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Lions’ key playmakers Quinton de Kock and Imran Tahir have been banned for one match each following disciplinary hearings

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jan-2013The Lions have been dealt a major blow in their quest for the first-class title. Key playmakers Quinton de Kock and Imran Tahir have been banned for one match each following disciplinary hearings.Both players pleaded guilty to Level 2 offences which result in a ban of one first-class or two limited-overs game in accordance with CSA’s code of conduct.De Kock was involved in an on-field scuffle with Cape Cobras’ Alistair Gray last week. After the umpires asked for the ball to be changed because of suspected tampering, the Lions pair at the crease chose a ball the Cobras were unhappy with and Gray and de Kock exchanged words before de Kock pushed Gray.The day after the story hit local media, de Kock tweeted an apology for “embarrassing” his team and pledged to “do everything I can to make up for it.” His contriteness was noted by the disciplinary commissioner.”I find Mr de Kock guilty of a breach of clause 6.3.1 (c) and (f) of the Code of Conduct in that he inappropriately and deliberately had physical contact with a player in the course of play; and used language that is seriously obscene, offensive or insulting towards another participant,” disciplinary commissioner Rian Cloete said in a statement.”Mr de Kock has a clean disciplinary record and has never been charged with an offence in cricket. Mr de Kock further apologised to umpires George and Jerling for his behaviour. “Even though the bans apply to the next matches a player will feature in, de Kock who is currently playing for South Africa in the ODI series against New Zealand will be able to continue representing the national side. Instead, he will miss the Lions’ match against the Knights in two weeks’ time.Tahir’s offence came in a match against the Knights late last year in Potchefstroom. After an interchange of angry words between the Knights’ bowlers and Tahir, the legspinner issued some choice words from the dressing room for all to hear before going on to score his fourth first-class fifty. Tahir, who offered apology in writing, was charged with the breach of clause 6.3.1 (f) as well.Tahir will miss this week’s match between the Lions and the Titans in Benoni which could prove an important one for the Lions as they try to catch the leaders. The Lions are third on the points table, 13 points behind the Cobras but they have a game in hand. De Kock will miss this fixture because he is part of the national squad

Wolverhampton Wanderers could be dealt a colossal blow as the January transfer window nears completion with captain Conor Coady subject to interest from Premier League rivals Newcastle United.

What’s the story?

According to The Daily Star, Newcastle are plotting a late bid for the Wolves defender and could offer in the region of £25m to bring the Englishman to Tyneside.

With the window set to close on Monday, United would have to move quickly to get a deal for the 28-year-old over the line.

The Magpies’ seemingly unlimited funds that have come as a result of their Saudi-backed takeover in October are well documented and are still reportedly keen to spend on reinforcements as they look to secure Premier League survival.

Eddie Howe’s side are the Premier League’s second-worst defenders behind Norwich City, having shipped a whopping 43 goals in 21 top-flight matches so far this campaign.

Coady has enjoyed an excellent campaign for Bruno Lage’s side thus far and a departure mid-season could have seriously dire consequences for the West Midland’s outfit.

Wolves must keep Coady

Not only is Coady a hugely popular and influential figure at Molineux, but he’s arguably Wolves’ best defender, something that means the club’s fanbase would be fuming to see him depart.

The Old Gold are the Premier League’s second-best defenders behind league leaders Manchester City, having conceded just 16 goals in 21 matches with Coady proving highly influential in securing that feat.

The 28-year-old hasn’t missed a Premier League match all season, keeping eight clean sheets in 21 appearances as well as scoring twice.

Moreover, the centre-back is now firmly in the picture of England manager Gareth Southgate’s plans, having made his debut for the national team in September 2020 and has eight caps to date.

Wolves are targeting a top-six finish but, by parting ways with Coady, Lage would be losing a major presence and influence as well as a kingpin and catalyst for his excellent start to life as a Premier League manager.

As a result, his side’s ambitions of European qualification could suffer a disastrous blow should they lose him.

In other news: Wolves could land perfect Traore replacement in “exceptional” £27m-rated “phenomenon”

Glamorgan’s County Championship promotion charge gathered momentum as theybeat neighbours and arch-rivals Gloucestershire by 176 runs inside three days atCheltenham

01-Aug-2010
Scorecard
Glamorgan’s County Championship promotion charge gathered momentum as theybeat neighbours and arch-rivals Gloucestershire by 176 runs inside three days atCheltenham.Set a notional 345 to win, the home side were shot out for 168 in their secondinnings, undone by an inspired spell of swing bowling from England A star JamesHarris and a first-ever hat-trick from veteran spinner Robert Croft.The youngest player to be capped by the Welsh county, 20-year-old Harris rippedthrough Gloucestershire’s top order in a burst of 3 for 5 in 25 balls asGlamorgan accrued 20 points to move above Northamptonshire and into second placein Division Two behind Sussex.Gloucestershire must be sick of the sight of the Moriston-born bowler, whoclaimed 12 wickets in only his second first-class match to send the Englishneighbours tumbling to defeat in a match at Bristol in 2007. Croft erased the tail in one fell swoop, in the process becoming the first Glamorgan spinner to claim a hat-trick since Don Sheppard achieved the feat against Hampshire at Swansea in 1964. He finished with impressive figures of 4 for 20 in 6.3 overs.This defeat leaves Gloucestershire trailing behind in fourth place in the tableand still searching for their first Championship win at the Cheltenham Festivalsince Sussex were defeated at the College Ground in 2001. Upwardly-mobile Glamorgan were always in the ascendancy once wicketkeeper Mark Wallace had registered his ninth first-class century to propel the visitors to 371 in their second innings.Gloucestershire’s top-order batting has been their Achilles heel throughout theseason and so it proved on this occasion, a solid start evaporating in the spaceof 50 balls after lunch, during which time the home side lurched from 51 withoutloss to 60 for 5.Just as he did in the first innings, Will Porterfield played himself in,scoring a breezy 41, only to fall to a loose shot, the Irishman wafting outsideoff-stump and being caught at first slip via a thick edge to gift Harris abreakthrough.Having offered stubborn resistance in scratching 10 runs from 51 balls, JonBatty was put out of his misery by a Harris inswinger that clattered into hisstumps via an inside edge. Hamish Marshall departed in the next over, caught atthe wicket as Huw Waters got in on the act.Harris then trapped Gloucestershire captain Alex Gidman in his crease, whileWaters, breathing fire from the College Lawn end, swung one into James Franklin,who became the game’s 16th lbw victim. Glamorgan captain Jamie Dalrymple then turned to his spinners to press home his team’s advantage and England Under-19 left-hander Chris Dent succumbed to temptation, giving Croft the charge and being comprehensively stumped asGloucestershire slipped to 94 for 6.Waters returned after tea to have Jon Lewis held at second slip for 24 andCroft engineered a premature end to proceedings, removing Vikram Banerjee,Gemaal Hussain and Steve Kirby with consecutive deliveries from the College Lawnend.Earlier in the day Glamorgan had added a further 88 in 21 overs during themorning session to establish a lead of match-winning proportions. Having contributed an innings-reviving 72 on the first day, Wallace again proved a thorn in Gloucestershire sides, realising three figures from 116 balls, with 13 fours and a six. He eventually fell to the second new ball for 113 -to give the impressive Hussain figures of 3 for 60.

Manchester United are yet to make any incoming moves in the transfer window so far, but after rumours of a dressing room fallout which resulted in 17 players reportedly wanting to leave the club, many players have been linked with moves away from Old Trafford.

However, there is one forgotten man who the Red Devils are unwilling to let go easily.

What’s the word?

According to ESPN Brazil (via Sport Witness), United have rejected an offer of €10m (£8.35m) from Flamengo to sign Andreas Pereira permanently following his loan spell in Brazil.

The report claims that the Red Devils don’t even consider that offer to be close to what they want, so negotiations are set to continue, with Flamengo already having an option to buy the 26-year-old for €20m (£16.7m) in the summer.

ESPN Brazil added that the Manchester club are making Pereira’s sale a ‘priority’ and are not interested in loaning him out any further when his loan spell with Flamengo ends in June.

Fans will be furious

Pereira has a fractured relationship with some United supporters after he engaged in a feud with fans on social media, so they may well be furious that an offer to get rid of the player has been rejected by the club.

Some fans have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on the potential sale of Pereira and it’s safe to say that there would be no love lost, For instance, one fan tweeted: “Andreas Pereira should be sold and stop with the drawn out negotiations. This is why you have players that will leave #MUFC at end of the season for nothing because of incidents like this. Sell him for £8m and invest in Zakaria or another midfielder. No need to dance around.”

The club is reportedly in talks with defensive midfielder Denis Zakaria, and the prospective sale of the £7.2m-rated Pereira could unlock the funds to purchase and sign the 25-year-old Switzerland midfielder from Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Ralf Rangnick could be under pressure to make some changes in the squad and utilise the January transfer window to improve after another performance which saw them drop points after going 2-0 up against Aston Villa.

The rejection of Flamengo’s £8.35m offer to sign Pereira, who had never really held down a fixed place in United’s midfield, will probably do little to quell fan frustration after the team’s poor start to 2022.

In other news: Alex Crook gives an update on this potential Old Trafford signing

Michael Clarke remains in doubt for Thursday’s first Ashes Test after failing to bat at the side’s opening training session in Brisbane on Monday

Peter English22-Nov-2010Michael Clarke is confident of overcoming a long-standing back injury toplay in Thursday’s opening Ashes Test, but Australia have called in UsmanKhawaja as cover. Clarke did nothing more than walk some laps at thesquad’s opening training session on Monday and he must bat at training onTuesday to hold his spot.His injury, and the call-up of Khawaja, provides the hosts with thepotential for more disruptions before such a crucial occasion. “I’m stilla little bit stiff and sore, hence me not training today,” Clarke said.”Our plan was for me to have a bat tomorrow and then another good hit onWednesday. The battle is to get as close to a hundred per cent as possiblefor Thursday. I’m pretty confident that I’ll be right.”Ricky Ponting said it would be hard for Clarke to prove his fitness withoutbatting but at the same time he wants to give his vice-captain as long aspossible to get right. Clarke is one of the few local batsmen who is inform this summer and his record in Ashes Tests is excellent. He averages 55 in 15 games against England and Australia aredesperate for him to provide stability in an order that has faltered.”He’s been in this situation a few times the last couple of years,” said Ponting. “He’s had niggles but been able to come back most times. Alex [Kountouris, the team physio] has made it clear he wants him to bat tomorrow [Tuesday] and Wednesday. If he doesn’t bat tomorrow it’d be hard for him to be considered for the game, but we will definitely give him as long as possible.””I’ve played 64 Test matches with it now, I haven’t missed a Test, touchwood,” Clarke said. “It’s not so much batting, it’s more waking up daily.Some days are better than others. I get that feeling when you get out ofbed.”At training he crouched down gingerly to pick up a bat and Kountouris said a decision couldn’t be made until afterhe went into the nets. “Until he bats tomorrow we can’t be absolute 100%sure that he’s right to go,” Kountouris said.The back disc injury, which has bothered Clarke regularly throughout hiscareer, resurfaced during his century for New South Wales. He batted againin the second innings, scoring an unbeaten 39 to save the game, but hasn’tbeen able to do anything at full intensity since.He said once he starts an innings the adrenaline covered up the pain.”It’s more just discomfort in general than at a certain time,” he said.Clarke was last floored by the problem in 2009, when it kept him out of aone-day series against India, and it also affected him during his firstAshes tour. “I remember in 2005 it happened the first ball fielding at OldTrafford,” he said. “I didn’t field for the rest of the Test but I battedin the two innings. I’ve played international cricket with discomfortbecause of my back, but it hasn’t ruled me out of a Test match as of yet.”The extra significance of the Ashes has contributed to Clarke’s cautiousapproach. “No doubt it being a big series, I guess that’s probably whywe’re taking it a little bit slower and why I didn’t have a bat today,” hesaid. “It’s a five-Test series as well so there’s a lot of cricket aheadof us. We’re just trying to do everything possible to make sure I’m fitfor Thursday and then available for the whole series.”Steven Smith, the legspinning allrounder, is in the squad but theselectors have looked to Khawaja as specialist batting cover. Khawaja, who will link up with the squad in Brisbane on Monday evening, travelled to England for the Pakistan series in July and was astrong contender to make the slimmed-down version of the squad until hisdouble failure in Australia A’s match against England in Hobart last week.If he plays he will be the first Muslim cricketer to have representedAustralia.”As there is some doubt over Michael Clarke’s fitness for the Brisbane Test match, it was felt prudent to bring a standby player into the squad,” said Andrew Hilditch, Australia’s chairman of selectors. “Usman has been added as a result of his strong recent domestic form and the National Selection Panel’s belief that should the opportunity arise he has the ability to perform well at the international level.”We intend to give Michael as much time as possible to prove his fitness and a decision on his availability will be made in consultation with the team’s medical staff after the next two days of training.”

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Pau Torres to north London in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Spanish publication La Razon (via Sport Witness), who claim that, despite the Villarreal centre-back having rejected a move to Spurs last summer, Fabio Paratici will once again launch an offensive for the 25-year-old at the end of the current campaign.

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The report goes on to state that, now the Spain international has fulfilled his dream of playing in the Champions League with his boyhood club, Unai Emery will agree to part with Torres in the summer transfer window – as long as an offer of around €60m (£50m) is submitted.

Paratici’s next De Ligt

Considering how impressive Torres has been for Villarreal this season, in addition to it being reported that Tottenham will prioritise the signing of a left-sided centre-back this summer, it is easy to see why Antonio Conte and Paratici would be interested in a move for the Spaniard ahead of 2022/23.

Indeed, over his 28 LaLiga appearances in the current campaign, the £58m-rated centre-back has been imperious in the heart of Emery’s defence, helping his side keep ten clean sheets, as well as making an average of 0.6 interceptions, 0.9 tackles, 3.3 clearances and winning 4.1 duels – at a success rate of 65% – per game.

The £126k-per-week defender has also impressed in an attacking and creative capacity, scoring four goals and creating three big chances for his teammates, in addition to completing 55.2 passes, 4.5 long balls, 3.8 chipped passes, 0.9 dribbles and taking 0.7 shots per fixture.

These returns have seen the player who journalist Simon Collings dubbed “classy” and Javi Calleja labelled an “extraordinary talent” average a fantastic SofaScore match rating of 7.09, ranking him as Villarreal’s third-best player in the Spanish top flight.

The 25-year-old has been equally as impressive over his ten Champions League outings this season, helping his side keep three clean sheets, scoring one goal and creating two big chances, with these metrics seeing the left-footer average a SofaScore match rating of 7.08 – with the centre-back playing a crucial role in the Yellow Submarine’s run to the semi-finals of the competition.

As such, it is clear for all to see that Torres would make an exceptional addition to Conte’s current defensive options at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leading us to believe Paratici must do all he can to get a deal over the line for the Spaniard this summer – especially if he is available for a figure of around £50m.

And, with the managing director having been the man behind Juventus’ €75m (£67.8m) capture of Matthijs de Ligt back in 2019, Torres could very well prove to be the Italian’s next seismic centre-back signing.

AND in other news: “Tottenham could consider…”: Romano drops huge transfer claim, Conte would love him

Scotland’s selectors have named a 15-man squad for the ICC World Cricket League Division 1, to be held in the Netherlands from June 30 to July 10

Cricinfo staff04-Jun-2010Scotland’s selectors have named a 15-man squad for the ICC World Cricket League Division 1, to be held in the Netherlands from June 30 to July 10. The emphasis is on youth, as the squad has nine players aged 25 or under, but Fraser Watts’s excellent recent form in the domestic leagues has also earned him a place.Gavin Hamilton and Ryan Watson are both unavailable due to work commitments, while Freddie Coleman is taking time off in the lead-up to the event to concentrate on finishing his school term. This gives opportunities to young batsmen Ewan Chalmers, Preston Mommsen and Josh Davey, who have also been included in the squad to take on the hosts in a four-day Intercontinental Cup and one-day international match prior to the tournanment.”The World Cricket League will be a highly-competitive event, and it gives our players an excellent opportunity to test themselves against the other leading Associates,” said Peter Steindl, Scotland’s head coach. “We have picked the squad with the future as well as the present in mind, so I am looking forward to seeing how the players cope with the tournament environment.”Scotland squad: Gordon Drummond (capt), Richie Berrington, Josh Davey, Ewan Chalmers, Gordon Goudie, Majid Haq, Omer Hussain, Neil Laidlaw, Dougie Lockhart, Ross Lyons, Gregor Maiden, Neil McCallum, Preston Mommsen, Matthew Parker, Fraser Watts

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have erupted over a transfer update from The Daily Mail as reporter Simon Jones shares manager David Moyes’ plans for January.

The Hammers and recruitment chief Rob Newman are set for an interesting winter window as they aim to back Moyes in his quest to guide West Ham to a top four finish.

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The club also find themselves still competing in Europe after finishing top of their group but it is arguable that West Ham need some fresh faces this month if they are to stay at this level.

According to Jones of The Mail, the Irons and Moyes are eyeing a centre-back, left-back and forward this month as both Newman and Moyes work their way through targets.

It is believed that the West Ham chiefs could now target Lille star Jonathan David, Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly, Everton’s Lucas Digne and Sparta Prague attacker Adam Hlozek.

West Ham fans erupt…

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham fans have been left overjoyed by the four names allegedly on Moyes’ and Newman’s agenda this month – with one supporter calling this transfer claim ‘sensational’.

Another claimed landing all four men would be the Irons’ ‘best ever window’.

It’s not hard to understand their excitement either, with Digne racking up an impressive seven assists in his last full top flight campaign, while David has bagged 15 times this season and Hlozek six.

“ALL 4 PLEASE, DAVID”

Credit: @JamesGunn23

“Would be our best ever window. They should have all been signed and training by now if we were serious.”

Credit: @Onlywestham

“I think there might be some legs in us going all out for David possibly.”

Credit: @EthanP48445025

“Sensational stuff”

Credit: @_ghzst

“PLS

@WestHam”

Credit: @Icevain7

“yes, yes, yes and yes”

Credit: @WHUInfo

“Lucas Digne & Adam Hlozek would cost us around 25m for both of them. So i can see that happening and it would be a huge improvement over the squad.”

Credit: @DKouzas

In other news: West Ham set for imminent move to sign ‘phenomenal’ powerhouse as reporter drops Twitter message, find out more here.

Leeds United are considering a late move for Takumi Minamino…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Independent journalist Carl Markham, who claimed the Yorkshire outfit were interested in signing the Liverpool outcast before the January transfer window deadline on Monday evening.

“Takumi Minamino attracting interest from Leeds and Monaco but @LFC have rebuffed early approaches as they have no inclination to sell. Would take seriously really good offer to change their minds,” he tweeted.

The 36-cap Japan international is well behind the likes of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota in the pecking order at Anfield, and could yet drop even further amid reported interest in FC Porto star Luis Diaz.

It remains to be seen exactly what a ‘really good offer’ is, with the 27-year-old currently valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt.

Aaronson alternative

Primarily a left-winger by trade, Minamino is capable of operating on both flanks and through the middle, where he can thrive the best when operating as a ‘half-winger’.

Just like fellow Whites target Brenden Aaronson, who doesn’t appear likely to be coming to Elland Road any time soon, at least in this current window.

Leeds’ two bids of £15m and £20m have been rejected but there is hope that a deal can be struck for the summer instead as RB Salzburg do not want to offload him before a crucial Champions League tie with Bayern Munich.

Instead, it appears as if Victor Orta and co are lining up a last-minute alternative in a player that also once played for the Austria champions.

Minamino’s growth has always been stunted in Merseyside due to the sheer volume of quality starting ahead of him but he’s still proven his worth in abundance whenever given the opportunity.

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For instance, this season he has provided six goals and one assist across 18 appearances, with those primarily coming in cup competitions as he’s yet to register a start in the Premier League, even despite Salah and Mane being at AFCON.

The Japanese attacker also impressed during a loan spell at Southampton last season.

“He’s a very special player for me – not because of his physical strength but more of his way of playing football,” claimed manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

“He is very quick in his mind, has good decision-making, knows about our pressing style and hopefully a lot of running. He knows when you come to me you have to run a lot, but that’s not a problem for him”

Right there is why he’s an absolute dream for Marcelo Bielsa. There isn’t a side that presses the opposition as intensely as Leeds, so his presence to do that from the front would be hugely beneficial to the Argentine, who must be desperate for additions.

Also dubbed a “machine” by Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, Minamino could be an ideal alternative to Aaronson as we head into the final few days of the window.

Bielsa badly needs an option in the role and the Liverpool ace could well provide him with exactly what he needs for the remainder of the current campaign.

AND in other news, Leeds United eyeing late January bargain in £10m “phenomenon”…

Rangers are attempting an ambitious swoop for West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, sports journalist Pete O’Rourke has told GiveMeSport.

The lowdown

The Daily Mail reported at the start of this month that Rangers had ‘expressed their interest’ in signing Johnstone.

But they also claimed that Spurs, who considered a move in January, were in the frame as they look for a deputy for Hugo Lloris.

And Sky Sports have since named Manchester United, where Johnstone came the youth ranks, as a suitor too.

The Englishman is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning he’ll be available on a free transfer.

And Rangers may need to replace Allan McGregor, currently set to leave Ibrox in the summer when his deal expires.

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The latest

O’Rourke admits that it will be ‘a big ask’ for the Gers to win the race, but applauded their ‘ambition’.

He also believes they have an important advantage in the battle, with Johnstone’s minutes more likely to be limited at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or Old Trafford.

“I think it would be a big ask for Rangers to try and land Sam Johnstone but shows the ambition the club have got,” he said.

“Sam Johnstone is going to be attracted to a lot of clubs as a free agent, but if he went to Rangers he would definitely be number one there, whereas if he went to Tottenham or Manchester United, there’s no guarantee that he would be first choice at either of those clubs.”

The verdict

Rangers do carry an appeal. Johnstone wouldn’t be competing with the likes of David de Gea or Lloris for a starting role. In fact, he’d be walking into a potential vacancy left by McGregor.

What’s more, the Gers could yet offer the carrot of Champions League football, having moved just one step away from reaching the Europa League final.

Transfermarkt value him at £7.2million, so picking up for no fee at all would represent great business.

The 6ft 3in ‘keeper, dubbed ‘unreal’ by pundit Paddy Kenny, is a three-times capped England international with 37 games’ worth of Premier League experience.

In other news, Heart and Hand react as an injury blow emerges.