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Freed up to speak about the Ashes after doing their best to concentrate on a lopsided series against the West Indies, Darren Lehmann and Michael Clarke have offered a simple message to a newly aggressive and creative England team: bring it on

Daniel Brettig15-Jun-2015Freed up to speak about the Ashes after doing their best to concentrate on a lopsided series against the West Indies, Darren Lehmann and Michael Clarke have offered a simple message to a newly aggressive and creative England team: bring it on.Two years ago Lehmann was was particularly outspoken in criticising the stodgy ways of Andy Flower and Alastair Cook, referring to England’s style as “dour” and “not how I’d like us to play”. Those strident words encouraged Australia’s players to reclaim the assertive, Australian way, but now that the New South Welshman Trevor Bayliss is set to take over as coach, Lehmann and Clarke expect fireworks.”They’ll probably play a bit like we play I think,” Lehmann said following a 2-0 demolition of the West Indies. “That’s what they’re trying to do, so it’s going to be on for young and old. It’s going to be entertaining for everyone and it’s going to be an exciting series. They’re going to be tough over there as we know and if they’re going to play that way it’s going to be the team that handles that pressure the best.”From our point of view this is a great lead-in to that tour and now it’s about getting prepared for the Ashes. They’ve got some things they’re trying to work on and Trevor Bayliss will have them getting the way they want to play and he has got to do that pretty quickly.”Clarke said that while England’s tactical approach may become more flair-minded, he would remain sturdy in his expectations of a team that would fight to the last in the Tests and stretch the patience of Australia’s players, whether with the bat or in the field. It felt an optimistic prediction.”How they play will not be a surprise to me,” Clarke said. “I’m expecting them to be extremely tough to beat, they’ve got a very good bowling attack, they’ve got some experience with their batting and some batters in form. They might come hard at us. Whatever they throw up we’ll be prepared.”We’ve got some really good time now to make sure we’re 100% prepared before we walk out onto that field in that first Test match. That’ll be our number one focus, over the last couple of years preparation has been the most important part of our game, and this’ll be no different. We’ll be really excited by the time that first Test comes around.”Credit to the boys, I was really honest with the boys and made it very clear I didn’t want it spoken about at all throughout this series and I’m extremely thankful and proud that none of the guys have spoken about it. I’d be lying to say it hasn’t been in the back of everyone’s mind, but the fact we’ve been really disciplined on playing really good cricket in these conditions against this West Indies team is a really good achievement from the boys, but we’re all excited about what lies ahead.”Lehmann’s observations on the West Indies series included a most pointed critique of David Warner, who placed himself outside the team bubble with a pre-match admission he was working to change his persona both around the team and on the field. Save for a half-century in the second innings at Sabina Park, Lehmann had little positive to say.”I think he’s struggled this tour,” Lehmann said. “He batted well in the second innings here. It would be nice for him to get some big runs. At the end of the day, he’s about making runs, and that’s what we need from him.”

South Africa began the first Test looking every inch the world’s best team. They ended it cornered, scrapping unattractively to secure a draw

The Report by Daniel Brettig13-Nov-2012South Africa 450 (Amla 104, Kallis 147, Pattinson 3-93) and 5 for 166 (Kallis 49, Lyon 2-41, Pattinson 2-58) drew with Australia 5 for 565 declared (Clarke 259*, Cowan 136, Hussey 100, Morkel 3-127)
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsJames Pattinson defeated Alviro Petersen early, and his aggression was a notable feature of the final day•Getty Images

South Africa began the first Test looking every inch the world’s best team. They ended it cornered, scrapping unattractively to secure a draw, having weathered a sustained and significant resurgence by Australia over the final two days.The loss of Saturday’s play due to persistent rain deprived the match of enough time for a result given the benign nature of curator Kevin Mitchell’s pitch, but Michael Clarke’s team will depart Brisbane with the kind of spring in their step that England took from the Gabba after a similar recovery at the outset of the 2010-11 Ashes. Such confidence will be derived as much from how James Pattinson and Peter Siddle discomforted South Africa’s batsmen on the final afternoon as from the way Clarke, Ed Cowan and Michael Hussey dominated the visiting bowlers.On a tense afternoon characterised by a series of frenzied Australian appeals and grim South African occupation, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis all flirted frequently with danger while the hosts dictated terms. Pattinson and Siddle frequently pushed the line of acceptable aggression with their words and appeals, but did no more than Clarke had predicted before the match.A lone exception to the prolonged passage of Australian aggression and South African diffidence was a two-over period before tea in which the spinner Nathan Lyon was clumped for 26, but even he recovered in the final session with a neat spell that returned the wickets of Kallis and Jacques Rudolph.Clarke had declared with a lead of 115 after he reached the highest individual score in Tests at the Gabba. His unbeaten 259 featured some rollicking shots on resumption, lofting drives down the ground and heaving over midwicket with plenty of force. Hussey’s advance to a hundred was a little more fraught, and on 99 he escaped being lbw on South Africa’s referral via the thinnest of edges picked up on Hot-Spot.The pitch was starting to show the very first signs of deterioration, Morne Morkel extracting some variable bounce to strike Clarke in the ribs and on the back, while Vernon Philander gained some disconcerting seam movement. After Hussey lifted Morkel to cover – the first wicket to a bowler in 120 overs – Matthew Wade took his time getting in, and was beaten several times. However once he had his sighter, Wade unleashed a trio of rasping offside strokes, the first a drive that might have decapitated Rory Kleinveldt, and hurried Clarke towards his declaration.South Africa’s response to the scenario confronting them was uncertain. Pattinson found his rhythm and some early swing, and it was the combination of speed and movement that drew Petersen into an ambitious drive that resulted in a thin edge through to Wade. Smith battled through the session, snicking Siddle just short of the slips, and Amla was grateful for the third wicket off a no-ball in the match when he dragged Pattinson onto the stumps but was reprieved by Asad Rauf’s referral.The afternoon began with a tense and occasionally ill-tempered duel between Pattinson and Smith. Pattinson was irritated when Amla survived a caught behind appeal that was proven faulty by a decision review, and was further annoyed by Smith pulling away from one delivery as a bird flew across his eye-line. There was plenty of chatter over the next two overs before the bowler had the final say by coaxing a sliced drive that was well held by Rob Quiney at gully.At the other end Australia lost their second and final review when Ben Hilfenhaus thought he had Kallis caught behind from an inside edge, but replays showed a large gap between bat and pad. The loss of the two referrals seemed costly when the hosts went up in unison for a caught behind appeal by Siddle against Amla, but again the video evidence of an edge was lacking.Kallis survived another appeal from Siddle when avoiding a short ball that passed desperately close to his gloves, and Lyon’s entry to the attack brought a brief flurry as both Kallis and Amla lofted down the ground with skill. Amla would lose his wicket shortly before tea when he pushed Siddle to Hussey at short cover, but it seemed at the interval that the South Africans had done enough to stave off the prospect of defeat.AB de Villiers and Kallis held out for another hour but made very few runs. Lyon returned to bowl with the batsmen in their shells, and was rewarded when he drifted the ball across Kallis, finding the edge and allowing Clarke clasp a neat one-hander at slip. Next over Rudolph eluded a raucous lbw appeal because Siddle’s delivery had pitched outside leg stump, and Australia’s frustration showed they felt they were still a chance.Ultimately Rudolph survived until just before the final hour was due to commence, at which time he was lbw to a Lyon back-spinner that pinned him on the back pad. This wicket encouraged Clarke to push the match into its last 60 minutes. The fact he was able to do so was a considerable moral victory for Australia, just as the final two days had been.

Nathan Coulter-Nile has been squeezed out of the Western Australia XI for the Sheffield Shield opener because Mitchell Johnson cannot be relied upon to bowl in an economical fashion

Daniel Brettig11-Oct-2011One of the more promising young fast bowlers in Australia, Nathan Coulter-Nile, has been squeezed out of the Western Australia XI for the opening round of the Sheffield Shield because Mitchell Johnson cannot be relied upon to bowl in an economical fashion.Coulter-Nile, widely expected to push for higher honours in coming seasons, has been handed drinks duties for Western Australia in the match against Tasmania at the WACA ground, as Cricket Australia encourages its international players to take part in as much state cricket as possible.He was not chosen primarily because Johnson, playing at home for his state for the first time since moving from Queensland three years ago, is considered an attacking bowler too likely to concede runs in the search for wickets, despite his international pedigree and considerable experience.This is understood to have ruled a line through Coulter-Nile’s name because his own bowling is also geared towards aggression, and WA team management considered the risk of leaking runs was too great. Another factor was the absence of the young allrounder Mitchell Marsh on Australia duty, meaning the Warriors picked only four bowlers in the team to face the Tigers.Michael Hogan, Matt Dixon and the left-arm spinner Michael Beer were considered better options to support Johnson at the WACA ground, in an episode that recalled numerous selection dilemmas in the Australian team over the past four years.The inconsistencies of Johnson’s bowling have influenced Australia’s team balance for quite some time, forcing the selection of steadier pace bowlers around him and also piling pressure on a succession of spinners to be parsimonious in their methods despite lacking international experience.Johnson was available for the fixture because he has been dropped from the Australian Twenty20 team, having conceded too many runs during his most recent T20 appearances in Sri Lanka. He will depart for the ODI leg of the South Africa tour at the conclusion of the Shield match.At the age of 24, Coulter-Nile has played seven first-class matches for his state, claiming 32 wickets at 23.71 and also showing potential with the bat.He has been described by Mickey Arthur, the WA coach, as “the one player in this group who will definitely go on and play higher”, and bears more than a passing resemblance in method and physique to Ryan Harris, Australia’s outstanding bowler on the recently completed tour of Sri Lanka.

After being frightened by a duck and overlooked for Australia’s one-day side, Andrew McDonald took out his frustration on Western Australia with a brutal 163

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Oct-2010

ScorecardAndrew McDonald was brutal as he muscled his way to 163 off 116 balls•PA Photos

After being frightened by a duck and overlooked for Australia’s one-day side, Andrew McDonald took out his frustration on Western Australia with a brutal 163 off 116 balls that drove Victoria to 529. Darren Pattinson made sure the locals struggled in their reply, taking all four wickets as the hosts reached 108, but the day belonged to McDonald.McDonald and Aaron Finch, who put on 219 at 6.5 an over, also had an eventful time before the match started. They were walking in the morning when they went too close to some ducklings and upset the drake. “He got on top of my backpack and started chipping away at my head,” McDonald said after his century. “It was a savage attack, so lucky to survive. I never knew they could be so feisty.”The Western Australians were soon experiencing a similarly frenzied attack as McDonald, who was 9 overnight, blasted 21 fours and seven sixes in an innings that lasted a touch over two hours. On Sunday John Hastings, the Victorian allrounder, was called up to the one-day team, a spot held by McDonald in India last year.McDonald still has a Cricket Australia contract and the decision makers will be impressed when they learn he jumped from 50 to 150 in 49 deliveries. Finch was also in good form on the way to 84 before Ryan Duffield picked up both batsmen.Duffield finished with 3 for 92 on debut while Michael Beer, the other first-gamer, gained 3 for 109 as the Victorian tail went quickly. Pattinson removed Liam Davis early and then returned late in the day to knock over Michael Swart (21), Adam Voges (0) and Wes Robinson (38). His 4 for 18 came off 12 overs, while Peter Siddle gave up 45 runs in 8.2 overs on his first-class comeback.

Chris Hartley held on for Queensland, who were hit by a surging New South Wales, as they finished the second day 182 behind at 6 for 269

Cricinfo staff12-Dec-2009Queensland 6 for 269 (Hartley 107*, Simpson 54*, Starc 3-44) trail New South Wales 5 for 451 dec (Khawaja 132*, Smith 102*, Simpson 3-98) by 182 runs
ScorecardUsman Khawaja led the Blues with 132 as they controlled most of the proceedings at the Gabba•Getty Images

The wicketkeeper Chris Hartley held on for Queensland, who were hit by a surging New South Wales, as they finished the second day 182 behind at 6 for 269. Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja scored centuries in New South Wales’ 5 for 451 declared and the hosts were in deep trouble in their reply before Hartley posted his fourth first-class century.The Bulls flopped to 4 for 42 as Mitchell Starc ran through them with three wickets before Hartley’s recovery. Hartley started with a 70-run stand with James Hopes and he also got help from the captain Chris Simpson to improve the local mood at the Gabba. At stumps Hartley was 107, having hit 15 fours and stayed for 164 deliveries, while Simpson was 54.Smith caught the openers Greg Moller (14) and Wade Townsend (10) off Starc, who then caught-and-bowled Nathan Reardon. Josh Hazlewood chipped in to have Craig Philipson taken by the keeper and it was left to Lee Carseldine (46) to steady the hosts until he was also taken by Smith, this time off the bowling of Moises Henriques.Khawaja, who passed 1000 career runs in his 15th game, moved to his century in the morning and was unbeaten on 132, but his fine effort was overshadowed by Smith’s 102. Smith resumed on 4, with his side at 5 for 299, and reached his century well before the lunch break as the Blues declared.He blasted 16 fours and a six during his 102-ball display and he put on 160 with Khawaja in a partnership that drained the hosts. It wasn’t Smith’s day throughout, with his first three overs of legspin going for 34 on the way to 0 for 67 off 11.

Florian Lejeune made his return from a serious knee injury for Newcastle United’s Under-23 outfit on Monday night.

Indeed, the central defender played the first 45 minutes of their Premier League 2 clash with Middlesbrough Under-23s before leaving the field.

Lejeune suffered the injury to his left knee against Crystal Palace in April, having only just recovered from the same injury to his opposite knee.

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The 28-year-old has had rotten luck when it comes to injuries over the last 18 months, but the fact that he came through the first 45 minutes of Monday’s U23 affair is huge news for Steve Bruce’s side at this stage of the 2019/20 season.

There is currently no indication when the defender might be available for Bruce, who will surely be keeping a close eye on developments.

Find out what happened when a world-record-holding freestyler attempting skills with the worst pair of boots available on eBay in the video below…

However, as expected, a number of Newcastle fans took to social media on Monday night to reveal their delight – a selection of which can be seen below:

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Birmingham Live reporter Ashley Preece has given his review on Jonathan Kodjia after the 30-year-old made a comeback from injury for Aston Villa’s U23 squad on Monday evening.

What’s he said?

Kodjia has been out of action since a freak training ground incident involving summer arrival Marvelous Nakamba as the pair clashed heads, resulting in the Ivory Coast international fracturing his cheekbone.

For several weeks now, manager Dean Smith has only had two fit options in the striking department with club-record signing Wesley being preferred over the youthful Keinan Davis – he’s rather lucky that neither has picked up an injury of their own.

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The U23s defeated Fulham 1-0 in the Premier League 2 tie, but it was Kodjia’s replacement, Indiana Vassilev, that scored the winning goal after glancing a header home just minutes after coming on.

Preece graded those that featured and provided his thoughts on their performances with Kodjia coming in for the lowest rating, he said:

“Huffed and puffed as Villa’s lone striker. Was in his fitted mask after breaking his cheekbone a couple of weeks ago during training.

“Needs to work on his match sharpness, had a few loose touches of the football and will need to be more immaculate.

“Looked sluggish in front of watching Dean Smith and replaced on 79 minutes before heading straight down the tunnel.

“It wasn’t good, in truth. 5.”

Telling signs

Much of the talk during the 30-year-old’s absence has been about his future at the club.

At one stage he was subject to a bid from Qatar, but Smith rejected it due to the lack of options available at his disposal while other reports suggest that he will be let go in January so they can gain some sort of fee for him.

It certainly coincides with the apparent £20m war chest made available to sign a striker in the next transfer window too.

Based on this performance, Kodjia is going to struggle to make his mark in the side especially as Wesley has started to find his feet with four goals in seven matches, per WhoScored.

It feels like the £6.3m-rated forward is only still at the club in case an injury crisis strikes down in the west Midlands.

Some supporters clearly aren’t best pleased with his latest showing either…

Some Southampton fans have taken to Twitter to react after Cedric Soares posted an update regarding his absence in the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham.

The 33-cap Portugal international pulled out of the game against Spurs for unknown reasons; The Daily Echo revealed that manager Ralph Hasenhuttl didn’t even know why his full-back pulled out of the encounter.

The Athletic’s Southampton correspondent Carl Anka wrote: “It sounds as if Cedric got off the team bus and turned to his manager and said he can’t play.”

Anka also wrote of Hasenhuttl’s unhappiness with the full-back’s decision to withdraw himself from the action.

Now, it seems as if the 28-year-old has cleared up what the issue was after posting a tweet showing his leg to be in a recovery tube, while also throwing a thumbs up to the camera.

Cedric’s absence proved costly as the Saints ended up losing 2-1 to 10-man Tottenham.

One supporter wished the Saints No.2 a speedy recovery, while another said that it was “really odd” how Hasenhuttl didn’t know about the injury.

Let’s take a look at some more of the reaction to Cedric’s update from Southampton fans on Twitter…

أكد أحمد أبو عبلة، رئيس الجهاز الطبي للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي جاهزية وليد سليمان، صانع ألعاب المارد الأحمر، من الناحية الطبية للمرحلة المقبلة، بعد تعافيه من الإصابة التي تعرض لها، وانتظامه في التدريبات الجماعية.

الأهلي يستعد لمواجهة المريخ في المباراة التي تقام ضمن الجولة الخامسة من دور المجموعات بدوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وقال أبو عبلة في تصريحات للموقع الرسمي إن وليد سليمان جاهز من الناحية الطبية وتحت تصرف الجهاز الفني، قبل رحلة الفريق المقبلة إلى السودان لمواجهة المريخ، ضمن منافسات البطولة القارية.

طالع | الأهلي يجري مسحة كورونا قبل مران اليوم

وشارك وليد سليمان في التدريبات الجماعية سواء في الجزء البدني أو تدريبات الكرة قبل سفر الفريق إلى الكونغو، وأصبح اللاعب جاهزًا من الناحية الطبية للوجود مع الفريق خلال المرحلة المقبلة.

يذكر، أن وليد سليمان تعرض للإصابة خلال مباراة الأهلي والبنك الأهلي في الدوري خلال شهر يناير الماضي.

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Liverpool have announced their squad for the Champions League group stages and the omission of Ki-Jana Hoever has puzzled some of the club’s fans.

Young players Harvey Elliott and Sepp van den Berg have been included in ‘List A’, which consists of 22 players who have not come through the club’s academy, whilst Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rhian Brewster are among the players in ‘List B’ – made up of homegrown players.

As a result, there is no space for the young defender, but several supporters of the Merseyside outfit believe Jurgen Klopp has made a mistake.

Hoever made his professional debut at the age of 16 in an FA Cup clash against Wolves, a game in which he gained a lot of plaudits. He is highly-rated by the staff at Liverpool and therefore fans believe it is a shame he has been overlooked in favour of newcomer van den Berg.

The Dutchman’s exclusion from the squad could mean that his young compatriot has overtaken him in the pecking order, and having seen Hoever feature for the first-team some fans are questioning why he has not been picked.

Here are the reactions from some confused Liverpool fans on Twitter.

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