Marcelo Chamusca pode contar com um importante retorno em breve no Botafogo. Jonathan tem evoluído no tratamento de uma lesão na coxa esquerda, iniciou a primeira fase da transição e a expectativa é que ele inicie atividades no campo na próxima semana.
+ Bastidores: CEO foi favorável à venda de Paulo Victor e ‘passou por cima’ do departamento de futebol do Botafogo
O lateral-direito não atua desde a vitória por 1 a 0 sobre o Nova Iguaçu, no dia 9 de maio, pela semifinal da Taça Rio. Desde então, o defensor teve fadiga muscular e a lesão na região da coxa se desenvolveu.
Jonathan respondeu ao tratamento e está na final final da transição 1, que é mais focada na parte de fisioterapia e atividades internas. Terminada esta fase, o atleta voltará a realizar instruções no gramado, ainda de forma leve e separado em relação ao grupo que vem atuando regularmente com Chamusca.
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O Botafogo, vale ressaltar, não trabalha com prazos de retorno aos gramados. Tudo vai depender de como Jonathan vai responder aos procedimentos da fase de transição e às atividades com bola.
+ Veja a tabela da Série B
O camisa 13 era titular do Botafogo até a lesão. Ele tem 14 partidas na temporada 2021 e carregava a confiança do treinador na posição. Desde que ficou fora de combate, Warley tem atuado no setor.
Leeds United are expected to cash in on one of their stars this summer for a massive profit, it has been revealed.
Leeds reveal financial situation
Earlier in April, Leeds United revealed that they had lost £33.7m across the 2022-23 season, with an increased wage bill up to £145m and operating costs rising by £71m.
Though less than the £36m loss the year before, it is still a worrying trend and there are concerns around whether the numbers are sustainable with regard to financial fair play, especially if Daniel Farke's side were to find themselves spending another season in the Championship.
Leeds could soon cash in on a player who's worth more than Dan James
Leeds United will be faced with a conundrum about what to do with this star in the summer.
ByKelan Sarson Apr 21, 2024
They still owe a significant portion of transfer fees for the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Georginio Rutter and Maximilian Wober, with the club reportedly oweing a massive £190m in fees, but with just £2m set to head into their pocket for their own players.
It means that they are likely to have to sell this summer in a bid to avoid financial fair play issues further down the line, especially should they wish to reinvest in the squad further.
Fortunately, there are some obvious candidates to consider, with plenty of the signings made under Jesse Marsch now out on loan and likely to have no future under Farke's new regime, while Luis Sinisterra has joined Bournemouth and Jack Harrison could make his loan move to Everton permanent.
Everton's loan forward Jack Harrison.
But there are still concerns that two of their stars could depart, with Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray both the subject of strong Premier League and international interest, and their departures far more likely should Leeds miss out on promotion back to the top flight come the end of the season.
Leeds, however, will do everything they can to avoid having to sell the pair.
Leeds prepared to cash in on Gnonto
Now, in a fresh update from Football Insider, Leeds are ready to sell Italian forward Wilfried Gnonto this summer in a bid to ease their financial problems.
Though Pete O'Rourke claims that the Whites don't want to sell Gnonto in an ideal world, he has admitted that the Italian has his price tag set, with Leeds set to demand between £20m and £30m and ready to "accept an offer at the higher end of that threshold" this summer.
The deal would also see them save around £20,000 per week in wages, though it is unlikely they will find a replacement of his calibre willing to accept being one of the club's lowest earners.
Gnonto has previously been subject to strong Premier League interest as well as clubs in Serie A, with Arsenal and Manchester City even touted as potential destinations last summer. The Italian has endured an up and down year in the Championship, struggling to become a regular starter under Farke after his push to leave but still managing eight goals and two assists in 38 appearances across all competitions.
Gnonto's Championship season
Starts
16
Minutes
1421
Goals
7
Assists
2
Shots on target per 90
0.82
Minutes per goal/assist
158
Bought by Leeds for just 4.5m euros (£3.9m), a sale for £30m would see them make a profit of just over £26m, or 770% on their initial investment.
In a summer where they are likely to have to accept losses on plenty of their high profile players to get them to leave, Gnonto's departure could be a welcome change in that department, though it is as of yet unclear if any club will be willing to meet that asking price for the Italian.
England’s captain hails Mark Wood and Jofra Archer as weapons to spearhead Ashes campaign in Australia
George Dobell at the Wanderers27-Jan-2020
Mark Wood celebrates the wicket of Rassie van der Dussen•Getty Images
Joe Root believes England have found a template that can help them win the 2021-22 Ashes in Australia. While delighted by the 3-1 victory over South Africa, Root was also encouraged that his team had found a method that could serve them well in future challenges.In particular, England’s captain was thrilled by the prospect of taking two fast bowlers to Australia and the progress his side had made in adopting to a new approach to Test cricket. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood both claimed five-wicket hauls during the series to help the England attack bowl South Africa out twice in all four Tests – something they have historically struggled to do with the Kookaburra ball – while England’s batsmen, embracing a more cautious approach, posted totals of 400 or more in successive innings for the first time since March 2013. They also recorded three individual centuries, while South Africa’s batsmen didn’t make any.”We’ve got a great template to work around and it’s nice to see it falling into place,” Root said. “We put things in place this winter about the way we want to play. It has taken time and it will continue to take time for us to stay consistent and adapt to different conditions but we are learning quickly.”It would have made a big difference to have Jofra and Woody in Australia last time, I do believe that. It’s something you feel that you need in those conditions.”One of our big learnings as a team is that we have taken 20 wickets in every game. That is something we have struggled with in the past when abroad with a Kookaburra ball.”There’s still a huge amount of Test cricket to be played before the Ashes. But this does give us confidence and it also gives us knowledge about how to perform on wickets that might be similar.”Most of all, though, Root was proud of how his side reacted to the adversity they experienced in the opening weeks of the tour and the manner in which young players had come into the side and “taken their chance”. England lost four players who could reasonably be described as first choice – James Anderson, Jack Leach, Rory Burns and Archer – to illness and injury for most of the tour, while their performance in the first Test was hindered by the sickness bug that swept through the camp. But Dom Sibley and Ollie Pope scored maiden Test centuries, while Dom Bess claimed a maiden five-wicket haul. All three are aged 24 or younger.”It has been a huge effort by the players, the support staff and the management,” Root said. “We have had to dig deep collectively. It would have been very easy for us to go off the rails after that first game but we stuck tight together. Even losing Burnsy and Jimmy we made sure it was not going to change how we went about things and it gave opportunities for young guys to take their chance.”I’m really pleased not only that the young guys have stood up on this tour, but that the senior players have created an environment that allows that to happen. Young guys are coming into a very good environment and succeeding. The senior players are providing that environment and delivering as well. I am really proud of everyone.”The last afternoon in Cape Town was probably the turning point of the series. For us to finish off that game was fabulous. We caught very well and we took our opportunities with time running out through just sheer hard work and determination. I think that gave us a lot of momentum and a lot of confidence.”A big part of our three teams is our three pillars: courage, respect and unity. We have shown those in abundance throughout this trip and it has made a massive difference to our performances on the field.”Despite his joy, Root accepted England had a long way to go before they could considered themselves the finished article.”We’ve done extremely well in the last three games but in the last three years we’ve not been consistent enough,” Root said. “We’re very open about that.”We go to Sri Lanka next and then we have three big games at home against West Indies. So it’s a great opportunity to string a number of good performances together. We’ve got to keep looking to get better and keep developing.”
انتهت المرحلة الأهم في المجموعات من بطولة دوري الأمم الأوروبية، وتم الكشف عن 8 فرق، ستشكل دور ربع النهائي، الذي سينطلق في مارس المقبل.
نظام دوري الأمم الأوروبية، يشمل تأهل صاحبي المركز الأول والثاني من المجموعات الأربع في المستوى الأول، بينما أصحاب المركزين الثالث والرابع، يهبطون للمستويات الأدنى B و C.
طالع أيضًا.. فيديو | إسبانيا تحقق فوزًا مثيرًا على سويسرا في دوري الأمم الأوروبية
ولم تشهد المجموعات أي مفاجآت بشأن المنتخبات المتأهلة أو التي فشلت في التأهل، باستثناء عدم صعود منتخب بلجيكا، الذي تواجد في المجموعة الحديدية بجانب فرنسا وإيطاليا.
وتأهل المنتخب الإسباني حامل لقب دوري الأمم الأوروبية، وبطل يورو 2024 أيضًا، بالإضافة للأبطال السابقين البرتغال وفرنسا.
تتبقى جولة واحدة على دور المجموعات، لكنها لن تكون مؤثرة على المنتخبات المتأهلة، وهي مباريات المجموعة الثالثة، حيث حسم المنتخب الألماني صدارة المجموعة، وهولندا في الوصافة.
وستجرى القرعة يوم الجمعة القادمة، للكشف عن مباريات دور الثمانية من بطولة دوري الأمم الأوروبية، والتي ستكون نارية بالنظر للمنتخبات التي تأهلت. المنتخبات المتأهلة لدور ربع النهائي من دوري الأمم الأوروبية
What will especially lift the hosts is that it was their wristspinners Hasaranga and Sandakan that sewed this game up
The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando26-Feb-2020
Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando are a pair of delightful strokemakers•Getty Images
Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando dovetailed beautifully through the middle overs, producing an effortless 239-run third-wicket partnership that became the bedrock of Sri Lanka’s 345 for 8, and by extension, their series-sealing 161-run victory over West Indies. Mendis hit a run-a-ball 119 and Fernando made 127 off 123 deliveries, as they punished West Indies’ indiscipline with the ball and sloppiness in the field, rescuing Sri Lanka from a scoreline of 9 for 2 in the third over.Although the surface clearly suited batting, and a stiff wind across the ground made things difficult for bowlers, a target of 346 was always going to be daunting. And West Indies never really had the measure of this chase. There was a mildly positive 64-run opening stand, as well as a customary Shai Hope fifty, but at no stage did they manage to put Sri Lanka under pressure.What will especially lift the hosts is that it was their wristspinners that sewed this game up – Wanindu Hasaranga and Lakshan Sandakan taking three wickets apiece through the middle overs to send West Indies into a nosedive. Sandakan claimed the final wicket in the 40th over to finish with figures of 3 for 57. Hasaranga was more impressive, returning 3 for 30 from his 10. Each of his wickets came via the googly, which West Indies’ batsmen repeatedly failed to pick.Coming in at 9 for 2, Mendis had had a nervy first six deliveries – beaten second ball, dropped on two by Kieron Pollard soon after, then rapped hard on the gloves by a Jason Holder delivery that leapt at him from a length. But he settled quickly after the early chance, working his way through the Powerplay with Fernando. Sri Lanka got to 49 for 2 after 10 overs but really it was in the period that followed that the two young batsmen began to flourish, in lock-step, almost never more than 10 runs apart from each other.With West Indies’ quicks frequently straying into the pads, unable to contend the wind that blows across Sooriyawewa, Mendis and Fernando accumulated freely into the ground’s vast, unguarded spaces, on the legside in particular. When they hit boundaries, generally they were punishing short balls, which tended to sit up on this surface. Mendis was particularly prolific with the pull shot, while Fernando heaved across the line to good effect as well. They also ran exceptionally well between the wickets, frequently putting pressure on fielders, who would fumble or send in wayward, harried throws.When the spinners came on, their progress seemed even more effortless. Neither Fabian Allen nor Roston Chase got a lot of turn off the pitch, and these two batsmen were by now experts at hitting gaps. Fernando may just about have played the better innings in the end, but no two single strokes were more alluring than Mendis’ advancing, inside-out hits over cover against Allen in the 26th over. He had reached fifty off the 55th delivery he faced; Fernando got to his-half century off his 56th ball.The pair marched almost inevitably to their hundreds – each advancing steadily and surely through the nineties to get to the milestones in successive overs – Mendis in the 37th off his 107th ball, and Fernando in the 38th off his 109th. Such was the evenness of their progress, that at this stage, they had only hit 15 fours between them, Mendis striking nine of those. With only two wickets down, the score at well over 200, and the death overs now upon them, they started hitting out, Mendis hitting three more fours before eventually top-edging Alzarri Joseph. Fernando hit four more boundaries before holing out to deep midwicket.Their partnership was not only the best ever at this venue, it was also Sri Lanka’s third-highest in all of one-day cricket. It came at better than a run-a-ball as well, which meant it had provided an outstanding platform for the lower middle order. Thisara Perera did the most to do justice to the base Mendis and Fernando had given, hitting 36 off 25 balls. Dhananjaya de Silva, Hasaranga and Isuru Udana also provided cameos, as West Indies’ fielding effort became exceedingly frayed through the death overs.Hope floated through the early overs of the chase, hitting some exquisite legside boundaries to set himself on his way, but then he ran Sunil Ambris out, and before long, was out himself for 51 off 65 balls, chipping Angelo Mathews to short midwicket. Then Sri Lanka’s wristspinners took over.Bravo didn’t pick Hasaranga’s googly and edged to slip, where de Silva took an excellent catch. Chase then let a beautiful Sandakan stock ball wriggle between bat and pad and clatter into his stumps. Pollard followed soon after, in similar fashion, but to the bowling of Hasaranga. By the time Holder was out, also bowled by a googly, West Indies were 130 for 5 in the 31st over, and never really looked like they would make much of the chase.Keemo Paul and Allen had a little bit of fun, but even that didn’t last long, as Nuwan Pradeep came back to take two wickets in an over. After the first ODI had been decided in a tight finish, this was a proper thumping.
A segunda-feira (28) foi de movimentação intensa no que se refere a composição de elenco do Santa Cruz. Enquanto o clube anunciou a chegada de dois reforços, também publicou em seu site oficial o encerramento do vínculo de outros três jogadores.
RelacionadasFutebol NacionalConfira os resultados de sábado da Série CFutebol Nacional26/06/2021Futebol NacionalSérie C: Santa Cruz e Jacupiense empatam no ArrudaFutebol Nacional21/06/2021Fora de CampoEm apresentação oficial, técnico do Santa Cruz recria meme de Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘Cerveja não… Água’Fora de Campo16/06/2021
>Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!
Com relação as contratações, o Santa informou sobre as adições do zagueiro Victor Oliveira, nome que estava disputando a Série B pelo time do Sampaio Corrêa, bem como do meio-campista Maycon Lucas que jogou no primeiro semestre com a camisa do Linense.
Por sua vez, o zagueiro Hebert, olateral Julinho e o atacante Adriano ‘Michael Jackson’ não fazem mais parte do plantel segundo ratificou comunicado oficial do Santa Cruz. Ao todo, os nomes dispensados fizeram nove compromissos pelo clube do Arruda sendo dois de Julinho, três de Hebert e quatro jogos de Adriano sendo que nenhum deles chegou a balançar as redes.
É com essa mudança intensa de peças para o técnico Roberto Fernandes que o Santa segue buscando sua primeira vitória na Série C do Campeonato Brasileiro. A próxima oportunidade de acabar com esse jejum será no sábado (3) às 19h (de Brasília) recebendo em Recife o Paysandu.
Arsenal really want to sign a £214,000-per-week star this summer, and it is believed Mikel Arteta has been a personal admirer for quite some time.
Edu's transfer plans for busy summer window at Arsenal
The Gunners are keeping chase in this exciting three-way clamor for the Premier League title, as Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City continue to battle it out at the top of tree.
Arsenal "set sights on signing" £65m star who wants to join Man United
He’ll be heavily courted this summer.
ByEmilio Galantini Apr 24, 2024
Arsenal's 5-0 battering of London rivals Chelsea ensures that supporters continue to have a glimmer of positivity as they look to wrestle back control of the race from City, who are currently holding all the cards mathematically.
Arsenal's remaining league games in title race
Date
Tottenham (away)
April 28th
Bournemouth (home)
May 4th
Man United (away)
May 12th
Everton (home)
May 19th
However, if Pep Guardiola's side make it four titles on the bounce, then it's back to the drawing board for sporting director Edu and Arteta ahead of what will be a very eventful summer transfer window.
Some reports have suggested that Arsenal are set to smash their summer transfer record in a bid to back Arteta, which comes as quite an exciting prospect given they spent over £200 million last year.
In terms of who they could bring in, it is widely recognised that Arsenal will be looking to bring in a new striker. The likes of Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen are just two of the many names being linked in this regard.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney
"It's no great secret that Arsenal want to sign a striker this summer. When the window opens it will be the priority, along with a midfielder and potentially another wide attacker," said reliable journalist Charles Watts.
"It will be interesting to see whether they move for Victor Osimhen. He, like Toney, is a player they like and I know that his representatives have visited Arsenal's training ground for talks with Edu.
"Those talks took place in the summer when Arsenal eventually signed Gabriel Jesus. Jesus was always the priority that year, but Osimhen was definitely a player they viewed as a serious alternative."
According to journalist Mirko Di Natale, another striker they really like is £214,000-per-week Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic. Previous reports have claimed that Arteta is "attracted" to Vlahovic's playing style, and it would appear the Spaniard remains a fan.
Arsenal showing "strong" Vlahovic interest
Di Natale has told TV Play’s Ti Amo Calciomercato, as relayed by Sport Witness, that Arsenal are showing a "strong" interest in signing Vlahovic this summer.
“I know that the contacts are positive and there are good chances of a conclusion like for Vlahović, for whom Arsenal are showing strong interest from England," said the reporter on Vlahobic's contract situation.
"Juve and Vlahović will have to find an agreement and ensure that both parties are satisfied. If they don’t reach an agreement within the summer window, Vlahović can enter Juve’s transfer window and ensure that he can be one of those exits that Giuntoli has in mind this summer."
Leeds United are now preparing for the Championship playoffs after missing out on automatic promotion to Leicester City and Ipswich Town.
Daniel Farke and his side can still gain promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking and will take on Norwich City in the semi-finals. To achieve that, they'll be hoping to avoid further injuries.
The treatment table at Thorp Arch has been pretty busy over the last few months, so Football FanCast can keep you up to date with all the latest Leeds news involving injuries and suspensions ahead of their trip to Carrow Road on Sunday.
The Whites have a few injury concerns to worry about at this time.
Pascal Struijk has undergone surgery, and won't return until next season. The two recent names on the list are Patrick Bamford and Dan James, with updates emerging on both ahead of the trip to Norwich.
Player Name
Injury
Date Injured
Expected return date
Pascal Struijk
Groin/adductor
1st January 2024
Out for the season
Dan James
Costal cartilage
April
Could return v Norwich
Patrick Bamford
Bruised knee
April
Out v Norwich
Dan James – costal cartilage
Dan James
It was announced last month that Dan James suffered a costal cartilage injury and an oblique abdominal muscle tear. In good news, though, the winger could play a part in the first leg, with Farke saying he has returned to parts of training.
"Daniel James is making good progress, coming closer and closer. Joined in parts of team training. Perhaps available, depends on next 48 hours."
Patrick Bamford – bruised knee
Patrick Bamford in action for Leeds United in the Championship.
Patrick Bamford is another who has been out in recent weeks and won't return for the semi-final against Norwich. Farke said in his recent press conference.
"Patrick will definitely miss both legs of the [semi-final]. He’s seen a different knee consultant and there is a mini trauma in the patellar tendon. He definitely needs a couple of weeks to recover."
Pascal Struijk – groin
Pascal Struijk has been out since Boxing Day and won't appear in a Leeds shirt until what will now be next season. Farke provided an update in a previous press conference, where he revealed that he's undergone surgery:
"A decision was made, he’s already had his surgery last Monday, it was long and complicated. It went well, he’s already started his first steps, but he’ll definitely miss the rest of the season and back for pre-season.”
Latest Leeds suspension news
Leeds currently don't have anyone serving a suspension or at risk of a suspension.
تحدث أيمن يونس نجم الزمالك الأسبق والمحلل الفني الحالي، عن أداء فريق النادي الأهلي في مباراة البنك الأهلي، التي أقيمت مساء اليوم وانتهت بالتعادل السلبي.
طالع.. فيديو | الأهلي يسقط في فخ التعادل أمام البنك الأهلي بـ الدوري المصري
وقال يونس في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “أون سبورت” عقب اللقاء: “أداء مصطفى شوبير يعبر عن سير المباراة، يُظهر تألقه سوء مستوى الأهلي، مصطفى شوبير عقليته رائعة وموهبة رائعة”.
وأضاف: “مارسيل كولر سرق نصف الملعب في الشوط الثاني من طارق مصطفى بسبب عمرو السولية، هو الذي أعاد شخصية الأهلي”.
وأردف: “ولكن خط هجوم الأهلي لم يكن في أفضل حالاته رغم الهبوط المفاجئ لأداء البنك الأهلي، ولا بد أن يعمل طارق مصطفى على إيجاد حل لهذا الأمر”.
موعد مباراة الأهلي القادمة بعد التعادل مع البنك الأهلي
وتابع متسائلًا: “كيف لا يبدأ عمر كمال عبد الواحد في المباريات أساسيًا؟ وكيف لا يحصل رضا سليم على فرصة؟ رضا سليم لاعب رائع ومميز وسريع ويجيد اللعب بكلتا قدميه”.
وأتم: “هل كولر يعرف كيف يختار التشكيل الصحيح للمباراة؟ أم لم يجيد التعامل معها، لأن طارق مصطفى كان يمكن أن يتفوق لولا سوء توفيق ياو أنور”.
Graeme Smith backs Ganguly; CSA more cautious but open
Nagraj Gollapudi and Firdose Moonda21-May-2020
Getty Images
Is Sourav Ganguly a dark horse to replace his countryman Shashank Manohar, the outgoing ICC chairman?Ever since it emerged that Manohar would not stand for another term after his tenure ends with the ICC annual conference in July, the general perception was ECB chairman Colin Graves was the frontrunner to take charge as the new chairman of the global cricket body. However, with the Covid-19 pandemic stalling world cricket, the BCCI has taken the opportunity to test interests from several Full Members on whether they would support Ganguly.On Thursday, the former Indian captain got a firm thumbs-up from Cricket South Africa, whose representatives said “strong leadership” was necessary at ICC and Ganguly was “best positioned” to be at helm.CSA, however, backtracked somewhat* in an official press release issued later in the day, saying it did not want to “anticipate any candidates who may be nominated for this important position”.In 2016, Manohar became the first independent chairman of the ICC. The position of chairman had come into being in 2014 when N Srinivasan, another former BCCI president, had assumed that position unelected, though.In 2018, Manohar, the only candidate to file nomination, was re-elected unanimously by the ICC Board. As per the ICC constitution, Manohar is eligible for a third and final term. However, it appears as if he has decided to not take it up. That said, there remains speculation about whether Manohar might extend his term by a few months if asked by the ICC Board as world cricket grapples with the pandemic.It is understood that the ICC Board is yet to finalise the nomination process after which eligible candidates can pitch their hat in the ring. To be eligible, candidates needs to be a current or past ICC Director (one who attends the ICC Board meetings as a representative of the respective country).The 15 directors who sit on the ICC Board then are allowed to nominate one candidate. Nominees with two or more votes become eligible to contest the election. As it stands, the elections will happen at the ICC annual conference, which is scheduled tentatively for mid-July.Ganguly became eligible when he attended his first ICC Board meeting, in late March, via video conference. On May 28, he is once again scheduled to attend the next Board meeting where members would discuss the next step in contingency planning on resumption of cricket.Getty Images
‘He has the credibility’ On Wednesday, Ganguly led the BCCI team along with Jay Shah (BCCI secretary) and Arun Dhumal (treasurer) in their talks with CSA, who were represented by Jacques Faul (acting chief executive) and former South African captain Graeme Smith (Director of Cricket). After the meeting, Smith was unequivocal about his support for Ganguly should the former India captain contest the ICC chairman elections.”The president (sic, chairman) of the ICC now becomes a very key position going forward in terms of how the game can progress, and progress at the right level,” Smith said on media tele-conference on Thursday. “It would be great to see a cricket man like Sourav Ganguly get into the president (chairman) role of the ICC.”Now it’s even more important to have someone in a role that can provide leadership to cricket; that understands and can navigate the challenges in the game today. Post Covid-19 and with the things that are going to come our way, we need to have strong leadership and I feel like Sourav Ganguly is best positioned for that at the moment. I know him well. I feel that he has got the credibility and the leadership skills and is someone that can really take the game forward.”Smith’s comments come on the back of negotiations between the two boards for a three-match T20I series in South Africa in August. India have shown “willingness” to tour subject to relaxation of travel restrictions. The meeting itself was a result of discussions between Ganguly and Smith over the past few months. Incidentally, Smith had even delivered the 2018 edition of the Jagmohan Dalmiya lecture, organised by the Cricket Association of Bengal, of which Ganguly was president at the time.Smith is the second person from the player fraternity to talk up Ganguly for the role. Recently, former England captain David Gower said he would not be surprised if Ganguly became ICC head in future. Gower said one had to be a “deft politician” to “run” the BCCI.”Sourav has the toughest task imaginable in charge of BCCI, but so far I would say the signs are very good. He has listened, given his own opinion and has pulled strings gently,” Gower said on the fan chat show recently, organised by . “He is a very, very good man and has those political skills. And if you do a good job as BCCI chief in the future, who knows? Being head of ICC is an honour… but look at where the power is. BCCI is definitely the bigger job.”Getty Images
Ganguly has BCCI support ESPNcricinfo understands that Ganguly would be the clear first choice to replace Manohar even among BCCI members. Srinivasan is another eligible candidate, although he doesn’t qualify to be elected as a representative (over 70 years old) under the existing BCCI constitution.Insiders say even Shah could be nominated as the BCCI’s candidate, although for that he would first need to attend an ICC Board meeting. Anurag Thakur is the other eligible candidate, having attended ICC Board meetings as former BCCI president. However being a minister in the Indian government automatically disqualifies Thakur, the elder brother of Dhumal, as per the ICC constitution.Ganguly was elected BCCI president last October, but his tenure technically ends in July after which he would need to undergo a three-year cooling off period. The same is applicable to Shah, who was previously an office bearer at the Gujarat Cricket Association. However in his case, it could not be confirmed when his cool-off period would start.A month after taking charge Ganguly’s administration approached the Supreme Court requesting the constitution be amended and norms concerning an office bearer’s tenure be relaxed. The court is yet to hear the matter.Neither Ganguly nor the BCCI has made any public comments on whether he would interested in contesting the ICC chairman’s position. The one person who could be surprised if Ganguly were to enter the fray would be Graves. Last December, the trio of Ganguly, Shah and Dhumal had travelled to London to meet the ECB hierarchy giving the impression that the BCCI would back Graves’ nomination.However, the BCCI has been desperate to retain its powerful position at the ICC Board, something it feels has been lost since Manohar became ICC chairman. In recent months, various cricket boards including Cricket Australia, CSA, New Zealand Cricket have had face-to-face discussions with BCCI wanting to explore bilateral engagements to boost their commercial revenue with an India tour.A person privy to the discussions BCCI has had with various boards said if Ganguly decides to contest, he could “sail through”. This person said that most Full Member boards outside of the ECB, PCB and possible Cricket Ireland would support a BCCI candidate. One has already said that in public now.Faul said that CSA was open to supporting BCCI, which it said had played a “leadership role” at the ICC. “We’ve always worked with closely with India and I think India must play a leadership role when it comes to the FTP and a responsible one for that matter,” Faul said. “Our engagement with Sourav has been very positive and he has shown willingness to help us.”We have checked this with the leadership of South African cricket if we would support an Indian candidate and at this stage, we would. But we also have to look at the integrity of the whole process. I don’t think there are any nominations, no candidates that I know of, so they are still in the process.”From a CSA point of view, we don’t see any problems supporting an Indian candidate. To be fair, we’ve got to look at who is nominated, bring it back to the board, and there’s got to be a mandate.”Hours after the comments of Smith and Faul went public, CSA sent out a release quoting its president Chris Nenzani.”We must respect both the ICC protocol and our own protocol in deciding which candidate to back,” the release said. “There have been no candidates nominated as yet and once such nominations have been made the Board of CSA will take its decision in terms of its own protocol and give the chairman the mandate to exercise his vote as an ICC Board Director accordingly.”We have the highest regard for the opinions of our Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith, who is a well-respected figure in world cricket and has already made an immense contribution in fulfilling his mandate to make our cricket teams world leaders again.”At the moment we don’t want to anticipate any candidates who may be nominated for this important position to lead the game we all love.”*GMT 18.45 The story was amended to include CSA’s official statement.