Sam plans pay back Northeast returns to face former side Kent in final
SAM NORTHEAST admits if his Hampshire side were not playing in today’s Royal London One-Day Cup final, he would probably be at Lord’s as a fan supporting the opposition.
As it is he is aiming to grab the opportunity to show not only his old club but also the England selectors what they are missing.
Northeast’s acrimonious exit from Kent at the end of last summer is one interesting subplot to the season’s first showpiece occasion as the 50-overs crown is decided.
And while he is preparing for a bit of stick on the boundary, he insists it was relationships with the committee, not team-mates and coaches which soured.
“In terms of players and coaching staff there were no real issues and it has been great to see them doing so well this season,” he said.
“Leaving Kent was never going to be an easy decision for me but I did it on the basis of trying to push my career forward as well.”
Northeast, 28, had a year left on his contract at the end of last summer but was told he would be stripped of the captaincy if he did not make a longer-term commitment.
After two years battling with the county’s committee NEWCASTLE have signed South Korea captain Ki Sung-yueng on a free transfer – pending the approval of his visa.
The 29-year-old former Swansea midfielder, below, has agreed a two-year deal.
Manager Rafa Benitez said: “He is a player with lots of Premier League and international experience and it was an easy decision.”
Ki said: “I was always pleasantly surprised when I came to St James’ Park to play against Newcastle – there is a great atmosphere and the passion from the fans is a great support to the players.” SOUTHAMPTON have signed Basle striker Mohamed Elyounoussi in a £16million deal.
The Norway star scored 13 goals in 44 games last season including the Champions League match in which Basle beat Manchester City 2-1.
Elyounoussi, 23, has signed a five-year deal to follow former Celtic player Stuart Armstrong as Saints’ second buy of the summer.
Elyounoussi said: “I’m can’t wait to get started. The club has been following me for a long time.” Gideon over every off-field decision as well as juggling the captaincy – a deal to bring Australia fast bowler James Pattinson was sunk at the last minute by a committee member only for Nottinghamshire to step in – Northeast decided he had reached his limit.
A chat with an England selector convinced him he needed to be playing Division One cricket.
A century (129) in a rearguard action against Surrey at The Oval in April was a great start but then a broken finger from slipcatching practice led to two months out and checked that momentum.
“He’s been so unlucky,” said Rob Key, the former Kent captain. “So as much as he’ll want to do well against Kent, he’ll want a stand-out knock to show everyone how good a player he is and that he should have had a chance for England over the years.”
Northeast made his return from injury in the semifinals against Yorkshire, hitting a half-century and sharing a partnership of 142 runs with James Vince that essentially game.
By that stage he says he knew Hampshire would be facing Kent in the final.
“When I saw we were on separate sides of the draw I knew it was going to happen. It has been a strange year for me in lots of ways and I just knew,” he said.
“If I am out on the boundary I might get a bit of abuse but if I wasn’t playing for Hampshire, the team I would want to do well is Kent.
“I kind of wish we weren’t playing Kent but it will be a good day and hopefully it will be a good occasion.”
While the omens may be promising, Northeast is taking nothing for granted. Kent inflicted one of their two group-stage defeats, despite Hampshire needing just six off the final 11 balls and with Joe Weatherley, on loan at Kent in Northeast’s final season there, unbeaten on 105.
“With five overs to go I turned my phone off and thought that was it,” Northeast said. “We should have won it but then again, if we had done, Kent might not have qualified.”
It was a sliding doors moment which no doubt Northeast will be hoping he does not have cause to regret.
The Royal London One-Day Cup final at Lord’s from 11am is live on Sky Sports 2. CARDIFF goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has signed a new contract keeping him with the Bluebirds until the summer of 2021.
The 28-year-old, below, joined last year from Walsall and immediately established himself as the No1, playing in all but one of Cardiff’s Championship matches and keeping 19 clean sheets as they secured promotion to the Premier League.
Etheridge said: “The club has been great to me since I started. We’ve just come off a fantastic season and it’s been great to continue that and extend my deal.”
The Philippines international cannot wait for his debut season in the Premier League, saying: “Every game is going to be a great experience – all of them. Of course, you’ve got Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, I could go on and on.
“But I’m looking forward to the first game of the season, then coming back here for a full house against Newcastle. I can’t wait.” won the