashire to draw up plans for a £70million refurbishment of their home of the last 151 years, which is aimed at bringing Test match cricket back to Manchester, in particular for an Ashes Test in 2013.
And Flintoff, 30, hopes to extend his international career long enough to be able to play for England once Old Trafford has its new look, although he recognises that is a lot to ask.
“I don’t know but I would love to,” he said today. “Over the past few years it has been tough with all the injuries.
“It would be nice to, but I have just got to concentrate on getting through this year first, then the next one and the next one.”
Sep
24
Carling Cup preview
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Wednesday night’s Carling Cup action sees nine Premier League sides in action, with Tottenham’s trip to Newcastle arguably the pick of the third round ties.
Both clubs, for different reasons, have not enjoyed the most harmonious starts to the new campaign. Therefore, a cup clash will come as welcome relief or poisoned chalice, depending on the result of a game.
Juande Ramos’ Spurs have yet to taste a league victory to date, but their problems pale into insignificance when compared to Newcastle’s: No manager and an owner who wants out.
Everton are another club who were widely tipped in pre-season but have struggled to find anything like top form and a short but tough trip to Blackburn is unlikely to be what David Moyes would have wished for when the third round draw was made.
Manchester City were exhilarating at the weekend in putting six past Portsmouth but it will be back down to earth for Mark Hughes and his band of Brazilians if they can’t see off League One Brighton on their travels, in what is a rescheduled round two tie.
While Hughes was beaming at the weekend, Harry Redknapp could barely believe the ineptitude of his Portsmouth side’s defending at Eastlands. The Fratton Park faithful will be demanding a drastic improvement for the visit of Chelsea, who ominously, have already said they will be taking the competition seriously this season.
Wigan travel to Ipswich in good spirits following their point at Spurs on Sunday and Steve Bruce has outlined his desire to match Paul Jewell’s achievement of guiding the Latics to the final two years ago, so expect a strong side to be named at Portman Road.
Tottenham have enjoyed a fine start to the season and while Martin O’Neill will likely make changes for the visit of QPR, who are themselves riding high in the Championship, the Ulsterman will be well aware the Carling Cup represents a decent chance of silverware for his charges this term.
Sep
23
Owen still ‘feeling’ KK exit
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Newcastle United striker Michael Owen has admitted that he and his team-mates are still feeling the effects of Kevin Keegan’s departure.
The Tyneside outfit remain without a manager after Keegan parted company with the club at the beginning of September.
The Magpies have lost both games under caretaker boss Chris Hughton, while owner Mike Ashley has said that he intends to sell the club after coming in for strong criticism from supporters.
Newcastle are currently preparing for Wednesday’s Carling Cup encounter with Tottenham Hotspur, and England international Owen has urged the squad to move on from Keegan’s exit.
He told the Evening Chronicle: “We all liked Kevin Keegan and we were sad to see him go. We are all feeling it at the moment.
“But we have got to snap out of the doom and gloom and try and get some confidence and results, and at the minute not picking up the results is hurting the players.
“We are as much in the dark as the fans as to the next move, and it does not make it any easier as Kevin Keegan was very popular with the players and the fans.”