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Courtney Walsh wants to see West Indies women’s team smiling again – he also wants to see them winning, but believes the two go hand-in-hand.Walsh has laid out his blueprint as the new West Indies women’s head coach on the eve of meetings with the region’s cricket hierarchy to discuss what is possible under financial and physical constraints imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.Top of his wish list is to restore West Indies’ brand of cricket, starting with an assessment of the talent pool via a series of training camps and either more regional women’s cricket or, if that’s not feasible, scouting trips to the various island nations.”I don’t want to use the word revamp,” Walsh said in a Zoom press conference on Monday. “We’ve got to start to refocus, re-energise and try to recreate and spot new talent as well.”Unfortunately we’re not doing as much cricket in the region for the women as we would like to but we have to look at what we have and to get that sparkle back. I would like to see us smiling again, playing the West Indian brand of cricket that we know we can play.”Walsh, who is West Indies’ leading wicket-taker in Test cricket with 519 scalps, was announced as women’s head coach last week, immediately following the team’s 5-0 defeat in their bilateral T20I series in England. He takes over from Gus Logie, with Andre Coley holding the position on an interim basis for the tour to England, which marked the return of top-flight women’s cricket after the pandemic.Walsh, who had previously worked with the women’s team during the T20 World Cup in Australia earlier this year, has also worked as assistant coach with the Bangladesh men’s team and served as a West Indies selector.He believed West Indies women had performed better in England than the series scoreline suggests, but he also conceded that they had suffered from an over-reliance on “a couple of players” who had “been carrying the team”.”You cannot just be dependent on one or two players,” Walsh said. “Yes, we have those players who are going to lead the charge, but we also we have good back-up players who can and will have to step to the plate. It’s giving them that confidence, that self belief.”Sometimes we are afraid to fail, but if you’re failing and you get better, or you’re improving by making a mistake or two, I can live with that, but it can’t be the same constant mistakes all the time.”I want the players to believe in themselves, and they’re smiling and enjoying what they’re doing. Yes, you’re going to have a bad patch, you’re going to have the battle, the hard feelings, here and there, but that consistency and that pride of wanting to play for West Indies is what I want to instil.”Deandra Dottin was the leading run-scorer in the series against England with 185 runs at an average of 37.00. But she and captain Stafanie Taylor, who had 78 runs at 26.00 were the only West Indies players to pass 40 runs for the series, exposing the lack of depth in the batting line-up.Deandra Dottin frees her arms•Getty Images

West Indies missed Dottin’s bowling – she only sent down eight overs as she continues her comeback from shoulder surgery – and Shamilia Connell claimed seven wickets at 19.28 to be their leading wicket-taker on the strength of her 3 for 14 in the fifth match, which was reduced to five overs per side by rain.As recently as last year, Taylor blamed a poor domestic women’s structure for failing to nurture young talent, despite West Indies having won the T20 World Cup in 2016.Walsh will meet with Cricket West Indies CEO Johnny Grave and director of cricket Jimmy Adams on Tuesday to discuss practical ways forward.”I’d like to see more cricket being played, that’s obvious, in the region,” Walsh said. “If we can get more women playing in the region at the regional level, then that’s a big plus for Cricket West Indies and a bigger pool to look at.”Obviously you want to see them in a match situation, but if that’s not going to happen then we might have a look at taking a core of coaches to the Windward Islands, to Jamaica, to Barbados and try to have fun days to see if we can spot talent.”What I’d love to be able to do is get a camp going at the earliest convenience for everybody involved so I can start looking at the players… see where they’re at and get a good guideline or a gauge as to where they can go and who we need to prolong with, who we need to give specifics stuff to go and do, so we can get a little bit more technical with some of the players.”I don’t know how soon we can have that in place in terms of that camp but that will be the first thing on my agenda.”

Arsenal are reportedly looking to sign an upgrade on Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer, which could see a rising star arrive from La Liga on a path already trodden by club captain Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal transfer news

The Gunners won't stop here after their sensational Premier League campaign, with Josh Kroenke remaining defiant in the fact that this is just the start for those in North London.

With that said, whilst the headlines will likely be dominated by their search for a ruthless goalscorer this summer, those at The Emirates are also reportedly looking to land a new left-back.

Arteta has privately called £40 million defender his ideal Arsenal signing

The Spaniard is a big fan.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 18, 2024

According to reports in Spain, Arsenal are eyeing a move to sign Miguel Gutierrez, who has starred at Girona this season to help them secure a shock Champions League place. Earning a reported £6k-a-week, Arsenal could land a bargain deal if they trigger Gutierrez's €40m (£34m) release clause in the coming months.

Having come through Real Madrid's ranks, Gutierrez can now follow the same path as Odegaard by completing a move to North London and providing Mikel Arteta with a long term left-back solution. With Bayern Munich also interested though, the Gunners will have to act sooner rather than later if they want to kick off their summer plans with a bang.

Welcoming Gutierrez and others would certainly be the first step towards building a deep squad capable of competing for four trophies next season.

"Fantastic" Gutierrez would be an upgrade on Zinchenko

At just 22 years old, Gutierrez looks set to have quite the decision to make about his future this summer, especially if Arsenal turn their interest more serious. If the move does take place though, then it's one that should leave the Gunners in a position of strength down their left-hand side, with Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu handed quite the competition.

The number of ball recoveries that Gutierrez manages is a particular positive and stands out as something that would slot straight into Arteta's attempt to suffocate teams on the front foot when Arsenal want to counter-press.

After such an impressive campaign, the left-back has earned plenty of deserved praise, including from Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, who described his season as "fantastic". Things could now get better than ever this summer if Arsenal step up their interest and sign a player who is showing all the signs that there's plenty more to come yet.

The winger is scoring goals for fun, but can Pulisic become America’s first ‘World-Class’ men's player?

The term "World-Class" is an overused phrase in soccer, because the reality is this: everyone has a different definition. So right from the start, we're going to lay down a marker and explain how we define World-Class.

It means that a player is considered among the top handful in his main position in the global game. It means the player is producing regularly and consistently, not just in occasional bunches. And it means that any elite team in the world would look at the player's profile and think, "Wow, we'd be lucky to have him."

No American male has reached World-Class status. A few have approached the precipice, to be fair. Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel – they were arguably the closest to reach that status, but even the U.S. men's national team's most decorated stars have been at a level just below the World-Class level.

So the provocative question is this: Can that change this season?

Once mired on the bench at Chelsea, Christian Pulisic has rapidly become prolific for AC Milan. If he continues the way he's started, will we look back at the 2024-25 campaign as the one in which the USMNT's leader played himself into World-Class recognition? GOAL takes a look.

• Getty
  

  Pulisic's hot start

  Granted, it's early. But Pulisic has set an incredible tone in the initial weeks of the 2024-25 season.

  The American star has scored three goals so far, with the most recent coming in AC Milan's Champions League loss to Liverpool. That finish, in particular, was high-quality. After breaking through on the right, Pulisic had both the confidence and quality to slide a shot from a tight angle past Alisson, arguably the best goalkeeper in the world. Beating the Brazilian in that situation isn't easy, but Pulisic did it with style.

  His first two goals came in Serie A, one against Parma and one against Venezia. You can also add in a goal against New Zealand while on USMNT duty during the September international break, too. For club and country, Pulisic is cooking.

  To be sure, this could just be a very good run of form. It could be a hot start that, at some point, will be evened out by a dry spell. Then again, it could be something more – much more – and recent history gives reason to believe just that.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Stats on his side

  Numbers don't tell the whole story, but it's worth stating that Pulisic's are pretty damn good.

  Since he joined Milan at the start of the 2023-24 season, no player in Serie A has contributed to more goals than Pulisic. You read that correctly. During that time, he's scored 18 and set up a further 12, establishing himself as arguably the most dangerous player in Italy's top flight.

  Now, that does come with a caveat. Serie A isn't the Serie A of the '90s. It is no longer the best league in the world. AC Milan is good but, based on the Champions League opener against Liverpool, far from great.

  Nonetheless, Pulisic is putting up big numbers for an historic club, one that still could find itself in the Champions League knockouts despite Tuesday's rough start. He's doing it for a legendary team with wild expectations and a realistic dream of Serie A glory.

  So that brings us back to the question: would that be enough to earn him the title of World-Class?

• Getty Images Sport
  

  The beginnings of prime Pulisic

  Just one day after scoring against Liverpool, Pulisic hit a milestone. Wednesday was his 26th birthday.

  Data generally suggests that age 26 opens the window for attacking players to reach their prime. They aren't quite there yet, but it's when stars aggressively start the climb toward their peak. If history is any guide, that would indicate that we likely haven't seen the best of Pulisic yet.

  Last season, of course, was his best campaign as a professional, at least from an individual perspective. He was one of only three Serie A players to record 15 goals and 10 assists in all competitions last season, joining Rafael Leao and Paulo Dybala. It was a demonstration of what Pulisic can be at his best – especially after several years at his worst with Chelsea.

  The fact is this: Pulisic is still developing. His time spent at the bench at Chelsea certainly hardened his mentality, but the last year or so has shown that there are still features left to unlock. He's added both goals and assists to his game int he last year, and Milan have reason to believe he can add even more of both as they push for glory this season.

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• Getty
  

  The closest Americans to World-Class

  American stars have put together some spectacular campaigns at the highest levels of European soccer. There have been players that have been good enough to play in the world's best teams, but World-Class status? That's a difficult argument to make.

  Dempsey was close during his time at Fulham but, due to his club situation, never quite got there. His time at Tottenham was too short to establish himself and, without the Champions League glory to back it up, it's hard to make that case for him. The eye test says he may have been there, but it's hard to go on just eyes.

  Jozy Altidore, meanwhile, absolutely carved up the Eredivisie to the tune of 51 goals in two seasons, but that wasn't in an elite European league. Friedel and Howard had sustained Premier League runs, giving them the longevity and consistency needed, but there were always better goalkeepers. Landon Donovan is the American with the most pure talent, perhaps, but he rarely got to prove it during his loan spells in Europe.

  For years, American soccer has sought after a World-Class star. Pulisic had those expectations thrust upon him at just 16. Is this the season in which he lives up to those aspirations, in full?

Truth be told, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have a gigantic task on their hands this summer as they look to return Manchester United to their glory days.

This season simply hasn’t been good enough under Erik ten Hag, with the team conceding their highest total goals since 1971 with 82.

Huge decisions will be made by the new ownership, with the manager spot under threat and plenty of players set to be sent packing.

A cultural shift is needed at Old Trafford, and Ratcliffe will look to begin by signing young talent for lesser fees, a complete change from the recent overpaying for mediocre profiles.

Man Utd’s search for youthful star

According to a report from the Northern Echo this week, Man United are lining up a bid for Sunderland’s Chris Rigg.

At just 16 years old, the Black Cat is yet to sign his first professional contract at the club, but Sunderland are hoping that he opts to continue his development at the club.

The report mentions that Manchester United “are poised to make the strongest move for Rigg,” but the potential fee is unknown.

However, the Red Devils won’t be alone in their pursuit of the wonderkid, with the likes of Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Bayer Leverkusen also monitoring him.

Imagine Rigg and Mainoo

Ratcliffe will be absolutely thrilled to have Kobbie Mainoo already in his squad, who has taken his opportunity in the first team and become undroppable.

Since his Man United debut in November, the 19-year-old has started a further 21 Premier League games, scoring two goals, running the show from midfield and being handed his England debut by Gareth Southgate. Impressive work indeed.

Not just has the number 37’s quality, maturity and confidence been rewarded by his country, but a new contract is also reportedly in the works to keep the superstar at the club for the foreseeable future.

It’s clear that Ratcliffe looks set to plan ahead to ensure long-term success at the club by signing Rigg, who could thrive at the heart of the Red Devils midfield for years to come alongside Mainoo.

As you can see by the table below showcasing Rigg’s performance against Leicester City earlier this season, it’s extremely clear that the teenager has a vast skill set. He notably won seven of his eight duels and completed all three of his dribbles.

Minutes

82

Shots

2

Successful dribbles

3/3

Touches

43

Key passes

1

Tackles

2

Duels won

7/8

Therefore, the “wonderful” ace, as dubbed by former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray, has already proven that he can hold his own against top players, which is extremely impressive for a 16-year-old.

Despite being so inexperienced, the number 31 has featured 21 times in the Championship this season, with an average of 38 minutes per game. However, although he’s had limited minutes, it’s obvious that Rigg has the potential to be a special player, with Richard Amofa of the Athletic saying that he’s "going right to the very top."

The Sunderland academy star is a versatile midfielder who can play out wide or more centrally due to his technical class and ability to work relentlessly off the ball, as shown by his two tackles and 43 touches in that clash with the Foxes.

Yet what makes Rigg even more remarkable is the fact that he can impact the game in the final third, whether that be via his silky dribbling, vision, or serving as a direct threat himself, as displayed via his successful dribbles, shots, and one key pass.

To conclude, the potential of having both Rigg and Mainoo on the same side for the foreseeable future is extremely exciting, and it would certainly be a sign of intent from Ratcliffe.

Man Utd must cash in on 4/10 flop who's now worth even less than Casemiro

This struggling Red Devil is not proving that he deserves a future at Old Trafford.

ByAngus Sinclair May 14, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

Novidade na casamata: ainda sem ter contratado o novo técnico, o Botafogo terá Ricardo Resende, comandante do time sub-20, de forma interina diante do Brusque, neste sábado, em partida válida pela 12ª rodada da Série B do Brasileirão, no Estádio Augusto Bauer.

+ Resultados expressivos no sub-20 e postura: entenda por que o Botafogo deu uma chance a Ricardo Resende

Em entrevista à “BotafogoTV”, o treinador valorizou a semana de treinamentos e garantiu que, mesmo estando no dia a dia do sub-20, já acompanhava as nuances da equipe principal.

– Muito motivado com o momento, o foco é total para o jogo contra o Brusque. Fizemos uma boa semana. A expectativa é fazer um grande jogo, buscar uma vitória e crescer na competição. Sou funcionário do clube, quero ajudar da melhor forma possível. Trabalho no sub-20 mas já acompanho bem o elenco profissional, tem vários profissionais oriundos da base. Queremos ajudar o clube da melhor forma possível – afirmou.

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O objetivo, claro, é a vitória. Ricardo não esconde que o Botafogo precisa retornar ao caminho dos resultados positivos para se recuperar na competição e buscar uma vaga no G4.

+ Veja a tabela da Série B e simule resultados

– Vejo os atletas muito motivados, temos jogadores de muito potencial. Penso que o objetivo principal é o retorno para a Série A, todos aqui estão mobilizados para isso. A expectativa é que a gente já consiga vencer o Brusque no sábado e cumpra esse objetivo – completou.

MatériaMais Notícias

Nesta segunda-feira, os clubes que pretendem formar a liga que irá organizar campeonatos nacionais se reuniram com possíveis patrocinadores, em São Paulo. Os presidentes discutiram propostas de quatro empresas, que ofereceram patrocínios e direitos de transmissão. A informação é do ‘Globo Esporte’.

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Os debates tiveram início pela manhã e avançaram até o final da tarde. Até aqui, dirigentes encaram o planejamento com otimismo, e já possuem um cronograma de reuniões. Para os clubes, a nova entidade é uma forma de fortalecer o futebol nacional, criando melhores condições para os participantes.

No dia 15 de junho, clubes das Séries A e B assinaram um documento para sinalizar a criação de uma liga. Na carta, dirigentes alegam querer mais participação na política da CBF e organizar o Campeonato Brasileiro, atualmente administrado pela instituição.

> Veja a classificação dos times na Série A do Brasileirão

As movimentações ganharam força após o afastamento de Rogério Caboclo, presidente da CBF, em razão de denúncias de assédio sexual.

De acordo com o estatuto da entidade, há dois fóruns de decisão, as assembleias administrativa e eletiva. A primeira é a responsável por tomar as decisões mais importantes, como a prestação de contas, por exemplo. Desta, só as federações estaduais fazem parte. Os clubes participam somente das Assembleias Eleitorais e, mesmo assim, com menor peso de votos.

Para que uma nova liga seja criada, o regulamento da CBF exige a aprovação da Assembleia Administrativa, o que não é tarefa fácil, pois a existência de uma organização paralela pode resultar no enfraquecimento das federações.

Confira o documento assinado pelos clubes:
“Por unanimidade dos presentes, 19 Clubes da Série A do Futebol Brasileiro – em razão de diversos acontecimentos que vêm se acumulando ao longo dos anos e que revelam um distanciamento total e absoluto entre os anseios dos clubes que dão suporte ao futebol profissional brasileiro e a forma como que é gerida a CBF – reunidos nesta data, decidiram adotar postulações e resoluções na forma abaixo elencada:

1. Requerer a imediata alteração estatutária que consagre uma maior participação dos Clubes nas decisões institucionais e na gestão da CBF, admitindo-se os clubes como filiados desta entidade;
2. Dentre os itens desta alteração estatutária, necessariamente deve ser incluída a votação igualitária nas eleições para escolha do Presidente e Vice-Presidentes da CBF, sendo certo que Federações e Clubes das Séries A e B terão seus votos contados de forma unitária e com o mesmo peso entre si;
3. Ainda no que se refere à alteração estatutária, inclui-se o fim dos requisitos mínimos para inscrição nas chapas concorrentes à eleição desta entidade, abolindo-se a necessidade de apoio de 8 (oito) federações e 5 (cinco) Clubes, permitindo-se o lançamento de chapas que tenham o apoio expresso de, ao menos, 13 eleitores independente de serem clubes ou federações;
4. Comunicar a decisão da criação imediata de uma Liga de futebol no Brasil, que será fundada com a maior brevidade possível e que passará a organizar e desenvolver economicamente o Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol. Além dos Clubes signatários, os Clubes da Série B serão convidados a integrar a Liga.
Os clubes adotarão medidas efetivas para consumar a sua associação, para, de forma organizada, exercerem a administração do futebol brasileiro e do seu calendário.”

As Ruben Amorim edges closer and closer to becoming Jurgen Klopp's successor at Liverpool this summer, reports suggest that he's outlined the players that he wants to bring to Anfield.

Liverpool transfer news

Liverpool were undoubtedly dealt a blow when Xabi Alonso revealed that he would be staying put at Bayer Leverkusen for at least another season, but they've pivoted well ever since to turn their attention towards Amorim. The Sporting CP manager has impressed in Portugal to become one of the best young coaches in European football at just 39-years-old. Now, reports suggest that Liverpool have struck a verbal agreement with their potential Klopp replacement.

The transfer rumours have already started circling since those reports of a verbal agreement too, with FC Porto's Alan Varela linked with a move to Anfield once again. The Argentine midfielder was even reportedly watched by Liverpool scouts in his recent league game against Vitoria. But he's not Amorim's first choice, it seems.

Related Liverpool could axe 4/10 star by unleashing a 'monstrous' talent

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Posts ByJoe Nuttall Apr 11, 2024

According to Jornal Noticias via TeamTalk, Amorim is keen on bringing Morten Hjulmand to Liverpool this summer, telling Michael Edwards to kickstart his era with a bang by welcoming a familiar face. The Dane has enjoyed quite the season at Sporting, raising his price tag to as much as a reported €50m (£43m) ahead of the summer transfer window.

The news of Amorim's interest is a particular blow for Manchester United, who are also eyeing a move to sign Hjulmand in the coming months. If Amorim arrives at Anfield, however, it's unlikely that Erik ten Hag will be able to put together a stronger pitch than the man who the midfielder has already enjoyed great success with.

"Monster" Hjulmand would replace Endo in the long-term

Despite an unexpectedly strong debut season, Wataru Endo doesn't have the benefit of several years left in his prime at 31-years-old, handing Liverpool a problem that 24-year-old Hjulmand would solve this summer.

The defensive midfielder would unlock Alexis Mac Allister on a permanent basis, rather than forcing those at Anfield to watch on as his compatriot is restricted to a more defensive role. It's a role off the ball that Hjulmand plays to great effect too, according to Zach Lowy.

With that said, if Liverpool are to hand Amorim the perfect start at Anfield, then welcoming Hjulmand would certainly be a good way of going about it. As their next potential manager looks to make his mark, the defensive midfielder could take a significant step into Premier League football in the coming months.

West Ham United might have salvaged a draw against Burnley last weekend but there is a feeling of discontent around the London Stadium, with the results over the coming weeks likely to shape the club's future.

The Hammers will host Freiburg on Thursday night in a Europa League last-16 tie that they trail by a goal after losing in Germany last week before welcoming Aston Villa to east London at the weekend.

Seventh in the top-flight, West Ham are four points behind Manchester United and just ahead of a wealth of European hopefuls, but David Moyes will be most displeased with his team's lack of defensive solidity against struggling Burnley, sliced open with ease during a dreadful first-half on Sunday that, albeit, saw Moyes' half-time tweaks bring the game level.

West Ham must axe 3/10 star who was as bad as Phillips vs Burnley

David Moyes is under scrutiny once again after a poor performance in the Premier League.

ByAngus Sinclair Mar 11, 2024

Brought in last summer, centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos suffered a nightmare of a game after diverting a cross into his own net to double the Clarets' advantage before the break.

Konstantinos Mavropanos' season in numbers

In fairness, the Greece international has not been a bad signing since arriving from Bundesliga club Stuttgart for £19m, making good on past praise in his "gladiator"-like presence in defence, as said by former boss Pellegrino Matarazzo.

But while he's a tough-tackling, combative titan, winning 69% of his duels in the Premier League this season, as per Sofascore, the former Arsenal player is far too wasteful in possession and this contributes to a lack of control for Moyes' team.

Against Burnley, Mavropanos compounded his own goal with a shocking 58% pass success rate, missing the mark with all eight of his long passes and losing possession 22 times.

Nayef Aguerd is failing to produce the requisite defensive strength either, with The Athletic's Roshane Thomas stating that "defensive errors are holding him back" earlier in the campaign.

It's a shame that the club cashed in on Fulham's Issa Diop, who would surely secure a starting berth for West Ham right now.

Why West Ham sold Issa Diop

Diop decided to leave West Ham in August 2022 after being told he would be the club's fifth-choice central defender for the 2022/23 campaign, with Aguerd arriving from Rennes for £30m.

Fulham, fresh from the Championship, were only too happy to oblige and snapped him up for £15m on a five-year deal as they looked to fortify their ranks and secure top-flight survival.

The 6 foot 4 Frenchman had been described as a “monster” by then-Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho during his first term for West Ham but his career at the club was punctuated with poor performances and he was sold.

Issa Diop's season in numbers

Last year, Diop played a key part in the Cottagers' preservation of top-flight status and started 21 Premier League matches, with The Athletic's Peter Rutzler heralding his "excellent" displays, continuing to impress into the current campaign.

Matches played

15

Clean sheets

3

Pass completion

89%

Tackles per game

1.5

Clearances per game

4.2

Ball recoveries per game

3.7

Duels won per game

3.1 (56%)

Possession lost per game

7.5

As per FBref, the 27-year-old ranks among the top 17% of central defenders in Europe's top five leagues for passes attempted per 90, with an average pass completion rate of 89%.

Mavropanos, by comparison, ranks among the top 42% of centre-backs for passes attempted per 90 with a pass success rate of just 82%, putting him in the lower echelon.

Of course, the 25-year-old's strengths lie in other areas but one can't help but pin down Mavropanos' passing profligacy as his main hindrance.

Diop might have been worth keeping, with his stable displays at Craven Cottage suggesting that he could have offered the composure to allow the more creative players ahead to strut their stuff with a solid foundation behind them.

Domestic schedule spreads four-day game across calendar as Oval hosts Hundred opener

Andrew Miller26-Nov-2019

Next season’s County Championship will begin on Easter Sunday (April 12), and will feature fixtures in each of the six months of the season, while the inaugural season of the Hundred will be launched with a Friday-night fixture between Oval Invincibles and Welsh Fire at The Oval on July 17, as the ECB attempt to balance the demands of their oldest and newest formats in the unveiling of their domestic schedule for 2020.The announcement, widely anticipated following the introduction of a new fourth format in an already crowded schedule, sees the county champions Essex beginning their title defence with a home fixture against Yorkshire on April 19 – one of 12 consecutive rounds of the competition that will include at least one day’s play on a weekend.And, in a season when the priorities of the England men’s team will begin to switch back to Test cricket after their capturing of the 50-over World Cup in the 2019 season, the ECB have responded to criticism that the County Championship has been pushed to the margins in recent seasons by ensuring it will be played at regular intervals throughout the summer, with the longest gap coming between July 8 and August 23.Instead, it is the 50-over Royal London Cup that will be contested in that period of the season, to allow the Hundred to take precedence in the height of the summer.”Cricket has different formats that appeal to different people, and it’s always a challenge to give every type of cricket supporter what they want,” said Gordon Hollins, the ECB’s managing director of county cricket. “It’s a nice challenge to have.”We want to broaden the appeal of cricket through the Hundred, and at the same time make sure traditional cricket supporters are served with different formats that they can watch at different times. We’ve done the best we possibly can by having Championship cricket in every month.”Somerset will begin the defence of their 50-over title on July 20 against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, in a competition that will feature the use of 18 outgrounds – including Scarborough, Radlett and Grantham – while the Test-hosting venues are prioritising the Hundred in a window that stretches from July 17 to the men’s final on August 15.The women’s Hundred will also take place in a similar timeframe, with Birmingham Phoenix and Manchester Originals opening the tournament at Worcester’s New Road on July 22, ahead of their Friday-evening final on August 14. The venues for both men’s and women’s finals are yet to be decided, with an announcement anticipated in the coming weeks.The initial availability of England’s international stars for the Hundred is also now known. England willl finish a three-match ODI series against Australia in Bristol on July 16, the eve of the first Hundred fixture at The Oval. This means that, fitness and form permitting, the likes of Invincibles’ Jason Roy and Fire’s Jonny Bairstow can expect to feature in both fixtures.England’s first Test against Pakistan gets underway at Lord’s on July 30, a fortnight into the tournament, meaning that England’s Test players – including Trent Rockets’ Joe Root and Northern Superchargers’ Ben Stokes, will be made available for the first three rounds of the Hundred before reporting for England duty at the close of play on July 25.Although the TV schedule for the Hundred is not yet known – and most specifically the split of fixtures between BBC and Sky – there will be consecutive Saturdays with back-to-back televised matches on July 18 and 25.Other tweaks to the schedule for 2020 will involve more Thursday, Friday and weekend fixtures for the Vitality Blast, which will be launched by a London derby between Surrey and Middlesex at The Oval on 28 May.And while the format for the 50-over competition is broadly unchanged, the two groups of nine teams has this year been randomly drawn instead of split into pre-determined North and South Groups.

كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية، عن خضوع الدولي البولندي روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، لاختبار طبي لمعرفة موقفه من المشاركة في مواجهة برشلونة وإشبيلية القادمة.

مهاجم برشلونة تعرض لإصابة مع منتخب بلده أمام البرتغال، ولعب نصف ساعة في مواجهة كرواتيا مساء الثلاثاء، وقدم تمريرة حاسمة، لكنه أصيب مرة أخرى بسبب تدخل حارس مرمى كرواتيا.

طالع أيضًا.. تقارير توضح موقف أولمو ولامين يامال من المشاركة مع برشلونة ضد إشبيلية

صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية، أكدت أن برشلونة لا يريد المخاطرة، وسيجري اختبارًا طبيًا للاعب البولندي مساء اليوم فور وصوله إلى المدينة الكتالونية.

ويتوجه اللاعب البولندي إلى سيوتات إسبورتيفا، مقر تدريبات برشلونة وعيادات النادي، لإجراء الفحوصات الطبية، حتى يتم الوقوف على الموقف النهائي له من المشاركة ضد إشبيلية.

ليفاندوفسكي يتصدر ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني برصيد 10 أهداف بفارق 4 عن أيوزي بيريز صاحب المركز الثاني.