All posts by h716a5.icu

A number of the touring players – Archer, Broad and Leach among them – are unwell

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Dec-2019The Somerset duo of offspinner Dom Bess and medium-pacer Craig Overton have been called up to England’s Test squad ahead of the first Test against South Africa – starting on Boxing Day in Centurion – after a bug swept through the touring party, leaving a number of players unwell. The two are expected to reach Johannesburg on Saturday morning.As reported earlier, England’s tour match against South Africa A, which starts on Friday, was downgraded from first-class status because of the ongoing effects of illness in the line-up.Among those to have fallen ill were Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad and Jack Leach, none of whom travelled to the game. The ECB said in a statement that the match will be a “three-day friendly match with only 11 players batting or fielding at any point in time”.The call-ups highlight England’s level of concern ahead of the first Test after such a disrupted build-up. Leach travelled to New Zealand last month as the Test team’s first-choice spinner, but was left out in Hamilton and then hospitalised by a bout of gastroenteritis. Although legspinner Matt Parkinson is with the squad in South Africa, he has yet to play a Test and only appeared in four Championship games for Lancashire in 2019.Bess made his Test debut at Lord’s last year when Leach, his Somerset team-mate, suffered a broken finger. Although he has had to play the understudy role at Taunton, he provides more of an all-round option, having impressed with the bat during his two Tests against Pakistan.The call for Bess also confirms England’s cautious approach to plans for a Moeen Ali comeback. After being dropped during the summer, Moeen has taken an indefinite break from Test cricket and Ashley Giles, England director of men’s cricket, said earlier this week that the allrounder “needs to make sure he’s ready” before he is selected again.Overton, meanwhile, featured as recently as the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford in September. He will provide England with another seam-bowling option, amid concerns over the fitness of Broad and Archer and the fact James Anderson is only just back from a calf injury that ruled him out of the majority of the Ashes.

Aymeric Laporte sealed an emotional return to Athletic Club after FIFA overturned Al-Nassr’s deadline day mix-up to approve his La Liga registration.

FIFA reversed transfer delay after Al-Nassr errorDefender signed three-year deal until 2028Former Man City star rejoins childhood clubFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Spanish international has officially sealed his return to Athletic Club after FIFA approved the paperwork for his transfer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. The move, initially cancelled on deadline day due to the Saudi side submitting the paperwork late, was revived after the Athletic and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) appealed. FIFA has now given the green light, allowing the defender to be registered in La Liga.

The 31-year-old has signed a three-year contract and will wear the number 14 shirt. It marks a homecoming for Laporte, who came through Athletic’s youth system at Lezama and made 222 appearances during his first spell before joining Manchester City in 2018 for €65 million (£56m/$76m). After five trophy-laden years in England, he left for Al Nassr in 2023.

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For Laporte, the move is a personal and emotional full circle. He returns as a vastly experienced defender with Premier League and Champions League titles to his name. His comeback adds pedigree and stability to an Athletic side currently thriving under Ernesto Valverde, with the Basques sitting near the top of La Liga.

For Athletic, the deal is symbolic as well as strategic as Laporte’s return strengthens their defensive core at a crucial moment while underlining the club’s tradition of repatriating Basque players who made their names abroad. It also reflects the increasing tension between European football’s administrative systems and the Saudi Pro League’s growing transfer market, with FIFA’s intervention here offering a precedent for future disputes.

WHAT LAPORTE SAID

The defender emphasised both his personal joy and his motivation to contribute immediately to Athletic’s campaign, saying: "I'm very happy because this is everything I wanted. Thank you very much for the support. I'm very happy to be here. It's a very exciting season ahead with many matches ahead. I'm really looking forward to helping the team, stepping foot in San Mames, and hoping everything goes well."

Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT?

Athletic and Valverde need Laporte now more than ever after they found out this week that defender Yeray Alvarez has been suspended for 10 months after it was found he had used a banned substance, resulting in him failing a doping test in May. The Basque outfit face Deportivo Alaves on Saturday.

Charlie Eccleshare of The Athletic has suggested that Tottenham could go for an "amazing" late signing, amid reports they also still want Chelsea star Conor Gallagher.

Spurs could make third January move to cap off productive window

Following the arrivals of both Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin, there remain reports that Spurs could add a third new face to manager Ange Postecoglou's ranks.

Telegraph reporter says "most shocking" late Spurs signing "could happen"

It would be highly controversial.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 31, 2024

The Lilywhites' quick-fire deals for Werner and Dragusin, which were concluded at the start of this month, means chairman Daniel Levy and the Spurs recruitment team have had plenty of time to think about Tottenham's next move.

Timo Werner

Arrival (RB Leipzig, loan)

Radu Dragusin

Arrival (Genoa, permanent)

Djed Spence

Departure (Genoa, loan)

Japhet Tanganga

Departure (Millwall, loan)

Ashley Phillips

Departure (Plymouth, loan)

Sergio Reguilon

Departure (Brentford, loan)

Eric Dier

Departure (Bayern, loan)

Ivan Perisic

Departure (Hajduk Split, loan)

The addition of a new midfielder is particularly one to look out for, especially as Postecoglou's side have been repeatedly linked with the signing of Chelsea star Conor Gallagher. The England international has starred under Mauricio Pochettino over his 20 Premier League starts so far, ranking as Chelsea's best-performing player per 90 according to WhoScored.

Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has even claimed that Tottenham are in talks to sign Gallagher, while Telegraph reporter Luke Edwards backs the transfer could still happen so close to deadline day.

Another player they've been linked with in recent days is Aston Villa starlet Jacob Ramsey. As per reliable The Athletic correspondent David Ornstein, Spurs have expressed a desire to sign the 22-year-old, who is apparently valued at around £50 million.

Tottenham pull off "amazing signing" with Ramsey

Speaking on The View From The Lane podcast, fellow The Athletic reporter Eccleshare has also claimed that Ramsey to Tottenham is one to "keep an eye" on in the next 36 hours.

Eccleshare believes Tottenham could pull off an "amazing signing" with Ramsey, and it isn't ruled out because Villa need to sell in an effort to comply with FFP.

“We’ve reported this [Monday] morning an interest in Jacob Ramsey which would be an amazing signing," said Eccleshare.

“It would be an expensive one but Villa need the money for FFP. So, that’s one to keep an eye on.”

The Englishman has made 11 league appearances under Unai Emery so far this season, scoring once, with former boss Steven Gerrard tipping him to become a top player.

"He is a top talent, I’m loving every moment of working with him. He is getting stronger with each game because we’re giving him the platform to express himself. He is in a wonderful place," said Gerrard to TNT Sports.

"Jacob Ramsey is Jacob Ramsey. He will be a terrific player. It won’t be long before the whole country is watching him I’m sure. He is right up there, let me tell you.”

Ex-managing director Fabio Paratici, who is said to still advise Tottenham regularly off-the-field, has more words of wisdom for chairman Daniel Levy.

Paratici's active consultancy role for Spurs

Last year, Paratici was forced to officially resign as the club's leading transfer chief following his 30-month worldwide FIFA ban from all footballing activities.

"Fantastic" player's camp think he's eventually going to play for Tottenham

People around him are thinking of a north London switch.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 27, 2024

The Italian, who played a key role in securing deals for popular members of Ange Postecoglou's squad, like Destiny Udogie, Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur among others, does however remain influential.

Paratici apparently pulled the strings in a move for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who's enjoyed an absolutely brilliant debut season as one of the Premier League's most consistent shot-stoppers.

The 51-year-old's unofficial role is on a consultancy basis, meaning he can still lend a small hand in Spurs' transfer pursuits.

Chief Football Officer Scott Munn currently oversees the Lilywhites' footballing recruitment, with new technical director Johan Lange assuming a similar role to that of Paratici's former post.

Timo Werner

Arrival

Radu Dragusin

Arrival

Eric Dier

Exit

Djed Spence

Exit

Ashley Phillips

Exit

Sergio Reguilon

Exit

Japhet Tanganga

Exit

Ivan Perisic

Exit

This comes amid Tottenham's widely reported hunt for another central midfielder if Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg leaves, with links still surrounding Chelsea star Conor Gallagher.

Spurs are still firm admirers of Gallagher and could make a move before deadline day, but as time runs out and Chelsea's demands are said to be high, the club also have alternative names on the agenda.

One of them is Atalanta star Ederson, with a report by Corriere Torino sharing an update on their fondness for the Brazilian.

Paratici tells Spurs to sign Ederson with an approach made

According to the Italian news outlet, as relayed by Sport Witness, Paratici has personally recommended Ederson to Spurs and an approach has been made for him.

Juventus are also said to be keen on the 24-year-old who's been a key player for Atalanta, so Tottenham potentially beating them to his signature, courtesy of Juve's ex-transfer chief, would be a sore one to take from the Old Lady's perspective.

The South American is among Atalanta's best-performing players per 90, according to WhoScored, not to mention their chief attackers in terms of goals and assists.

Former Atalanta striker German Denis even went as far as to call Ederson the club's "most important player" right now.

“He is the most important player, the one who can never be missing among the starters," said Denis in an interview with Corriere di Bergamo (via Atalantini.online).

"I like this year a lot, he has improved and does a lot of work in midfield, both in the defensive and offensive phases. Muriel? Lucho is the second player I like the most because when he is in shape he turns the game around, he has great quality shots and intuitions, he is fun."

Travis Head made a positive 89 but the home side’s hopes were forlorn from the start and it was over shortly after tea

Tristan Lavalette25-Nov-2024Completing a remarkable turnaround, India wrapped up a famous Test victory at Optus Stadium with a 295-run victory over Australia in a one-sided result set to cause aftershocks in the latest tussle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.The result was essentially a formality throughout the fourth day despite counterattacking knocks from Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh. India’s deserved victory was official just after tea when Harshit Rana knocked over Alex Carey as they drew first blood in the five-match series.Related

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Gambhir to miss tour game in Canberra for personal reasons

'Be nice, be disciplined, have no fear' – How Bumrah masterminded India's Perth rout

Jaiswal raises a ceiling that was already sky high

It was a memorable performance from India, who drew on a heroic effort from stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah. He claimed eight wickets for the match, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli produced outstanding centuries in India’s second innings to decimate a flagging Australia.India had largely been written off after an unprecedented 3-0 home whitewash against New Zealand. They entered the series-opener without having played an official match on tour and were shorthanded without captain Rohit Sharma and injured batter Shubman Gill.Under intense pressure, coach Gautam Gambhir made the right moves and the brave selection calls, which included veteran spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja being left out, were vindicated.Bumrah, particularly, deserves a lot of credit for galvanising a new-look team and he led from the front with a mesmerising spell late on day one to haul India back into the match after they had been bundled out for 150 having won the toss.Usman Khawaja fell to a miscued hook•Getty ImagesThere is set to be recriminations for Australia, who underwhelmed in their first Test since March’s New Zealand tour. There will be questions raised over the limited preparations of a number of players.Australia’s misfiring top-order will be particularly under the spotlight, especially No. 3 Marnus Labuschagne who scored 5 runs in the match to continue a lengthy form slump.Having started so well on the opening day, Australia’s bowling wilted in India’s second innings with captain Pat Cummins enduring a rare off match. Cummins had not played a red-ball match since March, preferring his series build-up through three 50-over games in the lead-up, and he finished with the modest match figures of 3 for 153 from 40.4 overs.Australia appeared flummoxed with the changing conditions of the pitch, which was spicy on day one before flattening out for most of day two and three. Cracks did widen as the match wore on and created up-and-down bounce to make batting difficult on the fourth day.Resuming at 12 for 3, after a disastrous start amid the shadows late on day three, Australia confronted an India attack eyeing to finish things off quickly.Australia’s hopes of chasing down a record 534 runs were forlorn but they aimed to at least muster some spirit which had seemingly been broken over the last couple of days.After a golden duck in the first innings, having returned to his favoured No. 4 position, Steven Smith fronted up to his nemesis Bumrah, who on the first ball of the day’s play had a loud lbw appeal turned down although in an anti-climax it was a no-ball.Travis Head edged behind for an excellent 89•Getty ImagesSmith was relieved when he got off the mark on his fourth delivery with a trademark drive through the covers. But Australia’s woes reared in the next over after opener Usman Khawaja fell off the first short ball of the day’s play when he top-edged quick Mohammed Siraj and was caught by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant running back.Having had lbw issues recently, Smith made a technical adjustment and his trigger movement was not as pronounced as in the first innings when Bumrah pinned him in front of the stumps. Smith still faced a battle and copped a painful blow in the ribs from debutant quick Rana that left him on his back and in agony.He bravely continued batting and combined well with Head, who backed his aggressive instincts and counterattacked as they produced Australia’s first half-century partnership of the match.India dried up the scoring for Smith with Bumrah packing the legside with fielders as pressure built. Smith’s 60-ball resistance ended when he nicked off a superb back of a length delivery from a pumped-up Siraj that straightened off the seam and caught the edge.After a tough return to bowling, where his modestly-paced seamers were treated with disdain on day three by India’s batters, Marsh hoped to finish his home Test match strongly.He was all at sea before the lunch break and hit on the gloves several times but managed to hang in. Marsh and Head, who both entered the match with a limited build-up having been on paternity leave, made batting look relatively easy after the interval in a time of day that had been the best for batting through the match.Head motored towards a century and as per usual attacked any width and continually flayed through the offside, while Marsh struck several lusty aerial blows in a speedy half-century partnership.But Bumrah returned and he produced a superb back of a length delivery that caught Head’s edge on 89 and prompted impassioned celebrations from Kohli.Marsh also missed a milestone when on 47 he chopped on to allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who capped an impressive debut with his first Test wicket.Mitchell Starc was sharply held at short leg, giving Washington Sundar his first wicket of the match, and it wasn’t long before India claimed a victory they will savour for some time as the pressure starts to intensify on Australia.

Alexander Isak's agent Vlado Lemic has taken a brutal swipe at Newcastle after helping the striker push through his long-awaited move to Liverpool on deadline day. The Reds broke the British transfer record by paying £125m ($169m) to sign Isak, bringing to an end a transfer saga that dominated the summer window.

Isak's agent aims dig at NewcastleStriker finally completed his Anfield moveLiverpool broke the British transfer record Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Isak spent the entire summer pushing for a move away from St James’ Park. He effectively went on strike at one stage, as he stayed away from training and worked by himself. He even went public with his desire to end his relationship with the Magpies. The move finally happened on deadline day when Newcastle sanctioned the striker's record-breaking transfer to Anfield.

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With the record move now sealed, Isak's agent Vlado Lemic has seemingly taken a brutal swipe at the Magpies over their handling of the entire episode during the summer window. 

WHAT ISAK'S AGENT SAID

Lemic sent a cryptic message to , which was read out by host Jim White on the White and Jordan show. It read: "It's nice when you have someone to be with, but it is even nicer when you know who you will never be with again."

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ISAK?

Right now, Isak is on international duty and set to feature for Sweden in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo on September 5 and 8, respectively. The striker could make his Liverpool debut once club football returns in a Premier League clash with Burnley on September 14. 

Somerset batsman talks about his breakthrough 2019 and white-ball ambitions

Matt Roller10-Dec-2019Eighteen months ago, Tom Abell was part way through his fifth season in the Somerset first team with just 13 T20 runs to his name. Now, he is Bangladesh-bound for his first taste of franchise cricket with Rangpur Rangers at the BPL, having reinvented himself as a middle-order accelerator in the shortest form.After a useful run with the bat in 2018, Abell’s limitations as a T20 player were exposed in a televised game at Canterbury at the end of the group stage. Chasing an imposing 231 to win, Abell eked out 21 not out from 18 balls, eating up the time left for captain Lewis Gregory to close the game out; Gregory ended unbeaten on 44 off just 15 balls, but Somerset fell five runs short.This season, he was a player transformed, scoring quicker than any other batsman in the competition other than AB de Villiers (minimum 200 runs) and almost doubling his scoring rate against seamers.