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Hampshire Under-19 captain Steven Snell has just returned from a two-week World Cricket Academy trip to Mumbai, where he was coached by Indian left-arm spin legend Bishen Bedi.Snell, 19, spent a gruelling fortnight in the nets at the Cricket Club of India, concentrating on improving his batting against spin and keeping wicket.”We had five or so former Indian Test cricketers coaching us and working with Bedi was quite phenominal,” Snell said.”We trained every morning and afternoon, and I did pretty well in the two games the WCA team won.”I got 36 off 29 balls against Bombay Gymkhana and managed a 33 not out against the Cricket Club of India.”Snell, who played in Havant’s ECB Southern Electric Premier League championship winning side last season, hopes his overall game will have benefitted when he returns for his second year on the MCC Young Cricketers staff at Lord’s.”I believe my game has improved by at least 20 per cent for the experience.”Playing on wickets that had so much spin was certainly an eye-opener,” he added.

Indian cricket team manager Chetan Chauhan feels the Zimbabwe tour hadbeen a very good learning experience for some of the young playersdespite the team’s failure to win either the Test series or thetriangular one-day tournament.India had to be content with a 1-1 draw in the two-Test series withZimbabwe and lost to West Indies in the final of the triangular oneday tournament after winning all their league matches quitecomprehensively. However, Chauhan said it was not a disappointing tourand the team was looking at the positive aspects of it."We drew the Test series one all and then in the one dayers, we wonthe league matches quite comfortably, but went down fighting to theWest Indians in the final,” Chauhan told reporters after the team’sarrival here from Zimbabwe early on Monday morning.”I personally feel this tour has done lot of good for youngsters likeopening batsmen Shiv Sundar Das, who won the man of the series in theTest matches, medium pacers Ashish Nehra, Harvinder Singh, DebashishMohanty, all-rounder Reetinder Singh Sodhi and wicketkeeper SamirDighe,” Chauhan said.”Unfortunately, we had one bad day and the West Indians grabbed theopportunity fully and I would like to give credit to the West Indianbatsmen for the way they played and also to the Indians for the waythey fought till the end, losing by just 16 runs,” he said.Asked if the Indians were over-confident after recording easy wins inthe league matches, Chauhan said, “Not at all. In fact, we discussedat length the strategy for the final. But I can only say that the WestIndies batsmen applied themselves very well and did not allow us tomake early breakthroughs like we did in the league stages. They playedgood cricket on that particular day and scored 291 which I thought wasa bit too much in the end for us though our players fought well tillthe end,” he said.Chauhan admitted that reports of drug abuse had upset the players butsaid it did not affect their performance.”Some players whose name figured in the article were very upset.However, I spoke to them and they seemed to be alright. It is a commonpractice for the players to take energisers in public view and theseenergisers are supplied by the host nations,” he added.

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Tottenham Hotspur fans have cast doubt on a story linking them with a move for Paraguayan youngster Julio Cesar Torres.

Sport Witness have reported that Torres – whom reportedly plays for Blooming de Santa Cruz – could be set to link up with Spurs’ reserve squad.

Per the report, the player’s agent, Gonzalo Anciar, has claimed that the deal is initially a loan, with an option to buy at the end of the season.

A picture doing the rounds on the internet appears to show Torres signing a contract with the club, according to the Sport Witness report.

Anciar is also said to have claimed that a number of English clubs have made offers for his client, who has ultimately chosen to move to north London.

Fans, though, are doubtful over the deal, particularly given the obvious difficulty in Spurs obtaining a work permit for a player from South America, particularly one who does not appear to be playing regularly.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

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Add to that the fact that Tottenham have not signed a new player since January 2018, when they secured the better-known Lucas Moura from PSG, and the picture appears all the fuzzier.

Take a look at some of the best reaction on Twitter below!

Monty Panesar could return to Northamptonshire as he looks to revive his career, with the possibility that the ECB will contribute to his wages.When Panesar was released by Essex at the end of the 2015 season it appeared his career might be over. Despite his relative youth at the age of 33 and obvious talent – he has taken 167 wickets in his 50 Tests – many in the game were jaded by his erratic behaviour. Both his previous clubs, Essex and Sussex, dropped him due to disciplinary issues.But with a five-Test series in India looming towards the end of 2016, England are not in a position where they can ignore such a talent. So with Panesar having admitted he required professional help and committed to sticking with the programme of treatment and personal development devised by Neil Burns, the MD of London County Mentoring, and termed by him as “inner fitness,” the ECB is considering offering Panesar a lifeline in the game.Panesar emerged through the youth system at Bedfordshire and Northants and played some of his best cricket for the club. But he lost his central contract at a time when Northants were committed to the signing of Nicky Boje and, with the club struggling to fulfil his salary expectations, he was allowed to leave for Sussex at the end of the 2009 season.That moved was, initially, successful for both parties. Panesar delivered a heavy volume of overs and won a recall to the England side in 2012. But then personal problems intervened and he was released from the club towards the end of the 2013 season.A move back to Northamptonshire appeals for several reasons. Not only would enable him to live close to his family in Luton and benefit from their stabilising influence, but it is close to the Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) he attends in Coventry.While Northants’ straitened financial circumstances might be expected to preclude a high-profile signing, ESPNcricinfo understands that the player’s salary could be paid, either in part or entirely, by the ECB. The ECB, mindful of Panesar’s potential and keen to encourage greater engagement with Asian communities, also contributes to the salary of Wasim Khan, the CEO at Leicestershire, and paid a portion of Panesar’s salary at Essex. The PCA and private sponsors arranged by Burns could also contribute.One potential sticking point is the presence of Graeme White at Northants. The 28-year-old is also a left-arm spinner and, having waited a long time for an opportunity, is well respected at the club. Panesar’s return could require Northants to re-consider the balance of their side and possibly play two spinners. The precedent is there from the past when Panesar and Swann operated in tandem. Jason Brown and Michael Davies also represented the club in a period when the attack sometimes included three spinners.Another is Panesar’s preference to play Division One cricket. But while he would rather play at the higher level, it currently seems there are few clubs with either the space in the squad or the inclination to accommodate him. Northants, where his career first flourished, could yet be the scene of its revival.Panesar, who recently underwent shoulder surgery, hopes to start bowling again in January and is planning on spending February in Cape Town as he picks up his rehabilitation. He has recently gained an ECB Level 2 coaching certificate and will work on gaining the Level 3 ahead of the new season.”Monty has made significant progress since the middle of last summer,” Burns told ESPNcricinfo, “and I expect him to be close to his best once his minor shoulder operation completes the healing process through December so he is fit to bowl in January.”I am full of admiration for the way in which he has confronted his issues. He has been overwhelmed by the support he has received of late and he is now well-placed to play the best cricket of his career.”I’ve always said that better people play better cricket and there is still magic in those fingers. His best cricket really could be in front of him.”

Fears over the future of Clontarf, in Dublin, as a one-day international venue have been eased with confirmation that existing grounds which have been approved don’t come under the new rulings regarding boundary sizes.At the recent ICC meetings in London it was decided to set new minimum requirements for the boundaries of international grounds. The new requirement is 65 yards for square boundaries and a minimum straight boundary of 70 yards.Clontarf wouldn’t have been able to meet these new sizes, but an ICC spokesman said: “Whereas the boundary sizes have been increased existing grounds and grounds currently under construction, such as the Dubai Stadium, are exempt.”However, the new regulations would appear to rule out Eglinton as a future ODI venue, whose playing area is below the minimum requirements. Bready Cricket Club are currently developing a new ground which they hope will become the North West venue for hosting international games.

While the Stanford 20/20 continues to roll merrily along, Bermuda have returned home with their tails between their legs after a humiliating nine-wicket defeat against Jamaica.Gus Logie, the Bermuda coach, initially declined to answer questions but he later spoke candidly. “Let’s start off by saying that we were playing against a very, very good Jamaican side with a lot of Test players in it,” he said. “But we didn’t execute the way we should have and it is very disappointing for us to lose like that. The players are capable of a lot more and let themselves down badly.”There has to be a quantum leap in improvement. We got a lesson from a very good team but it showed the gap between some of the best players in the world and ourselves. And it reinforced what I have said all along, which is that without the time to work with the team, it is going to be hard to make the improvements we need.”I was impressed by the youngsters and the way they played. They did the right sort of things, rotated the players and did the things we talked about. They were never going to provide the big hits and the fast runs but they showed promise. It was a shame they were let down by their senior colleagues.”Perhaps the most stinging condemnation came with post-match jibes about the fitness of the side, and the size of some players was noted by TV commentators. “We can’t lock the guys down for weeks and tell them what to do, and when and what to eat,” Logie shrugged. “We are working with the nutritionists and the players have to take the responsibility to look after themselves and work on their fitness. That is not something we can do for them.”When I took over this team, I saw the size of the players and that is something we have to work with. I do not expect these players to shrink overnight and be able to run like gazelles but we have to make the most of what we have. If our mobility isn’t going to be superb then we have to look at ways round that, like the Indians have had to do in the past. You then have to look at technique and have to look at better awareness in the field.”Bermuda’s public expect more in the light of the government’s $11 million investment in the side ahead of the World Cup. But performances have continued to disappoint and the pressure is starting to mount on players and backroom staff.

Lancashire’s joy at reaching the semi-finals of the Twenty20 Cup was shortlived as Essex taught them a lesson in the 40-over format, winning by eight wickets at Old Trafford. Batting first after winning the toss, Lancashire limped to a below-par 154 for 8, and were well beaten with more than seven overs to spare. Iain Sutcliffe topscored with 54 and Mark Chilton anchored the remainder of the innings with 48 not out, but Sajid Mahmood, the No. 10, was the only other batsman to reach double figures as Essex’s spinners, led by Danish Kaneria (3 for 24) scythed through the innings. In reply, Grant Flower made 66 in even time and Ravinder Bopara completed the job with 45 not out. James Anderson, with 2 for 36, was the pick of Lancashire’s attack.

Stuart Law smashed a quickfire 75, which helped Queensland pull off a thrilling win © Getty Images

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New South Wales, the defending one-day champions, have only a mathematical chance of playing in the limited-overs final after Queensland pulled off a remarkable 25-run win at the Gabba. Defending a modest total of 229, the Queensland bowlers bowled NSW out for 204 in the 48th over. The loss left NSW with 14 points, nine behind second placed Victoria. Queensland lead the table with 22 points, with two matches to play.It was a stunning Queensland fightback after NSW got away to a flying start thanks to the clean-hitting of opener Phil Jaques (61 off 67). But from 1 for 89 in the 17th over, they lost a steady stream of wickets as the bowlers, led by Michael Kasprowicz (3 for 38) and James Hopes (3 for 34), tightened the screws.The pivotal moment came when Ashley Noffke produced a brilliant run-out off his own bowling to dismiss Mark Waugh (20 off 28) when the score was 5 for 158 in the 38th over. Mark had steadied the ship after brother Steve (16) had been caught behind off James Hopes. Hopes fittingly produced the final act by bowling Doug Bollinger with the first ball of the 48th over.That the match could be played out over almost the full 100 overs was testament to the efforts of the ground staff after a frightening electrical storm lashed the Gabba midway through Queensland’s innings, the highlight of which was an 83-ball 75 by Stuart Law. At 2 for 130, Queensland were on track to register an imposing score before the storm caused a 76-minute delay.Once play resumed, after the massive puddles drained away, NSW duo Stuart MacGill (2 for 28) and Stuart Clark (3 for 43) sparked off a collapse. Queensland lost their last eight wickets for 99 runs, including four wickets for only 12 runs a five-overs spell. It was triggered by Craig Philipson’s run out when his bat jammed in the wet grass when sliding for a quick single.Clark and MacGill built pressure from both ends and it was only the fine rearguard efforts of Nathan Hauritz (26 off 29) which got Queensland past 200. Law provided the initial fireworks by belting eight fours and a straight six to continue his rich vein of one-day form.

Any team containing both Flowers is virtually unbeatable in Zimbabwean cricket, certainly over the long haul. Midlands, if they had ever forgotten it, found out again to their cost at Kwekwe Sports Club, where they lost to Mashonaland, by eight wickets and with almost five overs to spare, after running up a total of over 300.Craig Wishart, with 121, led the way when Midlands batted first, finally turning useful small innings into something substantial. He received good support from the top order, with Terry Duffin scoring 28, Travis Friend 49 and Doug Marillier 18. After his departure Sean Ervine hit a lightning unbeaten fifty, scoring 54 off just 28 balls, and the final total was an imposing 306 for five.Grant Flower alone of the regular bowlers conceded less than five an over, but Mashonaland were handicapped by the loss of captain Brian Murphy, able to bowl only one over before injuring his hand.Midlands began their fielding spell well, dismissing both Mashonaland openers for just 31. But a match is never won until both Flowers had been dismissed, and Midlands were unable to remove either. Both hit unbeaten centuries, at better than a run a ball, and tore the bowling attack to ribbons in an unbroken partnership of 279. So dominant were they that they still had 28 balls to spare when the winning runs were scored.With Manicaland losing in Bulawayo, Mashonaland were crowned the inaugural Faithwear One-Day Series champions, winning five of their matches, against three each by Matabeleland and Manicaland.

Leicestershire stayed on top of the Norwich Union League by retaining their 100 per cent First Division record against one of the chasing countiesBatting second for the fifth successive game, the Foxes continued their winning habit by overhauling Warwickshire’s total of 221 for 7 to win by five wickets with 12 balls to spare.In another example of their ability to withstand pressure, Ben Smith and Darren Maddy retrieved a desperate-looking situation at 132 for 5 and turned the match round with an unbroken partnership of 90 in only 11 overs.Warwickshire had one chance to break the stand but Neil Smith, tracking round the long-on perimeter, could only help the ball over the rope as Maddy (37 ) charged along in support of Smith’s unbeaten 65 from 59 balls.In contrast, Leicestershire’s early struggle had been due to exceptional catching, first when Vasbert Drakes took a one-handed effort at mid-off from Vince Wells and again when Dominic Ostler twisted backwards to hold a drive from Daniel Marsh at long off.