All matches in the upcoming tri-series featuring hosts Sri Lanka, South Africa and India will be played in Colombo, the BCCI confirmed today. The first two matches will be day/night fixtures at the R Premadasa Stadium while the next two will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club.Dambulla was originally scheduled to host the first four games, but in-fighting among the opposing parties in the upcoming Sri Lanka Cricket elections called for a change in venue. Mohan de Silva, the opposition candidate, said on Tuesday that Dambulla will be reinstated as a venue if he becomes president, but further changes in the itinerary have now been ruled out.Meanwhile, it was announced that the Indian team for the tri-series in Sri Lanka in August will be selected on July 20 in Mumbai. According to Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, captain Rahul Dravid will join the five selectors in picking the side and added that coach Greg Chappell will not be able to attend the meeting.Regarding Sachin Tendulkar’s availability, Shah said that the BCCI is awaiting a report from team physio John Gloster. “Gloster would be in Mumbai on Thursday and I will ask him to give a report,” Shah told . Tendulkar is currently in England playing for club side Lashings and hasn’t shown any discomfort after undergoing a shoulder surgery, scoring three hundreds.It was also announced that the BCCI working committee would meet in New Delhi on July 16.
Zimbabwe lived to take the fight into a fifth day in the first Test against Australia at Perth, albeit assisted by two rain breaks, the second of which resulted in stumps being drawn with Australia needing only one wicket for victory.Australia had suffered from the absence through injury of Stuart MacGill and Jason Gillespie, and the rain just compounded that. In an effort to keep his players on the field in the final session, Steve Waugh took Brett Lee and Andy Bichel off, and used his slow bowlers in the quest for the last wicket. But Heath Streak and Raymond Price stood firm while adding 25 runs for the last wicket.Showers had been forecast, and during the middle session the cloud cover became dark enough for Peter Willey and Srinivas Venkataraghavan, the umpires, to ask for the ground lights to be turned on. At one point, the Australians were so keen to finish off the innings before the rain came that Brett Lee was running back to the start of his bowling mark.Zimbabwe had extended Australia’s agony by fighting back from the loss of five wickets for 16 runs during the morning session. Sean Ervine, who had already made an impact in his third Test by taking four Australian wickets in their first innings, showed he was a dab hand with the bat during an 83-run eighth wicket stand with Streak. Ervine made the most of the lighter weight of the Australian attack, which featured irregular bowlers like Darren Lehmann, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, before the second new ball was introduced. When it came, Bichel broke through with a beautifully-pitched inswinger that bowled him for 53.Andy Blignaut, who survived a pair, continued the attack and when tea was taken, he and Streak had added 38 runs with Blignaut hitting 22 off 26 balls. But three balls after the resumption, he missed a delivery from Lehmann, and was stumped by Adam Gilchrist.No sooner had Price arrived at the wicket than the rain that had been drizzly became heavier and the umpires, after a consultation, offered the batsmen the chance to leave the field. Seventy-four minutes were lost, before the players re-emerged for 41 more minutes of action. Then, the rain returned to provide a full stop to the day’s play.It had always been improbable that the Zimbabweans could survive for two days, even against the depleted attack, but the loss of a batsman as well set as Mark Vermeulen had been, caused a domino effect. He was entitled to feel some grief over his dismissal, as television replays showed that the ball from Brett Lee had not taken his bat but clipped his shirt instead on its way to Gilchrist. However the later batting damage was more due to poor shot selection than anything special from the bowlers. Stuart Carlisle, who had helped Vermeulen to add 99 for the third wicket, was unable to maintain his concentration. In the act of attempting a sweep shot to Darren Lehmann’s part-time left-arm spin, he top-edged the ball to first slip where Matthew Hayden took the catch.Bichel was then brought back by Steve Waugh to instant effect, his third ball trapping Craig Wishart leg before wicket when he had scored only eight. He soon added Tatenda Taibu, getting him to prod forward diffidently and edge one through to Gilchrist. With the score still on 126, Craig Evans played all around a straight ball from Lehmann to be bowled.At that stage, and then again after tea, the champagne corks were ready to be popped. But frustratingly for Australia, the rain proved to be Zimbabwe’s staunchest ally. All eyes will be on the weather forecasts tonight. Were Zimbabwe to escape from Perth with an undeserved draw tomorrow, Hayden’s world-record celebrations would be muted indeed.
John Wright’s contract to coach the Indian team may be extended when his current tenure ends in September, according to Jagmohan Dalmiya, the president of the BCCI.Dalmiya hinted that the composition of the team and support staff would remain the same, and expressed satisfaction about the results achieved by the squad. “We have no idea of saying goodbye to anyone at the moment. Wright has done a good job, but it is a decision which will be taken by the working committee at a later stage,” Dalmiya said. “I had a meeting with all of them [Wright, Andrew Leipus and Greg King] after the Pakistan tour and my discussions with them gave me an idea of what we need to do. I told them that they had done a good job.”Dalmiya’s comments came after speculation on Wright’s future with the Indian team after a successful three-and-a-half year period in which India achieved a greater level of consistency and fitness – two qualities alien to previous Indian teams. Under Wright’s tenure so far, India have won 15 Tests, including seven overseas. To put the improvement in perspective, one-third of all of India’s overseas Test victories have come during Wright’s tenure.
Graeme Smith will become the youngest South African Test and Limited Overs captain when he leads his team out against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Smith will be 22 years and 59 days when he captains South Africa against Sri Lanka in the Limited Overs international at Sharjah on 1 April and 22 years 82 days when he captains South Africa in the Tests against Bangladesh at Dhaka starting on 24 April. This will make him the 3rd youngest Test captain and 2nd youngest Limited Overs International captain.The previous youngest South African captains are included in the lists below.
Youngest Test captainsName Yrs Day Team Against Venue SeasonNawab ofPataudi 21 77 India West Indies Bridgetown 1961/62Waqar Younis 22 15 Pakistan Zimbabwe Karachi-D 1993/94GC Smith 22 82 RSA Bangladesh Dhaka 2003ID Craig 22 194 Australia South Africa Johannesburg 1957/58Javed Miandad 22 260 Pakistan Australia Karachi 1979/80M Bisset 22 306 RSA England Johannesburg 1898/99MP Bowden 23 144 England South Africa Cape Town 1888/89SR Tendulkar 23 169 India Australia Delhi 1996/97GC Grant 23 217 West Indies Australia Adelaide 1930/31Hon IFW Bligh 23 292 England Australia Melbourne 1882/83SP Fleming 23 319 New Zealand England Christchurch 1996/97Youngest Limited Overs International captainsName Yrs Day Team Against Venue SeasonWaqar Younis 21 354 Pakistan West Indies Sharjah 1993/94GC Smith 22 59 RSA Sri Lanka Sharjah 2002/03SR Tendulkar 23 126 India Sri Lanka Colombo-RPS 1996/97Javed Miandad 23 162 Pakistan West Indies Karachi 1980/81Moin Khan 23 196 Pakistan India Sharjah 1994/95Kapil Dev 23 249 India Sri Lanka Amritsar 1982/83ADR Campbell 23 338 Zimbabwe Australia Colombo-RPS 1996/97SP Fleming 23 358 New Zealand Sri Lanka Christchurch 1996/97WJ Cronje 24 105 RSA New Zealand Brisbane 1993/94IT Botham 24 186 England West Indies Leeds 1980CD McMillan 24 209 New Zealand Sri Lanka Sharjah 2000/01
Test stars Andy Caddick and Marcus Trescothick will be in the Somerset team to face Glamorgan in the CricInfo Championship match that starts at Taunton on Friday.The news will be particularly welcome by the Somerset supporters who have been deprived of the chance of seeing their two England players in all but a handful of matches this season.After being informed of the decision to allow the two players to play in the Championship match Chief Executive Peter Anderson told me,"Somerset has always been to the forefront regarding England releasing centrally contracted players to appear for their counties. We are naturally delighted to be able to welcome Andy and Marcus back for the game against Glamorgan."Mr Anderson then went on to talk about the chances of winning the County Championship for the first time in the club’s history. "At the moment we are in a strong position – all we have to do is to deliver the goods.Somerset have six matches left, four of which are at home, against Glamorgan, Leicestershire, Surrey and Northants, and we have to travel to Kent again next Wednesday and Essex in early September. We are on a roll at the moment, and will be hoping to put it altogether against Glamorgan at Taunton to keep up our challenge for the County Championship."The return of Caddick and Trescothick creates a selection dilemma for Jamie Cox and Somerset Coach Kevin Shine. "This underlines the strength of the playing squad that we have within the club," the Chief Executive said, " the inclusion of the two England players means that there is no place for Matt Bulbeck, Jason Kerr or Joe Tucker. We also have a number of talented young players waiting in the wings, including Chris Hunkin, Gareth Andrew and Cornish leg spinner Michael Munday."
Everton have now reportedly set their sights on signing a Serie A striker who is prioritising a move to the Premier League in 2026.
Moyes will be "delighted" to get "right players" in January
It’s a big month for the Toffees. David Moyes’ side have already set up the foundations in the first-half of the season, showing plenty of promise, but desperately need that added bit of quality to take that next step. The January transfer window can provide that if The Friedkin Group spent correctly.
Having his say on the winter window, Moyes told reporters that he’ll only be looking for the “right players” – saying: “I have always said that I don’t think we will be doing a lot of business in January. If we find some players, we will be delighted to do it. The CEO will be as well and the owners too.
“It’s more to do with trying to have a plan. The ownership wants us to have a plan and prepare in a certain fashion. I don’t think it will be coming up with a lot of quick fixes. That’s the way it’s moving.”
The veteran manager also had his say on whether he needs a new striker, telling reporters: “Maybe I like to bring other things in as well if I could. We don’t’ want to get everybody’s hopes up. There is an awful lot of speculation. I sort of laugh at it a little bit.”
Whether Moyes simply has a good poker face remains to be seen, but the rumours are indeed coming thick and fast. Everton have already been linked with the likes of Evan Ferguson and are now reportedly interested in a Serie A star.
According to reports in Spain, Everton are now targeting a move to sign Artem Dovbyk from AS Roma in the January transfer window.
Everton targeting Artem Dovbyk move
The Roma forward has struggled since arriving and has looked destined for an exit for some time. Now, he’s reportedly prioritising a Premier League switch amid interest from Sunderland, Everton and West Ham United.
Everton now targeting move to sign "unbelievable" Coleman heir who’s impressed scouts
The Toffees could finally replace Coleman.
ByTom Cunningham
That said, he won’t exactly come cheap. As things stand, Dovbyk reportedly earns around £94,000-a-week in Italy, which would instantly make him Everton’s sixth highest-earning player above Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Whether a player who’s scored just twice all season is worth that salary is the question that Everton must ask themselves.
League stats 25/26
Artem Dovbyk
Thierno Barry
Minutes
327
824
Goals
2
1
Assists
1
0
Expected Goals
2
2.7
The last thing that the Toffees need is another struggling striker and the stats suggest that Dovbyk would give Moyes exactly that in the January transfer window.
Subscribe to the newsletter for transfer insight Get deeper transfer coverage by subscribing to our newsletter – stat-driven analysis, target tracking and clear context on Everton’s moves and Premier League prospects. Ideal for readers who want informed perspectives on transfer developments. Subscribe to the newsletter for transfer insight Get deeper transfer coverage by subscribing to our newsletter – stat-driven analysis, target tracking and clear context on Everton’s moves and Premier League prospects. Ideal for readers who want informed perspectives on transfer developments.
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The veteran boss reiterated that he’s looking for the right players next month rather trying to force through any reinforcements. With that being the case, they could look elsewhere rather than Dovbyk when the winter window does swing open.
A red-hot spell from Sohail Tanvir during which he took 6 for 14 – the best figures in official Twenty20 cricket – decimated the Chennai Super Kings for 109 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. That reduced what was a clash for top spot in the Indian Premier League into a one-sided rout as the Rajasthan Royals chased down the smallest target of the tournament to win their fifth consecutive game, with eight wickets in hand.Tanvir exploited the seamer-friendly conditions, there was swing and bounce, and gave Rajasthan a perfect start, nailing both openers for ducks in the first over. Parthiv Patel played across the line and missed an incutter first ball and Stephen Fleming fell in similar fashion four deliveries later. Both those wickets were to balls that came into the left-hander but Tanvir picked up his third with the one that went away and induced an outside edge from S Vidyut in his second over. Chennai were reeling at 11 for 3 and Rajasthan’s dominance was emphasised by a rare sight in Twenty20 cricket – a slip cordon populated by three fielders.Fourteen runs came off the fifth over, bowled by Siddarth Trivedi, and when S Badrinath played an orthodox square-drive and a flick to get take boundaries off the sixth, Chennai seemed to be recovering. However Watson, who used the bouncer effectively, took a simple return catch after Badrinath top-edged a miscued pull. Chennai had been pushed further back just when they were taking half a step forward.With Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the two highest run-getters in Chennai’s line-up, batting together a competitive total was gettable. However, Rajasthan captain Shane Warne further dented Chennai’s hopes when he won the battle against his opposite number Dhoni: his first ball pitched outside leg and spun right across Dhoni’s off stump and two deliveries later, a flighted leg break took the outside edge to Graeme Smith at slip.Rania and Albie Morkel staged a recovery of sorts after Chennai were reduced to 44 for 5. After having played out a few economical overs, Morkel slog-swept Warne for two fours through square-leg and swatted a straight six in an over that cost 17. Yusuf Pathan even dropped a sitter at long-on to give Raina a reprieve but the batsman didn’t capitalise, holing out to Tanvir at long-off soon after.Just as in his first spell, Tanvir struck with the first delivery of his second as well, this time Morkel was bowled as he slogged across the line. The tail found Tanvir’s skiddy pace and immaculate line too hard to negotiate and Chennai were dismissed in the 19th over, a drastic fall in batting fortunes after the departure of Australians Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey.If Chennai were to make a match of it, they needed to take every chance coming their way. Joginder Sharma, though, spilled a simple chance at mid-off when Makhaya Ntini, after starting off with a maiden, had Smith miscuing a pull. Twenty one extras, the second highest conceded in the tournament, didn’t help their cause either.Swapnil Asnodkar, full of confidence after his Man-of-the-Match performance on his IPL debut in the previous game, pummelled his first ball straight back down the ground for four and slammed Manpreet Gony for consecutive boundaries in the fourth over during a fluent 32.At the other end, Smith was skipping down the track and muscling boundaries square of the wicket, and when a wayward seventh over from Morkel cost 14 runs, Rajasthan had raced to 58 for no loss. It wasn’t until this stage, after the horse had bolted, that Chennai brought on their best bowler, Muttiah Muralitharan, but the task of bringing Chennai back into the contest was beyond him. Rajasthan lost a couple of wickets but, with the help of some lusty blows from Pathan and Watson, the target was overhauled with 5.4 overs to spare.After winning their first four matches, this was Chennai’s second consecutive loss and the huge margin of defeat meant that they slipped to fourth place in the space of two days.
Marvan Atapattu, former Sri Lankan captain, will not face disciplinary action over his decision to pull out of the home series against Bangladesh. Atapattu, who is one of Sri Lanka’s 18 contracted players, cited personal reasons for his withdrawal after being named in the Test side as a replacement for the rested Sanath Jayasuria.An action by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was expected on Atapattu’s decision as he was all set to make his international comeback after a gap of 18 months. Jayantha Dharmadasa, the SLC chief, however, decided to go easy on Atapattu keeping in view his disciplinary record and services.”We will have to consider Marvan’s services to the country as a player and captain,” he said suggesting that the national governing body would not pursue any drastic action.”We will speak to him on his contractual obligations (with Sri Lanka Cricket), but stop short of taking disciplinary action,” a senior SLC official told AFP.
Zimbabwe Cricket’s interim board, who were appointed for six months last January, have been granted a two-month extension to their tenure.The decision was made by the Sports & Recreation Commission, the government-back body who installed the interim board in the first place, after an application was made to them.”We have decided to extend their tenure realising their concerted effort to bring normalcy to the game,” Joseph Muchechetere, the SRC’s acting chief executive, told the Independent. “We emphasised that whatever measures they are taking, the whole process must be concluded by August 31.”Muchechetere said the SRC had agreed to keep the interim board in office to allow the union time to conclude their constitutional amendment exercise and the restructuring of provincial associations.However, the Independent pointed out that the move was immediately criticised by stakeholders, who said they will not recognise the board once the six-month period ends.
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsSuperSport Park lived up to its reputation of producing some exciting cricket as the match between the Titans and the Eagles went down to the wire with Ryan Bailey lofting Jacques Rudolph out of the park to secure victory for the Eagles with three balls to spare.A game that was destined to be drawn ended in excitement as Daryll Cullinan made a sporting declaration, setting a target of 248 in 53 overs. The challenge was accepted with Davey Jacobs (11), Gerhardus Liebenberg (31) and Boeta Dippenaar (54) going after the bowling. However, Bailey (75 not out) and Morne van Wyk (74 not out) saw the Eagles home with an undefeated partnership of 131. The only mistake the Titans may have made was the slow run rate in the second innings when they were looking for the declaration. Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAt Kingsmead, in Durban, Shaun Pollock outshone his national team-mates as he secured the Man-of-the-Match award, having taken 7 wickets and scoring 66 runs in the match as the Dolphins beat the more fancied Western Province Boland team by a convincing margin of eight wickets. Ashwell Prince and Paul Adams held the Dolphins up for 33 overs in a 79-run partnership that looked threatening. Once Johann Louw had Prince caught at the wicket for 80, with JP Duminy absent hurt, the innings came to a close at 176 leaving a target of 135 runs. Doug Watson (64 not out) and Imraan Khan (31) gave the Dolphins a 75-run start, allowing Hashim Amla (31 not out), the new captain, to be at the crease when the winning runs were scored. However, there was bad news for both teams, with Mfuneko Ngam picking up a shoulder injury while Duminy broke a finger and Jacques Kallis laboured through a thigh strain. Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsNot even a power failure at Sedgars Park in Potchefstroom could stop the Lions from beating the Warriors convincingly by 181 runs. As in the first innings, the Warriors’s batting woes continued with only Arno Jacobs (61 not out) able to come to terms with the balanced Lions attack. David Terbrugge took four second-innings wickets and was ably assisted by Andrew Hall and Charl Langeveldt, who picked up two each.