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India’s new bowling consultant has said the short nature of his six-week stint may not result in a major impact, but he will try to help the Indian bowlers as much as he can

Sriram Veera in Chittagong19-Jan-2010India’s bowling consultant Eric Simons has said the short nature of his six-week stint may not have an immediate major impact but he will try to help the Indian bowlers as much as he can. He also said the ongoing Test match against Bangladesh in Chittagong would help him assess how the Indian bowlers operate before he starts weighing in with his opinions.”It would be arrogant for me to come in, for a South African, and tell the Indian bowlers how to bowl,” Simons said in Chittagong, on the sidelines of the first Test. “It’s about finding a joint solution. I have two series, just six weeks. It takes time to make a major impact. But when I walk away and the bowler says I have helped him in some small way to become better, helped him with ideas, I will be happy.”Speaking about his initial assessment of the bowlers he said, “I see the Indian bowlers as a technically talented unit. Maybe the problems, if any, are from a lack of confidence from playing lots of ODIs.”I have just come in now and am not in the position, at this stage, to talk about India’s bench strength and what talented bowlers are out there in the circuit. I remember I saw [Abhimanyu] Mithun, from Karnataka, bowl for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He seemed a very good prospect. I am sure there are other talents out there. I know about Mithun because I happened to be involved with the Royal Challengers in IPL.”Simons was wary of getting into details, whether about India’s recent struggle during death bowling in ODIs or on any specific bowler, but he responded to a direct question about Ishant Sharma’s performance. “One of the things that happen is that we sometimes ask bowlers to do something that he is not comfortable with,” Simons said. “For example, it’s not easy for a bowler who bowls big inswingers to bowl the one that goes other way. You have to consider what he is naturally good at and gradually work at the other stuff.”As for Ishant, I have had a chat and I know he wants to be more successful. I thought he bowled brilliant stuff this morning though he ended up with just one wicket.”He responded warily on Ian Chappell’s comments that India’s position as the No. 1 Test team would be compromised by their bowling. Simon said everyone was entitled to their views but added that, “India have got to No. 1 in the world, why can’t they stay there?”He said he would sit down with the bowlers and fix the “controllables and non-negotiables.” “Fitness and tactic is controllable; you can bowl a yorker, that’s in your hand, what you can’t control is what the batsman does with it. It’s all about the process. You might bowl six yorkers and it might be edged for fours but it’s the process that is important.”Simons also shared his views on India’s bowling performance in the ongoing Test. “At times I have felt they could have bowled better,” he said. “They have pulled it back really well.”He also talked about his relationship with India coach Gary Kirsten and how it would help him. “It will be wrong for the coach to come to South Africa and tell them what to do,” Simons said. “And vice-versa. That’s where Gary Kirsten is so good. He is not arrogant and wants to help a cricket team get better. Knowing him is a vital for me, especially considering the short stint of my job. I have to sit with the management to understand the vision forward. I am sure they are looking at some one for the long term. Let’s see how it works out.”

Liverpool are among a host of top clubs still interested in signing Fiorentina sensation Dusan Vlahovic, according to a report which has emerged.

The Lowdown: Vlahovic shining for Fiorentina

The 21-year-old is arguably one of Europe’s most exciting young attacking players currently, having caught the eye hugely in Italy.

Vlahovic has scored has scored 10 goals in just 13 Serie A appearances for Fiorentina this season – only one league goal fewer than Mohamed Salah in 2021/22 – taking his overall tally for the club to 41 in 98 matches.

It looks as though one of Europe’s top clubs will snap up the Serbian eventually, and Liverpool look set to be in the race to sign him.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

The Latest: Reds in the hunt

According to 90min, the Reds are ‘keeping close tabs’ on Vlahovic’s current situation, with his Fiorentina deal expiring in the summer of 2023.

Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Everton and Newcastle United are all mentioned as potential suitors as well, though, highlighting how difficult it could be for the Reds to acquire his signature.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-13/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Massive potential

Vlahovic seems to not only be an incredible long-term prospect but also someone who could immediately become a key performer for Liverpool, having been hailed as ‘incredible’ by Italian football expert Conor Clancy.

With Roberto Firmino now 30 years of age, and Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane both 29, the Reds’ attack will need freshening up at some point in the foreseeable future.

Vlahovic could be the man to lead the line for years to come, with the youngster averaging one key pass, 2.2 headers won and 1.1 dribbles per game in Serie A this season, showing his all-round effectiveness as a striker in addition to his Salah-esque scoring return.

In other news, a journalist has tipped a Premier League player to join Liverpool. Find out who it is here.

A round-up of the seventh day’s games of the HRV Cup, New Zealand’s domestic Twenty20 competition

Cricinfo staff12-Jan-2010Otago charged to No. 1 on the points table with a 10-run win against Northern Districts (ND) at Queen’s Park in Invercargill. Otago batted first and were boosted by a late-over blitz from Craig Cumming and Neil Broom, who combined well for the third wicket to lift them up to 160 for 3. They added 92 after Otago looked on edge at 62 for 2 in the 10th over. However, Cumming took charge in the last stages and ended with 56 not out from 32 balls, including six fours and three sixes. Broom had to battle harder for his 41 from 37 balls with three fours and a six.ND were off on the wrong foot during the reply, with opener Anton Devcich departing for 2. BJ Watling succumbed to Yasir Arafat for 20 and Michael Parlane was run out by Nathan McCullum to leave ND at 38 for 3 in the seventh over. McCullum went on to remove James Marshall and Daniel Vettori to finish with 2 for 19. Some lusty hitting towards to the end from Tim Southee got ND to the point where 23 were needed from the last over. But Ian Butler’s pace proved too much and Southee was left on 35 not out.

Otago 5 31 0 1 14 +0.794 574/78.5519/80.0 Central Districts 4 3 10 0 12 +0.309 663/80.0 625/78.2 Auckland 4 2 2 00 8 +0.113 628/78.2 631/79.5 Northern Districts 5 2 3 00 8 -0.331 746/100.0 770/98.5 Wellington 4 1 2 01 6 +0.052 522/57.4 540/60.0 Canterbury 4 1 3 00 4 -0.811 551/79.5 599/77.4

Asim Butt, the Scotland left-arm seamer, has died in his sleep aged 42 in Lahore.

Cricinfo staff01-Dec-2009Asim Butt, the Scotland left-arm seamer, has died in his sleep aged 42 in Lahore.He played five ODIs for Scotland in the 1999 World Cup, performing strongly against Australia, the eventual winners, taking 1 for 21 from 10 overs.Butt was born in Pakistan in 1967 and played first-class cricket for Lahore before settling in Scotland in the 1990s. He soon won his first Scottish cap, against Yorkshire at Boghall in May 1998, taking 3 for 42 in the Benson & Hedges Cup, on his way to 106 wickets for Scotland at an average of 24.86.He played in all of Scotland’s World Cup games and remained a consistent performer, taking 6 for 42 in the first innings against MCC at Lord’s in August 2000 and 5 for 47 in the second innings against Ireland four years later.He won the last of his 71 caps in the National League game against Somerset in May 2005.

The Sri Lankan cricket team arrived in Mumbai on Saturday afternoon with Kumar Sangakkara promising their best in an attempt to conquer “the last frontier”

Nagraj Gollapudi in Mumbai08-Nov-2009Sri Lanka have made six tours to India over the last 27 years, played 14 Tests, and are yet to win one. It’s a record Kumar Sangakkara is keen to rectify as his team arrived in Mumbai for a three-Test series beginning on November 16, followed by two Twenty20 internationals and five one-dayers.Sangakkara, however, said his side, No. 2 in the Test rankings, was “under no pressure” to scratch India off the list of countries (South Africa and Australia are the others) where Sri Lanka have never won a Test. “We know we haven’t won here and for us we need to try and change that,” a sleepy-eyed Sangakkara said, in his first interaction with the media in India on Sunday afternoon. “We are here to relax, enjoy and not worry about history, and try and put as much pressure on the Indians as possible.”The pressure, Sangakkara felt, would be on India after the defeat against Australia in the ongoing home one-day series. He said it would be interesting to see how India reacted from the defeat against an under-strength side, saying that “some react positively while some don’t”.Sangakkara, who took over the captaincy from Mahela Jayawardene at the ICC World Twenty20 in June, is building a cohesive unit capable of performing in all conditions. Sri Lanka are formidable at home but their overseas record is mediocre. Their lack of success in India is strange, especially since the conditions here are similar to those in Sri Lanka.Posting large totals is critical to winning Tests in India, and Sri Lanka’s batsmen have been unable to do so in the past, with 420 in Kanpur in 1986 being their best effort. Their present batting line-up could be challenged to surpass that score as only four players – Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Thilan Samaraweera and Sangakkara – have Test experience in India.Things are not bright on the bowling front either. Even Muttiah Muralitharan has taken only 31 wickets in eight Tests and his average of nearly 40 in India is his worst in any country after Australia. And in Lasith Malinga’s absence, their fast-bowling attack comprising Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Dammika Prasad and Chanaka Welegedara lacks menace and experience. Sangakkara, though, was of the opinion that his relatively inexperienced attack could be at an advantage.”Inexperience is sometimes a good thing as the Indian batsmen have not played our fast bowlers regularly in the longer form of the game which can work to our advantage.” He said sometimes a “fresh perspective, attitude and enthusiasm could be an added bonus”.Sangakkara is banking on 22-year old allrounder Angelo Mathews to give the team flexibility and balance. “We have a great option in Angelo Mathews who gives us the flexibility of playing three spinners on a spin-friendly wicket because of him being a frontline fast bowler and a batsman,” Sangakkara said. “We could even go into the game with three out-and-out fast bowlers, with Mathews in support, and one spinner or even two fast bowlers and two spinners.”It will be interesting, however, to see which two spinners Sri Lanka field in the first Test against India in Ahmedabad beginning on November 16, especially with Sangakkara stressing the importance of “performance and current form”. Murali is likely to be a certainty for one spot, and Ajantha Mendis had spectacular success against the Indian batsmen in Sri Lanka. It is the left-arm spinner, Rangana Herath, though, who has been Sri Lanka’s most successful slow bowler in recent matches.In his last four Tests at home, Herath took 23 wickets against Pakistan and New Zealand. Murali did not play against Pakistan while Mendis proved expensive – his five wickets cost 43 each. Against New Zealand, Murali’s returns were 13 wickets at 24 apiece while Mendis’ three victims came at an average of 45. Sangakkara said that Herath having to play “third fiddle to the other spinners made him hungrier to do well”. Sri Lanka could do with more healthy competition in India during the coming weeks.This series, from November 8 to December 27, begins with a three-day warm-up game against the Board President’s XI at Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex before the first Test. The second Test will be in Kanpur before the teams head back to Mumbai for the third game.

Liverpool fans were delighted to see Harvey Elliott in individual gym training as he recovers from the injury he suffered against Leeds United.

Elliott, who was signed from Fulham in 2019, has developed into a hugely promising talent for the Reds, appearing in four Premier League matches at the start of this campaign after impressing last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers – he scored seven and provided 11 assists in 41 Championship matches (Transfermarkt).

Unfortunately, his progress was stunted against Leeds as he suffered a serious injury (Sky Sports). There were bound to be worries the youngster may not feature again this campaign, but a video has emerged from his Instagram (via Anfield Watch) showing the 18-year-old back in the gym. It seems that he could be back a lot earlier than expected going by the footage.

The video has of course been doing the rounds on Twitter ahead of Wednesday’s huge clash against Atletico Madrid, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on what one fan called an ‘amazing’ update…

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Elliott footage below

“Amazing”

Credit: @appersons

“Get him fit still has a big part to play”

Credit: @Da_Official_Kid

“Insane! Keep up the good work! Love his mentality!”

Credit: @feepee84

“Wow… This is a beautiful sight I thought it will be longer than this Hopefully 1 more month max”

Credit: @iamktj25

“Legit can’t wait to have Harvey Elliot back One of the most exciting young players I’ve seen come through since”

Credit: @PeterLFC94

“Great to see this! Well done Harvey can’t wait to see you back on the pitch”

Credit: @nikki43621557

In other news, Liverpool fans rage at this James Pearce tweet.

Antonio Conte got off to winning ways as Tottenham manager with a 3-2 win over Vitesse in the Europa Conference League.

Spurs raced into a 3-0 lead but conceded twice before half-time. Cristian Romero was sent off on the hour mark, however, Conte’s men held on to the lead to climb up to second in Group G.

However, some Spurs players, statistically, struggled in Conte’s first game, as The Transfer Tavern looks into the three worst-rated outfield starters out of the seven who played 75 minutes or more by specialists SofaScore…

Eric Dier – 6.7/10

First up is centre-back Dier, who failed to make a tackle all evening and lost 60% of his duels.

He also gave the ball away on 10 occasions and lost his man for Vitesse’s first goal from a corner.

Dier made just one interception as well – to put that into perspective even Romero managed to make more despite being sent off on the hour mark.

Sergio Reguilon – 6.7/10

Next up is Reguilon, who played at left-wing back in a 3-4-3 system. The Spaniard gave possession away on a whopping 19 occasions in his 60 touches (32 per cent), with Emerson Royal putting in a better display on the opposite side.

He also failed to complete a cross – hardly ideal for a wing-back – or block a shot but did make three tackles, finishing with a fairly low pass accuracy of 71%.

Ben Davies – 6.8/10

Davies played in a back three alongside Dier and Romero and also struggled, failing to make a tackle, interception or block a shot all evening.

He lost possession on nine occasions, failed to complete an accurate long ball and lost his only ground duel.

The Wales international has been tipped for a departure under Conte, and the manager’s debut did nothing to quell those shouts.

In other news: Conte now personally plots to sell ‘very talented’ Spurs player who Nuno called ‘unique’. 

Paul Campbell has insisted the board must change its course from one of fighting to engaging

Cricinfo staff18-Sep-2009Paul Campbell, the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president, has said the current tussle between the West Indies board and the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) is affecting not just the players and administrators but also sponsors, and insisted the board must change its course from one of fighting to engaging.”There is no benefit to continue on the path we’ve travelled over the past five to six months,” Campbell said. “We, from a Jamaica Cricket Association standpoint and as a director of the West Indies Cricket Board, are committed to changing that course.”The perception is that we’re fighting and we have to change that perception. We have to start leading … we must recognise that the players are important, players have rights, WIPA is important … and so what we’ve been saying to our partners is that, ‘yes, we’ve come through a rough time… we continue to go through challenging times, but this is where we intend to go and we want you to partner with us’.”Negotiations between the WICB and the WIPA over player contracts broke down under the mediation of the CARICOM-appointed Sir Shridath Ramphal after which the CARICOM sent recommendations to resolve the dispute. These recommendations, which include senior players making themselves available for selection in regional tournaments, have been accepted by the WIPA but the WICB is yet to agree to them.Dave Cameron, the WICB vice-president, said the management of West Indies cricket was the board’s prerogative. “The first line in CARICOM’s communique is something I’d like to emphasise. The management of West Indies cricket is the prerogative of the WICB. I commend CARICOM for having that foresight,” Cameron said in a radio interview. “Recommendations are just recommendations.”Campbell welcomed the new WICB chief executive Ernest Hilaire and said the JCA was committed to working with him. “It’s always good when you have a fresh driver … of the process.”

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are interested in signing Harry Souttar from Stoke City.

The Lowdown: Spurs need defensive reinforcements

Tottenham’s erratic form this season can certainly be attributed to trouble in the heart of defence, with no one really putting themselves forward as the clear candidate to become Cristian Romero’s long-term partner.

They kept three clean sheets in each of their first three matches, including in a 1-0 victory over Manchester City, but they then shipped three goals in each of their next three matches, and have now already conceded 13 times in their opening nine Premier League game (Sky Sports).

The Latest: Spurs eye Souttar

As per this latest report, Spurs are interested in signing Souttar, while Aston Villa and Everton are also in the race.

An N17 source told the outlet Nuno Espirito Santo is a big fan of the player and wanted to sign him for his former club Wolves.

The manager signed five players in the summer and it appears the club are planning to have him in charge during the next transfer window if he is already picking out more targets.

The Verdict: Really the right option?

Souttar has certainly shown promise with the Potters. He has played in 12 of the club’s 14 Championship’s matches so far this campaign (Transfermarkt), with Stoke conceding less than all but six other sides in the division (BBC). Current Stoke boss Michael O’Neill even called him a “top level” player earlier this year (via socceroos.com).

However, it is worth questioning whether this is the kind of target Tottenham should be pursuing. They are trying to compete at the highest level, and the last Championship defender they signed, Joe Rodon, has made just one appearance in the league this term. If they are serious about challenging the best of the best, they must look so sign more proven performers than the 6 foot 6 Souttar.

In other news, this man has been blamed for Harry Kane’s struggles.

An update has emerged on Joe Rothwell, regarding Rangers’ interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, Rangers are weighing up a swoop for Blackburn midfielder Rothwell.

The report claims that he is out of contract at the end of the season and the Gers could snap him up on a pre-contract agreement in January.

Get it done

Rangers chief Ross Wilson must secure a deal to sign Rothwell on a free transfer in the January window. The Gers have a key advantage over any English side wanting to sign him as they are able to agree a pre-contract with the player in January, whereas teams south of the border will have to wait until his contract expires to speak with him.

36-year-old Steven Davis has been a regular this season, with 13 appearances to his name, and Rothwell could be seen as a long-term replacement for the former Southampton man. Davis has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.99 in the Premiership this term, winning 50% of his duels and making 2.3 interceptions and tackles per game.

Rothwell, who is ten years younger than the Gers man, has averaged a score of 6.90 in 11 Championship outings for Blackburn. He has won 54% of his duels and made 2.1 interceptions and tackles per game, suggesting that he has been performing to a similar level in comparison to Davis, albeit in different competitions.

Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray once hailed the midfielder and urged him to get closer to the opposition goal. He said:

“He’s an exciting talent, he’s exceedingly fast, he keeps the ball really tight. We want him running towards the opposition goal rather than across the pitch.”

The £4.1k-per-week beast could be signed without Rangers needing to spend a penny on him in terms of a transfer fee and he could represent a bargain for the club.

This is why Wilson must work hard to secure a deal for him in the upcoming transfer window, so that he could potentially replace the ageing Davis heading into the 2022/23 campaign.

AND in other news, 18x possession lost: Wilson sent Rangers transfer warning by dud with 44% pass success…