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Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr have won their appeal against Al-Orouba for fielding an ineligible player in their 2-1 Saudi Pro League loss.

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Al-Nassr win appeal against Al-OroubaHanded a win by default and three points Back in the race for Champions League EliteFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Saudi Pro League relegation battlers, Al-Orouba, managed to stun Al-Nassr in the first week of March with a surprise 2-1 win. Stefano Pioli's side then launched an appeal against Al-Orouba for allegedly fielding an ineligible player in the form of their goalkeeper Rafi Al-Ruwaili, who was the Man of the Match in that clash. Al-Nassr contested that the goalkeeper was not eligible to play against their side as he was a government employee, and the league demanded full-time professional players.

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The Saudi Sports Arbitration Centre (SSC) announced on Sunday evening that it had accepted Al-Nassr's appeal against Al-Orouba after Faris Najd had provided documented proof that Al-Ruwaili continued government work. The decision has now handed Al-Nassr an automatic win and a vital extra three points that puts them back in the hunt for AFC Champions League Elite qualification.

DID YOU KNOW?

Two weeks ago, Al-Nassr were mathematically ruled out of the race to achieve AFC Champions League Elite qualification after their 1-1 draw with Al-Taawoun, as second-placed Al-Hilal gained a seven-point lead with two games left. However, Al-Nassr's win by default has now put them on 70 points, just two points off the last place for AFC Champions League Elite qualification.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?

Ronaldo and Co will be in action for the last time this season when they take on Al-Fateh on Monday, May 26. To achieve AFC Champions League Elite qualification, Pioli's side will have to get a win and hope that Al-Hilal will lose, as a draw for Mohammad Al-Shalhoub's side would be enough to secure second place via goal difference.

Despite the long tour, the Australia captain says he is in a better condition heading into The Oval this time compared to in 2019

Andrew McGlashan26-Jul-2023The Ashes is secured, but there is a huge amount at stake for Australia at The Oval. Return home with a 3-1 series win, to go alongside the World Test Championship title, and legacies will be secured. Draw the series, from being 2-0 up, and it will be mission incomplete.Many of this Australian squad featured in the 2019 Ashes series, which ended 2-2 when England won at The Oval. That has gnawed away at them, particularly after they had responded impressively from the Ben Stokes miracle at Headingley to win at Old Trafford.Pat Cummins remembers the final game of that series as the only occasion he worried he would miss a Test through fatigue, although he still ended with five wickets and bowled the most of Australia’s quicks, having also played the ODI World Cup earlier. This time, he is under scrutiny both as bowler and as captain, having endured a tough few days in Manchester. But he insists he has the gas in the tank for one final push. You wouldn’t expect him to say anything different.Related

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“I remember turning up here in 2019 for the fifth Test and I was wrecked,” he said. “It’s probably the only time in my career where I thought I genuinely might not be able to play. But I still did a decent job then. And I feel in a much better position now.”So, for the second time in four years, Australia reach The Oval 2-1 up but via different routes and aiming to achieve what they have been unable to do since 2001. This time, they were perhaps two good sessions of cricket away from securing this series outright in Leeds. England were 142 for 7 at lunch on the second day, still 121 behind, and for all their love for a run chase there is a good chance that, had they conceded a hefty lead, the game would have gone.Instead, largely through Ben Stokes and Mark Wood, England cracked 95 off ten overs to draw almost level and then, later in the day with Australia’s lead approaching 100, Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne handed their wickets to Moeen Ali. There were a few twists to come but that’s where the mood of this series shifted.At Old Trafford, Australia were outplayed in a manner that has rarely been seen in recent years – over an extended period, rather than a single crazy session such as the one that cost them in Delhi earlier this year. In Manchester, a lazy first-day batting display then became a rudderless performance in the field as Zak Crawley, Joe Root and latterly Jonny Bairstow made merry.

“There are some people who are close to the end of their career. That means we’ll have to find some new guys, who I think it won’t be very hard to find, but no doubt the team’s going to change over time. Maybe it’s this moment, I don’t know”Pat Cummins on the inevitable changing of guard, which doesn’t look too far away

Australia admitted how poor they were, but have also tried to play it down somewhat by saying they always expected it would come given how England play. When it did come, they did not have any answers. Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh ensured a touch of equilibrium was resorted on the fourth day, but only the rain saved them.It all means they come back to London, where this tour started at the beginning of last month with the World Test Championship final, needing a victory (or at least be in a strong position for one should weather intervene again) to honestly be able to leave knowing they were the better team.”It’s a big one,” Cummins said. “If we win this one and you look back, it’s been an incredible tour over here really. We’ve played five games, we’ve won three and only lost one. It’s already a fantastic tour. But to go home winning the urn would be phenomenal. It’s a final thing to tick off the list of titles to win for a few of the guys, who you never [know] if you’ll get another chance at it. We’ve said the whole time, our aim is to come here and win the Ashes and that’s the opportunity ahead of us.”As Cummins alluded to, it will be the last Ashes Test in England for a lot of this side. In fact, it probably marks the start of a transition for both teams: the youngest member of the England attack at Old Trafford was Wood at 33.”They’ve got world class bowlers in their attack,” David Warner said. “They’re all mid-30s, like myself, so it’s just great to see them keep coming. They probably don’t have much cricket left in them and it will be sad to see a lot of those guys leave and we have to applaud the way that they’ve kept coming year after year.”Pat Cummins and Alex Carey could be borderline names when Australia pick the team for their next Ashes series in England•Associated PressFor Australia, of those who have featured in the series, you can only say confidently, as much as is possible with the uncertainties of professional sport, that Labuschagne, Travis Head, Cameron Green and Todd Murphy will have the chance of returning in four years’ time. Marsh and Alex Carey (35 by then) are perhaps borderline names, as is Cummins himself who will be 34. The team will start disbanding as soon as the next home summer with Warner the first to depart, at the SCG against Pakistan in early January if he makes it that far.”We know we are an experienced team,” Cummins said. “But that means there are some people who are close to the end of their career. That means we’ll have to find some new guys, who I think it won’t be very hard to find, but no doubt the team’s going to change over time. Maybe it’s this moment, I don’t know.”While some are questioning how long Cummins will be able to marry the role of lead fast bowler and captain, he sees the upcoming changing of the guard as something exciting.”We’re very individualised in how we let everyone be themselves and do it their way,” he said. “Some of that’s down to the fact that we’ve got guys that have played 100 Test matches [and] 15 years of first-class cricket. If there’s new guys [coming] in maybe you need to shift that a little bit more. It’s exciting – that’s what I like about the job.”But before the future, comes the immediate challenge. Being crowned Test world champions was deserving reward for two years of excellent Test cricket, but coupling that with an Ashes series win in England – something that has passed by a number of very fine Australian players – is needed to ensure that this group of players has its place in history.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be among the many clubs contending to sign in-demand Lille striker Jonathan David on a free transfer, with the player now allegedly making a decision on his next landing spot.

Jonathan David scores for fun in France with contract running down

After June 30th, the Canada international will be free to move on to new pastures at zero cost, with his contract expiring at the end of this season.

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David, who’s scored 20 goals across 34 appearances for Lille in all competitions already this season, has entered the final few months of his career at the Ligue 1 club – which has piqued interest from a host of top European sides.

The 25-year-old Brooklyn-native stands out as, potentially, one of the summer’s biggest bargain transfers. Despite barely reaching the peak of his career, David’s already hit over a century of goals for Lille, 104 to be exact, not to mention 27 assists to go with that truly impressive tally.

Man United (home)

February 16th

Ipswich Town (home)

February 22nd

Man City (home)

February 26th

Bournemouth (home)

March 9th

Fulham (away)

March 16th

The former Gent sensation’s record in front of goal speaks for itself, and while you could make a case that he hasn’t been tested in a truly elite division like the Premier League just yet, that argument can be somewhat quashed by David’s record in the Champions League.

This term, he’s managed six goals in eight Champions League outings. They’ve come against big-name opposition as well, with David bagging a brace against Atlético Madrid, grabbing Lille’s winner in a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid and even scoring at Anfield – alongside another strike against Juventus.

There is little denying that David can be considered an elite-level marksman at this point, making the prospect of signing him for nothing a very tempting proposition.

Tottenham have been linked with a move for David, as have an array of other top European clubs, with journalist Graeme Bailey now sharing a potentially important update on his future.

Jonathan David makes Tottenham transfer decision after contact

According to Bailey, writing in a piece for The Boot Room, suitors believe that David has already chosen his preferred next club.

Tottenham held talks with the player’s representatives recently, alongside Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham, but it is Barcelona who are leading the race to sign him.

Bailey claims that David has chosen to join Barcelona over Tottenham as his preferred choice, and talks are at an advanced stage. A Barça deal for the centre-forward is said to be close, so if the Lilywhites wish to pull off a hijack, or turn the tide like they did with Mathys Tel, they’re already running out of time.

Given Barca are the team David grew up supporting, by his own admission, so Spurs could be facing an uphill battle to beat Hansi Flick’s side to his signature.

“[Barcelona] was always the team I grew up supporting,” said David in 2024. “When you grow up supporting a team, it’s a dream to play for them.”

كشف الهولندي آرني سلوت، المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول السبب وراء استبعاد جرافنبيرخ عن مباراة كريستال بالاس بكأس الدرع الخيرية.

ومن المقرر أن يواجه ليفربول نظيره كريستال بالاس عصر اليوم، الأحد، في المباراة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات كأس الدرع الخيرية، في تمام الساعة الخامسة بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة، على ملعب “ويمبلي”.

ويشارك ليفربول في تلك المباراة بعد تحقيق بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز للمرة الـ20 في تاريخه معادلًا بذلك رقم مانشستر يونايتد كأكثر الأندية تتويجًا باللقب على مر التاريخ.

اقرأ أيضًا | تشكيل ليفربول أمام كريستال بالاس في كأس الدرع الخيرية.. موقف محمد صلاح

فيما يشارك كريستال بالاس في تلك المباراة بعدما تمكن من تحقيق الفوز على مانشستر سيتي في نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي بهدف نظيف لأول مرة في تاريخه.

وقال سلوت في تصريحات لشبكة “TNT Sports” كاشفًا السبب وراء استبعاد جرافينبيرخ عن مباراة اليوم: “أصبح ريان جرافنبيرخ أبًا الليلة الماضية فقط”.

وعن مواجهة بالاس: “من الناحية المثالية، تريد أن تلعب أفضل مباراة ممكنة، لكننا نعلم أيضًا مدى صعوبة لعب هذه المباراة ضد كريستال بالاس لأنهم يستحقوا أن يتواجدوا هنا بعد الفوز على أستون فيلا في نصف النهائي ومانشستر سيتي في النهائي”.

وأردف: “وفي نهاية الموسم لم نتمكن نحن وآرسنال من الفوز عليهم في ملاعبنا، نعلم مدى أهمية الحفاظ على تماسك الفريق، لأن هذا ما فعلناه الموسم الماضي، ونعلم النتيجة النهائية”.

وأتم: “يلعب بالاس اليوم بنفس عناصر الفريق الذي لعب معه طوال الموسم الماضي تقريبًا، لذلك أمامنا تحدي كبير”.

England captain also talks up 21-year-old Bethell who is on his first international tour of Asia

Sreshth Shah21-Jan-2025

England have an envious line-up of hard hitters of the ball•Getty Images

A belligerent batting line-up is a dream for most international sides. Throw in a coach who firmly believes in that style and a squad where nearly everyone has at least one first-class hundred and the ability to hit monster sixes, and England possess a unit that could blow away the best bowling units on most days.Having batting depth through the team sheet served them magnificently in their ODI World Cup triumph of 2019 and their T20 World Cup victory in 2022. And in their lead up to the T20Is against India and next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, England appear to be shaping up the same way.Bowlers who bat not only shorten the tail but positively affect the top order too. England captain Jos Buttler acknowledged that the batters, consequently, can play with much more freedom.Related

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“That gives a lot of depth to the XI and confidence to the guys at the at the top that there’s plenty [of batting] to come,” Buttler said on the eve of the series opener in Kolkata. “So we can be really aggressive and, you know, not worry too much about our wicket, because we’ve got guys behind us who can do exactly the same job.”We’re really blessed actually in terms of the bowlers that we have here, on this tour. They’re all very, very capable bats. I think if you look at guys like Gus Atkinson with a Test hundred, and then Brydon Carse is an excellent hitter of the ball, and then Adil Rashid down at No. 11 [No. 10 on the team sheet for the first T20I] who’s got multiple first-class hundreds. So, yeah, I think we’re very fortunate in that sense that a lot of our bowlers are very, very capable batters.”England announced their XI for the Kolkata T20I more than 24 hours before the game, and on a batting-friendly Eden Gardens track, a score of 200 appears to be the minimum. In Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Buttler himself, Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone, England have a plethora of batters who could aim for the roof. The addition of the exciting Jacob Bethell – who averages 57.66 and scores at 167.96 in six T20I innings – has only made them look more lethal. But can he conquer Indian conditions, especially the spinners? Like the other batters, Bethell spent large periods trying to face spin in the nets in the two practice sessions leading up to the first game.”It’s a new challenge for him to come and play in India,” Butter said. “But I know he’s excited [for it].”I think he’s been someone who in English cricket has been talked about for a while knowing the talent he possesses, even when he’s been playing in the Under-19s. So, he was a name you’d hear being talked about that he’s gonna be a special player. And I think, you know, all credit to him. I think he’s done brilliantly well coming into international cricket.”And he has got a good head on his shoulders, and obviously, he’s got the game for it, as you’ve seen in in the white-ball stuff. And then obviously, moving into Test cricket, you know, it’s fantastic to watch him in New Zealand. So, yeah, he’s been playing really well.”Jacob Bethell is coming on the back of decent scores in the BBL•Getty Images

For Buttler, though, having the chance to work with Brendon McCullum for the first time (Buttler has not been in the Test side since McCullum took over as the Test coach) is especially exciting. But even more so that the leadership can work with their best players. Nobody’s workload is being managed, fast bowlers like Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are injury-free, and that’s as perfect a situation as England can imagine as they face a coaching transition that wants to build into the Champions Trophy and next year’s T20 World Cup.”It’s a really exciting tour, coming to India with what I’d say is a full line-up for us,” Buttler added. “You know sometimes there’s so much cricket that certain players have to be rested or managed. But that’s certainly not the case for us at all in this series. So we’ve got a full complement of players, which is really exciting. Obviously, Baz is coming into the white-ball set-up for the first time too.”[I] also want to build that captain-coach alliance. Obviously, it’s not a new set-up because Baz has been around for a while and there are a lot of players in this squad that have been with him in the Test set-up for a number of years already.”So, yeah, just looking forward to building that relationship in the white-ball set-up. It’s going to be a great series against a really top side in their own conditions. So, loads to look forward to.”

Newcastle United have now enquired about signing a Champions League winner, as they battle two other clubs for his signature this summer.

Newcastle eyeing move for World Cup finalist

The Magpies are being linked with possible new signings on a daily basis, with Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani the latest attacker to be mentioned as an option, and discussions already underway.

Alexander Isak’s future at St James’ Park doesn’t feel completely secure currently, amid rumoured interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool, but even if the Swede stays, more competition is needed. Muani could be ideal in that respect, having scored nine goals in 31 caps for France, also appearing in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina.

Manchester City ace Jack Grealish has also been backed to join Newcastle this summer, with former scout Mick Brown talking up a move to St James’ Park.

“Newcastle are still keeping a close eye on Jack Grealish. There’s been a lot of talk about Everton, but I think they’re still very much in the mix. Of course, they’re not the only club interested because everybody knows about Jack’s qualities and what he can bring to the side when he’s at his best.”

Newcastle enquire about signing Grealish

Now, according to an interesting development from Give Me Sport, Newcastle have “enquired” about Grealish, having been linked with him in recent days, as mentioned.

While Everton and Napoli are also mentioned as potential suitors for the winger, he “wants to see if there are any other takers for his talent”, as he looks to make sure he is part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad at the 2026 World Cup. He also wants to play Champions League football next season, something PIF can offer, after winning the competition with Man City in 2023.

This summer feels like the right time for the £300,000-a-week Grealish to depart City and enjoy a new challenge, with his performances there going flat and playing time coming at far more of a premium in recent times.

The 29-year-old wasn’t even included in Pep Guardiola’s squad for the current Club World Cup, so the writing appears to be on the wall for him.

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Opinion may be split on whether Grealish would be the right choice for Newcastle, with some perhaps feeling that his best days are behind him, but it is also easy to see him flourishing in fresh surroundings.

David Moyes once called him the “best player in the Premier League”, such was the level of his performances, and Guardiola lauded him during pre-season last summer.

“What I’ve seen so far here, one week in the pre-season on tour, I loved it. I don’t care how he performs, it’s every session his commitment and his trying, against Barcelona he made five or six shots, he was aggressive with the ball, that’s all, after that his quality will do the rest.”

Champions League

2022/23

Premier League

2023/24

Premier League

2022/23

Premier League

2021/22

FA Cup

2022/23

Club World Cup

2023/24

UEFA Super Cup

2023/24

A tally of just 17 goals in 157 appearances for City doesn’t reflect too well on Grealish, but if Newcastle could have the swaggering Aston Villa version of him, forever taking risks on the ball and lighting up games, he could be an extremely popular figure at the club.

We answer all your questions about the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE

Hemant Brar06-Feb-2025

When is Champions Trophy 2025 starting?

Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on February 19, with hosts Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi. The final will be played on March 9. Click here for the full schedule.

It has been a while since we had a Champions Trophy, right?

Yes, the previous edition was played in 2017, in England and Wales, where Pakistan beat India in the final. Here is the list of all previous winners.

Why has there been such a long gap?

Since its inception in 1998, the tournament was played every two years till 2009. After that, it was moved to a four-year cycle. India were supposed to host the 2021 edition but it was replaced with the T20 World Cup, which was ultimately played in the UAE.Related

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• Context is king as Pakistan and New Zealand open pre-Champions Trophy tri-series

So Pakistan are the hosts this time?

Yes, but there is more to it. Since India refused to travel to Pakistan, the PCB opted for a hybrid model with India’s matches to be held in Dubai. That decision was arrived at after a long impasse. The Pakistan leg will be played in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. The National Stadium in Karachi and the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore are undergoing significant upgrades and renovation, almost racing against time. Their readiness will be tested during the tri-series, involving Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa, just before the Champions Trophy.

Where will the opening ceremony be held then?

The PCB will host an event in Lahore on February 16 to mark the start of the tournament. However, there will be no captains’ meet, or press conference, because of logistical reasons. This also ends the speculations about whether India captain Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan or not.

But why are India not going to Pakistan when everyone else is?

Because of political tension between the two countries. Even Indian match officials are not travelling to Pakistan. The last time India visited Pakistan was for the 2008 Asia Cup, even though Pakistan have played several ICC tournaments in India since then, including the 2023 ODI World Cup. Before the Champions Trophy, the two boards and the ICC reached an agreement that till 2027, even Pakistan’s matches in an ICC tournament hosted in India would be played at a neutral venue.

When was the last time an ICC tournament was held in Pakistan?

For that, you will have to go all the way back to 1996, when Pakistan co-hosted the ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan were supposed to host the Champions Trophy in 2008. But due to security concerns, the tournament was eventually played in South Africa in 2009.

Are India playing Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025?

Yes, they are in the same group and will face each other on February 23, Sunday in Dubai. Unlike the World Cups, where India have a 15-1 head-to-head record, things have been much closer in the Champions Trophy, with Pakistan leading 3-2.Fakhar Zaman, centurion and Player of the Match in the final of the last Champions Trophy, has been recalled for this year’s edition•Getty Images

How many teams are participating in all?

Eight, the same as the 2017 edition. The only difference is that Afghanistan have qualified ahead of Sri Lanka this time. The teams are divided into two groups. Group A has India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and Group B South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan and England. You can find all the squads here.

How were the participants decided?

Being the hosts, Pakistan secured automatic qualification. The other seven teams were decided based on the 2023 ODI World Cup standings. Sri Lanka and Netherlands, who finished ninth and tenth, missed the cut.

What happened to West Indies?

Since West Indies had not qualified for the 2023 ODI World Cup, they could not compete for the Champions Trophy either. It was the same case for Zimbabwe and Ireland, the other missing Full Members.

What is the format for the Champions Trophy?

Each team will play its fellow group members once. After that, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with A1 playing B2 and B1 playing A2.If India qualify, they will play their semi-final in Dubai on March 4, irrespective of their position on the points table. Similarly, if Pakistan qualify, they will play their semi-final in Lahore on March 5.The final will be played on March 9 in Lahore, unless India make it till there. In that case, the venue will once again be Dubai.

What will happen if a match ends in a tie?

All tied matches throughout the tournament will be decided via the Super Over. If the Super Over is also tied, then subsequent Super Overs will be played until there is a winner.Joe Root is back in England’s ODI plans for the Champions Trophy•Getty Images

Is there a reserve day for the knockout matches?

Yes, the two semi-finals and the final have a reserve day. But every attempt will be made to finish the game on the scheduled day itself. If that is not possible, the match will resume on the reserve day from where it was stopped.In the knockout matches, the team batting second should have the opportunity to play at least 25 overs – as opposed to 20 in the group stage – for the result to be decided via the DLS method.

What happens if there is still a washout?

In case of a no result in the semi-finals, the team that finished higher in the group stage will proceed to the final. If the final is washed out, the trophy will be shared.

Has there ever been joint winners?

Yes, India and hosts Sri Lanka shared the trophy in 2002 after the final was washed out. There was a reserve day in place but, as per the playing conditions back then, the match was played afresh. On both days, Sri Lanka batted first and played their full 50 overs, but rain did not allow more than ten overs in the second innings on either occasion.

What are some of the key things I need to know about the teams?

Australia go into the tournament as ODI world champions but their captain Pat Cummins, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and allrounder Mitchell Marsh have been ruled out with injuries. Also Marcus Stoinis has retired. Australia have until February 12 to name their replacements.South Africa will be without Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee (both injured). On the other hand, a fit-again Ibrahim Zadran is back for Afghanistan. Also keep an eye out for their mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar.India will hope Rohit and Virat Kohli come good after poor returns in Test cricket lately. Pakistan have recalled Fakhar Zaman, the Player of the Match in the final last time, and England have done the same with Joe Root, while Bangladesh have left out Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das. New Zealand will play their first global tournament under Mitchell Santner.

Finally, where can I watch the games?

Depending on your location, you can watch the games as per the following.Afghanistan – Ariana TV
Australia – Prime Video
Bangladesh – Nagorik TV and T Sports
England – Sky Sports
India – Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar
New Zealand – Sky Sport
Pakistan – PTV, A Sports and tapmad
South Africa – SuperSport
Sri Lanka – Star Sports Network
UAE – Starz On
USA – Willow TV
As always, ESPNcricinfo will have full coverage, from scores, news and features to analysis and expert opinions.

After the day started with hosts’ plans thrown into chaos, it could not really have finished much better

Andrew McGlashan16-Dec-2021Things happened quickly before play started on the opening day in Adelaide. Australia needed a replacement captain and fast bowler. For large parts of the day the action in the middle unfolded at a more sedate pace but the hard work put in by David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne, allied with a helping hand from England, set the foundation for Australia’s early stranglehold on another floodlit Test.Whereas the decision at the toss in Brisbane was a tricky one, here there was no doubt what the right thing to do was and the coin fell Steven Smith’s way which was probably a relief after the drama of the preceding few hours. Stuart Broad bowled well to remove Marcus Harris cheaply and caused David Warner some uneasy moments from around the wicket, but from then on England were blunted by the same partnership that thwarted their attempts for early wickets at the Gabba.It took Warner 20 balls to get off the mark; from 25 overs at lunch Australia were 45 for 1; by the second drinks break they were 77 for 1 off 40 overs; Labuschagne’s half-century would take 156 deliveries and despite being on 94 when the new ball was taken he could not reach three figures by the close. But the value of today could be seen tomorrow.”Today felt like I was in the right zone, playing my areas, and creating a bit of length to cut and pull because we were getting nothing,” Warner said. “It was one of those hard, grinding days so I think it was a big tick for us.”Related

• Smith, Neser and two unexpected roles

• Australia rise above Cummins chaos as Labuschagne, Warner grind England down

• Cummins out of second Test after Covid close contact

As with four years ago, it felt as though England bowled too short, although assistant coach Graham Thorpe defended their tactics. More than 200 deliveries were logged by ESPNcricinfo as short-of-a-good-length and another 35 were short. The 76 deliveries they did bowl full went at nearly a run a ball – and England’s bowlers often speak about wanting to control the run rate – but by not going full more often they removed a wicket-taking threat.”I felt as a team we bowled well enough in the first hour and a half to pick up three wickets,” Broad said during a drinks-break interview with the host broadcaster.Warner and Labuschagne are forming a formidable partnership. They now average 101.83 per stand – the second-highest for any Australia pairing to have batted at least 10 times together – bolstered by the 361 they added in the day-night Test on this ground against Pakistan in 2019-2020.Warner has grafted for his runs at the start of the series with a strike-rate of 55.10 compared to his career figure of 72.34. He was batting with the pain of his badly bruised ribs and popped some painkillers during his stay having had a local anesthetic before play but came through his reunion with arch nemesis Broad.”I was pretty close [to not playing] but unless I’ve got no leg I’m not not going to walk on the field,” Warner said. “Probably showed that last year [against India]. If I can get out on the park, I’ll do everything I can to do that. I was in a bit of agony… it doesn’t feel great but had a Test to play. There’s a series on the line and wanted to commit to that.”His first delivery created some excitement as Warner shouldered arms and the ball thudded into the pads, but he later explained one of the key differences to facing Broad in Australia was being able to leave on length. He became more expansive as the innings progressed against the older ball but his dismissal, smashing a short delivery to cover, was out of character for the restraint he had shown. However, he felt the short-ball strategy played into Australia’s hands.”Once you get a couple of boundaries away and they start leaking you’ve got to change tactics, but they obviously didn’t do that so could have worked into our plan a little and the ball gets softer,” he said.Labuschagne made England pay for dropping him on 21 when Jos Buttler grassed a simpler chance from a gloved pull than the screamer to remove Harris. A second life came his way on 95 when Buttler shelled a regulation edge off James Anderson. Themes of Australia tours past are rearing their heads.Labuschagne had skipped into double figures off nine balls but then did not add to his tally for the next 37. In that period he, too, was tested by Broad who beat him on four consecutive occasions early in his innings. His scoreless spell was broken by a risky back-cut off Ben Stokes which flew just wide of slip.In the night session, England’s persistence with the short ball nearly worked when Labuschagne got an inside edge onto his shoulder against Stokes but it landed safely and he also took a couple of blows on the arm. He batted himself almost to a standstill as the day drew to a close, and he should not have survived until the end, but it was an exhibition in resilience.Australia know there will be a chance to increase the tempo on the second day, with the temperature set to hit 36 degrees. If things go well they could be in position to exploit the last session with the new ball. After the day started with their plans being thrown into chaos it could not really have finished much better.

This was RCB’s sixth successive defeat in the UAE, including the Eliminator last season

Sampath Bandarupalli20-Sep-20211 Kolkata Knight Riders’ victory on Monday, with 60 balls to spare, is their biggest win in terms of balls in the IPL. Their previous biggest was with 37 balls to spare against Rajasthan Royals in 2011 and 2019. Overall, this was only the fifth time a team won chasing with ten or more overs to spare in the IPL.1 This was also the first time in the IPL that Royal Challengers Bangalore lost with ten or more overs to spare while defending a total. Their previous biggest defeat came against the Royals in 2014, when they chased down 71 with seven overs to spare in Abu Dhabi.Watch the IPL on ESPN+

Sign up for ESPN+ and catch all the action from the IPL live in the US. Match highlights of Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore available here in English, and here in Hindi (US only).

9 Margin of victory in terms of wickets for the Knight Riders. This was also the joint-biggest defeat for the Royal Challengers in terms of wickets in the IPL. They had lost by nine wickets three times in the past – twice in 2008 and against Mumbai Indians in 2011. Knight Riders’ nine-wicket win is also their joint second-biggest win in terms of wickets, having won by ten wickets only once – against Gujarat Lions in 2017.6 All-out totals under 100 for the Royal Challengers in IPL, the second most for any team in the league. Delhi Capitals (earlier Delhi Daredevils) top the list with ten such totals. Three of RCB’s sub-100 totals have come against the Knight Riders, including the lowest IPL total ever – 49 all out in 2017.ESPNcricinfo Ltd0 Sixes by Royal Challengers during their 92 all out in 19 overs. It is only the second instance in IPL where the Royal Challengers failed to hit a six in a completed innings. The other occasion was in 2017, also against the Knight Riders, when they were skittled for just 49.6 Successive defeats for the Royal Challengers while playing in the UAE. They ended the 2020 IPL season with five consecutive losses, including the Eliminator against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. All those six defeats for the Royal Challengers came while batting first. The Royal Challengers have a win-loss record of 0-5 while batting first in Abu Dhabi and a 2-0 record while chasing a target.5 Runs collectively scored by Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in this game, the third-lowest aggregate for the pair in an IPL match. They managed only three runs together against Mumbai Indians in 2013 and could only score four collectively against the Sunrisers in 2019.

ازداد التوتر داخل منتخب إسبانيا خلال الساعات الأخيرة الماضية، وذلك على هامش الأشياء التي حدثت خلال لقاء الكلاسيكو بين ريال مدريد وبرشلونة يوم أمس الأحد بالدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى.

ريال مدريد حسم قمة الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى ونجح في تحقيق الانتصار على برشلونة بهدفين مقابل هدف واحد يوم أمس الأحد على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو.

وقدم ريال مدريد عرضًا قويًا وكان الطرف الأفضل في المباراة لينجح رجال المدرب تشابي ألونسو في الخروج بالنقاط الثلاث وتعزيز صدارة الدوري.

اقرأ أيضًا .. إيباي عن مقابلته مع لامين يامال: أنا السبب في أحداث الكلاسيكو.. ولن أكرر خطأي

لكن الكلاسيكو شهد أحداثًا مؤسفة تمثلت في حدوث شجار بين لاعبي الفريقين وبالتحديد بين ثلاثي ريال مدريد، داني كارفاخال، وفينيسيوس جونيور، وتيبو كورتوا من جهة، وبين جناح برشلونة، لامين يامال من جهة أخرى.

وفي ضوء الخلاف الذي حدث بين الطرفين ألغى يامال اليوم الإثنين متابعة كارفاخال عبر حسابه الرسمي في إنستجرام، حيث طالب الأخير الجناح الشاب بعدم التحدث كثيرًا ، مما أشعل وتيرة الحديث بين لاعبي الفريقين.

ولم يكن يامال هو اللاعب الوحيد الذي يقوم بإلغاء متابعة كارفاخال عبر إنستجرام، وإنما فعل بيدري نفس الشيء.

وتعتبر هذه التصرفات ناقوس خطر على الوضع العام في منتخب إسبانيا، حيث يتواجد الثلاثي كارفاخال، ويامال، وبيدري، معًا في منتخب إسبانيا خلال الفترة الأخيرة.

يامال كان قد أشعل الأمور قبل الكلاسيكو بعدة أيام، بعدما سخر من ريال مدريد واتهم الفريق الملكي بالسرقة وكثرة الشكوى، ليضع لاعبي الفريق الملكي في حالة تأهب للعب المباراة أمام برشلونة والفوز بها.