England’s World Cup campaign continues on Thursday night with their final Group G clash against a Belgium side currently third in the FIFA rankings.

The Three Lions have already qualified for the first knockout round but the meeting with the Red Devils will give the most significant indicator yet of where Gareth Southgate’s side are really at – will this be the World Cup where England finally produce consistently scintillating football, unshackled by the weight of history, or are they merely flat-track bullies having dispensed of Tunisia and Panama with relative ease?

Football FanCast aren’t privy to a crystal ball. But our England experts, Sam Preston and editor-in-chief James Jones, have shared their thoughts and predictions ahead of Thursday’s 7pm kickoff…

This match can essentially be reduced to a risk assessment for Southgate, that assessment being whether the need for momentum and the other benefits of another positive result outweigh the potential jeopardy of a key player like Harry Kane suffering a serous injury in a game that may not even decide who finishes top of the group – with the two nations currently separated by disciplinary record alone, England and Belgium could end up drawing lots for pole position.

Add to the equation the fact finishing second would actually give England a much clearer route to the final, and Southgate is left with some crucial decisions to make.

Would you stick with England’s strongest XI or rest some key individuals?

James:“Southgate has to go with his strongest XI to make a statement that England are serious about this tournament. The importance of taking momentum into the knock-outs should not be underestimated. Of course, there will be worries about key players like Kane potentially picking up an injury, but the same can be said of the previous two games. Barring Dele Alli we came through those unscathed despite coming up against a Panama side who clearly preferred wrestling to football. As soon as you start ‘resting’ players for other games your focus switches slightly from the task at hand – that task is to beat Belgium and win the group.”

Sam:“I think that Southgate should keep changes to a minimum as we saw in Euro 2016 what can happen when England ring the changes – they lose momentum. That said, if the likes of Kane or Lingard stay in the team and get an injury that rules them out of the rest of the tournament, Southgate will get criticised. Criticism would also come if England do not rotate, thrash Belgium ‘B’ to top the group and run into the global elite in one side of the draw while Roberto Martinez guides his side past Japan, Mexico and Croatia to make the final! So I wouldn’t blame Southgate at all if he was tempted to heavily rotate, especially after reports that Belgium will make ten outfield changes. In Gareth we trust.”

The offensive efficiency of England’s 3-1-4-2 has been one of the key stories of the tournament so far, simply because of how inventive and unusual the formation is. There’s no doubt it gets everybody on the front foot and plays to the natural strengths of the personnel involved, but it seems to have an achilles heel in facing three-man defences – the backline structure Roberto Martinez employs – and Southgate failed to find an obvious alternative during the warmup friendlies.

What do you see as England’s best Plan B?

James:“I see no reason why we can’t switch to four at the back. Perhaps go 4-3-3, as that offers a number of midfield combinations that could help break down a three-man defence.”

Sam:“The first port of call should be a minor tweak, dropping another midfielder in next to Jordan Henderson in something of a 3-2-3-2 that may morph into 3-4-2-1 to completely match Belgium up. It may be tempting to reach for a back four but apparently Southgate’s men are only training in a back three, so constructing a four-man defensive line on the hoof would be unwise as the tournament wears on.”

Because their squad is so Premier League-centric, Belgium seem like far less of an unknown quantity than Tunisia and Panama. Even if the quality they boast is incomparably superior through players like Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, that familiarity between the two squads, much of whom share the same clubs, could act as something of a leveller on Thursday.

Who do you see as Belgium’s key danger men?

Sam: “Their best team – which we are unlikely to see on Thursday – has unbelievable quality on paper and against Tunisia they began to show it. In their 3-4-2-1, De Bruyne’s influence is compromised but Hazard is given great freedom to roam inside like he did for Chelsea in the 2016/17 title win. So he’s the key at full strength and the man their World Cup hopes rest upon. In a rotated lineup, Michy Batshuayi and Mousa Dembele will be looking to impress.”

James: “Belgium are a good side on paper but their biggest issue has been their struggles to gel as a team. We all know the dangers De Bruyne, Hazard and Romelu Lukaku pose but we shouldn’t ignore Dries Mertens, who has a goal and assist from Belgium’s opening two games.” 

Where will this game be lost and won?

Sam: “Team selection on both sides will dictate whether this is the Premier League-tempo battle for first that many expected pre-tournament or a France v Denmark-style stroll as both sides attempt to protect their players if second place in the group proves theoretically more desirable. That makes it tough to pick a key battle but club teammates Eric Dier and the aforementioned Dembele might enjoy a physical slog as they both look to force their way into their respective managers’ knockout plans.”

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

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

James: “It’ll go down to which team wants it more, I imagine. By all accounts, Martinez intends to rest a number of players for this, which gives England a distinct advantage from the start. That said, will England’s players be too relaxed knowing they’ve already qualified, or will they be hungry to build on that performance against Panama?” 

[ad_pod ]

And finally chaps, let’s hear your score predictions…

James: “This is obviously a very exciting time for England and for that reason I think we’re going to continue our run of form and get all three points. 2-0 victory, Kane with one and Jamie Vardy with the other.” 

Sam: “I can see this one being an exceptionally drab affair because Belgium won’t come to the party. 0-0, which would mean that who tops the group is decided based on fair play. I’ve got no problem with our fringe players accepting some bookings if that means Japan and not Colombia in the next round.” 

[brid playlist=”4766″ player=”12034″ title=”World Cup 2018″]

Amid Rangers’ ongoing splurge in the transfer market, Celtic have signed goalkeeper Scott Bain and club-record signing Odsonne Edouard. Brendan Rodgers has been patient so far in the transfer window but Transfer Taverne fans, there’s one midfielder he should seriously consider singing.

After suffering a disappointing relegation campaign with Swansea, Ki Seung-Yeung will depart the club once his contract expires and he could be a superb addition to Rodgers’ squad.

What do you think of the World Cup so far? Let us know

A fan favourite and a classy midfielder, Ki is one of the players that has always impressed when he’s played in the Premier League.

The South Korean was a key player in Neil Lennon’s side and there could a space to fill in the current Celtic squad with Stuart Armstrong’s departure to Southampton. Celtic have Scott Brown, Callum McGregor and Olivier Ntcham in midfield but could well do with having a midfield technician in the middle of the park in Rodgers’ side.

The 29-year-old South Korean international made 137 appearances for Swansea in the Premier League after joining them from the hoops in 2012 and has been a consistent performer for the Swans ever since he broke into the first-team following a loan spell with West Brom.

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

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Since then he has gone on to become one of the most underrated players in the league and is still in the prime of his career. On a potential free transfer, the Celtic man might not be the glamorous signing on the back of the Edouard transfer but after a tough World Cup with South Korea, a return to familiar surroundings might just be what Ki needs but also a key – pun intended – signing for Celtic.

What do you think Celtic fans, should Brendan Rodgers bring back Ki?

Mikel Merino looks set to leave Newcastle in the coming days, with Real Sociedad’s head coach Asier Garitano recently discussing his keen interest in the Magpies midfielder on Spanish radio (via EstadioDeportivo).

Merino’s contract includes a £10.5million release clause according to ESPN (11:49, 25th June), so Newcastle will be powerless to stop the 21-year-old returning to La Liga this summer.

Merino’s a popular figure on Tyneside after a strong start to his debut season. But could there be unforeseen benefits to him leaving St. James’ Park? Football FanCast look at the potential consequences – some positive, some negative – of Merino’s expected departure…

Rafa Benitez can finally start signing players

Newcastle seem to be operating on a sell-to-buy policy this summer, which explains why they’re yet to make any signings with the exception of a permanent deal for last season’s loan success Martin Dubravka. Newcastle fans will obviously be disappointed to see Merino leave, but his departure should at least get the ball rolling on the inward front, giving Benitez some money to play with and removing Mike Ashley’s excuse for not bringing anybody in so far.

That could well end up being a direct replacement for the Spaniard but considering he became little more than a bit-part player by the end of last season, Benitez might prioritise strengthening other departments of his starting XI instead. Merino’s release clause would put the Magpies over halfway to affording Kenedy in a permanent deal, with Chelsea valuing him at a reported £20million.

[brid playlist=”4766″ player=”12034″ title=”World Cup 2018″]

Merino becomes another Florian Thauvin

Having impressed at Osasuna and received a season’s worth of education at Borussia Dortmund, there’s no doubting Merino’s huge potential. He’s a regular for Spain at youth level as well and some have even made loose comparisons with former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star Xabi Alonso.

Of course, Newcastle fans saw much of that promise in the early half of last season, and the real concern is that they’re about to part with a young player on the cheap who is set for a huge future in the game.

Toon supporters have just witnessed a near-identical situation with Florian Thauvin too. The Frenchman hardly got a look-in on Tyneside but was sensational for Marseille last season, helping push them to the Europa League final with 25 goals and 13 assists across all competitions after returning to the Ligue 1 club in summer 2017 for a modest £9.8million.

Merino isn’t quite the same type of player, and seemed to acclimatise to life at St. James’ Park far better than Thauvin ever did, but he’s another young player the Magpies could quickly come to regret selling after not issuing him enough game-time.

Longstaff gets his chance

Whenever a first-team player moves on it always creates room for a youngster to break through and Sean Longstaff could be the one who ultimately gets the chance to impress. The central midfielder was sensational for Blackpool last season, bagging eight goals in 42 League One appearances, and that kind of potency from the engine room would certainly add a new element to Benitez’s side.

Is this the best World Cup ever? Give us your thoughts here and win any World Cup shirt of your choice.

The 20-year-old is set to return to the third tier for the new season, this time with Portsmouth. But the loan deal is only for six months so should Longstaff continue to delight in League One and Benitez decide against signing a direct replacement for Merino, he could end up coming into Newcastle’s squad midway through 2018/19 to help with the final run-in.

He’ll be match fit and battle-hardened at that point too, assuming the Pompey stint goes well, so the youngster could have a noteworthy impact.

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

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Chris Gayle proved not only that his passion for the five-day game still runs deep, but he also positioned West Indies for a victory charge

Alex Brown at Adelaide Oval07-Dec-2009The man who seven months ago predicted the demise of Test cricket has gone far to sparking its revival. By carrying his bat through an attritional fourth day in Adelaide, Chris Gayle proved not only that his passion for the five-day game still runs deep, but also positioned West Indies for a victory charge that would capture the attention of the world and the imagination of the Caribbean’s long-suffering fans.Gayle has been demonised for his controversial views on Test cricket and typecast, not without reason, as a Twenty20 mercenary. Strike action and a series of 11th-hour arrivals ahead of major international matches prompted many commentators to wonder whether his commitment was to West Indian cricket, or the Allen Stanfords and Shah Rukh Khans of the world. Even the West Indies chief executive, Ernest Hilaire, expressed reservations over his suitability as captain.But over 411 sweat-soaked, muscle-cramping, concentration-sapping minutes, Gayle confirmed his desire to lead West Indies through this darkest of periods. His unbeaten 155 on a testing wicket was a triumph of patience and determination – traits many had forgotten he possessed – and went far to demystifying the Australian attack before the eyes of his young, eager team-mates.”That innings from Chris was unbelievable,” the coach David Williams said. “It’s very difficult scoring on that track and it was evident in the way Chris played. He doesn’t normally play like that. But he had to conserve his natural play and try and stick around. We know that scoring is very difficult on that wicket.”Gayle set the tone for a West Indian revival when, barely an hour after Australia had sealed an innings and 65-run victory at the Gabba, he called a team meeting that stretched long into the night. Rather than allow the disappointment of defeat to fester within the playing group, Gayle and the team management outlined a blueprint for success that emphasised the need for more accountability among the batsmen and greater leadership from the team’s veterans.The difference in the tourists was evident from the opening session in Adelaide. A resolute first innings batting performance was supported by a superb bowling effort, in which Gayle displayed a gambler’s flare for field placings and bowling changes. West Indies’ responded positively to their captain’s adventurous tactics, and Gayle provided further cause for optimism with an inspired second innings century that might just prove the catalyst for the breaking of their nine-Test losing streak on Australian soil.Gayle has played more prolific, fluent and explosive innings over the course of his 84-Test career but few as important in the context of the match and the general state of the game in the Caribbean. By curbing his innate need to dominate at the crease, he produced a substance-over-style innings that should serve as inspiration to his team-mates, and made plausible a victory that barely a week ago appeared improbable in the extreme.”That’s Chris, he plays his game very seriously,” Williams said. “He’s a very determined guy. Look back at Chris over the past year or so, he’s played extremely well in the Test matches that he’s played. It’s just a matter of leading the guys the right way.”Caribbean fans have experienced too many false dawns to lose themselves completely in this moment, but after the year that’s been, they at least have cause for positivity. Win, lose or draw, Gayle and his team have proven they possess the competitive desire and raw talent to compete with the world’s best. And that is a cause for celebration in itself.

Pakistan got off to a solid start to their tour of Australia, as Salman Butt’s 153 took them to 270 for 4 on the first day against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval.

Cricinfo staff19-Dec-2009
ScorecardPakistan got off to a solid start to their tour of Australia, as opening batsman Salman Butt’s knock of 153 took them to 270 for 4 at stumps on the first day against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval.Under overcast conditions, the hosts decided to put the visitors in and, much like in their recent tour of New Zealand, the openers struggled initially. Butt was dropped and reprieved again when Tim Paine missed a stumping opportunity before he could get his eye in. He went on to make the most of the lapses, dropping anchor and settling in for a long vigil at the crease. Building upon the confidence he picked in his final innings in New Zealand, he dug in and, along with Imran Farhat, added 69 runs for the opening wicket. Tim Macdonald then got Farhat’s scalp after which Faisal Iqbal fell cheaply.Butt carried on and found a willing partner in Misbah-ul-Haq, who is looking to resurrect his international career. Misbah struck two sixes in the partnership of 113 before Macdonald sent him back, seven short of a half-century. With stumps in sight, Butt was dismissed by the economical Brett Geeves, but not before he had crossed 150 with 23 fours, a knock that will give him confidence ahead of the Test series. Pakistan will hope Umar Akmal and the rest of the lower order can swell the total before they have a go at the home team on the second day.

New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond has announced his retirement from Test cricket due to his recurring battle with injuries during his eight-year international career

Cricinfo staff23-Dec-2009New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond has announced his retirement from Test cricket due to a recurring battle with injury. He will continue to represent his country in one-dayers and Twenty20s.Bond, 34, revived his international career earlier this year after quitting the unofficial Indian Cricket League. He made a comeback to the limited-overs side during the tour of Sri Lanka, before working his way back to the Test squad. Following a match-winning performance in the first Test against Pakistan in Dunedin, he was forced to withdraw from the two remaining games after tearing an abdominal muscle. The injury setback – the latest in a career punctuated by back, feet and soft tissue problems – left him disappointed, prompting him to reassess his future as a Test player.”The hardest thing is that I’ve always considered myself a Test bowler – and it was such a great feeling to be back in the team last month and playing Test match cricket with the Blackcaps,” Bond said.”I’ve worked really hard to get back to Test match fitness – it’s what I’ve been working towards for the past two years – and I feel I gave as much as I could. But looking back, so many of my injuries have come during Test cricket. Unfortunately my body just won’t let me continue to play at that level, given the workload and demands of Test cricket.”I don’t want to end on an injury and I am absolutely committed to playing for the Blackcaps.
This way I hope I’ve got a better chance of continuing to play. I hope I’ll be able to continue to contribute to the team and to New Zealand cricket fans for a while yet.”It’s been a tough call, because Test cricket remains the ultimate form of the game – but I’m comfortable I’ve made the right choice.”Bond said he is targeting the one-dayers against Australia starting February for his comeback. He added that he would start playing club cricket in January before representing Canterbury in one-day games the following month.Justin Vaughan, the CEO of New Zealand Cricket, sympathised with Bond’s decision.”Shane really showed his never-say-die attitude in his comeback this season, especially in the Test Match against Pakistan – and I know how tough this decision has been for him,” Vaughan said. “Of course we’re disappointed that he won’t be part of the Test line-up, but New Zealand Cricket supports his decision to focus on limited-overs cricket and hopes that this decision will prolong his international career.”He remains one of the best fast bowlers in the international game and we’re delighted that he’s doing all he can to keep playing.”One of the fastest bowlers in world cricket since the 2000s, Bond has the distinction of being the quickest New Zealander to 50 wickets in Tests and ODIs. However, since his debut in 2001, he has managed to play only 18 Tests, taking 87 wickets, and 77 ODIs. Stress-fractures to his feet and back forced him to miss numerous games and tours, including the 2004 series in England. After a successful tour of Zimbabwe in 2005, a knee injury ruled him out for nine months. He joined the ICL in 2007, had his New Zealand Cricket contract terminated, but was readmitted to the international ranks earlier this year when the Twenty20 league offered amnesty to its players.He ends his Test career regarded by many as New Zealand’s best fast bowler since Sir Richard Hadlee.

The West Indies fast bowler has withdrawn from the Jamaica squad for the remainder of the regional first-class season

Cricinfo staff03-Feb-2010West Indies fast bowler Daren Powell has withdrawn from Jamaica’s squad for the rest of the regional first-class season, according to Nehemiah Perry, the Jamaica Cricket Association’s chairman of selectors. Powell, who has managed just two wickets in two matches at 73.00 in the tournament so far, called Perry and cited “personal reasons” behind his decision.”He has some issues where he is not up to it [playing cricket],” Perry told the . “He is not giving 100% and he figures he should give someone else a chance. His mind is not there to really come out and train and play the game and he’s not motivated to perform at the highest level.”He has decided to take a break and won’t be available for the rest of the season. It’s not a situation where he got dropped or anything. He’s not enjoying cricket anymore as a person. The team spirit is good, but he has things to deal with and his mind is not there. He probably lacks confidence as well.”Powell, 31, last played a Test in March last year, at home against England, and has a modest career haul of 85 wickets from 37 matches at 47.85. He also has 71 ODI wickets from 55 matches at 31.73. Perry said the dimming hopes of a recall to the national setup could have also contributed towards his decision.”He hasn’t been getting a lot of wickets in any one innings and he’s over 30 and he probably isn’t motivated and doesn’t think West Indies’ [selectors] are looking at him anymore,” Perry said. “If you are 20-odd years old and running in hard and hitting the pitch then you would be motivated to train hard and work hard, but he’s been there and done that and people might be thinking he has passed his best.”Jamaica captain Tamar Lambert expressed surprise at Powell’s decision. “The team was a little bit surprised to hear that Powell has opted out,” he told the . “But having said that, people come and people go and everyone realise that we still have a job to do and we will just have to do it to the best of our ability. We cannot allow that to distract us from our goal.”He will definitely be missed as an experienced player. It was always good to have him around, having represented the West Indies and Jamaica on numerous occasions. He is a strike bowler and it was always good to have a player like that, who will bowl fast and get us early wickets.”He is someone that always gives 100 per cent. You can’t not notice a person like Daren when he is around.”

The Indian opener has taken the top spot after hitting successive centuries against South Africa

Cricinfo staff20-Feb-2010Virender Sehwag, the Indian opener, has taken the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings after hitting successive centuries against South Africa. With a rapid 165 in the Kolkata Test, which India won to stay top of the ICC rankings for teams, and 109 in Nagpur before that, Sehwag has displaced good friend and fellow Test opener Gautam Gambhir.Sehwag sits top of the pile with 863 points, while Gambhir has dropped to fifth position with 824. He had tremendous success in 2009 – an average of 108.98 in six Tests – and in the four Tests he has played this year, Sehwag already has two centuries. He was also the recipient of the prize for best Test innings, for the second year running, for the ESPNcricinfo Awards where his audacious 293 against Sri Lanka in Mumbai was chosen over four other nominations shortlisted for the award.South Africa’s Hashim Amla, whose three centuries in three innings against India earned him two Man-of-the-Match awards and the Man-of-the-Series accolade, has leapfrogged to second place in the rankings with 842 points.Sachin Tendulkar, who also scored two centuries in the two-Test series with South Africa, occupies sixth place with 805 points.In the ICC’s ranking for one-day internationals, India’s captain MS Dhoni has moved back to No. 1, displacing Michael Hussey with whom he has shared a tussle for the top spot. Hussey scored 23 in his last innings and thus fell below Dhoni who has a chance to stay on top for longer with three ODIs lined up against South Africa. Ricky Ponting has jumped four places to occupy fourth place.The other big mover is Doug Bollinger, who has gained 25 places and has broken into the top 20 for the first time in his career. Bollinger took 11 wickets in the five-ODI series against West Indies to help Australia to a 4-0 victory. He now sits in 18th position in the latest rankings, not far behind Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis.

Peter George, the young South Australia fast bowler, has been called into Australia’s Test squad in New Zealand as cover for Ryan Harris

Cricinfo staff17-Mar-2010Peter George, the young South Australia fast bowler, has been called into Australia’s Test squad in New Zealand as cover for Ryan Harris, who is battling a side injury. Harris is carrying the slight problem following the one-day series and was unable to train outside due to the rainy conditions in Wellington on Wednesday.Alex Kountouris, Australia’s physiotherapist, said it was not clear if Harris would be available for Friday’s opening Test at the Basin Reserve. “The plan is he will bowl again outdoors [on Thursday] and hopefully be passed fit to play,” he said.Harris, who has not appeared in a Test, has been outstanding in the one-day games this summer and has been jostling with Clint McKay for the final bowling spot in the XI. George, 23, had a strong season with South Australia, finishing second on the Sheffield Shield wicket list with 36 at 30.44.Andrew Hilditch, the national selection chairman, said George was an exciting fast bowler. “The panel believes that should the opportunity arise, Peter has the skills
to succeed at this level and will benefit greatly from being around the
Australian set-up,” he said.Queensland’s Ben Cutting seemed a more suitable candidate for some work experience but he is involved in the Sheffield Shield final against Victoria at the MCG. Australia are already without Peter Siddle (back) and Ben Hilfenhaus (knee), while Brett Lee has retired from Tests to extend his limited-overs career.

Mohammad Yousuf is preparing to retire from all forms of international cricket, a direct result it is believed, of the treatment and punishment the PCB handed out to him in the aftermath of Pakistan’s recent Australian tour

Osman Samiuddin27-Mar-2010Mohammad Yousuf is preparing to retire from all forms of international cricket, a direct result it is believed, of the treatment and punishment the PCB handed out to him in the aftermath of Pakistan’s recent Australian tour of which he was captain.Yousuf was handed an indefinite ban as per the recommendations of an inquiry committee set up by the board to investigate why Pakistan lost every single one of the nine international matches in Australia over the turn of the year. Seven of those losses – three in Tests and four in ODIs – came under the leadership of Yousuf.In their findings, the board blamed Yousuf for spreading infighting and indiscipline within the side and banned him for an indefinite period – along with Younis Khan – from all forms of the international game. He was subsequently not included in the central contracts list for this year.Yousuf had taken over the captaincy last year when Younis stepped down following an ODI series loss to New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, at a time he says no one was willing to take the responsibility. Though he hasn’t yet specified the reasons behind his decision, it is believed that the PCB’s punishment and a lack of support from the board have made his mind up for him. Those close to him say that constant run-ins with the board have diminished his appetite to stay on.”I have decided to quit cricket,” Yousuf told the Urdu-language daily . “This is not an emotional decision. I consulted my family, friends and elders before taking it.”In the past Yousuf has twice bid farewell to Pakistan cricket, after being upset over his treatment from Pakistan’s selectors and management. In 2007, after being overlooked for Pakistan’s World Twenty20 squad, he signed up with the ICL in protest. Though he was convinced to come back into the fold by the PCB – and paid handsomely to do so – he ultimately joined the league again in 2008. Both times he was barred from playing for Pakistan.Underlining his decision each time was a strained relationship with the then captain Shoaib Malik. Yousuf publicly accused Malik of destroying his career and though he returned to the national team as Malik was deposed as captain, the pair have been involved in a public slanging match again after the Australian tour. Yousuf is scheduled to hold a press conference on Monday in Karachi to make the decision official and is expected to outline the reasons for his retirement.If it is the final goodbye – and his current mood, say friends, indicates that he is serious – then Pakistan will lose the services of their most accomplished batsman of the decade alongside Inzamam-ul-Haq. He has over seven thousand Test runs from 88 Tests at 53.07, the highest average for any Pakistani batsman. He has 39 international hundreds, including 24 in Tests alone. Pakistan are due to play six Tests in England this summer, a prospect they must now consider – if Younis also misses out – without either of their most formidable middle-order batsmen.