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Zimbabwe’s hero of the moment was as improbable as the South African scoreline. Almost always economical but hardly ever incisive, Prosper Utseya’s career economy rate has always hovered around four, even as his average inflated towards fifty

Liam Brickhill in Harare29-Aug-2014Two men have now taken one-day international hat-tricks for Zimbabwe but the circumstances of their achievements and the players themselves couldn’t be more different. Eddo Brandes and Prosper Utseya will forever sit next to each other in the record books, but that’s where the similarities end. Utseya has no memory of Brandes’ glory days and this match was not screened live in Australia.Brandes, born in Port Shepstone and built like a Mashona bull, swung the ball at pace at the end of a thundering run-up. Famously, he got past Nick Knight, John Crawley and Nasser Hussain with successive deliveries to send a packed, almost entirely white-skinned, Harare Sports Club crowd into beer-soaked ecstasy back in 1997. It was an “I was there” moment for Zimbabwean cricket fans, and I really was there, seated at what used to be called ‘Muppet’s corner’ with my old man, screaming my cracking teenage voice hoarse. I’ve still got the limited edition ‘Zimbabwe Murder England’ T-shirt that he bought me at the Sports Club shop after that series.Utseya, on the other hand, floats the ball down from a three-step shuffle and simply cannot impose himself on batsmen as Brandes did, being blessed with a portly frame that barely rises over five feet tall. Sadly, far fewer people will be able to brag about having witnessed his achievement as the mid-morning crowd at the Harare Sports Club today numbered in the hundreds. That changed very quickly over lunch, as word got out about the unlikely scenario unfolding.Zimbabwe’s hero of the moment was as improbable as the South African scoreline. Almost always abstemious but hardly ever incisive, Utseya’s career economy rate has always hovered around four – and often below – even as his average inflated towards fifty. He’d been an early starter in cricket, making his first-class debut at 15, as an opening batsman, having been awarded a cricketing scholarship to Churchill High School.’Disappointed we didn’t win’ – Utseya

“I have mixed feelings. I’m happy that I managed to get the wickets and put my team in a strong position. Obviously disappointed that we didn’t win the game. Spin is one of our strengths, especially playing at home. We tend to prepare wickets that are slow and that turn. So we’ll always try to play to our strengths when we’re playing at home.
“I just realised it was one of the key moments during the game, so I decided to go a little more on the attacking side because I could see that I was getting more assistance from the wicket and it was always going to be difficult for the guy coming in to bat. At the time I was bowling a lot slower because I knew that I was on top and I had, I think, four guys around the bat. So if, for example, you get someone out lbw he might have thought you were bowling it quicker but when the next guy comes in you bowl it slower. It also comes with experience: the more you play, the more you learn to vary your pace to your advantage, especially if you’re on top.
“I just try and enjoy my cricket. Every time you go out there and play for your country, if you’re enjoying it you tend to play better. With freedom.”

Three-and-a-half years later he was bowling to the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara, having been thrust into the national side in the midst of the so-called ‘rebel’ crisis when Zimbabwe were shorn of a generation of experienced cricketers. There followed a sustained period of tumult and scandal, and a lengthy list of defeats – from which Zimbabwe is yet to fully emerge.Utseya became Zimbabwe’s captain in 2006 and lead them on many of their darkest days, taking the team to the World Cup in the Caribbean in 2007, where their most notable achievements were tying a match against Ireland and helping Inzamam-ul-Haq to a farewell victory in his final ODI. Throughout, he trundled through over upon over of modest offspin, earning himself two nicknames in the team dressing room: ‘Rowdy’, because he barely says a word, and ‘Mr Dots’, because he bowls lots of them (Utseya has bowled 65 maidens in ODIs).He has precious little flair with the bat, but allowed himself the luxury of an adventurous signature shot: a bent-kneed paddle against seam and spin that gestures towards the Dilscoop without becoming too cute. He managed one such stroke today before feathering one from Ryan McLaren, and as Zimbabwe slipped towards a 61-run defeat, the relevance of Utseya’s career-best effort with the ball deflated.Yet it remains a worthy achievement. Zimbabwe’s recent travails have lacked the ruthlessness and self belief necessary to claw the team back from a precarious position. Their situation today appeared perilous as Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock put on a 142-run opening stand while batting on cruise control. And then Utseya spun his magic.His first spell had given no hint as to what was to follow, the batsmen milking runs through the gaps before de Kock signalled his intent with a slog-sweep to deep midwicket. His second was of an entirely different complexion, and brought a bounty of five wickets in 36 deliveries including, of course, three in three.The conditions surely helped him, but that’s not too shabby for a man with a career average of 46.45. Utseya also overcame a bout of chickenpox just before the one-day series against South Africa began, and has had the spectre of his being reported for a suspect bowling action during the third ODI in Bulawayo hanging over him. Assuming he gets his visa in time, he will be on a flight to Cardiff on September 17, to be tested two days later. His arm ball and faster delivery have been deemed to be the problem. He needed neither today, letting the ball hover higher – and slower – in the breeze with each dismissal as he manoeuvred his team into what could have been a winning position.Unfortunately, there was to be no fairytale ending to Utseya’s day and ill health meant my father was not here to see his triple strike, or his unabashed joy when umpire Ian Gould gave David Miller out, the humble offspinner tumbling backwards onto the pitch and wriggling his arms and legs in the air like an upturned dung beetle. No matter, I’ll tell him all about it. I have to: I was there.

From Suman Kumar, India

Cricinfo25-Feb-2013
Children play cricket on a deserted highway in India•AFPBack in 1987, when Narasimha Prasad a.k.a BSA (he rode a BSA cycle) took a leg-stump guard, we were quite sure that the kid, three years our junior in school, would play yet another ‘swashbuckling’ innings. Not too many cricketing prodigies came from Chittoor, a small town in Andhra Pradesh. And, BSA was our only hope. That really short kid was playing for the town team and he was only 11. Reddy, the college team captain, even made a prophetic statement “Great batsmen come in short sizes.” Reddy was five feet two, on a good day, if he was wearing high-heels that is.BSA started that innings with a royal cover drive. Before long, we were 56 for 1. And then it happened. Stephen, the fast bowler, dug one short and BSA tried hooking him. There wasn’t too much bounce and the ball hit BSA on his chest. He just turned away, walked towards fine leg, rubbing his chest. I was at the non-striker’s end and to my utter disbelief Stephen was appealing ferociously. I heard the umpire go “Eh?” and for what seemed like an eternity Stephen was screaming his lungs off. I laughed out loud. What happened next blew my mind: the umpire’s finger went up in slow motion. There was a stunned silence. BSA, as usual started, crying; he had the habit of crying when he was given out. I couldn’t believe what I had just witnessed. “Height. He is short. So he is out lbw,” said the umpire. Agreed, BSA was short. He was barely four feet tall but…I have a lurking suspicion Steve Bucknor was holidaying in Chittoor that day.The more international cricket I see, the more I am convinced that there is a secret team that prowls the hinterland of India, with the sole objective of documenting all the innovations, tricks, tactics, strategy… you know? You don’t believe me? Indulge me here, will you? Before you write it off that is.Umpiring humour
You know, we love Billy Bowden. His antics are endearing and fun. Where did he learn to innovate? How did he manage to mix humour effectively with his profession?The death overs were on and I was batting. I was well set and was determined to smash the bowlers all over the park. Kumaraswamy or KS, as we referred to him much to his delight, overpitched and I promptly flicked him. There was a slight inside edge, I guess, and the ball flew straight to Suresh, the leg umpire who was, as usual, lost in thought. Let us pause here. Let’s freeze that ball mid-air. Remember Suresh standing with his feet crisscrossed. Yeah.Suresh is a mad man. No, wait, really. He knew nothing but cricket. He played some Under –19 cricket for Andhra Pradesh and he also was the vice-captain of the Chittoor town team. He was a compact batsman and bowled some legspin. He was the only guy who read cricket books. I think he bought and read it with the help of a dictionary in six months flat. He also had the habit of discussing cricketing strategy and tactics… with himself. So if you go to Chittoor and see a (now middle-aged) guy walking, talking to himself, and occasionally playing a cover drive or a flick, it has got to be Suresh. Yes.So let’s unfreeze the ball now. I hit the ball, the ball flew to Suresh, I started running but the non-striker stopped midway, slipped and fell on his back… laughing. I think the term ROTFLMAO was coined that humid, summer day in Chittoor. Suresh, the leg umpire, caught the ball I had hit and started celebrating. It gets better now. When he noticed that the fielding team, batsmen, and the umpire were glaring at him, Suresh shrugged and cooed “Howzzat umpire?”The only question that haunts me even today is this: where the hell was Billy Bowden hiding in the Arts college grounds that day?

ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the day from the fifth ODI between West Indies and India

Sriram Veera at Sabina Park16-Jun-2011The solidarity of the day
Even as the ball that brought up the winning runs raced to boundary, there was an extraordinary gesture from Marlon Samuels. He ran all the way to deep point boundary where Chris Gayle was watching, and cheering on. Samuels high-fived with Gayle and only then returned to celebrate the win with his team-mates. Considering the heated meeting two days ago which put Gayle’s career in limbo this was a tremendous gesture from Samuels. Fire is raging in Babylon.The needle of the day
Who else can it feature but Anthony Martin. It’s not clear who started the verbal battle but Virat Kohli and Martin were at each other for a while. Once, when Kohli tucked a delivery quietly behind square-leg, Martin puts his hands up – the six symbol – suggesting why Kohli didn’t go for a six. More words exchanged. The umpire spoke to the players and to the captain Darren Sammy. It still continued. When Kohli moved towards him to say something, Martin waved him away. At the end of that over, Sammy had a chat with Kohli, who then wandered off to have a word with Kieron Pollard, who laughed at the end of that conversation.The miss of the day
Kohli had the hundred within his grasp but chose to turn for a disastrous second run after clipping the ball past square-leg. Ramnaresh Sarwan swooped in and fired an accurate throw to Carlton Baugh, whose glovework has been good this series, who did the rest. Kohli slowly trudged off, walked up the stairs and disappeared into the pavilion.The unlikely bouncer of the day
Lendl Simmons is a gentle medium-pacer. Wrong. When Yusuf Pathan slugged him to cow corner Simmons stirred himself into action. The keeper was standing up but Simmons decided to retaliate with a bouncer. He put everything into the release and banged the ball real short. It reared up but flew over the batsman and the keeper for five wides. Baugh retreated from the stumps after that.The near mess-up of the day
When Ramnaresh Sarwan, suffering from cramps, decided to have a runner things were bound to get interesting. When he stabbed a delivery in front of him, Darren Bravo decided to rush across for a single. Simmons, the runner, stayed rooted to his position for a while before he decided to respond. The bowler Vinay Kumar got across and missed the stumps at the other end. Simmons, who had dived into the crease, got up, dusted himself, and showed his displeasure at the call.

Cricinfo profiles Super League teams in Ranji Trophy

Cricinfo staff31-Oct-2007

Karnataka

One of the strongest contenders for this season’s title, Karnataka have been boosted by the return of Anil Kumble, who will lead the team, and Rahul Dravid. Apart from the duo who will be available for two games, they will bank on the experience of Sunil Joshi and Yere Goud – who joined Karnataka last season after 11 years with Railways. Although they have lost Robin Uthappa to the Indian team, they have a formidable batting line-up in C Raghu, B Akhil, Thilak Naidu and Barrington Rowland, the men who took Karnataka to the final four in the last season.Joshi, as always, will lead the bowling attack, but he can turn to a capable few to share the burden. There is KP Appanna, the talented left-arm spinner making rapid strides, and R Vinay Kumar, the medium-pace bowler who took 27 wickets last season. They will be bolstered by the presence of NC Aiyappa, the medium-pacer who has recovered from an injury that restricted him to just two games in the previous season. In addition they have Akhil, who blossomed into a fine medium-pace bowler last season and Raghu, who picked 10 wickets with his offspin.Karnataka have a new coach in Vijay Bharadwaj after Venkatesh Prasad became the national bowling coach and his successor Rajesh Kamat was pouched by the ICL. Bharadwaj headed a 13-day camp – where batting and fielding sessions combined with drills and exercise formed the daily routine – at the Infosys campus in Mysore as part of the build-up to the upcoming season.What they did last season
A bad start, a strong comeback, and a tame end – they experienced all in their campaign last season. They lost to Baroda in under three days in the first game, collapsing for 85 in the first innings and being bowled out for 283 in the second. Then they beat Haryana comprehensively in the second match with Uthappa and Rowland adding 211 runs for the first wicket in just 32 overs to set up the declaration before Joshi and Appanna spun them to victory. In the next game, against Uttar Pradesh, Vinay Kumar took a five-for to set up an easy target. In a tense chase of 122 runs, a half-century from Raghu got them home with just two wickets to spare.They played out a high-scoring draw against Delhi before batting failure reared its ugly head in the next game against Andhra. Shot out for 111 in the first innings, they held on to a draw, reaching 204 for 7, while chasing 410, in their second innings. At the start of the new year they bounced back strongly with a crushing 10-wicket win over Tamil Nadu, courtesy a smashing 159 from Uthappa and a seven-wicket match haul from Joshi and followed it up with a facile draw against Saurashtra. But, in the semi-final against Bengal, they imploded, making just 89 in the first innings and despite posting 455 in the second, they couldn’t stop Bengal from romping to a comfortable six-wicket win.Men to watch
Apart from the usual suspects, Raghu and Appanna are the ones to watch out for. Raghu, a graceful right-hand middle-order batsman, scored 537 runs at 35.8 in the last season and one can expect him to up the ante in the season ahead. Appanna, with his classical left-arm spin, has been the impressive one and this season could see him come out of Joshi’s shadow.

Uttar Pradesh

Champions one season and fighting relegation the next, over the last two seasons, Uttar Pradesh gave Pakistan a run for their money in terms of unpredictability. What’s in store this season? A tournament that they start without their key pace bowlers: Shalabh Srivastava who has moved to ICL, and RP Singh and Praveen Kumar, who are a part of the Indian team as of now. Ashish Winston Zaidi, their manager this season and the canny pro with the ball, retired last season and there is a void left in the bowling department.There is a freshness to the batting line-up, with captain Mohammad Kaif and vice-captain Suresh Raina leading a young line-up. Gyanendra Pandey, their coach this season, and Rizwan Shamshad, the middle-order veterans, also retired last season. Tanmay Srivastava, who has impressed with India Under-19, Ravikant Shukla, former India U-19 captain, and Shivakant Shukla are exciting young prospects for them.The spin department looks good with Piyush Chawla and left-arm orthodox Praveen Gupta, but the bowling still is a fickle unit. If Kumar and Chawla are available to play, they look a respectable attack, but without them it should be a struggle for them.They play only one game at home this season, which could be a blessing in disguise because most of the wickets in UP encourage draws.What they did last season
Neither their batsmen nor their bowlers ever hit their straps last season, struggling to put up big, sufficient-to-bat-once totals with the bat, or running through the opposition with the ball. After a first-innings lead against Saurashtra, a points-less draw and an outright loss, the low point came in the away match against Haryana when they were bowled out for 71. Following that innings defeat, they just about hung on for two points against Tamil Nadu, who after having fallen behind in the first innings, set UP 129 to win in 25 overs. A positive start was followed by a collapse and at seven-down, Rohit Prakash and Shivakant batted out 7.3 overs to ensure a draw.After being outplayed by Baroda, they had only four points from six games and were one false step from emulating Railways by getting relegated in their title defence. In their last match, they put up an inspired show in beating Andhra by an innings and staving off what would have been a humiliating descent to Plate League.Men to watch
Kaif will know a big season with the bat will do him no harm and so will Raina. Two seasons ago, along with Kumar and Shalabh, they were the main architects of UP’s revival from a hopeless situation mid-season. Shalabh is out, Kumar may or not be available – the same can be said of Raina and Chawla. And with other seniors retired, this is the season for any of the young brigade to stand up and make his presence felt. Tanmay, Ravikant and Shivakant will want to take up more responsibility this season.

Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh made their way up to the Ranji Super League after they beat Railways by seven wickets on the final day of their Plate League semi-final in Dharamsala. Then they brushed aside Orissa, who also qualified to the next division, by nine wickets in the final. The winning formula was simple – everyone contributed. The top order batsmen all scored runs and the bowlers, led by talented left-arm spinner Vishal Bhatia, did enough to ensure HP didn’t lose a game last season.Former India offspinner Sarandeep Singh’s move from Punjab to HP proved successful as his 28 wickets and useful runs down the order indicate.Young players such as wicketkeeper Maninder Bisla, Paras Dogra and Manish Gupta were crucial last season, but the competition will be much tougher this year. How these youngster adapt, and how they are led by the seniors, will determine HP’s fortunes.What they did last season

HP topped the Plate League Group B table with 13 points as a result of two wins and three draws. They opened the season with a 342-run win over Jharkhand, based on an all-round effort. Sarandeep led a spirited fightback with a five-for after they had conceded the first-innings lead to Orissa in the next game at Dharamshala, but it proved to have come a bit too late in the day. In the next game, a draw against Tripura at home again, a Bhatia-inspired HP moved to the top of the Group B table and followed it with a thumping win over Jammu & Kashmir by an imposing innings and 75 runs at Jammu. With that win, they ended joint leaders with Orissa in Group B. They expectedly earned two points from the drawn encounter in Delhi, but were unable to force a result on the final day.Nevertheless, they were in the semi-finals, where they beat Railways by seven wickets. HP cruised to the Plate Group title after they kept Orissa to 317, put up 477 in their first innings, and shot Orissa out for 216, before rattling off 58 in 9.4 overs. Dogra was HP’s best batsman with 528 runs at 48, with two hundreds, while Bhatia was the highest wicket-taker in the Plate League, with 38 scalps.Men to watch
The 25-year-old Bhatia would look to carry on with his form. His contributions last season were key to HP’s doing so well; his 6 for 71 helped dismiss Orissa and a further six-wicket haul a week later mopped up Tripura’s tail as HP moved to the top of the Group B table. His eight wickets set up a big win over Railways and a fourth six-wicket haul helped spin HP to the title win. Sandeep Sharma, the experienced captain, enjoyed a successful 2006-07 season with the bat and will be expected to do the same this season, as the stakes get higher.

Glamorgan 177 for 6 (Lloyd 48, Labuschagne 42, Finch 3-39) lead Worcestershire 109 (Harris 4-18, Neser 4-40) by 68 runsMichael Neser further stated his case for Australian selection this summer with a hugely impressive four wicket haul for Glamorgan in their LV= Insurance County Championship match against Worcestershire in Cardiff.Neser, in partnership with Timm van der Gugten, ripped through the Worcestershire top order on a slow pitch and moisty morning before James Harris claimed four wickets of his own as the visitors were bowled out for 109.The Glamorgan top order also found batting challenging on a day where it swung and seamed throughout. They reached the close on 177 for six with runs from David Lloyd and Marnus Labuschagne the bright spot for the home side on a day when the bowlers were in charge.It was Matthew Waite, in his first full season after leaving Yorkshire, who claimed the big prize of Australia’s Ashes hope, Labuschagne, when he inside-edged onto his stumps for 42.Glamorgan are 68 runs in front on first innings with 16 wickets falling on the first day. The lead is growing and, unless this pitch flattens out as it has done in Cardiff this season in previous matches, it could well prove to be a matchwinning one.Van der Gugten and Neser were on song from the outset with the pair causing chaos with the new ball to leave the visitors 25 for five. Taylor Cornall was the first to go when he was trapped lbw by van der Gugten. Neser dismissed Ed Pollock and Jack Haynes in the space of three balls, both batters caught in the cordon.Pakistan international, Azhar Ali, was brilliantly caught by Labuschagne in the slips off van der Gugten. The catch went fast and low and Labuschagne clung on one-handed. Worcestershire captain, Brett D’Oliveira, who was trapped lbw by an inswinger ball from Neser.There would have been hope of some respite when Neser and van der Gugten came out of the attack, but Adam Hose was dismissed for a 15-ball duck to the first delivery bowled by James Harris. It was a wider ball and Hose tried to smash it through the covers but an inside edge took the ball onto his stumps to leave Worcestershire 34 for six.”A very weird day,” remarked Worcestershire’s assistat coach, Kadeer Ali. “Obviously we were disappointing with the bat.”The first meaningful partnership of the Worcestershire innings followed with Gareth Roderick and Matthew Waite taking their team to 66 for six at the lunch break. Neser returned after the interval to break the stand but Roderick and Joe Leach took the score past 100.A three-wicket burst from James Harris, with the last two falling from consecutive deliveries, finished things up with Worcestershire 109 all out. Harris will be on a hat-trick when he bowls in the second innings.Joe Leach claimed the early wicket of Eddie Byrom to give the visitors the perfect start but the Worcestershire fielding was sloppy in the opening overs. Jack Haynes put down both Lloyd and Labuschagne in the slip cordon. The two Glamorgan batters put on a stand worth 81 before Lloyd was bowled by Leach for 48, his highest score of the season thus far.It was after the tea interval that things clicked for Worcestershire. When Lloyd was dismissed, Glamorgan were 88 for two and looked to be cruising to a significant first innings lead before a burst of four wickets for just 21 runs brought Worcestershire back into the game, with Adam Finch the pick of the bowlers with his figures of three for 39.

Manchester United have been brutally trolled by Grimsby as part of the “You’ve just been…” meme craze after their shock Carabao Cup defeat.

Red Devils still waiting on first win of 2025-26Crashed out of cup to League Two oppositionAnother forgettable night for Amorim's troopsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Devils headed to Blundell Park aware that a giant-killing in Cleethorpes could be on the cards. Ruben Amorim’s side have stumbled out of the blocks in 2025-26, with just one point being picked up in Premier League action.

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With United struggling to get into the winning habit, they fluffed their lines again when facing League Two opposition. Said contest could have been over in 90 minutes, with Grimsby racing into a two-goal lead courtesy of some questionable goalkeeping from Andre Onana.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Mariners also had efforts disallowed before seeing Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire complete a late comeback for United that forced the tie into a penalty shootout. An epic battle of nerves from 12 yards eventually finished 12-11 in favour of the hosts – with Mbeumo crashing the decisive spot-kick against the crossbar.

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WHAT GRIMSBY SAID

Wild scenes of celebration were sparked in North Lincolnshire, as fans invaded the pitch, while United were left to reflect on another humbling setback. Grimsby poked fun at the top-flight giants on social media by posting a “You’ve just been slapped by the fish” meme.

The 26-year-old fullback played 121 matches with FC Dallas, scoring three goals

Becomes Tigres’ fourth signing this windowDeal reportedly worth around $3 millionAlready training with Guido Pizarro’s squadFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Tigres made it official on Wednesday: Marco Farfán is their newest addition for the Apertura 2025. The 26-year-old left back arrives on a permanent transfer from FC Dallas, with the deal reportedly valued at around $3 million.

Farfán signed a four-year contract with the club and has already joined the squad in Los Angeles, where Tigres await their fate in the 2025 Leagues Cup.

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Born in the U.S. and of Mexican heritage, Farfán played 121 matches for Dallas, contributing three goals and eight assists during his time there. He also had stints with LAFC and made his professional debut with Portland Timbers.

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Internationally, Farfán has just one cap for the U.S. men’s national team – a friendly in 2020 – but his move to Tigres could put him back on the radar for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, should his performances stand out in Liga MX.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR TIGRES?

Tigres are coming off a 2-1 loss to LAFC in the Leagues Cup, which leaves their spot in the quarterfinals still undecided. Regardless of their international fate, they’ll return to Liga MX action Friday, when they host Puebla at the Estadio Universitario in Matchday 4 of the Apertura.

Fast bowler insists Test cricket is “still at the hearts of West Indian cricketers”

Andrew McGlashan23-Jan-2024Kemar Roach has encouraged Shamar Joseph to “build his own legacy” after bursting onto the Test scene last week in Adelaide but knows there will be distractions for him along the way.Joseph struck with his first ball in Test cricket when he removed Steven Smith, then finished with 5 for 94 and also showed his prowess with the bat to suggest he won’t be staying at No. 11 for long.His rise to Test cricket has been remarkable on the back of just five first-class games, having grown up in the village of Baracara in Guyana, which could only be reached by boat. He has now shot to global prominence and is being talked about as part of West Indies’ future as they look to rebuild their Test cricket, but Joseph already has an ILT20 deal and more such offers are unlikely to be far away.Related

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How many players have taken a wicket with their first ball in Tests as Shamar Joseph did?

“The best advice I can give him is to build his own legacy,” Roach said. “Understand what you want from cricket. That’s up to him to determine, if it’s monetary, or if it’s just stats and statistics or whatever. There’s going to be a lot of distractions… he’s a hot commodity right now. So he needs to choose what he really wants and what he thinks is best for his career going forward. So it’s up to him, as a young man, but I definitely give him that advice.”Roach, the senior figure in West Indies’ attack with 80 caps to his name, is happy to take on a mentor role having had similar players to feed off early in his career.”I had that when I started. Jerome Taylor, Daren Powell, Fidel Edwards [were] some guys around to help me when I started my career,” he said. “I took knowledge and learning from it. So obviously for me now, it’s all about passing on the mantle now to the youngsters. He’s got a very good career ahead of him. At this stage, he’s willing to learn. We have a lot of conversations. So, I think once he keeps doing that, not just coming from me but anyone who he thinks can help him in his career, he can take a lot of knowledge on board and become a better cricketer.”Roach himself is towards the latter stages of his career but has put no end point on his Test career. “Day by day,” he said with a smile, “let’s see how it goes.” He made a big impression on his first tour of Australia when he forced Ricky Ponting to retire hurt in Perth but has found the country the toughest place to take wickets with 10 at 77.90 from eight matches.”As a bowler coming to Australia you are bowling against some of the best batters in the world so there is always a good challenge,” he said. “I love a good challenge. I have lived for that my whole career so for me coming here is just about expressing yourself, enjoying and relishing the moment and giving it a good go. Be confident in yourself and your skills and let’s see how the day goes for you.”Kemar Roach has the fifth-most wickets (267) in Tests for West Indies, but averages 77.90 with only ten wickets in Australia•Associated PressRoach only briefly dipped his toe into the franchise world of T20 – his last game in the format was in 2018 – although that did include a stint with Brisbane Heat, who will play the BBL final against Sydney Sixers on Wednesday. The last time Heat won the BBL was in 2012-13, when Roach claimed 3 for 18 against Perth Scorchers at the WACA. “I saw my picture on the wall, so good memories,” he said of his return to the Gabba, the home ground of Heat.Test cricket, where he ranks fifth among West Indies’ all-time wicket-takers, has remained his No. 1 priority and Roach firmly believes that is the case among many young players in the Caribbean.”I love Test cricket,” he said. “Honestly, I love the red-ball format. I’ve played one-dayers and the T20 format as well but I think my heart was always a part of the red ball. I just wanted to be a part of those mega cricketers back in the days. The Joel Garners, the Malcolm Marshalls, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, I just want to be a part of those names.”And I think for me, obviously, I didn’t grow up much in the franchise era. So I had Test cricket at heart, and it has stuck with me throughout. I just think it is different times now. So for me, it’s just about these youngsters, what they want to achieve from it. And they make the right decisions and they go forward [in their] careers.”The franchises are a big distraction,” he added. “But guys still want to relish red-ball cricket. Test cricket is still at the hearts of West Indian cricketers at home. It’s just about us to provide support around it. To keep those guys interested in red-ball cricket. Discussions will be had. I’m not part of it. They take Tests very seriously still. They are very proud to be a part of the red-ball team for the West Indies.”

أوضح حازم فتوح، وكيل اللاعبين، موقف رحيل لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الحالية، قبل انطلاق الموسم الجديد.

وكشف فتوح خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “ON E”: “لم يتحدث معنا أحد في الزمالك بشأن رحيل سيف الدين الجزيري عن الزمالك، المدير الفني يانيك فيريرا مقتنع باللاعب للغاية ويريد استمراره في الفريق الموسم المقبل”.

طالع | نيوم السعودي يطلب ضم نجم الأهلي خلال الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية

وأضاف: “الأزمة المالية في الزمالك تسببت في تراجع مستوى الجزيري، ولكن اللاعب يحظى باحترام الجميع داخل نادي الزمالك واللاعب يحترم الزمالك”.

وأتم: “الدولي التونسي سيف الدين الجزيري مستمر في الزمالك لمدة موسمين مقبلين”.

يذكر أن الزمالك ضم 9 صفقات جديدة، خلال الميركاتو الصيفي الحالي، المهدي سليمان، شيكو بانزا، عمرو ناصر، أحمد شريف، آدم كايد، عبد الحميد معالي، أحمد ربيع ومحمد إسماعيل وعدي الدباغ.

The win gives Brave an outside sniff of a direct entry to the final

ECB Reporters Network19-Aug-2023Georgia Adams slammed her highest Hundred score as Southern Brave bettered Oval Invincibles by seven wickets, ending the two-time champions’ reign.Allrounder Adams took control of a faltering chase with an unbeaten 50 off 32 balls while Freya Kemp – unable to bowl this season due to a stress fracture in her back – scored 41 not out off 21.Suzie Bates had scored 55 as Invincibles posted a creditable 130 but Adams and Kemp added 73 in 38 balls in front of another record crowd of 10,832 for a women’s match at the Ageas Bowl.Brave had already booked their place in the knockouts but still have an automatic final spot in their grasp, while their nemesis in the first two finals can no longer progress.Bowling first after losing the toss, Anya Shrubsole was shown a farewell video on the big screen ahead of her last Ageas Bowl appearance before retiring. She responded to the ovation by picking up Lauren Winfield-Hill’s wicket with her fifth ball, thanks to a stunning catch at mid-on by Maia Bouchier. The wicket slumped the Invincibles to 6 for 2 after Alice Capsey had already cross-batted Lauren Bell to midwicket.But the early trouble was abated by Bates’ anchoring during stands of 53 and 63 with Marizanne Kapp and Paige Scholfield. The New Zealand veteran’s innings was guided through her control and ability to pick out the right balls to score off, without getting bogged down. To typify that approach, her fifty came off 40 balls.Kapp played a similar role to get the visitors out of trouble but fell for 27 when picking out Chloe Tryon on the deep-square-leg boundary.At 59 off the first 55 balls, the tempo needed to flick towards allegro and former Brave all-rounder Scholfield reset the metronome with 30 off 17 balls, which included getting dropped on 3 and plundering a six next ball.Brave, often great at the death, once again flourished in the last end as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Georgia Adams saw off Scholfield with her 15th wicket and Bates was run out for 55. Nadine de Klerk slog-swept the penultimate ball to deep square leg with three wickets falling for 11 runs in the last ten balls.A slow start and the loss of both openers within the first 26 balls put Brave’s chase on the back foot. Smriti Mandhana top-edged a swing across the line off Kapp and Danni Wyatt was bowled by de Klerk – the Charlotte Edwards Cup’s top wicket-taker on her first appearance since replacing Dane van Niekerk.Bouchier and Adams put on 38 but the asking rate was rising after 17 balls without a boundary – caused by Kapp’s 1 for 18 – and the pressure saw Bouchier slap to cover.Brave desperately needed a Scholfield-esque innings; Kemp provided it, with Adams upping her strike rate. The game swung on Mady Villiers being smashed for two sixes in three balls as the duo stepped things up with 42 off the last 16 balls to end the game – Kemp hoisting a maximum to do it in style with four balls to spare.