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Being overlooked for central contract left retiring bowler feeling like “a third wheel” on tournament eve

Matt Roller11-Nov-20233:29

Harmison: England squad for WI will have fresh faces

David Willey signed off from his international career by taking his 100th ODI wicket in England’s win over Pakistan in Kolkata – then revealed he had considered pulling out of the World Cup as late as the day that the team flew to India at the end of September.Willey announced before England’s defeat to Australia in Ahmedabad last week that he would quit international cricket after this tournament at the age of 33. He was told in September that he had not been offered a central contract for 2023-24, then learned that he was the only member of the World Cup squad without an offer.He was incensed, and soon decided that he was no longer interested in feeling like “a third wheel” as a fringe player. He said that constant uncertainty over his schedule had taken its toll on him, his wife and their two children, and has therefore opted to “take control”.Related

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Willey started the World Cup running the drinks for England but replaced Sam Curran for their fourth match, a 229-run loss to South Africa in Mumbai, and has played every game since. He finished the tournament with 11 wickets at 23.54, second only to Adil Rashid in England’s squad, and signed off with 3 for 56 in his 10 overs.”It was mixed emotions,” Willey said. “My time is done… but it’s with deep regret. Anybody looking in has probably looked at the way I’ve gone about my business and [seen that I am] probably playing the best cricket of my career. I’m 33, as fit as I’ve ever been.”One of the reasons that I wasn’t offered a contract was them going in a different direction after the World Cup – I don’t know why [they are]. It’s been a period for some time now… not knowing quite where I stand with England and it’s just taken its toll, and becomes very tiring.”David Willey was Player of the Match in his international swansong•AFP/Getty ImagesWilley believes he would have been able to play a valuable role for England at the T20 World Cup next June, had he been offered a contract. “[If there is] an injury or two, they’re going to be calling on someone with very little to no experience in World Cups,” he said.”Never say never, but right now, I’m very confident [in] my decision that today was my last game of cricket for England. Do I want to go to the Caribbean and run drinks, and not know where I stand, and just feel like a third wheel again – which is very much what I felt like when I turned up at Lord’s, being the only one without a contract? Probably not, so I’m done.”Willey said he had doubts over whether he should travel to India after learning that he was the only squad member without a central contract: “I wasn’t sure whether I was going to come to the World Cup, even to the 11th hour. The morning that we were joining up at Lord’s, I still wasn’t sure whether I’d make the trip or not.”He added: “From then on, it [retirement] was something that was on my mind. It’s not just that I haven’t been offered a contract; it’s how I feel valued as an England player, when I look down that list of other guys that have got contracts… I came to the decision that the time was right for me to call it a day.”Willey removed both Pakistan openers – Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman – in his new-ball spell on Saturday, then returned to have Agha Salman caught at mid-on to become the 15th Englishman to reach 100 ODI wickets. He also became the second England men’s player after Alastair Cook to win the Player of the Match award in his final international appearance.”On the phone to my wife this morning, she said, ‘Go on – just get to 100 wickets. It’d be a nice way to finish,'” he said. “To do that was a nice way for me personally [to sign off].”He said he wanted to leave international cricket on his own terms, and hoped that he had proved Rob Key – who, as managing director, was ultimately responsible for central contract offers – wrong. “Keysy said to me, ‘I hope you can prove me wrong.’ Maybe I’ve done it over the last few games,” Willey said.”The timing [of his retirement announcement], people may have looked at it and frowned upon my timing there. But for me personally, there’s not many opportunities you get to walk away from [international] cricket on your terms, and I wanted to really enjoy my last three games of cricket [for England] and play without looking over my shoulder, thinking, ‘One bad performance and I’m out of the side.'”Willey will continue to play domestic and franchise cricket. He captains Northamptonshire in the T20 Blast and has a contract with Abu Dhabi Knight Riders for the ILT20 in January-February. He is also likely to be retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, and by Welsh Fire in the Hundred.

Arsenal are planning to open initial transfer talks for a marquee striker who potential new sporting director, Andrea Berta, tried to sign during his time at Atlético Madrid.

Andrea Berta closing in on Arsenal sporting director role

Five months after Edu Gaspar’s resignation as sporting director, it is believed Mikel Arteta could soon welcome a brand-new transfer chief.

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Berta, who left Atlético in January, is available for hire and Arsenal are reported to be closing in on his appointment as Edu’s replacement in the Gunners boardroom.

Man Utd (away)

March 9th

Chelsea (home)

March 16th

Fulham (home)

April 1st

Everton (away)

April 5th

Brentford (home)

April 12th

Some media sources claim Berta to Arsenal is “all but done” after advanced talks with the 53-year-old, and in predictable fashion, transfer rumours have swiftly followed news of Berta’s pending arrival at the Emirates.

Ex-Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere suggested that Berta could use his Atlético connections to help Arsenal strike a deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, and he adds that the director’s possible arrival is a “very, very exciting” one.

“He has great experience and has been at Atlético Madrid for 12 years,” said Aliadiere (via The Metro).

“If you look at the signings he has made and what the club has achieved, it is very exciting. Very, very exciting.

‘If we look at the job Edu has done from when he came in and where Arsenal were, the signings he has made, I think he has done very well. You don’t work at Atletico alongside Diego Simeone if you’re not very good at your job, so I am very excited. But of course, we hope to sign some big players now.”

Some supporters will be hoping Berta’s influence can indeed assist Arsenal in their pursuit of a new number nine, whether that be Cunha or another high-profile name.

Arsenal lost Gabriel Jesus to a long-term ACL injury earlier this season, with some reports claiming he could even be out until 2026, while Kai Havertz is set to miss the rest of this Premier League season.

Arsenal planning initial talks to sign Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke and Football Insider, £268,000-per-week Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez is now on Arsenal’s transfer shortlist as a striking option, and Berta is a “huge fan” of the player.

As per O’Rourke, Berta attempted to lure the Argentine to Atlético when he was overseeing transfers at the Wanda Metropolitano, and Arsenal are now set to open preliminary talks to sign Martinez.

With Berta on the way to north London, Arsenal are laying the groundwork over a “mega-money” deal for Martinez, which other reports state could cost Arteta’s side up to £80 million to get over the line.

The 27-year-old World Cup winner currently captains the Nerazzurri and is a crucial player for Simone Inzaghi, having scored 17 goals across all competitions already this season.

Martinez has showcased impressive proficiency over his many seasons at the San Siro, and the South American still has fours years left to run on his contract, making this a potentially costly operation.

Manchester United have now made contact over a summer move for a striker dubbed “aggressive” by Roy Keane, according to a report.

Man Utd's striker pursuit

It has recently been revealed that Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is Man United’s dream target for the summer transfer window, but it could be difficult to get a deal done unless they manage to qualify for the Champions League via a Europa League triumph.

However, United remain undeterred in their pursuit of the Nigerian, recently making a proposal of a Hojlund plus cash deal, which could be tempting to Antonio Conte, who is a big fan of the young Dane.

FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa has emerged as a potential alternative to Osimhen, should the Red Devils be unable to lure the Galatasaray loanee to Old Trafford, while they have also opened talks over a deal for Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta.

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Mateta’s impressive form this season has caught Man United’s eye, but he is not the only Premier League striker on the shortlist, with a report from The Boot Room revealing they are also interested in a move for Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.

The race for Delap is now hotting up, with Liverpool stepping up their interest, while Newcastle United and Chelsea are also keen, and previous reports have revealed a deal could amount to £50m.

The Red Devils appear to have made initial contact over a deal, having asked to be kept informed about the striker’s situation ahead of the summer transfer window.

Delap enjoying breakthrough season at Ipswich Town

The 22-year-old didn’t quite manage to make the grade at Manchester City, being shipped out on loan to Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City, but he has managed to prove himself as a reliable source of goals for Ipswich this season.

With the Tractor Boys now six points from safety, it is looking increasingly likely they will be relegated from the top flight, but the former Man City man has made sure they haven’t been cut adrift, netting 10 goals in 27 league games.

The forward received high praise from Daniel Sturridge earlier this season, who described him as “very exciting”, before Roy Keane added: “He’s aggressive, I like that.”

After proving himself at Ipswich this season, Delap could now be ready to make the step-up to one of England’s top clubs, and it is clear he could be a real upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

Despite playing for a relegation candidate, the Ipswich talisman has scored double the number of goals of Hojlund and Zirkzee combined in the Premier League, and he could be even more effective in a better side.

He experienced pain while training at the World Cup as England’s only travelling reserve

Matt Roller12-Nov-2023

Jofra Archer at a training session•Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Jofra Archer experienced elbow pain while training with England at the World Cup in Mumbai, a setback in his rehabilitation from a stress fracture which has ruled him out of their white-ball tour of the Caribbean next month.Archer has not played competitively since the IPL, where he suffered a recurrence of an elbow stress fracture while representing Mumbai Indians. After 18 months out of the game with elbow and back injuries, he made his comeback in January and featured in four ODIs and three T20Is across England’s tours to South Africa and Bangladesh.England initially hoped to include Archer in their World Cup squad in the expectation that he would be fit enough to play in the second half of the group stage. But when it came to selecting a provisional squad in mid-August, the ECB’s medical reports suggested that the “best-case scenario” was for him to travel as a reserve.Related

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In mid-September, he bowled in the nets at The Oval before England’s ODIs against New Zealand, and continued his rehabilitation at Hove. He linked up with the World Cup squad in Mumbai: “He’s coming in as a reserve… he’s continuing to build up and rehab,” Jos Buttler said.But after two light training sessions at the Wankhede Stadium, Archer was on a plane home. It led to a bizarre scenario where Reece Topley fractured a finger and was ruled out of the competition, but England called up Brydon Carse rather than adding their travelling reserve to the squad.”Originally, the thought was that he was going to be alright for the back end of the competition,” Rob Key, England’s managing director, said on Sunday, after England’s league-stage elimination was confirmed. “It was a risk worth taking. He had his scans, and they all came up clear.”He flies over here, comes out to Mumbai, bowls, and actually then he felt pain in his elbow. So then, the view was, ‘right, this is going to be a risk too far’. Because of the upside, that’s what lures you in. You start looking at things like the Ashes in two years, the T20 World Cup… Jofra adds so much to that.”You don’t want to risk rushing something to see that kibosh the rest of his career. So we then said, ‘right, fine, this isn’t the right way to go. Rather than just keep him hanging around and not really doing anything, let’s send him back home and get in Brydon Carse who had been preparing.'”Archer’s absence from both the ODI and T20I squads named to face West Indies in December represents another setback. “Rather than pick him in the squads, we’re just going to play it by ear and when he’s fit and ready to come back in, he’ll come back in,” Key said.While Archer could train with the squad in the Caribbean, Key emphasised that England are reluctant to rush his comeback: “Until he’s ready and fit, he won’t be in the squad – and even then, he’s going to take a period of building up. It’s not going to be straightforward, and we’ve got to be so careful.”He has only played seven games for England since March 2021, but recently signed a two-year central contract, turning down a third year. “We’re desperate for Jofra,” Key said. “We take that bet with him that we want him back fit and able to play for England, because of the upside.”

Manchester Originals 181 for 6 (Salt 86) beat Trent Rockets 171 for 5 (Kohler-Cadmore 64, Tongue 3-32) by 10 runsManchester Originals edged out holders Trent Rockets by 10 runs to disappoint a record crowd at Trent Bridge, defending 181 for six after Phil Salt had smashed a stunning 86 off 32 balls.A strong fightback from the home side’s bowlers gave their side a chance, restricting the Originals to just 69 from their last 56 balls after Salt’s 12 fours and five sixes had seen them 112 for one from 44 and on for a massive score.Daniel Sams (2 for 28) and Lewis Gregory (2 for 30) were outstanding given that it was a flat pitch, with Luke Wood recovering from a 14-run mauling off his first set of five to finish with one for 31 from 20.Yet Josh Tongue (3 for 32) and Paul Walter (2 for 24) were superb for the Originals, Walter’s defending of 14 off the last set leaving most of the 15,500 spectators disappointed that Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s 64 off 42, Colin Munro’s 36 off 22 and Joe Root’s 35 off 23 were not enough to get the job done as Originals moved level with second-placed Southern Brave on points and left the Rockets in fifth spot.Reasoning that Trent Bridge is a tough ground to defend a total, Rockets opted to bowl first but may have been having regrets as Salt hammered 30 runs in the first 10 balls on the way to a half-century from just 20 balls as the Originals, 58 for one in the powerplay, set off at a ferocious pace.Jos Buttler, a spectator as Salt found the boundary seven times in that opening assault, lifted his first delivery over the rope at extra cover but missed out on many more as Ish Sodhi grabbed a fine low catch at midwicket.Sam Cook put Salt down on 47, a straightforward catch at deep square leg off Sodhi’s bowling. But after feeling increasingly uncomfortable as the Lancashire player took him for back-to-back boundaries and a huge six over long-on, raising his boundary count to five sixes and 12 fours, it was Cook who had the last word, his next ball a slower one that bowled Salt behind his legs as he stepped across his stumps.Now the Rockets took the pace off and Gregory accounted for Max Holden, caught at long off, and Ashton Turner, falling to a much more difficult catch by Cook on the legside rope in a 25-ball spell immediately after Salt’s demise to ball 45 that saw just 30 runs added.The home attack were bowling much smarter now and Sams picked up a second scalp with a slow yorker that was too good for Laurie Evans, while Wood, having conceded 14 in five balls at the top of the innings, went for just 11 in two sets, coming back for his final set to concede just six more and scatter Jamie Overton’s stumps for good measure.The Rockets would have been pleased with their work as they came off the field but 182 was still a demanding target to chase, one which looked bigger still as Alex Hales succumbed to the first legitimate ball of their innings, a near-unplayable ball from Tongue that had him caught behind off the splice.Root and Kohler-Cadmore soothed the blow with 65 off 40 balls, Root getting off the mark with a single before bringing the reverse-ramp into play for his first boundary, but ultimately perishing playing a similar stroke, caught behind by an alert Buttler off the left-arm seam of Paul Walter. Nonetheless, at 84 for two from 50, the home side had a good base.Kohler-Cadmore and Munro built on it pretty well but with 28 needed from 14 the outcome was in the balance and that balance tipped towards the Originals as Tongue returned to dismiss both in his final set, Munro caught behind off a thin inside-edge as the bowler cramped him for room before Kohler-Cadmore, looking to ease the pressure with time running out, holed out to point off a big top edge.Zaman Khan went for nine runs off his final set to leave 14 needed by Rockets off the last five and Walter was up to task, conceding only three and picking up a second wicket as Sams holed out off the last ball.

Tim Seifert held New Zealand A together with a fine century while Henry Thornton claimed another four wickets

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Sep-2023Will Sutherland returned to bowling for the first time since the end of last season then played an important hand with the bat to help Australia A to a narrow victory in the final one-day game against New Zealand A and a 3-0 series scoreline.Sutherland, who was captaining Australia A, took 1 for 20 from six overs in his first competitive bowl since suffering a stress fracture in the Sheffield Shield final. He then made 32 as part of a seventh-wicket stand of 52 with Ollie Davies to take the home side to the brink of victory after they had lost wickets regularly in the chase.Tim Seifert dominated with the bat for New Zealand A with a superbly-controlled century which included six sixes before being eighth out. He shared a stand of 76 with Leo Carter to lift the innings from 39 for 3.Tim Seifert held New Zealand A together with a century•Getty Images

Tom Bruce, the New Zealand A captain, had avoided three consecutive first-ball ducks but edged Sutherland to slip for 2.When Carter fell to Tom Rogers they stuttered again until Jacob Duffy provided Seifert with support to haul the total over 200. Henry Thornton continued his remarkable few days with four more wickets to make it 11 in two outings after his 7 for 39 in the second game.Matt Short took charge of the early stages of the chase but he fell to the very promising Will O’Rourke who then removed Josh Phillipe and Ashton Turner to bring New Zealand A back into the game.Davies joined Matt Renshaw to settle the chase but when Renshaw drove to cover Australia A still needed 65. Davies and Sutherland got them most of the way there before Thornton’s memorable week ended with him hitting the winning runs.It completed a good bounce back from Australia A who had lost the four-day series 2-0.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are pressing on in their hunt for additions and are now advancing as they aim to bolster the forward ranks, according to a report.

Fer Lopez became the Old Gold’s first arrival of the summer window, and Jorgen Strand Larsen has since joined him at Wolves permanently after an excellent loan spell at Molineux.

After putting up a tally of 14 goals and five assists in the Black Country, the Norway international is now fully focused on improving on his exploits next term under Vitor Pereira.

He stated: “It’s been a good first season in the Premier League. I’m proud of what I’ve done. I’ve been able to take the steps earlier than I’ve done before. Previously, when I moved to a new country, I needed more time to get into it and score goals.

“As a striker, the team need you to score the goals and be on the end of the crosses, so to score 14 goals – and come back after my injuries and a little dip of form – it was a good season for me in that respect.”

Now prioritising other areas, Wolves are interested in Udinese defender Thomas Kristensen again after making a £12 million bid for the Dane during the January transfer window.

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Another potential solution at the back for the Old Gold is Brighton & Hove Albion star Igor Julio, albeit it remains to be seen whether the Seagulls will entertain selling to a Premier League rival.

However, despite Strand Larsen deciding to extend his stay, Wolves are now keen to land another centre-forward to star in the new campaign.

Wolves make approach for El Bilal Toure

According to Africa Foot, Wolves have made an approach to sign El Bilal Toure from Atalanta, though the 23 year-old is also wanted by Marseille, Stade Rennais, Paris FC, Como, Villarreal, Galatasaray and West Ham United.

In an injury-ridden campaign on loan at Stuttgart, the Mali international, who was previously labelled a “major talent” by Graeme Bailey, registered three goals and one assist in 17 appearances across all competitions, exactly mirroring his debut season for Atalanta in 2023/24.

Five similar players to El Bilal Toure (FBRef)

Mateo Retegui

Atalanta

Marcus Thuram

Inter Milan

Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea

Jonathan David

Juventus (to be finalised)

Vinicius Junior

Real Madrid

Nothing has been determined as yet, but the Serie A outfit are set to decide on Bilal Toure’s next move sooner rather than later as he isn’t expected to be a major part of Ivan Juric’s plans in 2025/26.

Wolves are a little short on forward options after Matheus Cunha’s departure. Besides, there is a suspicion the likes of Hwang Hee-chan, Fabio Silva and Sasa Kalajdzic could leave Molineux this summer due to their status as peripheral figures.

Bilal Toure has endured mixed fortunes since arriving in Italy. Nevertheless, a move to the Premier League could be the perfect tonic to get his career back on track.

Russell Martin and Kevin Thelwell both have a lot on their plate in the summer transfer window as they look to build a Glasgow Rangers team that can compete for the Scottish Premiership title.

The Gers have failed to win the title in each of the last four seasons and the new Light Blues duo are tasked with bringing glory back to Ibrox in the years to come.

They recently made their first signing of the summer transfer window with the arrival of Max Aarons on loan from Bournemouth to bolster their defensive options. Lyall Cameron has also joined the Scottish giants, but he had agreed to sign from Dundee on a pre-contract deal in January.

As well as potential incoming signings, Martin and Thelwell will also have to deal with the potential of some of the club’s key players moving on from Ibrox.

Nicolas Raskin, for example, is a reported target for Premier League clubs Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as they aim to snap him up from Ibrox in the coming weeks.

Why losing Nicolas Raskin would be a big blow for Rangers

If the Belgium international completes a move to England before the summer transfer window slams shut at the start of September, Martin’s squad could be weaker.

The 24-year-old star walked away from last season with the Men’s Player of the Season and the Men’s Players’ Player of the Season awards to show for his efforts on the pitch for the Gers.

This demonstrates the high regard in which he is held at the club, among players, and by supporters, and it is well-deserved following his impressive displays in the Premiership and the Europa League.

Raskin did produce four goals and ten assists in the Premiership for Rangers, flexing his attacking quality, but it was his defensive work that really caught the eye domestically and in Europe.

Appearances

33

12

Tackles per game

2.8

3.7

Interceptions per game

0.6

1.3

Ball recoveries per game

5.6

7.4

Ground duel success rate

57%

50%

Aerial duel success rate

56%

55%

As you can see in the table above, the Belgian midfielder offered defensive protection in front of the back four with plenty of tackles, interceptions, and ball recoveries.

These statistics illustrate why losing the former Standard Liege star would be a big blow for Martin, as he is a combative and quality midfield operator, but the Gers are reportedly interested in a gem who could be a dream replacement for him.

Rangers eyeing deal for Brazilian midfielder

According to The Scottish Sun, Rangers are lining up a move to sign Troyes central midfielder Metinho on a permanent deal in the summer transfer window.

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The report claims that the Light Blues are long-term admirers of the 22-year-old talent, and have been eyeing him up as a target throughout this summer.

It states that the Scottish Premiership giants are now ready to ramp up their efforts to bring the former Basel loanee to Ibrox, who joined Troyes for a fee of £4m from Fluminense in 2021, ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The Scottish Sun adds that Troyes are willing to cash in on the Brazilian star and that Basel are ‘desperate’ to win the race for his signature, which may be why Rangers are now looking to speed up their pursuit of the midfielder.

It now remains to be seen whether or not Thelwell will be able to do enough to beat the Swiss giants to his services before the end of the summer window.

Why Rangers should sign Metinho

The Ibrox side should push to beat Basel to this signing because the 22-year-old midfielder has the potential to be a dream replacement for Raskin this summer.

Metinho spent the first half of last season on loan at Sparta Rotterdam and only started two of his 12 appearances in the Eredivisie, in what was a frustrating few months for the midfield talent.

However, a move to Basel in January helped him to kick on and flourish in the second half of the campaign, as he caught the eye with his impressive performances in the Swiss top-flight as a combative midfielder.

The right-footed star played 12 league matches for the club and completed 86% of his passes, whilst delivering two assists, but his most impressive contributions on the pitch came out of possession in the middle of the park.

Tackles made

2.77

Top 10%

Tackle success rate

71%

Top 20%

Duels won

6.66

Top 24%

Duel success rate

65%

Top 3%

Interceptions

1.51

Top 15%

Ball recoveries

6.66

Top 20%

Dribbled past

0.50x

Top 14%

As you can see in the table above, the Troyes loanee ranked incredibly highly among his positional peers in a host of defensive metrics, which show that he excelled off the ball as a screener in front of the back four.

His tackle and duel success rates are particularly impressive because they show that he is efficient with his defensive work, rather than competing in and losing a lot of duels. The Brazilian gem is tough to get past, which is why he is a formidable defender.

These statistics also suggest that he would be a dream replacement for Raskin to take up the defensive responsibilities that the Belgian has in midfield at Ibrox. The current Gers star averaged 2.84 tackles and interceptions and was dribbled past 0.86 times per 90 in the Premiership, whilst he won 66% of his tackles.

Metinho, who was once described as an “exciting” prospect by talent scout Jacek Kulig, posted more impressive defensive numbers than that in the Super League, as shown by his aforementioned statistics, which suggests that he has the potential to offer even more than Raskin out of possession.

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Of course, the £4m-rated star needs to add a goal threat to his game, as Raskin managed four league goals to go along with his ten assists, but he is only 22 and has time left ahead of him to develop into the dream replacement for the Belgian.

He has been picked in India’s Champions Trophy squad, subject to fitness

Nagraj Gollapudi18-Jan-20251:11

Why was Rana preferred over Siraj?

India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will test his match fitness by playing the third ODI against England on February 12 in Ahmedabad. India’s selectors and the team management are hopeful the plan works out so that Bumrah is ready to play the Champions Trophy.Bumrah was named in India’s 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy with an asterisk against his name, implying his inclusion is subject to fitness. Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, said that based on the information BCCI’s medical team shared on Bumrah, he wouldn’t be fit for the first two ODIs against England on February 6 and February 9. He had suffered back spasms that prevented him from bowling on the final day of the Sydney Test.”With Bumrah, we are waiting to hear about his fitness and when he’s likely to be available,” Agarkar said in Mumbai on Saturday while announcing the Indian squads for the England series and the Champions Trophy. “At the moment I don’t think he [Bumrah] is likely to be fit for the first couple of games [of England series] at least from what we gather. We will probably hear more in the next week or so about his fitness.”Related

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Bumrah, Jaiswal and Kuldeep picked in India's Champions Trophy squad

Delhi and India fast bowler Harshit Rana will be part of the squad for the England series as cover for Bumrah. While Rana made his Test debut in Australia during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he is uncapped in ODI and T20I cricket. The BCCI has issued no official update on Bumrah, who had briefly left the ground after lunch on the second day of the Sydney Test due to back spasms. The concerns grew the next day when Bumrah did not come out to bowl though he had batted in India’s second innings.While Agarkar said he has asked the BCCI to send out a media release, outlining the medical report, ESPNcricinfo has learned Bumrah’s injury is stress related. Though the first round of tests did not reveal a stress fracture in the back, it is understood the discomfort Bumrah suffered was related to his workload in the five Tests in Australia. He bowled 151.2 overs in nine innings, taking 32 wickets at an average of 13.06 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.1:11

Why was Rana preferred over Siraj?

Accordingly, on advice from medical experts, the BCCI decided to allow Bumrah to rest for at least five weeks (the Sydney Test finished on January 5) after which he will undergo another scan to determine if he can return to action. Agarkar confirmed the time frame.”I know he was asked to offload for five weeks of bowling, which is early first week February if I’m not wrong,” Agarkar said. “And we’ll probably find out a bit more around that time what exactly and with regards to what his medical condition is. I’m sure BCCI might just put something out from the physio itself. It’s better it comes from the medical department than me trying to explain what exactly is wrong with him. But that’s the time frame that we’ve been told. And hopefully, he’s okay after that.”Asked if the selectors had pencilled in a reserve if Bumrah doesn’t recover in time for the Champions Trophy, which starts on February 19, Agarkar said his panel was “just hoping Bumrah’s fit. We will have a chat if he’s not fit.”India play three ODIs against England on February 6, 9 and 12 – their first ODIs since the tour of Sri Lanka in August last year – before the Champions Trophy. India are in Group A at the Champions Trophy and begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, after which they play Pakistan on February 23, and New Zealand on March 2. India play all their matches in Dubai because their government refused to let the team travel to Pakistan.

تحدث الإسباني بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر سيتي عن مواجهة سوانزي سيتي في كأس كاراباو.

ومن المقرر أن يخوض مانشستر سيتي مباراته أمام سوانزي سيتي، ضمن منافسات كأس كاراباو غدًا الأربعاء المقبل.

ويستضيف ملعب “سوانزي دوت كوم” مباراة مانشستر سيتي وسوانزي في تمام الساعة الحادية عشر إلا ربع بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.

ويدخل رجال مانشستر سيتي المباراة بعد الهزيمة من أستون فيلا في الجولة الماضية من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وقال جوارديولا، في تصريحات نقلها الموقع الرسمي لناديه: “عبدالقادر خوسانوف جاهز للعب لبضع دقائق غدًا ورودري ليس جاهزًا بعد”.

وأكمل: “تتحسن حالته، ويتدرب معنا بشكل جزئي لكن بالطبع بعد ما حدث مرتين من إصابات عضلية، سنرى حالته هذا الأسبوع”.

وأضاف: “لم أرَ إيرلينج هالاند اليوم لكنها كانت كدمة بسيطة ويتحسن يومًا بعد يوم، الآن نتدرب بعد ظهر اليوم، وسنعرف حالته بدقة أكبر”.

وفيما يتعلق بـ عمر مرموش، قال: “لقد عانى من إصابة طويلة ولعب تدريجيًا لبضع دقائق في المباراة الأخيرة، وكان له تأثيره في التحركات خلف الدفاع وبالقرب من منطقة الجزاء، عمر استثنائي”.

اقرأ أيضًا | محمد صلاح يقترب من رقمين قياسيين أمام كريستال بالاس في كأس كاراباو

وعن التدوير بين اللاعبين في تلك البطولة: “نعم، بالتأكيد، لقد كانت بطولة كأس كاراباو دائمًا على هذا النحو”.

واستطرد: “اللاعبون الذين يأخذون الكثير من الدقائق يجب أن يكونوا مستعدين لإظهار أنفسهم والفريق أنهم تعافوا تمامًا ومستعدون على المستوى الذهني ولديهم المهارات وكل شيء ليكونوا جاهزين للعب”.

واسترسل: “وبعض الراحة خاصة للاعبين الذين يلعبون دقائق طويلة، ليس فقط إيرلينج وروبن وجوسكو والآخرين”.

وأوضح: “في الموسم الماضي، كنا في تلك المرحلة مع إصابات كثيرة، الآن قلّت الإصابات، وأصبح لدينا لاعبون يحتاجون لدقائق لعب إضافية وكأس كاراباو فرصة مثالية من أجل تحقيق ذلك”.

وأتم عن ترافورد: “سيتعين عليه أن يكون جاهزًا في حال احتجنا إليه في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز أو دوري أبطال أوروبا، أنا سعيد بتواجده هنا، ترافورد سيصبح حارس إنجلترا الأول في يوم من الأيام”.