أعرب محمد هاني لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، عن سعادته بعد فوز فريقه على الزمالك بهدفين مقابل هدف، خلال المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما اليوم ببطولة الدوري المصري.
والتقى الأهلي مع الزمالك، على أرضية استاد القاهرة الدولي، ضمن منافسات الجولة التاسعة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وقال محمد هاني في تصريحات عبر قناة “الأهلي”: “ألف مبروك للشعب الأهلاوي، هذا مكان الفريق الطبيعي ارفع رأسك وافتخر أنك أهلاوي”.
طالع أيضاً.. فيديو | القمة 131.. الأهلي يحقق فوزًا مثيرًا على الزمالك في الدوري المصري
وتابع: “أشكر الفريق بالكامل والجهاز الفني والإداريين واللاعبين والعمال والجهاز الطبي، الفترة الماضية الأمر لم يكن سهلا علينا أن نكون في هذا المكان لأن هذا ليس مكاننا الطبيعي، قوتنا تجعلنا نفوز على أي فريق وأي مباراة في أي وقت، ولكن حدثت ظروف في أول الموسم عطلتنا بعض الشيء”.
وأتم: “اللاعبون المتواجدون على أعلى مستوى ومستعدين أن يضحوا بحياتهم من أجل الأهلي، (مش جايين النادي يأخذوا قرشين ويمشوا)، لا يوجد أشخاص مثل هؤلاء ويستمرون في النادي، الذي لم يعطي للنادي 100% لا مكان له، وهذه قاعدة في الأهلي أعرفها منذ أن كنت في الناشئين”.
وأكد: “أدعموا اللاعبين وهذا الوقت الذي لابد أن تقفوا فيه بجانبهم، الفترة الماضية كان جمهور الأهلي حزينا ومن حق الناس أن تكون حزينة”.
وواصل: “نحتاج أن تقف الجماهير بجانبنا، الذي حدث في بداية الدوري كان شيء بعيدًا عن إرادتنا، نحن نحاول ونجتهد، وتحدثنا واجتمعنا أكثر من مرة في منزل أكثر من لاعب وهذا ما ظهر في المباريات، هذا المكسب لا يأتي من فراغ”.
وأتم: “لا أحد يعلم ماذا يدور داخل غرفة الملابس، والأهلي أصبح اسكواد ثقيل جدًا أقوى اسكواد في إفريقيا، نحن تعاهدنا من بعد مباراة إنبي”.
Newcastle United may have signed Anthony Elanga this summer, but that is the only highlight for Eddie Howe thus far.
Moves for no.1 target Joao Pedro and striking sensation Hugo Ekitike failed in recent weeks while Howe was also keen on signing Bryan Mbeumo, but it appears as though Manchester United have snatched him away from the Magpies.
Brentford's BryanMbeumoreacts
The Cameroon international would have been an excellent versatile option for Howe next season, as he can play across the front three.
As such, he will have to explore other options ahead of the new season.
Newcastle's forward search
Benjamin Sesko and Julian Alvarez have both been linked with moves to Newcastle in recent days. Either one would make for a magnificent signing, no doubt about that.
With everything, the transfer fees could be the biggest problem regarding either deal. This could mean Howe might have to turn elsewhere to sign another forward.
According to Africa Foot, Newcastle have entered the race to sign Evann Guessand, now set to rival Tottenham Hotspur for his signature.
It’s claimed that the Toon have recently opened talks with the player’s entourage as they now explore whether to formalise their interest in the player.
He would only cost a reported £22m, which could enable Howe to move for other targets while simultaneously improving his attacking options.
Nice winger Evann Guessand
Guessand, given his positional flexibility, could even be Howe’s own answer to Mbeumo should he sign for the Toon this summer.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Why Newcastle must sign Evann Guessand
While the signing of Elanga is a promising one, giving Howe some depth on the flanks, it is evident another centre-forward is required.
Callum Wilson left the club upon the expiration of his contract, leaving just Alexander Isak and William Osula as the only recognised strikers at the club.
Last season for Brentford, Mbeumo scored 20 goals and grabbed nine assists. He spent the season operating either as a main striker or on the right flank, showcasing his versatility.
Guessand may not have matched this tally of 29 goal contributions, but he still scored 13 goals and recorded ten assists in all competitions for Nice.
24/25
42
13
9
23/24
38
7
2
21/22
25
1
3
20/21
3
0
0
19/20
1
0
0
Like the Brentford star, the Ivorian played either as a striker or on either wing for the French club, and this sort of flexibility could give Howe a major boost.
Guessand’s performances in Europe last season will offer Howe more positives. Indeed, the attacker shone when compared to his peers in the Europa League.
According to FBref, not only did Guessand rank in the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90 (2.67), but he also ranked in the top 5% for touches in the opposition penalty area (7.21) per 90. That’s certainly an Mbeumo-esque set of traits.
He also ranked in the top 12% for aerials won and in the top 16% for tackles per 90, highlighting that he is solid off the ball and is always looking to win it back for his team. While Mbeumo may not be prolific in the air, his work-rate is also exemplary.
U23 scout Antonio Mango hailed the 24-year-old as “electric” earlier this season, and considering he could be available for £22m, it makes perfect sense for Howe to move ahead with a move.
Newcastle might have missed out on Mbuemo, but in Guessand, they could have the next best thing.
Even better than Sesko: Newcastle agree personal terms to sign £50m striker
Newcastle United would love to welcome in this £50m striker who is even better than Benjamin Sesko.
Somerset threw open the County Championship Division One title race by beating leaders Surrey in a thrilling day-four finish at Taunton – but victory came at a cost, with Tom Banton ruled out* of Saturday’s Blast semi-final rematch between the teams after rolling his ankle while playing football.Banton batted at No. 11 in Somerset’s second innings, scoring 46 in a vital last-wicket stand with Craig Overton worth 71. Surrey then collapsed from 95 for 3 to 109 all out in the final session of the game, Somerset securing victory with minutes left in the day to cut the champions’ lead at the top to eight points.Speaking before the extent of Banton’s injury was confirmed, Jason Kerr, Somerset’s head coach, conceded that it was “pretty serious”, adding that James Rew would be added to their squad as wicketkeeping cover.”Tom is an incredible talent, but so is James and we believe he has a bright future in all formats,” Kerr said. “Yesterday was a fantastic day and we need to use the confidence and momentum from that tomorrow. We know that anything can happen in the short format of the game, but the confidence in the group is extremely high and it’s a challenge that we’re all looking forward to.”Aside from Banton, who top-scored with 132 in the first innings, Somerset’s heroes were Archie Vaughan – the son of former England captain, Michael – and Jack Leach. Vaughan, playing only his second first-class match, claimed match figures of 11 for 140, while Leach took 9 for 142.Somerset’s dramatic victory kept them in touch with Surrey, the two-time defending champions, and maintained their hopes of winning a domestic treble, having also progressed to the One-Day Cup final later this month.”It was a crazy hour at the end,” Somerset captain, Lewis Gregory, said. “There were periods when not much happened, but the lads hung in there and Jack Leach and Archie Vaughan were fantastic the whole game.”To get a win with only a couple of minutes left in the match was very special. Four-day wins are some of the most pleasing you have as a cricketer because you work so hard for them.”Archie has taken to first-class cricket like a duck to water. The fact that he is more of a batter than a bowler is the really exciting bit and we believe he is going to be very good to watch with the bat over a number of years. If you throw in the off-spin he has bowled in this game, there is a mighty special cricketer developing.”Leachy is a great mate of mine. He has been through a good deal of adversity in his life and not just his cricket career. It’s great to see him back in the England squad and I’m sure he will show what he can do in Pakistan.”The coaches and myself said at the start of the season that we wanted to be in a position to challenge for trophies come September. The fact that we can still win three shows the calibre of players we have in our dressing room.”Although Surrey had their lead at the top cut, they remain in control of their own destiny with two rounds of the Championship to play – a home fixture against Durham and a trip to Chelmsford to play Essex.”We had a concentration lapse for the last hour of the game and it cost us the result,” Surrey head coach, Gareth Batty, said. “It was a very good game of cricket and we played our part in it, but Somerset deservedly take the points.”We are still top of the league and eight points clear. And, while we had a poor hour, there were still lots of positives to take from the game for us.”Archie Vaughan bowled nicely, but it is for Somerset to comment on his performance. It’s a really nice start for the lad and we wish him all the success for the future.”It will stay in the dressing room how we are feeling. We are a very tight unit and we will go into next week incredibly confident that we can do what is required at The Oval.”We meet Somerset again at Finals Day on Saturday. It will be a different format and different colour ball, but both teams have played good cricket in the group stages. There will be a few new faces in the match-ups and we will go again.”*September 13, 4.23pm BST – This story was updated following confirmation of Banton’s omission
His 4 for 15 in nine overs helps restrict Sussex to 132 for 9 in match reduced by rain to 41 overs-a-side
ECB Reporters Network07-Aug-2024Ajeet Singh Dale summoned a blistering career-best performance with the ball to propel Gloucestershire to a eight-wicket win over Sussex Sharks in a one-sided Metro Bank One Day Cup contest at Bristol’s Seat Unique Stadium.Bowling with real venom, the 24-year-old pace bowler claimed 4 for 15 in nine overs to help restrict Sussex to 132 for 9 in a match reduced by rain to 41 overs-a-side. Fellow seamer Zaman Akhter proved almost as deadly, returning figures of 3 for 25, his best in List-A cricket, while Danial Ibrahim top-scored with 30 for the outgunned visitors.Required to chase 132 to win on the Duckworth Lewis Stern Method, Gloucestershire comfortably overhauled their target with 21 overs to spare, courtesy of an authoritative innings of 49 not out from Cameron Bancroft and a whirlwind knock of 46 in 28 balls from Miles Hammond.Victory means Gloucestershire can still qualify for the knockout stages from Group B, providing they win their remaining games against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on Friday and Leicestershire at Bristol on August 14. Sussex remain bottom of the table after suffering a sixth straight defeat in the 50-over competition.Gloucestershire skipper Jack Taylor won the toss and did not hesitate to insert an inexperienced Sussex batting line-up on a green-tinged pitch beneath cloud cover. It quickly became evident that his decision was the right one as Singh Dale built up an impressive head of steam from the Ashley Down Road end, undermining the top order with a devastating new-ball spell of 3 for 11 in seven overs with three maidens.Henry Rogers pushed at a ball that pitched outside off stump and nicked to Bancroft at second slip, while the in-form Tom Clark sent a thickish edge looping to Hammond at backward point.Charlie Tear may have survived when Matt Taylor put down a sharp chance off his own bowling, but there was no escape when Singh Dale squared him up and Bancroft again demonstrated safe hands in the cordon to reduce Sharks to 19 for 3 in the eleventh.Bowling with genuine pace and accuracy, Singh Dale produced his most incisive List-A contribution since his previous career-best 4 for 58 in a winning cause against Northants at Cheltenham 12 months ago. And things scarcely became any easier for the visitors when he made way for Akhter, the 25-year-old seamer bowling with great accuracy in a six-over burst that yielded 2 for 22.Frustrated at being tied down, Oli Carter was bowled for 10 in the act of driving, while the hitherto obdurate Zach Lion-Cachet played back to a straight one that hit middle and off and departed for a gritty 57-ball 27 as Sussex lurched to 65 for 5.Now in almost complete control, Gloucestershire made further in-roads before the rain arrived, slow left-armer Graeme van Buuren persuading Bertie Foreman to cut uppishly to backward point with the score on 94.Resuming their innings on 101 for 6 with nine overs fewer in which to retrieve a parlous situation, Sussex lost another wicket almost immediately, Ibrahim miss-timing a pull shot and offering a return catch to Akhter after battling his way to 30 from 57 deliveries.Singh Dale then had Aristides Karvelas caught at mid-on to improve upon his previous best return and consign the visitors to 106 for 8 and almost certain under-achievement. Archie Lenham scrambled a valuable 24 before being run out by substitute fielder Joe Phillips in the final over as ball continued to dominate bat in an innings that yielded a modest 11 fours.Hammond and Bancroft were able to raise boundaries far more readily in a progressive stand of 73 in nine overs that set the tone for the chase. Karvelas proved expensive with the new ball, conceding 31 in three overs before making way for Sean Hunt, and Gloucestershire’s openers took full advantage of some loose bowling to advance the score to 50 from seven overs.Demonstrating aggressive intent, Hammond smashed Jack Campbell for three sixes in as many balls on his way to a quick-fire 46, only to blot his copybook by hoisting a delivery from Hunt high to mid-off in pursuit of a sixth four.There was no appreciable let-up in the scoring rate, Bancroft taking advantage of a free hit to raise an imposing six over mid-wicket at the expense of Ibrahim as the home side kept their foot to the floor. Hunt had Ollie Price held at backward point, but Bancroft proved unmovable in an innings that spanned 53 balls and included five fours and a six as Gloucestershire moved level on points with Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire and improved their net run rate into the bargain.
Tottenham Hotspur are looking to build on winning the Europa League last term and could turn to a recognisable face in their hunt to strengthen their defensive line.
Tottenham look to bring in more reinforcements after Mathys Tel
Spurs fans will be heading into the new week with a spring in their step after the club announced Mathys Tel on a long-term deal that will run until the summer of 2031 following his loan spell.
Kevin Danso has also completed his move to North London from Lens, signaling that Thomas Frank is keen to stockpile high-pedigree stars to max out squad depth to cope with a heavy fixture schedule to come.
Speaking after selling Tel to Tottenham permanently, Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl said: “Mathys Tel came to FC Bayern as a very young player and took his first steps into top-level international football here.
“He was a popular figure in our team, always giving his all for the club and the team. It has become clear that the move to Tottenham was the right one for his development.”
Looking to strike while the iron is hot, Tottenham are preparing a surprise bid for Brentford captain Christian Norgaard as Frank looks to reunite with an old flame in North London.
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Despite his familiarity with the man in charge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it may prove to be a difficult deal to pull off as the Bees hold out to retain their captain.
Frank is ready to put his own stamp on Spurs once he fully gets his feet under the table, and what better way to do that than raid his former club for a number of stars?
Tottenham Hotspur enter race to sign Nathan Collins
According to TBR, Tottenham have entered the race to sign Nathan Collins from Brentford in another swoop that could see Frank link up with one of his former men in North London.
Arsenal are also said to be keen admirers of the Republic of Ireland international, as are Liverpool, though Spurs see the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man as a potential replacement for Cristian Romero if the Argentina international departs this summer.
Nathan Collins in the Premier League – 2024/25 (Fotmob)
Duels won
194
Aerial duels won
119
Pass completion rate
86.3%
Recoveries
162
Interceptions
34
Commended for his “fantastic” work ethic by former Ireland Under-21 boss Jin Crawford, Collins registered an impressive two goals and five assists last term under Frank across all competitions.
Admittedly, the battle for his signature may become heated, but the advantage Spurs hold in the dugout could well be enough to tip the scales in their direction if Brentford are willing to come to the table.
Now, it remains to be seen if the Dane can force a deal over the line to bring the Irishman to N17, which would be a statement early into his reign at Tottenham.
Cricket global players’ union has undergone a rebrand, with the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) to now be known as the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA). The decision was made following a board meeting and 25th anniversary celebration in New York, held concurrently with the ongoing Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.WCA has also established the Tim May Medal, named after the former Australia offspinner who was the first CEO of the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) and who went on to become the first full-time CEO of FICA in 2005. The medal will be awarded to “recipients who have provided outstanding service to the players’ association movement in cricket.”May himself and Richard Bevan were announced as the inaugural winners of the award. Bevan was the CEO of the Professional Cricketers’ Association, the player union for English cricketers, from 2003 to 2007.”There has never been a more important time for players to be collectively represented in their own countries, and at global level,” WCA CEO Tom Moffat said. “The vast majority of the best men’s and women’s players in the world are now affiliated to WCA, and irrespective of fragmentation in the game, the players will always be the talent and its biggest asset.”The name change to the World Cricketers’ Association reflects our desire to simply state and reflect our role in the game at global level.”In changing our name we acknowledge all of those who have contributed to and built FICA. Throughout its short history it has achieved a significant amount for players, their associations, and the game. We reflect on our first 25 years and the legacy of those who have built it, and look to the future of our game and collective player representation within it with optimism.”
With Emiliano Martinez seemingly bidding a tearful farewell to Villa Park last week, Aston Villa have reportedly been given the green light to sign a Premier League-winning shot-stopper.
Aston Villa's goalkeeper search continues
All signs are pointing towards the end for Aston Villa and Martinez after he was pictured saying an emotional goodbye to the home fans following victory over Tottenham Hotspur last time out. Unai Emery also failed to rule out an exit for the goalkeeper to only add to the belief that the Argentine will be playing his football elsewhere next season.
The Villa boss told reporters: “We will see. Of course, it is the last match here [this season], and I don’t know. We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field.”
Ever since that potential goodbye, the rumours have been circling. Both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have already been linked with moves for Martinez, whilst Villa themselves have set their sights on replacing their No.1.
Names such as Lucas Chevalier have already been mentioned in what would certainly be an excellent move for both the LOSC Lille star and those at Villa Park. One of the most promising young goalkeepers around, the big question will be whether the Villans can win the race for his signature.
Lucas Chevalier for Lille.
Meanwhile, Espanyol’s Joan Garcia is also a name that has been in the headlines as of late. The talented goalkeeper, like Chevalier, has been fantastic this season and is one of only a few options who could seamlessly replace Martinez in the Midlands.
Amid competition for both of those players, however, Villa may yet turn to an option far closer to home amid reports that they’ve been handed a major boost in pursuit of a Premier League-winning goalkeeper ahead of the summer window.
Aston Villa receive green light to sign Kelleher
According to Football Insider, Aston Villa have now been given the green light to sign Caoimhin Kelleher by his current club, Liverpool. The Reds have Giorgi Mamardashvili on his way and already have Alisson Becker to call on, meaning that the door has swung open for Kelleher to depart.
Already thought to be high on Villa’s list of targets, the Irishman will leave Merseyside somewhat of a cult hero, having often stepped up in place of Alisson amid his injury issues, and particularly starred whenever given the opportunity to feature in a number of Wembley finals.
However, he is now ready to become an undisputed No 1, with the latest claims suggesting that Liverpool “will accept the right offer” for Kelleher should one come forward.
Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref)
Caoimhin Kelleher
Emiliano Martinez
Starts
10
36
Saves per 90
2.40
2.60
Save percentage
67.6%
67.9%
Clean sheets
4
8
When compared, it’s clear that the Liverpool man would not be a significant downgrade on Martinez. In fact, at 26 years old, there’s an argument to be made that Kelleher could yet become better than the Argentine shot-stopper if he pushes on from here in the coming years.
Aston Villa in pole position after talks to sign "powerful" 18 y/o sensation
He’s a rising star.
ByTom Cunningham May 22, 2025
Dubbed “fantastic” by Premier League legend David Seaman following last season’s Carabao Cup final display, Kelleher has been ready to take hold of the opportunity that Aston Villa may hand him for some time.
Chelsea have now submitted an opening bid of £64m for an “incredible” striker, but they are set to face fierce competition for his signature from their Premier League rivals, according to a report.
Blues ramping up striker pursuit
The Blues looked toothless in front of goal yesterday afternoon, drawing 0-0 away at Brentford, with Christopher Nkunku once again failing to deliver at striker, having scored just three Premier League goals all season.
The performance at the Gtech Community Stadium underlined the need for Enzo Maresca to bring in a top striker in the summer transfer window, and the west Londoners have been ramping up their pursuit over the past few weeks.
There has been a positive update on the move for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, with the Nigerian now setting his sights on a move to Stamford Bridge, while Maresca’s side are also plotting an approach for Lille striker Jonathan David, who is set to be available on a free transfer.
Chelsea now interested in signing £43m Inter Milan star alongside Thuram
The Blues have identified a new target ahead of the summer transfer window…
ByDominic Lund Apr 6, 2025
A number of Europe’s top strikers are on the shortlist, including Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, and a report from Spain has now revealed Chelsea have made their first move for the Swedish striker, submitting a €75m (£64m) bid for his services.
However, there may be fierce competition for Gyokeres’ signature, with Manchester United also submitting an offer of the same value, while recent reports have also detailed the Sporting star could be keen on a move to Arsenal following talks with sporting director Andrea Berta.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokeres
The Blues believe the forward will be able to adapt to life in the Premier League quickly, which is why they are willing to make a huge offer, and his goal record in Portugal this season indicates he could make an instant impact in Maresca’s side.
"Incredible" Gyokeres impressing in Portugal
The 26-year-old has been in simply sensational form for Sporting this season, amassing 43 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions, showcasing that he is ready for a big move to one of Europe’s top clubs.
Not only that, but the Sweden international, who has been lauded as “incredible”, ranks highly across a number of other key attacking metrics over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.
Statistic
Average per 90
Shot-creating actions
3.85 (95th percentile)
Progressive carries
4.29 (96th percentile)
Successful take-ons
1.18 (83rd percentile)
Touches (Att pen)
6.07 (86th percentile)
With Nkunku potentially in line to leave this summer, and Nicolas Jackson now without a goal in his last 10 Premier League games, it is clear the Blues will need to bring in a top striker this summer.
Gyokeres’ goal record indicates he could be one of the best options on the market, so it is exciting news that Chelsea have now made the first move by submitting an opening bid.
It was an unfortunate toss to win, but India will look back at how they faced up to the challenge and question their methods
Sidharth Monga17-Oct-20241:53
Should India be worried about Australia after 46 all out?
If you were to fantasise a scenario in which New Zealand, coming off a 2-0 loss in Sri Lanka, were to challenge India in India – unbeaten for 18 straight series at home – the fantasy would have looked quite close to, if not exactly like, what happened in Bengaluru. It had been raining in the lead-up to the Test, the first day was washed out, overcast skies were expected, and as the final piece in the fantasy, you would expect New Zealand to insert India and run through them.The last bit of it, in fact, changed a little. New Zealand wanted to bat first, but were denied the death wish by India. That’s because of the dry pitch. If anything, India were clearer in what they wanted to do: bat first and play three spinners. New Zealand’s second spinner was Glenn Phillips, and they still wanted to bat first.With that stroke of luck, New Zealand put India through the wringer of good length and consistent seam movement. In the first session, Matt Henry drew an average seam movement of 1.3 degrees, Tim Southee 1 degree and Will O’Rourke 0.8. Himanish Ganjoo, analyst and cricket writer, tweeted it was not just the seam – 0.87 degrees median seam in 30 overs compared to 0.5 degrees in the last three years in India – but also 20% extra bounce compared to the last three years.Related
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Stats – India plumb new lows on their way to 46 all out
India 46 all out as Henry and Conway create New Zealand's dream day
Once both the sides misjudged the conditions and India were the unfortunate ones to win the toss, the New Zealand seam bowlers were just perfect for the conditions. No drive balls, about half the balls on good length, and the extra bounce for O’Rourke.That said, India will look back at how they faced up to the challenge and question their methods. This was not like the 36 all out, the closest such event in recent memory, where the ball actually seamed less that morning and India were bundled out in just 32 false shots. Here India batted almost out of muscle memory and hoped to just hit the bowlers off their length. It took 75 false shots for India to be bowled out, which is not a million miles away from about the 10 it usually takes for a wicket on an average in Test cricket.Yashasvi Jaiswal started off leaving the ball, but drove loosely to just the 12th ball he faced. There was no reason why he should have drove at that ball in particular: it was neither overpitched nor wide. He tried to walk at the bowlers to cut down the movement, but there were 21 false shots in his 63-ball stay, 10 of those drives and aggressive shots. He could just as easily have got out to a shot that looked ugly.Rohit Sharma was not so lucky. He was bowled the first time he tried to hit out. Rishabh Pant enjoyed Jaiswal-like luck, surviving 20 false shots and a dropped catch before nicking to second slip. Sarfaraz Khan, asked to bat higher than he does in domestic cricket, took the attacking option third ball with no luck.KL Rahul was out for a six-ball duck•Getty ImagesWhile it sounds brave and selfless of Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz to bat out of position, India will also question if KL Rahul was not the best man for No. 3 in these conditions. Rahul is one of only two Asian opening batters to have scored a century in all three of Australia, South Africa and England. Rahul’s resolute old-fashioned grinding down of England, in partnership with Rohit, was the reason why India drew 2-2 in England.If India had a week to prepare for the conditions they got in Bengaluru, chances are they would have buckled down similarly. Instead they did what came to most of them instinctively: counterattack. There is logic to that too, as you don’t want to be sitting ducks on a seaming pitch. You can’t dismiss this thought process straight off the bat, but as the control figures and the final score shows, you are leaving a lot to luck if you keep on attacking in these conditions and if the bowlers are not erring in length at all.Traditional wisdom suggests you try to ride out the period of extravagant seam movement and hope that you still have one or two specialist batters left when the seam becomes softer and the sun comes out. Here, India didn’t trust the traditional wisdom, either because things were so different to their expectations that they were too shocked to respond or because they consciously decided not to do so. The ones who did – Kohli and Rahul – were unlucky to get out before they could get in.You can still get out for 46 or 36 doing that, but you can look back and say you tried to give yourselves a chance and then move on and hope for better luck another day. India did just that in Australia after 36 all out. This day, you suspect, won’t be so easy to erase from memory.
Desperate form leaves opener no place to hide with Pakistan tour looming
Matt Roller23-Aug-2022As Jason Roy trudged off the pitch, up the stairs and into the home dressing room at The Oval, the television cameras followed him all the way.It has become a grimly familiar sight to see Roy experiencing the first two stages of grief every time he walks off after a dismissal. His shoulders slump in denial before he swears to himself in anger; bargaining, depression and acceptance follow behind closed doors. With a T20 World Cup looming, he cannot afford to repeat the process much longer.Roy’s latest failure, a tortured innings of 21 off 19 balls against Birmingham Phoenix on Tuesday night, was spread across a cruel half-hour: a miniature horror film, combined with a modicum of high farce. This was his highest score of a wretched Hundred season, in which he has scraped his way to 51 runs spread across six innings.Counterintuitively, Roy’s best innings may also have been his worst. In chewing up 19 balls – 11 of them against a hard new ball, with powerplay fielding restrictions in place – he piled pressure on his team-mates, causing the asking rate to climb higher and higher in pursuit of 167. At least a quick failure – a mercy kill, on current form – would have given the middle order time to get set.The sarcastic applause told the story. Roy’s first three innings of the Hundred at The Oval this year had not brought him a single run: he had faced five balls, been caught twice and cleaned up once. When he finally got off the mark, miscuing a back-foot punch off Kane Richardson towards point, the crowd jeered, perhaps just loudly enough to prick Roy’s conscience.He had two lives inside his first nine balls. First, he swatted at a back-of-a-length ball on his hip from Tom Helm, offering Imran Tahir a straightforward catch at short fine leg which he put down. Two balls later, he inside-edged Richardson onto the top of his leg stump via the thigh pad; the Zing bail lit up, before landing perfectly back in its groove.Both moments felt like signs that the fates had finally aligned in his favour. He has been short of runs across the last two months, but short of luck too; it has felt like fielding teams have 15 on the pitch, with every edge finding a hand, every clean strike hitting the man on the edge of the ring. Surely, finally, this was Roy’s night.And then, the inevitable. No sooner had he reverse-swept Tahir for four over short third, brimming with overdue confidence and self-belief, Roy swiped at Henry Brookes’ short ball looking to clear the short leg-side boundary, and top-edged his pull straight to Richardson at deep backward square. There was no need to look and see if the catch had been taken: Roy was already off, dragging himself away from the scene.Related
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Roy at his best is defined by swagger and bravado: strutting to the crease with self-assurance before imposing himself on bowlers, chest out, collar popped. Those traits have been missing for some time: every shot has looked laboured, constantly fighting a battle against himself as much as the opposition.He has always dealt in boundaries rather than singles. Across a 14-year T20 career, he has scored a boundary every five balls; in the Hundred this season, he has faced 51 balls, and managed only five fours and a solitary six. Eighteen batters have opened more than once in the Hundred this season, and Roy’s average (exactly 8.5) is the lowest.Roy has not been short of backers during his form slump. Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler, England white-ball captains past and present, were on hand to offer their support on Sky Sports’ coverage at The Oval, insisting that he would come good eventually. “The more games it is, the closer you are to coming back,” Buttler said, the sort of circular logic that followed Morgan around during the 18-month drought that preceded his international retirement.It is blatantly obvious that Roy needs a break. In this sort of funk, he will need to bat for a significant period of time in order to find the rhythm that has deserted him, something which the Hundred’s form simply doesn’t allow. He is not the only Invincibles batter out of form – Rilee Rossouw and Sam Billings have struggled badly – but he is setting the tone every innings while badly out of tune.Few sporting disciplines give individual sportspeople the extremes of white-ball batting, and the elation that Roy has felt for much of his career has been replaced by slow-motion disasters, suffering failure upon failure in the glare of the spotlight. In the Blast, where some nights see as many as eight fixtures staged simultaneously, there might be somewhere else to look; in the Hundred, Roy’s drought is the story every time Invincibles’ men play.England will pick a squad for September’s seven-match T20I series in Pakistan next week and will have a huge call to make: do they stick with a player who has defined their style in white-ball cricket over seven years, or twist a matter of weeks before a World Cup in Australia? It is a decision that could define Matthew Mott’s tenure as head coach; Roy has earned England’s loyalty, but there comes a time when loyalty drifts into blind faith.