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Three uncapped players, Tumi Sekhukhune, Saarah Smith and Robyn Searle, have been included in South Africa women’s squad that will tour the Caribbean for a limited-overs series in September and October. The trio had impressed at an annual North v South competition in Pretoria, where 26 of the country’s most promising cricketers played three T20s on consecutive days.

South Africa women squad

Dane van Niekerk (capt), Chloe Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee (wk), Sune Luus, Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Shabnim Ismail, Raisibe Ntozakhe, Masabata Klaas, Zintle Mali, Trisha Chetty, Robyn Searle, Tumi Sekhukhune, Saarah Smith

The three-match ODI series and the first T20I will be played at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, before the sides will move to the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad for the remaining four T20Is.It will be a crucial tour for South Africa, with West Indies also serving as the hosts for the World T20 to be held in November, a month after the tour ends, and may foreshadow South Africa’s fitness to compete at the global event. They will look to put a disappointing tour of England in July behind them, where they lost 2-1 to the hosts in the ODI series, before also enduring a disappointing T20I tri-series, which also included New Zealand.”As a selection panel, we conducted a debrief from the England tour and also the successful Bangladesh tour prior to that,” national convenor of selectors Clinton Du Preez said. “We discovered that there were a few areas where the team was falling short and we realised we had to look at different options and different types of skill-sets to try and set ourselves up well for the West Indies tour with the World Cup not far behind after that.”Robyn Searle came and played something out of the ordinary during the North vs South tournament, she had a really good time at the national academy and she’s played some great knocks which has put her in good stead as she’s challenged for a place in the national team. Saarah Smith has come on board and shown a lot of intent in the national academy as well. She’s really pushed for her place and we’re looking forward to seeing what she’ll bring to the national side. Tumi (Sekhukhune) has used the opportunities that she has received in her two seasons at the national academy and shown tremendous growth and maturity in a short period of time and we’re interested to see how she will take to this new challenge in the national team.”Du Preez also said South Africa weren’t neglecting the ODI series, even as the World T20 loomed. They will look to secure direct qualification for the 2021 World Cup – to be held in New Zealand – and the three-match ODI series against West Indies has points leading to the qualification at stake.”We can’t lose focus on the IWC because that allows for qualification into the World Cup 2021, so we need to make sure we are still giving ODI cricket the attention it deserves.”

Legspinners Amit Mishra and Sandeep Lamichhane took three wickets each after Rishabh Pant scored a superb half-century

The Report by Alagappan Muthu20-May-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4:01

Agarkar: If fit, Rohit should have come in at No. 3

Mumbai Indians were knocked out of the IPL on a dry pitch that turned legspinners Amit Mishra and Sandeep Lamichhane into absolute terrors. That meant Rajasthan Royals were favourites to make the playoffs, unless Kings XI Punjab beat Chennai Super Kings by at least 53 runs in the last league game of the season.Now that the details are out of the way, time to enjoy some drama. It was a difficult situation for Rohit Sharma and his men. Mumbai were asked to chase in conditions that became progressively difficult for batting. Then they gave up a total of 174 though Daredevils had struggled early in their innings. Later, they were tottering at 122 for 7. So Ben Cutting began hitting boundaries.Mumbai needed 38 off 18 balls when Cutting smashed Liam Plunkett for 4, 6 and 4. They needed 18 off six when he launched Harshal Patel into the crowd behind short fine leg. He was playing an innings to rival his blitz that won Sunrisers Hyderabad the title in 2016. He saw a short and wide offcutter. He knew it needed to go. He swung his big shoulders. He launched it in the air. The trajectory seemed to suggest it would soar over deep midwicket. It didn’t.And Daredevils, a team that finished last, that spent the evening veering from one extreme to the other, savoured pure joy.There was a limp show from the Delhi Daredevils top order and a breathtaking half-century from Rishabh Pant. There were three drops, and an overthrow for five runs, but Glenn Maxwell masterminded two ridiculous catches on the long-on boundary to dismiss Rohit and Kieron Pollard. Plunkett’s over – the 18th – cost a debilitating 15 runs. Boult followed up by giving away only 5 in the 19th. Harshal seemed to lose the game one ball, and off the next, had it wrapped up.Anybody else experiencing whiplash?Rishabh Pant completes a stumping of Evin Lewis•BCCI

Delhi’s Maxwell move
Some teams might drop a player whose most recent scores are 5, 9, 2, 5, 6. Daredevils, however, made Maxwell open the batting. Now as ridiculous as that might sound, it made sense here.On a slow deck, the new ball presented the best opportunity to score. And Maxwell has the potential to break a rut with one shot. But he fell for 22 off 18 and finished with an average of 14 from 12 innings. To put that in context, among those who have batted at Nos. 1 to 6 a minimum of 10 times in a season, only seven others have fared worse.Things weren’t going to plan at the other end either. The first delivery of the fourth over was steered to point and Prithvi Shaw thought there was a single, even though the ball was headed straight to the fielder. He saw Hardik Pandya grab it, set up for the throw, release it targeting his end and yet made no attempt to get back to his crease. He was run out for 12.Pant’s party
He looks like he shouldn’t be scoring any runs, losing balance with every other big shot he plays. He literally fell on his backside attempting one tonight. But in between those awkward moments, there was unbelievable brilliance.Pant galloped to 24 off 11 on a pitch that wasn’t suiting strokeplay. He was hitting one-handed sixes. He was reverse-scooping fast bowlers for four. If only he could have convinced the umpires that he should bat at both ends.The 20-year old did the next best thing, though. After a fast start, he slowed down to make sure he could bat through the innings. It was terrific game awareness in tough conditions.Pant was dismissed in the 17th over, for 64 off 44 deliveries, having become the top-scorer this season with a tally of 684. A break-up of his runs makes even better reading: 114 off 73 in the Powerplay (strike-rate 156), 403 off 253 (strike-rate 159) in the middle overs, and 167 off 68 (strike-rate 245) in the death.Trent Boult and Glenn Maxwell formed quite the partnership on the field•BCCI

Maxwell’s redemption
Pollard had already been dropped twice – on 0 by Shaw and 3 by Abhishek Sharma – when he muscled the ball to long-on. And it was heading over the ropes. Maxwell raced to his right and leapt, knowing his momentum would take him out of bounds. He took the catch with both hands, and while still in the air outside the boundary, he lobbed it over to Trent Boult who was coming in from long off.Four overs later, Rohit – his left shoulder badly injured in the field – tried to clear the ground. He was deceived by a slower ball from Harshal Patel but it still had enough timing to go for six. But Maxwell was there once again. And so was Boult to back him up. The Australian took the catch to dismiss Cutting as well. Each of them were match-winning moments.Mishra steals the show
Evin Lewis was belting the Daredevils fast bowlers to all parts. He had been dropped on 8 and added another 40 runs when he ran past a googly from Mishra. It was exquisite cricket. The legspinner had been hit for six the previous ball but he trusted his strength – bowling slow and extracting turn from a helpful pitch – and sent back Mumbai’s top-scorer. Mishra also took out their last remaining hope with an equally artful legbreak. He was in his last over, bowling at Hardik, who bulldozes spin bowling. Still, Mishra kept tossing it up. He helped himself by bowling it wide of off stump. The batsman swung across the line and was caught at point. And his team was on their way out.

Bad hair, near-naked cheerleaders, Harold Pinter, brassy impresarios, fishing trips, lots of lolly… and some cricket as well

Osman Samiuddin31-Dec-2008

Shot of the year
Kevin Pietersen’s switch-hit, the human in the evolution chain to the reverse-sweep’s ape: As opposed to the shot Mike Gatting made infamous, Pietersen’s requires pre-meditating and changing grip as well as stance, making it riskier still. Most notably, he did it in an ODI against New Zealand in the summer, in Durham, twice hitting Scott Styris for six. The second went over the right-hander’s long-off. Even the MCC took notice, promptly concluding it wasn’t against the laws of the game.Ball of the year I
Anything bowled by Ajantha Mendis, but if pushed, one ball stands out. First Test wickets, or runs, are remembered usually only by the player himself but Mendis’ first in Tests will live on. It was the flicker, the carrom ball; pitched on middle, on a length, it left Rahul Dravid completely unsure of what to do, before zipping off, turning away and clipping the off bail. Set the tone for the series.Ball of the year II
Mohammad Ashraful’s wonderfully disguised delivery to AB de Villiers during the first Test in February in Mirpur: it bounced first at his own feet, then , a little closer to de Villiers, who, completely bamboozled by now, top-edged a pull back to Ashraful. If you fly over Dhaka, it is said you can still hear them laughing.Cricket headline of the year
“Pinter: Cricket is better than sex” (The , days after the death of playwright Harold Pinter). Perhaps, and it definitely lasts longer.Catch of the year
The league may not be recognised, but nobody will argue that Justin Kemp’s catch in the second ICL final doesn’t deserve recognition as one of the finest seen in recent years. Mohammad Sami was rightly expecting a maximum from a smash towards long-off. Kemp, however, sprinted across, leapt as if to pluck out a shooting star, twisted and caught the rocket, all at once, before falling over just inside the boundary. So unbelievable was it that the Lahore Badshahs didn’t believe it, subsequently sparking a bust-up.Clash of the year

Australia-India? England-South Africa? South Africa-India? South Africa-Australia? Nope. Stanford v Lord’s. New money v old power, Yanks v Brits, Bacon n’ egg ties v Armani suits, 20 million dollars v millions of years of tradition, a helicopter v the sacred Lord’s turf. Stanford’s shopping trip to Lord’s to buy English cricket was the heavyweight clash of the year. Even now no one is sure who won. Or whether there was a winner at all.Controversy of the year
Race, power, money, monkeys, s, culture clash, poor umpiring, icons: The surprise of Sydneygate was that it didn’t spark off WWIII. At its heart was something Harbhajan Singh said to Andrew Symonds, in a Test marred by diabolically poor umpiring. He was banned for three Tests, the BCCI and India screamed murder, threatened to call off the tour, appealed; the decision was overturned, Steve Bucknor was removed. Cue pained debates on sledging, race, power, monkeys, s, culture clashes, umpiring and icons, and precious little on India losing three wickets in an over, to a man KP might call a pie-chucker, to lose the Test.Debutant of the year
Twenty-six wickets in his first three Tests against the best modern-day players of spin; 48 wickets in 18 ODIs, including a six-for on essentially a cement track in Karachi against the best modern-day players of spin, all at an average of 10. A strange grip, no stock ball, more variety than Murali has wickets, and a nice smile; welcome to cricket, Ajantha Mendis.

Makeover of the year
If cricket was Pamela Anderson, then the IPL was Pam post-op. It wasn’t bad before but it’s never been sexier since. Liquor barons, cheerleaders allergic to clothes, film stars, big money, big businessmen, music, noise, lights, and a marketing campaign to match any. There were also some pretty handy cricketers playing some pretty handy cricket, but that was almost besides the point.Spell of the year
Ishant Sharma’s hour-long torment of Ricky Ponting on the fourth day in Perth set the tone for both players’ year: Sharma confirmed himself as the best young fast bowler going, and Ponting, though never out of form, was never the perky intimidator. The duel was fascinating, nine overs of the most intense examination. There was pace, bounce, movement, accuracy, heart, near-misses and close things. Finally, as his spell neared an end, he brought about Ponting’s, with one that rose sharply and caught the edge. A star was thus born.Costliest hook of the year

The one Andrew Symonds used while fishing, having skipped a team meeting to do so, the day before an ODI against Bangladesh. The price? His place in the squad for that series, and more importantly, the one against India that followed. As punishment, CA officially placed him in the saloon for last chances, which, given his preference for an ale, he may not mind so much after all.Over of the year
Actually 10 balls bowled by Andrew Flintoff to Jacques Kallis at Edgbaston, but they produced more threat than some bowlers do over an entire career, and more quality cricket than do some Test series. Two sharp yorkers, one lbw appeal that Stevie Wonder would’ve given out, bouncers hellbent on rearranging Kallis’s face. The 10th was another yorker – quick, swinging out, against which Kallis had no chance. The sightscreens weren’t great apparently but were Kallis’ bat a wall and the ball a balloon, Flintoff’s will still would’ve forced it through. Loud and clear it was announced: Three injury-marred years after another special over to Ricky Ponting at the same ground, Freddie was back.Most embarrassing thing of the year about the Stanford Series I
EnglandMost embarrassing thing of the year about the Stanford Series II
The English press complaining about pitches, poor lights and Americans. In Antigua. While being paid to watch cricket.The Muntazer Al-Zaidi Public Service Award of the year
To Harbhajan Singh, for slapping Sreesanth at the IPL, and thus doing what all batsmen who have come across the breakdancer have presumably wanted to do. Funnily enough, the Annoying Prat Formerly Known as Sreesanth has been less annoying since. The spirit inspired a copycat attempt at the end of the year by the Iraqi shoe-throwing journalist after whom the award is now named.The AWOL cricket gripe of the year
Player burnout: Funny that, how no player spoke of being overworked despite schedules more crammed than Dolly Parton’s bra. Last year windows for rest were being sought desperately; this year the panes shifted, and windows to cram in more and more games – and more ways to make more money – were created.

Timeliest comeback of the year
Stephen Harmison, disenchanted with international cricket, suddenly rediscovered his fire in the summer. It had nothing to do, of course, with selection for the Stanford series and a potential million-dollar payoff, or the India tour and a possible route into the riches of the IPL. Just like the late Anna Nicole Smith’s marriage to that old whatsisname had nothing to do with his fortune. By the end of it, England had won nothing in Antigua and Harmison looked likelier to become a roving ambassador than to end up in the IPL.The “Oops I Did It Again” Award of the year
One drugs scandal is generally enough for most sportsmen, but three in two years? Mohammad Asif should’ve been on thin ice after the 2006 Champions Trophy scandal but he skated on. The folly of the PCB’s lenience then came back to haunt them this year, when first Asif was detained at Dubai airport for possession of an illegal recreational drug. Soon after, it emerged that he had tested positive for nandrolone again, this time during the IPL. Thus became Pakistan’s brightest star it’s biggest disappointment.The worst advertisement for Test cricket this year
The Bangalore Royal Challengers. They were a Test side, everyone groaned. No they weren’t. They were just a crap team. The Mohali Test between India and England was a close second.The best advertisement for Test cricket this year
Test cricket has never been as rowdy as when Virender Sehwag is at the crease. He resurrected his career with a resolute Adelaide hundred but he lit up the year with two outrageous innings. A triple hundred against South Africa at better than a run-a-ball in Chennai was easily the fastest triple ever, managing to enliven what was otherwise one of the year’s dullest Tests. The second capped off one of the best: A ludicrous 68-ball 83 that really made impossible nothing, letting India chase down 387 at the same venue but on a very different pitch.The most audacious match-winning innings of the year not played by V Sehwag
This year Graeme Smith confirmed his status as one of the best last-innings batsmen ever, leading South Africa to victories in four countries. He started with a 79-ball blitz against the West Indies in Newlands in January, his 85 fairly hunting down a tricky 186. Sixty-two came in a dicier 205-run chase in Dhaka. But the glory lay first in a monumental unbeaten 154 at Edgbaston, chasing 281; a blistering 108 in Perth in the second-highest chase ever; and a calming 75 at the MCG to seal the series. No longer the cocky kid, in 2008 Smith became a man of indomitable will.Streak of the year
Once a more solid Imran Farhat, Gautam Gambhir became a smaller, less puffy-chested Matthew Hayden this year. No batsman was more difficult to remove: in 16 innings his lowest score was 19, and only once did he bat for less than an hour – that was for 55 minutes. He didn’t dawdle either, crossing 50 nine times, and always scoring three runs an over.Bradmanesque streak of the (last 2) year(s)
Shiv Chanderpaul: 13 Tests, 1467 runs, six 100s and ten 50s in 23 innings, and at an average of nearly 105. We are not worthy.Late cut of the year
It will happen, it will happen, it will happen, it will… actually it won’t. So went the saga of this year’s Champions Trophy. Nobody knew, least of all hosts Pakistan, whether it would happen, until the day it was postponed. It was a cruel, devastating and poor decision.Comeback of the year

On the back of a sensational domestic season, Simon Katich forced his way back into the national side two-and-a-half years after last playing for them, and this time as opener. By a troubled year’s end, he was one of the few rocks in an uncertain batting order: Four hundreds and over a thousand runs, each of which suggested you would have to kill him to get past him. No less obdurate was Neil McKenzie, who also came back as an opener for South Africa four years after last playing for them. He helped Graeme Smith to all manner of opening records and himself to over 1000 runs, and three hundreds.

Career-saving hundreds of the year
This was a vintage year. Andrew Strauss saved himself in March with 177 in Napier, having averaged 27 over his previous 14 Tests (and made a duck in the first innings). Paul Collingwood went into the Edgbaston Test against South Africa with 92 first-class runs in nine innings, having been dropped for the previous Test. He responded with a hundred that should have won the game. Rahul Dravid averaged 31 over two years and 19 over his last ten Tests before he made 136 against England in Mohali . Career-saving perhaps, but ugly as sin all the knocks. “If he was batting in your front garden, you’d draw your curtains,” David Lloyd quipped of Collingwood recently. Had any of these been played in your front garden, you’d move house altogether.Most bizarre selection of the year
Darren Pattinson. Who? Yes, precisely. Nothing more left-field was seen until Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave the world a Christmas message on the UK’s Channel 4.Most overworked officials of the year
Reg Dickason, the freelance security expert, clocked up more air miles than Simon Taufel as cricket met the harsh realities of today’s violent world. If he wasn’t scoping out Karachi and Lahore – more than once this year – it was Chennai and Mohali, before heading all over the world to report back to players. Followed closely by the PCB’s lawyers, who slapped more lawsuits than were slapped in all of the US.The Inzamam-ul-Haq Award for figure of the year
Jesse Ryder. The boy may be fat but the boy can most definitely bat.The Lalit Modi Award for services to cricket
Lalit Modi. Obviously.Quiet champion of the year
How many people noticed the work of Hashim Amla this year? Quietly, unnoticed, and with a lovely, old-world dignity (and quirky technique), Amla went about ensuring South Africa barely felt the lack of runs from Jacques Kallis. Over a thousand runs from that crooked back-swing, with three elegant hundreds, meant South Africa always built on the fine starts their openers gave. Other contenders were, unsurprisingly, also South African: Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Paul Harris, and Kallis with the ball.Retirements of the year
The quietest but loudest “Just one more things lads’ was how one of Indian cricket’s most significant figures quietly announced his retirement. Sourav Ganguly signed off with a bang, however, with 324 runs at over 50 against the men he riled the most. No better way of saying he could’ve played on.
The least noticed The most famous red top since Archie Andrews, and less notably, one of the finest allrounders of the modern age, Shaun Pollock wrecked West Indies in his final Test, in January. That was his first Test in almost a year, though his team have hardly, in the year since, missed the only South African with 400-plus Test wickets.

Most statistically satisfying Stephen Fleming’s actual batting was far sexier than his career numbers suggest, but if he had failed to finish with an average of 40, it would’ve been cricket’s greatest injustice since Bradman’s 99.94 and Inzi’s 49.60. Fortunately, two typically smooth innings (typically, not hundred either) ensured he didn’t.
The biggest shoes to fill Those left behind by Anil Kumble and Adam Gilchrist. Both were among the biggest game-breakers their country – and cricket – has seen. Who will be the more difficult to replace: A wicketkeeper-batsman who made 33 international 100s at a strike-rate not far from 100, or a grim-faced leggie with over 600 Test wickets? Will make the search for the next Beefy look like a walk in the park.

Lamest excuse of the year
Ricky Ponting citing the spirit of cricket, and his obligation to try and bowl 90 overs in a day, to defend his tactics on the fourth afternoon of the Nagpur Test. Australia needed a win, and India were in trouble, whereupon Ponting turned to those renowned threats Michael Hussey and Cameron White to make up time. Was avoiding a suspension more important than the win? The worst excuse since the dog ate my homework.The batsman to bat for your life of the year
If ever there was a man for a crisis this year, it was < Kevin Pietersen, Mr 911. Each of his five hundreds, and a 94, came when England in serious strife. First was a 129 at Napier with England 4 for 3; the Kiwis were pummelled again for 115 at Trent Bridge – handy, with his side 86 for 5. The Lord's hundred against South Africa was the most comfortable, Pietersen steadying only a slight wobble, but the 94 at Edgbaston came with England effectively 21 for 4. His next hundred was in his first Test as captain, and in Mohali, he came in at 2 for 1. All he was missing was a cape, some tights and a mask.Haircut of the year
Ishant Sharma, because he got one.Finish of the year
The touch he’s in, Shivnarine Chanderpaul could get 36 off the last over to win it, so 10 off two balls against Chaminda Vaas in Trinidad was never going to be a problem. He drove a boundary first before flicking a full toss over midwicket to finish, as coolly as you’d flick the ash off a cigarette. Kamran Akmal wasn’t far behind in stealing 17 off Jerome Taylor’s last over to seal a thrilla in… er… Abu Dhabi.Captain of the year
MS Dhoni and Graeme Smith were very good, and Mahela Jayawardene always is, but there was only one captain this year. Shane Warne proved that genius remains in all formats and that old dogs learn new tricks. As performer, he was undimmed: his bowling was magic, as 19 wickets for the Rajasthan Royals – joint second-highest in the IPL – testifies. There was the odd batting cameo, as Andrew Symonds will tell you. But his captaincy sealed it: A gambler’s touch complementing the sharpest mind. One-over spells, surprise bouncer barrages, no coaching BS, and his players loved him. On rolled the “best Australian captain that never was” debate.Fruitless search of the year

How many men does it take to replace Warne? Australia tried six spinners this year alone, and by the end, none had really convinced. In 13 Tests, Beau Casson, Stuart MacGill, Nathan Hauritz, Jason Krejza, Brad Hogg and Cameron White took 38 wickets at over 50 each. How many men? How long is a piece of string?The return to terra firma of the year
Once he had only Bradman in his sights; now Michael Hussey’s horizons have shrunk to include other, more mortal, batsmen. Mr Cricket started the year averaging 80 and, having scored an even 900 runs at the comparatively derisory average of 37.50, ended it at 60. This included four ducks in the year, after getting none in his first three years, and the grand total of 10 runs in the last four innings of 2008. How the mighty have fallen indeed.

تحدث السويسري كريستيان جروس، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، عن الفوز الذي حققه فريقه في مباراة اليوم أمام بلاك بولز الموزمبيقي، بنتيجة 3-1، وذلك ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.

والتقى لزمالك مع بلاك بولز، على أرضية استاد القاهرة الدولي، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الخامسة من مباريات دور المجموعات للبطولة الإفريقية.

وقال جروس في تصريحات خلال المؤتمر الصحفي: “الزمالك استحق الفوز وسيطرنا على مجريات الأمور وترجمنا السيطرة إلى أهداف والأمر أصبح سهلا بعد التقدم بالهدف الأول”.

طالع أيضاً.. معتمد جمال: يجب ألا تضيع الكونفدرالية من الزمالك.. ويوجه رسالة لمجلس الإدارة

وأوضح: “أنتظر معرفة المنافس الذي سيواجه الزمالك بعد نهاية الجولة الأخيرة من دور المجموعات، سعيد بالأداء لكن أؤكد أن الزمالك لديه القدرة على أن يقدم مستويات متميزة أكثر من ذلك في الفترة المقبلة”.

وأكمل: “تحدثت مع اللاعبين بين شوطي المباراة من أجل تصحيح بعض الأخطاء، ولكن بهدوء، والتعليمات لو تم تنفيذها سنسجل وهذا ما قلته للاعبين”.

واستكمل: “سأرى الهدف الذي اهتز به شباك الزمالك في المباراة من جديد، من أجل معرفة الخطأ وعلاجه في الفترة المقبلة”.

وأشار: “بالنسبة لفترة الانتقالات ليس لدي شئ أقوله الآن، من الصعب أن يتم التوقيع مع لاعبين كثيرين في فترة الانتقالات الشتوية واختيار لاعب قادر على الإضافة لنادي الزمالك”.

وأردف: “شهر يناير به ضغط مباريات كثيرة وتركيزي الأن على المباريات والفوز في مباراة الخميس المقبل، لا أريد الحديث عن الانتقالات ولكن الأهم حسمنا للصعود وسعيد أكثر بالجماهير التي حضرت”.

واستطرد: “سعيد بمستوى زيزو، سواء بسبب تسجيله هدفا أو تجديد عقده مع الزمالك، سأعمل بكل قوة مع عناصر الفريق الحالية وهناك لاعبين يحتاجون إثبات جدارتهم بالتواجد داخل نادي الزمالك”.

وعن مشاركة محمود بنتايج في مركز الجناح الأيسر، اوضح: “ضغط المباريات يدفعني لتجربة اللاعبين في بعض المراكز وسعيد بعودة بنتايج بعد الإصابة”.

وأتم: “ليس لدينا وقت لخوض مباريات ودية لتجهيز كل اللاعبين، لذلك أتابع حالة اللاعبين وتجهيزهم بالشكل الأمثل”.

West Ham United are in the race to sign a new striker in January, but a report has revealed that they aren’t the only club hoping to bring him to the Premier League.

West Ham transfer news

The Irons appear keen to bolster their options in the backline having already been linked with moves for two defenders in the form of Perth Glory’s James Overy and Club America’s Sebastian Caceres, but the centre of the park is another area that they are looking to strengthen.

David Moyes has set his sights on Juventus’ Manuel Locatelli and Manchester United’s Scott McTominay in that defensive midfield role, though with centre-forward reportedly having been made the priority area heading into the upcoming window, the boss is ready to do battle to secure one of his top targets.

Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez has established himself as Arne Slot’s best-performing offensive player so far this season (WhoScored – Feyenoord statistics), and his impressive form has caught the eye of chiefs, but not for the first time at the London Stadium.

The Irons held preliminary talks for the 22-year-old over the summer both with his club and his representatives having been recommended to the hierarchy by technical director Tim Steidten, but having instead chosen to extend his contract, a deal failed to come to fruition before the deadline.

West Ham plotting move for Santiago Gimenez

According to The Mirror, however, Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez is of interest to West Ham who are considering taking a second bite of the cherry for their summer target.

“West Ham are among a long list of clubs chasing highly-rated Feyenoord frontman Santiago Gimenez. West Ham, Tottenham, Arsenal, Newcastle, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Napoli, Lazio, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have all watched the 22-year-old in action during months gone by and Feyenoord are braced for winter approaches.

"Although Gimenez is not the only target of interest – he is believed to be a popular pick among the Hammers' transfer committee despite widespread competition from across Europe.”

Since putting pen to paper at Feyenoord from Cruz Azul last summer, Gimenez has posted a remarkable 44 contributions, 38 goals and six assists, in 57 appearances (Transfermarkt – Gimenez statistics), with this prolific form having seen him described as a “Mexican Machine” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Slot’s left-footed star has also recorded a total of 38 shots so far this season which is more than any other of his fellow teammates (FBRef – Feyenoord statistics), highlighting his desire to create chances and hit the back of the net. Additionally, Gimenez knows what it takes to compete and be successful at a high level having secured six trophies for both club and country since the start of his career, so he could bring a real winning mentality to the squad at West Ham.

Aston Villa have seen their outlook transformed by Unai Emery, who arrived in October 2022 following the dismissal of Steven Gerrard.

The Spaniard quickly changed the spirit within the squad he inherited from the Englishman, inspiring an overall higher level of individual performance and more positive approach to play that inspired the start of something special at Villa Park.

The former Arsenal boss has taken pleasure in handing some of Gerrard’s struggling stars a new lease of life, with his utilisation of John McGinn and Tyrone Mings adding to the list of areas that Emery has improved since arriving in the Midlands.

Despite guiding Villa to a seventh-place finish and a spot in the Europa Conference League, Emery has been unable to assist every player with an improved level of performance, as highlighted by one of Gerrard’s signings prior to his sacking.

How much did Aston Villa pay for Leander Dendoncker?

In the summer of 2022, Villa signed midfielder Leander Dendoncker from West Midlands rivals Wolves for a fee of £13m.

The Belgian had secured 159 appearances for the Old Gold, scoring 12 goals and claiming four assists in that time from central midfield.

While the former Anderlecht whiz was a reliable player for Wolves, he found himself battling for a starting spot under Bruno Lage, as the talents of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho were favoured to run the engine room.

Once lauded as a “top player” by former Molineux boss Nuno Espirito Santo, Dendoncker’s move to Villa came as a result of his varied game time under Lage, and at a pivotal time for the Villans who were poised to take a new-look midfield into the 2022/23 campaign.

With Dendoncker and highly-rated free agent, Boubacar Kamara signed that summer, Gerrard’s options in the middle of the park were greatly enhanced, however whether this was a positive for the Belgian was yet to be discovered.

How much does Leander Dendoncker earn at Aston Villa?

In signing for Villa, the midfielder was not only presented with a new opportunity to grasp consistent game time in the Midlands, but also handed an improved salary to ease the transition.

At Wolves, the Belgian picked up a wage of £75k-per-week, a figure that rocketed to £90k-per-week at the point of his arrival at Villa Park in 2022.

Currently, the 28-year-old earns the fifth-highest salary at Villa, receiving a healthy package of £4.68m-per-year.

His £90k-per-week wage sees him currently earn more than the likes of Douglas Luiz and Jacob Ramsey, raising questions as to whether the Belgian has warranted such rewards so far in his career at Villa Park.

What happened to Leander Dendoncker?

Unfortunately for the towering asset, history repeated itself at Villa as it did at Wolves, as he is far down the pecking order amid the wealth of competition in his position.

Emery favours to field the likes of Kamara, Luiz and McGinn over his other options in midfield, Dendoncker and his countryman Youri Tielemans, who are forced to wait for their chance to shine.

Leander Dendoncker's appearances at Aston Villa

Competition

Apps

Starts

Premier League

22

7

FA Cup

1

1

Carabao Cup

1

1

Europa Conf League

1

1

Europa Conf League Qual

1

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

As highlighted this season, the midfielder has been given the opportunity to start fixtures thanks to Villa’s European and cup involvement, however he looks far away from being on the cusp of a Premier League start any time soon.

In 24 league appearances last term, Dendoncker secured only nine starts, averaging just 39 minutes per game to convey how out-of-favour he is in comparison to his teammates in the position.

So far, the Belgium international has secured just 26 appearances for the Villans and has failed to contribute in the final third – without a goal or an assist in all competitions – not helped by his poor performances in the engine room.

While Dendoncker is waiting to earn his first Premier League start of the season, he was given the chance to start in the Europa Conference League against Zrinjski, and also in the Carabao Cup against Everton, yet he was hooked at halftime on both occasions.

The midfielder left Molineux in the hunt for game time and was presented with an even steeper uphill battle at Villa Park, not aided by his performances when his chances have come, having been branded “so poor” by journalist Tom Parker.

How much is Leander Dendoncker worth now?

An exchange worth £13m is considered to be a matter of pennies in the current climate of the transfer market, however Villa may be haunted by the money spent to bring Dendoncker to the club.

The Belgian’s lack of game time and poor performances have seen his market value crash dramatically, as highlighted in the graph below via Football Transfers, spelling worrying times for Villa who would be fortunate to receive anything close to £13m for a possible future sale.

From being purchased just last summer for £13m, Dendoncker’s expected transfer value (xTV) currently sits at €6.4m (£5.5m), seeing a rampant decline since his arrival at Villa Park.

In October 2022, Football Transfers documented the 28-year-old’s xTV as being in the region of €17.2m (£14.9m), conveying that Villa paid a valid price for their acquisition, a figure that sits at almost £10m more than his value exactly one year down the line.

Considering his place in the pecking order within Emery’s squad, it looks highly likely that the former Wolves ace’s value will continue to decrease, with game time far from guaranteed to be handed to him on a regular basis in order to build form.

What does the future hold for Leander Dendoncker?

As Emery continues to test just how far he can push his current crop of talent at Villa, Dendoncker’s future at the club looks to be further and further away, as reinforced this summer following the close of the transfer window.

As reported by Football Insider, the Belgian was eyed by Turkish side Fenerbahce before the window in Turkey closed, with the report claiming that the forgotten man “is free to quit” his role at Villa as a result of his place in the pecking order.

While the validity of the report remains merely speculation, it could be seen as the start of a possible exit route for the midfielder, who is deemed as nothing more than a rotational figure by Emery.

Villa have spent millions to welcome and maintain Dendoncker at Villa Park, and are yet to see just why they opted to spend the money to bring him to the club last summer.

Alex Milton scored a maiden Championship hundred last month but the runs he squeezed out in Southport could be worth a lot more

Paul Edwards30-Aug-2018
ScorecardAsk a county batsman which of his innings is his favourite and you will not always be told of jewelled centuries on ivory stages. Quite frequently you will hear instead of the knock that made a difference. Last month Alex Milton scored a century on his County Championship debut but he did so in a losing cause, albeit it included a 136-run last wicket partnership with Steve Magoffin. On the second day of this match, Milton’s third in Division One, he made a mere 37 but shared the 61-run stand for the fifth wicket with Ben Cox that has probably tipped this game decisively in Worcestershire’s favour.Milton was fortunate that Cox was his batting partner. The Worcestershire wicketkeeper is one of the most underestimated cricketers on the circuit and his 40 took a little of the pressure off his younger colleague. But the pair came together when their team were 56 for 4 and their lead over Lancashire was a mere 117. Their stand sucked much of the venom out of Lancashire and it was the best of six significant alliances which all but filled an absorbing last two sessions at Trafalgar Road.Talking T20

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Six overs before the end of the day Worcestershire were finally dismissed for 252 and the home side opened with a nightwatchman, Toby Lester, and Haseeb Hameed, who remains on a pair. Lancashire still need a further 306 runs to win and no one with a full complement of marbles fancies their chances.The pitch did not ease greatly throughout the day. It has never been a desperately difficult pitch but Brett D’Oliveira’s dismissal to a magnificent ball from Graham Onions which landed on middle and off before seaming away showed that there has always been a wicket in this surface. But both Milton and Cox adapted to the conditions in the manner of old pros; the balls they kept out or let go were just as important as those they cut or clipped to the white fences around this great ground. Cox, in particular, was prepared to wear a few on his body and to bat through a fine spell by Lester. As for Milton, when he considers how his life has been spent, he may well conclude that the two-and-a-quarter hours he took gritting it out at Trafalgar Road have been among the most valuable.It certainly set the tone for the rest of the innings. Tom Bailey, who had taken three early wickets, was not as effective as the ball got older, and later batsmen found batting a slightly more agreeable task than Worcestershire’s top order. Ed Barnard batted well once again, albeit for a mere 24 and Josh Tongue’s 20 helped him add yet another 26 for the last wicket with Dillon Pennington.Wayne Parnell contributed vital runs•Getty ImagesBut the applause of this good-natured and knowledgeable crowd greeted the batting of Wayne Parnell, who made 50 off 74 balls and hit Keshav Maharaj for a straight six into the media tent, where most of the inhabitants were watching the cricket. Parnell’s excellent choice of shot throughout his innings revealed his pedigree and showed how he has bought into Worcestershire’s appealing ethos of hard work and great enjoyment.And as the afternoon progressed, bowlers toiled for the first time in this match. Maharaj’s spell from the Grosvenor Road End claimed three wickets but it did not change the pattern established by Cox and Milton. Likewise, Graham Onions removed Barnard and Ben Twohig but not before they had strengthened Worcestershire position. Lancashire’s bowlers and fielders became quieter even as the noise from the marquees increased. Perhaps they were considering the size of the task facing them; perhaps some of those thoughts could not be voiced in the changing room. Even as Worcestershire’s players view the prospect that they might beat Yorkshire and Lancashire in the space of nine glorious days, Dane Vilas and his players are pondering a different fate.Of course the home side’s task would not be so formidable had not D’Oliveira’s bowlers secured a 61-run first innings lead. Thus the Worcestershire bowlers could be pleased with their effort in taking the last five Lancashire wickets for 65 in little more than an hour’s graft. Josh Tongue, who has the ability to extract bounce from the blandest surface, took the first and last wickets to fall on Thursday, and finished with 5 for 53.Once again, though, Lancashire dug their own graves before obligingly interring themselves and pulling the turf across the plots. Josh Bohannon, for example, had played with purpose and intent for his 13 before he turned blind and was run out by Barnard’s throw when thinking of a third run. But this is a game which has never been short of gallows humour and it is the season when the light is dying, and with it, the green hopes of springtime.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

Newcastle United are in the midst of a rocky period under head coach Eddie Howe for the first time in two years, compounded by the heavy weight of expectations from the club's recently acquired Saudi wealth.

The Magpies, while plagued with injuries in recent months, suffered their fifth defeat in six games in December alone and exited both the EFL Cup and the Champions League in the meantime.

The January transfer window cannot come sooner for the manager but with two games remaining before the winter market opens, Howe may need to make some tactical tweaks to ensure Newcastle stop the rot and one player in particular will be champing at the bit to get back into the side.

Sean Longstaff's game in numbers

A boyhood Newcastle United fan, Sean Longstaff has been a mainstay at St. James' Park ever since making his debut for the club under Rafa Benitez back in a 4-0 defeat away at Liverpool on Boxing Day in 2018.

The midfielder has gone on to make 158 senior appearances for the Geordie club in that timeframe across three different managers. However, Saturday's showing away at Luton Town showcased the limitations of Longstaff's game.

Throughout the match, Newcastle registered an xG of 1.5 from a total of 15 shots on Luton's goal. Longstaff must be credited for his helping hand to make some of these goalscoring opportunities, having created three chances during the game and recording an expected assists tally of 0.63, although the Mags failed to find the net once.

However, the 26-year-old struggled in other elements of the game. Having had 72 touches of the ball, Longstaff played merely four passes into the final third and was even dispossessed on one occasion which led to a dangerous chance for the Hatters, as per FotMob. Additionally, he lost 100% of his tackles and 57% of his total duels while also being dribbled past twice.

After the game, Chronicle Live handed Longstaff a match rating of 5/10, which was even lower than Lewis Miley who was replaced in the 38th minute due to tactical reasons, according to Eddie Howe.

In his 158 appearances for Newcastle United, Longstaff has managed to bag ten assists in total, an average of one every 15.8 matches. It was worrying that Howe relied heavily on the Englishman to create opportunities for his attackers on Saturday.

Meanwhile, both Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron whipped in a combined total of six crosses at Kenilworth Road, with just one finding a Newcastle player.

Lewis Hall's stats in midfield

The Magpies need to create more opportunities and Howe could have a glaringly obvious solution staring him in the face in the form of 19-year-old Lewis Hall.

The youngster joined on loan during the summer for an initial £28m fee but has seen very little action in a black and white shirt, whilst receiving £7k-per-week from the club. Even amid an injury crisis, Hall has featured for merely 245 minutes for Newcastle, including 81 minutes in the Premier League.

However, what makes Hall truly stand out is his versatility, having played in seven different positions since the beginning of the 2020/21 season when he was with Chelsea.

One of these roles was as a central midfielder and the teenage sensation certainly impressed, scoring seven goals and registering six assists in 18 appearances as a number '8'.

Nevertheless, at St. James' Park, Hall has been solely used on the left as a full-back and a winger as Howe has yet to try Hall out as a central midfielder. The youngster could be the perfect player to unlock Newcastle's strikers, Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, who have scored just once between them in the side's last six matches.

Hall has averaged an assist every three games in the middle of the park which is five times better than Longstaff's record and should be a consideration for Howe ahead of the Magpies' visit from Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.