Real Madrid's new signing Franco Mastantuono has been an instant hit with the fans, but they will be unable to get his first name on their shirts.
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South Africa top order batter set for first county stint after impressing in domestic T20
ESPNcricinfo staff03-May-2024Northamptonshire have signed South Africa top-order batter Matthew Breetzke for the the upcoming Vitality T20 Blast.Breetzke, 25, has won three T20I caps for his country but was not named in South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad and should be available throughout the group stage alongside Northamptonshire’s other overseas signing, Zimbabwe allrounder Sikandar Raza.”Matt is a very capable batter who will bring power, experience and some real determination to the side,” John Sadler, Northamptonshire’s head coach, said. “We identified what we wanted to achieve with our overseas signings this year and he fits the profile of exactly the type of player that we wanted to bring in as our second overseas.Related
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“He has been excellent over the last couple of seasons domestically and we’ve been really impressive so we can’t wait to see him this summer.”In a tough market for overseas signings, Breetzke stood out with his domestic T20 form. He was the third-highest run-scorer at the 2023-24 SA20, with 416 at a strike rate of 135.50 for Durban’s Super Giants, then topped the list in the recently completed CSA T20 Challenge, with 467 runs for Warriors.Breetzke said: “I am very excited to join the Steelbacks for the upcoming Vitality Blast and really grateful for the opportunity. I hope to contribute a lot on and off the field during my time at the club.”
Marizanne Kapp produced a magnificent all-round display to inspire South Africa to their first ODI victory over Australia, at the 17th attempt, and keep them alive in both the one-day and multi-format series.Kapp was forced to retire hurt in Adelaide where South Africa were comprehensively beaten, and admitted to having some doubts as to whether she could play at North Sydney Oval, but been assured by the medical staff turned the tables on the home side. Her 75 off 87 balls, of which 48 came in boundaries, was the centrepiece of South Africa’s batting display and was complemented by useful contributions from Anneke Bosch and Chloe Tryon.She then tore through Australia’s top order and finished with 3 for 12. Under lights, and on a surface freshened by steady drizzle that fell for much of the afternoon, Australia’s batting was then blown away in a manner rarely seen as they sank to 71 for 8.Kapp had Alyssa Healy caught behind driving and produced a wicked inswinger to snake past Beth Mooney’s inside edge. She then trapped Phoebe Litchfield lbw to leave Australia 34 for 3 while Ashleigh Gardner was carrying a hamstring injury sustained in the field.An unwell Ellyse Perry batted at No. 5 and could only manage 2 before edging a drive to second slip to give debutant Ayanda Hlubi a memorable maiden ODI wicket. It was a rare occasion where Australia’s deep batting order did not have an answer as Hlubi, Eliz-mari Marx and Nadine de Klerk cut through the middle order.Gardner, who came out at No. 8, and Kim Garth stopped Australia’s collapse and built a record ninth-wicket stand of women’s ODI which, briefly, conjured thoughts of a remarkable turnaround before Gardner edged Marx behind.It was only the second time since March 2009 that Australia had a lost a home ODI chasing.Marizanne Kapp scored her third half-century on the trot across formats•Cricket Australia/Getty Images
Australia were far from at their best in the field with a total of five dropped chances, including Kapp on 37 and 45 – the latter a regulation low edge to Healy. Only one partnership – between Bosch and Tazmin Brits – passed fifty but there were five middle-order efforts of between 31 and 46 which kept South Africa moving.Australia had made the ideal start by removing the key wicket of Laura Wolvaardt when she edged Megan Schutt to slip for a duck. There was nearly a second wicket in the opening over but Mooney couldn’t quite haul in an edge from Bosch who was then dropped on 1 by Perry at long leg.South Africa were cautious through the powerplay, reaching 32 for 1 after 10 overs, and at one stage during the early stages Australia had four slips. But the visitors started to move through the gears, with a helping hand from the fielding, although when Sune Luus was well caught at long-on by Sutherland they were an uncertain 117 for 4.Kapp, however, found important partners in de Klerk and Tryon, bringing up her fifty from 62 balls after a second rain delay. She was frustrated at finding cover off a Schutt full toss in the 42nd over, but Tryon ensured a strong finish by taking 18 off the penultimate over.There was a curious incident towards the end of South Africa’s innings when Australia were unable to review an lbw appeal against Tryon, on 15 at the time, because the big screen had already shown a replay.
Meg Lanning is feeling confident ahead of her WBBL return but has refused to commit to being available for Australia’s tour of India in December
AAP17-Oct-2023Australia captain Meg Lanning is confident she has more good cricket in her but has refused to be drawn on her availability for the upcoming tour of India.After missing the Ashes in England earlier this year over health concerns, Lanning is back in action ahead of the Melbourne Stars’ WBBL campaign. The 31-year-old declined to elaborate on her second extended break from the game during the last two years.Lanning missed Australia’s recent home series against West Indies but could head to India for a historic day-night Test in Mumbai in December.Related
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“I haven’t thought that far ahead [about India],” Lanning said on Tuesday in her first media appearance for more than six months.”I’m back playing some cricket, which is nice.”I’m really enjoying it, and I still feel like I have a little bit more to give, but what exactly that looks like, I’m not sure.”As for returning to captain Australia, Lanning said she had not “really got that far”.”I’m just worrying about this next couple of weeks with the Stars,” she said.Lanning admitted she barely watched any of the Ashes as Alyssa Healy captained Australia as they retained the urn in England courtesy of a drawn series.She put the bat away after finishing the inaugural Women’s Premier League with the Delhi Capitals in March.”I didn’t bat for a fairly long time,” Lanning said.”Probably I needed a little bit heading into the WNCL.”But I have played a lot of cricket over the years so I do feel like the skillset’s there.”It’s just about getting into a confident position and feeling good in my mind that I can go out there and play. I feel like I’m in that position now.”Lanning initially took a break from cricket last year following Australia’s gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, returning for the home series against Pakistan in January.She led Australia to a Twenty20 World Cup title in South Africa in February, before again taking leave on the eve of the Ashes on medical grounds.Lanning’s Stars will open the WBBL season with a match against the Sydney Sixers at North Sydney Oval on Thursday night.
Alice Capsey hails “exciting young squad” after teenage trio help to seal victory in first T20I
Alan Gardner01-Sep-2023Never mind the persistent drizzle and autumnal chill, it was all about teenage kicks for England at the start of their T20I series with Sri Lanka in Hove. Alice Capsey, who turned 19 a few weeks ago, produced the star turn with her second international fifty, while Freya Kemp, 18, twinkled in her batting cameo – but perhaps the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for Mahika Gaur, the 17-year-old debutant who claimed her first England wicket with her final ball of the night.Capsey has been an England player for just over a year – it feels like she has been around much longer, having shot to prominence as a 16-year-old during the inaugural edition of the Hundred – but she took on the role of senior pro in an experimental batting order that saw Maia Bouchier open for the first time in her international career and Kemp, playing as a specialist batter as she continues her recovery from a back stress fracture, at No. 4.This series, which sees England missing the likes of Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone either for rest or through injury, had been billed by captain Heather Knight as a chance for the youngsters to push their case. And while it was the familiar face of Danni Wyatt who set the tone with the bat, before victory was closed out by Kate Cross – the experienced seamer playing her first T20I in almost four years – much of what took place in between justified the faith shown by Knight and head coach, Jon Lewis.”It’s a young squad but a really exciting squad,” Capsey said. “You look at Mahika coming in and making a difference and you’ve got players like Bess Heath and Issy Wong on the sidelines who are extraordinary cricketers who can change the game just like that so yeah, it’s nice to obviously be in the XI and but you’ve always got people coming up behind you and putting pressure on you which is which is great for the women’s game and English cricket.”Obviously we’re missing a few big names out of our squad, just getting rested. It’s nice for players who have performed in regional cricket to come and get their opportunity to be a part of the England environment to see what it’s about and I guess be exposed to international cricket so that when they do get their opportunity and, if in the future they become a permanent part of the side, then they know what it’s like to be a part of the squad and they’re already integrated, which is brilliant. They’ve fitted in so well with our squad so it’s been really nice to have them about.”For Gaur, who is actually an old salt by some measures, having made her international debut for UAE at the age of 12, this threatened to be a tricky introduction. With the toss delayed by an hour due to the weather, she was presented with her cap by Cross and then had to wait to get involved with the action after Sri Lanka chose to bowl in a shortened, 17-over game.Related
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England’s aggression meant the visitors were staring down the barrel of a record run-chase when Gaur took the new ball. With rain in the air again, her first delivery swung down the leg side for wides but she quickly hit her straps, twice appealing for lbw decisions and prompting a review for caught behind down the leg side. Then, one ball into her second over, the players went off – and a subsequent rejig of the requirements meant when she walked back out 45 minutes later, Sri Lanka were suddenly in the game needing 45 off 17 with all ten wickets standing.The assault duly came, as Chamari Athapaththu launched the third ball back after the resumption for six. But Gaur put her 6ft 3in frame to good use with a well-directed short ball and then found the edge of the Sri Lanka captain’s bat to cap her maiden England appearance (and 20th T20I overall) with a wicket.”I think her previous ball, her bouncer was superb,” Capsey said. “I think that really set up the wicket and yeah, obviously her first England wicket, you can’t go past that. It’s an incredible achievement and no one can take that away from her.”We’ve all got along with her really well. She’s fitted in perfectly, she’s just a really good human. She’s just someone who doesn’t take too much fuss. She gets on with it, she works really hard and I’m not surprised how well she went out there and bowled today. It was probably a different role to what she was expecting, having to go to her death overs pretty quickly but she took that role on really well and it shows her character.”We all just told her to really go out there and express herself, she doesn’t need to change, she’s been bowling so well in the regional cricket and in the Hundred cricket on the platform as well. I think the messaging was pretty much ‘go out there and do what you do, we’re all backing you’. Whenever you step on to that cricket pitch, you’ve got everyone behind you and just enjoy it.”
Tottenham Hotspur have appointed Thomas Frank as their new manager, following the departure of Europa League-winning boss Ange Postecoglou.
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Australia will need to confirm a 15-player squad to face India by Sunday
Andrew McGlashan24-May-20231:20
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Michael Neser could yet bolt into Australia’s World Test Championship squad with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh facing tight timeframes to be available for the showdown against India.Hazlewood (side) and Marsh (adductor) came home early from the IPL with minor niggles and though both have since returned to bowling, and there remains confidence they’ll be ready for the Ashes, the clash with India at The Oval on June 7 may come too soon.Australia will effectively need to make a call by Sunday (May 28) when their 15-player squad for the final has to be submitted under the ICC rules for the final. Those traveling from outside the UK arrive on Saturday.Related
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Hazlewood is the more significant of the two names and CA said earlier in the week that scans on his return to Australia had shown no damage to the side. However, with six Tests in less than two months there would be a risk of pushing him too soon.”We knew when he went to the IPL that everything would have to go perfectly on the back of the Achilles setback in India and this stage everything is good,” Australia coach Andrew McDonald told . “But it will have to go perfect for him to be part of that World Test Championship final and available.””We feel it’s almost like a home summer. We usually pick four quicks and travel around and add players when we need. We’ve got Michael and Sean [Abbott] over there and feel they can be added in at any time depending on if new information comes to us.”Neser, who picked up his impressive Sheffield Shield form in his county stint with Glamorgan, where he has scored 311 runs and taken 19 wickets, would provide cover for both players although Abbott brings a similar all-round package.Michael Neser currently has two Test caps•Getty Images
Both Neser and Abbott will join the Australia squad when they reach London late next week and begin training following a bonding camp in the northwest of England.Neser’s omission from the original squad was the most debated call, but he and Abbott have had the benefit of playing competitive cricket in recent weeks. McDonald said that Neser’s continued excellence did not surprise him and, perhaps significantly, made mention of his batting returns which have seen him average 38.66 since the start of the last Australia season.”He’s really pressing to be genuine allrounder, probably not a top six allrounder, but definitely a No. 7 or 8,” McDonald said.Overall, however, and particularly with a view to the first Ashes Test on June 16, Australia have fewer injury concerns than England who have lost Jofra Archer, face a nervous wait on James Anderson and are uncertain how much captain Ben Stokes will be able to bowl. They did, however, get a boost with a positive update on Ollie Robinson.”You don’t know how much to read into the information coming out around the injuries, how significant they are, but there is no doubt that they’ll be having more conversations around where their injury list is at than we are,” McDonald said. “It’s always nice when you haven’t got those moving parts and it’s quite settled going in.”Cameron Green’s format switchCameron Green will face increasing demand on his time•BCCI
In terms of allrounders, the key name for Australia remains Cameron Green. He lit up the IPL earlier this week with a maiden T20 century to carry Mumbai Indians into the playoffs which meant his stay at the tournament is extended.McDonald acknowledged the quick turnaround between formats will be a test for Green. He found it tricky last season after the T20 World Cup, although in that case had had precious little batting time, and there were already signs he was adapting when he returned from his injury layoff during the Test series in India.”The thing for me he’s adaptable, he’s a man for all conditions, he’s always engaged in the game whether with bat, ball and in the field…he’s high-end talent and is showing the world what he’s got,” McDonald said. “The challenge for Cam now is as he starts to become a three-format player is how he focuses [on] that, shifts between formats, and he’s going to have another challenge in front of him going deep into the IPL finals to get ready for the World Test Championship match. So that will be a challenge for him, but he’s a fast learner and every hurdle he’s got over so far.”Glancing into the not-too-distant future, managing Green across three formats will become one of McDonald’s key challenges.”We’ve declared our hand with his entry into T20 cricket last year and now what’s done in the IPL would suggest he’s tracking to be a three-format player for us. Then it’s finding the balance within all of that,” he said. “You can’t be everything to everyone and they’ll be some series where he needs to be managed like all the other players when they play three formats. The demand’s going to go up then clearly there’s other leagues that will want access to him at certain times. It’s going to be a bit of a juggling act but he’s got a good head on his shoulders and we’ll be able to work with him.”
Tammy Beaumont and Sarah Glenn showed their international quality as The Blaze maintained their perfect start to the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy with a thrilling low-scoring three-wicket victory over Sunrisers.Legspinner Glenn bamboozled Sunrisers with a brilliant 4 for 22 before striking 30 in a 72-run partnership with Beaumont – who scored 64 on a tricky pitch.Sunrisers, who had finally broken their 20-game losing streak in the competition last week, set The Blaze 160 and had them 22 for 4 after Kate Coppack’s devilish new-ball spell.But Beaumont and Glenn secured the wobble before Sophie Munro and Nadine de Klerk finished the job with 14.4 overs to spare.Grace Scrivens and Cordelia Griffith carefully navigated the new ball by putting on 66 for the first wicket, after Sunrisers had chosen to bat.At the time it had felt like a scratchy partnership, especially after Scrivens’ high-quality 67 last week, but it would soon prove much-needed grit. Scrivens’ departure, for 39, began a slide to 159 all out, which proved Glenn’s incredible talent as much the difficulty of the pitch to score runs quickly.Glenn waited until her third over before she had Scrivens stumped before 18-year-old Jodi Grewcock was bowled attempting to sweep.Mady Villiers was next as the tennis ball bounce didn’t allow her to get over a delivery and looped to mid-wicket before Griffith – who had been excellent in her 43 – was leg before.With Sunrisers now 100 for 4, The Blaze turned to Kirstie Gordon to replace Glenn – and she had Amara Carr stumped and Kelly Castle caught behind to continue the right-to-left-spin bonanza from the River End. Gordon returned 2 for 24.Meanwhile from the Hayes Close End, Munro’s pace had the enterprising Saskia Horley caught off a full toss and Jo Gardner pinned in front.Coppack and Abtaha Maqsood frustrated The Blaze with 20 for the last wicket – the second-highest stand of the innings – with Katherine Bryce grabbing the last two scalps.The 160 to win, didn’t look hugely challenging, but Coppack’s stunning opening spell saw The Blaze slide to 22 for 4.The fast bowler, who is a lawyer during the week, had Marie Kelly caught after a steepling leading edge, the opening batter’s second two-ball duck of the competition.Eva Gray found Georgie Boyce nibbling outside off stump before Coppack pocketed the Bryce sisters in successive overs – firstly Katherine edged a wide one behind and then Sarah sliced a full toss to point.Beaumont, who had been dropped herself, had been watching helpless from the other end but finally found an accomplice in Glenn, as the duo made the batting conditions look much easier. The pair used power to find gaps, with Beaumont adding flicky trickery, in a 72-run stand in just 64 balls, before Glenn picked out deep square leg.South African De Klerk helped add 25 as Beaumont reached her classy half-century in 56 deliveriesr. Then Beaumont was stumped off Castle and Lucy Higham was leg before to Gardner in back-to-back overs to threaten to turn the game again.But De Klerk and Munro knocked off the remaining 38 runs with little fuss to take The Blaze two from two.
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Tetracampeão mundial com a Seleção e com 1002 gols na carreira, Romário mostrou que não desaprendeu a jogar futebol e marcou um gol antológico, aos 56 anos de idade, durante um jogo de futebol em um campeonato amador.
No vídeo, o Baixinho ‘chapela’ o marcador de costas e pega de trivela, de primeira, tirando do goleirão que só saiu na foto. A imagem viralizou e foi repostada pelo ex-jogador. Nos comentários, famosos e anônimos pediram, de forma bem-humorada, a contratação do atual senador em seus times. ASSISTA O VÍDEO ACIMA.
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Rangers are keen to tie a “sensational” player down to a new contract at the club, according to a fresh claim from former scout Mick Brown.
Latest Rangers news
The Gers-related headlines are clearly dominated by Philippe Clement’s sacking at Ibrox, following the woeful 2-0 loss at home to St. Mirren in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
It was one bad result too many for the Belgian, who had been feeling the heat for some time, and Rangers must now ensure that they bring in the right permanent replacement after interim boss Barry Ferguson – someone who can take the team in a positive direction and get the most out of a talented squad.
The 47-year-old has come in until the end of the season, and while he may not have managed for three years, he could be a shrewd choice to bring a feel-good factor back to the club.
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard is considered a front-runner to take charge of Rangers permanently in the summer, although there is nothing concrete in the way of any approach or contact with the former boss yet.
Rangers want new deal for "sensational" ace
Speaking to Football Insider, former scout Brown said that Rangers want to ensure that Ianis Hagi signs a contract extension at Ibrox in the near future.
“I hear they’re determined to tie him down to a new deal. They have to make decisions about who their best players are. I remember Hagi being mentioned a lot a couple of seasons ago, and then when I saw him, it’s clear he’s got some talent.
“The problem is, he floats around in this loose fashion which requires the players to give him the ball – he’s not going to be chasing and going after it. With people like that in the side, you’re always vulnerable to some difficulties. He can do something a bit special, and then drop out of the game and it’s almost like they’re playing with ten men.
“I’m expecting they’ll do everything they can to get him on a new deal rather than lose him for free.“In normal circumstances, they might have to question it a bit, but the way things are there they can’t be letting first-team players leave for free.”
Hagi is an important player for Rangers, highlighted by the fact that he has eight goal contributions (three goals and five assists) to his name in the league this season, also averaging two key passes per game in the competition.
Ilie Dumitrescu has also described him as “sensational” and “superb” in the past, and at 26, there is no reason why his brilliance should wane any time in the near future.
Hagi is out of contract at Rangers in 2026, however, so this summer feels pivotal, in terms of either sorting out an extension or cashing in on him before he leaves for free next year.
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Rangers are looking to replace Philippe Clement…
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Hopefully, a new deal is agreed, but if an agreement isn’t reached, or if Ferguson or the next permanent manager doesn’t rate him, it is important to get a good fee for him while they can.