O Palmeiras treinou na tarde desta sexta-feira (19), na Academia de Futebol, e encerrou a preparação para o clássico contra o Santos, que acontece neste sábado (20), às 21h, na Vila Belmiro, pela sétima rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasSantosSantos x Palmeiras: onde assistir, escalações e desfalques do jogo da 7ª rodada do BrasileirãoSantos19/05/2023SantosElenco do Santos não sente pressão por tabu contra o Palmeiras e acredita em vitória no clássico, garante Gabriel InocêncioSantos19/05/2023Fora de CampoNeto vê Palmeiras entre os quatro melhores times do mundo: “Ganha da Inter”Fora de Campo19/05/2023
+ Santos x Palmeiras: onde assistir, escalações e desfalques do jogo da 7ª rodada do Brasileirão
A comissão de Abel Ferreira comandou trabalhos técnicos de cruzamentos e finalizações, treinos específicos de cada posição e o tradicional recreativo. O treinador português recebeu o terceiro cartão amarelo na última rodada, contra o Bragantino, e está fora do clássico. Com 14 pontos conquistados na competição, um a menos que o líder Botafogo, o Verdão luta para assumir a liderança do Brasileirão.
Vale lembrar que o Palmeiras não libera a entrada de jornalistas para acompanhar os treinamentos da equipe. Dessa forma, as informações são fornecidas pela assessoria de imprensa do clube.
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Uma possível novidade para o confronto é o lateral Marcos Rocha, que já havia iniciado transição física e é dúvida. O Alviverde ainda não pode contar com o zagueiro Murilo (cirurgia no ombro), o meia Atuesta (cirurgia no joelho) e o jovem atacante Giovani (Seleção sub-20).
+ Palmeiras recebe a quarta certificação do gramado sintético do Allianz Parque pela Fifa
Embalado depois da importante vitória por 3 a 0 contra o Fortaleza, na última quarta (17), pela Copa do Brasil, a provável escalação do Palmeiras diante do Peixe é: Weverton; Mayke, Gustavo Gómez, Luan e Piquerez; Zé Rafael, Gabriel Menino e Raphael Veiga; Artur, Rony e Dudu. Técnico: Abel Ferreira.
Shabika Gajnabi and Rashada Williams return after having missed the cut for the T20 World Cup earlier this year
ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2024
Stafanie Taylor is currently on the sidelines with injury•AFP via Getty Images
West Indies will be without veteran allrounder Stafanie Taylor for their upcoming white-ball tour of India. The 33-year-old is currently rehabilitating from an injury, according to a CWI release, and will not be available for the three T20Is and three ODIs in India.Deandra Dottin, who returned to West Indies’ squad for the T20 World Cup earlier this year in the UAE, two years after announcing her international retirement, is set to make her ODI comeback during this tour.Dottin had last played an ODI in March 2022 but her recent white-ball form is encouraging. According to ESPNcricinfo’s Smart Stats, she was among the most impactful players in the 2024 T20 World Cup and in the WBBL earlier this month, she had smashed an unbeaten 46 off 18 balls at a strike rate of 255.55 to secure Melbourne Renegades’ win against Adelaide Strikers in Adelaide.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Seamer Shabika Gajnabi and wicketkeeper-batter Rashada Williams are back for both the ODI and T20Is after having missed out on the T20 World Cup squad. This is a chance for them and other players to impress the Women’s Premier League scouts.”We want to get more girls involved with franchise cricket moving forward and looking toward India, it’s always good to play in front of the Indian IPL teams,” Shane Deitz, the West Indies coach, said. “It is good for our ladies to start getting their names in front of those people, to hopefully open some opportunities in the future.” Deitz also drew confidence from the T20 World Cup where West Indies qualified for the semi-finals. “We want to take the good momentum we gained at the T20 World Cup into this series,” he said. “We showed that we can compete against the top teams, which was pleasing.” Mumbai will host the three T20Is before the series ends with three ODIs in Vadodara. West Indies will arrive early in India and will tune up with a ten-day acclimatisation camp. The ODI leg carries crucial points for the ICC Women’s Championship. West Indies last played a white-ball series in India in 2016. They won the T20Is 3-0 and lost the ODIs 0-3.West Indies ODI and T20I squadHayley Matthews (capt), Shemaine Campbelle (vice-capt), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Nerissa Crafton, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Rashada Williams
علق يانيك فيريرا المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك على التعادل مع الجونة، بهدف لكل فريق، في المواجهة التي أقيمت اليوم في مسابقة الدوري.
وتعادل الزمالك مع الجونة بهدف لكل فريق في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما على ستاد القاهرة الدولي في الجولة الثامنة لمسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
طالع| الزمالك يعلن تشخيص إصابة دونجا في مباراة الجونة
وقال فيريرا في المؤتمر الصحفي بعد اللقاء: “تعادل بطعم الخسارة، الشوط الأول كنا جيدين، كنا طول الوقت في وسط ملعب الخصم وسجلنا وضغطنا بشكل جيد”.
وتابع: “في الشوط الثاني أدخلنا الجونة المباراة والشراسة عندنا قلت ولم نسيطر مثل الشوط الأول، والجونة استحق التعادل، وبالتأكيد هذا شيء يزعجنا لكننا استحقينا الطريقة التي عوقبنا بها اليوم”.
وواصل المدير الفني :” محمد شحاتة لا يزال مصابًا منذ أسابيع، ولا أساس من الصحة لما يتردد بشأن التركيز على مباراة القمة خلال مباراة الجونة”.
وكشف فيريرا:” عندما نفوز نكون جميعًا في موضع المسوؤلية، وعندما نخسر أو نتعادل نكون جميعًا مسؤولين أيضًا عن النتيجة”.
وأضاف المدير الفني:” أحمد حمدي شارك بدلًا من دونجا بعد إصابة الأخير، لأن أحمد ربيع تعرض لإصابة منذ 6 أسابيع وكان من الصعب أن يشارك في مباراة اليوم بعد عودته مؤخرًا للتدريبات، في حين أن أحمد حمدي يتدرب مع الفريق منذ بداية فترة الإعداد”.
وواصل:” حتى الآن أي لحظة إخفاق تعرضنا لها عاد الفريق بعدها بشكل أقوى، وعندما خسرنا من وادي دجلة عدنا بعدها بشكل جيد، وبعد كل فقدان للنقاط نعمل على تجميع النقاط للعودة بشكل أقوى”.
ورفع الزمالك رصيده إلى 17 نقطة في صدارة ترتيب الدوري المصري، ليوسع الفارق مع المصري صاحب المركز الثاني إلى نقطتين، ومع الأهلي إلى 5 نقاط كاملة، قبل لقاء القمة المرتقب بين القطبين.
ومن المقرر أن يلعب الزمالك مباراته القادمة أمام الأهلي يوم الاثنين المقبل، ضمن مواجهات الجولة التاسعة لبطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
Omarzai, who was pulled out of CPL 2024, is in line for his Test debut after being named in the squad
ESPNcricinfo staff26-Aug-2024
Rashid Khan last played a Test match in March 2021•ICC/Getty Images
Afghanistan’s ace spinner Rashid Khan is not part of their preliminary 20-member squad for the one-off Test against New Zealand, which will be played in Greater Noida from September 9 to 13.Rashid last featured in a Test match for Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi in March 2021. A statement from the ACB didn’t specify the reason for Rashid’s absence from the squad that will leave for India on August 28 to undergo a one-week preparatory camp.Rashid was recently in action in the Shpageeza T20 league in Kabul as Speen Ghar Tigers’ captain. Last week, he hit 53 off 26 balls and picked up a wicket in a truncated game in the league. Prior to that, his stint with Trent Rockets in the men’s Hundred was cut short by a hamstring injury.Related
Rashid Khan takes a break from Test cricket on medical advice
Afghanistan sign up R Sridhar as assistant coach
NZ captain Southee may not play all upcoming subcontinent Tests
Afghanistan and New Zealand set to play one-off Test in September
“Twenty players have been selected for the training camp and a 15-member squad will be selected to play the only Test match against New Zealand after observing their performance and fitness,” Ahmad Shah Sulimankhel, the chief selector said.Seam-bowling allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai is in line to make his Test debut, meanwhile, after being named in the preliminary squad. Omarzai has established himself as a regular in white-ball cricket for Afghanistan but is uncapped in Test cricket, and his first-class experience is also limited: he has played just five long-format games so far. Omarzai was recently pulled out of his CPL stint with Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, with England’s Sam Billings replacing him. CPL 2024 will overlap with the Test match against New Zealand and the ODI series that follows against South Africa in the UAE, also in September.Hashmatullah Shahidi was retained as captain while Afghanistan will have a new assistant coach in R Sridhar for their upcoming series against New Zealand and South Africa. Sridhar had served as India’s fielding coach from 2014 to 2021, working as a part of Ravi Shastri’s support staff.The Test against New Zealand will be Afghanistan’s 10th overall and their third of 2024 – the most they have so far played in a calendar year.Afghanistan preliminary squad for one-off Test against NZHashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Shahidullah Kamal, Gulbadin Naib, Afsar Zazai (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ziaurrahman Akbar, Shamsurrahman, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Nijat Masoud, Farid Ahmad Malik, Naveed Zadran, Khalil Ahmad, Yama Arab.
Manchester United’s need for a new striker has been massively evident over the last couple of months, massively holding them back from any success.
The Red Devils’ lack of goals is reflected in their Premier League goalscoring tally in 2024/25, with no player in the squad able to register double figures.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee were the two main options at Ruben Amorim’s disposal last season, but only managed to net seven goals between them in England’s top flight.
Rasmus Hojlund
If the club are to be a success throughout 2025/26, it’s crucial that the board back the manager to allow him to make the additions he requires if he is to be a success in the near future.
Countless players have already been touted for switches to Old Trafford this summer, but it’s important he makes the right call as to which forward he makes his priority in the coming months.
The latest on United’s hunt for new attackers
Ollie Watkins is a striker who has been constantly mentioned over the last couple of days, but no deal has yet been completed for the Englishman’s signature.
Unai Emery’s side are demanding a £60m fee to part ways with the forward, a fee that may prove to be too expensive given his age of 29 and undoubtedly coming to the back end of his career.
As a result, other alternatives have been considered over the past couple of days, with Juventus star Dušan Vlahović emerging as an option, according to the Daily Mail.
They claim that the Serbian has been involved in talks between the two sides, with the Italian outfit using the forward as leverage in a separate deal which could see Jadon Sancho leave the club.
It also states that the 25-year-old – who has a reported price tag of £26m – could be open to a move to the Premier League, but his wage demands could provide a stumbling block in any move this summer.
Why United’s latest target would be better than Watkins
There’s no denying that Watkins would be an excellent option, but his current price tag is way beyond the fee you would expect for a forward given his age.
Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring their first goal withLeonBailey
However, he would offer a Premier League-proven option in the final third, as seen by his tally of 60 goals across the last three seasons under Emery at Villa Park.
As a result, he’s been one of the deadliest stars in the division, but that doesn’t make him the best addition on the market, with other options being a better fit or the current squad.
Vlahovic would certainly be better than Watkins, being four years younger than the Villa star, and having the ability to build on the success he’s already built for himself in Italy.
When comparing their respective stats from last season, the Juve star has managed to outperform Watkins in numerous key areas, showcasing why he’d be a better addition this window.
Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic
The Serbian, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, has registered more shots on target per 90, whilst notching more shot-creating actions, handing Amorim’s side the constant threat they’ve lacked in recent times.
He’s also won more of the aerial battles he’s entered in 2024/25, providing a focal point for the Red Devils to play off and allowing for improved link-up play in the final third.
Games played
29
38
Goals & assists
14
24
Shots on target per 90
1.3
1.2
Shot-creating actions
2.1
1.8
Take-on success
32%
24%
Aerials won
48%
42%
Progressive passes
1.1
0.9
Passes into final third
0.6
0.2
Vlahovic’s dominance is further reflected in his progressive passes and passes into the final third per 90, having the skillset to provide others with opportunities rather than focusing on his own goalscoring record.
It’s unclear how much a deal for the 25-year-old would cost this summer, but if he’s used in a deal for Sancho, it could prove to be excellent business from the hierarchy.
No doubt Watkins would also be a super signing, but Vlahovic has the all-round tools needed to play a vital role in their hunt for glory during Amorim’s spell in charge at Old Trafford.
Amorim's own Van Persie: Man Utd preparing £60m bid for "phenomenal" CF
Manchester United look set to pursue a move to land one star who could follow in Robin van Persie’s footsteps.
While Arsenal supporters have been craving additions in attack this summer, it’s actually the midfield that’s seen the biggest upheaval so far.
Jorginho has departed for Flamengo while Thomas Partey, a player Mikel Arteta reportedly wanted to keep at the Emirates Stadium, now looks set to leave when his contract expires at the end of the month.
Terms haven’t been agreed on a new deal and as a result, the Gunners have had to move fast to secure a replacement.
Martin Zubimendi is widely seen as the replacement for Partey and is set to arrive in a deal worth just over £50m from Real Sociedad.
He’s due to be joined in the middle of the park by Brentford captain Christian Norgaard.
The Dane has been with the Bees since 2019, but Arteta now views him as the player to fill the leadership void left behind by Jorginho.
Zubimendi, Hato, Norgaard – Arsenal
So, what’s next on the agenda for Andrea Berra and Co?
Arsenal's transfer plans post Zubimendi & Norgaard
Surprise, surprise, Arsenal are in the market for another defender.
Amid links to Ajax wonderkid, Jorrel Hato, it was reported by various sources on Thursday that Valencia’s Cristhian Mosquera is now on the club’s radar.
According to BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel, the Gunners have already opened talks to bring the 20-year-old to England this summer.
That said, it’s not all about the defence and the midfield at Arsenal with Berta ready to strengthen out wide.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Real Madrid star Rodrygo remains a primary target, but as per journalist Ben Jacobs, they have now added Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze to their shortlist.
Eze possesses a £68m release clause, which, according to Arsenal insider Teamnewsandtix, can be paid in three instalments of £20m with £8m in add-ons.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
The same source actually reports that the club have already agreed personal terms with the FA Cup, further fuelling that Arteta and Co are extremely keen on signing him this summer.
How Arsenal's new look attack with Eberechi Eze could shape up
If Arsenal were to bring Eze to the club this summer, it would be a landmark moment for the England international, primarily because he’s already spent time in the Hale End academy.
Now 26, the Eagles sensation has become a “superstar” in the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson, having initially been in the Arsenal academy but released at the age of 13.
Speaking about that time previously, Eze admitted:
Well, he now has the opportunity to return and live out that dream as a man, and as one of the most exciting players in the Premier League.
In 2024/25, the Palace no.10 had an outstanding personal season, scoring 14 times and supplying 11 assists across 43 matches. To put that into context, only Kai Havertz (15) scored more goals in the Arsenal side, while only Bukayo Saka (14) and Martin Odegaard (12) provided more assists.
While Eze largely played as an attacking midfielder last season, he can also play on the left flank, thus possessing the ability to help provide depth and additional quality in two key areas for Arteta.
Potentially providing competition for Odegaard behind the striker or taking over from Gabriel Martinelli on the left, he could be game-changing for the shape of Arsenal’s attack.
Games
40
31
43
Goals
10
11
14
Assists
4
6
11
Mins played
2,686
2,285
3,303
Let us not forget that a new striker could join too. Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are the two players in the pipeline, but at the moment it feels like the latter is the leading contender to become Arteta’s new number 9, having reportedly fallen out with the Sporting hierarchy.
The scorer of a staggering 54 goals in 52 games last term, the idea of Gyokeres and Eze playing together in the same attack is certainly a mouthwatering one.
Vikor Gyokeres at Sporting Club.
The latter is a pure magician on the ball, a player who oozes class and can unlock a defence with a dazzling piece of play, much in the same way Saka can.
Throughout last season’s Premier League campaign, he ranked inside the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the division for successful take-ons, the best 11% for shot-creating actions and the top 18% for key passes.
As a result, he seems like the ideal player to help someone like Gyokeres hit the ground running at Arsenal if both arrive.
Together, they could be dynamite. The big Swede isn’t just a goalscorer either. Capable of running in behind, he ranks among the best 3% of strikers in Europe’s top five leagues and premier competitions for progressive passes received, indicating that he’s always making himself an option for the creative hub of the team he’s playing for.
While some Arsenal fans might be sceptical about signing either Gyokeres or Sesko, there’s no doubting that they’d thrive if partnered with Eze in the final third.
This could be just the duo Arteta needs to really catapult his side to the next level.
A better move than Zubimendi: £68m star "will sign" for Arsenal this summer
The game-changing international could be sensational for Arsenal.
Birmingham City are currently putting plans in place to attack the Championship after they were promoted as champions of League One with 111 points.
The Blues wrapped up their 111-point league title success with a 2-1 win against Cambridge United away from home on the final day of the season earlier this month.
Chris Davies and his staff, working alongside the owners, will now be working towards the goal of building a squad that can compete for promotion to the Premier League.
Ipswich Town, albeit they have been relegated from the top-flight this term, have already shown that it is possible to do back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.
Davies may have to be incredibly ruthless with who he decides should and should not come along for the ride in the Championship, after his players helped him to an incredible season in League One.
One star whose suitability for the second tier is still in question is experienced centre-forward Alfie May, who has just enjoyed a fantastic year in the third tier.
Why Alfie May could be dropped as a starter
The 31-year-old attacker started 27 matches in League One in the 2024/25 campaign, but the step up to the Championship could see him reduced to a cameo role off the bench, or even in need of looking elsewhere for game time.
May turns 32 this summer and has not played a minute of Championship football in his career, playing in League Two or League One throughout his entire professional career to date.
The English centre-forward joined Birmingham from Charlton on a permanent deal in the summer transfer window last year and enjoyed an impressive debut season at St. Andrew’s.
Appearances
44
Goals
16
Big chances missed
13
Big chances created
7
Assists
8
Ground duel success rate
43%
Aerial duel success rate
10%
As you can see in the table above, May racked up 24 goals and assists combined in 44 appearances in League One, and scored more goals than he missed ‘big chances’, which shows that the forward was an effective finisher at the top end of the pitch.
However, his lack of strength in duels, particularly in the air, may be why Championship teams have not taken a chance on him in the past, and why Birmingham could drop him as a starter heading into next season.
The Blues could swoop to sign an upgrade on him in the upcoming summer transfer window, as they have been linked with an interest in an international forward.
Birmingham eyeing deal for Serie A striker
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Birmingham City are eyeing up a deal to sign Che Adams from Serie A side Torino ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Scotland international signed for the Italian club on a free transfer from Southampton last summer, and the Blues are now hoping to tempt him back to England.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Speaking to EFL Analysis, the journalist said: “I think Che Adams is one who’s on Birmingham’s list. He does tick the boxes. Obviously, he’s been there before. Knows the club. Obviously be very expensive in the Championship. We know that. So let’s see how that one goes. But yeah, they do want another striker.
“I’m not sure how much he wants to drop to Championship. I don’t really think he’s that keen on dropping to the Championship, but there are options there. If it’s a long-term thing for Birmingham, I do think that’s an option for him certainly.”
Torino'sCheAdams
These comments from Bailey suggest that it will be a difficult deal to do for the striker, who is valued at £13m by FootballTransfers, for financial and footballing reasons.
However, it could be a fantastic signing for Davies and his staff if the club are able to thrash out a transfer that would bring Adams back for a second spell at Birmingham.
Why Che Adams would be an upgrade on Alfie May
The Blues could secure a big upgrade on the aforementioned Alfie May by signing the experienced centre-forward from Torino in the summer transfer window because of his proven quality at Championship level.
Adams has been there and done it in the second tier, including in a Birmingham City shirt, and has scored goals at an even higher level in the Premier League and in the Serie A.
The 28-year-old star, who manager Paolo Vanoli described as the “perfect player”, has scored nine goals in the Italian top-flight this season, and scored 25 times in the Premier League for Southampton earlier in his career.
These statistics show that Adams has already proven himself at a much higher level than the Championship, whilst May is yet to prove himself above League One.
The Torino striker has also proven his quality in the second tier in England in his last two seasons at that level with Southampton and with Birmingham back in the 2018/19 campaign.
Appearances
46
40
Starts
43
25
Goals
22
16
Big chances missed
11
11
Big chances created
6
7
Assists
4
4
As you can see in the table above, Adams proved that he can find the back of the net on a regular basis, without missing many ‘big chances’ in the Championship in those two seasons, scoring as many or more goals than May did in League One this term.
This shows that Adams has the potential to deliver even more quality in the second tier than May did in the third tier of English football, which is why he could come in as a big upgrade on the current Birmingham star.
The Torino ace has also won 36% of his aerial duels in the Serie A this term, and won 38% of them in the Championship for Southampton last season, which suggests that he could provide more physicality in the number nine role than May.
It is now down to the club to wrap up an “expensive” deal for the forward and for Davies and his staff to convince the forward to make the drop back down to the second tier with the hope that he buys into a long-term project.
Birmingham could seal a better signing than Darling in "exceptional" star
Birmingham could seal a better deal than landing Harry Darling’s signature by signing this other defensive colossus.
Incoming sporting director Kevin Thelwell is now pushing Rangers to replace Barry Ferguson with a “genius” manager, according to a report.
49ers eyeing manager as takeover edges closer
Last week, it was confirmed that Thelwell is set to take over as sporting director upon the expiration of his contract with Everton, and it could be a summer of major change at Ibrox, with the 49ers now edging closer towards acquiring ownership of the club.
As such, the prospective new owners have started to work on appointing a new manager to replace interim boss Fergurson, and a move for former boss Steven Gerrard is now being considered, alongside recently sacked RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose.
There have also been suggestions the 49ers could move for Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, as there is doubt over the German’s future at Elland Road, despite leading his side to promotion from the Championship this season.
Celtic and Rangers race to sign "brilliant" 11-goal Scotland international
The Bhoys are looking to beat their rivals to a deal…
BySean Markus Clifford Apr 30, 2025
According to a report from Football Insider, Thelwell has been put in charge of overseeing the search for a new manager, and he is now pushing for Rangers to appoint Sean Dyche, who is available after being sacked by Everton earlier this season.
Ferguson is not expected to be handed the job on a permanent basis, with Thelwell currently exploring his options, and he has informed the club’s hierarchy that he believes Dyche would do a brilliant job as manager.
The sporting director has experience working with the 53-year-old, having spent time together at Goodison Park, but there have been suggestions they didn’t have a good relationship, so it is unclear whether he would be interested in taking over at Ibrox.
"Absolute genius" Dyche could excel at Rangers
In the Englishman’s most recent roles, he has been tasked with keeping teams in the Premier League, rather than pushing for a spot higher up the table, but he did a stellar job to ensure the Toffees retained their top-flight status after replacing Frank Lampard.
The job at Ibrox is very different, given that Rangers fans expect to compete for the Scottish Premiership title every season, but there are signs the former Burnley boss could be up to the task, having led the Clarets to two automatic promotions from the Championship.
The Kettering-born manager may be famed for his defensive approach, but it is an understandable mindset when taking Burnley to places like Anfield and Old Trafford, and his promotion-winning side were the Championship’s joint-top scorers in 2015-16.
Having also been lauded as an “absolute genius” by former Burnley academy coach Lee Waddington, there are plenty of signs that Dyche could be a success north of the border.
In Test cricket’s conventional world, it’s unwise to ignore an unconventional Sri Lankan
Vithushan Ehantharajah22-Aug-2024If you were to design your ideal fast bowler, it probably would not share many physical traits with Asitha Fernando.For starters, they would be taller than five-foot-eight. Their front leg would be braced, and their deliveries would push the speed gun well beyond 83mph. And they’d almost certainly not be Sri Lankan or blessed with the Sri Lankan uncle’s paunch.But when it comes to craft and nous, you could do worse than take a handful of what Asitha is working with to season your dream hybrid quick. Because it was those, combined with undimmed enthusiasm that sparked day two of this first Test into life. Perhaps not all the way, but how could any fuse stay lit when the wind is blowing the rain sideways, and the cold so biting you have to double-check your calendar to make sure we are actually in August. But in climes not suited for even the most strapping fast bowler, this short king stood head and shoulders above the rest.His three wickets, for 68 so far, brought Sri Lanka great hope after day one’s valiance, even if England do come back on Friday with a lead and wickets to spare. Each of the batters pocketed were prime cuts. The second most productive opener in Test cricket since the start of 2023. England’s No.3, and stand-in Test captain, no less. And, lastly, the seventh-ranked on the list of all-time runs in the format.Related
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Joe Root proud of England's adaptability as he channels his 'inner Hussain'
Joe Root drops anchor as England go 1-0 up over spirited Sri Lanka
Mathews fights after Smith's maiden hundred, but England close in on victory
Jamie Smith stays in the moment to give England a glimpse into the future
The disappointment of missing out on Dan Lawrence’s dismissal at the start of the seventh over – HawkEye showing the projected path of the ball bouncing over the top of middle and leg – was made up for with the dismissal of Ben Duckett two balls later. Sharp movement into the left-hander, and some uncharacteristic over-balancing, pinned the front pad. This time, DRS came to Asitha’s assistance, but it looked just as out in real-time.Ollie Pope had the top of his off stump rocked, stuck in the crease, and in his swing as the bat came down at an angle, surprised as much by the movement as the amount of skid into him. Joe Root had breezed past 30 before being tied down by some reverse swing. A loose attempt to break a boundary-less run of 22 balls – having struck four crisp ones in his first 35 – gifted an edge low to Dinesh Chandimal, even if Asitha had earned it.There may have been clouds overhead, but a slow surface negated any real nip through the air. It also allowed batters to react to deliveries after pitching, even given the red flag of Pope’s dismissal, but particularly as the ball went soft.Asitha was the only quick to effectively tail it late before the outfield dampened that movement. His lengths were consistent throughout; operating primarily on a six-pence around a six to six-and-a-half yard distance from the stumps. The Sri Lanka brain trust had identified for success in these conditions, and it was no surprise that Asitha was the one to take up residence there immediately.Asitha, as he has done throughout his international career, stuck to his task throughout, skill and spirit shining through across the 14 of Thursday’s 57 overs from his fingertips. He may not fit the common ideals of fast bowling, that opening burst which had England 40 for 2 (later 67 for 3 with Vishwa Fernando’s snaring of Lawrence) and then 125 for 4 after seeing off Root, showed he certainly has the traits of revered tearaways.Eventually, according to Sri Lanka bowling coach Aaqib Javed, it will be abundantly clear by the end of the series that Asitha is not just an exception to fast bowling norms. But a prototype of one of the most revered (and studied) quicks of the modern era.”I told him that after Mohammad Asif of Pakistan I saw that quality in him,” said Javed on his skills, dropping that comparison in there like it was a run-of-the-mill observation rather than a grand statement referencing one of the best to ever do it.”Not many people know about his ability. Without changing his wrist, he can swing the ball both ways.”Javed worked with Asif, so he knows what he is talking about. And airing that opinion feels especially prescient here given Asif can claim responsibility for the recent lineage of English quicks. James Anderson and Stuart Broad credit him with bringing the wobble seam, which the former has been passing on to others long before his bowling consultant role began earlier this summer. Javed, as a seam and wrist position enthusiast, does not use the equivalence lightly.”I actually picked Mohammad Asif. He wasn’t in the system. That’s how I know Asif a lot. Sometimes you don’t know what happens with your wrist. He (Asitha) has now got different confidence levels. People change their wrists, change the shine (which way it is showing) – but Asitha is so gifted, and they (the batters) even don’t know which way it will go.”Of course, Asitha has a long way to go to replicate the on-field career and influence of Asif. Not to mention the eight inches in height difference.But if history has taught us anything, it is that in Test cricket’s conventional world, it is unwise to ignore an unconventional Sri Lankan.
A recent incident tells of the need for education in this area
Sidharth Monga23-Jan-2023Stump mics do cricketers a great disservice. A cricket field is no ordinary workplace. All kinds of ugly talk that would earn someone the sack in an ordinary workplace is glorified in cricket. To let viewers listen in and also judge the players for what they say is mixed messaging. As it stands, the stump mic serves no purpose other than providing voyeuristic entertainment. If it was meant to be informative, commentators wouldn’t speak over it. If it is meant purely for cricket, it would be turned down after the shot is played and you have judged how sweet the connection is.That said, without incriminating anyone or virtue-signalling, we can use a recent incident to educate and sensitise ourselves. During the second Test between India and Bangladesh last month, an India player – let’s not guess who, because the person was not visible on camera – called his team-mate a “”, presumably because the latter had misfielded. are a caste-oppressed community of people who made or mended , temporary roofs. This was the only job they were allowed to do because of their caste, which was assigned to them by the accident of birth. However, the word has in recent years become a pejorative for someone who tries hard to be flamboyant. Looking blingy and flashy has been a form of expression and assertion by historically oppressed castes when they manage to earn enough money, but upper castes have looked down on such transformations, assigning the caste name to anything that is “cringe”.Related
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Even today, in the local trains of Mumbai, on the streets, in the maidans, even in the supposedly subversive world of rap songs, people, mainly of privileged castes, use “” as a derogatory term for anything or anyone cringeworthy. For example, to someone who prefers the aesthetic of Instagram Reels, TikTok is full of . Or if people see in a local train a man with a streak of blond hair and a colourful shirt, they might call him a .Because the term is so pervasively, casually and commonly used, and now goes beyond just caste, one could probably give this young cricketer the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes people from some states can pick up on popular terms from another part of the country without knowing how the word was derived. Still, if Black rappers use the n-word, it doesn’t become okay for others to use it.It is possible this player doesn’t know the ugly history of the word, but him probably not intending harm doesn’t mean harm is not done. Serious harm of perpetuating prejudice is done.He is hardly alone. During the Covid-19 lockdown, when players started to interview each other on Instagram, Yuvraj Singh, in a chat with Rohit Sharma, referred to Yuzvendra Chahal as a for his “cringe” TikTok videos, to the sound of laughter from Rohit. Again, are a community who, by accident of birth, were and are restricted to cleaning drains and toilets.When the matter blew up, Yuvraj responded with a non-apology, saying he was “misunderstood, which was unwarranted”. He expressed regret “if” he had “unintentionally” hurt someone’s feelings.Again, this is not to suggest Yuvraj is a monster, but he clearly didn’t have any counsel at the time telling him how what was a harmless comment to him hurts a whole community. As is in Bombay, is used as a slur commonly in north India. If a child doesn’t bathe all day, it is pretty normal for their mother to tell them not to be a . Google the term and you will find Bollywood stars using it self-deprecatingly to describe times when they are “shabbily dressed”.Instead of learning something from their abuse of these words, acknowledging historical and current caste oppression, and truly apologising for their ignorance, or worse, bigotry, people often double down and take offence at “misinterpretation” of what they said. These are members of a cricket team that took the knee to support the “Black Lives Matter” movement.They protested in Australia at being racially abused themselves by people in the stands. Imagine the spectators in that instance turning around and saying they were misunderstood, and Cricket Australia doing nothing. In fact, the hurt the Indian players felt at that alleged racial abuse should enable them to empathise with those at the receiving end of caste discrimination back home. Many of them experienced unimaginable hardships in their childhood; in an ideal world, they would be the first ones to empathise.Whenever there is a debate about caste in Indian cricket, a majority of fans of the sport are angered at the mere suggestion there might be discrimination based on caste. They like to imagine the sport is untouched by what goes on in society at large. Of course at the top level there is very little discrimination, because who doesn’t value an elite performer?This is where the caste system is more insidious than racism based on skin colour. It is not easy to look at the faces of players in India’s national team and say it is not representative, though in its history India has fielded less than a handful of players from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who form about a fourth of India’s population. Only OBC (Other Backward Castes) players make it to the national team on a regular basis.
The description of some white South African players’ childhoods is not too different to those of Indians growing up ignorant of a more deeply entrenched system of discrimination that has endured for hundreds more years than apartheid
Scheduled Castes are the most caste-oppressed people of India. Scheduled Tribes are among those who have inhabited India the longest, preceding the Indus Valley civilisation and the Aryan invasion. They retain their distinct culture and live in separation from other communities, are geographically isolated and socio-economically disadvantaged. Both groups are protected under the constitution of the country.Young Indians are kept away from being educated about caste. When they grow up to be privileged adults, they keep themselves and their offspring shielded from this inconvenient topic.I have spoken to quite a few white South African cricketers who were kids during apartheid. They say they were never informed of what was going on in the country. Whether it is just an attempt to be on the right side of history now that apartheid is unequivocally accepted as an evil system, the description of these white players’ childhoods is not too different to those of Indians growing up ignorant of a more deeply entrenched system of discrimination that has endured for hundreds more years than apartheid. This is not to compare the horrors – apartheid was shorter but actually written in the law – but the “ignorance” of the beneficiaries of the two systems.To say that there is no player of a caste-oppressed background who has been denied opportunities at the highest level is disingenuous because the villages and small towns that Indian cricketers increasingly come from don’t even allow people of these backgrounds to use playgrounds; being able to afford all the facilities and equipment required to become an elite cricketer is a whole different leap altogether.If even at the top, players – officially representing India – can use casteist slurs and not even feel apologetic about it, can you imagine what the attitude of the caste-privileged system is towards caste-oppressed communities? Slurs do not endure if there is no deeper prejudice.Make no mistake, it is a caste-privileged system. I have spoken to a few people in the BCCI to find out if a caste-oppressed person has ever made it to a position of power in the board. Nobody remembers clearly. If such a person had indeed made it and it was such a non-event that it is not remembered, it would be the equivalent of India appointing a Muslim man or a tribal woman or a Dalit man as the president of the country, as they have done in recent years, and not shouting about it from the rooftops.A state official told me there was a time when a couple of officials from the so-called lower castes rose to positions of power in their state association. A superstar cricketer, he said, was quoted in the papers the next day saying something to the effect of: “Now will we have to be controlled by [washermen] and [cobblers]?”The BCCI does a great – sometimes underappreciated – job of conducting the number of matches it does, the academies it sets up, and the systems it has set in place, but it is dipping its feet in a talent pool too shallow for a vast country. There is much more to be done. Educating its players about the ugly history of these seemingly harmless putdowns will be just a start.