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Australia in unfamiliar territory in T20I series decider against South Africa

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

Both sides weigh up extra spin options based off some spin success in the most recent ODI and BBL matches in Cairns in 2022

Alex Malcolm15-Aug-2025

Josh Inglis set to replace Alex Carey after recovering from the flu•AFP/Getty Images

Big picture: A rare T20I series decider in CairnsAustralia venture into the unknown in more ways than one on Saturday. While South Africa played in a T20I series decider just three weeks ago in Harare, Australia have not played in a live T20I series decider since September 2022. They were set to do so in the final match of a three-game series in England last year but rain prevented a ball being bowled with the series locked at 1-1. Other than that, Australia have clean swept the three other series they have played since the 2024 World Cup, where they didn’t make the semi-finals. Every series they played between the 2022 World Cup, where they also did not make the semi-finals, and 2024 was also decided before the final game.It will be a useful pressure test for both sides as they continue to gear up towards the 2026 T20 World Cup. They will also face unknown conditions at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns in far north Queensland. Just as Darwin had never hosted a T20I before this series, Cairns will host its first on Saturday night. It has hosted far more recent international cricket, though, with Australia playing three ODIs there in 2022, which will be relevant for the start of the ODI series on Tuesday. There has been a BBL game there, in 2022, but it was played at a different time of year. However, Australia left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann is the only member of either team to have played in that game. He took 3 for 32 for Brisbane Heat while fellow left-arm orthodox spinner Akeal Hosein took 3 for 15 from four overs for Melbourne Renegades, having opened the bowling with Mujeeb Ur Rahman as Renegades successfully defended 166. Adam Zampa also took 5 for 35 in one of the 2022 ODIs against New Zealand.Related

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Brevis makes a statement as the 'original Dewald'

Owen, Morris, Short ruled out of South Africa series

That background, albeit from a one-off game, may see both sides consider selecting left-arm spinners for the decider. Kuhnemann has not played since debuting in the second T20I in Jamaica last month, where Australia bowled 11 overs of spin to restrict West Indies. He did play a major part in the second game in Darwin when, as a substitute fielder, he dropped Dewald Brevis at long-on on 56 before Brevis went on to pummel a match-winning 125 not out.South Africa left out their two left-arm orthodox spinners in George Linde and Senuran Muthusamy in game two in Darwin and only bowled four overs of spin via legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter and skipper Aiden Markram.Whether they wish to change a winning formula remains to be seen, especially given the success of South Africa’s pacers against Australia’s top-order so far in the series. Meanwhile, Australia will be forced to make at least one change with Mitchell Owen ruled out of the series after suffering concussion. Josh Inglis (flu) and Nathan Ellis (rested) should be right to return after missing game two. Matt Short was a chance to return for this match but has been ruled out of the game and the ODI series to follow because of a side strain. Aaron Hardie is there as cover and looks set to return to the XI after playing twice in the recent Caribbean series before losing his place in the squad.Form guideAustralia LWWWW
South Africa WLLWLGlenn Maxwell produced a brilliant piece of work to on the rope to remove Ryan Rickelton in the first game•Getty Images

In the spotlight: Glenn Maxwell and Aiden MarkramGlenn Maxwell is a vital player in Australia’s T20I line-up ahead of the World Cup next year because of his versatility and his all-round skills. His bowling is crucial for the balance of the side while he remains one of the best fielders in the team and capable of deciding matches with stunning outfield catches like the one he produced in game one of this series. He has many, many credits in the bank with the bat too. Maxwell has been prone to some lean patches across his career, but his batting has been skittish in recent times. Even with his flair and his 360-degree skills, Maxwell at his best takes control of the middle-to-late overs and stacks the risk-reward options in his favour more often than not.That hasn’t been the case recently, though. He has one 50-plus score in his last 23 T20s across all leagues dating back to the start of the IPL, and only five scores of 21 or more with three of those coming in MLC, and 11 of the 23 have been single-figure scores. His only real contribution with the bat in the last seven T20Is came in Basseterre with 47 off 18 opening the batting, although he was 20 off 7 and flying in the previous game before being run out through no fault of his own. He has been moved around the order, which can be unsettling, and Australia would be thrilled to have won six of seven without major batting contributions from him. But equally, they would love to see Maxwell fire in a big game again sooner rather than later.Like Maxwell, there is no question on Aiden Markram’s ability in T20 cricket but his output has been puzzling. He has not scored a T20I half-century in his last 30 innings dating back to the 2022 T20 World Cup. Since the start of 2024, he has reached 20 just four times in 20 innings, with a highest score of 46 against USA, averaging just 15.50 at a strike rate of just 122.90.He has been bounced through every position in the top five and has returned to open in this series after a decent IPL opening the batting for Lucknow Super Giant, where he made five half-centuries in 13 innings. But he struck at 15 runs per 100 balls slower than his opening partner Mitchell Marsh in the IPL and a rate of 148.82 in Indian conditions would be considered sluggish and potentially not a method for success in a World Cup in India, as evidenced by the way Australia’s top-order are trying to play. There’s no doubt he has the class and the ability to adjust. He loves playing against Australia in all-formats and a good score would settle any questions that might surround the captain’s position in South Africa’s top-order.Aiden Markram has been bounced through every position in the top five and has returned to open in this series•AFP/Getty Images

Team news: Inglis, Ellis likely to return; South Africa consider more spin optionsInglis is set to return in place of Alex Carey after missing the last match with the flu, while Ellis should return after being rested. Inglis will slot back in at No. 3 with the rest of the order likely to slide. However, with Owen ruled out and Hardie potentially replacing him at No. 7 does open the door for Australia to pick two spinners given Hardie can open the bowling. If Kuhnemann were to partner Zampa, and Ellis also returned, then two of Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott or Ben Dwarshuis could miss out. Dwarshuis would be desperately unlucky to miss out owing to Hazlewood’s seniority given his superb form. There is a possibility, though, that Australia could rest their prized all-format asset in Hazlewood with three ODIs coming in six days starting on Tuesday.Australia (possible): 1 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 2 Travis Head, 3 Josh Inglis (wk), 4 Cameron Green, 5 Tim David, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Aaron Hardie, 8 Ben Dwarshuis, 9 Nathan Ellis, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh Hazlewood/Matt KuhnemannDo South Africa stick with a winning combination or add an extra spinning allrounder back into the mix? That will be the question Shukri Conrad and his team will debate heading into the unknown conditions in Cairns. Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ two scores of 14 and 10 provide another avenue if they wish to promote Rassie van der Dussen back to No. 3 or even elevate the in-form Brevis higher in order to return Linde at No. 6. Muthusamy could also replace Peter if the conditions look more favourable for a left-arm fingerspinner rather than a legspinner. Nandre Burger could also be considered if either Lungi Ngidi or Corbin Bosch need a rest.South Africa (possible): 1 Aiden Markram (capt), 2 Ryan Rickelton (wk), 3 Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 Tristan Stubbs, 6 Rassie van der Dussen, 7 Corbin Bosch/George Linde, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Nqabayomzi Peter/Senuran Muthusamy, 10 Kwena Maphaka, 11 Lungi Ngidi/Nandre BurgerGeorge Linde could return for South Africa•Getty Images

Pitch and conditionsLike in Darwin, the conditions in Carins are unknown although the 2022 BBL game does provide something to work off compared to the blind test at Marrara Oval. Spin could be a factor and batting might not be that easy overall. Even the ODIs in 2022 between Australia and New Zealand were relatively low-scoring with only one total of more than 250 scored in the three games. The weather looks perfect with conditions set to be very mild and pleasant in the evening. The late-evening dew could be a concern as there will be some humidity.Stats and trivia Australia have not lost in seven men’s internationals in Cairns, including two Tests and five ODIs. South Africa are chasing just their second bilateral T20I series win in their last nine. Australia have lost just one of their last eight including being undefeated in their last six series. Maxwell needs one wicket to reach 50 in T20Is. He will become just the fourth men’s player to score 2500 runs and take 50 wickets in the format when he gets there.Quotes”I sort of pride myself on being able to fill any hole possible. So whether that’s up the order or middle-order batting, and then being able to bowl any overs from one to 20 in the T20 format.”
.”We’ve never been to Darwin or to this place. We’ve enjoyed our time. Obviously, a different feel to what we’re used to in Australia. South Africans sort of like that. It’s a bit more open, a bit more relaxed, a bit more chilled. People have been great and all the sideshows have been really good as well.”
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Duckett, Crawley turn up the heat on India after Stokes five-for

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Earlier, Pant, batting with a fractured right foot, scored a half-century and helped India cross 350

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jul-20250:52

Manjrekar: India batted in different bowling conditions from England

Tea England backed up their captain Ben Stokes taking a five-for with an unbroken opening partnership of 77. Those runs came at over five an over, taking a big bite out of India’s 358 all out on the second day in Manchester.It was a disappointing bowling performance from the visitors, particularly in helpful conditions and to follow a display of great bravery from Rishabh Pant who came out to bat on a fractured foot and scored a half-century.England weren’t particularly keen to score so quickly. Zak Crawley needed 13 balls to get off the mark and those runs came with a reminder of the danger the pitch still posed as a Jasprit Bumrah delivery rose up sharply to rap him on the bottom hand. Crawley displayed excellent judgment outside his off stump and ironically only started to look vulnerable once he had runs against his name, the confidence of seeing off the new ball coaxing him to play away from his body and could have been bowled off the inside edge.Ben Duckett didn’t need to be so careful, at any point in his innings. India fed him on his pads and he tucked in with glee. All his seven boundaries came on the leg side and he stands on the cusp of completing a half-century at almost a run a ball. Duckett welcomed Anshul Kamboj with three fours in his first over of Test cricket, the debutant chosen to open the bowling ahead of Mohammed Siraj.India must pick themselves back up again because they showed great heart in getting to an above-par total. Pant put his body on the line – literally because Stokes targeted that broken front foot of his – and had enough in him to hit a 90th six in Test cricket, putting him level with Virender Sehwag for the national record. He also went past Alec Stewart for most runs by a wicketkeeper in a Test series in England. The mere fact that he was able to walk – let alone bat – moved the fans at Old Trafford who gave him a rousing ovation.Stokes found similar approval from the crowd when his tireless and relentless display was rewarded with a first five-for in eight years. He was a threat when he bowled full because he was getting both ways movement – Shardul Thakur found that out when he was caught at gully for 41 – and he was a threat when he went short – which did Washington Sundar in. Stokes has 16 wickets in the series now, a career-best for him going past the 15 he took in the 2013-14 Ashes when he made his debut.

Alternate Angle of Aaron Judge's Clutch Home Run is Spectacular

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The New York Yankees woke up just in time to mount a furious comeback to overcome the Blue Jays in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Tuesday night and a likely hero provided the big blast. Aaron Judge's mammoth three-run homer managed to stay fair and collide with the foul pole, sending Yankee Stadium into a frenzy. Aaron Boone's much-maligned bullpen was stellar and held on for a 9-6 victory to set up another brink-of-elimination test on Wednesday night.

If New York is able to come back and win the series then Judge's homer will be replayed in highlight packages for years to come. But the blast is already surely being replayed on countless computers in the Tri-State area and will probably hinder workplace productivity.

Especially when those pinstripe enthusiasts see this alternate angle shared by the team.

It is pure cinema.

Man, that looks like fun. Imagine being in that exact seat and seeing the ball slowly make its way in your direction, hoping against hope that it would be a game-changing dinger and not simply a loud foul ball.

Magic.

Greatest Tests: SA's record-breaking chase vs Australia's Edgbaston epic

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Pick between two Tests where teams overcame great odds to snatch victories

ESPNcricinfo staff20-May-2025Update: This poll has ended. The AUS-SA 2008 Perth Test moves into the quarter-finals.South Africa bend Australia to their will – Perth, 2008Australia were in transition ahead of the home summer in 2008-09, but still beat New Zealand 2-0. They found heroes when they needed one, and were doing the usual Australia things, but then the script changed in the first Test against South Africa in Perth. It took its time coming, though.It took a lower-order rescue act to lift them to 375 in the first innings (from 166 for 5) and a macho fast-bowling show from Mitchell Johnson, who bagged a career-best 8 for 61, kept South Africa to 281 after that. Almost a 100-run lead there, which Brad Haddin’s 94 and 30s from Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds and Jason Krejza extended to 413, setting South Africa what looked like far too many runs to win.Enter Graeme Smith, who lost opening partner Neil McKenzie early, but then took the total to 172 in collaboration with Hashim Amla before both fell in quick succession – Smith for 108 and Amla for 53. But there was more in the tank. Jacques Kallis (57) and AB de Villiers took them to 303 before Kallis fell with the target still over 100 away, and de Villiers, who remained not out on 106, finished the job with JP Duminy – apart from McKenzie, all the batters who walked out, walked back with at least 50 against their name.That was Australia’s second successive loss at the WACA after India beat them there in 2007-08. And who knew at the time that it would lay the foundation for the first of three back-to-back Test series wins by South Africa in the country?

Australia stun England – Birmingham 2023

“Boring, boring, Aussies” was the chant from the Hollies Stand at Edgbaston on the fourth afternoon when Usman Khawaja was digging in and slowly building for Australia in their pursuit of 281. By the fifth evening, the crowd had fallen into stunned silence as Australia aced the old-school long game to beat England’s new-age fast play.When Khawaja fell for 65, with Ben Stokes ending his near-five-and-a-half-hour vigil, Australia had slipped to 209 for 7. Then, when Alex Carey’s wicket left Australia at 227 for 8, it certainly felt like England’s Bazballers were on their way to another famous win. Australia captain Pat Cummins, though, flipped the mood and result with an unbeaten 44 off 73 balls, with No. 10 Nathan Lyon hanging on in an unbroken 55-run partnership for the ninth wicket.After having come under fire with his defensive fields on the opening day, Cummins played the decisive hand on the final day, absorbing good balls from Stokes and Ollie Robinson and lining up Joe Root’s part-time offspin for a brace of sixes. After sealing the deal, Cummins let out a big roar, threw his bat and punched his fist in a rare show of emotion that summed up how much this win meant to him and Australia.

IPL 2025 vs IPL 2024: Spinners rule as six appeal dips

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Also, teams have won more games chasing. Here’s what the stats say after 50 matches of each season

S Rajesh02-May-2025At the start of the 2025 season, it seemed there would be new highs in terms of scoring rates and totals this year, as 119 sixes were struck in the first five games (compared to 87 after five matches last year), and 200 was breached six times, including three totals of over 240.

Since then, though, the bowlers have hit back, aided by conditions which haven’t always been perfect for big-hitting. The result is that after 50 matches, the overall numbers for 2025 have fallen behind last year’s in terms of run rates, sixes and 200-plus totals. At the same stage last year, three teams – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – had run rates in excess of 10, but this season Gujarat Titans (GT) are the only teams to tick that box.In both seasons, exactly 103 fifty-plus scores have been made, but that includes 11 centuries in 2024 and only four this season. And the phase-wise numbers show that 2025 is ahead in run rates and sixes count only in the powerplay; in the two other phases they have dropped behind 2024.

The sixes momentum dips in 2025The progression in the tally of sixes best illustrates the difference between the two seasons. After 29 matches, the current season had 38 more sixes than at the same point last year; after 30 matches the difference reduced to 13, thanks to a 38-six match in Bengaluru between RCB and SRH last year. After 50 matches, 2025 is lagging by as many as 70 sixes. Last year, there were three matches in the first 50 with more than 35 sixes, but the highest this year is 32.ESPNcricinfo LtdSpin is kingWith 220 wickets at an average of 30.02, spinners are collectively having a much better season than they did last year. At the same stage in 2024, they had taken only 154 wickets at an average of almost 37. In percentage terms too, spinners have had a lot more to contribute this year, bowling almost 41% of the total overs, and taking 39% of all the bowler wickets; last year, the corresponding percentages were only 33% and 27%.ESPNcricinfo LtdThis year, six spinners have taken 12 or more wickets – Noor Ahmad, Yuzvendra Chahal, Krunal Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav and R Sai Kishore. Last season, only two spinners had achieved this after 50 games – Kuldeep and Chahal.The difference is quite stark in the middle overs. This season, spinners have 44 more wickets in this phase than they did after 50 matches last year, and have bowled more than 61% of the overs. Last year, pace bowlers took more wickets in this phase – 138 to 127 – but in 2025, spin has dominated, taking 171 wickets compared to 106 for the seamers.

Bat second to winIn the first couple of weeks this season, teams batting first had the edge, winning 13 of the first 23 matches. Since then, the tables have turned completely, as teams batting second have won 17 and lost only eight. That means the overall win-loss record is 27-21 in favour of the chasing team this season (excluding the game that went into the super over). Last year after 50 games the gap was smaller – 27-23 in favour of the team batting second.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe team winning the toss has also had a significant advantage this season, with a 29-19 win-loss record, including 18-7 in the last 27 matches. Last year it was 28-22 in favour of the team winning the toss. RCB are the only team which hasn’t lost a single game after winning the toss – they have a spotless 4-0 record – while they are also one of three teams to win three matches after losing the toss (GT and Mumbai Indians are the others).

Alex Green, Ian Holland make light work of Surrey

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Duo take five and four wickets respectively as Leicestershire Foxes ease to victory

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 06-Aug-2025Alex Green’s 5 for 25 and Ian Holland’s 4 for 37 undermined Surrey’s batting at Guildford, where Leicestershire Foxes then eased to 179 for 4 and a six-wicket victory with 21.3 overs to spare.Surrey were bowled out for 174 in 43.1 overs, leaving all the Foxes’ top order to enjoy themselves with a succession of cameos, until Ben Cox settled matters with successive sixes off Cam Steel’s legspin.Cox ended 38 not out from 36 balls and added an unbroken 57 in 8.5 overs with Peter Handscomb, who was unbeaten on 23.Openers Sol Budinger and Rishi Patel struck two sixes and 10 fours between them in their entertaining innings of 36 and 29, Shan Masood included a massive straight six in his 27 and Lewis Hill made 20.Fast bowler Alex French, 18, conceded 26 in two overs on his senior debut but at least also grabbed the wicket of Budinger for his efforts.Earlier, only Ryan Patel and Ollie Sykes, with 53 and 50 respectively, offered any real resistance to the Leicestershire attack in front of a 2,500 sell-out crowd at Woodbridge Road.Surrey, missing 15 players at The Hundred, were also without the injured former Test duo Dom Sibley and Matt Fisher, and their predominantly youthful line-up proved easy for highly rated England Under 19 fast bowler Green.Making only his fourth List A appearance, in addition to a first-class debut last September, Green first removed Ben Foakes before ripping out Sykes, who had pulled Tom Scriven for one huge six over mid wicket, Steel and James Taylor in his second spell in mid-innings. He then returned to finish off Surrey by dismissing Josh Blake for 31 and bowled with genuine pace throughout.Allrounder Holland’s clever medium pace was also too much for Surrey, although it was the occasional off spin of Rishi Patel which struck perhaps the game’s decisive blow when he claimed the wicket of namesake Ryan Patel for 53 in the 25th over.Surrey’s total, though ultimately below par, had been based on a fourth-wicket stand of 68 between Patel and Sykes that rallied the home team after a wobbly start.Rory Burns edged Holland to second slip to go for 3 in the third over and 19-year-old Adam Thomas, in only his third List A game, also fell to Holland who pinned him leg-before for six during a tidy five-over new-ball spell of 2 for 21.The introduction of the giant 18-year-old Green brought almost immediate results, with Foakes (5) nicking his second ball behind, but Patel and Sykes steadied the innings.Patel, captaining Surrey for the first time, has been the county’s leading run-scorer in this competition for each of the past two seasons and he looked in good order before falling to a low caught-and-bowled. Driving at Rishi Patel’s offspin, there initially seemed to be some doubt about whether the ball carried but the bowler was confident and a quick consultation between the umpires confirmed that it had.Patel’s dismissal proved a turning point in the innings, with 111 for four quickly becoming 141 for 8.Sykes was caught at mid on, Steel caught from a skied misfit first ball, Taylor taken at the wicket and Nathan Barnwell – who also scored just two – bowled by Holland between bat and pad.Yousuf Majid did add 32 with Blake but on 14 he fenced at Holland and edged behind, and one run later Blake holed out at deep square leg to give the impressive Green his fifth wicket.

Amorim can fix Man Utd’s midfield by axing Casemiro for “future £100m” star

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Manchester United’s midfield pivot has been something that Ruben Amorim has seemingly found a formula he likes. The Portuguese manager has caused lots of debate with his infamous 3-4-2-1, with the wing-backs being one thing to spark such conversation.

However, the makeup of his pivot has been interesting to see, too. This season, it seems as though the former Sporting boss has landed on captain Bruno Fernandes and the experienced Casemiro as his ideal duo in midfield.

It is a new role for Fernandes, who has played most of his career as a number ten.

As for Casemiro, he has done well this season. Yet, against Crystal Palace at the weekend, he looked exposed at times.

Why Casemiro can struggle in the pivot

Brazil legend Casemiro has certainly adapted well to playing in Amorim’s system.

Not too long ago, he was told to “leave the football before the football leaves you” by Jamie Carragher. Now, he is a regular starter for United at almost 34 years of age.

Indeed, Amorim has put a lot of trust in the former Real Madrid star this season. He’s played in 12 Premier League games, missing one due to a suspension.

Since the middle of September, he’s started every game in the league he’s been available for, and has even scored three times.

However, there are struggles that the United number 18 can experience in midfield.

Physically, Casemiro is a little behind the eight ball at times and can get exposed, often being left in the dust and opposition midfielders coasting past him.

Coming up against the Eagles last Sunday, it was an issue in the first half for the 82-cap Brazil international. As Goal journalist Calum Preston Kelly pointed out, he “struggled to prevent Palace dictating play in the first half.”

The energetic duo of Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada found it all too easy and were able to breeze past him countless times, having looked “haunted” up against the Englishman, in particular.

Perhaps this is an issue Amorim would like to nip in the bud before long. It might well make a change of personnel in the pivot to have a true impact.

United’s ready-made Casemiro alternative

There are options if Amorim wants to switch things up in midfield.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Mason Mount briefly played next to Bruno Fernandes away to Fulham at the start of the season, and Manuel Ugarte is another player who could slot into the side.

Yet, the obvious answer is Kobbie Mainoo. Amorim continues to ignore his obvious talent, despite being called a “future £100m+ footballer” by Alex Turk and starting in the final of Euro 2024 just 18 months ago.

It has been a tough campaign for the Stockport-born midfielder. He’s only played nine times in the Premier League, and is yet to start a game.

He’s featured for just 171 minutes, averaging 20 per game that he has played in.

Let’s not forget, though, the skill Mainoo possesses. He is a master in small spaces, able to break the press with his carrying ability and drive forward.

He’s also intelligent off the ball and is a strong dueller. Those were all on show on his Premier League debut against Everton, where he had 61 touches and won five duels.

Mainoo vs Everton – PL debut

Stat

Number

Touches

61

Pass accuracy

83%

Passes completed

38/46

Ground duels won

3/5

Aerial duels won

2/3

Ball recoveries

3

Dribbles completed

2/3

Stats from Sofascore

The skills Mainoo could bring to United’s pivot would surely only benefit Amorim’s side. He is more physically up to speed than Casemiro and is less likely to get outrun.

On top of that, he brings different qualities on the ball which could add a new dynamic to midfield.

Plus, he still has an eye for goal like his fellow midfielder.

Mainoo has seven goals in a United shirt, with the most important one coming in the 2023/24 FA Cup final, which turned out to be the winner against Manchester City.

Mainoo has to get his chance in the United midfield soon enough. Their number 37 simply must be playing football every week, to continue on the path he was on just one year ago.

Don’t forget, he was trusted to start England’s biggest game in years.

With Casemiro’s occasional struggles out of possession, the starlet could be the Red Devils’ answer to their issues in midfield.

Bruno upgrade: Man Utd make £70m bid for "most complete player in football"

Manchester United could acquire a perfect upgrade in the midfield department in 2026…

By
Robbie Walls

Dec 3, 2025

São Januário: O que falta para a reforma do estádio do Vasco sair do papel?

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

MatériaMais Notícias

Nesta terça-feira foi realizada a última audiência pública para a aprovação do projeto de potencial construtivo para a reforma de São Januário, estádio do Vasco. Realizada no ginásio da Colina Histórica, moradores da Barreira e comerciantes locais mostraram a importância da modernização do estádio.

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Com a aprovação da ncomunidade ao projeto, mas um passo foi dado para que o sonho dos vascaínos saia do papel. Agora é partir para os trâmites finais: a última votação em segunda discussão na Câmara dos Vereadores e, finalmente, a sanção do prefeito Eduardo Paes. Após a audência, o presidente Pedrinho falou sobre o sentimento de ver a Colina Histórica se renovando durante a sua gestão.

“É muita história que tem aqui dentro, né? Quando você muda tudo você tem aquele sentimento de saudade, porque está muito próximo disso acontecer. Mas era muito necessário, pela questão estrutural, da capacidade. A gente sabe que não dava para colocar um estádio maior ainda pela questão do entorno. A gente sabe que isso vai ter um impacto direto em todos os aspectos de receita para clube. A gente sabe do engajamento, a gente sabe do potencial da torcida do Vasco. É tudo muito emocionante para mim, e quando começar as obras, que a gente spera que seja no final desse ano ou no iníco de janeiro, é ter paciência e segurar a ansiedade até o estádio ficar pronto.” – disse o ídolo vascaíno, que chego à Colina aos seis anos e começou no futsal.

O projeto foi recebido bem na Câmara, o que contribuiu para a agilidade do processo. Na primeira votação o projeto foi aprovado em unanimidade. Na audiência na Barra da Tijuca, os moradores da Barreira falaram sobre a importância da reforme e deram o sinal verde para a modernização e integração do entorno.

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Um dos principais pontos do ‘Novo São Januário’ é integrar a Barreira do Vasco ao estádio, derrubando os muros que separam a favela e a casa do Cruz-Maltino. A fachada histórica será preservada, mas o entorno será aberta à comunidade.

AMPLIAÇÃO DO ESTÁDIO
Área do terreno atual: 70.000,00M²
Área construída: 379.531,84M²
Custo da construção: R$506 milhões

OBJETIVOS DA REFORMA
Preservação da fachada
Ampliação da capacidade
Integração ao entorno
Modernização, conforto e segurança
Sustentabilidade

A partir da aprovação dos próximos dois passos, a diretoria já poderá procurar um comprador para o potencial construtivo no terreno da Barra da Tijuca. Segundo Pedrinho, já existem interessados. Além disso, também já há conversas para vender os naming rights do estádio.

“A gente tem que muita tranquilidade, valorizar o naming rights, por tudo o que representa o estádio de São Januário, um simbolismo histórico, social e esportivo, e a melhor decisão será tomada.”

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Newcastle have signed their new Alexander Isak & he's not even a striker

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

St James’ Park proved to be a fortress once more for Newcastle United on Saturday evening when Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City travelled to Tyneside.

This season so far in the Premier League, the Magpies are yet to win away from home, with three draws and defeats depressingly next to their name. At home, though, it’s a much different story, with four league wins collected with confidence, which now includes a 2-1 triumph over the Citizens.

Harvey Barnes was the difference maker on the day with two well-taken efforts under pressure, with this being the first time Newcastle have got the better of their opponents from Manchester since a slim 1-0 success in the EFL Cup back in 2023.

On that day, it was Alexander Isak who would break the deadlock, and while the sting of his departure to Liverpool was certainly felt in the immediate aftermath of his exit, Eddie Howe’s Toon aren’t dwelling too much on him no longer being around now, with the 47-year-old boss no doubt pleased with the attacking display on show from Barnes and many others.

How Newcastle downed Manchester City

Howe was beaming from ear to ear at the full-time whistle, as he finally got a career win over Guardiola in league action.

He would also be over the moon for the aforementioned Barnes, with the 27-year-old winger repaying his manager’s faith in him when being handed a fifth Premier League start of the season, as his first effort was stylishly placed home, before the vital second goal was somehow bundled into the back of the net.

Nick Woltemade would have felt aggrieved that he couldn’t get on the scoresheet, though, with four efforts passing him by. Still, with four Premier League efforts next to his name this season, away from drawing blanks up against Gianluigi Donnarumma, he has filled the void left behind by Isak expertly.

Both Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes also stood out during the 2-1 victory, as Guimaraes assisted Barnes’ first breakaway strike, while his Italian teammate won six duels and three tackles as a combative counterpart.

Yet, there was one star who stood out throughout who could now be labelled boldly as Howe’s next Isak, even with Woltemade at his disposal, for how influential he’s become in such a short space of time.

Howe's new Isak-esque figure

Of course, while the £125m sale is now struggling to settle at Anfield, he was a consistent top performer on Tyneside when he was still donning the famous black and white stripes.

Indeed, a deadly 62 strikes were tallied up by the lethal Scandinavian during his 102-game stay at St James’ Park, with Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher even hailing him as the “best striker in the Premier League” off the back of such potent form.

He immediately hit the ground running in England, too, with two goals from his first three league appearances for the Toon, with Malick Thiaw also making the transition from European football to English shores look easy, making him a strong candidate to be considered Howe’s next most influential player, much like Isak was.

With an 86% pass accuracy averaged across his eight Premier League games to date, and a commanding 4.6 duels won on average, some have even hailed the German as a “top five centre-back in the league this season”, with Isak also in the same esteemed conversations as a top five forward in the division.

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

36

Accurate passes

20/25 (80%)

Tackles won

1/1

Last man tackles

1

Interceptions

1

Clearances

7

Blocked shots

1

Ball recoveries

6

Total duels won

2/4

Thiaw has only enhanced his reputation for being an influential member of Howe’s first team with his commanding showing against Guardiola’s visitors, with 14-goal hero Erling Haaland completely negated by the former AC Milan defender, who restricted him to just 23 touches of the ball and two shots on target.

NUFCBlog hailed the performance as “outstanding” against “the best striker on the planet” as Thiaw even impressively stood his ground one-on-one with the frightening Norwegian early in the second half, before a last-ditch intervention saw a chance go rarely astray for the number nine.

On top of that moment of ice-cold maturity, Thiaw would also bow out from the 2-1 win with seven clearances and six ball recoveries amassed, as City found it very difficult all night long to break down the Toon’s resilient back line.

The hope will just be that Thiaw gets better with more time in the Premier League, like Isak, who transformed into a £125m-calibre beast.

Although this time around, Howe will also pray he doesn’t have to give up the 6-foot-4 defender to the likes of Liverpool or any other suitor, as Thiaw becomes the manager’s most crucial player.

Last season, that was reserved for Isak. This season, it’s reserved for their new towering centre-half.

9/10 Newcastle duo look even more important than Bruno G & Tonali

These two players stood out in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Man City

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 23, 2025

'Not tactics, just team belief' – Pooran toasts TKR's spirit after CPL glory

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

“I’ve waited 15 years for this moment. This feeling, there’s no words to describe it”

Deivarayan Muthu22-Sep-2025After leading Trinbago Knight Riders to their first CPL title in five years, and earning his first CPL title in 12 seasons, Nicholas Pooran has put their success down to belief.While TKR were also tactically superior to Guyana Amazon Warriors on Sunday – Andre Russell bounced Quentin Sampson out with Kieron Pollard swooping in on a catch at short leg and their left-handed batters countered Gudakesh Motie – Pooran said that it was their immense self-belief that led them to CPL glory.”Nah [not tactics]. It’s just belief. Team belief,” Pooran said after TKR squeezed past Amazon Warriors in the final. “I’ve waited 15 years for this moment. This feeling, there’s no words to describe it. But before we talk about anything else, I just want to say thank you to all my guys here, every single person in the TKR team, all the squad members, every single one of our fans. Thank you for the love and support.”Related

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TKR’s victory capped a banner week for Trinidad & Tobago sport. Earlier this week, Keshorn Walcott had won the gold in the men’s javelin while Jereem Richards had claimed silver in the men’s 400-metre race at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.”We weren’t only doing it for ourselves, but we were doing it for the people of Trinidad & Tobago,” Pooran said. “They came out and supported us. The government supported us. Even the minister is here. I hope he’s going to reward us as well, right (laughs)?”But again, we did it for the people of Trinidad & Tobago. This week was a really important one where Keshorn Walcott and Jereem Richards won in the World Championship and then us coming to win the CPL.”TKR were pilloried for picking a number of players over the age of 30, but they turned their perceived weakness into their biggest strength. Fittingly, 32-year-old Akeal Hosein bagged the Player-of-the-Match award for his all-round effort while 38-year-old Pollard, the oldest West Indian in the TKR squad, won the Player-of-the-Tournament award.”First of all, it’s all about getting the ego out of the way,” Pooran said. “We’ve lost in the last five years and a lot of things were said: ‘The guys are old and time has passed’. I guess every single person, they answered and they proved everyone wrong. I want to start with Polly, 38 years old or young I should say, right (laughs)? MVP in a tournament like this. Dre [Andre Russell], every single person, day in and day out. These guys really did it for us. For me as a captain, I can’t ask for anything else.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd’Sometimes you have to throw the first punch’ – Pollard on his battle with TahirIn front of a partisan Providence crowd that even booed him, Pollard played a vital cameo and took down Imran Tahir, the top wicket-taker in CPL 2025. Pollard pounded Tahir for 20 off six balls, including three sixes, before the Amazon Warriors captain burst through his defences with a wrong’un.”As much as you guys talk about him being a match-up for myself on the television, I back myself to hit the spin,” Pollard said. “In a situation like today, what we needed was a quick cameo to settle the nerves.”Throughout the entire tournament, the competition between Tahir and myself all over the world has been immense. Sometimes you have to take the first step and try to make the first punch. Once I show that sort of intent early on, I’m always going to be on top. There are other times where I have to just block him out. But you have to have the discipline and the want to do that because that’s what the team requires.”While Pollard was tight-lipped about his CPL future as a player – he has already retired from the IPL and forayed into coaching there – he confirmed that he will play in the upcoming season of the ILT20 in the UAE.”I can’t tell you the future,” Pollard said. “I can only deal with what’s in front of me. I have a flight coming up and I’m getting home to the kids. I’m just trying to enjoy some time at home. I’ve been on the road for the entire year. So, I think I owe it to them. Let’s see what happens. At the end of the year, I’ll still be playing in the ILT20 in Dubai. So that’s the only thing I can tell you at this point of time.”Akeal Hosein overcomes illness to win it for TKRHosein, who iced the chase with an unbeaten 16 off seven balls, was ill in the lead-up to the final but overcame that and embodied TKR’s belief. He had also contributed handsomely with the ball, dismissing both Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope, the highest run-getter this season.”Very special. This win has eluded us for five years and we were really hungry,” Hosein said. “We had an experienced group and there were lots of talks about the ages in our group, but experience beat old talk and I’m really happy to get this win.”I told one of my team-mates yesterday that I’m gonna get the Man of the Match [award] today and that’s what I set my mind to. And no matter what condition I’m in, I’m gonna go out there and give it my all for my team and I’m really happy that I did that today.”Hosein has also been working behind the scenes to expand his range as a lower-order batter. Two months after he hit his maiden T20 fifty, for Texas Super Kings from No.6 in the MLC, he secured the CPL title for TKR with the bat and sparked wild celebrations in their camp.”I think there’s some work to be done [with the bat], but it’s always good to look up on the board and get recognised as an allrounder,” Hosein said. “So hopefully, more opportunities come along like that. I’ve been working really hard with Polly as well. So why not? I have the best in the world in my team. Why not pick their brains, rub shoulders with them and try and become a better player?”

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