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Bosman Charged by CSA

Cricket South Africa seems set on supplementing their potential income over the next few weeks by fining their players. With just days to go before the opening match of the T20 World Cup between South Africa and the West Indies there seems to be no end in sight to the battle between the players and administrators in the game in South Africa.

Following on from the Jacques Kallis saga, which lead to Mark Boucher being fined half his match fee from every game he plays in the forthcoming competition for speaking out against the omission of Kallis, to Andrew Hall making himself unavailable for South Africa and rumours of him signing up for the ICL, comes the news that Loots Bosman has been charged by CSA for breaching CSA's rules and conduct.

Bosman, the South African opening batsman, was withdrawn from the T20 squad on the basis of a back injury he sustained when he crashed into an advertising board in Zimbabwe. Bosman responded to his withdrawal in a newspaper article which appeared in the Beeld on Wednesday where he said

"I am fine, ask my physiotherapist in Bloemfontein who treated me last week. I am very, very, disappointed. Mickey [Arthur] tells too many lies."

Mickey Arthur, the South African coach, responded to Bosmans claims that the CSA's medical advice was suspect in the same article, saying

"It is understandable that he would be disappointed," said Arthur, "but his reactions are very immature and I am disappointed how he has handled this."

Bosman has been one of the leading Pro20 batsman in South African domestic franchise cricket with an impressive average of 32,33 in 23 matches at a strike rate of 147,93 including a top score of 104 and 3 fifties. His international T20 record is as impressive with an average of 38,5 in 3 matches and a top score of 53 not out. As one of the most experienced 20/20 players in South African cricket Bosman was expected to play a major role in the upcoming tournament for the host nation. He has been replaced in the squad by fast bowler Andre Nel.

The replacement of a batsman by a fast bowler is suspect given the nature of things between CSA and the players. While many had been hoping that Jacques Kallis would be the man called up to replace Bosman, the more obvious and warranted choice would have been Morne van Wky. The Eagles batsman, and franchise team mate of Bosman, has been the domestic limited over and Pro20 batsman of the season over the last few seasons, and was unlucky not to be included in the initial squad. Following South Africa's warm up series in Zimbabwe it was decided that the the bowling lacked an edge and the opportunity to call up Nel was taken at the earliest opportunity.

Another view on the Nel call up could be that he has been included to ensure he does not follow in the footsteps of Andrew Hall who resigned from the national team following his exclusion from the T20 squad. Nel and Hall were South Africa's best bowlers at the World Cup in the West Indies earlier this year.

There is clearly problems in South African cricket, with mistrust and lack of communication between the players and administrators causing new problems each week. The South African cricket team will have to come together in spite of this if they are to win the T20 World Cup in the coming weeks, and unite the team and country, and forget about their problems - for a couple of weeks at least.

T20 World Cup Preview - South Africa

In Group A along with the West Indies and Bangladesh.

South Africa - The hosts will favour themselves to go far in this World Cup, and in so doing hope to win the countries first major cricket honours.(The have won the ICC championships, but not a World Cup) The will have to guard against the burden of expectation by both themselves and their country, a burden that has proved to strong in each of the last 4 World Cups, where they were amongst the favourites to win. In 2003, the last time South Africa hosted a World Cup, they failed to progress past the group stage in a tournament they were fancied to win, both as hosts and on form. Along with England, South Africa has the most experienced T20 domestic league and thus have more experienced players in the shortened version of the game. They have dipped into this pool of talent for their squad with the inclusion of Gulam Bodi, Albie Morkel, and Johan van der Wath.

Players to watch - Graeme Smith - The South African captain is the leading batsman in international T20 cricket, with 259 runs in 5 matches and a strike rate of 138, including 3 fifties. His best score of 89 not out came against the Australians and took just 59 balls.

Shaun Pollock - the senior bowler in the attack, his batting will be as important in this format as his bowling. While economy is used loosely in T20, when anything under 8 is good, Pollock will have to lead from the front and take the pressure off the less experienced bowlers in the SA attack, like Albie and Morne Morkel. His free hitting stroke play may be South Africa's secret weapon, both as a finisher of an innings in the lower order, or has an injection of aggression higher up.

Albie Morkel - The Titans all rounder has had the label of potential hanging on his shoulders for a few seasons now and it may be time for him to cash that in and prove his ability to be a big player in the current squad. Like Pollock, Morkel can be expected to float anywhere in the batting order, and while his bowling will be relied upon to restrict and take wickets, it's his ability to hit any attack far and wide that will have all South Africans hoping for an on form Albie Morkel. Scored 97 batting at number 3 in the last ODI South Africa played, against Zimbabwe, and it will be that form that he will hope to carry through to the T20 World Cup. The scene may be set for Albie to come of age.

Morne Morkel - The younger brother of Albie, Morne has shown a great deal of promise in his young career, both as a future Test and ODI star. More then the pace he is able to bowl at it will be the bounce he gets from any wicket that will cause batsman problems. A strike bowler who is also economical is a rarity, and in Morne SA have this scarce resource that they will hope to get the best out of. Has shown capability with the bat that wont see he bat higher than 9 but will ensure depth that is needed in this form.

While T20 can be a lottery. more about luck then anything else, there is a fair amount of skill and tactical know how needed to best utilise the talent at your disposal. A South African team packed with all rounders, and Twenty Twenty experience, backed by home ground experience, may finally be able to make the impact on the world stage that their talent warrants.

Hall Quits - Joins ICL?

IN the latest episode of the soap opera that is Cricket South Africa Andrew Hall, the Proteas all rounder, has quit international cricket, and is expected to sign with the rebel Indian Cricket League.

Following on from the drama of the Jacques Kallis exclusion from the T20 squad, and his resignation as vice captain following the announcement, and the subsequent fine imposed on Mark Boucher for speaking out against the Kallis omission, these are turbulent times at CSA.

While it seems Hall's decision is impetuous, a reaction, like Kallis, to be left out of the T20 squad (and Abdul Razzaq of Pakistan who also retired on being left out of their squad) the recent spat of events suggests more than just the players bruised ego's and perhaps a cricket board that does not have the players trust or respect. In Halls case he was called back early from his stint at Kent in County Cricket to prepare for the T20 World Cup, and was then left out of the squad and sent on an SA "A" tour to Zimbabwe. In a recent TV interview following the squad announcement and the Kallis saga Joubert Strydom, the new convener of selectors, said that the team had been decided almost a month before the announcement, and the decision to "rest" Kallis had been made then. If this is the case then why was Hall called back from Kent if they already knew he wouldn't be in the squad? Even if he were to be standby for the squad, should someone fall out, surely playing County Cricket would be more beneficial to him and SA then a couple of four day games against Zimbabwe?

This seems to be another case of ill treatment to a player who has always given his all for his country. Hall had become the new Boeta Dippenaar of South African squad, in and out of the team irrespective of performance, and never sure of his place, no matter how much he merited it. In all Hall played 21 Test matches and 88 ODI's for South Africa. In both Tests and ODI's he batted almost everywhere in the order, from opening the innings to number 9 or 10, and had his best results as an opening batsman. his top scores of 81 against Sri Lanka in ODI's and 165 in Tests against India were both made at the top of the order. Initially a batting allrounder in the ODI team, Hall has become more of a bowling allrounder in the last few seasons, and has established himself as one of the best death bowlers in world cricket. Hall picked up 45 Test and 95 ODI wickets.

Hall looks set to join former team mates Nicky Boje and Lance Klusner in signing up for the ICL, but while they had both been retired from international cricket for some time, Hall becomes the first player to actively retire to join the rebel league. This would reinforce the suggestion of his disillusionment with CSA. The Titans franchise team are looking into recruiting hall for the forthcoming domestic season.

Rafa Rants at Everything

When Rafa Benitez first came to Liverpool he was a much respected man, the coach who had taken Valencia to the La Liga title ahead of Madrid and Barcelona, the coach who walked out on Valencia when he felt he deserved more support. In his first season he delivered the Champions League after that stunning comeback against Milan in Istanbul. He won the FA Cup the following season, and after that took Liverpool to another Champions League final against Milan, which they lost.

Those were simpler times, times when Benitez English was limited, and we all enjoyed his broken English charm. Those days are gone. With his ever improving language skills, and free spending, Rafa is now showing a pretentious side to match the goatee he now sports. Benitez it seems will find anything and everything to complain about.

He complained about the outcome of the Gabriel Heinze hearing, where the tribunal found in favour of Manchester United and blocked the Argentine defenders move to Liverpool.

"I would like to ask the Premier League a number of questions," said Benitez. "How can a player with a signed agreement be treated like this? He has a document which is clear, but the Premier League prefers to believe the word of someone else who made a mistake."

Anyone with even a limited knowledge of the case could see that there was no way Liverpool and Heinze were going to win this one. Heinze had a written agreement with United that he could leave if anyone made a bid of 6.8 million pounds for him, which Liverpool did. However it was made clear to Heinze that he would not be sold to any of the top 4 teams in England, Uniteds main rivals, and this was an oral agreement that the player and David Gil at United had, and an agreement that was recorded by Gil. So a contracted player was trying to break his contract and an agreement that he made with his employers. This was a case he could not win. How Liverpool could feel slighted is a mystery.

'I know there were accusations made against Liverpool in the hearing which were unbelievable. How can this be allowed?

The role that Liverpool played in this case has got to be questioned. Firstly, and most obviously to have come up with the exact bid to match the release clause showed that they must have had contact with Heinze and his representatives without the permission or knowledge of United. In this case it could have been Heinze's representatives who approached Liverpool. However the fact that Heinze was using Liverpool lawyers, was so adamant that he be allowed to join Liverpool, that Rafa was very outspoken about Heinze and his desire to join Liverpool, all suggests that in principle the move had been agreed, again suggesting that Liverpool had been meeting and talking to Heinze without Uniteds permission or knowledge. While there is no doubt that this happens all the time in football, it does not make it right. The most damning evidence came from Phil Alexander, the Chief Executive of Crystal Palace, who old the hearing how Palace had been approached by Heinze’s representatives about a scheme they came up with to get around United’s block on the Liverpool move. The proposal would have seen Palace buying Heinze from United, for the agreed upon fee, and Palace then selling him on to Liverpool. A scheme like that would not have been possible without Liverpool’s knowledge and as innocent as they proclaim to be in this whole nasty mess clearly they must have got, or been willing to, their hands dirty.

" Then I want to ask the Premier League why it was so difficult for Liverpool to sign Javier Mascherano, when we had to wait a long time for the paperwork, but it was so easy for Carlos Tevez to join Manchester United?"

This is perhaps the most ridiculous of his complaints. Firstly, when United initially moved for Tevez at the end of the season, they followed the blue print of Mascherano's move to Liverpool, but having done exactly what Liverpool had, they were unable to bring Tevez to Old Trafford. The Tevez saga continued for 3 months before eventually an agreement between West Ham and the Premier League allowed Tevez to complete the move. So a more pertinent question must be why was it so easy for Liverpool to sign Mascherano?

Benitez then moved his rant on to the fixture schedule, taking another swipe at the Premier League.

"I would like to ask the Premier League why is it that Liverpool always play the most fixtures away from home in an early kick-off, following an international break?" he said. "We had more than the top clubs last season and we have four already to prepare for this season. It's going to be very difficult for us to win the Premier League because the other teams are so strong, but I want our supporters to know that despite the disadvantages we have, we will fight all the way.

"We will fight to cope with our more difficult kick-off times and all the other decisions which are going against us."

It seems that Benitez must be an anthiest, because were he a religious man he would surely be blaming god for whatever slight he feels next. He seems to be getting his excuses ready for failing to deliver the league title again, taking Liverpools draught to 18 years. United, Chelsea and Arsenal have all had to cope with the same problem over the last few seasons. It's the price of being successful and popular. The fixtures are designed for TV coverage, and maybe Benitez should give back a fair piece of his TV rites money in exchange for kick off times with the teams that don't get as much live TV coverage as the top four. Of course then he wouldn't have Torres.

Jose Mourinho has calmed down a lot this season, taking a more mellowed approach to his media responses, and it seems Benitez has taken his place. However while Mourinho had 2 successive league titles to back up his rants, Benitez has none. While he must be commended for delivering the Champions League, something Chelsea and Arsenal have as yet failed to do, and United's win now almost a decade ago, and the FA Cup, making Liverpool a good cup team if not title challengers, we must remember one fact, while not taking away the winning of these two cups, both were won on penalty shoot outs, Liverpool did not out rightly beat their opponents in the final, they were merely luckier. To be that lucky you first have to get to the final, to get in the position to win it, and you Liverpool did that.

While Liverpool have made the best start to the season from the top teams, and Unite the worst, you cant help but feel that Rafa is starting to feel the pressure, and this may be a do or die season for both him and Liverpool.

Solskjaer Retires

After 11 years at Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been forced to retire due to his persistent knee problems.

Solskjaer arrived at Old Trafford in 1996 from Molde in Norway and the player quickly dubbed the "baby face assasin" scored within 6mins of his debut, coming off the bench, against Blackburn in a 2-2 draw. Initially United wanted to wait until December of that season to give Solskjaer his first run out in a United shirt, wanting him condition him to English football having come from the less taxing Norwegian League. However Solskjaers early displays in training, where United players assumed on first sight that he was a youth player in the wrong place before seeing his extraordinary finishing skills, meant that Fergie threw him in ahead of schedule, in late August. Solskjaers first season saw him finish as Uniteds top league goal scorer with 18 goals, a head of Cantona and Cole.

The promise shown in his first season lead to Ole being rewarded with a 7 year deal, as the forward, costing just 1.5million pounds, was to become one of the best buys in United history. In 1999 United accepted an offer from Spurs of around 5million pounds for Solskjaer, and it was thought that Ole would leave Old Trafford in search of more first team starts, having spent much of the season coming off the bench behind Yorke, Cole and Sheringham. While many United fans would have been sad to see a player who had firmly established himself as a fans favourite leave, they would have understood the reasons behind it, and given him a standing reception whenever United came up against their ex player. However Solskjaer decided to stay and fight for his place, determined to show loyalty to the club and fans that he had come to adore, particularly when told by Sir Alex that he didn't want Solskjaer to leave but would not stand in his way if he did. Such loyalty was the hallmark of a player who's skills and success could have seen him forgiven for enjoying the huge ego that many lesser players possess. That just isn't Solskjaer. The humble Norwegian, who looked 18 for all his 11 years at United, stayed and carved himself into United legend.

In that same season, 98/99, the season that would be Ole's finest, the season where he came close to leaving United, Solskjaer became a living legend at United. In the FA Cup 4th round against Liverpool, with United behind to an early Michael Owen goal, United equalised just before full time. Rather then being grateful for a draw, and a replay, United won the tie with an injury time winner by Solskjaer. This sense of timing, and occasion, was only the start of things to come for the Baby Face Assassin. Against Nottingham Forrest United were 4-1 up with less then 20min to play. Yorke and Cole had each scored 2 and bets would have been taken as to which one would get his hat trick first. Enter, from the bench, Solskjaer, who scored the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history, and the most goals scored coming off the bench, as he banged in 4 goals in his brief time on the pitch. This from the player who was almost playing in the white of Spurs. The best was yet to come. In Barcelona against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final Solskjaer jabbed home a Sheringham flick in injury time to complete Uniteds great come back and clinch the Champions League and Treble for United. The Legend was complete.

Since those triumphant days Ole has endured a nightmare of injuries, particularly to his knees, and has spent more time in the treatment room then on the pitch. Each time he made a come back he was greeted with raptures applause and cries of "Ole Ole Ole" by the United faithful, for their idol. When he scored against Charlton last season it was his first league goal in 3 years. Another knee injury at the end of the season was the final straw, there were to be no more comebacks, Ole was finished.

His final goal for United came against Blackburn, in the 90th min, in a 4-1 victory, as Solskjaer goal scoring came full circle, his first ever goal for United and his last ever both against Blackburn. He currently holds the record for most goals scored in the Premier League coming off the bench with 14, and his behind Scholes, van Nistelrooy, Cole, and Giggs in Uniteds leading league goals chart with 92 goals. Solskjaer, a player unlike any the modern game has ever seen, nor will ever see, showing loyalty and patience that are unparalleled in a striker in the modern game, will be rewarded for all he has done for United with a coaching and ambassadorial role at the club. The legend that is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will live on at Old Trafford.

Transfer News From the Papers

NEWS OF THE WORLD:

# Arsenal have made a £9million move for Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins.

# Michael Owen has pledged his future to Newcastle by insisting: "I love it here".

# Micah Richards will be made the highest paid player in Manchester City's history to keep him out of Chelsea's reach.

# Bayern Munich have targeted Blackburn winger Morten Gamst Pedersen.

# Birmingham are poised to move for Charlton star Amdy Faye.

# Liverpool defender Gabriel Paletta has signed for Boca Juniors - with the Reds firming up a deal for Emiliano Insua in return.

# Blackburn defender Chris Samba is a target for Sevilla.

# Sunderland are set to make a free transfer move for Middlesbrough striker Jason Euell.

# Newcastle are set to land Peter Luccin from Atletico Madrid in the next 48 hours.

# Luke Moore is poised to sign a new four-year contract at Aston Villa.

# Watford want Nathan Ellington to replace wantaway Darius Henderson.

# Cardiff and Sheffield United are ready to move for Oldham striker Craig Davies.

# Preston want Coventry marksman Dele Adebola before the transfer window closes.

THE PEOPLE:

# Newcastle owner Mike Ashley will listen to any offers that value the club at around £225 million.

# Sunderland will use Stern John as part of their deal to land Southampton striker Kenwyne Jones.

# Paul Jewell will replace Martin Allen as Leicester manager.

# Birmingham are looking to rush through a £2million deal for Marseille midfielder Modeste M'Bami.

# Tottenham and Everton are involved in a tug-of-war for Plymouth youngster Dan Gosling.

# Fulham are targeting giant Czech Republic hitman Jan Koller.

# Jason Euell is ready to snub a £500,000 move to Sheffield Wednesday.

# West Ham are ready to revive their interest in Ghanaian Stephen Appiah.

# Arsenal are trailing Ajax left-back Urby Emanuelson and Bolton youngster Kyle Bartley.

# Plymouth are chasing Kilmarnock left-winger Willie Gibson.

DAILY STAR SUNDAY:

# Portsmouth are in pole position to land Nicolas Anelka for £12million.

# Newcastle are close to a deal for Atletico Madrid midfielder Peter Luccin.

# Sunderland are set to move for Middlesbrough striker Jason Euell.

# Fulham are set to step up their bid to land Celtic midfielder Thomas Gravesen.

# Nathan Ellington is set to end his West Brom frustration by joining Watford for £3.5million.
DAILY MAIL

# Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has met with Ronaldinho's brother and adviser in an audacious bid to lure the Brazilian star in an £85million deal before Friday's transfer deadline.

# West Ham are preparing an £8million move for Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy.

# Sheffield United boss Bryan Robson has ruled out selling striker Rob Hulse to Wigan.

THE SUN

# Chelsea have been offered Barcelona star Ronaldinho in what is being viewed as a cynical attempt to gain a pay rise from the Spanish club.

# Everton were left reeling when Manuel Fernandes decided to join Valencia even though the Benfica midfielder had already agreed to sign for the Toffees.

# Fulham have made a £1.3million offer for Derby striker Steve Howard.

# LA Galaxy have lined up Jurgen Klinsmann as their new coach because Frank Yallop cannot handle the pressure of having David Beckham in the team.

# Ipswich midfielder George O'Callaghan is set to join Sheffield Wednesday.

# Southampton's wantaway striker Kenwyne Jones will be fined if he does not return to training today.

DAILY MIRROR

# Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has hit out at Newcastle fans after they taunted Egyptian striker Mido with sick chants.

# Newcastle have agreed a deal for Bolton defender Abdoulaye Faye which will see the Senegalese star earn £40,000 a-week.

# Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has targeted Chelsea defender Glen Johnson in his search for a right-back.

# Everton, Fulham, Man City and Derby are battling it out to sign £3million-rated Celtic striker Kenny Miller.

# Watford are poised to make a £3.5million offer for West Brom striker Nathan Ellington.

# MK Dons boss Paul Ince is to hold signing talks with French striker Mikel Antoine Courier.

# Fulham have had a £250,000 bid for Port Vale goalkeeper Joe Anyon turned down.

DAILY STAR

# Sunderland boss Roy Keane will take his summer spending to over £30million this week by signing Kenwyne Jones from Southampton and Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham.