The BCB has picked seven members from Bangladesh’s ODI pool in the BCB XI squad that will take on Afghanistan in their only warm-up game on September 23
The BCB has picked seven members from Bangladesh’s ODI pool in the BCB XI squad that will take on Afghanistan in their only warm-up game on September 23. The one-day match, which will be held in Fatullah, will be the visitors’ only chance to gauge local conditions ahead of their three-match ODI series that is being held a few weeks before the usual time for Bangladesh’s home season.The national selectors picked Imrul Kayes, Anamul Haque, Mossadek Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Subashis Roy, Mehedi Hasan and Alauddin Babu from the 20-man pool that has been training together since September 18. At least some of these seven players could also find themselves in the ODI squad for the first two matches against Afghanistan.The selectors will be submitting the squad to the BCB president on Wednesday, and the squad announcement is likely to be made the following day.From the other six players picked for this match, Liton Kumar and Kamrul Islam Rabbi should make the chance count since Bangladesh have a busy schedule ahead. Liton was a regular in 2015, especially in ODIs, but couldn’t even make a half-century. Rabbi, on the other hand, was picked later in 2015, but didn’t make his international debut to show his pace bowling prowess. Both Liton and Rabbi do not feature in the ODI pool.
Australia’s win wasn’t always pretty, but it was comfortable enough. With Aaron Smith and Steven Smith making half centuries, they chased down 228 with three wickets and more than three overs to spare
The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando21-Aug-2016 Scorecard and ball-by-ball details0:48
By the Numbers – Starc’s record, and run-machine Smith
Sri Lanka had no fewer than six slow-bowling options – half of them specialists. And by the time Australia batted, the dry Premadasa pitch had begun to bubble and spit. In the Tests, these ingredients had led to humbling defeats for the visitors while the local spinners reaped sackfuls of wickets. But perhaps for the first time on tour, Australia satisfactorily negotiated the spin challenge. The win wasn’t always pretty, but it was comfortable enough. With Aaron Finch and Steven Smith making half centuries, Australia chased down 228 with three wickets and more than three overs to spare.It had been Australia’s quicks’ discipline that had earlier tethered Sri Lanka to a relatively modest total, even given the difficult conditions. Mitchell Starc took three important wickets as he became the quickest bowler in history to 100 ODI wickets, and James Faulkner inflicted even more damage, delivering a double-wicket maiden upon which Sri Lanka’s innings pivoted, and claiming four wickets for 38 all told.Faulkner had cajoled Kusal Mendis into a miscued pull early in the 30th over, then had Angelo Mathews athletically caught at point four balls later. When Starc took another wicket soon after, Sri Lanka had slipped from 124 for 2 to 132 for 5, and though Dinesh Chandimal was at the crease through the rest of the innings, Sri Lanka could not muster the 250 which might have represented a winning score.Starc prospered on a customary full length, and each of his wickets were the result of drawing batsmen into drives. He knocked down Kusal Perera’s off stump in the first over, got Dhananjaya de Silva miscuing a slower ball to claim his 100th wicket, then had Milinda Siriwardana out with a similar delivery. Faulkner bowled his cutters more liberally and generally pitched the ball on a length. Starc did not concede a boundary through his ten overs. Faulkner was exemplary at the death, giving away only 17 in his last three overs, and claiming two scalps in them.Smith’s 58 provided the chase its middle-overs substance, but it had been Finch who made quick ground in the early overs, so as to give the middle order a wide margin for error. He clubbed his second ball for six, and did not slow his rate of scoring while the fielding restrictions were in effect even though balls began to misbehave early on. By the end of the 10th over, he had hit seven fours and two sixes in a score of 48 from 36 balls.Finch departed in somewhat controversial circumstances – when Amila Aponso, the debutant left-arm spinner, had one leap away from the bat off a full length. The ball ended up in the hands of Angelo Mathews at slip, but such was the turn on offer, that it is possible it got there with no interference from Finch’s bat.Whatever the case, Smith took the chase by the collar from then onwards, but his was a steadier innings. Aponso beat his bat virtually every over, but Smith kept out the straighter deliveries and scored off the shorter ones. He was dropped on 15 when, at slip, Mathews failed to hold a catch that had deflected off the wicketkeeper’s pad. The remainder of his outside edges landed safely away from fielders. It was not the most fluent innings Smith has played, but it was the kind of surface on which survival was laudable enough.Aponso was the most accurate of Sri Lanka’s bowlers, and unlucky to finish with only one wicket from his 10 overs. His colleagues left their surge too late. Dilruwan Perera had Smith caught at short leg, but the score was already 190. He took two more wickets towards the finish, and Lakshan Sandakan one more to add to the earlier wicket of Matthew Wade. Australia lost four for 32 through that late period, but that was not a dramatic enough slump to threaten the result.Sri Lanka’s top-scorer Dinesh Chandimal had earlier brought a Test-match zen to the first ODI, as he hit an unbeaten 80 from 113 deliveries. He scored in singles and twos exclusively to begin with, and was content to go without a boundary until his 46th delivery. The majority of his runs came square of the wicket; the cut, sweep, dab and legside flick the more favoured among his strokes. The Australia seamers increasingly rolled their fingers over the ball as the innings progressed, but Chandimal was largely wise to their changes of pace – though his shots did also find infielders more often than he would have liked. He hit only three boundaries in his innings.Mendis was the recipient of much good during his 67 from 95 balls. He was dropped on 14, survived a close lbw shout on 25, was almost run out twice, and mishit plenty of his shots. However, unlike Chandimal, Mendis didn’t completely omit the more exuberant strokes. His most memorable shots was a regal lofted straight drive off Moises Henriques, and a lofted legside flick off Faulkner.Beyond these two half-centuries, three others made bit-part contributions to the score. Tillakaratne Dilshan made 22 before falling to the Dilscoop. Siriwardana hit 19 off 26 in a 41-run stand with Chandimal, and Thisara Perera made 21 off 14 in the death overs. Australia’s seamers were difficult to get away at the finish, conceding only 41 in the final six overs, but much of the damage had been done earlier on.
Aston Villa are reportedly looking ahead to the summer transfer window, with the club already linked to a host of talent.
As the 2022/23 Premier League campaign draws to a close, Villa will have a broader expectation of the market, with European football in their grasp for next season.
Since the arrival of Unai Emery, Villa Park has played host to some incredible performances, contrasting to those seen at the end of Steven Gerrard's tenure.
With the Spaniard at the helm, the club is back where they belong and are expected to have a significant pull this summer, with the four-time Europa League winners’ success accountable for the rise of many stars in the continent.
A reported £150m kitty will be handed to Emery this summer to make improvements, however, the latest player linked to the club would not dent the budget.
What’s the latest on Manuel Lanzini to Aston Villa?
According to ESPN – as relayed by Sport Witness – West Ham United ace Manuel Lanzini could make the switch to Villa.
The 30-year-old, who will be a free agent this summer, has gained interest from Serie A champions Napoli, as well as the Midlands club.
The two sides are reported to have ‘initiated contact’ with the players’ representatives, with Lanzini’s knowledge of the Premier League reportedly playing a factor in Emery’s interest.
What could Manuel Lanzini bring to Aston Villa?
With 178 Premier League appearances under his belt, the Argentine playmaker has been a loyal servant to West Ham, and vice versa, with the player suffering a string of injuries during his eight-year stay in east London.
Hailed as “the jewel” at his club, as told by teammate Michail Antonio via Football Daily, the 30-year-old has still contributed to 47 league goals in claret and blue, coming through 20 assists and scoring 27 himself – as per Transfermarkt.
While players have passed him in Moyes’ current set-up, leaving him with just nine appearances and two starts in the league this season.
Soccer Football – Premier League – West Ham United v Crystal Palace – London Stadium, London, Britain – November 6, 2022 Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew in action with West Ham United’s Manuel Lanzini REUTERS/Tony Obrien EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account rep
The Ituzaingo-born ace is far from nearing the end of his career however, popping up with moments of greatness, lauded by journalist Dan Woffenden as having “excellent technical qualities."
For Villa, the experienced star could be a positive signing for Emery’s plans, giving the squad extended depth with quality in a player that could push for a starting spot.
Branded as “inconsistent” by members of the media, Emiliano Buendia’s brilliance cannot be argued, however, the 26-year-old may flourish by having some competition for his position in the form of Lanzini.
Despite his age and lack of game time, he could challenge his fellow Argentine in attacking midfield with the "special" player, as praised by Declan Rice, actually bettering the Villa man in critical attributes linked with the position.
As per FBref, the £69k-per-week Irons midfielder maintains a pass completion percentage of 89.3% per 90, with Buendia averaging just 77.0%.
A similar pattern is evident in their threat going forward when dispatching the ball, with the West Ham ace averaging a huge 7.99 progressive passes to the 26-year-old’s 5.12 per 90.
It’s clear that Emery wishes to add depth to his squad, as relayed by The Athletic, and with European competition a possibility, adding experience and quality is essential.
Available as a free agent this summer, it could be a clever signing for the Villans to pull off, to see Lanzini in their cloth of claret and blue.
During his short time at the club, Aston Villa have enjoyed a half-season of thrills under Unai Emery.
The Spaniard took over from Steven Gerrard as boss at Villa Park following the Englishman’s dismissal in November, and his side haven’t looked back since.
With the hope of a European finish still in their reach, the Villans are building something special with the four-time Europa League-winning coach, who has introduced a host of positives in his first six months in charge.
Just two games stand in the way of Villa and European football next season, however despite focus being on the two crucial meetings, the club have started to turn their attention to the summer transfer window.
Villa Park has been the subject of numerous transfer stories already ahead of the summer, ignited by the inbound director of football Mateu Alemany from FC Barcelona and Emery’s links to exciting foreign stars.
Putting hot LaLiga interest aside, the club have been linked to a player in Serie A, one that could provide more than just his playing ability to Villa’s midfield.
What’s the latest on Marcelo Brozovic to Aston Villa?
News emerging this week from InterLive speculates that the Midlands outfit could make a €55m double offer to sign Inter Milan duo Marcelo Brozovic and Denzel Dumfries.
The two have been linked with a departure from the Italian giants this summer, with the report claiming that Alemany’s involvement at Villa could assist the potential swoop.
What could Marcelo Brozovic bring to Aston Villa?
Described as a midfield “maestro” by his club and as an "incredible player" by journalist Siavoush Fallahi, Brozovic has featured 25 times this season in Serie A, maintaining a Sofascore match rating of 7.00 throughout the testing campaign.
Playing in the engine room requires a host of attributes, both defensively and in attacking aspects to dictate play and protect the back line, the Croatian boasts a passing accuracy of 90% per game, as well as winning 50% of his ground duels (2.3 per game) – as per Sofascore.
The 30-year-old has made 324 appearances in his career at Inter so far, making him a top performer and an experienced player at the highest level.
Signing a player such as Brozovic could positively influence Villa’s midfield, particularly Douglas Luiz, who could have his expertise in the position furthered playing alongside a figure as experienced as the Croatian.
The two are very similar in play and are likened to each other as per FBref for their solidity in the engine room. When imagined in Villa’s midfield, the duo could complement one another through their strengths in opposing areas.
While Brozovic is a more accomplished passer than Luiz, the Brazilian betters defensively in interceptions and aerials won per 90, averaging 1.29 interceptions to the £184k-per-week machine's 1.05 and 0.83 aerials to 0.44 per 90 – as per FBref.
At just 25 years of age, Luiz has a long and promising career ahead of him in the Premier League, one that could be boosted by playing alongside a man with the stature of European experience as Brozovic in a deal that could inspire Villa’s midfield for years to come.
An Australia supporter has been jailed for seven days for indecent exposure, and fined 3000 rupees (approx. USD $21) for intoxication, after he streaked naked at Pallekele Stadium on Tuesday evening
Andrew Fidel Fernando27-Jul-2016An Australia supporter has been jailed for seven days for indecent exposure, and fined 3000 rupees (approx. USD $21) for intoxication, after he streaked naked at Pallekele Stadium on Tuesday evening.Alex James vaulted over two sets of metal barriers and made his way to the middle of the ground fully clothed, after rain had stopped play on the first day, before beginning to pose near the venue’s covered square. With no police or security personnel in the vicinity at the time, James then proceeded to remove his clothes and made a brief nude jaunt, which featured a dive on the rubberised tarpaulin covers.Upon seeing a policeman approach him, James then collected his clothing, scaled the barriers, and was seen high-fiving other Australia supporters on the bank. He was later arrested, taken to the police station, and was sentenced by the Kandy Additional Magistrate on Wednesday.Streaking is virtually non-existent at Sri Lankan sports venues, and public nudity deemed offensive, especially in the vicinity of children. Indecent exposure carries a maximum penalty of three months.
A cohort of South Africa’s Test players will begin their preparations for the floodlit Test against Australia later in the year by facing the pink ball in the A-team series in Brisbane
ESPNcricinfo staff29-Jul-2016A cohort of South Africa’s Test players will begin their preparations for the floodlit Test against Australia later in the year by facing the pink ball in the A-team series in Brisbane.The opening four-day game against Australia A at Allan Border Field will be a first experience of facing the pink ball in first-class for the South Africans, albeit this match will be in daytime conditions.The South Africa A squad includes nine Test players, including captain Stephen Cook who made his Test debut against England in January, with some of them having a good chance of being in the squad for the full of Australia tour which starts in October and includes South Africa’s first day-night Test in Adelaide from November 24.The other Test players on this tour are Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma, Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas and Hardus Viljoen. Elgar and Bavuma are established in the Test line-up while Piedt is currently the frontline spinner.There had been initial reluctance from the South Africans to play a Test under lights with a lack of preparation and experience in such conditions being a major factor. However, after much behind-the-scenes work an agreement was reached to mean that Australia will host two day-night Tests in their season with Pakistan also playing under lights at the Gabba in December.”The guys are really on a high and looking forward to the first game,” Cook said. “It will be the first time the guys play with the pink ball in a first-class match, so the guys have prepared for that and are very excited about that.The second match of the series will be played in Townsville from August 6-9, before a one-day series that also involves India A, Australia A and a National Performance Squad begins on August 13.
Manchester United have been dealt something of a blow heading into the final few games of the season, with the club confirming on Monday that January arrival Marcel Sabitzer is set to be out for the remainder of the campaign.
The on-loan Bayern Munich man had made a solid impression since his move to Old Trafford earlier this year, notably being hailed as a "machine" by Diogo Dalot having scored three goals and provided one assist in 18 games across all fronts.
There had been talk prior to this recent injury blow regarding a potential permanent stay in Manchester for the 29-year-old, although it is yet to be seen just what this absence will mean for the midfielder's hopes of staying with the Red Devils beyond this season.
As for the impact the loss of the former RB Leipzig man will have on United, manager Erik ten Hag has now seen his midfield options depleted even further, with Donny van de Beek already out for the campaign, while Scott McTominay has also been out of action in recent weeks.
Aside from the usual starting trio of Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, the only other senior option in the centre of the park is Fred, albeit with the Brazilian menace having somewhat fallen down the pecking order of late, after starting just one league game since the 7-0 defeat away to Liverpool back in early March.
The 30-year-old's solitary start in that time came in the defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion earlier this month, although the former Shakhtar Donetsk man failed to take his chance, as he 'was not remotely influential and too often sloppy with his passes', according to Manchester Evening News journalist, Samuel Luckhurst.
As such, with the experienced asset – who has been linked with a departure this summer – having had more than enough opportunities to impress, Ten Hag could instead look to the academy ranks in order to find a suitable replacement for the stricken Sabitzer in the first-team squad.
Who could replace Sabitzer for Man United?
With just three Premier League games left to play – as well as the FA Cup final – there may be little chance to make an impact for any youngster, although it could well be an opportunity for the former Ajax boss to take a closer look at the club's emerging stars, including teenage sensation, Zidane Iqbal.
The three-cap Iraq international is still waiting to add to his only senior appearance for the club – which came during Ralf Rangnick's interim spell back in December 2021 – although the 20-year-old has clearly made an impression on Ten Hag, having reportedly surprised the Dutchman due to his performances in pre-season.
As Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy noted amid the playmaker's summer displays, Iqbal "has heaps of technical quality, skill and intelligence", while he is also a player who is "not scared of making a mistake in trying to execute what he feels is the right decision.
Man United's Marcel Sabitzer
The Manchester native has also been likened to long-term United target Frenkie de Jong by talent Jacek Kulig as he is a "progressive carrier with superb vision", while also boasting the credentials to fill the shoes of Sabitzer, as the £2k-per-week ace can operate in a central midfield berth or in a more attack-minded creative role – much like the Austrian.
Also like the hard-working Sabitzer – who has averaged 1.1 tackles and 0.7 interceptions per league game this season – Iqbal is also adept at winning back possession, having averaged two for each of those two metrics during his three EFL Trophy outings.
That should indicate that if Ten Hag is looking for midfield reinforcement over the coming weeks, then he should consider the academy wizard as an option.
Newcastle United are among the score of top European outfits interested in a move for Napoli talisman Victor Osimhen this summer.
Ending their 30-year wait for the Scudetto after drawing against Udinese earlier this month, Napoli have returned to the throne of Italian football after manager Luciano Spalletti's success in crafting a refined and robust side.
Leading the line, Nigerian striker Osimhen's clinical brilliance was one of the central components to the triumph, scoring 28 goals and providing five assists from 36 appearances across all competitions this season, with journalist Ben Bocsak hailing him as part of an "immortal" group in the football-fervoured city.
According to Italian outlet Corrierre dello Sport (via Paisley Gates), Magpies manager Eddie Howe and technical director Dan Ashworth are enamoured with the 24-year-old forward's skill set and are poised to rival the interest of the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich for his signature.
After such emphatic success this season, I Partenopei are hardly going to allow one of their most coveted assets to waltz away from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for cheap, with staggering figures of €160m (£140m) touted for his name.
Should Newcastle sign Osimhen?
The Little Donkeys can stand strong in their resolve, but such an exorbitant monetary demand is hardly an unconquerable buffer for the most prominent of European outfits, who bide their time like lions homing in on prey before swiping for one of the continent's most devastating gems.
And Newcastle could indeed be the biggest lion in the pride; following the £300m PIF takeover of the club in October 2021, United have soared towards the forefront of the Premier League and navigated away from the obscurity of the lower levels of the division.
After confidently staving off the early relegation threat last term, Howe's Toon now perch in third place in the top flight with just three matches to play, four points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool, and with Champions League football ostensibly on the cards, a devastating new talisman could indeed cement the newfound stature.
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen.
As per FBref, the £93k-per-week phenom ranks among the top 2% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues for rate of non-penalty goals and the top 3% for touches in the attacking box per 90, illustrating his devastating and sustained impact in and around the opposing area.
The "machine", as he has been described by renowned journalist Mina Rzouki, is also listed as a comparable player to Newcastle forward Callum Wilson, who has been a revelation this season with his goalscoring efficacy.
The 31-year-old has scored 17 goals and served four assists from just 19 starting appearances in the Premier League this term, immensely effective for his side in maintaining a consistent focal point in the offence.
As impressive as he has been, the £46k-per-week gem's contract is set for expiry at the end of next season, and as he is not getting any younger, bolstering the ranks with a signing in Osimhen of the highest calibre could secure a future steeped in success at St. James' Park.
With England set for non-stop action over the next year and a half, managing the workload of players and coaching staff will be at the forefront of the team’s planning
Andrew McGlashan03-Jul-2016England face their longest and busiest home season next year, followed by an Ashes tour to Australia, and managing the workload of players and coaching staff will be at the forefront of the team’s planning.Trevor Bayliss, the England head coach, confirmed there have been discussions about him taking a break at some stage over the next six months while other members of the backroom staff will also be given the opportunity to rest. Australia’s head coach, Darren Lehmann, missed the recent tri-series in the West Indies and in 2014 Bayliss himself stood in for Lehmann during a T20 series against South Africa.”We have spoken about in the next six months different staff members having a series off here and there, including myself,” Bayliss said. “That hasn’t been finalised just yet but with the staff as well it’s day-in, day-out, a 24-hour job, it may not seem like it at times but you are always thinking about the cricket. There’s always someone on the phone to you. It’s important that the staff get a decent place as well.”Players are often reluctant to concede their place but particularly those who play all three formats face a gruelling schedule. After Pakistan’s tour, England are due to visit Bangladesh – although that tour is now in doubt after the terrorist attacks in Dhaka – and then there are five Tests in India before Christmas.They return to India in January for three ODIs and three T20Is, then have a short tour of the West Indies from late February for three more ODIs – that trip could be a potential opportunity for Bayliss’ break. After West Indies there is a brief pause before England’s home season starts on its earliest-ever date of May 5 with ODIs against Ireland.South Africa then arrive – their tour split by the Champions Trophy – before a full visit by West Indies concludes the 2017 summer which ends on September 29. Ashes tours normally begin around mid-to-late October.England have rested Joe Root, Alex Hales and Moeen Ali – three of the players to appear in the three formats – for the one-off T20I against Sri Lanka at the Ageas Bowl. When fit Ben Stokes is another who would feature in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. Jonny Bairstow and James Vince are now also part of the squad in all formats.Paul Farbrace, the assistant coach, has previously spoken about the depth England now have available without weakening the side – particularly in reference to the one-day side – and while Bayliss said in his mind he was fairly close to knowing his strongest group of players for the Champions Trophy next summer the bench strength would come in useful.”That will be on a case-by-case basis going forward, keeping a bit of an eye on the players,” Bayliss said. “If they are showing any signs of fatigue we will try to find some way of giving them a bit of break. It certainly is an issue these days in the international game. We have a group of players so it is a chance for some of those guys to get a game in the next 12 months and be waiting in the wings if we need them.”
Arsenal put the pressure back onto Manchester City in the Premier League title race as they recorded a resolute 2-0 victory over third-placed Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
Mikel Arteta's side rode an early storm from the Magpies but Martin Odegaard's outside-of-the-box strike from nothing calmed some nerves at St James' Park.
The Gunners were smart with their game management and were rewarded with a stroke of luck when Fabian Schar turned the ball into his own net from a Gabriel Martinelli cross late in the second half.
It means the north Londoners move one point behind the defending champions, who still have a game in hand heading into the final few fixtures of the 2022/23 campaign.
Leading from the front as he often does, Odegaard was at the centre of a real monstrous display up in the northeast and quite rightly will be lauded for his fine work, not to mention his record-breaking moment as it was his 13th goal from open play – the most of any midfielder in the history of the Premier League.
However, he wasn't the only player that ran the show…
How did Jorginho perform vs Newcastle?
A little deeper in midfield was Jorginho, acting as Arteta's beating metronome – calm in possession, rock solid defensively and sold fouls like they were hotcakes.
His experience as a Champions League and Europa League winner was vital, ensuring that his teammates kept their cool from Newcastle's frustrating tactics and that they didn't get too ahead of themselves after opening the scoring.
As per Sofascore, the former Chelsea star led the side for touches (70), accurate passes (44), clearances (three), key passes (two) and assists (one); clearly encompassing an almighty all-round display, one worthy of Egal Talks' accolade of being a midfield "masterclass".
Jorginho also chipped in with three tackles and one interception, whilst he won seven of 11 ground duels, proving to be a real thorn in Eddie Howe's side.
It was a performance that Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville handed the Italian the 'Man of the Match' award "by streets," showing just how impressive he really was in the heart of the pitch.
Arsenal's Jorginho in action with Newcastle United's Callum Wilson
The 31-year-old, who is valued at around £21m by FootballTransfers, was also hailed as a "baller" by The Athletic's Leyla Hamed, who also suggested that he was the "main man in the first-half," though as it quickly emerged, he was throughout the entire match.
If Arsenal do pull off the unthinkable from here, then the emergence of Jorginho as a key player in these final stages was certainly a big part of the reason why.
The £110k-per-week machine just put in a Rolls-Royce display against a team that has only been beaten by City and Liverpool at home since Howe walked through the door.