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Sir Richard Hadlee says the current group of players was New Zealand’s “best in our history”

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jun-20213:08

Manjrekar: ‘This team has more world-class players than any NZ team previously’

Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has admitted it was difficult to believe that the team would end their run of near-misses in world events on the final day against India in Southampton while Sir Richard Hadlee lauded the current generation as the country’s greatest ever team.In the end New Zealand reached their target with eight wickets and time to spare deep in the final session of the match, but for most of the day the tension was palpable. For a little while it appeared Tim Southee’s miss at slip against Rishabh Pant could prove costly and then R Ashwin removed both openers in quick succession in the sort of small chase McCullum termed “horrible.”However, after Ross Taylor had been spilled at slip off Jasprit Bumrah with 55 needed, the target was brought into view by increasingly confident batting from him and captain Kane Williamson before Taylor whipped a boundary off his pads to earn New Zealand the mace.Related

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“I’m not sure it’s sunk in yet,” McCullum told SEN radio. “Overnight the game was on a bit of a knife-edge – it almost had that feeling of the previous two World Cups, get close but we won’t quite get across the line. But for them to have been able to manufacture a result against the weather and a very formidable Indian side, to do it on the biggest stage is quite superb.”I’m sure over the coming days, weeks even years we’ll look back at this moment and be so proud of what Kane’s men have been able to achieve and the heights they’ve been able to scale. For a country with pretty limited resources it is pretty amazing really and to do it against the powerhouse of world cricket on the biggest stage is something that makes it more satisfying.”Hadlee, New Zealand’s leading Test wicket-taker, added significant weight to the debate about where Williamson’s team sits in the history of the game.”The whole team has shown a high degree of professionalism. Their skill sets have complimented each other to make them a complete playing unit,” Hadlee said in a statement through NZC. “The management and support staff have also played important roles in preparing players to perform at the highest level.”Over the years NZC have built a significant depth of players, which makes us one of the most competitive teams in world cricket. It’s fair to say that this current group of players is the best in our history.”Job done, New Zealand soak in the victory•ICC/Getty Images

New Zealand’s first task of the final day was to take eight India wickets and they were given the ideal start when Kyle Jamieson, who was later named Player of the Match, removed Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara in quick succession.”I thought the captaincy of Kane Williamson to throw the ball to Kyle Jamieson, against previous routines, at the start of the day’s play was a bit of a masterstroke,” McCullum said. “His height and release point, they measure up so well against the Indian batters. He was able to get the openings and once that happened it really started to sense the belief among the group.”McCullum, who captained New Zealand to the final of the 2015 World Cup, was also delighted that it was Williamson and Taylor at the crease for the winning moment.”Those chases are horrible – 140 seems like a mountain of runs, especially when you know what the carrot is at the end,” he said. “Thought it was really fitting to see New Zealand’s two greats, really, when you talk batting, to see [them] home. There was a bit of luck and good fortune along the way but in this game you are entitled to a little bit if you keep banging the door down.”You could see on the faces of Kane and Ross just how much it meant to them and how satisfying to finally be able to climb that ladder.”

Looking ahead to the future, Liverpool have reportedly registered their interest in signing one particular Real Madrid target who is on course to become an undeniable star.

Liverpool transfer news

If there were any concerns that the Reds would fall away in the Premier League following Jurgen Klopp's departure, then those have been significantly eased by Arne Slot and the start his side have made this season. Earning maximum points without conceding once in a run that includes a 3-0 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford, the Dutchman may just be getting started.

Related Klopp sold Liverpool star for £6.5m, he's now outscored Chiesa since 2021

The club may regret allowing the talent to depart Anfield.

Posts 1 ByEthan Lamb Sep 11, 2024

As the former Feyenoord boss continues to get settled, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes may start to think about the 2025 transfer windows, in which Liverpool could be far busier than they were in a relatively quiet summer.

The rumours certainly suggest that's the case too. The Reds have already been linked to the likes of Angel Gomes, who would be making quite the controversial move as a Manchester United academy graduate. The England international has recently returned to the spotlight once again after making his Three Lions debut.

With his contract coming to an end next summer, the deal would certainly make sense, but Gomes isn't the only midfielder that those at Anfield reportedly have their eye on.

According to GiveMeSport, Liverpool have registered their interest in signing Chris Rigg from Sunderland alongside Manchester City and Chelsea, whilst Real Madrid have also been linked with a move.

Such interest should come as little surprise too. Rigg, just 17 years old, is already a consistent starter at the Stadium of Light and looks set to be the next best player in the Championship, potentially following in Jude Bellingham's footsteps in the process.

Liverpool, however, will seemingly be looking to deny Real Madrid the chance to sign yet another future star in a battle that the Reds are all too familiar with.

"Wonderful" Rigg is a future star

The way he has maintained his place in a Sunderland side who sit top of the Championship under new boss Regis Le Bris makes it difficult to believe that Rigg is still just 17 years old. The midfielder instantly stands out among his teammates as a star in the making and one destined for the very top. It's potential that former boss Tony Mowbray saw and potential that the rest of English football is now seeing.

Mowbray previously told Sunderland's official website, via Chronicle Live: "Chris Rigg is pushing really hard for a starting place in our team I would suggest, and I don’t say that lightly, he’s a 16-year-old boy. He knows where the goal is and wants to run forward, he’s got energy to burn and can keep running all day.

Rigg is doing really well and is a real positive for our football club. I’m eulogising about him there, we shouldn’t overly build him up. He’s still a young boy but he has wonderful qualities and wonderful attributes.”

أثنى المدرب الأسطوري السابق لنادي آرسنال، آرسين فينجر، على النجم المصري محمد صلاح، لاعب فريق ليفربول، في ظل تألقه المستمر مع النادي الإنجليزي.

ويقدم محمد صلاح أداءً مذهلًا مع ليفربول في الموسم الحالي، تحت قيادة المدرب آرني سلوت، رغم اقتراب عقده الحالي من النهاية.

ويلعب محمد صلاح دورًا في صدارة ليفربول في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، إلى جانب قيادته الفريق للتأهل إلى دور الـ16 من دوري أبطال أوروبا ونهائي كأس كاراباو.

يأتي كل هذا مع اقتراب عقد محمد صلاح من النهاية، حيث من المقرر أن تنتهي صفقته في يونيو المقبل، أي نهاية ذلك الموسم.

وسبق أن صرّح النجم المصري، أكثر من مرة بشكل علني أمام وسائل الإعلام هذا الموسم، بعدم وجود أي جديد يخص مستقبله مع ليفربول.

من جانبه، سُئل آرسين فينجر عن اللاعبين الخمس المفضلين بالنسبة له، لمشاهدتهم في كرة القدم، في الوقت الحالي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. لاعب إنجلترا السابق: لا جدال في أفضلية محمد صلاح على كريستيانو رونالدو

وأجاب فينجر، في تصريحاته لشبكة “جول” العالمية: “حسنًا، بعيدًا عن آرسنال، سأقول محمد صلاح (المركز الخامس)، كول بالمر (الرابع)، فينيسيوس جونيور (الثالث)، كيليان مبابي (الثاني)”.

وعندما طُلب منه اختيار أكثر لاعب مُفضل له حاليًا، ليكون في المركز الأول، قال: “أعتقد أن اللاعب المفضل في الوقت الحالي هو محمد صلاح، لأنه على الرغم من طول مسيرته، إلا أنه لا يزال في القمة عندما يكون لديك لاعبون مثيرون مثل لامين يامال وبالمر وغيرهم”.

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MatériaMais Notícias

Autor da assistência para o primeiro gol do Corinthians na vitória por 2 a 0 sobre o Santos, no último domingo (21), o garoto Du Queiroz concedeu a sua primeira entrevista coletiva como atleta profissional nesta quarta-feira (24), véspera do confronto diante do Ceará, fora de casa, pela 35ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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Em busca de uma vaga direta na fase de grupos da Libertadores, o Timão precisará quebrar uma sequência negativa de sete jogos sem vencer longe dos seus domínios.

Para Du, a meta corintiana até o fim da temporada é clara e para isso elenco precisa manter o foco em beliscar um espaço no G4 do Brasileirão.

-A nossa meta, como sempre foi clara, é ganhar a vaga na Libertadores direto. A gente conseguiu chegar no G4, o mais difícil é manter. Mas nós estamos preparados para isso. A gente sabe que é o campeonato é difícil, disputado até a última rodada, mas eu sei que seguimos focamos na Libertadores para conquistar esse objetivo – disse a prata da casa.

Se por um lado, o Corinthians tem tido dificuldades fora, onde não vence desde o dia 28 de agosto, na Neo Química Arena o retrospecto na Neo Química Arena, principalmente desde o retorno do público aos estádios, onde a equipe venceu todos os jogos.

Du Queiroz, portanto, reconhece a dificuldade do elenco do Timão longe da sua torcida, mas que o trabalho é forte para quebrar o prognóstico.

-A gente sabe que a dificuldade que é fora de casa, jogar em casa é bom porque tem a presença na nossa torcida, que é um homem a mais praticamente, a gente sabe da construção que está sendo feita. A gente sabe que jogar lá no Ceará vai ser difícil, mas a gente trabalhou pra isso, a gente está no clube todos os dias trabalhando forte para a gente se sair bem tanto fora quanto dentro de casa – afirmou Queiroz.

E se a realidade corintiana é na parte alta da tabela do Brasileirão, o Ceará já vive uma situação distinta. Na nona colocação, o time ao mesmo tempo briga por uma vaga na pré-Libertadores, mas há algumas semanas também flertava com a zona do rebaixamento.

Du Queiroz é taxativo em dizer que não há adversários mais fáceis na competição nacional.

-No futebol brasileiro, no Campeonato Brasileiro, todo os jogos são difíceis, Você pega um time da ponta da tabela, um time de baixo, e todos os jogos difíceis. A gente sabe que todos os jogos vão ser difíceis. Não diferencia pegar time de baixo ou time de cima, o mais importante é a gente fazer a nossa parte – destacou o camisa 37.

Titular ou entrando no decorrer das partidas, Du Queiroz esteve presente nos oito compromissos do Timão. Promovido ao time principal no início de julho, o atleta já tem 12 jogos disputados entre os profissionais do Timão.

After West Ham United struggled once again in a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of London rivals Chelsea, one reporter has now shared what he’s hearing from the dressing room on new manager Julen Lopetegui.

Lopetegui's disappointing West Ham start

During his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers, the argument could have been made that Lopetegui simply was not backed enough, eventually leading to an inevitable exit. This time around in the Premier League at West Ham, however, he has been handed the keys to the kingdom with a plethora of talented fresh faces arriving in the summer transfer window.

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Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean Clair-Todibo, Niclas Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville, Max Kilman and others all arrived in the summer to hand West Ham what should have been a major boost in their chase for European football. Yet, five games in and the Hammers have picked up just one victory in the Premier League under new manager Lopetegui, which came at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace.

Their latest moment to forget came against rivals Chelsea, who swept West Ham aside in routine fashion at the London Stadium, earning criticism from The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg in the process, and further disappointing the home fans.

Despite such a poor start though, Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke has shared that West Ham are still backing Lopetegui to succeed amid the belief that results will improve when his new side adapt to the extensive changes that took place in the summer.

Based on what O’Rourke has heard from the dressing room, Lopetegui’s job is safe for now, but there’s no doubt that results must improve.

West Ham must turn form around

The main criticism of David Moyes during his time at West Ham was the style of football that he implemented. Amid all of the European qualifications and the historic Europa Conference League victory, the Scot was still subject to increasing groans from the London Stadium and building doubts over whether he was the right man for the job.

Moyes’ exit gave the Hammers the chance to start fresh and throw the script to one side with the appointment of a brave, new manager. But months into his tenure and Lopetegui’s style hasn’t exactly injected the excitement that West Ham fans believed they were missing under Moyes; his appointment doesn’t seem fresh, nor that it seem brave.

The Spaniard struggled at Wolves and there’s no evidence thus far to suggest that things will be any different at West Ham. Alas, it is, of course, early days and the fact that the London club made so many changes in the summer should be taken into account.

With a trip to Anfield up next against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, things don’t get any easier for West Ham, who must turn their current form around under new manager Lopetegui.

MatériaMais Notícias

O presidente do Atlético-MG, Sérgio Coelho, diz que não pretende vender nenhum jogador do elenco. Presente no Prêmio do Brasileirão, promovido pela Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF), nesta sexta-feira, no Rio de Janeiro, o mandatário disse que o objetivo é manter o grupo. No entanto, ele não descarta negociar jogadores que venham a receber boas propostas.

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– No futebol brasileiro, os clubes precisam vender os jogadores. É fato. Para fechar as contas. Não estamos com ninguém à venda. Nosso objetivo é que todos fiquem. Se houver uma proposta boa para o Galo e boa para o atleta, podemos negociar. Considerando que venha negociar algum jogador, traremos outro do mesmo nível em substituição – disse Sérgio Coelho, que garante também não estar negociando a contratação de nenhum jogador neste momento.

-Não temos nenhum reforço sendo negociado. Falam-se em nomes, mas é especulação. Posso garantir que não estamos negociando com nenhum jogador – garantiu.

O mandatário do Atlético-MG disse ter ficado satisfeito com o nível da arbitragem no futebol brasileiro nesta temporada. Neste ano, após muitas polêmicas, a CBF anunciou a saída de Leonardo Gaciba do comando da Comissão de Arbitragem da entidade. Ele foi sucedido por Alício Pena Jr.

– Não vou dizer se melhorou, mas ficamos satisfeitos. Não só o Galo, mas, de forma geral, o Alício foi muito bem no comando da arbitragem, sucedendo o Gabica, que também fez um bom trabalho – comentou.

Por fim, Sérgio Coelho também falou sobre a final da Copa do Brasil, que será disputada entre Atlético-MG e Athletico. O dirigente prevê uma decisão muito acirrada.

-Não é fácil ganhar a Copa do Brasil, pois o adversário é muito qualificado. É duríssimo – sentenciou.

He is already Bangladesh’s highest wicket-taker in Tests and T20Is with 210 and 92 wickets

Mohammad Isam16-Jul-2021

Shakib Al Hasan became Bangladesh’s highest wicket-taker in ODIs when he dismissed Brendan Taylor as part of a five-for in the first ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare.Shakib overtook Mashrafe Mortaza’s tally of 269 with a lovely ball that deceived the batter, and his sweep shot, to snag the top edge and end up in the hands of short fine leg.The left-arm spinning allrounder now has 274 wickets in 213 ODIs, to go along with his 6,474 runs as well.This is not the first time Shakib has become Bangladesh’s highest ODI wicket-taker. He had reached that pinnacle in September 2016 only for Mortaza to go past him. But, with Mortaza playing his last ODI in March 2020 and looking unlikely to add to them, the record might just stay in Shakib’s hands for a while.Mortaza had taken one wicket in two matches for Asia XI in the Afro-Asia Cup in 2007. That along with his 269 strikes for Bangladesh had made him the most successful Bangladeshi bowler in ODI history. But on Friday, Shakib took that record as well, finishing with match-winning figures of 9.5-3-30-5.Shakib returned to the Bangladesh team during this Sri Lanka series, after missing their ODIs and T20Is in New Zealand due to a thigh injury, and skipping the Tests in Sri Lanka last month due to his IPL commitment.He is already Bangladesh’s highest wicket-taker in Tests and T20Is with 210 and 92 wickets, respectively. Shakib is also currently the sixth highest wicket-taker in T20s with 362 wickets.He is among only four allrounders to score more than 6,000 runs and take 250-plus wickets in ODIs. In T20s, he is one of only three people to have scored 5,000 runs, taken 300 wickets and picked up 50 catches.

يرى أسطورة نادي صن داونز، روجر فوتيمبا، أن مواجهة الأهلي أفضل من الهلال السوداني في نصف نهائي بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وأسفرت القرعة التي أجريت يوم الخميس الماضي في قطر عن مواجهة ستجمع بين صن داونز والترجي في الدور ربع النهائي، والفائز سيواجه الفائز أيضًا من مواجهة الأهلي والهلال السوداني في المربع الذهبي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. الهلال السوداني يوضح لـ بطولات مدى إمكانية إقامة مباراتي الأهلي في مصر

وقال فوتيمبا في تصريحات لشبكة “Kick Off” الجنوب إفريقية: “الترجي فريق مميز دائمًا ما يصل إلى النهائي أو نصف النهائي، لديهم خبرة كبيرة في ذلك”.

وتابع: “أيضًا صن داونز أصبح لديه خبرة في تلك البطولة واعتقد أنهم تعلموا من أخطائهم، الثقة المفرطة تؤدي إلى الخسارة وعلينا احترام خصومنا”.

وأضاف: “لكن أيضًا أرى أن الترجي، ليسوا أقوياء كما كانوا من قبل، احترام خصومنا أمر بالغ الأهمية، علينا التركيز أكثر وصن داونز لديه القدرة على الذهاب بعيدًا في تلك البطولة بل والفوز باللقب”.

وعن مباراة الدور نصف النهائي إما الأهلي أو الهلال، قال: “أفضل الأهلي على الهلال، فنحن عادة نحقق نتائج جيدة أمام الأهلي، نحتاج فقط إلى التركيز ونؤدي بأسلوبنا المعهود ونسيطر على مبارياتنا”.

Mohammad Mithun dropped after the Australia series earlier this month

Mohammad Isam19-Aug-2021

Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das are back among Bangladesh’s 19-man squad for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting on September 1 in Dhaka. Legspinner Aminul Islam is the other addition while Mohammad Mithun has been dropped from the squad that played against Australia earlier this month.Bangladesh squad changes

IN: Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Aminul Islam

OUT: Mohammad Mithun

Rahim and Das both missed the T20Is against Australia after being disallowed into the bio-secure bubble run by the CA and BCB. Rahim missed it by a couple of days after he had to attend to a family emergency in mid-July while Das, who was nursing an injury at the time, couldn’t get into the bio-bubble for attending a family emergency.Aminul returned after being picked for the T20I squad in Zimbabwe, but had to leave early after the death of his father.Bangladesh went on to win the T20I series 4-1 against Australia, giving them a more balanced look especially at home. Mahmudullah, the captain, will have Shakib Al Hasan, Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed as the main spinners.Related

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Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam showed good form against Australia with the slightly older ball. Mohammad Saifuddin too was among wickets, and they have Taskin Ahmed and Rubel Hossain in the squad too.Bangladesh’s main worry therefore is their batting, as they averaged around 125-130 against Australia. Rahim will stabliise the middle order while Das will become another option for Mahmudullah and coach Russell Domingo in the top order that didn’t do well against Australia.But there was no place for the out-of-form Mithun, the middle-order batter, who didn’t play T20Is against Australia or Zimbabwe. He scored 51 runs in his last three ODIs, against Zimbabwe last month, after scoring 118 runs in eight innings across formats against West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka earlier in the year. His only big score, an unbeaten 73 off 57, came against New Zealand just before his form went south.T20I squad: Mahmudullah (capt), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Naim, Nurul Hasan, Shamim Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Aminul Islam, Nasum Ahmed

As Erik ten Hag walked around the Wembley outfield holding the FA Cup aloft he was chuffed at proving his doubters wrong. Still, the Manchester United boss could not rest.

Instead of receiving much praise the focus was once again on his future. Are you going to stay at Old Trafford, Erik? Is this enough to keep you in the dug-out, Mr Ten Hag?

It seemingly was enough. United’s new hierarchy, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, kept him at Carrington but the results haven’t changed too much.

Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui look like great captures but their new star of the future, Leny Yoro, still sits on the sideline with an injury.

Once they have a full complement of players, it’s likely they’ll be a far better outfit. Will that be with or without Ten Hag? Only time will tell.

After drawing with FC Twente in midweek, the spotlight fell not just on him but the club’s captain, Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese is off the pace and searching for his best form.

Bruno Fernandes' season in numbers – 2024/25

The attacking midfielder is so often the beating heart of this Manchester United team. Last term, he scored 15 goals and registered 13 assists in all competitions.

This season may only be in its embryonic stages but he’s not hit anywhere near the levels we’ve become accustomed to seeing. Fernandes is yet to score and he’s supplied just three assists, of which none have come in league action.

The nadir of his campaign to date has come over the last couple of games. Manchester Evening News reporter Samuel Luckhurst handed the Portugal international a dismal 4/10 rating for his performance in the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace last week. Over the course of the match Fernandes did register a whopping 113 touches but ceded possession a remarkable 34 times.

Of his mega touch hall, he could only supply two key passes to his teammates as well.

Fernandes vs Crystal Palace

Stat

Number

Touches

113

Passes completed

60/83

Pass accuracy

72%

Number of times possession lost

34

Ground duels won

7/9

Tackles won

4/4

Key passes

2

Stats from Sofascore

It didn’t get much better against Twente in the Europa League. Handed another 4/10 rating by Luckhurst he created just one chance of note, lost the ball 19 times and won just seven of his 13 duels.

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So, what can United do to get more of a tune from their skipper?

Rasmus Hojlund to the rescue

Since signing from Bologna over the summer, Joshua Zirkzee has been employed as United’s leading man in attack.

He’s showed flashes of brilliance – scoring on his debut against Fulham on the Premier League’s opening night.

However, since that magical introduction to life at Old Trafford the Dutchman has found life difficult in England, failing to score across his next six games which includes that draw with Twente a few days ago and a League Cup thrasing against Barnsley.

So, some time out of the team might be good, yes? Rasmus Hojlund earned his first 14 minutes of the season against Palace last weekend and must now start a league game for the first time this term.

In the words of Gary Neville, he’s “the real deal”, in the words of Ruben Selles – Hojlund’s assistant coach at FC Copenhagen – he is a “monster” profile. It’s one that could just help return Fernandes to his best.

Why? Well Zirkzee has tended to operate in the pockets of space the United captain thrives in, dropping deep to try and help create like a Harry Kane might do. Hojlund on the other hand, runs the channels more often and acts as a man searching for those fluid through balls from the club’s chief creator. The use of their heat maps helps to showcase this very fact.

The image above on the left-hand side is Zirkzee’s heat map from this season which shows that his warmest areas are where you’d typically associate someone like Fernandes to work his magic in. On the flip side (right image), Hojlund is far warmer closer go goal, either on the edge of the area or inside the penalty box on a more regular basis. So, the theory is he’d provide more space for the Portuguese in the final third.

Like United’s summer signing, the £85k-per-week Dane is still raw, he’s still young and far from prolific but he did grow into his skin under Ten Hag last term, eventually ending 2023/24 with 16 goals to his name, ten of which came in league action.

There is no guarantee he’ll revive Fernandes but it’s a combination that worked pretty well last season. It’s time to utilise it again.

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