West Ham have been given a boost in pursuit of a ‘top class’ player who’s believed to be keen on a switch to east London in January, according to insider ExWHUemployee.

Nuno in need of top January window as West Ham stare at relegation

The looming January window, set to open in under a fortnight, could be make or break for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side as they stare down the barrel of relegation.

There have been some positive signs since Nuno replaced Graham Potter, with a marked improvement in overall performances.

However, results still haven’t been good enough to lift them out of the Premier League relegation zone.

Only bottom side Wolves have conceded more goals than the Hammers so far, while Niclas Fullkrug’s departure to AC Milan leaves them a striker short.

The German spectacularly flopped at Rush Green, bagging just three goals in 29 appearances with his spell marred by constant injury problems.

Reports suggest that West Ham are entering the market for a new number nine, and they’ve been linked with a few intriguing options already, most notably Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Related West Ham make first move to sign La Liga's 2024 top goalscorer to replace Fullkrug

He’s got a proven record.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini

Nuno’s side are believed to have made an approach for the Norwegian, who in turn is open to swapping the Midlands for London to give himself a better chance of avoiding the Championship.

While a striker and talks for Wolves winger Adama Traore are taking centre stage, West Ham badly need an alternative to the likes of Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo too, with the former enduring a nightmare against Man City last weekend.

Now, as per ExWHUemployee, that man could be Toulouse centre-back Charlie Cresswell.

Charlie Cresswell keen to join West Ham in January

Writing on his Patreon, via the West Ham Way website, Ex shared an update on Cresswell after claiming last month that West Ham could ‘reignite talks’ for the Englishman.

Cresswell was apparently close to joining West Ham in the summer, and that interest remains heading into January.

What’s more, Ex now reports that the 23-year-old is ‘keen on the move’ to West Ham next month — gifting Nuno’s side a boost as they still ponder a move for the former Leeds United defender.

Cresswell has enjoyed a remarkable 25/26 campaign with Toulouse, establishing himself as an indispensable figure in the heart of their defence.

The England Under-21 international has started all 16 of Toulouse’s Ligue 1 fixtures, playing every single minute of their season to date, demonstrating his importance to manager Carles Martínez.

Subscribe to the newsletter for West Ham transfer intel Discover deeper transfer context—subscribe to the newsletter for detailed scouting reports, tactical fit breakdowns and player profiles (including Charlie Cresswell), plus comprehensive transfer coverage and expert insight across the league. Subscribe Subscribe to the newsletter for West Ham transfer intel Discover deeper transfer context—subscribe to the newsletter for detailed scouting reports, tactical fit breakdowns and player profiles (including Charlie Cresswell), plus comprehensive transfer coverage and expert insight across the league.

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Cresswell has even netted three goals and one assist so far, showcasing his threat from set pieces while maintaining defensive solidity at the back.

Toulouse currently sit eighth in the Ligue 1 table with 23 points from 17 matches, having lost just once in their last seven games.

Cresswell’s performances have earned him comparisons to former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva due to his composure on the ball and aerial prowess in both penalty areas.

The centre-back has also earned recent recognition with England’s Under-21 squad, playing a key role in their successful European Championship defence last summer where he was named in the Team of the Tournament.

Daniel Farke was a big fan of his at Leeds too, calling him a ‘top class’ youngster who kept Leeds’ senior defenders on their toes.

Related "Could happen" – Player admits he may join West Ham as agent works on transfer

He’s made a January admission.

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Bayern Munich are now preparing a £44m bid for one of Manchester United’s most important players, having identified him as the perfect target.

Two Man Utd players cause off-field controversy

There has been no shortage of controversy surrounding Man United since the 4-4 draw against AFC Bournemouth on Monday night, with Kobbie Mainoo’s brother, Jordan Mainoo-Hames, coming under fire for his questionable choice of shirt.

Mainoo has received very little game time this season, with the central midfielder still yet to start a Premier League game, but his brother’s stunt sparked an angry reaction from Simon Jordan, who said: “That’s part of the deterioration of the brand and ultimately the club’s culture when you’ve young players that have an expectation that they should be in the Man United team and so if they don’t they get their idiot brother to stand inside the stands wearing a t-shirt.”

Not only that, but Bruno Fernandes has taken aim at the board for their stance on selling him in the summer, saying: “Man United wanted me to leave last summer, I have that in my head.”

“I told the directors this, but I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision.”

Now, Fernandes could be presented with an opportunity to leave the Red Devils, with a report from Spain revealing Bayern Munich are preparing a €50m (£44m) offer for the attacking midfielder, which could arrive in the summer transfer window.

The Portugal international has been identified as the perfect target for the Bundesliga side, and there is a growing feeling this season could be his last at Old Trafford, with the Man United star now considering leaving.

Having been left extremely hurt by United’s willingness to offload him in the summer, there is a rift between the 31-year-old and the board, meaning the door may now be open for a move to the Allianz Arena, which would be a major blow for Ruben Amorim…

Related Bruno 2.0: Amorim pushing Man Utd to sign "world's most underrated player"

Ruben Amorim is driving Manchester United’s pursuit of another Bruno Fernandes-style figure.

Posts ByRobbie Walls Man Utd must keep hold of Fernandes

While the £300k-a-week midfielder was left frustrated with the board in the summer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has waxed lyrical about him in the past, describing the former Sporting CP man as a “fabulous footballer”.

Subscribe for deeper transfer insight on Fernandes Gain deeper analysis on transfer sagas and club dynamics by subscribing to our newsletter. We unpack rumours, board-player relationships, tactical fit and what Bayern’s interest in Fernandes could mean for clubs and careers. Subscribe Subscribe for deeper transfer insight on Fernandes Gain deeper analysis on transfer sagas and club dynamics by subscribing to our newsletter. We unpack rumours, board-player relationships, tactical fit and what Bayern’s interest in Fernandes could mean for clubs and careers.

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Despite predominantly featuring in a deeper role, the United captain has continued to impress during the first half of the current campaign, picking up five goals and seven assists in 16 Premier League outings, most recently scoring a fantastic free-kick against Bournemouth.

Having set up more goals than any other Premier League player this season, Fernandes is showing no signs of slowing down, and it is vital that Man United resist any approaches from Bayern Munich.

A lone spectator waits for play to begin on the final day Photo © AllSport UK

Championship leaders Surrey were left with a minimum of only 32 overs in which to attempt to bowl out Yorkshire when conditions improved sufficiently at Scarborough for a start to be made at 4.00pm on the final day of a match in which feelings ran high after Yorkshire had been docked eight points for preparing a ‘poor’ pitch.Surrey’s declaration at their overnight 89 for three left Yorkshire to make an improbable 288 for victory but fears of a collapse similar to the first innings quickly subsided as young openers Simon Widdup and Vic Craven made confident progress against the pace of Alex Tudor and Ben Hollioake.Surrey posted four slips and two gulleys in the first few overs but Widdup and Craven still managed to score runs in front of the wicket and the pair were largely unconcerned when spinners Saqlain Mustaq and Ian Salisbury entered the attack, Widdup twice in one over hammering boundaries off Salisbury to raise the 50.When Widdup had reached 32, he was bowled aiming a sweep at Saqlain only to see no-ball signalled and when the sides called it a day, Yorkshire had reached 68 without loss, Widdup leading the way with 38 to Craven’s 17.Yorkshire squeezed seven points out of the game – one less than they started with – but Surrey were left to ponder over whether they would have stood a better chance of forcing a win if they had enforced the follow on instead of deciding to add to their first innings lead of 198.Surrey’s 11 points increased their lead over second placed Lancashire to 19 points and they now appear odds-on favourites to retain the Championship – although the two teams will clash in the final round of matches.Yorkshire can still occupy the runners-up spot but their cause has been damaged by the loss of eight points.

On the Wantage Road outfield, the selection chairman Rod Marsh and the coach Darren Lehmann exchanged frank words with Australia’s 2015 Ashes tourists. For around 15 minutes the two old salts spoke passionately, in the sort of team discussion that invariably follows the kinds of defeats endured at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge. The only response could be seen coming from Mitchell Johnson, now very much the senior man in the Test XI.The retiring captain Michael Clarke is in London, Ryan Harris and Brad Haddin have gone home. They leave a gulf in experience and knowledge, but also confidence arising from their long-time ability to get the job done for Australia.Marsh and Lehmann want Clarke to be suitably farewelled from international cricket at the Kia Oval, but they also want this team to take something from the series. They want this latest Ashes defeat in England to be the last for some time.Of those present, none of Johnson, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Fawad Ahmed or Shaun Marsh can reasonably expect to take part in another Ashes series on these shores. Lehmann and Marsh are unlikely to be around either. But among the more intent listeners was the young allrounder Mitchell Marsh, who was left out of the team for Trent Bridge but is determined to draw triumph out of the chaos of this trip.”As an Australian team you go out to win every Test match, and even though the series is over we’ve got a lot to play for in this match as everyone knows,” Marsh said. “To send our skipper out on a winning note is a big emphasis for us, so we’ll be doing everything we can. We’ve been working extremely hard off the field to try and get it right on the field and it just hasn’t happened for us. So we’ll be doing everything we can.”Marsh, who can expect to be recalled at the Oval, has always been a confident character, backing his ability against anyone. But his exposure to the harshest light of Ashes pressure gave him pause to consider his readiness for it, and by his own admission both his dismissals at Edgbaston were illustrative of a young player not quite knowing how to respond to a seaming pitch, a baying crowd and a tense match scenario.Asked whether the pressure of the occasion had weighed down on his batting, Marsh offered the following. “Missing straight ones is not what you want to do, and chasing one a foot outside off third ball is not what you want to do,” he said.” Read into that what you want.”It certainly was an eye-opener. When I first got picked in the Test team Justin Langer said from Australian first-class cricket the step up is not that much bigger. It’s more just the outside pressure and the pressure of being in a Test match. Edgbaston was certainly the first time I really felt the pressure of a whole Test match … but I enjoyed it and I loved it, not that I was out there for too long.”That’s what you play for, that’s what you work hard for, to try and combat those times. It was certainly a great experience and hopefully I’ll be better for that in big moments in future.”The future stretches out ahead of Marsh, with the calendar offering non-stop international cricket for those good enough to handle those aforementioned pressures. But there is also a question of priorities – the fame and cash presented by the IPL, or the more modest surrounds of English County competition and a rounded education in how to bat and bowl here. Marsh is eager to take the latter path. Six Tests over the past 12 months will afford him the visa qualification to do so.”That’s something I’ve wanted to do over the past few years,” he said. “Now that I do qualify over the next few years hopefully it gives me an opportunity to come over here and play as much cricket as I can to prepare for coming years. Hopefully over the next few years I’ll be playing for Australia and won’t get too much time, but when the time does come hopefully I’ll be able to get over here.”To be able to learn my trade in these conditions would be awesome. Everyone that comes over here says that it’s awesome for your cricket. Hopefully that’s the case for me. I’ve probably put IPL on the back stall for the past few years and I’ve seen the gains in my cricket from that. It will be a case of judging it when it comes and seeing what happens in the future.”Rod Marsh and Darren Lehmann certainly had the future on their minds as they addressed the team at Wantage Road. The content of the exchange will remain between players and selectors for now. Only the years will measure whether this moment will be of great significance for Mitchell Marsh and other young players, or simply a show of passion too late to change the course of the summer of 2015.

Scorecard3:54

Never underestimate enjoyment factor – Gillespie

Drenched in champagne glinting in the Lord’s sunshine, Andrew Gale proudly held aloft the County Championship trophy, a year to the day after the ECB had prevented him from doing so when Yorkshire were victorious last year. This was a triumph belated and deserved.Yet Gale considered it “bittersweet”. Blame Middlesex. They had displayed the temerity to ensure Gale’s celebrations came after an emphatic defeat, something that seemed unimaginable when Ryan Sidebottom consigned them to the wreckage of 0 for 3 one over into the opening day, or when Yorkshire secured a first innings lead of 193.”If you’re slightly off your game in this division that’s what happens,” Gale said. Here was a clarion cry from Middlesex, taking on the role of representative of the 17 counties – or at least the eight in the First Division – who do not sport the White Rose. The message was clear: the gap between Yorkshire and the rest is less insurmountable than a 26-match unbeaten run in Championship cricket, now at an end, suggests.Certainly that is the case when Toby Roland-Jones and James Harris summon performances as powerful as they mustered on the final two days against the champions. After adding 146 for the ninth wicket on the third day, now the two combined to decimate Yorkshire’s batting.Just as the final day of first-class cricket at Lord’s this season threatened to descend into a somnolent wait for Gale to lift the crown, Roland-Jones and Harris located late reverse swing and a lethal line just outside offstump.Devastation ensued. Five wickets fell in 29 balls, testament to the vim with which Roland-Jones and Harris bowled.Roland-Jones was particularly outstanding. Bounding in with pace and bounce, he bowled 21 overs of unerring intensity. He claimed 5 for 27, every wicket caught between keeper and fourth slip. On a pitch that had seemed increasingly pallid, Roland-Jones located a toxic cocktail of reverse swing away from the right-hander and lift outside offstump.”It’s something that’s been coming for a while. I’ve by no means been bowling badly, but just haven’t had that real match-deciding spell which can really define a bowler. It’s nice to feel that’s come at last,” Roland-Jones said. “It was probably the most rhythm I’ve had all year – running in just felt a little bit more effortless. I wasn’t really stretching or straining, and the line I bowled was telling.”Together with his maiden first-class century, the upshot was one of the most satisfying victories of his career and Roland-Jones’ finest individual performance: “I don’t think I’ve done anything that comes close.” On this evidence it would be folly were he not seriously considered for an England Lions recall.Harris was scarcely less impressive, Middlesex’s penultimate match of the season continuing his stirring revival as a cricketer. When he left Glamorgan three years ago, Harris was so in-demand that 11 counties attempted to sign him. He signed for Middlesex because Harris believed it would maximise his chances of playing Test cricket. The England selectors told Harris he needed to locate extra pace, so he went to the national academy in Loughborough in search of it.It did not work. All Harris achieved was to lose the swing that had enticed Middlesex in the first place. His confidence went too, and last year Harris even returned to Glamorgan on loan in an attempt to relocate it.Now he is the second highest wicket-taker in Division One, behind only Chris Rushworth. Harris showed why by swinging the new ball away from Adam Lyth and Gary Ballance just enough to invite the edge and then returning to aid Roland-Jones in the evisceration of Yorkshire’s batting.So crushing was this victory that it was enough to invite the question of how great the gulf between Yorkshire and the rest. “I wouldn’t say there’s a massive gap. We’ve just managed to play some very good cricket. We saw today – we got thumped so it’s hard for me to tell you how big the gap is,” Jason Gillespie said. Middlesex have now beaten Yorkshire at Lord’s in consecutive seasons, and were also tenacious in defeat at Headingley this year.A year ago Middlesex’s summer ended with a display of resolve at Old Trafford to protect their Division One status. In any context 2015 has been a quietly formidable in red ball cricket: 15 games have yielded seven victories and only one defeat. Middlesex have done it all while overcoming significant obstacles. Adam Voges’ late-blooming Test career upset their overseas plans, while the upshot of reinvigorating Steve Finn has been to lose him to England.No wonder there was such an air of contentment as the members lauded Middlesex’s efforts at Lord’s this season. Yorkshire remain county cricket’s outstanding team, but Middlesex, who were the last county to beat them in the Championship, also at Lord’s, now have only to navigate a trip to New Road to prove themselves most-deserving runners-up.

Match facts

Friday, October 2, 2015
Start time 1900 local (1330 GMT)4:33

Agarkar: Would like to see Aravind play SA

Big Picture

We are here, finally. The most anticipated series alongside the Ashes, at least as far as South Africans are concerned, has arrived. It has been a long time coming if you consider that in 2013, India were initially scheduled to visit South Africa for a lengthy period of time but boardroom battles saw the tour cut short. Now, compensation has come.South Africa are on their longest-ever tour of India, which will stretch over 72 days and will include their first four-Test series in five years, since the 2009-10 home series against England. Sensibly, the tour has been structured so that main attraction takes place last, after the teams have both acclimatised and sussed each other out. That’s what these opening rounds are for.The T20s have the added purpose of serving as preparation for next year’s World T20, which will be played in India. For South Africa, it is the ideal way to strategise for the tournament, and will give them an opportunity to see whether they need to make changes in personnel or game plans as they go in search of ICC silverware, yet again. For India, it is a return to a format they have not seen much of in the last year, with ODIs and Test cricket dominating their schedule. They may not need to plan with regard to conditions as much as other teams – the World T20 is taking place in their home after all – but they will want to kickstart a period of consistency in the build-up.For cricket supporters, it barely gets much bigger than this. Rankings aside – India sit at fourth and South Africa have slumped to sixth on the T20 charts – the rivalry between these two sides always makes for riveting viewing. Sit back and enjoy.

Form guide

India LWLLW (last five completed games most recent first)
South Africa LWWWW

In the spotlight

Axar Patel was the second highest wicket-taker in the recent triangular A series between India, South Africa and Australia and the highest wicket-taker in the unofficial Test series. He might be unleashed against the visitors given the perception that the South African middle-order is vulnerable against spin. Axar has played only two T20s, against Zimbabwe, and is the junior-most spinner in the India squad, but could use this opportunity to push for a place in next year’s World T20 plans.With Faf du Plessis fit to resume duties as captain, AB de Villiers will be able to assume his new role at the top of the order. South Africa’s new strategy seeks to give de Villiers as much batting time as possible and the ploy might work in India. De Villiers was the fourth highest run-scorer at this year’s IPL – the top-scorer for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, a team that also included Chris Gayle – with 513 from 14 innings at 46.63 – and seems to relish batting in the shortest format on the subcontinent. He may not have to keep wicket, if Quinton de Kock is given a chance to show whether he his lean run has ended but if Hashim Amla is preferred, de Villiers will have to perform a dual role.

Team news

MS Dhoni did not reveal much about his team combination, saying he would have to look at the conditions – especially the dew factor – on the evening of the game before deciding.India (probable): 1 Ajinkya Rahane, 2 Shikhar Dhawan 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Suresh Raina, 5 MS Dhoni (capt, wk), 6 Rohit Sharma, 7 Stuart Binny, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Axar Patel/Harbhajan Singh, 10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 11 Mohit Sharma/S AravindAB de Villiers will open the batting with either Quinton de Kock or Hashim Amla, who joined the squad late and may need time to settle in. South Africa’s top four are familiar and solid, but David Miller, at No.5, will need to find form to avoid losing his place to the uncapped Khaya Zondo. Chris Morris will take over the allrounder’s role from the injured David Wiese, who had to withdraw from the squad, and will likely be one of four seamers in a young pace pack. There will probably only be room for one specialist spinner, with South Africa likely to give the experienced Imran Tahir a game ahead of Eddie Leie, who may get opportunity later in the series.South Africa (probable): 1 AB de Villiers, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis (capt), 4 JP Duminy, 5 David Miller, 6 Farhaan Behardien, 7 Chris Morris, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Kyle Abbott, 10 Marchant de Lange, 11 Imran Tahir

Pitch and conditions

Spin has been the buzzword from South Africa but the surfaces in the limited-overs series may not lend themselves to a significant amount of it. Instead, runs are going to be in abundance on surfaces the bowlers will have to work hard on. At least they will have one of the most picturesque backdrops in world cricket with the Himalayas providing the view. Already, South Africa’s squad have shared several pictures on social media expressing their awe at the environment in which the series opener will be played. The weather is expected to be mild, with temperatures at 25 degrees and cloudless skies, but dew could play a big role.

Stats and Trivia

• South Africa have never played a T20 in India
• India have won six of their eight T20 matches against South Africa, giving them a win/loss ratio of 3, way better than their win/loss ratio of 0.54 in Tests, and 0.62 in ODIs
• India have only played two T20s in the last 12 months. They were both against Zimbabwe where they won a game and lost a game
• Faf du Plessis is the leading scorer in T20 cricket this year with 252 runs in four matches at 84, including a century

Quotes

“I always found it most difficult switching from Tests to T20s, I always thought T20 to Test was relatively easy. When you switch from Test format to T20, the game demands you have to hit… so you want to have some kind of flow in your batting, you have to have that big swing, you don’t want to lose shape when hitting the ball.”
“I have learnt the most from India – just from general respect and treating people the way you do. Indian people, as a culture, are the friendliest people around.”

Delhi have named first-class newbies Nitish Rana and Sarang Rawat in their squad to face Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy from October 8 to 11. Rana, a 21-year-old left-hand batsman, has played three List A and six Twenty20 matches, while Rawat, a 19-year-old medium-pacer, is yet to make an appearance at the senior level.They will replace batsman Yogesh Nagar and left-arm seamer Pawan Suyal from the team that played the opening game against Rajasthan. Ishant Sharma, who was first left out and then named in the initial squad despite saying he was only available for the second match, is back in the squad proper at the expense of Parvinder Awana, in a like-for-like pace-bowling switch.

ScorecardFile photo – Axar Patel scored 81 and took seven wickets in the match•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Gujarat took seven Baroda wickets in 37.4 overs to earn a bonus point with an innings-and-46-run win on the last day in Valsad. Baroda started the day on 81 for 4 with Ambati Rayudu and Yusuf Pathan, still trailing by 172 runs, and could score only 126 more to finish the match without any points, while Gujarat got seven.Gujarat were led by offspinner Rujul Bhatt who finished with 4 for 48 after taking three wickets on the last day. While Rayudu continued to resist, the fifth-wicket stand was broken by Jasprit Bumrah who had Yusuf caught behind for 8 in the second over of the day to leave Baroda on 85 for 5. Irfan Pathan resisted for more than an hour along with Rayudu for a partnership of 41 runs but was eventually dismissed by Bhatt for 15. Rayudu also fell soon enough for 43, also to Bhatt, before Hardik Pandya counterattacked with a 51-ball 43 that featured six fours and a six.He didn’t get much support from the tail as Bhatt and Axar kept picking wickets. Pandya took the score past 200 but it wasn’t enough to make Gujarat bat again. Axar finished with 4 for 71 after taking three wickets in the first innings.
ScorecardAbhishek Nayar and Vishal Dabholkar combined to pick up five wickets on the final day and earn Mumbai a first-innings lead against Uttar Pradesh as their Group B game petered out into a dull draw in Mumbai. With only first-innings points on offer going into the fourth day, Uttar Pradesh’s overnight batsmen Eklavya Dwivedi and Piyush Chawla began well in pursuit of Mumbai’s first-innings score of 610. However, Nayar had them both caught as Uttar Pradesh slipped to 416 for 7. Dabholkar then removed the tail, picking up the last three wickets for just 15 runs as the visitors were bowled out for 440.Dwivedi, promoted to open the innings after Uttar Pradesh were asked to follow on, was dismissed for the second time in the day after Dabholkar trapped him in front in the 11th over for 6. Himanshu Asnora and Umang Sharma then struck unbeaten fifties – 68 and 62 respectively – as Mumbai held on to their top position in the Group B points table.
ScorecardRain finally relented after washing out the second, third and much of the fourth day’s play but left just enough time to entice Tamil Nadu to seek first-innings points by pursuing Andhra’s total of 203. The openers – B Aparajith and Abhinav Mukund – started patiently before Aparajith was caught in the sixth over. Dinesh Karthik provided the required impetus to the innings with a quickfire 29 off 23 before Prasanth Kumar ran out both Abhinav and Karthik.However, B Indrajith and R Sathish gave Tamil Nadu hope with a 55-run fifth-wicket stand in just 63 balls before Prasanth effected another run-out, effectively scuppering any chances of a lead. Tamil Nadu lost two more wickets and, with the score at 164 for 7, both teams shook hands.

In farcical proceedings at the Asgiriya International Stadium today,Nepal qualified for the Super League by virtue of a 14 run victoryagainst a devastated Kenyan side.Having bowled out Nepal for 107, Kenya contacted The ManagementCommittee of the U-19 World Cup to clarify what was required for entryinto the Super League. They were told that they needed to score theruns in just 17 overs. Thus the coach informed the players to attackthe bowling right from start. In the rush to score quick runs, Kenyalost early wickets. Reduced to 44-5 in the eigth over, the coachinformed the players to bat normally. It was too late. Kenya waseventually bowled out for 93.However the regulations state that when points are equal, the firstdeciding factor should be the number of wins. If Kenya had won, theywould have gone through to the Super League. Whilst the Kenyamanagement will have to share some of the blame for this unfortunateincident for not clarifying the position earlier, The ManagementCommittee too will have to accept responsibility for giving erroneousinformation at a such a crucial moment.In another extraordinary incident, a Nepalese bowler broke the wicketin his delivery, dismissing Halali for a duck. When asked whether suchan act was in the spirit of the game the Nepalese manger said, “technically such a dismissal is out. You have to understand such anaction in a game of this importance.”However the batsmen was not warned first. Secondly the bails werebroken with his right hand. Being a left arm bowler the Law stipulatesthat the left hand must break the wicket.Nepal will now face England, Sri Lanka and either India or NewZealand.

Kingston – Alison Hinds’ voice kept emanating from the speakers in theelectrifying Mound Stand with the phrase: ‘Are you there.’If you weren’t, you missed one of the most brutal and belligerentdisplays by two young Jamaican batsmen amidst unrestrainedcelebrations from 14 000 of their countrymen.Sabina Park once more took on a Carnival-like atmosphere, especiallyfor one exhilarating hour when Wavell Hinds and Chris Gayle destroyedZimbabwe’s bowling with the type of fury of the hurricane thatdevastated Jamaica 12 years ago.The 23-year-old Hinds, taking advantage of a promotion in the order,was the initial aggressor and was unbeaten on 116 off 125 balls whenthe West Indies relieved Zimbabwe from their misery with the total 280for three.Gayle, age 20, provided even more fireworks in a whirlwind unbeaten 58off 45 balls that prompted the similar type of whistle-blowing,flag-waving and Mexican waving that had engulfed the ground the daybefore.By then, the match was virtually finished as a contest and the placenever generated the same excitement and intensity in a Zimbabweinnings that never seriously mounted a challenge.The tourists, pegged back by Curtly Ambrose’s mean ten overs that cost19 runs and Reon King’s three successive maidens at the start andthree wickets later, finished their 50 overs on 239 for eight, 41behind the West Indies’ highest total in eight One-Day Internationalsagainst their African opponents.The second successive defeat for Zimbabwe has left them in a must-winsituation for their next match in the tri-nation series againstPakistan at the Antigua Recreation Ground on Wednesday.The pattern for the West Indies’ innings was almost identical to theprevious day, but Hinds and Gayle corrected what went wrong onSaturday during the final ten overs.In the first match, the West Indies reached 181 for two after 40overs, but lost seven wickets for 56 in the last ten. Yesterday, therewere no such problems in the happy hour when Hinds and Gayle clobberedexactly 100 runs from the final 60 balls.Captain Jimmy Adams’ run out for 41 off 54 balls from another directthrow by Stuart Carlisle would have brought back memories of the firstmatch when the West Indies were plagued by four run-outs.But, those would have been out of everyone’s minds when Hinds andGayle plundered the bowling and put so much pressure on Zimbabwe thattheir fielding was not of the impeccable standard they had set on thistour.On another day, Hinds might have been caught by Grant Flower runningback from mid-wicket when he was 82 or by Gary Brent coming off thedeep backward square boundary when he was 96.The latter was a miss that allowed Hinds to reach his hundred and heimmediately punched the air with more force and aggression that is noteven common among heavy-weight boxing champions.He had justifiable reason to do so.Sent in at his accustomed No. 3 position in place of Gayle, heresponded with an innings that became more of a joy to watch as itprogressed.His runs were made in all directions, but he was especially moreenter-taining when he was driving through the covers, down the groundor on the pull.By the time Gayle joined him in the 36th over, Hinds had just passedhis 50 and the two left-handers scored at about the same ratethroughout their partnership of 125 off 91 balls.It included two big sixes, the first lifted by Hinds off GrantFlower’s left-arm spin and the second hit high and hard by Gayle overlong-off off Henry Olonga.Gayle needed a couple balls to adjust to the pitch and the bowling,but once he did so, no one could contain him and his 58 came off only45 balls and included five fours.Zimbabwe might have been encouraged when they removed openers SherwinCampbell and Philo Wallace within seven runs after the Barbadians hadposted a half-century stand in quick time.The optimism was prompted by Brent’s introduction. He came on to bowlhis medium-pace after 11 overs and bowled Campbell with a ball thathad neither the line nor length to necessitate a steer to third-man.Wallace still appeared to be struggling for form and after a few meatyblows, he was bowled by Brent playing across the line in a manner thatwas similar to his dismissal of the previous day.Zimbabwe lost their openers after the early pressure against Ambroseand King before Carlisle and Murray Goodwin again featured in theirsecond successive significant partnership.Carlisle and Goodwin put on 47 for the third wicket, but by the timeGoodwin was bowled by Franklyn Rose, the asking rate had climbed tomore than seven runs an over.Captain Andy Flower arrived to effortlessly compile 52 off 54 balls,but it was too little much too late.King was the one who broke the middle order with the scalps ofCarlisle, who hit a catch down the throat of mid-off and Dirk Viljoen,a victim to an edged catch at first slip in the same over.Even though Rose and Mervyn Dillon were expensive, the West Indies hadno cause for concern, thanks to Hinds and Gayle.Facts of the match:Details on the second One-Day International yesterday:West Indies’ 280 for three off 50 overs was their highest total ineight One-Day Internationals against Zimbabwe

Wavell Hinds’ 116 not out was his first 100 in 14 One-DayInternationals. His previous best score was 65 against Pakistan in the1999 Sharjah Cup. It was the 81st century by a West Indian in 395One-Day Internationals.

Chris Gayle’s 58 not out was his highest score in nine One-DayInternationals. His previous best was 22.

Andy Flower became the first Zimbabwe player to reach 4 000 runs inOne-Day Internationals when he made 30 of his eventual 54. It was his35th half-century in addition to three centuries in 136 matches.

Heath Streak completed 1 000 runs in One-Day Internationals when hemade two of his eventual seven in his 91st match.