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You can disagree with the solution the ECB have come up with, but you can’t fault the urgency

Andrew Miller03-Oct-2019Cricket’s administrators love a good warehouse, don’t they? From England’s kit launch in the Tobacco Docks in May, to the arrival of the World Cup captains on the set of Dragons’ Den later that month, and now back to that favoured hub of multiculturalism, Brick Lane, where the World Cup countdown had been set in motion back in 2018, the urban-chic metaphors were once again climbing the exposed brick walls as The Hundred took its most decisive step yet into existence.Bedecked with funky lights and blocky fonts to fit the brutalist surroundings, the day’s chosen venue was awash, quite literally, with snackable content. There were casually scattered team-branded helmets on the floors, and actual bowls of crisps and popcorn on every surface, as KP flexed its brand muscles and showed the gathered media that its sponsorship of the ECB’s newest innovation wasn’t merely a chance to have a very public giggle at one of the ECB’s oldest betes noires.But on this, the morning after the night before that was the PCA Awards dinner, England’s icon players looked more in need of bacon than Butterkist – not least the heroically hungover Chris Woakes – as they rocked up to give their collective blessing to cricket’s latest edge towards edginess.ALSO READ: Russell, Maxwell but no de Villiers for main draftThe timing of this event was cruel but apposite for the players, for Woakes’ eyes in particular bore testimony to the japes that had carried on into the small hours at the Roundhouse in Camden, where cricket’s glitzy end-of-season bash had had more than your average summer to celebrate in 2019.And thus, as he fronted up in his new team’s garish orange-and-red kit – a “grower”, as he obligingly put it – Woakes and his partied-out team-mates were already galloping gamely into the brave new world that awaits in the transformative summer of 2020.The Hundred. It Is Coming. And that is a fact which will continue to cleave the sport like a Brexit referendum. For some, this morning’s unveiling was the opening of a new portal to hell; for others (mostly, but not exclusively, in the ECB high command) it was the most concrete development yet in a project that is as exciting as it is agenda-setting and, as some would claim, essential for the long-term health of the game.Jason Roy models the Oval Invincibles’ kit•Getty ImagesAs for the rest of those who know and love the sport in its current guise, the whole shebang remains deeply and uncomfortably conflicting – like the feeling I got as a kid, when Angus Fraser and Robin Smith were dropped for the 1994-95 Ashes tour and I briefly found myself wishing unspeakable and damning ills to befall a team that I could no longer call my own.It didn’t last, of course (my antipathy, that is, not English cricket’s ills – those cracked on for another decade of Ashes misery) and that is the hope, or rather expectation, in and around the sport at this critical juncture.The ECB’s fervent belief is that, once the angst and the anger has subsided by this time next year, all that will remain is a top-class cricket tournament that gives some TLC to a sport that truly does need it – whatever you think of the existing merits of the county structure, and no matter how extraordinarily successful England’s overworked elite players were in framing the zeitgeist this summer.Chris Woakes of Birmingham Phoenix, one of the eight new teams competing in The Hundred•Getty ImagesFor the hosting of the World Cup was a once-in-two-decades opportunity, and the manner in which the trophy was won was a once-in-a-lifetime miracle. As in 2005, on the eve of cricket’s disappearance from terrestrial TV, the sport got extraordinarily lucky at precisely the moment it needed it the most, and then as now, the ripple effect will be sufficient to sustain the game for the next five years at least.But after that, where does the sport’s next adrenalin shot come from? For, as the administrators have clumsily tried to explain for the best part of 18 months, this really isn’t about those who already know what they like about cricket. It’s about those who might not otherwise engage with it, but will stumble upon the odd match when they are expecting to see Homes Under The Hammer on the BBC next summer – or who might find themselves listening with unexpected interest to what Eoin Morgan has to say when he pops up on The One Show or Newsround.And, in due course, it will be about those who pop out to the corner shop, or get the round in at the pub, or open their packed lunch on a school outing, and see cricketers being marketed on the backs of their packets of Skips, or Tyrells, or McCoys, or Pom-Bears (the toddlers’ gateway snack). Without wishing to pay undue homage to a corporate giant (or to gloss over its contribution to childhood obesity) it has been easy to overlook quite what leverage The Hundred’s title sponsor can offer to the fledging competition. With that calibre of stable-mate, and regardless of what else happens as this brave new world takes root next summer, it is not going to pass unnoticed.Does any of the above justify the “massive punt”, as Wisden put it, of shredding the fabric of the game to hand over the plum weeks of the English season to eight untested teams, and a format that has been played at a professional level in just a handful of trial runs? Self-evidently not. The only thing that is going to justify The Hundred’s creation is the quality of the competition. On that note, the condensation of eighteen teams to eight, and the who’s-who of international talent (India excepted for the most part, of course) that will make up the draft next month will form the truest means to whet the appetite.ALSO READ: Harbhajan Singh throws hat into Hundred ringThat is not to say, however, that the animosity that already exists will be easily glossed over. I know colleagues who simply will never forgive the betrayal that has brought the game to this point, and as for the gaffe-ridden shambles that has been The Hundred’s PR, it simply beggars belief that so many errors can be made so often by so few. Even Thursday’s pre-announcement “sizzle reel” couldn’t help but join the catastro-shambles, spluttering into three false starts like a petrol-starved Trabant as the assembled media arched those habitually cynical eyebrows once more.But, once again, it’s necessary to stop and breathe, and remember. It’s not about us. It’s not about people who will read this take of The Hundred’s latest developments, and sigh. It’s about people who don’t yet know what they want from a game that has never previously appealed to them, and who won’t instinctively know, for instance, that the Nathan Barley-esque hipster-wibble that screeches out of The Hundred’s vapidly awful website is contrived nonsense.Or is even that another observation that misses the point? Perhaps, as they announced on Thursday afternoon, Welsh Fire’s “hunger will prove the haters wrong” (even those from Somerset and Gloucestershire?). Maybe Manchester Originals are able to “laugh in the face of limits”, maybe Trent Rockets’ “volume [is] up, ready for launch”, whatever TF that means.Joe Root of Trent Rockets, one of the eight new teams that competing in The Hundred•Getty ImagesIt’s scary to look at such witterings objectively and realise that the sport has no option but to wish this new enterprise well, but it seems also that it is a vital part of the process. According to the American social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, interviewed on the BBC’s Politics Live show on Thursday morning, the world has become so polarised in the social media era that we will “never again” have a shared sense of what is good, bad or downright ugly.And if Haidt’s analysis had in mind global events rather more weighty than a salty-bar-snack-themed cricket competition, then the fury that The Hundred has generated is an interesting test case – and certainly a telling rejoinder to the sort of unequivocal joy that this country felt when Jos Buttler whipped off those bails at Lord’s, or when Ben Stokes belted that drive through the covers at Headingley.We can only hope to feel that sort of communion again, and we surely will given half a chance. But it will not happen if the sport’s relevance in the interim dwindles to vanishing point. That is the point of The Hundred. You can disagree with the solution the ECB have come up with, but you can’t fault the realisation that the status quo is unsustainable.Well, obviously, you can… and you can point out until you are blue in the face the strategic errors that holed the sport beneath the waterline in the early 2000s, and left it relying on miracle matches to keep the sport’s fires burning in the interim. But it’s probably time to start gargling the kool-aid, and accepting that what will be will be. Because this is the chosen path to a brighter future, and there is genuinely no going back from here.

GOAL runs through the top talents prevented from realising their full potential by persistent fitness problems

We sometimes forget how precarious the life of footballer can be. One moment of misfortune can shorten, ruin or even end a career – and there's nothing sadder than seeing a truly exceptional talent sidelined by injury.

Of course, some players are punished for failing to properly look after themselves, while others are just plain unfortunate, cursed with bodies incapable of coping with the rigours of the modern game.

Below, GOAL runs through some of the most high-profile victims of persistent fitness problems, from teenage prodigies prevented from realising their full potential, to stars that simply faded after incessant injury issues…

Getty14Jonathan Woodgate

Woodgate's Real Madrid debut is obviously the stuff of footballing infamy: after spending the first 17 months of his spell at Santiago Bernabeu sidelined by injury, the English defender belatedly introduced himself to the club's supporters with an own goal and a red card for a second bookable offence.

However, there's a reason why Madrid had taken a gamble on Woodgate in the first place: he was, when fully fit, an excellent centre-back – he had proved that during the early days of his breakthrough at Leeds United.

Unfortunately, he never stayed fit long enough to make the most of his obvious ability. There were some highlights along the way, most notably the winning goal for Tottenham in their League Cup win over Chelsea in 2008, but it's telling that he only played 30 or more league games twice between 2000 and 2016.

What really killed him, though, was being restricted to just 14 appearances for Madrid. "When I look back on my career, that gets to me, more than anything," he told the podcast. "Because you’re on the biggest stage… And my body let me down."

AdvertisementGetty13Yoann Gourcuff

After Gourcuff had inspired Bordeaux to a league-and-cup double in 2009, labelled the attacking midfielder 'Le Successeur', Zinedine Zidane's undisputed heir.

Even one of Zizou's former team-mates agreed. "I felt ill when Zidane retired," Christophe Dugarry admitted. "Watching Gourcuff has cured me." Unfortunately, there was no remedy for Gourcuff's many mental and physical issues.

By the time of his rebirth at Bordeaux, he had already flopped at AC Milan, Paolo Maldini argued, because "there was a problem with his behaviour", with the iconic defender castigating the Frenchman for failing to make any kind of effort to integrate.

After then making a historic move to Lyon in 2010, Gourcuff was plagued by injuries, some of which it was argued were psychosomatic. Certainly, some of his coaches and team-mates were never fully convinced by the severity of some of the ailments, which included hurting his hand after getting high-fived by Alexandre Lacazette, and spraining his ankle while walking his dog.

In the end, one of France's finest prospects retired at 34 – after more than a year without a club.

Getty12Abou Diaby

Both Arsenal and France fans were so excited by Diaby's form during his first six months in north London. They all felt that they had 'The new Patrick Vieira' on their hands.

Unfortunately, Diaby never hit those heights. In injury-time at the end of a 3-0 win at Sunderland in May 2006, the midfielder was on the receiving end of a horrendous and completely unnecessary challenge from Dan Smith. Diaby was left screaming on the pitch in agony, having suffered a severe ankle fracture that would require three operations and eight months of rehabilitation.

Diaby eventually returned in January 2007, but not at the same level and ultimately spent more than half of his remaining years at Arsenal sidelined by injury, with former manager Arsene Wenger subsequently stating on that his compatriot's hopes of reaching the very pinnacle of the profession had been "destroyed" by "an assassin's tackle".

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Getty11Louis Saha

Sir Alex Ferguson essentially admitted that he signed Louis Saha from Fulham primarily because every time the Frenchman faced Manchester United, "he gave us a doing".

"Of all the centre-forwards we employed," the legendary manager later wrote in his autobiography, "when you talk about their talents (two-footed, good in the air, spring, speed, power), Saha would be one of the best. He posed a perpetual threat."

Only when fully fit, though. Saha made a sensational start to his Old Trafford career, showing exactly why United had agreed to pay £12.4 million ($15.5m) for his services by scoring seven times in his first 14 appearances.

However, then the injuries began to arrive and Saha felt so bad about his regular spells on the sidelines that he used to text Ferguson apologising for his absences. The Scot was sympathetic to Saha's plight, but eventually allowed Saha to join Everton in 2008.

Ferguson explained, "The reason for selling him was that no matter how talented he was, I could never plan around him."

BCCI ethics officer “dismissed” the complaint filed against Dravid because it was “bereft of merit”

Nagraj Gollapudi14-Nov-2019Former India captain Rahul Dravid has been cleared of conflict of interest charges by the BCCI ethics officer Justice (retd.) DK Jain. Justice Jain issued the order on Thursday after conducting two hearings in response to a complaint filed by Sanjeev Gupta, a life member of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA).Gupta had alleged that Dravid, who was appointed the director of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) this July by the BCCI, was guilty of conflict of interest because he was occupying more than one post at the time, which was not permitted as per the board’s rules. The second post that Dravid was serving, Gupta said in his complaint, was as vice-president of India Cements Pvt. Ltd, which he claimed had ties with the Chennai Super Kings franchise in the IPL.However, in his order, Justice Jain said “a case of conflict” against Dravid could not be made and hence he had “dismissed” the complaint because it was “bereft of merit.”In the order, Justice Jain noted that Dravid had rejected the allegation straightaway, in a written response on August 9. Dravid told Justice Jain that on the “advice” of BCCI and to “avoid any kind of conflict of interest” he had taken “leave of absence” without salary from India Cements during his stint at the NCA. Dravid pointed out that he had been an employee of Indian Cements for two decades, but never had “any connection, relationship or obligation” towards the Super Kings.The BCCI also told Justice Jain that the Super Kings franchise was run by Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd., registered in 2013 under the Indian Companies Act. It had nothing to do with India Cements, which was an independent entity. Hence, the BCCI said Dravid could not be an employee of the Super Kings, as Gupta had alleged.”He (Dravid) has asserted that his employment with India Cements Limited, is not and cannot be construed as an employment with the CSK franchisee, regardless of any relationship between the two entities, viz India Cements Limited and Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd.,” the order said. “He has further pleaded that at no point in time, has he been a “Team Official” of CSK.”Gupta, however, did not accept that. At the hearing on September 26 in Mumbai, Gupta told Justice Jain that Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd. was a “wholly owned subsidiary” of India Cements with “some” of the directors sitting on boards of both firms. Gupta said “a mere change in nomenclature” could not absolve Dravid of the conflict of interest allegation.The ethics officer was clear about one thing. “The concept of ‘conflict of interest’, is not necessarily a question about something one does or intends to do but a question of what one can possibly or potentially do,” Justice Jain said in his order.Justice Jain even referred to the judgments he had served in the cases concerning two of Dravid’s former India team-mates – Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, both of whom were held guilty of conflict. The complaint against Ganguly had been filed by more than one member of the public, while Gupta had pressed the conflict charge against Laxman.Justice Jain pointed out that Ganguly and Laxman suffered from “tractable conflict” and fell foul of the one-man-one-post rule stated in the BCCI constitution.Dravid’s case allowed him to examine the rules deeper. “For examining an instance of ‘conflict of interest”, mere holding of posts by an individual associated with the BCCI may not per-se be sufficient for arriving at the conclusion of existence of ‘conflict of interest’,” Justice Jain said in the order. “But whether holding of such post(s) gives rise to ‘conflict of interest’ or not must also be tested on the anvil of reasonable apprehensions of, or actual favoritism, lack of objectivity, bias, benefits, etc., as contemplated in the definition of ‘conflict of interest’.”Accordingly, Justice Jain needed to test whether the two posts Dravid held “give rise to an apprehension of, lack of objectivity or bias” in each of those positions. “At least, I am unable to fathom any such circumstance (none has even been pointed out by the Complainant), which would come in the way of Mr. Rahul Dravid in fairly discharging his duties as a ‘Team Official’, without being influenced or influencing, in any manner, as a person who is in governance, management or employment of a franchisee or vice versa.”According to Justice Jain, to avoid any complications at the behest of the BCCI, Dravid had handed a written copy from Indian Cements giving a leave of absence until he was employed by the board.

Newcastle United are eyeing up a move for a young, high-potential striker as they look to bolster their ranks this summer, it has been reported.

Newcastle's Financial Fair Play concerns

Looking likely to miss out on European football this season as things stand, Eddie Howe's side could soon be toeing a tightrope when it comes to Financial Fair Play this summer. CEO Darren Eales has previously confirmed that the Premier League regulations may have to see them part ways with some of their stars, including Bruno Guimaraes.

Club may trigger release clause to sign "exceptional" Newcastle star

What a blow this could be for the Magpies this summer.

ByHenry Jackson Mar 12, 2024

"It's just the nature of the beast. If you trade players on it creates more headroom . You have to keep growing that headroom, increasing commercial revenue and player trading.

"Whether that is because of the contract length of the player in question, the offer is too good to refuse, you need to reload in certain areas, but all of this could make sense to trade that player."

But a wider part of the Newcastle strategy has been to recruit young stars; Valentino Livramento and Lewis Hall are both examples of that at full-back, while Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali (both 23 years of age) show a clear plan for long-term success.

Elsewhere, they have signed talented winger Garang Kuol, who is currently on loan in the Netherlands and is expected to have a future on Tyneside. Now, they are hoping to repeat that success at centre-forward.

Newcastle eyeing new forward

Now they look set to continue that trend elsewhere in the squad. As per journalist Pete O'Rourke, though no specific names have been earmarked for a move to St James' Park this summer, there is a clear plan in place at the top of the pitch.

The Magpies will look to sign a 'young high-potential centre-forward' who can provide cover and later competition for Alexander Isak, though it is added that 'the talent level of any incoming forward would depend on the club’s summer budget'.

Of course, Howe can currently call upon Isak as well as former Callum Wilson, but the latter has declined in recent seasons and is becoming increasingly susceptible to injuries.

Callum Wilson form

PL 22/23

PL 23/24

Appearances

31

16

Goals

18

7

Assists

5

1

Min per goal

104.7

122

Games missed

6

13

Shots on target per 90

3.36

3.03

As a result, Wilson could end up leaving this summer, having been put up for sale to no success in January. Isak too is reportedly the subject of interest from Arsenal, who tried to sign him during his time at Real Sociedad, but no concrete proposals have been made.

In an ideal world, a new striker could come in as a direct replacement for Wilson, allowing the Magpies to rejuvenate their frontline with a younger and more available option, all while keeping within FFP rules. Now, the hunt is on to find who that striker is.

Alexi Lalas has blasted the USMNT's 'inferiority complex' after their humiliating Copa America exit.

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USMNT eliminated in group stagesLost to Panama and UruguayLalas savages culture in countryWHAT HAPPENED?

The USMNT lost to Uruguay and Panama in the group stages of the Copa America, having opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Bolivia. Their humiliating exit led to the departure of Gregg Berhalter as coach, and Lalas has now taken aim at the culture in the country, insisting an "inferiority complex" is to blame for their recent struggles, as fans "degrade" their best players.

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The USMNT are ranked 11th in the world by FIFA; by comparison, Panama are 43rd and Uruguay are 14th. Although they won the CONCACAF Nations League in March, their most recent tournament showing may see them tumble down the standings.

WHAT LALAS SAID

Lalas wrote on X: "Our American soccer insecurity and inferiority complex is nothing new. We've long degraded/devalued our own American soccer players, coaches, and culture out of some misguided belief that our relative late entry into the world's game somehow makes us unworthy. We need to stop."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

The USMNT must find a new manager before their next fixture on September 8, when they play Canada in a friendly. They have already been turned down by ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp after making contact with the German.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been fantastic this season, despite crashing out of the FA Cup to Championship side Coventry City last time out.

Their main improvement from last season has been their ability to find the back of the net more frequently, scoring 11 more goals than last campaign already.

The appointment of Gary O’Neil as manager has certainly played a huge role in getting the side firing again, while even showing the courage to utilise young talent.

However, away from the club, the Wanderers also have an extremely talented prospect thriving who has the potential to replace Nelson Semedo.

Nelson Semedo’s 2023/24 campaign in numbers

Since joining Wolves in 2020 from Barcelona in a huge £36.8m deal, Semedo has been the first-choice right back under every manager, making 136 appearances for the Wanderers.

This season under O’Neil, the speedy fullback has started 27 Premier League games, making 2.3 tackles per game and helping his side to four clean sheets.

However, despite playing as an attacking wingback who’s tasked with providing support in the final third, the Portuguese ace has failed to score all season and only registered one assist.

Unlike the 30-year-old, a current Wolves loanee who’s been on fire in Switzerland this season could just be an upgrade on Semedo, especially considering the former Porto man is the club’s second-highest earner at £80k-per-week.

Wolves academy grad could become Joao Gomes' dream partner

Wolves may have an ideal future partner for Gomes in 21-year-old who is out on loan

ByRoss Kilvington Mar 25, 2024 The Wolves loanee who could replace Semedo

In July 2021, Wolves signed 21-year-old right-back Bendeguz Bolla from Hungarian top-flight side Fehervar FC in a deal worth £800k.

The defender was instantly sent on loan to Swiss side Grasshoppers following his move to England, where he played 66 games, scoring six times and registering seven assists.

In the summer, Bolla was tipped to return to Wolves and play a role to some degree this season, with journalist Bence Bocsak labelling the 24-year-old a “top talent.”

Instead, the childhood friend of Dominik Szoboszlai was sent back to Switzerland, this time joining UEFA Europa League side Servette on a season-long loan with the option to buy, and based on his performances this season, Wolves are now in danger of losing a potential Semedo upgrade who has not played a single minute for Wolves since joining.

Goals

1

Assists

1

Key passes

3

Pass accuracy

82%

Shots

3

Fouls won

3

Tackles

2

As you can see, Bolla’s recent performance against Stade Ls Ouchy in the Swiss Super League shows what he has the ability to produce, even beating Semedo’s Premier League goal contribution tally in one game.

The versatile defender can play on either flank as a full-back or a midfielder, but he is best suited to a wing-back role, which allows him to score goals, create, and help out defensively.

In 33 games across all competitions this season, the Hungary international has picked up ten goal contributions, five goals, and five assists, which is obviously far superior to O’Neil’s current first-choice wing-back.

Overall, if Bolla continues to perform between now and the end of the season, Wolves will most definitely want to hand him a chance in pre-season, but given he’s now found his feet at Servette – and with the loan club possessing that option to buy – he may want to continue his development away from the Wanderers.

Fifties for Burns and Pope as England make most of batting practice in Benoni

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Dec-2019England 337 for 5 (Denly 103, Pope 70*, Burns 56) v South Africa AJoe Denly rose above the sickness that has swept through the England camp, and cemented his No. 3 credentials with a well-crafted century on the opening day of the team’s final warm-up match in Benoni.Denly was eventually run out for 103 from 192 balls, a solid innings featuring 15 fours and one that built on his steady displays in the New Zealand Tests last month. On his watch, England closed the first day on 337 for 5 – a decent work-out for a threadbare squad that has been gutted by a stomach bug in this past week.Denly’s innings did not, however, count as his 30th first-class hundred, as the match had been downgraded to a friendly to allow England’s stricken players more time to recover – in particular Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad and Jack Leach, all of whom stayed back at the team hotel instead of travelling to Benoni.It was, however, a chanceless display – Denly did not benefit from any of the four dropped catches that littered South Africa A’s fielding – and it showed tenacity too, as he was one of the many players who had been struggling going into the day’s play.”I don’t think I’ve had it quite as bad as some of the boys, just a mild case of man-flu, so I’m alright now,” said Denly at the close. “It was quite a sapping heat out there today so I was a bit tired by the end, but I’ve loaded up on medication and vitamins and I feel alright now.”England chose to bat first and were given a solid start to their day’s work when Rory Burns and Dom Sibley added 60 for the first wicket inside the first 20 overs. But the introduction of Andile Phehlukwayo broke the stand, as Sibley was bowled by his fourth ball of the day for 22.Burns brought up a measured half-century shortly before lunch, but he was prised out by the second ball after the resumption, as Phehlukwayo found his outside edge on 56, for Kyle Verreyne to take a fine diving catch, one-handed to his left.Joe Root didn’t hang around for long – he was the next to fall for 12, one ball after being dropped on the slog-sweep off Dane Piedt, as Nandre Burger found his outside edge for Reeza Hendricks to cling on at slip.But Ben Stokes gained some useful time in the middle in a third-wicket stand of 82, although he too had a lucky let-off when he top-edged a bouncer to fine leg on 46. One run later, however, he took on Lutho Sipamla with a big mow down the ground, but failed to clear Dane Piedt at long-off.His departure at 207 for 4 gave Ollie Pope a chance to spend some useful time in the middle, and he didn’t disappoint, showing impressive fluency in reaching 70 not out from 87 balls by the close, with Jos Buttler alongside him on 16.Despite the reduced status of the match, Denly’s innings was his first century in England colours, a feat which didn’t go unnoticed, although he was simply pleased to be in a decent vein of form leading up to the Boxing Day Test.”It’s nice to get that first one, obviously it’s not a Test match, but a hundred’s a hundred and in the couple of games I’ve played I’ve managed to spend some time at the crease, so I feel good,” he said. “There wasn’t too much seam movement for the bowlers and it was a slow wicket too so I took a bit of time to get used to the pace of the ball, but once you got in it was nice to play on.”Asked about the likelihood of England’s ill bowlers featuring at any stage of the match, Denly said that he would have to defer to the team’s medical staff, but remained optimistic that they’ll be fit and ready for Boxing Day.”I suppose it’s not ideal for those guys not to have taken part, but hopefully they’ve rested up well,” he said. “They’ve all played enough cricket to hopefully come back stronger over the next few days. They are on the mend, getting better each day, so we’ll see.”

Alphonso Davies has been made to wait as Real Madrid have reportedly agreed to a new contract with left-back Ferland Mendy.

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Real hand Mendy an extensionFrench defender to stay until 2027Davies keeps waiting for Los BlancosWHAT HAPPENED?

According to Los Blancos have agreed to keep the French defender at the Santiago Bernabeu until June 2027, with an option for an additional season. Mendy, whose current contract was due to expire in 2025, received the renewal offer from Real Madrid's hierarchy a few weeks ago and the defender is expected to formalize the agreement shortly after he returns from his vacation, following his participation in France's Euro 2024 campaign.

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The 2023-24 season marked a turning point in Mendy's career at Real Madrid. After struggling with injuries for a significant part of his tenure, Mendy regained his fitness and form, becoming the first-choice left-back under manager Carlo Ancelotti. His impressive performances have solidified his place in the team which has led Ancelotti to become a strong advocate for Mendy's continued presence at the club.

DID YOU KNOW?

While Mendy's contract extension ensures stability in the left-back position, Real Madrid's ambitions extend beyond retaining their current stars. The club are reportedly eyeing Bayern Munich's Davies who has a contract with the Bundesliga giants until 2025. Negotiations for an extension have stalled with Bayern despite the German club proposing a substantial pay increase, as it falls short of his demands of €20 million (£17m/$22m) per year.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

Mendy's resurgence and commitment to the club have been pivotal, ensuring his place in the team's future plans. He is likely to be back at Valdebebas after the first week of August, along with the latest Galactico Kylian Mbappe, as Ancelotti would look to field a full-strength XI against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup on August 14.

David Moyes has outlined Manchester United's biggest problem but he does not believe it has anything to do with either the manager or the players.

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Erik ten Hag stays on as Man Utd managerAiming for Champions League qualificationMoyes outlines major problem for DutchmanWHAT HAPPENED?

Moyes insists United have made the right decision to keep Erik ten Hag in post, despite there being rumours of the ex-Ajax boss losing his job at the start of the summer. However, he thinks the biggest problem faced by the club is their bitter rivals, Manchester City, rather than any members of their squad.

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United ultimately finished eighth in the Premier League, although they did win the FA Cup, and Moyes doubts they will be able to catch up with the champions, who are aiming to win their fifth successive title in 2024-25.

WHAT MOYES SAID

Moyes told William Hill's podcast Up Front With Simon Jordan: “Erik ten Hag is fighting it at the moment, but he’s done well given the massive amount of pressure on him. Sometimes issues with the manager are easy things for the players to use as excuses. Players at United used to have an unbelievable winning culture inside the club. Ten Hag has been fighting a battle for the past two years, and let’s not forget he’s won two trophies in that time. I admire him for his determination to fight back against the criticism.

“There was a situation in the summer where people are talking about the security of his job, and I disagree with that, I think it’s a horrible position to put the manager, he’s dealt with that with incredible dignity. He’s come back and is challenging and fighting, he wants to make it right.”

“Overall, United’s biggest problem isn’t their manager or their players, it’s Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.”

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United face Liverpool in their final pre-season friendly this weekend before taking on Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 10. Following that, Ten Hag's side kick off their Premier League campaign against Fulham.

Pakistan have lost eight of their last 10 T20Is, including a series defeat to Sri Lanka last October

The Preview by Mohammad Isam23-Jan-20202:51

When a bowler bowls 140-plus, nobody can ignore him – Haris Rauf

Big pictureThe sight of Bangladesh players walking down from their chartered aircraft at the Allama Iqbal Airport in Lahore, late on Wednesday evening, was an assuring sign for cricket lovers from both countries. Not too long ago, the tour was nearly called off after the BCB stuck to their position of only playing T20Is, while Pakistan sent a fresh proposal of only Tests.But it all changed dramatically when, over the course of a meeting in Dubai last week in the presence of ICC chairman Shashank Manohar, the two parties reached a deal. Bangladesh are on the first of three legs of touring Pakistan over the next three months, this time to only play the T20Is.Bangladesh will be without Mushfiqur Rahim, who opted out of the tour due to his family’s concerns, while five members of the coaching staff have also been excluded from the travelling party. It has unquestionably made Bangladesh a lesser side, with added responsibility on Tamim Iqbal and captain Mahmudullah. Bangladesh have an experienced pace attack to call upon, but lack a genuine spinner. The batting line-up has form, but needs careful organising and reshuffling.Bangladesh performed admirably in the T20Is in India in November, where only a sensational Deepak Chahar spell stood between them and a famous series win. The same cannot be said about Pakistan, however. They have lost eight of their last ten T20Is, including a series defeat to Sri Lanka at home in October last year.In the need to improve their record, the coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq has included some newcomers like Amad Butt, Ahsan Ali and Haris Rauf, as well as veterans Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik to beef up the batting line-up.Form guidePakistan LLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)Bangladesh LLWWWIn the spotlightSixteen wickets at a strike-rate of exactly ten, economy rate of 6.89 and 11.56 bowling average in the BBL has not only landed Haris Rauf a place in the Pakistan T20I side, but his tape-ball to BBL story has made fans quite excited to see him bowl at home.Mohammad Naim’s 81 against India in Bangladesh’s last T20I made heads turn, and he followed it up with an impressive BPL campaign for Rangpur Rangers. Naim, too, is a virtual unknown in Bangladesh cricket, but fans have noticed the youngster’s unassuming strokeplay.Team newsPakistan are going with a whole host of changes from the side that last played a T20I. Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik and Shaheen Afridi are likely to return while Ahsan Ali and Haris Rauf are set to be handed T20I debuts. Three places would obviously open up in the absence of Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir and Haris Sohail who don’t feature in the squad.Pakistan (possible): 1 Ahsan Ali, 2 Babar Azam, 3 Mohammad Hafeez, 4 Shoaib Malik, 5 Iftikhar Ahmed, 6 Imad Wasim, 7 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 8 Shadab Khan, 9 Haris Rauf, 10 Shaheen Afridi 11 Mohammad HasnainBangladesh’s team management will have a tough time replacing Mushfiqur Rahim, and maneuvering the five openers within the line-up. Coach Russell Domingo said a few days ago that many of them may have to bat out of position, although the bowling line-up is likely to be similar to the one that faced India in November.Bangladesh (possible): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Mohammad Naim, 3 Afif Hossain, 4 Liton Das (wk), 5 Mahmudullah (capt), 6 Soumya Sarkar, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Aminul Islam, 9 Shafiul Islam, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Al-Amin HossainPitch and conditionsThe brownish wicket is projected to be a belter, giving the chasing side enough of an advantage to go after even a 200-plus total. The weather forecast seems perfect, with a high of 17 degrees.Stats and trivia This will be only be the second T20 to be played during the day at the Gaddafi Stadium in the last six years. Only Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah have played in Pakistan from this current Bangladesh side. Mohammad Hafeez, who has made a comeback into the Pakistan T20I side, is 92 runs short of 2000 T20I runs, while Shadab Khan is four scalps away from 50 T20I wickets.