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Tim Southee was happy with New Zealand’s fightback after a 127-run stand between Shakib Al Hasan and Soumya Sarkar in Christchurch

Mohammad Isam in Christchurch20-Jan-2017Two “burgles” down the leg side, a newcomer sucked into an uppish drive, one stubborn tailender bounced out and another trapped plumb lbw – Tim Southee couldn’t have scripted a more diverse five-wicket haul.He would have bowled far better in previous Tests and not picked up a wicket, but Southee had luck on his side at Hagley Oval, where his first scalp was the Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, caught down the leg side. It was only after Trent Boult ended the third-wicket stand of 127 between Soumya Sarkar and Shakib Al Hasan that Southee begin to bowl better.Sarkar had struck Southee for six fours, scoring 43 off 49 deliveries from the bowler. Shakib took 12 off 15 balls. Southee eventually dismissed Shakib, and later Nazmul Hossain Shanto, the debutant, to spoil Bangladesh’s chances of a bigger total. He also took the wickets of Taskin Ahmed and Kamrul Islam Rabbi during his 28.3-over effort to end the Bangladesh innings on 289.”I felt all right, it’s always nice to pick up wickets,” Southee said at the end of the first day. “There were a couple of burgles down the leg side, which are always nice. It looks good in the score book – caught Watling bowled Southee. On other occasions you bowl probably better and haven’t got the wickets, but it’s nice to contribute and take wickets.”Southee said that it was to New Zealand’s credit that they fought through the Soumya-Shakib partnership. The batsmen were hardly troubled as they cut and drove frequently.”If you can bowl a side out on day one it’s a good effort,” Southee said. “They came out again with a positive intent and looked to put any balls that we missed away to the fence and they did that, especially in that period before lunch. I think we managed to claw the run rate back a bit towards the end so it’s a good day.”We were pretty good at the start. Then they got a bit of a partnership going, but we know it happens quite quickly. You get a couple wickets, then you can grab a couple more, and we knew if we could hang in our areas for a long period of time then it was our best chance of taking wickets.”Southee’s 5 for 94 took him to 198 Test wickets and he is in line to become only the fifth New Zealand bowler to take 200 wickets. “It will be nice if it comes but you don’t set out to do too many individual milestones,” he said. “They’re the sort of things you tick off along the way. The next job is to try to knock them over again. Hopefully after a little bit of rest.”

The Lodha Committee has permitted the BCCI to pay players and officials in domestic tournaments directly and under existing terms, board secretary Ajay Shirke said

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Nov-2016The Lodha Committee has told the BCCI that payments to players and officials for all board-organised tournaments, like the Ranji Trophy, can be made directly under existing terms, the board secretary Ajay Shirke said.The Committee’s permission came after the BCCI sought direction on the release of funds for the Rajasthan Ranji Trophy team and the state’s various age-group teams.According to the , Shirke had written to the Committee last week stating that the association was cash-strapped and would not be able to play their next round of matches in the respective tournaments without funds. The Rajasthan team is currently playing a Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka in Vizianagram.”The Hon’ble Justice Lodha Committee has communicated today to the CEO of the BCCI (Rahul Johri) that payments to players and officials can be made directly to them as per the agreed existing terms. This is for all BCCI-organised tournaments,” Shirke told the . “We didn’t have problems for all state associations. They pay themselves (to their players). Because the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) is suspended, the problem was only for them.”The BCCI sought clarification from the Lodha Committee following an order from the Supreme Court of India on October 21, in which the board was directed not to distribute funds to its state associations until they submit affidavits stating compliance with the recommendations of the court and the Lodha Committee within two weeks. The Rajasthan Cricket Association’s suspended status was also a factor.The BCCI had suspended the RCA in May 2014 after the latter elected Lalit Modi, an expelled administrator, as its president. The board then omitted the RCA from the 2014-15 domestic programme.Rajasthan eventually got to play – though not under the RCA banner – after the Rajasthan High Court heard a writ petition signed by 75 players, and directed the Rajasthan Sports Council, the RCA and the BCCI to work in tandem and appoint selection committees to select teams for the board’s senior, junior and women’s tournaments. Before the 2015-16 season the board appointed an ad-hoc committee to run cricket in Rajasthan.Rajasthan have two more Group B matches to play before the end of the Ranji Trophy’s league stage. They are scheduled to play Delhi in Wayanad from November 21 and Vidarbha in Mumbai from December 7.

A stalwart effort from Nick Gubbins kept Middlesex in contention at Trent Bridge as they faced a stiff challenge from a Nottinghamshire side fighting for their first division lives

George Dobell at Trent Bridge07-Sep-2016
ScorecardNick Gubbins resists for Middlesex at Trent Bridge•Getty ImagesIt was more constrictor than cobra, more glacier than waterfall but, if Middlesex do go on to win the County Championship title this season, they may look back on Nick Gubbins’ innings here as a key contribution.With Yorkshire passing 400 at Leeds and Middlesex reeling at 81 for 5, this could have been the day their title challenge fell away. But through Gubbins’ skill and determination, they will resume on day three with the match in the balance and their first Championship title since 1993 still attainable.Gubbins has already contributed heavily this season. With 1122 Championship runs at an average of almost 60, he is not only his club’s highest run-scorer, but the fourth highest in the top division. He has played three fewer innings than all above him.But many of those runs have been scored on the slow and flat – the painfully slow and flat – surface at Lord’s. And while Angus Fraser, Middlesex’s director of cricket, reasons that such surfaces may benefit his team in the long-term (“they give batsmen confidence and teach bowlers the value of control,” he suggests), they can also inflate the records of some of those playing there.Here, though, in conditions where the ball moved all day for the seamers and on a slow, used surface that provided assistance to two spinners with international wickets to their name, he was forced to prove his quality in far less benign circumstances. And, after an opening over hat-trick on the first evening, he did it under the pressure of knowing his team needed him more than ever.It was, as he admitted himself, “a bit of a grind” at times. He went, at one stage, 38 overs without a boundary and 80 deliveries over the accumulation of five runs. His share of the stand of 42 with Stevie Eskinazi was just five and his half-century took 187 balls.But it was, in its way, compelling viewing. Forced to play straight and wait for the poor ball – and Nottinghamshire made him wait a long time – he refused to be drawn into playing away from his body and refused to let his impatience or frustration change his approach. For a 22-year-old, it was an impressively disciplined, selfless effort. Without it, Middlesex would have been in deep trouble.Gubbins is a batsman with far more to him than grim defence and crease occupation. He made his breakthrough as a List A batsman (he averaged 56.50 in that format in 2015) and has scored his Championship runs at a rate of 53.27 this season. He has a a trademark force off the hips – a stroke he can play on the ground or in the air off a good length ball on off stump – that can make a bowler wonder why he bothers.But reasoning that he is in this game for the long-haul, he has decided that such strokes are, for now, low-percentage. He has decided, like many top-order players before him, to play within himself (“that shot forces my head too far over to the off side,” he explains) and concentrate on a tight defence before worrying himself about domination. In conditions like this such a method will serve him – and, one day perhaps, England – well.There were still some elegant shots. When Brett Hutton dropped short he was cut, when Jake Ball – a little off colour, despite the five-wicket haul – he was driven. Imran Tahir’s odd loose balls were similarly punished. As Gubbins put it: “I never really felt I had dropped anchor, but they bowled very well, had in out fields and we had to battle hard to reach parity.”It was no surprise to hear that he has been spending time with Nick Compton. There were times here when this was much like watching Compton of 2012 vintage: a watertight defence and love for batting slowly breaking down the bowlers and feeding off their mistakes. It’s old school but it works.Such feats of concentration and mental and physical endurance can wear any player. It may be that both Compton and Jonathan Trott one day look back on their careers and reflect that they simply exhausted themselves. But, for now at least, Gubbins has the energy and the talent to relish the battle. If he can sustain it, he will be prove of great service to country as well as club.Notts looked far better than a bottom of the table team. Hutton produced a beauty to account for John Simpson – the ball swung in, pitched and moved just enough to beat what appeared to be a perfectly respectable forward defensive stroke and hit the top of off stump – while Harry Gurney bowled impressively dry and delivered four maidens in succession at one stage.If Dawid Malan felt himself unfortunate to be given out leg before – he held his head in his hands with disappointment – James Franklin felt to a loose upper cut to deep backward point and Eskinazi was well beaten by Imran. Gubbins’ fine innings was eventually ended by Hutton’s first over with the second new ball, when he was forced to play another beauty that swung in, held in the pitch and took the edge.Notts are not out of this game. With a potent leg-spinner to call upon, Middlesex face a tough challenge in the fourth innings on a used pitch. If Notts can just bat a little better in their second innings – and they started brightly – the great escape remains a distant possibility.Meanwhile Mick Newell, who is soon to be director of cricket at Nottinghamshire, hinted that a place could be found for James Taylor on the club’s coaching staff. Taylor, who was forced to retire with immediate effect in April after being diagnosed with a serious heart condition, has made no secret of his desire to try his hand at coaching.Notts have missed not just his runs, but his experience and spirit this season. While a role as a full time coach seems unlikely, it seems a part-time position mentoring young batsmen – especially in white ball cricket – could be created.”He’s interested and there’s scope for him to work with us,” Newell said. “I think he can work with young batters like Tom Moores. We lost a lot of mental toughness when he went. It was a big loss.”

Everton are in desperate need of reinforcements in their attacking line following another unstable Premier League season, and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target ahead of the summer.

What's the latest on Everton's interest in Largie Ramazani?

According to reports coming out of Spain, Everton are 'looking to sign' Almeria forward Largie Ramazani this summer.

As per the report, the Merseyside outfit are keen to add new additions to their forward line with Ramazani identified as a potential option.

However, Everton are presented with a hurdle due to his €40m (£35m) price tag and will only pursue the young winger should they retain their Premier League status.

Would Ramazani be a good signing for Everton?

The Toffees have found themselves struggling to compete in the top flight yet again this season, with another relegation scrap putting a dark cloud over Goodison Park in recent months.

It has been a difficult challenge for Sean Dyche since his arrival in January, especially due to the lack of attacking options he inherited with Richarlison and Anthony Gordon both making exits from the club prior, whilst Dominic Calvert-Lewin has continued to battle with several injury issues.

In fact, only already relegated Southampton have scored fewer goals (31) than Everton this season (32) in the entire Premier League, so there is no doubt that snapping up the services of at least one high-quality forward this summer will need to be the biggest priority for the Merseysiders.

Ramazani is no stranger to the English top flight, having polished his skills in the Manchester United youth academy for three years before making the permanent move to Almeria, where he has continued to thrive.

The 22-year-old – hailed as a "massive talent" by journalist Casey Evans – has scored three goals, delivered one assist and created two big chances, despite only making 13 La Liga starts and averaging just 45 minutes per performance this season.

With such exciting attacking attributes in mind, the youngster could be the perfect replacement for Gordon at Goodison.

When comparing the two wingers this season, they share several similar attributes in their output, including goals scored (3 v 3), shot-creating actions (38 v 38), progressive passes (29 v 34), tackles on dribblers completed (32% v 39%) and shots on target (17 v 17), as per FBref.

With that being said, the signing of Ramazani could be a great opportunity for Dyche to secure the services of a player who could replicate Gordon's previous impact on the team and ultimately improve the lacklustre attacking performances next season.

Leeds United look destined for a return to the Championship as their Premier League woes continued on Sunday afternoon.

Javi Gracia witnessed his side capitulate away from home once again, this time being thrashed 4-1 by AFC Bournemouth, who are all but safe following the stunning victory at Dean Court.

There were horrible mistakes right across the pitch – with Illan Meslier bereft of confidence, he registered another blunder, although the surprise change in the tactical system, reverting to a back three hardly helped matters.

It meant that Rasmus Kristensen, a right-back by trade, was pushed inside to partner skipper Liam Cooper and Robin Koch and he was left woefully exposed by the trickery and pace of the Cherries' frontline.

How did Rasmus Kristensen play vs Bournemouth?

That is probably an experiment that the Spanish head coach will avoid repeating, should he still be in a job after the bank holiday weekend.

Indeed, the Denmark international registered the second-worst rating of any outfield player (5.8) and it's easy to see why as the 25-year-old was dribbled past twice, whilst he also committed one foul and lost 71% of his battles, both ground and aerial duels, via Sofascore.

Kristensen, who earns a reported £40k-per-week at Elland Road, looked lost at times as the home outfit only really had to turn up and stick the ball in the net, having been met with very little resistance from Leeds' leaky backline.

Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Graham Smyth lambasted the £10m summer signing in his post-match ratings column, where he highlighted his 'dreadful distribution' – backed up by the fact that he turned over the ball 10 times from 65 touches and misplaced as many as eight long balls, per Sofascore.

It's not the first time that the former RB Salzburg man has been criticised, though, even when playing in his more natural right-back role. Only a few weeks ago, Kristensen was lambasted as "appalling" by fellow YEP journalist Leon Wobschall, whilst MEN's Conor McGilligan suggested that he was a "League One defender" just last weekend.

Based on that logic, it's perhaps little surprise to have seen Kristensen absolutely ripped apart by the Cherries' attack of Dominic Solanke and Dango Ouattara, and then later Antonine Semenyo and Jayden Anthony.

With Weston McKennie also putting in a stinking performance, it's fair to suggest that the Danish defender was equally abysmal, just as evident above.

Paul Horton’s first Championship hundred for Leicestershire tightened their grip midway through their second division match against Sussex at Hove

ECB Reporters Network02-May-2016
ScorecardPaul Horton struck his first hundred since his switch from Lancashire [file picture]•PA Photos

Paul Horton’s first century since joining Leicestershire helped cement his side’s strong position on a rain-affected second day of their Specsavers County Championship match against Sussex at Hove.The former Lancashire opener made 100 as Leicestershire reached 300 for 4 replying to Sussex’s 163 in the 43.2 overs possible because of rain and bad light.But with a lead of 133 and wickets in hand, Leicestershire are still in a strong position to win their second game of the season thanks to the foundations laid by Horton and his captain, Mark Cosgrove, who put on 114 for the third wicket in 32 overs.It was Horton’s 22nd first-class hundred, which he reached with a cut off Danny Briggs that brought him his 14th four, and came after he passed 50 in three of his four previous Championship innings for his new county.However, the 33-year-old, who joined Leicestershire last winter, lasted two more balls before he was caught behind down the leg side off George Garton, sent on his way after a consultation between umpires Ian Gould and Nigel Llong. His runs came off 174 balls and he batted for just over four hours.Even with floodlights on from the start, which was delayed until 2.10pm because of morning drizzle, batting conditions weren’t ideal although there was little in the pitch to assist Sussex’s seamers.Sussex captain Ben Brown brought left-arm spinner Danny Briggs into the attack in the 54th over but it was leg-spinner Luke Wells, who bowled six overs either side of tea, who offered more threat and an appeal for a catch at the wicket off Mark Pettini when the ball turned out of the rough was turned down.Garton was the pick of the Sussex attack in two lively spells down the slope. Despite being plagued by no-ball problems – he was called for over-stepping seven times – the 19-year-old left-armer worked up a decent pace, swung the ball both ways and was rewarded with a second wicket after tea.Having just been on-driven for four by Cosgrove, he produced the perfect inswinging yorker which knocked out two stumps and Leicestershire’s captain was gone for 80, made from 136 balls with ten fours.It halted a stand of 49 in 12 overs with Brighton-born Pettini, who ended the day unbeaten on 42 with Niall O’Brien on seven. The umpires brought the players off at 5.20pm because of bad light and play was abandoned for the day shortly afterwards when rain arrived.

Sky Sports presenter Joe Thomlinson has criticised the development of Crystal Palace sensation Michael Olise, claiming that the Frenchman is not living up to his potential with his current performance levels.

What's going on with Olise at Crystal Palace?

The winger has shown a lot of promise since joining from Reading last season, but is currently struggling to make an impact amid Palace's poor form. He has scored just two goals in 30 appearances this term.

Palace have suffered a major dip in form, which has seen them fail to win a league game in 2023, and they recently brought back Roy Hodgson to replace Patrick Vieira as manager.

Speaking on Football Daily's YouTube channel about each Premier League club's best under-21 player, Thomlinson praised Olise's ability as one of the best in his age group, but claimed he would like to see more from him.

He said: "In terms of talent, I actually think he's one of the best raw talents in this entire list. His skill set is so elite – a left-footed right-winger, who can play deeper, can get involved in midfield, unbelievable dribbler with the ball at his feet.

"I just don't feel like he's kicked on this season. I think that's partly due to Palace being quite out of form, but I would like to have seen more. Two goals in 23 appearances – obviously, one of them a screamer against Manchester United – but I don't know.

"I was really expecting Olise to go to the next level and just be basically unplayable this season, but some of his attacking output is just quite disappointing. And that's a shame.

"There are five assists in his game, but you look at these numbers here, maybe I'm being harsh, but things like progressive carries in the 60th percentile, I think he can do better than that.

"I believe he will. I think he will go to new heights, but this season, I think I wanted to see a little bit more."

Where is Olise struggling?

Olise's defensive output has overall been at a decent level, ranking highly amongst wingers for tackles and blocks as per FBref, suggesting that the problem is not a lack of effort or work rate.

However, he is currently having a minimal impact on the ball, as the £45k-per-week attacker ranks low for touches in the attacking penalty area, goals and pass completion. Although some elements of his dribbling have been impressive – ranking in the top 20% for successful take-ons – his lack of end product and low productivity on the ball has arguably contributed to Palace's lack of goals.

Olise still has time on his side given his age, but his performances this season have been underwhelming overall. And given the evident hype around his talent, perhaps it is fair for the likes of Thomlinson to demand more from the Frenchman.

Everton are keen to strike a deal for Brighton and Hove Albion's Steven Alzate, but a reliable journalist has confirmed that they aren’t the only club in the race to secure his services before tonight’s deadline.

Who is Steven Alzate?

Alzate is primarily a central midfielder who has plied his trade at The Amex since 2017 having initially joined the club’s youth setup before getting promoted to the first team back in 2019 where he’s since gone on to make a total of 51 senior appearances.

However, Colombia’s international has previously been sent out on two loan spells, the first to League Two’s Swindon Town and the second to Standard Liege in the Belgian Pro League, so it’s obvious that with the time spent on the road, he’s never really been able to nail down a regular place in the starting line-up for the Seagulls.

Therefore, as a result of the 24-year-old’s contract expiring in less than a year, now would be the perfect opportunity for Roberto De Zerbi to cash in on his prized asset should he not want to risk losing him for free, and it sounds like an exit is exactly what the manager is thinking about.

According to the BBC’s Simon Stone, Sean Dyche’s target will be allowed to leave before this evening’s transfer deadline thanks to the new arrival of Carlos Baleba on the south coast, and should he depart, he won’t be short of a potential suitor with several teams waiting to snap him up.

Are Everton signing Steven Alzate?

Taking to X, Pipe Sierra named Everton as one of the clubs looking to sign Alzate before 11pm, with Brighton’s ace currently in the process of assessing the options available to him both in the Premier League and overseas. He wrote:

“The departure of Steven Alzate (24) from #Brighton is imminent. The Colombian midfielder analyzes several options on the table with the recent interest of #Everton and #Wolves. Since last week there are also dialogues with #Sevilla and #Fiorentina. Nothing decided.”

How much does Steven Alzate earn?

At Brighton, Alzate currently pockets £15k-per-week so he would be an extremely affordable option for Everton, and considering the “creative” spark he could bring to the final third, as per journalist Josh Bunting, this is a no-brainer of a deal for the hierarchy to pursue on Merseyside.

The London-born talent posted eight contributions (five assists and three goals) in 29 appearances for Liege last season, showing how prolific he can be in the opposition’s penalty area, but he’s also an ideal target man having averaged 1.2 aerial wins per league game.

Read The Latest Everton Transfer News HERE…

De Zerbi’s youth product is additionally a versatile operator having been deployed in an outstanding eight different positions since the start of his career, including everywhere across the centre, alongside roles in both defence and attack, which will no doubt be yet another attractive attribute to Dyche.

The Toffees are also reportedly in ongoing talks regarding a loan deal for West Ham United’s Maxwel Cornet, but if the above update is to be believed, Alzate could be soon following in the former’s footsteps by walking through the doors at Goodison Park.

Barcelona are reportedly eyeing up a move for Lionesses star Lauren Hemp but Manchester City have made her a fresh contract offer.

Article continues below

Article continues below

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• Hemp linked with Barcelona move
• City ready with contract offer
• Forward will be a free agent in summer

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to BBC Sport reporter Emma Sanders, the Spanish giants are 'interested' in the City forward – who is out of contract this summer. However, she adds that the 23-year-old, who moved to the Cityzens from Bristol City in 2018, has been offered a new deal by the Women's Super League outfit.

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• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  If Barcelona do offer Hemp a move there, that would be a tough transfer to turn down. The Catalan team won Liga F, the Supercopa de Espana and the Champions League last season, meaning the England international would have a great chance of playing at one of the best clubs in the world and picking up silverware. City have not been able to overhaul Chelsea as the dominant WSL side but with Emma Hayes leaving at the end of this season, perhaps that could shift from next term – and that may impact Hemp's decision.

• Getty Images
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Since Hemp's move to City nearly six years ago, the former Norwich City academy product has scored 60 times in 138 appearances. She has also chalked up 51 caps for England, scoring 16 goals in the process, and playing a huge part in their Euro 2022 success and the Lionesses' run to the 2023 World Cup final.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  With City second in the WSL, three points behind league leaders Chelsea, they are unlikely to let Hemp leave during the January transfer window but a move to Barca would be a very tempting proposal. It remains to be seen if she will accept City's contract offer, head to Spain this summer, or take a different course of action entirely.

PNG will be playing a match that will be televised back home for only the second time ever and their head coach Kila Pala and the cricket board are doing all they can to make sure the kids have fun

Shashank Kishore in Mount Maunganui15-Jan-2018

Papua New Guinea last featured in junior cricket’s biggest tournament in 2014. They qualified for their eighth Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand this year after remaining undefeated in the East Asia Pacific Qualifier 2017 in Samoa. They needed to beat the hosts in the final match, and they did so, by eight wickets.Between 2014 and now, PNG have benefited from several administrative reforms. Corporate sponsorships have contributed to the development of the game. The number of turf wickets have gone up, and there is cricket being played in three centres now, as compared to just the one five years ago. It’s these positives that have brought about a new ray of hope for the side as they are set to compete with the big boys.PNG will take on India on Tuesday, and for only the second time in their history, they will be playing on live TV. It will mark a special moment for Hanuabada, a village close to Port Moresby, in particular because as many as 13 members of the current squad come from there. “They’re all very excited. This will be the first time an ICC event will be televised back home,” says Kila Pala, their former captain, who is now their head coach.Pala retired 18 months ago, wrapping up a career that began more than a decade ago in the 2004 Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh. “Forget about telecast, nobody even knew we were a cricket team,” he laughs. “Today, these boys have an incentive to do well, get noticed and put themselves up for national selection for the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe in March.The only other occasion the PNG people got to watch their team on live TV was when their board paid the local broadcaster – unheard of in these times of billion-dollar cricket deals – to air the ODI series against Scotland in September. The players are understandably excited, and nervous, but the coach and the CEO are going out of their way to calm the boys and help them enjoy the occasion.Cricket PNG chief executive Greg Campbell looks on anxiously as his team concedes a big total•Peter Della Penna

The PNG team management organised a party for the teenagers on the wharf, just around their hotel in Mount Maunganui. For a good two hours, they sang and danced to traditional music and by the end even the quieter members of the team were opening up in a manner never seen before. The overall mood in the camp now is starkly different to how things were after a loss to Zimbabwe in the opening game.”I don’t want them to worry about the results. That’s what we’ve sort of passed on as management,” says Greg Campbell, the former Australia fast bowler and current chief executive of Cricket PNG. He took over in 2011. “Let’s face it, the next two games are huge – against the two strongest cricket countries in the world. We see this week as a learning curve for us. We’re going to see some of the best players in the future for India playing tomorrow, and then we have Australia. These guys have to sit there and watch how they prepare and watch how they go about their game and we’ll take some stuff out of that.””The results are insignificant to us in a way. Yes, we also want to win. We go in there to show how we play our cricket. Don’t take away their culture; they are exciting cricketers but they’re probably the new baby compared to a 15 or 16-year-olds playing, but they’re looking forward to the challenge. They know it’s going to be hard but they spoke about it.”KP (coach) and the boys have been working for close to eight months which is quite a long time in PNG cricket. They’ve toured Samoa and Australia a couple of times having camps. What I’ve brought from Australia is, ‘you just keep working hard and results will come your way.'”At present, around 200,000 kids have been enrolled in the country’s soft-ball cricket programme, funded by one of Cricket PNG’s sponsors – Bank of South Pacific, who have a ten-year deal. Though not enough of them retained an interest in the game as they grew up – the rate of attrition was high till 2014 – things have changed now.The enthusiasm of the young cricketers in the programme excite Pala and Campbell. When Campbell took over as chief executive of the PNG board, there was just one synthetic wicket. Player contracts were unheard of, but they came into place in 2014, when the team was given ODI status. Two years ago, they introduced a development contract for the Under-19s that takes care of their studies and also provides them with a monthly stipend for meals and kits.”In four-five years, we will see the real benefits of the programme” Campbell says. “We’ve started our hard-ball competition and we’re about to build 50 synthetic wickets around PNG. It goes around the villages which creates more competition. All that will produce more cricketers – simple as that. In the years to come, we’re looking forward but we got to maintain the level our cricket consistently.”Pala is working towards retaining all the eligible players for the next edition of the Under-19 World Cup too, which means they will potentially have two more years in the age-group system as they develop their game. “A lot of these boys want to continue on to the next World Cup. The little left-armer Semo Kamea bowls fast. He just turned 16, so he’ll continue for a couple of years. I know India have got a couple of quicks who bowled in the high 140s so his job is to look at them and learn and feed off.”It’s all a learning curve, the whole cricket in PNG is a learning curve but we have come a long way in quite a small time but we know we’ve got a long way to go. Their culture and love for cricket is passionate and it keeps me going. Hopefully we see one of these boys play for the national side in one or two years.”