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Dale Steyn has said there should be no question about who South Africa’s leader should be: “AB is the captain. He has earned that spot”

Firdose Moonda09-Dec-20161:01

De Villiers’ captaincy record

Dale Steyn has joined convener of selectors Linda Zondi in endorsing AB de Villiers as South Africa’s permanent Test captain, and wants to see him back in the role once fit.”I think so, he is the captain. He is definitely the captain,” Steyn said at an exhibition match between the South African cricket and rugby teams at Newlands. “I know Faf has done really well for us right now, but AB is the captain. He has earned that spot. He has played for a long time, and he said he wants to do it and he got the opportunity to. Unfortunately, he got injured, but he is the man at the end of the day.”De Villiers was named Test captain in February after having taken the role temporarily when Hashim Amla stood down midway during the home series against England, but has yet to properly assume his new job. An elbow injury that required surgery kept de Villiers out of the home Tests against New Zealand in August and the series in Australia. He is expected to be fit for the Sri Lanka series, which starts on Boxing Day. But he has only had one net session so far and has yet to get any game time, which is why Graeme Smith felt de Villiers’ focus should be on getting match fit before he thinks about the captaincy conundrum.”The most important thing for AB now is just to focus on getting back and fit and playing cricket. I don’t think he should even engage in thinking about that (the captaincy) because he can’t captain from the sidelines,” Smith said. “Having had an elbow injury, it’s not an easy thing to recover from. It takes time, getting those tendons strong and all those muscles. That’s your primary arm that you use when you bat. He should focus on that. The sooner we can get him playing cricket for South Africa, the better.”Smith said he enjoyed seeing South Africa “streamline” the leadership, but explained they may be wary of appointing one captain across formats as T20s could create the space required for managing the Test and ODI captain’s workload. “It’s very difficult to captain all three formats, and the T20 format is a difficult one because you don’t play a huge amount of cricket. So is that the right time to rest your captain, with the workloads he is going to have in one-day and Test cricket?” Smith asked.”There should never be any question about who the real captain is,” Steyn said in support of AB de Villiers continuing in that role•Getty Images

Smith isn’t the only one to voice that concern. After de Villiers spent a significant period of the previous summer hinting that heavy workloads could send him into early retirement, the most obvious solution seemed to be him playing fewer, or even no international T20s. Du Plessis is the captain in that format, and with no ICC event scheduled until 2020, de Villiers may not get a chance to win a major trophy in T20Is, choosing instead to focus on Tests and ODIs. In that case, “keeping your captain fresh is an important part of maintaining success,” Smith said.The only problem with that is that South Africa’s recent successes, after the troubles in the previous summer, have come under du Plessis. He was brought back to lead the side, after being dropped for the final Test against England earlier this year. South Africa won both series’ they played under him to begin their climb from No. 7.Du Plessis’ leadership was widely praised, and the squad showed him an extraordinary level of support, particularly when he was charged with ball tampering. Du Plessis himself said he saw that as a sign they “respected him” as a leader. However, he was quick to dismiss suggestions that he was after de Villiers’ job, saying he was “100% behind” de Villiers when he returns as captain.Steyn, who will be sidelined for at least the rest of this season as he recovers from a broken shoulder, agreed. “When AB steps back into the side, there should be almost no question about it. I know there have been eyebrows raised because Faf has done well, but there should never be any question about who the real captain is or who the captain is, and he should just step back into it and continue what Faf has already started.”

Josko Gvardiol has fully agreed personal terms with Manchester City and negotiations between the clubs over a fee are now very advanced as well.

How much will Gvardiol cost?

Gvardiol won't be cheap due to him showing outstanding ability at the highest level of the game at just 21-years-old. With a market value of €75million (£64.5m), even a deal on the low end of what RB Leipzig could ask for will require City chiefs to open their wallet.

While the higher reports have seen the German side asking for around €100m (£86m), a figure that would make him the most expensive defender ever, any sale would represent a huge profit on the €18.8m (£16m) which Leipzig spent on the Croatian in the summer of 2021.

It has previously been reported that Gvardiol is "keen to join" the treble winners according to journalist Rudy Galetti, and according to CalcioMercato, via Sport Witness, he is now a step closer to the move transpiring.

The report discloses that the versatile centre-back has a total "agreement" with the Blues over personal terms. Adding to this, all that is needed now is to complete the negotiations over a fee, which are said to be "already very advanced".

This likely means a transfer for Gvardiol should be expected sooner rather than later as Pep Guardiola looks to continue his incredible success for the blue side of Manchester.

How good is Gvardiol?

Being a young player who is already playing at such a high level, Gvardiol has had his flowers given to him multiple times already.

BBC Sport's Zach Lowy labelled Gvardiol as a "Rolls-Royce of a defender" at the World Cup last year, continuing: "20 years old and the best player on the pitch in a match that featured Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modrić…sensational center back."

This wasn't the only example of high praise, with Gvardiol's national team boss Zlatko Dalic singing his praises throughout the winter tournament.

Dalic said: “Gvardiol is the best centre-back in the world. To play this maturely, it’s amazing. The way he plays, with what elegance he carries the ball.”

Meanwhile, football talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed the 6 foot 1 Croatian as the "[Erling] Haaland of defenders", likely due to his mixture of physical dominance, technical ability, promising potential and already demonstrated his class at a high level.

Should City complete a deal for Gvardiol, he would definitely be of the required standard to slot in and improve Guardiola's champions – a scary prospect for the rest of the league.

أوضح إريك تين هاج، المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر يونايتد، موقف النادي من التخلي عن خدمات المهاجم ماركوس راشفورد في الصيف المقبل.

وتراجع مستوى اللاعب الإنجليزي مع مانشستر يونايتد هذا الموسم، مما أدى إلى انتشار التكهنات حول مستقبله.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تين هاج يعلن دفعة أخبار سارة لـ مانشستر يونايتد قبل مواجهة ليفربول

ووقع راشفورد عقدًا ضخمًا بقيمة 325 ألف جنيه إسترليني في الأسبوع، في يوليو الماضي، لمدة خمس سنوات، أي حتى 2028.

وقال تين هاج في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ذا صن” الإنجليزية: “لم نجدد عقد راشفورد الموسم الماضي لمدة خمس سنوات بهدف بيعه الآن”.

وأضاف الهولندي في تصريحاته: “يجب أن يكون جزءًا من هذا المشروع، إنه ليس موضوعًا نتحدث عنه”.

وشارك راشفورد في 34 مباراة في مختلف المسابقات هذا الموسم حيث سجل 7 أهداف وصنع 6.

Dean Elgar averages under 40 and he wants to change that. He wants to be more consistent as he continues to establish himself as South Africa’s senior opener

Firdose Moonda at Newlands02-Jan-20172:47

‘Every Test hundred is up there’ – Elgar

“It was bloody really just pissing me off a little bit.”In between mouthfuls of one of the media’s post-play pies (which he nicked), Dean Elgar told us what he thought about reaching a sixth Test century, one match after squandering two good starts in the Port Elizabeth Test.The thing about Elgar is that he is hard on himself. In his 31st Test, he averages under 40 and he wants to change that. He wants to be more consistent as he continues to establish himself as South Africa’s senior opener and he has been consulting widely on how to do that.”I’ve tended to get a hundred early in the series and then I don’t get on – I get these stupid 20s and 30s and 40s, which are highly frustrating. I know that’s not my character,” Elgar said. “I had some chats with the Titans coach and some input from guys who aren’t in our squad.”Since returning home from Australia, where Elgar scored a century in Perth and then tapered off, he has chatted to Mark Boucher, who had the same bulldog in him as Elgar does, about how to do more than get one hundred a series. Boucher’s answer lay in simplifying his gameplan.”In the past I was going too hard at the ball. Hence I was sitting watching the game and not playing the game. It was part of that mental switch I had to go through. It was frustrating in previous series and games, which was bloody really just pissing me off a little bit.”So Elgar has gone back to being patient and letting the bowlers be his guide for when he can cash in. He is willing to see out the difficult periods, knowing that this attack have a tendency to try too hard early on and tire later.”We knew that if we get through the first hour, once that new ball becomes a little bit older, it’s going to give us a few more run-scoring opportunities. We feel that their bowlers maybe go searching more, especially in the early overs, and that gives you a few free hits and boundaries.”Although Elgar’s innings seemed to gain fluency as it went on, his second fifty actually took more balls (99) than his first (87). It was Quinton de Kock, not Elgar, who pushed the accelerator on South Africa’s effort late in the day but that’s one thing that does not bloody really just piss Elgar off.”Quinny is one of those freaks of world cricket. His nature of play is not going to change very much. He puts bowlers under a lot of pressure. They tend to think they’re on top of him but next thing you wipe your eyes and he’s got a fifty,” Elgar said.”I can’t compete with Quinny. He’s a world-beater. The minute I start trying to compete with him is when I’m going to fail, more times than not. He’s one of those guys who can really kill the opposition when he gets going.”

Australia and their three debutants fought to the finish against the visitors in front of a raucous crowd at the MCG, but a win offered Sri Lanka the chance to wrap up the series at Kardinia Park on Sunday

The Report by Daniel Brettig17-Feb-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAsela Gunaratne continued his good form in international cricket•Getty Images

Australia’s “best of the Big Bash League” took Sri Lanka to the final ball. The hosts and their three debutants fought to the finish against the visitors in front of a raucous crowd at the MCG, but a win offered Sri Lanka the chance to wrap up the series at Kardinia Park on Sunday.The Perth Scorchers’ Andrew Tye was left with six runs to defend from the final over, and one from the final ball. Chamara Kapugedara surveyed the ring field then punched the winning boundary through the covers to secure the result. His composure ensured Sri Lanka finished in the ascendant after looking the more likely victors throughout their chase, largely due to a boundary count that outstripped the hosts, 21 to 13.None of Australia’s batsmen were able to go on to substantial scores after Upul Tharanga sent them in to bat, as a spongy pitch and disciplined Sri Lankan bowling denied them the ability to find a domineering rhythm. Sri Lanka’s pursuit was then given the desired fast start by Dilshan Munaweera after Tharanga was dismissed in the first over, and Asela Gunaratne’s nimble half-century guided the tourists to within sight of victory in front of 42,511 spectators, many of them barracking for Sri Lanka.Gunaratne also made a brief but notable contribution with the ball, goading the captain Aaron Finch into a skier after he had appeared the man most likely to produce a truly damaging tally for Australia. The dismissal came two balls after Finch had hammered the biggest six of the night, and 10 runs after Michael Klinger’s long delayed international debut was ended.Lasith Malinga, making his own return from a long absence, bowled tidily and scooped a couple of late wickets, while Seekkuge Prasanna gave up a mere 23 runs from four overs that featured 10 dot balls and should have been rewarded with the wicket of Travis Head – dropped badly by Tharanga at point.Tharanga’s night did not improve when he opened the batting, as he received a perfectly pitched ball going across him from Pat Cummins in the first over and offered a thin edge through to Tim Paine behind the stumps. While the Australians celebrated this wicket with some gusto, they were soon haring about the MCG outfield as Munaweera and Niroshan Dickwella went to work.Their partnership ensured the run rate was not going to be much of an issue, compelling Finch and his bowlers to chase wickets and consequentially offer more scoring opportunities. Adam Zampa delivered his usual handy spell and deserved his two wickets, but oddly Finch did not try his other spin options until introducing Ashton Turner with only a modest equation required.Dilshan Munaweera’s six fours in his quick innings rallied Sri Lanka till the halfway mark•Cricket Australia

Turner’s offbreaks were rewarded by a smart Paine stumping to end Gunaratne’s innings just when he appeared to be coasting home, before a debatable lbw verdict against Milinda Siriwardana closed the gap between the teams. In the end, Kapugedara was left needing a single from the final delivery, an assignment he made light work of with a steely drive for four.Klinger, Turner and Billy Stanlake were all named for their first T20 appearances for Australia but there was no room for Ben Dunk and only three specialist batsmen selected – Finch, Head and Klinger. The visitors included the left-arm wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan, who was so effective against Australia in the Test series in Sri Lanka last year.Malinga kicked off the evening with his first ball in a full international since February last year, and also bowled the first ball faced by Klinger in an international match no fewer than 19 years after his state debut. The pitch was a little on the sluggish side, but Klinger and the acting captain Finch made a decent start with a smattering of boundaries and hustling between the wickets.They had 76 on the board by the time Klinger tried to tug a Sandakan googly to the leg side and was pouched by Malinga via the resultant top edge. Finch had his eye on a big score as leader, but after depositing Gunaratne’s first ball well into the Great Southern Stand he tried to repeat the trick two balls later against an offcutter and popped another high catch.From there the innings was a sequence of fits and starts, as Head, Moises Henriques, Turner and James Faulkner all offered cameo contributions. However, Prasanna’s spell was particularly tidy, Sri Lanka did well to keep the boundary count down – only seven fours and four sixes in total – and two wickets in successive balls for Malinga in his final over also served to aid the tourists’ ultimately winning cause.

After spending the second half of last season on loan from Bayern Munich at Manchester United, Marcel Sabitzer’s future remains up in the air, amid transfer speculation.He never really seemed to do enough to truly impress Erik ten Hag and warrant a definite permanent stay at Old Trafford, playing only 627 minutes in the Premier League – the equivalent of just under seven games.Still, there are some who think he will be staying in England after his name and his number were made available to be printed on the new 2023/24 MUFC home kit via the official club website.But with his future yet to officially be decided, the midfielder finds himself at a slight crossroads. And so, an alternative move this summer looks to potentially be on the cards.

What’s the latest on Marcel Sabitzer?

With Barcelona trying to find a Sergio Busquets replacement this summer, the European giants have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Sabitzer, according to Spanish outlet Sport.

It remains to be seen whether Barca take up the offer, however. At this moment in time, a deal admittedly looks unlikely.

It must be said, though, that going from Bayern to United to Barcelona would be some trio of moves for Sabitzer, given that he never really impressed enough at the first two, certainly not enough to obviously attract interest from a team as big as Barcelona, that’s for sure.

Football is a strange game, that’s for sure. Perhaps it would be in La Liga where the Austrian rediscovers the form that earned him a move to the Bavarians from RB Leipzig in the first place.

What did Marcel Sabitzer say?

Taking to Instagram to respond to a post by Transfermark, which linked him with a move from Bayern to Barcelona this summer, Sabitzer simply responded with: “Hola, que tal?”

The comment translates to “Hello, how are you?” in what is a rather cryptic message from the midfielder, who has perhaps shut down any rumours linking him with a move to the La Liga champions.

There could, of course, still be an opportunity at Bayern for the 29-year-old, with a new manager to impress in the form of Thomas Tuchel.

Perhaps a fresh start under a new boss at the club could result in a return of Sabitzer’s best form. The Bavarians as a whole will be looking to return to their best form, themselves, too, after almost missing out on the Bundesliga title last season, only rescuing their crown on the final day of the season.

They’ll be looking to their dominant best with or without Sabitzer in the next campaign. Maybe he’ll stay at Old Trafford after all this anyway…

أعلن نادي برشلونة الإسباني، عن تنظيم رحلة لجماهيره، من أجل مؤازرة الفريق الأول لكرة القدم في مواجهة باريس سان جيرمان، ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

برشلونة يحل ضيفًا على باريس سان جيرمان في ذهاب دور الثمانية من دوري أبطال أوروبا يوم 10 أبريل المقبل، على ملعب بارك دي برانس.

النادي الإسباني أعلن عبر موقعه الرسمي على الانترنت، تنظيم رحلة مقابل 125 يورو للأعضاء، و 143 يورو للبقية، ستغادر يوم الثلاثاء 9 أبريل وستعود بعد المباراة مباشرة، وستكون تلك الرحلة بالحافلة إلى باريس.

طالع أيضًا | كانسيلو يوضح رغبته بشأن مستقبله مع برشلونة.. ويؤكد: جوارديولا أفضل مدرب في العالم

التذاكر سيتم بيعها بداية من اليوم الثلاثاء في مقر النادي الكتالوني، ولن يتمكن أحد من بيعها بسبب ارتباطها بهوية الشخص، كما أن الذين تقل أعمارهم عن 18 عامًا، يجب أن يكونوا برفقة أحد الأشخاص البالغين للسن القانوني.

وتعتبر هذه أول مواجهة بين برشلونة وباريس سان جيرمان منذ وداع البلوجرانا الأخير في 2021 أمام النادي الفرنسي من دور الـ16.

وستلعب مباراة الإياب بين الفريقين على ملعب لويس كومبانيس، يوم 16 أبريل، على أن يلاقي الفائز، الفريق الذي سيعبر مواجهة أتلتيكو مدريد وبوروسيا دورتموند في نفس الدور.

Joe Root feels the experience of victory in tough circumstances in Antigua will give the side confidence going into the Champions Trophy in June

George Dobell06-Mar-2017

Joe Root believes England will take strength from their victory in the second ODI in Antigua.England had to resort to Plan B to win the match but, going into the ICC Champions Trophy in June, Root feels the experience of victory in such circumstances will give the side confidence to withstand the inevitable challenges that lie ahead.England were 124 for 6 when Root came together with Chris Woakes. But a calmly-paced seventh-wicket stand of 102 took them to a series-clinching victory with 10 deliveries remaining and both men registering unbeaten half-centuries.While the collapse – England lost five for 37 at one stage – was far from ideal and will, at some stage, require some reflection, Root thought it boded well that they still found a way to win the game.”If we’re going to compete in major tournaments like the Champions Trophy, we’re going to have to find ways of winning when it’s tough like that,” Root said. “It’s something we’ve not necessarily been brilliant at previously.”A lot of the time, when we win, we win comfortably. We blast sides away, whether it be the top order going and doing it or with the ball. So to see two games where we’ve had to be smart and react to conditions is really pleasing.”There are always going to be times when you are up against it and situations where you are asked: ‘Can you find ways of getting out of that?'”In both games in Antigua, I think we’ve done that very well.”Root’s innings was characterised by its restraint. He hit only three fours and no sixes, understanding that it was more important to keep his wicket intact. But while he was delighted with his own contribution, he was full of praise for Woakes, who played the more aggressive role, hitting five fours and two sixes.”We needed to build a partnership and take the sting out of the collapse,” Root said. “We needed to calm things down.”It was a nice change to still be there at the end. To have got through that tough period and still be there at the end, it’s something as batsmen really pride yourself on. You always talk about it in the dressing-room: be there at the end; make sure you’ve taken the responsibility to win the game and finish things off.”Chris played exceptionally well. He played it down to a tee and made it very easy for me just to nudge and nurdle it around to make sure we were on target.”Meanwhile Eoin Morgan confirmed England would field their best available XI in Barbados. With the series won, there might have been a temptation to look at fringe players such as Tom Curran or Liam Dawson, but Morgan is adamant that, with six ODIs before the Champions Trophy, now is not the time for experimentation.”We’ll be ruthless,” Morgan said. “We want to win all three games and we’ll be putting out our best XI. We want to try to keep the momentum. It’s important.”That could mean a return for Alex Hales in place of Sam Billings and Jake Ball in place of Steven Finn.Morgan was also full pf praise for Woakes. “He’s a guy who just keeping giving within this team,” he said. “He has huge experience as well and is someone who goes without the majority of the praise sometimes, which is typical of his character.”But this is not the first time he’s done it. He just keeps producing. We don’t want to rely on him too much, but he’s a luxury to have down the order.”The period where we lost three or four wickets was a bit of a concern but the positive side of that is we came back with a bit of character.”England travel to Barbados on Monday. They will not train on Monday or Tuesday – many players have been joined by their families while others will take to the golf course – but have a training session planned for Wednesday. The pitch in Barbados is expected to be quicker than the one utilised in Antigua.

تحدثت تقارير صحفية عن مستقبل نجم فريق مانشستر سيتي، كيفين دي بروين، بعدما ارتبط في وقت سابق بإمكانية الرحيل عن حامل لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وسينتهي العقد الحالي للنجم البلجيكي مع بطل أوروبا، في صيف 2025، أي نهاية الموسم المقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا | آس: بسبب الغيرة من مبابي.. هالاند قد يرحل عن مانشستر سيتي في 2025

وسبق أن ارتبط كيفين دي بروين بخطوة الرحيل عن صفوف مانشستر سيتي، في ظل اهتمام الدوري السعودي بالحصول على خدماته.

وحسبما صرّح الصحفي الشهير فابريزيو رومانو، فإن مسؤولي الدوري السعودي سيحاولون من جديد لاستقطاب كيفين دي بروين الصيف المقبل.

وأوضح أن الأمر لا يقتصر على الدوري السعودي، حيث يرى أن أحد أندية الدوري الأمريكي سيحاول كذلك ضم دي بروين.

وأفاد بأن دي بروين ليس لديه أي نية في الوقت الحالي لإثارة أي تشتيت خلال مرحلة حاسمة من الموسم الجاري، حيث أن تركيزه ينصب بالكامل على المباريات.

وأشار إلى أن دي بروين لن يقرر أي شيء الآن أو الشهر المقبل، حيث ينوي إجراء محادثات مباشرة مع مانشستر سيتي نهاية الموسم الحالي، قبل مناقشة الأمر مع أي نادِ آخر.

Manchester United are 'one step away' from announcing Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount as their first summer signing, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Mason Mount?

As per Sky Sports News, Mount is undergoing a medical ahead of his move to Manchester United in a deal that is worth in the region of £60 million.

The Red Devils has three bids turned down for Mount in the process of trying to secure his signature; however, the £80k-a-week ace now looks set to swap Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford in a high-profile summer signing for Erik Ten Hag's men.

Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Mason Mount has completed his medical ahead of signing for Man United.

According to The Manchester Evening News, Manchester United midfielder Fred could be shunted out of the exit door at Old Trafford once Mount finalises his move to the Premier League giants, with Fulham believed to be keen on his services.

Donny van de Beek and Scott McTominay have also been linked with moves elsewhere this summer, though there is pessimism that another midfielder besides Mount would be affordable for Manchester United.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones has detailed that Manchester United are nearly there as they prepare to officially capture Mount from Chelsea.

Jones stated: "An announcement is prepped and soon he will be getting the 'Here We Go' treatment. This is a very good signing, a player with pedigree at every level on the elite stage and still only 24.

"As an 8 in this United team, he will really thrive. I’m told Erik ten Hag can’t wait to work with him."

Will Mason Mount be a good signing for Manchester United?

Mount is a hard-working, quality individual who has possibly become a victim of circumstance at Chelsea and joining Manchester United under Ten Hag may be the best move for him, as the Dutch boss will have detailed plans to help him rediscover the consistency of his earlier career at the Blues.

In total, the England international has made 195 appearances for Chelsea, notching 33 goals and 37 assists in total, as per Transfermarkt.

Last term, Mount also showed his credentials as a creative force in midfield, racking up 1.3 key passes per match in the Premier League, as per WhoScored.

FBRef display that Mount recorded 83 successful shot-creating actions during last campaign, showing sparks of what he is capable of despite an underwhelming time of things across the board at Stamford Bridge.

With the right stewardship, Mount could be a key asset for Manchester United and form an exciting midfield alliance with the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.