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Nottingham Forest close to another "explosive" signing after Ward-Prowse

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Nottingham Forest are reportedly closing in on the signing of an "explosive" new forward signing alongside their deal for James Ward-Prowse, with another deadline day move on the cards.

Nottingham Forest deadline day updates

The Reds are believed to be pushing hard to complete the signing of Ward-Prowse from West Ham, in what has the potential to be a superb piece of business by the club. The 29-year-old is now a hugely experienced Premier League player, making a total of 381 appearances in the competition, and former Hammers boss David Moyes has even called him "world-class".

"James Ward-Prowse is world class. He is the best around and has been for a long time. Two assists today, he’s got nine all season in all comps, more than any other Premier League player, it’s a nightmare for defenders. He is the best around and has been for a long time."

James Ward-Prowse scores from a corner for West Ham

The hope is that Ward-Prowse is named a Forest player by the time the summer transfer window slams shut late on Friday evening, in a move that would instantly improve their chances of avoiding relegation back to the Championship this season.

Away from the Englishman, it looks as though the Reds could seal another piece of business in the remaining hours of the window, following an exciting new claim that has dropped.

Nottingham closing in on "explosive" player

According to a fresh update from TEAMtalk, Nottingham Forest are now close to signing Lyon youngster Ernest Nuamah on deadline day, completing a last-gasp move to add to their attacking options.

The Reds are set to beat Premier League rivals Fulham and Everton to the 20-year-old's signature, after the Blues "held positive talks with the player’s agents and they were briefly favourites", only for Nottingham Forest to nudge in front and present a contract offer. The report goes on to add that "Nuamah’s representatives ‘like’ Forest’s offer" and a deal is now close to completion.

The young forward could be a brilliant addition for Nuno Espirito Santo, as he looks for further attacking quality to give him more quality and depth in the final third, as legs tired as the season goes on. The Ghanaian is admittedly still a very young player who is raw, but he has been lauded by former club Nordsjaelland, who once said of him: “Nuamah has gone through an explosive development, and the great interest means that we feel privileged to have had him in the team throughout the initial part of the season, where he also managed to make a decisive difference."

Nottingham Forest agree deal to sign "fantastic" £115,000-p/w star for Nuno

He’s got plenty of Premier League experience….

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 30, 2024

If Forest could end the summer window by bringing in both Nuamah and Ward-Prowse, it would signal a strong period in the market overall, with the former scoring 20 goals in 49 appearances for Nordsjaelland, as well as netting three times in 12 caps for Ghana, showing that he is already making an impact at international level.

Mahela's amazing memory

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Plays of the Day from the game between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils in Jaipur

Andrew Fidel Fernando07-May-2013The list
Having been virtually knocked out of contention for the playoffs in their last match, changes to Delhi Daredevils’ XI were not unexpected, but the visitors changed more than half their team, leaving the captain Mahela Jayawardene with the difficult task of naming each one of them at the toss. It was not a job he shirked from though, as many captains are wont to do. When prompted by presenter Simon Doull, Jayawardene not only supplied the names of the players who came into the side, but those who were making way as well – 12 players in all. His recital earned immediate praise from Doull, and admiration from opposition captain Rahul Dravid, who applauded the effort.The dive
Though Sachin Baby’s dive at short cover to dismiss David Warner was impressive for its anticipation, it was not a player who provided the most remarkable dive of the evening. Rahul Dravid produced a lofted drive of rare power in the sixth over, when he struck an overpitched delivery from Ajit Agarkar straight back at the bowler. Agarkar attempted to complete a catch, but could do nothing more than deflect the ball, still traveling quickly, towards umpire Aleem Dar. Quick as a snake, Dar spotted the incoming missile, and dropped low, turning his body away from the ball, and ended up on the turf as the ball whistled past, all the way to the boundary.The slower ball
Sehwag has had only one good outing so far in the IPL, but when he struck two fours either side of the wicket in the second over, he may have hoped his lean trot was coming to an end. He was undone, however, by a slower ball – a good one, but the sort that he regularly blasts to the fence when in good form. Faulkner delivered his fourth ball out of the back of the hand, and Sehwag, being too quick on a heave across the leg side, as well as failing to account for the grip that the leg cutter achieved on the pitch, was beaten by a distance, and his off stump rattled.The drop
With a sub-par total on the board, Daredevils could afford few mistakes in the field, but when they did have the chance to arrest a forceful Royals start, they shelled the opportunity and allowed the opposition’s openers to effectively make the game safe. Morne Morkel induced a thick edge from Ajinkya Rahane in the fifth over, but despite Pawan Negi having ample time to get under the chance, going back from cover, he could not get his hands around the ball, and ended up parrying it towards the ropes. Warner and Agarkar combined to save the boundary, but enough damage had already been done, and Rahane was a fixture at the crease until the winning run was hit.

'This is how cornered tigers fight'

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The reactions on Twitter following Pakistan’s close three-wicket win over Sri Lanka

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jun-2017Chasing 237, Pakistan’s semi-final hopes were looking up when they were 92 for 1. It started fading as the slide began: 92 for 2… 95 for 3… 110 for 4… 131 for 5… 137 for 6… and eventually 162 for 7. But Sarfraz Ahmed, their captain, and Mohammad Amir combined to see them home, much to the delight of their supporters.

Before his composure with the bat, Mohammad Amir had begun the slide in Sri Lanka’s innings, removing the two set batsmen in Angelo Mathews and Niroshan Dickwella.

Sri Lanka would rue the chances they missed on the field.

Lasith Malinga tried his best to fashion a win but his efforts seemed futile as Sarfraz Ahmed was dropped twice in six balls off his bowling.

Was Sri Lanka’s performance one of the worst seen on the field in recent times?

The win extended Pakistan’s dominance over Sri Lanka in big tournaments.

The match was surely the best in the group phase of a tournament that had too many lacklustre contests.

Time for apologies?

Pakistan meet hosts England, one of the tournament favourites, in the semi-finals. Will it again be their day?

Man City player ratings vs Ipswich Town: Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku and Mateo Kovacic run riot as Tractor Boys hit for six in perfect PSG preparation

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Pep Guardiola's side proved far too good for their relegation-threatened hosts at Portman Road in a dominant display

Manchester City fired Paris Saint-Germain a warning shot ahead of their key Champions League clash in midweek as the Premier League champions ran riot at Ipswich Town, recording a 6-0 win on Sunday that lifts them into the top four.

The hosts enjoyed a bright start, but City soon began to assert some control, though Erling Haaland wasted the chance to open the scoring when he fired straight at Christian Walton after being sent clear by Mateo Kovacic. However, that proved a brief respite for Ipswich, as Phil Foden broke the deadlock from close-range after Kevin De Bruyne's cross deflected into his path.

City never looked back from there, and were 3-0 up by half-time as Kovacic fired into the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area before Foden made it five goals in his last three league games with his second straightforward finish of the afternoon.

Any hopes of a dramatic Ipswich fightback were extinguished four minutes into the second period as Jeremy Doku's curled effort deflected in off Dara O'Shea before Haaland, fresh off signing his new 10-year contract with City, netted his 17th league goal of the campaign after being played in by Doku.

Pep Guardiola was able to rest a number of his star players for the final quarter of the match such was their dominance, and one of his substitutes, James McAtee, wasted little time in making an impact as he headed home the sixth on what was one of City's most comfortable top-flight outings for months.

GOAL rates City's players from Portman Road…

  • Getty Images Sport

    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Ederson (6/10):

    Had to be sure-handed on a couple of occasions on his return to the line-up. A spectator for long periods, though.

    Matheus Nunes (6/10):

    Had a couple of hairy moments early on but eventually settled as he grows in confidence in his new role.

    Manuel Akanji (6/10):

    Solid at the back, though he was rarely stretched.

    Ruben Dias (7/10):

    What a relief to have him back! Made a couple of key interventions early on to prevent Ipswich from taking the lead, and exuded strength throughout.

    Josko Gvardiol (7/10):

    Doesn't always convince defensively but more than makes up for it with what he offers in possession. Helped force the hosts back down City's left his marauding runs.

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    Midfield

    Mateo Kovacic (9/10):

    Given far too much room in midfield and dictated things with ease as a result. Should have had an early assist when Haaland was denied, but got a goal himself with a fine arrowed finish before delivering the dinked ball over the top for McAtee's header.

    Ilkay Gundogan (7/10):

    Got himself between the lines to knit things together for the visitors. Won't grab headlines, but quietly effective.

    Kevin De Bruyne (9/10):

    Full of energy as his inter-play with Doku was devastating down the City left. Managed to grab himself three assists before being given a rest around the hour mark.

  • AFP

    Attack

    Phil Foden (9/10):

    Looks back to something like his best after scoring his second brace in the space of six days. Still not at the levels of last season, but the confidence is clearly returning.

    Erling Haaland (6/10):

    Should have beaten Walton to open the scoring early on, but eventually got a goal to celebrate his new contract shortly before being replaced.

    Jeremy Doku (9/10):

    Ipswich just could not deal with the speed and direct dribbling of the Belgian. Got a deserved goal and assist in the second half after playing a key role in each of the opening three strikes.

  • AFP

    Subs & Manager

    Jack Grealish (5/10):

    Couldn't conjure much despite being given just under 30 minutes off the bench.

    Divin Mubama (6/10):

    Struggled to make an impact on the game after giving Haaland a rest.

    James McAtee (7/10):

    Got himself on the scoresheet again with a well-timed run and header to make it six.

    Rico Lewis (6/10):

    Kept things ticking in midfield for the final 20 minutes.

    Nico O'Reilly (6/10):

    Given a run out as City cruised through the closing stages.

    Pep Guardiola (8/10):

    Decision to restore Doku despite Savinho's fine form paid dividends, and his side looked much more solid with Dias back in the line-up. Will be pleased to have given so many big names a rest through the closing stages ahead of the PSG clash.

Clarke's counting error

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Plays of the Day from the second ODI between Australia and England at the Gabba

Andrew McGlashan at the Gabba17-Jan-2014No-ball of the day
Michael Clarke is often praised for his ‘funky’ captaincy and, for a moment, it appeared he had pulled off another smart move by bowling himself and having Eoin Morgan caught at deep midwicket. However, even before the catch was taken Morgan was telling Kumar Dharmasena, the bowler’s end umpire, that he had spotted one too many fielders outside the fielding circle. The Australians started celebrating but Clarke soon did the sums himself and realised funky had turn into a basic error.Shot of the day
There were a host to choose from the bat of Morgan (and the on-drive to get Ravi Bopara off the mark) but because of who it came against, and that it marked the beginning of Morgan’s late surge, it goes to the flat six over cover off Mitchell Johnson. Nobody treated Mitchell like that in the Test matches. Maybe it is because the Mo has gone.Catch of the day
The scoreboard in Melbourne should have read: Finch c Ballance b Jordan. The scoreboard in Brisbane did read: Finch c Ballance b Jordan. Dropped on 8 at the MCG, Finch went onto post a matchwinning hundred but this time, playing virtually the same shot, he watched Gary Ballance stick up his right hand and the ball, travelling at some speed, stuck in the palm. Quite how aware he was of his actions in those seconds is uncertain, but England were not worried about such things.Another catch of the day
If Ballance’s catch was good, Chris Jordan’s was even better. Following through, he grasped Warner’s fierce straight drive in his right hand before anyone could barely blink. And, unlike Ballance, he was in control of what he was doing, almost watching the ball into his hand despite the pace it was coming back at him. As he wheeled off in celebration, Warner tore himself away from the crease and cursed under his breath a few times back to the pavilion.Smile of the day
Joe Root has had a tough time in Australia. With the bat he looks completely out of form, to the point where it may even be cruel to keep on playing him. Although, as Ashley Giles wryly noted the other day, you cannot remove everyone otherwise “he’d be a bit short”. Also, Root provides an important option with the ball, especially with England not playing James Tredwell. With his fifth delivery he struck by removing Michael Clarke and there was a flash of the youthful smile that has not be sighted too regularly on this tour.Hat-trick of the day
Glenn Maxwell may as well have stood there as a left-hander. Three balls in a row he reverse swept Root with considerable power through short fine-leg. However Alastair Cook tried to tinker with his field, and however fast Root tried to fire the ball in, Maxwell kept pinging it through the infield. At one point there were three men fielding from backward point to short third man to try and cut off the shot.Upgrade of the day
Jos Buttler crunched Johnson towards long-off where Shaun Marsh stepped over the boundary, then jumped and knocked the ball back into play. Initially it was awarded just the two runs but during the interval was correct to a six to give England a round 300. When the game got tight towards the end it appeared those four runs may be vital, but James Faulkner made them irrelevant.

Chelsea in deadline day talks to sign £250k-a-week ace with Victor Osimhen

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Chelsea are also believed to be in deadline day talks over a £250,000-per-week forward, amid their intense race with Al-Ahli to sign Victor Osimhen.

Chelsea could still sign Osimhen despite Al-Ahli agreement

Even though the Saudi Pro League side have reached an agreement to sign Osimhen, with both the player himself and Napoli, there is still hope for Chelsea to make a dramatic late counter-offer and thwart this blockbuster deal.

Fabrizio Romano: Chelsea submit bid to sign £60m star in deadline day move

The Blues have lodged an offer.

By
Emilio Galantini

Aug 30, 2024

Indeed, even though Osimhen has agreed personal terms with Al-Ahli on a lucrative £25 million salary over a four year contract, and Napoli have accepted a bid worth up to £57 million plus add-ons, it is believed that the 25-year-old is still waiting to see if Chelsea launch a tempting proposal of their own.

"The Al-Ahli offer to Osimhen is a €30m salary on a four-year deal," wrote reliable journalist Ben Jacobs on X.

"There are €40m in bonuses on top taking the total package to €160m. Al-Ahli also prepared to sanction a release clause. Osimhen has agreed to terms but is waiting to see whether Chelsea counter. Al-Ahli offer to Napoli has been accepted. It is €68m plus add-ons taking the total package close to €80m."

Victor Osimhen's Serie A Statistics 2023/24

Appearances

25

Goals

15

Assists

3

Shots Per 90

3.86

Key Passes Per 90

1.05

Successful Take-Ons Per 90

0.73

WhoScored

However, Jacobs also writes that the west Londoners do not have much time to hijack this move, so they'll have to act fast.

"Al-Ahli have booked a medical for Victor Osimhen having told him yesterday they want a final answer before lunch today," wrote Jacobs on X again.

"A €68m plus add-ons offer has been accepted by Napoli. Total could be worth close to €80m. Osimhen has agreed on financials worth €160m over four years. Michael Emenalo has led negotiations. Al-Ahli optimistic since yesterday. Now on Osimhen to say yes to the project with club-to-club and player-to-club financials agreed. #CFC will need to move fast with a counter if they wish to proceed."

There is still hope for Chelsea to sign Osimhen, or Brentford striker Ivan Toney, as it is unlikely Al-Ahli will sign both men – despite the Saudi's also reaching a full agreement for the latter (Sky Sports).

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen

Amidst this serious deadline day drama revolving around Chelsea's chase for a striker, a move for Man United outcast Jadon Sancho remains a possibility.

Chelsea in deadline day talks to sign Jadon Sancho

There has been talk of a Chelsea swap deal involving Sancho and Raheem Sterling over this last week, but while that has gone quiet, it is believed that the former is being chased by Enzo Maresca and co today.

Sky Sports relay on x that Chelsea are said to be in deadline day talks to sign Sancho, who is on a reported £250,000-per-week. Juventus have withdrawn from the race for the 24-year-old as well, so perhaps this could benefit the west Londoners and play into their favour, as United search for a late buyer.

"Jadon was making players dance, he was a joke. We haven’t seen that since he was at Dortmund before," said pundit Rio Ferdinand during Sancho's loan spell at Borussia Dortmund last season.

"What I say today more than anything, that was cage football Sancho. This is the kid who grew up in cage football with that bit of swagger.

"He is in the groove now. He will come off the pitch on a high. But I want to know what happened at Man Utd, why didn’t it go well there. The plus point for Man Utd is a lot of teams will want him now."

Tendulkar's chance to reach 1000 at a venue

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Stats preview of the first Test between India and West Indies in Kolkata

S Rajesh05-Nov-2013Given that India are the third-ranked team according to the ICC rankings, and are playing at home against the sixth-ranked West Indies, it’s clear who the favourites are going into this series. Almost everything in this series revolves around Sachin Tendulkar, but there are other incentives for both teams: a series win will lift India to No.2 from their current third position, while West Indies will improve from sixth to fourth if they win the series.India lost a home series against England last year – and one of the Test defeats was at the Eden Gardens – but since then they’ve thrashed Australia 4-0, and they’ll also remember that they notched up a comfortable 2-0 series win the last time West Indies toured, in a three-Test series a couple of years ago. The fact that they’re touring again so quickly is also unusual, given that their four previous tours had come at intervals of at least seven years each – they toured in 1987, 1994, 2002 and then 2011.West Indies have lost their last two series in India by 2-0 margins. The last time they didn’t lose a series in India was in 1994, when the three-Test series was drawn 1-1. However, they are on a bit of a roll at the moment, having won their last six Tests on the trot, beating New Zealand, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe by identical 2-0 margins. Admittedly, the opposition weren’t the best around, but six wins in six Tests should still give the team some confidence: the last time they’d won six or more on the trot was between June and December 1988, when they won four Tests in England and three in Australia.The last time West Indies toured India was in November 2011, and the batsmen who shone then were Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Darren Bravo. Both are around this time as well. Chanderpaul’s form is as strong as ever: since the beginning of 2007 he averages 70.58, the highest among any batsman who’s scored at least 1000 runs during this period. The Mumbai Test will be his 150th, though that’s unlikely to be the most celebrated landmark of that Test. Chanderpaul’s also generally a quick starter on tours: he averages 52.04 in the first Test of an away series, and scored 118 and 47 in the first Test when he toured India in 2011.Bravo was the most successful batsman on that tour, scoring 404 at an average of 67.33, with two hundreds in six innings. This will be Bravo’s fourth Test in India, which is more than the Tests Brian Lara played in India over his entire career.West Indies will also be bolstered this time by the presence of Chris Gayle, who’d missed the 2011 tour. With Marlon Samuels around as well, the West Indies middle order is a fairly experienced one.

West Indian batsmen in Tests in India
Batsman Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Shivnarine Chanderpaul 6 491 54.55 2/ 1
Darren Bravo 3 404 67.33 2/ 0
Marlon Samuels 4 289 41.28 1/ 2
Kirk Edwards 3 227 37.83 0/ 2
Chris Gayle 3 160 32.00 0/ 1
Darren Sammy 3 110 18.33 0/ 0
Kieran Powell 2 106 26.50 0/ 1

India’s spinners did the job against Australia, with R Ashwin taking 29 wickets at 20.10, but India will probably miss Ravindra Jadeja, who took 24 wickets at 17.45. Pragyan Ojha is likely to be India’s second spinner, but West Indies’ left-handers will fancy him, given that he averages more than 53 runs per wicket against left-hand batsmen in his Test career so far.

Indian spinners v right- and left-handers
Bowler Versus Runs Wickets Average Econ rate
R Ashwin Right-handers 1599 44 36.34 3.19
Left-handers 1026 48 21.37 2.53
Pragyan Ojha Right-handers 2164 82 26.39 2.47
Left-handers 1078 20 53.90 3.26
Amit Mishra Right-handers 1359 31 43.83 3.13
Left-handers 503 12 41.91 3.36

While there are other aspects of interest during the series, the centrepiece is clearly Sachin Tendulkar. He has played 12 Tests in Kolkata and averages 47.88, with his highest score – 176 – also coming against West Indies, in 2002. That century came in the second innings, and saved India the blushes: after trailing by 139 in the first innings, India had slumped to 87 for 4 in their second innings, when Tendulkar and VVS Laxman put together a double-century partnership to lift India to 471 for 8. Since then, Tendulkar has gone past 50 five times in Tests in Kolkata, but converted only one of those into a hundred, when he scored 106 against South Africa in 2010.In all, Tendulkar has scored 862 Test runs at the Eden Gardens, which puts him in third place in the all-time list, behind Laxman (1217 runs at 110.63), and Rahul Dravid (962 runs at 68.71).

Most Test runs at the Eden Gardens
Batsman Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
VVS Laxman 10 1217 110.63 5/ 3
Rahul Dravid 9 962 68.71 4/ 3
Sachin Tendulkar 12 862 47.88 2/ 6
Mohammad Azharuddin 7 860 107.50 5/ 2
Dilip Vengsarkar 7 645 71.66 2/ 2
Sunil Gavaskar 8 583 44.84 2/ 1

If Tendulkar scores 138 runs in this Test, he’ll become only the third Indian batsman, after Laxman and Sunil Gavaskar, to score 1000 Test runs at a venue. Gavaskar scored more than 1000 at two grounds – the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Tendulkar’s best is 970 in Chennai, followed by 869 in Bangalore. If he doesn’t get 138 here, the task will get slightly tougher at the Wankhede: he’ll need 153 to get to 1000 Test runs there.

'We don't have that possibility' – Ruben Amorim admits Man Utd will NOT have money to spend in January transfer window despite need for new players

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Ruben Amorim has revealed Manchester United will not have money to spend in the January transfer window despite the need for new signings.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Man Utd going through rough patch
  • Fresh blood in January would benefit team
  • Amorim admits winter reinforcements unlikely
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    United's 2-0 loss to Newcastle at Old Trafford on Monday marked their fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions. This dismal run has amplified concerns about the squad’s inability to adapt to Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 formation. However, the Portuguese coach does not expect financial support to address these issues when the transfer window opens in January.

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    WHAT AMORIM SAID

    Speaking candidly to reporters on Monday night about the possibility of January transfers, Amorim stated, "We don't have that possibility in January. You know the situation better than I [do]. It's not the case I am not arriving here and I can spend a lot of money, changing all the team. You know the situation so it's not a point to talk about it."

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    According to any incoming activity in January will depend on outgoing transfers. The Red Devils are open to both loan deals and permanent moves, which could free up some funds. If finances allow, signing a left wing-back would be the club’s top priority.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Despite growing calls to adapt his tactical approach, Amorim remains steadfast in his commitment to the 3-4-3 system, which he has used throughout his managerial career. He dismissed suggestions that reverting to the 4-3-3 system favoured by his predecessor Erik ten Hag could solve the team’s problems and instead argued that switching back to a previously unsuccessful setup would not provide the answers United need.

    "I have to sell my idea," he said. "If I change all the time it is going to be even worse. But I understand they have a lot of difficulties because they spent two years playing one way. You can feel it, I can feel it but I have to sell my idea, I don't have another one.

    "When you have a change of coach, especially in this type of club, it is because they were not winning. They play in the system they were bought for and were losing. So I am going to change to that system? This team was already in problems."

Lea Tahuhu loses New Zealand contract; six new players included

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Frankie Mackay and Leigh Kasperek also left off; Fran Jonas and Molly Penfold among additions

ESPNcricinfo staff27-May-2022Fast bowler Lea Tahuhu is among those who have been dropped from New Zealand’s central contract list as six new players earn deals.Confirmation of Tahuhu’s omission from the 17 names came the day after her wife Amy Satterthwaite announced her retirement from international cricket when she was told she would not be handed a new contract.Frankie Mackay, Leigh Kasperek and Thamsyn Newton are the other players who fall off the contracts list along with the retired Katey Martin.The omission of 31-year-old fast bowler Tahuhu is significant given the point-of-difference she can bring to the attack with her pace. She was New Zealand’s joint-leading wicket-taker at this year’s ODI World Cup – alongside Mackay – with 10 wickets.The players receiving contract offers for the first time comprises Auckland Hearts trio Fran Jonas, Molly Penfold and Izzy Gaze, offspinners Nensi Patel (Northern Brave) and Eden Carson (Otago Sparks), and Wellington Blaze batter, Georgia Plimmer.Bryan Stronach, NZC’s general manager of high performance who spoke on Thursday about looking to the future, conceded there had been tough decisions to make but stressed that a player can still be selected from outside the contracted group.”They have given their all; have made great sacrifices, and retain our absolute respect,” he said. “It’s also important to emphasise that, just because someone hasn’t received a national contract offer, it doesn’t mean they cannot, or will not, be selected.”This is about having on contract the players we’re most likely to use during the next 12 month period.”Among the newly offer contracts, 18-year-old left-arm spinner Jonas has played five ODIs and was part of this year’s World Cup squad while pace bowler Penfold has two ODI caps. Plimmer was a late call-up to the World Cup after Lauren Down was ruled out through injury. Gaze will likely challenge Jess McFadyen to take over Martin’s role behind the stumps.”It’s never easy coming up with a final 17 players,” Stronach said. “Having said that, we’re excited about the six new faces receiving contract offers, several of whom already have some White Ferns experience under their belt.”To be in a position in which we’re genuinely considering the credentials of a wider pool of players can only be viewed as a positive for the women’s game.”Players have until June 3 to accept or decline their contract offers.New Zealand women’s contracts Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Jess McFadyen, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe

Kusal Mendis available for fourth ODI, Gunathilaka unlikely to play

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Hasaranga may only be risked if Sri Lanka feel they need him on Tuesday

Andrew Fidel Fernando20-Jun-2022Kusal Mendis is available for the fourth ODI against Australia on Tuesday, but Danushka Gunathilaka appears unlikely to play, while Wanindu Hasaranga may only be risked if Sri Lanka feel they need him.Mendis retired hurt on 87 off 85 balls in Sri Lanka’s win on Sunday, having put on a match-defining 170-run stand with centurion Pathum Nissanka. But he left the field because of “neuromuscular cramps,” SLC’s chief medical officer Dr Daminda Attanayake told ESPNcricinfo, and as such, will be fit for Tuesday. Nissanka, who was also seen receiving treatment during the course of his innings but continued batting until he was dismissed for 137, is fine as well.Gunathilaka, who missed Sunday’s match with a grade 1 hamstring strain, seems unlikely to be available though, according to Attanayake. Although she described Gunathilaka’s as a “very minor injury”, the original prognosis had been that Gunathilaka would miss this series, in order to ensure his availability for the Lanka Premier League and the Asia Cup coming up.But there is still an outside chance he could play. “The team physio and doctor will continue to assess him to see if he can be fit, but right now he is out,” Attanayake said. Gunathilaka is set to undergo a fitness test on Tuesday, before the match.Hasaranga meanwhile has a “really good prognosis” and his “symptoms are getting better,” Attanayake said, but may only be risked if Sri Lanka really feel they need him. With the hosts now 2-1 up in the series, and both legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay and left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage having bowled well in the two previous games, Sri Lanka may just choose to give their premier spinner an extra game off.The last two ODIs are set to be played in Colombo on Tuesday and then Friday.

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