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Nortje will be fit to play from their first game and Brook will bat at No. 6, the franchise co-owner Parth Jindal says

Nagraj Gollapudi22-Feb-20243:02

Capitals, Titans and RCB get packed schedule in IPL 2024’s first leg

Rishabh Pant will start IPL 2024 as Delhi Capitals’ captain but will not keep wicket in the first half of the season, franchise co-owner Parth Jindal has said. In a chat with ESPNcricinfo, Jindal also said Capitals were expecting South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje to be fit to play from their opening game, against Punjab Kings on March 23.Jindal said the Capitals think-tank, led by the team director Sourav Ganguly and head coach Ricky Ponting, was confident about Pant starting the IPL, subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI which is imminent.”Rishabh is batting. He’s running. He has started his wicketkeeping. He is likely to be fully fit for the IPL,” Jindal said on Thursday. “I am expecting Rishabh to play IPL and he will lead from match one. First seven games we are going to play him only as a batter and depending on how his body reacts, we will take a call for the rest of the IPL.”Related

Pant on his comeback: 'Feels like I'm going to make my debut again'

Rishabh Pant suffers multiple injuries in serious car crash

Pant on his life-threatening car crash: 'I felt my time in this world was over'

Ponting: Pant is 'very confident' of playing entire IPL 2024

Rishabh Pant begins match-simulation exercises in Bengaluru

The IPL will mark Pant’s return to competitive cricket since the Test series in Bangladesh in December 2022. After his horrific car crash on December 30, 2022, Pant has worked hard to make a remarkable recovery post successful surgeries to three major knee ligaments in his right leg. Having told his doctors that he would shave at least six months off their prescribed time of recovery, Pant played practice matches in Bengaluru this week, which were organised by the National Cricket Academy.On Tuesday, Pant also posted a video on his Instagram doing some wicketkeeping and mobility drills, which have become part of his lower-body conditioning over the past six weeks. On Wednesday, he batted and fielded in a 20-over match, which comprised a series of match-simulation exercises. The game was overseen by the BCCI medical staff. There were no visible concerns. Pant is expected to play at least a few more such games before joining Capitals. Once the BCCI clearance comes, he will join the side for a preparatory camp in Visakhapatnam, where the team will also play two home matches.With the second half of WPL 2024 – comprising 11 games including the playoffs – set to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the Capitals men’s team had to shift their home base for the early part of the IPL to ensure they didn’t start on tried pitches. In the 21-match IPL schedule released on Thursday, Capitals are scheduled to play two home and three away matches. Jindal confirmed the team would return to Delhi for their remaining five home games.Anrich Nortje ‘good to go for first game’Nortje, who has been out of action for a while because of injuries, is good to go and is also expected to join the camp in Visakhapatnam, Jindal said. Nortje had recovered from a groin injury to play ten matches for the side in the 2023 season before heading home for personal reasons. He was retained by the franchise ahead of the 2024 auction.While he played the inaugural season of Major League Cricket in the USA, he pulled out of the ODI series at home against Australia in September following a suspected stress fracture in the back and was eventually ruled out of the ODI World Cup as well. Doubts about his availability for IPL persisted after he did not play the SA20 either.Anrich Nortje played ten games in IPL 2023•Associated Press

“He’s fit,” Jindal said. “Right now, he is bowing at 80% intensity. Next week, he will bowl at 100%. He’s going to make his comeback in the IPL. He is going to join our camp and should be good to go for our first game.”Jindal also said Australia fast bowler Jhye Richardson is unlikely to be fit for the initial part of the tournament as he recovers from a side strain that had ruled him out of the latter half of the BBL as well as the home ODI series against West Indies. Richardson was bought by Capitals at the mini-auction in December for INR 5 crore (US$ 602,000 approx).”He’s touch and go but will definitely be available for some part of IPL,” Jindal said.Harry Brook set for No. 6 roleJindal was confident Capitals would make the playoffs mainly because Pant’s return provided the right balance to the team. He also said Tristan Stubbs and Mitchell Marsh made the team a well-rounded unit.”We feel very confident, the balance of the team is a lot better with Rishabh coming back in,” he said. “We have a very good squad and a lot of options with players like Tristan Stubbs, who had a phenomenal SA20 [with champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape], and Mitch Marsh becoming captain of Australia’s T20I team.”Jindal said he was also expecting big things from David Warner, an IPL legend, who is likely to feature for one last season at Capitals with the mega auction in 2025. Jindal also said he was looking forward to England power hitter Harry Brook playing a key role in the lower order.Another key reason behind Jindal’s optimism for this season is the recruitment of a fresh batch of uncapped Indian players who, he said, were scouted and recommended by Ganguly. Among the uncapped Indians bought by Capitals at the auction are Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra, Haryana allrounder Sumit Kumar and Madhya Pradesh batter Ricky Bhui (who is currently the leading run-scorer in Ranji Trophy).”We know our younger Indian players [better], we know which players to back in what positions a lot better than we did in the last season,” Jindal said. “A lot of credit goes to the systems and processes put in place by [Ganguly].”

MatériaMais Notícias

Novo reforço do Corinthians, o atacante Chrystian Barletta chega ao clube cercado de expectativas após boas exibições no Paulistão. O jogador de 21 anos, no entanto, deve encontrar no Timão uma forma de jogar totalmente diferente daquela que estava acostumado no São Bernardo, onde chamou a atenção de equipes da Série A.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol NacionalVirou verdade! Jogadores que realizaram o sonho de jogar no clube do coraçãoFutebol Nacional22/03/2023CorinthiansCom 13 contratos vencendo até o final do ano, Corinthians quer manter base, mas adotará cautela nas renovaçõesCorinthians21/03/2023CorinthiansCom Chrystian Barletta, Corinthians chega a 19 reforços na gestão de Duílio; relembre as contrataçõesCorinthians21/03/2023

+ Com Barletta, Corinthians chega a 19 reforços na gestão de Duílio; relembre todos os reforços

Tendo como base o que Fernando Lázaro propôs à sua equipe ao longo do estadual, o LANCE! preparou uma análise sobre como Barletta pode se encaixar na equipe corintiana.

SÃO BERNARDO – MEIA-ATACANTE NO 3-4-2-1

Um dos diferenciais do São Bernardo no Paulistão foi o sistema utilizado, com três zagueiros ocupando os corredores com alas. Dessa forma, o time do ABC não utilizava pontas por trás do centroavante, e sim meia-atacantes, posicionados no lugar dos meias armadores. Essa era a função de Barletta, que jogava sempre pela direita.

Na defesa, sua tarefa era fechar o lado do campo como um ponta tradicional. No ataque, porém, seu trabalho era uma mistura entre as funções de um segundo-atacante e um ponta: partindo sempre do centro do campo, Barletta caia pela ponta quando a jogada se desenvolvia pelo seu lado; já quando a jogada acontecia pelo lado oposto, o jogador se juntava ao centroavante para finalizar de dentro da área.

Assim, Barletta precisava demonstrar qualidades exigidas nas duas funções, como explosão, velocidade, boa capacidade de articular jogadas, bom drible, chegada à área para finalizar e boa leitura dos espaços para infiltrar na defesa adversária.

O ENCAIXE NO CORINTHIANS

Fernando Lázaro implantou no Corinthians um sistema completamente diferente do São Bernardo, não só pelo uso de uma tradicional linha de 4 defensores, como também pela formação do meio-campo, desenhado em um losango, e o uso de dois atacantes na frente.

Além disso, o São Bernardo utilizava um ataque mais posicional, com jogadores distribuídos no campo e se movimentando de acordo com a posição de bola. No caso do Corinthians, os jogadores se movimentam junto da bola, com mais liberdade para aproximar uns dos outros e realizar tabelas e ultrapassagens.

Com tantas diferenças, o primeiro passo é encontrar no sistema corintiano um jogador que seja, ao menos, semelhante a Barletta no São Bernardo. No 4-3-1-2 do Timão, esse jogador é Adson, não apenas pela região do campo em que atua, mas também pelas características citadas anteriormente.

continua após a publicidade

Outra possibilidade seria usar Barletta como um substituto de Róger Guedes, seja na ausência do camisa 10 ou como opção de substituição no decorrer dos jogos. Lázaro pensa sua equipe a partir de individualidades, ou seja: ele parte da ideia que os jogadores melhoram o sistema e não que o sistema melhora os jogadores. Assim, o novo reforço corintiano pode ser utilizado como uma espécie de Róger Guedes do lado direito, quando o treinador corintiano precisar mudar o jeito da equipe jogar.

+ Veja como ficou a tabela e simule o mata-mata do Campeonato Paulista

Por fim, vale relembrar que o Corinthians só deve voltar a campo na segunda semana de abril, e Lázaro pode aproveitar o período sem jogos para pensar um novo sistema tático, com pontas, por exemplo, o que facilitaria o encaixe de Barletta. Essa seria a última opção e a menos provável opção.

The ICC and CWI issued a joint statement after the Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister confirmed that security agencies were monitoring a terror threat to the event

ESPNcricinfo staff06-May-2024

The ICC and Cricket West Indies have assured that a “comprehensive and robust security plan” is in place for the Men’s T20 World Cup after Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley confirmed that security agencies in the West Indies were monitoring a possible terror threat to the event.Rowley spoke to the after reports of the terror threat, which had circulated on social media, emerged over the weekend.”Unfortunately, the threat of terrorism in its many and varied expressions is an ever-present danger in the world of the 21st century,” Rowley said. “It is against this backdrop that all nations, like our region, when hosting large or vulnerable gatherings, make an extra effort in national security preparations and response readiness to take seriously, all threats, expressed or implied.”Given the fact that bad actors can choose to misbehave in any way possible it makes it virtually impossible to completely seal off all opportunities.”However, in order to ameliorate these dangers, we at the local and regional levels have remained alert to many threats and singularly or together have our intelligence and other security agencies working to protect the population in countries and at venues throughout the tournament.”The ICC and CWI responded with a joint statement assuring stakeholders of the security measures in place.”We work closely with authorities in the host countries and cities, and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event,” the statement said. “We want to assure all stakeholders that safety and security of everyone at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place.”The 20-team T20 World Cup will be played in nine venues, six of them in the West Indies and three in the USA. The tournament runs from June 1 to 29, with Barbados scheduled to host the final.

Vanuatu, ranked 30th, stunned Zimbabwe (12th) on the opening day of the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier by beating them by six wickets after bowling them out for their lowest T20I score of 61. The result will rank among the biggest sporting success stories of Vanuatu, a small island nation with a population of little more than 300,000, who are appearing at a World Cup – men’s or women’s – Qualifier for the first time.This was also the first time Vanuatu had played a match against a team outside of the East-Asia Pacific (EAP) region and they looked entirely at home in Abu Dhabi. Their spinners, Vanessa Vira and Nasimana Navaika, shared seven wickets between them against a Zimbabwean line-up that understandably appeared to be deer in the headlights. With floodlights only installed at Harare Sports Club last July, they have scant experience of playing day-night cricket, and struggled to negotiate Vanuatu’s slower bowlers.Related

• Crowd-funding campaign raises funds for new kit and tour payments for Vanuatu women

Offspinner Vira made the first incision when she had Modester Mupachikwa caught behind in the second over but Zimbabwe’s problems really began three overs later. Medium-pacer Rachel Andrew bowled Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano and captain Mary-Anne Musonda with successive deliveries. Sharne Mayers looked good for her 12-ball 16 but fell in the last over of the powerplay, which Zimbabwe finished on 38 for 4.Legspinner Navaika then took four wickets in 10 balls to register career-best figures of 4 for 13 and leave Zimbabwe in tatters at 55 for 8 after 11 overs. They dragged themselves over 60 but only just and were bowled out in the 14th over.Nasimana Navaika wrecked Zimbabwe’s innings with four wickets•ICC via Getty Images

In response, Vanuatu lost their opening batters, Andrew and Valenta Langiatu, who was dropped at slip the ball before being caught, in the powerplay, which ended on a cautious 25 for 3. They almost lost their captain Selina Solman to what seemed a hamstring niggle in the ninth over but she batted on and shared in a 19-run stand with Navaika before top-edging Audrey Mazvishaya, who did not concede a run for her first 12 balls. Her third over cost seven runs and left Vanuatu on the brink of victory. But they did not get there without Mazvishaya having one more say on the game. She bowled Navaika at the start of the 16th over with Vanuatu four runs away. They got there in the 17th over with 21 balls to spare and earned a historic victory that blows open Group B of the qualifier and continues the rise and rise of Vanuatu.In the last seven months, Vanuatu have earned morale-boosting victories over teams much stronger than them on paper. In September, they beat regional rivals Papua New Guinea, who are ranked 11th, for the first time on their way to winning the EAP Qualifier to earn their place in Abu Dhabi.They were due to travel with borrowed or donated gear but a successful crowd-funding campaign launched by their operations manager Jamal Vira and marketing manager Hermione Vira raised the equivalent of USD 6,317 to ensure each squad member had their own, new kit for the tournament.

Other results: Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland start with wins

Ailsa Lister’s third T20I half-century gave Scotland a strong score•ICC via Getty Images

Earlier in the day, favourites Sri Lanka successfully defended 122 against Thailand, who they bowled out for their third lowest T20I total – 55. Sri Lanka were hamstrung by two run-outs in an innings where no one scored more than 29. But left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani and offspinner Inoshi Priyadharshani shared five wickets between them to earn Sri Lanka a comfortable win.In Group B, Ireland opened their campaign with a six-wicket win over UAE, who they kept to 105 for 9. Contributions from Ireland top three meant that even when they lost three wickets for seven runs, they were always in charge of the chase. Orla Prendergast, in her 49th T20I, saw them home in the 17th over.The evening’s other match saw Scotland dominate Uganda after half-centuries from Saskia Horley and Ailsa Lister took them to an imposing total of 161 for 3. Uganda had no answers against the left-arm seam of Rachel Slater (5 for 17) and went from 10 for 3 to 35 for 7 and 52 all out to suffer a 109-run loss.

تحدث أحمد أبو مسلم، لاعب الأهلي السابق، عن استعدادات الفريق لخوض منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، السبت المقبل، أمام مودرن سبورت.

وقال أحمد أبو مسلم، في تصريحات لبرنامج “لعبة والتانية” على راديو “ميجا إف إم”: “الاهلي عنده أكبر اسكواد في مصر هذا العام وتعاقد مع 10 صفقات مميزة”.

طالع| “مساهمة حمراء”.. تفاصيل الاتفاق المالي بين الأهلي والجيش الملكي بشأن رضا سليم

وتابع: “وسام أبوعلي لاعب كبير ومؤثر ولكن محمد شريف أيضًا قوي ومميز وظلم في فترة كولر، وموسيماني بعض الفترات، ولا خوف في الهجوم في وجود جراديشار وحمزة عبد الكريم”.

وأضاف: “قد تكون المشكلة في الأهلي في الباك الشمال، كان يجب بقاء كريم الدبيس حتى يحفز محمد شكري ولا يضمن مكانه، وكريم فؤاد مميز لكن (مش عدلته) وكذلك مصطفى العش”.

واختتم: “مدرب الأهلي محظوظ بسبب وفرة اللاعبين المميزين، ولا أحد يكسب بـ(سكور) كل مباراة، لأن لا شيء مضمون في الكرة، لكن الأهلي قوي، والتوظيف والحالة البدنية ستحدد نتائج الفريق”.

Benfica president Rui Costa has denied the claims suggesting Real Madrid have sent an offer to buy left-back Alvaro Carreras.

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Benfica president wants Madrid to make an offerCarreras waiting to sign for Los BlancosClaims that Spanish side have sent offers deniedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Benfica president Rui Costa spoke about Madrid's interest in signing their left-back Carreras and stated that they are waiting for an offer from the Spanish side. His words suggested that, contrary to reports from the Spanish media, the Portuguese giants are yet to receive any bids.

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Carreras has a €50 million (£43m/$58m) release clause in his contract, with Benfica demanding the fee to be paid in full. The Eagles are, however, open to negotiating and would accept a fee in the region of €48m (£41m/$55m). Madrid, however, are not willing to pay more than €40m (£34m/$46m) for their former academy product. Benfica's stubbornness with regards to Carreras' transfer fee has reportedly prompted Madrid to look for solutions elsewhere, with Bayer Leverkusen left-back Alex Grimaldo — who played under current head coach Xabi Alonso — being touted as a cheaper but high-quality alternative.

WHAT RUI COSTA SAID

Speaking to , Costa said: "should make us an offer. None have come so far. If they do, we'll see what happens. Now is not the time, and it won't be until the tournament and our participation are over. Until then, there's no need to talk about anything. Carreras is here with us."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

It is unlikely that there will be further developments in the Carreras-Madrid transfer saga before the end of the Club World Cup. Benfica have already booked their place in the round of 16, where they will face Chelsea. Los Blancos are also expected to progress to the next round as they gear up for their must-win game against RB Salzburg in the early hours of Friday.

Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez's partner Valentina Cervantes has spoken about the couple's "difficult" reconciliation after their previous split.

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Cervantes lifts lid on couple's relationshipHave reunited after splitting last yearProcess was 'difficult'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The couple announced their split in October of last year, with Cervantes subsequently revealing how difficult she had found their break-up. However, they did spend Christmas together with their children and were then spotted out shopping, prompting speculation they had reunited. Cervantes has now spoken out about their reconciliation and her willingness to give the Chelsea star a second chance.

AdvertisementWHAT VALENTINA SAID

She said on the show 'Don't Think So Much': "Second chances always come, generally with anyone. Because we're human beings and we can make mistakes. No more third chances, there's no third or fourth. We're doing very well now; we've known each other for a long time. Enzo looks at me now and knows what's going on with me. The decision to come back was difficult."

Getty/GOALTHE GOSSIP

Cervantes also spoke about how she has changed since their split: "You realise a lot of things and appreciate other things a lot more. Looking back on it today, I loved it, it was good. We came together when we were very young, we never separated. I'm not the Valentina I was before the split. If Enzo used to tell me about going on vacation just the two of us, I told him I wouldn't leave the kids alone. Nowadays, I'm more accepting of that. Nowadays, I'll let them stay for three days, no more than that, and then I miss them. One thing we have is that we don't fight, we never fight, for us, that's key. We already know each other so well. I accept him as he is, I don't want to change him. We complement each other quite well. I'm very used to Enzo."

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR FERNANDEZ

Fernandez has been on international duty with Argentina but is now set to link up with Chelsea for the Club World Cup. The Blues kick off their campaign against Leon on Monday, June 16.

After Erling Haaland had squandered a first half penalty and AFC Bournemouth raced into a one goal lead courtesy of star striker Evanilson, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City looked set for a demoralising FA Cup exit.

But, a terrific second half turnaround saw the Citizens eventually run out as a determined 2-1 victors to soar into the semi-finals, with the aforementioned Nordic centre-forward atoning for his spot-kick howler by levelling up proceedings in the South Coast sunshine.

The lethal City number nine wasn’t the only striker to get in the on the goalscoring act, as the winning goal of the afternoon would fall to new recruit Omar Marmoush a matter of minutes after he came on in place of Haaland.

Marmoush's performance in numbers

Marmoush has been an instant success donning his new colours, with the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt forward already a reliable option Guardiola can throw into contests.

Indeed, the electric Egyptian has five goals next to his name from 11 City outings, with his goal contribution numbers for the season – which includes his whirlwind output in Germany – up to a staggering 40 goals and assists from 35 clashes.

Kepa Arrizabalaga could perhaps have done better with this effort, but the clinical City number seven wouldn’t have cared one bit when wheeling away in celebration, knowing his strike had sealed his side’s progression through to Wembley.

It really was a game where the substitutes stood out for the star-studded visitors, with 20-year-old sensation Nico O’Reilly arguably putting in the performance of the game when handed the full second half.

O'Reilly's performance in numbers

Everyone associated with the reigning Premier League champions knows that this summer could be one of immense change as some of the current declining crop move on from the Etihad.

Thankfully, stars such as O’Reilly are proving to the City faithful that the future can be bright with a next generation of talent coming through.

Minutes played

45

Goals scored

0

Assists

2

Touches

30

Accurate passes

10/15

Key passes

2

Big chances created

1

Total duels won

3/5

From just 30 touches of the ball, the promising City number 75 would wreak absolute havoc, with one dart forward early into the second half finished off by Haaland, before then teeing up Marmoush for 2-1.

Away from shining in an attacking capacity, O’Reilly also won his fair share of duels with three successfully won, on top of also winning two tackles to preserve his side’s slender advantage right until the full-time whistle was sounded.

Having picked up three goals in the FA Cup this season too away from his heroics against the Cherries, it now feels like a matter of time before the 20-year-old is regularly picked by Guardiola in the Premier League, with his versatility to play in a number of different roles potentially coming in handy.

The Manchester-born starlet has lined up as an attacking midfielder and striker primarily for the U23s, but the 9/10 performer – as was the post-match rating gifted to him by Manchester Evening News journalist Simon Bajkowski – has even lined up in the left-back spot in the senior set-up to date which more than proves his flexible nature.

With the future of Guardiola’s men very much a topic of conversation, O’Reilly’s time for more consistent first-team minutes must come very soon, especially if he can continue to change games in the same manner he did against Andoni Iraola’s stern hosts.

Indeed, although he did not start today’s game, he’s made himself undroppable heading into their midweek fixture. He simply has to be on the team sheet.

Pep has unearthed his new Yaya Toure in Man City star & it's not Rodri

Manchester City have their new Yaya Toure in “exceptional” star & it is not Rodri.

2 ByDan Emery Mar 29, 2025

It is learnt that USA Cricket has approved MLC as well as Minor League Cricket, meaning both events can go ahead as planned

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Apr-2023

The ICC has given official sanction to Major League Cricket (MLC), the USA’s big leap into the world of T20 leagues, removing a significant obstacle to the league launching in July this year. A long-simmering dispute between the league’s organisers and USA Cricket, the country’s official cricket administrative body, had threatened to disrupt the league starting this year.However, USA Cricket announced on Thursday night in a brief statement that it has approved MLC as well as Minor League Cricket (MiLC), meaning that both events can go ahead as planned. Crucially, it means that ICC members are now free to issue NOCs (No Objection Certificates) to any of their players picked by MLC sides to participate in the league.”Over the past few months, we have worked diligently with Ace [American Cricket Enterprises, the parent body of MLC and MILC] to ensure that the MLC and MiLC are positioned well to support the growth of cricket in the United States,” said USA Cricket in a press release.USA Cricket had previously given sanction to MiLC, for both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, but soon after the MLC’s player draft, the ICC’s operations department sent a communication to members flagging the issue for overseas players wishing to play in both competitions. “Members may be aware of the following two events that are proposed to be played in the USA,” the ICC had said of the events, both administered by ACE, which signed a 50-year commercial rights agreement with USA Cricket in 2019.Related

MI New York unveil Rashid, Boult and Rabada in star-studded MLC squad

MLC start under threat after dispute between organisers and USA Cricket

Owners of Mumbai Indians, CSK, Delhi Capitals to own teams in MLC

“Applications for sanction have been submitted to USA Cricket, but these events have not yet been sanctioned by USA Cricket. Consequently, without a sanction from the host member, both events are currently deemed to be Disapproved Cricket and as such, Members should not issue NOCs to their players to participate in either event.”The draft, held on March 19 at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, saw stars such as Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis and Quinton de Kock sign for teams in the league. In total six teams will play in the 18-day event in Texas that starts from July 13 – as with several other leagues, some of the franchises are owned by owners of IPL franchises.”Last month’s historic MLC Domestic Player Draft in Houston generated incredible momentum for the inaugural Major League Cricket season this summer,” MLC tournament director Justin Geale told ESPNcricinfo following the confirmation that USA Cricket had given sanctioning approval to MLC. “Our six MLC teams will each be announcing a number of marquee international player signings in the coming weeks that will generate more excitement, and we will be sharing news on the schedule, ticket sales and broadcast details soon.”We’re now just three months away from many of the world’s best players taking the field in Texas at an outstanding new cricket venue in Grand Prairie. We can’t wait to bring the American cricket community together there and launch this ground breaking competition.”The dispute between USA Cricket and ACE which caused the delay in sanctioning MLC and MiLC stems from the original short-form agreement the two signed in 2019. In that agreement, ACE keeps 95% of all gross revenues generated by MLC while USA Cricket receives the remaining 5%, but USA Cricket has wanted to revise that for more favourable terms, before a long-form agreement is signed. USA Cricket reiterated that sentiment in Thursday’s press release.”We look forward to working with Ace to provide governance of the tournaments,” stated USA Cricket in the press release. “Finally, we will review our commercial relationship with Ace over the next few months.”

يبدأ تشابي ألونسو رحلته في ريال مدريد بمواجهة تحدٍ مهم للغاية وهو كيف يقود فريقًا بات اعتاد الاعتماد شبه الكامل على كيليان مبابي؟ هذا الصدام المرتقب بين فلسفة جماعية ونجم فردي متألق قد يُحدد شكل المشروع الجديد.

رغم فشله في حصد أي لقب كبير الموسم الماضي، كان مبابي بمثابة شريان الحياة الهجومي لنادي ريال مدريد، سجل 43 هدفًا في 56 مباراة، ليظفر بالحذاء الذهبي الأوروبي والبيتشيتشي كهداف لبطولة الدوري الإسباني، ويصبح أول لاعب من الملكي يتوج بها منذ رونالدو في 2015.

اقرأ أيضًا | بن رمضان: لاعب الأهلي يمنحنا طاقة إيجابية.. وأتمنى مواجهة ريال مدريد

لكن هذا الإنجاز الفردي كشف ضعفًا في الأسلوب الجماعي، مبابي سجل أكثر من 31% من أهداف الفريق، بحسب صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية، وقفزت النسبة إلى نحو 40% في الدوري الإسباني، بل إن الفريق اعتمد عليه لفك شفرة المباريات الصعبة، بعدما افتتح التسجيل في 15 مواجهة ببطولة الدوري وحده.

في غياب مبابي عن 4 مباريات، انخفض المعدل التهديفي من 2.1 إلى 1.5 هدف لكل مباراة، ورغم محاولات فينيسيوس ورودريجو، فإن من حمل عبء التسجيل فعليًا كان فالفيردي، ما كشف هشاشة المنظومة أمام غياب المهاجم الفرنسي.

تشابي ألونسو، القادم من باير ليفركوزن، يُعرف بتنوع الحلول الهجومية والاعتماد على التمريرات المنظمة والضغط المتقدم، لكنه لم يقد أبدًا غرفة ملابس فيها نجم بحجم مبابي، ما يُنذر باختبار نفسي وتكتيكي معقد في أول موسم له.

التحدي الذي ينتظر ألونسو ليس تقليل أهمية مبابي، بل بناء منظومة تقلل من الاعتماد عليه، المطلوب هو فريق قادر على التسجيل من أكثر من لاعب، دون أن يتعارض ذلك مع بريق مبابي وقدرته على الحسم في لحظة.

ريال مدريد يملك لاعبين مميزين للغاية مثل فينيسيوس، رودريجو، جود بيلينجهام، إندريك، وحتى الجناح الجديد، فرانكو ماستانتونو، لكن تحويل هذا التشكيل من اللاعبين إلى فريق هجومي متوازن لن يتم بالأسماء فقط، بل بفلسفة جديدة تعيد توزيع الأدوار.

في أول مباراة رسمية له، سيقود ألونسو ريال مدريد في كأس العالم للأندية، حيث سيتحدد سريعًا مدى قدرته على ضبط التوازن بين خطوط الفريق، فهل نشهد التقليل من الاعتماد الدائم على مبابي هجوميًا أم سيظل الأمر كما هو في الموسم الماضي؟