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Aston Villa have been one of the most proactive clubs in the Premier League when it comes to signing new players over the past few years.

However, not every transfer deal which gets mentioned with the Villans ends up coming to fruition.

One example of this which will now be seen as a lucky escape for the club is when they were linked with a move for Milot Rashica before he joined Norwich City from Werder Bremen in a deal worth a reported £9.4m last summer.

Since joining the Norfolk club, the Kosovan – who was praised for taking a “massive leap” in terms of his progression on the pitch by his former boss Florian Kohfeldt – has made 23 appearances for the Canaries in the league but has only scored one goal and provided two assists along the way.

In addition to his lack of consistent goal contributions, the attacker – who is currently picking up £34k-p/w according to Salary Sport, has earned himself an overall performance rating of just 6.48/10, making him the ninth-highest rated player in Norwich’s squad according to WhoScored.

Back in December 2019, Transfermarkt had the winger’s market value listed at £31.5m, the highest it has been throughout his career so far. It now stands at just £7.2m, showing a massive decrease of 77% in little over two years.

With reports suggesting that the Norwich dud actually rejected a move to Villa due to concerns about their ability to remain in the Premier League, it seems this may have come back to bite him as the Canaries are currently rock bottom of the table with just 17 points from 29 league games.

Taking all this into account, it’s safe to say that the Villans and Johan Lange had a lucky escape by not fully pursuing Rashica’s signature when they were linked with him. Based on what he’s done for Norwich this season, it’s hard to see what the 25-year-old would have had to offer at Villa Park if he had made the move there instead.

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Also, with January recruit Philippe Coutinho scoring four goals and providing three assists in just nine league games since his arrival, it’s hard to think that anyone at the Midlands club will since have had too many thoughts about the former Werder Bremen ace, who could well be spending the next campaign in the Championship.

In other news: Lange could seal his next Coutinho as Villa eye up “relentless” £22.5m-rated “machine”

	Benched: Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya © AFP

Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan have been left out of Sri Lanka’s 15-man squad for the upcoming ODI series in the West Indies.The 37-year-old Jayasuriya retired from Tests last December, and wished to concentrate on his ODI career. However, he hasn’t had a great run since the World Cup, with only 305 runs in 20 innings, and there was speculation that he would be dropped from the side, especially after his poor performance in the CB Series, where Sri Lanka finished third behind India and Australia.Murali, the leading Test wicket-taker, also didn’t have a great time in Australia, but it is believed that he will be feature only in key ODI tournaments from now on. Murali will play in the two Tests preceding the ODI series in which he will be replaced by offspinner Ajantha Mendis, who with 54 wickets, is the leading wicket-taker in the Premier League Tournament, Sri Lanka’s domestic first-class competition. Mahela Udawatte, the 23-year-old hard-hitting opener, replaces Jayasuriya. Udawatte has been touted as a successor to Jayasuriya.”He [Jayasuriya] did not perform well in Australia,” Ashantha de Mel, Sri Lanka’s chief selector, told . “We have three years to groom a team for the 2011 World Cup and younger players must be given a chance.”Sri Lanka will also be without Lasith Malinga, out with a knee injury, for both the Tests and ODIs in West Indies. Allrounder Kaushalya Weeraratne makes a comeback to the Sri Lankan side. His last ODI was in 2003. Uncapped left-arm fast bowler Thilan Thushara, who was picked for the Tests, also finds a place in the ODI squad.Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Kulasekara and Ishara Amerasinghe are the other fast bowlers in the squad, while Malinga Bandara is the other spinner alongside Mendis. Besides Weeraratne, Chamara Kapugedera and Tillakaratne Dilshan are the other all-round options available to captain Mahela Jayawardene.Sri Lanka ODI squad: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Chamara Silva, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, Malinga Bandara, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, Jehan Mubarak, Ishara Amerasinghe, Mahela Udawatte, Thilan Thushara.

Mickey Arthur has kept his job in spits of the torrent of criticism since the World Cup © Getty Images

Mickey Arthur and Graeme Smith, the South Africa coach and captain, have had their contracts renewed by the South Africa board today for a further two years.Since returning from the World Cup in the Caribbean, following their disappointing semi-final against Australia, the criticism aimed at the coach has been unrelenting, but the board have put their faith in him.”The board wants to keep building morale so that we can get the Proteas where we want them to be – the best in the world,” Gerald Majola, Cricket South Africa’s chief executive, said. “We believe that Graeme and Mickey can do the job at hand. Mickey presented his World Cup report to the board today, and we all agreed that the reasons behind the inconsistent performances of the Proteas needed to be addressed.”But Majola has stirred up the debate surrounding South Africa’s apparent mental weaknesses, an argument which many feel is the underlying problem of the team’s inability to beat Australia consistently. Especially in World Cups. To that end, the new role of team manager has been created.”Among these reasons are a lack of maturity among some senior players,” Majola said, “and a lack of the consistent mental toughness that is needed to take the Proteas successfully through an arduous World Cup. The board decided that among the measures to be taken will be the appointment of a team manager, in addition to the logistics manager.”We are going to draw up a profile and job description and then make the appointment as soon as possible,” he said. “The team manager must provide leadership qualities that will enhance the team and assist the captain and coach on matters such as mental toughness, discipline and public affairs.”A Cricket South Africa spokesman told Cricinfo that Smith’s role as captain “was more than just a job” and that his responsibilities off the field created an added burden. The role of team manager is aimed at alleviating some of those pressuresMajola said South Africa would now starting building for the future. “We will begin work immediately on planning for the next two seasons which includes the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa in September and the series next year against England and Australia.”We will also be continuing our efforts to build maturity in our emerging players, so that they fully understand both the rigours and the ethos of the international game.”

Netherlands 326 for 7 (ten Doeschate 158) v Kenya
Scorecard

Ryan ten Doeschate walks off at tea with Daan van Bunge. ten Doeschate made 158 as Netherlands enjoyed the better of the first day © David Waters / Cricinfo

Netherlands took a firm grip on the first day of their Intercontinental Cup match against Kenya at Nairobi Gymkhana. At the close they had scored 326 for 7, with a superb 158 from Ryan ten Doeschate forming the foundation of their innings on an easy-paced pitch.Netherlands, who won the toss, suffered an early loss when Rajesh Bhudia bowled Tom de Grooth offering no stroke, but ten Doeschate immediately signaled his intent by cracking three fours off Thomas Odoyo.Odoyo got his revenge when Bas Zuiderent was caught by Rahul Bhudia off a skied hook, but that brought in Tim de Leede, who had made a good hundred against Kenya A on Sunday, and he attacked from the off. A savage pull early in his innings was dropped by Hitesh Modi, who immediately left the field with a broken finger which is likely to rule him out of the remainder of the game.ten Doeschate completed a chanceless century in an afternoon session dominated by Netherlands, bring up his maiden first-class hundred with a four and a straight six off Steve Tikolo. The only setback came when de Leede gave a straightforward return catch to Brijal Patel.Daan van Bunge (32) helped ten Doeschate add 130 for the fourth wicket either side of tea, but he never looked at all settled and was finally caught behind by Maurice Ouma of the bowling of Ashish Karia. At 261 for 3, Netherlands were in the driving seat, but in the final 90 minutes the Kenyans fought their back into the game.Karia eventually snared ten Doeschate when he drove tiredly to Tikolo at extra cover. He had batted for almost five hours and hit four sixes and 15 fours. Alexei Kervezee was unfortunately run out when Luuk van Troost’s straight drive was deflected into the stumps by Tikolo at the non-striker’s end. Kenya’s final success came when Peter Ongondo removed Darron Reekers with the new ball shortly before the close.

Following the ICC’s global award earned by the US Junior Cricket Academy of New Jersey in 2002, another junior program based in the USA is about to follow in its footsteps.The Colorado Junior Cricket Association (CJCA), sponsor of the Littleton Cricket Academy run by Dan Ruparel, has been named regional (Americas) winner of the ICC Development Program Awards for 2004. The CJCA will now compete with the other entrants from 26 countries throughout the developing cricket world for a shot at the global award.The regional award winners will each receive a specially-commissioned ICC trophy and a certificate of recognition. Each regional Flicx Junior Development Initiative Award winner will also receive a Flicx pitch.The global winner will be selected by a panel comprising Ehsan Mani (ICC president), Malcolm Gray (former ICC president), Dr Ali Bacher (ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 executive director) and Roger Knight (MCC chief executive and secretary). The global award winner will be announced at the end of March.

Andrew Flintoff will captain England for the first time in his career when they take on a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI at Dhaka tomorrow.Flintoff missed the Test series with a groin injury, but flew into Bangladesh with the rest of the one-day players not in the Test squad. Flintoff will take charge in the absence of Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick, who are both having a well-earned rest. Also missing from the team are Richard Johnson and Rikki Clarke, who are still suffering from a viral infection picked up during last week’s second Test at Chittagong.All of the seven newcomers to the tour are set to play, with Andy Strauss making his first senior appearance. The first of three one-day internationals is on Friday November 7 at Dhaka.Team 1 Andy Strauss, 2 Vikram Solanki, 3 Paul Collingwood, 4 Anthony McGrath, 5 Andrew Flintoff (capt), 6 Ian Blackwell, 7 Chris Read (wkt), 8 Gareth Batty, 9 Ashley Giles, 10 James Kirtley, 11 James Anderson.

New Zealand will go into this week’s one-day cricket finals series as the surprise packet of the tournament, but carrying a fatal flaw.The Kiwis’ inability to control the opposition scoring in the last 10 overs looms as the difference between them and South Africa from tomorrow at the MCG.The likely returns of allrounder Chris Cairns (back) and Shane Bond (groin) will boost the Black Caps at the MCG tomorrow on Waitangi Day, their nationalcommemoration, for game one of the best-of-three finals series.But they are still trying to work out tactics for the most crucial period in the one-day match.”We’ve seen teams become very good at exposing bowling in the last 10 overs – we saw a case of it the other day with Australia beating South Africa, so it’s noteasy,” said Kiwi captain Stephen Fleming.”It’s just repetition – getting the options right, discussing the options.”It comes down to accuracy in those last 10 overs and all the best plans depend on the accuracy of the bowler – it is a tough skill.”Cairns and Bond would be the first choices to bowl at the end of the innings, but Cairns’ bowling availabilty remains in doubt.He did some bowling in the nets today and New Zealand will leave it until just before the start of the match to decide his role.Cairns did not bowl in the loss to Australia last week when Michael Bevan’s century turned the match around in the late overs, and he then missed last Friday’s loss to South Africa altogether.”If he’s 100 per cent fit, he’s a genuine option (to bowl at the end of the innings), he has been at the start of the tournament,” Fleming said.”It’s whether firstly if he’s fit enough to bowl, secondly if he’s fit enough to come back, thirdly if he’s able to bowl a third spell at the death – a lot of question marks on that.”At full fitness he’s the guy who wants it.”Australia was the title favourite at the start of this series, but New Zealand deserved its finals berth after some impressive wins, particularly in early games.South Africa and New Zealand are yet to win this series.The Kiwis have also beaten South Africa only once in their last 16 one-dayers, something Fleming was coy about.”There’s a couple (of reasons) and I don’t want to talk about it,” he said.South African captain Shaun Pollock said little could be read into the form between the two sides on the eve of the finals.”We have played well against them, but at finals time that counts for nothing,” he said.”What you bring into the finals from the rest of the series means nothing.”While South Africa will go into the finals with a settled line-up, Pollock said “one or two” changes might be made.Possible line-ups:South Africa: Shaun Pollock (capt), Nicky Boje, Mark Boucher, Boeta Dippenaar, Allan Donald, Hershelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Justin Kemp, Gary Kirsten, NeilMcKenzie, Makhaya Ntini, Jonty Rhodes (12th man to be named).New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (capt), Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Chris Cairns, James Franklin, Chris Harris, Craig McMillan, Dion Nash, AdamParore, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent (12th man to be named).

Kerala made adequate amends to their previous disastrous battingdisplay against Andhra to end at 266 for 6 on the first day of theirSouth Zone Ranji Trophy match against Goa at the Jawaharlal NehruStadium in Kochi on wednesday.Put into bat, Kerala openers V Girilal (26) and MP Sorab (38) put on asolid 69 runs in 24.4 overs. Sorab was the first to be dismissed,caught by Tanveer Jabbar off SA Khalid. Three overs later his partnerGirilal departed for a catch to ND Kambli off Kalekar. R Menon (28) NAKudua (27) then added 52 runs for the third wicket to take the scoreto 125.But Goa seamer Avinash Aware (3 for 51) struck three vital blows tosend back Menon, Kudua and B Ramprakash. Kerala suddenly looked downthe barrel but Sunil Oasis (47 runs 104 balls 6 fours) and SreekumarNair (45 not out) came to their rescue with a 80 run sixth wicketpartnership. After a 181 minute stay at the crease Oasis fell legbefore to Khalid to pave the way for the Kerala skipperAnanthapadmanabhan (27 not out). The two then negotiated the rest ofthe overs and ensured no further hiccups for the hosts.

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has claimed that he will sell the club when he no longer feels he is the best man to take it forward.

The Lowdown: Radrizzani oversees successful period

The 47-year-old became co-owner of the Whites back in January 2017, purchasing 50% of the club, before taking sole charge at Elland Road in May of that year.

Radrizzani has overseen a memorable period in Leeds’ recent history, appointing Marcelo Bielsa as manager, who in turn inspired their return to the Premier League.

He has since relieved the Argentine of his duties and brought in Jesse Marsch, in a decision that has not gone down overly well among the supporters.

[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″]

The Latest: Owner hints at future sale

Responding to a post on Twitter on Friday, Radrizzani gave an honest assessment of the way he sees the future and also revealed he put up £100m of his own money to get the club promoted:

“100 mil precisely, lot of work and time sacrificed to my family. I always try and work hard for the best of the club. The moment I realise I won’t be able to deliver I will let someone else to do a better job.”

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The Verdict: Will leave a legacy

Like any football club owner, Radrizzani is always going to have some fans who criticise his tenure, but there is no denying that he has been a success at Elland Road.

As mentioned, he has helped guide the Whites back into the top-flight of English football after nearly 20 years away, though some supporters will of course point to the lack of backing for Bielsa this past January.

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There will come a point when the need for change arises – it may even happen if Leeds get relegated this season – and it appears as though Radrizzani will do what is right for both himself and the club.

In other news, a key update has emerged regarding Raphinha’s Leeds future. Read more here.

	Mahendra Singh Dhoni isn’t worried about his inability to hit boundaries as long as the runs are flowing © Getty Images

It’s hard to predict the nature of tomorrow’s encounter between Australia and India considering how the two sides have played in the tournament so far. Even though Australia are nine points ahead of India, Ricky Ponting’s team are facing the same hard questions as Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Co. Batting remains the main concern for the both these teams with majority of their famed batting line-ups struggling for consistency.The problems begin at the top with the openers unable to provide stability. Except for Adam Gilchrist, the others like Sachin Tendulkar, Matthew Hayden and Virender Sehwag have struggled for runs through the series. The problems get compounded when you take into the account the brittle nature of their middle orders, especially Australia’s with batsmen like Ricky Ponting and Andrew Symonds in a rut – Ponting has an average of 10.66 while Symonds has made 42 in six games at 8.40.India might gather confidence from the fact that most of their batsmen have got the starts. Batsmen like Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma and Irfan Pathan have shown the character to hang around and have come up with some constructive innings. They have tried at least if not convincingly. For Australia it’s been a matter of squeezing out a respectable target and then relying on their bowling to turn the match in their favour.And both teams have relied on individuals who have shown a strong temperament to hang in the middle and carry out the rescue job. And these guys have carried the burden of the collective failure of their mates without complaining. If Dhoni has proved he is an able leader, the Michaels – Clarke and Hussey – have delivered for Australia.”We are doing well in bits and pieces. If they can be consistent that will be good,” Dhoni said, as India came out for their final practice session at the SCG on Saturday. India have been experimenting with their batting order but Dhoni insists that is not the reason for the batsman’s problems. “We are pretty much sure about the pattern of the batting order. One of the good things is that most of our batsmen adapt well at any position, so that really helps.”In the previous game, against Sri Lanka in Adelaide, Dhoni remained undefeated on 50 as he led India to victory. Surprisingly, despite his explosive batting skills, the Indian captain didn’t even score one boundary or a six. He altered his game according to the conditions. “It’s difficult to adapt, but it’s important to get runs and play according to the demands of the game,” he said. “As long as you can maintain a strike-rate it doesn’t matter if you don’t hit fours.”

	It’s been a rough series for Andrew Symonds and Ricky Ponting © Getty Images

Despite reaching the finals, Australia are not sitting pretty and the main cause is their batting failure. James Hopes, the Australian allrounder, had a different take on the situation. “You can call it bad batting or exceptional bowling. The wickets are slow and it takes a bit to get in for a batsman.”The batsmen are not scoring a lot of runs given the conditions we are playing in where some of the pitches are low and slow,” Hopes said. Still Australia have lost only one game so far and Hopes feels one advantage is the toss which Ponting has called right on most occasions. “We are getting to bat first, so our bowlers know what they are bowling to.”Hopes insisted Australia won’t be taking tomorrow’s game lightly. “India have some of the form bowlers and class players like Sachin, Sehwag, and Yuvraj [Singh] have started to score runs. They will come hard knowing that if they beat us tomorrow they will be the form team going into the final,” he said. “We will be trying to get the psychological edge tomorrow regardless of whether it is a high scoring or low scoring game.”Meanwhile, India need to work out whether to continue the five-bowler theory the Indians utilised in their last two games or go with an extra batsman. “To play five bowlers the batsmen need to be on the top of their form”, Dhoni said. “With five bowlers you are getting the opposition out early but you are not getting the runs. But at the same time, if you play four bowlers your part-timers might give some runs.”With runs being the need of the hour, India might recall Sehwag at the expense of allrounder Praveen Kumar. As for Australia, with Brett Lee coming back after a two-game break, Mitchell Johnson is likely to sit out.Teams
Australia (likely) 1 Adam Gilchrist, 2 Matthew Hayden, 3 Ricky Ponting, 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Andrew Symonds, 6 Michael Hussey, 7 James Hopes, 8 Brad Hogg, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Stuart Clark, 11 Nathan Bracken.India (likely) 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Gautam Gambhir, 4 Rohit Sharma, 5 Yuvraj Singh, 6 Mahendra Singh Dhoni, 7 Robin Uthappa, 8 Irfan Pathan, 9 Harbhajan Singh, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Munaf Patel.