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دخل نادي ليفربول في صراع قوي مع ريال مدريد من أجل حسم صفقة مهمة مع اقتراب الموسم الحالي على نهايته لتدعيم صفوف الفريق الأول لكرة القدم.

يسعى ليفربول وريال مدريد بالإضافة إلى باريس سان جيرمان لتقوية خط الوسط وكان الهدف الأول هو جود بيلينجهام لاعب وسط بوروسيا دورتموند ولكن طلبات الأخير المادية تصعب الصفقة.

يرغب بوروسيا دورتموند الحصول على 150 مليون يورو على الأقل للموافقة على بيع بيلينجهام، وهو ما تراه الأندية الثلاثة صعب المنال في الميركاتو الصيفي المقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كلوب: أرقام محمد صلاح القياسية جنون

وبحسب صحيفة “إندبندنت” البريطانية، غير ليفربول أنظاره نحو هدف ريال مدريد وباريس سان جيرمان الآخر ولاعب نادي نيس ومنتخب فرنسا الشاب، خفرع تورام.

ويرى ليفربول من خلال متابعته لأداء خفرع تورام مع نيس أنه قادر على النجاح في الدوري الإنجليزي بعد التطور البدني والفني الكبير الذي وصل إليه في الدوري الفرنسي.

خفرع تورام ليس الصفقة الوحيدة التي يضعها ليفربول ضمن الحساب في حسمها بالميركاتو الصيفي مع وجود أسماء أخرى مثل ماسون مونت (تشيلسي)، ريان جافرينبيرش (بايرن ميونخ)، أليكسيس ماك أليستر (برايتون)، كونور جالاجر (تشيلسي).

MatériaMais Notícias

Na tarde desta sexta-feira, último dia em que a imprensa teve acesso à Academia de Futebol antes do duelo entre Palmeiras e Ceará, no domingo, no Pacaembu, o técnico Luiz Felipe Scolari teve somente três desfalques no aquecimento no gramado. E todos já estavam previstos.

As únicas ausências foram o lateral-direito Marcos Rocha, que trata lesão na panturrilha direita e só deve voltar a jogar no mês que vem, o meia-atacante Artur, que operou o braço direito no mês passado, e o meia-atacante Vitinho, que defendeu o time sub-20 nessa quinta-feira, em Salvador, na goleada por 4 a 1 sobre o Vitória, pelo jogo de ida da final do Brasileiro da categoria.

A boa notícia é que Borja e Deyverson, que chegaram a desfalcar os treinos no gramado nesta semana, seguem trabalhando normalmente, como já tinha ocorrido nessa quinta-feira. O colombiano era ausência na Academia de Futebol porque estava à disposição de sua seleção, enquanto Deyverson passou alguns dias fazendo apenas exercícios físicos. Ambos estão à disposição para a partida de domingo.

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Como já tem sido costume, os jornalistas puderam acompanhar somente o aquecimento nesta sexta-feira. Entre os que participaram da atividade acompanhada pela imprensa, haviam dois desfalques certos:o zagueiro Gustavo Gómez e o volante Thiago Santos, que receberam o terceiro cartão amarelo e estão suspensos.

O lateral-esquerdo Victor Luis e o volante Felipe Melo voltam a ficar à disposição, já que cumpriram o gancho por acúmulo de amarelos na última rodada. Os dois devem ser titulares, enquanto Edu Dracena, Antônio Carlos e Luan disputam as duas vagas na zaga.

O Palmeiras lidera o Campeonato Brasileiro com 59 pontos, três de vantagem para o segundo colocado Inter, a nove rodadas do fim da competição, e enfrenta o Ceará no Pacaembu porque o Allianz Parque receberá show da cantora colombiana Shakira.

Tudo sobre

Academia de FutebolCearáPalmeirasTreino

Boyd Rankin has admitted feeling guilty about ending his Ireland international career but insisted that he had little option

George Dobell11-Aug-2012

Boyd Rankin has admitted feeling guilty about ending his Ireland international career but insisted that he had little option but to cut down his playing commitments if he was to have any hope of sustaining a career in the game.The door for a return is open, however, with Rankin allowing himself two or three years in which to fulfil his ambition of playing for England before considering a return for Ireland.Rankin, described by Marcus Trescothick as among the best bowlers he faced in 2011, came close to an England call-up during the winter tour of the UAE. With Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan both forced to return home due to injury, the England management were considering sending for Rankin, then on the Lions tour of Sri Lanka, only for injury to scupper his chances.Such episodes have been far from uncommon in Rankin’s career. When fit, the 6ft 7in Irishman has the pace, bounce and hostility to trouble the best but his progress has been hampered by a series of injury setbacks, the latest of which – a stress fracture in the foot – proved to be the catalyst for a review of his obligations.Finally, after much reflection, Rankin came to the conclusion that if he was to fulfil his ambition of playing the game to the highest level, he had to give up an Ireland career that has seen him play 37 ODIs and 12 T20Is and concentrate on representing England in Test cricket.”I’ve been thinking about the decision to retire from Ireland for three months,” Rankin told ESPNcricinfo. “It had just become difficult to play that amount of cricket. The injury I had – an injury that I probably picked up from playing so much cricket – had really set me back. It made it all hit home: I can’t physically keep playing the amount of cricket I’m playing or I’ll end up not playing at all. This decision should prolong my career.”It only takes a glance at Rankin’s record to understand both his potential and his problems. He has an outstanding strike-rate of a wicket every 45.7 deliveries in first-class cricket – a record that places him high among contemporary fast bowlers – but, aged 28, he has been limited to just 51 first-class matches in his career, with injury interrupting his progress at regular intervals.Such were Rankin’s injury problems that he faced the prospect of losing his county deal if he refused to turn his back on Ireland. Warwickshire offered a lucrative three-year contract but only on the condition that Rankin retired from Ireland duty. Several other counties made enquiries into his services, but all of them were similarly concerned by his long-term fitness issues.”There were a few other clubs interested,” Rankin said. “But the first question that kept cropping up was, ‘Are you still going to play for Ireland?’ I think I would have been in the same situation wherever I went. I would have had to retire from Ireland to give England a good shot.”Ireland tried quite hard to keep me. I guess there aren’t too many other fast bowlers available for them, are there? We are on retainers with Ireland but they’re not that much. They tried to increase it, but this decision was not about the money. It was about trying to play cricket to the highest level I can. They weren’t happy, but they understood.”Ideally I would love to play Test cricket for Ireland, but I can’t see them gaining Test status during my playing career and I think everyone understands that any sportsman will want to play the game to the highest level they can.”I do feel a bit guilty. I’ve always loved playing for Ireland – it’s helped me hugely – and I know I’m not helping their cause by doing this. But it got to the stage where I just didn’t feel I could keep playing. Ireland have so much cricket planned for the next couple of years and so do Warwickshire. Something had to give.”Coming so close to the England Test squad in the UAE was another catalyst for Rankin. The frustration of being denied by injury once again brought home to him how important it was that he gave himself the best chance of fulfilling his ambition. So, after much soul-searching and despite the attempts of his Warwickshire and Ireland team-mate William Porterfield to persuade him to continue, Rankin concluded that the logical thing to do was end his Ireland career.”I know I was close and that was a factor in my decision,” he said. “I’ve feel I probably have a two-year window to break into the England side and, to give myself the best chance of doing that, I had to give up playing for Ireland. I know my body can’t take all the cricket it was being asked to play and I know I couldn’t bowl at my best if I was tired or injured.”Those comments from Marcus Trescothick were a huge boost to me. It really helped me understand that I could go on and play at the next level.”I hope that, if I do play Test cricket for England, it reflects well on Ireland. It would show that the country can produce the players like Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan who can go on and play for England. It’ll strengthen their claims for Test status.”William Porterfield is the Ireland captain and he tried to persuade me. He tried to keep me but I think he understands. Everyone wants the best for me, really. They know that, in an ideal world, I want to play for Ireland, but in terms of my body and the amount of cricket I was playing, it was impossible to keep everyone happy.”And, if it doesn’t happen with England, I can always go back in three years. They said the door is always open to go back.”Rankin faces an uneasy wait ahead of the announcement of Ireland’s World T20 squad, however. He was hoping to make the tournament his last for Ireland, but now fears the selectors, either in pique or with a view to the future, may omit him from it. “Hopefully I’ll be selected,” he said, “but you can understand they may want to look to the future.”For the time being, Rankin is happy focusing on helping Warwickshire try to claim their first Championship title since 2004. In the longer term, though, the continued leaking of talent from Ireland is an issue that only the ICC can stop. Rankin is a symptom of a problem without an easy solution and another example of Ireland being a victim of their own success.

MatériaMais Notícias

Titular na zaga do Corinthians, Léo Santos confessou que pediu para ser substituído no intervalo do jogo contra o Santos, neste sábado, por conta de um desconforto muscular na coxa esquerda. O jovem zagueiro, de apenas 19 anos, passará por exames médicos na manhã do próximo domingo para saber se terá condições de entrar em campo contra o Cruzeiro, na final da Copa do Brasil. O problema, no entanto, aparentemente não é grave e não preocupa.

– Foi mais precaução, senti um desconforto, nunca tinha sentido isso de questão muscular e preferi me preservar. Até porque se eu continuo posso forçar e acontecer algo mais grave, acabo perdendo o ano. Preferi me preservar para quarta-feira – esclareceu o jogador na saída do estádio do Pacaembu.

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Improvisado na lateral-direita no jogo deste sábado, o camisa 14 foi um dos três titulares que enfrentaram o Santos. Além dele, Douglas e Mateus Vital também iniciaram o duelo. O zagueiro não tinha demonstrado sinais de dores durante a partida. No intervalo, no entanto, avisou a comissão técnica do desconforto muscular e foi substituído para evitar um problema maior.

– O Léo Santos vai ser avaliado pelo departamento médico. Estava fazendo uma boa partida, mas infelizmente, acontece. É um incômodo. Vamos torcer para que ele possa se recuperar – falou o técnico Jair Ventura em entrevista coletiva.

O jogador, revelado nas categorias de base do Corinthians, ganhou notoriedade no clube de Parque São Jorge após o paraguaio Balbuena ser negociado com o West Ham, da Inglaterra. Sua melhora foi tanta que, segundo a edição da última sexta-feira do jornal Marca, da Espanha, o poderoso Real Madrid o estaria monitorando.

ESPNcricinfo previews the fifth one-day international between England and South Africa at Trent Bridge

The Preview by Alex Winter04-Sep-2012Match FactsTrent Bridge, September 5
Start time: 2.00pm (1300 GMT)England can be comfortable with their back-up spinner•PA Photos

The Big PictureEngland’s victory at Lord’s ensured their unbeaten run at home continues – they have not lost an ODI series at home since 2009 when Australia won by a country mile. But that was After the Lord Mayor’s Show since the Ashes were already won and South Africa will cast this series off as just the same, particularly if they lose the final rubber.With the No. 1 ranking secure until the new year, England have at least a major achievement to take away from this summer and are building well. The test of their progress will come in India but for the time being they can be content with several plus points that bode well for their long term vision towards the 2015 World Cup. One of those is the offspinner James Tredwell who was superb at Lord’s. He has proved a more than capable replacement for Graeme Swann and England should be confident that should Swann need to be rested, Tredwell is the wings.South Africa will need to play Tredwell, and Samit Patel far better if they are to put a good total on the board – their downfall in the two games they have lost. Their middle order is beginning to look as fragile as Australia’s earlier in the summer, although the quality of personnel in the South Africa line-up is far better on paper; but they haven’t delivered as AB de Villiers conceded.Their bowling also lacked punch at Lord’s and Morne Morkel is needed back in the attack if South Africa are to maintain pressure and get below Eoin Morgan sooner in the innings. They will be pleased that Jonathan Trott isn’t available for England, who will most likely bring in Jonny Bairstow and either promote Ravi Bopara or Craig Kieswetter to No. 3.But that will be a call for Alastair Cook and Richard Halsall, the England fielding coach, to consider, as Andy Flower is taking a week off. The ECB denied Flower would use the time to conduct more meetings with Kevin Pietersen.Form guide (Most recent first, completed matches)
England WWLWW
South Africa LLWWWWatch out forRavi Bopara has been on a downward spiral with the bat since his self-inflicted exile from the second Test. With Trott out of the side, Bopara should be looking forward to more time at the crease but his current form may see England opt to keep Bopara at No. 4 and reduce the risk of losing two early wickets. Fortunately for Bopara his bowling is keeping him in the side but he needs runs.AB de Villiers has not made the big runs he produced against Sri Lanka and New Zealand earlier this year and by his own admission has been guilty of not continuing his starts – 39, 28 and 28 in the last three games – into scores that could put England under pressure chasing. With several players around him out of form, de Villiers needs a captain’s knock at Trent Bridge.Team newsEngland’s replacement for Trott is likely to be Bairstow, the spare batsman in the squad. England could move Craig Kieswetter up the order to save the out-of-form Bopara going in at No. 3 under pressure.England (possible) 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Ian Bell, 3 Craig Kieswetter (wkt), 4 Ravi Bopara, 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Jonny Bairstow, 7 Samit Patel, 8 James Tredwell, 9 James Anderson, 10 Steven Finn, 11 Jade DernbachSouth Africa lacked bite to their bowling attack and will want to get Morne Morkel back into their XI, possibly in place of Lonwabo Tsotsobe. Justin Ontong is also an option to replace one of the middle-order batsmen.South Africa (possible) 1 Graeme Smith, 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Dean Elgar, 4 AB de Villiers (capt & wk), 5 JP Duminy, 6 Faf du Plessis, 7 Ryan McLaren, 8 Wayne Parnell, 9 Robin Peterson, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Morne MorkelPitch and conditionsThe Trent Bridge wickets have got better as the season has progressed and with the weather forecast set for warm and sunny, batting first will be the desired option given the September dew may come into play under the floodlights.Stats and trivia If England win they will have reeled off eight series victories in a row at home, stretching back to 2009. Of the previous 11 series, England won just three. Since returning to the England ODI side at the start of this year, Ian Bell averages 59.88 with 539 runs. Morne Morkel needs three wickets to reach 100 in ODIsQuotes”It’d be nice to see him back in England colours. He’s a great player; we know he’s a class player. I hope for him things turn out well.”
“I’ve seen them win matches for their teams back home on the big stage in finals and stuff like that. But they are inexperienced and when you have inexperience in your team you need the senior players to take control, including myself.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Nem as derrotas para Palmeiras, Grêmio e Atlético-MG foram tão lamentadas no São Paulo quanto o empate por 1 a 1 com o América-MG, sábado. A rodada era boa para abrir vantagem na liderança do Brasileirão, o time estava jogando em casa e saiu na frente, mas acabou vacilando no fim. Além de todos esses fatores, também pesou o fato de a atuação coletiva da equipe não ter agradado a ninguém.

Diego Aguirre disse que o Tricolor “não funcionou”, os jogadores que falaram com a imprensa admitiram que faltou futebol para marcar o segundo gol e definir a partida e a torcida se manifestou com vaias após o apito final. De acordo com quem esteve por lá, oclima no vestiário do Morumbi, que geralmente é muito leve, foi de lamentação, indignação e auto-crítica para retomar o alto nível rapidamente.

– Obviamente vejo com preocupação, porque se nós temos um objetivo importante, jogando como hoje será difícil. Temos que rapidamente recuperar o nível e voltar às vitórias. Tem muito pela frente, mas temos que jogar melhor, como fizemos em outras oportunidades – disse o treinador uruguaio.

O Internacional poderia ter pulado à frente na tabela, mas empatou com o Corinthians em Itaquera e manteve-se com um ponto a menos (agora 51 a 50). Mas os são-paulinos sabem que secar os adversários diretos não vai adiantar se o time continuar desperdiçando pontos. O Palmeiras fez 17 pontos no segundo turno, sete a mais do que o Tricolor, e entrou com força na briga, com os mesmos 50 pontos do Inter.

-Acho que a gente tem que fazer nossa parte. Não adianta a gente deixar a desejar dentro de campo e torcer por outros resultados. Temos que trabalhar para aumentar o nosso nível – disse Diego Souza.

Além de não ter gordura na ponta, o São Paulo entende que é urgente retomar a boa fase porque as próximas rodadas serão cruciais: depois de enfrentar o Botafogo, domingo, no Rio de Janeiro, recebe o Palmeiras no Morumbi e visita o Inter no Beira-Rio. Tropeços diante desses adversários diretos certamente pesarão muito na briga pelo topo da tabela.

-Preocupado a gente fica, porque a gente quer brigar até o fim pelo título. Hoje a gente estava ganhando o jogo de 1 a 0 e tomamos um gol no contra-ataque, coisa que não pode acontecer. A gente fica bastante chateado com isso, mas temos que continuar trabalhando. Sabemos que precisamos melhorar e estamos atrás disso – emendou Diego Souza.

O São Paulo se reapresenta na tarde desta segunda-feira no CT da Barra Funda e inicia a semana de trabalho com a expectativa de ter Bruno Peres e Everton recuperados no fim de semana. Bruno Alves e Rojas retornam após cumprirem suspensão, mas Arboleda recebeu o terceiro amarelo no sábado e ficará fora.

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Matt Coles took six wickets as Yorkshire slipped to a four-wicket defeat against Kent

06-May-2012
ScorecardPhil Jaques was bowled first ball by Matt Coles•Getty Images

Matt Coles continued his devastating form against Yorkshire this season by taking 6 for 32 to put Kent on course for a four-wicket victory at Headingley.The 22-year allrounder, who has been included in the England Lions squad for the match against West Indies, scored his maiden century in the opening Championship fixture on the ground and in the return clash at Canterbury he claimed four wickets in Yorkshire’s only innings.Coles picked up his scalps in two bursts, which restricted Yorkshire to 175 for 9, and although Kent had only four balls to spare at the end, they were never put under any undue pressure.Sam Billings and Rob Key made a sound start to the Kent reply with a 57 stand in 13 overs, before Azeem Rafiq struck three times, but Darren Stevens snuffed out any real chance of a Yorkshire fightback. Brendan Nash played his part too, but when the stand was worth 65 in 12 overs, offspinner Joe Root started a new spell and Stevens drove his first ball to Gary Ballance at long-on.With the game almost won, Sam Northeast was lbw to Moin Ashraf and the scores were level in the penultimate over when Root sent back Nash, leaving Jones to make the winning run.Yorkshire never fully regained their poise after making a nightmare start to their innings which saw them reduced to 22 for 4 in six overs. Joe Sayers attempted to drive Mark Davies but only succeeded in edging to slip and Coles set out on his destructive trail by comprehensively bowling Phil Jaques before he had scored.Jonny Bairstow presented Coles with a return catch and the bowler followed up by pinning Ballance lbw first ball to give him three wickets for 11 runs off his first three overs.Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale had combined with Root in an attempt to repair the damage, Gale lofting Stevens for four with a straight drive and then just clearing Billings on the midwicket boundary with a sweetly struck six.The fifth wicket pair had added 70 in 19 overs when Gale was given out lbw for 44 to Stevens off a ball which may have found the inside edge first. Adil Rashid got moving with some delicate late cuts and Root continued to bat with calm authority until he squirted a drive at Adam Ball straight into the hands of Northeast at backward point.Coles returned to dismiss Rafiq, Steve Patterson and Rashid and as Yorkshire’s limped to an under-par total.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo foi derrotado pelo Fluminense no último domingo por 1 a 0, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. Acima dos naturais protagonistas, o duelo ficou marcado pelo estado ruim do gramado do Maracanã, que atrapalhou jogadas dos atletas de ambas as equipes. Sobre isso, o goleiro Saulo destacou, à “Rádio Globo”, que o campo realmente não ajudou o alvinegro.

– Atrapalha bastante, não só o goleiro como também o jogador de linha. O jogo não fica muito bom, não favorece muito a gente, que procura ter um jogo de posse de bola. O gramado atrapalhou bastante, mas assim como atrapalhou pra gente atrapalhou pra eles (jogadores do Fluminense) também – disse.

Apesar do resultado negativo, o goleiro destacou a atuação do Botafogo, principalmente no segundo tempo. Na opinião de Saulo, o único fato que faltou para coroar a atuação do time de General Severiano foi a bola balançar as redes.

– Jogamos bem, acho que faltou só o gol. Voltamos ainda melhores para o segundo tempo e só faltou o gol. Mas agora não tem o que lamentar, já passou. É trabalhar durante a semana e pensar no América – afirmou.

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Com 26 pontos, o Botafogo está atualmente na 15ª posição do Campeonato Brasileiro, estando a dois pontos do Sport, primeiro clube na zona de rebaixamento. Na opinião de Saulo, a partida contra o América-MG é de extrema importância e o goleiro acredita no triunfo.

– A gente vê como obrigação (a vitória). A gente não tem conseguido o resultado que queremos e a oportunidade é agora. Domingo, contra o América, no Nilton Santos. Temos que trabalhar forte durante a semana para fazer um jogo no domingo – falou.

Contra o Fluminense, a equipe titular do Botafogo apresentava seis jogadores da base, enquanto que outros cinco estavam no banco de reservas. Em um elenco jovem, Saulo acredita que a pressão gerada pela posição ruim atrapalha todos os jogadores do elenco.

– Acho que não apenas os jovens, mas essa situação chateia todo mundo. A equipe sabe o que tem fazer e estamos tentando colocar isso em prática durante os jogos e tenho certeza que se a gente trabalhar forte durante a semana vamos reencontrar o caminho das vitórias – completou.

Rodrigo Lindoso teve a chance de empatar a partida nos minutos finais, mas sua cobrança de pênalti parou nas mãos de Rodolfo. Apesar disso, Saulo garante que o volante vai conseguir superar essa situação.

– Acontece. Perder um pênalti assim acontece. Eu tento passar o máximo de força possível, Lindoso é um cara tranquilo, um cara de cabeça boa e tenho certeza que ele vai saber passar por esse momento e voltar melhor para o próximo jogo – finalizou.

Kevin Pietersen, with a double-century of the highest class for Surrey at Guildford, did not so much nudge the England selectors as grab them by the throat and roar ‘pick me’ in their faces.

George Dobell13-Jul-2012
ScorecardKevin Pietersen raises his bat after reaching his hundred against Lancashire but there was more to come on a remarkable day at Guildford•PA Photos

Kevin Pietersen, with a double-century of the highest class, did not so much nudge the England selectors as grab them by the throat and roar ‘pick me’ in their faces.The selectors meet this weekend to pick the 30-man preliminary England squad for September’s World T20. This squad must be submitted to the ICC on July 18 and, while Pietersen had previously announced his retirement from limited-overs international cricket, all the evidence of recent days suggest he is having second thoughtsWhile Pietersen and Co. may hope to persuade the ECB to rethink their policy of insisting that players must be available for both forms of limited-overs cricket to be considered for either, there seems little chance of that happening. Andy Flower refused to back down when confronted by Robert Mugabe; he is most unlikely to back down now.It is hard to see a middle course, a course where Pietersen is rested for more ODIs than his colleagues, but perhaps it may be found. His Test career and his IPL future seemingly remain assured.There may be other doubts. There may be doubts over whether his teammates want him back; whether his request for a somewhat easier schedule should be heeded and whether it is fair for the likes of Alex Hales, Ravi Bopara and Ian Bell – the men who have flourished in his place – to potentially make way for his return. There may be doubts, too, over whether England need such a distraction just as they begin an important Test series against South Africa.But there should be no doubting Pietersen’s class. He was, after all, man of the tournament when England won the World T20 in 2010 and, since returning to form in the ODI series against Pakistan, has produced some of the finest performances of his life.This, by any standards, was an extraordinary innings. It was not just that Pietersen hit the fastest first-class century of the season – 93 balls with 13 fours and three sixes – or that he went on to hit the fastest double-century of the season – 170 balls, 25 fours and seven sixes – but that he bullied the bowling – the bowling of the county champions, no less – with a dominance rarely witnessed in the professional game. It was an innings that would have made Sri Viv Richards proud. And there really isn’t higher praise than that.Indeed, in years to come, those lucky enough to have been at Guildford for the third day of this game may reflect that they were blessed to witness greatness in action. Pietersen, in compiling the seventh double-century of his first-class career, a chanceless affair, provided a medley of his greatest hits: the ferocious cut shot; the impudent scoop; the outrageous switch-hit; the murderous pull; the dismissive slog-sweep and the gentle sweep; the magical flick through mid-wicket and, most of all, the thundering drive over the bowlers’ heads that brought majority of his sixes.And, it was interspersed throughout with quick singles and deft touches that spoke volumes for his fitness and his hunger for runs. Some of us are fortunate to watch many fine innings and many worthy centuries. This one, for its range of stroke and its complete mastery over decent opposition, stood out. It really does not get any better.Poor Simon Kerrigan bore the brunt of Pietersen’s assault. Kerrigan, a left-arm spinner of unusual skill and promise, was the victim of seven of Pietersen’s eight sixes and conceded 152 in his 23 overs. Only late in the day did Kerrigan allow the assault to affect him. For the most part he bowled well, but was unfortunate enough to come up against a great batsmen in murderous mood. Even Pietersen admitted that this innings was “right up there” among his best”Simon has bowled at a very good international cricketer on a tough pitch with short boundaries,” Lancashire coach Peter Moores said. “It won’t be the first time KP’s attacked a spinner. Simon’s had his days. He got his nine-for against Hampshire, but you’ve got to take both sides as a cricketer.”Some perspective is probably required. The pitch was flat, the bowling decent, though far from exceptional and the outfield is both short and fast. But Surrey were actually under some pressure when Pietersen walked to the crease and, bearing in mind the traumatic events of recent weeks, this was an important innings. Bearing in mind he remains unbeaten, Pietersen may even be able to build a match-winning lead on the final day.”It’s been a very traumatic time for the management and everyone at the club,” Pietersen said afterwards as he reflected on the death of Tom Maynard. “Today was a day that the boys needed. I said that I wanted to come back and put smiles on the guys’ faces. The boys have gelled real tight in the dressing room, some of them will be lifelong friends after all the stuff that they’ve been through and this was just a good day for Surrey.”It was, oddly enough, only Pietersen’s second championship century since his Test debut in 2005. He has made 20 Test centuries in that time, but his last in the championship came on May 7, 2008 at Taunton. It is his 43rd first-class century, but his first for Surrey.Pietersen’s brilliance utterly overshadowed several other worthy performances on an enjoyable day’s cricket. Not only did Zander de Bruyn make a splendid 94 in helping Pietersen add 181 in 35 overs, but Steven Croft extended his overnight total to the highest score of career in the morning session. Croft added 50 in 35 balls with six fours and a six as Lancashire scored 60 in 37 minutes to set up their declaration.It left Surrey requiring 336 just to avoid the follow-on. And, after Rory Burns, having fielded for two-and-half days, was bowled first ball, leaving one that turned out to be very straight, that looked some way distant. But, on a wonderful day of almost 500 runs, everything else seemed trivial compared to the excellence of Pietersen.

Stuart Law has resigned as Bangladesh coach after nine months in the job, citing personal family problems

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Apr-2012

Stuart Law has resigned as Bangladesh coach after nine months in the job, citing family reasons. He will stay on till the end of June, when his contract expires.His decision to quit comes less than a month after Bangladesh reached the final of the Asia Cup, widely seen as one of their finest achievements.”It is with great regret and a heavy heart that today I announce my stepping down as the head coach of Bangladesh,” Law said.He said he will move back to Australia after two and a half years in the subcontinent, which included a coaching stint with Sri Lanka. “Living away from the family and not seeing people growing up, I think we all understand that family comes first,” he said. “Cricket has been a huge part of my life but over the years I have realised that there is nothing more important than the family and if they are not happy then I am not happy and something had to give.”Law had taken over as national coach last July, and though the initial results were disappointing – including losses to Zimbabwe – the home season ended with Bangladesh upsetting India and Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup, before losing the final in a last-ball finish.The BCB did not give any indication of who would replace Law. However Dean Jones, who had a brief stint in the Bangladesh Premier League as technical director of Chittagong Kings, announced his presence in the fray. “Yes the Bangladesh Cricket Board has asked me if I would be interested to coach the national team.. Considering options,” he tweeted.Law’s decision appeared to have come as a surprise to those in the team. Tamim Iqbal said he was completely unaware about Law’s intentions after the Asia Cup. “I’m completely taken by surprise. But family comes first,” Tamim told ESPNcricinfo.Bangladesh media committee chairman Jalal Yunus said the board understood Law’s decision. “As he (Law) has said the family was his priority and that should be the case for all of us,” Yunus said. “We are sorry to see him go, especially at a time when under his guidance the Bangladesh team is doing really well and showing good consistency.”