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Abdur Razzak’s bowling action will be independently reviewed in Australia before the left-arm spinner faces an ICC assessment. Razzak, who was suspended from bowling in international cricket in December for a suspect action, bowled in the recent domestic Premier Division Twenty20 Tournament after working with local experts.Video footage of Razzak’s action will be sent to experts in Australia. “As per our bowling review committee’s observation his action has improved but we need to take suggestions from experts, which is why we sent the footage to Australia,” Enayet Hossain Siraj, the BCB’s cricket operations committee chairman, said. “It’s actually a precautionary measure before sending him [Razzak] to the ICC.”Razzak was reported after the home Tests against New Zealand last October by on-field umpires Daryl Harper and Asoka de Silva. An independent analysis conducted by the ICC, also in Australia, confirmed his action was suspect. According to the report, Razzak’s elbow extension ranged between 22 to 28 degrees, averaging 25 degrees; his quicker ball ranged from 22 to 28 degrees with an average of 24 degrees. The ICC rules allow bending the arm up to 15 degrees.

Arsenal will be without Ben White for their lunchtime trip to Manchester City today…

What’s the latest?

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta delivered the fresh setback during his pre-game press conference. He said, via football.london:

“Well from COVID we still have Ben out, Alex Runarsson that has been out. The rest of the players that are missing – hopefully, because we are going to be testing today – are injuries and long term injuries that we don’t have them back yet,” he said.

The Spaniard later added:

“[White is] asymptomatic, he’s been feeling good. As quick as we can we’re going to bring him back to training and he’ll start to play games with us again.”

Gutting setback

The north London outfit have got off to a disastrous start so far in 2021/22, having lost back-to-back matches against newly-promoted Brentford and local rivals Chelsea.

It’s not going to get any easier either as Arteta and his squad have to face the defending champions in their own backyard – a side that was able to spend £100m solely on Jack Grealish.

Pep Guardiola’s men bounced back from an opening day defeat by thrashing Norwich City 5-0 last weekend, so they will be buoyed by huge confidence heading into this encounter.

Against Chelsea, the Gunners’ backline was a complete shambles, particularly Pablo Mari, who was absolutely bullied by their new signing Romelu Lukaku.

“Mari was an embarrassment, he didn’t know what to do,” claimed Rio Ferdinand to his FIVE podcast. “The way they defended against him – where’s Per Mertesacker or someone like that who’s in the building? Please tell them what to do.”

Arsenal made a considerable investment in White, paying Brighton and Hove Albion around £50m, according to The Athletic, so to not have him available for a game like this, especially after their capitulation at Stamford Bridge, will surely leave Arteta hugely worried.

Gunners fans may well want to expect another drubbing here this afternoon.

AND in other news, Forget Auba: £100k-p/w Arsenal flop with 98 touches just gave Arteta one huge headache…

Liverpool have received a big injury boost ahead of their Premier League encounter with Leeds United over the weekend after Virgil van Dijk played down concerns over an ankle issue.

What’s the word?

The 30-year-old centre-back suffered a late fitness scare during the Netherlands’ 6-1 World Cup Qualifier win over Turkey in midweek after he was spotted clutching his ankle following a high challenge from Halil Dervisoglu.

Van Dijk appeared to be in considerable pain but told local media that he was “already over it” following the final whistle at the Amsterdam ArenA.

New Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal was quick to point the blame at the slow play of his goalkeeper, Justin Bijlow, and defender, Devyne Rensch, for his captain’s injury.

“The last (goal) could not happen, in my opinion, but it was a soft ball of our right full-back,” said the former Ajax, Manchester United and Bayern Munich boss (as relayed by The Independent).

“And by law the goalkeeper, who played three fantastic matches, makes a mistake, also a slow ball. That’s why Virgil van Dijk is a little bit injured now.”

The Liverpool talisman made no reference to the tackle on Twitter, though, saying: “Proud captain today, great performance all round. What a great atmosphere too! Now time to head back to Liverpool and prepare for a tough couple of weeks ahead.”

Jurgen Klopp will be delighted

With Liverpool set to take on Leeds United at Elland Road over the weekend following the return of Premier League football, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp will be delighted to have his star defender available for selection as he’d have been panicked to see the challenge he was on the receiving end of.

Van Dijk missed the majority of last season through a serious knee injury and the 19-time English champions fell to third place in the top-flight table in his absence.

His return to Merseyside in good health will be a huge relief for everyone associated with the club, and Klopp can plan ahead for the tricky trip to south Yorkshire with his first-choice centre-back in mind.

And, in other news…Get it done: Liverpool enter race for £17m forward, Klopp would absolutely love him

Shakib Al Hasan’s all-round performance has put Bangladesh on course for their second Test win

Cricinfo staff19-Oct-2008
Shakib Al Hasan: “Maybe when I retire from the game, or in a few days time, I will think ‘Hey, I have got the best bowling record for Bangladesh’ and feel great about it” © AFP
On Saturday, Shakib Al Hasan, fresh from taking six wickets in New Zealand’s first innings, was asked whether he considered himself as a batting or bowling allrounder. “I consider getting a 70 more important [than six wickets],” Shakib said then. On Sunday he would have wished for 29 more, but his 71 put Bangladesh in a commanding position.It is Shakib’s bowling, though, that has got him in the record books; his figures of 25.5-7-36-7 are the best innings haul for a Bangladesh bowler. “It hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” he said. “Maybe when I retire from the game, or in a few days, time I will think ‘Hey, I have got the best bowling record for Bangladesh’ and feel great about it.”He had only three wickets in six Tests wickets prior to this match, and Shakib said he would focus more on his bowling from now on. “I didn’t think about it [bowling so well] that much. I guess it was a gift from God because I don’t work that much on my bowling. That’s why I had said yesterday that scoring a 70 is more important to me. However, from now on, I think I’ll give more importance to bowling. I have always worked hard at batting and will continue to do so.”Shakib’s all-round performance – he even pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss Jeetan Patel on the second day – has put Bangladesh on course for their second Test win. “It feels really great. When you bat, bowl and field well, and are of service to the team, then the feeling is always great,” he said. “From the position we are in, if we can take all the chances that come our way then we will win Inshallah.”Shakib’s bowling performance had helped Bangladesh gain a 74-run lead in the first innings. However, a top-order collapse nearly frittered away the advantage before he consolidated the lead with the help of vital partnerships with Mushfiqur Rahim and Naeem Islam. Mushfiqur, who scored 79 in the first innings, chipped in with a useful 121-ball 32. He later praised Shakib, with whom he added 56 for the sixth wicket after Bangladesh were reduced to 71 for 5.
Mushfiqur Rahim: “I can’t say that we are in a good position still because our target is to get a lead of 280 to 300” © AFP
“He is a very important member of the side. We have seen his ability in the one-day matches and we expect a lot from him,” Mushfiqur said. “Now he has delivered in a Test match also. That is good for him and also for the team. Here he has bowled well in the first innings and then batted beautifully in the second innings. I hope he will bowl as well in the second innings and set us up for something special.”The pitch, which has offered considerable turn and bounce, hasn’t cracked open as expected but Mushfiqur felt a target around 280-300 would be ideal. Bangladesh, at stumps on the third day, led by 258 with two wickets left in their second innings.”It [the pitch] hasn’t changed in character that much especially in the wicket-to-wicket corridor. There are rough areas on the sides and there has been some uneven bounce but I don’t think wickets have fallen because of that,” he said. “If we hadn’t lost those two wickets towards the end then it would have been a lot better. I can’t say that we are in a good position still because our target is to get a lead of 280 to 300. We won’t be safe until we manage that.”New Zealand’s highest score in the fourth innings of a Test is 451, when Nathan Astle scored the fastest double-century against England. However, they have successfully chased only one target over 300, and their best match-winning chase away from home is 160 for 2 against Australia in 1986 and in the subcontinent it is 82 for 5 against in Lahore in 1969. However, New Zealand did bat out 135 overs against India in Mohali in 1999 to force a draw, but Mushfiqur felt if Bangladesh got more than 275-280, and bowl like they did in the first innings, then they could “definitely expect something good”.

Shane Watson, the Australian allrounder, has said he is in the best physical condition he has ever been in but does not want to put too much pressure on himself as he tries to fill the allrounder’s spot, made vacant by Andrew Symonds’ omission from the Test squad.”Previously I put a lot of pressure on myself in trying to make the most of the chances I got,” Watson said. “The last year was the most frustrating. As soon as I felt I was close to an opportunity I would get injured. In a way my body was letting me down.”Despite being around the Australia setup for six years, Watson has played only three Tests as persistent injuries, mainly to his hamstring and shoulder, limited his output. He missed the 2006-07 Ashes and was replaced by Symonds, a situation now reversed after Symonds’ exclusion on disciplinary grounds.Ricky Ponting said Watson, with his technically-correct batting and fast-bowling skills, might have secured a spot in the team even if Symonds was in the squad. He expected Watson to make the XI for the first Test in Bangalore.”My injuries gave Symonds an opportunity in Test cricket and he’s done extremely well over the last couple of years,” Watson said. “Now I have to try and make the most of the opportunity. I’ve been working extremely hard on a number of different things in the last year. I’ve changed some of the training techniques that I have been using.”Physically I am in the best condition I have been in, in my whole career. I know I’m giving myself the best chance to be able to perform and get through a Test series. That’s all I can ask of myself and I’m very content with the place I am in physically, technically and mentally.”Watson was in India earlier this year, playing for Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural season of the IPL, and he hoped to draw on that experience. “I’ve played in three of the four grounds [during IPL] we’re going to play Tests on [Bangalore, Mohali and Delhi],” Watson said. “Twenty20 is different but it will help that I’m fairly familiar with these venues. It will give me a bit of confidence knowing what to expect at these grounds.”Watson, however, is currently down with viral fever and is a doubtful starter for the tour match against Board President’s XI beginning in Hyderabad on Thursday.

Leeds United and Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Dundee United defender Kerr Smith, The Daily Record report.

The Lowdown: Palace win Gallagher race

It’s not the first time both the Whites and the Eagles have been linked with the same player.

Leeds wanted to bring Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher to Elland Road on loan, and a deal appeared to be getting closer.

However, Palace managed to tempt the 21-year-old to stay in London at the last minute and have since confirmed a season-long loan deal.

It appears as if Marcelo Bielsa and Patrick Vieira’s sides could do battle in the market again, this time for Kerr, who was described as ‘fantastic’ by Tangerines defender Mark Conolly earlier this year.

The Latest: Kerr interest

The Daily Record claim that Leeds and Palace, along with Southampton, all remain keen on the centre-back.

The 16-year-old trained with Manchester United earlier this year and appears to be a man in demand, with Aston Villa also linked with a move back in May.

Kerr has made seven senior appearances for Dundee United, two of which have come this season and has two years remaining on his Tannadice Park deal.

The Verdict: Another academy addition?

Leeds have been fairly busy this summer when it comes to bolstering their academy ranks, and you’d expect Kerr would link up with the club’s Under-23’s, should a move materialise.

Lewis Bate has arrived from Chelsea, Amari Miller from Birmingham City and Sean McGurk from Wigan Athletic, so Kerr could be the fourth youth addition.

The Whites will need to get one back on Palace, though, as well as Southampton, if they are to win the race for the Scot.

In other news: Phil Hay addresses Lewis O’Brien links, find out more here. 

Australia’s confident 84-run win over West Indies has regained them the No. 1 one-day ranking from South Africa

Cricinfo staff25-Jun-2008
Brad Haddin is part of the new-look Australia side that started well in the West Indies © AFP
Australia’s confident 84-run win over West Indies has regained them the No. 1 one-day ranking from South Africa. Ricky Ponting’s team was deposed from the top spot on the ICC table after losing the CB Series final to India, but the latest victory has pushed the young team ahead.Australia had been defeated three times in a row in the format before Shaun Marsh’s 81 set up the success in St Vincent and they have another chance to show their improvements in the second match in Grenada on Friday. It was a strong start from a squad that is rebuilding after the retirements of Adam Gilchrist and Brad Hogg, while Matthew Hayden is back in Australia with an achilles injury.Brad Haddin, who scored a half-century in the opening win, has taken over from Gilchrist while Marsh stepped in for Hayden. Cameron White, the legspinner who went wicketless in six overs on Tuesday, and the back-up wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi are also part of the set-up in the Caribbean.”It’s a pretty formidable squad that we’ve got here with a lot of flexibility,” Ponting told AAP. “The flexibility around our group at the moment is probably as good as I’ve seen it around the Australian team.”

Some Liverpool supporters have been reacting negatively to a rumour claiming the Reds could sign West Ham winger Jarrod Bown this summer.

The Reds may be on the lookout for another attacking addition in the coming weeks, as Jurgen Klopp aims to add depth to his squad.

Another wide player could come in and provide competition for the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota, with both Salah and Mane expected to miss around a month of action when AFCON kicks off in early 2022.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

One player who has been tipped to head to Anfield in a surprise move is Bowen, and another fresh update has now been provided on the Englishman.

According to Futbol de Inglaterra [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], Liverpool are preparing a £32million bid for the West Ham man.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-9/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Verdict: Liverpool fans bemoan Bowen rumour

These Reds fans took to Twitter to react negatively to the news, clearly not seeing Bowen as a good option to sign.

“This team will kill me”

Credit: @Fante_man

“I feel sick”

Credit: @wxseem7

“Is he even good enough for the bench?”

Credit: @Bennnnlfc

“I can’t believe this”

Credit: @Smartooski

“God no. Please no”

Credit: @I_Am_Artanis

“NO NO NO”

Credit: @Gabriel_Onas

In other news, some Liverpool fans have reacted negatively to an update regarding one Reds player. Find out who it is here.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 ticketing computer is currently busyprocessing applications for individual match tickets on the Ticket Windowrandom draw system.The Ticket Window was open between October 8-November 22, during which thepublic was invited to make application for 100 000 tickets available forindividual CWC matches.The computer is now randomly drawing applications and the process is beingmonitored by auditors Deloitte & Touche.Towards the end of next week, applicants will be contacted via email toinform them of their success or otherwise.No tickets will be on sale to anyone other than those who are notified oftheir success in the Ticket Window.Successful applicants will be sent a Transaction Reference number and maythen purchase their tickets through any of the following mechanisms:

Many Wolves fans have been left buzzing as a transfer update emerged on Rayan Ait-Nouri and Ruben Vinagre.

As per Sky Sports journalist Anton Toloui, a £10m deal to sign Ait-Nouri, which includes a sell-on clause for Angers, will be completed ‘next week’. His arrival will then see Vinagre leave the Midlands club for Sporting Lisbon, with a fee of £10m also being agreed.

Many Wolves fans are pleased that Ait-Nouri is returning to Molineux, given that he impressed while on loan there in the 2020/21 season, ranking highly among his teammates in terms of average tackles (1.4), key passes (0.7), dribbles (1.2), pass success (86.1%) and crosses (0.6) per game in the Premier League (WhoScored).

Meanwhile, Vinagre is surplus to requirements at Wolves, given that he was shipped out on loan to two different clubs last term, and so letting him go is also an ideal scenario.

Wolves fans on Ait-Nouri and Vinagre transfer update

These Wolves fans buzzed as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, with one describing the impending double deal as ‘incredible’ from club chairman Jeff Shi:

“Wow. Net spend of £0 on Ait-Nouri #wwfc”

Credit: @roneilcallo

“If this is true and we’re breaking even on Ait-Nouri/Vinagre then that is an incredible deal and a seriously good start to the window”Credit: @TomMorgan94″Great business that, to get Ait-Nouri for the same fee who is double the player is quality”Credit: @wwfcjoe_”Excellent business.”Credit: @Vaughany1973″Jeff is actually pulling a madness this window”Credit: @PortuWolves”Doing the Ronaldo celebration at Burton away. Boom”Credit: @IanButchioIn other news, find out which ‘exciting’ international Wolves could sign in 2022!