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Like coach Sammy, captain Shai Hope was also scathing in his assessment of West Indies’ fielding against Zimbabwe

Deivarayan Muthu24-Jun-2023West Indies’ head coach Daren Sammy has pulled up his fielders for their sloppy effort that let Zimbabwe off the hook and set their side up for a heartbreaking defeat in Harare.West Indies dropped Sikandar Raza twice, first on 1 and then on 7, with the batter taking advantage of those reprieves to become the top scorer in the game with 68 off 58 balls. In all, West Indies shelled four catches; Alzarri Joseph was responsible for creating three of those chances.”Extremely disappointed. At the toss, we got to do what we wanted to do, which is to bowl first,” Sammy said at his post-match press conference. “Look, if we continue to display this type of fielding – we’ve spoken about it for the last few games – and if you keep giving the opposition’s best batters chances, eventually the cricket gods will catch up with you.Related

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“And it did with us today, but [a target of] 269 on that surface… Again, these are the things we’re trying to change. We’ve seen it happen in the past before and the direction that I want this team to move forward…Today was really poor and it’s about taking responsibility and we didn’t do that today. And hence we didn’t deserve to win at all today.”Captain Shai Hope was also quite scathing in his assessment of West Indies’ fielding after they crashed to a 35-run defeat.”To be honest, too much is on my mind right now,” Hope said at the post-match presentation. “I don’t know if I can explain it but [there is] certainly a lot of hurt and disappointment. But the tournament is not over as yet. Catches: plain and simple. We created chances. We always ask the bowlers to create chances and they’re just doing that but we’re not supporting them in the field like we should and then with the bat again. Like I said, if we had 260 to chase before the day’s start, we would’ve been happy with that.”

“I tell them, who wants to get a ticket has to come and buy that ticket at the ticket office. At the moment, some of us are not buying that ticket for that train to move on.”Coach Daren Sammy wants more from his side

West Indies were among the pre-tournament favourites to qualify for the World Cup in India along with Sri Lanka, but their defeat to Zimbabwe has now jeopardised their chances of progressing to the main event later this year. West Indies dropped two points, which they could’ve carried forward to the Super Sixes (two points are carried forward for each win against other teams that qualify from your group – Zimbabwe and Netherlands in West Indies’ case), but Sammy insisted that it wasn’t the end of the road yet.”I wouldn’t say it hampers [our qualification] but it makes it more difficult,” Sammy said. “You’d love to go into the Super Six with four points. We knew from the time we left home that this game would’ve been very important to us. And again, like I said, the way we’ve played… I kept telling the guys that we kept on winning games [by] not playing our best cricket. Today again, we asked so much of ourselves. When you put on a display of fielding like this and then you get yourself in a good position and take the game for granted, the cricket gods will make you pay and that’s exactly what I’m going to tell them in the dressing room. We did not deserve to win, and we did not play to win today and now we have a lot of work to do – firstly to get to the Super Six and take on the other teams that we face.”We’ve made our road to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 a bit more difficult, but I don’t give up on anything. I’ll keep encouraging the boys and challenging them to be better because the trend I’ve started here is going to be moving. And I tell them, who wants to get a ticket has to come and buy that ticket at the ticket office. At the moment, some of us are not buying that ticket for that train to move on.”Daren Sammy: ‘No time to cry and think about loss to Zimbabwe too much’So, how can West Indies move on from this chastening defeat and prepare for the vital clash against Netherlands, who have also made it to the Super Sixes, on Monday?”Probably best to have the day off tomorrow, to be honest, to throw everything out and we need to get it out of our systems,” Hope said. “And then come hard again come Monday because we know we have our work cut out for ourselves now and know exactly what is required.”Sammy also backed West Indies to get their mission back on track against Netherlands. “We have to be in that game as quickly as possible. I’m thinking about how I’m going to approach the guys in the dressing room,” he said. “But look, there’s no time to cry and think about it too much. We got to get our positive mindset and game face on and do it again on Monday.”Monday becomes very important for us and we will look at the squad and combination and we will come up with the best one to go out and win the game. We will not take this [Zimbabwe] victory as the end of the road. I have a strong feeling that this West Indies team will bounce back. Sometimes, you just need a good wake-up call to make you understand and appreciate the opportunity we have here.”

Liverpool are now keen on signing an “incredible” forward, who has been identified as the ideal replacement for Luis Diaz, and they could hold a major advantage over Barcelona in the race for his signature, according to a report.

Diaz's Liverpool future in doubt

Diaz has been a regular starter for the Reds this season, and the winger has been impressive in front of goal, scoring 13 goals in 39 games in all competitions. However, his future is in doubt beyond the end of the campaign.

The 28-year-old is out of contract in 2027, and he has now started to attract interest from Chelsea and Barcelona, but the Merseyside club are not willing to let him go on the cheap, and would be looking to receive a fee of at least £67m.

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Arne Slot’s side have now started to look at potential replacements for the former FC Porto man, and a report from Spain has revealed AC Milan’s Rafael Leao has emerged as a target, with the winger viewed as the ideal Diaz heir.

Leao’s versatility, in being able to play on both wings and through the middle, makes him an attractive option for the Reds, and he has regularly provided goals and assists for Milan this season.

As such, Liverpool believe the Portugal international could fit perfectly into Slot’s system, but there may be stiff competition for his signature, given that Barcelona are also known to be interested.

However, the Premier League leaders are in a far stronger position than Barca financially, which will give them an advantage in the transfer battle.

"Incredible" Leao could be the perfect Diaz replacement

Of course, Slot will be hoping Diaz opts to remain at Anfield in the summer, given the major role the forward has played in the Premier League title push, and the impact he’s made ever since arriving from Porto.

Luis Diaz

Apps (all comps)

Goals

Assists

2021-22

26

6

5

2022-23

21

5

3

2023-24

51

13

5

2024-25

39

13

4

The Colombia international’s attacking output indicates he is developing year-on-year, but if he decides to move on this summer, Leao could be an excellent replacement.

Lauded as “incredible” by Fabrizio Romano, the Milan star has been his side’s most consistent performer in the Serie A this term, picking up six goals and six assists, with four goal contributions in his last five games.

With Darwin Núñez’s future in doubt, Slot may also want to bring in a forward capable of playing at striker, and the former Lille man fits the bill in that regard, amassing 23 goals and seven assists when fielded at centre-forward.

The only potential stumbling block could be the huge price tag, with recent reports revealing Milan could look to hold out for £83m, and his stock will only continue to rise if his performances stay at their current level.

Liverpool decimated Tottenham Hotspur to overturn their one-goal deficit and advance to the final of the Carabao Cup. Newcastle United await, and it promises fireworks.

Trailing after a north London defeat last month, Arne Slot knew that his side had to impress themselves on the shaky Spurs backline from the offing, and were duly rewarded for their pressure when Cody Gakpo broke the stubborn resistance after the half-hour mark.

Mohamed Salah added to his greedy haul with another goal and another assist, but Liverpool’s high-flying Dutchman is really shaping into some player.

Cody Gakpo's performance vs Spurs

Gakpo started the Slot era on the bench, entering the fray in the Premier League off the bench for the first six outings of the campaign.

He’s now bagged in seven successive Anfield appearances across all competitions and has been Liverpool’s main man in the Carabao Cup for the second successive season. The 25-year-old’s cool strike to open the scoring took his tally to 16 this season.

Slot has got the best out of Gakpo, recognising his countryman’s flair and keen-edged ability when playing off the left flank, thus keeping him there and reaping the rewards.

Gakpo has faced his detractors since leaving PSV Eindhoven and moving to Merseyside in January 2023, with Jamie Carragher even taking to X (formerly Twitter) last season to comment that he “plays like the game is in slow motion.”

Gakpo is not the speediest runner and at times looked disjointed under Jurgen Klopp as his dynamism saw him shoehorned in various positions across the field, but it’s clear to see that now, with a recognised and thriving role, he’s become one of the finest forwards across the continent.

However, Gakpo’s not the only recent recruit to have proved the Sky Sports pundit wrong, with Dominik Szoboszlai impeccable as the midfield engine.

Dominik Szoboszlai has proved Carragher wrong

Szoboszlai is just completely indefatigable. He overwhelmed a struggling Tottenham side with his energy and exuberance behind Darwin Nunez, chipping in defensively and putting in the perfect all-encompassing effort.

Dominik Szoboszlai – Stats vs Tottenham
Match Stats	#
Minutes played	90′
Goals	1
Touches	67
Shots (on target)	5 (2)
Accurate passes	36/40 (90%)
Key passes	5
Dribbles (completed)	3 (2)
Tackles + interceptions	4
Total duels (won)	15 (7)
Stats via Sofascore

It was only a matter of days ago that Carragher remarked that he’s “not Szoboszlai’s biggest fan,” acknowledging his athleticism but criticising his lack of potency in front of goal.

There’s some degree of truth to this argument. Since Szoboszlai joined from RB Leipzig in July 2023 for a £60m fee, he’s posted 12 goals and nine assists across 76 matches, a contribution rate of 0.28 per game.

But he’s an unsung hero of sorts, supercharging this unstoppable Liverpool force and giving rise to Salah and Gakpo’s terrific goalscoring ability.

The Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle awarded the Hungary skipper – who notably won seven duels on the night – with an 8/10 match rating and hailed him for his energy, leading the press.

Performance in Numbers

An integral part of the team, Szoboszlai is silencing his critics, Carragher among them.

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MatériaMais Notícias

Em medida que irá favorecer a adesão ao programa de sócios-torcedores do Internacional, o clube irá praticar um percentual maior de desconto em ingresso para não-sócios e também pertencentes a dois planos específicos:Campeão do Mundo e Nada Vai Nos Separar.

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Para aquelesda modalidade Campeão do Mundo, haverá o desconto de 60% de redução e passam a pagar R$ 16. Já os da categoria Nada Vai nos Separar terão 20% de abatimento e pagam R$ 32. Por sua vez, os não-sócios pagarão R$ 40.

Quem comentou a medida foi o Vice-Presidente de Adminstração do Colorado, Victor Grunberg, entendendo que o maior importante é proporcionar a presença cada vez mais maciça do público no Gigante:

-Fizemos essa adequação buscando satisfazer, prioritariamente, nossos sócios. Mas também estamos contemplando os torcedores em geral, pois queremos aumentar nosso quadro social e entendemos que um caminho para isso ocorrer é ofertar valores mais em conta. Nosso desejo é que a torcida volte ao Beira-Rio, queremos casa cheia e que todos possam acompanhar de perto a boa campanha do Colorado dentro de campo.

A validade dos novos preços será a partir da próxima quinta-feira (24), data onde o Internacional jogará em seus domínios contra o Coritiba, às 21h30 (de Brasília), pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.

MatériaMais Notícias

Uma das leis mais famosas do futebol atacou novamente e dessa vez fez o Corinthians de vítima. Com gol do lateral-esquerdo Uendel, ainda no primeiro tempo, o Cuiabá bateu o Timão por 1 a 0, na Arena Pantanal, no Mato Grosso, nesta terça-feira (7), pela abertura da 10º rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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+ATUAÇÕES: Vítor Pereira e Robson Bambu vão mal em derrota do Corinthians para o Cuiabá
+ GALERIA – Jogadores da base que mais ganharam chances com VP
+ TABELA – Confira e simule os jogos do Corinthians no Brasileirão

A vitória foi a primeira do Dourado em casa pela competição nacional e, de quebra, interrompeu uma sequência de 11 jogos sem perder do clube paulista.

+ Afastado por lesão, Jô é flagrado em pagode durante a derrota do Corinthians; assista

O revés também pode tirar o Alvinegro do Parque São Jorge da liderança do Brasileirão, já que a equipe estacionou nos 18 pontos, mas pode ser ultrapassada por Atlético-MG e Palmeiras, que tem 16 e entram em campo nesta quarta (8) e quinta-feira (9), respectivamente, no complemento da rodada.

SALVA CÁSSIO

Aos dois minutos de jogo, a primeira grande chance foi criada pelo Cuiabá, mas parou em grande defesa do goleiro Cássio. Robson Bambu vacilou na defesa, Felipe Marques tomou a bola, rolou para trás e André encheu o pé para grande defesa do goleiro corintiano.

ANDRÉ COMEÇA ON FIRE

Dois minutos depois, a bola foi esticada para André Felipe, que encarou a marcação, finalizou com perigo de fora da área e a bola passou tirando tinta da trave esquerda do goleiro Cássio.

CORINTHIANS RESPONDE

Aos seis minutos do primeiro tempo, o Timão respondeu levando perigo pela primeira vez contra o Cuiabá. Os jogadores corintianos foram tocando bola de pé em pé, Mantuan recebeu pela direita e cruzou no segundo pau para Mosquito cabecear e obrigar João Carlos fazer boa defesa.

LEI DO EX NÃO FALHA

Depois da blitz no início da partida, o jogo caiu muito de rendimento. O Corinthians acertou o seu esquema defensivo, teve ligeiramente mais a bola, mas pecou na falta de um homem de armação no meio-campo. A aposta corintiana foi no jogo rápido pelas pontas, mas sem efetividade.

Sem muitas movimentações, o Cuiabá encontrou seu gol aos 35 minutos do primeiro tempo, e com um ex-atleta corintiano, o lateral-esquerdo Uendel.

Se a parte defensiva do Timão estava bem postada, houve alguns vacilos na saída de bola, quando o Dourado apertava. E foi assim que o time do Mato Grosso abriu o placar.

O Corinthians tentou saiu jogando, Mosquito soltou bola na fogueira para Adson, que não dominou, Uendel tomou, a bola sobrou para Felipe Marques, que devolveu para o lateral-esquerdo finalizar no canto esquerdo de Cássio e marcar o primeiro gol da partida.

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VÍTOR PEREIRA MEXE MUITO NO INTERVALO

Sem gostar do que viu no primeiro tempo, o técnico Vítor Pereira embaralhou novamente as peças do quebra-cabeça corintiano e voltou para a etapa final com quatro alterações. Entraram Lucas Piton, Giuliano, Renato Augusto e Júnior Moraes, e saíram Robson Bambu, Bruno Melo, Du Queiroz e Adson.

Assim, o Timão passou a jogar em um 4-3-3, com Mantuan como lateral-direito, Gil e Raul Gustavo fazendo a dupla de zaga, e Piton caindo pela ala esquerda; o meio-campo passou a ter Cantillo atrás e uma dupla de meias, com Giuliano e Renato Augusto, na frente; e a trinca ofensiva contou com Mosquito pela direita, Róger Guedes na esquerda, e Júnior Moraes como atacante de centro.

QUASE O SEGUNDO DO DOURADO

Mesmo com as quatro alterações corintianas, o primeiro lance de perigo do segundo tempo foi do Cuiabá, assim como havia sido no primeiro tempo. Aos três minutos, Rafael Gava bateu escanteio com perigo, pelo lado direito, o zagueiro Alan Empereur ganhou de Róger Guedes por alto, mas mandou para fora, mesmo assim levando perigo ao gol de Cássio.

TIMÃO LEVA PERIGO PELA PRIMEIRA VEZ NO SEGUNDO TEMPO

Aos 10 minutos do segundo tempo, o Corinthians chegou com perigo pela primeira vez no segundo tempo, quando as mudanças foram feitas.

Róger Guedes recebeu passe de Giuliano pela esquerda, cortou para dentro, finalizou no canto esquerdo e obrigou boa defesa do goleiro João Carlos.

A jogada nasceu de uma boa recuperação de bola do zagueiro Raul Gustavo no meio-campo.

FALTA NO RÓGER GUEDES

Aos 20 minutos, o Corinthians teve boa chance com Róger Guedes, que recebeu em boas condições na entrada da área, pelo lado direito, foi tocado por Pepê e sofreu falta. O próprio Guedes cobrou e mandou por cima de gol, mas levando perigo para a meta adversária.

CUIABÁ QUASE AMPLIA

Aos 30 minutos, o volante Marcão Silva, que havia saído do banco de reservas, arriscou um belo chute de primeira, fora da área, e a bola passou com muito perigo ao gol de Cássio.

SINALIZADORES CORINTIANOS PARAM O JOGO

Por volta dos 35 minutos do segundo tempo, o jogo precisou ser parado por quase três minutos, por conta de sinalizadores acesos na torcida do Corinthians, que tomou todo o setor atrás de um dos gols da Arena Pantanal. Foram quase 10 mil corintianos no estádio em Mato Grosso.

POKO PRUDENTE

A expectativa é que o meia Valdívia, o popular ‘Poko Pika’, começasse a partida como titular, mas a comissão técnica do Cuiabá optou colocar o atleta durante o jogo. No entanto, mesmo entrando na etapa final, o jogador foi para o chuveiro mais cedo, já que aos 48 minutos do segundo tempo entrou com muita imprudência e força cometendo falta em Mantuan, no Timão.

FICHA TÉCNICA
CUIABÁ 1 X 0 CORINTHIANS
CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO – 10ª RODADA

Local: Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá (MT)
Data e hora: 7 de junho de 2022, às 21h30
Árbitro: Marcelo de Lima Henrique (CE)
Assistentes:Nailton Júnior de Sousa Oliveira (CE) e Márcia B. Lopes Caetano (RO)
Árbitro de vídeo: Rafael Traci (SC)
Público e renda: 22.129 pessoas / R$ 1.957.000,00
Cartões amarelos: Raul Gustavo e Du Queiroz (Corinthians)
Cartão vermelho: Valdívia (Cuiabá)

GOL: 1-0 Uendel (35’/1T)

CUIABÁ: João Carlos; João Lucas, Alan Empereur, Marllon e Uendel; Camilo, Rafael Gava (Valdívia, 21’/2T) e Pepê (Paulão, 35’/2T); Felipe Marques (Marcão Silva, 21’/2T), André Felipe (Jenison, 21’/2T) e André Luís (Alesson, 3’/2T). Técnico: Bernardo Franco.

CORINTHIANS: Cássio; Robson Bambu (Júnior Moraes, intervalo), Gil e Raul Gustavo; Gustavo Mantuan, Cantillo, Du Queiroz (Giuliano, intervalo) e Bruno Melo (Lucas Piton, intervalo); Gustavo Mosquito (Wesley, 37’/2T), Róger Guedes e Adson (Renato Augusto, intervalo). Técnico: Vítor Pereira.

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Seamer makes most of months on sidelines to justify leapfrogging Broad in pecking order

Vithushan Ehantharajah28-Aug-2022

Ollie Robinson dismissed Sarel Erwee at Old Trafford, having troubled him during the England Lions game too•Getty Images

On Wednesday, on the eve of the second Test against South Africa, Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad were driving back to the team hotel after a round of golf at The Mere Golf Resort & Spa. It was here that Broad first heard he would not be taking the new ball at Emirates Old Trafford.He wasn’t told, expressly. Instead, his captain floated the idea to the 36-year-old, whose last appearance as the third seamer in a home first innings was 100 Tests ago, at Trent Bridge in the 2013 Ashes Test. Broad had a think and quickly agreed the logic was sound.The response from Broad was to be expected for one who thrives on proving a point. His 3 for 37 in the first innings after being introduced first-change included Proteas skipper Dean Elgar. He ended up being the fifth option in the second innings, following an early foray for the spinners, but accounted for Aiden Markram, whom he’d earlier missed out on after overstepping.He now has 559 Test dismissals, four short of his hero Glenn McGrath who sits fifth on the all-time list. It’s not always the case that someone so decorated is so accommodating – indeed there have been times in the past when Broad might have contested the new tactic. But he took the demotion with grace, and Stokes lauded his senior man: “For Broady to understand the bigger picture about why I wanted that to be the option was an absolute credit to him.”What helped Broad see the bigger picture was that Stokes wanted to give the new ball to Ollie Robinson. Of all the quicks he has seen come through the changing-room door, Broad regards Robinson as one of the most skilful, which makes sense given that James Anderson was already inside when Broad himself walked in back in 2007. Despite Robinson being recalled for just his 10th Test, and his first since Hobart in January, Broad knew his team-mate was the better option.The prospect of this switch emerged after the England Lions match against South Africa at Canterbury, where the feedback to the main group was of Robinson’s joy against Sarel Erwee. After missing the series opener at Lord’s, and getting match-ready in the shadow of England’s innings defeat, the cord was pulled in Manchester to great effect.Robinson was unlucky to just take just the one wicket for 48 on day one – “he was on the best none-for that I’ve ever seen,” Stokes said at the post-match presentations – but bagged England’s best figures of the match on day three, with 4 for 43 as South Africa folded for 179 to confirm defeat and make it 1-1 going into the final match at The Oval.As it happens, despite the seed of an idea being planted at the start of August, and revealed to Broad on Wednesday, Robinson was only informed he was opening from the Brian Statham End after Elgar had won the toss on Thursday morning and opted to bat first.”I got told 10 minutes before we were going out I was taking the new ball,” Robinson said on Saturday night, “and then got the nod as we walked onto the field.”I was buzzing because I feel that’s my strength – making the batsman play as much as possible with the new ball. So it was a nice confidence booster from Stokesy and Baz as well.”Ollie Robinson says he has become a ‘gym freak’ in the months since his previous Test appearance in the Ashes•Getty Images

For the 28-year-old, who now boasts 44 dismissals at 20.93 at Test level, this felt like the turning of a page in a 14-month international career that has already been punctuated with controversy and misfortune. Of the 10 matches he has missed since making his debut at Lord’s against New Zealand at the start of the 2021 home season, one was due to a suspension after the emergence of historic offensive tweets, three were because he was not fit enough to cope with the rigours of a Test winter, and the four at the start of this summer were due to a combination of Covid-19, back troubles and a dental issue.”It’s been a tough six months with injury and a few doubts about myself,” Robinson said. “So it’s really satisfying to get the win here and make a decent contribution at the end.”I’ve tried to keep my head up, be quite positive and try to work as hard as I can to just get back into this environment. I was chuffed to be in this squad before we played the first Test, and to play this one I was over the moon. It’s just great to be back and that winning feeling – you just can’t beat it.”The overriding narrative around Robinson has been about fitness, something made public during the Ashes. Bowling coach Jon Lewis said Robinson needed to be fitter after struggling in the fifth Test of the 4-0 defeat, stating: “He’s got to get used to understanding what it takes to be a full-time year-round international cricketer.”It was a statement that resonated beyond the dressing-room because of the implication that Robinson was not as professional as he should be. But there were also some who felt the public chastising was not the best approach. Robinson, however, accepts nothing said was incorrect, and that Lewis, who remains part of the backroom staff but will be moved back to the ECB pathways at the end of the summer, was not saying anything he hadn’t told Robinson in private. Since working together at Sussex, the pair have a strong relationship.”It’s not easy but we’re an honest group,” Robinson said. “I took that on the chin and took it as a wake-up call as well. So I’ve used that to drive me forward in the last six months and, when times have got tough, I’ve just used that as a drive to try and keep positive.Related

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Ben Stokes hails 'benchmark' performance as England learn to adapt their aggression

“I’ve always had that positive mindset that I would get back,” he added. “I think people don’t realise that me and Jon go back quite a long way. He was my bowling coach at Sussex for three, four years. So we do have that honest relationship. It’s just hasn’t obviously come out in the press before, but we do have that honest relationship where we can say what we feel and how we felt and we just moved on after that. We spoke about it, moved on, and like I said it drove me for the last six months to get to this place today.”It is a place where, now, training no longer feels like a chore. “I’ve become a bit of a gym freak,” he added with a smile, “which I never thought I’d say.”I wake up in the morning and I’m like, I’ve really got to go to the gym. Yeah, so it’s become a bit of a habit, whereas before it was a chore and I think that’s really helped me as well. The running three times a week, the gymming three times a week, it’s just ingrained in me now, which hopefully will help for years to come.”The real change has been one of mindset rather than diet and behaviour, something triggered by chats with Stokes during the period in which Robinson was sidelined. Much of that was of the standards expected, but there was empathy, too. Stokes used himself as an example of someone who did not fully appreciate the importance of fine-tuning your body until later in his career.Stuart Broad took his demotion to first-change with grace and produced a vital first-innings spell•AFP/Getty Images

“When he first started international cricket he wasn’t in the shape he is now, and I spoke to him about how he got there – mentally, physically, the lot. And he really helped me in that stage of building back to this point today. Along with the England medical team and everyone behind the scenes, they really helped me. I’m not there yet, I’m not the finished article at all, but we’re well on the way of getting there hopefully.”Robinson regards the last six months as something of a blessing in disguise. An intense first half of his career has given way to a much quieter one in which he has been able to improve his numbers without a ball in his hand.”We’ve got obviously the last Test and then we’ve probably got six, seven weeks again before Pakistan,” he said. “So I have the opportunity again to go to the next level again. So that’s what I’m thinking at the moment, just using that time as wisely as I can to improve myself as best I can.”This realisation, authentic if overdue and all the more welcome for it, comes at a crucial juncture for the life cycle of this England side. As much as there has been a reinvigoration of Anderson and Broad, quite how long both have left is a constant fear, even if the pair state they are as happy and as willing as ever.Beyond their world-class ability is longevity, which has offered England an earthing, even in troubled times. And while they are still around, Robinson says he will absorb as much of their knowledge as possible while also working out how he might replicate their endurance, popularity and, ultimately, legacy.”Watching them two is so inspirational for me.” he said. “That’s how I want to be: I want the crowd cheering my name and that’s what I’m driving to do.”I had a point today when I was fielding at mid-off and I thought ‘I don’t want to do this for 18 months. I want to do this for five, six years’ and I feel more driven today than I did at the start of my career. I feel in such a good headspace now, after this week’s game, I can drive on and push on a lot more.”

Looking to bridge the gap between themselves and the Premier League’s top four, Aston Villa have reportedly submitted a second offer worth over £15m to sign a Champions League talent this month.

Aston Villa transfer news

The Villans enjoyed quite the summer transfer window, welcoming names such as Amadou Onana ahead of a number of sides, but that has not seen them repeat last season’s achievements as of yet. Sat ninth in the Premier League and struggling to juggle both European and domestic football for the first time, Unai Emery’s side could still do with some fresh faces this month, as their 2-2 draw against Brighton highlighted last time out.

With that said, names such as Yasin Ozcan have already been mentioned as the January transfer window rolls on. Recent reports even went as far to suggest that those in the Midlands have already agreed a deal to sign the young central defender from Super Lig side Kasimpasa. Whether that deal goes over the line remains to be seen, however.

Duran replacement: Aston Villa chasing exciting Donyell Malan alternative

Villa are targeting a new attacker to add more goals

ByJoe Nuttall Jan 3, 2025

He’s seemingly not the only target either. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Aston Villa have submitted a second bid worth €18m (£14.9m) + add-ons to sign Donyell Malen after their initial bid was turned down by Borussia Dortmund who want more than €20m (£17m) guaranteed.

The German club are ready to sell their winger, as relayed by Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, but are seemingly in no mood to accept a cut-price. With negotiations ongoing, however, it’s clear that Aston Villa are not giving up in pursuit of securing Malen’s signature.

A player who can play on the right-hand side and lead the line, Malen’s arrival could create instant concern for Leon Bailey, who has struggled to replicate last season’s impressive form.

"Incredible" Malen could complete Aston Villa attack

Bailey’s form should worry those at Villa Park, who will be desperate to see their goals shared around rather than solely rely on Ollie Watkins or Jhon Duran – often from the bench – provide the golden touch. Without a goal all season and with just three assists to his name in 22 appearances in all competitions, the winger is quickly becoming a point of weakness that Malen could arrive to solve instantly.

Starts

6

11

Goals

3

0

Assists

0

2

Expected Goals

2.8

1

The stats suggest that, whilst Malen desperately needs a move away from Dortmund this month, he has remained clinical in front of goal – scoring three goals in just six starts. Bailey, meanwhile, has struggled to carve opportunities and struggled to become the attacking spark that Villa benefitted from throughout the last campaign.

Despite where he finds himself at the German club, Malen was at the centre of Sebastian Kehl’s praise in 2023. The sporting director told WAZ as relayed by BVB Buzz: “We’ve known for months that he has incredible potential, and we knew that last year as well.

“He is an incredibly enriching element for this team, that was the idea behind his signing and I’m glad he’s showing that much more often now. The last step was still missing for him and he has taken it now. Donny has gained incredible self-confidence.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A partir das 15h desta quarta-feira, a bola vai rolar para o início do Campeonato Paulista sub-20 2022. A edição contará com 72 times, divididos em 12 grupos de seis equipes. Uma dessas está o Monte Azul, clube que completou 102 anos há cinco dias.

Comandado por Andrews Deco, treinaor com licença A na CBF, o Monte Azul está no grupo B, completado por Francana, Inter de Bebedouro, Ribeirão Preto, Olímpia e Botafogo-SP. O treinador comentousobre as expectativas para estreia e como foi a preparação de toda equipe para o primeiro confronto no torneio.

– Conseguimos montar um time competitivo e qualificado, a preparação foi bem importante e vantajosa para nossa equipe. Queremos fazer um bom campeonato, pois esses meninos merecem e vamos trabalhar muito por isso. A expectativa é a melhor possível e quando entrarmos em campo, é buscar jogar bem, compactados e acima de tudo desfrutar dessas oportunidades que a vida nos dá – afirmou o treinador.

A primeira partida do Monte Azul será contra o Botafogo-SP, às 15h pelo horário de Brasília, no estádio Otacília Patrício Arroyo, em Monte Azul. Posteriormente, no próximo dia 11 (quarta-feira), a equipe viaja até Francana para encarar o time da casa.

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The former USMNT defender believes that there are questions surrounding the USMNT after the Concacaf Nations league

Lalas criticizes USMNT's boring performancesQuestions arise about players' commitment to the national teamConcerns grow over team's readiness for the 2026 World CupGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

The USMNT suffered back-to-back defeats in the CONCACAF Nations League, losing to Panama in the semifinals and then to Canada in the third-place game. Former U.S. star Alexi Lalas, speaking on his State of the Union podcast, expressed frustration with the team's performances.

“You think, ‘Well with a couple of days in the different air and with the light of those different days, maybe you’re gonna feel different,' ” Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast, referencing his immediate reaction to the U.S. loss to Canada. “I don’t feel any different. And I do think that the situation has only been exasperated by more of the questioning of whether this team is good enough. And that in and of itself would give us plenty to talk about.

"But also the real question is to whether these players care? And care when they step on the field to represent what I feel is the greatest country in the world? And I think that that conversation is going to continue."

AdvertisementWHAT ALEXI LALAS SAID

Lalas also touched upon the 2025 Gold Cup that the USMNT are co-hosting alongside Canada and believes that while the Americans are favorites, Pochettino and his team need to show the fans something more.

“It’s also worth looking at the fact what the Gold Cup is in this moment," he said. "We all know that the U.S. has won multiple Gold Cups, that the U.S. going into a Gold Cup are, traditionally, one of the favorites. And notwithstanding what just happened, this summer in the Gold Cup the U.S. are going to be one of the favorites.

“But I think because of what has happened not just over the last week but over the last year with Copa America, now there is a real pressure and onus on Mauricio Pochettino in the Gold Cup to at least show progress, at least show improvement and to win back some of those hearts and minds, as it’ll then be a year before the World Cup."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The USMNT lost 1-0 to Panama in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League and then lost 2-1 to Canada in the third-place game, finishing fourth in the tournament. It marked the first time since the tournament was created that the USMNT have not won the trophy.

AFPWHAT’S NEXT?

The USMNT will face Turkiye and Switzerland prior to the Gold Cup, and then participate in the summer tournament, which will be their last competitive international games before the 2026 World Cup.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah among the premier players rested for the series

ESPNcricinfo staff22-May-202211:36

Shastri: On current form, India might just play Malik against SA

Rohit Sharma, the designated all-format captain, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are among the senior players to be rested for India’s five-match T20I series at home against South Africa next month. KL Rahul has been named the captain of the 18-man side, which welcomes back Hardik Pandya, and has maiden call-ups for Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh.Also missing from the squad are Deepak Chahar, Ravindra Jadeja and Suryakumar Yadav, who are all carrying injuries. Chahar, of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, has a back injury, and played no part in the tournament. Jadeja, also of Super Kings, left the IPL with a bruised rib that he picked up earlier this month, while Mumbai Indians’ Suryakumar also left the IPL earlier this month because of a left-forearm injury.Related

India's T20I line-up: Who will be the second spinner? Or the back-up opener?

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From the squad that took on Sri Lanka in their T20I series, also in India, in February this year, Mohammed Siraj and Sanju Samson have been left out. Kohli, who last played a T20I in February, against West Indies, had been rested for the Sri Lanka series as well. In fact, since stepping down as India’s T20I captain after the 2021 T20 World Cup, Kohli has played only two T20Is.As such, both Kohli and Rohit have been in patchy form at the IPL. Rohit, whose Mumbai Indians finished last on the points table, had a best score of 48 and tallied 268 runs overall from 14 innings, scoring at an average of 19.14 and a strike rate of 120.17. Kohli’s run was arguably even poorer, but he has shown signs of returning to form of late, hitting 73 in 54 balls in Royal Challengers’ last game, against Titans, which gave them an eight-wicket win and helped them stay in contention for the playoffs. Overall, Kohli has 309 runs from 14 innings, at an average of 23.76 and a strike rate of 117.93.IPL form is likely to have played a part in the Hardik and Dinesh Karthik recalls too.ESPNcricinfo LtdKarthik, one of the top finishers in the competition this year, last played a T20I – or a match in any format for India – in 2019, but forced the selectors to turn to him after hitting 287 runs at a strike rate of 191.33 in the IPL 2022 league stage. He has also been the best Indian batter in the death overs this season [min 30 balls faced], striking at 226.37.Hardik, meanwhile, last turned out for India at the 2021 T20 World Cup, but played primarily as a batter, bowling only in a couple of games in the group stage. But he has bowled a lot more in IPL 2022 – 24.3 overs across eight innings – where he has led Titans to the top of the points table. With the bat, he had an excellent start to the tournament, but then tapered off before smashing 62 not out in 47 balls in their last match, against Royal Challengers Bangalore.His international appearances have been sporadic of late, especially since back problems, which necessitated a surgery, cropped up in 2019. But Hardik has always remained a part of India’s plans, which was evident when he was asked by the BCCI to take the fitness tests at NCA days before the IPL began. It is understood that the national selectors wanted to be sure that Hardik can consistently bowl at least a couple of overs in every match.Arshdeep and Malik, meanwhile, have been among the most exciting young Indian quicks at the IPL. Malik has consistently bowled at speeds upwards of 150kph, and has 21 wickets to show for his efforts even while he has, at times, been expensive. Arshdeep has been the go-to bowler for Punjab Kings at the death, his yorkers reaping great rewards for him on most occasions. He hasn’t always been a big wicket-taker, though, with ten strikes in 13 outings, but has an overall economy rate of 7.82 this season, and an impressive death-overs economy of 7.31, the best among all bowlers to have sent down at least 50 balls in that phase.The players to retain their places in the squad were Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda and Shreyas Iyer in the batting line-up, wicketkeeper-batters Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan, allrounder Venkatesh Iyer, spinners Yuzvendra Chahal, the Purple-Cap holder at the IPL at this stage, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi, and seamers Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel and Avesh Khan.But two of the names that had been discussed during IPL 2022 after making big impressions – batter Rahul Tripathi and quick bowler Mohsin Khan – didn’t get a look-in.