The fast bowler has recovered from the heel injury that has kept him out since the New Year’s Test against India, but will not get any chance to prove his fitness in a first-class game with the Titans leaving him out of their squad for the final fixture o
Firdose Moonda21-Mar-2018Dale Steyn’s chances of playing any part in the ongoing series against Australia have all but disappeared after he was not named in the Titans’ squad for the final fixture of the season, which starts on Thursday. Steyn, who has not played any cricket since injuring his heel in the New Year’s Test against India, has resumed bowling but needed to prove his fitness by playing in a first-class match. He was not ready to play in last week’s round of matches, and has been left out of the Titans squad.Before the series, selection convener Linda Zondi made clear that Steyn, who has suffered significant injuries in the last three years, needed to come through some domestic cricket before bidding for an international return. Faf du Plessis echoed those thoughts when discussing how quickly players should return to action after time on the sidelines.”With a bowler you’ve got to look at the individual,” du Plessis said. “Dale is obviously on the side and we have to be a little bit more cautious. He has been injured, so for him it’s probably a little bit more important to get back and play a game to see that he can bowl quite a few overs. When he gets through that he will obviously be back in the mix.”Should Steyn continue to be sidelined for this series, his next chance of playing international cricket will come in July-August when South Africa tour Sri Lanka. Before then, Steyn may look for a county stint after going unsold at the IPL auction. But there is still hope to see Steyn in action – he was given a new national contract, which will run until April 2019 – and he has expressed a desire to return to the highest level. Steyn is three wickets from overtaking Shaun Pollock as South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in Tests.
Crystal Palace are interested in signing a new Premier League player who has enjoyed success against the Eagles in the past, according to Sky Sports.
Crystal Palace January rumours
Roy Hodgson has guided the Eagles to five top-flight wins this season, with Palace currently finding themselves six points clear of the relegation zone. A much-needed 3-1 win over Brentford brought an end to 2023, and with the January transfer window now open, Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman have the chance to bolster the Palace squad for the second half of the season.
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Stay on top of all the latest transfer deals across the Premier League, EFL and SPFL as the January window closes.
ByCharlie Smith Feb 1, 2024
Hodgson admitted last month that winter window additions could be on the cards, with those behind the scenes seeing how the squad has been depleted due to injury.
“I would think perhaps we are in that position a bit more than some other clubs. But in terms of the work that goes on behind the scenes, which is orchestrated by Doug Freedman, and lots of people are scouting, and by Steve Parish himself, that's definitely an ongoing process.
“I know that the people in that position would like in January to provide some sort of reinforcements because they've seen how the squad has been depleted."
Reports have claimed that Palace would like to sign a new central midfielder and left-back before the month is out, and in attack, a new target has merged in West Ham’s Danny Ings.
Crystal Palace eyeing Danny Ings move
According to Sky Sports, Crystal Palace are keen on signing Ings from West Ham this month. Wolves are also credited with an interest, whereas Southampton looked at a deal but Ings would prefer to stay in the top flight. However, they add that due to the Hammers’ injury issues in the final third to Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen, a transfer is looking unlikely at this stage.
With Antonio and Bowen out, Ings is currently the only available senior centre-forward available to David Moyes, with teenager Divin Muamba also on the books.
Therefore, should a move to Selhurst Park materialise, Palace may need to wait until the Hammers bring in an attacker of their own, meaning a move across London could happen later in the month.
If it does happen, the 31-year-old, who has been labelled as “clinical” in the media, could be a shrewd addition who would offer Hodgson’s side plenty of top-flight experience.
Ings may have played just 423 minutes of football this season, failing to score or provide an assist, but he has netted 70 times in 215 Premier League fixtures, five of which have come against Palace.
Danny Ings record vs Crystal Palace
Appearances
13
Wins
4
Goals
5
A move for the Englishman could therefore be one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks, but Parish and Freedman may need to play the waiting game for now.
Liverpool are thought to be “negotiating” a move to sign a "very strong dribbler" in 2024, according to a fresh update.
Liverpool eyeing more midfielders
Much was made of the Reds' midfield business during the summer, in what was one of the most significant transfer windows of Jurgen Klopp's tenure to date, as the manager completely changed his personnel after a dire 2022/23 season.
It had become clear that Fabinho and Jordan Henderson had drifted past their best, no longer covering ground like they once did, while James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all departed on free transfers. In their place came Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, all of whom have made a positive impact.
Despite four big names being brought in, it looks as though Klopp and FSG could still be looking to bolster the club's midfield options in the approaching transfer window, with a proper defensive midfielder a possible target. Fluminense star Andre has been linked with a move to Liverpool numerous times, while Nice enforcer Khephren Thuram has been seen as a target for the Reds since the summer.
It remains to be seen if another midfielder arrives in January or if the club wait until next summer, but with Thiago out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the season, a new face could be needed to make up for the loss of him, even though injuries have prevented him for playing at all in 2023/24 to date.
Liverpool "negotiating" Khephren Thuram move
According to a new claim from Corriere Torino [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are "negotiating" a move for Thuram over a switch to Anfield, as they appear to be in talks with Nice over their star midfielder.
Nice midfielderKhephren Thuram.
The report also states that the Reds are in a strong financial position to complete the signing of the 22-year-old, with fellow suitors Juventus needing to sell players in order to be able to afford Nice's €35-40m (£29.9-34.2m) asking price.
These reports regarding Liverpool and Thuram just refuse to go away, which suggests that the Merseysiders do see him as a strong option to come in and add even more quality to the midfield.
The Reds transfer target has made 12 appearances in Ligue 1 so far this season, completed 89.2% of his passes in that time and also averaging 1.3 key passes per game. He isn't an out-and-out No.6, however, so he wouldn't necessarily solve that issue in Klopp's squad, with someone more in the mould of Fabinho at his peak needed.
Liverpool could repeat Mac Allister blinder in swoop for £80m PL maestro
The Reds have been touted with an interest in the talented midfielder ahead of January.
ByDan Emery Dec 4, 2023
It certainly wouldn't be a bad thing if Thuram came in, but it does feel as though Liverpool could spend their money more wisely, considering they already have Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Endo, Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott as good midfield options.
That being said, Aaron Ramsey has called the youngster a "very strong dribbler on the ball", having played with him at Nice, and he is someone who could easily mature into a spectacular midfielder as the years pass.
Arsenal have had the pleasure of seeing an abundance of attacking talent sport the cannon over the years, with Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta all having a scorer of some potency throughout their tenures.
The most notable of the Premier League era is of course the Gunners’ all-time leading goalscorer Thierry Henry, who scored 228 goals in 377 appearances during his time in north London, seeing him now cast in bronze at the Emirates.
While the Frenchman remains at the benchmark for others to attempt to reach, Arteta’s young and hungry talents of today are proving that they could be in good stead to hand Arsenal some well overdue major silverware.
The likes of talent of Bukayo Saka was unearthed in house at Hale End, however star forwards such as Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard were collected in the transfer market, all prevailing to be effective captures.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka.
Emery and Arteta struck gold with their signings, who have contributed to a mass of goals so far in their careers at the Emirates, however not every signing has experienced such success at Arsenal.
Ironically it was one of Wenger’s attacking captures that failed to live up to expectation, as in 2016, all the hope was there for the legendary Frenchman to have discovered his next prolific source in the transfer window.
Lucas Perez's arrival at Arsenal in 2016
During the summer of 2016, it was announced that Arsenal had signed La Liga talisman Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna for a fee of £17.1m.
The striker, who was 27 years old at the point of his arrival, admitted he was “flattered” when he heard of Arsenal’s interest, as the Gunners looked for a new face to bolster their attack after relying solely on Olivier Giroud the season prior.
Wenger’s side had finished second in the 2015/16 campaign to Leicester City, giving the north Londoners fuel to improve their squad in the summer in order to continue the upward trajectory, however, this was far from the case.
The reasons why Arsenal signed Lucas Perez
Perez was signed after Arsenal had been unable to grasp their primary targets Jamie Vardy and Alexandre Lacazette, making critics gather quickly around the assumption that the Spaniard was the result of a ‘panic buy’.
Spanish football expert and journalist Guillem Balague was quick to defend the Gunners’ acquisition, explaining that the Premier League side had been “following Perez for a year”, branding the move a “top signing” for Arsenal.
In La Liga the season prior to his transfer, the 27-year-old had directly contributed to 27 goals in 26 appearances for La Coruna, scoring 17 and assisting ten in the league to showcase just what he could offer to Wenger’s front line.
The scene was set for the Spaniard to offer Arsenal a refreshed source for goals, after fans had become frustrated by the inconsistency of Giroud, and with an impressive scoring tally in Spain’s top-flight in 2015/16, the Gunners were poised to welcome the striker with open arms.
The impact of Lucas Perez at Arsenal
After all of the excitement of Perez’s arrival in what was a fairly inconclusive transfer window for Wenger’s side, things were quickly seen differently as the reality of the situation was realised.
The Spaniard made his Premier League debut in September against Southampton, however that start was just one of three starts that he secured for the Gunners during his year-long stay at the Emirates.
From lack of performance, to injury, to slipping down the pecking order, Perez failed to live up to expectation at Arsenal, and admittedly was given little chance to show his true potential in Wenger’s side.
The striker scored seven goals and registered five assists during his 21 appearances for the club, making the best out of what was a situation that starved him of game time due to competitions within the squad.
A hat-trick in the Champions League group stages against FC Basel was the highest point of the Spaniard’s time with the Gunners, however, he made it clear that he wasn’t at the Emirates to assume a sporadic role, despite being branded as "poor" by journalist Mattias Karen for his end product.
The reasons why Lucas Perez left Arsenal
A year after his arrival, Perez was sent back to La Coruna on a season-long loan, to grant his wishes of more game time after the north Londoners sealed the signing of long-term target, Alexandre Lacazette.
The forward made it clear that he was unhappy at Arsenal, telling Spanish media that the club had treated him badly, with the final straw being an “ugly gesture” in which Lacazette was handed Perez’s number nine shirt without asking, as relayed by Sky Sports.
Lucas-perez-west-ham
On his return from his loan, the forward was prepped and ready to leave the Gunners, which he did, only by relocating to the other side of London, where he signed for West Ham United in a £4m deal.
History seemed to repeat itself, as Perez was handed only a slim chance to shine, leaving the London Stadium after just one year, having secured four Premier League starts that season, netting a total of six goals in 19 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers.
Lucas Perez's form since leaving Arsenal
After leaving England, Perez returned to his homeland, where he has remained since his exit from east London in 2018.
West Ham handed the out-of-favour striker to Deportivo Alaves, where he has since represented Elche and Cadiz, before this summer returning to his home club Deportivo La Coruna.
England
Spain
Goals
13
73
Assists
5
45
Via Transfermarkt
Currently playing the third tier of Spanish football at the age of 35, Perez has found sanctuary in his home country, as highlighted by his form at the point of his La Coruna return as he found himself among the goals with Cadiz in La Liga.
While things didn’t work for Perez at Arsenal, they certainly work for the striker in Spain, with him actually outscoring the Gunners’ current hitman Gabriel Jesus during the 2022/23 campaign.
Last term, the forward played half of the season with Cadiz, before joining La Coruna in January, where over the course of the football calendar he scored 13 goals and provided eight assists.
Jesus scored 11 goals and replicated Perez’s record of eight assists in 2022/23, finding the net two times less than the former Arsenal outsider to put into perspective just how difficult it is for some players to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
Jesus is far better suited to Arsenal, just as Perez is far better suited to the game in Spain, however one thing that’s for sure is that the Gunners learned from their mistake of recruiting the Spaniard, with their striker signings since his arrival proving to have improved significantly.
From Jesus, to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, gone are the days of lacklustre acquisitions in the strike department at the Emirates, and unfortunately for Perez, he had to be the final dud to change the trajectory in the transfer window for Arsenal.
The idea of a footballing heir is a weighty subject. It can make or break characters, whether, for instance, it be Dan Crowley's Jack Wilshere comparison at Arsenal, perhaps even Jordan Rossiter's stray Steven Gerrard comparison, or Jude Bellingham striding across the Bernabéu pitch with Zidane's infamous number five worn comfortably on his back. It's certainly a daunting hurdle that gifted youngsters approach at the highest level.
Unfortunately for this article's subject, this player finds himself on the Crowley and Rossiter end of the spectrum when it comes to fulfilling his potential as the next Cesc Fabregas at the Emirates Stadium.
Who was the next Fabregas?
After consistent world-class showings for both club and country, Cesc Fabregas' Arsenal spell ended with a transfer to Barcelona in 2011. The World Cup winner's figurative shoes were likely a size too big to fill on the face of it. A size that would make the average player innumerate, given the midfielder's growth into one of the finest playmakers around.
You don't replace a Fabregas with a snap of the fingers. You don't replace him with a youth player either – unless that star quality is glaringly bright, lapping at the heels of the first team.
Yet, while Arsene Wenger looked over a group of players under his employ, a glint caught his seasoned eye. It danced in the shadowed slot where Fabregas, as well as an also-departing Samir Nasri, once lived. That spec of light was Gedion Zelalem.
How did Gedion Zelalem come onto the scene?
Zelalem seemed like a gifted footballer who developed exponentially despite a certain time of adversity. Born in Berlin to Ethiopian parents, the tragedy of his mother's death saw him and his father move to the United States in 2006.
He made the transatlantic trip at just nine years old. However, he played football from the age of five. Plus, education in the Hertha Berlin academy, meant that his skill transferred to Washington's suburbs with ease.
The humble beginnings of MSC United and Bethesda SC progressed to the elite side at Olney Rangers in 2011. Two years was enough, the youngster was noticed by Arsenal's North American scout, Danny Karbassiyoon.
It's been said that there are many American youth players are talented enough to bridge the Anglo-American divide, but they aren't permitted to travel. Yet, as Zelalem was born in Germany, his EU passport was a green light for Arsenal who signed him after a two-week trial in 2013.
“I saw Gedion in a training session. Technically he was very, very gifted, he rarely looks like he’s under pressure and always has a way out. I hadn’t seen that in players in the US, his intelligence and awareness were on another level.” (Karbassiyoon, 2016)
From fledgling Fabregas to the Eerst Divisie: Where is Zelalem now?
Zelalem's ascent continued on arrival at London Colney as onlookers continued awe-struck. The gifted talent flew through the ranks. U16, U18, the reserves. Then, all of a sudden he was cropping up in senior sessions.
This brought inclusion in the 24-man squad for Arsenal's Asia Tour. Performances against an Indonesia Dream Team, Vietnam, and Japan's Nagoya Grampus saw him quickly become a favourite. It was after this, that the praise grew and the lofty media comparisons flowed. "Arsenal's next Fabregas?" the Guardian questioned.
Alas, no. It seemed Zelalem's "great talent" as Wenger had labelled, had prematurely peaked.
Where positives like 2014's full Arsenal debut and fruitful Rangers loan the following year duly arrived – there was also mediocrity. Where Wenger had mentioned a potentially great player, in the same breath he also underlined a need for mental strength as well as physical conditioning. In a somewhat foreboding fashion, the Frenchman spoke of Zelalem's progress:
"If he manages to develop his physique and keep his qualities, he can be a very important player. Let's hope he will do it. (…) Today it is too early for him to play for us, but I would say in one year we will know more about him." (Wenger, 2014)
He got more than a year. Yet, he didn't emerge as a talent befitting of Arsenal, let alone fulfilling Cesc Fabregas' legacy. In 2017, after a poor showing at VVV Venlo on loan – making only eight appearances – Arsenal decided it was enough and let him return to America for free.
Stints at Sporting Kansas City and New York City FC subsequently came and went for the American.
Since January of 2023, Den Bosch of the Dutch second division come as Zelalem's newest club. Time is still on his side though for the 26-year-old. Maybe that "important player" is deep down in there somewhere, just waiting to emerge.
The perfect day and the worst day. Rarely have emotions been so polarised than with England and Australia at Trent Bridge. The teams have less than 48 hours to reset themselves before starting again at Chester-le-Street with two distinct aims: a push for a whitewash for England and a face-saving exercise for Australia.There was talk of a whitewash the last time these teams met, in Australia earlier this year, but England’s ambitions on that occasion we scuppered by one of their eye-watering collapses when they slumped to 8 for 5 in Adelaide. That, perhaps, remains Australia’s best chance of taking something this time – that England have a day when they nick a lot rather than middle shots into the stands – although the bowlers took such a hammering at Trent Bridge that it will be tough to recover.It is a mark of the expectations around this England team that holes were picked in the first two performances of this series and it is rare for Eoin Morgan to sound as satisfied with an outing as he did in Nottingham – although if he wasn’t happy then, he may never be. Still, the perfect day in a bilateral one-day series against a poor team is one thing. England will want to save a few for this time next year.After a perfect display, perhaps the one thing England would like is a few more wickets with the new ball. Mark Wood has taken two scalps in three matches with Australia, by and large, not having too many alarms against his new-ball spells only to repeatedly stumble when spin is introduced. That’s working fine for England now, but if they can make impact with the new ball – which highlights the significance of Chris Woakes’ absence – they become even more formidable. And there’s a daunting thought.
Form guide
(last five completed matches, most recent first) England WWWLW Australia LLLLW
In the spotlight
Joe Root isn’t a slogger. He almost managed a wry smile when he walked out at No. 7 at Trent Bridge. It will have been one of the least-pressurised situations he will ever have batted – and he barely middled one shot. His fifty in the opening match, when England had lost three early wickets, showed how important his role in the side remains. He purred to a half-century at The Oval and eased into the 20s at Cardiff, but after the pyrotechnics in Nottingham he has had the quietest series of the top order.Tim Paine admitted he hadn’t had a worse day on the cricket field in his life than Trent Bridge. He’s a good man in a difficult position. His captaincy of the one-day team is even more of a sticking plaster than with the Test side, where he at least justifies his position. It’s hard to say the same in this side. You could even suggest he isn’t the best option in this squad: Alex Carey is a talented, dynamic keeper-batsman. If Australia are serious about reviving their one-day team, Paine does not look the answer. He may have just two more matches to make a case.
Teams news
England have bolstered their pace attack by calling up Craig Overton and Sam Curran. Morgan hinted at the potential for changes due to the lengthy journey from Nottingham to Durham and the short turnaround between games. Tom Curran and Jake Ball were already part of the squad, so may get first dibs.England (probable) 1 Jason Roy, 2 Jonny Bairstow, 3 Alex Hales, 4 Joe Root, 5 Eoin Morgan (capt), 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 David Willey, 9 Liam Plunkett/Jake Ball, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Mark Wood/Tom CurranWhat can Australia do? Shuffling deckchairs on the Titanic springs to mind. Justin Langer has suggested Nathan Lyon could get a call-up, although that may create issues with the tail. Andrew Tye may need to be benched after a tough couple of games. Aaron Finch’s move to No. 5 hasn’t worked, either.Australia (probable) 1 D’Arcy Short, 2 Travis Head, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Marcus Stoinis, 5 Aaron Finch, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Tim Paine (capt & wk), 8 Ashton Agar, 9 Jhye Richardson, 10 Kane Richardson, 11 Billy Stanlake.
Pitch and conditions
Chester-le-Street can offer more help to the pacemen than some grounds around the country, although the Royal London Cup did feature scores over 300. The forecast is set fair for the day-night game and the match is a sellout, an important boost for a county that has had well-documented struggles of late.
Stats and trivia
This is the first ODI at Chester-le-Street since 2015 – when England beat New Zealand in the decider to take the series 3-2
Jonny Bairstow’s four centuries in 2018 already equals the most by an England batsman in a calendar year (David Gower in 1983)
Andrew Tye’s series economy rate of 7.96 is the highest for an Australia bowler to have delivered at least 20 overs in a series
Quotes
“Their top three are brutal. The way they are playing is reminiscent of how we used to play in our day with Gilly, Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting at the top.” “We’ve always looked at series like this, and games with one day in between, as quite rigorous for the bowlers. Their risk of injury goes through the roof. So we’ll have to see how they pull up, and what they can do.”
A victory in the opening match of the Championship season will inevitably have supporters quietly asking themselves if this could be the year
George Dobell at Taunton22-Apr-20182:57
Defending champions Essex off the mark
ScorecardExperience should have taught Somerset supporters better. Years of near misses have tempered expectations at Taunton and they remain, painfully, one of just three of the first-class counties never to have won the County Championship title. Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire are the other two.They’ve been second a few times. Including, in 2010, when they finished on the same number of points as the winners (Nottinghamshire) but missed out on the basis of having won fewer games. A period in which they were second so often in so many different competitions that it led to a sense of fatalistic acceptance. Such experiences tend to leave scars.And yet… somehow, at this time of year, the hope like the sap rises. A victory in the opening match of the Championship season – the first time they have managed that since 2012 – will inevitably have supporters quietly asking themselves – in weak moments and against their better judgement – if this could be the year. Not many, not even the most fervent supporters of other clubs, would begrudge them.There were encouraging signs here, certainly. It must have been some time since Somerset won a home again without their spinners taking a wicket. Or, indeed, bowling until 39 wickets had already fallen in the match. They have several skilful seamers who, in this second innings in particular, harnessed the conditions very well. Matt Renshaw, too, settled in quickly and may prove to be an astute overseas signing. They have now won three in a row at home.But Somerset will know that life is going to get much harder. Worcestershire, for all the all-round excellence of Ed Barnard, produced two flimsy displays with the bat – Tom Fell has not scored a half-century in any form of the game since September 2016, Brett D’Oliveira has scored 10 in four Championship innings so far this season and George Rhodes has two runs in his last three innings – and dropped several chances. Crucially, James Hildreth was put down twice in each innings.And Somerset will know that, against more resolute opposition, their own frailties may be exploited. Their batting, to some extent masked in this match by Renshaw’s resilience and Hildreth taking his chances so well, remains a concern, while Marcus Trescothick is starting to become a bit of a worry at slip. He put down two chances in Worcestershire’s second innings and might have been a touch slow to go for a couple that might be termed half-chances. When you’re aged 42, people will start to ask questions though it is true that slip fielders of all ages drop chances.There was just a touch of controversy at the end of the match. Steve Magoffin, clearly struggling with a hamstring injury, failed to make his ground when attempting a second run and was beaten by Renshaw’s throw from the cover boundary in front of the Caddick Pavilion. Those close to that boundary – and the dressing rooms of both sides overlook it – insisted that one foot was over the rope when he intercepted the ball leaving Joe Leach, the Worcestershire captain, to politely but clearly remonstrate with the umpires.To be fair to Renshaw, who as a replacement for Cameron Bancroft must be desperate to avoid any negative publicity, he might not have known his foot had crossed the rope. There was no way the umpires or most of those in the crowd could tell, though those close to the incident seemed pretty certain. As a local wag put it: “He was so far over, he was in bloody Dorset.”Leach was pretty philosophical about it. He accepted Worcestershire’s fielding was more relevant to this result than Renshaw’s but frustrated that, for all the glimpses of quality his side have shown in their first two games, they have lost two from two and find themselves already a little off the pace”As we lost by more than 80 runs, the run-out probably wouldn’t have made any difference,” he admitted. “But there have been big last-wicket partnerships and you never know.”In the end our fielding has cost us the game. We’ve let ourselves down. I don’t know how many catches we dropped, but it was too many, and if you drop six or seven chances you’re going to struggle. In both our opening games we have had periods of control and I have no doubts about our ability to compete in the First Division as the season progresses.”Not for a moment did it appear Worcestershire would chase down their target of 279. Lewis Gregory claimed two wickets in his opening spell, Travis Head flashed at one off the back foot and, while Barnard added 74 for the last two wickets, it always looked likely to be too little, too late.Gregory bowled beautifully in that first spell. Having sneaked one through the gap between Daryl Mitchell’s bat and pad to knock out both off and middle stumps, he set up Joe Clarke with a series of outswingers and trapped him with one that tailed back just a little.He later denied any knowledge of an approach from another club, though Jason Kerr – Somerset’s head coach – admitted it was “inevitable” and confirmed Gregory had been offered a new contract at Somerset. “He wants some time to think about it and that’s okay,” Kerr said. “We’re in discussions.”Somerset, meanwhile, are awaiting news of scans on Jamie Overton and Eddie Byrom, who dislocated his shoulder while fielding.It will be no consolation to Worcestershire, but this match was, in many ways, the perfect antidote to news from elsewhere in the game over recent days. To see two teams stuffed with home-grown players – there were nine in the Worcestershire side and six in Somerset’s – contesting an entertaining match in front of a good number of spectators (more than 5,000 over the three days) was heartening.For those of us who aren’t entirely sure what a Kardashian is, don’t recognise who the ‘celebrities’ entering the jungle are and don’t much care whether they leave it or not, it was a reminder that this great game doesn’t need too many gimmicks to retain its charm or value. If only those that run our sport believed in it as much as those that watch it.
As the strength in Sri Lanka’s bowling seems to be shifting from spin to pace, Thisara Perera’s all-round skills are proving of great value to his side
Kanishkaa Balachandran10-Jun-2012The challenge for any team visiting Sri Lanka, till some years ago, was taking on an array of spinners on turning pitches. Muttiah Muralitharan and Upul Chandana were a handful, and there was also Sanath Jayasuriya to deal with. Sri Lanka’s present bowling attack, however, has a different make-up.With Murali’s retirement and Ajantha Mendis falling off the radar, a once spin-heavy attack is reliant on seam-bowling allrounders. The emergence of Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perara, two bowlers of similar pace, has expanded Sri Lanka’s options. Perera is turning into one of Sri Lanka’s bigger impact players in the limited-over formats.As a batsman, Perera has been identified as a finisher, coming lower in the order for the slog overs. As a bowler, he slots in as the third or fourth seamer, depending on the composition. His athletic prowess and reflexes make him an asset in the field. In four matches during the ongoing home series against Pakistan, Perera excelled in all three disciplines.He’s created a healthy competition with Mathews. Both started their careers at roughly the same time, though Mathews’ injuries have restricted his bowling. An injury to Mathews before the 2011 World Cup final gave Perera an opportunity, and his unbeaten nine-ball 22 took Sri Lanka to 274.He struggled for consistency in the next couple of tours, but reminded the selectors of his capabilities with a 44-ball 69 in a high-scoring chase in Kimberley, during the tour of South Africa. In the CB Series in Australia, another ‘impact’ innings was an 11-ball 21 in a tense chase against Australia in Hobart. Perera swung Daniel Christian for a four and a six to narrow the equation in Sri Lanka’s favour.Perera missed the Asia Cup due to injury but on his comeback, against Pakistan in the first Twenty20 in Hambantota, he muscled an unbeaten 32 after the main batsmen failed. His knock, plus a diving catch at third man, seemed to perk up Sri Lanka’s body language in their successful defense of a low score.In the second ODI in Pallekele, Perera won the Man-of-the-Match award mainly because he managed what the frontline seamers did not: pick up top-order wickets. His cameo, a 14-ball 24, was an appetiser to what was to come. He came out to bat in a relatively pressure-free scenario, after Mahela Jayawardene gave the innings mileage as Dilshan steadily progressed to his century. Perera sent the ball scorching past Saeed Ajmal to the straight boundary, before slogging him over deep midwicket. He then dispatched Umar Gul over square leg to take Sri Lanka towards 280.After ten wicketless overs in Pakistan’s chase, Perera was called upon as the second-change bowler. He had immediate impact. Mohammad Hafeez chipped the ball back towards the bowler, and Perera managed to fling himself in the opposite direction of his follow through and pluck the catch one-handed. He was denied Younis Khan’s wicket at the start of his fourth over, but the wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara made amends for his botched catch four balls later.Perera had taken 2 for 24 in his first spell of five overs. His second, though, was more incisive. He struck with the first ball yet again, trapping Misbah-ul-Haq on the back pad with an offcutter. The pressure began to pile on Pakistan because the boundaries had dried up. Perera, however, was fortuitous in getting Umar Akmal’s wicket, as replays showed the ball missing the edge on the way to the keeper.A new spell brought another wicket off the first ball. Sohail Tanvir failed to clear square leg and Perera had picked up his third five-for in ODIs, to go with his spells against India in Dambulla, and Australia at the MCG.Perera’s rise has won him the praise of his captain Jayawardene, who can only see him getting better. “I have always said that Thisara is an exciting prospect. Even at a young age he showed lot of potential although he hadn’t played that much,” Jayawardene told the . “Obviously with the talent he has got he is like someone like Shahid Afridi, who can clear the boundary.”After Farveez Maharoof failed to nail down the same position despite several opportunities, Perera has been the impact player Sri Lanka have been looking for.
أكد إبراهيم حسن، مدير منتخب مصر الأول لكرة القدم، أن معسكر الفراعنة يسير بشكل مثالي قبل المشاركة في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا القادمة بالمغرب.
ويخوض منتخب مصر معسكرًا مغلقًا في الوقت الحالي بمركز المنتخبات الوطنية بالسادس من أكتوبر، استعدادًا للمشاركة في المعترك الإفريقي.
وأشاد إبراهيم حسن، خلال تصريحات عبر المركز الإعلامي لاتحاد الكرة المصري، بالإمكانات الخاصة بمركز المنتخبات الوطنية بالسادس من أكتوبر، واصفاً المعسكر الحالي بالمثالي للاعبين، لأنه يحتوي على جميع المتطلبات الخاصة، من ملاعب جيدة، خاصة أن المشروع يضم 3 ملاعب وصالات جيم وغرف إقامة ومطاعم.
طالع.. حسام حسن يعلن قائمة منتخب مصر النهائية لـ كأس أمم إفريقيا
ومن المقرر أن يلعب منتخب مصر مع نيجيريا يوم الثلاثاء المقبل الموافق 16 ديسمبر، وديًا على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.
وستسافر بعثة منتخب مصر إلي المغرب، من أجل بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا يوم 17 ديسمبر.
ويبدأ منتخب مصر مبارياته ببطولة أمم إفريقيا يوم 22 ديسمبر بمواجهة زيمبابوي ثم جنوب إفريقيا يوم 26 وأنجولا يوم 29 ديسمبر في دور المجموعات.
أعلن الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف”، اليوم عن تأجيل بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين 2024 في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا إلى أغسطس 2025.
وتقام بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين في ثلاث دول بملف مشترك، خلال الفترة ما بين الأول من فبراير وحتى الثامن والعشرين من الشهر ذاته، على أن تقام القرعة يوم الخامس عشر من يناير الجاري.
طالع.. خاص | خطوة جديدة من اتحاد الكرة بشأن منتخب مصر للمحليين
ومن المقرر أن تشارك مصر في النسخة المقبل من بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين بـ منتخب الشباب مواليد 2005.
وأصدر كاف بيانًا يؤكد فيه أنه تم تحقيق تقدم جيد في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا من خلال بناء وتحديث الملاعب وملاعب التدريب والفنادق والمستشفيات والبنية الأساسية والمرافق الأخرى لاستضافة بطولة الأمم الأفريقية “شان”.
ومع ذلك، أشار خبراء البنية التحتية والتقنية في الاتحاد الأفريقي لكرة القدم، والذين كان بعضهم متمركزًا في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا، إلى أن الأمر يتطلب المزيد من الوقت لضمان أن تكون البنية التحتية والمرافق على المستويات اللازمة لاستضافة بطولة الأمم الأفريقية للمحليين كينيا، تنزانيا، أوغندا 2024. بيان الاتحاد الإفريقي بشأن تأجيل كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين
أعلن الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم اليوم عن تأجيل بطولة الأمم الأفريقية للمحليين 2024 في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا إلى أغسطس 2025.
تم تحقيق تقدم جيد في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا من خلال بناء وتحديث الملاعب وملاعب التدريب والفنادق والمستشفيات والبنية التحتية والمرافق الأخرى لاستضافة بطولة الأمم الإفريقية الناجحة في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا عام 2024.
ومع ذلك، أشار خبراء البنية التحتية والتقنية في الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم، والذين كان بعضهم متمركزًا في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا، إلى أن الأمر يتطلب المزيد من الوقت لضمان أن تكون البنية التحتية والمرافق على المستويات اللازمة لاستضافة بطولة الأمم الأفريقية للمحليات بنجاح في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا عام 2024.
وقال رئيس الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم الدكتور باتريس موتسيبي: “أود أن أعرب عن امتناني العميق للرئيس ويليام روتو من كينيا والرئيسة سامية سولوهو حسن من تنزانيا والرئيس يويري موسيفيني من أوغندا لقيادتهم والتزامهم والتقدم الجيد الذي تم إحرازه في بناء وترقية الملاعب وملاعب التدريب والفنادق والمستشفيات والبنية التحتية والمرافق الأخرى في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا لاستضافة بطولة الأمم الأفريقية توتال إنرجيز (“CHAN”) كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا 2024 الناجحة. أنا معجب بالبناء والتجديد الجاري للبنية التحتية والمرافق لكرة القدم في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا. أنا واثق من أن الملاعب وملاعب التدريب والفنادق والمستشفيات والبنية التحتية والمرافق الأخرى ستكون وفقًا لمعايير الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم المطلوبة لاستضافة بطولة الأمم الأفريقية في أغسطس 2025.
سيجري الاتحاد الأفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف” قرعة بطولة الأمم الأفريقية للمحليين كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا 2024 في نيروبي، يوم الأربعاء 15 يناير 2025 في الساعة 20:00 بتوقيت نيروبي.
سيتم الإعلان عن التاريخ الدقيق في أغسطس 2025 لبدء بطولة الأمم الأفريقية للمحليين، من قبل الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم في الوقت المناسب.