All posts by h79snht.top

Sunderland have enjoyed quite the season of frustration, but the Black Cats will be looking to put any failure to bed this summer by turning to the transfer window and potentially welcoming a former Premier League gem.

Sunderland transfer news

If they could go back, it would be interesting to see whether Sunderland would have kept hold of Tony Mowbray instead of kicking off a nightmare Michael Beale spell. When the former lost his job, the Black Cats were in the race to reach the playoffs. Months later and after a short-lived Beale nightmare, they sit 13th and on course to note the current Championship campaign down as one to forget.

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It will at least be a fresh start at the Stadium of Light this summer though, with a new manager set to take charge. As things stand, the main name linked with the job seems to be Paul Heckingbottom, who was sacked by Premier League side Sheffield United earlier in the campaign. Having previously had success in the Championship, however, he could represent a solid appointment.

Once they find their next manager, the transfer window becomes key and it seems as though the Black Cats are well aware of that. According to Chronicle Live, Sunderland are now eyeing a move to sign Amani Richards, whose Leicester City contract is set to expire at the end of the season, allowing the winger to leave as a free agent.

The 19-year-old has already had quite the career, having jumped from Chelsea's academy to Arsenal's as a highly-rated wonderkid. That wonderkid tag shouldn't go away just yet either, given how young Richards still is. A player who has no weak foot, Sunderland could help the former Arsenal gem discover his best form and realise his potential.

Richards could follow Jack Clarke path at Sunderland

One player who knows all about dropping out of the Premier League is Jack Clarke. The winger failed to make it at Tottenham Hotspur, before eventually finding himself at Sunderland where he is now a star earning reported interest from the likes of West Ham United. It is the type of path that Richards can use as inspiration to make Wearside the perfect destination this summer.

After struggling to break into Leicester's first team this season, senior minutes may well be the priority no matter what for Richards if he wants to step things up. With Sunderland's philosophy of handing young players ample opportunity, a move to the Stadium of Light could represent a wise decision by the teenager.

It's important that the Black Cats get this summer right off the pitch and they'll want to stick to how they do things in the process in a move that should see players of Richards' potential targeted once again in the coming months.

تعرض مدرب منتخب مصر السابق المكسيكي خافيير أجيري، والمدير الفني الحالي لمنتخب المكسيك، إلي الاعتداء خلال مباراة منتخب بلاده أمام منافسه هندوراس ببطولة دوري أمم الكونكاكاف.

والتقي منتخبا المكسيك وهندوراس، صباح اليوم السبت، في ذهاب دور ربع النهائي من بطولة دوري أمم الكونكاكاف، وخسر منتخب المكسيك بهدفين دون رد.

وبعد انتهاء المباراة، تعرض أجيري إلى الضرب من قبل الجماهير، بإلقاء الزجاجات، لتصطدم إحداها برأس المدرب المكسيكي، ما تسبب في نزيف بالرأس.

طالع | فيديو | أجيري يتعرض لاعتداء وإصابة بنزيف في الرأس بعد خسارة المكسيك أمام هندوراس

وتواصل “بطولات” مع المكسيكي خافيير جوري المدرب المساعد لـ أجيري، الذي كان ضمن الجهاز الفني لـ منتخب مصر السابق معه أيضًا، موضحًا تفاصيل إصابة المدرب المكسيكي، حيث قال: “تواصلت مع أجيري واطمأنيت عليه، المشاهد المنتشرة بشأن إصابته كانت مرعبة”.

وأضاف: “أجيري حاليًا بحالة جيدة ومعنوياته مرتفعة، ما حدث لن يدفع أجيري للاستقالة، أجيري يركز على مباراة الإياب أمام هندوراس التي تقام يوم الأربعاء 20 نوفمبر”.

وأتم: “بشكل عام، أجيري لا يرغب في الرحيل عن المكسيك إلا بعد كأس العالم 2026”.

خافيير أجيري كان سبق له تولي تدريب منتخب مصر في عام 2019، وخسر من جنوب إفريقيا في دور الـ 16 وودع بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا التي أقيمت في مصر، حينها، ذلك كان في عهد هاني أبو ريدة رئيس الاتحاد المصري وقتها.

يخوض فريق الكرة بنادي الزمالك مباراة قوية أمام المصري، اليوم السبت في المواجهة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات الدوري الممتاز.

ويلتقي الزمالك مع المصري، على استاد برج العرب في الإسكندرية، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة من المسابقة المحلية.

وكان الزمالك قد فاز في الجولتين الأولى والثانية من الدوري المصري أمام البنك الأهلي وسموحة، حاصدًا 6 نقاط في بداية المشوار المحلي للمسابقة.

طالع.. مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة الزمالك والمصري في الدوري.. إعلان التشكيل

ويحتل الزمالك المركز الرابع بجدول ترتيب المسابقة برصيد 3 نقاط، من الفوز في مباراتين وسجل لاعبوه 5 أهداف وتلقى مرماه هدفين.

بينما يحتل المصري المركز الخامس ولديه في رصيده 4 نقاط، من الفوز في مباراة واحدة وتعادل بـ أخرى دون تلقي أي هزائم.

ويشهد هذا الموسم تغييرًا في شكل ونظام بطولة الدوري، حيث سيُلعب من دور واحد، على أن يتم تقسيم الدور الثاني لمجموعتي حسم اللقب والهروب من الهبوط، بواقع 9 فرق في كل منهما، ليصبح عدد مباريات كل فريق 25 مباراة بدلًا من 34. موعد مباراة الزمالك والمصري في الدوري

وتنطلق أحداث المباراة بين الزمالك والمصري، اليوم السبت، في تمام الساعة الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت مصر، التاسعة بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة الزمالك والمصري اليوم

من المنتظر أن تُذاع مباراة الزمالك والمصري، عبر فضائية “أون تايم سبورتس 1”. معلق مباراة الزمالك والمصري

يتولى مهمة التعليق على المباراة محمد عفيفي.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا.

‘We’re having a lot of fun together up the top,’ says opener about her partnership with Beth Mooney

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Mar-2020

Alyssa Healy brought out the big hits•ICC via Getty

India had come into the final having already beaten Australia in the Women’s T20 World Cup opener. Additionally, in the tri-series that preceded the T20 World Cup, India and Australia had faced off thrice, each side winning a group game but Australia clinching the final. With the teams having evenly split their last four games, the T20 World Cup final was expected to be a tight contest. But, on Sunday, at the MCG, Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney took the game away from India in a flash: the powerplay ended with 49 runs on the board, and Healy, especially, stepped it up a notch after that, getting to a 30-ball half-century and then hitting Shikha Pandey for three sixes the 11th over of the innings, which went for 23 runs. The carnage ended with Healy’s dismissal in the 12th over, but the game had slipped from India by then.For Healy, it was a remarkable turnaround, after a poor tri-series. She started the World Cup with 51 against India, then hit 83 against Bangladesh, and topped it with her best innings of the tournament in the final.ALSO READ: Stats – The Healy and Mooney show in Australia’s march to the title”You cannot wipe the smile off my face. I think even if we had lost the game tonight I still would have been smiling. I never thought that we would get an opportunity like this in my whole career,” she told the host broadcaster after the game. “I thought maybe in 20 years’ time [playing in front of a 85,000-plus crowd]… but to have the opportunity tonight to play as well as we did in front of all you guys. Thank you so much for coming out. It was something really special.”First of all, I was not worried one bit [about her pre-tournament form] everyone, so calm down. It’s the nature of the way that I play my game. I go out there and I take the game on and I just need a little bit of luck to go my way and felt like that happened in the first game against India and I just needed to ride the wave after that. And I think just feeding off the crowd tonight was a little bit something different for us. I just went out and enjoyed myself and enjoyed the atmosphere and we played really well.”If Healy was the aggressor, Mooney was the perfect foil, keeping things steady at the start, hitting the odd boundary when the opportunity presented itself, and batting through the innings to end on 78* off 54 balls, to Healy’s 39-ball 75.”Moons was sensational tonight,” Healy said. “I think she just got off strike and let me do my thing and then once I got out and let her have the limelight she just took on after and struck really nicely. We’re having a lot of fun together up the top and hopefully, we can stay together for a little bit longer.”Mooney, who won the Player of the Tournament award – Healy was the Player of the Match – for her consistent run-scoring at the top for Australia, was “a bit lost for words” after the win.Beth Mooney played a good supporting role at the top•Getty Images

“Like Midge [Healy] said, just riding the wave, sticking to your processes, knowing that it’s going to come off or it’s not,” she said. “But we’ve got a pretty elite line-up so you know if it’s not your day someone else will do it. Fortunately, Midge makes my life pretty easy at the top by hitting it as clean as she does and I don’t have to do a whole lot at the other end.”Mooney also said that the loss in the opening game to India, which briefly threatened Australia’s chances of qualifying for the knockouts, was not a big bother before the final because the team knew what they had to fix to get the job done.”We sort of knew what went wrong in that first game against India. I think we had some really good plans and processes against them in that first game. We probably just didn’t execute them,” she said. “To come out tonight and for Midge to play the way she did and for everyone to contribute the way they did with bat and ball and in the field was pretty outstanding, and to have the support of 87,000 people behind us is pretty outrageous too.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Na noite do último domingo, o Red Bull Bragantino segurou a liderança do Campeonato Brasileiro em clara demonstração de força e qualidade técnica ao bater o São Paulo por 2 a 1, no Morumbi.

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O resultado foi construído na etapa final, quando o Massa Bruta perdia por 1 a 0. Com gols de Alejandro e Artur, a vitória veio e o time de Barbieri segurou a ponta do campeonato.

Time da Virada

Ao longo da temporada 2021, o Red Bull Bragantino tem se notabilizado por conseguir virar os placares adversos e sair com a vitória. Até o momento, foram sete viradas que resultaram em placares importantes.

Somente no Campeonato Brasileiro, Mauricio Barbieri e seus comandados viraram três partidas (Corinthians, Flamengo e São Paulo).

Confira abaixo as viradas do Bragantino:

Mirassol 2 x 3 Bragantino
São Bento 1 x 2 Bragantino
Tolima 1 x 2 Bragantino
Bragantino 2 x 1 Fluminense
Corinthians 1 x 2 Bragantino
Flamengo 2 x 3 Bragantino
São Paulo 1 x 2 Bragantino

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West Ham United could make a sensational move for a high-profile David Moyes replacement, according to the latest reports.

Moyes on the brink

It seems to be one of the worst-kept secrets in football that David Moyes will leave West Ham after the conclusion of the Premier League season.

The Scot, whose football has become increasingly unpalatable for the West Ham faithful, is out of contract this summer as things stand. Though there had previously been talk of a new deal, the Guardian now reports that "there is an acceptance within West Ham that a change is needed" at the London Stadium.

As a result, Moyes is likely taking charge of his final games as Hammers boss in the coming weeks, with a place in Europe still a possibility, though they will be reliant on slip-ups from plenty around them.

Meanwhile, West Ham search for his replacement.

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The Hammers have been linked with a huge number of managers in recent weeks, despite that news of Moyes' departure is yet to officially break. Julen Lopetegui, Ruben Amorim and Hansi Flick are all among those who have been mentioned in contention with the seemingly soon-to-be-vacant technical area at the London Stadium.

But a new name has now come to the fore.

Tuchel linked with move to east London

Now, in a sensational turn of events, former Chelsea and current Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is wanted at the London Stadium.

The German will depart Bayern at the end of the current campaign, it has already been confirmed, after losing the Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen, though he has reached the Champions League semi-final, where his side battled to a 2-2 draw with Real Madrid in midweek.

He is expected to be replaced in Bavaria by Ralf Rangnick, with the Bundesliga outfit "discussing final details" over a move to take charge this summer.

That could spell good news for the Premier League side. As per Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, although Amorim remains "top of the list" for West Ham, they are also "keeping an eye on Tuchel's situation" should the opportunity arise to take the German to east London.

Thomas Tuchel's Premier League record

Games

63

Wins

35

Points per game

1.94

Goals scored per game

1.73

Goals conceded per game

1.15

That is largely thanks to Sporting Director Tim Steidten, who "holds him in very high regard" and would be keen to have him leading the Hammers for the new season.

For his part, Tuchel is also "ready to return to the Premier League this summer", though it remains to be seen whether he will accept a move from a club of the size of Bayern Munich to West Ham, who look unlikely to be able to offer European football of any kind next season.

His appointment would certainly be a statement of intent from the Hammers, and it could be just what is needed to prevent their key players from looking over at the exit door this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur have displayed some classic shirts over the years, of which many became timeless, sought-after retros collected by football fanatics.

Football FanCast has decided to rank the top 10 best Spurs kits during the Premier League era. Here are our selections…

Best Tottenham kits in the Premier League era

Rank

Kit

Manufacturer

1

94/95 Away

Umbro

2

99-01 Home

Adidas

3

91-94 Third

Umbro

4

91-95 Away

Umbro

5

95-97 Third

Pony

6

16/17 Home

Under Armour

7

04/05 Away

Kappa

8

02-04 Home

Kappa

9

01/02 Away

Adidas

10

07/08 Anniversary

Puma

10 2007/08 Anniversary Puma

A unique but fabulous ‘split-shirt’ kicks this list off at 10. The white and baby-blue colour combination made by Puma celebrated Tottenham’s 125th anniversary.

Modelled by former striker Darren Bent in the image above, the kit sports a small collar, adding a distinctive quirk. It was actually only worn once during a thrilling encounter against Aston Villa at White Hart Lane in 2007.

The game finished 4-4 after Spurs overturned a three-goal deficit, thanks to goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Pascal Chimbonda, Robbie Keane and Younes Kaboul.

A fitting game for a memorable shirt.

9 2001/02 Away Adidas

A pale blue Adidas classic joins the list in ninth. The aesthetic sponsor, the v-neck collar and the retro feel of three stripes on the sleeves all make for a timeless beauty of a kit.

It was worn during Glenn Hoddle’s first full season in the dugout following his spell as Southampton boss. Hoddle led his side to a League Cup final that year, before suffering a heartbreaking defeat at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium against Blackburn Rovers.

8 2002-04 Home Kappa

The first home kit of the list. Tottenham were battling relegation during the 2003/04 campaign, but managed to avoid the drop, ultimately finishing 14th in what was a disappointing season.

Not only that, but they had to watch their bitter rivals Arsenal win the league title unbeaten that year.

It was a period to forget for Spurs fans, but certainly not the kit. The traditional colour combination of white and navy made for a clean look. Manufactured by Kappa, the strip exhibited holiday-makers Thomson on the front, whilst the coloured crew-neck collar broke up the all-white shirt pleasantly.

7 2004/05 Away Kappa

Another Kappa-made kit enters the rankings. After a troubling season prior, Martin Jol guided Spurs to a top-half finish after taking over from Jacques Santini in November 2004.

The solid navy-toned away strip, paired with white shorts, created a classy look. Michael Carrick (pictured above) embodied the smart shirt, personifying a cool, assured and elegant midfielder.

6 2016/17 Home Under Armour

This home jersey was worn during Spurs’ final season at White Hart Lane before moving to their new stadium which lies a five-minute walk away.

Under Armour did a fantastic job on this strip, coordinating the white and navy so seamlessly, yet keeping a minimalistic feel. The shades of gold throughout added a touch of class and mirrored the success on the pitch that year for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Tottenham remained unbeaten at home in the league and achieved their highest finish of the Premier League era, placing second on 86 points, and also finishing above Arsenal for the first time since 1995.

5 1995-97 Third Pony

Certainly not for everybody, but there’s something about a yellow kit. Spurs finished a respectable 8th and 10th in this collared shirt under the stewardship of manager Gerry Francis.

The shield-like crest is a marvellous detail. It’s starting to become rather rare on modern football shirts, which is a real shame.

Its only let-down is the predominant Hewlett Packard sponsor, which feels a little in-your-face, for lack of a better phrase. But the manufacturers of the shirt Pony did a splendid job, with the collar a particular highlight.

4 1991-95 Away Umbro

Following on with the yellow theme, this kit notches just above the previous number due to its iconic and familiar sponsor, Holsten.

Pictured above, Teddy Sheringham models the gorgeous jersey made by Umbro and strikes a left-footed shot past the Lazio goalkeeper in the 1993 Makita tournament.

Spurs sported yellow for nearly all of the ’90s, either as an away or third shirt.

3 1991-94 Third Umbro

This eye-catching blue strip places third on the podium. Modelled by England international Darren Anderton above, the Umbro-made jersey displays a subtle outline on the upper chest spelling ‘Spurs’, which adds an unusual, but quirky detail to the collared classic.

The thin lines running down the shirt, coupled with the faint patterns in between, make this third kit a fun collectable for football fanatics.

2 1999-2001 Home Adidas

Another Holsten-sponsored kit enters the rankings. What is it about Spurs and Holsten? This home jersey has everything.

Adidas created a timeless classic that even today, could be worn as a casual fashionable top. The iconic three stripes running down the sleeves and shorts, paired with the bold, but aesthetically pleasing sponsor, make this one of Spurs’ best shirts of all time.

In this strip, George Graham’s side beat Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool at White Hart Lane during the 1999/00 campaign, finishing the season in 10th.

1 1994/95 Away Umbro

At number one is this navy and purple number worn by Jürgen Klinsmann in the image above. Made by Umbro, the stunning strip has become a trendy modern-day jersey, shelved at major outlets such as JD Sports.

Those available at the aforementioned retailer will be replicas, because you’ll be doing well if you’re lucky enough to own the authentic version. It’s become a very limited item.

A big well-done to Umbro and once again the shirt sponsor Holsten, which has featured predominantly on our list.

MatériaMais Notícias

O gol do Botafogo voltou a ter uma novidade após meses. Se Douglas Borges então aparecia como titular absoluto da posição, Diego Loureiro retornou ao onze inicial do Alvinegro no último sábado, diante do Cruzeiro, e dá sinais de que terá uma sequência ainda maior na escalação.

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A volta de Loureiro, contudo, não foi fácil. Titular apenas na estreia do Botafogo na temporada 2021, o goleiro teve problemas com a balança e o sobrepeso em algumas semanas. O camisa 29 resolveu procurar um profissional externo para realizar atividades além dos treinamentos do Glorioso.

Deu resultado. O Botafogo, que havia passado um “plano de metas” que Diego havia que cumprir para perder peso e, então, retornar à equipe foi batido. O goleiro faz sessões semanais de treinos à distância com um personal trainer. Tudo foi acompanhado pela equipe do Glorioso.

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Diego realizou trabalhos focados no CORE, atividades que servem para sustentar todo o corpo, nos últimos três meses. O goleiro fazia atividades três vezes durante a semana e emagreceu 9 quilos no período.

O camisa 29, então, retornou aos gramados. Apesar do empate em 3 a 3 com o Cruzeiro, no último sábado, Diego Loureiro não teve culpa em nenhum dos gols da Raposa e chegou a pegar um pênalti de Marcelo Moreno.

دافع بيب جوارديولا المدير الفني الإسباني لفريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي مانشستر سيتي، عن لاعبيه في ظل النتائج السيئة التي يمر بها بطل الدوري الإنجليزي.

مانشستر سيتي لم يحقق الفوز في المباريات الخمس الماضية بمختلف المسابقات، وتلقى هزيمة قاسية برباعية نظيفة على ملعبه ضد توتنهام السبت الماضي.

وفي المؤتمر الصحفي لمواجهة فينورد في دوري أبطال أوروبا، غدًا الثلاثاء، قال مدرب مانشستر سيتي: “لا يوجد شيء أبدي، لا الخسارة ولا الفوز، لكننا دائمًا نسعى للفوز”.

وأضاف: “لا نحتاج لتغيير اي شيء. لدينا إيمان بأسلوبنا، ومع عودة اللاعبين وتحقيق الفوز، ستتغير الأمور، بفضل طريقتنا فزنا بستة ألقاب دوري في ثماني سنوات، لماذا عليّ أن أغيرها الآن؟”.

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وواصل: “في مواجهة توتنهام خلقنا العديد من الفرص، وسددنا 26 مرة على المرمى، كانت أهدافنا المتوقعة أكثر منهم، لكن في النهاية لم نحقق الفوز”.

وكشف: “جميع المدافعين لدينا غير جاهزين، يلعبون ولكنهم لا يشعرون بأريحية، حتى لاعبنا الأساسي في وسط الملعب رودري غير موجود، لكن مع عودة المدافعين سنعود للاستقرار”.

وعن دور جوندوجان: “جوندوجان في الأساس لاعب وسط مهاجم، لكنه يشارك في الوسط الدفاعي لأن لاعبنا رودري مصاب، وكذلك كوفاسيتش غير جاهز”.

وعن غياب الانتصارات: “سيحدث ذلك، عاجلًا أم آجلًا، سنحاول أمام فينورد أن نفوز وإذا لم يحدث ذلك، سيكون أمام ليفربول، وإذا لم يحدث ذلك سنستمر بالرغبة في المباراة التالية”.

ودافع عن لاعبيه: “فودين كان ممتازًا في الموسم الماضي، وهذا الموسم يعاني من بعض الإصابات، وانتقادات البعض لـ هالاند ليست منطقية، هو ليس السبب في عدم تسجيلنا للأهداف، لأننا بدونه كنا سنكون في موقف أكثر صعوبة، في الوقت القريب ستجدونه يسجل هدفين وثلاثة في المباراة كما جعلكم تنظرون له”.

ورفع بيب راية التحدي: “عليكم أن تنتظروا مانشستر سيتي، سنقوم بأشياء جيدة هذا الموسم، لا يزال لدي إيمان بأننا لن نستسلم وسنكون هناك حتى النهاية. مع كل ما حدث، ما زلنا في المركز الثاني في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي، خلف فريق لديه نتائج مذهلة هذا الموسم (ليفربول)”.

واستكمل: “تعلمت من تجربني أنه في هذه المواقف، يجب أن أكون هادئًا، ولا أحاول إجراء الكثير من التحليلات، لأنها ستكون خاطئة. في بعض الأحيان بعد الهزائم أصرخ في الفريق، ولكن في صباح اليوم التالي، وعندما أتناول قهوتي أقول لماذا قلت ذلك؟، كان يجب أن أكون أكثر هدوئًا”.

وأردف بالحديث عن دي بروين: “أراه يقاتل أكثر من أي وقت مضى، كما نعرف هو لم يعد في سن الـ25، وفي الموسم الماضي غاب 5 أشهر، وفي مواجهة توتنهام قال بأنه لأول مرة لا يشعر بالألم منذ شهرين”.

واختتم بالحديث عن مستقبل كيفين: “لا أعلم ما إذا كان يريد الاستمرار أم لا، هو من يتحدث عن ذلك”.

West Indies internationals set to star in inaugural tournament which marks the return of competitive cricket in a Full Member region

Nagraj Gollapudi14-May-2020

The new league will feature six marquee players including Kesrick Williams•WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks LaTouche Photogr

For the first time since March, competitive cricket involving international players of a Full Member team is set to return after a long hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Vincy Premier League (VPL), a franchise-based T10 tournament, is scheduled to start from May 22 in the eastern Caribbean country of St Vincent and the Grenadines.This will be the inaugural season of the VPL, a six-team tournament, which will be played from May 22 to 31 at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex in St Vincent.Although the Pacific nation of Vanuatu became the first country to resume cricket since the pandemic halted all sport in March, the VPL will be the first instance when the game will resume in a Full Member region comprising international players. The VPL will also become the first tournament where the players will not be allowed to use saliva on the ball, a concept that the ICC and medical experts at various cricket boards have been discussing, as reported recently by ESPNcricinfo. The tournament is set to be open for fans as there are no restrictions imposed by the government in St Vincent and the Grenadines.VPL teams

Botanic Gardens Rangers – Kesrick Williams (marquee); Nixon Mclean (coach)
Grenadines Divers – Obed McCoy (marquee); Ian Allen(coach)
Salt Pond Breakers – Sunil Ambris (marquee); Olanzo Jackson (coach)
La Soufriere Hikers – Desron Maloney (marquee); Irvin Warrican (coach)
Dark View Explorers – Lindon James (marquee); Bertram Stapleton (coach)
Fort Charlotte Strikers – Keron Cottoy (marquee); Kenroy Martin (coach)

The VPL comprises 30 matches, which will be streamed live, with three games scheduled per day. A total of 72 players were picked by the six franchises via a draft held on May 11. Among them are six marquee players, including three West Indies players – seamer Kesrick Williams, opening batsman Sunil Ambris and left-arm fast bowler Obed McCoy.The last recognised match before Covid-19 halted games across the world was played on March 15 when the Karachi Kings hosted the Quetta Gladiators in the PSL.The VPL will be hosted by St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association (SVGA), whose president, Kishore Shallow, is also the vice-president at Cricket West Indies (CWI).Shallow said the VPL was put together in the last two weeks after he was approached by Dream 11, an India-based sports technology company. He then alerted CWI and sent in a formal request via the Windward Island Cricket Association (of which the SVGA is a member) asking for the VPL to be sanctioned. Shallow said he had spoken to both CWI chief executive Johnny Grave and CWI cricket operations manager Roland Holder about the VIPL.”We have formally written to CWI. And I expect to get a positive response from them soon,” Shallow told ESPNcricinfo.According to Shallow, there were a total of 18 positive cases of Covid-19 in St Vincent and the Grenadines as of Wednesday, of which 10 had successfully recovered. Keeping in mind the risk posed by the pandemic, Shallow said the tournament had the “endorsement” from the local government and the ministry of health. He said the players would not be “exposed to the public” and all necessary precautions as advised by the government would be ensured including having additional short breaks at various points during the match where players would be asked to use hand sanitisers.”No player would be allowed to use any saliva on the ball,” he said. “Of course, we will be having different dedicated, assigned spaces around the players’ pavilion for teams so that they are not necessarily crowded together. All teams would have their own space where they could practise physical distancing.”Shallow said that since there was no “formal limitations in terms of social gatherings” imposed by the local government the organisers had decided to not play behind closed doors, a mandatory policy issued by several other countries around the globe to sporting organisations.”What we have been doing is managing the risk. So what we plan to do during the tournament is ask spectators to practise social and physical distancing. So they will be sitting at least a few seats apart. And because of the time the matches are taking place, we do not anticipate a massive crowd at the matches.”Shallow said all the league matches would start at an “unusual time”, 8.30am local time and go on until 2pm only to “capture” the Indian audience where Dream 11 has its wide user base.”We came up with this T10 franchise format because of the absence of sports content at this point, and thought that this brand of cricket would be enticing to cricket fans across the globe in a short duration,” Shallow said at the launch of the draft on May 11.Shallow pointed out that the SVGA would be “sensitising” players about the anti-corruption programme too. “We will make sure our players continue to observe and conform to the anti-corruption code.”