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Sunderland: Mowbray must unleash his teenage "animal"

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Sunderland return to action after the international break in the Championship this afternoon as they travel to Loftus Road to take on Queens Park Rangers.

What was Sunderland's last result?

The Black Cats head into today's game off the back of an emphatic 5-0 win against recently relegated Southampton at the Stadium of Light.

Tony Mowbray's outfit swept the Saints aside with relative ease as they produced a phenomenal and clinical performance on Wearside to secure all three points in style.

Jack Clarke opened the scoring with a well-timed run and header within the opening minute of the match and a double from midfielder Pierre Ekwah, with both goals coming from distance, put the team 3-0 up at half-time.

Bradley Dack pounced from close range and Chris Rigg headed past Gavin Bazunu to finish off the scoring during the second 45 to wrap up the 5-0 victory over Russell Martin's Southampton.

That result left Sunderland ninth in the Championship table after two wins, one draw, and two defeats from their first five matches of the campaign.

What's the latest Sunderland team news?

Mason Burstow and Adil Aouchiche are both available for selection after their deadline day moves to the club, although it remains to be seen if Nazariy Rusyn's visa has arrived in time for him to feature.

Aji Alese and Eliezer Mayenda are both back out on the grass but Mowbray has confirmed that they will not be in contention to play this weekend, whilst Jay Matete and Corry Evans are both set to be out until the festive period as they continue to recover from long-term injuries.

The absences in the midfield area of the pitch could open up the door for 16-year-old talent Chris Rigg to gain more first-team experience and the head coach should unleash him from the start today.

Will Chris Rigg start against QPR?

Mowbray should bring the teenage sensation in for his first-ever Championship start as a reward for his excellent performances so far this season.

Rigg was afforded the chance to start a first-team match for the first time in his career last month as the ex-Blackburn Rovers manager selected him in the starting XI for the EFL Cup clash with Crewe.

Sunderland ultimately lost on penalties to the League Two outfit but that should not be a slight on the 16-year-old dynamo as his display in the middle of the park was superb.

The England youth international produced a fantastic all-round performance in midfield as he showcased his qualities in and out of possession for the Black Cats, despite his young age.

Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg.

As per Sofascore, Rigg won 60% (6/10) of his duels and made two tackles to go along with one clearance. He also completed both of his attempted dribbles and 91% of his attempted passes, two of which resulted in chances being created for his teammates.

The talented ace, who scored Sunderland's equaliser to send the game to penalties, was handed a Sofascore rating of 8.2 for his display, which was the second-highest score on the pitch behind Alex Pritchard's 9.0 rating.

Mowbray rewarded the excellent youngster with a cameo off the bench against Southampton last time out and the 16-year-old hotshot made the most of his opportunity with a fantastic leap and header to find the bottom corner after some superb wing play from Jewison Bennette on the left flank.

Rigg recorded a Sofascore rating of 7.3 for his eight-minute goalscoring showing against the Saints and these statistics show that the versatile gem, who can play in a variety of midfield roles or out wide on the right, has the potential to offer a big attacking threat for the club.

The former England U16 captain could also provide a creative presence in the middle of the park as he has registered four assists in 15 U18 matches for the Black Cats to date.

He showed glimpses of his creativity with his aforementioned two key passes against Crewe and this suggests that the academy graduate could be an exciting player for supporters to watch against QPR this afternoon, as he has the ability to score and assist goals.

Who could Rigg replace?

Mowbray could bring Rigg in to replace French dynamo Abdoullah Ba, who started on the right of the attacking midfield trident against Southampton, today.

However, this is not a necessary change borne out of poor performances from the 20-year-old ace. In fact, the former Le Havre prospect registered an assist against the Saints and has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.97 across four Championship appearances this term.

Rigg, on the other hand, has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.75 across his two first-team outings in all competitions this term and has scored two goals to go along with two chances created.

Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg.

Whereas, Ba has failed to score a single goal and has provided his teammates with five key passes in five games in all competitions for the Black Cats.

These statistics suggest that they both offer a similar level of creativity but Rigg's average performance level and goalscoring threat could be greater than the French ace's if Mowbray offers him the chance to play regular senior football over the weeks and months to come.

Rigg, who Mowbray once hailed as an "animal" with a "wonderful" left foot, has taken his opportunities so far this season and now deserves to be rewarded with the next step in his development – a senior league start.

The exceptional teenager excelled against Crewe in the EFL Cup after being named in the starting XI and grasped his chance to find the back of the net off the bench against Southampton earlier this month, which shows that he has the ability and physicality to compete at first-team level in spite of his age.

Therefore, the Black Cats head coach must now see whether or not the English whiz has what it takes to deliver consistent quality over the course of an entire Championship match, starting today against QPR at Loftus Road.

So it is time for Ba to move over to the bench, or another position in the attack, for this clash in order to provide Rigg with the chance for him to prove himself after some impressive displays so far this season.

Axed Akmal's Lahore Qalandars future in doubt

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

It is understood that the batsman has not even been travelling to the stadium ever since he was dropped from the side following a poor run in the tournament

Umar Farooq16-Mar-20181:46

The ups and downs of Umar Akmal

Umar Akmal’s future with Lahore Qalandars is increasingly uncertain after a troubled campaign for the team and batsman. Six losses in nine games have left Lahore firmly rooted to the bottom of the table and Akmal’s poor form – and familiar questions about his attitude – have seen left him out of the squad. ESPNcricinfo understands that he has not even been travelling to the stadium with the side anymore. Regardless, as per the contract he has with the franchise, he will take home USD 160,000 at the end of the season.That represents some fall for a player who lit up the league in its inaugural season, finishing as top scorer in 2016, making 335 runs at 83.75. He was less successful last season but was retained by Lahore and was always thought to be an important part of the side.But after making just 57 runs in five games in the ongoing season he was dropped, the trouble beginning with a bizarre run-out during the group stage match against Peshawar Zalmi. Since his axing, he has been attending training sessions at the ICC academy.The decision to drop Akmal, ESPNCricinfo understands, was a unanimous one, with team owners, managers, coaching staff and captain all on board. It is also understood that an upset Akmal has responded by sending angry messages to the team owners complaining about the captain Brendon McCullum talking to the media about him.”Umar is a complicated guy and we all know he has well-documented troubles throughout his career,” McCullum told ESPNcricinfo. “But he is incredibly talented and he has done special things in his career and if his career has to finish now, I think it’s fair to say that he has underachieved.”I think it’s a hard message and sometimes you need that, because as a cricketer you need to be honest with yourself and you need those who are prepared to be honest with you.”This is not the first time Akmal has had a fallout with his team – it follows the pattern of his ouster from the Pakistan side. Last year his career took a major hit after the PCB had omitted him from the list of 35 centrally contracted players. He was the most notable omission, with his fitness having been a major concern.He was then involved in a very public spat with national head coach Mickey Arthur, which subsequently led to the PCB slapping a three-game ban on him during domestic season and a fine of PKR 1 million. Besides that, the PCB also revoked all No-Objection Certificates issued to him for participation in overseas tournaments for two months, forcing him to miss the Bangladesh Premier League.Having dropped Akmal, Lahore brought in overseas player Anton Devcich, who smacked a 42-ball 62, albeit in a losing cause, during the match against Islamabad United.”We did not do it purely based on his performance,” said Aaqib Javed, Lahore’s head coach. “As a senior player there is a responsibility but when you are not able to deliver in five games then, as a team, you start thinking of trying something new before it is too late.”We still had chance and we wanted to try our second options. Then we played our sixth match only to score our highest total in the tournament. We then went on to win our next three games. So now getting him back at this stage is difficult because the youngsters you trusted have delivered, it’s unfair if they don’t get more chances.Aaqib also said that it was the management’s concern to look after and support an out-of-form senior player.”We haven’t deserted him but we have allowed him to take a back seat and relax and think,” he said. “He has a full career ahead of him and it’s not the end of the road. He is a good player, and everyone has their ups and downs, but all you need is to show character and push yourself. He can do it and we expect him to do it.”

Arjuna Ranatunga out on bail after shooting incident

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

The former captain said his security detail had discharged their weapons in order to protect him from a mob that was intent on killing him

Andrew Fidel Fernando29-Oct-2018Former captain Arjuna Ranatunga was arrested after he was involved in a shooting that killed one and injured two others in Colombo on Sunday, during Sri Lanka’s unfolding political crisis. He has since been swiftly produced before the Colombo magistrate, and was subsequently released on bail.Ranatunga had said his security detail had discharged their weapons in order to protect him from a mob that was intent on killing him, at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) offices. He had to be extracted later from the premises by Special Task Force – elite police – officers.But after almost 24 hours of pressure from a CPC trade union, which had threatened a fuel strike, Ranatunga was arrested on Monday afternoon.Ranatunga, who was the country’s Minister for the Development of Petroleum Resources, said he was attempting to retrieve belongings from the CPC offices, when it was surrounded by a mob aligned with the opposite political party. “They came to kill me – I state this responsibly – and you can check the CCTV footage,” Ranatunga said following the clash. “For the first time, I feared for my life. I thought of my children and my family.”After Ranatunga was dressed in a helmet and camouflage, and escorted from the premises by the Special Task Force, dozens of regular police were deployed in order to pacify a still-agitated crowd.The three wounded had been taken to hospital but the news of one of the men, aged 34, succumbing to his injuries prompted a demand over Ranatunga’s arrest from the trade union.Ranatunga first stood for office in 2001, and has held various cabinet portfolios since. He is a member of the United National Party, whose leader, Ranil Wickramasinghe, is in the midst of the ongoing political wrangle.

£8.5m "true leader" now "open to" leaving his club with Sunderland keen

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

A “true leader” is now open to leaving his club this summer, with Sunderland currently “exploring a move”, journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed.

Black Cats in strong position to avoid the drop

After spending eight years outside the top flight, it will be a tall order for the Black Cats to avoid relegation in their first season back in the Premier League, but former Everton chief Keith Wyness believes they are in a good position to do so.

Wyness said: “I love what Sunderland are doing and they’re not going to make my bottom six for next year. They’re actually one of the only clubs promoted that I think have a great chance of staying up.

“Now I was speaking to somebody that I consider to be one of the very top agents in the game yesterday, who said watch out for Diarra at Sunderland, the signing they’ve got from Strasbourg. He thinks he’s going to be a revelation next year.”

More exciting than Xhaka: Sunderland make contact to sign £34m star on loan

Sunderland could seal a deal even more exciting than Granit Xhaka returning to the Premier League with this world-class capture.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 17, 2025

Regis Le Bris’ side did a fantastic job winning the race for Habib Diarra, given that fellow newly-promoted side Leeds United were also keen, but it may be a good idea to bring in another central midfielder, in light of Jobe Bellingham’s departure.

It was recently revealed that Sunderland have opened talks over a potential move for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka, which could amount to £8.5m, and there has now been a further update on the maestro’s future.

Taking to X, Jacobs revealed the Black Cats are still “exploring a move” for Xhaka, but they could face competition from Saudi Pro League side NEOM SC.

Bayer Leverkusen's Emiliano Buendia celebrates scoring their second goal with GranitXhaka

The reporter also added the midfielder is “open to an exit” this summer, despite still having three years remaining on his Bayer Leverkusen deal, potentially opening the door for a move to the Stadium of Light.

"True leader" Xhaka could be ideal signing for Sunderland

It may be a cliché, but it is true that teams need to have leaders in the dressing room if they are to achieve success, and the Leverkusen midfielder certainly fits the bill in that regard.

Former manager Xabi Alonso praised the impact the Switzerland international had at Leverkusen both in the dressing room and on the pitch saying: “When we had a chance to start with Granit, we had no doubts because of his personality, his qualities, what he delivers, not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well,”

“He’s a true leader… He has made us a better team, a much more mature team.”

Crucially, the former Arsenal man also has a great deal of Premier League experience, having made 225 appearances in the competition for the Gunners, meaning he could be an ideal signing for a Sunderland side aiming to avoid the drop.

В Steam можно бесплатно скачать одну из лучших стратегий про средневековье с рейтингом 92%

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

В одной из лучших средневековых стратегий Crusader Kings 3 стартовали бесплатные выходные. Сыграть в неё может любой пользователь Steam до 12 сентября 20:00 (МСК). Сейчас игра продаётся со скидкой за 744 рубля.

Акцию приурочили к выходу дополнения Friends & Foes, которое разнообразит повседневную жизнь правителя. DLC добавляет в игру «сотни историй о детстве, заклятых врагах, строптивых сыновьях и бурных романах».

Crusader Kings 3 геймерам предстоит управлять целой династией правителей выбранного государства. Возможности игрока безграничны: можно захватывать земли, вступать в брак, воспитывать наследника, вести интриги, заниматься дипломатией и торговлей, соблазнять, предавать и даже казнить исторических личностей. Одна из главных особенности игры — живой мир, наполненный тысячами динамических событий, влияющих на судьбы персонажей.

В Steam Crusader Kings 3 получила более 50 тысяч отзывов, 92% из которых — положительные. Критики тоже остались в восторге от стратегии — игра набрала 91/100 баллов на Metacritic, став одним из лучших проектов 2020 года.

Ранее в Steam началась распродажа издателя Focus Entertainment.

Следить за халявой и скидками на игры можно в нашем Telegram-канале.

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    'A masterclass in death bowling'

    by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

    The cricketing world reacts to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s stunning win over Royal Challengers Bangalore

    ESPNcricinfo staff08-May-2018

    Two men, a painting and tales of the past

    by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

    How a return to Newlands was a big moment of redemption for two 60-something friends

    Sidharth Monga in Cape Town03-Jan-2018Two men in their late 60s walk into Newlands Stadium early on Wednesday morning, and set up a camera and canvas. Envar Larney, a renowned impressionist painter, sets out to paint the stadium, Table Mountain included, over the next six-seven hours. Neil Frye, his friend and a producer, sets up his camera to film and photograph the process. This is a big moment of redemption for these two men.As a kid, Larney, of coloured descent, once came to Newlands and had to sit in the coloured section. He decided he was not going to come back again, and eventually exiled himself from the country. Frye, his white friend who moved to Cape Town from Port Elizabeth at a young age, exiled himself because he didn’t want to join the illegal war on Angola in 1975.Since then, Frye found it tough to settle down in another country because of the restrictions against South Africa, and came back to his home country in the 1980s. Larney has never become a South African again, but in the post-Apartheid era he has come again and again, and painted the stunning scenery of South Africa.His “through-the-magic-window” style is not that big on detail as it is on an abstract impression of what he sees over the course of the day. By the time he reaches the final stages of his work, Larney has added an abstract impression of the South African huddle, with the team having started training at 2.30pm.The two are discussing how nice it would be if it turned cloudy because he won’t add to the painting what doesn’t exist. That is something for a man whom reality hurt badly when he was little.Frye had to fight his own battles. He went to the first army training in 1971, but left nine months later. He came back two years later, fell in love with his best friend’s sister, who lived next door, but had to then split in 1975 because of the Angola war. Those were terrible times for South Africans: Larney, who studied arts at the University of Cape Town, had a choice: either face persecution or stop being a South African, and Frye was forced to come back despite marrying in England because it was just not easy for him to live in a new country.Frye remembers amusing stories, too, of white and coloured folk trying to be friends. Larney once happened to go to a whites-only job, and had the officers trying to remove him. Another friend of theirs, David Brown, another white person, then intervened: “You better watch out; this is the son of the Spanish ambassador. He does not speak a word of English, but if you say one thing to him, forget about your job.”Frye also remembers hiding under blankets in the back of the cars to enter coloured neighbourhoods to hang out with his friends. It wasn’t easy for the conscientious white folk either. “A lot of my friends here were on both sides of the colour lines,” Frye says. “Some of them were persecuted, like sleep deprivation for weeks, you could die of that. Because they refused to go to war.”As a kid Frye remembers he used to sit next to the coloured section at Newlands because their comments were funny compared to the “stiff-upper-lipped” white crowds. Larney, though, had to do without cricket in his home city, but he fell in love with cricket nonetheless. And now he is back to Newlands, his “holy grail”, on an invite from CSA, to paint it and put it up for exhibition on day one of the Test against India.That is a great moment for these friends. As sweet as the one Frye encountered and taped on video when England came here last. “The Barmy Army and the South African equivalent of that went at each other,” Frye says. “The Barmy Army sang ‘Moeeni, Moeeni Moeeni, Moeeni’, and the South Africans went ‘Hashim, Hashim, Hashim, Hashim.'”Here you have an English Barmy Army singing and praising a Muslim who is English, and the South Africans right next to them – and they are predominantly white – chanting for another Muslim who is South African. That to me was quite fantastic. It gives one hope. You realise that as human beings, what we really want to do is enjoy ourselves.”

    Root double-century keeps England on top

    by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

    ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jul-2016… and soon brought up his 150, his fifth in Test cricket•Getty ImagesHe was congratulated by his partner, Chris Woakes …•Getty Images… who uppercut a six over third man en route to his own half-century•Getty ImagesIt was Woakes’ second fifty in three Tests of a breakthrough summer•Getty ImagesBut on 58, he became Yasir Shah’s first wicket in 39 overs of hard toil•AFPBen Stokes batted with a measure of restraint in his first innings since injury•AFPBut he was unimpressed to be adjudged caught behind by DRS for 34•Getty ImagesJonny Bairstow survived a dropped catch by Sarfraz Ahmed, on 9•Getty ImagesRoot, however, powered on to his second Test double-hundred•Getty ImagesHe brought up his double-hundred with a reverse sweep for four•Getty ImagesIt was his highest Test score to date, beating his 200 not out against Sri Lanka in 2014•Getty ImagesHe eventually fell for 254 and was congratulated as he left by Misbah-ul-Haq …•AFP… and Yasir Shah as well•AFPHe departed the field to a standing ovation•Getty ImagesIn reply, Woakes made England’s first incision with the wicket of Mohammad Hafeez•Getty ImagesThen snaffled Azhar Ali with a high catch in his followthrough•Getty ImagesBen Stokes chipped in with the vital scalp of Younis Khan for 1•Getty ImagesWoakes claimed his third when the nightwatchman Rahat Ali was caught at short leg•Getty ImagesShan Masood battled to the close for a brave 30 not out•Getty Images

    فيديو | تحية حارة لـ جوتا خلال مباراة ليفربول وأتلتيك بلباو.. وهكذا تفاعل محمد صلاح

    by h79snht.top Uncategorized

    ظهر النجم المصري محمد صلاح في حالة تأثر خلال مباراة فريقي ليفربول وأتلتيك بلباو، الجارية حاليًا، في إطار الاستعدادات الخاصة للموسم الجديد 2025/26.

    ويستضيف ملعب “الأنفيلد” في الوقت الحالي، المباراة الودية الثانية بين فريقي ليفربول وأتلتيك بلباو، حيث سبقها لقاء ودي آخر انتهى بفوز الريدز بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدف.

    وتوقفت المباراة في الدقيقة العشرين من عمر الشوط الأول، تحية لنجم فريق ليفربول الراحل، ديوجو جوتا، كنوع من التكريم له ولشقيقه، بعدما توفيا في حادث سير مروع الشهر الماضي.

    كانت الأوساط الرياضية قد تلقت خبرًا مفجعًا، صباح يوم الخميس 3 يوليو الماضي، بوفاة ديوجو جوتا وشقيقه، في حادث مروع في إسبانيا.

    وقرر ليفربول إثر ذلك الحادث المفجع، حجب الرقم 20 إلى الأبد، والذي كان يحمله جوتا، ليس فقط على مستوى الفريق الأول لكرة القدم للرجال، بل الشباب، الأكاديمية والسيدات كذلك.

    وبمجرد الوصول إلى الدقيقة 20 في المباراة الجارية حاليًا بين ليفربول وأتلتيك بلباو، توقف اللقاء وسط تحية وتصفيق حار، مشوبًا بالحزن، من قِبل جماهير ولاعبي الفريقين.

    ومن ضمن اللاعبين الذين ظهروا متأثرين خلال لحظة تكريم جوتا، في الدقيقة 20، كان النجم المصري محمد صلاح، الذي وجه كلمات الرثاء والنعي للبرتغالي بعد يوم من وفاته. محمد صلاح يصفق ويحيي الراحل جوتا في مباراة ليفربول وأتلتيك بلباو

    Renshaw pushes Ashes claims by dominating opening day against New Zealand A

    by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

    The opener was in sight of a century on a day reduced to 44 overs by rain and bad light

    Andrew McGlashan01-Apr-2023Matt Renshaw made a bid for a place in Australia’s Ashes squad as he dominated a shortened opening day of the first four-day match against New Zealand A in Lincoln with an unbeaten 92.Renshaw, the most experienced batter in the Australia A squad, does not have a county deal like others vying for a tour spot so these two matches are valuable to him after a difficult tour of India where he missed out three times batting in the middle order, albeit in conditions a world away from what will be on offer in England.”Really strange times at the moment for me,” he said. “I feel like I haven’t had much of a bat since the end of the Shield season. I had BBL, which was quite successful at the end. It feels really strange saying four months was four bats, but that’s the way cricket can be. It was nice to be back in the middle and enjoying batting.”Though he batted in the middle order in India, where he was preferred to Travis Head in the first Test before being David Warner’s concussion sub in the second, he is viewed as an opening option when a vacancy arrives, which could be sooner rather than later depending on Warner’s form. The first phase of Renshaw’s Test career came as an opener and this season he returned to that role for Queensland after a period in the middle order.Renshaw, who survived a big appeal for a catch down the leg side on 17, became increasingly dominant as his innings developed. He hurried into the 80s as he took on a short-pitched attack from Scott Kuggeleijn, which brought 18 off an over including a top-edged six, then collected consecutive boundaries off left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel.Related

    Aussies overseas: IPL and county cricket amid Ashes build-up

    Spencer Johnson on Ashes radar after being named in Australia A squad

    Renshaw's chance to push Ashes claims, eyes also on Hardie in New Zealand

    The South Island of New Zealand in early autumn could also hardly be more removed from Nagpur and Delhi. With a further eye on conditions which are likely to prevail in the UK for the World Test Championship final against India then the Ashes these two matches are being played with the Dukes ball.The New Zealand A bowlers did not find much joy with it on an opening day truncated to 44 overs after the first session was washed out then lengthening shadows took the players off for bad light.”The pitch is really similar to what you would expect over in England, so it’s a really nice challenge for us over here,” Renshaw said. “Losing the toss and batting is a really good opportunity to test yourself on these wickets.”After being in India for six weeks facing an SG [ball] on wickets that don’t bounce, it was a nice change and challenge coming over here.”Should Renshaw reach three figures on the second day it will mean he has effectively made consecutive centuries for Australia A after the one he scored for the Prime Minister’s XI against West Indies in Canberra last November. He returned to the Test side at the SCG in January only to be positive for Covid-19 on the opening day then see his chances of a proper innings hit by the weather.The only wicket to fall was that of 18-year-old Teague Wyllie, the Western Australia batter, who opened for the first time in his first-class career. He did not entirely settle against the new ball before cutting Kuggeleijn into backward point.Tim Ward accompanied Renshaw in what became a second-wicket stand worth 113 during the rest of the day. He, too, was tested by the short delivery but more often than not opted to avoid rather than take the ball on.

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