In a move to grow interest in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the BCCI is set to act on a proposal to convert India’s domestic T20 championship to an inter-zonal competition

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jun-2016In a move to grow interest in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the BCCI is set to act on a proposal to convert India’s domestic T20 championship to an inter-zonal competition.The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is currently an inter-state tournament wherein the top two teams from four groups progress to to the second round, where sides are divided into two groups. The winners of their respective groups make the final.The revised structure would have the state teams divided zonally, and the best performers from a zone make up the zonal team to contest against other such sides. In addition to the five main zones – North, South, East, West and Central – a sixth team, comprising the best young players from all zones, will be selected to participate.BCCI president Anurag Thakur confirmed the development. “We discussed the issue at length during our fixtures committee Meeting. The endeavour is to make domestic cricket more engaging and viable,” Thakur told PTI. “With 1882 playing days, the BCCI has shown how serious we are about our domestic structure.”We have decided to have Ranji Trophy at neutral venue, Duleep Trophy with pink ball and now we are trying to make Mushtaq Ali more competitive by bringing in a zonal structure. The aim is to improve the quality of domestic cricket. We are trying to finalise details and senior officials will be putting a process in place.”The BCCI tours and fixtures committee had also previously recommended playing day-night games with the pink ball in the Duleep Trophy, the zonal first-class tournament, and playing at neutral venues in the Ranji Trophy, the country’s premier first-class competition.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed Chelsea haven't quite finalised the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as they still have to agree on details such as the length of his contract.

What's the latest Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino news?

It's widely understood and has been reported that the Argentine is now the clear favourite to take over from Frank Lampard at the end of the season.

Indeed, despite past links to the likes of Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann since Graham Potter was sacked, it sounds as though the Blues have finally landed their man.

However, while talking on the latest episode of the Here We Go podcast, Romano did explain that it's not quite been formalised just yet.

Even so, it doesn't sound as though there is any reason for Chelsea fans to panic, with most of the key details relating to the project agreed upon.

The journalist explained: “The agreement is really close. Now it's also about the contract. So why the deal is not in place or completely not announced yet [is] because they are working on the final crucial points of the contract.

"So now it's about the details of the contract. Because the main points of the project, they already discussed that and everything is almost ready between Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea.

"Now it's about the contract – length of the contract, clauses, these kinds of things. So the discussion is ongoing. We wait, but all sources are very confident on this appointment."

What's been said about Pochettino joining Chelsea?

This news of a deal with the 51-year-old not quite being wrapped up just yet might concern some supporters who must be desperate to have some sense of clarity over the manager's position at their club – especially amid the turgid form since Lampard took over as interim.

But with the Englishman hired to guide the Blues for the rest of the season, there's no rush for either Pochettino or Chelsea with regard to the finer details of his contract.

And so, by the sounds of it, once a few more specifics have been ironed out, the club will be able to officially announce the Argentine – though that could take a little while yet.

Pundit Gary Neville certainly seems to think it's a good move. He told The Overlap (via The Chelsea Chronicle) “I think he is a really talented coach. I think Chelsea next year could really surprise us. Pochettino will bring the club together because he will; he’s likeable, and the players will respect him enormously,”

“I think he’ll do a very, very good job next season. He’ll cover a lot of the stuff that’s going on behind the scenes is my prediction. If they get him, I think you’ll have a very good season next year.

“Those players are perfect for Pochettino; they are talented and young, but they just need direction.”

Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott will be available for the Reds' crunch Premier League clash with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, according to reliable journalist David Lynch.

How has Elliott done this season?

The Reds had another forgettable game in midweek away to Chelsea in a "tame" goalless stalemate. It meant more points were dropped in the battle for a top-four finish, while Newcastle United and Manchester United's wins on Wednesday night further hampered their chances.

Someone who played no part against the Blues was Elliott, who missed his first game of the season after making 41 appearances in 2022/23 to date.

The youngster was hailed as "exceptional" earlier in the season and has clearly been a favourite of Jurgen Klopp's given his increased playing time this term.

And in an update on his situation, there is positive news for the Merseysiders ahead of their weekend meeting with the Gunners.

Is Elliott fit for the Arsenal clash?

Taking to Twitter, Football Insider reporter David Lynch confirmed that Elliott was simply rested against Chelsea and will be in contention to start at home to Premier League leaders Arsenal this weekend:

"Harvey Elliott expected to return to the Liverpool squad for Sunday's meeting with Arsenal. No injury concern behind his omission against Chelsea – more a recognition of a remarkable 41-game workload so far this season."

This is an undoubted boost for Liverpool, with Elliott someone who hasn't necessarily been perfect this season, but has contributed more than many struggling midfielders, registering two league assists – which is as many as Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and James Milner combined. At 19, he is already playing with a maturity beyond his years, scoring twice in the Champions League and also averaging one tackle per game in Europe's premier club competition.The Englishman deserves to come back into the side against Arsenal, with his guile capable of opening up the visitors' defence, as highlighted by 11 assists on loan at Blackburn Rovers back in 2020/21. He also boasts seven goal contributions this term, having had three in his senior Liverpool career at the start of this campaign.If Thiago is fit, it could make the most sense to start the Spaniard and Elliott in the No 8 roles, with either Fabinho or Henderson anchoring the midfield. The latter pair have been panned for their poor seasons, and if their lacklustre displays continue, starting both together could be a huge issue against a Gunners side brimming with confidence as they continue their title tilt.

There is also an argument to say that Elliott's lack of physicality and 5-foot-7 frame could be an issue on the day up against Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka, who both top six feet. However, as mentioned, we think Elliott merits a starting berth more than others, especially after getting a rest in midweek.

Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club will host its first Test in almost five years when New Zealand tour Zimbabwe in July-August 2016. The venue is scheduled to host both Tests on the tour, which start on July 28 and August 6 respectively.The last Test played at the Queens Sports Club was also between Zimbabwe and New Zealand, in November 2011, and was a thriller which New Zealand won by 34 runs.Since then, Harare Sports Club has been the preferred venue for Zimbabwe’s home Tests, mostly because of financial considerations. With most of Zimbabwe’s players based in Harare and most international flights landing in Harare, accommodation and transport costs are minimised by staging matches there.In 2013, Bangladesh were due to play a Test in Bulawayo after their Harare fixture but, in a cost-cutting measure, the second game was staged in Harare as well. Moreover, at the time, Queens Sports Club was understood to have been so poorly maintained that it would not have been ready to host a Test.The ground has since hosted 17 ODIs, including matches against Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan and South Africa, and four T20s. It will also host the second of two four-day games between South Africa A and Zimbabwe A prior to the New Zealand tour.New Zealand are due to spend a significant part of the next two months in southern Africa. They are holding a camp in Johannesburg from July 11, before traveling to Zimbabwe on July 20. They will play a three-day warm-up match and two Tests there as well as two Tests in South Africa.

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani is expecting his next Manchester United offer to be accepted, according to The Guardian.

What’s the latest Man United takeover news involving Jassim?

Jassim has made two bids for the Premier League giants so far, with the latest coming last month after initially missing the deadline. The Qatari banker’s revised offer was thought to be a world-record figure at more than £5bn, but as we know, he is yet to receive the green light to proceed with a takeover.

The Glazers have now scheduled a third and final round of bids, with a deadline set for next Friday. Sky Sports have reported that Jassim remains committed to taking full control at Old Trafford, and it looks as if he is confident of doing just that despite recent reports suggesting the Glazers could stay as majority owners by securing outside investment.

The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson shared an Old Trafford update regarding Jassim on Tuesday, stating that he ‘remains confident he will succeed with his bid to buy Manchester United’.

He believes his offer, which would be debt free, will be accepted, whereas Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s bid would include borrowing.

Down to the Glazers…

As mentioned, the Glazers feel they could stay in Manchester and look to double the value of the club over the next ten years by bringing in investment. The likes of Ares Management Corporation, The Carlyle Group, Elliot Investment Management and Sixth Street Partners all want a stake in the Red Devils, but Jassim is seemingly upbeat about the chances of a full takeover.

His next offer will more than likely need to reach the Glazers’ £6bn asking price to stand a chance of a takeover going through over the coming months. We should find out more over the coming weeks, but with time ticking, Jassim may be looking to get things done quickly in order to help Erik ten Hag in the transfer market.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said that Bangladesh was the only country to oppose the proposed two-tier Test structure when it was discussed during the ICC’s annual conference in Edinburgh

Mohammad Isam03-Jul-2016BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said that Bangladesh was the only country to oppose the proposed two-tier Test structure when it was discussed in the chief executive’s committee (CEC) meeting last week during the ICC’s annual conference in Edinburgh. He said a decision on the matter was likely to come down to a vote by the Full Members, adding that it wouldn’t be “easy” to have it passed in the ICC.”Bangladesh was the only country to oppose this idea in the [CEC] meeting, where we explained our position,” Hassan said. “But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who has opposed it and who hasn’t. The decision will be taken through a vote, so if one or two do not vote, it doesn’t really matter. But I don’t think it will be easy get this passed at the ICC. The issue isn’t so [simple]. It is a tough process.”BCB vice-president Mahbubul Anam, and directors Ahmed Sajjadul Alam and Tanjil Chowdhury, had said last month that they were against such a system being implemented in Test cricket. Should it be implemented, Bangladesh, who are ranked ninth, are likely to slip into Division Two of Test cricket.According to the ICC’s press release at the end of the annual conference, members were updated on the progress being made on the two-tier idea during the CEC meeting. It was proposed that a workshop be scheduled in early September in Dubai, to facilitate discussion between members on this project and to work through some of the details.ICC chief executive David Richardson said that the new structure would make the game more competitive. “This is an unprecedented opportunity for our sport to introduce … structures which are merit and performance based, have context, enhance the value of bilateral cricket, and create a highly competitive environment for cricketers.”This is a complex issue on many levels, but I am heartened by the progress that has been made to date and during these meetings.”

The WICB has agreed to release captain Jason Holder, Darren Bravo, Carlos Brathwaite, Devendra Bishoo, and Denesh Ramdin for the Caribbean Premier League, starting June 30

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jun-2016The WICB has agreed to release captain Jason Holder, batsman Darren Bravo, allrounder Carlos Brathwaite, legspinner Devendra Bishoo, and wicketkeeper-batsman Denesh Ramdin for the Caribbean Premier League, starting June 30, which is four days after the tri-series final in Barbados. They can remain with their franchises until July 11, ten days before West Indies’ first Test against India in Antigua.WICB announced a confirmation of the India tour last December, but they released the full itinerary only last week. A possible clash of dates with the CPL had been one of the main reasons for the delay.According to the WICB policy, the head coach and the national selectors had final say in determining whether their players would be free to participate in the CPL. It is understood that head coach Phil Simmons had no objections with his men playing the tournament’s initial stages, provided they returned in time to prepare for the four Tests against India, which are the only Tests in West Indies’ home season.Damien O’Donohoe, the CPL chief executive, welcomed the WICB’s decision and said that the players’ availability would would be a “tremendous boost”.”Our thanks to the West Indies Cricket Board, coach and chairman of selection committee for facilitating the release of the players for the opening weeks of the CPL,” he said. “It’s a tremendous boost for the competition and I have no doubt that each of the players will be motivated to add great value to their squads.”Ramdin, who is part of the onging tri-series against South Africa and Australia, was announced as the replacement for injured fast bowler Fidel Edwards, for St Lucia Zouks. Edwards had suffered a fractured ankle in the lead up to the final day of Hampshire’s County Championship match against Yorkshire at Headingley in April.

Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford has echoed the sentiments of opener Dimuth Karunaratne, suggesting his team’s approach to the series has been less than ideal.Sri Lanka played two practice matches against Essex and Leicestershire in the weeks before the first Test, but Karunaratne said the opposition attacks had not sufficiently prepared Sri Lanka for facing England’s bowlers. Essex and Leicestershire are Division Two county sides, and in any case had not fielded their best XIs for the encounter. In contrast, teams visiting Sri Lanka generally play a strong Board XI side, usually featuring players on the fringe of the Test team.”All of you would appreciate that facing Anderson and Broad at Headingley is as tough as it gets,” Ford said. “I think the Leicester attack was all second-teamers. Essex had a couple of first-teamers and they bowled quite well. The step I think was quite a shock to our lads.”Ford, who coached Surrey in their past two county seasons, said he understood the challenges facing counties asked to provide practice opposition to visiting teams.”I guess ideally it would have been better if we had one or two more games. Maybe the first one we start off at a gentle pace and play against a county team, and then you play against opposition that’s close to international standards. But cricket is so busy these days, and I fully appreciate that the county season is hectic. I don’t think it’s ideal, but we have to make the most of what we get.”Sri Lanka have several selection decisions to make before naming their XI for the Test, with the pace attack substantially depleted, and at least three batsmen contending for the No. 7 batting position. One of those batsmen, Kusal Perera, said he felt “in good touch” after returning to training following a five-month hiatus, and Ford felt Perera would be up to playing at Lord’s if required. The batsman had resumed training on May 13, and had only arrived in England on June 4, owing to visa delays. He is highly unlikely to take the gloves at Lord’s.”It is a test for Kusal, having been out of cricket for as long as he has,” Ford said. “It’s not going to be easy but he is an extremely classy player. Classy players sometimes find a way even if they have been out of the team. Maybe it takes a little bit of luck just to get themselves in, but if he gets in, he is a special player.”I would have no problem selecting him. Each day he’s trained, he’s hit the ball better. I’m sure he’s up for it. In a way with everything that has gone on in his life mentally, he might really be up for getting out there and performing well. From here on he’ll appreciate every day that he gets on the field. If he gets a chance to make a comeback at the greatest venue in the world, I’m sure he’ll be grabbing it with both hands.”On the bowling front, Sri Lanka have four seamers on tour, of which three are likely to play at Lord’s. Complicating the decision is the cloud over Shaminda Eranga’s action. He was reported for a suspect action following the second Test, and underwent a biomechanical test at Loughborough on Monday. He is free to play until the results are made public – probably in the next fortnight. Ford suggested Sri Lanka were unlikely to allow the doubts over his action affect selection.”I think Eranga has worked so hard through the tour and bowled reasonably well,” he said. “So until such time as the result comes out and we know one way or another, I think we’ve got to treat everything as normal and get on with it. I think we’ve given him enough support as far as the mental side of things is concerned. So he certainly will be considered for selection.”If Sri Lanka choose to make changes to their attack, 29-year-old left-armer Chaminda Bandara is in line for a Test debut. Bandara had also arrived on June 4, but may provide versatility to the seam attack, not just with the left-arm angle, but also by bringing the ball in to right-handed batsmen.”Bandara gives us something completely different,” Ford said. “I think one of the criticisms we had of the attack is that they are all fairly similar – similar pace, right arm, and generally trying to shape it out a bit. There’s no real variation in the pace unit. He’s something for us to consider – to throw in something different.”

Journalist Aidan Macdonald has praised Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley for his "phenomenal" display in the Scottish Cup.

What's the latest on Matt O'Riley and Celtic?

The Bhoys were hoping to progress into the final of the competition as they met Old Firm rivals Rangers at Hampden Park on Sunday lunchtime.

It was a hard-fought encounter, but in the end, Ange Postecoglou and co came away with the victory thanks to a single goal.

Indeed, late on in the first half, Michael Beale's side men suffered a lapse in concentration which allowed Daizen Maeda to steal the ball in a dangerous area and find Jota with an inch-perfect cross.

The Portuguese winger made it 1-0 with a fine header and that's how the match finished. Rangers will no doubt be disappointed with the result but in O'Riley they came up against a midfielder who was on top of his game.

This was certainly noted by Macdonald who gave the 22-year-old an 8/10 player rating for the Glasgow Times.

The football writer also added: "The Dane had a phenomenal afternoon in the middle of the park. He dictated play for the 65 minutes he was on the pitch. Some of his passing and touches were that of a top-level player. Ultimately he was replaced by Aaron Mooy."

How good was Matt O’Riley against Rangers?

It's safe to say Macdonald wasn't the only one impressed by the efforts of the young midfielder on the day.

Indeed, freelance journalist Ryan McGinlay took to Twitter to lavish the praise on the Dane, saying: "Matt O’Riley has been absolutely sublime so far."

Adding to that, Ryan McDonald noted how the player put in one of his best recent performances, handing him a 7/10 in the Scotland Football player ratings and writing: "The midfielder hasn't been at his best this season but put in a combative shift in the middle of the park."

All in all, it seems everyone is in agreement, this was a fine outing for the midfielder as he helped the Bhoys continue on their hunt for major silverware.

They have already won the Scottish League Cup – beating Rangers too – and look destined to win the SPFL, so this could be a season which ends with a treble should they go one step further having now reached the final of the Scottish Cup.

Not at all a bad season for 22-year-old O’Riley and his Celtic teammates.

YouTuber Conor McGilligan has slammed the Leeds United board and Victor Orta amid the "complete embarrassment" of the Jean-Kevin Augustin transfer saga.

What's the latest on Leeds and Jean-Kevin Augustin?

While the Whites have plenty to worry about on the pitch having suffered a demoralising 5-1 Premier League defeat to relegation rivals Crystal Palace on the weekend, the picture doesn't look any prettier off it.

Indeed, after years of issues, it now seems as though the club are set to be hit with a massive bill for a deal that happened in 2020.

Indeed, Leeds initially agreed to a January loan deal for Augustin with an alleged obligation to buy him from Red Bull Leipzig for £18m if promotion was achieved.

While the club went into the Premier League, the striker saw just 48 minutes of action and ultimately the club didn't make the transfer permanent.

However, in a new ruling, the Whites must now pay Augustin £24.5m after being found to have breached the player’s contract by not completing the deal (via The Athletic).

Amid this mess, McGilligan took to Twitter to voice his immense frustration at sporting director Orta who was in charge of the deal, saying: "For people who defend the cheap deals this guy has made, fair enough.

"But the ridiculous transfer fees we have paid this last 3/4 years on players – massively outweighs any bargain we have got through the door.

"This alone is a complete embarrassment."

How much will Leeds have to pay for Jean-Kevin Augustin?

As mentioned above, the Whites will now potentially have to pay the player £24.5m – although the club have actually appealed against the decision.

This is made clear in The Athletic article which also points out that the player could have been entitled to a five-year contract on a reported €90,000 per week (about £80k-p/w) deal had the obligation been taken up – which may explain that high fee now owed.

What's more, the club also had to pay a £15.5m settlement with Leipzig last year, having previously lost their case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

So in total, the club could have to fork out a combined figure in the region of £40m to finally put this whole fiasco to bed.

Seeing as Leeds signed Georginio Rutter just last January for what was thought to be a club-record £35.5m transfer, it now looks as though Augustin could actually take that crown despite having only ever played three times for the Whites.