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Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey could be set for a summer exit from the Emirates over the coming weeks.

Who will Arsenal sign this summer?

The Gunners enjoyed a seriously impressive 2022/23 campaign which saw them provide Manchester City with some stern competition at the top of the table.

However, Mikel Arteta's side were unable to prevent Pep Guardiola and his team from retaining their Premier League crown.

And as a result, it is believed the Gunners will be looking to make some major moves in this summer transfer window which could see some movement in the midfield.

Indeed, reports have suggested the north London club are seriously keen on making West Ham United's Declan Rice an Arsenal player this summer.

This comes amid claims the current Arsenal star Granit Xhaka could be set for a potential return to his homeland with Bayer Leverkusen reportedly interested in acquiring him.

And as the speculation surrounds a potential incoming and outgoing in north London, it appears Xhaka may not be the only Arsenal midfielder to leave in the coming months.

Speakng on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the Ghanaian midfielder, Partey, could also be heading for the exit doors at the Emirates:

"So guys, let me start with Arsenal because I have important updates to give you about the Gunners."

"Thomas Partey could be on the move this summer. It's a possibility for Thomas Partey to leave Arsenal.

"I'm told this is a very concrete chance for Thomas Partey to find the solution and to leave Arsenal Football Club.

"There are conversations ongoing. This is still not advanced, for example, Xhaka to Leverkusen is more than advanced. It's almost done just waiting for the green light from Arsenal.

"For Thomas Partey, still time to look at options and then discuss with Arsenal but Thomas is a concrete name in the potential exits of Arsenal."

How long is left on Thomas Partey's contract?

This summer will mark Partey's third year since joining the north London side from Atletico Madrid for a fee believed to be worth in the region of £45m.

And in that time he has played a significant role in the middle of Arsenal's side having made 99 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions (via Transfermarkt).

In the Premier League alone last season, Partey was able to rack up a third of those 99 appearances where he contributed with three goals.

But the – dubbed "monster" – Ghanaian has also battled with numerous injuries over his time in north London which could be a reason behind his potential departure from the Emirates.

On the back of an impressive campaign for the Gunners, the 30-year-old now has just two years remaining on his deal with the north London side.

And with reports suggesting Arteta's side are hoping to bring in Rice over the coming weeks, perhaps Partey is not viewed as a long-term option anymore.

If they are to wait another year to potentially sell the Ghanaian then they could receive a much lower return on their £45m investment.

England coach Trevor Bayliss believes that if his team can maintain the level of intensity in their performances they will have a chance of winning the ongoing Test series against India

George Dobell in Delhi14-Nov-20163:33

Compton: England spinners looked hungrier than India spinners

Trevor Bayliss has hailed England’s performance in the first Test against India as “the best since I’ve been with the team.”Appointed just ahead of the 2015 Ashes, Bayliss’ period in charge as coach has seen notable victories over Australia at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, and an impressive win over South Africa in Johannesburg. But although England were held to a draw in Rajkot, Bayliss was delighted with the commitment shown by the side in gruelling conditions and on surfaces on which English players traditionally struggle.And, so impressed was Bayliss with the improvement in his team since the defeat in Dhaka, he suggested it proved England could win the series if they maintained that level of performance.”Win, lose or draw, I thought effort-wise that’s probably the best performance we’ve had since I’ve been with the team,” Bayliss said.”The way the guys played in this Test should give us plenty of confidence. Our batters played well against their spinners, and our spinners and seamers all bowled well. We acquitted ourselves very well.”We’re under no illusions that these next four Tests could be even tougher than this one. But if we put in more performances like that, we’ll probably be playing consistent cricket – and that’s what we’re after – and we’ll have a chance of winning more games. So we’ve got to continue putting in that effort. But if we do, we’ve a chance of winning.”Bayliss was particularly effusive in his praise for new opening batsman Haseeb Hameed. The 19-year-old debutant scored more than 100 runs in the match and evoked in Bayliss some of the same characteristics of Kumar Sangakkara, who he worked with during his time as Sri Lanka coach.”It’s early days for Hameed,” Bayliss said. “But the early signs are that he’s a very, very good player.”For one so young, 19, his composure is very good. He knows how his game works – something that players years in advance of him would like to have – and without wanting to put too much pressure on him, the signs are good.”He’s one of those batters, a little bit like a Sangakkara, who just loves batting. Whether it’s in the nets, having throwdowns or with a tennis ball in the changing room, he just loves to have a bat in his hand.”It was obviously a very good start. He’s been with the squad for about six weeks, but it feels like he’s been here for two or three years – he’s got that type of a personality.”Without committing himself, Bayliss hinted England may well stick to the same XI for the second Test in Visakhapatnam, which starts from November 17. Stating he liked the idea of playing three spinners of varying types – England picked an offspinner (Moeen Ali), a left-arm spinner (Zafar Ansari) and a legspinner (Adil Rashid) in Rajkot – his words suggested Gareth Batty (also an offspinner) may miss out again.”We went with these three guys, but we could very easily have gone with Batty,” Bayliss said. “He’s actually also been bowling quite well. But we thought on this occasion we would have a look at a spinner of each type and those three performed well in this game.”James Anderson also looks set for more frustration. While England are encouraged by his progress, he may have to wait until the third Test to make his return from injury with Bayliss requiring a little more evidence before selecting him as one of a three-man seam attack in tough conditions.”We’ll assess him in the next couple of days,” Bayliss said. “But from all reports, he’s been bowling well in the nets. The medical staff say he’s in better shape than he was when he came back and played against Pakistan. We’ll put him through his paces again. He’s a guy who’s always looked after himself, so he’s nicely fit.”

Arsenal won't pay over the odds for Declan Rice this summer and will instead take a 'disciplined' approach when bidding for the midfielder, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

What's the latest transfer news involving Declan Rice?

According to The Guardian, Arsenal are 'confident' that they can land Rice this summer and have identified him as a top target to strengthen their midfield.

The report states that the Gunners want to pay around £90 million to seal a deal for the £60k-a-week ace; however, West Ham United are said to want around £100 million for his services amid further interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United and Bayern Munich.

Football Insider claim that Rice has 'verbally agreed personal terms' over a transfer to Arsenal, though both clubs are yet to come to an agreement on a fee for the player.

The 24-year-old is keen to remain in London as he plots his next steps and is enthused by the project that Mikel Arteta has created in north London.

Earlier this week, Rice captained West Ham United to a famous Europa Conference League triumph, lifting only the second European trophy in the Hammers' history after their UEFA Cup Winners' Cup triumph in 1965, as per Sky Sports.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs thinks that Arsenal will be 'disciplined' in their efforts to try and entice Rice to the Emirates Stadium.

Jacobs told FFC: "It's likely that the suitors may have to come in a little bit higher, but I still expect Arsenal's opening offer for Declan Rice to be under £100 million, not over the British transfer record £106 million that Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez. From Arsenal's point of view, what gives them confidence is two things, one I've revealed previously, Rice ideally would like to stay in London and two, he's spoken glowingly about Arsenal and Mikel Arteta. All signs point towards Rice and Arsenal, but the reason why Arsenal want to move quickly is because we know they're going to be disciplined. We know that they're going to not be reckless in what they value Rice at and we saw that with Mykhailo Mudryk."

Would Declan Rice be a good signing for Arsenal?

Rice has risen to prominence in the last few years due to maintaining consistent performance levels at West Ham United and looks certain to leave the London Stadium in search of a new challenge this summer.

In 2022/23, the England international made 50 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers, registering five goals and four assists, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored also shows that Rice has been strong in the tackle this campaign, successfully winning an average of 2.1 challenges per match in the Premier League.

As per FBRef, the London-born midfielder has also driven West Ham United forward from the engine room this season, successfully performing 112 shot-creating actions in total.

Arsenal need to be quick to snap up Rice this off-season as interest in his services looks to be expanding due to his distinguishable qualities.

A washed out first day in Christchurch is unlikely to prompt wholesale changes in strategy, because there is still “plenty of time left in the game”, New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan said

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Christchurch17-Nov-2016A washed out first day in Christchurch is unlikely to prompt wholesale changes in strategy, because there is still “plenty of time left in the game”, New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan said. Not even the toss was possible on Thursday, which means neither team has yet named their XI.Play is now set to begin half an hour early, for the following four days, as long as weather permits. A minimum of 98 overs is scheduled for each of these days, when usually, only 90 are expected to be bowled.”There’s not a lot of overs lost even though we lost the whole day today,” McMillan said. “We haven’t named our XI, and there are probably discussions on that tonight, but I don’t think too much has changed.”Though a day of rain may make an already green Hagley Oval surface even more conducive to seam movement, McMillan hoped the recent proliferation of greentops in New Zealand will have equipped his batsmen with the means to cope.”I think it’s fair to say looking at that surface that the toss will be important,” he said. “I think with the pitch being under cover today with the rain about, that first session tomorrow (Friday) is certainly going to be challenging. Hopefully, though, there’s enough movement for a couple of days, so that the team that wins the toss doesn’t have so big an advantage. I think there’s going to be enough for both teams in the first innings.”These are conditions that we’ve been in quite a lot over the last few years. We’ve batted first on a number of pitches that looked very similar to the one out there, and we’ve done it well. It’s nothing new to us but we still know that we have to get things right against a very good Pakistan attack.”McMillan had been charged with helping New Zealand’s batsmen – who were battered in India – regain some confidence ahead of the long home season. He said the top order had prepared specifically for the Pakistan attack, with special attention given to combating the left-arm angle that Mohammad Amir, and perhaps Rahat Ali, will provide.”I want to see the batsmen commit to their own personal game plan,” McMillan said. “We’ve done some good work over the last two days in the nets. Both sets of fast bowlers are licking their lips and are pretty excited I think by what’s on offer. I think they have to commit to the style and game plan that they want to follow through with and they have to make good decisions. They have to be nice and precise the way they go about it. If they do that, there’s a reasonable chance they can come out with some success.”

Liverpool will be in the market for several additions this summer to strengthen ahead of 2023/24 as Jurgen Klopp looks to kickstart a new era at Anfield following the departures of multiple experienced assets.

Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all left the building following their contracts expiring at Anfield and are unlikely to be the only players to seek a new challenge this summer.

In terms of potential additions, both Manu Kone and Ryan Gravenberch have been linked with the Reds. At the same time, Alexis Mac Allister has made his move to Anfield.

What's the latest transfer news on Mason Mount?

Another name that had been mentioned in connection to Liverpool previously but now looks set to move elsewhere is Chelsea ace Mason Mount, who has agreed personal terms with Manchester United over a switch to Old Trafford, as per Football Insider.

The Football Insider report states that Manchester United and Chelsea are now 'advancing' over the conditions of the prospective transfer and it now looks like the Red Devils have beaten Liverpool to his signature.

And, it has been reported that Man United look increasingly likely to sign the midfielder, though Chelsea's valuation is a slight issue at the moment.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Dean Jones thinks that Liverpool will be inconvenienced by the fact that Mount looks set to move to Manchester United.

Jones told FFC: "I mean, it'd be annoying for sure [if Liverpool missed out on Mount]. I mean, they've definitely been in the picture here and they've been kept in touch with what's going on with Mason."

How will Klopp and the Reds feel?

Losing out on a player you're interested in to a rival isn't an easy one to take, especially when you factor in that Mount fits Liverpool's system and homegrown player dilemma. In 2022/23, the 24-year-old made 35 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, registering three goals and six assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Following their failed pursuit of Jude Bellingham, Mount. who has been hailed as a "superstar", was thought of by some as an alternative target to the teenage sensation due to his energetic approach and eye for a pass. As per FBRef, Chelsea playmaker Mount has excelled compared to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions in the art of progressive passing, having completed around 5.95 per 90 minutes in the last 365 days, putting him in the seventh percentile for this metric.

WhoScored notes that Mount also carried a goal threat for Chelsea in 2022/23 from the middle of the park and averaged around 1.4 shots per game during the campaign.

Not by coincidence, Mount always seems to be well-regarded by his coaches and former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel singled him out for his application on and off the pitch at Stamford Bridge in an interview back in March 2022, stating: "It is always a pleasure to work with Mason because he is the kind of guy who comes with a smile on his face to every single training session. It is always 100 per cent in matches, he accepts every challenge and that is why it is so nice to work with him."

Manchester United are confident that they can get a deal done to sign Mount, though Erik Ten Hag is wary of the impact the ongoing battle for the ownership of the club may have on their transfer business, as per ESPN.

Nevertheless, it looks like Liverpool's chance to nab Mount from Chelsea has fallen by the wayside, which is a shame given his suitability to Klopp's tactical framework.

Chelsea still haven't sorted out their problem of not having a natural number nine present at Stamford Bridge, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

What's the latest news involving Chelsea?

Chelsea endured a horrific 2022/23 campaign in the Premier League and ended the season in 12th position alongside being dumped out of all cup competitions.

In the English top flight, the Blues mustered just 38 goals scored, meaning they only hit the net more times than four sides in the league; Bournemouth, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton and Everton.

As per Transfermarkt, no player on the books at Stamford Bridge managed to reach the double-figure mark for goals, leaving Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz tied as Chelsea's top marksmen with nine goals apiece.

The Blues spent significant sums of money bringing in the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, David Datro Fofana, Joao Felix and Sterling during their failed campaign; however, room for improvement will be needed in 2023/24 following an abysmal return in front of the target.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs has echoed this sentiment and thinks it is a 'strange' situation for Chelsea to find themselves in.

Jacobs told FFC: "It's kind of strange because I think when the season first started and the new owners came in, it was all about helping Thomas Tuchel find defenders and then as soon as Tuchel went it was all about a midfield revamp. Even when Lukaku left Chelsea to go to Inter, at no point did Chelsea think that they would be struggling this badly for goals. They've obviously had a situation where Mount hasn't chipped in as much, Havertz hasn't got going and Sterling hasn't scored perhaps as many goals as they would have hoped for. Mudryk has come in with fantastic potential but hasn't scored a goal yet for Chelsea and Joao Felix was brought in because they thought that he would chip in with a few more goals. He's offered flashes of brilliance but hasn't hit that purple patch of scoring form. For all of Chelsea's spending, the one thing that they've not been able to do is buy goals and part of that is because the one player that they've not bought is a traditional number nine. Even though Christopher Nkunku is coming in and will be able to add goals and assists. They still need to address that area. That's why if they can get him, Osimhen is a target, but if that proves trickier. There are plenty of other names on Chelsea's list, including Dusan Vlahovic and Lautaro Martinez."

What strikers could Chelsea target this summer?

Chelsea have been linked with several high-profile targets, some of which Jacobs has mentioned, to help them flourish in front of goal and avoid the profligacy displayed in 2022/23 moving forward.

Football Insider detail that Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez is indeed on the radar at Stamford Bridge and would welcome a switch to the Premier League in the summer transfer window.

The Guardian also claim that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has also been earmarked as a candidate to come in and spearhead the Blues' attack in the off-season if they can seal a deal to land the Nigerian.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Rudy Galetti has also stated that Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic 'likes the destination' of potentially pitching up at Chelsea.

Romelu Lukaku could also return to the fold upon the conclusion of his loan spell with Inter Milan, meaning there are plenty of avenues Mauricio Pochettino could elect to go down as he aims to get his side firing next term.

A brilliant run-out from Temba Bavuma and three wickets to Kagiso Rabada put South Africa six wickets from victory at stumps on the fourth day in Perth

The Report by Brydon Coverdale06-Nov-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsKagiso Rabada took 3 for 49 on the fourth afternoon•Getty Images0%. Zero. No chance. None at all. That, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, is the likelihood of rain in Perth on Monday. Coincidentally, it is also the chance of Australia winning the WACA Test and, thanks to that forecast, their hopes of escaping with a draw are not much higher. By stumps on day four, a South Africa victory was all but assured. It was a day of great South African entertainment, most notably fielding magic from Temba Bavuma and bowling brilliance from Kagiso Rabada.Perhaps the least surprising element of the day was the decision of Faf du Plessis to delay his declaration, allow his lower order to provide some entertainment with late lusty blows, and grind Australia down further and further. For more than nine years – until the tour of India last November – South Africa had not lost a Test series away from home. At the heart of this remarkable feat was a certain conservatism, a determination first not to lose, and only then to consider winning.So when du Plessis had his lower order bat on and on, their lead passing 400, then 450, then 500, and nearing 550, it was not a great shock. He also had to factor in the absence of his best and most experienced bowler Dale Steyn, who suffered a serious shoulder injury earlier in the match. With that in mind, you could understand why he would set Australia 539, requiring them not only to break the record for the highest successful Test chase, but to break it by more than 100 runs.By stumps, they were 4 for 169, still 370 runs adrift of their target, with only the wicketkeeper and bowlers still to come. Usman Khawaja was well set on 58, but will need to re-establish his innings on the fifth morning. Mitchell Marsh, under pressure to justify his ongoing position in a Test top six, was on 15. The ball was jagging off cracks, jumping, staying low, spinning – doing all the things that make batting most difficult. Australia’s task was monumental.South Africa have dominated the past three days at the WACA, a most impressive accomplishment given the injury to their spearhead before that ascendancy really began. But the rest have displayed true Steyn-less steel, which has only added to the gloss of their performance. In Australia’s second innings it was Rabada who stepped up, dismissing Shaun Marsh, Steven Smith and Adam Voges, to finish the day with 3 for 49. He also had Khawaja dropped at slip.But first came Bavuma’s breathtaking run-out of David Warner, the one man who, because of his recent form and his incredible record at the WACA, might have made Australia believe in a possible win had he stayed at the crease for a few hours. Warner had 35 at better than a run a ball when he pushed a Rabada delivery to cover and Bavuma, fielding at point, raced to the ball and then in one fluid action picked up, dived and threw down the stumps at the bowler’s end.Perhaps Bavuma is secretly a Rhodes scholar – a Jonty Rhodes scholar, that is – for there was more than a hint of that illustrious predecessor in this effort. Such was the surprise of the feat that Warner appeared not to be stretching to his full capacity to make his ground, perhaps believing nobody could possibly do what Bavuma did. Bavuma was even too quick for the umpire Aleem Dar, who had not had time to take an optimal side-on position.It was a key moment, though to call it match-turning would be unfair to South Africa’s outstanding work of the previous two-and-a-half days. Match-turning would have been if Warner had batted on until stumps and reached 150 at a run a ball. Bavuma’s effort, brilliant though it was, simply ensured the match was not carried off in some unforeseen direction by Warner. South Africa had been on top, and Bavuma kept them there.Then came the reward for Rabada, who, later in the same over had Shaun Marsh caught at second slip for 15. Australia had tumbled from 0 for 52 to 2 for 52 within one over, and briefly the score was 3 for 52 in the next over when Khawaja was given out caught behind off Keshav Maharaj first ball, only to be reprieved on review when the third umpire found the ball had brushed the flap of his pad rather than his bat as he played back to cut.Still, the momentum was all with South Africa, and a 92-run stand between Khawaja and Smith did little to change that. Rabada was the man who broke that partnership, his persistent fourth-stump line and ability to nibble the ball around finally accounting for Smith, who drove outside off and tickled a catch behind for 34. Adam Voges followed in similar fashion in Rabada’s next over.Rabada should also have had Khawaja caught behind on 41, a thick edge flying between the wicketkeeper and first slip. Hashim Amla moved low to his right and grassed the chance, but Quinton de Kock could have made it comfortably had he chosen to move to his left. Instead, Khawaja was given a life and went on to bring up his half-century, off precisely 100 deliveries.But then, a solitary fifty wasn’t much good to Australia. South Africa had four batsmen who passed that milestone in their second innings, and two of those went on to post hundreds. The fourth day began with South Africa on 6 for 390 and Australia knew that with quick wickets, they might give themselves the slim chance of a gettable target. As it happened, South Africa batted on to add 150 to their total for the loss of only two wickets.Vernon Philander was the last man out, bowled by Smith, who had not introduced himself into the attack until the 159th over of the innings, for 73. Keshav Maharaj had struck three sixes and provided some late entertainment with 41 not out from 34 balls. And earlier, de Kock had struck 64 before he was caught at cover off Mitchell Marsh. His partnership of 116 with Philander had been the crowning frustration for Australia.Not that they helped themselves. Philander had been put down on 29 when he top-edged a hook off Mitchell Starc and at fine leg Josh Hazlewood ran around but parried the ball over for six, seemingly worried about stepping over the boundary. With just a little more awareness of his surroundings, he could have turned it into a moderately straightforward take. But it was symptomatic of Australia’s fielding in the second innings, during which several chances went down.There were also a couple of reprieves on review for de Kock, but Australia could not complain about those. In the end, du Plessis declared soon after lunch with South Africa on 8 for 540. Australia needed 539 to win. Only once in Test history has any team scored more than 500 in the fourth innings, and even that did not result in a win, for England’s 654 for 5 in the infamous timeless Test of 1939 came in pursuit of 696.The highest successful chase in Test history was the 418 scored by West Indies against Australia in Antigua in 2003, and Austraia’s highest was 404 back in 1948. The statisticians can close their books for now, because by stumps on day four, all of those records remained very safe indeed.

Arsenal have reportedly already made an offer to secure a new defender, who could finally give Ben White some much-needed competition in his role.

What's the latest on Ivan Fresneda to Arsenal?

That's according to German outlet BILD, who despite focusing on Borussia Dortmund's transfer activity, suggest that they must remain wary of the Gunners.

Especially in their pursuit of Spanish youngster Ivan Fresneda, who these two clubs are set to battle over this summer.

Whilst huge investment will likely be gained from the impending sale of Jude Bellingham, the fact that Edu has already tabled a 'lucrative offer' to the player will worry the German outfit, who likely see the defender as part of their rebuild to finally topple Bayern Munich.

It was noted in early May that the north London club were plotting a £20m bid for the 18-year-old, and this could now be confirmation of a progressing deal.

Who is Ivan Fresneda?

To already be a starter in one of Europe's top five leagues marks a massive success for the teenage sensation, and denotes a glittering future.

With 24 appearances across all competitions, it has admittedly been a tumultuous year for the Spanish side, who face a must-win clash on Sunday to secure their place in the top flight.

In keeping solid at the back but equally potent in attack, Fresneda will surely be imperative despite what his 6.67 average rating might suggest. He has averaged 0.8 key passes, 2.2 tackles and two clearances per game in purple and white, via Sofascore, yet due to his youth is often caught defensively unaware.

Therefore, to bring him under the tutelage of his compatriot Mikel Arteta, he could continue his rapid growth as a fine backup for White, who has shone himself as a makeshift full-back in a title-challenging side.

His average rating of 6.91 sees the two share key attributes, as his 0.7 key passes give way to 1.6 tackles and two clearances per game, also via Sofascore. In taking up a place as his understudy, Fresneda would be able to learn from the England international whilst being moulded in the image of his new boss.

There is precedent to suggest he could soon be challenging the 25-year-old too, as Matt Clark of La Liga Lowdown remarked:

"Iván Fresneda has been one of the revelations of the season so far in LaLiga, standing out for newly-promoted Real Valladolid. He is a remarkably complete right-back despite his young age, balancing his defensive duties with the odd attack too.

"He has that coveted combination of physicality and technical ability. Tall but agile, quick and athletic, he is also strong in the tackle and reads the game very well for someone so green when it comes to first-team football."

Journalist David Cartlidge sought to support this, by suggesting the youngster also boasts the requisite skillset and knowledge to emulate Oleksandr Zinchenko in his inverted role.

He claimed: "Fresneda [is] a very special talent and any club will be lucky to sign him. He's like a CM dropped in at full-back. Just over 6ft, athletic but above all excellent with the ball at his feet."

With Cedric Soares having struggled for game time out on loan at Fulham whilst entering his twilight years in England, Fresneda would offer a young, hungry and exciting alternative to White who could see his potential capitalised upon by Arteta.

The Supreme Court has told the BCCI to stop issuing funds to state associations that will not comply with the Lodha Committee’s recommendations

Nagraj Gollapudi07-Oct-20162:49

Supreme Court also wants BCCI president to clarify approach to ICC

The Supreme Court has told the BCCI to stop issuing funds to state associations that will not comply with the Lodha Committee’s recommendations. It told the board that no further money should be given unless the state association passes a resolution to implement the recommendations and submits an affidavit before the court.In an interim order issued on Friday, the court also said that funds disbursed by the BCCI to certain state associations after the board’s annual general meeting in November 2015, should go into a fixed-term deposit until further directions.On Thursday, the court was told by amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium that the BCCI had disbursed “substantial sums” to state associations before putting in place a disbursement policy, which was one of the recommendations the board had to adopt by the September 30 deadline. Subramanium said the action was in defiance of the Lodha Committee’s directives.Kapil Sibal, the lawyer representing the BCCI, had said in his client’s defence that the disbursement was an “ordinary and routine matter” and not “forbidden” by the Lodha Committee. The interim order said Sibal had revealed to the court that the BCCI had got INR 2500 crore as compensation from the broadcaster on account of termination of the Champions League T20, which was discontinued last year.Sibal had told the court that about INR 1500 crore went towards taxes and other liabilities, leaving BCCI with a net amount of Rs.1036.78 crore. “He submitted that in terms of a decision taken in the AGM held on 09.11.2015, 70% of balance amount of Rs.718.24 crores was to be disbursed to 25 Associations in the country @ Rs.28.73 crores per Association,” the order said. “A sum of Rs.12 crores out of the said amount was released to each one of the Associations pursuant to the said resolution leaving the balance amount of Rs.16.73 crores unpaid.”Subramanium contended that the disbursement of such large amounts was not a routine matter and was done on an “ad-hoc basis” with the intention to “appease and possible induce” the board members to “oppose” the Lodha Committee recommendations.In its order, the court said it did not want to take a “final view” on whether any action should be taken against the BCCI and its office bearers.However, the court found fault with the BCCI’s position that it could not adopt the Memorandum of Association and Rules, a step that would signal it had adopted the Lodha Committee’s recommendations, because of the “reluctance” of state associations to do so.”If that be the position, there is no reason why the State Associations that are opposed to the reforms suggested by Justice Lodha Committee and accepted by this Court should either expect or draw any benefit from the release of grants by the BCCI,” the order said.Arvind Datar, another lawyer representing the BCCI, argued that only 13 state associations had received the balance amount of INR 16.73 crores each. The court said: “No further amount in terms of the Resolution passed in AGM on 09.11.2015 or any subsequent resolution by the BCCI or its Working Committee shall be disbursed to any State Association except where the State Association concerned passes a proper resolution to the effect that it is agreeable to undertake and to support the reforms as proposed and accepted by this Court in letter and spirit.”Such an “unequivocal” undertaking needed to be signed by the president of the state association and presented both to the Lodha Committee and the court.”It is only after such affidavits are filed, that BCCI may transfer the balance amount of Rs.16.73 crores payable to the State Associations. As regards the 13 State Associations to whom the payment has already been disbursed, we direct that the State Associations concerned shall not appropriate the said amount except after they have passed a resolution and filed an affidavit as mentioned above before Justice Lodha Committee and before this Court. In case the affidavits are not filed, the amount disbursed to the State Associations shall be invested by the Associations in a term deposit subject to further directions of this Court.”On October 1, the BCCI had held a Special General Meeting to consider the Lodha Committee’s recommendations and said it would only accept a selection of them. The board said it could not accept recommendations such as the age cap of 70 for office bearers, the nine-year limit for term of office broken into three, three-year terms with a cooling-off period between each term, and the one-state-one-vote policy. These recommendations, the BCCI said, had not been accepted by the board’s members – the state associations.It later emerged that the BCCI had also held an emergent working committee meeting on September 30. After hearing about decisions supposedly taken at that meeting, the Lodha Committee directed two banks to stop two specific transfers to the state associations because the BCCI had not put in place the new fund disbursement policy.The BCCI responded by claiming the ongoing India-New Zealand series was under threat because the Lodha Committee had frozen its accounts. The committee said it had done no such thing and issued a clarification to banks to not freeze the board’s accounts in total. However, several of the transfers the Lodha Committee had objected to had already been made, which prompted the committee to issue a directive to the states telling them not to touch these funds or risk being in contempt of court.These events culminated in the hearing on October 6, when a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur gave the BCCI a day to agree to fall in line with the Lodha Committee’s recommendations. On Friday, however, the hearing was deferred to October 17 but the interim order was damaging to the financial future of the state associations, unless they adopted the Lodha Committee recommendations.

From the moment Port of Spain woke up to 2.15pm, when any hope of a resumption of play evaporated, no rain fell at Queen’s Park Oval. Yet not a single ball was bowled

The Report by Sidharth Monga19-Aug-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Port of Rain: There was little rain but the wet outfield accounted for the whole second day’s play•AFPFrom the moment Port of Spain woke up to 2.15pm, when any hope of a resumption of play evaporated, no rain fell at Queen’s Park Oval. Yet not a single ball was bowled despite the sun beating down on the ground till 2pm.The umpires came out for inspection after inspection after inspection, but didn’t find the outfield to be fit for play. There was no super sopper to assist the ground staff nor was the whole ground covered when it rained. The eventual downpour at 2.15pm, 15 minutes before yet another inspection, accounted for any remaining hopes.With only 22 overs possible on the first two days, with forecast not great for the rest of the Test and given the facilities available at Queen’s Park Oval, only an unbelievable three days could produce a result. India needed to win this Test to retain their No. 1 Test ranking and not lose it to Pakistan. West Indies were 62 for 2 after 22 overs, all bowled in the first session on the first morning.