Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, expects a stiff challenge from West Indies in their imminent series of three one-day internationals and two Tests, despite the beating that they have taken from South Africa. West Indies were thrashed 2-0 in the Tests and 5-0 in the one-day series.”I think they have played against a strong South African team, but I think they are rebuilding, and they will be tough opposition,” Woolmer said. “It is important for us to be geared up and hit the road running in the series because it is so short. Fortunately, all the players have been playing a lot of cricket, so it is not necessary from a practice point of view.”It is just a matter of adjusting slightly to the pitches. I think they are going to be the same. After our performance in India, it is important that we build on this. We can’t sit on it. We have got to put that away. We have got to get stuck into this series.”Woolmer disclosed that Pakistan had taken a keen interest in the recently concluded series between West Indies and South Africa. “We have watched every game,” Woolmer said. “South Africa have a different side to us. They rely very much on their pace attack. We have a very good spin attack. It is not to say we haven’t got a good seam attack. We don’t have the super pace, but we have players who bowl up there – 145 kph, 148 kph, so they are not slow. They are all good cricketers. We have some exciting young batsmen, and so we are really looking forward to the tour.”Pakistan opened their tour with a limited-overs warm-up match against an Antigua and Barbuda Select XI on Sunday and won convincingly by 248 runs. Woolmer also expected Brian Lara to be a factor in the series. “He is a world class player, so if he plays spin well someone will have to try and get him out,” he said. “But we have noticed some very good performances from the other players. We don’t underestimate the West Indies side at all.”Woolmer also revealed that Pakistan would be using this tour, especially their visit to Jamaica for the second Test, to prepare themselves for the 2007 World Cup scheduled in the Caribbean. “We will be based in Jamaica [with West Indies] for the World Cup, and so being in Jamaica for the last Test match will be a good experience for us,” he said. “We will be able to see the facilities, and have a look to see what we need to do in that particular scenario.”
Tasmania 5 for 384 dec and 9 for 396 (Mason 126, Watson 92, Dighton 62, Di Venuto 50) drew with Western Australia 6 for 562 dec and 6 for 270 dec ScorecardXavier Doherty and Gerard Denton, Tasmania’s No. 10 and 11, survived the last 22 balls to help their team scrape a draw in a thrilling Pura Cup match at the Bellerive Oval at Hobart. Requiring 449 for victory in 92 overs after Western Australia declared their second innings at 6 for 270, Tasmania were 215 for 1 at one stage, and required an eminently gettable 234 runs from 41 overs. An improbable win was on the cards, before the Western Australian bowlers clawed back.The run-chase was set up by a superb 189-run second-wicket partnership between Scott Mason (126) and Shane Watson (92). Coming together after the early wicket of Jamie Cox, Mason and Watson not only stabilised the innings, but also scored at a fair clip, ensuring that the asking rate was always under control. Michael Di Venuto (62) and Michael Dighton (50) chipped in with useful contributions too, as Tasmania went into the last 20 overs with seven wickets in hand.However, Kade Harvey, the right-arm medium-pacer, spoilt Tasmania’s party, dismissing Di Venuto and Dighton in consecutive overs, and then nailing Daniel Marsh (20) soon after, as Tasmania slumped to 7 for 385. Ben Edmondson then caused more panic among the Tasmanian ranks, taking two quick wickets, before Doherty and Denton hung on to deny Western Australia a win.Justin Langer, the WA captain, spoke to and said, “The only regret was we didn’t take the 10th wicket. We always thought we were in the game and, as it turned out, we were.”Dan Marsh, the Tasmania captain, said that 450 off 90 overs was always going to be a huge ask. He said, “I think we had a great effort today, I am really proud of the boys. We got ourselves in a position with wickets in hand [at tea]. But if you lose wickets, it is hard to pick up the scoring rate when you first come in and that’s what happened and unfortunately we couldn’t get there.”He added, “We would have to have played out of our skins to get there.”But Marsh said Tasmania – unchanged on 22 points behind the leaders Victoria on 32 – remained on track for the Pura Cup final. He said, “It is a bit disappointing now, it looks like we can’t host a final, we are too far back for that. We are a lot better off than we normally are and our destiny is in our own hands.”
The Queensland selectors have today named Stuart Law and Michael Kasprowicz in the XXXX Queensland Bulls team to contest Sunday’s ING Cup Final against the NSW Blues at the Gabba.Both players passed fitness tests this morning at training, with the team captaincy reverting to Law following his selection.Law batted for the second day in a row in the nets and then had a one-on-one fielding workout under the scrutiny of Chairman of Selectors Andrew Courtice.Following a discussion with coach Bennett King, he was given the green light to return from the fractured knuckle on his little finger that he sustained during the Bulls’ Pura Cup loss to South Australia three weeks ago.Kasprowicz also bowled solidly in the nets for the second session in as many days to satisfy Courtice of his recovery from a hamstring strain.Law’s inclusion sees left-hander Brendan Nash miss out of the squad while Kasprowicz’s availability meant the selectors did not consider rookie left-armer Scott Brant for the game, although the teenage paceman will be available for the Pura Cup match against NSW in Sydney next week.Pace bowler Ashley Noffke has not trained with the team this week after suffering the flu but is expected to join them on Saturday for the final”top-up” session from 9am at the Gabba.NSW today named a 13-man squad for the Final, with right-hand batsman Matthew Phelps coming in for Graeme Rummans and pace bowler Don Nash added. Former Queensland one-day spinner Dale Turner has also won a spot in the squad.XXXX QUEENSLAND BULLS v NSW Blues, ING Cup Final, Sunday, the Gabba.(9amstart): Jimmy Maher, Martin Love, Stuart Law (c), Andrew Symonds,Clinton Perren, Lee Carseldine, James Hopes, Wade Seccombe, AshleyNoffke, Nathan Hauritz, Michael Kasprowicz, Joe Dawes (all 12 to play).NSW Blues: Shane Lee (captain), Brad Haddin, Matthew Phelps, CoreyRichards, Michael Bevan, Michael Clarke, Mark Higgs, Dominic Thornely,Shawn Bradstreet, Don Nash, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Dale Turner(one to be omitted).Sunday’s Final will start at 9am with gates opening at 8am.Tickets will cost $14 for adults, $8 for children u/16 and pensionerswhile there will be a $28 family ticket (2 adults, 2 children). Ticketsare on sale through Ticketmaster7 on 1300 136 122, their websitewww.ticketmaster7.com.au or through Ticketmaster7 outlets.
Railways earned two points from a six wicket victory over Rajasthan in the Ranji One-Day Central Zone League tournament at Karnail Singh Stadium, Delhi on Wednesday.Railways won the toss and put Rajasthan in to bat. Rajasthan had an early setback losing both openers for 18 runs. The batsmen never recovered from the blow and lost wickets at regular intervals before succumbing to 170 all out in 49.5 overs. RJ Kanwat (35), Gagan Khoda (33) and Sanjeev Sharma (33) hung around but could not hold the innings together. TP Singh and Zakir Hussian ran through the lineup picking up three wickets each for 23 and 36 runs respectively.In reply, Opener Amit Pagnis made a fluent 80 off 84 deliveries, studded with seven hits to the fence. TP Singh made a quickfire 34 off 22 balls with five boundaries. Railways scored the 172 in 32.1 overs. RJ Kanwat bagged three wickets for 47.
Last week, it was made known that Thomas Frank had sat down with ENIC Group and left that meeting with the backing of the Tottenham Hotspur board.
But, since then, the Londoners have fallen to another home defeat, this time against struggling Liverpool, and the pressure is unquestionably cranking up. Still, pundits like Jamie Redknapp have reiterated the stance that the Danish coach needs time to right the many wrongs down N17.
Redknapp is right, and Tottenham’s star players need to step up. However, with the defenders leaving much to be desired, who is it within the Lilywhites squad who has what it takes to step up and guide the squad back to the forefront of Premier League football?
Who can lead Frank's Spurs side to success
In recent years, Tottenham have lost Harry Kane and Heung-min Son to overseas moves. It’s difficult to argue that such talismanic figures have been effectively replaced.
Now, new stars need to step up. Whether Cristian Romero is the one to lead the charge is open to debate, with the Argentine skipper sent off after kicking out at Ibrahima Konate at the weekend.
Spurs need players to step up, leading the club to success after a first half of the 2025/26 campaign that has underlined the fact that there are too many pieces of driftwood about Frank’s outfit.
Too often, Spurs have launched big-money bids for the likes of Richarlison and Dominic Solanke. Both arrived to the tune of £60m or so, and it’s hard to argue that either striker has been a bona fide success.
The worst of the lot would have to be Tanguy Ndombele, who was the club-record arrival when he joined from Lyon for £63m in 2019.
Journalist Paul Brown called the lazy France midfielder “one of the worst signings Spurs have ever made”. It would be hard to replicate such a dismal deal, but ENIC Group may be worried they have done exactly that this summer.
ENIC must worry they've signed Ndombele 2.0
The Lewis Family didn’t enjoy a flawless summer transfer window by any stretch, but there’s no question that the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons arrived as talented additions capable of driving Tottenham back into the domestic ascendancy.
Simons, 22, joined Tottenham from RB Leipzig for an initial £51m fee this summer, and his arrival caused a fanfare, given Chelsea had shown a vested interest for many months before.
However, it’s been tough for the Dutchman to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, with content creator Ronaldo Brown even asserting that he has been “swallowed” in the English top flight this season.
Having started to kick on, Simons lunged too far against Liverpool, receiving red in the first half after a studs-up challenge against his Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk.
Branded for a moment of “reckless stupidity” by Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville, Simons will know miss a crucial run of fixtures after a recent uptick in form, scoring his first goals for the club in December and maintaining promising creative levels.
There’s nothing wrong with Simons’ application, but his over-zealousness and high technical bar suggest he may well have a bit of Ndombele-itis about him, and this is something that Frank will need to swiftly fix if his project is to be a success, having worked with the board to secure this coveted playmaker for a hefty fee.
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After all, Simons ranks among the top 10% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for passes attempted, the top 6% for progressive passes and the top 14% for tackles per 90, as per FBref, so he’s got the fullness of skillset to succeed.
However, it could be said that the same was true for Ndombele. He’s one of the most technically gifted players we’ve seen in Spurs colours this decade, but the application of his skillset was too inconsistent. He became an easy scapegoat and his time in the capital ended in tears and with a hefty dent in the club’s wallet.
Tanguy Ndombele
Spurs cannot afford to fall by the wayside here. Neither can Frank. Neither can Simons.
Forget Romero: Frank must make Spurs' "world-class" star his new captain
Thomas Frank now has a huge call to make on Cristian Romero’s future at Tottenham Hotspur.
Victoria’s struggling top order will need to fend off a fired-up Brett Lee if the Bushrangers are to upset the favourites New South Wales in the Pura Cup final at the SCG. Despite playing only one match during the Blues’ campaign this season Lee is desperate to help his state finish the summer on top, according to the team’s coach Matthew Mott.”I know he’s fired up, he’s incredibly keen to do well,” Mott told the . “He’s never played in a shield final before and he’s absolutely champing at the bit. We’re hoping that if he doesn’t get the wickets he’ll at least rattle a few blokes for others to cash in. He’s certainly keen to play, very excited. The week off will do him good.”A Pura Cup title would cap off an incredible summer for Lee, who stepped up to be Australia’s spearhead following Glenn McGrath’s retirement. He was named Man of the Series in both of Australia’s Test contests, against Sri Lanka and India, and became the first bowler since McGrath to win the Allan Border Medal.Lee joins Stuart Clark, Nathan Bracken and Stuart MacGill in a Test-quality attack that will provide a serious challenge for Victoria, whose top order has hit a slump at the wrong end of the season. Brad Hodge, David Hussey and Cameron White continue to pose a threat in the middle but it is three months since the Bushrangers have had a 50-run partnership from their openers, Nick Jewell and either Rob Quiney or Lloyd Mash.Mark Cameron, the New South Wales fast bowler who has impressed with 27 wickets at 17.51 this season, is likely to miss out when the game starts on Saturday, to accommodate the returning Australia bowlers. Mott said it was disappointing for whoever was omitted but the Blues had a duty to field their best available side.”That debate always comes up but it’s something the players have been used to in New South Wales for a while, having such a big number of Australian representatives,” he said. “Sometimes you get the good end of it as well. The thing that the players have got to remember is if the Test players were around all the time they probably wouldn’t get an opportunity at all.”I think it makes them hungrier. It is very hard for the likes of Matthew Nicholson and Mark Cameron who have done exceptionally well all year. But they’ve all copped it pretty well. We love having the Australian blokes back and it’s special for the other guys to get to play with them, playing with the best players in the world. It’s something they look forward to.”
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play three one-day internationals in Abu Dhabi from May 9, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced.”The series has now been confirmed and given clearance by the ICC,” Zakir Khan, director cricket operations, told Reuters.The series will be the first since Pakistan’s elimination from the World Cup and will be the first under their new captain, Shoaib Malik.
“Better than imagination”, screamed the , the Dhaka-based daily, after Bangladesh’s best-ever opening day in Test cricket, when they amassed 355 for 5 against the mighty Australians. The man responsible for Bangladesh’s dream day out, Shariar Nafees, revealed that his inspiration was “playing against the world’s best attack”.”When you come out with a hundred against them [Australia], it’s simply a great, great feeling,” an excited Nafees told the reporters. “And when players like Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting congratulated me saying that it was a well-paced hundred, joy knew no bound for me.” Nafees played the perfect team man, stating that the opening-day effort was the proof that “Bangladesh cricket is going upward. Scoring 350 runs in day against a team like Australia is not a joke.”Nafees, who was promoted to open the batting in this Test, said he was not worried about his batting position and only wanted to do well for the team. “It’s great that I made my hundred as an opener,” he said. “I am looking forward to serving my team as best as possible. I was not nervous at any stage even when I received a nasty bouncer off Brett Lee on my helmet.”Yet he admitted to nerves as his maiden first-class century approached. “But honestly speaking I was little bit tense when I reached 99.”The 20-year-old Nafees displayed a mature head and talked about learning from his previous mistakes, notably against Sri Lanka. “I was wrong in choosing the ball for the sweep shot against Murali,” said Nafees. “But I think I learnt from my mistake which reflected in the day against Warne. My main intention was to play according to merit of the delivery.”Nafees found praise from his captain Habibul Bashar. “It was one of the best innings from any Bangladeshi batsman. He played according to merit and never allowed the bowlers to get on top.”But it was never on our mind that we would score 350 runs on a day against a team like Australia. I want to say that it is a clear message that we are improving. If you consider the previous record, definitely it is the best day in our history and the most significant thing is not many teams in the world score 350 runs on a single day.”However, he had his feet firmly on the ground, conceding that Australia could fight back strongly. “There are still four days to go and you all know that Australia can bounce back from any stage. That’s why our first target would be to bat at least two more sessions tomorrow and then we can think about saving the match. There is no scope to be over excited. It would have been satisfactory had we finished the day losing one less wicket,” said Bashar, who himself was guilty of throwing his wicket away, something he regretted doing. “A century would have been good not only for me but also for the benefit of the team. Making a century against Australia is always special for any batsman.”John Buchanan, Australia’s coach, also praised the Bangladeshi batsmen for their pluck and skill. “Bangladesh played spin and quick bowlers very well,” Buchanan said. “There will be more opportunities for us tomorrow morning.” And he picked out Nafees’s contribution, who made the most of being dropped at fly-slip by Shane Warne on 66. “Nafees played very sensibly. We dropped a few catches and that opened up an opportunity for them.”
ScorecardWellington added 8 runs to their fourth-day 268 for 9 before being all out, leaving Otago chasing 199 for victory on the final day. Then Jeetan Patel and Jesse Ryder got stuck in, sharing the wickets between them as Otago slumped to 147 all out and lost by 51 runs. Patel’s offspin fetched him outstanding figures of 6 for 32, while Ryder’s mediumpace yielded 4 for 23. Otago’s batsmen had no response to the bowling, with only Mohammad Wasim, the former Pakistani batsman, and Gareth Hopkins offering any resistance.
Veteran fast-bowler Paul Wilson will not be available for WA for the next week after succumbing to a groin injury. Wilson will not play for the Warriors in the ING or Pura Cup matches against NSW this week.Warrior’s team management said that Wilson’s injury was due to ‘wear and tear’. Wilson was due to have an MRI scan on his groin on Monday evening.South Perth all-rounder Darren Wates comes into the Warriors squad to replace Wilson.The WA Selectors have finalised the Warriors ING Cup squad for Wednesday’s game.Justin Langer (C), Michael Hussey (VC), Ryan Campbell, Beau Casson, Michael Clark, Murray Goodwin, Kade Harvey, Scott Meuleman, Marcus North, Chris Rogers, John Taylor and Darren Wates.The 12th Man will be finalised on the morning of the match. Jo Angel and Ben Edmondson are the two men not picked in the WA’s provisional 14-man squad.The Warriors ING Cup team will train at the WACA Ground outdoor nets from 4.00pm on Tuesday. This will be a vision only opportunity.