اعترف نادي بايرن ميونخ بأن لديه هدف في سوق الانتقالات الصيفية يريد تحقيقه لتدعيم صفوف الفريق الأول لكرة القدم وهو التعاقد مع أفضل لاعب ألماني بالوقت الحالي.
ورغم تصدر بايرن ميونخ جدول ترتيب الدوري الألماني برصيد 61 نقطة وتواجد الفريق في دور الـ 16 من دوري أبطال أوروبا، إلا أن الأداء لا يزال متذبذبا تحت قيادة المدرب الشاب، فينسنت كومباني.
لذلك ترى إدارة بايرن ميونخ أنها ترغب في المزيد من الصفقات لتدعيم الصفوف وهو ما اعترف به الرئيس الفخري لنادي بايرن ميونخ، كارل هانز رومينيجه.
اقرأ أيضًا | الصبر نفد.. بايرن ميونخ يتخذ قرارًا هامًا بشأن مستقبل كيميتش
وقال رومينيجه في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الكتالونية: “ليس سرًا أن هدفنا يجب أن يكون التعاقد مع فلوريان فيرتز (لاعب باير ليفركوزن)”.
وأضاف: “نريد ضم اللاعب من أجل تعزيز صفوفنا في السنوات المقبل، وليس لإضعاف باير ليفركوزن”.
ويمتلك فيرتز عقدًا مع باير ليفركوزن حتى 30 يونيو 2027، وبايرن ميونخ ليس النادي الوحيد الذي يسعى لضمه بل هناك ريال مدريد، مانشستر سيتي الذي يراه البديل الأنسب للرحيل المتوقع لصانع الألعاب، كيفن دي بروين، بنهاية الموسم الحالي، ويعد فيرتز أفضل لاعب ألماني في الوقت الحالي.
تحدث أنيس بوجلبان، المدير الفني لفريق المصري البورسعيدي، عن التعادل مع بيراميدز، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
خيم التعادل السلبي على نتيجة مباراة بيراميدز والمصري، التي جمعت بينهما مساء الأربعاء، في إطار مباريات الجولة الأولى من المرحلة الثانية لبطولة الدوري، على ملعب استاد السويس الجديد.
طالع.. بيراميدز يسقط في فخ التعادل مع المصري ويشعل الصراع على صدارة الدوري
وقال أنيس بوجلبان عبر لقاء مع “أون سبورت”: “في نهاية المباراة، كنا قريبين من الفوز، لكننا أهدرنا فرصة كبيرة”.
وتابع: “نحن ندرك قوة بيراميدز متصدر الدوري، ولعبنا بتوازن، التغييرات التي قمنا بها قدمت الإضافة المطلوبة، وكنا قريبين من تحقيق الانتصار، كما أن الخصم أهدر فرصًا أيضًا”.
وأكمل: “في النهاية، كان التعادل عادلًا بين الفريقين، حققنا نقطة، لكننا كنا نطمح للفوز، واطمأننا إلى حد ما على مستقبل الفريق”.
Garantido na final da Copa São Paulo de juniores pela terceira vez na história, o Palmeiras contará com apoio total da sua torcida para o confronto contra o Santos, terça-feira (25), às 16h (de Brasília).
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Por ter melhor campanha na competição, o Verdão tem o direito de ser o mandante. E o jogo deverá ser confirmado para o Allianz Parque, somente com torcedores palmeirenses.
Foi por essa razão, inclusive, que a vitória por 1 a 0 sobre o São Paulo, na noite deste sábado (22), aconteceu em Barueri (SP), somente com tricolores presentes.
E, com o Pacaembu, tradicional palco do jogo final da Copinha, interditado para reforma pela Prefeitura de São Paulo, a FPF (Federação Paulista de Futebol) já havia definido que quem fosse o vencedor do duelo entre Palmeiras e São Paulo, pela semifinal, seria o mandante do jogo.
Como no caso o vencedor do duelo foi o Palmeiras, o confronto deverá ser ratificado para o Allianz Parque.
Informações sobre vendas de ingressos e como funcionará o acesso para o jogo deverão ser reveladas nos próximos dias.
O Palmeiras já chegou em 1970 e em 2003 à final da Copinha. O clube nunca conquistou a competição, que vê também pela primeira vez um duelo final entre Verdão e Santos.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is believed to want a £58 million striker more than any other centre-forward, with a January bid to sign a new number nine looking increasingly more likely.
Arsenal's reported striker targets ahead of 2025
In the last week alone, a fair few names have been named by sections of the media as possible striker targets for Arsenal as we approach 2025.
Arsenal internally debating deal for "exciting" ace who Arteta's identified
He’s “being eyed” by the Spaniard.
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Arsenal have their eye on Sporting Lisbon sensation Viktor Gyokeres, according to some reports, with GiveMeSport writing that Gunners scouts are set to run the rule over him on November 5 when Sporting take on Man City in the Champions League.
The Sweden international apparently has an admirer in Arteta, amidst his exceptional start to 2024/2025, where he’s picked up right where he left off from last season. Gyokeres boasts 13 goals in 13 appearances this term, following his phenomenal return of 43 goals and 15 assists last season.
Arsenal’s next five Premier League games
Date
Liverpool (home)
October 27
Newcastle United (away)
November 2
Chelsea (away)
November 10
Nottingham Forest (home)
November 23
West Ham United (away)
November 30
Meanwhile, it is also believed Arsenal are ready to battle Barcelona for Jhon Duran. The Colombia international has enjoyed his own exceptional return so far this campaign, resulting in Aston Villa handing him a new contract, which has bumped his value up to around £75 million.
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko remains a target for Arsenal as well, following their failed attempt to land him in the summer window. The north Londoners, according to some media sources, have already made contact over Sesko ahead of a possible swoop next year (CaughtOffside).
Lately, links have resurfaced in regard to Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, who was once a rumoured top target for Arsenal. Juve are attempting to tie Vlahovic down with a new contract as Arsenal lurk in the background, as per a very recent bit of information from Italian news outlet Calciomercato.
Now, TEAMtalk and journalist Rudy Galetti have provided their own update on the situation.
Arteta wants Vlahovic at Arsenal more than any other striker
It is believed Vlahovic is the striker “most appreciated” by Arteta, meaning the Serbian is his personal top attacking target for Arsenal. This comes as Edu Gaspar and co become increasingly likely to bid for a new striker in January.
The Old Lady forward could cost around £58 million to prise away from Turin, but a winter deal for Vlahovic appears “complicated” right now. However, Arsenal believe the player is getable, as his contract talks have hit a brick wall.
Vlahovic’s deal expires in 2026, meaning Juve could be forced to cash in on the striker if they cannot agree a new contract.
“He is an extraordinary player,” said ex-Juve star Alessio Tacchinardi in 2022.
“He is a player who has one goal per game and therefore for Juve, having lost Ronaldo, he goes to tremendously increase the score of this team, which suffered a lot in front of him. This is a goal that is invented by itself.
“He’s very good at waiting for the defender, then puts his shoulder, moves him. He’s a bit lucky in the rebound, but many compliments to this player.”
“As much as you have the choice to decide what you want to do, you can’t escape the consequences of the choices and decisions we make”
Firdose Moonda26-Oct-20215:40
Bavuma: Quinton is an adult, we’ll respect his decisions
The South Africa players were “surprised and taken aback” by Quinton de Kock’s refusal to take a knee and then withdraw from the fixture against West Indies, but don’t know why exactly de Kock is against the gesture in support of antiracism. De Kock is expected to release a statement explaining his stance in the coming days. And for now, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma wants the team to respect de Kock’s decision.”As a team, we are surprised and taken aback by the news. Quinton is a big player for the team, not just with the bat, but from a senior point of view, so not having this at my disposal, as a captain, is obviously something I wasn’t looking forward to,” Bavuma said after South Africa’s win over West Indies. “In saying that, Quinton is an adult. He is a man in his own shoes. We respect his decision, we respect his convictions, and I know he will be standing behind the decision he has taken.”Related
'I am not a racist' – Quinton de Kock apologises, will take the knee
Why did Quinton de Kock refuse to take a knee?
'I believe de Kock is committed to an antiracist agenda' – CSA chairperson Lawson Naidoo
SACA CEO: Cricket South Africa has caused a 'crisis' by mandating taking a knee
Moosajee wants team to adopt 'unified approach' on BLM
Bavuma and his team received a directive from the CSA board at 9am Dubai time on Tuesday, five hours before they were due to take on West Indies, asking the players to collectively take a knee before every game. “Before getting on the bus to travel to Dubai, that message was passed on to the players,” Bavuma revealed.During the “hour and a half to two hours’ trip from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, Quinton made his decision,” Bavuma said, adding that the team didn’t have time to find out why de Kock had withdrawn.”I found out as the captain when I got to the changing room. There wasn’t a great deal of time for us to thoroughly discuss this matter. Unfortunately, it was a matter of us digesting what we’ve been told and finding a way to move forward.”He described the match itself as “probably one of the toughest days I’ve had to deal with as a captain, as a leader of the team, for obvious reasons with the off-field matters”, but was relieved that the team got their T20 World Cup campaign back on track with an eight-wicket win. “Unfortunately, we had to get the job done. There was still a game of cricket for our country. It was important that as much as everything was happening we found a way to get into the right mental space and take it home for our country.”Bavuma said players who are interested to know more about the decision from de Kock, might find out before South Africa’s next game, on Saturday against Sri Lanka. “We have a few days before the next game and I think those days will be tough for the group. Guys who want to know in terms of his decision, will use that time to find out a bit better,” Bavuma said. “Quinton is an adult. He made his decision. You have to respect it, whether you agree with it or not.”As much as you have the choice to decide what you want to do, you can’t escape the consequences of the choices and decisions we make. If there are people out there who think certain people need more clarity, then the fans, the media, it’s best that you ask those guys directly. It becomes blurry when you are asking guys about other guys. If you are really wanting to get the clarity that you seem to want, you should probably ask those individuals themselves.”Watch the T20 World Cup on ESPN+
Sign up for ESPN+ and catch the Men’s T20 World Cup live in the US. Match highlights of South Africa vs West Indies is available here in English, and here in Hindi (US only).
Asked if the players were disappointed that one of the group could not make a “basic” gesture as taking a knee, Bavuma said the matter was more complex and hinted at differences within the team. “I don’t think it as simple as just taking a knee,” he said. “We have to appreciate that we live in a country like South Africa that has its own past, that is diverse in its views, diverse in the way people see things, and their backgrounds and decisions that we take, things that we support, are based on our own convictions.”As much as we are a team, we wear the same shirt, we play for the same badge, outside of that we still live our own lives and those lives are different by the very nature that we live in South Africa. Over the last while, I have learnt to appreciate that a lot more, try to widen your own perspective as an individual and not expect people to see things the way you see things. My beliefs, the way that I see things, is shaped by my own background, and so is the other person’s. If there is a disagreement in terms of beliefs, in terms of views, that’s why we have those hard conversations. Through those conversations we will be able to get the comfort to accept the other person’s decision. I can’t force anyone to see things the way I do, neither can they force me to.”But CSA has made it mandatory for the team to continue taking a knee ahead of each of the T20 World Cup games and reiterated that in their statement acknowledging de Kock’s refusal. That has made his participation in the rest of the tournament uncertain, although Bavuma could not confirm whether a replacement would be required.Bavuma: “Quinton is an adult. He made his decision. You have to respect it, whether you agree with it or not”•Associated Press
“I don’t know how far it is going to develop,” he said. “The decision he has taken is only today so I can only speak about what has happened today. It wouldn’t be my decision whether to replace Quinton or get a substitute. That will most probably be the coach and the selectors.”Quinton is still one of the players, one of the boys, whatever support he needs, whatever shoulder he requires from his team-mates, will be there for him. If there is a need for further conversations to be had, those will definitely happen.”Bavuma has asked his players to remain focused on the tournament and their cricket, with three more crucial pool matches to go. “We have to keep focusing as much as we can on the team, particularly matters on the field. We will lose a lot of energy as players if we start giving 100% to everything being discussed outside of the team,” he said. “At the end of the day, you are going to judge us on how well we bowled a ball or how we hit a ball. I don’t think you will be looking at the fact that we were martyrs or we stood for whatever cause. Me, being the leader of the side at the moment, is to make sure our eye is on the ball.”Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, a CSA spokesperson explained that the board had not issued the directive before the tournament because it had been decided after seeing the team in their opener against Australia. “Having noted that a very small number of players had not taken the knee during South Africa’s opening match against the Australians, the board felt that it was important to take this position because the optics and the aesthetics of a team split between its players who take the knee and those who don’t were just not a good showing for unity in the team,” the spokesperson said.Meanwhile, Kieron Pollard – de Kock’s team-mate at Mumbai Indians – was unaware as to why the South African had missed the match and called for education. “It’s something that we feel strongly about as a team and as a people, as well, and we will continue to do it,” Pollard said of the West Indians’ continued anti-racism stance. “Each and everyone has their own opinions on it, but as I’ve always said, once you’re educated and you understand, we will understand you doing it, but I think education sort of is the key, and we don’t want anyone doing it for us in solitude or to feel sorry for us.”
Destaque da Seleção Brasileira no empate com o Equador em 1 a 1, nesta quinta-feira, pelas Eliminatórias Sul-Americanas para a Copa do Mundo de 2022, o volante Casemiro considerou o resultado da partida justo. Capitão do time de Tite, o atleta do Real Madrid elogiou a equipe da casa, que está no G-4.
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– Foi uma partida difícil, muito disputada. Creio que o resultado foi a eficiência dos gols. As duas equipes conseguiram marcar e isso foi justo.O Equador é uma equipe de muita intensidade e, com todo o mérito, está em terceiro lugar na tabela. Nós sabíamos que seria uma partida complicada, mas agora temos que focar no próximo jogo – frisou Casemiro na saída do gramado.
Com o gol marcado na partida desta quinta-feira, Casemiro agora tem cinco gol pela Seleção Brasileira em 60 partidas disputadas.
+ Tabela das Eliminatórias Sul-Americanas para a Copa do Mundo de 2022
Questionado sobre a dificuldade de jogar em Quito, que fica2.850 metros acima do nível do mar, o camisa 5 declarou que este tipo de situação não pode ser desculpa para a Seleção Brasileira.
– É sempre muito difícil jogar, mas isso (a altitude) não é desculpa para a gente. Trabalhamos, tentamos e lutamos. Nosso pensamento é seguir crescendo para chegar bem na Copa do Mundo – afirmou.
+ATUAÇÕES: Casemiro e Fred se destacam no meio; expulso, Emerson Royal leva a menor nota da Seleção
Por fim, Casemiro citou que o Brasil já está em ritmo de preparação para a Copa do Mundo e que todo mundo precisar dar o máximo, pois a concorrência é pesada.
– Quando você está na Seleção Brasileira é sempre obrigado a jogar bem, o nível de exigência é sempre o mais alto possível. Aqui tem que jogar para ganhar. Claro que sabemos que já estamos nos preparando para a Copa do Mundo, mas temos que jogar bem porque temos muitas opções, com muitos jogadores querendo estar aqui, então por isso queremos fazer o melhor – disse.
Given his success with Sporting CP, which has seen him win 71% of his matches in charge, Ruben Amorim will arrive at Old Trafford with high expectations of being an immediate success with Manchester United.
The 39-year-old has won two league titles during his tenure in Portugal, joining the Red Devils next week as he looks to make his mark following the upcoming international break.
However, he will have a huge task to turn around the early season slump that sees United currently occupy 13th place in the Premier League, 13 points off leaders Liverpool – a huge gap given the near £200m spent by Erik ten Hag during the summer.
It will take a quick transition for the first-team squad if they are to immediately adapt to the new manager’s 3-4-3 system, which is reliant on frequent overlaps from the wing-backs along with rapid transitions into forward areas.
Amorim will be hoping that his ideology will allow players who have been underperforming to flourish, whilst also allowing some to reach the next level, as demonstrated from his time in Portugal.
Viktor Gyokeres’ stats at Sporting
Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres has caught the eye over the last two months for his goalscoring exploits under Amorim in Liga Portugal, playing a pivotal role in the club’s recent success.
The Swedish international arrived in a £20m deal from Championship side Coventry City during the summer of 2023 after their failure to gain promotion to the Premier League – a bargain fee given his recent form for the club.
Sporting CP strikerViktor Gyokeres.
During his first campaign in Portugal, Gyokeres registered 43 goals and 14 assists in just 50 appearances as he helped Amorim’s side claim the league title ahead of Porto and Benfica.
However, in the opening months of the 2024/25 season, he’s taken his performances to the next level, already notching 23 goals and four assists in his opening 17 outings – including a hat-trick in the Champions League victory over Manchester City earlier this week.
As a result, there’s no surprise to see such interest in his signature, with many United fans undoubtedly wanting the 26-year-old to follow Amorim’s footsteps and make the move to the Theatre of Dreams in the near future.
Any transfer for Gyokeres would set the Red Devils back around €100m (£83m) given that’s the price tag of his current release clause, but it’s unknown if the club would be willing to match such a figure, potentially allowing one player to star instead.
The player who could be Amorim’s new Gyokeres
Big-money striker Rasmus Hojlund is yet to hit the ground running at Old Trafford this campaign, scoring just two times in all competitions – an average of one goal every five games.
His last outing against Chelsea was no different, failing to find the back of the net once more, failing to even register a shot, before being replaced by Joshua Zirkzee – who has scored just once for his new club – in the closing stages.
Rasmus Hojlund’s Premier League stats for Man Utd (2024/25)
Statistics
Tally
Games played
6
Minutes played
343
Goals scored
1
Shots taken
4
Duels won
38%
Aerial duels won
26%
Dribbles completed
40%
Stats via FotMob
The Red Devils have only registered nine league goals in ten matches this season, showcasing their lack of threat, which could hand academy star Chido Obi-Martin an opportunity in the first-team under Amorim before too long.
The 16-year-old joined the Red Devils from Premier League rivals Arsenal during the off-season, originally linking up with the U18 side, but he’s already taking the level by storm despite his tender age.
After notably netting 32 goals in 21 games at U18 level for the Gunners, Obi-Martin registered a hat-trick on his academy debut for his new employers against Nottingham Forest a week ago, before contributing with an assist in the 8-0 rout of Leeds United last weekend.
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Despite being 16, the striker stands at 6 foot 2, having that big presence that Amorim desires in his centre-forwards as seen with Gyokeres at Sporting.
He has the pace to beat the defenders, along with the strength to hold them up, before having a cool head to slot home – leading to former Arsenal academy coach Jack Wilshere dubbing the youngster as “exceptional”.
Given his age, it may take a little bit of time before the new boss utilises the talent within his first team at Old Trafford, but he’s proven he knows where the back of the net is.
The lack of goals will be a concern for the 39-year-old, with Obi-Martin certainly one to watch during Amorim’s tenure in the North West.
Amorim must immediately axe Man Utd flop who earns far more than Mainoo
Manchester United’s deal to sign him has been a complete disaster.
كشف مصدر داخل نادي الزمالك، عن رد الفعل، تجاه تحرك الأهلي إلى اللجنة الأولمبية لشكوى اتحاد الكرة المصري ورابطة الأندية بسبب أزمة مباراة القمة بينهما.
وكان الأهلي، أعلن عن شكوي اتحاد الكرة ورابطة الأندية، اليوم السبت، متهمًا الجهتين بارتكاب “مخالفات صريحة للوائح” فيما يتعلق بالإجراءات الخاصة مباراة الأهلي والزمالك التي كان مقرر لها الثلاثاء الماضي في الدوري.
طالع التفاصيل | الأهلي يتخذ أول إجراء رسمي ضد اتحاد الكرة ورابطة الأندية بعد أزمة مباراة القمة
وأعلنت رابطة الأندية المصرية، بشكل رسمي، فوز الزمالك على الأهلي بنتيجة 3-0، ومع خصم 3 نقاط مع المارد الأحمر في نهاية المسابقة على إثر انسحابه من مباراة القمة.
وأفاد مصدر بنادي الزمالك لـ بطولات: “بشكل عام نؤكد أن الزمالك ليس له علاقة بما يحدث من تحركات بعد قرار رابطة الأندية واتحاد الكرة باحتساب نتيجة المباراة لصالح الزمالك ٣-٠ بعد عدم حضور المنافس”.
وأضاف: “مثلما يقال إن الأهلي قدم مستندات بشأن أسبابه لعدم حضوره لاستاد القاهرة، فالزمالك قدم أيضًا ما يحفظ حقوقه ولم نحتاج إلى ملفات كثيرة فالأمر كان أمام مرأى ومسمع الجميع، المنافس لم يحضر”.
طالع | الأولمبية المصرية تدرس شكوى الأهلي ضد اتحاد الكرة والرابطة.. وتُحدد موعد إصدار القرار
وأتم: “رابطة الأندية حصلت على شرعيتها من كل الأندية وكذلك اتحاد الكرة، لذلك قرار التحرك للجنة الأولمبية أمر يخص صاحبه”.
Former England captain accepts BBC’s decision to stand him down for the Ashes coverage
ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2021
Michael Vaughan has been implicated in the Yorkshire racism inquiry•Getty Images
Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, has told Azeem Rafiq that he is “sorry for the hurt he has gone through”, after speaking publicly for the first time since being implicated in the Yorkshire racism scandal.Vaughan has been stood down from BBC Test Match Special’s commentary team for the forthcoming Ashes, in the wake of Rafiq’s claim that he had once told a group of four Asian players at Yorkshire “there are too many of you lot, we need to do something about it”.However, speaking to BBC Breakfast’s Dan Walker, Vaughan insisted once again that he had no recollection of using such words, adding that he had been “proud as punch” to take the field at Trent Bridge in 2009 alongside the homegrown trio of Rafiq, Adil Rashid and Ajmal Shahzad, as well as Pakistan’s overseas player, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan.”I don’t [remember saying that],” Vaughan said. “My recollection from that day, as I’ve said, I was a Yorkshire player for 18 years, I was the first player to sign for that club that was not born in the county, so for 18 years we had gone from me being the first to sign for the club, Sachin Tendulkar being the first from overseas, to players being able to sign from other clubs.”It was my last few games and I remember it clearly that I was proud as punch that we had four Asian players representing Yorkshire Cricket Club.”Speaking at the DCMS hearings in Westminster last week, Rafiq had told the parliamentary select committee that it was “important not to make it all about Michael”, adding that he might not have remembered making derogatory comments “because it’s not important to him”.Vaughan admitted that that comment “hurts”, and reiterated his claim that he had never used racist language. However, he acknowledged that, in the course of his 18-year professional career, including ten with England, “I’d be lying if I would sit here now and say that I never heard words or conversations that I would certainly pick out now.”‘That [comment] hurts,” Vaughan added, “because I’ve always felt that every single team that I have been involved in, the biggest praise I ever got as England captain for six years was that I was the kind of person that really galvanized the group, got the team working together as one. I wanted everyone in the dressing room to feel included.”I’m sorry for the hurt that [Rafiq] has gone through,” Vaughan added. “Yorkshire Cricket Club, I believe, is me. It has been my life whether I have been a player or not, I believe that once you have played for Yorkshire you are always a Yorkshire player and I am sorry for all the hurt that he has gone through.”Time can never be a healer but hopefully time can be a way of Yorkshire Cricket Club never going through this situation again, and not putting themselves in a position of denial that they treated the players so badly.”In the course of the interview, Vaughan was read out a number of his tweets, including a complaint that ‘Not many English people live in London… I need to learn a new language’, and a reply to the actor and comedian, Adil Ray, suggesting that Moeen Ali should ask young Muslims if they are terrorists to help make society a safer place.”I look back at my 12 years in social media, I regret many tweets,” Vaughan said. “I apologise deeply to anyone I offended with those tweets.”We all make mistakes and, in my life, I’ve made quite a few mistakes on Twitter. I apologise for that, but I can’t suddenly get rid of it. That’s happened, but I think sometimes through social media, people can presume who you are and interpret who you are because of a tweet or two. I know who I am, and I hope the people around me, who were close to me, know exactly who I am.”Asked if he felt he could rehabilitate his career in light of the controversy, Vaughan conceded: “It’ll take time. I’ve no doubt about that. But I’m sure over time people will see that the true me.”I won’t be doing the Ashes,” he added, in the wake of the BBC’s decision to withdraw him for editorial reasons, although he is at this stage still expected to take part in the Australian host broadcast for Fox Cricket. “I understand the story is all about Azeem Rafiq and racism in cricket. I just hope in time I will have that chance to come back. The one thing I have loved more than anything since retiring is talking cricket, and I hope I can do that again.”
Spot in semi-finals all but firmed up; Sri Lanka will need a near-miracle
Andrew Miller01-Nov-20212:49
Steve Harmison: England held their nerve at crunch times very well
Two days ago in Dubai, we all thought we had seen the very best of Jos Buttler, as he mashed a demoralised Australia with jaw-dropping disdain. But in very different circumstances in Sharjah, the respect that he was obliged to show Sri Lanka was his defining feature this time out, as he completed the set of Test, ODI and T20I hundreds with quite possibly his finest, most versatile innings of the lot.Watch cricket live on ESPN+
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On an uncompromising Sharjah surface – slow, low and nigh on impossible to force the pace – Buttler somehow conjured a masterful 101 not out from 67 balls, riding out one of the most fallow passages of play in England’s T20I history to batter 51 runs from his final 22, including the last of his six sixes, a flick off the hips high over square leg to reach his landmark on the final ball of the innings.In doing so, Buttler converted a 45-ball fifty, his slowest in the format, into a team total of 163 for 4, which England defended with outstanding tenacity on a dew-drenched night. Their challenge was made all the more complex when Tymal Mills limped out of the attack midway through his second over with a worrying quad strain. But Eoin Morgan shuffled his resources magnificently, backed by superb fielding, to close out only the fourth victory in this tournament by a team bowling last after losing the toss.England’s innings stuck on red At the halfway mark of England’s innings, the team’s faces were threatening to look as red as their new-look trousers – a switch from their usual navy-blue due to an ICC kit-clash regulation. After losing their first toss in four games and being obliged to set the tempo rather than chase in the dew, they had dribbled along to 47 for 3, their lowest ten-over total since tournament nadir against the Netherlands in Chittagong in 2014.Sri Lanka’s spinners had applied the handbrake after a misleadingly rambunctious first over, with Wanindu Hasaranga’s second ball pegging back Jason Roy’s off stump to serve England a collective reminder of the dangers of cross-batted strokes. Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow succumbed in the powerplay too, and for one agonisingly dour 33-ball period, right up until the drinks break, England dealt exclusively in dots and ones – 13 of them in fact – as Buttler and Morgan, desperately out of form after a grim run in the IPL, swallowed their pride and focused on batting deep from an awkward 35 for 3.There really wasn’t much that England dared to do to break the shackles. Maheesh Theekshana, flicking the ball out of the front of his hand, offered no width and oodles of stump-threatening skid, backed up by an excellent pitch-battering length from the seamers, which was too short for England to rush down to meet, and bouncing low enough to keep the stumps permanently in play.Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler put on 112 in 13 overs for the third wicket•Getty Images
Post-drinks flourish A glug of Gatorade, and a thumping drive through the covers, brought Buttler only his third boundary in 31 balls. But it also signalled a fateful shift in Sri Lanka’s approach. As if pre-programmed to go to their pre-set death plans, the seamers began searching for a fuller length, right up to the toes, which suited Buttler’s spring-loaded wrists down to the ground. A brace of half-volleys from Lahiru Kumara were smoked into the stands, before Dasun Shanaka suffered similar treatment in the 18th over, as Buttler laced him for six, six, four, to wrench the contest England’s way.Morgan too joined the party, eventually holding his own in a 112-run partnership with 40 from 36 balls despite at one stage seeming stranded on 10 from 21. A freebie from Hasaranga got him going, a full-toss on the legs flicked through backward square, while Kumara was also in his sights with a classical inside-out bosh over long-off. Hasaranga got his revenge with another googly but not before England’s captain had confirmed his game-brain was still ticking.The search for that century wasn’t Buttler’s overriding concern as he faced up to Dushmantha Chameera’s final over. But after surviving a sprawling chance in the deep and missing out on an attempted reverse scoop, Buttler received the gimme he’d been angling for from the final ball of the innings, a full toss on the legs that he launched into the stands to vault from 95 to 101.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Dew diligence The fact that England were able to turn on their after-burners may have been linked to the sightings of a few towels for Sri Lanka’s fielders as the evening moisture began to make itself known. It obliged Morgan to get imaginative from the outset of Sri Lanka’s chase. Moeen Ali served up the first over, in which Pathum Nissanka was run out third-ball, but after some rare tap for Chris Woakes from Charith Asalanka, Adil Rashid was swiftly called into action. The change did the trick, two googlies to the left-handers Asalanka and Kusal Perera resulted in a pair of hacks into the covers, as for the first time in their T20I history, England bowled four overs of spin in the powerplay.Still, Sri Lanka kept pressing, with more zip off the bat in the altered conditions, not least for Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who greeted Liam Livingstone with a clout over the sightscreen and then made Woakes regret a bad miss at square leg by slamming him for a six and a four in consecutive balls. But Woakes responded with an offcutter which Roy swallowed in the deep, and at 76 for 5 in the 11th over, England were chipping away at their opponent’s resources.Their own resources, however, received a body blow when Mills limped from the field. Despite their wealth of options, Rashid was already bowled out, and when Woakes surprisingly finished off the final three balls of the incomplete over, he too only had one more up his sleeve. It was time once again for Livingstone to show his mettle, and sure enough, he delivered the killer blow in the 17th over, drawing a rampant Hasaranga into a swipe to wide long-off, where Roy pounced brilliantly with a dive inside the rope, before offloading for the substitute Sam Billings to complete the take.Three balls later, however, there was no longer any doubt which direction the match was headed. That man Buttler pounced from behind the stumps and pinged down the wicket to run out Sri Lanka’s last remaining hope Dasun Shanaka. England had come through their toughest assignment of the tournament with a statement victory and proven that while the conditions are still a massive factor, excellence can yet seize the day.