Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc who beat Saqlain Mushtaq’s 19-year record to become the fastest ever to 100 ODI wickets has played down the landmark

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Aug-2016

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who beat Saqlain Mushtaq’s 19-year record to become the fastest ever to 100 ODI wickets, played down the landmark and described it as “something he could sit back and reflect later”.Starc achieved the feat in his 52nd ODI when he had Dhananjaya de Silva skewing a catch to midwicket off a deceptive slower delivery in Colombo on Sunday. Starc did not concede a boundary and finished with figures of 3 for 32, which laid the foundation for Australia’s first win of the Sri Lanka tour.”I guess it’s [being the fastest to 100 ODI wickets] something I could sit back and reflect on later on,” Starc said following Australia’s three-wicket win. “Quite frankly I’m glad it’s finished now, I don’t have to hear about it or talk about it anymore. I was just glad I could contribute to a win tonight. I guess it was a scrappy game, and once the series is finished or later down the track I could reflect on.”Starc was Australia’s lone bright spot during the 0-3 defeat in the Test series in Sri Lanka, taking 24 wickets at an average and strike rate of 15.16 and 25.80. No other bowler has picked up 20 or more wickets in a Test series in Asia at a better strike rate than Starc’s. He generated reverse swing from over the wicket as well as from around the wicket, which affirmed his status as one of the fiercest fast bowlers. Starc said the presence of former South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald as the side’s bowling coach was “fantastic”.”I have enjoyed working with AD through this tour,” Starc said. Obviously worked with AD in the IPL [with Royal Challengers Bangalore] in the last couple of years and hopefully will in the years to come. Through this tour, he has been fantastic for us, his knowledge of playing in Sri Lanka, talking about reverse swing, it has been fantastic.”Starc also credited Donald’s predecessor Craig McDermott for setting him on track for the 2015 World Cup, where he returned 22 wickets at 10.18, the best average in a World Cup for a bowler who took at least 15 wickets. Starc ultimately bagged the Man-of-the-tournament award.”It [the turnaround in white-ball cricket] was work done before the World Cup with Craig McDermott especially, maybe 12 months prior to the World Cup and tinkering on a few things – my wrist [position] and swinging the ball and a tri-series [against India and England] before the World Cup,” he said. “I think everything started to click and it all felt really good. Then obviously the World Cup was a pretty special period for the whole group and for me it was nice just to get the ball in the right areas more often than I probably had in the past. The one little period that will always stand out was the World Cup. That was very special not just for myself but for the whole squad and the staff. That is probably going to be a hard one to top.”

نجح منتخب الأردن تحت القيادة الفنية للمدرب المغربي حسين عموتة في الصعود لأول مرة في تاريخه إلى نهائي بطولة كأس آسيا.

وجاء ذلك بفوز مثير حققه منتخب الأردن على كوريا الجنوبية في نصف نهائي بطولة كأس آسيا 2023 المقامة حاليًا في قطر بثنائية دون رد.

وكشفت صحيفة “الرياضية” السعودية، أن الجهاز الفني لمنتخب الأردن منح اللاعبين مكافأة بعد الصعود إلى نهائي البطولة، بالحصول على جولة حرة لمدة 3 ساعات.

فيديو | الأردن يخطف بطاقة الصعود إلى نهائي آسيا بالفوز على كوريا الجنوبية بثنائية

وقرر عموتة إعطاء اللاعبين راحة سلبية لعدد الساعات المذكور سلفًا بعد انقضاء شهر كامل للفريق داخل المعسكر المقام في قطر، وذلك عقب الاستقبال الحافل الذي حظى به اللاعبين فور الوصول لفندق الإقامة.

وأطلق لاعبو منتخب الأردن على مكافأتهم لقب “جولة السعادة” التي خاضوها مساء الأربعاء في المناطق القريبة من فندق المعسكر.

الجدير بالذكر، أن منتخب الأردن يستعد لمواجهة مرتقبة أمام قطر في نهائي بطولة كأس آسيا 2023، وذلك في الخامسة من مساء يوم السبت الموافق العاشر من فبراير.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Michael Beale is set to be in the market for a new number nine this summer to replace current forward Alfredo Morelos.

The head coach recently confirmed that the Colombian international, whose contract expires at the end of this month, will be leaving Ibrox, saying:

“Morelos is moving on. I think you saw the difference in energy in the forward area when Morelos came on. And not in a positive way. We'll need a focal point to the team, for sure."

In the same interview, the boss lamented his team consistently missing "incredible chances" and this indicates that the Englishman wants to add a clinical edge to his side next season.

Who could replace Alfredo Morelos at Rangers?

Beale could find an upgrade on Morelos and a player who provides excellent finishing by securing a swoop to sign Coventry centre-forward Viktor Gyokeres this summer.

Earlier this month, Football Insider reported that the Light Blues have enquired about a potential deal to sign the £20m-rated attacker as Beale is said to be a big fan of the ex-Brighton prospect.

How has Gyokeres done this season?

In the Championship, the Swedish international has scored 21 goals from 16.08 xG (expected goals) and this means that the dynamo has found the back of the net 4.92 times more than expected based on the chances his teammates provided him with. Whereas, Morelos scored 11 goals from nine xG in the Scottish Premiership – two more than expected.

Coventry's star man has overachieved his xG and scored ten more than the Colombian marksman to date, which indicates that Gyokeres would be an upgrade on the departing Gers forward in terms of the finishing quality he can provide.

The 24-year-old goal machine could offer more creativity than Morelos in the final third to go along with his goalscoring.

He has racked up 10.16 xA and 1.84 key passes per 90 in comparison to the 26-year-old's 4.81 and 1.62, which means that the Championship bulldozer has opened up opposition defences on a more regular basis for his teammates.

Gyokeres could also provide a focal point at the top end of the pitch as the goal machine has won 6.2 battles per game in the English second flight, whilst the Light Blues attacker has only won 1.9 duels per outing in the Scottish Premiership, and this shows that the Coventry gem can compete with defenders and put himself about in physical contests, thus preventing the other team from easily winning possession back off the number nine.

Taking all of this into account, the Swedish phenomenon – whose ability was hailed as "unbelievable" by his manager Mark Robins – could be a big upgrade on Morelos due to his clinical finishing, creative output, and his willingness to do the dirty work, which is why Beale must work hard to secure a deal this summer.

Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey could leave the club during the summer transfer window, according to an update from journalist Dean Jones.

Has Bailey had a good season for Villa?

The Villans' fortunes have turned around so much this season, with things looking bleak earlier in the campaign when Steven Gerrard was in charge. Since Unai Emery has come in as manager, however, they have been transformed, with results and performances going up a significant gear.

So many individuals have improved under the Spaniard as the season has gone on and Bailey is one of them, because a more consistent and dangerous presence in Villa's attack. The £100,000-a-week attacker has scored and assisted four times apiece in the Premier League in 2022/23, with his most recent assist coming in the 2-1 win over Tottenham earlier this month.

The 25-year-old's current deal at Villa Park expires in the summer of 2025, however, and while there is still a couple of years left on it, there is the possibility that the club decides to potentially accept an offer for him at the end of the season.

Could Bailey leave Villa this summer?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones claimed that Bailey is someone who could possibly depart once the summer window opens:

"I think there will be a market for him. He's the type of player that will always attract a certain level of club. I would be surprised if he was at Villa next season, even if he was to have a banging last game of the season."

This is a tricky one for Villa, with Bailey's displays much improved in recent months and his age meaning he could improve further in the coming years. That being said, he does arguably feel like someone who could both be improved and who Villa could receive good money for, so it is a key decision to make in the coming months.

The key ultimately depends on whether Emery sees the 19-cap and three-goal Jamaica international as an important figure moving forward, or if he believes there are stronger options out there.

Granted, he has got better after some questionable form in the past, but a more prolific wide man could help take Villa to that next level this season – someone who can deliver more relentless numbers than eight Premier League goal contributions in 32 appearances.

If Bailey stays, it is unlikely that many supporters will be complaining, but equally, there would be logic in letting him go, helping boost Villa's summer transfer kitty in the process.

It looks likely to be another hectic summer at Manchester United, with manager Erik ten Hag no doubt keen to strengthen his squad even further with notable new additions, following what has thus far been an impressive debut season in charge for the Dutchman.

Clear progress has been made under 53-year-old's watch with United securing Carabao Cup glory and currently well-placed to finish in the top-four, although work is still needed to be able to go to that next level, with the former Ajax boss said to be particularly keen on signing a new striker and midfielder ahead of next season.

One other area of concern for Ten Hag will be the goalkeeping ranks, with current number one, David de Gea having endured an "alarming decline" of late and become a "massive liability" – according to The Mirror's Colin Millar – despite keeping 16 Premier League clean sheets so far this season.

The long-serving Spaniard's recent error in the defeat away to West Ham United – in which he failed to deal with Said Benrahma's tame, long range attempt – has further showcased that a change in the sticks may be needed, albeit with talks continuing over a new deal on reduced terms for the 32-year-old.

As per the Telegraph, however, it is not certain that the former Atletico Madrid man – who's existing contract is set to expire this summer – will remain as the number one choice even if he is to stay at the club beyond the end of the season, amid recent links to the likes of Borussia Dortmund ace, Gregor Kobel.

Despite the desire to splash the cash on a new addition, Ten Hag could already have a possible replacement for De Gea on the books in the form of Matej Kovar, with the 23-year-old having enjoyed a "stellar season" on loan at Sparta Prague, as per transfer insider Graeme Bailey.

Who is Man United's Matej Kovar?

As per the aforementioned Bailey, the Red Devils are considering whether to promote the Czech youngster next season in order to potentially "challenge" De Gea in the future, 'after emerging as one of the best young keepers in Europe' – according to 90min.

According to that latter report, Ten Hag and co have been keeping 'close tabs' on the 6 foot gem's progress throughout the campaign, with the aim of potentially making him an understudy or possible rival to De Gea for the 2023/24 season.

With current reserve option Jack Butland coming towards the climax of his short-term loan deal – and with Tom Heaton nearing the end of his current contract – there is a real need to bolster the goalkeeping department, hence turning to Kovar.

Amid De Gea's woes – having been criticised by club legend Paul Scholes for making the team "nervous" due to his errant distribution – the academy gem has blossomed out on loan, having been hailed as the "future of Czech football" by Sparta boss, Brian Priske.

The former Slovacko ace has conceded just 32 goals in 29 games across all fronts this season – keeping ten clean sheets in that time – after previously keeping four clean sheets in just six appearances while on loan at Burton Albion last season.

While a first-team appearance at United has yet to come to pass for the one-time Swindon Town loanee, it should not be too long before he is challenging De Gea's starting berth and potentially even ousting the £375k-per-week dud.

The future of the Red Devils' goalkeeping department could, quite literally, be in safe hands if Ten Hag does put faith in the exciting Kovar.

A change of clothing, a change of ball, a change of format, a change of personnel. A change of fortune? Australia would certainly hope so. After the humiliation of the No. 1 Test side in the world being whitewashed by the No. 7, Steven Smith’s men are now searching for a win – any old win – to restore a little bit of self-confidence. There are two pieces of good news for Australia that will encourage them ahead of this five-match ODI series.One: Rangana Herath is not playing. The man who claimed 28 wickets in the Test series retired from ODIs earlier this year. Two: the Australians might find the pitches for the ODI series a little more to their liking. Of course, it should be noted that there was nothing wrong with the Test pitches. But surfaces designed for 50-over matches and plenty of entertainment – those will suit Australia more.Just as in the Tests, Australia enter this series as No. 1 in the world – the difference is that their lead is so sufficient that even a total disaster will not see them drop from the top spot. A change of personnel will bring some freshness to the group. From outside the Test squad come James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Adam Zampa, George Bailey, Travis Head and Matthew Wade.Still, that leaves nine members of the ODI party who must shake off the disappointments of the past month and find fresh spark in the shorter format. Along with Smith, and his deputy David Warner, there is Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Moises Henriques. Mitchell Marsh was originally named in the squad, but has been sent home to rest.”No matter where you play, if you’re not winning, things are going to be a little bit flat,” Faulkner said in Colombo on the eve of the first ODI. “But we’ve got some new faces, and I’m one of them, that come into the group and bring some energy and some excitement for the five games and the two T20s after that.”Faulkner is, at least, certain to play the first match, after being dropped at the end of the ODI tri-series in the Caribbean in June. But what the rest of Australia’s XI will look like remains a mystery. The axing of Glenn Maxwell, Australia’s reigning ODI cricketer of the year, alters the balance of the side, while the return of Warner from injury and the inclusion of Shaun Marsh create a top-order glut.The likelihood is that Warner and Finch will open, and it would take a brave selector to leave Marsh out, given the form he displayed in the Colombo Test. That might in turn make it hard to find room for Khawaja, who was second only to Smith on Australia’s run charts in the West Indies tri-series. But the dropping of Maxwell from not only the XI but the wider squad shows that almost nobody is safe.”Besides the skipper, no one else is really guaranteed a spot in the side,” Finch told reporters in Colombo on Friday. “You have to be performing all the time. You just have to keep getting the business done, and if you don’t, there’s always someone breathing down your neck for your spot.”When you’ve got young guys performing well, Travis Head to go to England and get 175 [for Yorkshire] and play well in the last domestic one-day summer, there’s always someone breathing down your neck. So you have to be performing all the time, or have a real lot of credits in the bank.”One player with almost unlimited credits in the bank is Starc, the Player of the Tournament in last year’s World Cup and arguably the most dangerous wielder of a white ball at pace in the world right now. Not only that, but Starc is coming off the sort of Test series that would seem fanciful for a fast bowler in Asia: 24 wickets at 15.16, a wicket every 26 balls. The only question is whether the selectors may wish to rest Starc at some point during the ODI series.The other query around Australia’s attack is whether they will opt for one or two spinners. The young legspinner Zampa has shown remarkable poise during his first year as an international cricketer and is coming off an outstanding Caribbean Premier League season. He should be the starting spinner, ahead of Lyon, who in any case could use a break after sending down 154 overs in the Test series, the most for any bowler from either side.Whatever side Australia’s selectors come up with, at least they can view this change of format as a fresh start.

Burnley face a battle to land Georges Mikautadze this summer, with a report from Footmercato stating that AC Milan are also ready to launch a bid for his services.

Who are Burnley signing this summer?

The Clarets have had a superb Championship campaign under boss Vincent Kompany, with the former Man City man taking the side to the top of the second-tier table in his first season. They stormed their way to glory, too – racking up 101 points and losing only three times.

Now, with the club gearing up for life back in the Premier League, their manager will be on the hunt for players that can help keep this upward trajectory going. The side won't want to be dumped straight back down a division and will therefore need to invest wisely to ensure their stay in the top flight is not a short one.

One of the names that has already emerged as a potential target for Burnley now is Georges Mikautadze. According to Footmercato, the Clarets have been "won over" by the player's performances this season but they could now face a struggle to sign the Metz ace.

That's because the same report adds that AC Milan are now also in the race to land the 14-cap Georgia man and could offer €10m (£8.7m) in order to secure his signature.

Who is Georges Mikautadze?

The striker currently plays for FC Metz in France and has had a sensational season with the club, bagging himself 23 goals in 33 league starts for the side, including a current run of nine goals in eight games. In addition, he managed a further eight assists, which led to a per-90 goal contribution rate of 0.96. It's a large part of the reason why the French outfit are currently sat third in Ligue 2.

He's also been gathering plenty of admirers along the way, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig calling him "The Georgian Killer." That's because of his goal rate for the side, and considering his age – he is just 22 years old – it makes his record even more impressive.

It's not the first time he has hit double-digit goal figures, either, having managed 19 when he was in his teens in Belgium. It means that this campaign is not a one-off for the striker – and if he does join Burnley and repeat the feat, it could go a long way towards keeping them in the Premier League next season.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be considering Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou for their managerial vacancy, despite growing speculation surrounding Feyenoord's Arne Slot.

What's the latest on Postecoglou to Tottenham?

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 57-year-old has been "discussed" by the Spurs hierarchy as a possible permanent successor to Antonio Conte, albeit with the aforementioned Slot seemingly still the leading option for chairman, Daniel Levy.

Speaking on his Youtube channel, the transfer guru revealed: "Arne Slot is a serious candidate for the Tottenham job. There are contacts internally to decide on the manager but the first step will be new director, then the new manager, with Arne Slot for sure into the race.

“Luis Enrique is also appreciated. Amorim and Postecoglou have been discussed. But Arne Slot is the frontrunner."

This follows a recent report from Sky Sports which also named Postecoglou as a figure that the Lilywhites are 'interested' in, with the Greek-Aussie having come to wider attention due to his fine work in Glasgow over the last two years or so.

Should Tottenham appoint Postecoglou?

The arrival of the former Yokohama F Marinos man would certainly tick a lot of boxes as far as Levy and co are concerned, with the experienced coach potentially able to help end Tottenham's dismal trophy drought, having already claimed silverware at Parkhead of late.

The one-time Australia head coach has guided his current side to Scottish Premiership and League Cup glory in each of the last two seasons, with the Old Firm outfit well placed to add a further Scottish Cup triumph to their collection next month, ahead of a showpiece showdown with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

It is the manner in which Postecoglou has achieved such success that has particularly caught the eye, however, with BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves hailing him as someone who "goes after everyone" with his "attacking football".

Having had to endure the dour brand of football that Conte instilled at N17 – with the Italian's approach described as "negative" earlier in the campaign by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville – the change to the Hoops boss would certainly be well received by Spurs supporters.

The one-time Melbourne Victory man – who has also been dubbed an "unbelievable coach" by compatriot Jackson Irvine – would likely need encouragement to jump ship in the near future, although pundit Mark Bosnich has suggested "Spurs would be the most suitable" club for Postecoglou to work his magic in the Premier League.

With the prospect of seeing the 4-3-3 coach bring "exceptionally attractive football" to north London – according to Bosnich – Levy must certainly consider the Celtic tactician as an alternative to 'frontrunner', Slot.

Legspinner Rumana Ahmed’s hat-trick – the first in international cricket by a Bangladesh Women’s cricketer – helped her side defend a small total of 106 and beat Ireland Women by 10 runs in the third ODI to claim the series 1-0

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Sep-2016
ScorecardFile photo – Rumana Ahmed dismissed Kim Garth, Clare Shillington and Mary Waldron for her hat-trick•IDI/Getty ImagesLegspinner Rumana Ahmed’s hat-trick – the first in international cricket by a Bangladesh Women’s cricketer – helped her side defend a small total of 106 and beat Ireland Women by 10 runs in the third ODI to claim the series 1-0.Ireland had begun their chase of 107 well, with the openers Meg Kendal and Cecelia Joyce adding 52. Offspinner Khadija Tul Kubra dismissed Kendal and No. 3 Shauna Kavanagh quickly but the big setback to Ireland’s innings came when Cecelia was run out for 35. Having lost Isobel Joyce for 2, Ireland’s chase was starting to look shaky at 84 for 4 when Rumana struck. She dismissed Kim Garth, Clare Shillington and Mary Waldron off successive balls to leave Ireland’s chase in tatters. Laura Delany, Ireland’s captain, pushed the score along to 96 before she too was dismissed and Bangladesh wrapped up the win in the 38th over.Bangladesh’s spinners split up all eight bowler dismissals in Ireland’s innings. Apart from Rumana’s 3 for 20, Tul Kubra and legspinner Fahima Khatun took two wickets each, while left-arm spinner Nahida Akter had returns of 1 for 18. Khatun’s 2 for 13 was her best in ODIs.Earlier, medium-pacer Amy Kenealy wrecked Bangladesh’s top order, leaving them tottering at 25 for 5 after they had opted to bat first. Her career-best 4 for 32 accounted for four of Bangladesh’s top six. Opener Sanjida Islam top-scored with 33 and led a brief fightback, adding 44 for the sixth wicket with Ritu Moni. Jahanara Alam and Akter shared another useful partnership of 32 runs for the eighth wicket, lifting the score past 100. The failure of the middle order, however, meant that Bangladesh could only muster a total of 106. Twenty-six extras, including 23 wides, were the second-biggest contribution in Bangladesh’s total.The third ODI was not originally scheduled in the series but was added after the first ODI was abandoned without a ball bowled. The second match, which was curtailed to 47-overs-a-side, then saw only 18 overs of play before being abandoned. Bangladesh had earlier lost the T20I series 0-1.

Arsenal are expected to table their opening "bid" in an attempt to sign West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice in June, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Is Declan Rice leaving West Ham?

The Premier League veteran has made 243 senior appearances at the London Stadium having worked his way up through the academy ranks with David Moyes’s side, but with his contract set to expire at the end of next season, the upcoming window is likely to present the 24-year-old with his final big opportunity to secure a big-money move, and he isn’t short of potential suitors being the E20 outfit’s overall top-performing player with a WhoScored match rating of 7.04.

According to the Irons manager, the England international is set to bring in a “British transfer record” should he depart over the summer, and whilst his price tag hasn’t yet been specified by the club, Sky Sports have reported that they would sanction their skipper’s sale for £120m, or alternatively, £100m in cash plus a player going the opposite way as part of a swap deal amid interest from Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and indeed Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium.

Are Arsenal signing Rice?

Taking to Twitter in the last 48 hours, Romano revealed that Arsenal are preparing an offer in an attempt to fend off other attention and sign Rice ahead of the start of the 2023/24 campaign. He wrote:

"Arsenal have not changed their plans for Declan Rice as top target: opening bid to be submitted in June, waiting for West Ham to clarify final price tag. #AFC Nothing is agreed or done, race remains open. Other clubs are also interested; so timing will be crucial."

Arsenal are clearly serious about recruiting Rice in the summer if they are already in the process of readying a bid, and having been dubbed a defensive “midfield general” by talent scout Jacek Kulig and "world-class" by pundit Alan Smith, he would be an outstanding acquisition for Arteta in N7.

The World Cup participant has made 79 tackles since the start of the term which is higher than any other member of West Ham’s squad, via FBRef, not to mention that he also averages 1.7 interceptions per top-flight game so loves to get stuck in and regain possession for his team.

The Kingston upon Thames-born talent, who is even impactful in the final third having clocked up six league goal contributions (four goals and two assists) this season, would finally add excellent versatility to the manager’s squad with his ability to operate in five various positions over the grass, so this really is a deal that the board can’t give up on during negotiations over the summer.