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U.S. Soccer and the chief supporters group came together to lower ticket prices for U.S.-hosted matches over next year

U.S. Soccer partners with supporters group on accessibilityU.S.-hosted matches will have tickets capped at $45 in AO sectionGold Cup attendance dwindled this summer, pricing was a concernFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The American Outlaws, the primary supporters group for the U.S. national teams, have partnered with U.S. Soccer to make the game more accessible, the organization announced Tuesday.

Tickets for all U.S. Soccer-hosted matches – including both the men's and women's teams – through October 2026 will be capped at $45 (plus fees), and the tickets will be directly sold by American Outlaws to members of the supporters group.

“We’ve always believed soccer should be for everyone,” said Justin Brunken, co-founder of AO. “This partnership with U.S. Soccer helps eliminate one of the biggest barriers – cost – and makes it possible for more passionate fans to stand, sing, and support together.”

AO aims to help eliminate reselling, scalping and bolster their communication efforts while offering streamlined support.

"This isn't just about saving a few bucks. It’s about keeping soccer grounded in community,” Brunken said. “AO was built to bring people together. This gets more people in the stands and more voices behind the team.”

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The price changes arrive ahead of a big year for U.S. Soccer, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup – to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico – less than 12 months away. That said, the price agreement only includes U.S. Soccer-hosted matches, meaning the $45 ticket will not be issued for matches during next summer's competition, as FIFA manages the ticketing process for the competition.

The USMNT played in the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, and an uneven turnout from fans across the competition raised concerns over ticket accessibility, including some saying they were priced out of games. For the USMNT's match against Trinidad and Tobago, only 12,000 fans attended, with 11,727 at their match against Saudi Arabia.

The USMNT will play four international friendlies across September and October. The USWNT have not yet announced any additional friendlies for 2025.

DID YOU KNOW?

Across the Group Stage of the Gold Cup, the competition averaged 19,000 fans per game, a 32-percent decrease from an average of 28,055 in the 2023 tournament.

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The USMNT takes on South Korea and Japan in September, before returning to the pitch in October against Ecuador and Australia. U.S. soccer has not yet announced any additional friendlies for the women's national team for this year.

African all-time great Yaya Toure could be closing in on landing his first job as head coach with second-tier Belgian side Daring Brussels.

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Toure could become head coachDaring Brussels linked with the ex-midfielderServed as Mancini's assistant for Saudi ArabiaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to a report from Belgian publication , the legendary former midfielder is expected to land his first head coach role. Belgian outfit Daring Brussels have already been in touch with the Ivorian icon and are expected to announce him as the new manager next week.

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Daring Brussels have been searching for a young, dynamic head coach ahead of next season, with former D.C. United and Montreal coach Hernan Losada initially seen as the ideal fit given his Belgian ties and coaching experience. However, club owner John Textor has reportedly shifted focus to Toure, who has impressed during discussions. The 42-year-old now appears to be the frontrunner, with a final decision expected by Monday as preseason begins.

DID YOU KNOW?

Toure had a glittering playing career as a midfielder, enjoying successful spells at Barcelona and Manchester City before retiring in 2019. Since then, he has served as the assistant coach at Ukrainian side Olimpik Donetsk and Russian outfit Akhmat Grozny, before returning to England to coach the Tottenham Under-16s in 2022. He returned to Belgium to become assistant at Standard Liege, before reuniting with his former coach Roberto Mancini as his second in command at the Saudi Arabia national team. Although Mancini left the role in October 2024, Toure has continued his job under current manager Herve Renard.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR YAYA TOURE?

The four-time African Footballer of the Year will be aiming to help Daring Brussels achieve promotion to the Belgian Pro League (first-tier) next season. In the 2024-25 season, the club finished third in the Challenger Pro League (second division) and lost the promotion play-off.

Teenager Allison, playing his third first-team innings, shines

ECB Reporters Network11-Aug-2023Charlie Allison struck a maiden half-century in only his third first-team innings to help Essex pull off an extraordinary first victory of the season in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.The 18-year-old younger brother of seamer Ben lived up to his promise in the second eleven with a mature knock of 70 that included three sixes and even outshone his captain Tom Westley’s patient 80 from 90 balls.However, Middlesex looked well on track to record their own first win of the campaign when they reached 236 for 3 with 15 overs left chasing 299 to win.But despite Mark Stoneman setting the foundations for their reply with a dozen fours and two sixes in a 97-ball 93, Middlesex collapsed to lose by three runs with seven balls left to the delight of a large Chelmsford crowd.And it was Allison whose throw from the third-man boundary ran out Ethan Bamber as the final Middlesex pair tried to steal the runs to decide the match.Middlesex had 100 on the board inside the 15 overs of their reply with Stoneman reaching his fifty from just 39 balls. It included two sixes, one scooped off Aaron Beard and another pulled off Jamie Porter. He might have perished there and then had Michael Pepper’s throw been more accurate into the wicketkeeper’s gloves.He capitalised on the reprieve with an extravagant reverse-sweep for four off Simon Harmer. James Cracknell had been slightly overshadowed in the stand of 124, though he took two successive boundaries off Harmer before he was brilliantly caught in the covers by Robin Das for 48.The wicket had no significant impact on Middlesex’s progress and they were halfway to their target in 22 overs, though Sam Robson was dropped on 20 at backward point by Das.Essex thought they had Robson soon after for a catch behind off Beau Webster that left umpire Paul Nicholls unmoved and the bowler showing his frustration by slamming the ball to the ground. Robson was finally removed for 26, driving at Aaron Beard and being bowled.Stoneman’s stay eight minutes shy of two hours was ended when he swung Beard to Porter on the deep fine-leg boundary.At that point Middlesex threatened to implode with three wickets going down in 14 balls. Jack Davies was bamboozled by one from Harmer before Ryan Higgins dragged on from Webster and Luke Hollman was run out without facing a ball. It got worse when Josh de Caires was bowled by Porter to leave Middlesex still 42 runs short with 10 overs remaining.Martin Andersson had helped Simpson take them within nine runs of victory when he was bowled by Webster. He was followed, two runs later, by Simpson, bowled by Westley. And then came the unlikely denouement.On a pitch that took spin early on, de Caires’s three wickets in eight balls halted an Essex onslaught led by Pepper, who took a liking to Middlesex debutant Isaan Kaushal, hitting him for four fours and a six over extra cover before the 21-year-old seamer was withdrawn from the attack. However, when Kaushel returned late on he claimed his maiden first-team wicket when Will Buttleman picked out deep mid-on.Pepper swept de Caires’s first ball for his sixth boundary but fell next ball for an 18-ball 31 to a stupendous running catch over his shoulder at deep long leg by Andersson. Das then pulled de Caires invitingly to deep square leg, and two balls later Webster advanced too far and turned in dismay to see John Simpson removing the bails.Luc Benkenstein helped steady the ship in a 55-run partnership with Westley. But after lofting de Caires for six over long leg, he took a wild swipe at Luke Hollman, who then had Harmer playing all round one to be lbw.Westley’s innings had few thrills, though he carved Robson through extra cover for his sixth boundary the ball before he was beaten by one that turned from outside off and took middle stump.Allsion had played calmly alongside Westley but cut loose once his captain had departed. He reached his fifty from 59 balls with a six to long-off in a Robson over that also went for a maximum over long-leg by Buttleman. Allison’s 65-ball innings ended when he played over a ball from Bamber.

Scott Boland’s place in Australia’s side is likely to come under scrutiny for the second Test at Lord’s after he was taken for nearly six an over at Edgbaston.Head coach Andrew McDonald admitted there was some surprise at how aggressive England’s batters were against Boland who conceded 147 from 26 overs across the two innings, making it his highest economy rate in a first-class match where he’s bowled at least 20 overs by some distance.Related

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“We’d seen the way they go about it, they are ultra-aggressive,” McDonald said. “But I think Scott Boland, that match-up probably surprised us how aggressive they were against Scott. So that’s something we can look at and find better ways through.”Boland did dismiss Zak Crawley twice the game and was threatening under gloomy skies on the third evening, but for the first time in his Test career he was largely treated with disdain.Mitchell Starc, who was omitted in favour of Josh Hazlewood in the first Test, could be a straight swap for Boland, provided Hazlewood pulls up without problems from his return to the format.McDonald suggested that with a degree of hindsight about how conditions played out at Edgbaston, where the pitch was largely flat and slow, Starc could have had an impact.”I think the fact the line and length potentially over left-arm swing, and we didn’t feel as though we may have got swinging conditions here,” he said. “It’s really down to a gut feel at selection, it can be critiqued any way you want.”We feel as though, looking back on it, potentially Mitch could have played a role, there’s no doubt about that. But we felt like when we went into the game with all the information that we had, we made the best decision.Mitchell Starc was omitted in favour of Josh Hazlewood in the first Test•Getty Images

“We took Starcy on that journey, he understands that and he understands the fact there are four more Test matches and he’s got a pivotal part to play within that.”One of the knock-on effects of England playing at such a rapid tempo is that the fast bowlers did not clock up massive workloads at Edgbaston. Captain Pat Cummins sent down the most with 32.2 overs and Hazlewood was used for 25 alongside Boland’s 26. Allrounder Cameron Green bowled just eight.McDonald said there was a plan mapped out of which bowlers may suit certain venues but that it could also be adjusted on the fly.”Our bowlers didn’t bowl as many overs as we probably expected in this Test match,” he said. “There’s a longer turnaround, so you can have a pencil plan but the reality is you see how they pull up, what the conditions are when we get to Lord’s, and you make a decision with what’s in front of you. The issue is we’ve got great depth in the fast bowling, and that’s one of our great strengths.”On the field, Australia played a largely defensive game during the opening Test, operating with three or four sweepers for large periods and sometimes only a slip and a gully. It was a tactic flagged before the series but came in for scrutiny which would likely have escalated had Cummins and Nathan Lyon not forged their match-winning stand. However, McDonald wasn’t going to be drawn into judging one team’s approach over another.”I think it should be more a celebration,” he said. “Two styles come together and produce a Test match like that. Certainly no vindication, we’ll go about it our way and England will go about it their way and we’ll see what happens at the end of the series.”We’re clear from the way that we play. I’ve suggested over the last 12-18 months it’s pretty clear the way that we do go and we feel as though we’ve got some great strengths around that.”

Nottingham Forest host Arsenal at the City Ground this evening, looking to return to winning ways after two defeats in a row against Newcastle United and Fulham in the Premier League.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side still sit on 47 points before the clash against the Gunners, looking to close the gap to Mikel Arteta’s men, who sit six points ahead of them at present.

The Reds are unbeaten in the last six league clashes at the City Ground, looking to extend such a record tonight as they aim to bolster their Champions League qualification hopes.

The visitors currently have a whole host of injury issues heading into the meeting in the East Midlands, with both outfits desperately needing to get back on track after losing last weekend.

However, if Nuno is to claim three needed points tonight, he simply must drop one player after his poor showing against the Magpies at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Nicolas Dominguez’s stats against Newcastle United

Elliot Anderson was partnered at the heart of the midfield by Nicolas Dominguez for the trip to Newcastle after Danilo was left out of the side as he continues his injury comeback.

However, the Argentine was unable to impress on Tyneside, struggling to impose himself on the clash, with Eddie Howe’s side scoring four times in just 12 first half minutes.

The 26-year-old featured for 76-minutes before his eventual substitution, with his withdrawal warranted given the fact he was dribbled past four times during the contest.

Dominguez also committed two fouls and receiving yet another booking, moving him onto seven yellow cards in 2024/25 – the joint-most of any player in the squad.

As a result of his disappointing afternoon in the North East, Nuno should look to replace him for the clash against Arteta’s side, allowing one player to regain his place in the starting lineup.

The player who should replace Dominguez against Arsenal

Midfielder Ryan Yates hasn’t started a league game for Forest since the 5-0 thrashing against Bournemouth at the end of January, dropping down the order as a result.

However, despite not starting against the Magpies, the 27-year-old came off the bench with just 14 minutes remaining, but he still managed to make an impact on proceedings.

The Reds academy graduate found himself on the scoresheet, providing a nervy finish, and almost completing a comeback after being 4-1 down heading into the break.

Yates, who’s previously been dubbed “superb” by commentator Jamie Martin, won 100% of ground duels after coming off the bench against Howe’s side, also completing 100% of his attempted dribbles.

The £50k-per-week midfielder managed to register two efforts on goal along with two defensive recoveries, having a huge impact at both ends of the pitch as the Reds pushed for an equaliser.

Minutes played

14

Touches

13

Goals scored

1

Ground duels won

1/1 (100%)

Dribbles completed

1/1 (100%)

Shots taken

2

Recoveries made

2

His work rate and effort levels have often impressed the fanbase – that, coupled with his academy background, makes it feel like he truly is one of their own.

After such an impact off the substitutes’ bench, he deserves the opportunity to showcase his talents in the centre of the park, with his relentless nature perfect for the clash against a fellow top four side.

The meeting at the City Ground will likely be a nervy affair with both sides needing vital points to secure their place in the top four, with Nuno needing to start Yates if his side are to claim the win tonight.

Nottingham Forest battling to sign "special" new £20m rising star for Nuno

He’s enjoyed another impressive season…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 25, 2025

أعلن الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا” عن الفائز بجائزة رجل مباراة يوفنتوس والعين، في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025.

وواجه يوفنتوس نظيره العين فجر اليوم الخميس، في إطار منافسات الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025، والتي تقام بالولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.

وحقق الفريق الإيطالي فوزًا عريضًا على حساب العين الإماراتي بخماسية نظيفة جعلته ينفرد بصدارة ترتيب المجموعة السابعة والتي تضم مانشستر سيتي والوداد البيضاوي المغربي.

اقرأ أيضًا..  فيديو | بمشاركة رامي ربيعة.. يوفنتوس يقسو على العين بخماسية في كأس العالم للأندية 2025

وحصل اللاعب كولو مواني، على جائزة رجل المباراة، وذلك بعد الأداء المميز الذي قدمه خلال اللقاء وتمكنه من إحراز هدفين من الـ 5 الأهداف التي سكنت شباك الحارس البرتغالي باتريسيو.

وتعتبر هذه المباراة الأولى للمدرب الكرواتي إيجور تيودور، يقود فيها الفريق الإيطالي بشكل رسمي كمدير فني للفريق خلفًا لـ تياجو موتا.

وتصدر يوفنتوس ترتيب المجموعة السابعة برصيد 3 نقاط وهو نفس رصيد مانشستر سيتي صاحب الوصافة لكن فارق الأهداف لصالح الفريق الإيطالي، والمركز الثالث يتواجد به نادي الوداد، والعين يتذيل المجموعة.

“I’ve been learning on the job in Test cricket. I feel like I’m getting better and better,” says the left-arm spinner

Vithushan Ehantharajah10-Dec-2022

A humble Jack Leach was in disbelief at achieving 100 Test wickets, regarding the feat as more than he felt he’d ever achieve and something he did not think “would ever happen” on the day he became the 49th England bowler to pass the milestone.The left-arm spinner took 4 for 98 on the second day of the Multan Test, as Pakistan were dismissed for 202 in their first innings. Having taken the first of those on the first evening, he arrived on Saturday with 99 dismissals to his name. A dragged heave from Saud Shakeel, caught brilliantly by James Anderson running back from mid-on, took him to three figures.Related

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The celebrations said it all: jubilation from the Somerset spinner matched by that of his teammates, particularly captain Ben Stokes who was the first to embrace the 31-year-old as he wheeled away with glee.”I did know coming into the game I needed a couple of wickets,” Leach said at stumps, with England’s lead at 281 with five second-innings wickets remaining. “It was a nice feeling. The boys were always really happy for me. I was just pleased to get a wicket in that situation of the game, really.”I just felt like, I don’t know, 100 wickets feels like quite a lot. And it’s more than I felt I’ll ever achieve. I need to remember that. As sportsmen and as people, it’s easy to just push on to the next thing and the next thing and the next thing, and nothing’s ever enough.””But if you told me that when I was a kid that I’d take 100 wickets, I would have laughed at you. So yes, it is special.”He became the 13th left-arm spinner to register 100 wickets for his country. But most impressively of all, the 50 innings it took to get here puts him in elite company: Wasim Akram, Chaminda Vaas, Shoaib Akthar, Rangana Herath, Mitchell Starc and Keshav Maharaj to do it in as many.While Shakeel’s wicket took him to 100, it was the next wicket of Mohammad Rizwan that was the most spectacular. Having been struck over his head for four, Leach got one to dip and spin off a leg-stump line and strike middle as the right-hander hung back and was beaten on the outside edge. A chip from Mohammad Nawaz to Stokes in close gave him four for the innings and took him to 102 across his career, at an average of 33.75.That Leach has achieved all this, not to mention playing in his 31st Test, is an indication of his resilience. He suffers from Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease, that was first diagnosed at the age of 14. It is managed with immunosuppressant medication, which weakens the immune system and thus leaves Leach prone to other ailments that could be life-threatening.During a tour of New Zealand at the end of 2019, he was hospitalised with a life-threatening bout of sepsis after suffering from food poisoning. It meant he did not feature on that tour, and the knock-on effects into South Africa meant he did not play any of England’s four Tests there at the start of 2020, leaving before the third after his struggles became insurmountable. He would later have to shield himself during the Covid-19 pandemic because he was regarded as medically vulnerable.He almost missed the first Test of this series in Pakistan with illness, falling victim to the virus that affected the majority of the playing squad and staff ahead of the opening match in Rawalpindi. He pulled through, taking three in the match, including the winning wicket at the end of day five to secure one of England’s most audacious victories in the format.”I wouldn’t think it would have been possible, just probably health-wise more than anything. I was quite close to not playing the first Test. There’re lots of different challenges. I’m aware everyone has their challenges, I’m aware mine have been quite out there. That’s good because I want to be open and honest with people. There’ve been some definite lows along the way, but it does sort of make it all worth it.”Leach picked up the final wicket in the first Test to seal a memorable win for England•Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

There have been professional battles too, from struggling for first XI cricket at Somerset to biding his time with England since making his debut in March 2018. But since Stokes took over under head coach Brendon McCullum, Leach has enjoyed a renewed sense of purpose and drive as the number one spinner. He credits both with the comfort he has in his role at the moment. He has been the only bowler to play in all nine Tests since their stewardship began at the start of the summer.”Ben and Baz [McCullum] have a lot to do with that,” he said when asked of his surer footing at international level. “But I think also just I’ve probably been learning on the job in Test cricket. I feel like I’m getting better and better, and learning more and more. It’s nice to feel like I’m in control of what I’m doing. It feels good. Because if we’re winning lots of games, then everything kind of takes care of itself.”I feel like I’m just loving playing for England, the most I’ve ever loved it. And it’s because it’s all about the team, it’s not about me. And that’s a special feeling.”In the immediate future, he will have to play a prominent role in the ongoing second Test in Multan. The tourists boast a 281-run lead going into day three on a pitch spinning and now exhibiting indifferent bounce. Any victory, which would seal a famous series win with a match to spare, rests on him. For now, however, he is still coming to terms with breaking the 100-wicket barrier.”I can’t really believe it. I didn’t think that would ever happen, so it’s a nice, big milestone to get to.” As for where he goes from here: “Just try and get another 100 now, I guess?”

The hosts of the U19 World Cups – men’s and women’s – have been identified, while the men’s ODI World Cup has been expanded to 14 teams from 2027

Shashank Kishore13-Nov-2022

The ICC’s Afghanistan Working Group (AWG) has conveyed to the governing body’s board that the country’s government has reiterated its commitment to “fully respect and comply” with the ICC constitution, including agreeing “in principle” to support the development of women’s cricket.The focus was to ensure “diversity and inclusivity, and for the Afghanistan Cricket Board to operate independent from government interference,” an ICC statement following meetings in Melbourne over the weekend said.Related

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“The meeting was positive and respectful, and the [Afghanistan] government representative was clear in his support for the ICC constitution including in principle for women’s cricket in Afghanistan,” Imran Khwaja, the AWG chair, was quoted as saying. “There are obviously challenges for it to resume but we will continue to work with the ACB to take this forward. The Working Group will closely monitor the commitment undertaken by the Afghanistan government and will continue to report back to the ICC Board.”As things stand, Afghanistan is the only Full Member to have received that status without having an operational women’s team in place. Last year, the ACB had announced its first contracts for women in their quest to build a team, but those efforts were put on the back-burner following the Taliban’s takeover of the administrative affairs of the country in September 2021.At the time, ACB chief executive Hamid Shinwari admitted that the women’s game was “in peril”, even as then acting chairman Azizullah Fazli said women would be allowed to play as long as the players adhered to Islamic rules. Soon after, Afghanistan’s Test in Australia – their first in the country – was called off. Australian sports minister Richard Colbeck said at the time that Afghan athletes would “remain welcome in Australia, but not under the flag of the Taliban”.The men’s ODI World Cup will be a 14-team affair in 2027•Getty Images

Thailand, Nepal, Namibia among hosts for U19 World Cups
Sri Lanka will host the men’s Under-19 World Cup in 2024, while Zimbabwe and Namibia will stage the 2026 edition together. And, as part of the ICC’s attempts to spread the game, Malaysia and Thailand have been named joint hosts of the women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in 2025, while Bangladesh and Nepal will jointly host the 2027 edition of the same tournament.The Under-19 World Cup for women is finally set to take off after a pandemic-enforced delay, with South Africa hosting the inaugural edition in January 2023.Men’s 50-over World Cup in 2027 will feature 14 teams
The ICC has also formulated a qualification pathway for the women’s 2024 T20 World Cup – the ten-team event will have eight automatic qualifiers – the top-three teams from each of the two groups at the 2023 women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, hosts Bangladesh (if they fail to make the cut in 2023), and the next-highest-ranked teams in the ICC rankings when the 2023 edition concludes. The remaining two teams will be identified through the ten-team global qualifying event.The men’s ODI World Cup in 2027 will be a 14-team event, as compared to ten in 2023 in India. South Africa and Zimbabwe will qualify as hosts, along with the next eight teams in the rankings on a date that is yet to be announced. Four others will join these ten via a global qualifier.

Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand and Conor Olphert also make the cut in the 15-member squad

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Sep-2022

Ireland have dropped offspinner Andy McBrine from their T20 World Cup squad, and brought in Simi Singh in place of him. While the rest of the 15-member squad wears a largely familiar look, there are also some new and inexperienced names.These include opening batter Stephen Doheny, who is yet to play a T20I; pace-bowling allrounder Fionn Hand, who made his T20I debut last month against Afghanistan; and medium-pace bowler Conor Olphert, who has played only two T20Is so far.McBrine, who has featured in 32 T20Is, was left out of Ireland’s side after the first two games of the five-match series against Afghanistan in August, which was the last time they played the format. He has conceded runs at an economy rate of 10.53 in his last seven T20Is, and got only three wickets.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Ireland have lost ten – and won just three – of the last 13 T20Is they have played, including losing all five T20Is to India and New Zealand during their home summer. All three of those wins came against Afghanistan in a 3-2 series win. Having lost to Sri Lanka and Namibia in the qualifying matches of the T20 World Cup in 2021, Ireland failed to make the main round last year.Related

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This time, Ireland play Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Namibia in Group B of the qualifying matches, from where the top-two teams – and two others from Group A – will progress to the main event.Squad: Andrew Balbirnie (capt), Paul Stirling (vice-capt), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Conor Olphert, Simi Singh, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young

“Playing back to back does take a mental toll, and it is good to take a break at times than pushing too hard”

S Sudarshanan09-Sep-20224:52

Harmanpreet Kaur: ‘Even big players need a mental-skills coach’

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has once again stressed on the need to have a sports psychologist travelling with the team on a more regular basis. She said that the presence of a psychologist allows players to be more comfortable in the team environment and be able to ask for a break when needed instead of “pushing too hard in such times”.”We as a team discuss a lot on these things,” Harmanpreet said on the eve of the first T20I against England. “Your performances go up and down, and it is better to take a break than pushing too hard in such times. As a team, we want to help that player, and we are very open about players taking breaks when there is mental fatigue and things do not go as you want.”Related

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Harmanpreet's list for UK tour: a fitting farewell for Goswami, and more

Her comments come a day after England allrounder Nat Sciver pulled out of the series in order to focus on her mental health and wellbeing. In the past also, Harmanpreet has been vocal about the benefits of having a mental-health coach around, someone whom the players can confide in during challenging phases.Among the major tournaments this year, the month-long ODI World Cup ended in early April, before the Women’s T20 Challenge followed in the final week of May. Two months later, women’s cricket featured for the first time in the Commonwealth Games, where India made the final. Just four days after, the second season of the Hundred commenced to continue a busy calendar.”Last year, I went through these things playing back-to-back cricket,” Harmanpreet said. “This year, we had the Commonwealth Games, and the Hundred was there [one after the other], but I wanted to take a break. Playing back to back does take a mental toll, and it is good to take a break at times [rather] than pushing too hard.”When India had toured New Zealand immediately before the World Cup this year, Dr Mugdha Bavare was with the team as a mental-health-conditioning coach, something which Harmanpreet had revealed had benefited her greatly.Harmanpreet Kaur: “Sometimes you put so much pressure on yourself because you know your game and ability”•Associated Press

“When we were on the New Zealand tour, [Bavare] was our go-to person and helped us a lot,” she said. “I hope in future also we can get her with us, because right now we are paying too much attention to our physical fitness and skills. But mental skill is something we need to take seriously.”We represent our country, and there is a lot of pressure. Sometimes you only put so much pressure on yourself because you know your game and your ability, and what you can do your country. So sometimes expecting too much can also pull you back.”In such times, if you can go to someone and express yourself and get some ideas about how to go about your own things, it will help you ease out.”After making scores of 10, 10 and 13 in the first three ODIs against New Zealand in the lead-up to the World Cup, Harmanpreet was left out of the fourth game before she returned with 63 from 66 balls in the final match to help India to a consolation win. She then turned her form around in the World Cup, where she finished with 318 runs – at an average of 53 and a strike rate 91 – which was the second-most for India.”She was there when I was going through a lot of things,” Harmanpreet said of Bavare. “She helped me a lot, and my family and friends were talking to me and telling me every day what I am and what I can bring to the team. I spent a lot of time with Mugdha, and got positive results. I started performing again, getting those runs I really wanted to get for my team.”Recently, former India men’s captain Virat Kohli spoke about his struggles to cope with expectations, workload and mental fatigue, and how for the first time in ten years he had “not touched the bat in a whole month” when he took a break. Last year, while in England for the WTC final and a Test series against the hosts, Kohli had stressed on the importance of managing mental health given the travel restrictions since the Covid-19 pandemic.Almost on cue, Paddy Upton was brought back to the men’s set-up as the mental-conditioning coach this July, a facility not yet available full-time for the women.”How much ever big a player you are, after a point you need someone – a mental-skill coach – because mental health is as important as your physical fitness and skills,” Harmanpreet said. “We need to have someone always with us because that is one part that is easily ignored – not only in sports field but even out of the field.”If we can go to people who can help us on the mental aspects, things get easier and you feel relaxed, and you feel you have more areas where you can go and express yourself.”