'We're not as far off as the results say' – Lehmann

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Glenn Maxwell is back in Australia’s ODI squad for the first time since last year’s India tour but it is perception, not personnel or tactics, that is dragging down the team’s limited-overs set-up, according to coach Darren Lehmann

Daniel Brettig25-Jan-2018

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Glenn Maxwell is back in Australia’s ODI squad for the first time since last year’s India tour but it is perception, not personnel or tactics, that is dragging down the team’s limited-overs set-up, according to coach Darren Lehmann.The day after Maxwell joined the chorus of voices stating that Australia need to raise their batting tempo or fall behind in the 50-over format, he was added to the squad as cover for Aaron Finch. The leading run-scorer on either side in this series so far, Finch will miss the Australia Day match in Adelaide with a hamstring strain. More likely than a Maxwell recall, however, is the return of Travis Head to the top of the order, a year to the day after he added a world-record 284 with David Warner against Pakistan.But in the same week the selection chairman Trevor Hohns stated that Australia’s ODI methods needed to be reviewed, Lehmann offered a somewhat different opinion, arguing that the team is “not as far off as the results say” and that performing better in the “key moments” would lead to victories. It is the second time in his coaching tenure that Lehmann has deflected calls for change around the team – he notably bristled at the team performance manager Pat Howard’s suggestion that he needed to “reinvent” himself as a coach after the loss of five consecutive Test matches in 2016.”We’re a bit short with the bat to be perfectly honest,” Lehmann told 5AA radio. “We’ve been 20 or 30 short each game, and then our bowling up front hasn’t been as good as we’d like and then the last five or six overs the other night cost us 74.”[Jos] Buttler played really well but at the end of the day we’re just losing those key moments. Unlike the Test matches, not capitalising on good starts or going on with big hundreds etc etc. A bit of work to do in that format, we’re not as far off as the results say, but you’ve got to win and change perceptions there.”It’s playing the way we need to play to win games of one-day cricket. You can dissect every game and we’ve been short with the bat in pretty much all those games, 20-30 runs, and when we were winning we weren’t short, we were always over-clubbed by 30 or 40 runs, so for us that’s first, get the order right, play the way we need to play and finish innings off. We’ve had bowlers batting in the last five overs, which is a no-no, you need your batters batting then and then you can capitalise in the last few overs.Head, who after an underwhelming series of displays at No. 4 for Australia in recent appearances in India and at home, rediscovered some form with a half-century for Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League. He said it was vital Australia found a way to beat England even though the series had been decided. The two teams will square off again in another five-match series in England later this year, before the 2019 World Cup in the same country.”It’s not just this series,” Head said. “It goes on, white-ball cricket, for the rest of the summer and we’ve got series coming up in the off-season for us. So it’s very important to try to find a way to beat them. They’re playing extremely well at the minute. We probably haven’t played the way we would’ve liked. We need to play that attacking brand and take them on.”Looking back over his ODI series, Head said he was particularly irritated at the way he played in the second match in Brisbane, where he was part of a slow fade with the bat that resulted in the Australians posting a mere 270 on a good surface and then lost his place for the Sydney encounter.”I feel like I’ve been playing well in the Big Bash, but I’m pretty disappointed with the way I’ve started in this series,” he said. “I know it’s there; I’ve just got to try and find it.”I feel confident in my game in the middle. I just didn’t play the way I would’ve liked, especially in Brisbane. I was probably a little bit indecisive in my decision-making, which cost me. And I don’t think you can be. To be able to go back the other night [with the Strikers] I was really happy not so much with the way I finished but the way I started.”If my tempo’s there and if the way I’m hitting the ball’s there, it’s just a mindset thing for me. I’m happy to bat wherever. I’ve said as high as I can bat is nice. I think everyone in world cricket would say the same thing in white-ball cricket, to bat as high as they possibly can. But I’m just happy to get my opportunity again after a pretty disappointing first two games.”

From Tarheels to Gunners, Emily Fox & Alessia Russo finally reunited! USWNT star’s transfer to Arsenal completes duo’s unbelievable journey from the University of North Carolina together

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USWNT star Emily Fox has been reunited with Alessia Russo at Arsenal, after playing college soccer together at the University of North Carolina.

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Fox signs for ArsenalReunited with college teammate RussoLook ahead to Gunner's scheduleWHAT HAPPENED?

After confirming her transfer to West London from the North Carolina Courage, it became a realization that Fox would be reunited with her former college teammate. The Tarheels duo won the 2019 NCAA championship together and were runners-up in 2018.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT FOX POSTED

In 2019, Fox posted a photo of her and teammates – including Russo – on Instagram. Pictured is a 19-year-old version of the England phenom and a 21-year-old USWNT star.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Russo and Fox already having chemistry will be a major boost for the Gunners, but the pure concept of adding the USWNT star is a simple improvement in their defense. A rock-solid defender, Fox will compete for minutes at the fullback position while also offering an attacking presence on the pitch. With Katie McCabe opposite at left fullback, Arsenal could immediately be looked at as having the best fullback duo in the WSL.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR FOX AND ARSENAL

The Gunners are back in action on Sunday against Watford in the FA Cup, before returning on January 20 in WSL action against Everton. Fox could make her debut in either contest, but it's more likely to be the latter.

Didn't assess Hamilton pitch well enough – Gabriel

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The fast bowler also said that on a surface that was “flatter than Wellington,” West Indies would have taken having New Zealand seven down at stumps

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Dec-2017Although West Indies “didn’t assess the wicket well enough,” they would have taken having New Zealand seven down at stumps, according to fast bowler Shannon Gabriel. New Zealand finished the first day in Hamilton at 286 for 7 after they were put in on a grassy surface.”I think they scored 30 or 40 runs too much, but it was a good day of Test cricket,” Gabriel said. “I think if we told ourselves this morning we’d win the toss and have them seven down by the end of the day’s play, we’d have taken that.”I think judging from what happened in the last game, once we win the toss, you back yourself when it’s bowler-friendly. But I don’t think that was the case on this wicket, I think it was a bit more flat than in Wellington.”West Indies conceded 87 runs in the first session at 3.10 runs per over, and Gabriel allowed 36 of those in six overs. He said West Indies switched tactics at lunch, choosing patience over aggression.Getty Images”After lunch, we decided that we wanted to be patient and luckily things happened for us,” Gabriel said. “When we started this morning we bowled a little too full – myself. It was a bit soggy, the crease. So my landing was skidding along the wicket, and it was a bit difficult to control my line and my length. But when the sun came out the pitch got a bit dry so it was a little bit easier for me.”We told ourselves once we soak up the runs and bowl the ball back into the wicket it was going to be a bit difficult to score runs. Once we build that pressure, we know 90% of the time a wicket is going to come. In cricket, you could be 100 for 1 and you could be 150 all out. We just had to believe in ourselves, as a group we always believe in ourselves.”In conditions that assisted seam more than spin, Gabriel backed stand-in captain Kraigg Brathwaite’s decision to pick Raymon Reifer over legspinner Devendra Bishoo.”Most of the guys started well this morning,” Gabriel said. “Hats off to Raymon, I think he bowled beautifully, his figures didn’t really show how he stuck to his task. The conditions may favour Bishoo a little bit, he’s been our No 1 spinner for the past two years, so it’s a bit difficult leaving him out. But I think the fast bowlers bowled good enough in the last game to warrant a place in this team for this game.”

Warner, Smith and the rain frustrate England's push

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Alastair Cook carried his bat for 244 not out but England’s hopes of victory were hampered by the weather and some obdurate batting

Report by Brydon Coverdale29-Dec-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsThe weather, it seems, is not England’s friend. At the WACA, they needed final-day rain to keep the series alive; despite a lengthy delay due to leaking covers, there was not enough wetness to prevent an Australian victory. And now at the MCG, England’s push for a consolation win has been hampered by heavy and persistent rain that washed out half of the fourth day’s play. By stumps, Australia still trailed by 61 runs but had eight wickets in hand, with their two best batsmen at the crease.The day started with Alastair Cook becoming the highest scorer ever to carry his bat in Test cricket, before England further strengthened their position by claiming two wickets before lunch. However, Steven Smith and David Warner then steadied Australia with a patient partnership which, along with the weather, loomed as the key to the match. When play was abandoned, with only 44 overs bowled in the day, they had steered Australia steadily to 2 for 103.

Cook’s new landmark

Cook carries his bat
Alastair Cook became the eighth player from England to carry his bat and first since 1997. The last player for England to achieve this was Michael Atherton when he scored 94 against New Zealand. However, Cook’s 244 was the highest score ever made by a batsman carrying his bat through a Test innings, beating the 223 scored by New Zealand’s Glenn Turner against West Indies in Kingston in 1972. The last player to carry his bat in an Ashes Test was Geoffrey Boycott when he made 99 at Perth in 1979.
Tough task for Australia
When Australia have conceded a lead of over 160 at home , they have managed to not lose only on seven occasions. Incidentally the last time they managed to do it against England was also in Melbourne in 1965. However, they have lost on 21 occasions.

Warner’s tempo had been uncharacteristically slow, and his 40 had come from 140 deliveries, while Smith was on 25 from 67 balls. The only two Australian batsmen to have averaged more than 40 in Test cricket in 2017, Smith and Warner knew that the longer they could stay together, the better Australia’s chances of emerging from this match with a draw. A clean sweep is off the table, but right now they would be more than happy with 4-0.England had started the morning on 9 for 491 and it took only one delivery – a short ball from Pat Cummins that James Anderson fended to short leg – to end the innings. That left Cook unbeaten on 244, the highest score ever made by a batsman carrying his bat through a Test innings, beating the 223 scored by New Zealand’s Glenn Turner against West Indies in Kingston in 1972.Cook was also the first England batsman to carry his bat in a Test in 20 years, since Mike Atherton did so against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1996-97. His innings ended in its 634th minute, which made it the fifth-longest innings by time ever played in a Test in Australia – only Sid Barnes in 1946, Bob Cowper in 1966, Graham Yallop in 1983 and Mark Greatbatch in 1989 had stayed at the crease longer in a Test in this country.It also gave England a 164-run first-innings lead, which meant the Australians faced plenty of work to fight back into the contest. They began their second innings solidly with a 51-run opening stand between Cameron Bancroft and Warner, but that ended when Bancroft, who had just driven a handsome boundary wide of mid-on, chopped on for 27 off the bowling of Chris Woakes.The loss of Usman Khawaja for 11, when he edged behind off an Anderson delivery that nipped away, left Australia wobbling at 2 for 65. Smith and Warner steadied the Australians, although Warner had a narrow escape on 36 when he only just cleared Anderson at short midwicket off the bowling of Woakes.By the time the rain arrived, the Smith-Warner partnership was worth 38 off 22.4 overs, hardly earth-shattering figures, but a sufficiently solid stand to give Australia hope of securing a draw on the final day.

Mark Goldbridge Calls For £30m Man United Ace To Be Sold

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Mark Goldbridge has been reacting to the latest news surrounding a Manchester United player that could be on his way out of Old Trafford this summer.

Is Scott McTominay leaving Manchester United?

As per The Manchester Evening News, Manchester United turned down a bid in the region of £30 million for midfielder Scott McTominay from West Ham United.

The outlet has reported that another approach from the Hammers for McTominay is doubtful and indicate that selling McTominay was not 'provisionally' planned by Erik Ten Hag this summer; however, Fiorentina anchor Sofyan Amrabat is believed to have been identified as a potential replacement for the Scotland international.

Cited by The Mirror, TNT Sports pundit Ally McCoist has spoken about McTominay's future and believes that he may have to seek a fresh challenge to safeguard his opportunities for first team involvement moving forward, as he said: "He might have to move. I really hope he doesn't, because I genuinely think he could play that position for United, I genuinely think he's talented enough. I just think sometimes, I'm not saying in this particular case, but I just think sometimes the less glamorous players can fall foul of things that are out of their control, shall we say."

Last term, McTominay made 39 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United, chipping in with three goals and a solitary assist, as per Transfermarkt.

Reliable West Ham source Sean Whetstone has revealed another twist in the tale regarding the McTominay saga and has claimed that the Hammers are 'still in talks' with Manchester United over prizing the 26-year-old away from Old Trafford this window.

Producing his best form for his country, McTominay has been in blistering goalscoring form for Scotland in their EURO 2024 qualification campaign and has hit five goals in four matches as the Tartan Army bid to seal a place at the finals in Germany next year.

Scott McTominay

Manchester United are seeking to recoup a fee in the region of £40 million for their Carrington graduate despite McTominay falling way down the pecking order in the North West, according to talkSPORT.

Fringe players Fred and Donny van de Beek could be set to join the mini-midfield exodus at Old Trafford and Harry Maguire, who was stripped of the captaincy at Manchester United earlier this window, is also expected to join West Ham where he could potentially team up with McTominay.

Speaking on The United Stand YouTube channel, Manchester United pundit Goldbridge has backed the Red Devils to aim to move McTominay on this summer.

Goldbridge stated: "I don't know how he's worth £30 million, I've still not heard from anybody that can justify £30 million for Scott McTominay. Based on what? What has he done in a United shirt to be worth that, I don't even know. If we reject that, which we have and we don't sell him, in a years time, his value is only going to go down because it's going to be another year of hardly playing and when he does play, he's not very good."

Despite making his senior debut for Manchester United back in 2017, McTominay is clearly still a player that divides opinion among the Red Devils fan base and it remains to be seen whether he will stay at the club to provide support in midfield or whether he will look to become an influential starter at another destination.

Wolves Considering Swoop To Sign £65k-p/w "Legend"

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Wolverhampton Wanderers are considering a shock summer swoop to sign Nice goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as a new report reveals the club's concerns over the long-term future of Jose Sa.

How old is Kasper Schmeichel?

Schmeichel is 36 years of age having been on the scene now for almost two decades. He spent 11 years of his career in the Premier League with Leicester City, but eventually he left the King Power Stadium in August 2022 to join Francesco Farioli's side at the Allianz Riviera.

The Denmark international firmly established himself as their official number one following his arrival having started 36 out of the 38 games in Ligue 1 during his debut season, and despite still having another two years remaining on his contract, the shot-stopper has been attracting interest once again in England.

Nottingham Forest are believed to have identified the 6 foot 2 colossus as a suitable alternative to Manchester United’s Dean Henderson should they not be able to secure his services, though if the following update is to be believed, a new competitor has entered the running in the form of Gary O’Neil at Molineux.

Are Wolves signing Kasper Schmeichel?

According to TEAMtalk, Wolves are "considering a move" for Schmeichel before the end of summer transfer window.

The Old Gold feel that they could be "forced to lose" Sa as a result of needing to balance the books to help with their financial worries, and Nice's goalkeeper is one that Fosun are "keeping tabs" on because they view him as a "ready-made replacment" for their current first choice.

The Premier League's former star is thinking about a return to England, so this could be one to keep a close eye on in the final weeks of the market.

Nice goalkeeperKasper Schmeichel.

How many clean sheets has Kasper Schmeichel kept?

In Ligue 1 last season, Schmeichel kept 11 clean sheets from 36 games, so even though he’s not getting any younger, he’s still performing at an extremely high level, therefore it’s no surprise that Wolves are contemplating a swoop for the experienced man between the sticks.

Sponsored by New Balance, the shot-stopper also recorded 105 saves from 141 shots on target against, giving him a success rate of 77.3%, via FBRef, which was significantly higher than Sa’s 67.1%, showing that he’d be an upgrade on O’Neil’s current number one.

Nice’s £65k-per-week earner additionally has a strong range of passing having completed 100% of his short passes and 97.4% of his medium attempts last term, showing that he clearly has an eye for picking out balls to his outfield teammates, so for someone who is this well-rounded in terms of being equally strong with his hands and his feet, he's the perfect target for club chiefs to be pursuing.

Finally, Schmeichel, who has been dubbed a goalkeeping “legend” by journalist Josh Bunting, possesses a winning mentality having won five pieces of silverware since the start of his career, so could help to create a positive mindset should he put pen to paper in the Midlands.

Tottenham: Spurs In Pole Position For "Fantastic" Signing

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Journalist Simon Jones has delivered a promising update on Tottenham Hotspur and their pursuit of Nottingham Forest winger Brennan Johnson.

Who will Spurs sign next?

Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou has received some backing by chairman Daniel Levy, undoubtedly, as the north London club seal deals for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, young centre-back Ashley Phillips, defender Micky van de Ven, playmaker James Maddison, winger Manor Solomon and striker Alejo Veliz.

The new league season is upon Tottenham supporters, who may be eager to witness more of Spurs' new-look, attacking style, as implemented by Postecoglou in pre-season.

Spurs already appear to be adopting a more expansive and entertaining brand of football, especially when compared to more dogmatic previous managers like Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo.

Postecoglou, though is especially eager to see more signings come through the door and has dropped multiple hints that a new centre-back is on the agenda.

“It's not done yet," said Postecoglou last weekend.

"We need bolstering in that central defensive area. We need defenders who can work in an aggressive formation, defend well & behind them. We'll be looking to bring in a couple in that area in the coming days."

While he later backtracked on that message in midweek, saying a new centre-back signing will depend on outgoings, the desire for more transfers is certainly present.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

Tottenham have also been linked with a new midfielder, if Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg departs, and a possible addition further forward.

Johnson, who starred under Forest boss Steve Cooper last season as they dodged relegation to The Championship, is apparently a target for the wide area.

A lot of his pull is reportedly centered around the fact he is homegrown, and would succeed Harry Kane in that regard if the Englishman does in fact depart for Bayern Munich.

The 22-year-old, though, could cost Tottenham in the region of £50 million according to some reliable media sources.

Now, according to The Daily Mail and their reporter Jones, a promising update has come to light on Spurs and their possible move for Johnson.

Indeed, as per their information, the Lilywhites have seemingly entered pole position to sign the Wales international over the likes of Brentford.

The Mail and Jones expand on this by saying Tottenham are "considered favourites" for Johnson, and while nothing is added beyond that, it would appear Postecoglou's side are in the driving seat.

How good is Brennan Johnson?

Johnson racked up eight goals and three assists in the top flight last season, all while featuring among Forest's top two for attempts at goal and key passes made per 90 (WhoScored).

Cooper, speaking to the press last season, was effusive in his praise for the attacking ace.

“He’s a fantastic player, we know he’s got qualities and is a great finisher." said Cooper.

Meanwhile, pundit and Man United legend Roy Keane heralded Johnson's form ahead of an FA Cup clash with Arsenal in early January 2022.

"No doubt a lot of teams are looking at him and we'll see if Forest can hold on to him," said Keane on ITV (via Nottinghamshire Live)

"It will be interested to see what he's like against a tricky team. He's got a bit of pace and he's tricky.

"He's got an assist in him and he's really talented. Sometimes you need to go out on loan."

Maddinson, Denly help Sixers finish season in style

by csb10.top Uncategorized

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.

Arsenal Give Classy Gift To 91 y/o Grandfather Of New Transfer

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Behind-the-scenes footage has captured the emotional moment David Raya's family witnessed him officially become an Arsenal player.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

The big story emerging from London Colney this week is the arrival of the Brentford goalkeeper in North London.

As per The Athletic, the 27-year-old joins initially on a season-long loan with the option to make the move permanent next summer. The Gunners will pay an initial £3m fee, while then in 12 months' time, if they want to make it a permanent transfer, they'll pay a further £27m.

The goalkeeper only had one year left on his contract at Brentford, but has signed a new two-year deal, with an option for an additional 12 months, to protect his value with the Bees in case he doesn't end up staying at Arsenal.

It appears to be a good deal all-round (except potentially for Aaron Ramsdale who now faces strong competition for the number one spot between the sticks) especially considering the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Tottenham have all reportedly shown interest in the player at some stage in the recent past.

And it seems as though Raya's family are pretty delighted with the move as well, especially his 91-year-old grandfather Joaquin.

Indeed, as seen in a clip now being circulated on Twitter – taken originally from a video shared on the club's official website –– Mikel Arteta presents the family member with a signed, personalised Arsenal shirt with his name on the back.

The Grandfather jokes: "I'm a bit nervous!" Before opening the gift upon which he adds: "This is my biggest dream."

They then go and take a picture together in a wholesome moment as sporting director Edu Gaspar jokes that 91-year-old Joaquin is "the first signing".

Who joined Arsenal in 2023?

The Gunners have made some pretty exciting moves already this summer, with Declan Rice most notably arriving for a club-record £100m fee (which could rise to £105m).

On top of that, Kai Havertz left Chelsea for their London rivals, and Jurrien Timber arrived from Ajax, making Raya the club's fourth signing in the current transfer window.

Arsenal also got a few more signings in through the door at the start of 2023 in the January transfer window as they picked up another player from the Blues in Jorginho, while also landing Brighton winger Leandro Trossard and Polish defender Jakub Kiwior.

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

Arteta and Edu will no doubt hope this is enough to see their side fight successfully in the race to win the Premier League but a bad injury to Timber, could force them back into the transfer market to sign another defender before the window closes.

Indeed, transfers expert Fabrizio Romano has said recently: "Arsenal will explore the market, will discuss internally, Arteta will be involved in conversations because, at the beginning of the market, they looked at the possibility to bring in one more centre-back, a traditional centre-back, more than a versatile centre-back such as Timber who can play everywhere basically in the defence.

"They were looking for example at a player that they appreciate is Aymeric Laporte, this is true. The rumours about Laporte are true in the sense that he's one of the players appreciated by Arsenal, but from what I [have] heard, Man City didn't want to sell one more player to Arsenal; they prefer a different kind of destination for Laporte."

Bollinger retires as Sheffield Shield resumes

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

Having played 12 Tests and 39 ODIs for Australia, the 36-year old fast bowler decided to quit a few days before the resumption of Sheffield Shield, as New South Wales look to younger quicks

Daniel Brettig05-Feb-2018

Doug Bollinger took three Victoria wickets•Getty Images

Doug Bollinger, the rumbustious New South Wales fast bowler, has chosen to retire at the age of 36 as the Blues look towards more youthful pace options for the resumption of the Sheffield Shield later this week.Having first turned out for his state as far back as 2002-03, Bollinger played 12 Tests and 39 ODIs for Australia, with handsome records in each format. With 290 wickets for NSW, he is the one of the state’s most prolific fast bowling wicket-takers. Tall, fast and capable of swinging the ball both ways, Bollinger was also a popular cult figure, remembered for antics such as mistakenly kissing the sponsor’s badge on his shirt rather than the Australian coat of arms after taking a Test wicket in New Zealand in early 2010.That tour was part of a summer in which he took 37 wickets in seven Tests against West Indies, Pakistan and New Zealand, and formed a vital part of the Australian attack, notably enjoying repeated success against Chris Gayle. However, his time in the team ended abruptly: he injured his side while performing well in the Chandigarh Test against India later that year, and then bowled poorly in the Adelaide Ashes Test of the 2010-11 summer after entering the match short of full fitness.Bollinger did return to the fold as a back-up for Mitchell Johnson during the 2013-14 summer, and made his last Australian appearance in a Twenty20 against South Africa in November 2014. He has since been a consistent part of the NSW and Sydney Sixers sides, but has now decided to finish up at the same time the state looks to a younger generation.”I was pretty raw and they gave me a really good chance at cricket,” Bollinger said of his first state coaches Steve Rixon and Trevor Bayliss. “My first captain for NSW was Steve Waugh, which was unbelievable. I played under some great captains and players for NSW and Australia including Steve, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting.”To play for 15 or 16 seasons with the SCG as my home ground has been amazing. It’s been a great ride. I met so many wonderful people and achieved the ultimate ambition of playing Test cricket for Australia. Now it’s time for the next stage of my life with my wife Tegan and my children Skye and Liam. I couldn’t have achieved everything I have without them.”Andrew Jones, the NSW chief executive, said Bollinger had enjoyed a remarkable career considering his late entry into the game as a teenager. “Doug was a larger than life presence on and off the field,” Jones said. “Whether it was charging in full throttle for another delivery, celebrating a wicket with unrestrained joy or being the personality of the dressing rooms, he was always imposing himself on the game.”Finishing his career as ninth on the list of NSW first-class wicket takers and playing all three forms of the game for Australia is a remarkable achievement given he did not play cricket until he was 15, joining local club Seven Hills-Toongabbie RSL in Sydney’s west. For someone who simply wanted to play with his mates in the park, Doug’s 290 wickets for NSW make him the state’s third most successful fast bowler of all time behind Geoff Lawson and fellow left armer Mike Whitney. Doug will always be an important part of the NSW Cricket family.”James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, said he hoped that Bollinger would stay involved in the game following his retirement as a player. “Doug has had a fantastic career, and we congratulate him on his achievements at international and domestic level,” Sutherland said. “He was a fierce competitor on the field who gave his all every time he represented his country.”He was a skilful bowler who claimed more than 100 international wickets and enjoyed success against the best in the world. Doug has made a tremendous contribution to cricket in Australia across more than 15 years – we thank him for his service, and hope he remains involved in the game following his playing career.”Mickey Edwards, 23, Charlie Stobo, 22, Harry Conway, 25, and Gurinder Sandhu, 24, are the young pacemen in the NSW Shield squad to face Western Australia from Thursday, alongside the experienced Trent Copeland.