Jack Leach is set to have surgery on his left knee to remove the remaining swelling that cut short his Test tour of India.England’s left-arm spinner sustained the injury during the first Test in Hyderabad after jarring his knee on the ground while diving near the boundary on day one. The injury was exacerbated the next morning following another blow in the field, limiting him to a handful of four-over spells. Leach was still able to get through 36 overs in the match, as the tourists triumphed by 28 runs to take a 1-0 series lead.Such was the extent of the swelling Leach could not bend his knee, and a lack of improvement subsequently ruled him out of the second Test. The Somerset man travelled with the team to Abu Dhabi for their mid-series break. It was here the management decided the best course of action was for him to return home to recover fully. He will have his operation on Tuesday.Related

• Leach ruled out of rest of Test series in India

“I’m going to have an operation to get the rest of the swelling out because it’s not budging,” Leach told on Saturday. “It was the second ball of the first innings in the field so that whole game I was playing with this knee problem.”I obviously knocked it a few times throughout that game and it has just created a long period of recovery. I need to get the operation done and then hopefully I can get back to playing cricket. I’d love to have a run of playing cricket and getting into a bit of a rhythm again and hopefully that can happen again once I’ve got this sorted.”Leach has been Ben Stokes’ go-to spinner, taking 47 of his 126 wickets under his tenure. He has also been a vital part of the dressing room culture, having played 14 of the 22 matches since head coach Brendon McCullum took charge.Leach was due to play a pivotal role in the ongoing India series, particularly as the leader of an inexperienced spin attack made up of Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir. He presented Bashir, his Somerset team-mate, with his maiden cap ahead of the second Test in Visakhapatnam.The latest stalling of a 36-cap career joins a long list of setbacks for the 32-year-old. Leach, who suffers from Crohn’s disease, had just come back from missing the Ashes last summer due to a stress fracture of the back. He was also ruled out of Stokes’ first Test as permanent captain after sustaining a concussion in the field on day one against New Zealand in Lord’s in 2022.In the winter of 2019, he contracted a life-threatening bout of sepsis which limited him to one Test in that series, and saw him play no part in the tour of South Africa that followed at the start of 2020.England’s home summer gets underway at Lord’s on July 10 with the first of three Tests against West Indies. England will hope Leach will be back by then and match-fit, with Somerset’s County Championship season starting on April 5 away to Kent.

Late Porter wicket cements another forceful display from table-toppers

ECB Reporters Network20-Apr-2024Tom Westley kick-started his season with an innings that helped underpin Essex’s commanding position against Lancashire in the Vitality County Championship at Chelmsford.The Essex captain chalked up 1,130 runs last season but had contributed just 56 in four innings this time around. However, his fluent 81 from 138 balls signalled a personal return to form and helped Essex construct a 231 first-innings lead against ailing Lancashire. By close of play Lancashire had lost captain Keaton Jennings while crawling to 10-1 in 10 evening overs as they battled to avoid an innings defeat.In a throwback to earlier times, there was a Cook scoring runs near the top of the Essex order, though this was the unlikely figures of Sam rather than Sir Alastair. The nightwatchman hung around for nearly two and a half hours and 126 balls for a highest first-class score that marooned him one run short of a maiden fifty.Essex had overhauled Lancashire’s first-innings total inside 36 overs for the loss of the overnight wicket of Feroze Khushi, who had laid the foundations with a half-century at a strike-rate of 160. Elgar and Cook were more circumspect, though their impact was just as demoralising for the flagging fielding side as they put on 120 in 36 overs.Cook pulled George Balderson for one consummate boundary while Elgar also pulled Balderson to the ropes and followed next ball with an angled glide to third man for another of his 10 fours.Lancashire did not help themselves when just after he had brought up the century partnership in 187 balls, Cook was dropped at third slip by George Bell on 44. He went to lunch on 49 and was back in the pavilion promptly afterwards, caught first ball at slip misdriving outside off-stump against Balderson.Elgar passed 17,000 first-class career runs during his three-and-three-quarter-hour stay, but was eventually out caught behind when wafting at Will Williams on 79, his third 50-plus score in five innings for his new county.There was no let-up with Elgar’s departure. Westley and Jordan Cox settled into a steady rhythm, Westley characteristically strong off his legs and Cox helping on its way to the boundary a Lyon ball that drifted down legside.Their partnership was worth 57 when Cox dragged Jack Blatherwick tamely to short midwicket. Matt Critchley, centurion against Kent last week, came and went quickly, Lyon finding one to turn sharply and catch the angled bat on its way into slip’s hands.The introduction of Luke Wells’s spin just before tea resulted in a flurry of scoring, his only over in the spell conceding 17 runs. Westley whipped a delivery through the covers to reach his fifty and then Michael Pepper twice lofted over long-on for a combined total of 10 runs.Pepper treated Bailey and the new ball with similar distain, hooking a six to fine leg and then driving through midwicket along the ground. But he played down the wrong line to Williams in the next over and was caught in the slips for 30 from 31 balls.Noah Thain played attractively on his first-class debut for 24 from 50 balls before being undone by one that kept low from Balderson and disturbed his middle and off stumps. Four overs later, Westley was also the victim of another low delivery from Lyon that beat his mistimed swish and hit his protruding front pad.The innings was wrapped up in the space of eight balls when Wells trapped both Shane Snater and Simon Harmer.Lancashire’s reply faltered when Jennings, a century-maker against Hampshire last week, went for his second single-figure score in the match, lbw misjudging a delivery from Jamie Porter. Nightwatchman Williams might have gone first ball but Harmer put down a routine chance at second slip.

The winger is dealing with a minor injury and Milan are reportedly hesitant to risk him ahead of the Serie A season

• Pulisic dealing with injury
• Could miss final preseason games
• Milan set to face Leeds and Chelsea

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  U.S. international Christian Pulisic could miss the rest of AC Milan's preseason, including an upcoming clash with former club Chelsea, due to a reported knock suffered earlier in the tour.

  The U.S. men's national team star played Milan's preseason opener against Liverpool but reportedly suffered a minor injury in the 3-2 win in Hong Kong. He sat out the subsequent match against Perth Glory, with Milan's staff preferring to rest him rather than risk him in a friendly against the Australian side.

  Now, per Gazetta dello Sport, Pulisic's condition is still seen as being day-to-day, and he will continue to be evaluated by the club's medical staff. It's uncertain at the moment if he'll feature in the club's final two preseason friendlies against Leeds on Aug. 9 and Chelsea on Aug. 10.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Pulisic is no stranger to injury issues, and he suffered through a few during his standout 2024-25 season. Throughout the campaign, he missed several matches due to muscle issues, but ultimately did go on to make 50 appearances in all competitions for the second consecutive season.

  Heading into the summer, though, Pulisic opted out of playing in the Gold Cup, telling USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino that he needed a summer of rest one year out from the 2026 World Cup. That decision, ultimately, sent shockwaves throughout American soccer, putting Pulisic in the spotlight ahead of this 2025-26 AC Milan campaign.

• Getty
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Pulisic had his best season for Milan in their most recent campaign, totalling 17 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, helping the club win the Supercoppa Italiana. It wasn't enough for Milan to earn European soccer, though, as they finished eighth in Serie A, prompting the arrival of new manager Massimiliano Allegri.

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• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR PULISIC?

  Following the two upcoming friendlies against Premier League sides, Pulisic and AC Milan will kickstart the campaign in the Coppa Italia against Bari on Aug. 17 and then open their Serie A season at home on Aug. 23 when they face Cremonese.

أعلن نادي الزمالك برئاسة حسين لبيب، عن التجديد مع أحد لاعبي الفرق الرياضية بالقلعة البيضاء لمدة 5 سنوات.

كشف بدر حامد، رئيس قطاعات كرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، بالتنسيق مع مجلس إدارة النادي، عن تمديد تعاقد حسام عاشور التقي، جناح فريق 2007.

طالع.. خاص | أول رد فعل من الزمالك بعد اعتذار أحمد فتوح

وأكد حامد، أن اللاعب وقع على عقود مع نادي الزمالك لمدة 5 سنوات، حتى موسم 2029 -2030.

وأشاد رئيس قطاعات كرة القدم بالزمالك، بقدرات حسام عاشور مؤكدًا أنه يمتلك إمكانيات كبيرة ويعد واحدًا من أهم لاعبي قطاع الناشئين.

وأوضح أن تجديد التعاقد معه جاء وفقًا للإستراتيجية الموضوعة للحفاظ على العناصر المميزة بجميع المراحل العمرية، حيث تم التنسيق منذ فترة في هذا الأمر مع حسين السيد، عضو مجلس إدارة النادي.

وفي سياق مختلف سقط الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالزمالك، في فخ التعادل السلبي أمام المقاولون العرب في الجولة الثانية من الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ESPN analysts Gomez and Shaka Hislop offered contrasting perspectives on the American striker’s potential move to the Bundesliga

Hislop believes Sargent needs to become more clinicalBaffled by striker's limited USMNT appearancesGomez says relegation likely humbled SargentGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

Shaka Hislop addressed Josh Sargent's potential transfer to Wolfsburg, questioning whether the American possesses the clinical finishing required at Bundesliga level. The former Premier League goalkeeper said that a possible return to Germany represents a step up that will demand greater efficiency.

“It's a different ask for Sargent at Wolfsburg,” Hislop said on the Futbol Americas podcast. “First of all Wolfsburg, mid-table in the Bundesliga, looking for that out-and-out striker. I still wonder if he's a clinical enough finisher because, while we're talking about numbers for Norwich City, they are good numbers without being great numbers, largely, in the Championship.

“Now he's a step up into the Bundesliga, a league that he knows well – and yeah, granted he left four years ago. He was 21 years old. That's a big ask for somebody that young to make any kind of a significant impact and now he's more experienced. He knows his game better… Josh Sargent though, to be a success at Wolfsburg, I think has got to be a more clinical finisher than we've seen at Norwich. He does that. I think he has an impact."

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Herculez Gomez suggested it would be a "a great move going back to the Bundesliga" for the American forward.

“Josh Sargent’s player development was club soccer in the United States And after a U17 World Cup, jumped to the Bundesliga and had that type of awakening," Gomez said. "And from there, he was purchased to the Premier League. And he did not do well in the Premier League, but in not doing well in the Premier League, he found time to be humbled in the correct way.

“Not that he was arrogant or anything, but it'll humble you when you get relegated. Did the right things going forward to be the man in Norwich. In the last few seasons, he's been one of their best players if not their best, clearly, their best goalscorer… while he could be more clinical at times, he's added so much to that arsenal."

However, the former national team player questioned why Sargent has struggled for the USMNT.

“For whatever reason, when the national team comes calling, he doesn’t make trip, he's injured, you get sick, whatever the case may be," he said. "He needs something if he wants a repeat of being the starting forward like he was in Qatar, if he wants another chance at a World Cup, to be a prominent player. I see the tools there and I see an open field. If you think of the nine position, there is nobody right now that has their hand raised that says ‘I'm healthy. I'm scoring goals, this position's mine and it's going to stay mine’.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Josh Sargent currently plays for Norwich City but is reportedly set to sign for Wolfsburg for a fee of €21 million – although the two parties are still, reportedly, in negotiations.

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Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?

Sargent was not included on the USMNT's Gold Cup roster, something coach Mauricio Pochettino called a "football decision." He will be hoping to be in contention for a spot on the 2026 World Cup roster.

With Kings needing four off the last ball, the fast bowler conceded just one bye to take Zalmi to the top of the standings

Associated Press12-Mar-2024

Peshawar Zalmi successfully defended 147 to beat Karachi Kings by two runs in a nail-biter on Monday.On the last ball, Irfan Khan needed a four and fast bowler Aamer Jamal conceded only one bye.Zalmi moved to the top of the standings and will play the first qualifier in the playoffs on Thursday. Their opponent will be determined on Tuesday after the last round-robin game between other qualifiers Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators.Two-time champions Islamabad United are the other playoffs team and will take on the loser of Tuesday’s game in the Eliminator on Friday.Kings, who were already eliminated from the playoffs race, finished fifth overall with four wins in 10 matches, while defending champions Lahore Qalandars had a dismal campaign with only one win and eight losses.Zalmi rode captain Babar Azam’s fifth half-century of the season, 51, and Rovman Powell’s brisk 30 off 18 balls to reach 147 for 6 on a tricky pitch, which offered plenty of turn. Even so, both batters were run out.Kings came agonisingly close in reaching 145 for 5. Tim Siefert (41) and James Vince (21) gave their team a resolute start of 61 by smashing 12 boundaries between them. Then the batters were strangled by Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq( 2-22) and Saim Ayub, (1-18), in the middle overs. Irfan Khan hit 39 not out and almost won it.Left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas, who picked up 1 for 11, bowled the most economical four-over spell of the league against Zalmi.

MatériaMais Notícias

E o São Paulo se tornou o primeiro dos quatro grandes clubes paulistas a anunciar um reforço para 2023. O time do Morumbi confirmou na manhã desta quarta-feira (7) o acerto com o meia Pedrinho, que estava no Lokomotiv, da Rússia, e disputou boa parte do último Campeonato Brasileiro pelo América-MG.

Segundo anunciado pelo Tricolor, Pedrinho chega por empréstimo de um ano do time russo, com opção de compra ao término deste período.

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+ Cristiano Ronaldo acerta com novo clube, Haaland pode influenciar em venda de Endrick… o Dia do Mercado!

O jogador será integrado ao elenco do técnico Rogério Ceni quando o Tricolor iniciará a pré-temporada no CT da Barra Funda, no próximo dia 14.

-É um sentimento inexplicável vestir a camisa deste gigante. Sempre sonhei com isso desde pequeno. Estou muito feliz e espero ter muito sucesso aqui. Me esforçarei ao máximo para dar alegria aos torcedores – disse Pedrinho.

– Temos trabalhado muito para montar o elenco de 2023. A contratação do Pedrinho é mais um importante passo. Um jogador jovem e promissor – afirmou o Presidente Julio Casares.

– O Pedrinho se encaixa em um perfil de reforço que estamos buscando: atleta em ascensão na carreira, com desejo de vencer no São Paulo. Acredito que vai nos ajudar muito nesta temporada – acrescentou o diretor de futebol Carlos Belmonte.

Pedrinho chega ao Tricolor após chamar a atenção de Ceni pela boa fase vivida no América-MG no ano passado, quando foi um dos destaques do Coelho no Campeonato Brasileiro e Copa do Brasil. Nesta última, esteve em campo no confronto entre as equipes pelas quartas de final.

Sua atuação, aliás, diante do São Paulo chamou a atenção dos russos, que o contrataram duas semanas após o duelo de volta daquela eliminatória, no Independência.

No Lokomotiv, foram nove jogos, quatro gols e uma assistência até agora. Mas dificuldades em se adaptar ao país fizeram seu estafe procurar interessados no futebol brasileiro com o fim da atual temporada.

Mudanças constantes de clubes, aliás, é uma das características que marcam a carreira de Pedrinho até aqui. Revelado pelo Juventus da Mooca, foi para o Audax, de Osasco, onde se profissionalizou em 2017. Desde então já foram cinco clubes diferentes na carreira, incluindo Bragantino e Athletico.

Pedrinho atende uma exigência de Ceni para preencher uma carência do elenco. Seja como meia, ou caindo para a ponta-esquerda, é veloz, driblador e capaz de quebrar linhas defensivas alheias. Assim atuou a maior parte do tempo no América-MG. E é justamente uma opção assim que o comandante são-paulino espera em seu grupo para o ano que vem.

+Reforço do São Paulo, Pedrinho foi um dos maiores dribladores do Brasileirão

RAIO-X
PEDRINHO

Nome completo: Pedro Gabriel Pereira Lopes
Data de nascimento: 10/11/1999 (23 anos)
Local de nascimento: São Paulo (SP)
Altura: 1m76
Peso: 70kg

Clubes: Osasco Audax (2017), Oeste (2017-2019), Athletico Paranaense (2019-2020), Oeste (2020), Red Bull Bragantino (2021), América-MG (2022), Lokomotiv (2022) e São Paulo (desde 2023)

Títulos: Copa do Brasil (2019) e Campeonato Paranaense (2020)

Premiação: Artilheiro do Campeonato Paranaense, com seis gols (2020)

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