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Several Irishmen had served as Associate representatives on ICC committees and these spots will open up as a result of Ireland’s change to Full Member status

Peter Della Penna23-Jun-2017Three new representatives were elected to represent Associate Member interests on the ICC’s Chief Executives Committee (CEC) at the ICC annual conference this week, part of several changes to take place as a result, to some degree, of Ireland’s application for Full Membership being accepted. Several Irishmen had served as Associate representatives on ICC committees but with their newfound Full Member status, they will maintain spots on the various meeting groups while opening up vacancies for fresh Associate representation.The expiration of Warren Deutrom’s two-year term as one of the three Associate representatives on the CEC coincided with Ireland’s elevation to Test status, allowing him to stay on the committee. Fellow members Greg Campbell of Papua New Guinea and John Cribbin of Hong Kong have been replaced by Bermuda’s Neil Speight and Botswana’s Sumod Damodar, while the other spot in the Associate trio has been filled by Betty Timmer of the Netherlands.Deutrom and Cribbin had both been on the CEC since at least 2007, while Campbell lasted just one term after replacing the UAE’s David East in 2015. Timmer has already been a part of the ICC’s Women’s Committee as the Europe representative.With the change in Ireland’s membership status, Kevin O’Brien could lose his spot as Associate representative on the ICC’s Cricket Committee•Getty Images/Sportsfile

Bermuda’s Speight had been a long-serving Associate representative on the main ICC Board before he was replaced by Ireland’s Ross McCollum in a vote taken at the 2016 ICC annual conference in Edinburgh. McCollum had been selected to a two-year term along with Namibia’s Francois Erasmus and Singapore’s Imran Khwaja. Ireland’s Full Membership, however, means a by-election for McCollum’s Associate seat will take place at some point later this year, likely at the next ICC board meeting in October.Like Deutrom, McCollum will still hold a place on the board by virtue of being the chairman of a Full Member country. But the Associate seat vacated by McCollum takes on increased significance after the ICC approved governance reforms in a new constitution, which now give each of the three Associate representatives voting rights. Prior to Thursday, Associate representatives attended board meetings in an observational capacity.The one other spot that may also come up for review is on the ICC Cricket Committee. Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien currently holds a place on the panel as the Associate representative, but may now be squeezed out due to his country’s change in membership status. It is unknown when a replacement would be decided, but most likely by October as is the case with McCollum’s vacancy.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their plans to bolster their defensive options in the summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Theo Hernandez to Newcastle?

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that the Magpies are "monitoring" AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez as Dan Ashworth plots moves to improve Eddie Howe's squad.

The reporter, however, has added that there are no ongoing negotiations between the two clubs, as it stands, and it remains to be seen whether or not the Premier League side will firm up their interest with an official offer for the defender.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Italian side would demand a fee of at least €60m (£51m) for the defender, who is also in the sights of Manchester United.

Would Theo Hernandez be a good signing for Newcastle?

The France international would be a terrific addition to Howe's side as he would be a huge upgrade on current Magpies left-back Dan Burn.

Hernandez has proven himself to be one of the best defenders in the Serie A in recent seasons. He was named in the league's Team of the Year in the 2021/22, 2020/21 and 2019/20 campaigns and enjoyed a strong 2022/23.

The exciting dynamo, who was hailed as a chance-creation "machine" with "dangerous" crosses by editor Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic, averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.96 across 32 outings and contributed with four goals and three assists from left-back, whilst he also won 59% of his defensive duels.

This was a step down from the Sofascore rating of 7.24, along with the five goals and six assists the defender produced, he managed in the division in 2021/22.

However, his recent displays still make him a significant upgrade on Burn. The Newcastle defender was a solid and unexciting performer throughout the season just gone and bringing Hernandez in could take the team to the next level in that position.

Burn averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.78 across 38 Premier League matches and contributed with one goal and zero assists, whilst he also won 56% of his duels.

The £55k-per-week titan has averaged 4.25 progressive carries and progressive passes combined per 90 over the last 365 days, which ranks in the bottom 37% or lower among his positional peers in the men's top five leagues and European competitions.

Hernandez, meanwhile, has averaged 7.58 per 90 for Milan over the last 365 days and ranks in the top 11% of full-backs for progressive carries per 90 (3.37), which suggests that the ex-Real Madrid prospect would offer far more in transition to help his team get up the pitch.

These statistics indicate that the Milan ace would be a huge upgrade on Burn as he is capable of delivering higher-quality performances week-in, week-out, whilst also being able to provide a greater threat in the final third and being more efficient in his physical contests.

Aston Villa remain interested in signing Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi in the summer transfer window, according to a new update.

Have Villa been linked with Guendouzi?

The £42,000-a-week Frenchman has been linked with a move to Villa Park a number of times in the past year or so, with Unai Emery of course managing the player back when he was in charge of Arsenal.

Guendouzi was a regular for Marseille throughout the 2022/23 season, making 33 appearances in Ligue 1 – admittedly, only 25 of those were starts – and he also featured for 79 minutes of action for France at the 2022 World Cup.

The former Arsenal man's current deal runs until the summer of 2025, meaning Marseille are slowly running out of time to receive the highest possible amount of money for his services. For that reason, it could be that they sanction a move in the upcoming transfer window, with the player himself potentially wanting a fresh challenge, too.

It looks as though the 24-year-old is still firmly on Villa's radar, with a new update emerging that suggests his future could lie back in the Premier League.

What's the latest transfer news on Guendouzi?

According to Le10 Sport [via Sport Witness], Guendouzi has started to "ask questions" about his future, following what ended up being an up-and-down season for him, having only completed one full 90 minutes in April, May and June combined.

That being said, the report also states that Marseille "don’t seem to be ready to close the door" when it comes to selling him, but Villa are "ready to welcome" him to the club, as are Newcastle United, Juventus and Inter Milan.

Guendouzi could be a strong signing by Villa, not coming in as a definite starter every week but providing much-needed competition for places, as Emery's side prepare to play in the UEFA Europa Conference League next season.

He has proven Premier League experience, having played 57 times in the competition during his Arsenal days, and he has also been hailed as "fantastic" by Gary Neville. At 24, he remains a young footballer who should only continue to develop in the coming years, and he would come in as a younger alternative to someone like John McGinn, easing his workload across four different competitions in the process.

An 88.6% pass completion rate in the Champions League in 2022/23 highlights Guendouzi's technical ability, and he also accomplished in a defensive sense, averaging 1.2 tackles per game in Ligue 1.

West Indies women allrounder Deandra Dottin has suffered multiple cheekbone fractures after a collision on the field during the Women’s Big Bash League game between Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars.* However, she insisted “all is going to be fine!” in a post on Facebook.”Eye socket and eyesight is fine, jaw and teeth fine,” Dottin wrote. “I am out of hospital now, recovering before a specialist appointment with a face surgeon Thursday. At this stage it is believed I will require titanium plates to fix the issues.”The Cricket Australia website reported Dottin, who plays for Heat, would check in with Brisbane Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon Dr John Arvier to finalise a timeline for her recovery.Dottin suffered the injury at Allan Border Field on Tuesday. In the 11th over, with Stars chasing 130, Meg Lanning hit seamer Haidee Birkett over midwicket. Dottin and Laura Harris were the fielders in the deep and, while trying to prevent the ball from crossing the boundary, they crashed into each other. Dottin seemed to land awkwardly on a kit bag and was stretchered off the field by medical staff. Harris was thrown into the picket fence, but she felt well enough to remain at the ground though she didn’t take any further part in the match, which Heat won by five runs.This incident came a day after Heat’s Holly Ferling suffered a concussion from her head striking the turf hard while trying to take a catch. She was not able to play Tuesday’s game as a result.*0700 GMT, December 28: The story was updated to include details of Deandra Dottin’s injuries

It’s been a strong year for Aston Villa who have turned their relegation woes at the start of the campaign to European dreams as the 2022/23 Premier League season comes to a close.

Unai Emery has been highly praised for turning Villa’s form around since his appointment back in November following the sacking of Steven Gerrard.

The Spaniard has improved the playing quality of the squad, and most notably has transformed the seasons of a number of individuals to get the most out of the promising team he inherited from Gerrard.

With a finish in a European spot still in reach, Emery will look towards the summer transfer window to improve his squad, however there is more focus than just the first team when it comes to club improvements.

Villa may not need to look further than their academy for inspiration in attack in years to come, with one name, that of Rory Wilson, stealing the headlines in the U18’s Premier League.

Who is Rory Wilson?

When Villa captured the signature of 16-year-old Scotsman Rory Wilson from Rangers last summer, not many were aware of just what the club were getting out of the deal.

In his final season in Scotland, the youngster netted 49 goals for club and country, being known as one of the most prolific around for his age group.

When his contract expired at Ibrox – where he had been since the age of eight – Villa Park was his next destination as the Villans beat a number of clubs to secure the promising marksman.

Since signing, the now 17-year-old has scored eight goals in nine appearances in the U18s Premier League, as well as contributing four in Premier League 2, a competition typically above his age group.

The sky is the limit for the young star, however such form and consistency at such an embryonic stage of his career has prompted talk about just how far the Scotsman can go.

What is next for Rory Wilson?

Described by Scotland coach James Grady as being “obsessed with becoming the best”, the striker is seemingly fearless when it comes to doing what he does best.

Upon signing for Villa, he was lauded by academy manager Mark Harrison as having a “good thirst” and a strong “mentality to improve”. Indeed, that all stand him in good stead to "play for the first team" one day, as Harrison has predicted.

The youngster is on course to have his name in lights, taking the academy Premier League by storm without requiring time to adapt to his new surroundings.

Naturally, with gifted young players come comparisons to the greats at the club, Villa’s top scorer this season Ollie Watkins has been discussed in relation to the two players’ strengths, however, Wilson’s potential could go further than merely a comparison.

At 27 years old, Watkins has ten years on Wilson who is at the start of his career, however having only signed for the club last year, could the Scotsman one day threaten his senior figure’s place in the starting XI? Judging by his goal record, it wouldn't be a surprise.

Grady explained to the Birmingham Mail the young striker's desire to be “the guy, the top goalscorer” and assuming that Villa Park’s current top goalscorer will deplete with age, Premier League fame could be on the horizon for the young Scot.

Under Emery, Wilson has a coach that will enable him to progress at the highest level, as he did so confidently with Bukayo Saka at Arsenal, introducing the youngster in the Europa League and not stopping his growth by withdrawing him due to age in other domestic competition.

If given time to show his potential in the Premier League, or Europe if Villa should secure a place come the end of the season, Emery could have a threatening forward in the 17-year-old ready and waiting to replace Watkins.

Tottenham Hotspur manager target Vincent Kompany has apparently made a promise to his Burnley staff as chairman Daniel Levy eyes a move.

What's the latest on Kompany to Spurs?

The Belgian has been one of the success stories of this Championship season, with his Clarets side sealing promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

On Tuesday night, Burnley put the cherry on top of what has been a phenomenal campaign – sealing their status as second tier champions after an away win against Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers.

Kompany has apparently impressed Spurs chiefs enough to make his way on to Levy's managerial shortlist, joining the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Luis Enrique, Arne Slot and Ange Postecoglou as names under consideration in north London.

Fabrizio Romano recently backed Tottenham's interest in the Man City legend who Pep Guardiola even tipped to one day take the Etihad hot seat after his departure.

Kompany's stock as a manager has well and truly risen after a head-turning 2022/2023 season, with London rivals Chelsea even once considering him to replace Graham Potter.

However, according to a recent report by The Sun, Spurs may have been thwarted in their attempts to land Kompany – who they bill as Levy's 'top target'.

Indeed, as per their information, the former Anderlecht boss has apparently told staff members he is remaining at Turf Moor. Burnley chiefs have also promised to back their manager in the transfer market, despite a recent embargo.

As of now, Ryan Mason has been placed in temporary charge of Spurs until the end of the season, coming after Levy relieved former interim boss Cristian Stellini of his duties in the wake of Tottenham's 6-1 defeat away to Newcastle.

Which manager should Spurs push for?

In light of this claim, it appears Tottenham may have to make a serious attempt to persuade Nagelsmann into joining, with reports suggesting Levy is set to do just that.

Potentially missing out on Kompany could be a bitter one to take for Spurs supporters considering he is arguably one of Europe's most exciting young managers right now – having been called 'incredible' by Guardiola.

Another good alternative to Kompany could be Slot, who has excelled at Feyenoord this season whilst being praised for his 'ultra-attacking' managerial style.

The 44-year-old would also apparently be keen to manage Tottenham, so that is perhaps something Levy should explore.

A round-up of all DPL 2016 matches played on June 9, 2016

Mohammad Isam09-Jun-2016

Victoria Sporting Club topped the first phase of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League after beating Gazi Group Cricketers by 28 runs in Fatullah.Clubs that have qualified for Super League

Victoria Sporting Club

Mohammedan Sporting Club

Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club

Abahani Limited

Legends of Rupganj

Prime Bank Cricket Club

Victoria are through to the Super League along with Prime Bank Cricket Club, who qualified on the basis of a better head-to-head record against Kalabagan Krira Chakra. Both Prime Bank and Kalabagan finished on 12 points with six wins in 11 games, but Prime Bank had won the league match between the two sides in April. Gazi Group bowed out after finishing with 10 points.The match between Victoria and Gazi Group was reduced to 33-overs-a-side after a wet outfield delayed the start by three hours and 15 minutes. Abdul Mazid’s second successive hundred then drove Victoria to 219 for 7 after they opted to bat first.After losing his opening partner, Fazle Mahmud, in the third over, Mazid and Mominul Haque added 122 runs for the second wicket. Mominul struck ten fours in his 66-ball 73 before he was caught behind off Shamsur Rahman in the 22nd over.Mazid, who was batting on 55 off 58 balls at the time, then accelerated and reached his century off 91 balls in the penultimate over. He was dismissed for 100 soon after reaching the landmark, and struck eight fours and two sixes. Mazid was also involved in a 66-run third-wicket stand with Al-Amin.Medium-pacer Mohammad Sharif claimed three wickets while Delwar Hossain took two.In reply, Gazi Group lost Anamul Haque and Mahedi Hasan by the fourth over, before Shamsur Rahman and Puneet Bisht added 95 runs for the third wicket. The partnership was broken when Shamsur was dismissed by Suhrawadi Shuvo in the 20th over for a 52-ball 42.Bisht fell in the 27th over after top-scoring with 86 off 79 balls, including 12 fours. By then, Victoria had Gazi Group on the ropes as the batting side lost five middle-order wickets for 46 runs. Al-Amin led the way for Victoria with the ball, taking 5 for 27 in four overs for his maiden List A five-for. Seamer Mahbub Alam took three wickets.Brothers Union and Legends of Rupganj were awarded one point each after their match at the BKSP-3 ground was abandoned due to a wet outfield and pitch.The result also relegated Kalabagan Cricket Academy and Cricket Coaching School to next season’s Dhaka First Division Cricket League. Both Kalabagan CA and Cricket Coaching School had four points each but, with Brothers Union finishing on nine points, neither team would have been able to catch up, even by winning two games in the three-team relegation playoff.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsGavin Main set the tone for Scotland’s win with the wicket of Ryan Campbell off his first ball•International Cricket Council

Scotland had gone 20 matches in ICC global events – since the 1999 World Cup – without a win. The losing streak hung like Coleridge’s albatross around their necks. They were desperate to shake it off. In their 21st match, against Hong Kong on an unexpectedly rainy night in Nagpur, they finally did it and exited the World T20 with an eight-wicket win, which was set up by a sharp bowling performance.The portents were clear right from the third ball of the match. Left-arm spinner Mark Watt gave generous flight as the ball gripped the cracked pitch and tested Jamie Atkinson with slow turn. Some balls turned like that, some skidded on, while others stopped on the batsmen. The trio of Watt, Con de Lange, and Matt Machan combined to send Hong Kong on a tail spin with figures of 12-0-66-4. Rain gave Hong Kong brief respite, and the contest was then reduced to a 10-over shootout, after which Scotland overhauled the revised target of 76 with ease.George Munsey kick-started the chase with a flurry of fours. By the time he holed out, Scotland had knocked off more than one fourth of their target. And by the sixth over Scotland had dashed past 50, with several of their players lining up by the edge of the boundary to celebrate. The winning moment arrived, with 12 balls to spare, when Machan smote Nadeem Ahmed over midwicket for a six. Seconds later, he was embraced by veteran Kyle Coetzer, who hit 20 not out, while coach Grant Bradburn rushed towards captain Preston Mommsen and gave him an animated high-five.The trend of spin doing the damage continued in Nagpur, after Hong Kong opted to bat, but the seamers did their bit as well, sucking pace off the ball and bowling cutters. Scotland, pretty and effective in pink, had lifted themselves in the field as well, diving and flinging themselves around, despite a couple of fumbled chances. Scotland’s effort meant that Hong Kong were kept to 127 for 7.The 44-year old Ryan Campbell, potentially featuring in his last match at an ICC global event, was the first to go, for a duck, when he carved a catch to third man off Gavin Main. Babar Hayat began with a flourish, piercing the off-side ring with punchy drives of varying degrees, before nicking Main behind. However, umpire Ian Gould did not spot it, handing the batsman a lifeline. Hayat, though, failed to cash in, undone by the slowness of the pitch, holing out to deep midwicket for 15. In the interim, Josh Davey fooled Atkinson with a cross-seamer and plucked a diving return catch in his follow through.Scotland followed Hayat’s wicket with 25 boundary-less balls before Mark Chapman found his mojo with a swept six over deep square leg. The spinners then fed Chapman with leg-stump balls as he mounted a recovery. Anshuman Rath kept him good company before a missed swipe restricted the fourth-wicket partnership to 49. Tanwir Afzal and Chapman, himself, soon followed as Hong Kong were weakened to 98 for 6.Nizakat Khan, though, muscled back-to-back sixes to give Hong Kong a late boost. The last over was interrupted by a peculiar super-sopper delay to add to a rain delay, but there was no stopping Scotland as they savoured a long-awaited victory.

Surrey’s desire to add depth to their bowling options has resulted in two young South Africans switching allegiance in order to play county cricket

Firdose Moonda01-Mar-2016Surrey’s desire to add depth to their bowling options has resulted in two young South Africans switching allegiance in order to play county cricket, increasing concerns in their home country about a drain of talent due to a lack of opportunity.Dolphins fast bowler Mathew Pillans has signed a three-year deal the day after teenager and former Under-19 player Conor McKerr also agreed to join Surrey. Both have ambitions of playing for England although it will take them seven years to qualify.McKerr has a British passport but the ECB’s tightening of qualification rules means that, because he will arrive in the UK after his 18th birthday, he must serve a longer qualification period. However, he will only be 25 by the time he is eligible.Pillans, who has secured an ancestral visa giving him the right to work in the UK, will be 31 but an an insider told ESPNcricinfo, “Mathew believes he has a better chance of playing for England in seven years’ time than he does of playing for South Africa. He is not even in a franchise team here.”Pillans was schooled in Pretoria and played for the University of Pretoria team before moving to Kwa-Zulu Natal in 2013, when he could not find a regular place at Northerns. He featured sporadically for the Dolphins but played more regularly in the amateur Kwa-Zulu Natal Inland team this season. He took 21 wickets at 20.76 in five first-class matches and seven wickets at 9.42 in three List A games for the amateur side and nine wickets at 26.33 in two first-class games for the Dolphins.Last season, it seemed Pillans had earned the right to a more regular place in the franchise team when he finished as the seventh-highest wicket-taker overall in the first-class competition and as the Dolphins’ best performing quick. He took 29 wickets at 23.79, which included a ten-for against the Knights. Recently sacked coach Lance Klusener took a particular liking to Pillans and described him as a bowler who could “run in all day for you” but Pillans still found himself on the sidelines.He was on a rookie contract with the Dolphins, earning R140,000 a year (US$8,943) and was becoming increasingly “frustrated by the lack of opportunity,” said the source. When Graham Ford, who coached Surrey until leaving to take charge of Sri Lanka earlier this year, approached people in South Africa for assistance in finding recruits for the county, Pillans was one of the players recommended to him. Ford was involved in the negotiations between Pillans and Surrey, and he has been released from his Dolphins deal with immediate effect.”It has been a really tough decision to make but I have been given a great opportunity that I’m looking forward to,” Pillans said. “It has been great to have had the chance to work with the senior guys at the Dolphins; playing alongside them and to be around them to listen has really helped me take my game forward. I’m going to miss the Durban vibe and all the people but I’m also very, very excited about what my new opportunity holds.”The source warned that more players could be headed to other countries. South Africa’s 2014 Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Aiden Markram has been approached by a team in New Zealand although the Titans told ESPNcricinfo they believe they will be able to hold on to him. Corbin Bosch, who played in the 2014 team under Markram, is moving to Australia and Obus Pienaar, another former Under-19 who plays in Bloemfontein, is also considering New Zealand as an option.When asked if the exodus of players had to do with CSA’s transformation targets, the source stayed away from making a direct link but hinted that it could be related. “I don’t want to talk about quotas but I’ll say that the balance of teams is affecting the opportunities people are getting. There are also other factors like the declining Rand.”

Leeds United return to action tonight as they travel away from home to face high-flying Premier League rivals Fulham in the FA Cup. 

It marks Javi Gracia’s second game since his arrival, with his debut marking a sensational all-important victory over relegation rivals Southampton. He could truly endear himself to fans of the Yorkshire outfit should they make it two wins from two, continuing their magical cup run into the quarter-finals.

Although the Spaniard will crave as many wins as possible, he will be aware that the priority lies with safety. As such, the head coach may look to shuffle the pack as they face the Cottagers, who sit just six points outside the top four.

One such change that the boss could employ is to finally hand Georginio Rutter another start, with the club-record signing having been starved of action since his big-money move last month.

He can hardly offer less than Patrick Bamford has done of late, with the English marksman failing to hit the back of the next in his last six Premier League matches.

Will Rutter feature against Fulham in the FA Cup?

Rutter’s only start since joining the Whites has been in this competition and the manager could call upon the forward to lead the line this evening. 

It is yet another move that could have fans praising Gracia as the supporters are surely craving some added exposure to the man the club unloaded such big funds on.

Especially given the flashes of brilliance he has shown in his cameos, where the marksman has boasted a lively play style that outlines him as being desperate to try something fresh in an effort to create a moment of magic.

Against Accrington Stanley, his last start, although he missed two big chances he was constantly forging opportunities for himself and those around him with his trickery.

He recorded one key pass, creating an opportunity for one of his teammates, and was successful in two of his three attempted dribbles before being substituted after 76 minutes – as per Sofascore.

The 20-year-old is still incredibly raw but the only way to allow him to hone his skills is to offer him vital match experience at the top level.

This game against Premier League opposition in a cup competition represents a free hit of sorts, as the Frenchman looks to regain the form that led Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig to laud his “blistering pace” and “clinical” nature.

Should Gracia hope to keep his side’s FA Cup dream alive whilst furthering the development of one of his brightest stars, Rutter must start tonight.