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“There’s definitely a difference in this surface,” says Sri Lanka’s ODI captain

Andrew Fidel Fernando01-Jul-2025

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka thinks there may be more for seam bowlers in the Khettarama track than usual. He also thinks there may be more for batters.Having been left behind in ODI cricket – failing to even qualify for the Champions Trophy earlier this year – Sri Lanka are desperate to advance again. One of the ways in which the current leadership think they can close that gap is to match home pitches more closely to the behaviour of pitches found across the world.The pitch at Khettarama, for instance, has been extremely spin friendly for years. But ODI captain Asalanka suggested ahead of the match that this Khettarama pitch might be different. Sri Lanka had won their previous series, against Champions Trophy semi-finalists Australia, 2-0.Related

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“There’s definitely a difference in this surface,” he said “Even if it’s helfpul to spinners, even in the previous series against Australia, we saw that it would seam, and the fast bowlers got wickets. Asitha Fernando got five in two matches. I think this pitch will be a bit more batting friendly than usual”Sri Lanka’s seam-bowling stocks are unusually full. Asalanka suggested they would trial seam-bowling allrounder Milan Rathnayake in this series, but they also have the likes of Asitha, Dilshan Madushanka, and Eshan Malinga in the squad.This is also the first match Sri Lanka play under the new ODI playing conditions, under which one of the two balls used until the 34th over is then chosen by the fielding team to be used for the last 16. Ostensibly, this is an attempt to bring reverse swing back into the ODI game, which may suit the like sof Asitha, who has frequently reverse-swung the ball in Test cricket.”We’re also new to that rule, so we are still formulating our plans,” Asalanka said about the new playing condition. “It must be to favour fast bowlers that they brought this new rule to use one ball after 34 overs. It’s possible that we will have to treat two balls in two different ways before we decide which one we will use after the 34th. We’re hoping to land on the right plan from the first match.”Although Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the Champions Trophy, they have won enough ODI matches (now an infrequently-played format), to rise to fourth on the rankings. Asalanka thinks that is not enough, though.”We can’t be satisfied yet. I’ve said before that our main goal is to be in the top three. Right now we’re only in the top four. We’ve got one more rung to climb on that ladder, and then we have to think about where we go from there. We are confident about our past performances, but we think we have a long way to go forward.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Vanderlei Luxemburgo não é mais o técnico do Corinthians. A diretoria do Timão demitiu o treinador após o empate com o Fortaleza, pela partida de ida da semifinal da Copa Sul-Americana. Luxa vinha sofrendo pressão pelos maus resultados o desempenho da equipe, e o Timão foi vaiado pela torcida após o resultado contra o Leão do Pici.

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Além de Luxa, o auxiliar técnico Maurício Copertino, o coordenador de preparação física Antônio Mello e o preparador físico Daniel Félix também deixam o Timão. Os auxiliares permanentes do Corinthians comandam o treino desta quarta-feira (27), no CT Joaquim Grava.

Em sua terceira passagem pelo Timão, Luxa obteve 15 vitórias, 12 empates e 11 derrotas, com aproveitamento de 50%. Luxemburgo chegou ao Corinthians com o objetivo de conseguir a classificação ao mata-mata da Libertadores e afastar o clube da zona do rebaixamento. As respostas não vieram, e o Timão caiu na fase de grupos da competição continental e possui cinco pontos de distância para o Bahia, primeiro time do Z4.

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+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

Em um primeiro momento, Luxa teve o apoio da torcida corintiana, mas a sequência negativa fez a pressão externa e interna aumentar, mesmo com o time na semifinal da Copa Sul-Americana.

A diretoria alvinegra terá que buscar no mercado um novo técnico até o final da temporada. Fernando Lázaro, Cuca e Danilo – interinamente – já comandaram a equipe em 2023.

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Bohannon resists in follow-on but Lancashire remain in arrears

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay13-Apr-2025Northamptonshire are closing in on a first Rothesay County Championship victory at Old Trafford since 1999, and only their fourth win at Lancashire’s headquarters, after bowling the hosts out for 228 and then having the home side 126 for two in their second innings after enforcing the follow-on.Liam Guthrie gave Northamptonshire the dream start when he trapped Michael Jones lbw for 0 with an inswinger as Lancashire batted a second time but the visitors’ victory quest was held up by a resolute 120-run partnership between Keaton Jennings, who added 49 runs to go with his first innings 96 and Josh Bohannon who remains unbeaten on 67.Bohannon took 146 balls to reach his half century and batted with great determination while his 7 fours included a lovely, wristy flick of the wrists off Harrison to the midwicket fence, but the bowler changed ends and produced what could be a decisive moment in the match by finding the edge of Jennings’ bat six overs before stumps – his fifth wicket in this match – with Lewis McManus delightedly taking his 100th first-class dismissal.Four first-innings wickets for Harrison and three by Justin Broad led a fine bowling effort by Northamptonshire who took the remaining Lancashire wickets by the seventh over of the afternoon session, backing up the massive 496 accumulated by their batsmen, to put their side in the box seat after three days.It was Raphy Weatherall who struck first after fifty minutes of play when Matty Hurst steered a catch straight to Ricardo Vasconcelos at gully for 16 the over after the wicketkeeper/batter had confidently twice pulled Broad to backward square leg for four.Harrison picked up his first wicket of the day when Luke Wells, on 20, attempted to repeat the sweep shot that had brought him six runs earlier but this time top edging high to midwicket where Broad took a good running catch.That ended a promising partnership of 46 and began a clatter of the three wickets to fall for 5 runs in 19 balls with first day centurion Saib Zaib to the fore.Jennings had looked imperious in stroking his way steadily to 96 and the fierce drive the Lancashire skipper produced against Harrison looked destined to bring up his century, but instead it nestled in the hand of Zaib at midwicket after the all-rounder flung himself to his right to pull off a stunning catch.Given the almost perfunctory one over of spin before lunch, Zaib then trapped George Balderson lbw for 1 to complete a magical five minutes and leave the spinner with figures for this season of 5-9 from 9.5 overs.Harrison (4-34) and Broad (3-58) swiftly wrapped up the innings post lunch, Tom Hartley pulling the former to George Bartlett at midwicket for 8 and Tom Bailey finding the same fielder at long leg off Broad for the same score.Lancashire made a much better fist of things second time around, but Northamptonshire remain firm favourites to clinch a result tomorrow.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is still looking to bolster Spurs’ attacking ranks before the transfer deadline in four days’ time, and given their previous luck this window, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them scrambling till the eleventh hour.

Thomas Frank watched on as his side failed to secure the signings of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, both in spectacular fashion.

Gibbs-White saw his once-advanced move to N17 blocked by Nottingham Forest, who wrote a letter to Spurs threatening legal action, as weeks of back and forth between the clubs ensued before the 25-year-old signed a new contract regardless.

Meanwhile, Tottenham were convinced they’d land Eze at one stage – having agreed personal terms with the player and the finances of a deal with Crystal Palace – only for Arsenal to swoop in and hijack the transfer.

Their need for a number 10 is glaring, having lost both Dejan Kulusevski to a knee injury earlier this year and James Maddison to an ACL rupture in pre-season.

At one point, Frank was planning to head into 25/26 with a fully fit Maddison and Gibbs-White, only to now have neither. In an ideal world, it’s been reported that the Dane would like two new playmakers (Gary Jacob), but that scenario looks near-impossible barring a last-gasp miracle.

In terms of who they could bring in, Spurs are in the market for a new centre-back, number 10 and a winger.

One of the playmakers on their radar is West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta, and the Hammers are reportedly open to selling, if their asking price is met, and they can source a replacement (Paul O’Keefe).

The Brazil international would be Spurs’ second signing of the window from their London rivals after a £55m deal for Mohammed Kudus, which also ended an unofficial transfer embargo between the two clubs spanning 14 years.

Tottenham offered Yves Bissouma in swap deal for Lucas Paqueta

According to TBR Football and journalist Graeme Bailey, Levy and the Spurs recruitment team actually made a unique proposal for Paqueta recently, involving Galatasaray-linked Yves Bissouma.

Bailey reports that Tottenham offered Bissouma in a direct swap deal for the Brazil international, and the talks centered around Paqueta going the other way on a straight loan.

Bissouma also would’ve departed for the London Stadium on a dry temporary deal, but it is believed that negotiations didn’t progress to the final details and the Mali international has now agreed to join Galatasaray instead.

According to other reports, West Ham want £60 million to part company with Paqueta, so Spurs will need to head back to the negotiating table.

Everton’s summer has been one of transition and intrigue.

After narrowly avoiding relegation in recent seasons, the Toffees entered the new season determined to rebuild both their squad and their reputation.

Their start has been encouraging: an opening-day 1-0 defeat at Elland Road was quickly forgotten with back-to-back victories, including a 2-0 win over Brighton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and a thrilling 3-2 triumph away at Molineux.

The summer transfer window also saw several key departures. Veteran Ashley Young, midfield enforcer Abdoulaye Doucouré and striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin all moved on.

In their place came a blend of youth and proven Premier League pedigree.

Thierno Barry arrived from Villarreal, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea, and Tyler Dibling from Southampton.

But the headline addition was Jack Grealish – a marquee arrival from Manchester City, brought in to reignite his career after two difficult years.

Jack Grealish's revival on Merseyside

Grealish has experienced the highs and lows of modern football.

Once valued at £100m, his stock has since fallen to €28m (£24m), as per Transfermarkt, after a spell at Manchester City where injuries and competition for places limited his impact.

Across 190 Premier League appearances, the 29-year-old has scored 27 goals – but his last two seasons were disrupted by hip and groin issues, causing him to miss 17 games.

Last term, Grealish managed just 721 league minutes, contributing one goal and one assist.

For a player who was integral to City’s treble-winning 2022/23 season – when he averaged 6.27 progressive carries per 90, 4.39 progressive passes per 90, and 4.55 shot-creating actions per 90 – the drop-off is remarkable.

His ability to progress play, carry the ball into the final third, and dictate tempo in wide areas made him invaluable to Pep Guardiola’s system, yet form and fitness deserted him at a crucial stage.

That backdrop made his switch to Everton this summer all the more intriguing.

Grealish himself admitted that a conversation with David Moyes convinced him instantly that Merseyside was the right move.

And early signs suggest he may be rediscovering his best level.

Four assists in his first three matches – two against Brighton and two against Wolves – have already justified his arrival.

If he maintains that output, Grealish will surely force his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the World Cup.

The competition is fierce, with Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham both operating centrally, but Grealish’s unique ability to dictate tempo and unlock defences remains valuable.

For Everton, he is a player with experience of winning at the highest level who can inspire those around him. Ring any bells?

James Rodríguez – the original Grealish

For Everton fans, the arrival of Jack Grealish may feel strangely familiar.

Just five years ago, the club unveiled James Rodríguez in a signing that carried similar weight and intrigue.

Once of Real Madrid, Rodríguez arrived on a free transfer in 2020, reuniting with Carlo Ancelotti and bringing global star power to Goodison Park.

The Colombian – in need of a fresh start in his career, just like Grealish – started spectacularly.

Everton won their first four fixtures of the 2020/21 campaign, and Rodríguez contributed goal contributions with the flair that had once lit up the World Cup. Indeed, he scored three goals and registered three assists in his first six Premier League games.

Matches Played

23

Goals

6

Assists

4

Progressive Carries

36

Progressive Passes

133

Shot Creating Actions

19.6

“A creative genius,” Statman Dave labelled him at the time. His vision, passing range, and ability to drift into pockets of space made Everton briefly one of the most exciting sides in the league.

Yet injuries and inconsistency took their toll.

Rodríguez never truly settled in the Premier League after that bright beginning, struggling with the physical demands and Everton’s broader decline.

By 2021 – and with Rafa Benitez now at the helm – he had departed for Al-Rayyan in Qatar, a move that seemed to draw a line under his time in Europe’s top five leagues.

Now 34, Rodríguez plays for Club León in Mexico.

For Everton supporters, the memory of his dazzling early performances serves as a reminder of what might have been, and what could still be for their latest signing.

Comparisons with Grealish are inevitable. Both were marquee signings made to shift perception, both arrived carrying immense expectations, and both offered creativity Everton badly lacked.

Rodríguez’s initial burst of goals and assists mirrors Grealish’s early impact this season.

However, it remains to be seen whether the England international can sustain his form, avoid injury, and provide long-term value is the true test.

Where Rodríguez drifted, Grealish now has a chance to write a different story.

By anchoring himself in a side desperate for a new talisman, he could achieve what Rodríguez could not: lasting influence at Everton.

Everton have a "match-winner" who's Moyes' new Pienaar & it's not Grealish

David Moyes could have this next Steven Pienaar now at Everton in this fantastic £22m star.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 5, 2025

Liverpool are believed to be battling two of their rivals for the signing of an influential Premier League player in the summer transfer window.

Slot explains subs after dramatic Liverpool win

The Reds started their title defence with a late 4-2 win at home to Bournemouth on Friday evening, but they weren’t always entirely convincing at Anfield. Arne Slot’s substitutions didn’t work too well, allowing the Cherries to score twice and make it 2-2, but Liverpool’s head coach has now explained his reasoning behind the changes.

“Jeremie felt his hamstring a little bit so that’s a risk – especially if the other full-back Conor Bradley is already out with an injury. With Joe Gomez only training twice, I didn’t feel he could already play half [an hour] in this intensity, so I started off with Wata [Endo] in that position, knowing that I could always bring Joe maybe later on for 10, 15, 20 minutes.

“Milos Kerkez plays every duel as if his life depends on it, which is a great quality, but if you play against such a good winger like [Antoine] Semenyo when you’re already on one yellow card, it’s a risk – especially knowing that we have [Andy] Robertson as well, so that’s explained in that sense.

“Hugo Ekitike came later in pre-season, comes from a good team but I don’t think you can compare that with Liverpool and you can’t compare the league. So for him to already be able to play 70 is a big, big, big bonus for us – but 90 is a risk.

“The other substitution was Macca, who has been out for two, two-and-a-half months [and] only in training for two-and-a-half weeks, so not able to play 90 yet. And the other one was Florian in the end, that was simply because I wanted to bring a No.9 in because we were 2-2.”

It was clear that some new signings are being managed carefully by Slot but perhaps there is a need for more defensive depth at Anfield…

Liverpool battling to sign Premier League captain

According to The Daily Mail, Liverpool are “targeting a move” for Brentford captain Nathan Collins, potentially seeing him as an alternative to Crystal Palace ace Marc Guehi. The 24-year-old is also wanted by Manchester United and Tottenham, with interest in him “surging” as the transfer window nears its conclusion.

Collins has been linked with a move to Liverpool already this summer, with the Reds reportedly entering the race for him, and he could be a strong squad addition for Slot.

He is now a proven Premier League player, appearing 116 times in the competition and at 24, he is already a top-flight captain. Meanwhile, Thomas Frank has hailed his concentration levels, comparing that attribute to something that the “best players in the world” have in their armoury.

Nathan Collins’ 2024/25 Premier League stats

Total

Appearances

38

Starts

38

Minutes played

3420

Clearances per game

5.8

Aerial duel wins per game

3.1

Tackles per game

1.1

Pass completion rate

86.3

Goals

2

Assists

3

Much will depend on whether Liverpool end up signing Guehi or not, but if they fail to bring in the Palace man, Collins looks like a good alternative.

As their first Premier League test against Manchester United awaits, Arsenal are now reportedly favourites to sign a young South American defender for Mikel Arteta.

Arteta reiterates Arsenal "consistency"

The Premier League title has been just out of Arsenal’s reach for the last three seasons in the most frustrating fashion for all involved in North London. First, it was Pep Guardiola’s historic Manchester City side in their way and then, even as they struggled for the first time in four years, Arne Slot came to town to turn Liverpool back into English champions.

The problem was clear last season, however. The Gunners simply lacked goals in the most important moments. They desperately needed consistent, almost guaranteed goalscoring and, as such, welcomed the clinical Viktor Gyokeres to solve that problem this summer. Now, at the fourth time of asking, Arteta will be hoping to see his side turn their “consistency” into long-awaited glory.

Meanwhile, as the work commences on the pitch, it may well continue in the transfer market. New sporting director Andrea Berta has already welcomed Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga in an impressive summer, but may yet have more on the way.

In the final two weeks, reports suggest that the Gunners could yet turn towards another defensive reinforcement.

Arsenal now favourites to sign Benedetti

As reported by journalist Diego Firmino and relayed by Sport Witness, Arsenal are now considered favourites to sign Luis Benedetti from Palmeiras. The impressive 19-year-old already reportedly has Arteta’s approval and those in North London could now make their move.

Whilst the centre-back is one for the future, he could quickly follow in the footsteps of Gabriel Martinelli, who swapped Brazil for Arsenal as an unknown star in the early days of his career.

When watching Vitor Reis, who eventually secured a move to Manchester City last January, analyst Ben Mattinson also shared praise for Benedetti – describing the teenager as an “aggressive defender”.

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Whether that “aggressive” nature has convinced Arsenal to make an official move when they get the chance is now the big question. Arteta’s side is already full of young talent and the addition of Benedetti would only add to that.

علق أحمد مصطفى بيبو، المدير الفني لفريق الجونة، على التعادل مع الزمالك، بهدف لكل فريق، في الجولة الثامنة من الدوري المصري.

والتقى الزمالك مع الجونة، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثامنة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري، على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.

طالع| الزمالك يعلن تشخيص إصابة دونجا في مباراة الجونة

وقال المدير الفني للجونة، في مداخلة لبرنامج البريمو على قناة تن: “البداية في مباراة الزمالك كانت متعثرة وتوجد رهبة وتباعد بين الخطوط في الشوط الأول بالكامل”.

وتابع: “بين الشوطين حاولنا نهدئ اللاعبين وتوجد مساحات كثيرة ممكن نعمل فيها، قدرنا نصل للمرمى أمام فريق كبير جدًا مثل الزمالك، واللاعبون في الشوط الثاني كانوا على قدر المسؤولية”.

واختتم: “كنا نحتاج إلى تسجيل هدف والتبديلات كانت هجومية، وكنا نريد العودة للقاء”.

وبتلك النتيجة، يظل نادي الزمالك متصدرًا لجدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 17 نقطة، وعلى الجانب الآخر، فريق الجونة، يتواجد في المركز الرابع عشر، برصيد 8 نقاط.

أشاد حمادة عبد اللطيف، لاعب الزمالك السابق، بالبرازيلي خوان ألفينا بيزيرا، لاعب الفريق خلال مباريات الفارس الأبيض في الفترة الماضية.

ويقدم خوان ألفينا، مستوي جيداً مع فريق الزمالك خلال المباريات الأخيرة في بطولة الدوري المصري، حيث سجل هدفا في مباراة فريقه أمام مودرن سبورت.

وقال عبد اللطيف خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “أون سبورت 2”: “خوان ألفينا، لاعب مميز جدًا، ويمتلك شخصيته داخل الملعب، يستطيع المراوغة بسهولة ولديه مهارات وسرعة ويتحكم بالكرة بشكل رائع”.

وأضاف: “في المباريات الكبيرة مثل الأهلي أو بيراميدز، لا بد أن يجد معاونة من باقي اللاعبين، عليه أن يطور من أدائه، عندما يكون الأطراف مغلقة”.

طالع.. مران الزمالك | فيريرا يتوجه بطلب للاعبين وتدريبات قوية استعدادًا لـ الجونة

وتابع: “لاعب موهوب ومهاري ورائع، لكن أنا كحمادة عبد اللطيف، أريد مشاهدة هذه المهارات في المباريات القوية والكبيرة مثل الأهلي والزمالك”.

وأكمل: “محمد شحاتة لاعب الزمالك، عندما يعود من الإصابة سيكون جبهة قوية مع ألفينا، لانه يستطيع أن يوفر تغطية له دفاعيًا، بعد عمر جابر كظهير أيمن، هذه ستكون جبهة قوية”.

وأتم: “عبد الله السعيد وناصر ماهر، لعبهما مختلف، الثنائي صناع لعب؛ عبد الله مهندس في منتصف الملعب، وناصر داىمًا يلعب للأمام”.

الزمالك يستعد لمواجهة الجونة، مساء الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثامنة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

Bayern Munich are now believed to be open to selling a Manchester United-linked player in the summer transfer window for £30m, according to a new update.

Man Utd eyeing Gyokeres alternative

The Red Devils and Ruben Amorim are badly in need of a new striker ahead of next season, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee both flattering to deceive leading the attack, particularly the former.

While Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres has been a leading option to come in at United this summer, Juventus attacker Dusan Vlahovic has now been mentioned as an alternative option. The Serb has scored 56 goals in 143 appearances for his current club, and could add much-needed quality in the final third.

While a striker is important for the Red Devils, a new goalkeeper is arguably just as key, following some unconvincing performances from Andre Onana in 2024/25. Porto and Portugal ace Diogo Costa has been mentioned as an option, along with Emiliano Martinez.

On the flip side, there are plenty of current United players who could move on this summer, including Jadon Sancho, with the winger potentially heading to Juve, with the Premier League giants entering talks with the Serie A side.

Bayern Munich ready to sell "monster" Amorim target

According to a new report from Caught Offside, Bayern are now “open” to the idea of selling Manchester United target Joao Palhinha this summer. Amorim ‘is keen to include Palhinha in his wider squad plans’ as he will add ‘to add physicality and experience’ to the midfield.

The Bundesliga champions will demand just £30m for the Portuguese’s signature, following his first season there after joining from Fulham last summer in a deal worth more than £40m.

There are some positives to United signing Palhinha ahead of next season, even though he hasn’t exactly enhanced his reputation in a Bayern shirt.

A dominant midfielder who is renowned for his tackling ability and has plenty of Premier League experience, he could represent a younger alternative to Casemiro, having been lauded as “monster” by analyst Marcus Bring in the past.

That said, Palhinha does turn 30 years of age next month, so he may not represent a long-term solution, which is arguably an approach that United need to put a stop to.

Too often in the past, the Red Devils have signed ageing players for big money, from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Edinson Cavani, only to see them arguably fail to back up the hype. For that reason, United should possibly look for a younger option, despite his obvious qualities, in order to build for the future and sign players who can mature into a key starter.

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By
Tom Cunningham

Jun 22, 2025

That’s not to say that Palhinha couldn’t still be effective for a few years, however, and he could add important depth to Amorim’s squad.