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Ashleigh Gardner has insisted Australia remain the world’s best team despite their back-to-back World Cup exits, confident another overhaul is not required to win back cricket’s two major global trophies.Winners of every T20 and ODI World Cup between 2018 and 2023, Australia are now without either trophy after semi-final exits in both events in the past 15 months.Related

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Australia will return to the field in 50 days at the SCG, with a blockbuster home multi-format series against ODI World Cup champions India in February and March.That series will be followed by another multi-format series in the West Indies, before the first chance to reclaim a major prize with the T20 World Cup in England in June.When Australia were shocked in the T20 World Cup semi-finals by South Africa in 2024, it prompted a concerted effort to be more attacking with their batting.The result was an historic domination of England in last summer’s home Ashes, winning all three T20Is, all three ODIs and the Test match at the MCG.This year’s semi-final defeat to India in the ODI World Cup was largely down to ill-discipline, with several spilled catches costing the Australians dearly.Australia are yet to have a large-scale full-squad review of that exit, with that likely to come when the team regathers in February. But Gardner said that meant a focus would likely be on performing under pressure, rather than bigger changes to Australia’s approach.”I think there’s not going to be too many dramatic changes,” Gardner told AAP.  “I don’t think there necessarily needs to be. It’s more those small moments that I don’t think we won and kind of letting the game go in ebbs and flows.”That’s going to happen at times, but making sure that if those things do arise, we have the tools and capabilities to recognise it and the tools to get out of that.  Everyone’s going to probably respond differently. But I would say overall it’s a pretty, standard thing that we’re trying to achieve.”Gardner will play a key role in Australia’s push to reclaim the trophies and has every chance to be vice-captain or captain when Alyssa Healy retires in the next four-year cycle.Outside of their semi-final defeats, Australia won every group game at both the T20 and ODI World Cups, and remain well clear in top spot of the ICC rankings in each format.All leaving Gardner’s eyes firmly on June and the chance to win back a trophy, from the moment this year’s World Cup ended.”You have to think about that, don’t you?” Gardner said.  “The last couple of World Cups have been frustrating because of the way that they’ve ended.”But I can sit here comfortably and say that I still believe that we’re the best team. It’s just making sure that we’re showing that in those moments where it really matters.”So I’m certainly thinking about June next year, it seems like a long time away but it realistically isn’t and it’ll come around very quickly.”

West Ham have moved in with an offer to sign a highly-rated forward wanted by Man United after opening talks with his club, according to a new report.

West Ham set to back Nuno in January

The Hammers find themselves in desperate trouble, sitting eighteenth in the Premier League table with just 13 points from 18 matches following their latest defeat to Fulham.

West Ham are five points adrift of safety and displaying alarming relegation form, having taken just three points from their last seven games without registering a single victory in their previous six league games.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have managed only three wins all season and have won just two matches at home, while their defensive record has proved catastrophic with 36 goals conceded and only one clean sheet managed throughout the entire campaign.

The numbers paint a bleak picture.

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Posts ByEmilio Galantini

West Ham currently have fewer points after 17 matchdays than they did during the 2010/11 season when they were relegated to the Championship under Avram Grant, and the London Stadium atmosphere has turned toxic.

Supporters are regularly protesting David Sullivan and Karren Brady’s running of the club after an alarming slide which has seen them go from regular European contenders under David Moyes to relegation candidates, with some reports even suggesting that Nuno is no longer safe in the West Ham hot seat.

However, the Portuguese will be given some more time to turn things around, and West Ham are set to back him in January.

One of the items on West Ham’s transfer agenda is a new forward.

The Irons quite simply need a new number nine with Niclas Füllkrug departing for AC Milan, and there is a belief that Fulham winger Adama Traore is expected to join West Ham next month as well.

West Ham make offer for Moussa Yeo after opening talks

Now, according to Africa Foot, they also have their eyes on young RB Salzburg winger Moussa Yeo.

As per their sources, West Ham have submitted a £7 million offer to Salzburg for the Malian forward as Nuno desperately seeks attacking reinforcements to aid the club’s relegation battle.

AfricaFoot reports that West Ham have contacted Salzburg’s directors about the 21-year-old and discussions remain ongoing over a potential January deal, with the east Londoners looking to sign him ‘as soon as’ the window opens.

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The Austrian club are open to sanctioning his departure next month too. However, Salzburg are also demanding a ten percent sell-on clause as part of any agreement.

The Mali international has made 19 appearances this season across all competitions for Salzburg, contributing one goal and three assists while demonstrating his ability to play as a dynamic wide forward.

Africa Foot state that Yeo is also on Man United’s radar, showcasing how highly-rated he is in Premier League circles, with Nuno’s side now joining the hunt and looking to get ahead of them.

Related West Ham offered La Liga's 2024 top scorer as club tell him to find new club in January

The Irons have a potentially interesting opportunity.

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Kenya 326 and 171 (Kamande 62*, Khurram 4-26) beat UAE 224 and 192 (Fernandes 63, Sarwar 61) by 81 runs
Scorecard

	Nizel Fernandes drives during his 63 for UAE but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat against Kenya © Getty Images

Peter Ongondo took a career-best 5 for 30 to bowl Kenya to a 81-run win over UAE on the fourth and final day in Sharjah. Chasing an unlikely 274, UAE were dismissed in the 56th over for 192.UAE’s hopes of hauling down such a big total were dealt an early blow when Ongondo had Ahmed Raza caught by Steve Tikolo with the first delivery of the day. Raza’s overnight partner, Rashid Khan, didn’t last long either – trapped in front by Thomas Odoyo for 8.Ongondo then ran through UAE’s middle order, dismissing Saqib Ali lbw for 26, Khurram Khan for a duck (caught behind) before bowling Azhar Gul to pick up his fifth. At 75 for 7, UAE were facing almost certain capitulation but then followed a fine eighth-wicket stand of 109 between Nizel Fernandes and Shoaib Sarwar, the No.9.Both brought up their fifties – Sarwar the quicker of the two, launching two sixes in his 61 – but Odoyo returned to have him caught behind, and Fernandes followed in the next over. Oddly, left-arm spinner Hiren Varaiya only bowled four overs, though he did take the winning wicket to make it six in the match.The win leaves Kenya with an 18-point cushion over second placed Namibia who have a game in hand, while UAE are left at second from bottom.

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	Aban	Pts	Quotient	For	Against
Kenya	4	3	1	0	0	0	66	1.263	1822/63	1832/80
Namibia	3	3	0	0	0	0	48	1.291	1607/51	1465/60
Netherlands	3	2	1	0	0	0	34	1.001	1410/50	1380/49
Ireland	2	1	0	0	1	0	29	2.882	997/15	692/30
Scotland	3	1	0	0	2	0	26	1.142	766/20	1040/31
Canada	4	1	3	0	0	0	26	0.981	2085/69	1909/62
U.A.E.	5	1	3	0	1	0	23	0.818	1924/84	1961/70
Bermuda	4	0	4	0	0	0	6	0.521	1657/80	1989/50

Scorecard

Wasim Jaffer cracked his personal best in one-dayers © Cricinfo Ltd

Wasim Jaffer’s outstanding 170 not out, his highest score in one-dayers, guided Mumbai to a memorable win in the quarter-final of the Ranji one-day tournament in Delhi. Chasing 298, after Gautam Gambhir had helped Delhi to an impressive total, Mumbai motored along through their opening combination with Jaffer starring all the way.Jaffer’s 160-ball knock included 18 boundaries and he stayed right till the end of the chase. His matchwinning 170 was the highest ever individual score in one-day domestic competitions surpassing Gagan Khoda’s 166 against Railways at Jaipur last season.Jaffer’s opening partner, Ajinkya Rahane, showed that his exploits in the Under-19 level could be translated to the higher leagues. His 61 contained four fours and two sixes and the 171-run opening stand, in the 28th over, set the stage for a successful chase. Jaffer didn’t let up, though, and helped Mumbai sail through with an over to spare.Earlier, Gambhir’s 96-ball 105 had formed the backbone of the Delhi innings. He shared a 181-run stand with Aakash Chopra, who managed a composed 74, before stitching together another useful stand with Mithun Manhas. Delhi captain Shikhar Dhawan clattered a blistering 33 to finish things off but Delhi’s 297 proved to be inadequate at the end of the day.

Ricky Ponting arrives in Bangladesh, where Australia will attract huge crowds © Getty Images

Australia have arrived in Bangladesh for their first full tour of the country. The three-week trip includes two Tests and three one-day internationals and Australia arrive on the back of their 3-0 win over South Africa.There is huge anticipation in Bangladesh as the fans prepare for their chance to watch the star-studded Australian line-up. They still have treasured memories of the one-day international at Cardiff during the Natwest Series in 2005 when they beat Australia by five wickets. Only three of the current squad – Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Damien Martyn – have played in Bangladesh before.The series is expected to be a sell-out, as were the recent matches against Kenya, and it is reported that some people are preparing to take TV sets to work so that they can watch the action.Aminul Islam, the former Bangladesh batsman, who scored their first Test century against India in 2000, believes this current team could give Australia a scare. He told newspaper: “Australia is the best team in the world but Bangladesh has been improving.”We were competitive against Sri Lanka in the recent Test series and beat them in a one-day match. We have just swept the series against Kenya 4-0 and it shows that we are improving.”In the Tests, realistically, the chance of a Bangladesh win is minimal, but in one-day cricket it’s anyone’s game. Australia are very experienced and always give 100 percent and will be relentless and ruthless, but the feeling is good in Bangladesh. The team is on a high and they will remember that they beat Australia last year.”Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Cricket Board general secretary, Mahbubul Anam, added that he was misquoted about extra security arrangements for the Australians.”I was misquoted in that report,” he told the . “We will take the same security measures we have taken against other visiting teams. And you all know that Australians are very friendly towards their fans so I think they will not deprive their fans here also.”Australia have been forced the make three changes to their original squad, with Phil Jaques, Jason Gillespie and Mitchell Johnson replacing Justin Langer, Michael Kasprowicz and Shaun Tait.Bangladesh have recalled Mashrafe Mortaza, their leading seamer, after he was rested for the series against Sri Lanka. Mushfiqur Rahim, the Under-19 captain, has been omitted from the squad after making 2 and 0 in the second Test, against Sri Lanka, at Bogra. The first Test starts at Fatullah on April 9 followed by the second at Chittagong on April 16.Bangladesh squad Habibul Bashar (capt), Javed Omar, Rajin Saleh, Mohammad Ashraful, Shahriar Nafees, Nafees Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Alok Kapali, Khaled Mashud (wk), Mohammad Rafique, Enamul Haque, Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain.

Any lingering hopes that recent elections would be the first step towards a new beginning have proved overoptimistic with even more confusion following the recent poll. If anything, the chaos within the USA Cricket Association which was one of the main reasons for the ICC abandoning Project USA has worsened in the last fortnight.At the heart of the almost farcical events of recent days is the refusal of the old board to accept the election results. The decision of the old board to disallow three candidates from standing is the main contention. Opponents of the board say that the action was illegal as the necessary number of members did not make the decision. It also seems that the ban, which was on a minor technicality of dubious validity, was announced after the election had taken place.The decision appears to have been largely at the behest of Gladstone Dainty, the USACA president. Dainty has been universally blamed for mismanagement of the board, and even the ICC have made clear its lack of respect for the way he has handled things.Assuming the election results stood – and to an outsider there seems no reason they should not – then Dainty would have been clearly outnumbered on the new board. But in refusing to accept the results, he has maintained his majority. That group, which includes one candidate who lost and one who didn’t even seek re-election, is due to meet on April 9 in Fort Lauderdale.Meanwhile, a week later an alternative board is scheduled to meet in Dallas.That consists of the three anti-Dainty Board members who were re-elected in 2005, three of the Dainty holdovers who were re-elected, one new unknown or uncommitted member, and the old anti-Dainty Board members.In theory, then, there should be six members in common between the old and the new boards. This is not so, because the three “old” anti-Dainty Board members have been consistently boycotting Dainty’s meetings since February 2005, on the grounds that the old board expired in January and should not be meeting until after the elections; the three surviving Dainty members of the Board areunlikely to attend the Dallas meeting, preferring instead to go with Dainty and the old group on the grounds that they are all board members since their defeats were, in Dainty’s mind, illegal.Dainty and his supporters have been roundly condemned in recent weeks, a situation exacerbated by the ICC’s actions. But they are clinging to power.The real confusion will come to a head soon as both groups are likely to claim the right to pick the squad for the forthcoming ICC Trophy in July. It is unlikely that the two groups will agree on the composition of the team, especially the coach and manager. There is also the possibility that regions which back one faction will not allow players from their area to represent the other faction.That would drag the ICC, reluctantly, into the fray. It has no time for Dainty, but equally does not get involved in domestic matters. It is possible that it might throw things back at the USA and say that until they get their act together, they will not be allowed to send a side to Ireland.It is hard to see why Dainty continues to battle on when he is increasingly unpopular and has few supporters. But battle he does, and the chances are that this could end up in the courts. Yet again, the only loser will be cricket in the USA.

Runako Morton, the troubled 25-year-old batsman from the tiny Caribbean island of Nevis, has been arrested following an altercation which resulted in his cousin receiving a stab wound to the chest. Morton, who played two one-day internationals against Pakistan at Sharjah in 2002, has a history of disciplinary problems. He spent a day in custody and was bailed late on Wednesday afternoon.The news was confirmed via email by Carlisle Powell, the president of the Leeward Islands Cricket Association (LICA), but no further details were made available. Morton, who has just completed a one-year ban from West Indian cricket, is expected to receive further counselling from the Anguillan psychologist Dr Linda Oluwakemi Banks, who helped him through his recent problems.The incident is just the latest distressing chapter in Morton’s life. In 2001, he was expelled from the St George’s Cricket Academy in Grenada for continued breaches of discipline. He had been late in arriving at the academy, and then left without permission, reportedly to visit his wife in Nevis.During last year’s A team trip to Great Britain and Canada, Morton was suspended and fined 10% of his tour fee, after it transpired that he had left the ICC Champions’ Trophy in Sri Lanka under false pretences. He had claimed at the time that his grandmother had just died, but it later emerged that one had been dead for 16 years, and the other was very much alive.

Nathan Astle will fly out on Wednesday to join the New Zealand team for its VB Series double-header weekend in Adelaide.Astle has to get through tomorrow’s State Shield game for Canterbury against Central Districts at Jade Stadium.If he is able to do that the selectors have already confirmed that he will be on the first plane to Adelaide.Astle came through yesterday’s win over Auckland in fine style, taking part with significant contributions in all aspects of the game.

At its commencement, suspicions were high that match ten of the Carlton andUnited Series would effectively go a long way toward marking the end ofIndia’s campaign in international cricket in Australia this season. And byits cessation, the impression was certainly reinforced – a devastating 152run loss to Australia ensuring that the vanquished now have only the barestof chances of progressing beyond the preliminary rounds of this competition.Given that a series of seven losses from eight matches had preceded it onthis tour, there was only a sliver of an opening for the Indians to setabout reviving their fortunes in international competition in any case.But even that was never a real possibility, for the Australians’ batsmengained a early, record-breaking advantage for their team after it had wonthe toss and there was absolutely no way back for their rivals at all.Indeed, from the moment in the opening over of the day that Mark Waugh(116) powered the very first delivery that he received to the cover fence,the writing was probably on the wall. On Australia’s national day and infront of a capacity holiday crowd at the Adelaide Oval, Waugh and AdamGilchrist (92) simply toyed with an uninspired Indian bowling and fieldingoutfit.Against an attack which was rapidly forced to come to grips with thereality that the strip in use for this game was again eminently unsuited tobowlers, the two openers ignited the game with a sizzling exhibition. Theyset about shattering their previous best association (of 39) in thetournament, Gilchrist characteristically playing very powerfully throughthe off side to establish the trend. Two sparkling shots through and overpoint off Debashish Mohanty in the sixth over and then a glorious off driveoff the same bowler in the eighth all generated boundaries and there was noparticular diminution in his scoring rate thereafter. Not to be completelyoutdone, Waugh was also in fine touch from the outset, serially easing andnudging the ball into gaps the ball for many of his runs. Neither wasafraid at any stage to lift the ball over the infield, nor to hit withpower and precision through a tightly set field.Before Gilchrist eventually fell to a mistimed slog sweep at Anil Kumbleand was caught at deep mid wicket by Rahul Dravid, they added 163 runs inpartnership in thirty overs without offering so much as a chance. Aroundthe raising of a fourteenth one-day international century for Waugh, theNew South Welshman and Ricky Ponting (43) then added another centurypartnership of their own for the second wicket as the spirits of India’splayers took a collective pounding. Even by the time that Pontingsuccumbed to another deep mid wicket catch by Dravid off Kumble and Waughventured too far down the pitch in missing a sweep at Sachin Tendulkar,there was not even a remote prospect of recovery.Indeed, the main interest left in the innings centred around the idea ofhow close Australia might come to surpassing its all time record score(3/332 against Sri Lanka in Sharjah in 1989/90) in one-day internationalcricket. Andrew Symonds (26 off 15 balls) and Shane Lee (27*, also off 15deliveries)edged them excruciatingly close but, as matters transpired, their tally of 5/329 was the second best in Australia’s historyand not quite good enough to claim the major prize. Consolation (and someconsolation at that) did come, though, in the fact that it was the highestever innings score at one-day international level in this country -exceeding the 2/323 compiled by Australia in a match against Sri Lanka atthis venue in 1984/85.In such circumstances, there was only one likely result in the match. Andit was duly secured with a minimum of fuss and, sadly for India, with aminimum of resistance too. Worn down by a mixture of the shattering effectof earlier events and their state of general fatigue, the Indians revealedmuch the same frailties and flaws against accurate pace bowling and sharpfielding which have seen them consistently surrender to this opponent thisseason. That Sourav Ganguly (5) and Tendulkar (18) proved perfect partyguests by coming armed with a pair of injudicious strokes, and Umpire SimonTaufel made a contribution of his own in initiating the dubious first balldemise of Hrishikesh Kanitkar (0), only added the icing to Australia’scake. Only a lovely flurry of boundaries from Dravid (63) around a fivewicket haul from Brett Lee (5/27) extended the life of the on-fieldcelebrations.Even after this fifth loss, it is still possible in theory for the Indiansto secure a berth in the Finals, but that would require a fundamentalrevision of their form. To all intents and purposes indeed, they alreadyseem a completely spent force. And even if that miracle were to beachieved, it would probably require an even more momentous turn of eventsfor them to conquer an opponent against whom the prospect of victory stillseems no closer than it did when the tour began all those weeks ago.

Newcastle United enjoyed a busy January transfer window as they brought in a number of new players to bolster Eddie Howe’s squad.

Dan Burn, Matt Targett, Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood all came in and this left the club needing to exclude three first-team players from their Premier League list.

Ciaran Clark, Jamal Lewis and Isaac Hayden were the unfortunate ones to miss out as they now look set to waste away on the sidelines for the rest of the season.

Ruthlessly axe him

Howe must now ruthlessly axe Hayden from the club in the next transfer window by landing Kalvin Phillips on a permanent deal from Leeds United.

FFC previously published an article explaining why he should be kept around at St. James’ Park next season due to his experience in the top-flight – suggesting that he should be re-registered in the summer.

However, 90min have now reported this month that the Magpies are eyeing up a potential swoop for Phillips and their interest in the England international changes our stance.

If PIF can secure a deal for the Whites enforcer that would then surely allow Howe to axe Hayden as he would take up the holding midfield position and be a major upgrade to the team.

The current Newcastle player has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.60 this year after managing a score of 6.83 in the Premier League last term.

Phillips, meanwhile, has averaged a rating of 6.80 this season – despite injury struggles – and achieved an incredible score of 7.21 in the 2020/21 campaign.

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Former Arsenal player Perry Groves claimed that he would cost “£100million” and his Leeds captain Liam Cooper once lauded him, saying: “He works so hard here (at Leeds), all the boys and the people of Leeds think the world of him and he deserves everything that comes his ways.

“I’ve seen how hard he works every single day, I see how much he takes on and turns it into his game. For me, he is one of the best midfielders in the world right now.”These quotes and his aforementioned statistics highlight his quality at the top level and why he would be an excellent signing for Newcastle. He has proven that he can perform to a high standard in the Premier League, with his performance data standing out above Hayden’s.This is why his arrival at St. James’ Park could result in the ex-Arsenal youth product being sold to another club in the summer.

AND in other news, Howe can finally axe £37k-p/w “weapon” as Newcastle eye swoop for 66-goal “phenomenon”…