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South Africa’s team of “good cricketers without superstars” has to band together one final time to deny India the chance to make history, and it’s not going to be easy. That’s Lungi Ngidi’s assessment of a series that will come down to a couple of sessions on the penultimate day of the third Test and has made for gripping viewing throughout.”We are not going in there with a team of superstars,” Ngidi said. “We’ve got good cricketers and good cricketing brains, and it’s always a team effort. There are going to be moments where someone is going to have to put up their hand. If someone is not taking wickets, you make sure you keep the runs down, and if it’s your day, you make sure you cash in.”Related

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Ngidi was referring to a question about his own performance in the second session of the third day when he took three wickets in six overs to reduce India from 152 for 4 to 170 for 7. Ngidi started by removing Virat Kohli, who had batted for more than three hours and faced 143 balls for 29 runs, and then had R Ashwin and Shardul Thakur caught off loose strokes, but more notable than the names, it was the manner in which he took his wickets. After making his name as the kind of bowler who hits the deck hard, Ngidi operated completely differently at Newlands by pitching it up and finding swing. He listed this as one of his best series, especially “against this calibre of players” and despite it being “testing at times.”Though bowlers appear to have had it easier than batters in this series, Ngidi explained that it has been challenging for seamers to get their lengths right on surfaces that have not been entirely consistent in bounce. “The ball has been doing something the entire Test series,” he said. “There are patches on the wicket where if you hit it, it does something a little more than others. And we could see, with patience, guys could score hundreds out there, there have been two 70s already, so with the right application, there are runs in the wicket. As a bowler, if you hit the right areas, there are wickets as well.”The match won’t last five days – and if you take into account the rain-affected day in Centurion, none of the Tests has – but Ngidi praised the surfaces, especially this Newlands one. “It’s a good cricketing wicket. Everyone is in the game. It’s pretty evenly matched out.”He sees the match hinging on whether Keegan Petersen will find someone to post a half-century stand with or whether South Africa’s middle order will fold against the relentless Indian pace attack. “If we were to have a 60-run partnership upfront tomorrow morning, that puts us in a good position. If they were to take early wickets, that shifts it to them. It’s perfectly poised at the moment.”India know that too. Kohli was heard on the stump microphone reminding both his team and South Africa how much was at stake. “Just relax guys,” he told Dean Elgar and Petersen. “I can hear your heartbeat.”That’s understandable. As Elgar said before the match, this is South Africa’s biggest Test in the last decade and winning it could complete what has been a very slow turnaround from losing to Sri Lanka at home three summers ago and slipping to No. 8 in the rankings. There’s enormous expectation, at home, and from far away. For instance, in Guyana, South Africa’s Under-19 players, who are gearing up for their World Cup campaign, are keeping an eye. Their captain George van Heerden said they’re unlikely to wake up in the middle of the night to watch but are prepared to find out the results as soon as possible. “The management team have all got their laptops out and we are all watching from there,” he said at a press conference.India, meanwhile, will be eyeing their first Test series win in South Africa. On their last tour here, they won the final Test in Johannesburg. That South African team had superstars. This one, in Ngidi’s words, just believes that “everyone has got to perform when they are asked to”.

Leeds United fans will already be nervous about their team’s promotion chances in the Championship, despite the fact the Whites are only 15 games deep into the marathon of the second-tier campaign.

Supporters that pack out Elland Road are far too used to heartbreak on the big occasion, especially when it comes to trying to leap back up to the Premier League, with a 1-0 playoff final defeat earlier this year to Southampton still no doubt stinging.

Of course, there’s also the agony they experienced under Marcelo Bielsa – before triumphantly winning the league in 2020 – after Frank Lampard’s Derby County took great delight in toppling the West Yorkshire giants over two legs in the playoff semi finals the year prior.

With Leeds just outside of those top two automatic promotion spots at the time of writing, the die-hard Whites masses will just be fearing another disastrous near-miss is on the horizon.

Away from all that pessimism, however, there is plenty to still latch onto that’s positive, with Daniel Farke boasting two promotions up to the top-flight on his managerial CV, and plenty more could come from his steady Leeds side who have only tasted defeat twice in league action to date.

Alongside that, the January transfer window also gives Leeds adequate time to strengthen ahead of a crucial 2025, with this being what their lineup could look like come February next year when glancing at some significant transfer rumours…

1 GK – Illan Meslier

Although Illan Meslier has been suspect of some shaky displays this season in goal, he is likely to remain as the Leeds number one shot-stopper moving forward.

The 24-year-old has picked up an impressive nine clean sheets from his 15 Championship games to date, which included a shut-out coming his way versus Queens Park Rangers just before the international break.

2 RB – Jayden Bogle

Jayden Bogle is also likely to remain as Leeds’ main right-back in early 2025, considering he was only purchased this summer.

Alongside the fact he’s still a fresh-faced recruit, the former Sheffield United man has also shone in spurts for Farke’s side by picking up two league goals as an attack-minded option on the right.

3 CB – Joe Rodon

Joe Rodon was also another summer purchase made by Farke to shore up the defence in West Yorkshire and he has become an ever-present under the German’s guidance in the second tier.

He was particularly impressive against Plymouth Argyle in early November, amassing 98 touches as an assured but imposing centre-back figure.

4 CB – Pascal Struijk

Pascal Struijk has also been top-drawer this campaign to date after finding his 2023/24 season was largely stop-start owing to injury issues.

The 25-year-old is now making up for lost time, with two goals bagged from 15 league games so far as a menacing presence from corners, which has even seen him take on captain duties for his promotion-chasing employers.

5 LB – Dennis Cirkin

The first of a trio of new signings comes in the form of Dennis Cirkin, who has been linked with a switch to Elland Road heavily in recent weeks.

With Junior Firpo’s contract up in the summer of 2025, this would be smart planning on the end of Leeds to buy his replacement in January, with the “fantastic” defender – as he was once labelled by former Sunderland manager Lee Johnson – more than capable of replacing the ex-Barcelona left-back.

The standout Black Cats number three is equally as creative as Firpo, having accumulated seven goals and five assists on Wearside from 92 games, and might well be available to pick up for a reported fee of £6m

6 CM – Ao Tanaka

Leeds will know they don’t need to splash the cash in order to obtain some exceptional talents this forthcoming window, as Ao Tanaka only cost Farke and Co £3.5m to acquire in late August.

Helped by an injury crisis in the holding midfield positions, the Japanese gem has been quietly superb for the Whites since entering the first-team fold, with a 92% pass accuracy averaged per second-tier clash among other glowing numbers.

7 CM – Lewis O'Brien

Leeds might well be in the market for another new holding midfielder this January, with Lewis O’Brien previously on their transfer radar.

O’Brien is being touted to make a £7m move to LAFC, but as the former Huddersfield Town man narrowly missed out on promotion with the Terriers back in 2020, he could fancy a return to the EFL with Leeds.

He was also a top performer when on the books of Leeds’ near neighbours, amassing eight goals and ten assists as a reliable head from 131 total games. He could, therefore, be a potential option ahead of Joe Rothwell.

8 RM – Wilfried Gnonto

Leeds fans must go into a state of panic whenever a window opens, knowing full well that Wilfried Gnonto might finally up and leave.

The Italian winger could stay put this time again, having mustered up two goals and five assists in league action so far for the West Yorkshire titans.

9 CAM – Brenden Aaronson

The ex-FC Zurich star is likely to be partnered by Brenden Aaronson in attack past January, with the American breathing life back into his playing days at Elland Road this season.

He already has four goals and one assist next to his name as the former RB Salzburg man aims to offer even more during some high-stakes games to come near the summit of the table.

10 LM – Ryan Kent

The last incoming on the transfer front could see Farke and Co add a free agent into their ranks with Ryan Kent linked to potentially further bolster their left wing options.

Largie Ramazani is currently sidelined after an encouraging start to life in England, whilst Tottenham Hotspur loanee Manor Solomon has largely underwhelmed in this spot, with no goals and just one assist picked up from eight appearances.

Kent could offer the Whites something different down this channel, therefore, with the ex-Rangers man boasting 33 goals and 56 assists from his memorable stay at Ibrox.

Review will focus on the quality of preparation, selection policies, coaching structures and the quality of the facilities available in Ireland

Matt Roller29-Oct-2021Ireland’s early exit from the men’s T20 World Cup has prompted their board to ask “serious questions of our operations” at the launch of a post-mortem into their struggles in the tournament.After thrashing Netherlands in their opening game of the initial group stage, Ireland were heavily beaten by Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi and then threw away a bright start to go down to Namibia in Sharjah, missing out on the Super 12s as a result.Andy Balbirnie, their captain, insisted after the Namibia defeat that Ireland were “moving in the right direction” and highlighted the youth of their squad but, as the only full-member nation eliminated at the first-round of the World Cup, questions have been asked about the roles of several key figures in their set-up.Cricket Ireland’s board held a meeting on Wednesday and has launched a review into the team’s performance, which will focus on the quality of preparation before the tournament, selection policies, coaching structures and the quality of the facilities available in Ireland.The training facilities will come under particular scrutiny. Ireland’s players have been unable to use the turf pitches at the national high performance centre in 2019 due to their poor quality, and while they are due to be in use by mid-summer, players have been left to rely on club facilities around the country in order to train.”The board of Cricket Ireland – in line with what could be reasonably described as the general mood of the Irish cricket community – expressed our disappointment at the timing and nature of the World Cup exit last Friday,” Ross McCollum, the board’s chair said.”Whilst there were no doubts expressed about the attitude, commitment and hard work of players, coaching staff and administrators, the board has directed that the normal planned post-event review should happen as quickly as possible and include all elements pertaining to tournament preparation and performance – such as event performance and cricket operations supporting the international set-up – and, where appropriate, take any remedial action.”What happened last week… has given us the pretext to step back at this point in time to ask serious questions of our operations ahead of a very busy few years. With the next round of World Cup Super League matches coming up in January, and the qualifying tournament for the next Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled for February, we believe that the review should be conducted swiftly without compromising rigour.”The board has always been very supportive of the men’s senior international squad, and has often prioritised their resources to support their progression. However, the review will look into how effectively and efficiently those resources are being used, as well as ensuring Cricket Ireland has in place – or will put into place – the appropriate structural and support programmes to enable our international teams to succeed on the world stage over coming years.”

The upcoming men’s T20 World Cup, in October-November in the UAE (and Oman, for some of the first-round games), will witness significant spectator presence, with all stadia set to allow people in at 70% capacity throughout the tournament, the ICC announced on Sunday.This will make the tournament the largest-scale event held in the UAE since the pandemic in terms of fan participation. The second half of the latest PSL, held in the UAE in June this year, was not open to spectators, while the ongoing IPL has fans at the venues in a “reduced capacity”. Letting fans in for the IPL matches, as ESPNcricinfo had reported earlier, was also meant to be a dress rehearsal of sorts for the local governments in the UAE, the ICC, and the BCCI for the World Cup.Related

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“The ICC and event hosts BCCI have worked closely with host authorities to ensure fans can be welcomed in a safe environment and COVID 19 protocols will apply at all venues,” an ICC statement said.Tickets have already gone on sale for games in both Oman and the UAE. The stadium in Abu Dhabi will also include socially distanced pods – four people in each – while a temporary structure at the Oman Cricket Academy will enable up to 3000 fans to attend in person.The T20 World Cup was originally scheduled to take place in India, but a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country earlier in the year resulted in a relocation to the UAE, where the remainder of the IPL is currently taking place.The T20 World Cup begins on October 17 in Muscat, with Oman taking on Papua New Guinea in the first round, from which four teams will join the top-eight teams in the main competition, which will begin on October 23 when Australia take on South Africa in Abu Dhabi. Dubai is the venue for the final, which will take place on November 14.

Manager Enzo Maresca could be without a “dangerous” Chelsea player till November, as an injury update comes out of Cobham this week.

Chelsea preparing for Liverpool after international break

A fantastic start to the new Premier League campaign for Maresca has seen the Blues clinch impressive victories over Wolves, Bournemouth, West Ham and Brighton – whilst also cruising through to the next round of the EFL Cup at the expense of Barrow and beating Gent 4-2 in the Conference League.

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Their early season record could’ve been even better, as Chelsea were arguably unlucky not to come away from their home game against Crystal Palace with all three points, with goalkeeper Dean Henderson putting in a heroic display at Stamford Bridge to earn Palace a 1-1 draw.

One of the most thrilling draws you’re ever likely to see – Chelsea’s 1-1 with Nottingham Forest in west London just before the international break – saw both keepers pull off sublime saves to keep the score level and ensure the latter side’s impressive unbeaten run on the road continues.

Chelsea’s next Premier League fixtures

Date

Liverpool (away)

October 20

Newcastle (home)

October 27

Man United (away)

November 3

Arsenal (home)

November 10

Leicester City (home)

November 23

Maresca’s only defeat as Chelsea boss in the league came against English champions Man City on the opening weekend, and now an equally tough test awaits the Blues on Sunday as they prepare to take on title contenders Liverpool at Anfield.

Star players Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo, who have all been excellent so far, are set to play a key role on Merseyside – but the same cannot be said for others. Ben Chilwell is pushing to leave Chelsea, while uncertainty surrounds the futures of Mykhailo Mudryk and Carney Chukwuemeka, among others.

Omari Kellyman is also sidelined with a hamstring injury, expected to keep him out for the foreseeable, while defender Reece James has just resumed full training for the first time in months.

Chelsea could be without Reece James until November

The England international has been absent since pre-season, and while a return to Cobham training signals that a return to training may not be too far away, Maresca and his staff will be mindful of his torrid injury history as they look to ease him back in gently.

That is according to Standard Sport, who estimate that James could remain out at Chelsea until November, despite his recovery.

They believe Chelsea’s face-off against Noah in the Conference League on November 7 may be the game he makes his long-anticipated return, and Maresca will be hoping that the worst of his fitness record has now come and gone.

“He’s got everything. If I made the complete right-back, it would be him,” said Kyle Walker in a BBC interview about James.

“He can defend, attack, technically (brilliant) and can use both feet. He’s dangerous in the dead-ball situations, he’s quick.

“If I was to built an ideal right-back, I’d use my strength, Hakimi’s pace, Cancelo’s technical ability, Trent’s passing, Carvajal’s mentality and Reece James’ football brain. If I was to round all of them up in one, I’d be Reece. He’s got a little bit of everything!”

Newcastle United will be hoping to have a better season this term compared to 2023/24, where they missed out on the top four in the Premier League while exiting Europe before Christmas.

Key to their success will be whether Alexander Isak can maintain the form he displayed last season, as his presence will be key for Eddie Howe if the club wishes to finish in the European spots.

Despite being only 24, Isak has scored 108 goals during his senior career, not a bad statistic at all.

Newcastle have had plenty of players in recent years who have managed to notch up a fair number of goals in their careers, some with the club and several elsewhere.

One player who has enjoyed an excellent career after leaving the Magpies is defender James Tavernier, who has even more goals than Isak.

How much Newcastle sold James Tavernier for

After making just ten appearances for the Toon during the early part of his career, Tavernier sought a club where first team opportunities would be at a premium.

Wigan Athletic came in for him during the summer of 2014, paying a fee in the region of just £90k to lure him to the club, although he would only play 13 times for the club.

While he clearly wasn’t in any future plans at Newcastle, it is evident the club have endured a howler by letting him go for so little, especially considering the impact he has had north of the border at Glasgow Rangers.

James Tavernier’s statistics at Rangers

The Light Blues signed Tavernier in 2015 as Mark Warburton was aiming to return the club to the top flight after a spell in the lower divisions.

It soon proved to be an inspirational signing, as the right-back registered 38 goal contributions in all competitions for the Gers, sealing a top-flight return and reaching the Scottish Cup final.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2023/24

58

24

12

2022/23

55

18

10

2021/22

58

18

17

2020/21

46

19

16

2019/20

46

3

16

2018/19

57

17

20

2017/18

46

9

9

2016/17

44

2

7

2015/16

50

15

23

The next few years would see the club struggle to acclimatise back in the Premiership, suffering back-to-back third-place finishes, before Steven Gerrard took the reins.

Under the former Liverpool captain, Tavernier would begin to accumulate more goals and assists, eventually helping his team win their first league title in a decade during the 2020/21 campaign.

While he may be struggling so far this season, overall, the 32-year-old has scored a remarkable 133 goals throughout his senior career, with 125 of those coming with Rangers.

Add in another 138 assists, and it is clear Tavernier has more than left his legacy at the Light Blues over the previous nine years, winning three major trophies and leading them to the 2022 Europa League final.

He has more club goals than Isak, which is no mean feat considering the Swede’s attacking prowess. While moving away from Newcastle was the right move back in 2014, it has become clear the Magpies messed up by ditching the defender too soon.

Sold for £500k: Newcastle must rue losing ace who's worth more than Tonali

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1 ByEthan Lamb Sep 6, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

Em jogo válido pela 35ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, Ceará e Corinthians se enfrentam nesta quinta-feira, às 20h, no Castelão. Na luta para permanecer no G4 da competição, o Timão mais uma vez jogará desfalcado dos meio-campistas Cantillo e Giuliano, lesionados, e também não poderá contar com o volante Roni, suspenso após receber terceiro cartão amarelo. Já a equipe cearense não tem nenhum atleta que cumprirá suspensão neste confronto. No primeiro turno da competição, os corintianos venceram o adversário por 3 a 1.

RelacionadasCearáPossível negociação de Arthur Cabral deve reviver problema entre Ceará e PalmeirasCeará24/11/2021CorinthiansCom desfalques, Corinthians fecha preparação para enfrentar o Ceará; confira provável escalaçãoCorinthians24/11/2021CorinthiansSem surpresas, Sylvinho define relacionados do Corinthians contra o CearáCorinthians24/11/2021

TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão-2021 clicando aqui

> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

GALERIA
>Veja até quando vai o contrato de cada jogador do Corinthians

Com estes três desfalques confirmados, o técnico Sylvinho deverá repetir a mesma escalação que começou o clássico do último domingo, contra o Santos, na Neo Química Arena, onde o Alvinegro bateu os visitantes por 2 a 0. Já pelo lado do Ceará, o treinador Tiago Nunes terá novamente à disposição o goleiro João Ricardo, o volante Fabinho e o meia Mendoza, que retornam depois de terem cumprido suspensão diante do Atlético-GO na rodada passada.

O Corinthians ocupa a quarta posição do Brasileirão, com 53 pontos, hoje fechando a zona de classificação à fase de grupos da Copa Libertadores. E corre o risco de perder este posto da tabela nesta quinta-feira porque em outro jogo da noite, às 19h, o Fortaleza, quinto colocado, com 52 pontos, enfrenta o Santos na Vila Belmiro. Já o Ceará, em nono lugar, com 46 pontos, luta para se aproximar do G6, que atualmente tem o Red Bull Bragantino em sexto, com 52.

Veja todas as informações sobre a partida:

CEARÁ x CORINTHIANS

Local: Castelão, em Fortaleza (CE).
Data/Horário: 25/11/2021, às 20h.
Árbitro:Paulo Roberto Alves Junior (PR).
Assistentes:Fabricio Vilarinho da Silva (Fifa-GO) eSidmar dos Santos Meurer (PR).
VAR:Leone Carvalho Rocha (GO).
Onde acompanhar: Premiere e no LANCE!/Voz do Esporte.

CEARÁ
João Ricardo; Gabriel Dias, Messias, Gabriel Lacerda (Luiz Otávio) e Bruno Pacheco; Fabinho, Sobral, Lima, Vina e Mendoza; Jael. Técnico:Tiago Nunes.

Suspensos:-
Voltam ao time:João Ricardo, Fabinho e Mendoza após cumprirem suspensão.
Desfalques:Erick eBuiú (lesionados).

CORINTHIANS
Cássio; Fagner, João Victor, Gil e Fábio Santos; Gabriel, Du Queiroz, Gabriel Pereira,Renato Augusto e Róger Guedes; Jô. Técnico: Sylvinho.

Suspensos: Roni (terceiro amarelo).
Pendurados: Gustavo Mosquito, Róger Guedes, Renato Augusto e Marquinhos.
Desfalques: Cantillo e Giuliano (lesionados).

With the Arne Slot era off to the perfect start, Liverpool could now reportedly attempt to hijack a move to sign a defensive reinforcement for their new Dutch manager in the New Year.

Liverpool transfer news

Of course, Liverpool left things late in the summer transfer window, but ended on a high with the arrivals of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa. The latter of the two will likely get the chance to make his Anfield debut after the international break when the Reds square off against Nottingham Forest looking to make it four wins from four under Slot.

Mamardashvili, meanwhile, will have to wait until 2025 for his Liverpool debut, having gone straight out on loan back to Valencia for the remainder of the current campaign. Despite that delay, however, the Georgian's arrival has already sparked doubts over the future of Caoimhin Kelleher, who admitted that he is still looking to play week in week out.

The Irishman told the press via Anfield Edition: “Liverpool have rejected a few bids [for me] as well. It’s not always in my hands to fully make the decision. My ambition is clear. I’m good enough, and I want to go and play week in, week out.”

Liverpool eye £50m move for £68k-p/w ace to replace Virgil van Dijk in 2025

The Reds are already planning for a future without their captain.

ByBen Browning Sep 10, 2024

Alas, as one player perhaps heads to the exit door, rumours have arrived over the potential arrival of a defensive reinforcement. According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Liverpool are eyeing a move to sign Marc Guehi ahead of Manchester City, which would see them hijack Newcastle United's previous attempts over the summer window and Chelsea's proposed swoop in January.

The deal would be far from cheap for FSG, given that Newcastle reportedly saw a bid as high as £65m rejected by Crystal Palace, who set their asking price at a hefty £70m – just £5m short of the fee that Liverpool sent to way of Southampton to sign Virgil van Dijk in 2018.

"Great" Guehi would complete Liverpool's defence

Whilst Liverpool have an undoubted wealth of options in central defence, Joel Matip's exit at the end of last season has at least left one space to fill. And that's where Guehi could come in. Adding the England international to the already-impressive Ibrahima Konate, Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah may complete Slot's backline.

What's more, Guehi would also help ease any concerns over replacing Van Dijk in either the short or long term. As things stand, the Dutchman is heading for the exit door next summer but has consistently reiterated himself that he is happy at Anfield. At 33 years old, however, no matter his contract situation, Liverpool would be wise to consider a player of Guehi's quality should the opportunity arise.

Beating Manchester City in the race for the Palace centre-back should also give those at Anfeld plenty of incentive, especially after John Stones' high praise in the summer.

The City man heaped praise on his England centre-back partner, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: "So good, so good. For him to come in, not having felt the feelings around tournament football before or these kind of games, all kinds of different emotions that come with it that you’ve never experienced before. He’s handled [it] so well, his performances have been great."

Get all your updates, colour and analysis with ESPNcricinfo’s match-day blog

Deivarayan Muthu11-Apr-2021It’s day three of IPL 2021! Today we have two overseas captains: David Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Eoin Morgan’s Kolkata Knight Riders. We’ll see the likes of Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan facing off against Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, Dinesh Karthik, Shubman Gill, and others. If this blog doesn’t load for you, click here.

Click here for the full live scorecard.