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The trial of Mark Vermeulen, the former Zimbabwe Test player charged with arson attacks on the Zimbabwe cricket association’s boardroom and training academy, has been adjourned after the prosecution failed to produce vital video evidence.Vermeulen, 27, who played the last of his eight Test matches in 2004, is charged with two counts of arson and if convicted faces 25 years in prison. He is accused of first trying to torch the association’s boardroom at the Harare Sports Club in late October and then burning down the pavilion at the training academy the following day.His trial is now set for February 7 after his defence lawyer, David Dhumbura, outlined the problems in a letter to the court. He wrote: “To date we still have not received a copy of the video footage on indications made by [the] client.”He went onto say that the delay had meant they had been unable to prepare the defence case in time for the December 6 hearing. “This is a serious and sensitive matter, we cannot afford ill-preparation. The liberty of our client is at immense risk.”Dhumbura said Vermeulen required expert medical examination and added: “We will be seeking a medical report from Australia which will describe the effects of a serious skull fracture which our client sustained in January 2004 [during the VB series].”Vermeulen was also examined by a local psychiatrist and a psycho-analyst who had both indicated they would only be able to provide comprehensive reports after December 8.Dhumbura applied for Vermeulen to be allowed to play cricket at any venue other than Harare Sports Club or Country club. The Magistrate William Bhila deferred the trial to next year and relaxed Vermeulen’s bail conditions from reporting daily to the police to once a week.

Sourav Ganguly: will there be a repeat of Lord’s 1996? © Getty Images

Sourav Ganguly, the deposed Indian captain, says he will treat his comeback to the Indian squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka, at Chennai on December 2, as if it was his first Test match.”If I get a chance against Sri Lanka, I will give my best as I did in my first Test, and try to do well,” Ganguly told a TV channell in what was his first reaction to being selected. “One is always happy at representing the country, be it your first Test, the 50th or 100th, as it is a great honour.”Ganguly also added that he was expecting to be named in the squad as he “had a good tour of Zimbabwe”. Admitting that his experience would be valuable while making a comeback, Ganguly, however, said one learns something new every day. “Even someone playing his 100th Test would say that he could still improve. We have new experiences every day and new results and situations confront us while batting and bowling.”Ganguly even admitted that playing domestic cricket had benefitted him. “Obviously, the more cricket one plays, the better one gets.”

Andrew Leipus: ‘It’s a pity that I won’t be around for Sachin’s 35th hundred’© AFP

With a bowler, you can ask how many wickets, with a batsman, how many runs. With a coach you can ponder the win-loss record. But, how do you judge a physio? Injuries come and go, striking even fittest of cricketers in the freakiest circumstances. It’s never easy to judge how well a physio is doing his job. Yet, if the players he trains, and the coach he works with, have a decent comfort level, that’s always a good sign. With Andrew Leipus, who is leaving the Indian team at the end of the Bangladesh tour after five years on the job, there’s no doubt how the team feels.”Andrew [Leipus] has been outstanding,” says John Wright, fulsome in his praise. “He is a thorough professional but I think the biggest thing about him is his work ethic. He is going to be very hard to replace; you don’t find too many Andrews around. You try and put good people around you and he is definitely one of those people.”Leipus, though pleased to hear Wright’s comments, is modest. “I’m flattered he says that, we have grown to become a bit of a family. Obviously you spend so much time with people that you develop relationships and get good understanding of how each of us operate. We know the little quirks, when to back off and when to approach each other. It will be tough when someone else takes over, but it’s life, no one is irreplaceable, ultimately.”When Leipus first began, in late 1999, he was able to quickly adjust to India and her people because he had already visited the country before, as a backpacker, with his girlfriend. “I think it really helped me to be honest; I knew the culture, I knew the country and I knew what to expect. It wasn’t a huge culture shock; it’s not like I got out of the plane and then have a central shock,” he says. “I had seen India from the trains, buses, tuk-tuks and stayed in guest lodges so I experienced it from the ground level. Obviously at the other end of the spectrum I am standing with heroes and superstars of Indian society so I have seen probably both ends of the spectrum.”But what was harder to get used to was the media attention his job received. Every injury fuelled speculations and rumours. “I never expected that much attention when I first got here,” he reflects. “Nowhere else in the world does the physio get that much attention from the media. You get periods when you get a bit of injury or something happens and you rest a player then the media sort of jumps on the story; it’s a story and I know you are doing your job.”We are trying to keep the injury sort of quiet for whatever reason from the gamesmanship point of view that becomes a bit of problem. I get a bit of annoyed when there is too much going behind the scenes. Those are tough times; obviously when you are under the pump and there are a few injuries and the media is jumping on, asking ‘is Leipus doing his job?’ that’s tough but generally, I have had a decent relationship with the media. I respect you guys for your job; it’s a very tough job to do. You’ve a harder job than me, I think.”But if doing the job as Indian physio was hard, deciding to give it up was harder. “It wasn’t easy, it was probably a tough decision to make; chuck the best job in the world and try and do something different,” he says. “From that point of view, it’s probably been the hardest decision in my life. But it wasn’t an over and out thing, it was growing for a while.”Looking back at his tenure, Leipus could not pin-point one moment as an obvious high. “There are so many of them, really. Every tour you have your highs and disappointments. The World Cup was great, beating Australia (in India in 2001) was great; beating Australia in Adelaide was great.” That was a special match for him, Liepus emphasises, because Adelaide is his hometown.Then he singles out the personal milestones that the players achieved during his tenure, Tendulkar’s 34th Test hundred, Sehwag’s 309 and Laxman’s innings in Kolkata, “They are all personal milestones that you feel proud of. It’s a pity that I won’t be around for Sachin’s 35th hundred. It would have been nice to been a part of that. I am a bit disappointed about it.”But not half as disappointed as the team, who would have lost a good man.

The Sydney Grade Cricket Competition’s Round 2 was completed yesterday, Monday 6 October. Bankstown, Randwick Petersham and Northern District recorded wins, but the rest of the competition had to settle for draws after rain intervened. Former NSW paceman Trent Johnston took a tremendous hat-trick for Mosman, while two little-known Sutherland third-graders broke an historic tenth-wicket partnership record.Mark Waugh recorded his first win as Bankstown’s captain, as his side crept past St George’s total of 212 for the loss of eight wickets at Bankstown Oval. Waugh could only manage 3 in difficult conditions, while Gian Scuglia (66) top-scored in his side’s important win.Northern District needed only one day to demolish a new-look Eastern Suburbs outfit at Waitara Oval. Brad Haddin made an unsuccessful return to his old club ground, scoring just 5 as the Dolphins managed only 91. Opening bowlers Rob Eddy (4/28) and Cameron Eve (3/22) did most of the damage for District. Graham Hanlon (69) and man-of-the-match Cameron Eve (60) then helped the home side cruise to victory, eventually scoring 262.Simon Katich (62) continued his fine early-season form at Petersham Oval, as Randwick Petersham hauled in Campbelltown-Camden’s 279, only six wickets down. Jarred Burke (103) and John McKell (82) gave the Ghosts a great opportunity on, but the classy Randy Petes batting line-up was too strong, with Joseph Hill (81) top-scoring.At Village Green, former NSW paceman Trent Johnston recorded a brilliant hat-trick against University of NSW. Michael Slater was the second of his three victims, as the Bumblebees stumbled to 4/8. However, Johnston (5/38) could not prevent the home side posting 311, to which Mosman replied with 1/125.In Third Grade, a remarkable record was established at Sutherland Oval. After being sent in to bat, Sutherland was reeling at 9/97, when Daniel Marandola joined Aaron Phillips at the crease. In 69 previous matches, Marandola’s highest score had been only 18. Phillips was eventually out for 154, with the score on 292- a 195-run partnership. Marandola remained undefeated on 61. The partnership is the highest-ever tenth-wicket partnership in any Grade.Other First Grade matches- Manly-Warringah 294 drew with Blacktown 1/23 at Joe McAleer; Penrith 237 drew with Fairfield-Liverpool 5/103 at Howell; Gordon 96 drew with Parramatta 0/56 at Killara; North Sydney 171 drew with UTS-Balmain 2/58 at Drummoyne; Western Suburbs 202 drew with Sutherland 0/20 at Pratten; Hawkesbury 152 drew with Sydney University 0/66 at Owen Earle.

Uttar Pradesh won their Ranji Trophy one-day match against Vidarbhy bythree wickets at Udaipur on Saturday.Opting to bat first, Vidarbha put 230 runs on the board. The runs weremade largely by Ulhas Gandhe and Harshal Shitoot, two batsmen who havedisplayed remarkable consistency lower down the order for Vidarbha.Gandhe made 46 off 71, with one four and one six, while Shitoot scored57 off 47, with seven fours.Needing 231 to win, Uttar Pradesh were never pressed for run-rate,with Mohammad Kaif hitting 65 off 61 balls and a number of otherbatsmen made quick runs. Kaif fell at 183/6, however, giving Vidarbhaa sniff at victory. The seventh wicket fell at 207, but ParvinderSingh (27 off 38) steered his side to a win by three wickets.

Mark Wood is flying home early from England’s tour of the UAE to see a specialist about the left ankle problem that forced him to sit out the third Test against Pakistan. He will miss the ODI and T20 legs of the tour, which begin in Abu Dhabi next week, with his place in the squad being taken by Liam Plunkett.Wood, whose energetic delivery stride has caused discomfort in his ankle joint for several months, has previously admitted that he may require surgery to rectify the issue. He required a cortisone injection to get through last summer’s Ashes win over Australia, and missed the third Test at Edgbaston before returning for the final two matches.He received a second injection during the Pakistan series, having claimed six wickets in 62.5 overs across the first two Tests, including his best Test figures of 3 for 39 in the first innings in Dubai. However, the England management opted not to risk him for the series decider, with Samit Patel instead earning a recall to complete a three-spinner attack.”Mark Wood’s ankle condition is well known and while we have managed his workloads over the summer and during the Test series against Pakistan it has been decided that the sensible course of action is to seek further advice from a specialist,” said James Whitaker, the national selector. “We will then be able to consider how to ensure Mark is able to perform at his very best in an England shirt going forward.”Liam Plunkett will replace Wood in both squads and, having featured in the ODI side last summer, his inclusion provides Eoin Morgan and Trevor Bayliss with an experienced pace bowling option in the squad.”With the Test tour of South Africa looming next month, England now have concerns over three of the seamers who played a role in last summer’s Ashes win. Steven Finn is currently recovering from a stress-related foot injury while Ben Stokes batted with some discomfort but did not bowl or field in the second innings in Sharjah after damaging his collarbone.England begin their preparations for the one-day leg of the UAE tour with a 50-over match against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, while the four match ODI series against Pakistan starts on Wednesday.

Victor Orta’s record at Leeds United has always divided opinion, especially in recent windows where recruitment has been lacklustre, to say the least.

Despite an injury-ravaged season, the Yorkshire giants failed to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s playing squad with any additions in January and one damaging theme can be seen in the fact that they haven’t signed a central midfielder for eight successive windows now.

If your ambition is to remain competitive in the Premier League, then that sort of activity is far from good enough.

However, there is plenty to like about what he has done in recent years.

Raphinha is one shining example – having cost only £17m from Stade Rennes in 2020, he has emerged as a standout in the final third, particularly without the injured Patrick Bamford.

His worth is now thought to be in the region of £36m, so Leeds will make a substantial profit on him in the coming years.

And the Spanish supremo hasn’t only hit the jackpot with incomings as he has often made a shrewd decision when it comes to player sales, too, with Jack Clarke the perfect reminder.

Orta played quite the transfer masterclass there, albeit in hindsight.

In July 2019, the young winger joined Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur for around £10m plus add-ons, as per the BBC, and as part of the deal he remained at Elland Road on loan for the 2019/20 campaign.

By December, though, that temporary return was cut short due to a lack of game time. He was then sent out to then-Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers, where he also failed to make his mark.

His fortunes took a turn for the worse during another loan stint, this time at Stoke City. His season was ended abruptly due to an Achilles injury, whilst this season, he’s ended up in League One with northeast giants Sunderland.

In five appearances so far, two of which being starts, he has failed to deliver a single goal contribution, as per Transfermarkt, who now value him at a lowly £4.5m – a decrease in value of 55% since Orta sanctioned his departure nearly three years ago.

“He has got a great ability to glide past players. I don’t think I’ve seen a winger really as talented as that, where it looks effortless, just to take somebody on and he really does get you on the edge of your seat, he’s one of those exciting players,” once claimed Whites legend Noel Whelan back when Clarke came through the academy system at Thorp Arch.

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Meanwhile, former Leeds assistant Carlos Corberan – now in charge of Huddersfield Town – once deemed the 21-year-old to be a “huge talent.”

His fall from grace as a one-time promising talent is certainly disappointing to see but from a business and financial standpoint, it was an absolute masterstroke from Orta and co.

For all of his failings at Elland Road, it’s moves like this that should keep the fans onside, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Orta could make “huge statement” at Leeds by hiring 37 y/o “leader” to replace Bielsa…

Abhigyan Kundu, the wicketkeeper-batter, walked out at No. 5 in the 11th over, batted till the end of India’s innings against Malaysia in their Under-19 Asia Cup contest in Dubai, and finished with a 125-ball 209 not out against his name, taking India to a formidable 408 for 7 in the process. In return, Malaysia could only muster 93, with medium pacer Deepesh Devendran running through the line-up to finish with a five-for.The India vs Malaysia match, however, doesn’t have “official youth ODI” status, meaning South Africa’s Jorich Van Schalkwyk, who had scored 215 off 153 balls against Zimbabwe earlier this year in Harare, remains the only batter in that list. Bangladesh international Soumya Sarkar had also hit a double-century in a fixture against Qatar in 2012, hitting 209 in 135 balls, but that was also in a game without official youth ODI status.Kundu led India’s batting effort against Malaysia after Vaibhav Suryavanshi had done the initial scoring, with a 26-ball 50. Kundu put together a 209-run stand with Vedant Trivedi (90 in 106 balls) for the fourth wicket, a partnership that ran from the 11th over to the 41st.When Trivedi was dismissed, Kundu was on 128 in 92 balls. He sped up in the last ten overs, adding 81 runs in 33 balls, taking India past the 400-run mark. Kundu had earlier scored 32 not out in 17 balls against UAE and 22 in 32 balls against Pakistan.For Malaysia, Muhammad Akram was the standout performer, returning 5 for 89 from his ten overs, the left-arm medium pacer victims including Suryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra and Harvansh Pangalia.In the chase, Malaysia lost openers Azib Wajdi and Mohammad Hairil for ducks. Deepesh then took a wicket in each of his first five overs, leaving Malaysia tottering at 38 for 7. Hamza Panggi and Jaashwin Krishnamurthi resisted with a 36-run 10th-wicket stand, but it did not take too long for India to wrap things up.India are on top of the Group A table in the tournament, having earlier beaten UAE and Pakistan. Malaysia are bottom of the group, having lost to the same opponents earlier.

Eyes on the ball: Brett Lee © AFP

The new one-day rule where the old ball is replaced for the 35th over is not making Brett Lee happy. Lee believes the change to a harder, shiny ball gives batsmen an advantage towards the end of an innings and says he is “not a massive fan” of the ICC regulation.Previously balls were switched when they became soft and pitch-coloured, but in the current series in India one in significantly better condition has appeared. “The newer balls we’ve been using have been pretty shiny and still have the Kookaburra writing on them,” Lee said in the Australian. “It makes it harder for the bowlers because you’re trying to work with a ball that is as old as possible and you come on at the 34th over and you’re bowling with a new ball again.”Tim Nielsen, Australia’s coach, has noticed a change in scoring rates after the change. “After the 34th over our run rate’s escalated quite a bit,” he told the paper. “We’ve been going on at four or five an over and it’s got up to seven or eight a couple of times. The different ball is harder and comes on to the bat better.”Lee has been tried with a soft ball during the series to see if he can get reverse-swing and he has also been employed with the replacement. “It depends on the position of the game,” Nielsen said. “If you’ve got a new batsman you might bring on the fast bowlers. If you’ve got two batsmen in you might try and batten down the hatches a bit until the ball gets softer.”

Steve Tikolo: Kenya’s veteran captain will need to be on top form against Bermuda © AFP

Bermuda arrive in Nairobi on Wednesday hoping to leave the problems that have dogged them in recent weeks back in the Caribbean.On Sunday, Bermuda play their four-day Intercontinental Cup tie against Kenya, and that is followed by three ODIs at Mombasa. While the Cup match has little significance to Kenya, who are already effectively out after two poor results, Bermuda could still qualify if they win. But the real interest will be in the one-dayers, which will be crucial in gauging how preparations for the World Cup are coming along.Bermuda hardly arrive in good shape. The players have until this week been embroiled in a row with the board over contracts, fast bowler George O’Brien has been ditched for disciplinary reasons, and batsman Lionel Cann stands accused of fraudulently claiming compensation for time spent away from work after it emerged that he had been absent from his job for “several months”.When Bermuda qualified for the World Cup in July 2005, they were awarded $11 million by the government to help them prepare. That, and cash from Allan Stanford’s initiative, seemed to be all they needed to mount a serious challenge to be considered among the best of the rest. But since then they have struggled, with a heavy defeat to Canada in the Intercontinental Cup and two thrashings by a weak Zimbabwe side in a one-day event in the Caribbean in May.Three ODI wins over Canada offered some solace, but the public and authorities back home will be asking serious questions if they return from Kenya without something tangible to show for a substantial investment.Kenya, meanwhile, continue to struggle to get their act together, and the selectors, who have chopped and changed lately, will need to settle on a side to take them into the World Cup and stick with it. A one-day whitewash at home to Bangladesh underlined how much ground has been lost by the bitter infighting which followed Kenya reaching the World Cup semi-final in 2003. Four years ago, Bermuda would have been meat and drink to Kenya, but times have moved on while Kenyan cricket has moved backwards.The new Cricket Kenya board is beginning to make progress and to clear much of the wreckage that it inherited. But the public, like those in Bermuda, will be looking for tangible evidence that the side is back on track.In a fortnight’s time, one side will emerge with hope, leaving the other facing tough questions and, in all likelihood, recriminations. It’s hardly a battle of India-Pakistan proportions, but in world cricket’s second XI it doesn’t get much more important than this.