All posts by h79snht.top

Ben Stokes felt that he had produced his most mature batting display in his Test career after rallying England into a position of strength in the first Test in Chittagong

George Dobell22-Oct-2016Ben Stokes hailed the “most mature” performance of his career to date after saving England from a precarious position against Bangladesh in Chittagong.Coming to the crease with his side in trouble and the ball spinning sharply, Stokes responded with a mature innings of 85 to help England establish a lead of 273 with two wickets in hand going into the fourth day. On a pitch that continues to provide assistance to spin bowlers, that may already prove a decisive advantage.While Stokes’ innings lacked, for the most part, the fireworks of some of his previous Test performances, it was played in unusually demanding circumstances. In ferociously hot and humid conditions and with his colleagues struggling to negate the turning ball, Stokes showed that he had matured significantly as a batsman.Instead of being content with “batting for 20 minutes and then losing concentration” he defended skilfully, rotated the strike and provided the substantial contribution his side required. It is currently the only half-century in the England innings and the highest score of the match.”That was definitely my most mature performance with the bat in Test cricket,” Stokes said. “They were probably the toughest conditions I’ve had so far in international cricket – especially going in with all the men around the bat and the ball spinning as much as it was.”My defensive game against spin has gone up another level. That’s from working hard. I’m making sure I don’t fall into the trap of batting for 20 minutes and then losing concentration on what I’m actually trying to do.”We can all hit boundaries, but the hardest thing to do is defend when you first come in. I didn’t want to give my wicket away and made sure if I was going to get out it was going to take a good ball.”I knew that if we kept rotating the strike the game was going to get easier. There was so much time left in the game that it was just a matter of occupying the crease, rotating the strike and putting the bad balls away. The guys around the bat would soon disappear.”The longer you spend on wickets like that, the easier it becomes. If we can get through the tough periods – and there are going to be plenty here and in India – then the easier it’s going to get. I tried to put the foot on the gas towards the end to try and get the lead up as high as we could but I’m happy with how it went.”Stokes had already produced an outstanding spell of bowling to polish off the Bangladesh innings. Gaining pace, bounce and reverse-swing that has been absent for every other bowler in the match, Stokes bowled six overs on the trot at the start of the morning session – an outstanding effort in such uncomfortable heat – claiming three wickets for nine runs.While other seamers could barely get the ball about hip height or move it off the straight, he struck batsmen on the helmet and nipped the ball both ways. That brought him 4 for 10 in a 10-over spell continued from the previous day that saw Bangladesh collapse from 221 for 4 to 248 all out.Afterwards he credited Joe Root, in particular, for looking after the ball and ensuring it was in a condition where it would reverse.”Reverse swing is a massive weapon for us in the sub-continent,” Stokes said. “It can be quite tough to control how much the ball is going to swing. But we’ve been working a lot on reverse. We were very critical about keeping the ball in good nick. Joe Root has been non-stop in keeping the smooth side smooth and shiny and making sure the other side is as dry as possible.”It’s tough to tell the spinners to keep their hands off with the amount of bowling they are doing, but they did a really good job.”It’s actually very tough to maintain the ball because one little bit of moisture on the side that we keep dry can almost put you back two overs to where you started off. We all know that and we try to keep as few hands on the ball as possible. We did that and that’s how we managed to get as much sideways movement as we did with the old ball.”

تحدث برناردو سيلفا، لاعب فريق مانشستر سيتي، عن تعادلهم في مباراة الأمس مع تشيلسي في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واستضاف ملعب “الاتحاد” مباراة الفريقين في إطار منافسات الجولة الخامسة والعشرين، حيث تعادلا بهدف لمثله.

وقال برناردو سيلفا في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “كانت المباراة عبارة عن شوطين مختلفين، الشوط الأول لم يكن جيدًا بما فيه الكفاية ومخيبًا للآمال للغاية، أما الشوط الثاني فكان هناك رد فعل من الفريق”.

وأضاف: “لكن اللعب لمدة 45 دقيقة ليس جيدًا بما يكفي، لذا علينا أن نحاول تقديم أداء أفضل يوم الثلاثاء المقبل ضد برينتفورد”.

وواصل: “من الجيد أن تكون مباراتنا المقبلة في غضون ثلاثة أيام للرد، لكنها بالطبع انتكاسة لأن نقطة واحدة على أرضنا ليست جيدة بما فيه الكفاية”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جوارديولا يسخر من نفسه بسبب هالاند: سجلت 11 هدفًا في 11 عامًا

وأردف: “تشيلسي فريق يتمتع بالكثير من الجودة، وليس من قبيل الصدفة أن يصنعوا الكثير من الفرص الصعبة، الإيقاع والضغط لم يكن جيدًا بما فيه الكفاية، وعندما تلعب ضد جودة تشيلسي يعاقبونك”.

واستمر: “لقد سجلوا هدفًا وكان بإمكانهم تسجيل هدف أو اثنين آخرين، رد فعل الفريق كان جيدًا جدًا، لكنه متأخر بعض الشيء”.

وعن السباق على لقب الدوري الإنجليزي، أجاب البرتغالي: “إنه أمر ممتع بالنسبة للناس، لكنه يمثل انتكاسة بالنسبة لنا، إنه سباق متقارب للغاية، يمكن للجميع خوضه”.

واختتم برناردو سيلفا تصريحاته قائلًا: “مهمتنا هي تقديم الأداء على أعلى مستوى ممكن”.

Sri Lanka’s transitioning limited-overs squad face yet another stern test in Pallekele against Australia, who cracked the dusty pitches as their batsmen steadily developed a taste for spin

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando05-Sep-2016Match factsSeptember 6, 2016
Start time 1900 local (1330 GMT)Big PictureSri Lanka may have the beginnings of a future-proof Test team, but in the shorter formats, the juggernaut that is their transition rolls relentlessly on. So long has it reigned now, it probably deserves to be capitalised: Transition. Perhaps in years to come, Sri Lankan historians will see fit to add a prefix, and it will become “The Great Transition”. Whatever the case, it continues to guzzle up players and spit out empty husks of international careers, chewing up those husks and spitting them up even emptier, fans wailing by the roadside in rags, a terrible limited-overs drought afflicting their once-lush land.Back together in this current squad are players like Chamara Kapugedara, Sachithra Senanayake and Thisara Perera, many of whom had been part of Sri Lanka’s T20 boom years, from 2009-2014, but their presence does not seem a guarantee the boom years will come again. The more experienced hands are as much on trial as the likes of Kasun Rajitha or Dasun Shanaka. A big, limited-overs breakthrough continues to evade them.Australia are without Aaron Finch and Chris Lynn, but through the ODI series, their bowlers cracked Sri Lanka’s dusty pitches, and the batsmen steadily developed a taste for spin. David Warner’s scored his first Asian limited-overs ton playing a more measured brand of cricket than he would have liked, but now that he is in the runs, the T20 format may bring the violence out of him. George Bailey seems the most assured batsman playing in this series. Even Mathew Wade and Travis Head look well-set to contribute.Like Sri Lanka, Australia had also exited this year’s World T20 at the end of the group stage, but during that campaign, had beaten Bangladesh and Pakistan, both of whom Sri Lanka had lost to in the preceding Asia Cup.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)

Australia: LWWLW
Sri Lanka: LLLLW
In the spotlightTillakaratne Dilshan has had an eventful week since playing his last ODI. He made veiled accusations about Angelo Mathews in the press conference after that match, and neither Mahela Jayawardene nor Kumar Sangakkara came off well in Dilshan’s verbal memoirs either. In addition to suggesting he did not have these players’ support during his captaincy, Dilshan has also taken umbrage at some team-mates “trying to rename the dilscoop by saying it is a shot a cricketer with no brain plays”. The comments have divided opinion, but Dilshan remains a draw card for one final series. He will want to give evidence to his claim that he could easily have played two more years.Adam Zampa’s T20 career began in South Africa, where he went wicketless in two games, but Asia has been kinder to him. He took five wickets across two games in the World T20, and has generally been economical, if a shade under-bowled. Having now imposed himself in Sri Lanka in the ODIs, claiming nine wickets at 20.77, the opposition will turn out on Tuesday with a plan to neutralise him. If Zampa can get through that trial, however, he will have made further headway in what is becoming a good limited-overs career.Teams newsThere are so many injuries and so many permutations with the Sri Lanka squad that pinning down an XI is difficult. Kusal Perera is likely to return to the top of the order. In the past, Sri Lanka have liked to stack their team with allrounders.Sri Lanka (possible): 1. Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Kusal Perera (wk), 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Dinesh Chandimal (capt.), 5 Chamara Kapugedara, 6 Milinda Siriwardana, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Sachith Pathirana, 9 Seekkuge Prasanna, 10 Sachithra Senanayake, 11 Kasun RajithaThe visitors’ XI is no less difficult to predict, as they have not played T20s since March. On current form, Mitchell Starc, James Faulkner, John Hastings and Zampa should make up the bulk of the attack.Australia(possible): 1 David Warner (capt.), 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 George Bailey, 4 Travis Head, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Matthew Wade, 7 James Faulkner, 8 Peter Nevill (wk), 9 John Hastings, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Adam ZampaPitch and conditionsThe Pallekele surface aids both quicks and spinners under lights, so the match is unlikely to be a high scorer. There is a small chance light showers could interrupt play. The game is already sold out.Stats and trivia Pallekele is the scene of Tillakaratne Dilshan’s lone T20 hundred, also against Australia, in 2011. In eight T20s between these sides, Sri Lanka have won six and lost two. George Bailey needs 30 runs to complete 500 in the format.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be plotting a double raid on recently relegated Leicester City, according to the latest reports.

What are the latest Tottenham transfer rumours?

As per The Sun, the Lilywhites are said to be ready to battle it out with Newcastle United for the signing of both James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, with the pair both set to leave the King Power Stadium this summer following the drop into the Championship.

The report suggests that Spurs and the Magpies are 'pushing hardest' to sign the England duo, with the two men both set to command a fee of roughly £40m each – totalling £80m.

The report suggests that Maddison, in particular, has been a 'long-term target' for Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy, with now seemingly an opportune time to pounce with just 12 months remaining on the 26-year-old's existing deal.

Should Tottenham sign Maddison and Barnes?

It is fair to say that the north London outfit are in desperate need of new recruits following what proved to be a rather turbulent and underwhelming campaign at N17, with the club missing out on European qualification and proving unable to end their 15-year trophy drought.

The days of reaching the Champions League final under Mauricio Pochettino back in 2019 may feel a world away for both the Spurs support and for Levy, with the Englishman no doubt keen to get back to competing for major honours sooner rather than later.

The aim for any new permanent manager will be to try and fashion a side in a similar image to the one which became regular top-four dwellers during Pochettino's time at the helm, with the Tottenham side then having featured an exciting attacking quartet involving the current pair of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son, as well as Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen.

Should Kane – who has been linked with a move away of late – and Son opt to stay put this summer, then Levy and co could well bolster that forward line by bringing in the next Alli and Eriksen in the form of Barnes and Maddison – the latter pair having been hailed for their "positive" impact at Leicester in recent seasons, as per BBC's Football Daily.

In the case of Maddison, the former Norwich City man could well be a dream heir to Eriksen in the side, with the Englishman having previously been identified as a possible successor to the Dane back in 2019.

Taking a look at the 2016/17 campaign – in which Pochettino's side finished second behind rivals Chelsea – Eriksen notably contributed eight goals and 16 assists in the top-flight as a marker of his creative brilliance, having typically operated in a playmaking role or on the flanks.

Maddison has the credentials to emulate such success having provided ten goals and nine assists in the most recent campaign, having also been deployed in a number ten berth or in a wide role.

Equally, his younger colleague Barnes could also potentially replicate the goalscoring heroics of the aforementioned Alli, with the latter man having bagged 18 league goals during a stellar 2016/17 season.

While Barnes hasn't quite hit those heights, it is still impressive that the 25-year-old was able to register 13 league goals for a struggling side this season, showcasing that as part of a functioning unit the Burnley native could shine even brighter.

Although the one-time West Bromwich Albion loanee is more of a forward than a midfielder like Alli, the latter man did also operate on the left flank in 16/17 at times, while also playing in an advanced central role behind compatriot Kane – a role which Barnes has also fulfilled in his career to date.

Those comparisons would suggest that if Levy can manage to win the race for the Leicester duo, the heights of the Pochettino era could well be reached once again…

رد إيمرسي فاي، المدير الفني لمنتخب كوت ديفوار الأول لكرة القدم، على الفرنسي جيروم روثن، لاعب باريس سان جيرمان السابق، بعد التقليل من بطولة أمم إفريقيا.

وفاز المنتخب الإيفواري بسيناريو درامي ببطولة أمم إفريقيا، بعدما تأهل ضمن أفضل ثوالث رغم الهزيمة برباعية نظيفة من غينيا الاستوائية، ليقصي السنغال ومالي ثم الكونغو، ويفوز بالنهائي أمام نيجيريا.

طالع أيضًا.. فيديو | هل سخر ثنائي كوت ديفوار من محمد صلاح بعد التتويج بأمم إفريقيا؟

جيروم روثن، انتقد الكرة الإفريقية في تصريحات سابقة أثناء تواجده بأحد استوديوهات قناة RMC الفرنسية، ويرى بأن المستوى كان كارثيًا في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا.

رد إيمرسي فاي مدرب منتخب كوت ديفوار على تلك الانتقادات، في تصريحات نقلها موقع “Afriquesports”: “لقد سمعت عن ما يسمى بالصحفي الفرنسي، أو ما يطلق على نفسه هذا المسمى، والذي لم يلعب أي مباراة دولية طوال حياته، وعن تصريحاته التي وصفت أمم إفريقيا بالكارثية. وأعتقد أنه لا يفهم شيئًا عن كرة القدم”.

وأضاف: “لست متفاجئًا من تصريحات هذا الشخص بالنظر لمسيرته الدولية التي لا تُذكر، أراد أن يجعل نفسه مصدر اهتمام ويتحدث عنه الجميع”.

واختتم: “لم يكن حديثه منطقياً بأن البطولة تفتقر للجودة، لقد رأينا كم كانت المباريات مثيرة وكيف تأهلت المنتخبات إلى الأدوار الإقصائية”.

Glasgow Rangers have now made an enquiry to bring Josh Tymon to Ibrox, according to Football Insider's sources within the club.

The Lowdown: Left-back wanted

With the futures of both Borna Barisic and Calvin Bassey in doubt, it looks as if the Gers are targeting a new left-back this summer.

They have scoured the English Championship for top talent on the cheap quite recently, notably pinching John Lundstram after he left Sheffield United, and Tymon could be another player to add to the list.

The Latest: Tymon enquiry

As per Football Insider, Giovanni van Bronckhorst's team have made an 'enquiry' over the possibility of signing Tymon, and a source from the Light Blues has revealed that they have officially registered their 'interest' in the Stoke City defender.

His current deal does not run out until 2025, but the Championship side may be forced to sell some of their top assets this summer, including Tymon.

The Verdict: Depends on Bassey and Barisic

Whether the Teddy Bears should make a move for Tymon will depend on if they keep hold of Bassey and Barisic. If one or both of them were to go, then the Englishman would be a worthy replacement.

Earning £10,000-per-week at Stoke, he would not be among their highest earners, and comes back off of a stellar season where he hardly missed a kick.

Tymon has earned plenty of plaudits, notably from his manager Michael O'Neill, who has noted how 'quick' and athletic he is.

His ability to beat players down the flank is second to none, and has even earned him the nickname of the 'Nutmeg King', after interestingly completing more nutmegs (14) than any other Championship player last term (StatsBomb).

Nonetheless, Tymon is still just 23 years of age, and so could flourish under van Bronckhorst's management for years to come.

In other news, find out who RFC have now been 'contacted' over signing here!

West Ham United manager David Moyes is now ‘ready’ to offload another member of his Premier League squad this summer, according to reports.

The Lowdown: West Ham exodus begins?

As per the Evening Standard, the 59-year-old seems to be orchestrating a significant summer overhaul as he steps up transfer talks, with the club already confirming four departures.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-developments-5/” title=”West Ham latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Ryan Fredericks, Andriy Yarmolenko, David Martin and the retiring Mark Noble will all leave the London Stadium upon the expiry of their contracts, with speculation also continuing to surround Tomas Soucek’s future.

According to recent claims, West Ham could listen to offers for the Czech Republic midfielder, with club insider Claret & Hugh now claiming that Moyes is ‘ready’ to offload another player.

The Latest: Moyes ready to axe Vlasic…

According to their information, the Scotsman ‘appears to be ready to cut his losses’ on 2021 summer signing Nikola Vlasic and will ‘try to recover whatever he can’ from selling the Croatian.

The club, and by extension GSB, have allegedly ‘sanctioned his potential sale’ as they give the green-light for the 24-year-old to leave.

The Verdict: Right call?

Despite a phenomenal season with former club CSKA Moscow before joining the east Londoners, Vlasic’s lack of opportunities under Moyes during his debut campaign with West Ham is perhaps an indicator that he just doesn’t quite cut it at Rush Green.

Over the 2020/21 season, he averaged a brilliant rate of four shots at goal per 90 in the Russian Premier League whilst racking up 11 goals and five assists (WhoScored), standing out as a consistent threat.

However, starting just six top-flight matches for West Ham over 2021/22, he hasn’t been given much of a chance to replicate his CSKA form for the Irons, and it may be best for both player and club to agree an amicable departure.

In other news: Offer ready: West Ham leap ahead of European giants in race for £21m forward! Find out more here.

West Bromwich Albion are set for an overhaul this summer following a disappointing season that saw the side fail to secure a chance at promotion back into the Premier League, and Steve Bruce has his work cut out to improve the team.

The release and retainment list has been confirmed for next season with Romaine Sawyers, Andy Carroll and Sam Johnstone three of 12 players who will be let go by the club this summer to make way for signings.

In terms of releasing Andy Carroll, the Albion manager will need to find a replacement for the striker to ensure that they are not caught short like they were last season when Daryl Dike suffered a long-term injury after making just two appearances.

It would be advantageous to bring in a ready-made experienced striker who knows how to bag goals in the Championship and there is one player Bruce could reunite with this summer that can provide exactly what they need.

Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle has been starved of game-time at St James’ Park in the Premier League but is a proven goal-machine when it comes to the Championship and could be the key to unlocking promotion for West Brom next season.

The £37k-per-week gem who was dubbed “proven” by Kyle Bartley, is no stranger to The Hawthorns, scoring 24 goals and contributing eight assists in 41 appearances when he was on loan at the club in the 2018/19 season, and Carlton Palmer believes the player could emulate his previous spell at the club if West Brom signs him this summer.

Speaking to Football League World, Palmer claimed: “He’s guaranteed you 20 goals in that league. He’s done it before.”

“So, those are the players he’d be looking to bring into the football club, and obviously, Steve works with those players and knows them well.”

With that being said, due to his lack of minutes with the Magpies, it could be an attractive move for the player to get back on the pitch and be a regular feature for the Baggies again.

Therefore, Bruce could be in a great position to get a deal over the line if he made the move, something he simply has to do if he wants to get fans on side and build a steady platform for promotion.

AND in other news: West Brom could unearth an “immense” Livermore upgrade by signing £23k-p/w gem

Newcastle United journalist Dominic Scurr added his take to the speculation surrounding Newcastle United and the pursuit of Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson. 

The lowdown: Recent reports

Reliable journalist for the Manchester Evening News, Samuel Luckhurst, has this week claimed that the Magpies are ‘closing in’ on a move for Henderson.

It is believed that the 25-year-old was heading to North East this week to put the final pieces of a move together ahead of the summer transfer window, as Magpies boss Eddie Howe prepares for a busy off-season.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-6/” title=”Newcastle news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

However, it now appears that the switch may not be as far along as Luckhurst claims following a contradictory report…

The latest: Scurr’s update

Taking to Twitter in response to reports elsewhere, The Shields Gazette journalist Scurr was quick to state that ‘sources at Newcastle’ have denied a move is close to completion.

Citing his own story, he stated: “Reports suggesting MUFC goalkeeper Dean Henderson is on the verge of completing a move to NUFC. But sources at Newcastle have been quick to play down the story.”

Within the report, Scurr confirms Henderson is a target who has been ‘discussed’, likely for a season-long loan deal, but also reconfirms that those close to the club have ‘quickly played down’ the likelihood of it happening in the coming days.

The verdict: Make it happen

Whilst few could question the service of 33-year-old Martin Dubravka since arriving at the Toon in 2018, it’s no surprise that Howe would be on the lookout for additional goalkeeper options to challenge the Slovakian.

Capped once by England, Henderson enjoyed a stellar 2019/20 campaign whilst on loan at Sheffield United, earning a 7.00 Sofascore rating whilst making 2.7 saves on average per game and keeping 13 Premier League clean sheets.

Since returning to Old Trafford the £16.2million valued man – dubbed as possessing ‘insane’ ability in 2020 by then-teammate Sander Berge – has found opportunities hard to come by as understudy to David de Gea and a summer move could suit all parties, including Newcastle.

In other news, find out which £36m-rated star NUFC could now sign for free here!

Manchester United could target a ‘budget Declan Rice’ in the summer transfer window, according to transfer expert Dean Jones. 

The lowdown: Overhaul pending…

Incoming manager Erik ten Hag is expected to oversee wide-ranging squad changes in the summer as the Red Devils attempt to put a lacklustre 2021/22 campaign behind them.

With the likes of Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata all out of contract in the coming months and Nemanja Matic also set to leave the club, the Old Trafford ranks will take on a whole new complexion over the course of the Dutchman’s early reign.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-man-utd-news-2/” title=”Latest Man Utd news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Having been heavily linked with a defensive midfielder as a priority, West Ham United star Rice, PSV Eindhoven sensation Ibrahim Sangare and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong – a former protégé of Ten Hag – have all been heavily linked with a move to Manchester.

The latest: Jones predicts ‘budget’ swoop

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones explained that the United hierarchy may need to find a cheaper alternative to Rice given the Englishman’s £150m reported price tag.

The journalist explained: “If it doesn’t (work out with Declan Rice), they’re going to have to look for a budget Declan Rice.

“And ultimately, that’s when Ten Hag’s nous comes in in terms of negotiating and spotting people that can do as good a job in a short space of time.

“Maybe it’s Sangare, it looks like they’re out of the running for Tchouameni at this point. So, whatever it is, they’re going to have to move fast on that deal, I think.”

The verdict: Reinforcements needed

Ultimately, the Red Devils need to add high-quality additions to the central midfield ranks, particularly in a defensive sense given their 56 Premier League goals conceded this season, the second-highest among teams in the top half of the table.

Ironically, when using the FBRef comparison tool to seek out stylistic alternatives to Rice, Liverpool spoiler Fabinho and United’s own Scott McTominay are the closest matches to the Englishman. Further down the list are attainable such names as 21-year-old Khephren Thuram-Ulien and 28-year-old Mario Lemina, who both currently ply their trade at Ligue 1 outfit Nice.

Whilst either Sangare or Aurelien Tchouameni would represent viable options to bolster the Old Trafford ranks, Ten Hag and John Murtough may well need to get creative without the lure of Champions League football next term and could be looking beyond the traditional targets in order to bolster the squad.

In other news: Man Utd now eyeing move for ‘world class’ Premier League star. Read more here