LA Galaxy’s Marco Reus named MLS Player of the Matchday for Matchday 14

The German attacker earned the honor after a brace for the Galaxy in their dramatic 2-2 draw against crosstown rivals LAFC

Reus scored an impressive brace in a 2-2 draw against LAFCAward marks the first Player of the Matchday honor for ReusGerman has had six goal contributions in his last five matchesGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

Major League Soccer has announced that Marco Reus had been voted Player of the Matchday for Matchday 14 following his two-goal performance in Sunday's El Tráfico derby. The German was the standout star in the derby as he opened the scoring for LA Galaxy and even netted an 87th minute equaliser to prevent a loss. The league's weekly honor is determined through votes from the MLS Player of the Matchday voting panel, consisting of select national media members and MLS communications staff.

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The honor represents Reus's first Player of the Matchday award since joining the Galaxy midway through the 2024 season. He is also the first player since Gabriel Pec (Matchday 34 in 2024 season) to win the award for the Galaxy. Pec was the club's lone weekly winner during its 2024 MLS Cup championship campaign.

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The MLS Player of the Matchday award adds another accolade to Reus's illustrious career as he continues adapting to the top-flight in American soccer. The German will look to build on this recognition, although the Galaxy remain winless this season and sit at the bottom of the Western Conference with just four points after another draw. They’ll travel to face San Diego FC on May 24 before returning home to host the San Jose Earthquakes at Dignity Health Sports Park on May 28.

Philippe, Whiteman sparkle in WA win but bonus point slips away

The defending champions started their season successfully with Lance Morris also taking four wickets

AAP24-Sep-2023Josh Philippe carried his outstanding domestic one-day form from last season into a new campaign as he starred in Western Australia’s four-wicket win over Queensland in Brisbane.The player of the 2022-23 tournament, the 26-year-old Phillipe, who made three ODI and 10 T20I appearances for Australia in 2021, scored a match-high 90 off 88 balls at Allan Border Field.WA reached their target of 239 with 9.4 overs to spare as they made a successful start to their bid for a third straight one-day domestic cup, despite having six players away on international duty and others on the injury list, but narrow missed the bonus point when Cooper Connolly and Nick Hobson fell in consecutive balls at the end of the 40th over.They lost opener D’Arcy Short for a first-ball duck and Cameron Bancroft for 10, but Philippe’s third-wicket stand of 90 off 80 balls with Sam Whiteman (62 off 52) took the game away from Queensland.Philippe, who scored a century for Australia A against their New Zealand counterparts in a first-class game earlier this month, and totaled 40 runs across three one-day games, struck 10 fours and a six.A late flurry of fours from Perth Scorchrers’ 2022-23 BBL final hero Connolly and a steady hand from captain Ashton Turner carried them to the verge of victory.Queensland paid the price for not turning several starts into more substantial scores as they were dismissed for 238 with 22 balls remaining.Four of their top seven scored at least 36 and the other three got to double figures, but no one made more than Ben McDermott’s 52 off 69 balls. They were well placed at 102 for 1 in the 20th over, but lost 3-19.Paceman Lance Morris was expensive and wayward early but made a successful return from a back issue, as he smashed through the bottom half of the order, with Queensland losing 5 for 40.Australian T20I and ODI representative McDermott, who has returned to Queensland from Tasmania, was run out backing up too far after bowler AJ Tye deflected a Matt Renshaw straight drive on to the stumps.Max Bryant, Michael Neser and Sam Heazlett were the other batters who perished after being well set.Philippe provided the spark at the start of the WA chase, but was happy to play second fiddle when Whiteman tore into the Queensland bowlers.Whiteman, who has returned from a stint with English county Northamptonshire, took 14 off four balls from Neser, including a ramp for six over fine leg before he switched to around the wicket and got him to chop the ball onto his stumps.

NZ look to make it 3/3 in Chennai amid their captain's big return

Bangladesh meanwhile will need to change their tactics as they look to recover from their heavy defeat against England

Mohammad Isam12-Oct-20231:16

Does a turner at Chepauk give Bangladesh a bigger chance?

Big picture: Can Bangladesh bounce back?

The New Zealand juggernaut rolled into Chennai but in typical Kiwi fashion, it was a quiet entrance. New Zealand comfortably knocked over England and Netherlands, and will now take on a Bangladesh side smarting from a big loss against England. The only saving grace for Bangladesh is a Chennai pitch that is likely to help the spinners, but many of the New Zealand players have IPL experience to count on, so they will know what to expect at this venue.The big news for New Zealand is the return of their regular captain, Kane Williamson, who is returning after a seven-month injury break. There was a time this year when it looked unlikely that Williamson will play the World Cup but a proper recovery now means that he can make a smooth return to the line-up, with his side already having four points on the board.Related

  • Bangladesh hoping to bat with 'courage, open-mindedness and freedom'

  • 'Just great to be sitting here now' – Kane Williamson all set to go against Bangladesh

  • The New Zealand prodigy who had to wait his turn

  • Stats – The World Cup of centuries

  • Williamson 'looking good' for comeback, Southee available for selection against Bangladesh

New Zealand have a number of standout performers from these matches, particularly Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway, who made superb hundreds against England. Will Young and Tom Latham made important runs against the Netherlands while Mitchell Santner had a great all-round showing too.They have other aces up their sleeves against Bangladesh. Ish Sodhi could enter the playing XI on the back of his six-wicket haul against Bangladesh a couple of weeks back in Dhaka. In any case, both sides will be looking at their spin stocks.Bangladesh’s big defeat against England undid a lot of their good work against Afghanistan in the first match. The pitch certainly differed between the two games in Dharamsala, but Bangladesh didn’t really adapt to the conditions. Their insistence on bowling outside off stump hurt them as they went wicketless going for that bowling line. Taskin Ahmed bowling just six overs, Shakib Al Hasan finishing his ten early and the overuse of offspin against left-handers were the sort of rigid tactics that Bangladesh will not want to repeat.They also have to sort out their batting line-up, and specifically answer questions about the opening pair and the lower middle order. Tanzid Hasan hasn’t made runs in the two innings so far, but it is still a small sample size to judge a new opener. Still, a World Cup campaign has its own challenges for Bangladesh so it won’t be a huge surprise if they send Mehidy Hasan Miraz to open with Litton Das. In that case, Mahmudullah and Nasum Ahmed are candidates to return in the lower middle-order. Left-arm spinner Nasum would ensure more depth in the spin department while Mahmudullah can add batting experience on a tricky Chepauk pitch.Bangladesh have great memories against New Zealand in subcontinent conditions, having beaten them 4-0 and 3-0 at home in the last 13 years. But on current form and especially in the World Cup, New Zealand are favourites.

Form guide

New Zealand WWWWL (last five ODIs, most recent first)
Bangladesh LWLLWNew Zealand have the chance to win their first three matches of a World Cup for the third consecutive edition•ICC/Getty Images

In the spotlight

What would Williamson’s return mean for Rachin Ravindra? Not much, it is hoped. Ravindra’s great form with bat and usefulness with the ball makes him an automatic pick against Bangladesh. Ravindra made a monumental century in the World Cup opener against England, before following it up with a fifty against Netherlands. His intent suited New Zealand’s plans, as he played a variety of shots while keeping shape. Williamson confirmed in the pre-match press conference that Ravindra is part of their plans but it is unlikely that he will bat at No. 3.Litton Das‘ sparkling 76 was the only positive for Bangladesh in their big defeat to England in Dharamshala. It included the usual Litton fare of beautifully timed shots and angled-bat shots that many batters dream to play. But frustratingly it is this free-flowing shot-making that often ends his innings prematurely. Litton’s ODI form this year pales in comparison to last year’s 52.45 average in 13 innings. Bangladesh will gain greatly from his form if Litton kicks on from his half-century against England

Team news: Who will make way for Williamson?

The toss-up could be between Glenn Philips and Mark Chapman now that Williamson is back in the New Zealand line-up after nine months. Sodhi comes into the picture too on a Chepauk pitch helpful for spinners.New Zealand (probable): 1 Devon Conway, 2 Will Young, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Rachin Ravindra, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Daryl Mitchell, 7 Glenn Phillips, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Mark Henry, 10 Lockie Ferguson/Ish Sodhi, 11 Trent BoultA brave team management will pick Tanzid despite his low scores. Otherwise, Mehidy is queued as the opener. New Zealand’s left-handers could keep Mahedi Hasan in the line-up too.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Litton Das, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 5 Towhid Hridoy, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Mehidy Hasan, 8 Mahedi Hasan, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman/Nasum AhmedBangladesh had little to cheer for in Dharamsala against England•AFP/Getty Images

Pitch and conditions: Spin to win in Chepauk

India’s spin trio took 6 for 104 against Australia in the previous match at Chepauk. Both sides will look to mount a spin attack regardless of when they bat in this game. India showed the ease of chase against Australia but teams have to be careful of bowlers who can move the ball. The weather is likely to be mostly dry, with a low chance of rain.

Stats and trivia: NZ hold World Cup edge over Bangladesh

  • New Zealand snapped Bangladesh’s long-standing home winning streak in ODIs over them last month when the visitors won 2-0 in Dhaka. Bangladesh have never defeated New Zealand in five matches in the World Cup.
  • Mahedi Hasan’s 4 for 71 in the previous game is the most expensive four-wicket (or more) haul by a Bangladeshi spinner in ODIs.
  • New Zealand have a chance to win their first three matches of a World Cup for the third consecutive edition, having done it in 2019 and 2015 previously. They had also had similar runs in the 1992 and 2007 editions.

    Quotes

    “I think certainly in the subcontinent, they [Bangladesh] are very, very familiar with these conditions and they have a number of match-winners throughout their side.”
    “It is always challenging to tackle the new ball. If we start well, it certainly helps the team. I think it is also important to come back from losing two or three early wickets. We have to focus on getting to a big score from a tough situation.”

  • Erik ten Hag may lose another star as Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce plan €20m offer for midfielder

    Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce are plotting a move for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios, with Erik ten Hag facing another key exit.

    Fenerbahce preparing €20m bid for PalaciosMourinho wants Argentine as midfield reinforcementTen Hag facing uphill battle to stabilise squadFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

    According to GOAL sources, Fenerbahce are preparing a €20 million (£17m/$22m) offer for Leverkusen’s Palacios. The Turkish giants, led by new sporting director Devin Ozek, are willing to structure the deal as a permanent transfer or a loan with an obligation to buy. The Argentine has been identified as a priority target for Mourinho’s midfield rebuild ahead of their Champions League playoff against Benfica next week.

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    Die Werkself have already suffered a mass exodus this summer, losing Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool, Granit Xhaka to Sunderland, Odilon Kossounou to Atalanta, Lukas Hradecky to Monaco, and Jonathan Tah to Bayern Munich. With Ten Hag just beginning his reign, losing Palacios would deepen the rebuilding challenge. The 26-year-old played a key role in Leverkusen’s remarkable 2024 Bundesliga triumph, going unbeaten throughout the entire campaign. Given their depleted squad, the German club may prefer reinforcements over further departures.

    TELL ME MORE…

    Palacios joined Leverkusen from River Plate in January 2020 for €22m (£18m/$24m). In 108 Bundesliga appearances, he has scored 11 goals and provided 14 assists. Though not always a guaranteed starter, he has been a consistent squad contributor. Fenerbahce want him integrated quickly to boost their European push.

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    Fenerbahce aim to seal a deal before their Champions League play-off first leg against Benfica. Leverkusen face Sonnenhof in the DFB-Pokal before opening the Bundesliga season against Hoffenheim on August 23.

    Rizwan says Rauf is 'fully fit' for Champions Trophy opener

    “He’s bowling with full rhythm today, too. He’s also putting work in the gym and isn’t complaining of any pains”

    Danyal Rasool18-Feb-20252:13

    Rizwan hopes to see more ICC events in Pakistan soon

    Pakistan have been handed a boost ahead of the Champions Trophy opener, with fast bowler Haris Rauf expected to be “fully fit” against New Zealand, according to their captain Mohammad Rizwan.”Haris bowled 6-8 overs a couple of days ago, and bowled a fair bit yesterday too,” Rizwan said at the captain’s press conference on the eve of the tournament. “He’s bowling with full rhythm today, too. He’s also putting work in the gym and isn’t complaining of any pains. We think he’s fully fit.”Rauf sustained a muscular sprain in his chest while bowling in the opening game of the tri-series against New Zealand on February 8, and was in a race against time to be fit for the start of the tournament. He did not play the remainder of the series, though ESPNcricinfo understands that was more out of an abundance of caution than an indicator of the injury’s severity.Related

    • Babar's form in focus as Pakistan begin title defence

    • Jamieson replaces Ferguson in NZ's Champions Trophy squad

    • At the Champions Trophy, Shaheen Afridi sees a chance to make history

    • A critical test for ODI cricket and Pakistan as hosts

    After the press conference, Rauf was seen bowling in the nets during Pakistan’s final practice session before the tournament at the National Stadium. It clears Pakistan up to play what they view as their first-choice bowling lineup, one that features Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Rauf. The three played together in an attack that ultimately ended up on the wrong side of a result against New Zealand in the opener of the tri-series. They play the same side tomorrow in the Champions Trophy curtain-raiser as Pakistan prepare to host their first ICC tournament since 1996.”We suffered for 10 years when no side came here,” Rizwan said. “But Pakistan still produced solid results. So we have no doubts about our ability.”However, it is hard to escape the idea that Pakistan go into their first game as relative underdogs. New Zealand beat them twice in the tri-series, going unbeaten across the tournament to lift the title. They went on to demonstrate their all-round ability, defending a total against Pakistan in one game before easing to two chases in games against South Africa and Pakistan. At the same time, they brushed aside injuries to fast bowlers Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears, retaining their fast-bowling threat, while reigning Pakistan in through the middle overs with a varied array of spinners.”There are ups and downs and certain deficiencies in our side,” Rizwan said. “We are aware we need to bring about certain improvements in our professionalism and consistency.0:57

    Urooj: Huge responsibility for Pakistan to defend the title at home

    “We tried to learn from the tri-series, which is why we batted first in the final to work out where our weaknesses lie. We used that series as a training experience. We hope we’ve learned enough to cover for those weaknesses tomorrow.”But along with the usual cheery optimism, Rizwan’s statements were laced with a kind of naked hunger he has rarely let slip in the past. Wearing his religion on his sleeve, he tends to resign himself to “the will of Allah” as he often says. It can take the pressure off, a valuable skill for a Pakistan captain, but today, Rizwan seemed to teeter on the edge of fantasising how much he wanted to win an ICC event, and how good it would be to win this one at home.”We’ve come so close a few times,” he said. “We need to work out how to get that extra one per cent to win those big matches. No one can guarantee that success, and we’re still in search of that final step where we lose big games or tournaments.”Every player is desperate for this title. And we’re doing everything we can to work out how to win. I don’t think any country works as hard as we do.”It’s uncommon to hear Rizwan speak with that kind of edge. Soon enough, he was back to his usual gregarious self, talking about how “all 15 players were captains” and the value of team performances over individual brilliance. But then again, perhaps that is the “extra one per cent” Pakistan, and Rizwan, are so desperately hunting for.

    PSG beaten in court by Gianluigi Buffon with French side told to pay €250k to legendary goalkeeper

    Paris Saint-Germain have lost their court appeal against Gianluigi Buffon and must pay the Italian €250,000 due to a tax clause in his contract.

    • PSG ordered to pay Buffon €250k over tax clause
    • Legal battle stemmed from goalkeeper’s 2018 contract
    • Court rejected Les Parisians appeal on July 10
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    • WHAT HAPPENED?

      According to , the Paris Court of Appeal ruled that PSG must pay Buffon €250,000. The case centred around a clause in Buffon’s spell at the club from 2018-19 when he joined PSG from Juventus. The clause stated that PSG would cover 50 per cent of any tax assessed by the Italian Revenue Agency on income earned in 2018, up to a maximum of €250,000. Buffon triggered the clause after Italy’s tax authority assessed his 2018 earnings at over €1.2 million. The Ligue 1 giants appealed a prior court ruling but lost again on July 10, finalising their obligation to pay the amount.

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      Although the 2006 World Cup winner only spent one season at PSG, legal issues stemming from the cross-border nature of his earnings dragged on for years. The clause had been added to ease Buffon's return to Italy, but when the French side contested its enforcement, it resulted in legal battles. Buffon’s legal team sought an additional €25,000 in damages for what they called PSG’s “illegal resistance,” but that request was denied. Still, the main victory went to the goalkeeper, who is now Italy’s national team delegation leader.

    • DID YOU KNOW?

      The case dragged on for over five years, during which PSG had previously been ruled against by the French Labour Court. Buffon played 25 games for PSG in all competitions in his single season in the French capital, featuring 17 times in Ligue 1.

    • AFP

      WHAT NEXT?

      The ruling officially closes the legal chapter between the French club and the Italian legend. For Buffon, it’s a moral and contractual win, underlining the importance of detailed clauses in cross-border sports contracts. PSG, meanwhile, avoid any further penalties but face renewed scrutiny over their handling of contract terms with past players.

      .

    Palmeiras se acerta com Aníbal Moreno e fica perto de contratar seu primeiro reforço para 2024

    MatériaMais Notícias

    da bwin: O Palmeiras está perto de garantir seu primeiro reforço para a temporada 2024. Trata-se de Aníbal Moreno, volante do Racing-ARG, que ficou próximo de ser contratado na última janela, mas as negociações não avançaram. O acordo está encaminhado com o clube argentino e com o jogador, dependendo apenas de exames médicos e detalhes burocráticos para ser concretizada.

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    da doce: + Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

    Aos 24 anos, Moreno foi o principal alvo do Verdão para suprir a tão sonhada vaga de volante para o meio-campo de Abel Ferreira, que perdeu Danilo no início de 2023 e não teve uma reposição a função. Tanto é que Zé Rafael acabou improvisado por ali.

    + Você quer trabalhar no seu clube do coração? Matricule-se no curso Gestor de Futebol e entenda como!

    O Alviverde tentou a contratação do meio-campista até os momentos finais do fechamento da janela de transferências para o Brasil, mas os argentinos foram irredutíveis na pedida e o reforço acabou ficando para depois.

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    As partes, porém, não perderam o contato e acabaram se acertando para que Aníbal chegasse ao Palmeiras em janeiro de 2024. Os valores do negócio, porém, não foram revelados. Nos bastidores, o clube considera a situação bastante encaminhada. O que ainda afasta o anúncio é a dependência de exames médicos, além de detalhes burocráticos. Ainda assim, o otimismo é grande.

    + Aposentado? Palmeiras teve ídolos na era Leila que já chegaram experientes ao clube

    Moreno deve ser o primeiro reforço do Verdão para 2024, mas não o único. A ideia é contratar de três a quatro peças para o elenco, que possam chegar e jogar, sem que necessitem de tempo de adaptação ou amadurecimento. Por isso também o desejo forte em buscar um acordo com Bruno Henrique, do Flamengo, mas a negociação é considerada difícil.

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    Em 2023, o Palmeiras contratou apenas dois reforços: Richard Ríos, do Guarani, e Artur, do Bragantino. Ao mesmo tempo, o clube negociou dez jogadores e acabou fazendo uso da base para repor as posições perdidas.

    Tudo sobre

    Palmeiras

    How many players have scored a century and taken a five-for in an ODI as Bas de Leede did?

    And is Mitch Marsh the only man to score a century and take a wicket on the first day of a Test?

    Steven Lynch11-Jul-2023How many people have scored a century and taken five wickets in an ODI, as Bas de Leede did in the World Cup Qualifier? asked Carsten Wulff from the Netherlands
    That astonishing performance by Bas de Leede, which almost single-handedly propelled Netherlands into the World Cup later this year, was only the fourth instance of a man scoring a century and taking a five-for in the same one-day international. But it’s fair to say that none of the others faced the pressure de Leede had: in his own version of “Basball”, he followed 5 for 52 with 123 off 92 balls as the Dutch beat Scotland in Bulawayo to clinch their place in the main event.The first to do this particular double was Viv Richards, with 119 and 5 for 41 for West Indies against New Zealand in Dunedin in 1986-87. He was followed by Paul Collingwood, with 112 not out and 6 for 31 for England vs Bangladesh at Trent Bridge in 2005, and Rohan Mustafa for United Arab Emirates against Papua New Guinea in Abu Dhabi in 2017.In women’s ODIs, New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr followed 232 not out with 5 for 17 against Ireland at Clontarf (Dublin) in 2018. And in men’s T20Is, Francisco Couana combined 104 with 5 for 19 for Mozambique against Cameroon in Rwanda in 2021-22.Mitch Marsh scored a century and later took a wicket on the first day of the third Test. How many people have done this? asked Keith McKenzie from Australia
    Mitchell Marsh, in his first Test for nearly four years, scored 118 on the first day of the third Ashes Test at Headingley, and then took the wicket of Zak Crawley.I was surprised to find that only two men had previously achieved this particular double, both of them New Zealanders. The first was Giff Vivian, against South Africa in Wellington in 1931-32; he made exactly 100, and then dismissed the visitors’ captain Jock Cameron. He was joined many years later by Scott Styris, against West Indies in Auckland in 2005-06 – he followed an unbeaten 103 with the wickets of Chris Gayle and nightwatchman Ian Bradshaw.Records for women’s Tests are rather more sketchy, but it looks as if two women have also done it: Myrtle Maclagan for England against Australia in Blackpool in 1937, and Betty Wilson for Australia vs England in Adelaide in 1948-49Danni Wyatt recently made her Test debut after over 200 white-ball internationals. Was this the most, by a man or woman? asked Chris Merchant from England
    Danni Wyatt made her Test debut for England recently, against Australia at Trent Bridge, after 245 white-ball internationals – 102 ODIs and 143 T20Is. That is indeed the most before a Test debut, beating 189 by Sune Luus of South Africa.The men’s record is 184 (125 ODIs and 59 T20Is) by Kevin O’Brien before his Test debut in 2018. His Ireland team-mate William Porterfield is next with 175 matches, then comes Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi with 161.The record for most white-ball internationals without ever playing a Test is 295, by New Zealand’s Suzie Bates; next comes the West Indian Deandra Dottin with 270. At the moment she’s one ahead of the leading man, South Africa’s David Miller, who has so far played 155 ODIs and 114 T20Is.Suzie Bates has played 295 internationals but is yet to make her red-ball debut for Zealand•AFP/Getty ImagesImran Khan dismissed Sunil Gavaskar with the first ball of the first Test played at Jaipur. How many other international grounds have seen a wicket from their very first ball? asked Rafay Iqbal from England
    The match you’re talking about was the third Test of the 1986-87 series between India and Pakistan: Imran Khan had Sunil Gavaskar caught off the opening ball in Jaipur, which was staging its first – and to date only – Test match. Note that the Sawai Mansingh Stadium had previously held two ODIs, so this was not the first ball in international cricket there.Two other grounds have seen their Test careers begin with a wicket: Pakistan’s Mohsin Khan was trapped in front by Kapil Dev of India off the first ball of the only Test played at Burlton Park in Jalandhar, in 1983-84; it had also staged an ODI before this. And West Indies’ Chris Gayle was lbw to Suranga Lakmal of Sri Lanka off the first ball of the first Test – and first international – at the new stadium in Pallekele in 2010-11.Looking at all internationals, pride of place goes to the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg, which saw Chaminda Vaas take a hat-trick for Sri Lanka against Bangladesh with the first three deliveries there, during the 50-over World Cup early in 2003.Two other grounds have had a wicket go down to their first ball in men’s internationals: Scarborough (Barry Wood bowled by Andy Roberts for England vs West Indies in an ODI in 1976) and Windsor Park in Dominica (Tamim Iqbal caught behind off Kemar Roach for Bangladesh vs West Indies in an ODI in 2009). I remember a Sunday League game at Chelmsford many years ago, when the umpire had two walking sticks. Do you know who he was? asked Keith Mardell via Facebook
    The gentleman you are thinking of was Roddy Wilson, a Yorkshireman who had one full season on the English first-class umpires’ panel, in 1978. He stood in some additional first-class games in other years, and more than 100 in the Minor Counties Championship. In his year on the first-class panel he umpired Essex’s County Championship and Sunday League games against Hampshire in Chelmsford.Roddy Wilson died in 2001 aged 69. He used a stick, sometimes two, to get around. I’m not sure why, but would hazard a guess at childhood polio. There was another Wilson umpiring at around the same time – the Lancastrian Tommy Wilson, who died earlier this year – who by coincidence had also suffered from polio as a child. Tommy remembered that Roddy, seven years his senior, eventually had to give up umpiring because he found his hands were being affected by constantly having to put weight on his arm crutches.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

    ريان شرقي يتغزل في بيب جوارديولا: مدرب مجنون

    وصف ريان شرقي صانع ألعاب مانشستر سيتي مدربه بيب جوارديولا بالمجنون، مؤكدا أنه ليس صعبا وصف مدى سعادته بعد انضمامه لصفوف الفريق الإنجليزي خلال الصيف الماضي.

    وشارك ريان شرقي أساسياً للمرة الثانية فقط هذا الموسم في فوز فريقه مانشستر سيتي ضد سوانزي سيتي بثلاث أهداف لهدف واحد في كأس كاراباو.

    وكان ريان شرقي قد غاب لستة أسابيع بسبب إصابة في الفخد، وقد كان الأمر محبطاً للنجم الفرنسي الذي سجل هدفا في أول مباراة له ضد وولفرهامبتون.

    وتغزل ريان شرقي في مدربه بيب جوارديولا في تصريحات نشرتها “مانشستر إيفنينج نيوز” :”إنه رائع جداً ومجنون مثلي، رجلان مجنونان، نتحدث عن كل شيء، إنه أمر لا يصدق”.

    أقرأ أيضاً.. مانشستر سيتي يدرس استعادة لاعبه في يناير

    وأضاف: “كرة القدم هي كل حياتي، أستمتع بها وأنام عليها وأستحم بها، لدينا فريق كبير ونريد الفوز بجميع المباريات، لا نريد تكرار ما حدث في مباراتنا الأخيرة ضد فيلا”.

    وواصل: “أشعر براحة كبيرة لأن الأمر بسيط مع هؤلاء اللاعبين، نتحدث بنفس الأسلوب لذا نستمتع عندما نكون على أرض الملعب”.

    وأكمل: “من المهم جداً بالنسبة لي أن يستمتع الجمهور عندما يأتي للملعب، حياتي جيدة لكني لا أعرف إن كان لدى الجمهور الكثير من الأشياء السعيدة في حياتهم لذا أريدهم أن يستمتعوا عندما يأتون لملعبهم حتى يعودوا لمنازلهم بابتسامة”.

    وأتم: “أشعر أنني بحالة جيدة جداً، كنت مصاباً لفترة طويلة وسعيد جداً بالعودة، بذلت جهدا كبيرا مع أخصائي العلاج الطبيعي لأعود سريعاً، وسعيد جداً بها واللعب مع زملائي، الأهم هو الفريق وليس أنا، أريد الاستمتاع بجميع المباريات والفوز بها، عندما نخسر المباراة الأخيرة نسعى للفوز بالمباراة القادمة ولذلك نحن سعداء”.

    Hansi Flick fumes at Barcelona stars despite Marcus Rashford and Co securing 3-0 win at nine-man Real Mallorca on La Liga's opening day

    Barcelona kicked off the defence of their La Liga title with a 3-0 win at Real Mallorca, but manager Hansi Flick was not happy after the game.

    Barcelona beat Mallorca 3-0 in La Liga openerHosts had two players sent off in first halfFlick says his team only "played at 50%"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

    A dramatic game at Son Moix on Saturday saw Barcelona grab three goals and take home all three points in their opening La Liga fixture, while Real Mallorca finished the game with nine men after seeing Manu Morlanes and Vedat Muriqi sent off in the opening 45 minutes. Barcelona led 2-0 at half-time, thanks to goals from Raphinha and Ferran Torres, but had to wait until stoppage time to score again when Lamine Yamal put some gloss on the scoreline with a brilliant effort.

    AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

    Hansi Flick's side might have been expected to have won by a bigger scoreline given that they played against nine men for over 45 minutes in Mallorca. Marcus Rashford and Dani Olmo were both sent on in the second half to freshen up the team but neither could find the back of the net. Flick admitted afterwards that he had not enjoyed his team's second-half performance and felt Barcelona lacked intensity.

    WHAT FLICK SAID

    He told : "I didn’t like the match. These are three important points, but after going 2-0 up, and with the two red cards, I think my team played at 50%. That can’t happen. I need to talk to the players about this. You can’t play at 50% against nine players, that’s not what I expect."

    DID YOU KNOW?

    Since the 2016-17 La Liga season, Barcelona are the team that has most often benefited from red cards for their rivals (52). 

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