Lancashire 264 (Harris 77, Balderson 51, Scriven 5-46) and 90 for 3 (Bohannon 45*) drew with Leicestershire 491 for 8 dec (Handscomb 142*, Rehan 100, Hill 64)The Rothesay County Championship match between Lancashire and Leicestershire ended in a draw after the home side’s fourth-wicket pair, Josh Bohannon and Marcus Harris, safely negotiated what could have been a tricky final session at Emirates Old Trafford.Resuming on 16 for 3 at 4.30pm after persistent rain had prevented play getting under way in the first two sessions at Manchester, Bohannon and Harris extended their stand to an unbroken 79 and had taken their side to 90 for 3 by the time the draw was agreed with a minimum of eight overs left to be bowled.At that point, Bohannon was 45 not out and Harris was unbeaten on 34. However, the last session was not without its alarms for the home side. Bohannon was dropped twice in the opening seven overs by wicketkeeper Ben Cox off the bowling of Ian Holland, although neither chance was easy.Leicestershire take 15 points from the game to Lancashire 11 and the visitors will have left the ground disappointed not to have had a longer opportunity to press home their advantage.The home team had gone into the final day still needing 212 runs to avoid an innings defeat and Keaton Jennings’ players might be grateful for the week off they will have before their next game, at home to Gloucestershire on May 2-5, when it is expected that James Anderson will make his first appearance of the season.Leicestershire, on the other hand, are certain to remain among the Division Two leaders after this round of fixtures and will travel to Bristol for their match against Gloucestershire in good spirits.
Iyer, who scored a match-winning half-century, was originally meant to sit out the first ODI
Karthik Krishnaswamy06-Feb-2025Shreyas Iyer, who scored a match-winning 36-ball 59 in the first ODI against England in Nagpur, was originally meant to sit out the match. Iyer revealed this in a post-match interview with the broadcasters.India were without Virat Kohli, who was ruled out of the match with a swollen right knee, and they handed the opener Yashasvi Jaiswal an ODI debut. Rather than coming in for the injured Kohli, however, it has emerged that Jaiswal may have been part of India’s original line-up for the match, with Iyer, their regular No. 4, due to start the series on the bench.Iyer revealed that he only came to know he was playing via a late-night call from captain Rohit Sharma.”So, funny story,” Iyer said. “I was watching a movie last night, I thought I could extend my night, but then I got a call from skipper saying that you may play because Virat has got a swollen knee. And then [I] hurried back to my room, went off to sleep straightaway.”Related
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Asked about Jaiswal starting ahead of him, Iyer kept his answer diplomatic. “You know what you want me to say, but I’m going to keep it low-key and cherish this moment, the victory today.”Jaiswal’s addition necessitated a shuffle in India’s line-up, breaking up their regular opening partnership of Rohit and Shubman Gill, with Gill moving down to No. 3. It is as yet unclear who would have batted at No. 3 had Kohli also been available.Iyer has established himself as India’s ODI No. 4 over recent years, and was a vital member of their line-up during their run to the final of the 2023 World Cup, scoring 530 runs at an average of 66.25, with two hundreds including a 70-ball 105 in the semi-final against New Zealand. His strike rate of 113.24 was the best among India’s middle-order batters.The series against England is India’s last set of ODIs before the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19. India are set to open their tournament with a match against Bangladesh on February 20.It’s not yet clear that India’s original top order for Thursday’s match indicates how they are looking to line up at the Champions Trophy. With Jaiswal uncapped, it is possible they may have been looking to give him game time in this series to keep him ready to play in case India lose one of their regular openers. Gill’s move to the middle order could have been aimed at testing him out in that role should the need arise to replace a middle-order batter. Jaiswal’s left-handedness could also be a factor: there is no left-hand batter in India’s first-choice top six from the World Cup.
Board officials say cultural sensitivities may make it far more challenging for the women to be able to rise up the rankings in the same manner as the men’s team achieved
Peter Della Penna10-Nov-2020
The Afghanistan women players take a break during a practice game•Afghanistan Cricket Board
The development of women’s cricket took a significant step forward late last week with an announcement from the Afghanistan Cricket Board who pledged to award 25 central contracts to players from a select talent pool that was invited to a national team trial camp at Kabul International Stadium in October. However, board officials have told ESPNcricinfo that cultural sensitivities may make it far more challenging for the women to be able to rise up the ICC global rankings in the same manner as the men’s team achieved through the last decade.”We need to go steadily and gradually,” said one ACB official to ESPNcricinfo, requesting anonymity due to what he described as “complex” reactions within Afghanistan to the plans for women’s cricket. “We need to be very careful given what is happening in this country because of security. In countries like Afghanistan, it is quite challenging. The first thing is we should not challenge the cultural and traditional norms and principles. We should go ahead understanding the context. We should not copy and paste what is happening in other countries. It’s absolutely not comparable.””So we need to be very careful about moving forward, but the intention is there and the vision is there. You never know. If things improve in this country, if there is stability in this country, we could have some surprises in terms of women’s cricket. But it depends on what is happening in this country in terms of political and social situation. We are in dire need of resources and facilities that people do not question in terms of religion and cultural issues.”Besides those based in and around Kabul, the next biggest group of players who attended the women’s national team camp came from the Herat Province, situated in the western part of the country bordering Iran. It’s an indication of how much cricket has spread across the whole of the country. According to multiple sources, the contracts for the women’s players will be 12 months in length and will be reviewed on a rolling six-month basis, but exact remuneration was not disclosed.At a very basic logistical level, one of the biggest hurdles women’s cricket development faces in Afghanistan is the demand for women’s only facilities. According to an official, the women’s national team camp was organized in a time frame so as not to clash with any activities for men’s national team players that were scheduled to take place at Kabul International Stadium. No men were allowed to be present during the duration of the women’s team camp, an accommodation that can be difficult to organise outside of Kabul.”We have some very good plans for women but the problem is the facilities to accommodate them,” said an ACB official. “Unlike the western countries, here you need to respect the religion and the culture and that requires isolated facilities for the women. That is lacking in Afghanistan. We don’t even have enough facilities for the men in Afghanistan at basic standards, leaving aside international standards. This would be the biggest challenge.”If we have isolated facilities specific to women, I’m sure it will somehow reduce the public reaction because they know there are no specific facilities for women. The morale situation for fighting and war in this country is affecting all cricket including women’s cricket.”At the time of Afghanistan’s elevation to Test status, they were the only one of the 12 Full Member countries to not have a functioning women’s national team. To date, Afghanistan has not entered a women’s team to compete in any ICC or Asian Cricket Council regional tournament. However, the pledge to award central contracts is a move that local officials hope will demonstrate to the rest of the world that they intend to make women’s cricket a meaningful part of their overall plans going forward.”It is not very easy to engage women in education, sports, health or any other sector,” said an ACB official. “What we have seen from the men’s point of view, we have seen some very good progress that the men have done extremely well in terms of the cricket development of Afghanistan. We thought we can also encourage women. We are being careful but the plans will proceed and we will see how the women progress.”
Although the Scottish Premiership title is far from sealed, Celtic have reportedly already turned their attention towards the summer transfer window and finding a replacement for the retiring Joe Hart.
Celtic transfer news
On paper, a player of Caoimhin Kelleher's calibre is the type that Celtic should be looking at to replace a Premier League winner in Joe Hart. But after such a fantastic season at Liverpool, it remains to be seen whether the Bhoys can tempt the goalkeeper away from Anfield. It wasn't so long ago that replacing Hart would have seemed like a simple task, but after reviving his career in Scotland, the shot-stopper will be chalked down as a frustrating miss for Brendan Rodgers.
Now, those in Glasgow have been left with the task of finding a replacement. For Rodgers, the ideal scenario will be to land a long-term option who has the quality to hold down the number one role for years to come whilst gaining more experience, and that could make Viljami Sinisalo the perfect option this summer.
European giants eyeing move for "intelligent" Celtic star in summer blow
He also attracted interest in January.
ByTom Cunningham May 1, 2024
According to The Sun, Celtic are eyeing a move to sign Sinisalo from Aston Villa in a move that will reportedly cost around £3m in the coming months. The shot-stopper has spent the season on loan from Villa at Exeter City, where he has impressed many to earn links to the likes of Celtic and those further up the EFL.
Just 22 years old, Sinisalo has plenty of room to improve even further in the coming years, whilst also representing a player with Premier League potential. For just £3m, he could quickly prove to be the ultimate summer bargain for those at Celtic Park. The Villa loanee is the third goalkeeper to be linked with the Bhoys to replace Hart, after Kelleher and Patrick Pentz of Bayer Leverkusen, but may yet emerge as the most ideal option.
"Incredible" Sinisalo can fill Hart void
Not only would Celtic be landing a far cheaper alternative to Kelleher this summer by signing Sinisalo, but they'd also be welcoming a shot-stopper capable of filling the void left behind by Hart. Keeping 14 clean sheets this season, which is just one less than Hart, the Villa man could yet be tasked with stepping up from League One all the way to the Scottish Premiership.
Exeter manager Gary Caldwell will be among those full of faith that the goalkeeper can make the step up, having previously been full of praise for Sinisalo. He told BBC Radio Devon via BBC Sport: "I think it's brilliant that a loan player can come and connect with the club like he has.
"He turned up at half five at a gym at Newton Abbot and he was the first one there, after cancelling his holiday. I think that tells you everything you need to know about Vil, and I'm sure he'll go on to have an incredible career."
West Bromwich Albion's 1-1 draw away at Millwall this weekend won't have been the end of the world for the Baggies, who still find their spot in and amongst the play-off pack secure after John Swift scored late on.
However, Carlos Corberan's men will hope they can pick up a win on Easter Monday instead of another point being notched, when Tom Cleverley's Watford troops travel to The Hawthorns after an encouraging 2-2 draw with Leeds United last time out.
The West Midlands outfit will be dreaming about a Premier League return if they can keep up this positive run of form, hoping that they can finally mark a comeback to the top flight.
If they do return, they'll aim to be a little more cautious with how they spend their money, with one notable Baggies dud still hurting those with connections to West Brom when they reminisce.
Brown Ideye's time at West Brom
Back in 2014, West Brom must have thought they had hit the jackpot after signing Nigerian centre-forward Brown Ideye off the back of his goalscoring exploits elsewhere.
The now 35-year-old would become a record purchase at £10m, having bagged 42 goals from 103 games playing out in Ukraine with Dynamo Kyiv.
Former West Brom striker Brown Ideye.
Yet, despite everything pointing towards a purchase that would go on to set the Premier League alight for the Baggies, Ideye undoubtedly flopped at The Hawthorns.
Described as being a "powerful" attacking force after signing by West Brom head coach Alan Irvine, in truth, Ideye would fade in and out of contests rather than being an imposing menace.
Ideye would go on to net a poor return of seven goals from 31 appearances before being moved on to Olympiacos, with just four of those coming in top-flight action.
Five of those strikes would come in February and March of his debut campaign, with much of his time in the West Midlands barren and frustrating, in contrast to this mini purple patch.
£10m at the time looked like a colossal waste of money, but when casting an eye over TotallyFootball's Transfer Index today, the ill-fated deal looks even worse in the context of 2024's inflated market.
Brown Ideye's transfer value in 2024
If West Brom went about this deal again now, Ideye would cost Corberan and co an eye-watering £20.4m.
Consequently, Ideye would rise back up the rankings to become West Brom's record arrival once more – beating past major signings such as Salomon Rondon and Nacer Chadli in the process.
1. Salomon Rondon
€17m (£14.5m)
2. Karlan Grant
€16.5m (£14.1m)
3. Nacer Chadli
€15.2m (£13m)
4. Oliver Burke
€15.2m (£13m)
5. Jay Rodriguez
€13.7m (£11.7m)
The Baggies will hope they don't splash the cash in a similar fashion to Ideye flopping and it backfiring if they do jump back up to the Premier League, with Corberan wanting to keep his tight-knit group of Jed Wallace, Kyle Bartley and other seasoned professionals together over flashier individuals.
Former West Brom striker Brown Ideye.
Ideye did redeem himself after relocating to Greece directly after exiting The Hawthorns, bagging 28 goals from 65 games for Olympiacos before becoming a nomad to see out his varied career.
Yet, there's no doubt in anyone's mind with connections to the Championship promotion hopefuls that Ideye goes down as a dud in the history books who wasn't worth pursuing.
بدأ نادي برشلونة أولى خطواته للتعاقد مع حارس مرمى جديد، في ظل الإصابة الخطيرة التي يعاني منها الألماني مارك أندريه تير شتيجن.
كان تير شتيجن قد تعرض لإصابة بقطع في الرباط الصليبي خلال مباراة برشلونة وفياريال يوم الأحد الماضي.
وتلاقى الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة السادسة من الدوري الإسباني، حيث فاز برشلونة بنتيجة 5/1.
ولكن تير شتيجن عكر صفو برشلونة بعدما تعرض لإصابة خطيرة، والتي تبين فيما بعد كونها قطع في الوتر الرضفي
ويستطيع برشلونة التعاقد مع حارس مرمى جديد في الوقت الحالي، بشرط ألا يكون مرتبطًا بنادِ آخر، أي ينضم إلى النادي الكتالوني بمقتضى صفقة مجانية.
وارتبط أكثر من حارس حر بالفعل بإمكانية الانتقال إلى صفوف برشلونة، من ضمنهم فويتشيك تشيزني.
ويأتي ذلك الارتباط على الرغم من أن تشيزني أعلن اعتزاله لعبة كرة القدم، نهاية الموسم الماضي.
اقرأ أيضًا.. فليك: لاعب برشلونة سيصبح الأفضل في العالم.. ونحتاج إلى التطوير
وذكرت صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية أن الأولوية لدى برشلونة بشأن تدعيم مركز حراسة المرمى يتمثل في التعاقد مع تشيزني.
وأوضحت أن هناك العديد من الأسباب وراء ذلك التفضيل، وعلى رأسها كون المدرب هانز فليك يحب تشيزني، إلى جانب قدراته حيث لعب 35 مباراة في الدوري الإيطالي الموسم الماضي مع يوفنتوس، واستقبل 30 هدفًا.
وحافظ تشيزني على نظافة شباكه في 15 مباراة، ومن ثم فهو حارس يتمتع بكفاءة عالية من وجهة نظر مسؤولي برشلونة.
كما أن عمره لا يمثل عائقًا، حيث يبلغ 34 عامًا، أكبر بسنتين فقط من تير شتيجن وأصغر بكثير من المرشحين الآخرين.
وأفادت أنه نتيجة لذلك، بدأ برشلونة بالفعل تحركاته وتواصل مع الحارس البولندي والوفد المرافق له لاستكشاف الاحتمالات.
ويتمتع تشيزني بمسيرة احترافية في إنجلترا حيث لعب مع برينتفورد وآرسنال، إلى جانب روما ويوفنتوس الإيطاليين.
وخاض تشيزني 88 مباراة دولية رفقة منتخب بولندا، من بينها مباراة ودية في يونيو 2023 أمام ألمانيا بقيادة هانز فليك، حيث خسرت الماكينات بهدف دون رد.
وأشارت الصحيفة إلى أن هناك سلاح آخر يمكن لـ برشلونة الاستعانة به لإقناع تشيزني بخطوة الانضمام إلى النادي، والمتمثل في مواطنه روبرت ليفاندوفسكي.
ويمتلك ليفاندوفسكي علاقة صداقة قوية مع تشيزني، كما أن لاعب برشلونة يريد أن ينضم إليه مواطنه في النادي، ومن ثم فهو على استعداد للقيام بكل ما في وسعه لإقناعه.
وربما يواجه برشلونة صعوبة بعض الشئ كون تشيزني اتخذ قراره باعتزال لعبة كرة القدم، ومن الواضح أن العودة لم تكن جزءًا من خططه، ولكن النادي ينوي الاستمرار في هذا الطريق مع إدراكه بكل المعوقات.
وأكدت الصحيفة أن برشلونة يأمل حسم صفقة تشيزني، كون الخيارات الأخرى لا تتمتع بنفس صفاته، مثل كيلور نافاس على سبيل المثال، رغم أن الكوستاريكي سيكون أسهل كونه يبحث عن نادِ في الوقت الحالي وغير مُعتزل.
أدلى المحترف المصري عمر مرموش، لاعب فريق آينتراخت فرانكفورت، بتصريحات عقب فوزهم اليوم على فولفسبورج في بطولة الدوري الألماني.
وتلاقى الفريقان في خضم منافسات الجولة الثالثة من الدوري الألماني، حيث فاز آينتراخت فرانكفورت بهدفين مقابل هدف (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).
ونجح مرموش في تقديم أداء رائع مع فرانكفورت في مباراة اليوم، حيث سجل هدفي فريقه.
وقال مرموش، في تصريحات نشرها الموقع الرسمي للنادي: “كان يوم سبت عظيمًا، ليس أمر سهلًا أن ننجح في الحصول على 3 نقاط خارج ملعبنا، وهنا في فولفسبورج كذلك”.
وأضاف: “نحن سعداء للغاية وأنا سعيد لأنني تمكنت من مساعدة الفريق، لقد تصرفنا كفريق وكافأنا أنفسنا على عملنا الشاق”.
وارتفع رصيد آينتراخت فرانكفورت إلى 6 نقاط في المركز السادس، ويرتقب مواجهة بوروسيا مونشنجلادباخ يوم السبت المقبل في الجولة الرابعة.
Newcastle United have been credited with an interest in one of the Premier League's top performers this summer, but may have to balance the books to bring him in.
Magpies set for decisive summer
After an excellent campaign last time out, Eddie Howe's transfer business seemed sensible over the summer. However, it hasn't panned out that way and a major injury crisis has led to a difficult season.
As it stands, the Magpies will be missing out on European football (they are currently 10th in the Premier League) and they are guaranteed to end the season trophyless after being knocked out of the FA Cup at the quarter final stage.
Newcastle aiming for young striker with high-potential as Isak backup
The Magpies have set their transfer strategy in place.
ByBen Browning Mar 20, 2024
That disappointment is compounded by pressure to stay within financial fair play guidelines, which have already seen Everton and Nottingham Forest punished for their trangressions this season.
That fear has led to reports that the club are willing to cash in on one of their superstars this summer in order to continue strengthening, with Bruno Guimaraes currently seeming the most likely prospect amid a £100m release clause and widespread interest from Europe's elite clubs. Speaking earlier in the season, Newcastle CEO Darren Eales did little to quell that concern.
kalvin-phillips-bruno-guimaraes-newcastle-opinion
"Any decision we make will always be against the backdrop of the medium to long-term benefit for the club. It's difficult to say specifically on certain players, but I can say that, if we're going to get to where we want to get to, at times it is necessary to trade your players", he explained in January.
"Whether that is because of the contract length of the player in question, the offer is too good to refuse, you need to reload in certain areas, but all of this could make sense to trade that player. It is counter-intuitive and part of the inherent system of PSR that there is an incentive to trade your players if you want to re-invest, by the nature of the boundaries."
Though the departure would come as a massive blow, especially if Joelinton were also to go when and if his contract expires, it may end up being exactly what the Tyneside outfit need if they are going to close the gap emerging between them and the current Premier League top five.
Newcastle eyeing up Nottingham Forest star
Now, one report has placed PIF and Newcastle among the clubs keeping tabs on Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo, who has been a revelation since his arrival at the City Ground.
Murillo vs Newcastle defenders 2023/24
Stat
Murillo
Sven Botman
Fabian Schar
Jamal Lascelles
Appearances
23
17
28
15
Tackles per 90
1.53
1.31
1.11
1.19
Interceptions per 90
1.13
0.59
0.92
0.34
Fouls per 90
1.08
0.59
1
1.44
Pass accuracy
76.1%
90.6%
83.6%
86.6%
Though only signed in the summer, the 21-year-old Brazilian centre-back has caught the eye for his maurading runs and his defensive ability, and it has already been reported that Forest envisage him becoming their new record sale, such is their faith in his ability.
As per reliable reporter Sami Mokbel, Eddie Howe's side are watching the situation unfold at the City ground carefully, with the possibility that Forest again will need to sell to balance their books this summer. They are not alone, however, with Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool all also keeping a watchful eye on the situation should the young star in the making become available. Meanwhile, European giants Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain are also thought to be keen.
Speaking earlier in the season, pundit Courtney Sweetman-Kirk claimed that the Brazilian wouldn't look out of place at Manchester City, before admitting he didn't think he would be at the Midlands side for very long.
"He’s wonderful. Forest fans won’t thank me for this but he looks like a Manchester City defender. If Forest do go down I can’t see him staying, he just looks quality”, she remarked.
The threat of relegation continues to loom large for Nuno Espirito Santo's side, but even should they avoid the drop, they may be set to lose one of their stars, and Newcastle United could stand to profit.
Daniel Levy and Johan Lange have reportedly identified a cheap replacement for Spurs midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Spurs' over-reliance on Sarr and Bissouma
Although Tottenham Hotspur have managed to turn around their form thanks to the introduction of Ange Postecoglou in the dugout, there are still certain areas within the squad which could benefit from being upgraded.
For example, although Hojbjerg is still a Premier League standard midfielder, in regard to their 'Big Six' rivals such as Liverpool and Manchester City, he is worlds apart from the quality which those teams possess.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
The Denmark international joined the club in 2020 from Southampton in what was reported to be a £15m deal. Since then, he has played a total of 174 times for the North London club and has involved himself with 26 goals across all competitions.
When both Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr were called up to AFCON this winter, Hojbjerg was one of the few options available to Postecoglou due to Rodrigo Bentancur being sidelined through injury, and the side struggled without their star African duo.
When all of Tottenham's players are back in the fold, the 28-year-old Dane will likely be benched, and it feels as if the midfielder himself knows this, as he is reportedly looking to move elsewhere in search of game time. If he is to leave Spurs, this would leave Postecoglou with a major selection headache and even less depth in an already thin area of the squad.
The cheap Hojbjerg replacement Levy has lined up
It goes without saying that Spurs' defensive-midfielders could do with a bit of an upgrade, especially if Hojbjerg leaves this summer. Enter, Ismail Yuksek. Yuksek is 25-years-old and currently plys his trade for Fenerbache in the Turkish Super Lig.
This term alone, the Turkey international has played a total of 41 games and has managed to contribute to a total of six goals thus far. Although these attacking returns are more than decent for a 'number six' it is the defensive side of his game which makes the 25-year-old such an appealing prospect for Levy.
As per FBRef, the midfielder ranks extremely highly in the defensive department and would provide Spurs with some much-needed stability.
Ismail Yuksek's defensive stats
Per 90
Rank vs midfielders in similar leagues
Tackles
3.05
91st percentile
Interceptions
2.1
98th percentile
Blocks
1.91
96th percentile
Clearances
2.29
94th percentile
Aerials won
2.1
90th percentile
Data via FBRef
As per a report from Turkish Outlet TV100, Spurs 'want' to acquire Yuksek for a fee in the region of £17m, which, for a player of his calibre, could turn out to be a bargain deal.
Additionally, if Hojbjerg does leave the club in the summer, his outgoing transfer fee would more than likely be enough to cover the expense of bringing the Turkey international to London.
The former Hampshire captain led MCC’s tour to Nepal this month
Matt Roller13-Nov-2019Sandeep Lamichhane and Paras Khadka can be “trailblazers” for Nepal cricket, and create a “legacy for the country to build off”, according to former Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams.Adams, who captained the MCC on their recent tour to Nepal, told ESPNcricinfo that the standard of Nepal’s white-ball cricket in particular was “very high”, and that the country is well-placed to “go on and follow Afghanistan’s transition” into the top reaches of the game.ALSO READ: Lamichhane, Nepal’s first global T20 iconThe MCC’s recent tour comprised two games against the full national team, a 50-over game against the Under-19 side, a T20 against a mixed national team and U-19 team, and two more T20s against invitational XIs. One of those games against the national team was a three-day fixture, which was Nepal’s first first-class match since 2005 and attracted a crowd of around 4000 fans each day.”The crowds were incredible really,” said Adams. “In the first-class stuff, we probably get a couple of hundred people for our four-day games back at home, whereas for this game here there were 4000 or so.”They struggled a bit in the red-ball game [MCC won by 208 runs] but they’ve barely played any red-ball cricket in the last decade. Their white-ball skill level was very high – certainly on their home tracks, they’ll be a test for many teams in Associate cricket and maybe even beyond that over the coming years.”I don’t know as much about their depth and the structure of their cricket, but certainly what we played against in that 50-over game and the T20s – it wouldn’t surprise me if they go on and follow Afghanistan’s transition.”The tour was organised as part of the MCC’s legacy tour scheme, with the MCC Foundation funding a £56,000 project in Pokhara over the next year working with the charity Kidasha. Nepal were also invited to play in a triangular T20 series with MCC and Netherlands in 2018, and this project’s focus is primarily on infrastructure, with nets being laid, kit donated, and a schools league being established.The tour’s manager, Richard Greatorex, told ESPNcricinfo that the squad – which includes recent England Test cap Tom Westley and former Pakistan allrounder Yasir Arafat – had coached “in the region of 300 children” in the past two days.”[The coaching] has been very basic skills: just throwing, catching, basic bowling, how to hold a bat and swing,” he said. “At times it’s been carnage, but the enthusiasm and energy is phenomenal. The cricket has been truly amazing. The standard of the Under-19 and national sides certainly far exceeded my expectations, and their fielding was on occasion world-class. The enthusiasm from the youngsters, right through to the national side, is immense.”Nepali cricket fans aren’t shy about their devotion to Paras Khadka•Peter Della Penna
Greatorex also suggested that Nepal players breaking into the franchise circuit would act as a springboard for those coming through.”Sandeep is a cult figure,” he said. “And so is Paras, who’s going off to the T10 competition in Abu Dhabi this week. Hopefully, within say three to five years, you might see another two or three players reaching those sorts of levels. They’ve certainly got the enthusiasm, passion, and desire to get to the very top – it’s whether that infrastructure supports them.”Adams picked out the U19 side’s top three – Rit Gautam, Lokesh Bam and Khadak Bohara – as possible stars of the future.”The Under-19s we played in the first game of the tour, their top three came out and played beautifully. They had a clutch of young spinners [too] – and in the 50-over game they had an offspinner who whacked it at the end [Pawan Sarraf]. Hopefully Sandeep can be the trailblazer for them, and others can follow him into that level of international recognition.”The level of support clearly made an impression, with over 7000 fans turning out for the T20 fixture against a combined U-19 and national team. Ollie Hannon-Dalby, the Warwickshire seamer, won “cult hero” status according to Greatorex, after doing the Viking clap on the boundary edge, while Adams said that Will Vanderspar – who had done “the worm” in front of the fans – had arrived in Pokhara to people wondering if he was “the snake man”.After being reinstated as a member by the ICC following a three-year ban due to government interference in the board of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the return of vital funding from the game’s bosses means that the national team can begin to move forward again after a period of relative stagnation.”For first-class cricket, it’ll take a number of years to get the infrastructure in place,” said Greatorex, “but certainly in ODIs, they could be competing really well within the next four years – they could be in the next 50-over, I’d think, and we’d expect them to be in the T20 World Cup in the next four or six years.”For Adams, the need for regular domestic cricket is pressing – but again, that begins with infrastructure.
“It’ll certainly help them,” he said. “They’ve produced players so far on the back of very little red-ball cricket, and for ICC status, to move forward with a first-class structure is quite important.”It’s amazing how they’ve managed to do so much from the little facilities that they have in comparison to other cricket-playing countries, but I think it’s going to huge in the next five or ten years for them if they can make regional cricket stronger.”