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The South Africa team left for the 2015 World Cup amid a merry celebration and words exhorting them to win the title

Firdose Moonda04-Feb-2015Thousands of people gathered at the piazza of a popular shopping complex in Johannesburg for South Africa’s World Cup send-off. In addition to a moving rendition of the national anthem sung by Grammy Award winners, the Soweto Gospel Choir, this is some of what they heard:”Greatness. We’re all capable of it.This is the moment where you find out who you really are.Beyond the ball lies your destiny.It’s time for you to look within yourselves and what you will realise is that you are more powerful than you can ever begin to imagine.You have to hate losing more than you love winning.You have to control the situation, don’t let the situation control you.Be true to the game and the game will be true to you.Success is often the result of not being afraid of accomplishing anything you want to because anything is possible.”
“I am very scared because I get the feeling the Proteas are going to win the World Cup.”
“The closest we came was 1999 and I think after that is now. We’ve got the make-up, the ingredients of a team that is totally all-round. If they all perform to their true potential and skill, they will win.”
“Forget about the final but win each and every game until the end of the tournament. You represent more than 50 million hearts. These hearts deserve to be given hope.”
“Every World Cup has expectation. It’s nice to know we’ve got a quality side going there. We are confident. We understand the expectation. We want to go there and do well.”
“I am part of history. It’s just about going down and giving it horns.”
“We have always had a lot of support but in the last two months we can feel a support we’ve never experienced before. I cannot guarantee to you the cup but we can guarantee you we will fight for every single inch. We will fight for every run, for every wicket. We owe a fight out there. To my boys: it’s not going to be easy. We are going to have to overcome a few obstacles. Forever we will keep the fire burning.”
“I couldn’t fall asleep last night. I was so excited. I’m ready to knock these guys out. I’m extremely nervous, extremely excited. We are going to do everything we can. We will fight ’til the very end.”
“We’ve got a reputation as one of the best bowling attacks in the world. It’s important for us to put that aside and really focus on doing well.”
“This is the best send-off ever. The guys can feel the fire, the enthusiasm, the energy.”
“This team is primed to do something special. I think they are ready to do it. It’s going to be a collective effort.”
“We got it right. We will only be judged after the World Cup but we think we’ve got it right.”
“We’re excited to get on that plane now. It’s a long tournament. A lot has to happen before we get to the knockout stages. All our focus is on the first game. We’re looking for some big fish while we’re over there.”
“You represent the soul of this nation. Sport is not a useless business. We call it the RDP of the soul – reconstruction and development program of the soul. Please win it for us. South Africans are accustomed to winning because we are the children of warriors. Nelson Mandela. Kepler Wessels.We don’t want you in the World Cup to add numbers and just become a bunch of losers. You are not going to be playing with robots, you are playing with people. You are the special ones. You are the chosen ones. It does not mean you are irreplaceable but all of you are capable of doing the duty for us.Forget about 1992. Forget about what happened in Bangladesh. When Allan Donald and Lance Klusener could not get us over the line [sic]. To AB and your bunch of winners: you are not playing against cows. You are not playing against donkeys. Don’t undermine any of them. Go and win it for us. Winning is a statement of courage. We are releasing you to go and win it for South Africa. (Beat them/Smash them up).”
No Pressure.

Kane Richardson the latest quick to the sidelined with injury in Sri Lanka

Andrew McGlashan13-Jun-2022

Australia’s limited-overs captain Aaron Finch revealed that Pat Cummins had been carrying his hip problem for more than a year as the injury list among his squad in Sri Lanka continued to grow.Cummins, who was rested from the T20I series, left the IPL early to recover and is primed to return in the opening ODI in Pallekele on Tuesday, but he has played a significant amount of cricket, including his first two Test series as captain, while troubled by his hip.”He’s very keen to go,” Finch said on the eve of the ODIs. “[He’s] fresh and recharged after getting over that hip injury. That had been lingering around for 12-14 months so for him to be able have a good solid recovery period and a training block, he looks like he’s up and running,”It’s been something that’s been ongoing for a little while. Just causes him a lot of discomfort at times, there hasn’t been one particularly incidence, it’s just a gradual build-up and he hasn’t really had the time to really recharge and recover. So to have the time off at the back end of the IPL and these T20s was important for what is such a huge 18 months of international cricket.”Related

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None of Australia’s frontline quicks are expected to play all five of the ODIs which come in the space of 11 days although the spate of injuries could increase workloads. Finch was hopeful of having Mitchell Starc back from his badly cut finger for the third game, but Kane Richardson has been ruled out of the series after suffering what was termed a “severe” hamstring injury before the final T20I, although how bad it was only emerged after the match in which he played.”I wasn’t aware of [it] during the game so that was pretty big of him to be able to get through a T20 game at that intensity,” Finch said.Kane, himself, had been an injury reinforcement to the squad for the first two matches following Starc being ruled out while Jhye Richardson had previously been called up as well.Scott Boland has been brought across from the A-squad as cover after other fast-bowling options were unavailable. The selectors had considered Nathan Ellis, but he has picked up a groin injury playing for Hampshire, while Riley Meredith was not in a position to be called up following the IPL and Wes Agar, who played in West Indies last year, is still on his way back from injury problems.Allrounder Sean Abbott was previously ruled out of the T20I series with a broken finger sustained at training early in the tour while Mitchell Marsh (calf) is out for at least the start of the ODIs. Cameron Green is not a bowling option for the first two matches as he builds up his workload.Australia have still gone with three frontline quicks for the opening ODI – Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Jhye Richardson – but are expecting to alter the balance of the side later in the series.”It’s certainly testing at the moment,” Finch said. “Getting back to Colombo the wickets will be probably be a bit drier and we’ll look to play an extra spinner or potentially an extra allrounder to be able to get through the 50 overs. Not ideal but that’s a part of touring life.”

Pope vindicates selection at No. 3 as Root races to fastest century of his career

Valkerie Baynes12-Jun-2022

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Ben Stokes might well have said watching Ollie Pope and Joe Root follow his captain’s decree for England to be “even more positive” than they were in victory at Lord’s.While Root’s second century in as many Test innings was almost expected given his rich run of form and the batting-friendly Trent Bridge pitch, it was no less eye-catching for its intent, fluency and importance to England’s task of closing in on New Zealand’s huge first-innings 553. By stumps, England had added 383 runs on the third day, reducing the deficit to 80 runs with Root unbeaten on 163.But it was Pope’s ton – his second in Tests and first on home soil, coming in just his third innings at No. 3 – that grabbed a big chunk of the headlines on a good-news day for the hosts. Stokes himself snatched back some of the attention with his positive – or downright aggressive – innings of 46 off just 33 balls, and opener Alex Lees wrote a little think-piece of his own by reaching his maiden Test fifty in his ninth innings before falling to a loose shot for 67.Pope’s innings vindicated the new England regime’s bold call to promote him to No. 3. Despite never having batted above No. 4 in first-class cricket before last week’s first Test at Lord’s, Pope told ESPNcricinfo last month: “I’ve always seen myself as a top-order batter in red-ball cricket.” His inexperience in the position and scores of 7 and 10 from his first two outings fuelled doubts over the decision to promote him.Related

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Lees feels the need for big runs

He answered those doubts on Sunday with an assured knock that included 13 fours and three sixes. He had pressed the accelerator on the second evening: after facing 45 balls for his first 11 runs, he raced to 37 from 56 as he twice pulled Matt Henry for six. He should have been gone shortly afterwards but Daryl Mitchell dropped a slip catch off Trent Boult, just one instance in a rash of fielding errors by both teams.Pope went on to raise his fifty by stumps and went to lunch on the third day unbeaten on 84 after Lees took a more attacking role through the morning session. He cruised towards his ton after the break however, whipping Boult through midwicket for four and moving to 98 with a late back-cut off Henry which bounced over gully for another boundary.He raised his ton with a push to deep cover off Henry’s next ball and a sprint, which was punctuated by a brief hesitation before he saw Root – head-down, steaming back for the second run – and continued on his way, celebrating with clenched fists and a fired-up look on his face before receiving a warm embrace from Root.Root brought up back-to-back centuries after his match-winning 115 not out in the first Test. This one was the fastest of his Test career, which now boasts 27 tons in all, coming off just 116 deliveries.Ollie Pope whips through square leg•Getty Images

Pope fell to the seventh ball after tea. Having paused for running repairs at the end of the first over when his pad strap snapped while he dived to complete a quick single, he tried to pull a Boult short ball but sent a top-edge sailing into the air and Henry, running in from fine leg, took an excellent catch diving forwards. His dismissal ended a 187-run stand with Root.Root set out at a rapid rate reaching 35 not out off just 43 balls by lunch, which included seven fours and a second life on 27 when his attempted cut off Boult resulted in a top-edge flying high and through Tim Southee’s hands at second slip.Root brought up his fifty from just 56 deliveries – his fastest in Tests – with a flick off Henry to the rope through midwicket and his hundred with an under-edged cut off Mitchell, although the manner in which he reached the milestone didn’t matter given some of his strokeplay, like his straight-driven four off Southee after he had passed 150 that was greeted by a sea of footwear held aloft by the crowd singing: “Shoes off if you love Joe Root.”Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal for 8 shortly after Pope departed came as New Zealand had their appeal for caught behind turned down and reviewed, with replays showing Boult’s delivery which cut back in off the seam brushing Bairstow’s glove on its way through to Tom Blundell. It meant that in eight Test innings since his century in the first Test against West Indies in March, Bairstow has failed to reach 30.It also brought Stokes to the crease and he plundered six fours and two sixes before he mistimed a slog-sweep to the offspin of debutant Michael Bracewell and was caught by Boult.Lees had finally reached fifty in his ninth England innings, having acknowledged before this Test that he could do with a “good score”. Some fluid drives off the front foot as he amassed 11 boundaries were a case in point after he had come into this week with 171 Test runs and a highest score of 31.Having been dropped by Mitchell on 12 during the second evening, there’s no doubt, however, that his dismissal driving at a Henry delivery well outside off stump and edging to slip – where Mitchell held on this time – wasn’t quite what he had in mind.Ben Foakes, who joined Root in an unbroken stand of 120 as England won the first Test by five wickets, was also the beneficiary of a fielding mistake on 9 after he top-edged Southee to deep square leg, where Will Young dropped a sitter.In more bad news for New Zealand, strike bowler Kyle Jamieson left the field midway through the evening session suffering “sharp pain” in his lower back and did not return. By the close, Foakes remained united with Root, their latest partnership worth 68 so far.

MatériaMais Notícias

da bet sport： John Textor voltou a aparecer nas redes sociais. O norte-americano agitou o Twitter na tarde desta sexta-feira durante o empate do Botafogo com o Flamengo no Campeonato Carioca sub-20. O Alvinegro chegou a abrir 2 a 0, mas levou o empate do Rubro-Negro.

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da fazobetai： + Botafogo tem desfalques na defesa para clássico contra o Flamengo, mas pode ter retorno ou novidade no setor

Quando o Glorioso abriu o placar com gol de Kauê, o empresário fez uma publicação em tom de brincadeira para provocar o Flamengo e chamar os torcedores para a transmissão da partida. O canal do Botafogo no YouTube mostrava o jogo ao vivo.

– Alguma coisa está acontecendo no CEFAT (palco da partida) com o Botafogo sub-20 contra uma equipe chamada Flamengo do Rio… 1 a 0 no começo do segundo tempo! Você está assistindo? – postou.

O Glorioso até chegou a abrir 2 a 0, mas levou um gol do Flamengo logo na saída de bola. O Rubro-Negro empatou de pênalti com Matheusão já na reta final do jogo em um pênalti polêmico, alvo de reclamações de Textor.

–Marcação insana de pênalti no nosso goleiro (Lucas Barreto)… ele chegou na bola primeiro, muito claro isso. Eu acho que os árbitros B encontraram o caminho para os jogos do nosso time sub-20 também – criticou.

MatériaMais Notícias

da gbg bet： Se no âmbito estadual o Fortaleza continua muito bem, tendo confirmado a hegemonoa recente ao faturar o Campeonato Cearense, diante do Caucaia, no último domingo (24), as atenções já estavam voltadas para a Libertadores logo depois do término da partida na Arena Castelão.

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Segundo análise do meio-campista José Welison, que acompanhou a conquista do Leão do Pici nas arquibancadas, o momento é de se concentrar no importante duelo da próxima quarta-feira (27) onde só a vitória diante do Alianza Lima-PER é resultado válido.

Tamanha é a relevância da partida continental que, além da felicidade pela conquista recente, Zé Welison pontuou a importância no aspecto motivacional de chegar ao jogo do meio de semana após o triunfo em uma decisão:

-Sem dúvida, esse título foi muito especial para o grupo. Todos estão de parabéns pela campanha realizada durante o campeonato e pela dedicação nos dois jogos da final. O elenco mereceu essa conquista, que vai dar muita motivação e confiança para todos nestas próximas semanas

-Vamos em busca da nossa primeira vitória na Libertadores. Temos que ter atenção máxima diante da equipe deles para sairmos com os três pontos. O grupo sabe da importância de fazer uma partida perfeita do início ao fim dentro de casa – acrescentou.

Neste momento, o Tricolor é o lanterna do Grupo F sem nenhum ponto conquistado, perdendo para o próprio Alianza (também zerado na pontuação) por conta de saldo de gols mais negativo que os peruanos.

Tottenham Hotspur concluded their pre-season tour in Japan with a 2-1 defeat against Bayern Munich, with 20-year-old midfielder Gabriel Vidovic opening the scoring before Ange Postecoglou's side ran out of steam and succumbed to pressure.

The general theme emanating from the game circles around the lack of a centre-forward, with Postecoglou admitting before the contest that bolstering the striking position will be his outfit's "focus" across the final month of the transfer window.

Having finished fifth in the Premier League last season, suffering a nosedive after an incredible early run of form, issues were presented down at N17, and while there's an underlying sense that things are moving in the right direction, leaving the No. 9 spot short next season might hinder the Australian manager's ambitious vision.

Indeed, having yet to sign a direct replacement for Harry Kane, who joined Bayern one year ago, the Lilywhites are pushing to sign Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth – with a dynamic partner already lined up.

Spurs transfer news

Solanke could be the perfect focal point up front to charge Postecoglou's attack, but perhaps more excitingly, Spurs are looking to add winger Pedro Neto to the ranks.

According to Caught Offside, Postecoglou is eager to sign the Wolverhampton Wanderers winger and has even sent club representatives to discuss a deal with Neto's inner circle.

Neto is valued at about £60m despite his injury troubles, but he's an immense talent and is also attracting interest from Arsenal, so Tottenham must move quickly to prevent their London rivals from scoring a damaging blow before the campaign has even started.

What Pedro Neto would bring to Spurs

Neto would be a significant addition, offering completely the kind of multi-skilled qualities to add a new dimension to the Tottenham attack, not just improving it but opening up new ways to implement Postecoglou's attacking approach.

The Portugal international's fitness record does leave plenty to be desired but there's no denying his high-level ability, ranking among the top 1% of attacking midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 6% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

The £50k-per-week ace only completed 1,519 minutes in the English top flight last season but he certainly made good use of his time, scoring two goals and supplying nine assists.

Manchester City's playmaking monster, Kevin De Bruyne, was the only player to record more assists per 90 (0.73) than Neto last term (0.53), pointing toward an impact that could markedly improve the glaring issue in Postecoglou's squad.

His 1.9 key passes and dribbles per game, as per Sofascore, only expand that argument, capable of driving down the wings and supplying the centre-forward with constant support.

That centre-forward may well be Solanke, with the respective styles exactly what Tottenham need.

Perfect for Dominic Solanke

Before his efforts across the 2023/24 campaign, few would have considered Solanke to be anything more than a decent striker situated below the upper echelon of the Premier League.

He'd joined the South Coast club from Liverpool in a £19m deal in January 2019 after failing to make the grade at Anfield, bagging just one goal across 27 outings under Jurgen Klopp, and despite flashes of excellence, never really sustained a degree of prolificness to match those at the forefront of the Premier League striking order.

However, the 6 foot 2 sharpshooter has now grown into his skin and realised his athletic qualities, with The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell praising him as a "top, multi-faceted forward" after sharpening his skills across 2021 to 2023 (in the Championship with The Cherries).

He might have only posted six goals across 33 top-flight matches during the 2022/23 season, principally under Gary O'Neil's management, but his brutish presence and effectiveness in the box saw him succeed, also notching seven assists.

Last year, though, he went from strength to strength under the fluid football of Andoni Iraola, seemingly tailor-made for the style of football that mirrors the attack-focused brand of Postecoglou in a sense, making a telling comment on his chances of success in north London.

It's exciting to think about the next step in the one-cap England international's development, where he could raise his ceiling considerably with Spurs, bolstered by the likes of Heung-min Son and James Maddison and, perhaps, Neto.

Harking back to that earlier point, Neto was one of the Premier League's most impressive playmakers last season and given that he plied his trade primarily from the right flank, this could be a winning combination to allow the aforementioned Tottenham stalwarts to forge a deadly and rounded attacking line.

Tottenham, at their best last year, were fluent in possession and ferocious out of it, seeking to overpower and outwork opponents and feed the ball toward the final third.

Hailed as a "pace monster" by analyst Ben Mattinson, Neto might just be the final piece of the puzzle in enhancing the flow, but he will of course reach his apex down N17 with a worthy focal frontman to leather the slick moves into the back of the net. Step forward, Solanke – a world of opportunity awaits.

Strong interest: Spurs move for £40m "monster" Gallagher alternative

The talented midfielder would be an interesting addition to Postecoglou’s system.

1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Aug 2, 2024

Glasgow Rangers have just over a week left to complete their remaining business before the summer transfer window officially slams shut next Friday.

The Light Blues have added Jefte, Hamza Igamane, Connor Barron, Mohammed Diomande, Oscar Cortes, Vaclav Cerny, Robin Propper, Clinton Nsiala, and Liam Kelly to their squad so far.

There could be further additions to come before the deadline passes, though, after the Gers failed to qualify for the Champions League and failed to win on the opening day of the Scottish Premiership season.

It appears as though Philippe Clement's side still needs more quality to come into the group and they are now reportedly eyeing up a new winger to bring it.

Rangers eyeing swoop for Serie A whiz

According to a reporter in Italy, the Scottish giants have enquired about a deal to sign Fiorentina winger Josip Brekalo before the end of the window.

The journalist claims that the Light Blues have 'asked' for information about the Croatia international, as they look to bolster their options out wide.

Rangers are seemingly eyeing a swoop for the 26-year-old star and this latest update reveals that the player could move on from Fiorentina in the coming days, which suggests that they have a chance to secure his services.

The £34k-per-week wizard has the potential to be an excellent partner for current Gers striker Cyriel Dessers in the final third this season if they can get a deal over the line this month.

Why Brekalo would be a dream for Dessers

The Croatian ace spent the second half of the 2023/24 campaign on loan with Hajduk Split in his home country and caught the eye with his impressive attacking displays.

After a return of one goal and zero assists in 11 outings in the Serie A in the first half of the season, Brekalo registered a sensational eight assists in 12 HNL starts for Hajduk Split.

The Fiorentina loanee, who was once hailed for his "lovely" technique by journalist Josh Bunting, completed 1.9 dribbles and made 2.6 key passes per game in the HNL, to go along with two goals.

James Tavernier

3.0

Borna Barisic

1.7

Todd Cantwell

1.7

Ridvan Yilmaz

1.5

John Lundstram

1.5

As you can see in the table above, no Rangers midfielder managed more than Todd Cantwell's 1.7 key passes per game in the Scottish Premiership last term, and three of those players – Cantwell, Borna Barisic, and John Lundstram – are not currently in the first-team squad.

This suggests that Brekalo could come in and be a huge creative presence for the Gers if he can translate his form in the HNL over to the Premiership.

Dessers, therefore, would love the winger as his statistics suggest that the Croatian wizard would create chances for the striker on a regular basis.

The Nigerian marksman scored 16 goals in the Premiership last season and has started the current campaign with three goals in five appearances in all competitions.

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ByDan Emery Aug 20, 2024

Brekalo arriving at Ibrox (Hampden for now) would provide the centre-forward with another source of creativity to derive goals from in the coming months, which is why they could be an exciting pairing for the Light Blues.

Australia know that Ryan Harris’ body is not on his side so save him for when he can have maximum impact, and his opening spell at Lord’s was a perfect example

Daniel Brettig at Lord's18-Jul-2013On the opening day of the 2008 season, Ryan Harris made his Lord’s debut. In the kind of performance that suggested he was born to bowl at the home of cricket, he plucked 4 for 36 for Sussex against MCC. Ed Joyce, Michael Carberry and Ravi Bopara were among the victims, all dismissed by balls that swung or seamed. In the Members Pavilion, a gaggle of Egg and Bacon ties wondered why they had not seen him before, and assumed it would not be long before he returned for a Test.It has taken five years, but Harris has finally returned to fulfil that earlier promise. On his first day as a Test match cricketer in England he went close to emulating the figures of his first appearance at the ground. In doing so, Harris demonstrated exactly why Australia’s decision-makers have always kept him in their thoughts, even as he creaked towards his 34th birthday in a career pockmarked by injuries and moments of doubt. They, and Harris, are determined to extract the maximum from his ageing body on this tour. Watching him set about England’s top order on a glorious summer’s day it was not hard to see why.Having lost the toss, Australia’s bowlers had minimal time to exploit the new ball and any residual moisture in the pitch before circumstances levelled out into those of the kind relished by any batsman. In this there were parallels with Adelaide in 2010, when James Anderson claimed the wickets of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke during the narrowest possible window for movement and bounce. Those incisions made it possible for England to work their way through the rest on a blameless surface, subsequent Australian mistakes compounded by the earlier losses.By recalling Harris, Australia had among their number a bowler who seldom wastes the new ball in the manner James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc had done at Trent Bridge. And with Pattinson struggling to master the slope and his own rhythm at the other end, Harris could not afford to. Clarke’s concern that the Dukes be used effectively was underlined when he called Shane Watson into the attack early, hoping for swing and seam. He responded by pinning Alastair Cook lbw, before Harris defeated Joe Root and Kevin Pietersen.One of Harris’ greatest attributes has always been his ability to move the ball just the right amount in either direction. Seldom has he sent down the big, curling away swinger or the treacherous in-ducker, hooping in to leg stump after starting well wide. Instead he has built his reputation on gaining deviation of about a bat’s width either way, generally away in the air or back off the pitch.Pietersen was bewitched by the former after Root was confounded by the latter, surprised also by skiddy pace, and given lbw. Harris appealed loudly and successfully, but then endured a long wait while the dismissal was confirmed after Root’s referral.Lehmann rebukes bowlers over Bairstow no-ball

Ryan Harris revealed Australia’s bowlers had been rebuked by their coach Darren Lehmann during the tea break after a Peter Siddle no-ball cost the tourists the wicket of Jonny Bairstow. Bowled by Siddle on 21 when England were 171 for 4, Bairstow was reprieved by replays showing the bowler had overstepped, going on to make 67.

“There’s no excuse for it, the line is there for a reason and it’s not acceptable,” Harris said. “It cost us a lot of runs today and potentially could cost us the Ashes. Darren wasn’t very happy when we got in to [tea], you just can’t afford to take 11 or 12 wickets, as simple as that.”

Three wickets were a fine return for Harris on his first Test match day at Lord’s, and he spoke of his ambition to enjoy a tour unaffected by the injuries that have limited his appearances despite a handsome record when fit.

“It’s been pretty frustrating absolutely,” he said of his injuries. “I know if I’m bowling I can play at this level, but for me it’s trying to say fit. I’ve got constant niggles, which any fast bowler has, so it’s just a matter of managing that. My goal on this tour is to be on the plane home with the rest of the guys instead of going home early, that was my main goal on this tour as well as playing as many games as I can.”

In some ways that wait mirrored the one Harris had to endure to play a Test at Lord’s. Beset by injuries, fickle form and the occasional bout of wayward behaviour early in his career, he also took time to grow fully into his body and his action, only developing the pace that would make him an international proposition after several seasons with South Australia. It was in the season before the Sussex visit to England – cut short by a passport wrangle – that Harris finally began to deliver on his ability, winning SA’s state player of the year for 2007-08. That performance attracted the interest of Queensland, and their offer of a multi-year deal that the Redbacks curiously failed to match.Harris agonised over the decision, but ultimately chose to move to where he would be shown greater faith than a series of one-year contracts. The SACA president Ian McLachlan bid him an unkind farewell with the following words: “Ryan Harris was the best player for one year. He got 37 wickets in 10 games, that’s not a lot. We took all of the aspects of cricketers into account. When you put all of those aspects in, we needed a culture change.”McLachlan’s dismissiveness would fade as Harris did well for the Bulls, and began earning international recognition. He always took wickets, sometimes in dramatic sequences, such as his 6 for 47 to wrap up the Perth Test during the previous Ashes series. But by this time injuries had begun to bother Harris, a series of unrelated ailments showing that his body, now over 30 years old, was not quite up to the rigours of constant cricket.So the selectors began using him sparingly, withdrawing him from the ODI team despite an eye-popping record, and also granting him the somewhat dubious distinction of being the first player rested for preventative reasons, in the West Indies last year after he had been Man of the Match in Barbados.This careful treatment has not always sat well with Harris, who has always possessed the sort of wholehearted, unaffected attitude so loved by team-mates, friends and family. But it has enabled him to reach England, and Lord’s, when at times it has been easy to presume he would not make it this far.Australia’s husbanding of Harris has been finely tuned, to the point that he was kept out of the team for Trent Bridge in the knowledge that he would be unlikely to make it through back-to-back Tests, and his wicket-to-wicket method appeared so suited to Lord’s. Beyond this match lies a 10-day break, making him a likely retention for Old Trafford. Durham may then arrive too soon, but the final and possibly decisive fixture at the Oval will be a distinct possibility.Thus rested from the privations of a dry and dusty Nottingham surface, Harris had the chance to charge in on the ground he had first made an impression in England. Early wickets showed his worth, and the later defeat of Jonathan Trott reinforced it. In the evening Steve Smith’s surprise spell of legspin ensured Australia would walk off the field with hope in their hearts. They could not have done so without Harris, whose return to Lord’s had been entirely worth the wait.

Sunderland have finally confirmed another new signing this summer, as Republic of Ireland international Alan Browne joins up with Regis Le Bris' group ahead of the forthcoming Championship campaign.

The 29-year-old has bags of experience at the level, having been a loyal servant to former employers Preston North End for a staggering decade, with a fresh new challenge now coming his way.

This could be an ingenious free agent swoop, as Sunderland were crying out for more seasoned heads last season when the wheels started to come off, with another second-tier veteran reportedly following Browne in through the door.

Sunderland hold talks with EFL star

According to a report by the Northern Echo earlier this week, alongside previously being in talks with their new Irish recruit before he officially signed on the dotted line, Sunderland have also held conversations with former Sheffield United man Oliver Norwood over a summer switch to the Stadium of Light.

It's stated in the article that the Le Bris was keen on adding calm and experienced heads to the dressing room this transfer window, with Norwood able to offer that in spades, alongside the ex-Preston midfielder.

It has been reported that Sunderland's interest might have cooled down on Norwood after the capture of Browne however – according to football journalist Michael Graham – but the new French boss wouldn't turn his nose up at the prospect of having two second-tier experts at his disposal if possible.

When still on the books at Bramall Lane, Norwood would oversee two promotions up to the Premier League, with a mind-boggling four on his career resume overall.

With the Northern Irishman's knowledge of the division evident, signing the 33-year-old could prove to be another cheap masterstroke on the end of the Black Cats, as the pair could strike up a fantastic partnership to steer a youthful Sunderland side back to the top positions in the league.

What Norwood and Browne can offer Sunderland

As can be seen with this stylish finish from Norwood back in 2018, the ageing midfielder can offer lots all over the pitch for his new employers if signed, whether that be racing forward to join in with attacks or helping out with defensive duties.

Amassing a ridiculous 381 Championship appearances to date, with 25 goals and 48 assists managed along the way, it's almost a certainty that the former Blades man will be a reliable and dependable figure that Le Bris can rely upon in moments of deep crisis or tension.

Browne has accumulated similarly impressive numbers across his career, as can be seen looking at the table above, with all of those coming donning a Preston jersey.

The 29-year-old will quickly need to grow accustomed to his new surroundings, therefore, with Le Bris no doubt a fan of Browne's adaptability across the midfield spots too, as the Republic of Ireland international can play in an attacking midfield role or as a defensive option when needed.

It was from the attacking midfield spot last season where the ex-Preston number eight wreaked most of his havoc though, helping himself to four goals and four assists from league action.

Browne could act as an experienced head for Bellingham to lean off of subsequently, with Norwood – who has been dubbed the "finished article" in the division by former Blade, Carl Asaba – also pushing the likes of Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah as a utility figure in a more holding role.

Sunderland fans will be encouraged by the players that look to be joining the building ahead of next season, praying that everything clicks into place and Le Bris can push the Black Cats back into the promotion reckoning.

Sunderland have a perfect Bellingham rival emerging in the academy

Regis Le Bris could call upon this Sunderland youngster to compete with Jobe Bellingham next season.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 10, 2024

From Nishad Jayasundara, Sri Lanka

Cricinfo25-Feb-2013
The tussle is on•AFPSixty years ago, Sri Lankan cricket used to be a gentleman’s game. Gentlemen used to be and had to be only English-speaking elite from Colombo. Wild-haired Malingas and wide-eyed Muralitharans were clinging on to metal fences outside prestigious cricket clubs watching men in white taking tea breaks.Times have changed for Sri Lankan cricket and cricketers. Since independence, if there is anything Sri Lanka has made a significant progress in, it is cricket. It has become a part of life, a topic of debate in the parliament and in the street corners. It has pierced through to the smallest village in the country, crossing socio-economic boundaries and defying ethnic barriers. Over the last two decades players from all corners have rallied together making an unorthodox yet very effective unit, ready to take on the world. And they did it in style in 1996.They named it the Sri Lankan brand of cricket; it is a blend of aggression of the Australians, efficiency of the South Africans, raw talent of the Pakistanis, passion of the Bangladeshis (now) mixed with a Caribbean flair. The Sri Lankan brand has been a treat to watch. In this World Cup, the Sri Lankan team looks more prepared than ever, with a mix of youth and experience in the likes of Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews coupled with the flamboyance and fortitude of Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samraweera.Unlike a few centuries ago, this time they are prepared for the Queen’s team. In their own backyard, playing against a team known for its weakness on spin-friendly surfaces and looks visibly tired from being on the road for the past six months, the Sri Lankans could not have asked for a better team to play against in a crunch match. Twenty million people are hoping for a re-enactment of 1996 quarterfinals – when the English were comprehensively beaten.Although a repeat of that act appears just around the corner, there is a hint of skepticism in every fan. There is something about the Sri Lankan outfit that creates a doubt in your mind. It might be the fact that Sri Lanka, barring New Zealand, haven’t yet beaten a significant opponent this tournament. Even against New Zealand, the Sri Lankan middle order faltered. Malinga has been wayward, except for one game against Kenya, Upul Tharanga looks a bit edgy and Tillakaratne Dilshan is due a big score.Compared to 1996, England have come a long way as an ODI team. They boast a group of utility players in Ravi Bopara, Paul Collingwood, James Tredwell and Tim Bresnan. Greame Swann looks threatening on spinning tracks, except when there is dew. More importantly, England are the only team in this World Cup to not to lose a game to a bigger Test-playing nation. No matter how tired they look, regardless of the battered psychological state of the English camp, when they are up against a formidable side, they seem to pull it off.Can they do it on Saturday on a tricky Premadasa track against the quality of Murali and Malinga? Would they be mystified by Mendis? A couple of solid performances from the top order, accurate bowling from Malinga and some late over fireworks from Mathews should be enough to take Sri Lanka through. We all know Sri Lanka can do it. But no one wants to say it, every one gulps the words when they appear to come out, because you just never know. After all it is against the Queen’s team, and they invented the game.