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India’s one-day captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has won the ODI Player of the Year award at the ICC Awards ceremony in Dubai

Cricinfo staff10-Sep-2008
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s remarkable year culminated with the ICC honouring him as the best ODI player in the 12 months gone by © AFP
India’s one-day captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has won the ODI Player of the Year award at the ICC Awards ceremony in Dubai.Dhoni beat off tough competition from his India team-mate, Sachin Tendulkar, Australia’s fast bowler Nathan Bracken and Pakistan stalwart, Mohammad Yousuf, to take the award.During the voting period, Dhoni played 39 ODIs and scored 1,298 runs at an average of 49.92 and at a rate of 82.46 runs per 100 balls faced. In that time he hit a century and nine fifties, making sure he led his team from the front.Also in that time, in his capacity as a wicketkeeper, Dhoni claimed 62 dismissals (46 catches and 16 stumpings), which is almost twice as many as the next best, albeit having played more matches than any other keeper.He is currently ranked No. 1 in the ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen.Dhoni said: “I would like to thank the voting academy for considering me to be deserving of this award. I am really happy to get this – it’s a great privilege.”Also, it feels great to know that I am the first Indian player to get this particular award and it’s very special because now I am in the company of a lot of other good cricketers. Some fantastic players have won this award in the past and to be mentioned in their company is truly a humbling experience for me.”I would like to thank the ICC, my home cricket board, my family, my team-mates and friends.”The ODI Player of the Year Award was one of eight individual prizes given at this year’s ICC Awards. Dhoni also featured on the ICC ODI Team of the Year as picked by the ICC selection panel. The award was announced by Australia captain and two-time ICC Cricketer of the Year, Ricky Ponting.The panel was chaired by the former West Indies captain, Clive Lloyd, and included the former Australia captain, Greg Chappell, the recently retired South Africa allrounder Shaun Pollock, the former Sri Lanka opener Sidath Wettimuny and the former Bangladesh batsman, Athar Ali Khan.

It was a match that hung in the balance until tea on the final day, but the experience of New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori proved the difference that finally got his team over the line. The visitors completed the three-wicket victory within the first ho

The Bulletin by Peter Burdon21-Oct-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Daniel Vettori’s experience came through for New Zealand in Chittagong © AFP
A match that hung in the balance until tea on a dramatic final day swung New Zealand’s way as their captain, Daniel Vettori, played a determined innings to push his team over the line and to a three-wicket victory.With New Zealand needing just 36 runs in the last session with five wickets in hand, the match seemed all but over. But, as has been the case throughout this match, Bangladesh saw a glimmer of hope when Vettori left the middle after a well-compiled 76, including seven boundaries.Vettori became Abdur Razzak’s third scalp when he tried to slog-sweep the left-arm spinner to the boundary. With only 19 runs needed, Vettori looked to get the runs as quickly as possible. It was the first false shot he played in the entire match.The experience and skill he showed after coming out as a nightwatchman at the fall of Jesse Ryder yesterday was vital in his team completing the victory. He was able to control the innings from the middle and help his batting partners in a tense environment that most of them were not used to.Earlier in the day, the match could have gone either way. The visitors went to lunch at 212 for 4 after the fall of Aaron Redmond for 79 and Ross Taylor for 9.In the second over after the break, Brendon McCullum was adjudged lbw to Abdur Razzak by umpire Asoka de Silva. Replays showed the ball clearly pitched outside the leg stump and would not have gone on to hit his stump.That early loss of McCullum brought Daniel Flynn to the wicket with the match in the balance at 216 for 5. The visitors still needed another 101 runs.The nerves began to set in for both teams. Vettori and Flynn went into defensive mode, making sure they kept their wickets in tact. Earlier New Zealand moved from 150 to 200 off 93 balls, but the next 50 took 185 deliveries.To their credit, the spin twins of Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan bowled well in this period, offering very few opportunities for New Zealand to score. At one stage, 23 overs were bowled without a boundary being hit.As the partnership between Vettori and Flynn progressed, the Bangladesh fielders visibly drooped, as it had done through the match in response to a threatening partnership. This was not helped by the defensive fields employed by their captain, Mohammad Ashraful, who deployed fielders on the boundary when they would have been better cutting off singles or placed in attacking positions.The partnership between Flynn and Vettori reached 65 by tea with Flynn on 29 and Vettori 69. Shakib began to find some of the form he showed in the first innings, but received little help from the pitch.After tea, New Zealand again looked comfortable, hitting three boundaries in the first four overs. That took the pressure off, but the dismissal of Vettori saw Flynn and Jacob Oram show signs of jitters.When the scores were tied, Flynn was caught behind off Shakib, giving the first-innings hero his second wicket. He joined Vettori in claiming nine for the match. Razzak also bowled well, finishing with 3 for 93. Flynn made a gritty 49, hitting six boundaries in126 deliveries.Oram was joined by Kyle Mills, who scored the winning run to end a dramatic match that will not be remembered for its skills level but because it could have gone either up until tea on the final day.Vettori was deservedly named the Man of the Match for his nine-wicket haul and his two half-centuries. His all-round performance proved the difference between the sides. The teams will now move to Dhaka, where the second Test begins on Saturday.Following the victory, the New Zealand players did not show the emotion they usually do after a Test win. They may have been more relieved than excited as before the series they did expect to win both the Tests. They would also have been exhausted after the heat and humidity of the last five days.Bangladesh were quiet and sombre after a match they had come so close to winning but which slipped away from them on the last day. However, this disappointment was evident well before the end of the game. Their lack of experience in the big matches came through. It was as if they felt beaten at times, even though a wicket or two would bring them right back into contention.Apart from the Vettori factor, New Zealand’s grit and determination helped them reach their target. What they lacked in skill on turning pitches, they made up for by never giving up.

Leeds United defender Junior Firpo missed their pre-season friendly clash against Ajax with a ‘minor knock’, The Athletic’s Phil Hay has revealed.Â

The lowdown

Firpo signed for Leeds from Spanish side Barcelona in July, having made 41 appearancesÂacross a two-year spell at Camp Nou.

The 24-year-old moved to Leeds for a fee believed to be in the region of £12.8million, with the Yorkshire-based side looking to build on some strong performances in their first season back in the Premier League, after finishing ninth in the top-flight standings.

The defender didn’t feature in Leeds’ first pre-season friendly with Ajax on Wednesday afternoon, which would have hinted to the Elland Road faithful that he’d be involved in the second match in the evening.

But he wasn’t named in the match day squad for that match, which will have left Leeds United’s supporters puzzled over his exclusion from the team.

The latest

The Athletic’s Phil Hay revealed shortly before the game took place on Wednesday evening that Firpo was absent due to picking up a ‘minor knock’.

Leeds went on to lose that second game against Ajax 4-0, in a performance that certainly didn’t catch the eye of both Bielsa and the club’s supporters.

No time scale has been put on Firpo’s exact return date, although Hay stated that the full-back was only left out of the match against the Dutch side as a precaution.

The verdict

It’s not ideal to have one of their newest recruits already nursing a potential injury concern heading into the new Premier League season.

Leeds supporters know all too well that injury issues can sometimes be worse than let on, with Adam Forshaw’s problems in recent years being a classic example of that.

Firpo could be an exciting signing for Leeds if he can perform consistently to high standard, with Guillem Balague claiming that the full-back is an ‘energetic’ full-back who had lost confidence before his move to Elland Road was confirmed.

Leeds will be hoping that Firpo can return to action at the earliest of opportunities, with their season opener against Manchester United on Saturday 14th August edging closer by the day.

Neil McKenzie, the South African batsman, feels the current Test team is experienced enough to deal with the pressure during the upcoming three-Test series in Australia

Cricinfo staff16-Oct-2008
Neil McKenzie: “The [current South African] team is pretty settled; there are players who have been there a long time and have a great deal of experience” © Getty Images
Neil McKenzie, the South African batsman, feels the current Test team is experienced enough to deal with the pressure during the upcoming three-Test series in Australia, but says the players will need to be at their best to challenge the world’s No. 1 Test side. South Africa haven’t ever beaten Australia in Australia, and haven’t won a series against them since readmission.”The [current South African] team is pretty settled; there are players who have been there a long time and have a great deal of experience,” McKenzie told . “So I believe we will have far more maturity and will be much better able to deal with the kind of pressure the Australians always dish out.”Australia have seen quite a few retirements in the last two years, including that of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and most recently, Adam Gilchrist; however, McKenzie said they shouldn’t be taken lightly. “The Australians are never vulnerable. Sure they have lost a couple of really good players in Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath – and no team loses players of that calibre without feeling it. But any team wanting to beat them is still going to have a huge battle on its hands.”South Africa have struggled against Warne in the past, and they would be relieved not to face him this time. “His absence is a huge factor. The spinners they have tried since he departed have not come close. But they still have a very good pace attack in guys like [Brett] Lee and [Stuart] Clark.”McKenzie was a member of the team that was whitewashed 3-0 on the 2001-02 tour, where he played as a middle-order batsman. Out of the Test side for nearly four years, he returned this year to establish himself as an opening partner to captain Graeme Smith, including a record first-wicket stand against Bangladesh. McKenzie felt the team lacked in experience on the last tour. “They [the Australians] were full of players at the peak of their careers or reaching the end of their careers – the Waugh brothers, for instance,” he said. “So it was a pretty big ask to beat them, yet Graeme [Ford] was fired after that series because we lost. I thought it was a bit tough.”McKenzie scored 224 runs in six innings on that tour. Since his return against West Indies in the New Year’s Test, he has scored 960 runs in ten Tests at an average of 64.South Africa’s Test itinerary against Australia is similar to the one in 2001-02: they play three Tests away before hosting Australia for three in February-March. Led by Smith, the South African Test side has had a successful 12 months, with away series wins against Pakistan, Bangladesh and England; home wins over New Zealand and West Indies; and a drawn series in India.

Sunderland have had a dream start to the 2021/22 campaign with back-to-back wins under Lee Johnson’s stewardship. After beating Wigan 2-1 on the opening day of the League One season, the Black Cats progressed through to the next round of the League Cup with a 2-1 win over Port Vale on Tuesday night.

Josh Hawkes and Aiden O’Brien scored the goals for Sunderland to put them 2-0 up in the second half, with Jamie Proctor pulling one back for Vale with just over 20 minutes to go. Johnson’s side were able to see out the match without any major drama, sealing their spot in the draw for the second round.

Whilst attention may have been drawn to debutant Alex Pritchard’s performance, with an assist for the ex-Norwich playmaker, it was Hawkes who was able to steal the show on the night. Pritchard put in a good display, but Hawkes was outstanding throughout and took his goal brilliantly.

He latched onto the ball in the left-hand side of the box and clinically dispatched his shot into the far corner, despite the best efforts of the goalkeeper and a defender racing to the goal line. It was not an easy chance by any stretch and his sharp finish is sure to have caught a few eyes in the dugout, with Sunderland facing MK Dons away from home on Saturday.

Sunderland Echo reporter Phil Smith handed him a score of 7/10, highlighting his quality in front of goal. He wrote:

“Showed his end product with one fine finish and one effort that drifted just wide of the far post from the best part of 25 yards. Has real quality when he gets sight of goal.”

SofaScore seemingly agreed with Smith’s assessment, as they also rated Hawkes as a 7.0/10 for his display. He completed 85% (22/26) of his passes in the game – compared to Pritchard’s 70% – which shows that he was reliable on the ball and able to find a teammate the majority of the time – rather than being wasteful in possession and causing his team to be hit on the counter-attack.

The dynamo was able to marry an impressive all-around showing with an end product to make the most of his performance. He was able to offer a threat and be a solid option for Sunderland on the ball, whilst also being able to find the back of the net when presented with the opportunity.

Johnson will be delighted with his showing.

AND in other news, Sunderland dealt blow in pursuit of second-tier striker

An update has emerged on Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso, regarding Aston Villa’s interest in his services. 

What’s the talk?

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Aston Villa are one of the clubs interested in signing centre-back Mario Hermoso from Atletico Madrid this month.

The report claims that Everton and Arsenal are also keen on the 26-year-old, with the Spanish giants set to demand a fee in the region of £30m (€35m).

Imagine him and Mings

Johan Lange must secure a deal for Hermoso before the end of the transfer window as he could prove to be an upgrade on what Villa already have in the squad.

Whilst Axel Tuanzebe has arrived at Villa Park on a season-long loan from Manchester United, it could be useful for the club to have four serious centre-back options.

The club were relatively lucky to escape injury issues last season with Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa able to play in 36 Premier League games each, but there is no guarantee that will happen again. Therefore, adding Tuanzebe and Hermoso to the club could not only strengthen the quality but also the depth of Dean Smith’s options at centre-back.

Hermoso, in particular, could be a step up in terms of ability for Villa. Last season, the Spaniard made more ball recoveries, interceptions, tackles and forward passes than Konsa, whilst he also won more ground duels per 90 in comparison to the Villa centre-back.

Although it is difficult to judge the difference in quality between La Liga and the Premier League, it does show that Hermoso was able to perform under immense pressure. Atletico won the league title and Hermoso was seemingly a huge part of that, with his stout defensive performances at centre-back.

This suggests that he could have a great chance of being able to translate that form over to England, which could mean that he is an upgrade on Konsa at centre-back. He could line up alongside Mings in Smith’s first-choice back-four, with Konsa and Tuanzebe providing healthy competition for places.

Although, it is worth mentioning that Mings only stands out above Hermoso in ball recoveries per 90 in terms of the aforementioned statistics from last season. So, the Spaniard could even come in as the club’s best centre-back if he is able to carry over that form from Atletico’s title-winning season, which is why Smith would love to have him at the club.

AND in other news, Get it done: Lange must land bargain Villa deal for £8.5m “very talented” maestro…

The Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC’s) world cricket committee believes Twenty20 cricket must be scrutinised to prevent it from damaging the impact of the traditional Test format

Cricinfo staff26-Oct-2008
Shaun Pollock: “Tests are the true test of the game, it’s where the game originates from” © AFP
The Marylebone Cricket Club’s world cricket committee believes Twenty20 cricket must be scrutinised to prevent it from damaging the impact of the traditional Test format. The group comprising former Test captains and players met over the weekend with a view to improving the game and focused on the growth of the sport’s newest version.Twenty20 has exploded over the past two years with the introduction of the IPL, the unofficial ICL, the Stanford Super Series, the World Twenty20 and Twenty20 Champions League. “The committee realises Tests are the true test of the game, it’s where the game originates from,” the former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock said. “We’d like to do all we can to keep it that way.”Traditional supporters are concerned Twenty20’s popularity could swamp the five-day game and there are already conflicts between Test boards and the private competitions. Players who take part in the ICL are banned from their national and domestic teams, while Sri Lanka’s tour to England next May has been cancelled because most of their contracted players have signed with the IPL.”The MCC world cricket committee appreciates the benefits of Twenty20 cricket – such as introducing the game to a new audience and emerging markets, as well as bringing in new levels of wealth into the sport,” it said in a statement. “However, the committee also recognises that its proliferation needs to be scrutinised to avoid a potentially damaging impact on Test cricket.”In a year of rapid evolution for the game, the committee feels that the time is right to carefully analyse the effects of Twenty20 cricket to ensure that this short format of the game does not become the sole focus for players and spectators alike.”Ways to increase the attractiveness of Tests that the committee discussed included further trials into using a pink ball for day-night matches and ensuring a minimum of 90 overs are delivered each day.”It’s only the colour of the ball,” the former Australia captain Steve Waugh said. “If that attracts more people to the game and they can see the ball better then that’s what we’re after. If spectators can get better value it’s got to be better for the game. Test cricket has got to move with the times.”Over-rates remain a regular issue in Tests and the committee said there had been no significant improvement since it requested in May that the minimum level should be 15 an hour. “All players should be fined equally – not just the captain – with immediate effect,” said Tony Lewis, the MCC world cricket committee chairman.Currently, the captain is hit with double the punishment of his players and he could be suspended for a match if the team is six overs behind the required rate at the end of the day. Something the sport’s lawmakers, the London-based MCC would take note of, as it can alter the rules of the game and use its influence to urge the ICC to change its position on other issues.

Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia is expected to fly to Portugal on Thursday to complete his move to Sporting Lisbon, according to Record (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

The 21-year-old came through the youth system of another Portuguese giant in Benfica. He then spent two years at Arsenal before joining Everton in 2018.

He played 22 games for the Toffees’ under-23s, commendably keeping 11 clean sheets. Three senior appearances followed in 2020/21, most notably in the FA Cup quarter-finals against Manchester City (via Transfermarkt).

With Jordan Pickford out injured, Virginia kept the eventual Premier League champions and Champions League finalists at bay for 84 minutes before they claimed victory.

The latest

The report from Record (via Sport Witness) stated that Virginia is in isolation after a positive Covid test, but he will apparently be cleared to fly to the Iberian peninsula on Thursday if he tests negative.

Virginia will join the reigning Primeira Liga champions on a season-long loan, and Sporting will have the option to make it permanent at the end of the campaign. The deal will be completed as long as Luis Maximiano, the keeper whom Virginia is replacing, seals his move to La Liga outfit Granada.

The verdict

Now that Everton’s goalkeeping ranks for the new season have taken shape, how strong are they looking in that position?

Pickford has performed well enough in 2021 to quash any questions over his suitability for the number one spot at Goodison Park. However, summer signing Asmir Begovic is a somewhat unconvincing deputy, having struggled in his most recent top-flight season, conceding just under two goals per game with Bournemouth in 2018/19.

Virginia might have hoped to get the prime backup role after deputising impressively for Pickford last season, but Everton ultimately don’t rate him highly enough. Let’s hope they don’t come to regret letting the Portuguese youngster leave.

In other news, this player can apparently help Benitez put his ‘stamp’ on the team. 

Jagmohan Dalmiya, the former ICC and BCCI president, has said his stand is vindicated after the Calcutta High Court directed initiation of criminal proceedings against six BCCI officials

Cricinfo staff12-Nov-2008
Jagmohan Dalmiya: “I always believe that truth and honesty prevail and if I am correct people have to realise it” © AFP
Jagmohan Dalmiya, the former ICC and BCCI president, has said his stand is vindicated after the Calcutta High Court directed initiation of criminal proceedings against six BCCI officials for filing a false affidavit in a case involving Dalmiya’s expulsion from the Indian board.”I am happy that my stand is vindicated and I have got faith in the system as truth always comes out,” Dalmiya said. “I have tasted all the top positions, starting from treasurer of Cricket Association of Bengal in 1978-79 till becoming ICC president. I never thought this could happen to me. I always believe that truth and honesty prevail and if I am correct people have to realise it.”Dalmiya was expelled by the board in December 2006, but had contested the decision in court. In July 2007, the Calcutta High Court stayed Dalmiya’s expulsion, following which he filed a perjury case against six BCCI officials, including president Shashank Manohar and former president Sharad Pawar, for misleading the court. The BCCI had filed an affidavit – signed by the six officials – in the Calcutta High Court stating that the rule under which Dalmiya had been expelled from the BCCI had been duly registered by the Registrar of Societies in Chennai.”I thought it [the expulsion] was too much and I did not deserve it, as it was uncalled for. In democracy either you have to win by polls or you have to take the legal path,” said Dalmiya. “I also felt that and why I should take the expulsion when I have done nothing wrong. Therefore, I filed a case saying that my expulsion is absolutely uncalled for and it should be stopped.”Interestingly, when for the first time I went to the High Court, my lawyers told me that the documents relied upon is a lot to be questioned,” he said. “So I filed a case for criminal prosecution of six BCCI officials as they were either office bearers or holding a post in a committee and the decision of the case has come today.”The court had allowed Dalmiya to contest the Cricket Association of Bengal elections last year, and he was elected president earlier this year. Dalmiya is still facing a case filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police, for alleged embezzlement of funds during the 1996 World Cup.Apart than Manohar and Pawar, the other BCCI officials involved in the perjury case are Ratnakar Shetty (chief administrative officer), Niranjan Shah (former secretary), N Srinivasan (current secretary) and Chirayu Amin (vice-president).

Phillip Hughes piloted New South Wales to a tense victory, which was achieved with two balls remaining, over Queensland at the Gabba

Cricinfo staff26-Dec-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Phillip Hughes starred for the Blues in a tight opening success © Getty Images
Phillip Hughes piloted New South Wales to a tense victory, which was achieved with two balls remaining, over Queensland at the Gabba in the first match of the Twenty20 Big Bash. The Blues seemed headed for a comfortable win with 13 needed off the final three overs with seven wickets in hand and Hughes unbeaten on 74.The equation was a far tighter four off five balls when Moises Henriques was dismissed off the first ball of the last over by Nathan Rimmington. Daniel Smith managed a single off his first delivery and the batsmen pinched a bye from each of the next two balls before a no-ball confirmed the victory.The Bulls were rocked by three early strikes from Doug Bollinger and they needed a 25-ball 39 from the captain Chris Simpson to lift them to a competitive 161. In reply, the Blues lost David Warner in the first over to a one-handed catch from Glen Batticciotto but Hughes kept them on track. He used the cut effectively, making a large chunk of his runs between third man and point, and hit eight fours and a six in an unbeaten 80. There was support from Ben Rohrer (24) and Dominic Thornely (20) before the final nervy passage.