All posts by h716a5.icu

THE Western Australian Cricket Association selectors have made one change to the Western Warriors team to play Tasmania in a Pura Cup match at the WACA Ground from December 8-11.

Western Australia Cricket Association07-Dec-2002THE Western Australian Cricket Association selectors have made one change to the Western Warriors team to play Tasmania in a Pura Cup match at the WACA Ground from December 8-11.Fast bowler Matthew Nicholson has been ruled out because of injury.All-rounder Kade Harvey will replace Nicholson in the Warriors 12.Harvey, 27, has played 11 Pura Cup/Sheffield Shield games.The Warriors team is:Jo Angel (captain), Murray Goodwin (vice-captain), Beau Casson, Michael Clark, Geoff Cullen, Kade Harvey, Scott Meuleman, Marcus North, Chris Rogers, Luke Ronchi, Adam Voges and Paul Wilson.Nicholson, 28, injured ligaments in his right forearm while bowling during Friday night’s ING Cup limited-overs victory over Tasmania.The extent of his injury will be known following an examination by a specialist on Saturday morning.Sunday is Family Day at the Warriors opening day of the match against the Tigers. Loads of fun activities, including Bouncy Castle, Animal Farm, Fastball and Face Painting is on offer for the kids.Gates open at 10am. Play starts at 11am.

West Ham United may have just been handed a massive boost in their bid to sign Jesse Lingard on a permanent basis…

What’s the word?

His current club Manchester United announced a long-awaited deal for Jadon Sancho in an €85m (£73m) move from Borussia Dortmund this week but, according to The Athletic, it has left them with a lack of finances to complete a move for Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.

The Frenchman is entering the final year of his deal and will be free to speak to United in January over a pre-contract agreement, but if they are to secure him in this window, then some player sales may be required, which will undoubtedly put Lingard’s future back in the spotlight.

Transfer boost

Lingard’s time at Old Trafford looked to be all but over in January but his stunning form for the Irons has led to a feeling that he could still play a part under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

However, considering the impending arrival of Sancho, it’s hard to imagine that the 28-year-old attacking midfielder would garner much playing time, especially when there is also Bruno Fernandes and perhaps Donny van de Beek ahead of him in the pecking order, not to mention the likely emergence of Amad Diallo.

Just last week, the Daily Star reported that United were prepared to offer Lingard a new £130,000-per-week, three-year contract extension as he too is entering the final year of his current deal, but that was suggested prior to Sancho’s arrival.

It’s already abundantly clear that the Hammers are desperate to bring the loan sensation back to the London Stadium – even manager David Moyes has made it obvious.

He told reporters after the final game of the season, via the Evening Standard: “I hope Jesse’s here, we’d like to keep him, he’s done an exceptional job for us but there’s no guarantees, he’s not our player. But I hope Jesse realises we’ve been good for him as well, and that he joined a club on the up.”

United are also said to value Lingard at around £25m after his very successful loan spell under the Scotsman, so arguably he’s the most valuable asset they have in order to raise funds for Varane right now.

That is why this development should come as a massive boost to the Hammers.

The 29-cap England dynamo registered nine goals and five assists to help fire the east London outfit into the Europa League. Only midfielder Tomas Soucek recorded a better average rating on the season than Lingard, as per WhoScored.

It’s really no surprise that the United outcast, who has been described as “absolutely phenomenal” in the press during his time at West Ham, is one of their top priorities this window.

Given the lack of finances following the swoop for Sancho, Moyes and GSB would be foolish to not force United’s hand. They must now secure a move for the £12.8m-rated beast after this fresh boost.

AND in other news, Moyes could kill two birds with one stone with West Ham swoop for £18m-rated “warrior”…

Norwich City have confirmed the permanent signing of Southampton goalkeeper Angus Gunn on a four-year-contract [Sky Sports].

The Lowdown: Southampton re-shuffle the pack ahead of 2021/22

As the Saints move into 2021/22 with pre-season fast approaching, many will be keen to see how Raplh Hasenhüttl re-designs his squad after a disappointing 15th placed finish last time out.

Not wasting any time, Southampton have already ratified the departures of Wesley Hoedt, Ryan Bertrand, Jake Hesketh and Josh Sims to free up wages for prospective additions [Transfermarkt].

Following recent developments, the 25-year-old stopper has now joined the list of outgoings at St Mary’s following three years at the club after signing in 2018 [BBC].

The Latest: Gunn makes permanent switch to familiar territory

A familiar face at Carrow Road, Gunn has made the move to his boyhood heroes as they plot Premier League survival next campaign [Sky Sports].

No stranger to the Canaries, he spent his youth career in Norfolk before joining Manchester City in 2011, whilst also returned on loan to Daniel Farke’s side in 2017/18, plying his trade in the Sky Bet Championship [Sky Sports].

Though the official terms of the fee for the Englishman remain undisclosed, Transfermarkt cite that Southampton will receive around £5.27 million for the 6ft 5in goalkeeper.

The Verdict: Gunn’s departure is a good deal for both Norwich City and Southampton

All things considered, there is an agreeable nature to this transfer on both sides of the deal.

For the Saints, they have pulled in a reasonable sum of money for an individual who is surplus to requirements on the South Coast. In 2020/21, he made 15 appearances on loan at Stoke City in the Sky Bet Championship [Transfermarkt], and is down the pecking order at St. Mary’s.

As for Norwich City, they gain a long-term option between the sticks who will be desperate to prove a point in East Anglia.

Once labelled a ‘great talent’ by head coach Farke, Gunn could be a key player for the top flight newcomers for years to come [Norwich City FC Official].

In other news, Southampton fans react to their links with a 29-goal striker.

Many West Ham United fans have been left to fume as a transfer update emerged on Aaron Ramsey.

As per Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the East London club, as well as a number of other teams in the Premier League, are interested in signing the Juventus man in the summer window.

The London Stadium faithful are one of the frontrunners for his signature along with Crystal Palace, but his €7m (£6m) a year wages may prove to be a stumbling block.

Coupled up with the fact that he is now 30 years of age and has had a lot of injury problems throughout his footballing career so far, it is not a surprise to see so many Hammers supporters opposed to a potential deal for the former Arsenal central midfield player.

David Moyes’ team do need to strengthen in the middle of the park, with Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek and Mark Noble the only real senior options for the Scotsman at the moment, but Ramsey should not be the answer given his fitness troubles.

West Ham fans on Ramsey transfer update

These Irons fumed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter:

“As much as I love the bloke, I’m done with the club signing injury prone players”

Credit: @hammer_welsh

“Surely not we don’t need a past his best, overpriced Prima donna I would like young hungry players”

Credit: @dav_dickson

“Please no”

Credit: @jjscoyi

“No he is average and his wages are massive”

Credit: @oliver76329318

“Noooo please”

Credit: @Johnath03607801

“Hope not”

Credit: @7697236f9edf41f

In other news, find out which ‘outstanding’ striker WHU are battling to sign here!

Sri Lanka were relieved that Shoaib Akhtar was not here but admitted that they had more respect for the great Ws

13-Aug-2002Sri Lanka were relieved that Shoaib Akhtar was not here but admitted that they had more respect for the great Ws. Shoaib had terrorized Sri Lanka in the final earlier this year when the two teams last met in the final of the Sharjah Cup.”Shoaib had a great final but if you want me to quantify the percentage of the importance Shoaib in that team, then I think Wasim Akram is more important than him,” Sri Lankan manager Dave Whatmore said.Sanath Jayasuriya, the Sri Lankan captain, paid even more respect to the two outstanding bowlers of the game.”I wouldn’t be happy to lose Shoaib if I am a Pakistan supporter. But you still got to tackle Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, and I tell you, it is never easy,” the flamboyant opener said.Sri Lanka face Pakistan in their opener Wednesday.Jayasuriya added: “The two might have lost a yard or so (in pace), but they are still dangerous because they are deceptive. Against Shoaib, you know that it (ball) is coming fast but against them (Wasim and Waqar) you just don’t know what they will deliver.”Wasim and Waqar, the deadliest new ball pair the world has ever seen, share almost 850 one-day and 775 Test wickets between them. They could have raised the tally had Waqar not been sidelined for a couple of years in the last century.Jayasuriya, who has toyed with almost all the fast bowling in his distinguished career, said Shoaib was special to Pakistan team because he was a wicket-taking bowler. He compared the world’s fastest bowler with his spin king Muthiah Muralitharan.”The common thing in the two is their ability to pick wickets. They not only put brakes on the scoring rate, they pick bulk of the wickets and that too at crucial stages. It is that ability that has made them special in cricket history,” Jayasuriya said.Jayasuriya said Muralitharan had fully recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained during the Sharjah final in April and was optimistic that he would deliver the goods. But at the same time, he warned that the other bowlers also needed to rise to the occasion and realize their responsibilities.”Muralitharan is a class act and a key player. But you see injuries are part and parcel of a professional cricketer and therefore, he can’t always be available. So when he is not there, they other bowlers have to raise their hands, stand up and show their mettle. I know they are trying but they need to try harder and learn quickly,” he said.

Leeds United are interested in signing exciting Dutch youngster Noa Lang in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Lang move

The 21-year-old caught the eye for Club Brugge last season, moving there on loan from Ajax and scoring 17 goals, in all competitions.

Leeds have been linked before with snapping up the talented Dutchman, with Victor Orta and co clearly seeing him as someone who could bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s attacking options in 2021/22.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

The Latest: Romano provides update

Romano has now given a fresh update on the Whites’ pursuit of Lang, taking to Twitter to confirm that ‘Leeds are interested’ and ‘want to open talks’ with him over a move.

Brugge are keen on offering the forward a new deal – they have the option of signing him permanently – but it remains to be seen if he decides to stay put or not.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-5/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Verdict: Hugely exciting addition

Lang looks a player of great potential, having already become such a key man at the age of just 21, and he could be an extremely exciting signing for Leeds.

He has been described as a ‘phenomenon’ by Belgian sports journalist Peter Vandenbempt, which speaks volumes about his level of talent.

Lang’s productivity in the final third is sure to appeal to Orta and Bielsa – he enjoyed a total of 23 goal involvements in the Jupiler Pro League alone last season – and this combination of proven quality and youth would represent both a current and a long-term acquisition.

In other news, there has been an update on Leeds’ interest in a potential new left-back this summer. Find out who it is here.

Kent fast bowler Amjad Khan took the honours on day one of their visit to Aigburth to meet Lancashire in Division One of the Frizzell County Championship

Stephen Lamb26-Jun-2002Kent fast bowler Amjad Khan took the honours on day one of their visit to Aigburth to meet Lancashire in Division One of the Frizzell County Championship. Khan took five for 74 as Lancashire were bowled out for 226. But for Stuart Law (75) and Ryan Driver (56) putting on 99 for the fifth wicket, Lancashire would have fallen well short of 200. As it was they fought back before the close, with Glen Chapple taking two wickets as Kent struggled to 102 for four.Bottom-of-the-table Yorkshire found it hard work at Arundel, although they were bolstered by the return of skipper Darren Lehmann from his international commitments in Australia. Lehmann made 71 as Yorkshire mustered just 255 all out. Robin Martin-Jenkins and Mark Robinson took three wickets apiece. Sussex ended the day on 23 without loss.Warwickshire were unable to muster an individual fifty at Steffan Jones took four wickets for Somerset at Edgbaston. Ian Bell (46) and Jim Troughton (42) showed continued good form following Warwickshire’s Benson and Hedges Cup win, and Graham Wagg made an unbeaten 42 as the home side were dismissed for 230. After losing both openers cheaply, Somerset closed on 121 for three in reply, with both Mark Burns and Peter Bowler reaching half centuries.In Division Two, Andy Strauss played a captain’s knock for Middlesex as they continued their consistent batting at Cardiff. Strauss made 141 before he was lbw to Robert Croft, and Owais Shah (62), Ed Joyce (50*) and Abdur Razzaq (88*) all chimed in with useful knocks to take the visitors to 408 for four at stumps.Mark Alleyne and Martyn Ball ensured that a Kim Barnett century didn’t go to waste against Essex at Gloucester, after the veteran opener came within just four runs of reaching the landmark before lunch. After Ashley Cowan bowled Barnett for 106, Gloucestershire were in danger of squandering his efforts at 214 for seven. But Alleyne (87) and Ball (63) put on 158 for the eighth wicket before the hosts were bowled out for 383. At stumps Essex were 11 for no wicket.Centuries from England rejects Jason Gallian and Chris Read launched the post-Rice era for Nottinghamshire at Northampton. Gallian made exactly 100 and Read finished the day unbeaten on 106 as the visitors closed on a healthy 339 for six.Worcestershire look unassailable after just a day of their meeting with Durham at New Road. Andy Bichel (four for 58) and Kabir Ali (four for 31) played havoc with the visitors’ fragile batting line up, which folded for just 120. By stumps Worcestershire already had a healthy lead, thanks to Graeme Hick (119*) and Anurag Singh (88) who had taken them to 264 for two.

The contests between these two sides have for the last several season’s been billed as potential championship deciders, historically Surrey and Yorkshire have been the country’s two strongest counties and it is reputed that when they are strong then

Ed Green26-Apr-2002The contests between these two sides have for the last several season’s been billed as potential championship deciders, historically Surrey and Yorkshire have been the country’s two strongest counties and it is reputed that when they are strong then the national side is strong. Much of the improved performance of the England side in recent years has been built on the success of these two sides.Over the past two seasons however Surrey have achieved two convincing victories at the Oval and winning draws at Scarborough and Headingley despite the way in which the white roses romped to the title in 2001. Surrey had dismantled Sussex in their first match of the season during round one, which the Tykes sat out, to lead the championship at the start (the side are traditionally late starters.The only late starting Surrey were to do today though was their batting after winning the toss, the reason for that was that they spent two sessions destroying a weakened Yorkshire batting line up. In the absence of Vaughan, White and Byas Yorkshire’s batting has a fragile look to it, on the first day against a rampant Alex Tudor it was more white rabbit than white rose.Under bright blue skies on a dry wicket the home side were instantly pinned down the Surrey opening pair before being ground down and finally wiped out. That Lumb scored thirty runs and survived eighty balls is a credit to him, Richardson and Sidebottom also deserve credit for survival and adding a few runs. The rest of the team where, in the words of the Yorkshire Post `Steamrollered’, grateful that Bicknell has not yet got into top gear this season – if he had then their total myay well have been far lower. The batting was for the most part bad, the bowling, a couple of Ormond’s overs aside, excellent and the catching far above the standard that Surrey sometimes display and the innings was over blessedly quickly.After tea Butcher and Ward set about the wayward Yorkshire bowling in truly murderous fashion, smashing Silverwood and Kirby out of the attack before Ryan Sidebottom with his mop of hair and accurate left arm seam bowling returned the game to some semblance of sanity with seven overs for seven runs.When the close came a shell shocked Yorkshire side retreated from the field just twenty five runs ahead having taken no wickets, in effect twenty five all out with three days to play.

Newcastle United have reportedly enquired about the possibility of signing Nuno Tavares once the summer transfer window opens.

The Lowdown: Newcastle need a left-back

Jamal Lewis fell out of favour with Steve Bruce towards the end of the 2020/21 term, having been left on the bench by him in the St. James’ Park faithful’s last 12 games in the Premier League, and only coming on for a mere six minutes in total during that time (Transfermarkt).

With Paul Dummett also in the frame, it does not seem clear who is going to be the starting left-back come the beginning of next season, and so it would be a wise move by the North East club to go out and sign one in the market.

The Latest: Newcastle enquire about Tavares

As per O Jogo (via Sport Witness), the Tyneside club have enquired over the availability of Tavares, as have both Brighton and Southampton.

They also face competition from Napoli, who see him as their number one target, and he could be available for as little as €15m (£12.9m).

This is in despite of an £88m release clause in his current contract, with Benfica very likely to let him go for a much lower sum due to the financial problems inflicted by the pandemic.

The Verdict: Newcastle should sign Tavares

Even though the Magpies currently have both Lewis and Dummett on their books, it would be a wise idea to go out and sign a left-back to cement a starting position in the team.

Tavares could well be that player, as at just 21 years of age, he still has a lot of potential, and if they were able to snap him up for £12.9m, then that could turn out to be an absolute bargain in the future.

Football agent Cesar Boaventura, speaking to Radio Marte (via talkSPORT) back in January, described Tavares as ‘one of the fastest players in the whole Portuguese league’ and claimed that ‘he can become one of the best in Europe’, which is such high praise and highlights just how promising a talent he is.

Nonetheless, the Toon can certainly get one over on their Premier League rivals by beating them to his signature, securing a specialist full-back and allowing Dummett to serve as a depth option for the back three.

In other news, find out what MBS insight Ben Jacobs has dropped on the potential takeover here!

Wilfried Zaha has been linked with a move away from Crystal Palace ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to Goal, both Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are interested in the 28-year-old after the forward revealed he’s open to the idea of a new challenge in his career.

The two Premier League sides reportedly believe Zaha could be available for less than £40 million this summer, with the Ivory Coast international almost certain to not extend his contract, which expires in 2023.

Fans will be gutted

Zaha has long been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park. The Toffees failed to agree a deal with Palace for their talisman back in 2019 after they offered £70m plus Cenk Tosun and James McCarthy before eventually bringing in Alex Iwobi on deadline day.

After appearing to initially struggle to get over the disappointment of his failed transfer, the former Manchester United man used it as motivation throughout 2020/21, recording his highest ever Premier League goals tally.

It seems as though Zaha’s return to top form has once again attracted the attention of some of England’s more ambitious and affluent clubs and the technically gifted attacker outlined his aspirations in a recent interview.

“I feel like I can have another shot at the top teams because my dream is to win things. I’m good enough to go out there and compete with the best”, he told The Face.

“If the opportunity came, I wouldn’t turn it down, because I feel like I deserve it. It’s so I can show my kids: ​’This is what Daddy won’.”

Whether Palace would be prepared to let Zaha leave, though, remains to be seen. The south London outfit have a huge task on their hands over the coming months as the search for Hodgson’s successor steps up, and the rebuilding job required regarding the first-team squad is already significant.

Serious injuries to Eberechi Eze and Nathan Ferguson have already complicated chairman Steve Parish’s sizeable task, and adding in the departure of Zaha could have considerable consequences.

News that Tottenham and Everton are interested in their star man will undoubtedly leave Palace fans gutted, especially after his latest comments and it would be a massive blow for everyone connected with the Eagles if Zaha does push for a transfer.

It’s set to be an eventful summer for all involved with the capital club.

And, in other news…Huge CPFC contract update emerges on “fearless” £7.2m-rated star, fans will be gutted