Nuno Espirito Santo was delighted after a hard fought 1-0 win for his Nottingham Forest side over Premier League champions Manchester City
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Forest four points clear of City in the tableHudson-Odoi's late winner the differencePep's men boss possession but can't convertFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Callum Hudson-Odoi's 83rd minute strike was enough to take all three points in a game which could have significant ramifications for Champion's League qualification. The game appeared destined to end in a stalemate until the winger neatly controlled a cross-field pass from Morgan Gibbs-White before cutting inside and beating Ederson at his near post.
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Third-placed Forest now sit four points ahead of City in fourth after Saturday's result. Chelsea can overtake the champions if they beat strugglers Leicester City on Sunday.
AFPWHAT NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO SAID
The Forest boss said: "It was a tough game, everybody saw how good Manchester City are, they had us on the ropes but the boys worked very hard. Of course they were going to have chances, but it was then about us taking ours.
"[Beating City] shows the progress but there is so much football still to be played. Let's focus on the journey and move on to the next one."
DID YOU KNOW?
City bossed possession but couldn't find the opening they desperately needed at the City Ground. Pep Guardiola's side enjoyed 69 per cent of the ball, and strung together 603 passes, more than doubling Forest's output of 262.
Ollie Robinson and Craig Overton put in strong showings ahead of the first Test at Lord’s on August 17
ESPNcricinfo staff12-Aug-2022Not so long ago, there were doubts over Aiden Markram’s place in the South African Test XI. His struggles – largely as opener – had become so profound that a batter once tipped to be the next big thing spent large portions of the last 12 months averaging about 10 runs an innings.South Africa were unwilling to let one of their prized assets go by like that. So the coach Mark Boucher decided to push him down the order. T20 cricket proved that the experiment was worthwhile – to the point that the player is confident of his place in the upcoming World Cup. And now, batting at No. 4 in four-day cricket, Markram made the highest score out of the South African line-up in the tour game against England Lions in Canterbury. He came in to bat with his team 20 for 2 in the fifth over, trailing by 253 runs, and made and unbeaten 88 off 169 balls. It wasn’t enough to ward off defeat but it does put the team in better stead going into the first Test at Lord’s on August 17.The England Lions’ performance mirrored the senior side under Brendon McCullum as they piled up a first-innings total of 672 at nearly a run a ball. And as pleasing as that must be, Craig Overton picking up a five-wicket haul in the first innings and the returning Ollie Robinson finishing with 3 for 29 in 11 overs in the second innings will be significant as well. Both players may well be fighting for the third seamer’s spot in the Test XI – currently held by the English summer’s biggest find Matthew Potts.South Africa may yet be happy with their work in the warm-up game. Their lower-middle order bailed them out from a position of considerable strife, taking the score from 129 for 5 in the first innings up to 433 with Khaya Zondo (86) Rassie van der Dussen (75), Kyle Verreynne (62) and Marco Jansen (54) contributing heavily.Their collapse in the second innings does raise a concern about the top order though. They were five-down for 100-odd again only this time there was no counterattack. Markram, who had earlier picked up a six-for with his offbreaks, found a way to survive but the rest crumbled; bowled out for 183. Robinson picked off three of the top five while 23-year old Derbyshire seamer Sam Conners ran through the tail, finishing with a four-for of his own.
Peter Kirsten, Firdose Moonda and Harsha Bhogle talk about South Africa’s rise to the top and the challenges the game faces in the country two decades after readmission
ESPNcricinfo staff01-Feb-2013 What have South Africa been doing right in the last five years? (1.46 – 3.59)Peter Kirsten: Our domestic structure and our professional domestic franchise system is pretty strong. That’s been a big contributory factor, with six professional franchises, and of course all the other affiliated provinces playing first-class provincial cricket. There is a good feeder system. Personally I’d like to see one or two more franchises added to that lot, just to bring in a few more very talented players.Firdose Moonda: South African cricket is still only 20-odd years old and it has done amazingly well for a country that had to fight its way back into international cricket and has faced numerous obstacles along the way. It’s done pretty well, but of course there’s a lot still to be.A coming together of excellent talents all at the same time. (4.00 – 8.33) PK: One recalls the great era of the West Indies, and Australia under Steve Waugh. You do get that crop of players that come together and they dominate for four or five years.In terms of captaincy, Graeme Smith, unbelievably, celebrates his 100th Test as captain. South Africa invested in him ten years ago as a young 22-year-old. While South Africa have had excellent coaches in Mickey Arthur and Gary Kirsten along the way, Smith has been the fulcrum of that Test team.FM: One of the things that changed when South Africa started winning overseas in about 2006 is, they got some really good out-and-out quick bowlers, who each offered something different. Guys like Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel were persisted with even when they didn’t do too well – Morkel particularly. They went on to become a really incisive and penetrative attack and now that they’ve got their third seamer, either Vernon Philander or Rory Kleinveldt, who offer something different. From a batting perspective, to have a two-in-one player like Jacques Kallis around, it’s always going to add something special. The top six now is the best in the world at the moment.PK: Good teams have fast bowlers who hunt in twosomes. It’s Steyn and Morkel now; it was Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald in the past. Importantly, let’s not forget about the all-round ability of Jacques Kallis. Travelling away, when we first came on the scene in 1991-92, we tended to struggle against spinners, especially in Asia, but they’ve certainly sorted that out over the last 10-15 years. The last five years, playing and winning away, the excellent work culture and discipline has been important.How do the current South African cricketers compare to the great ones of the past, like Barry Richards, Mike Procter, Graeme Pollock? (8.34 – 9.39) “The fulcrum of South Africa’s success”•Associated PressPK: Those guys were geniuses in my eyes. If you look at the statistics of the current crop, Smith, AB and Amla, they’re right up there.[They have had to do a] lot of travelling away, and of course there has been the advent of T20 and ODI cricket. In terms of their durability, I think that’s something they have over the Pollocks and the Richardses. The fitness levels are a lot higher.How significant a role have the coaches played? (9.40 – 12.54) FM: The difference in terms of the coaches is that the South African team that operates at the moment has very established and settled players. Really, you don’t need a coach to teach or even improve on the technical aspects of the game, unless something is going drastically wrong, like we saw the recent no-ball problem with Kleinveldt.The important aspect of South African cricket has been man-management. The South African school structure is very disciplinarian, almost boarding-school like. It’s a rigid, militaristic kind of management. Up to a point, that’s how some of the coaches were but it’s not the Gary Kirsten way. Kirsten is into freedom, empowerment, giving players responsibility. That’s important because when somebody is responsible for their own actions, they tend to care about it a little bit more. Somebody like a Kallis doesn’t have to train a day before the Test match because he’s done it for 20 years and knows how he feels. And then we see in New Zealand they went to Lake Taupo, in England they went to the Olympics, so we actually see they are living a bit more life. South African cricketers didn’t do that. It gives you a wider world view, and we see that best in Graeme Smith.How long can Kallis go on? (12.55 – 14.20) PK: He is a three-in-one player, in fact, given his catching in the slips. The allrounder spot, when Jacques does go – it’s similar to Sachin Tendulkar… Gary Kirsten was able to extract a lot more life out of Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and the likes. He’s trying to do the same thing with Kallis, resting him more, not playing him in the ODIs.I was playing Test cricket till age 39 and scoring hundreds. I reckon Kallis can go on for at least another three years, if he is well managed, which he is being. Don’t be surprised if he’s around for the next World Cup in Australia in 2015.AB de Villiers and the wicketkeeping problem: is there a fear of him becoming a lesser batsman as a result? (14.21 – 19.10) FM: Not only is this issue cricketing but also political. AB changed his mind, he didn’t want to be the wicketkeeper at first. He did it in England during an emergency situation when Mark Boucher’s career was tragically ended, but in Australia he ended up liking it, although his back, as we know, is chronically bad, and as a result, he can’t keep in the ODIs. At the Test level, it gives South Africa an extra option. AB keeping at Test level from a cricketing point of view makes sense.
“I was playing Test cricket till age 39 and scoring hundreds. I reckon Kallis can go on for at least another three years, if he is well managed, which he is being. Don’t be surprised if he’s around for the next World Cup in Australia in 2015.”Peter Kirsten
The political issue is that South Africa contracted Thami Tsolekile, the Lions wicketkeeper, who is a black African player, and without question the best gloveman in the country, though not the best wicketkeeper-batsman. South Africa haven’t fielded a black African player in Tests in two years and black Africans make up 80% of our population and 40% of our cricket-playing population. They are a huge group and to under-represent them in this way is nothing short of a disgrace. It was made worse by the fact that Tsolekile was promised he would play against New Zealand by the selection panel, but was then told, “Well, actually, AB has changed his mind so you can’t play.” We’ll see in February if he remains contracted and I suspect he won’t – that will tell us that AB is the specialist wicketkeeper and Tsolekile’s second coming may never happen.On the horizon there are Daren Smits, Heino Kuhn and Quinton de Kock, so the [wicketkeeping] is not looking as barren as it did a year ago when Boucher retired. But it’s certainly a thorny issue in South African cricket.PK: AB gives Gary Kirsten and his selection committee an extra option in Tests, a No. 7 batting option. Should they require a bowler they’ll use that No. 7 spot. Though I thought they missed a trick against New Zealand by not giving Tsolekile a go. AB de Villiers gives them that option. In ODIs it’s a good thing that he is not going to keep wicket. I feel sorry for Tsolekile, though, I coached him at Western Province in 2004-05 and he can bat. He’s got to get into the professional arena for his Lions franchise and score big runs.How big a weakness is the lack of quality spinners? (19.11 – 22.36) PK: Spinners don’t come easy to South Africans. We obviously have this legacy of fast bowlers. But there are good spinners around. There’s an offspinner called Dane Piedt who plays for the Cobras in Cape Town, there’s Aaron Phangiso who’s come in nicely in ODI and T20 cricket – that was great to see a young black African coming in. We’ve got the holders; they bowl a good line and length and get the batsmen out.Thami Tsolekile was told he’d be picked for the series against New Zealand but was eventually left out•Getty ImagesIs South Africa ever going to come to peace with the issue of quotas? (24.03 – 29.07) FM: There is no quota in the South African team at the moment. There is no set number of players that must play, and to be honest that’s become a problem. In the aftermath of the Tsolekile issue, there was talk that the CSA board would legislate the number of black African players that must play at all levels. In the recent data that CSA submitted to parliament, which they had to do because they are answerable to the sports minister, is that the number of black African clubs are at about 30%, the number of schools are also at 30% and the number of schools and clubs of colour together are about two-thirds of the cricket-playing population. But at the professional franchise level, 54% of contracted players are white, about 20% or even less are black African, and the rest are mixed race or Indian descent. There’s a gap between school and club and professional and national cricket.The economic situation in South Africa, has only been “equal” for 20 years, but 20 years cannot erase 300 years of wrong-doing, where an entire racial group was economically oppressed. A lot of young black Africans need to get jobs; they support large, extended families. Where you lose them is when they are not getting contracted – there are only an X number of contracts going around. That is why Peter said, if we have an extra franchise, we’ll create 10-15 more contracts for black African cricketers.The other thing is, when a black African has done well enough to play and national selectors don’t play him, then we have to ask serious questions. I know Andrew Hudson had to answer the CSA board and was grilled by them about the Tsolekile issue. The selectors’ contracts come up for review and I won’t be surprised if there are changes there, because there is mass anger.From a development point of view, in the Eastern Cape black Africans have been playing cricket for 100 years. That they prefer to play football just happens to be a stereotype, and unfortunately it happens to get perpetuated. It’s a political issue but South African sport has never been without politics, really. Of course, having a No.1 team is important a source of great pride, but so should healing a lot of social wounds be.Numbers Game Question (29.22 – 32.52)Since the beginning of 2007, five batsmen have scored 2000-plus Test runs overseas (excluding matches in Bangladesh and Zimbabwe) at 50-plus averages. Name them.
Kyle Abbott was originally part of the squad only to gain experience. Then Jacques Kallis got injured, and Abbott ended up taking 7 for 29 on debut
Firdose Moonda in Centurion23-Feb-2013Lance Klusener, Kyle Abbott’s coach at the Dolphins, called him the night before his Test debut. As is Klusener’s habit, he did not do much talking.Instead it was Abbott who was wittering away and Klusener was responding in monosyllables, as he often does. “He was saying, ‘Ok, ok, hmmm, ah, ok,’ and then he ended the conversation with, ‘Just keep it tight,'” Abbott told a packed press-conference at the end of the second day in Centurion. He did so much more and he knew it, which is why he ended the anecdote with a toothy grin to meet his audience’s giggles.As the first Dolphins player to represent the country since Imraan Khan played a solitary match in 2009, Abbott has put Kwa-Zulu Natal back on the cricketing map. He combined an accurate line just outside off stump with the ability to make the ball rear up from a good length to take 7 for 29 and become South Africa’s second-most successful debutant.The only South African to have performed better on his maiden Test appearance was Klusener, who took 8 for 64 against India. The former allrounder may have more to say on the phone tonight, but even if he keeps his comments to a minimum, there is little doubt Klusener will be proud.He was the first person Abbott credited for the spike in his form over the last season, which took him to the top of the first-class wicket charts. “Lance has been unbelievable, I mean, what a guy,” Abbott said. “He is not the kind of person to change too much technically but he has really helped me on the mental side of things and with being slightly more aggressive. He has given me the push I needed.”Abbott was a not a spitting Cobra – few rookies would be – but he showed his intent with the ball through discipline. Apart from his first delivery – a half volley on Azhar Ali’s pads that was dispatched through midwicket – he rarely offered anything loose and only conceded one more four.He was dangerous because he played on Pakistan’s insecurities. Abbott’s ability to extract extra bounce ensured the batsmen were always in two minds. They were obviously anticipating short-pitched bowling and stayed on the back foot. When they realised Abbott was not targeting that length, they could not get forward quickly enough to play him and edged deliveries instead.A performance like that required certain maturity, often gained with time spent on the domestic circuit. Abbott has done that. Since missing out on the chance to represent SA Schools in 2004, because of a knee injury, he hovered around the provincial set-up and got his break four seasons later in 2008-09.A regular at the Dolphins since 2010, Abbott was always thought to have potential. Even though he is not a tearaway quick and the speedgun remains around the 130 kph mark, he is skillful when he bowls, and as Vernon Philander has proved, that can be more than enough.The last five days played out in dreamlike haze for him. Everything, from receiving his call-up to being included in the starting XI, has been a surprise and Abbott is enjoying every moment of it. His eyes lit up when he was asked about how he heard he would be part of the Test squad and words tumbled out.”Andrew Hudson [convenor of selectors] phoned at me at 7 o’clock on Tuesday morning. I didn’t have his number so I couldn’t see who was calling and I was still asleep,” Abbott said. “When I heard the phone ring, I just put it on silent and rolled over and carried on sleeping. When I woke up and listened to the message, I thought I had better call back.”Abbott is the latest on a long list of players, which includes Philander, Rory Kleinveldt, Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar, who have been new to the squad in the last 14 months. The unit is used to welcoming fresh talent and Graeme Smith said they do all they can to make them feel welcome.Abbott was greeted with the same warmth, although he was made aware he was only around to gain experience. He was comfortable with that. “It was just special being around these guys and seeing how the No. 1 team in the world prepares and does their thing,” he said.On Thursday afternoon, hours before the Centurion Test, Jacques Kallis decided to go for his first optional training session in years. “I was in the nets bowling and Gary came and stopped me and said Kallis has pulled up so I might be in,” Abbott said. “I was thinking ‘no way, he is a stalwart, he will make it fine.’ Kallis went for a scan and I carried on. Then Gary came to me later in the afternoon and said I was in.”Abbot’s mind began racing. The call-up had come much sooner than expected. “It’s always in the back of your mind, playing Test cricket, but I didn’t think it would come like this,” he said. “Friedel de Wet [who played for South Africa against England in 2009-10 when Dale Steyn was injured] told me to always give 100% and expect nothing in return.” That’s what Abbot believed until Thursday afternoon.Everything changed. He was going to play a Test and the thought overwhelmed him. The feeling lasted longer because South Africa chose to bat and Abbott was not needed for the entire first day. “I haven’t got any sleep over the last two days,” he said. “This press conference is the first time my hands aren’t sweating and my stomach is not a knot.”Abbott was nervous about everything he did. When he stood up to bat, he had a mishap similar to Faf du Plessis on debut in Adelaide. Du Plessis’ shoelace had come undone and he almost fell down the stairs. Abbott fell through the gap in the chair as he got up to walk to the crease. “I’ve got a huge graze down my leg,” he said.The impression he gave was of a serious and calm person, who compiled runs sedately. “He didn’t show any nerves with bat in hand,” AB de Villiers said. And he definitely showed none with the ball.Abbott came on in the 18th over, with Pakistan going fairly steadily. Dale Steyn, Philander and Kleinveldt had tied things up and Abbott was required to do what Klusener had instructed him to. Instead, he took wickets. And wickets. And wickets. Until he had collected seven, the same number as Marchant de Lange on debut.”It was all about building pressure the whole day,” Abbott said. “The other seamers bowled just as well. It could have been anyone’s day out there and I was lucky it was me.” That was not mere bashfulness; Abbott had made a point.Steyn and Philander’s role was obvious because of the absence of Morne Morkel and Jacques Kallis, and even Kleinveldt bowled well though his figures did him no justice. In his first spell, Kleinveldt was undoubtedly the standout bowler. Abbott outdid everyone, and Smith managed him as only an experienced leader could do. “Graeme kept asking ‘Are you done?’ and the word ‘no’ just kept coming out of my mouth,” he said. Adrenaline and determination combined as Abbott bowled himself into a small part of history.He has a souvenir to show for it. As Abbott left the field, Steyn presented him with the match ball. “Dale was awesome,” Abbott said, for the first time showing a bit of hero-worship. “He stood next to me for most of that spell and just told me to keep doing it.” If he does, South Africa can be guaranteed another stellar quick in their ranks. For now, Abbott’s performance has created more competition for places, which can only be healthy as South Africa build their legacy.
If there is one area of the squad for Manchester United that needs rebuilding during the 2024 summer transfer window, it is the midfield. It could be decimated this summer, with player departures and potential sales in the middle of the park, too.
There are some players who are guaranteed to stay at Old Trafford. Captain Bruno Fernandes has been linked with a move away to Saudi Arabia but seems likely to stay. Mason Mount and exciting youngster Kobbie Mainoo will also stay at the club ahead of next season.
In terms of departures in midfield, one has already occurred. Sofyan Amrabat’s loan has expired, and he has now left the club. However, there are talks of the club negotiating a new deal to keep the player at the club, which could be at lower terms than the buy clause in his old loan deal.
The trio of Casemiro, Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen could also all leave Old Trafford this summer. The Daily Mail reported in April the trio were part of a ten-player list who could exit the club.
With that in mind, United will certainly need to add to their depth in midfield this summer. They have recently been linked with one player who could add depth and quality to the middle of the park.
Man Utd target Ligue 1 midfielder
The player in question here is Paris Saint Germain and Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte. Despite only playing for one season with the French champions, Ugarte could depart the club this summer.
According to a report from Le 10 Sport, United are 'exerting a lot of pressure behind the scenes' on PSG in order to get a deal over the line, with the board 'very optimistic' about getting a deal done for Ugarte.
The report suggests the Red Devils have tabled an offer for the 23-year-old midfielder worth £38m, which has been 'accompanied by several bonuses'. It's further explained that PSG head coach, Luis Enrique, will have the final say and could decide he wants to keep Ugarte.
Whilst United lead the race for the Uruguay international, they are not the only club interested in signing the midfielder. United’a Mancunian rivals Manchester City, as well as Spanish giants Barcelona, are also interested in adding the tough-tackling Uruguay to their squad to bolster their midfield options.
Why Ugarte would be a good signing
It may be somewhat surprising that PSG are willing to move on Ugarte just a year after they signed him from Sporting for £51.1m. He played 37 times for PSG last term, which included only 25 games in Ligue 1.
The defensive midfielder plays in a similar mould to France and Chelsea legend N’Golo Kante. Like the World Cup winner, Ugarte is a tough-tackling midfielder, who one analyst praising his “aggressiveness, tenacity and determination” off the ball.
Indeed, this is reflected in his FBref stats, too. The PSG midfielder averages 2.32 tackles won per 90 minutes, and 1.86 interceptions made. This places him in the top 2% and top 4% amongst midfielders in Europe respectively.
Not only that, Ugarte reads the game very well and has excellent recovery pace, something that is reflected in his ball recovery stats per 90. The Uruguay international averages an impressive 8.14 ball recoveries, which ranks him in the top 1%. It really is no wonder that he was described as a "destroyer" by football analyst Ben Mattinson on X.
Tackles attempted
4.11
99th
Tackles won
2.32
98th
Interceptions
1.86
96th
Tackles + interceptions
5.97
99th
Ball recoveries
8.14
99th
As a result, the Uruguay international could become the perfect partner for United’s captain Fernandes, given his defensive ability. It would allow the Portugal international to have less defensive responsibility and flourish more in the final third.
Last season, Fernandes’ 18 Premier League goals and assists were the most amongst United’s squad, as per Sofascore. If he was freed up even more with Ugarte behind him, then we could well see Fernandes’ numbers explode further.
A partnership of Ugarte and Fernandes could well be a match made in heaven for United. Not only do the Red Devils get to add a tenacious defensive midfielder to their squad, who is happy to do the dirty work, but he could help unlock their captain and allow him great freedom in the final third. For just £38m, it could be the dream deal for United to do this summer.
Teddy Sheringham: £65m England star could now be "heading to Man Utd"
Teddy Sheringham was speaking exclusively to FFC about Manchester United’s recruitment.
Low-key but impressive performances in first two T20Is enhance his claims to squad berth
Matt Roller25-Jun-2021Teams can take a squad of 33 players to cover 15 starting positions in rugby’s next World Cup, and 23 for 11 spots in football’s, but cricket diverges from the norm. England will take a 15-man squad to the T20 World Cup this winter – albeit with the possibility of a couple of reserves as a Covid precaution – and as a result, the ability of back-up players to cover a range of roles is crucial.With that in mind, Liam Livingstone has done his chances of inclusion no harm at all in the first two games of their T20I series against Sri Lanka in Cardiff. An innings of 29 not out off 26 balls and four tight overs of liquorice-all-sort spin that have cost 19 runs do not demand retention in themselves, but have demonstrated the flexibility that Livingstone would add to a touring party as a utility player.”It’s something that I pride myself on, being as versatile as I can,” he said after the second T20I, in which he won the match award after steering England home from No. 6. “It’s something that’s rolled into my bowling as well, trying to bowl both legspin and offspin to give people different options [and] it’s the same with my batting, trying to make myself a player who can bat all the way from No. 1 to No. 8.”While he has made a reputation for himself as a power-hitter who deals in sixes – in last year’s Big Bash, he scored a higher percentages of his runs in sixes (39.4%) than anyone else in the top 25 run-scorers – Livingstone’s innings on Thursday night demonstrated his willingness to adapt, with a single ramped six standing out alongside a series of clips and pushes into gaps to suit the situation and build a partnership with Sam Billings. Four years on from a pair of frenetic innings in his first two T20Is, he looked a different player.Importantly, given England’s logjam of top-three options, it also demonstrated an ability to bat in the middle order. Twenty-five of Livingstone’s last 26 innings in domestic T20 cricket for Lancashire and Perth Scorchers have come as an opener, with Jos Buttler even moving down to No. 4 in order to accommodate him at the top in this year’s T20 Blast, but there is little chance of him batting there in an England shirt.While he will have limited opportunity to do so before the start of the World Cup, Livingstone should consider shuffling down the order for one of his clubs if he can – potentially for Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred – in order to gain more experience in the role, though batting in the middle order for Peshawar Zalmi and Cape Town Blitz two winters ago meant he had something to lean back on.”I batted at No. 4 and 5 in the PSL and in the South African T20 [MSL],” he said. “I guess that’s the reason I go away and play in these competitions: trying to get experience of batting in different roles, which has obviously helped me coming into an England side, batting in a position I’m not really used to.”But it is with the ball that Livingstone is particularly multi-talented, as he has demonstrated in this series. He generally bowls legbreaks to right-handers and offbreaks to left-handers, and while not a prodigious turner of the ball, he gets enough spin both ways to keep batters guessing and forcing them to watch him carefully out of the hand.Related
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“It’s certainly advantageous isn’t it?” Buttler said after Wednesday night’s game. “It’s a fantastic skill to have, to be able to bowl offspin and legspin to international standard. We will potentially see that come into the game more and more. He’s an exciting package, a great guy to have in your squad and your XI.”Livingstone is not the finished article with the ball. Two of the three most expensive overs of his T20 career have come at crunch moments, confirming Lancashire’s exits in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the last two Blast seasons when Ravi Bopara and Dan Christian took him down, but he insisted that those experiences have been beneficial in the long run.”[My bowling] has always been well-regarded at Lancashire,” he said. “I’ve obviously had a couple of tough moments with it over the last couple of years, but they are the moments that have made me a better bowler. It’s something I’ve worked hard on for this sort of opportunity, to push my way into a team as someone that can offer something in all three facets of the game.”As an excellent outfielder too, Livingstone’s case for inclusion in the World Cup squad is strong: even if he is unlikely to start once Ben Stokes returns from injury, the fact he offers some overs as a second – or even third – spinner, can cover a number of batting roles and is a good option to come on as a substitute fielder mean that he has quickly become England’s Mr Versatile.
Having played 13 internationals across all three forms on the potential, Connolly delivered with a clutch 61 not out to show why he has been so heavily invested in
Alex Malcolm24-Oct-20251:43
Connolly admits being ‘starstruck’ by Rohit and Kohli
Fairly or unfairly, there had been plenty of scepticism from Australian fans about Cooper Connolly.None of it is his fault. But it has bubbled because he has been picked to play for Australia in all three formats on the potential of his skillset more than his output at domestic level. So rare are left-arm spin-bowling allrounders in Australia, in the mould of Ravindra Jadeja, Australia’s selectors eagerly picked him in T20I cricket without a T20 40 and one three-wicket haul, in ODI cricket with just four List A scores of 42, 2, 13, and 11, and three one-wicket hauls, and in Test cricket without a first-class century or a first-class wicket in just four matches. Jadeja, by contrast, had multiple first-class centuries, including a double, and multiple five-wicket hauls before making his international debut for India in any format.Australia’s selectors weren’t the only ones who had gambled on his talent almost sight unseen. Perth Scorchers picked him for a BBL final after three games while Western Australia handed him his first-class debut in a Sheffield Shield final and he delivered with 90 in his maiden innings.Related
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But no such first-time luck followed Connolly into international cricket. Before Thursday, in 13 matches across all forms for Australia he had only batted six times and had reached double figures just once with a top score of 13 in a T20I. One of those innings was a nine-ball duck in the Champions Trophy semi-final where he had been inexplicably asked to open.But all that investment and belief in his talent came to the fore in Adelaide where Connolly, 22, showcased composure beyond his years to deliver a near-flawless 61 not out from 53 balls to guide Australia to a series victory.”I don’t think I’d got to double digits yet [in ODIs],” Connolly said after the match. “It’s always nice to sort of get that breakout innings just to, I guess, feel that I can play at this level.”To get the opportunity and I guess showcase what I can do is nice.”There had been evidence of his talent, and his ability under pressure at BBL level having made a match-winning 25 not out off 13 in a BBL final as a 19-year-old. He was also named joint player of the tournament in last summer’s BBL, albeit through consistent performances rather than eye-catching ones like Mitchell Owen produced.
“I think it was a superb performance. Cooper, especially. Being a youngster coming in, showing so much maturity to finish off the game, that shows a lot of character. And he’s someone I’ve seen even in the India A versus Australia A matches, he was charging on the bowlers and very selective in terms of which bowler to target, so credit where it’s due.”Shreyas Iyer on Cooper Connolly’s innings
He even cast his mind back to that BBL final winning innings on Thursday night to calm his nerves as he steered his country home.”I actually had a moment out there today where I was just thinking about how I felt when I was out there [during the BBL final in 2023],” Connolly said. “To bring myself back down to earth and control my emotions, I like to sing a song to myself.”I started singing between every ball just to relax myself, take myself off the game and try to embrace it as much as possible.”I was a little bit starstruck walking out and Virat and Rohit are there. It’s always nice to challenge yourself with the best opponent.”What he delivered in Adelaide was the fruits of the work he had done on two recent tours of the subcontinent to Sri Lanka with the Test and ODI team in February and to India with Australia A in the last two months.While his batting in Sri Lanka had been skittish, his returns in India showed rapid growth. He scored three half-centuries in five matches across two first-class games and three 50-over matches. That growth was evident when he walked out to face Axar Patel and Washington Sundar with Australia needing 133 from 138 with only six wickets in hand.Unlike Matt Renshaw and Alex Carey, who had perished premeditating on the front foot, Connolly showcased what he had learned on the subcontinent playing deep in the crease off the back foot to rotate the strike early. It forced Axar to press fuller and Connolly caressed him through cover. Axar erred leg side three balls later and Connolly swept him fine without risk for a second boundary in the over.Where Matthew Short, who played well for his 74, should have been caught at point trying to square drive Sundar on the up, Connolly went back to a similar length and line and carved a risk free cut shot to the rope.Cooper Connolly made his maiden ODI half-century•Getty Images”I think that trip in Kanpur was one of the trips that sort of helped me get my game back in some good stead,” Connolly said. “I felt like I hadn’t found the middle of the bat for awhile, and to go out there and play against a pretty good India A attack when we were over there, built some confidence in me leading into this.”He then unfurled three stunning shots off the quicks, scything Harshit Rana through cover, clubbing Mohammed Siraj over cover, and pulling Siraj forward of square before tucking him neatly behind square to bring up a maiden international half-century. None of it was wild swinging. They were calculated, classy shots at critical times. His decision-making and execution was noted post-match by India batter Shreyas Iyer.”Credit where it’s due, I think they played brilliantly,” Iyer said of Connolly’s partnership with Owen. “The way they batted, they rotated their strikes. I think it was a superb performance. Cooper, especially. Being a youngster coming in, showing so much maturity to finish off the game, that shows a lot of character. And he’s someone I’ve seen even in the India A versus Australia A matches, he was charging on the bowlers and very selective in terms of which bowler to target, so credit where it’s due.”Connolly’s bowling is developing too. He took a maiden five-wicket haul against South Africa in August and was under-bowled in Adelaide, having conceded just 11 runs in three overs with 10 dots and only one boundary while Iyer and Rohit Sharma were rolling. Mitch Marsh oddly opted for five overs of offspin from Short and Travis Head that cost 39 runs including four boundaries and only four dots between them.In the context of Australia’s build towards the 2027 World Cup it was a significant performance. Australia had lost seven of their last eight completed ODIs prior to the series starting, including their last three bilateral series and the Champions Trophy semi-final against India. In the wake of the retirements of Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell, they have been searching for new blood to stand tall. The performances of Connolly, Short, Owen and Xavier Bartlett were as much a key to Australia’s win as Adam Zampa’s four-wicket haul and Josh Hazlewood’s mesmerising new-ball spell.”I think we’ve got a lot of depth in Australian cricket, and that was showed tonight,” Connolly said. “Obviously with Smudge and Maxi retiring from one-day cricket earlier in the year. There was obviously some room for some younger guys to come through. And it was nice for myself, Shorty, Mitchy, X [Xavier Bartlett], to put our hands up and I guess almost feel like we’re welcome to this stage and being able to play some good cricket now. But there’s a lot of depth in Australian cricket. And I think there’s some positive signs to come.”
England have “full FTP schedule” from June onwards, says Ashley Giles
George Dobell10-May-2021England’s centrally contracted players are unlikely to be available for the completion of the IPL wherever and whenever it is rescheduled.While the England management were happy to allow up to a dozen English players to miss the Test series against New Zealand at the start of June due to their involvement in the IPL, any rescheduling of the event is likely to clash with series in the Future Tours Programme (FTP). And that, according to England men’s director of cricket, Ashley Giles, means they will be viewed differently.The IPL was postponed last week due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases in India. With BCCI president Sourav Ganguly having accepted the competition cannot be completed in India this year, various dates and venues have been mooted. Those include the second half of September, before the T20 World Cup, and from mid-November, after it.Related
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But England’s top players will be in action at both times. And with very little space in the schedule until their Caribbean tour ends at the end of March 2022 – just ahead of the next season of the IPL – it is increasingly probable they will play no part in any rearranged tournament.Giles dismissed the suggestion that this signals any change of approach from the ECB. While the series against New Zealand was a late addition to the schedule – it was only finalised in the early part of this year and does not feature as part of the World Test Championship – most of England’s remaining obligations have been in the FTP for a long time.”We’re planning on the involvement of England players in England matches,” Giles said. “We’ve got a full FTP schedule. So if those tours to Pakistan and Bangladesh [in September and October] are going ahead, I’d expect the players to be there.”The New Zealand scenario was very different. Those Test matches were formalised at the end of January, by which time all those contracts and NOCs [no objection certificates] were signed for full involvement in the IPL.”None of us knows what a rearranged IPL looks like at the moment; where it’s going to be or when. But from when we start this summer against New Zealand, our programme is incredibly busy. We’ve got a lot of important, high-profile cricket including the T20 World Cup and the Ashes. And we’re going to have to look after our players.”England are currently scheduled to depart for a six-match limited-overs tour of Bangladesh on September 16. They are then due in Pakistan in mid-October and, while that tour is not strictly speaking part of the FTP, it’s an important one for various reasons and will mark England’s first to the country in 16 years.Even before the T20 World Cup finishes, some of England’s touring party for the Ashes are likely to have arrived in Australia ahead of a series that is likely to start on December 8. England then have a limited-overs tour to the Caribbean at the end of January 2022 – days after the completion of the Ashes – before a Test series to the same destination in March.Meanwhile Giles expressed a hope that players would be allowed “a bit more freedom” from bio-bubbles as the England summer progresses. The Test squad are likely to enter their latest bubble from around May 28. For those who play all formats of the game, it could seem the start of a daunting period.All of England’s home fixtures in 2020 were played in biosecure environments•Pool/Getty Images for ECB”We think it’s probably unreasonable to expect that our players could be in bubbles all summer,” Giles said. “We want to keep them in safe environments, obviously. But we are really aware of the importance for these guys, their time with loved ones, families in particular. That’s the balance we are trying to strike.”We are hopeful this year that as we see society move a certain way, that we can move with it. It could be the case that we may start tighter, as society is right now, and look to release, as everything else does.”Despite the hectic schedule, Giles remains keen to see the England players appearing in the Hundred. The event starts on July 21 – the day after England’s men play a day-night T20I in Manchester – and runs until August 21. England’s Test series against India is scheduled to start in Nottingham on August 4.”We’d love them to be involved in the Hundred at some point and the launch of that competition,” he said. “It would be great to have our best players playing in it.”But we’ll have to look at workloads very carefully. We’ve got a lot of cricket coming up so it’s a difficult juggling act but I know the players are also looking forward to that tournament and would love to be involved at some stage if they can.”
Lamine Yamal is often compared to Lionel Messi but Raphinha believes that the youngster has more similarities with another Barcelona legend in Neymar.
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Yamal & Messi both products of La MasiaYoungster enjoying sensational season at BarcaRaphinha believes Yamal is more similar to Neymar than MessiFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
Barcelona’s resurgence in the 2024-25 season has thrilled fans and rivals alike, with their powerful offensive displays leading to a strong start in La Liga. Key to this success has been the attacking trio of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. While Lewandowski has impressed with a league-leading 14 goals, it’s Yamal’s performances alongside him that has captured attention and inspired comparisons to Barcelona legends of the past.
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At just 17 years old, Yamal has swiftly become one of Barcelona’s most talked-about players. Graduating from the famed La Masia academy, his technical skills and flair have invited inevitable comparisons to Messi, another La Masia alumnus who redefined football with his iconic Barcelona career. Like Messi, Yamal has shown incredible composure and ball control, qualities that have made him a standout talent despite his young age.
AFPWHAT RAPHINHA SAID
In an interview with , Raphinha said of Yamal: "I see him more like Neymar – the dribbling, how fast he thinks to dribble. When you think you can steal the ball from him, he does something you’ve never seen in your life."
DID YOU KNOW?
The comparison comes at a time when Raphinha himself has risen to prominence within the Barcelona squad. After a somewhat peripheral role under previous manager Xavi, Raphinha has flourished this season under the leadership of Hansi Flick. The Brazilian’s transition to a more central role has been marked by consistent performances, as evidenced by his tally of 10 goals and seven assists in 14 games.
Despite his remarkable form, Raphinha remains humble, stating that he doesn’t view himself as a primary figure. "I don’t feel like a protagonist," he said. "I do know that I’m having a good season, but the whole team is the protagonist. If we score 10 goals, but concede 10, the game ends in a draw. When everyone is on form, it is natural for strikers to excel more, they are the ones who score goals. In my opinion, they are all protagonists."
The problem with climbing the Premier League table is that other teams come in and try to nab your best players.
Crystal Palace are the latest side to try and deal with this depressing inevitability.
Oliver Glasner is set to lose one of his star players, Michael Olise, as his £55m move to Bayern Munich looks all but certain now.
Crystal Palace's Michael Olise
However, while losing the Frenchman is far from ideal, the money the club are set to receive should help them bring in the right players for Glasner, and based on recent reports, their attention is firmly on a brilliant youngster who could be the perfect teammate for Eberechi Eze.
Crystal Palace transfer news
According to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, Palace have already drawn up a shortlist of potential Olise replacements, with Antonio Nusa being one of the most prominent names.
Antonio Nusa for Norway.
The Italian claims that the South Londoner's interest in the young Norwegian is "concrete" but does not mention a potential price they may have to pay to secure his services.
However, The Palace Way claimed earlier this month that the Club Brugge ace could cost Steve Parish and Co around £32m.
Antonio Nusa in Norway training.
It might be a tough deal to get over the line, and it's certainly not cheap, but given how Nusa is spoken about and the promise he has shown at such a young age, this could be an ideal way to spend the Olise money and future-proof the side.
Why Nusa would be a great teammate for Eze
So, if the Eagles are able to get their hands on Nusa this summer, fans probably shouldn't expect him to come in and immediately replicate the sort of performances they have gotten used to from Olise.
Antonio Nusa for Norway.
That's not to say he couldn't come in and light up Selhurst Park, but at 19 years old and having never played in a top-five league, he would likely need some time to adapt.
However, he has the raw ability and skill set to develop into a player of the Frenchman's calibre and become a dream teammate for Eze in time. While he is a natural winger, Glasner masterfully used the former Reading star as one of his two attacking midfielders last season, so there is no reason to think he couldn't do the same with the youngster.
For example, last season, "the future of Norwegian football", as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, scored four goals and provided four assists in 46 appearances, or 2213 minutes, which works out to a goal involvement every 276 minutes, which is pretty handy for a young prospect.
Moreover, according to FBref, which compares players in similar positions in the next best 14 competitions, the Langhus-born gem is in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers for progressive carries and successful take-ons, the top 3% for progressive passes received, the top 6% for touches in the opposition's box, the top 11% for total shots and the top 17% for non-penalty expected goals and assists, all per 90.
Progressive Carries
6.79
Top 1%
Successful Take-Ons
4.38
Top 1%
Progressive Passes Received
12.20
Top 3%
Touches in the Oppositions Box
6.36
Top 6%
Total Shots
3.07
Top 11%
Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists
0.51
Top 17%
Described as a "1v1 specialist" and possessing "electric pace" by data analyst Ben Mattinson, the rapid youngster could be the slightly more adventurous and attack-minded attacking midfielder in Glasner's system at Selhurst Park.
At the same time, Eze could use his fantastic creative ability to craft chances for him or get on the end of opportunities brought about by the youngster's chaos-causing take-ons.
Crystal Palace could sign Glasner a "monster" £25m Guehi replacement
The talented defender could be just as good for the South Londoners.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 23, 2024
Ultimately, while it's a sizable sum to spend on a young player outside the traditional top-five leagues, Nusa looks to be an incredible prospect, and in signing him, Palace can improve the first team and plan for the future.