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Yorkshire seal second win of season as Derbyshire slip to 277-run loss

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Bess claims four wickets as Madsen, Came resist in vain for Derbyshire

ECB Reporters Network06-Sep-2023A quick-fire burst of four wickets for only three runs in 24 balls during the final 20 minutes of the fourth morning set Yorkshire up for a deserved LV= Insurance County Championship 277-run victory over Derbyshire at sunny Scarborough.Jordan Thompson and Dom Bess struck twice apiece in that spell as Derbyshire, in the face of a 571 target, slipped from health at 198 for two to peril at 201 for six.Thompson trapped opener Harry Came lbw for 58 before Bess did the same to Wayne Madsen, who made a superb 93 off 71 balls. Shortly afterwards, off-spinner Bess also had Derbyshire captain Leus du Plooy lbw for nought, and the visitors failed to recover.They were bowled out for 293 just before 2.20pm and lost for the second time this season to Yorkshire after a defeat at Chesterfield in June. They are the only two matches bottom side Yorkshire have won this season. But they still remain rooted to the foot of Division Two despite gaining 18 points to three for the visitors.Bess finished with four for 79 from 24.2 overs, while Matthew Revis added three afternoon wickets to Thompson’s two. Yorkshire did gain 20 points but were docked two because of a slow over-rate.Derbyshire started the day on 65 for one, and they were facing a home attack minus the services of fringe England Test quick Matthew Fisher due to a mild side strain.Ben Coad had Brooke Guest caught at second slip three overs into the day – 71 for two – but Derbyshire hit back.Such was the aggression shown by Madsen, their 39-year-old legend making his 200th first-class appearance for the county, you did wonder whether they were eyeing up that mountainous target.He hit three leg-side sixes, reached his fifty off 48 balls and hit Bess for 22 in an over shortly before falling for his second 93 of the fixture.He shared 127 inside 21 overs for the third wicket with the more circumspect Came, who started the day on 33 and went on to reach his fifty in 116 balls.Yorkshire being a bowler down in Fisher was a concern at this stage on a pitch offering bounce for the seamers and turn for the spinners – but not the usual North Marine Road pace.They needn’t have worried.Thompson trapped Came lbw with a full ball which he looked to play to leg before Bess also trapped a sweeping Madsen in front in the next over, leaving the score at 198 for four in the 50th.Bess’s previous over was the one which had been taken for 22 by Madsen, including four fours and a six. But revenge came quickly.He also trapped du Plooy lbw in his next over after Madsen’s departure before Thompson had Matt Lamb caught behind off the inside edge in the next, leaving the score at 201 for six in the 53rd over.Yorkshire’s position at the bottom of Division Two owes more to their off-field issues than it does on.Promotion will be a definite aim for captain Shan Masood and company in 2024. So a good final month of the summer, in which three games remain, will set them up perfectly.While Yorkshire won for the second time in 11 games, Derbyshire suffered their fourth defeat.After lunch, Yorkshire’s second-innings centurion Matthew Revis had Alex Thomson caught behind five balls into the session – 211 for seven – before some respite for the visitors.Anuj Dal and Zak Chappell shared 78 in entertaining fashion, the latter clubbing three sixes in 33 which saw Yorkshire employ the short ball tactic.And it worked when he miscued Revis to Bess, who took a smart catch at square-leg tumbling backwards, leaving the score at 289 for eight in the 69th over of the innings.Revis got Sam Conners caught at long-leg with the same tactics in his next over before Dal was stumped by Bess for 33 to wrap up Yorkshire’s large margin of victory by runs in first-class matches for them against Derbyshire.

Man City appoint Andree Jeglertz as head coach with Denmark boss set to join WSL club after Euro 2025

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Andree Jeglertz will become Manchester City Women's head coach following Euro 2025.

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Swede is currently Denmark managerJeglertz has 20 years experienceLed Umea IK to Champions League titleFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Swede is currently leading Denmark's women in Switzerland at the European Championship. A vastly experienced coach, he has also managed the Finnish national team, and let Umea IK to a Champions League title in 2004.

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City finished fourth in the Women's Super League in 2024/25 but parted company with Gareth Taylor in March after a poor run of form. Former boss Nick Cushing was appointed on an interim basis until the end of the season. Despite these difficulties, Jeglertz said he was not planning to "change the world", rather he would be "continuing the job that has been done and taking it to the next level."

WHAT JEGLERTZ SAID

Jeglertz said: "[I have] a lot of feelings. Mostly maybe honoured to be part of this big and great club but also excited to get started. I’m really looking forward to it.   

"The Club is one of the biggest in the world. But also, the way Therese [Sjogran] and Charlotte [O’Neill] are presenting the club, what does it stand for, what do you want from a coach and everything that’s connected to football.   

"But there are a lot of things around the Club that makes me excited about the job."

He added: "One of my key things is to come in and not try to change the world. It’s about continuing the job that’s been done and taking it to the next level. 

"I’m excited to work with the people. Working with people who have the same motivation and ambitions as I have.

"And that is young players, but also older players. I think all female players in general are interested in becoming better and trying to find the next step.

"That of course excites me and also challenges me, because I need to find different ways and different players.

"And that’s definitely an interesting job I have." 

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR JEGLERTZ?

Jeglertz will be laser-focussed on Denmark's Euro 2025 campaign, before he turns his attention to his new job at City. The Danes have a tricky assignment in Group C, up against Jeglertz' native Sweden and eight-time winners Germany.

Fakhar on his fantastic comeback: 'I did not rest'

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Opener reveals his improved game against offspin bowling following his match-winning ton in Bengaluru

Shashank Kishore04-Nov-20231:47

Mumtaz on Fakhar’s knock: ‘Pakistan’s dreams and hopes alive due to one man’

Fakhar Zaman was in a reflective mood in the aftermath of a pulsating chase in rainy Bengaluru on Saturday that kept Pakistan’s World Cup hopes flickering. He resonated a sense of being a deep thinker who sticks by his methods, and those who’ve helped him on his path to redemption, through thick and thin. There was also palpable relief.”At this level, there are always ups and downs,” he said after his century. “The Asia Cup didn’t go well for me. I had a highest of 30? [27]. It wasn’t a good time. I went over to Peshawar to work with Aftab Khan [Pakistan’s fielding coach] at his academy. He’d pointed out my weakness against offspin. He was an offspinner, so I worked a lot with him.”Related

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Babar: 'Fakhar was playing on a different pitch'

When Fakhar made three successive ODI hundreds against New Zealand in April, including a seminal 180 not out that helped seal Pakistan’s second-highest ODI chase, it seemed inconceivable that he’d have to wait his turn to come back into the side if he picked up an injury or niggle along the way.Yet when Fakhar went through a string of low scores in the lead-up to the World Cup – 11 innings without a half-century – there had been a growing pressure on him to emerge from a rut which got magnified that much more with every passing day.If the pressure of performance was tough enough to contend with, Fakhar injured his knee at training one game into the 2023 World Cup. It meant two weeks on the sidelines. Fakhar kept the faith in his abilities and has now racked up scores of 81 and 126* in two match-winning performances that has kept Pakistan alive.”Every player who performs says ‘I did this, I did that’. But when I had the time off [after the Asia Cup], I didn’t rest,” Fakhar said. “I was at home for just two days and then I went straight to Peshawar to train. I want to dedicate this performance to Aftab Khan.”Fakhar was a tad emotional at this point, but he wasn’t being generic in praising his coaches because he had to. There seemed to be a genuine sense of gratitude and warmth that stemmed from an acceptance that he had a few areas to work on.Fakhar Zaman brought up his fourth ODI hundred against New Zealand in 2023•ICC/Getty Images”The things he’s shared with me, the time he’s given me – not many people give you that kind of dedication. You need such people. When performances happen, the hard work is seen. When you don’t, it’s not seen. But it doesn’t mean we haven’t put in the work.”Fakhar then elaborated on Pakistan’s methods towards trying to scale down New Zealand’s 402. They decided to “play properly” for the first four overs and then take the attack to the bowlers. It’s within these four overs that he and Babar Azam decided to step up and “be ahead of the target at all times.””The wicket was very good, there was no turn, nothing,” Fakhar said. “Rain was at the back of our mind. We knew [of the forecast] from yesterday. That’s why after 15 overs, we [Babar and himself] went a message upstairs to the management to give us the target for 20 overs.”We wanted to try and make it up [in those five overs]. At this level, planning is important. It’s difficult otherwise. We had planned for this. So when we got 10 runs ahead, close to the 20th over, we played out [Trent] Boult because we knew we were well ahead.”Fakhar praised the team management for resonating “positivity at all times”, even when they went on a downward spiral after two opening wins. There’s belief in the camp now. And there’s a sense of “rhythm” that he feels has the potential to get them on a roll. Of course with some luck from a few other results.”The good thing about this team management is they always stay positive, they never show us that we’re out of it, they back each and every player,” Fakhar said. “We believe we can make the semi-finals, maybe even the final. We’re closely going to watch the Sri Lanka-New Zealand game. We are hopeful.”

Why Liverpool could join Arsenal in transfer race for Real Madrid's Rodrygo with Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. set to miss out – explained

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Liverpool are reportedly weighing a move for Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo as they brace themselves for Luis Diaz's possible departure this summer. With increasing speculation surrounding the Colombian's future at Anfield, the Reds could rival Arsenal for the signature of the Brazilian star, who may be edging closer to his own exit from the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Rodrygo's future at Real under the scannerLiverpool & Arsenal have set their sights on the wingerBrazilian remains open to a move to the Premier LeagueFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Although Liverpool are not actively looking to sell Diaz, they are realistic about the market dynamics and have prepared a contingency plan. European giants Barcelona and Bayern Munich have shown interest in acquiring the wide man. According to journalist the Merseysiders are ready to explore the possibility of signing Rodrygo should Diaz make a move away from the club this summer.

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While Rodrygo has publicly shown no desire to leave Real Madrid, there are growing concerns over his diminishing role under new head coach Xabi Alonso. The Brazilian attacker registered 14 goals and 11 assists in 54 appearances across all competitions last season but found himself increasingly used off the bench. His reduced involvement in the Club World Cup has only fuelled speculation, with insiders suggesting the winger may now be reconsidering his future.

TELL ME MORE

Los Blancos are not expected to let Rodrygo leave on the cheap. Reports claim the Spanish giants have slapped a €90 million (£78m/$106m) price tag on the Brazil international. Such a fee would restrict the pool of interested clubs to only those with the financial muscle to fund a blockbuster deal. Liverpool and Arsenal are two of the few Premier League outfits with the resources to meet that valuation. Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr can also match the fee, but the player is said to be keen to ply his trade in the English top flight rather than in the Middle East.

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Adding a further twist to the transfer saga, reports from ESPN Brasil indicate that Paris Saint-Germain have also entered the frame. The reigning Champions League winners have supposedly made contact with Rodrygo’s representatives as they begin exploring a move.

Zimbabwe fail to qualify for 2024 T20 World Cup; Uganda make it

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Zimbabwe’s poor run in qualifying tournaments continues and they won’t be part of marquee ICC events in 2024 and 2025

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Nov-20233:36

Big day for Uganda as they qualify for 2024 T20 World Cup

Zimbabwe have been knocked out of contention, while Uganda joined Namibia in qualifying for the 2024 men’s T20 World Cup after they beat Rwanda in the last round of matches in the Africa leg of the qualifiers. Though Zimbabwe won their final fixture against Kenya, it was all over for them once Uganda beat Rwanda.After asking Rwanda to bat and dismissing them for 65 in 18.5 overs, Uganda reached their target in 8.1 overs. It’s a historic occasion for Uganda, who have now qualified for a senior World Cup – either format – for the first time, though Uganda was one of the countries that made up the East Africa team at the 1975 World Cup.As for Zimbabwe, who needed Uganda to lose their last game to stand a chance of qualifying, they did their best on the day. Batting first, they scored 217 for 4, with captain Sikandar Raza top-scoring with 82 in 48 balls and Sean Williams hitting a 26-ball 60. With the ball, then, Richard Ngarava, Ryan Burl, Raza and Williams all picked up two wickets each to stop Kenya at 107 for 8 for a 110-run win.

The result meant Zimbabwe’s poor run in World Cup qualifiers continued: they had failed to make the cut for the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups, after not finishing in the top two in qualifying tournaments held at home. That aside, they couldn’t take part in the 2021 T20 World Cup, because Zimbabwe Cricket had been suspended at the time by the ICC for government interference in its cricket administration, and while they did get out of the first round at the 2022 T20 World Cup, they finished last with one win in five games in the second round, which also prevented them from qualifying directly for the upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup, to be played in June in the West Indies and the USA. By not qualifying for the 2023 ODI World Cup, Zimbabwe also lost the opportunity to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy.ESPNcricinfo LtdZimbabwe’s campaign in the ongoing T20 World Cup qualifiers started with what head coach Dave Houghton called an “embarrassingly bad” performance against Namibia, where they lost by seven wickets. To finish in the top two, assuming Namibia won all their games, Zimbabwe had to beat all their other opponents but lost their third game – after beating Tanzania – to Uganda by five wickets. That meant their qualification wasn’t in their hands anymore and Uganda’s victory against Rwanda sealed their fate.It’s also a poor start as T20I captain for Raza. He led a near full-strength Zimbabwe side in the qualifiers after being appointed captain following a 3-2 T20I series defeat in Namibia in October, with Blessing Muzarabani back after recovering from a fractured hand. Brad Evans, who was out of action after suffering shin splits, was the only first-team player to miss out.

India keep it light to deal with the pressure of a World Cup

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Ahead of the semi-final against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma says the team environment isn’t dictated by results

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Nov-2023When they step over the boundary at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, India will confront head-on the pressure of a World Cup semi-final – a heightened version, perhaps, of the feeling that’s enveloped them right through this tournament. While this pressure is unavoidable once they step on the field, India have made every effort to minimise it when the team is away from the ground.On the eve of the semi-final against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma detailed the efforts the team management has made to create a relaxed environment, going back to the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.”We started in Australia in the last World Cup, we started there the same way,” Rohit said. “We reached Australia 10 or 15 days early. And we had set up a small camp in Perth for seven or eight days. There is an island near Perth, we went there. We went away from cricket. Wherever we get a chance, we try to do activities like that. To keep the team’s environment light. It’s not like it’s only happening in the last two years. It used to happen before as well. But now, I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s more visible now.”Related

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This has continued into this World Cup, where the team’s off-field activities have even included the players putting on a fashion show – the finer details of which Rohit declined to go into.”Our conscious effort has been on this, that the team’s environment does not change based on the results,” he said. “We have to create the environment that is needed for the team and that is mandatory. And this cannot be done by one or two boys. It is important for all the boys to come together, including the support staff.”So, like we were in Dharamsala, we had a five or six-day break there. We stayed in Dharamsala for two days. We did a lot of team activity there. We did a fashion show there, but no one knows about that. It’s a good thing that no one knows about it.”So, all this effort, the environment of the team that we always talk about, this is the environment where we like to be very relaxed. And all the boys like this a lot. Because you know when you come on the ground, there will be pressure, pressure of performance, pressure of winning the match. That can’t be changed. Because once you reach the ground, it is then up to the individuals how they want to take it forward.”But before that, we have done everything we can to make the team’s environment easy. The team’s atmosphere is very good. It is very relaxed. So, this is a good thing.”On an individual level, Rohit said having his family with him during the tournament has allowed him to take his mind off cricket whenever possible.”I have a family with me, so my mind goes here and there, which is a very good thing,” he said. “When I go to my hotel room, we completely stay away from cricket. We discuss a lot of other things. It’s a good thing. You think a lot about cricket, yes, but when you have time, when you have a chance to not think, then you shouldn’t think. Because, even if you think all day, what will happen? So it is important to think about something else.”One contributing factor to the relaxed dressing-room atmosphere, Rohit suggested, is the security players have enjoyed of having clear roles in the side and the faith of the team management in their ability to perform those roles even through lean runs.”I just believe that as a captain, if you have decided that this is how you want to play as a team, then there needs to be a clarity among the team,” Rohit said. “And then if a certain player wants to go out there and play in the way that you want him to play, then you’ve got to back that player to the hilt. And that is what we’ve done.”We’ve backed certain players because we’ve given them a different role. And if they perform the role, well and good, but even if they don’t, which will not come off in every game, we have got to back that player and tell him that we stand by you. That is something that I believe in and I want to do it as much as I can from my side and also got to give credit to Rahul [Dravid] as well, to buy into that thought of not changing too much when the player doesn’t come off with that plan.”So yeah, that is something that we have stuck by right from the beginning. And we will continue to do that even in the future as well. But yeah, that is something that I feel is quite important. And giving freedom to each player to go out there and perform their role. That is also again another important aspect of the game and how you want to play as a team. So, these are the two things, role clarity and giving the guys that freedom and going there and expressing themselves.”

Arsenal's stance on Ethan Nwaneri contract talks revealed after 'concern' over wonderkid emerges

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Arsenal are reportedly relaxed over the future of Ethan Nwaneri and believe the wonderkid will sign a new contract extension in north London.

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Arsenal confident on Nwaneri extensionCurrent deal expires next summerEnjoyed breakout campaign in 2024-25Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Arsenal are confident young star Nwaneri will sign a new contract with the club, according to . The England Under-21 international is said to be interesting Chelsea and clubs from Germany after a breakout season which saw the 18-year-old score nine goals in 37 appearances in all competitions.

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Concern over Nwaneri's future was said to have emerged given the teenager can talk to other clubs in January and last season's Premier League runners-up are keen to get their wonderkid tied down to fresh terms before then. Arsenal have, however, managed to announce a new contract for Myles Lewis-Skelly, another 18-year-old who has quickly become an important part of Mikel Arteta's squad.

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Arsenal are hoping to complete a deal for Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres and Nwaneri recently got fans excited by wearing a Sporting CP shirt in a picture posted on social media. However, talks are said to have hit an "impasse" as the Gunners try to recruit the prolific central forward they so desperately need.

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Arsenal will hope to get a long-term contract for Nwaneri sorted in the near future. They'll be looking to claim some silverware during the 2025-26 season, having come close in both the Premier League and Champions League last term.

Cummins, Sciver-Brunt named ICC Cricketers of the Year

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Kohli was named the men’s ODI cricketer of the year while Suryakumar took the honour for men’s T20Is

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jan-2024 • Updated on 25-Jan-2024Pat Cummins won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year for leading Australia to the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup titles, apart from helping the team to retain the Ashes. He staved off competition from team-mate Travis Head and India’s Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja to run away with the top honour.Cummins showed his worth throughout the year with bat and ball. He was the second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with 42 scalps, and capped off the year with his second ten-for in Tests. With bat, his unbeaten 44 in the first Ashes Test gave Australia a two-wicket win.England allrounder Nat Sciver-Brunt – who shone across formats, including in the women’s Ashes – won the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award for the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year for the second time in a row. She overcame stiff competition from Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu and Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney.Kohli, Athapaththu named ODI cricketers of the yearAn exceptional year in ODIs where he showed glimpses of being his old self saw Virat Kohli named as the men’s ODI cricketer of the year. He scored 1377 runs in ODIs in 2023, which included a tally of 765 in the World Cup alone. It was the most any batter had scored at a men’s World Cup, and he crossed fifty in nine of the 11 innings in the competition. He finished the competition with an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.31, becoming the first man to fifty ODI hundreds in the process.Chamari Athapaththu, meanwhile, was at the fore of Sri Lanka’s first bilateral win over New Zealand, leading the way with bat. She scored two centuries in successful chases in the three-match ODI series. In the series-deciding final game, she struck an unbeaten 140 after Sri Lanka found themselves at 4 for 2 in the first four overs, chasing 196. She attacked her way to a 31-ball fifty and a 60-ball century – the fastest for Sri Lanka in women’s ODIs.Suryakumar Yadav named men’s T20I cricketer of the yearA stellar 2023 where he finished as the highest run-scorer in T20Is among Full Member nations has seen Suryakumar Yadav bag the men’s T20I cricketer of the year award for the second year running. He beat fellow competitors Sikandar Raza, Alpesh Ramjani and Mark Chapman to take the award home.Suryakumar started the year scoring just 7 against Sri Lanka but followed it up with scores of 51 (36) and 112 not out (51) in the next two matches. The middle-order batter went from strength to strength in the format thereon. In all, he played 17 T20I innings in 2023, recording 733 runs at 48.86 which included five half-centuries and two hundreds. More importantly, amidst the carnage, he maintained a strike rate of 155.95.No other batter from a Full Member nation had more T20I runs than Suryakumar Yadav in 2023•Associated PressThe 31-year-old finished 2023 on a high note with a 56-ball 100 against South Africa. With Rohit Sharma opting out and Hardik Pandya injured, Suryakumar was also handed the captaincy of the Indian T20I side. He gave a good account of himself taking India to a 4-1 series win against Australia at home before drawing a three-match series against South Africa 1-1.Khawaja Test cricketer of the year; Ravindra and Litchfield emerging players of the yearUsman Khawaja edged out Travis Head, R Ashwin and Joe Root to be crowned the Test cricketer of the year. He was the only one batter to score more than 1000 runs in the year; he amassed 1210 in 13 Tests, including a career-best of 195 not out against South Africa. He showed his mettle in spin-friendly conditions in India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, topping the charts with 333 runs including a century and two fifties, in four games. He was also the leading run-scorer in the Ashes with a tally of 496.A truly breakthrough year where he lit up the 2023 ODI World Cup has resulted in New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra winning the men’s emerging player of the year award. He overcame challenges from South Africa fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, Sri Lanka quick Dilshan Madushanka and India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal. Having made his 50-over debut against Sri Lanka in March, Ravindra played 25 ODIs in 2023, scoring 820 runs at an average of 41.00 while also picking 18 wickets at 46.61. Ravindra had a sensational time of it opening the batting for New Zealand as he amassed 578 runs in ten innings at 64.22.Australian Phoebe Litchfield was awarded the women’s emerging player of the year.Hayley Matthews crowned women’s T20I cricketer of the yearWest Indies captain Hayley Matthews capped off an excellent year by taking home the women’s T20I cricketer of the year award, overcoming stiff competition from Australia’s Ellyse Perry, England’s Sophie Ecclestone, and Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu.No other batter had more runs than Matthews’ 700 in 14 innings at an average of 63.63. She also picked up 19 wickets at 16.21. Matthews had a particularly stunning tour of Australia in October 2023 where she finished the three-match T20I series with scores of 99*, 132 and 79. Her tally of 310 runs is the most by any player in a women’s T20I bilateral series.Matthews is the second West Indies player to bag the award after Stafanie Taylor in 2015.Hayley Matthews had a spectacular series Down Under•Getty ImagesDe Leede wins men’s associate cricketer of the yearA key component behind Netherlands qualifying for the main draw of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Bas de Leede has been named the men’s associate cricketer of the year. The allrounder finished the year with 31 wickets in 16 ODIs at 28.26 while also scoring 424 runs at 28.26 with one fifty and one hundred.In one of the most talked-about all-round performances of the year, de Leede picked 5 for 52 against Scotland in a World Cup qualifier game and then backed it up with a 92-ball 123 to almost single-handedly take Netherlands into the final.Meanwhile, Kenyan allrounder Queentor Abel has been crowned the women’s associate cricketer of the year. Abel scored 476 runs in 17 T20Is at 34.00 in 2023 with a top score of 109 against Lesotho. She also picked 30 wickets with an average of 7.36 and an economy of 3.81.Teams of the yearThe 2023 ODI World Cup runner-up India dominated the ODI team of the year released by ICC. Rohit Sharma was named captain of the side which had as many as six Indians in the XI. The Australians meanwhile hogged the limelight in ICC’s Test team of the year. The WTC champions had five members in the XI with Pat Cummins leading the side.Chamari Athapaththu was named captain of the women’s ODI team of the year which had five Australians in the mix. No Indian found a place in the ICC’s women’s team of the year. Athapaththu was also named captain of the women’s T20I team of the year.Test team of the year: Usman Khawaja, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Travis Head, Ravindra Jadeja, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), R Ashwin, Mitchell Starc, Stuart BroadODI team of the year: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Travis Head, Virat Kohli, Daryl Mitchell, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Marco Jansen, Adam Zampa, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed ShamiT20I team of the year: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Phil Salt, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Mark Chapman, Sikandar Raza, Alpesh Ramjani, Mark Adair, Ravi Bishnoi, Richard Ngarava, Arshdeep SinghWomen’s ODI team of the year: Chamari Athapaththu, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Nadine de Klerk, Le Tahuhu, Nahida AkterWomen’s T20I team of the year: Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Beth Mooney (wk), Laura Wolvaardt, Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Megan Schutt

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to link up with Mason Greenwood in shock return to Marseille after Saudi Arabia stint

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to return to Marseille after just a season away, with his Saudi Pro League adventure with Al-Qadsiah coming to an end.

Aubameyang will return to MarseilleCould play alongside GreenwoodSaudi journey lasted just a yearFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Fabrizio Romano has given Aubameyang the 'here we go' treatment, reporting on X that the 36-year-old has verbally agreed a two-year deal with the French giants, where he will get the opportunity to play in the Champions League next season. The post reveals that the Gabon international captain rejected rival moves from Saudi Arabia to return to his former club on a free transfer, having had his Al-Qadsiah contract terminated.

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Aubameyang enjoyed a quietly prolific season with Marseille in 2023/24, hitting 30 goals in 51 matches, including 10 goals in the French outfit's run to the Europa League semi-finals. His return will be a welcome one for OM, who nevertheless finished second in Ligue 1 last season with a strike-force which included the controversial figures of Mason Greenwood and Neal Maupay. Greenwood was undeniably effective despite the scrutiny his move from Manchester United brought, scoring 21 Ligue 1 goals in his first season for the club. He may now link up with another former Premier League star in Aubameyang.

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Aubameyang's 30-goal return in his previous season with Marseille was his highest since hitting just one more for Arsenal in 2018/19. After opting for a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah, the former Gunner maintained his strong form in front of goal with a further 21 goals in all competitions. With this evidence, Marseille and head coach Roberto De Zerbi will be confident that Aubameyang can continue to provide the goods on his return to the south of France.

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With his return to Marseille set to be officially announced in the coming days, Aubameyang will look forward to a return to Europe to play out the twilight years of his career. The rapid frontman has scored 355 career goals and knows Ligue 1 well, having spent five previous seasons playing there, including spells with Lille, Monaco and Saint-Etienne early in his career. It may be a nigh-on impossible task to knock European champions PSG off their perch, but De Zerbi's side will have a first run in the new-look Champions League phase to look forward to.

Man Utd still lurking as Valencia offer Javi Guerra massive contract extension after midfielder rejected first proposal

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Valencia are set to offer a new contract extension to Javi Guerra as they attempt to fight off interest from Manchester United and AC Milan.

Guerra has rejected Valencia's contract renewalMidfielder is interested in working out a deal United and AC Milan have also shown interestFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 22-year-old midfielder was quick to reject Valencia's extension proposal, but the Spanish club are confident that they can get him to put pen to paper with further discussions. According to , the Spaniard is happy to continue at Valencia but wants the club to meet certain criteria, ranging from increasing his wages to competing at the top level of football rather than fighting for survival in the Spanish League.

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Guerra's current contract expires in 2027, and Valencia are interested in extending it to 2029. In the contract proposed to Guerra, the club offered him increased wages, which would have increased year-on-year and would have earned the midfielder €15 million (£13m/$17m) over four years. However, Guerra didn't like the initial base salary, finding it unfeasible. Valencia consider Guerra to be one for the future and are willing to accommodate changes to the offer.

Guerra's demands, however, go beyond the salary figures. In addition to increased wages, the player wants the club to have a better sporting project, one that can compete at the top level. United and Milan have shown interest, with the latter having even launched a bid of €16m (£14m/$18m) plus €4m in bonuses.

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Valencia are not willing to part ways with Guerra, not only because they don't want to lose out on a future star, but also because his contract has a sell-on clause. As per the sell-on clause, Villarreal, Guerra's former club, will receive 30 per cent of the transfer fee from Guerra's sale. This means that for the club to make a profit of over €20m (£17m/$23m), Valencia will have to sell Guerra for more than €28m (£24m/$32m), a figure that no club is willing to match at this time.

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The player's camp are receptive to the contract offered, as they believe that through further discussions, they will reach a common ground. Guerra, who was born and raised in Valencia, is reportedly interested in continuing his career at Mestalla Stadium. Valencia are also optimistic about retaining Guerra and have since rejected Milan's offer.

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