Dhaka 374 (Halim 119, Niamur 62, Muntasir 58) beat Barisal 193 and 118 (Mahmud 4-19, Muntasir 4-31) by an innings and 63 runs ScorecardKhaled Mahmud, after a combative half-century to rescue Dhaka from a perilous position, bowled them to victory, taking 4 for 19 as Barisal were skittled out for 118 in their second innings. Fahim Muntasir, an offspinner fighting to get back into the national side, also had a fine match, scoring 58 and, then, taking 4 for 31.Sylhet 80 (Razzaq 7-11) and 145 for 9 (Hadi 43, Bashir 4-36) need 92 more runs to beat Khulna 160 and 156 (Parvez 48) ScorecardKhulna was on the verge of victory at the end of the third day, with Sylhet needing 92 more runs to win, but with only one wicket in hand. Khulna’s second innings was wrapped up for 158 early in the day, giving them a lead of 236 runs. Tamim Bashir then got his act going, taking 4 for 36 as Sylhet crumbled to 145 for 9. Only Taqrimul Hadi, with a defiant 43, provided any resistance.Rajshahi 234 and 129 for 6 lead Chittagong 300 (Hossain 99*, Saifullah 6-91) by 63 runs ScorecardFaisal Hossain was heartbreakingly left not out on 99, as Chittagong were all out for exactly 300 on the third day against Rajshahi. Saifullah Khan took 6 for 91 in 45.3 overs, and Rajshai then made 129 for 6 in their second innings to lead by 63 runs. Ahsanullah Hasan, with 3 for 24, was they key bowler for Chittagong.
Pleasantries are over, mutual admiration for deeds over recent months has been dispensed, now is the time for a good old-fashioned ding-dong battle to commence.It may be the one-day prelude to the real thing, but One-Day Internationals in the year leading up to a World Cup take on much more importance.New Zealand are looking for a Cup-winning formula for their team, England are looking for a team.That’s the reality as the two sides line up at a rapidly-changing Jade Stadium. Anyone with a memory long enough to remember the ground when it was called Lancaster Park will be stunned when they see the change that has come over the familiar concrete terraces on the western side of the ground.Now there is a stand, as one member of the New Zealand team put it yesterday, that “makes it look more like Melbourne than anything else”. There’ll be no problems now with the north-westerly blowing across the ground, this is a pretty sizeable obstruction. Rugby fullbacks the world over will breathe collective sighs of relief.Cricketers are not so lucky, they have no idea what effect the changes may have on the dynamics of the ground.Where there may be a problem, especially by the time two Super 12 rugby matches are played on the ground before the start of the first Test in mid-March, is light. Light for viewing, light and heat for drying and growth, light for playing.But that is all in the future. For tomorrow, the lights of the ground will be on two teams looking to get things right.The New Zealanders, having been paraded around Australia at the marketeers’ insistence, could rightly claim to be feeling more than a little knackered.CLEAR Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming insists the sheer delight at being home, in familiar environs, will be enough for his team to get themselves up and ready for an England team keen to build on the work they have done in India.Nasser Hussain has already thrown out advice to his accompanying media pack. This is a long-term campaign to pick up the art of playing one-day cricket to the level that most other Test-playing nations had sorted out years ago.It has always amused those living outside England that, for a country which plays so much one-day cricket at domestic level, the national team cannot get it right in international play.Anyway, at least the English have recognised that floggings in the two World Cups held since they were thumped in the final of the 1992 Cup is more than any country should take and they are endeavouring to achieve a higher consistency in their play.One-day cricket remains a funny thing however. New Zealand have been looking for consistency for years, not only in performance but in team personnel. Every time things look like coming right, another bowler goes down with a malady of some injurious kind.The curse struck again this week when the very answer to NZC’s marketing department prayers, Shane Bond, was forced out of the summer with a suspected stress fracture of the ankle.They are also looking for a successful opening batting partnership. This is the equivalent of the hunt for the long extinct moa. Ever since someone decided that the then greatest run scorer in New Zealand domestic one-day cricket, Bruce Edgar couldn’t open the innings, and the John Wright-Edgar partnership was broken up, the opening position has been a problem.Nathan Astle could claim to be suffering the wallflower syndrome. You know, the girl at the dance who is forever unemployed. He wants to dance to full effect but no-one wants to dance with him.It is bizarre that one player can be comfortably ensconced as the most prolific one-day batsman in the country’s international history, yet have seen more partners off than Elizabeth Taylor in triplicate.Runs. Runs at the top of the order make all the difference in the one-day game. Everyone down the order can breathe a little easier and play more like their own game.Without them life becomes miserable, and to further complicate New Zealand’s plot, the new bouncer law has been thrown in for good measure.Chris Nevin, who could rightly claim he should never have been discarded anyway, gets his chance in these first two games. Lou Vincent drops down the order. Would it be too much to expect that the nearest equivalent to Jonty Rhodes in the field in the New Zealand game could acquire some of the same gentleman’s batting habits as witnessed to such good effect over recent weeks.England could ask, have they found their genuine all-rounder in Andrew Flintoff? What is the future for Craig White? What damage can the impressive left-handers Marcus Trescothick and Nick Knight do to New Zealand’s attack?New Zealand will know by the end of the series if Daryl Tuffey has a future in the One-Day International scene. They will know whether the prospect of two fast men opening the bowling looms with Ian Butler and Bond. They will also know just where Andre Adams fits into the overall scheme of things.It is a fascinating series in prospect.Both teams have plenty to find out, about themselves and each other. The new bouncer law has eliminated some of the predictability of one-day play, while the infusion of new blood into both sides has helped ensure what could be the best one-day series in New Zealand for a number of years.
The Zimbabwean tourists began their first-class programme with an aggressive bowling performance against Canterbury at Jade Stadium today. Canterbury closed on 185 for 4 in 90 overs, making for a slow, inconclusive start.Stand in skipper Guy Whittall put the home side in after Heath Streak withdrew ill before the start. What always promised to be a long day’s fielding practice began with Robbie Frew and season debutant, Harley James seeing off the new ball, surprisingly taken by 33 year old Zimbabwe newcomer, Angus Mackay.When James, who hit a 50 on his previous first class outing against the same opposition 2 seasons ago, eventually fell, 75 had been added in slow, but steady fashion. Henry Olonga, much the fastest of the Zimbabwean bowlers, had him lbw, during a lively spell, following an erratic mixture of bouncers and no balls.At lunch, on 78-1 Canterbury’s internationals still had not been seen. Astle, whom the national selectors had persuaded Canterbury to play, did not reach the crease until 48 minutes from the close, while Gary Stead, unwanted by his country, batted at six rather than the opening position where he has been so successful this season. Canterbury coach, Garry MacDonald, used his authority to play Stead in the best position for the team. Despite this, it was odd that Hamish Barton and Marcel McKenzie, both playing for their cricketing lives, were left without a senior partner.Leg spinner Brian Murphy bowled a long containing spell, complimented by Mackay’s endless stream of short pitchers from the Hadlee Stand end, which gave Barton a bit of a work over. Frew had gone not long after a rain delayed resumption, tamely giving left armer Bryan Strang a return catch after a neat 44.Barton batted for 150 balls, hitting nine fours and 12 singles in his 48. Both he and McKenzie, after adding 71 for the third wicket in 34 overs before and after tea, fell to the new ball, taken by the fiery Olonga and steady Strang. Olonga found the edge with his extra pace with the very first delivery after Whittall took the cherry, right on 80 overs. McKenzie fell on the same score.Astle and Stead batted out the day, finally adding some class to what had been a grind for the meagre crowd, enlivened only by the Zimbabwean zest of Olonga and Mackay.
There may still be a few areas of weakness, but overall, Chelsea have built one of the most impressive squads in the Premier League.
The likes of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Reece James and Marc Cucurella, for example, would surely get into practically any other side in the competition.
Moreover, youngsters like Estevao and Andrey Santos are only going to get better and better as the season progresses.
However, when it comes to Chelsea’s best player, it has to be Cole Palmer, and the good news for fans is that, if reports are to be believed, the club are now at another star in the making who could be Enzo Maresca’s next Palmer.
Chelsea target their next Palmer
Since joining Chelsea in the summer of 2023, Palmer has been a force of nature when fit.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
For example, in 105 appearances for the club, the Englishman has scored 46 goals and provided 29 assists. Moreover, he’s shown up in big games, including the Conference League and Club World Cup finals.
Therefore, it’s unsurprising to learn that the Blues are now in for another star in the making who could end up being a Palmer-like signing.
At least that is according to a recent report from Caught Offside, which claims Chelsea are still very interested in Adam Wharton.
In fact, the report goes a step further than that, revealing that, as things stand, the midfield monster is the club’s “dream” target.
A potential price for the Crystal Palace star is not mentioned in the report, but reports from earlier this year claimed that a fee of around £100m could be enough to tempt the Eagles into selling.
How Wharton, Anderson and Rice compare in 2025/26
That’s undoubtedly a significant sum, but given Wharton’s ability and potential, it’s one Chelsea should pay, especially as he could be another Palmer-type signing.
Why Wharton would be another Palmer for Chelsea
It should almost go without saying that the comparison between Palmer and Wharton is not really down to their playstyle or position.
Sure, they’re both midfielders, but their roles and responsibilities for their respective sides are entirely different.
Yet even so, there are a few similarities between the pair and a few reasons Wharton could be a Palmer-like signing for Chelsea.
Firstly, like the former City gem, if this deal were to go through, it would be another example of the Blues signing one of the most exciting young English talents in the league.
Subscribe to the newsletter for Chelsea transfer insight Dig deeper with the newsletter: focused Chelsea transfer coverage and scout-led analysis that breaks down targets, player profiles, and how signings could shape the squad—ideal for fans who want informed perspectives. Subscribe to the newsletter for Chelsea transfer insight Dig deeper with the newsletter: focused Chelsea transfer coverage and scout-led analysis that breaks down targets, player profiles, and how signings could shape the squad—ideal for fans who want informed perspectives.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
More crucially, though, it would be another instance of the club signing a youngster who has the ability to be truly game-changing, only this time from slightly deeper.
For example, on top of already amassing an impressive 117 senior club appearances and three senior England caps, the 21-year-old has some sensational underlying numbers to his name.
Hailed as a “passing machine” by journalist Henry Winter, according to FBref, he ranks very highly across a number of metrics. He notably sits in the top 1% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for expected assisted goals, the top 6% for goal-creating actions, the top 8% for through balls, the top 10 % for shot-creating actions and ball recoveries, the top 11% for key passes and more, all per 90.
Wharton’s Scout Report
Statistics
Per 90
Percentile
Exp. Assisted Goals
0.27
Top 1%
Goal-Creating Actions
0.52
Top 6%
Through Balls
0.52
Top 8%
Shot-Creating Actions
3.64
Top 10%
Ball Recoveries
5.96
Top 10%
Key Passes
1.80
Top 11%
Assists
0.19
Top 14%
Crosses
2.79
Top 19%
All Stats via FBref
Finally, like the West Londoners’ talisman, the Eagles’ star has already proven he can step up in big games, playing a pivotal role in last season’s FA Cup triumph.
Ultimately, while it would be a costly transfer to get over the line, Chelsea should go all out for Wharton, as he could be another Palmer-like addition to Maresca’s team.
Chelsea line up £47m move to sign their new Moises Caicedo in January
The incredible prospect could develop into another Caicedo for Chelsea and Maresca.
The BCCI’s next course of action in response to the Lodha Committee’s report is expected to be delayed as its state units have sought more time to discuss the recommendations. A BCCI official told ESPNcricinfo that president Shashank Manohar had informally suggested convening a special general meeting – effectively the board’s first official reaction to the report – on February 15, but it is all but ruled out as an SGM requires a 21-day notice period.It is understood that the BCCI’s legal committee, headed by PS Raman and comprising Abhay Apte and DVVS Somayajulu, is slated to meet on February 7, but with the state associations unlikely to put forth any concrete suggestions by then very little is expected to come out of the meeting. The legal committee had earlier met with Manohar and Thakur on January 17, but a source privy to the meeting said it was “inconclusive.””It was agreed at the meeting that there were issues that needed rectifying, and that we needed state associations to come on board,” the source said. He added the BCCI agreed with the Lodha Committee’s observations on transparency, proper upkeep of accounts and the need for election officers and an Ombudsman. “But there are other issues that needed to be discussed threadbare, and that’s why it is a time-consuming process. The president [Manohar] is very keen to resolve it, but at the same time there are logistical difficulties.”After the report was made public on January 4, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur had asked state associations to convene their internal meetings and discuss the recommendations before January 31, but most of them have pointed out that a document of such wide scope and serious implications couldn’t be rushed. “Studying the report is at least a three-month job, if you aren’t doing anything else that is,” the BCCI official said. “We need to time to study, internalise and discuss without bias before adopting or rejecting it in toto, or adopting parts of it.”Some units like the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association have already conducted a meeting of its executive committee, but have given its members more time to present their thoughts on the recommendations. Mumbai Cricket Association, among the first state bodies to react to the report, said it would accept the recommendations “made for transparency and ethics,” but has subsequently not discussed it at its AGM recently.Officials of the MCA and Hyderabad Cricket Association have spoken of the need to have their legal experts study the report. “We need a good lawyer to go through it,” HCA secretary John Manoj said. “I have already informally asked Anurag Thakur for more time. We are having our EC [Executive Committee] meeting [today], and after that we will formally write to the secretary tomorrow requesting for a time of 30 to 45 days.” Other associations which haven’t made formal requests are expected to follow suit in the coming days.Rajesh Verma, secretary of the Jharkhand State Cricket Association, attributed a busy domestic schedule as another reason for the delay. “This is the time when all the tournaments are at their peak. There are zonal tournaments till the 31st in Ranchi,” he said. “We are also hosting the Sri Lanka women’s team for an ODI and T20 series, so we will form our own ideas and collectively look at the report soon.”However, Aditya Verma, secretary of Cricket Association of Bihar and the petitioner in the IPL spot-fixing case, has contended that the BCCI was deliberately trying to drag its feet on the issue. “Surely they are delaying it,” he said. “At present, why would BCCI want to implement these recommendations with the interests of many of its members at stake?”Verma has filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking full implementation of the Lodha Committee report. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India TS Thakur and Justice R Banumathi has agreed to hear the plea.
The former West Indies and Kent cricketer, Hartley Alleyne, an acclaimed coach at St Edmund’s School in Canterbury, is to have his case reviewed by the Home Office. Alleyne still faces imminent deportation after being refused a work permit but now the Home Office could yet allow him to stay.Alleyne, who completed an NVQ in sports coaching to satisfy immigration officials, is being backed in his bid to stay in the country by Canterbury’s MP, Julian Brazier, who branded that decision “appalling” and “utter madness”. Brazier confirmed he had received a letter from Home Office minister Liam Byrne announcing a review.”I welcome the fact that they are reviewing the case again,” said Brazier. “I will continue to press for a successful outcome for this most deserving man.”Alleyne, who has lived in England for 29 years, sayes he has been boosted by the latest development: “This news has brought a smile to my face,” he told the . “I only hope that the Home Office officials who will be reviewing my case can find it in their hearts to let me stay here and allow me to continue what I love doing and that is coaching kids.”His original application, in 2005, was turned down because he did not hold an NVQ Level 3 coaching certificate. He then obtained the qualification while working as a sports coach and resident boarding assistant at St Edmund’s School in Canterbury. His application was, however, rejected.He has an English wife and three children. “To me England is my home,” he said in September, “and Barbados is a place that I return to every now and again for a holiday. I have given so much of myself to this country and have helped to teach kids cricket and help them make a good start in life.”
Ashley Giles, the England left-arm spinner, has flown home to England and will play no further part of the Ashes following news that his wife, Stine, is suffering from a brain tumour.Jamie Dalrymple, the Middlesex allrounder, has been drafted in from the England Academy in Perth. He is the second Academy player to join the senior squad after Ed Joyce replaced Marcus Trescothick who flew home at the beginning of the tour.”The news came to me [last night] that his wife had a bit of a problem,” Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, said. “And it was confirmed that it could be a potentially very serious problem, so he asked to go home. Our thoughts and sympathy are with him and he flew out this morning. We’ve called up Jamie Dalrymple and he’ll join up with us on the Melbourne leg.””I’ve been involved with England for seven years and I rate him probably the most professional cricketer I’ve dealt with in England, or in the top three,” added Fletcher. “He really wanted to play, he got upset when he wasn’t, but he came back and took the flak. And so this news must be hard, but he handled it very very well. When he left last night, we wished them well, and hope everything turns out fine for the family.On a day when England’s Ashes hopes were brutally extinguished this is a further blow to their morale.
Ahmedabad has been chosen as the venue for the third Test between India and Sri Lanka, after Kanpur opted out of the race. This also means Mohali, and not Ahmedabad, will host a Test against England. This was decided after a meeting of the Tour Programme and Fixtures Committee in Mumbai.According to the original schedule, Kanpur was slated to host the third Test against Sri Lanka from December 18 to 22. However, with the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, which hosts matches at Kanpur, and the municipal authorities, who actually own the Green Park ground, involved in a dispute, the third tie has been moved out of Kanpur.This also means that, according to the rotation policy followed by the Indian board to allot matches, Mohali will now get the Test against England which was originally scheduled to go to Ahmedabad. The one-day international between India and England which was supposed to be played at Mohali will now be shifted to Jamshedpur.Sharad Pawar, the BCCI president, also announced that the Asia Cup tournament, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 16-28, had been called off. The Indian board had made the request to postpone the tournament due to the team’s packed itinerary. Pawar said that the tournament will be held at a “mutually convenient” date.
Former Test batsman Martin Love has been left out of Queensland’s one-day cricket side after struggling to return from a finger injury. Love returned to the Bulls outfit in the Pura Cup loss to Victoria this week but failed in both innings and the selectors want to see him have more match practice to get back into form.Wade Seccombe, the wicketkeeper, and allrounder James Hopes have both been named in the team to play Tasmania on January 2 but must first pass fitness tests. Seccombe has been sidelined with a broken foot while Hopes has a severely bruised hand that restricted him during the 156-run loss to Victoria at the Gabba.Queensland squad Jimmy Maher (capt), James Hopes, Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds, Clinton Perren, Craig Philipson, Brendan Nash, Wade Seccombe, Andy Bichel, Ashley Noffke, Nathan Hauritz, Shane Jurgensen.
Sri Lanka’s attorney-general has ordered the arrest of Thilanga Sumathipala, the cricket-board president and the chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom, for alleged passport fraud, according to newspaper reports on Saturday.According to The Island newspaper, the attorney-general’s order, issued on Thursday night, follows a criminal investigation into Sumathipala’s involvement with an underworld gang leader called Dhammika Amarasinghe.The CID investigation was prompted by a series of newspaper articles during recent weeks published by another newspaper, the Sunday Leader, which alleged that Sumathipala had helped Amarasinghe obtain a fake passport.Sumathipala was also alleged by the newspaper, which passed on evidence to the police, to have authorised the use of cricket-board funds to help finance Amarasinghe’s trip to the UK to watch the 1999 World Cup.Sumathipala has strenously denied any involvement with Amarasinghe, claiming that the allegations are merely a cynical and malicious attempt to smear his reputation. Amarasinghe, currently being held in remand, stands accused of several contract killings and attempted assassinations, including the attempted murder of the Sunday Leader‘s editor Lasantha Wickramatunge in 1998.The attorney-general’s decision to issue a warrant for Sumathipala’s arrest followed the receipt of a CID report last week. Detectives visited his residence at midnight on Thursday but his whereabouts remained unknown on Friday night.Sumathipala was elected as board president for a third term in June, after winning landslide support among the member clubs that make up the board.