India opener hopes she and her partner Shafali Verma can bat through to the 15th over and set the team up in the decider against England
Annesha Ghosh13-Jul-2021
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana’s 790 runs as an opening pair are the most arcross teams since Verma’s debut•BCCI/UPCA
Smriti Mandhana wants India’s openers – basically her and Shafali Verma – to bat long into the middle overs to ensure better results in T20 cricket.Since Verma’s debut in September 2019, this combination has scored 790 runs in 22 innings, the most across all teams. Australia openers Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney’s 750 runs in 23 innings are second on the list. Overall, Mandhana and Verma have the seventh-highest tally for an opening pair and the third-highest among Indians.With the third and final T20I on Wednesday set to decide the multi-format series, which England lead 8-6 on the points table, Mandhana hoped for a longer stand between her and her partner.Related
India spinners spark England collapse to keep series alive
Harmanpreet: Harleen's catch a reflection of India's focus
Powar: Players like Sneh Rana are 'what we need right now'
Mithali says Sneh Rana a key allrounder for India's future
'I like playing in pressure situations' – Deepti Sharma
“It’s been about a year and a half since Shaifu [Verma] and I started opening together in the T20I format,” Mandhana, the India T20I vice-captain, said. “In this tour I also opened with her in the one-dayers and the Test. It’s a lot of fun to be involved in partnerships with her.”Our conversations and communication is [good]; we know what exactly to tell each other, so that helps quite a bit, especially in the T20I format. The one thing we need to work on as an opening combination, as you mentioned, is to carry on till at least the 15th or the 16th over. That will be good for our team. We will be working on that.”India savoured a hard-fought win in the final over of the second T20I in Hove on Sunday and they hope to keep up that momentum. Mandhana identified a key aspect that may help them do so: being on guard against losing wickets in clumps.”We have had a discussion about the middle overs and also the death overs about how we can get better,” Mandhana said. “Definitely one point is that we are losing out two wickets at a time. That really puts a brake on our run rate. That’s something we have to work on as a team.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
“That happened in the previous formats as well and it’s happening in the T20I also, that we are getting out back-to-back. That puts pressure on two new batters. That’s a communication thing we need to get better as a batting unit. We have all definitely understood our mistakes, and hopefully we’ll better our mistakes in tomorrow’s game.”India do have a few positives as well that will stand them well in tomorrow’s decider. Like captain Harmanpreet Kaur showing signs of her vintage best in scoring 31 off 25 balls in the last game.”Definitely, Harry coming back and hitting a few balls – that’s a very good thing for the Indian team,” Mandhana said. “So, the win was really important and it puts us in a position to win the T20I series in the next match and draw the multi-format series.”There have been other contributors too. Seventeen-year-old makeshift wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, for example, effected four dismissals in the first T20I and three in the second, with the run-out of Nat Sciver particularly standing out.Having made her international debut last year as middle-order batter, Ghosh was handed the gloves for the first time in T20 internationals back in March, in a match Mandhana was captaining. That decision was taken in part because she had become a liability in the outfield but on this tour of England she has put that criticism behind her.”I think she has improved massively on her keeping and I could see her working hard even when the Test and the one-dayers were on,” Mandhana said of Ghosh. “She was really working hard with her keeping. That’s also showing in the matches. She did pretty well with the gloves and she taking the gloves for us in the long run can be very useful for the combination and the balance of our team.”Poonam Yadav, Richa Ghosh and Sneh Rana get together to celebrate a dismissal•Getty Images
Allrounder Sneh Rana has been another key player for India this tour. Back in the side after a five-year gap, she helped save the one-off Test with a stunning 80 not out in the final innings and has continued in the same vein during the limited-overs matches as well.”I think Sneh Rana’s comeback is very inspirational for all of us,” Mandhana said.. “I was in the team when she part of the XV three-four years back. To see her come back in this way and open the doors in all three formats. That’s something really inspirational because when you’re coming back, you have the extra added pressure of performing well and proving yourself once again.”Not only coming [back] in one format, she has performed in a way that she has crashed into and come into the XI in all three formats. That’s something that’s really commendable. She performing that way is going to add a lot of balance to the team, especially the batting skills she has. She can hit the ball really well. That’s going to play a crucial role in the upcoming years or months.”Though India are facing the pressure of a series decider, Mandhana also had time to focus on the big picture. The team’s next assignment is a multi-format tour of Australia in September-October, and with the next ODI World Cup due in April 2022, she highlighted various areas that need working on.”There are lots of things we have to work on as a team, especially, I feel, in the batting department going forward,” Mandhana said. “The next seven months are going to be really crucial and we have to start putting up good scores. In the one-day format, we have to start putting 250- and 260-plus scores consistently when you’re batting first. And, of course, our bowling and fielding can get consistent.”We are probably having one good performance and then one which is okay, so I think we can be consistent in that department. The next seven months are going to be crucial to get ourselves completely ready before the one-day World Cup. The Australia series is also going to be big in terms of preparations for the World Cup.”
da bet7： West Bromwich Albion will be somewhat cautious about their chances of putting together another promotion attempt next season, as uncertainty continues to hang over the Hawthorns involving some key first-team individuals.
da bet nacional： It looks ever more likely by the day that Cedric Kipre – who starred last campaign for the Baggies from the heart of defence – will just be allowed to walk out of the building on a free transfer, whilst central midfield gem Alex Mowatt also still hasn't penned a new deal, to further ramp up the anxiety levels.
Carlos Corberan's men can attempt to lessen the worry about Kipre's ongoing situation by swooping for a new centre-back titan this summer, therefore, with reports suggesting they're setting their sights on a new Scandinavian recruit.
West Brom looking at St Pauli defender
According to Swedish football website SportBladet, the West Midlands outfit hold strong interest in 27-year-old St Pauli defender Eric Smith this summer, but aren't the only club from the Championship taking a look at the 6 foot 3 Swede.
Leeds United have also been noted as being interested in Smith, with a tussle potentially forming between the two clubs as a result, as Leeds aim to rectify their own worries at the back, with Joe Rodon now permanently back at Tottenham Hotspur.
What Smith can offer West Brom
West Brom will hope this new addition sees them gain a new warrior at the back from Sweden akin to Jonas Olsson in his prime at the Hawthorns, with the popular and imposing centre-back becoming a real fan's favourite during the Baggies' recent Premier League days, amassing 201 top-flight games across nine memorable seasons.
It's some pressure on the St. Pauli man's shoulders to be that influential entering into his new surroundings, but he will hope he can taste Premier League football with the Baggies if he joins, taking his first steps as their next Olsson in the process.
There's also many reasons as to why two clubs, who will be aiming to be near the top of the Championship table next season, are fervently interested in Smith, who has starred for St. Pauli in their own 2. Bundesliga promotion success.
The in-demand 27-year-old would pick up two goals and six assists playing out from the back for his current employers last campaign, taking his assists tally up to a mightily impressive 12 in total across 82 games in Germany, after relocating from his native Sweden in 2021.
Smith vs Kipre: head-to-head stats
Stat – per 90 mins*
Smith
Kipre
Games played
30
48
Goals
2
3
Assists
6
1
Shots total*
1.29
0.42
Shot-creating actions*
2.17
0.61
Passes attempted*
66.92
58.34
Pass completion %
84.3%
86.7%
Progressive passes
5.83
3.20
Stats by FBRef
As can be seen glancing at the table above, Smith is more of a calm and stylish operator with the ball at his feet compared to Kipre, who prides himself on doing the less glamorous defensive parts of his game well.
Yet, Smith has also show he can to battle for his side in the German second tier, showing off shades of Olsson's Baggies' game subsequently, who was notorious for being a no-nonsense, tough centre-back to face off against.
Olsson would close out his West Brom career in the top-flight during the 2016-17 season by still averaging 3.9 duels won per game, with Smith winning a very similar total of four on average in last season's 2. Bundesliga.
His final game potentially for the second-tier champions saw him put in an imperious display, winning five duels whilst amassing 85 accurate passes, proving himself to be a multifaceted defender, who even has an outrageous free-kick like the one below in his back pocket.
Leeds could well have the upper hand in this transfer scrap, but West Brom will keep their fingers crossed they come out on top, to win their next Olsson.
West Brom can repeat Mowatt steal by signing "magic" free agent
West Bromwich Albion could get in another excellent free agent like Alex Mowatt this summer.
da fezbet： O Conselho do São Paulo aprovou, em votação finalizada nesta terça-feira (21), o orçamento do clube para a temporada de 2022. Foram159 votos a favor, 54 contra e e cinco abstenções, com quase 73% de aprovação. Essa foi a quintavotação seguida que o Conselho aprova demandas da diretoria são-paulina, todas com alto índice de aprovação, acima dos 70%, o que indicaapoio forte à gestão atual.
RelacionadasSão PauloDuas finais e redução da dívida: São Paulo projeta orçamento para 2022São Paulo21/12/2021São PauloPresidente do Conselho nega golpe no São Paulo: ‘Tudo seguiu o estatuto’São Paulo21/12/2021São PauloRafinha fala sobre carinho pelo São Paulo: ‘Todo mundo sabe que sou são-paulino’São Paulo21/12/2021
da casino： Na última semana, o Conselho aprovou quatro contratos, como o fechado com a Ambev, conforme publicou o LANCE!. Entre os diversos pontos, os diretores esperam que o São Paulo chegue a duas finais: do Campeonato Paulista, competição que é o atual campeão, além da Copa Sul-Americana, única competição internacional do time na temporada.
Além disso, as metas para as outras competições são: o sexto lugar no Campeonato Brasileiro e as quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. Nessa temporada, o Tricolor ficou na 13ª posição do nacional, além de ter saído justamente nas quartas da Copa do Brasil para o Fortaleza.
Com uma dívida de aproximadamente R$ 700 milhões, o São Paulo prevê uma redução na quantia de aproximadamente R$ 108 milhões. Em relação a venda de jogadores, o Tricolor quer arrecadar R$ 142 milhões. Nesse ano, o clube do Morumbi arrecadou R$ 124 milhões dos R$ 196 mi previstos.
سخرت جماهير فريق مانشستر سيتي من نجم ريال مدريد، فينيسيوس جونيور، في مباراة اليوم بين الناديين في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ويستضيف ملعب “الاتحاد” مباراة الفريقين في إطار منافسات ذهاب ملحق دور الـ16 من دوري أبطال أوروبا، موسم 2024/25 (لمتابعة اللقاء من هنا).
ورفع عدد من جماهير فريق مانشستر سيتي لافتة، تتضمن صورة حصول النجم رودري على جائزة الكرة الذهبية، من أجل استفزاز فينيسيوس جونيور.
وكان فينيسيوس جونيور هو المرشح الأبرز للحصول على جائزة الكرة الذهبية، كأفضل لاعب في العالم لعام 2024، من مجلة “فرانس فوتبول” الشهيرة.
ولكن تفاجأ الجميع بحصول رودري على جائزة الكرة الذهبية، ليحل فينيسيوس جونيور في المركز الثاني.
وتسبب ذلك في مقاطعة ريال مدريد بأكمله لحفل توزيع الكرة الذهبية، كقرار تضامني مع النجم البرازيلي.
ولم تقتصر لافتة جماهير مانشستر سيتي على صورة رودري، بل كُتب كذلك: “توقف عن البكاء بشدة”، وهي جزء من أغنية للفرقة الغنائية أويسيس، صدرت في 2002.
Man City fans unveil a banner aimed at Real Madrid, after they boycotted the Ballon d’Or awards…#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/sO00OSPb5J — Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) February 11, 2025
All the updates, news and stats from the first Test at Lord’s
Alan Gardner02-Jun-2021
Devon Conway became the 12th New Zealand men’s player to score a century on Test debut•Getty Images
*Most recent entry will appear at the top, please refresh your page for the latest updates. All times are local6.35pm: Conway’s dayDevon Conway celebrates his century on debut•PA Images via Getty Images
That’s stumps folks. New Zealand will be pretty pleased with that and no one more so than Devon Conway, who scored a century on debut. Henry Nicholls showed impeccable temperament in support as the pair put on an unbroken stand of 132 for the fourth wicket.Ollie Robinson, one of two debutants for England alongside James Bracey, took 2 for 50 to end the day the best of the home side’s bowlers, who all toiled hard, but the day belonged to the tourists – and Conway. Please join us again tomorrow. We look forward to bringing you all the action then.5.55pm: Nicholls in nickHenry Nicholls showcased his ability to occupy the crease for long times again•PA Images via Getty Images
Henry Nicholls may be the least starry member of a NZ batting line-up that contractually doesn’t do starry, but he is again demonstrating his value as a middle-order rock. This is the fourth innings out of his last five in which he has faced more than 100 balls, and he has played the foil to Conway beautifully, happy to tick along at half of his partner’s scoring rate while focusing on maintaining a control percentage in the region of 90%. Probably the reason he’s No. 6 on the ICC’s batting rankings.5.30pm: Not Picking a Spinner in Test Cricket Dept
A back-foot punch through the covers by Nicholls off Root – now in his 10th over – takes New Zealand’s fourth-wicket partnership into three figures. Surely this is a window for Dan Lawrence’s liquorice allsorts before England take the second new ball?5.25pm: Dig in, plod onJames Bracey makes a diving stop on Test debut•AFP/Getty Images
James Bracey almost gets into the action with an attempted stumping of Henry Nicholls – but the batter managed to get his toe back over the line in time. Bracey missed a half-chance off Conway shortly after he had reached his hundred, a top edge clearing his glove tips, but he’s otherwise been neat and tidy, largely going unnoticed – which is pretty much what you want from your keeper.New Zealand, meanwhile, will be delighted with how this session is going, with Conway and Nicholls approaching a century stand.5pm: Devon knows they made him so goodWant to know more about the guy in the black helmet who’s calmly bossing the show at Lord’s on debut? Look no further than Shashank Kishore’s interview with Conway from last year, when he was closing in on eligibility for New Zealand.Devon Conway poses after his triple-century for Wellington•Getty Images
ESPNcricinfo Ltd
4.40pm: Tons of fun for Conway!Devon Conway became the 12th New Zealand men’s player to score a century on Test debut•Getty Images
No such thing as the nervous 90s for Devon Conway, whose insouciant flick off the pads through backward square leg has taken him to a debut hundred. He’s first New Zealand Test debutant to score a century since Tom Blundell in 2017 – and the sixth man overall to do so at Lord’s. The 29-year-old has waited a long time for this moment, but you’d imagine he couldn’t have dreamed for a better start to his Test career.4.35pm: Conway keeps climbing
A sniff of a chance for England a few overs ago, and that seems to have brought Conway to life as he realises there’s spot on the Lord’s honours board for the taking. With leg slip having just been stationed, Conway got away with a fine glance off Robinson that flew for four beyond the reach of a diving Zak Crawley. A more genuine flick for four followed in the next over, from Anderson, aided by a misfield at midwicket, and then Robinson was steered for four down to third man to take Conway into the 90s. In response, Root has turned back to the extra pace of Mark Wood.4.15pm: NZ raise the 150New Zealand’s batters have avoided falling victim to the interval this time, with Conway and Nicholls bedding in again against a combination of Anderson and Robinson – the latter chugging up from the Nursery End for the first time today. Lord’s is basking sleepily in the sunshine and, if there was a normal-sized crowd in, you’d probably see a few champagne corks littering the outfield in front of the Grandstand by now…3.40pm: TeaDevon Conway made an accomplished debut•Getty Images
An unbeaten half-century on debut from Devon Conway kept New Zealand on the front foot after two sessions of the first day at Lord’s. England, led by two wickets from another debutant in Ollie Robinson, tightened up during the afternoon but struggled for breakthroughs on a placid surface.Conway lost two experienced partners in the shape of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, but demonstrated an unflappable temperament to remain ensconced at tea. With Williamson playing on to James Anderson in the over after the break, Conway buckled down and scored just four runs in 45 minutes, before stroking a boundary off Stuart Broad to reach his maiden fifty.Broad troubled Taylor during a spell from the Nursery End, but it was Robinson who removed New Zealand’s No. 4, pinning him on the front pad to be plumb lbw and leave the tourists on 114 for 3. Conway and Henry Nicholls then restored a sense of equilibrium as Joe Root resorted to bowling himself in the absence of a frontline spinner.3.25pm: Mid-afternoon mattersAfternoon, George. Firstly, how good is it to be back at Lord’s? And secondly, how impressed have you been by Ollie Robinson so far? It’s great to be back. On days like this – those rare days when the sun shines and doesn’t set til 9.30 or so – this is a fantastic city.Robinson has lost little in comparison to Anderson or Broad. And that’s pretty high praise, isn’t it? Given that it’s his debut and he is contending with the slope, he has looked comfortable at this level. He’s managed to move the ball both ways – the one that comes into the batter seems to move more sharply – and he’s bowled a good length. He looks like a guy who could go on and enjoy a decent career at this level.You mention Anderson and Broad there. Were England a little bit conservative in picking both here? We well know how good they are… Maybe a little. But equally, had they not, they may have been accused of complacency. They both have excellent records, after all. It’s not an unreasonable selection. Two debuts in a game is probably enough, isn’t it?True, though it might have been fun if Root had deputised his new vice-captain to tell Anderson he was being rested… Playing both means no frontline spinner, though (Root has just brought himself on). Lack of faith in Jack Leach or an acceptable reading of the conditions? Most of all, it’s a reflection on the absence of the allrounders. Without Ben Stokes or Moeen Ali or whoever, it’s very hard to get the balance of the side right. And there’s no doubt it isn’t right now. But three seamers wouldn’t have been right and while they could have played five bowlers, it would have meant Bracey at No. 6 and Robinson at No. 7. So there wasn’t a perfect solution.In the end, it probably underlines the value of a spinner who can bat. So whatever Moeen or Dom Bess’s issues in recent months, they have a potential way back into this side. Also, never forget the old adage: players always become better for not being in the side. I don’t think there’s much evidence Leach would have taken five wickets by now. He would have been useful, for sure, and no doubt more useful as the game wore on. But I think England have bowled pretty well on a flat wicket and against a quality batting line-up.2.55pm: Vote, vote, vote
2.45pm: Robinson’s on, Taylor’s goneOllie Robinson roars in celebration after dismissing Ross Taylor•Getty Images
Ollie Robinson has his second, with England chipping out another big wicket after lunch. Pitched up, taking advantage of some still-tentative footwork from Taylor, thuds into the front pad – looked an easy decision for the umpire, Michael Gough. Robinson roars in celebration, “The Rig” threatening to pull the Lord’s rug from under NZ.2.30pm: Conway on his wayDevon Conway celebrates reaching fifty•Getty Images
There’s been a bit of a post-prandial lull in proceedings at Lord’s, with 21 runs added in 9.5 overs… but Devon Conway now has a maiden Test fifty, after stroking Broad’s final ball of the tenth wide of mid-off for four. That makes him, notes my colleague Sampath Bandarupalli, the first visiting opener to score fifty on debut in England since 1993, which is a remarkable stat. Early days, of course, and he certainly struggled against Wood’s short-ball attack, but Conway has made a good impression.2.10pm: Fair Warner-ing
Can’t escape the phoney war even if we wanted to…2pm: Hungry?James Anderson celebrates taking the wicket of Kane Williamson•Getty Images
England’s two old stagers have come out champing at the bit after their dressing-room nose bag. They’ve switched ends from this morning, with Anderson now looking to swing his stock ball to the right-hander up the slope, and Stuart Broad pumping the knees from the Nursery. Broad, who has dismissed Ross Taylor 10 times in Tests already, had the ball moving appreciably to beat New Zealand’s No. 4 three times in four balls. England upping the intensity after a low-key morning.
1.43pm: Gobbled up!ESPNcricinfo Ltd
The lunch break does for Williamson after all… His first delivery back and he defends late against James Anderson, only to divert the ball down into off stump. That is the seventh time Anderson has bagged Williamson in Tests, for an average of 19.00. The NZ captain trudges off, he won’t be booking in for bed and breakfast today (though perhaps there’ll be some leftover Eton Mess in the dressing room to console him).1.40pm: Fill your boots
Quite a spread on offer for the players at Lord’s, as you would expect. England will probably be hoping that Williamson was tempted into a second helping of pan-fried beetroot gnocchi during the interval…1.05pm: LunchDebutant Ollie Robinson gave England their first breakthrough•AFP/Getty Images
England debutant Ollie Robinson struck in his opening spell in Test cricket but New Zealand enjoyed their return to Lord’s for the first time since the 2019 World Cup final, reaching lunch on the first day one down.Opener Devon Conway, another new cap, looked the part and was closing in on a maiden half-century – although he had to battle through a spell from Mark Wood during which he look uncomfortable against the short ball. Wood touched 96.1mph/154kph and was never less than rapid, finding Kane Williamson’s outside edge only for the New Zealand captain to play softly enough to pick up four down to third man.Even with the ground only 25% full, there was an appreciative hum as the game got underway – the first Test at Lord’s since the 2019 Ashes – and it was New Zealand’s openers who garnered the majority of the applause before Robinson broke through Tom Latham’s defence in his fourth over, the ball clattering into middle and leg stump via an inside edge.England included two players making their Test debuts, in Robinson and James Bracey, and went with a four-man seam attack. By contrast, in the absence of Trent Boult, New Zealand picked frontline spinner Mitchell Santner and another allrounder in Colin De Grandhomme.12.50pm: Setting the pace
Solid first spell in Test cricket from Robinson, though I can’t help but notice Kane Williamson is still batting out there… Anyway, the most compelling battle at the moment is Wood peppering Conway. You probably don’t get too many bowlers bringing 95mph heat in the Plunket Shield, and Conway has had to duck and weave, taking a couple of painful-looking blows but also connecting with a pull that went for four. Wood made his debut here against Lord’s in 2015 but it hasn’t been the happiest hunting ground – he has eight wickets from five Tests and an average around 55. But he’s looked like a man who could transcend the conditions here.12.40pm: Graduate studiesEngland’s newest Test wicket-taker is meat and drink for the Barmies…
12.30pm: Warming up…Devon Conway bats on Test debut•PA Photos/Getty Images
At the other end, Mark Wood has fired it up right from the start, delivering consecutive deliveries clocked at 95mph/152kph and 96mph/154kph. The final ball of his opening over, a mere 94mph, was short and nasty and struck Devon Conway a blow on the forearm. Lord’s suddenly doesn’t seem so flat. However, that didn’t stop the NZ debutant from getting forward to one slightly overpitched in Wood’s next over and stroking four past mid-off.Conway is, of course, the untested ingredient in this teak-tough NZ batting order. The second opener’s spot has been a bit of a question mark, with Tom Blundell and Will Young used since Jeet Ravel’s tenure ended, but Conway, who averages 66.25 in NZ domestic cricket since moving from South Africa, already looks at home in Test whites.12.20pm: Pint of Robinsons!
Finally, the Lord’s burble goes up a notch as England break the opening stand – and it’s the debutant Robinson who squashes Latham’s ambition with one that nibbles a fraction to hit the inside edge on its way into middle and leg stumps. That brings Kane Williamson to the middle, with Robinson having already spoken openly about his plan to target the New Zealand captain. Grab your popcorn, folks.12pm: Top heavy
Joe Root doesn’t take long to turn to the newest member of England’s seam attack, with Ollie Robinson coming on from the Pavilion End in the 10th over. Steady start for the man they call “The Rig” down at Sussex – and he is a pretty impressive unit – putting it there or thereabouts in the channel at around 80mph. Despite the emphasis on physical attributes, and a reputation when younger as something of a tearaway, Robinson is a real thinking bowler – as Sussex coach James Kirtley elaborated to Matt Roller in the build-up.11.25am: Steady boysJames Anderson•AFP/Getty Images
No alarums for the NZ pair in the opening exchanges, with Latham hogging the strike for the first three overs before allowing Conway his first go in Test cricket. Anderson and Broad haven’t seen the new ball swing much so far, and there’s been a steady diet of ones and two before Conway punched the first boundary wide of mid-off – politely applauded, as you’d expect.In theory, this pair should be right in Broad’s crosshairs. As my colleague Gaurav Sundararaman points out, since the start of the 2019 Ashes Broad has averaged 17.70 going round the wicket to lefties. But neither has looked like being Warnered just yet.11.15am: Equality street
England’s men’s team and women’s teams will be wearing anti-discrimination t-shirts throughout the summer, “designed to show their collective stance against any form of discrimination in cricket”. Joe Root led his players out in them for the “moment of unity” that preceded play on the first day at Lord’s.11am: Play ball!Right then, time for the first warm-up match Test of New Zealand’s tour. Latham to face the new ball, the everlasting Anderson to run in from the Nursery End. England haven’t beaten New Zealand in a Test since the two teams last met here in 2015 – a watershed moment in England’s recent history, as Andrew Miller notes – and Kane Williamson’s side are, of course, over here to contest the World Test Championship final against India later this month. Then again, New Zealand haven’t won a Test series in England since the infamous 1999 tour. Whatever happens, let’s hope we’re in for a corker.10.45am: Decisions, decisionsESPNcricinfo Ltd
Callooh callay! New Zealand are batting first at Lord’s – could be interesting if they get 241. Slightly contrasting takes on the surface in the teams selected, certainly on the face of it. England have gone with four seamers, meaning no hard decision on splitting up James Anderson and Stuart Broad and no room for Jack Leach. Anderson in the process draws level with Alastair Cook as England’s most-capped Test cricketer. Ollie Robinson joins James Bracey in winning a debut, and it looks like Joe Root and maybe Dan Lawrence will share the spinning duties.New Zealand, meanwhile, have picked their regular spinner, Mitchell Santner, despite his lack of red-ball cricket (even by Kiwi standards) and the fact he sustained a cut to his left index finger during last week’s intra-squad warm-up match. Colin De Grandhomme returns after a year out of the side, during which time he had ankle surgery, preferred to Daryl Mitchell; and Conway, the 29-year-old South Africa-born batter, will be trotting down the steps of the Lord’s pavilion in just a few moments’ time to open the batting alongside Tom Latham.10.29am: Box fresh Two new Test caps confirmed for England – there’s a fair amount of fresh meat in the squad for this series – and we’re about to find out the exact make-ups of the XIs. New Zealand had already announced that Devon Conway is in line to debut last night, but there’s still the No. 7/8 axis and how they cover for Trent Boult’s absence.10.15am: Lord’s, ladies and gentlemen…
The last year or so has been difficult. Needless to say, of course, but at the same time impossible to get past. There is plenty going in the world that matters more than cricket, and nothing much that will be changed by events here over the next few days. But nevertheless, here we are, at Lord’s for a Test match. The simple pleasures of peering out over that famously wonky greensward, taking in the 19th-century terracotta pavilion, watching the MCC members tootle about in their egg-and-bacon finery. England haven’t hosted a Test at this ground since the 2019 Ashes, and even with a capacity limited to 25% for this game, it’s going to feel like something of a homecoming. Throw in that their opponents, New Zealand, are currently one of the best sides in the world, the fact both teams have a wee bit of history from 2019 here as well, and it’s a potent cocktail. What’s more, the sun is blazing down, there’s barely a cloud in the sky and after the UK’s May weather blowout we are set fair. Time to loosen the tie, drink in the rays, and get our Test !
Neither side can avoid stalemate on a pitch suffering from winter floods and chilly spring
George Dobell02-May-2021
Sam Cook claimed 3 for 1 in 16 balls•Getty Images
When spectators are finally allowed back into New Road, they will be greeted by something of a sad sight. Two of the horse chestnut trees that have overlooked the ground for many years have gone; felled to prevent the disease they suffered spreading to the fortunate remaining tree.As this match has worn on, however, the suspicion has grown that the two trees were the lucky ones. Indeed, an alternate theory is they hacked themselves down as they could no longer bear to watch the grim cricket being played in front of them.That is not to decry the efforts of the two sides in this match. Both fought hard throughout. There was no shortage of skill or commitment on offer in this game.But 40 wickets have now fallen at this ground in eight days of cricket this season. And, while a total of 2,002 runs in that time might make it sound as if there has been a feast of batting, the run-rate has been 2.75 per over. It is not a wicket that is good for batters, bowlers or spectators. At times in this match, there were six fielders on the boundary and batters were more concerned with shovelling out low-bouncing grubbers than thinking of the stokes they might play. You could almost imagine the poor remaining tree calling out for a lumberjack.Such a track has not been designed. Instead, the club are dealing with the consequences of severe winter flooding followed by a dry but cold March. As a result, there has been little grass growth. The groundstaff cannot be blamed.It does make for pretty grim cricket, though. You wonder whether the use of heat lamps – to promote grass growth – or hybrid surfaces – which are now routinely used in limited-overs cricket – might play a part in finding a solution. But Worcestershire are going to find it desperately tough to win games here if the wickets are like this. The extra points provided for a draw this season do little to discourage such tracks.”It was a low, slow, turgid wicket,” Essex head coach Anthony McGrath said afterwards. “It was tough for bowlers and not free-flowing for batsmen. When Simon Harmer isn’t getting any turn at nearly 5pm on the fourth evening, you know things are tough. It’s been a grind. It’s not made for great watching.”I’d be open-minded about trials of hybrid pitches. In some circumstances, like those we’ve seen here, it might be worth experimenting.”Related
Lewis Goldsworthy shines on debut as Somerset beat Middlesex
Keaton Jennings eases Lancashire over the line at Sussex
Steve Patterson breaks Northamptonshire resistance as Yorkshire win one-run thriller
For a moment, in mid-morning, the game briefly flickered into life. Worcestershire, apparently cruising at 313 for 5, were suddenly 326 for 9, with Sam Cook claiming 3 for 1 in 16 deliveries.But a 10th-wicket stand of 38 between Dillon Pennington and Charlie Morris arrested the slide. It wasn’t so much the runs the pair scored as the fact they kept Essex out in the field for an extra 15 overs. Essex had no choice but to enforce the follow-on – there were three overs of Worcestershire’s second innings before lunch on the fourth day – but by then they had already bowled 138.1 overs.Perhaps it showed. While Cook remained dangerous, the rest of attack looked understandably jaded. Peter Siddle bowled three overs before he was taken off with a few to challenges ahead – Essex start their next game at Trent Bridge on Thursday – and Cook had to be rested at some stage. He may well be rested for that match.The result leaves Essex one from the bottom of Group One with one victory in four matches. But though that is an unflattering position, there is little reason for concern. They have dominated long stretches of the last two games and, even now, are only five points from the top spot.Cook, in particular, emerged with great credit from this game. On a surface on which Siddle, for example, finished wicketless, Cook delivered 40 overs (19 of them maidens) and claimed 6 for 67. It was an immense performance which deserved rather better from the conditions.Nagging away like toothache, Cook invariably hits a good length and can swing the ball away. But it was the one that nipped back that accounted for Ben Cox, beaten through the gate, and then, in the second-innings, Daryl Mitchell, leaving one that took his off stump.He is not especially quick – perhaps 80 mph – but, in another playing age, an age when the likes of Steve Watkin, Richard Ellison or Tim Munton were playing for England, Cook might well be close to a national call-up. Right now, with the likes of Craig Overton and Ollie Robinson ahead of him, he seems some way back in the challenge. But he is a terrific bowler and if the chance did come, he wouldn’t let England down.Much the same could be said of Simon Harmer. He has now bowled nearly 100 more overs than anyone else in the County Championship this season (he has bowled 262.4; the next busiest bowler is Jack Carson with 167.2) and in this game alone bowled 73 overs.Worcestershire were, once again, grateful for the solidity of Jake Libby. His half-century here took his season average above 100 and left him as one of only 10 men to have scored 400 Championship runs this season. He has proved an excellent signing.This result leaves Worcestershire third in the table but just two points off the top spot. They play Warwickshire, who are top, at Edgbaston this week with Josh Tongue and Joe Leach in line to freshen up an attack that has spent a lot of time on its feet of late. Jack Haynes may also come in for Gareth Roderick, who looks short of confidence at present.In the end, though, nothing anyone did on this pitch made any difference.
da realbet： Newcastle United will need to show they can pick up results on the road consistently to continue their fine start to December.
da bet esporte： At St James’ Park so far this month, which is the Magpies’ dependable fortress, Eddie Howe’s men have collected a draw and a win, with only two losses from eight matches coming their way on their own turf this season so far.
In stark contrast, three losses have been tallied up away from home, with only one away win next to their name sticking out as a worrying fact.
In their defence, the only success on the road this season saw them emphatically get the better of Everton 4-1 in the Premier League, which might well stand them in good stead against Bayer Leverkusen and Sunderland to come.
Howe will hope his team’s up-and-down nature has been rectified by the time the January transfer window swings back open, with a potentially busy month ahead for the Toon in terms of incomings.
Newcastle looking to sign new midfielder
The unpredictability of January could also see Newcastle offload a couple of players, too, with reserve centre-forward option William Osula alleged to be keen to move away from St James’ Park.
There are also rumours bubbling away about fresh faces joining the building, with former Leicester City ace Bilal El Khannouss just one of many options catching the Toon’s eye in the middle of the park. On top of him, a cut-price £13m move for Ferencváros TC star Alex Tóth could be on the agenda.
The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope has added more fuel to the fire by revealing that Howe and Co are set to make a move for rising AZ Alkmaar star Kees Smit, with the reported transfer fee floating about for his services coming in at the £30m price range.
The inconsistent Toon have long been admirers of the well-rounded Dutchman, and with Manchester United and Liverpool circling, this would be seen as a statement move in January, as Newcastle prepare to spend the big bucks once more. Hope has already described the youngster as “one of Europe’s most exciting teenagers” so this one is certainly something to kick and scream about.
How Smit can be Howe's future Guimaraes
Howe will hope, by landing Smit, that he wins himself a future Bruno Guimaraes, which will be music to the ears of the devoted Tyneside fanbase, after the much-loved Brazilian only affirmed his legendary status at the club more with that audacious strike versus Burnley.
The 28-year-old is now synonymous with Newcastle, with his corner kick effort sailing straight over the head of Martin Dubravka, further backing up comments by his manager that he is a “difference-maker”.
Of course, Smit has some way to go before he’s pulling off screamers like Guimaraes’ ingenious effort regularly in the Premier League, but the 19-year-old does have a powerful effort up his sleeve, with his ability to conjure up a moment of magic from a very early age also seeing scout Jacek Kulig laud him as a “super talent.”
Indeed, this sumptuous effort in the U19 Euros in the summer shows off a star who is incredibly confident and assured in front of goal, with Smit now up to ten goal contributions in the senior ranks at AZ. Newcastle’s beloved captain is up to 27 goals and 29 assists himself in the senior picture at St James’ Park, with Howe hopeful that Smit could reach these levels in time, so he can replace the 28-year-old down the line.
It’s not just their output in terms of goals and assists that makes the two talents in question similar, however, with Smit’s energy and determination centrally also placing himself on the same pedestal as the industrious South American, which has led to the AZ number 26 even being branded as a “duel monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, a tag regularly placed on Guimaraes’ shoulders.
Smit’s league numbers for AZ
Stat (* = per 90 mins)
24/25
25/26
Games played
18
14
Goals scored
0
2
Assists
0
2
Touches*
38.8
62.7
Accurate passes*
23.3 (85%)
42.7 (89%)
Key passes*
1.3
1.8
Big chances created
3
3
Ball recoveries*
3.3
5.7
Total duels won*
2.9
3.3
Stats by Sofascore
Smit has certainly grown into being more of a lively performer centrally this season in the Eredivisie, when looking at the table above, making 5.7 ball recoveries and winning 3.3 duels per game.
In constract, the Newcastle skipper has made 5.1 ball recoveries, but he does blow Smit out of the water in the duels department, having won a fierce 5.4 duels so far this campaign in the demanding Premier League.
Still, with the upward trajectory the table outlines, he could reach Guimaraes’ commanding levels very soon, as Howe prepares to win himself a standout talent for the future in January, by securing Smit’s coveted services.
Newcastle star was entering Obertan territory, now he's their "best player"
This Newcastle United star is now beginning to turn around his underwhelming Premier League season.
أكد عصام عبد الفتاح رئيس لجنة الحكام السابق، أن التحكيم المصري يتعرض لهجوم كبير خاصة من الأندية الكبيرة في مصر، موضحًا رأيه في تولي رئاسة اللجنة الخبير التحكيمي الكولومبي أوسكار رويز.
واستقر هاني أبو ريدة رئيس الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، على تولي الكولومبي أوسكار رويز، رئاسة لجنة الحكام في الفترة القادمة.
طالع | من هو أوسكار جوليان رويز رئيس لجنة الحكام المصرية الجديد؟
وقال عبد الفتاح خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2” لبرنامج “الكورة مع فايق”: “أوسكار رويز من ضمن المحاضرين في الاتحاد الدولي ويمتلك خبرات كبيرة كحكم ومحاضر، دائمًا كنت معارضا للخبير الأجنبي لأني كنت أعلم أنه لن ينجح في مصر، لكن الآن تغير الرأي تمامًا، لأن إذا أحضرت ملاك طاهر مصري يدير التحكيم لن يتركه أحد في حالة”.
وأضاف: “غير قادرين على دراسة ملف التحكيم بشكل صحيح، لأن الضغوطات على التحكيم واتحاد الكرة غير طبيعية، ما وصلنا لهذه الحالة الثلاثة سنوات ماضية في فترة كلاتنبرج وبيريرا لأنهما لم يعطيا محاضرات ولا تدريب عملي للحكام”.
وأكمل: “هناك تجني كبير على التحكيم المصري نتيجة لجبروت الأندية الكبيرة، الحكام المصريين هم من تحملوا كل هذا الحمل والظروف صعبة جدًا”.
وأتم: “أنا مع طاقم تحكيم أجنبي 100% لمباراة الأهلي والزمالك القادمة في الدوري، اتقوا الله في التحكيم المصري و(بلاش إتهام الناس بالباطل)”.
وكان النادي الأهلي طالب اتحاد الكرة بتعين طاقم تحكيم أجنبي لإدارة مباراة القمة أمام الزمالك، المقرر لها يوم السبت 22 فبراير بالجولة الـ 15 من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
da 888： Apenas cumprindo tabela, Sport e Athletico-PR se enfrentaram na noite desta quinta-feira. Encerrando as participações no Brasileirão, os times fizeram um jogo bastante movimentado. Com isso, o placar da Arena Pernambuco terminou no 1 a 1.
RelacionadasFutebol LatinoÉ o Aguirre? Dirigente crava data para a chegada de novo técnico do UruguaiFutebol Latino09/12/2021Futebol NacionalSaiba qual é o torcedor mais rico de oito grandes clubes do BrasilFutebol Nacional09/12/2021Futebol NacionalCoimbra e Benfica firmam parceria para o desenvolvimento de jovens atletas no BrasilFutebol Nacional09/12/2021
da imperador bet： Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS
LEÃO BUSCANDO!
Já rebaixado, o Leão da Ilha começou a partida buscando encerrar sua participação na Série A com um triunfo. Assim, a equipe teve a primeira chegada de perigo aos 7. Na jogada, Mikael tentou de cabeça, mas mandou para fora.
UH!
O jogo ficou mais truncado, e os dois times pouco criaram. Dessa forma, o Sport voltou a aparecer aos 18. Paulinho Moccelin recebeu na esquerda, tentando o chute cruzado. Contudo, Jaderson conseguiu bloquear e mandou para escanteio.
QUE CHANCE!
Na sequência, o Leão apareceu com novo perigo. Aos 19, Everton Felipe cobrou escanteio. Chico e Gustavo Oliveira apareceram para tentar ao alto, mas Márcio Azevedo conseguiu cortar. Logo depois, Everton Felipe roubou a bola, arriscou o chute e Bento agarrou.
NA FRENTE!
Depois de muito assustar, o Sport conseguiu sair à frente no placar aos 28. Mikael recebeu o cruzamento na área, fez o giro entre dois marcadores e tocou na saída do goleiro Bento, deixando o Leão na frente do placar.
QUE SUSTO!
O Leão seguiu pressionando. Aos 30, Everton Felipe cobrou escanteio, e Bento deu um soco na bola, afastando. No lance, o goleiro trombou com Gustavo Oliveira, que ficou sentindo a pancada.
ATHLETICO APARECENDO…
O Furacão não deixou mais o Sport crescer e foi para cima. Aos 36, o time apareceu com Márcio Azevedo, que cobrou escanteio. João Vialle mandou de cabeça. Contudo, o goleiro do Leão fez a defesa.
TUDO IGUAL!
A vida do Sport ficou ainda mais complicada aos 42. Jaderson bateu forte da entrada da área, e o goleiro Carlos Eduardo não conseguiu segurar. Khellven aproveitou o rebote e marcou, empatando na Arena Pernambuco.
PEGOU!
Os times seguiram com alta pressão na segunda etapa. Logo no início dos 45 minutos finais, Ewerthon bateu para o gol, mas Bento fez a defesa. Cinco minutos depois, Sander arriscou, mandando para fora.
QUASE!
O Leão continuou tentando mudar o placar. Assim, aos 12, Everton Felipe cobrou escanteio. Rafael Thyere mandou de cabeça, mas para fora. Logo depois, Pedro Victor arriscou pela esquerda, com uma bomba. Já aos 13, Ronaldo Henrique aproveitou escanteio e pegou a sobra. Contudo, foi para longe do gol.
PÊNALTI! Aos 17, o árbitro marcou pênalti de Luan Patrick em cima de Gustavo Oliveira. Na cobrança, Everton Felipe mandou no canto, e o goleiro Bento acertou o lado, fazendo a defesa.
NA PRESSÃO…
O Sport continuou pressionando o Athletico. Aos 21, Pedro Victor bateu, mas mandou para longe do gol. Dois minutos depois, Gustavo Oliveira fez boa jogada em cima de Lucas Fasson, batendo cruzado. Sander, porém, não conseguiu completar.
PARA FORA!
Aos 35, o Leão da Ilha teve ótima chance. Aos 35, Lucas Fasson vacilou, e Cristiano aproveitou para mandar para Mike. O atacante bateu forte, mandando por cima do gol, com grande perigo.
QUASE O SEGUNDO!
Aos 44, o Sport seguiu com boa chance. Na jogada, Cristiano bateu forte, e Bento fez mais uma grande defesa para salvar o Furacão. Sem outras chances, o duelo se encerrou no 1 a 1.
FICHA TÉCNICA Sport 1 x 1 Athletico-PR Local: Arena Pernambuco, em São Lourenço da Mata (PE) Data: 09/12/2021 – às 21h30 (de Brasília) Público: 4.125 torcedores Renda: R$ 41.295,00 Árbitro: Ramon Abatti Abel (AB/SC) Assistentes: Kleber Lucio Gil (Fifa/SC) e Cipriano da Silva Sousa (AB/TO) VAR: Pathrice Wallace Corrêa Maia (AB/RJ) Cartões amarelos: Everton Felipe (Sport); Márcio Azevedo (Athletico-PR) Cartões vermelhos: –
SPORT (Técnico: Gustavo Florentín) Carlos Eduardo; Ewerthon, Rafael Thyere, Chico e Sander; Pedro Victor (Cristiano, aos 29’/2ºT), Ronaldo Henrique, Gustavo Oliveira (Flávio Souza, aos 38’/2ºT), Paulinho Moccelin (Luciano Juba, aos 0’/2ºT) e Everton Felipe (Ítalo, aos 46’/2ºT); Mikael.
ATHLETICO-PR (Técnico: Alberto Valentim)
Bento; Luan Patrick, João Vialle e Lucas Fasson; Khellven, Juninho, Jader (Daniel Cruz, aos 34’/2ºT), Pedrinho (Pierre, aos 21’/2ºT) e Márcio Azevedo ((Vinícius Kaue, aos 33’/2ºT); Jaderson (Julimar, aos 27’/2ºT) e Vinícius Mingotti (Bissoli, aos 21’/2ºT).
أعلن نادي الدحيل القطري، إتمام تعاقده مع حكيم زياش لاعب فريق جالطة سراي التركي السابق في صفقة انتقال حر خلال الميركاتو الشتوي الجاري.
ومر حكيم زياش بفترة صعبة مع جالطة سراي التركي، بعد فقدانه لـ مكانه في التشكيلة الأساسية للفريق هذا الموسم، وشارك اللاعب في 11 مباراة فقط بمختلف البطولات، لم يسجل خلالها أي هدف وقدم تمريرة حاسمة واحدة.
وأصدر نادي الدحيل بيانًا للإعلان عن الصفقة، قائلاً: “نجحت إدارة نادي الدحيل الرياضي في الحصول على توقيع اللاعب الدولي المغربي حكيم زياش من أجل الانضمام لصفوف الفريق الأول بالنادي بعدما فضل اللاعب العرض المقدم من جانب الدحيل على العروض الأخرى المقدمة له”.
طالع | وزير الرياضة السعودي: محمد صلاح يحقق كل متطلبات دوري روشن.. وضمه شرف
وأضاف: “يعد التعاقد مع اللاعب إضافة قوية إلى الخط الهجومي في الفريق لما يمتلكه من خبرات طويلة بعد مسيرة حافلة من المشاركات مع منتخب بلده بدأها في عام 2015، بالإضافة للعب ضمن صفوف أندية تشيلسي وأياكس وتفينتي وهيرينفين وأخيرًا مع جالطة سراي قبل الانضمام إلى الدحيل”.
واختتم: “إدارة النادي ترحب بالأسد المغربي المخضرم حكيم زياش في صفوف الطوفان وتتمنى له مسيرة رائعة حافلة بالإنجازات مع الفريق بمشيئة الله”.