Ilkay Gundogan admits that Manchester City are fighting for their lives in the title race and must beat Liverpool this weekend.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
| Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 |
Zimbabwe captain praises the fight his team showed even though they lost the second Test to Afghanistan
Hemant Brar14-Mar-2021Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams lauded the way his side fought back in their second innings of the second Test against Afghanistan even though they lost the match on the fifth evening, thus missing out on a series win.After winning the first Test in under two days, Zimbabwe would have fancied their chances but a returning Rashid Khan thwarted their hopes with an 11-wicket match haul. Still, Zimbabwe almost pulled off a Houdini-esque escape.Following on, Zimbabwe were reduced to 142 for 7 – still 116 in arrears – before Williams (151*) and Donald Tiripano (95) added 187 for the eighth wicket. Their resistance meant Afghanistan needed to bat again and score 108 in a minimum of 45 overs; they reached there in 26.1.According to Williams, this Test would serve as a good learning experience for his side, especially when they host Pakistan for two Tests (and three T20Is) next month.”We got ourselves into trouble and then we managed to fight through that,” Williams said after the match. “We got close to the top of the mountain but didn’t quite get there. It was a good learning curve and it shows what mental and physical strength you need to get through Test matches like this.”The young guys showed a lot of fight. Being 60 minutes away from winning the series, having one hand on the trophy and going through that fighting period was extremely important for them as a learning curve. Also, the senior players pulling the team together and showing that we would do anything for each other was important.”I think it’s a huge thing going into the Test series at home. Not only what has happened here but being at home is going to be huge, our wickets, our conditions. So yeah, I am looking forward to that series.”When Afghanistan came out for the chase, the Zimbabwe seamers bowled plenty of short stuff. Williams said that was part of the plan and if there were more runs on the board, they might have salvaged a draw and won the series.”It was a tactical move because the wicket was up and down and there were a lot of cracks in it. It was very hard to score with seamers bowling cross-seam and slower balls. If we had more runs on the board, we would have won the series. We had three seamers, so going into day five in the last session, they would have pulled us through.”While Zimbabwe impressed overall, Wesley Madhevere, who made his debut in the first Test, had a torrid time with the bat. After a first-ball duck in his only innings in the first Test, the 20-year-old bagged another pair here. Williams, though, backed the youngster to come out stronger.”With Wesley, it was purely a technical fault,” Williams said. “But I think mentally he is in a good place and we just keep on supporting the guys to make it through the tough times. Everybody goes through a tough stage, be it cricket or life in general. We just keep on supporting, keep on growing, we don’t stop. We just told him not to give up.”
Aiden Markram has scored his first half-century in the subcontinent but is careful not to consider his corner turned just yet. After 84 runs from eight innings on previous tours to Sri Lanka and India, Markram knows that one 74 does not necessarily make a summer, but his second-innings half-century in Karachi is significant because it gave him confidence.”By no means am I all of a sudden a finished product. It’s a small step in the right direction. Thats how I am trying to see it,” he said. “There’s a still a lot of learning and growing in conditions like these. From a satisfaction thing, there is a bit I can take form this knock, a little bit of confidence. I would have loved to kick on.”Not only was Markram dismissed on the way to what could have been his first hundred since March 2018, but he was sent on his way 15 balls before the close of play on day three, after battling for more than five hours, and laying the foundation for a longer vigil. He found that patience was the one trait he had to lean on more than any other and was disappointed it ran out. “The longer you batted, the lower it got which posed its own challenge, putting spin aside. It was a slightly different innings for me. It was quite a challenge to accept spending time and not worrying about scoring,” Markram said.His fifty, off 158 balls, was the slowest of his career but that was less important than that it came as part of a 127-run stand with Rassie van der Dussen. That partnership was the highest of the match and it took South Africa into the lead.From a position where they were bowled out for 220 in the first innings, then conceded 70 runs in 12.2 overs to allow Pakistan to build a first innings lead over 150, for South Africa to have threatened to post decent target was a massive stride forward. “And then we took a few steps back, if that makes sense,” Markram said, in reference to the three wickets that fell for 10 runs at the end of day three.Still, South Africa had recognised batsmen in the middle on day four and may have fancied their chances of scoring over 300 but ended up losing 9 for 70 in the second innings, to set Pakistan a target of just 88.While Quinton de Kock could not put his finger on why South Africa lost wickets in clusters, Markram felt that conditions had something to do with it, because the in-coming batsmen often faced spin first up. “It’s generally very difficult for a new batter to get in. It’s something we’ve highlighted on previous tours to the subcontinent and on this tour. So (as a batsman) your first 20-30 balls are vital. It’s generally tough to get in against a spinning ball,” he said.The trick is in two things: watching the way Pakistan played and drawing on experiences from home, not conditions-wise, but in approach. “On the mental side of things, there are times in South Africa in seamer-friendly conditions where you have to be brave and try something different. It’s the same here,” Markram said. “And we had the chance to learn from how Pakistan played and saw that we need to have the ability to back defence even in conditions that start to turn.”On green tops in South Africa, batsmen often have to be willing to play more on the back foot and take on the short ball. On drier pitches in the subcontinent, they must do the opposite. They have to go forward, often to meet the pitch of a spinning ball, a strategy that worked well for Markram and van der Dussen. What South Africa need now is for it to work consistently and throughout the line-up, which may come the more this group tours the subcontinent.For all of them, this is their first Test in Pakistan, while only three of them – de Kock, Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar – have won a Test in the subcontinent (Galle 2014). The rest have been part of tough tours to India in 2015 and 2019, a rained out visit to Bangladesh in 2015 and a humbling trip to Sri Lanka in 2018. Across those series, South Africa’s problems remained the same: the inability for their batsmen to settle against spin. If they are to truly turn the corner, Markram suggested that needs to change.”It’s important that we don’t make the same mistakes we’ve made in previous tours,” he said. “The thing that helped me was spending time in the middle and feeling like you can find a way to score.”
تقدم منتخب عمان بالهدف الأول، أمام منافسه البحرين في المباراة المقامة بينهما اليوم السبت، في نهائي بطولة كأس الخليج “خليجي 26”
ويلتقي منتخبا البحرين وعمان في المباراة النهائية لبطولة كأس الخليج 2024 “خليجي 26” المقامة في الكويت.
وسجل عبد الرحمن المشيفري هدف عمان الأول في الدقيقة 16 من عمر الشوط الأول للقاء.
طالع | مباشر بالفيديو.. مباراة عمان والبحرين في نهائي كأس الخليج “خليجي 26”
وجاء الهدف من رأسية قوية بعد تلقي ركلة ركنية من الجهة اليسرى وضعها المشيفري على يسار حارس البحرين. هدف عمان الأول أمام البحرين في نهائي كأس الخليج “خليجي 26”
وكان منتخب عمان تأهل إلى المباراة النهائية بعد الفوز على منتخب السعودية بنتيجة (2-1)، بينما جاء تأهل البحرين بالفوز على منتخب الكويت بنتيجة 1-0.
West Ham United have reportedly agreed personal terms with a forward who has been compared to Manchester City star Jack Grealish.
West Ham want more wingers after Luis Guilherme
The Irons and Julen Lopetegui have already added to their attacking ranks this summer, with winger Luis Guilherme officially becoming the first signing of the era. Technical director Tim Steidten was the one who pushed a deal for the 18-year-old and was delighted at securing Guilherme’s services, giving West Ham fans an idea of what to expect from their new signing.
“He is technically very gifted, but also has very good physical qualities – great pace, strength and stamina, and these are traits that will help him to adapt to the demands of the Premier League and English football.
“Luis is obviously still very young, but we have no doubt that he is ready to make an impact in the first team here. He is coming to a great environment, where he will be surrounded by other exciting young players and good people who will support him every step of the way.”
After Guilherme, West Ham, who have also signed goalkeeper Wes Foderingham on a free transfer, look like they want more additions in the final third.
West Ham also hoping to clinch deal to sign "monster" this week
A move could cost £45m.
ByCharlie Smith Jun 27, 2024
The Hammers recently made bids to sign former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, who is now at Galatasaray, and Fluminense forward Jhon Arias. More recently, West Ham have held talks to sign Lille striker Jonathan David and have also made it clear they are willing to sign Genoa forward Albert Gudmundsson.
Hull City winger Jaden Philogene appear to be on the radar too, and one player who was linked previously was Vitoria Guimaraes star Jota Silva, who has been described as the “Portuguese Jack Grealish” because of his looks and similar playing style.
West Ham agree terms with Jota Silva
According to reports in Turkey, relayed by West Ham Zone, the Hammers have agreed personal terms with Silva, who has a €20m (£17m) release clause in his Vitoria Guimaraes contract. Turkish media cover the report as Jose Mourinho, now manager of Fenerbahce, are also keen on the player, but it looks as if there is an agreement between the Irons and the forward.
Silva, a two-cap Portugal international, is primarily a left-winger but can also play on the right or as a striker, so would offer plenty of versatility to Lopetegui. That is something that caught the eye of Portugal boss Roberto Martinez, who has previously praised the 24-year-old's versatility and work ethic:
"Jota is a different player. I like his versatility, he works hard, he is competitive. This shows his journey, going through the second division gives different qualities. I watched his last game very closely. In football, you also need luck. I believe he is in a very good moment and deserved to be called up.
"When you are in a team that is playing well and has a good dynamic. Jota represents that and is an example for players who did not make it to the youth national teams. Now he is at a level that deserves to be in the national team. He is a good example."
Having paid dearly for dropped chances in their previous game, they almost did so again
ESPNcricinfo staff28-Sep-2020
Washington Sundar celebrates after dismissing Rohit Sharma cheaply•BCCI
Dropped chances cost Royal Challengers Bangalore dearly in their match against Kings XI Punjab last week. On Monday night, the Royal Challengers dropped three more catches, including one regulation chance – the substitute Pawan Negi putting down Kieron Pollard at deep extra-cover – that could have proven just as costly.At that point, Mumbai Indians needed an improbable 76 to win off 23 balls, with Pollard batting on 15. He would go on to score an unbeaten 60 off 24 balls and, in partnership with Ishan Kishan, help Mumbai pull off a last-gasp tie. According to ESPNcricinfo’s Luck Index, that chance cost the Royal Challengers 22 runs.The Royal Challengers eventually prevailed in the Super Over to pick up two precious points, and their captain Virat Kohli reflected that they could have wrapped up the game in a far more routine way had the chances stuck, and hoped the team’s catching would pick up through the tournament.Here are excerpts from his interview at the post-match presentation.On Mumbai’s comeback
I think we batted really well in the first innings to get us past 200, and then the start with the ball was outstanding as well. And then I think they [Mumbai] played really well, patiently, in the middle overs, waited for the dew to kick in and obviously with that power at the back end, with Pollard and Hardik [Pandya]… we got Hardik out, but still, for Pollard and Ishan to bat the way they did was outstanding to keep them in the game.On the catching
We tried to execute the things that we wanted to – again fielding is something that we have to keep working on, because those [dropped] catches are going to be costly. If we’d taken our catches again tonight, probably it wouldn’t have been so close, so look, we’ve got a close victory, and, as I said, these little things on the field we are not capitalising on right now – it’s something we really need to focus on.On Navdeep Saini restricting Mumbai to 7 in their Super Over
Outstanding Super Over from him, bowling against Hardik and Pollard. I think the longer boundary helped him gain some confidence for his yorker, because he’s got the pace, and he was using the wide yorker well too. I think the guys showed real good composure to get these two points in the bag, and they’re very very crucial points at the early stage of the tournament.Yuzvendra Chahal shows his frustration as Mumbai Indians went berserk at the death•BCCI
On facing the Super Over alongside AB de Villiers
Well, look, I thought about it, to be honest, but then I thought, okay, Jasprit [Bumrah]’s going to bowl, he’s going to use the longer boundary – who are the two guys that can probably run the first four balls for two, and that was me and AB. So AB said ‘I’m going’, I said ‘I’m coming with you.’ Yeah, look, it was all about just stepping onto the field, taking responsibility for the team, and yeah, we got a boundary each and got the job done.On facing Bumrah
Yeah, it was interesting. I think it was a good match-up with Jasprit being the best bowler they have, and [against] AB and myself, I think he would have been under a bit of pressure as well, to defend eight [runs], so good contest. We both felt that he’s in the game, we’re in the game, and that’s what people love watching, and that’s what this competition is all about – top-quality cricket, games going down to the wire, and exciting games like this is good for the people to watch, but not for the captains involved in it. We can take lessons out of this and try and close the closer games much better in the future.On the three changes in the Royal Challengers line-up
I think the changes that we made – making Washy (Washington Sundar) bowl in the Powerplay, which is his strength, paid off; I think Isuru [Udana] was really good as well, and to be honest Gurkeerat [Singh] didn’t get a chance with the bat, but these changes gave us more balance in the side. I think [Adam] Zampa was good as well, apart from that last over where Polly (Pollard) went after him. I think the guys showed good character, they were positive through the innings, and when you’re playing against top-quality sides they’re going to hurt you at some stage.On picking up two wins from the first three games of the season
Yeah, pretty different from the past, isn’t it? Feels good. Feels good to get the points on the board. As I said, this should boost us forward in a better way. Plug in those gaps, be more professional with our performances, and then, you know, keep accumulating those points.ALSO SEE: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore live score, September 28 2020
With the regular season behind us, all eyes are on Germany as Euro 2024 gets underway.
This year's tournament will see the homes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Berlin play host to games this summer.
England will be hoping to mark Gareth Southgate's tenure as England manager with their first major trophy since 1966, while France will be hoping to right their World Cup final defeat from 2022.
Goalscorers are also set to make their mark, and with the third 24-team finals getting underway, we could see a record number of goals in a European Championship tournament.
But who has scored the most goals since the competition began in 1960? Football FanCast has looked at the top 12 all-time goalscorers in Euros history to find out.
For this list, players are ranked by overall goals at the tournament's finals, followed by number of appearances, penalties scored and minutes played where necessary.
Player
Nation
Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal
14
Michel Platini
France
9
Alan Shearer
England
7
Antoine Griezmann
France
7
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Netherlands
6
Patrick Kluivert
Netherlands
6
Alvaro Morata
Spain
6
Romelu Lukaku
Belgium
6
Wayne Rooney
England
6
Thierry Henry
France
6
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Sweden
6
Nuno Gomes
Portugal
6
Euro 2024 tournament guide: Teams, matches, dates, TV channels, odds & more
Football FanCast has put together a guide for all things Euro 2024, with venues, fixtures, tables, stadiums and more all covered here.
ByStephan Georgiou Jun 11, 2024 12 Nuno Gomes (Portugal) 6 goals
Appearances
14
Goals
6
Tournaments played
2000, 2004, 2008
Best performance
Semi-finals (Euro 2000)
The former Benfica – and one-time Blackburn Rovers – striker just sneaks his way onto our list at number 12. Of course, he has scored the same number of goals as some other players who feature later on in this list, but Nuno Gomes has had more than his fair share of Euros matches.
He has scored six goals across 14 appearances in all, the majority of which came in Euro 2000 where he returned an impressive four goals across his five matches as Portugal made the semi-finals.
But following his first Euros tournament, Gomes was only able to provide a further two goals across nine further showings.
11 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) 6 goals
Appearances
13
Goals
6
Tournaments played
2004, 2008, 2012, 2016
Best performance
Quarter-finals (Euro 2004)
From Nuno Gomes to one of the all-time greats in Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Sweden international will feature in a lot of goalscoring lists following a stunning domestic career.
And despite not playing for one of the international powerhouses, he makes this list. The legendary striker provided a steady return of two goals each at Euro 2004, 2008 and 2012.
However, he did not find the back of the net in Euro 2016 and was unable to feature at Euro 2020 as a result of a knee injury.
Despite his consistent form in front of goal, Ibrahimovic was unable to guide Sweden past the quarter-final stage, which they last reached at Euro 2004, losing on penalties to the Netherlands.
10 Thierry Henry (France) 6 goals
Appearances
11
Goals
6
Tournaments played
2000, 2004, 2008
Best performance
Winner (Euro 2000)
From one legend to another, Thierry Henry comes in on this list as the first player to actually get his hands on a winner's medal.
It was Euro 2000 – Henry's first taste of the tournament – where the former Arsenal striker was able to lift the trophy. And he certainly played his role in helping them to triumph.
Henry returned three goals in that tournament, including France's first goal in their 2-1 semi-final win over Nuno Gomes' Portugal.
France's top international goalscorers of all time
France have had some wonderful players over the years – here are the very best goalscorers for Les Bleus…
ByStephan Georgiou Mar 16, 2024 9 Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) 6 goals
Appearances
10
Goals
6
Tournaments played
2016, 2020
Best performance
Quarter-finals (Euro 2016 & Euro 2020)
Romelu Lukaku remains one of the players on this list who may yet improve their standing by the end of the tournament, the forward's Belgium side set to be heavy favourites in a group involving Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine.
Indeed, the forward, now once again seeking an exit from Chelsea at club level, will be leading the line for the Red Devils this summer having netted 14 goals in their seven qualifying games.
No one scored more than the Belgian in qualifying, which could mean he's the man to stop as his side seek a first international honour. However, to do that, he will have to lead Belgium to the semi-finals for the first time in his career – a stage not reached since 1980, when they were beaten in the final by West Germany.
Lukaku has only played in two Euros tournaments and the 2020 edition proved a fruitful one for the 31-year-old, who netted four times – including against the eventual winners, Italy.
Belgium's group stage draw and their form under Domenico Tedesco could give the ex-Everton forward a great opportunity to be in the running for the Golden Boot.
Euro 2024 Group E: Teams, players, fixtures and venues
Everything you need to know about Belgium, Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine ahead of Euro 2024.
ByStephan Georgiou Jun 10, 2024 8 Wayne Rooney (England) 6 goals
Appearances
10
Goals
6
Tournaments played
2004, 2012, 2016
Best performance
Quarter-finals (Euro 2004 & Euro 2012)
The first entry for the Three Lions comes in the form of England's former all-time record goalscorer, Wayne Rooney. Although Rooney provided six goals, the furthest he reached was the quarter-finals.
Four of the former Manchester United star's goals came in his first tournament, Euro 2004. This tournament ended in disaster for the Englishman, however, as he was forced off in the quarter-final against Portugal due to a metatarsal injury – who knows how things would have panned out had he stayed fit?
In his final six Euros appearances, Rooney was only able to provide England with two goals – one in each of the 2012 and 2016 editions.
He just pips Lukaku here, having played 753 minutes compared to the Belgian's 845, though he could well be overtaken by the end of this year's tournament.
However, he'll always have his dazzling performance against Croatia in 2004 to look back on…
7 Alvaro Morata (Spain) 6 goals
Appearances
10
Goals
6
Tournaments played
2016, 2020
Best performance
Semi-finals (Euro 2020)
Another player who will have the opportunity to add to his tally is Spain and Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. He will arrive in Germany following an impressive 2022 World Cup display for Spain where he scored three goals in four appearances.
And his return in his two Euros tournaments have also been fairly impressive, with three goals netted at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.
On top of all of this, Morata has shown some impressive form thus far in La Liga under Diego Simeone, which will surely have him as Spain's go-to striker ahead of the summer. He is La Roja's captain, after all.
He places ahead of Lukaku and Rooney, with none of his goals being penalties.
Euro 2024 Group B: Teams, players, fixtures and venues
Everything you need to know about Spain, Croatia, Italy and Albaniaahead of Euro 2024.
ByCharlie Smith Jun 9, 2024 6 Patrick Kluivert (Netherlands) 6 goals
Appearances
9
Goals
6
Tournaments played
1996, 2000
Best performance
Semi-finals (Euro 2000)
Patrick Kluivert first featured at Euro 96, where the Dutchman was able to get his name on the scoresheet in his side's group stage game against England.
However, it was the 2000 tournament where Kluivert came into his own and provided the Netherlands with five goals; three of those came in the quarter-finals against Yugoslavia. He finished as the tournament's joint-top scorer alongside Savo Milosevic.
Kluivert went to Euro 2004, but he did not play a single minute and was forced to watch from the bench.
5 Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands) 6 goals
Appearances
8
Goals
6
Tournaments played
2004, 2008
Best performance
Semi-finals (Euro 2004)
It is back-to-back entries for the Netherlands, with former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy coming in fifth spot. Across his club career, Van Nistelrooy was able to net a staggering 331 goals across all competitions.
And he was equally impressive for his country, for whom he returned six goals in the Euros despite playing just 741 minutes of football.
Euro 2004 was the Dutchman's first real taste of the European tournament and he wasted no time in finding the back of the net as he provided four goals in his opening three games.
Although he never got further than the semi-finals, Van Nistelrooy went out in style with a goal against Russia in 2008 (at around 12:00 in this highlight video). Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to see the Oranje progress, despite seeing off France and Italy in the groups.
4 Antoine Griezmann (France) 7 goals
Appearances
11
Goals
7
Tournaments played
2016, 2020
Best performance
Runner-up (Euro 2016)
Despite lifting the World Cup, Antoine Griezmann has not been able to get his hands on the Henri Delaunay trophy. He will have the opportunity to add that to his list in the summer, though.
In 2016, the Atletico Madrid forward ended the competition as the top scorer having netted a stunning six goals in France's journey to the final – which ended in heartache against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal at the Stade de France.
Perhaps the standout goals at that tournament for Griezmann came when he bagged a brace in the semi-final against Germany; the only two goals of the game.
Euro 2020 was not quite as impressive, however. Griezmann was only able to score once and will surely be looking to put this right in the summer when he plays in Germany.
Every Player of the Tournament at the European Championship
Since its inception in 1996, UEFA has handed out an award for the best player at the European Championship. But who has been given the accolade?
ByStephan Georgiou Jul 16, 2024 3 Alan Shearer (England) 7 goals
Appearances
9
Goals
7
Tournaments played
1992, 1996, 2000
Best performance
Semi-finals (Euro 1996)
England's wait for another trophy goes on, but it hasn't been through the want of trying over the years, with the likes of Alan Shearer providing an impressive return at the European Championship.
The Premier League legend retired with a solid return of seven goals in nine appearances, with the 1996 tournament in his home country proving to be his best.
Indeed, the former Newcastle United striker was able to provide England with five goals that summer and ended the tournament as the top scorer. It is difficult to pick a favourite from his entire career, but his finish against the Netherlands during the group stage is surely one of his best for England on one of Wembley's greatest days.
England: Every European Championship campaign
Football FanCast has taken a look back at England’s past Euro campaigns.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 13, 2024
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has admitted he was "upset" after being left off the final 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Several pillars of the USMNT were left home, meaning multiple new faces could get their chances against Canada
Though he has reportedly agreed to become the next U.S. men's national team head coach, Mauricio Pochettino has not yet been officially named to the role. Yet he is likely watching the team's September camp closely.
There have already been a few significant changes with the squad selection under interim coach Mikey Varas. Several pillars of the USMNT under Gregg Berhalter were left at home, for varying reasons. Multiple new faces have been brought in. There have been little shifts to set the table for the next USMNT coach.
So what does that mean for these September friendlies? The audition process has already started for the members of the USMNT, and these friendlies are a chance to make a good first impression.
First up is a match with Canada. The U.S. will likely take it extremely seriously. After this summer's Copa America failure, the USMNT won't want another embarrassing moment against a CONCACAF rival so, knowing that, it's safe to expect a strong team against Jesse Marsch and Co. Even so, there are some big players missing, making Saturday's starting XI an interesting one to predict. Here's a look at how the USMNT could line up on Saturday against Canada in Kansas City.
Pair had been due to play full T20 Blast season
ESPNcricinfo staff01-May-2020Surrey have cancelled D’Arcy Short and Shadab Khan’s contracts for the T20 Blast season following the competition’s postponement.The ECB announced last week that no professional cricket would be played in England and Wales until July 1 at the earliest due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with the Blast likely to be pushed back to the final months of the season.Surrey said in a statement: “Given the postponement of [the Blast] and the current uncertainty around the makeup of the domestic season… it was mutually agreed that the players’ contracts would be cancelled.”The club had previously cancelled Michael Neser’s contract, following the initial suspension of the first seven rounds of County Championship fixtures.Both players were also due to play in the inaugural season of the Hundred, which has been pushed back to 2021.Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of cricket, said: “I would like to thank both Shadab & D’Arcy and their management companies for their understanding of the current situation and the impact these testing times are having on our game.”While we continue to prepare for cricket at The Kia Oval this summer, uncertainties around restrictions and scheduling across the world and here in the UK means this is the most sensible decision for both the players and the club for now.”