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Star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and middle order batsman Kumar Sangakkarahave been included in an amended squad for the forthcoming quadrangularseries at Sharjah.Both Muraliltharan and Sangakkara had been surprise omissions from a 15-mansquad selected last weekend that was rejected by Johnston Fernando, theMinistry of Sports.Fernando refused to ratify the squad until the appointment of three newselectors, including Aravinda de Silva, who retired from all cricket afterSri Lanka’s World Cup semi-final.The selectors met on Friday evening, agreeing with the bulk of the changes,but including Muralitharan, who has assured the five-man panel of hisfitness, and Sangakkara.All-rounders Hasantha Fernando and Thilan Samaraweera, the A team skipper,were the players to miss out from the original squad.Three players were axed from the World Cup squad, including middle order duoRussel Arnold and Mahela Jayawardene and fast bowler Pulasthi Gunaratne.The squad includes three players without One-Day International experience:batsman Michael Vandort, wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene and leg-spinningall-rounder Kaushal Loukuarachchi.The squad is scheduled to depart for the four-nation tournament alsoincluding Kenya, Zimbabwe and Pakistan on Tuesday morning.Sri Lanka will play their first match against Pakistan on April 4.Squad:Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt), Marvan Atapattu, Hashan Tillakaratne, JehanMubarak, Avishka Gunawardene, Michael Vandort, Kumar Sangakkara, PrasanaJayawardene, Kumar Dharmasena, Kaushal Loukuarachchi, Chaminda Vaas, PrabathNissanka, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Buddhika Fernando

Zimbabwe cricket seems to suffer one blow after another, and the latest has been the news that national team coach Carl Rackemann is to leave his job shortly. The burly former Australian pace bowler’s one-year contract had been due to expire at the end of August, but by general agreement he has done so well in the job that it was hoped he would be able to stay on for longer.Rackemann’s reasons for leaving, he says, are simply “commitments back home, especially my farm”. He feels he has spent too much time away from it, but adds that he hopes to stay involved with the Zimbabwe team in the future in one role or another.There will be those who suggest that the current unrest between players and administrators in Zimbabwe cricket has been responsible for his decision, but Rackemann denies it. He has told the Zimbabwe Cricket Union that he will still be available for the visits by South Africa and England in September and October if they wish to use him.Rackemann’s first contact with the national side was in 1999 when he assisted Dave Houghton, then national coach, as a specialist bowling coach. He was so effective that he was invited back as often as he could make it, and when Houghton resigned last year, for one rare occasion the Zimbabwe Cricket Union and the players were in agreement: Rackemann was the best man to take over.During his time, Rackemann feels that the team has recorded some ‘terrific achievements’; he names the recent victory in the Second Test against India and the one-day series win in New Zealand, Zimbabwe’s first away from home, as two outstanding highlights on the field of play.With individuals, he notes that there is a long list of batsmen who during the past year have recorded their highest scores, most notably in the Test against India at Nagpur. Here Grant Flower fought back with a century after recording a ‘pair’ in Delhi, Alistair Campbell hit his first Test century, and Andy Flower hit his wonderful 232 not out. Rackemann also recalls the 70 scored by the late Trevor Madondo in Wellington, “batting beautifully for it”.The third One-Day International win in New Zealand was a major highlight, coming as it did against all expectations, with a magnificent innings by Heath Streak, and the recent Test win against India was achieved largely through the efforts of Streak and Andy Blignaut, who “bowled so well”. This was largely the result of bowling to a plan, bowling consistently just outside the line of the off stump to the Indian batsmen, and Rackemann rightly feels that one of his achievements has been to have his bowlers bowl a more consistent line and bowl to a plan. Zimbabwe’s bowlers also used to be plagued by problems with wides and no-balls, and he feels he has managed to reduce these to a minimum.Highlights can also be achieved off the field, he believes, mentioning that he has had individual sessions with players, even in the nets, when they have achieved a breakthrough in developing some area of their game successfully. ‘Discipline’ and ‘consistency’ are two words that he mentions often, and he believes he has seen these achieved to a greater degree in many Zimbabwean players.It is not just in the technical areas that he has enjoyed success. He has aimed to add mental strength to the players, “to simplify their thoughts and attitudes, to get them to believe in themselves and have the objectives of results”.”I talk a lot to the team about having more consistency. With each individual playing better cricket more often, then the team will play a higher quality of cricket more often. That doesn’t mean that they will win or be in a winning position every time they take the field, but just that they will play better cricket more often.”The players have a tremendous respect for Rackemann. Andy Flower, always one to tell it straight, says: “I think Carl has added a tremendous amount to Zimbabwe cricket, especially in the area of bringing to a naïve country the Australian influence and all that comes with it.”I think he’s brought a positive but relaxed atmosphere to the changing room and has also shown some positive results since the moment he first started working with our bowlers. Equally, although he is not a specialist batting coach, he has focused the batsmen’s minds on the basics, the consequence of which has been a number of career-best performances from some of them. I’ve loved working with him.”Carl Rackemann has been very good for Zimbabwe cricket, and it is unlikely that his influence will be lost forever. He has managed to identify with the team so greatly that, even when they play Australia, he is able to support them unequivocally. Hopefully he will be back, even if only in his old role as bowling coach, and there will always be room for him among Zimbabwe’s grateful players. In the meantime, the ZCU has the problem with its limited finance of finding a replacement worthy to wear the great Australian’s mantle.

Crystal Palace have been known to dip into the loan market every now and again to bring certain players to the club on a temporary basis, the most recent of which seeing Conor Gallagher arrive until the end of the current season from fellow Premier League side Chelsea.

One previous player that the Eagles brought in on loan from Chelsea was another midfielder in the shape of Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Signed during the 2017 summer transfer window, the 26-year-old made 25 appearances in total for the south London club across the Premier League and Carabao Cup.

In those appearances, the Englishman, who has been likened in his style of play to Yaya Toure by Rio Ferdinand, managed to score two goals and provide five assists along the way, showing just how useful he could be in an attacking sense from midfield.

As well as his prowess in terms of scoring and creating goals, his overall performances earned him a solid season rating of 7.08 from WhoScored, making him the sixth-highest rated player in their squad for the 2017/18 league campaign, showing that he certainly made the most of his time with the Eagles.

In terms of what he offered Palace on the pitch, the Chelsea loanee racked up a pass success percentage of 82.4%, the third-highest of any player that started at least one league game, as well as an average of 1.3 shots per game, three dribbles per game and 1.1 key passes per game, putting him in the top five for each of those statistics in the squad.

Since leaving Selhurst Park, the midfielder had another London loan spell with Fulham during the 2020/21 season before making 27 appearances across all competitions back with Chelsea in this current campaign.

Shortly before he joined Palace on loan, Transfermarkt rated Loftus-Cheek’s market value at £4.5m in June 2017, whereas it now stands at £18m, showing a massive increase of 300% based on what he’s done in his career since then.

Labelled as a “special” player by Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, there will undoubtedly be some regrets from the hierarchy at Selhurst Park that they were not able to secure the midfield talent on a permanent deal after his decent loan spell with them, despite their reported interest in doing so.

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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Moving forward, having started just 11 of the 27 games he’s played in for the west London club this season, Palace should definitely explore the possibility of signing him again if Chelsea have the ability to sell him from a business point of view. In doing so, they may just find the next Yaya.

In other news: Parish must avoid Crystal Palace disaster on “popular” £25k-p/w gem as report emerges

Four tight overs and a quickfire 23 from Kieron Pollard helped Cobras get over the line for a four-wicket win against Knights at Paarl. The result left Knights rooted to the bottom of the table, without a win in six, and kept Cobras on course for a top-three finish.Richard Levi helped get the chase off to a solid start with 36 off 23 balls before becoming one of two wickets in an over for Dillon du Preez. Justin Ontong was less fluent in scoring 40 from 42, with two boundaries, and when he fell, Cobras lost 3 for 19 in three overs to briefly give Knights hope. Pollard, however, was unfazed and hit his compatriot Andre Russell for six and four in the 19th to ensure Cobras would get home.Knights’ total of 140 for 7 was based around several useful contributions but lacked a significant flourish. Theunis de Bruyn top-scored with 45 from 44 balls, adding 51 for the fourth wicket with Russell, but both fell in the same over just as Knights were looking to kick on. Dane Paterson and Rory Kleinveldt picked up two wickets apiece as Cobras kept the target within range.Lions prevailed over Dolphins in a relatively low scoring game at the Wanderers in Johannesburg to register their third win of the tournament.Playing a stellar role with the ball that helped them defend 145 for 6 was Dwaine Pretorius, the pacer, who took 4 for 22 as Dolphins were restricted to 139 for 7. If Pretorius was the hero with the ball, that Lions posted what would be a match-winning total was courtesy Alviro Petersen, who hit four fours and a six in his unbeaten 41-ball 60. The next best came from Devon Conway, who stroked 38.Dolphins started their chase well, with Morne van Wyk (20) and Vaughan van Jaarsveld (42) putting together a 45-run opening stand in just 5.3 overs. Despite two quick strikes after that, David Miller (37) ensured they were well on their way to pocket two points. But Pretorius put the brakes on the scoring by dismissing Cody Chetty, Miller and Dwayne Bravo in the space of two overs to turn the game around. Phangiso, the left-arm spinner, also chipped in with two wickets.Dolpins have now failed to win in four games. Although they remain in second place, they lead the Cobras by just two points, having played a game more.

Sharad Pawar, the Indian board (BCCI) president, insisted that the BCCI is against “money-making” ventures and will only support series that promote Test cricket. Refusing to back down from his stance against the Indian Cricket League (ICL), Pawar again scoffed at the recently floated Twenty20 series proposed for October.”Test cricket is the real thing. It is the top level of the game and brings out the best in the players. We would be only happy if anyone does something for the sake of Test cricket. We will encourage it,” Pawar told PTI. “But Twenty-20 is for glamour. It can only bring in money.”On August 6, Digvijay Singh, general secretary of the Congress, the biggest party in the ruling federal coalition in which Pawar is a cabinet minister, wrote a letter to the latter requesting the BCCI to give up its “confrontationist” attitude against the ICL. “Instead of taking a confrontationist stand, you should act as a facilitator for the ICL to succeed,” Singh wrote. “I am sure the objective of the BCCI is not to make the millions but to popularise the game of cricket. I am sure you will prevail upon the hardliners in the Board and make them understand the sentiments of millions of cricket lovers in India.” Pawar chose not to comment on this.The BCCI secretary, Niranjan Shah, recenty said that players who take part in the ICL will never be eligible to play for India and would also be banned from domestic cricket in the country. Pawar maintained, however, that the BCCI would not interfere if retired players chose to associate themselves with the game: “I had said in Bangalore a few days ago that those who have retired from the cricket and pursue the game in whichever form and we won’t come in the way.”

Balwinder Singh Sandhu, the former Indian fast bowler, has been appointed coach of Madhya Pradesh. He succeeds Devashish Nilosey.Jyotiraditya Scindia – the newly-elected president of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), who is also a Member of Parliament – announced that Sandhu had been appointed for a one-year period, and would begin his duties from Monday.”The Association will now focus on club cricket and divisional units will be strengthened,” Scindia told reporters.Sandhu coached Baroda in the Ranji Trophy and West Zone in the Duleep Trophy till the last Indian domestic season. His most productive period was with Mumbai – whom he coached from 1996 to 1998-99 – helping them become the Ranji Trophy Champions in 1996-97. He later served as bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore last year and was one of the candidates for the coach of Mumbai this season, ultimately losing out to Pravin Amre.Madhya Pradesh begin their Ranji Trophy season against Railways at New Delhi on November 23.

Eagles 312 and 156 for 6 (Henderson 54) lead Dolphins 300 (Klusener 108*, Benkenstein 70, Mpitsang 4-39, Kruis 3-71) by 168 runs
ScorecardAt Kingsmead, an undefeated 108 from Lance Klusener and 70 from Dale Benkenstein allowed Dolphins to come within 12 runs of Eagles’ first-innings total of 312. After scoring 300, Dolphins fought back in the field as well, reducing the eagles to 156 for 6 at close of play on the second day, a lead of only 168. James Henderson (54) worked hard at keeping the innings together while Loots Bosman scored a determined 39. Nicky Boje was still at the crease and a lot would depend on him for Free State to post a reasonable target.Titans 204 and 336 for 5 (Petersen 139, de Villiers 56, Cullinan 51, Coetsee 3-102) lead Lions 190 by 350 runs
ScorecardAt Sedgars Park in Potchefstroom, Titans extended their slender overnight lead over Lions to 350, thanks to Alviro Petersen’s five-and-a-half hour 139. Peterson and AB de Villiers put on 130 before de Villiers was caught for 51. Maurice Aronstam ran himself out for 45 after he had put on 101 with Peterson. Daryl Cullinan scored his second fifty of the match as Titans continued piling on the runs. Petersen was finally dismissed just short of his career-best first-class score of 150. Geoffrey Toyana gave Werner Coetsee his third wicket of the innings, with Justin Kemp not out on 26 when bad light once again intervened.Western Province-Boland 206 and 355 for 7 dec (Puttick 80, Strydom 78, Gibbs 52, Johnson 57*, Henderson 3-84) lead Warriors 189 and 54 for 1 by 318 runs
ScorecardAt Newlands, the Warriors had an uphill battle as they worked towards the target of 373 after Western Province-Boland declared at 355 for 7. Andrew Puttick, who scored 80, formed the anchor around which the others piled on the runs for Western Province. Gerhard Strydom made 78, while Herschelle Gibbs showed why he would be missed in India, making an entertaining 52. Neil Johnson, gaining confidence from the others, batted with authority as he regained some form and scored 57 not out. At stumps the Warriors had moved to 54 for 1, requiring 318 more to win.

Jagmohan Dalmiya: ‘No extreme punishment could be given to Kale without proof’© AFP

Abhijit Kale, the Maharashtra batsman who was accused last year of offering bribes to two national selectors, has been banned by the Indian board (BCCI) until December 31 this year. Kiran More and Pranab Roy, both members of the national selection committee, had complained that Kale had offered them a bribe last year to ensure himself a place in the Indian squad to tour Australia. Kale had denied the comments.However, the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) is planning to ask the Indian board to reconsider the decision. Speaking to Wisden Cricinfo shortly after the announcement, Dynaeshwar Agashe, the chairman of the MCA, said: “If he has not given any bribe this is a very harsh decision. He has already lost one season of cricket and suffered last year. So we are going to request the BCCI to reconsider the decision. If the evidence is inconclusive, this punishment is too much.”Agashe also said that the Maharashtra selectors would not hold this against Kale, and would continue to pick him if he is fit and can find a place in the side on the merit of his consistent performances.A BCCI enquiry was then instituted, which completed its investigation recently and submitted its report to the board. According to the television channel, NDTV, Kale has given a letter of apology to the BCCI, in which he admits that he tried to “influence the selectors”, while insisting that he had never tried to bribe them.Kale’s letter said: “The entire episode has unnecessarily tarnished the image of the board. I accept that it was wrong on my part to influence the selectors by approaching them directly or through my parents. With regard to the issue of offering money to the selectors, I wish to state that I was misunderstood and I assure you that I had no such intention. I tender [an] unqualified apology for my said act.”The BCCI, not having enough evidence to hand Kale a harsh sentence, has, thus, decided to ban him for a year, with the sentence beginning retrospectively, and thus running till December 31 this year. Jagmohan Dalmiya, the board president, justified the punishment, saying: “The disciplinary committee unanimously felt that although a strong case of offering money was made out against Abhijit Kale, no extreme or severe punishment should be given to him in the absence of direct proof.”However,” he continued, “there [has] been cogent proof of Kale trying to influence the selectors directly, or through his parents, which he has admitted in his unconditional apology letter. The disciplinary committee held Kale guilty of gross misconduct and indiscipline. Taking into account Kale’s personal future career and his unconditional apologies as well as the suspension that he had undergone since November 21, 2003, the disciplinary committee decided that he should remain suspended till December 31, 2004.”Dalmiya also had a word about the complainants. “In addition to this,” he said, “the disciplinary committee also felt that the two national selectors, More and Roy, should have intimated Kale’s attempt to influence them forthwith to the board, instead of delaying it. The committee recommended to the board [the idea of] framing a code of conduct for the selectors in the future.”More, one of the selectors who accused Kale, said that he welcomed the decision and respected the board’s judgment.

Post-match press conferences are usually about as interesting as watching a Madagascar giant tortoise chewing a blade of grass. “We should have bowled better.” “They were the better team on the day.” Yawn. Bring on the giant tortoises.The pre-match jousting, though, seems to have taken a few leaves out of the handbook of hype-maestro Don King. With the action on the field blowing hot and cold in this World Cup, the India-England clash at Kingsmead, Durban, was set up quite nicely. Both teams needed the win desperately, yet both teams could go through to the Super Six even if they lost. So it was little wonder that Andrew Caddick decided it was the best time to take a dig at the Indians.Speaking to journalists at practice sessions before the big match, Caddick suggested that India hadn’t really come to terms with themselves in the World Cup. “India hasn’t been up to the mark…both their batting and bowling have been unimpressive,” said the 34-year old medium-pacer.Perhaps he was right. India had lost disastrously to Australia, managed to sweep Zimbabwe aside, beat Netherlands only apologetically, and then got into something approaching form against Namibia. But there were sure signs that the Indians were turning things around. “India should not take pride in scoring 300-plus against Namibia. They were aided more by the nimble-fingered Namibians than their batting strength,” said Caddick, perhaps a touch more outspoken thanusual.The Indian camp would have taken quiet note of this, make no mistake about that. India and England have played each other often enough in the last year, and there has always been plenty of needle in the contest. The Indians, however, would have ordinarily been no more worried by Caddick’s remarks than by his bowling in the subsequent match.But then came the pippin.”Even Sachin did not play well despite his century. Sachin’s just like another batsman in the Indian team, and there are a lot of others in the Indian side.”Quoting statistics – Tendulkar has scored 34 one-day centuries, over 10,000 runs at an average of just under 45 – could prove that Tendulkar is not just like “any other batsman,” but the statistics are hardly needed. Even a little child on the streets of India could tell you that.Indeed, few people have dared to take verbal liberties with Tendulkar. Glenn McGrath has, and he has succeeded – but then again, he’s Glenn McGrath, backed up by years of performing phenomenally at the highest level. Caddick has not, and he is no McGrath either.Word has it, then, that Tendulkar walked out to bat with a quiet determinationto settle a score of sorts with Caddick.That Tendulkar did so, in the most emphatic fashion imaginable, was proved beyond doubt on the day. There was one cover drive that even left the normally garrulous television commentators gasping. There was an on-drive that could have easily been written into batting textbooks. For good measure, Tendulkar then unfurled the straight drive, placed impeccably between the bowler and mid-off.Fans in the stands were on their feet. Caddick huffed, Caddick puffed, and Tendulkar blew his house down. Seeing a short ball early, Tendulkar rocked back, shifted weight from one foot to the other perfectly, and essayed a pull shot that sent the ball soaring over midwicket, over the stands and straight out of the ground.There was something about the shot that appeared larger than life. There are enough and more good, clean hits in one-dayers, but the brutality of this particular stroke far surpassed willow hitting the cover off a leather ball. It was more like a guillotine coming down unerringly on its mark.Caddick, in a nutshell, was summarily dismissed from Tendulkar’s presence.That was only the beginning. A man famous for bowling brilliantly in the second innings of Test matches and yet being flat in the first was brutally taken apart and ended with 10-0-69-3, the three in the final column all coming in the last over when the Indians were caught out in the deep slogging. At Durban, Caddick registered his most expensive figures ever in one-day cricket.Then again, it was all hardly a surprise. As not a few bowlers have found out over the years, this is the price to pay by testing the anger of a patient man. Tendulkar was angry, got India off to a flyer, enabled them to reach 250 and then beat England comprehensively, cantering to a win.Any more comments, then, Andy?

Damien Martyn continued his golden run of form as Australia left Somersetwith an unlikely 417 for victory in the Vodafone Challenge match at Taunton.Martyn, dropped on nought by Jason Kerr at gully, progressed without furthertrouble to an unbeaten 176 in a total of 335-4 declared.It was his fifth century of the tour, one of which came in the limited-overs friendly with Northants, ­and his 231-ball innings included 25 fours.Guest player Shoaib Akhtar was comfortably the most potent of the homeside’s attack, but he only bowled seven overs before departing the fieldwith cramp in both legs.Akhtar’s new ball burst of 6-2-9-2 had removed Simon Katich, caught behindby Rob Turner for three, and Justin Langer, lbw for ten.But Martyn and Wade Seccombe instigated a recovery from 15-2 with a third-wicket stand of 156 and then Ashley Noffke and Mark Waugh shared partnerships of 42 and 142 with Martyn.Left-arm spinner Ian Blackwell claimed the other two wickets to fall when hehad Seccombe caught by Piran Holloway at mid-wicket for 76 and took a returncatch to dismiss Noffke for 22.Somerset were soon in trouble when they batted again as Piran Hollowaydeparted for seven to a fine catch by acting captain Ricky Ponting at thirdslip, from paceman Noffke.But Aamir Sohail and Mike Burns then put on 45 as Somerset closed the day on52-1, requiring a further 365 to win.Off the field, Australia have injury worries about openers Michael Slaterand Matthew Hayden and pace ace Brett Lee ahead of Thursday’s Second AshesTest at Lord’s.Neither Slater, who has a bruised left wrist after being struck by an Akhtardelivery, nor Hayden, whose right knee locked while fielding on Saturday,played any part in today’s proceedings.Australia expect both to be ready for the Test, but there is a bit moreconcern about Lee’s injured ribs which forced his late withdrawal from thismatch.