West Ham are in desperate need of a striker following Niclas Fullkrug’s loan move to AC Milan, and they’ve now been handed a chance to sign one.

The 32-year-old, who scored just three goals in 29 total appearances for the Hammers before his Rossoneri switch, will go down as one of the club’s worst striker signings in recent memory.

Signed by former technical director Tim Steidten, who talked up Fullkrug as the perfect striker for West Ham, his stay at the London Stadium was eventually marred by repeated and long-term injury problems.

The German could never quite display his best in Claret and Blue, having been dealt very unlucky cards when it came to his own fitness, but now the search is on for Fullkrug’s replacement.

Related West Ham now looking at signing Chelsea striker in 'odd' development

There’s been a fresh report this morning.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini

A host of number nines have been linked with moves to east London in the last week alone, including Coventry City duo Hadji Wright and Ellis Simms, as Nuno Espírito Santo reportedly prioritises strikers with English football experience (ExWHUemployee).

This explains their interest in Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen, who was subject to an approach from West Ham recently, according to the reliable David Ornstein.

Strand Larsen is believed to be open to the West Ham move, but Wolves’ £45 million asking price represents a significant barrier in negotiations.

Chelsea’s Marc Guiu has also emerged as a West Ham target this week, but given he’s already swapped clubs twice this season, the Spaniard cannot join until next summer.

Nuno isn’t completely averse to signing strikers outside of England, though, with Viktoria Plzen’s Rafiu Durosinmi believed to be on the club’s shortlist if they decide to pursue options from abroad (ExWHUemployee).

Another intriguing opportunity could be Roma’s Artem Dovbyk, who ended 2023/2024 as La Liga’s top scorer when Girona briefly contended for the title.

West Ham 'offered' Artem Dovbyk as Roma tell him to leave in January

Dovbyk signed for Roma from Girona in the summer of 2024 following an historic season.

The 28-year-old fired the Catalan club to Champions League qualification, with Dovbyk’s physical presence and clinical finishing making him one of Spanish football’s most coveted strikers at the time.

However, things have not worked out as planned since his move to Italy.

Dovbyk has struggled for continuity and his impact has fallen well short of the expectations generated by his explosive performances in Spain.

The lack of confidence from manager Gian Piero Gasperini has marked his brief tenure in Rome, and the club’s sporting director has informed Dovbyk’s representatives to find a new club next month.

As a result, the Ukraine international is now available in January after falling out of favour at the Serie A club.

Follow West Ham’s striker hunt – subscribe to the newsletter Subscribing to the newsletter delivers in-depth transfer coverage and clear analysis of West Ham’s striker hunt and related market moves, so you can track plausible targets, valuation issues and realistic club options. Subscribe Follow West Ham’s striker hunt – subscribe to the newsletter Subscribing to the newsletter delivers in-depth transfer coverage and clear analysis of West Ham’s striker hunt and related market moves, so you can track plausible targets, valuation issues and realistic club options.

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That is according to reports from Spain, which explain that West Ham have been ‘offered’ the chance to sign Dovbyk this winter.

West Ham, Everton and Sunderland have all received ‘detailed reports’ about the striker ‘in recent days’, with the Premier League trio seriously considering a mid-season deal.

The competition for his signature means West Ham cannot afford to delay if they decide to pursue the deal seriously.

Roma want quick resolution to allow them to reshape their own squad before the window closes, and the Italian club are ready to green-light a loan or ‘low-cost’ transfer given the circumstances.

For Dovbyk, the opportunity to salvage his season with a Premier League move holds obvious appeal. He turns 29 next year, and cannot afford to waste another six months of his career on Roma’s fringes.

Related "Could happen" – Player admits he may join West Ham as agent works on transfer

He’s made a January admission.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini

After first approaching him in the middle of last season, Everton have finally confirmed the arrival of former Watford manager Marco Silva as their new manager following the departure of Sam Allardyce.

The Portuguese boss, who measures up at 5ft 11in, will attempt to oversee a more successful season at Goodison Park next time around and try to avoid the instability that saw Ronald Koeman sacked mid-season after a heavy summer of investment before firefighter Sam Allardyce was brought in to ensure that the Toffees didn’t get relegated.

In reality, the Merseysiders were never in any grave danger of relegation but it was still a season to forget for their fans and the exact opposite of how their nouveau-riche regime was supposed to kick off.

That has only served to stoke the excitement, also fuelled by the months of build-up and anticipation and the fact that Allardyce was a deeply unpopular figure at Goodison Park.

We’ve taken a closer look at the most optimistic of the reaction to Silva’s appointment on a three-year contract…

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ScorecardQuinton de Kock made his third hundred on tour to India•PTI

A third century in as many innings from Quinton de Kock extended South Africa A’s domination of the first unofficial Test against India A in Wayanad. He made 113 runs off 102 balls, ransacked 107 runs at the rate of 5.7 per over with Dane Vilas for the seventh wicket and took the total to 542.Unlike in the one-day tri-series earlier this month when he opened the batting, de Kock manned the No. 7 position and had the comfort of walking out at 307 for 5. His innings included 13 fours and three sixes and continues to make a strong case for himself when the senior team tour India in October. His partner during that rollicking seventh-wicket stand, Vilas cruised to 75 off 74 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes and has not fallen that far behind in the contest for the wicketkeeper’s position with the Test side.Axar Patel as India A’s only source of control, and threat, bowling 39 overs for only 115 runs and picking up four wickets. He was the only man, on condition of bowling at least 11 overs, to concede less than three runs an over. The other specialist spinner, Jayant Yadav, got a bigger workload – 42 overs, but leaked 177 runs for his two wickets. There was very little on offer for the seamers, with Abhimanyu Mithun and Ishawar Pandey combining to bowl 44 overs, only four of which were maidens, for 174 runs and two wickets.That trend continued when India A came out to bat. It was offspinner Dane Piedt who removed the openers. Shreyas Iyer appeared comfortable at No. 3, so much that he relied on boundaries to secure 40 of his 49 runs. The problem, though, was he was bowled with two overs left to stumps and India A went back to the pavilion at 122 for 3 after 34.5 overs. A healthy run-rate, of course, but they are 420 runs behind.

ScorecardBen Foakes took another chance to shine in Surrey’s Championship side•Getty Images

Ben Foakes left Essex at the end last season for Surrey in pursuit of more first-team cricket. While he has got his chances in the limited-overs side he has only made the Championship team when others have been unavailable.When Gary Wilson has not been around he has kept wicket, when Jason Roy was away with England he earned a few games as a specialist batsman. A broken finger for Steven Davies saw him back in the team as a batsman. There is an argument to be made that a fit Zafar Ansari could have meant that Foakes would have missed out here.He has certainly made the most of his opportunities when he has been selected. His hundred takes his season total to 499 runs at an average of 62. Such are Surrey’s batting riches there is every chance that Foakes will still be fighting for a spot even after this innings with the return of Kumar Sangakkara imminent and Arun Harinath having just put pen to a new two year deal – although by rights his hundred here should have moved him up the queue.Foakes’ innings was near faultless, the one mistake came when he top edged a ball from James Fuller when on 75 that ballooned into the leg side but out of the reach of Gareth Roderick. Surrey could well have used this Foakes effort as platform to build an insurmountable position in this game. However, despite some excellent starts from the others in the Surrey middle order no one could keep Foakes company in a really significant partnership.Gloucestershire’s bowlers could not make up for the batting profligacy yesterday as the Surrey batsman got up to and beyond their host’s total with real ease, but there was a steady flow of wickets from that point onwards with Surrey’s batsmen playing a significant hand in their dismissals. In an attack without Craig Miles, who is still recovering from his back problems, Gloucestershire looked to be missing a spark.The day began with Sam Curran batting as nightwatchman and there was no clearer example of how poorly the Gloucestershire top order had performed on the opening day than witnessing a 17-year-old in his third first-class game ease his way to a career-best 49.When Curran’s dismissal did come it was surprise. The weight of the milestone he was approaching began to tell as he lost his fluency but he did not look like getting dismissed. A short, wide ball from Kieran Noema-Barnett was there to be hit but it caught the top edge and flew into the hands of David Payne at point. It was hugely disappointing for the young man to go so close to his first half-century at this level but on the evidence of today it will not be long before he has a chance to get there again.He was replaced by Steven Davies and the left-hander looked completely at ease at the crease on his way to 23 only to get out leaving a ball from Jack Taylor that bowled him. It is the second time in as many Championship matches that Davies has departed this way having done the same off the bowling of Monty Panesar at Colchester against Essex.Next it was Jason Roy’s turn to get out just as he looked well set. He had been dismissive of the bowling of Noema-Barnett up to that point before being trapped lbw by a full delivery. Surrey were guilty of not putting the destination of this game beyond all doubt – five men made it past 20 but did not go past 50. If one of the batsmen could have stayed with Foakes for a sustained period Surrey could have had been looking at declaring this evening. With the poor weather forecast for the next two days they need to keep the game moving to force a victory.As it is the undefeated 140 from Foakes, his third century against Gloucestershire in his career and his second this season, left Surrey fighting the weather for the win more than their opponents. Having started the day with just eight runs to his name Foakes made it all the way through to the close when a foreshadowing of the weather that is forecast in the coming days brought the today to a premature end with Surrey 116 runs in front.Surrey may consider an overnight declaration, but with them just one run shy of a third batting bonus point they may feel inclined to continue in the morning, providing the weather allows it.

ScorecardDinesh Karthik made his 24th first-class century•PTI

In an endeavour to improve his technique and earn an India call back, Dinesh Karthik spent weeks in Mumbai last year, working at the MCA’s Bandra-Kurla Complex facility with personal coach Praveen Amre. At the same ground, Karthik turned out to be the difference between Mumbai and Tamil Nadu in a Ranji Trophy league game.When Karthik is on song, the best of bowling attacks can appear hapless. It was the turn of Mumbai to bear the brunt as his 167 meant Tamil Nadu recovered from 201 for 6 to pile up 434 in their first innings and give the visitors a good chance of snatching the lead. Tamil Nadu’a pacers then built on the good work, seeing off two Mumbai batsmen, including the prized wicket of Shreyas Iyer, to further the cause.His unbeaten 76 on the opening day was about controlled aggression; a necessary tactic considering Tamil Nadu had been in danger of collapsing. The 91 runs he added today were split into two halves – being patient and then cutting loose.

We feel couple of wickets went against us – Mumbai coach Pandit

Acknowledging Dinesh Karthik’s effort and the resilience of the Tamil Nadu lower middle order, Mumbai coach Chandrakant Pandit has said it was unfortunate that his team found themselves on the wrong side of umpiring decisions. On the second day, three decision, including two in the morning session, went against Mumbai.
“Anybody who would have seen the first half on both the days must have seen the ball was doing a lot. Credit to their batsmen [for] the way they handled the first session,” Pandit said.
“Even this morning, the ball was moving but unfortunately a couple of wickets went against us. Yes, we feel that. I will go with the boys. But I don’t blame anyone for any of that. It is just part and parcel of the game and we have to accept it. I am not blaming the decisions for a total in excess of 400 being scored.”
Dhawal Kulkarni’s appeal for a caught behind against Malolan Rangarajan was turned down early on the second day. It was followed by an lbw shout against Dinesh Karthik that got the shake of the head. Late in the day, Mumbai opener Akhil Herwadkar was adjudged caught behind when the batsman felt he had not edged the ball.

Mumbai had a very hard day. The BKC track not offering much assistance and the soaring heat did no favous either. They didn’t have much going by way of luck either. Karthik, having seen off the first hour of the morning session, survived a close leg-before shout off Shardul Thakur in the nineties. Earlier in the day, a huge appeal for caught behind off Dhawal Kulkarni against Malolan Rangarajan had been turned down as well. The two batsmen put on 182 runs for the seventh wicket.Karthik got his 11th four, which also brought up his 24th first-class ton, there were no more half-chances. By then, the fast bowlers had begun losing their zip and when spin was called in, Karthik simply swept them aside. Literally. Whenever left-arm spinner Vishal Dabholkar or legspinner Abhishek Raut or part-timer Siddhesh Lad pitched it slightly fuller, Karthik bent down in no time and the connection was sweet. When the pace duo of Thakur and Kulkarni pitched it short, the pull shot yielded optimum results.The mammoth stand came to an end soon after lunch when Aditya Tare took a sharp, one-handed catch behind the wicket off Thakur to end Rangarajan’s vigil for 61 off 150 balls. Three overs later, Karthik was undone by a sweep to give Dabholkar a deserving five-for. Aswin Crist and M Mohammed frustrated Mumbai bowlers for an hour, but Kulkarni took two in two in the 145th over to wrap up the innings. And from then on and until the end of the day’s play, bowlers dictated the proceedings.Tamil Nadu’s pacers bowled a nagging line. Even though Crist started off by bowling two full-tosses in the opening over, the second of which was creamed for a four by Shrideep Mangela, Mohammed bowled five maidens on the trot from the other end. Reward for that discipline came in Mohammed’s second spell when he had Akhil Herwadkar caught behind, although replays were inconclusive. There didn’t appear to be any sound of bat hitting ball as it passed.Iyer counterattacked with a sparkling cover drive, a trademark flick through midwicket and an aerial flick that sailed over long leg but with just over ten minutes remaining for the scheduled close, his uppish drive was brilliantly caught by medium-pacer J Kousik to make it a perfect day for Tamil Nadu.

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Live scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsShoaib Malik marked his first Test appearance for more than five years with a composed unbeaten 124, Mohammad Hafeez fell two runs short of a century of his own, while Younis Khan sealed his place in history by overhauling Javed Miandad’s 22-year-old record to become the leading run-scorer in Pakistan Test history, as England’s bowlers were served notice of the hard graft to come on the opening day of the first Test in Abu Dhabi.By the close they had chiselled four key wickets, including that of Pakistan’s captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who had made three centuries in as many innings in his last two Tests in Abu Dhabi, but was dismissed this time for 3 in controversial circumstances – umpire S Ravi upholding James Anderson’s review for a caught-behind, despite no overwhelming evidence that the initial not-out decision had been incorrect in the first place.Malik, however, was still in situ at stumps, having negotiated 230 deliveries in his first first-class innings since November 2014. With a previous best score of 39 in five Tests against England, the last of which was also his most recent outing, at Edgbaston on the infamous 2010 tour, he had been, on the face of it, an insubstantial replacement for Pakistan’s established No. 3, Azhar Ali, who was ruled out of the contest with an infected toe first injured on the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.And yet, having forced his way back into the reckoning by averaging exactly 100 in 11 matches since his ODI recall earlier this year, Malik proved to be the rock of Pakistan’s first innings. With 14 fours, the majority filleted through the off side whenever England’s discipline wavered, he showcased the technique, application and acceleration necessary to thrive in the stifling heat of the UAE desert.The bulk of Pakistan’s first-day total of 286 for 4 were made in his 168-run stand for the second wicket with Hafeez, who was himself making a return to the team having been overlooked for Pakistan’s most recent Test, against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in July. Hafeez had looked nailed on for his ninth Test hundred until Ben Stokes trapped him lbw with the final ball of the afternoon session – an optimistic review proved futile as replays showed the ball was taking out his leg stump.Younis Khan salutes the crowd after breaking Javed Miandad’s Pakistan record•Getty Images

At 173 for 2, the die was cast for an arduous final session, and sure enough, into the fray strode the imposing figure of Younis, who started the series needing 19 runs to overhaul Miandad’s long-standing record of 8,832 runs. After a cautious start, he climbed into his strokes against the spinners and, in one bludgeoned swing of the bat against Moeen Ali, he struck the six over midwicket that enabled him to leapfrog both Miandad and his predecessor as Pakistan’s linchpin, Inzamam-ul-Haq, who had challenged Miandad’s record back in 2007, only to fall three runs short in his final Test innings.Younis’ itchy innings continued in a similar vein and it was not a massive surprise when, on 38, he smeared once too often at Broad and picked out Cook at short straight mid-on, a cunning fielding position from a captain who has begun to find his feet as a tactician in the past six months.There was little Cook could do, however, about the moments that got away from him and his team, and three vital let-offs – one each for Shoaib and Hafeez, and another for Asad Shafiq in the penultimate over of the day – cruelly undermined a determined day’s work from England’s six-man attack.The need for the fielders to capitalise on every opportunity had been drummed home by their assistant coach, Paul Farbrace, in the wake of two fallible fielding efforts in their warm-up games in Sharjah last week. But the advice might as well have been a mirage, in particular to Ian Bell, whose two dropped chances at slip spoke of a cricketer who, to judge by his comments after the Ashes win, isn’t entirely convinced of his continued hunger.The first moment came in just the seventh over of the morning when Bell, at second slip, dropped a regulation edge when Hafeez had made just 7.England at that stage were on something of a roll. Anderson, restored to new-ball duties after being ruled out of the final two Ashes Tests with a side strain, had already drawn level with Wasim Akram on 414 Test wickets by bowling a shocked Shan Masood off his grille with his first short ball of the day.Shan Masood deflected the ball on to his stumps but England’s opportunities were limited•Getty Images

Two overs later, he changed his angle subtly to lure Hafeez into a loose prod outside off stump. The edge, however, appeared to travel in slow motion to Bell, who reached down to his left but fumbled the knee-high opportunity.The wicket-that-wasn’t would have left Pakistan 12 for 2 in the seventh over. Bell’s second miss, a near-identical chance off Anderson with Shafiq on 10 at the time, would have given England a hard-earned fifth of the day. Anderson finished the day with the creditable figures of 2 for 29 in 14 overs, but he could have had a four-for on an absolute road.To a degree, England’s tactics served their purpose in the conditions. The seamers operated in short, sharp bursts, including alternating one-over spells as Anderson and Broad shared the burden in the heat of the afternoon. Initially Anderson concentrated on a fourth-stump line to a packed off-side field, before attacking the stumps with reverse swing and a leg-biased field. At the other end Moeen Ali, the senior spinner, kept things tight, at least until the final session, to give Adil Rashid, the debutant legspinner, licence to mix it up in search of the partnership-breaking moment.But the other opportunity, when it eventually came, was squandered by Broad’s size 12s. Midway through the first hour of the afternoon session, Shoaib on 40, squirted an angled delivery from Broad straight into Joe Root’s midriff at gully. Instantly, however, the third umpire zoomed in on Broad’s front foot, which had clearly landed the wrong side of the popping crease.England were suitably aghast, for it was the sixth time one of their bowlers has been denied a wicket by a no-ball this year. And yet, in mitigation, they have only been called for 23 in the whole of 2015, and never more than three in a single innings. For all that Broad was at fault, so too are the umpires for failing to police the front line until the critical wicket-taking moments.To their credit, England kept their discipline in spite of the disappointment, and by the close Pakistan’s run-rate had at least been kept in relative check. But after two half-hearted warm-ups, they entered this match like an unseared steak in a roasting hot oven. Under-cooked in the preparation, and therefore over-cooked in the final reckoning.

The rumours of raging turners in the Tests against India have not got South Africa in a strategic spin just yet, as they plan to start things off by sticking to their traditional strengths. Three seamers and a lone specialist spinner is the way South Africa have always done things, and they seem set on starting that way in India as well, irrespective of the conditions.”There’s an old West Indian saying, ‘If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,’ so if the seamers do the job for you, be it in the subcontinent or anywhere else in the world, so be it,” Hashim Amla said. The phrase actually originated out of farmers in Texas and popularised a director in Jimmy Carter’s administration but Amla’s point stands.Now the question is which three seamers and which spinner?The first answer is obvious. South Africa’s premier pack is made up of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel, as has been the case since 2011. They have not featured in every Test over the last four years, but the ones they have missed have only been because of injury. It’s unlikely the case will be any different this time around.Morkel is the only one carrying an injury – he tweaked a quad muscle in the third ODI in Rajkot – and will have a last-minute fitness assessment on the morning of the match to determine his availability. If he pulls up unfit, South Africa will have to give uncapped Kagiso Rabada a debut.The issue of the spinner is more complex, though. South Africa have given themselves a choice between Simon Harmer, Dane Piedt and Imran Tahir, but are keeping their cards close to their chest as to which one will play. Essentially the choice is between an attacking spinner (Tahir) and a containing one (Harmer or Piedt), which is further complicated by the unavailability of JP Duminy.”When JP plays, he adds that added spin option for us. But with him not being in the team for the first Test, it adds dynamics to our team,” Amla said. That means South Africa’s holding overs have to either come from part-timers or from a specialist holding bowler.”In conditions where the pitch is turning, spinners have multiple roles. When it doesn’t turn they fall into a defensive role. When it does turn, naturally they fall into an attacking role. A lot depends on the surface,” Amla said. “We have been very strong with our seam bowlers wherever we have been in the world. We have a few options in the seam department and we have been blessed and done well. We are fortunate in that our seam bowlers have done well in the subcontinent. They can be an attacking option. Not many countries around the world can say that. Our spinners will probably do both roles depending on what the game needs.”Both Harmer and Piedt are also wicket-takers, albeit to a lesser degree than Tahir, and if South Africa are looking for a spinner who can switch gears, they are more likely to go with one of them. Being the incumbent, having played in Bangladesh, Harmer appears to be the frontrunner.Sticking with Harmer for now also seems to tally with Amla’s overall philosophy of trying, “to do what’s most efficient to try and win a game.” That may sound incongruous on first reading because Harmer is not the most attacking spinner South Africa have at their disposal. So he may not be the most efficient appointment but, as Amla explained, going for the kill does not always mean relentless aggression.”There will be times when you have to play the game in a way that will ensure a result. Sometimes you have to play a slightly defensive game to make sure the result comes a bit later, he said. “We all know the game of cricket is a bit like chess – you have got to make the right moves. Sometimes you will get it wrong and sometimes it works in your favour. That’s as simple as I keep it.”And that’s a phrase Amla can call his own.

Martin Bicknell bowling blitz – the best since Laker’s record Photo © Paul McGregor

Surrey completed a resounding victory over Leicestershire by 10 wickets atGuildford today – their sixth win in the championship this summer. The homecounty scored 119-0 from 39.3 overs with Mark Butcher (47 n.o.) and Ian Ward(61 n.o.) taking the title-holders home with a day and a half to spare.Martin Bicknell, who took all four wickets in the first innings, producedyet another magnificent display of fast bowling. His return of 9-47following 7-72 in the first innings gave him a match analysis of 16-119 -the best achieved in England since Jim Laker, also of Surrey, took 19Australian wickets in the Test Match at Manchester in 1956. Bicknell becamealso the first bowler to achieve 50 wickets in the championship this summer.
The 47 runs put on for the seventh wicket by Vince Wells and Phil DeFreitas,who hit 24 in one ball less, alone provided any resistance. Bicknelldismissed both within three deliveries to catches by Butcher and Brown. Withthe last two wickets folding tamely Leicestershire were all out for 87. Incontrast to that batting debacle the Surrey opening batsmen showed howplacid for run-scoring the pitch could be, and they knocked off the runswithout giving a chance. Butcher brought up the victory with a cover-drivefour, one of eight boundaries in his innings.Bicknell, who played club cricket for Guildford, said: “I love playing atGuildford, it’s my home ground and I know a lot of people here. Playing thisweek every year is something I look forward to.”He has taken five-wickets in an innings three times this season – a feat hewas not able to achieve once last year. Although he claimed to be doingnothing different this summer to the blast four or five seasons Martin washappy for the figures to speak for themselves. He recognised that chanceshad to be taken when they arose because otherwise Saqlain Mushtaq and IanSalisbury would take the wickets, but he would gladly exchange this analysisfor another championship.

Rob Bransgrove Photo © Victor Isaacs

Hampshire County Cricket Club announced today that Rod Bransgrove has been appointed as the County’s new Chairman.Mr.Bransgrove was elected unanimously at last night’s special meeting of Hampshire’s General Committee at which Brian Ford’s letter of resignation as Chairman was considered and accepted. Mr.Ford said he needed more time to concentrate on his personal affairs.Mr.Bransgrove said today: "I’m honoured to take over this role and I will discharge it to the very best of my ability".At the press conference held to make this announcement, 50 year old Mr.Bransgrove intimated his committment to the county that he had a deep passion for. With his businesses now in good hands he feels he can devote much more time to the task at hand. The smooth opening of the new ground was a major priority. He saw himself not so much as an overlord, more as a decision facilitator.The club under the new Chairman, will be forming a Fund Raising Committee to look into the shortfall needed for the Rose Bowl, and when pressed stipulated that his committment would also include some personal finantial obligation.When asked about an overseas player for next season, Mr.Bransgrove whose playing ability was mainly local league "stuff" in Sussex, stated he was not an expert on cricket matters, and would leave these in the hands of people in the know, all he could say was that the club were in advanced negotiations, and would expect to name a player soon.Hampshire’s Chief Executive, Tony Baker’s reaction to a question from the floor, stated he was very pleased with the appointment, he an Mr.Bransgrove had much in common and felt they could work well together in the name of Hampshire CCC.

There was plenty of activity on the second day of Jammu & Kashmir’sNorth Zone Ranji Trophy match against Services at Jammu. Eighteenwickets tumbled during the day and after all the dust had settled, thehosts have been left on the brink of victory. Chasing a fourth inningstarget of 108, Jammu & Kashmir were 44/1 at stumps.Earlier in the day, Jammu & Kashmir were bundled out for 176 in theirfirst innings for a lead of just 14. Ashwani Gupta remained undefeatedon 56, watching in frustration from the other end as the last sixwickets fell for 38 runs. Services seamer Sudhakar Ghag did the bulkof the damage with a haul of 6/56.J&K hit back immediately by routing Services for 121 in under two anda half hours. Skipper and lead strike bowler, Abdul Qayoom, who hasbeen in impressive form ever since the season began, added a bag of4/19 to his first innings pickings of 5/42. Ghag’s blistering 31 off17 balls was the top score in an innings that was over in 28.2 overs.Openers Vidya Bhaskar and Ajay Bhatti put on 43 in just ten overs asJ&K began strongly in their runchase. Although the former fell justbefore stumps for 30, the hosts are heavily favoured to bring a speedyconclusion to the match on Monday.