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Aaron Bird, the New South Wales fast bowler, has been suspended for an illegal bowling action

Cricinfo staff25-Feb-2009
Aaron Bird’s season is over following Cricket Australia’s ruling © Getty Images
Aaron Bird, the New South Wales fast bowler, has been suspended for an illegal bowling action following tests at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. Bird, the leading wicket-taker in the Twenty20 competition, was reported three times by umpires during the season and his ban of at least three months started with Cricket Australia’s ruling on Wednesday.He was named for New South Wales’ crucial Sheffield Shield match against Queensland on Thursday, but has been replaced by Mitchell Starc, the left-arm fast bowler. Bird was tested on February 11 in the AIS biomechanics laboratory and not all of his deliveries were within the 15-degree range of allowable elbow extension.Bird was confident the suspension would be a “temporary setback”. “Although I am obviously disappointed with the result, the findings of the analysis showed that all but one of my deliveries complied with the elbow extension allowed,” Bird said. “I will now go away with the coaching staff and analyse the test findings and make any adjustments required to make sure that I am ready to go in 90 days’ time.”A Cricket Australia spokesman said Bird could challenge the results through a bowling review group hearing. “Any player found to have displayed an illegal action is suspended from interstate competitions until he is able to complete a biomechanical analysis that demonstrates his action is legal,” the spokesman said. That can occur “no earlier than 90 days after the date a suspension commences”.Bird, who had to change his action following similar concerns in 2006-07, collected 13 Twenty20 wickets at 14.07 and was third on the FR Cup list with 21 at 22.19. He was reported last month but was allowed to continue playing until the results were released, and dismissed three batsmen in the Blues’ innings defeat to Victoria last week.David Gilbert, the Cricket New South Wales chief executive, said the state would support Bird in his remedial work. “Aaron is an important member of our squad and we will provide all the assistance needed to help him over the 90-day period,” he said.

The agent of Donny van de Beek has revealed that he was in talks with Everton in regards to a move during the transfer window, but a switch was vetoed by Manchester United.

The Lowdown: Business done on final day

On the final day of the transfer window, the Toffees completed the signing of Salomon Rondon from Dalian Professional.

However, it seems that they also were interested in capturing the services of the £27m-valued Netherlands international (Transfermarkt) from the Red Devils.

The Latest: Van de Beek speaks to Toffees

Speaking to Ziggo Sport (via The Daily Express), Van de Beek’s representative Guido Albers revealed talks with the Merseyside club. He said:

“We took the initiative to find a club and our search ended up at Everton. We opened talks with Marcel Brands and Farhad Moshiri.

“On Monday night [before deadline day] we received a call from Solskjær and the club who told us that a transfer was out of the question and that he had to report himself to training the next morning.

“The perspective now is that we stated that Donny is not a Carabao Cup player, or FA Cup player, or to play only in European games.”

The Verdict: Crying shame

Although he made the move to Old Trafford from Ajax in September 2020 for a fee of £35m (BBC), Van de Beek has had to make do with a bit-part role at the club. He managed just 36 appearances in all competitions last season, the majority of which came from the bench, and he has yet to feature for a single minute in the current campaign (Transfermarkt).

He has often impressed whenever he has featured, though, with Owen Hargreaves calling him “close to perfect” after a match in the Champions League against Istanbul Basaksehir last autumn.

At Everton, you would have thought he would be close to a guaranteed starter under Rafael Benitez. While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may eventually be ready to incorporate the midfielder into his plans, it feels like a transfer would have been the 24-year-old’s best chances of playing regularly, and he would have brought plenty of quality to Goodison Park judging by Hargreaves’ glowing praise.

In other news, Everton also wanted to sign this England international during the transfer window.

Sunderland have been handed a quadruple boost ahead of their upcoming League One clash.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by The Chronicle, Lee Johnson revealed that both Lee Burge and Corry Evans are available for the top of the table clash with Accrington Stanley on Saturday following their respective recoveries from injury, adding that deadline day additions Leon Dajaku and Ron-Thorben Hoffmann would also be available for selection.

Concerning Burge and Evans, the 40-year-old said: “Lee is fine. he has had a good two weeks’ training, he’s looked good, looked sharp. He’s in a good place.

“Corry is also in a decent place, to be fair. He has done really well, and we have used this as sort of a mini-pre-season for him, because don’t forget he missed a lot of pre-season proper, and we felt he was chasing minutes and games and that was probably what led to the hamstring tweak anyway.”

Regarding Dajaku and Hoffmann, Johnson said: “They are available, albeit they are in different circumstances. Both have looked good in training, and that’s good because obviously you want to see them first-hand and get to know what they are like as human beings.

“With both players, we are taking a long-term view but they are available tomorrow.”

Johnson will be buzzing

Having seen his Sunderland team get their 2021/22 campaign off to a fantastic start, picking up 12 points from their opening five fixtures of the season, Johnson must be buzzing that he looks set to be able to call upon both Burge and Evans, as well as Dajaku and Hoffmann, for the clash against an equally impressive Accrington side.

Indeed, the goalkeeper impressed over his three League One appearances prior to his injury, making 2.3 saves per game and averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.97; while the return of Evans -who Johnson dubbed “such an important player” for Sunderland – is clearly another massive boost for the 40-year-old.

Furthermore, while it would appear less certain as to whether either of Dajaku and Hoffmann will feature against Accrington, their availability will nevertheless be a further plus for Johnson, who will be spoiled for choice when putting together his matchday squad this afternoon.

As such, the Mackems look in very good shape going into what is bound to be a challenging test against John Coleman’s second-placed side, with the Black Cats having a real opportunity today to demonstrate to the rest of the league that they mean business this season.

In other news: “Huge difference”: Key Sunderland figure drops claim which will be music to the ears of fans

A round-up of the third day of the 11th round matches of the Regional Four Day Competition

Cricinfo staff24-Mar-2009Barbados collapsed to an innings defeat against Leeward Islands at Crab Hill, with Kevin Stoute providing the sole resistance with a determined century. Seamers Gavin Tonge – who took 5 for 62 – and Tonito Willett hastened a Barbados defeat, taking nine wickets between them to run through the batting line-up. Leewards held the advantage for much of the match and started the day as favourites, having taken two wickets by stumps the previous day. Barbados had been asked to follow on, and began the day on a poor note, losing three quick wickets, all to Tonge, to slip to 56 for 5. Nikolai Charles and Stoute then added 110 on either side of lunch but when Charles was trapped in front by Willett, the end was near. The next five wickets fell for 27 as Leewards moved to third place in the table with 59 points. Stoute reached his maiden first-class century, but his effort was one of the few highlights for Barbados in a disappointing performance. “I am overwhelmed by my maiden first-class hundred,” he said. “I have been talking about it for two years now and it came true,” he said. “I am very happy. I am overwhelmed with my own personal performance, but still disappointed with the result of the game.”Combined Campuses and Colleges, buoyed by captain Floyd Reifer’s 13th first-class century, got themselves into a strong position against Jamaica in Kingston. They had conceded a lead of 58 in the first innings, but bounced back to end the day on 324 for 6 at stumps, 266 runs ahead. They survived a scare when offspinner Bevon Brown triggered a minor collapse to restrict CCC to 74 for 3, but Reifer received solid support from Jamal Smith, with whom he led the recovery with a 135-run partnership for the fourth wicket. After Smith fell for 46, also dismissed by Brown, Reifer built two fruitful stands, with Kurt Wilkinson and Chadwick Walton, to extend CCC’s lead and help them reach a comfortable position. Brown finished the day with 3 for 53, but CCC held the edge.Windward Islands staged a comeback against Trinidad and Tobago in St Vincent, restricting the opposition to 112 for 6 after conceding a 104-run lead. Chadwick Walton and Nelon Pascal took two wickets each to leave T&T reeling at 80 for 6 before Ravi Rampaul and Gibran Mohammed added 32 to prevent any further damage. Windwards began their day on the back foot on 134 for 4, but overnight batsmen Donwell Hector and Rawl Lewis helped them recover with a 108-run fifth-wicket stand. However, Hector fell agonizingly close to a century, caught at backward square by Imran Khan off an attempted pull. Lewis contributed a valuable 85 but Windward lost their next five wickets for 59 – Rampaul and Sherwin Ganga took four wickets each – to be bowled out for 257. However, their bowlers fought back well and with a current deficit of 216 with four T&T wickets left, the game is interestingly poised.

An update has emerged regarding Barcelona’s interest in Manchester City beast Aymeric Laporte.

What’s the talk?

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the La Liga giants are interested in signing the City defender to replace ageing veteran Gerard Pique.

The report claims that City’s Spanish international is one of five centre-backs the Catalan club are considering as they weigh up their options ahead of the January window.

Pep would hate it

Txiki Begiristain must avoid a glaring Manchester City mistake following this update on Laporte. The Cityzens chief must ensure that the centre-back remains at the Etihad Stadium and does not depart for Spain, as he is an important member of Pep Guardiola’s squad.

The 27-year-old has returned to the fore this season alongside Ruben Dias and is looking like the Laporte of old after overcoming his injury issues. The defender was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2018/19 campaign, but only started 28 games combined in the subsequent two league seasons as he struggled with form and fitness.

John Stones emerged as the main partner for Dias at the back last term, with the pair ultimately being named in the PFA Team of the Year for their exceptional performances. However, Laporte has hit back this season and started three of City’s four Premier League matches ahead of Stones.

Back in January, City manager Guardiola lauded the former Athletic Bilbao defender and claimed that he has “special quality”. He told The Guardian: “It depends on him, the quality is there.

“[He has to] be in top form and have his mind open. He’s the best left-sided defender [we have], he has special quality with the ball. He has to be focused to come back in the best condition possible and he will get his minutes. After, it depends on his performance like it depends on the form of everyone.”

The Spaniard has been showing off his quality in the Premier League. He has averaged an excellent SofaScore rating of 7.57, with City keeping three clean sheets in his three appearances. Laporte even found the back of the net in the 5-0 win against Norwich, showing that he can also be a threat at the top end of the pitch.

This is why Guardiola would surely hate to see him leave to join Barcelona. He currently has three centre-backs who have been included in the PFA Team of the Year in recent seasons and that offers him an incredible degree of quality in his squad, which is useful when competing across multiple competitions – an asset he will not want to lose.

Therefore, Begiristain must reject any advances from Barcelona and make sure that Laporte is still a Manchester City player at the end of the January transfer window.

AND in other news, “Man United have panicked” – Pundit drops stark verdict amid staggering £500k-p/w contract claim…

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has been given until 5pm on May 1 to rejoin the Yorkshire squad otherwise his contract will be terminated

Cricinfo staff23-Apr-2009Pakistan fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has been given until 5pm on May 1 to rejoin the Yorkshire squad otherwise his contract will be terminated.Naved-ul-Hasan has been making every effort to resolve ongoing issues in obtaining a work permit which the county admitted was “outside the control of both club and player”.However, the uncertainty as to when, and even if, he will be able to join Yorkshire led to them advising him of the deadline.A county spokesman said that “he does appreciate the club’s desire to move into the season with a full squad, which is obviously not possible in his absence”.

Journalist Alan Myers shared an update on James Rodriguez’s Everton future on Monday morning, and a number of Toffees fans have been sharing their thoughts on the news via social media.

Reports emerged on Monday that the Colombian has jetted out to Qatar for talks with an unnamed club over a possible Goodison Park exit.

The 30-year-old is yet to feature under Rafa Benitez and was free to leave in the summer. He could have returned to his former club FC Porto in a mooted transfer which would have seen Luis Diaz move to Merseyside, but he failed to agree on terms with the Portuguese side.

According to reliable reporter Myers, Rodriguez’s discussions with a Qatari club are ongoing but nothing has been agreed upon as of Monday morning.

Everton fans react

Here is what these Everton supporters had to say in reply to Myers’ update on Twitter, with one labelling the situation with Rodriguez as ‘disgusting’ and others taking aim at Benitez and director of football Marcel Brands over the sparsity of the Toffees’ squad in the Colombian’s playmaking position.

“Need to sack Brands and Rafa for this mess”

Credit: @MarkBirch1988

“Criminal allowing him to leave at this point without being able to replace him. We can’t even name a full bench”

Credit: @JoeHaskell9

“Disgusting allowing this to happen when our squad is this thin & we’ve barely any creative midfielders available”

Credit: @TheApexHound

“The player has to make himself available. Saturday it was a muscle problem. How can RB, the club or anyone else be responsible for someone who says they’re not fit? Whole situation is a nightmare I can’t wait to wake up from.”

Credit: @JonDamage

“Al knows.”

Credit: @JimGurney4

“The fume on here is a joke. Can’t we just all accept that we don’t know what is happening behind the scenes and there will be good reason why the club or the player wants out, or even mutually agree? You’re all ruining your own mental health 2nd guessing and making assumptions”

Credit: @DidcotSkelly

In other news: ‘We’re going down’ – Lots of Everton fans fume as injury update emerges

Only in the infant stages of his international career, South African left-arm fast bowler Yusuf Abdulla has praised the IPL as a great launch pad

Cricinfo staff11-May-2009Only in the infant stages of his international career, South African left-arm fast bowler Yusuf Abdulla has praised the IPL as a great launch pad. Abdulla, who made his Twenty 20 debut against Australia earlier this year, was rewarded for his outstanding performances in the domestic tournament and for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL with a call-up for the World Twenty20 beginning on June 5 in England.”I believe in learning wherever I go and the IPL is a good learning curve,” he told . “It would have been hard to make a squad of 15 otherwise; the IPL has helped, it has shown I’m capable of performing at a higher level.”I was very excited when I heard I had been chosen for the Twenty20 World Cup and it’s definitely still sinking in. It’s a big achievement for me and I can only think the selectors were looking at me in the IPL because I have not played much international cricket, basically just my debut.”Abdulla, 26, is currently the IPL’s joint second highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets in nine matches. He was called up after West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor was ruled out with injury. Punjab owner Ness Wadia cited Abdulla’s knowledge of his home ground Kingsmead – where the team play six games – as “critical” to success in the IPL’s second season.After two average games, Abdulla notched up figures of 4 for 31 against Royal Challengers Bangalore, among them the wickets of Kevin Pietersen and Jacques Kallis. His return of 3 for 21 against the Rajasthan Royals made him one of the top five leading wicket-takers in the tournament.Abdulla said support from his seniors helped him ease into a team of superstars. “The IPL is a big world event and there are a lot of international stars playing, so the level is very high. There were a bit of nerves before my first game,” he said. “I’ve learnt to back myself and the team has really backed me as well. Yuvraj [Singh] is a heck of a good guy and all the stars have been very welcoming. It’s great to have players like that around because it has made it much easier for me. I can rely on their advice and experience.”It’s been a big step and it hasn’t been easy because the margin for error at this level is very small.”

Southampton have a rich history of bringing through academy players and turning them into first-team stars, whether that be at St. Mary’s or elsewhere after they have been sold.

The likes of Matt Le Tissier, Alan Shearer, Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and current player James Ward-Prowse all came through the youth ranks at Southampton, highlighting the impressive production line on the south coast over the years.

This means that fans have a right to get excited when an academy player makes the breakthrough into the first-team as they have seen how successful graduates can be. However, not every youngster is able to burst onto the scene and maintain an upward trajectory.

One excellent example of this is current first-team right-back Yan Valery. He made the step-up to first-team football at Southampton in 2018 but has struggled to kick on and progress in recent seasons.

The Frenchman played 24 times in all competitions in the 2018/19 campaign for the Saints, averaging a solid WhoScored rating of 6.66 in 23 Premier League appearances. He averaged 2.8 tackles and interceptions per game, whilst also chipping in with two goals and one assist from the right-back position.

At the end of his debut campaign at senior level, Valery was valued by Transfermarkt at £6.3m at the young age of 20. Ralph Hasenhuttl seemingly had a promising and talented defender in his ranks with the potential to progress and become a regular first-team star at St. Mary’s.

Instead of developing further and fulfilling his potential, Valery has endured a tough couple of years at Southampton under Hasenhuttl. The Austrian coach has been unable to get the best out of the defender, with his appearances and performance levels dropping over time.

In the 2019/20 campaign, the right-back made 11 Premier League appearances and averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.38. Last season, he only played three times in the top-flight and averaged a score of 6.15, before being loaned out to Birmingham in the Championship. Valery made five appearances in the Championship for Birmingham, only two from the start, and averaged a dismal rating of 6.33 despite dropping to a lower division.

Now, Valery is valued by Transfermarkt at £2.7m. This is a 57% decrease from two years ago and shows how Hasenhuttl has had a howler with the defender as he has been unable to help him progress.

Of course, it is also down to Valery to put the performances in on the pitch, but there has been little sign that Hasenhuttl’s coaching has aided his development.

Valery is yet to play a game in the Premier League this season and the rarely-seen full-back’s time at the club could be coming to an end if his lack of game time continues.

There is little point having a player whose value is plummeting at the club if there is a chance to sell him on, as it could recoup some money for Martin Semmens to spend on a replacement.

AND in other news, Ralph howler: Rarely-seen Southampton outcast has seen value plummet 57% since 2019…

Kevin O’Brien has pinpointed the league game against Bangladesh as the one crucial to his side’s chances of progressing in the World Twenty20

Cricinfo staff30-May-2009Kevin O’Brien, the Ireland allrounder, has pinpointed the league game against Bangladesh as the one crucial to his side’s chances of progressing in the World Twenty20.The other side in Ireland’s group is one of the tournament favourites, India, and two of the three teams move on to the Super Eights. “Bangladesh is the first group game for us and if we can get a good result, then I think we will go through,” he told the . “That’s unless India have an off day against ourselves or Bangladesh, which I can’t really see happening to be honest.”Ireland confirmed their standing as the leading Associate nation in the world by winning the ICC World Cup Qualifier in South Africa last month, but have had a rough time during the warm-up games for the World Twenty20. They have lost all three of their games so far, and have two more left before the tournament kicks off on June 5.The event also provides the Ireland side the rare opportunity to play in packed stadiums, something O’Brien is looking forward to. “Bangladesh and India … bring such great crowds and such a noise, we have to just live for those two games because you might never play in front of 28,000 again,” he said. “It’s going to be good – I can’t actually wait.”Ireland’s key match against Bangladesh is on June 8 at Trent Bridge, where they take on India two days later.