Former Irons manager David Moyes and ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter are reportedly both ready to take the West Ham job if Julen Lopetegui is sacked.
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Mohamed Salah says Liverpool were "quite good" in their thumping 6-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday.
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Ruben Amorim gained his first win as Manchester United boss on his Old Trafford debut, and the Portuguese coach thanked fans for their support.
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Mithali Raj and batting coach Shiv Sunder Das say as much after failed chase against New Zealand; Das also explains thinking behind dropping Shafali Verma
Annesha Ghosh10-Mar-2022India captain Mithali Raj and batting coach Shiv Sunder Das have pointed to a need for better returns from their top order if they are to “go deep” in the 2022 ODI World Cup. Speaking after India’s botched chase against New Zealand in Hamilton, Das said he believes India can achieve this, given their “batting firepower”.”We thought it was chaseable but provided we had the top order going,” Raj said at her post-match interview after India, chasing 261, were bowled out for 198 in the 47th over. “But back-to-back wickets put a lot of pressure because we didn’t have batter who can take it deep.”India’s 62-run defeat was the second time their weaknesses as a batting unit were exposed. In their opening win against Pakistan in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, lower-order cameos from Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar bailed India out. Against a tactically dominant New Zealand, No. 5 Harmanpreet Kaur’s 71 off 63 seemed an exercise in futility as the required run rate swelled to over seven by the 20th-over mark. To make matters worse, the opposition kept chipping away with intermittent strikes.In both matches, India’s powerplay scoring was a concern. They made 33 for 1 against Pakistan and even fewer against New Zealand: 26 for 2, their lowest since 2017 across 17 ODIs where overs were not reduced. “The top order has to fire,” Das said after the match. “We have the batting firepower to go deep in the tournament.”Tweaking the make-up of their top three didn’t significantly improve their overall performance. World Cup debutant Yastika Bhatia came in for the run-parched Shafali Verma but even then India were scratchy up top.”She got a fair chance for the last seven-eight games and we thought we could [give her] a bit of break,” Das said, when asked about Verma’s exclusion. “She is a talented batter and I hope in this break she gets going and hopefully she comes back stronger in the [next] few games.”Harmanpreet Kaur’s big hits from No. 5 were all but futile after the meandering start to the chase•ICC via Getty Images
The inclusion of Bhatia, who hadn’t opened in ODIs before, and a reluctance to promote any right-handers up to partner Mandhana meant India stacked three left-handers in their top order, with Deepti Sharma retaining her No. 3 spot.”Looking at the top order, once we get going in the first 10-15 overs, we can put up a good score on the board,” Das said, when asked about the lack of variety in the top three. “If you see our top order, I think it’s an experienced top order. With Smriti batting in the top order, we thought we could get some runs from the top order, but maybe we have to think about this decision in the next game.”Bhatia has been one of India’s better performers with the bat leading up to the World Cup, and scored 58 and 42 in the tournament’s warm-ups. But she struggled to get going in the face of tight fields and tighter lines from the in-sync New Zealand. Having scratched her way to 28 off 58, a leading edge off Lea Tahuhu caused Bhatia’s undoing in the 20th over.”You have to give credit to the New Zealand bowlers [for] the way they bowled to her,” Das said. “What we have seen in the practice matches and the [earlier] matches, she is a really good bat and she has the strokes. As top-order batsman, as an opener, she did well and we thought like, no, she would come good. She has played only one game [in the World Cup]. I hope she comes good in the next matches.”India’s struggle wasn’t limited to just the quicks, who shared seven wickets among themselves, with Tahuhu claiming 10-2-17-3. Against offspinner Frances Mackay, who gave away just seven runs from her four overs in the powerplay, they seemed far from comfortable rotating the strike, let alone scoring boundaries. And when the in-form wristspinning allrounder Amelia Kerr joined the party in the 26th over, India’s struggle to read her variations was evident.”We played a whole series against New Zealand and picked up a few variations of her during the matches and we saw a lot of reviews,” Das said about Kerr’s googly, which accounted for Richa Ghosh – a first-ball duck – and tested several others. “I think it’s just a matter of picking the right line and right length. In the few games we played [against New Zealand], she bowled really well to our batters.”Thursday’s result meant India, runners-up at the 2017 ODI World Cup, slumped to the fifth spot on a closely contested table. Undefeated Australia, New Zealand – who now have two wins from three matches – West Indies and South Africa are ahead of them. India play their next game on Saturday, against West Indies, while New Zealand lock horns in a trans-Tasman face-off, against Australia, on Sunday.
Arsenal have had an unusually quiet transfer window so far this summer, at least compared to a year ago.
For example, by this time in 2023, Mikel Arteta had already welcomed Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and even Jurrien Timber to the team, and the North Londoners were incredibly proactive in the market.
However, in their defence, the Euros and Copa América only ended a week ago, and since then, rumours have started heating up. Alongside the likes of Nico Williams and Mikel Merino, Pedro Neto is one of the players most heavily touted for a move to the Emirates.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers star is one of the most exciting wingers in England, and while he'd be a great addition to the team, Arsenal already have a talented winger in the side worth significantly more.
According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal contacted Neto's representatives this month to express interest in securing his services.
The report claims that Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen to land the tricky winger, but his preference is to join the Gunners, in part because of the opportunity to play Champions League football.
However, to get the transfer over the line, the North Londoners will still have to spend a significant sum of money, as the report confirms that the Old Gold would accept offers of around £50m.
That's undoubtedly a lot of money for a player with significant injury problems, but his form on the pitch more than justifies it.
For example, in 24 appearances last season, the 24-year-old scored three goals and provided 11 assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.71 games, which is seriously impressive for a midtable side.
The Portuguese international would be an excellent addition to Arsenal's attack next season, but the club already have a talented winger who's worth even more, and it's not the one you're thinking of.
Yes, the winger in question is not Bukayo Saka, but instead, Gabriel Martinelli, whom Transfermarkt has valued at a massive €70m, which is £59m, or £9m more than Neto's valuation.
Such a price tag would be impressive for any 23-year-old, but it is even more so in this case, considering Arsenal paid just £6m for the left-wing dynamo in 2019.
Since then, the "sensational" Brazilian, as dubbed U23 scout Antonio Mango, has improved dramatically and now has 174 first-team appearances under his belt, with the season before last being his best to date.
|
Martinelli's Arsenal career |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Appearances |
Goals |
Assists |
Goal Involvements per Match |
|
2019/20 |
26 |
10 |
4 |
0.53 |
|
2020/21 |
22 |
2 |
2 |
0.18 |
|
2021/22 |
36 |
6 |
7 |
0.36 |
|
2022/23 |
46 |
15 |
6 |
0.45 |
|
2023/24 |
44 |
8 |
5 |
0.29 |
|
All Stats via Transfermarkt |
||||
In that campaign, he scored 15 goals and provided six assists in 46 appearances, equating to a goal involvement every 2.1 games.
He did take a slight step back last season, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in 44 appearances, but given his age and future potential, he should remain an essential part of the North Londoners' future.
Ultimately, there is no denying that Neto would be a fantastic signing for Arsenal this summer and a player who could help give them that impetus in the big moments.
However, he'll have to hit the ground running and remain fit to surpass Martinelli's valuation, which will likely increase in the coming years.
Their Secret German: Arsenal draw up plans to sign "world-class" Saka rival
The exceptional talent could help the Gunners end their title drought.
By
Jack Salveson Holmes
Jul 18, 2024
Fabio Capello has launched a fiery attack on Italy’s national team after their shocking defeat to Norway, calling out players for their bad attitude.
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Head coach Phil Simmons will take temporary charge of selection responsibilities, along with the team’s captains in the various formats
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Dec-2021Roger Harper’s two-year term as West Indies’ chairman of selectors will be coming to an end on December 31 with the board unwilling to renew his contract. Having taken up the job in late 2019, the teams that Harper selected won five out of 16 Tests, 11 out of 21 ODIs and 14 out of 39 T20Is.Selection became a hot-button topic for West Indies at the recently concluded T20 World Cup, where Jason Holder was not among the original 15-man squad to take part in the tournament. The former captain’s performances in the IPL – 16 wickets at an economy rate of 7.75 – only added to the scrutiny.Named as a reserve player, Holder was eventually brought into the squad after they lost their first two games of the tournament where West Indies went in as defending champions and went out with just one win. Chris Gayle was at the centre of another controversy around selection when he went after Curty Ambrose for suggesting he wasn’t an automatic pick in the West Indies team anymore.CWI will begin looking for a new lead selector in January. Until then, head coach Phil Simmons will take temporary charge of those responsibilities, along with the team’s captains in the various formats. That’s Kraigg Brathwaite for Test cricket and Kieron Pollard for limited-overs assignments. Jimmy Adams, CWI’s Director of Cricket, will oversee the process.”I would like to thank CWI for the opportunity to serve West Indies cricket in the role of lead selector and I wish the organisation the very best for the future,” Harper said. “I would also like to thank all those whose efforts and cooperation helped me to perform my role efficiently.”Miles Bascombe, who served with Harper, has also been terminated.”We want to thank Roger and Miles for their work and dedicated services to West Indies cricket in the last two years, as members of the Men’s Senior Selection Panel,” Adams said. “Selecting West Indies teams for international competition is a very challenging assignment, and both gentlemen performed their roles with transparency and dignity.”
A side different from the usual Australian ones visited India last month
Siddhartha Talya01-Nov-2012The sight of foreign cricketers playing or practising at a ground in India is a matter of curiosity for passers-by. A slip-catching and fielding drill, scattered applause and chirps in a familiar accent had drawn a few spectators outside the perimeter of the MIG Club in Bandra, Mumbai, on a hot day in late October. It was an Australian side but one unlike any other that had visited India before.The Australian National Indigenous Team was in India for its first tour of the country, to play a few matches against local clubs. The experience was of special significance for the squad of players, some of whom were travelling outside Australia for the first time. They were young, confident, proud of their Aboriginal identity, and not discouraged by the past in their pursuit of achievement. Playing cricket for Australia was the ultimate goal, and their conviction that circumstances would not impede their progress came across loud and clear.”We’re the face of indigenous cricket in Australia,” said coach Barry Weare, 31, as we sat on a small bench just under the pavilion, behind the straight boundary. Tapping away at his iPad, scoring each delivery as his side bowled, Weare patiently heard out the inevitable questions about being part of a community whose previous generations had had cause for apprehension, not optimism, about their life in Australia. Was he a victim of discrimination? Are there still institutional barriers to progress? How did he react to the Kevin Rudd apology? Why has Australia only had a couple of Aboriginal cricketers playing international cricket in recent times?In his answers, as with other members of the squad who were interviewed, politics took a back seat to sport. Most of the players were under 23, from cities or from near them, and had been raised in an increasingly multi-cultural environment in which exposure to cricket came easily. Their smooth initiation into the game and subsequent progress to grade level, and initiatives undertaken by Cricket Australia, have given them hope that cricket can be a vehicle for greater integration and recognition.”Overall, Australia is becoming more and more cultural, and we’ve just generally got to be aware of everybody’s culture. That’s the glue, it’s about having that respect,” Weare said. “Sport’s a big one, it brings everyone together. Remember, with the IPL, the scenes between Harbhajan [Singh] and Roy [Andrew Symonds] – when they played in the same team, there was an understanding between those guys.”Weare is a former captain of the indigenous side, toured England in 2001, and is among the few indigenous Level 3 coaches in Australia. He grew up in Cairns, where he picked up the game playing in the backyard, and went on to work with Queensland Cricket for seven years.A majority of the players on the India tour participate in major city competitions in their states. For some, that’s a path to playing first-grade cricket, and eventually of graduating to the first-class level. The squad comprises the best players from the Imparja Cup, the annual Aboriginal tournament in Alice Springs. The competition, which also includes a girls’ component, has three tiers: state, which is where these touring players are drawn from; major townships like Darwin and Alice Springs; and the communities league, which features players mainly from Central Australia and also, recently, from Southern Queensland.According to Australia’s 2006 census, Aborigines make up 2.5% of the country’s population. Most live in regional areas and cities, and 24% were classified as living in “remote” and “very remote” communities. “What we need to do is make sure what we learn here is paid back and spread, and we give the opportunity for other Aboriginal people to play cricket by our guys going out and engaging with people, particularly in the remote communities,” said Aaron Briscoe from Alice Springs, the manager of the side and the oldest member of the touring party.Bhodi Walker, the youngest member of the side, at training•Sebastian Kipman/Cricket AustraliaIn the last decade, only two Australians of Aboriginal descent have played cricket at the international level – Jason Gillespie and Dan Christian. In 2006, the Aboriginal squad that toured England in 1868 was officially acknowledged as the first to represent Australia in any sporting code but cricketing role models for the community have been few thus far. Australian Rules Football and the rugby codes have drawn more Aboriginal players.”The tradition for cricket among Aboriginals has been quite strong, but in a less formal way,” Briscoe said. “There is not the step up to the High Performance level. There are lots of players who play grade cricket and community cricket, but we haven’t necessarily provided the right sort of environment to expose and encourage young Aboriginal men to come and play at that level. But we’re working on the structure and support mechanisms to ensure they do get the opportunity.”Among the squad members, the captain, Josh Lalor has played first-class and List A cricket for New South Wales, and a game for Sydney Sixers, and vice-captain D’Arcy Short has had a Ryobi Cup game with Western Australia. “If someone asked them, they would describe themselves as of Aboriginal descent,” Briscoe said of the touring players. “I don’t think they carry the ghosts of 1868 on their shoulders. They play cricket because they enjoy it.”They also happen to be Aboriginal people who can contribute to the development of indigenous cricket at the national and state level. The more people we get, the more likely it is that we’ll get an increasing critical mass.”Their roots are a matter of pride for the players, and their desire to give back to the community strong. John Green, 30, and the oldest of the players, grew up in Melbourne, idolised Curtly Ambrose and Glenn McGrath. He said the subject of his identity was not discussed much at home. “It was kept pretty low on my side,” he said. “I’ve just started realising a bit of my background now. Just knowing that I’d got a lot of family out there I didn’t even know.” Green works with the Aboriginal Health Service, looking after elders. “I hear a lot of stories, and it’s just really hard for a lot of them, what they went through.”The most pleasantly talkative of the lot was also among the youngest. Dylan Fuller, 17, is from Darwin but studies at boarding school in Adelaide. His mother, with whom he occasionally talks in her native tongue, is from one of the remote communities around Katherine, 380km from Darwin.”There’s a lot of indigenous guys who play cricket, and I love it, so no one can stop me,” Fuller said. “There [were] a lot of other indigenous boys [at boarding school], so we just have that connection once we’ve met. We just feel like we’re brothers, but I hang out with just everyone, really.”That didn’t mean racism was absent. “You, kind of, like, hear at the footy and cricket – Aboriginals playing the game get stuff like that over the fence towards their race,” said one of the players, but added: “It’s starting to stop, which is really good.”Relations between Aboriginal people and the state, and the various burning issues around racial divisions do not seem to be major points of discussion for these players, even among themselves, given their own relatively comfortable and integrated upbringing in Australia. However, their playing cricket could help draw attention to problems affecting many in the community. “I don’t want to overstate it but there is still a level of institutional barriers that limit Aboriginal people from participating in the sort of activities they want to participate in,” said Briscoe.”Aboriginal people, and the broader Australian community, need to help all Australians understand what it is to be an Aboriginal person, why it is that there are disadvantages, and why it is that there are support programmes to increase the level of their participation in education, the legal system, and the everyday working environment. [When] you get young kids like this playing grade cricket, mainstream Australians get to ask questions about the hot-topic issues for Aboriginal people, which they might not have done before.”The squad•Sebastian Kipman/Cricket AustraliaThis tour was a part of an initiative by CA, which sends an indigenous side overseas each year. It travelled to England in 2009, Papua New Guinea the year after, and to India this year. Four members of the squad had been to India before on scholarships, as part of a working arrangement between CA and the Mumbai-based Global Cricket School. This tour ultimately developed in partnership with the Australian government and became part of the launch of OzFest, a four-month-long cultural festival covering 18 Indian towns and cities.The trip, which also involved some games in Pune, included a visit to Asia’s largest slum, Dharavi, in Mumbai. Many players described the experience as an eye-opener; others compared the circumstances to those of the disadvantaged Aboriginal population back home. Exclamations of to some of their Indian hosts revealed some of them had watched , and the team participated in a and dance performance.There was much learnt. “One of our boys got his bats stolen the other day, in Pune,” Briscoe said. “He’s had to regroup, think about what he’s got to do, organise new bats and get on with his batting. That is a challenge and he’s moved on, and I’m proud of the way he’s dealt with the situation.”Tours such as these encourage greater bonding among players, the youngest of whom in this case is 16, but just as invaluable is the mentorship from a professional support staff. “Some players don’t care about how much you know but how much you care,” Weare said. “For me, it’s about knowing each and every one of these players. I’ve sat down and had a coffee or a drink with them over the past week or two, and spent a long time getting to know them, just so that they trust me and I can get a way in to know what they’re thinking and how they operate.”For the record, the side won three of its five games in India. The players will scatter across Australia upon their return and play in the Imparja Cup in February 2013. To have been part of a flagship squad for Aboriginal players is bound to have been a special experience. Short, Fuller and Lalor could possibly be among those to follow the lead of Gillespie and Christian and break into the Australia side. There’s no shortage of confidence among these players that merit, not their identity, will determine the path their cricketing careers take.
Pakistan’s bowlers plugged away on a docile surface with Shaheen Shah Afridi causing some problems
Tristan Lavalette07-Mar-2022Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith frustratingly missed out on centuries, but Australia continued their strong batting response against a toiling Pakistan during a truncated day four as the first Test moved closer to an inevitable draw on a flat Rawalpindi pitch.In reply to Pakistan’s massive first innings of 476 for 4, Australia reached stumps at 449 for 7 with Mitchell Starc on 12 not out and skipper Pat Cummins unbeaten on 4 to trail by just 27 runs amid this ongoing stalemate.An under-pressure Australia mustered an impressive batting effort even though their top-order missed out on centuries in the first series between the teams in Pakistan since 1998. Labuschagne (90) and Smith (78) – along with Usman Khawaja (97) and David Warner (68) on day three – left hundreds on the table amid barren conditions for bowlers.Even though they missed out, it was the first time Australia’s top four had all made half-centuries in an overseas Test since 2008 in Delhi. In-form No.5 Travis Head, who showcased outrageous aggression during the Ashes, was the first batter in the match unable to reach double figures after making just 8.After a patchy performance on day three, Pakistan bowled with more discipline led by quick Shaheen Shah Afridi, who lifted their sagging spirits with the key wicket of Labuschagne in the middle session amid speeds nudging 145kph/90mph. He continued to bend his back just before stumps, unleashing menacing yorkers to no avail as the sting came out of the contest.An energetic Shaheen, the standout quick in the match, had 1 for 80 off 28 overs in an encouraging display for a shorthanded Pakistan attack.Cameron Green played some pleasing songs•AFP/Getty Images
Shaheen aside, much like Australia’s workmanlike bowlers during the opening two days, Pakistan’s attack has not been able to penetrate consistently on a pitch set for criticism unless something miraculous is conjured on the final day.In batting-friendly conditions, as he held together Australia’s inexperienced middle-order, Smith was on a mission eyeing just his second ton in his last 16 Tests. He wound back the clock with unwavering concentration in a bid to end Australia’s century jinx in the innings.Smith, who averaged 30 in the Ashes, had sucked the life out of Pakistan who resorted to quick Naseem Shah bowling relentless short-pitched deliveries after tea. Underlining their helplessness, left-arm spinner Nauman Ali bowled a negative line outside leg stump, but the defensive ploy did the trick.Play was sleepwalking until No. 6 Cameron Green, who had displayed great maturity in his first Test innings away from home, was lured by Nauman into a sweep shot only to top edge to short fine leg. It ended a watchful 48 off 109 balls from the emerging allrounder who helped steady Australia after a couple of wickets in the middle session.In a shock, as he seemed a dead set certainty to cross triple figures, Smith gloved an attempted sweep off Nauman to end his 196-ball vigil and continue his century drought. The vice-captain was livid and muttered to himself in disgust as he trudged off the field.But Smith’s dismissal didn’t spark the match into life although Alex Carey – coming off a troubled performance behind the stumps – fell for 19 just before bad light ended play three overs before scheduled stumps.Even though the ground was bathed in sunshine, the morning session was wiped out after heavy rain overnight lashed Rawalpindi causing wet patches on the field, including on one of the bowlers’ run-ups, reducing the day’s play to a scheduled 67 overs.Pakistan were hoping the sedate pitch may have spiced up after a lengthy stint under cover but it was much the same on resumption with spinners Nauman and Sajid Khan unable to conjure much excitement.Combining for their sixth Test century partnership, Labuschagne and Smith were set for the long haul as Australia eyed reeling in Pakistan’s big first innings total. Labuschagne, who looked in sublime touch late on day three, added 21 runs to his overnight total before falling short of a ton in just his seventh Test away from Australia.In what proved to be arguably the best passage of the day’s play, Shaheen was engaged in an absorbing battle with the bubble-gum chewing Labuschagne who ruthlessly picked off boundaries. But Shaheen had the last laugh when he enticed a loose drive from around the wicket, forcing Labuschagne into edging to a diving Abdullah Shafique at first slip.In a recurring theme for the tourists, Labuschagne couldn’t quite believe he had missed out on a century but Australia did enough to move towards parity and inch this historic series-opener towards the predictability of a stale draw.
After completing a memorable two-wicket win against South Africa to qualify for the quarter-finals, Namibia seek to go a step ahead
Mohammad Isam01-Feb-2016A day after their monumental two-wicket win over South Africa, the Namibia Under-19 players appeared a happy lot in Cox’s Bazar. During a serious training session, there were plenty of smiles, but Namibia’s soft-spoken captain Zane Green said they would reserve celebrations for the end of their World cup campaign and were focused on their final group game, against Bangladesh on Tuesday.”We will wait for the celebrations after the tournament,” Green said. “Right now we are focused on the game tomorrow. We saw yesterday that anything is possible. We believe in ourselves that we can beat any team. We went into the game to win. So I think we worked hard for it and stayed positive.”The World Cup so far has been very exciting. It is the first time in Namibia cricket history that we made it to the quarter-final. After the game, we received lots of messages from home. During our chase, I think we clapped for every run and ball. We were supporting them from the dressing room. I think we play well as a team; play for one another. I think our team spirit is what takes us through.”Namibia’s coach Norbert Manyande said they want to push to be group champions. “Bangladesh is not a favorite in any way. We are ahead in the net run-rate,” he said. “They are a Test-playing nation which is why they are favourites. But tomorrow both teams are equal; there’s no favourite.”We will definitely want to finish as group champions. We know what’s awaiting us. We didn’t play against this Bangladesh team but we played against them in 2014 World Cup. We are quite confident, having won the first two matches in this tournament. Bangladesh are obviously used to the conditions but if we play the same way, I don’t see why we can’t win.”We want to prove that yesterday’s win wasn’t a fluke. We want to go as far as possible in this tournament. We knew that we could surprise a few teams, and we have shown it.”It is not a surprise that team unity is Namibia’s strength. They have played together from the Under-13 level. Namibia’s manager Andre Schmidlin displayed a photo of Niko Davin holding a bat and ball in front of his house, possibly at the age of three. Knowing what the photo was of, Davin shyly walked away to his team-mates, who were enjoying a mid-morning snack at the end of their practice session.Davin’s attraction to cricket began at an early age and he prefers playing cricket despite representing Namibia’s rugby teams at the U-16 and U-18 levels. He is a scrum half in rugby, but opened the batting and bowled legspin against South Africa.”I started rugby at the age of seven. I got into U-16 and U-18 Namibia team. I also play sevens for Namibia. Last year I broke my ankle playing rugby so I will probably choose cricket. Rugby is more popular in our country but I will choose cricket, it has more exposure. I love cricket more.”Another player who plays rugby as an inside centre is Chrischen Olivier, taller than Davin. He, however, is not sure whether his future is in cricket or rugby. “I like both sports the same. I have to choose, I am not sure yet,” he said. “In the winter is rugby, in summer it is cricket. So lucky the seasons don’t clash.”But as Davin said, they call each other “brothers”, and having achieved their maiden quarter-final place in the Under-19 World Cup, perhaps Olivier will choose cricket.