The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is seeking a new Head Coach for the England Women’s Cricket Team following John Harmer’s decision to return to his native Australia and not extend his two year contract.John Harmer took over as Head Coach in July 2000, and has overseen a revolutionary change in the coaching of England’s elite female players. John has also improved England’s one-day world ranking from fifth to third during his tenure.A world-class cricket coach who led the Australia women’s cricket team to three World Cup finals in his eight years in charge of the squad from 1992-2000, Harmer is a bio-mechanist whose influence will be felt throughout English cricket as he also dedicated a good deal of time to coach education.John Harmer said “It has been a great opportunity to work with top level English coaches and players and I have taken a lot of pleasure from seeing how much the England Team have developed. I wish them all the very best in the future and look forward to seeing them again when they visit Australia.”Gill McConway, ECB Executive Director of Women’s Cricket said “I have had the immense pleasure of working closely with John in the past couple of years and he has taken giant steps forward in ensuring our aim that England are one of the top two women’s teams by 2007.Together we have implemented a new structure of coaching for the women’s game with regional based centres and Super Fours, the domestic competition for elite women’s players. We will all miss John, but thank him for the hard work and inspiration he has bought to the women’s game”.The England Captain, Clare Connor, said “The team, like me, will be hugely disappointed that John is leaving the post. But, we have relished the opportunity to work with one of the world’s best coaches, and we have all learnt so much from John. We must build on the solid foundations he has established and we are all much better players than we were two years ago”.John Harmer will remain with the England Squad until a replacement has been found.John Harmer’s record:In the 2000 World Cup, England finished fifth behind New Zealand (Champions), Australia (runners-up), India and South Africa.Winter 2000/01Lost One-Day Series to India in IndiaDrew one Test including world record opening stand for the first wicket between Caroline Atkins and Arran ThompsonSummer 2001Contested triangular One-Day Series against World Champions NZ and India. Beat India in all three one-day games, but lost to NZ in the Final.Winter 2001/2Finished third (behind Australia and NZ) in the quadrangular One-Day World Series, beating India twice.Lost the Ashes Test Series to Australia, 1-0, losing the first Test at The Gabba and drawing the second Test at The Bankstown Oval, Sydney. Second Test included world record equalling eleven wicket haul for Lucy Pearson, England’s strike bowler.
Warwickshire tightened their hold on third place in the First Division of the Norwich Union League by taking swift and emphatic revenge for their C & G Trophy semi-final defeat at Taunton.Openers Nick Knight and Mark Wagh blasted the visitors out of the water with an unbroken century partnership to clinch a ten-wicket win with 25 overs to spare.Somerset suffered a pre-match blow with the absence of Mike Burns because of chickenpox and merely escalated the problem with their undistinguished demise for 120.Dougie Brown and Alan Richardson claimed three lbw dismissals in 11 overs and Warwickshire’s seamers became so dominant on an unreliable pitch that the innings included as many as a dozen maidens.Richardson flattened Keith Parsons’ middle stump and came back to bowl last man Jamie Grove for a league-best return of 3 for 17 in his first one-day game of the season.Matt Wood survived Somerset’s mishaps – which peaked when Rob Turner was sent back and run out by Trevor Penney – and made a resolute 29 before lapsing himself with a loose drive to short mid-wicket.His wicket went to off-spinner Neil Smith during a stint of 3 for 19 and, despite a useful 15 not out by Peter Trego, Somerset folded two balls short of completing their 43-over allowance.A short break for rain with the last pair together meant that Warwickshire were set a revised 119 for their sixth win of the season. This turned out to a cruise.Wagh, dismissed for nought in his three previous league innings, found his form with 15 fours in a one-day personal best of 70 and Knight reached 40 in his first appearance since he was struck on the head by a ball from Andy Caddick in the Trophy semi-final.
The bombshell news broke earlier this week that Premier League sensation, Antoine Semenyo, is likely to be on the move next month. Unfortunately for those at Manchester United, however, the Ghanaian looks to be heading to the Etihad.
Yes, despite suggestions that United had been one of the frontrunners for the 25-year-old’s signature, it would appear that ex-Bristol City man has been swayed by the pull of Pep Guardiola and co, with a £65m deal now set to be struck.
Such developments come at a time when the Red Devils have been left looking desperately short on attacking options, a fact that was no more apparent than in Friday’s narrow win over Newcastle United.
With Ruben Amorim chopping and changing his side in the dying embers, the hosts were left with a forward line that contained Patrick Dorgu on one flank, and Diogo Dalot as the highest point on the opposite side, with the absence of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo keenly felt in that hard-fought encounter.
That being said, last season’s losing Europa League finalists still managed to get the job done against the Magpies, with there certainly reason for positivity among the Old Trafford faithful.
Man Utd's best performers vs Newcastle
It would be remiss to begin this section without mentioning that man Dorgu, with the 21-year-old Dane looking much improved in his new role down the right flank in that promising first-half.
Having scored three of his five Lecce goals while operating off the right, as per Transfermarkt, the youngster showcased why that perhaps should be his permanent home in a United shirt, rifling in his first goal for the club in stunning fashion against Eddie Howe’s side.
The January arrival also saw another effort denied by the sprawling Aaron Ramsdale, while also picking out Benjamin Sesko with a delightful reverse pass early on, only for the Slovenian striker to squander the opening.
Dorgu was then the star attraction on a night all about Amorim’s young guns, with fellow 2025 signing, Ayden Heaven, also putting in a commanding display at the heart of the backline, even amid so much change around him.
Signed for just £1m, the 19-year-old continues to make that deal look such a coup, having won 100% of his duels on the night, as per Sofascore, while boasting a 94% pass accuracy rate.
Like the returning Lisandro Martinez alongside him, Heaven was central to United earning all three points, with the Englishman more than seizing his chance in the absence of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.
At the other end of the pitch, too, the loss of Mbeumo, Amad and captain Bruno Fernandes has allowed another leading light to emerge, with Amorim having a new attacking figurehead to hang his hat on.
Man Utd already have a bigger talent than Semenyo
With United’s absentee list worsening following Mason Mount’s withdrawal at half-time, it appeared almost inevitable that the home side would drift toward yet another defeat, having been forced to cling on amid a frantic second-half at the Theatre of Dreams.
There was encouragingly, however, a real grit and fight shown by those in red, with that will to win perhaps epitomised best by summer signing, Matheus Cunha, in his number ten berth.
Operating both centrally and off the left, the 26-year-old was so often the driving force for United in an attacking sense, having drawn a save himself from Ramsdale with an effort from the angle, while flashing a handful of attempts wide.
Yes, there is an erratic quality to his game, but time and again, the Brazilian is at the heart of the action, showcasing why journalist Samuel Luckhurst has previously described him as a “maverick” and a “workhorse” following his promising start to life in Manchester.
While club-led comparisons to Eric Cantona may be unhelpful and somewhat hyperbolic, a closer similarity may well be to fellow South American ‘maverick’, Carlos Tevez, with the Argentine having also been such a relentless presence in Sir Alex Ferguson’s feared forward line.
Operating alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, the ex-West Ham United man wasn’t always the star attraction in his two-year stay at the club, although he was just as crucial to that glittering period of success, racking up 48 goals and assists in 99 games in total in all competitions.
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Cunha, in the modern day, has been somewhat overshadowed himself by the goalscoring form of both Mbeumo and Fernandes, but as was evident on Friday evening, he can be equally as instrumental, registering one key pass and successfully completing four of his six attempted dribbles.
Cunha vs Newcastle
Stat
Record
Minutes
90
Touches
52
Pass accuracy
81%
Shots
3
Key passes
1
Dribbles
4/6
Total duels won
5/15
Recoveries
3
Interceptions
3
Stats via Sofascore
While Semenyo might have been earmarked as another option off that left flank, with Cunha repurposed more centrally, the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers hero showcased why he should be a nailed-on starter in his preferred role, having begun to pick up where he left off at Molineux.
Only three goals have come his way in a United shirt, although the £62.5m addition did record 15 league goals last term, after hitting 12 the year before that. For comparison, Semenyo scored just 11 and eight goals, respectively, across the last two top-flight campaigns.
The Bournemouth star’s stock is soaring, but it is Cunha’s ceiling that appears to be even higher.
At a time of such chaos again under Amorim, United’s new Tevez will have to shoulder much of the attacking burden. There’s no denying he’ll relish that.
Man Utd can bin Bruno by signing £100m star who's "a bit of Keane & Scholes"
The fear is creeping in – Manchester United may have to replace Bruno Fernandes before too long.
1 ByRobbie Walls
ScorecardAnya Shrubsole removed the South Africa top order•Gallo Images
Four wickets for Anya Shrubsole and an unbeaten 41 from Sarah Taylor were the major components of England’s seven-wicket win over South Africa in Benoni, giving new coach Mark Robinson victory in his first match in charge.England’s innings was twice interrupted by rain, with their target eventually revised down to 150 in 35 overs after South Africa had made 196 having chosen to bat first. Amy Jones helped get England’s chase off to a brisk start, hitting six fours in 34 from 27 balls, but she and fellow opener Lauren Winfield fell before the weather closed in with the score on 63 for 2.The target was cut to 194 in 48 overs and England lost captain Charlotte Edwards for 33 before lightning and further rain sent the players off again. On the resumption, Taylor and Heather Knight saw England home with 39 balls to spare.South Africa’s total was based around 90 from opener Trisha Chetty but she did not find enough support from her team-mates. Chetty, who was dropped twice off Katherine Brunt, put on 93 for the second wicket with captain Mignon du Preez but from 119 for 1 they subsided during the final 20 overs to be dismissed with four deliveries left spare.Shrubsole returned to get du Preez for 38 and bagged the first four wickets to fall with her testing inswingers. South Africa lost 5 for 40 before No. 8 Sune Luus provided some resistance but when Knight had Chetty caught behind ten short of a maiden century, the hosts’ hopes of a more imposing total disappeared.The last four wickets fell for 14 in 23 balls as Jenny Gunn and Rebecca Grundy cleaned up the tail before the batsmen avoided major hiccups to put England 1-0 up in the three-match series. Victory also gave England a valuable two points in the ICC Women’s Championship, drawing them level with South Africa in fourth.
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Andre Nel, the South African fast bowler, has been called up to replace Loots Bosman in the squad for the ICC World Twenty20 that starts next week. Bosman was ruled out of the tournament after he was advised six weeks’ rest due to a back injury he suffered while fielding during a match against Zimbabwe last month.According to Joubert Strydom, convener of selectors, Nel’s inclusion would strengthen thebowling line-up, which was looking “a bit under-done”.”We are well stocked in the top three batting department with five players – Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, Goolam Bodi and JP Duminy – all technically equipped to deal with the new ball and having the expansive strokeplay to force the pace where necessary,” Strydom said.Denying claims that Nel’s inclusion in the squad would cause a quota-imbalance, Norman Arendse, president of Cricket South Africa, said while the board aimed at having seven players of colour in the squad, this was not a binding obligation.”Quotas are set in stone while targets are something to strive for. The selectors have convinced me that there are logical and rational cricket reasons for opting for Nel,” he said. “These included an examination of strike rates, economy rates, number of wickets taken and the like of the leading candidates.”Nel will join the South African training camp in Potchefstroom as soon as possible toenable him to participate fully in the preparation phase.
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Third day
Like many games around the country, Hove was at the mercy of the elements and bad light as Sussex and Hampshire only managed 38 overs in the day. Sussex were dismissed for 448, with Shane Warne picking up six wickets, before Hampshire reached 70 for 1 when play was abandoned for the day.Fourth dayLancashire v Warwickshire – no play possible
Yorkshire v Middlesex – no play possible
Second day
Only 11 overs were possible on the second day at Leicester as Somerset progressed from 90 for 3 to 113 for 5 against Leicestershire. Nick Walker made the early breakthrough, bowling Keith Parsons before play was abandoned due to bad light at 17.15BST.Fourth dayDerbyshire v Nottinghamshire – no play possibleEssex were saved by the rain on the final day against Worcestershire at New Road. Worcestershire, seeking promotion, took three Essex wickets on a stop-start day to leave them wobbling on 116 for 4 before the rains fell to frustrate the home side, the match petering into a draw.
Scotland have named a 15-man squad for their match against Australia at Edinburgh on August 18.The one-day friendly international will be the first Scottish cricket match outside the World Cup to be televised live throughout. It will be shown on BBC 2 Scotland from 11am, with an hour of highlights in the evening, both on BBC 2 and on Sky Sports.The selectors have included all available players from the squad which won the ICC Trophy last month. However, none of the four English County players involved in Ireland is available. The two overseas professionals contracted for 2005 season are also included.”This game is officially classed as a friendly,” said Andy Moles, Scotland’s coach. “But you can be sure the Australians will be playing it seriously – particularly those players who have yet to be selected for their Test side. With the match being televised, it is important that Scotland fields its fittest and strongest available team, and we will be reviewing all options right up to the day of the match itself.”All 4500 tickets for the game were sold more than two months ago.Scotland squad Craig Wright (capt), Yasir Arafat, Jonathan Beukes, Cedric English, Gordon Goudie, Paul Hoffmann, Douglas Lockhart, Gregor Maiden, Dewald Nel, Colin Smith, Ian Stanger, Ryan Watson, Fraser Watts, Sean Weeraratna, Greig Williamson.
South Zone bundled out North Zone for 105 and stomped to a nine-wicket victory at Vishakapatnam, clinching the Chandra Tripathy inter-zonal junior women’s cricket tournament. Thatscricket.com, a sports website, reported that both teams entered the match with equal points, and according to the rules, the winner of the match would win the tournament.North Zone began well enough, putting on 51 for the first wicket, before a devastating collapse triggered by Savitha Nirala and Kritika, both of who took 3 for 13. The only resistance North provided came from Anureeth Kaur, who scored 46.South Zone had little trouble overhauling the total. Rashmi Shivshankar was an early casualty, but with 207 runs in her last three innings, she had done enough to establish South’s stronghold on the tournament. Karuna Jain and Sindhu Ashok then scored 42 and 38, and took the team to 107 in 25.5 overs, with nine wickets to spare.After the match, there was more to celebrate for South Zone as Shivshankar won the the best batswoman award, Kritika the best bowler and to top it all, Jain was awarded the Eve of the tournament prize. There was consolation for North Zone, though. Kaur won the best allrounder award.
| Ground staff lay down new turf at Eden Park |
The sports ground that saw Walter Hammond score a world-record 336 not out for England against New Zealand, which was the ground on which Shane Warne took his Australian record 356th Test victim, which saw New Zealand’s first Test victory in 1956 and which saw some of the most remarkable one-day cricket during the 1992 World Cup, is no more.Eden Park’s turf has gone forever, along with its worn-out pitch, several generations of drainage pipes and vast amounts of sand and dirt, following 21 days of excavation work once the sixth New Zealand-India One-Day International was played last month.The ground, also something of a temple of rugby and on which on one famous occasion in 1975, a rugby international was played between the All Blacks and Scotland with 80% of the ground resembling a lake, has had world-class stabilised natural turf rolled out today as part of the reconstruction job on the main oval.The roll-out, as part of the whole project which is worth $4million, is expected to take six days.The chief executive of the Eden Park Trust Board which administers the ground, John Alexander said: “Eden Park is an icon in world sports, yet we began last season with a playing surface that was well and truly past its use-by date.”But come March 28 when the Blues take on the Brumbies, [in Super 12 rugby] Eden Park will have a natural turf playing surface that’s as good as anything in the world of sports. This stabilised turf, subsurface and high-tech irrigation system can take whatever Auckland’s weather and various sporting codes throw at it. Players and fans will love it.”The roll-out turf, is known as Motz Stabilised Turf and was grown on a farm south of Auckland. Recently it was cut into 1m x 30m strips, weighing one ton, in readiness for its transfer to Eden Park.Before its use in the Super 12 match, the ground will be fertilised, watered and mown.Other grounds to have used the same turf system include the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the ‘Gabba in Brisbane, Canberra’s Bruce Stadium and the Sydney Olympic Stadium.The concept had its origins in the United States were multi-purpose stadia hosted a variety of events.The managing director of H G Turf Pty Ltd, of Australia, Hamish Sutherland said: “The turf features a two-inch thick layer of natural grass that comprises a matrix of synthetic tufts, sand and a strong plastic backing.”It is incredibly tough and resilient and can easily be rolled up and reconfigured to meet the requirements of different codes. The turf can be rotated throughout Eden Park’s No 1 field to ensure it gets adequate sun, or it can be removed to the practice field or a turf farm for ‘rest and rejuvenation’. The turf system is tough, flexible and really well suited for Eden Park.”The chairman of the board of control for Eden Park, Malcolm Dick said: “This was a critical step forward for Eden Park and means we’re ready for another century of sporting excellence.”Whether we’re hosting the All Blacks, Super 12, NPC, one-day cricket or Test cricket, this natural playing surface will be superb. It’s proven itself overseas, and it’s well suited for Eden Park.”The new natural turf system will allow Eden Park to host more rugby and cricket matches, both professional and amateur. Eden Park also hopes to bring back school sports, giving tomorrow’s stars a taste of future glory. School matches were halted several years ago to reduce wear and tear on the deteriorating No 1 field.”