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Shane Watson was named as Matthew Hayden’s replacement for the one-day leg of the West Indies tour

Cricinfo staff03-Jun-2008
Shane Watson: “I hope one day that adulation might be there in Australia because it’s my home country” © Getty Images
Shane Watson’s wish for the selectors to take his outstanding Indian Premier League form seriously has been granted after he was named as Matthew Hayden’s replacement for the one-day leg of the West Indies tour. Hayden’s exit with a heel problem created the opening for Watson to re-start his international career and prove his unpredictable body can cope with the extra demands.Watson is a logical replacement for Hayden – Shaun Marsh, James Hopes and Brad Haddin are also contenders for the spot freed by Adam Gilchrist’s retirement – and Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, praised his qualities at the top of the order. “Approximately 18 months ago we identified Shane as someone we thought could open the batting for Australia in one-day cricket and, in the opportunities he has had since, he has played that role extremely well,” Hilditch said. “He also adds great flexibility to our bowling attack in this format of the game.”Watson, who played for the victorious Rajasthan Royals, was the Player of the Tournament in India after scoring 472 runs, with an average of 47.20 and a strike-rate of 151. He also collected 17 wickets at 22.52 in his 15 games, showing his body could deal with regular work. “Shane has had a disappointing run with injuries but finished our interstate season well and has sustained his fitness levels throughout the IPL,” Hilditch said.Watson was due to have a holiday in the Maldives after his stint in India before heading to Hampshire for a short-term county contract. However, his plans have changed quickly and he will arrive in the West Indies during Australia’s third Test in Barbados, which starts on June 12. The limited-overs series, which includes a Twenty20 and five ODIs, begins on June 20.Watson had hoped the selectors would look closely at his performances during the IPL. “Even though it was Twenty20, it was a world-class competition,” Watson said in the Age before he was added to the squad. “It had the intensity, the crowds and I felt it was a great challenge.”A series of leg injuries has hampered Watson but after his IPL success he wants to continue “stringing games together and improve”. He last played for Australia at the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, where he had a successful tournament as a lower-order batsman. “My dream all along has been to break back in and be a permanent member of the Australian team,” he said.The Indian experience will be hard to forget for Watson, who was lauded during the latter stages of the tournament. “I hope one day that adulation might be there in Australia because it’s my home country,” Watson said, “and I love playing in Australia, for Australia.”

Rafa Benitez hasn’t managed to welcome any new faces to Everton just yet but the club are working intently behind the scenes.

The 61-year-old has a cash pool to splurge but after the long-winded process that led the Toffees to Benitez, they are lagging behind in the market.

What’s the word?

One player Everton have been continuously linked to in the last few weeks is Dutch sensation Denzel Dumfries.

The right-back captured the hearts of many football fans around the globe with his performances at Euro 2020 and now he could be set to leave PSV Eindhoven.

In fact, the player’s agent Mino Raiola, is even discussing a transfer with certain clubs.

That’s the word of journalist Marco Timmer who told Voetbal International: “Yes, of course, there are negotiations going on, and with that, it can also be counted on the negotiations that in this case, Mino Raiola is conducting with Dortmund or Liverpool, for example, for Malen and Inter and Everton for Dumfries, so he has been given that space.”

Sign him at all costs

If Everton like what Raiola is saying and the Toffees conclude a deal then supporters should be absolutely delighted.

After all, with Seamus Coleman the only reliable option from a right-back perspective, they need an extra body in that position.

Dumfries has the potential to get Goodison Park rocking again if his displays at the European Championships are anything to go by.

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He was one of the most frightening defenders in the entire tournament, rampaging forward from full-back to score two goals during the group stages.

A powerful character, he beat defenders relentlessly and then bullied them in the tackle.

The 25-year-old was so impressive that he registered 1.5 shots, one key pass and one dribble per match. That would be a solid tally for an offensive player, let alone someone who should be playing in the defensive half.

Dumfries is a brutal force of nature and as he rapidly approaches his prime, it’s scary to think what he’d be capable of in the Premier League.

His pace and tenacity would be perfect for the top-flight, as well as Everton who have become accustomed to seeing Lucas Digne and Coleman run forward from defence.

In winning three aerial duels per match at the Euros, he also showed himself to be stellar in the backline. For context, that’s a higher tally than the vast majority of the Everton squad last season.

Only Digne, Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin prevailed in more aerial battles.

After starring so much during the course of this summer, fans should be delighted that the club are making progress in their bid to sign him.

AND in other news, Alan Myers delivers 11-word Everton transfer update, fans will be delighted…

Kevin Campbell has backed Everton to sign Danny Ings in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Ings rejects deal

As per The Athletic, the 28-year-old has rejected a new deal at Southampton ahead of the new 2021/22 season.

The Goodison Park club have been linked with a move for the striker, and given that he has turned down the offer of a new contract at St Mary’s, he could well be available.

The Latest: Campbell backs Ings to Everton

Speaking to Goodison News, former Toffees forward Campbell thinks that it may be time for Ings to move on from the Saints, and backed his old team to ‘pull the trigger’ with regards to a move. The 51-year-old said:

“He’s a good player, knows where the net is. He has tried his luck on the other side of Merseyside and was pretty well-liked, but injuries stopped him from doing what he’s doing.

“He has found his feet again, his form, and now it’s time for a big move. I wouldn’t put it past Everton to pull the trigger.”

The Verdict: Sign

Rafa Benitez will want the goalscoring burden eased from Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the upcoming campaign, and Ings could do just that if he moves to Everton.

Described as a ‘top-four quality’ striker by Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison last August, it would be a big coup if the Blues managed to get him.

Ings is proven in the Premier League, with 55 goals and 13 assists in 140 top-flight games across six seasons with Burnley, Liverpool and Southampton (Transfermarkt), and at 28 years of age, he is just hitting his peak.

Everton must do all that they can to sign him, as there could well be tough competition if they hesitate to make their move.

In other news, find out what transfer update has has these Evertonians talking

Millwall are closing in on a deal to bring Dan Ballard to The Den this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that the Arsenal centre-back is set to complete a medical with Gary Rowett’s side this week, ahead of a season-long loan switch to south London.

The report goes on to state that the two clubs have agreed a deal in principle for the loan of the 21-year-old, with the finalisation of the defender’s temporary move to the Lions looking on course to be tied up in the coming days.

Millwall fans should be buzzing

Considering just how much potential Ballard appears to possess, should Millwall indeed go on to land the centre-back this summer, his signing can easily be viewed as a massive coup for the Championship side, one that should have fans of the club buzzing.

Indeed, over his 28 League One appearances while on loan at Blackpool last season, the Northern Ireland international highly impressed for Neil Critchley’s side, helping the Seasiders keep 14 clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.7 interceptions, 0.7 tackles, 5.2 clearances and winning a whopping seven duels per game.

The £3.4k-per-week defender also chipped in for ‘Pool going forwards, scoring two goals, providing one assist and making an average of 0.3 key passes per league fixture.

These returns saw the man Critchley dubbed a “faultless” centre-back earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.08, ranking him as the club’s joint second-best performer in the third tier of English football, demonstrating just how important Ballard was in helping Blackpool secure promotion back to the Championship.

As such, with Millwall looking to mount a push for a top-six finish of their own next season after a highly impressive 11th place finish last time out, the addition of Ballard to Rowett’s options in the centre of defence would very much seem to be a big step in the right direction for the Lions, who will almost certainly be one of the teams to watch in the upcoming Championship campaign.

In other news: Get it done: Rowett must seal Millwall swoop for “explosive” 15 G/A beast this summer

Pep Guardiola looks set to receive a huge boost at Manchester City in the coming weeks, with it reported that Fernandinho has agreed to a new contract at the Etihad.

According to Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail, the veteran midfielder has agreed to a new one-year contract with Guardiola’s side, which will see him play his ninth season with the Citizens in the 2021/22 campaign.

The 36-year-old was perhaps expected to play a bit-part role last season as Rodri emerges as his long-term successor, but he showed his worth in the final few months of the season and won back a starting role with his impressive performances in the Champions League, particularly in the 4-1 aggregate win against PSG.

In total, the Brazilian would make 21 appearances in the Premier League last season, for which he earned a solid 6.89 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which suggests that he still has what it takes to perform at the highest level.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-manchester-city-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Manchester City transfer rumours and news!”]

As club captain, the former Shakhtar Donetsk man will also be hugely influential in the dressing room and in training, so it makes a lot of sense to hand him a new one-year deal, as City prepare to defend their Premier League title next season and aim to go one step further in the Champions League after they fell short in the final against Chelsea.

Since joining the club in 2013, the midfielder has gone on to make 350 appearances for the Citizens, in which he has contributed 24 goals and 30 assists, so it would not be a surprise to see him recognised as a City legend when he does eventually depart.

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There was an understandable concern when the “incredible” Fernandinho wasn’t included on City’s retained list for next season due to his contract being set to expire, but it seems as if City fans will be able to see him for another season at least when they hopefully return to the Etihad in full force in August.

It seems the Brazilian powerhouse is set to put pen to paper at the Etihad Campus in due course and this will surely delight the fans when you consider how important he has been to City’s success in his time at the club.

And, in other news… Txiki should seal Man City swoop for “intelligent” beast after dazzling Euro display

Everton have reportedly called the agent of Denzel Dumfries ahead of a potential transfer in the summer window.

The Lowdown: Dumfries wanted

There have been various reports over the last few weeks with regards to interest from the Goodison Park outfit in signing Dumfries.

With the PSV Eindhoven ace impressing at Euro 2020 with the Netherlands so far, scoring two goals in his first two group games from the right-back position (Sofascore), he is bound to attract a lot more interest from other clubs in Europe ahead of the 2021/22 season.

The Latest: Agent called

As per Sport (via Sport Witness), Everton have called Dumfries’ agent Milo Raiola over a possible deal for the 25-year-old.

However, both Bayern Munich and Inter Milan have also called the agent of a player who has been described as a ‘revelation’ at the Euros by the Spanish media outlet who reported of the Toffees’ interest.

The Verdict: Sign quickly

Dumfries scored four goals and supplied a further nine assists in 41 games across all competitions in 2020/21 (Transfermarkt), showing just how much of an attacking threat he can pose despite being a defender by trade.

At 25 years of age, and being the captain of PSV, the Dutchman would appear to be an ideal long-term replacement for veteran Everton right-back Seamus Coleman.

However, with competition looking to hot up as the Euros continue, the Toffees need to be looking to sign him as soon as possible.

In other news, find out what transfer update has left these Everton fans buzzing!

The sense of déjà vu was palpable throughout the day

Charlie Austin30-Sep-2002The sense of déjà vu was palpable throughout the day. Sanath Jayasuriya won the toss again and his batsmen grafted hard for their runs against India’s slow bowlers. Then, with the match evenly poised as the floodlights were switched on, distant thunderclaps were followed by streaks of lightening and finally another monsoon downpour, the persistence of which forced the match’s abandonment.When the players were finally forced from the field, shortly after Virender Sehwag had carved a remarkable six over cover, India were in the ascendant on 38 for one after 8.4 overs having earlier restricted Sri Lanka to 222.Jayasuriya believed Sri Lanka’s total to have been sufficient: “We are disappointed as the wicket was getting slower all the time and it would have not been easy to score those runs after the new ball. We had felt that 225-240 was a defendable score.”But Sourav Ganguly disagreed. Asked whether a shared trophy fairly reflected the balance of the game, he said: “No, I don’t think so. The wicket was slow but was not turning a great deal and we started well…but you can’t do anything when it rains.”Thus the richest purse in the history of cricket, a total of USD $300,000, was split between the two sides in addition to the USD $225,000 already accrued after victories in the pool and semi-final stages. Not bad for two days’ soggy cricket.In the afternoon India had grabbed an early advantage in the game when Jayasuriya finally failed after a remarkable string of scores stretching back to the start of the Morocco Cup last month – 36, 102*, 71, 46, 97, 49, 36, 42 and 74. Indeed, the left-hander looked shocked when he dragged the first ball of the match on to his stumps.Had Dinesh Mongia held on to a sharp two-handed chance at slip off Kumar Sangakkara in the same Zaheer Khan over, Sri Lanka would have been in far deeper trouble. As it was, Mongia redeemed himself when he caught Marvan Atapattu – asked to bat at number three to allow Sangakkara a chance against the harder ball – off an outswinger from Ajit Agarkar to leave Sri Lanka on 24 for two.Aravinda de Silva, having already bid his farewell to Sri Lankan fans yesterday, looked set to produce a fitting encore as he launched a thrilling attack in Agarkar’s fifth over, smashing five boundaries and stirring a healthy reserve crowd. But De Silva’s urge to dominate, exhilarating as it was, proved fatal as he tried to slog-sweep the recalled Anil Kumble over mid-wicket to be dismissed for a 24-ball 27.Three overs later Sangakkara was run out after being belatedly sent back by Mahela Jayawardene and Sri Lanka, on 71 for four, pulled back onto the defensive. Both Jayawardene and Russel Arnold stagnated as only 66 runs were scored in the next 20 overs.But, gradually, Jayawardene started to gather momentum, passing fifty for the 15th time in his one-day career. The pair extended their partnership to 118 from 173 balls before Jayawardene top edged a catch into the covers. Arnold then scrambled together some useful late runs with Chaminda Vaas and, in the end, Sri Lanka would have been satisfied with the fact that 95 runs had been scored in the last 15 overs.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a 13-man squad for the three-match one-day international series against India which starts in Bristol on Tuesday 27 August.

Media Release23-Aug-2002*Official team sponsor: Vodafone*The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a 13-man squad for the three-match one-day international series against India which starts in Bristol on Tuesday 27 August.Paul McMahon again captains the team, having led the side to a 1-0 victory in the Test Match Series. Philip Mustard takes over wicket-keeping duties from Stephen Pope while further changes from the final Test Match squad see the inclusion of Samit Patel, James Pearson and Nick Thorneycroft.The team plays a warm-up match against Somerset 2nd XI at Taunton on Sunday 25 August.One-Day International SeriesTuesday 27 August – 1st ODI, BristolThursday 29 August – 2nd ODI, Taunton (live coverage on Sky Sports)Friday 30 August – 3rd ODI, Taunton (live coverage on Sky Sports)England U19 squadPaul McMahon (Capt) NottinghamshireKadeer Ali WorcestershireJames Benning SurreyTim Bresnan YorkshireKyle Hogg LancashireNick Thorneycroft YorkshireNadeem Malik NottinghamshirePhilip Mustard (Wk) DurhamSamit Patel NottinghamshireJames Pearson GloucestershireMark Pettini EssexLiam Plunkett DurhamBilal Shafayat NottinghamshireGraham Wagg WarwickshireTim Boon (Coach)Graham Saville (Manager)

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Tottenham are among a number of clubs interested in recently-freed up manager Christophe Galtier this summer.

The Lowdown: The search goes on

Tottenham’s search for a new manager continues as they remain without a permanent boss following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in April.

In recent weeks, Mauricio Pochettino has been heavily linked with a return to north London (football.london). However, if they aren’t able to persuade him to leave Paris Saint-Germain, they may have already lined up an alternative.

The Latest: Spurs eye Galtier

It is being reported that Galtier is on Spurs’ radar. He has left Lille despite winning the Ligue 1 title with the club this season.

Along with Tottenham, Real Madrid and Lazio are also believed to be in pursuit.

The Verdict: Top target

Galtier has achieved unexpected success with Lille. PSG’s billions meant they had won the league in seven of the previous eight seasons prior to this one, and the only side to break that run, AS Monaco, have also received heavy investment over the past decade.

Les Dogues, on the other hands, have sold top talents such as Nicolas Pepe and used the funds from such sales wisely. Galtier and his side won 24 out of 38 matches on the way to the title and conceded just 23 goals in the league, less than any other team (Sky Sports).

What he has achieved is hugely impressive, and now he is a free agent. If they are unable to secure Pochettino’s return, Spurs should not pass up on the opportunity to lure the Frenchman to N17.

In other news, Tottenham eye this Bundesliga midfielder.

Taking an early lead can always stand a team in very good steadand India have done well in going to the top of the table in theNatWest tri-series after the first round of matches

Partab Ramchand02-Jul-2002Taking an early lead can always stand a team in very good steadand India have done well in going to the top of the table in theNatWest tri-series after the first round of matches. There isstill a long way to go – each country plays each other threetimes before the final at Lord’s on July 13 – but it must besaid the performance of this team has been heartwarming. I, forone, cannot see India being the team knocked out before the titleclash.The strengths and weaknesses of the three teams were all palpableon the eve of the competition and none of the sides had a reallysmooth build-up in the warm-up games. But India have been thefirst to shrug off the dubious qualities and play to theirstrengths. This, as well as the fact that the team management hasdone a bit of tactical thinking, has seen them make a dreamstart.True, they still have to maintain the momentum, and to thisextent the path ahead will be that much more difficult as Englandand Sri Lanka try to fathom their frailties and then exploit it.But with the kind of start they have made, India can afford toeven falter a bit and yet make the final. The only fear is thatthey will, as they have done so often, do the early running, peaka little too early and then crumble at the final hurdle.As I said in my preview, this is a contest between three fairlyevenly-matched sides. Despite India having won both their matchesand Sri Lanka losing two out of two, the competition still doesnot have a clear-cut favourite. With two sets of matches – sixmore league games – still to be played, there is still time forSri Lanka to regroup and show that they can win tournamentswithout the services of Muthiah Muralitharan. There were glimpsesof the old Sri Lankan magic in both the games and their bestcould still lie ahead.England with one win and one loss, have a lot going for them.They are a good all-round side and while their victory over SriLanka was convincing, their loss to India was narrow. It was amatch in which they were in a winning position more than once,but full marks to India for their gritty fightback, first withthe ball and then with the bat.
© CricInfoEngland certainly have looked more impressive than Sri Lanka andat the moment the odds must be on them making the final. But itmust be admitted that neither Sri Lanka nor England have caughtthe eye as India have.Their performance has been a revelation. The batting has clicked,the bowling has risen to the occasion and the fielding standardshave improved. What is most heartening, however, is the teammanagement’s readiness to go in for strategic changes. Twospinners against England but only one against Sri Lanka showsthat John Wright, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid are in a moodto ring in the changes if necessary and not go in with a fixedattack of three seamers and one spinner or two seamers and twospinners, come what may.They have also stuck to their gameplan of having Sachin Tendulkarat No 4 with Ganguly and Sehwag available to open. It certainlywas an encouraging sight to see Tendulkar walk in on Sunday withthe Indians tottering at 26 for two. The modest target of 203 hadseemed far away at that stage but Tendulkar’s brilliance sawIndia snatch back the initiative. It was the great man who ledthe fight back before Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh built uponit to seal the victory.The young one-day specialists Kaif, Yuvraj, Sehwag, Mongia andAgarkar have already proved that they can deliver and have doneso in the NatWest series again with Yuvraj’s success with theball being a bonus.As for Agarkar, whatever his dismal record in Test cricket, whenit comes to picking the limited-overs squad, he should be amongthe early choices. I have never ceased to wonder why and how suchan immensely gifted youth has not really done justice to hisability and potential.
© CricInfoWith the experienced trio of Ganguly, Dravid and Tendulkarquickly into their stride, the batting has bloomed. Ashish Nehradid reasonably well in the one game he played against Sri Lankawhile the bowling of Zaheer Khan and Agarkar against England wasan object lesson in how to bowl at the death. It is also good tosee Ganguly bowl a lot more than usual. In English conditions, hecould have a major role to play.The one question mark hangs over the spin bowling. Anil Kumble in20 overs has conceded 89 runs without taking a wicket or bowlinga maiden. Harbhajan Singh in ten overs against England conceded50 runs without taking a wicket or bowling a maiden. The figuresby themselves are enough to cause major concern. What’s more,they have rarely troubled the batsmen, and the cavalier andobviously pre-meditated manner in which Nasser Hussain treatedHarbhajan does not bode well for the off-spinner. But then he hasalways been a fighter, loves a challenge and one would not besurprised if he bounces back before the tournament is over.