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Sri Lanka Women head coach Lanka de Silva has criticised the country’s domestic format, which allows a maximum of five matches a season for a women cricketers

Sa'adi Thawfeeq29-Sep-2016

Sri Lanka Women head coach Lanka de Silva has criticised the country’s domestic format, which allows a maximum of five matches a season for a women cricketers. His comments came in the wake of Sri Lanka’s limited-overs capitulation to Australia Women at home; they lost the ODIs 4-0, and the one-off T20 by 10-wickets in what was a record win for the visitors.”How can you compete with countries like Australia, England and New Zealand when you play so little cricket? Where is the exposure and the experience?” de Silva said.One of the main reasons for Sri Lanka’s ODI losses to Australia was their batsmen’s inability to bat long periods or build an innings. They batted out the full quota of 50 overs only once in the four matches. Sri Lanka’s hasty approach cost them, de Silva said.”The difference between Australia and us was that we were quite content hitting boundaries rather than running the singles,” de Silva, a former wicketkeeper/batsman who played three Tests and 11 ODIs in the late 1990s, said. “If you run the singles and twos only can you build an innings and occupy the crease, that’s what Australia did. They would score a fifty but it would comprise only two or three fours, whereas our women would make a quick 30 with six fours and get out.”It all came down to Sri Lanka’s relative inexperience, he reiterated. “This happens due to our women cricketers’ inexperience and that can be countered by playing more matches. There are eight teams in the domestic tournament and they play in two groups. If you are lucky to reach the final, you will get a maximum of five matches. If not, only three for the entire season.”There are moves to make the domestic tournament matches two-day affairs, the sooner it is done the better for our cricket. Our women cricketers have the skill and the talent, what they lack is match experience.”Another obstacle for the women’s team, de Silva said, was the age at which the players take to the game, but he was hopeful of that changing with the current efforts being made in schools in a drive led by the wife of former Sri Lanka Test captain Hashan Tillakaratne.”On an average they start by the age of 18 and by the time they mature, they are almost 30,” he said. “It is not an age to start teaching the basics of cricket.”[But] there are moves to get schools to start playing [women’s] cricket and, at the moment, there are about 30 schools playing fifty-over cricket in a competition. Mrs Apsari Tillakaratne is spearheading the drive.”

حرص بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي، على توجيه اعتذار رسمي إلى اللاعب كالفين فيليبس بسبب تصريحاته التي أدلى بها ضده.

كان فيليبس قد انضم إلى وست هام، في موسم الانتقالات الشتوي الماضي، على سبيل الإعارة من مانشستر سيتي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. هازارد: لاعب مانشستر سيتي الأفضل في العالم وليس الدوري الإنجليزي فقط

وأجرى فيليبس مقابلة صحفية هذا الشهر حيث اعترف فيها بأن تصريحات جوارديولا بشأن زيادة وزنه أثرت بشدة على ثقته بنفسه، كما أن عائلته لم تكن سعيدة بذلك.

وقال فيليبس آنذاك: “لقد كان (جوارديولا) على حق في القيام بذلك ولكن هناك طرق مختلفة لفعل ذلك، لقد كان مجرد سوء فهم وأعتقد أنه كان محبطًا للغاية لأنني زدت 1.5 كجم فوق الوزن المستهدف”.

واعترف بيب جوارديولا بأنه نادم على ما قاله، حيث قال في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “جارديان” الإنجليزية: “نعم، أنا آسف، مرة واحدة (تصرف قبيح) كل ثماني سنوات ليست سيئة، ولكن أنا آسف جدًا”.

وأضاف: “أعتذر له، لقد تحدثت معه قبل تصريحاتي، لم أتحدث مطلقًا مع الفريق قبل أن أقول شيئًا هنا، أو مع اللاعب في هذه الحالة”.

Liverpool are interested in completing a swoop for Juventus winger Federico Chiesa this summer after the Italian's recovery from a long-term injury…

What's the latest on Federico Chiesa to Liverpool?

That's according to Italian outfit Gazzetta dello Sport (via Paisley Gates), who claim that Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool – with competition from Bayern Munich – will attempt to complete the transfer of the 25-year-old Old Lady star for €45m (£39m).

Chiesa has been plagued with injury over the past few seasons and it remains to be seen whether the Reds hierarchy deem it to be an auspicious move.

However, the £155k-per-week gem is one of the most creative wingers in Europe and could create a new dimension to Klopp's system, with just two years left on his current deal too

Should Liverpool sign Federico Chiesa?

Liverpool's recent transfer activity has been harangued by supporters inside and outside the club alike, with the loan signing of Arthur the only central midfield acquisition last summer despite the glaring need for central reinforcements.

The offensive calibre has been rekindled, if not quite at the imperious best of Liverpool's prime period under Klopp's reign, and Darwin Nunez (£85m), Cody Gakpo (£35m), and Luis Diaz (£37m) have all been signed over the past 18 months, yielding more than a few tantalising flashes of a world-class strikeforce.

Despite the emphasis now fixing on the bolstering of the midfield this summer, Chiesa's name continues to churn around the whirring rumour mill, with reports from January tethering the Italy international to links to Anfield.

And what creativity he would bring to Merseyside, hailed as a "wizard" by broadcaster Roger Bennett for his feats on the pitch and registering ten direct goal contributions from just 11 starts across all competitions following his comeback from a detrimental injury layoff that has left him on the sidelines for, incredibly, 62 matches across the past two terms.

It's a gamble, no doubt, but one that might pay off as Klopp crafts a world-class sheen to a team that has fallen from prominence this season, languishing in fifth place in the Premier League as the campaign pulls its drapes closed.

The rich pool of attacking talent at Anfield would allow Chiesa to effectively manage his game time, while still maintaining a "potent" aura – as stated by Rio Ferdinand – ranking among the top 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of assists, the top 15% for progressive carries and the top 16% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

He could make a resurgence to the very forefront on the alternate flank to Diaz, who has endured a similarly injury-stricken time of late, having sustained an injury against Arsenal in October and missing 31 matches as a result.

Diaz, described as a "livewire" by journalist Peter Hall, is one of Europe's most fleet-footed and enterprising wide vehicles around, himself ranking well despite his hampered year, sitting among the top 12% of positional peers for pass completion and the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90.

With such first-rate driving forces down the flanks, Liverpool could reach their zenith once again; Mohamed Salah, imperious goalscorer and devastating offensive phenomenon, has plundered 30 goals and 16 assists this season despite his outfit's woes, but finds fruit cutting inside and wreaking havoc in the danger areas – ranking among the top 1% of peers for touches in the attacking box per 90, and a wide player more suited to a more traditional wing role could pay dividends.

Injecting the fresh dimension that Chiesa would indeed bring could only enhance Liverpool's prospects of success, with the 40-cap international's dynamism perhaps proving the difference between a rekindling of the fire and a resplendent Anfield renaissance next term.

Kent’s chairman, George Kennedy, has confirmed that the club is seeking arbitration with the England & Wales Cricket Board after being overlooked for a place in Division One

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Oct-2016

Kent’s chairman, George Kennedy, has confirmed that the club is seeking arbitration with the England & Wales Cricket Board after being overlooked for a place in Division One of the County Championship in the wake of Durham’s post-season relegation.Kent finished as runners-up in Division Two this season, which would ordinarily have been sufficient to earn them promotion. However, with the Championship moving to an eight-team top flight from 2017 onwards, the only spot available went to the champions Essex.However, Durham’s 48-point penalty for financial issues, and subsequent relegation, led to suggestions that Kent ought to have been invited to take their place in Division One. Instead, the ECB confirmed that Hampshire, who finished second-from-bottom in the table, would be allowed to stay up.In a letter to the ECB seen by The Times, Kent described the decision as “prejudiced, perverse and contrary to natural justice,” and even went so far as to claim that Durham officials had been told in May that they would be relegated.””We have [sent the letter] – they would have received it yesterday,” Kennedy told PA. “We have asked for arbitration in the situation, and we’ll see what comes of that.”Kennedy added that he had met with Colin Graves, the ECB chairman, last week to discuss the issue.”It was an amicable meeting – we were able to exchange opinions. One or two things have come to light since then, so we thought we would bring it to a head – and that is exactly what we’ve done.””We can confirm receipt of a letter from Kent county cricket club regarding the issue of promotion and relegation,” said an ECB spokesperson.”Last week’s decision to relegate Durham – with Hampshire remaining in the first division of the Specsavers County Championship – was in line with the two-down, one-up relegation and promotion rules for this season’s county championship which were notified to all counties and published prior to start of the 2016 season.”We are currently considering our response to Kent’s letter and will reply to them in due course.”Durham issued a statement denying the details in the Times report: “Contrary to today’s press report, Durham county cricket club can confirm that they were not told in May that the club would be relegated at the end of the season.”

It might not be as straightforward now in Manchester United's pursuit of Kim Min-jae, with Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg reporting that Bayern Munich have entered the race for the player.

Is Kim Min-jae joining Manchester United?

The defender has really burst onto the scene this season thanks to an incredible year in Italy with Napoli that has seen the club claim the Serie A title. The 26-year-old played a key part in that success, featuring on 35 occasions in the league for the side and even bagging two goals and two assists along the way. It marks his first season in the country but he already looks right at home in the centre of that Napoli defence.

In addition, he's proven himself as having a superb ability to take the ball with his feet and to play out from the back with ease. With a 90.2% pass completion rate, he ranks amongst the top 10% of players in his position amongst the Men's 'Top Five' big leagues for example. It shows that not only is he a standout talent in his domestic league but is one of the best at doing so in Europe.

It's led to big interest in his services from Man United in the Premier League, who have been keen to get a deal done. It had looked like a move was all but completed too, with a report suggesting that he would link-up with Erik Ten Hag's side on July 1, with the Red Devils agreeing to pay his 60 million Euro (£51m) release clause and already agreeing personal terms.

However, according to a report from Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, there is now competition for his signature. Bayern Munich are keeping tabs on the situation and could launch their own bid for the centre-back. The German giants are seemingly "aware" of United's eagerness to snap up Kim and the Red Devils are now "pushing" to get a deal over the line with this new twist in the race to sign the player.

How many games has Kim Min-jae played?

The Napoli man is an experienced head already, despite being only 26. As well as his 35 league showings for Napoli this campaign, he also featured heavily for Fenerbache in Turkey, playing 31 times for the title-chasing club. Prior to that, he also had three seaons with Beijing Guoan and two with Jeonbuk. It means that he has now accumulated 157 league games worth of action in his career already.

That has led to him becoming the player he is today, with the defender now earning the nickname of "monster" because of his performances. If United can get a deal done then, they would be getting a player who certainly appears capable of slotting straight into their backline.

واصل فريق الكرة الأول بالنادي الأهلي تدريباته صباح اليوم الأربعاء على ملعب التتش بالجزيرة وذلك بعد الفوز على بلدية المحلة في الدوري المصري أمس.

وحقق الأهلي الفوز الأكبر له في الدوري هذا الموسم على بلدية المحلة بنتيجة 5-1، ضمن مؤجلات الجولة الخامسة من المسابقة.

واجتمع مارسيل كولر، المدير الفني باللاعبين في محاضرة فنية قبل انطلاق فقرات المران، في إطار الإعداد لمباراة يانج أفريكانز.

طالع | مختار مختار: أعتذر لـ لاعب الأهلي.. ويوجه نصيحة لـ محمد عبد المنعم

وخاض اللاعبون الذين شاركوا في لقاء بلدية المحلة مرانًا بدنيًا واستشفائيًا في الجيم على هامش المران الجماعي.

وأدى بقية لاعبي الأهلي تدريبات بدنية وفنية متنوعة قبل أن يختتم مارسيل كولر فقرات المران بتقسيمة قوية شارك بها فريقان من اللاعبين.

وأدى رباعي حراسة المرمى؛ محمود الزنفلي وحمزة علاء ومصطفى مخلوف وطارق حسن، تدريبات منفردة تحت إشراف ميشيل يانكون مدرب الحراس.

ويستعد الأهلي لمواجهة فريق يانج أفريكانز في الجولة الأخيرة من منافسات دور المجموعات بدوري أبطال إفريقيا والمحدد لها مساء الجمعة المقبل، علمًا بأن الأهلي حسم تأهله بالفعل ولكن يبقى الصراع على المركز الأول.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has glimpsed a few weaknesses in New Zealand’s batting line-up and believes his varied attack can bring it down

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Christchurch16-Nov-20161:30

Fernando: Pakistan attack can exploit NZ conditions

When South Africa returned from a 0-3 drubbing in India in 2015, they went on to lose the subsequent home series against England. When Australia returned from a 0-3 drubbing by low-ranked Sri Lanka this year, they went to lose the subsequent (and ongoing) series against South Africa.New Zealand hope to break the trend; they hope their 0-3 in India will not have a similar effect on their home summer. Misbah-ul-Haq, though, has glimpsed a few weaknesses. He believed his varied attack can bring an ailing New Zealand top order down.”If you see, after the Indian tour, most of the Kiwi batsmen have been struggling and short of confidence,” Misbah said. “I know this is their own territory and they’ll be confident playing here, but as a batsman, and a cricketer, confidence can play a big role. Being short of confidence – we’ll look forward to exploiting that.”While New Zealand’s batsmen seek a return to collective form, Pakistan’s own top order must resist the likes of Trent Boult and Tim Southee on Hagley Oval’s green top. Pakistan did win two Tests in England this year, but both those matches were played in London, where pitches were less seam-friendly than elsewhere. It had, in fact, been the legspin of Yasir Shah that defined the Lord’s Test, as well as playing a crucial role in the second innings at The Oval. Tracks in New Zealand have not been so spin friendly recently.”If you look at the UAE conditions and New Zealand conditions, these are totally different,” Misbah said. “That’s the biggest challenge for us, especially for our batting. Most of our players have been to New Zealand before, and they know how these conditions can be different from what we are used to. We need to make sure that we bat with discipline and put good scores on the board. Our bowling is very much capable of performing well in any sort of conditions.”There may be rain in the air in Christchurch, but Pakistan had also had their three-day practice match in Nelson completely washed out, meaning their preparation in New Zealand has been less than ideal. Misbah said his team would fall back on their recent experience in England, and hoped the lessons learned on that tour would hold true here.”The England series was a tough series for us. That experience will really help us here, because of the confidence we gained from that. The players are up for this challenge, and we can prove ourselves here also. We need to learn some things from that tour – those conditions, and how we go about business. How we’ve batted, how our disciplines are, and how we’ve bowled.”It’s going to be a key for us because we missed the practice game here. A couple of practice sessions are the only experience we’ve got before the Test match. As professionals, we need to use that information and be ready enough for the Test.If India lose the series against England, Pakistan have an opportunity to reclaim the no. 1 Test ranking they had briefly held following Australia’s loss in Sri Lanka. Misbah said the prospect continued to spur his team.”Always the no. 1 ranking is a big motivation. If you play any sport, you want to be the best. That’s what we are looking forward to. That said, we need to improve ourselves every game. Every series and game becomes important for us. Looking forward to playing well in this series and in Australia.”

أعلن الجهاز الفني لفريق الكرة الأول بنادي الزمالك بقيادة جوزيه جوميز، عن تشكيل لاعبيه اليوم أمام الأهلي ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس مصر.

وتقام مباراة الأهلي والزمالك بـ نهائي كأس مصر على أرضية استاد الأول بارك للمرة الأولى خارج مصر.

وكان الزمالك قد تأهل إلى المباراة النهائية بعد الفوز على بيراميدز بركلات الترجيح في نصف النهائي، بينما الأهلي تخطى عقبة إنبي بثلاثية نظيفة.

ويشهد التشكيل مشاركة عبد الله السعيد أساسيًا بجوار يوسف أوباما في وسط الملعب، وكذلك عودة محمد عواد لحراسة المرمى. تشكيل الزمالك اليوم أمام الأهلي في نهائي كأس مصر

حراسة المرمى: محمد عواد.

خط الدفاع: أحمد فتوح – حمزة المثلوثي – حسام عبد المجيد – عمر جابر.

خط الوسط: نبيل عماد دونجا – يوسف أوباما – مصطفى شلبي – عبد الله السعيد – أحمد سيد “زيزو”.

خط الهجوم: ناصر منسي.

Manchester United have been no strangers to poaching players from their bitter rivals over the years, with the Red Devils having notably snapped up the likes of Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith from long-time foes, Leeds United in the Premier League era.

According to recent reports, it looks as if Erik ten Hag and co could be set to make another summer raid on the Yorkshire side, with TEAMtalk suggesting that the Old Trafford outfit are in the race for American midfielder, Tyler Adams.

The piece adds (citing a report from The Athletic) that the former RB Leipzig man – who only made the move to England last summer on a £20m deal – could be allowed to depart for a fee of around £40m ahead of next season, following the Whites' recent relegation.

The report also suggests that the 24-year-old has outlined his desire to play in the Premier League once again next season, with another of United's rivals – Liverpool – also said to be plotting a move.

The presence of Jurgen Klopp's side may prove an obstacle to Ten Hag's hopes of landing the New York native this summer, although the Carabao Cup winners should certainly do all they can to ensure that they are at the front of the queue.

Who could Adams replace at Man United?

There may be those who would turn their nose up at the prospect of signing a newly-relegated player, although Adams hardly disgraced himself having enjoyed a promising debut season in English football – prior to suffering what proved to be a season-ending hamstring injury in March.

With the midfield maestro ultimately missing the final 12 games of the season – only two of which ended in victory for Leeds – that absence was likely a key factor in the club's downfall, as he had been "instrumental" prior to that, according to pundit Kevin Campbell.

Lauded as a "tackling machine" by Campbell, the £55k-per-week ace notably finished joint-fourth in the division alongside Casemiro for tackles made despite that extended spell on the sidelines, further highlighting his destructive brilliance in the centre of the park.

The addition of such a 'machine' could then prove to be the final nail in the coffin for Scott McTominay's time at the club, with the 26-year-old – who also typically lines up in a deeper midfield role – having been linked with a summer exit amid interest from Newcastle United.

The Scotland international may be left running scared by Adams' arrival at the Theatre of Dreams, with the latter man seemingly offering more in a defensive sense to Ten Hag after averaging 5.2 tackles and interceptions combined per game from his 24 league appearances in 2022/23, while McTominay averaged just 1.9 in that regard from the same number of games.

The Leeds man may also offer more in possession having averaged one key pass per game as a sign of his creative intent, while the Red Devils academy graduate averaged just 0.3 key passes.

With McTominay seemingly having had his chance to impress over recent years, it could be time for United to find a new midfield solution with the signing of Adams.

India gave a lesson in how to take a grip on a Test match that was in the balance as their lower order built a lead of 134 before R Ashwin bagged three wickets in the final session

The Report by Andrew McGlashan28-Nov-2016
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:23

Ganguly: Morning session may have cost England the match and the series

India gave a lesson in how to take a grip on a Test match that was in the balance. Firstly their lower order built a commanding lead of 134, anchored around Ravindra Jadeja’s career-best 90 and Jayant Yadav’s maiden Test fifty, then R Ashwin’s three wickets left England floundering on 78 for 4, still 56 behind.The runs from the bottom half of India’s order has been a feature of their recent Test success and here they enjoyed one of their more stellar days. In total, the last four wickets added 213 to turn a precarious 204 for 6 into a three-figure advantage and it was the first time India’s Nos 7, 8 and 9 had scored half-centuries in the same innings.From a position at the start of the day where England would have hoped for something near parity – a manageable deficit of around 50 at worst – by the close it felt as though India had made the definitive moves of the series. Joe Root, who had been promoted to open in place of the injured Haseeb Hameed, remained unbeaten on 36 but Ashwin’s dismissal of Ben Stokes in the final over capped a perfect day for India.Alastair Cook’s stay was tortuous. In the space of four deliveries he survived two close DRS calls. The first was an India review for an appeal given not out against Jadeja which was, eventually after some problems forming the Hawk-Eye graphics, shown to be missing leg. The second was after he had been given lbw to Ashwin only for the review to show the ball pitched outside leg. However, the reprieve was brief as Ashwin worked him over by sliding a straighter delivery between bat and pad.Moeen Ali batted at No. 3, the only spot in the top nine he had yet to occupy in Tests, and added to the list of England’s inglorious dismissals in the match when he chipped Ashwin to mid-on. It was a lovely piece of deception from the bowler, who defeated Moeen in the flight, but regardless it was a limp shot.Just as Root and Jonny Bairstow were eyeing the close, the latter fell to a catch that, as a fellow wicketkeeper, he would acknowledge for its skill as Parthiv Patel stayed low to take a ball that skidding through low to graze the outside edge. Virat Kohli then pulled one of his Midas touches when he recalled Ashwin in the dying moments of the session and, with his first delivery, he spun one past Stokes’ edge to take the back pad. It was initially given not out by Chris Gaffaney but, with the seconds ticking down, Kohli reviewed and was justified.India were 12 behind when play resumed but England made an insipid start to the day. Chris Woakes’ opening delivery was a leg-stump half volley which Ashwin clipped to the boundary and Moeen was oddly given two exploratory overs ahead of either James Anderson or Stokes.Until Jadeja picked out long-on when he tried to up the tempo after tea it had been an innings largely out of character to how he is perceived as a batsman. In terms of balls faced it was the seventh-longest innings of his first-class career and one of his most significant in Tests. Even when he departed the end did not come swiftly for England as Jayant, who played with barely an alarm, ticked over to a 134-ball fifty.Jadeja only had two previous fifties in Test cricket: his swashbuckling effort at Lord’s in 2014, which helped build a match-winning lead, and a brisk innings against New Zealand earlier this season, which hastened a declaration. This was certainly not a tail-end jolly. On the second evening, after India had suffered a wobble of 4 for 56, Jadeja allowed Ashwin to take the lead and moved to 8 off 34 balls. He then sensed a moment to attack shortly before the new ball, but, on the third day, except for a skip down the pitch against Moeen, he did not attempt anything expansive until taking four boundaries off a Woakes over shortly before his dismissal.Jadeja’s half-century came off 104 balls and was accompanied by the familiar swordsman celebration but it was the only bat throwing on display. The disappointment of him missing a century meant we did not see what the follow-up would be. Stokes tried to prey on his patience by sending the ball wide outside off, as he had done to Kohli, but Jadeja ignored those balls. He benefited from a bonus four runs when he took a sharp single to mid-on and Jake Ball’s throw was not backed up.Ashwin had continued to time the ball elegantly until he was lured into a wider delivery by Stokes, in his first over of the day, and spooned a catch to Jos Buttler at backward point to end a stand of 97 with Jadeja. However, Jayant, in so many ways a younger model of Ashwin, from his role in the team to punching deliveries through the off side, collected two sweetly-timed boundaries off Anderson to set him on his way, but there was no hurry from India.England’s frustrations – and specifically Stokes’ – almost reached boiling point as they worked to break the ninth-wicket stand. Umesh Yadav was dropped on 9 by Cook, to his right at a lone slip, then in the same over Jayant nicked past Bairstow’s right glove, leading to an angered roar from Stokes. But before the over was done, Jayant heaved low to midwicket.Stokes and Adil Rashid shared the nine wickets taken by the bowlers with Stokes winning the race to a five-wicket haul, his third in Tests, when he removed Umesh. The catch for Bairstow meant he set a new record for wicketkeeping dismissals in a year. It was as good as the day got for England.