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The Brisbane Heat batter talks about his 140 in the BBL semi-final, his day job making bats, and more

Interview by Mohammad Isam07-Feb-2024How did January 22, 2024 change your life?
Getting all those runs in the Big Bash semi-final was probably the best time to do it. I put my name on the big stage. I said, “Hey, I’m here.”Tell us what happened.
I was actually busy playing on my Xbox that day. I looked at the time – it’s four o’clock, I better go play some cricket. Oh no, I’m running late. I got to the ground, and the rest…What did you do differently in that innings?
Everything just clicked. I was just watching the ball. Everything seemed easy. Just watching it and hitting it. It’s pretty much my game. I just watch and react.From getting big scores in the KFC T20 Max to getting a big score in the Big Bash is a huge leap.
I was hitting the ball well all season but I hadn’t got any runs. I thought I should keep sticking to my process. I was doing it right in training. For it to happen the way it did was perfect.Adam Gilchrist said he was a fan of yours after your innings of 62 off 23 against Sydney Sixers in January last year.
It was unreal. Gilly was my favourite player growing up. I got to meet him a couple of days later. I was more nervous meeting him than I have ever been playing. We talked about bats. I make my own bats. We talked about what he said.Related

Josh Brown joins Melbourne Renegades in BBL coup

Brown bludgeons 57-ball 140 to set up Heat's final date with Sixers

Stats – Josh Brown sets record for most sixes in a BBL innings

Brown: 'To do what I did in a pressure game was surreal'

Spencer Johnson, Josh Brown lead Brisbane Heat to second BBL title

How tough is the Big Bash?
It is a very tough competition. The pitches this year weren’t the best. It was a tough adjustment as well. Once we did, it was perfect.Brisbane Heat won the title after 11 years. What changed in the team that won the title this year?
We were runners-up the season before. The whole group was devastated by it. To come out the next season, start so well – everyone was just hungry. We didn’t want to lose a single game. I think we lost just two games [one game] the whole season.Guys like you and Nathan McSweeney, the Heat captain, have come through a system in Brisbane…
I never came through a system. I started playing grade cricket. There’s Under-19s in Queensland but I never had any of that. I didn’t really care about cricket back then.So how did you eventually get into it and break through?
At the age of 23 or 24, I lost 30 kilos working in the gym. I got down to about 95-100 kilos. I started cricket training. I started playing fifth grade and finished the season in third grade. The next season I started in third grade and finished in first grade. I have been in first grade ever since. About 12 months after I played my first first-grade game, I played in the Queensland 2nd XI. It was my first taste of the pathway.I was working full-time at [equipment manufacturer] Cooper Cricket when I started playing first grade. I was playing on the weekend and training once a week. I was not taking it that seriously.Then I had this discussion with my boss at Cooper. We spoke for about two hours. He said that the job is always going to be here for you. So during the off season I went up to Darwin to play cricket for four-five months, to try to be a professional cricketer. I didn’t do that well. I came back to Brisbane for the T20 Max, and that’s when I got the big scores. I got 147 not out and 159 off 59 balls. I hit 17 sixes. I was like, “Hi guys, I’m here. I can’t really do much more. You have to give me a chance.” I got one of the centuries against Darren Lehmann’s son’s team.

“Now I have about six years to have a good crack at cricket. Hopefully I can keep getting contracts around the world, which will be lovely”

Were you surprised at the speed at which the BPL and ILT20 came calling after your innings?
Absolutely. I scored the century on the Monday night; the next day my manager said that he was in talks. I told him not to tell me anything till the final, but he said I had to get home and pack. “You are leaving on Friday.” Okay, cool.What will you do to adjust to conditions in Bangladesh in the BPL?
I haven’t had to change too much, to be honest. I have been batting really well. I have been smoking it everywhere in the nets, which is nice. The only thing is that it doesn’t really bounce as much as Australian pitches. Staying a bit lower is making the difference.I am loving Bangladesh. I love the people, I definitely love the food. I just love spicy food as well. My favorite restaurant in Brisbane is Café Hyderabad. I get the Chicken 65 from there. It is so tasty.How do you see your career going from this point?
Hopefully play as much cricket as I can. I just love cricket. I am an absolute nuffy!You spoke about Cooper Cricket. Making bats must require a lot of patience?
We have a process. My boss, Rod Grey, the owner, is a signwriter by trade. We have a CNC [wood lathe] machine. We play around with shapes in it. We can put a rough shape into it and finish it off by hand. It saves us about two or three hours.Brown on his method: “I just watch and react”•Matt King/Getty ImagesWhat kind of bat do you like to use?
I always use a mid-middle bat. The traditional one is the low-middle with a low spine. Mine is a mid-middle with a load of high spine. Pretty much a flat one, and that shapes away at the toe. We use English willows.Have you had a chance to try other kinds of bats?
I have tried Kashmir, Siberian, and Aussie willow. English willow is the best one. Australian willow is good for white-ball cricket. It is a lot harder. Siberian willow cannons but it breaks also.I know you have your own brand, so to speak, but do you have a favourite brand?
Puma. Gilly’s Puma. I collect bats as well, so I try to find old Puma bats.Are you looking to turn fully professional now?
This is it. So now I have six years to have a good crack at it. Hopefully I can keep getting contracts around the world, which will be lovely.I need to score some runs first. It would be nice to get a gig as a replacement player in the IPL. I would love to play in the [Persian] Gulf and America too. Otherwise, I will just be at home working at Cooper and in the gym. Anyone in particular you turn to for advice?
I have a had a lot of good talks with Colin Munro. Darren Lehmann also speaks so truly. He was always honest, which I personally needed. It made a huge difference to me. Same with Munro. Even McSweeney. He and I played four years together in club cricket before he moved to South Australia. He has seen me at my best and he has seen me at my worst. He is one of the best.Do you remember the day before you hit 140 in the Big Bash? Effectively the last day of a normal life.
I trained, went home and played Xbox. During that day as well. It was pretty much what I did in those two days. After the game I didn’t have a beer. I had a tiny niggle on my hip. We celebrated and sang the song. We went into the final – it was the big thing.

And is there a Test cricketer who also played tennis in the Davis Cup?

Steven Lynch12-Jul-2022Jonny Bairstow has scored four centuries in his last three Tests – how many people have matched (or even beaten) this? asked Charlie Bowen from England
This purple patch by Jonny Bairstow has brought him 589 runs from 578 balls in his last five Test innings. After being out for 8 against New Zealand at Edgbaston, he added 136 in the second innings, then hammered 162 and 71 not out in the third Test at Trent Bridge. After that, he hit 106 and 114 not out against India at Edgbaston.Two other Englishmen have scored four centuries in three Tests: Wally Hammond in 1928-29, and Graham Gooch in 1990. Overall, only ten other players have done it: the Australians Doug Walters (1968-69) and Ricky Ponting (2005-06), but not Don Bradman; South Africans Alan Melville (1938-39 to 1947) and Jacques Kallis (2007-08); two of the West Indian Three Ws, Everton Weekes (1948-49) and Clyde Walcott (1953-54 to 1954-55), but not Frank Worrell; the Pakistan pair of Mohammad Yousuf (2006-07) and Younis Khan (2014-15); India’s Sunil Gavaskar (1970-71); and Aravinda de Silva of Sri Lanka (1997-98). Weekes actually made five centuries in successive innings over four Tests, the first of them against England in 1947-48, the rest in India the following year.England scored at almost five an over hunting down 378 against India. Was this the fastest such chase in a Test? asked Stuart from South Africa
England rattled along at 4.93 an over in that remarkable chase at Edgbaston last week. Only two successful fourth-innings chases of more than 300 were completed more quickly, and neither involved quite as many runs: Pakistan’s 302 for 5 to beat Sri Lanka in Sharjah in 2013-14 came at 5.25 an over, while West Indies’ 344 for 1 against England at Lord’s in 1984 came at 5.19 an over.However, England’s 299 for 5 to beat New Zealand at Trent Bridge a few weeks ago came at a higher rate than any other successful chase of 200 or more – an unmatched 5.98 an over.Imtiaz Ahmed played in all of Pakistan’s first 39 Tests before missing one. I believe this was a record at the time – is it still? And what is the record for each country? asked Najib Ahmed from Pakistan
You’re right that the long-serving wicketkeeper Imtiaz Ahmed appeared in all of Pakistan’s first 39 Tests, from their inaugural match in 1952-53 to the first Test in England in 1962. That was indeed a record at the time, but has since been surpassed by Alistair Campbell, who played in all of Zimbabwe’s first 56 Tests; Andy Flower appeared in their first 52 as well. Next come Habibul Bashar, a fixture in Bangladesh’s first 30 Test matches, and the Zimbabwean Grant Flower (also 30).For the other countries, Ranjan Madugalle appeared in Sri Lanka’s first 18 Tests, Jack Blackham in Australia’s first 17 (the first 17 of all Tests), Clifford Roach in West Indies’ first 16, and Curly Page in New Zealand’s first 14. Amar Singh, the legendary CK Nayudu and Wazir Ali all played in India’s first seven Tests. William Milton and Charles Vintcent played in South Africa’s first three, while Tom Emmett and George Ulyett both appeared in England’s first three Tests before missing the fourth.Asghar Afghan and Rahmat Shah have played in all six of Afghanistan’s Tests to date, while Andy Balbirnie, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, William Porterfield, Paul Stirling and Stuart Thompson have appeared in all three of Ireland’s.Carlos Brathwaite’s 113 is the record for a List A hundred from No. 9, while Andre Russell holds the ODI record for the highest score from that position for his 92 vs India•AFPIn the recent Irish one-day competition, Barry McCarthy scored a century from No. 9. Has anyone else made a higher List A score from No. 9 or lower? asked David Evans from Ireland
Barry McCarthy’s 110 – more than twice as many as he had made in any other senior innings – came for Leinster Lightning against Northern Knights in Ireland’s Inter-Provincial one-day tournament at Pembroke CC in Dublin last week. His runs came from 59 balls, and included ten sixes.There has been only one higher score from No. 9 or lower in a List A match: for the West Indians against the Sri Lanka Board President’s XI at the Colts ground in Colombo in October 2015, No. 9 Carlos Brathwaite pounded 113 from 58 deliveries. The tourists had been in some strife at 109 for 7, before Brathwaite piled on 193 in less than 17 overs with Andre Russell, who hit 89 from 54 balls. Russell himself holds the ODI record for a No. 9, with 92 not out for West Indies against India in Antigua in June 2011.Is it true that someone once played for Australia in Test cricket and tennis’ Davis Cup? I can’t work out who it is… asked Jamie Millican from Australia
It isn’t true – but someone did come very close: Leslie Poidevin was Australia’s 12th man for the first Ashes Test in 1901-02 and, after England won by an innings in Sydney, was in line for a probable debut in the second match in Melbourne. But he picked up a finger injury in practice, and was replaced by Reggie Duff – who scored a century on debut as Australia squared the series. Duff claimed a regular berth, and Poidevin’s chance was gone.Poidevin went on to play several seasons in England, first for WG Grace’s London County and then for Lancashire. A good all-round sportsman, he was selected for the Australasian Davis Cup tennis team in 1906, alongside the future Wimbledon champion Tony Wilding, a New Zealander. They lost in the semi-final to the United States. Poidevin also competed at Wimbledon in 1909 and 1910, when he reached the semi-final of the men’s doubles. An interesting account of his varied life was published by Red Rose Books in 2021.Only two Test cricketers have also played Davis Cup tennis – Cotar Ramaswami (India) and Ralph Legall (West Indies). Wicketkeeper Legall’s Tests came at home in 1952-53, against an Indian side managed by Ramaswami. The pair share another unusual distinction: the exact date of both their deaths is unknown.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

The former India bowler and World Cup winner talks about a day in his life as a policeman on the front lines of the fight against Covid-19

Interview by Nagraj Gollapudi09-Apr-2020Joginder Sharma, a deputy superintendent of police in the Hisar district of Haryana, is a recognisable face for most sports fans in India. But the man who bowled India to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, has been politely declining requests for selfies and autographs over the past few weeks. As a senior-ranking police officer, his primary duty right now is to make sure citizens in his jurisdiction follow the safety guidelines put in place by the Indian government to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.Sharma talks to us about how the common man is gripped by the fear of the disease that has infected nearly a million and a half people globally. In these precarious times, he says, cricket becomes secondary.Has this been the most challenging time in your job as a police officer?
I have been actively working as a cop since leaving cricket in 2017, and I have seen many things, encountered different challenges. But this has been the biggest. The toughest thing [to tell people] is that there is no vaccine yet created to fight coronavirus.Right now, despite India being in lockdown, we still need to get out to do our duty. Lives are being lost, and our job is to save lives. At the same time we need to protect ourselves and our police force. That is a challenge.Luckily in Hisar, where I am posted, so far there has been just one case, and even that person has recovered. Touch wood, I hope it stays like that.When does your day begin?
My day starts around six in the morning. Today I started at 9am and am returning home now [8pm]. But I need to be ready for emergency calls, so effectively I am available for duty 24 hours, and I can’t say no.ALSO READ: R Ashwin: ‘There is a lesson in all this: we take the game too seriously’What is your brief for the day these days?
The area that I need to oversee is mostly in the rural belt of Hisar. Right now it involves guarding various checkposts and instructing not just truck and bus drivers but also common people about the virus. The basic message is: do not get out of the house unless you need to. If someone is outside without any purpose, we can sanction them under various legal acts.Of course, if people are out to fetch essential home supplies like groceries or there is a medical emergency, we allow that as long as they are maintaining social distancing, wearing protective gear like masks and respecting the guidelines set by the government.Are there any common misconceptions you hear?
The question I am asked multiple times is: “What is coronavirus? How does it spread?” Most of these questions come from people who are poor, including migrants. Some have young families. Many do not have TV and other means of getting the information the government is trying to put out about the epidemic. But the percentage of people who are unaware is minuscule. Most are aware.Last Sunday, Indians switched their lights off for nine minutes at 9pm to mark the battle against the pandemic. But there were reports that firecrackers were set off in many places at that time. Harbhajan Singh tweeted asking how one could fight such stupidity.
Everyone has the right to express their feelings. Some feel something is right, some feel it is wrong. Having said that, our priority is to end the coronavirus in our country. This is the first battle in our life that can be won by staying at home. If you stay home, only then will it end. By lighting firecrackers it will not end. Yes, I understand that you may be trying to express solidarity, but it is not appropriate.Do people recognise you as a World Cup winner?
Yes, many people do – by reading the name plate on my uniform, since I wear a mask these days. Many want selfies and autographs, but I tell them that they need to wait till this is over.The jobs healthcare workers and others, like you, do at this time is dangerous. Do you feel endangered?
I think the biggest service is being done by the doctors, nurses and cleaners – they have the most high-risk jobs.Personally, one time I got scared was when some groups of migrants were desperate to get back home to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, even though no modes of transport were working, due to the national lockdown. Me and my team had to stop them and explain the situation to them. Eventually they were moved to makeshift shelter homes. Although we were using megaphones, some interactions had to be on a one-on-one basis. It was tough.ALSO READ: Mark Nicholas: This is a time for healing and we are all in chargeIt must be difficult to explain social distancing in a country like India, which is densely populated?
Yes. In these shelter homes we also have to ensure they get bedding, medicines, look at whether the space they are staying in is clean. At those times we have to make sure they maintain the right distance as they gather outside.Is cricket at all on your mind?
Hardly. Most of my day I am busy with police work. Once I am home I need to keep track of the news and the data related to the coronavirus cases. I need to keep tabs on how many cases there are, the number of people who are in quarantine, if there is anyone sick among those in quarantine, and so on. I need to monitor and collate all this data and send it onward.When was the last time you saw your family?
Although I live in Rohtak, which is just 110km from Hisar, about one and a half hours by road, I have decided not to go home. I don’t want to take a chance because I am in contact with people all day and I don’t want go home and put my family at risk.Cricketers and athletes have been making contributions to charity and advising fans to stay at home. What more would you suggest they can do?
In our country everyone – from cricketers to people in Bollywood to NGOs – is trying to reach out and help in their own way. That is very good.The one message we all can spread is: stay at home till the government relaxes restrictions. Stay at home, enjoy time with your family. Let us remind everyone through social media and all available mediums. I want to say to everyone that the entire world is fighting the coronavirus. Follow the government’s instructions. Do not put your life in danger. Stay home, that is the only solution right now.The entire cricket world is anxious to know whether the IPL will happen.
Until the coronavirus is cleared, it should not happen. Once everything is back to normal, it should definitely happen.If the IPL happens now, it would be a big danger because crowds will come to watch. Even if you restrict it to players, each team will have a minimum of about 15 players. There are team meetings, there is support staff, so about 30-40 people travel with each team. So it should not happen now. Strictly no.

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced Tuesday that the fan who interfered with a live ball in Monday's game against the San Franciso Giants, and a handful of other times over the past few years, has been banned from attending games for the remainder of the 2025 MLB season.

During Monday's game, the fan interfered with a hit from Giants third baseman Christian Koss in the eighth inning, reaching over the outfield wall and catching the live ball with his glove. After it was initially ruled a home run, umpires reviewed the play and determined it was a ground rule double.

Shockingly, it's not the first time the individual has been seen interfering with play at Diamondbacks game. The individual is a season-ticket holder and has been caught catching potential home run balls at the wall multiple times over the past few seasons.

Following Monday's incident, the organization banned for the rest of the season and issued the following statement:

"While our policy is not to publicly disclose information about our season ticket holders, the Arizona Diamondbacks are making this statement due to public speculations and multiple media inquiries regarding the fan interference during last night's game. This particular fan has been involved in multiple offenses at Chase Field. Consequently, we have terminated his Advantage Member account and he is prohibited from returning to Chase Field for the remainder of 2025. This fan will have the opportunity to return to Chase Field in 2026 so long as he meets certain terms and abides by our Fan Code of Conduct."

The team did not specify what requirements the fan would need to meet in order to see the ban lifted in 2026, but for now, he won't be allowed back at the stadium.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla – Lionel Messi waited almost three years to lift his first league title in North America. Now that the Argentine has helped Inter Miami lift their first franchise title, he admitted it was their main objective this season, and he appreciated the team-wide effort by Javier Mascherano's side to accomplish it.

Getty Images Sport'The team made a huge effort'

Messi, after being awarded MLS MVP postgame, acknowledged that the trophy was the culmination of a long effort:

"Three years ago, I decided to come to MLS, and today we are MLS champions,' he said. "We reached the semifinals of the [CONCACAF] Champions Cup. Last year, we went out early in the league and were eliminated in the first round. This year, winning the MLS was one of our main objectives. The team made a huge effort – it was a very long year, with many matches – and we were up to the task all season. This is the moment I had been waiting for, and that we, as a team, were waiting for. It’s very beautiful for all of us. They deserved it."

Messi was brilliant in the deciding game of the season, having a hand in all three of Inter Miami's goals and notching two assists. This is his 48th title. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMascherano hails Messi's impact

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano asserted that Messi had been 'important' in the Herons' MLS Cup run in a glowing post-match summary of his star man's impact. 

"He was making a big effort in these last two, three, four games, which showed how important it is for him to win. I didn't tell him to do that, but it shows how special it is. He came here to win this trophy," the coach said. 

The Herons took the lead against Vancouver, but conceded a second-half equalizer – before a duo of Messi assists gave them daylight and saw off a Vancouver side that didn't quite have enough on the day. 

Getty Images Sport'We faced a very, very good team'

Mascherano admitted, though, that Vancouver were far from a simple opponent, and gave the Herons real trouble throughout. Emmanuel Sabbi hit the post when the game was locked at 1-1, and Mascherano conceded that had he found the net, the game could have been radically different.

"We faced a very, very good team. In the second half in the first 15 to 20 minutes, they put us under pressure. We were very lucky that the ball touched the two posts. But sometimes that's the luck you need to be champions," he said. 

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Getty Images SportSaying goodbye to Alba and Busquets

Messi also took a moment to congratulate departing stars Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets on legendary careers after both announced their upcoming retirements this season. 

“Given what they’ve been – as players, both were among the greatest in history, each in his position, with the careers they had and the titles they won – it’s wonderful that they can retire with this MLS title. I don’t think they’re fully aware yet of what they’re experiencing, of what it means to retire. Today, something very beautiful ends for them, something to which they dedicated their whole lives. Now a new life begins for them. I wish them the very best, because they are two friends I care for deeply. I’m happy they can leave with this title.”

Arsenal might just have landed two of South America's most exciting young talents in Independiente del Valle's Quintero twins, Edwin and Holger. The duo, who are currently 16 years old, are set to complete their paperwork in London this week and will officially complete their switch from the Ecuadorian side in August 2027, when they will have turned 18.

Arsenal secure double Ecuadorian coup

According to , Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle to secure the signings of Edwin and Holger Quintero, Ecuadorian twins who are currently plying their trade in the youth academy for Ecuador's Serie A giants Independiente del Valle. The former, in particular, has drawn comparisons to Neymar from the Ecuadorian media, making waves for his trickery as a right winger. Holger, on the other hand, is an attacking midfielder. Having already represented the Independiente under-20 team at the age of 15, the 16-year-old duo are believed to soon break into the senior side. 

also claim that the Gunners had been monitoring the Quintero brothers' progress for well over a year. Arsenal’s academy recruitment team view their latest signings as a significant step toward securing the club’s long-term future. The success of the pathway to the first team – highlighted by the rapid progress of Miles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, and Max Dowman – has played a key role in persuading the Quintero twins to join the project. The pair are in London this week to finalise contractual formalities, with a formal announcement to follow at a later date. They are set to complete their move to the Emirates in August 2027, when they turn 18, for an undisclosed fee at this time.

AdvertisementAFPEcuador's brightest stars are shining in the Premier League

Ecuador have slowly but surely emerged as one of the more intriguing talent exporters in the world, especially for clubs battling for the ultimate crown in the Premier League. Moises Caicedo, the former holder of the record for the most expensive British transfer when Chelsea sensationally splashed £115 million (€130m/$152m) in 2023, arrived at Brighton for just £4m. Now, he is considered to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. Piero Hincapie, who arrived at the Emirates from Bayer Leverkusen on a loan with an option to buy for £45m (€52m) next summer, earned the reputation of having the potential to be one of the best players in his position.

Kendry Paez, one of South America's biggest talents to have emerged in recent memory, is also playing for Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg on loan from the Blues. The common denominator? All these aforementioned names have emerged from the Independiente youth academy. 

Arsenal investing heavily in youth

One of the regularities at Arsenal under the reign of head coach Mikel Arteta has been the trust him and his coaching staff have placed on the prodigies emerging at the Hale End Academy. Lewis-Skelly was integrated into the first team dynamics in 2024, with his debut coming in September last year. Since then, he has emerged as one of the most exciting young full-backs in Europe, aggregating 53 appearances in total and becoming a full-time England international. 

Arsenal now boast the two youngest players ever to debut in Premier League history. Nwaneri set the record in 2022, making his debut at just 15 years and 181 days old, while Dowman followed closely behind, debuting earlier this season at 15 years and 235 days.

The trio are expected to become the cornerstones of the Gunners' project in the future. Given everything we've seen from these young talents, it's safe to say that Arsenal's future is in good hands.

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Getty Images SportGunners look primed to lift major silverware this season

Arteta's troops have begun the 2025-26 season exceptionally. They currently top the Premier League charts, bagging 30 points after 13 games to hold a healthy five-point lead over Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. They have firmly established themselves as the team to beat in Europe at the moment, as evidenced by their 3-1 hammering of Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week. 

However, Arteta and his players will be well aware of not paying heed to any labels or shouts terming them as the 'favourites' to win major silverware this season, even though there will undoubtedly be a lot of belief within the team that they can achieve magical things this season. 

The 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday may not have proved that they can be easily beaten, but it definitely served a reminder that the seemingly unshakeable Arsenal team can be rattled. A lot of work is left to be done, but the early signs have been promising.

حسم نادي فينيزيا الإيطالي موقفه من مستقبل لاعبه المغربي سعد الحداد، بعد الأنباء التي ترددت عن وجود اهتمام من النادي الأهلي بالحصول على خدماته خلال الفترة المقبلة.

وتألق سعد الحداد مع منتخب المغرب تحت 20 عامًا في مونديال الشباب والذي أقيم في تشيلي وحصل أسود الأطلسي على اللقب أمام الأرجنتين.

اقرأ أيضًا.. خاص | بعد اهتمام الأهلي.. ديبورتيفو لاكورونيا يفجر مفاجأة بشأن عقد زكريا الدهشوري

وخلال حديث خاص مع بطولات، قال فيليبو أنطونيلي، المدير الرياضي لنادي فينيزيا: “حتى الآن لم أتلق أي اتصالات، ربما تواصلوا مع وكيله”.

وأضاف أنطونيلي مؤكدًا تمسك ناديه باللاعب: “سعد الحداد أحد مواهبنا، وهو الآن مع الفريق الأول، وسيكون عليه أن يثبت قيمته هنا أيضًا كما فعل مع منتخب المغرب”.

وعن إمكانية رحيل سعد الحداد في يناير أو مع نهاية الموسم، أوضح: “نيتنا هي الإبقاء عليه حتى يونيو، لأننا نؤمن بقدراته، وإذا وصل عرض مهم سنقوم بتقييمه”.

وسُئل المدير الرياضي عن وجود أي عروض للاعب بعد مشاركته في كأس العالم تحت 20 عامًا، ليرد بإيجاز: “لا، حتى الآن لنرى ما سيحدث”.

بهذا التصريح، يضع فينيتزيا حدًا للجدل حول مستقبل الموهبة المغربية، ويؤكد غياب أي مفاوضات رسمية مع الأهلي في الوقت الحالي.

Andy Tennant has stepped down as Essex Women’s head coach after less than a season in the role. Tennant was appointed last year to take charge of the club’s first fully professional women’s team after Essex were awarded Tier 1 status, but departs with a record of five wins across all competitions.Despite securing a maiden trophy for Sunrisers in the final season of the regional women’s structure, he was unable to produce the same success with a group at Essex featuring many of the same players. They are out of contention in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, with one win and eight defeats, and finished second from bottom in the Vitality Blast group table. Essex were also knocked out by Tier 2 Yorkshire in their only game in the T20 County Cup.”With the break in the fixtures for the Hundred, it has been an opportunity for both the club and myself to reflect and look ahead to next season,” Tennant said. “Following those conversations, it feels like now is the right time to step aside and seek my next opportunity.Related

• Warren, Tennant to take charge of Essex Women

• Lamb on song again as Essex succumb by 138 runs

• Griffin to step down as Somerset women's coach

“I am proud of what we have achieved together as a group and I would like to thank Essex for giving me the opportunity to continue the job we started with the Sunrisers three years ago. I wish the club well and I am confident this outstanding group of young female athletes will continue to develop and go from strength to strength.”Danni Warren, Essex Women’s performance director who worked alongside Tennant at Sunrisers, will continue to oversee the team, with Jason Gallian, chair of Essex’s cricket committee, leading the coaching staff for the final month of the season. Essex’s hunt for a new women’s head coach will begin during the off season.”I have built a strong working relationship with Andy since he joined the Sunrisers in 2022, which culminated in the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy triumph during our final season in 2024,” Warren said. “The transition of the group to Essex has been an exciting challenge, and Andy’s hard work in ensuring this process was as seamless as possible has been hugely important to the progress we have made on and off the field.”He should be proud of what he has achieved during his time at the club, which has also included many individuals starring in this year’s Hundred competition and representing their country at international level. We all wish him the very best of luck in his future endeavours within the game.”

تحدث ياسر إبراهيم، مدافع النادي الأهلي، عن عدة قضايا تخص خط دفاع الفريق، وأداء المدير الفني الجديد ييس توروب، والحديث عن أزمة زميله أحمد سيد زيزو خلال نهائي السوبر أمام الزمالك.

وقال ياسر إبراهيم في تصريحات عبر برنامج “اللعيب”، على قناة “mbc masr”: “لماذا الجميع ينتقد خط دفاع الأهلي؟ أنا لا أتابع وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي، أنا أركز في عملي، نحن خط الدفاع مركزون جدًا ونحاول أن نبذل أقصى ما عندنا”.

وتابع: “وأنا قلتها وسأظل أقولها: لاعب النادي الأهلي خاصة عندما يكون في هذا المركز ليس سهلًا، لأننا نلعب دائمًا، وتجد أننا نريد أن نكسب كل مباراة، أي مباراة مطالب بالفوز بها، فدائمًا يكون هناك اندفاع هجومي ضدك، وهذا يتطلب منك أن تكون مركزًا له مئة بالمئة، فنحن نحاول أن نعمل مع بعض على هذه النقطة، والحمد لله مباراة تلو الأخرى نتطور ونصبح أحسن”.

وأضاف: “ييس توروب يأخذ كل لاعب بعد وجبة الفطار، ويضع مثلًا أسماء 10 لاعبين وليس شرطًا الأساسيين، ويعمل محاضرة لكل لاعب لوحده 10 دقائق أو ربع ساعة، يعرض له مثلًا فيديوهات، ويقول له: هذه لقطة جيدة ونريد أن نطور من هذه، الرجل يعمل ويتعب بصراحة، ويعرفنا النقاط التي نحتاجها، هي أمور إيجابية وأثرت علينا كلاعبين”.

وأشار: “نادي الزمالك طبعًا فيه لاعبين مهمين جدًا في الخط الأمامي، عندهم لاعبين سريعين ومهاريين، فنحن نبقى متابعين ذلك ونجلس مع بعض، ونقول مثلًا هذا اللاعب سريع جدًا، هذا يصر على أنه يدخل للداخل، هذا يريد أن يخرج للخارج، فنحن نتفق مع بعض، يجب مثلًا عندما تكون الكرة مع هذا اللاعب، أنت تفعل كذا وأنا أفعل كذا، كل واحد يأخذ مكانه”.

وشدد: “أكون كاذبًا لو قلت أنني توقعت سيناريو المباراة، لكن كنت متوقع أننا سنلعب المباراة من أجل الفوز ونعود بالبطولة، مباراة الزمالك دائمًا تكون 50-50 على حسب حالة اللاعبين يوم المباراة، الحمد لله اللاعبون كلهم كانوا مركزين”.

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وبسؤاله، ماذا دار بين اللاعبين وأحمد سيد زيزو أثناء المباراة: “زيزو من اللاعبين أصحاب عقلية مختلفة تمامًا، هو يعرف متى يفصل، متى يركز، نحن تكلمنا معه في الملعب وهو يتعرض للشتائم، هو كان عادي، وقال: أنا متوقع هذا يا جماعة، لم يتأثر لأنه عقلية مختلفة”.

وواصل: “خلال المباراة وأثناء سباب جماهير الزمالك له، كنا نتحدث معه ونقول له: “أنت ستكون سبب فوزنا”، وما حدث طبيعي، إن لاعب في الزمالك وينتقل للأهلي بالتأكيد الجمهور سيكون غاضبا منه، وما حدث كان متوقعًا”.

وبسؤاله، هل انزعجت من عدم انضمامك لمنتخب مصر؟، أجاب: “طبيعي انزعجت، أنا في النهاية بشر، لكن انزعجت لأنني كنت أتمنى أن أكون موجودا”.

وطلب منه الإعلامي مهيب عبد الهادي عدم نشر أي تعليق يخص عدم انضمامه للمنتخب عبر السوشيال ميديا، ليرد ياسر إبراهيم: “لا أنا لست بهذه العقلية”.

وبسؤاله، من من لاعبي الزمالك أرهقكم في مباراة السوبر؟ “جميعهم لاعبون جيدون، أنا كنت أركز مع الأجنحة والمهاجم، وبالتأكيد أرهقونا، وسيف الجزيري عندما شارك بديلًا أرهقنا بالتأكيد”.

وبسؤاله، من الخصم الذي كنت تتمنى مواجهته في نهائي السوبر بيراميدز أم الزمالك؟: “والله العظيم الفريقان قويان جدًا، ونحن كنا جالسين نشاهد المباراة ونشاهد الفريقين، المباراة انتهت بركلات الترجيح، نحن متوقعون أي فرقة ستأتي لنا لن يكون الأمر سهلا”.

واستكمل: “مباراة أهلي وزمالك طبعًا يكون لها طعم ثانٍ والجمهور طبعًا يجعل الملعب جميلًا، لكن أنا كياسر، (أنا كان نفسي في حاجة شخصية هي حاجة واحدة: أن أواجه بيراميدز وآخذ منهم البطولة بعد الخسارة التي تلقيناها منهم في الدوري)”.

واختتم: “نعم ذهبنا طبعًا بعد المباراة لكل لاعبي الزمالك وقلنا لهم حظ أوفر، هذه هي الروح الرياضية التي يجب أن نفهمها. كلنا أصحاب وإخوة، هذا هو الذي يجب أن يُفهم، (أنا على طول مع عمر جابر، كابتن الفريق منذ أن كنت لاعبًا في الزمالك)، بيننا كل حب واحترام، وكلنا نتقابل في المنتخب ونجلس سويًا ونتحدث ونمزح”.

Chelsea are now believed to be very keen on signing a player who Man City boss Pep Guardiola seriously rates behind-the-scenes, with a new report suggesting they’re pressing for a deal.

Chelsea prepare for Premier League return against Nottingham Forest

On the field, Enzo Maresca is gearing up for a crucial Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest — a match which serves a few intriguing narratives.

As Chelsea prepare to take on Ange Postecoglou’s struggling side, the Blues are sweating over the fitness of a few stars.

Injuries continue to plague Chelsea, with several key players already unavailable for selection. Dario Essugo remains sidelined with a long-term injury and won’t return until early next year, while Cole Palmer, who is Maresca’s star man, remains out with a niggling groin problem.

Adding to Chelsea’s woes upfront, number nine Liam Delap continues to nurse his hamstring, with reports suggesting the summer signing won’t be back until around November/December time.

Delap’s physical presence and goal-scoring instinct have been missed, and his absence limits Maresca’s striker depth at a time when goals are desperately needed.

Defensively, Levi Colwill, won’t be back until next year after he suffered an ACL tear in pre-season, leaving Maresca with Trevoh Chalobah, Josh Acheampong, Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo as his only centre-back options right now.

To make matters more complicated, Enzo Fernández, Chelsea’s influential attacking midfielder, could be a doubt to play Forest after withdrawing from international duty. Fernandez pulled out of Argentina’s squad citing knee inflammation, raising some concerns about his fitness ahead of the trip up north.

Reece James, Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro didn’t travel to represent their countries due to knocks, and while all three could return to face Forest, alongside Andrey Santos and Tosin, the latter pair haven’t been spotted in Cobham training this week.

Postecoglou, meanwhile, will be looking to exploit Chelsea’s injury woes and secure vital points, with the Australian’s job reportedly on the line after a torrid start to life at the City Ground.

Chelsea’s lack of depth in certain areas has been exposed due to injury, and particularly their lack of experience.

Maresca fielded the youngest ever Premier League side on average last season (24 years, 36 days), and their starting eleven to play Benfica was Chelsea’s most youthful team in Champions League history.

Chelsea arguably need more experience in their side if they’re to become Premier League title challengers, so it makes sense that BlueCo hold an interest in the likes of AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan to solve that problem.

Now, according to reports from Italy, Chelsea could turn to another quality veteran in ex-Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Chelsea "pushing" to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic on free transfer

As per Corriere dello Sport, the Al-Hilal midfielder, who earns a whopping £418,000-per-week in the Gulf, could return to Europe next year once his contract expires, even if the Saudi Pro League side want to extend it.

Milinkovic-Savic is attracting serious interest from England, Turkey, La Liga and Serie A, with “half of Europe” considering the 30-year-old on a free transfer.

Maresca’s side are among the pack, and it is believed that Chelsea are pushing to sign Milinkovic-Savic as the West Londoners “like him a lot”.

Interestingly, Guardiola is said to hold the Serbia international — who racked up over 340 appearances for Lazio as a general of their midfield — in “high regard”.

Milinkovic-Savic chipped in with 69 goals and 58 assists during his time in Rome, and hasn’t wavered in the Middle East with 30 goals and 26 assists under his belt for Al-Hilal.

The Serb’s proven creativity and ingenuity in the engine room could be attractive for Chelsea, and he could provide serious competition for Fernandez, who plays a very similar role.

On a free transfer, the appeal is obvious, but Milinkovic-Savic would almost certainly have to take a pay cut given Chelsea’s wage structure.