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Three more captains have been appointed ahead of the inaugural season of the Hundred, with Nat Sciver and Lewis Gregory leading Trent Rockets and Sophie Devine skippering Birmingham Phoenix.Sciver and Devine both starred in the Women’s T20 World Cup, finishing the tournament as England and New Zealand’s leading run-scorers respectively. Both have captaincy experience: Devine led New Zealand at the tournament, and Sciver has skippered Surrey Stars throughout the Kia Super League since its inception.ALSO READ: The Hundred – full squad listsSaliann Briggs, Trent Rockets’ women’s coach, said: “I’ve known Nat for a long time since her early years in the sport, so I can’t wait to work with her again now she’s one of the world’s best players.”She has impressed as a captain in domestic competitions before and I have full confidence she’ll get the best out of the squad in The Hundred. Her international experience in one of the world’s best short-format teams will undoubtedly help our chances of success this year.”Devine, who has previously appeared for Warwickshire women, said that she had already been considering tactics for the new format which had proved to be “a hot topic of conversation” on the circuit.”I know that it’s only 20 fewer balls than a T20,” she said, “but the decision making between whether a bowler sends down five balls or takes on the option to bowl ten straight, will be really interesting. It’s going to be an exciting new challenge and I can’t wait to get started. A shorter, sharper format should really suit my style of play.”Gregory, meanwhile, has been appointed ahead of a strong field which included Rashid Khan, Steven Mullaney and Luke Wright, all of whom have recent captaincy experience. He has been Somerset’s T20 Blast captain since 2018, and led England Lions on their tour of Australia this winter.Gregory was the third non-overseas player signed in October’s draft, after Liam Livingstone and Dane Vilas, and will earn £110,000 for his participation in the tournament, including a £10,000 captaincy bonus. He has earned a reputation as one of the best English finishers with the bat in recent years in addition to his useful medium-fast bowling, and has impressed for Rangpur Rangers and Peshawar Zalmi this winter.”Lewis has all the attributes required to skipper our side this year and I’m confident he’ll get the best out of our talented squad,” said Stephen Fleming, Trent Rockets’ men’s coach. “He’s got a good temperament on the field and works well with his players to achieve results. He’s also one of the best white-ball allrounders in the country, who will add a huge amount to the team.”Trent Rockets, Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit and Northern Superchargers have all named their captains for both teams, while Steve Smith will lead Welsh Fire’s men.

تحدث بيدري جونزاليس لاعب برشلونة ومنتخب إسبانيا في مؤتمر صحفي قبل المباراة أمام سويسرا، وعلّق على تجديد عقده مع فريقه.

ويخوض منتخب إسبانيا مباراة أمام سويسرا غدًا الإثنين، في إطار مباريات بطولة دوري الأمم الأوروبية.

وقال بيدري عن الخصوم: “من الطبيعي أن يزداد الخوف بعد الفوز ببطولة اليورو، نحن نعرف تمامًا إمكانياتنا”.

وبشأن تقييم موسم 2024: “أعطي نفسي 9، لأنه دائمًا لا يمكن الفوز بكل المباريات”.

وعن اللحظة الحالية، استطرد: “لقد وجدت شيئًا يناسبني جسديًا، ووجدت الاستمرارية، إنه بداية جيدة للموسم، وأتمنى أن تستمر الأمور على هذا النحو”.

اقرأ أيضًا | دي لا فوينتي عن لاعب إسبانيا: لا يحصل على التقدير المستحق وسنكتشف إنجازاته مستقبلاً

وسُئل إذا كان يشعر أكثر بالراحة في المنتخب أم في برشلونة، وأجاب: “في كلا الفريقين أشعر بالراحة، كلا الفريقين يلعبان أسلوب الاستحواذ على الكرة وأنا أشعر بالراحة في هذا النوع من اللعب، في برشلونة كنت أقل استمرارية وبالتالي لم أستطع أن أظهر بأفضل مستوياتي”.

وحول ضغط المباريات والإصابات، أفاد بيدري: “هناك العديد من المباريات، لكن الأهم هو التكيف مع جسدك، عليك أن تجد المفتاح المناسب، لقد اكتشفت ما يناسبني جسديًا وأتمتع بالاستمرارية التي أحبها”.

وبشأن الدفاع الجماعي، علّق: “إذا عمل الـ11 لاعبًا معًا، يصبح الدفاع أسهل، وهذا في المنتخب الإسباني، مع الجودة التي يمتلكها اللاعبون، فقد منحوا الجميع دفعة قوية، وهذا يظهر بوضوح في كيفية الدفاع، عندما تستعيد الكرة من الخصم، فإنك تهيمن على المباراة وتصبح الفرصة أكبر للفوز”.

وحول تجديد عقده مع برشلونة، أوضح بيدري: “لا توجد مستجدات حتى الآن، وكل شيء تحت إشراف وكلائي، الأمور تسير على ما يرام”.

The visitors bring a strong pace attack and a new-look middle order to the start of their journey to 2023

The Preview by Andrew McGlashan13-Jan-20200:38

Star Sports Game Plan: Gambhir and Dean Jones predict series outcome

Big PictureFor the first time since being pumped by England in the World Cup semi-finals, Australia return to ODI cricket as they begin plotting their path for the next three-and-a-half years. India are both the hosts in 2023 and where Australia’s rejuvenation as a one-day side kicked into gear last year as they made a late sprint to be World Cup contenders with a memorable come-from-behind 3-2 series victory.While some senior figures have been retained there is a fresh feel, particularly in the batting, with Peter Handscomb and Ashton Turner – both of whom starred on the last India tour before being squeezed out of the World Cup – back in the mix alongside the uncapped Marnus Labuschagne, who will be looking to transfer his stunning Test form into the one-day arena.The ‘big three’ of the Test attack – Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood – are also back together while there has been an interesting decision to move away from a number of allrounders for a variety of reasons: Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Marsh are currently lighting up the BBL.The next World Cup is a long time away so a lot can change – and probably will – between now and then (captain Aaron Finch will be 36 by then) but there are the staging posts of two T20 World Cups and it will be interesting to see how closely Australia bring their two limited-overs sides.As ever, India bring a fearsome ODI top three with their main questions lower down the order around the balance of the side, which was an issue during the World Cup. Hardik Pandya remains sidelined by injury and there continues to be a juggle for spots in the middle order with Kedar Jadhav being persisted with and Shivam Dube given his debut against West Indies.Mitchell Starc raises his cap to the crowd•Getty Images

Form guide(last five completed matches)
India WWLWW
Australia LLWWWIn the spotlightJasprit Bumrah is set to play his first ODI since the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand after recovering from a stress fracture of his back. He has eased back into action in the T20I series against Sri Lanka and this will be another step up ahead of the all-formats tour of New Zealand. In 11 ODIs against Australia, Bumrah’s average (29.82) and economy rate (5.07) are the second-highest of his career although it remains a very fine record.Josh Hazlewood did not hide his disappointment at missing the World Cup after the selectors opted to save him for the Ashes following the stress fracture he sustained early last year. Now, having returned from a hamstring injury picked up against New Zealand in Perth, he has the chance to resume his ODI career – during which he was ranked the No. 1 bowler in 2017 – and form a strong pace attack in a country where he has never played a one-dayerTeam newsIndia could now play all three of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan, Kohli said on Monday. If they want to retain Ravindra Jadeja as the fifth bowling option at No. 7 and Kedar Jadhav as the sixth at No. 6, they might have to leave out Rishabh Pant and give Rahul the keeping gloves. With Jasprit Bumrah back in the ODI side, they may have to leave one out of Mohammed Shami and Navdeep Saini, if they want Shardul Thakur’s batting contribution from No. 8.India (possible): 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 KL Rahul (wk), 4 Virat Kohli (capt), 5 Shreyas Iyer, 6 Kedar Jadhav, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Mohammed Shami/Navdeep Saini, 11 Jasprit BumrahSteven Smith will return to No. 3, which opens the possibility of a debut for Labsuchagne at No. 4. The interesting decision is how Australia balance the side with Ashton Agar a candidate for the role at No. 7 to give five bowling options although it will lengthen the lower order.Australia (probable): 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch (capt), 3 Steven Smith, 4 Marnus Labuschagne, 5 Peter Handscomb, 6 Alex Carey (wk), 7 Ashton Agar, 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Adam ZampaRohit Sharma looks on as Alex Carey takes the catch to dismiss him•AFP

Pitch and conditionsIt was unusually overcast in Mumbai on Monday morning before the sun shone through, and the ground staff kept refreshing the pitch with an occasional sprinkle of water. It had a thin layer of grass, and with dew likely to kick in in the evening, teams will be tempted to bowl first. Expect another high-scoring game in Mumbai, with memories still fresh of India scoring 240 in a T20I against West Indies last month.Stats and Trivia David Warner needs 10 runs to reach 5000 in ODIs – he has plenty of innings in hand to become the fastest Australian to the landmark. Dean Jones did it in 128 innings, Warner has currently batted in 114 Pat Cummins needs four wickets for 100 in ODIs; the last time he, Starc and Hazlewood played an ODI together was November 2018 Kuldeep Yadav needs one wicket to reach 100 in ODIsQuotes”I think we, along with Australia, are probably the top two sides in the world, as far as the balance is concerned. Whether it’s (the series) relevant or irrelevant, that’s for people to decide. But we as a team are excited to play Australia, in our conditions, to test ourselves against the best.”
“Part of the recipe for success we had here last time was being able to come up with the solution to combat the world-class spinners that India do have and no doubt their spinners will bowl a lot of overs through the middle overs of these one-day games and a lot of times in a lot of games that’s where the game is won or lost.”

يعقد مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك برئاسة حسين لبيب، جلسة حاليًا مع السلطات الإماراتية، لإنهاء إجراءات الإفراج عن ثلاثي الزمالك مصطفى شلبي ونبيل عماد دونجا لاعبا الفريق ومعهما عبد الواحد السيد مدير الكرة بالفريق.

وكان قد تم التحفظ على الثلاثي عقب مباراة الزمالك مع بيراميدز في دور نصف النهائي لبطولة كأس السوبر المصري بعد الاعتداء على مسؤول الأمن في اللقاء.

وأصدرت المحكمة الإماراتية صباح اليوم، قرارًا ضد الثلاثي، بالحبس لمدة شهر واحد، مع تغريم كل منهم مبلغ 200 ألف درهم إماراتي.

وعلى إثر ذلك تواصلت وزارة الشباب والرياضة، مع السلطات الإماراتية، وأعلنت عن انتهاء أزمة ثلاثي الزمالك.

وعلم “بطولات”، أن مجلس إدارة الزمالك، برئاسة حسين لبيب وحسام المندوه وأحمد خالد حسانين المتواجدين في الإمارات يعقد اجتماعا حاليا مع السلطات الإماراتية لإنهاء إجراءات الإفراج عن ثلاثي الزمالك ومعرفة الموعد الخاص بخروجهم.

وكان الزمالك خسر لقب بطولة السوبر المصري أمام الأهلي، بركلات الترجيح، 7-6، بعد انتهاء اللقاء في الوقت الأصلي والإضافي 0-0.

Dan Ashworth wants to mastermind a huge double transfer swoop at Manchester United this summer, should he complete his move to Old Trafford.

Man Utd working on Dan Ashworth deal

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to oversee huge changes at United in the coming months, bringing an end to what has been a poor spell since Sir Alex Ferguson moved on. Sunday's 3-1 defeat away to Manchester City highlighted the gulf in class between the two rivals, and there need to be major improvements both on and off the pitch.

One of Ratcliffe's primary aims currently is to secure the services of Dan Ashworth, who is currently on gardening leave after informing Newcastle United of his desire to leave the club and move to United. It is a complicated situation, however, with the Red Devils not willing to pay the Magpies £20m in compensation to bring him in this summer, meaning they could have to wait until 2026.

The Englishman is an extremely highly-rated figure in his field, excelling as the Magpies' sporting director, masterminding key transfers and working seamlessly alongside Eddie Howe. The Newcastle boss has called him "hugely important" and "really calming", and he could be a fantastic appointment by United.

The Red Devils haven't had a figure of Ashworth's calibre in place in recent years and it has shown in their recruitment, with huge sums of money spent on signings who have ultimately underwhelmed, including the likes of Jadon Sancho and Antony.

In comparison, rivals Liverpool have shown how it's done, with Michael Edwards a superb sporting director who brought in the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah for reasonable fees, proving the power of having a true specialist in the field.

Dan Ashworth eyes huge Man Utd double signing

According to an exciting update from Inter Live [via Sport Witness], Ashworth wants to bring both Gleison Bremer and Nicolo Barella to United in the summer, in a combined deal worth €140m (£120m).

The 52-year-old could oversee a "sensational transfer operation" at Old Trafford, as he looks to "plunder" two of Serie A's biggest club, snapping him up a couple of important players.

Bremer and Barella could be exactly what United need this summer, with defensive and midfield reinforcements required, in order to significantly improve the spine of Erik ten Hag's team.

The former has been a rock at the heart of Juventus' defence this season, winning an average of 2.7 aerial duels per game across 26 Serie A appearances this season, and at 26, he represents a younger alternative to Maguire, Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans.

Notable Dan Ashworth signings

Year

Cost

Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad to Newcastle)

2022

£63m

Anthony Gordon (Everton to Newcastle)

2023

£45m

Sven Botman (Lille to Newcastle)

2022

£31m

Nick Pope (Burnley to Newcastle)

2022

£10m

Tino Livramento (Southampton to Newcastle)

2023

£30m

Alexis Mac Allister (Argentinos Juniors to Brighton)

2019

£6.9m

Tariq Lamptey (Chelsea to Brighton)

2020

£5m

Moises Caicedo (Independiente del Valle to Brighton)

2021

£4m

Kaoru Mitoma (Kawasaki Frontale to Brighton)

2021

£2.5m

Leandro Trossard (Genk to Brighton)

2019

£13m

Meanwhile, Barella has been one of the best midfielders in Italy for some time now, winning 51 caps for his country and playing a key role in Inter Milan reaching the Champions League final last year. He could provide both the technical class and legs that are sorely lacking in the middle of the park at United currently, with only Bruno Fernandes (3.0) averaging more key passes per game in the league than him (1.1) this season.

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Posts ByTom Cunningham Mar 4, 2024

This may all be dependent on whether United are able to acquire Ashworth's services, of course, but he would be a significant capture if the club can snap him up, helping them slowly return to the top of English football.

Nottinghamshire 425 for 6 (Mullaney 179, Clarke 125) v Warwickshire
Centuries from Steven Mullaney and Joe Clarke enabled Nottinghamshire to deliver their best batting performance since early April in their Specsavers County Championship meeting with Warwickshire at Trent Bridge.The pair added 205 for the third wicket as Notts played with the freedom of a side whose fate has already been decided. Their defeat last week to Kent means that they’ll be playing second-tier cricket next season. That, coupled with their qualification for this weekend’s Vitality Blast Finals Day, enabled Notts to ring the changes and pile on the runs.By stumps they had reached 425 for 6 after being invited to bat first, their highest score of the season.Mullaney scored a career-best 179, from 173 deliveries, with 26 fours and five sixes. The Notts’ club captain, who has recently returned to the side after knee surgery, was crestfallen last week as the drop was confirmed. He shrugged off that disappointment to plunder boundaries all around Trent Bridge from a Bears attack that kept offering him the width to pepper the advertising boards at cover.Clarke, who has struggled for runs since the opening week of the season, regained his touch with a sublime innings of 125 – like Mullaney, reaching 100 for the 15th time.Three players were given a first-class debut by Notts, including Joey Evison who, at the age of 17 years 301 days, has become the first player born in the 2000s to represent the county. Evison immediately looked at ease and caressed nine fours in making 45 from only 54 balls before falling lbw to Henry Brookes.The other newcomers are Ben Compton, cousin for former England batsman Nick, who made 14 before being bowled by Will Rhodes and pace bowler Jack Blatherwick, who has made two one-day appearances for the county. Chris Nash, at the other end of his playing career, was bowled by Brookes without scoring.At lunch Mullaney was unbeaten on 90 and he wasted little time in advancing to his hundred soon afterwards, arriving at the landmark from 93 balls with 19 fours. Mullaney pepped up the already-impressive run rate with the first of five huge sixes coming off George Garrett’s bowling. He passed 150 for the fourth time in his career from 140 balls before lofting Jeetan Patel to Oliver Hannon-Dalby at mid-off.Clarke reached his hundred from 153 balls, with 18 fours and then accelerated to 125 before hitting Rhodes out to deep midwicket.Ben Duckett missed out, caught off Hannon-Dalby for eight but Ravi Ashwin and Paul Coughlin took Notts past 400 for only the second time this year.

India A extended their dominance over South Africa A on day one of the first four-day match in Thiruvananthapuram, bowling the visitors out for 164 before going to stumps within 35 runs of taking a first-innings lead with eight wickets in hand. Shardul Thakur’s three-wicket burst played a key role in dismissing the South Africans cheaply before captain Shubman Gill struck an unbeaten 66 to put India A in a commanding position.The India A quicks wreaked havoc with the new ball and the spinners cleaned up the tail to shoot out South Africa in the 52nd over. The visitors were in deep trouble at 22 for 5 in the 13th over before some lower-order contributions saved them from a complete collapse. Mohammed Siraj had the captain Adien Markram caught behind for a four-ball duck in the first over and Thakur followed that up with the wicket of Pieter Malan for an eight-ball duck in the fourth, to leave the scoreboard reading 0 for 2.There was no respite with the introduction of spin either, as Shahbaz Nadeem removed No. 3 Zubayr Hamza for 13, and Thakur soon sent back Khaya Zondo and Heinrich Klaasen in consecutive overs to leave them five down.A series of small partnerships thereafter – 30, 31 and 30 for the sixth, eighth and ninth wickets respectively – took South Africa past 100. Wiaan Mulder scored 21 and Dane Piedt chipped in with a quick 33 off 45, with six fours. But it was for the final wicket that the visitors added the most runs – 33 – with Marco Jansen top-scoring with an unbeaten 45, with four fours and two sixes, and Lungi Ngidi, the last man out, contributing 15.K Gowtham, who was reported unwell on the eve of the match, chipped in with three lower-order wickets, including those of Piedt and Mulder. Thakur finished with 3 for 29 while Nadeem bagged 2 for 37.In response, India started fluently, the openers adding 48 before Ruturaj Gaikwad was bowled by Jansen for 30. Gill was then joined by Ricky Bhui for a 58-run stand, which was broken by Ngidi, who cleaned up Bhui for 26, before Gill and No. 4 Ankit Bawne negotiated the last few overs of the day.

Recent form was the perfect pointer to how the opening day unfolded in Nottinghamshire’s County Championship match against Essex at Trent Bridge.Winless – and bottom of the table – Notts were bundled out for only 213 in 69.1 overs against a side that are playing with the momentum that sped them to the Division One title in 2017.Essex, second in the standings, will expect to secure a substantial first-innings advantage and reached the close on 72 for the loss of Alastair Cook, a deficit of only 141.The Essex attack shared the wickets around during the first two sessions, with Peter Siddle, Jamie Porter and Aaron Beard picking up three wickets apiece.Without a red-ball victory in more than 12 months – since beating Essex at Chelmsford last June – Notts shuffled their top order around, with captain Steven Mullaney making 74 after restoring himself to the top of the order after winning the toss.Ben Duckett’s season has been feast or famine so far and the left-hander was dismissed in the third over of the day for only eight. He stroked a couple of elegant cover drives before pushing firmly at a Porter delivery and deflected the ball into the waiting hands of Cook at first slip.Mullaney greeted the introduction of Simon Harmer by launching the spinner over deep midwicket for six and two overs later he gave the same treatment to a short-pitched ball from the returning Porter.Nick Browne got a hand to a firm Mullaney slash at backward point but the right-hander offered little else in the way of encouragement as he advanced to a 73-ball 50 with his sixth four.Aaron Beard, who took 3 for 62, ended a second-wicket partnership of 58 when Ben Slater, on 14, edged behind. The seamer followed that wicket with two more during the early stages of the afternoon, although both came from a touch of good fortune. Within the space of four overs he changed the complexion of the day when getting both Chris Nash and Mullaney caught down the leg-side.Nash went aggressively at a poorly-directed delivery and helped it through to Adam Wheater. His skipper also went to a ‘strangle’ to herald a collapse which saw Notts slip from 126 for 2 to 168 for 8.Joe Clarke hadn’t reached 30 in any of his previous eight innings and his barren streak continued when he was pinned lbw by Siddle for 15.Porter, who claimed 3 for 49, picked up two lbw decisions, removing debutant Ravi Ashwin for five and Luke Fletcher for a single.In between, Harmer had struck for the first time, bowling Tom Moores with a full-pitched delivery, for a duck.Siddle, who took 3 for 38, finished off the innings with the wickets of Samit Patel, who played nicely for 39, and Jake Ball for one, caught tickling to leg.Stuart Broad remained undefeated on 19 but gave his team-mates an early boost with the ball, by removing Cook cheaply. Cook’s knock produced only two runs before he snicked behind and had to walk off past the joyous celebrations from his former England team-mate.Browne and Tom Westley consolidated, adding 62 together, the highest stand of the contest so far.

West Ham have been given some hope in their pursuit of a new striker as it is believed one forward is very keen to link up with David Moyes.

West Ham linked with new forward before deadline day

It's been a very busy last 48 hours in east London, with the club already sealing a deal to sign England international Kalvin Phillips on loan for the remainder of 2023/2024.

Talks opened as West Ham attempt third signing with Phillips and Osman

The Hammers are becoming very active in this latter stage of the window.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 24, 2024

The 28-year-old joins on a temporary deal with the option to make it permanent this summer, and it has been reported elsewhere that West Ham will pay the entirety of Phillips' wages during his London Stadium spell.

As well as Phillips, widespread reports indicate they're also attempting to get FC Nordsjaelland winger Ibrahim Osman through the door before February 1.

The 19-year-old, who was a product of the 'Right to Dream' academy in Ghana, much like West Ham's own Mohammed Kudus, is now at the centre of West Ham interest and talks have advanced very quickly since the news broke on Tuesday evening.

Amid these developments, it is believed West Ham are still looking for a striker after failing to replace Gianluca Scamacca last summer.

The Italian departed for Atalanta in 2023, with Moyes having just the injured Michail Antonio and Danny Ings to choose from as natural options in his squad.

Star winger Jarrod Bowen has played in a makeshift role for much of the campaign, and while he has proven effective, the Englishman's recent injury exposed a glaring lack of depth up front in his absence.

The likes of Bayer Leverkusen star Victor Boniface have even been linked recently, though it is unclear whether West Ham will have the funds to pull off such a coup after swoops for Phillips and Osman.

Moyes given Dia transfer boost

Another striker who may be more attainable is Salernitana forward Boulaye Dia. The Senegal international, who racked up 22 goal involvements for his club last term (16 goals, six assists), is said to be very keen on joining the Irons.

Indeed, as per Calcio Salernitana, Dia is hoping West Ham join the race to sign him in January as he dreams of a move to the Premier League. Salernitana also appear open to offers for the 27-year-old, giving Moyes' side a real opportunity to pounce.

While Dia hasn't replicated last season's heroic form, he's been called a "beast" and "absolute monster" by some members of the media, who rate him highly (Jonas Adnan Giæver).

Moeen Ali has called on fans who will attend the 2019 World Cup to refrain from heckling the duo of Steven Smith and David Warner with personal barbs. Both men will be turning out for Australia for the first time since they were banned for a year each in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal, but Moeen said he didn’t want fans to go after them too much because of that.”I really hope they don’t get too much stick. I want them to enjoy the series,” Moeen told the . “If you have to, keep it funny, not personal. We all make mistakes. We are human beings and we have feelings. I know deep down they are probably really good people. I just hope they get treated decently. I just want the cricket to be spoken about.”Moeen’s comments come two days after Australia coach Justin Langer had said both Smith and Warner would require sensitive monitoring and handling over the coming months.”There’s not too many I’ve met in my life who like being booed or heckled or disliked so… they’re human beings,” Langer had said. “We’re going to have to care for them, we’re going to have to put an arm around them and make sure they’re going okay. But what people say, whether it’s in the crowd or social media or wherever, there’s nothing they can do about that, they can’t control it, but what we can do is keep an eye on them and make sure they’re going okay as people as much as cricketers.”Smith and Warner were part of Australia’s pre-World Cup camp, which included three practice matches against a New Zealand XI. Smith made 22, 89* and 91* in those games, while Warner scored 39, 0 and 2. Both men played key parts in the recently concluded IPL 2019 for their respective franchises, though they had to leave the tournament early to join the Australia camp.Warner was the leading run-scorer in the competition, amassing 692 runs in 12 innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad at an average of 69.20 and a strike rate of 143.86. Smith started slowly for Rajasthan Royals but upped his run-scoring significantly once he was made captain, ending with 319 runs in ten innings at an average of 39.87 and a strike rate of 116.00.