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MS Dhoni’s doubts about the UDRS could be eased were he to take up an offer by the head of the Virtual Eye ball-tracker to understand the technology

Sharda Ugra03-Nov-2010MS Dhoni’s doubts about the Umpire Decision Referral System (UDRS) could be eased were he to take up an offer by the head of the Virtual Eye ball-tracker, and understand the technology now in use in international cricket.One of three mandatory requirements for the UDRS, the ball-tracker is the most contentious component, and Ian Taylor, CEO of Virtual Eye – in use for the current Australian season – told ESPNcricinfo last week that he wanted the technology shared with people it would affect. “We need to spend time with umpires and players, captains of teams, so that we can open up the entire Pandora’s box of the technology,” Taylor said. “I think people are right to question the technology, that is how we make it better.”Hawk-Eye and Virtual Eye, cricket’s two main ball-tracker cameras, use slightly different technology. Hawk-Eye uses vector graphics for projectile mapping like the kind used in missile technology. Paul Hawkins, managing director of Hawk-Eye Innovations, has also extended an offer to the Indian team to explain the technology. “I think it is mainly whether the Indian team has confidence in the technology,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “If the Indian players take some time to understand the system fully … those concerns would go away.”Virtual Eye, which was experimented with for the first time during India’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2008, uses fibre-optic cable leading to cameras producing higher frame rates per second. “This, they tell us, will add to the accuracy of the ball-tracking,” said Brad McNamara, executive producer of cricket at Channel 9, which will be using Virtual Eye for the first time in the upcoming Ashes.During the Ashes, Taylor said, four cameras would track balls at 160 frames a second, providing points of reference available to the third umpire to make a decision. When Virtual Eye ventured into ball-tracking cricket in 2006, the cameras they used operated at 110 frames a second, which at the time were suitable for television. The advent of the DRS and the use of the “predictive path”, Taylor said, meant that, “we have had to find way to up the game.”The DRS has suddenly increased the heat on the game’s graphics providers. “It was fine when we were just delivering for television, but the advent of the DRS and the use of the predictive path has meant we have had to find ways to up the game,” Taylor said. “The computer must now work out, like the umpire, where the ball would have gone had it not hit the pad. The more frames, or points of reference we can give it to do that – the better the prediction.”It takes 40 centimetres of camera track (15 inches or less than half a yard on a cricket pitch), at 100 frames a second to give the computer two points of reference. “The computer is making its best estimate as to where the ball will go after bouncing depending on the information it receives via the frames per second,” Taylor said. Increasing the frames per second thus increases the number of points available and while cameras that can work at 1000 frames a second are available, they are extremely expensive. “We are looking for a cost effective way of lifting the frame rate. That’s where the R&D has to go now.”Taylor shares players concerns, saying, “We may have a little more knowledge from a technical perspective but that is totally balanced out by the players’, and umpires’, practical knowledge of what happens out there on the pitch in real life.”

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba looks likely to leave Old Trafford in the summer, according to Sky Sports.

The Lowdown: Pogba

Pogba is out of contract in a matter of months, with his future becoming a hot topic of conversation during the current campaign.

The 29-year-old was forced off due to injury after just ten minutes against Liverpool on Tuesday, which resulted in a number of travelling supporters booing the Frenchman at Anfield.

It looks as if his second stint in Manchester is now coming to an end, and Sky Sports have provided a big update on his future.

The Latest: Live TV update

Sky Sports News shared an on-air update regarding Pogba on Wednesday, sharing the news on Twitter.

They said that ‘a source has told Sky Sports News that it looks increasingly likely Pogba will leave the club at the end of the season’.

They added that Real Madrid and Juventus are ‘in talks’ with Pogba’s representatives while remaining in the Premier League isn’t off the cards either.

The Verdict: The right call

Despite a positive start to a season in which he provided four assists in the opening weekend win against Leeds, it has once again been a struggle for Pogba at Old Trafford.

Picking up £290,000-a-week, the 29-year-old has scored just once all season and has failed to really nail down a regular role under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.

Therefore, a move away alongside Edinson Cavani ahead of Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge appears to be the right decision for all involved.

In other news: Big news: Man Utd now eyeing signing of ‘absolute beast’ for Ten Hag in potential £100m+ deal. 

NZC has announced further changes to the support staff for the national team, including reducing the role of performance director Roger Mortimer and naming a new physiotherapist

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Dec-2010Three days after appointing John Wright as New Zealand coach, NZC has announced sweeping changes to the support staff for the national team, including reducing the role of performance director Roger Mortimer and naming a new physiotherapist. The decisions come as part of a review following forgettable tours of Bangladesh and India in the past three months.Earlier in the week, former New Zealand batsman Mark Greatbatch was sacked as coach and the captain Daniel Vettori lost his position as a selector. The three-man selection committee will now include Greatbatch, former captain Glenn Turner and new appointment Lance Cairns.Mortimer will continue to work with NZC but will no longer travel with the team on tours. He had been appointed in May after guiding cyclist Sarah Ulmer and triathlete Hamish Carter to Olympic glory.Other changes include Dayle Shackel, who was the team’s long-time psyhiotherapist till 2008, returning to the role, replacing Kate Stalker. Fielding coach Mark O’Donnell and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen have been axed. Those who retain their posts include the assistant coach Trent Woodhill, the team manager Dave Currie and the team trainer Bryan Stronach.New Zealand were drubbed 4-0 in the one-dayers against Bangladesh in October, and followed that up with a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of an under-strength Indian side. Their next challenge is a home series against Pakistan, starting Sunday.”I am positive the changes outlined will act as a great stimulus to improve performance for the Black Caps,” NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said. “I am hopeful the Auckland cricketing public will get out and support the team on Boxing Day for the T20 international against Pakistan.”Meanwhile, former internationals Paul Wiseman and Matt Horne have been appointed as co-coaches of the New Zealand under-19 team and will lead the side to the 2012 World Cup in Australia.

Newcastle United are reportedly now ‘ready’ to ‘finalise deals’ for three players ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Five signings?

Sky Sports journalist and North East reporter Keith Downie has said that the St. James’ Park faithful will now look to make at least five major signings in the summer.

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As well as a permanent deal for Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett, they are also looking at signing a new central defender, playmaking forward, striker and goalkeeper, and could add even more to that list if departures create openings in the squad.

The Latest: Deals in place

Taking to Twitter, transfer insider Graeme Bailey has revealed that the Tyneside outfit are now ‘ready to press ahead’ with transfer plans that were ‘set in motion’ in the January window, and will look to ‘finalise deals’ for Targett, Jesse Lingard of Manchester United and Hugo Ekitike of Reims.

Expanding in his article for 90min, the journalist also revealed that they have ‘enquired’ about the possibility of signing Dean Henderson from Manchester United or Bernd Leno of Arsenal, while they are looking at Sevilla’s Diego Carlos and AFC Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly to strengthen the centre of defence.

The Verdict: Exciting

These are exciting times for the Toon Army as their summer transfer plans already seem to be in motion, and it looks as if they could make at least five major signings by the end of the window.

The names that Bailey has mentioned fit into each position reported by Downie and the new owners may not stop there if they can ship out some of the fringe players at the club too.

Nonetheless, with Premier League safety all but guaranteed, they can now look forward to the next stage of the project, and fans should be delighted to see they aren’t hanging around after the naturally rushed nature of the January window.

In other news, find out which ‘world-class’ UEFA Champions League winner NUFC are now eyeing here!

Scotland’s development programme has been named the best in Europe at the ICC Development Programme Awards for 2010

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jan-2011Scotland’s development programme has been named the best in Europe at the ICC Development Programme Awards for 2010. Scotland won the ‘Best Overall Cricket Development Programme’ award for significant achievements in all aspects of the game – in junior cricket, women’s cricket, in new strategies and the creation of new pathways.”This award is a tremendous endorsement of what we have been striving to achieve over the past few years,” said Steve Paige, Head of Community Development for Cricket Scotland. “It also recognises the important value of the contributions volunteers play in developing cricket at grassroots level.”Last year, we saw some fantastic achievements within our community programmes: 468 schools competed in our schools cups. We had 56 primary schools festivals. We educated more than 300 teachers in introductory programmes and 110 umpires attended introductory courses, with 58 taking Level 1 exams. We delivered courses to 134 physical education students and now we have over 450 active UKCC coaches.”And our development team around the country have been doing a splendid job in growing the game and ensuring we have sustainable structures in the clubs, so they can support all the children and adults that want to play the game.””These very well deserved awards are in recognition of the great work which is ongoing in our Associate and Affiliate member countries; all involved should be very proud of themselves,” added ICC Regional Development Manager Richard Holdsworth.The Pepsi ICC Development Programme Annual Awards promote excellence in cricket development and recognise exceptional performance and service to the game in the ICC’s 95 Associate and Affiliate Member countries. Nominations were received from national bodies, clubs, associations, teams, schools and individuals. The European regional winners will now be put forward for the Global Pepsi ICC Development Programme Awards.

Aston Villa could spring a surprise move for former Real Madrid player James Rodriguez in the summer according to sources.

What’s the word?

One Spanish news outlet has claimed that Premier League side Villa are one of three clubs interested in Rodriguez, alongside West Ham and Atletico Madrid.

According to the report, the Colombian isn’t interested in staying at his current club Al-Rayyan and wants to make a move back to Europe.

The player’s current market value is £13.5m, and whoever is successful in securing the 30-year-old’s signature will surely manage to grab a bargain.

Gerrard may have already found a cheaper alternative to Coutinho

Gerrard pulled off a masterstroke during the January transfer window in persuading Coutinho to join Villa on loan until the summer.

The 29-year-old has suitably impressed so far, with four goals and three assists helping him to post the squad’s second-highest WhoScored rating for the season. In an ideal world, Villa would love to keep him at the club permanently, but this might not be possible due to the money that Barcelona want for him.

The Midlands side could sign the Brazilian for £33m in the summer, but this is more than they want to pay. By contrast, the price to lure Rodriguez to Villa Park would reportedly be “extremely low”, so he could be a more viable option than Coutinho.

The Colombian’s form in Qatar has been excellent. In just 15 appearances for Al-Rayyan, he has scored five times and provided seven assists, putting his enigmatic Everton spell behind him.

Following Rodriguez’s World Cup heroics in 2014, David Beckham lavished him as “magical”, and when the 30-year-old is in the mood, there aren’t many finer players to watch in football.

Gerrard may have some work to do to get this prospective move over the line, but if a permanent Coutinho deal doesn’t work out, there appears to be a ready-made and more affordable replacement waiting in the wings.

AND in other news, Gerrard can land his own Pogba as Villa plot bid for “impressive” £107k-p/w machine

South Africa Under-19 captain Keaton Jennings contributed his second half-century of the series as the hosts took a 2-0 lead over Zimbabwe Under-19 with a seven-wicket win at Stellenbosch

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Jan-2011
ScorecardSouth Africa Under-19 captain Keaton Jennings contributed his second half-century of the series as the hosts took a 2-0 lead over Zimbabwe Under-19 with a seven-wicket win at Stellenbosch. Kevin Kasuza’s 54 was the only innings of note as Zimbabwe were skittled for 140 in the 44th over, the wickets shared among the South African bowlers with Malcolm Nofal and Prenelan Subrayen’s spin proving particularly effective. Jennings then eased his side past 100 before Shaylin Pillay and Regardt Verster finished the job.For the second time in two games Zimbabwe’s top order – Kasuza aside – struggled but, unlike the first game at Cape Town, this time there was no lower-order fightback. After the early loss of Brian Chari, Kasuza and captain Godwill Mamhiyo briefly stemmed the tide but once Mamhiyo was removed by Pillay wickets fell at regular intervals. Malcolm Lake and Liberty Nherera struck a couple of lusty blows but couldn’t extend their stays at the crease and Rabian Engelbrecht returned to wrap up the innings by dismissing Calum Price.When the Zimbabweans bowled, Price and Kyle Bowie’s medium pace was soon swapped for a string of offspinning options and when Nherera removed Quinton de Kock early in his spell it appeared the move was the right one. Zimbabwe simply didn’t have the runs to build pressure on South Africa’s batsmen, or the firepower to force a breakthrough, and despite Jennings and Grant Edmeades both falling to run-outs within five overs of each other victory was achieved with more than 17 overs to spare.The teams now head to Franschhoek for the third match of the series on Sunday, needing a win to keep their series hopes alive. Their tour is centred on the Western Cape, and after five youth ODIs in the region the teams will play two Twenty20s, in Paarl and Bellville, on January 22 and 23.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte could leave the club this summer if the Lilywhites don’t make a good start in the upcoming transfer window, according to insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Potter identified as replacement

The 52-year-old suggested earlier this season that he could walk away from Spurs before the end of the campaign following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Burnley in the Premier League.

However, he recently dismissed the rumours that he has offered himself to Paris Saint-Germain, with the former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino set to leave the French giants.

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However, it would appear that the club are preparing for the possible departure of Conte, with The Telegraph dropping a pretty big update on Friday.

According to their sources, Brighton boss Graham Potter has emerged as Spurs’ number one managerial replacement should the Italian decide to leave N17.

The Latest: Conte’s big decision

Reacting to that Potter update during an interview with GiveMeSport, Jones, an insider for Eurosport, admitted that he believes the future of Conte will hugely depend on how the early stages of the club’s transfer window will pan out, meaning the boss could even leave by July.

“Conte’s going to make his decision based on how this transfer window starts to pan out.

“I think he’ll get an indication early in June as to what he’s actually getting, and I think probably by the start of July, we’ll get a clear sign of whether things are going his way or not. If, by that point, there isn’t a sign of Conte getting the type of players he needs, then I think his future is definitely in doubt.”

The Verdict: Backing from the hierarchy

Conte is said to be looking at bringing in six new signings in the summer and is reportedly targeting a goalkeeper, centre-back, right wing-back, two midfielders, and a forward.

A couple of players in those positions who Spurs have been heavily linked with in recent weeks are West Brom shot-stopper Sam Johnstone and Atalanta defender Joakim Maehle, who both have the potential to be great additions to the squad and would indicate ambition to Conte nice and early in the window.

However, if Fabio Paratici and Daniel Levy fail to back the manager by giving him the transfer funds he requires or don’t support his long-term vision for the club, then this could quickly turn into a catastrophic summer.

In other news… Spurs are believed to be leading the race for a 16 y/o star in the making.

Ramnaresh Sarwan, the West Indies batsman, has said he is happy to return to the national fold after being named in the 15-man squad for the World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jan-2011Ramnaresh Sarwan, the West Indies batsman, has said he is happy to return to the national fold after being named in the 15-man squad for the World Cup, and is keen to hit form during the ODI series against Sri Lanka starting on January 31. Sarwan last played for West Indies in the ODI series at home against South Africa in May and June 2010. He was subsequently dropped due to fitness issues and indifferent form on the domestic circuit. He also wasn’t offered a West Indies central contract.”It feels really great to be back,” Sarwan said in Colombo. “We had a really good workout today and so far I am just happy to fit into the team again. We have a very good team vibe going and it is very important that we maintain that and build on that. It is also important that we get off to a good start in this series and try to get that early momentum.”West Indies play three ODIs on their tour of Sri Lanka. The series was postponed because of poor weather during West Indies’ tour late last year, with the Test series being marred by persistent rain. The matches during the ODI series were initially scheduled to be held in Hambantota and the renovated Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, two of the three Sri Lankan venues for the World Cup, but the ICC didn’t permit the venues to be used for international games just prior to the quadrennial event. Instead, all three ODIs will be played at the SSC.”The pitch at the SSC is normally a good one for batting,” Sarwan said. “I have done well here (in Sri Lanka in Tests) before. I am just hoping to maintain the same level of success I have had before, make a major contribution to the team, and try to bat us into winning positions.””The greatest dream is to win the World Cup for all the people of the Caribbean and all those around the world who support us. We have to give Darren (Sammy) our full support. Obviously, he is still a bit new to the job as captain so it is important that he gets our full backing. We need to be consistent as a team and that would give us a really good chance of winning.”West Indies and Sri Lanka have, unsurprisingly, picked their World Cup squad for the three-match series.

Scottish football journalist Andrew Dickson has been left hailing the display of James Tavernier for Glasgow Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday night.

The Lowdown: Memorable night

It certainly was a memorable night for the club and its supporters, as the Ibrox faithful triumphed 3-1 against RB Leipzig to put them through 3-2 on aggregate.

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Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team will now play Frankfurt in the final, for a chance to win a remarkable piece of silverware and trump their arch-rivals looming domestic triumph.

There were plenty of top performers on the night, but the skipper stood above them all…

The Latest: Tavernier hailed

Taking to Twitter, Dickson was left hailing Tavernier after he scored the opening goal of the game, even going as far as to brand him as an ‘extraordinary leader’ and an ‘absolute legend’:

“Top scorer in the whole competition. All of his goals in the knockouts. And, once again, an extraordinary leader of his team this week. James Tavernier, what an absolute legend.”

The Verdict: Led by example

With the captain’s armband on, Tavernier led by example as he slotted home to become the top scorer in the Europa League this season, from right-back no less.

Attacking wise, he completed both of his dribble attempts, made one key pass and had 69 touches of the ball in total, more than any of his teammates (SofaScore).

He did his fair share of defending too, winning seven of his individual duels, while he also made two clearances, one interception and one tackle in the match (SofaScore).

Nonetheless, Tavernier was just one of many standout performers for the home side on the night, and they will now be looking forward to a major European final later this month.

In other news, find out what ‘absolutely massive’ Gers update has Alan Hutton thrilled here!