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Graeme Smith believes his side has the record and experience to impress in India, despite a tumultuous week the team, where coach Mickey Arthur resigned and the selection panel was fired

Cricinfo staff30-Jan-2010Graeme Smith believes his side has the record and experience to impress in India, despite an ’emotional’ week for the team, during which coach Mickey Arthur resigned and the entire selection panel was sacked.South Africa leave on January 30 for a two-Test and three-ODI tour of India, the world’s No.1 ranked side in Tests, in the knowledge that they drew 1-1 the last time they visited India and were beaten 1-0 in 2004. A 2-0 win this time will propel them to the No.1 spot.Smith wants his side to draw on these good memories when the tour gets underway. “It’s been an emotional week and not many teams go to India and win,” Smith said. “But our record in the subcontinent is solid and the players who have been part of the set-up for a while have dealt with a few difficult things in recent years and handled them very well. I expect them to be as professional as normal, and I’m looking to them for responsibility and guidance for the youth.”Corrie van Zyl, who was an assistant coach between 1998 and 2003, has replaced Arthur on an interim basis and he is confident that the team can overcome the sudden change of regime. “My experience of things like the last week is that it builds a team rather than tears it apart,” van Zyl said. “I was part of the management team when the Hansie Cronje issue came about and sometimes those things just pull a team together. Obviously the players have to deal with their emotions, but it’s a very important series and we need to focus on our preparations.”South Africa play a two-day warm-up match against Board President’s XI in Nagpur starting February 2 before the first Test on February 6.

The first priority of the umpire review system is to eliminate obvious mistakes but the man in charge of implementing the technology hopes it will also lead to a new generation of walkers. Dave Richardson, the ICC’s cricket operations manager, believes an indirect benefit of the two-appeals-per-innings innovation, which was implemented full-time in New Zealand on Tuesday and Australia from Thursday, will be more batsmen not hanging around when they’ve edged behind.In the 11-Test trial Richardson said not only did the percentage of correct decisions improve by 6%, but they noticed the players, the only ones who can call for a review under this part of the system, were adhering more closely to the spirit of cricket. “I quite like the idea of putting a bit of responsibility on them, they are very quick to shake their heads and wave their bat around when they get an inside edge,” he said at the Gabba. “Let’s see how brave they are when it comes to actually taking that responsibility.”Initially when we spoke we thought a possible indirect benefit might be that batsmen, when they do edge a ball, won’t hang around and will walk anyway because they will be inevitably given out in the long run and they might be shown up as, not cheats, but certainly not playing within the spirit.”Richardson said there were fewer issues of dissent from the players and there was also less pressure being placed on the on-field officials by the bowling side. “We’ve found in the trials that the vociferous appealing, and appealing when you know it’s not out, just to try to convince the umpire has seemed to go out of the game.”What’s worse for the game, Steve Bucknor’s effigy getting burnt in India from a bad decision or the opportunity to rectify his mistake and hopefully improving the spirit by saying to the players: it’s your game, your responsibility. You hit it, you walk, if you don’t think it’s out, don’t appeal.”Nine out of the ten ICC members voted for the adoption of the system in internationals – England were not in favour because it is the players who generate the review – but it still relies on the host broadcaster having the technology, which can include Hawk-eye, pitch maps, hot spot and super slo-mo. Hot spot will not be available to the umpires during the Australia-West Indies series, but the third official will always have the same replays as the fans in their lounge rooms.”Unfortunately in this day and age the guy’s not out when the umpire raises his finger, he’s out when Ian Chappell or Mark Nicholas says he’s the out,” Richardson said. “The modern view is we need to use technology.”Simon Katich, Australia’s opening batsman, said the system worked well for the team in South Africa at the start of the year. “We tended to use it at the right time,” he said. “We certainly had no dramas on it.”David Williams, the West Indies coach, said it was good to know the decisions would be well-made. “If the technology is there and used properly then I have absolutely no problem with it,” he said.Richardson wants to make one thing clear: it won’t be perfect. While the human element is being downgraded, there is still scope for doubt. “It’s so important for the person at home watching on television to understand that we are still not going to get 100% of the decisions right, because there are going to be some decisions that aren’t conclusive from the technology point of view. The obvious ones we’ll eradicate.”

Victoria 3 for 452 (Hodge 169*, Rogers 149) lead South Australia 292 by 160 runs
Scorecard
Loud message: Chris Rogers started the season in strong form with a century in Adelaide•Fred Kelly

The opener Chris Rogers followed his verbal reminder to the selectors with an on-field one as Victoria took control on the second day by racing to 3 for 452 against South Australia. Rogers deflated the home bowlers in posting 149 while Brad Hodge stepped in with an unbeaten 169 as the Bushrangers collected a strong lead of 160.During the week Rogers said he was disappointed that he wasn’t considered for the Ashes Tests and it is unlikely this innings will change the selectors’ minds, but it kept the pressure on the preferred New South Wales trio of Simon Katich, Shane Watson and Phillip Hughes. Rogers, who grabbed 22 fours as well as a flicked six off Peter George, added a run after tea before driving at a wider ball from Dan Christian and being caught by Aaron O’Brien in the gully.It was Rogers’ first chance, with the dismissal ending his stay after 187 deliveries and stopping the dominant partnership with Hodge of 181, which was achieved at a run-rate of 4.8 an over. Hodge continued to torment the Redbacks despite losing David Hussey, who hit Cullen Bailey to short cover on 46.Hodge had started nervously, surviving a first-ball lbw appeal, and was dropped on 54 by the stand-in captain Daniel Harris, but he showed few concerns once he got going. He lifted three sixes – one brought up his 150 – and found 24 fours during his 221-ball occupation that helped push the Bushrangers to 450 runs in a day.Christian (2 for 101) collected the first breakthrough when Nick Jewell was lbw shortly before lunch following an opening stand of 102. The Bushrangers have had no trouble adapting to the Sheffield Shield format following their Champions League Twenty20 experience and will look to add to their first-innings points over the next two days.

Plenty of Aston Villa fans criticised Emiliano Buendia on Wednesday night for his performance against Manchester City.

The 24-year-old was left out of Steven Gerrard’s starting line-up against Crystal Palace last weekend but came back in on Wednesday for his ninth Premier League start.

The Argentine, who is the club’s most expensive signing of all time, played the entire 90 minutes at Villa Park as Pep Guardiola’s side ran out 2-1 winners. Ollie Watkins pulled a goal back for the hosts just after half-time, but Gerrard’s men couldn’t grab a second and suffered a first defeat under their new manager.

Buendia struggled for the majority of the night under the lights in the Midlands, ending with a SofaScore match rating of 6.9/10. The 24-year-old lost 80% of his duels and failed to attempt a cross or have a shot on target, while also losing possession on six occasions.

Villa fans react

Here is what these Villa fans had to say about the winger on Twitter during the game, with one labelling him as ‘absolutely atrocious’.

“I’m sorry but Buendia needs to go. Terrible, so lightweight. Not what we need”

Credit: @SJ_AV81

“Buendia is terrible. Change my mind ”

Credit: @InaneGeek

“Douglas Luiz & Buendia have been absolutely atrocious”

Credit: @JBaker_24

“Honestly Buendia I am not rating right now. Can’t pick a pass, giving the ball away. Then we concede”

Credit: @jack_1992

“Buendia is shocking”

Credit: @LucAvfc

“Buendia is a passenger”

Credit: @timhazelwood2

In other news: Lange now weighing Aston Villa bid to sign top class £30m+ man as agents work behind-the-scenes. 

MatériaMais Notícias

Com o empate em 1 a 1 contra o Barcelona de Guayaquil na última quarta-feira, o Santos pode se classificar para a semifinal da Libertadores apenas com um empate sem gols ou se repetir o resultado que conseguiu no Equador. Por conta disso, David Braz acredita que a defesa terá um papel importante na próxima quarta-feira, na partida contra os equatorianos, na Vila Belmiro, às 21h45.

– A defesa vai ter que ser importante. Nessa competição, fazer gol fora é importante e fomos felizes lá. Agora o 0 a 0 classifica a gente. No jogo da volta, a defesa vai ter que ser muito importante – explicou o zagueiro.

E apesar do bom resultado alcançado no jogo fora de casa, o Peixe recebeu uma provocação do vice-presidente do Barcelona, Carlos Alejandro Alfaro Moreno. O cartola questionou a postura dos santistas e comparou com um time inferior da cidade.

– Me deu a sensação que não era o Santos, e sim uma equipe do campeonato local. Parecia o Guayaquil City – disse em entrevista a imprensa local após a partida.

Em contrapartida, o defensor explicou que não deixará a declaração de Carlos afetar a equipe.

– Não entramos em provocações de pessoas que não entraram em campo. Falam muita besteira. Quem está em campo vai fazer o máximo para se classificar.

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West Brom confirmed on Wednesday that midfielder Jayson Molumby has had to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad through injury.

As to be expected, a number of Baggies supporters have been reacting to the news on social media.

Molumby made the switch to The Hawthorns over the summer, joining on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. He has had to be patient for a chance under Valerien Ismael but has now featured in seven of West Brom’s last eight Championship fixtures.

The 22-year-old was called up by Ireland for World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Luxembourg, but he suffered a hamstring issue in training and has now returned to the Midlands for further assessment.

Molumby now joins a long list of injured Baggies players, with West Brom sweating over the extent of the midfielder’s muscle issue.

WBA fans react

Here is what these Baggies fans had to say in reply to the club’s official post on Molumby’s injury.

“Can’t we just sack this season off at this rate?”

Credit: @LukeRowland015

“are you kidding me”

Credit: @Lottie1546

“Squad getting thinner and thinner by the day”

Credit: @JakeWBA97

“OH NO”

Credit: @WbaOllie

“NO DEPTH LIKE WE SAID WHO WOULD’VE THOUGHT IT”

Credit: @Adam_WBAFC

“IRELAND MAN, I SWEAR IF YOU INJURE ROBBO”

Credit: @Jayden_WBA

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians ainda não está definido para enfrentar o Vitória, neste sábado, às 21h, na Arena em Itaquera, pela 21ª rodada do Brasileirão. Na tarde desta quara-feira, o lateral-esquerdo Guilherme Arana não participou do treino por conta de dores musculares, segundo a assessoria do clube. Na última terça, ele já havia deixado a atividade mais cedo em razão do desgaste físico.

Apesar de não ter participado da atividade em campo no CT Joaquim Grava, Arana não deve desfalcar o Corinthians. A outra dúvida na escalação é Jadson ou Clayson. Recuperado de fraturas em duas costelas, o camisa 10 treinou normalmente e disse “estar zerado”, mas atuou pelo time reserva e depois como curinga.

Outro que não treinou em campo por conta de dores musculares foi o zagueiro Léo Santos. Por outro lado, Pedro Henrique voltou a trabalhar com os companheiros após ter sido liberado na última terça-feira para acompanhar o nascimento do filho.

Nesta quarta, o técnico Fábio Carille comandou uma atividade em campo reduzido. Ainda na primeira parte, Pedrinho sentiu dores no joelho esquerdo, ficou caído no gramado e teve de deixar o treino. Danilo entrou em sua vaga.

Pablo continou tratamento da lesão muscular na coxa direita na parte interna do CT Joaquim Grava. Ele voltar a ficar à disposição no início de setembro. Já Vilson, que ainda não tem prazo para voltar após cirurgia no joelho em março, fez trabalhos na academia.

O time titular do treino desta quarta teve: Cássio, Fagner, Balbuena, Pedro Henrique e Moisés; Gabriel e Maycon; Clayson, Rodriguinho e Romero; Jô.

Já o time reserva teve: Walter, Léo Principe, Warian, Paulo Roberto e Marciel; Camacho e Fellipe Bastos; Jadson (Giovanni Augusto), Pedrinho (Danilo) e Marquinhos Gabriel; Kazim.

Clayton, Rodrigo Figueiredo e Carlinhos fizeram uma atividade à parte em campo. O Corinthians volta a treinar na tarde desta quinta-feira.

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Arguably the best way for Crystal Palace to compete with their more affluent rivals is to maximise the abundance of talent available to them on their south London doorstep.

And it appears as though the Eagles outfit are finally starting to capitalise on the local prospects that have so regularly slipped through their fingers in the past.

Despite the likes of Jadon Sancho, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Emile Smith Rowe growing up within close proximity of Selhurst Park, they have all learned their trade elsewhere due to the below-standard facilities at Palace.

However, with the capital club now being awarded a Category 1 status for their academy following significant investment, a new era is just around the corner.

One potential star who could play a pivotal part in Palace’s next chapter under Patrick Vieira is 19-year-old Malachi Boateng.

The versatile midfielder was named the club’s Under-23 Player of the Season last term, and earned high praise from academy coach Shaun Derry.

“This young player has brought so many highs to this training group; he is a pleasure to work alongside. Hopefully, he can develop more and more as the years go by, and we can hear a lot more about him,” said the 43-year-old.

Boateng’s eye-catching performances for the youth teams have seen the versatile youngster regularly train with the first-team squad, too, and Derry went into further detail regarding what makes him such a special player.

“A midfielder who has so many strings to his bow… He shows aggression, he shows quality on the ball, he can get around the pitch – wins the second ball and can dictate play.

“He’s a fine young man and one that represents the football club in a way we want the football club represented,” Derry concluded.

The club’s official website describes the Englishman as a “central player with a good range of passing” who is also “comfortable with both feet”, giving Palace supporters ample reason to be excited over his future prospects.

With current midfielders Luka Milivojević, Cheikhou Kouyaté and James McArthur all in their 30s and approaching the twilight of their careers, Vieira may be tempted to reward Boateng with his first senior appearance for the Eagles, potentially discovering yet another gem in the process.

And, in other news…Imagine him and Olise: Parish must revive Palace interest in £18m-rated magician 

Chennai can still afford one more mistake, but with their negative net run-rate Punjab have made their last mistake if they are to error if they are to enter the final four

The Preview by Sidharth Monga19-May-2009Match factsMay 20, 2009
Start time 16.30 local, (14:30 GMT)Big PictureThere was a clear winner in the contest between Sreesanth and Matthew Hayden when the two teams last played•Associated PressTwo days ago Kings XI Punjab resisted what would have been a miraculous chase by Rohit Sharma. Yesterday Chennai Super Kings let Brendon McCullum and Brad Hodge pull off another reply. The result: Punjab are still alive and Chennai are not entirely safe. Chennai, with 15 points and a very good net run-rate, can still afford one more mistake, but with their negative net run-rate Punjab (14 points) have made their last error if they are to enter the final four.If Chennai…
win, they will seal their place in the semi-finals.
lose, they still are most likely to make it because of a superior net run-rate.
share points, they ensure their passage to the final four.If Punjab…
win, they finish ahead of Chennai and cement their semis spot
lose, they will have to hope Kolkata defeat Rajasthan and Bangalore lose theirs by a huge margin (their net run-rate is behind Bangalore’s by 0.17).
share points, hope Rajasthan don’t win their match, and there is an outright result in the match between Deccan Chargers and Bangalore.
The last two conditions, though, will have become clearer by the time Punjab start because Rajasthan would have finished their game by then.Form guide (completed matches, most recent first)Chennai Super Kings: LWLWW
When Kolkata chased 189 successfully against his side, MS Dhoni termed it as some of the worst bowling in the IPL. It might not quite be the worst (Kolkata’s effort against Bangalore takes the cake), but Chennai’s death bowling is definitely a concern. Remember how Suresh Raina bailed them out against in their previous game against Punjab?Kings XI Punjab: WWLWL
Their opening combination is the problem. Karan Goel has averaged 15.5 with a top-score of 38, Sunny Sohal 16 with a top-score of 43, and Simon Katich 17.12 with a top-score of 50.Watch out forRamesh Powar v Matthew Hayden: Adam Gilchrist, for long Hayden’s opening partner, learnt in the last match not to fall for Powar’s flight. Because the ball dips, drifts, and breaks. Hayden, though, is fresh off countering Shane Warne in what has been Chennai’s most crucial win so far.Team newsThe time for experiments is over. Expect Hayden to be back. Jacob Oram should face competition from George Bailey. One out of M Vijay and Parthiv Patel should make the XI.Chennai: (probable) 1 M Vijay/Parthiv Patel, 2 Matthew Hayden, 3 MS Dhoni (capt./wk), 4 Suresh Raina, 5 Albie Morkel, 6 Jacob Oram/George Bailey, 7 S Badrinath, 8 Sudeep Tyagi, 9 Shadab Jakati, 10 L Balaji, 11 Muttiah Muralitharan.How Punjab will be hoping Mahela Jayawardene regains his fitness, because Luke Pomersbach has not been able to reprise any of his form from the previous year. They have to make the call between Karan and Sohal too. If only they could find a local batsman to replace Pomersbach, they could play both Brett Lee and Yusuf Abdulla.Punjab: (probable) 1 Sunny Sohal/Karan Goel, 2 Simon Katich, 3 Yuvraj Singh (capt.), 4 Luke Pomersbach/Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 6 Irfan Pathan, 7 Wilkin Mota, 8 Piyush Chawla, 9 Sreesanth, 10 Ramesh Powar, 11 Brett Lee/Yusuf Abdulla.Stats and triviaYuvraj Singh has taken six wickets in the tournament, all in hat-tricks.Yusuf Abdulla has taken 14 wickets in nine games, and his replacement, Brett Lee, has given away runs at 5.93 an over.Head-to-head recordPunjab have yet to beat Chennai in any of their games over the last two seasons. The closest Punjab came was in their match this season, only to be denied by Raina’s bowling at the death.Punjab tried unsuccessfully thrice last season. The first of those games was a high-scoring one, with both teams surpassing 200, but it was a merciless 116 from Michael Hussey that helped Chennai home by 33 runs. The second game was more competitive, but an inspired spell by L Balaji, who took 5 for 24, shut Punjab out by 18 runs.The semi-final between the two teams was one-sided, with Raina and Parthiv Patel striking half-centuries to hand Chennai a nine-wicket win.

1950
Born in Texas. His grandfather, Lodis, had founded Stanford Financial in 1932 and with James, Allen’s father, he made a fortune during the 1970s and 80s buying up Houston real estate at the bottom of the market and selling when prices recovered.1983
Allen takes over the family business on the retirement of his father. He expands the firm from a 500-employee company, opening offices in Latin America and the Caribbean and diversifying into wealth management.1990
Leaves Montserrat after setting up his bank there five years earlier and sets up his business on nearby Antigua.1999
Becomes a citizen of Antigua and acquires dual nationality. He is later knighted on the recommendation of the Antiguan government. In the decade he invests heavily in philanthropic ventures on the island. Prime minister Lester Bird says that “the Stanford Group has invested almost EC$160 million in Antigua”.His company contributes generously to both Democrats and Republicans. According to a consumer rights group called Public Citizen’s Congress Watch, the Stanford Group’s sole interest is in blocking anti-money laundering legislation being introduced by the Bill Clinton administration. The group cites Antigua as a country with “a reputation as a money-laundering haven”.2003
Strenuously denies accusations by the then-leader of the opposition of Antigua that he bribed ministers, saying: “I have never in my life bribed or done anything illegal or unethical in my business endeavours.”2005
Builds his own cricket ground in Antigua and announces he will fund a pan-Caribbean Twenty20 tournament. Little interest is shown until the level of his investment emerges – US$28 million. He also sets up a group of so-called “legends” as an advisory board to oversee the project.2006
The first Stanford 20/20 tournament is held in July and August. Guyana win the final and the competition is widely regarded as a success.In August Stanford offers South Africa a US$5 million winner-takes-all match against West Indies. The WICB is uncertain about the idea and the plan falls through.2007
Antigua become the first professional Stanford team. He also announces an expansion of the Stanford 20/20 tournament, this time with the backing of the WICB who agree a five-year deal to back the event.In September, Stanford invites the winners of the ICC World Twenty20 in Johannesburg to play a one-off, US$5 million, match at Stanford’s ground in Antigua. Again, the deal falls through.2008
In January, Trinidad & Tobago win the second Stanford 20/20.In February, Stanford announces a US$20 million winner-takes-all game with England and Australia the targets. After four months of negotiations the deal is confirmed in a glitzy launch event at Lord’s when Stanford arrives by helicopter. The media response is mixed.As details of the match become public there is unease at what critics describe as the “vulgarity” of the event, coinciding as it does with the onset of the global recession. The week-long tournament attracts negative publicity, the nadir being personal attacks on Stanford himself when he is pictured with Matt Prior’s pregnant wife on his lap. The 20/20 for 20 game is a dreadfully one-sided affair, in which the home team, Stanford Superstars, bowl England out for 99.In December, he closes his cricket office in Antigua and winds up his board of legends. He intimates that he will be scaling back on his investment in the game, especially in the Caribbean.2009
As rumours grow about the state of Stanford’s financial empire, he announces a scaling back of his investment. Five days later the Securities and Exchange Commission instigates moves against him, alleging “a fraud of shocking magnitude”.