Category Uncategorized

English cricket’s ceaseless search for a solution to stress fractures for fast bowlers has a new ally because of the ECB’s partnership with a global leader in athlete analytics

David Hopps12-Nov-2016

English cricket’s ceaseless search for a solution to stress fractures suffered by fast bowlers has a new ally because of the ECB’s partnership with a global leader in athlete analytics.England teams – both men’s and women’s – have the opportunity to wear micro-sensors underneath their shirts in a three-year partnership with Catapult, a leading analytics provider.Raph Brandon, the ECB’s head of science, medicine and innovation, and Andy Flower, the former England coach, introduced the system to England Lions at the national performance centre in Loughborough this week and Brandon says the tie-up, which goes through to the 2019 World Cup in England, has already had “major benefits”.”Lower-back stress fractures will always be a challenge for us,” Brandon said. “It is particularly important for the U-19s that we monitor them very closely and do our best to protect them from injury.”Get the insight and then you can change your decisions. It is a series of learning. Thanks to the Catapult data, we have a comprehensive picture now of combined workload and training and we are establishing that joined-up picture for the best England bowlers, whether they are on contract or on the international pathway.”The challenge facing young fast bowlers as their growing bodies comes under enormous strain is the subject of a two-year research programme at Loughborough into how a young player’s spine adapts to the rigours of fast bowling.Evidence already gathered before the Catapult tie-up is that the spine of a successful England fast bowler such as James Anderson or Stuart Broad becomes as thick as any comparable spine in international sport in order to withstand the constant demands it has to bear.Brandon said: “What we know is if you get to become a Broad or an Anderson your spine on the opposite side of your bowling arm is the thickest spine in world sport. It is thicker than that of a rugby forward or any sports spine that we know. That is based on years of MRI scans with our international group.”As a young fast bowler, you will have your growth spurts where your spine grows but where it is not fully thick. You have to have a super-adapted spine to become an international fast bowler. The challenge is how to get from this thin piece of bamboo spine when you are 18 and very talented to the super-thick spine of Jimmy Anderson.”The bone adapts to loading cycles and gets stronger. You need to load it and then you need to rest and recover. The quality of data we can now capture and analyse means we now have far more facts to support the ‘feel’ we get from the expertise of our coaches in their support of the players.Catapult work with Miami University in 2015•Getty Images

“We can measure run-up speeds, the amount of acceleration going through the body, the amount of rotation going through their trunk, and so much more – in practice as well as matches. We will always have something to learn about the science behind the elite cricketer.”The decision about when to bring a player back from injury is now also likely to be built on many factors other than the old question: “Do you think you can get through okay?” being asked by a coach.”Selection is not dependent upon such data,” Brandon said, “but selectors are aware that we do have this information now. We are adding facts to the feel and the knowledge and the insights that the expert coaches and the players themselves have.”We understand the demands on individual players intimately. So when we are bringing players back from injury we know what demands they will face. If they are coming back to a Test match we have to build them up so they can cope with a certain amount of running, a certain amount of time on their feet, the total distance they are likely to travel and the likely amount of high intensity work. This very detailed work allows us to individualise our training for the players and that gives them confidence.”Although the collaboration with Catapult was motivated by the desire for fast-bowling analysis, it has also provided other insights.”Scoring a century in a one-day international will generally involve between seven and 12 miles total distance on your feet, including many sprints,” Brandon said.Such evidence has informed England’s coaches, and indeed the players, of the fitness demands involved. They will continue to give England ammunition when they chose to pull contracted England players out of county cricket – a regular bone of contention – and they are likely they played a part in Mark Robinson’s demands for better fitness levels when he took over as coach of England women earlier this year.

Former Indian fast bowler Javagal Srinath has urged India’s fast bowlers to embrace the challenge of “adverse conditions” over the next few months, when the team plays 13 Test matches at home

Gaurav Kalra23-Sep-20164:10

‘Test matches bring out more depth in your cricket’

Former Indian fast bowler Javagal Srinath has urged India’s fast bowlers to embrace the challenge of “adverse conditions” over the next few months, when the team plays 13 Test matches at home. Srinath, who claimed 236 wickets in a 67-Test career, said this unusually busy home season was a “boon” for India’s core group of fast bowlers as it presents a rare opportunity to develop their skills.”By the end of these 13 Test matches, you can become a completely transformed bowler,” Srinath told ESPNcricinfo. “Where will you get this opportunity? Normally you get three-four Tests, then a break, then you play ODIs, and T20s have come in now, then another break and you come in for the Test matches. The ball is different, the conditions are different, so again you have to come back and bowl and get back into the rhythm.”Here, every month you have a couple of Test matches which means you don’t have to practice, you just have to bowl well in the Test matches. Every ball bowled in a Test match is a well-thought-out ball, you don’t take it lightly. That’s where the learning happens, and you try to understand a batsman in a much better sense. You go deeper into a batsman’s mindset, you start thinking… Psychologically you will be far better when you start thinking every ball.”I think Test matches bring more depth in your own cricket. The body becomes stronger with that much bowling, the right kind of muscles will start developing, so you have to maintain yourself. It is about doing the right kind of gym, what kind of work you have done in the off season, all those things do matter. Your mindset should be very positive that this is a great opportunity and I want to make the best of it. Its not about sustaining yourself, its about going for a win every time.”Adverse conditions are bound to be there. There are wickets which are slower. But the balls that are used in India, they do reverse. You get more chances and you are more effective when the ball is older, so I think that’s another skill you need to add on to your bowling. Sometimes flat wickets can be a little dampening [for the spirit] but I feel it’s a wonderful opportunity to play 13 Test matches in a season.”India fielded Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami as their two frontline fast bowlers for the first of the 13 Tests this season, which is currently underway in Kanpur. Two other fast bowlers were part of the squad – Ishant Sharma, who would have likely been the first choice in the XI, was forced to withdraw from the squad after contracting chikungunya. Bhuvneswar Kumar, who claimed match figures of 6 for 46 in India’s win in the St Lucia Test in the West Indies last month, was benched.According to Srinath, with it being unlikely that India will add another seamer to the playing XI in the upcoming home Tests, the mindset of the incumbent bowlers should be to try and earn selection for each of the Tests over the season and not concern themselves with the nature of the tracks on offer.”What is better conditions, can you really prepare a fast track which will last five days in India?” Srinath said. “Your strength is spin, you have to blend these two, spin and pace, together. Winning Test matches is important, so for that you need to reverse engineer your side accordingly. These fast bowlers who are there at the top, their mindset should be they need to play all the 13 Test matches. If you play one or two and are out, then the next guy plays a few and is out, that intermittent presence will not help the team at all because you are not doing any justice to your own talent, you lose rhythm very quickly, you just come and fill in overs – that’s not what you want. If two bowlers play all 13 Test matches, you see them at the end of it, they will be a different class altogether.”If you sit in the dressing room thinking that the pitch is slow and get into the negative frame of mind, it won’t help. You are young, your body is keen to do a lot of hard work, put it to work and make sure you bowl every ball. Just don’t go and fill in numbers there, be a part of the collective bowling unit and chart the batsmen out.”The absence of a specialist bowling coach among India’s coaching staff is something that has come under some scrutiny of late. While Sanjay Bangar and R Sridhar are batting and fielding coach respectively, there is no one in charge of the bowlers. Srinath laughed off any concerns on that front, insisting that in head coach Anil Kumble, the leading wicket-taker in India’s Test history, there is all the expertise the bowlers need.”Don’t worry about it, Anil will sort it out,” he said. “He has tremendous knowledge about the game, we don’t have to look anywhere else, just go talk to him, he knows what to do.”Asked whether he himself could be a contender for the role, Srinath offered a straight bat. “I am happy doing my match refereeing at the moment.”

Subrata Banerjee, the former international umpire, has died at the age of 71 in Kolkata

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Aug-2016Subrata Banerjee, the former international umpire, died at the age of 71 in Kolkata. Banerjee officiated in men’s and women’s international matches, as well as in age group tournaments, and stood in a women’s Test match.Banerjee had a 15-year career at the international level, where he officiated in 13 ODIs. He made his international debut in November, 1983, in an ODI between India and West Indies in Baroda. His last international appearance came in May, 1998, in a match between India and Kenya in Gwalior.Banerjee, son of Sunil Banerjee, the former Test umpire, also stood in 64 first-class matches, besides serving as a television umpire in ODIs, and a reserve umpire in a Test between India and England in Mohali in 2001.Banerjee worked as an umpire coach for the BCCI in addition to serving as an umpire’s educator.

ScorecardAshar Zaidi had a fine night for Essex•Getty Images

Ashar Zaidi starred with both the bat and the ball to boost Essex’s hopes of a quarter-final place – as the visitors edged out Hampshire in a three run thriller.Pakistani Zaidi helped Essex to a healthy 153 for six with a patient 47 before miserly figures of two for 16 halted Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.Essex are also top of Division Two of the Championship, leading Zaidi to say: “”It is amazing feeling winning four on the bounce and we are taking the momentum into the four day cricket.”Michael Carberry and James Vince, having been set 154 by Essex, took the chase steadily – knowing exactly what they needed and scored on and just above the required run rate.Carberry looked more ready to open himself up, but it was his undoing when he slogged to cow corner, before Tom Alsop was caught and bowl for a duck by Dan Lawrence.Spin slowed dried the runs up with Zaidi impressive, his first over going for just four and his second picking up Liam Dawson – who was driving to extra-cover.But as Zaidi stocked up on dot balls, boundaries flowed off Vince’s bat, on the back of another Test call-up.Vince reached his 19th Blast fifty from 37 balls, but the ball after Sean Ervine teed up to Tom Westley giving Zaidi a deserved second wicket.Shahid Afridi spliced one back to Matthew Quinn and Vince finally departed as he was bowled by Graham Napier.But just as Hampshire looked set for a seventh defeat Lewis McManus provided a fightback with a four and massive maximum in the penultimate over to leave the hosts needing eight from six.Wicket-keeper McManus was caught on the mid-wicket outfield from the second delivery, still seven needed but Ravi Bopara held his nerve – only going for two more runs.Earlier having won the toss, Essex set off at a blistering start reaching 67 by the end of the power play, with every other ball seemingly rushing to the boundary off Jessie Ryder, Kishen Velani and Westley. But for all their heaving they lost Velani in the third over – chipping up to Vince at mid-off.As easy as that catch was for captain Vince, his snaffle to see off Ryder, for 22, was unbelievable – as he gave international teammate Dawson his first of the night by diving full length once the ball had seemingly drifted over him.Dawson, who took three wickets on his England Twenty20 debut on the ground on Tuesday, grabbed the 50th 20-over wicket of his career when the booming Westley picked out Carberry on the point boundary.That quick flurry of wickets and the introduction of spin quelled the run scoring as Zaidi and Ravi Bopara stutter – although the former did smash a six onto the concourse.Zaidi accelerated from that bash, mainly scored on foot, to get within three runs of a third half century in a row but was the victim of a stunning direct hit from boundary rider Carberry and Bopara was caught at deep mid-wicket.Ryan ten Doeschate hammered the final ball to Ervine on the long-on rope to set Hampshire 154 to win – which proved just enough.

Chelsea's current run of results under Frank Lampard is the worst form in the history of football, Paul Merson has claimed.

What's going on at Chelsea?

Lampard has lost all five games in charge as interim manager, despite the club investing heavily in the last two transfer windows, and he is the fourth head coach – permanent or temporary – Chelsea have had all season, after Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Bruno Saltor.

With Chelsea still yet to reach 40 points and having to face Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Newcastle in their final six games, there is a real danger that they could finish the season even closer to the bottom three.

Chelsea have scored just once under Lampard, which was a deflected effort from Conor Gallagher in a game they eventually lost to Brighton, and there appears to be no solution in sight.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson claimed that given the level of investment into the squad, who finished third last season, this current dismal run is the worst seen at any level of football, as there are quality players in the side who are currently incapable of finding the back of the net.

"I'm not exaggerating here, this is the worst run in the history of football. And I know people will go 'oh, some teams have gone 25 games without a win like lower league or wherever or in other countries' – not with talent like this," he stated.

"When you've got talent like this, who are top international footballers, and you could put out two teams, and they're on a run like this, I would have to say it's the worst run in the history of football for the talent they have."

Can Chelsea recover next season?

Mauricio Pochettino is expected to take over from Lampard at the end of the season, and the club will hope that he can have more success than Potter in getting the best out of what is a sizeable squad.

The main problem in recent weeks has been a lack of goals, and without a recognised quality centre-forward, this could continue into next season if it is not addressed.

If Chelsea are able to trim their large squad and inject some proven attacking quality up front, then they may be able to get back on the right track, but it may prove to be a difficult job for Pochettino.

All of their managers have struggled with the heavy influx of signings this season, and a lot of departures may be necessary in order to keep control of the chaos within the squad.

There have been reports that the dressing room is too full, and it is impossible to give everyone their desired game time given how many players are currently in the squad.

Whilst there is quality within their ranks, it seems unlikely that their form will recover before Pochettino replaces Lampard.

Manchester United have 'internally' discussed the prospect of signing Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, says CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs.

What's the latest transfer news involving Alexis Mac Allister?

According to Football Insider, Liverpool and Manchester United are keen on signing Mac Allister this summer and would be willing to pay a substantial fee to secure his services.

As per the same outlet, the Seagulls are said to value the Argentina international at around £70 million and could be tempted into selling him if their asking price is agreed upon.

The Telegraph have revealed that Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has shortlisted Mac Allister in their hunt to freshen up the engine room this summer. His teammate Moises Caicedo is also said to be attracting attention from Old Trafford.

The report states that Manchester City are also looking to bolster their midfield ranks amid uncertainty over the long-term future of club captain Ilkay Gundogan. At the same time, Chelsea were also previously interested in the playmaker.

Mac Allister is understood to pocket around £50,000 per week on the South Coast on a contract that runs until June 2025, as detailed by Capology.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, CBS Sports reporter Jacobs gave an update on the state of play surrounding Mac Allister, stating: "I would keep an eye on Liverpool and also potentially Manchester United, they've discussed him internally as well. With Brighton, both European football and different player movements will impact the likelihood of other transfers.

"As I've said, we hear a lot about Moises Caicedo, we hear a lot about Mac Allister, we might hear a fair bit about Kaoru Mitoma, we hear a lot about Evan Ferguson, we hear a lot about Robert Sanchez.

"Quite clearly, Brighton aren't going to want to throw out a core of star players in the summer window in which they've reached European football."

Would Alexis Mac Allister be a good fit for Manchester United?

All things considered, Mac Allister could be a good fit for Manchester United in midfield and help provide further creative intuition in the middle of the park at Old Trafford.

In the 2022/23 campaign, the 24-year-old has made 30 appearances in all competitions for Brighton & Hove Albion, registering ten goals and two assists, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored also notes that Mac Allister has picked up a rating of 7.07/10 for his exploits on the South Coast this term, making him the third most consistent performer at the club behind Solly March and Kaoru Mitoma.

As the Red Devils chase more silverware in 2023/24, Mac Allister could be an exciting addition to the fold if they were able to entice him to Old Trafford in the summer.

But it seems as if United could face some significant competition for the World Cup winner who has been hailed as a "superstar" by writer Ryan Adsett.

Tottenham have approached a new manager target with Wolfsburg boss Niko Kovac giving his swift reply to chairman Daniel Levy.

Who will Spurs hire as next manager?

The Lilywhites have officially begun their search for a permanent Antonio Conte replacement after they both mutually agreed to part ways earlier this week.

Conte parted company with Tottenham after around 16 months in charge of the club, having guided them to a top four Premier League finish last season whilst building real anticipation. However, the 53-year-old arguably couldn't build upon his debut season success, with Spurs criticised for their brand of football and tepid approach.

It is now Levy's responsibility to pull Spurs back in the right direction and employ a manager who can both excite supporters with attacking football and steer them towards the division's summit.

Mauricio Pochettino, their former manager and real fan favourite, has been billed as a top candidate to succeed Conte alongside the likes of Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann in the last week.

As Tottenham scour for their perfect new head in the background, it is the job of both interim boss Cristian Stellini and assistant coach Ryan Mason to deliver a top four finish for the north Londoners. New targets are consistently appearing via sections of the media with Wolfsburg boss Kovac now mentioned as a coach of interest.

German website WAZ, as relayed and translated by Sport Witness, claim that Spurs have made an approach for the former Bayern Munich manager. However, it isn't good news for Levy, with Kovac apparently replying swiftly and rejecting their advances.

It is believed that the 51-year-old has principles he wishes to stick too, namely that he doesn't break contracts, with Levy's advisors told it was a no from Kovac. The report goes on to claim it was 'impossible' for him to take a job in England right now.

Was Kovac the right man?

Interestingly, the 4-2-3-1 coach has actually managed to some fairly notable sides in recent years with Bundesliga giants Bayern standing out as the obvious one.

During his time at the Allianz Arena, Kovac guided Bayern to a German top flight title in 2019 but didn't stay long after that – being sacked in November that same year.

Thereafter, the coach went on to manage Monaco for one season and a half before eventually joining Wolfsburg at the start of this season. Kovac is currently battling for a European qualifying place with his new team but we believe there are certainly more prestigious candidates out there for Spurs – namely the likes of Nagelsmann and Pochettino.

Leeds United defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux to send the travelling Whites into rapture, having secured a coveted victory to alleviate the concerns of relegation and advance to 14th in the Premier League.

United had started the day 18th in the table, but the congested nature of the bottom half of the division means that there are a melange of outfits endangered as the season approaches the business end, with Crystal Palace 12th and just four points above West Ham United in the drop zone.

Jack Harrison added to his goal and assist last weekend, against Brighton & Hove Albion, by placing the ball past Jose Sa and taking the early lead against the Wanderers, with further strikes from Luke Ayling and Rasmus Kristensen cementing what looked like an assured three points.

The Old Gold fought a gallant fight, with a wondrous volley from Jonny Otto preceding a deflected goal from Matheus Cunha, but the hope of a comeback dispersed after Jonny's red card, with 13-goal talisman Rodrigo coming off the bench to hammer home the priceless result in the dying embers of what was a positively enthralling encounter.

How did Aaronson perform against Wolves?

The victory is certainly what matters for Javi Gracia and co, but the tame showing of dynamic midfielder Brenden Aaronson will not have pleased the Spanish manager.

Leeds Live journalist Beren Cross gave the player a lowly 5/10 match rating after the match, lamenting his display and saying: "Another frustrating afternoon of poor decisions and weak challenges by the American. Needed more from him in the final third."

His insipid performance joins a growing list over recent weeks, with Football FanCast previously illustrating his ineffectiveness over past weeks, and if he cannot muster a more cohesive and promising spell of form he might find himself exiled from the starting fold.

Journalist Joe Donnahue even went so far as to say that Patrick Bamford was left "raging" after Aaronson wasted "a really good opportunity."

As per Sofascore, the £45k-per-week ace could only muster a match rating of 6.6 – the lowest of any offensive Leeds player on the pitch – taking 46 touches but only managing one off-target strike and losing possession 18 times.

Aaronson failed with all three of his attempted crosses and completed none of his four dribbles, being dribbled past once and winning five of his ten ground duels.

The "poor" – as branded by one source – performance continues a woeful spell of form, with Aaronson's average rating throughout the league campaign now at a measly 6.51.

Greener pastures tantalise on the horizon for Gracia and his squad, and with Leeds now having a foothold on their destiny in the English top-flight, Aaronson must be dropped, his inability to effectively contribute is now a detriment to the Whites' success.

Journalist Charles Watts has indicated that Gabriel Jesus could be set to return to full training soon, in what would be a massive boost to Arsenal.

What’s the latest on Gabriel Jesus?

The Brazilian has been absent since picking up a long-term injury during the World Cup, but Arsenal have kept their spot at the top of the Premier League with Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard deputising for the striker.

He has been in light training but could be set for a return to full training with the squad soon, as Watts pointed out a detail following Arsenal’s dramatic victory over Bournemouth at the Emirates.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Watts pointed out that Jesus took part in a squad warm-down following the game, including intense five-a-side drills with the ball, indicating that he could be set to return to action.

“Gabriel Jesus was there and was taking part which is a great sign. if you see after the game, he’s on the touchline celebrating with all the players as they came off and he’s in his training gear,” he stated.

“Even Elneny, but he’s obviously in his usual clothes, but Jesus was in his training gear and he went out and he took part in that training session with the substitutes that played in the match. It was quite intensive and he was part of it.

“I think that’s a really big step in terms of his recovery, to see him doing that and twisting and turning, taking part in the match. There weren’t huge goals going in or anything like that, but it’s still a really big indication that he’s fit, and must be very, very close now to coming back and joining in full training.”

How important is Jesus to Arsenal?

The £45m summer signing from Manchester City settled in instantly at the Emirates, scoring twice on his home debut, and quickly impressed with his work rate and technique as he led the line.

Arsenal lost just one league game with him in the side, and despite going on a goalless run pre-injury, his role in the team helped the likes of Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Martinelli hit their own scoring form.

Xhaka is yet to score this season without Jesus in the side, and his eventual return will provide a massive boost as Mikel Arteta’s side aim to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004.

Manchester United left it late to secure all three points away to bitter rivals Leeds United on Sunday afternoon, with goals from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho sealing the win for Erik ten Hag’s men amid what was a hard-fought encounter in Yorkshire.

Just days on from the thrilling, 2-2 draw at Old Trafford – in which the hosts had been forced to come from two goals behind – the Red Devils were again far from at their best this time around, having been forced to produce a dogged display against their managerless hosts.

Following what was a rather limp 70 minutes or so from the visitors, a rare moment of quality saw emerging talisman Rashford header home for his eighth goal in his last nine Premier League appearances, before substitute Garnacho lashed in superbly soon after to make sure of the points.

That battling performance has ensured that United still have a flickering of hope in the title race, with one key factor in that crucial result having been the standout performance of Luke Shaw in the backline.

How did Luke Shaw play against Leeds?

The 27-year-old showcased his growing versatility after once again “excelling” in a centre-back berth, in the words of Statman Dave, before later switching to his usual full-back role to help play a vital part in the away side’s opener.

That second half, tactical tweak from Ten Hag – in which Lisandro Martinez entered the fray on the hour mark – allowed the Englishman the license to get forward down the left flank, with that move almost immediately paying off as he provided a “superb” cross to tee up his compatriot Rashford to header home, as per journalist Josh Bunting.

Such a moment of quality was one of two key passes that the £150k-per-week ace produced from his 87 touches, having also completed two of his three dribbles and won four fouls for his side with his ability to drive forward from deep.

Not just an asset in an attacking sense, the one-time Southampton man also proved his class defensively after winning ten of his 15 duels on the day – including eight of his 11 ground duels – having also produced a vital block from Luke Ayling’s driven effort.

There were still lapses of concentration from the long-serving defender as he lost possession on 19 occasions – inadvertently sliding in Crysencio Summerville at one stage – although on the whole the 28-cap titan truly stole the show due to his adaptability and quality in both of his defensive roles.

That rock-solid performance unsurprisingly saw the 6 foot 1 machine record a remarkable match rating of 8.1, as per Sofascore, with that only bettered by teammate David De Gea (8.3)  among any player for either side.

One of ‘the few cool heads’ inside a heated cauldron at Elland Road – according to Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst – Shaw seemingly proved that he is now a leading, senior figure in Ten Hag’s side.