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Ross Taylor is confident New Zealand will carry on their good form against Pakistan

Abhishek Purohit in Pallekele22-Sep-2012Ross Taylor sat patiently in the back row of seats in the media briefing room at the Pallekele stadium, waiting for Mushfiqur Rahim and Brendon McCullum to finish the post-match press conference of the Bangladesh-New Zealand game. When Taylor’s turn to speak finally came, there were exactly two journalists left waiting to hear from the New Zealand captain ahead of the match against Pakistan, after the others had departed en masse. None of the two was from New Zealand. They aren’t an immensely followed side.That doesn’t stop them from making a mockery of predictions, especially in global events. One of them was that New Zealand would struggle against Bangladesh’s left-arm spinners. A McCullum century later, the focus had shifted to how New Zealand would combat the Pakistan spinners, who bring a lot more variety with them in the form of Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez.Taylor said New Zealand had the advantage of having already played on the Pallekele pitch, which hadn’t exactly helped spin. “Hafeez and Ajmal have got very good records in the last 12-18 months,” Taylor said. “We have had an insight into the wicket and how it has played at different times. And the confidence from the way we played [against Bangladesh], we’ll hopefully take into that. We prepared really well for the Bangladesh game and I’m sure we’ll do the same against Pakistan.”Taylor was asked whether Pallekele, with its high altitude and largely cloudy climate, was better suited to New Zealand compared to the two subcontinent teams in their group. “I’m not sure,” Taylor said. “It didn’t spin as much as we thought it might. When you play a second time on it, it could probably spin a little bit more. We’ll have to wait and see.”Pakistan will be a much harder side to tackle compared to Bangladesh, according to Taylor. The last time these two sides met was also in Pallekele, during the 2011 World Cup, when Taylor heaved six after six into the grass banks beyond deep midwicket in a counter-attacking century after being let off twice by Kamran Akmal early.”Pakistan are a lot more experienced than Bangladesh. They’ve played very well in the last 12-18 months. They’ve got world-class players throughout their team. There are some areas we still need to work on from this match and hopefully we can improve on them come next match. I think there will be a few changes in a few areas as we are coming up against a different side.”One of those changes could be at the top of the order. While James Franklin was involved in a big partnership with McCullum, he wasn’t able to attack the bowling consistently. Taylor credited Franklin for batting sensibly, but was non-committal over whether the allrounder would open against Pakistan.”When you are sent up the order, I think you can go a bit too hard at times. I think he [Franklin] gave himself time. He is at his best when he gives himself a few balls and punches the loose balls and attack when you’re needed to. On his day, James can be the attacking one as well. You have got to be flexible and know your role in the team. Will he still open in the next game? We are not sure.”

Steve Snell, who was released by Gloucestershire in 2010, hopes he can show counties what he’s got in the Champions League Twenty20

Andrew McGlashan20-Sep-2011It may not have been one of the marquee ties of the Champions League Twenty20, but there were still nine cricketers with international experience on display as Auckland took on Somerset. However, the match-winner was a player who doesn’t have a permanent first-class team and has had to consider a new career.Even Steve Snell called himself the “third-choice” keeper as he soaked up the occasion after a nerveless 34 off 24 balls which helped Somerset home by four wickets with Alfonso Thomas hitting the vital final run. Alongside James Hildreth, who until recently was pushing for an England place, he added 61 in eight overs in a match where most batsmen struggled.”We perhaps played a little more sensibly than the others,” Snell told ESPNcricinfo shortly after his innings. “I’d have been pretty disappointed if we didn’t win that after the partnership we had. We also knew that the pressure was really on Auckland because it was an absolute must-win for them.”Somerset only arrived in Hyderabad on September 19 having played the CB40 final at Lord’s on September 17, but Snell believes the whirlwind journey has helped. “It’s been non-stop; we didn’t have time for a training session when we arrived and just had a game of water polo this morning but it meant expectations were low from outside the team. However, the side themselves were always confident they could win.”Snell’s professional career has been on hold for a year since he was released by Gloucestershire at the end of the 2010 season having played for them since 2005. He spent most of the 2011 summer playing Minor Counties cricket for Hertfordshire . “I thought my one-day statistics were pretty good,” he said. “I felt pretty hard done by when I was let go [by Gloucestershire]; it was quite a shock. Hopefully this tournament gives me a chance to show counties what I’ve got.”The victory has put the county in with a good chance of qualifying for the lucrative main draw, but if Somerset do go through Snell has no guarantee of being there if Craig Kieswetter and Jos Buttler join up after England duty. “I’m not sure of the rules, and whether I’d be allowed to stay, but hopefully I’ve left them with some tough decisions,” he said.

Some critics argue that MS Dhoni is more lucky than good as captain. He doesn’t care; he just keeps winning

Sriram Veera in Johannesburg26-Sep-2010Not sure about familiarity, but success breeds contempt. Throughout this tournament the critics seemed to be waiting for Chennai to stumble so they could have the chance to turn around and say, “Look I told you, these guys were plain lucky. Now they have been exposed”. It’s not so much an anti-team sentiment, but one against their captain MS Dhoni. Many admire his captaincy; some reckon he is pretty lucky.Like most successful teams, Chennai did have their share of luck. They had just five days of preparation but the itinerary allowed them to ease into the groove with two facile wins against the two weaker teams in the competition.In the third game Victoria almost choked but hung on to take the game to a super over where they thumped Chennai. The critics jumped in to savour that moment; Dhoni’s luck ran out,’ they said. He should have given Doug Bollinger that over, they said, calling it a “messy captaincy decision”. Some even speculated that Bollinger had stormed off to the dressing room at the end of that over and that he was not happy with the skipper. The retelling of that story had a malicious glee to it.Dhoni, though, offered a perfectly plausible reason for using Ashwin. “He is used to bowling in the Powerplays. He is an aggressive bowler, he has the variety and he is always ready to bowl whenever you throw the ball to him. He wants to perform; he has grown as a player over the last three IPLs.”Chennai’s next game was against Warriors. There was more ammunition to the ‘he is lucky’ brigade. Warriors chose to play a game within a game; they needed 109 to qualify and didn’t extend themselves too much to try to win the game. They seemed content chasing qualification. The critics said if Warriors to win to qualify, they would have won the game and shoved Chennai out of the tournament. Maybe, and maybe not. We will never know.Luck certainly came their way in the next game in the semi-final against Bangalore. The pre-game talk had revolved around how Dale Steyn would harass the Chennai batsmen with his pace and bounce. He didn’t bowl a single delivery, stumbling off after suffering concussion on the field. It was a freak event. With Steyn’s exit, Bangalore had run out of gunpowder. Game over.That evening Dhoni said Steyn could have made things tricky for his batsmen but that’s not his concern. A reporter said the semi-final was boring. Dhoni’s repartee, “So you think we should have run ourselves out?!” It was said with a smile.Tonight, he was a happy man. He said his plan was to keep the spinners for the middle overs so that they could apply the squeeze, as some of Chennai’s seamers weren’t quick enough to use the semi-new ball effectively. It worked perfectly.Sanjay Manjrekar, the former India batsman, nailed the issue perfectly: “Ajit wadekar was also called a lucky captain but when he became India coach in 1993 I realised he had top leadership quality and you realised why he got the results that he did,” Manjrekar says. “The same thing with Dhoni. He is a guy who does things that are supposed to be done and leaves the rest to fate. He doesn’t try to control everything. That is his greatest strength. If you watch Tendulkar in comparison, he tries to control everything.”Dhoni that way takes lot of pressure off himself and he is someone who makes his players feel very secure. He is not a guy that you see outwardly making brilliant moves but he is quietly he is always encouraging his bowlers. When a bowler is hit for a six and if he has bowled a good ball, you will quietly see Dhoni applauding the bowler. That’s all the bowler needs; that his captain has approved that ball.”At the end of the final, Dhoni was asked for the nth time how he keeps his cool, he said, “There is a dressing room to show your emotions. As a captain, you are as good as your side. This is a very good bunch of people and as a captain you just want to channel all the energy into the same direction. The players put in great effort and frankly it feels very good to be the captain of Chennai Super Kings.”The win was extra-special too, as this will be the last time these particular players turn out for Chennai. “It was indeed a very emotional moment,” Dhoni said. “It was the last game for many of us players as a team. However much you try, we can’t retain all. These three years were great; we played good cricket. You develop a special bonding with each other. The dressing room atmosphere was great; not everybody could get a game but there was no ill feeling. Every one enjoyed each other’s company. To end on a high feels really special.”

فجرت صحيفة “توتو سبورت” الإيطالية أن حارس مرمى الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ميلان، جيانلويجي دوناروما، قد وضع زملاءه في الروسونيري بعد مباراة أتالانتا الأخيرة في الدوري الإيطالي.

وينتهي عقد دوناروما مع ميلان في 30 يونيو 2021، وبالتالي، سيرحل مجانًا إذا لم يتوصل لاتفاق هو ووكيله، مينو رايولا، مع إدارة النادي الإيطالي.

ورفض رايولا عرض ميلان الأخير براتب سنوي قيمته 8 ملايين يورو، وطلب الوكيل من الروسونيري الحصول على راتب قدره 10 ملايين يورو إلى جانب عمولة تتراوح بين 15 إلى 20 مليون يورو.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ماندزوكيتش يُعلن الرحيل عن ميلان

رفض ميلان هذه الطلبات من رايولا، لأن هذا يعني أنهم سيعيدون شراء حقوق اللاعب الذي خرج من أكاديمية النادي وتطور ليصبح لاعبًا أساسيًا في “سان سيرو”.

وزعمت الصحيفة أن دوناروما قد ودع جميع زملاءه في ميلان بعد نجاحهم في العودة إلى بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا من جديد بعد غياب طويل.

ويخضع بديل دوناروما، مايك ماينان، حارس نادي ليل بطل الدوري الفرنسي لفحوصات طبية خلال الساعات المقبلة للانضمام إلى ميلان.

تحدث ياسر ريان، لاعب الأهلي السابق عن مباراة القمة، اليوم الإثنين، بين المارد الأحمر والزمالك، في إطار منافسات الأسبوع الحادي والعشرين من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وقال ياسر ريان خلال مداخلة ببرنامج “وان تو” عبر إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”: “تشكيل الأهلي الأخير أمام الزمالك في المباراة الماضية بنسبة 99% هو الذي سيخوض به موسيماني مباراة اليوم”.

طالع أيضا.. تشكيل الأهلي المتوقع أمام الزمالك.. محمد شريف يقود الهجوم

وتابع: “تشكيل الزمالك لن يكون فيه تغييرات كثيرة، وارد فقط البدء بشيكابالا، لاعبو القطبين كتاب مفتوح أمام بعضهما البعض”.

وأضاف: “الزمالك لو بدأ المباراة بنفس بداية اللقاء السابق سيصعب الأمور عليه، مباريات القمة مفتوحة، وتعتمد على السمات الشخصية للاعبين أنفسهم”.

وواصل: “موسيماني يمتلك حلول على دكة الاحتياطي، وسيستخدمهم على حسب سير اللقاء، ومحمد شريف يستطيع اللعب في مركز الطرف أو المهاجم الصريح، وأكرم توفيق لاعب خط وسط دفاعي جيد”.

واستكمل: “دكة الزمالك أيضا ثقيلة، واحتياطي الأبيض والأهلي دائمًا هم من يحسمون المواجهات”.

واختتم: “أداء الأهلي ليس الأفضل مع موسيماني، ولكن وارد أن الحالة البدنية للاعبين قليلة، بالتأكيد هناك كواليس وراء ذلك، حتى عندما يفوز الأهلي نشعر وكأن هناك شيء غير منضبط في الفريق وأن الأداء متذبذب، لكن لن أحمل المدير الفني كل شيء، لأن اللاعبين في أيديهم 99% نجاح المدرب، اللاعبون في القطبين هم من يصنعون المدير الفني وليس العكس”.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

The games continue to come thick and fast for Sunderland, but for manager Phil Parkinson the match against Leicester U21s provides him with the ideal chance to run the rule over the fringe players in his squad.

Laurens De Bock and Brandon Taylor could be involved again after being selected in the matchday squad in the last Leasing.com trophy fixture against Grimsby, with the latter starting at centre-back.

Another who looks set to get his chance is Benji Kimpioka, according to Phil Parkinson’s comments, and his inclusion is a great chance for him to stake his claim for long-term first-team involvement.

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Some fans have called for the 19-year-old to be given an opportunity following a return of two goals in six games for the struggling under 23s, and a fixture against a team mainly made up of youngsters should prove suitable.

What’s more, game time has been limited for the winger in the senior side, and so far he has accumulated just nine minutes of playing time this term – none of which came under Jack Ross.

As a result, he should be determined to make the most of his opportunity, and with Lynden Gooch currently sidelined there is a vacant position at right-wing – Luke O’Nien had to play out of position in that role against Southend at the weekend.

Kimpioka seems to have that battling spirit, too, previously stating he will fight to earn a first-team place. He has showed signs of potential, enough for the club to try and pin him down to a long-term deal, and if he begins to show his ability against Grimsby he’ll likely get more chances.

Josh Maja and Denver Hume are recent examples of successful academy graduates, while Parkinson has a track-record of trusting youngsters, as evidenced by his time at Bolton when he introduced Luca Connell, who subsequently thrived and earned a move to Celtic, into the first team.

If Kimpioka can showcase his pace and direct style he will offer Sunderland an alternative option on the wing, and could begin to push for more substitute appearances and further starts in cup competitions – with Gillingham visiting in the FA Cup at the weekend.

As if he couldn’t endear himself to the fans anymore.

Ben White certainly has made a great impression in his first couple of months in a Whites shirt since joining on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.

He’s been lauded with praise from the fans, and has even picked up a Player of the Month award to go with it.

He’s been getting plaudits from the pundits as well, with former Leeds man Noel Whelan saying that he could go on to reach the heights of £80m Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.

There was one incident though in this weekend’s game against Birmingham that has really got fans talking.

In the second half and with the visitors bearing down on goal, White threw himself in front of an effort from Alvaro Gimenez and received a bit of a whack in the process for his troubles.

Leeds supporters loved the commitment that he showed in defending the cause, even though he isn’t technically one of their players.

Here’s what they had to say.

On the day that Leeds celebrated their 100th anniversary, you wonder if he’s going to go down in the same breath as some of the legends that have gone before him at Elland Road with moments like this. Although he may have to stick around for a lot longer than his one season on loan to find out.

Ben Chilwell got the nod to start against Danny Rose against Bulgaria on Monday and it has led some Tottenham fans to say they want their club to sign him.

Many were impressed with the Leicester man’s display in Sofia, and therefore believe that bringing him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would be an upgrade on what they currently have.

The Telegraph reported that Spurs were “keeping tabs” on the England international, but it is believed that Leicester would hold out for a large fee – potentially around £75m – in order to let him go.

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Chilwell has more than four years remaining on his current contract and with the Foxes harbouring hopes of a top-six finish, it is not difficult to envisage a hefty price being demanded for his services, particularly as Harry Maguire moved for £80m over the summer.

However, that hasn’t prevented Spurs supporters from making their feelings known, with one suggesting he’d be a “huge upgrade” on Rose, and therefore perhaps believing he’d be worth the potential fee given he is 22 years of age and with a ceiling to improve.

Here are some of the calls for the club to try and sign Chilwell.

One supporter made his feelings known on the Foxes man…

Before saying why he thinks he would be a good addition…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

As we find ourselves in the midst of an international break, what better time to reflect on the start of the campaign than now?

In this instance, we’re talking about transfers. Specifically Crystal Palace’s dealings in the market.

The Eagles completed four signings back in the summer when bringing Gary Cahill, James McCarthy, Jordan Ayew and Victor Camarasa to the club, but how have the quartet got on at Selhurst Park since?

Let’s take a look, and also attempt to rank the signings out of 10…

Gary Cahill 

At 33 years of age, you couldn’t have blamed Palace fans for possibly feeling like Cahill’s best days may have been behind him, but the England international has been brilliant for Palace.

He has helped the Eagles to four wins and a draw from his first six Premier League appearances and has also drawn praise from some supporters on Twitter for his performance against Manchester United.

Cahill has also helped the south Londoners to two clean sheets in those six league outings, with Palace conceding just eight goals in eight games as a whole.

Having arrived for free, there can be few complaints about Cahill’s start to life in SE25.

9/10

James McCarthy 

The Irishman has been in the Premier League for many years now with both Wigan and Everton, ensuring that he would most likely be a safe pair of hands for Palace when they signed him back in the summer.

McCarthy has started just one league game but did well against West Ham when doing so as we detailed here.

The former Hamilton man looks like he’ll fit in perfectly at Palace if the early signs are anything to go by, as his energy in midfield and vast Premier League experience suggests he will by no means be a passenger.

For a man who cost under £1m, the infancy of his Palace career suggests McCarthy will be an astute piece of business.

6/10

Jordan Ayew

It seems as if on-loan Jordan Ayew is a completely different player to permanently contracted Jordan Ayew.

Having scored just one league goal while on loan last term, Ayew has scored three in seven so far for Palace this season, including the winning goals against Aston Villa and West Ham.

He has led the line admirably while Christian Benteke continues to misfire and Connor Wickham’s polystyrene knees remain – in truth, he has been the only Palace striker who looks up for it this season.

The former Swansea man looks a man reborn in that No.9 shirt, and like Cahill, there can be few complaints about him.

9/10

Victor Camarasa 

This is a tough one to judge.

The Spaniard joined from Real Betis on a season-long loan, but his only start has come against Colchester in the Carabao Cup – apart from that, he has played just five Premier League minutes.

As a result, we simply can’t give him too high a rating.

In that game against Colchester however, while Palace did eventually lose on penalties, Camarasa was handed the WhoScored Man of the Match award, having taken two shots while also completing three key passes.

2/10

أعلن مدرب منتخب ألمانيا يواكيم لوف، التشكيل الأساسي لمواجهة منتخب آيسلندا، مساء اليوم الخميس، في تصفيات قارة أوروبا المؤهلة لبطولة كأس العالم في قطر 2022.

اقرأ أيضًا.. موعد والقناة الناقلة ومعلق مباراة ألمانيا وآيسلندا اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم

ويلتقي المنتخبان في إطار منافسات الجولة الأولى من التصفيات. تشكيل ألمانيا أمام آيسلندا

حراسة المرمى: نوير.

خط الدفاع: جينتر، كلوسترمان، روديجر.

خط الوسط: كيميتش، جوريتسكا، جوندوجان، إيمري تشان.

خط الهجوم: هافيرتز، ساني، جنابري.