Tag Futebol

The successful chase of 359, arriving in a World Cup year, is a massive injection of confidence for a side that seemed to lack clarity of purpose in ODI cricket

Daniel Brettig11-Mar-20196:35

The more pressure before a World Cup, the better – Handscomb

A glance down the list of highest ODI totals batting second in the entire history of the format offers a few salient observations. The first of these is that England have four of the top 10, all scored since the last World Cup in 2015 to underline their status as likely favourites for this year’s edition of the tournament.The second is that Ashton Turner’s blazing bat in Mohali, building on a platform set by Peter Handscomb and Usman Khawaja, has edged Australia into the all-time top 10. This has come about in the year of a World Cup where high scoring and judicious use of Twenty20 skills at pivotal times in the 50-over game will doubtless be critical to the outcome.What makes this more significant is that this is the first time Australia have got anywhere near some of the marks set by England in recent times, having never previously ventured beyond 350 when batting second. As an ODI team, in fact, Australia have very seldom operated as effectively batting second as they do going in first: Mohali is the only score in the nation’s top 35 ODI tallies to have been made when chasing.Understandable then, that Handscomb raved about the confidence injection this result will provide. “This is a really big moment for us,” Handscomb said. “We haven’t had too much of a debrief yet but it will be something along the lines of ‘Take this belief, take this confidence, this momentum, keep building’. Because what we’ve done today is something special … this gives us so much confidence. Not only going into the next game but looking forward to the World Cup.”To chase down 360 [359] against India in India, the boys are going to take so much confidence from that, not only going into the next game but going on to Pakistan and looking forward to the World Cup. This is a really big moment for us and we’re really enjoying it.”The more pressure you can put yourself under going into a World Cup is great. We’re starting to see that guys are learning, guys are more relaxed out there and understanding what they can do within their own game and then executing to their strengths, both with bat and ball. It’s very, very good prep.”Getty ImagesFor a long time, it has looked as though Australia’s 50-over team are operating without enough clarity of purpose whether with ball or bat in hand. To some degree this has been because Test cricket has taken priority in between World Cups, leaving the ODI side commonly at the mercy of the need to rest and rotate exhausted players. Equally, some of the players first picked for the ODI team have found themselves not at their best even when chosen – Aaron Finch’s misadventures this summer being a prime example.However, after an abortive attempt to stock the team with hitters at the top, not least the now discarded Chris Lynn, Australia started to make some progress in their ODI performance against India at home at the start of the year. Ironically, they did so by slowing down, returning more conventional stroke-makers like Usman Khawaja and Handscomb to the team to help modulate the scoring rate through the middle overs.Confidence has been slow in arriving, and big scores in the regions recently explored by England have also been elusive. But as Handscomb pointed out, the team coached by Justin Langer and led by Finch have gradually been building up a sense of consistency and ownership about the way they play, and the way they intend on attacking the challenge of a World Cup.ALSO READ – India, meet Ashton Turner: Australia’s new finisher“If you look at our one-dayers in Australia, we made good progress there, we started to develop our own batting plan or batting signature,” Handscomb said. “We keep getting better with each game and we started off nicely with two T20 wins here that gave us a bit of confidence and then we were close in the first two games and then we’re starting to click come these two games and hopefully that builds momentum going forward.”This gives us so much confidence. If you look back on the second T20 as well, where we chased down 189 at Bangalore, that was the start of a little bit of belief there and then to come out and do it again showed it’s not a fluke, it’s actually a bit of consistency starting to come into this team. And batting plans add a lot of confidence. We’re going to execute those plans. Going forward this is a big moment and hopefully we can continue to build on this feeling we’ve got at the moment.”Circumstances and selections have also played a role, and will continue to do so in the run to the Cup. Travis Head, a fixture in the ODI side for most of the past three years, now finds himself on the outer due to Handscomb’s utilisation in the middle order. More immediately, a broken thumb to Marcus Stoinis – after numerous failed chase attempts where his tendency to soak up dot balls has been exposed – meant that Turner was able to gain an opportunity that he claimed with murderous relish in the closing overs at the PCA Stadium.4:42

Dasgupta: Turner played the dimensions of the ground well

“We’ve seen Ash do this in the Big Bash before, we’ve seen him do it a couple times now,” Handscomb said. “But for him to come out on the world stage, second ODI and play an innings like that is phenomenal and he’ll take a lot of confidence going forward as well.”The thought process was take it as deep as possible because anything can happen. We knew the wicket was going to be good, getting better with dew coming in later, so we just worked on trying to go a run a ball and then hopefully back-end the innings, which worked out beautifully with Ash Turner doing his job.”I think it became a T20 chase about 15 overs out, it was getting up over 10 an over and close to 12. So we had to look to pull the trigger a couple of times and bring it back. Ash picked his bowlers beautifully, he knew who to target and then other guys to sit on and respect. For a guy playing his second game, that was a beautiful, mature knock.”There are a few caveats to the Mohali result, not least the dew irritating India’s bowlers, and the fact that the hosts, with MS Dhoni rested, are in World Cup preparation mode having settled on their preferred “signature” long ago.This is without mentioning the looming returns of Steven Smith and David Warner, which will create fresh selection headaches for Langer and company even as Turner, Handscomb and Khawaja have staked their claims. Certainly Shaun Marsh’s hold on a spot is now looking increasingly wobbly.But the statistical dent this chase made in Australia’s previously grim record batting second, and the confidence the team will derive from doing so, means this is a significant result. For the first time since the last World Cup, Australia looked like a team capable of challenging not only India, but England.

Liverpool will have a commanding presence in the transfer window this summer and could use that leverage to pull off an audacious player-plus-cash deal to land an exciting target, according to a report.

Liverpool look to build on Premier League title triumph

After laying claim to their second title of the Premier League era, the Reds are winding down for the campaign and won’t be too frustrated at surrendering a two-goal advantage in their draw with Arsenal last weekend.

Ultimately, Arne Slot has led his side to the goal they set out to achieve at the start of the season. Now, many are beginning to wonder what happens next once their celebrations are in the memory bank.

That is still a while off yet, though Liverpool are active in their pursuit of summer reinforcements and could look to bring Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong to Anfield. The Netherlands international is someone the club are aware of as far as his situation goes, with a release clause of between £29.5 million and £33.8 million being something they are willing to exploit.

Lyon winger Malick Fofana is also being targeted by Liverpool, potentially becoming a replacement for Luiz Diaz amid the latter attracting interest from Saudi Pro League outfit.

Darwin Nunez is another that could be moved on to free up funds and space for reinforcements in a period where Slot is expected to be ruthless in his decision-making to mould a squad fit to defend their crown. Realistically, Liverpool have nothing to prove to anyone, but they could potentially surpass their jointly-held record of 20 titles that they share with Manchester United next term with a repeat performance of this season’s excellence.

Making strides to equip themselves to do so, the Reds are now eyeing a swap deal that could see one of Europe’s revered attackers arrive on Merseyside.

Liverpool eye Ademola Lookman and Federico Chiesa swap deal

According to reports in Italy via Sport Witness, Liverpool would be willing to swap Federico Chiesa for Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman to bring the Nigeria international back to the Premier League. Formerly of Everton, Lookman has registered 19 goals and seven assists in 38 appearances across all competitions this season. His current employers are unlikely to make allowances relating to his £50 million+ valuation, so Chiesa could be used to whittle that number down.

Better than Jota: Liverpool make contact to sign "world-class" £85m star

Liverpool have made contact to keep informed on a “world-class” star who is miles better than Diogo Jota.

2

By
Dan Emery

May 12, 2025

The Liverpool star could now be thrown into a potential swap arrangement after struggling to make an impact following his move from Juventus. Earning £150,000 per week, the Italy international has scored twice and registered two assists in just 13 outings, making him a prime candidate for a summer departure.

That said, it remains to be seen whether a swap would be the preferred option for both clubs or if conducting seperate deals is a more viable alternative to put through the books.

He will call curtains on a legendary career at the ground where it all began for him 21 years ago

Vithushan Ehantharajah11-May-202411:21

James Anderson ‘England’s greatest ever bowler’

James Anderson has announced he will retire from international cricket after England’s first Test of the summer at Lord’s, against West Indies, bringing the curtain down on a legendary career where it all began 21 years ago.Anderson, who turns 42 in July, made his Test debut at Lord’s in 2003 against Zimbabwe. He has gone on to take 700 wickets – the most by any pace bowler in Test history. His eventual tally of 188 caps will be the second most in Test history, with just Sachin Tendulkar ahead of him on 200.In a personal statement released on Instagram, Anderson confirmed he would represent England one last time, although speaking later to the BBC’s Tailenders podcast, he did not rule out the possibility of extending his playing career with Lancashire.”Hi everyone. Just a note to say that the first Test of the summer at Lord’s will be my last Test,” Anderson wrote on Instagram.”It’s been an incredible 20 years representing my country, playing the game I’ve loved since I was a kid. I’m going to miss walking out for England so much. But I know the time is right to step aside and let others realise their dreams just like I got to, because there is no greater feeling.””I couldn’t have done it without the love and support of Daniella, Lola, Ruby and my parents. A huge thank you to them. Also, thank you to the players and coaches who have made this the best job in the world.”I’m excited for the new challenges that lie ahead, as well as filling my days with even more golf.”Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, it’s always meant a lot, even if my face often doesn’t show it.”See you at the Test,”Go well”Jimmy x”Anderson had previously harboured ambitions to play England’s six Tests this summer against West Indies and Sri Lanka and even refused to rule out being around for the 2025-26 Ashes, by which point he would be 43. However, following a face-to-face meeting on the golf course with Test head coach Brendon McCullum in April, and further conversations involving managing director Rob Key, Anderson was informed the team needed to look beyond him this summer with a view to building to that tour of Australia.The news of that meeting, initially reported in on Friday, ultimately brought confirmation from Anderson 24 hours later. He was due to feature as part of the BBC’s live coverage of England Women’s first match of the summer against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Saturday but has subsequently pulled out.James Anderson is set to finish his career with 188 Tests to his name•Getty ImagesSpeaking to Tailenders, Anderson confirmed that his discussions with McCullum had come up as part of his annual appraisal, at the six-month mark of his one-year contract.”I feel like I have talked about it for ten years with every coach I have had, asking ‘how long you going to play for’,” Anderson said. “Looking ahead, could a 43-year-old me make the Ashes in 18 months time? I sort of came to the decision ‘probably not’. From my point of view it feels like a stretch at this point in my career, and from their point of view there are 15 or so Tests before the Ashes so it gives them time to get other guys Tests and experience before that Ashes series.”I feel good about it, I have had an amazing career. Stuff about retirement has been hanging around for years now, ever since I turned 30 and grown even more since I turned 40. I just feel really lucky that I have managed to get to this stage, still playing at this very high level.”Anderson reached the 700 Test-wicket mark earlier this year in the fifth and final Test of England’s tour of India. Though he has long been the lynchpin of the English attack, he bowled just 110 overs in seven innings in that series after a tough Ashes campaign last summer in which he took just five wickets at 85.40 in four Tests. Anderson is currently on a one-year central contract which expires at the end of the summer.Regarding his county career, however, Anderson admitted he was “not 100% set” on hanging up his boots, and could yet feature in the latter half of Lancashire’s Championship campaign.”There are games at the end of the season that I’m not ruling out at this moment,” he said. “That’s a conversation I’ve got to have with Lancashire and see what they want to do.”It is part of the thought process. I’m not 100% set on what I’m going to do next. That will be a conversation further down the line with Lancashire and see what they want to do, see if I’ve actually got the desire and willingness to do that as well. Again, that will be later in the year.”In a statement released by the ECB alongside Anderson’s, chair Richard Thompson said:”I don’t think we’ll ever see a bowler to match Jimmy again. It has been an honour as an England fan to watch him, and to marvel at his skill with the ball.”To still be bowling at the top of his game at 41 is remarkable, and he is a true inspiration and role model for peers and younger generations alike.”His final Test promises to be an emotional one, and having been there for his first Test in 2003, it will be an honour to watch his final one at Lord’s in July.”English cricket owes Jimmy Anderson a send-off like no other.”

Is the Sri Lanka allrounder such a poor runner that the selectors’ decision to drop him, despite him being the most consistent ODI run-maker in the side, defensible?

Fidel Fernando, Shiva Jayaraman and Srinath Sripath02-Oct-2018Angelo Mathews’ recent fall in limited-overs cricket was dramatic. Following Sri Lanka’s embarrassing Asia Cup exit, Mathews was first stripped of the captaincy, then dropped from the one-day team altogether, only 10 months after the same coach and selectors had requested him to lead the team. Chandika Hathurusingha and chief selector Graeme Labrooy have since attempted to publicly explain the decision to axe him, and have landed on three inter-related reasons:a) Mathews is not “cricket fit”, in that they are not confident he can field for 50 overs, then be relied on to bat effectively for 30 or more overs.b) Mathews’ running between the wickets in particular is affected by this lack of “cricket fitness”, and he has run out an unusually high number of partnersc) As a result of the two reasons above, Mathews’ presence in the side creates a less-than-ideal “team dynamic”Hathurusingha spoke most strongly about reasons b) and c), stating that: “Running between the wickets is a very big concern for the whole team at the moment…If you look at his record, he has been involved in about 64 run-outs, and 49 times the opposite guy got run out. That’s a world record.” So do Hathurusingha’s claims stack up? Is Mathews such a poor runner that the selectors’ decision to drop him, despite being the most consistent ODI run-maker in the Sri Lanka side, defensible?At first glance, Hathurusingha may be on to something. No batsman has been involved in as many run-outs as Mathews since his debut in 2008. In fact, no one even comes close. Mathews has been party to 65 run-outs over his career, across formats – 35% more than the next-worst offender in the time period, which is surprisingly AB de Villiers. Of that total, 42 of the run-outs involving Mathews have come in ODIs.Also note MS Dhoni’s presence at No. 3 on this list – that will become relevant later in the story.Most run-outs across formats•ESPNcricinfo LtdMathews has not only racked up a high volume of run-outs since his debut, but it also translates to a high percentage of his partnerships being ended by a run-out. More than a tenth of Mathews’ ODI partnerships have been brought to a close by a run-out. Just to contrast, the overall run-out percentage in ODIs since Mathews’ debut is 6.19%.A 4.2% run-out percentage change between Mathews’ partnerships and your average ODI partnership does not seem like much, but do keep in mind that run-outs are largely seen as a completely avoidable form of dismissal. Also, remember what Hathurusingha said about Sri Lanka’s “team dynamic”. From a batting partner’s perspective, you are roughly 60% more likely to have your present partnership ended by a run-out if you are batting alongside Mathews, rather than your average ODI batsman.De Villiers is again the second-worst on this statistical measure, while Shane Watson, Eoin Morgan and Martin Guptill have had the lowest percentage of their ODI partnerships end in run-outs in this period.Where does Mathews rank among the worst ODI runners?•ESPNcricinfo LtdWe can now be sure that Mathews has registered an unusually high volume and percentage of run-out involvements over a 10-year career, but Hathurusingha’s other point was that the run-outs Mathews was involved in have overwhelmingly led to the dismissal of his partner, rather than himself. This was certainly the case in the recent Asia Cup, where Mathews was party to two running mix-ups in successive games, and was largely to blame for the dismissal of his partner on both occasions.Overall, his statistics suggest this is a trend for Mathews. In fact, not only is his involvement in dismissals of his partner unusually high for his own playing period, it is the highest – in terms of percentage of overall run-outs – in the last 30 years. In nominal terms, Mathews has been party to a run-out of his partner 50 times, across formats. Which means that of the run-outs he has been involved in, it’s his partner who has lost his wicket 77% of the time.