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For the second year in a row Queensland will host Victoria in the most valuable match of the domestic season

Peter English18-Jan-2010Match FactsTuesday, January 19, the Gabba
Start time 1845am (0845 GMT)Chris Simpson has provided fireworks at the top of the order in Queensland’s past two games•Getty ImagesThe Big PictureFor the second year in a row Queensland will host Victoria in the most valuable match of the domestic season. While the second-versus-third Twenty20 affair will not win any prizes, it will earn the victor a place in the Champions League in India, where the winner’s cheque is US$2.5m.When the teams met last summer Victoria prevailed, but Queensland are on track for an upset of the powerful Bushrangers after winning their past three games to storm into second place. Both sides will benefit from some high-quality guests, with Daniel Vettori (Queensland) and Ross Taylor (Victoria) flying in for their second appearances in the competition.It is not only the locals who are looking for a big pay day later in the year. The registration of the New Zealanders (neither man will be available for Saturday’s final) qualifies them for the Champions League if their side makes it through at the Gabba. Taylor scored 58 off 36 balls when the Bushrangers beat the Bulls last month while Vettori chipped in with three catches and a wicket when he faced New South Wales on his first day-trip to Australia.Victoria’s big Australian names – Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Cameron White and Dirk Nannes – will also be looking to have a significant impact under the Gabba lights. Queensland will rely on a band filled with guys who will spend most of their lives in the domestic ranks, with James Hopes, Andrew Symonds and Vettori providing the international experience.The Bushrangers were victorious in the first three Big Bash tournaments and finished second last year, while Queensland’s best is third. The winner faces South Australia in Adelaide on Saturday, but the status as Big Bash champion is less important than having a shot at the Champions League riches.Form guide (most recent first)Queensland WWWLL
Victoria WLLWW
Watch out for…Brad Hodge is Victoria’s most experienced man – and most important. He makes runs at will and is in form after 90 from 56 balls against Tasmania on Friday, an innings ensuring the Bushrangers made the preliminary final. At this stage last year Hodge was injured, but still managed 59 in the win that sent them to the Champions League. “He is obviously a quality player and a key wicket,” Queensland’s captain Chris Simpson said. “The beauty about Brad Hodge is that he does his stuff in finals and big games.”The allrounder Chris Simpson has batted like a maniac – in a good way – over the past week. With Chris Hartley out with injury and a lack of punch at the top of the order, Simpson promoted himself to open for the final two group games. After a couple of years of under-performance with the bat came the explosion, which currently stands at 121 runs from 62 balls in the competition. He blasted 34 off 14 against New South Wales and followed up with an even better 76 off 38 against Western Australia. Victoria will be watching – along with everyone else.Team newsVettori comes back in to squeeze out Scott Walter, the left-arm swing bowler, and Queensland hope he brings his A game when he lands in Brisbane on the morning of the game. Symonds has been quiet during the opening five fixtures, scoring 87 runs at 29.00, but has regularly been at his best in the big contests.Queensland squad Chris Simpson (capt), James Hopes, Lee Carseldine, Andrew Symonds, Glen Batticciotto, Chris Lynn, Ben Dunk (wk), Craig Philipson, Nathan Reardon, Daniel Vettori, Ben Cutting, Ryan Harris, Nathan Rimmington.On Tuesday morning, Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies allrounder, pulled out with a sore hand in a late blow for the squad. The wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has been having trouble with an ankle but has been cleared to play and replaces Ryan Carters in the outfit. James Pattinson has come in for Glenn Maxwell, the 12th man on Friday, while Aaron Finch is hoping to hold his spot at the top of the order.Victoria squad Brad Hodge, Aaron Finch, Ross Taylor, David Hussey, Cameron White (capt), Andrew McDonald, Matthew Wade (wk), John Hastings, Clint McKay, Jon Holland, Dirk Nannes, James Pattinson.Pitch and conditionsThe Gabba always offers something for both disciplines, but it has been handy for the team batting first during this competition. Scores of 157, 153 and 203 have started the game and been enough for victory on each occasion. A warm, fine day is predicted for Brisbane on Tuesday.Stats and trivia Hodge is Victoria’s leading run-scorer with 142 this summer, while Hopes tops Queensland’s list with 141 Simpson’s batting strike-rate of 195.16 is the fifth-best of the competition while Ben Cutting, the Queensland fast bowler, is sixth with 190.00, having scored 38 runs from 20 ballsVictoria beat Queensland in the opening match of the competition, winning by 3 runs on Duckworth-Lewis when the rain came White lost all five tosses in the group games Hodge’s opening partnership of 147 with Finch against Tasmania was the highest of the 2009-10 tournament Vettori’s three catches in his only game for Queensland put him third on the competition listQuotes”Victoria might be favourites and good on them. There’s so many cliches you can say when you’re an underdog, and for two years we’ve been an underdog. That’s got to stop one day and people are going to realise that we’re a good cricket team”
Chris Simpson”We have always had good, competitive games with the Bulls and Tuesday’s match should again be a thriller”
Cameron White

A Rangers injury update has emerged on Ibrox centre-forward Kemar Roofe…

What’s the latest?

Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed that the attacker could return to the squad against Hibernian on Wednesday night if he gets through training unscathed.

He told the Daily Record:

“We have no fresh injuries, nothing important to report. Hopefully, Kemar Roofe comes through on Wednesday and can hopefully be part of the squad.”

Big boost

This update will be a big boost to the Dutch manager and will be news that the fans will love to read as Roofe closes in on his return.

The forward’s last appearance for Rangers came on the 7th of November in the 4-2 win over Ross County, which means that he has missed both of Gio’s first two games in charge of the club. He has been absent for the 2-0 and 3-1 wins over Sparta Prague and Livingston, but could now offer the 46-year-old another quality option in the final third of the pitch.

Ex-Gers manager Steven Gerrard previously lauded the attacker’s work rate off the ball. He said:

“Touch wood he stays fit and if he does then he will be a real handful at this level. He works his socks off, he does everything out of possession that you ask of him, he is clever and bright and he can create and score. He has got the mentality that I really like.”

He has scored 27 goals and provided three assists in 54 games for Rangers since his move from Belgian side Anderlecht. This includes an impressive 15 goals in 31 Premiership games for the club, showing his quality as a striker at this level.

His excellent goal return is why this injury update could be a big boost for van Bronckhorst. Roofe could return to the fold and add an extra goalscoring threat to play alongside the likes of Ianis Hagi, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos, to increase Rangers’ chances of winning matches.

With Rangers looking for revenge against Hibernian after their 3-1 defeat to them in the League Cup semi-final, having as many of their key players available as possible could be vital and the supporters would be buzzing to see Roofe play a part in one way or another.

AND in other news, Rangers pulled off dream swoop for “outstanding” beast whose value has rocketed 75%…

Harbhajan Singh is likely to miss the first two ODIs against South Africa due to family commitments

Cricinfo staff15-Feb-2010Offspinner Harbhajan Singh is likely to miss the first two ODIs against South Africa due to family commitments. The three-match series begins on February 21 in Jaipur and Harbhajan has his sister’s wedding to attend on February 22.”He [Harbhajan] has sought permission from the BCCI to attend his sister’s wedding on February 22,” Harbhajan’s personal manager told .Yuvraj Singh, who is missing the Test series because of a hand injury sustained in Bangladesh, is also doubtful. The selection committee will meet in Kolkata on Tuesday and a few changes are expected to be made to the squad that lost the tri-series final against Sri Lanka in Dhaka.Yusuf Pathan, who recently guided West Zone to victory in a record chase of 536 against South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final, could make his return to the national team. He last played in an ODI during the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy. Tamil Nadu spinner R Ashwin is believed to be in contention for a maiden call-up as well.

When Jack Grealish signed for Manchester City in the summer, you’d have been hard-pressed to find an Aston Villa fan who was happy about the move.

The England international completed a record-breaking £100m move to the Premier League champions after a stellar campaign at Villa Park, becoming the most expensive British player ever. Villa weren’t shy about spending the cash to replace him, bringing in Emiliano Buendia from Norwich in a £35m move, Leon Bailey for £28.8m from Bayer Leverkusen and Danny Ings from Southampton for £26.5m.

Jamaican winger Bailey has struggled with fitness issues but has done well in the short amount of game time he’s been afforded, registering three goal involvements. Ings started the campaign well with three goals and two assists in ten games but his influence hasn’t quite been what it was at Southampton, where he was the main man in every aspect.

Buendia has been better since the arrival of Steven Gerrard as manager, lodging an assist versus Leicester, but the difference in quality between himself and Grealish is noticeable even on a good day.

Villa have been struggling creatively this season but they’ve also lacked that single player that they can look to for inspiration in a time of need. Step forward, John McGinn.

The Scotland international has been a key man for the Midlands outfit for several years, since joining the club from Hibernian back in the Championship in 2018.

His energy, tenacity and ability to go from box to box effectively were especially useful in the club’s first two seasons in the Premier League. But under Gerrard, McGinn has become extra important in midfield as the man to inspire his teammates and the fans of the club.

While he doesn’t have the silky footwork or flash that Grealish possesses, he is the new leader on the pitch. Rather than leading the pack in an offensive way by dazzling against defenders, it’s the 27-year-old who sets the tempo in midfield with his forward passing and smash-mouth style. His enthusiasm and determination is contagious amongst the team and gets the fans on their feet, something Gerrard has been keen to do in his opening games as manager.

McGinn is the new inspiration in the Villa team, but more so because he leads by example rather than carrying the team on his back. He is the epitome of a Gerrard midfielder – powerful, strong, determined, technically sound and with room for improvement.

With five goal involvements this term and a key pass rate of 1.5 per match, he can certainly live up to Grealish’s creativity if afforded more of a free role in the side.

Gerrard labelled him as “terrific” after the win over Leicester at the weekend and the performances have seen the £27m-rated man linked with a potential move to Manchester United. Watching him, it’s not a surprise at all; he could just be their new Grealish.

AND in other news, Douglas Luiz is thriving in his new role under Steven Gerrard.

The Umpire Decision Review System can’t win this week

Brydon Coverdale at the Basin Reserve23-Mar-2010The Umpire Decision Review System can’t win this week. It’s not being used in Dhaka, which has angered Bangladesh’s captain, while in Wellington the New Zealanders have been unhappy with what they believed was inconsistent application of the technology in their loss to Australia.The problems began when New Zealand’s first innings ended with the caught-behind of Tim Southee, who swung wildly at Mitchell Johnson and immediately appealed the umpire’s out decision. The replays showed no indication that Southee had hit the ball, but nor was there any hard evidence that he had missed it, and the upholding of the decision prompted Daniel Vettori to visit the match referee Javagal Srinath soon afterwards.”I don’t want it to be seen as sour grapes, because it wasn’t the reason we lost the game, but it has been a tough week for technology,” Vettori said after the match. “The caught behind of Tim Southee, I just needed some clarification. I thought there was clear daylight between bat and ball and wondered why the decision was given.”Srinath told me that unless there’s absolutely conclusive evidence to say that it’s not out they’ll go with the on-field umpires’ decision. We had a discussion around that. It’s your take on what’s conclusive and what’s not. For us, being on the emotional side of it, we felt that it was conclusive one way. I understand the logic of the umpires, but it makes it difficult to take at times.”The review process was played out on the big screen at the Basin Reserve, which Vettori believes might put extra pressure on the umpires. The UDRS was in the thick of the action again on the fourth day when the extreme wind meant the hi-tech cameras were too unstable to be relied upon, but despite the issues Vettori said he still supported the system.”This is the first time we’ve had a bad run with it in terms of the inconsistency of the decision-making,” he said. “It worked badly for both teams. Yesterday Australia weren’t able to use the referral system because the technology wasn’t ready. So it’s been a tough week and it shows there’s still a lot of work to do. But I think generally I support it.”Ricky Ponting had long and protracted discussions with the umpires while the wind situation was explained to him after Australia appealed for an lbw only to be told the tracking system was unavailable. He said while nothing could be done about the conditions, the communication from the match officials could have been better, although he was mostly only worried about whether he would lose his review for being unsuccessful.”I could understand if it wasn’t working,” Ponting said. “The only thing that disappointed me was that I didn’t know about it, I didn’t know it was off at one end and being used at the other. I’d spoken to the referee at lunchtime and he told me it was still working fine but it was going to take a little bit longer to get the information through.”All the discussions I had with the umpires yesterday was about making sure we didn’t lose a review. I didn’t want to lose one if there was no technology to be had. I’m not disappointed at all in the system. They are getting more decisions right and it has to be good for the game.”

As per Sky Sports Germany, Tottenham Hotspur may have been handed a possible boost in the race to sign Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele.

The Lowdown: Tottenham table offer…

According to a recent update in the paper edition of Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), Tottenham and transfer chief Fabio Paratici are well in the race to sign Dembele as his contract at the Camp Nou winds down.

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Currently set to expire in 2022, the Frenchman could leave Barcelona on a free deal in the summer and is free to negotiate pre-contract moves in January.

This has apparently alerted Spurs and Paratici according to the Spanish source, with the club even making an ‘offer’ to his agents as they attempt to sign Dembele for new manager Antonio Conte.

Paratici has allegedly set his sights on bringing in ‘quality players’ for Conte at ‘zero cost’ with Spurs already tabling a proposal to the 24-year-old’s entourage as they attempt to sign him on a free in 2022.

However, as per 90min, Spurs are not the only club interested in signing Dembele with many big names keeping tabs – including Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Paris-Saint Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

The Latest: Bayern ruled out…

As per Sky Germany, Spurs may now have been gifted a boost in the race for Dembele as the reliable broadcaster now rules out one contender.

Indeed, according to their information, Bayern are not interested in signing the £210,000-per-week forward with there being ‘doubters’ at the Allianz Arena after analysing him.

The Verdict: Spurs gifted boost…

The Bundesliga heavyweights being ruled out of the race for Dembele can surely only come as good news for Spurs and Conte as they eye a move for the in-demand winger.

Tottenham’s restricted financial power, as evident by the fact they announced pre-tax losses of £80.2m and club debt rising to £706m recently (The Guardian), means they will need all the assistance they can get in the transfer market with European heavyweights like Bayern providing major competition.

However, as they hold no interest according to Sky, it appears Paratici and co won’t have to be concerned about them posing a January threat in a possible boost for Spurs.

In other news: Spurs in pole position to sign ‘perfect’ player for Conte after price tag drops by nearly half, find out more here.

Dewald Nel, Scotland’s fast-medium opening bowler, has joined Kent on a two-year contract

Cricinfo staff29-Mar-2010Dewald Nel, Scotland’s fast-medium opening bowler, has joined Kent on a two-year contract. Nel, 29, has previous county experience with Worcestershire, and had been on Kent’s radar after an impressive performance in a recent trial.”We are delighted to sign a bowler of Dewald’s quality and experience,” said Paul Farbrace, Kent’s team director. “He is a credit to Cricket Scotland and the current coaching set up. I am looking forward to him making a telling contribution with us at Kent. I am also excited by the close link between our coaching staff and the Scottish staff. This could really be to the benefit of all concerned.”Nel, who moved to Scotland from South Africa as a teenager, made his first-class and list A debuts in 2004, and after a slow start to his international career has played in 18 one-day internationals, 10 Twenty20 internationals and 14 first-class games, with steady results. He is currently one of six players contracted full-time with Scotland, along with Majid Haq, Gordon Goudie, Kyle Coetzer, Calum MacLeod and, most recently, Richie Berrington.”While we are disappointed to lose Dewald for the majority of our summer programme, we are pleased that he has earned a second chance to play county cricket,” said Scotland head coach Pete Steindl. “Dee has worked hard since becoming one of our first full time contracted players and we are pleased this has paid off for him.”We have been impressed at the open and honest way Paul Farbrace and Kent have approached this deal and we now hope to build a mutually beneficial relationship, which will help Dewald become a major player for Kent and Scotland.”Kent’s bowling stocks had been depleted by the loss of Ryan McLaren and Martin Saggers at the end of last year’s season, and a potential deal with Stuart Clark, the Australian seamer, was scuppered by doubts over the bowler’s fitness.

Clement Lenglet is one of Tottenham Hotspur’s targets this January, according to emerging reports in Spain…

What’s the word?

Journalist Gerard Moreno revealed to his Twitch.tv channel earlier this week that Spurs are set to revisit their interest in the Barcelona centre-back next month and that Antonio Conte “wants” to sign him.

“Tottenham back to the charge for Lenglet in the winter market. The player did not want to go to England in the summer and rejected the Spurs offer,” he added.

It remains to be seen how much the Frenchman would command, especially halfway through the season, though CIES Football Observatory currently value him at around €50m (£45m).

Sign him up?

At just 26, with experience on the biggest stage, Lenglet could be quite the perfect signing for Conte at Spurs.

Not only does he have 15 caps for France to his name but he has also racked up nearly 200 appearances across the Spanish top-flight and the Champions League, also winning the LaLiga title back in 2018/19.

Last term, he proved to be an excellent ball-playing defender as he registered a 92.1% passing accuracy from an average of 69.2 attempts per outing, something that will have undoubtedly caught Conte’s eye as he looks for that third centre-back for his system in north London.

He’d be getting a solid option alongside an aggressive tackler in Cristian Romero, so he could look to partner him as a ‘quarter-back’, next to a similar player in Eric Dier.

Furthermore, he averaged 1.8 aerial duels won and 1.1 tackles per game, too.

Speaking about Lenglet’s qualities in 2019, France boss Didier Deschamps claimed: “He’s a top player. He’s got good technique, and despite his size, he’s not bothered by individual duels. He’s a player who’s improving every day.”

With Conte in desperate need to find another defensive option, it would make sense to launch a move for the 6 foot 1 colossus. After Dier’s recent resurgence in form, just imagine the pair at the back for the Lilywhites heading into the second half of the season.

Lenglet could be exactly what the Italian needs to fire the north Londoners back into the top four.

AND in other news, Talks planned: Spurs source drops major January transfer update, fans will be buzzing…

Brett Lee’s hopes of making an international comeback have been dashed by a muscle strain in his right forearm that will force him out of the ICC World Twenty20

Cricinfo staff28-Apr-2010Brett Lee’s hopes of making an international comeback have been dashed by a muscle strain in his right forearm that will force him out of the ICC World Twenty20. Lee suffered the problem during Australia’s one-run warm-up loss to Zimbabwe and the team has requested a replacement player, likely to be either Doug Bollinger or Ryan Harris.The injury is a major blow for Lee, who has not played for his country since October and was making his return from elbow surgery. Lee felt pain after taking 1 for 13 in four overs and later had MRI scans, and a team spokesman said the strain was unrelated to his elbow trouble.”It’s a muscle strain,” the team spokesman told AAP. “We have gone to the ICC Technical Committee to ask for a replacement player.”The latest problem will raise further questions over the future of Lee, 33, who retired from Tests in February but wanted to remain a key Twenty20 and one-day player. A broken thumb curtailed his IPL season and although he retained his Cricket Australia contract, his ongoing injury worries must be a concern for the team management.Australia play their second warm-up game against the Windward Islands on Thursday before their opening match of the tournament proper against Pakistan on Sunday. Bollinger and Harris are the front-runners to replace Lee, having both had strong summers in the shorter formats.

A number of Manchester United supporters are unhappy at a transfer rumour claiming that Marcus Rashford could potentially join Barcelona.

The 24-year-old has already enjoyed a hugely successful career at Old Trafford, scoring 91 goals in 283 appearances for the Red Devils.

Admittedly, Rashford’s season hasn’t quite got going this time around, with only six league starts and three goals in all competitions partly due to injury, but he remains a key figure moving forward, especially given his long-term potential.

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It seems unlikely that United will be planning to sell the England international any time soon, but according to EFE [via Manchester Evening News and Man United News on Twitter], Barcelona are ‘confident’ that they could acquire his signature.

Rashford’s current United deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2023 and there is an option to extend that by a further year.

Man United fans react to Rashford claim

These United fans have taken to Twitter to laugh off the rumours of the £180,000-per-week striker moving to financially-stricken Barcelona.

“Why would Rashford go to Spain?”

Credit: @randomdisgust

“Martial is leaving, Cavani might leave too, Ronaldo is nearing retirement, Greenwood also wanna leave… We sell Rashy and we are dead”

Credit: @ndamu_mufc

“Next joke please”

Credit: @pombs5

“This dude is going nowhere”

Credit: @isongsmith

“They can’t even pay salaries”

Credit: @football__guru

“Sign him on FIFA? Or Football Manager? Because it def isn’t in real life”

Credit: @DiiPo

In other news, some United fans are happy with another exit rumour. Read more here.