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South Africa, who will be playing their first Test in more than seven years, should “apply themselves over long periods of time,” she says

Firdose Moonda23-Jun-2022South Africa will need to develop a patience game with both bat and ball as they embark on their first Test in eight years when they take on England in Taunton next week. That’s the assessment of vice-captain Chloe Tryon, one of only five members of the current squad to have played a Test before.While recognising that they are coming up against a vastly more experienced side – England have played 97 Tests compared to South Africa’s 12, and three in the last three years – Tryon is hopeful South Africa will be able to apply themselves over long periods of time to compete in this encounter.”Our concentration has to be a bit higher [than usual] because it’s a really big mental game,” Tryon told ESPNcricinfo. “We’ve got to be able to bat for longer, with the ball, you’ve got to be okay with bowling the same length all the time and as a fielding side, we also have to be really awake. When an opportunity comes and when you are playing a team like England, you can’t drop world-class players and then they go on to make hundreds. It’s important to be really switched on, and for us to use this opportunity for girls to make big scores and take plenty of wickets”.Related

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The dearth of Tests in women’s cricket – no team other than England, India or Australia have competed in Tests since 2015 – means that South Africa don’t have a lot of historical knowledge to go on. Tryon, Lizelle Lee and Marizanne Kapp played in the 2014 Test against India in Mysore, which South Africa lost by an innings and 34 runs.”India batted for about two days and we just tried to survive,” Tryon said of that match. “It was a really good memory because I always wanted to play a Test match.”Still, she called it a “different and weird” experience but one she is “excited” to try again. Other than the trio, Shabnim Ismail was part of South Africa’s previous Test, seven years earlier, against Netherlands in 2007, while Trisha Chetty is the only member of the current squad to have played in both those matches.South Africa’s domestic set-up does not include a red-ball programme for women, or any multi-innings or time cricket matches, which means that none of these five players have played any competitive long-format cricket since their respective last Tests while the rest have never played anything other than limited-overs cricket. That means South Africa will have to field at least six debutants against England next week, and all of their squad have almost no red-ball experience other than the occasional match at school.

“As players, the game has evolved and we want to grow it as much as we can. While ODI and T20I cricket is growing, we should also be able to grow the Test matches. It can be an exciting way for us to develop.”Chloe Tryon

Still, Tryon believes they have had as much preparation as possible with intra-squad matches at a training camp in Pretoria last month, though those who were part of the FairBreak Tournament, like Ayabonga Khaka and Laura Wolvaardt, had to miss it. A three-day warm-up match against England A at Arundel is ongoing. From the latter, South Africa have an example of how to approach Test cricket in Wolvaardt, who scored a century in the first innings against England A, and Tryon expects big things from the top-order batter. “Laura has adapted really well to the situation,” she said. “It looks like she is enjoying it and the rest of the batters are taking up the roles.”Given the lack of familiarity in the format, does Tryon think South Africa’s participation could be farcical? It seems not. “As players, the game has evolved and we want to grow it as much as we can. While ODI and T20I cricket is growing, we should also be able to grow the Test matches. It can be an exciting way for us to develop.”However, not even the most important decision-makers in the game think so. In an interview with BBC’s earlier this month, ICC chair Greg Barclay said he didn’t see women’s Tests “being any part of the landscape moving forward to any real extent at all,” and cited lack of resources and structures in most countries and the push for white-ball cricket to be the future as justification for his views.England’s coach Lisa Keightley was disappointed with that analysis and England’s captain Heather Knight also came out in support of long-format cricket, and now Tryon has added her voice to the discussion as well. “I’ve always been a person that’s loved Test cricket. I grew up watching Test cricket and I love Test cricket now,” she said. “It would be great for us to be able to play a few more Tests.”

Following a week full of ups and downs, Manchester United are reportedly facing the prospect of losing one of their star men alongside Marcus Rashford, with European giants now swarming to land his signature in a loan-to-buy deal.

Man Utd transfer news

In between a dramatic derby day victory over Manchester City and a frustrating 4-3 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur to exit the Carabao Cup at the quarter-final stage, it’s Rashford who’s been stealing the Manchester United headlines. The winger was dropped by Ruben Amorim for the Manchester derby and swiftly responded by telling journalist Henry Winter that he’s ready for a new challenge.

Since then, the England international has also been omitted from Manchester United’s trip to face Tottenham Hotspur, sparking further rumours over his future and just who will be keen to swoop in and secure his signature.

Rashford may not be the only one heading for the exit door, however. According to Caught Offside, European giants are now chasing the arrival of Alejandro Garnacho in an initial loan move which will include a buy option of £60m in 2025. Among the clubs racing for his signature are Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

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Like his teammate, Garnacho was dropped against Manchester City and, by Amorim’s admission, left upset. The Red Devils boss told reporters as relayed by Fabrizio Romano before the Spurs game: “Garnacho is doing really good, he trained really well. He seems a little bit upset with me and that is perfect! I was really, really happy because I would do the same. He is ready for this game.”

Man Utd must keep "brave" Garnacho

Whilst it wouldn’t be absurd to suggest that Rashford’s best years have come and gone in a Manchester United shirt, the same can’t be said for Garnarcho. And after Amorim laid down the gauntlet by dropping the 20-year-old last weekend, he must rise to the challenge and become the star that many expect him to be in years to come.

As for Manchester United, they must do everything in their power to keep hold of the Argentine, who was a particular bright spark at the end of Erik ten Hag’s tenure. The Dutchman was certainly a fan of Garnacho too, telling reporters as relayed by Reuters earlier this year: “I love to work with Garnacho.

“He’s a player who needs a challenge, he likes a challenge, he is very brave, he’s very confident, our job is to push him to high levels. He has high potential and now we have to get the potential out, therefore you have to work day by day.”

Whether Amorim will develop the same adoration for the Manchester United star remains to be seen, but Garnacho seems to have plenty of potential suitors outside of Old Trafford.

تحدث تاشريك ماتيوز، مدافع فريق ماميلودي صن داونز، عن مواجهة الأهلي في نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أفريقيا.

وانتهت مباراة الذهاب بين الأهلي وصن دوانز بالتعادل السلبي، والتي أقيمت في جنوب إفريقيا الموسم الماضي.

وتقام مباراة الإياب بعد غد الجمعة، في تمام السادسة مساء بتوقيت القاهرة والسابعة مساء بتوقيت السعودية على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.

طالع.. قناة مجانية تنقل مباراة الأهلي وصن داونز في إياب نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وقال ماتيوز، عبر قناة “الأهلي”: “من المثير أن ألعب ضد وسام أبو علي، فقد لعبنا معًا سابقًا في ملاعب التدريب، واللعب ضده تجربة مثيرة للغاية، أنا سعيد برؤيته مرة أخرى”.

وتابع: “ستكون مباراة صعبة ضد الأهلي، لأنهم سيحظون بدعم جماهيري كبير، وسيكون الجمهور خلفهم بقوة، لكن علينا أن نقوم بما يلزم لتحقيق الفوز، من الواضح أنها ستكون مواجهة صعبة بسبب الحضور الجماهيري”.

بات البرازيلي رافينها على رأس قائمة المرشحين لنيل جائزة الكرة الذهبية هذا العام، في ظل تألقه اللافت مع برشلونة ومساهمته الكبيرة في مشوار الفريق نحو تحقيق الثلاثية، مع تراجع لمحمد صلاح وكيليان مبابي في السباق على الجائزة.

ويعيش رافينها أفضل فتراته مع برشلونة تحت قيادة هانز فليك، حيث سجل أهدافًا حاسمة في دوري الأبطال والدوري الإسباني.

وتشير صحيفة “ميرور” البريطانية في تقرير لها إلى أن رافينها الآن أحد أبرز نجوم الكرة الأوروبية، وقد ساهم في تفوق برشلونة في مواجهات كبرى، أبرزها الفوز الساحق على بايرن ميونخ، وتسجيله في مرمى ريال مدريد في كلاسيكو لا يُنسى على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو.

وتمكن فليك من إظهار أفضل أداء لرافينها، وسجل البرازيلي 28 هدفًا في مختلف البطولات هذا الموسم، وهو أعلى معدل تهديفي له على الإطلاق.

ويأتي ذلك في الوقت الذي تراجع فيه أداء العديد من منافسيه على الجائزة، مما يمنحه دفعة قوية لحظوظه في الفوز بالكرة الذهبية.

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وتذكر “ميرور” في تقريرها أنه من المرجح أن تكون بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا هي العامل الفاصل في تحديد هوية الفائز بجائزة الكرة الذهبية.

ومع أداء برشلونة القوي في دوري الأبطال حتى الآن واعتباره أحد المرشحين للوصول للنهائي، يصبح اسم رافينها حاضرًا بقوة في الترشيحات.

من جانبه، رافينها لا ينشغل كثيرًا بالجوائز الفردية، وسبق وصرح: “تركيزي الكامل على تحقيق الألقاب مع برشلونة، وعندما تأتي الألقاب الجماعية، ستأتي معها الإنجازات الفردية”.

وفي الوقت الذي يتراجع فيه أداء فرق مثل ريال مدريد، ومع تلاشي فرص لاعبين كبار مثل مبابي وصلاح في التتويج، يبرز رافينها كمرشح أول.

ريال مدريد تعرض لهزيمة قوية من آرسنال بثلاثية دون رد في ذهاب دور ربع النهائي، فيما ودع ليفربول المسابقة من دور الـ 16.

إلى جانب رافينها، هناك منافسة محتملة من جناح باريس سان جيرمان عثمان ديمبيلي، الذي يعيش بدوره موسمًا مميزًا، ويقدم أداءً رائعًا تحت قيادة لويس إنريكي.

ويُنظر إلى ديمبلي كأحد أبرز منافسي رافينها، لا سيما مع احتمالية وصول برشلونة وباريس سان جيرمان إلى نهائي دوري الأبطال.

ويأمل ديمبيلي أن يصبح أول فرنسي يتوّج بالجائزة منذ مواطنه زين الدين زيدان.

ويبقى أن ننتظر ما ستُسفر عنه الأسابيع المقبلة، خصوصًا في حال مواجهة متوقعة بين برشلونة وباريس في نهائي الأبطال، والتي قد تحدد بشكل كبير من سيرفع الكرة الذهبية في نهاية العام.

Whilst Celtic are once again on course to win the Scottish Premiership, one European side have now reportedly identified one of their defenders as their dream signing.

Celtic transfer news

Going head-to-head with Aberdeen rather than Rangers in the Scottish Premiership title race so far this season, Celtic haven’t skipped a beat and sit above their new rivals on goal difference having both avoided defeat in the opening nine games of the campaign. The Bhoys most recently enjoyed a comfortable afternoon against Motherwell, easing to a 3-0 victory to maintain their place at the top.

As success continues to arrive, meanwhile, those away from the action have reportedly turned their attention towards further reinforcements when 2025 arrives with Dario Osario recently linked to Celtic Park.

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The Chile star is a man in-demand following his recent rise at Midtjylland and could yet complete a move to the Scottish champions to hand Brendan Rodgers an attacking boost. It’s not just incomings that could steal the headlines, however, with one of Rodgers’ defenders potentially heading for the exit door.

According to Sportbladet via Sport Witness, Malmo are now dreaming of signing Gustaf Lagerbielke, who is currently on loan away from Celtic at FC Twente. The defender has reportedly rejected the Swedish club in the past but could now get a second opportunity to change his mind in 2025.

Whether or not Lagerbielke has a future at Celtic remains to be seen after he struggled for game time last season and was allowed to leave on loan. Earning a reported £12,000-a-week, the Bhoys could decide to cash in on the 24-year-old and help Malmo to realise a dream move in the process when the 2025 summer window arrives.

"Impressive" Lagerbielke is at a crossroads

Having made just three appearances whilst on loan at FC Twente so far this season, Lagerbielke’s struggles have only worsened since leaving Celtic for the season, giving him plenty to think about. At somewhat of a crossroads, a move back to Sweden and Malmo wouldn’t exactly be a bad route to take back to the top, with game time the most important factor in his next switch.

It certainly seems a long way back from here to break into Rodgers’ Celtic side in what has been an unexpected fall. It was, of course, only last year that the defender’s passing range was dubbed “impressive” by Celtic writer Ryan McGinlay as he began to find his feet in Scotland. Now, however, an exit seems the best solution for all parties.

As Celtic march towards yet another title in Scotland, on loan Lagerbielke must come to a decision on his future. After rejecting Malmo once, he may well decide to realise their dream should they come calling a second time in next summer’s transfer window.

Fast bowler keen to defy injury “stigma” ahead of likely MCG recall

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Dec-2021England were given “a kick up the bum” by Chris Silverwood, the head coach, in a post-match debrief after their 275-run defeat at Adelaide Oval, according to Mark Wood, who is set to return to the side for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.Joe Root was critical of his seamers post-match, suggesting that they “weren’t brave enough, at times, to get the ball up there and get them driving” and his comments were backed up by Silverwood on Tuesday.But reports have subsequently suggested that the batting group came in for heavy criticism during a dressing-room meeting in which several players were made to watch their dismissals on video.Wood said that there was no tension between England’s batters and bowlers, insisting that the squad are “all in it together” and “desperate to play better than we are”.Related

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“We probably needed it – a brutally honest discussion at the end of the game in the dressing room” Wood said on Wednesday. “Chris Silverwood spoke and put some footage up. Stokesy [Ben Stokes] and Rooty spoke honestly to the group about things we felt weren’t going well and what we’d do better.”It was a conversation that isn’t usual for us. It was a kick up the bum to say: ‘look, we are 2-0 down now, and the same mistakes keep on happening’. It was a good discussion. As a bowling group we can always get better – I just feel like with the batting, as we discussed in the meeting, these heavy collapses we keep having is what’s costing us Test matches.”It doesn’t feel like it’s a batters v bowlers thing, with all the batters in one corner giving snidey talk about the bowlers, and all the bowlers in the other corner snidey-talking about the batters. It’s not like that. We’re just desperate to play better than we are. We’re all in it together but we’re coming under a bit of fire at the minute for batting and bowling, because we’re getting soundly beaten.”Mark Wood impressed at the Gabba•Getty ImagesWood took 3 for 85 in Australia’s first innings in the first Test at the Gabba, regularly passing 90mph/145kph and taking the key wicket of Steven Smith, but was a surprise omission from an England attack that lacked variety at Adelaide.He looks certain to return to the side at the MCG, with Chris Woakes likely to miss out after taking three wickets at 76 apiece across the first two Tests, and Wood stressed that he is keen to lose the “stigma” of injury, insisting that his fitness work in recent years means he should be available for back-to-back Tests if required in the rest of the series.”I have managed to play back-to-back tests in the last couple of years,” he said. “It’s something I’ve worked hard at with my fitness. Obviously the times where I’ve broken down, I’ve tried my best to make them less and less [common].”I was ready to go if required for this game [the second Test] but the decision was made that I would be left out and I accept that. That was the decision made for this game. Selections are constantly made throughout the tour about what’s best for the team, whatever that might be, so there was no set plan.”I’ve tried to get that sort of stigma away from me where I can’t play back-to-back games. I’m trying to get away from that. Five Tests in a row, I don’t know if I could have stood up to that. But I was certainly going to try if selected, and it will be the same with the last three games. Hopefully my body holds up – it’s a constant conversation with physio, doctor, head coach and captain, trying to minimise risk.”If I do get the nod in Melbourne, that’s something you can say is special in your life and I can tell my son one day that I got up in front of that many people on a massive sporting occasion with everything on the line. If that’s the case then I’ll give everything I’ve got, 100%, charging in to try to get us the right result to get us back in the Ashes.”

Graeme Murty’s Sunderland U-21s had until last week endured a difficult start to the season. In their first five games in the Premier League 2, the Black Cats picked up just four points and were left dangling dangerously near the bottom of the table.

Things, however, have been looking up in recent weeks, with Murty’s side having won all of their last three games in all competitions. First, they beat Lyon Reserves in the Premier League International Cup, before they then thrashed Derby 6-0 in the league. Earlier this week, they then made it three wins on the trot with an impressive 3-2 victory over Huddersfield U-21s in the Premier League Cup.

One man who has been integral to Sunderland’s change in fortunes has been striker Aaron Connolly, who joined the club in late September on a one-year deal. He bagged a goal against Derby on his debut and then scored twice in the win over Huddersfield. Speaking after the victory at the John Smith’s Stadium, Murty expressed his delight at Connolly’s impact.

“He’s a very good finisher, you see that in training all the time, but for him to do that today and last week, as you said, it shows that he’s going to be a threat,” said the Scot. “He was supposed to come off at sixty [minutes], but he wanted to stay on which is brilliant for us and it’s a great example for the young players.”

Murty could leave soon

Earlier this week, National League side Hartepool United sacked manager Darren Sarll after just 15 games in charge. Under Sarll, the Pools had won just four of their 13 league games this season. The club currently sit 16th in the league as a result of their poor form.

After Sarll’s departure, it was suggested on social media that Hartlepool United were taking an interest in Murty. Those reports have now been addressed by BBC journalist Rob Law, who has shared an update on the chances of Murty filling the vacant position.

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“Understand the 49-year-old, who was born in Saltburn, has a desire to step back into a first team role & would be interested,” Law wrote in a post on X, the platform previously known as Twitter. Law added, however, that Murty “is just one name under consideration by the club”.

Murty’s managerial story

Murty, who spent most of his playing days with York City and Reading, moved into management in 2016 when he was appointed as the head coach of Scottish Premiership club Rangers’ development squad.

The following year, he stepped in twice as the first-team’s caretaker boss after the sackings of first Mark Warburton and David Weir then later Pedro Caixinha. After an impressive second spell as caretaker, he was then handed the role permanently until the end of the season. The former Scotland international was sacked before the campaign concluded, however, shortly after his side suffered an embarrassing 5-0 defeat at the hands of their biggest rivals, Celtic.

He later returned to his role in Rangers’ development squad before eventually leaving for Sunderland in 2022, where he’s since earned plaudits for his work with the U-21s.

Chelsea reportedly tried to hijack Tottenham Hotspur's move for Bayern Munich star Mathys Tel on transfer deadline day.

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Chelsea tried to hijack Spurs' move for TelFrenchman joined the club on loanBlues made a late approach for the forwardFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Spurs announced the signing of Tel on loan from Bayern Munich in the late hours of the deadline day. The Frenchman, who initially rejected the north London club's offer, finally joined them after the English side agreed on a short-term loan deal with an option to buy for €55 million (£45.7m/ $56.9m) with the Bavarian giants.

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Before his switch to Tottenham, top English clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal were keen on signing him. United negotiated with the Bundesliga big hitters but later backed out after hearing their demand for a £5m loan fee. The Blues reportedly tried to hijack the loan move and came up with an offer while Tel was waiting to fly out to join Spurs on deadline day. However, by then, Tel had agreed to join the north Londoners after a chat with manager Ange Postecoglou, according to .

DID YOU KNOW?

Since joining Postecoglou's side, the 19-year-old French sensation has revealed that his Bayern team-mate and Spurs legend Harry Kane played a big role in convincing him to move to the club. Chelsea signed Brazilian winger Willian in similar circumstances in 2013, snatching him from under Spurs' noses.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MATHYS TEL?

It remains to be seen if the teenager is handed his debut for his new club on Thursday as Spurs take on Liverpool in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash.

Former Pakistan captain undergoes angioplasty after complaining of chest pain

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Sep-2021Inzamam-ul-Haq, the former Pakistan captain and one of their all-time batting greats, has been discharged from the hospital after suffering a heart attack in Lahore. Inzamam underwent a successful angioplasty on Monday evening.Inzamam, who shot to global prominence during Pakistan’s World Cup winning 1992 campaign, had been complaining about chest pain over the last three days. Initial testing cleared him but tests on Monday revealed he had suffered a heart attack and had to be rushed for surgery. According to his agent, Inzamam was stable but under observation.Related

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Inzamam, 51, is Pakistan’s highest run-getter in ODIs with 11701 runs in 375 matches, and their third-highest in Tests with 8829 runs in 119 matches. He was also among the country’s most successful captains.He retired from the international game in 2007 and has since held several positions in Pakistan, as a batting consultant and then the chief selector from 2016 to 2019. He has also worked as head coach of Afghanistan.

The batter was confident that CA and the government would be able to find a solution

AAP01-Sep-2021

Marnus Labuschagne admits England’s concerns about this summer’s Ashes have merit but he fully expects a resolution will ensure he confronts a full-strength opposition.England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler has made it clear he would likely opt out of touring Australia if his family wasn’t able to be part of the trip, while captain Joe Root noted he is waiting for more information.The issue has been bubbling away in recent months, during which Cricket Australia has been in talks with state and federal governments.Ben Stokes has already taken an indefinite break from the sport, with CA and its English counterpart both worried about the impact of biosecurity bubbles on players’ mental health.Related

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Australia’s strict border policy is unlikely to be drastically eased by the end of this year, while interstate travel also remains clouded by Covid-19.Labuschagne couldn’t recall discussing the issue with Root and veteran paceman Jimmy Anderson, whom he crossed paths with while playing county cricket this year, bhe understood the tourists’ unease.”The welfare of players and making sure families can come out here is important,” Labuschagne told reporters in Brisbane. “You don’t need to be a cricketer to recognise the importance of making sure the mental health of all players is in a good space.”Especially with a T20 World Cup followed by an Ashes, it’s a really long four or five months.”But I have no doubt, between the government and Cricket Australia, we’ll be able to sort it out and get ourselves in a position where we can have a full-strength England against a full-strength Australia.”Injured spearhead Jofra Archer is already a confirmed omission but Labuschagne, steeled for his first home Ashes series, is keen to lock horns with 39-year-old Anderson.”Everyone out here wants to see Jimmy come to Australia,” he said.The future of coach Justin Langer was a topic of intense speculation in recent weeks but disgruntled players have seemingly agreed to move on for now.Labuschagne, who has gone from strength to strength under Langer since being thrust into the 2019 Lord’s Ashes Test as a concussion substitute, said “it’s never nice when it comes out like it has”.”It’s been spoken about, that it comes to a head now. Conversations have been had, we can all move forward,” he said.Labuschagne, speaking at the launch of a community cricket initiative in Brisbane, remained upbeat that Australia’s one-off Test against Afghanistan in Hobart will proceed as planned. It shapes as Australia’s first Test since losing to India in January.”We all want more Test cricket,” he said. “That’s not always possible.”