Former Queensland wicketkeeper Wade Seccombe has been appointed as the state’s new coach after his predecessor Phil Jaques last month announced he was returning to New South Wales

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jun-2017

Former Queensland wicketkeeper Wade Seccombe has been appointed as the state’s new coach after his predecessor Phil Jaques last month announced he was returning to New South Wales.Seccombe played 115 first-class matches until his retirement in 2005 and was Queensland’s all-time leader for wicketkeeping dismissals across all formats until overtaken last summer by Chris Hartley. He also toured England with Australia’s Ashes squad in 2001 as the backup gloveman to Adam Gilchrist.Since his retirement as a player, Seccombe has served as Queensland Youth coach, as an assistant coach to Darren Lehmann at Queensland and the Brisbane Heat, and was called into national service as Australia’s fielding coach on their 2011 tour of Bangladesh. Last year, Seccombe was appointed to the Queensland Cricket board, a position from which he has stepped down to take on the coaching role.”Wade had an enviable record and gilt-edged reputation as a player, for his skill level as an individual and his dedication to the team environment,” Queensland Cricket CEO Max Walters said. “After his playing career finished, he made the decision to establish himself in business where again, he has been successful.”Phil Jaques and his coaching and support staff have put in a significant amount of work to lay the foundations for the future and I am sure the players will appreciate that effort when Wade takes on the role as head coach in a few weeks.”

Steven Finn and Dawid Malan shared the individual honours as England Lions took the lead in their three-match series against South Africa A

ECB Reporters Network01-Jun-2017
ScorecardDawid Malan finished unbeaten on 125•Getty ImagesMiddlesex team-mates Steven Finn and Dawid Malan shared the individual honours as England Lions took the lead in their three-match series against South Africa A with a clinical team performance at Trent Bridge.Finn took three wickets in an eight-ball burst and there were two wickets each for Tom Curran, Craig Overton and Liam Dawson as the tourists were dismissed for 268 despite significant contributions from opener Reeza Hendricks, who made 79, and wicketkeeper Heino Kuhn, with 81 not out.Then Malan stroked an unbeaten 125, his third century in nine one-day innings for the Lions, to secure a nine-wicket win with more than nine overs to spare. He faced 110 balls and hit 15 fours and a six.Ben Duckett, who had already taken a spectacular diving catch, gave the Lions reply a flying start with a 43-ball half century. The Northamptonshire left-hander fell lbw to the left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi for 69 in an opening stand of 134 inside 18 overs.But Kent’s Daniel Bell-Drummond, who has been so consistent for the Lions in one-day cricket both in Sri Lanka in the winter and in last summer’s tri-series, joined Malan to maintain the momentum in an unbroken partnership of 135. Bell-Drummond ended with 62 from 76 balls with four fours, the third time in four one-day innings for the Lions he has passed 50.James Vince won the toss and chose to field on a fine Nottingham morning, and it was his early introduction of Dawson’s left-arm spin which broke South Africa’s opening stand. JJ Smuts was bowled swinging across the line at his third ball, and in the next over Overton dismissed the dangerous Theunis de Bruyn courtesy of Ben Foakes’s tumbling low catch to leave the tourists on 42 for 2.Hendricks and Temba Bavuma, who is due to join the senior South Africa squad for their Test tour of England later in the summer, responded with an intelligent third-wicket partnership of 95 for the third wicket.It was Dawson again who made the breakthrough, winning an lbw decision against Hendricks to dismiss the experienced opener for 79 from 73 balls. Again the Lions made it a double strike in the next over, as Tom Curran found some extra bounce to surprise the diminutive Bavuma, and Liam Livingstone caught his top-edged cut running towards the point boundary.That was a good catch but it was eclipsed by Duckett’s effort to dismiss South Africa’s captain Khaya Zondo 10 overs later, one-handed diving full length to his right to give Overton his second wicket. Then Finn took over, trapping Mangaliso Mosehle leg before and seaming the ball away to find the outside edge of first Sisanda Magala, then Shamsi.The Curran brothers, who had shared the new ball, then did likewise with the last two wickets, although they were separated by a stand of 44 between Dane Paterson and Kuhn, a 33-year-old with seven T20 international appearances.Tom Curran earned fine figures of 2 for 39 from his 10 overs, taking his tally of one-day wickets for the Lions to 24 in 12 matches, and Dawson ended with 2 for 41.

A new report claims that Chelsea owner Todd Boehly attempted to hire Arne Slot as manager before striking a deal with Mauricio Pochettino.

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• Boehly made contact with Feyenoord boss Slot
• Eventually appointed Pochettino
• Chelsea struggling currently under the Argentine

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per AD, Slot held talks with Chelsea in the summer before deciding to remain at Feyenoord. He had also spoken to Tottenham before they appointed Ange Postecoglou, but the report states that Todd Boehly actually picked the Dutchman up in a private jet for talks but could not convince him to leave the Eredivisie.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Chelsea's appointment of Pochettino has yet to pan out on the pitch. The Blues are currently 10th in the Premier League table, having won five, lost five, and drawn four of their 14 games. They are 10 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and 14 behind leaders Arsenal. As a result, AD claim that Boehly could return to Slot as a contender if they do sack Pochettino this season.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Slot's Feyenoord are currently second in the Eredivisie, having won the title last season. He also guided the club to the final of the Europa Conference League in 2021/22, although they lost to Jose Mourinho's Roma.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ARNE SLOT?

  He will continue his work in Rotterdam, attempting to take the club back to the top of the Dutch league table. However, the club are currently 10 points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven.

Manchester United have been warned that reports of interest in Antoine Griezmann prove that “there is something wrong” at Old Trafford.

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Premier League giants lacking attacking sparkLinked again with World Cup winnerEngland winger still being frozen outWHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Devils have been linked with the World Cup-winning France international for some time, but they have never been able to get a deal over the line. Transfer speculation has resurfaced ahead of the January window in 2024, with the Premier League heavyweights still crying out for attacking inspiration.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT SAHA SAID

Former United striker Louis Saha has told of the surprising rumours regarding his fellow countryman and a potential move to England from Atletico Madrid: “Antoine Griezmann is a talented player and unlike many players, there’s never any doubts about him. He’s very mobile and physically he’ll always find the right area. Manchester United’s interest in him show straight away that there is something wrong.

"They already have Mason Mount, but it means they’re looking at a replacement for him because Griezmann is the type of player that Manchester United need. He’s a clever player who can be in the pocket, create things and score goals. He is a great player who has scored so many goals for Atletico Madrid and it would be really exciting. But I don’t see him as a future signing for Manchester United. No disrespect to Griezmann at all, but I don’t understand why they [the Manchester United board] would be looking at him. He’s a short-term solution but I don’t see the future of Manchester United with Antoine Griezmann in it.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

United have plenty of firepower on their books, but Rasmus Hojlund is still finding his feet in a No.9 berth, Marcus Rashford has only one goal to his name this season and England international Jadon Sancho has been frozen out by Erik ten Hag. Saha added on that unfortunate saga: “The Jadon Sancho situation is horrible for everybody. As a Manchester United fan, you want to see the best players and most talented players on the pitch and Sancho is definitely one of those players that can disrupt the opposition. But, since he signed, he hasn’t performed regularly, and it’s been going on for months now so it's time to find the solution for everybody.

"We want to see him go somewhere he’s playing, scoring and enjoying his football, wherever it is he wants to go. I’m sad because I really like him when he’s in form, but it hasn’t happened for him at United. Even if Erik ten Hag considered bringing him back into the team, I doubt it would work because if he starts playing well, people will say that Ten Hag should have brought him in earlier. But if he doesn’t play well, then people will say that he shouldn’t have brought him back. It’s a very difficult situation to manage and it’s bad for the club because it’s an off-field situation that’s affected things on the pitch.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

Questions are being asked of Ten Hag as he struggles to bring the best out of an expensively-assembled squad. United – who sit sixth in the Premier League table as things stand – are set to return to action on Sunday when taking in a trip to Everton.

Aston Villa are plotting a swoop to bring Sevilla star Yassine Bounou to the Premier League, according to reports.

Who is Yassine Bounou?

Bounou or 'Bono' is a goalkeeper who currently plays his football at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, having permanently moved there back in 2020 following a successful loan spell from Girona, as per Transfermarkt, and despite not being Jose Luis Mendilibar’s official number one, he’s a regular feature of his first-team.

In La Liga last season, the 32-year-old started 26 out of the 38 games so was his largely manager’s first-choice between the sticks, but it’s not just his consistent and impressive performances for his club that have attracted interest, more so on the international stage.

Back at the 2022 World Cup, the Morrocan was one of the standout stars for his nation and he helped to guide them all the way to the semi-finals of the major tournament, most notably with his heroics in the decisive penalty shootout against Spain, where he saved two spot-kicks, and this form has grabbed the attention of Unai Emery in the Midlands.

Are Aston Villa signing Bounou?

According to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb (via Sport Witness), Bounou “could end up” at Aston Villa this summer. Sevilla’s shot-stopper “has said no” to a “rich offer” from Saudi Arabia as there could be a “crossover” with his side’s former boss.

Emery himself would personally “like to sign” the goalkeeper as a potential successor for Emiliano Martinez, who won't be short of suitors should he leave, but how much it would cost to prise him away from his club or if he would be open to the switch yet remains to be seen.

Where would Bounou fit in under Emery?

Ever since Argentina were crowned World Cup winners last year, Martinez has been heavily linked with a departure to more high-profile clubs in the Premier League – including Manchester United and Chelsea – so Emery will need a replacement should he depart, and Bono could be the perfect successor.

Sevilla’s 6 foot 4 colossus, who pockets £49k-per-week, kept five clean sheets from 25 La Liga outings last season and made a total of 66 saves from 106 shots on target against, so he isn’t afraid to come out on the net and put his body on the line to clear the danger for his side.

He's also shone on the European stage, making “monster” saves, as dubbed by CBS reporter Ives Galarcep, on route to a Europa League winners medal, and that experience could be vital for Villa this season.

The Montreal native has an extremely strong range of passing having successfully completed 100% of his short-length dispatches and 97.7% of his medium-length attempts last season, so he clearly has an eye for picking out balls to his outfield players and attempting to start off moves from the back in the hope of creating chances.

Finally, Bono has not only previously been named the Goalkeeper of the Season but he will know exactly what it takes to compete and be successful at the required level having twice won the Europa League, so he could help to create the mentality needed to come out on top against more difficult opponents overseas.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore has joined Yorkshire with immediate effect, bringing to an end a row with his previous club, Worcestershire

George Dobell08-Jun-2017
Tom Kohler-Cadmore has been released from his Worcestershire contract and will join Yorkshire immediately.ESPNcricinfo revealed a week ago that Kohler-Cadmore, who was out of contract at the end of the season, had agreed to join Yorkshire for 2018. When he informed Worcestershire of his plans, their director of cricket, Steve Rhodes, was furious and threatened not to select him in first- or second-team games for the rest of the season.Rhodes has now partially relented and allowed Kohler-Cadmore to move on. It is understood he will, initially at least, play in Yorkshire’s
second XI. He is thought unlikely to be selected in the Yorkshire side for the Royal London Cup play-off.”Worcestershire County Cricket Club have mutually agreed with Tom Kohler-Cadmore and his representative of the immediate release from his contract with the club,” Tom Scott, the Worcestershire CEO said. “We would like to thank Tom for the contribution he has made at New Road and wish him continued success in the future.”The timing of the news may unsettle Worcestershire supporters. The club is due to play in the semi-final of the Royal London Cup
(possibly against Yorkshire) in little more than a week – their first semi-final appearance for 13-years – and Kohler-Cadmore was an important part of their white-ball team.It is understood that neither the player or Yorkshire sought an early release from his contract. Indeed, Kohler-Cadmore is understood to be
distressed that a happy spell at New Road has ended in sour circumstances. There is no suggestion that Yorkshire in any way acted
inappropriately.While Kohler-Cadmore graduated through the Worcestershire academy – he was attracted to the area by a sixth-form cricket scholarship at nearby Malvern College – he had, until then, developed through the Yorkshire system and is understood to value a return to the north of England.Aged 22, he is a fine prospect. He scored the fastest century of the English domestic season, off 43 balls, in 2016 and made the only
century of the Worcestershire campaign – against Yorkshire – to help the county top the North Group in this season’s Royal London Cup. He also averaged 48.40 as the club won their first four Championship matches of the season.Since the news of his departure broke and he was dropped from the side, Worcestershire subsided to an innings defeat against Sussex.”Producing players who are qualified for England and could go on to play for England is what we’re all about,” Rhodes told ESPNcricinfo.
“That won’t change.”It’s a delight to watch guys you’ve seen from the age of 13 play first-team cricket and enjoy success together. We’ll carry on trying to produce players and our aim will be to keep them, too.”We’ve a semi-final coming up and everyone here is very excited by that. Hopefully it shows you can play here, enjoy success and further
your career.”

Derbyshire allrounder Shiv Thakor has been arrested following allegations that he indecently exposed himself

George Dobell14-Jul-2017

Derbyshire allrounder Shiv Thakor has been arrested.Thakor, a former England U19 player, was suspended by the club on full pay last week after allegations that he had indecently exposed himself.”The club has been advised that one of our players, Shiv Thakor, has been arrested by police investigating allegations concerning the player when he was not on duty with the club,” Derbyshire said in a statement.”In consultation with the player’s representatives, the player continues to be suspended on full pay pending the outcome of the investigations.For legal reasons, the club is unable to comment further at this stage.”

Aston Villa remain interested in Barcelona star Ferran Torres, with Unai Emery reportedly eyeing a move for the 23-year-old forward.

With Monchi on board, it’s expected to be a busy summer in the Midlands, with news reemerging linking the former Manchester City gem with a move to Villa Park.

The player was first rumoured to be one to watch for the Villans by journalist Graham Bailey back in May, who stated via The Talking Transfers Podcast that Villa could move for the Barcelona ace.

Fast-forward to now, and it’s been speculated that Emery’s side are ‘considering’ a loan move to lure the 23-year-old away from Catalonia, with a €25m option to buy rumoured.

That’s according to reports from Spain, where Mundo Deportivo relayed Villa’s interest in the forward last week, as per Sport Witness.

The report claims that despite the proposed approach for a loan, Barcelona may be more attracted to an immediate sale due to their ongoing financial worries, despite the player speculated to be against a ‘change in scenery’.

With Pau Torres nearing a permanent move to the Midlands, the signing of the impressive centre-back could inspire Monchi to raid La Liga once more in the bid to improve Emery’s attack.

What could Ferran Torres offer to Aston Villa?

At just 23-years-old, Torres has gathered adequate experience for his age in representing some of the continent's top clubs in Manchester City, Barcelona and Valencia.

Rising through the ranks of Valencia’s academy, the then 20-year-old signed for Pep Guardiola’s side in 2020, where he scored 16 goals in 43 appearances for the Sky Blues, as well as getting his hands on two Premier League winners medals.

Adhering to a more sporadic role for the Citizens, the £165k-per-week winger showed his versatility in attack when called upon, featuring as both a wide player and a central striker with a particular eye for goal.

The youngster opted to return to his homeland just a year and a half after arriving in Manchester, signing for the Catalan giants in the 2022 January window.

Similar occurrences have happened at the Camp Nou, in which the Spaniard has fallen down the pecking order to talents such as Raphinha and Ansu Fati, finding it difficult to secure continuous game time.

The forward could be a perfect addition to Emery’s squad, who are looking to add high-profile names to the side this summer after securing a spot in Europe next season.

The Premier League has an abundance of dynamic wingers on show, with Torres being likened to one star in particular based on his statistical comparisons by FBref, showing similarities to Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, a player Emery coached in north London.

Emery could obtain his answer to the 15-goal Brazilian in the Spaniard, who has recorded similar numbers to the Gunners starlet over the past year.

When comparing the two, it’s clear to see just what Torres could equip Villa with, averaging 0.39 non-penalty goals per 90, just shy of Martinelli’s average of 0.41.

A similar pattern is notable in the Spaniard’s threat on the ball, with him being lauded as “magnificent” by former teammate Dani Parejo, praise that's reflected by averaging an impressive 1.96 successful take-ons per 90.

That is incredibly close to Arsenal’s trickster with Martinelli averaging 1.97 successful take-ons per 90 as per FBref, showing the calibre of player Villa could find themselves possessing this summer.

Chelsea are reportedly interested in Brazilian marvel Matheus Franca, who could be a dazzling addition to Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

The Argentine will have a busy summer to operate ahead of his first season in charge at the Bridge, in the bid to get the Blues back on track after derailing last term.

A 12th-place finish isn’t where Todd Boehly would’ve imagined his club to have ended up, however, the west London side could turn things around with a successful summer window and the added expertise of Pochettino.

After spending £600m last season, Chelsea could have another pricey window, however, the latest link could prove to be a financially friendly option.

Is Matheus Franca signing for Chelsea?

As reported by the Daily Mail yesterday, the Premier League club are ‘looking at’ striking a deal with Flamengo attacker Matheus Franca.

The report claims that the Blues are ‘exploring’ a deal worth £25m for the versatile starlet, who has had rumoured interest from Newcastle, West Ham and Crystal Palace previously this summer.

The Brazilian side issued a ‘hands-off’ approach in the winter window for the 19-year-old, who has impressed since graduating from the academy.

How good is Matheus Franca?

Lauded as an “absolute talent” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the Rio de Janerio-born gem has excelled in his home country at Flamengo.

The teenager is mainly deployed as a central attacking midfielder, however, has capabilities in more advanced positions along the front line.

In a descriptive scouting report, scout Jacek Kulig listed the player as being ‘extremely versatile’ with ‘electric pace’ and ‘power’, demonstrating characteristics essential to a forward in the Premier League.

The youngster’s numbers support his high praise, with FBref revealing his impressive averages over the past year, including an impressive rate of 0.55 non-penalty goals per 90.

Franca also averaged a monstrous 2.54 successful take-ons per 90, showing his dangerous streak when in possession.

Premier League clubs signing talent from Brazil has proven to be a gift in the past, and Chelsea could take a page from Arsenal’s book most recently with reference to the success of Gabriel Martinelli.

The winger signed for the Gunners in 2019 at the age of 18 from Ituano, where he has since contributed to 38 goals and assists in 93 Premier League appearances, scoring 15 last campaign where he cemented himself as one of the club's best talents.

Chelsea could replicate the success of the Arsenal star by landing Franca, who has all the numbers to indicate that he could be a hit at Stamford Bridge in midfield, an area that the Blues could recruit in this summer.

In the 2022 Brazilian Serie A, the creative spark averaged 2.54 passes into the final third per 90, as well as 1.21 key passes per 90 for Flamengo, flexing his ability to identify and execute a killer pass, via FBref.

Chelsea’s departed creator Kai Havertz averaged 1.72 passes into the final third per 90 in the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, showing just how influential the Brazilian could be in west London in comparison.

At just £25m, Pochettino could strike a deal for an in-demand prospect who, if given the room to grow, could flourish just as his compatriot Martinelli has in the capital.

ScorecardDawid Malan finished unbeaten on 125•Getty Images

Middlesex team-mates Steven Finn and Dawid Malan shared the individual honours as England Lions took the lead in their three-match series against South Africa A with a clinical team performance at Trent Bridge.Finn took three wickets in an eight-ball burst and there were two wickets each for Tom Curran, Craig Overton and Liam Dawson as the tourists were dismissed for 268 despite significant contributions from opener Reeza Hendricks, who made 79, and wicketkeeper Heino Kuhn, with 81 not out.Then Malan stroked an unbeaten 125, his third century in nine one-day innings for the Lions, to secure a nine-wicket win with more than nine overs to spare. He faced 110 balls and hit 15 fours and a six.Ben Duckett, who had already taken a spectacular diving catch, gave the Lions reply a flying start with a 43-ball half century. The Northamptonshire left-hander fell lbw to the left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi for 69 in an opening stand of 134 inside 18 overs.But Kent’s Daniel Bell-Drummond, who has been so consistent for the Lions in one-day cricket both in Sri Lanka in the winter and in last summer’s tri-series, joined Malan to maintain the momentum in an unbroken partnership of 135. Bell-Drummond ended with 62 from 76 balls with four fours, the third time in four one-day innings for the Lions he has passed 50.James Vince won the toss and chose to field on a fine Nottingham morning, and it was his early introduction of Dawson’s left-arm spin which broke South Africa’s opening stand. JJ Smuts was bowled swinging across the line at his third ball, and in the next over Overton dismissed the dangerous Theunis de Bruyn courtesy of Ben Foakes’s tumbling low catch to leave the tourists on 42 for 2.Hendricks and Temba Bavuma, who is due to join the senior South Africa squad for their Test tour of England later in the summer, responded with an intelligent third-wicket partnership of 95 for the third wicket.It was Dawson again who made the breakthrough, winning an lbw decision against Hendricks to dismiss the experienced opener for 79 from 73 balls. Again the Lions made it a double strike in the next over, as Tom Curran found some extra bounce to surprise the diminutive Bavuma, and Liam Livingstone caught his top-edged cut running towards the point boundary.That was a good catch but it was eclipsed by Duckett’s effort to dismiss South Africa’s captain Khaya Zondo 10 overs later, one-handed diving full length to his right to give Overton his second wicket. Then Finn took over, trapping Mangaliso Mosehle leg before and seaming the ball away to find the outside edge of first Sisanda Magala, then Shamsi.The Curran brothers, who had shared the new ball, then did likewise with the last two wickets, although they were separated by a stand of 44 between Dane Paterson and Kuhn, a 33-year-old with seven T20 international appearances.Tom Curran earned fine figures of 2 for 39 from his 10 overs, taking his tally of one-day wickets for the Lions to 24 in 12 matches, and Dawson ended with 2 for 41.