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Hashim Amla says he will take time to consider it if he is offered the opportunity to captain South Africa again

Firdose Moonda in Durban 27-Oct-2011When Hashim Amla arrived for the last pre-match press conference of his stint as South Africa’s stand-in one-day captain, he looked a relieved man. He sat down a little too casually, facing the room at an oblique angle instead of straight on, with his arm draped across the chair next to him. He wore a shirt that hung lazily down to his pants, a cap tilted a little too much to one side and a Sunday-afternoon smile that said he was quite pleased he would only have to perform this duty once more.”If I have to do it in the future, I would take some time to consider it,” Amla said. A reluctant leader, Amla was thrust into the job after a finger injury to AB de Villiers ruled him out of the limited-overs leg of the home series against Australia. Knowing that his acceptance of the vice-captaincy meant the possibility of having to fill in, Amla took on the role with little complaint.He put aside the reservation he had before and must have been trying to forget that he had stepped down from captaining his franchise, the Dolphins, because it affected his batting. A freak run-out in the first Twenty20 international in Cape Town might have reignited his doubts, a shaky four before being bowled by Doug Bollinger in the second T20 would have fuelled them, but a solid-looking 24 in the first ODI might have eased his nerves. It was the duck, off the leading edge, in Port Elizabeth, that may have rubber-stamped Amla’s concerns about taking on the dual role. A few years ago, he may have wanted nothing more than to take cover and spurn the captaincy, but now he is able to see the more positive side of leadership.”Although I haven’t contributed with the bat, if I wasn’t captain I probably wouldn’t have much to smile about,” Amla said, joking about his form. His lean patch has meant that he has had to measure success in other ways and the captaincy has allowed him to do that. Although he hopes to end the run-drought at his home ground in Durban, he said clinching the series would provide him with as much to celebrate. “It will mean a lot. Everyone wants to have a positive impact so it would be fantastic.”If South Africa win the series, Amla will be the fifth South African captain since readmission to earn a trophy in his first ODI series, after Shaun Pollock, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Johan Botha. It will go a long way to proving his credentials as a leader and show whether he has developed enough as a player to perform the task again. “It does take a bit of time getting used to. I don’t want to rush into things,” he said. “I’ve learnt a lot. I try and keep an open mind about learning as I go along.”Amla has been able to call on the experience of two former captains, Smith and Botha, and said he felt secure knowing that “I’ve some very solid guys in the field who can give me advice.”South Africa will need all their resources to break the series deadlock, after coming back from being 1-0 down. It’s a situation from which they have managed to win series from before but after their quarter-final loss in the 2011 World Cup their resilience in tough situations is not yet trusted. While Michael Hussey billed the game a “grand final,” Amla said South Africa do not see it that way. “We are not putting a lot of pressure on ourselves. The last game was a final for us; we had to win it, and the way the guys came out to play was an inspiration.”He said elements such as “team culture and playing with a positive mind-set” are more important to South Africa than just results. “The way JP [Duminy] and David Miller played in the last game, those are important things for the team in the long-term,” he said.With rain almost certain to play a part in Friday’s match and South Africa’s poor record both in Duckworth-Lewis-affected matches and in Durban, the odds appear stacked against them. In typically calm fashion, Amla said none of those things will have an impact on him or his team-mates. “I don’t think anybody has too much baggage from what happened in the past.”

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan and the new selection panel, led by former captain Akram Khan, have had a public disagreement over the squad for the Zimbabwe tour starting later this month. Shakib said he was not consulted before the 15-man squad was picked, while Akram insisted he was.”I learned about the team after it was named,” Shakib said. “I felt that [I should’ve been consulted] but they, who selected, should have felt it too.”Akram, however, expressed his disbelief at Shakib’s comments and insisted that he had spoken to Shakib over the phone in England. “I’m really shocked,” Akram said. “It’s really hard for me to believe that Shakib made such comments.”Akram, who became selection chief in April, said that he discussed the squad with Shakib before finalising it. “I personally talked with him over telephone in front of my colleagues [Minhazul Abedin and Habibul Bashar] to take his view over the selection. I mentioned all the names for his opinions and he said it is okay.” During a two-day practice game at the GP-BCB National Cricket Academy ground last week, Akram had informed reporters present that he held talks with Shakib over the team.When Shakib was further pressed for his opinion on the current 15-member squad, he said, “The people who selected the team can tell better how good the team is. But I will lead out my eleven.” The reason for Shakib’s resentment is unknown as he refrained from expanding.

Former India batsman Dilip Vengsarkar will be contesting the Mumbai Cricket Association elections, to be held next month, for the post of president. There is likely to be a four-way contest for the post with cabinet member and central minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and possibly Maharashtra’s revenue minister Narayan Rane in the fray to challenge incumbent MCA president Sharad Pawar.”I will be contesting the election this time and I don’t want to comment anything more on this at the moment,” Vengsarkar, who is currently MCA vice-president , told the .Congress leader Deshmukh represents Mazgaon Cricket Club and is also MCA vice-president. Mazgaon CC secretary Alam Shaikh confirmed that Deshmukh would be contesting the elections. “Mr Deshmukh told us that he will be contesting for the president’s post this time,” Shaikh said. “We are confident that he will win again. Let’s see how things go.”National Congress Party (NCP) president Pawar, who is currently ICC president, has been the MCA president for the last eight years [constituting four terms], and was given an extension during the last election after the constitution was amended.Vijay Patil, president of the DY Patil Sports Academy and son of Tripura governor DY Patil, will be contesting for the post of vice-president.The MCA managing committee is scheduled to meet on May 10 to decide the election date.

MatériaMais Notícias

O “Datafolha” publicou, na última sexta-feira, uma nova pesquisa sobre as torcidas brasileiras. O levantamento, realizado nos dias 29 e 30 de janeiro deste ano, mostra o Flamengo como clube brasileiro com mais torcedores no Brasil, o que representa 18%. O Corinthians apareceu com 14%, seguido de São Paulo (8%) e Palmeiras (6%). As primeiras quatro torcidas aparecem na mesma ordem da última pesquisa L!-Ibope, de 2014, quando o Fla foi colocado com32,5 milhões de torcedores no país e o Timão,27,3 milhões (veja números abaixo).

Cruzeiro e Vasco têm 4%, Grêmio, Internacional e Santos 3%, e Atlético-MG 2%. Bahia, Botafogo, Fluminense e Vitória têm 1% cada. 22% dos entrevistados disseram não torcer para nenhum time. A Raposa cresceu e o Galo caiu na comparação ao levantamento L!-Ibope de quatro anos atrás. Os demais são similares.

Considerando a margem de erro de dois pontos percentuais para mais ou para menos do “Datafolha”, há um empate técnico entre Flamengo e Corinthians.

No Sudeste, a maior torcida, segundo a nova pesquisa, é a do Corinthians, com 19%. Os rubro-negros somam 14% na região. O Fla domina no Norte e Nordeste: 37% contra 8% no Norte e 23% contra 9% no Nordeste.

No Sul, a maior torcida registrada é a do Grêmio, com 20%. O Tricolor é seguido pelo rival Internacional, com 18%. No Centro-Oeste, o Flamengo aparece com 23%, com 15% do Corinthians.

Última pesquisa L!-Ibope (2014):

1- Flamengo – 32,5 milhões de torcedores
2- Corinthians – 27,3 milhões de torcedores
3- São Paulo – 13,6 milhões de torcedores
4- Palmeiras – 10,6 milhões de torcedores
5- Vasco – 7,2 milhões de torcedores
6- Atlético-MG – 7 milhões de torcedores
7- Cruzeiro – 6,2 milhões de torcedores
8- Grêmio – 6 milhões de torcedores
9- Inter – 5,6 milhões de torcedores
10- Santos – 4,8 milhões de torcedores
11- Fluminense – 3,6 milhões de torcedores
12- Bahia – 3,4 milhões de torcedores
13- Botafogo – 3,4 milhões de torcedores
14- Vitória – 2,6 milhões de torcedores
15- Sport – 2,4 milhões de torcedores

Match facts

Friday, January 7
Start time 11.00 (2200 GMT)Misbah-ul-Haq has helped his side punch above its weight since taking over as captain•Getty Images

Big Picture

Just as two exciting Test series conclude on two different continents, New Zealand and Pakistan begin one of their own in Hamilton. But unlike the Ashes or the South Africa-India Tests which had massive build-ups, drew large audiences and captivated fans, this one is destined to be a sideshow. And that’s because the eyes and ears of the cricketing world would be transfixed on an event in Doha, where the three players suspected of being involved in the spot-fixing controversy will know their fate.As the ICC’s three-man tribunal examines the charges against Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, who won Pakistan a Test on their previous tour here, the former team-mates of the tainted trio will do well to retain their focus on the action at the ground. Instability, indiscipline and allegations of corruption have done enough in recent months to deflect attention from the efforts of a Pakistan team trying to rebuild.Under a new captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, and with a set of youngsters who’ve made an encouraging transition to international cricket, Pakistan punched above their weight when they held South Africa to a 0-0 draw, albeit in placid conditions, in the UAE in November. Conditions in New Zealand, traditionally favouring more swing and less palatable for batsmen, present Pakistan with a fresh challenge and an incentive, despite starting underdogs, to motivate themselves and repair some of the reputation sullied by events off the field.New Zealand, too, come in to the series on the back of a better-than-expected performance in their Test series in India, where they were beaten 0-1 in a three-match series. Though their woeful ODI form has prompted changes at the top, with John Wright replacing Mark Greatbatch as coach, their past performance in Tests, with Brendon McCullum’s success at the top of the order, the emergence of Kane Williamson and the reliability of Chris Martin, would give them plenty of hope in home conditions.

Form guide

(Most recent first)
Pakistan: DDLWL
New Zealand: LDDLL

Watch out for…

Brendon McCullum‘s promotion to the opening slot yielded a double-century against India and he warmed up for this series in ideal fashion, smashing Pakistan around in the tour game to make 206. Pakistan don’t have the services of Asif and Amir but Umar Gul, with his pace and ability to swing the ball, can be just as aggressive as McCullum. Who will win the battle?Misbah-ul-Haq took over the reins of the Test side in a time of turmoil but led by example in the series against South Africa in the UAE, scoring three half-centuries in four innings to save both Tests. He led the way again with an unbeaten century in the tour match. Much will depend on him and Younis Khan, the senior members in the side, to preserve the focus on the performance on the field. They did that well in the UAE, they’ll need to do it again.

Pitch and conditions

There is rain forecast for Friday, though the past few days in Hamilton have been quite warm. The possibility of overcast conditions on the opening day does provide the temptation of fielding first, but Hamilton, traditionally, has been among the better tracks for batting in the country.”I’d like to have a little bit in it but also in the back of my mind is that if it gets really humid, the ball can swing a lot, and it has been really humid here,” Karl Johnson, the curator at Seddon Park, was quoted as saying to . “I don’t want the wicket to swing and have a lot of zip and movement off the track, but obviously the bowlers would like that,”

Team news

Saeed Ajmal, the offspinner, had to return home to attend his father’s funeral and is likely to miss the first Test. That leaves Abdur Rehman, the left-arm spinner, as the only slow-bowling option. Sohail Tanvir, the left-arm seamer who was a late addition to the squad and picked up four wickets in the tour game, could share the new ball with Gul.Pakistan (probable): 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Taufeeq Umar, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Adnan Akmal (wk), 8 Abdur Rehman, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Sohail Tanvir, 11 Wahab Riaz.Andy McKay, the left-arm seamer, is out due to a side strain and Daryl Tuffey has been called in to the 13-man squad. Wicketkeeper Reece Young, picked in place of Gareth Hopkins, will make his Test debut. Jesse Ryder, who didn’t feature in the warm-up match, is expected to return.New Zealand (possible): 1 Tim McIntosh, 2 Brendon McCullum, 3 Martin Guptill, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Jesse Ryder, 6 Kane Williamson, 7 Daniel Vettori (capt), 8 Reece Young (wk), 9 Tim Southee, 10 Brent Arnel/ Daryl Tuffey, 11 Chris Martin.

Stats and trivia

New Zealand’s batting average over the last two years of 31.47 is much higher than Pakistan’s 26.40, but their bowling average of 44.34 is only marginally better than that of West Indies and Bangladesh.For a comprehensive statistical preview to the Test and the series, click here.

Quotes

“I think with Tim we’ve either done really well or we’ve not done well at all, so we’ve got to try and gain some more consistency between us.”
McCullum on his opening partnership with Tim McIntosh.”We are not thinking about what has happened in the last 12 months, we are just thinking about today and tomorrow and what is coming next. We are ready for that. We just have to forget everything else and focus on what is coming now.”
Misbah-ul-Haq insists his team his focused.

Financial expert Kieran Maguire has reacted to the incoming changes in Financial Fair Play regulations and the impact they may have on Celtic and Dermot Desmond. 

The lowdown: Changes afoot

European football’s governing body UEFA announced that over the coming years clubs will only be permitted to spend 70 per cent or less of their total revenue on player transfers, agent fees and wages, albeit the changes will come into force incrementally.

There are also reported plans to adopt a ‘Swiss model’ to the UEFA Champions League whereby two additional places could be awarded based on historical standings and increased revenues handed out to those sides in the competition.

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As the Hoops aim to earn an automatic spot in the group stage amongst Europe’s elite for the first time since 2017/18 by lifting the Scottish Premiership title, these new rules could have an impact at Parkhead.

The latest: Maguire delivers promising verdict

Speaking to Football Insider, Maguire, a finance expert and contributor for Sky Sports suggested that Desmond and co. will fare well under the new FFP guidelines.

“Celtic are in a very strong position with regards to the new rules.

“They don’t have issues in terms of wage control. Celtic’s wages to turnover ratio in the three years pre-Covid was 58 per cent, 58 per cent and 67 per cent.

“They have three years to taper their outlay accordingly as well because the new rules, while radical, are being phased in gradually.

“Uefa’s calculation also takes into consideration not the whole staff, but only the playing staff and the first-team coach.

“Celtic are certainly in a strong position to deal with that. They don’t often make losses either, so there won’t be an issue there.”

The verdict: Good news

As ever with anything involving finances and changes in regulations, there is always a fear that it could adversely impact off-field matters.

However, such is Maguire’s expertise in this area that Celtic supporters can breathe a sigh of relief that not only will the club circumvent any issues, but life at Lennoxtown and beyond could even improve.

As the board weigh up whether or not to back Ange Postecoglou in the upcoming summer transfer window, financial foresight like this and the potential incoming windfall from Champions League qualification may further bolster the budget.

In other news, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has been left fuming. Read more here.

Yawar Saeed has stepped down as manager of the Pakistan team, as had been widely expected. The PCB announced in a brief statement that Saeed had asked the board chairman to be relieved of his duties and that Ijaz Butt had agreed.Saeed had indicated several times that Pakistan’s long tour of England would be his last. During the tour the team played two Twenty20s and two Tests against Australia, and four Tests, two Twenty20s and five ODIs against England.The tour began well, with Pakistan splitting the Tests against Australia, but became troubled following accusations of spot-fixing against Pakistan captain Salman Butt, and fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, on the last day the Lord’s Test. All three have been provisionally suspended by the ICC while it investigates the allegations.The relationship between the PCB and the ECB deteriorated over the course of the tour, culminating in the ECB threatening to take legal action over comments made by Ijaz Butt that appeared to accuse the England side of fixing as well.Saeed, whose father Mian Mohammad Saeed was Pakistan’s first-ever captain in their unofficial matches before they received Test status, has been manager of several Pakistan sides over the years, most recently last year, when he stepped down after the Champions Trophy. At the time there was speculation of differences between him and the then captain Younis Khan. But eventually, after the disastrous tour of Australia earlier this year, Saeed was convinced to return at Ijaz Butt’s request. Normally, managerial appointments are made by the PCB on a tour by tour basis and no longer than that.

Speaking ahead of his side’s first leg Europa League knockout round play-off tie against Borussia Dortmund tonight, Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has confirmed a blow for Rangers.

The Lowdown: Gers without key men…

The Teddy Bears travel to Germany this evening as they begin their bid to make history, potentially by beating Dortmund over two legs and qualifying for the Europa League last 16 phase.

Dortmund will be without star forward Erling Braut Haaland for this evening’s crunch bout in a boost for van Bronckhorst and Gers supporters, but the Glasgow giants are without key men of their own.

Indeed, defender Filip Helander will miss out having been deemed not fit enough, with the Gers boss also confirming more injury news.

The Latest: Gers also without Balogun…

As well as missing the Swede, van Bronckhorst says that his side will be without another defender in Leon Balogun for their journey to Signal Iduna Park.

“Leon is not available,” said Van Bronckhorst (via STV).

“Hopefully he will be okay for next week.

“Ryan Jack has trained as normal the last couple of days so is fit to come with us to Germany.”

The Verdict: Blow for GVB…

Having been sidelined for a significant portion of this campaign already, news of his absence for tonight also will come as a blow for van Bronckhorst given how crucial Balogun has been in recent times when fit.

Described as a ‘pivotal’ Rangers player earlier this campaign by pundit Noel Whelan, former Teddy Bears manager Steven Gerrard also made no secret of the Nigeria international’s importance to the Ibrox club.

When available, Balogun has impressed in the Europa League, averaging a higher WhoScored match rating (7.16) than any Gers player in the competition.

In the SPFL, Rangers’ centre-back has also averaged the highest amount of interceptions per 90 (1.5) out of their squad (WhoScored), leaving little wonder why his absence for tonight will be a sore one.

In other news: ‘Who would have thought’…BBC pundit thrilled by ‘excellent’ news out of Rangers, find out more here.

Sharad Pawar, the ICC president, has said there was “no question of protecting anybody”, including his one-time protégé Lalit Modi, if the person was found guilty of corruption

Cricinfo staff25-Jul-2010

Sharad Pawar, the ICC president, has said there was “no question of protecting anybody”, including his one-time protégé Lalit Modi, if the person was found guilty of corruption. Pawar, a former BCCI president, credited Modi for the IPL’s success but said he would not interfere in the board’s “fair trial”.”If somebody has committed some mistake, he will have to face the music,” Pawar told television channel CNN-IBN. “No question of protecting anybody, not only Modi but anybody.”IPL, the product, has been a success in this country. It has established that India can also organise such things, and there he [Modi] has taken lots of pain, there are no two opinions about that. But his style of functioning has become controversial and the present board feels it should go in-depth [probe]. The board has deputed a committee, let us see what the outcome is. From what I know of BCCI it will take an appropriate decision and take steps to improve their functioning and image. I am confident that he has to be given a fair trial. But I can’t interfere either way.”Modi was suspended immediately following the conclusion of IPL 3 and charged with financial irregularities relating to the bidding process for IPL franchises, the mid-over ad sales and the sale of theatrical rights. He was also charged with colluding to set up a rebel league in England.Pawar was thought to be one of Modi’s backers but he said that he was not supporting or opposing anyone. “All of us – myself, Modi and Manohar – have worked together as a group and have contributed something. But the present set-up feels something has gone wrong. So until these [wrongdoings] are not established, it is not proper for me to support or oppose one against the other. Basically I am keeping away from all this.”While admitting the controversies had affected the IPL’s image to a certain extent, Pawar said it wasn’t a scandal and that the overall position of the league wouldn’t be damaged. “I don’t think IPL’s overall position will be damaged. But definitely, in the mind of cricket-loving people within India and outside, they have started thinking in a different way that there seems to be some wrong things happening.”I don’t think we have come to the conclusion [that it is a scandal]. There is difference between allegation and a scandal. One has to see how far these allegations are correct. The BCCI is going into details and it will definitely come to a conclusion and then we can say something.”

An update has emerged regarding Newcastle United’s transfer pursuit of Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata…

What’s the talk?

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Magpies have already agreed personal terms with the centre-forward, to whom they are willing to offer a salary of €6.5m (£5.4m) per season.

The report claims that the Tyneside club will be able to snap him up from Atalanta if they pay €40m (£33.4m) up front and sign him on a permanent deal in the current transfer window rather than on an initial loan.

Masterstroke

Newcastle could seal a masterstroke this month by securing a deal to sign Zapata from the Serie A club, as he could save the Magpies’ season.

He is a proven goalscorer at the top level and is a multi-faceted forward who could offer a big threat for Eddie Howe’s side at the top end of the pitch. His vast skill set could make him a danger to opposition defences and he has the physical strength to endure the relentless nature of Premier League football.

His former teammate Papu Gomez previously hailed his physique, saying: “Zapata’s shorts look like underwear, he is so big. Sometimes I don’t even want to get close to him in a match because he’s a beast and it hurts. When he is feeling good he’s like a train – you throw the ball forward and ‘ciao!’”

This suggests that the 30-year-old will not be bullied by Premier League defenders and will be able to hold his own in individual duels. Therefore, there should be no concerns that he will be too lightweight for the English top flight, which means that his technical ability could be shown in full view.

In 152 games for Atalanta, he has scored 78 goals and provided 38 assists. This shows that he is an all-round centre-forward who can find the back of the net himself whilst also linking the play for others to allow his team-mates to score through his creative nous as the number nine.

Zapata has scored 35 headers, 52 goals with his right foot and 16 with his left foot, showing that he can find the net in a variety of ways whilst playing at the top level in Italy. This suggests that he could be a major asset for Newcastle and a terrific signing for Howe’s team, which is why PIF could land a masterclass if they can bring him to the club in the coming days.

AND in other news, NUFC could find the “next Paul Gascoigne” as PIF plot bid for £25m “freak of a talent”…