Durham made full use of helpful conditions to bowl Derbyshire out cheaply despite an impressive half-century from Harvey Hosein as the seamers dominated on the opening day of the Division Two match at Derby. The 22-year-old wicketkeeper made 78 from 172 balls out of 197 with Ben Raine and James Weighell each taking three wickets.Chris Rushworth claimed the first wicket of the County Championship season with the first ball of the match but Derbyshire hit back through Luis Reece to reduce Durham to 41 for 3 at the close.Derbyshire’s decision to bat first was surprising given a grassy pitch and overcast conditions and they were left to regret it as Rushworth struck twice in his opening over. Reece edged to second slip before the third ball knocked out Wayne Madsen’s off stump and Rushworth then saw Tom Lace dropped by wicketkeeper Stuart Poynter in his next over.Raine had Lace caught at second slip and when skipper Billy Godleman edged one that moved late, Derbyshire were in danger of crumbling completely at 36 for 4. But Hosein, who scored a career-best unbeaten 138 against Leeds/Bradford MCCU last week, displayed the technique and temperament required to steer his side towards semi-respectability.Alex Hughes looked ready to dig in and survived for 16 overs until he drove loosely to cover point and Matt Critchley shared a stand of 56 in 18 overs before he was lbw to Gareth Harte.Hosein, who reached 50 from 106 balls, was also supported by Anuj Dal who helped add 50 before he edged Weighell to Poynter but the innings folded quickly after tea.Logan van Beek was bowled by Raine and although Hosein survived his only chance when Poynter dropped him on 73, it did not prove costly. Tony Palladino was yorked first ball by Weighell and when Ravi Rampaul took off for a quick single, Raine’s throw on the run from cover beat Hosein’s despairing dive.When Durham replied, the sun had broken through but batting was still demanding and Harte was close to edging the first ball from Rampaul to Hosein.Derbyshire’s bowlers were getting some swing and Reece made the breakthrough in the 10th over thanks to a stunning catch by Hughes. Harte’s edged drive was brilliantly taken one-handed as Hughes plunged to his right at second slip and Will Smith was lbw to a full length ball in Reece’s next over.The match was back in the balance when van Beek replaced Reece and his second ball hurried Michael Richardson into a miscued pull to midwicket. By now, the light had deteriorated even with the floodlights on and the umpires took the players off with three overs remaining and the match in the balance.

Tottenham Hotspur produced a scintillating display of attacking intent to dispatch weary Newcastle United last time out in the Premier League, ending a five-match run without a win.

Four of said fixtures resulted in defeat for Ange Postecoglou's side, despite taking the lead every time, with the brilliant start to the campaign ravaged by a spate of injuries and suspensions.

But Spurs have remained sanguine throughout, with the knowledge that their Australian manager holds the tools to craft a successful new era.

Now it's about unearthing a vein of consistency. Nottingham Forest welcome the Lilywhites to the City Ground on Friday evening, with both clubs ravenous for three points…

Tottenham team news vs Forest

Giovani Lo Celso has been ruled out of Friday night's trip to Nottingham, compounding Postecoglou's concerns as he contends with a fragile crop of players.

Key members James Maddison, Micky van de Ven and Rodrigo Bentancur all remain out and are not expected back unit after the new year, while sidelined Ivan Perisic, Manor Solomon, Eric Dier and Ryan Sessegnon deepen the quandary.

Postecoglou and the Spurs support will be happy that, if anything else, captain Heung-min Son remains fit and firing, having flourished in his various forward roles this season.

Heung-min Son's season in numbers

Son started in his usual left-wing position across the opening three games of the Premier League campaign and blanked, but Harry Kane's summer sale prompted his manager to shift him into a centre-forward position, where he plundered nine goals and two assists from 12 matches.

Described as "world-class" by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, the Spurs talisman returned to his natural role last time out to facilitate Richarlison's return as the focal frontman, and it paid off handsomely as the hosts ran riot against the Magpies.

In one of his most destructive displays of the term, the South Korean scored and made two assists, provided four key passes, won seven duels and completed two tackles and interceptions apiece, as per Sofascore.

With Richarlison returning to goalscoring form with a well-taken brace – which was dubbed "perfect" by The Athletic's Charlie Eccleshare – surely Postecoglou wouldn't consider rotating the stars' respective roles? Well, with the towering Tricky Trees awaiting, perhaps it might be apt.

Where Richarlison should play vs Forest

Richarlison has not enjoyed the most robust of fruits since joining Tottenham from Everton in a £60m deal in 2022, only scoring once in the league across the entire 2022/23 campaign.

But having recently returned from groin surgery that he claimed inflicted such pain that he stopped shooting, his strikes on either side of half-time last weekend suggest that he might now be ready to return to prominence.

But it may not be so wise to provide him with a striking role tonight, instead deploying him back on the left would be a good use of his creative skills, having assisted twice down the left channel this season.

Nottingham Forest's 214 headed clearances this term underscores the aerial dominance from which the sticks are protected; no Premier League side has made more in 2023/24.

There is a case that the £90k-per-week Richarlison might be a good option through the middle, ranking among the top 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year, as per FBref, but Steve Cooper's struggling players are among the finest in the skies and will possibly negate his aerial threat.

Moreover, Richarlison has yet to score against Nottingham Forest but has supplied two assists from three outings, so maybe his creativity could be channelled toward the prolific Son in the centre.

Everton could complete the signing of a "phenomenal" Premier League player in the next 24 hours, according to a fresh update on Monday morning.

Everton transfer news

The Blues will be looking to make some important – but financially viable – new signings this month, and one player who has emerged as a target in recent days is Hannibal Mejbri. The Manchester United youngster looks almost certain to head out on loan this month, and a move to either Everton or Sevilla is on the cards, with the pair battling to acquire his signature over the other.

The 20-year-old has only managed one start in the Premier League so far this season, highlighting the need for him to enjoy more playing time elsewhere, rather than failing to develop by sitting on the substitutes' bench at Old Trafford most weeks.

It looks to be a fast-moving situation surrounding the Tunisian, with Everton set to find out imminently whether or not he will be heading to Merseyside during the January transfer window.

Hannibal Mejbri update

According to a fresh claim from Football Insider on Monday, Everton will find out if they have signed Manchester United youngster Mejbri very soon. Either the Toffees or Sevilla are expected to wrap up an agreement with the Old Trafford outfit imminently, with a "seven-figure" loan fee expected for whichever club wins the race.

The report claims Mejbri could play for United in their FA Cup third round clash against Wigan Athletic on Monday – and then complete a loan move. Both clubs submitted offers to take him until the summer, and United will demand his wages are covered.

Hannibal is an exciting young talent who could bolster Dyche's midfield options greatly for the remainder of the season, ensuring a freshness is retained within his squad. Whenever the 20-year-old has played for United, he has often been difficult to miss, not only because of his eye-catching hairstyle, but also because of his tenacious nature in the tackle and ability to rile opposition players.

Hannibal Mejbri's Premier League stats this season

Total

Appearances

5

Starts

1

Goals

1

Yellow cards

1

Tackles per game

0.6

Pass completion rate

83.8%

This level of fight is something that will endear him to Everton supporters from the off, with the Goodison Park faithful loving someone who gives his all for the cause, but he has also been hailed for his quality by former Birmingham City boss John Eustace in the past, so he's far from just a brute in the centre of the park:

"The way he has played in the last couple of games has been phenomenal. He has broken records for total distance [covered], all that kind of stuff."

Hannibal may wish to remain in the Premier League, which could give Everton the edge over Sevilla, and if they do get their man, he could give them an extra bite in the middle of the park, helping ensure that they pull away from the relegation zone.

The transfer of a star centre-back is now reportedly looking "more and more likely" in what represents a "good solution" for Tottenham.

Spurs' top centre-back targets

Ange Postecoglou is currently bereft of defensive depth in his Spurs squad, as evidenced by his makeshift pairing of centre-back pairing of Emerson Royal and Ben Davies recently. Micky van de Ven's hamstring injury, coupled with a recent suspension for Cristian Romero, forced the Lilywhites head coach into drastic action team-wise amid his continued lack of faith in Eric Dier.

"Very top" – Sky pundit excited as Spurs make "quick" defender a top target

Micah Richards thinks he’d be a top addition.

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Emilio Galantini

Dec 13, 2023

From November 4, Spurs went on a barren run of four Premier League defeats in five, before finally ending that streak with a brilliant 4-1 win at home to Newcastle last weekend. The return of Romero has arguably helped matters lately, but to avoid a similar scenario in 2024, reports suggest Tottenham are determined to sign a new centre-back – and there are a couple of top targets.

In recent days, Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite has become really wanted by Spurs, as the 21-year-old emerges as a star under Sean Dyche this season. As well as Branthwaite, there is a belief that Tottenham have made Genoa star Radu Dragusin a key target as well.

Indeed, Football Transfers say Dragusin is now a major contender to join Tottenham as chairman Daniel Levy and sporting director Johan Lange seek to upgrade the heart of Postecoglou's defence.

The Romanian's agent, Florin Manea, has even previously shared talks and London meetings with Spurs in an interview with Fanatik.

"I have been in London for some time and have almost weekly meetings with important teams. We are getting closer. I spoke with Newcastle, with Arsenal, with Tottenham. I also have the messages with them, conversations. There are teams that ask."

Dragusin transfer "more likely" in "good solution" for Spurs

Now, according to a report from his homeland, it appears the 21-year-old's days at Genoa are "numbered".

Indeed, journalist Andrei Preotu writes for Pro Sport that a "transfer" is looking "more and more likely" for Dragusin in what could be a "good solution" for Spurs as they chase new defenders.

Preotu also suggests that the international could be open to joining Tottenham as he would like to play in the Premier League. Genoa, for their part, have worked "intensively" on who could succeed Dragusin when he leaves in 2024. The Serie A side have identified his replacement in their promising Italian starlet Alessandro Marcandalli, who is "ready" to return and compete for his team football.

Marcandalli is currently on loan at Reggiana, who are managed by AC Milan legend Alessandro Nesta, and there is a belief he is "one of the greatest talents in Italy" (Pro Sport).

Going back to Dragusin, we believe he could be a great signing for Tottenham. The young defender has started 15 Serie A matches as a fixture and mainstay of Genoa's backline, and some reports suggest that Dragusin could cost as little as £26 million.

اختتم منتخب مصر الأول لكرة القدم بقيادة حسام حسن تدريباته استعدادا لمواجهة الرأس الأخضر مساء اليوم ضمن تصفيات أمم إفريقيا، المقرر إقامتها في المغرب.

المباراة من المقرر إقامتها على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي ضمن مواجهات الجولة الأولى لحساب المجموعة الثالثة من تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا.

تضمن المران إحماءات بدنية ثم جمل فنية وتقسيمة في نهاية المران تحت إشراف الجهاز الفني.

موعد والقناة الناقلة لمباراة مصر والرأس الأخضر اليوم في تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا.. والمعلق

حضر مران منتخب مصر جمال علام رئيس مجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة ومحمد أبو الوفا وإيهاب الكومي أعضاء مجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة ووليد العطار المدير التنفيذي لاتحاد الكرة.

كما حرص خالد عباس رئيس العاصمة الإدارية الجديدة ومحمد يحيى لطفي رئيس مجلس إدارة الشركة المتحدة للرياضة ووليد عبد الوهاب رئيس هيئة استاد القاهرة على التواجد في مران المنتخب لمؤازرة الفريق قبل المباراة.

ويتواجد منتخب مصر في المجموعة الثالثة من تصفيات أمم إفريقيا التي تضم إلى جواره منتخبات الرأس الأخضر وبوتسوانا وموريتانيا.

Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi will meet in the PSL final for the second time in four years, with QUetta looking to avenge their loss in the 2017 final

Umar Farooq in Karachi16-Mar-20190:29

Zipping to Karachi’s National Stadium

Big PicturePakistan has moved on from the narrative of cricket coming home, now that cricket has begun to trickle back to Pakistan for the last three years. The story is larger than that this time. Pakistan’s appetite for international cricket has begun to increase over the past two years, not content with the handful of games played in the country each year. Over 200,000 spectators turned out over the last seven days in Karachi, more than what the UAE leg saw over 26 matches.Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators have been, indisputably, the top two teams in the PSL this season, winning seven of their ten league matches each. But on the head-to-head record, Quetta have the upper hand, winning all three games between the two sides throughout this season. Both teams have unique and formidable strengths, with Peshawar relying heavily on their pace attack, to the extent they went into the crunch Eliminator against Islamabad without Liam Dawson. Quetta’s spinners have, on the other hand, made key contributions to their run to the final, led by Mohammad Nawaz. In addition, the experience of Sohail Tanvir and the raw pace of Mohammad Hasnain have lent a diverse set of attributes to the attack.Both sides are laden with match-winners for every situation. What bodes well for the final is almost every player from both sides is in form, firing in all departments. In previous years, Quetta had issues with their overseas players not touring Pakistan, but on this occasion, full contingents from both sides are present in Karachi. While both sides play their third final, Peshawar have the advantage of experiencing victory in the PSL final in 2017, while Quetta are yet to get over the line.The final is expected to be a full house with 32,000 spectators, helped by Quetta Gladiators being captained by local boy Sarfaraz Ahmed. Peshawar are always a popular team, led by the ever-affable Darren Sammy.Darren Sammy and Sarfaraz Ahmed pose with the PSL 2019 trophy at Mazar-e-Quaid•Pakistan Super League

Form guideQuetta Gladiators WWLWW (completed matches, most recent first)
Peshawar ZalmiWLWWWIn the spotlightKamran Akmal is in sublime form. He is the leading scorer in the PSL in the last four years, with the ability to single-handedly change the face of the game. Being ignored for the national side hasn’t quenched his thirst for runs, and, in a late-career resurgence, Kamran has become one of the leading lights of the PSL. He had a horror start to this one, dismissed for three ducks in five innings, but bounced back to score match-winning knocks and make the difference for his side.Darren Sammy has cited Shane Watson as a “real pain” for Peshawar in the PSL so far. With 1107 runs, Watson is the second-highest scorer in the PSL overall and the highest this season. Absent the last two years for the Pakistan leg of the tournament, Watson has decided to make the trip this time, with Quetta profiting hugely from the development.Shane Watson slammed 71 in 43 balls•PSL

Team newsAustralian legspinner Fawad Ahmed had a painful homecoming in the PSL after a ball driven straight back by Imam ul Haq smashed into his mouth. He lost his tooth, and had to undergo gum surgery and have a tooth implanted. He was discharged from hospital and appears to have recovered well. Even so, he remains a massive doubt, and Sarfaraz promised he would not be risked unless fully fit.Quetta Gladiators: 1 Shane Watson, 2 Ahmed Shahzad, 3 Ahsan Ali, 4 Rilee Rossouw, 5 Umar Akmal, 6 Sarfaraz Ahmed (capt & wk), 7 Dwayne Bravo, 8 Mohammad Nawaz, 9 Sohail Tanvir, 10 Mohammad Hasnain, 11 Anwar Ali/Fawad AhmedThe main question for Peshawar is whether to play Liam Dawson, which gives them an extra spinning allround option, or to stick with the quick death-overs specialist Chris Jordan.Peshawar Zalmi: 1 Kamran Akmal (wk), 2 Imam ul Haq, 3 Sohaib Maqsood, 4 Umar Amin, 5 Misbah ul Haq, 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Chris Jordan/Liam Dawson, 8 Darren Sammy (capt), 9 Wahab Riaz, 10 Hasan Ali, 11 Tymal MillsPitch and conditionsThe National Stadium has changed dramatically since its redevelopment. With the ground inactive for lengthy stretches of time, the grass was allowed to breathe, and the soil given a rest. Recent totals suggest this could be another high-scoring affair, and both teams have a real decision to make about what to do at the toss. A cool breeze is expected to blow for the duration of the match, but the morning rains that have been a feature across the past week should not impede a full game.Stats and Trivia Quetta’s Shane Watson, who is the leading run-scorer in this year’s tournament, scored an unbeaten century in the last T20 final he played – for Chennai Super Kings in the 2018 IPL final. Peshawar’s opening duo – Kamran Akmal and Imam-ul-Haq – have aggregated 389 runs as a pair, which is the highest among all pairs. They have shared big century stands in two of the last three games in the season. Quetta has the highest scoring rate in the Powerplay overs (8.76) in this edition whereas Peshwar’s scoring rate in the Powerplay overs is the worst (7.30). In the death overs, Peshawar has been the most economical (7.84) bowling side whereas Quetta have leaked the most runs (9.65).Quotes”Shane Watson has really been a pain for us. He is pretty experienced and is enjoying a great run of form,””If you look at the previous years then there were some factors which hurt us, such as some players going away. This time, we are at our full strength, so we will do our best to play like we have done and win the tournament. We have never won so we will try and give it our best shot.”

New Zealand allrounder Jimmy Neesham came to the brink of retiring 18 months ago amid a battle with form and injury that had seen him fall out of love with cricket.Neesham spoke about his challenging time as he soaked up the “surreal” experience of securing a spot in the 15-man World Cup squad as his career came full circle in a four-year period. He narrowly missed the cut for the home World Cup in 2015, an experience he described as “gut-wrenching”, when Grant Elliott was preferred at the last minute. Neesham found himself in the stands at Eden Park as Elliott struck that iconic six against South Africa to secure a spot in the final.Neesham was part of the one-day side over the next two seasons but was dropped after the 2017 Champions Trophy. He was determined to get his place back but it became overwhelming, and coupled with injury his form faded, so he called Heath Mills, the CEO of the New Zealand Players Association, to tell him he wanted to quit having reached the point where he would open his curtains and hope it was raining.”It came as close as it could get,” Neesham said. “I actually called Heath Mills and told him I was going to retire so I owe a lot to him to convince me to take a little break and come back three or four weeks later. From there, being able to make progress steadily, come back with Wellington and make this team it’s all been a pretty surreal ride.ALSO READ: Bowling teams out at World Cup will be ‘critical’ – Gary Stead“Waking up in the morning, opening the shades and hoping it was raining is not the ideal way to start a day of cricket and I’d basically got to the point where I needed to have a full overhaul in the way I was approaching the game.””I put way too much pressure on myself. When I got dropped the start of last season I put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed and wanted to dominate domestic cricket, once that starts going in a downward spiral and you aren’t scoring runs, taking wickets you put more pressure on yourself and it got to the point where it had to break. Luckily I took the advance, took a short break rather than a long break, and since then it’s been on the up and up.”Mills told Neesham not to pick up a bat for a few weeks then see how he felt and he also sought the help of a psychologist. He made a comeback for Otago at the end of the 2017-18 season although wasn’t sure his heart was in it, results were promising and then an off-season move to Wellington helped rekindle his passion for the game. It was in the Ford Trophy one-day tournament where he really shone, scoring 503 runs at an average of 62.87 with a strike rate of 110.79, which earned him an international recall to face Sri Lanka.”I saw a psychologist who was really helpful, starting at the bottom and working up to where all these frustrations were coming from,” he said. “I’m not much of communicator at the best of time, just being able to talk through some of the struggles I was having off the field – it only took four or five sessions to really see some progress.”I’d given it a good crack trying to get enjoyment from succeeding but once I paid less attention to the runs and wickets, less attention to hitting balls for two hours the day before a game, and just going out and enjoying it that was when the results started to come. It couldn’t have gone better, to be honest.”It’s a long road back from 18 months or so ago but once I got back into the fold with Wellington and was back scoring runs, taking wickets I always knew that in New Zealand you are never too far away if you put in a good couple of months but still to get the call was pretty surreal.”

The No.9 had his early-career struggles, but he's now established himself as a player to watch for club and country

Josh Sargent had been written off, and you could argue that he had been so fairly. After several cracks at two of the world's top leagues, it just wasn't happening. The U.S. men's national team star hadn't quite proven himself to be the striker that many saw him becoming when he broke out of the St. Louis soccer scene. At age 22, it felt that his chance was gone.

But, sometimes, even at the highest levels of this sport, there's something to be said for patience. Not every player is a hit from the start and not every situation is the right one. Sometimes, things take time. Sometimes, all a player needs is a second, third, or maybe even a fourth chance.

Sargent is proof of that. After initially floundering with Norwich City, the USMNT star has emerged as quite possibly the most dangerous player in the English Championship. It's because of Sargent that the Canaries now have a chance to return to the top flight, beginning with this Saturday's promotion playoff opener.

Sargent, though, has earned his second crack at the Premier League, with or without Norwich. Clubs will certainly be interested in the 24-year-old forward, who has proven he can score goals in bunches all season long.

Can he get a few more to help drag Norwich back to the promised land? It would be one heck of a chapter in a story that, contrary to popular belief, didn't end when Sargent fell out of the top level.

• Getty Images
  

  A tough start

  When Sargent packed his bags for Werder Bremen, the hype was unreal. He had emerged as a star on the youth level with the U.S. U-17s and U-20s, featuring in World Cups for both teams in the summer of 2017.

  Sargent scored just 11 Bundesliga goals in 72 league appearances. Even so, Norwich were willing to give him a chance in 2021, signing the young American after Bremen's relegation to the 2. Bundesliga. Sargent, though, would suffer relegation for a second straight season. He scored just two Premier League goals as Norwich dropped down a division.

  Sargent's career wasn't quite going to plan. Many expected that he would have moved on from Bremen by the fourth year of his professional career, but few would have expected him to be falling into the Championship. As it turns out, though, England's second tier has been the perfect place for Sargent to kickstart his career.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Lighting up the Championship

  Sargent's first season in the Championship was good. With 13 goals in 40 games, he had clearly built confidence, helping him book his spot on the World Cup roster midway through that run.

  That was just an appetizer, though. This season is the main course. His 16 goals are good for sixth in the league, and only Jamie Vardy had a better goals-per-90 ratio than Sargent. Most importantly, with Sargent leading the charge, Norwich booked a spot in the promotion playoffs.

  So what's the secret to Sargent's success? Opportunity. After years of being moved into different positions, Norwich coach David Wagner has given Sargent the chance to be a pure No.9, and that chance has made all the difference.

  "Right when he came in, he made it clear that I was just going to be a striker in his system and before that, there was never really a clear position for me. I was kind of a second striker or a winger atWerder Bremenin my first years and at Norwich even," Sargent said onCBS Sports Golazo Network's Morning Footy. "So, when he came in and told me that, and I knew in my head I could fully focus on that position again. The position that I've been playing since I was a kid. It made me very happy and I've been able to improve each game and I feel like I'm in a very good spot right now so I give a lot of credit to him."

• Getty Images
  

  The promotion playoff

  For most of the last 15 years, Norwich have been the definition of a yo-yo club. They've gone up and down four times in that span, with their longest run in the top flight lasting three seasons.

  They'll get the chance to go back over the next few weeks, but their path won't be easy.

  Up first is Leeds, a team that pushed for automatic promotion all season long. They fell just short of the top two spot they needed, with Leicester and Ipswich finishing in those positions, but Leeds are almost certainly the favorites to go up from this playoff. Up first is a first leg at Carrow Road on Saturday before the return at Elland Road on Thursday.

  Should Norwich survive that, a trip to Wembley would be up next with Southampton or West Brom standing in the way of their Premier League dream. They may not be standing in the way of Sargent's, though, as it appears he may be going up with or without his Norwich teammates.

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• Getty Images
  

  'No ceiling', but lots of rumors

  Plenty have taken notice of Sargent's rise, including clubs in the Premier League.

  Reports say that Brentford are among those eyeing Sargent, particularly if Ivan Toney moves on. Ex-England international Carlton Palmer, meanwhile, told that he thinks Sargent will be out of the Championship next season, one way or another.

  "If they were to get promotion, then I think Josh Sargent’s future would be assured, but if they didn’t get promotion, I think it is highly likely that Sargent will be sold to raise money to build the squad, so they can go one better the following season and to get into the automatic spots," Palmer said.

  “It is getting more and more difficult now with sides who are relegated from the Premier League. Teams who get relegated from the Premier League have rich pickings and so, therefore, the sides that do get relegated are always going to be in the running of getting promoted the following season. But Norwich will be hoping they may be able to convince Josh Sargent to stay one more season or, if he is sold for a big fee, they could possibly get him back for a season loan.”

  Sargent's former coach, Dean Smith, says that he is more than ready for a rise up the pyramid.

  "He can go and play in the EPL again, that's for sure," he said on Morning Footy. "He doesn't have a ceiling at the moment. Unfortunately, he's had a couple injuries, but he's just come back now and scoring goals again in the Championship with Norwich.

  "He's actually really mature for someone so young… he's a really good footballer with a good head on his shoulders. He'll keep getting better If he can stay injury-free. I think he will be a certainty in the U.S. National Team."

MatériaMais Notícias

Os times sub-20 e de Aspirantes do Corinthians realizaram um jogo-treino nesta quinta-feira (18), no Centro de Treinamento das categorias de formação, com vitória do sub-23, comandado pelo técnico Danilo, por 4 a 2.

>> Veja a tabela do Brasilerão e simule os próximos jogos!

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A ideia do confronto foi para dar rodagem aos atletas para a temporada de 2021, que inicia já na última semana de fevereiro. Com três tempos de 30 minutos, esse foi o primeiro treino da base, que terá a coordenação de Alex, ex-jogador do Timão.

Adson foi o destaque do jogo, marcando dois gols para os Aspirantes, Higor Lapa e Eduardo Blanco completaram o placar para o sub-23. Os três tentos do sub-20 foram anotados por Mandaca e dois contra.

O sub-20 do Corinthians inicia a Copa do Brasil da categoria em março e realizará amistosos até junho, quando começará o Campeonato Brasileiro. No sábado (20), às 10h, eles enfrentarão a equipe do sub-17.

Young Hampshire legspinner is itching to return after two back fractures and a long stint on the sidelines

Matt Roller01-Apr-20190:44

Crane ‘feeling strong’ after 2018 injuries

“I just want to get on the field. I’ve had enough now, I just want to get back out there.”It’s nine months since Mason Crane last played professional cricket. He started 2018 with a Test debut at Sydney, where he became England’s youngest-ever legspinner, but ended it as a forgotten man, on the slow road to recovery after a pair of back fractures.”I’ve had the definition of an up-and-down time of it,” he reflects on a sunny spring afternoon at the Ageas Bowl. “If you go back 18 months, I’ve been on an Ashes tour, and ended up in New Zealand where [the injury] happened.”It was difficult to come to terms with it at the start. It took a lot of getting used to – not playing cricket, not being able to do pretty much anything.”But I’ve come through the other side now. It’s been a lot of days in the gym, a lot of slow progress, but I’m feeling really strong now, really good about it. So hopefully, come the first time I’m out in the middle, I can perform.”

“Personally, I don’t think I should have been there”Mason Crane on his call-up for the Lions’ West Indies tour

The story of Crane’s Ashes debut, when he was thrust onto the biggest stage as a 20-year-old, is well-known, and his figures – 1 for 193 in 48 overs – barely told half the story. But it was the weeks that followed which summed up a difficult year.After a long, gruelling tour of Australia, it would surely have made sense for Crane to be given some time at home to rest and recover.But England had other ideas. Instead, Crane was sent to the West Indies with the Lions. He started to lose form, and captain Keaton Jennings trusted him less and less. As Jomel Warrican and Jack Leach thrived on turning wickets, Crane took one wicket across 27 overs, and was dropped for the third and final unofficial Test of the series.”Personally, I don’t think I should have been there,” he says. “It’s one of those things. I can see why I was sent there, but hopefully people can see why I was against going.”ALSO READ: Dawson lurks as England narrow World Cup optionsBy the time he landed in New Zealand ahead of the Test series, Crane was in no place to play international cricket. Injury soon followed, and after an initial recovery, a recurrence during the county season ruled him out for six months.”The way it’s gone, after the injury, I feel like a better player now. Hopefully in a couple of years, I can look back and be almost grateful that I’ve had this experience, and now I feel like if I can combat that, I can combat pretty much anything.”Crane does not expect to play in Hampshire’s first two Championship games – “as a legspinner in England with Liam Dawson in the squad you have to be realistic” – but this summer’s schedule is perhaps the most conducive to spinners since the turn of the century.Crane was the leading wicket-taker for Hampshire as they charged to the Royal London Cup last year, and after that tournament’s early finish, he will have a run of four-day games at the height of summer before the start of the Vitality Blast.”This schedule is better,” he says. “It helps us. It gives us a slightly different role: in April or September, if you do play you’re normally trying to hold an end. As a legspinner, you’re not really expressing what you can do.””Hopefully, this gives me an opportunity. We’ve got a couple of outground games this year too – hopefully it’ll spin and I’ll get to play. I also have to realise that I’m 22 years old, that I’ve got time on my side. I feel like I’m improving all the time, and hopefully I’m able to force my way into the team no matter what time of year it is.”Mason Crane in action on his Test debut•Getty ImagesIndeed, it is easy to forget how young Crane still is, since he talks with a maturity that is not found in every young cricketer. After a whirlwind start to his career, time away from the game seems to have helped him.”I’ve blinked and this is my fifth season here – it’s crazy really. I think this injury really has given me a different perspective on it, and how much I just really enjoy playing as much as anything else.”As much as I want to do well, play for England, win a Championship, win a T20 competition, I’m just happy to be out there. At the start of this season especially, I’m happy to be here, happy to be fit, and hopefully I can be on the field to contribute to some Hampshire wins.”I don’t see why we can’t do well in all three formats – it’s an exciting team, we’ve got a new coach who has taken us in a really good direction so far. I’m really excited for us, and hopefully we can add some silverware.”It is a theme that Crane keeps coming back to: hope. After so long out injured, there is a tantalising uncertainty about what the future holds, containing within it that sense of mystery on which legspinners thrive.But for now, the day that has been nine months in the offing is in touching distance. For Hampshire, for England, and for the man himself, the idea of Mason Crane at the top of his mark again is a compelling prospect.”It’s been tough to get here,” Crane concludes, “but I’m really looking forward to getting started.”