All posts by h716a5.icu

Who makes the ESPNcricinfo XI for the Big Bash?

Andrew McGlashan18-Feb-2019Matthew Wade – Hurricanes (592 runs at 42.28, SR 146.89)Promoted to the captaincy shortly before the tournament, Wade led from the front with a continuation of his prolific domestic form. That it coincided with Australia’s struggles only made it more fascinating yet an international comeback doesn’t seem on the cards.D’Arcy Short – Hurricanes (637 runs at 53.08, SR 140.61; 10 wickets at 29.60, econ 8.00)The Player of the Tournament after an outstanding all-round return. He entered the BBL having struggled for Australia but returned to the form that got him selected in the first place and by the end of the competition had earned an ODI recall. Gave off confidence every time he walked to the wicket and only three times in 15 innings scored below 26.Marcus Stoinis – Stars (533 runs at 53.30, SR 130.63; 14 wickets at 16.14, econ 8.37)After beginning the competition in the middle order he found his ideal T20 home – at least domestically – opening the innings and enjoying a dominant time between Australia duties, not making less than 18 in 10 innings at the top. His bowling, full of variation, continues to develop.Callum Ferguson – Thunder (442 runs at 34.00, SR 134.75)Produced one of the innings of the tournament with his unbeaten 113 off 53 balls against Perth Scorchers and finished very strongly, having previously collected two first-ball ducks, as the Thunder narrowly missed the knockouts. Did enough to keep himself in the selectors’ thoughts having revealed he was one of the players asked to prepare a visa for India.Glenn Maxwell – Stars (331 runs at 33.10, SR 142.06)Although a slightly feast or famine tournament (six single-figure scores and six scores over 33) his 82 in the final group match against the Sixers was an innings of the highest order with progression to the group stages at stake, followed by another fine hand in the semi-final. Until the very end, it appeared it had all been timed perfectly for the Stars.Ashton Turner – Scorchers (378 runs at 31.50, SR 132.63)The Scorchers had a miserable season but Turner enhanced his reputation as a finisher – enough to earn Australia recognition. Faded towards the back-end of the tournament with five single-figure scores in his last six innings, but the partnership with Cameron Bancroft against the Sixers in mid-January was some of the best batting of the tournament.Tom Curran – Sixers (185 runs at 30.83; 20 wkts at 19.85, econ 7.65)The first of the overseas players in this XI, Curran proved excellent value for the Sixers and has since signed a three-year deal. Bowls at the tough times of the innings but was rarely taken apart. His batting provided an unexpected bonus, particularly when the Sixers laboured for runs early season and could have long-term benefits for them, Surrey and England. He was sorely missed in the semi-final.Rashid Khan – Strikers (19 wickets at 18.10, econ 6.14)The defending champions ended up battling to avoid the wooden spoon but Rashid was again impressive, never more so than battling the trauma of his father’s death. Having claimed 5 for 41 in 12 overs during his first three matches, as the tournament developed there were signs of oppositions working out that left-handers are the way to go against Rashid. His hitting power with the bat was under-used.Steve O’Keefe – Sixers (21 wickets at 17.52, econ 6.57)A born-again season for the left-arm spinner who became the go-to weapon for Moises Henriques inside and outside of the Powerplay. Only twice did he go for more than eight an over and only twice was he wicketless. He has burnt some bridges during his career, but looks as good as anyone in the country in the T20 format.Josh Lalor – Heat (20 wickets at 14.85, econ 7.61)Enjoyed a productive second half to the tournament as the Heat tried to cling on for a semi-final spot. Claimed the best figures of the season with 5 for 26 against the Sixers and probably the most emotionless hat-trick in history against the Scorchers when he didn’t realise he sat on three in three. In this XI he also provides the priceless left-arm pace option.Kane Richardson – Renegades (24 wickets at 17.70, econ 7.75)The leading wicket-taker in the competition, Richardson’s haul was enough to get him back in the Australia one-day squad. Five times he took three wickets in an innings and he excelled on the sluggish Docklands Stadium pitches.

Manchester United will be formulating plans for the mid-season window and have now reportedly told one man that he is free to leave Old Trafford this month.

Manchester United keen to finalise departures

Like most fanbases, Manchester United fans will be wondering who they will sign this window in light of an inconsistent Premier League campaign under Erik ten Hag. Nevertheless, there is also something to be said for a squad clearout in the North West, and trimming their squad in the month of January may prove to be a useful exercise for the Red Devils further down the line.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.

ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024

Sergio Reguillon has returned to Tottenham Hotspur after his brief loan stint at Manchester United and has since taken to social media platform X to thank the fans, players and club for the opportunity to don the famous jersey.

Of course, Jadon Sancho has been at loggerheads with his boss this term after a public fall-out and is now closing in on a return to Borussia Dortmund on loan, which is believed to be almost complete, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. Meanwhile, Raphael Varane is another player that could depart in the coming weeks as the Red Devils are wary over his contract situation.

The Frenchman will have just a year left on his deal come the summer, something which may prompt Manchester United to cash in on his services if an appropriate offer arises. Ten Hag looks to have enacted something of a squad cull then, and one other man has now been told he is free to leave Old Trafford, according to a report.

United open to letting Facundo Pellistri leave

According to HITC, Manchester United are open to letting Facundo Pellistri leave on a permanent basis, and the Uruguay international is said to have admirers in Spain, France, Italy and the Netherlands.

Five similar players to Facundo Pellistri (FBRef)

Player

Club

Luiz Henrique

Real Betis

Jordan Ayew

Crystal Palace

Yeremi Pino

Villarreal

Bradley Barcola

Paris Saint-Germain

Lucas Ocampos

Sevilla

Initially, it looked as if the Red Devils could look to sanction a loan exit for the 22-year-old; however, they will now consider a clean break with the winger after he has struggled to nail a place down under Ten Hag.

Dubbed "spectacular" by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, Pellistri has made 13 appearances for the Red Devils this term across all competitions, registering one assist in total (Pellistri statistics – Transfermarkt).

Nevertheless, he looks unlikely to push towards being a regular starter at Manchester United and could now be set to embark on a new challenge in an alternative environment.

Cesc Fabregas stuck to his word and bankrolled a weekend trip to Ibiza for Como players after Serie A promotion.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Como earned a top-flight berthFabregas gifted players a trip to IbizaSquad members flew out on Friday morningWHAT HAPPENED?

Como’s journey to Serie A is a tale of perseverance and resilience. Their efforts culminated in a thrilling 1-1 draw against Cosenza on the final day of the Serie B season, securing their promotion to the top flight for the first time in two decades.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

In the aftermath of their promotion-clinching game, Fabregas delivered a rousing speech in the dressing room whereby he reminded the players of the challenges that lie ahead in Serie A and also promised a sponsored trip to Ibiza.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

True to his word, Fabregas arranged for a private flight and covered the accommodation costs on the Spanish island. The trip, which started on Friday morning, was shared on social media by striker Patrick Cutrone. His Instagram story featured a host of players embarking on their journey. The striker expressed his gratitude to Fabregas with a small note that read: "Grazie @cescf4bregas".

@patrickcutrone InstagramENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

DID YOU KNOW?

France legend Thierry Henry happens to be a shareholder at Como and was present in the stands to witness his side secure promotion to Serie A after a hiatus of more than two decades.

UAE’s top order flounders with no batsman crossing 50, legspinner Ryan Burl finishes with career-best figures

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Apr-2019After running Zimbabwe close two nights ago, UAE were put through another tough examination in Harare in the third ODI of their four-match series, and the quality of Zimbabwe’s batsmanship was good enough to help them clinch the series 3-0 with one to play.This was made possible courtesy Sean Williams’ third ODI century, an unbeaten 84-ball 109, that helped Zimbabwe post 307 for 4. Williams was helped along the way by Craig Ervine and Peter Moor, the captain, with whom he put together 104 and 145 respectively.Moor made 58 off 52 balls during the course of the mammoth fifth-wicket stand off just 107 deliveries. That helped the pair add 100 in the last ten overs. They took a special liking to offspinner Rohan Mustafa, whose 1 for 67 was the most expensive spell for UAE.In reply, UAE slumped to 15 for 3 in the sixth. Zimbabwe were briefly kept at bay by CP Rizwan and Muhammad Usman, who made 47 and 49 respectively, but that served to merely limit the damage. Ryan Burl, the 24-year-old legspinner, first removed Rizwan and then returned to clean up the lower order to finish with a career-best 4 for 32.The two sides will square off in the fourth and final ODI on Tuesday.

Wrexham have been handed a positive boost going into the summer as they look to sign Arsenal loanee Arthur Okonkwo on a permanent deal.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Okonkwo spent season on loan at WrexhamArsenal won't offer new contract to keeperWrexham want to sign Okonkwo permanentlyGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Wrexham secured automatic promotion to League One this season and Okonkwo played a major role in securing the Red Dragons' defence after a poor start with Ben Foster in goal. Manager Phil Parkinson has already clarified that the club intend to sign the 22-year-old goalkeeper permanently this summer as they head into the third tier of English football.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

As per The Mirror, the Wrexham target, whose contract ends this summer, will not receive a contract extension from the Gunners. The decision will now open up the path for the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney-owned club to sign their primary target as they target a third straight promotion next season.

GettyWHAT PARKINSON SAID

Speaking to BBC earlier this week, the 56-year-old said: "Obviously we’re keen to keep Arthur and we’re working on that. It could take time but there’s one thing for sure, we’ll give it everything that we’ve got to keep Arthur at the club."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

With Oknokwo's current deal with Arsenal set to expire in June, the Red Dragons will be eager to enter talks with the goalkeeper's entourage as they will want him to be on the plane to the United States, where Wrexham will head for the pre-season.

He was also expected to take up a short county stint in England to acclimatise ahead of the World Cup, but he wanted to stay in South Africa to be closer to his ailing father

Liam Brickhill04-Apr-2019Hashim Amla will return to cricket with the Cape Cobras during Cricket South Africa’s upcoming T20 Challenge, coach Ashwell Prince confirmed in Cape Town on Thursday. Prince also revealed that CSA were hoping Amla would be able to take up a short county stint in England to acclimatise ahead of the World Cup, but Amla wanted to stay in South Africa to be closer to his ailing father.”He is available,” Prince said at Newlands. “My understanding is that CSA would have preferred for him to be playing in the UK, but he wanted to be closer to home.”Cape Cobras will play five games in the domestic T20 tournament before South Africa’s World Cup squad is named on 18 April, and their tournament opener against Lions at the Wanderers on Sunday will be Amla’s first participation in competitive cricket since March 1. Amla last playedfor South Africa in the two Tests against Sri Lanka in February, and was granted compassionate leave from the one-day squad to be with his critically ill father.The situation has improved a little but Amla, who turned 36 on March 31, is short of form and match practice ahead of the deadline for the announcement of South Africa’s World Cup squad. His place in that squad is not settled, and CSA’s selection convener Linda Zonditold that the process of deciding upon that squad is giving him “sleepless nights”.

View this post on Instagram

Good to be back. thanks for the support. Much love.

A post shared by Hashim Amla (@hashamla) on Apr 2, 2019 at 11:23pm PDT

Amla started this season in dreadful form, averaging just 10.14 with the bat with two ducks in seven innings for Durban Heat in the Mzansi Super League before turning things around somewhat with vital runs – including a 27th ODI hundred – during Pakistan’s visit. After some time away from the game to be with his family, Amla returned to the nets in Durban this week and will be flying to Cape Town to join the Cobras squad ahead of their first game of the CSA T20 Challenge. Prince believes that the tournament could provide Amla with valuable time in the middle.”I don’t think extending an innings has ever been a problem for Hashim,” Prince said. “It’s about getting in. In the Mzansi Super League, he didn’t manage that, which can happen after a long lay-off.”I still think there is a place for somebody to bat through the innings, and he is well capable of doing that. If he bats through the innings at a 120/130 strike rate, it allows other more natural ball strikers to play their game around him. There is an opportunity for Hashim to bat through the innings and if he does that half the time, then I think he is getting enough batting.”Prince also confirmed that JP Duminy will not be available for the Cobras’ first few games of the tournament as his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury that necessitated surgery and kept him out of action for most of the summer continues with strength and conditioning work as per CSA’s wishes.

Manchester United have struggled to get going this season, with injuries hindering the progress made last year.

The Red Devils have been dumped out of every cup competition bar the FA Cup, and they sit eighth in the Premier League.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.

ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024

With that in mind and the fact that United only score 1.1 goals per game on average, Erik ten Hag must look to add a new forward to his side.

Man Utd transfers latest – Nico Williams

According to UtdDistrict, Man United have set their sights on Nico Williams. It's suggested that the club's scouts have identified him as their prime versatile target for the month of January.

As per a report from Spain, the Spaniard has a release clause of £43m in his contract at Athletic Club.

A move is much more likely to take place in the summer due to the large fee and United’s financial fair play situation, which prevents them from spending big in January.

How Nico Williams compares to Antony

Antony’s £82m move to Man United has been a disaster, highlighted by the fact that the Brazilian has failed to even register a goal contribution in 21 appearances for the Red Devils this season.

The United faithful are becoming increasingly frustrated with the 23-year-old's constant underwhelming performances and the signing of a new right winger could see his United career come to an end.

That new attacking star could be Williams, a player who has been labelled “dazzling” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig. The star has been nothing short of electric this season in La Liga, scoring three and assisting five in 16 starts. The 21-year-old has become instrumental in the way his side attacks, showing great maturity and taking on plenty of responsibility despite his age.

Goals

0.00

0.22

Assists

0.00

0.36

Successful take-ons

1.49

3.64

Progressive carries

3.09

5.98

Crosses

1.39

7.00

Key passes

1.59

2.40

Touches (att pen)

3.68

6.12

As you can see, Williams absolutely wipes the floor with Antony. The former is an extremely fast winger who is a master at 1v1 scenarios, constantly taking a direct approach with the aim of getting into the box.

Furthermore, he’s almost unstoppable when dribbling, using his quick feet and agility to glide past defenders with ease, amassing nearly six progressive carries every 90 minutes. Impressively, he has the joint most successful dribbles in La Liga this season. On the other hand, Antony often decides to lay the ball off due to his lack of acceleration and power, making him easy to play against.

Instead, Williams can progress the play via his ball-carrying, and he is a true creative spark. Unlike the Brazilian, he is two-footed and unpredictable which allows him to find space to cross the ball into the box. Antony doesn’t provide that type of service which has ultimately starved Rasmus Hojlund of chances this season, with the number 21 labelled as a “one-trick pony” by United Legend Paul Scholes.

It is clear that Williams would be a huge upgrade on Antony, and United must do all they can to acquire his signature with Ten Hag and his side in dire need of some more creativity in the side if they are to turn the ship around.

Manchester City are reportedly going to try and get manager Pep Guardiola to sign a new deal despite the Spaniard hinting at a not-so-distant exit.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Man City win fourth-straight league titleGuardiola hints at not-so-distant exitCity want him to sign new long-term dealWHAT HAPPENED?

The Spaniard is out of contract in the summer of 2025 and he himself said he is "closer to leaving than staying" after leading City to a record fourth-straight Premier League title. However, the claims City want to tie the 53-year-old to a new, long-term contract.

AdvertisementGetty THE BIGGER PICTURE

Since Guardiola's arrival eight years ago, he has won 17 major trophies at the club, including the Champions League and six Premier League titles. If he were to leave, he would be an almost impossible act to follow, so keeping him for longer makes a huge amount of sense.

DID YOU KNOW?

The report adds City will place 'no pressure' on the ex-Barcelona boss to sign a new contract and the decision will be his. It is understood he has discussed the matter with at least one key City player over dinner to get their thoughts and advice.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty WHAT NEXT?

Guardiola's City side will look to end the season on yet another high when they take on bitter rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday afternoon in a repeat of last year's showpiece event.

Isle of Wight fixture a triumph for Hants in more ways than one

Paul Edwards at Newport23-May-2019
Just before 11.30 on the final morning of this game the Radio Solent gazebo nearly blew away. For an alarming moment we thought the excellent Kevan James and Dave Bracegirdle would have to broadcast to the nations of the world as it were. But decency was soon restored and the gazebo’s bid for freedom was an isolated incident in any case. No one else expressed a wish to depart this paradise on the island of chines and chapels.Eight Nottinghamshire batsmen shuffled away, of course, but they were given no option by Sam Northeast’s attack, who completed their side’s 244-run victory at just gone three o’clock when Jake Ball looped a ball from Mason Crane into the covers where Aneurin Donald took the catch. Yet it was slightly ironic that the final wicket should fall to a spinner; Hampshire’s three seamers had been the chief architects of victory on this final day and it was appropriate that Kyle Abbott, Fidel Edwards and Keith Barker should each take six wickets in the match.Other spectators may identify the importance of Wednesday’s partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Northeast in deciding the game’s outcome. Aesthetes would agree but there is surely an equally sound argument that Nottinghamshire’s failure to make any breakthroughs on the first morning when the ball was nipping around was as significant as anything else in shaping the match.Sam Northeast bats for Hampshire•Getty ImagesWhat is plain, though, is that this was Hampshire’s third championship victory of the season and they seem set fair for honours. From an island on which Prospero might have chosen to remain they now go to Lord’s, which is possessed of its own insularity, for the Royal London Cup Final; and thence on Monday to Yorkshire, whose inhabitants would probably welcome a ten-mile Channel round its boundary as a physical expression of the spiritual detachment they have always felt in any case.To judge from their cricket over these four days, Northeast’s cricketers are ready for the battles to come. They took their time over their win on Thursday but they truly lost only one of this game’s 11 sessions, albeit they took only three wickets on the last morning. The first of these fell when nightwatchman Matt Carter failed to jab down on a straight ball from Barker and was lbw for 23 in the fifth over of the day; then Joe Clarke, having laboured over 19 balls was out for nought when he prodded at his 20th and nicked a catch to Tom Alsop off Abbott. It was a shot that could have brought Clarke nothing but grief but it was entirely consistent with the rest of his innings.The most vital wicket, though, was that of Jake Libby, who batted for over an hour with Chris Nash before he fell to the perfectly legitimate aggression of the Hampshire seamers. Away from their sport, Edwards and Abbott probably contribute to worthy charities and fuss over their neighbours’ pets. Put a cricket ball in their hands, however, and they become, like William Munny in , men “of notoriously vicious and intemperate disposition.”Such an approach is part of the fast bowler’s armoury, of course, and it was particularly evident when Edwards roughed up Nash and Libby in the half-hour before lunch. Aided by three short legs, the battering was enough to put any chap off his couscous and it worked when Libby, having paddled the ball to the fine leg boundary, prodded a catch to the vulturesque Oli Soames. That left Nottinghamshire on 131 for 5 and suddenly the main question being asked was ‘when’ not ‘if’.The answer to that query soon became clear. Abbott was brought on at the Carisbrooke End immediately after tiffin and he trapped Nash for a gutsy 60 – his third fifty of the season – with one that seemed to nip back a fair way. Any hopes that visiting supporters might have harboured that their team could kindle comparisons with Rorke’s Drift were probably extinguished four overs later when another ball from Abbott kept very low and gave Tom Moores no price whatever when it thudded into his pad. Half an hour later Steven Mullaney was bowled by a similar delivery and all that remained was to dot an “i”, cross a “t” and dismiss Stuart Broad.Yet even when this game was done, several spectators stayed at Newclose and pondered what they had just seen. And not just the cricket, you understand, but the event itself and its many triumphs. Before very long tiredness will hit the volunteers like heat in the desert. But they can put their heads down knowing they have rendered Hampshire a noble service. In the winter cricket people will look back and choose their best week of the year. Some will choose Newclose in May and they will not be far wrong. It has already been one of the songs of summer.

Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for AS Roma forward Paulo Dybala this month, and Fabrizio Romano has now provided a new update on the situation.

Chelsea eyeing Dybala move

The Blues, Todd Boehly and Mauricio Pochettino are after a new striker as a top target this month and have been linked with a number of forwards.

Chelsea rumoured striker targets for January

Latest update

Claudio Echeverri

19th December

Santiago Gimenez

18th December

Dusan Vlahovic

10th January

Victor Osimhen

11th January

Viktor Gyokeres

12th December

Recently, it has been claimed that those at Stamford Bridge, alongside Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Newcastle, have made contact with the attacker’s agent ahead of a possible move. Noises from Italy suggested ‘that times are tense at AS Roma, because his €13m (£11.1m) release clause for foreign clubs will expire on January 15th’.

Chelsea will therefore have to act fast if they are to secure a possible bargain move for the Argentina international, however, it looks as if there is a transfer twist, with Romano sharing what he knows about Dybala’s immediate future.

Fabrizio Romano shares Dybala transfer latest

Talking to CaughtOffside in his Thursday Daily Briefing column, Romano said that despite rumours to Chelsea, he sees Dybala, who he called “top quality”, staying at Roma ahead of his release clause deadline, with “nothing happening as of now”.

“Despite rumours about Chelsea, I see Dybala staying at Roma as things stand. I have no updates, there’s nothing happening as of now and his release clause will expire in four days…so, it looks difficult and unlikely. I think Chelsea need a striker more than a top quality all-round attacking player like Dybala.”

Chelsea still have time to make a cut-price move for the 30-year-old, but as Romano claims, the Blues may be better off targeting more of a number nine instead of a versatile attacker like Dybala. The Roma man can play as a second striker, centre-forward, winger or attacking midfielder, so would provide plenty of versatility for Pochettino, whereas someone like Victor Osimhen could be a better option, albeit more expensive.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.

ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024

The Napoli striker, who has a £100m release clause, is reportedly open to a move to Stamford Bridge and his entourage have had “positive” talks with Blues co-owner Behdad Eghbali.

An out-and-out striker, Osimhen enjoyed a career-best season in front of goal last year, and although over £90m more expensive than Dybala, Chelsea could be getting better value for money in the long run when it comes to the Nigeria international, who is still just 25 years of age.

A short-term deal for Dybala could still be one to watch, but by the looks of things following Romano’s latest claim, nothing is in the pipeline as of yet, leaving Chelsea unusually quiet in a transfer window at this moment in time.