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Despite Suryakumar Yadav’s recent lean form, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes India should back him going into the home 50-over World Cup later this year.In India’s last ODI assignment, Suryakumar was dismissed for three consecutive golden ducks as Australia won the series 2-1 in India. But Ponting said that he is the kind of player who can “win you a World Cup”.”Everyone around the world knows what Surya [Suryakumar] can do in white-ball cricket. They should stick with him, I feel,” Ponting told the . “Because he is I think the kind of player that can win you a World Cup.Related

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“He might be a little bit inconsistent but he’s the sort of guy who in big moments can win you something,” Ponting said. “A bit like the late great Andrew Symonds did for Australia.”When you invest in these guys, you give them an opportunity, you give them a pretty clear direction and get some clarity around the role you want them to play, they’ve got so much talent that they can single-handedly win you games.”That’s definitely the way that I’d look at it for India. I wouldn’t be playing it safe, I’d be going with match-winning players and I think he’s a match-winner,” he said.Suryakumar, in 21 ODI innings, has scored 433 runs at an average of 24.05 with two half-centuries.Ponting picked out the No. 5 slot as the best option for Suryakumar.”I think he was only batting at 5 anyway, and I wouldn’t want him much lower than that, especially with Hardik [Pandya], [Ravindra] Jadeja and Axar [Patel] and all those guys there,” Ponting said. “I’m a big believer in giving your best batsman as much time as you can in all formats of the game.”Because if you keep them down the order quite often, sometimes you don’t get to use your best players and that’s the last thing you want. So I think the No. 5 slot is perfect for him and he just needs to grow into that role.”

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Oct-2016Dhananjaya de Silva got three boundaries away, but he could not kick on; he was out for 25, caught off Graeme Cremer•Associated PressAsela Gunaratne, batting on Test debut, hung around longer•AFPHe managed to mark his maiden Test innings with a fifty•Associated PressTharanga, holding firm at the other end, got to a second Test hundred just after tea•AFPCarl Mumba dismissed Rangana Herath with a short ball for his maiden Test wicket•AFPEventually, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 537 in the final session. The Captain Cremer topped the bowling figures for Zimbabwe, taking 4 for 142•Associated PressIn reply, Zimbabwe lost opener Brian Chari early but Tino Mawoyo and Hamilton Masakadza went to stumps unscathed as the hosts ended at 88 for 1•AFP

Megan Schutt’s career-best T20I figures, and a crisp half-century from Ellyse Perry opening the batting, spearheaded Australia to a convincing eight-wicket victory in the opening T20I against Pakistan as they began the final build-up to their T20 World Cup title in South Africa last month.Schutt became the fourth Australia bowler to take a five-wicket haul in T20Is and finished with their third-best figures behind Molly Strano (5 for 10) and current team-mate Jess Jonasssen (5 for 12).A target of 119 was always unlikely to challenge Australia and they eased home with 38 balls to spare. Perry, who earlier claimed 2 for 3 from two overs, opening with captain Meg Lanning as Beth Mooney managed what was termed a “niggle” although she had been able to keep throughout Pakistan’s innings.Lanning was beaten by an excellent arm ball from Sadia Iqbal but Perry, dropped on 3 when Iqbal missed a tough return catch, followed her rapid scoring in India – and prolific WNCL form – with a confident 57 off 40 balls which included a six pulled over wide mid-on against a free hit from Fatima Sana.Schutt’s first wicket came courtesy of a superb catch down the leg side by Mooney to remove Bismah Maroof although Australia needed DRS to confirm it had touched the glove. Three balls later Sadaf Shamas spooned to mid-on as Pakistan lost their way after a promising start.Schutt completed her maiden five-wicket haul when she returned at the death, getting Sana taken at cover then top-scorer Omaima Sohail and Tuba Hassan with slower deliveries.However, the single standout moment of Australia’s display in the field was the remarkable return catch snaffled by Alana King from a fiercely struck drive by Nida Dar. King, who barely had time to react, flung out her right hand and even appeared to surprise herself at holding on.King’s figures were only dented marginally in her last over when Ayesha Naseem launched her third six of an impressive counterattack, although King had her revenge.Naseem’s 20-ball innings was the highlight of Pakistan’s display as she showed a boldness that is not always on display. She launched Tahlia McGrath into the fig tree over long-on and played a ferocious pull off Darcie Brown onto the grass bank at midwicket.Brown had an off day which included consecutive no-balls in her opening over and the 34 she conceded was the most of what remains a T20 career in its infancy.It had been Perry, a player at the opposite end of the experience spectrum, who had opened the wicket-taking for Australia with a superb yorker to remove Muneeba Ali which ended a spritely opening stand of 27 in 4.2 overs.In her next over Perry added Javeria Khan via a bottom edge as Pakistan lost 4 for 5 but she wasn’t called upon to bowl again by Lanning who used seven options and that still left Annabel Sutherland not required.

The former USMNT player stated that Mexico should not be overconfident in the match against the Canucks.

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• Mexico and Canada will face off this Thursday for a spot in the Nations League Final.

• El Tri is on a three-match winless streak against the Canucks.

• Mexico reached the Semifinals after defeating Honduras, while Canada did the same against Suriname.

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Marcelo Balboa, former USMNT star and Club León player, warned the Mexican National Team not to be overconfident in Thursday's match against Canada, calling them "the team in the region that is in the best form."

  In light of this, Balboa urged Mexico not to overlook Canada.

  "The key is that the Mexican National Team can play a great match, but Canada has a strong squad and individuals who can change the outcome in an instant," Balboa said in an interview with the Mexican newspaper El Universal.

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  Mexico had their final training session on Wednesday in the Sports Dignity Health Stadium ahead of the match against Canada on Thursday. Javier Aguirre was able to count on a full squad after goalkeeper Carlos Moreno reported late due to issues with his visa. The former USMNT player, who also played in Mexican football with León, stated that this match will be "the early final" and that neither team "should be overconfident."

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  WHAT MARCELO BALBOA SAID

  "It will be the early final of the Nations League, the best semifinal, but neither team can be overconfident -anything can happen on the field," Balboa said.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Mexico dominate the head-to-head matchup against Canada with 21 victories, while have won 5 times, with 10 draws recorded. Despite dominance, they have not been able to defeat the North Americans in their last three encounters.

  As of today, Javier Aguirre has coached 61 matches with the Tri, achieving 38 victories, 10 draws, and 13 losses. This represents a 61 percent win rate and a 66.6 percent points earned rate.

Nottingham Forest are plotting to sign a £10m player on loan in the January transfer window ahead of Wolves.

Nottingham Forest make it successive wins after dramatic win vs Aston Villa

The Reds followed up their brilliant win at Manchester United with a come-from-behind Premier League victory against Aston Villa at the City Ground on Saturday evening. Late goals from Nikola Milenkovic and Anthony Elanga sealed another three points for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, with the manager praising his side after the game.

“It says a lot about the character, especially after what happened in the game. Both teams were very equal in the first half; both very organised with no gaps. Villa tried to control us and we tried to control them. We allowed possession to them and they allowed possession to us but without threat – for both teams, except with set-pieces.

“The moment of the game was an amazing save from Martinez, then Villa went and scored. After that, the reaction of the players was amazing. The help of the fans was huge. Chris had a goal ruled out and it could have been game over, but it went the other way. The fans reacted, helped the team and the boys started running and running. We achieved a huge moment for all of us.”

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With the prospect of pushing for European football in the second half of the campaign, Forest appear to be eyeing up potential new signings in January and are leading the race to sign Yuri Alberto.

An enquiry has also been made by Forest to sign Igor Jesus from Botafogo ahead of Wolves, and it looks as if the Reds want to beat those at Molineux to a defensive addition as well.

Nottingham Forest plotting Ben Godfrey loan move

According to Football Insider, Nottingham Forest are trying to sign Atalanta defender Ben Godfrey on loan in the New Year, with Wolves also in the mix for the ex-Everton man.

The 26-year-old moved to Italy in a £10m deal but could be in line for a swift return to England. He is keen to leave in January as he wants to be playing regularly, something he is not doing with his current employers.

Godfrey, who can play at centre-back or right-back, came in for praise back in 2020 from Rio Ferdinand for his displays on Merseyside for the Toffees.

“You’ve got two centre-backs playing at full-backs. Ben Godfrey has been absolutely outstanding. The pace he has shown in the last couple of games…were against Timo Werner, Chelsea, the last game against Arsenal.

“You look at the pace of the kid. Pepe, £72m worth, I am sure Mr Godfrey would be looking at his pocket and thinking ‘where is he? Someone causing me a bit of friction in my pocket.”

Now, it looks as if a move to Forest will be one to watch over the coming weeks.

Newcastle United are believed to be eyeing a potential move for a “fantastic” Champions League-winning ace, according to a new transfer rumour.

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The Magpies return to Premier League action after the international break, welcoming a struggling West Ham side to St James’ Park on Monday evening. The 3-1 win away to Nottingham Forest last time around was a further sign that Eddie Howe’s side have found their groove, especially after winning 1-0 at home to Arsenal the previous weekend.

While much focus is on the improvements on the pitch, there are also plenty of transfer rumours doing the rounds, as Newcastle look to bolster their squad, whether that be in the January transfer window or next summer.

Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford was linked with a move to St James’ plenty of times during the summer, and while he has remained with the Clarets for the time being, he has again been mentioned as a target. He could be seen as not only a replacement for Martin Dubravka but also a long-term successor to Nick Pope between the sticks.

There is also every chance that this will be Callum Wilson’s final year at Newcastle, with his current deal expiring at the end of this season, and Botafogo striker Igor Jesus has reportedly been lined up as a possible replacement for him.

Newcastle eyeing move for "fantastic" player

According to a new update from The Boot Room, Newcastle are monitoring Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz “closely”, as they eye a move for him.

Fellow Premier League pair Arsenal and Tottenham are also mentioned as options for the 25-year-old, who has been limited to just two starts in La Liga this season, finding it hard to oust some world-renowned names from the starting lineup.

Diaz could be a shrewd signing for Newcastle if they managed to pull it off, with the Moroccan an incredibly talented player who could light up St James’ with his trickery and end product.

The Madrid star won the Champions League last season and has scored seven goals in just eight caps for Morocco, having switched his allegiances from Spain, initially appearing once at senior level for the reigning European champions.

Meanwhile, Italy legend Alessandro Nesta rates Diaz highly as a footballer, saying he “has these fantastic plays in tight spaces”, while Clarence Seedorf has hailed his creativity, saying:

“Getting past your man makes all the difference. One can make a thousand passes and not create a single chance. We need players who take responsibility, as Leao and Diaz did on the goalscoring occasion. When something special happens, it’s because someone got past their man.”

Players of Diaz’s ilk are exactly what Newcastle would welcome, in terms of providing a little more creative spark in the final third, and the Madrid ace could be perfect for the right-sided attacking role where Howe craves extra quality.

Not Isak or Gordon: Newcastle could have an £83m star in the making

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At 25, he is both experienced and still relatively young, and if his current club are willing to let him leave, the Magpies may view him as a perfect option out wide.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca backed star player Cole Palmer amid his sudden slump in form.

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• Maresca opened up on Palmer's poor form
• Has not scored in last seven league games
• Chelsea next face Copenhagen on March 6

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Cole Palmer, who started the 2024-25 campaign on a high, saw a sudden dip in form at a time when the Blues saw their ambitions for a top-four Premier League finish falter. The England star has now gone seven straight matches without a goal, which has raised a few eyebrows at Stamford Bridge.

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  Maresca, however, is not worried about his star player's performance as he jumped to the attacker's defence. The Italian coach also informed that Palmer is not under any pressure and believes he will regain his form soon. Before the goal drought started, the 22-year-old had recorded 14 league goals and six assists.

• WHAT ENZO MARESCA SAID

  Speaking to , the Blues manager said: "We are all former players. All of us went through some bad moments. You cannot expect Palmer to be like he was last season or how he was in the first part of the season. It's normal. He is human. I was telling him it was normal. He is happy. He is OK. He has shared the changing room with some top players and he knows that every top player goes through bad moments. It's about how you react. Keep working, keep laughing, keep calm, be happy and enjoy the football. It's the only thing you have to do."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  The West London side will be back in action next Thursday as they take on Copenhagen in the first leg of their Europa Conference League round of 16 fixture.

Conor McGilligan has reacted to the news of Leeds United wanting to sign a £20 million+ player in January.

The Whites are back in Championship action on Sunday, as they travel to Wales to face Swansea City. Daniel Farke’s side could finish the weekend at the top of the table, depending on how results go.

Farke has already unearthed Leeds' very own James McAtee

The Leeds United head coach may not need to reignite his interest in the Manchester City man.

ByDan Emery Nov 20, 2024 Leeds United eyeing James McAtee loan deal

It has been a productive campaign for the Yorkshire side so far, but with January six weeks away, Leeds and the 49ers appear to have their eye on business they would like to conduct. It emerged this week that Leeds are interested in signing James McAtee on loan from Manchester City in the New Year.

The Whites have been linked with a move for the creative midfielder before, and a new report has revealed that the interest from Leeds remains the same. The Whites are looking to take McAtee on loan in January, as the Blues are willing to sanction a temporary departure, given his lack of game time under Pep Guardiola this season.

However, Leeds are not the only team interested in the England under-21 international, so it could be a race to win his signature when January arrives. Despite that, a YouTuber and Leeds fan has reacted to the news that the club want to sign McAtee in the New Year.

Conor McGilligan reacts to Leeds wanting to sign McAtee in January

YouTuber and Leeds supporter McGilligan took to X to react to the news of Leeds wanting to sign McAtee in January. The 22-year-old has remained with City this season after doing ever so well while on loan at Sheffield United this season.

But so far, McAtee has played just six times in all competitions, and only one of those has come in the Premier League. Therefore, speculation has led to teams looking at signing McAtee in January, with Leeds looking into a potential loan deal.

That is something that McGilligan believes would be the signing of the transfer window, as he wrote on X: “Probably be the signing of the window. But can you have him, Piroe, and Aaronson all competing at points for the 10 role?”

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Leeds are a side that already has plenty of attacking options, especially in that number 10 position, but Farke may feel McAtee can offer something different to what the other players bring to the table now.

However, as stated before, there are plenty of other teams interested, Nottingham Forest being one side chasing McAtee, and a report stated that City could accept permanent offers in excess of £20 million, making a deal more difficult to do for Leeds if that is the case. As well as Forest chasing the midfielder, other Premier League teams such as Fulham, Leicester City, and Southampton are also interested in McAtee.

يستعد فريق ليفربول لملاقاة خصمه برايتون، اليوم الإثنين، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “البريميرليج”.

ويحل ليفربول ضيفًا على برايتون بملعب “فالمر” في مباراة بالجولة السابعة والثلاثين وقبل الأخيرة للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويحتل ليفربول صدارة الدوري الإنجليزي برصيد 83 نقطة، حيث حسم لقب الدوري الإنجليزي في الجولة الرابعة والثلاثين.

ويعد ذلك لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الأول للهولندي آرني سلوت، الذي تولى تدريب الفريق خلفًا للألماني يورجن كلوب.

ويحتل برايتون المركز التاسع في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، ويملك في رصيده 55 نقطة.

ويسعى نجم ليفربول محمد صلاح إلى تحطيم رقم قياسي جديد وتحقيق إنجاز تاريخي في المواجهة أمام برايتون.

وحال مشاركته، سيخوض صلاح مباراته رقم 300 بقميص ليفربول في الدوري الإنجليزي، والمباراة رقم 400 مع الفريق في مختلف المسابقات (طالع المزيد من التفاصيل). موعد مباراة ليفربول وبرايتون اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة ليفربول وبرايتون اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي

تذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN sports HD1. معلق مباراة ليفربول وبرايتون اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي

يعلق على المباراة، عصام الشوالي.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا.

A Chelsea director says Enzo Maresca's position is "100 per cent" safe this season despite the club's poor run of form.

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Chelsea's form nosedivesDirector backs MarescaSays he's doing a "great job"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea have gone from Premier League title contenders to sitting sixth in the division and winning just two of their last nine league fixtures in a few short months. Despite that, Blues director Jonathan Goldstein says head coach Maresca is "doing a great job" and his job is secure for the foreseeable future.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT THE CHELSEA DIRECTOR SAID

Goldstein said on : "He's doing a great job. Chelsea started the season very well. The past six weeks have been, you know, finding their feet a little bit more. But Enzo has clearly done a great job in bringing the team together; bringing the talent through."

When asked if Maresca would stay for the rest of the season, he replied: "100 per cent."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Chelsea are just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City with 13 games of the season to go, have a great chance of qualifying for the Champions League next term and are one of the favourites to win the 2024-25 Europa Conference League crown. If they fail to achieve any of those goals, Maresca's position may not be so secure this summer.

Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT?

Chelsea will hope to return to winning ways, after a 3-0 drubbing at Brighton last time out, when they visit Aston Villa on Saturday in the Premier League.