Keith Piper, the Warwickshire wicketkeeper, has been ruled out of the remainder of the current English season after failing a drugs test. On May 12, Piper pleaded guilty to a doping offence involving cannabis, and on Thursday an ECB disciplinary panel banned him until September 30, five days after the current English season is due to end.A statement issued by the ECB said the panel had ruled that Piper, already serving an interim ban, “be suspended from involvement in all cricket under the jurisdiction of the ECB until September 30, 2005.” The panel added that if Piper, 35, wanted to return to county cricket he should also undergo drug counselling and undertake a drug test before September 30, which would be administered under the auspices of the ECB. The panel also added that Piper would “thereafter be target-tested six times in the following 18 months”. Piper, who had been playing mainly one-day cricket of late, was ordered to pay £250 (US$455) towards the costs of the hearing.In 1997 Piper had failed an in-house drugs test for which he served a one-match ban. His fellow Warwickshire players Paul Smith, now retired, and Graham Wagg have also served drugs-related bans. Last season Wagg was given a 15-month ban by the ECB after testing positive for cocaine and, as a consequence, saw Warwickshire terminate his contract. On Sunday, Piper’s former Warwickshire captain Dermot Reeve, the retired England international, admitted that he was fighting cocaine addiction.Warwickshire’s chief executive Dennis Amiss said: “We feel that Keith Piper’s punishment is appropriate and that it sends out the right message to current and future players. While it is dangerous to draw distinctions between types of drug misuse, and certainly not excusing it, the club considers that Keith’s offence is at the lowest level. However, Keith’s positive test for use of a recreational drug lets down both the county and the game.”We will now work with the ECB and the Professional Cricketers’ Association to support Keith through what will be a very difficult period. In time we hope that Keith can continue giving to the game and we will be discussing the career options that are open to him.”Keith is developing his skills as a coach and while his positive test is a major setback, should he still wish to further his career in this area, the club feel it is appropriate to offer him whatever support and rehabilitation he requires.”
Ricardo Powell, the West Indian Test batsman from Jamaica, is among five newcomers in a youthful Trinidad & Tobago squad to face the Leeward Islands in their opening Carib Beer Series match. The hard-hitting Powell, who has played one Test and 79 one-day internationals, was granted permission to represent T&T after marrying a Trinidadian and taking up residence there.The other newcomers are the left-arm spinner Davindra Krishna, who has captained the West Indian Under-15 team, the opening batsman Tishan Maraj, a former T&T U19 skipper, and the former national youth team players Kenton Thompson and Amit Jaggernauth. Krishna, who has had a niggling shoulder injury, is expected to have a fitness test before the match, which starts on Friday (Jan 10).In the absence of the regular captain Daren Ganga, who is with the West Indian team in South Africa, the opener Imran Jan will take charge for the first time.Trinidad & Tobago squad Imran Jan (capt), Dwayne Bravo, Tishan Maraj, Ricardo Powell, Shazam Babwah, Aneil Kanhai, Gibran Mohammed, Marlon Black, Reyad Emrit, Amit Jaggernauth, Davindra Krishna, Theodore Modeste, Kenton Thompson, Rodney Sooklal. Manager: Omar Khan. Coach: David Williams
An unbeaten century from Damien Martyn and an excellent bowling and fielding effort has seen Australia break its VB Series points duck with a27-run victory over South Africa here at the ‘Gabba ground in Brisbane tonight. In front of a record crowd, the Australians held their composure tobowl the Proteas out for a total of 214 in the 49th over as they chased the home team’s 4/241.Martyn’s innings of 104 (from 121 deliveries), which ultimately secured him the man of the match award, was the key component in Australia’s win.He came to the crease with his team in trouble after another poor start but proceeded to take the match out of the South Africans’ clutches as hecompiled a defiant 171-run stand for the third wicket with Ricky Ponting (80).After a run of outs that had netted the Australians losses in each of their first three matches of the tournament, the new opening combination of MarkWaugh (15) and Matthew Hayden (10) found no ready cure to their team’s ills. Waugh survived two confident lbw appeals before inside edging tobe brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher off paceman Steve Elworthy (2/53) while Hayden, dropped at 8, then mistimed a pull to beheld at mid off from the same bowler.The Australians also lost their way at the other end of their innings, watching as Ponting drove a Lance Klusener (1/48) delivery to Herschelle Gibbsat cover and Andrew Symonds (3) play off a leading edge at spinner Nicky Boje (1/43). Only 42 runs were collected from the final eight overs asMartyn and Steve Waugh (22*) were pegged back by Shaun Pollock (0/28) and Boje in particular.In between times, though, Martyn and Ponting made batting look easy on a true surface. Driving was a feature of their respective innings: Pontingregularly finding the boundary while Martyn’s excellent placement and running between the wickets also cleverly accelerated the scoring rate.In the context of South Africa’s later inability to mount any more than one half-century partnership, their ability to guard against the consistent loss ofwickets also proved crucial.”There is always pressure to win and we knew we had to win the game,” said Australian captain, Steve Waugh, at the end of a match played before35,671 people – an all-time record attendance for a one-day international match in Brisbane.”We wanted to make sure we improved tonight.”Waugh later added that he was “disappointed” by recent media criticism of his side though “not surprised” by the attacks in the wake of Australia’ssurprisingly slow start to the tournament.Neil McKenzie (68) led a determined South African chase, and received useful support from Jacques Kallis (37) along the way. But thecomparatively early surrender of openers Gary Kirsten (22) and Gibbs (18) always made life difficult for the tourists.The South Africans had begun their pursuit aggressively, reaching a mark of 0/34 in the seventh over before Gibbs hit Glenn McGrath (4/37) toAndy Bichel at mid on for an easy catch. His error set the tone for generally indiscreet shot selection and the fall of wickets on a regular basis.McGrath, though he dropped a comfortable catch off Bichel’s bowling as Kirsten top edged a cut to third man, was a persistent thorn in the tourists’side, snaring a pair of wickets at either end of the innings. Symonds (3/48) and Jason Gillespie (2/60) combined to wreck the middle order andBichel (1/27) – arguably the pick of the attack – restrained the run flow superbly.Gillespie snared the two key wickets, trapping Kallis in front of his stumps as the talented right hander shuffled marginally across his crease and thenluring McKenzie into playing one of the few false stokes of his innings.McKenzie, though starved of meaningful support at the other end, had still been threatening to steal the game at that stage – and almost any hope ofa finals appearance away from the Australians as well.But when he tried to guide a Gillespie delivery through the slips in the 41st over only to see the ball disappear into wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist’sgloves, the Proteas’ aspirations of victory suffered a major setback.Pollock (18) followed him to the pavilion three overs later, mistiming a pull at Symonds to hit a catch to Hayden at deep square leg and effectivelyend the contest.Symonds had earlier induced Jonty Rhodes (2) to thin edge a catch to Gilchrist and had also caused the demise of Boucher (10) as he divedforward to complete an inspirational caught and bowled dismissal.
An invaluable unbeaten 155 (258 balls, 20 fours) by Sridharan Sriramtook Tamil Nadu to the imposing position of 346/5 at the end of thesecond day of their Ranji Trophy quarter final against Punjab at theMA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai today. Sriram’s fifth century of theseason also took his Ranji tally past the thousand mark this season inhis seventh match. Resuming at 40/0, Tamil Nadu made 306 runs in the90 overs bowled during the day.After Sadagopan Ramesh had fallen to RP Singh in the third over of theday without adding to his overnight score of 18, Sriram and HemangBadani added 150 for the second wicket to virtually shut out Punjab onthe first innings. Badani was let off on 13, when he pulled SandeepSharma and the ensuing top edge went through the glove tips of aleaping wicket keeper Harminder Jugnu.But the other more critical life was when Sriram, then on 38, droppedthe ball down the wicket, set off, and was sent back by Badani. Thebowler, Sodhi, in a remarkable display of athleticism, swooped downand underarmed the ball onto the stumps as the batsman dived back in,but umpire Ranade was not impressed. Badani made 70 from 147 ballsbefore he guided off spinner Sharandeep Singh staight into the handsof captain Vikram Rathour at slip. His knock comprised of eleven hitsto the fence, with his favourite stroke being the front foot drive onthe rise through the covers.But the most fascinating contest was between Harbhajan and Sriram. ThePunjab offie crowded Sriram with two slips and a gully and tried toentice him to hit against the spin into the vacant area on the onside. Sriram played and missed the sweep shot more than once and hewas also drawn towards one that turned and bounced outside off, whichjust went wide of second slip. He learnt his lesson and then preferredto get to the pitch of the ball aand smother the spin rather than waitfor it. When Sriram went up to 99, the field was brought up, but hecalmly drove Sodhi through the covers for a couple to bring up thelandmark of f 163 balls and with 12 fours.Sriram added another 55 for the third wicket with Madanagopal followedby a fourth wicket stand of 79 with his skipper S Sharath. The latterwas caught at first slip by Rathour off Harbahajan for 30 after whichhe put on an unseemly show of dissent, gesturing his hand at theumpire in frustration. Aashish Kapoor was run out for 5 in going for aneedlessly cheeky single late in the day. Nightwatchman T Kumaran waskeeping Sharath company when stumps were drawn, as Tamil Nadu go intothe third day leading by 88 on the first innings.
PIF are plotting their moves ahead of the summer transfer window as they prepare to take Newcastle United to the next level by snapping up talent.
They made a number of moves in January to give the club the best chance to stay in the Premier League, signing Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Matt Targett, Bruno Guimaraes and Chris Wood. This has led to the side moving out of the bottom three and nine points clear of relegation, having lost just two of their last 11 matches.
The Magpies have now been linked with an ambitious swoop to sign PSG winger Neymar at the end of the season to bolster Eddie Howe’s squad further.
Rocking
St. James’ Park will be rocking if PIF somehow manages to pull off this sensational deal as it would represent a major change in the power structure of the Premier League.
Neymar is the most expensive player in history and Newcastle bringing him in would show that they have the pull to bring in the best players in the world to compete with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. It would prove that they are serious about becoming a powerhouse in England and send shockwaves around the division as other top clubs look on in envy.
The Brazilian gem, who was once dubbed a “once-in-a-generation” player by David Beckham, was previously showered with praise by former Premier League forward Diego Forlan as the retired goalscorer said:
“Neymar is one of the best strikers in the world, playing in football’s best club team. He scores goals, he makes assists, he gets past players, he produces magic when he gets the ball. I could continue to compliment him because Neymar has lived up to the hype.
“Other Brazilians who’ve gone to Europe haven’t always settled so quickly. Neymar has. He’s going to get better and I suspect he’ll be the best in the world in a few years.”
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Have his performances on the pitch lived up to the words around him? His 330 goals and assists in 323 matches for PSG and Barcelona combined, along with 70 strikes in 116 games for Brazil, suggest that they have as he has consistently delivered in the final third at a phenomenal rate throughout his career.
His immense quality at the top end of the pitch and his excellent reputation in the game – as shown by Forlan and Beckham’s comments – are two reasons why St. James’ Park would be rocking if PIF secure a deal for Neymar, along with what it would mean for the landscape of the Premier League. This is why the Saudi Arabian consortium must do all they can to get this move over the line…
AND in other news, Left for £0, now worth 1100% more: Rafa had NUFC howler on “beautiful” £2k-p/w tank…
Subscription TV channel Setanta Sports have paid an undisclosed sum to secure the UK rights to the Indian Premier League. The tournament will mark their first foray into live cricket coverage.Setanta have recently expanded into Premier League football and launched their own dedicated sports news channel. They will broadcast all 59 IPL games from April 18 to June 1 with matches due to start at 9.30am, 1.30pm or 2.30pm UK time. They will also repeat the games in peak time.”The Indian Premier League is going to be massive. We’re absolutely thrilled to acquire these rights and add another major sport to Setanta’s programme line-up,” Trevor East, Setanta’s director of sport, told . “Twenty20 cricket has been a phenomenal success and this tournament, with all its world-class players, is sure to capture the imagination of sports fans young and old.”I firmly believe the IPL will become a highlight of the international sporting calendar for years to come. That’s why we’ve shown our commitment to it by signing a five-year deal.”Currently there aren’t any England players involved in the IPL due to the clash with tours and the start of the domestic season.
Tom Moody, the former Australian batsman who’s currently coaching Sri Lanka, has said the toss could turn out to be a vital factor in Friday’s crucial clash against India at Port-of-Spain. He added that his side wouldn’t take the game lightly, especially since the result would have a bearing on carrying forward points to the Super Eight stage.”The toss will be important, particularly given that the teams are evenly matched,” Moody said, taking into account a bout of showers that had washed the Queen’s Park Oval on match eve. “You can get away with losing the toss against a team not as good as you are, but in a game like this, the toss may be pretty important. We want to see the overhead conditions and the wicket before we decide on the final combination. There has been a bit of rain today and that may have a bit of a bearing, but I really can’t see massive changes to the side.”Moody was glad that his batsmen had adapted well to the sluggish Trinidad pitch, something which couldn’t be said of India’s batsmen in their opening match against Bangladesh. “We have had two good games, and are looking forward to finishing off positively. There is a lot of confidence within the team, and the one big advantage we have is that we have played good cricket on this wicket. It is not an easy one to adapt to, but we have done that with both bat and ball, gotten over some tricky hurdles.”.”It is not about India, as far as we are concerned. It’s about Sri Lanka, and what we can take out of this game. It is the biggest game of the competition so far for Sri Lanka. We need to carry forward points to the next stage, and whether it is at the expense of India is not important.”As India’s team management pondered over their spin-bowling options for the game, Moody felt that Anil Kumble, a bowler who’s gone wicketless in his last four matches against them, might be a bigger threat than Harbhajan Singh, the offspinner. “We have all played Harbhajan over the last two years in both Test and one-day cricket ona pretty regular basis. India might even play both their spinners. It is going to be a challenge. Kumble is a wonderful, experienced bowler and he had a verygood game against Bermuda. He will perhaps provide a greater challenge.”India’s captain Rahul Dravid’s didn’t buy the argument about Sri Lanka being the favourites. “I don’t think we are weaker than Sri Lanka in any department. We are evenlymatched sides and it will depend on who plays well on the given day. It will be a littledifferent playing them at a neutral venue, but we have played them 10-12 times in the last one and a half years and both sides know the strengths and weaknessesof each other. We have done well in the past against them in neutral venues, like in the 1999 and 2003 World Cups, and we can take confidence from thosegames.”
ScorecardNamibia’s bowlers gave their team a real chance to beat Nepal with a strong allround performance on the third day. But with the first day already lost to rain, when play begins on the fourth day, they will have to work quickly if they are to force a result. After bowling out Nepal for 143 in their first innings, Namibia now have a lead of 139 to take into the final day.Things didn’t begin so well for the home side at Windhoek after Deon Kotze failed to capitalise on his dominance of the day before. Starting the day on 90 not out, he stumbled six short of his century, edging through off Binod Das.From there, Das ripped right through the Namibia tail to flatten them from a healthy 245 for 6 to an anaemic 272 all out. He did not stop till he had taken 6 for 80 from his 30.2 overs.But Nepal’s batsmen could not build on that good work. Namibia’s bowlers could – they rattled through the line-up to knock them over for 143. All six bowlers who were used bagged at least a wicket each. Paresh Lohani and Kanishka Chaugai gave Nepal a decent platform, putting on 46 for the opening wicket but when they both fell in quick succession, the batting subsided.JB Burger and Dawid Botha had time for a quick knock before the end and they emerged unscathed to take their team to 10 without loss, 139 runs ahead.
Shane Warne has teased Kevin Pietersen with the nickname “600” in honour of his approaching Test milestone. Warne needs 17 wickets to reach the mark and his needling of Pietersen is both playful and a sign he intends to chalk it up during the Ashes.Pietersen said Warne, his Hampshire team-mate, hoped he would get picked for the five-match series and has helped him deal with the pressures of being England’s “wonder boy” after his explosive one-day tour to South Africa. “It’s been such a relief having someone to talk to who’s experienced it all,” he told The Independent. “Warney has done everything. He’s earned his millions, had a ban, been caught doing this or that, and got 583 Test wickets. He’s nicknamed me 600 because he wants me as his 600th.”Warne has also been assisting Pietersen – and indirectly England – by telling him the side’s weaknesses. “He thinks the best way for England to beat them is by blooding some young players who aren’t brainwashed,” he told the paper. “He says he knows he’ll knock Graham Thorpe over, for instance, and that maybe England should choose some batters who aren’t used to being dominated by Australia.” Warne has dismissed Thorpe nine times in Tests, five behind Alec Stewart, his favourite English batsman.The reaction to Pietersen’s emergence has provoked full inboxes, and he is prepared to take advice from throughout the world. Greg Matthews, the former Australia offspinner, is another confidant from Pietersen’s two seasons in Sydney grade cricket.”He was talking to me about how I batted in South Africa,” he said. “He told me that my triggers are a bit too big, meaning my foot movement. So it’s a case of knuckling down to sort myself out.” But he was quick to say Mark Waugh based his career on playing through the legside. Supporters should not expect too many major changes whenever he makes his Test debut.
India 193 for 5 (Jaya Sharma 60) beat New Zealand 191 (Tiffen 57) by 5 wickets Scorecard A fine 60 from Jaya Sharma enabled India to chase down a modest target at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Earlier, India’s spinners had kept the New Zealand batters on a tight leash, and only Haidee Tiffen provided much resistance in a disappointing innings.India might have lost the toss, but they took the ascendancy from the very first ball, when Maria Fahey was trapped leg-before by Amita Sharma. The batsmen prodded on thereafter, and the innings was in dire need of some impetus when Maia Lewis, the captain, fell in the 35th over (96 for 4)But a swift 34 – off just 35 balls – from Aimee Mason added respectability to the total and some sheen to the day’s proceedings. Mamta Maben, Neetu David and Nooshin Al Khadeer finished with four wickets between them, and conceded only 104 runs in their 30 overs.India’s reply was built largely around Sharma, who hit ten fours in her well-crafted innings. Mithali Raj injected some urgency into the chase with a brisk 32, and India coasted home with 11 balls to spare.