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Wolverhampton Wanderers have been backed to plot a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney in this summer’s transfer window…

What’s the word?

That is according to Journalist Pete O’Rourke who spoke to GIVEMESPORT: “Wolves are very much in the market for a new striker this summer. It’s a key position for Bruno Lage, and if he wants to sign someone like Toney – he’s ready-made for the Premier League.”

O’Rourke added: “He knows what it’s all about, it wouldn’t be a gamble for him. And I think Ivan Toney’s really proved himself to be a good enough player to play in the Premier League, when a lot of people maybe doubted that when he was signed by Brentford in the first place from Peterborough.”

Previous reports suggest he could cost around £30m.

Jimenez upgrade

Toney has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water. The 26-year-old’s four assists are evidence of this, with his threat up-top proving crucial in Brentford’s ambitions of staying up.

With his 12 goals from 30 matches, he has doubled Raul Jimenez’s tally, with the Mexico international playing the same amount of games.

Though it’s Toney’s clinical nature that would make him a real asset to Wolves, with the Englishman missing just five big chances this season compared to Jimenez’s eight.

This is a stat that looks worse when you bear in mind both Brentford’s and Wolves’ number of big chances created, with the Old Gold creating just 35 big chances this season – meaning that Jimenez’s eight misses weighed more on the team than Toney’s five missed chances for Brentford.

Although there is the caveat that Toney has spent the majority of his career in the lower leagues, the 26-year-old has accumulated 124 in 394 games.

The Englishman who has “the mindset of a lion” according to Thomas Frank would be a huge upgrade on Jimenez in a creative sense too, with his match average of 2.52 progressive passes bettering the Mexican’s average of 1.61.

With Wolves struggling to score this season, Toney could prove to be a big upgrade on Jimenez.

In other news: Wolves want to sign £2.7m-rated “immense” gem, he’s better than Boly…

He was West Indies’ best bowler in the second T20I against India, but the best ball he bowled wasn’t a wicket-taking one

Deivarayan Muthu09-Dec-20191:42

CPL put me on the map – Hayden Walsh

In March 2012, Hayden Walsh Jr. made his first-class debut for Windward Islands. The opportunities were few and far between there, and he also had to juggle cricket with his day job as a physical education teacher at an Antigua school. Walsh Jr. then switched allegiances to USA in 2018 and after a bumper CPL 2019, which he won with Barbados Tridents, he has broken into West Indies limited-overs sides.After doing fairly well while bowling defensively in the T20I series opener against India in Hyderabad, the 27-year-old legspinner assumed a more attacking role in the second match in Thiruvananthapuram, and showcased his variations – probably to IPL talent scouts as well.ALSO READ: Walsh Jr.’s moment of truth at 36,000 feetWalsh Jr. picked up the wickets of the big-hitting Shivam Dube and Shreyas Iyer, but his best ball of the night was one that didn’t fetch a wicket. It was one that left India captain Virat Kohli overbalanced. In the 13th over, Walsh Jr. drifted a perfectly-pitched ball in towards off stump, tricked Kohli into playing for the in-drift, but then found enough turn to nearly scratch the outside edge.In Hyderabad, too, Walsh Jr. came within touching distance of claiming Kohli’s wicket. He unleashed a slider and rushed Kohli for pace, but the batsman just about avoided dragging the ball back onto the stumps.In Thiruvananthapuram, Walsh Jr. was brought into the attack when India were 93 for 2 in ten overs, with Dube accounting for 50 of those runs in a mere 27 balls. Walsh Jr. immediately dangled a wrong ‘un that broke further away from Dube’s reach. He dared the batsman to hit against the turn and clear the long leg-side boundary. Dube didn’t hold himself back, but could only drag the ball to long-on, where Kieron Pollard lost the ball in the lights.The next ball was a wrong ‘un again, but this skidded under the swing of Dube. Walsh Jr.’s third ball was a wrong ‘un again, and Dube took the bait again, splicing a catch to extra-cover. The plans to Rishabh Pant and Iyer as well were simple: just take the ball away from their swinging arcs.Hayden Walsh completes his action•BCCI”No, no [I wasn’t intimidated bowling to Dube]. I practice a lot bowling to left-handers,” Walsh Jr. said at the post-match press conference on Sunday. “When we were in Mumbai [before the start of the series for a camp], I practiced bowling to Evin [Lewis] and Nicholas [Pooran]. I just bowled googlies that I bowled to Dube. So, I was pretty confident coming to bowl at him.”While Pant did read two of Walsh Jr’s wrong ‘uns and cracked them with the turn over extra-cover for boundaries, Iyer spooned a tossed-up legbreak to point while aiming to slog against the turn. Walsh Jr. came away with 2 for 28 in his four overs, helping West Indies pin down India to 170 for 7.”It’s been like a rollercoaster for me,” Walsh Jr. said. “As you can see, I’ve been working hard on my way to the top of international cricket. And just to be here to perform in a game is… I’m over the moon.”It was the CPL stint that propelled him back into West Indies’ radar. After Sandeep Lamichanne left Tridents and returned to the Nepal side for international duty, Walsh Jr. dashed out of the bench and scooped up 22 wickets in nine games at an average of 12.68 and an economy of 8.28, despite playing just nine games. He was also electric in the field, particularly at backward point, and it was his rocket throw that ran Pollard out in the second qualifier and denied Trinbago Knight Riders another tilt at a CPL trophy.Then, after making his international debut for West Indies against Afghanistan in India, Walsh Jr. jetted to the UAE to play in the T10 league. Having shown sparks of brilliance in his short international career, Walsh Jr. is among the 971 names to have registered for the IPL 2020 auction. He, however, downplayed his aspirations of making the IPL and said that his immediate focus was to extend his form and help West Indies win the decider in Mumbai.”Well, yeah [the auction is at the back of the mind]. But the main thing is to win this series,” he said. “The whole goal and everything for me right now is just winning this series and to help the team do their best.”Walsh Jr. also conceded that people often mistakenly think he is related to the great Courtney Walsh and joked that during his Global T20 Canada outing with Vancouver Knights earlier this year, some even referred to him as Courtney Walsh.The ultra-short boundaries at the Wankhede Stadium can spook bowlers, but if Walsh Jr. spins West Indies to a series-clinching victory, he can carve out his own identity.

South Africa pull one back finally, and our correspondent is there to watch – while practising a bit of yoga on the side

Firdose Moonda19-Jul-2017July 2

What should be a straightforward short commute from London to Leicester turns into a three-hour trip via Bedford because they are working on the train lines and there is a replacement bus to take us most of the journey. It means I arrive late in Leicester. So late that I miss seeing South Africa bowl West Indies out for 48 and arrive in time to watch them knock off the runs inside seven overs. It’s not really a day to talk to a batsman but I take the chance to interview Laura Wolvaardt, the young opener in her final year of school, who is deciding between a career in cricket and a medical degree. That she even has that choice is a victory for the women’s game.July 3

Back to the men in London, where Russell Domingo has returned to the team camp and confirms he has reapplied for the coach job. The team are in good spirits and many of them have their families with them. Faf du Plessis is at home with his and news comes through that mother and baby are doing well. After interviews, I walk through (you guessed it) Hyde Park, where Morne Morkel, his wife Roz and son Ari are enjoying an evening picnic. Ari has a bat and ball with him and is keen to face some fast bowling, but because his dad is managing his workload, I take the ball. After a loosener, I find my length and with my second delivery, I beat the bat to dismiss an international cricketer’s son. He has not yet turned two, but I’m claiming it.July 4

The trip just keeps getting better for me because today I get a raise. In the form of a plastic step. After almost a decade working in cricket, I will finally be tall enough to see eye to eye with my interviewees, and taller than some of my colleagues.I take a walking tour of London in the evening, exploring the history of European immigration in Soho. The French were particularly prevalent in the area and Charles de Gaulle formed the Free French Front at a pub on Dean Street. They were also waves of Dutch, Hungarian and German residents – including Karl Marx.Is that fair play in a height contest?•Firdose Moonda/ESPNcricinfoJuly 5

Dean Elgar becomes the 12th South African since readmission to deliver a captain’s pre-match press conference and he is awfully nervous about the whole thing. Far from the bullish opener we have come to know over the last five or so years, Elgar is softer-spoken today. His father, one of his high-school teachers, and his best friend will all be in attendance at the match: all of them had promised him they would make a special effort to get to Lord’s if he ever played a Test there, so this is as big an occasion for them as it is for him. He doesn’t reveal too much else, except that he probably won’t bowl himself.July 6

And at first it seems he may not need to. South Africa enjoy a good morning session even though they drop two catches. Elgar seems to have things under control – until Joe Root takes it away from him. I have the chance to chat to Vince van der Bijl about a charity project he has involved the MCC in, in Masiphumelele, a township outside Cape Town. Van der Bijl is passionate about doing good and contributing to making a meaningful change to South Africa, especially as a member of the privileged class.July 7

England get far ahead of South Africa. Temba Bavuma and Theunis de Bruyn are given a chance to bowl, neither with any success. And then the new opening pair also fail. South Africa knew it would be tough, but this tough… perhaps not.July 8

The final Test in the series between the All Blacks and the British and Irish Lions, who are locked at one-all, is being played this morning. I saw pubs packed early in the morning for the previous two, and I decide to try and get to one for the third match. The one I try, closest to my guesthouse and the tube station, is so full, I can’t even squeeze in, so I go to Lord’s instead. I join a throng of people huddled around a small screen in one of the shops. We see a Lions penalty that makes it 15-all and that’s the way it stays. “What happens now?” one bewildered fan asks. “Does it just stay a draw?” I tell him it does. “What an anti-climax.” I agree. See, it’s not just cricket where things happen for days only for there not to be a winner.Soho: a magnet for European immigration over the decades•Firdose Moonda/ESPNcricinfoJuly 9

At Lord’s, there will definitely be a winner. England make a mess of South Africa as returning captain du Plessis looks on. He joins Elgar for the post-match press conference and Elgar jokingly returns an imaginary armband to him.In more sombre news, Domingo has had to leave the tour again. His mother, who had recovered from a car accident she was in two weeks ago, enough to be discharged from hospital before the first Test, has suffered a setback, been put on life support, and passes away later that night. Suddenly the South African camp really is about life and death. Just a week ago, du Plessis welcomed a daughter into the world; now Domingo will bury his mother.July 10

What should have been the fifth day is now a day spent analysing the defeat. I decide to do my work at the Monocle Café in Chiltern Street, a creative hub I really enjoy. Back home, I am an avid listener to Monocle Radio and in this café, they even play it in the toilet. In the evening, there’s time for a stroll through Marylebone, which is a good way to say goodbye to London for now.July 11

Nottingham is a new stop for me and I am excited to head there. was the first play I performed in when I was at school. I was in second grade and I don’t remember my character, but I’m fairly sure it wasn’t Maid Marian. I’ve been told this is a city of students but also a good way to experience some old England, and my first look around does not disappoint. Cobbled streets and gorgeous churches greet me. So does the rain.Soaking in some of old England in Nottingham•Firdose Moonda/ESPNcricinfoJuly 12

Gunn & Moore have invited Quinton de Kock, Vernon Philander, Duanne Olivier, Aiden Markram and some media to their factory to see how bats are made. It’s a fascinating and intricate process that involves pressing the blade and shaping it to individual preferences. Some of the staff at the factory have worked there for decades – one, Kevin Stimpson, for 43 years – and are well versed in what several international players want. Olivier meanders along somewhat aimlessly and admits he doesn’t have all that much use for bats, while Markram muses about when he might go home. I suspect it will be fairly soon, but it will also not be long before he plays Test cricket.July 13

“I wouldn’t say I was the best manager in the world but I was in the top one,” Brain Clough, the former Nottingham Forest coach once said. His was a story of triumph over adversity, much like South Africa’s will have to be if they are to square the series. A statue of Clough looms over the city’s main square, about a mile from the Trent River.July 14

On a cloudy morning, at a venue where England bowled Australia out for 60 in a Test, du Plessis chooses to bat first. At best, it seems brave. South Africa were skittled for 119 the last time they faced this attack, remember? But moving de Kock to No. 4 works a charm and South Africa are much more convincing. I sense the makings of an epic comeback.July 15

Qamar Ahmed, who will turn 80 later this year and is covering his 427th Test, has invited a bunch of us to Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, which claims to be the oldest inn in England. It opened its doors in 1178. Qamar assures us he was not there on opening night, but regales us with tales of India in the 1940s, London in the 1970s, and everything in between. I’ve seen a lot of Qamar on the road and I always enjoy spending time with him. He promises to take me to Curry Mile in Manchester and I’m going to hold him to it.Brian Clough – an inspiration for the touring South Africans?•Firdose Moonda/ESPNcricinfoJuly 16

I have picked up a second yoga student. The ‘s Jonathan Liew joins my morning class before play, which has now evolved into a full 45-minute session. I put the boys through sun salutations, lunges, and some basic back bends. I try to keep it slow and gentle, much like South Africa’s batting. Hashim Amla and Elgar tick over and South Africa build a big lead, big enough to stick England in just before the close.July 17

A third yogi joins the group. This time, it’s Nick Hoult. Like me, he is a runner, so we have a lot of the same aches and pains – but not as many as England. Far from putting up the fight South Africa are expecting, England collapse. South Africa dedicate the win to Domingo, who should be back in a week’s time, ahead of the third Test. The squad will have a few days off but I will go to Bristol, where the South African women’s team are playing England in the semi-final. By the time I see the men again, du Plessis hopes he can pick up a few tips on how to win knockout matches from Dane van Niekerk, and there will be a decision on the coaching position. There are some big things happening for South African cricket in the next three weeks.

James Anderson’s status as a great fast bowler may be a matter for endless debate, but there’s no question of the beauty of his very best performances

Jarrod Kimber at Headingley21-May-2016Bowlers fight for everything they get. At first they have to fight the odds that they will make it to the top level. Then they have to fight to get a professional game at all. Then a game for their country. Then they fight the batsmen that is trying to end their spell, their day, their Test, their career. But you get that first wicket if you are lucky, or that 50th. A few even get 100, or 300, or, even for those at the top of the game, their 400th. It doesn’t stop there.It isn’t just the batsmen – it’s the media, injuries, bad coaches, terrible administration, silly selections, unhelpful groundsmen, your team-mates, that next bright young thing. That is all in your way, in your head, trying to stop you from becoming the best you can be. To be what you have always wanted to be.Great.But the best just keep going. They bowl until their body, or minds, can’t bowl anymore. They bowl with injury, with pain, through break-ups, through tragedies, through poor form, through personal issues, on roads and highways, against ever-increasing bats and batsmen, in a sport that seems to have been invented just to remind them they are second-class citizens.After all that, the ones who make it, who survive, who thrive, then have to beat the villainy that is our group-fan subjective mind. We can’t just enjoy them, we have to work out how good they are, where they fit. Sure, he is good, and he’s done this for ten years, and bowled more balls and taken more wickets than anyone in his country before him. But is he a great? An all-time great? One of the best of all time?While we do this, he creates something special.Jimmy Anderson has bowled cricket balls that tattoo themselves on your memory. That Anderson curve is something you will always know. It is part of your experience as a cricket fan. You may not like him, you may think he isn’t as good as others, is an over-rated presence in cricket because of his Big Three pedigree, or that his average (currently 28.62, his lowest mark since 2003) just isn’t good enough for you to consider him to be a great. But that curve, you like that. Everyone likes it, unless they are playing against it, or hoping their team can survive it.Can he do it all the time, on all surfaces, against all batsmen, in all countries? No, but when he does it, that doesn’t make it any less amazing. Swing bowling is art, and Jimmy paints.James Anderson was too much for Dasun Shanaka to handle in both innings•Getty ImagesForget the grumpiness, forget the English media pushing him, forget the fact he can never be Dale Steyn (and nor can most other players), and just watch that swing. That ball is making shapes that HR Giger or Zaha Hadid would kill for. His bowling trajectories should be hanging in some modern art museum or spray-painted on walls. At his most dramatic, the ball has a mind, and mood, of its own. At his most skilful he has it on a string and points it in one direction before telling it to go another.It is beautiful.At Headingley, you would expect even more than that. But it’s not how it has gone for him before.Headingley swings. It swings more than a hot brass band playing at a swingers’ party. If you are a swing bowler, it is the place you dream of taking the new ball, the place you get the new ball, and usually the place to destroy with the new ball. Over the last few years, the great, good and ordinary of world cricket have all done well here. People who ended up in jail, people who had lost their nip and people who were practically unknown, have all done well, and far better than Anderson.Worse than that, two years ago it was the pitch that made him cry, when he failed to last the distance with the bat.He hated Headingley. “Hated it”. Not the words of a tabloid hack slamming his keyboard in ambitious glee but the words of the greatest wicket-taker England have ever had, about the swing-bowling paradise that was all but designed in wait for his presence.Finally, after nine years of his hate, it happened. That curve, and the wickets that followed. That ball to Dasun Shanaka, that seemed to follow an exponential swing graph. Others were so hypnotising that the bats seemed naturally drawn to them, despite the fact it would surely end in death. Batsmen missed straight ones while still worrying about the squiggly line ones they had missed moments earlier.The Sri Lankan batsmen became so faceless during this onslaught that the scoreboard started putting up pictures of the wrong players. Their role, which they played to perfection, was to edge the ball, miss the ball, and participate in the Jimmy Anderson hat-trick of wicket maidens.At the end of this game there were no tears, just a small smile.You can, and will, argue about whether he is great or not. You can say he was in his home conditions, against (as Colin Graves might accidentally call them) a “mediocre” batting line-up, but when the ball came out of his hand in this match, it was a tremendous thing to watch.This Test won’t change anyone’s mind as to whether he is an all-time great or not. This Test was just Anderson bowling at somewhere near his best – and whatever your opinion of his status – it was pretty damn good. Not for the first time in his career, and hopefully not for the last.Greatness is subjective. Art is subjective. Ten for 45 is objective, and in this match, it produced great art.

West Indies’ inconsistency with both bat and ball lends India the edge ahead of the teams’ clash in Perth on Friday

Shiva Jayaraman05-Mar-20153 Number of World Cup matches played between the teams after the 1983 World Cup, when they played each other thrice. After their 1996 World Cup clash, West Indies played India in 2011 for the first time in four World Cups. West Indies have a 3-4 win loss record against India in the World Cup with India winning on the last two occasions. The last ten ODIs between the teams have gone 7-3 in India’s favour.4.23 Economy rate of India’s bowlers in this World Cup, the best, and two runs an over better than West Indies’ economy of 6.49. Only Ireland have done worse than West Indies. India’s bolwers have taken 28 wickets at an average of average of 17.75, which is the second best after New Zealand’s 15.90.102 Runs scored by Gayle and Samuels – West Indies’ top run-scorers – together in six innings against teams other than Zimbabwe in this World Cup. Gayle has 43 runs from his three innings with a highest of 36 against Ireland, while Samuels has 59 from his three with a highest of 38 against Pakistan. The two batsmen together scored 348 runs against Zimbabwe in that one game.333 Runs scored by Marlon Samuels in his last five innings against India. Samuels has hit two hundreds in his last three innings against them. His 1140 ODI runs against India are the most he has against any team, and 10 of his 33 fifty-plus scores have come against them.2006 The last time Chris Gayle hit a century against India in ODIs. In 19 innings after that, he has hit 450 runs at an average of 23.68 and has had seven single-digit scores including four ducks. In comparison, Gayle had scored 770 runs in his first 17 ODI innings against India at an average of 45.29 with four centuries and two fifties.

55 ODI wickets taken by Ravi Rampaul and Dwayne Bravo – both of whom haven’t made it to the squad – out of the 230 taken by West Indies bowlers against India in the last 10 years. These two together have accounted for almost 24% of the wickets by West Indies bowlers against India. Rampaul has taken 28 wickets against India at an average of 23.78. He has taken three four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul in just 14 innings against them. From the current West Indies squad, Chris Gayle is the leading wicket-taker against India with 23 wickets at 36.65 runs apiece.

5-36 Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling figures the last time India played West Indies in an ODI at a neutral venue, his only five-wicket haul in ODIs. Overall, Jadeja has taken 27 wickets against West Indies at an average of 26.00 and has an economy of 4.90. Against the current batsmen in the West Indies team, Jadeja averages even better, taking wickets at 20.45 runs apiece. However, Samuels has played him well taking 88 runs off him of 102 deliveries and getting out to him only once. Jadeja is the leading wicket-taker for India from the current team against the West Indies.

116.20Virat Kohli’s batting average against the current West Indies bowlers in ODIs. He has been dismissed five times in 658 deliveries and strikes at a rate of 88.30. Overall, Kohli has 1110 runs against West Indies in ODIs at an average of 58.42, with three hundreds and eight fifties. Kohli’s last 10 innings against them have produced two centuries and four fifties. He is the top run-scorer for India against West Indies.

211.50 Rohit Sharma’s batting average against the bowlers in the current West Indies squad. He has been dismissed only once in 518 balls by them and has scored 423 runs at a strike rate of 81.66. Overall in ODIs, Rohit has scored 823 runs in 19 innings against them with nine fifties.156.00 Mohit Sharma’s bowling average against West Indies. He has taken one wicket in 135 balls against them and has an economy of 6.93. In comparison, his overall career bowling average is 32.46 and he bowls at an economy of 4.76. Mohit Sharma has not taken a wicket in his last 119 deliveries against West Indies and has conceded 141 runs.150.00 Andre Russell’s strike rate against India’s bowlers in the current squad. He has taken 189 runs off the 126 deliveries he has faced off them and has been dismissed five times. Russell has hit 71 off the fast bowlers – Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami – including eight fours and six sixes in just 33 balls. Russell has hit 69 runs at a strike-rate of 237.93 batting at No. 8 so far in this World cup, including a 13-ball unbeaten 42 against Pakistan.

Vote on our shortlist of classic Ashes moments that have taken place in England since 1981

30-Jul-2013To coincide with the 2013 Investec Ashes series, we are asking you to vote on our shortlist of classic Ashes moments that have taken place in England since 1981. You can watch each episode of our series and then vote for your winner.Part 3 – most memorable bowling performanceWe have chosen the following shortlist from the great Ashes contests in England over the past 30 years.Bob Willis (Eng) 8-43, Headingley 1981
Bob Willis went to Ian Botham’s barbecue on the rest day at Headingley in 1981 convinced he would never play for England again. Then he summoned one of Test history’s greatest spells.
Scorecard | Wisden reportCraig McDermott (Aus) 6-70, Lord’s 1985
Craig McDermott rarely looked more impressive in an Australia shirt than when he took six wickets at Lord’s in 1985, a summer in which his 30 Test wickets announced his arrival on the fast-bowling scene.
Scorecard | Wisden reportShane Warne (Aus) 6-48, Old Trafford 1997
Shane Warne began 1997 by storming out of a Madame Tussauds media conference when references were made about his expanding waistline. But he was no waxwork at Old Trafford as this display silenced his critics.
Scorecard | Wisden reportGlenn McGrath (Aus) 8-38, Lord’s 1997
England made only 77 at Lord’s when Glenn McGrath took advantage of ideal bowling conditions at a ground he always loved.
Scorecard | Wisden reportJason Gillespie (Aus) 7-37, Headingley 1997
Gillespie took his Test-best figures at Headingley in 1997 and had such fond memories of the ground that he went back there to coach Yorkshire.
Scorecard | Wisden reportMost memorable bowling displaysBob Willis (Eng) 8-43, Headingley 19810% Craig McDermott (Aus) 6-70, Lord’s 19850% Shane Warne (Aus) 6-48, Old Trafford 19970% Glenn McGrath (Aus) 8-38, Lord’s 19970% Jason Gillespie (Aus) 7-37, Headingley 19970%

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He had to wait more than a decade for his second Test century and it is a moment he says he feared would never come

Firdose Moonda in Harare 05-Aug-2011When Hamilton Masakadza was playing cricket for his primary school, in Highfields, the second-oldest suburb in Harare, his friends gave him a special, but complimentary nickname. They called him “Test cricketer” because of his extraordinary staying power for someone so young.”Growing up I was always patient,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “Tatenda [Taibu] and Vusi [Sibanda] and those guys were the ones being aggressive and I was the one holding up the other end.”It turned out to be an apt description of his character, because Masakadza is one of the most-patient men cricket has seen; the fifth most to be exact, if you take the amount of time between Test centuries as a yardstick. He had to wait 10 years and six days between his first Test century, in 2001, and his second, which he brought up on Friday in Harare, in Zimbabwe’s first Test since returning to Test cricket. That is a length of time surpassed only by India’s Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Merchant, England’s Frank Woolley and Australia’s Warren Bardsley, who waited 13 years and 346 days between his fifth and sixth centuries. All those players had their careers interrupted by the World Wars.Although Masakadza’s wait didn’t involve an event as catastrophic, the political and cricketing turmoil Zimbabwe has been through in the last decade has not made his interval easy. Besides the country’s cricketing woes, he has also had to deal with the expectation that came from registering his first Test hundred – a match-saving knock on debut – at the age of 17, and the disappointment of not being able to push on from that.When the pressures of sport can become overwhelming, Masakadza said strong support kept him grounded and that he felt his early achievement helped build his confidence. “At that age if you don’t do well you will spend a lot of time wondering if you are good enough or not, so I was pleased that I was able to do well for that reason. Even when I didn’t follow it up in the best way, people encouraged me and believed in me.”Those people may have been surprised when, a year after his debut, Masakadza took a break from the game. He went to complete a degree in marketing at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa, where he spent three years. There, he played for the varsity’s club team alongside Ryan McLaren, Cornelius de Villiers and against Rusty Theron.He said the time away from the international game helped him improve. “I learnt a bit more about how to play seam bowling while I was there. I also worked on my off-side game; I think before I was stronger on the leg side but now if you look at my wagon wheels, I play all around the wicket.”When he came back to Zimbabwe, in 2004, he established himself as a regular in the one-day team, but missed out on selection for both the 2007 and 2011 World Cup squads. His career was punctuated with breaks and so he was hardly surprised when it took him eight years to score his first ODI century. “When I eventually scored it, it was one of the highest points in my career,” he said, laughing as he remembered the opposition. “And it was against Bangladesh.”Now, he has brought up his second Test century against the same team, and Masakadza cannot contain his joy at being able to achieve it, especially because there was a time when he thought it would never come. In the middle of Zimbabwe’s self-imposed exile from Test cricket, Masakadza thought he would have to forget his dreams of Test success. “I thought I may have retired by the time we get Test cricket back. That question definitely went through my mind. But now I understand that I am an integral part of the team and I relish being a senior player.”He admits that he had some doubts during the course of this innings in Harare, but they only crept in later on. “I only actually got nervous when I was on 99. [When on 95], I hit the ball through mid-off and I thought it was three and that I would be able to wait at the other end for a while but then I saw it trickled down for four and I knew I was close. Getting past the hundred was the best part of my innings today.”

In a tournament where much depended on which team held their nerve at crucial junctures, Dileep Premchandran picks out the moments to cherish

25-Sep-2007

The Last Scoop: Against a genuine pace bowler, Misbah-ul-Haq’s cute attempt to scoop the ball down to fine leg might have been a four. But with Joginder Sharma offering no pace to work with, it was a stroke laced with risk. As soon as he played it, millions of anxious eyes looked towards the rope, but instead of getting that far, the ball merely looped into Sreesanth’s hands at short fine leg. As the Indians basked in the enormity of their achievement, Misbah sat on his haunches in disbelief – the defiant sailor who had evaded the U-boats only to be sunk as the harbour came into view.Direct hit parade: Rohit Sharma had shown the way against South Africa, and it was Robin Uthappa’s turn in the final as Imran Nazir and Pakistan threatened to waltz away with the match. Nazir had blazed his way to 33 from just 14 balls when Younis Khan tapped one to mid-off and called for the run. Nazir, suffering from a groin strain, was slow to react, and Uthappa’s pick-up and measured throw caught him inches short at the keeper’s end. India were seldom behind the eight-ball after that.The Eccentric Returns: Matthew Hayden loves to bully the bowlers, but had looked like a novice against an inspired new-ball spell from Sreesanth. But having ridden the rough waves out, he and Andrew Symonds were threatening to see Australia home when Sreesanth was brought back for his final over. Coming round the wicket to Hayden, he produced the perfect ball for the situation, the fast yorker. Hayden missed, the off stump was uprooted, and India were on their way to a famous triumph.Ton up: When Chris Gayle drove Shaun Pollock down the ground for two in the 15th over of the tournament opener, history was made. It had taken Gayle just 51 balls to bring up the first century seen in Twenty20 at the international level, and no one that watched it will ever forget the amalgam of brute force and sweet timing. A shame that it was all downhill for West Indies thereafter.All Tied Up: In the space of less than three overs, Misbah had transformed certain defeat into likely victory at Kingsmead. With Sreesanth conceding 11 from the first four balls of the final over, Pakistan needed just one from two. But Misbah missed the penultimate delivery, and then miscued the next to cover before haring down the pitch. Yuvraj Singh swooped, threw to Sreesanth, and the World Cup had its first tie. In the bowl-out that followed, both teams were 100 percent – three Indians hit, and all three Pakistanis missed.Almost a Michelle: Mornè Morkel had magnificent figures of 4 for 14 two balls into his final over against a struggling New Zealand side. With Mark Gillespie facing, the first five-for in this format was a distinct possibility. Sure enough, his third delivery to Gillespie was a superb yorker that uprooted the off stump. Unfortunately, Billy Doctrove cut short the celebrations with a no-ball call. History would have to wait.Thrice as nice: Lee’s no stranger to hat-tricks, but the tournament hadn’t seen the best of him until the Bangladesh game. Having seen Shakib Al Hasan caught behind and Mashrafe Mortaza bowled with a lethal off-stump yorker, the Newlands crowd was buzzing as Lee walked back to the top of his run-up. As the noise grew, he ran in and pitched one on a length. Alok Kapali had shuffled across the crease, and the pace of the ball beat his attempted flick to midwicket. The moment the ball thudded into the pad and Lee went up in appeal, you knew there would only be one outcome.Maximum Man: By the time the fifth six of the over landed in the crowd at midwicket, Stuart Broad had a glazed look in his eyes, a bit like Ernie Terrell after Mohammad Ali had punched him into a stupor while asking; “What’s my name, uncle Tom, what’s my name?” The similarity ended there. Ali never administered the knockout punch in that fight, but Yuvraj did, leaning back and hitting the final delivery with pristine power over wide mid-on for another mammoth six. Sobers, Shastri and Gibbs had been there before him, but no one had ever done it against a Test-playing nation.Can’t catch, can bowl: No matter how big a total you’re defending, the last thing you want to do as a fielding side is give Sanath Jayasuriya a reprieve. But that was exactly what Sohail Tanvir did in Mohammad Asif’s opening over at the Wanderers, fluffing a simple chance at short fine leg. A weaker individual would have slunk away and searched for a corner to hide, but when Shoaib Malik tossed him the ball a minute later, Tanvir produced the perfect riposte. A yorker on off stump, a wild flail from Jayasuriya, and the stumps in a mess.Brendan the giant-killer: Zimbabwe had exceeded all expectations against Australia, getting to the final over with only 12 needed for victory. Nathan Bracken was the bowler though, one of the stars of Australian successes at the Champions Trophy and World Cup and a man with some canny variations. But Taylor had a trick up his bright-red sleeve too, and when Bracken delivered a low full toss outside off stump, Taylor adjusted his body, stuck the bat out and somehow deflected the ball past the man at short fine leg. Four balls later, four leg-byes clinched one of the great upsets in the game’s history.Fire and ice: Bangladesh had careered out of the blocks against South Africa, slamming their first 38 runs in boundaries. Aftab Ahmed was the chief instigator of the mayhem, clouting 32 from the first 12 balls he faced. When Mornè Morkel was given the ball, Aftab’s response was dismissive, a whiplash cover-drive that sped to the rope at Concorde speed. Morkel’s response was chilling, a fairly full delivery timed at 146.9 km/hr. Aftab swung and missed, and the off stump was given a long kiss goodnight.

Prime Bank Cricket Club, Legends of Rupganj and Gazi Group Cricketers also have perfect starts

Mohammad Isam19-Mar-2024

Key takeawaysDefending champions Abahani Limited are off to a flying start in this season’s Dhaka Premier League, crushing all three opponents in the first week. But they have got company. Prime Bank Cricket Club, Legends of Rupganj and Gazi Group Cricketers have all started with three wins.A top-heavy league also means that there are four teams without a single win. It already reflects the disparity of wealth among the clubs as the DPL of this season was said to be one with several low-budget teams.Brothers Union, Gazi Tyres Cricket Academy, City Club and Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club are all winless after three games each. Partex Sporting Club beat Gazi Tyres in an early battle between the two newly promoted sides.Best battersParvez Hossain Emon struck two centuries in the first week. He started the tournament with a cheap dismissal against Shinepukur Cricket Club, but then stepped up with a career-best 151 against Brothers Union. He struck nine fours and eight sixes in his 129-ball knock, while adding 246 runs for the opening stand with Shahadat Hossain, a record for Prime Bank. The pair was sent to open after Tamim Iqbal got stuck in traffic on the Dhaka-Savar highway. Shahadat also made a century in that game.Nurul Hasan, Imrul Kayes and Ariful Islam also struck hundreds in the first week. Imrul and Ariful’s combined tally for Mohammedan against Rupganj Tigers was 221. The other five batters in the innings scored a total of 29 runs.Parvez Hossain Emon celebrates his century against Brothers Union•Prime Bank Cricket Club

Best bowlersThere were several standout bowlers in the first week, but fast bowlers Mehedi Hasan and Abdul Halim stood apart with two four-wicket hauls each. Offspinner Mahedi Hasan, meanwhile, took a hat-trick on the last three balls of the match against City Club.Almost all of Bangladesh’s fast-bowling prospects, including Musfik Hasan who earned a Test call-up against Sri Lanka, took four-fors. Gazi Group Cricketers’ left-arm quick Ruyel Miah took a five-wicket haul against Mohammedan Sporting Club.Best matchThere were three nail-biting finishes in the DPL this week. Mahedi’s hat-trick helped Prime Bank beat City Club by three runs in a high-scoring game, while Anisul Islam Emon bowled a superb final over to thwart Mohammedan and lead Gazi Group to a three-run win.Aminul Islam hung around till the end to help Legends of Rupganj to a one-wicket win against Rupganj Tigers. With six runs needed in the last over, Aminul couldn’t connect properly with the first three balls against Qazi Onik but walloped the fourth ball for a straight six to start the celebrations.Points to ponderAbahani have definitely built the team and made a start towards their 22nd league title. Prime Bank, Legends of Rupganj, Gazi Group and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will definitely be in the running, but they have to beat Abahani to have any chance of a shot at the trophy.The likes of Brothers Union, City Club and Rupganj Tigers seem to be early contenders for teams trying to avoid relegation.Players to watchMany of the youngsters, particularly those from the Bangladesh Under-19 side that played in this year’s World Cup, have started the DPL quite well. Since the DPL is regarded as Bangladesh cricket’s finishing school, allrounder Ariful Islam and left-arm spinner Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby performing for major clubs, Mohammedan and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, respectively, is a big plus.

Real Madrid legend Raul is among Bayer Leverkusen’s options to replace Erik ten Hag after the German side sacked the Dutch coach this week.

• Raul strongly considered despite limited experience
• Ten Hag dismissed after just three games in charge
• Leverkusen directors drawing up a shortlist of replacements

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ten Hag’s disastrous stint at Leverkusen ended after just three matches, with the club parting ways with the Dutch coach following a turbulent start to the campaign. His dismissal comes only months after being sacked by Manchester United, making it back-to-back failures for the 55-year-old. The Bundesliga side are now actively searching for a replacement, with Madrid legend Raul emerging as a surprise candidate, according to .

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Die Werkself's title-winning 2023-24 season under Xabi Alonso raised expectations, and the swift collapse under Ten Hag has prompted the club to reassess their managerial strategy. While Los Blancos legend Raul lacks top-flight coaching experience, his pedigree as Madrid's Castilla coach and his strong reputation in Germany from his playing days at Schalke have made him an attractive option. Alongside him, ex-Borussia Dortmund bosses Edin Terzic and Marco Rose, both with solid Bundesliga resumes remain firmly in the frame. The club are determined not to rush the decision and repeat recent mistakes.

• TELL ME MORE…

  Raul’s coaching journey has been closely tied to Madrid, where he guided the Castilla side and won the club’s first-ever UEFA Youth League title. Despite receiving approaches from other European teams in recent years, he has remained loyal to the Whites, waiting for the right opportunity. His Bundesliga past, however, gives him a unique edge in this race. Terzic, who led Dortmund to a DFB-Pokal title, and Rose, formerly of Leipzig and Dortmund, bring more direct top-level experience to the table.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LEVERKUSEN?

  Leverkusen are expected to finalise their decision after the international break, giving them time to carefully evaluate candidates. While Raul’s appointment would carry symbolic weight and international attention, Terzic and Rose remain strong alternatives. Whoever takes charge will face the immediate challenge of stabilising the squad and keeping pace in both the Bundesliga and Champions League.