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The French domestic league has become a hotbed for potential Premier League talent over the past few years, with Ligue 1’s athletic style providing physical players in the mould of the English top-flight, available at much cheaper prices in comparison to those already plying their trade in the Premiership.

While Arsene Wenger’s love of French players has always been well known, and indeed Arsenal’s successes have been forged out of a crucial element of members of the France national team in their starting XI, Newcastle have more recently undergone a French revolution in the transfer market, bringing in the likes of Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa and Moussa Sissoko to bolster the ranks at St. James’ Park.

No doubt, in the summer, the Premier League will once again look across the Channel in a bid to find some cheap talent that can improve their teams. We’ve compiled a Top Ten of Ligue 1 stars who would be a success should they arrive on English shores, with full details of any potential future transfer.

Click on Mamadou Sakho to reveal the Top Ten Ligue 1 stars who would be a hit in the Premier League

The date was the 15th August 1992. The match was Manchester United vs. Sheffield United. And after 15 minutes, the first goal in Premier League history was scored by a Mr Brian Deane, a commonly known fact for fans of English football trivia, earning Deane a spot in the history of the game. He actually scored the Blades’ winner that day as well, notching from the penalty spot to give them a 2-1 victory over the eventual Champions.

Deane was actually an experienced striker before he bagged that first goal, indeed his goal scoring record initially for Doncaster Rovers and then Sheffield United was pretty decent. He earned three caps for England under Graham Taylor, making his debut against New Zealand in 1991 before his final appearance in the Three Lions shirt came against Spain just weeks after his goal against Manchester United.

That first Premier League season proved to be his last at Bramall Lane and he became Leeds United’s record signing when he joined in the summer of 1993 for £2.9 million. His 83 goals in 198 games for the Blades was by far and away the best goal to appearance ratio he ever achieved at any club and he remains something of a cult hero at the club after returning in 1997 to score another 11 goals in that season.

Deano spent four years at Leeds United between 1993 and 1997 as Howard Wilkinson’s side struggled to live up to their title victory of 1991/92 and began to slip slowly down the league. Deane always worked hard up front, putting in a shift as a target man, but he found goals more difficult to come by at Elland Road, managing just 32 in his 138 games at the club. He formed effective partnerships up front for the Whites though, playing with Rod Wallace and Tony Yeboah during his time in West Yorkshire, but having been signed as a replacement for Lee Chapman, he struggled to replace the man whose goals had fired Leeds to the First Division title.

Once George Graham had taken over at Elland Road, Deane moved back to Sheffield United briefly, before securing a surprise switch to Benfica where Graeme Souness was the manager. Seven goals in 18 in Portugal proved that Deane still had the ability to find the back of the net at the highest level, prompting Middlesbrough to fork out to bring him back to England after less than a season. He actually managed three years with Boro, notching 18 goals in 87 appearances there, but that lack of goal scoring prowess saw him moved on to Leicester in 2001 with Middlesbrough struggling in the Premiership.

He bagged himself another piece of ‘first goal’ history with the Foxes as well, scoring the first competitive goal at the new Walkers Stadium by recording a double against Watford. 19 goals in 52 games followed in Leicester colours, a decent return that helped the side back into the Premier League following their disappointing relegation the year before. However, Deane had seemingly found his level in the First Division and joined recently relegated West Ham, now aged 35. He continued his nomadic existence as a footballer, lasting just one season at Upton Park before heading for the exit.

He rejoined Leeds United, who had just been relegated after a long stay in the Premier League, but the club was in financial turmoil and were struggling to put together a competitive squad. Deane did a job up front for a while amidst all the chaos, and the Elland Road crowd recognised his efforts, but by now, age appeared to have caught up with the striker. He managed six goals during the 2004/05 season with the Whites, but four of those came astonishingly during a 6-1 win over QPR, a game never forgotten by those who saw it. With Leeds starting to strengthen their squad under Kevin Blackwell, Deane moved onto to Sunderland, before ending his career with a brief spell at Perth Glory and a final two appearances back with Sheffield United in the 2005/06 season, making him the only player to turn out for the club in three different spells.

Deano enjoyed a fine career at the highest level for many years, though he never quite hit the top of the Premier League game. As a target man, he will always be remembered for his hard work up front, even if finishing was never his strong point. He now works as a Sports Consultant for a solicitor’s firm in Leeds, but after a long career of 654 league appearances and 195 goals, Brian Deane will always be remembered for that goal he scored on the 15th August 1992.

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Durham allrounder hits 100 and takes three wickets but ends up on losing side

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay08-Aug-2025Alfie Ogborne took his first Somerset five-for as Somerset carved out a four-wicket victory over Durham at Taunton to extend their winning start to the Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign.Playing in front of a near-sell-out crowd at Taunton, the 22-year-old left arm seamer claimed 5 for 41 as Durham were restricted to 255 for 9 after winning the toss. Will Rhodes kept the visitors afloat, staging an assured knock of 100 from 120 balls with 10 fours and sharing in stands of 78 with Haydon Mustard and 58 with Paul Coughlin for the fifth and seventh wickets respectively. Mustard contributed 38 and Coughlin, the only Durham batter to score at better than a run-a-ball, raised 38 from 30 balls and accrued two fours and a six.Teenage prospect Thomas Rew then anchored Somerset’s run chase, top-scoring with 84 not out from 81 deliveries and striking eight fours and two sixes as the home side reached their target with 22 balls to spare. He shared in a crucial partnership of 95 for the fourth wicket with his brother, James, who posted 39, while opener Archie Vaughan weighed in with 37 and Ben Green scored 34 not out at the death. The pick of the Durham bowlers, Rhodes capped a fine all-round performance by taking 3 for 42 in a losing cause.Will Rhodes impressed with bat and ball•Getty Images

Durham’s decision to bat first backfired when they slumped to 67 for 4 inside 15 overs. Jake Ball had Emilio Gay caught at the wicket for seven, while the impressive Ogborne persuaded Scott Borthwick to top-edge a pull shot to mid-wicket and then produced a startling yorker to remove Colin Ackermann without scoring. When Ben Green located Ollie Robinson’s outside edge and James Rew again demonstrated sound glovework, Somerset were on top.Charged with the task of rebuilding the innings, Rhodes and Mustard played responsibly, adding 50 in 83 balls to redress the balance.Somerset needed a wicket and skipper James Rew recalled Ogborne at the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion end, the left-armer having Mustard caught by Green at point with the score 145 for 5 in the 34th. When Kasey Aldridge came on at the same end and had George Drissell caught at backward point, the visitors were 170 for 6.That was the cue for Coughlin to seize the initiative, relegating Rhodes to a supporting role in a seventh-wicket stand of 58 in 7.2 overs. Rhodes still saw enough of the strike to post his second List A hundred from 118 balls, clipping Ogborne into the leg side to attain that milestone in the 46th. He was out later in the same over, hoisting Ogborne to square leg.Ogborne then completed his first senior five-wicket haul, inducing Coughlin to hit straight to long-on with the score 237 for 8 in the 48th. Somerset’s chase was afforded a super-charged start, Vaughan and Lammonby assuming T20 mode in harvesting nine boundaries between them in an opening stand of 51 in 8.1 overs as Durham’s seamers struggled with their lengths.Thomas Rew bats under the floodlights•Harry Trump/Getty Images

But the home side did not have things entirely their own way, Mitchell Killeen affording the visitors much-needed relief by bowling Lammonby for 24. Vaughan was then dismissed for 37 in near-identical fashion by Rhodes with the score 78 for 2 in the 16th. That soon became 78 for 3, Goldsworthy shuffling in front of a straight one from Drissell as Durham roared right back into contention.Just as they did when defeating Middlesex at Radlett a few days earlier, Somerset looked to the Rew brothers to steady the ship. Both oozed calm confidence, going about their business in workmanlike fashion to keep the reply on track, James initially proving the more aggressive and Thomas dropping into a supporting role.Elder sibling James timed the ball from the outset, playing a superb back-foot force for four off the bowling of Rhodes as Somerset advanced to 124-3 at halfway, requiring a further 133 at 5.2 an over. The 50 partnership arrived via 59 balls, 17-year-old Thomas raising that landmark with a wristy cut for four off Luke Robinson.Warming to his task, the teenager fine cut Killeen for four through third man and then whipped him over midwicket for six before pulling and cutting Robinson for successive boundaries to overtake his brother. The partnership was worth 95 when Rhodes fooled James Rew into mistiming a drive and holing out to mid-on for 39.Undeterred by events at the other end, Rew junior went to his second successive 50 from 45 deliveries. But Rhodes accounted for Josh Thomas, held at long-on, and Fin Hill was run out for a duck with the score 189 for 6. Calm in the face of pressure, Green offered Rew staunch support thereafter, contributing 34 not out to an unbroken stand of 69 for the seventh wicket.

New Zealand allrounder hits fifty and takes three-for against old side to help edge low-scorer

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay13-Jun-2025Jimmy Neesham starred with bat and ball to propel Durham to a 15-run Vitality Blast victory at Wantage Road and end Northamptonshire Steelbacks’ six-game winning streak.Making his first return to Northampton since his stint for the county in 2022, Neesham was largely to thank for Durham’s total of 157 for 8. The New Zealander made 50 off 34 balls after Durham slumped to 77 for 5 after 10 overs and 113 for 6 after 16. Skipper Alex Lees hit 29 at the top of the innings, while Will Rhodes made 27 in a sixth-wicket partnership of 36 with Neesham to begin the recovery.In the chase, Matt Breetzke made 41 off 36 balls, while Justin Broad made a valiant 30. But spinners Nathan Sowter (1 for 12) and Callum Parkinson (2 for 16) applied the screws, conceding just two boundaries in a decisive, miserly six-over spell together before Neesham nipped in to take three wickets for 29 in the closing overs, the Steelbacks finishing on 142 for 8.Against a tight Steelbacks bowling performance, Durham lost two wickets for 43 in the powerplay. Graham Clark was first to go, bowled by Ben Sanderson, before Luke Procter found some late movement to bowl Ollie Robinson first ball.Lees looked in good touch, playing a silky cover drive off Sanderson and powering Procter down the ground before Durham lost three wickets in the four overs after the powerplay. Paceman George Scrimshaw troubled Colin Ackermann with a bouncer before accounting for the Netherlands allrounder when he chopped onto his stumps.Justin Broad (2 for 22) kept up the pressure, conceding just five singles off his first over and getting the big wicket of Lees, caught behind off an attempted pull.Ben Raine targeted legspinner Lloyd Pope, hitting a huge six towards the Durham dug out at midwicket, but his stay ended three balls later when he was adjudged lbw to Broad, moving across his stumps.The Steelbacks kept boundaries to a minimum, backing up well in the field, as Neesham and Rhodes rebuilt, keeping busy by rotating the strike and running the ones and twos.Returning for his final over, David Willey found some prestigious reverse swing, a full ball hooping back in to bowl Rhodes. But Neesham upped the ante, smashing Scrimshaw for the first boundary in 26 balls and cracking him through midwicket before sweeping Procter over square leg for six.The returning Sanderson had Zak Foulkes caught at backward square-leg in the penultimate over, before Neesham deposited him down the ground for six more. In the final over, Procter removed Matt Potts, but Neesham responded with another maximum to take Durham past 150.Ricardo Vasconcelos started the chase briskly with an exhilarating cameo of 23 off 15 balls, with three boundaries off Potts and consecutive fours off Raine before he edged behind.Breetzke greeted Neesham with a big straight six before driving him square for four as the Steelbacks finished the powerplay on 56 for 1.Parkinson bowled a tight first over, conceding just four and had Willey caught at deep cover as the Steelbacks reached the 10-over mark on 77 for 2. Parkinson struck again when Breetzke was caught on the long-off boundary, Saif Zaib following 13 balls later, trapped lbw by Sowter, playing a reverse sweep.The Steelbacks were still in the hunt at the 15 over mark, needing 55 off the last five overs and when Ravi Bopara dismissively cracked Potts through extra cover and manoeuvred him through backward point, the momentum threatened to shift.However, Neesham soon had Bopara well caught on the leg-side boundary and removed Lewis McManus first ball through with a tame prod to short third man. Broad kept going, smashing Raine for an enormous six over midwicket before the bowler had him caught at mid-off. Finally, Neesham nipped in to remove Sanderson in the final over.

The decision to rest Kohli is understood to be part of a policy aimed at ensuring the all-format regulars are given breaks periodically

Shashank Kishore19-Feb-2022Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been given a short break following India’s T20I series win over West Indies in Kolkata with one game remaining. India’s chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma confirmed later in the day that both will also be rested for the upcoming three T20Is against Sri Lanka starting February 24 in Lucknow. They will both return for the two Tests against Sri Lanka – the first of which will be Kohli’s 100th – starting in Mohali on March 4 and Bengaluru on March 12.”They have been rested for the last game against West Indies. We have already sent them home, so they can get more time to rest, on the advice of the medical staff,” Sharma said. “They will be rested for the Sri Lanka T20I series.”Both Kohli and Pant left the Indian camp in Kolkata early on Saturday, after India won by eight runs on Friday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Kohli was India’s early enforcer, making 52, while Pant lent the finishing touches with Venkatesh Iyer in a blistering 76-run stand off just 35 balls. Pant also scored 52.Related

• Samson's got talent; Rohit wants him to 'maximise' it, and fast

• Ravindra Jadeja, Sanju Samson back in India squad for Sri Lanka T20Is

• Virat Kohli brings back the freshness in his batting

ESPNcricinfo has learnt the decision to rest Kohli and Pant is part of a policy that is being put in to ensure the all-format regulars are given breaks periodically. Pant’s absence could allow some game time for one of Shreyas Iyer or Ruturaj Gaikwad, who have had to sit out of the T20Is so far owing to team combination. Ishan Kishan is expected to take over the wicketkeeping duties.Meanwhile, Kohli’s break at this juncture, in particular, is to ensure he is fresh for the two-Test series that follow the T20Is against Sri Lanka. He had earlier missed the Johannesburg Test in South Africa due to back spasms.Kohli has for long underlined the need to ensure player workloads and mental health are factored in as teams move from one bubble to another. In 2020, he had spoken of the need for administrators to reconsider length of tours to make bio-bubble life sustainable.”These things will have to be considered,” he had said. “Like what length of the tournament or series one is going to play and what impact it will have on players mentally to stay in a similar environment for 80 days and not do anything different.”Or have space to just go and see family or small things like that. These things have to be thought about seriously. At the end of the day, you want the players to be in the best state mentally, based on how they’re feeling. Those conversations should take place regularly.”Kohli was earlier rested from the New Zealand T20Is and the first Test in November following a long four-month stretch that began with the tour of England and ended with the T20 World Cup in October-November, with the second installment of the IPL in UAE thrown in between.The 2022 IPL is also set to begin 11 days after the scheduled end of the second Test against Sri Lanka, on March 16 in Bengaluru.This copy was amended at 11.00 GMT after chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma gave additional details.

“In terms of having the four of us in one time is pretty special” – Tim Southee

Deivarayan Muthu28-Jun-20211:48

Do New Zealand have the best bowling attack in the world right now?

Shane Jurgensen, the New Zealand bowling coach, has described winning the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) as his “greatest coaching achievement”.”I think for me this is about, for all of New Zealand really, from people that have always gone to [put] the extra effort from New Zealand Cricket’s staff, board, sponsors, the caterers at the ground we play at, the curators at all the grounds, the physios, the domestic coaches and the CEOs – everyone has had an input into this somewhere and a valuable contribution and it really means a lot to us now,” he said. “I think, at times, I’ve been really emotional in my room, and also for me personally my wife because she puts up with me being away a lot. For me, personally, this is my greatest coaching achievement.”Related

• How does New Zealand's pace quartet measure up against West Indies' legendary line-up?

• Kimber: NZ deserve to be the Test world champions

• Wagner: Winning the WTC is 'the pinnacle of the game'

• Southee: 'We have that right to play more Test cricket'

• NZ bowling coach on Southee's newest variation that bamboozled Rohit Sharma

Jurgensen, a journeyman cricketer who has held coaching roles with Bangladesh, Fiji, Scotland, and New Zealand after leaving the game, revealed that he was crying tears of joy and rewatching New Zealand’s sixth-day final victory during MIQ (Managed Isolation Quarantine).”I’ve seen a few highlights. I’ve sort of been reading a lot and watching a bit on YouTube, so looking at it from all different angles,” Jurgensen said. “But for me what is different this time is the reflection on me personally and also you know for me in my area – the bowling unit what they have achieved… I think the morning of the last day to be able to make the vital breakthroughs with Kyle [Jamieson] and Tim [Southee] and Trent [Boult]. It was a fantastic effort to put ourselves in a position to chase a reasonably low total.”Oh! I’ve cried. I’ve cried a few times – probably every day since the win. You sort of sit there and then you go: ‘Wow! World Test champions’. There’s been some fantastic players over a number of years who have played for this team. I’ve just had Iain O’Brien on the phone actually telling me that he’s watched the end of it twice and cried. I’ve had Gav [Gavin] Larsen, our selector who works really hard behind the scenes, he called it his best day in cricket and that’s a guy that played a lot for New Zealand and you know it means a lot.”Jurgensen delivered a glowing appraisal of the New Zealand attack, reckoning they were the best in the world, having been there and done that over a period of time.Tim Southee and Shane Jurgensen during a training session at the NZC High-Performance Centre•Getty Images

“I think so. I’ve been thinking that [New Zealand have the best attack] for a while. So it’s just me and my role and belief in these bowlers; what they bring to us as a team and the challenges they have overseas,” he said. “But, I think they are and we can probably strongly say that right now – this hasn’t been a fluke and it has been happening for a long time. As I said, the belief in the bowling group – how they plan, how fit they are, how strong they are and how much they believe in each other. The trust is amazing and we got four or five bowlers in the final, but all do different things.”Kyle’s height and accuracy, to be able to swing it both ways at good pace. Tim’s accuracy, new-ball execution – unbelievable. He can adapt to use the crease – over and around – to left-handers and right-handers. We know Trent’s ability with the new ball, but he took wickets with the old ball; he’s been doing that for a while, so it’s nothing new for me and the team. We know that Neil [Wagner] makes people uncomfortable on the back foot and the front foot with the lengths he bowls, but he’s now getting guys out like Trent. So, he’s building up a different skillset to be able to swing the ball both ways and seam it. Colin [de Grandhomme] is 125 [kph] and accurate; he bowls higher than 125, so it’s got to be up there… it’s got to be the best for me and they are proving it.”Southee also hailed the versatility in the attack, saying the relentless pressure generated by the pack made the difference. “I guess you look at New Zealand history, you’ve had periods where you’ve had one or two good bowlers, obviously Richard Hadlee, and then Dan Vettori doing his thing, sort of chipped in with the likes of Chris Martin and a number of other guys along the way, but I guess in terms of having the four of us in one time is pretty special,” Southee said. “Not only the four of us but also the work de Grandhomme does in and around the pace bowlers as well, and also Matt Henry has chipped in during that England series as well, so I think just to have four of us, three of us with an excess of 200 Test wickets, is pretty special, and probably a once-in-a-lifetime sort of experience for New Zealand cricket.”So giving a few kids around New Zealand the inspiration to grow up and want to be bowlers rather than just batters, so yeah, it’s been an absolute pleasure to be a part of, and hopefully we can continue to do great things for this side in the years to come.”Jamieson broke open the game when he sent back Pujara and Kohli on the final morning•ICC/Getty Images

New Zealand’s spin stocks, as they prepare for tours of Bangladesh, Pakistan and India, with the T20 World Cup thrown in, have been a topic of discussion, especially with the team not fielding even one spinner for the WTC final. Left-armer Ajaz Patel has re-established himself as New Zealand’s No. 1 spinner, but there are Mitchell Santner, Will Somerville, Rachin Ravindra and Michael Rippon around as options.”Seeing what Ajaz did against England was absolutely fantastic,” Jurgensen said. “I was so excited for Ajaz to get that opportunity at Edgbaston against England to see him get wickets in both innings – it was sort of real confidence for him and also for us to again to say we have the subcontinent tours coming up and we have got Ajaz, Will and Rachin. There are plenty of options. Rippon from Otago will qualify soon and there’s plenty of guys putting up their hands. So, there’s going to be some tough selections coming up. So, it’s a nice position to be in and we have to prepare accordingly like we always do with our marquee and our camps and give it our best shot.”New Zealand’s overall depth was on display at Edgbaston where they made six changes, keeping the WTC final in mind, but they still came out on top.”Obviously, winning the final was the standout, but to see those guys come in and literally fit like a glove, and do their roles – it was just great to see,” Jurgensen said. “So, satisfying for our systems – the A programme, the winter-training squad, the domestic development of players and the support that we get from coaches, high-performance managers and CEOs. It’s a real fantastic tick in the box for what’s going on now in New Zealand cricket.”

Ness Wadia, co-owner of Kings XI, is even preparing for the possibility that the tournament doesn’t take place at all

Vishal Dikshit and Nagraj Gollapudi14-Mar-2020The BCCI and the IPL franchise owners have decided to adopt a wait-and-watch approach over when and how to hold the IPL. They want to give health and safety of the players and people involved in holding the IPL priority and are likely to discuss its schedule again after two-three weeks, depending on how the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) situation unfolds in India, where, as of Friday, two lives have been lost because of it.The BCCI top brass met top executives of all eight franchises at its headquarters in Mumbai on Saturday, including Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, Mumbai Indians owner Akash Ambani, Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia, among others, after the board had deferred the start of the tournament until April 15. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said that now that two weeks of the schedule was lost, there was no option but to hold a “truncated” IPL, and the board would “assess and monitor” the situation in the country on a weekly basis. Whether the IPL will be truncated in terms of days or matches remains to be seen.”If it is [postponed till] April 15, then it in any case 15 days are gone, so it has to be truncated one,” Ganguly said. “How truncated, how many games I can’t say at the moment.”Wadia said that the BCCI, the franchise owners and host broadcaster had decided to prioritise people’s health and that they were not concerned by any monetary downsides. Wadia even said he was prepared for the possibility of the IPL not happening at all if the situation did not improve. ESPNcricinfo understands that a few other scheduling options, including a truncated IPL, came up for discussion during the meeting but it was too “premature” to take the discussions forward right now.ALSO READ: Overseas players’ visas and double-headers – things IPL franchises would want clarity on
“The meeting was to discuss the possible scenarios. Number one, most importantly, everyone in India and the world must understand, the BCCI, nor the IPL nor Star is here to gain monetary benefit by having the IPL,” Wadia told reporters after the meeting. “All the stakeholders, especially the BCCI and owners and Star, feel that it is incorrect to think about even one rupee. So we are not interested in money, we are not interested in having any gain from this situation and trying to hold the IPL without a clear understanding of the situation. Having said that, number one is the health and safety of everyone is looked after.”Number two, we will follow whatever the government direction is.”From a third perspective, no one is in a position to say when it’s going to start. We will review the situation after two-three weeks and hopefully by then the [coronavirus] cases will reduce. We should be clear that the most important thing is health and safety, not [financial] gain at the moment. We are not here to earn money, we are here to serve and protect the people.”Public sentiment needs to be considered too – Shah Rukh Khan
ESPNcricinfo understands all eight franchises had held a teleconference on Friday to discuss issues that needed the IPL to address at Saturday’s meetings. The main points of discussion were: would the owners want to go ahead with the tournament, should it be played behind closed doors?It was agreed that they did not have much of an option other than following the BCCI and government directive.Among the owners present during that conference was Shah Rukh Khan, who stressed that the public’s feelings must assume top priority. “Whatever you do, the common man should not get a feeling that we are pushing for the IPL. It is their sentiment that needs to be considered, too, before any call is taken,” a franchise executive, who was present on the call, said of the point Shah Rukh had made.A day later, Shah Rukh reiterated that stance to the BCCI. “What has to be borne in mind is firstly how does the (common man) see it? What is their feelings? That has to be looked at along with the other aspects,” is what Shah Rukh is supposed to have said, according to a franchise’s CEO who was present at Saturday’s meeting.Back-up options
Before deciding to defer IPL 2020 as well as rescheduling the India-South Africa ODI series the BCCI’s top brass, led by its president Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah, met with Uday Shankar, head of Star India, the host broadcaster, in Mumbai on Friday. In 2017 Star had paid a record sum of USD 2.55 billion to get the global broadcast rights for the IPL until 2022.One of the points for discussion was stretching the tournament past May 24 – according to the original schedule, the final was slated to be held on this date. Keeping in mind the onset of monsoon in the first week of June, the latest cut-off date was set as June 5. At Saturday’s meeting, the franchises were told that tournament could be played until first week of June if need be.The other options, as reported by ESPNcricinfo on Friday, included the possibility of more double-headers. One other option discussed on Saturday was in the case there would be a government clearance to go ahead with IPL in April, it could be played at limited venues to curtail travel, something many countries are banning people from doing amid the growing outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.The participation of the overseas players was another concern for franchises and the BCCI agreed that in case no players from outside India could feature, then the tournament might not go ahead. However, with the situation in flux, all stakeholders agreed that it would be prudent to not rush into any decision and instead wait for the BCCI to update the franchises periodically.Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shahrukh Khan at the BCCI headquarters•PTI

When asked if any back-up options of rescheduling the tournament were discussed in the meeting that lasted around 90 minutes, Wadia said: “That’s hypothesising. This is not a situation to hypothesise. This is a serious pandemic. Thousands of people have died across the world, luckily only two in India.”As far as your next question is, ‘will the foreign players come or not?’, I don’t know. There is a [visa] ban till April 15th and then we’ll see. So if IPL happens, great; if it doesn’t, so be it.”Parth Jindal, co-owner of Delhi Capitals, said the BCCI will “probably” call for another meeting with the owners in the coming weeks after “watching” the situation as the board keeps in touch with the Indian government. The central government placed several travel restrictions for people going in and out of India, cancelling all visas until April 15. The government had also said sporting organisations would need to adhere to the health ministry’s guidelines to avoid mass gatherings which had prompted the BCCI to think about holding IPL matches in front of empty stands.”We are committed to IPL, we would like IPL to happen but we have to wait and watch based on the virus and how it progresses.,” Jindal said.The coronavirus has struck over 100 countries globally, leading to over 5000 deaths and forcing cancellation and rescheduling of all international and domestic cricket. Soon after the IPL was deferred on Friday, the BCCI and Cricket South Africa announced the rescheduling of the remaining two India-South Africa ODIs that were to be played on March 15 (Lucknow) and 18 (Kolkata). The first Australia-New Zealand ODI happened in front of empty stands at the SCG on Friday and the remaining two ODIs as well as the subsequent three-match T20I series were also cancelled on Saturday after the New Zealand government imposed travel restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Soumya Sarkar and 17-year-old offspinner Nayeem Hasan were the other inclusions in the Bangladesh Test squad that was trimmed to 13 players

Mohammad Isam17-Nov-2018
Shakib Al Hasan will lead Bangladesh in the first Test against West Indies, ending speculation about his finger injury. Shakib returned to training earlier this week after a month-long rehabilitation programme, following complications with the injury that he sustained in January this year.

• IN: Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Nayeem Hasan

• OUT: Liton Das, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Abu Jayed, Shafiul Islam, Nazmul Islam

Shakib, Soumya Sarkar and 17-year-old offspinner Nayeem Hasan were the inclusions in the Bangladesh Test squad that was trimmed to 13 players from the 15-man squad that had been named against Zimbabwe. Liton Das, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Abu Jayed, Shafiul Islam and Nazmul Islam were all dropped.Chief selector Minhajul Abedin said that Shakib was fit but needed game time under his belt, while Soumya was picked to resolve Bangladesh’s Test opening conundrum, with Tamim Iqbal still recovering from a side strain.”He has no physical problems currently, but he is short of match fitness. But since he is a senior player, we think that he is ready,” Minhajul said. “Soumya has done well in the NCL. Our openers have failed in Tests, so we want to give him a chance. Soumya plays fast bowling quite well.”Soumya effectively replaces Liton who showed glimpses of form in ODIs but has struggled in Test cricket this year. Shanto, Jayed, Shafiul and Nazmul have all been dropped, according to Minhajul, because the selectors wanted a smaller Test squad. These players will be playing in the Bangladesh Cricket League, the first-class tournament which is scheduled to begin next week.It is, however, particularly chastening for Jayed, who was Bangladesh’s standout bowler July in the West Indies, but is suddenly behind Khaled Ahmed in the selectors’ pecking order.”[Abu Jayed] Rahi is not really dropped. We may go with one seam bowler, so there’s no point keeping him around the squad. The same goes for [Najmul Hossain] Shanto, Shafiul [Islam] and [Nazmul Islam] Apu,” Minhajul said.Nayeem, who was a surprise choice in the Bangladesh Test squad last January, has been picked this time for topping the wicket-takers’ charts in the NCL, the first-class tournament that concluded last week. Soumya meanwhile last played Tests more than a year ago.Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mohammad Mithun, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ariful Haque, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Naeem Hasan

Players from Pakistan, the West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe were among those who went under the hammer in the highest-profile auction yet for Afghanistan’s domestic T20 league, the Shpageeza Cricket League, in Kabul on Thursday

Danyal Rasool28-May-2017Players from Pakistan, the West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe were among those who went under the hammer in the highest-profile auction yet for Afghanistan’s domestic T20 league, the Shpageeza Cricket League, in Kabul on Thursday. Among the big international picks were Babar Azam, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Tamim Iqbal and Hamilton Masakadza, who will turn out for six franchises in the fifth edition of the tournament in July. The most-expensive buy was Afghanistan allrounder Gulbadin Naib, who was bought by Boost Defenders for USD 108,000.The other five teams include Band-e-Amir Dragons, Mis Ainak Knights, Kabul Eagles, Speenghar Tigers and Amo Sharks. All the franchises are owned by leading Afghan business groups.Pakistan pacers Sohail Tanvir and Rumman Raees were not far behind the most expensive buy, signed up by Band-e-Amir Dragons and Boost Defenders respectively for USD 105,000 approx. Other notable buys included Bangladesh’s Imrul Kayes and Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams. Salman Butt, who featured in the tournament last year, remained unsold this time.”All matches will be held in Kabul, between July 18 and July 28,” Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) CEO Shafiq Stanikzai told ESPNcricinfo. “The ICC has sanctioned this event, and is sending its own match referee to oversee the tournament. In addition, we will have one on-field umpire from the ICC panel.”The league will be broadcast on television in Afghanistan, and Stanikzai said the board is in talks to have it reach a wider audience. “It will be broadcast locally on one channel,” he said. “The production company is Indian, but we are thinking of getting it on air in India and Pakistan as well. We are currently in negotiations, we haven’t finalised the deal yet.”Afghanistan legspinner Rashid Khan and allrounder Mohammad Nabi, who had earned contracts with the IPL this year and impressed in the league, boosted Afghanistan’s cricketing profile around the world. With Afghanistan now set to showcase its own T20 tournament, they hope it will announce their arrival on the big stage. “This tournament will be a mega-hit and will take Afghanistan cricket to new heights,” ACB chairman Atif Mashal said. “This tournament will prove that we are the new cricketing force in the world.”The ACB tweeted the full squads for all the franchises after the auction, and they are as follows:Band-e-Amir Dragons, full squad•Afghanistan Cricket Board

Kabul Eagles, full squad•Afghanistan Cricket Board

Mis Ainak Knights, full squad•Afghanistan Cricket Board

Speenghar Tigers, full squad•Afghanistan Cricket Board

Boost Defenders•Afghanistan Cricket Board

Amo Sharks•Afghanistan Cricket Board

While nobody will be calling West Indies “mediocre” this time, there is no doubt that England go into this three-match ODI series as strong favourites

George Dobell in Antigua02-Mar-2017While nobody will be calling West Indies “mediocre” this time – they have surely learned their lesson – there is no doubt that England go into this three-match ODI series as strong favourites.That is only partially a reflection of England’s limited-overs resurgence. It also reflects West Indies’ decline.The grim facts are these (those of a nervous disposition should look away now): West Indies have not won a bilateral ODI series since 2014. Since 2008, when they defeated Sri Lanka, they have only enjoyed one ODI bilateral series victory against what might have been, until recently, one of the big eight (in 2012, against New Zealand). The last time they played ODI cricket, they failed to qualify for the finals of a tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. They didn’t qualify for the 2016 ICC Champions Trophy and, unless they improve their ranking by the end of this September (they need to be in the top eight; they are currently ranked ninth), they will not qualify for the 2019 World Cup. They’re not in a dry spell; they’re in a famine.But England are not used to the tag of favourites. They have improved fairly steadily since their 2015 World Cup performance – or lack of performance – but only now are people starting to talk about them as genuine contenders for the Champions Trophy. For the first time in a while – including, perhaps, the trip to Bangladesh – they are expected to win an away ODI series. With eight more ODIs before the Champions Trophy (these three, two against Ireland and three against South Africa), the time to stop talking about potential and start delivering results is upon them.They are not at full strength, though. Without several seamers (David Willey, Reece Topley, Mark Wood and now Jake Ball, whose sore knee did not react well to training on Wednesday) this series presents an opportunity for fringe players to push for inclusion in that Champions Trophy squad.England did think about calling up a left-arm option when Ball suffered his injury. Morgan rated Sam Curran as “the next in line” but concluded that Tom’s “greater experience” and “probably higher skill level” was more important than variety. Willey and Topley are both expected to be fit before the end of April.Wood won’t be far away, either. But Morgan admits England are “looking into” keeping him out of red-ball cricket until the Champions Trophy is completed. Like a good portion of this team – Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler and Morgan himself – it seems the first red-ball cricket Wood will play will actually be the pink-ball round of floodlit games in the County Championship at the end of June. England’s Ashes preparations will, effectively, start then. Until that time, the Champions Trophy is the priority and the team management have decided that playing in the IPL will be better preparation than playing in the County Championship.Jos Buttler and Sam Billings will get an early chance to cement their places in the batting line-up•Getty Images

“Exposing guys to tournaments like the IPL is absolute genius,” Morgan said. “We want guys to get exposed to high-pressure situations in order to accelerate their learning, so that when it comes to big tournaments we can step up to the plate and produce our highest skill level.”In the meantime, several others have a chance to re-establish themselves. Steven Finn, who has not played an ODI since September 2015, is sure to play and Billings will be given another chance to establish himself at the top of the order, though Alex Hales could be back by the third ODI. Jonny Bairstow is putting increasing pressure on Billings but he is likely to remain on the outside for the first couple of games at least. Buttler had a quiet tour of India but, if he remains fit, he is certain to play in the Champions Trophy.”We’re spoiled for choice in the batting,” Morgan said. “But the injuries have started testing our strength in our bowling.”We’ve been a bit unlucky with injuries to the bowlers. We have a good crop of guys. We’ve always said we’ve 16 or 17 people who can play. We’re stretching the limits of that at the moment, but our batting’s certainly in the right space.”Chris Jordan was also described as “in the reckoning” for the bowling spot. “He’s been brilliant for us in T20,” Morgan said. “He can bowl at the start, in the middle and at the end. And he was talked about. But we felt that Tom was the right call.”Conditions might prove something of a leveller, too. There is a little more grass on the Antigua pitch than was anticipated, but it remains likely to be low, slow and, consequently, is unlikely to present the high-scoring opportunities England have enjoyed in England and India. As a result, there may be a need to curb England’s all-out aggression just a touch.”It certainly won’t be as free-flowing as it has been,” Morgan agreed. “But our principles as a side will remain the same. We want to put the opposition under pressure the whole time. The emphasis here will be getting two men in at the crease. That’s very important because, the pitches we’re anticipating playing on, you can lose wickets in clusters and having two men in and taking advantage of their position is going to be key. That doesn’t mean to say we still can’t score 350 or 300.”I’d like to think we have the attributes to win the Champions Trophy. If we have a fully fit squad we have the attributes: the balance of the attack with a combination of good spin bowlers and a very strong batting line-up. But now it’s a matter of getting results and producing our best.”