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James Anderson and Stuart Broad have been ruled out of action for the rest of the season due to injury

George Dobell27-Aug-2016

James Anderson and Stuart Broad have been ruled out of action for the rest of the season due to injury.While neither man was named in the England limited-overs squads, both had hopes of playing county cricket with a view to helping their teams, Lancashire and Nottinghamshire respectively, avoid relegation in the County Championship.A statement released by the ECB explained that “Anderson requires ongoing rehabilitation of his right shoulder and Broad, who last played in the NatWest T20 Finals Day for Nottinghamshire last week, is recovering from an ankle problem.”The news will come as a blow to both clubs. Nottinghamshire are currently bottom of the Division One table, 35 points beneath Durham, who are in seventh position (with a game in hand). Lancashire are sixth but, having won three of their first five games, have not won any of their last eight Championship matches in a run that extends back to May. The teams placed eighth and ninth will be relegated.”Both players have managed their injuries through the summer,” the ECB statement continued. “A break from cricket is needed to best prepare the Test opening bowling pair for England’s winter campaign that begins this October in Bangladesh.”The ECB also announced that Jonny Bairstow was to be released from the ODI squad to play for Yorkshire in Sunday’s Royal London semi-final against Surrey. David Willey, who has a hand injury, is not deemed to be fit enough to play.

Somerset failed in their concerted bid to beat Yorkshire on the final day of their Specsavers’ County Championship game at the County Ground, Taunton

ECB Reporters Network18-May-2016
ScorecardTim Groenewald gave Somerset a chance of victory•Getty ImagesSomerset failed in their concerted bid to beat Yorkshire on the final day of their Specsavers’ County Championship game at the County Ground, Taunton.Despite dominating the game for the majority of the four days, Chris Rogers’ side came up short in the final session as Yorkshire held on to their unbeaten start to the Division One campaign. However, the loss of 19 overs in the day, to rain, might just have been the difference between winning for the first time this season, and yet another drawn gameResuming their first innings on 306 for 9, Yorkshire were quickly bowled out for 311 when Jamie Overton bowled Steven Patterson for 32. It might have been an early setback, but Patterson and Jack Brooks had certainly done their bit for the cause. In adding 74 for the 10th wicket, the pair had not only taken up valuable time, but had added valuable runs too.Somerset, as expected, enforced the follow-on and bowled particularly well with the new ball.Bowling coach Jason Kerr had highlighted the need for early wickets, at the end of day three, and though Adam Lyth and Alex Lees batted with due care and attention, prior to lunch, the afternoon session brought its reward.Bowling ‘not good enough’ – Gillespie

Yorkshire head coach Jason Gillespie
“I won’t beat about the bush, we were outplayed by Somerset, without a doubt. But I am pleased that we were able to dig in and save the game. I felt that each player took responsibility and we go home having not lost the game. Our bowling was not good enough and we accept that. The thing we cant forget is that we havent lost a game of cricket despite being outplayed.”
Somerset captain Chris Rogers
“That is the best we have played this season, so far. On a very tough wicket to bowl on, we did fantastically well and nearly stole a win against the reigning champions. Let’s face it, had it not have been for the weather in the last two games, we would have probably won both matches.”

Lyth, who has scored over 800 runs at the County Ground in his last seven matches, was first to go, bowled by Overton when playing back to a short ball that kept low.Will Rhodes followed at 45 for 2 – caught at short leg by Tom Abell off the bowling of Jack Leach, and four runs later, Lees, who had scored only 11 off 97 balls, was bowled by Overton when offering no shot.The tea interval provided Yorkshire with some respite, but when Andrew Gale was caught by Leach off the bowling of Tim Groenewald at 69 for 4, Yorkshire were facing an anxious final two hours.Overton, whose spell on Monday had been described as ‘world class’ by Kerr, continued to bowl with real purpose. His third wicket came in the 53rd over when Gary Ballance carelessly flicked the 22-year-old bowler to Leach at square leg.At that stage, a victory for Somerset looks a distinct possibility. However, Jack Leaning and Liam Plunkett held out in the final hour and Yorkshire left for the long trip home with their unbeaten record still intact. When the captains shook hands shortly before six o’clock, Yorkshire had reached 141 for 6.Overton, Lewis Gregory and Groenewald continued to bowl well, without any good fortune, after tea, and director of cricket Matthew Maynard will be delighted with that as the side prepares for the T20 season, which for them kicks off on Friday against Kent, at Canterbury.Still, who knows what might have been had the inclement weather not have intervened.

The Antonio Conte regime at Tottenham Hotspur was brought to an end last month, with chairman Daniel Levy taking the decision to part ways with the experienced Italian with just a matter of weeks left to run until the end of the season, following a turbulent few months at N17.

Aside from the obvious frustration over results – including tame exits in the FA Cup and Champions League – a further factor in the 53-year-old's dismissal may well have been his inability to hand chances to the club's young talent, with the Daily Mail having reported that the Lilywhites' youth staff had become 'disillusioned' due to the lack of a clear pathway into the first-team.

That bewilderment with regard to Conte's unwillingness to promote from within the club undoubtedly stems from the fact there are a number of exciting gems just waiting for a chance to shine, including clinical marksman, Jamie Donley and fellow teenager, Jaden Williams.

Aside from that notable duo, another youngster who could also be a potential star of the future is 21-year-old, Jamie Bowden, with the midfielder said to be "rated highly" by the north London outfit, according to journalist Adam Millington.

Who is Tottenham's Jamie Bowden?

One of the more 'senior' figures in the academy ranks, there will come a point at which young Bowden may well have missed the boat with regard to earning a regular place in the first-team set-up, having notably endured a campaign hampered by an ankle injury so far this season.

That being said, however, the former Republic of Ireland youth international is clearly well-regarded by those at the club having even been named on the bench for the Premier League clash with Newcastle United just over a year ago, having also scored once and provided five assists in the first half of last season on loan at then-League Two outfit Oldham Athletic.

Club insider John Wenham is among those who have a particular fondness for the midfielder's talents, with the respected source having even likened the Middlesex-born gem to ex-Spurs star Michael Carrick, while also revealing how much the playmaker was admired by former boss, Mauricio Pochettino:

"He’s a deep-lying playmaker. The most similar player I have seen to him in recent years is Michael Carrick. He sits right in that holding midfield role and has a brilliant eye for a pass. Poch loved him and called him up to train with the first team a few times."

That likeness to Carrick bodes well for the impact that Bowden could potentially make for Tottenham in the years to come, with the current Middlesbrough boss having previously racked up 75 appearances for the club after signing from rivals West Ham United in the summer of 2004.

Like the emerging gem, Carrick was a truly gifted operator in a deep-lying role in front of the back four, having been lauded as a "complete" player by Spain legend, Xavi Hernandez, while Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola also previously said of his talents: "He’s one of the best holding midfielders I’ve ever seen in my life, by far."

That comparison between the pair can also be made by the fact that while neither man is prolific, they both also possess the knack for the spectacular, with the former Manchester United man memorably scoring a stunner for the Red Devils against Roma back in 2007, while the current Tottenham ace produced a "world-class" finish for Oldham against Exeter City last season, as per podcaster Chris Cowlin.

To think that Spurs could possibly have a natural successor to the now-retired maestro in the form of Bowden is a truly exciting prospect, with the hope being that the £2.1k-per-week sensation can overcome his previous "bad injuries" – as per Wenham – and earn a chance to shine at senior level.

South Africa have put a player on standby to take Aaron Phangiso’s place in the World Twenty20 squad, but remain hopeful they will not need to replace the left-arm spinner

Firdose Moonda01-Mar-2016

South Africa have put a player on standby to take Aaron Phangiso’s place in the World Twenty20 squad, but remain hopeful they will not need to replace the left-arm spinner. Phangiso’s action was found to be illegal when he was tested on Friday after being reported during a domestic game. Phangiso will undergo five days of intensive remedial work before a second round of tests next Monday, three days before South Africa leave for the World T20.”We had a conference call with the selectors last night and Linda Zondi will probably announce a replacement in the next couple of days should Phangiso not be able to go to the World Cup. We have put somebody on standby,” Russell Domingo, South Africa’s coach said in Durban, where the squad have assembled in preparation for their T20 series against Australia.”He is going to put in a lot of work over these next couple of days. He has got about five or six sessions before he gets retested on Monday in Pretoria. Hopefully we will get a good report on Tuesday and Wednesday and he is able to join us on Thursday when we leave. We’ve got to try and rectify whatever we can over the next couple of days and hopefully he is deemed legal.”Phangiso will remain with the squad, but not be considered for selection for the first two matches. Instead, he will be working with spin consultant Claude Henderson and high performance manager Vincent Barnes to rectify his action. If his action is declared legal by next Wednesday , it is likely Phangiso will play in the third T20 at Newlands because Domingo wants to give “everyone game time,” ahead of the World T20.Should Phangiso’s action still need work after Monday’s tests, he will be replaced in the national squad most likely, but not conclusively, by another spinner. Currently, Phangiso is the only back-up to legspinner Imran Tahir and South Africa may want another slower bowling option in their squad. Their options, though, are limited.Eddie Leie was the other spinner in contention for the World T20 squad but has been carrying a hamstring niggle in recent weeks. Leie’s injury worsened on Sunday, when he had to leave the field after bowling 5.3 overs in the Momentum One Day Cup final. Dane Piedt, who had the best economy rate among spinners in the One Day Cup, could also be in contention, while the likes of Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj, who have played for South Africa A, may be considered too inexperienced for a major tournament.Alternatively, South Africa may abandon the idea of another spinner and rely solely on Tahir, especially because the chances of playing two spinners in the XI are slim.”We need to look at conditions there. When we played one-day cricket there, the only wicket that spun appreciably was the one in Chennai,” Domingo said. “The others were good one-day wickets. Their one-day and T20 wickets are a little bit different to their Test wickets so we need to ask if it is going to deteriorate.”Given that is unlikely the pitches will crumble, South Africa may see Phangiso’s possible unavailability as an opportunity to add an extra quick bowler such as Morne Morkel or another allrounder, like Albie Morkel, who were both left out initially.

A closely contested and wonderful Test series has been marred by Ian Howell’s poor umpiring

Sambit Bal12-Aug-2007

It is a pity that matters outside bat and ball should continue to spoil what has so far been wonderful advertisement for Test cricket. The first Test was decided by the weather, and the second, which was won by a skilful and determined performance by the Indians, was overshadowed by jelly beans, player behaviour and inconsistent umpiring. And it will be a tragedy if umpiring becomes a decisive factor in this Test.Umpires deserve plenty of sympathy. Theirs is a thankless vocation and they are noticed only for their mistakes. Their actions are judged and damned by experts, journalists, and millions of viewers who now have the benefit of hugely sophisticated cameras and technologies such as Snickometer and Hotspot. But still, it’s not that difficult to tell when an umpire is not up to it.Simon Taufel, who invited the wrath of Indian supporters for denying Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly well-earned hundreds at Trent Bridge, is a good umpire who had an ordinary match. But it is difficult to say the same about his colleague in that Test. Ian Howell had a dreadful match at Trent Bridge, and it has only got worse at The Oval. It can be considered poor taste to pun on someone’s name, but given the number of he has made in the last two Tests, Howell has brought it upon himself.The ICC has a system in place to assess every decision an umpire makes during a match, and it is often trotted out that umpires get over 90 per cent of the decisions right. Of course, considering that they track every appeal and that teams are appeal-happy these days, Howell might still end up with fairly high percentage. But to anybody who has followed his finger, Howell has got more decisions wrong than right when it really mattered.Few things can be worse for cricketers, batsmen and bowlers alike, than to play in the knowledge that their fate hangs in the hand of an adjudicator who is consistently inconsistent. There are not-outers, none more famous than the legendary Dickie Bird, there are those who are trigger-happy – Dave Orchard springs to mind – there are those who are conservative about front-foot lbws and there are ones who are spinner-friendly. In many instances, umpires go by the pitch, and are likely to adjudge lbws on the basis of bounce. At Perth, for instance, batsmen can leave the ball on its length, safe in the knowledge that it will sail over the stumps.But how safe can a batsman feel when faced with Howell? Apart from his obvious tendency to give wrong decisions, it has been impossible to detect a pattern with Howell. May be it lies in his approach to tailenders. This morning he was happy to give Monty Panesar on the forward stretch against Anil Kumble. Panesar had no reason to quibble; he was dead in front. But on what account did he spare Paul Collingwood on the third day? Collingwood’s front foot was perhaps a few inches ahead, but as Ian Chappell remarked on television, if that wasn’t out, they might as well remove lbw as a mode of dismissal. And when he did give Collingwood out, the ball looked, irrespective of what you saw on Hawk-Eye, to be sliding past the leg stump.At Trent Bridge, he denied Panesar two lbws in his first two overs in India’s first innings. They were vital decisions, for they allowed Dinesh Karthik and Wasim Jaffer to swell the first-wicket partnership to 147, but he was happy to send back RP Singh and Sreesanth in quick succession: Singh looked out, but Sreesanth deserved the benefit of doubt.It’s futile labouring the point, but the lbw that he handed out to Ganguly has perhaps been the shocker of the series. Admittedly, the ball has been swinging exaggeratedly, sometimes changing path after passing the batsman. But this was a deviation palpably off the bat. If he didn’t hear the nick, he should have seen it. Was he late in looking up? If he was, it was a schoolboy error from an international umpire.Which raises the next question. Should Howell have been standing in the series in the first place? Of course, the ICC cannot be blamed for not anticipating the errors, but Howell is not part of the elite panel, and since no other international cricket is on at the moment, those appointing umpires had a full list to choose from. Were none of them available?It is sad that umpires rarely get the credit for a job well done. In that, they are like wicketkeepers. Matt Prior has become the object of ridicule after two bad matches; it’s only fair that the heat is now turned on Howell.Should umpire Ian Howell, who is not part of the ICC’s Elite panel, have stood in the Oval Test? Tell us here

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been rocked by another injury concern as he struggles to get his side to consistently string results and performances together on the pitch.

What's the latest news involving Aston Villa?

On Wednesday night, Aston Villa fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Everton in the third round of the Carabao Cup, exiting the competition at the first hurdle.

Nevertheless, Aston Villa boss Emery is making no excuses for his side, as he stated in his post-match press conference via BBC Sport: "It's not [about being] tired. I don't want to use all our effort with the players each match. We are trying to keep a balance with some different players but trying to be competitive. We're disappointed with the start and mistakes we made but we are trying to go forward and build the team. We made the second mistake quickly [in the second half] and it was difficult to come back."

Football Insider meanwhile report that several clubs are hot on the tail of Aston Villa star man Ollie Watkins as his contract situation continues to rumble on at Villa Park. The England international's present terms are set to run until the summer of 2025 and Aston Villa remain 'confident' of being able to keep him at the club; however, negotiations are not at an advanced stage, which has alerted numerous unnamed sides, according to the outlet.

Aston Villa defender Alex Moreno may be out for slightly longer than expected as the Spaniard continues to recover from a hamstring problem that has kept him out for the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign so far.

Jamaica international Leon Bailey was then taken off in the defeat to Everton during the week and could also be set to miss out some first-team action, as per Birmingham Live.

Who has joined Leon Bailey on the treatment table?

Cited by Birmingham World, Aston Villa boss Emery has confirmed that midfielder Jacob Ramsey was also unavailable for the Everton cup clash due to sustaining a fresh injury concern.

Detailing the extent of Ramsey's injury, Emery stated in his post-match press conference: "Jacob is not a hard injury. He has a small injury. Hopefully, he can come back quick. I don’t know if Saturday [against Brighton & Hove Albion] he is going to be ready, but it’s not bad news the injury he has now."

Ramsey had only just returned from a broken metatarsal that kept him out for the best part of ten weeks and it will come as a frustration to the 22-year-old to be on the sidelines once again, as per The Athletic.

Despite his young age, Ramsey has amassed 103 appearances for Aston Villa in all competitions, registering 12 goals and ten assists in the process, as per Transfermarkt.

Once labelled "sensational" by reporter Gregg Evans, Ramsey has become a valued graduate from Aston Villa's youth academy and has excelled in comparison to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions in the art of progressive carries, averaging around 3.55 per 90 minutes in the last 365 days, putting him in the 97th percentile for this metric, as per FBRef.

His latest setback will no doubt come as a blow to Emery, who will hope the midfielder can recover as soon as possible and return to being available for selection.

Leicester City have enjoyed a strong start to the 2023/24 campaign as some of their new signings have helped them to win all three of their Championship fixtures so far.

Who have Leicester signed this summer?

Enzo Maresca has been able to bolster his playing squad with six additions since his appointment as head coach after a spell with Manchester City's coaching staff.

Stephy Mavididi, Harry Winks, Mads Hermansen, and Conor Coady have all come through the door on permanent deals, whilst Callum Doyle and Cesare Casadei have joined on loan.

That may not be the end of their business, though, as they were recently touted with an interest in Newell's Old Boys winger Brian Aguirre, who has reportedly been valued at $10m (£7.9m).

How good is Brian Aguirre?

The 20-year-old whiz is a talented young prospect who should not be brought in with the expectation of being able to make an immediate and significant impact on the pitch.

Instead, he should be viewed as a long-term project who could be the eventual heir to Mavididi's position on the left flank as he is five years younger than the summer signing from Montpellier.

Aguirre has only played 42 senior club career games and is yet to play outside of his home country, Argentina, which means that it could take him time to adapt to football and life in England.

Therefore, the exciting gem could be ideally suited to be a back-up to Mavididi initially as it would afford him time to adjust to his new surroundings without the pressure of being required to hit the ground running on the pitch.

The English forward has enjoyed a terrific start to life at the King Power and his performances suggest that there will be no immediate need for Aguirre to step up.

He has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.47 across three Championship matches this season and produced one goal and one assist, to go along with 1.7 key passes per game for his teammates.

Only Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (8.23) has averaged a higher Sofascore rating for Leicester so far and this shows that the former Arsenal prospect has been one of Maresca's outstanding performers.

This could also make him the dream mentor for Aguirre as Mavididi is proving himself to be a fantastic winger at this level who could impart his wisdom to the 20-year-old ace to help him develop his own skills over the coming years.

The Old Boys forward, who scout Antonio Mango described as "compelling viewing", showcased his potential during the U20 World Cup earlier this year as he averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.13 and contributed with one goal and two 'big chances' created in three appearances for Argentina.

Aguirre, who has assisted five goals in 42 games for his club, seemingly has the capability to score and create chances from a left wing position but would need to translate that over to first-team football in England on a regular basis in order to be a huge success at the King Power.

Training alongside and learning from Mavididi could play a crucial role in his development, given how impressive the 25-year-old hotshot has been this season, and allow him to become the long-term heir to that position in the team if Maresca can secure his services.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsSydney Sixers finished their BBL campaign in fourth position after cleaning up their fourth successful run chase on the trot. With the fixtures yet to be played, there is no mathematical way the side will remain in contention for the playoffs, but they averted the train wreck they were on track for after losing their first six games.Hunting 190 for victory in a highly entertaining match, it was never in doubt for the hosts after Nic Maddinson got motoring in a punishing 108-run stand with Joe Denly, punctuated by the former collecting six boundaries from one James Faulkner over.Maddinson’s match-winning hand of 61 off 26 balls included two sixes that travelled more than 100 metres. English import Denly did the rest with an unbeaten 72, the Sixers home with 15 balls and five wickets to spare.Earlier, it looked like another player outside Australia’s 50-over team, Glenn Maxwell, would be winning headlines on the night when clobbering 84 off 47 balls. It wasn’t enough to earn the Stars a victory, but it was a timely reminder to the national coach Darren Lehmann in the commentary box that there are very few better in the white-ball world.Maxwell on a mission
Elevated to first drop in Kevin Pietersen’s absence, Maxwell issued a sign of what was to come by flicking Sean Abbott from off stump over square leg for six. Normal people can’t do that. Next ball, he popped him over cow corner. A pair of neat ramps off Carlos Brathwaite reinforced that the right-hander is more than muscle. Then, seemingly offended by part-timer Joe Denly’s introduction, he dismissed him over midwicket. The Victorian was flying the best way he knows how.It was only an exaggerated switch-hit off Nathan Lyon that slowed Maxwell, pinching a nerve in his neck. But soon enough, he was back slaying through cover before hoicking Ben Dwarshuis over the backward square rope to complete a 23-ball half-century.It didn’t end there. Somehow he made room to ping Johan Botha from outside leg stump behind point before locating the same boundary twice more off Abbott. Maxwell didn’t quite complete his mission, holing out off Brathwaite on 84, leaving a century on the shelf, but he had made it the Stars’ game to lose.A word for Rob Quiney, who played with equal freedom taking Moises Henriques down before striking Lyon gracefully twice down the ground for six. By the time the offspinner had him stumped, the Stars pair had put on 119 in 59 balls. That foundation was laid.Getty Images

Sixers fight back at the perfect time
With 150 on the board, six wickets in hand and five overs to come, the Stars were coasting to a 200-plus target. But the departure of the two set men changed the tone of the contest. Sure, 39 runs still came from the final five overs. But five overs also elapsed between the 14th and 19th over where a boundary wasn’t struck. Momentum, and all that.The Sixers won chasing in their final three fixtures and the window was now open for them on a true surface. Even if they would be one down with the bat after Jordan Silk had suffered a serious collarbone injury diving to save a boundary. From nowhere 30 minutes earlier, they were vaguely back in business.Maddinson powers on with a rare set
With dew in the air, the assessment of Maddinson was that the pitch was getting quick at the right time to take full advantage during the Sixers’ Powerplay. They suffered a setback when Daniel Hughes was caught magnificently by Evan Gulbis in the first over, but it didn’t dissuade the left-hander from going hard from the get-go. To begin, Daniel Worrall was plonked over his head and all the way by Maddinson. In the next over, Denly did likewise to the spin of Beer to get his night going. When Maddinson then pulled Worrall into the second tier of the grandstand, the party was well and truly started.But it was the fifth over that mattered most. Even in this inflated era of short-form scoring, it remains rare to see six boundaries in an over. Maddinson was in such good touch that he achieved that against the man adjudged Player of the World Cup just three years ago. Granted, the first of those did come from an edge, but the rest were controlled behind square and thrashed through cover. “Some of the best striking in BBL history” according to Ricky Ponting.Denly does the rest to finish his Sydney cameo in style
An inside edge was enough for Maddinson to raise his half-century in 22 balls, equalling his personal best. In this environment, 20-year-old left-arm wristspinner Liam Bowe never had a chance, and was pulverised for 21 from his first set. With the stand beyond 100 and the runs required to seven an over, it mattered little that Maddinson fell leg before with the score on 115 with fewer than seven an over now needed.Moises Henriques started aggressively, tucking into Bowe for another 15 runs from his second over. Denly’s 32-ball half-century looked sedate by comparison, but only went to show what a savvy acquisition he was for the Sixers to replace Jason Roy.

The 2023 FIFPRO's Men's Best XI has been announced with treble-winners Manchester City dominating the line-up.

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• Mbappe and Haaland named to FIFPRO World XI
• Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham also make list
• No room for Cristiano Ronaldo

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The FIFPRO men's World XI was announced at awards on Monday, with Manchester City's treble-winning squad dominating. John Stones, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and Erling Haaland were all named in the team.

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• (C)Getty Images
  

  THE BIG PICTURE

  Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabai has seemingly moved him out of the limelight, while Messi still shines in MLS for Inter Miami. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are firmly represented with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, midfielder Jude Bellingham and winger Vinicius Jr.
  However, the biggest takeaway from the XI is the oddity of the formation, with a 3-3-4 taking shape. Manchester City makes up the entire defense, with Walker, Stones and Dias all representing the backline, and has two more central with Silva and De Bruyne, alongside Bellingham.

  The attack sports City's Haaland and Madrid's Vinicius, alongside PSG's Kylian Mbappe and Inter Miami's Lionel Messi. It's a worthy front-four, but a lopsided XI. Regardless of that, though, how can you leave one of them out? What an XI.

• DID YOU KNOW

  The FIFPRO men's Best XI award only took into account the performances of the 2023 calendar year, meaning Argentina's World Cup win was not part of the voting process.

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  WHAT NEXT

  FIFA's awards will continue throughout Monday afternoon, but each respective player in the XI will return to the pitch shortly. Real Madrid will take on Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, while Inter Miami and Messi make their 2024 debut Friday, against the El Salvador national team. Manchester City, meanwhile, have a nice long break at the moment, with their next match coming in 11 days against Tottenham in the FA Cup. Then, it's PSG vs Orleans in the Coupe de France on Saturday.

Middlesex’s campaign against relegation remains active with an ECB discipline commission set to re-examine their overrate fine after a crossbow bolt forced an abandonment at the Oval

George Dobell11-Oct-2017The English domestic season may have ended almost two weeks ago, but it still remains unclear whether Middlesex or Somerset will be relegated from Division One of the County Championship after the ECB confirmed they are considering Middlesex’s appeal against an overrate penalty.Middlesex, the 2016 County Champions, were docked two points for a slow overrate following the early abandonment of their Championship match against Surrey at The Oval at the end of August. While they were initially told there was no appeal process available to them, the ECB have now referred the case to their Cricket Discipline Commission which is expected to reach a decision next week.”We can confirm Middlesex CCC have appealed against the recent two-point penalty imposed for a slow-over rate during their Specsavers CC match against Surrey,” an ECB spokesman told ESPNcricinfo. “We have referred the club’s appeal to the Chairman of the Cricket Discipline Commission who is currently considering his response.”Middlesex claim that, given the extraordinary nature of the game’s abandonment – the match was ended on the instruction of police after a crossbow bolt was fired from outside the ground and landed on the playing surface – they were denied the opportunity to rectify their overrate issue.Although they were batting at the time, they state they intended to declare within a few overs and had ample time to bowl the overs required with the weather set fair. They also claim that they were assured by match officials, at the time of the abandonment, they would face no such penalty.Were Middlesex to have the penalty revoked, it could well have ramifications for other sides and Somerset in particular. Somerset appeared to have achieved Division One survival with a crushing victory over Middlesex in the final round of Championship matches. But, having finished just one point above Middlesex, Somerset remain vulnerable should the overrate penalty be revoked. They might well claim, however, that they went into the final game knowing what was required of them and to change the goal posts now would be unreasonable.It appeared initially that Middlesex had accepted the sanction. The club released a statement on September 9 in which their chief executive, Richard Goatley acknowledged “there is no scope for any further appeal” and urged Middlesex’s players to “maximise the points we take in the final few games to mitigate this loss as much as possible.” They also provided ESPNcricinfo with a statement in which “categorically” confirmed they had given “no consideration” to “any legal action… against the ECB” in relation to the incident.But the club has continued to make representations behind the scenes. And, as the impact of the points penalty has become more apparent, they have stepped up those representations. While no formal appeals route was open to them, they requested a special hearing from the ECB in which they could make their case.Middlesex were also bitterly disappointed by the Taunton pitch prepared for their final Championship match of the season. Clearly prepared to suit Somerset’s spinners, it was branded “disgraceful” by Angus Fraser, the Middlesex director of cricket and England selector, who went on to say he had “never seen such a doctored pitch.” While an ECB investigation found the surface to be “below average,” no points penalty was imposed.This is the second year in succession in which the relegation issue has been muddied by disciplinary action. Durham were relegated at the end of 2016 as a punishment for their financial problems, with Hampshire reprieved in their place. It is a scenario that does nothing to enhance the reputation of the competition or the ECB.