Category Uncategorized

A series of coincidences made it possible, but a team struggling for identity needs his runs

Vithushan Ehantharajah07-Sep-2022On Friday, after news of Jonny Bairstow’s freak leg break was made public, along with confirmation he was out for the rest of the year, Jos Buttler was already putting the feelers out regarding his replacement in the T20 World Cup squad.The identity of the alternate in his mind was under no doubt. Alex Hales was the main talking point during the first selection meeting last week, before it was decided to do without the 33-year-old opener. And with that decision made, taking him on the seven-T20I tour of Pakistan as some form of reintegration was seen as a waste of his time and of a spot for a younger batter to gain valuable international experience.Buttler was very much pro-Hales in this meeting, which also featured limited-overs coach Matthew Mott and men’s managing director Rob Key. He also understood the awkwardness of bringing back a player who had fallen out with the wider group since a second failed drugs test in the build-up to the 2019 50-over World Cup. Now he wanted to see just how awkward it really was.He called up senior members in the group to gauge their thoughts. Once ascertained it would not be a problem, re-selection sat a little more comfortably.The official call came from Key, just a few days after the pair had discussed why Hales did not make the original cut – a conversation instigated by Hales. Buttler also spoke to Hales to inform him the rest of the squad were receptive to his inclusion and that, above all else, the limited-overs captain was pleased to have him back.It was telling, however, that Ben Stokes, one of those consulted last Friday, focussed on lauding the player rather than the man. “When it comes down to the big moments in games and World Cup games, knockout games, you want your best players there to be taking that pressure on and he certainly is one of those,” the Test captain said at the Kia Oval on the eve of the third and final Test of the summer with South Africa. When asked of his current relationship with Hales, he was far less emphatic: “We’ve both got the same goal to win the World Cups.”Alex Hales hasn’t played for England since the tour of the Caribbean in 2019•AFPStokes’ response was to be expected. Having referred to Hales as “his friend at the time” in his documentary when revisiting the Bristol street fight in September 2017, any questions on the matter during press junkets were quashed by the attending PR. But the overarching feeling is that Hales gives England the best chance of success in Australia.Since picking up the last of his 141 caps against West Indies on March 10, 2019, Hales has been one of the best short-form batters in the world. His 4,587 T20 runs are second only to Babar Azam (4,639). Even more impressive is the fact that among the 16 batters who have scored over 3,000 runs during this period, Hales’ strike rate is the highest (152.74), and the only above 150. The experience along with his work for Nottinghamshire, Trent Rockets, Sydney Thunder, Islamabad United, Barbados Tridents and Durban Heat will be invaluable. In many ways, he is a luxury – a reliable, world-class plug-and-play option in the most volatile format.Form, however, has never been the issue, even if Key cited it as the only deciding factor when the original squad was picked. Even Eoin Morgan, the sternest advocate of Hales’ time in the wilderness, never doubted his qualities out in the middle. The issue throughout was “the huge breakdown in trust” and “complete disregard” for the values that Morgan’s team had taken four years to instil.Morgan always maintained that time would be the healer, and perhaps it has been, albeit in a hyper-accelerated fashion. For it is hard not to wonder at the high-profile and coincidental sequence of events that got us to this point.Working backwards is the best way to zoom out. Bairstow’s catastrophic slip on his approach to a tee box at the Pannal Golf Club. Jason Roy’s disastrous loss of form. Morgan waking up in the WestCord Fashion hotel in Amsterdam on Monday, June 20, and deciding to retire from international cricket. Key, a man with few hang-ups and a desire to make decisions on merit rather than comfort, becoming the new MD, beating more traditional options who might have simply adhered to the status quo. A series of unpredicted events creating a domino effect bringing one of the most discussed hypotheticals in this era of English cricket to reality.Related

• 'Freak' injury puts Bairstow out of third Test and T20 World Cup

• Jason Roy's wretched summer capped by horror and high farce

• Eoin Morgan announces England retirement

• Rob Key brings sense of calm at turbulent time for English cricket

• England's Alex Hales banned for recreational drug use

In the midst of all that is Buttler’s ascension to the white-ball captaincy, which has ultimately bound these factors together and brought the recall to reality. He and Hales were very good friends, and even though the relationship soured in 2019, Buttler still harbours plenty of affection.The main friction between Hales and the England group came when a statement was released upon the second failed drugs test that stated he would be “unavailable for selection for personal reasons”. The ECB directive was for discretion, but many, including Buttler, were concerned Hales was struggling with other issues and required time away from the game.That concern turned to anger when news broke in the media of the real indiscretion, with some believing they had been deliberately misled by Hales. That was exacerbated when it was felt Hales showed little remorse when reconvening with the ODI squad for a training camp in Cardiff a month before the start of the World Cup. He left early when Morgan, along with the director of cricket Ashley Giles and head coach Trevor Bayliss – who had struggled to trust him following the Bristol incident – agreed he was only going to be a disruptive influence on the group at the most important moment in their careers to date.Even during his time away from the England set-up, controversy has dogged Hales. Last year he “categorically denied” allegations made by Azeem Rafiq in front of the DCMS committee that he had named his black dog “Kevin” after a term he and Gary Ballance allegedly used to describe people of colour. He was also subject to an ECB investigation when The Sun published photos of him in blackface from 2009 when he attended a party dressed as rapper Tupac Shakur.Indeed, there will be a degree of wariness from certain figures at the ECB now that Hales is back in the fray. There is an unshakeable sense that trouble seems to find him.Evidently, Buttler is not one of them. As such, this could rank as the most important call he makes under his tenure. In its own way, it feels like a decision that unequivocally makes this ODI team his own. After just four wins in 12 white-ball matches as full-time skipper, there was a worry Buttler was struggling to assert himself on a side coming to the end of its life cycle, and one that still carried the hallmarks of his predecessor. Hales’ presence gives Buttler a little more ownership.As for acceptance, runs will be the bricks, steel and mortar of any and all the bridges Hales might need to rebuild. That, really, is the crux of the matter. Above all else, the management group, the players and Buttler trust his cricket.

Only twice before had India averaged less with the bat per wicket in a Test series

Bharath Seervi02-Mar-202018.05 – India’s average runs per wicket in this series – their third-worst in any Test series. Incidentally, the two series in which they were worse also came against New Zealand: 13.37 in New Zealand in 2002-03, and 16.61 when New Zealand toured India in 1969-70.242 – India’s highest score in this series in the four innings. This is their second-lowest highest score in a series of two or more matches. In the 2002-03 series in New Zealand, India’s highest in the series was only 161, which is the lowest.34.61 – Average of New Zealand’s eighth to tenth-wicket partnerships in this series. The six partnerships for their last three wickets yielded 205 runs from two innings, with two fifty-plus stands. In both their first innings of the Tests, the lower order produced invaluable runs. In the second Test, the Kyle Jamieson-Neil Wagner stand of 51 for the eighth wicket kept the first-innings deficit to just seven runs. In the first Test, Jamieson and Colin de Grandhomme added 71 runs for the eighth wicket and then Jamieson and Trent Boult put on 38 runs for the final wicket to take the lead to 183. In contrast, India’s tail-enders scored just 124 in four innings at an average of 10.33.

تنبأ الذكاء الاصطناعي اليوم الخميس بالفائز ببطولة كأس العالم العام المقبل 2026، والتي سوف تقام في كندا والولايات المتحدة الأمريكية والمكسيك.

ويترقب عشاق كرة القدم بطولة كأس العالم، والتي من المرجح أن تشهد منافسة كبيرة بين العديد من المنتخبات.

ونقلت صحيفة “ماركا” تنبؤ الحاسوب العملاق بشبكة “أوبتا” والذي يعمل بالذكاء الاصطناعي، بطل كأس العالم المقبل، حيث جاء منتخب إسبانيا على رأس المرشحين.

إسبانيا تمتلك منتخبًا قويًا للغاية، وقد تمكن لاروخا من الحصول على لقب اليورو في ألمانيا العام الماضي عن جدارة واستحقاق.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ترامب يحسم موقفه من حضور قرعة كأس العالم 2026

وكشف حاسوب “أوبتا” عن منتخب إسبانيا كمرشح أول للحصول على كأس العالم بنسبة 17%، بينما جاء منتخب فرنسا في المركز الثاني بنسبة 14.1% ، في حين تواجد منتخب إنجلترا في المركز الثالث بقائمة المرشحين للحصول على البطولة بنسبة 11.8%.

وبالنسبة لحامل اللقب، منتخب الأرجنتين والحاصل على كأس العالم عام 2022 في قطر، فقد جاء في المركز الرابع من ضمن المرشحين للحصول على كأس العالم وبنسبة 8.7، بينما في المركز الخامس يتواجد منتخب ألمانيا بنسبة 7.1%.

أما منتخب البرازيل والذي يدربه كارلو أنشيلوتي، فقد جاء في المركز السابع بنسبة 5.1%، وعلى الجانب الآخر يتواجد منتخب البرتغال بقيادة الأسطورة كريستيانو رونالدو في المركز السادس بنسبة 6.6%.

ويأمل منتخب البرتغال في الحصول على كأس العالم، من أجل رونالدو والذي سيخوض آخر منافسة كروية كبرى على الأرجح في مسيرته مع بلاده.

وشهدت التوقعات حضورًا عربيًا بتواجد منتخب المغرب، والذي حصل على نسبة 1.3% من بين المرشحين للحصول على كأس العالم، حيث قدم أسود الأطلس بطولة مميزة في النسخة الماضية واحتلوا المركز الرابع.

كما تواجد منتخب السنغال في قائمة المرشحين للحصول على كأس العالم وبنسبة 0.6%.

Chelsea dropped points for the second game in a row, suffering a disappointing 3-1 defeat away to Leeds United at Elland Road. The Blues put in a lacklustre performance in a tough environment, and never really managed to get into the game.

It was a poor start for Enzo Maresca’s side, who went 1-0 down inside the first six minutes after a fast start from the Whites. It was slack defending from a corner, with Jaka Bijol making a darting run from the edge of the penalty box and heading home at the near post.

The home side doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time. It was yet more questionable defending from the West Londoners, who let Ao Tanaka have acres of space just outside the area. The Japanese international unleashed a vicious shot which nestled into the back of the net.

Chelsea did pull a goal back, with just 50 minutes on the clock. Pedro Neto managed to shake off his marker and pull to the back post, firing home Jamie Gittens’ cross.

It was all in vain, though, after a defensive error with 18 minutes to go meant Leeds scored a third and sealed the win.

It was a disappointing night for Chelsea, with some particularly worrying performances across the board.

Chelsea’s worst performers vs. Leeds

There were some notable bad showings from a few of Maresca’s men against Leeds. One of those came from Tosin Adarabioyo. It was his error which led to Leeds’ third goal and all but secured the three points for the West Yorkshire side.

The former Fulham man received the ball inside the penalty area and took a heavy touch before playing a five-yard pass back to Robert Sanchez.

It was a frustrating lack of awareness from the Chelsea number four, who put his goalkeeper under pressure from the Leeds press.

Another member of the Chelsea side who struggled was centre-forward Liam Delap. It was a night where the Blues’ number nine seemed isolated. Aside from a snapshot in the second half, which he fired over the crossbar, he did little to trouble the Leeds defence.

One person who was critical of Delap’s performance at Elland Road was Goal journalist Tom Ritchie. He gave the English striker a 4/10 for his efforts, and described him as a ‘bystander’ during the first half.

Those two Chelsea stars were not the only players to struggle on Wednesday night, though.

Maresca could boldly bench £180k-per-week Chelsea star

It was a night to forget for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine, who captained the Blues at Elland Road, struggled to get any sort of control in midfield.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Perhaps that coincided with the fact that his usual partner in the centre of the park, Moises Caicedo, was suspended.

Chelsea’s number eight was arguably at fault for Tanaka’s goal. He was dispossessed in midfield, facing his own goal, with the ball breaking loose, a situation Leeds capitalised on.

This weighed into the 3/10 rating he got from Ritchie, who said he ‘looked rattled at times’. Indeed, Fernandez’s stats from the game show how much of a tough night it was.

Normally, so good on the ball, the £180k-per-week asset only had a pass accuracy of 77% in the Whites’ half, losing the ball 21 times. He also failed to complete a dribble or a tackle.

Touches

106

Opposition half pass accuracy

77%

Number of times ball lost

21

Unsuccessful touches

5

Ground duels won

1/4

Tackles

0

Dribbles

0

After a showing like that, it will be interesting to see if Maresca keeps Fernandez in the starting lineup for their next game against Bournemouth this Saturday. He certainly struggled without Caicedo next to him, and Reece James inverting from right-back.

There are options at his disposal, too. Cole Palmer is now back from injury and played 30 minutes at Elland Road on Wednesday. Whether or not he can play from the start remains to be seen, but he could slot into the side.

Alternatively, James could be brought back into the starting XI and operate in midfield, as he has done this season to a good degree of success.

Fernandez’s performance at Elland Road was disappointing, and it would not be a surprise if he dropped out of the side, especially with options at Maresca’s disposal.

As bad as Tosin: Maresca's 4/10 flop must never start for Chelsea again

Chelsea’s title hopes seemingly went up in smoke away at Leeds United.

ByRobbie Walls Dec 4, 2025

The Miami Marlins took on the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. Unfortunately for Ryan Weathers, the matchup featured some friendly fire between innings.

In Weathers's fifth start of the season he got absolutely beaned in the head by his own catcher. During warm-ups Weathers threw his last pitch and began to walk off the mound. Catcher Nick Fortes reared back to fire the baseball to second base to practice against steal attempts. But either Weathers walked where he wasn't supposed to or Fortes didn't get enough air under the ball, because the throw ended up drilling Weathers right in the dome.

He fell to the ground in immediate pain but would stay in the game.

Ouch. Don't see that very often.

Weathers did stay in the game but gave up four runs in three innings before he was yanked, making for another tough day for the 23-38 Marlins.

The lasting consequences of a "disastrous property business" has left former Liverpool defender Steve Finnan on the brink of bankruptcy, having become embroiled in a legal battle with his brother, Sean, in 2016. Finnan, a Champions League winner with Liverpool in 2005, sued his sibling but never saw any money and has since been liable for other legal costs and bills that have not been paid.

• Finnan sues own brother

  The lasting consequences of a "disastrous property business" has left former Liverpool defender Steve Finnan on the brink of bankruptcy, having become embroiled in a legal battle with his brother, Sean, in 2016. Finnan sued his sibling but never saw any money and has since been liable for legal costs and bills that have not been paid.

  After winding down a playing career that 684 appearances for club and country – including spells at Fulham, Espanyol and Portsmouth either side of five years at Anfield, Finnan went into business with his brother. But their property venture failed and the 49-year-old is reported by to have sued Sean some time around 2016 after becoming "concerned about the way the business was being run". That eventually resulted in a High Court settlement awarding the ex-footballer £4 million ($5.3m) in 2018, but Finnan's brother was declared bankrupt a year later without paying up.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Series of legal battles

  That was only the start of things, with Finnan going to court multiple times since. The ex-Republic of Ireland international, who played at the 2002 World Cup, launched a £6m ($7.9m) negligence claim against law firm Charles Russell Speechlys, which failed. He subsequently took action against an individual lawyer from the firm over alleged contempt of court. Finnan lost and was lumped with a five-figure bill for the costs. He did not pay and is the subject of a bankruptcy petition at Central London County Court. The former footballer lost another battle when he disputed bills with another firm, Candey, that took over his case and was ordered to pay £120,000 ($158,000).

  Then, a recent trip to the High Court in an effort to appeal aspects of the aforementioned bankruptcy case resulted in a judge telling Finnan that he was simply employing "delaying" tactics. When the bankruptcy petition was transferred to Central London County Court, Finnan had appealed and managed to get the September date for the final hearing cancelled. He argued that complexity warrants a High Court setting, as well as claiming "bias" against him by the judge.

• Finnan's legal challenge have 'no substance'

  When Finnan's appeal against the bankruptcy petition – relating to a costs order less than £50,000 ($66,000) – was refused, Mr Justice Mellor said: "Standing back, it is surprising that Mr Finnan has challenged this directions order… his complaints are largely procedural and have no substance.

  "I refuse permission to appeal and I dismiss the appeal. I also certify this appeal is totally without merit. It was, at all times, completely hopeless. The petition will have to be the subject of further directions. I think they're best given by a judge in the insolvency list."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  No further court date set

  As it stands, there is no date for the bankruptcy case to return to court. As it stands, there is no date for the bankruptcy case to return to court. It's a temporary victory for Finnan, although given the outcome of his appeal and the judge's comments, it can only be a matter of time before he has to face the consequences.

  Finnan's final game in professional football was for Portsmouth in the 2010 FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. He was believed at one stage to have embarked on obtaining coaching badges, but sought to make his income post-football in property instead and has never held a formal coaching role. In 2020, fans discovered that Finnan had listed many items of his personal memorabilia for auction, including his Champions League medal from 2005, as well as a replica Champions League trophy and signed shirts. His financial troubles may explain why he made that decision to try and cash in.