Liverpool star Cody Gakpo has been accused of neglecting his responsibilities as a landlord after a mice infestation swept his properties.
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Gakpo invests in housingIssues arise in propertiesTenants are complainingWHAT HAPPENED?
The Liverpool star has been accused of being a neglectful landlord across a string of properties he owns in the Netherlands. The 24-year-old invested a substantial amount of his wages to create a housing portfolio in the south of the county – but his tenants are now fuming due to the standard of the facilities. Dutch outlet reports claims of structural problems, vermin infestation and poor repairs from residents.
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Stefan Stals, who Gakpo employs to collect rent from the properties and deal with any issues from the tenants, has since commented on the reported issues, saying: "There was nuisance from mice. We had those exterminated. The maintenance condition of the property is good.”
However, resident Ricardo Silva has since highlighted other issues with the properties, adding: “A rat fell down through there into my living room. It scared me to death. I saw it running. It was a rat with a long tail. It was definitely not a mouse.”
Another, Dewi Kouwenberg, said: “You see the gnaw marks on my sofa here? I don’t actually dare to be here.”
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Gakpo is listed as the sole shareholder in the company Samaritan, which owns properties in Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Roermond, Weert and Geleen. The average rent in these areas is around £500 ($618) per month, however Gakpo's properties are listed at upwards of £700 ($865) despite the issues. According to , Gakpo's representatives have declined to comment on the reports. They have stated the responsibility of the properties lies with the company managing them on Gakpo's behalf.
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Liverpool fans will be hoping these off the field issues will not hinder Gakpo's performance, as they look to get back to winning ways in the Premier League following a recent 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace.
The Reds slipped to third in the top flight of English football after the loss and now face a three point gap to Arsenal at the top of the table. Liverpool will next be in action against Fulham on Sunday afternon.
Reliable journalist Joe Crann has revealed some key details that have emerged regarding Bailey Cadamarteri’s new Sheffield Wednesday deal.
Cadamarteri signs new Sheff Wed deal
There has been something of a resurgence from the Owls in recent times, with Danny Rohl not necessarily always getting positive results, but bringing more of a feel-good factor back to Hillsborough after Xisco Munoz's disappointing reign.
There have also been important wins at home to Blackburn Rovers and away to Stoke City, however, while a late 1-1 with Leicester City was an impressive point, too, and a feeling for the first time that this season is not over yet.
Rohl deserves real credit for the impact that he has made, and one player who has arguably benefited more than most is Cadamarteri, who has been handed his debut by the 34-year-old, making a real impact in the process. The teenage striker has already scored twice in his first seven appearances for Wednesday, and he is performing with real maturity, considering what a young player he is.
The 18-year-old has been rewarded for his good recent form with a new contract at Hillsborough, with the Englishman seen as a big young prospect for the future – one who will hopefully remain with the Owls for as long as possible. The length of Cadamarteri's contract wasn't confirmed, however, but a new update has now shed light on the situation.
Journalist makes exciting Cadamarteri claim
Taking to X on Saturday morning, Crann claimed that Cadamarteri has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Sheffield Wednesday.
Sheffield Wednesday's home stadium, Hillsborough.
"Understand that Bailey Cadamarteri was handed a 4.5 year deal as he committed his future to SWFC – should take him through until 2028."
Meanwhile, in Crann's report for The Sheffield Star, he states that the news is "music to the ears of Owls fans everywhere", given the impact that the youngster has made in recent times.
This is indeed fantastic news for Wednesday, who aren't exactly a club renowned for producing top young talents who go on to shine for the Owls for a sustained period of time. While it is still early days with Cadamarteri, the early signs are promising, with the striker possessing a physicality beyond his years, as well as a natural striker's instinct in front of goal. He also netted twice in five appearances for the Under-18s, and the hope is that he keeps progressing under Rohl, becoming a regular starter over time and a key feature of the boss' rebuild.
This is an Owls squad with ageing attacking players in it, from Lee Gregory to Michael Smith – even Josh Windass turns 30 in January – and it would be so exciting to see a homegrown star lead the line effectively.
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Cadamarteri's new deal also means that Wednesday can now demand good money for his services, should interest in him emerge over the coming years, rather than make the error of not protecting his value and seeing him leave on the cheap.
This news is just another positive to add to the list at Hillsborough right now, even though Rohl's side remain rooted near the bottom of the Championship table.
Getafe manager Jose Bordalas has hinted that the club will try and keep Mason Greenwood beyond the summer.
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Greenwood is on loan from Man UtdHas scored eight goals in La LigaUnlikely to return to EnglandWHAT HAPPENED?
The 22-year-old is attracting a lot of interest from European clubs who believe they can secure a deal for a cut-price fee from Manchester United. Greenwood was named Player of the Month for Getafe in December and the Spanish side believe they can compete with the likes of Juventus for his signature in the coming months.
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Speaking to Marca about Greenwood's future, Bordalas said: "We haven’t spoken about it yet. He’s in the same situation as the other loanees. When the season is over, it will be time to get down to work to see if Mason will be able to stay another year or not. It will depend on his club and the decision he makes."
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Regardless of the negative media that has surrounded Greenwood, he has proven to be a key player for Getafe this season. The England international scored just five Premier League goals in his last campaign at Man Utd but has settled in well at Spain, recording 14 goal contributions in 30 appearances in all competitions.
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Alongside Juventus and Barcelona, the Bradford-born forward is admired by Atletico Madrid and his name will likely be a regular feature on the rumour mill when the transfer window opens. Another loan deal may be on the cards if Greenwood's parent club aren't willing to sanction a budget move for the goalscorer.
The Pakistan left-armer has signed for eight games in this year’s English T20 competition.
ESPNcricinfo staff08-Feb-2019Mohammad Amir, the Pakistan left-arm seamer, will return to Essex for part of the 2019 Vitality Blast. Amir, who was involved in Essex’s 2017 Championship success, has signed for eight games in the T20 competition.Amir is due to arrive in time for Essex’s first fixture in this year’s Blast, against Middlesex at Lord’s on July 18, before missing two games due to family commitments. He will then be available until mid-August before heading to the Caribbean Premier League.”I’m very excited to return to Chelmsford and re-join my Essex team mates,” Amir said. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time here in 2017 and I’m looking forward to playing my role in the club’s success this season.”Essex have already re-signed Australia legspinner, Adam Zampa, one of the few successes of last season, as well as bringing in T20 veteran Cameron Delport for 2019. Last year, they finished third from bottom in the South Group, winning just two of their 14 games.The club also failed to reach the Blast quarter-finals in 2017, but Amir was a success, taking 14 wickets in 13 games and with an economy of 6.77.”Mo is one of the most exciting bowling talents in the world and I’m ecstatic he’s going to be back with us,” Essex’s head coach, Anthony McGrath, said. “He has the ability to bowl at a fast pace whilst swinging the ball both ways and showed a real desire to come back to Chelmsford and be an Eagle again.”Everyone has seen how devastating he can be with the ball and the talent he has, so I think alongside our other overseas player, Adam Zampa, we’re going to have one of the most dangerous bowling attacks in the Vitality Blast this year.”
Erik ten Hag admits that Manchester United did want to sign Harry Kane in 2023, but is backing Rasmus Hojlund to become a 30-goal striker.
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England captain left Spurs in 2023Headed for Munich over Old TraffordDanish striker remains work in progressGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
The Red Devils made the acquisition of another frontman their top priority in the last summer transfer window, with questions being asked of whether Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford could lead the line. Danish star Hojlund was eventually snapped up from Atalanta for £72 million ($90m), with United opting to spend big on potential rather than pedigree.
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Ten Hag has told of that decision, with the club’s No.1 target slipping the net: “This club can only have outstanding players because the expectations are so high. Manchester United is the biggest, or maybe second or third, biggest club in the world, the highest fanbase so expectations will always be there. Everyone has an opinion about Manchester United and it can only be outstanding players. That's players who have all the skillset, that is the physical and especially the mental skillset they need to perform and contribute because we have to win every game. There's an expectation around every game from us so you can only fulfil that expectation when you have those outstanding players. But in the last decade and in this period, we couldn't always get the players we wanted. But then you have to build and you have to accept that you get talent in instead of players who already proved it in the past. We have had some choices made with talents like Rasmus Hojlund. I can see a striker who already proved it, who we want to sign and we couldn't get him. And then we went to Rasmus because he's a talent.”
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Quizzed on whether former Tottenham star Kane – who is now at Bayern Munich – was the one that got away, Ten Hag added: “Yes, and you know Harry Kane will get you 30 goals. I think Rasmus will get there, but he needs time. It's not fair to assess him the same as Harry Kane. I would never compare two players because they are very different. But with Hojlund, I think we had the biggest potential in the striker position last summer and we are very happy with him. But he also needs time to adapt and we are very pleased he showed his assets in scoring goals. He had a very good period where he scored many games after he showed it, but before and after, he had some physical issues, which is normal for a young player coming up. But it has a negative impact on the team result and that's what you have to accept. Then you go back to the fans and the opinion makers, and they don't understand or they don't want to understand this. It is how Man United gets judged, they only see the result, but we need time. You have to accept the process is going slower and you can't then expect to straight [away] compete for titles in the Champions League and Premier League.”
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Kane has broken the 40-goal barrier during his debut campaign at Bayern, as he puts them in contention for Champions League glory, while Hojlund – who only opened his Premier League account on December 26 before enjoying a remarkable run of form – has found the target on 14 occasions through 38 appearances.
Attacking opener’s form in the Test series win over England has been rewarded with a maiden ODI call-up after an injury to Evin Lewis
ESPNcricinfo staff16-Feb-2019John Campbell’s form in the Test series win over England has been rewarded with a maiden ODI call-up, after injuries to Evin Lewis, Rovman Powell and Keemo Paul forced changes to West Indies’ 14-man squad for the first two matches of the series, starting in Barbados on Wednesday.Carlos Brathwaite and Sheldon Cottrell have been recalled to strengthen the pace bowling in the absence of Powell and Paul, who tore his quadriceps while playing in the third Test in St Lucia last week, and the suspension of Shannon Gabriel. Brathwaite will return from the PSL, where he played in Lahore Qalandars’ opening match on Thursday, in order to be available.Attacking opener Campbell, whose six off James Anderson in Antigua sealed victory in the Test series, gave a good account of himself in his first appearances at international level. Although he failed to record an individual half-century, three times being dismissed in the 40s, he and Kraigg Brathwaite put on four 50-plus stands during the three Tests.His opportunity comes after Lewis sustained a groin injury while playing in the Bangladesh Premier League, and he could stake a late claim for a World Cup spot, according to chairman of selectors Courtney Browne.”With our squad suffering from a few players with injuries even before a ball is bowled, an opportunity presents itself for other players to make a claim for World Cup spots. After a good showing as an opener in the Test matches, John Campbell – a fearless and attacking opening batter – will replace Evin Lewis who had to be withdrawn from the squad with a groin injury,” Browne said.”Carlos Brathwaite who last played in the World Cup qualifiers and who was a replacement in the last ODI series in Bangladesh will also join the squad along with Sheldon Cottrell who last played against Bangladesh last year in the Caribbean. They will replace Rovman Powell and Keemo Paul who are also both sidelined with injuries.”The panel take this opportunity to wish the injured players a speedy recovery and to wish the team success in the upcoming ODIs.”West Indies squad for first two ODIs: Jason Holder (capt), Fabian Allen, Devendra Bishoo, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, John Campbell, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Nicholas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas
Wolverhampton Wanderers face Chelsea in their final match before Christmas and a win would do their confidence the world of good.
Gary O’Neil has led the Old Gold to just one Premier League win since the return of domestic football following the last international break of the year and a couple of victories before the end of 2023 would boost their top half ambitions.
Wolves manager Gary O'Neil.
Once they get those games over with, the January transfer window will be in full swing and the 40-year-old coach can concentrate on trying to bolster his playing squad.
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The Old Gold have been linked with a few names leading up to the winter window, but perhaps they should reignite a swoop for Norwich City winger Jonathan Rowe next month – having been noted as one of the clubs who are in the race for his signature.
The Molineux outfit had a £15m bid rejected by the Canaries for the youngster towards the end of the summer transfer window and with fellow Premier League side Aston Villa also showing interest in Rowe, now could be their time to strike.
Norwich forward Jonathan Rowe.
With O’Neil looking to transform his attack, a move for the 20-year-old could potentially work wonders, and he would forge a solid partnership with Hwang Hee-Chan during the second half of the season.
Hwang and Rowe would be an exciting partnership
The 5 foot 10 Championship starlet has been in stunning form during the 2023/24 season thus far.
Across just 22 matches, Rowe has found the back of the net 11 times while chipping in with two assists and this attacking threat means he could add another spark to the Wolves side.
David Wagner, Rowe’s boss at Norwich, lavished praise on him recently, hailing the young talent as a “character” and perhaps a step-up to the top flight could be wonderful for his development.
Rowe has created one big chance and averages 1.1 key passes per game in the second tier along with succeeding with 1.1 successful dribbles per game, and he could be the perfect foil for the South Korean forward.
Hwang has enjoyed a fruitful spell in front of goal under O’Neil. In 17 Premier League matches, the 27-year-old has netted eight times while grabbing two assists, and it is clear he is enjoying his football under the 40-year-old.
The former RB Leipzig forward has also created three big chances, averaged 0.7 key passes per game and succeeded with 1.5 successful dribbles per game, sharing similar statistics to that of Rowe this season.
The duo could be devastating by leading the line at Wolves and with another attacker clearly wanted at the club, the Old Gold should certainly think about reigniting a move for the Championship talent.
A top-half Premier League finish is certainly achievable with his current team, but O’Neil will know that more consistency must be the priority come 2024.
Wins against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are all fine and well, but if you can't beat Luton Town or Sheffield United, all the good work has been wasted and this may come back to haunt them at the end of the season.
Glasgow Rangers begin 2024 occupying second place in the Scottish Premiership table and Philippe Clement will be aiming to make this year a much better one than 2023, that’s for sure.
The first ten months of last year were nothing to shout home about, yet the Belgian manager took over and changed the fortunes of the club in the space of just two and a half months in what has been an incredible turnaround.
A League Cup trophy has already been added to the trophy cabinet and, despite a recent 2-1 defeat to Celtic, the mood is high heading into the winter break.
The onus on the 49-year-old coach will now be to ship out some deadwood this month along with signing a couple of new players in order to bolster his squad.
With this in mind, the Ibrox side have been linked with a move for a South American midfielder who was once teammates with former Ibrox cult figure Alfredo Morelos…
Rangers transfer news – Steven Alzate
The previous few weeks have been productive, to say the least, but Clement struggled with injuries to several central midfielders, such as John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, Jose Cifuentes, and Nico Raskin.
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While they are all either totally recovered or close to returning to the senior side, the crisis means that the manager must bring in another midfielder or two during the transfer window.
According to Belgian outlet DH Les Sports (via the Scottish Sun), the Gers are monitoring the situation of midfielder Steven Alzate, who has only a few months left on his contract at Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion.
Steven Alzate for Brighton
Brighton are looking to sell him during the January transfer window in order to secure themselves some sort of transfer fee, rather than see him walk free in the summer.
The Colombian has spent the previous 18 months on loan at Standard Liege. Although he is currently suffering from an ankle injury, he could be injury-free once Rangers return to action in a couple of weeks.
The Light Blues have a few midfielders out of contract themselves at the end of the season – most notably Lundstram and Jack – and this is a position which Clement will be desperate to bolster.
The former Sheffield United enforcer will likely secure an extension to his deal, but this should be the final season for Jack at the Glasgow side, especially with his recurring injury niggles.
Alzate could be a dream replacement for the Scot, who has been a stalwart for the Gers since arriving in 2017.
Ryan Jack’s statistics at Rangers
The former Aberdeen gem cost Rangers nothing when he arrived during the summer of 2017 on a free transfer after his contract at the Dons expired, and it looked as though it could be a solid piece of business by the club.
Jack soon became a mainstay in the first team and, despite failing to win a trophy during his first three seasons at Ibrox, progress was shown.
Ryan Jack
Injury problems were his kryptonite, however, and prior to the title-winning 2020/21 campaign, Jack missed 41 matches due to various injuries and this would become a recurring theme during his spell in Glasgow.
He managed to play 19 times as the club won their first Premiership crown for a decade, chipping in with two vital goals, yet he featured just 22 times in all competitions the following season as he continued to pick up knocks on a regular basis.
Despite playing only eight times in the league this term, Jack has shown glimmers of his abilities as he currently has an 87% pass success rate along with losing possession just 4.9 times per game, and he is a useful option for Clement to call upon, when fit, that is.
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Paying a wage for someone who could miss 50% or more of the season is a big gamble to take and the former Club Brugge manager should make the call to let him leave for free this summer.
Steven Alzate could replace Ryan Jack
The 25-year-old was picked up by Brighton in the same summer as Rangers signed Jack, yet it took him a couple of seasons to make his way into the senior side.
A decent loan spell at Swindon Town helped his cause and he went on to play 19 times in the Premier League during 2019/20.
Journalist Josh Bunting heaped praise on him during that season, saying: “Steven Alzate superb again for Brighton, he is so creative, brings so much energy into the game.”
This was as good as it got for Alzate on the south coast, adding just another 24 top-flight appearances to his CV before sealing another temporary switch away from the Amex, this time to Belgium.
Brighton’s loss has been Standard Liege’s gain as the English-born gem has shone in the Belgian top flight over the previous 18 months.
Last term, the midfielder ranked fifth among the squad for goals and assists in the top flight (eight), while also ranking fourth for big chances created (five), first for accurate passes per game (42), and second for tackles per game (2.4).
These statistics indicate that he would be an ideal replacement for Jack, especially as he clearly has the required passing and defensive abilities to succeed at Rangers.
Meanwhile, the talented gem could also offer a threat going forward with his ability to create big opportunities for his teammates in the final third.
Alzate has played just 11 times in the league this term, yet has already contributed one goal and two assists, proving that he can chip in with the odd goal contribution.
Steven Alzate
Jack’s spell at Rangers will go down as a major what-if. Although he has featured 204 times for the club, the reality is, it could have been so much more if not for the continuous stream of injuries.
Indeed, the Scot has missed a grand total of 118 matches through a succession of injuries since 2017 and the older he gets, the longer it will take for him to recover from any injury he suffers.
This represents an ideal chance for the Gers to bring in a player such as Alzate, who has shown his abilities both defensively and in an attacking sense during his spells with Brighton and Standard Liege in recent years.
Bayern Munich are reportedly targeting AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez as a replacement for Alphonso Davies this summer.
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Davies toys with Madrid moveBayern target Theo HernandezMove will depend on Davies futureGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Davies continues to toy with a move to Spain with Real Madrid, and as such, the Bavarians have begun looking for potential replacements this summer. As per Sky Germany, one of the names at the top of the list is Hernandez and the German giants have begun talks with the Rossoneri but are yet to start negotiations. As per the report, Hernandez could cost the Germans upwards of €60 million (£51.8m/$64.7m).
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The report states that keeping Davies at the club is still the preferred option of the Bayern hierarchy and they will only undergo talks for Hernandez if they are certain the Canadian is looking to leave. Davies' contract is set to run out in the summer of 2025 and Bayern have placed a new deal on the table for the 23-year-old. If he does not renew terms, Bayern will try to push the left-back out this season so as to not lose the Canadian for free next summer.
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Lucas Hernandez, the elder brother of Theo, has been at Bayern since last summer and Bayern will hope the possibility of a reunion may entice Theo to make the move. The pair began their careers at Atletico Madrid but have not been on the same club side since Theo's departure in 2017.
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WHAT NEXT?
The report has suggested that Bayern will only make the decisions on both Davies and Hernandez after confirming their replacement for Thomas Tuchel. Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann and Ralf Rangnick have already rejected offers from Die Roten.
England batsman seeks redemption during this year’s World Cup, after losing his starting place in ODI team
David Hopps03-Apr-2019For a man who has put what should be the climax to his career at risk with a night of madness, Alex Hales was looking remarkably chipper. Anticipation of a World Cup in England this summer has left him bursting with vigour and optimism. All he needs now is a chance to show his worth.Hales’ cricket suspension for bringing the game into disrepute, arising from his involvement alongside Ben Stokes in that fateful 2.30am street fight after leaving Mbargo nightclub in Bristol, is now well behind him. Unlike Stokes, who was later cleared in court of affray, he was not charged, but also unlike Stokes he has not regained a permanent place in England’s one-day side. That is not because of lingering resentment, just the way things turn out.He has spoken to for the first time about that night and now, understandably, wants to move on. “Sometimes I make mediocre decisions – I always have – but I don’t want to make them anymore,” he said. He referred to “learning the incredibly hard way”.Perhaps unknowingly, he even found himself quoting the billionaire American businessman Warren Buffett in his acknowledgement of his mistakes. Buffett warned that it took 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. Hales who is considerably younger and not quite worth $84 billion, adjusted that to 10 years and 10 minutes. But the message was the same.Forget the fines, the suspension, the tarnished reputation. It is the fear that he might miss out on the World Cup that really eats away at him. Hales has hardly been ignored – he has played another 17 ODIs since he was dropped after the Bristol match against West Indies in September 2017. But because of the disruption to his career he is no longer an automatic choice with Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root filling the top three places and scoring runs for fun. By his own admission, he is the stand-by batsman in the strongest and most destructive England one-day line-up in history.”It’s probably the most excited I’ve ever been in pre-season,” he said. “It’s arguably the biggest summer ever for England with a home World Cup. We are heading in as the bookies’ favourite. Hopefully I can play the part in a memorable summer. Playing in a World Cup in front of home fans is something I’ve always dreamed off as a kid.”I can’t have any complaints about being a reserve batter. It’s obviously disappointing, knowing I have played well for England since the last World Cup. I have a decent record. But Joe Root averages mid-50s batting at 3 and Jason and Jonny have probably been the best opening pair in world cricket in the past 18 months. For me it is just about staying hungry. I’ve no doubt that at some point my services will be required. Keeping everyone on their toes is my general plan.”Alex Hales speaks at a Chance to Shine Street event•Chance to ShineIt was good to see him looking so positive, with hail showers strafing Cossington Road Sports Centre and the temperature dipping to 4C, as he took part in a Chance to Shine session in a predominantly Indian area of Leicester.Anyway, if he wanted to find out about real misfortune he could find it in these young and talented cricketing wannabees. Leicester City Council plans to close the sports hall to indoor cricket and extend the existing gymnasium which will be calculated to bring in more revenue at a time when central Government funding to local councils has fallen on average by nearly 60 percent in a decade. More candles blown out for cricket, and these passionate, largely first-generation immigrant kids, which Chance to Shine is fighting so hard to counter.Hales is 30 now, a batsman who should be recognised as at his peak. He played IPL as a replacement for David Warner at Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018, but missed out this year, not helped by the limited availability of England’s players. He has retired from red-ball cricket and, as things stand, has no inkling that he will one day change his mind.Four Royal London Cup matches over 50 overs for Nottinghamshire, from mid-April onwards, will be crucial in his World Cup preparations. He is fortunate that he does not need hours of match time to feel in form. The first ball struck cleanly over the ropes is normally enough to do that.”I’m not reliant on a huge volume of practice. I don’t have to hit for hours and hours. If I can middle a few I feel confident. Luckily I get those four games in for Notts. That will be a good chance to get some runs on the board and feel in good form.As for not becoming morose, that is hardly likely when Nottinghamshire’s coach has international pedigree to go with indecent levels of energy and enthusiasm. “We are so lucky at Notts to have Peter Moores in charge,” Hales said. “For me he is one of the best coaches in the world. To be around his knowledge and enthusiasm is ideal.”It was at Trent Bridge where Hales made his name with an unbeaten 150 against Worcestershire in a Pro40 match in 2009. He was still thrilling home supporters last summer with 147 against Australia as England made a world record 481 for 6 in ODIs. Memories of those destructive, long-limbed blows that day makes it hard to believe that he might not be part of the World Cup XI when Pakistan face England at Trent Bridge on June 3. He averages 90 on this narrow ground at a strike rate of 139, and knows every angle intimately.But he has brought about his own disruption and he must battle through it. Hales had to fulfil another commitment this week: a social media training course in Birmingham, where the indecorous images he posted on Snapchat many years ago, and which also attracted the ire of the ECB, were doubtless discussed at some length.Alex Hales has certainly chosen a few bad options along the way. But he has a right to move on and this summer he yearns for the chance to choose the right option – with a bat in his hand. He was a forerunner in English cricket’s one-day reinvention long before Eoin Morgan’s uncompromising captaincy dragged it into the modern era. He deserves a chance to bring that story to fruition.”If we don’t win the World Cup,” he said, “the last three-and-a-half years will count for nothing.”Chance to Shine is supported by England and Wales Cricket Board, Sport England and NatWest. Find out more at www.chancetoshine.org/street.