Category Uncategorized

Even though Nazmul Hassan, the board chief, didn’t explain why exactly the players felt so, he said it was linked to the worldwide trend of declining interest in Test cricket shown by other boards, broadcasters and players

Mohammad Isam20-Jul-2018Bangladesh’s senior players, including Shakib Al Hasan, have become reluctant to play Test cricket, according to BCB president Nazmul Hassan. Even though the board chief didn’t explain why exactly the players felt so, he said that it was linked to the worldwide trend of declining interest in Test cricket shown by other boards, broadcasters and players.In his now regular post-series briefing, Hassan said that the future of the Bangladesh Test team depended on blooding in new faces to fill the gap that will be created when the senior players near retirement. But he also mentioned the task will not be easy as all of the established players have been performing for a number of years.Hassan also named Mustafizur Rahman among those reluctant to play Tests, although he stated that the fast bowler never told him so.”Even in the ICC, I don’t see any other country other than England and Australia showing interest to play Tests,” Hassan said. “As a board, they are not interested in Tests. The broadcasters are also not interested. They say they don’t have any interest where there is no audience.”We are seeing in our country that some of our senior players don’t want to play Test cricket. Shakib doesn’t want to play Tests. Mustafiz also doesn’t want to play, but he hasn’t mentioned it. He wants it to a point. Maybe since he is injury-prone, he feels he will get injured playing Tests? Maybe they feel Test is quite tough, say for someone like Rubel [Hossain]. Bringing in younger players is our only option.”The BCB had granted Shakib’s request for a break during the Test series in South Africa last year. Shakib has been the only Bangladesh player to have put in such a request.Hassan declared that Mustafizur, who missed the Afghanistan T20s and the West Indies Tests due to an injury he picked up while playing for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, will not be given any NOCs to play foreign leagues. “The saddest part is that he gets hurt playing franchise leagues, and then can’t serve the country. It is not acceptable. I have already told him that he can’t play outside for the next two years,” Hassan said.He said that the BCB was focused on finding more specialist Test and T20 players, but admitted it was hard for practical reasons to drop their core senior players. “We have to form a new set-up for Tests. I have been saying it for the last four years. We must have three or four players in common; all the international teams are doing this. Everyone has specialist T20 and Test players. We only have Mominul [Haque] for Tests. We need to develop five or six of them.”We have Tamim [Iqbal] and another opener, plus three pace bowlers and a spinner. You can’t change Shakib, Mushfiqur [Rahim] and [Mahmudullah] Riyad. Mominul plays at three. You can’t drop him for doing poorly in one series. So, for this No. 7 position we have Mosaddek [Hossain], Sabbir [Rahman], [Mehidy Hasan] Miraz, etc.”There will be a lot of talk if we leave out any of the seniors. We need to find new players for a time when Tamim, Shakib, Mushfiqur and Riyad won’t be around. We need to prepare the new players.”

At times, Chelsea's club dynamic contrasts itself. Underneath a metaphorical Versace coat, is a humble blank T-shirt. There's that pairing of self-sufficiency and radical spending.

Of course, Football FanCast as a site is unfazed, as with every brilliant (and often overlooked) Chelsea academy graduate on the backdrop of extreme wealth – another 'Market Mover' or 'Where Are They Now?' subject is born.

Today's subject arrives relatively contrasting that – as his breaths of progress have been given space and time, rather than be snuffed out under the deoxygenating choke of blanket spending. To end this laborious mini-narrative… Levi Colwill is a breeze of fresh air to a club that certainly need to blow away some early-season cobwebs.

How much was Levi Colwill worth at the start of his career?

20-year-old Southampton-born Levi Colwill has been with Chelsea since the age of 9. Initially, Colwill's introduction to football came with Sunday league side City Central – and there he intriguingly played alongside Jamal Musiala.

If that wasn't enough of an indicator of quality – then Colwill's composure from an early age as well as his steady physical presence with growth, more than made up for it.

Chelsea knew what they had on their hands but also understood that men's football could make their 6 foot 2 defender develop both in stature and skill. After three senior outings in the Papa John's Trophy,

Huddersfield came in for the 18-year-old and signed him on loan in 2021. In this formative season, Colwill grabbed headlines as part of an excellent Carlos Corboran Terriers side that just missed out on promotion.

Although he scored an own goal in the playoff final defeat against Nottingham Forest – he'd widely impressed. His expected transfer value (xTV), as per Football Transfers, rose from around £3.5m (€4.1 million) in July 2021 to £6.3m (€7.3 million) after the playoffs.

What have people said about Levi Colwill?

If Colwill's adjustment to the Championship was impressive enough, more plaudits arrived when he went on another loan, this time with Brighton in the Premier League. Under yet another young and eye-catching tactician in Roberto De Zerbi, Colwill fit into a brilliantly progressive young side like a glove.

The squad that term averaged an age of 23.64 yet showed skill beyond its years. Even in just 17 league appearances, Colwill helped the group effort at Brighton to push the club to a record sixth place Premier League position last term.

Throughout his half-season, there were precursor glimpses of traits he has slowly become synonymous with. Colwill's xTV rose again last term, from £9.1m (€10.6 million) in August '22 to £10m (€11.6m) in June '23.

Out of the boardroom and back on the pitch, pair this with England U21s Euro victory – as well as impacting a Chelsea team in transition and the defender's horizons grow ever-broader. Mauricio Pochettino said in September of an England call-up:

"Levi is a player who performed really well last season, and at the Under-21 Euros, and now started the season really well with Chelsea. He is a big talent, a player who can play in different positions, centre-back and full-back. He is a great character. He is a great player and I’m happy for him. I’m hoping the next international break we have more players involved."

Gareth Southgate was another to gush over his performances, lauding a wide array of attributes within Colwill's game.

“He showed a really good temperament in the League last year, and in the summer with the Under-21s he was outstanding. Levi has a real maturity about his calmness with the ball. He’s got good physical attributes. He’s got speed and the ability to defend the box well.”

Statistically, how good is Levi Colwill now?

On a more statistical basis, compared to other centre-backs – Colwill's numbers parallel his ascent in value.

FBref shows that Colwill excels both in attack and defence, despite at times being described by some as quite one-footed. In a bracket of players that contains the likes of Napoli's Amir Rrahmani, Real Madrid's David Alaba and Inter's Alessandro Bastoni – Colwill sits in a high percentile for numerous statistics. His purely progressive mindset is reflected.

For the somewhat optimistic shot-creating actions, he's in the top 3%. For expected non-penalty goals and assists – he's in the top 2%. So, he offers a potential threat.

Most likely this is aerial, as he wins 2.86 per 90 (top 15%) yet that's not all. What's more impressive are the 78.57 passes attempted per 90 (top 5%) and the 1.23 progressive carries per 90 (top 11%).

Admittedly, his core defensive aspects could be improved – i.e. blocks and tackles. However, that could be perceived more on the team collective than just Colwill. Additionally, the Premier League season (at the time of writing) is a mere seven games old.

What's Levi Colwill worth now?

Since his formative loan spell at Huddersfield, the likely soon-to-be England starter has become a real market mover – with an increased price of (value) for any potential suitors. In an era of extreme Boehly-bolstered spending not immediately reaping success,

Colwill's ascent shows that once again – after examples of Reece James or the distant success of Declan Rice – the Blues should potentially put more onus on their homegrown talents.

The 6 foot 2 centre-back who has also been compared to club icon John Terry, has risen to an xTV of £15.2 m (€17.5m) with a transfer window peak of £18.2 million (€21.1m) in August '23.

As of June '23, the Daily Mail had reported that not even bids in excess of £40m would make Chelsea even consider selling Colwill. That was amid interest from Brighton with the Seagulls looking to bring him back to the Amex Stadium after a successful loan spell.

Furthermore, he recently put pen to paper on a six-year deal, that's how important they see him for the future, as his financial worth and indeed personal worth to the club grows more and more at Stamford Bridge.

Two points separate the five teams vying for the final two playoff spots. KKR and Royals are part of this mid-table muddle. Neither will want to let the other get ahead

The Preview by Deivarayan Muthu14-May-20185:15

Hogg: KKR need the sheer pace of Mavi

Form Guide

Kolkata Knight Riders: beat Kings XI Punjab by 31 runs, lost to Mumbai Indians by 102 runs, lost to Mumbai by 13 runs
Rajasthan Royals: beat Mumbai Indians by seven wickets, beat Chennai Super Kings by four wickets, beat Kings XI Punjab by 15 runs

Big PictureWith Chennai Super Kings joining Sunrisers Hyderabad in the playoffs and Delhi Daredevils being eliminated, five other teams are in a dogfight for the remaining two spots. Both Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals are part of this mid-table muddle, having won six of their 12 matches. In all, two points separate teams No. 3 to 7. So, a loss could mean falling behind quickly, making Tuesday’s clash at Eden Gardens that much more enticing.After the run-fest in Indore, KKR return to home comforts with a more balanced team. Javon Searles conceded 52 for only one wicket in four overs on IPL debut on a flat pitch at a small ground, but he showed promise with his skiddy pace and first-ball six over long-on. Moreover, given his reputation as a big-hitter in the West Indies cricket circles, he could be used as a floater. Neither Tom Curran, who lacks experience at the top level, nor Mitchell Johnson, who is perhaps past his prime, gave KKR this luxury.However, the spotlight will be on the spinners at Eden Gardens. The slow bowlers have taken 36 wickets in 10 innings an economy rate of 8 here, while the seamers have picked up four wickets fewer at a higher economy rate of 9.2. Royals’ spinners don’t quite have the pedigree of KKR’s, and they will be further depleted if Ish Sodhi isn’t fit.In the newsSodhi was sidelined from Royals’ match against Mumbai on Sunday because of an illness. It remains to be seen if he has recovered sufficiently for Tuesday’s clash.Previous meetingThe last time the two sides met in Jaipur, the season was just 15-games old and Jos Buttler was still batting in a rickety middle order. After moving to 71 for 2 in their first ten overs, Royals scrounged only 89 off their last ten while losing six wickets. KKR chased down 161 with punchy contributions from their top and middle order.Likely XIsKolkata Knight Riders: 1 Chris Lynn, 2 Sunil Narine, 3 Robin Uthappa, 4 Nitish Rana, 5 Dinesh Karthik (capt & wk), 6 Andre Russell, 7 Shubman Gill, 8 Javon Searles, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Piyush Chawla, 11 Prasidh KrishnaRajasthan Royals: 1 Jos Buttler (wk), 2 Ajinkya Rahane (capt), 3 Sanju Samson, 4 Ben Stokes, 5 Stuart Binny, 6 Mahipal Lomror, 7 K Gowtham, 8 Jofra Archer, 9 Ish Sodhi/D’Arcy Short, 10 Shreyas Gopal, 11 Jaydev UnadkatStats that matter Sunil Narine needs three wickets to get to 50 IPL wickets at Eden Gardens. He will become the second player, after former Mumbai Indians quick Lasith Malinga (at the Wankhede), to take 50 or more wickets at a particular venue in the league Since Archer’s debut in the IPL on April 22 , only Hardik Pandya has picked up more wickets than him. Hardik has 15 in eight matches; Archer has 13 in seven matches. Kings XI Punjab’s Andrew Tye, meanwhile, has 13 in six games If Buttler makes another fifty on Tuesday, he will become the first to six such scores in a row in T20 cricketStrategy puntHow do you stop Buttler? Throw the new ball to Narine. He has dismissed the England batsman twice in eight T20 matches, while conceding only 28 runs off 29 balls. Narine also has a good record against Rahane, having dismissed him three times in seven T20 games, while giving away 59 runs off 44 balls. Additionally, Rahane has only 69 runs in seven innings at Eden Gardens at an average of 9.9 and strike rate of 88.5.Fantasy pickOf course, going for allrounders is the safest bet. If they don’t get you points with the ball, they’ll get you some with the bat. So pick Narine and K Gowtham. Narine is the top wicket-taker for KKR this season with 14 wickets, of which 10 have come at Eden Gardens, and he is the fourth-highest scorer for his team with 277 runs. Gowtham, meanwhile, is the most successful bowler for Royals in the Powerplay with five wickets at an economy rate of 7.3, and his whirlwind cameos with the bat need no further endorsement.Quote”Destiny’s in our hands. We just need to play two good games of cricket.”

تلقى منتخب إنجلترا الأول لكرة القدم، ضربة قوية بإصابة لاعبه قبل انطلاق منافسات كأس أمم أوروبا يورو 2024.

وتنطلق بطولة كأس الأمم الأوروبية يوم 14 يونيو الجاري وتستمر حتى 14 يوليو المقبل، وتستضيفها ألمانيا.

اقرأ ايضاً.. ساوثجيت يوضح مستقبله مع منتخب إنجلترا حال الفشل في التتويج بـ يورو 2024

وكشفت صحيفة ميرور البريطانية عن سبب غياب المدافع جون ستونز عن تدريبات المنتخب الإنجليزي، اليوم الأربعاء.

وتابعت أن ستونز يعاني من مرض مزمن ووفقًا لبروتوكولات اتحاد كرة القدم، فقد تم عزله في غرفة نومه لتقليل خطر انتشار المرض.

وشارك ستونز أساسياً في مباراة أيسلندا الجمعة الماضية، حيث غادر مصاباً بحلول الدقيقة 45 من عمر الشوط الأول.

ولا تزال الشكوك قائمة حول إمكانية مشاركة ستونز في المباراة الافتتاحية للمنتخب الإنجليزي في منافسات يورو 2024، أمام صربيا.

ويتواجد منتخب إنجلترا في المجموعة الثالثة ضمن منافسات يورو 2024 بجانب كل من، صربيا وسلوفينيا، بالإضافة إلى الدنمارك.

وخاض المنتخب الإنجليزي مواجهتين وديتين قبل خوض منافسات يورو 2024، بالفوز على البوسنة والهرسك والهزيمة أمام أيسلندا.

Liam Livingstone, England’s uncapped selection for the Test tour of New Zealand in March and April, believes he is better placed to impress in red-ball than white-ball cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Jan-2018

Liam Livingstone, England’s uncapped selection for the Test tour of New Zealand in March and April, believes he is better placed to impress in red-ball than white-ball cricket, after missing the chance to establish his credentials in two T20 appearances against South Africa last summer.Livingstone was drafted into the Test squad this week in place of Yorkshire’s Gary Ballance, who paid the price for England’s 4-0 defeat in the recent Ashes despite not playing in any of the five matches.At the age of 24, Livingstone is widely regarded as one of the most naturally talented batsmen in English cricket, and was appointed as Lancashire captain in the off season, taking over from Steven Croft.Known for his hard hitting and a wide repertoire of strokes, Livingstone enjoyed some notable moments of success in 2017, in particular his maiden List A hundred – a blistering knock of 129 from 83 balls for England Lions against South Africa A at Northampton – and a career-best 224 for Lancashire against Warwickshire in the Championship in September.However, when he was picked for England’s T20 side against South Africa in the aftermath of the Champions Trophy in June, Livingstone looked a touch overawed by the experience – he made 16 runs in two innings, running himself out on debut at Taunton before missing a full-toss to be bowled for a golden duck in the series decider at Cardiff.Looking back now, however, Livingstone believes that experience will stand him in good stead as his England career progresses. “The Twenty20 was a good experience for me, but my red-ball game is totally different,” he told ECB.co.uk.”I’m a lot more assured with my red-ball game than I am in T20 cricket so I’ll definitely go into the environment with a lot more confidence in my ability to perform, which will help me. It will be nice to get in and around that and hopefully show what I can do.”Livingstone’s call-up follows his decision to forego the opportunity to ply his trade in the T20 leagues around the globe, and instead spend a second winter away with the England Lions in Australia.”I spoke to Andy Flower about this at the start of the winter,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to play Test cricket for England, and going to Australia with the Lions was the best way to give myself the best chance of doing that.”I could have tried to play T20 cricket around the world, but I still don’t see that as the strongest part of my game. I wanted to work on different areas of my red-ball game, and I was able to do that for our first two weeks in Brisbane.”While training with the Lions in Queensland, Livingstone was able to attend the first day of the Ashes at the Gabba, an experience which heightened his desire to play Test cricket.”To see the amount of interest out there, it was quite exciting,” he said. “People are saying that Test cricket’s becoming less important, but as players I don’t think that’s true at all. It’s still the toughest part of the game, and the format you get the most pleasure from succeeding in.”T20 is great for the sport and it brings in the viewers. But you look at the Ashes and the full stadiums, there’s still a lot of interest in Test cricket, and as players it’s still what you want to play.”Obviously the England team have had a tough Ashes, everyone knows that. But I’m sure everybody will be excited going into a new series, and I know it’s a very talented group of players. I’m just looking forward to getting in amongst it.”

West Indies batsman fractures left forearm after being struck by Neil Wagner short ball

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Dec-2017West Indies batsman Sunil Ambris will miss the ODI series in New Zealand, after sustaining a fracture of the left forearm on the final day of the Hamilton Test. The incident comes at the end of a tough debut series for the 24-year-old No. 6; he was out hit wicket once in each of the two Tests, the first such dismissal coming off his very first ball in Test cricket.Ambris injured his arm while trying to negotiate a short ball from Neil Wagner. The pacer got the final ball of the 22nd over – Ambris’ third ball of the innings – to rear up off a back-of-a-length, and it struck Ambris on the forearm. He batted out two more balls the following over, delivered by Tim Southee, and one more from Wagner in the 24th before going off, visibly in pain. He did not return to bat, and a hospital visit revealed the fracture.The ODI series begins on December 20 in Whangarei, followed by two games in Christchurch. That is followed by three T20Is over the New Year period. West Indies have lost the Test series 2-0, losing in four days in Hamilton by 240 runs. They had lost the first Test, in Wellington, by an innings and 67 runs.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has "validated the profile" of Gent striker Gift Orban with Spurs now "in contact" to sign him.

Who else will Spurs sign?

Spurs have completed a plethora of transfer deals for Postecoglou as chairman Daniel Levy attempts to back his new head coach.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, youngster Ashley Phillips, defender Micky van de Ven, playmaker James Maddison, winger Manor Solomon and striker Alejo Veliz have all now officially joined the north London club, but there may well be more soon.

Postecoglou, speaking to the press last night after Tottenham's entertaining friendly against Barcelona in Catalonia, claimed there may well be another defensive addition if the club can sort more outgoings.

"We've to see what happens with outgoings," explained the Spurs boss.

"But the potential is there to bring in one more centre back after van de Ven"

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

The north Londoners may also sign a new midfielder, as Spurs regular Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is still attracting serious interest from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.

Amid all of the noise surrounding Harry Kane's future, as Bayern prepare to mount yet another attempt to prise him away from Spurs, the club have been looking at possible forward options as well.

Orban, who finished the 22/23 season in electric form, is one attacker who's been linked with a move to Tottenham and journalist Sacha Tavolieri has an interesting update.

The reporter believes Spurs are now in contact over a deal for the Nigeria international, with Postecoglou giving the green-light after he "validated the profile" of Orban.

Tottenham have held verbal discussions with Gent for the player, where they have apparently disclosed their intent to go as high as €30 million (£26m), including bonuses.

"Tottenham in contact with KAA Gent for Gift Orban!," wrote Tavolieri on X.

"Spurs could go as high as €30M (including bonuses) according to the latest oral discussions undertaken with their Belgian counterparts.

The profile of the Nigerian striker has been validated by Ange Postecoglou. The green light to send the written offer is obviously linked to the Harry Kane affair. The English are anticipating the market by paying €30m in 2023 than have to offer the double once Orban has exploded in an intermediate league… Wait&See."

How good is Gift Orban?

The wonderkid is a player of real quality, as displayed by his numbers for Gent last term, with Orban scoring 20 goals in 22 appearances across all competitions.

Orban has also been praised by members of the press as one of Nigeria's latest dazzling talents, as journalist Ryan Taylor points out.

Gift Orban, Victor Boniface & Tolu Arokodare. Remember these names," wrote Taylor.

"Making waves in Belgium & on European stage. Throw in Victor Osimhen & Terem Moffi – future looks very bright for Nigeria. Quickly approaching a golden generation for the Super Eagles."

Meanwhile, Sport 1 reporter Patrick Berger has branded Gent's star as one of Nigeria's "very interesting" crop of new players to have emerged in the last 12 months. Orban could be a promising capture for Spurs, especially given his sky high ceiling, for just £26m.

Losses in the final two ODIs may not keep Sri Lanka from automatically qualifying for World Cup 2019 – a lot depends on West Indies – but it’s a risk they will not want to take

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando30-Aug-2017Big PictureRiot police, bottle-throwing, selector resignations, heated debates over cricket in cabinet meetings, and an ever-growing list of injuries – the past few days in Sri Lankan cricket have been as acrimonious as any in recent memory. Every time the situation seems to have reached rock bottom, new depths, somehow, are plumbed.There remain two ODIs in Colombo, however, and though the series has been decided, Sri Lanka are playing for a little more than pride. They must win the two remaining games to seal automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup. Lose them both, and they will automatically qualify only if West Indies win no more than three of their five ODIs against England next month (and do not lose the one-off game to Ireland). If Sri Lanka win one of the remaining games, then they must hope that West Indies do not win all six of their upcoming matches. But so resurgent have West Indies been this week that this is not a chance Sri Lanka will want to take. Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels have also returned to West Indies’ ODI side for that series, a truce with their board having been reached.Where in the Tests Sri Lanka’s toothless bowling set the tone for each dispiriting performance, the batting has been the greater of Sri Lanka’s failings in the ODIs – the top order having failed to sustain whatever little momentum they could generate, and the middle order repeatedly failing to contend with India’s spinners.India, meanwhile, have almost seemed bored on this tour. Several batsmen have buffed their stats, and in the third match Jasprit Bumrah claimed a maiden ODI five-wicket haul, but at times all they have to do is turn up and watch the opposition sabotage themselves. Chamara Kapugedera’s decision to bat first after winning Sri Lanka’s first toss of the series, for example, was baffling – not least to some of his own team-mates.But with the series secure, this is India’s chance to test the depth in their squad. Kuldeep Yadav, who was so impressive in the West Indies, may finally get a run. Ajinkya Rahane or Manish Pandey will hope to earn a spot in the middle order – KL Rahul and Kedar Jadhav having been unconvincing in their two innings so far in the series. Virat Kohli has repeatedly expressed a preference to play his first-choice XI right through this tour, but India might gain more from these matches by giving their fringe players a run.Form guideSri Lanka LLLLL(completed matches, most recent first)
India WWWWLIn the spotlightFor so long one of the cleverest limited-overs operators, Lasith Malinga has the chance to captain Sri Lanka. There is a good argument that in a parallel universe, where Malinga’s ankle and knee joints were not so problematic, and his attitude did not rub people up the wrong way, he could have been a wonderful long-term captain. Upul Tharanga is set to return in the fifth match, but for one match at least, it may be fascinating to get a glimpse of what kind of ODI leader Malinga might have been.In his first 22 innings in Sri Lanka, Rohit Sharma had averaged 14.25, and hit only one fifty. In the space of two innings now, he has scored 54 and 124 not out. These are not good signs for Sri Lanka, who have been on the receiving end of one of the great limited-overs onslaughts at Rohit’s hands. In the second half of his innings on Sunday, Rohit began to hit effortless boundaries off good deliveries – a sign that he is nearing his best form. With Shikhar Dhawan also in good nick on this tour, restraining India’s openers represents a major challenge for the hosts.NurPhoto/Getty Images

Team newsOpening batsman Dilshan Munaweera – uncapped in ODIs – has been called up to the squad to cover for Kapugedera. With Dinesh Chandimal out and Danushka Gunathilaka still doubtful for Thursday’s match due to his shoulder strain, Munaweera could well open the innings alongside Niroshan Dickwella. If Gunathilaka does not recover in time, however, Sri Lanka may find themselves one batsman short, and may have to field Thisara Perera in the lower middle order.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 2 Danushka Gunathilaka/Dilshan Munaweera, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Lahiru Thirimanne, 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Milinda Siriwardana 7 Thisara Perera 8 Akila Dananjaya, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Vishwa Fernando, 11 Lasith Malinga (capt.)Batsman Manish Pandey, left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav and seamer Shardul Thakur may all have an opportunity in this match, with Kedar Jadhav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar the most likely to make way.India (possible): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli (capt.), 4 KL Rahul, 5 Manish Pandey, 6 MS Dhoni (wk), 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Shardul Thakur, 11 Jasprit BumrahPitch and conditionsThere was a little grass on the Khettarama surface on the eve of the match, which suggests there will be a little more pace and carry than is ordinarily seen at this venue. There is a chance afternoon and evening showers will interrupt play.Stats and trivia Lasith Malinga needs one more wicket to reach 300 ODI dismissals. He will be 13th bowler overall, and the fourth Sri Lankan after Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas and Sanath Jayasuriya, to the milestone. This will also be MS Dhoni’s 300th ODI. He will be the 20th cricketer overall, and the sixth India player to the milestone. His ODI match tally also includes three matches for Asia XI in 2007. Dhoni is also on 99 stumpings and needs just one more to become the most prolific ODI stumper, moving clear ahead of Kumar Sangakkara. Under Virat Kohli’s captaincy India have won all eight bilateral ODI matches against Sri Lanka. The only occasions Sri Lanka have beaten a Kohli-led India have come at neutral grounds, at multi-team tournaments: once at the Asia Cup, once in a tri-series in the West Indies, and once at the Champions Trophy.Quotes”I feel captaincy is a good challenge for me. At the moment, we have lost a few matches – yes. I have played for the last fourteen years for the national team, and I still feel we have good young players. A few good experienced players also. This is the time we have to stand up and give confidence to young players – to let them know we are still good enough to play international cricket. People think we are not top of the table, but I feel we can change that.”

England’s leading Test wicket-taker has been honoured by joining Brian Statham in having an end named after him at his home ground

Paul Edwards03-Aug-2017It already seems likely that the first morning of the fourth Test will also feature the game’s loudest and most heartfelt ovation. Whatever England and South Africa’s cricketers do over the next five days, the news that the Pavilion End at Emirates Old Trafford is to be renamed in honour of James Anderson is sure to elicit the warmest of reactions from spectators, some of whom will have watched the seamer make his first-class debut in 2002.David Hodgkiss, Lancashire’s chairman, is to make a presentation to Anderson, who is hopeful his family will be on the ground to see him receive this “amazing honour”. Even in the oft-inflated world of sporting achievement, where people have only to be presented with their dinner to dedicate it to someone or other, this is summat to write home about. In Anderson’s case, of course, the news will be very happily received in Burnley, where the local cricket club has named its function room after him. This will be a deeply Lancastrian occasion.But there will be plenty of patriotism, too. Wherever Anderson has played for England the Barmy Army has belted out its familiar chorus saluting his presence and contribution. No doubt there will be a few renditions on Friday and they will be sung by people who recognise that if Anderson was not playing for England, he might well be sitting with them. So we may have a rather bizarre moment when James Anderson is bowling from the James Anderson End while 20,000 people sing about “Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy Anderson”.”I’m blown away, really, by the gesture from the club,” he acknowledged. “I can’t quite believe it has happened. It is something that usually happens when people have stopped playing or are further down the line. So to have this happen when I’m still playing and potentially bowling from that end in the game is a bit surreal. It is just a huge honour, especially because of the link I have with this club and the love I have for the club. I’ve been here for 15 years and longer than that if you count the years I’ve been supporting the club.”The history stretches deeper than that, though. The renaming of the Pavilion End unites Anderson with Brian Statham, after whom Old Trafford’s other end is named; it therefore brings together, albeit only in the ground’s geography, the two finest Lancastrian seamers of all. While cricket’s historians may offer the names of Dick Pollard or the Burnley-born Harry Dean as candidates for that accolade, probably few would dispute that Statham and Anderson’s combined total of 732 Test wickets secures their right to the title.It is, however, 732 . Anderson’s observation that the honour he had been given was more usually accorded to someone whose career was over allowed him to stress that this was not the situation in his case.”I don’t like looking back on my career too much because I am still playing and I still have things I want to achieve, personally and with this team,” he said. “I’m very grateful that I have got this far in my career but I don’t want to dwell on it right now. In years to come, I’m sure I’ll look back with great fondness but right now I still have things to achieve.”I’ve felt really good in this series. I’m happy I’ve stayed fit and bowled well through the series. Barring me slipping in the shower or a back spasm overnight, I’ll have played all four games. For me, that’s a positive thing. I’ve had a couple of injuries over the last 12-18 months, so staying fit is a priority. Also, bowling well is another thing that is going to help me stay in the side and help this side win games.”Anderson is not short of achievable objectives. He needs 20 more victims to become the sixth bowler in the game’s history to take 500 Test wickets and he has yet to earn himself a place on the Old Trafford honours board by taking five wickets in a Test innings on his home ground. There is another Ashes series looming and this summer’s series against South Africa and West Indies to win. He recognises it will be tough but he is hopeful of remaining fit to play all seven Tests this summer, news which has no doubt been welcomed by his new England captain.”He is as good as ever,” said Joe Root of Anderson. “He brings so much to this dressing room, his experience. What you see out in the middle and the performances he has produced are exceptional. The way he works with the other bowlers and the way they toss ideas around out in the field makes my life a lot easier. To have someone like that to go to when you are under the pump, when you want someone to change the game, is invaluable.”And now Root can also be a party to one of the most delicious, if anachronistically feudal, conversations in the history of the game. “Which end do you want, Jimmy?” he may ask. “My own, please, captain,” can be the reply. Not even Lord Hawke managed that.

Sunderland are still on the lookout for a new striker and are fast running out of time to find one before beginning their Championship campaign against Ipswich Town in two weeks' time.

What is the latest Sunderland transfer news?

The Black Cats acted swiftly in bringing in young quartet Luis 'Hemir' Semedo, Jenson Seelt, Jobe Bellingham and Nectarios Triantis last month, but their transfer activity has gone quiet since then.

On the back of missing out on signing Ellis Simms permanently, as well as seeing fellow loanee Amad Diallo return to Manchester United, manager Tony Mowbray revealed earlier this month he is after another striker.

With Ross Stewart still sidelined ahead of the new season, Mowbray is effectively relying on Hemir – a talented player but one who has zero senior appearances to his name – to lead Sunderland's line.

However, Mowbray's men could find the ideal alternative in Everton's Tom Cannon, whom The Sun has reported is a £3m option this summer after starring on loan for Preston North End last season.

How many goals has Tom Cannon scored?

Cannon made two substitute appearances for Everton in the first half of last season's Premier League campaign prior to being sent to Deepdale for the final four months of the season.

The 20-year-old had a big impact during his short stay at Preston, scoring eight goals and assisting one more in 20 Championship appearances – eight of those coming in the space of 11 matches when he found his feet – as North End finished 12th.

That equates to 0.65 goals per 90 minutes in the second tier, as per FBref, which only Stewart could better among Sunderland players last season with 0.86. For further perspective, Simms registered 0.56 goals per 90 minutes, while Diallo managed 0.45 per 90.

Indeed, Cannon also outperformed Diallo (39.1) and Simms (27.5) in terms of shots on target percentage (47.8), as well as take-on success rate (51.1% compared to 42.5% for Diallo and 28.6% for Simms).

Beating opponents is a particular strength for Cannon, as he ranks in the top 16% of all forwards across the eight leagues most alike the Championship in terms of quality when taking the last 12 months into account.

While all three players boast strengths in different areas – Simms is the best of the three in the air; Diallo is a lot better in the defensive metrics – Cannon could ultimately do a very similar job to both should Sunderland land his signature.

Losing Simms in the second half of last season was a major blow for Mowbray, but Cannon showed he can score at an even better rate in what was a weaker side than Sunderland last season.

As football reporter Josh Bunting put it, Cannon is a "threat" and a "goalscorer", and a player who looks destined for big things on the basis of what we have seen from him before the age of 21.

If that happens to be away from Goodison Park, Sunderland must ensure they are at the front of the queue to sign the Republic of Ireland U21 international.