Trent Boult holds spot; Kyle Jamieson (back) and Adam Milne (achilles) weren’t considered due to injury

Alagappan Muthu24-Aug-2022

Ben Sears has played six T20Is so far for New Zealand•Associated Press

New Zealand have packed their squad with plenty of pace as they attempt to wrest the Chappell-Hadlee trophy out of Australia’s hands next month. In addition to the more established Lockie Ferguson, they have also brought in the 23-year old Ben Sears, who may well make his ODI debut in the three-match series starting on September 6.Trent Boult has kept his place in the squad, the first time the New Zealand selectors have had to make a decision on whether to include him since he withdrew from his central contract earlier this month. NZC said that his future selection would be made on a case-by-case basis, with preference given to contracted players, although he will be part of the T20 World Cup in October.Chappell-Hadlee Trophy schedule

1st ODI, Cairns: September 6
2nd ODI, Cairns: September 8
3rd ODI, Cairns: September 11

The conditions on offer across the Tasman have prompted New Zealand to further bolster their pace reserves with Matt Henry, who missed their most recent assignment in the West Indies with a rib injury. Sears had been his replacement in the squad and he now keeps his place, building on a career that began in 2018 with Wellington. He made his New Zealand debut in September 2021 and has plenty of admirers within the national set-up, including one of the OG Kiwi speedsters Shane Bond.”The inclusion of Ben Sears is a nod to the future, and we also think his pace and bounce could be a good option in Australian conditions,” head coach Gary Stead said. “It’s great to welcome back Matt as well. He’s been one of our front line one-day bowlers for the past few years and his ICC ODI bowling ranking of six is testament to that.”Kane Williamson captains the squad of 15 as he too makes a comeback after missing the last two matches on a successful tour of the Caribbean. He has only played three ODIs since the end of the 2019 World Cup due to a combination of injury and rotation, but, two weeks out from rekindling their biggest rivalry, he seemed upbeat and ready for action.”It’s always a huge occasion for the fans, and the team really look forward to it,” Williamson said. “You grow up watching the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series and remembering the great battles, so to be part of another chapter is pretty special. We know how tough Australia are to beat in their own conditions and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”Kyle Jamieson (back) and Adam Milne (achilles) weren’t considered due to injury. Ish Sodhi, Henry Nicholls and Will Young were left out. Glenn Phillips, who has made three fifty-plus scores in 12 innings, across formats keeps his place. With a 360-degree game and a batting style very similar to Steven Smith, he has become something of an enforcer in New Zealand’s middle order.”The fact we’re having to leave out players of the calibre of Ish, Henry, and Will shows the increased depth we currently have at our disposal,” Stead said. “Glenn’s a versatile player who can cover most places in the batting order for us – as well as providing a bowling option if needed.”Australia have a 6-4 win-loss record in 12 Chappell-Hadlee series so far and hold a considerable edge over New Zealand when playing at home. In fact, the Black Caps have go back seven completed matches, and 13 full years, to mark their last ODI victory over Australia in Australia.New Zealand ODI squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Tim Southee

Following the departure of Diego Carlos to Fenerbahce, another Aston Villa player who just earned the praise of Unai Emery is reportedly set to complete a move away from the Midlands.

Aston Villa transfer news

For some time, it looked as though Loic Bade would be on his way only for his valuation to rise outside of the Villans’ range this month even after Carlos’ departure. In a race to secure back-to-back top four finishes, it’s the type of transfer frustration that Villa could do without and the type that would have only been increased by Mings’ ill-timed injury blow.

Speaking about his side’s transfer activity which has so far seen both Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia arrive and Carlos leave, Emery told reporters as relayed by the Times and Star: “We’re doing everything we can and we have to control everything that’s in our hands.

“This transfer window is not easy, we did not want him to leave but he decided to leave because he accepted an offer from Turkey and we’re trying to get one centre-back to replace him. But there are still days to decide how we can do it.”

Aston Villa agree personal terms to sign £80k-p/w ace as Carlos replacement

A new defender has emerged on Aston Villa and Unai Emery’s radar.

1 ByBrett Worthington Jan 28, 2025

To make room for another central defender, meanwhile, the Villans have seemingly shown the door to another player. According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, Emiliano Buendia is now on the verge of joining Bayer Leverkusen on loan with an option to buy.

The former Norwich City man may well fall into the category of what might have been at Villa Park, but a move away to Leverkusen could yet hand him the revival that he so desperately needed.

"Fantastic" Buendia needed move

When Buendia first arrived from Norwich, it was a move full of excitement. A spell full of frustrating injuries later, however, it’s one that could have been so much more. At this stage, the Argentine midfielder desperately needed a move away having failed to start a single game in the Premier League all season.

His struggles didn’t stand in the way of Emery’s recent praise though. The Spaniard was quick to speak highly of Buendia following his performance despite the fact that his side suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of AS Monaco in the Champions League.

Emery told reporters as relayed by the Birmingham Mail: “Today, especially with Emi Buendia, because he has the option to leave but today we needed him and he played fantastic with his qualities, fantastic mentality and fantastic with his commitment with the squad.”

It now looks as though the £75,000-a-week man has taken that option to leave and join up with Bundesliga champions Leverkusen in what is an impressive move. It’s there under Xabi Alonso that Buendia could rediscover his best form.

It is the first day of February today but the January transfer window does not officially slam shut until Monday, which means that Everton still have time to bolster their squad.

David Moyes could look to bring in reinforcements before the deadline passes, despite a strong start to life at Goodison Park after his return to the club last month.

The former West Ham United head coach has won two of his three Premier League matches in charge of the Toffees so far, beating Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Moyes, however, suffered two big injury blows in the most recent match, against Brighton, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set for weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and Orel Mangala has returned to Lyon after a season-ending ACL blow.

Those issues may force Everton to reconsider what they want to do before the window slams shut next week, as they are now short up front and in the middle of the park.

However, the Toffees could, still, look at other positions to strengthen the team ahead of the second half of the season and could be opportunistic with any deals that may become available.

Everton offered Serie A forward

As such, an opportunity for the Premier League side to bring in a new winger to compete for a place in Moyes’ team has reportedly emerged.

According to Calcio Mercato, as relayed by Sport Witness, AC Milan have offered Everton the chance to sign Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze before the end of the window.

The report claims that the Toffees, Tottenham Hotspur, and Crystal Palace have all been made aware of the winger’s availability and that they are free to make a move for him, although it is not made clear if any of those three teams have a firm interest in signing him at this point.

It adds that Real Sociedad and Newcastle United also have a ‘concrete’ interest in the forward, which means that there could be plenty of competition for his services in the coming days.

The outlet reveals that AC Milan are keen to move the 25-year-old whiz on before the deadline, and want to cash in on him, but it does not state how much the Italian side want for his signature, only that Chukwueze is available on ‘favourable terms’ – suggesting that they are not going to charge an extortionate fee.

Transfer Focus

It still remains to be seen whether or not, though, Everton are willing to take up this opportunity to sign Chukwueze, but it could be an interesting one for them to consider before the deadline, because he could come in as an upgrade on what Moyes currently has.

The Milan winger predominantly plays on the right side of the attack and that is where Leeds United loanee Jack Harrison, who has struggled this season, usually operates.

Jack Harrison's form this season

The 28-year-old attacker spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan from Leeds and contributed with three goals and three assists in 29 appearances in the Premier League.

Harrison then rejoined the club on loan again in the summer but has yet to register a single goal or assist in the top-flight in the current season for the Toffees.

The left-footed winger has started 12 of his 18 appearances in the Premier League so far this term and has done little to justify his continued inclusion in the starting XIs moving forward, which has been spotted by Moyes – who has left him as an unused substitute in the last two games.

Appearances (starts)

18 (12)

xG

2.21

Goals

0

Key passes per game

0.8

Assists

0

As you can see in the table above, Harrison has significantly underperformed against his xG, failing to score from more than two Expected Goals, and has not recorded a single assist.

These statistics illustrate how poorly the English wide man has performed and why Everton could secure a big upgrade on him by bringing in a new winger to take his spot in the squad.

Why Chukwueze could be a big upgrade on Harrison

This is why the Toffees should consider taking up the chance to sign Chukwueze from Milan before the end of the window, because he could improve Moyes’ options in the wide areas.

Unlike Harrison, the Nigerian forward has found the back of the net at league level this season. He has scored two goals and created three ‘big chances’ in 18 appearances, and nine starts, in the Serie A.

These statistics suggest that Chukwueze could come in as an immediate upgrade on the current Everton man in the final third, despite his form for Milan not reflecting his true potential.

The 25-year-old star, who was described as a “permanent threat” by ex-boss Quique Setien, produced one goal and three assists in 24 league games last term for Milan, in what has been a difficult period for him in Italy.

However, his performances for Villarreal in the previous season in Spain, prior to his move to Milan in the summer of 2023, illustrate just how good he could be for Everton.

Starts

27

7

Goals

6

2

Big chances created

6

1

Key passes per game

1.2

1.1

Assists

5

3

As you can see in the table above, the Nigerian playmaker caught the eye for the Spanish side in LaLiga and the Conference League, with his ability as both a scorer and a creator of goals from the right wing.

Chukwueze, who racked up 13 goals and 11 assists in all competitions in the 2022/23 campaign, showcased his quality at the top end of the pitch on a regular basis, which shows that the potential is there for him to be an exciting addition for the Toffees.

It would not take much for a player to be a big upgrade on Harrison’s performances this season, given his dreadful return of zero goal contributions, but the Milan outcast appears to have the attributes to be a worthwhile gamble as an improvement for Moyes on the right wing.

Romelu Lukaku 2.0: Everton lining up late swoop for "phenomenal" PL star

Everton are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the Premier League striker.

ByDan Emery Jan 28, 2025

One of the issues with Manchester United’s current squad is the lack of goals upfront from strikers Joshua ZIrkzee and Rasmus Hojlund. Zirkzee is a player who brings so much more aside from goals, given his ability to link up play, although Ruben Amoirm would perhaps have liked to have seen him score more than the four goals he has managed so far.

Hojlund is a player who possesses great talent but has looked short of confidence at times this season. He has scored seven goals in the 2024/25 campaign, although just two of those have come in the Premier League.

Marcus Rashford also seems set to leave the club, with The Manchester Evening News reporting that Aston Villa are closing in on a late move for the 27-year-old.

To help add goals to their sides – and potentially fill Rashford’s ‘void’ – United have been linked with a new striker in the final days of the transfer window.

Man Utd's search for a striker

The player in question here is Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface. The 24-year-old Nigerian international came close to a move to Saudi side Al Nassr at the start of the week, and although the deal broke down, he could still leave the German champions.

Transfer Focus

Expand Collapse

According to a report from journalist Graeme Bailey, United ‘have been made aware of his situation’ due to ‘historic interest’ they have in signing him, and could make a move before the transfer window slams shut on Monday.

The Saudi side had agreed on a fee of £50m for the Nigerian, so it is safe to assume he could cost United anywhere upwards of that fee.

However, they are not the only Premier League side to have been offered the chance to sign him. London trio Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have also been notified of his availability, as have Aston Villa, who need a replacement for Jhon Duran after his move to Al Nassr.

Why Boniface would be a good signing

If there is one thing Boniface will bring to United’s attack, it is perhaps the thing they need most; goals. This season, he has managed to find the back of the net eight times in 15 appearances in all competitions.

He made a strong start to the 2024/25 campaign, with six goals and an assist in the first ten Bundesliga games, but an injury has since kept him sidelined. However, that was certainly a contention of his form the previous season.

In arguably the best team of 2023/24, Boniface led the attack under Xabi Alonso superbly. He managed 21 goals and ten assists in 34 games, showing why football talent scout Jacek Kulig described him as a “complete forward”.

Just as he did this season, he started the 2023/24 on fire, with nine goals and assists in seven top-flight games.

He has also managed to outperform Rashford over the past few seasons. It has not been an easy couple of campaigns for the England international, who has seven goals across all competitions this season and managed just eight last term.

However, he has an exemplary record at his boyhood club, with 138 goals to his name, in 426 appearances since making his debut back in 2015/16.

Should United manage to sign Boniface, he could be their own version of Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane. Former manager Erik ten Hag confirmed that the club wanted to bring the England captain to Old Trafford in the summer of 2023, but they “couldn’t get him”, with the Bundesliga giants instead winning the race.

In their search for more goals, there is no doubt that Kane would have brought just that to United. His record for Bayern is simply outstanding, with 70 goals and 22 assists in just 72 games. He has been phenomenal.

The Red Devils might have their own version of Kane if they signed the Nigerian striker. The pair are noted as similar players across Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref, showing just how deadly Leverkusen’s number 22 can be in front of goal.

For example, Boniface has an expected goals per game of 0.89xG, compared to Kane’s 0.86xG. The Leverkusen star also averaged 3.7 shot-creating actions per game, with Kane only slightly more, averaging 3.73 shot-creating actions per game.

Boniface vs. Kane key stats 2024/25

Stat (per 90)

Boniface

Kane

Expected goals

0.89xG

0.86xG

Shots

5.47

3.79

Shots on target

1.19

1.57

Goals per shot on target

0.43

0.42

Shot-creating actions

3.7

3.73

Stats from FBref

This could be a brilliant deal for United. For ‘just’ £50m, they would be beating some of their biggest rivals to a striker whose numbers are up there with the England captain, and who could certainly add goals to their side.

This could be the exact deal Amorim needs to help his side push for a respectable Premier League finish.

Related Dream Hojlund upgrade: Man Utd hold talks over signing "absolute jewel"

Man United are looking to add goals to their side

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Jan 31, 2025

Glasgow Rangers have signed several players from England over the previous few years to varying degrees of success.

The likes of Juninho Bacuna, Kieran Dowell and George Edmundsson failed to light up Ibrox following moves to Scotland.

Elsewhere, Joe Aribo, Leon Balogun and Jack Butland have shone during their respective spells at the Light Blues. One name that stands out – despite his acrimonious ending to his spell at Rangers – is Todd Cantwell.

The Englishman on his day looked like one of the best players in the Premiership, no doubt about that.

Todd Cantwell’s statistics at Rangers

Michael Beale didn’t get much right during his ten-month stint in charge of the Gers, but signing Cantwell and Nico Raskin in January 2023 was one success story.

The former Norwich City starlet took to Scottish football with ease, scoring six goals and grabbing five assists for the club during his first few months.

The following season, 15 goal contributions were registered as the Light Blues won the League Cup, but it was clear that Philippe Clement wasn’t too keen on Cantwell.

The Englishman did create seven big chances while averaging 1.7 key passes per game in the top flight last term, but he was sold to Blackburn Rovers last summer.

Judging by his statistics, Cantwell was a decent signing and could still have contributed to the team this term if he wasn’t sold.

Metric

2022/23

2023/24

Goals

6

7

Assists

4

5

Big chances created

5

7

Key passes per game

1.3

1.7

Total shots per game

2.1

2.3

There are plenty of players from the EFL who have a lot to offer and recently, the Gers have been linked with a current Watford defender.

Considering the injury crisis in defence, it is clear that the Belgian manager will be keen to add reinforcements to this area of the pitch.

Rangers could repeat Cantwell masterclass

It was reported at the start of the month that the Light Blues had made a bid for Watford centre-back Ryan Porteous as they look to make a signing.

The Scot is well known to the Ibrox faithful, especially for his often provocative actions when playing against the club during his spell at Hibs.

There is no doubting the defender is talented, however, but things haven’t worked out this term in the Championship for him. Indeed, the 6 foot 2 titan has started only 17 games for Watford.

Despite this, he has still won 57% of his total duels contested per game in the second tier, along with succeeding with 85% of his passes and making 1.7 tackles per game.

Having made over 150 appearances for Hibs during his spell in Edinburgh, Porteous is well accustomed to the physicality of Scottish football, which could make him a solid signing for the Gers.

John Hughes hailed the defender as being a “full-blooded type of player” back in 2022 and this type of centre-back is exactly what Rangers and Clement need.

Much will depend on how much money the manager has to spend, but if Watford demands a reasonable price for the 25-year-old, then a concrete offer should be made.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Having seen the benefits in snapping up Cantwell from England’s second tier during a January window, the Gers could repeat that trick by moving for Porteous this month.

Rangers in advanced talks to sign an "extremely talented" Barron upgrade

Rangers are seeking reinforcements this January transfer window, reportedly in “advanced talks” to sign one of the Premiership’s best midfielders.

Jan 15, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

A CBF revelou, na última quinta-feira (19), as datas, horários e transmissões da 11ª até a15ª rodada do Brasileirão. Das cinco partidas do Corinthians, três serão na Neo Química Arena.

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> GALERIA – Relembre a sequência invicta do Corinthians contra o São Paulo na Neo Química Arena

No dia 11 de junho, o Timão recebe o Juventude às 16h30 em Itaquera, em partida válida pela 11ª rodada. Quatro dias depois (15), o clube alvinegro vai até Curitiba-PR para enfrentar o Athlético-PR, às 21h30. No dia 19 de junho, às 16h, o Goiás é o adversário, mais uma vez na Casa do Povo.

A 14ª rodada será um clássico contra o Santos, também em casa, no dia 25 de junho, às 19h. Na rodada seguinte, o Timão encara o Fluminense, no Estádio do Maracanã, no dia 2 de julho, às 16h30.

A equipe de Vítor Pereira lidera o Campeonato Brasileiro com 13 pontos em seis jogos. Na sétima rodada, o clube tenta vencer o seu primeiro clássico na temporada contra o São Paulo, domingo (22), às 16h, na Neo Química Arena.

TABELA – Confira e simule os jogos do Timão no Brasileirão

Confira abaixo os próximos compromissos do Timão pelo Brasileirão

7ª rodada – Corinthians x São Paulo – 22/05 – 16h – Neo Química Arena – Globo e Premiere
8ª rodada – Corinthians x América-MG – 29/05 – 18h – Neo Química Arena – Premiere
9ª rodada – Atlético-GO x Corinthians – 04/06 – 20h30 – Estádio Antônio Accioly – Premiere
10ª rodada – Cuiabá x Corinthians – 07/06 – 21h30 – Arena Pantanal – Sportv e Premiere
11ª rodada – Corinthians x Juventude – 11/06 – 16h30 – Neo Química Arena – Premiere
12ª rodada – Athlético-PR x Corinthians – 15/06 – 21h30 – Arena da Baixada – Globo
13ª rodada – Corinthians x Goiás – 19/06 – 16h – Neo Química Arena – Globo e Premiere
14ª rodada – Corinthians x Santos – 25/06 – 19h – Neo Química Arena – Premiere
15ª rodada – Fluminense x Corinthians – 02/07 – 16h30 – Maracanã-RJ – Premiere

Australia’s deep batting order appears to have spooked New Zealand in to not taking a more attacking option in the field during the first ODI with scrutiny over Trent Boult’s opening spell being stopped at five overs and the delay in bringing him back.Boult had 3 for 12 after a brilliant burst of swing bowling and Australia were 38 for 4 after 10 overs when he was withdrawn from the attack. Matt Henry maintained the pressure by removing Marcus Stoinis to leave the home side 44 for 5, but Boult did not reappear until the 29th over by which time the match-defining stand between Alex Carey and Cameron Green had taken shape.Related

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Boult did later remove Glenn Maxwell to cause a wobble for Australia, but the feeling persisted that the best moment had been missed earlier on. Speaking after the match, Boult indicated he was keen to keep going although referenced “a naughty batting order” with Maxwell at No. 8, a theme which was picked up by vice-captain Tom Latham on Wednesday.”You can look at it both ways,” Latham said. “Either you can bowl him one more over but you’ve got to look at the bigger picture, the batting line-up Australia have, they bat deep…whether you go for the kill at that moment or just hold him [Boult] back. The guys we’ve got in our line-up, whatever the situation is we back anyone to come in and take wickets.Trent Boult bowled a scintillating first spell of 5-2-12-3•Getty Images

“Whether we do that in the same situation next game or whether we do things slightly differently, that’s the way we went about it and we certainly back the guys in those situations. That’s the decision Kane decided to do…you do have to hold a few overs back every now and again and that was the decision we went with.”Lockie Ferguson caused some uneasy moments with his pace, but Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell and Jimmy Neesham were all used before Boult returned to the attack. Conditions did change significantly between innings with spin being very effective for Australia through Maxwell and Adam Zampa before the lights took hold.”The wicket probably got a little bit better than what we expected, skidded on a little bit more and made batting a little bit easier,” Latham said. “The way we were able to bowl at the top and put them under pressure was outstanding [but] unfortunately we weren’t able to create any chances through that partnership and they batted really well. Hopefully if we are in that situation tomorrow we can try and create a few more chances and get a few more wickets through the middle.”New Zealand may ponder whether they can get another frontline seamer into their attack for the second game – Tim Southee, who is three wickets away from 200 in ODIs, was on the bench for the first outing – but that would likely mean weakening the batting.

Western Storm overwhelmed after conceding competition-record 334 for 6

ECB Reporters Network11-Sep-2022Northern Diamonds 334 for 6 (Armitage 131, Winfield-Hill 74, Heath 70) beat Western Storm 230 (Gibson 76, Smale 59, Levick 4-41) by 104 runsHollie Armitage registered her first professional hundred as Northern Diamonds beat Western Storm by 104 runs to secure their place in the knockout stages of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy on a record-breaking day at the Cooper Associates Ground in Taunton.Diamonds won the toss, elected to bat first and ran up a mammoth competition-best total of 334 for 6, eclipsing the previous record score of 224 for 7 achieved by South East Stars against Sunrisers at Chelmsford in May 2021.Armitage top-scored with a superb run-a-ball 131 not out, accruing 10 fours and a six and sharing in stands of 125 and 132 with Lauren Winfield-Hill and Bess Heath for the second and fifth wickets respectively as the visitors took full advantage of a flat deck to claim a bonus point win.England international Winfield-Hill contributed a fluent 74 from 77 balls, while Heath struck an eye-catching 70 from just 46 balls as Diamonds surpassed their previous highest 50-over score of 294, made against Thunder at Chester-le-Street in September last year.It was a chastening experience for Storm’s bowlers, only offspinner Chloe Skelton, who claimed 2 for 39 from 10 overs, emerging with any real credit on a day when bat dominated ball.Danni Gibson restored a modicum of lost pride in a defiant innings of 76 and Sophia Smale posted a gritty 59, but Katie Levick claimed 4 for 41 and Linsey Smith and the ubiquitous Armitage took two wickets apiece as Storm were dismissed for 230 in 45.4 overs.There was no sign of the onslaught to come when Smith clipped Claire Nicholas meekly to short third man and departed for a duck in the second over. But Winfield-Hill and Armitage quickly set about putting the record straight, their partnership yielding 50 from 48 balls as Diamonds posted 56 during the opening 10-over powerplay. Scoring freely either side of the wicket, Winfield-Hill raised 50 from 56 balls, pulled Lauren Filer for four to bring up the hundred partnership and looked set to realise three figures when she inadvertently holed out to long-on off the bowling of Skelton in the 23rd over, having helped herself to nine fours.Hitherto cast in the role of chief support, Armitage went to 50 via 69 balls, while Sterre Kalis and Leah Dobson came and went in quick succession at the other end as Storm worked hard to restrict the scoring and maintain a foothold in the game.But that all changed with the advent of Heath with the score at 169 for 4 in the 33rd over. Going on the attack from the outset, the 21-year-old from Chesterfield combined finesse with raw power to help almost double the score during a blistering 14-over sojourn which left Storm on their knees. Heath and Armitage added 50 from 31 balls as the home side came under sustained pressure, Skelton the only bowler to avoid a mauling.Once again playing second fiddle to a faster-scoring partner, Armitage went to a maiden hundred for Diamonds from 110 balls, while the century partnership occupied 66 deliveries, Heath finding the boundary with impressive regularity as Diamonds surpassed their previous highest score in the 50-over competition.Driving and pulling with intent, Heath had a century firmly in her sights when she drilled the ball straight to Nicholas at short fine leg in pursuit of a ninth boundary, permitting Lauren Filer a much-needed success. Thereafter, Armitage and Lizzie Scott combined forces at the death to usher Diamonds to a record-breaking total.Required to hit the ground running if they were to have any chance of discomfiting their opponents, Storm instead lost Alice Griffiths and talismanic captain Sophie Luff inside nine overs as the powerplay failed to ignite. When Fran Wilson drove Smith to cover in the twelfth over, the home side were 37 for 3 and in danger of running up the white flag.Levick then struck twice in as many overs with her leg-breaks to remove Nat Wraith for 19 and Emma Corney for 29, the latter at least making a decent fist of opening the batting for the first time at Taunton. But there was no way back from 80 for 5 and, an entertaining interlude in which Gibson and Smale added 106 for the sixth wicket apart, Yorkshire grit continued to hold sway.Gibson matched fire with fire and provided the home crowd with something to cheer in a knock that was illuminated by 9 fours and a six until, having garnered 76 from 59 balls, she hit Armitage to cover. Smale’s brave rearguard action yielded a 59-ball 50, but it proved no more than a silver lining.

وجّه أسامة نبيه مدرب منتخب مصر للشباب، اعتذارًا صريحًا للجماهير المصرية عقب الخسارة أمام نيجيريا، في مباراة تحديد المركز الثالث ببطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا تحت 20 عامًا، مؤكدًا أن الغيابات أثرت بشكل كبير على أداء الفريق، إلا أن التأهل إلى كأس العالم يظل هو الإنجاز الأهم.

وقال مدرب الفراعنة في تصريحات بالمؤتمر الصحفي عقب اللقاء: “أعتذر للجماهير عن عدم حصد ميدالية، لعبنا أمام نيجيريا في غياب 9 لاعبين أساسيين بسبب الإصابات، ما أثر على أداء الفريق، لكننا حققنا الهدف الأساسي من البطولة وهو التأهل إلى كأس العالم، أمامنا 3 أشهر فقط، لذلك سنبدأ فورًا الاستعداد للبطولة”.

فيديو | بركلات الترجيح.. منتخب مصر يخسر أمام نيجيريا ويكتفي بالمركز الرابع في أمم إفريقيا للشباب

وكان منتخب مصر للشباب قد خسر أمام نظيره النيجيري بركلات الترجيح بنتيجة 4-1، في المباراة التي جمعتهما مساء الأحد على ملعب القاهرة الدولي، ضمن لقاء تحديد المركزين الثالث والرابع في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا للشباب. 

تقدّم المنتخب المصري مبكرًا في الدقيقة الثالثة من الشوط الأول عن طريق اللاعب عمر أسامة، إلا أن منتخب نيجيريا نجح في إدراك التعادل سريعًا مع انطلاق الشوط الثاني، عن طريق بيديمي أمولي في الدقيقة 47، ليحتكم الفريقان لركلات الترجيح بعد انتهاء الوقت الأصلي بالتعادل الإيجابي 1-1.

وفي ركلات الترجيح، فشل منتخب مصر في تسجيل سوى ركلة واحدة، بينما نجح المنتخب النيجيري في تسجيل أربع ركلات، ليظفر بالمركز الثالث ويترك منتخب مصر في المركز الرابع.

وتأتي هذه الخسارة عقب سقوط الفراعنة في نصف النهائي أمام منتخب المغرب بهدف دون رد، فيما كان منتخب نيجيريا قد خسر أمام جنوب إفريقيا بنفس الدور، ليكتفي المنتخبان بالمنافسة على المركز الثالث. 

ورغم الإخفاق في حصد ميدالية قارية على أرضه، إلا أن منتخب مصر للشباب ضمن رسميًا تأهله إلى نهائيات كأس العالم المقبلة، وهو الهدف الذي شدد عليه الجهاز الفني منذ انطلاق البطولة.

ويأمل الجهاز الفني في استعادة العناصر المصابة وتجهيز الفريق بأفضل صورة خلال الفترة المقبلة، استعدادًا للظهور المشرف في المونديال.

Lyon’s derby date with rivals Saint-Etienne was suspended for 40 minutes after an assistant referee was hit by a projectile thrown from the crowd.

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• Arch-rivals went head-to-head
• Coin tossed towards the pitch
• Match official required treatment

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Lyon, fresh from their dramatic Europa League defeat to Manchester United, found themselves trailing inside 10 minutes as Lucas Stassin broke the deadlock in the Derby Rhone-Alpes. He was shown a red card in the 23rd minute, which was downgraded to a yellow following a VAR review.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The away support at Guichard Stadium were less than impressed by what they were witnessing, with an angry reaction leading to a coin being tossed from the stands which struck one of the match officials.

• WHAT THE MATCH DELEGATE SAID

  The game was suspended shortly before half-time, with assistant referee Mehdi Rahmouni requiring treatment. After half an hour of uncertainty, match delegate Noel Mannino told reporters: “This projectile certainly came from between the Paret stand and the Henri-Point stand, so from the visitors' sector. He (Rahmouni) decided to return to the locker room because he was a little dizzy. We called a doctor to check on him. He is not injured. He took Doliprane. After a few minutes of rest, he decided he could resume the game.”

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• AFP
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  A dose of paracetamol allowed Rahmouni to return to the field. The contest resumed at 10:15pm local time and was eventually played to a finish, with Mannino having noted that "if a projectile were to be thrown again, we would have a definitive stoppage of the match".