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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Bosman, the South African opening batsman, was withdrawn from the T20 squad on the basis of a back injury he sustained when he crashed into an advertising board in Zimbabwe.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.

Gabby Cries Off To Spain

Gabriel Heinze has cried off to Spain after Manchester United sold him to Real Madrid 24 hours after a tribunal ruled in favour of United, blocking his move to Liverpool. He joins Real for around 8 million pounds, and becomes the 3rd United player to be sold to Real in the last 4 seasons, following David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Heinze joined United from PSG 3 seasons ago and quickly became a fan favourite after a very promising debut season in England where he proved to be the best left back in the league. However he suffered cruciate ligament damage the following season and on his return a year later found his place taken by Patrice Evra. With Heinze looking for more first team action rumours began to fly around about moves to Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona, while United fans hoped the popular Argentine would fight for his place and stay with the new English champions.

Then the story toured sour for all United supporters. Rumours of Liverpool's interest had been laughed off, there was no way a United player of any quality would be sold to their biggest rivals. Then Heinze said he wanted to go to Liverpool and had an agreement with United that he could go if a price was met, which Liverpool were more than willing to meet. United stood firm, maintaining that the agreement did not include any of their main rivals, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, and that there was no way they would let Heinze move to Anfield. Heinze and his representatives stood firm, having been assured by Liverpool that United couldn't block his move and the matter went to a Premier League tribunal. The tribunal ruled in United's favour and Heinze, having made his position at United untenable, had no choice but to leave at the earliest opportunity, and Real moved in at the right time.

Through the entire matter Heinze has acted with no real understanding of being at United, or even in English football. When people go to United they are immediately immersed in the history of the club, the Busby Babes, the Munich air crash, Bobby Charlton, Matt Busby, Sir Alex, they get to know what being at United means. Even players who have had fall outs with the manager and been forced out, Yorke and Beckham recently, never have a bad word to say about the club or the fans. Diego Forlan, who endured a goal free period at United, still talks fondly of his time at Old Trafford. They all understood it. Heinze clearly has not. He has been adamant that United allow him to go to Liverpool and has shown disdain for the club and fans who have treated him with nothing but respect and adoration. When Gabby was out for a year with his injury United stood by him, even allowing him to go to Spain to get the treatment and recuperation he wanted. And this is how he paid that loyalty back.

One does have to wonder about his motives though. It's not as if he is joining a better team. Liverpool, although with Torres they will improve, have not been close to wining the league for 17 years now. They are a good cup side, but not a consistent enough team to compete for the league title. So Heinze would be taking a backward step. He would be guaranteed a start, but he would be guaranteed that at a number of other clubs who were after him, Real, Lyon and Juventus amongst them. It had to either be about money or Liverpool have elicit photographs of him he doesn't want coming out! For whatever reason the stance Heinze took does not make sense.

More evidence of the underhand nature of Heinze and his representatives came out at the tribunal hearing. Phil Alexander, the chief executive at Crystal Palace, told 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.

At the end of the day Heinze has failed in his bid to engineer a move to Anfield and Real have benefited by getting a replacement for the departed Roborto Carlos. They have acquired for themselves a very good player, one of the best in his position in the world, but one of very dubious character and morals.

Proteas Stroll to 5 Wicket Victory Over Zimbabwe

South Africa laboured to a 5 wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first of three ODI matches being used as a warm up to next T20 World Cup.

Although South African never looked like doing anything but winning this match, the manner in which they did told of a side that hadn't played much cricket in months. The bowling was solid, the fielding very good, and the batting did the job required, but it all lacked inspiration. Although many will argue that the laboured performance was worrying, it was actually exactly what these matches in Zimbabwe were pencilled in for - to rid the team of any cob webs, allowing them to be ready for the T20 show piece.

An inept batting performance by the Zimbabwe top and middle order saw them at 72-7 and in danger of losing the match before lunch. But a spirited lower orde fightback by Chigumbura and Brent helped them past 200, and a degree of respectability. The innings began with some impressive stroke play by Sibanda, but like the rest of the top order he got out just when he started to look like he would give the South Africans something to think about. He edged a ball from Pollock to Smith, who took a brilliant catch low to his right. After that the wickets fell regularly, with an alarming 5 run outs, much to do with the Zimbabwean indecision as with the South African fielding. Taibu, on his return to Zimbabwean cricket, offered a brief glimmer of hope, but that was snuffed out as he fell for 22 to the impressive Morne Morkel, making his South African ODI debut. It was left to Chigumbura and Brent to rescue the Zimbabwe innings, and each batted carefully at first and then opened up a bit, both reaching half centuries, Brent being undefeated as the innings closed on 206. Chigumbura, who batted well in the Afro Asia series, has shown enough to suggest that he needs to move up the order if Zimbabwe are to be competitive in the future. He is able to grind out runs as well as find the boundary, and it is with him that the Zimbabwe future lies.

For South Africa, Pollock was his steady self, and nothing less can be expected of the old pro, finishing with 1/25 in 8 overs. However it was the bowling of debutant Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, playing his third ODI, that will have pleased the selectors the most. Morkel, bowling at first change, has the type of controlled aggression that usually comes with experience. He is able to bowl quick while remaining economical at the same time. A weapon that will surely be utilised much more in the future. Giving South Africa a strike bowler who does not leak runs. Philander, who impressed in his first two games against Ireland and India in May, and who was named player of the tournament at the emerging players tournament in Australia recently, topping both the batting and bowling tables, continued to suggest he may be a leading player for South Africa in the present and not just the future. He picked up 2 early wickets in his spell, and was bowling when Zimbabwe slipped from 67-2 to 72-7. His economical bowling saw his figures after his first spell read 2/4 from 6 overs. He returned to bowl at the death where he conceded 11 runs in 2 overs.

On the batting side, there were half centuries from Smith, debutant Bodi, and de Villiers, who slipped down the order to four. Smith rarely looked comfortable, seeming to be under the weather, yet still managed to score his 50 off just 57 balls. Bodi, although far from the fluid, boundary hitting, batsman of domestic cricket, played some elegant flicks and lofted shots, and will be pleased with his debut performance. De Villiers looked the most comfortable at the crease and until he ran himself out never looked in any trouble against the Zimbabwean attack. It was left to Pollock and Philander to see South Africa home, winning with 2 boundaries in succession from Philander with 22 balls and 5 wickets to spare.

Although the performances of Morkel, Philander, Bodi and de Villiers will have pleased the South Africans, there is much they need to do to improve, to reach the higher standard that they aim for, and build momentum to next months tournament. They have two more matches this weekend to iron out any kinks and to give time out in the middle to their squad. For Zimbabwe, they'll just be hoping to remain competitive.

Spurs to Sack Jol

It appears Martin Jol's days at Spurs are numbered. A lot of money spent in the off season, two losses to open the season, an influx of betting on him being the first manager to lose his job this season, and photo's of Spurs directors meeting other managers all seem to point to Jol being jobless in the not to distant future.

It seems the real reason for the imminent sacking of Jol would be a strained relationship between the manager and sporting director Damien Comolli, who has, in chairman Daniel Levy, a close ally. With Comolli being almost fire proof it seems the axe will fall on Jol's head.

Spurs are believed to have drawn up a short list of potential new managers, a list that includes Mark Hughes, Harry Redknapp, Italian World Cup Winning manager Marcelo Lippi, and Sevilla's Juande Ramos. Romas is believed to be at the top of the wish list and it is he who was photographed with John Alexander, Spurs club secretary, at a Spanish hotel last week. Both parties have denied any sinister reasons for the meeting and maintain it was just coincidence.

Ramos is believed to want more power and respect at Sevilla and could be tempted to join Spurs, given that he will surely be allowed some money to spend, and he has always suggested that he would love to manage in England. However have guided Sevilla to the UEFA Cup, the Spanish Kings Cup, 3rd place in La Liga and with it Sevilla's first appearance in the Champions League, and recently a very convincing victory over Real Madrid in the two legged Spanish Super Cup, he could be tempted to stay and make history with Sevilla. The imminent sale of Dani Alves could bring in the money he craves for a new forward to partner Freddie Kanoute. Another good season as Sevilla would give him bargaining powers over his next contract, the present one running out at the end of the season, or put him in a position to move to a bigger club than Spurs, Barcelona, Madrid, Milan or Chelsea could prove tempting.

If Jol does go, and no clear explanations of why come out, it could be seen that the Spurs boards' eyes are too big for their plates. Terry Venables guided Spurs to third place in 1990. Since then, in the Premiership years Spurs have failed to finish above 7th, until Martin Jol took charge. Under Jol they have finished 5th in both his seasons, narrowly, and unluckily, missing out on 4th place, and Champions League football. Jol has also brought some of the best young talent to White Hart Lane, and bought British too. He is the core of a very good team, one that is perhaps a defender or two shy of breaking into the top four. Like Sir Alex needed when he came to Manchester United, Jol needs time, time to get his players playing together, time to allow them to grow and fill their undoubted potential, time to achieve the miracle of breaking into the monopolised top four.

Spurs it seems see things differently. Jol will have until the international break at the beginning of September before he starts looking for a new job. And the new Spurs managers first game in charge? Arsenal.

City Flying High

After 3 rounds of the new Premiership season a team from Manchester sits top of the table. That Manchester is represented at the top of the table is not unusual, that the team wears sky blue and not red, and plays at Eastlands and not Old Trafford is.

After Sundays 1-0 derby victory over United, City's third straight win at the City of Manchester stadium over their more illustrious city rivals, has left Sven Goran Eriksons Manchester City top of the table with 3 straight wins and no goals conceded. So City's Thai money infused revolution has taken off from the start, after many had predicted that they would need time to get so many expensive new players to gel, yet after this start, and particularly Sundays win, has left all in the blue half of Manchester fearing no one.

In truth Sundays win had more to do with United's impotence in front of goal then City's new brand of football, but on derby day no one will care how they won. Bianchi, Geovanni, Bojinov, Elano, Corluka, Gelson Fernandes, Garrido and Petrov have all come in with the new owners money, but it was two survivors of the old City, the City that couldn't score at home last season, captain Richard Dunne and centre back partner Micah Richards, that won the Manchester derby for City.

The two at the back were immense all match, stopping every United attack, wave after wave, and protecting young Kasper Schmeicle in goal. The young keeper, son of United legend Peter, produced some fine saves, but looked nervous coming for crosses and trying to impose himself in the box. Dunne and Richards produced the type of performance that will give City fans optimism for the future of their club, that once the honeymoon is over, once City are no longer a surprise package with their newly bought team, once the new foreigners legs tire from the frenetic pace of the English game, they will still be able to grind out results. Micah Richards is perhaps the best defender at 19 the England have seen in a long time, better then John Terry was at 19, and if City can hold on to him, which perhaps may be easier considering the current investment, they may have the best defender in the Europe in the future. As brilliant as the two at the back were, and Richards, still on 19, showed strength and timing that no one of his age should possess, the truth is that in order for the defence or keeper to shine so brightly in a game the other team must be on top for long periods of the game. So it was on Sunday, when United, just as they did in their opening game against Reading, and on Wednesday against Portsmouth, dominated the game from start to finish, and couldn't win.

United put their championship win last season down to their great start to the season, staying out on top for the entire season, while Chelsea faltered in December, and so will be worried about taking only 2 points from the available 9, their worst start to a Premiership season. While United will take heart from the fact that their 2 previous bad starts, in 1992 and 1998, ended with the league title in '92, the inaugural Premier League season, and the treble in '99. United have always been a team that starts slowly and takes control after January. However times are different now in that they may find themselves to far behind Chelsea, and unable to catch them. What United can perhaps look to, after the initial 3 games anyway, is that this season may be one of the most competitive in a long time. Liverpool have improved their squad, Arsenals young team have a years more experience then they did last year, Spurs have spent a lot to catch the top four, and the likes of Newcastle, West Ham, Aston Villa, Blackburn and City, all look capable of taking points from the top teams. Even the weaker teams in Fulham, Sunderland and Birmingham have spent a lot of money to try and ensure Premiership survival. Reading and Wigan, the two teams I picked to go down this season, along with Derby, who look way out of their depth and should go straight back down, have looked good in games to suggest that they will make a battle of it. So while Sir Alex stated that the 90 point mark is what should be aimed at to win the title, in truth the competitiveness of this season may bring that mark down a lot lower. That's the sort of straw United will be clutching to. They've made things hard for themselves, but interesting for everyone else.

For now at least the blue half of Manchester can enjoy sitting on top the table, ahead of Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, and most importantly Manchester United. Come the end of the season, they may not be quite so lucky.

Transfer Gossip

NEWS OF THE WORLD:

Newcastle will offer Emre to Barcelona in a bid to win the race to land Deco.

Spurs have launched a £10.5million move for Juan Roman Riquelme.

Birmingham are chasing Wolves duo Seyi Olofinjana and Darren Potter.

Porto have placed a £12million price tag on Aston Villa target Jose Bosingwa.

Sevilla boss Juande Ramos is the man Spurs want to replace Martin Jol.

Lyon have made an £8million bid for Gabriel Heinze are are set to offer the same amount for Nicolas Anelka.

Sol Campbell has raised fresh doubts over his Portsmouth future by revealing he has had offers to leave.

Former Everton midfielder Thomas Gravesen is now a target for Middlesbrough and Bolton.

Watford are going back in for Collins John.

West Brom defender Curtis Davies has been warned he could be frozen out if he fails to land a move before the transfer window closes.

Sunderland have failed with a £2.5million bid to take Julio Arca back to the Stadium Of Light.

Derby will swoop for QPR forward Dexter Blackstock if they fail to land Kenwyne Jones.

Under-fire George Burley wants to take Danny Mills to Southampton.

Martin Allen could quit Leicester after a bust-up with chairman Milan Mandaric.

DAILY STAR SUNDAY:

Gabriel Heinze has turned down three moves abroad as Manchester United desperately battle to avoid selling him to Liverpool.

Sevilla coach Juande Ramos is the man Spurs will turn to if they run out of patience with Martin Jol.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has ended his interest in Curtis Davies after being told he will cost a staggering £15million.

Newcastle will finally clinch the £2million signing of Bolton's Abdoulaye Faye on Monday.

Manchester City could spring another transfer surprise by landing Real Madrid's Spain international Guti.

Aston Villa are monitoring Glen Johnson's future at Chelsea.

Inter Milan are checking out Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.

Spurs boss Martin Jol is tracking Benfica teenager Fabio Coentrao.

Watford and Lecester are fighting it out for Crystal Palace striker Shefki Kuqi.

SUNDAY MIRROR

Tottenham directors have been accused of staging a secret meeting with Sevilla coach Juande Ramos.

Sven Goran Eriksson is ready to take his summer spending through the £40million barrier with a £5million move for Real Madrid's Guti.

Nicolas Anelka has put plans to quit Bolton on hold after rejecting moves to West Ham and Portsmouth.

Sunderand are being linked with a £10.8million move for Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Portsmouth could end their search for a new striker by landing CSKA Moscow's Vagner Love.

Leicester are poised to sign Marco Ferreria from Benfica on loan.

Everton will revive their interest in Matt Taylor after Portsmouth dropped their asking price to £5.5million.

SUNDAY EXPRESS:

Guti could be one of three new Manchester City signings next week.

Gabriel Heinze is refusing to leave Manchester United for anywhere other than Liverpool.

Matt Taylor is poised to join boyhood heroes Tottenham this week for £5million.

Chelsea's bid to sign Daniel Alves remains alive.

MAIL ON SUNDAY:

Tottenham could turn to Jurgen Klinsmann unless Martin Jol turns their season around.

Boucher in Trouble Over Kallis Omission Remarks

Mark Boucher, the South African wicket keeper, is set to appear before a disciplinary board after recent remarks he made in a newspaper article regarding the exclusion of Jaques Kallis from the T20 squad. Upon his exclusion Kallis resigned as vice captain and questioned his future in the national team.

Bouchers remarks in the Business Day allude to non cricketing reasons behind Kallis omission from the squad.

"

It is either those who have an issue with him, and have a chip on their shoulders, or those who have ulterior motives."

"He's the best allrounder we've ever had and he's saved more [limited overs] games than anyone realises - and he is a far better one-day player than he is given credit for."

Boucher will appear at a hearing on Friday.

Taking into account the reasoning by the selectors, at least in public anyway, for Kallis omission, that they want him rested for the long, tough, season ahead, it is worth considering a few points. Firstly Pakistan, India and New Zealand have not included their best Test batsmen either. Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Mohammed Yusuf and Stephen Fleming have all been left out of their squads and been given an extended break in order to get more from them in Test and ODI cricket in the coming season. There is also a case for Flemings exclusion on the basis that it allows a more comfortable transition of the captaincy to Vettori. Yet none of these other players have put up a fuss (Pakistans Abul Razzaq criticized his omission but it appears that he is being dropped and not rested.) If Kallis is being rested due to the heavy workload he carries within the test and ODI teams, then why aren't Pollock and Ntini being afforded the same break? Clearly Kallis wanted to be involved so its not a case of a player opting out or being happy with a few more weeks of golf. If the argument was that Kallis is not suited to T20 cricket then what of Ntini? He doesn't offer anything with that bat and has bowled 30 balls in international T20 games and gone for 65 runs without taking a wicket. A record that suggests that he shouldn't be in the squad. Ntini has carried the Test and ODI attack for a couple of seasons now and perhaps his lack of form at the World Cup was because of to much cricket. Perhaps he to should have been rested. While it may be seen to most as a childish reaction by Kallis, and perhaps it is, it's still not a bad thing to have a player so upset about being left out, even when assured he isn't be dropped. A player who has scored over 8000 Test runs, over 9000 ODI runs and has taken over 200 wickets in Test and ODI cricket who has nothing to prove to anyone yet still gets this upset about not being selected for the least serious, least important form of the game? Surely that cant be the worst thing.

By all accounts Kallis lead the team in Ireland admirably, especially with his dealing with the young players, Philander, Duminy and Tshabalala, both on and off the field, so there is a strong desire to retain him as vice captain. Lets hope that happens.

Kallis Quits as Vice Captain

Following his omission from the South African T20 squad Jacues Kallis has stepped down as vice captain of the ODI and Test teams, raising doubts about his future.

Kallis, one of the finest all rounders in history, expressed his disappointment at being left out of the T20 squad when issuing his vice captaincy resignation.

"I have resigned as vice-captain and I'm considering my options with regard to the rest of my career," Kallis said. "I have been thinking long and hard over the weekend and there is still a lot of emotion involved because I am extremely disappointed. I was very excited about the tournament and hoping to make a huge contribution.

"I feel I have a lot of good cricket left and my best years might even be ahead of me. Ideally I would like to play many more years for my country but this weekend caused me to question my future for the first time."

The timing of this suggests that Kallis made the decision based on emotion rather then thought, and it is hoped that he changes his mind, particularly by CSA chief executive Gerald Majola.

While there is no doubting his class and ability there has long been debate amongst South African fans about Kallis position in the ODI team, when some regarding his run scoring on the slow side. However, with cricket in general moving towards a more aggressive approach to batting, Kallis has upped his strike rate considerably over the last season or so, and has maintained his position as the linchpin in the Proteas batting line up.

While Kallis has shown a more aggressive streak in ODI's he still tends to take a few over to play himself in before cutting loose. With this in mind, and the fact that you have less time to play yourself in in T20 cricket, the feeling is that Kallis best role would be opening the innings. Here he could take an over or two to gain a feel for the pitch and bowling, before opening up. However with Graeme Smith, Loots Bosman, AB de Villiers and Gulam Bodi already competing for the two openers births (one really with Smith guaranteed one of the positions) the likelihood of this happening were slim. While Kallis has played 6 T20 games, both internationally and domestically, the likes of Bosman and Bodi have played over 20, giving them far more experience and expertise in this form of the game.

New chairman of selectors, Joubert Strydom, has put forward the taxing schedule over the next 18 months as the reason for Kallis being rested, and not dropped. Over this period South Africa travel to Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, England and Australia, and with this in mind the selectors felt it prudent to give Kallis a longer rest so as to come back refreshed and able to better handle the rigours of being am all rounder and the batting back bone of the team.

Kallis decision, though brash and immature (in terms of timing and not his person) clearly outlines the disappointment he feels at missing out on this inaugural tournament, being hosted by his country. While this can be understood and sympathised with, the rest that he will gain will benefit the test and ODI team, and Kallis himself, bringing a rested, focused and driven Kallis to the field for a tough season ahead. One that ends with a series against Australia. Kallis omission may be the best thing for his game, and the hopes of South Africa's team in the long run.

Speculation From The Papers

NEWS OF THE WORLD

Jose Mourinho will make a £27million swoop to bring Ricardo Quaresma to Chelsea - as soon as Arjen Robben joins Real Madrid. Portsmouth will block Sol Campbell's hopes of a new career in Spain. Gabriel Heinze has turned down a bumper new pay deal to stay at Manchester United. Arsene Wenger has threatened Real Madrid with legal action over an illegal approach to Cesc Fabregas. Yakubu is set to get his move to Everton from Middlesbrough. Bolton are willing to let El-Hadji Diouf leave the club before the transfer window closes. Martin Jol fears Aston Villa could hijack his £8million move for Curtis Davies. Tottenham striker Mido has offers on the table from Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Birmingham. Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has turned down a move to Birmingham. Wigan are still in the hunt for West Brom's Paul Robinson. Boca Juniors want to take Liverpool defender Gabriel Paletta back home to Argentina on loan. Derby have made a £6.5million move for Southampton's Kenwyne Jones and John Viafara. Danny Mills is willing to take a large pay cut to seal a move away from Manchester City. Ipswich could offer Shefki Kuqi an escape route out of Crystal Palace. Fulham are considering a £600,000 move for Paris St Germain centre-back Sammy Traore. Portsmouth are on red alert after Leroy Lita turned down a new contract offer from Reading. Wolves have offered £800,000 for Luton defender Kevin Foley. Hibs defender Rob Jones is a £400,000 target for Swansea. Sunderland defender Clive Clarke has turned down a move to Leeds. Fulham are ready to make a second move to sign Burnley striker Kyle Lafferty. SUNDAY MIRROR Nicolas Anelka has emerged as the top target for Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp. Leroy Lita has rejected a new contract offer from Reading. Sunderland have received a flood of offers to take highly-rated goalkeeper Marlon Fulop on loan. West Brom have lined up a stunning £6million double swoop for Luke Moore and Chris Brunt. Watford striker Darius Henderson is set to leave after a fall-out with manager Aidy Boothroyd. Tottenham striker Mido will decide this week to join Sunderland, Middlesbrough or Birmingham. Billy Davies will attempt to save Darius Vassell from his Manchester City nightmare by taking him to Preston. Wigan are keen to resurrect their £3million deal for West Brom's Paul Robinson. THE PEOPLE Middlesbrough have yet to agree a fee for Mido despite the striker agreeing personal terms and passing a medical. Keiron Dyer's move to West Ham is back on. West Brom are ready to snatch Manchester City's up-for-grabs striker Ishmael Miller. Leicester are in talks with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink who is available on a free transfer. Arsenal have earmarked Celtic's Artur Boruc as Jens Lehmann's long-term succesor. Middlesbrough are keen to sign Portsmouth veteran Dejan Stefanovic to ease their injury crisis. Manchester City striker Bernardo Corradi is wanted by Livorno. Liverpool are chasing a deal for Argentinian midfielder Jonas Gutierrez. Derby are to make as second move for Charlton's Jerome Thomas. Carlisle are trying to snap-up Clyde centre-half Neil McDonald. Bradford want Cardiff striker Matt Green on loan. Bolton's Portuguese striker Ricardo Vaz Tie is wanted by Sporting Braga. West Ham are trying to hijack Manchester City's move for Marco Bresciano. Huddersfield hope to complete the signing of Manchester United youngster Aaron Burns. DAILY STAR SUNDAY Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon is wanted by Fiorentina. Bolton have withdrawn their contract offer to Aston Villa target Jussi Jaaskelainen. Arsenal must break the bank if they are to land Dinamo Zagreb star Luka Modric. Leroy Lita has rejected a contract offer from Reading. Darius Vassell is heading to Preston from Manchester City. West Brom are closing in on a £6million double swoop for Luke Moore and Chris Brunt but could sell Paul Robinson to Wigan. Yakubu is believed to favour a £10million return to Portsmouth if he does leave Middlesbrough. SUNDAY EXPRESS Manchester United are trying to hijack Chelsea's £20million raid for Seville's Brazilian defender Daniel Alves. SUNDAY MAIL Spanish side Real Betis have Thomas Gravesen on their list of potential summer targets.

Kallis Misses Out on Twenty20 Squad

South Africa announced their 15 man squad for the Twenty20 World Cup, to be held in South Africa, in September. Perhaps the biggest surprise was the exclusion of Jacques Kallis, who had been named as vice caption when the 30 man provisional squad was announced last month.

While Australia chose to send the basically the same team that had done duty for them in the Caribbean World Cup, with the exception of the now retired Glenn Mcgrath, the South African team sees 7 players included who did not make the trip to the West Indies. While Australia have gone the root of seeing limited over players as limited over players, be it in a 50 over game or 20 over game, the South Africans have chosen a squad geared towards the shortest form of the game. This would explain the exclusion of Kallis, one of the finest all rounders in the history of the game, who's game is perhaps least suited to T20 cricket. Kallis has in the past shown that he is capable of playing an aggressive innings, as he did against the West Indies in the World Cup, but he still needs a few overs to play himself in, a luxury that is not available as much in T20 cricket. So Kallis will have a longer rest to gear him up for a long season that begins with a tough tour to Pakistan almost immediately after the tournament ends.

In Golam Bodi, JP Duminy, Johan van der Wath, Albie and Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Thandi Tshabalala, all of whom did not go to the World Cup, the Proteas have chosen players to give them more options, and fire power, players suited and tested in the quick smash and grab game. Bodi, an attacking opening batsman, has been rewarded for his domestic performances in Pro 20 cricket over the last few seasons, and should be given his chance at some stage of the 2 week tournament. Duminy, a stylish, stroke playing middle order batsman, has played ODI's for South Africa, and gives them the option of spin as well. In van der Wath, Albie Morkel and Vernon Philander South Africa have some hard hitting batsman, capable of clearing the boundaries at will, as well as seam and swing bowling options. All three should play apart with bat and ball for the Proteas. Morne Morkel, the tall fast bowler, gives the attack the raw pace and aggression, that can complement Pollocks perfect line and length, while having the added bonus of being pretty economical as well. Morkel should find himself in the South African Test and ODI squads soon.

Andre Nel, Charl Langeveld, Ashwell Prince, Andrew Hall, Robin Peterson, Roger Telemachus miss out from the team that left for the West Indies in March. Andrew Hall can perhaps count himself unlucky as his economic death bowling could have been an advantage, however in Pollock, Ntini, van der Wath, Morne Morkel, Albie Morkel, and Philander the selectors probably feel they have enough variation and options in the pace bowling department. Another player who can count himself unlucky not to make the team is Morne van Wyk, who has been the outstanding domestic batsman in Pro 20 cricket over the last few years, and did well against India and Ireland in May, when deputising for the injured Smith. Again the numbers where not in his favour this time as the batting line up looks particularity imposing, with Smith, de Villiers, Bosman, and Bodi all competing for the openers birth.

The squad has met the racial targets set out by CSA, of 7 from 15 non white players, and has not been weakened at all. All the players there are selected on merit, and any 11 chosen from these 15 will be hard to beat. South Africa will go into the tournament confident of winning the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup.

South Africa Send Strong "A" Team to Zimbabwe

Boeta Dippenaar will lead a strong South Africa A team in two 4 day games in Zimbabwe over the next 2 weeks.

The squad contains a host of players with international experience and seems to be a combination of fringe and current full squad members.

The inclusion of Andre Nel, Charl Langeveld, Andrew Hall. Ashwell Prince, Paul Harris and Hashim Amla, all usually members of the Test squad, seems to suggest that they wont be part of the Twenty20 World Cup squad due to be announced in Cape Town on Saturday. If they were part of that squad then surely they would be in Cape Town this weekend and not playing in Zimbabwe?

So if we can guess that those picked for these matches will almost certainly miss out on selection for the Twenty20 squad then Morne van Wyk can count himself very unlucky to be in Zimbabwe. While his inclusion may indicate that he is in the minds of the selectors for Test selection, the fact that he has been the outstanding batsman in domestic Pro 20 should have surely guaranteed his selection for Septembers show piece. At the same time the exclusion of Vernon Philander seems to suggest that he will make Saturdays squad selection.He should be a very exciting, useful option during the tournament.

While noting that the likes of Nel, Hall, Amla, Prince, Harris and Langeveld have been included to get their season off to a start, with a series to Pakistan following directly after the Twenty20, another interesting observation is the spin options in the 14 man squad. Paul Harris, who played in the last Test series against India, in joined by Johan Botha as well as spin options from Imran Khan and Justin Ontong. So while the selectors must be applauded for attempting to rectify South Africas well known spin problem we have to ask why Thandi Tshabalala has not been included? If he is seen as the future of South African spin bowlers then surely he needs as much exposure as possible before being included in the Test squad? This is what A team's are for.

The selectors have also stated that Neil Mckenzie was not selected as they feel his stint with Somerset in County Cricket would benefit him more. Thus allaying any fears that Mckenzie was once again over looked and is not in their plans.

The full squad is: Boeta Dippenaar (capt), Yusuf Abdullah, Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Andrew Hall, Paul Harris, Imran Khan, Charl Langeveldt, Andrè Nel, Justin Ontong, Alviro Petersen, Ashwell Prince, Thami Tsolekile (wk), Mornè van Wyk.

Racial Targets to be Met

Cricket South Africa has stated that racial targets will have to be met for the fast approaching Twenty20 World Cup, which South Africa will host, in September.

What this means is that, just as in the World Cup in the Caribbean, 7 of the 15 members of the World Cup squad will have to be non-white. While the rest of the world may not share the same problem, South African cricket has to take into account the injustices of its countries history and attempts to bring parity to the playing fields, to have a team that represents the people of the country. That is a fact that South Africans have to come to terms with and stop quibbling about. While I have always maintained that quota's, or targets, should be used at domestic level and not at international level, the reality is that the system is here to stay - for now at least.

What South African, and world fans in general, must not mistake is the quality of the players selected. The non-white players, although meeting targets, are not of a sub standard to their white team mates. Ntini has lead the bowling attack in both limited and test cricket for a number of years now, Prince has been the most consistent Test batsman of the last 2 years, and Hashim Amla's run scoring at domestic level over the last few years has demanded a place in the test team. Saying that the non white players are in the team based on colour is an insult to them and the system.

The problem arises however in the strict meeting of those targets. By saying that we have to have 7 rather than we would like to have 7 the selectors are harming the game at this level. In the recent World Cup the target was met, with Roger Telemachus being the 7th player. Telemachus is good enough to play at this level, and can do a job for the team, however he did not play a single game at the event. That isn't the problem, Australia didn't utilise every member of their squad, as most other teams did, but the problem comes with the players left behind. Johan van der Wath is good enough to make the first eleven never mind the touring 15, yet when he is continuously left behind because he is fighting for 8 places and not 15, he must begin to think of his future. Continuously being overlooked must make Kolpak a very appealing avenue. Morne van Wyk was given a chance on South Africa's recent tour to Ireland, where he showed he was ready for international cricket. If he subsequently gets over looked after that, not to mention him being the outstanding domestic batsman of recent seasons in all forms, he too will begin to think of a future in England. The flaws in the system mean that if South Africa continue to overlook their talent they will lose them, and the England team in a few years could be all South African.

The signs that the system are working, and don't need to be rushed, are there. At the recent Emerging players tournament in Australia, which was won by South Africa, Vernon Philander topped both the batting and bowling tables, JP Duminy and Alviro Pieterson featured highly on the batting side, and Yusuf Abdullah on the bowling. So if the talent coming through is a representative mixture of white and non white then surely in a few years the full team will be too, irrespective of targets? There is only danger in rushing through such a sensitive system. The players want to believe that they are the best, and not that they are numbers in a target game. That sort of thinking set back the career of a promising player like Justin Ontong, and although he is beginning to fulfill his undoubted potential, can not be allowed to happen again.

South Africa is in the unenviable position of having to marry sport and politics, a combination that does not go together well. If the country and people are to move forward, if they are to be the best, they must hold on to their pool of talent. Targets should be a goal and not set in stone. The best players will come through the system and targets will be met - they should not be forced.

According to the Papers

NEWS OF THE WORLD

Barcelona are plotting a secret bid to lure Chelsea's Frank Lampard to the Nou Camp, while team-mate Michael Ballack has pledged his future to the Blues despite interest from Real Madrid.

Gabriel Heinze is calling in the Premier League to try and secure his move from Manchester United to Liverpool. Mikael Silvestre has told Sir Alex Ferguson he wants to leave Old Trafford.

Sam Allardyce could be forced to sell Obafemi Martins to ease Newcastle's cash crisis.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane will move for former team-mate Andy Cole in the next 48 hours.
Derby are lining up a £5million swoop for Kenwyne Jones.

SUNDAY MIRROR

Argentine wonderkid Franco Di Santo will arrive in England this week to take his pick from 10 Premier League clubs chasing his signature - including all last season's top six.

West Ham will table a £9million bid for former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen this week.

Fulham are chasing Blackburn's £4million-rated striker Jason Roberts.

Rangers could move for Portsmouth defender Dejan Stefanovic, who has only a year left on his Pompey deal.

Reading are ready to cash in on Nicky Shorey - who has rejected an improved contract, with West Ham the left-back's likeliest destination.

Aston Villa are set to beat Sunderland to sign Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

THE PEOPLE

Chelsea will accept a double bid of £30million from Real Madrid for Arjen Robben and Michael Ballack.

Middlesbrough are considering a shock move for Manchester City flop Georgios Samaras.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce will turn his attentions to Arsenal's Mathieu Flamini after the collapse of Hossam Ghaly's move from Spurs.

Real Madrid are offering striker Antonio Cassano to Premier League clubs, with Bolton and West Ham interested in loan moves.

Arsenal have turned down a £10million bid for Gilberto Silva from Valencia.
SUNDAY EXPRESS

Kieron Dyer is staying in home town Ipswich after his move from Newcastle to West Ham collapsed when the Magpies' new owner Mike Ashley upped the price by £2million at the last minute.

Real Madrid are preparing a £28million bid for Michael Ballack and Arjen Robben.

Everton have won the race to sign Wigan's Leighton Baines.

DAILY STAR SUNDAY

Middlesbrough are determined to hold on to striker Yakubu despite interest from Portsmouth and Manchester City.

Everton will take their summer spending to £20million with the signing of Leighton Baines.

Sven-Goran Eriksson will continue his Manchester City revolution by releasing eight players this month.

Kieron Dyer has no intention of returning to Newcastle after his move to West Ham collapsed.

Gordon Strachan is ready to offer free agent Andy Cole a footballing lifeline with Celtic.

SUNDAY MAIL

Stiliyan Petrov has urged Aston Villa team-mate Shaun Maloney to stay at Villa Park rather than return to Celtic.

Motherwell have shelved plans to take Celtic's Adam Virgo on loan.

Italian World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta hopes to play for Celtic one day - because he's a fan of their famous hooped jerseys.

DAILY MIRROR

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has told West Ham to up their bid or miss out on Kieron Dyer. Leighton Baines will have to choose between love and money when he talks to Everton and Newcastle this week. Bolton forward El-Hadji Diouf is ready to wreck Sammy Lee's pre-season plans by pushing for a move to Lyon. Derby boss Billy Davies is trying to arrange a £2.2million deal for PSV Eindhoven midfielder Mika Vayrynen. Portsmouth are ready to sell midfielder Gary O'Neil, with Fulham the shock leaders in the battle for his £5million signing. Manchester City have turned down a move for Greek striker Georgios Samaras from Middlesbrough - but they will sell if the price is right. DAILY EXPRESS Ambitious Sunderland boss Roy Keane is hot on the trail of unsettled Tottenham striker Mido. El-Hadji Diouf may be about to turn his back on Bolton for French champions Lyon. Everton will find out later this week if their club-record £11million bid for Luis Gonzalez has been successful. Sam Allardyce says Newcastle will not sell Kieron Dyer to Newcastle unless the Hammers up their bid to £8million. Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to ease his Manchester City goalkeeping crisis by signing Marco Amelia for £5million. THE SUN Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has hit back at West Ham counterpart Alan Curbishley in the row over Kieron Dyer by saying: It's your fault not ours. Roy Keane wants Mido to join Sunderland in time for their opening game of the Premier League season...against Spurs. Sven-Goran Eriksson will take his Manchester City spending to the £47million mark by signing Italian goalkeeper Marco Amelia and Australian midfielder Mark Bresciano. DAILY STAR Angry Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has hit back at Alan Curbishley in the bitter row over Kieron Dyer's collapsed move to West Ham. Derby have tabled a £5million bid for Southampton striker Kenwyne Jones. Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to ease his Manchester City goalkeeping crisis by sealing a £5million swoop for Marco Amelia in the next 48 hours. DAILY MAIL England boss Steve McClaren will try to persuade Jamie Carragher to come out of international retirement after John Terry was ruled out for a month. Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has hit back at Alan Curbishley over the collapse of Kieron Dyer's move to West Ham. Gareth Southgate has claimed Middlesbrough were "in there right until the end" in the battle to sign Alan Smith. Sven-Goran Eriksson is closing in on a £10million deal for Benfica midfielder Manuel Fernandes as he continues his Manchester City revolution. Everton hope to wrap up a £17million double swoop for Porto midfielder Luis Gonzalez and Wigan full-back Leighton Baines this week. El-Hadji Diouf may hit Bolton boss Sammy Lee's plans for the new season by pushing for a move to Lyon. Jay Bothroyd's future at Wolves is in doubt after he flicked a V-sign at manager Mick McCarthy during the 3-2 friendly defeat by Reading. THE TIMES Manchester City will become the Premier League's biggest summer spenders this week with Mark Bresciano set to sign and Marco Amelia a possible recruit if Sven-Goran Eriksson can't persuade Liverpool to part company with Scott Carson. Sam Allardyce has told Kieron Dyer to "get on with it" at Newcastle, but the midfielder is furious with owner Mike Ashley after his move to West Ham collapsed. THE GUARDIAN Aston Villa are expected to make formal offers for Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon and West Brom central defender Curtis Davies in the next 48 hours as Martin O'Neill seeks to reinforce his squad before Saturday's opening Premier League fixture against Liverpool. THE INDEPENDENT England boss Steve McClaren will ask Jamie Carragher to reconsider his decision to retire from international football after John Terry injured his knee.

Does United's Win Matter?

Don't let Jose Mourinho fool you, Chelsea did not control yesterdays Charity Shield match against Manchester United, 12 shots by United and 5 by Chelsea is enough to defuse that claim. Of Chelsea's 5 shots at goal only 1 was in the second half, and they cause United so little worry that you'd be hard pressed to even remember them, apart of course for Malouda's brilliantly taken goal.

Does the Charity Shield, or Community Shield as it is now known, really matter though? The losers will tell you not at all. History will back that claim up, only 13 times in over 70 years has the winner gone on to claim the League that same season. The game is generally treated as a glorified preseason friendly, designed to give the players a run out in front of a packed Wembley, or Cardiff in the case of the last half a dozen matches before the return to Wembley yesterday, a fashion show to parade the new kit for the season, and as an introduction to some of the new signings. The match seldom matters. Last years affair saw Liverpool beat Chelsea yet Liverpool once again did not manage to join the title fight. So the Community Shield does not matter right? Wrong, while the result may be the least important factor, anything gained or lost is this match will count for something. Any match involve United and Chelsea matters. If Rooney and Ronaldo were walking around London and saw Lampard and Cole kicking a ball about, a game of 2 on 2 in the street results, it would matter. That is the fact behind the huge amounts of money being spent by the two teams to try and get ahead of the other. Chelsea may not have spent us much as United, or even Sunderland and Birmingham, in transfer fees this preseason, but in wages, for new players and renewing contracts of existing players, they have spent heavily.

So what did the two teams gain from this encounter? Chelsea will have learned not to go into any match with no forward. I'm sure they will never repeat that particular selection, and there may have been reasons for it, but why was Pizzaro on the bench and not starting? They will argue that they played a 4-3-3 with Joe Cole, Malouda and Wright-Phillips up front. They didn't. They played a 4-6-0. This may be why the Special One thinks that they controlled the game. They packed the mid field and were hard to break down, but at the same time they created very little. Against lesser teams the strangle hold may pay off, but it wont win them any silverware. I'm pretty sure that this was a once off and wont be repeated. But in saying this, had they played a forward, no doubt Drogba when he is fit, but any of Pizzaro, Sheva, Kalou on other occasions, will he be true to his 4-3-3 or will it be just that in name and more realistically a 4-5-1? With Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham expected to put up a braver fight this season, and the mid table teams spending a lot, think Newcastle, Manchester City, West Ham and Portsmouth, this season could be closer that previous years, and Chelsea may have to be more adventurous then they have previously been.

The performance of Malouda is a positive that Chelsea will have taken out of this match. It is more important that it may have otherwise been with the future of Robben still unclear. Should the Dutchman leave then Malouda will take on more responsibility, both in terms of scoring and creating goals. While players from better leagues, in Spain and Italy, tend to take time to acclimatise to the English game, those coming from France seem to find the transition much simpler, as Malouda is showing, just as Essien did before him. Rather then waiting for a new signing to settle before they make an impact, Chelsea are still waiting on Ballack and Sheva, Malouda should fit in from the off. This can only be good for Chelsea.

One other thing that Chelsea will have noted is that they can have all their attacking players available to them, Drogba, Kalou,Sheva, Robben, were all missing and should be back for the real start next week, but without John Terry they are very vulnerable at the back. Showing that he does deserve to be the best paid player at the club as he is the most important in the team. The news today that he may be out for the first month will cast a dark shadow over the Blues hopes of getting off to a good start this season. Chelsea effectively last the league during the period when Terry and Cech were out, and the chance of a repeat so early on is disheartening to any Chelsea fan. Carvalho and Ben Haim did well, and are both good players, but Terry is a great player, and a difference to being always stable at the back and usually stable at the back. A difference that could hurt Chelsea.

As for United, there were a few positives to take from this victory. The first being the most obvious - the win. They have only beaten Chelsea once in the last few years, so any win is welcome, but to get it early will set the confidence for a good start to the season. Like Chelsea, United put out out a weaker team than they will for most of this coming season. Hargreaves and Tevez were not available, Neville is still recovering, as are Saha, Solsjaer and Anderson. Nani made a nervous appearance in the second half, but not much can be read into his brief stint. United have just sold Alan Smith and Rossi, Saha and Solsjaer are injured, and Tevez has just arrived. That means that Rooney is the only recognizes forward available. With this in mind Sir Alex played Evra on the left of midfield and Giggs in a free role behind Rooney. All will have been encouraged by the performance of both Evra and Giggs. Giggs, United goal scorer, had three clear chances for United, one he coolly finished, one was superbly saved by Cech and the other blocked by Johnson. The focus here being that Giggs was getting into goal scoring positions, rather then just creating. His positional play, his running. his timing and his link play were all brilliant. He didn't look out of place in the floating position, in the hole, and this will just serve to give United more options and versatility in play. Evra, usually playing at left back, was employed in Giggs usual position on the left of midfield. His energetic running up and down the flank will have pleased all on United side. Always an attacking option from full back, he gave the boss the added pleasure of knowing he can be asked to parade the left wing when needed. It was Evra's run and pass that set up the Giggs goal.

Perhaps the biggest advantage United will take from this match came in the penalty shoot out. Edwin van der Saar has come under criticism for some lapses during the run in last season, and one in the opening game of United's far east tour, and it was widely believed that Ben Foster would start this season as United's number one, until Foster's injury ruled him out until March. In the opening half of yesterdays match van der Saar came in for a few tongue lashings by Rio Ferdinand when he failed to come for balls played into the box. A less then confident start for the keeper, and the United defence that rely so much on his calming influence. However in the penalty shootout van der Saar managed to save all three Chelsea spot kicks, but it is the manner of the saves that will please him. They weren't poorly taken, weak penalties, but all brilliant saved by the keeper, who showed strong hands and agility, and looked unbeatable. The confidence that he would have regained by those saves will be carried by him, and the United defence, into the new season.

So while the result of the Community Shield tends to not have an bearing on the coming season, yesterdays match may buck the trend, as both United and Chelsea will have gained significant insight into what they will need to end the season will silverware. For United the match was perhaps just what Edwin van der Saar needed to regain his form.

Philander Stakes A Claim

The South African Emerging team successfully defended the title they won last year by defeating New Zealand in this years final in a competition that also included emerging teams from India and the hosts, Australia.

While the South African team can be pleased with their performances, and the experience gained by some of its younger players, the most pleasing aspect of the tour was the prolific form of all rounder Vernon Philander.

They say the true measure of an all rounder, a genuine all rounder, is if he is able to hold his place in the team as both a batsman and a bowler, and not a batsman who bowls a bit or a bowler who can bat, as is the case of many of the "all rounders" in cricket today. Philander, who made his international debut in South Africa's recent short series in Ireland, provided his credentials as an all rounder by topping both the batting and bowling tables at the tournament. In 6 matches Philander bowled 48 overs and 5 balls, taking 13 wickets at an average of 9,15. He topped the wickets taken, best average, and best economy tables. His economy rate of 2,43 was by far the best and showed that he was able to stem the run rate as well as take wickets when called upon to bowl his fast medium seamers. In the 6 matches Philander, batting in the middle order, was called upon to bat 4 times, and ended not out on 2 occasions. He scored 141 runs at an average of 70,50, the best average of the tournament, and a strike rate of exactly 100.

Philanders all round ability, and the experience he is not getting, is a shining light for South African cricket. It has been suggested that Philadner is one of the players who is seen as a potential replacement for Shaun Pollock, when the great Polly calls it a day, but on current form there is no reason that he should not be in the team with Pollock right now. It can do his young, growing, career no harm to be taken under the wings of Pollock and Kallis at this stage of his development. With bat or ball in hand, Vernon Philander, and South African crickets, future looks bright.

News in Brief

Alessandro Nesta has joined Francesco Totti in international retirement. The Azzuri had hoped that Nesta would continue playing with them for another year, taking him to the European Championships at the end of the season. However in an effort to prolong his club career Nesta has opted out of making himself available for the national team. Nesta played 78 times for Italy.

West Ham and Newcastle have emerged as the front runners to sign Manchester United forward Alan Smith. Smith is looking for guaranteed first team football and is attracting attention from many Premier League clubs including Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Everton and Sunderland, as well as West Ham and Newcastle. He is thought to have turned down Middlesbrough, but with a month to go till the transfer deadline, should have no problem finding a suitable club.

Both Juventus and Barcelona are interested in signing Claude Makelele from Chelsea. The 34 year old is out of favour at Standford Bridge, and has played only 45mins of their pre season matches. A move to Barca would reunite him with his international team mates Thierry Henry, Eric Abidal, and Lilian Thuram and would be seen as a mentor figure for Yaya Toure, the man brought in to be the long term anchor to the midfield. Claudio Ranieri, the man who bought Makelele to Chelsea from Real Madrid, sees the Frenchman as the ideal, experienced, central midfielder, to guide Juventus in their return to Serie A.

Reports in Italy have suggested that unsettled Fiorentina forward Valeri Bojinov is set to sign for Manchester City in a 7-8 million euro deal. Bojinov, who has not signed a new contract at Fiorentina, has been placed on the transfer list. He could partner another striker bought by City from Seria A, Rolando Bianchi, in a new look strike force, that will be charged with bring goals to a miss firing City team of last season.

Rossi A Yellow Submarine

Guiseppe Rossi, the young Italian starlet, has signed for Villareal in Spain, subject to a medical. The La Liga outfit have paid Manchester United 6 million pounds for the rising star.

With Rossi leaving, and Alan Smith seemingly on his way out, Ferguson and United most be confident that the Tevez deal will go through before the transfer deadline, leaving United with 4 forwards in Rooney, Tevez, Solsjaer and Saha. However if the deal can not be completed on time it would leave United short of options, until January, with only 3 forwards, and with Saha's fragility, and Solsjaer out injured, would test Uniteds faith in their reserve forwards, or possibly leave them asking Giggs or Ronaldo to play upfront.

There had been much speculation about the future of Rossi, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Parma, scoring 9 times in 17 matches, helping the Serie A team avoid relegation. Interest from Milan, Juventus, Fiorentina, Napoli, Porto and Parma had been expressed, however the move to Spain has come as a complete surprise. Villareal, who were looking to replace another former United player, Diego Forlan, who has moved to Athletico Madrid, had been after Julio Baptiste, the Real Madrid attacking player who spent last season on loan at Arsenal. However they bulked at Madrids asking price, probably inflated with interest for the Brazilian coming from Milan, and have moved quickly to secure Rossi ahead of a host of Italian clubs.

Although never given a run in the first team, Rossi was well thought of at United, and having spent the last season out on loan, frustratingly at Newcastle and then successfully at Parma, was expected to join the fight for a United first team start, particularly with worries about Solsjaer and Saha's fitness. However with the forthcoming arrival of Tevez, whenever that finally happens, Rossi looks to have taken the offer of a better chance of first team football at Villareal rather then sporadic chances at Old Trafford.

The American born forward was invited to a pre World Cup camp by the then USA national coach, Bruce Arena, however Rossi declined, stating his allegiance to Italy. Although not known to much in England, outside United fans, the diminutive forward s highly regarded in Italy, as was seen by the number and calibre of Italian clubs that were said to be interested in him. United fans will be disappointed that one of their bright young stars has gone, or been allowed to leave, and having followed his superb performances at youth and reserve level, would have loved to have seen him in prolonged first team action this coming season. However, as much as Rossi wanted to prove himself at United, having sampled a run in first team football at Parma, it is understandable that he did not want to sit around waiting for fleeting chance at United. The good news for those United and Rossi fans is that United have included a clause in the contract, a buy back option, that could see Rossi return to United in the future. If he does so, after a couple of seasons playing regularly in La Liga, it could ultimately benefit United in the long term.