Kerala Blasters on Monday announced signing up Andrew Barisic and Penn Orji, bolstering their frontline attack for the forthcoming Indian Super League.

Barisic played for Melbourne Knights in 2004 and then two years later he played for Germany-based Oberliga Nord Club, Arminia Hannover.

In December 2007 he signed with his former club Melbourne Knights in the Victorian Premier League, followed by stints with Gold Coast United, Arema Indonesia and East Bengal. He played for Hong Kong First Division League Club South China in the 2013-2014 season.

The Canberra-born 28 year old striker is thrilled about playing in the ISL.

“I am delighted to be selected for the Kerala Blasters.

This is an exciting time in Indian football and I am looking forward to playing back in India again. I feel privileged to bring my passion and determination for success to the Kerala fans and under the watchful eye of such a successful and iconic owner, Sachin Tendulkar. I am determined to work hard and play harder,” Barisic said.

23-year-old Nigeria born Penn is an exciting midfielder and made his debut for JCT in 2009 and was a regular face of East Bengal from 2010-2013. He played for Mohammedan Sporting Club in the I-League in the 2013-14 season.

Trevor Morgan, Assistant Coach, Kerala Blasters said, “We are delighted to sign on Andrew and Penn as part of this wonderful team. Their skills and experience will help us bolster our frontline attack. Kerala Blasters is a truly special team and Andrew and Penn will bring their own brand of uniqueness to the Kerala Blasters.”

Slamming the English cricket team for batting like “chumps” against world champions India, former England captain Geoffrey Boycott has said skipper Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Joe Root should not be a part of the one-day side.

“England have gone into this series with three orthodox batsmen in our top four in Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Joe Root. They are lovely technical batsmen for Test cricket but you should not have all three of them in your one-day team,”

Boycott wrote in his column in ‘The Telegraph’.

The legendary batsman also said there was a dearth of spinners and a dearth of batsmen who can play the spinning ball in the England team.

“It is quite clear why England are struggling in one-day cricket at the moment: they cannot play the turning ball. We are playing the world champions, India, and we bat like chumps,” Boycott said.

Even as England play slow bowling well on flat pitches when it does not spin, Boycott said the batsmen struggle when the ball is turning.

“It is a different ball game when the ball turns. Then they are creasebound and terrified to use their feet against the spinners. At Trent Bridge on Saturday, India had four spinners who bowled 30 overs and took six for 112 between them. It was not a raging turner, it just turned a little bit, and it was not the first time this had happened to England,”

Boycott said.

Criticising the selection of Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan and Ben Stokes, Boycott said they are all exactly the same, bowling at a similar pace and having no variations.

“After the match Cook admitted England selected them because all three can bat. It was a safety-first policy to get England out of trouble with late-order runs if the batsmen failed. We are still thinking in the old fashioned way from when I played, pack your batting and bowl fast medium line and length.

“That only works on seaming swinging pitches but the next World Cup is in Australia and New Zealand and will not have those types of pitches,” he said.

“They are guilty of selecting the ODI team on Test performances and central contracts, this is wrong thinking,” Boycott added.

The former captain said that the team must learn to accept constructive criticism from ex-players.

“Just look how Cook responded when his ‘so-called friend’ (Graeme) Swann made constructive comments about England’s one-day team and Cook got his ‘knickers in a twist’,” Boycott said.

“Now Swann has retired and it seems (Monty) Panesar has lost his focus. We cannot play spinners and we do not have one to bowl at the opposition,” he concluded.

With the round of fixtures before the international break now complete, indianexpress.com takes a look at three major talking points from the weekend: -

Blast from the past

The Reds got back to winning ways on Sunday night beating Tottenham 3-0 at White Hart Lane. The Merseyside club now has a 12-0 aggregate score over the North London club in the last three games, and their performance was reminiscent of the reverse fixture last season where Liverpool ran out 5-0 winners.

Raheem Sterling was the star man once again as Rodgers tinkered with his formation leaving Brazilian, Philippe Coutinho, out of the team to accommodate new signing Mario Balotelli. All eyes were on Balotelli’s return to English football after a twenty-month absence, and the mercurial Italian put in a good shift spurning two glorious chances, but still showed a willingness to work hard for the team.

With full backs, Eric Dier and Danny Rose pushing forward in the new setup, the centre backs were left exposed. Sturridge and Balotelli exploited the space and this constantly opened up gaps for Sterling and Henderson to run into.

This game demonstrated that Liverpool is going to be a threat going forward this year even without the services of Luis Suarez. There were signs of a potential partnership between Balotelli and Sturridge; however, it is indisputable that Raheem Sterling will be a decisive player for the Anfield club this season.

Woeful run continues

Even with the British record signing Angel Di Maria in the lineup, Manchester United were unable to find the back of the net against a resolute Burnley side. The star players failed to turn up for Louis Van Gaal’s side with Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata all putting in dreadful performances. Di Maria was arguably their best player in what was his baptism into English football.

After the game, Burnley manager, Sean Dyche echoed everyone’s thoughts that United were “quite easy” to play against and they lacked any real pace and penetration.

United were clumsy in their passing and are certainly lacking in confidence. There are too many gaps in defence and the players are looking lost in Van Gaal’s new system.

Toothless attack

The last kickoff before the international break saw Arsenal manage a paltry 1-1 draw against newly promoted Leicester City. With leading frontman Olivier Giroud out of action till New Year, the Gunners were unable to convert the numerous opportunities they created. It is imperative that Arsene Wenger adds a quality striker to his ranks before the close of the transfer window.

Yaya Sanogo failed to impress yet again in what was his 17th outing for the Gunners without a goal. After navigating Arsenal’s entry into the Champions League in midweek, Alexis Sanchez yet again managed to get on the scoresheet but Arsenal will require more quality up front in coming time.

Arsenal fans could be heard chanting for another striker and Wenger responded to those chants in his post match interview stating that his club was going to be scouting actively before the transfer deadline.

(Saahil Mehta tweets at @saahilmehta8)

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected N Srinivasan’s plea for reinstatement as BCCI President saying he cannot be allowed to take up the charge till he gets a clean chit from Justice Mudgal Committee which is probing him and 12 players in IPL betting and spot-fixing scandal.

Expressing displeasure over slow speed of probe, the apex court asked the panel to complete it’s investigation within two months and also allowed it to file interim report against Srinivasan or any other office bearer who are under its scrutiny.

A bench of justices T S Thakur and F M Ibrahim Kalifulla turned down Srinivasan’s plea that he should be allowed to discharge his function as the AGM is expected to take place at the end of this month and his signature is needed for clearing the annual account of the board.

“Signing account book is not a ground. This cannot be a ground for reinstatement,” the bench said.

At the outset of proceedings, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Srinivasan, pleaded the court to reveal whether there was anything against him in Justice Mudgal’s interim report so that he be allowed to take up the charge of BCCI if there is nothing against him.

The bench said that no comments have been made against Srinivasan in the report but the probe is still going on and he cannot be allowed to function as BCCI President.

It said that the committee sought more time as it wants to record the statements of some players who are on England tour and also voice samples of some people need to be matched.

“We saw the report. Two months time for completion of probe does not seem realistic. The way in which it is going on, it will take five years. It’s going to be a tough task for the Committee,” the bench said, asking it to expedite the probe.

The court posted the case for further hearing on November two but allowed the committee to file interim report on any individuals if it wishes.

Justice Mudgal committee, which is conducting probe against Srinivasan and 12 prominent players in the scandal, had on August 29 filed its interim report in a sealed cover before the Supreme Court.

The apex court had on May 16 given the task to conduct probe against 69-year-old Srinivasan and 12 players to Justice Mudgal panel and asked it to file its report by end of August.

It had rejected BCCI’s proposal to conduct the probe through its own panel.

The Mudgal committee had earlier investigated the scandal and submitted in a sealed envelope its initial report in which names of Srinivasan and 12 cricketers were mentioned.

“We are of the considered opinion that the allegations against the 13 persons including N Srinivasan mentioned in the report submitted in the sealed cover should be investigated into by the Justice Mudgal Committee and the team of investigators because if a new Probe Committee is entrusted to inquire into the allegations, there is likelihood of the allegations being leaked to the public and such leakage will damage the reputation of the 13 persons beyond repair,” the bench had said.

Besides Justice Mudgal, the panel has Additional Solicitor General L Nageshwar Rao and advocate Nilay Dutta as members.

A group of investigators headed by senior IPS officer B B Mishra has assisted the Mudgal Committee which was given the power to probe, search and seize relevant documents and record evidence.

Pro Kabaddi is the new IPL. It provides thrills, TRPs, tackles and tension in equal measure, while thankfully steering clear of the controversy that dogs the IPL’s every move.

But the IPL is still the grand-daddy of professional sports leagues in India, and we would imagine that Pro Kabaddi could learn much from its errors. Here is an Express LOL exclusive: an open letter by the IPL, giving friendly advice to Pro Kabaddi.

Monaco striker Radamel Falcao will join Manchester United on a season long loan, a source close to the deal told Reuters on Monday.

The 28-year-old has scored 11 goals in 20 appearances for Monaco after joining from Atletico Madrid for a fee of around 50 million euros ($65.70 million) last year.

Colombia international Falcao, who missed the World Cup after suffering a serious knee injury, had been linked with several top European clubs including Real Madrid.

Falcao will compete with regular striker Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie for a place in Louis van Gaal’s new-look United side.

Real Madrid collapsed after leading by two goals to lose 4-2 at Real Sociedad in the Spanish league on Sunday, with the European champions left rudderless without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lionel Messi, meanwhile, finished Barcelona’s 1-0 win at Villarreal with a right leg injury after he set up substitute Sandro Ramirez to score on his debut.

Messi assisted on the 82nd-minute winner and played the full match, but his club said after the game he had injured a right leg muscle and would undergo tests on Monday.

Madrid looked set to romp at Anoeta Stadium after dominating the first half hour with goals by Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale.

But David Zurutuza scored twice on either side of goals by Inigo Martinez and Carlos Vela as the hosts roared back to leave Madrid’s players with blushes to match their bright pink kits.

“We were horrible,” said Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Elsewhere, Isaac Cuenca converted a penalty in stoppage time to salvage Deportivo La Coruna a 2-2 draw against Rayo Vallecano, while David Lomban also scored in added time to secure Elche a 1-1 draw with Granada.

On Thursday, Sociedad was beaten 3-0 at Russian side Krasnodar, eliminating it from the Europa League playoffs and sparking speculation that coach Jagoba Arrasate’s job was in danger.

“We began with many doubts after our elimination the other day, but we turned it around with a lot of courage and attitude,” said Xabi Prieto, who flicked on a corner kick for Martinez’s goal and crossed for Zurutuza to score what proved to be the winner.

Now Carlo Ancelotti will have to answer why his squad with stars like Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez failed to compete for the final hour. Madrid, which had already lost the Spanish Super Cup to Atletico Madrid, slipped two points behind Barcelona.

“I don’t like this defeat at all because I think sometimes you can play poorly but when you are winning 2-0 you have to show more character to finish off the game and that is my responsibility,” said Ancelotti. “Something has to change and it will change.”

With Ronaldo out to nurse his nagging leg injuries, Ramos and Bale took over the scoring duties.

Ramos headed in Toni Kroos’ corner kick in the fifth minute before Bale doubled the lead six minutes later with an audacious dribble to put the ball between the legs of Gorka Elustondo before scoring.

Martinez swung the tide when he slipped behind Ramos to score in the 35th. Zurutuza equalized in the 41st when he thumped in Alberto de la Bella’s cross.

Casillas grazed Imanol Agirretxe’s header wide in the 48th but could do nothing to stop Zurutuza’s second goal in the 65th before Vela added another in the 75th.

Earlier, Messi was as incisive as in Barcelona’s home opener last week when he scored two times in a win. But at El Madrigal Stadium he was twice denied by the goalframe when goalie Sergio Asenjo blocked his free kick off the post in the 28th and his shot stuck the upright in the 76th.

Neymar came on as a second-half substitute for his first competitive game since fracturing a vertebra at the World Cup, having missed last weekend’s league opener with a left ankle sprain. The striker misfired twice before starting the move that led to Barcelona’s goal by passing to Messi in the area.

Hemmed in by Asenjo and a defender on the right side, Messi squeezed a low pass under Asenjo for the streaking Ramirez to tap home.

New coach Luis Enrique saw another successful debut by a player from Barcelona’s “B-Team,” which he coached from 2008-2011. Last week it was 18-year-old Munir El Haddadi who scored to round off Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Elche. This time it was the 19-year-old Ramirez, who had a perfect debut after substituting Pedro Rodriguez in the 69th.

“(Luis Enrique) looks to the youth team and we try to make the most of it,” Ramirez said.

Villarreal had its chances to go ahead after hitting the goalframe on two occasions. Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu almost scored an own goal in the 51st before Tomas Pina’s long strike rattled the bar in the 72nd.