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Thailand may be a cricketing backwater, but the game these has a decent foothold and it also attracts touring sides to the prestigious Chaing Mai Sixes.However, the national board continues to attract much criticism and that is now spilling over into the country’s main competition, the Bangkok Cricket League, which is due to start its new season this month.The problem comes as a direct result of battles for control of the Cricket Association of Thailand. Elections last year were overturned by those in power and, in a bid to consolidate their position, they sought to outlaw the established league and set up a rival – and supportive – one of their own. They also blocked the BCL from using established grounds, in effect attempting to leave it with nowhere to play.Despite threats, including suggestions that anyone playing in the BCL would be ineligible for the national team, there seemed to have been lukewarm support for the CAT-authorised version. Sources claim that 16 sides wanted to take part in the BCL while only four – three of which have close links to senior board officials – wanted to play in the CAT version.Faced with such overwhelming opposition the CAT has now compromised and it seems likely that there will be one competition. But now the teams must accept that offer and it remains to be seen if they are willing to get into bed with the CAT given the strong feeling against the way its committee appears to have brushed aside democratic elections.One source told Cricinfo: “They fail to see the real reason why people are angry … the failure of the democratic process which came to head last November. The people voted but their votes meant nothing.”

Mickey Arthur, the South Africa coach, says Graeme Smith is ready to return from his injury © Cricinfo Ltd

Mickey Arthur, the South Africa coach, refused to show any concerns over South Africa’s performance after his side were easily beaten by the Titans on Sunday.”We have played four matches in seven days and the guys may have been a bitwary out in the field”, he said after spending a long time with the squad atthe end of play. “We started out with certain plans in mind before thesefive matches and they are very much coming together. The goals that we haveset before leaving for India have been achieved and I am not concerned withthe outcome today. It was a lot easier for [the Titans] to bemotivated for today than what we were, and they played well. This win willmean a lot to them”.Arthur also dismissed concerns about the little niggling injuries affecting the squad.”Graeme Smith is just about 100% fit and he could have batted today, butwe decided to give him as much rest as possible,” he said. “He will play in thefirst warm-up match in India. Herschelle Gibbs is almost fit as well andhe may play this weekend in the opening domestic matches. The same goes forCharl Langeveldt who was replaced by Andre Nel for today. Loots Bosman could not field as he has an injured shoulder and Andrew (Hall) was not feeling well so wedid not use him in the death overs.”The South African fourth seamer seems to have been a problem in the past fewmatches but again Arthur is not concerned. “We have selection options thatare open to us as we are lucky to have players that can be used in variouscombinations. Robin Petersen has improved in every match and bowled welltoday. We have got him bowling a bit quicker and keeping it wicket-to-wicket”.Arthur however agrees that the only concern is the South African over-rate.”We keep a close eye on it and are in constant contact with thethird umpire,” he said. “We are still cutting it a bit close and I would hate to losethe captain in a match ban for something like this. Graeme already has a ICCwarning hanging over his head. We talk a lot about it, we keep tabs on it,but we still seem to be pushing the limits”.With the one-day domestic season starting this weekend, Arthur hasreleased those who are fit enough to play for some additional match practise beforeflying out to India in two weeks time.

Mohammad Ali, a left-arm fast-medium bowler from Pakistan, has signed for Middlesex. Ali, 31, formerly of Derbyshire, has taken 264 first-class wickets at an average of 32.60.Middlesex’s coach John Emburey told the BBC: “We have to strengthen up in the seam bowling area and hopefully there will be a couple more signings this winter.”Ali recently qualified for England, and played for Herefordshire in 2005.

Although facing some of the greatest challenges in its history, the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) has been strangely evasive in its public dealings. It took no public position on ProCricket although repeatedly asked to do so, refused to even explain (let alone justify) its team selection procedures of recent months, and turned a deaf ear to all questions about what it was doing and why.The only reliable source of information about USACA is the proverbial grapevine. Typically, some member of USACA’s "inner circle" will anonymously post a sensitive letter, e-mail or memo on a bulletin board, a web site or on the internet. This will be picked up by other equally anonymous folk, and the flurry of e-mails will bring a lot of hitherto unknown facts to light. Then, as the correspondence subsides, all is silence again–until the next leak, or unexpected revelation.This is just what happened over the last two weeks. A series of internal memos between members of the USACA executive and board of directors has surfaced on the internet, and is busily doing the rounds. Taken as a whole, they do not present a pretty picture of the USACA’s inner workings.The current squabble revolves around the selection procedures for the USA team for the 2004 Under-15 tournament in Cayman Islands. The New York region, which has had a running feud with USACA ever since it felt cheated out of USACA’s top offices in 2003 by an alleged conspiracy between the other regions, was the first to protest, claiming that its youngsters had been totally ignored by the selectors. Then, a more serious protest, "quoting chapter and verse", was lodged by the Northwest region–its director posted documentary evidence for five nominations it had made to the USACA selection committee and pointedly asked what criteria, if any, had been used to reject his nominees.This challenge was altogether too much for an ex-president of the USACA, who is widely rumoured to be the "invisible hand" behind US team selections. After congratulating the USA Under-15 team for their performance in the Cayman Islands, he took direct aim at the Northwest director in what amounted to a character assassination–and he made sure that all other USACA directors, and all USACA executives, got the message. This ex-president is widely credited with engineering the coup that knocked the New York region out of all positions of control in the USACA, and putting in place a president, Gladstone Dainty, who had served as his USACA treasurer. His incendiary attack on the Northwest region director set off all kinds of reactions across the US cricket community, and before long the rumor mills–and the web sites– were churning furiously.This exchange of e-mails exposed the ruthlessness that underlies USACA’s docile public face. Any perceived threat to its ways of doing things, and its chiefs go for the jugular, trying to silence its critics by any means necessary. USACA has been especially successful in this activity because of tactit support from the ICC, which refuses to deal with any other entity in US cricket. Whether those days will come to an end now that ICC has established a presence in this country via its Project USA remains to be seen — but few bets are currently being placed on either side.The internet correspondence also provided some juicy tidbits about what has been going on behind the scenes at USACA. It appears that the energetic P. K. Guha, first vice-president of USACA who had openly challenged the president and the USACA board of directors over their lethargy and inaction, resigned rather than wait to be fired by the Board. Guha was the one member of the USACA executive who had been elected as in "independent", i.e. owing nothing to any of the factions that have dominated the USACA for the past five years. His sudden departure can only cast further doubt on USACA’s ability to manage the affairs of US Cricket.The divisions within the USACA board on what to do about ProCricket were also highlighted in the e-mails. Apparently, on the basis of his unedited comments, the ex-USACA president has been leading the charge against ProCricket. The current USACA secretary has argued in favour of leaving ProCricket alone, the current president has refused to take a firm position, and the treasurer has adroitly avoided being put on the spot. With the USACA executive being so hopelessly at odds over as important a challenge as ProCricket, it is easy to see why nothing has been accomplished by USACA in the past few months.Which brings us to the real question. Apart from its politics–what is the USACA doing for US Cricket?The answer would have to be, nothing much; or more accurately, nothing that one knows of. USACA’s five-year plan, written in 2000 at the urging of the ICC, is gathering dust on the shelves with most of its domestic objectives unmet. Its promises to develop junior cricket across the USA, to develop a national umpiring program, to secure better facilities and resources, and to implement a series of initiatives to make cricket more accessible to the US community, have been largely unfulfilled – any successes in these areas have been local or at best regional, with little participation or input from USACA.A perfect example of this do-nothing attitude is provided by some of the incidental e-mails. The next big event on the USACA’s domestic calendar is supposed to be the national Under-19 Championships, which are supposed to take place around mid-August. Someone asked, disarmingly enough, what the USACA was doing about it, since it was only three weeks away. The final answer – from a member of the USACA executive who would undoubtedly wish to remain anonymous – was that he had heard nothing about it, no one had even discussed the event with him, so it was (for all practical purposes) a non-event! Yet there it is, prominently displayed on the USACA web site.It is not clear that the USACA even knows how to proceed on a national basis with such goals. There are no professional marketers or sports managers at the board or executive level in the USACA, and no indication that there will be any in the near future. This is where Project USA, and its new CEO might help–but only if USACA’s leadership is prepared to listen–become more transparent and open in their dealings, and give up on backroom politics as their reason for continuing to exist.

Frizzell County Championship Division One

Ian Ward hits out during Surrey’s chase for quick runs Kent at The Oval

Surrey 245 for 3 v Kent at The Oval
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Report to follow at the close of play.Essex 6 for 2 v Lancashire 218 at Chelmsford
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Report to follow at the close of play.Leicestershire 72 for 1 v Warwickshire 253 at Leicester
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Report to follow at the close of play.Frizzell County Championship Division TwoDerbyshire v Yorkshire 314 for 7 at Derby
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Report to follow at the close of play.Northamptonshire 20 for 3 v Hampshire 125 at Northampton
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Report to follow at the close of play.Somerset 100 for 2 v Gloucestershire 228 at Taunton
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Report to follow at the close of play.Worcestershire 218 v Durham 100 for 8 at Worcester
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Report to follow at the close of play.

The Pakistan cricket selectors had picked an unfit AzharMahmood for the ongoing Sharjah Cup after having bungled upthe case of paceman Mohammad Akram last August.According to insiders in the board, Azhar was struggling wasstomach injury owing to using wrong medication for sidestrain.Sources further said Azhar had skipped PIA’s threesuccessive matches in the Patron’s Trophy after havingplayed in the first game and finished with a match haul of10 wickets.They further said Azhar had taken limited part in thetraining camp, held prior to team’s departure, and alsowatched the one-day practice game between Pakistan XI andRest of Pakistan from the dressing room.Sources said Azhar has been advised a six-week rest and itwas highly unlikely that he would appear in any of theremaining three matches, in case Pakistan reaches the final,in Sharjah.Earlier in August, the selectors had picked paceman MohammadAkram. And if Akram’s explanation is to be believed, he hadadvised the concerned authorities not to consider him forthe matches as he was planning to proceed to England.The selectors would continue to pick unfit players unlessthey don’t visit the stadia. Their lack of interest can bejudged from the fact that the chairman of selectors WasimBari visited the UBL Sports Complex only on Sunday afterhaving missed the entire previous round action and much ofthe ongoing proceedings.While Bari was generous enough to make a courtesy call atthe UBL Sports Complex, his fellow selector Mohsin Khan hasyet to make his presence felt despite being employed at ahandsome Rs 30,000 monthly stipend.Highly placed sources further revealed that the currentPakistan team have at least three players whose selectionwas not supported by the selectors. But instead of pleadingthe cases of the players and convincing the concernedauthorities with their arguments, they kept mum.Imran Nazir, Fazle Akbar and Arshad Khan were in theselectors’ squad but Taufiq Umer, Shoaib Akhtar and ShoaibMalik were picked instead in the side that was named Oct 13.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Pete O’Rourke has made an Erling Haaland claim which he says will excite Manchester City supporters.

The Lowdown: Haaland developments surface…

Over the last week, it has been no secret that Pep Guardiola’s interest in the Borussia Dortmund talisman has seriously accelerated.

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The Daily Mail’s report of a deal already being in place has been swiftly followed by a wave of different rumours, including some from very reliable sources. The Times reported that Dortmund expect Txiki Begiristain and co to seal a deal for Haaland as the Sky Blues sporting director personally holds talks with his representatives.

It is even said that City officials have offered the 21-year-old a salary package which would make him the highest-paid player in the English top flight.

The Latest: O’Rourke makes Haaland claim…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke has claimed that City supporters will be ‘rubbing their hands’ with the ’emerging’ news that the Premier League champions ae in pole position to sign Haaland this summer.

The journalist explained: “Man City fans will be rubbing their hands with glee with the news that they’re emerging as favourites for Haaland.”

The Verdict: Promising development…

Haaland is, by some way, City’s best option to finally add a world-class centre-forward to their ranks, especially going by his age and his phenomenal goalscoring record over the last two seasons.

Since injury worries started to plague club legend Sergio Aguero before his Eastlands goodbye, Guardiola has done well to utilise the array of attacking midfield talent at his disposal in a false-nine system.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

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This formation tweak has yielded phenomenal results on the pitch, with City winning the Premier League and Carabao Cup and reaching their first-ever Champions League final last year. Guardiola’s men are once again in the title mix this season, amid heavy competition from Liverpool.

However, as the club aim to dominate England’s top flight for years to come, signing Haaland would undoubtedly boost City as they reportedly edge nearer to landing one of Europe’s most talked-about stars.

In other news: Man City also emerge as main contenders to sign ‘big name’ player, he really wants to join! Find out more here

Vernon Philander has been ruled out of the Test series against England due to the ankle injury he sustained in India while Dale Steyn is only rated 50-50 for the third Test in Johannesburg but Kyle Abbott has recovered from his hamstring strain.Steyn suffered a shoulder injury in Durban which ruled him out of the New Year Test at Newlands and will now see another specialist for a second opinion ahead of a fitness test when the squad meets up again in Johannesburg on Monday.On Tuesday, Steyn was in good spirits over his fitness when he tweeted: “Start bowling again today. #lekker.” However, it would be no surprise if South Africa took a cautious approach after his recent injury history.Steyn has been injured nine times in the last two-and-a-half years, has sat out four of their last six Tests, and his problems seem to stem from each other. He missed three of the four matches in India after suffering a groin strain in the first Test which ultimately resulted in seven weeks on the sidelines.That lengthy period of time off the field contributed to the shoulder problem, caused from heavy bowling loads in the Durban Test after a period of rest.”Vernon Philander is a no-go for the Test series. He is still very much in his rehab phase,” Mohammad Moosajee, the South Africa team manager, said. “Kyle Abbott has made a full recovery from his hamstring strain and he will be ready for the Johannesburg Test.”Dale Steyn is pretty much 50-50. He has got another appointment with a shoulder specialist in Cape Town tomorrow for another opinion and will be reassessed when we regroup in Johannesburg on Monday.”The full squad for the final two Tests will be named on Friday with the main debate surrounding a potential replacement opener for Stiaan van Zyl. Stephen Cook would be the favourite if a player from outside the current squad was called in.South Africa’s performance at Newlands, where they made England nervous on the final day, has eased some of their other form concerns around the top order. Hashim Amla, who has stepped down as captain, made 201 while Faf du Plessis made a battling 86. Most significantly, though, was the century for Temba Bavuma which has secured his long-term spot in the middle order.

Simon Jones: three counties want him … but at what cost? © Getty Images

It has emerged that Worcestershire have joined the list of counties looking to sign Glamorgan’s injury-hit fast bowler Simon Jones.Jones, whose contract expires at the end of the month, has already been linked with a move to Hampshire and has held preliminary discussions with them. Glamorgan are also keen to keep him.However, Steve Rhodes, Worcestershire’s director of cricket, revealed that he had met with Jones as well. “We were given permission to speak to Simon and that is what we have done,” he told the Press Association. “We are interested in him and we wouldn’t have spoken to him if we weren’t.””Simon met with Steve on Sunday,” Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton said. “It was an exploratory meeting and I believe it was very positive. But we have not offered Simon anything yet. We are expecting some feedback from him shortly and then we will move on from there.”It is no secret that we need quality seam bowlers and Simon is certainly one of those. But his medical history will mean that there must be an air of caution.”Jones has played little cricket since his Ashes-wining exploits in 2005. In two seasons he has managed only five Championship appearances in which he has taken two wickets at 193.00. He has continued to be dogged by knee and calf injuries and when he has played, he has not come close to being able to bowl flat out.The other factor is that Jones is no longer on an ECB central contract and so any county signing him would have to be prepared to pay all his salary, and he won’t come cheap despite his fitness record.

We all thought we must have seen it all when Michael Thomas last gasp winner secured the title for Arsenal back in 1989; however scenes at the Etihad Stadium have simply gazumped that as two goals in injury time saw Manchester City take the points with a 3-2 win that sees them land their first Premier League title, in what will be arguably the first of many for the Citizens.

It was simply a dramatic afternoon and even before the 4th official put his board up to show 5 minutes of injury time it appeared they had handed their great rivals a 20th League title, as City appeared to have run out of huff and puff after 90mins of being camped pretty much in Queens Park Rangers’ half. Manchester United thought they had won it as the seconds were running out at the Stadium of Light and the players were all on the pitch waiting, until news filtered through from the Etihad of Sergio Aguero’s last gasp strike.

Roberto Mancini, the players and the fans were clearly emotional at the final whistle and rightly so after a gruelling 38 games that has seen them lift the trophy on what has proved to be goal difference. Sir Alex Ferguson was very gracious at the end of United’s game against Sunderland and wanted to offer his congratulations to their great rivals on their title success. Mancini felt that the best team in England had deservedly won the Premier League this year and believes that there will be one hell of a party in the Blue side of Manchester tonight.

How are Manchester City fans feeling at this moment – HAVE YOUR SAY!