اختتم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، استعداداته لمواجهة ستيلينبوش الجنوب إفريقي، بخوض مرانه الأخير على ملعب كيب تاون، تحضيرًا لذهاب ربع نهائي كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.
وشهد المران اجتماعًا فنيًا عقده المدير الفني البرتغالي جوزيه بيسيرو مع اللاعبين، حيث شدد على أهمية التركيز وبذل أقصى مجهود لتحقيق نتيجة إيجابية تسهل مهمة الفريق في لقاء الإياب، كما استعرض خلال الجلسة بعض التعليمات الفنية التي سيتم تطبيقها خلال المباراة.
الزمالك يسعى لمواصلة انتصاراته في الكونفدرالية أمام ستيلينبوش الجنوب إفريقي
وحرص الجهاز الفني على تخفيف الأحمال البدنية خلال الحصة التدريبية، لتجنب إرهاق اللاعبين قبل المواجهة المرتقبة، كما تضمنت التدريبات تنفيذ بعض الجمل التكتيكية والخططية التي سيعتمد عليها الفريق أمام ستيلينبوش، قبل أن يُختتم المران بتقسيمة مصغرة بين اللاعبين لتطبيق ما تم التدرب عليه.
ووفقًا للوائح الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف”، تم السماح لوسائل الإعلام بحضور أول 15 دقيقة من المران، كما أتاح الجهاز الفني للجماهير المصرية التي سافرت لدعم الفريق فرصة متابعة التدريبات من المدرجات، مما أضفى أجواءً حماسية على الحصة التدريبية الأخيرة.
ويحل الزمالك ضيفًا على ستيلينبوش الجنوب إفريقي، غدًا الأربعاء، في تمام الساعة الثالثة عصرًا بتوقيت القاهرة، ضمن منافسات ذهاب دور الثمانية لبطولة كأس الكونفدرالية، على أن تقام مواجهة الإياب في التاسعة مساء الثلاثاء 9 أبريل المقبل على ستاد القاهرة الدولي.
ESPNcricinfo revisit some of the most memorable individual performances at the World Twenty20 2012
Nikita Bastian09-Oct-2012Brendon McCullum, 123 off 58 Bangladesh v New Zealand, Group D
Group D, comprising New Zealand, Bangladesh and Pakistan, was one of the tougher groupings in the tournament, making a winning start that much more important. New Zealand also had to contend with question marks over their ability to cope with the Bangladesh and Pakistan spinners. Brendon McCullum did not waste time wresting the initiative for his team with a brutal ton – his second in T20 internationals, he being the first player to score a second in the format – that came at more than two runs a ball. It was not just about big-hitting though. Instead, it was a lesson in how to pace a T20 innings: coming in to bat in the fourth over, he had a look early on, getting nine from his first 10 balls before picking up the pace with a six over cover off Shakib Al Hasan’s left-arm spin. From there on, McCullum interspersed the regular flow of boundaries with quick, well-placed singles, all the while priming for the final assault. That was launched in the 17th over, McCullum blasting 53 off his final 17 deliveries to lift New Zealand to 191. After the game, McCullum said he had played enough T20s to “get the pattern of how to play”. And it is the near-perfect pattern of play for Twenty20 batsmen, indeed.Jacques Kallis, 4 for 15 South Africa v Zimbabwe, Group C
Yes, this performance came against lowly Zimbabwe. Still, there was little Jacques Kallis could have done better with the ball in hand. He got the ball to move away slightly, he got it straight and full to cramp the batsmen, he got the ball to bounce at awkward heights, he followed the batsmen who tried to make room. All in a tidy 24-ball package, during the course of which his figures read 2.4-1-5-4. And Kallis struck just as Zimbabwe were looking to rebuild after a poor start, having gone from 16 for 3 to 51 for 3: he came on in the 11th over and removed Stuart Matsikenyeri and Elton Chigumbura with consecutive deliveries in a double-wicket maiden. Zimbabwe finished with 93. For Kallis, it was his best bowling performance in T20 internationals; for South Africa, it was an ideal start to the World Twenty20.Shane Watson, 3 for 34 and 72 off 42
Australia v India, Super Eights
Shane Watson has the most Man of the Match awards in T20 internationals: eight. He won half of those in the World Twenty20, in consecutive games. One of the award-winning performances, and perhaps the most dominating of the lot, came against India at the beginning of the Super Eights. Watson had a poor start to the match, being taken for 13 runs in an over by Virat Kohli and Irfan Pathan. Far from falling to pieces though, Watson struck with the first ball of his second over, bouncing out Yuvraj Singh. He also got rid of Pathan in that over; India were 70 for 2 after 10, 74 for 4 after 11 and from there Australia did not cede control of the match. Chasing 141, Watson, with some help from David Warner and the India bowlers, orchestrated a massacre. He had six sixes before hitting his first four. The smooth brutality of the innings could be captured in one shot: a flat, pulled six over midwicket off Pathan, which landed just above the Australian dugout. The chase was over with more than five overs to spare. So commanding was Watson’s performance, and subsequently Australia’s, that suddenly they became hot favourites.Chris Gayle, 75* off 41 Australia v West Indies, semi-final
If Australia were the team to beat, Chris Gayle remained the wicket to claim. Australia couldn’t get him out, and he made them pay in the semi-finals. The most striking factor of this knock, though, was Gayle’s willingness to be watchful. There was no big hundred, despite him batting through the innings, but that was mostly down to him gaining only a fraction of the strike: 41 balls. Some of those 41 he faced in discomfort, with an apparent abdominal muscle strain; most of them he faced with caution overriding aggression as he pushed Australia to the brink. With Kieron Pollard joining Gayle for the final push, West Indies cleared 200, a total that proved way beyond an out-of-sorts Australian line up.On cue, Ajantha Mendis mystified on his international return•Associated PressMahela Jayawardene, 42 off 36 Sri Lanka v Pakistan, semi-final
Remember Mahela Jayawardene’s silky century in the final of last year’s ODI World Cup? This was another one of those masterful innings. But this one included a lot more battling, for it was not on that kind of pitch. In place of the placid Wankhede pitch, was a powdery, crumbling turner at Premadasa: one of the toughest pitches you’d come across in the shortest format. Of course, in such conditions, you’d expect to fall back on Jayawardene and he didn’t disappoint, crafting a skilful, gutsy innings that proved to be the difference between the two sides. As Sohail Tanvir kept it in the channel outside off, he made sure he played with soft hands and, with the ball spinning square for the slower bowlers, brought out an array of sweeps and reverse-sweeps, with the odd fine glance and lap shot. A classy display from Jayawardene, which went a long way in putting Sri Lanka into yet another big final.Ajantha Mendis, 4 for 12 Sri Lanka v West Indies, final
Ajantha Mendis had already showed glimpses of what he could do in his first match back in Sri Lankan colours in eight months, when he took two wickets in two balls in his first over against Zimbabwe in the group stage, on his way to figures of 6 for 8 – the best in Twenty20 internationals. On biggest night of the tournament, he would deliver again. West Indies seemed overawed by the occasion, poking their way to 12 for 1 in five overs when Mendis came on. It took him four balls to trap a tentative Chris Gayle, the player many said West Indies’ hopes rested on – one ball was swept at and missed, and two produced shouts for lbw, the second of which was upheld. He went on to rip the heart out of the West Indies line-up with the wickets of Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell. At one point, he was on a hat-trick, and was denied only by an inside edge from Darren Sammy that narrowly missed the stumps. By the time Mendis was done, he had reduced West Indies to 89 for 5 in 16 overs.Marlon Samuels, 78 off 56
Sri Lanka v West Indies, final
A knock of 78 at a strike rate of 139 in a T20 game might not seem like much. You’d have to factor in that it was the World Twenty20 final, that West Indies had scored 32 off 10 overs and the opposition attack included Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis to better understand the significance of this Marlon Samuels’ special. Sample this: never before in T20 internationals had any batsman hit Lasith Malinga for more than one six during the course of an innings; Samuels hit Malinga for three sixes in an over, clearing the midwicket, extra cover and long-on boundaries. Two more sixes followed in Malinga’s next over, the final one being a monster 108-metre hit onto the roof of the R Premadasa Stadium. The world’s best Twenty20 bowler dealt with, Samuels had reignited West Indies self-belief and put them on their way to a famous win.
Ipswich Town have been credited with an interest in a one-time Real Madrid target this summer as they look to build a squad capable of Premier League survival.
Ipswich Town busy ahead of Premier League return
Kieran McKenna's side were one of the stories of the 2023-24 season as they confirmed back-to-back promotions and ended a 22 year wait for Premier League football, beating Leeds United and Southampton to the second automatic promotion spot in the Championship.
Such was the impression made by the Tractor Boys that McKenna was chased by both Manchester United and Chelsea over the summer, only to pen a new deal at Portman Road, much to the joy of the Ipswich Town faithful.
Now though, attention has turned to the transfer window as the club look to make their stay in England's top division longer than just a single season, and have been snapping up some of the hottest young talents this summer.
They have already broken their transfer record to sign Omari Hutchinson from Chelsea after he enjoyed a fabulous loan spell with the Tractor Boys. Meanwhile, they are also working on a deal to sign Liam Delap from Manchester City in a deal which could reach £20m.
He could be joined at Portman Road by two of the Hull City players he played with on loan last season. Jacob Greaves is in talks to move to East Anglia from the KC Stadium in a bid to bolster Town's backline, while they are also in the race for Jaden Philogene, but Aston Villa's decision to enter the race may have dealt a blow to their chances of landing the young winger.
Now, the Suffolk outfit have been credited with an interest with an altogether more experienced head.
Ipswich eye Morsy upgrade
That comes with reports in Peru crediting Ipswich with an interest in veteran free agent Renato Tapia. The midfielder saw his contract with Celta Vigo expire this summer, bringing to an end a four year stint in Spain which saw him make 120 appearances across all competitions.
Such was his form that he was even linked with a move to Real Madrid to provide cover for Casemiro, though it never materialised for the 28-year-old.
After Philogene: Ipswich also in talks to sign “incredible” Hirst rival
Ipswich Town could be close to signing this striker who has been praised by Pep Guardiola.
By
Kelan Sarson
Jul 9, 2024
He has turned out 85 times for Peru in his career to date, though he was left out of their most recent Copa America squad. Now, he is hunting for a new challenge, with Peruvian outlet Depor [Via Sport Witness] claiming that Ipswich are 'one of several sides' chasing the veteran.
Tapia would certainly offer some improvement on Morsy in a defensive sense, with the Peruvian more active in front of his defence than his counterpart, something that may be required for Ipswich in their return to the top flight.
Morsy vs Tapia: 2023/24 Domestic season
Sam Morsy
Renato Tapia
Appearances
42
21
Tackles and interceptions per 90
3.67
4.16
Blocks per 90
1.27
2.08
Clearances per 90
1.01
3.36
Fouls per 90
1.75
1.61
Yellow Cards
14
5
However, they may have some work still to do to land the midfielder, with the report adding Tapia would prefer to stay in Spain if possible, though no offer has been forthcoming as of yet.
With Tapia happy to wait and assess his options, the report suggests that a deal may not take shape until later on in the transfer window, which may force Ipswich to be patient to land their man.
The series will comprise three ODIs and a one-off T20I, all at Sabina Park
Matt Roller06-Dec-2021
During the T20 World Cup, Chris Gayle had expressed the hope that he would get a chance to play one last international game in Jamaica•Francois Nel/Getty Images
West Indies will play three ODIs and a T20I against Ireland in Jamaica from January 8 to 16, the CWI has announced, with the possibility that the standalone T20I will be used as a farewell match for Chris Gayle.Gayle confirmed after West Indies’ exit in the T20 World Cup that he had played his last game in a major tournament but revealed his hope that CWI would “give me one game in Jamaica to go in front of my home crowd… then I can say ‘hey guys, thank you so much.'”Related
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Chris Gayle reveals he hasn't retired yet, hopes for farewell game in Jamaica
While Gayle will not be part of the ODI squad, with the series counting towards 2023 World Cup qualification through the Super League, the one-off fixture at Sabina Park could be used as his farewell game. ESPNcricinfo understands that a decision has yet to be made on Gayle’s inclusion but that the issue will be up for discussion at the next meeting of CWI’s board of directors later this month.”It’s whether collectively we all feel that it’s appropriate for him to have one last game at home to say farewell in a one-off game,” Johnny Grave, CWI’s chief executive, told the Mason and Guest radio show in Barbados last month. “That Ireland series would represent that opportunity.”It would certainly be appropriate, as far as I can see it, to treat our players and give them the opportunity to bow out – especially players like Chris who have had unbelievable careers and won trophies for the West Indies.”West Indies vs Ireland fixtures
January 8 – 1st ODI January 11 – 2nd ODI January 14 – 3rd ODI January 16 – Only T20I (D/N)
Ireland will travel to the Caribbean on December 31, immediately after their series against USA which starts on December 22 and comprises two T20Is and three ODIs. They have already named their squads for both tours, with Kevin O’Brien left out and David Ripley taking temporary charge as interim head coach.Ireland last toured the Caribbean in 2020, drawing the T20I series 1-1 and losing the ODI series 3-0. Sabina Park was also the venue for one of the finest moments in Irish cricketing history, their victory over Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup on St Patrick’s Day.”We are pleased to be returning to the Caribbean where we have so many great memories,” Richard Holdsworth, Cricket Ireland’s performance director, said. “The World Cup Super League is a crucial set of fixtures for Ireland as we attempt to qualify for the next Cricket World Cup, and – if the series in 2020 is anything to go by – we look forward to a highly competitive series in January.”
Manchester City opened their Premier League season with a comfortable and assured 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Goals from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic either side of half-time were enough to secure all three points for the Cityzens, who are looking to defend their title once again.
Enzo Maresca, one of Pep Guardiola's former coaches at The Etihad, failed to get the better of his former colleague, as the Blues rarely caused too many problems.
Man City's only senior addition to the first-team squad in the summer transfer window so far has been Brazil international Savinho, and he enjoyed a strong debut in London.
Savinho's Premier League debut in numbers
The 20-year-old winger was given the nod to start the game by Guardiola, despite the likes of Jack Grealish and Phil Foden being in the squad, and caught the eye in the opening 45 minutes.
He was withdrawn with a minor knee problem, that should not cause him to miss any matches, but impressed with the minutes he did get, showcasing his direct play and creative threat on the right flank for the Premier League champions.
Wearing 26 on his sky blue jersey, you could be forgiven for thinking that City had brought Riyad Mahrez back to the club with the way he dribbled past players with ease.
As you can see in the image above, the left-footed starlet completed all of his attempted dribbles and created three chances for his teammates in just 45 minutes.
It was an impressive debut from the Brazil international and Guardiola could now land a dream signing for the former Girona star by landing another dynamic attacker before the end of the window.
Why Man City should sign Premier League wizard
TEAMtalk recently reported that the Cityzens are considering a late approach to sign Crystal Palace wizard Eberechi Eze, who is valued at around £60m by the London club.
As a right-footed attacking midfielder, the England international could line up as one of the two eights in Guardiola's side, with Kevin de Bruyne on the left, and use his preferred side to open up and feed the ball to Savio down the flank.
Appearances
27
Goals
11
Key passes per game
2.0
Big chances created
7
Assists
4
As you can see in the table above, Eze carries his own attacking threat as a scorer and has the quality to consistently create chances for his teammates, with 2.0 key passes per game.
The 26-year-old ace also ranked within the top 13% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the division for shot-creating actions per 90 (4.82), and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90 (3.02).
This suggests that Eze, who was dubbed an "entertainer" by analyst Ben Mattinson, has the ability to constantly find his teammates in shooting positions whilst also being able to take opposition players out of the game.
Man City could sign "one of the best in the world" to replace Alvarez
He was crucial for his side last season
ByJoe Nuttall Aug 18, 2024
Therefore, the English whiz could be a dream for Savinho as he could carry the ball forward and open up on his favoured right foot to consistently feed the ball to the Brazilian winger, giving him plenty of opportunities to drive at his man and make things happen out wide.
da mrbet： Na noite da última quarta-feira (09), o meio-campista Andrés D’Alessandro participou de mais um Gre-Nal na carreira e esteve em campo para ajudar o Internacional a vencer o seu maior adversário por 1 a 0 pelo Campeonato Gaúcho, resultado que classificou o Colorado para a semifinal da competição.
– VEJA A TABELA DA SÉRIE A DO BRASILEIRÃO
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da wazamba： Aos 41 anos, D’Alessandro garantiu que, mesmo com a recuperação do time nos últimos jogos, não pretende aumentar o contrato e que vai pendurar as chuteiras em abril. O argentino explicou sua emoção após o jogo.
– Eu estou vivendo um momento para mim único. Últimas semanas, último mês da minha carreira. O encerramento da carreira já está anunciado desde que voltei. Meu pensamento não mudou. Isso que vai acontecer quando acaba o meu contrato, dia 30 de abril. Quero que o clube melhore, que os resultados apareçam, mesmo eu jogando ou não. Meu aporte é muito diferente há anos anteriores, quando tínhamos obrigação de assumir o protagonismo. São outros jogadores que têm que assumir e puxar o grupo – disse D’Ale ao ‘Seleção SporTV.
O ídolo colorado também falou sobre sua expectativa em relação aos últimos passos de sua carreira.
– Está sendo difícil porque está chegando o momento. Consegui administrar bem no começo do ano. Foi algo que falei com o presidente. Não quero saber do momento do clube, momento financeiro, desportivo. Quero é voltar ao clube. Eu tinha duas opções. Inter ou River Plate. Dois times que me deram coisas boas. Vou encerrar minha carreira com 41. Mas ainda vou aproveitar. Acredito muito no profissionalismo, personalidade, entrega, compromisso. Pra mim isso foram palavras que sempre levei comigo’ – completou o jogador.
O Internacional volta a campo no próximo sábado contra o Guarany de Bagé, às 16h30, no Beira-Rio, pela última rodada da primeira fase do Gauchão.
da fezbet： Tottenham Hotspur are set to kickstart their Premier League campaign on Monday night with an away trip to newly promoted Leicester City, and while that's no easy task, they should go into the match full of confidence.
da bwin： Ange Postecoglou's side have enjoyed a relatively successful preseason on the pitch this summer with a handful of comfortable wins and a couple of closely fought losses to Bayern Munich, and off the pitch, they've done brilliantly.
Daniel Levy and Co have sold unwanted players like Joe Rodon and Emerson Royal, signed a couple of exciting youngsters in Archie Gray and Yang Min-Hyeok, and, most importantly, secured the services of Dominic Solanke for £65m.
Kieffer Moore and Dominic Solanke celebrate for Bournemouth.
The former Bournemouth star could be the perfect striker to help take Spurs to the next level this season, although, based on recent reports, the club could still be looking to bring in another quality nine to bolster the squad.
Tottenham Hotspur transfer news
According to a recent report from the Independent's chief football writer, Miguel Delaney, Tottenham remain in the picture for Brentford striker Ivan Toney despite signing Solanke earlier this month.
Delaney claims that, alongside several other teams, including Manchester United and Chelsea, the North Londoners are still considered an outside option for the Englishman.
The main barrier for the Lilywhites, and other sides for that matter, is that the Bees are sticking to their £60m valuation of the striker, although with his contract expiring next year, that price could come down as the final day of the window approaches.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
It would certainly be a surprise to see Spurs sign Toney this summer, especially at that price, but if they can wait for a couple of weeks, they may be able to secure his services at a steep discount. And what's better than having one recently signed top-quality striker in the team? Having two, of course.
Why Toney would be a great signing
While this seems like an unlikely transfer, recent reports like the one mentioned above make it clear that Spurs are still in the running to secure Toney's signature this summer, and though some may think his arrival would impact Solanke's game time, that doesn't have to be the case.
Ivan Toney competing against Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa.
There are more matches in today's game than ever before, meaning stars are often played into the ground before a season ends, preventing them from operating at their best throughout the year.
Just look at James Maddison last season. He was on fire at the start of the campaign, racking up eight goal involvements in his first nine games, but only produced five in his final 17, and while that was partly due to injury, it was clear that he was also in desperate need of a rest.
Ange Postecoglou
This problem will only be more acute in N17 as well, as in Postecoglou's incredibly high-energy system, it would be surprising if his attacking talent weren't exhausted by the end of a gruelling season. So, while the former Cherries star looks set to be the club's number-one striker this year, having another top-quality centre-forward in the squad who can come off the bench or start the occasional game to keep him fresh seems like a no-brainer.
Furthermore, while Toney had a mediocre campaign last year due to the impact of his eight-month football ban, the 28-year-old "monster," as manager Thomas Frank dubbed him, has proven himself to be a fantastic forward at this level, racking up 36 goals and 11 assists in 83 appearances for the Bees.
Ivan Toney's PL record with Brentford
Season
2021/22
2022/23
2023/24
Appearances
33
33
17
Goals
12
20
4
Assists
5
4
2
Goal Involvements per Match
0.51
0.72
0.35
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Lastly, in certain situations, starting two clinical strikers in the same team could help give the Lilywhites an advantage over other sides.
Imagine if the team needed a late winner in an incredibly tight match, bringing the Brentford star on to play with Solanke, or vice versa, would completely change the game, and we saw in England's game against Slovakia at the Euros that the former Newcastle United ace can provide opportunities for a strike partner.
Ivan Toney for England
Ultimately, while some would potentially see this transfer as a frivolous waste of money, you can never have too many quality goalscorers in a squad. Moreover, if the club wants to get the absolute most out of Postecogolu's all-guns-blazing style of play, then having the opportunity to start a front two of Solanke and Toney is the perfect way to do so.
Kulusevski upgrade: Spurs looking at 'one of the best talents' in Europe
The £34m star would be an incredible signing for the Lilywhites.
The allrounder was due to be with Brisbane Heat for the second year of her deal
ESPNcricinfo staff10-Sep-2021New Zealand allrounder Amelia Kerr has withdrawn from this season’s WBBL with Brisbane Heat to continue managing her mental health.Kerr, who signed a two-year deal with Heat last season, opted out of the ongoing tour of England to prioritise her mental health and wellbeing and does not feel ready to return.”I am very grateful for the Heat’s support,” Kerr said. “I am making really good progress and want to keep that going. It’s a tough decision as I love representing the Brisbane Heat and can’t speak highly enough of the support team and players.”Related
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In 30 matches for Heat, Kerr has taken 31 wickets at 20.16 with an economy of 5.80 which makes her the fifth-most economical bowler in WBBL history of those who have sent down at least 100 overs.”We have been in regular contact with Melie, her family and wider support network and fully understand and support the decision she has made,” Heat’s head coach Ashley Noffke said.”She has been honest and brave with her decisions and the Heat will be ready and willing to assist her in the future, whether for a return to playing or simply as part of her Australian circle of friends and teammates who will happily do what is best for her. Melie knows we will be ready to pitch in and help whenever she is ready.”Noffke said the club would assess its options for their third overseas slot having previously signed South Africa duo Nadine de Klerk and Anneke Bosch.The competition is due to get underway on October 14 with the early matches currently schedule for Sydney set to be moved due the ongoing Covid-19 situation in New South Wales.
The Australia captain does not expect many players to withdraw but will support anyone who does
AAP13-Jan-2022Pat Cummins believes the vast majority of Australia’s Test squad will travel to Pakistan but the skipper fully understands if any team-mates opt out of the tour.Cricket Australia is yet to press players for a final decision regarding the multi-format series in Pakistan, which is slated to begin on March 3 with a Test in Karachi.But selectors have started to thrash out plans for a busy couple of months, when Australia’s white-ball series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be quickly followed by the Pakistan tour then the IPL.Players and staff have been given a preliminary briefing about security measures in Pakistan before Australia’s first tour of the nation since 1998.Related
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“Still a bit to work through…but at this stage it’s all looking really positive,” Cummins said. “The amount of work the PCB has put into it is fantastic.”It’s shaping up as, I think just about everyone – if not all – will go. If some players need to make a choice, it’s absolutely fine that they won’t be there. Still got a bit of water to go under the bridge, a bit more info to gather and get around to everyone.”In February, Australia’s best players will likely be split into a white-ball squad at home and a Test touring party in Pakistan. Cummins is concerned about bubble fatigue, knowing freedoms for players will likely continue to be restricted because of Covid-19.”We’re two years in, so we’ve learned a lot,” he said. “But it also means probably some players are further along their tether. It’s unprecedented times, we just have to make sure we look after each other. Conversations are happening. The selectors have been great along with the coaching staff.”This summer marks the first time Cummins has donned the baggy green since losing to India a year ago, while it is the first five-Test series during the Covid-19 era.Cummins said he doubted whether the rivals would get through five Tests, especially after Travis Head contracted coronavirus.”And just about everyone I know in Sydney has Covid,” Cummins said. “We’ve been tested just about every day for the last 20 days. It’s just been fantastic that we’ve got through the series.”
At least one Yorkshire player admitted to regularly using the term ‘P**i’ when talking to Azeem Rafiq, according to the report into racism at the club. But he was cleared of wrongdoing on the basis that it was perceived as, what the report says was, friendly, good-natured “banter” between the two players.The player also admitted to telling other people “don’t talk to him [Rafiq], he’s a P**i”, asking “is that your uncle?” when they saw bearded Asian men and saying “does your dad own those?” in reference to corner shops.Despite admitting recalling that Rafiq broke down in tears at one point, the player insisted he had no idea he was causing offence and would have stopped if Rafiq had asked.The individual concerned, who ESPNcricinfo have chosen not to name, is a current senior player at the club.Related
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Yorkshire suspended by ECB from hosting international cricket
Gary Ballance admits to racial slur against 'closest friend' Azeem Rafiq
While the investigating team (the lawyers who were charged with gathering evidence for the report) found such comments to be “capable of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment…” and accepted Rafiq’s “evidence that he was offended, degraded or humiliated and that this amounted to harassment under the Equality Act and the Club’s Equal Opportunities policy”, the panel (who were charged with making conclusions and recommendations and which included a non-executive member of the Yorkshire board) disagreed.Their conclusions state “The Panel does not accept that Azeem was offended by [the other player’s] comments, either at the time they were made or subsequently.”They go on to say that, in the context of “banter between friends” Rafiq might be “expected to take such comments in the spirit in which they were intended (i.e. good natured banter between friends)… [so] it was not reasonable for Azeem to have been offended by [the other player] directing equally offensive or derogatory comments back at him in the same spirit of friendly banter.”Indeed, the panel accuses Rafiq of using “offensive, racially derogatory comments” when referring to a player of Zimbabwean heritage as “Zimbo from Zimbabwe”. The panel viewed this as “a racist, derogatory term” and recommends that, were Rafiq still a Yorkshire player, he should face disciplinary action for using it.The revelation, which comes days after Yorkshire announced that none of their players, coaches or executives would face disciplinary action as a result of the investigation, may increase doubts over the process and the report that has produced. In particular, equating the terms ‘P**i’, which is a long-established derogatory term with a history of racist usage, and ‘Zimbo’, which is generally held to be an abbreviation akin to Aussie or Kiwi without pejorative association, is likely to raise eyebrows.The ECB, who have been sent Yorkshire’s report in recent days after several month’s delay, are currently reviewing the information.