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Former opener also feels “home advantage in Australia has been taken away quite a lot”, particularly under lights

Vishal Dikshit21-Aug-2024

Unlike Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden couldn’t pick a favourite for the series in 2024-25•BCCI

Former Australia batter Matthew Hayden believes Australia’s home advantage “has been taken away quite a lot” in recent years, and that runs are going to come at a “premium” in the forthcoming five-match Test series between Australia and India to be played from November 2024 to January 2025.As for the nature of pitches at the five venues – Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney – Hayden said on the sidelines of the CEAT cricket rating awards that “three [Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne] out of five are drop-in wickets”.”One is a day-night Test match [in Adelaide] – the second Test match,” he said. “Again, once you get those overhead conditions under that twilight zone, they can be really difficult [to bat on]. I would go as far as to say that the home advantage in Australia has been taken away quite a lot, simply on the basis that if you get the wrong side of a certain session, be that you’re 4 for 130, at twilight you can be 8 for 150.Related

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“So there’s no chance to naturally dominate a game. It’s quite even the whole time, so it’s a very different type of cricket, because you don’t have those traditional surfaces.”Australia have not only lost their last two home series against India, thus losing their grip on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for ten years now, but also saw their fortress in Brisbane breached twice in three years: the defeat to India in January 2021 followed by one against a much lower-ranked West Indies in January earlier this year, which resulted in a 1-1 drawn series.That slim, eight-run loss to West Indies was also Australia’s first in a day-night Test after 11 straight victories.Expecting the upcoming contest against India to be an “unbelievable and historic series” between the top-two-ranked Test teams in the world, Hayden couldn’t pick a favourite for the series, unlike his former captain Ricky Ponting, who has pipped Australia to win 3-1.”Those two, coming now to the later pages of their career, will be keen to dominate” – Matthew Hayden on Virat Kohli and Steven Smith•BCCI

“You look at the line-ups, and it’s hard to really tell who’s got the edge,” Hayden said. “I sense that it’s going to be runs that are going to be the point of difference. So the best need to stand up in this series; runs are going to be at a premium. And I also feel like the structure of the tournament being from the west to the east is a bit of the unique way that the Australian landscape of cricket is going to be played out. It’s usually the other way around. It’s going to be a great summer.”For runs, a lot of eyes will be on the experienced Virat Kohli and Steven Smith – the leading run-scorers in Tests for their teams among active players, and also prolific scorers against the teams they’re going to face soon. While Kohli averages 47.48 against Australia and 54.08 in Australia, Smith averages an even better 65.87 against India.”I’m sure those two players, coming now to the later pages of their cricket career, will be very keen to dominate the landscape through the summer,” Hayden said. “That’s their nature: they do it in very different ways, [and] very different styles, but certainly, they really are the keys to the Australian summer.”Hayden also pointed out the kind of challenge India’s batters will have to face in Australian conditions because of the steeper bounce and the size of the grounds across the country. When asked about the kind of impact a young and promising batter like Yashasvi Jaiswal could make, as was pointed out by Nathan Lyon recently, Hayden said Jaiswal had “superb” strokeplay, but that he’ll be challenged by three “world-class speedsters”.”I think he’s a package,” Hayden said of Jaiswal. “Yes, his strokeplay is superb. His ability, in particular, to hit on the up through the covers is phenomenal. [But] that’ll also have its vulnerabilities. I’m looking forward to seeing how he adjusts on bouncy tracks. We did notice a few times in the IPL that he’s a very hard hitter of the ball – [with the] pull shots in particular.”But that’ll be challenged by three world-class speedsters, assuming they’re all fit, and on much bigger grounds as well – grounds where it has to almost be the perfect contact for that ball to sail over for six. You can get caught easily, three-quarters of the way in the fence. So they have little adjustments that world-class players like Jaiswal will make for sure.”

Aston Villa are in the market for reinforcements out wide due to Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio’s departures and could now be ready to strike for a replacement, according to a report.

Aston Villa in pursuit of arrivals after Marco Bizot announcement

Undoubtedly, the Villans have endured a stop-start beginning to the transfer window amid PSR uncertainty in the West Midlands. However, they now appear set to step up their business over the next few weeks.

With Emiliano Martinez’s future uncertain due to links with Manchester United, Unai Emery has signed Marco Bizot from Stade Brestois and he is keen to hit the ground running after sealing a move to Aston Villa.

He stated: “It’s an amazing feeling. I’m a little bit blown away by the professionalism of the club and the effort everyone put into it. I’m really proud and really happy to be here. It’s an amazing club, a big club, and it’s a dream to be at the highest level possible.

“The contact we’ve had in the last weeks has been of the highest level I’ve ever experienced in my life, and it made it an easy decision to join Aston Villa.”

Following on from their capture of the Netherlands international, Aston Villa have opened talks to sign Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott and he is enticed by the possbility of being able to take part in their Europa League campaign.

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Toulouse defender Jaydee Canvot is another name on the Villans’ radar, so there is plenty of plates starting to spin despite a slow start to the window.

Now, Aston Villa have turned their attention to a proven Premier League operator who has made a considerable amount of headlines in recent weeks.

Aston Villa now want to sign Alejandro Garnacho

According to The Daily Mail, Aston Villa have registered their interest in signing Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, initiating contact over his situation at Old Trafford.

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen on the Argentina international, and it is said that he is keen to stay in the English top-flight rather than opting to move abroad.

Alejandro Garnacho’s key Premier League statistics – 2024/25 (Fotmob)

Chances created

37

Successful dribbles

26

Expected Goals tally

7.33

Shots

84

Shots on target

30

Labelled a “special player” by Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho registered 11 goals and ten assists in 58 appearances across all competitions last term, albeit he is now set for an exit from Manchester United after being banished from training with their first-team.

Atletico Madrid and Napoli are also previous admirers of the £70 million-rated Madrid-born man, though the fact he would prefer to stay in England could work in Emery’s favour.

It remains to be seen if Aston Villa can indeed push a deal over the line, but it would be a major statement of intent in their quest for the Champions League slots once again this term.

استنكر الإعلامي أحمد شوبير ردود أفعال جماهير الأهلي عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي، بعد تعادل الفريق أمام إنبي في الدوري، مشيرًا إلى أن إدارة النادي باتت تسير في كثير من قراراتها وفقًا لما يُطرح على تلك المنصات، خاصة فيما يتعلق بملف التعاقدات سواء مع اللاعبين أو المديرين الفنيين.

وقال شوبير عبر برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الإثنين: “أنتم من طلبتم الصفقات، وأنتم من كنتم تحتفلون مع كل صفقة جديدة، تعاقد الأهلي مع أشرف بن شرقي فكان السؤال: من التالي؟ جاء الرد تريزيجيه، بعده بن رمضان، ثم زيزو، ومع كل صفقة كانت هناك احتفالات واسعة وشعور بالفخر، حتى أصبح الحديث أن القطار قد انطلق ولا أحد يستطيع الوقوف أمام الأهلي، كل ذلك تم بناءً على رغبة الجماهير”.

وأضاف: “حديثي اليوم سيكون واضحًا وصريحًا للغاية، الإدارة التي تبني قراراتها على طلب الجمهور تواجه أزمة كبيرة، المفترض أن القرارات تستند إلى الاحتياجات الفنية ورؤية المدير الفني، لا أن يرحل المدرب لأنه رفض صفقة معينة أو لا يرغب في إشراك لاعب بعينه، أصبحنا نكرر الخطأ نفسه، حيث تحولت القصة إلى فرحة عند تقديم اللاعبين الجدد، بينما المردود غائب”.

طالع أيضًا | محمود فتح الله: الأهلي يدفع ثمن خطأ فادح.. وتصريحات الإدارة “غير طبيعية”

وتابع: “الأهلي جمع 6 نقاط فقط من أصل 15، ويحتل المركز السادس عشر في جدول الدوري. صحيح أنه يملك مباراة مؤجلة، وإذا فاز بها سيقلص الفارق مع المتصدر إلى 4 نقاط، لكن ذلك ليس مضمونًا، فالأمور قد تتحسن أو تزداد تعقيدًا”.

وواصل: “مارسيل كولر مثلًا، حقق الدوري والكأس والسوبر والبطولات الإفريقية باستثناء لقب واحد، وخسر السوبر الإفريقي، ورغم ذلك تكوَّن رأي عام يطالب برحيله، فاستجابت الإدارة”.

وأردف: “رحل كولر وجاء عماد النحاس ونجح فكان لابد من استمراره. ثم تعاقدت الإدارة مع ريبيرو باعتباره مشروع مدرب، وبعد أربع أو خمس مباريات وهزيمة أمام بيراميدز، خرجت الجماهير لتطالب برحيله، فرحل بالفعل، ثم عاد النحاس، ومع التعادل أصبح الرحيل مطلبًا. وهكذا ندور في الحلقة نفسها”.

واستكمل شوبير تصريحاته قائلًا: “القضية الآن أن المدرجات لم تعد صاحبة القرار، بل أصبحت مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي هي التي تحكم. هذا سلاح قوي لا يمكن إنكاره”.

واختتم: “لدي صديق مثلًا، عندما يخسر الأهلي أو يتعادل أول ما يقوله: يجب أن يرحل المدرب. أسأله: هل من المنطقي أن يخسر مدرب مباراة أو مباراتين فنقول عليه أن يرحل؟ هناك شروط جزائية وأموال! فيرد: لا يهم، يجب أن يرحل. والمشكلة أن الباب فُتح منذ البداية، فأصبح القرار في يد السوشيال ميديا لا الإدارة”.

يستضيف فريق ريال مدريد، عصر يوم السبت، خصمه فريق إسبانيول في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم، موسم 2025/26.

ويلتقي ريال مدريد مع نظيره إسبانيول، في الجولة الخامسة من الدوري الإسباني لذلك الموسم على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”.

ويسعى ريال مدريد إلى مواصلة سلسلة انتصاراته الناجحة في موسم الليجا تحت قيادة المدرب تشابي ألونسو، حيث يمتلك 12 نقطة في الصدارة.

ويفتقد ريال مدريد خدمات المدافع دين هويسن بسبب الإيقاف بعد طرده في الجولة الماضية أمام ريال سوسيداد، بخلاف ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد للإصابة، وكذلك أنطونيو روديجر. تشكيل ريال مدريد المتوقع أمام إسبانيول في الدوري الإسباني

حراسة المرمى: تيبو كورتوا.

خط الدفاع: داني كارفاخال، إيدير ميليتاو، راؤول أسينسيو، ألفاراو كاريراس.

خط الوسط: فيدي فالفيردي، تشواميني.

خط الوسط الهجومي: ماستانتونو، أردا جولر، فينيسيوس جونيور.

خط الهجوم: كيليان مبابي. 

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا.

You can almost physically feel the shift in mood and anticipation at Arsenal. With deals wrapped for Noni Madueke and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres (who has not formally completed his move), the frontline is reshaping before our eyes.

The pursuit of Sweden sensation Gyokeres felt to have gone on for an interminably long time. And it did. So lengthy was the saga that Gyokeres, with his express focus on transferring to the Emirates Stadium in spite of rival interest, was nearly hijacked on two occasions over the past week. He turned a blind eye to Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United both times.

Madueke’s arrival evoked less fanfare, but he’s a talented player and a fitting profile, one who will provide support for Bukayo Saka on the right flank.

Kepa Arrizabalaga saved three penalties in an exhibition shootout after the Gunners kicked off their pre-season tour with a 1-0 victory over AC Milan. Fellow new recruits Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard got their first tastes of action too.

The next phase in Mikel Arteta’s ambitious plan is coming together, but the Londoners may yet add more to their ranks as they look to end five years without silverware.

What's next for Arsenal

With a deal for Gyokeres done and dusted, Arteta finally has the free-scoring centre-forward he has sought over the past several years.

But more is needed. Cristian Mosquera’s transfer from Valencia to north London remains incomplete, albeit all but wrapped up. There are not expected to be any eleventh-hour issues regarding either of the club’s outstanding bids.

With Chelsea closing on a deal for RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons, Arsenal may soon accelerate their interest in Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that talks are ongoing between Arteta’s side and the player’s camp.

And then there are the futures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard to contend with. Either could be playing elsewhere a few months from now.

Should that be the case, the Gunners will need a new left winger. Real Madrid’s Rodrygo has emerged as a top target in recent weeks, though he would cost around £87m and is coming off the back of a disappointing campaign, going 17 matches for Los Blancos without a goal.

However, Rodrygo is not the only talented wide winger on Arteta’s list.

Arsenal looking at deal for Premier League winger

According to Caught Offside, Arsenal “are looking” to complete a deal for Anthony Gordon this summer, with reporter Charles Watts confirming that technical director Andrea Berta is still keen on signing a left-sided forward before the summer’s out.

Gordon, 24, has emerged as one of the Premier League’s leading wingers over the past few years, and Newcastle United know it. Thus, he has been priced at a rather lofty £100m, though Arsenal would surely seek a reduced fee.

An out-and-out winger with impressive athleticism, the England international is also being pursued by Liverpool, who may accelerate their interest if the £70m-rated Luis Diaz is sold to Bayern Munich.

Why Arsenal should sign Anthony Gordon

Off the bat, Gordon has a wealth of experience in the Premier League – and that matters. Many are the talented players who have entered England’s top flight with much hype only to struggle against the current.

Rodrygo, of course, isn’t a nobody, and he hasn’t won two Champions League titles and risen to a position as one of Europe’s leading forwards to be told that he doesn’t have what it takes to impress in a robust and fluent Arsenal side.

But Arteta needs to choose wisely if he is to bridge that canyon and cross past Liverpool, all the while keeping Manchester City and a growing force in Chelsea at bay. And others.

Describing himself as a “nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, Gordon has what it takes to elevate Arsenal’s frontline higher, with his balance and pace and tenacity all exactly what is needed to serve Gyokeres at number nine and contrast with Saka out on the right.

For a range of reasons, Gordon didn’t reach his finest level last season. However, the previous term was one of great individual merit for the Three Lions star, who was awarded Newcastle’s Player of the Year award after clinching 28 goal contributions across the season.

Looking at that high level against Rodrygo’s in La Liga, we begin to see why Arsenal are considering a move for the Magpies man in spite of Rodrygo’s ostensible availability.

Stat Comparison – Anthony Gordon vs Rodrygo

Stats (* per game)

Gordon (23/24)

Rodrygo (24/25)

Matches (starts)

35 (34)

30 (22)

Goals

11

6

Assists

10

5

Shots (on target)*

2.3 (0.9)

1.8 (0.7)

Big chances missed

9

1

Pass completion

82%

91%

Big chances created

16

5

Key passes*

1.6

1.6

Dribbles*

1.5

1.6

Ball recoveries*

3.6

2.4

Tackles + interceptions*

1.8

1.1

Duels won*

5.3

3.8

Stats via Sofascore

Rodrygo, no doubt, is an elite forward, crisper than Gordon in possession and more clinical in the final third. However, they are both creatively on par, and the Newcastle star’s work rate and combativeness are underlined by his duel and ball recovery metrics.

From this, we can see why he ranks so highly on Arsenal’s analytical findings. Let’s hypothesise for a moment: if Gordon plyed his trade at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Rodrygo at St. James’ Park, can we honestly surmise that the data would remain in the same frame?

Arsenal’s transfer activity this summer bespeaks improvements up top, and Gordon would be the cherry on the cake. Moreover, he would find that he could lift himself to the next level under Arteta’s wing, part of an ever-improving side that is so hungry for that final piece of the puzzle.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 24, 2025

Alick Athanaze is fit and available for selection after having recovered from injury

Deivarayan Muthu11-Sep-20241:08

Powell: Very important to win home games

Rovman Powell’s Barbados Royals, one of two as yet unbeaten teams in CPL 2024 along with defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors, will be at full strength for their home leg, which kicks off against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in Bridgetown on September 11.The South African pair of David Miller and Keshav Maharaj has linked up with the side while batter Alick Athanaze has recovered from the finger injury that had put him out of Royals’ game against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Basseterre last week. With Maharaj back and available until the end of the season along with Miller – both players were rested for the upcoming UAE tour where South Africa will face Afghanistan and Ireland in white-ball games – Dunith Wellalage, the Sri Lanka allrounder who was picked by Royals as a replacement player, has returned home.Related

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Shamarh Brooks, who was originally selected as a temporary replacement for Miller, however, will continue to stay with the squad as cover.”We’ve got David Miller and Kesh Maharaj, and we’ve got our full complement of five overseas players,” Royals head coach Trevor Penney said on the eve of their first home game of the season, against Falcons. “Looks like Alick Athanaze is fit for selection as well. So it will definitely be a different team and will be a good headache to have with some of the youngsters that have come in and played really well as well. So we will have a selection meeting later and will come up with the team for tomorrow.”Alick has been playing for West Indies. He’s an up-and-coming batsman that really needs to play in our side. It’s going to be up for debate in our selection meeting.”David Miller has represented Royals in both the CPL and SA20•SA20

Royals have secured contrasting wins in contrasting conditions so far in CPL 2024. In their first game, on a North Sound pitch that got better for batting, Royals overhauled 146 with plenty to spare while in their second, they scrapped to victory with just one ball to spare on a used Basseterre surface. Bridgetown has had some rain in the lead-up to Royals’ home leg but their captain Powell suggested that has not affected their preparation.”I think, to be honest, it [Barbados] has one of the better conditions I’ve seen,” Powell said. “The practice wickets were good and the guys told me that the wickets in the middle are good. They had a camp here before we started the CPL, so cricket is being played on the wicket.”Royals finally have all their five overseas players available for selection and Powell hoped that their franchise T20 experience will serve them well. Miller and Maharaj are familiar faces already at the Royals set-up. While Miller had played his part in Royals’ run to the final in CPL 2022 and had even captained Paarl Royals in the SA20, Maharaj has represented Royals in the IPL.”This is just a top-up,” Powell said. “A lot of the guys have been playing franchise cricket around the world. So, these training sessions are just top-ups – just to get some blood flowing, hit a few balls in the middle and as a bowling group see if we can correct a few errors that we have made in the past few games.”Maharaj will slot into Wellalage’s role and will work with mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana, whose economy rate of 4.62 is currently the best among all bowlers who have bowled at least 24 balls this CPL. With the pitches in the region expected to slow down even further as the tournament progresses, Powell spoke about the impact the spinners could have on the CPL. With slower-ball specialist Naveen-ul-Haq and offspin-bowling allrounder Rahkeem Cornwall also pitching in with the ball, Royals haven’t even needed Nyeem Young’s medium-pace at all across two matches.”Bowlers win tournaments and batters win games,” Powell had said after the win against the Patriots. “I think we have a pretty good overseas spin department and that is very, very important. In the Caribbean, quality spinners sometimes become difficult to bat [against]. But having said that, we have fast bowlers that are there to back them up.”Aaron Jones has prioritised the CPL over USA commitments•ICC/Getty Images

Jones to stay at the CPL; Gous to leave for international dutyAaron Jones, the USA vice-captain who made a splash during the T20 World Cup earlier this year, will stay with St Lucia Kings for the rest of the CPL while his national team-mate Andries Gous is set to leave the Trinbago Knight Riders squad for the upcoming ICC CWC League ODI series in Namibia.Jones is in action in the CPL as a local player through his Barbados passport while the South Africa-born Gous slotted in as a temporary replacement for Tim David at TKR. As such, Gous was signed up for just four games and is now in line for his ODI debut. David, meanwhile, is set to link up with TKR and reunite with his Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard, who is the TKR captain in the CPL, after participating in three T20Is in England.Hassan Khan in action for San Francisco Unicorns in the MLC•MLC

Hassan Khan replaces Fakhar Zaman at FalconsFalcons have brought in allrounder Hassan Khan as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman for the rest of CPL 2024. Fakhar has returned home for the the Champions One-day Cup, Pakistan’s newer version of the domestic 50-over competition, which will run from September 12 to 29, clashing with the CPL.Hassan, 25, was born in Karachi and had captained Pakistan in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand before he moved to the USA. A left-arm spinner and a right-hand batter, Hassan was the highest wicket-taker for San Francisco Unicorns in MLC 2024 with ten strikes in nine matches at an economy rate of 7.09.

West Ham United have made just three signings so far this summer, with one of those being Jean-Clair Todibo, who joins permanently after his loan spell last term.

With just a few weeks until the start of the Premier League season, Graham Potter still needs to bolster a few key areas, notably his attack department.

The supporters will be hoping a new striker or two arrives in the coming weeks, no doubt about that.

Could Potter, however, make a statement signing from a fellow Premier League side instead?

West Ham holding talks for top-flight sensation

Striker Callum Wilson is reportedly in discussions with the Irons regarding a move to the London Stadium, and this would help boost Potter’s attacking options.

While this deal may be seen as a priority for the club, it appears as though Potter is keen on signing another midfielder.

According to the Metro, West Ham have been in talks with Liverpool this month regarding a potential move for Harvey Elliott. Any move might cost them around £40m.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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The midfielder shone for England at the U21 European Championship this summer, but has made it clear he needs regular game time during the 2025/26 campaign.

It remains to be seen whether Arne Slot has him factored into his plans for the Anfield side. Perhaps a move to West Ham can bolster his World Cup hopes.

If so, Potter might just have his very own version of Cole Palmer – a player whom David Moyes came close to signing back in the summer of 2023, prior to his move to Stamford Bridge.

Why West Ham must sign Harvey Elliott

It would be an understatement to say that last season didn’t go quite as planned for the 22-year-old.

He made just 28 appearances for Liverpool, with only six coming from the starting XI. Despite this, Elliott still managed to score five goals and grab three assists.

His performances for England at the U21 European Championships, however, saw him crowned as player of the tournament. He scored five times as England retained their title.

According to FBref, Palmer is the eighth-most comparable player to Elliott across Europe’s top five leagues, suggesting that the young Liverpool starlet could offer a similar set of skills should he join West Ham. Like his compatriot and fellow left-footer, the playmaker thrives off the right flank or in a number ten berth.

Indeed, the pair registered similar statistics across a range of metrics domestically last term, including shots per 90 (4.12 vs 3.41), shot-creating actions (5.11 vs 5.7) per 90 and goal-creating actions (0.73 vs 0.42) per 90.

Elliott may have played fewer games than Palmer, but when given a chance, the Anfield gem certainly took full advantage. If he can go on to reach the heights of a player who boasts 72 goals and assists in just 97 games for Chelsea, then the Hammers would be on to a winner.

Harvey Elliott’s stats for England at the U21 European Championship

Goals

5

Assists

0

Key passes per game

1.7

Goal conversion percentage

25%

Shots per game

3.3

Successful dribbles per game

0.7

Via Sofascore

Previously hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig as an “outrageous talent” in 2021, Elliott has matured into a versatile player who can operate across a multitude of positions.

Wherever Potter decides to play Elliott, there is no doubt he can offer plenty to a side that struggled for goals last season.

For £40m, it could turn out to be a shrewd piece of business by the Irons as they seek a return to the top half of the Premier League table.

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Posts ByTom Cunningham Jul 25, 2025

He said that it was important that New Zealand got overs into their spinners in Galle, which should help them in next month’s India Tests

Madushka Balasuriya29-Sep-2024

New Zealand lost the series 2-0 but had their moments, according to Southee•AFP/Getty Images

New Zealand may have lost both Tests – the second particularly badly, by an innings and 154 runs – but a closer look at how the games panned out probably shows a picture not as dire as first imagined.In the first Test, they ran Sri Lanka closer than most, falling short in the chase as they lost by 68 runs. There they also had Sri Lanka on the ropes on several occasions, both with the ball and with the bat, but were unable to push on.”We had our moments,” reflected captain Tim Southee after the series. “Looking back at the first innings of the first Test, if we were able to push on there and gain a bit more of a lead then things may have been different in the series.Related

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“And I think the second match we were on the wrong side of the toss and it was tough to make those early breakthroughs and, yeah, it’s tough to come back from that.”Losing the toss definitely hurt New Zealand’s chances, though likely not as much as the number of chances they failed to take on the opening day of the second Test. Multiple catches were missed, and a stumping chance too. Southee acknowledged that this was not what they’ve come to expect of themselves.”Yeah, disappointing. No one means to drop catches. I felt like the energy and the ground fielding wasn’t too bad, but obviously, a couple of chances went down and it can hurt you in this part of the world.”But no one means to drop them, and the guys are working hard on it. It’s something that us as a Kiwi side, we pride ourselves on, so we’ll be looking to improve in that area as well.”With a tour to India next month, things are only going to get tougher. However, the experiences of Galle, for both the batters and bowlers, will no doubt hold them in good stead.Glenn Phillips did well with bat and ball in Sri Lanka•AP

Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips collectively bowled over 100 overs in the second Test alone, experience that Southee believes will prove invaluable for the challenges ahead.”I think just getting those overs into the spinners [was important]. Obviously when they’re playing in New Zealand they don’t have the opportunity to bowl a lot. You look to learn and move forward as a player and as a team, so it’s what we’ll be doing over the next week before we hit India.”Ajaz is obviously our main spinner and he did well throughout the series. Glenn Phillips, another guy who hasn’t bowled all that much, really showed that he has grown, and gone from strength to strength. They will all learn from that and we will hopefully do well in India.”As for the batters, while there will no doubt be regrets over how that horror morning session on day three turned out, their immediate response definitely offers up a truer reflection of what this New Zealand outfit hopes to achieve more consistently.Despite the margin of defeat, New Zealand notched up their highest score in Galle – 360 – and did so at an impressive run rate of 4.40 per over. It also served as a blueprint of sorts in how to effectively counter a turning surface.”The second innings was much more the way we want to play. The guys were quite positive and played in a more positive manner. It was a big shift from the first innings.”I think it was a much clearer way for the guys to play. They they went out and they played their shots. I don’t think it was reckless at any stage, even someone like Mitchell Santner, he was still hitting something like 50 of 100. So it was a good tempo innings, and it was about picking the right moments to attack and right moments to defend.”I think when the conditions are doing plenty and obviously spin was doing a lot at certain times, the guys were able to absorb at times, and also able to put pressure back on the bowlers as well.”

أشاد بيب جوارديولا، مدرب نادي مانشستر سيتي، بلاعبي فريقه عقب الفوز على نابولي يوم الخميس بدوري أبطال أوروبا، موضحًا أن فريقه بدأ المسابقة بشكل مثالي. 

مانشستر سيتي تمكن من تحقيق انتصار مستحق على حساب نابولي بهدفين مقابل لا شيء يوم الخميس، ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولى من مرحلة الدوري بدوري أبطال أوروبا.

وأشار جوارديولا، إلى أن مانشستر سيتي نجح في اجتياز أسبوع صعب، والمتمثل في الفوز على مانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، ومن ثم تجاوز نابولي.

طالع .. كونتي يوضح سبب استبدال دي بروين أمام مانشستر سيتي.. ويصرح: الشيطان له يد في الأمر.. وأشعر بخيبة أمل

وقال جوارديولا في تصريحات إلى شبكة تي إن تي سبورتس عقب نهاية المباراة: ”نعم، كانت بداية مثالية لموسم دوري أبطال أوروبا، لعبنا دقائق كثيرة ضد 10 لاعبين، الفرق الإيطالية مذهلة في الدفاع لقد واجهتهم مرات عديدة في دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرونتهم وتركيزهم مميزة وأنا معجب بهم كثيرًا”.

وأضاف جوارديولا في حديثه: ”أنا سعيد جدًا، اجنزنا أسبوعًا صعبًا بالفوز في ديربي مانشستر وعلى نابولي، وأمامنا تحدي صعب للغاية يوم الأحد ضد أرسنال، لكننا سنذهب إلى هناك بشعور جيد”.

وفيما يتعلق بمهاجم مانشستر سيتي إيرلينج هالاند، أوضح المدرب الإسباني: ”لا توجد لدي كلمات لوصف ما يقدمه هالاند”.

وعن جيريمي دوكو وهدفه الرائع اليوم اختتم جوارديولا: “في المساحات الضيقة، على بعد خمسة أمتار من المرمى لا يمكن إيقافه، إنه رائع حقًا”.

David, a former left-arm spinner, is the second Indian woman in the Hall of Fame

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Oct-2024

Alastair Cook, Neetu David and AB de Villiers left their mark on the game•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Alastair Cook, Neetu David and AB de Villiers are the newest inductees into the ICC Hall of Fame. The trio are the 113th, 114th and the 115th members of the club.David, a former left-arm spinner who played 10 Tests and 97 ODIs, is the second Indian woman after Diana Edulji to be included in the ICC Hall of Fame.”It is truly an honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, something that I consider to be the highest recognition available to anyone who puts on their national team jersey,” David said in an ICC statement. “This comes after a lifetime of dedication to this great sport, and it caps a very special journey for me to get to this point. I would like to thank the ICC for the recognition, as well as all the BCCI, my team-mates, coaches, family and friends that were a constant source of support throughout my career.”David, currently the chair of selectors for the Indian women’s team, was the first Indian woman to pick up 100 ODI wickets. She topped the bowling charts at the 2005 ODI World Cup, taking 20 wickets as India finished runners-up. She ended her career with a bowling average of 16.34, which is the best by any bowler – male or female – to have taken at least 100 ODI wickets. Her figures of 8 for 53 are also the best in an innings in women’s Tests, and it was the first eight-wicket haul in the format.Alastair Cook retired from Test cricket as England’s leading run-scorer and century-maker•Getty Images

Former opener Cook was, until recently, the leading run-scorer and century-maker for England in Test cricket. He scored 766 runs in seven innings in England’s first Ashes win in Australia for 24 years in 2010-11 and captained England to two successive home Ashes wins in 2013 and 2015. He was at the forefront of England’s first Test series win in India for 28 years in 2012.”It is a huge honour to join some of the greatest players to have ever played the game,” Cook said. “I have always felt very fortunate to have had the opportunity to play for Essex and England and so to have this latest honour given to me just makes it all the more special.”De Villiers lit up world cricket with his innovative strokeplay and set the record for the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in ODI cricket. He scored over 20,000 runs in international cricket and was part of South Africa’s semi-final finishes at the 2007 and 2015 ODI World Cups. His career-best Test score of 278 not out against Pakistan in 2010 was briefly the highest individual score for South Africa. He retired from internationals in 2018 with an average of over 50 in Tests and ODIs.”Cricket is often described as an individual sport within a team game … and it’s true that, whether you are a batsman taking guard at the crease or a bowler pausing at the start of his run-up, you – and only you – are responsible for what happens,” de Villiers said. “That said, everyone who plays cricket understands it is, in spirit, a team game. And I know I would have achieved nothing without the help and support of so many team-mates, coaches and support staff from my early days at school in Pretoria, through so many memorable days at the Titans and with the South Africa team – and, indeed in franchise cricket – all around the world. To all of them, to the ICC, and supporters around the world, thank you.”