Six-wicket haul follows century as Middlesex are made to suffer by Hampshire

ECB Reporters Network26-Jun-2023Liam Dawson forcefully put forward his case to play a part in this summer’s Ashes series with a century and six wickets as Hampshire set up a rout on Middlesex in the LV= Insurance County Championship.Spinning all-rounder Dawson was overlooked by England for the previously retired Moeen Ali when Jack Leach suffered a lower back stress fracture for the first Test against Australia, before teenager Rehan Ahmed jumped ahead of him for the upcoming second Test.But having been decisive in his 141 with the bat, he tore through Middlesex with his left-arm spin to claim six for 38 – and leave Middlesex 142 for eight at close.Earlier, Hampshire had been bowled out for 419 with Josh de Caires picking up career-best figures of seven for 144.Dawson had shrugged off being slighted by England the previous evening, saying: “It doesn’t really affect me. I’ve not expected to play Test cricket for a long time. To me if it happens then brilliant, if not then it doesn’t bother me.”The clamour behind Dawson has been backed by a strong start to the season with both facets of his game and a deep level of experience.His 16 wickets is the most for any Championship spinner who is English-qualified and fit – only Leach and South African Simon Harmer have more – while his 384 runs is in the top 30 in the top tier. Add to that 13 Vitality Blast wickets and his finisher runs coming at a 176 strike rate.He was introduced in the 12th over, after Mohammad Abbas had already nicked off Mark Stoneman, and immediately started with a double wicket maiden.Pieter Malan was hit on the back pad before Max Holden stumbled in front of a turner.Sam Robson tried to hang around with 38 off 81 but dangled behind to leave Middlesex in a troubling 66 for four.After a period of regular lbw shouts and tightness from both ends, Dawson’s bowling took another aspect; he added exaggerated bounce to his turn.Ryan Higgins was the first to be surprised when he edged behind, two balls later John Simpson fended to short leg and then Luke Hollman stepped back to be pinned in front of his stumped. For Dawson it was three wickets in six balls.It also handed him his second sixth wicket haul in successive home matches, and left the visitors 88 for seven.De Caires and Toby Roland-Jones scored 48 swiftly before the latter swung Felix Organ to Dawson at midwicket. De Caires ended a personally successful day unbeaten on 24, but his side in danger of being asked to follow on.Dawson had begun his day with bat in hand continuing his mammoth fifth wicket stand with Nick Gubbins, with all eyes on the former Middlesex man’s quest to reach three figures.It eventually came with a steer down the third after 14 more dots to add to his 277-ball vigil – by far the slowest of his 15 first-class centuries.He eventually fell for a 318-ball 120 when de Caires had him caught at backward point on the reverse sweep, with Dawson caught at slip playing the same shot soon after.There were scores of 40 for James Fuller and Felix Organ as Hampshire slowly pushed over 400 but other than Hollman having Fuller stumped, it was de Caires’ moment.De Caires has been seen primarily as a batter growing up but the 21-year-old took the lead with his off-spin – with each wicket celebrated with genuine glee.His 47.3 overs during the innings was more than the 46 overs combined he had previously managed during his embryonic first-class career, for a single wicket. Keith Barker was lbw to one which stayed low, Kyle Abbott was caught swinging to first slip and Organ holed out to deep midwicket.His seven-for better his father, former England captain, Michael Atherton’s leg-spinning best of six for 78 – and was the seventh-best away Championship bowling figures at the Ageas Bowl.

WI Test captain says familiarity with the home conditions and mental preparation will be the other factors for the hosts

PTI and ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jul-2023West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite believes their mental preparation and execution of skills on the field will hold key in the two-Test series against India beginning in Dominica on July 12.West Indies cricket slumped to a new low on last Saturday when the two-time champions failed to qualify for the ODI World Cup to be held in India later this year.But Brathwaite and his team are eager to look ahead and start the new World Test Championship cycle (2023-25) with the series against India. The West Indies ODI team is still in Zimbabwe, playing the World Cup Qualifier from where Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph will leave early for the Test series. Some of the other West Indies players are currently attending a training camp at the Coolidge Cricket Ground to prepare for the Test series, and the selectors are yet to announce the Test squad.Related

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“It’s important to start well. We are playing against India, so you know the guys are really looking forward to it,” Brathwaite was quoted as saying by Cricket West Indies (CWI).”I think as a team, and as batsmen and bowlers, we already have those thoughts in mind about what to expect, and this is why preparation is very important.”It’s all about how you prepare, knowing what we’re going to get in terms of conditions, we generally know how the surfaces will play, and we already know India’s team, so it’s important from now to mentally prepare, and understand the plans we want both as a bowling unit and as batters, so you know it will all come down to execution.”Brathwaite will return to action after four months, when West Indies last played a Test series and lost 2-0 in South Africa. The second Test will be played in Trinidad from July 20, followed by the three ODIs and five T20Is.Brathwaite has called on the Caribbean cricket fans to come out in huge numbers and support the team in the series against India.”Dominica will host the first Test match, and we call for the supporters in Dominica to come out and support us, but the guys are really looking forward to the first two Test matches of this cycle,” he said.The second Test will also be the 100th clash in format between West Indies and India.”That’s great you know in terms of the 100th Test match against West Indies, and it’s in Trinidad, and you know they love their cricket there, so I think it’s important, and we got to try to make the region proud.”

“The last Test cycle gave us a big reflection… we weren’t scoring at such a high rate as our opposition,” says Shan Masood

Andrew Fidel Fernando17-Jul-2023

Saud Shakeel has had an excellent start to his Test career, but in a different way from how Harry Brook has had an excellent start to his Test career.After 10 innings, Shakeel averages 72.50. After 17 knocks, Brook is at 64.25.Few who have watched them bat before Monday, would have made the comparison, though. And here’s why. If you halve Brook’s Test-match strike rate of 94.31, you’ve still got to go down a few points to meet Shakeel’s, which is at 41.66.Shakeel had faced 1392 deliveries at this level and hit a single six. Brook’s faced 1090 and hit 20.And yet, suddenly, after a six-month Test-match hiatus, Pakistan are racing at a run rate of 4.91 after 45 overs in their first innings, Shakeel their top-scorer so far, with 69 not out off 88 deliveries. Agha Salman, whose Test strike rate had been 56.65 before this game, was Shakeel’s chief partner in Galle, making 61 off 84 by stumps.Related

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Unshackled Shakeel switches seamlessly between slow-burn and turbo

Dhananjaya de Silva lining in Sri Lanka's far-from-elite batting line-up

Shakeel and Agha Salman snatch the momentum back for Pakistan

The pair came together with Pakistan in deep trouble at 101 for 5, after Sri Lanka made 312. They then put on 120 off 136 deliveries, and remained unbeaten at the crease. They swept hard, frequently came out of their crease, and rarely allowed bowlers to build up dot balls.Shan Masood, who’d earlier struck 39 off 30, revealed that this was the result of a team-wide change in direction.”The last Test cycle gave us a big reflection, and this management was very firm that one of the things that was lacking with us not winning Test matches or not finishing them off, was that we weren’t scoring at such a high rate as our opposition. That has been a concentrated effort.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“There were guys who were given a grant to go and play cricket in England, but the rest of the guys put in a lot of hard work during two skill camps that were based in Lahore and Karachi before we flew out to Sri Lanka. The emphasis was on scoring runs, just to put the opposition under pressure.”In the camps, everything was left to individual preferences, but they were provided platforms to experiment – to play all kinds of shots, see what suited them, what kinds of oppositions they were coming up against. If you look at the players in our set-up – particularly Saud and Agha – you can see subtle changes that have allowed them to score quickly.”The new aggression is understood to be driven at least partly by Pakistan’s new team director Mickey Arthur, though also supported by others in the coaching and support staff. In this particular match, it may also have to do with the conditions and current opposition.Arthur, who coached Sri Lanka between 2019 and 2021, not only has close knowledge of the track in Galle, but was also head coach when the likes of Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis made their Test debuts.”Coming into these conditions in Sri Lanka, one thing Sri Lanka does is hold the opposition to miserly run rates, and they get the wickets in between as well,” Masood said. “Yes, we lost wickets, but that way of playing allowed us to stay in the game. Once we got that one healthy partnership, the two teams are in an even position now.”The theory that in Galle, you get your runs before the inevitable good ball gets you out, is not new. Many batters have tried this strategy, including Sri Lanka’s own, with varying degrees of success. But it is the first time that Pakistan – one of the most frequent tourists to Sri Lanka in the 21st century – have made aggressive batting a team focus.”Normally you see Test matches move from day three, but from what I’ve seen at Galle, Test matches finish in four days,” Masood said. “There are some funny things that happen here because the ball keeps doing something. The breeze alows the fast bowlers to stay in, there’s some reverse swing, there’s some nice carry, the spinners are always the main frontrunners. While you’re there, make the most of it. You want to limit that fourth innings chase to as little as possible.”

While this season has been nothing short of a failure on the domestic front, Arsenal are still blessed with an incredible array of talent.

David Raya, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhães make it nearly impossible for opposing teams to score or create chances. Declan Rice and Thomas Partey can be here, there, and everywhere in midfield, and Bukayo Saka can carry an attack practically all by himself.

However, therein lies arguably the team’s biggest problem, the fact that without the Englishman, the attack just isn’t good enough, and one of the ways Mikel Arteta and Co can address that problem is by signing a prolific number nine this summer.

Arsenal's pursuit of a new striker

Fortunately, recent reports indicate that they may be looking to do just that and are looking at a star from the continent who is even more of a goal threat than Alexander Isak, who too has been touted for a move to the Emirates.

Indeed, according to a report from Portugal via Caught Offside, Arsenal are incredibly keen on signing Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

In fact, the report has revealed that the Gunners have begun working on a deal having ‘requested a formal meeting’ with the player’s agent, who is supposedly a close friend of Arteta, which, if true, could prove incredibly beneficial to get ahead of the other interested parties, which include Manchester United.

While the Swedish international has a €100m – £84m – release clause in his contract, the report claims he could eventually be sold for somewhere in the region of €65m-€75m, which converts to between £54m to £63m.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Gyokeres’ immense goalscoring ability, it is one worth pursuing, especially as he could be an even better signing than Isak.

How Gyokeres compares to Isak

So, the first thing to say is that, in their current state, either striker would likely dramatically improve Arsenal’s fortunes next season, but why would Gyokeres be the better signing?

Well, before we even get to their performances, there is the small matter of money, and based on reports earlier this year, the Toon star could cost up to £150m, which, if true, would either be entirely out of reach for the Gunners or potentially leave them with nothing else to spend.

Moreover, once you get into their actual output, it’s hard to see why the former Real Sociedad star might be worth almost three times as much as the Sporting ace.

Appearances

41

33

Minutes

3195′

2613′

Goals

40

23

Assists

10

5

Goal Involvements per Match

1.21

0.84

Minutes per Goal Involvement

63.9′

93.32′

For example, in 41 appearances, totalling 3195 minutes, the Stockholm-born “powerhouse,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has scored 40 goals and provided ten assists, which comes out to a staggering average of 1.21 goal involvements per game, or one every 63.9 minutes – for the entire season.

In contrast, the Magpies’ leading man has scored 23 goals and provided five assists in 33 appearances, totalling 2613 minutes this year, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.17 games, or one every 93.32 minutes.

So, the Premier League star is still an utterly superb striker, but he is simply less prolific than his compatriot, and worse still, he’s far more injury-prone.

For example, he’s missed 67 games for club and country since the start of his career, whereas the former Coventry City star has missed just five and, after a season like this one, Arteta and Co might be even more worried about signing players with lengthy injury histories.

Ultimately, either Isak or Gyokeres would improve Arsenal, but given the sheer weight of goals he has scored this season, his price tag and the fact he’s far less injury-prone, opting for the latter might be a better decision.

Berta must finally axe Arsenal flop who's earned over £20m at the club

It’s time Arsenal sold the experienced signing.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 24, 2025

تحدث تشابي ألونسو، المدير الفني لـ ريال مدريد، عن وضع فريقه قبل المواجهة المرتقبة أمام بوروسيا دورتموند في ربع نهائي كأس العالم للأندية 2025.

ووصل ريال مدريد لتلك المرحلة من البطولة بعد الفوز على يوفنتوس في دور الـ 16 بنتيجة 1-0، ويستعد لاستكمال مشواره رغبة في الفوز باللقب.

ويلقتي ريال مدريد وبوروسيا دورتموند في تمام الساعة الحادية عشر مساء اليوم السبت، في ملعب “ميتلايف” في “نيوجيرسي”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ماركا توضح حقيقة اقتراب رحيل رودريجو عن ريال مدريد

واستهل ألونسو حديثه في المؤتمر الصحفي برسالة إنسانية، قال فيها: “إذا سمحتوا لي قبل أن أجيب على أسئلتكم، أود أن أبعث بخالص التعازي لعائلة ديوجو جوتا وأندريه سيلفا”.

وتابع: “إنها أنباء حزينة للغاية بالنسبة لنا جميعًا، بدأنا يومنا بشعور يدفعك للتأمل”.

وأضاف: “أما عن المباراة، فنحن في حالة جيدة، نريد أن نواصل التقدم، والخطوة التالية هي بوروسيا دورتموند، وهو من كبار أوروبا، ستكون مباراة قوية وعلينا أن نقدم أداءً على مستوى عالٍ”.

وحول جاهزية كيليان مبابي، أوضح المدرب الإسباني: “مبابي أصبح في حالة أفضل، وتمكن من التدريب جيدًا خلال الأيام الثلاثة الماضية، سنحسم القرار صباح الغد”.

وبشأن إمكانية الدفع به إلى جانب جونزالو جارسيا، أجاب: “نعم، يمكن أن يلعبا سويًا، الأمر يعتمد على احتياجات الفريق، هما متكاملان، وإذا اقتضت المباراة ذلك، لا أستبعد الأمر إطلاقًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مبابي ينعى وفاة ديوجو جوتا المؤلمة

وعن تصريح أنشيلوتي الشهير بشأن رهانه على رخصته التدريبية من أجل الدفع بلاعبه فالفيردي في مركز هجومي، رد تشابي ضاحكًا: “عندما قال أنشيلوتي ذلك، كان قد أنجز الكثير في مسيرته، وكان يستطيع أن يغامر بذلك، أما أنا فلا زلت في البداية، ولا يمكنني المخاطرة بهذا الشكل، لكن ما أستطيع قوله بثقة، هو أن فيدي فالفيردي سيسجل الكثير من الأهداف”.

وسُئل ألونسو عن استخدام تشواميني في خط الدفاع، فقال: “الوقت أصبح أكثر ضيقًا، أعتقد أن تشواميني يمكنه أن يكون لاعبًا مرنًا، يؤدي بطريقة في مرحلة معينة وبأسلوب مختلف في مرحلة أخرى، هذا التنوع يمنحنا خيارات إضافية”.

وتابع: “كنت قد شاهدته كثيرًا، لكنك تحتاج إلى التعرف عليه عن قرب، يتمتع بقدرة كبيرة على التأقلم في أي مركز، وذكاء واضح في استيعاب المفاهيم، مركزه حاسم بالنسبة لي، لأنه يمنحنا القوة في وسط الملعب”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. فينيسيوس جونيور يكشف عن نصيحة رونالدو التي ألهمته في مسيرته

وبشأن خط الهجوم، أكد مدرب ريال مدريد: “أعتمد على ثلاثي هجومي، إندريك يتعافى، لكنه بالطبع ضمن حساباتنا، نحن لا نبني الفريق للمستقبل الآن، بل نبحث عن أقصى استفادة في الوقت الحالي، القرارات طويلة الأمد سنتخذها لاحقًا”.

كما عبر عن رأيه في فكرة إدخال “التايم آوت” في كرة القدم قائلاً: “لست متأكدًا إن كنت مع أو ضد، وجود عناصر قد تعطل إيقاع اللعب يحتاج إلى دراسة، لا أقول لا تمامًا، لكن في الظروف الطبيعية لست واثقًا من أن الفكرة مناسبة”.

واختتم ألونسو المؤتمر الصحفي بالكشف عن الحالة الطبية للفريق قائلاً: “قائمة الفريق ستبقى كما هي، كامافينجا في حال أفضل، لكن من المبكر الدفع به غدًا، ميليتاو وكارفاخال يواصلان التدريبات مع الفريق”.

There could be a huge summer on the cards for Michael Edwards and Arne Slot at Liverpool due to potential player movement in and out of Anfield.

Firstly, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract at the end of this season, and it remains to be seen if any of them will put pen to paper on extensions on Merseyside.

Losing any of them would be a significant blow for Liverpool, as they are all regular starters, but Salah could be the biggest loss as he has scored 32 goals and provided 22 assists in all competitions this season.

Rather than finding a one-for-one replacement, which would be incredibly difficult to do, the Reds could sign players in several positions in hope that they all step up to make up for the goals and assists lost.

For example, Liverpool have been linked with a move to sign Atletico Madrid centre-forward Julian Alvarez, who they reportedly ‘appreciate’ and hold a long-term interest in.

Why Liverpool need to sign a player like Julian Alvarez

Salah has been Liverpool’s main source of goals from a right wing position and that has papered over the cracks in the front three, as Slot has had a problem in the centre-forward position this season.

Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez have both had attempts at being the main number nine for the Reds, but they have both failed to provide a reliable presence in front of goal. The former has scored five goals from 7.21 xG and the latter has scored five times from 5.28 xG in the Premier League.

These statistics show that Liverpool do not possess a ruthless number nine who can make the most of the chances that come their way in the box, which is why they need to go out and sign a player like Alvarez.

The former Manchester City man joined Atletico Madrid last summer to bolster Diego Simeone’s squad, and has proven to be a big hit in Spain with his performances at the top end of the pitch.

As you can see in the table above, Alvarez has outperformed his xG in both LaLiga and the Champions League this term, which shows that he can be ruthless in front of goal.

In fact, the Argentina international has only missed 26 ‘big chances’ in all competitions for Atletico and Man City combined since the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Nunez, for comparison, has missed a staggering 81 ‘big chances’ in all competitions for Liverpool in that time, having joined from Benfica in 2022, which illustrates the stark difference in quality between the two centre-forwards.

The Reds, though, are also interested in signing a defender who could be as important of a signing as Alvarez in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool have held talks to sign Premier League star

According to journalist Bence Bocsak, Liverpool “have held talks” with Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez over a potential move to Anfield next season.

The reporter claims that the club “like” the Hungary international but that a transfer to Merseyside is not advanced at this moment in time, with nothing beyond those initial talks.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Bocsak’s article for Anfield Watch expands on the news, adding that Liverpool wanted to sign Kerkez from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2023, but the player decided to move to Bournemouth instead to play regular football.

The report reveals that Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester City are also keeping tabs on the Hungarian dynamo, which suggests that there will be plenty of competition for his services this summer.

Michael Edwards, though, must push to sign the left-back, who is reportedly valued at £40m by the Cherries, because he could be as important of a signing as Alvarez.

Why Liverpool need to sign Milos Kerkez

Liverpool are reportedly in the market to sign a replacement for veteran left-back Andy Robertson this summer, and Kerkez would be a dream signing to take the Scottish star’s place.

The Scotland international has been a terrific servant for the Reds over the years, racking up 66 assists in 336 appearances in all competitions for the club, as a consistent creative threat down the left flank.

However, Robertson’s powers appear to be waning. The 31-year-old star has failed to register a single goal or assist in his 27 appearances in the Premier League this season, along with just one assist in his eight outings in the Champions League.

He is heading towards the latter stage of his career and has not been as influential as in previous seasons, as shown by his lack of production in the final third, and that is why a new long-term left-back option should be a priority this summer.

Kerkez, at the age of 21, is ten years younger than Robertson and could, therefore, be the new left-back for the club for the next decade, if all goes to plan, which is one of the reasons why he would be such an important addition this summer.

The Hungarian star’s performances in the Premier League for Bournemouth this season also suggest that he would come in as an immediate upgrade on the current Liverpool defender.

As you can see in the table above, Kerkez has vastly outperformed Robertson with his play in and out of possession in the top-flight, as he has made a bigger impact at the top end of the pitch whilst being far more active and reliable defensively.

Wingers find it harder to get past the Bournemouth star, as he makes more tackles and interceptions whilst being dribbled past less, and opposition defenders find it harder to deal with him, as he has scored more goals and provided more assists.

Therefore, Kerkez could come in as a big upgrade on Robertson at left-back this summer, which is why Liverpool must push hard to get a deal done for him this summer.

As important as Alvarez and the addition of his finishing quality would be for the Reds, signing a Premier League proven left-back with the potential to be a key player for the next decade is equally as important.

He earns more than Gakpo: Edwards must sell Liverpool's "pointless" star

The Liverpool chief must ruthlessly cash in on the forward who has been outperformed by Cody Gakpo.

By
Dan Emery

Mar 19, 2025

Tottenham are being urged to snap up Morten Hjulmand, now that Thomas Frank is in charge, despite the Danish star boasting an Arsenal tattoo.

Article continues below

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Spurs have drafted in new head coachBeing linked with Danish recruitsSporting midfielder on transfer radarFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Spurs are preparing to usher in a new era after parting company with Ange Postecoglou. He was relieved of his duties in north London despite overseeing a Europa League triumph in 2024-25 and bringing Tottenham’s 17-year wait for trophy glory to a close.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Managerial reins have been passed to Frank, with a sizeable compensation package helping to lure him away from Premier League rivals Brentford. Unsurprisingly, Spurs are now being linked with a number of their new coach’s fellow Danes.

DID YOU KNOW?

One of those is holding midfielder Hjulmand, who has been starring in Portugal for Sporting. He is under contract in Lisbon until 2028, with that deal including a release clause that has been set at €80 million (£68m/$92m).

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GettyWHAT GRAVESEN SAID

Ex-Denmark international Thomas Gravesen, who spent time in England with Everton during his playing days, has said of Hjulmand heading to London: "He is a captain of calibre. Frank was with Norgaard for several years, and Hjulmand is an improved version and is even younger. That is why I think Frank’s first big purchase for Tottenham should be Hjulmand."

For Shardul Thakur, making an impact in the game – irrespective of discipline – matters most. And along the way, if it helps deliver victory – even if he isn’t always at the forefront – he’s most satisfied. Like in the just-concluded ODI series against West Indies, where he was the highest wicket-taker with eight wickets at an average of 11.62 and an economy of 5.31.Apart from his wicket-taking ability, there is his batting makes him a competent No. 8. That since August 2022, he has featured in every ODI series – bar one against Sri Lanka at home – is an indication of the team’s belief in the balance he lends. Thakur hasn’t had too many opportunities to press his batting into service in ODIs, but there have been enough snapshots of this ability in other formats.Think back to an IPL innings earlier this year against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where his 68 off 29 vaulted Kolkata Knight Riders to 204, the highest IPL total for a team five down for less than 100. Or his twin fifties at The Oval, or even his Gabba heroics. Thakur’s impact in these games was massive, and of the kind he often dreams of.Related

• Suryakumar, Samson and Tilak jostle to fit in India's Asia Cup jigsaw

• Thakur: India are looking at me for all three formats

• Thakur, when sublime, makes a strong case to be India's WC No. 8

• Dominant India flex batting muscle to seal series

But when asked if he felt he wasn’t talked about as much as he should be after India’s victory over West Indies in the third ODI in Tarouba – where he took 4 for 37 to take them to a 2-1 series win – Thakur said: “Honestly, I have never wondered if there’s attention on me or not, who is looking at me, who isn’t. But if you see, the Indian team has excellent bench strength. There will be times when if the pitch suits spinners, they will play. If there’s some help for the seamers, I’ll have a chance to chip in.”In the last few years, we’ve played with a deep batting line-up. As an allrounder who bats in the lower order, my job becomes important. We’ve seen in big chases – or if you want to put up a high score in the first innings – [that] if you try to accelerate, you will lose one or two wickets here and there. If your No. 8 and No. 9 can contribute with the set batter, it helps. So that role is crucial.”Whenever I get an opportunity, I just try to contribute to the team’s success. That’s my thought process whenever I play – whether it’s batting, bowling or fielding. End of the day, I should be happy I’ve made an effort, and my performances should be impactful, whichever department it is.”Shardul Thakur finished as the highest wicket-taker in ODIs against West Indies•Associated Press

Thakur believes there’s no bigger endorsement of the team’s belief in him than his recent selection as a bowling allrounder across formats.”[The] team expects something from me, that’s why I’ve been picked and I am getting opportunities to play,” he said. “For me, it’s a sign of confidence the team has in me that I’m getting these chances. In this series, I’m happy to have picked up eight wickets.”These are the kind of opportunities we wait for. Sometimes performances happen, sometimes they don’t. I’m happy I was able to perform. If I perform well in a series, I take the confidence. If I don’t, I will take the experience. If you don’t perform and you look at it as a failure, your thinking is wrong.”Asked about the competition for places, Thakur made it clear he wasn’t playing for his place in the team. It’s perhaps a sign of maturity that he has been able to detach emotions from selection calls.”I don’t think I should play for my spot. I’m not that kind of player,” he said. “If I play with that thought, I’d never be able to play. If they don’t take me for the World Cup, it’s their call. I can’t do much about it. But it’s wrong of me to think I should play [for] my spot. I look to perform as per the situation and what the team needs, irrespective of whether I’m successful in it or not. I always emphasise on this in all my interviews. Whatever happens, I play to make the team win and have an impact.”

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No domingo, o Palmeiras enfrentará o Flamengo em uma espécie de ‘final antecipada’ no Brasileirão. Em um duelo de líder e vice-líder, com nove pontos de diferença entre eles, o talento individual pode sobressair. Raphael Veiga, pelo lado do Verdão, sabe bem como é assumir esse papel contra o adversário.

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GALERIA

> Veja astros que ainda estão com futuro indefinido
>Abel Ferreira: veja as opiniões de jornalistas e técnicos sobre ele

O camisa 23 do Verdão participou de 27 dos 111 gols marcados pela equipe neste ano, somando o Mundial de Clubes. Ao todo, são 20 tentos e sete assistências do meia, fazendo com que nenhum outro jogador do elenco tenha conseguido superá-lo até então.

Contra o Flamengo, Veiga já balançou a rede três vezes. Sendo que, curiosamente todas elas aconteceram em decisões importantes.

Por ter vencido a Copa do Brasil de 2020, enquanto o adversário levantou a taça do Brasileiro daquele ano, os dois times disputaram o título da Supercopa do Brasil. Na ocasião, empate em 2 a 2, com dois gols do meia.

Contudo, na decisão por pênaltis, o Palmeiras levou a pior e saiu como vice-campeão do torneio. Situação completamente oposta do que aconteceu na Libertadores de 2021, quando Raphael Veiga abriu o placar e aumentou a chance de título, que viria a ser concretizado com o tento de Deyverson na prorrogação.

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TABELA

> Clique e confira a tabela completa e simulador do Brasileirão-2022!

Vale lembrar que, em todas as vezes que Raphael Veiga comemorou uma bola na rede, o Alviverde não saiu derrotado pelo Flamengo.

Apesar de uma ‘má fase’ recente, o jogador palmeirense voltou a marcar na vitória do Verdão sobre o Goiás, pelo Brasileiro, e foi uma das peças fundamentais do time na classificação à semifinal da Libertadores diante do Atlético-MG, mostrando que pode entregar cada vez mais.

Abel Ferreira, inclusive, deixou claro que oscilações não são problema, desde que haja ‘esforço e trabalho para a equipe’. Como o treinador palmeirense afirmou: ‘Jogadores são como as ondas do mar, uma vez estão em cima, outras embaixo. Tem que saber lidar com o momento para dar a volta’, e o momento pode ser exatamente na “final” contra o Flamengo.

Confira os números de Raphael Veiga contra o Flamengo:

8 jogos
1 vitória
3 empates
4 derrotas
3 gols marcados

GOAL takes a look at some of the major MLS storylines emerging ahead of Matchday 19

Why MLS continues to operate through major international tournaments, while most other leagues pause, remains a persistent and puzzling question. Yet here we are, approaching Matchday 19, and once again, teams across the league are forced to cope with depleted rosters.

Regardless, there are some absolutely scintilating matches on the cards ahead of us, and fans should rightfully be excited for the weekend ahead: the start of the FIFA Club World Cup, the beginning of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and a truly fantastic set of MLS games on the cards.

At the CWC, Inter Miami kick things off on Saturday as they host Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, the Seattle Sounders go up against Botafogo Sunday, while LAFC take the pitch on Monday against Chelsea to wrap up the first set of matches for MLS teams. The USMNT Gold Cup roster, which features 15 MLS players, kicks off action on Sunday as well against Trinidad and Tobago – the island nation that prevented them from qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Domestically, three phenomenal matches are on the cards, as well.

In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Union host Charlotte FC, while in the West, Minnesota United host San Diego FC, as we see four of the league's best teams to begin 2025 take to the pitch. In a cross-conference showdown, MLS fans will be treated to what might potentially be an MLS Cup preview as the Vancouver Whitecaps host the Columbus Crew.

GOAL dives into all that and more in The Kickoff, a weekly preview of each MLS Matchday.

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  MLS Cup preview?

  The Whitecaps are set to be shorthanded here in this one, with all five of Samuel Adekugbe, Ali Ahmed, Jayden Nelson, Sebastian Berhalter, and Brian White all on international duty for the Gold Cup. The Crew, meanwhile, are down Max Arfsten – who is with the USMNT – and goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen, who is with Guatemala. With Patrick Schulte also injured, Columbus will be down to their third-string goalkeeper for the match, with a starter yet to be named by Wilfried Nancy for the match.

  A blockbuster clash is on the horizon, but both sides are dealing with key absences – the Whitecaps are depleted by international call-ups, while the Crew face a major challenge between the posts with a thinned goalkeeper corps. Even so, there's no shortage of talent on display, and this one has the makings of a thrilling contest.

  The Crew, led by 2025 MLS MVP candidate Diego Rossi, is looking to bounce back after a rather rough stretch of matches during May. Heading into the match, after a stellar first three months of the season, they're winless in six and desperately need three points.

  Vancouver, meanwhile, still remains atop the Supporters' Shield standings and is coming off a fantastic victory over the Seattle Sounders. Can that momentum continue, even with their roster being shredded due to call-ups, or will Nancy's Crew seize the moment?

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  The best in the West

  A battle between No. 2 and No. 3, both of whom are level on 30 points, awaits us in the West.

  The host San Diego FC in arguably the most anticipated match of the weekend. This one is set to be an electric affair; two elite teams in the conference are going head-to-head to determine who sits second come the end of the Matchday.

  Minnesota has just three losses on the season and is on a four-match unbeaten streak, while SDFC has found results in six of their last seven – surging their way up the table in recent weeks. A battle between young managers, too, Minnesota's Eric Ramsay, 33, will battle Mikey Varas, 42, on the touchline.

  Both teams are set to be shorthanded, with the missing star striker Tani Oluwaseyi and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair to Canada duty, and midfielders Joseph Rosales and Carlos Harvey to the Gold Cup, too. SDFC, meanwhile, is missing star attacker Chucky Lozano – who misses out due to injury, after being pulled from Mexico's roster for the competition. Midfielder Luca De La Torre is with the USMNT, while veteran midfielder Anibal Godoy is absent due to the Gold Cup as well.

  Neither team will be at their best, but with both in elite form, who comes out on top? This could be crucial in the battle for the best of the West.

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  Zaha's fighting spirit, Philadelphia's resilience

  In the East, first-place Philly hosts eighth-place Charlotte, but just nine points separate the two sides ahead of their first meeting this season. It's a star-studded affair, as the Union and MLS goal-leading striker Tai Baribo look to best Wilfried Zaha and CLT, who are looking to turn things around after a rough go of it during late April into May.

  With recent wins over the Crew and Toronto FC, Dean Smith's side will look to pull off a stunning result on the road, spearheaded by the Ivorian winger and Spanish forward Pep Biel – who will look to pick up things in the attack due to the absence of USMNT forward Patrick Agyemang. Along with the former UConn striker, defender Tim Ream is also missing from CLT, with the veteran being called up for the Stars and Stripes as well.

  Philly, meanwhile, is without defender Nathaniel Harriel and winger Quinn Sullivan, goalkeeper Andre Blake, and midfielder Danley Jean Jacques – all of whom will be at the Gold Cup as well.

  The Union are nine games unbeaten at the moment, and look like an unstoppable force in the East, but with CLT having an upper hand due to their numerous absences, can Zaha and Co. take advantage of the moment? A big storyline could evolve if they happen to do so, while Philly, meanwhile, could prove their resilience by securing a result while shorthanded.

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  What's trending?

  + With a win or a draw against Charlotte, Philly would extend its unbeaten run to a club-record 10 matches.

  + With a result against Austin FC Saturday, RBNY forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting would become the fifth player in club history to score at least 11 goals in their debut season with the club. He'd join the ranks of Juan Pablo Angel, Adolfo Valencia, Giovanni Savarese, and Alex Comas.

  + With a win or a draw against the Crew on Saturday, the Whitecaps would become the fifth team in MLS history to have one or fewer losses through their first 17 games of the season. The Whitecaps are currently 11 unbeaten.