They made the finals of both limited-overs tournaments in 2017-18 and have now taken the first-class title

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Apr-2018

They may have tumbled to 99 all out. And they may be facing an improbable target of 519. But regardless of how their final game of the season goes, Central Districts will lift the Plunket Shield trophy. Their status as champions – for the first time since 2013 – was confirmed as soon as their closest rivals for the season – Wellington – slipped to a 120-run defeat to Auckland at the Outer Oval in Eden Park.Central Districts have had a fantastic time in 2017-18, making the finals of both limited-overs tournaments, the Ford Trophy and the Super Smash, although poor batting in both title clashes left them with little to show for their efforts. That has not been a problem in first-class cricket, though. Three of their batsmen – Greg Hay, Jesse Ryder and Will Young – are among the top-10 run-getters in the tournament. And on the bowling front, left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel finished as the leading wicket-taker.Wellington had been leading points table as recently as the previous round of the Plunket Shield, but their defeat to Northern Districts coupled with Central Districts’ thrashing of Canterbury by an innings and 58 runs led to a most decisive shake-up.

Leeds United's summer transfer window plugged plenty of gaps that had been left by the mass exodus overseen, however despite the playing squad being sufficiently bolstered, it seems Daniel Farke is still unsure of his strongest side, and their favoured roles…

One startling example of this was his use of Joel Piroe in a deeper role against Sheffield Wednesday, despite having seemingly been signed as the answer to their striking woes.

How is Joel Piroe playing?

The Dutchman joined in a £10.5m deal back in late August, and upon being thrown into the starting lineup, scored one of four goals in their away demolition of Ipswich Town. A true poacher's finish, his late arrival came at the right place, at the right time, and it seemed like the start of a fine relationship between player and club.

That was before his German manager saw fit to push him into midfield, sending Georginio Rutter to play ahead of him. This was despite the Frenchman having endured a largely profligate spell since making his club-record move in January, with just one senior goal to his name.

Unsurprisingly, this was an experiment that failed, with former Whites boss Neil Redfearn noting after their 0-0 draw: "I thought they were going to play four-four-two at first, like they did at Ipswich," he told BBC Radio Leeds. "But obviously they played more of a midfield role for Piroe. I just thought he got lost in the game.

“When he got on the ball, I think he showed some nice touches. And then as the game degenerated, Sheffield Wednesday’s doing, getting bodies behind the ball, making it scrappy and breaking stuff up, his influence got less and less.”

As such, his average Sofascore rating in the Championship now sits at a lowly 6.78, with the hope that he can soon recapture the form that saw him record 19 and 22 league goals in the last two league campaigns respectively.

However, if Farke is to persist with such a role for Piroe, perhaps he could benefit by deploying another striker alongside him, to allow him to both push forward when needed, and create as well. Patrick Bamford anyone?

How good is Patrick Bamford?

Fortunately, the conclusion of this international break is expected to see Bamford return to fitness after another lengthy lay-off. Back before their opening-day clash, the former Norwich City boss had admitted: "Patrick Bamford has got a hamstring injury and won't return before the first international break so he will definitely miss the next games."

Although he endured a rough term most recently, he does have a rich history of finding the net regularly at this level, given his 20 goal contributions helped them earn promotion back in 2020, just one year after he had scored nine and assisted two as they came so close in the playoffs.

Then, upon returning to the Premier League, he reached new heights by scoring 17 and assisting eight, proving many wrong. Former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard recounted Bamford's earlier years at Chelsea, suggesting he always knew of his talent: "[He] clearly had great finishing ability and had an eye for goal from that early stages at Chelsea."

However, it is his creativity that suggests he would shine in the proposed two-up-front system, as he too is just as willing to drop deep as he is to remain in the penalty box.

Given he was signed for just £7m back in 2018, the 30-year-old has been a loyal and useful servant to the club across his five years in Yorkshire.

Perhaps, if his body allows him, he could enjoy one late flourish of his career to help spearhead another promotion, forming a fine strike partnership with Piroe.

كشف المدير الفني لمنتخب فرنسا، ديدييه ديشامب، موقف النجم كيليان مبابي من خوض مباراة الغد ضد هولندا في كأس أمم أوروبا.

ويلتقي المنتخبان في خضم منافسات الجولة الثانية من دور مجموعات يورو 2024.

وتعرض مبابي لإصابة دامية في الأنف خلال مباراة الجولة الأولى ضد النمسا، حيث فازت فرنسا بهدف دون رد.

وظهرت تقارير صحفية بعد ذلك أفادت أن مبابي في حاجة إلى جراحة عاجلة، قبل أن تنفي أخرى، ويؤكد الاتحاد الفرنسي عدم وجود حاجة إلى تدخل جراحي.

وعاد مبابي إلى معسكر منتخب فرنسا حيث ظهر بشكل طبيعي دون أي ضمادة أو قناع على وجهه (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وقال ديشامب في تصريحاته خلال مؤتمره الصحفي الذي نشرته شبكة “rmcsport” الفرنسية: “كل شيء يسير في الاتجاه الصحيح منذ الأمس”.

وأضاف: “كان مبابي قادرًا على الخروج والقيام بأنشطة مثل هذا المساء، الأمور تسير في الاتجاه الصحيح حتى يكون متاحًا غدًا، سنتأكد من أنه يمكن أن يكون متاحًا لنا”.

وواصل: “الأمور تتم على أفضل وجه ممكن مع الطاقم الطبي وهو موجود في المجموعة”.

وفيما يخص احتمالية غياب مبابي، قال: “أتأكد من إجراء مناقشات مع اللاعبين، الجميع جاهز. يتعلق الأمر بالمجموعة، في أي وقت، كما كان الحال في المباراة الأولى، لن أتحدث عن حالة محددة، إدارة المجموعة تظل كما هي بالنسبة لي وللطاقم الفني”.

وعن ارتداء مبابي لقناع طبي، قال: “سيرتدي قناعًا، لا داعِ لمعرفة كيفية القيام بذلك، لديك معلومات كافية”.

With seven points separating themselves and the Championship relegation zone, Portsmouth have just been dealt a frustrating blow at a crucial time on the injury front.

Portsmouth injury news

With just 13 games remaining in the Championship, Pompey are currently on course to survive at the first time of asking. However, as always, anything can still change and John Mousinho will be keen to see his side make it three wins on the bounce when they face Queens Park Rangers this weekend, having just defeated both Cardiff City and Oxford United.

Finding their form at a crucial stage, those at Fratton Park could look back on their recent wins as a defining moment for their campaign. With all three of Derby County, Plymouth Argyle and bottom side Luton Town all deciding to sack their respective managers recently, Portsmouth are enjoying their reward for sticking by Mousinho.

The next 13 games could still be full of twists and turns though, especially following recent injury news. As confirmed by Portsmouth, Callum Lang is now set to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn hamstring.

Sharing the news, Mousinho told reports at his latest press conference: “Not great news on Callum. The scan has come back, as we suspected, with a hamstring tear.

“We’re going to re-scan it in about 10 days just to see how it’s settled down. There’s a lot of fluid there at the moment. Most likely, we’re not going to see Callum in a Portsmouth shirt until next season.

“It’s a bit of a strange one because after the game, he was okay. He was up and about. He’s still actually up and about now. It’s not really affecting him a huge amount, but just the nature of it and the location of the injury means it’s going to be a long one.”

Portsmouth must replace "superb" Lang's goals

It’s the worst possible news for Portsmouth, who must now finish their battle for survival without their main man who has scored as many as 10 goals in 29 Championship games this season. Just how Mousinho attempts to replace those goals remains to be seen. For the next 13 games, it may well be a case of defence is the best form of attack at Fratton Park.

The Pompey boss needs no reminder of Lang’s quality, having been full of praise for his forward earlier this season. Mousinho told BBC Sport: “Since Callum has come to the football club he has scored some big goals and he has been our outstanding player this season.

“The energy he puts in, the amount of running he does, his physical presence and it is about adding quality for him – today he added the quality and was superb. My only disappointment is that he didn’t score more. It was really pleasing and he should be pushing for more and more.”

Ambrose took his side from a strong position to a totally dominant one as he gained the measure of a slow wicket to work the Northants attack around

ECB Reporters Network21-Apr-2018
ScorecardTim Ambrose made his 17th first-class century to give Warwickshire a chance to press for victory over Northamptonshire at Wantage Road with two days remaining. Ambrose made 103 as Warwickshire ground out 413 to take a first-innings lead of 266 before Northants, with 10 overs to face at the end of the day, closed on 41 without loss.Ambrose, who made 81 last week against Sussex in the season opener, took his side from a strong position to a totally dominant one as he gained the measure of a slow wicket to work the Northants attack around. He nudged, prodded, glanced and flicked his way to 96-ball fifty with just one boundary – the long, heavy outfield making boundaries a rarity – before playing more fluently to raise a century in another 58 balls with five fours and a six.For the latter half of his innings, he had 18-year-old Henry Brookes for company playing just his second first-class match. He settled to become a sound partner for Ambrose and repelled Northants’ fightback with the second new ball to compile a record ninth-wicket partnership for Warwickshire against Northants of 116.After Ambrose fell, caught on the deep square fence, Brookes took top billing as he worked his way towards a maiden first-class fifty. He got there with a mighty pull over midwicket off Brett Hutton and added a second to take Warwickshire past 400 as Northants wilted in 128.1 overs they were forced to send down.The hosts had hope of a revival in the morning session where Doug Bracewell made the day’s opening breakthrough with the 18th ball of the morning, straightening a full delivery to clip Will Rhodes’ off stump to end a stand of 91 for the fourth wicket.Sam Hain was the other member of the partnership and fell 15 short of memorable return to the ground where he become Warwickshire’s youngest centurion in the County Championship four years ago. He resumed on 51 and struck two flowing cover drives on his way to 85. But Ben Sanderson hatched a plot with the wicketkeeper stood up and three catchers in front of the bat and got Hain to chip a full delivery to short midwicket where Bracewell claimed a smart catch down to his right.Twenty-one-year-old Matt Lamb developed another useful stand with Ambrose of 66 for the sixth wicket before Lamb fell to the second new ball and Warwickshire slipped to 263 for 8 and the lead 116 – but Ambrose and Brookes ensured Warwickshire’s advantage was far greater.Northants had 10 overs to survive before the close and Rob Newton was almost stumped when he was deceived by Jeetan Patel. Some pad saved him and Newton and Ben Duckett, who avoided a king pair, went to the close intact.

Journalist Simon Phillips has shared an Aston Villa transfer update as it is believed a star could follow Philippe Coutinho out the door in January.

Who has left Aston Villa this summer?

Unai Emery trimmed his Villa squad over the summer transfer window as a host of players departed the Midlands.

Cameron Archer, Aaron Ramsey, Jaden Philogene, Marvelous Nakamba and Keinan Davis' exits brought in around £42.2 million, while veteran Ashley Young joined Everton on a free transfer.

Villa also loaned a plethora of both young and senior members of their side, including Morgan Sanson, who signed for French side Nice on a season-long temporary deal.

Emery signed a promising crop of new talent in their stead as Villa aim to potentially challenge for a Premier League top four place.

Villa were lavished with praise for what was a productive summer overall; having signed exciting winger Moussa Diaby, Spain international Pau Torres, Youri Tielemans, defender Clement Lenglet, ex-Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo and Rico Richards for around £76 million in total.

Has Philippe Coutinho left Aston Villa?

While it has been quite a mixed start for Emery's side, having been thrashed by both Newcastle United and Liverpool, imperious wins over both Burnley and Everton suggest there is plenty to work with ahead of a long season.

Another player who won't be featuring over 2023/2024, though, is Coutinho – after he joined Qatari champions Al-Duhail on a season-long temporary spell.

The Brazilian signed from Barcelona in the summer of 2022 for £17 million after a successful six-month loan, but things haven't quite gone to plan since then despite impressing in flashes.

Coutinho's future now looks far from Villa Park, and according to respected reporter Phillips, another one of Emery's big names may soon follow him out the door in January.

Indeed, the journalist his claimed on his podcast, via his Substack and The Chelsea Chronicle, that striker Ollie Watkins is attracting serious interest ahead of the winter window.

The 27-year-old, who ended last season in absolutely sensational form under Emery, is apparently on Chelsea's list of transfer targets as they seek to sign a new striker for Mauricio Pochettino.

“Dusan Vlahovic was obviously looked at in the summer," said Phillips.

"He’s still there. Jonathan David from Lille. And the last one is Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa. Those are the names that I’ve been given this week that Chelsea are considering for the January window.”

How good is Ollie Watkins?

The Englishman scored 15 goals and assisted six others in the Premier League alone over 2022/2023; stats which back his serious quality when playing at the top level.

"Ollie Watkins for me is a top, top player," said pundit Michael Owen last year.

"He came from Brentford and he scored a lot of goals there. But I do like him. I know that Steven Gerrard really likes him as well – Gerrard has had a bit of a mixed bag. Don’t get me wrong, he has a really good start to his managerial career.

"But just recently, it has been a bit of a mixed bag of results. However, that win against Southampton has got them really back on track."

Plenty of Liverpool contract news has dominated the headlines of late, and it looks as though one Reds hero could be set to extend his stay, following a new update.

Which Liverpool players will sign new deals?

Jurgen Klopp is at the beginning of an exciting new era at Anfield, following a summer that saw him almost completely rebuild his midfield. Drastic changes were needed after a massively underwhelming 2022/23 – one that saw the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson struggling greatly in the middle of the park.

In total, four new midfielders came in, including Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. While new signings at Liverpool were paramount, there are also indispensable members of the squad who have been at the club for years, and who will continue to be huge players for years to come.

Recently, plenty of talk has surrounded the future of Mohamed Salah, amid strong interest from Saudi Arabia, while Thiago and Joel Matip's futures have also been topics of discussion, ahead of their contracts expiring next summer.

Who is close to signing a new Liverpool deal?

Another player who could sign a new contract is Trent Alexander-Arnold, and according to Football Insider, he is now closing in on an agreement, seeing himself as a key part of the rebuild currently going on at Liverpool:

"Trent Alexander-Arnold is desperate to be part of the ‘reloaded’ Liverpool side and is close to signing a new contract, sources have told Football Insider. Alexander-Arnold has no plans to leave Anfield and there is a willingness among all parties to agree a deal.

"The 24-year-old has just under two years remaining on his contract with the Reds and the club are keen to end any speculation surrounding his future."

The report added:

"Top clubs across England and Europe would love to prise the full-back away from Anfield, but a well-placed source has told Football Insider that Alexander-Arnold is fully committed to Liverpool. The England international has recently been made vice-captain at Liverpool following the exits of James Milner and Jordan Henderson and is keen to be part of a new look side that can get back into the Champions League next season."

Retaining Alexander-Arnold's services has to be near the top of Klopp's list of priorities at the moment, with the 24-year-old an exceptional footballer whose vision and fight are such a major part of this Liverpool team. He already has 73 assists, coming in a total of 277 appearances.

Having been made the club's new vice-captain in the summer, it would be a huge surprise if he wants to move anywhere else, and he may well be a future permanent captain in waiting. The fact that he is a boyhood Reds fan also increases the chance of him staying put.

At just 24, there is still so much to come from Alexander-Arnold, who has been described as "world-class" by legendary former Barcelona right-back Dani Alves, and a new deal could feel as important as any new signing that comes in over the next 12 months or so.

Frenkie de Jong was taken off via a medical team cart after suffering an injury against Athletic Club before Pedri also limped off for Barcelona.

Article continues below

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• Frenkie de Jong injures ankle
• Taken off the field by medical cart
• Pedri subbed off in tears moments later

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Netherlands international De Jong went down in agony after an awkward landing as he contested for a header with Athletic Club's Unai Gomez. As the medical team tended to his ankle, it seemed as if the midfielder might be able to walk off the pitch, but soon went back down and had to be taken off the pitch on a medical cart.

  Head coach Xavi and Barcelona saw their troubles further compounded as Pedri had to be subbed off just before half-time, after the Spaniard seemed to tweak his hamstring during a clearance.

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• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  De Jong's ankle injury seemed a lot more serious than Pedri's muscular issue. Both men will undergo tests with the club's medical team when they return to Barcelona, with Xavi sweating on the fitness of two key players at a crucial stage of the season.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  As per Diario AS, Pedri is likely to be completely ruled out of Barcelona's Champions League round of 16 second-leg clash against Napoli on March 12 after a relapse of a thigh problem, while De Jong is set to be a major doubt. Barca have now lost three of their four main midfielders to injury and may be forced to dig even deeper into their academy to plug the holes.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

  The Catalan side will next be in action when they take on Mallorca on Friday, March 8 as they look to chase down Real Madrid in the La Liga title race. They still have nine days before they host Napoli but Xavi will be forced to field a significantly weakened team if De Jong and Pedri do not recover in time.

Stumps Jason Holder celebrates Niroshan Dickwella’s wickets with his team-mates•AFP

Sri Lanka’s first innings crashed and burned in the face of sprightly bowling, before the West Indies top order turned a commanding lead into a near-unassailable position late on day three. Having dismissed Sri Lanka for 185, West Indies finished the day 360 runs ahead, and with six second-innings wickets in hand. The track had begun to take a little turn, but with Sri Lanka so far back in the game, not even Rangana Herath may be able to bail them out. With two days left to play, rain seems the visitors’ biggest hope.As has been the case throughout this game, the West Indies cause had several important contributors. Kemar Roach made the tone-setting early breakthrough in the third over of the day, uprooting the leg stump of the in-form Roshen Silva with a full delivery. Late in that session, Shannon Gabriel took another important wicket, having Dinesh Chandimal caught at backward point. In the afternoon Miguel Cummins wiped out the tail with a short-ball barrage. Herath, Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Kumara were all out top-edging pulls off Cummins. Then, when West Indies went in to bat on a lead of 229, Kieran Powell held firm for the hosts, secure in defense, and elegant on the offside, as he breezed to 64 off 80 balls.Sri Lanka, though, will blame themselves for the errors that have landed them in such a dire position. Chandimal had looked good for a big score, timing the ball nicely after the early morning’s swing had disappeared. But then, just as he began to free his arms, a rush of blood cost him his wicket. He had earlier slashed Gabriel over point for four, but when he attempted the shot again in the approach to lunch, he could not manage a good enough connection – the ball too close to his body for the stroke. He ended up only miscuing the shot to Roston Chase, to took it easily above his head. Chandimal would turn out to be the innings’ top scorer, with 44.The man he had built a promising 68-run stand with – Niroshan Dickwella – was perhaps even more culpable for his dismissal. Having resisted intelligently for the first 77 balls of his innings, Dickwella struck a ball towards mid on and began to amble a single. There was a little miscommunication with non-striker Dilruwan Perera, but even after both batsmen had agreed to the run, Dickwella only jogged through to the other end. Suddenly, he discovered that Kraigg Brathwaite had run down this ball, had turned, and thrown at the stumps in one fluid motion. Dickwella hastily reached for the crease, but it was too late – he was found almost thirty centimetres short by the direct hit. Were it not for his complacency, it should have been an easy single.Where West Indies’ lower order had scrapped, lifting the team from 147 for 5 to 414 for 8, Sri Lanka’s wilted under the heat. With Cummins aiming bowling with hostility, the last four wickets fell in the space of nine overs. All up, Sri Lanka had lost 4 for 43 at the top of their innings, and 6 for 64 at the back end – the Chandimal-Dickwella stand the only period of real resistance.Jason Holder opted not to enforce the follow-on, with his bowlers having been in the field for more than 55 overs. So good was their position, even a few early wickets did not really dent West Indies’ chances in the game. Devon Smith was bowled twice in two balls by Suranga Lakmal, the first of those having come off a no-ball. Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope then edged Lahiru Kumara behind – the former snaffled by a diving Niroshan Dickwellla, and the latter caught athletically by Kusal Mendis, who snatched a sharp overhead chance from second slip.But no matter. Thanks to Powell, the hosts surged ahead. His boundaries came mainly on the offside – cover drives off Lakmal and Herath especially pleasing to the eye. He went to fifty with a straight six, off Dilruwan Perera, having come down the track. West Indies were bossing the game, and Powell was having a little fun.

Middle-order batsman will have the opportunity to make his case for a spot in South Africa’s Test XI in their Sri Lanka tour

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jun-2018Theunis de Bruyn, the middle order batsman who has five Test caps, will play two matches for Surrey ahead of South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka in July. De Bruyn will join Surrey for matches against Somerset and Yorkshire as he looks to push for a place in the Test XI, where a spot has become vacant following AB de Villiers’ international retirement.”I am delighted to be joining Surrey, a club with rich history, for the next two Championship matches. It has always been one of my ambitions to play county cricket,” de Bruyn said.De Villiers, who returned from a self-imposed long-format sabbatical to play Test cricket for South Africa last summer, occupied the No.4 spot, and de Bruyn is one of at least two candidates vying for that place. Temba Bavuma is the other batsman pushing for the spot and last week said he would be “putting up my hand for that position”.Bavuma is the front-runner to be promoted, especially after returning from a broken hand to score an unbeaten 95 and 35 in South Africa’s last Test, against Australia in Johannesburg, but there may still be room for de Bruyn in the line-up. If South Africa opt for seven batsmen in their team, a strategy they have employed except when playing in bowler-friendly pitches at home, de Bruyn could be included at No.6.South Africa play two Tests in Sri Lanka in July before shifting focus to white-ball cricket, where de Bruyn is in the mix in the South Africa A squad. They have five home Tests this summer, three against Pakistan and two against Sri Lanka.