An emotional Peter Borren made another impassioned plea to the ICC to give the Associates and Affiliates more opportunities to play, with Netherlands knocked out of the World T20 after a washout

Sidharth Monga in Dharamsala11-Mar-2016An emotional and distraught Peter Borren has made another impassioned plea to the ICC to give the Associates and Affiliates more opportunities to play, which eventually boils down to spending more money on them. His side Netherlands, perhaps had one bad over with the ball and another with the bat in their first match of this World T20, and they are already out of the event after a washout in their second match.The World Cup, of a format that is considered the most ideal to spread the game to non-traditional outposts, is restricted to 10 teams, which leads to a cruel round of qualifying where only one of four teams goes through. There are no reserve days. This stage of the tournament is almost like a chore that has to be completed. For teams such as Netherlands, they hope they can make these three days the days of their lives, but don’t have any room for error.”It’s a pretty emotional dressing room,” Borren said. “Guys have put a lot of work into this campaign. It started a year ago or close to that starting with the first part of the qualifier in Ireland and Scotland. We shared that trophy and played some really good cricket. We sit here now after playing three hours of cricket against Bangladesh, where we came up short. It’s extremely disappointing. Obviously we can’t do anything about the weather.”There are obviously questions about how much we’ve had to do to get to this stage as it is. We’ve won a lot of games and an eight-run loss to Bangladesh and we’re gone. It’s hard to take.”

Associates’ requests falling on deaf ears – Porterfield

When Peter Borren pleaded for more games, he referred to William Porterfield’s scathing comments after the last World Cup, in Australia. After Ireland bowed out of this World T20, Porterfield said his comments had fallen on deaf ears. “That is why the ICC has the tournament in two phases because they will lose a lot of revenue if one of the ‘top nations’ go out to any of us in the early rounds,’ Porterfield said. “It doesn’t happen in any other sport. Every sport grows. Football has increased the number of teams for the 2023 [sic] World Cup. Rugby have done the same. They are looking to progress their games.
“It is a shame that the ICC at the top level insist on cutting teams. It has fallen on deaf ears a lot of time. After the last World Cup there were quite a few people at the top table who were quite happy that we missed out on run rate. Makes it a bit easier for them to ignore all the comments and let it die over time. This is what happens. It is frustrating from our point of view. We will keep fighting. We have got good performances on the pitch. We come to every major event. Not just major events, we have got four big games this year. Two against Sri Lanka and two against Pakistan at home. Those are the games we have to win especially on home soil to put more pressure, to get even more fixtures.”

While Borren hoped there was a reserve day, he did repeat there can be no excuses for losing to Bangladesh after having competed evenly for 35.5 overs. Looking at the future, though, he was desperately disappointed. He had tweeted earlier in the day, imploring the weather to co-operate because the match was 10% of the cricket they were going to play all year. As of now, they are left with one more T20I, two one-day games against Nepal in the World Cricket League and a four-day game against Afghanistan, and that’s it for the rest of the year.”It’s obviously not enough cricket, that’s fair to say,” Borren said. “If we had managed to get through here, it would have been fantastic. But today’s rain means that we’re in a position where we possibly won’t be playing in a world event for how many years [four]. And in this sort of environment, I’ve been lucky to have played in a few, but it seems like it’s becoming less opportunities for Associate teams, which is frustrating. For me, I’m getting older but some of our young guys… it’s pretty hard to tell a guy like Paul van Meekeren, for example, who bowls four overs, gets 2 for 17 against Bangladesh, that there might be another opportunity if we get really really good cricket over three-four years time. It’s pretty tough.”What do they do to keep this team together and motivated given such few opportunities? “Keeping this unit together, I don’t know, time is an interesting thing,” Borren said. “We have got an interesting blend of experience and younger guys. We are not playing too much cricket. We move our attention to two days time, to the visit of Nepal and Afghanistan later in the summer. We’ve worked very hard to get where we are now. I’m very proud of what we’ve done in the World Cricket League and the I-cup but right now the feeling is absolutely devastated. It’s just a cruel, cruel place to be. I guess, I wish we could find those nine runs somewhere from the other night.”What really seems to have hurt Borren is the fact that the ICC has becomes less concerned about Associates. He acknowledged the hard work of some passionate people at the ICC who work hard towards spreading the game, but asked for a more even share of the revenues cricket generates. “The level of Associate cricket has dramatically improved,” Borren said, crediting ICC’s high performance programme. “The opportunities for games, however, have become far less. Four or five years ago I, we, used to play quite a few games. These days not many with WCL going to a three-year cycle.”I don’t think it is those people who work hard… they do work hard for Associate cricket. But maybe above them there is a sort of malaise towards Associate cricket. To grow further in the game, we always hear it is not commercially viable. We can’t afford to do our own bilateral series. It is very difficult for us. We then hear World Cricket League has gone to a three-year cycle because it is not affordable otherwise. To be honest there is money somewhere. There is a lot of money in cricket. Just not really being spent on expanding the game. Although a bit of it is being spent, the revenue should be spread more far out so that we have that opportunity to play more.”Borren had a message for those who feel the Associates don’t deserve a healthier share of the revenue because they don’t generate it: “I will tell them we don’t need that much. We are not looking for millions and millions of dollars. Just a very small percentage of this huge amount. Obviously we are not going to probably be the source of much revenue, we understand that, but if the game wants to grow, then surely the revenue needs to be shared more evenly not just amongst three, eight, ten teams but throughout the Associates and Affiliates as well.”I can remember William Porterfield saying pretty similar stuff after the 2015 world cup. People keep saying ‘fair enough’, ‘fair enough’, but there is no real change. That can be extremely frustrating. Real change would be welcomed in world of cricket. For example I watch Indian TV, going through the channels, highlights of us beating England, so we think, ‘Hang on, everyone likes watching that, everyone likes watching new teams do well, you know give us the opportunity.”

Cricket fans who complain vociferously about the absence of live cricket on free-to-air TV might find mild consolation in Sky TV’s launch of a new channel to showcase their live sports to all their subscribers

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Mar-2016Cricket fans who complain vociferously about the absence of live cricket on free-to-air TV might find mild consolation in Sky TV’s announcement that they intend to launch a new channel to showcase their live sports package to all their subscribers.Sky have confirmed that live cricket will occasionally be among those sports made available to all their 12-million plus subscribers. Slightly less than half take out a sports package for an additional fee.Sky Sports Mix is seen as offering an extra inducement for its subscribers not to leave Sky in favour of rivals such as BT Sport or Virgin.Most attention has been given to Sky’s promise that it will air a number of live Premier League and Championship matches free of charge, but it is the mention of cricket that will interest the ECB as it pursues TV rights negotiations for the period beyond 2019.Sky announced: “For the first time, millions more Sky customers will be able to watch a mix of live sport – including football, golf from Europe and the US, international cricket and much more – as part of their basic subscription packages.”Women’s cricket will also be included.The ECB remains committed to a future where most international cricket remains behind a paywall, adamant that the revenue gained is necessary to sustain the game, not just at first-class level but in terms of the women’s game and recreational cricket.Nevertheless, there is unease about the fall in numbers in recreational cricket, which seem to signal lessening interest in the game, and which will tempt the ECB to explore the possibility of some live cricket being viewed free to air, beyond the England international highlights that are already available.Discussions will centre not just upon England cricket, but on the availability of England’s domestic T20 tournament – in whatever form it takes from 2020 onwards.Sky Sports Mix might become a useful bargaining chip as negotiations continue. It could not count as free-to-air for all, but any increase in cricket’s reach will be regarded as something worth talking about.

The ICC is considering increasing funding for Associate and Affiliate nations as part of the ongoing review into its governance and structure. The news will go some way to appeasing Associate representatives aggrieved by the effects of the ICC’s 2014 financial and administrative restructuring, informally referred to as the Big Three takeover.Funding for the 95 Associate and Affiliate nations from 2015-23 has currently been agreed at $299 million, only a slight increase in real terms from the $252 million awarded to Associate and Affiliate nations in the preceding media and commercial rights package from 2007-15. Had the ICC rights for 2015-23 been distributed according to the previous revenue model (2007-2015), Ehsan Mani, the former ICC President, estimates that the Associate nations could have received over $550 million.Under the new model, Associate representatives believe that the majority of the ICC’s 95 non-Test members face a real terms funding reduction. “Over 50 Associates and Affiliates [out of a total of 95] are likely to be worse off in 2015-16 compared to 2014-15,” said Simone Gambino, the Italian Cricket Federation president. The claim was backed up by a number of other representatives, who expressed grave concerns about the future of the game beyond the Full Member nations.”I worry how some countries will recover from the crushing reduction in funds. All that we have achieved is at risk,” said Ken Farmiloe, the Chairman of Cricket Belgium. “As far as I can see, Ireland are the only country in Europe who are better off in 2016. Most countries seem to be worse off as, in addition to a reduction in funds, there will be no financial support from ICC Europe for projects.”When contacted by ESPNcricinfo, the ICC privately denied that such a large number of nations will be worse off, saying that the number who have suffered funding reductions in 2015-16 is no higher than in a typical year. According to the ICC’s rules, funding is determined by a combination of on-field performance and the ICC’s “scorecard” tally which takes into account a myriad of development factors to rank associates and determine funding. The ICC were unwilling to specify how many countries are better or worse off in 2015-16 compared to 2014-15, but said the new funding model for Associates and Affiliates was designed to prevent sides that maintain their position in the rankings from being financially worse off.Shashank Manohar’s recent comments have been a boost to the Associates•AFP

It is however understood that, when the discontinuation of the Targeted Assistance and Performance Programme (TAPP) is taken into account, a number of leading Associates will receive less ICC funding. Cricket Scotland are understood to be over $200,000 worse off comparing 2014-15 and 2015-16. The Netherlands, UAE and Kenya are other prominent countries that have suffered an overall funding reduction.Privately, senior ICC figures say that they are looking for a more efficient funding scheme to replace TAPP, perhaps called an ODI or Cricket Fund. They also stressed that TAPP was only introduced in 2012, midway through the last rights cycle, and expect an equivalent scheme to be implemented much quicker in the current rights cycle.Given the ongoing review into the ICC’s funding distribution model. David Richardson, the ICC chief executive, said: “It would be pointless to speculate further at this stage as to whether any particular group of members will be better or worse off financially than before.”Associate nations have been encouraged by Shashank Manohar’s words since taking over as ICC chairman. One senior source said they were hopeful that India’s share of ICC revenue would be reduced, perhaps from 22% to 16%, as previously reported, and this could lead to the overall pot for Associate and Affiliate nations increasing from $299 million to $325-350 million from 2015 to 2023. Another figure said that Manohar has been surprised that Zimbabwe receive over $5 million more than Afghanistan and Ireland from the ICC, and hoped to close this gap substantially. Funding shortages are expected to have made Ireland, for example, unable to commit to some ODIs they have arranged in 2016 and beyond.Any increased funding towards Associate members is likely to follow the recent trend of Associate spending being targeted more aggressively towards the highest-ranked nations like Afghanistan and Ireland. Because of their inclusion on the 12-team ODI rankings table, Afghanistan and Ireland receive an extra $1.7 million a year from the ICC, and around $2.5 million annually in total from the ICC. “Their funding success has come at the expense of other Associates and Affiliates,” Malcolm Cannon, the chief executive of Cricket Scotland, said in December.Countries in the World Cricket League Championship, the competition for the next rung of Associates in ODI cricket, receive only $300,000 a year for participation in the tournament, and none currently receive more than $1.2 million in total a year.Richardson explained why the ICC was committed to prioritising spending towards the strongest performers among Associate nations. “One of the objectives arising from the recently approved ICC Strategic Plan for the period 2015-19, which is relevant to the development of the game, is achieving more competitive teams at the highest level. To achieve this we need to be more targeted in the allocation of resources – money and services – to the members that have the potential to be competitive at that level, i.e. to deliver the desired return on investment.”The objective is therefore to provide more funding to the likes of Ireland, Afghanistan and others who have the potential to compete successfully at the highest level, preferably without reducing the level of funding available for distribution to the other members from what they collectively received before.”This marks a continuation of the process in 2008, when Associate and Affiliate nations decided to pool their funding and divide it up according to the scorecard, thereby rewarding countries making progress. Several representatives stressed that they supported the increased funding for the top Associates but felt the overall funding pot for Associates and Affiliates was insufficient given the rise in the value of ICC commercial deals.Ultimately some in the ICC hope to move to a model in which funding for all nations, including Full Members, is based more on performance and less on status. Proposals for two divisions in Test cricket (comprising seven teams in Division One and five in Division Two, with promotion and relegation) and a ODI format pitting the 12 leading nations in groups (perhaps two with six teams each) to form the basis of World Cup qualification are being advocated by Richardson and other senior figures at the ICC, as part of the ongoing review into the structure of cricket. It is envisaged that the ICC would fund the costs of matches within any such structure.Some Associate representatives remain unconvinced. “Whether the changes will affect the smaller Associates and Affiliates remains to be seen,” Farmiloe said. He also expressed his concern that World Cricket League Six has been scrapped; in total, since 2012, the number of divisions in the World Cricket League has fallen from eight to five. “The cutting of WCL excludes many countries vying to better their cricket. Also, the big question is what the ICC regional offices will do without a budget.”Spending on department services – money largely allocated to regional offices who then provide grants and support to members – has fallen from $81 million from 2007-15 – to an estimated $56 million under the current 2015-23 funding model.

Arsenal fans have been left slamming some comments made by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on their supposed lack of injuries this season.

The Lowdown: Ten Hag comments

Speaking the media in his pre-game press conference ahead of United’s UEFA Europa League last-16 clash with Real Betis, Ten Hag has claimed that Arsenal’s squad is always available, and that they have been lucky with injuries this season:

“Man City home [2-1 victory in January], it was the only time this season [that United had a fully fit squad], in other times, every time, every game is a player suspended, injured, illness. So we have to deal with it well, of course, you hope.

“I see Arsenal, they almost have all the time a squad that is totally available.”

This is despite six other teams in the Premier League having fewer combined games missed through injury then their 79, and the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny being out injured at the moment, with star striker Gabriel Jesus only just returning from a three-month absence with a knee problem.

The Latest: Arsenal fans fume

Taking to Twitter after the comments were shared, these Gunners supporters voiced their fume over them:

“This is kind of condescending. It comes off like he’s saying look at Arsenal, same team every week, that’s why they’re where they are. The reality is Arsenal have had plenty of injury issues and they’ve found ways to overcome them for the most part.” – @Arsenal_HP

“We literally had our 3 strikers Jesus, Eddie & Trossard all out at the same time. What an absolute clown” – @UPYOURARSENAL04

“Embarrassing.” – @gooner_247

“Wow, he needs to open his eyes” – @HunterMartyn

“Deluded. #TenHag” – @TheAFC_

“Grow up Erik.” – @TeamDorling

The Verdict: Everyone has them!

Some teams have had more injury problems than others this season, but that is not to say that Mikel Arteta’s side have not had their fair share.

As well as Jesus’ lengthy absence, the likes of Thomas Partey, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Emile Smith Rowe have all also missed a sizeable chunk of top-flight matches through injury, and so it has not always been as plain sailing as Ten Hag has made out.

Nonetheless, the North Londoners have used their squad well, with the likes of Jorginho and Kieran Tierney among others able to come in when injuries have hit the squad, and they should be given more credit for that sitting on top of the league.

Steven Smith has been charged with dissent over the same incident that saw fast bowler Josh Hazlewood fined 15% of his match fee on day four in Christchurch

Brydon Coverdale in Christchurch24-Feb-20161:02

Steven Smith fined after dissent charge

Australia’s captain Steven Smith has been charged with dissent and fined 30% of his match fee over the same incident that saw fast bowler Josh Hazlewood fined 15% of his match fee on day four in Christchurch. The ICC confirmed Hazlewood’s charge and penalty on Tuesday but it was not until Wednesday that the Australians were notified that Smith would also be penalised for breaching the code of conduct.*Smith said he would cop the decision “on the chin”. The incident occurred in the last over before lunch on the fourth day, when Hazlewood had an lbw appeal against Kane Williamson turned down by the on-field umpire Ranmore Martinesz, and Australia’s review was struck down by third umpire Richard Illingworth.Illingworth had noted a small Hot Spot near the bottom of Williamson’s inside edge, which he deemed enough to stick with Martinesz’s not-out decision, but the Australians were angered at the outcome having seen the review play out on Hagley Oval’s big screen. Smith and Hazlewood approached Martinesz and appeared to demand an explanation as to why the decision had been upheld.”Josh Hazlewood got brought under the code of conduct yesterday for what he did and I’ve also just been made aware that I’ve been put under the code of conduct for dissent as well,” Smith said after Australia completed their victory on day five. “I thought I was well within my rights to go up to the umpire and ask him why we didn’t use the Real Time Snicko.”I guess out on the field we couldn’t really see a Hot Spot and I’ve been informed since then, at the break just after the incident, that if there is a Hot Spot they don’t go to Real Time Snicko. So that was basically what I was doing at the time and that’s deemed to be dissent and I’ll cop that on the chin and I need to be better as a leader. I need to set the example, and that wasn’t good enough.”The incident brought into the spotlight the Spirit of Cricket in the final Test of New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, who has spoken often of wanting his team to play the game “in the right way”. During last year’s ODI series in England McCullum wrote in a newspaper column that Smith might regret not withdrawing an obstructing the field appeal against England’s Ben Stokes, and Smith conceded he could learn from the way McCullum has led.”Brendon has been a great ambassador, and a great captain and leader for the game,” Smith said. “I can learn a bit off the way he has done things. We’ve talked quite a bit and he gave me a bit of criticism in England with the Ben Stokes dismissal. We’ve talked a little bit about that. I guess I’m still young in my career as a leader and you try and learn from different things.”Yesterday was a mistake on my behalf and I’ve been hit with a code of conduct [charge] because of it. To me it’s about trying to learn from my mistakes and trying to get this team moving forward in the right direction and playing the good, aggressive brand of cricket that we play so well. We know that there’s a line there that we can’t cross.”*10.00GMT, February 24: This article was updated after details of Steven Smith’s fine came in

The English Premier League (EPL), or the English Football League as it is commonly known, has been the top division of English football since it was founded back in 1992. It was formed by a breakaway of the 22 clubs from the Football League First Division and replaced the old First Division and Second Division system. Since then, this impressive competition has become one of the best leagues in Europe and has seen some of the biggest names in world football grace its fields.

This article will illustrate why watching the Premier League is definitely worth your time.

Unrivaled excitement

Watching the Premier League is a thrilling experience for viewers, as players take part in a fierce competition to prove themselves and look to win games. Some people seek thrills by betting on these football matches or playing online casino games, for example. If you want to feel the thrills by watching sports, then you should watch the Premier League. This is one of the most exciting football leagues in the world.

What makes it exciting? For starters, even the smaller clubs, like Blackburn or West Bromwich, to name a couple, have the opportunity to win the league title or even qualify for the European competitions. The best example of this is when Leicester City clinched the Barclays Premier League championship in 2016. It is regarded as the greatest underdog season in sports history.

In addition to the unpredictability of every match, another great reason to watch the Premier League is the bitter rivalries between opposing teams, some even from the same cities.

The best managers

Some of the best managers in the world coach in the Premier League, showcasing their coaching prowess against other top-tier managers.Among the best managers in the EPL is former Spanish professional coach and player "Pep" Guardiola who currently coaches at Manchester City. One of his rivals, Jürgen Klopp presently holds the title of Premier League Manager of the Season after leading Liverpool FC to a second-place finish last season. Guardiola and former EPL coach José Mourinho are the only managers other than Sir Alex Ferguson (Man Utd) to win the Manager of the Season award in consecutive seasons.

The best rivalries

One thing that makes football amazing is the passion people have for it. Such passion is heightened during derby matches. Among the most legendary rivalries in world football is on display in the derby match between Manchester United and Manchester City.

From world-class players and top-tier coaches to intense competition and unparalleled rivalries, it's easy to see why the Premier League is one of the most-watched and exciting leagues in sports today.

Photo by Unsplash

Julian Nagelsmann is on Chelsea’s radar after Graham Potter was sacked as Blues manager, according to a key update from renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Potter gets the boot

The west Londoners endured another dreadful day at the office on Saturday evening, losing 2-0 at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League. The defeat leaves Chelsea languishing in mid-table, with the Champions League now essentially all they have to play for this season.

Pressure continued to build on Potter, who looked to have steadied the ship after some improved form, progressing to the quarter-finals in Europe. The loss to Villa was a big step in the wrong direction, and the Blues owner Todd Boehly is now eyeing potential replacements.

One individual who has been linked with taking charge at Stamford Bridge is Nagelsmann, who was recently surprisingly disposed of at Bayern, despite still being in the Bundesliga title race and the Champions League last-eight.

Now, a new update has emerged regarding Chelsea’s potential interest in the 35-year-old.

Will Nagelsmann replace Potter?

Taking to Twitter previously, Romano claimed that Potter is under big pressure and Nagelsmann is “one to watch” as a possible successor for him at Stamford Bridge.

Then, after confirmation broke of the former Brighton manager’s departure, the journalist reiterated that point, Tweeting the following.

While it had been refreshing to see the Blues give Potter time to prove his worth, despite an awful run of results, there does come a point where he simply had to reach the end of the road at the club, which has now come.

In Nagelsmann, Chelsea could have an ideal man to bring in, with the German harshly sacked by Bayern and a hugely exciting young manager who has a massive future in the game. It seems likely that he won’t make a decision over his future until the summer, however, as he enjoys some downtime before being handed a new challenge in his career.

Indeed, with Aston Villa overtaking the Blues in the table after securing the yesterday, you have to say that it’s no great surprise to see him gone, as at this point in a season, Chelsea supporters are used to fighting in and around the top four.

Liverpool have been offered the chance to bring PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Sangare to the Premier League, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Reinforcements needed

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Arthur Melo will be returning to Juventus upon the expiration of his loan and Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are also out of contract at the end of the season so central reinforcements will be required in the summer.

The Ivory Coast international’s deal at the Philips Stadion isn’t set to expire until 2027, but being Ruud van Nistelrooy’s top-performing defensive player, feels like he’s ready to embark on a bigger challenge in England which has been confirmed by his boss himself.

Speaking to Voetbal International, he said:

“Obviously he can handle [the Premier League]. I have challenged him because I think Ibrahim can go to the top in England. He would also be great in Italy or Spain.

“I see players in his position there now and I think Ibrahim is definitely going to take a shot at that level.”

The Latest: Liverpool offered Sangare

According to 90min, Sangare is ‘ready’ to complete a move to the Premier League and it’s reported that PSV are ‘open’ to cashing in this summer whilst his value is high, with his contract having a €37m (£32m) release clause.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have been ‘offered’ a chance to sign him and all are ‘admirers’ of the 25-year-old.

They’ve apparently been ‘alerted’ by Sangare’s agents that he is set to be available for transfer during the upcoming window.

The Eindhoven star’s representatives have ‘spoken’ with Jurgen Klopp and the hierarchy as well as the rest of his potential suitors to make them aware of his decision.

West Ham have also been ‘touted’ as a possible destination, but it’s claimed that he’s ideally looking to join a ‘bigger side’.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Sangare has been dubbed a ‘top talent’ by football scout Jacek Kulig and Liverpool should definitely act fast to get this deal over the line ahead of their fellow competitors.

The 6 foot 3 colossus currently ranks in the 92nd percentile for most tackles and successful take-ons per game, showing that he’s not afraid to get stuck in, win back possession and dribble past his man.

The Cote d’Ivoire native’s desire to consistently contribute to his side’s efforts in the final third hasn’t gone unnoticed either having scored seven goals and provided three assists across all competitions this season (Transfermarkt).

Finally, Sangare can operate in defensive, central and attacking midfield so would add plenty of versatility to the squad, making this deal even more of a no-brainer to complete.

Newcastle United forward Miguel Almiron has “returned” to training and could be available for Saturday’s Premier League game against Aston Villa, according to journalist Jordan Cronin.

What's the latest on Almiron's injury?

The Magpies came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Brentford and keep their top-four dreams going last weekend, but were without the services of Almiron, who has recently been enduring a spell on the sidelines.

The St James’ Park winger last featured in the 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last month, where he soon after picked up an unfortunate thigh injury in training, which meant he has missed the last four top-flight games.

Last month, Eddie Howe initially stated that his talisman could be ruled out of action for up to six weeks, which would have been concerning for supporters to hear, though a positive update on his fitness has now emerged.

Taking to Twitter, Cronin revealed that Almiron has pulled his boots back on and staged his comeback to the training pitch much quicker than was anticipated in a massive boost for Newcastle. He wrote:

“Miguel Almiron has returned to NUFC training ahead of schedule, despite Eddie Howe previously doubting that would be the case. The Paraguayan could come back in contention for Saturday lunchtime's trip to AVFC.”

Is Almiron's injury return positive news for Newcastle?

Journalist Josh Bunting previously labelled Almiron as Newcastle’s “key player”, and being Howe’s top goalscorer so far this season despite missing a run of fixtures, it’s hard to argue otherwise, so it’s definitely positive news for the boss that he could be available for selection again this weekend.

The Asuncion native has clocked up 12 goal contributions (11 goals and one assist) in 25 Premier League games this term, but is also a real standout performer apart from when he gets on the scoresheet.

The left-footed forward has recorded 50 shots since the start of the season, which is higher than any other member of the squad, alongside 66 shot-creating actions – at a rate of three per game, ranking him second just behind Kieran Trippier (FBref).

The Magpies have just eight matches remaining to secure their place in the Champions League, and we think the return of Almiron, who has evidently been one of the most important players in their success, will only increase his side’s chances of achieving their goal as we head deeper into the run-in.

England XI 177 for 8 (Root 48, Willey 3-35, Rashid 2-33) beat MCA XI 163 for 6 (Bista 51, Vince 45) by 14 runs
ScorecardJoe Root hits down the ground during his 48•Getty Images

The venerable Cricket Club of India has its very own “Men’s Siesta Room”, situated on the second floor of the Brabourne Stadium pavilion, and available from the hours of 12pm to 6pm to those members who could do with a lie-down. Like most of the décor in and around the grand old ground, its very existence harks back to an era of and , when it was safe to take your eyes off the action and not miss a single beat.On paper, England’s final World T20 warm-up match against a Mumbai Cricket Association XI was the sort of occasion that could have led to standing room only in the Siesta Room. Many’s the time that England have simply muddled through the motions in such contests, rotating their squad, settling for time in the middle, and moving onto the main event with minimum fuss.Times, however, have changed very quickly, and England’s final 40 overs of middle practice proved urgent and captivating. In the end, a Mumbai XI reinforced with four donations from the England squad ran their visitors close before succumbing to a 14-run defeat, the contest effectively sealed by a brace of yorkers from Chris Jordan to bowl two of England’s floor-crossers, James Vince and Jos Buttler in consecutive overs.Up until that point, England had been somewhat up against it. Jay Bista, a talented 20-year-old local boy who last week struck his maiden first-class hundred, launched Mumbai’s pursuit of 178 with a 37-ball 51, before Vince, with a measured 45 from 38, and Buttler, with a typically aggressive 25 from 16, manoeuvred their adopted team close with a 47-run stand in five overs.England did not help their cause with their fielding – both men were badly dropped in the deep by Liam Plunkett and Ben Stokes respectively – but England dredged the necessary composure to close out the contest, Jordan serving up a diet of yorkers at the death, not least in an exemplary penultimate over that went for just two runs.”He’s been fantastic,” said Joe Root, whose 48 from 34 balls was the bedrock of England’s efforts with the bat. “He’s proven on a few occasions he can perform under real pressure. Now it’s about doing it consistently and when it really counts. The best thing is we’ve got these experiences to call upon when the tournament starts, so fingers crossed we can take that confidence forward.”For all that Eoin Morgan has encouraged his England team to embrace their “naivety” in Indian conditions, there’s a subtle difference between the sort of have-a-go fearlessness that he is advocating and willful ignorance of the challenges that lie in store. And with that in mind, England have made as much capital as they could have hoped from their two practice contests.West Indies on Wednesday will be another challenge entirely. “They are extremely explosive,” said Root. “They have firepower in the batting order, and are unpredictable at times, so we have got to have lots of plans in place to counter that”.However, the ongoing success of Adil Rashid as a middle-order handbrake augurs well for England’s chances of launching their campaign in style. In transferring both Buttler and Rashid to their opponents, England created a situation in which their two likeliest matchwinners could test themselves against the best that England could offer, and vice versa. It proved to be a qualified success.After batting first in a pre-arranged situation, Jason Roy and Alex Hales had biffed England along to 69 in the seventh over – neither perhaps hitting top form but nevertheless finding the gaps to rattle the scoreboard along – when Rashid started with the sort of splash that he has become something of a trademark since his stint with Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash.He snared both men in the space of his first ten balls – Roy got himself in a tangle on the reverse sweep and chipped to short third man, before Hales was beaten in flight and jabbed a high looping chance back to the bowler. With flight, guile and spin both ways, Rashid conceded just 17 runs in his first three overs before Root, with the impish acceleration for which he is building his own reputation, planted his front foot to slam two sixes in a final over that went for 16.”Hopefully everyone got lots out of it,” said Root. “Personally I know I did, it’s always good to face someone like Rash, who’s got the ability to spin the ball both ways. There will be times when we have to make sure we can face that in the tournament. He’s a very skilful bowler and it’s great to get an opportunity to face someone like that in a match situation instead of just in the nets.”David Willey, the fourth of England’s exports to the Mumbai team, belatedly reminded the selectors of his merits with an improbable hat-trick as England shipped five wickets in the final 11 balls of their innings. After a first-ball lbw appeal against Roy that might have been tighter in a more competitive game, Willey came in for some tap in the opening three overs of his spell, only to turn his figures upside down with the consecutive scalps of Root, Moeen Ali and Jordan, who launched the final ball of the innings inside out over cover, but picked out Bista, lurking in the deep.”Out preparation has been very good,” said Root. “In all the training sessions, the lads have worked extremely hard, and when it’s come to the games, the guys have stepped up and performed under pressure, which is exactly what we need to do.”