All posts by h716a5.icu

Zimbabwe opener Tino Mawoyo, who has recovered from injury, has called for more grit from the batsmen, ahead of the side’s second Test against New Zealand in Bulawayo

Firdose Moonda in Bulawayo05-Aug-2016While New Zealand took three days off and spent a night at a game farm – former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak’s game farm no less – Zimbabwe trained for three days and held a team dinner at what can safely be called Bulawayo’s best eatery.In the serene surrounds of 26 on Park – a restaurant converted from a family home on a massive plot in which a garden forms a green moat around a gabled mansion – they openly and honestly thrashed out their issues ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Bulawayo.Between bites of thick-cut steaks, Zimbabwe, “spoke about where we feel we fell short in the last game and what we need to do to improve,” Tino Mawoyo, their opening batsman, said. “There were some encouraging things said to the up-and-coming youngsters from the senior guys, some good words from the coach to gee us up before the next game. Those kinds of things are important – doing things together a team.”As a Test team, Zimbabwe rarely even play together, and their lack of familiarity of the format, and each other, shows. Primarily, the top order’s inability to provide a platform has placed extra pressure on the rest of the line-up and it is the first thing Zimbabwe want to fix.”The guys have had a good look at how they got out and also had a good chance to look at New Zealand’s bowlers,” Mawoyo said. “There’s a little bit more grit needed, a little bit more application and being able to say to yourself, ‘let me go out there, suss out conditions and give myself a chance’.Easier said than done, especially against a New Zealand pace pack that attacks through movement and length. While Tim Southee and Trent Boult swing the ball, Neil Wagner brings a barrage of short balls, which test Zimbabwe’s technique. As Prince Masvaure suggested after the first day’s play in the first Test, the more Zimbabwe told themselves not to succumb to Wagner, the more they did, but Mawoyo explained they have worked on a better mental approach.”As the psychologists say, if you don’t want to do something, don’t say don’t. Find a better way of saying it which is probably, look to get under the ball. As we saw the captain in the second innings, and a little bit of Donald Tiripano earlier, they took it on the body,” Mawoyo said. “Saying don’t is something negative and the mind gravitates towards it naturally, but those chats have happened. Guys have done a little bit more work with the shorts ball in the nets. I think that’s something we will address a lot better in the second Test.”Mawoyo will have to walk that talk first. He has recovered from a thumb injury to take his place at the top of the order, and despite a week on the sidelines, believes he is ready. “I back my ability,” he said, a rare statement of self-belief from a Zimbabwe batsman, but one Mawoyo is justified in. His unbeaten 79 for Zimbabwe A in a draw against South Africa A last month is fresh in his mind and he hopes to take that determination into this Test.If he is able to, it will also be an act of leadership in a Zimbabwe team riddled with inexperience. Hamilton Masakadza’s injury-forced withdrawal has left Mawoyo as the most experienced batsman in the line-up, alongside Craig Ervine, with both having eight caps each to their name. Only captain Graeme Cremer, who has played 12 Tests, is more experienced.After handing out three new caps in the first Test, Zimbabwe could end up with another rookie in the second. PJ Moor, who scored a century and a fifty in two Logan Cup appearances last season, is likely to come into the starting XI and could even take the gloves from Regis Chakabva. Moor has shown promise for several years, including during a stint at South Africa’s University of Pretoria Academy, where he was in 2010. “It was obvious that he was going to play at a high level,” Pierre de Bruyn, who coached at the academy, told ESPNcricinfo. “He embraced every challenge in the academy year which is a very intense program, and what stood out was his work ethic, combined with very strong values.”Moor’s talent, like Masvaure’s, can only bloom in nurturing circumstances, and with so few fixtures in the Zimbabwe calendar, planning that way ahead may be too optimistic. That may be why Mawoyo offered nothing more than realistic expectations ahead of the second Test.”If we show improvement, we’ve done well. We’ve spoken about the top order probably not doing as well as they should have, the bowlers not striking as well as often as we would have liked them to,” he said. “Realistically, to come out and say we’re going to win the next Test would not be honest. If we can go out there and improve on the things we have spoken out, we are going forward.”

Arsenal star Granit Xhaka wants a new challenge with Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen pushing to sign him this summer, according to reports.

What’s the latest Arsenal transfer news?

Much has been made of who manager Mikel Arteta could bring in this summer to reinforce Arsenal’s options and maintain their place among England’s most elite sides.

The north Londoners’ hopes of clinching a first Premier League title in nearly 20 years have been all but dashed after their 3-0 loss to Brighton last weekend, with Man City having the opportunity to be officially crowned on Sunday against Chelsea.

Pep Guardiola’s side could seal the title with a win, making the prospect of an Arsenal parade seem more and more distant.

Preparing for next season is therefore imperative with sporting director Edu believed to be targeting central midfield stars, as well as additions further forward and a potential centre-back.

In terms of outgoings, there are a few Arsenal players who could depart the Emirates, with both Kieran Tierney and Xhaka being chief among them.

The latter star is attracting major Bundesliga interest from Leverkusen, and as his deal is set to expire in 2024, Arsenal may have to contemplate selling in the next two transfer windows or risk losing him for nothing.

The Swiss star has been a mainstay under Arteta this season, but according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, he is actually eyeing a move away.

He apparently wants a fresh challenge this year and Leverkusen are “pushing” for Xhaka’s signature.

Plettenberg, sharing news from his sources, said on Twitter:

Who could Arsenal sign to replace Xhaka?

If the 30-year-old were to indeed depart this year, with the player being called “really important” by Arteta, he will be difficult to replace.

That being said, we believe West Ham star Declan Rice could be a sure-fire choice to succeed Xhaka, especially considering he is allegedly keen to join Arsenal.

Rice is also West Ham’s best-performing player by average match rating in the top flight this season, making more interceptions per 90 than any other West Ham star (WhoScored).

The only caveat will be his asking price, as the Irons could demand as much as £120 million.

Burnley are reportedly interested in signing Aberdeen striker Luis 'Duk' Lopes in the summer transfer window and his arrival at Turf Moor could see Vincent Kompany ditch Wout Weghorst for good.

Could Burnley sign Duk this summer?

It was reported by transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano last month that Burnley are interested in signing the Cape Verde international following their promotion back to the top flight.

Kompany will be keen to add attacking reinforcements to try and keep the Clarets in the Premier League and after a sensational first season in Scotland, Duk could be a promising option, having only joined Aberdeen on a free transfer last summer, with Benfica still holding 50% of the player's transfer value.

Transfermarkt values the striker at just €1m (£870k) but given that he is contracted at Pittodrie until 2025, Burnley could be forced to pay significantly more if they want to bring the 23-year-old to Lancashire in the summer.

Would Duk be a good signing?

Duk's performances in the Scottish Premiership so far this campaign certainly suggest that he could be a quality addition at Turf Moor, as Kompany seeks replacements for loanee Nathan Tella and departed club legend, Ashley Barnes.

In 35 league appearances, the frontman hit 16 goals and two assists with a strong 6.99 rating from WhoScored for his performances, with only Tella contributing to more goals and four players earning higher ratings in Burnley's squad this season.

The striker's former coach Joao Tralhao isn't surprised by his impact at Aberdeen, given that he starred alongside Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix and Celtic's Jota in the youth team at Benfica.

He said: “He is powerful, aggressive, strong and he works hard to press. He also has an amazing instinct to score goals and you could see that with every year he progressed.

"He has a real instinct for goal that is his top quality. He just scores goals, with his right foot, left foot, chest, head or every part of his body. He has scored a few acrobatic goals for Aberdeen and trust me that is not usual. That is just Duk.”

Duk's physical and goalscoring attributes suggest he could be a dangerous target man for Kompany to have in his squad for next season, which could make Burnley flop Wout Weghorst surplus to requirements at Turf Moor.

After failing to have the desired impact in 2021/22 as Burnley suffered relegation, scoring just twice in 20 Premier League outings, the Netherlands international was sent out on loan to Besiktas and Manchester United and now looks unlikely to have a future with the Clarets.

Therefore, Burnley should definitely be looking to bring in the Portuguese-born forward this summer, especially if it allows Weghorst to be moved on permanently.

Steven Smith seemed relaxed and upbeat ahead of Australia’s third Test against Sri Lanka, highlighting the progress his side is making in adopting a more proactive approach on turning tracks

Daniel Brettig in Colombo12-Aug-20162:02

‘We need to play with courage’- Smith

Two days out from the Colombo Test, Steven Smith wanders into the lobby of the team hotel, and grabs a spot at the in-house cafe and bar. As Australia’s captain, he’s carrying the weight of consecutive heavy losses to Sri Lanka, the first of his leadership tenure, and the continuation of a long and increasingly tiresome theme of Asian underachievement.But there is little sense that Smith is letting all this get him grumpy or sullen. He has not, after all, withdrawn to his hotel room. After a few minutes, he is instead joined for a coffee by young batsman Travis Head, here for a Test squad apprenticeship and then the ODI matches that follow. Smith and Head talk jovially and clearly about the game, the older man conversing easily with his junior amid much cricketing gesticulation.This conversation, like Head’s mere presence, is an investment in the future. Knowledge gained in Sri Lanka over the past few weeks is to be used in pursuit of better results in this part of the world next time around, namely India next year. The looming Colombo Test can be seen in a similar light – not as the third Test of the Sri Lanka series, but the first preparatory assignment for the trip to India.”It has been disappointing,” Smith said of the tour thus far. “We have got a lot of work to do to change the way we play in these conditions. Having said that, I thought we made some good strides in the second innings [in Galle]. The way we were proactive in our thinking, the way we went about it.”As long as we can take that into the first innings of this Test match, and try and make it go a for bit longer – I think looking at the wicket it is going to be another tough one to bat on. It looks like it is going to be pretty dry again, and take a fair bit of spin, so if you can bat for a day, I dare say you will put yourself in a reasonable position.”Australian attitudes have changed over the past few weeks, as best demonstrated by the varying words of the vice-captain David Warner in Pallekele and then Colombo. There are variations within the variations provided by Asian conditions, summed up by the contrasts between the pitches of India in 2013, the UAE in 2014 and Sri Lanka in 2016. Smith reckons these surfaces have more in common with those of three years ago than those utilised so well by Pakistan the year after, meaning spinners could not be allowed to settle.”I think it has a little bit,” Smith said of whether his batsmen’s attitudes had shifted. “I think you still have to try and bat time. I guess that is what Test cricket is all about. At the same time, you do need to be proactive in your thinking, finding a way to get off strike, get down the other end and if you are down there, you can’t get out. Or, you shouldn’t get out!”It’s difficult at any time. In Australia we don’t get wickets that do what these wickets do so it’s very foreign. You almost have to reinvent your game to be successful on these surfaces. In Australia, you don’t get balls that are turning like they are here and skidding on, everything’s pretty consistent. So it’s finding a way I guess and getting outside your comfort zone.”It might be about sweeping or coming down the wicket or getting deep in your crease. Sometimes it’s easy to do in the nets and when you get out in the middle there are guys around the bat, there’s the pressure of the game, it’s a whole different ball game. It’s just having the courage and faith to sometimes take a risk you may not take in Australia and different ways of thinking to get around different situations.”That thinking extends beyond the batsmen to the bowlers, and particularly the spinners. Nathan Lyon and Jon Holland have had to adapt almost as much, from Australian overspin to Asian under-cutters. Another parched surface at the SSC ground means both will get another chance to work on their methods, and Smith has been buoyed by Holland’s progress in a short space of time.”I was watching him bowling [at training],” he said. “In Australia, he’s got quite nice shape on the ball. He gets over it and gets good drop. He’s dropped his arm path a little bit since being here. It’s hard to do just before you play your first Test, when you only come in a few days before the game when you weren’t originally here.”He didn’t have a great deal of time to find the right way to bowl in these conditions and having watched him, he’s certainly dropped his arm down a little bit and he’s getting around the ball which I think is crucial for these conditions. It looks like the seam he’s presenting looks a lot harder to play.”An hour or so later, Smith has moved to another table in the cafe, joined this time by two more senior tour members in Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh. The chatter is jovial again, the attitude that of learning. This tour has shown that Smith the captain can handle the emotions and problems of defeat; Colombo will show how much his team has learned from it.

Rangers are advancing in negotiations to sign on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Jack Butland on a free transfer.

What's the transfer latest on Jack Butland to Rangers?

42-year-old manager Michael Beale is in the market for a new goalkeeper and has been linked with several names. Ivan Pandur was a serious option but it appears attention has switched to United's Jack Butland and a move to sign him is taking shape.

In late May, the Daily Mail reported that the goalkeeper was edging nearer to a move to the Scottish Premiership. He joined United on loan in January but will leave the club this summer without making an appearance.

Initially, Butland's salary demands "rocked" the potential for a move to Rangers but "a compromise" has since been reached over his personal demands. His £35,000/week terms with Crystal Palace are set to expire later this month and they will not recoup a fee when he leaves.

The Crystal Palace goalkeeper will leave this summer and Rangers look set to secure his services.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Rangers are in advanced talks to sign Butland, explaining on Twitter that the "deal is getting closer." Meanwhile, United will sign a new back-up goalkeeper to replace the former Stoke City star.

Why does Michael Beale need a new goalkeeper?

With 41-year-old Allan McGregor leaving the club after an emotional goodbye to the fans. It makes the end of his second spell with the fans after spending another five years at the Ibrox since joining in 2018, a move he described as a "no-brainer".

In total, the shot-stopper spent a lengthy period of time with Rangers, winning numerous titles including the Europa League win last season.

Looking ahead to next season, Michael Beale now needs to bring in a replacement and 30-year-old Jack Butland is now seemingly closing in on a move to Scotland.

Despite not playing any football during the 2022/23 season, training with Manchester United for a full year against the likes of Marcus Rashford may have benefited him.

Described by Guardian journalist Ed Aarons as "brilliant", Butland is in his prime years as a goalkeeper and could play a key role in Beale's squad next season.

Rangers will have to still qualify for the Champions League next season and after spending the business end of the season during United's push for the Premier League top four, Butland may still be able to take part in the competition himself.

The second match of India’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand is likely to be pushed back by a day to October 20

Nagraj Gollapudi08-Sep-2016The second match of India’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand is likely to be pushed back by a day. According to the original schedule released by the BCCI, the day-night match was to be played on October 19 at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. But it is now set to be played on October 20, with the BCCI having approved a request from the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) to not have it clash with the North Indian festival of .”It is a big festival in Delhi,” a senior BCCI official said. “We realised having a day-night match during the festival might be disruptive.”The selectors, meanwhile, will meet in Delhi on September 12 to choose India’s squad for the three-match Test series against New Zealand, which begins on September 22 at Green Park in Kanpur. The first Test is set to be India’s 500th Test match.New Zealand’s tour will begin with a three-day warm-up match against Mumbai from September 16 to 18. They will then play three Tests in Kanpur, Kolkata and Indore, and five ODIs in Dharamsala, Delhi, Mohali, Ranchi and Visakhapatnam.

West Indies captain Jason Holder has said he is a fan of the concept of day-night Test cricket, urging players to give the format a chance on the eve of his team’s maiden pink-ball Test

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Oct-2016West Indies captain Jason Holder has said he is a fan of the concept of day-night Test cricket, urging players to give the format a chance on the eve of his team’s maiden pink-ball Test against Pakistan in Dubai. Holder said he felt the day-night format would give Test cricket the push it needs to sustain itself in the modern cricket market.”I like the concept and I think it is one that should be there to stay,” he said. “We have to give a chance to something new. Obviously, teams might first take time to adjust to it. Test cricket needs that bit of impetus, needs a bit of a push, and I think, possibly, day and night cricket could be it.”The day-night concept has had its share of support from various corners, including Holder’s counterpart, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who recently stated that the “future belongs to night Tests.” Various concerns remain, nonetheless, on the durability and visibility of the ball. “It is a new thing with the pink ball, everybody is just trying to get accustomed to it,” Holder said. “I personally did not have big problems with the sighting.”Few of the players from the slip cordon said it was bit difficult to pick up, and also fielding square of the wicket, probably looking into the sun, it was difficult to sight. Having said that, it is what it is. Tomorrow starts the pink-ball Test, so we have got to adjust to it, we have got to just go there and just try to be as professional as we probably can.”Holder did have his doubts about the ball’s durability, though. “Personally, it does do a bit with the new ball. Five-six overs and after that it just stops a bit, and what I am basically concerned is just the condition of the ball, whether it will hold up,” he said. “Obviously, we had the experience of playing the warm-up game, and I reckon that around 30 to 40 overs, the ball starts to deteriorate and got really soft as well. It is interesting to see how it goes in this Test match, different conditions here in Dubai, and, hopefully, I just think the most important thing to do is keep it as simple as possible, just assess what the ball is doing, try your possible best and make it swing and move.”West Indies have struggled in the longer formats of late. Their previous Test assignment, against India at home, ended in a 2-0 defeat, with one match being affected by rain.”Obviously, it is a young team and we obviously went down in our last series. But it is a fresh series here and we had a pretty good lead-up to this Test series. We have been here quite a while, and most of the guys had a good camp in the Caribbean for the Test players alone, and they came here early and had a two-day game prior to the three-day game. I feel preparation, we have covered. It is just a matter of executing now. From the talks in the dressing room, everybody seems pretty confident, everybody is in good spirit, and so we can transfer on to the field of play.”West Indies did have some positives in that India series, however, most notably in the second Test where they salvaged what had seemed an improbable draw. Reduced to 48 for 4 and still trailing India by 256 runs in the second innings, Roston Chase led a stoic resistance as West Indies batted out 88.1 overs on the final day, scoring 340 runs while losing just two wickets.Holder said the talent was there in the team, it was just a matter of execution. “We have got some quality players. If you look down our line-up, Kraigg Brathwaite has been around for a little while and he has got a few centuries, Shane Dowrich came back into the squad in the last series and did well for himself. We have got the talent there, it is a matter of execution. We need to play some aggressive cricket.”

Arsenal have now "agreed personal terms" with Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo, according to a recent report from Ecuadorian outlet Teradeportes.

Who will Arsenal sign this summer?

The Gunners are searching for a new central midfielder, with Granit Xhaka set to depart, and they have identified Declan Rice as a key target, having recently agreed personal terms with the West Ham United captain.

With Mikel Arteta keen on bringing in three new midfielders this summer, Mason Mount has also been identified as a potential target, although the Chelsea midfielder now appears to be poised to complete a move to Manchester United.

As such, Arsenal may have to turn their attentions elsewhere, and they could look at signing Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan, who will be available on a free transfer later this month, upon the expiration of his contract.

Another midfielder the Gunners have been linked with is Caicedo, and according to Terdapatores, they have now "agreed personal terms" with the Brighton star, who has made a move to the Emirates Stadium his "priority."

However, there will be competition for the Ecuadorian's signature from some other Premier League clubs, with Chelsea "willing to pay a higher figure" than Arsenal, although they will not be able to offer him European football of any description next season.

Liverpool are also name checked as potential suitors, however the Reds have not made the £15k-per-week youngster a priority signing, as they do not want to meet Brighton's asking price.

Who will Caicedo sign for?

Given that Arsenal have Champions League football to offer the 21-year-old, and the report claims he favours a move to north London, they should be well-placed to win the race for his signature this summer.

If the Gunners do sign the central midfielder, he could be an excellent addition to the squad, given his stellar defensive abilities, making 100 tackles in the Premier League last season, the second-highest amount of any player in the top flight.

Hailed as "incredible" by members of the media, the Ecuador international also excels in his distribution of the ball, ranking in the 94th percentile for his pass-completion rate per 90 over the past year.

With Arsenal set to return to the Champions League next season, Arteta needs to bolster his squad with players who can make his side competitive in Europe's elite competition, and Caicedo has proven he is capable of making the step up.

Comilla Victorians’ openers put on 93 to help complete a chase of 142 by eight wickets to record their second win in nine matches

Mohammad Isam29-Nov-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details Ahmed Shehzad hit five fours in his unbeaten 56-ball 61•Raton Gomes/BCBAhmed Shehzad’s half-century helped Comilla Victorians beat Barisal Bulls to record their second win in nine matches this season.For a change, Comilla started well in chase of 143, with openers Imrul Kayes and Shehzad adding 93. But by the time he was caught down the leg side by Mushfiqur Rahim for a 56-ball 61, Comilla were within 23 runs of victory.Imrul was equally destructive at the other end, hitting six fours and a six in his 35-ball 43. The formalities were completed with six balls left, with Marlon Samuels and Khalid Latif seeing them hope.Earlier Mushfiqur and Jeevan Mendis made 29 and 28 respectively in an otherwise disappointing batting performance from Barisal that resulted in them slipping to 92 for 7 in the 16th over.Enamul Haque ensured that they had a good finish with his 15-ball unbeaten 20 that had a four and a six, along with small contributions from tailenders Abu Hider and Taijul Islam. Left-arm spinner Nabil Samad took three wickets while Rashid Khan picked up two wickets.

Liverpool have reportedly "significantly raised" their offer to Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga, ahead of a potential summer move.

Is Veiga a Liverpool target?

The Reds enjoyed an extremely productive week, announcing the signing of Brighton star Alexis Mac Allister, who has joined on a long-term deal. It feels like a hugely significant piece of transfer business by Liverpool, who have been crying out for midfield reinforcements for so long now, but the hope is that their work is far from done there.

While Mac Allister is an excellent player who should no doubt strengthen Jurgen Klopp's side, more midfielders are needed, and reports suggest they have also agreed personal terms with Khephren Thuram.

Another player who has been linked with a summer move to Anfield in recent days is Veiga, who is fresh off the back of an excellent season with Celta. The £34million-rated youngster scored 11 times and chipped in with a further four assists in La Liga in 2022/23, outlining his eye for goal and creativity, and the attributes that he would bring to a Liverpool midfield that has too often lacked guile and end product.

It looks as though the Reds' interest isn't going away any time soon, according to a new update.

What's the latest on Veiga to Liverpool?

In a new update by Sport [via Sport Witness], Liverpool have now "significantly raised" their offer to the player, with interest in Veiga now "at its peak". A number of different clubs are believed to be interested in snapping up the highly-rated 21-year-old.

The report goes on to add that the Celta star is getting "closer and closer" to securing a move to the Premier League, with the Reds having a "certain advantage" over their rivals and an ability to "satisfy" Celta's demands.

Veiga could be such an exciting signing of Liverpool decide to add him to their list of new arrivals, while the likes of Thuram and Manu Kone represent more defensive-minded options.

At 21, the Spaniard would be coming in as a long-term acquisition with an extremely high ceiling, but his aforementioned numbers show that he is already at a level where he can shine in one of Europe's top leagues. Football talent scout Jacek Kulig had hailed him for having a "great season", while Sport have lauded his "amazing ability" in the past, too.

Along with Mac Allister, Veiga could help make Liverpool are far more potent force in the attacking third from midfield – Curtis Jones was their top scorer in that area with three league goals last term – but he also averaged 1.2 tackles and fouls apiece in the league in 2022/23, showing that he can also do the dirty work.