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The allrounder, who played 21 Tests for South Africa between 1961 and 1966, had been suffering from colon cancer for several years

Firdose Moonda16-Apr-2018Colin Bland, the Bulawayo-born allrounder who played 21 Tests for South Africa between 1961 and 1966, died at his home in London on Saturday night, aged 80. Bland suffered from colon cancer for several years.Bland played first-class cricket for Rhodesia, including fixtures against New Zealand in 1961. He impressed with an innings of 98, and was subsequently included in South Africa’s Test squad. He played all five Tests against New Zealand at home that year, without significant results with the bat, but he showed off the fielding he became best-known for. In later years, Jonty Rhodes’ speed and agility was compared with Bland’s, and his groundwork was a major reason for his selection for the 1963-64 tour to Australia.According to the , Bland “demonstrated that fielding can be both a delight and an exhilarating spectacle through scientific precision.”He did not play the opening Test in Brisbane, but featured in the next four. In the final Test in Sydney, Bland scored his maiden Test hundred to help South Africa take a healthy first-innings lead, and draw the match as well as the series 1-1. He struck his second and final hundreds against England, the latter of those in what would become his penultimate Test, in 1965. His second-innings 127 at The Oval again contributed to a draw, but South Africa’s victory at Nottingham in the second Test gave them their first series win in England. Bland was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1966.The following summer, he was part of the victorious squad that played in the 1966-67 home series against Australia. He only played in the first Test in Johannesburg, where he severely damaged his left knee after crashing into a boundary board. The injury ended his international career.He continued playing for Rhodesia, and captained and coached them. In 1969, Bland moved to Port Elizabeth, where he played first-class cricket until he accepted a job as cricket and hockey coach at the University of Free State in 1971. Bland played cricket for Free State until 1973. After his playing days, Bland ventured into some coaching in cricket and squash. After his relocation to the UK, he continued to coach, and as recently as 2004, was hired by the MCC as a fielding coach.

Everton manager Sean Dyche will have used the first international pause of the season as a chance to reset and forge ahead with his side's Premier League efforts after a disappointing start.

Suffering three successive defeats before an entertaining 2-2 draw against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane handed the Toffees their first goals and point of the campaign, a daunting clash against title-chasing Arsenal now awaits.

How much did Everton spend this summer?

After falling by the wayside last season and struggling against the threat of relegation, Everton sacked Frank Lampard in January and replaced him with former Burnley boss Dyche, who successfully manufactured an escape from danger and preserved top-flight status on a nail-biting final day, defeating Bournemouth 1-0.

Ashley Young

Free

Arnaut Danjuma

Loan

Youssef Chermiti

£15m

Jack Harrison

Loan

Beto

£26m

Fees sourced via Sky Sports.

While a summer of additions has been concluded, there has been little progress on the pitch thus far – though centre-forward Beto has been described as "fantastic" by The Athletic's Patrick Boyland for his start to life in England, having already found the net once in his two outings.

Dyche will hope to use the draw against Sheffield United as a launchpad, and while Arsenal are one of the most formidable outfits in Europe right now, the Toffees will be emboldened by their 1-0 victory over Mikel Arteta's side in the corresponding fixture last year.

In fact, Everton have won four of the past six matches against the Gunners and are unbeaten in five clashes at Goodison Park, and this could now be the opportune moment for the Blues to kickstart their season. That said, they will need to be better defensively.

Ashley Young, aged 38, has started all four of Everton's Premier League matches this season after joining in the summer, but as Boyland noted, the defence has been "very vulnerable".

Against Arsenal, perhaps it's time for Vitaliy Mykolenko to earn his first league start of the season, especially after his display against England last week, producing a solid performance to help negate the threat of Bukayo Saka.

How good is Vitaliy Mykolenko?

Indeed, analyst Liam Tharme remarked that the prodigious winger got "walloped" by the Ukrainian last Saturday, and while he produced an unforgiving defensive display, it will have caught Dyche's attention ahead of the forthcoming club clash.

Mykolenko, who was once hailed as "outstanding" by Lampard, made five clearances, two tackles and an interception, as per Sofascore, also winning four of his six duels on the day, and while Saka was still lively and elegant, he failed to produce his most effective display for the Three Lions despite hitting the woodwork. After all, this was England's Player of the Year struggling to get into the game.

Journalist Paul Brown doesn't believe that Dyche "trusts" the 24-year-old Everton defender, and while this may be the case, his physicality and robustness might be crucial in nullifying the abundant qualities of Saka, who has already posted two goals and assists apiece for Arsenal this term.

While the £58k-per-week left-back might have some questionable defensive tendencies, there's no question of his tenacity and application, ranking among the top 2% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for clearances, the top 4% for blocks and the top 10% for interceptions per 90, as per FBref.

While Dyche clearly doesn't hold Mykolenko in the highest regard, he could be an important component against Arsenal and their star man Saka and be the “hero” once again, as has been said by Joe Thomas.

It might even prove to be a masterstroke to deploy the 5 foot 11 defender to the starting fold on Sunday to stifle Saka's threat and set Everton on their way.

كشفت تقارير صحفية عن وجود خلاف بين أحد لاعبي فريق برشلونة الإسباني والمدير الفني تشافي هيرنانديز.

وتأزم الوضع في برشلونة على مدار الأيام الماضية ويزداد الحديث عن انقلاب رئيس النادي خوان لابورتا على تشافي ورغبته في إقالته.

ويأتي ذلك عقب إعلان برشلونة استمرار تشافي في منصبه بشهر إبريل الماضي، بعدما قرر المدرب الرحيل.

كشفت التقارير في وقت سابق اليوم أن العديد من لاعبي برشلونة شعروا بسوء المعاملة من تشافي مؤخرًا.

ووفقًا لتقارير الصحفي جيرارد روميرو، فإن العلاقات بين رافينها وتشافي لم تكن قوية منذ فترة، وتوتر الوضع بينهما خلال مباراة فالنسيا.

وأفاد روميرو أن هناك شجارًا وقع بين تشافي ورافينها، وعند استبداله في المباراة انتقد البرازيلي شقيق تشافي ومساعده، أوسكار هيرنانديز، وعقب ذلك قال تشافي لرافينها: “اهدأ، لن تلعب ضد جيرونا”.

ولم يلعب رافينها بالفعل في المباراة التي خسرها برشلونة 4-2 أمام جيرونا، لكن دفع به المدرب كبديل.

كما أشارت صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية إلى أن رافينها غير سعيد بالطريقة التي يصبح بها دائمًا أول لاعب يتم استبداله في كل مباراة لبرشلونة تقريبًا.

Glasgow Rangers put on one of their finest displays of the season so far to draw 2-2 with PSV Eindhoven in an entertaining match at Ibrox last night.

A win in Eindhoven next week will see them qualify for the Champions League group stages for the second year in a row and this will give Michael Beale a major financial boost.

Thoughts will now turn to the Premiership clash against Ross County on Saturday, while Beale will also be thinking about potentially adding to his squad before the transfer window closes next week.

Could he secure a move for a talented young defender from South of the border?

As per some reports, the club have shown interest in Peterborough centre-back Ronnie Edwards.

Will Rangers make another signing before the end of the transfer window?

According to The Daily Mail, the Gers have been linked with a move for the 20-year-old recently in a bid to bolster their defensive options.

Beale could face some stiff competition however with a trio of Premier League sides also keen on securing his services.

Read the latest Rangers transfer news HERE…

West Ham United, Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth are also keeping tabs on the youngster and with a contract which doesn’t expire until 2025, the Light Blues will have to potentially outbid three English top flight teams in order to lure him to Rangers.

What could Ronnie Edwards offer Rangers?

The centre-back could have the potential to turn into Rangers’ next profit-earning talent by following in the steps of Calvin Bassey.

Upon arriving in Glasgow in the summer of 2020, very few supporters would have predicted his meteoric rise from second-choice left-back to partnering Connor Goldson in a major European final and his performances certainly caught the eye on the continent.

After just two full seasons at Ibrox and 65 appearances, Bassey joined Ajax for £23m, a club record fee, and it shows just how much he had improved in just two years.

Edwards may arrive with a slightly bigger reputation, yet he could develop further under Beale and secure regular game time which could in turn earn the Gers a massive profit in the future.

Despite his tender years, Edwards ranked fifth across the whole squad for his League One displays and also ranked fourth for tackles (two), second for interceptions (1.4) and clearances (3.3) per game, proving just how solid he was at the heart of the defence.

Across these defensive metrics, Edward’s statistics would have ranked him first throughout the Rangers squad, clearly suggesting he could be a solid acquisition for Beale this summer.

The Englishman was even praised highly by Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony. He said:

"Ronnie is playing at a different level right now and if he goes we will have to decide whether to replace him with a powerful centre-back or with another ball-playing one which will be a decision for the manager."

Bassey arrived in Scotland from Leicester City and developed into a marketable asset within just two years.

Given his rapid rise during the embryonic stages of his career so far, Edwards appears to already be attracting plenty of attention and Beale will need to act fast to bring him to Rangers.

Everton boss Sean Dyche will only add someone in the forward areas pending one condition, according to journalist Paul Brown.

Who have Everton been linked with to strengthen their forward line?

Southampton forward Che Adams and Leicester City striker Patson Daka are both potential options for Dyche as he aims to compensate for the Toffees' lack of a goalscoring threat last term.

Everton are also revisiting a move for Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto and it is believed that personal terms won't curtail the notion of the Italy international moving to Goodison Park, as per FootballTransfers. Kamaldeen Sulemana of Southampton has been identified as an alternative to Gnonto.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has issued a surprise update detailing that Everton are keen on Paris Saint-Germain youngster Hugo Ekitike, stating on Twitter X: "Everton have concrete interest in Hugo Ekitike. Told negotiation will take place over loan deal with buy option clause that can become mandatory. Terms of the deal and numbers not discussed yet, still at early stages with both PSG and player side."

Earlier this month, Football Insider revealed that West Ham United striker Michail Antonio had come back into Everton's thoughts following the collapse of his proposed transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Brown thinks that Everton will only look to bring in another attacker if it represents a financially sound deal for the club.

Brown stated: "It would depend on the price; I don't think Everton are in a position to overpay for either [Gnonto or Adams]. Gnonto has proved very hard to even get close to for Everton this season. They started the window quite keen on him and were quoted a fee that was well above what they were willing to pay and eased off on that. I think they would still like to get him if they can.

"Adams is an interesting one. I do think Everton are still looking for an experienced backup for Calvert-Lewin, but they are certainly not willing to pay much money for one, so it really depends if the clubs of any of the players they're going for bite out of necessity because I think Everton are only looking for a bargain really. If they can't find one, they won't do it."

What next for Everton?

The Toffees could also be in the market for a central defender this summer and Manchester United star Harry Maguire has emerged as a potential incoming amid competition from West Ham United for his services, according to The Independent.

However, it appears as if the Hammers are in the driving seat as they've already agreed a fee for the defender.

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has been touted as a target for Everton; however, West Ham and Crystal Palace are both keen on the 24-year-old, as per TEAMtalk.

Journalist Babacar Ndaw Faye has denied that experienced Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye has received an offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli despite speculation surrounding the Senegal international.

The batsman passed a concussion test on Tuesday following the incident, but sat out of the final day of the practice game as a precaution

Brydon Coverdale16-Aug-20170:44

WATCH – Holland takes 4 for 1 in 11 balls

Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann is confident vice-captain David Warner will take his place on the team flight to Bangladesh on Friday, after being struck on the neck by a bouncer while batting in the intra-squad practice match in Darwin on Tuesday.Warner passed a concussion test on Tuesday following the blow, which occurred when he missed an attempted hook shot against Josh Hazlewood, but he sat out of the final day’s play on Wednesday as a precaution. Lehmann said Warner had a stiff neck and a headache as a result of the incident.”He seems all right, walking around the ground today, so fingers crossed he’ll be okay and we’ll get an update in the next day or two,” Lehmann told reporters in Darwin on Wednesday. “It’s always a scare when that happens, isn’t it? Hopefully he’s going to be okay.”However, Warner will be one of the several batsmen short of time in the middle ahead of the team’s departure, with Usman Khawaja and Matt Renshaw struggling for runs in the practice game. Peter Handscomb, Hilton Cartwright and Steven Smith all posted scores of note, while left-arm spinner Ashton Agar picked up four wickets in 12 overs on the final day.Forgotten spinner Jon Holland also reminded Australia’s selectors of his value by taking four wickets in 11 deliveries on Wednesday, including the wickets of Handscomb and Cartwright.1:06

We are all pretty cooked – Lehmann

Holland played two Tests on Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka last year and was second only to Chadd Sayers on the Sheffield Shield wicket tally last summer, but was overlooked when the squad for the Bangladesh series was named.Instead, the selectors opted for Agar and Mitchell Swepson as the second and third spinners alongside Nathan Lyon for the Bangladesh trip, with Glenn Maxwell as a slow-bowling all-round option.”They’re all pretty cooked, exactly what we wanted,” Lehmann said of the squad on Wednesday after the game. “We would have liked to bat a bit longer today but they were tough conditions and that’s exactly what we wanted obviously leading into Bangladesh. We’ve got to get better at batting for longer periods but I thought the spinners were good.”The series in Bangladesh will be Australia’s first Test tour of the country since 2006. They were due to play two Tests in Bangladesh in 2015, but the tour was postponed on security advice from the Australian government.

Chelsea’s striker plans for the upcoming season are still an area that needs to be refined.

The Blues have already signed Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, who have impressed Mauricio Pochettino with their combinations in pre-season. But, the Argentine has admitted that he would be ‘open’ to signing another frontman.

"We are working hard to try to create this dynamic that will become natural and to share time together," he said about Nkunku and Jackson's relationship.

“Maybe we can add some different profile or different player who can help us, of course we are open.”

Due to Nkunku’s versatility and Jackson’s solitary year of experience in European football, there is space for Chelsea to add another reinforcement, which could come in the form of Dusan Vlahovic.

Are Chelsea signing Dusan Vlahovic?

According to Fabrizio Romano, the West Londoners are back in talks with Juventus through intermediaries for a swap deal.

Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE…

The reporter said: "Chelsea are now back in talks again with Juventus through intermediaries — swap deal between Romelu Lukaku & Dušan Vlahović has been discussed again. Chelsea will discuss Vlahović internally as this option has been rejected in July."

How good is Dusan Vlahovic?

Pochettino’s adherence to signing a striker with a ‘different profile’ is an interesting point and is something that could potentially be achieved in Vlahovic.

It is not the first time that this idea has come to fruition, as back in June, Ben Jacobs revealed to GIVEMESPORT that Chelsea were chasing a “traditional number nine.”

However, since this comment, the 2021 Champions League winners signed Jackson from Villarreal for £32m. The Senegalese has started impressively, with four-goal contributions in as many games during the pre-season tour of the United States.

But, he is likely to need support and with Lukaku’s Chelsea career way beyond the point of no return, Vlahovic’s potency could be highly useful for Pochettino.

Described as “extraordinary” by former Juventus midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi, the £44m-rated Serbian has netted 61 goals in 140 Serie A games.

A bullish, physical, and pacey forward, with a keen eye for goal, Vlahovic possess the youth and effervescence that emphatically trumps anything that Lukaku ever offered to Stamford Bridge.

The former Fiorentina marksman has been labelled as “lightning” by Micah Richards and the “strongest striker in the league” by Filip Kostic.

Meanwhile, the Belgian’s lack of mobility, willingness to run in behind and movement meant his Chelsea performances were painfully average.

It reached such dismal levels that in a match against Crystal Palace in February 2022, the striker managed just seven touches, the fewest in a single Premier League game for a player with 90+ minutes since this data has been available (2003/2004).

It was a shocking condemnation of his abysmal season back in England, which meant that Lukaku hasn’t played for the Blues in over a year.

Although Vlahovic has endured his quietest goal-scoring season since 2020, he still finished as Juventus’ top finisher with 14 goals and could be a useful asset for Pochettino, who will still be in the process of configuring his best Chelsea side.

The £215k-per-week titan would undoubtedly provide the new Chelsea boss with a different option and relieve the club from its disastrous marriage to Lukaku.

Lord MacLaurin of Knebworth, the former chairman of the England & Wales Cricket Board, will make a return to the sport later this year when he succeeds Matthew Fleming as president of MCC

ESPNcricinfo staff03-May-2017

Lord MacLaurin will return to cricket administration in October•Getty Images

Lord MacLaurin of Knebworth, the former chairman of the England & Wales Cricket Board, will make a return to the sport later this year when he succeeds Matthew Fleming as president of MCC.Lord MacLaurin, who also served as chairman and chief executive of Tesco and chairman of Vodafone, is widely credited for ushering in a new, more professional era for English cricket during his five-year term from 1997 to 2002.On his watch, which coincided with the formation of the ECB to succeed the former governing body, TCCB, England laid the foundations of the team that, in 2005, ended Australia’s 18-year stranglehold on the Ashes.Aside from the appointment of Duncan Fletcher as England’s first overseas coach, and the groundbreaking introduction of central contracts, MacLaurin oversaw several incremental changes, such as ending the practice of sharing rooms on tour, and insisting on a stricter adherence to dress codes when travelling.Fleming, whose nomination of MacLaurin was ratified at MCC’s annual general meeting on Wednesday, believes that his successor is “uniquely qualified” for a role that will commence on October 1.”I first came to know Ian in the late 1990s, when I was chairman of the PCA and he was chairman of the ECB,” said Fleming. “Ian was exploring ways of restructuring domestic cricket, recognising the increasingly important role of international cricket and international cricketers.”I was struck by his fairness and clarity of thought about the future of the game, qualities that I believe will be needed in the year ahead, given the uncertainties in the cricketing landscape at present and the opportunities and threats facing the sport.”In choosing my successor, I was looking for someone who can harness a passion and knowledge of cricket with experience and pragmatism. Ian was a talented cricketer, who played to a good level, and has always been a passionate supporter of MCC. A visionary leader of the ECB, widely respected in the business world he is, all in all, uniquely qualified for and deserving of the role of MCC President.””It is one of the greatest honours in cricket to be invited to be the President of the finest cricket club in the world and I am thankful to Matthew Fleming for asking me to succeed him,” said MacLaurin.”I have been a member of MCC for over 50 years, and I take great pride in seeing how the club has blossomed over that period – not only with the development of this iconic ground but also with all of the work done to promote the game for men and women, boys and girls, around the world. I very much look forward to my year in office and hope to help the excellent team at MCC continue all this good work.”

Aston Villa have 'definite interest' in signing Barcelona forward Ferran Torres this summer as Unai Emery looks to beef up his forward line, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Ferran Torres?

One report in Spain claims that Aston Villa are keen on Torres this summer, though any move to try and bring him to Villa Park just now 'does not convince Barça today' despite their apparent willingness to part ways with the Spain international.

Last term, Torres made 45 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona, registering seven goals and three assists in total, as per Transfermarkt.

Mundo Deportivo via Birmingham Live add further scope regarding the Villans' interest, stating that Aston Villa offered to take the £165k-a-week ace on loan and insert a €25 million (£21.3 million) buyout option into any prospective deal.

Torres, who has been called an "A-lister", joined Barcelona for an initial £45.9 million from Manchester City back in 2021 after the Catalan giants successfully secured a bank loan to help them complete the move, as per The Guardian.

Contrary to Aston Villa's admiration of the 23-year-old, Torres is not believed to be keen on a switch to Villa Park at present and is content to stay at Barcelona for the foreseeable future, as per 90min.

In an interview quoted from Spanish media, Torres stated on his future: "Today, I am at Barça, but football takes many turns. I have the phone on airplane mode, on July 10, I will open it. "I'm just focused on what's mine, training, taking advantage of the pre-season that I couldn't do last year [due to injury] and from here on, showing that I'm a great footballer. In the next few days you will have news."

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones has revealed that Aston Villa are keen on offering Torres the chance to move to the West Midlands.

Jones said: “There's definite interest there, and they feel he could be a really good player for their system. Getting the two Torres players could be a real good make-up for Aston Villa going forward next season.”

Who else are Aston Villa keen to sign this window?

Torres would definitely be a high-profile signing to excite the Villa Park faithful and would add another quality body into Emery's squad by accompanying new signing Youri Tielemans, who has joined from Leicester City on a free transfer.

The Express & Star report that Villarreal defender Pau Torres is set to follow Tielemans to Aston Villa and will officially undergo his medical at the club later this week.

Corriere dello Sport via TEAMtalk claim that Roma defender Roger Ibanez is another name that may end up swapping continental shores for the Villans over the next few weeks.

At maximum, Aston Villa would need to shell out around €30 million (£25.7 million) to acquire the 24-year-old, which is deemed well within the reach of their healthy transfer budget.

Leeds United enforcer Tyler Adams is also being courted by Aston Villa as they look to take advantage of the Whites falling into the Sky Bet Championship, signifying that plenty of exciting incomings look to be on the way ahead of 2023/24 commencing.

Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha has said that his team is working on closing out sessions and days with the advantage, as opposed to giving everything in winning one-hour periods and then fading away

Mohammad Isam05-Mar-2017Bangladesh’s players have often stressed on the need to do well in the first hour of a session. But they have understood, and justifiably so, that far too many times they have given it their all in the first hour only to fizzle out in the second.In their last three Tests in New Zealand and India, there have been examples of Bangladesh starting well in a game or a session, only to be unable to carry on for the rest of the day and press home the advantage. In Hyderabad against India, Taskin Ahmed and Kamrul Islam Rabbi started strongly on the opening day, but the pair, as well as subsequent bowlers, could not keep up the pressure on the Indian top order. The same situation transpired with the ball on a number of occasions in Wellington and Christchurch, where they could not push on after a good start.This happens even more when Bangladesh are batting. Too often, they lose wickets in a cluster in the latter part of a session after getting into a position of strength. Well-set batsmen lose focus, which is one of the two problems addressed by coach Chandika Hathurusingha.”The one-percenters and five-percenters are letting us down,” Hathurusingha said. “We know that we have the capability. There are two things – one, concentrating over a period. We sometimes switch off. The other thing is something that we have identified and spoken about, which is that we have to play the whole session rather than giving everything in the first hour and fading away in the second hour.”We have discussed the game plan, how to be competitive for two-hour sessions. We did well when we tried this in the two-day practice game. I think this is going to help us. Now, we will learn from those mistakes and identify those moments in the game when they come, and obviously, we are going to keep reminding [ourselves] those things during this series.”Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh’s opening batsman, also spoke of the need to achieve small targets within the Test. One of the early boxes he has ticked has been getting a big score in the practice match in Moratuwa, where he cracked 136 off 182 balls with nine fours and seven sixes.”The team and I have to take on small targets so that our process remains on track. If we can bat well and stick to our plans, we can do something good. Things will be different.”I did well in one innings, but that doesn’t mean I will keep playing the same way in Galle. But, as I said, if I am on track with the process, it gives me more chance to get a big score.”Tamim said that Bangladesh have a chance to beat Sri Lanka in a Test series, something they are yet to do. “We know the importance of the series. We feel we should win it if we play good cricket,” he said. “They are also a good, young team. We are mentally prepared and everyone is trying their best to make it to the final playing XI.”Hathurusingha said that the players, having impressed more on an individual level, and sporadically as a team in New Zealand and India, would now have to put it all together for a major team effort in Galle and Colombo despite the heat, which is a worry.”I think we have a good chance this year – other than the two Test series in India and New Zealand – for various reasons. We had good performances in those conditions, but here, we stand a good chance if we execute our plans.”Skill-wise, both teams match really well. Home advantage for Sri Lanka is a huge factor. It is totally different to any other Test country. Heat is a huge factor, for concentration and building pressure. That’s the only thing that I am bit concerned about, but we are going to be very competitive.”