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Ben Stokes has been withdrawn from England’s Ashes squad, pending further investigation into his alleged street brawl in Bristol last month, with Steven Finn stepping into the squad for the full five-Test series.Stokes has, however, retained his place on England’s list of centrally contracted players for 2017-18, and could yet be recalled to the party if no further police action is taken. Alex Hales – who is also currently unavailable for selection in the wake of the events on September 25 – also keeps hold of his white-ball contract.In a raft of announcements from the ECB, it was also confirmed that three other players who had been out drinking with Stokes and Hales on the night in question – namely Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball and Liam Plunkett – have accepted a formal written warning and a fine for unprofessional conduct.All three players have paid an undisclosed sum to to the Professional Cricketers’ Association Benevolent Fund and the Hornsby Professional Cricketers’ Fund. The ECB added that the internal investigation into that matter had been closed and that it will make no further comment.The measures against Stokes and Hales, who were the only two England cricketers still present at the time of the alleged incident outside Mbargo nightclub, were last week referred to the Cricket Discipline Commission, headed by Tim O’Gorman, who will independently review any breach by the pair of the ECB’s directives and regulations.In a statement, Andrew Strauss, the director of England cricket, said that Stokes’ retention on an ECB central contract should be taken as a sign that the board were not prejudging the police investigation, but rather were seeking a measure of clarity for the whole squad ahead of what is guaranteed to be their highest-profile series in recent memory.”With the Ashes just around the corner, it’s important to give the players, the coaching staff and supporters some clarity around a complex situation,” Strauss said.”This decision will help us in the weeks ahead and give every player and the whole England set-up the best chance to focus on the challenge ahead in Australia.””We have spoken to Ben and assured him that our decision in no way prejudges the outcome of the ongoing Police investigation or Cricket Discipline Commission process, as can be seen by the award of Central Contracts.”Finn, who was overlooked in the original tour party in spite of a late burst of form for Middlesex in the County Championship, now steps in for what will be his third consecutive Ashes tour. In 2010-11 he claimed 14 wickets in the first three Tests, more than any other England bowler at the time, but four years later he was rendered “unselectable” after suffering a meltdown in his bowling action.”Steven is a high-quality cricketer, with considerable experience of both international cricket and Australian conditions,” said Strauss. “The selectors believe he will add to the range of options and the squad will be further supported by the arrival of the Lions in Australia in November.”The decision to replace Stokes, who would have been England’s designated No. 6, with an extra fast bowler instead of reinforcing the batting is an indication of how England plan to fill such a huge hole in their first-choice XI.The three other allrounders in the middle-order – Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes and the wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow – can be expected at this stage to move up a place in the order, to allow England to retain a four-man pace attack.With James Anderson and Stuart Broad also sure to feature in the first Test at Brisbane on November 23, Finn will now be competing with Craig Overton and Jake Ball for the remaining place in the team. Ben Foakes, the reserve wicketkeeper, could also come into consideration if Bairstow – one of England’s most in-form players – is chosen as a specialist batsman.

Karn Sharma took his second five-for in as many matches for India Red, who are now through to the final

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Sep-2017
ScorecardGetty ImagesA century from Deepak Hooda, and lower-order fireworks from Jaydev Unadkat and Bharghav Bhatt, ensured India Blue took first-innings points from a drawn match against India Red in Kanpur. Hooda’s 174-ball 133 was the seventh hundred of his first-class career.India Red, who took one point from this game to add to the six they picked up by beating India Green, are through to the final. India Blue and India Green will meet in the last of the round-robin matches, which begins on Tuesday.A rain-hit third day, on which only 4.4 overs had been possible, had diminished any chance of a decisive result, but the question of which team would get three points remained to be resolved when Saturday dawned. Responding to India Red’s 383, India Blue were 151 behind with seven wickets in hand, with Hanuma Vihari at the crease on 88 and Hooda on 37.Vihari fell soon after reaching his hundred, bowled by Basil Thampi, and Chama Milind had Ishan Kishan caught behind 3.3 overs later to leave India Blue 300 for 5. Hooda needed help from the lower order, and it arrived in the form of Unadkat, who smashed 57 off 53 balls (10×4, 1×6), the pair putting on 96 off 101 balls to take India Blue into the lead.Both fell in the space of five balls, but India Blue weren’t quite done yet, as Bhatt (33 off 26 balls, with four sixes) went after the bowling and stretched their total to an eventual 444. The legspinner Karn Sharma took the last four wickets to finish with figures of 5 for 94 and take his tournament tally to 15 wickets in two matches.There wasn’t a whole lot of time left in the match, and India Red made 133 for 5 in 35 overs in that time, Rishabh Pant top-scoring with a 23-ball 46.

Darwin Nunez is always an interesting player to watch, for better or worse, as his unorthodox technique can result in both moments of madness and incredible goals.

During his first season at Liverpool, the forward got off to a nightmare start after receiving a red card on his Anfield debut against Crystal Palace. He, and the rest of Jurgen Klopp’s side, struggled to gain consistency from there dropping out of the Champions League places, leaving many hopeful that things will return to their best for the Reds in the coming campaign.

When it comes to pre-season, too, Nunez is certainly showing more signs of life than last season, netting three goals in two games, including one in the 4-2 win over Karlsruher before grabbing a brace against their most-recent opponents Greuther Furth.

Both of the striker’s goals proved the potential that he has to burst into life in the coming months. Now, it could just be about consistency.

Darwin Nunez scores pre-season brace

Up against the 2. Bundesliga side, Nunez initially put Liverpool back in front after the break following Luis Diaz’s opener, making an excellent run, which was picked out by Mohamed Salah, before rounding the keeper and finding the back of the net with all the composure in the world – as you can see in the footage above.

His second to make it 3-1 was even more impressive. Left one-on-one with the final man, Nunez dropped the shoulder, before expertly firing home. The two goals showed a player with the coolness that last season’s version lacked in front of goal at times.

Greuther Furth turned the game around to lead 4-3 with quickfire goals, before Salah struck late on to end things level at 4-4.

Liverpool’s attention now turns to their friendly with Leicester City, where Nunez will look to find the back of the net once more, and the Reds will look to get back to winning ways, even if it is just a pre-season friendly.

Full of praise for the forward, The Athletic’s James Pearce took to Twitter to praise him following his second strike, saying: “Nunez scores his second of the game. Looking really sharp”

What is the market value of Darwin Nunez?

Initially arriving at Liverpool for a reported £85m last summer, Nunez’s inconsistent season has seen his valuation decrease. According to Transfermarkt, the former Benfica man is now worth €65m (£56.16m), which is more than £30m less than what the Reds initially splashed out to secure his signature a year ago.

Klopp will be hoping to see his side’s investment prove worthwhile next season, however, as he attempts to guide Liverpool back into the Premier League’s top four, and much more in the coming campaign.

Last season was the first time that the Merseyside club have failed to qualify for the Champions League in a full season under the German. And they won’t want to experience that feeling again.

With Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai adding to Klopp’s midfield options, Liverpool should be primed and ready to get back to their best form come August.

Starting with their opening game of the season against Chelsea, the manager may well have a big decision to make regarding his forward line. As Nunez continues to find the back of the net in pre-season, Klopp could be left with no choice but to hand him the starting role.

It’ll certainly be an interesting season for both Nunez and Liverpool.

Liverpool could accelerate their interest in Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia if Fabinho leaves the club for Saudi Arabia in this window, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Is Romeo Lavia going to Liverpool?

Football Insider report that Liverpool are preparing a formal bid for Southampton midfielder Lavia and Jurgen Klopp is said to be 'extremely keen' to bring the Belgium international to Anfield.

The outlet adds that any offer may be contingent on finalising the sales of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson amid interest in their services from Saudi Arabia. Fabinho has a £40 million offer on the table from Al Ittihad; meanwhile, former Liverpool man Steven Gerrard is keen to take Henderson to the Gulf region and the 33-year-old is keen to reunite with his ex-teammate.

talkSPORT understand that the Reds have moved ahead of Chelsea in their pursuit of Lavia, who is valued at around £50 million by Southampton despite their drop into the Sky Bet Championship.

Chelsea recruitment co-director Joe Shields thinks highly of Lavia and has recommended him to Mauricio Pochettino as a player that has a lot of potential to develop into a Premier League star.

Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed on Twitter earlier this year that Manchester City have a buyback clause worth £40 million that will activate in 2024, stating: "Romeo Lavia will be one to watch in the summer. Man City £40m buy back clause, valid in 2024. Chelsea [wanted him last summer] and Arsenal [still keen on Caicedo too] among clubs interested – Southampton hope to keep him."

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs thinks that Liverpool could accelerate their efforts to land Lavia if Fabinho jets off to Saudi Arabia between now and the close of play.

Jacobs told FFC: "Liverpool have always been interested in Lavia; they've explored the deal seriously. We should mention Arsenal and Chelsea because they could still enter the race, but at the moment, it looks like Liverpool are slightly more active because Arsenal have been focused on getting Rice over the line. Chelsea have focused on Caicedo, so it's not to say that other suitors couldn't enter the race, but Liverpool have looked at the deal and could well move on the deal if Fabinho ends up going to Saudi Arabia."

Would Romeo Lavia be a good replacement for Fabinho or Jordan Henderson?

Liverpool look set to have a completely different midfield this campaign compared to years gone by and the notion of both Fabinho and Henderson being absent from the engine room would be a strange sight at Anfield.

Nevertheless, Lavia, who has been hailed as an "absolute monster", is a youngster with supreme potential and could form part of an exciting trio behind Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. Last term, the Belgian enforcer made 34 appearances in all competitions with Southampton, registering one goal and a solitary assist, as per Transfermarkt.

The 19-year-old is no stranger to getting stuck in for his side and managed to amass 2.1 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per match in the Premier League, according to WhoScored.

FBRef show that Lavia is adept at driving his team forward from the middle of the park, evidenced by the fact he successfully carried out 41 shot-creating actions over the course of the season.

If a couple of experienced Liverpool midfielders do leave the club, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Klopp replenish that area of the field with some younger reinforcements such as Lavia.

Delhi Daredevils coach Rahul Dravid has said missing a batsman of Quinton de Kock’s calibre as well as the experience of JP Duminy will affect the balance and composition of the team going into tenth edition of the IPL.Duminy has cited personal reasons for pulling out while de Kock has a finger injury, sustained during the Test series against New Zealand.”It is obviously a big blow when you lose big players like JP Duminy and Quinton de Kock,” Dravid told PTI during an interaction at Delhi Daredevils’ academy ground. “If these things happen before the auction, then it is easier because you can plan better. But then this is how it goes and you cannot help it.”Dravid is banking on experienced international allrounders like New Zealand’s Corey Anderson and Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews to fill Duminy’s void but admitted that de Kock is a bigger loss, considering he was a player who could give the team momentum at the top of the order. He was also Daredevils’ top scorer during the last IPL.”We do have talented players like Sam Billings and hopefully they can go up and perform,” he said. “We have allrounders like Corey Anderson and Angelo Mathews, so we hope that these boys can stand up and perform and in some way replace JP. But yes, Quinton is a big loss because he played so many games for us and was one of our main batsmen. We had built him up for this season, but this is how life is and you cannot do much about it.”Quinton de Kock was Delhi Daredevils’ top scorer in IPL 2016 with 445 runs•BCCI

Dravid is hopeful that the core group of Indian batsmen, including Shreyas Iyer, Karun Nair, Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant, will have a good season. Asked how he expects Pant’s second season to be after an impressive opening season, Dravid said: “I hope it is better than last season from our perspective. I won’t say Rishabh is our only X-factor. We have guys like Karun, Sanju, Shreyas and [Aditya] Tare.”We will also look to strategise better and give the [younger] players a good opportunity. In a format like the IPL, it is also important to rest the players and keep them fresh and we will also look at that and give it our best.”Dardevils were in contention last season for a top-four berth till the last match, in which Royal Challengers Bangalore outplayed them. Dravid is hopeful things doing better this time around.”We needed to win that one game and qualify for the knockout stages but unfortunately we did not qualify. But this time, we will look to start from where we left last season and try and improve further.”Dravid also feels that Zaheer Khan’s decision to play from IPL to IPL will not hurt the team as the former India fast bowler is an inspiration. “We have a lot of youngsters in the team and that is where we needed Zaheer, as he brings in that knowledge and sense of calm in the dressing room. You need that when you are playing a tournament like the IPL. Also a lot of the youngsters look up to Zaheer as he is an inspiration.”

تحددت القناة الناقلة لمباراة مصر ونيوزيلندا التي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس عاصمة مصر غدًا الجمعة.

وتستضيف مصر دورة دولية ودية خلال فترة التوقف الدولي في شهر مارس الجاري، بمشاركة كرواتيا وتونس ونيوزيلندا.

معلقين مباراة مصر ونيوزيلندا في كأس العاصمة

وتقام البطولة بنظام نصف النهائي مباشرة، إذ يواجه منتخب مصر نظيره نيوزيلندا، بينما يلاقي منتخب تونس منافسه كرواتيا، على أن يصطدم الفائزان في موقعة النهائي، والخاسران في لقاء تحديد المركز الثالث.

ويستعد منتخب مصر لاستكمال مشوار تصفيات إفريقيا المؤهلة لنهائيات كأس العالم 2026.

وتعد مواجهة نيوزيلندا هي التجربة الأولى للفراعنة تحت قيادة حسام حسن المدير الفني للفراعنة. القناة الناقلة لمباراة مصر ونيوزيلندا الودية 

ومن المقرر أن تذاع مباراة مصر ونيوزيلندا عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس 1”.

AB de Villiers was keen to prove himself on and off the field on his return to action with Northerns after six months out

Firdose Moonda22-Jan-2017

In his 239th List A match, AB de Villiers was at the ground 20 minutes before any of his team-mates and was already warming up when they got there. Even though he had been doing this kind of thing for more than 12 years de Villiers was, as he said in the week leading up to the match, nervous.He had been out of action for more than six months, nursing an elbow injury that required surgery. His comeback had been delayed three times, ahead of a Test series against New Zealand in August, ODIs against Australia in October and then the Sri Lanka Tests in December. He had plenty to prove.”I know there will be a lot of eyes on me. I would like to prove that I can still play,” de Villiers said on Wednesday, when he announced he would not be available for Test cricket for most of 2017.But prove it he did. And not just in the middle in Benoni, where he struck a 103-ball 134 to take Northerns to a simple win in the CSA Provincial Challenge.De Villiers trained with as much commitment as he has throughout his career, despite playing at a level two tiers below international. South Africa’s provincial structure forms the second-rung of the domestic set-up (franchise cricket is above it) and international players are rarely available for these matches, unless they are making comebacks from long-term injuries. Vernon Philander was the last high-profile name to do so when he turned out for Western Province last season as he made a return after ankle ligament tears. Then, batsmen were overawed by the presence of a Test great. On this occasion, even some of de Villiers’ team-mates were.”We were all surprised when we saw he was the first one there but he is the ultimate professional. He had great energy around the group,” Mark Charlton, Northerns’ coach, told ESPNcricinfo.Northerns were clearly buoyed. They bowled Easterns out for 199 but then began their chase in the worst way. Jonathan Vandiar was given out lbw first ball and returned to the change-room joking that he had been dismissed “for the national cause”, because de Villiers would go in next, with all the runs to score and plenty of time to do it.De Villiers joined a star-struck Victor Mahlangu who had asked Charlton before the game: “If I bat with AB, what should I say to him?” Charlton’s answer was “just treat AB like any other player”.”I said to the guys before the game that when you are playing with a great player, you need to rise to the occasion and not go into a shell,” he added.The pair shared in a second-wicket stand of 94 before Grant Thomson accompanied de Villiers for an even bigger partnership of 106 to finish the game. Both Mahlangu and Thomson were spectators to a dominant display, which Charlton said suggests de Villiers is back to his best. “He looked in superb touch, like he had never been away. He has an ability to always find a gap in the field which is just unbelievable. His elbow looked 100% fine. There was not strapping or anything like that. I would say he is good to go.”The selectors agreed: De Villiers has been added to South Africa’s squad for the third T20 against Sri Lanka, which will be played at Newlands on Wednesday, and should then lead the ODI team in a five-match series at home before heading to New Zealand for a T20 and five more ODIs. That means Northerns are unlikely to see de Villiers any time soon and he made sure he left them with some food for thought.”After the game, he had a talk with the guys and told them about a few of things he had noticed about individuals and about the team,” Charlton said. “We feel so proud to have someone like AB involved in our set-up.”

Chadd Sayers continued his demolition job against Tasmania after the two Jakes – Lehmann and Weatherald – set up a hefty South Australia total of 481 on the second day at Adelaide Oval

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Nov-2016
ScorecardFile photo: Chadd Sayers took his match tally to nine wickets at stumps on day two•Associated Press

Chadd Sayers continued his demolition job against Tasmania after the two Jakes – Lehmann and Weatherald – set up a hefty South Australia total of 481 on the second day at Adelaide Oval. Weatherald had scored his maiden first-class hundred on the first day of the game and Lehmann registered his fifth on the second day, moving to an unbeaten 129 as South Australia dominated.The morning began with South Australia on 2 for 222, and Weatherald added 25 to his overnight 110 before falling to the part-time bowling of Beau Webster. But Lehmann steered the remainder of the innings and compiled a series of partnerships with the lower order that would have frustrated Tasmania, whose debutant Cameron Stevenson finished with the 4 for 114.Tasmania’s first-innings deficit was nearly 400 after they had been skittled for 98 on the opening day, and their second innings in fact started in even worse fashion. Sayers, who had collected 6 for 32 in the first innings, struck twice in the first over of the innings to dismiss Jordan Silk and Webster, and then added the wicket of Ben Dunk as Tasmania collapsed to 4 for 18.By stumps they had recovered a little, at 4 for 57, with George Bailey on 20 and Dominic Michael on 16, but an innings victory for South Australia appeared a formality. Sayers also needed only one more wicket to complete his second ten-wicket game in first-class cricket, his first having come the last time he played against Tasmania, in March.

Aston Villa have presented an offer to Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio, according to Fabrizio Romano.

What’s the latest Aston Villa transfer news involving Asensio?

Villa are now preparing for Unai Emery’s first full season in charge after the manager sealed an incredible turnaround after arriving back in November.

A win over Brighton & Hove Albion on the final day of the Premier League season guaranteed there will be Europa Conference League football at Villa Park in 2023/24, and additions are now seemingly on the club’s agenda.

NSWE are prepared to back Emery with a “huge” spending spree, but one player who may not command a fee and has been linked with a move to the Midlands is Asensio.

Villa were preparing an offer for the attacker, who is on course to become a free agent this summer, and it looks as if that has now been tabled.

Romano took to Twitter on Tuesday to share a big update regarding Villa and Asensio.

The transfer expert said that those in the Midlands have “submitted an opening bid” for the Spaniard, who is also of interest to Paris Saint-Germain and sides in Italy. He added that Villa are currently pushing to get an answer as soon as possible from the player.

“Aston Villa have submitted an opening bid to Marco Asensio last week — as negotiations have been ongoing for days.

“No final decision yet, still waiting on the player as PSG have also approached Asensio, Italian clubs too. Villa, pushing to get an answer asap.”

Who is Marco Asensio?

Asensio is a left-footed winger who can play on either side or as an attacking midfielder. The Spain international has won 17 major honours with Madrid and was once valued at €90m by Transfermarkt.

The 27-year-old, described as "sensational" in the media, has made 285 appearances for Madrid, scoring 61 goals and registering 32 assists in total. Should e sin for Villa, it seems as if he would add plenty of experience to Emery’s side, while also offering the manager with a versatile option in the final third.

Asensio reportedly picks up £118,000-a-week at the Bernabeu, though, so you’d expect that Villa may have to match that, or even surpass that figure in order to secure his services. It would be interesting to know what Villa have offered the attacker, and by the looks of it, a move for Asensio will be one to follow closely over the coming weeks.

Leeds United's priority this summer, regardless of the division they find themselves in, will be finding a new manager to ensure that they can improve upon a disastrous campaign.

Sam Allardyce is currently the man in the dugout for Leeds but he was hired on a short-term basis to try and keep the Yorkshire club in the Premier League, and there would presumably be an uproar if he was hired permanently.

One man who was touted as a potential option for Leeds following the sacking of Javi Gracia was Jon Dahl Tomasson, and the Elland Road outfit could rediscover the identity they cultivated under Marcelo Bielsa by hiring the Blackburn Rovers boss this summer.

Could Leeds hire Jon Dahl Tomasson this summer?

It was reported by Football Insider last month that those at Leeds were seriously impressed by the work that Tomasson has done in his first season at Ewood Park and considered him to be the next Bielsa at Elland Road.

While the more drastic option for Allardyce was taken in a desperate attempt to keep Leeds up, it seems likely that Leeds could revisit a move for the 46-year-old this summer when their future is more clear, especially if they rate him as highly as reports claim.

Under Tomasson, Blackburn would narrowly miss out on the playoffs in the Championship this term, as he averaged 1.5 points per game in the second tier, while the Lancashire outfit also just missed out on a FA Cup semi-final after losing late on against Sheffield United.

EFL pundit James Allcott lauded the "fast-paced, high press" style that Tomasson has implemented at Blackburn when they sat third in the table earlier in the campaign.

He said: "Blackburn's exciting pressing style has been very fun to watch this season because of how many goals and chances it yields. They play every game at a million miles an hour and have been overwhelming their opponents so far."

This style of play will certainly remind Leeds fans of the tactic set up by Bielsa when he took over at Leeds, with the Yorkshire outfit regularly outrunning and relentlessly pressing their opponents.

After the recent seasons which have seen that style abandoned for a less adventurous one, which has done very little to solve Leeds' defensive woes, fans would surely love to see a return of this mentality at Elland Road.

Tomasson had been linked to Feyenoord amid Arne Slot's potential move to the Premier League but after he confirmed he was staying put, Leeds now have an ideal chance to hire the Danish manager before his stock rises even higher.