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The newly-elected BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has denied either knowledge or clue of the activities “as a suspected bookie” of an individual called Karan Gilhotra

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Apr-20151:24

Kalra: Thakur sends a clear message

The internal tussle for control of the BCCI was played out in public via a letter from the newly-elected BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur to the ICC chairman N Srinivasan on Monday. In the letter, Thakur accused Srinivasan of not being ‘reconciled’ with his election to the post of BCCI secretary and therefore launching a ‘counter offensive.’ This counter offensive, Thakur wrote, was the leak of an internal ICC document regarding his association with a ‘suspected bookie.’Thakur, however, has denied having knowledge or clue of the activities of one Karan Gilhotra “as a suspected bookie.”Srinivasan responded to Thakur’s letter by saying he was not in the habit of leaking information. “If I have to talk to Anurag, I will write a letter to him in private or have a word with him,” he told . “I don’t need to go to the media with allegations against BCCI officials.”The letter from the ICC was dated April 22 with a copy marked to the ICC chairman Srinivasan. ICC chief executive David Richardson had written to BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya over an allegation that Thakur was spotted with Gilhotra, who “appears on the ICC ACSU database… following rumours … about his involvement in betting on cricket.”Richardson said, “during the 2014 edition of the IPL, unverified information was received by the ICC ACSU that Mr Gilhotra was seen trying to befriend players and support staff during the tournament and that there were rumours (again unverified) about his involvement in betting on cricket.”The letter was sent to Dalmiya as it fell, “outside the jurisdiction of the ICC’s anti corruption code” so he could “handle as appropriate.” The original email sent by a journalist carried photographs of Gilhotra and Thakur together.Thakur, in his letter on Monday, said that the BCCI had “received information from the ICC ostensibly under your [Srinivasan’s] direction that I should keep away from one Mr Karan Gilhotra who is a ‘suspected bookie… I only wish that you had shared the list of ‘unverified suspected bookies’ with me and other colleagues, so we could identify such persons and keep away from them.”Thakur added he had, known Gilhotra “who has been active in the political and cricket in activities in Punjab and adjacent states. I had no knowledge about his activities as a bookie.”The ICC letter states that on the basis of the information, Ravi Sawani, the director of the BCCI’s anti corruption unit, “wrote to all the IPL franchise managers in 2014 advising them that they should take steps to ensure Mr Gilhotra was not entertained by any of their squad members.” The letter then ended with the following: “we believe however as the allegation involves Mr Thakur for his own benefit, it would be advisable for its contents to be drawn to Mr Thakur’s immediate attention.”Thakur said the ICC advisory was made public at Srinivasan’s “behest” around the working committee meeting in Kolkata on Sunday. He also asked Srinivasan to, share this information (regarding the list of suspected bookies) “with your family members, whose involvement in betting has been proved.” A reference to the 2013 IPL corruption case when Srinivasan’s son in law and Chennai Super Kings official Gurunath Meiyappan was charged with betting by the Supreme Court.Thakur’s letter ended with a statement that, “since the ICC advisory had been made in public, I would be making this letter to you public” circulating its contents and details on social media and on the BCCI’s official mailing list to media outlets.

Rafatullah Mohmand and Mohammad Rizwan stroked rapid half-centuries, helping Peshawar Panthers chase down 179 with six wickets in hand and one over to spare against Abbottabad Falcons in Faisalabad

ESPNcricinfo staff13-May-2015Rafatullah Mohmand and Mohammad Rizwan stroked rapid half-centuries, helping Peshawar Panthers chase down 179 with six wickets in hand and one over to spare against Abbottabad Falcons in Faisalabad. Panthers lost Israrullah for a duck in the third over of the chase, but by then Mohmand had already come out firing, hitting 18 runs off Ahmed Jamal’s first over. Mohmand added a further 70 runs for the second wicket with Iftikhar Ahmed, as he eventually blazed 78 off 34 balls with 10 fours and four sixes.At 102 for 1 inside 10 overs, Panthers were well on course, but Mohmand and Iftikhar fell in quick succession, opening the doors slightly for Falcons. However, Rizwan counterattacked and steered his team home, stroking an unbeaten 28-ball 51 with four fours and three sixes.Falcons, opting to bat, had earlier been buoyed by handy knocks from all their top-order batsmen to end with 178 for 4. Yasir Hameed (20) and Sajjad Ali (52) first added an opening stand of 66, setting up an ideal stand for Adnan Raees (45*) and Kamran Ghulam (32) to launch a late surge.Rawalpindi Rams comfortably defended 152 against Sialkot Stallions, who managed 127 for 9 in their chase to go down by 25 runs. Barring Ayaz Tasawwar, who made an unbeaten 64, no other Stallions batsman made more than 15. Mohammad Asghar (3 for 29) and Samiullah (2 for 9) had reduced Stallions to 86 for 9 by the end of the 16th over. The highest partnership of the innings was 41 for the last wicket between Tasawwar and Najaf Shah, the latter contributing nothing to the stand. Tasawwar faced 50 deliveries and struck five fours and four sixes.After Stallions had chosen to bowl, Bilawal Bhatti (4 for 27) and Usama Mir (3 for 21) struck regularly but could not prevent Rams from scoring 152, with Najaf conceding 43 in four overs. A third-wicket stand of 48 between Khurram Shehzad (32) and Zahid Mansoor (27) set up the innings before quick 20s down the order from Mohammad Nawaz and Jamal Anwar helped Rams recover from 112 for 6.

Gautam Gambhir has praised the IPL for improving young cricketers’ temperament to play under pressure, but emphasised that performance in first-class cricket should be the yardstick to judge them

PTI15-May-2015Gautam Gambhir has praised the IPL for improving young cricketers’ temperament to play under pressure, but emphasised that performance in first-class cricket should be the yardstick to judge them.”I feel if you really want to see a young talent, you should see him in first-class cricket and your first-class cricket should be given more importance than IPL,” he said. “People in India consider IPL bigger than first-class cricket but I think the first-class cricket of any country should be far more important than the IPL because in the T20 format it is very difficult to judge a young batsman.”Gambhir’s reasoning is that IPL does not offer as stern a test on technique and the extensive churn in personnel of an IPL team.”It is going to be unfair because there are going to be times when there are not going to be enough opportunities for a young talent.”Obviously, IPL is a great opportunity. When you play at this stage and under this pressure you end up getting your temperament right. Your mental toughness can be tested in this tournament, but your actual technique can be tested only in first-class cricket.”

Roelof van der Merwe, who last tasted international cricket five years ago, is attempting to resurrect his career by making a switch to Netherlands

Firdose Moonda30-Jun-2015Roelof van der Merwe, who last tasted international cricket five years ago, is attempting to resurrect his career – but not with South Africa. The allrounder secured a Dutch passport on Monday and made himself available for Netherlands immediately. He was included in their squad to play against Nepal for a T20I the day after confirming his documentation but was not named in the starting XI on Tuesday.Van der Merwe could play a part in the World T20 Qualifiers in July and, should Netherlands make it through, in the tournament itself, which he has said is his ultimate aim.His new passport also means he can play county cricket as a local player, because of the European Union connection, and that he will end his career in South Africa. Van der Merwe spent nine seasons with the Titans franchise and was an integral part of their set-up, but decided to move on in the hopes of playing at the highest level again and prolonging his career.”It has been a privilege and an amazing journey to be part of the Titans family for the past eight years. My cricket journey will continue, but I have decided on a different path that could be beneficial to my long-term career and family life,” van der Merwe said in a statement issued by Titans.”His indomitable spirit and defiance has endeared Roelof to the Titans fans and to a wider South African audience,” Titans coach Rob Walter said. “He had a never-say-die-attitude and was extremely motivated to make a difference and to win matches.”Those qualities did not put van der Merwe was on the South African selectors’ radar recently but earned him a call-up at the turn of the decade. He played 13 ODIs and the same number of T20Is between 2009 and 2010 and was part of the 2010 World T20 squad.In the seasons that followed, van der Merwe made key contributions for Titans. He bowled them to the one-day cup final in the 2013-14 season, with 15 wickets in a 12-match campaign and was their leading run-scorer in last summer’s first-class competition with 774 runs at an average of 55.28.He remained part of South African A squads and often seemed on the fringes of a comeback, especially as South Africa searched for an allrounder, but was not reselected. Van der Merwe made use of his Dutch ancestry to open doors to play for Netherlands. He is not the first South African to go Dutch. Ryan ten Doeschate and Stephen Myburgh are among the other South Africans who have played for Netherlands.

Chris Rogers is set to be clear to play in the third Test of the Investec Ashes series in Birmingham after scans cleared him of serious damage following his retired hurt on the final morning of the Lord’s Test

Daniel Brettig in London20-Jul-2015Chris Rogers is set to be clear to play in the third Test of the Investec Ashes series in Birmingham after scans cleared him of serious damage following his retired hurt on the final morning of the Lord’s Test.On day two of the Test, Rogers was struck on the helmet near the right ear by James Anderson, and two days later had to leave the field as he complained of dizziness while standing at the non-striker’s end.There was considerable concern for Rogers due to a recent history of concussion – he missed both Tests of the West Indies tour after being struck on the helmet by the Dominican net bowler Anderson Burton – and the team doctor Peter Brukner sought independent medical advice in London the day after Australia’s 405-run victory at Lord’s.Rogers did not take the field after his dizzy spell but stayed with the team for their celebrations in the dressing rooms, after levelling the Ashes series at 1-1. Brukner said the signs of Rogers’ progress were promising.”Chris’s condition is certainly improving. He has had scans and seen a specialist since yesterday to help determine the cause of his dizziness,” he said. “The initial scans have cleared him of any serious damage and we await the results of further tests.”It appears the most likely diagnosis is a delayed ear problem related to being struck on day two of the Test match. We are confident that this is something we can manage in the lead up to the third Test at Edgbaston.”As a precaution he’ll be reviewed by the specialist in London again on Wednesday morning before re-joining the touring party. Chris was not scheduled to play in the tour match against Derbyshire, so he has time to continue resting ahead of the Test match.”Having made his highest Test score of 173 and then 49 in the second innings at the time of his retired hurt, Rogers is a central plank of Australia’s batting order in this series, though he has flagged he will most likely retire from international cricket after the Ashes.”He’s important for a period of time,” the coach Darren Lehmann said. “I think he’s made it clear he’s not going to come on the next Ashes tour, although he’d probably like to, as a tour host. He knows these conditions so well, he loves England and he helps our batters out, that’s the most pleasing thing.”He helps our batters and bowlers about conditions here and for example Middlesex and Lord’s, all the angles you’ve got to play with the slope. He knows them so well, he’s a very important part of this tour.”

Monty Panesar will take another step towards resuming his professional career on Wednesday when he embarks on Northamptonshire’s pre-season tour to Barbados

George Dobell09-Mar-2016Monty Panesar will take another step towards resuming his professional career on Wednesday when he embarks on Northamptonshire’s pre-season tour to Barbados.Although Panesar, who underwent shoulder surgery in December, is not yet fit to return to bowling, he will continue his rehab and take the opportunity to get to know the squad. As an experienced player, the club also hope his insight will prove valuable to a relatively young group of players.Northants have not yet offered Panesar a contract. While hopes that his salary may be subsidised by the ECB have faltered – they contributed to his pay while he was with Essex – it is still possible that sponsorship could be agreed to help Northants pay for him. At present, the club – who announced significant losses for the second year in succession earlier this week – have only a modest sum (perhaps as little as £15,000) to offer which had been allocated towards signing a second overseas player in the NatWest Blast.If Panesar is able to recover his fitness, however, there is little doubt he could prove a significant asset to Northants. The club have, at present, a playing staff of just 15 and Panesar’s ability to bowl long, tight spells could ease the burden on the rest of the attack.The prospect of an England recall can’t be entirely discounted, either. While there may be some bridges to build, such is Panesar’s ability and England’s pressing need for a potent spin attack ahead of the winter tours of Bangladesh and India that it remains just about possible he could stake a claim over the next few months. Aged 33, he potentially has several years ahead of him in the professional game.On a more basic level, many will celebrate the idea of Panesar simply returning to cricket. He first captured the imagination as a highly skilled spinner whose enthusiasm for the game was infectious. Somewhere along the way, though, those qualities became somewhat clouded and he has, at times, appeared something of a troubled soul. He was dropped from both his previous sides, Essex and Sussex, due to disciplinary issues. The thought that a move back to the club where he stated out might help him put his troubles behind him is encouraging.A move back to Northamptonshire appeals for several reasons. Not only would it enable him to live close to his family in Luton and benefit from their stabilising influence, but it is close to the Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) he attends in Coventry.Panesar emerged through the youth system at Bedfordshire and Northants and played some of his best cricket for the club. But he lost his central contract at a time when Northants were committed to the signing of Nicky Boje and, with the club struggling to fulfil his salary expectations, he was allowed to leave for Sussex at the end of the 2009 season.

With a semi-final spot on the line, West Indies captain Darren Sammy opted to bowl against South Africa in Nagpur, a decision he took because he did not know what to expect from the Nagpur surface

The Report by Firdose Moonda25-Mar-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsA composed knock of 44 from Marlon Samuels saw West Indies through to their third win on the trot•AFPWest Indies secured their spot in the World T20 2016 semi-finals with a third successive win but made hard work of chasing a small target of 123. With just a shave over a run-a-ball needed, West Indies were routinely dragged back, to a point where they needed 20 off the last two overs. However, a solid start from Johnson Charles, a composed innings from Marlon Samuels and a six from Carlos Brathwaite in the final over saw them sneak over the line.South Africa’s bowling attack did their best to make up for the blunders of their batsmen, who had slumped to 47 for 5 in the ninth over before eking over 120. Aaron Phangiso, playing in his first international match in five months and the first since remodeling his action last month, and David Wiese both conceded under six runs to the over, but it was Imran Tahir who kept South Africa in the match. The legspinner gave away only 13 runs in four overs and took two wickets off successive deliveries in the 17th over. In the end, it was not enough and South Africa could exit the tournament before playing their final group match. If England beat Sri Lanka on Saturday, South Africa’s campaign will be over.Unusually for the format, this was a battle of the ball. Batsmen from both sides failed to adjust to the sluggish pace of the pitch but South Africa’s line-up were also caught unawares by a surprise addition to West Indies’ attack. Chris Gayle proved their nemesis in an unexpected way by removing two of South Africa’s top six, and he played his part in pegging them back in the Powerplay, a situation from which they never really recovered.The match-day pitch was not the same as the one used for the qualifying phase or the game between India and New Zealand, so there was some uncertainty as to what a good score would be. That’s why Darren Sammy chose to chase and why South Africa were anxious for every run.Their desperation showed as early as the third ball when Hashim Amla was run out by Andre Russell, who carried that success to his bowling by dismissing Faf du Plessis, caught by Sulieman Benn at mid-off. Russell also took a catch at point when Rilee Rossouw, promoted to No.4 in his first appearance in the tournament, skied the ball.South Africa held AB de Villiers back after their initial setbacks and he came in at No.5. He saw the side through to the end of their most meagre Powerplay so far – 39 for 3 compared to scores over 60 in the previous two matches – but could not do too much more.When Dwayne Bravo, the sixth bowler used by Sammy in the first eight overs, was brought on, de Villiers’ innings ended. Sammy sensed South Africa were shaken and brought Gayle back on, with success. He broke through David Miller’s defences to leave South Africa at 47 for 5.That score could have become 59 for 6 had Denesh Ramdin completed a stumping off Benn, who foxed Wiese with a flighted delivery. Wiese had come out of his crease and missed, but Ramdin also missed and the reprieve proved a gift for South Africa.The Quinton de Kock-Wiese partnership, worth 50 runs for the sixth wicket, was the most profitable of their innings. But the going was tough for the pair. They only found the boundary three times in the 44 balls they were together but, by the time de Kock was bowled around his legs by Russell, they had given South Africa something to work with.Chris Morris took South Africa over 100 but they could only find eight runs off the last two overs and it did not seem enough until they received some reassurance that it could be.Kagiso Rabada found late swing with his fifth delivery and beat Gayle to remind West Indies it was not going to be easy. West Indies, however, showed they were up to shifting gears.They waited until the last ball of the third over for their first boundary, when Andre Fletcher lofted Rabada over midwicket for six. Johnson Charles found the going slightly easier off Chris Morris, whose second over cost 11 runs. In the absence of Dale Steyn and Kyle Abbott, Faf du Plessis recognised the need to try something and turned to spin in the Powerplay.Tahir was brought on to bowl the fifth over and he proved difficult to get away. Wiese was tasked with doing the same at the other end. Collectively, South Africa frustrated West Indies into trying to steal a single where there wasn’t one. Fletcher was halfway to the striker’s end in the sixth over when Charles sent him back but, even if he had not slipped, Rossouw’s direct hit was always going to beat him.With the fielding restrictions lifted, South Africa brought on their second specialist spinner, Phangiso. Although he has changed his action, his approach appeared the same and he was typically strangling. Phangiso conceded just one run off his first over and six singles off his second. His third over was headed for a similarly economical result but Charles had had enough. He heaved Phangiso over long-on for six and the pressure dissipated.Charles’ aggression did not serve him well a second time. When he swiped at Wiese three balls later, he only managed to sky the ball to du Plessis at cover and the tension was back.Du Plessis wanted more wickets and brought Rabada back. He started with a leg-side half-volley that Bravo flicked for four. That was followed up by two similar deliveries to Samuels, who carved one over point and then played an upper-cut to third man. West Indies scored 14 off that over to bring the required run rate to under six.South Africa switched to squeeze mode again. Phangiso’s final over cost only three and included Bravo’s wicket. West Indies needed 36 off six overs but Samuels was still there. With Andre Russell, he took eight off the next over before du Plessis played his strongest hand.Tahir’s final over – the 17th of the innings – could have seen Samuels dismissed off the first ball but the bowler could not hold on to the return catch. Three balls later, Russell holed out and, the next ball, Sammy was bowled off a googly. Advantage South Africa. The next over – Wiese’s final – cost just three. Advantage South Africa. Even though Samuels was still there with West Indies needing 20 off the last two overs.He hit the first ball of Morris’ final over through third man for four and, off the fourth ball, found the same area with the same result. Then he skied the ball. Still advantage South Africa.Rabada was asked to defend nine off the final over and started with a slower ball. Brathwaite hit the second ball for a six to break the tension, and West Indies completed the win with two balls to spare.

South Africa have named Tabraiz Shamsi, the Chinaman bowler, in their ODI squad to play a triangular series in the Caribbean that also involves West Indies and Australia

Firdose Moonda06-May-20162:39

O’Brien: Shamsi’s variations brought him SA spot

Changes in SA’s ODI squad

In: Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Tabraiz Shamsi
Out: Marchant de Lange, David Miller, David Wiese

Chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi’s summer of success has reached its dream conclusion. After being the leading spinner in South Africa’s first-class competition and earning his first IPL contract, Shamsi has received a maiden call-up to the national side.He is one of three spinners included in the ODI squad to play a triangular series in the Caribbean in June. Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso complete the spin-bowling contingent.South Africa have also recalled Wayne Parnell, who last played international cricket in July 2015 and has not played ODIs since last year’s World Cup. Parnell is one of two allrounders alongside Chris Morris, and joins Morne Morkel, Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada as one of five frontline quicks.Neither Dale Steyn nor Vernon Philander were picked with Steyn rested ahead of the home Tests against New Zealand in August and Philander not considered despite making a return from injury. David Miller, David Wiese and Marchant de Lange, who were part of South Africa’s ODI squad that took on England earlier this year, were dropped.Shamsi’s inclusion came on the back of T20 performances, rather than fifty-over efforts, and prior experience in West Indies. Shamsi played in last year’s CPL and was the joint fifth-highest wicket-taker with 11 scalps at 13.27. He was also part of the Titans team that won the South African domestic T20 competition and was their fourth-highest wicket taker with nine scalps at 26.88. Currently with the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the IPL, Shamsi has played four matches and taken three wickets. They were three big ones too: David Warner, Brendon McCullum and Ajinkya Rahane.”He has shown what he can do in the T20 leagues against international batsmen,” Linda Zondi, South Africa’s convener of selectors said, while also outlining South Africa’s selection approach to the series. “We have opted for three specialist spinners as we anticipate the pitches in the Caribbean to be on the slow side.”That was also the reason South Africa are not rushing Steyn back after he missed six out of eight Tests last summer. Although he is at the IPL and will play in the CPL, Steyn’s absence from ODI cricket will raise questions.”In the short term our immediate focus must be to get back among the top-ranked Test nations and for this reason we are resting Dale Steyn for this tour,” Zondi said. “He is vital to our ambitions in the longest format and he is going to have a heavy workload in the months ahead. He is certainly not out of the ODI picture and could well feature in the home series against Australia later this year.”Instead Morkel, who was left out of the World T20 and was rumoured to be considering his limited-overs future, will lead the attack. Philander may have been hoping that responsibility would fall on him, but after sitting out all but the last two weeks of the South African season with ankle ligament tears, he will have to wait to regain his place.So Parnell got the nod. He finished the domestic one-day cup as the third-highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets at 23.00 and has the chance to stake a claim for a regular spot. “Wayne has the ability to become a quality allrounder for us and, like Tabraiz, he is being rewarded for outstanding domestic form,” Zondi said.South Africa’s batting line-up had a more familiar look to it with the inclusion of Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis, who is nursing a finger injury. Du Plessis broke the ring finger on his left hand at the IPL and underwent surgery on Tuesday. He needs four to five weeks to make a full recovery and has been ruled out of the first game of the series.That will likely provide an opportunity for both Rilee Rossouw and Farhaan Behardien early on, but the pair are likely to compete for a place in the top six once du Plessis recovers.Miller played his last ODI in October 2015. He was in the squad for the home series against England, but did not get a game. Now that he has been dropped for the West Indies tour, it appears he will have to find form in domestic competition to be reconsidered.The Caribbean tri-series, which also features Australia, starts on June 3.South Africa squad: AB de Villiers (capt), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi

The Red Devils have broken the transfer record a number of times in the last three decades, but which players have been their best signings?

Getty Images1Eric Cantona – 1992 – £1.2 million from Leeds UnitedManchester United started the Premier League era with a couple of marquee signings, bringing in Dion Dublin from Cambridge United and Eric Cantona from Leeds United. Dublin was Alex Ferguson's second-choice in the transfer market, bringing him to Old Trafford after Alan Shearer moved from Southampton to Blackburn Rovers. He scored just two league goals for the Red Devils before leaving for Coventry City in 1994. On the other hand, Cantona was a revelation for the club, reaching double figures in the Premier League in four of his five seasons, picking up four league titles and two FA Cups along the way.AdvertisementGetty2Roy Keane – 1993 – £3.75m from Nottingham ForestRoy Keane became the most expensive player in English football when he joined United as a 21-year-old and was the face and heart of the team for the next 13 seasons. He played 480 times for the Red Devils winning seven league titles as well as the Champions League in 1999. The Republic of Ireland midfielder was the team's captain for their European success, but missed the final due to suspension after picking up a yellow card during a career-best performance against Juventus in the semi-final.Getty Images3Andy Cole – 1995 – £7m from NewcastleAndy Cole was an immediate success at Manchester United after signing in January 1995. The England attacker ended the season in double figures in the Premier League despite playing just 18 times in half-a-campaign. He went on to score 121 times in all competitions for the club, finishing with five league titles and a Champions League medal.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty Images4Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – 1996 – £1.5m from MoldeOle Gunnar Solskjaer would go down in Manchester United history for one single moment, but scored almost 100 Premier League goals as he became the world's best 'super sub' under Alex Ferguson. He was signed by United after local rivals Manchester City were not willing to take a chance on him, and ended up coming off the bench to score the winner in the club's miraculous comeback in the 1999 Champions League final.

Julen Lopetegui has named a 23-man party packed with talent to take to Russia, but he has also left out players who would walk into most squads

Spain have such an abundance of talent that their second string team would compete to be World Cup winners. Some of the best players in the world don’t even make it into Spain’s squad.

Getty ImagesSergio Asenjo | GK | Villarreal

Asenjo has been one of the best keepers in La Liga this season and his omission from the Spanish squad could have gone either way with Pepe Reina getting the nod over him.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesSergi Roberto | DF | Barcelona

Sergi Roberto has been an important player for a double-winning Barcelona team and is perhaps a surprising omission from the Spain squad due to his versatile and talent. Roberto has made three appearances for Spain since making his debut in 2016.

GettyMarc Bartra | DF | Real Betis

Marc Bartra has been impressive since joining Real Betis in January but, when Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos have been such an incredible partnership for years, it is hard to find a place in the squad.

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Getty ImagesJavi Martinez | DF | Bayern Munich

Martinez's ability to play at centre-back and in defensive midfield makes him a valuable player for Bayern Munich, but it has not been enough to secure a place in Spain's squad.