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Nathi Mthethwa has threatened intervention if CSA cannot adopt a memorandum of incorporation (MOI) that promotes good governance

Firdose Moonda31-Mar-2021

“It is important not to allow boardroom disputes to trump player welfare.” – Nathi Mthethwa•Gallo Images/Getty Images

South Africa’s sports’ minister Nathi Mthethwa has issued a second ultimatum in six months to CSA’s Members’ Council and threatened intervention into the body if it cannot adopt a memorandum of incorporation (MOI) that promotes good governance in cricket.Mthethwa’s action comes after the Members’ Council – the highest-decision making body at CSA, made up of the 14 provincial presidents – rejected the interim board’s proposal for a majority independent board last week thus making the drawing up of an acceptable MOI impossible. Mthethwa met with the Members’ Council and interim board on Tuesday evening and has given the Members’ Council until April 6 to come to an agreement with the interim board or face ministerial action intended to support the country’s cricketers.Related

CSA Members' Council agrees to majority independent board

CSA's Members Council rejects proposal for a majority independent board

“It is important not to allow boardroom disputes to trump player welfare. I am being dared to take executive action. In my opinion, it is clear that the court of public opinion shows no appetite for any unnecessary delays and own-goals, especially at a time when sponsors have demonstrated unbelievable loyalty and patience,” Mthethwa said.According to South Africa’s National Sport and Recreation Act, Mthethwa has the power to intervene “in any dispute, alleged mismanagement or other related matter that is likely to bring a sport into disrepute”. He can also take away funding from CSA and may no longer recognise it as a national federation.This threat has hung over CSA since October last year when Mthethwa notified the ICC that he may be required to intervene in CSA following months of administrative malfunction. Shortly thereafter, the Members’ Council agreed to ratify an interim board imposed on them by Mthethwa, who were mandated to disentangle South African cricket from its many messes, ranging from a financial crisis to the disciplinary proceedings of several senior members of staff.The interim board were given an initial three-month period to complete their work but that has since been extended for a further three months and is expected to end in mid April. CSA’s AGM, postponed from September last year, is due to take place on April 17, by which time an MOI which lays out a framework for a new, mostly-independent board, should be ready for adoption.

Southampton have seen a loan bid with an obligation to buy for an international midfielder rejected.

The Saints are preparing for life back in the Premier League after securing promotion to the top flight via the Championship play-offs last season. Russell Martin’s side get their league season underway with a testing trip to St. James’ Park on Saturday as they face Newcastle United.

The Southampton boss will be hoping his side can get off to a good start, and the club’s transfer business has put them in a good position to tackle the upcoming campaign.

Their next Pelle: Southampton set to bid for exciting new forward

Southampton could soon seal a deal for this imposing centre forward.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 13, 2024 Southampton’s summer signings

As expected, given that they are a side that has just come from the Championship, Southampton have been rather busy so far in this transfer window. The Saints have made a staggering 12 new signings so far, as Martin makes sure his side is equipped with enough experience and quality.

The new arrivals have been a mixture of transfers that have cost the Saints a large sum of money, or they have been arrivals that have come via free transfer. Southampton have brought in the likes of Charlie Taylor, Wellington, and Adam Lallana, who obviously has a history with the Saints, on free transfers.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Manchester City

Flynn Downes

West Ham

Ben Brereton-Diaz

Villarreal

Yukinari Sugawara

AZ Alkmaar

Nathan Wood

Swansea City

Ronnie Edwards

Peterborough United

Wellington

Sao Paulo

Charlie Taylor

Burnley

Adam Lallana

Brighton

Juan

Sao Paulo

Rento Takaoka

Nissho Gakuen

Kuryu Matsuki

FC Tokyo

Meanwhile, the club has also made some additions that have pulled the purse strings, as they have signed players such as Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes, who were both at the club last season, as well as Ronnie Edwards, Nathan Wood, and most recently Ben Brereton-Diaz.

The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Sheffield United but now remains in the Premier League with Southampton, having signed a four-year contract. The Chilean believes everything has aligned for him to join Southampton.

He said: “I'm absolutely buzzing. It's been smooth these past couple of days, and I'm happy to get everything sorted and signed. I'm really excited to meet everyone, it's great to be involved with this great club.

"Watching the club when I was younger, it was always in the Premier League. Obviously, last season, the way the team played, they went down, but they bounced straight back up as a team. Also, the gaffer as well – everything has aligned together, and I think it's an amazing club. I can’t wait to get started."

But despite already bringing in a lot of players, Southampton don’t look like they are stopping there, as they eye a deal for a midfielder.

Southampton see bid for Mandela Keita rejected

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Southampton have seen a bid for Mandela Keita rejected by Belgian side Royal Antwerp. The offer is said to have been a loan bid with a mandatory option to buy for around €12 million (£10.2 million).

The Belgian side is said to be open to making progress on the deal that would see Keita move to England and join the Saints.

But as well as Southampton being keen on signing the player, Tavolieri goes on to add that other Premier League teams are said to be watching him this summer, as he attracts interest. The 22-year-old, who is a Belgium international, only joined Royal Antwerp on a permanent basis this summer, but he has spent the last 18 months on loan at the club from OH Leuven.

Wrexham's James McClean looks set to avoid further fan 'abuse' after agreeing a special substitution arrangement with the EFL.

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• McClean has been targeted by supporters
• But now has substitution agreement with EFL
• Can leave pitch to go straight down tunnel

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  McClean is no stranger to controversy and has regularly clashed with supporters and opponents throughout his career. The 35-year-old has even seen objects, including cups of beer, hurled at him while playing for Wrexham. However, action has now been taken in a bid to put a stop to such activity, according to the . It's been revealed that the EFL have written to League One clubs to inform them that McClean will receive "special dispensation" whenever he is substituted. The forward will be allowed to leave the pitch by the shortest route to the tunnel possible in a bid to avoid further unsavoury incidents.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  McClean has been in the headlines during his time at Wrexham for mocking Birmingham fans who gave him abuse at St Andrew’s as well as taunting Bolton supporters by nicknaming their ground the 'Toughsh*t Stadium.' He was also caught on video saluting fans who were chanting "he hates the f*cking King" and has deleted anti-monarchy posts from his Instagram. Most recently he has once again taken to social media to outline his poppy stance after refusing to wear one on his Wrexham shirt and standing apart from his team-mates during a minute's silence as part of Remembrance Day.

• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  A letter from the EFL, seen by the , reads: "You will be aware that James McClean is often on the receiving end of abuse from some sections of support. This has, in the past, resulted in FA sanctions against the club due to the chanting becoming racially, or religiously motivated and therefore, classed as a hate crime. Missiles have also been thrown. It has now been agreed that on occasions in the future when Mr McClean has to leave the field of play, for whatever reason, he will leave by the shortest route towards the tunnel. This process will help to reduce these incidents and also help to manage Mr McClean's departure from the pitch without incident."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  A rule change in 2019-20 has meant that players who are being substituted must leave the pitch via the nearest touchline or goal line. The rule was implemented in a bid to reduce time-wasting.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em duelo válido pela 24ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro 2021, América-MG ePalmeirasse enfrentam nesta quarta-feira (06), às 21h30 (horário de Brasília), na Arena Independência, em Belo Horizonte-MG.

Atlético-MG tem recurso negado e vira piada na web com bi em eliminação; veja memes

Na vice-liderança do Brasileirão com 39 pontos conquistados, dez atrás do líderAtlético-MG, o Verdão vem de um empate por 1 a 1 contra o Juventude no Allianz Parque. Já o Coelho, por sua vez, ocupa a 14ª posição da competição nacional com 27 pontos conquistados e, na última rodada, venceu o Cuiabá por 2 a 0 na Arena Pantanal.

O Palmeiras terá importantes desfalques na partida contra o América-MG, nesta quarta-feira (06). O goleiro Weverton, o zagueiro Gustavo Gómez e o lateral-esquerdo Piquerez estão servindo às seleções de Brasil, Paraguai e Uruguai, respectivamente, para os jogos das Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo de 2022.

Veja a tabela completa do Brasileirão

RelacionadasPalmeirasAbel convoca jovem lateral-direito para partida entre Palmeiras e América-MGPalmeiras05/10/2021PalmeirasPalmeiras vence Vasco, se classifica e assume liderança do Brasileiro Sub-20Palmeiras05/10/2021PalmeirasPalmeiras inicia venda de ingressos na quarta-feira para jogo com Red Bull Bragantino; veja preçosPalmeiras05/10/2021

Por outro lado, o volante Patrick de Paula retorna após cumprir suspensão pelo terceiro cartão amarelo no empate contra o Juventude, no Allianz Parque, e será relacionado pelo técnico Abel Ferreira.

O duelo entre América-MG e Palmeiras pelo Brasileirão terá uma novidade nas arquibancadas: a volta do público à Arena Independência. Os torcedores que quiserem acompanhar a partida, além das entradas adquiridas antecipadamente pela internet (preços de R$ 20 a R$ 70), terá que apresentar teste negativo de Covid-19. Cerca de 3.086 ingressos foram disponibilizados.

Horário, transmissão, arbitragem, prováveis escalações: os dados de América-MG x Palmeiras

Data: 06 de Outubro de 2021, quarta
Horário: 21h30 (horário de Brasília)
Local: Arena Independência, em Belo Horizonte-MG
Árbitro: Leandro Pedro Vuaden-RS
Assistentes: Jorge Eduardo Bernardi-RS e Jose Eduardo Calza-RS
VAR:Daniel Nobre Bins-RS, André da Silva Bitencourt-RS e Cleiber Elias Leite-GO

Transmissão:

–Rede Globo – TV aberta;
–Premiere– pay-per-view;
–TEMPO REALdoNOSSO PALESTRApeloTWITTERenoSITE.

Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada

AMÉRICA-MG:Matheus Cavichioli; Patric, Ricardo Silva, Eduardo Bauermann e Marlon; Lucas Kal, Alê (Juninho) e Ademir; Zárate, Fabrício Daniel e Felipe Azevedo.Técnico:Vagner Mancini

Desfalques: Eduardo e Kawê (lesionados);
Suspensos: Ninguém;
Pendurados:Alê, Patric, Fabrício Daniel, Zé Vitor, Ramon, Bruno Nazário, Carlos Alberto, Zé Ricardo, Eduardo e Ribamar;
Voltam de suspensão:Ninguém;

PALMEIRAS:Jailson; Gabriel Menino, Luan, Renan e Jorge; Danilo, Zé Rafael e Raphael Veiga; Rony (Wesley), Dudu e Luiz Adriano.Técnico:Abel Ferreira

Desfalques: Weverton (Seleção Brasileira); Gustavo Gómez (Seleção Paraguaia); Piquerez (Seleção Uruguaia); Victor Luis (em transação física); Marcos Rocha e Mayke (lesionados);
Suspensos:Ninguém;
Pendurados:Felipe Melo, Zé Rafael, Deyverson e Gabriel Menino;
Voltam de suspensão: Patrick de Paula (3º Amarelo).

A blistering 15-ball half-century by Dan Christian, the second-fastest in BBL history, transformed a sluggish Sydney Sixers innings into a total that proved comfortably match-winning against an Adelaide Strikers side who let things slip away twice in the game.Dan Worrall produced a superb spell of 2 for 12 as the Sixers were held to 2 for 52 in the first half of their innings, but the second ten overs were plundered for 125. The Strikers made the decision to sub out Danny Briggs for the second time this season, bringing in allrounder Liam Scott but he went for 28 in two overs and then made 10 off 12 deliveries.The Strikers’ reply started well with an opening stand of 52 in 4.3 overs, but the innings fell away sharply as offspinner Ben Manenti bowled economically and claimed two key wickets. However, the early fine work of Worrall and the rapid launch to the chase meant that the Strikers were able to claim the Bash Boost point inside five overs.Worrall’s new-ball wobbleFor significant portions of Worrall’s four overs the Sixers batsmen couldn’t lay a bat on him. The 18 dot balls he sent down were the most in his BBL career. Seeing him going so well, he was given his four overs on the bounce by captain Alex Carey and it was the key part in keeping the Sixers to 2 for 52 in 10 overs. He beat Josh Philippe three times in the opening over and was rewarded with his wicket when the opener tried to invent a scoop and was given caught behind off a glove, although Philippe didn’t look impressed. He continued to nip the ball past the edge of Jack Edwards and James Vince, removing the former when Edwards got a thick nick to Carey.Dan Christian smashed a 16-ball 50•Getty Images

Christian’s game-changerHaving limped to 3 for 61 in 12 overs, the Sixers’ innings was changed in a flash by a display of wonderful striking from Christian. He took 22 off the second over from Scott and then Rashid Khan, having been held back until the 10th over, was taken for 16. Three boundaries in the next over against Wes Agar (the first of the Power Surge) took Christian to his 15-ball half-century, second only to Chris Gayle’s 12-ball effort in BBL history. Christian, however, fell the next delivery. A couple of reasonably quiet overs followed, but Jordan Silk, Daniel Hughes and Jason Holder – launching his first delivery in the BBL for six – all struck useful blows.Manenti halts the StrikersPhil Salt and Jake Weatherald provided a flying start to the chase with the most productive four-over powerplay (47) of the season so far with Holder’s second over costing 18. Christian made the breakthrough when Salt got an inside edge into his pad which carried to the wicketkeeper, but it was Manenti’s last three overs (after his first cost 13) that really halted the chase. He had Weatherald caught at deep point and then Matt Renshaw taken from a revere sweep as he claimed 2 for 10 in his second spell.Long way shortAt the midway point of the chase the Strikers had a chance, needing 102 from 60 balls and the Power Surge up their sleeve, but they were severely set back when Carlos Brathwaite nipped one through Carey with his first delivery. Steve O’Keefe also struck in his first over as things quickly got away from the Strikers and the Surge produced just 16 from the two overs. The second of those was bowled by Christian, using the round-the-wicket line and expertly cramping the batsmen for room to cap an outstanding personal performance.

Birmingham City will want their next managerial appointment to be their last decision taken over the St. Andrew's hot seat for some time, having gone through managers rashly in recent years.

This season just gone saw the Blues go through four different bosses, with Tony Mowbray only lasting a matter of months in the job post, but the experienced 60-year-old manager stepped down due to health-related issues as opposed to being given the axe harshly.

This upcoming appointment feels like the most pivotal for quite a long stretch as well, with the Blues now languishing in League One ahead of what could be an entertaining season for Birmingham fans to latch onto, especially if they taste promotion at the first time of asking.

Just ask the likes of Mowbray's former clubs Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers about their experiences in the third tier, however, with the relegated Blues quite rightly setting their sights on a recent promotion winner from the level to avoid overstaying their welcome in the lowly league.

Birmingham looking at "shrewd" Mowbray successor

The overwhelming frontrunner for the vacancy in the West Midlands continues to look like being former Black Cats manager Alex Neil, who was embraced by Sunderland fans quickly during his speedy stint in charge, with promotion secured after just 24 games in the dug-out.

With the Scotsman also now having been interviewed, it could be a matter of time before his official announcement, as a number of football pundits weigh in on their thoughts regarding the previous promotion-winning boss.

Carlton Palmer, when speaking with Football League World, described the potential acquisition of Neil as a "great" appointment, further praising his "shrewd" nature tactically across his career, which saw him also win promotion up to the Premier League with Norwich City.

Why Neil could benefit Jordan James

The Scot will have to make do with scrapping it in the third tier again, however, with the ambitious swoop for the 42-year-old potentially enough for Jordan James to stay put at St. Andrew's for one more year, instead of becoming another youth product like Jude or Jobe Bellingham who left Birmingham behind for better things right as they got into their stride.

Birmingham have a reputation now for allowing young gems the platform to dazzle through their esteemed youth set-up straight up to the main team, seen in the aforementioned names above, and in the present with the electric James.

The 19-year-old, who has become involved with the Wales senior set-up off-the-back of his exploits even in the midst of a disappointing relegation season, picked up eight goals from the centre of the park last campaign and could tear League One to shreds if kept around.

Games played

47

Goals

8

Assists

0

Shots per game

1.0

Big chances created

3

Balls recovered per game

2.6

Stats per Transfermarkt/Sofascore

The tenacious 19-year-old could well look to what Neil managed to get out of Wes Hoolahan during his time in Norfolk with the iconic attack-oriented midfielder to then stick around, as the now 42-year-old picked up a fantastic 15 goal contributions from just 36 games on the way to promotion glory being savoured back at the end of 2014-15 season.

Yet, the allure of clubs such as far-away Atalanta in Italy and Premier League suitors in West Ham United taking an interest could be too tempting for the homegrown gem to resist, even if the XI next campaign could be moulded around him.

Neil will need to just try and convince the 19-year-old starlet to stay and battle it out for the Blues next season, with the Scotsman's promotion credentials a potential swaying factor, if the Welsh youngster knows his still-fledging career will only be somewhat derailed for a year or so.

Birmingham interview Rosenior alternative who'd be perfect for Pritchard

Alex Pritchard could be a key player for Birmingham City next season if this manager comes in.

ByKelan Sarson May 29, 2024

Aston Villa have been handed a boost in the race for one of their summer transfer targets.

Aston Villa transfer rumours

Aston Villa are set to compete in the 2024/25 Champions League after finishing 4th in the Premier League this past season. Villa had to deal with European football in 2023/24 but there is nothing quite like having to face off with the very best Europe has to offer week in, week out. As a result, the Midlands outfit may well need a stronger squad than the one they currently have if they are to give a good account of themselves come the start of next term's Champions League.

Aston Villa could land dream Luiz replacement in £50m PL "monster"

Unai Emery’s side would make great use of this talented midfielder’s qualities.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 2, 2024

So far, despite the transfer window not yet officially opening, Villa and NSWE have been linked with several names who could improve their team a great deal. Douglas Luiz is allegedly aiming to leave Aston Villa this summer and has been offered to Juventus. At the same time, Villa chief Monchi is reportedly keen on two Juve stars this summer in the form of Weston Mckennie and Matias Soule and could use the Brazilian as part of a swap deal.

Elsewhere, Unai Emery is said to have had his eye caught by Rennes young talent Mathis Lambourde, while the Villains have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe this summer. Aston Villa are also believed to be one of three Premier League clubs chasing 27-year-old Brazil international Raphinha, alongside Chelsea and Manchester United.

NSWE and Aston Villa now racing to sign "wonderful" £12m player

Now, there has been a fresh update on Aston Villa's interest in teenage Schalke sensation, Assan Ouedraogo. Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg provided an update on Ouedraogo, stating that the 18-year-old was waiting on a call from Bayern Munich. The same update states that all of Manchester United, Aston Villa, Newcastle, and Liverpool want him, with some of those sides having presented the player with "quite specific economic and sporting plans".

Plettenberg has since provided a further update on Ouedraogo, who has a £12m release clause until the middle of June, claiming that Bayern have now decided against signing the teenager, leaving the door open for one of the aforementioned English outfits to step up and land him.

Ouedraogo has limited experience at senior level, making 17 appearances and scoring three goals last term, but comments from Schalke's sporting director Andre Hechelmann suggest the midfielder has a bright future ahead of him.

“He is a wonderful footballer with a lot of talent," said Hechelmann. "He was integrated immediately because he is completely convincing in terms of his sporting ability."

Tell us what you did during the Covid-19 forced lockdown.
Nobody was doing anything, I think . But at the same time, I focused a lot on my fitness with nothing else to do. I tried my best to not put on weight. That was something that was in my mind. In fact, I lost 3-4 kgs during that period because I knew if I put the weight on, it will be tough for me to get back to that level of fitness when we have a game. So I lost some weight in advance. But otherwise nothing special. Just being with the family, mostly trying to learn new dishes, or playing with the nephews in the backyard. That’s how I was trying to keep myself entertained.What do you think will be the biggest challenge for you this IPL?
How these two months will be in the bubble. How we adjust ourselves and how we keep ourselves fresh for the game. It’s 14 games and at the same time, you have those restrictions as well. The guy who can enjoy the most and keep himself mentally fresh, I think he will be successful in this competition. That’s going to be the toughest challenge for all the players.ALSO READ: How did IPL-bound players fare in the CPL?With the whole tournament being played at just three venues, do you think spinners will have a far bigger role as the tournament progresses?
That’s what I believe as well. Spinners will be the key as the competition goes on because the wickets might get better for spinners. The other thing is the grounds here are big too, 75-77-80-metre boundaries. When you have long boundaries, that helps as a spinner. Sharjah is a small ground but the wicket is still very good for spinners. But at the same time, you need to bowl your best deliveries as well.It’s not like you can depend just on the wickets. As we saw in the first game, it wasn’t as supportive wicket for spinners. It wasn’t turning much as it is happening here in Dubai. But as a spinner, you have to come up and deliver your best irrespective of the wicket.With the pitches expected to be conducive for spin bowling, what will there be a change in how you bowl?
I think my strategy won’t change a lot. I just focus on bowling on a good line and length, that’s what matters for me. Change of conditions from India to Dubai doesn’t matter. I still need to bowl well, I still need to bowl where I am successful. That’s how I bowl wherever I bowl and adjust myself with two or three deliveries to get an idea of the wicket and what the best line and length is on that particular wicket.Of late, teams have started playing out your four overs, and as a result, your wicket-taking ability has suffered. Are you planning something to counter that cautious approach?
To be honest, I never think about I have to take this many wickets. I am always focusing on bowling economically. When I am bowling economically, that helps other bowlers in the side to take wickets as well. I have always focused on bowling a lot of dot balls and to put the batsman under pressure, so that he tries to take risks from the other end, or even against me. That’s what I am mostly thinking about. What the team requirement is at that time, do I need to make the asking rate high, do I need to bowl dot balls. If I take five wickets and the team loses, it doesn’t make sense. If I take one wicket but we win the match, that’s what matters.You like to develop different deliveries. Can we expect something new this IPL?
I have been working hard on a few deliveries but I haven’t made them 100% perfect so far to bowl in a game. We hardly play the longer format, i.e. Test cricket. That’s the only format where you can improve those deliveries. I can bowl them very well in the nets but to bowl them in a match, it requires different energy, a different mindset. I have made them perfect in the nets, but bringing them into the game is a bit tough for me at the moment. I tried them a few times in the CPL, but I think if I get to bowl them in the longer format, I can make them more perfect. But what I feel is I need to be smarter and more consistent compared to the last few years. That’s something which I want to think about more than new deliveries.The Sunrisers start their campaign against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday. Are you looking forward to bowling to someone like Virat Kohli?
Although I have just played in the CPL, the IPL is a different league, different pressure. And then you are playing against big names, like Virat, AB de Villiers. I have bowled to him in the World Cup and in the IPL previously. You have to bowl your best deliveries against him. No doubt he is one of the best players but there is no excuse for bowling a bad ball against him where he can smash you anywhere. I will just try my best to keep it simple and enjoy my game.Rashid Khan and David Warner share a light moment•BCCI

Do you feel any any pressure while bowling to Kohli?
Whenever you are bowling to anyone for the first time, you are always a bit under pressure. No doubt, he is a world-class player in every format, but I love it when somebody like him is batting against me. That’s the competition you want it as a bowler. Rather than being under pressure, I think I enjoy myself bowling to him. It’s a proud moment too bowling to him. As a bowler, I will try must best to enjoy and bowl the best deliveries to him and it doesn’t matter what the result is as long as I am giving my 100%.David Warner talked about dew yesterday. Having played here, do you think dew will be a big factor?
We [Afghanistan] have played here before, including the Asia Cup in 2018. So I am a bit used to the conditions but still, sometimes pitches behave differently. So we don’t know what kind of wickets we will get. We have played here against Zimbabwe and Ireland too and have faced such conditions. As a spinner, I managed a bit to bowl with the dew. Even in India, in Mumbai, we get a lot of dew. And yeah, we have been practising with the wet ball and trying our best to get used to it.During the first game on Saturday, we heard commentators talking about the wind factor too. How big a role wind could play here?
It’s always playing a part here. There is dew and there is wind. So batting second is easier, and as a spinner, it’s tough to bowl in those conditions when there is dew as well as wind. We played the Asia Cup here in the same month, in September, but that time we didn’t see much dew. Even not much wind. It [the dew and wind] doesn’t happen every day either. But you shouldn’t be thinking about those things a lot, at the same time.The Sunrisers have got the firepower at the top order but can the middle-order batsmen clear those big boundaries?
We have guys like Manish Pandey, Vijay Shankar and other youngsters in the middle order; they all can hit the ball a long way. But sometimes on big grounds, you need to play sensible cricket. So it’s not just about hitting big sixes as we saw the last night [in the Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians game] as well, how [Faf] du Plessis took it till the end and finished it well. I think the team that does these things well will be successful. That’s what matters in the UAE. When you play sensible cricket in the middle overs, it helps you get positive results in the end as power-hitters can give you 50-60 runs in last five overs.Will players like you who are coming here after playing in the CPL have an advantage over others?
I think everyone has had enough practice. Players have been here for the last three weeks. Still it’s totally different playing a game, but if you are a professional cricketer, those five-six months shouldn’t affect you that much. That’s how I felt too when I played in the CPL for the first time. I had good net sessions and as soon as I came back to the field, I didn’t feel I was playing after five-six months. I have been playing consistently for the last four-five years and suddenly if there is a five-six months break that shouldn’t affect me a lot. I think that would be the case for everyone else as well. You just need five-six-ten deliveries to be back.In the CPL, you were batting at No. 9 or 10. Do you think you are underrated as a batsman in T20s? Are you expecting to bat a bit higher for the Sunrisers?
I always have this thing in mind that I am more effective when I bat in the last three-four overs where I can play my shots. But if you have a long batting line-up as we had in the CPL, you cannot complain. That’s why I was batting so low.When I was playing in the Big Bash, I was told clearly by the captain and the coaching staff that ‘Rash, this is when you are gonna go in, after 14th-15th over, that’s your time. It doesn’t matter if we are down one wicket or two wickets.’ When you get the positive-ness from the coach and captain, you just focus on what you are going to do. But I shouldn’t be thinking about when I am coming in to bat. What I think about is what I can do in that time, whether it’s three overs, one over or one delivery.At the CPL, there were no crowds. How was it like to play in front of the empty stands?
It was a bit tough initially. Without any crowd, I was reminded of my club cricket. But then I watched the first game of the IPL yesterday and there was some noise arranged, which helps you that there is something going on. No doubt having the crowd gives you that extra energy, but we know the fans are still watching us on the TV and we need to give our 100% and keep enjoying ourselves on the field.

After days of discussion around the Black Lives Matter issue, South Africa’s elite cricketers showed a united face against racism by taking a knee at Centurion’s SuperSport Park ahead of the 3TC match on Saturday. All 24 participating players, support staffers, CSA officials including Graeme Smith, the director of cricket, and members of the commentary team – Makhaya Ntini among them – joined in as South Africa staged its first live cricket match in four months.The gesture, in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, came after a fortnight that showed up the faultlines in South African cricket. On the eve of the match, Smith, Faf du Plessis and Dwaine Pretorius confirmed that they would take the knee, and joined three other white South African cricketers – Anrich Nortje, Rassie van der Dussen and Marizanne Kapp – in supporting Lungi Ngidi’s call for players to join the rest of the world in making a stand against racial discrimination. With no spectators allowed at the ground, television coverage showed the players standing in a half-circle facing the vacant presidential suite at SuperSport Park to sing South Africa’s national anthem Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. The players then took their positions on the field, with Temba Bavuma’s Kites bowling first, to Reeza Hendricks’ Kingfishers. As the umpires called time, with the words “we are ready”, the Kites players – batsmen Janneman Malan and Hendricks – and the umpires took a knee on the field. The rest of the teams and everyone else involved stood around the outside of the boundary and did the same, their right fists raised in solidarity.Cameras panned to Smith, who was flanked by former Springbok World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar and former South Africa quick Ntini, who had made headlines this week as he recalled instances of racial discrimination during his time as an international. In an interview on television on Friday morning, Ntini revealed how he used to run from the ground to the team hotel to escape the “loneliness” of sitting on the team bus, where he said the rest of the squad would move to the back if he was in front and vice-versa.Janneman Malan takes a knee on the pitch prior to the start of the 3TC game•AFP via Getty Images

On the day, on the live broadcast, Ntini and Smith discussed the gestures at the start of the game. Smith told Ntini he could “feel the emotion coming from you”. Ntini replied: “that’s why we stand together.””A very important message is being put out today,” Smith said on air, and Ntini agreed, calling it “one of our greatest moments”, while also echoing the call for unity. “Everyone can see that, as South Africans, we all stand up and plough the same furrow together. We stand together,” Ntini said. “The more we do this the more change will happen. Here’s Lungi. He was the first one to voice it, and everyone [who has since supported BLM] stood by him.”Ngidi’s stance on BLM prompted reactions from both sides with four former players – Rudi Steyn, Pat Symcox, Brian McMillan and Boeta Dippenaar – criticising the youngster for not showing equal solidarity for the fight against the murder of predominantly white farmers in the country.Andile Phehlukwayo showcased his solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement•AFP via Getty Images

The quartet drew the ire of 31 former players including Vernon Philander, Ashwell Prince, Ntini, JP Duminy and Herschelle Gibbs, and five current coaches including Geoffrey Toyana and Wandile Gwazu who were in charge of Eagles and Kites respectively at the 3TC. The group collectively issued a statement in support of Ngidi and called for CSA and cricketers to support the BLM movement.Hashim Amla, who wasn’t in the list of signatories to that letter, made public his own thoughts on the matter the next day, thanking Ngidi and others who had “stood up for just causes in their own way”. On air, Smith said, “There’s no need for Ngidi to be attacked at all. I think he’s handled himself extremely well.”After the letter from the 36 players and coaches – all of colour – CSA issued a second statement supporting the BLM movement but it was not until Friday that more plans around how it would show that support were revealed when Smith, du Plessis and Pretorius said they would take a knee.Before, during, and after the game, the players and commentators, as well as CSA officials, wore armbands with ‘Black Lives Matter’ emblazoned on them. Andile Phehlukwayo, who was playing for the Eagles, also wore a “Black Lives Matter” t-shirt under his team shirt, and showed it off when he dismissed Heinrich Klaasen in the final innings of the match.AB de Villiers, who sparkled for the Eagles as they won, touched upon the subject in a post-match interview, saying that the aim was “solidarity in South Africa”.”There were obviously quite a few more important things out there today [than just the cricket]. Just getting out as cricketers and playing a bit of cricket, doing it for solidarity in South Africa. Showing that we can stick together as a nation. That, to me, was ultimately what it was all about,” de Villiers told the official broadcaster.

أكد فيران توريس أن فريقه برشلونة قادر على قلب الوضع وتقديم أداء أفضل من الحالي، متحدثًا بعد الهزيمة أمام لاس بالماس.

فيران توريس أشار إلى إحباط اللاعبين وشعورهم بالغضب وخيبة الأمل، وانتقد إضاعة الوقت من جانب لاعبي الخصم.

وتعرض برشلونة لهزيمة من لاس بالماس بهدفين مقابل هدف وحيد ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني، ونشرت صحيفة “ماركا” تصريحات فيران توريس.

وقال فيران توريس: “نحن محبطون، ونشعر بخيبة أمل، وغاضبون.. لم نكن فعالين ولم نلعب بشكل جيد، هذه هي الحقيقة، لكننا نعرف الفريق الذي نحن عليه، ويجب علينا الآن أن نفكر في المباراة المقبلة”.

اقرأ أيضًا | رافينها بعد هزيمة برشلونة: أنا غاضب وإذا تحدثت سأتعرض لعقوبة

وأضاف: “بدأنا بداية رائعة، ثم جاءت بعض المباريات السيئة، لكن هذا ليس نمطًا سيئًا، إنه شيء عابر”.

وأكد: “نحن قادرون على قلب الوضع، وقد فعلنا ذلك من قبل، حان الوقت لإعادة ضبط الأمور وتصفية عقولنا”.

وأتم: “في الشوط الثاني، مع التعادل، كنا نقترب من العودة، لكن هدفهم الثاني قضى علينا، ومن ثم تقريبًا لم نلعب، كانت هناك إضاعة للوقت”.