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Board has chalked out Russell’s recovery plan and want him to return international cricket only when he’s 100% fit

Peter Della Penna in Lauderhill04-Aug-2019

Andre Russell’s decision to withdraw from the T20I series against India and play in the Global T20 Canada league is “part of his rehabilitation plans”, according to Cricket West Indies chief executive Johnny Grave.”We cleared him fit to play in Canada as a batsman,” Grave told ESPNcricinfo. “To monitor his fitness every day, a couple of our physios are over in the GT20, so we’ve got that oversight with Andre and his knee.”But there’s a massive difference between playing in domestic cricket to international cricket. Our fans really want to see Andre Russell at a 100% while playing here against India: batting at 100%, bowling at 100%, fielding dynamically outside the circle at 100%.”Some eyebrows were raised when Russell suited up to take the field for Vancouver Knights on Friday, minutes after West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite spoke at a press conference, where he backed Russell for continuing to attempt to take the field for West Indies in spite of his injury history.Grave likened it to many other athletes competing at a step below the highest level to build-up match fitness. “His injuries are probably not going to be ones that are ever going to be fully solved,” Grave said. “Like many other sportsmen, like the Beckhams and the Ibrahimovics that have knee injuries, daily rehab is going to be part of his life for the rest of his playing career. We hope that he just takes our medical advice, strengthens his knee and hopefully when he’s back to 100% fitness he’ll be back wearing maroon.”Despite the support offered by CWI through medical advice and physio consultations, Grave was also mindful of Russell being a freelance T20 cricketer. “He’s not contracted to us so we can’t tell him what to do,” he said. “He listens and takes on our advice, I know it for sure. I know that he hasn’t played in every game, he hasn’t bowled yet. So hopefully he’s listening to that medical advice and this is part of his rehab.”He can then hopefully have a break, continue strengthening his knee. He then has the CPL and we can assess him after that. The surgery was successful and hopefully playing a few matches as a batsman in Canada is part of his rehabilitation. As he strengthens that knee, he can get back to full fitness and the player that we want him to be.”Grave also doesn’t think that Russell will have to curb his bowling altogether to prolong his career. “We’re positive and thinking for the best,” Grave said. “Our thought for the moment is we want Andre to fully recover and get back to full fitness as the dynamic allrounder, but if Andre Russell has to become just a batsman, then the selectors will select him based on his performances and on that criteria.”But at the moment, I know he wants to continue. He loves bowling. He wants to be an allrounder and hopefully he’s doing everything he can to ensure that happens by following his rehab, listening to the medical advice and taking it easy. So it’s good to see him not playing every game in Canada, managing his knee and managing his rehab.”

تلقى نانت هزيمة جديدة أمام ليون، ضمن مباريات الجولة السابعة، من بطولة الدوري الفرنسي للدرجة الأولى على ملعب “جروباما استاديوم”.

المباراة التي قادها تحكيميًا الدولي الفرنسي مارك بولينجير، شهدت خسارة جديدة للضيوف، تحت أنظار مصطفى محمد الدولي المصري.

سجل الأرجنتيني نيكولاس تاجليافيكو هدف التقدم لـ ليون، من صناعة سعيد بن رحمة، في الدقيقة 21 من الشوط الأول.

وفي الدقيقة 53 بعد أقل من 10 دقائق في الشوط الثاني، سجل نيكولاس بالويس مدافع نانت، الهدف الثاني لأصحاب الأرض، بالخطأ في مرماه.

طالع أيضًا | “وصمة عار”.. غضب شديد في فرنسا بسبب كيليان مبابي

في الدقيقة 65، دخل مصطفى محمد بدلًا من جبامين لتعزيز هجوم الفريق، لكن المصري لم يتمكن من مساعدة فريقه، وخسر المباراة الثانية منذ بداية الموسم.

بهذه النتيجة توقف رصيد نانت عند 9 نقاط في المركز التاسع، بينما ليون صعد للمركز السابع برصيد 10 نقاط. أهداف مباراة نانت وليون في بطولة الدوري الفرنسي

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ loan move for 18-year-old Noha Lemina last month was a sign that Gary O’Neil wants to focus on giving the youth a chance.

With the Wanderers seemingly guaranteed to stay in the Premier League for another year, but too far away from the European spots, the remainder of the season could provide the perfect opportunity to start drafting in some youngsters.

Playing games at the start of a player’s professional career is imperative to their success, but there is one particular youngster that has caught the eye thanks to just that.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the exciting prospect that the Wolves faithful are raving about and who could help ease the loss of Matheus Cunha.

Matheus Cunha’s season so far

There’s no two ways about it, Cunha has been absolutely immense this campaign, with the Brazilian living up to his £44m price tag.

The 24-year-old has scored nine Premier League goals this campaign while also acting as a source of creativity, providing six assists for his teammates.

His recent hatrick against Chelsea really cemented himself as one of the standout players of the season so far, with only six players having more goal contributions than the attacker.

However, Wolves’ recent 2-0 defeat to Brentford couldn’t have gone much worse, with the 20th-minute injury to Cunha being much more of a loss than the actual result. The former Atletico Madrid star is set to face a spell on the sidelines with a “significant hamstring injury.”

Nathan Fraser could be next up

Nathan Fraser is a name that all Wolves fans will know about, but he could just be the youngster to break through into the starting XI on a more regular basis, amid the news regarding Cunha's potentially lengthy absence.

The 18-year-old centre-forward already has two senior goals and an assist to his name after scoring against Brentford in the FA Cup and Blackpool in the EFL Cup.

But in recent weeks, the Irish star has made his Premier League debut against Manchester United and featured heavily against the Bees at the weekend.

With Wolves a goal down and lacking firepower due to the injury of Cunha, O’Neil swapped centre-back Toti Gomes for Fraser at halftime, giving the youngster 51 minutes to work his magic.

Fraser vs Brentford

Stats

Fraser

Minutes

51

Goals

0

Shots

0

Pass accuracy

80%

Key passes

1

Possesion lost

4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see, Fraser was unable to put the ball in the back of the net or have an attempt at goal, but his confidence and quality were clear to see.

His one key pass, high pass accuracy, and possession lost tally of just four prove that he’s a technical player who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, while his two out of five duels won still indicate he has to adapt to the men’s game.

Nevertheless, it was a promising afternoon for the striker, who has been described as "dangerous" by Irish analyst Mark Broomy, and his future looks extremely promising.

Is it time for O’Neil to trust Fraser with a start in the absence of Cunha? It could well be…

MatériaMais Notícias

Enquanto Abel Ferreira comandava, em Buenos Aires, o treinamento da equipe que venceu o Defensa y Justicia na noite desta quarta-feira (07), os atletas que não viajaram para a Argentina continuam realizando cronograma na Academia de Futebol, em São Paulo. Sob comando de membros da comissão técnica, seis novidades do sub-20 treinaram ao lado de Gabriel Menino, Danilo Barbosa, Gabriel Veron, Alan Guimarães e Gabriel Silva.

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>> Agora vale título da Supercopa! Veja os capítulos recentes da rivalidade entre Palmeiras e Flamengo

Os seis escolhidos foram o zagueiro Ruan Santos, o lateral-esquerdo Ian Custódio, os meias Diogo Crispim, João Manoel ‘Choco’ e Carcelen, além do atacante Victor Henrique.

A maior surpresa entre os selecionados fica com João Manoel, o Choco. Recentemente contratado por empréstimo do Alverca, de Portugal, o jovem ex-Cruzeiro ainda não está efetivado no elenco sub-20 no site oficial, e antes realizava testes. Segundo o apurado pela reportagem do NOSSO PALESTRA/LANCE!, o jovem de 19 anos vem agradando e deve ser aproveitado nas categorias de base durante a temporada 2021.

Além dele, outro destaque fica para Jamilton Carcelen, de 18 anos. Canhoto, o jovem tem como principal característica a habilidade no passe e no drible. Atuando como armador ou meia esquerda, o equatoriano ex-Independiente del Valle tem semelhanças com Valdivia e chegou recentemente ao Verdão, por empréstimo.

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MatériaMais Notícias

Em mais uma atuação abaixo da crítica, o Corinthians conseguiu arrancar um empate do São Bento por 1 a 1, nesta sexta-feira, na Neo Química Arena, pela 7ª rodada do Paulistão. A equipe de Sorocaba saiu na frente com um golaço de Gabriel, ainda no primeiro tempo, mas os donos da casa conseguiram a igualdade em cobrança de pênalti convertida por Fábio Santos, na etapa final.

TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Paulistão-2021 clicando aqui

GALERIA
>Cazares já foi! Veja quem deixou o Corinthians para a temporada 2021

Atuação sofrível do Timão e golaço de Gabriel, o do Bentão

De volta para sua Arena após 40 dias, o Alvinegro foi a campo para tentar impor seu jogo e até conseguiu fazer uma pressão inicial na defesa do adversário, mas não demorou muito para sentir o baque inicial. Aos sete minutos, após uma saída de bola esperta, o lateral-direito Gabriel arrancou de sua intermediária, livrou-se de pelo menos seis marcadores e chutou de fora da área, no cantinho de Cássio. Um golaço para abrir o placar para o São Bento.

Depois desse gol, que foi um dos mais bonitos da história do estádio, o Corinthians tentou reagir aumentado o volume de jogo no ataque e intensificando a posse de bola. Gabriel, o volante corintiano, teve uma chance após passe de Fábio Santos, mas foi travado na batida dentro da grande área. Ele ainda teve mais uma oportunidade em passe de Mosquito, porém, desta vez foi o goleiro Luiz Daniel que impediu defendendo a finalização com os pés.

Embora com posse de bola superior, o Timão não conseguiu ameaçar o Bentão na primeira etapa, principalmente por atuações ruins, como a de Rodrigo Varanda. Sem contar o setor defensivo, que sofreu cada vez que o adversário encaixava um contra-ataque. Aliás, o time de Sorocaba poderia ter ido para o intervalo com uma vantagem bem maior, caso tivesse aproveitado as chances.

Corinthians volta um pouco melhor e arranca empate em cobrança de pênalti

Na volta dos vestiários, Mancini optou por fazer logo três alterações. Saíram os garotos Cauê, Varanda e Vitinho e entraram Jô, Otero e Luan. Com as mudanças, o Corinthians passou a fazer um pouco mais de pressão no ataque e jogou mais dentro da área do São Bento, mas encontrou dificuldades na marcação e na conclusão das jogadas, com passes e decisões erradas.

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Antes dos cinco minutos, Otero, de falta, e Luan, de fora da área, arriscaram para o gol, e foi o máximo que o Timão conseguiu ameaçar o clube de Sorocaba até os 20 minutos da segunda etapa, quando Léo Natel entrou.

Enquanto o São Bento seguia desperdiçando contra-ataques, sendo um deles com um chute errado de Ruan, o Corinthians tentava chegar aos trancos e barrancos. Foi quando, após cobrança de escanteio, Allan Dias colocou a mão na bola dentro da área de forma inexplicável, e o árbitro marcou pênalti para o Timão. Fábio Santos bateu e empatou o placar na Neo Química Arena.

Após a igualdade, o jogo caiu um pouco de intensidade, mas ainda assim o São Bento teve um contra-ataque aberto e novamente Ruan recebeu em condições de chutar para o gol. Dessa vez Cássio rebateu e quase deu rebote no meio da área, mas a zaga cortou. Foi a última grande chance da partida, que terminou sem grandes emoções e garantiu um ponto para cada lado na Arena.

E agora?

Com o empate, o Timão segue tranquilo na liderança do Grupo A do Paulistão com 15 pontos, enquanto o São Bento segue sem vencer na competição e fica na lanterna do Grupo B, com quatro pontos. No próximo domingo, o Alvinegro recebe o Ituano, já o Bentão terá a visita do São Caetano, na segunda-feira.

FICHA TÉCNICA
CORINTHIANS 1 X 1 SÃO BENTO
Local: Neo Química Arena, São Paulo (SP)
Data-Hora: 16/4/2021 – 20h
Árbitro: Thiago Duarte Peixoto
Assistentes: Alex Alexandrino e Robson Ferreira Oliveira
VAR: Thiago Luis Scarascati
Público/renda: Portões Fechados
Cartões amarelos: –
Cartões vermelhos: –
Gols: Gabriel (7’/1ºT) (0-1) e Fábio Santos (31’/2ºT) (1-1)

CORINTHIANS: Cássio; Fagner, Bruno Méndez, Jemerson e Fábio Santos; Gabriel (Léo Natel, aos 20’/2ºT), Cantillo e Vitinho (Luan, no intervalo); Gustavo Mosquito (Gabriel Pereira, aos 33’/2ºT), Rodrigo Varanda (Otero, no intervalo) e Cauê (Jô, no intervalo). Técnico: Vagner Mancini.

SÃO BENTO: Luiz Daniel; Gabriel, Bruno Leonardo, Dirceu e Pablo; Serginho, Allan Dias (Júlio Rusch, aos 33’/2ºT) e Daniel Costa (Fábio bahia, aos 44’/2ºT); Matheus Santos (Ruan, aos 12’/2ºT), Diego Tavares (Leilson, aos 44’/2ºT) e ìtalo (Geovane Itinga, aos 12’/2ºT). Técnico: Edson Vieira.

Perry adds unbeaten 76 to first-innings ton, Molineux makes fine debut with bat and ball as Australians secure 8-2 points lead

The Report by Valkerie Baynes21-Jul-2019

Australia Women 420 for 9 dec (Mooney 51) and 230 for 7 (Perry 76*) drew with England Women 275 for 9 dec (Sciver 88, Jones 64, Molineux 4-95)As Australia drew their Test with England to retain the Ashes, it was only fitting that Ellyse Perry should still be at the crease late on the final day at Taunton.Perry’s performances have been a shining light in this series, not least in the Test, which ended in the non-defeat the tourists needed after she added an unbeaten 76 to her 116 in the first innings.Almost as appropriate was the fact Sophie Molineux joined Perry until shortly before the captains shook hands on the draw when Australia lost the wicket of Ashleigh Gardner to close with a lead of 335 runs, which demonstrated their dominance of the match, despite the result. Spinning all-rounder Molineux made a stellar debut in the long format, claiming four wickets to destroy England’s hopes of reviving the match after a severely rain-affected second day, and then put on 41 runs in a 50-plus partnership with Perry.On a pitch offering little to anyone, the draw gave Australia eight points to England’s two – they split the four points on offer in the Test – to retain the trophy with six points left to be claimed from the upcoming three T20s.It kept alive Alyssa Healy’s bold claim before arriving in England that Australia would not lose a match in the series and breathed life into the debate about whether women should play five-day Tests. In fact, it raised many questions. Should Australia have been more attacking and pressed for a result, given England’s declaration before lunch while still trailing by 145? Should the women’s game have pitches prepared specifically to promote attacking cricket? Or did the Australians simply do what they needed to do to achieve the result they came for – to win the Ashes.Once the follow-on had been avoided, attention turned to a possible England declaration and, when Jess Jonassen trapped Laura Marsh plumb lbw attempting to sweep for her second wicket of the day – and the innings – then Heather Knight made the call to give her team a crack at the Australian batsmen before lunch.Any sense of damned if she did and damned if she didn’t over denying last batsman Kirstie Gordon the chance to have a swing with Sophie Ecclestone needed to be tempered by the realisation that England’s hopes of winning the match had been placed in peril long before.Similarly Australia were faced with the dilemma of whether to put the match too far beyond doubt to be interesting, or press for victory and, incidentally, an exciting end to the Test.As it happened, two early wickets to Marsh forced Australia to put the shutters up – if they hadn’t already – after Ecclestone had begun for England in fine fashion, threatening with every ball of the first over – a maiden – to Rachael Haynes, opening the batting in place of Nicole Bolton, who had injured her thumb while fielding.Lunch was taken after five overs, by which time Haynes was still not off the mark after facing 15 balls and Healy was not out 13 off 15. Marsh came into the attack at the resumption and struck with her second and sixth deliveries, bowling Healy through the gate with a gem that angled across the right-hander, and then trapping Haynes lbw.At 15 for 2, Meg Lanning and Perry dug in, building a 48-run partnership before Lanning’s remarkable dismissal. Replacing Marsh, debutante spinner Gordon struck in her first over with a full toss which Lanning looked to punish on the on-side but managed to pick out Georgia Elwiss at cover, much to the batsman’s disbelief and, possibly, the bowler’s as well.Ecclestone was rewarded when Beth Mooney tried to slog her over mid-wicket and found a cat-like Tammy Beaumont pouncing on the catch at short leg. By that time, Australia had extended their lead to 250 and Perry had a half-century in sight.Perry, carrying a leg-muscle complaint and who benefited from a favourable but apparently errant lbw decision when on 20, brought up her fifty with a four off Katherine Brunt, who did not return from tea after injuring her right arm while fielding late in the second session. Perry did emerge, with the bat, alongside Jonassen after the break, squashing any hopes of a declaration.Sophie Molineux celebrates a breakthrough•Getty Images

Instead, the height of excitement through the final session was watching Player of the Match Perry in action again, and seeing what Molineux could do with the bat. Gardner also chimed in with the only six of the match before she was out for 7. The only other action of note, and it was certainly not positive, was seeing England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor struck on the shoulder by an Anya Shrubsole delivery to Perry that spat up off a full length. Taylor remained behind the stumps for some time before leaving the field for treatment, replaced by Amy Jones.Earlier, Jonassen had claimed the wicket of Natalie Sciver, upon whom England’s hopes had fallen late on day three, only growing as she neared her ton. But Sciver added only 26 runs to her overnight score before she was out for 88 chopping on.Molineux had claimed the first wicket of the day when she tempted Shrubsole to try and hit her over the leg side, only to find herself out of her ground for a stumping by Healy. That gave Molineux match figures of 4 for 95.

أثار المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي آرسنال، ميكل أرتيتا، الجدل حول مدى قدرة مدافعه، ريكاردو كالافيوري، للمشاركة أمام باريس سان جيرمان في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويلتقي آرسنال وباريس سان جيرمان يوم غدًا، الثلاثاء، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة” على ملعب “الآمارات”.

اقرأ أيضًا | لأسباب تأديبية.. إنريكي يستبعد ديمبلي من قائمة باريس سان جيرمان أمام آرسنال

وتحدث أرتيتا عن موقف المصابين في مؤتمره الصحفي منذ قليل، وقال: “لا توجد أخبار مهمة، لدينا تدريبات في المساء ولا نتوقع تعافي أي لاعب لدينا”.

وتابع: “سنقيم حالتي بن وايت وكالافيوري اليوم لمعرفة ما إذا كانا قادرين على المشاركة أمام باريس سان جيرمان أم لا”.

وعن اللعب بين أرضه وجماهيره: “لقد افتقدنا ذلك في المباراة الأولى، لكنها تظل مواجهة قوية أمام خصم كبير في كرة القدم الأوروبية”.

وإنريكي: “أبرز صفة فيه هي الصدق، صريح للغاية أمام جميع اللاعبين، وهم يقدرون ذلك وهذا ما يجعلهم قادرين على تطبيق أفكاره الواضحة مع باريس سان جيرمان”.

Manchester United’s excellent run of form continues, as they narrowly defeated Luton Town 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.

Erik ten Hag’s side raced to an early two-goal lead within the first ten minutes, but that was their best spell of the entire game.

A slightly fortunate Hatters goal saw the dominance turn, and from that point on, the hosts were the side pushing for another for the equaliser.

Missed chances summed up the second half for the Red Devils, who looked dangerous on the break, but the three points ultimately put them just five points behind Aston Villa in fourth.

Rasmus Hojlund’s performance in numbers

It was that man again putting the ball in the back of the net for Man United, with Rasmus Hojlund now scoring seven goals and providing two assists in his last six Premier League games.

The 21-year-old was phenomenal throughout today, and he took his two goals extremely well. For the opener, Hojlund showed excellent composure to round the keeper and finish into an open net after latching onto a mistake from Amari Bell.

His second arrived in the seventh minute after an Alejandro Garnacho miss-hit volley was flicked into the bottom corner off the Dane’s chest.

Over his 86 minutes on the field, he was a handful and displayed his ability to play with his back to goal, excellent decision-making, and creativity, as highlighted by his two key passes.

It was a pretty perfect performance by the number 11, who will be gutted that he didn’t take home the match ball.

That said, he wasn't the only player in white on Sunday who deserves his flowers.

Kobbie Mainoo's performance in numbers

Kobbie Mainoo. The academy graduate is simply unbelievable, and with each game, he seems to get better and better.

Today, the 18-year-old played with the class and confidence of a professional with ten years in the business at the most elite level, with even Ian Wright taking to X to say:

“Kobbie Mainoo has to be in the next England squad. Such maturity in chaotic conditions that we've not seen from a England player in a long time. Impressed every time I watch him.”

Mainoo vs Luton Town

Stats

Mainoo

Minutes

94

Touches

52

Pass accuracy

88%

Key passes

2

Successful dribbles

6/7

Possesion lost

7

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see by the table above, Mainoo completed six of his seven dribble attempts against the Hatters, showing composure to wriggle his way out of trouble and retain the ball during difficult spells for United, which is what earned him an 8/10 rating courtesy of the Manchester Evening News. Football creator Liam Canning went so far as to say that he's an "absolute joke."

Those are apt words indeed from a young talent with the world at his feet, so much so he's now even emulating a certain Paul Pogba with his displays in the centre of the pitch.

The number 37 also always made the right decision when on the ball, whether it was to keep it simple, as shown by his 88% pass accuracy, or take more risks in the final third, as displayed by his two key passes.

When the rest of the team panicked, the youngest player on the field remained calm and showed real courage and leadership in a ground that has seen the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool struggle this season.

A huge three points, another two Hojlund goals, and a Mainoo masterclass. The perfect way to round off the weekend as a United fan.

Bracey hits 64 to chase down Hampshire’s 139 after bowlers find rewards by taking the pace off

Matt Roller13-Aug-2019

Gloucestershire overcame Hampshire on a slow, sluggish Bristol wicket to go fourth in the Vitality Blast South Group, thanks to a canny bowling performance and an impressive 64 from James Bracey.With Rilee Rossouw (ill), Brad Taylor and Mason Crane (both side strains) all missing, Hampshire looked light on batting at the toss, and so it proved. After Aneurin Donald’s eyecatching innings had taken them to 54 for 1 after the powerplay, their innings fell away horribly as Tom Smith found purchase on a turgid pitch, and their seamers used their usual variety of slower balls and cutters.A target of 140 was never likely to be easy to defend, and after a cautious first four overs of the chase, the fifth broke its back and meant Gloucestershire could stay in third gear for the remainder.The beneficiary of those absentees was Ryan Stevenson, the redhead seamer who came in for his first game of the Blast season, but he must have wished he had spent the night in the dugout as usual.His first ball would have seen Michael Klinger caught behind but for an umpiring error, and things quickly got worse. Klinger chipped a six over midwicket, then got off strike with a three; Stevenson threw in two wides, was smashed for four twice by Bracey, including once off a no-ball, and then had him out caught off the free hit. One last boundary followed, meaning 25 had come off it, and the asking rate shot down to below six.From that point, Hampshire were toast, as Bracey and Klinger knocked the ball around easily with little pressure on them to score. This was Klinger’s highest T20 score in just under a year – the situation could hardly have suited him better.This pitch had seen Gloucestershire only squeeze past Kent’s 125 for 8 last week, and from the moment David Payne started to bowl his cutters in the game’s third over, it seemed clear that this pitch would suit their attack.The conditions could only have been more perfect if they had been able to call upon the services of Benny Howell, who will miss the rest of the season after injuring his hamstring diving in the field against Surrey last week.As cover, Gloucestershire brought in Zak Chappell on loan from Nottinghamshire, the young fast bowler with a big future and an even bigger reported salary. He struck early to dismiss James Vince – who he gave a roaring send-off – but proved the most expensive bowler on show; perhaps he was overzealous in his efforts to impress after an underwhelming debut season at Trent Bridge.Hampshire’s selection – while hampered by injury – looked particularly strange when Chris Morris strode out to bat at number five. It was just the 14th time that Morris had batted in the top five in a T20, despite his 180 matches, and he struggled badly to eke out an unbeaten 18 off 24 balls. That they left out Tom Alsop, while having seven bowling options, seemed curious.This was the sort of surface on which Gloucestershire tend to thrive, and it was apparent that Andrew Tye’s influence in his several stints as an overseas player has extended beyond just his wickets. Chris Liddle spoke at the interval about the work the club’s seamers do with one another to develop more slower balls and variations, and he, Tye, and Payne went for just 78 from their 12 overs; Ryan Higgins, so impressive in the win at Surrey, never even made it into the attack.At the interval, it had looked clear that Liam Dawson would be the key man if Hampshire were to come close, but by the time he came on the asking rate had already fallen to 5.46. He was characteristically frugal, but the game was effectively up by the time he had the opportunity to influence it.Bracey, who has quietly impressed for the best part of three seasons in the Championship, has only recently nailed down a spot in Gloucestershire’s T20 side, but shone with a mature innings in the chase. He was particularly impressive combating the fiery Morris, nailing an early cover drive and pulling him for four in his second spell. He was a recent call-up for the England Lions, and at 22 looks like an old-school batsman with serious promise.”I’m really pleased with how we’ve come back from a defeat,” he told Sky. “We just wanted to take the initiative with the new ball, which slid onto the bat nicely. It came off for us and made it easier for us at the back end. I’ve started to find my feet in the last few games, so it’s good to play a match-winning knock.”Gloucestershire’s campaign thus far has been a stop-start affair, with two no-results and a tie in their first four games keeping them in the bunch of teams competing for the quarter-finals. But with three wins in their last four – and a trip to fourth-placed Somerset on Friday night looming – they are now set to be part of the South Group’s qualification narrative.

Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson believes Tottenham could strike an "easy" deal for a 22-year-old star this summer.

Spurs identify new midfielder as priority signing

Going by the plethora of recent reports out of N17, Spurs seem to have identified the signing of a new midfielder as one of their priorities.

Related "Huge" – Sky pundit thrilled as Tottenham allegedly eye "next level" star

Spurs are apparently very keen on the £60 million man.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Feb 28, 2024

Indeed, Juventus star Adrien Rabiot, Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong, Chelsea's Conor Gallagher and Everton's James Garner – plus Atalanta duo Ederson and Teun Koopmeiners – are all midfielders linked with moves to Tottenham from the past fortnight.

Gallagher in particular is a big name to be repeatedly mentioned, but despite the player's contract running out in 2025, his status as a star player for Mauricio Pochettino has prompted Chelsea to demand a big fee regardless (Ben Jacobs).

Tottenham's next league fixtures

Date

Crystal Palace (home)

March 2nd

Aston Villa (away)

March 10th

Fulham (away)

March 16th

Luton Town (home)

March 30th

The England international could also still sign a new deal, which would effectively put an end to any hope of Tottenham prising him away from Stamford Bridge. This is why cheaper and potentially more attainable alternatives are being mentioned, like Garner, who apparently fits the midfield profile Spurs are looking for.

"Garner is probably a Gallagher alternative that Tottenham might look at," said journalist Dean Jones to GiveMeSport recently.

"Obviously, it's very early days to be analysing the summer transfer window. We know that Tottenham are still waiting to see if Conor Gallagher does become available because there is a feeling still that he might and the longer that contract situation goes on, the longer they will believe that something might be able to happen. But if Conor Gallagher does end up signing a contract extension, they need to have a list of names they immediately turn to. And I guess James Garner kind of fits the profile somewhat so yeah, an interesting one to look out for."

Commenting on the links to Garner, pundit and former Spurs keeper Robinson has given his take.

Robinson thinks Tottenham could strike "easy" Garner move

Speaking to Tottenham News this week, the Sky regular believes Spurs could strike an "easy" move for Garner due to Everton's struggles with FFP right now.

“He’s stood out in a struggling Everton side. I think he’s played particularly well this season. But you look at the Tottenham side, you look at the way that they play, and you question where he would fit into that side," said Robinson.

“Whether he would be deployed as an attacking midfielder or whether he would sit, I know that he can do both, but then you look at the players that they’ve got and do you see him as an improvement to the squad? The Garner one could be an easy one to do due to Everton’s predicament with the FFP.

“That’s definitely one to watch, but I just don’t see where he fits into this Spurs starting XI."