Thursday, 30 January, 2014
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IVERPOOL manager brendan Rodgers enjoyed a first ever victory over Everton with a thumping 4-0 triumph in the Merseyside derby on Tuesday but the former Swansea boss maintained the pursuit of a top-four finish meant more to him than regional superiority. Goals from skipper Steven Gerrard and striker Luis Suarez around a Daniel Sturridge brace secured victory over a subdued Everton to strengthen Liverpool‘s hold on fourth place but Rodgers did not lose sight of the team’s long-term goal. “We knew it was going to be a big match. I’m more delighted for the players and supporters,” Rodgers told the club’s official website. “For me, it’s three points; I’ll be more delighted at the end of the season if we can arrive in the top four. I’ll probably over-analyse the performance and see the areas we can improve on going forward.” Tuesday’s victory at Anfield was pretty close to what Rodgers has long expected of his team despite a poor penalty miss from Sturridge that would have made the score 5-0. “We were clinical in front of goal.
We scored four and could have had arguably two or three more. It was a brilliant win for us and I’m delighted for everyone,” he said. “For us, it was a tireless performance. “To win the big games like these here, you’ve got to attack and defend together, and I thought our unit – right the way from the goalkeeper to the front players – worked tirelessly at filling the spaces. “Then, when we had the ball, we
looked a real threat. “All wins are important, but especially against your rivals. We know there’s still a wee bit to go but psychologically it was a big, big win for us and one that can reiterate the confidence and belief in the squad.” The victory moved Liverpool onto 46 points, six behind leaders Arsenal, and while a title challenge appears too big an ask for his emerging side, nailing down a Champions League berth
that goes with a top-four finish remains an achievable target. His counterpart Roberto Martinez felt Everton lost their composure after Gerrard had opened Liverpool‘s account with a 21st-minute header from a corner. “It means a lot and once we conceded the first goal maybe we got a little bit emotional with the game and we pushed so much forward to get that equaliser that we left ourselves a little bit exposed,” the Spaniard said. “We started well enough but conceded the goal from a dead-ball situation and we put ourselves in Liverpool‘s hands really,” Martinez added after his team dropped four points behind their Merseyside rivals. “We lost our concentration, lost our usual shape and it was unlike us. “We were the team with the best defensive record in the division and we have been playing in a really positive and impressive manner. It’s a moment to assess the whole season as well as tonight.” (Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty; Editing by John O’Brien) Copyright 2014 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions. More to come from United, says bullish Moyes Ramsey injury setback a further blow to Arsenal title challenge.
WICB PROJECTS 100% RISE IN REVENUE IF ICC REVAMP STAMPED SPortS DESK The West Indies Cricket Board has said it expects its revenue to rise by "at least 100%" over the next eight years if the "key principles" of the draft proposal on the ICC's revenue sharing are voted in. The board issued a statement in support of the "key principles" put forward on day one of the ICC executive board meeting in Dubai, saying it had engaged in "extensive discussions" before concluding that several of the key principles could be beneficial to West Indies cricket. "After extensive discussions and careful consideration the West Indies Cricket Board joined with all other Full Members of the ICC in providing support for key principles relating to the future structure, governance and financial models of the ICC," the release said. The release listed the benefits the proposals could have for the game in the Caribbean, including the projected monetary benefits. "Based on new proposed system of ICC revenue sharing for the upcoming eight year cycle (2015-2023) WICB projects to receive at least 100% increase on the previous eight year cycle (2006-2014)," the release said. The annual Test Match Fund, which is to support Full Members other than India, England and Australia, will "allow the WICB a financial buffer in the
hosting of Test cricket against unprofitable teams", the release said. Also, bilateral playing agreements, as opposed to the FTP, would mean West Indies "will not be bound" to host those unprofitable tours, it said. "West Indies will have an opportunity, through bilateral agreements, to increase the number of matches and series (Tests, ODIs and T20Is) played annually by the West Indies men's team against higher ranked opposition and against teams, which are profitable to the WICB. These will include matches and series both in the West Indies and overseas." Moreover, the BCCI, ECB and Cricket Australia "have all committed" to increased tours to the
Caribbean over the next eight years, in addition to the current tours slotted into the FTP, the board said. West Indies will not be affected by the originally proposed two-tier Test system, it said, since they are currently ranked seven on the ICC ratings; while the team is just a five points clear of eighth-placed New Zealand at present, there is a big gulf between eight and nine - Zimbabwe, at nine, are 53 points adrift of West Indies. Also, the key principles on governance, the WICB said, will not have any negative effect on the board since its members are "not in any way excluded from membership or chairmanship of any committee of the ICC". They will remain eligible to be elected to the presidency, vice-presidency and chairmanship of the ICC, and chairmanship of the proposed Financial & Commercial Affairs and Ex- Co committees. Following discussions in Dubai on Tuesday, the ICC board settled for a period of consultation between boards and discussion over a set of principles, which, if approved, will grant the BCCI, the ECB and Cricket Australia a bigger share of cricket's global revenues and a bigger control of the game's governance. The matter was not put to vote, with four cricket boards Cricket South Africa, Sri Lanka Cricket, Bangladesh Cricket Board and Pakistan Cricket Board - showing opposition towards such a revamp.
SPORTS 15 RECUPERATING NADAL ON COURSE FOR BUENOS AIRES EVENT SPortS DESK Rafa Nadal had taken anti-inflammatories and undergone intensive physiotherapy to alleviate a lower back problem and still planned to compete in Buenos Aires next month, his spokesman said on Wednesday. "Next Monday he will have further tests to evaluate the progress of his recovery and to see if he can gradually start training again," he added. Nadal still intends to play in the clay event in Buenos Aires starting on Feb. 10, followed by the tournament in Rio de Janeiro, also on clay, and the hard court Masters events at Indian Wells and Miami. Nadal lost to Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in the Australian Open final, which prevented him drawing level on 14 grand slam singles titles with American Pete Sampras, three short of record holder and great rival Roger Federer.
FERGUSON DEFENDS DUGOUT ROLE SPortS DESK Blackpool caretaker-boss Barry Ferguson dropped himself from the team for the second time since taking over from Paul Ince as the club's shocking run of form continued with a 5-1 defeat at Reading. The Seasiders have now failed to win in their last 11 league games, drawing only two of them, but Ferguson stood by his decision to take a step back from a playing role as his starting XI were taken apart by the Royals. "That was my own decision. I don't think you can play, captain and manage," he said. "I think it's better for me to take the team from the sidelines. "I've still yet to find out what my situation is going to be. I don't know at the moment. "It's a tough job management, in general, but apart from the result, I really enjoyed it.
AUSTIN BLOW CONCERNS BOND SPortS DESK QPR were left anxiously assessing a shoulder injury suffered by striker Charlie Austin following their 2- 1 Sky Bet Championship victory against Bolton. Austin carried on after several minutes of treatment and put Rangers ahead with a header from Matt Phillips' 40th-minute cross. But Rangers' 15-goal striker eventually had to come off in the second half, by which time his team were 20 up courtesy of Karl Henry's 20-yard shot.
JOHNSON, HADDIN VALUED AT TOP BASE PRICE FOR IPL AUCTION SPortS DESK Freshly-crowned Ashes heroes Mitchell Johnson, Brad Haddin and Steven Smith are part of a group of 31 players that has attracted the highest base price of Rs 20 million (US$ 320,000 approx.) for the IPL player auction to be to be held in Bangalore on February 12 and 13. They are part of the 232-strong auction list of capped players from ten countries, which was finalised by the IPL last week and distributed to the eight franchises. There are 46 Indians on the list including prominent players like Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Ojha and Yusuf Pathan, all of whom have been listed at the top base price of Rs 20 million. Irfan Pathan, the allrounder, is not in the top bracket but has been valued at Rs 15 million. Varun Aaron, the fast bowler who is currently with the national team in New Zealand, has skipped the auction. Among the overseas players, some of the notable names missing are the Sri Lanka pair of Kumar Sangakkara and Dinesh Chandimal, Australia's Michael Clarke and Mitchell Marsh, England's Stuart Broad, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, and West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach. With Sri Lanka touring Ireland and England this summer players like Sangakkara - who also has a young family - are likely to have decided to cool their heels before the UK trip. However Sangakkara's team-mates Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews have decided to enter the auction even if they are bound to miss the business end of the IPL.
Among the first-timers, New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson tops the list and could likely be one of the most sought-after players. Anderson hit the fastest ODI century, in 36 balls, against West Indies. PINAl ShAh ERROR: Pinal Shah, the Baroda wicketkeeper-batsman, has been mistakenly included in the list of capped players. According to the list that has been circulated among the franchises, Shah, who led Baroda to the Ranji Trophy final in 2010-11, has played "four ODIs". However, Shah has never been included in the India squad for any of the three formats. Shah featured in 14 IPL games for Mumbai Indians in the first two seasons, and then represented Rajasthan Royals in two games during IPL 2011. Alex Hales, currently the No. 1-ranked batsman in Twenty20 internationals, is also searching for a top-bracket deal after that became a clause in the agreement he made with his county Nottinghamshire to be allowed into the auction. Both Hales and Samit Patel will only be allowed to par-
ticipate should they secure the most lucrative contracts available. The biggest England name in the list is Kevin Pietersen who is a free agent again after Delhi Daredevils opted not to retain any players. Although England's central contracts have clauses to allow players a period at the IPL - a period that has been extended under the new deals - Pietersen's IPL participation could well by a thorny issue again if there has been a breakdown in the relationship between him and England's team director Andy Flower as has been suggested. As expected, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes have not put their names forward for this year's tournament even though both would have gathered significant interest. After the 5-0 Ashes whitewash there is a desire in English cricket for the rejuvenation of the Test side to be made a priority and both Broad and Stokes, who impressed in the Ashes, will be central to that.
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However, Ian Bell, who does not play T20 for England, has put his name forward. Perhaps a little more surprising is the absence of Jos Buttler, England's explosive limited-overs wicketkeeper, who has a strong reputation in Twenty20. However, not joining the IPL means he will have an extended run of four-day County Championship cricket at the start of the English season to push his claims to be England's Test keeper - a role that is now far more fluid following Matt Prior's omission during the Ashes. Once again Pakistan players will be not part of the auction although two Pakistan-born players - Azhar Mahmood (England) and Fawad Ahmad (Australia) have been listed. Australian chinaman bowler Brad Hogg, at 43, will be the oldest capped player in the auction and is listed at reserve price of Rs 15 million. Hogg was part of Rajasthan Royals till IPL 2013, though he played just the one match last season. The other 40plus capped player is former Sri Lanka offspinner Muttiah Muralitharn (Rs 10 million), who was with Royal Challengers Bangalore last season. lIST OF PlAYERS: Dinesh Karthik, Praveen Kumar, Amit Mishra, Ashish Nehra, Pragyan Ojha, Yusuf Pathan, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Manoj Tiwary, Robin Uthappa, M Vijay, George Bailey, Brad Haddin, Brad Hodge, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Alex Hales, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Jacques Kallis, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Marlon Samuels