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During the first encounter of the recently concluded five-match one-day series between India and Zimbabwe at Faridabad, Douglas Marillier scored the fastest fifty for Zimbabwe in ODI’s off just 21 balls with the help of nine fours and one six

Mohammad Ramis Shah24-Apr-2002During the first encounter of the recently concluded five-match one-day series between India and Zimbabwe at Faridabad, Douglas Marillier scored the fastest fifty for Zimbabwe in ODI’s off just 21 balls with the help of nine fours and one six.Marillier’s fifty was the fifth fastest in LOI’s. He joins two other batsmen (New Zealand’s Lance Cairns and India’s Ajit Agarkar) who have also achieved it in 21 balls. The record of fastest half century in one day internationals is held by Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya who reached his fifty off 17 balls during his 76-run knock against Pakistan at Singapore on April 7,1996.Marillier’s fifty was also the quickest against India, bettering the 23 ball fifty by Pakistani Salim Malik during his unbeaten 72 at Calcutta on 18-2-1987.Marillier also became the first batsman in ODI history to register a fifty while batting at number ten. The previous highest score was the 46 by Pakistani Abdul Razzaq against South Africa at Durban on 3-4-1998. The previous highest score by a Zimbabwean in this position was the unbeaten 19 by Eddo Brandes against Sri Lanka at Worcester on 22-5-1999. Interestingly, the previous highest score by a number 10 against India was also by a Zimbabwe batsman – 29 by Andy Whittall at Bulawayo on 26-9-1998.

For interest here are the details:

Fastest fifties in LOI'sBalls Batsman (score)     Fixture   Venue         Date17    ST Jayasuriya (76)  SL v Pak  Singapore     07-04-199618    SP O'Donnell (74)   Aus v SL  Sharjah       02-05-199018    Shahid Afridi (102) Pak v SL  Nairobi (Gym) 04-10-199619    MV Boucher (51*)    SA v Ken  Cape Town     22-10-200121    BL Cairns (52)      NZ v Aus  Melbourne     13-02-198321    AB Agarkar (67*)    Ind v Zim Rajkot        14-12-200021    D Marillier (56*)   Zim v Ind Faridabad     07-03-200222    Kapil Dev (72)      Ind v WI  Berbice       29-03-198322    V Sehwag (55)       Ind v Ken Paarl         24-10-200123    Salim Malik (72*)   Pak v Ind Calcutta      18-02-198724    Shahid Afridi (73)  Pak v NZ  Sharjah       12-04-200125    Richards (82)       WI v Eng  Port-of-Spain 04-03-198625    RB Richardson (52*) WI v Eng  Kingstown     02-03-199425    ST Jayasuriya (68)  SL v Ind  Colombo (SSC) 23-08-1997All data updated to 29.03.2002

Tottenham Hotspur’s chances of keeping Harry Kane this summer may have just gotten a bit slimmer…

What’s the word?

According to the Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has given his manager Pep Guardiola the green light to pursue a move for the Spurs striker this summer.

The Citizens owner believes that the Premier League champions need to send a strong message in the transfer market and has confirmed that they will be looking at finding a replacement for the departed Sergio Aguero, in which Kane features as a key target.

“This is actually the time to send a strong message that there is no contentment and that we are not just satisfied with just winning the league,” claimed Al Mubarak. “We lose a very important legend in Sergio Aguero, very hard shoes to fill but I am confident we will find the right player to fill those shoes.”

Long summer ahead

Last month, Spurs were rocked with the bombshell that their 27-year-old talisman expressed his desire to leave his boyhood club in the summer as he seeks to add silverware to his goal-laden career, as per Sky Sports.

Lilywhites chairman Daniel Levy has remained firm thus far, with reports suggesting that he is unwilling to sell the England international and that he certainly has no intention of strengthening a Premier League rival.

Although the ball seems to be firmly in Kane’s court as it’s also thought that the had a gentlemen’s agreement with Levy that he would stay to try and win a trophy in Jose Mourinho’s first full season in charge – the Portuguese boss was sacked on the week of the Carabao Cup final.

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Spurs have had their fair share of transfer sagas and Levy has been in this position before. Back in 2011, Luka Modric submitted a transfer request following interest from London rivals Chelsea before signing for Real Madrid a year later.

According to Eurosport’s Dean Jones, Kane likes the idea of playing for Man City, though not even £150m may not be enough to tempt the Spurs chairman.

It’s clear that the North London outfit are going to be in for a long summer of uncertainty, however, this fresh twist does not help Levy’s cause whatsoever and he may well be left absolutely reeling.

City certainly have the financial clout to test his resolve, especially after the 2020/21 campaign saw them clinch their fifth Premier League title, whilst also making their first-ever Champions League final.

A signing of Kane’s calibre could be exactly what Guardiola needs to finally get them over the line in Europe and now he’s been given the green light to sign him, who knows how much the Manchester giants can throw at him?

Kane wants to leave, City are going to pursue him and Guardiola has a war chest of funds available at his disposal. It puts Levy in a tricky spot, even more so when considering that Spurs’ next manager will likely want the prolific marksman at the club next season.

Trying to compete without a player that directly contributed towards 54.4% of your top-flight goals throughout the 2020/21 season is a worrying prospect. He has also hit at least 17 goals in every Premier League campaign since 2014/15, too, as per WhoScored.

This latest development will leave Levy seething, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Levy risks major Spurs disaster with “cheap” Poch alternative who once wowed Guardiola…

A moment of unforgivable thoughtlessness slackened a tightening West Indies stranglehold late on the opening day of the fifth, decisive Cable & Wireless Test yesterday

Tony Cozier19-May-2002A moment of unforgivable thoughtlessness slackened a tightening West Indies stranglehold late on the opening day of the fifth, decisive Cable & Wireless Test yesterday.Wavell Hinds’ wanton stroke that ended an innings of flawless quality and aggression for 113 breathed new life into an Indian team that was then barely registering a heartbeat.Their supposed advantage of bowling first on the well-grassed Sabina Park pitch had long since disappeared at 264 for one as Hinds followed a commanding opening partnership of 111 with his fellow Jamaican left-hander Chris Gayle with another of 135 for the second wicket with the stylish right-hander Ramnaresh Sarwan.All day, the 10 000 or so in the stands had celebrated the powerful strokeplay of the two Jamaicans and the touch of Sarwan.They were prepared for more when, with 22 overs remaining and a fielder pointedly stationed on the long-off boundary three overs earlier, Hinds stepped out to off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and aimed for his third six in the same direction.This time, the ball settled in Wasim Jaffer’s lap ten yards or so short of its intended target.Sabina’s din was transformed into stunned silence. It did not return until fading light brought a premature end with three overs scheduled. By then, Brian Lara and Ramnaresh Sarwan had gone as well and the West Indies were 287 for four.If Hinds did not, everyone knew that he had the Indians at his mercy. For almost five hours, he had not made a single mistake confident drives, sweeps and strokes off his legs accounting for the 14 fours he added to his two sixes.As he trudged back to the pavilion, the remorse etched all over his face revealed that he knew he presented an unearned wicket.On the way in, he passed Lara heading in the opposite direction.This was the right time for the premier West Indies batsman to put an unsatisfactory series average of 30 behind him and to play as only he can. But Lara has been a pale imitation of himself since the four-month lay-off necessitated by his elbow injury in December.Once more, he scratched around, eking out nine unconvincing runs in a half-hour. His dismissal seemed likely any ball and came off his 25th, an edge to the keeper as he felt for one outside off-stump from the left-arm swing bowler Ashish Nehra.When Sarwan was caught at leg-slip from a thin inside-edge onto pad off Harbhajan’s off-break in the next over for 65 his fourth score between 50 and 65 in the series the spring that had been squeezed out of the Indian step from early in the day suddenly reappeared.Had Shiv Sunder Das held on to captain Carl Hooper’s driven catch at extra-cover off Nehra 14 runs later, India’s fightback would have been nearly complete.It could be an expensive error. Hooper, ten at the time, has made the most of his several chances in the series, so that he came into the match with three hundreds and 556 runs in the previous four Tests.He saw out the day at 14. His partner is the left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who has also had three hundreds in the series and with whom he has shared stands of 293 in the first Test, 215 in the third and 186 in the fourth.It requires something similar if the total is to reach the heights of 500 that did not seem far-fetched when Hinds, Gayle and Sarwan were in full flight.As Hinds and Gayle shared the best opening stand of the series, for either side, and Hinds built on it with Sarwan, the Indians became increasingly frayed at the edges and ragged in the field.They seemed clueless as to where their next wicket would come from as captain Sourav Ganguly swung his changes and shifted his fielders. At one point in mid-afternoon, he trundled his unthreatening medium-pace to seven defenders on the off-side.Seduced by the greenery not even the oldest locals could remember covering a Sabina pitch, Ganguly chose to bowl on calling heads and winning the toss for the first time in the series.But the veteran Javagal Srinath and his two young left-arm accomplices, Nehra and Zaheer Khan, sprayed the new ball in all directions except where it was likely to create any damage.Gayle spent 30 balls over his first three runs, carefully assessing the situation and he and Hinds saw out six successive maidens in the first eight overs.Once they were convinced there were no devils in either the pitch or the bowling, they opened their shoulders and put the bat to the loose stuff on offer.By lunch, they had accelerated to 88, Gayle moving from three to 55 at run-a-ball rate, Hinds carrying 32 runs into the interval.On resumption, the cramp that occasionally hobbles Gayle in the middle such as in the second innings of the second Test when he had to retire brought trainer Ronald Rogers onto the field.It is impossible to assess the effect it had on Gayle’s mobility. But he added only 13 on resumption, including two spanking off-side fours off Zaheer, before he steered the same bowler to gully.Gayle’s 68 from 105 balls had 13 fours as the main scoring strokes but it made no difference to the West Indies’ deliberately aggressive approach.Sarwan was quickly out of the blocks with deft leg-glances and wristy off-side strokes, while Hinds intentionally went after Harbhajan, stepping out to twice clout him over unprotected long-off for sixes and through mid-wicket for fours.For variation, he also swept him for a couple of boundaries.He arrived at his 100 at 227 in the 65th over, justifiably rejoicing as he completed the relevant run.He has gone through difficult times since he came into the team as Man Of The Series against Pakistan two years ago and, if the manner of his dismissal was immature, he has batted with distinction on his return, both in Antigua and now here.It was only a pity that his ambitions didn’t extend to a double-century, for it was surely not out of the question.

Colin Miller, the hero of every sporting thirty-something still waitinghopefully by the phone for a call from the national selectors, hasretired from first-class cricket.

AAP02-Jul-2002Colin Miller, the hero of every sporting thirty-something still waitinghopefully by the phone for a call from the national selectors, hasretired from first-class cricket.Miller made his Test cricket debut at the ripe old age of 34 in one ofthe best Australian sides ever.He called it quits four years later when new Victorian coach DavidHookes made it clear there was no place for him in a rebuildingBushrangers side that stumbled through last season.”David and I get on well together, we go back a long way and we had along talk about it,” Miller said.”I was pleased because I knew David would either say yes or no to me onwhether I was going to play or not.”He wouldn’t make me hang around for two or three games a season, whichis what happened to me last year.”Miller started his first-class career as a medium-pacer with Victoriaway back in 1985-86, only a year after Allan Border had replaced atearful Kim Hughes as Australian skipper.Without making much impression on the first-class scene, Miller moved toSouth Australia in 1988-89 and then to Tasmania four years later.The turning point, literally, came when he started dabbling in off-spin.He finally came to the attention of the national selectors when he tooka record 67 Sheffield Shield wickets for Tasmania in 1997-98 with amixture of spin and medium pace.Miller made his Test debut against Pakistan the following season,claiming a wicket with his fifth delivery.”Certainly the last four years exceeded all expectations, from the timeI turned 34 it all changed for me for the better,” said the 38-year-oldMiller.”I had a great time with the Australian team, it’s more than I couldhave expected.”The 18 Tests for Australia, I don’t think I had a bad game.”I know my figures stack up pretty well for what I did – coming in at anolder age I can hold my head pretty high.”Miller claimed 69 Test wickets at an average of 26.15 with his mixtureof off-spin and medium pace and was voted the Australian Test player ofthe year in 2001.He also took 446 first-class wickets at 30.97.But that was only part of the story.Miller’s laid-back attitude was reminiscent of an earlier era, even ifhis constantly changing hair colour was not.Along with the wickets, wins and awards, Miller listed the chance totravel the world as one of his career highlights.He had seven years playing club cricket in England and another two inthe Netherlands.But right now his plans for next summer don’t extend much beyond playingfor Footscray in the Victorian district competition “enjoying a fewlie-ins, catching up with my friends and living a more normallifestyle”.

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as reported by Birmingham Mail.

Having just completed a season-long loan to Fulham, Loftus-Cheek couldn’t help guide the Londoners away from their eventual relegation plight [BBC].

Ever-present within the Cottagers side, the Englishman managed to make 33 appearances in all competitions [Transfermarkt]; netting a solitary goal against Everton in a 3-2 defeat [Soccerbase].

Never fully making his mark at parent club Chelsea, he may be set for the Stamford Bridge exit door. Not looking to temporarily loan him to another club next campaign, the 25-year-old could be set to be jettisoned as the Blues adjust their squad ahead of 2021/22 [Daily Mail].

With Aston Villa supposedly in the running for his signature, loads of Villa diehards have taken to Twitter to scold the links, after Alex McLeish urged the Villains to make a move, via Birmingham Mail.

Villa fans react to Loftus-Cheek news:

“Unfortunately Chelsea’s English fringe players are overpaid and unmotivated and would be a huge risk.(still have Tammy tho)”

Credit: @gary_gjh1970av”Couldn’t even get in the Fulham team, why would he be any different for us?”Credit: @VillaMad3″Naaaa”Credit: @SeanWal03373985″No his is not a position we need to strengthen.”Credit: @BernardKeavy”Anything Alex McLeish has on offer should be a hard no.”Credit: @mattbooher13″Noooooooo”Credit: @Mrb47016877In other news, Tyrone Mings has been crucified by fans as footage emerges.

Speaking to Football Insider, a Tottenham Hotspur source has shared that Ligue 1 giants Paris-Saint Germain are now ‘close’ to securing a full agreement for the transfer of right-back Serge Aurier.

The Lowdown: Aurier and the exit door…

The Ivorian has been the subject of speculation and widely tipped to be one of the names leaving Tottenham this summer.

Indeed, reliable correspondent Alasdair Gold had touted him as one of the favourites for departure – while the player himself then candidly admitting it is time to move on after reaching the ‘end of a cycle’ (L’Equipe).

Tottenham will need to adopt a sell-to-buy policy this summer to fund marquee additions, with Football Insider now bringing a big development on Aurier’s future.

The Latest: PSG now ‘close’ to securing full agreement…

As explained by FI’s ‘Tottenham source’, PSG are now ‘close to securing a full agreement’ for the player and ‘will meet the conditions of sale’.

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It is also claimed that the 28-year-old has agreed personal terms over a return to the French capital with a Tottenham exit ‘edging closer’.

The defender has been in talks with PSG since last month in a move that would see him reunite with former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino at the Parc des Princes.

Indeed, Aurier has apparently accepted the offer of a ‘lucrative’ four-year deal and will leave regardless of any new stance from an incoming Spurs manager.

The Verdict: Time to go…

Aurier enjoyed a brief spell of brilliant form at the start of last campaign, as highlighted by his particularly excellent display during Tottenham’s historic 6-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The 66-cap international ace also started more Premier League games than 2020 summer signing Matt Doherty at right-back (WhoScored), but we believe his time in north London is definitely up.

Given his age (28) and contract situation, Spurs need to cash-in and fund a major summer overhaul – with a new centre-half desperately required in particular.

In other news: Spurs offered chance to sign ‘sensational’ £120,000-per-week powerhouse, find out more here.

Somerset will be looking to make it five one-day victories in a row when they entertain Glamorgan in the first division of the NUL National League at the County Ground tomorrow

Richard Walsh29-Jun-2002Somerset will be looking to make it five one-day victories in a row when they entertain Glamorgan in the first division of the NUL National League at the County Ground tomorrow.It is only a few weeks ago that the Cidermen were being written off by their critics after crashing out of the Benson and Hedges Cup and losing their opening two NUL matches.However in successive limited over matches they have now beaten the Yorkshire Board and Hampshire in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy, beat Leicester Foxes at Bath in the NUL and also put paid to Sri Lanka in an historic victory last week, and have got their one-day game back on track.Glamorgan come to Taunton in the wake of their high scoring defeat at the Oval, when despite scoring over 400 runs they still came off second best.So far this season the Dragons are unbeaten in their three NUL matches, having beaten Durham and Leicestershire, and tied their match against Kent to put them in third place in the table.Somerset at present have six points from their four games and will be looking for four more from this game to help them to climb up the table.Looking ahead to the game Kevin Shine told me: "We are feeling confident going in to tomorrows game. We have got a good one day side, despite the absence of Jamie Cox and Richard Johnson. This is a fabulous opportunity for some of the reserves who have been waiting in the wings to come into the team, and they are quality replacements."The full squad for the game against Glamorgan tomorrow has been named as: Piran Holloway, Matthew Wood, Mike Burns, Peter Bowler, Keith Parsons, Ian Blackwell, Rob Turner, Keith Dutch, Graham Rose, Simon Francis, Matt Bulbeck and Steffan Jones.

Paul Robinson has urged Glasgow Rangers to complete the signing of transfer target Abdou Harroui this summer.

The Lowdown: Gers eye Harroui

The Gers have been linked with a move for the midfielder, who currently plays in the Netherlands for Sparta Rotterdam.

The Ibrox outfit even sent scouts to watch the 23-year-old at the European Under-21 Championship, in which the Dutch reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual champions Germany.

The Latest: Robinson urges Gers to complete signing

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson has urged the 55-time Scottish champions to complete the signing of Harroui. The former Tottenham goalkeeper said:

“On paper, he’s got great stats and his numbers.

“And at that age, he’s the right type of player for what they’re trying to build for the future.

“We’ve seen them sign youngsters, we’ve seen them put the building blocks and the foundations in place.

“It’s not just a short-term project and they’re making sure that Rangers stay where they are for a long time.

“Those types of players will go a long way to help the club sustain their success over a long period of time.”

The Verdict: Get it done

Plans for the Gers’ next campaign are already in full swing. Fashion Sakala has already been signed from Belgian outfit Oostende (rangers.co.uk), and now Ross Wilson and co are looking at a number of other players. Harroui is one of them, and he would appear to be a very attractive signing if they can get a deal over the line.

The central midfielder scored six goals and provided three assists in the Eredivisie last term (Transfermarkt), while he appeared in all but one of his country’s matches at the European Under-21 Championship.

Valued at a cost-effective £3.15m by Transfermarkt, he would not break the bank either. As Robinson has said, this is the kind of signing the Gers should be making.

In other news, Rangers have been urged to sign this 24-year-old ace.

Aravinda de Silva has been named in a new-look Sri Lanka one-day squad forthe three-match one-day series against Bangladesh starting Sunday and theMorocco Cup triangular that follows

CricInfo30-Jul-2002Aravinda de Silva has been named in a new-look Sri Lanka one-day squad forthe three-match one-day series against Bangladesh starting Sunday and theMorocco Cup triangular that follows.The selectors have axed seven players after winning just one game in theNatWest triangular series in England last month, as they look forward to the2003 ICC World Cup next February.The squad was finalised on Tuesday afternoon after a short meeting betweenthe team management and the new three-man selection panel headed by Guy deAlwis.Batsmen Avishka Gunawardene, Naveed Nawaz and Chamara Silva have all beendropped, as has wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwithrana, who had opened thebatting during the early of the NatWest series.Changes have also been made to the bowling attack, with fast bowlers NuwanZoysa and Pramodya Wickramasinghe both being left out.De Silva, 36, vastly experienced having played 275 matches, scoring 8430matches at 35.13, had been determined to win back his place, working hard onhis fitness since returning from England. He last played against New Zealandin February 2001.The veteran right-hander is expected to bat at the pivotal number sixposition, strengthening the middle order. Captain Sanath Jayasuriya andMarvan Atapattu will open the innings with Kumar Sangakkara batting atnumber three.Leg-spinner Upul Chandana, 30, will vie for the problematic all-rounder’sspot at number seven with new medium pacer Hasantha Fernando, 22, whoperformed well with bat and ball for Chilaw Marians in domestic cricket lastseason.Right-arm fast bowler Chamila Gamage, 23, who caught the eye in the secondTest against Bangladesh, and right-armer Pulasthi Gunaratne are both set tomake their ODI debuts as back up to the established trio of Chaminda Vaas,Dilhara Fernando and Buddika Fernando.Muttiah Muralitharan, who made himself unavailable for the NatWest seriesdue to a shoulder injury, returns to the one-day side having recovered fullfitness, meaning that Thilan Samaraweera loses his place.With Morocco expected to assist the fast bowlers, the selectors believe theynow have the basis of their World Cup squad. The one likely inclusion is theintroduction of left-arm fast bowler Ruchira Perera once he has completedhis rehabilitation.The selectors may make changes for the third One-Day International against Bangladesh next Wednesday, including some players not included in this squad.The team are due to leave for Morocco early Friday morning.Full squad:Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, MahelaJaywardene, Russel Arnold, Aravinda de Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, UpulChandana, Hasantha Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Chamila Lakshitha Gamage, DilharaFernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Pulasthi Gunaratne, Charitha Buddika Fernando

The Hampshire Academy need only two points from tomorrow’s visit to Stoneham Lane to clinch the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 championship

Mike Vimpany (as published in Daily Echo)29-Aug-2002The Hampshire Academy need only two points from tomorrow’s visit to Stoneham Lane to clinch the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 championship.But they’ll find relegation-threatened Trojans fired up, ready to make one last ditch attempt to stave off the drop into Division 3."A fortnight ago, we were goners," confessed Trojans skipper Simon Williams. "Since then, we’ve beaten United Services and Lymington – and given ourselves a mathematical chance of staying up."I accept we need a big win tomorrow – but I’ve told the boys they are capable of achieving it."Trojans are certain to be without Tim Osman, who is getting married. "But I’ve persuaded a few of the others to join Tim at the reception, where they can hopefully toast our survival as well."Tony Middleton expects to have a full strength side at his disposal, although quite a number of the Under-19 side will be on the coach bound for Bristol – and the ECB final – immediately after the game.Trojans will, however, need a helping hand from Winchester KS at the Romsey Sports Centre if they are to survive."If Old Tauntonians & Romsey get eight points against them it’s curtains for us – but that’s out of our hands completely," Williams added.The outcome of the Hungerford-Rowledge match could also have impact at the bottom. A 22-point win for Rowledge, currently bottom, would do neither OT’s nor Trojans any good at all.Second-placed Easton & Martyr Worthy entertain Lymington, with Sparsholt visiting United Services.Purbrook, already assured of promotion after last week’s thrilling one-run win at Hursley Park, need ten points from Ventnor’s visit to Purbrook Heath, where South African Willem Prozesky still has his eyes firmly fixed on beating Robin Smith’s all-time league 1,015 run record.He took his season’s tally to 924 after striking a superbly executed century at the Quarters last week and is certain to curb his naturally aggressive instincts as he goes for his fourth hundred of the summer against Ventnor tomorrow.St Cross Symondians, meanwhile, require five points from Havant II’s visit to the Royal Green Jackets Ground to clinch the probably runners-up spot…. and the second promotion place.But Havant are going well, having won their last five matches, with opening pair Simon Greenfield and Jon Owen in particularly good form.In-form Gosport, though, could finish third if they beat off-colour Flamingo.Hursley Park wind up their programme at New Milton, while Redlynch & Hale will be saying their goodbye – after a fleeting excursion into the Premier League – at one-time leaders Alton.