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Sunderland boss Alex Neil picked up another win in the third tier over the weekend as his side beat Gillingham 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.

Nathan Broadhead’s diving header in the last minute sealed the three points to keep the Black Cats in the race to land a play-off spot.

They are currently two points behind 5th-placed Sheffield Wednesday in the table as they attempt to land a top-six place between now and the end of the regular season.

If the Black Cats end up in the play-offs and Neil is able to guide them to the Championship this term, Kristjaan Speakman will be facing the daunting prospect of sorting out the club’s striking options heading into next season.

Ross Stewart has been linked with a move to Premier League side Norwich and Nathan Broadhead is set to return to Everton this summer. They have scored 28 goals between them in League One and losing both of them ahead of a campaign in the second tier would be a disaster, especially if they fail to bring in a player of the requisite quality to replace them.

One striker they have been credited with an interest in is 18-year-old Guiseley forward Josh Stones. The youngster has caught the eye this season with his goals at youth level and Sunderland are one of the clubs keen on a deal for him.

However, Football Insider recently reported that Wigan have agreed terms with the striker ahead of a summer switch to the DW Stadium. This means that, as it stands, Speakman is set to miss out on a deal for the teen as Wigan have swooped in ahead of them.

Stones has scored nine goals in his last five youth games for Guiseley, whilst he recently scored a hat-trick at youth level for England’s schoolboys team against Scotland. This means that he has found the back of the net 12 times in his last six matches in development football, which highlights his incredible potential as a player.

Therefore, missing out on a deal for him would be a big disaster for Speakman. Not only would it be to a League One rival, but it could also be at the same time they lose both Stewart and Broadhead – leaving Neil’s squad threadbare at the top end of the pitch.

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The Stadium of Light supremo must do everything in his power to convince the 18-year-old phenomenon to turn Wigan down and sign a contract with Sunderland. His statistics at youth level suggest that he would be an excellent addition to the club’s ranks and they cannot allow their rivals to snap him up ahead of them.

AND in other news, SAFC made huge £600k blunder over “outstanding” machine who aged like “fine wine”…

“What you are saying about pressure, I am hearing this for the first time.”Mehedi Hasan, the Bangladesh Under-19 captain, had a straight face while saying this, but quickly broke into a giggle. Either he hid the sarcasm of the comment well or cloistered himself from social and mainstream media over the last few weeks.The moment, though, captured the unusual pressure and expectations on Bangladesh for an age-level tournament. Bangladesh may be buoyed by home advantage, but the fans expect the team to go past the quarter-finals at least.Bangladesh’s training session on the eve of their opening match against South Africa bubbled with energy and excitement. In between the serious stints of batting and bowling, they played around with attempts to take boundary-line catches. They even involved their team consultant Stuart Law in their horseplay. The players were admonished by their head coach Mizanur Rahman a couple of times, but it was all in good fun.The Under-19 World Cup is essentially a springboard for players to make it to the biggest level. While Bangladesh are keen to express themselves through their well-trained skills, they also face the challenge of dealing with heightened expectations.Mehedi has expressed happiness at people considering Bangladesh as contenders and hoped to “fulfil the expectations.””I like the fact that everyone thinks we can reach a good position,” Mehedi said. “Everyone is expecting that we will be on top, and beat the big nations. We know our standard, so we will try to fulfil the expectations. We just have to play our normal game. The team is very excited because we have prepared for this tournament. The real test starts tomorrow. If we can do well tomorrow, our hard work will be rewarded.”Mizanur, though, played down the pressure and expectations, and reckoned that Bangladesh’s record against South Africa held them in good stead for the tournament opener. Bangladesh had defeated South Africa 11 times out of 14 attempts in Youth ODIs in 2015.”There is no pressure around us,” Mizanur said. “We have been working towards this tournament for the last 18 months. We just don’t want the players to lose focus now.”We know everything about them. Our bowlers will know where to bowl to their batsmen. We hardly knew anything about England apart from the general information. So playing against South Africa will be easier. We beat them 5-2 in their conditions and 6-1 at home. We will be ahead in terms of mentality and preparations.”South Africa captain Tony de Zorzi, meanwhile, has said that his team is in a “good space.” The defending champions have also roped in former India batsman Sridharan Sriram as a batting consultant to counter spin. Sriram, who had served as a coaching consultant with the Australia A team, will work with the senior team in the upcoming World T20 in India.”We are very comfortable,” Zorzi said. “We are in a good space as a team and quite confident. They [Bangladesh] are a very talented side, as are we. They have to play well to beat us and I think they know that.”We have played couple of warm-up games and we have [former India batsman] Sriram helping us as batting consultant against spin. Lot of the guys have adapted to the conditions having played here before. There’s no fear of playing spin.”Five members of the Bangladesh team, including Mehedi, had played in the 2014 World Cup in the UAE, but this is set to be a different challenge and experience.

After being part of a successful period for Australian cricket, John Buchanan now says it is time to even up world cricket © Getty Images

John Buchanan believes the ICC should consider turning world cricket into a franchise-based system where players could choose which country to represent, in an effort to make the game more competitive. Buchanan spent eight years as Australia’s coach, finishing after the World Cup in April, and he thinks Australia’s dominance is hurting international cricket.”This equality debate keeps bubbling to the surface and means that there is a serious issue there,” Buchanan told the . “I think it mightn’t be a bad thing if the ICC looked at some rule relaxations, which might allow a more even distribution of players around the world.”Most young cricketers in Australia grow up wanting to play for Australia, but I’m sure there would be quite a few who, when they get to about 25 or 26 and realise they probably won’t get a chance to wear the baggy green, would still be happy to play international cricket anywhere. The problem at the moment is that there is a long qualification period and, by the time that’s up, the player and the other country probably lose interest.”Buchanan said the ICC’s current rules were too strict, with players needing to spend at least 183 days a year for four consecutive years in their new country before qualifying to play a Test. However, he believes turning Test nations into franchises could lead to a greater flow of players between countries, and a more competitive international scene.”Countries should look to recruit young players from Australia, and places like India, to increase their depths of talent,” Buchanan said in the . “Those players would enhance the domestic competition and, hopefully, go on to play Test cricket for the country they move to. We don’t want cricket to become like a horse race when the favourite wins all the time. No-one will want to watch.”Barry Richards, the former South Africa batsman, agreed that there was a serious problem with Australia’s dominance – Ricky Ponting’s team won their 13th consecutive Test when they beat Sri Lanka at the Gabba on Monday and Australia have not lost a World Cup match since 1999. “Australia plays international cricket, the rest just play cricket,” Richards said.”I have lost interest in it because I know the result before they start playing. Until you get strength against strength, nothing is going to happen. In England, they have 18 counties and they call it first-class cricket and it’s absolutely useless.”Buchanan’s replacement as Australia’s coach, Tim Nielsen, told the the franchise plan was not the answer and other nations needed to keep striving to catch Australia. “We’ve got to keep trying to raise the bar,” he said, “because, as always, we are the ones being chased and people are looking to what we are doing and trying to replicate it.”

Already 2-0 down in the series, England desperately need a win in the third Ashes Test at Perth to ensure the series remains competitive. The numbers, though, aren’t very encouraging for an England supporter. Cricinfo lists some of the significant stats from Perth.

The pace and bounce of the Perth pitch has been just perfect for Adam Gilchrist’s swashbuckling strokeplay © Getty Images

11 – The number of Tests Australia have won at Perth since 1990. Of the 16 Tests during that period, they have lost just twice – to West Indies in 1993 and 1997.60% – The loss percentage for England in Tests at Perth, which is theworst for them among all overseas venue in which they’ve played at least fiveTests. In ten matches, they’ve lost six, with just one win and threedraws.2 – The number of wins for the team that won the toss and chose to bat first at the WACA since 1990; of the 11 Tests in which a team has done that, seven have been lost and two drawn.49.55 – The average runs per wicket for spinners in Tests at Perth since1990. Slow bowlers have only taken 67 wickets in this period, compared to395 by the fast bowlers at 30.76.18.62 – The average opening stand between Matthew Hayden and Justin Langerhere. In eight Test innings at Perth, the pair have only added 149, with ahighest stand of 43. Over their entire career, Hayden and Langer average52.22 per partnership.61.57 – Adam Gilchrist’s Test average at the WACA, where he also has a strike-rate of 88.68. In ten innings, Gilchrist has scored one century and three fifties.37.28 – Shane Warne’s bowling average at Perth, which is his least successful venue in Australia. In 11 Tests at this venue, Warne has taken just 32 wickets at a strike-rate of 80.1.48 – The number of wickets for Glenn McGrath in his 11 Tests here. They have cost him 23.81 apiece, which is slightly more expensive than his career average of 21.61, and he only has one five-for here.44 – The strike rate for Brett Lee at Perth. In five Tests he has 30 wickets, at an average of 25.46, which is significantly better than his career average of 32.21. Two of his seven five-fors in Tests have come at this venue.168 – Steve Harmison’s strike-rate in his only Test at the WACA in which he took 1 for 86 off 28 overs. No other England bowler in the current squad has played a Test here before.

Billy Bowden may soon have some more colleagues on the elite panel © Getty Images

The ICC has said that the number of umpires on the elite panel will be increased from seven to nine or ten.”Next year when we sit down to make appointments we’ll increase the number to nine or ten but we want to have the best umpires supervising Tests and one-day internationals,” Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, told . He said that seven umpires officiating ten Tests and 20 ODIs per year constituted a reasonable workload for a professional.”But we’ve to recognise that cricket is the hardest game to umpire. And our aim has been to have the best umpires for the job. We also supplement the elite panel by the international panel which has two representatives from each member country. We’ve 20 to 25 supplementary umpires who from time to time also umpire Tests and one-day internationals.”The elite panel comprises Simon Taufel, Darrel Hair and Daryl Harper from Australia, Aleem Dar from Pakistan, Steve Bucknor from the West Indies, Rudi Koertzen from South Africa and Billy Bowden from New Zealand.

Tim May: representing the players© Getty Images

A possible dispute is looming between Cricket Australia and the country’s top players, with the players demanding to retain a percentage of the game’s revenue, rather than a flat rate.As things stand, the players receive 25% of the board’s total revenue from gate takings, television rights and other promotional activities – it is estimated that will be worth A$28 million this season, of which about $15 million will go to the international players. But Cricket Australia reportedly wants to end the deal and the players are growing uneasy.Ricky Ponting was questioned about the situation ahead of Tuesday’s second one-dayer against New Zealand, and said he was happy to leave the negotiations to the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA). “We have Tim May [the ACA president] and the cricketers’ association in place to deal with those things,” Ponting explained. “He hears the player’s voice and I’m sure he’ll do his best to make sure it doesn’t go back that way [to a flat rate]. Having spoken to him already he’s pretty keen for us to have the 25%.”May described the existing revenue-share arrangement as crucial to the relationship between administrators and players. “We haven’t received a proposal from Cricket Australia in regards to the player payment pool,” May added. “It’s inappropriate to comment about any proposal we haven’t received.”The agreement stems from the days of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket when it was part of the settlement between the rebels and the establishment. If there is a standoff, then it could be as bitter as the 1997 dispute concerning the drive for better conditions for players, which led to threats of strike action.”Current players have been criticised for the finances they’re receiving,” said Matthew Hayden, a member of the ACA executive. “But that’s a near-sighted view because the money attracts people to the game.”The existing deal ends on June 30 next year, and it is understood that preliminary discussions have already started. “We won’t be detailing our discussions through the media,” said a spokesman for the board. “We’ll be holding our discussions face-to-face with May and his team.”

Kaushal Lokuarachchi has been suspended from all forms of cricket pending a disciplinary inquiry, following his involvement in a car crash that killed a woman and injured her son, in the district of Gampaha in the early hours of Saturday morning. If found guilty of bringing the national team into disrepute, he could be banned from playing for Sri Lanka for as long as three years.Lokuarachchi, a newcomer to the Sri Lankan team, was at the wheel of a car borrowed from another player – without a valid driving licence – and was returning home from a late-night party when the accident occurred. Since being arrested, Lokuarachchi has been released on a bail of 57,500 Sri Lankan Rupees (approximately US$ 580).According to the police, Lokuarachchi had suffered only minor injuries thanks to the activation of an airbag in the car. He was not believed to have been under the influence of alcohol.

Canterbury set Wellington a target only three other teams have achieved in domestic cricket history in New Zealand when leaving them 410 to score to win their State Championship match at Rangiora tomorrow.Wellington were 71/1 at stumps, still 339 from their goal.Canterbury and Wellington have played some fantastic cricket matches over the years, and if Wellington can get up, or even close, another thriller may be on the cards.Given the batting collapses both teams have suffered at various stages of the game it would be a minor miracle if it was that close at the end.The only previous successful chases ahead of what Wellington require in the record books are: 475 by Wellington in 1994/95, 473 by Canterbury in 1930/31 and 453 by Northern Districts in 1995/96.Wellington’s batsmen will have their mettle tested fully by a Canterbury attack which offers all the bowling possible from the right-handed side of the bowling spectrum.Canterbury declared at 288/6 today after the provision of an example of the batting riches contained in the pitch for those prepared to build an innings in the manner achieved by Chris Harris 117 not out and Aaron Redmond 101 during their record Canterbury sixth wicket stand against all comers of 209 runs. The stand was the third-best stand for the wicket among inter-association teams.For Redmond it was a maiden first-class century that was richly earned and which followed five previous half centuries and a highest score of 92 which was achieved playing for New Zealand A against Sussex last year.Harris was outstanding. The whole exercise was a mere continuation of the batting paradise Rangiora has become for him. In matches on Dudley Park his scores now read: 14, 0, 29, 251 not out, 33, 13, 46, 79, 70, 117 not out.His total is 652 runs in seven matches for an average of 81.50.It is a fine record and his batting today bore all the hallmarks of the experience he has accrued on the first-class scene. By comparison with his first innings which had four sixes for his first four boundary shots, he was much more subdued today, hitting 11 fours and a six.Sitting on two overnight, he rebuilt his innings sensibly, especially after losing skipper Gary Stead when the score was 59. At one stage Redmond was threatening to outscore Harris but the arrival of off-spinner Jeetan Patel eased the pressure the medium pacers had been exerting.Harris cashed in and posted his 50 off 85 balls in 120 minutes while the 100 partnership came up with a lovely Harris off drive to the boundary from Matthew Walker’s bowling. It took 123 minutes and 193 balls.Redmond scored his 50 in 129 minutes off 108 balls. The only chance either gave was when Harris was on 65 and offered a chance back to bowler Patel which he wasn’t able to hold as he dived to his right.The second new ball slowed proceedings down, but only briefly as the pair carried on with Harris reaching his century in 248 minutes off 187 balls with 11 fours and a six and when Redmond cover drove a ball from Walker for four to go to 98 and placed the next ball backwards of square for two, he scored his century in 233 minutes off 177 balls.At the same time he brought up the 200 stand off 360 balls.As has happened so often in this game, a break in play produced a wicket and it was Redmond’s misfortune to be bowled by Ash Turner for 101 straight after the tea break.That gave Wellington its solitary delight from the day as Turner achieved the notable milestone of a five wicket bag, at a cost of 66 runs, on debut.Wellington lost Phil Chandler for 11 with the score on 16, but a solid recovery was made by skipper Richard Jones and Selwyn Blackmore, who scored 40 and 16 respectively, knowing that they must get Wellington through the first hour tomorrow, while also getting the score over the psychological barrier of less than 300 to get as quickly as possible.It has turned into an intriguing contest with the prospect of two Canterbury spin bowlers in off-spinner Paul Wiseman and leg-spinner Redmond looking to carry their side home to a rare victory in recent times.

The match played at Hyderabad, a commercial cum industrial centre of the province of Sindh was a one sided affair. Pakistan having won all its matches was rather too strong for Bahrain who had lost all with zero points on the table.Having won the toss and electing to bat, Bahrain was all out for 87 in 34.3 overs. They lost the first wicket at 7 and then kept losing them at regular intervals. Opener Haroon Naseer (15) Roshan Cherian Alex (10) Anand Mahendra (11) and Asif Siddique 12 not out were the batsmen who reached double figure. Mr. EXTRAS (24) was the highest contributor of runs.There were four ducks as against only 3 hits to the boundary. The batsmen were not able to face Munir Ansari who wrecked the team clinching 4 wickets for 9 runs. Altaf Hussain and Zaheer Maqsood claimed 2 wickets each.Pakistan inningsThe inevitable happened when Pakistan defeated Bahrain by 9 wickets in 13.5 overs only. Facing an easy target of 88 runs against the bowling as soft as cream and butter, Pakistan had no problem in brushing aside the babes from Bahrain.Suleman Butt and Khalid Latif opened the innings. While Suleman Butt (5) was out at the score of 14; Khalid Latif and Khurram Ibrahim joined hands in spanking the bowlers. In his 48 not out scored in 39 balls, Khalid smashed 9 fours, the highest number of boundaries hit by a batsman in a match in this tournament. Khurram provided his partner admirable support by remaining not out with 21 scored in 31 balls, with 2 fours. They ended the innings at 89 for 1.With a prolific victory over Bahrain by 9 wickets, Pakistan emerges as the leader of Group “A” and cruises into the semi finals. With this defeat Bahrain ends up without a point in this tournament.

ScorecardFile photo- Jatinder Singh top-scored for Oman on the second consecutive day with a 48-ball 40•ICC

Oman completed their second upset win in as many days with a convincing 40-run win against Afghanistan on the back of a strong bowling performance. Oman are currently placed second in Group B after three straight wins, behind Afghanistan who have played an extra game.Oman lost Zeeshan Maqsood of the second ball after being put in to bat, but Zeeshan Ahmed and Jatinder Singh, who hit an unbeaten 65 in Oman’s six-wicket win against Netherlands, consolidated with a 49-run stand. Oman’s batsmen continued to form steady partnerships before Jatinder was bowled by Mohammad Nabi for 40 in the 17th over. However, 35 runs were scored of the last four overs as Oman finished with a competitive 144 for 7. Nabi was Afghanistan’s best bowler and picked up figures of 3 for 28.The Afghanistan openers, Mohammad Shahzad and Javed Ahmadi, started slowly before Shahzad was dismissed for 28. Afghanistan were on course at 61 for 1 in the 10th over but Mehran Khan and Maqsood tore into the middle-order with four-wicket hauls. Wickets fell in clumps and the required run-rate kept climbing to make the chase exponentially harder. Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for 104 by the 18th over.