It proved to be a summer of change for Tottenham Hotspur, with the most notable departure having been the sale of club record goalscorer, Harry Kane, following the Englishman's £100m move to Bayern Munich.

The 30-year-old goal machine was followed out the door by fellow academy graduate Harry Winks who sealed a £10m switch to Championship side, Leicester City, while Davinson Sanchez was another remnant of the Mauricio Pochettino era to have moved on permanently, joining Galatasaray for a reported fee of £12.8m.

Aside from a raft of further loan departures – including Djed Spence following Joe Rodon to Leeds United – the north Londoners also saw diminutive forward, Lucas Moura move on to pastures new after just over five years on the books at N17.

The experienced Brazilian had originally been snapped up from Paris Saint-Germain back in January 2018, although the 31-year-old was sent packing this summer with chairman Daniel Levy making a sizeable loss on his initial investment.

How much did Tottenham pay for Lucas Moura?

The fleet-footed speedster had caught the attention of Levy and Pochettino following his standout form in France at the Parc des Princes, having racked up 94 goals and assists in 229 games in all competitions for the Ligue 1 giants.

That impressive, trophy-laden spell in Paris persuaded Spurs to fork out around £23m in order to bring the winger to England, with the winter arrival tasked with providing further firepower alongside the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.

While not always a regular fixture of the side over the next few years, Moura did cement his "cult hero" status – as per pundit Paul Robinson – following his remarkable hat-trick against Ajax to fire the club to a maiden Champions League final in 2019.

That stellar showing came as a significant high point in an otherwise mixed spell in north London for the 5 foot 8 enigma, as he was never able to truly kick on from that thrilling night in Amsterdam.

How much did Tottenham sell Moura for?

On reflection, it would appear that the 2018/19 season was as good as it got for the 35-cap international in a Tottenham jersey, as he scored 15 goals in all competitions, including bagging ten goals in 32 league appearances.

Following on from that standout season, Moura would remarkably score just ten top-flight goals across the next four seasons combined, having perhaps suffered as a result of the sacking of Pochettino in November 2019.

The winger's woes were particularly evident in his final season at the club as he failed to start a single league game under Antonio Conte and co, with it somewhat perplexing that Levy did not agree to sanction his departure last summer – amid reported interest from the likes of Newcastle United and Aston Villa.

As it proved, the Lilywhites ultimately allowed the misfiring marksman to leave at the end of his contract back in June, with the club unable to recoup any of their initial investment in the former PSG man.

There may be those who believe that the forgotten figure should have been allowed to depart far sooner amid his slide down the pecking order, with the 2018 transfer having perhaps not quite gone as expected, despite Moura's haul of 39 goals and 27 assists in 221 games in all competitions.

Micah Richards was left blown away by the performance of one Sunderland star in the Tyne-Wear derby victory against Newcastle United this afternoon.

Sunderland win first Premier League game vs Newcastle since 2016

The Black Cats managed to get one over on their biggest rivals in the first Premier League meeting with Newcastle since 2016, courtesy of a bizarre own goal from Nick Woltemade in the second half.

Regis Le Bris’ side have made a dream start to life back in the top flight, but today’s victory is undoubtedly the sweetest yet, moving four points clear of the Magpies after managing to hold out for a well-earned 1-0 win.

A lot of credit has to go to the defence, with the visitors being limited to an xG of just 0.26, never really managing to create any big opportunities throughout the match.

However, Richards was also quick to praise Granit Xhaka after the match, with the former Manchester City man saying: “This man, we talked about him before the game, was brilliant again, absolute warrior in that midfield. What a player he’s been, what a signing. I’m gonna say he’s been the signing of the season so far, that’s how big I’m going.”

“He’s been absolutely immaculate in everything he does, even the way he speaks is just brilliant. Wow.”

Xhaka deserves all the plaudits after another impressive display

The Basel-born midfielder has been absolutely indispensable for Le Bris this season, starting all 15 Premier League games, during which time he’s chipped in with five goal involvements.

Sunderland could now make £12m approach to sign "unreal" defender in January

The Black Cats are assessing their options ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

ByDominic Lund 7 days ago

However, the Swiss maestro is perhaps best known for his defensive qualities, which were on show again today, making a number of important contributions.

Granit Xhaka’s key stats vs Newcastle

Number completed

Ground duels (won)

3 (2)

Aerial duels (won)

3 (3)

Clearances

4

Tackles

2

The Black Cats managing to sign the former Bayer Leverkusen man is starting to look like a real coup, with Jamie Carragher describing him as “fantastic” and the “most influential” player for a Premier League team this season.

The sky is the limit for this Sunderland side, who are firmly in contention to qualify for Europe, but Xhaka is likely to be paramount to their success, and Le Bris will be hoping for a similar display when his side travel to Brighton for their penultimate game in 2025 next weekend.

Newcastle United dispatched Arsenal 1-0 at St James' Park on Saturday evening and now attention turns back to the Champions League.

The Magpies face a trip to Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday night to take on Borussia Dortmund and seek revenge after losing 1-0 against them at the end of October.

Eddie Howe is currently dealing with an overflowing injury table as key stars, such as; Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Harvey Barnes all remain sidelined, meaning he could name a similar lineup to the one that recorded victory over the Gunners.

Considering the Toon are fighting for a place in the Champions League knockout stages, the Englishman can ill-afford to rest his key players with only one change expected to be made. Here's the predicted lineup for their clash with Dortmund.

1 GK – Nick Pope

Only Manchester City have conceded fewer xG in the Premier League than Newcastle United's 10.32, as per Understat, and Nick Pope has played a pivotal role in that statistic, making crucial saves and showcasing his presence in between the sticks.

2 RB – Tino Livramento

Livramento replaced the injured Dan Burn at half-time against Arsenal and the "phenomenal" full-back, as described by journalist Thomas Hammond, impressed with his all-action display against the Gunners. With Burn now sidelined, the 21-year-old can now have an extended run in the team, starting against Dortmund on Tuesday. This would be his first Champions League start too; timely.

3 CB: Jamal Lascelles

Sven Botman's injury opened up the opportunity for Jamal Lascelles to showcase his defensive attributes in the heart of the Toon defence and he's done so in fine fashion, captaining the side to clean sheets in victories over Burnley, Crystal Palace and Arsenal. The 29-year-old will continue marshalling Howe's backline against Dortmund.

4 CB: Fabian Schar

Having conjured up a wonder strike against PSG in the Champions League, Fabian Schar has been the man for the big occasion this term. He will start alongside Lascelles once more versus Dortmund where he has the unenviable task of dealing with the pacey and direct Donyell Malen, should he start down that side.

5 LB: Kieran Trippier

With Burn sidelined, Howe could shuffle Trippier across to left back, a position he's played on numerous occasions for England, to accommodate Livramento into the starting eleven. The Englishman, who has posted seven assists this term, is crucial to their attacking output, utilising his wand of a right foot from set pieces.

6 CM: Joelinton

The "monster" – as dubbed by journalist Aaron Stokes for his rapid rise to stardom in a Newcastle shirt – Joelinton's explosive ball-carrying and industry will be crucial to them winning the midfield battle on Tuesday.

7 CM: Bruno Guimaraes

Whilst Joe Willock is knocking on the door for a starting spot, Bruno Guimaraes has firmly closed it on the Englishman. The 25-year-old is the lynchpin of Howe's midfield, with his strength and aggression vital to his side regaining possession. He is one of several Newcastle players who are undroppable at the moment.

8 CM: Sean Longstaff

An immovable object at the heart of Newcastle's midfield this term, Sean Longstaff's tough-tackling and energetic midfield performances have earned him a spot in the midfield alongside Joelinton and Guimaraes.

9 RW: Miguel Almiron

The fleet-footed winger is vital to Newcastle launching their explosive counter-attacks and enjoys cutting in on his peach of a left foot. Having already scored against PSG this term, he will pose a huge threat to Remy Bensebaini, who is likely to start at left-back for the hosts.

10 LW: Anthony Gordon

Although he is yet to register a goal or an assist in the Champions League, Anthony Gordon has been in scintillating form on the left flank for the Toon, frightening the life out of defenders with his pace and trickery while posting four goals and two assists in the top flight, including the winner against Arsenal last time out.

Aston Villa are back in action in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, as Unai Emery’s side welcome Fulham to Villa Park on match day 12 of the 2023/24 season.

The Villans will be desperate to get back to winning ways in the league, and after securing three valuable points in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night, the Midlands club will bid to get their form rolling once more.

Emery made four changes to the squad that lost to Nottingham Forest in the league to face AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League, with a similar rotation expected ahead of Sunday’s clash.

Here is Villa's predicted lineup vs Fulham and those three alterations from the midweek triumph…

1 GK – Emiliano Martinez

Holder of the 2023 Yashin Trophy, World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez will remain between the sticks for Villa against Fulham. The 31-year-old had a shaky performance during the defeat to Forest, however his quality outside of the mishap is irreplaceable.

2 LB – Lucas Digne

Despite the return of Alex Moreno from injury, Lucas Digne started against AZ and was a continual threat down the left side thanks to his dynamic progressive ability.

Although the Frenchman displays his defensive frailties due to his direct nature when getting forward at full-back, highlighted by him losing possession 20 times vs Forest, his presence down the flank is hard to replace.

No player in the Villa squad averages a higher rate of key passes per game than Digne this season, with the former Everton ace recording an average of two per game in the 2023/24 Premier League, via WhoScored.

3 CB – Pau Torres

Summer capture Pau Torres will almost certainly reclaim his spot in central defence following the rotation mid-week. The Spaniard was forced into action in the dying embers against AZ to replace Diego Carlos.

The Brazilian was forced to withdraw due to a minor injury, making Torres' claim to start against Fulham undeniable.

4 CB – Ezri Konsa

Against AZ, Ezri Konsa assumed the right-back position in place of Matty Cash, and is likely to rejoin forces with Torres in central defence as he has done in the Premier League this term.

With an average pass completion rate of 93.3% per game, only Tyrone Mings – who has played just 31 minutes of the season – tops the charts at Villa in that area, reinforcing Konsa’s reliability at the back.

Clement Lenglet will be the player to make way for Konsa’s return to central defence, after starting against AZ alongside Carlos on Thursday.

5 RB – Matty Cash

During his pre-match press conference ahead of the AZ clash, Emery revealed that Cash had recovered from a small injury he sustained against Forest last weekend.

The 26-year-old is expected to be restored to the starting XI after starting on the bench in midweek, adding a host of attacking threat to the final third at right-back.

6 CM – Douglas Luiz

Douglas Luiz also started on the bench in midweek, yet the reported Arsenal target will seemingly make his return to the XI to face Fulham.

The £75k-per-week Brazilian was lauded for his “magic” moment to assist Ollie Watkins’ winning goal vs AZ on Thursday by journalist John Townley, with his place in the squad irreplaceable as his magnificent form continues.

7 CM – Youri Tielemans

Pairing Luiz is typically Boubacar Kamara, yet the latter man did not enjoy his best outing in Europe this week, notably missing a gilt-edged chance to score and losing possession on ten occasions.

As such, Youri Tielemans could well keep his place in the centre of the park following an 'encouraging display' last time out, as per BirminghamLive's Townley, with the aim now for the summer signing to cement his place in the side moving forward.

8 RW – John McGinn

One of the most reliable players in Emery’s side is club captain, John McGinn, who will continue to occupy the left side in the Spaniard’s free-flowing midfield four.

To portray his consistency of high performances, the Scotsman hasn’t received a Sofascore match rating lower than 7.1 in the Premier League since September, cementing himself as a well-rounded player in the squad.

With two goals and two assists to his name already this season, the 29-year-old could be one to watch against the Cottagers due to his ability to cover significant ground and pop up in unexpected areas to help his team.

9 LW – Leon Bailey

Leon Bailey’s assist against AZ this week took his contribution to goals to five in his last five games for Villa, surely warranting him a starting spot in the Premier League over Nicolo Zaniolo.

The Jamaican has only started two league games so far this campaign, scoring three goals and claiming two assists, with the Italian still waiting to contribute in the final third to strengthen Bailey’s claim to start against Marco Silva's side.

10 ST – Moussa Diaby

Making up one-half of the strike partnership is Moussa Diaby, who started his first Conference League game of the season against AZ.

The forward has impressed since arriving in the Midlands from Bayer Leverkusen during the summer transfer window, forming an electrifying partnership with Watkins to see his playmaking and clinical streak in front of goal exploited.

With three goals and three assists so far in the league, the Frenchman will be one for Fulham to revise thoroughly, with only Digne averaging more key passes than the 24-year-old with 1.9 per game, via WhoScored.

Nottingham Forest seem set to lose one of their talismanic attackers, Anthony Elanga, in the coming days.

It appears that the Sweden star will sign for Newcastle United in the coming days for £55m, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the winger has completed his medical with the North Eastern side.

As a result, Forest need a new winger to don Garibaldi Red next season. Sky Sports suggested that they ‘are interested in a deal’ to sign PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko and they are thought to have made an approach to the Dutch outfit to enquire about his availability this summer.

However, Bakayoko is not the only player on the list to replace Elanga, with Forest linked with a few more options out wide.

Nottingham Forest target new winger

It is certainly a frustrating situation that Forest find themselves in, having to replace Elanga this summer. However, the fee they are receiving is substantial, and allows them to sign a suitable replacement. Bakyoko is certainly not their only option.

In fact, according to journalist Greame Bailey, one of the players who Forest are considering to replace their number 21 is Ipswich Town star Omari Hutchinson.

Bailey explains that there is a ‘whole host of options out there’, but confirms that Hutchinson is one player the East Midlands side are considering.

At this stage, a price for the England U21 star has not been confirmed. However, given he cost the Tractor Boys £20m from Chelsea last summer, they would surely look to break even on the attacker, at the very least.

Why Hutchinson would be a good signing for Forest

At just 21 years of age, Hutchinson impressed in his first full season as a Premier League footballer. Once described as an “outstanding” player by football scout Antonio Mango, he would be an investment for both the present and future of Forest.

Last season, the versatile attacker, who has played for both Arsenal and Chelsea’s academies, played 31 times in the top flight for Ipswich. He bagged three goals and two assists, all of which came against some big sides, including both Chelsea and Manchester United.

Hutchinson was also a key member of England’s U21 European Championship-winning side last month under Lee Carsley. He played in all six games, including 98 minutes in the final against Germany, where he scored as England won 3-2 in extra time.

As a replacement for Elanga, there is no doubt that the Ipswich star would have a lot of work to do to match his numbers. The Sweden international managed six goals and 11 assists in 38 Premier League games last season.

However, there are similarities between the players, and Bakayoko, too, who managed 15 goals and assists last term.

Elanga and Hutchinson, in particular, are versatile and can play either flank or as a number 10. Bakayoko, too, is naturally a right winger.

The 21-year-old is naturally a left-footed player, and likes to cut inside on his strong foot when playing on the right-hand side. Just look at this goal he scored against Man United, picking up the ball in the right half-space, driving inside and firing home.

Indeed, the stats on FBref stack up well for Hutchinson against the other two players. For example, the Ipswich star stands out when looking at progressive numbers. Last season, he was averaging 1.57 passes into the final third per 90 minutes, more than Elanga’s 1.15 and Bakayoko’s 1.37 each game.

Key passes

1.08

1.80

2.60

Passes into final third

1.57

1.15

1.37

Progressive passes

2.61

2.27

3.60

Take-ons completed

1.78

0.90

2.69

Ball recoveries

3.83

3.20

2.49

Even though a price is not clear at this stage, a deal for Hutchinson could be a snart move for Forest. He has shown elite potential and versatility, and is already comparing well against Elanga and another of their targets in Bakayoko.

As far as an Elanga replacement goes, this could be a dream move for Forest this summer, and help them build for the present and the future.

Forget Fofana: Nottingham Forest could land instant Elanga upgrade for £34m

Nottingham Forest could replace Anthony Elanga with a current Premier League star

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 5, 2025

اعترف أسامة إدريسي، لاعب فريق باتشوكا، بأنهم لم يتوقعوا مثل تلك المباراة الصعبة التي خاضها أمام الأهلي، من أجل الوصول إلى نهائي كأس إنتركونتيننتال.

ويلتقي باتشوكا المكسيكي مع ريال مدريد، مساء الغد على ملعب “لوسيل” في قطر، في نهائي كأس إنتركونتيننتال، نسخة 2024.

وتأهل باتشوكا إلى تلك المباراة بعدما فاز على الأهلي المصري، بركلات الترجيح، يوم السبت الماضي، بعد انتهاء الوقت الأصلي والشوطين الإضافيين بالتعادل السلبي.

وقال أسامة إدريسي، في تصريحات للموقع الرسمي لـ فيفا: “التواجد في هذه المباراة النهائية أمر كبير للغاية بالنسبة للاعبين والمجلس والنادي والجماهير”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مدرب باتشوكا قبل مباراة ريال مدريد: التاريخ لن يلعب دورًا في نهائي إنتركونتيننتال.. ولن نمنح أنشيلوتي ما يريد

وأضاف: “من المثير للاهتمام دائمًا أن ترى أين أنت كلاعب كرة قدم، وأين أنت كفريق، وأن تتنافس ضد أحد أفضل الفرق في العالم، وأكبر نادٍ في العالم”.

وواصل: “أن تتنافس ضدهم هو أمر رائع لك كلاعب كرة قدم، وأن تحاول إظهار أفضل نسخة من نفسك، بكل تأكيد يمتلك ريال مدريد تاريخًا كبيرًا، ولاعبين يتمتعون بالكثير من الجودة والخبرة”.

وأردف: “كانت المباراة الأخيرة (ضد الأهلي) أثقل مما اعتدنا عليه، كانت هذه هي المرة الأولى هذا العام التي نلعب فيها 120 دقيقة، بالإضافة إلى ركلات الترجيح، لذلك كان لذلك تأثير كبير على التعافي”.

واستمر: “كنا سعداء حقًا بالحصول على يوم آخر للتعافي، لنكون جاهزين مرة أخرى للمباراة، كانت هذه أولويتنا القصوى، بالطبع نقوم بتحليل الخصم، وسنقوم بإجراء آخر جلسة تدريبية”.

وتابع: “اعتاد ريال مدريد على لعب مثل تلك المباريات، نحن نعلم أن كل لاعب في فريقنا يحتاج إلى تقديم 10 من 10 في أدائه الخاص، وكفريق نحتاج إلى تقديم أفضل أداء لدينا للحصول على نتيجة”.

واختتم: “لن تكون المهمة سهلة، لكن كرة القدم ممتعة، لا تعرف أبدًا ما قد يحدث، ولهذا السبب سنتنافس ونحاول الحصول على نتيجة”.

اختتمت مباريات الجولة الأولى من مواجهات المجموعة الثانية، لـ بطولة كأس الخليج 2024 “خليجي 26″، المقامة في الكويت، بعد فوز العراق على اليمن وانتصار البحرين أمام السعودية.

وانطلقت بطولة كأس الخليج “خليجي 26” مساء أمس السبت، وتستمر حتى 3 يناير 2025، بمشاركة 8 منتخبات.

وتضم المجموعة الثانية، ببطولة كأس الخليج “خليجي 26″، العراق والسعودية والبحرين واليمن.

وفي المباراة الأولى التي أقيمت اليوم الأحد، فاز منتخب العراق على اليمن، بهدف دون رد.

طالع | ترتيب المجموعة الثانية في كأس الخليج 2024 “خليجي 26” بعد فوز السعودية على اليمن

وفي المواجهة الثانية من المجموعة، حقق منتخب البحرين انتصارًا مثيرًا أمام السعودية، بنتيجة 3-2.

وبتلك النتائج، يتصدر منتخب البحرين ترتيب المجموعة الثانية، في بطولة كأس الخليج “خليجي 26” برصيد 3 نقاط، متساويًا معه العراق بنفس عدد النقاط، لكن الأفضلية في الأهداف لصالح منتخب البحرين. ترتيب المجموعة الثانية في كأس الخليج “خليجي 26”

1- البحرين – 3 نقاط.

2- العراق – 3 نقاط.

3- السعودية – بدون نقاط.

4- اليمن – بدون نقاط.

يمكنكم متابعة ترتيب مجموعات بطولة كأس الخليج 2024 “خليجي 26″، بشكل محدث باستمرار.. من هنا

Martin Williamson05-Dec-2005

A&C Black, 319pp rrp £22.50

I recently heard someone dismiss the C&G Cricket Year, now in its 24th year, as a poor man’s Wisden. That is has survived so long and continues to flourish should be an indication that it deserves respect in its own right. But aside from its English bias – coverage not writing – the similarities are few.I must confess that I was an avid reader of the book when it first came out – then it was under the sponsorship of Benson & Hedges – and the first ten or so issues were a perennial Christmas must-have. But then I drifted onto other things, and so I was interested to know what had become of the publication.What I enjoyed in the original was that it complemented Wisden. While the Almanack provided a mass of statistics and scorecards, the B&H put flesh on those bones. It reported in some depth on overseas matches – domestic games from the Caribbean to Pakistan and Australia warranted potted reports and an abundance of pictures. Armed with Wisden and the B&H, someone who wanted to know what had happened across the world just about had it all at his fingertips.A decade and a bit later, the world has moved on. The internet means that scores from the extremities are now almost instantly available, and even Wisden has taken the plunge and uses pictures liberally. But that very progress appears to have led to the C&G withdrawing back to its core audience. It is now unashamedly aimed at the UK market, with little more than passing coverage from elsewhere. Take Australia. Their whole year is given 12 pages, five of which are text, five scorecards of Tests, and VB Series potted scores so brief as to be, frankly, useless. It’s the same elsewhere.But the UK coverage is good. It presents a review of the English summer in a more colourful and less wordy format that the Almanack, and in time for the lucrative Christmas market – no mean feat given that that now almost drags on into October. The format of the book means that the layout is user friendly – the font can be read by people with anything other than hawk-like vision for one thing – and the lavish use of colour pictures really enhances the written word.But therein lies the other major gripe. Wisden does offer a high standard of writing, and its reputation means that it can attract the cream of the crop. The C&G, under the editorship of Jonathan Agnew, is far more limited, in terms of space and, I assume, budget. Agnew himself, aided by Mark Baldwin, contributes large swathes of the England pages, and does so effectively. But although there are some good essays dotted here and there – Charlie Austin (who is Cricinfo’s man in Sri Lanka) writes with first-hand experience of the effect of the tsunami – they are too few and far between to really satisfy those looking for something more than a quick ten-minute flick. Major issues which dominated English cricket – the Zimbabwe tour and the BSkyB TV deal, to name two – are given no more than a few lines in Agnew’s editorial.I was left with a feeling of not really knowing who this book is aimed at. When I first bought it, I remember thinking that I need it and Wisden to cover all the bases. I still need Wisden; the C&G is now no more than a welcome addition … but not a vital one. Times have moved on, and there is a suspicion that the C&G has not quite kept up.

A special Christmas version of our regular Monday column in which Steven Lynch answers your questions about (almost) any aspect ofcricket

Steven Lynch26-Dec-2005A special Christmas version of our regular Monday column in which Steven Lynch answers your questions about (almost) any aspect ofcricket:

Marcus Trescothick and Simon Jones were born on Christmas Day © Getty Images
Who is the most famous cricketer to have been born on ChristmasDay? asked Jenny Sturridge from Liverpool
The most famous Christmas Day baby in cricket terms is Clarrie Grimmett, thegreat Australian legspinner, who was actually born in New Zealand on December 25 in 1891. Although Grimmett was 33 before he made his Test debut, against England in 1924-25, he nonetheless became the first bowler ever to take 200 Test wickets, and by the time he retired he had 216 at 24.21, in only 37 matches. Someone who might one day knockGrimmett off this perch is MarcusTrescothick, the current England opener, who was born on Christmas Day 1975. Coincidentally Trescothick’s England team-mate Simon Jones was also born on Christmas Day, in 1978, while Alastair Cook, the exciting Essex batsman who was part of the recent England tour of Pakistan, was born on Christmas Day in 1984. Other prominent Test players born on the big day include Hedley Howarth of New Zealand and Pakistan’s Mansoor Akhtar. (For a full list see the All Today’sYesterdays of Dec 25.)Has Test cricket ever been played on Christmas Day? asked John Canning from London
The first time it happened was in 1951, when the third Test between Australia and West Indies at Adelaide finished on Christmas Day (the third day of the match). Actually West Indies completed their six-wicket win midway through the day, so the players might have been able to scoff some turkey after all. Sixteen years later, in 1967-68, it happened at Adelaide again – the second day of the first Australia-India Test. Farokh Engineer narrowly failed to score a festive century: he was out for 89. Two years later India met Australia on Christmas Day again, this time at Madras (Chennai). At Delhi in 1972 England completed a six-wicket win over India shortly after lunch on Dec 25. And in 1979, the fourth Test between India and Pakistan started on Christmas Day at Kanpur. Actually it was supposed to happen this year (2004) too – the original itinerary for India’s tour of Bangladesh included a Test match from Dec 23-27, but the dates were changed.Did Colin Cowdrey really make his highest Test score on his birthday? asked Dave Jackson
It wasn’t his highest Test score, but it was his highest score in first-class cricket, and it came during England’s 1962-63 tour of Australia. Colin Cowdrey scored 307 against South Australia at Adelaide, the last 63 of them on Christmas Eve (Dec 24, 1962), which was his 30th birthday. For many years after that Cowdrey drove round in a car sporting the number-plate MCC 307, representing his initials (his little-used first name was Michael) and that highest score.My favourite batsman when I was growing up was Rohan Kanhai, who I think was born on Boxing Day. Did he ever score a Test century on his birthday? asked Evander Sargent from Jamaica
Yes, Rohan Kanhai was a lovely batsman to watch, and he was indeed born on Boxing Day (in 1935). He never quite managed a Test hundred on his birthday, though – he did play in the Boxing Day Test against Australia at Melbourne in 1968-69, but only managed scores of 5 and 4. The nearest he came was actually in the course of his first Test century, against India at Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1958-59. That match started on December 31, 1958 – and by the end of the first day Kanhai had made 203 of his eventual 256, which remained his highest Test score.How long has there been a Boxing Day Test at Melbourne? asked Andy Simpson from Australia
As far as I can see the first one to start on Boxing Day at the MCG wasin 1968-69, when Australia beat West Indies by an innings in the match referred to above. Bill Lawry, a local man, enjoyed the idea so much he scored 205. The next one was in 1974-75, when England drew a close match, but it wasn’t until 1981-82 that the tradition really took off, after a thrilling Test between Australia and West Indies – one in which a rampaging Dennis Lillee reduced the Windies to 10 for 4 by the close on Boxing Day after Australia had been bowled out for 198. Since then, with a few exceptions, there has usually been a Test starting on Boxing Dayat Melbourne. In 1995-96 the traditional huge crowd saw Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan no-balled for throwing by the Australian umpire Darrell Hair.Why is it called Boxing Day anyway? asked Vishal from Mumbai
This one’s a bit out of my specialist area, but I’ll have a go anyway! Apparently it is so named after the custom of putting money in church boxes during the Christmas period, to be distributed on December 26 to the poor and needy. The “Did You Know” website adds: “It is thought that Boxing Day was first observed in the Middle Ages. It found renewedpopularity in the 19th Century, when the lords and ladies of England presented gifts in boxes to their servants on December 26 in appreciation of the work they had done over the Christmas celebrations.” In the best traditions of Christmas television, this column is a repeat: it’s an edited version of one that appeared here last year. Ask Steven will be on holiday next week, but normal service will resume on January 9, 2006. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Cricket in Jammu and Kashmir has struggled against the odds for decades, but with poster boy Abid Nabi ready to take the step up to the big league, things may be about to take a turn for the better

Nagraj Gollapudi05-Dec-2006

Abid Nabi is 20. He stands 6 feet 2 inches tall, has wide, strong shoulders, and wants to bowl fast. A year ago he caught Dennis Lillee’s attention at an MRF Pace foundation bowling camp. Lillee alerted Greg Chappell, and soon Nabi was bowling in the India nets.He is nippy, bowls with a smooth and clean action, and along with Punjab’s VRV Singh, who has already played for the country, he represents hope for Indian cricket in its quest for that ever-elusive species: the genuine fast bowler.But Nabi is not merely a fast-bowling prospect. He may not be aware of it, and may not want to contemplate the significance of it, but it is more than merely India’s fast-bowling hopes that are riding on his shoulders.Nabi is no ordinary cricketer. He represents Jammu and Kashmir, a state locked in a bloody conflict over identity, one where the concepts of patriotism and nationalism are shrouded in grey, and where overt allegiance to the Indian mainstream brings perils. For years Jammu and Kashmir has had only a token presence in the Ranji Trophy. No international match has been played in the state since 1986. Rains forced the abandonment of the fifth ODI of the India-New Zealand series in Jammu in 1988. No cricketer from the state has ever come close to being picked for India.Much depends on whether Nabi succeeds. It could potentially revive cricket in Kashmir. More importantly, he can be a bridge, a symbol. That cricket can heal was demonstrated by India’s historic tour to Pakistan in 2004. During that last international in Srinagar in 1986, the crowd cheered for the visiting side, Australia. Would they do the same if Nabi is part of the team?***Ghulam Nabi Ahanger, Nabi’s father, has always been a keen follower of cricket. In 1983, when international cricket came to Jammu and Kashmir for the first time, he bought a 50-rupee ticket to watch India play Clive Lloyd’s West Indies. But more than a decade later, when his son started showing a liking for the game, he tried to dissuade him.The Nabis, who come from fairly humble circumstances, felt there was no scope in taking sport seriously, especially in troubled times. “We thought then that education was the best option for our children,” Ahanger says over tea at the family’s three-storey house in Srinagar, which they share with three of Nabi’s maternal uncles and their families.In the beginning Nabi did not think of playing cricket for a living. But as encouragement came his way from his coach and senior team-mates, he began to dare to hope. “I became hopeful that I can become someone and get good things,” he says.In the limited opportunities he has found to play for his state, he has already made some strides. This season he narrowly missed out on a place in the Challenger Series teams and the North Zone Duleep Trophy squad.Bowling in the nets at Mohali, in the presence of his heroes, Nabi learned valuable lessons. “Every senior told me to look after my physical fitness, and that if I continued to work hard, I could get a chance anytime.”***Does Nabi’s ambition go against the grain of the local thinking in his state? Does it mark a departure from a way of life that is thought to be conditioned towards seeking azaadi from the Indian mainstream?

Ehsan Mirza, the treasurer at the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) doesn’t think so. Mirza’s family owns a successful carpet business, and Mirza also runs the popular Amateur Cricket Club (ACC), where Nabi, among others, plays. Mirza says that at this point in time he perceives no opposition to Nabi – or anyone else from the state – playing for India. “The state’s politics has never influenced JKCA matters,” he says.
Dar Yasin, who took the photographs that accompany this feature, quit playing cricket after a police encounter near where they were playing a Sunday match in the early 1990s left one dead. He thinks the common man is getting increasingly desperate to see a Kashmiri face in the Indian dressing room. “People have been complaining for a long time that nobody has been selected from Kashmir. There’ve been some good players, but they were rejected on the basis of being Kashmiri,” he says.Terrorism has ripped holes in the delicate fabric of Kashmir’s beauty. It has dried up investment and employment opportunities that may otherwise have come the state’s way. That India is taking its place as a global economic power is not lost on young Kashmiris, who are ready to take risks to better their lot.Samiullah Beigh, 20, a tall, upcoming fast bowler, and Nabi’s team-mate, thinks they can’t move forward by playing safe all the time. “If I want to be a great player, I have to sacrifice something.” Beigh is in his final year at engineering college, and aims to devote all his time to the game once he graduates.Mirza understands that if things don’t improve in the state’s cricket soon, youngsters will start looking elsewhere. “They are very ambitious and try to excel at everything they do,” he says. The Nabis are impatient too. They have gone through hardship, lived with fear – and continue to do so. Now there is hope, in the form of their son. They cherish dreams of the day when he finally plays for the country and makes Kashmir proud.Will Nabi live up to the expectations and turn into India’s next pace sensation? Only time will tell. For now, he is the poster boy of Jammu and Kashmir cricket and has become something of a benchmark.Nineteen-year-old Mohammed Mudasir, who started to take a serious interest in the game two years ago, and attended the MRF camp in 2006, says his parents are now asking him to work harder and follow Nabi’s example.Nabi understands the responsibilities of being a role model. Sitting on the grass at the picturesque Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium, he talks of how happy he feels when young cricketers approach him for advice. He himself hardly had the benefit of such inputs when he was rising through the ranks.***For every Nabi who makes it to the verge of the big time, there are dozens who fall by the way. The lush environs of Jammu and Kashmir have produced abundant talent, but it has often withered away for want of nurture.Players such as Abdul Qayyum Bagoo and Surinder Singh Bagal – who Sourav Ganguly once said was the fastest bowler he had faced – may not have become household names, but they did make it to the fringes of national selection. They may have gone all the way had they had support. Who knows what such talent would have achieved with proper guidance?”We were sidelined because we came from a weaker state,” says Idrees Gundroo, a Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler of the 1980s. “Had we got these opportunities now, as the board is giving these days, we would’ve made it to a decent level.” It is only now that the likes of Nabi have Farooq Abdullah, the JKCA President, throwing their weight behind them.Still, being a cricketer in Kashmir is hardly easy. The years of conflict have taken their toll. The JKCA has been reduced to a two-room office after the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) took over the complex. Cricketers have to walk past hoops of barbed wire that cordon off the association’s premises. CRPF jawans stand guard outside, not letting even officials and players in without identity cards.

Apart from the pitch at the Sher-i-Kashmir, which was once fast and is now flat, the entire Kashmir region doesn’t have a single turf wicket. Back in 1996, when after a seven-year lull some senior cricketers and JKCA officials came together to get cricket going at the stadium again, they found it difficult to locate the playing square under the grass, which had grown two-feet tall.Sher-i-Kashmir continues to languish: the wicket lies barren; the stands are the ones that were installed for the first time in 1983; the scoreboard is lost among the branches of the beautiful Chinar trees that circle the ground; there are no toilets or drainage facilities, no dressing room for the players, no showers. The B ground adjacent to the main one has two practice wickets, but both of cement.The JKCA says its hands are tied since nothing can be done without the army’s permission, even if it is the association that owns the land. Mirza says the JKCA has been asking the security forces to vacate the premises for the last six years in vain.As an alternative arrangement, Mirza has signed a contract with Kashmir University (KU) under which the JKCA will maintain and use the university’s two grounds for the next three years. A new turf wicket and two practice wickets have already been constructed at the KU grounds for the use of the ACC.It may be too little too late, though. Their patience wearing thin, the likes of Nabi and Beigh are now looking to play outside the state as much as possible. Nabi made his Times Shield debut this year in Mumbai. He thinks playing outside the state more “will fast-forward my development”.Says Beigh, “Earlier we used to play just for the sake of pride and honour and it was a big thing to play one match for the state. Now, after being at the MRF for four months, I am more hungry to prove myself on the national front. I never felt the other bowlers [at MRF] were any special.”If Nabi does eventually make it to the Indian side, he could be the harbinger of a new chapter in the history of Jammu and Kashmir cricket. “If we get one break – Nabi – then there will be a stream of players following him,” Mirza says. Abdul Majid Kakroo, the former India football captain, who played between 1981 and 1989, and once was on a terrorist hitlist, says sport can only help unite. “If Nabi goes on to play for India, it will silence the skeptics who feel that India treats Kashmir as an outsider.”As for Nabi himself, he only wants to take his state forward. Kashmir is the rabbit of Indian domestic cricket and Nabi aims to change that. “I want Jammu and Kashmir to move forward. Aage ka toh pata nahin (I don’t about what will happen in the future).”