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Ireland slipped to 66 for 6 and were swept aside in Tarouba

Sreshth Shah20-Jan-2022Despite missing their captain Yash Dhull and vice-captain Shaikh Rasheed after both tested positive for Covid-19, India thumped Ireland by 174 runs and in the process secured their quarter-final spot too.

Zimbabwe’s Victor Chirwa suspended from bowling

Victor Chirwa, the 18-year old left-arm wristspinner from Zimbabwe, was found to have an illegal action and as such the ICC has barred him from bowling in all international tournaments.

Chirwa was reported by officials at the Under-19 World Cup after he picked up 2 for 11 in seven overs against Papua New Guinea.

Upon further video analysis by the Event Panel, it was confirmed that Chirwa flexes his elbow beyond the allowed 15 degrees and was handed down his punishment.

Sent into bat, India openers Harnoor Singh (88) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (79) hit exquisite half-centuries to set the tone with a 164-run opening stand. The middle order then made crucial contributions to take India past 300. In Ireland’s chase, they were reduced to 66 for 6 inside 22 overs, after which the only question that remained was the final margin of India’s victory.With six of their 17 squad members either Covid positive or suspected as infected, India fielded the only 11 players who were available for selection. They were led by 17-year-old Nishant Sindhu from Haryana, and he struck a 34-ball 36 after the openers built the foundation. On either side of Sindhu’s innings, No. 3 Raj Bawa made 42 and the lower-order batter Rajvardhan Hangargekar – promoted for the slog overs – smacked 39 in a 17-ball innings to post 307 for 5.Openers Harnoor and Raghuvanshi had both failed in the first game against South Africa, but with the usual No. 3 Rasheed and No. 4 Dhull not available, both batters had an added responsibility. They were, however, unperturbed in their batting style, attacking right from the start. The right-handed Raghuvanshi hit a hat-trick of fours in the third over off Ireland spinner Matthew Humphreys and followed it up with three boundaries off offspinner Nathan McGuire to race away to 26 in 22 balls.After that, Harnoor found the gaps to hit back-to-back fours off seamer Muzamil Sherzad, and by the time the tenth over was up, India were 68 for 0.Raghuvanshi reached his fifty first, off 41 balls, when he pulled a short delivery from Humphreys over deep midwicket for six. Harnoor’s scoring-rate kept increasing steadily, and by the 21st over, he too had reached his half-century in 56 balls. A series of fours – all around the ground – then flowed from Harnoor’s bat and soon enough he had caught up to Raghuvanshi’s score, with both batters in their seventies.The stand was finally broken in the 26th over when India were 164 for 0. Raghuvanshi, on 79, was caught behind off left-arm spinner Jamie Forbes. The opening partnership gave No. 3 Bawa the liberty to settle in, but the 35th over brought about Harnoor’s end, as he was dismissed lbw by Humphreys on 88.With eight wickets in hand, a big finish was expected. It came with Sindhu playing aggressive shots off his pads on numerous occasions. After Sindhu fell in the 46th over, India promoted the seam bowler Hangargekar, and he got into the groove by hammering Humphreys for two sixes down the ground. In the 50th over, he spoiled Sherzad’s spell by crunching a hat-trick of sixes and ending the innings with a four to third man.Ireland’s chase of 308 began sedately. The first wicket came when left-arm seamer Ravi Kumar had Liam Doherty caught at midwicket in the fourth over. Hangargekar, on a high after at a strike rate of 229, then trapped Jack Dickson lbw. Bawa’s direct-hit then sent David Vincent back with Ireland at 17 for 3.Right-arm seamer Garv Sangwan, into the India XI because of the forced absences, then removed Ireland captain Tim Tector when the batter sliced a shot to gully. Sangwan followed it up with the wicket of Joshua Cox, who edged one to wicketkeeper Dinesh Bana.With half the side gone for only 66, Ireland’s chances of a win were almost zero. Vicky Ostwal, who took five wickets against South Africa, had Philippus le Roux lbw when he played a sweep down the wrong line. Although Scott MacBeth smacked 32, the rest of the game was a one-sided affair. Left-arm spinner Aneeshwar Gautam, another new entrant into the XI, then took two lower-order wickets, and offspinner Kaushal Tambe cleaned up the tail.

A "versatile" European champion is refusing to rule out the prospect of a move to Liverpool this summer, according to a new transfer update.

Liverpool transfer news

The hope is that a number of shiny new signings arrive at Anfield in the current transfer window, giving Arne Slot the best possible opportunity of hitting the ground running. The Reds have been linked with an audacious move for Napoli superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but they have been shot down in the attempts to snap him up.

Liverpool are also believed to be pursuing a move for Spain and Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams, who has been one of the standout attacking players at Euro 2024 this summer. The 22-year-old could be viewed as someone who could provide stiff competition for the likes of Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo out wide.

One position where Slot's squad is arguably lacking is defensive midfield, with Wataru Endo the only out-and-out natural in the role, but not a player who is considered either a key starter or a long-term option. Benfica star Joao Neves is seen as an exciting target there, with the Portuguese already playing with a maturity well beyond his years.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is seen as an ideal replacement for Alisson this summer, should the Brazilian move to the Saudi Pro League, but it would be a shock if that happened.

"Versatile" ace refusing to rule out Liverpool move

According to Give Me Sport, Atalanta midfielder Ederson could be a target Liverpool this summer, with the Reds "actively looking for a fresh presence in the middle of the park following Thiago Alcantara's exit".

It is claimed that sporting director Richard Hughes "could take advantage of his contacts" in Italy in order to sign the 25-year-old, and for his part the player is "open-minded" about moving to Anfield before the new season begins.

Ederson could be exactly what Liverpool are after in the No.6 role this summer, with the £45m-rated ace performing superbly for Atalanta, helping them win the Europa League last season.

Not only did he average 2.3 tackles per game across 36 appearances in Serie A, but he also scored six goals, showing that he is more than simply a sitting midfielder who doesn't offer much in an attacking sense. He has also been lauded by South American football journalist Tim Vickery in the recent past

"24-years-old, strong, well-built central midfielder. Strong on the ball, versatile, box-to-box. Strong personality as well. The first time I remember him was his professional debut really. He was thrown in the deep end in a big team called Cruzeiro, who were really on the slide. They were relegated in dreadful form and even in this bad context, he stood out, so a lot of virtues."

Liverpool have enquired for £31k-p/w winger, they've already had a response

Arne Slot’s side are ramping up their summer business.

By
Ben Browning

Jul 12, 2024

It may be that Slot feels he has enough midfield depth already, but the importance of having an elite No.6 cannot be stressed enough, and Ederson could give Liverpool that extra bit of balance in the middle of the park.

The man staring intently at his laptop in the dugout is an increasingly central member of a team’s support staff

Amol Karhadkar13-May-2013A man – often a bespectacled one – glued to his laptop, more often than not seated next to the head coach, seems to have become a permanent fixture in the ever-expanding line-up of support staff that cricket teams feature these days.His designation – video analyst, analyst, or performance analyst – may differ from one set-up to another, but his role is increasingly being accepted and acknowledged as important by all teams. Times have changed.”In 2002, we used to run from pillar to post, trying to convince Ranji Trophy coaches and captains of the importance of analytics,” says Prasanna Agoram, who works as the performance analyst of South Africa’s national team and the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore. “Nobody back then thought that men with laptops could make a difference to a team’s performance.Now not only do all the IPL and Ranji teams have analysts, almost all the Under-19 teams in India also have them.The advent of Twenty20 cricket has had a large part to play in the change. What was essentially a post-mortem and opposition-analysis tool had to become a real-time analysis tool to stay relevant in instant cricket. Currently the three majors in data analysis in the Indian cricket market -SportsMechanics, Sporting Minds and Kadamba – have their own versions of real-time decision-support systems.”The game changes within a matter of a couple of balls, so you have to provide real-time inputs,” says Subramanian Ramakrishnan, popularly known as Ramky, the founder-director of SportsMechanics. “A combination of mathematical algorithm formulae, situation of the game, and gut feeling helps you come up with a solution that can change the course of a game.”Usually players out in the middle look at the scoreboard and play accordingly. Here the dugout handles the analysis and a player only has to focus on execution.”Ramky has played a pivotal role in forcing Indian sports set-ups to take data analysis seriously. After being appointed as the Indian cricket team’s performance analyst in 2003, he went on to found SportsMechanics and also diversified into performance analysis in Olympic sports. SportsMechanics now helps the likes of badminton player Saina Nehwal in opponent analysis, and also has the Indian national cricket team as a key client. Four IPL teams – Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils and Pune Warriors – have been using SportsMechanics’ T20 software, Over the Rope, this season.The real-time decision-making system that analysts provide, if used effectively, might provide as much input as a key member of the support staff does in a game. The software enables a coach to survey all the possible options that are feasible during a game.For instance, say Mumbai are playing Super Kings and Ravindra Jadeja takes a couple of quick wickets. The software will present all the historical and predictive data of the remaining Mumbai batsmen to their coach, helping him decide on the best possible option in terms of whom to send in to bat next.T20 cricket has had a major impact on the players’ mindset and on the market dynamics of cricket. Analytics has been affected too. Earlier players were assessed on their average, more or less. When ODIs started to dominate international cricket, terms like strike rate and economy rate came into vogue. With T20, the goalposts have been moved again.”T20s have made data analysis more complex,” says AR Srikkanth, Kolkata Knight Riders’ analyst. “For instance, for a batsman, a release shot – the stroke that follows a couple of dot balls – has become very important, so you have to let a bowler know what a batsman’s release shot usually is.

“T20s have made data analysis more complex. For instance, for a batsman, a release shot – the stroke that follows a couple of dot balls – has become very important, so you have to let a bowler know what a batsman’s release shot usually is”AR Srikkanth, KKR’s analyst

“For a bowler, the comeback ball – the one after being hit for a four or a six – is critical. If you don’t focus on the comeback ball, you may end up conceding 20 or 25 runs in an over without realising it.”This means that IPL teams don’t just look at the overall strike rate and economy rate of a batsman or a bowler while pursuing players. “When it comes to signing a domestic batsman, the main factors that we delve into are the number of times he has finished games for a team, how many times has he been involved in match-winning partnerships, number of balls and dot balls he faces, his ratio ofrotating strike, and the ability to hit boundaries,” says Srikkanth.As for bowlers, just like a batsman’s innings is broken down into groups of every ten balls he faces, a bowler gets a detailed breakdown of his spell. “It matters a lot as to whether a bowler prefers to bowl all his four overs at one go or in three or four spells. The kind of balls he bowls in a particular spell have to be made known to the batsmen in advance,” Prasanna says.The IPL has brought in an unprecedented monetary dimension to cricket – not only in terms of player purses but also of players being remunerated differently. Cricket analysts need to factor the economic aspect in their data crunching.”There is a good chance of market value playing on a player’s mind. It may result in him prioritising personal interest over his team’s interest. Such a possibility is eradicated if you notice such a trend while analysing performances in detail,” Ramky says.Considering data analysts watch more video footage of competitive cricket all over the world than anyone else in a dressing room, their involvement in IPL auctions is on the rise. It was Srikkanth who first suggested KKR take a punt on Sunil Narine’s unorthodox offspin two years ago when they wanted a quality spinner.Prasanna says he will think a thousand times before suggesting RCB pay a million dollars for a pace bowler, considering he will play half his games “on belters in Bangalore”.While data analysts may and do differ on the calibre and value of a particular player, they are in unison when it comes to their job titles, and the tendency to refer to them as “video analysts”. Not just because their job is much more than just watching videos, but also because most of them are qualified coaches.”I don’t know who coined that term but we would rather prefer being referred to as a performance analyst.” Srikkanth says. “I hope there comes a day when a performance analyst will be known either as ‘intelligence provider’ or ‘assistant coach’.”

Manchester United are expected to sign a new teenage forward, according to reliable reporter Samuel Luckhurst.

Man Utd signing teenage gems to kick off Ratcliffe era

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are now into their first transfer window with the Red Devils, however, it looks as if some of the focus so far has been on adding to their academy ranks while exploring big-money deals for the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Joshua Zirkzee.

Talking back in March, Ratcliffe was asked about signing superstar names such as Jude Bellingham or Kylian Mbappe, but said he’d rather unearth the next player like Mbappe, with splashing the cash not seen as the solution.

“He’s a great footballer [Bellingham] but it’s not where our focus is. The solution isn’t spending a lot of money on a couple of great players. They’ve done that, if you look at the last 10 years. The first thing we need to do is get the right people in the right boxes, managing and organising the club. We must make sure we get recruitment right, such a vital part of running a football club is getting recruitment right, finding new players.

“I’d rather find the next Mbappe, rather than spend a fortune to buy success. It’s not that clever to buy Mbappe, anybody could figure that one out.”

Contact made: Man Utd chase £28k-p/w ace who can leave his club this summer

He could be available at a bargain price.

By
Ben Browning

Jun 20, 2024

The new co-owner has now said that it will take two or three summer windows to complete an Old Trafford rebuild.

"I don't think the solution is to buy an Mbappe. We are more grassroots than that. One player is not going to solve the problem at Manchester United. The first thing we need to do is build a balanced squad and ultimately maybe top it off with one or two players like Mbappe. It will take two or three summer windows to get to a better place.”

Ratcliffe’s plans to sign potential stars in the making have been taking shape recently. Man Utd have sealed deals for teenager Silva Mexes, the son of former Cardiff and West Brom striker Rob Earnshaw, and Australian James Overy, and it looks as if the club are now closing in on another academy addition.

Man Utd expected to sign teenage forward

According to The Manchester Evening News’ chief writer Luckhurst, Man Utd are closing in on the signing of Camron Mpofu from Reading. It is believed that the 15-year-old is expected to be the next teenage arrival at Carrington, with United needing to ‘navigate a thorough Premier League process before finalising a deal’.

Mpofu, who has already represented Scotland and England, will link up with United’s U16 squad to start with, and who knows, over time, he could follow in the footsteps of the likes of attackers Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford by progressing into the first team from the academy.

The offspinner took key wickets and kept a lid on Afghanistan’s scoring in the game’s decisive performance

Mohammad Isam17-Sep-20252:27

Abhinav lauds Bangladesh’s spin-choke tactic

Nasum Ahmed finds himself in controversies, and then bounces back with match-winning performances.He was at the wrong end of a senior cricketer’s ire a few years ago. Nasum was also the recipient of the alleged slap from then head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe. He lost a year of cricket because of the second incident. In his first match back after that, also against Afghanistan, Nasum hit 25 in 24 balls before taking 3 for 28 in the second ODI.This time, at the Asia Cup, Nasum was again making a comeback dealing with an off-field controversy. As soon the Bangladesh team landed in Abu Dhabi, Nasum had to issue a clarification about a private matter that was more complicated than what was reported. The incident had weighed Nasum down, as was evident in his voice when issuing the clarification.Related

• Controversy in the past, Nasum makes a comeback and a big statement

• Bangladesh finally see the power of hitting sixes

• Tanzid, Mustafizur keep Bangladesh's Asia Cup campaign alive

Give him a cricket ball, though, and Nasum is in his element. Against Afghanistan on Tuesday, his miserly 2 for 11 handed Bangladesh a lifeline in the Asia Cup. They remain in the tournament till Thursday, at least, when a favourable result (and a net run-rate swing) in the Afghanistan-Sri Lanka match could get them in the tournament’s second phase.Despite Afghanistan’s woeful record in chasing 150-plus totals in major tournaments, they held the momentum at the break in Abu Dhabi. Afghanistan had fought back with the ball, conceding just 35 runs in the last five overs. Early wickets was the only way Bangladesh could have mitigated their batting drop-off.Enter Nasum. He claimed a wicket off the first ball of the Afghanistan innings. The delivery spun back into left-hand batter Sediqullah Atal’s back foot. It was so plumb that Atal didn’t bother to review. It was also a wicket-maiden, and was followed by another wicket in his third over, when he got another delivery to crash into the back pad of right-hand batter Ibrahim Zadran.However, Litton Das kept Nasum out of the attack after that until Mustafizur Rahman conceded 14 runs in the 17th over. Nasum’s first ball again produced a wicket, albeit a run out – it was Nurul Hasan’s wicket, really, as put on a bit of the spectacular to send back Karim Janat. Nasum gave away just four runs in the over, leaving Afghanistan with a mountain to climb in the last two, which they couldn’t.Nasum Ahmed wheels ahead during his celebration during his match-winning spell•Associated Press”It is a wonderful and positive aspect that he makes an impact every time he returns to the playing XI,” Tanzid Hasan said afterwards. “He changed the complexion of this game from his first over. I think we won because of his bowling.”We have a lot of healthy competition within the team. Everyone is giving their 100% at every opportunity. He gives the same effort in training and match situation. Everyone does the same in the team.”Nasum’s start was crucial, but it was also followed by Rishad Hossain taking 2 for 18, while Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur picked up five wickets between them.Despite the fifth-bowlers’ quota going for 55 runs in four overs, Tanzid praised the Bangladesh bowling for using their wealth of experience to pull off the win. “We have a world-class bowling line-up, who are well experienced in T20s,” he said. “We believed that we could defend the total. The credit goes to the bowlers.”Nasum also bowled 16 dot balls in his four overs. It is very rare for a Bangladesh bowler to be so miserly in a crucial match in a major tournament.Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan gave Bangladesh a rapid start•AFP/Getty ImagesBefore Nasum, Taskin bowled a similarly tight spell against Pakistan in the 2016 Asia Cup. For the other such example, were have to go all the way back to 2007, when Syed Rasel bowled 15 dots against a rampant West Indies line-up in the T20 World Cup.This was also Bangladesh’s first win against Afghanistan in an overseas T20I. Nasum was a key contributor but Bangladesh also started well with the bat. Tanzid and Saif Hassan added 63 runs for the first wicket, with Tanzid scoring a half-century. It was a crucial turnaround for Bangladesh, who had started their innings with two wicket-maidens against Sri Lanka in the previous game. Saif replaced Parvez Hossain in the line-up, among four changes, which paid off for Bangladesh.”We communicated well about the first couple of overs,” Tanzid said. “We struck boundaries in back-to-back overs, which helped us do well in the powerplay. I am not too worried about the past. It won’t come back. I tried to start afresh. I tried to give my best with the bat in a do-or-die match. I always try to be positive. You have to take risk in powerplays. I try looking for boundaries as much as possible.”Asked whether they were given any messages during the game about their net-run-rate equation, Tanzid said that they knew what they had to do, but were satisfied with just the win. “We had the opportunity [to increase our net run-rate]. We could have done it… but we couldn’t quite do it. We are happy to winning the game.”

Tail-end resistance and Northants collapse brings hosts back into the contest

ECB Reporters' Network01-Sep-2021

Northamptonshire 327 and 92 for 7 (Higgins 3-26) lead Gloucestershire 191 (van Buuren 56, Procter 5-42) by 228 runsRyan Higgins led a Gloucestershire charge on third afternoon at Bristol as the home side came storming back into the match as Northamptonshire closed 92 for 7, leading by 228.Higgins took 3 for 26 and Tom Price 2 for 22 as the Glosters kept themselves alive in a game they looked well out of.Graeme van Buuren made 56 as superb resistance from Gloucestershire’s tail had earlier held up Northants to save the follow-on before they were eventually bowled out for 191.The rear-guard, which saw No. 10 Matt Taylor make 24 from 97 balls and Jared Warner 10 from a 82 deliveries, almost delivered a batting point but it certainly wrested back the initiative.The bowlers seized upon the momentum to leave Northants’ second innings in tatters.Price led the charge, striking in the fourth over as Emilio Gay played into his stumps trying to defend. Price added Rob Keogh palpably lbw to a full ball that nipped back.Higgins trapped Luke Procter lbw from round the wicket – with a suspicion that the left-hander had got outside the line of off stump. His later spell removed Harry Gouldstone, so impressive in the first innings, but who made only 7 before playing around a straight delivery and losing his middle stump.Adam Rossington was also bowled but this to a lovely delivery that swung away to hit off stump. He made 18 and there will be no captain to the rescue this time for the visitors.Ricardo Vasconcelos was also bowled. He moved in the pleasant way of his to 26 but played loosely outside off stump to one from Matt Taylor that seamed in. And Saif Zaib made 14 before he was squared up by Warner and edged behind.It was slippery stuff in the gloaming and followed some extraordinary resistance from the Gloucestershire tail.Resuming 90 for 6, replying to 327, the home side were in danger of conceding a huge lead.Zafar Gohar quickly fell to Procter for seven but the resistance began with an eighth-wicket stand of 45 between Price, who lasted 54 balls for his 16 and van Buuren.The No. 6 resumed on 19 and edged Procter through the slips for the day’s opening boundary before clipping him through midwicket and cutting Jack White through point.His second fifty of the summer came in 121 balls and helped give Gloucestershire a sniff of a remarkable turnaround.

Zimbabwe stumble to 110 for 9 in pursuit of 175

Hemant Brar02-Sep-2021Batting might and Mark Adair’s four-wicket haul powered Ireland to a 64-run win over Zimbabwe in the fourth T20I in Bready. With that victory, the hosts also pocketed the series as they now have an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match rubber.After Ireland were put in, Kevin O’Brien (47 off 39) and Paul Stirling
39 off 33) added 89 in 10.1 overs for the first wicket to set the platform. Andy Balbirnie then smashed a 22-ball 36 and at one stage Ireland were eyeing a total in excess of 180. The Zimbabwe bowlers, though, bowled well in the death overs to restrict them to 174 for 4.It was still a formidable total, which appeared even more daunting for Zimbabwe in the absence of allrounder Ryan Burl, who sprained his ankle just before the toss and was ruled out of the match. Adair then compounded their problems as he sent back Tadiwanashe Marumani, Regis Chakabva and Dion Myers inside the first four overs and reduced them to 25 for 3.Two overs later, Craig Young made it 30 for 4 by dismissing Wessley Madhevere. Zimbabwe could never recover from there.Stirling, O’Brien make merry
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine opted to bowl on an overcast afternoon. His decision seemed to be paying dividends when Ireland could manage only 19 from the first three overs.But the fourth over opened the floodgates. O’Brien launched Donald Tiripano’s second ball over long-off for a six before the seamer sent down three wides and a beamer. At the other end, Stirling struck two fours off Richard Ngarava. A returning Blessing Muzarabani wasn’t spared either. O’Brien pulled and cut him for three successive fours as Ireland finished the powerplay on 57.That Ervine used his bowlers in one-over spells for the first half of the innings didn’t help either. The bowlers couldn’t settle into a rhythm and struggled with their lines and lengths. The result was not only the scoring opportunities but also extras down the leg side. O’Brien and Stirling didn’t miss out on those gifts.Masakadza’s double-strike brings little respite
Wellington Masakadza eventually broke the opening stand with O’Brien’s wicket. The batter went inside out, aerially towards long-off, where Milton Shumba took an excellent catch diving forward. Soon after, he had Stirling too, caught at extra cover, when the batter top-edged a heave.Balbirnie, though, didn’t let Zimbabwe breathe easily. After being on a run-a-ball 5, he launched an all-out attack. He swept Madhevere for a four and a six before hitting Tiripano for back-to-back fours, the second of which was a result of a poor fielding – another facet of the game Zimbabwe were found lacking in. The only consolation for Zimbabwe was that they conceded only 40 from the last five overs.Adair rocks Zimbabwe’s chase
Zimbabwe needed a quick start to give themselves any chance of chasing down Ireland’s total. Their openers Marumani and Madhevere took seven off the opening over, bowled by Craig Young. After that everything went downhill for them as Adair struck with the first ball of the second over. Bowling around the wicket to the left-handed Marumani, he pitched it up only for the batter to chip a return catch.In his next over, Adair had Chakabva caught down the leg side, although the batter’s reaction hinted he probably didn’t nick it. Two balls later, he uprooted Myers’ leg stump with an inswinging yorker. He would return in the 18th over to pick up Muzarabani.Ervine tried to anchor the chase but there was no support for him. By the ninth over, half of the Zimbabwe side was back in the pavilion and by the tenth, the asking rate had crossed 12. In those circumstances, Ervine’s 30-ball 28 and an unbroken 24-run stand for the last wicket, between Luke Jongwe and Richard Ngarava, only reduced the margin of the defeat.

Batting coach Grant Flower and team analyst GT Niroshan were described as being in a “stable” condition

Andrew Fidel Fernando11-Jul-2021Sri Lanka’s men’s cricketers will be allowed to come out of isolation on Sunday, after everyone remaining in the national squad returned negative PCR results. This only goes for the players however; coaches and support staff will have to remain in isolation until Wednesday, as they are considered first contacts of batting coach Grant Flower and team analyst GT Niroshan, who tested positive for the virus over the past few days.Related

• Player from alternative Sri Lanka squad for India series tests Covid-19 positive

• SL-India series to begin on July 18; new fixtures announced

• SL team's data analyst GT Niroshan tests positive for Covid-19

The fact that Sri Lanka’s players will gradually begin training over the next few days – with outdoor practices likely to start on Tuesday – is good new for the series against India, which has already been postponed five days due to the infections in Sri Lanka’s camp. Provided no one else tests positive, team doctors are optimistic the first ODI can be played on July 18 as per the revised schedule.When training does resume, however, Sri Lanka will likely be using the facilities at Khettarama stadium, while the India team trains at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC). The teams are also in separate hotels.Flower and Niroshan, meanwhile, were described as being in a “stable” condition, after having been moved to an intermediate healthcare facility. Niroshan’s infection is understood to be asymptomatic at present. Doctors believe they had picked up the infections during the recently-concluded tour of England, though the team was supposed to be in a bio-bubble through the last stages of that tour. Seven members of the England squad – including four support staff – tested positive for the virus.India’s preparation in Sri Lanka has been free of Covid-19 scares. They have been in a bio-bubble since their arrival.The teams are set to play three ODIs, followed by three T20 internationals.

It is very much a summer of change at Liverpool Football Club in 2024. Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Anfield sent shockwaves through Liverpool and the rest of the footballing world, and his replacement, Feyenoord manager Arne Slot, has a big job on his hands to continue the legendary German manager’s legacy.

His side will be playing Champions League football next term, following the Reds’ qualification into Europe’s biggest club competition once again. The six-time winners spent a season in the Europa League but did not make it past the quarter-final, following an elimination by eventual winners Atalanta. However, they will take their place amongst Europe’s elite again next time around.

The summer transfer window of 2024 will be a vital few months for Slot and his staff, as well as those higher up at Anfield. It is imperative they get their signings right, as they aim to beat their third-place Premier League finish last season. They have already been linked with the likes of Mohammed Kudus to strengthen their side, according to Football Transfers.

In fact, the Reds have been linked with one player who will be at Euro 2024, to help Slot and his side achieve their goals next season.

Doubters to believers: A tribute to Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp

Anfield will say goodbye to its esteemed manager after nine years of every emotion imaginable.

ByAngus Sinclair May 19, 2024 Liverpool looking to sign new defender

The player in question here is Sporting CP and Portugal international centre-back Goncalo Inacio.

Liverpool are looking to strengthen next season at centre-back, following the departure of Joel Matip after his contract expired, and Incacio could offer the perfect replacement for the experienced Cameroonian.

According to a report on X from reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have “been monitoring” 22-year-old Inacio ahead of this summer’s blockbuster transfer window. However, they are joined in the hunt for the defender's signature by arch-rivals Manchester United, who are also showing keen interest in the defender.

However, it currently remains to be seen if the Red Devils will make a move, with Romano reporting that they are “discussing internally” the number of centre-backs they will sign this summer.

With both North West clubs chasing the 22-year-old this summer, it seems likely he will be on the move. Indeed, if Liverpool want to bring Inacio to Anfield, they will have to activate his £51m release clause. That would make him the second most expensive centre-back in the club’s history, behind only star man at the back Virgil van Dijk, who cost Liverpool £75m from Southampton.

Why Inacio would be a good signing

The young centre-back was a part of the Sporting side who won the league under Ruben Amorim last season. He proved to be a key player for Leões, playing 32 top-flight games as well as making nine appearances in the Europa League, where he managed to score three goals.

If there is one thing that can be said about Inacio, it is that he is a wonderful progressive player. Football analyst Ben Mattinson referenced this over on X, describing the Portugal international as “exceptional on the ball”.

This is also something that is reflected in his Fbref stats. He averages 8.56 progressive passes per 90 minutes, and 9.36 passes into the final third per 90 minutes. Both of these figures place him in the top 1% of centre-backs across Europe. The 78.40 passes completed on average per game also places him in the top 1%.

Inacio is also a superb ball carrier. He averages 68.97 carries per 90 minutes, which places him among the best 1%, with his 1.27 progressive carries per 90 minutes ranking him in the top 8%. This impressive carrying ability shows his confidence on the ball.

Progressive passes

8.56

Final third passes

9.36

Passes completed

78.40

Carries

68.97

Progressive carries

1.27

The "insane" Inacio – as scout Antonio Mango described him – is a player who could pair up well with Liverpool’s talismanic centre-back Van Dijk. The experienced Dutchman has not had a consistent defensive partner of late, but the Reds' target could solve that problem. Not only would it work given Inacio is a left-footed defender to compliment the right-footed Van Dijk, but their strengths pair well to help mask the other players' weaker areas.

Whilst still not bad, the Anfield hero's progressive carrying skills are not as good as Inacio’s, as shown by Fbref. The Liverpool captain averages just 0.85 progressive carries per 90, which ranks him in the top 30%.

However, Van Dijk is wonderful in the air, an area where Inacio struggles. The Netherlands star averages an impressive four aerial duels won per 90, with an 81.7% success rate, which places him in the top 3% and 1% of centre-backs. In comparison, Inacio averages 1.81 aerial duels won per 90, with just a 52.6% success rate. That places him in the 29th and 18th percentile respectively.

Based on the stats, this certainly seems like a well-balanced defensive pair. Inacio is just 22 years old so could be at the heart of the Liverpool defence for many years to come. Despite being 32 years of age, Van Dijk is showing no signs of slowing down, and could well be playing for the next four or five years to come. Should they sign the Sporting sensation then Liverpool could be bringing in a player for the present and future, who can get the best out of Van Dijk.

Liverpool can sign £85m Inacio alternative who Carra dubbed a "superstar"

Anfield would secure one of Europe’s highest-quality young players by getting this one done.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 5, 2024

The reigning Premier League champions showed their class while Robinson and the Cottagers couldn't keep the attack at bay

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Man City defeat Fulham 3-2USMNT's Robinson plays 90Cottagers' unbeaten streak snappedWHAT HAPPENED?

U.S. international Antonee Robinson and Fulham fell to Manchester City Saturday, with Pep Guardiola's men earning all three points with a narrow 3-2 victory.

The Cottagers opened the scoring in the 26th minute, but 32nd and 47th-minute strikes from Mateo Kovacic handed City an advantage, with winger Jeremy Doku finishing the match off with a third in the 82nd minute. Fulham did get a late goal back in the 89th minute through Rodrigo Muniz, but it was too little too late.

Robinson played all 90 minutes, while Mexico international Raul Jimenez recorded a sublime assist in their opening goal. The striker lifted a delicious backheel flick over the defense, with midfielder Andreas Pereira smashing it home.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Cottagers' unbeaten streak of seven-straight matches across all competitions without a loss was snapped, while City continued their unbeaten start to the season.

Robinson struggled mightily against their attack, losing nine duels during the contest – the most of any player on the pitch. He completed 24 of 28 pass attempts, while creating one attacking chance as well.

On the attack he completed just two of nine cross attempts, and was dispossessed twice during the contest. Defensively, he didn't win a single of his three tackles, but recorded two important headed clearances.

DID YOU KNOW?

Robinson has played 90 minutes in every match he's started for the Cottagers this season in the Premier League. He has two assists during that span.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ROBINSON?

Robinson will head to USMNT training camp in the next few days for his first training sessions under Mauricio Pochettino. Matches against Panama and Mexico await the U.S. as they enter a new era under the leadership of the Argentine.