All posts by h716a5.icu

The WICB’s decision came after the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations warned that the risk level in Pakistan remains “at an extremely elevated state”

Umar Farooq12-Jan-2017West Indies’ proposed tour to Pakistan for two T20Is in mid-March is off the table, multiple sources have confirmed to ESPNcricinfo. The WICB rejected the PCB’s proposal for the tour after receiving advice on security from the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations. The WICB has also cancelled an expected security recce, which was planned for later this month. The two boards, however, continue to discuss the possibility of two T20 internationals in Florida on March 19 and 20.It is understood that earlier this week the West Indies Players Association wrote to FICA, seeking advice on the current security situation in Pakistan. FICA reportedly gave WIPA the latest security advisory from its security consultants, Eastern Star International, who provide security for various international boards including the ECB, Cricket Australia, New Zealand Cricket and the ICC.In the report, FICA warned that the risk level in Pakistan remains “at an extremely elevated state” and that “an acceptable level of participant security and safety cannot be expected or guaranteed”. Earlier this month, FICA’s report on player safety and security strongly discouraged players from traveling to Lahore for the Pakistan Super League final, scheduled for March 5.According to the proposal, Lahore was likely to host the two matches on March 18 and 19, followed by two matches in Florida, which are still being discussed and are likely to go ahead.On Wednesday, the WICB released the schedule of Pakistan’s seven-week tour of the Caribbean, beginning from March, which comprises two T20Is, three ODIs and three Tests across five venues. As per the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP), four Tests had been originally slated for this series, but one Test was dropped from the itinerary to accommodate the proposed tour of Pakistan and the T20Is in the USA.West Indies are the third team – after Ireland and Sri Lanka – to reject travelling to Pakistan in the last two years.In 2015, Zimbabwe became the first the first Test-playing nation to tour Pakistan since 2009, when an attack on the Sri Lankan team bus resulted in the suspension of international cricket from Pakistan. The ICC, however, had refused to send its match officials for the series. The PCB appointed its own match officials, and hoped the Zimbabwe series would serve as a stepping stone to reviving international cricket in the country. That ambition, however, suffered a setback when a suicide attack took place near the Gaddafi Stadium during the second ODI. Zimbabwe, though, played the third and final ODI two days later and completed the tour.The PCB remains firm in its plan to host the Pakistan Super League final in Lahore on March 5, and has drawn up contingency plans to replace those overseas players unwilling to travel to the country due to security reasons. The board has decided to hold a new draft in the last week of February to bring in foreign players who will be willing to travel to Pakistan in place of those who will opt out.

In what has been a slow start to the summer transfer window at Old Trafford, Manchester United may be about have a breakthrough in their pursuit of Chelsea attacking midfielder Mason Mount.

Mount has just one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge in which he is believed to earn £80,000 a week, per Spotrac.

In a boost to United’s pursuit, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has stated that Chelsea have lowered their demands in terms of the fee they require to let their youth academy graduate go to Old Trafford.

Man Utd transfer news – Mason Mount

United were left frustrated again after a second bid for Chelsea’s number 19 was rejected this week. The bid was believed to be worth up to £50m.

However, according to The Athletic, Chelsea look to hold out for a fee closer to £60m for the England international with £5m in add-ons.

Mount is one of three main targets for Erik ten Hag this season, which includes fellow England internationals Declan Rice and Harry Kane according to Sky Sports.

Romano believes that a middle ground can be found between the two clubs to allow Mount to move north to Manchester.

What has Fabrizio Romano said about Mount?

Romano believes United will still have to up their current offer if they have a realistic chance of signing Chelsea’s wantaway star.

The transfer expert believes a bid from the Red Devils of around £60m-£65m could get the deal over the line.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Romano stated: "The situation with Mason Mount is a second bid was submitted for £50million. It was £45million, plus £5million in add-ons.

"Chelsea immediately rejected that bid as they want more than £60million. They started at £70million for Mason Mount, but now, from what I understand, I think the deal could be done for around £60million to £65million."

Should Man United sign Mason Mount?

Mount’s 22/23 season was hampered by injury. The 24-year-old missed a total of 13 league games in the tale end of the season, but his injury record doesn’t seem to have knocked United’s confidence in him as a target or Chelsea’s valuation of the player.

The player has been subject to serious praise from former United defender and legend, Rio Ferdinand.

Rio defined the United target as a ‘mad player’ during his stellar 2021/22 season in which he was able to stay fit.

Ferdinand said: "Young players watching the game, if you watch Mount, he’s efficient with it, and he can bang, but it’s the work ethic and the positions he takes up defensively.

"That’s why he’ll always play for England because I think you can rely on him.”

United will be hoping he’s a player they can rely on the upcoming season.

M Vijay and R Ashwin were named in Tamil Nadu’s 15-man squad for their Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Karnataka in Visakhapatnam. Also, Parthiv Patel has confirmed his availability for Gujarat

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Dec-2016M Vijay and R Ashwin were named in Tamil Nadu’s 16-man squad for their Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Karnataka in Visakhapatnam. Also, Parthiv Patel is likely to play for Gujarat, who play Odisha in Jaipur.* It is understood two other sides – Karnataka and Haryana – are also likely to pick Test players for the knockouts, which have been advanced by a day and will now begin from December 23.Defending champions Mumbai will play Hyderabad, who are in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2011-12, in Raipur. Jharkhand, the Group B toppers and one of only two teams in the league stages to have five wins, will play Haryana in Baroda.The two semi-finals were also advanced by two days, starting from January 1 in Rajkot and Nagpur, and the final, earlier scheduled for January 12, will be played from January 10 in Indore.It is understood the BCCI rejigged the schedule to ensure better breaks between each stage of the knockouts. “We have to adjust the calendar for the right gaps,” a BCCI official told ESPNcricinfo. “The older schedule was the way it was because of the rescheduled matches. This one works better.”The delay in the announcement of the knockout clashes was a result of the postponement of a fixture between Odisha and Jharkhand, which determined the top team in Group B. The match was originally scheduled to be held in Dindigul along with the other ninth-round matches from December 7. However, the game was rescheduled to December 15 in Thiruvananthapuram following the death of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa.*14.40GMT, December 18: This story has been updated to reflect the latest squad announcements.

Leeds United have had to readjust their managerial expectations following the supposed failure to land Brendan Rodgers, but one man on their shortlist could actually pose a surprise upgrade.

What's the latest on Carlos Corberan to Leeds United?

In a report outlined by The Guardian, there is a showcase of other names that the 49ers will seek to interview in the coming weeks.

One particular head coach stands out, as the West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan not only has prior history at Elland Road but has shone in the Championship of late.

Whilst their prime target seems set to return to Celtic, this Spaniard offers a more than viable alternative, one that is arguably better suited to their current plight and therefore an improvement on the Northern Irishman.

Is Carlos Corberan better than Brendan Rodgers?

Whilst Rodgers has spent time at the level the Whites find themselves at, it has not been since 2011 when he guided Swansea City into the Premier League. Ever since then his path has been at a much higher level, and the belief he is above stepping back down should present an almighty red flag for the west Yorkshire outfit.

Meanwhile, Corberan is shining in his second role in the division, having first taken an unlikely Huddersfield Town side into the playoffs, only to lose to eventual winners Nottingham Forest.

His work at the Hawthorns has arguably been at a similar level, having masterminded the turnaround from relegation candidates under Steve Bruce to true promotion chasers last term. \

During his 33 games in charge of the Baggies, he maintains a 1.70 points-per-match average, having won 17 and conceded just 37 goals, via Transfermarkt.

In fact, across all of his matches in the Championship, he boasts 51 wins from 122 games (41.8%).

For comparison, Rodgers only maintained a 1.49 points-per-game average during his spell in the second division, just below the 1.50 of Corberan.

To acquire the 40-year-old gem would also be to invest in a coach brimming with fresh ideas, able to lead the club into a brighter future. He would join already in great form, whilst Rodgers was dismissed just before his Foxes side succumbed to the drop.

In an effort to emphasise the revolutionary ideals of the ex-Olympiacos boss, former Whites starlet Romario Vieira told The Athletic exactly what made him such a special tactician:

"In six months with him. I developed 10 times more than in my first year. The way he wanted us to play, everyone was like, ‘This guy’s crazy’.

“He was always insisting on it. Even though we weren’t getting it right, we were always doing it and when we started to get it right, that’s when everything clicked. I was, like, ‘This guy’s a genius’."

Whilst Rodgers also occupies that same 4-2-3-1 style as his potential alternative, it could be argued that the minor details between their philosophies obviously have huge repercussions on the respective form of their sides.

One of these two coaches is slowly building a platform for unlimited managerial success, whilst the other is returning to an old job out of comfort following a disappointing spell and sacking.

The 49ers might have failed in their first pursuit, but it could prove a stroke of fortune should they manage to tempt this fine substitute, who will know too well what it's like to be at Elland Road, making him a fine, fine upgrade for the club.

Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara said the step up in class facing the West Indies pace attack provided a stiffer challenge than what his side faced in the tri-series opener against Zimbabwe

Liam Brickhill in Harare16-Nov-2016Sri Lanka barely broke a sweat while easing past Zimbabwe in the Tri-Series opener, but West Indies’ pace and bounce proved a rather more testing assignment in their second match, with Sri Lanka bowled out for 165 in pursuit of West Indies’ 227. Nuwan Kulasekara said that the Sri Lankans will have to adjust as quickly as possible to the varying attacks if they are to bounce back when the series moves to Bulawayo.”Zimbabwe, they have talent, but they tend to bowl 120 to 130 kph,” Kulasekara said. “West Indies’ bowlers have height that gives them bounce, and [Shannon] Gabriel always bowls 140 plus. [Jason] Holder bowled really nicely today too, getting that outswing. You just have to adjust as soon as possible. That’s the main thing. We have to improve for the next few matches in the batting department, because they have height and get bounce on these wickets.”Kulasekara is returning to international duty with Sri Lanka after 10 months on the sidelines, and his own returns from his first two matches have been decent. Displaying good control with the new ball, he picked up two wickets against West Indies to go with his two in the first match against Zimbabwe, and also removed Kraigg Brathwaite and Holder with direct hits in the field.”I’ve been doing even more fielding practices with my fielding coach, and I always try my best,” Kulasekara said. “My last game was against New Zealand in January. It’s nice to come back to the side. I’ve been very happy with my performances in the last two games.”With the experience of 175 ODIs to draw from, Kulasekara has slotted back into this Sri Lankan touring squad as a senior. This is also his fourth tour of Zimbabwe, and he has been very willing to share his knowledge of conditions in the country with the less experienced members of his team.”As seniors, we always discuss [game plans] with the younger players. I played two matches in Bulawayo in 2010, the wickets there are much flatter than Harare. Slow and low bounce. You have to adjust as a batsman, and we’ll have to bowl different lengths in Bulawayo. We’ll make our plans in the next few days for that.At 34, Kulasekara is also philosophical about his own place in the side. “Yeah, there’s always pressure that comes with playing for the national team. So youngsters come in, and they put pressure on the senior players. Senior players go into retirement, and youngsters come and grab their places. That’s the way it goes.”

Leeds United have been boosted in their efforts to make Regis Le Bris their next manager, according to a fresh update regarding the situation.

Who is Regis Le Bris?

The Whites are busy working on nailing down their next appointment in the Elland Road hot seat, following a tumultuous 2022/23 campaign that culminated in relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.

Sam Allardyce was the latest individual to leave the post once the season reached its climax last month, with Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia also departing since the turn of the year. A host of names have been thrown into the hat when it comes to Leeds' potential new manager, including the likes of Steven Gerrard, Brendan Rodgers and Carlos Corberan.

Le Bris is another who has been linked with taking charge of the Whites, however, with the 47-year-old currently the boss of Ligue 1 side FC Lorient. A new update has now emerged that has handed Leeds a boost, after a recent report threw the move into doubt by suggesting he was on the verge of becoming manager of OGC Nice.

What's the latest on Le Bris to Elland Road?

According to Foot Mercato [via Sport Witness], in what they describe as a new twist, there is not actually an agreement in place with Nice, acting as a clear positive for Leeds in their question to potentially bring in Le Bris.

Not only that, but journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter took to Twitter to claim that the Frenchman has a €5m (£4.3m) release clause in his Lorient deal, which means he could arrive at Elland Road on the cheap:

"FYI, Regis Le Bris has a departure clause in his contract…it is for an amount of €5m!!!"

This is clearly good news for Leeds, should they see Le Bris as a primary candidate to come in this summer, in what is such a massive decision for the club. It is essential that they bring in the right man, following a number of false dawns since Marcelo Bielsa's exit, and the Lorient boss could certainly be an intriguing option.

Known for adopting a direct approach on the pitch – an article from The Analyst pointed out that "no side attempts fewer passes into the final third than Lorient with their 44 per game" back in October – Le Bris could make Leeds a tough team to come up against, although he has never won a trophy in his career which is a drawback.

That is something that Gerrard and Rodgers have achieved, for example – they have both won the Scottish Premiership, with the latter also tasting FA Cup glory with Leicester City – and it still feels more likely that the Whites will go with more of a high-profile name than take a gamble on Le Bris.

Celtic are set to be on the search for a new head coach ahead of the 2023/24 campaign as Ange Postecoglou closes in on an exit from Parkhead.

The Athletic's David Ornstein has reported that the 57-year-old will finalise a deal to join Tottenham Hotspur in the coming days.

Who could replace Ange Postecoglou?

Former Hoops midfielder Kris Commons has urged the club to consider a move for out-of-work boss Graham Potter, who left Chelsea earlier this year.

The Scotsman wrote: "Forward-thinking, tactically astute, innovative, an advocate of possession football; he was everything you would want in a modern manager. He eventually got the Chelsea job, only for the whole thing to go sour after barely six months. But I don't think Potter is actually damaged by that."

He added: "If Celtic can land an ex-Liverpool boss like Rodgers, then they certainly would have a chance of getting someone like Potter. It would be daft not to at least ask him the question, if and when Postecoglou does depart."

Would Graham Potter be a success at Celtic?

The English coach, who typically deploys a 3-4-2-1 system, could be a huge success at Parkhead, swiftly allowing supporters to instantly forget about Postecoglou as the 48-year-old has displayed a pattern of being able to improve teams over time.

He was given less than a full season at Chelsea to follow through on his project and that makes it difficult to judge him on his time at Stamford Bridge but his work with Brighton and Ostersunds in the past suggests that he could be an excellent appointment for the Hoops.

Potter won the title in the third tier of Swedish football in his first season and then finished tenth and fifth in the second division before being promoted in second place in his fourth campaign with the club. He then led them to eighth and fifth in the top flight before joining Swansea.

His one season with the Swans, which ended in a tenth-placed finish in the Championship, earned him a move to Brighton and the coach took them from 15th and 16th in the Premier League to ninth in 21/22. This proved that his work in Sweden was not a fluke and that the tactician has the ability to develop clubs in multiple leagues and countries.

Potter, who plays an "aggressive" press according to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, was able to gradually improve both of the teams who invested in him over the course of a number of years and this suggests that he could do the same with Celtic if they give him time to work.

Therefore, the Hoops supporters could instantly forget about their Aussie coach if the club can swoop for the "genius" that is Potter by he was dubbed by broadcaster Joe Thomlinson.

Indeed, the 48-year-old could be an excellent, progressive, appointment.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson believes there are lessons to be learnt from playing against a good side in tough conditions, and said Mitchell Santner was a “highlight” of their tour of India

Arun Venugopal in Visakhapatnam29-Oct-2016New Zealand captain Kane Williamson slammed his side’s “extremely poor” batting performance after they lost eight wickets for 16 runs to be bowled out in 23.1 overs, their shortest completed ODI innings, and go down to India by 190 runs.New Zealand came into the series decider on an equal footing. While conceding 269 on a slow surface may have made their task difficult, they wouldn’t have expected to be rolled over for 79. Williamson said there were no excuses for how abject they were.”It’s extremely disappointing. After a tough Test series to bounce back and show the heart that was required, the fight that we needed to go two-all against a very good Indian side, was a superb effort,” he said after the match. “But it is hard to look past out last performance right now, the emotion of just finishing the game.”They got above-par initially with the bat on a tough surface. There are certainly no excuses from our end, we were extremely poor with the bat today. We want to be showing steps of improvement everyday. That’s what’s so frustrating, because we failed as a batting unit. The spinners of the Indian side bowled very well but I don’t think it justified losing eight wickets for 20 or so runs. We were poor and India were very good.”While ruing the number of runs they conceded with the ball, Williamson lauded India’s batsmen for the partnerships they stitched together. First, Virat Kohli shared a 79-run stand with Rohit Sharma before putting on 71 runs with MS Dhoni. Kedar Jadhav and Axar Patel then added 46 crucial runs in 6.3 overs at the end.”The way the put together partnerships on a pitch that was slow was a very good effort. They kept going at five runs an over on this pitch, they certainly deserved to win today,” he said. “They were fantastic. At the half-way stage, although we knew they had a good score on the board on that surface, we knew if we could get partnerships together, who knows, we could’ve done better. If we kept on a bit and played in excess in of 25-30 overs, with a bit of dew around, then who knows. But that was a long way off. We were never going to get there.”Except for Tom Latham, and to a lesser extent, Williamson, New Zealand’s batting remained inadequate throughout the series. While Ross Taylor showed signs of returning to form in the last two games, he managed only 119 runs. Martin Guptill (111) and Corey Anderson (31 from four matches) also didn’t turn up. Williamson stressed on the need to replicate the kind of consistency India’s batsmen demonstrated.”If you look at any winning performance, there are one or two significant performances. If you look at the India side, there’s Virat [Kohli]. I think pretty much every game he made a significant contribution,” he said. “Sometimes the conditions weren’t the easiest to bat in but whoever that person is, we need a lot more. I think Tom Latham was outstanding.”It was nice to see Guptill show that presence at the crease in the last couple of games, but we need to take those little good bits a lot further and look at someone like Virat, who I suppose… to get a 150 in that Mohali game was a hugely significant performance as opposed to perhaps a 40 or 50.”Williamson believed there were lessons to be learnt from playing against a good side in tough conditions, and said Mitchell Santner was a “highlight” of their tour. With 10 scalps, Santner was New Zealand’s joint-highest wicket-taker in the Test series, along with Trent Boult. He was also their most economical bowler in the ODIs.”He has been outstanding, a young cricketer who is new-ish to the side. Although conditions are favourable to spinners here there are a lot of spinners who come here and struggle,” he said. “I guess it’s because of the pace of the wicket against extremely good players of spin. Mitch has performed day in and day out. His change of pace and his ability to spin the ball was a great asset to have. Not to mention his batting and his fielding as well. [We] look forward to seeing his progression in the future.”

Aston Villa have their eyes on a Premier League ace ahead of the transfer window, as Unai Emery prepares for his first summer in charge of the club.

The Spaniard is reported to have a monster £150m budget to spend, as the Villans aim to equip their side with star quality as their first European involvement since 2010 comes next season.

In their latest linked player, Villa could sign one of the world’s most talented youngsters, who could be a perfect fit in Emery’s plans.

What’s the latest on Joao Felix to Aston Villa?

As reported by Mundo Deportivo last week, Villa have emerged as one of the ‘options’ for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix.

The claims have been supported by Football Insider, who yesterday revealed that a move for the Chelsea loanee ‘cannot be ruled out’ ahead of the window, with the player having already been offered to the Villans.

Transfer expert Pete O’Rourke added that the Midlands side are ‘ambitious’ and aim to bring in attacking reinforcements this summer.

What could Joao Felix bring to Aston Villa?

Lauded as being an “excellent player” by international teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner even tipped the starlet to ‘repeat’ his successes in Spain during an interview in 2019.

There’s no denying the talents that Felix has, despite a slightly underwhelming loan spell at Chelsea ending with him scoring four goals in 16 Premier League appearances – via Sofascore.

At just 23, the youngster has already established himself as one of Europe’s most encouraging talents, as supported by his 107 goal contributions in a total of 238 recorded career appearances – as per Transfermarkt.

The youngster could find comfort playing under Emery, who could unleash the Portuguese gem’s full potential which would be a positive action for Villa and specifically, Ollie Watkins.

Playing predominantly as a centre-forward, Felix has become accustomed to playing with a strike partner in Madrid, recording stellar performances in Diego Simeone’s inspired 3-5-2 formation.

During his time in Spain, the £195k-per-week ace registered 52 goal contributions in 131 games, showing the threat he could add to Villa’s attack if paired with Emery’s 15-goal forward.

Hailed as “special” by former strike partner Alvaro Morata, the Spaniard praised the former Benfica star’s ability to provide a ‘great’ range of passing that allowed him to run into space.

Emery has unleashed a strength in positional play in Watkins, that could serve the Spaniard well if he can pair him with the expertise of Felix.

In a piece analysing the Englishman’s performance against Newcastle United this season, Medium journalist Sam Stobbart claimed that the 27-year-old ‘can’t be stopped’ when he makes a run to capitalise on a ball from an advanced position.

Such exploits have been displayed by Felix, who could be Watkins’ perfect strike partner, something that's rubber-stamped by his average of 4.12 progressive passes per 90, ranking him in the top 5% of forwards in Europe in this area – as per FBref.

Emery could create a special duo to grace Villa Park if he can pull the superstar signing off, and with his stance on wanting to “add another striker” clear, the prospect is one fans can get very excited about.

Stokes, the England allrounder, has been fined 15 percent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur

George Dobell in Mirpur30-Oct-2016Alastair Cook has expressed his “frustration” with the umpires’ treatment of Ben Stokes during the second Test in Mirpur.Stokes, the England allrounder, was fined 15 percent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur.The incident happened during the morning session on Sunday when Stokes ignored the on-field umpires’ requests to stop “verbally engaging” with Bangladesh batsman Sabbir Rahman. The on-field umpires – Kumar Dharmasena and S Ravi – had also advised England captain Cook of Stokes’ actions but, in the words of the ICC media release, “the player didn’t comply with the instructions”.Sabbir and Stokes were involved in a heated passage of play, with Sabbir taking the attack to Stokes’ bowling and Stokes beating his bat on a couple of occasions. Each time, Stokes treated the unflustered Sabbir to a piece of his mind.As a result, Stokes was found to have violated Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”.In addition to the sanction imposed for his breach of Article 2.1.1, one demerit point has been added to Stokes’ disciplinary record. If Stokes reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they will be converted into suspension points and he will be banned. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.Stokes admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. As such, there was no need for a formal hearing.All level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official warning, a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.But Cook, the England captain, suggested the umpires had involved themselves “too quickly” and felt Stokes and Sabbir had contested a compelling passage of play.”I do find it a little bit frustrating,” Cook said. “Both Sabbir and Stokesy are very competitive cricketers. To me, people love it. That’s what people watch.”Sometimes I believe the umpires can get involved too quickly, and then it blows up even more. When umpires get involved it can drag it out and brings more theatre to it than you need.”