All posts by h79snht.top

ECB makes things right after ICC downgraded series, which replaced scheduled one against South Africa

George Dobell17-Jun-2020

The ECB have moved to right one of the great injustices of the game by presenting Alan Jones with a Test cap.Jones, the former Glamorgan opening batsman, appeared for England against the Rest of the World side in 1970. At the time the games were considered by all involved as authentic Tests and the Rest of the World side contained many of the finest players of the age: Sir Gary Sobers, Rohan Kanhai, Graeme Pollock, Mike Procter, Barry Richards et al.But the series, which replaced the scheduled one against South Africa, was subsequently downgraded in status by the ICC. As a result, Jones, who never played for England again, lost his standing as a Test player. While the story that he was asked to return his England cap, blazer and jumper is not true – “I have them at home,” he said, “they look as good as new; I’ve hardly worn them!” – he admitted the decision to rid the match of Test status was a “huge disappointment”.So, on the 50th anniversary of the Test that wasn’t, the ECB decided to surprise him. Jones, now 81, was presented with a new England Test cap – No. 696; the next available after Zak Crawley was awarded No. 695 in November – in a virtual ceremony attended by, among others, ECB chair Colin Graves, England Test captain Joe Root, former England captain and Glamorgan teammate Tony Lewis, and Glamorgan CEO Hugh Morris.”While the record books may not show Alan as a capped international cricketer, the ECB wanted to recognise his England appearance and celebrate his remarkable career as a player, coach and administrator by awarding him England cap number 696,” Graves said. “My congratulations go to Alan, as well as my thanks and respect for all he has done for the game of cricket in the last six decades, especially in his native Wales.”Alan Jones played for England against the Rest of the World XI•PA Photos

Root said: “It’s a privilege to do this. Your contribution to cricket has been fantastic and it’s only right that we recognise it today.”Hearing and reading about Alan’s achievements has been inspiring. The cap makes you part of a very special family and I hope it’s not too long before we can welcome Alan to an England match to congratulate him in person.”While the ECB’s gesture does not mean the games are now officially recognised as Tests – the ICC would have to sanction such a decision – it will be widely celebrated by the Welsh cricket-loving community who have long fought for such a move. As Morris put it: “The whole of Wales will be thrilled.”Cap or no cap, Jones enjoyed an outstanding career. His 36,049 first class runs are a record for a player uncapped at Test level and for 23 consecutive years, between 1961 and 1983, he registered 1,000 first class runs in a season. He was a member of the Glamorgan side that won the 1969 County Championship, coach of the Glamorgan side that won the 1993 Sunday League and director of cricket when they won the Championship again in 1997. Only one man, John Langridge, has scored more than Jones’ 56 first class centuries without winning a Test cap.”It was a big disappointment when the Rest of the World games were disregarded,” Jones said. “I didn’t feel as if I was a full England player.”Even Sobers said he would never have played if it hadn’t been considered proper cricket. The Rest of the World side was magnificent and everyone took the series very seriously. Walking out to open the batting at Lord’s was very special. It absolutely felt like a Test.”But I knew I had to succeed. I knew in my heart as I drove into Lord’s that if I didn’t get runs in that match that would be the end. That’s pressure! I was very annoyed but life goes on.”Summing up his experience as a nearly-man, Jones recalled another story which underlined his misfortune.”I came close [to Test selection] in 1968, I think,” he said. “We were playing against Lancashire in Cardiff. Ken Higgs walked into our dressing room and said, ‘Alec Bedser, the chairman of selectors, has come to watch you play.'”Well, it rained for the next two days. But, on the Tuesday, we had a one-innings game and Lancashire set us about 170 to win. I scored 95 not out. But when I got back to the dressing room, Higgs walked back in and said ‘Well played, but Alec went back to London yesterday.'”Life goes on.”

سجل فريق الكرة الأول بنادي إنيمبا النيجيري، الهدف الثاني في شباك نظيره الزمالك، بالمباراة الجارية بينهما الآن.

ويحل الزمالك ضيفًا على نظيره إنيمبا، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات ببطولة الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.

ويتواجد الزمالك بالمجموعة الرابعة من بطولة الكونفدرالية، رفقة كل من المصري البورسعيدي وإنيمبا النيجيري وبلاك بولز الموزمبيقي.

وأحرز فريق إنيمبا الهدف الثاني عن طريق أوفري تشندو من تسديدة خارج منطقة الجزاء والتي غيرت اتجاهها بعد اصطدامها في قدم مصطفى الزناري، بالدقيقة 57.

وكان الزمالك قد تقدم بهدفين عن طريق سيف الدين الجزيري وعمر فرج في الدقيقتين 33 و40 من عمر الشوط الأول.

فيديو | الجزيري وعمر فرج يسجلان هدفي الزمالك الأول والثاني أمام إنيمبا

قبل أن يقلص إنيمبا النتيجة بهدفه الأول عن طريف إيفاني انتوني في الدقيقة الخامسة من الوقت بدل الضائع، لتصبح النتيجة 2-1.

ويدخل الزمالك المباراة أمام إنيمبا محتلاً المركز الثاني في ترتيب المجموعة بـ كأس الكونفدرالية، برصيد 3 نقاط، بينما يتواجد إنيمبا في المركز الرابع والأخير بدون نقاط. هدف إنيمبا الثاني أمام الزمالك

Buttler’s 75 under intense pressure came despite father’s hospitalisation the previous day

Valkerie Baynes08-Aug-2020

Jos Buttler played his part in England’s thrilling victory against Pakistan believing that if he didn’t make runs, he was probably playing his last Test.Buttler made the frank admission after scoring 75 and sharing a century stand with Chris Woakes, who finished not out on 84, to help England chase down an imposing fourth-innings target of 277 with three wickets in hand and a day to spare.It came as Buttler faced increasing criticism over his batting – his Test average had dropped to 31.63 going into this, his 45th Test – and he had a poor game behind the stumps, missing three chances during Pakistan’s first innings.”If I’d taken those chances, we’d have won two hours ago,” Buttler told Sky Sports after play. “I’m very aware I didn’t keep well, I missed some chances and at this level you can’t afford to do that no matter how many runs you score. You’ve got to be better, I know that.”Definitely thoughts go through your head, like potentially if I don’t score any runs I’ve probably played my last game. Those kind of things are in your head, but you’ve got to try and shut them out and try and focus on the here and now and play the situation and I’m pleased that I was able to do that.”Buttler’s Test average since the start of 2019 was even worse at 24.46, with four half-centuries going into this match. He showed glimpses of improvement with 67 in England’s series-deciding third-Test win against West Indies, and 38 out of an under-par 217 in the first innings against Pakistan.Buttler’s errors behind the stumps were undeniably costly, a dropped catch and missed stumping twice letting off Shan Masood on 45 before he went on to top score for the match with 156. He also missed a run-out chance with a wayward throw in Pakistan’s first innings. And while the mistakes didn’t ultimately affect the result, they contributed to England being under huge pressure as they were asked to post the second-highest successful fourth-innings chase at Old Trafford.Buttler’s status as a great of the white-ball game has not been questioned and those credentials came in handy during England’s pursuit. In fact, his captain, Joe Root, called upon Buttler’s skill in that area when he came in with his side 106 for 4, having lost Ben Stokes and still needing 171 runs.The tempo of the run chase became particularly important because, Buttler said, he wanted to “take the new ball out of the equation” by guiding England as close to the target as possible before it became available, especially with the pitch misbehaving at times.Ollie Pope saw that first-hand, so to speak, when he gloved a Shaheen Shah Afridi ball that reared off a length to gully.”After I saw that ball to Popey it felt like if you just try and stay in and bat the time you’re going to be a bit of a sitting duck,” Buttler said. “So I wanted to be positive, try and put pressure back on Pakistan and try and replicate a one-day chase.”In terms of how many overs was it till the new ball, if we were going to get close we didn’t want to leave, say, 50 with the new ball to come. I thought that was going be tough work, having a harder ball, seeing the indifferent bounce, so try and break it down to try and score at four an over.”The plan worked. By the time Pakistan took the second new ball, England needed just 13 runs to win and, although Buttler was out by then, he had left his side in a strong position and in the capable hands of Woakes.Butter later told a press conference: “Joe actually said before, ‘remember who you are, you enjoy chasing targets down, try to limit it to a one-day game’.”A game like today really suited me and suited my eye, in terms of the run chase and breaking it down to more of a one-day game and trying to tick runs off and get us to the finishing line.”Buttler also revealed that his belief had faltered “at times” recently as his place as England’s first-choice keeper-batsman came increasingly up for debate.”There have been some lonely nights thinking about it,” Buttler said. “But runs aside, if you are a wicketkeeper in this team, you have to take chances. You have to keep better than I did in the first innings. I know that. I don’t need other people to tell me that. I expect it of myself and to play international cricket for England there’s a level required.”Not only did victory come with doubts swirling around his own performances, it also came at a time of off-field turmoil for Buttler, whose father was admitted to hospital after watching the day’s play on Friday, following a run of recent health scares. He was allowed to return home on Saturday, and Root was full of praise for Buttler’s fortitude.”It says a huge amount about him as a person, to be able to carry that, and to be able to use that or park that going into this innings,” Root said. “Only he will know which way around he did that. But I’m sure it’s very difficult thing not to think about. To be able to deal with that and still play in that manner was exceptional.”One of his big traits is that, under pressure, he puts in big performances. Another example of that was that final ODI against Australia on this very ground. You can deal with those high-pressure situations but to have that external pressure as well, I’m chuffed to bits for him, it must have been very difficult to deal with.”

Tottenham have been tipped to launch a move for one of the bargains of the summer, according to a recent report.

Spurs looking for a striker

It is an open secret that Tottenham are looking to sign a new number nine this summer, 12 months on from Harry Kane's departure. Though they clinched fifth place in the Premier League, Ange Postecoglou's side were the lowest scorers in the top seven and Richarlison struggled to stay fit, leaving Heung Min-Son to often plough a lonely furrow.

Ange Postecoglou admitted that a new forward was on their radar when quizzed on the situation, claiming that "we're in Europe as well next year so we'll have more games and it's definitely an area of the park we'll need to strengthen".

Related Spurs eyeing "wonderful" £15m Kulusevski upgrade after Alasdair Gold reveal

The incredibly talented winger could help Postecoglou bridge the gap to the top four next season.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes May 31, 2024

They are looking to do just that this summer, and have been linked with a whole host of options including Santiago Gimenez, Benjamin Sesko, Ivan Toney and Dominic Solanke as they look to find a new man to lead the line in north London. But one low cost upgrade not mentioned to this point could be the best option of them all.

Guirassy on Spurs radar

Now, they have been tipped to make a move for Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy, who enjoyed an excellent campaign as he helped his side qualify for the Champions League and finish second in the Bundesliga, ahead of Bavarian giants Bayern Munich.

Guirassy hit 28 goals in the German top flight, despite missing two games through injury and a further four to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations.

But the 28-year-old has a 17.5m euro (£15m) release clause in his £35,000 a week contract which may make keeping him at Stuttgart difficult, and there are likely to be suitors from across Europe keen on adding the goalscorer to his ranks.

Though he only arrived at Stuttgart 12 months ago, with the fact that he is tucking goals away at a rate faster than most of Europe's elite and boasts a better conversion rate than Erling Haaland, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him take the next step in his career.

Guirassy compared to Premier League stars in 2023/24

Erling Haaland

Serhou Guirassy

Heung-Min Son

Appearances

31

28

35

Goals

27

28

17

Shots

113

88

83

Shot accuracy

44.2%

45.5%

45.8%

Shots on target per goal

1.85

1.43

2.24

And Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke revealed that Tottenham "could look to sign" the striker, admitting that he would provide excellent value for money. Any move for the Guinean striker would go against Tottenham's plan to sign players from a younger age bracket, but the same could be said of a move for Ivan Toney, who is just four days younger that Guirassy, while the arrival of Timo Werner proved that this policy is not a hard and fast rule.

Newcastle and Manchester United have been linked with Guirassy in the past, but Spurs can offer Europa League football and a spot as first team striker, a pairing neither of their rivals can match.

MatériaMais Notícias

A sensação de que a Seleção Feminina tinha potencial para ir mais longe é um bom sinalem meio à decepção com a eliminação nos Jogos Olímpicos. Em cerca de dois anos, a técnica Pia Sundhage trouxe novos métodos de trabalho, e talentos começaram a despontar com a amarelinha. Porém, a polivalente Bruna Benites havia alertado às vésperas do duelo com o Canadá.

-Ainda não estamos no nosso nível ideal, mas estamos bem perto disso – declarou.

RelacionadasOlimpíadasEmocionada, Marta evita falar sobre fim de ciclo na Seleção feminina: ‘Estou com a cabeça a mil’Olimpíadas30/07/2021OlimpíadasApós Brasil ser eliminado no futebol feminino, Cristiane dá apoio: ‘Eu sinto muito pelas meninas’Olimpíadas30/07/2021Fora de CampoLiderança de Marta após eliminação do Brasil é exaltada nas redes sociais; veja reaçõesFora de Campo30/07/2021

Com a estrutura para competições nacionais femininas (tanto profissionais quanto nas categorias de base) se consolidando, a Seleção foi para esta edição dos Jogos Olímpicos ainda com um gosto de nostalgia e deixando claro passa por um processo gradual de renovação. Além de Formiga, aos 43 anos e em sua sétima e última Olimpíada, muitas jogadoras acima de 30 anos estavam entre as titulares da equipe de Pia Sundhage.

A maneira como Marta atuou tanto no empate com o Canadá quanto na campanha da Seleção Feminina evidenciou os desafios da equipe. Aos 35 anos, a camisa 10 ia ao seu limite ora para proteger o lado esquerdo, ora para ir à frente. Porém, em alguns momentos faltava fôlego para ficar próximo ao gol ou ajudar a municiar Debinha e Bia Zaneratto no duelo com as canadenses.

A equipe teve o primeiro tempo oscilante, no qual a qualidade de Andressinha foi um oásis, mas não evitou investidas adversárias. Porém, aos poucos, o Brasil foi se reajustando graças a sangue novo.

Angelina deu maior firmeza à Seleção e contribuiu para o crescimento de Tamires no apoio ao ataque. Já Ludmila desatou o nó que o setor ofensivo tinha, criando brechas pelas pontas.

A equipe de Pia Sundhage foi abnegada, se superando em busca do desejado gol. Mas faltava uma capacidade de transição entre a defesa e o ataque. As jogadas rarearam aos poucos, o que fez com que o cobiçado sonho do ouro olímpico ruir nos pênaltis. Resgatar esta criatividade é algo que só um longo processo de trabalho trará.

-Precisamos de meio-campistas que controlem o ataque, quero ver mais jogadoras como Angelina e Formiga, que têm os lados de ataque e defesa – admitiu a treinadora Pia Sundhage.

Em meio à decepção, é inegável reconhecer que houve um progresso considerável em relação ao que a Seleção apresentou no Mundial Feminino de 2019.Passados dois anos e agora uma Olimpíada sob o comando de Pia Sundhage, o desafio é tornar este processo ainda mais sólido e corrigir os problemas vistos nos Jogos Olímpicos.

-A mensagem que eu deixo para o futebol feminino do Brasil é que é brilhante. Se o Brasil quer estar no mais alto nível internacional, e nós queremos, há duas coisas: melhorar um pouco o condicionamento físico e a parte mental. Acho que temos um time coeso, mas ainda há espaço para melhorar na parte física e na parte mental, para lidar com qualquer tipo de dificuldade – disse a sueca.

Empenho não falta para jogadoras que já lidam com tantos obstáculos.

A young Chelsea forward is now expected to depart Stamford Bridge, as Premier League rivals Arsenal make a top offer to sign him.

Chelsea players who could leave this summer

Most notably, veteran defender and fan favourite Thiago Silva is already confirmed to be leaving Chelsea, as he re-joins boyhood club Fluminense after four memorable years in west London.

Related Todd Boehly could now sell Chelsea forward who only joined in 2023

He could join Romelu Lukaku and Armando Broja on the transfer list.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Jun 13, 2024

Attention now turns to who could follow the Brazilian out, as co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley devise how best to reinforce Chelsea's transfer kitty and back new manager Enzo Maresca.

They could be ruthless in that respect, with The Athletic reporting this week that Chelsea are ready to listen to offers for David Datro Fofana. The 20-year-old only joined from Molde last year, but it is believed he is one of many candidates for the exit door.

As well as the Ivorian, uncertainty surrounds the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Armando Broja, Conor Gallagher, Malang Sarr, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Trevoh Chalobah, Ian Maatsen, Omari Hutchinson and Conor Gallagher – as per numerous reports from the last few months.

Chelsea's most expensive signings under Todd Boehly ownership

Price tag

Moises Caicedo

£115 million

Enzo Fernandez

£107 million

Mykhalo Mudryk

£88 million

Wesley Fofana

£72 million

Marc Cucurella

£58 million

Chelsea no longer need to sell players by June 30 to comply with PSR, as reported by Sky Sports, but the club still wish to trim their bloated squad and hopefully bring down the wage bill.

“We’re likely to see departures at Chelsea this summer, particularly with the players who are currently out on loan," said Fabrizio Romano to GiveMeSport.

“As previously reported, the plan is for Armando Broja to be sold once he comes back from his loan at Fulham, and Hakim Ziyech can already be considered to have played his last game for Chelsea.

“I also expect Romelu Lukaku and Ian Maatsen to leave Chelsea, but for the others, we have to wait and see what happens.”

Certain players at Cobham could even attract rival interest, with Arsenal now thought to be keeping watch a talented starlet from the Chelsea academy. Forward Ryan McAidoo, who was born in 2008, is thought to be that man.

McAidoo expected to leave Chelsea as Arsenal make best offer

The England youth international, who features for Chelsea's Under-18s, is garnering a reputation as one to watch at the club. McAidoo's exploits haven't gone unnoticed, particularly across London at the Emirates Stadium. Indeed, as reported by reliable transfer journalist Romano, Arsenal are in pole position to sign the teenager ahead of other interested clubs.

McAidoo is expected to leave Chelsea as Arsenal make the best proposal to sign him, as per Romano, who shared news on X this week.

"Arsenal made proposal and they are currently leading the race to sign Ryan McAidoo, 2008 born talented forward. He’s expected to leave Chelsea this summer; best project proposal so far came from Arsenal. McAidoo played for England U16 and U17 this season."

MatériaMais Notícias

Três jogadores do Palmeiras foram convocados para a Seleção Brasileira Sub-17, conforme apontou a lista divulgada nesta sexta-feira (13). Apareceram na relação o zagueiro Gabriel Vareta, o meio-campista Luiz Freitas e atacante Giovani.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol NacionalAtlético-MG x Palmeiras: onde assistir ao duelo pela Brasileirão, arbitragem e prováveis escalaçõesFutebol Nacional13/08/2021PalmeirasEscalação do Palmeiras: Verdão encerra preparação e viaja para enfrentar o Atlético-MGPalmeiras13/08/2021TênisAparício Meneses realiza curso sobre Habilidades Mentais no tênis em São Carlos (SP)Tênis13/08/2021

Desfalcando o Verdão entre os dias 25 de agosto e 06 de setembro, o treinador Victor Gomes convocou 23 nomes para a disputa de dois jogos preparatórios contra o Paraguai, em Assunção, nos dias 2 e 5 de setembro. Durante esse período, o Palmeiras vai encarar o Campeonato Paulista da categoria, com início marcado para o dia 28.

Os jogos da Seleção Brasileira diante da Albirroja estão marcados para às 10h (de Brasília) do dia 2, quinta feira, e do dia 5, domingo. O primeiro embate será disputado no Estádio Arsenio Erico, do Club Nacional, enquanto o segundo está marcado para o Estádio Manuel Ferreira, do Club Olímpia.

continua após a publicidade

Confira todos os convocados:

Goleiros:

Diego Fernandes – Clube Atlético Mineiro
Dyogo – Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
Mycael – Club Athletico Paranaense

Laterais:

Leonardo Ataíde – Club Athletico Paranaense
Leo Mana – Sport Club Corinthians Paulista
Vinicius Tobias – Sport Club Internacional
Guilherme (Biro) – Sport Club Corinthians Paulista

Zagueiros:

Gabriel (Vareta) – Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras
Rômulo – Clube Atlético Mineiro
Tiago Coser – Associação Chapecoense de Futebol
Ythallo – São Paulo Futebol Clube

Meio campistas:

Andrey – Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama
Arthur – Fluminense Football Club
Lucas Eduardo – Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama
Luiz Freitas – Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras
Luizinho – São Paulo Futebol Clube
Matheus Gonçalves – Clube de Regatas do Flamengo

Atacantes:

Caio – São Paulo Futebol Clube
Erick – Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama
Giovani – Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras
Matheus Nascimento – Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas
Sávio – Clube Atlético Mineiro
Angelo – Santos Futebol Clube

يستعد فريق آينتراخت فرانكفورت، بقيادة النجم المصري عمر مرموش، لخوض مباراة في بطولة الدوري الألماني عصر اليوم السبت وذلك ضد خصمه ماينز.

ويستضيف ملعب “دوتش بانك بارك” مباراة الفريقين، والتي تأتي في إطار لقاءات الجولة الخامسة عشر من الدوري الألماني، موسم 2024/25.

ويحتل فرانكفورت حاليًا المركز الثالث برصيد 27 نقطة، في حين أن ماينز لديه 22 نقطة في المركز الثاني والعشرين.

ويأمل النجم المصري عمر مرموش العودة إلى التسجيل من أجل مساواة لاعب بايرن ميونخ، هاري كين، في صدارة قائمة الهدافين أو تخطيه (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا). موعد مباراة فرانكفورت وماينز اليوم في الدوري الألماني

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة 4:30 عصرًا بتوقيت القاهرة، 5:30 بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة فرانكفورت وماينز اليوم في الدوري الألماني

تُذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN Sports HD 5.

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

The St Lucia Zouks captain says he’s ‘closer to retirement than playing more T20 cricket’

Deivarayan Muthu08-Sep-2020Daren Sammy’s place in the XI was often questioned when he was the West Indies captain. He didn’t quite have the flair or aura of his predecessors, but he undoubtedly brought results, particularly in T20 cricket. Things aren’t too different with Sammy at the helm of St Lucia Zouks in the CPL. He has managed just 34 runs in nine innings at an average of 5.66 and a strike rate of under 80 this season. He has bowled a mere two overs, giving up 19 runs for one wicket. But the Zouks have made the playoffs for only the second time in their history, and will make their first-ever final if they topple five-time finalists Guyana Amazon Warriors on Tuesday.Not many gave the Zouks a chance to go so deep in the tournament, especially after some of their key players, including Chris Gayle, became unavailable. Head coach Andy Flower said as much last week, while reiterating his faith in Sammy, whom he called an “inspirational figure”.So has the lack of expectations worked in Zouks’ favour? “A lot of people have said a lot of things about the St Lucia Zouks and the performance in the history of the CPL. But I’m one who has always been confident silently in our dressing room,” Sammy said ahead of the semi-finals. “I said that the guys we have in the squad this year are not superstars, but guys that could be very effective in these conditions.”You [have] seen the way we played throughout this competition – you know especially when we’re out there in the field as a unit, I can’t stress enough on how my men, especially my bowlers, have responded in these conditions. And the way we defended low totals and we have to do it two more times to win this competition.”While Mohammad Nabi’s displays with ball and bat have made up for Gayle’s absence, the Zouks have also found unlikely heroes in Roston Chase and Javelle Glen. Chase was not a CPL regular before this season, but he has regularly fronted up to bowl in the death overs and accumulate with the bat in the middle order on the turning tracks in Trinidad.Glen wasn’t a CPL regular either before 2020. The 22-year-old was sidelined from the 2018 season with injury and was with Jamaica Tallawahs in 2019, playing as a batsman who could bowl a bit. This season, however, Sammy has used Glen as an attacking legspinner, matching him up with right-handers and restricting them from accessing the smaller boundaries.The pitches for the final week at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy have been more batting-friendly than earlier in the season, but Glen, Chase, and Zahir Khan still combined in the end overs to strangle the Tallawahs in their chase in the last league fixture.”You look at the situation of the game – you know you have the advantage of whether the pitch assists spin or there’s a big boundary to which the batsmen have to hit,” Sammy said. “If you see throughout the tournament spin has been difficult to get away. Plus, Javelle every time he comes on to bowl, he brings this type of energy – positive energy – and it’s infectious and the team goes with it. I needed somebody who can spin the ball away from righty to hit in the big side and he was the guy.”I know he has done it before against Barbados and the confidence level he has…we trust him enough to do the job for us when required. And Roston has showed, his ability to execute – whether wide yorkers or making them hit to the big side – you always go for that experience.”Darren Sammy has become Peshawar Zalmi’s head coach•Pakistan Super League

Sammy had a taste of coaching earlier this year, moving upstairs at Peshawar Zalmi after giving up the captaincy in a mid-season reshuffle at the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Sammy, who will be 37 next year, conceded that CPL retirement has “crossed his mind”, but he hoped to exit in front of his home fans in St Lucia at the stadium named after him.”I’m pretty sure this year if we were playing in front of the crowd and I get to play in front of my home fans in St Lucia, I probably would’ve called it [a day] – like I always say; that’s it. I still have some time and I would really love to finish in front of St Lucia and my St Lucian fans at home and bow out at the Daren Sammy cricket ground. But, it all depends on how hard I work after this. If we win the cup, I will definitely have a think about it. I know I’m closer to retirement than playing more T20 cricket – that’s the truth.”‘One country can’t get all the love’
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the entire CPL season has been played behind closed doors in Trinidad. League leaders Trinbago Knight Riders, who have a bevy of Trinidad-based players in their squad, have enjoyed overwhelming home advantage. Before the start of the tournament, some of their players were also allowed to remain outside the bio-bubble and train while the rest of the squads were holed up in their hotel rooms. That didn’t go down well with Sammy. When asked if he would come back and play the entire tournament in just one country in a similar scenario, Sammy said he would, but wanted another country to get the chance to host the tournament.”I was very vocal in my dissatisfaction of what I was seeing in terms of bubble – guys having access to training and facilities every day when others were not,” Sammy said. “I questioned that but one thing I didn’t question is the availability of cricket for all those probably 160 cricketers that are here showcasing their talent.”Now if, let’s say next year, we still have to play in one country, I know for sure it can’t be Trinidad. You’ve got to share the love somewhere else – whether St Kitts, whether St Lucia – and we can come back. And one country can’t seem to be getting all the love all the time. That’s what I’ll say on that.”

انتقد خالد جاد الله لاعب النادي الأهلي السابق، تصرف لاعبي القلعة الحمراء بعدم ذهابهم لتحية الجماهير المتواجدة في ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، بعد نهاية مباراة شباب بلوزداد الجزائري.

وحقق الأهلي فوزًا كبيرًا على شباب بلوزداد، بنتيجة 6-1، في إطار المباراة التي أقيمت بالجولة الثالثة من دور المجموعات ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وقال جاد الله خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “ETC”لبرنامج “بوكس تو بوكس”: “جمهور الأهلي العظيم الوفي هو الذي يُحب النادي ولم يأخذ من النادي شيئًا، كلنا كلاعبين استفدنا من النادي ماديًا ومعنويًا، جمهور الأهلي هو اللاعب رقم واحد على مدار التاريخ، ولا يستفيد ماديًا من النادي مثل الذين يعملون في النادي حاليًا”.

وأضاف: “أنا لم يعجبني المشهد بعد المباراة بعدم ذهاب اللاعبين للجماهير لتحيتهم، من وجهة نظري من حق الجمهور معاتبة اللاعبين، يمكن لم يختار الأسلوب الصحيح، لكن هذا الأمر ليس دائمًا، وعلى اللاعبين أن يتقبلوا ذلك حتى لو الجمهور أساء”.

طالع | محمد فضل: لم يعجبني تصرف لاعبي الأهلي مع الجماهير عقب مباراة شباب بلوزداد

وتابع: “النقطة غير الواضحة عند كل الناس، إن الجمهور هو صاحب الفضل في جلب الرعاة، كل المداخيل التي تدخل النادي بسبب الجماهير، من غير جماهير الأهلي النادي يفقد 70 أو 80%”.

وأكمل: “أكبر دليل على كلامي نادي بيراميدز، رغم كل الأموال التي يصرفها لم يحصد إلا بطولة كأس مصر، لكن جمهور الأهلي يُرفع له القبعة، وأنا أتكلم الآن عن جمهور الأهلي قمت من مكاني ووقفت احترامًا لهم”.

وواصل: “ماذا حدث بين الشوطين، الفريق قدم أداء رائعاً في الشوط الثاني، رغم أن الجماهير هم أنفسهم الذين كانوا موجودين في الشوط الأول”.

وأتم: “الشخص الذي اتخذ القرار بعدم ذهاب اللاعبين لتحية جماهير الأهلي بعد المباراة أيًا كان من، هو شخص ليس لديه أي خبرة ولا يفهم، وقيامه بهذا الفعل من أجل كسب اللاعبين على حساب الجمهور، وأنا أقول له أنت تأخذ مقابل بسبب هذه الجماهير”.