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Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were outZimbabwe sealed the five-match series, a lopsided battle of the minnows, with a seven-wicket win in Nairobi to record a clean sweep. They were barely challenged, save for two early wickets, in their chase of a modest 200 as Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri and Sean Williams compiled attacking half-centuries to steer them home with 15 overs to spare.The win was set up by the Zimbabwe spinners, led by Graeme Cremer, who took 4 for 31, while Masakadza picked up 2 for 20, which he backed up with his run-a-ball 84. A seventh-wicket partnership of 75 between Collins Obuya and Rajesh Bhudia helped Kenya claw back from a middle-order collapse in a desperate bid to save face in a series already lost.Things didn’t look so rosy for the visitors at the start of their chase. They lost Keith Dabengwa off the second ball, chasing Peter Ongondo’s away swinger, and then Vusi Sibanda in the following over, edging Lameck Onyango to Maurice Ouma. Game on with Zimbabwe 2 for 2 but that was to be Kenya’s only period of domination as Masakadza and Matsikenyeri led a quick recovery.Masakadza set the tone with consecutive boundaries through the on side off Ongondo while Matsikenyeri looked to attack with aerial shots over the same region. Kenya needed a wicket but the breakthrough came a little too late, after the pair had added a match-winning 93. Matsikenyeri, ironically, perished to his favoured on-side region, hitting it down Rakep Patel’s throat at mid-on off Hiren Varaiya shortly after reaching his fifty.Masakadza too reached his half-century, off 52 balls, and found an able partner in Williams, who took on the bowling straightaway. He was harsh on the spinners, Patel and Varaiya, picking them for powerful boundaries through the off side. He reached his fifty – his ninth – with a four past mid-off off Ongondo shortly before the victory. The final act was reserved for Masakadza – the highest run-scorer in the series – who picked Onyango for consecutive boundaries to seal the series.Collins Obuya’s tenacious effort of 75 was the only noteworthy performance for the home side, who’d elected to bat. They made a solid start with the opening pair of Kennedy Otieno and Seren Waters putting on 45 but the batting caved in once Masakadza had Otieno caught by Ray Price in the ninth over.The Zimbabwe bowlers not only managed to choke the top order but struck at regular intervals and the hosts were reduced to 92 for 6. The match looked to be going the same way as other games in the series, completely in Zimbabwe’s favour.However, Obuya and Rajesh Bhudia’s stand helped Kenya claw back. Budhia’s cameo, off 49 balls, included six boundaries and it set Kenya up for Obuya’s late assault.Budhia’s run-out in the 46th over though sparked another collapse as Cremer struck three times in two overs. In a turnaround from his slow approach early on, Obuya tore into Elton Chigumbara in the 48th over, slamming three sixes and two fours in that over. The late charge gave the total some respectability but in the end, Kenya were well short.The whitewash has also earned Prosper Utseya’s team a promotion in the ICC ODI rankings, displacing Ireland from the tenth spot.

New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder will miss the fourth one-day international against West Indies in Wellington on Saturday because of “inadequate preparation”. Ryder missed a team meeting on Thursday morning and was unable to train in the afternoon after a late night of drinking.Ryder was fined after a disciplinary hearing for missing both the meeting and training. New Zealand have called up Mathew Sinclair as a replacement and he will bat at No 3.”We are all disappointed that this has happened. Since February last year, we have witnessed encouraging signs from Jesse both on and off the park,” Justin Vaughan, chief executive of New Zealand Cricket, said. “These vast improvements meant Jesse was recently given more latitude in his personal decision making. In hindsight, this was premature. However while it is a drinking-related issue, it does not compare with last February in its severity.”In February, Ryder had put his hand through a window while trying to gain access to a toilet area that had been accidentally locked. The injury occurred in Christchurch the morning after New Zealand’s ODI series win against England and it later emerged that he was also out drinking until 1.30am on the eve of a game. He had to undergo surgery and was sidelined until September.Ryder apologised to his team-mates at training for his latest indiscretion. “I have not only let myself down, but also my team-mates, support team and the cricket fans in general,” Ryder said. “I thought I had reached the point where I could control my drinking better, but that is obviously not the case.”I am only now starting to appreciate the size of the challenge that I face. I am totally committed to overcoming this problem and understand I will have to work even harder with the support group around me.”The five-ODI series against West Indies is currently level at 1-1.

South Africa have arrived in Perth high on confidence, with Graeme Smith saying this tour is the side’s best shot at a series title in Australia since the early 1990s

Cricinfo staff07-Dec-2008
Paul Harris hasn’t faced Australia, but his captain has backed him to keep the pressure on the home side © Getty Images
South Africa have arrived in Perth high on confidence, with Graeme Smith saying this tour is the side’s best shot at a series title in Australia since their readmission in 1991. South Africa are yet to win a Test campaign Down Under, but Smith, the first South African to lead his country on two tours of Australia, is hopeful of a turnaround.”The reality is it’s probably our best chance of winning out of all five tours, and everyone knows that,” he said in the before leaving South Africa. “Dale Steyn, on current form, is the leading strike bowler in the world, Makhaya [Ntini] is one of the most experienced and Morne Morkel one of the most promising. We have a settled opening pair, the middle order has been functioning superbly for over a year, Jacques Kallis is probably the best allrounder in the world and Mark Boucher is the most experienced and, statistically, the best wicketkeeper the game has seen.”Smith felt the left-arm spinner Paul Harris, 30, was also a key component of the team. “As a captain I’m delighted with Paul Harris,” he said. “He has a very clearly defined role in the team, from first innings to second, and he gives me control. I enjoy the fact that he is underestimated by many opponents. We have seen some of the finest batsmen from India and Pakistan, and Kevin Pietersen in England, taking him lightly and paying the price.”There has been speculation as to whether Australia will go with an all-pace attack for the series opener and the injury sustained by the offspinner Jason Krejza, who failed a fitness test for Tasmania, gives Ricky Ponting a potential headache.The South Africa coach Mickey Arthur talked up Australia’s pace attack against the visiting side’s. “In the past you could predict conditions, the most obvious being that it would turn square in Sydney and Shane Warne would most likely take 10,” Arthur said. “But things are different now and it’s hard to see which way they will go in order to maximise home advantage. If they can produce an old-fashioned Perth wicket with pace and bounce, will they back [Brett] Lee, [Mitchell] Johnson and [Stuart[ Clark against our pace attack?”People must realise that our guys are still young,” Arthur said. “They are not the West Indies attack of the 1990s, as they were written up in England. But they are learning all the time and there’s unbelievable potential. There’s a huge amount of potential there [and] we are covered in all areas. You’ll see three different quick bowlers, all who bring different elements to our attack, which is brilliant, lots of variation.”South Africa arrive in Australia unbeaten in their last nine Test series – winning eight of those – and are currently ranked No. 2. Their last series loss was in Sri Lanka in 2006, with their only draw since then coming away against India earlier this year.South Africa will play a one-day game on December 11 and a two-day match against Western Australia starting Friday. The first Test starts in Perth on December 17.

Crystal Palace remain in the market for further acquisitions this summer and have been linked with a move for Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor.

What’s the story?

According to French outlet Homme du Match, the Eagles are preparing a £7m offer for the technically gifted 28-year-old, just weeks after he was named club captain of the Glasgow giants following Scott Brown’s departure.

McGregor’s current contract still have three years left to run, meaning new Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou will not be forced to part ways with his prized asset.

Parish must swoop

The Scotland international has established himself as one of the top players in his homeland after rising through Celtic’s ranks, bagging 54 goals and providing 64 assists in 332 appearances for the Hoops.

In that time, McGregor has become of the most decorated stars in the club’s history, winning six Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and five League Cups, securing his place in Celtic’s illustrious history in the process.

His impressive displays in the centre of the park have earned many plaudits down the years, including former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

“He controls the tempo of the game,” said Rodgers. “He is a boy that takes the ball, so clever in his movements, and we ask him to go into certain area of the pitch to offer support. He has a dream of a touch that allows him to go forward.

“His feet are nice and soft, he doesn’t play backwards so much, and he has a great range of passes, and he has the personality now to play those passes, not just one that is secure to keep the ball, he can break a line with a pass and open up and split up the game for us.

“He has been absolutely exceptional in that role, but I say that everywhere he plays.”

With the departure of James McCarthy and Cheikhou Kouyate beginning the new season at centre-back once again, new Palace boss Patrick Vieira is keen to bolster his engine room options in the remaining weeks of the window.

Therefore, chairman Steve Parish must sanction a move for McGregor, supplying the Frenchman with a quality midfielder capable of controlling games and opening opposition defences up at will.

And, in other news…Crystal Palace suffer transfer blow in pursuit of £7m machine, Vieira will be gutted 

Sixteen wickets tumbled on the first day at Derby, as Gloucestershire slumped to 98 for 6 in reply to Derbyshire’s underwhelming first-innings total of 188. By the close of play, the difference between the teams was Steve Stubbing’s excellent unbeaten innings of 62 from 103 balls. He had come to the crease with his side reeling at 54 for 4, which soon became 88 for 6 as Chris Rogers (40) became the first of five wickets for David Brown in a remarkable 6.5-over spell. But he was still there when the No. 11, Charl Langeveldt, fell after clubbing a handy 21 from 13 balls, and the value of his innings was soon apparent as Graeme Wagg set about redressing the balance of the match. He took 4 for 18 in 8.2 overs as none of Gloucestershire’s top six exceeded Will Porterfield’s 23.Essex need a hefty victory over second-placed Warwickshire if they are to keep their promotion hopes alive going into the final round, and their batsmen did their best to fulfil their side of the bargain on the first day at Chelmsford. No-one got stuck in for the century that might have decided the course of the game, but contributions all down the order – a pair of 72s from Ryan ten Doeschate and Jaik Mickleburgh, and a pair of 42s from Ravi Bopara and James Foster – carried them to 333 for 8 at the close. Warwickshire’s bowlers stuck to their task, with their new signing Rikki Clarke claiming 2 for 49 in ten overs, while the New Zealander, Chris Martin, claimed the vital wicket of ten Doeschate shortly before stumps.Chaos is engulfing Glamorgan as the season draws to a close – their chief executive, Mike Fatkin, went earlier in the week, and now the groundsman, Les Smith, has followed close behind. But, on the field, the team are doing their best to put all such issues out of mind, and on the first day against Leicestershire at Sophia Gardens, they took command with the bat, thanks to a boundary-laden 140 from Gareth Rees, and an excellent unbeaten 80 from Michael Powell. For Rees, it was his third century of the season, and contained 20 fours and a six. He made light of the early loss of his opening partner, David Hemp, and went on to completely dominate a second-wicket stand of 97 with the teenager, Tom Maynard, who made 26. Leicestershire were kept in the frame by their opener Dillon du Preez, who claimed three of the four wickets to fall, including Jamie Dalrymple for 9.Though Stephen Moore continued his superb season with 111 – his fifth first-class century of 2008 – Worcestershire looked as though they could have done with the services of Graeme Hick as they let Middlesex claim the ascendancy on the first day at Kidderminster. The retiring Hick was sadly robbed of his swansong by a long-standing elbow injury, and without him his Worcestershire team-mates toppled to a disappointing 265. That total did, however, represent something of a fightback, after Tim Murtagh’s 6 for 52 had reduced them to 22 for 3, and 203 for 9, before Chris Whelan more than doubled his career runs tally with a mature 58 from No. 9. By the close, Andrew Strauss had underlined Worcestershire’s missed opportunity with an unbeaten 66, though Gareth Batty did claim the wicket of Billy Godleman for 31.

Nottinghamshire took advantage of the bad weather that curtailed the day for their title rivals, Somerset and Durham, and chipped steadily away at the batting of relegation-doomed Surrey at The Oval. By the close, Surrey had reached 253 for 8, with a pair of 60s for Scott Newman and Lee Hodgson. The latter, on his first-class debut, made 63 to bail Surrey out after they had slid to 125 for 5. Surrey were hardly going down with all guns blazing. In the afternoon session of 33 overs they ground out 59 runs.Play was called off by 10am at Chester-le-Street leaving Durham frustrated in their title push and Sussex unable to pull themselves clear of any relegation concerns.Lancashire could be joining Surrey in the second division after a dreadful first day at Liverpool. Read Andrew McGlashan’s bulletin for more.Only 44 overs were possible between Somerset and Yorkshire at Scarborough. John Ward watched the opening exchanges.

Football.London journalist Sam Inkersole believes that West Ham United should consider a swoop for Roman Yaremchuk this summer as they look to strengthen their forward line, with Eurosport reporting earlier this month that they were considering a bid.

The Hammers have made just one permanent signing this summer, bringing in Craig Dawson on a permanent deal after his initial loan move from Watford last season.

The season kicks off in just three weeks, and the Hammers will also be playing Europa League football after their sixth-placed finish last term.

Moyes’ side will surely be keen to bring a striker into the club this summer, given that Michail Antonio is their only current senior forward.

6 ft 3 Yaremchuk currently plays for KAA Gent in Belgium and impressed at Euro 2020, scoring twice for Ukraine as they reached the quarter-finals, where they were ultimately beaten by England.

Last season, the 25-year-old scored 17 goals and laid on six assists in 28 league games, and he is valued at £15.75m by Transfermarkt.

Inkersole previously covered the Irons for Football.London before moving on to cover Chelsea, and he believes that a swoop for Yaremchuk would be ideal for David Moyes’ side, though he wonders if they would prefer a deal to bring in an experienced Premier League striker.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “I really like the look of Yaremchuk from Ukraine, I thought he played very well at the Euros. England did a good job on him in that quarter-final but he did get a couple of decent opportunities, Pickford made one good save from him.

“It’s a gamble because he’s not played in the Premier League.”

Private letters written by Don Bradman, mostly to former Australian board chairman Bob Parish, on a variety of subjects have been discovered by Cricket Australia just days before his birth centenary

Cricinfo staff17-Aug-2008
Don Bradman felt the lbw law should be tweaked so that batsmen are given out for deliveries that pitch outside off and leg stump, provided they don’t offer a shot © AFP
Private letters written by Don Bradman, largely to former Australian board chairman Bob Parish, have been discovered by Cricket Australia just days before his birth centenary on August 27. The subjects of the letters range from the ban on tours to South Africa during the apartheid era, remuneration for players, and World Series Cricket.Bradman was an administrator of the game for 35 years. In 1960 he was appointed the Australian board chairman – he served another term later that decade – and dealt with problems like chucking and apartheid during his tenure.The letters, published in several Australian papers on Sunday, reveal Bradman favoured giving bowlers a fairer deal as he suggests the lbw law be tweaked so that batsmen are given out for deliveries that pitch outside off and leg stump, provided they don’t offer a shot.Bradman wrote against a move to get the Australian government to intervene in the television rights issue that cropped up during Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket (he described Packer’s media promotions”propaganda”). He wrote to Parish: “I would not willingly support any move to have government interference in TV rights, which may control Packer because, as I have said many times before, it would inevitably bring control of the fees that may be paid.”The ban on touring South Africa, Bradman wrote, had moved cricket from the sporting basket and in to the political basket. “… not of our wish or doing, but by fate”. In April 1978 he wrote to South African cricket chief Joe Pamensky: ‘Unfortunately I am despondent in believing that although your cricketers have done everything you can in S.A., … countries will now come out with the verdict, the political verdict, that they can’t play in S.A. so long as Apartheid is government policy. Regrettable too, our Prime Minister, gives the impression he thinks the same way …”I think you will get a good and sympathetic hearing from the cricket fraternity in London but what use is that if the powers that be won’t let tours take place …”Evidence of his foresight lies in a letter on the problem of throwing in cricket. Bradman writes that it would be crazy to return to an earlier situation where there was no definition for throwing. “Those who claim recent events may have rectified the trouble may well be right – IN THE SHORT TERM [sic]. But in 10-20 years it would certainly return and be a bogey once more, and I think our responsibility is to provide now against such a contingency.” According to Bradman, the best way to test a bowler’s action is during a match where he is bowling flat out and does not know he is being filmed.

Some Wolves fans have been left lauding a transfer update from Fabrizio Romano on Rafa Mir.

As per Romano, Atletico Madrid are set to complete an agreement with the Midlands club to sign the striker, with talks now at their final stages.

Mir has already agreed personal terms with the current La Liga holders, having only played in a mere four senior games for the Molineux faithful, and is currently only a squad player behind Raul Jimenez.

Given that Atletico will be competing in the UEFA Champions League once more, and Mir is only 24 years of age, Bruno Lage’s team could demand a reasonable transfer fee for him, which could then be used to reinvest back into the squad ahead of the start of the new 2021/22 Premier League season.

Wolves fans on Mir transfer update

These WWFC supporters were left lauding the exit news on Mir as it was shared by Romano on his official Twitter page:

“Jeff Shi masterclass”

Credit: @WolvesNumber37

“With 1 year left and no indication of him signing a new contract this is excellent business Him going to the Olympics really benefited Wolves, he doesn’t go and his price is half what he’s going for now”

Credit: @AndrewDHipkins

“As long as a sell on clause is included its a great deal”

Credit: @chrishumphries

“LORD I SEE YOU”

Credit: @__Grav

“Nice”

Credit: @rylandavies16

“Not just us or Nuno, he was rubbish at Forest too. Didn’t want to be here. Happy in Spain. Wolves have got the best deal possible. Move on, reinvest.”

Credit: @stevebird1877

In other news, find out what transfer update has Wanderers buzzing here!

An update has emerged regarding Leeds’ interest in Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio.

What’s the talk?

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the Whites are one of three Premier League club eyeing up the 26-year-old. Everton and Leicester are also said to be keen on the attacker, who has two years left on his contract with the Spanish giants.

The report claims that Marcelo Bielsa is looking at Asensio as a possible alternative target to Wolves winger Adama Traore as he chases attacking reinforcements before the end of the transfer window.

Imagine him and Bamford

Leeds must get a deal over the line for Asensio as he could form a terrific partnership with Patrick Bamford at Elland Road. The 26-year-old is capable of playing in a variety of positions and could link up with the former Chelsea man by playing in the number 10 role or on either wing, offering Bielsa a multitude of ways to utilise him in the Premier League.

Asensio has 37 goals and 22 assists for Los Blancos’ first team. This includes scoring in the UEFA Super Cup and Champions League final for Real Madrid, which shows that he is made for the big occasion and able to perform at the pinnacle of club football.

Bamford, meanwhile, scored 17 goals and provided seven assists in the English top flight last season, so imagine the pair terrorising opposition defences with their ability to score and create goals. They both have a proven record of doing so, as shown by their statistical returns, and they could be a lethal pairing for Bielsa next season.

Former Real Madrid players Guti and Raul have been quick to praise Asensio in the past. The former gushed: “Asensio is a lot better player than I was. He has an unlimited ceiling, his head is very well furnished and will depend on what he wants to do in the world of football. The future is in his feet.”

Raul added: “He has much to offer now and a great future ahead of him. He’s a young guy, eager to work and he’s currently doing very well.”

The pair made 1,293 appearances for Real Madrid between them, winning numerous trophies, and this shows that they know what they are talking about. They are legends of the Bernabeu and hence are not likely to praise players at the club too lightly.

Therefore, the £125k-per-week Asensio should be a priority target for Victor Orta and Bielsa at Leeds. They need to ensure that they can get a deal over the line ahead of Everton and Leicester, as he could be a terrific signing for the Yorkshire club if he teams up with Bamford.

AND in other news, Alan Nixon drops exciting Leeds transfer claim, Bielsa will be buzzing…

SYDNEY, Nov 17 AAP – A late flurry of wickets to former NSW allrounder Mark Higgs handed South Australia victory in a thrilling Pura Cup cricket match at the SCG today.Higgs, recruited from the Blues in the off season, bagged four wickets under immense pressure, propelling his new state to a 27-run win in a match that had everything, including the placement of former Test star Mark Waugh on report for dissent.Higgs’ 4-25 from 9.4 overs helped bowl the star-studded home side out for 255 in its second innings, short of the 283-run target late on the final day.That was after the Redbacks had already claimed first innings points with 397 on the back of man-of-the-match David Fitzgerald’s fine 153 before NSW skipper Steve Waugh closed his side’s first innings at 9(dec)-296.Higgs top scored for SA’s second innings of 181 with 70 but his finest moment came when he bowled Michael Bevan for 114 to end the match.Test skipper Steve Waugh defended his decision to send South Australia in on a green wicket in gloomy conditions, which later turned fine, after winning the toss.”The way the coin falls does not determine whether you win or lose a game,” Waugh said.”We bowled poorly first day, dropped some chances, and day four we batted poorly, we should have won the game so it’s pretty simple – we threw it away today.”But South Australia hung in there well, it was a good performance by them.”SA skipper Darren Lehmann was thrilled with the win that put SA on par with Victoria at the top of the table on 14 points, two ahead of NSW, after an action-packed battle that included 18 wickets and 404 runs on day three.”To beat a quality side with so many Test players in it like New South Wales and to come up here to Sydney with an inexperienced side, blokes who haven’t been to Sydney before, we were really happy with that,” Lehmann said.”I think it was probably the best game of cricket I’ve played in for a long time, in Shield cricket, for pure entertainment for four days, to go down right to the last hour was fantastic.”Michael Slater joined Bevan in a 150-run partnership after the home side resumed on an unsteady 2-11.Slater looked in good touch, stroking eight fours and a six to reach 91 before he was caught by Ben Higgins at short leg off the bowling of John Davison after lunch.Steve Waugh was unable to repeat his first innings heroics as he fell lbw to Ben Johnson for just seven, a stark contrast to his earlier knock of 135.Davison struck again when Mark Waugh was given out, caught behind by Shane Deitz for a duck.The batsman clearly didn’t like the decision, standing his ground for some time with one hand on his hip after the judgement was made and he was seen talking to umpire Darrell Hair as he left the field.Hair called on the batsman to appear at a hearing before commissioner Alan Sullivan QC after play with a decision to be made later in the evening or another day.Having bowled just one over before tea, Higgs was returned to the fray and the move paid off when Nathan Pilon (seven) smacked a full toss to Lehmann for a sharp catch at mid wicket.Brett Lee may have starred with the ball, taking 11 wickets for the Blues, but he only managed one with the bat before being bowled by Higgs.Harris finished with 2-37 while Davison added 2-67 to his first innings 5-81.