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Setting a team 320 for victory in a day-night one-dayer brimming over with excitement is a sure way to do one of two things – set up a tense run chase where the match goes right down to the wire or, more often than not, play the opposition right out

Anand Vasu10-Mar-2002Setting a team 320 for victory in a day-night one-dayer brimming over with excitement is a sure way to do one of two things – set up a tense run chase where the match goes right down to the wire or, more often than not, play the opposition right out of the game. At the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, India leveled the five-match series 1-1 against Zimbabwe with a convincing 64-run win.The toss was crucial and, for the second time running, Sourav Ganguly won it and decided to bat. Heath Streak bowled a tight line to India’s makeshift opening partnership of Sourav Ganguly and Dinesh Mongia. The former was troubled by the short ball, mis-hitting more than one pull shot but getting away with it.Mongia, for his part, was content to play a sedate knock. Using the width afforded to him to good effect, the Punjab southpaw got the scoreboard moving at a steady pace. He was, however, less than convincing in his approach, and it came as no surprise that a mis-timed drive went straight down the throat of Travis Friend at mid-off. Despite being unattractive, Mongia’s innings was of immense value. His 45 (52 balls, 9 fours) took India to 109 for the opening partnership.After struggling to get his feet moving early on, Ganguly regained his old form, something usually signalled by a total domination of the bowlers in limited-overs cricket. Using his feet well, Ganguly came down the track with regularity, unmindful of the fact that Tatenda Taibu was standing up to the stumps to prevent just this.The assualt had its effect on the Zimbabweans, with Friend losing his way completely in the middle overs. The medium-pacer bowled as many as five wides in a single over – the over lasted 11 balls – a clear reflection of the state of the match.Once again, however, a century evaded Sourav Ganguly. After playing himself in well, the Indian skipper fell for 86 (83 balls, 8 fours, 3 sixes) in the 30th over of the day. By then, Ganguly had managed to pack enough punch to take India to a commanding position of 188/2 in 29.1 overs.After the departure of Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid batted with a sense of urgency and purpose that is the exception rather than the rule in Indian cricket. Laxman continued from where he left off in the first game, with Dravid at the other end adopting a refreshingly brisk approach. The Karnataka middle-order batsman, usually slow and dour, played an innings of character, innovating at will – inside-out through the off-side, pulls that skipped away to the fence, a reverse-sweep that beat short-third man, and even an attempted scoop shot a la Marillier were on display.Laxman, having reached a well-made 52 (72 balls, 3 fours), got the leading edge off an attempted pull shot. Trying to force the pace, Laxman spooned a catch off Travis Friend to Dion Ebrahim at point.Dravid, unfazed by the fall of wickets at the other end, grew in confidence. He remained unbeaten on 66 (59 balls, 6 fours) as India put together a massive 319/6 in 50 overs. Harbhajan Singh (15 not out), cheered on by his home crowd, struck a couple of lusty blows towards the end. It was yet another disappointment with the bat for Sanjay Bangar, however. After lasting two balls for a duck in the first encounter, the all-rounder fell for a first-ball duck at Mohali.With a massive target on the board, India merely had to stick to a good plan in order to restrict Zimbabwe. The early loss of Dion Ebrahim did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of Alistair Campbell and pinch-hitter Travis Friend. While Friend used the honest-to-goodness long-handle method to clear the infield and frustrate the bowlers, Campbell showed maturity and a sensible approach.After making 64 (60 balls, 7 fours, 1 six), Friend was stumped off the skilful Harbhajan Singh, with Ajay Ratra doing a tidy job behind the stumps. Friend had been instrumental in adding a record 134 for the second wicket with Campbell.Soon after Friend was taken care of, Harbhajan Singh sent Campbell packing. Straddling the crease, Campbell was trapped plumb in front when he missed a drifter from the offie. Campbell’s 62 (74 balls, 8 fours) should really have been something far more substantial if Zimbabwe are to go the whole distance.The rest of the Zimbabwe innings really lacked the conviction and character to pull off a chase of this proportion. When Andy Flower (29) chopped a ball from part-time left-arm spinner Dinesh Mongia onto his stumps, the writing was on the wall. Overnight sensation Douglas Marillier (2) also flopped, top-edging a sweep towards square-leg off Mongia; Ratra pouched the steepler with ease. Surprisingly enough, Mongia, who hardly bowls in domestic cricket, met with great success with his left-arm spin, ending with figures of 3-31.It was then only a matter of completing the formalities as the Zimbabwean tail fell away to 255 all out in the face of an incredibly uphill climb to victory.

يواصل الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم برئاسة جمال علام، سعيه لاختيار الأجهزة الفنية للمنتخبات الوطنية، بعد الإعلان عن تعيين إيهاب جلال مدربًا لمنتخب مصر الأول.

وعلم “بطولات” أن جمال علام منح ملف اختيار الجهاز الفني لمنتخب مصر الأولمبي لـ حازم إمام ومحمد بركات، عضوي اتحاد الكرة.

طالع | جمال علام: طلبنا من فيفا تأهل مصر لكأس العالم مباشرة دون إعادة مباراة السنغال

ويرغب علام في مُصالحة حازم إمام الغاضب من تجاهل رأيه في ملف المدير الفني للمنتخب الأول، إذ كان يرغب في تعيين مدير فني أجنبي، وإبعاد الملف عن مبدأ التصويت.

اقرأ أيضًا | حازم إمام: كنت ضد التصويت على تعيين إيهاب جلال.. و”أنا بزهق بسرعة”

وعلم “بطولات” أنه لهذا السبب، لن يلجأ علام للتصويت على اختيار المدير الفني الجديد للمنتخب الأولمبي، وسيُعطي الملف بالكامل إلى حازم إمام ومحمد بركات لاختيار ما يراه الثنائي مُناسبًا.

So Mashonaland have won the Logan Cup again, for the second season in a row winning all five matches

John Ward25-Apr-2002So Mashonaland have won the Logan Cup again, for the second season in a row winning all five matches. They were fortunate, though, to be able to fight back and beat Manicaland after following on, thanks to the most remarkable of Craig Evans’ batting feats this season. An interview with Craig is included in this issue. They also enjoyed the benefit of a generous declaration by Mashonaland A, for the second successive year, that enabled them to win that match.In the past two or three seasons, Mashonaland made themselves highly unpopular around the country for their arrogant attitude and their abuse and needling of opponents on the field. It was good to see less of this in their final match, against CFX Academy, although they were not altogether innocent. But it certainly appeared to be an improvement, and there have been fewer complaints about them around the country this year.On the other hand, general behaviour by all teams in other areas has continued to deteriorate, and that has brought much criticism from officials and spectators. There is far too much ridiculous appealing – otherwise known as cheating – for a start. There is too much foul language from players, bowlers especially, when things do not go their way, which can clearly be heard from the other side of the boundary. There is far too much dissent or banging of bats or pads by batsmen when they are out. Certain players have acquired reputations for petulance on the field. Self-control is no longer considered a virtue on the cricket field.There is an increasing feeling that match referees are now needed for Logan Cup cricket, with instructions to stamp out all these excesses of behaviour and make cricket again a sport for children to watch – as some still do, and more would if it were better advertised. Part of the problem, though, is that club cricket is also played in this way, and it would be impossible to supply match referees for all club matches – it is hard enough to find umpires.On the other hand, if umpires were treated with due respect by the players, more might be willing to stand. But, according to Dave Houghton, when they make complaints about player behaviour, all too often little or nothing is done, so they do not feel they are getting any support from the administrators. Peter Robinson, former umpire who used to work in the ZCU headquarters, put it slightly differently a couple of years ago when he said that action was in fact usually taken, but the umpires were too often not informed of it.Let us hope that ZCU puts this high on their list of priorities when planning next season, and that the growing tide of anarchy is stemmed before it gets completely out of control, as it has in certain other parts of the world.In this issue we continue with our biographies of players: a new one in Sherezad Shah, nephew of Ali and a student at the CFX Academy, and updated ones in Neil Ferreira, Brighton Watambwa and Ryan Butterworth. There will be more in our next issue, which will be the final one of the season.

Manchester City fans are unhappy at the news that Gabriel Jesus is a major transfer target for Juventus this summer.

This promises to be a busy summer at the Etihad Stadium after the previous term. It was a successful one on the whole as the Citizens won the Premier League and the League Cup, but the loss to Chelsea in the Champions League final in Porto could lead to the squad being refreshed.

That will also mean outgoings. Both Sergio Aguero (fcbarcelona.com) and Eric Garcia have departed City to join Barcelona and now, as per Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Jesus could be joining them through the exit door. They say that the £54m-valued Brazil international (Transfermarkt) is Juve boss Max Allegri’s first-choice target, and Jesus would be open to making the switch.

The news was shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Jesus below

“No Gabby don’t go”

Credit: @GdpMcfc

“He’s too good to leave”

Credit: @paddymill

“We can’t lose Jesus I’m telling you we need to keep him at all costs”

Credit: @Furqan_ibrahim1

“Hope this doesn’t come back to bite us.”

Credit: @ChrisTomz123

“I hate this summer. Gabriel Jesus is very important to us. He always gives his all on the field. His pressing and defending is top notch. Very versatile too. Why is pep trying to sell our best players”

Credit: @RockyRhymes3

“Sad to see him go, and if he joins a side that sets up more to suit him I’m sure he’ll do well. Makes sense for him to leave at this stage, though. I’d think 40m and reinvest that straight in to one of the three striker options. Delap as the understudy for next season?”

Credit: @jparkes1991

In other news, Man City fans are delighted with this Grealish update.

MatériaMais Notícias

Há erros que são perdoáveis. Outros são inadmissíveis. O que fez ontem na Arena de Itaquera o senhor Thiago Duarte Peixoto é inexplicável. De frente para o lance, a menos de cinco metros, um árbitro não pode confundir camisa 30 com camisa 5. Gabriel, expulso, nem participou da jogada em que Maycon empurrou Keno. O estádio todo viu. Menos ele, seu auxiliar e o quarto arbitro. Seis olhos míopes. O Corinthians, punido pelo erro, dominado todo o segundo tempo com 10 em campo, vingou-se com o gol de Jô. Thiago e seus comparsas não podem sair ilesos. Ou são punidos severamente – afastados do campeonato ao menos – ou a FPF desmoraliza de vez esse Paulistão.

Lágrimas depois do erro

Com a voz embargada e os olhos ainda vermelhos de chorar, Thiago Duarte Peixoto só saiu do vestiário uma hora e meia depois do fim do jogo. Admitiu ter agido mal ao expulsar Gabriel e entendeu o tamanho do seu erro. “Escolhi ser árbitro de futebol, escolhi isso para vida. Se não tiver preparado para os erros e acertos… Se a comissão confiou em mim para estar aqui é porque eu merecia. Espero que eu continue minha carreira. É um aprendizado, é difícil errar em um clássico, em um jogo da importância como essa. Mas foi o que escolhi para mim”, declarou. Humildade, ao menos, faz bem nessa hora.

S.O.S. arbitragem

Muito temos falado da falta que faz o uso da tecnologia para auxiliar a arbitragem no futebol. Mas não há câmera de vídeo ou chip na bola que vá resolver o problemas da má qualidade dos juízes brasileiros. Os erros crassos como o de ontem se multiplicam. Falta conhecimento técnico, preparo emocional, capacidade de disciplinar. E não é por acaso. Um jogo tem 22 profissionais em campo, Tem treinadores, médicos, massagistas etc. Todos profissionais. Só o homem do apito não é. Mas já passou da hora de ser. Profissionalizar a arbitragem não é mais uma opção. É uma necessidade.

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The first two days’ play of this Guyana Test match – and it can be called thus for more reasons than just the venue – threw up tremendous excitement from stylish batsmen

Anand Vasu13-Apr-2002The first two days’ play of this Guyana Test match – and it can be called thus for more reasons than just the venue – threw up tremendous excitement from stylish batsmen. The third day saw a predictable end to the West Indian innings at a psychologically important 501 and an Indian reply that followed a script that the team seems to pick up from the Immigration and Customs officer every time it leaves the country. At the end of the third day’s play, India had stuttered to 237/4.The day began with a delay – yet another one of those things about the day that was oh-so-predictable. It was just one of those days, one could hear the old man in the stands at the Bourda Oval mutter. The name of that wise veteran Windies supporter (Gus, was it? Or possibly Les?) does not really matter. What does is the fact that there was little to the day’s play that would have worried the bookmakers. No surprises at all.To start off, the West Indies added precious little to their overnight score of 494 for seven. Sanjay Bangar, bowling his medium-pace with a markedly more reasonable field setting, picked up his first Test wicket. It may not have been that of the greatest batsman in the world, but Bangar would still have been pleased as punch when he trapped Mervyn Dillon in front of the stumps for a duck.Anil Kumble, who has toiled hard without much direction or result this match, removed debutant Adam Sanford. A low full-toss that appeared to be slipping down leg in rapping the pads was enough to satisfy umpire Asoka de Silva. A comedy of errors then saw last man Cameron Cuffy run out while Mahendra Nagamootoo remained unbeaten on 15. With 501 on the board, the West Indies licked their chops, took the new ball, and started to have a bowl at the Indians.And that licking of chops was not without good reason. Deep Dasgupta, cruelly dubbed Deep ‘Drop’gupta by some especially severe Indian fans, failed at the one task that is keeping him in supply of India Test caps. Opening the batting, the Indian stumper troubled the scorers merely in the sense that they had to mark out five dot-balls before neatly pencilling in (or typing, in the case of the more technology-savvy scorers) D Dasgupta lbw b Cuffy 0. Plumb in front too, for those who may be wondering if Dasgupta was somehow dealt a cruel hand by fate.Not five overs later, Dasgupta had his Bengal teammate at his side back in the cool confines of the dressing room. Sourav Ganguly, showing some bravado in climbing up the order to number three, failed to come good on a wicket that looks easier to bat on than many others the world of overseas Test cricket can offer.Tentative at best and confused at worst, the Indian skipper scratched around for five runs before committing what television commentator Geoffrey Boycott incorrectly refers to as ‘Hari-Kiri.’ Playing a pull with all the confidence and poise of a flat-footed, pimpled teenager picked to dance with the prom queen, Ganguly mis-hit Dillon to Nagamootoo at backward square leg.Then came that short man from Mumbai. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar put his fan following back home of a billion (incorrectly and conveniently assuming, of course, that every Indian citizen from infant to geriatric is a cricket nut) through a rigorous cardiac test. Playing half-cocked to the first ball he faced, Tendulkar missed edging the ball to the keeper by the finest of whiskers.After that, though, it was all mastery. Showing why he has more centuries, a better average, and basically truck-loads more of every conceivable batting record than any other Indian batsman playing today, Tendulkar dominated the bowling. Striking the ball through the covers as though it were his birthright and whipping the ball through midwicket with the felicity of a confectioner whipping cream, the star of the Indian firmament rose higher and higher.All the while, Nagamootoo and Co. had more than one trick hidden up their sleeves. What Anil Kumble can do with a packed Chinnaswamy Stadium at Bangalore behind him, Nagamootoo can also do with his Guyanese fans sipping the finest Merlin Rum and belting out reggae from the stands. And let us not forget the air-horns that blared loud enough to make one ardent fan plead desperately, “Can’t we shoot that man operating the horn?” It was one of those air-horn special skidders that Nagamootoo trapped Tendulkar plumb in front of the stumps with, just minutes before tea.A crucial ball it was too. Whether it was the deft skill of Nagamootoo’s flipper or a mere deceptive whim of an otherwise placid wicket, Tendulkar’s shot deserved nothing less than the loss of his wicket. A cross-batted pull just minutes before tea on a wicket that kept low every now and then cost India the man who had scored 79 of India’s 144 runs. But one cannot be too hard on Tendulkar. Thirteen sensational boundaries had already dotted his 136-ball innings.As is often the case when India is abroad, Rahul Dravid is the backbone of stability when several others around him fail the test. Indian fans accustomed to run gluts on flat wickets at home often grow impatient with the Indian vice-captain, but his contribution can hardly be underestimated. A patient, painstaking 57 (182 balls, nine fours) in the company of a belligerent and intermittently sublime VVS Laxman (46, 91 balls, seven fours) saw India reach 237 for four when bad light stopped play on the third day.Laxman is a mercurial sort. Sparkling 30s and 40s flow off his blade like there is no tomorrow, but just when he looks classy enough for a big score that will push the opposition on the back foot, a careless heave or slash sends him on his way. Today, though, was a little different. Cutting out several strokes that are usually his strengths, an under-pressure Laxman spent quality time out in the middle. The wristy artistry was there for all to see, and the timing and placement were good enough to beat the field repeatedly.Indian fans will have on their lips that immortal line – “Keep that song playing” – when it comes to strokes at the wicket. And the Hyderabadi stylist will have to keep it playing, in the company of a reliable partner, if India are to somehow try and wrest back the initiative.

Florian Lejeune’s time at Newcastle United ‘looks to be done’, Shields Gazette journalist Liam Kennedy reports. 

The lowdown

Newcastle paid £8.7million to sign Lejune from Spanish outfit Eibar back in 2017, committing him to a five-year contract (via BBC Sport).

He went on to make 46 appearances for the club before a loan move back to La Liga with Alaves last September.

Lejeune faced numerous injury problems during his spell on Tyneside, most notably suffering a pair of knee injuries in the space of a year that kept him out for a combined 39 matches.

But he was able to maintain fitness in Spain last season, making 34 league appearances for Alaves as they successfully staved off the threat of relegation.

The latest

Kennedy expects Lejeune’s four-year spell in the North East to conclude this summer, with a permanent departure appearing the ‘most likely outcome’ as opposed to a second loan move.

The report claims Steve Bruce ‘isn’t the biggest fan’ of the 30-year-old, quashing any hopes he may have of resurrecting his Newcastle career.

The verdict

Newcastle can afford to let Lejeune go, even if he probably won’t fetch a big transfer fee given his age and the fact he has only one year left on his deal.

They already seem to be well-stocked in the centre of defence, with Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez all on their books.

If they can retain at least one of Fernandez or Schar and successfully swoop for report target Kristoffer Ajer, then they can be more than happy with their options.

In other news, Steve Howey has tipped another possible centre-back target to shine at Newcastle. 

MatériaMais Notícias

Novidade entre os titulares do Botafogo no jogo contra o Olimpia – que classificou o Glorioso para a fase de grupos da Libertadores – o jovem Matheus Fernandes ganha cada vez mais espaço no elenco alvinegro. Com apenas 18 anos e vindo como um dos grandes destaques da equipe Sub-20 – que conquistou o Carioca e o Brasileiro no ano passado – o volante recebeu elogios do técnico Jair Ventura, que explicou também a substituição do jogador no intervalo do jogo.

– O Matheus fez um grande jogo. Foi muito bem no clássico (contra o Flamengo) e vem conquistando seu espaço. Tirei o Matheus no intervalo porque ele estava mal? Não. Eu tive dificuldades com as duas linhas de quatro. Inverti o Bruno com o João Paulo. Coloquei o Gilson que tem uma saída rápida pelo corredor e o pé esquerdo. Um jogador leve. Os volantes estavam tendo dificuldades, até pelo volume de jogo do Olimpia – lembra o comandante alvinegro.

Na disputa por posição no setor central, o volante conseguiu desbancar outros nomes mais experientes, como Rodrigo Lindoso e Dudu Cearense. Ele havia sido titular no clássico contra o Flamengo – no Campeonato Carioca – e esteve em campo nos dois últimos jogos do Botafogo na Libertadores, seja iniciando como titular – como no último – ou entrando no segundo tempo – como no jogo de ida, quando o Glorioso vence o Olimpia-PAR por 1 a 0, no Nilton Santos.

Com sete partidas na temporada, Matheus Fernandes é mais um caso do atleta da base sendo aproveitado pelos profissionais do Botafogo. Na temporada, Marcelo foi outro que ganhou chance e, depois de estrear, não largou mais a posição de titular na defesa alvinegra. Outros nomes do time que foi campeão no ano passado – como Yuri, Pahcu e Renan Gorne – seguem como novas opções para Jair no futuro.

RelacionadasBotafogoNilton Severiano: ‘O maior será o primeiro’Botafogo24/02/2017BotafogoTradição continua no caminho do Botafogo na LibertadoresBotafogo24/02/2017

لاتزال قضية عقد محمد صلاح الأساسية قائمة في ليفربول، رغم الأخبار السارة المستمرة في الأنفيلد خلال الأيام الماضية، في ظل التنافس على البطولات الـ3 (الدوري والكأس ودوري الأبطال).

صاحب الـ29 عامًا تحدث في تصريحاته الأخيرة حول وضعه، مشيرًا إلى أن المفاوضات تنطوي على أكثر من المال، قبل عام واحد من نهاية عقده مع الريدز.

طالع أيضًا | تشكيل ليفربول المتوقع أمام فياريال اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا

صحيفة “ليفربول إيكو” الإنجليزية، كشفت أن ليفربول يمتلك ما يمكن لـ محمد صلاح أن يبحث عنه لتجديد طموحه، حيث يعتبر الريدز حاليًا أحد أفضل الفرق إن لم يكن الأفضل في العالم.

ويُعتبر يورجن كلوب واحدا من أفضل المدربين إلى جانب بيب جوارديولا. ولديه عقد حتى 2024، وطريقة لعبه الـ4/3/3 مناسبة تمامًا لـ محمد صلاح ويزدهر خلالها.

بالإضافة إلى ذلك، الفريق الذي يمتلكه كلوب تحت تصرفه، مليء بالنجوم. وصلاح من بينهم ومحاط بهم، بداية من حراسة المرمى حتى الهجوم.

وأصبح ليفربول الآن وجهة للاعبين الكبار وليس نقطة انطلاق، مثلما فعل تياجو ألكانتارا الذي ترك بايرن ميونخ من أجل اللعب في الريدز.

بالإضافة إلى ذلك، لا يمكن لنادٍ من بين الأفضل في أوروبا أن يتباهى بنجاح سوق الانتقالات مثل ليفربول في السنوات الأخيرة. حيث لا يدفع النادي مثل ما يدفعه بعض الأندية من المبالغ الكبيرة، لكنه يتعاقد مع لاعبين بأسعار مناسبة ولديهم الجودة اللازمة للفريق.

من الصعب أن يجد محمد صلاح تحدٍ جديد أفضل من ليفربول، لكن يمكن أن يحصل على عقد أطول، وربما ماليًا أكبر، ولكن النادي يمتلك كل القوة التي يمكن أن يبحث عنها.

وأثبت مُلاك ليفربول، أنهم مقتنعون بـ محمد صلاح وأخبروه مرارًا وتكرارا على تمسكهم به، بشروطهم التعاقدية الخاصة التي تسير على جميع اللاعبين في ليفربول.

وسيبقى محمد صلاح أسطورة ولا خلاف على ذلك إذ انتهى به الأمر بالمغادرة، لكنه بالتأكيد لن يكون لديه الأسباب المقنعة المتعلقة بكرة القدم والتي أدت إلى رحيله.

MatériaMais Notícias

Dudu e Borja, Fred e Robinho, Diego e Guerrero… O futebol brasileiro está com boas duplas de ataque na temporada 2017. Escolha a sua e vote no duelo!