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A year after giving their squad a significant overhaul, South Australia have kept a steady course for 2009-10 with few changes to their playing group

Cricinfo staff12-Jun-2009A year after giving their squad a significant overhaul, South Australia have kept a steady course for 2009-10 with few changes to their playing group. The fast bowlers Chris Duval and Matthew Weeks have been added to the senior squad, while the opening batsman Tom Plant has been axed.Weeks, 26, returned to South Australia’s starting line-up last summer after a three-year absence. Duval is the only addition from outside the state, returning to his original side having spent the past four seasons with Tasmania.The Redbacks now have three Cricket Australia-contracted players with Graham Manou and Callum Ferguson joining Shaun Tait on the national list. That opened up places for James Smith and Jake Haberfield to be promoted from the state’s rookie list and both now hold full deals.The rookie list has taken on a new look with only Michael Cranmer, Cameron Francis and Kane Richardson named at this stage. Of last season’s rookies, Jake Brown, Andy Delmont and Jason Donnelly have slipped out of the group.None of the changes are major and it is a far cry from South Australia’s off-field dealings last year, when they raided four players from New South Wales and Victoria in addition to signing Pakistan’s Younis Khan. All states must finalise their round one offers by next Friday prior to the player transfer pool opening.South Australia squad Cullen Bailey, Cameron Borgas, Daniel Christian, Mark Cleary, Tom Cooper, Mark Cosgrove, Dan Cullen, Chris Duval, Callum Ferguson (Cricket Australia contract), Peter George, Jake Haberfield, Daniel Harris, Michael Klinger, Graham Manou (CA), Aaron O’Brien, Gary Putland, Paul Rofe, James Smith, Shaun Tait (CA), Matthew Weeks, Allan Wise.Rookies Michael Cranmer, Cameron Francis, Kane Richardson.

Everton have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey as manager Rafael Benitez looks to bolster his engine room options at Goodison Park.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Toffees are interested in securing the 30-year-old’s services in the January window, with fellow Premier League club West Ham United also listed as potential suitors.

The report claimed that both Everton and the Hammers are weighing up a move for Ramsey as the Serie A giants are eager to offload his sizeable wages as soon as possible.

Ramsey’s current contract doesn’t expire until the summer of 2023, but rumours suggest the Italian giants are eager to get the former Arsenal man off their books much sooner due to his lack of output on the pitch.

Marcel Brands must sanction Everton swoop

Everton’s director of football Marcel Brands must sanction a swoop for the £12.6m-rated Ramsey over the winter window, adding some class and technical ability to Benitez’s industrial midfield.

The Wales international has bags of Premier League experience under his belt from his time at Arsenal, where he continually impressed throughout his seven-year stay. Ramsey scored 65 goals and laid on a further 65 assists in 371 appearances for the Gunners, winning three FA Cups along the way and earning praise from several impressed onlookers, including Martin Keown.

“He continues to mature as a player and develop. He’s a real leader now in this Arsenal team,” the Gunners legend claimed back in 2019.

“Playing in a deeper role, as he did under Arsene Wenger – I think that’s the best role for him. If you want Ozil and him in the same team. He’s so important to everything Arsenal do. It’s the energy – the box-to-box energy. He’s become an outstanding technician.”

However, following a contract dispute, Ramsey departed the north London outfit on a free transfer ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, joining Juventus in a search for silverware.

Although he has claimed a Scudetto and a Coppa Italia during his time in Turin, the creative talent has only started 25 league games to date for the Bianconeri, highlighting his peripheral role within the first team squad.

Therefore, a move back to English shores appears likely over the coming months, and Everton’s hierarchy must make Goodison Park Ramsey’s next destination, aiding their push for a top six finish.

In other news… Everton could find their new Marouane Fellaini by signing “exciting” 6 foot 4 weapon 

A round-up of the matches on day one of the Emerging Players Tournament

Cricinfo staff21-Jul-2009
ScorecardIndia Emerging Players kicked off their Australian tour with a facile win over the Australian Institute of Sports with nine balls to spare in the opening match of the two-week tournament. The tourists made regular inroads and were lead by their new-ball pair of Sudeep Tyagi and Pradeep Sangwan, who picked up two wickets each as Australia were restricted to 101.Tom Cooper, the No. 3, held Australia together with an unbeaten 63 from 57 balls but there was absolutely no support. The home side was rocked first ball when Tyagi took out Rob Quiney, and then slipped to 4 for 24 with each of India’s first five bowlers finding success. Cooper’s innings contained six fours and a pair of sixes and stood poles apart from the next highest contribution, 8.India themselves were in a spot of bother at 3 for 19, Peter George taking 2 for 9 in four overs, but Ajinkya Rahane and Abhishek Nayar steered the chase thereafter. Rahane finished unbeaten on 43 from 55 balls while Nayar (30 from 19) assisted capably.
ScorecardSouth Africa Emerging Players began their tournament on a high with a last-ball six-wicket win over New Zealand Emerging Players. Chasing 130, South Africa sealed a tight victory thanks to some clinical hitting from the captain Vaughn van Jaarsveld, who made 53 from 47 balls, and a steady unbeaten 58 from the opener Henry Davids.After opting to bat first, New Zealand posted 9 for 129 thanks to Colin de Grandhomme’s 49 from 34 balls. BJ Watling contributed 29 off 37 balls in an opening stand of 72 in 9.2 overs before being run out. Reece Young celebrated his call-up to the senior side by smashing an unbeaten 24 from 14 balls as slow left-armer Dean Elgar snared three victims to ruin the lower order.New Zealand’s attack, led by Tim Southee’s successive strikes in the third over, hurt South Africa’s top order but crucially failed to dislodge Davids, who shored up the chase. van Jaarsveld, batting at No. 4, played an excellent hand to ease the chase and though he fell with 22 needed, Davids finished matters off.

It has been a triumphant tour for Bangladesh so far, and they will be aiming to round it off with another victory in the Twenty20 on Sunday

The Preview by Siddarth Ravindran02-Aug-2009Match factsSunday August 2, 2009
Start time 14.00 (18.00 GMT)Big PictureWest Indies need Andre Fletcher to fire at the top of the order•DigicelCricket.com/Brooks LaTouche PhotographyIt has been a triumphant tour for Bangladesh so far, and they will be aiming to round it off with another victory in the Twenty20 on Sunday. It was the only format in which they had trumped West Indies before setting off for the Caribbean last month, but that famous win in the 2007 World Twenty20 remains their only success against a Test-playing nation in Twenty20s.In the absence of West Indies’ leading players, Bangladesh have had the rare advantage of the being the more experienced side in the contest, and they have made that count in both the Tests and ODIs, holding their nerve at the key moments. Though they have no domestic Twenty20 tournament, Bangladesh’s players are still more acquainted with the format than the home side, with several of them having played two World Twenty20s.West Indies’ two major problems have been the inconsistency of the top order, and their discomfort against spin. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan capitalised on that, picking four slow bowlers for the one-dayers, and having a pair of them operating in tandem as early as the ninth over.The inclusion of Andre Fletcher has added some dynamism to the top order, and he showed his ability while carting three sixes on his way to a 52-ball 62 in the third ODI. How he and Travis Dowlin, one of the more impressive batsmen for West Indies this series, combat the Bangladesh spinners will play a large part in determining whether the home side can salvage at least one win in the series.Form guide (last five matches, most recent first)Bangladesh – LLLLL
West Indies – LWLWLWatch out for …Kemar Roach first came into the spotlight when he was picked by West Indies for a Twenty20 against Australia in 2008 barely five months after making his first-class debut. He has troubled Bangladesh batsmen with his pace all through the series, and though he was expensive in the one-dayers he was the leading wicket-taker, finishing with 10 at 16.20.The allrounder Mahmudullah is coming off the best month of his career, spinning Bangladesh to victory with eight wickets in the first Test, before shepherding them with a mature, unbeaten half-century in the third ODI to keep their spotless record on tour in tact. He is yet to make an impact in Twenty20s at the international level, and Sunday’s game provides him the ideal opportunity.Team newsThere aren’t likely to be too many changes to the winning Bangladesh combination. One person who place could be under the scanner is Raqibul Hasan, who is not renowned as a big hitter and had a poor run in the ODIs.Bangladesh: (likely) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Junaid Siddique, 3 Mohammad Ashraful, 4 Raqibul Hasan, 5 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Naeem Islam, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Syed Rasel, 11 Rubel Hossain.One of the worries for West Indies is the thigh injury to vice-captain Darren Sammy, who has been one of their key players in both the Tests and one-dayers. But coach John Dyson remains confident Sammy will be fit for Sunday’s game after watching him practice at the nets.West Indies: (likely) 1 Kieron Powell , 2 Andre Fletcher, 3 Devon Smith, 4 Travis Dowlin, 5 David Bernard, 6 Floyd Reifer (capt), 7 Devon Thomas (wk), 8 Darren Sammy, 9 Nikita Miller, 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Gavin Tonge.Stats and trivia Fletcher and Sammy are the only West Indies players who have played 10 or more Twenty20, while Bangladesh have five players with that much experienceBangladesh have lost their previous eight Twenty20 games; their last win was nearly two years ago The only Twenty20 match that Kemar Roach has played at the senior level is when he made was picked against Australia in 2008Quotes”It is a young team. They have got to continue to play, and play hard. We have got to continue talking to each other.”

Arsenal were among a number of clubs who were left furious following Newcastle United’s official takeover, according to The Daily Mail, and plenty of Gunners fans have been reacting on social media to the club’s stance.

Newcastle are now owned by Saudi-led consortium PIF, who purchased the club from Mike Ashley in a deal worth £305m which went through on Friday.

The Daily Mail claimed that Arsenal, along with Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham, all tried to stop the takeover from going through.

The Guardian shared a report on Friday evening claiming that the other 19 top-flight clubs, including Stan Kroenke-owned Arsenal, now want to know what changed for the Premier League to wave through a takeover with little notice.

Arsenal fans react

Well-known Arsenal page @AFTVMedia shared the story of Arsenal’s attempts to stop a Newcastle takeover on Twitter on Monday afternoon. Here is what these Gunners fans had to say in reply, with some taking a shot at their own club’s unpopular ownership…

“Rich billionaires jealous that a richer billionaire has been able to do what they’ve done. Pathetic. If they cared about the future of Arsenal they would have invested & ensured we was run properly the last decade.”

Credit: @NLondon_is_Red

“what a disgrace!”

Credit: @aditwp

“Sell the club then”

Credit: @90minafc

“Absolute greed. Unbelievable.”

Credit: @ferguspateman

“Lol, absolute nonsense”

Credit: @juzz_18

“They are all crazy”

Credit: @AdeboyBilly

In other news: ‘Omg’ – Lots of Arsenal fans ‘buzzing’ as ‘massive’ news is confirmed

If the pressure hadn’t been ramped up on Aston Villa manager Dean Smith before Friday night, then the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal would certainly have done that.

Since that famous 1-0 victory over Manchester United, things have gone from bad to worse for the Midlands club, with the Villans now having tasted their third defeat in as many games.

Smith stuck with his recent back three which served him well at Old Trafford, but once again the system seemed to play into the opposition’s hands, with Arsenal completely overwhelming them in midfield in the first half – the Gunners had a whopping 14 shots to the visitors’ zero.

One man who had a real shocker for Villa was summer signing Emiliano Buendia.

The Argentine was linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer transfer window before sealing a move to Villa Park, and while these are still very early days, his performance yesterday left a lot to be desired.

Starting in the number ten role just behind Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings, Buendia struggled to really get into the game, and that was evident by the fact that he had fewer touches (49) and passes (24) than goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (50 and 30 respectively).

The former Norwich star also completed just one of his three attempted dribbles and lost possession 14 times over the course of the game – the joint-third most of any Villa player.

It was no surprise that the Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece slammed him as “lightweight” for his performance.

Writing in his post-match player ratings, the journalist gave him a three, adding: “Physically miles off the pace here. There was no bright spark this week as Arsenal simply had his number. Gave balls away too cheaply and was, like most, found wanting. Buendia had an effort to reduce it to 2-1 after the break but Ramsdale saved well at the near post.

“Buendia was replaced by Ramsey with 20 left. The £38million price tag looks all wrong at present with Buendia needing to get up to speed sharpish.”

Smith desperately needed his midfield playmaker to try and run things in the middle of the park, but the Argentine himself and the Villa manager’s tactics let each other down in equal measure.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have been given a transfer update on this ace…

There is a real determination in the Australian side to treat this one-day series as a new chapter after the Ashes disappointment.

The Preview by Andrew McGlashan at Lord's05-Sep-2009Match factsSunday, September 6, 2009
Start time 10.15 (9.15 GMT)Luke Wright gave England a chance in the opening match but had been left with too much to do•Getty ImagesBig PictureOne down, six to go. Australia took an early lead in the one-day series by holding off a spirited late charge from England’s lower order to secure a four-run victory at The Oval. They almost let the match slip away in the closing overs, but Nathan Bracken held his nerve and Ryan Sidebottom will be the only one who can explain why he left the ball with three deliveries remaining and eight needed.There is a real determination in the Australian side to treat this one-day series as a new chapter after the Ashes disappointment. It is an evolving unit as planning looks ahead to the 2011 World Cup and one of their newer faces, Callum Ferguson, produced a classy, unbeaten 71 to hold the innings together on Friday. Andrew Strauss admitted he hadn’t seen much of him and England need to come up with some plans. Ferguson is already averaging over 50 in ODIs.For England it was a familiar tale of frustration from the top-order as they all reached double figures without anyone passing Ravi Bopara’s 49. There were a number of loose dismissals – Matt Prior top-edged a reverse sweep, Bopara fell to a lazy stumping and Owais Shah tread on his stumps – and too much was left to the lower order. However, England will take encouragement from Adil Rashid’s performance. He followed an impressive bowling spell with 31 off 23 balls, to further enhance his growing reputation.Form guide (last five matches, most recent first)
England – LWWWW
Australia – WWLWW
Watch out for…Luke Wright has been up and down England’s one-day batting line-up like a yo-yo but he has returned in a middle-order role to give the side impetus and striking power late in the innings. The early signs were promising as he gave the team a chance of chasing down 10-an-over for the final eight overs and launched the only six of the opening match when he drove Shane Watson handsomely over long off. If it hadn’t been for his run-out off a no-ball England might have got over the line. Wright’s bowling was limited to a single over in conditions which didn’t suit his hit-the-deck style, but he needs to work on his accuracy to become a reliable option for Andrew Strauss.Mitchell Johnson returns to the scene of his Ashes horror show. It was his first-innings display – 132 off 21 overs – in the second Test that went a long way towards costing Australia the match. He admitted to not really having a clue where it was going but, to his credit, recovered well form the ordeal despite still being short of his best. He was back at first change for the one-day series and started with three wickets at The Oval, including the key middle-order brace of Shah and Paul Collingwood, and is capable of winning a match of his own.Team newsJoe Denly is still ruled out because of his knee injury and no cover has been called up so England’s top order is unlikely to change. The two-spinner ploy also worked well at keeping a lid on Australia’s scoring alongside Paul Collingwood, but their effectiveness also depends on the nature of the surface. Ryan Sidebottom wasn’t quite at his best, but the variety he brings is useful for the side.England (probable): 1 Ravi Bopara, 2 Andrew Strauss (capt), 3 Matt Prior (wk), 4 Owais Shah, 5 Paul Collingwood , 6 Luke Wright, 7 Stuart Broad, 8 Adil Rashid, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Ryan Sidebottom.There seems little reason for the Australians to change a winning side. Tim Paine will hope to get off the mark this time but Cameron White’s elevation to No. 3 was a success with a half century.Australia (probable) 1 Shane Watson, 2 Tim Paine (wk), 3 Cameron White, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Callum Ferguson, 6 Michael Hussey, 7 James Hopes, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Nathan Hauritz 10 Brett Lee, 11 Nathan Bracken.Pitch and conditionsThe forecast remains good even though there is an autumnal chill in the air. Lord’s can usually be relied upon to produce excellent one-day surfaces while the outfield is also rapid. The pitch had a tinge of green the day before the match, but expect it to be given another trim before the action begins.Stats and triviaEngland and Australia have played nine ODIs against each other at Lord’s and the head-to-head currently stands at 4-4 with one tie, which was the Natwest Series final in 2005. Quotes”We thought we were in control, but always at the back of our minds was what happened against South Africa. A couple of times when we thought we were in a pretty good position, they’d take the batting Powerplay and overcome us at the end.”
.”It was nice to perform with bat and ball but I have still got a long way to go. It has increased my confidence bowling to the Australians who are a great team. The more you play the more confidence you get and hopefully I can show that in the next game.”
.

A round-up from the latest matches in the Pro40 as Ian Bell hits a century and Wayne White stars with bat and ball

Cricinfo staff07-Sep-2009Players discarded from England’s one-day set-up continue to prosper as Ian Bell hit 105 from 101 balls to set up Warwickshire’s 110-run victory against Derbyshire at Edgbaston. On 81, Bell needed treatment for a minor back spasm but recovered to post his hundred before Rikki Clarke and Ant Botha signed off the innings by adding 55 in 26 balls. This was the last match played in front of the old pavilion before it is demolished to make way for a £30million redevelopment.Lancashire kept themselves in with an outside chance of claiming the Division Two title with a comfortable victory against an inexperienced Kent at Old Trafford. Paul Horton hit 51 off 55 balls to ensure the home side were well ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis target when the chase ended after 17.4 overs. Steven Mullaney, playing only his second match of the season, starred with the ball as he claimed 3 for 26, while left-arm spinners Gary Keedy and Stephen Parry shared four wickets to limit Kent to 162.Wayne White produced career-best efforts with bat and ball as Leicestershire secured a 23-run victory against Glamorgan at Grace Road. White hit 46 off 45 balls as Leicestershire recovered from 72 for 4 with Boeta Dippenaar contributing 49. White then cut down Glamorgan’s chase from a promising 125 for 3 in the 24th over when he had Tom Maynard (39) caught in the deep before returning to wrap up the match.

Kent 6 4 1 01 9 +0.061 902/155.2 904/157.2 Middlesex 6 3 1 02 8 +0.691 918/155.1 836/160.0 Lancashire 6 3 1 02 8 -0.075 538/109.3 577/115.4 Warwickshire 5 2 0 12 7 +1.813 619/102.4 506/120.0 Leicestershire 6 2 3 01 5 -0.107 980/200.0 913/182.2 Northamptonshire 5 1 1 12 5 -0.367 567/98.0 565/91.5 Derbyshire 5 1 2 02 4 -0.944 681/119.1 788/118.2 Surrey 5 1 4 00 2 -0.216 974/160.2 994/158.0 Glamorgan 6 0 4 02 2 -0.814 799/144.0 895/140.4

Many Everton fans have been left reacting to some transfer news which has emerged on the future of Stoke City colossus Harry Souttar.

Writing in his latest piece for The Liverpool Echo, Phil Kirkbride has now revealed that the Goodison Park faithful have been scouting the Potters central defender, as Duncan Ferguson was sent to watch him recently.

There is certainly interest there from the Merseyside club ahead of a potential move in the summer transfer window.

The 6 foot 6 Souttar is enjoying life in the Championship at the moment, and is actually averaging more clearances (5.8), passes (67.8) and a higher pass success rate (82.8%) than Ben Godfrey, Michael Keane and Yerry Mina are in the Premier League so far this season (WhoScored).

However, there are of course question marks over whether he can make the step up to the top flight, and the Blues already have the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Reece Welch coming through.

Everton fans on Souttar transfer news

These Toffees supporters gave some fairly mixed reactions as the transfer news was shared on Twitter:

“Makes no sense this imo. Reece Welch coming through looks a better prospect than this lad and he’s 5 yrs younger. Add Branthwaite in there as well”

Credit: @Tom_Riddle1995

“Read we are ready to offer £24 mil really hope not”

Credit: @tomf_1

“Duncan Ferguson now is our scout, state of it”

Credit: @ElliotB1878

“Ideal Yerry Mina replacement”

Credit: @Jase_1878

“Was decent when I’ve seen him play for Fleetwood”

Credit: @sebellis09

“Fella is like 6’8″”

Credit: @Shakeitupbaine1

In other news, find out what injury news has Blues buzzing here!

Australia have suffered a major blow before their first Champions Trophy match with Nathan Bracken ruled out of the tournament with a chronic knee injury

Cricinfo staff24-Sep-2009Australia have suffered a major blow before their first Champions Trophy match with Nathan Bracken ruled out of the tournament with a chronic knee injury. Cricket Australia confirmed Bracken would be sent home on Thursday. Doug Bollinger, who last represented Australia during the one-day series against Pakistan in the UAE, was named as his replacement.”The nature of Nathan’s right knee problem has meant that he has had some ongoing manageable pain, but this has now reached a point where he is unable to continue playing in the ICC Champions Trophy,” Australia’s physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said. “He will return to Australia to consult a knee specialist for an opinion on the best course of action. His return to cricket will be determined after consulting the specialist.”The loss of Bracken will hurt Australia’s attack as he is the team’s highest-ranked one-day international bowler, sitting sixth on the ICC ODI rankings, ahead of the next Australian Mitchell Johnson in equal ninth. Bracken, who played in the recent one-day series in England, will also be in doubt for the Champions League Twenty20, where he was expected to represent New South Wales in early October.Australia’s first match of the Champions Trophy is against West Indies on Saturday.