All posts by n8rngtd.top

The batsman has been handed South Africa’s Order of Ikhamanga which recognises achievements of those in the fields of arts‚ culture‚ literature‚ music‚ journalism and sport

Firdose Moonda23-Apr-2018Hashim Amla has become the first cricketer in 10 years to receive South Africa’s Order of Ikhamanga, a national award given out to recognise achievements of those in the fields of arts‚ culture‚ literature‚ music‚ journalism and sport.Amla was named as a silver award recipient by the Chancellor of National Orders, Dr Cassius Lubisi, who explained Amla is being honoured, “for his contribution to the sport of cricket. He has brought pride to our country with his many batting firsts in the international cricket arena and remains one of the leading batsmen of our time.”Amla is the only South African to have scored a triple-century in Test cricket, is their second-highest century-maker in Test cricket with 28 hundreds and the country’s leading ODI century-maker with 26 to his name. He is currently ranked 11th on the ICC Test rankings and 12th in ODIs and has captained South Africa in all formats.Prior to Amla receiving the award, Shaun Pollock, South Africa’s leading Test wicket-taker, and Makhaya Ntini, the first black African to play Test cricket for South Africa, were named as Order of Ikhamanga recipients in 2008. The trio are the only cricketers to be named for the order during their playing days.Basil D’Oliveira received the award in 2003, when it was first established. Also that year, Eric Majola and Goolam Abed, who were selected for both cricket and rugby for black South African teams during the Apartheid era, were recognised. In 2004, Hassan Howa, after whom the Howa bowl, a cricket tournament for non-white players which ran from the early 1970s until unity in 1991 was named, was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga.

Stats highlights from the two-Test series between West Indies and Sri Lanka

S Rajesh08-Apr-2008

Going into the fourth day of the Trinidad Test, West Indies were in danger of slipping to their eighth series defeat in a row, and their tenth loss in the last 11 series. Thanks to Ramnaresh Sarwan’s superb 102 and his 157-run partnership with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, though, West Indies swept to the third-largest successful run-chase at this ground, thus denying Sri Lanka their first series win in the West Indies. The result also means Sri Lanka haven’t won an away series against a team other than Zimbabwe and Bangladesh since 2000, when they beat Pakistan 2-1. (Click here for Sri Lanka’s overseas series since 2000.)For Sarwan, it capped an excellent series, one in which he topped 50 in every innings. It was a welcome return to form too – in his last 25 innings before this series, he had only scored one century, and averaged 27.20. His fourth-wicket partnership with Chanderpaul is a West Indian record for that wicket against Sri Lanka, and fell just seven runs short of equalling their highest for the fourth wicket in the last innings of a Test.Overall, Sri Lanka had the slightly better numbers in the series, averaging more runs per wicket, and scoring at a faster rate. West Indies, though, raised their batting standards on the last day of the series to give them their second win in their last five Tests.

The partnership numbers for both teams indicate that both teams had problems with their top-order batting. Marlon Samuels had the lowest average among the West Indians, with 29 runs in four innings, while Tillakaratne Dilshan, Michael Vandort and – more surprisingly – Kumar Sangakkara all had ordinary series for Sri Lanka. (Click here for the series averages for West Indies, and here for the averages for Sri Lanka.)Sri Lanka’s opening pair did a fine job, but West Indies’ second-wicket stand was far better, thanks to Sarwan’s run-fest. Further down the order, the fourth-wicket partnership was a huge one for West Indies – it helped them level the series – while Sri Lanka relied heavily on Chaminda Vaas’ batting prowess at No. 7: their stands for the sixth and seventh wickets were both in excess of 50.

Among the bowlers, this was one series in which Vaas easily outdid Muttiah Muralitharan. Vaas, in fact, had an outstanding all-round series, averaging 19.75 per wicket with the ball and 37.67 with the bat. Murali took as many wickets as Vaas, but each one cost him nearly 33.West Indies’ bowling star was Jerome Taylor, whose 11 wickets at 24.81 took him past the 50-wicket milestone in Tests.Head-to-head contestsThe ability of the West Indies top order to tackle the Murali menace was perhaps the most significant aspect of the series. Sarwan, Chanderpaul and Gayle all handled him with a good degree of success, which made the Sri Lankan attack look far less threatening.Vaas, on the other hand, was more than a handful for Samuels, but he had less success against long-time bunny Gayle, who fell just once to Vaas in 58 deliveries.

Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Arafat Sunny took combined figures of 2 for 50 from 10 overs to choke Chittagong to 139, a total they chased down with 11 balls to spare

The Report by Mohammad Isam14-Nov-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsRaton Gomes/BCB

Comilla Victorians beat Chittagong Kings by six wickets, in almost the same fashion as their other two wins in the tournament. After restricting their opponent to 139 for 4, Imrul Kayes and Jos Buttler almost walked them to the target.The pair added 74 runs for the third wicket before both were dismissed with not left to chase. Imrul top-scored with 45 while Buttler got out for 44 off 31 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.Chittagong, who have now lost three out of four games, lost just four wickets in their innings, but struggled for fluency right through. The Comilla spin trio – Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Arafat Sunny – put the brakes on with combined figures of 2 for 50 from 10 overs.Brisk start, slow finish, againLuke Ronchi provided Chittagong with another brisk start, with 31 off 19 balls. No other batsman score more despite consuming more deliveries. Sarkar used 32 balls for 30 runs, with two fours and a six over midwicket, before he was stumped off Nabi. Dilshan Munaweera made 19 off 25 balls, which had one six, before he was bowled by a beautiful Rashid Khan googly.Sikandar Raza found just one boundary in his 24-ball 20 which ended with a scoop to Al-Amin Hossain at short fine leg. Ronchi’s 19-ball 31 included five fours and a six that was hit over long-on off Nabi. He fell lbw to Mohammad Saifuddin.Imrul steadies another chaseMunaweera removed the returning Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das in seven overs but Imrul Kayes and Jos Buttler took control quickly. Imrul struck Subashis Roy for first six pulled over midwicket before lifting Sikandar over square leg for his second in the tenth over.His third six was his best, swatting Chris Jordan over midwicket off one knee as he struggled with cramps. He made 45 off 36 balls, having also struck two fours. It was his third successive match-winning innings, having remained unbeaten on the two previous occasions.

Nottingham Forest won the race for USMNT star Gio Reyna as they put a “higher offer” in place, with said deal leaving Fiorentina disappointed.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Dortmund invited offers for playmaker
• Interest from England, Italy & France
• Reds able to agree deadline-day deal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The United States international playmaker was on the move as the January transfer window swung shut. Borussia Dortmund opened themselves up to offers, with a loan agreement eventually pushed through after extending the 21-year-old’s contract in Germany.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Reyna had attracted interest from across Europe, with teams in Italy and France also said to be keen, but he ended up embracing a Premier League challenge at the City Ground. That switch impacted a number of other clubs, with Cagliari unable to lure Antonin Barak away from Fiorentina as the Serie A outfit were outmanoeuvred in their bid for Reyna.

• WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT REYNA?

  Cagliari sporting director Nereo Bonato has told : “At club level and with the boy [Barak], there were all the agreements. It was an operation that was also suitable on an economic level. There was [Genoa star Albert] Gudmundsson and Reyna who were Fiorentina’s two big targets and we had seen in the Viola managers the desire to get there at all costs. Unfortunately, Nottingham Forest made a higher offer for Reyna and Genoa preferred to keep Gudmundsson. We had to adapt to these choices.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR REYNA?

  Reyna has now followed in the footsteps of his father – former Manchester City and Sunderland midfielder Claudio – by heading to England. He made his Forest debut off the bench in a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth and will be hoping to make his home bow on Saturday when the Reds play host to Newcastle.

Kylian Mbappe appeared to be enjoying his time off from Paris Saint-Germain duty, as his proposed transfer to Real Madrid edges closer.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Mbappe enjoying down time
• Move to Real Madrid a near-formality
• Set to meet France President Macron

• (C)Getty images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The capital club are preparing to take on third-placed Monaco on Friday, where they will hope to bounce back from a disappointing draw to Rennes last time out. Time spent relaxing off the pitch is widely considered to be just as important as the strict hours on it, and Mbappe appeared to be making the most of his free period by playing pool and drinking tea.

Advertisement

• WHAT MBAPPE POSTED

  The mercurial Frenchman posted those pictures in an update on Instagram alongside the caption: "Life is good".

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While Mbappe's comment appears to refer to the here and now, the French forward's future looks to be finally wrapped up. He is set to complete a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid when his PSG contract expires in the summer, thus putting an end to rumours dating back almost three years. Mbappe is thought to have snubbed a mega-money offer from the Parisians in order to become the next 'Galactico' in Madrid.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Mbappe is set to meet President of France Emmanuel Macron today, who in the past has tried at length to convince him to stay in Paris. However, that appearance is reportedly part of a meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim, with PSG chief and fellow countryman Nasser Al-Khelaifi also in attendance.

Bayern Munich will not sack Thomas Tuchel in the wake of their 3-2 loss to Bochum, but CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen refused to offer the board's support.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Bayern beaten for third time in a row
• Tuchel under fire after another loss
• CEO says he will be in charge next week

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bayern found themselves 3-1 down at Bochum in a match that was interrupted on two occasions because of fan protests. Kane managed to pull a goal back late on for the German giants, but he could not prevent his team from losing a third consecutive match. Coach Tuchel has come under pressure amid the reigning Bundesliga champions' miserable run, and reports he is not considering resigning and has been assured that he will not be fired.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  WHAT DREESEN SAID

  Asked by if Tuchel will be sacked, Dreesen said: "It was clear that this question was coming, it had been looming for some time. I don't believe in these monstrous statements of support for coaches. I've already said something about this, but it's not a question that arises for us today. We have to concentrate on the next games.

  "I know how you want to hear it. I can say it that way too. But these vows of loyalty are usually over after a week, so I say it in my own way. I've said before – and I'll even repeat myself – that's not an issue we're currently dealing with."

  When he was asked if Tuchel will still be in charge next week, Dreesen said: "Of course!"

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Bayern's misery began when the Bavarian side were outclassed in a 3-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen – in which they failed to have a shot on target – last week. They followed that up with another disappointing performance in the Champions League, losing 1-0 to Lazio in the first leg of their last-16 tie. The loss at Bochum now leaves Bayern eight points behind Leverkusen in the Bundesliga table.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN?

  Bayern have another difficult test coming up as they take on RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on February 24. Leipzig put up a good fight when they came up against Real Madrid in the Champions League during the week, though they ended up losing 1-0, and followed that up with a 2-0 win against Borussia Monchengladbach to keep them fifth in the league.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United's new co-owner, was spotted watching the Red Devils' clash with Tottenham alongside Sir Alex Ferguson.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Ratcliffe present to watch United
• Sat with Ferguson in the crowd
• Watched clash with Spurs on Sunday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ratcliffe's company INEOS completed their partial takeover of United on Christmas Eve, but the knight of the realm had yet to be seen watching the Red Devils in person. That changed on Sunday, as he was pictured in the crowd, sat next to legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, as United hosted Tottenham. The Red Devils' all-time record goalscorer Wayne Rooney was also in the crowd, for the first time since his sacking as Birmingham City boss.

Advertisement

• WATCH THE CLIP

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ratcliffe has already expressed his excitement at being involved with United, having beaten off competition from Qatari investor Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. The deal has yet to be officially ratified, but Ratcliffe has confirmed he hopes to receive official confirmation by mid-February.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Ratcliffe has attended United games in the past as a fan. Famously, he was in the stands in Barcelona in 1999 when Ferguson's side beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the Champions League final.

West Indies’ bowling coach had good things to say about his wards, especially legspinner Devendra Bishoo who has found form once again after a disappointing tour of England

Liam Brickhill in Bulawayo22-Oct-2017West Indies bowling coach Roddy Estwick credited an “outstanding” bowling attack for setting up West Indies’ first-innings lead over Zimbabwe in the first Test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Estwick, who has worked with the team’s bowlers for the last 18 months, gave special mention to legspinner Devendra Bishoo, who had a quiet tour of England but came to the fore with 5 for 79 against Zimbabwe.”Over the last year the bowling department has been functioning well, so I’m not surprised that we were able to bowl them out under our score,” Estwick said. “The bowling unit has been outstanding all year, and once Bishoo came to the party. I wasn’t surprised we restricted them to this score.”Bishoo, who took just three wickets across two Tests in England, picked up the fourth five-wicket haul of his career and ran through Zimbabwe’s top order with a combination of spin, bounce and accuracy in helpful conditions on the second day.”He didn’t have the best tour of England,” Estwick conceded. “It’s a difficult place to bowl. But if you look [at the last year], he got 30 wickets in that period so he’s been quite successful. He got eight wickets in Dubai on a flat track as well, so he does his job. The bowling unit has been outstanding; you can’t fault them. They’ve been able to stay on the park and stay fresh. It’s been a long year but we keep going and we keep getting teams out.”Estwick suggested that West Indies had taken their cue from Zimbabwe’s first-day bowling effort, when the patience and consistency of the seamers set up the spinners’ demolition. “Obviously we learnt from the way that Zimbabwe bowled in their first innings where they were patient and soaked up pressure,” he said. “We tried to do the same thing, block it with our seamers and try to get wickets from the other end.”West Indies’ lead stood at 148, with nine wickets standing, at the close of play, but in what has been a fast-moving, see-sawing Test match so far Estwick also warned against any complacency. “[The pitch] is going to get a bit more difficult because it’s going to lose pace, and that means strokemaking is going to get difficult. Zimbabwe lost 7 for 53 [58] after lunch, so the game can change very quickly on a pitch like this. We’ve got to try and take the game as long as possible. Bat until lunchtime and then assess from there. You can’t get ahead of yourself on this pitch. There’s a lot of cricket left.”

Cameroon's goalkeeper, Andre Onana, and the nation's legendary striker, Samuel Eto'o, have supposedly not spoken since the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Cameroon goalkeeper and great feud deepens
• Cameroon AFCON hopes hang in balance
• Onana was sent home from World Cup by Eto'o

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The cloud that has been hanging over the Cameroonian side refuses to clear as the feud remains unresolved according to Chris Wheeler of the . Eto'o, elected as the Cameroon Football Federation President in 2021, has had a number of arguments with Onana and the player was sent home for disciplinary issues at the 2022 World Cup. Onana retired from international duty before being recalled, yet he has since been further accused of disrespecting his national team after arriving at AFCON late in order to minimise the Manchester United games he missed.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  WHAT WHEELER SAID

  Posting on X, Wheeler said: "There doesn’t appear to be any change in Andre Onana’s feud with Cameroon FA president Samuel Eto’o. It’s said they haven’t spoken since the World Cup in Qatar, and their relationship is broken and irreconcilable. Onana could be back [at Manchester United] this week if Cameroon go out of AFCON on Tuesday."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The rift between Onana and Eto'o does not appear to have an end in sight. The disagreements between the nation's star goalkeeper and president will only serve to hamper Cameroon's chances of victory at not just this year's AFCON, but in future tournaments as well.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ONANA?

  Onana's Cameroon are on the brink of elimination from AFCON. They sit third in their group behind Senegal and Guinea having accrued just one point. They face Gambia on Tuesday knowing qualification is only possible if they better Guinea's result against Senegal.

A statistical look-back at Sachin Tendulkar’s career in ODIs

Mathew Varghese10-Oct-2007Sachin Tendulkar will become the first to play 400 ODIs for his national team, when he takes the field in Vadodara on October 10. Tendulkar, though, is a close second to Sanath Jayasuriya in reaching the mark in ODIs. Jayasuriya played his 400th against England in Dambulla, but four of his 402 appearances have not been for Sri Lanka. (For Tendulkar’s career summary, click here.)Since his debut in 1989, Tendulkar has risen to become the face of the one-day game. His 15,000 runs – and counting – will take some overtaking, considering that the only player younger than him in the 10,000-plus club is Ricky Ponting.

Besides the 15,000 runs, even his mark of 41 centuries looks a tough ask for any batsman.In the last 15 matches, Tendulkar has scored 716 runs at an average of 47.73. Fitness problems have plagued him in the current decade, and the 25 ODIs he’s played this year are the most he’s played in a calendar year since 2000, when he played 34 matches.Tendulkar’s average of 46.63 and strike-rate of 83.41 this year are marginally better than corresponding figures in the last three years, a clear indication that his powers are not on the wane.

The only conundrum Tendulkar has faced of late is reaching the three-figure mark. However, he will be playing in Vadodara, where he scored his last, against West Indies earlier this year. Since then, in 21 matches, he has come agonisingly close on four occasions, getting out in the nineties. Two of those came in successive matches, while he was out on 99 twice, the only other batsman to do so besides Jayasuriya.Had Tendulkar been Bradmanesque in converting his scores in the nineties to hundreds, he would be one short of a remarkable 100 hundreds in international cricket.Tendulkar was edgy in the previous match in Chandigarh, scratching around for a rather dull 119-ball 79. More importantly, though, he and Sourav Ganguly gave India a solid start with their stand of 91. The duo have been prolific opening the batting this season, commencing with the ODIs in Ireland.

Ganguly and Tendulkar have opened in seven of the eight matches India have won since June this year, and have averaged 89.14 in those games.Tendulkar is the highest run-getter against Australia in ODIs, and his tally of 2321 in 51 matches is second to his best of 2436 from 65 matches against Sri Lanka.Although the centuries aren’t coming as easily, his appetite for runs hasn’t reduced and he’s been able to consolidate on the starts he’s got, scoring marginally higher this year once he’s got a look-in.

Tendulkar’s batting largely overshadow his bowling abilities. He’s more than a handy bowler, with 152 wickets in ODIs so far. He also has two five-fors to his credit – both coming at Kochi – and his mix of spin and seam-up make him both an enigmatic and erratic bowler.With 118 catches as well, it’s no wonder he’s usually in the thick of the action.