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Kane Williamson talks about his journey so far, his approach to spin, and his thoughts on captaincy

Interview by Subash Jayaraman03-Jul-2014You had been tabbed the great batting hope for New Zealand for quite some time, right from when you were 16 or 17. Who were your early mentors?
Firstly, I wasn’t aware of that. I always enjoyed my cricket. And I always aspired to be better. While growing up, I had a lot to learn. I guess my father got me into cricket. Then, as I started getting older, through intermediate and college, it had a lot to do with Ben Williams, who runs a coaching academy, and also Dave Johnson, and more recently [getting coached] in the professional set-ups.You made your Test debut in 2010, scoring a century against India in Ahmedabad. You seem to be more adept at playing spin than a lot of New Zealand batsmen. How did that come about?
No, I don’t play it easily at all. I would say that I’ve got my own methods of how I like to play spin and that may be different from other players in my team, perhaps. They have their methods. I like to use my feet and I believe footwork is a part of my game. So I guess that is something I tried to improve from time to time. From a young age, I have had that drawn into me – using your feet to spin when you can.You began your Test career at No. 6, but within a space of 14 Tests, you were the permanent No. 3. Were you of the opinion that your game was best suited for the key No. 3 slot?
No, not really. Growing up, I have always batted at No. 3 in age-group stuff. For me, you start enjoying perhaps, or start wanting to bat in that position. But I am enjoying No. 3 and am very much looking to improve my game in that area. I am enjoying batting at the moment, along with the challenges that come with it.What is that challenge that comes with batting at No. 3? What sort of change in approach does it take to go from No. 6 to No. 3?
I didn’t spend a lot of time at No. 6. I batted in the top order most of the times. The natural difference is that you are probably expected to play the new ball. You can also be sitting with your pads on for hours after play gets underway. So I guess being flexible in that position is important because you are not quite sure when you are going to come out.From the technical aspect, is there any substantial change?
Ideally you want your technique to remain similar wherever you are batting. I want to be relaxed and calm at the crease. Your options of how you play at a top-order position can be quite different with the ball possibly being new and fresh as opposed to the middle or lower order where the ball tends to be a little bit older. Ideally, if the top order is doing their job, then the bowlers get a little bit tired. The biggest change is how you approach it mentally and not much technically.

“My personal average is not that important when I am trying to contribute to the team as much as I can. That is not the concern”

Your presence at the crease is that of a seasoned veteran. You have played more than 30 Tests already, but your batting average is still in the 30s. Is there a particular reason why you are not in the 40s yet?*
Yes, I haven’t scored enough runs. That is the obvious answer. It is something that I want to keep improving on and try to become a better player, and do it day in and day out. People may want me to average in the 40s or whatever, but for now, I just want to keep improving as a batsman. [After the recent Test series against West Indies, Williamson’s average was 40.28]Are there any goals as to where you want your average to be when you hit 50 Tests in your career, and beyond?
No, not at all. It will be nice to hit 50 Tests. That will be great but I don’t really have goals like that. I would want to keep improving with my game and make an impact. [If] averages are getting high because of that, that will be great. But if not, still contributing while playing in the Tests – that is more important.You have a very classical, orthodox batting technique. Someone like Rahul Dravid struggled initially in the limited-overs format. However, you are averaging close to 40 in ODIs. Was there any particular tweaks that you had to make going from Tests into the limited-overs format?
Like I said, my personal average is not that important when I am trying to contribute to the team as much as I can. That is not the concern. But coming to the limited-overs game, adapting is important. You have to know where you are getting your singles and also know your boundary options. I don’t try to change the game very much. I just try to look at the situation and act accordingly. That is how I like to play it.You hadn’t played international T20s for nearly two years, but you were brought into the squad for the World T20. Was that recall a surprise?
Yes, certainly. As you’re growing up, and as a very young cricketer, you always aspire to represent your country and a call-up like that always comes as a surprise, no matter how well you are doing. I got a call, and was very surprised to be in the big stage.Since we are talking about the World T20, I have to ask you about the close loss at the hands of South Africa. Where did you think the game turned?
We were frustrated, obviously, that we couldn’t bring the game home from the position we were in. But, as you know, T20 cricket can be a bit like that, and small margins can change the game around. Obviously, their big players really stood up. And if you perhaps look at the innings of [JP] Duminy – he played, under pressure, an outstanding innings, a match-winning one. And also the way Dale Steyn bowled, the death overs in particular, and all through the innings, was world-class. And we didn’t stand up in those moments.What was the mood afterwards in the dressing room?
It’s not a nice dressing room when you lose, especially from a position where you believe that you should have won. And the dressing room wasn’t as cheerful as it would have been had we won it.Speaking of South Africa, you played one of the best rearguard innings in the recent years in Wellington in 2012, your second Test century. Steyn and [Morne] Morkel were on fire that day. You were hit a few times and broke your box once. Can you briefly take us through that innings?
If you try to be calm and be in the moment and not worry about things too far ahead and focus on the task at hand, you can handle those sort of challenges. During that game, we were up against such a stiff challenge that you knew you had to take your chances and stick together as a team. It was nice to come up with those runs and draw that match and show that our team can do it day in and day out.Williamson on his match-saving hundred in Wellington in 2012: “To me, it was surviving each delivery as best as you can”•Getty ImagesWhat does that sort of an innings do to a young player like you who is making his way into the international arena?
Going into that Test, we had lost the earlier game and we knew that the South African attack was a bit tough. I had played in the past mainly in the subcontinent. To come up against South Africa was a huge learning curve and a lot of guys in the side felt the same. There was a huge amount that I learnt during that period. Facing quality pace bowlers like that also improves your game. It is something that I will never, ever forget. I want to keep building on that as well.What does it do, in terms of your self-belief, when put in an impossible position? A win was basically out of question – so South Africa were going to go all out.
When you are up against things like that, you try to simplify things as much as you possibly can. There were a lot of runs up on the board and we were up against it. To me, it was surviving each delivery as best as you can, knowing that if you did that then it gave you a big chance; through your methods and your basics, it would give you a big chance for some success. I guess that is how I tried to play and it was nice to come off along with the boys who really contributed in that innings.You have been a fabulous catcher standing at gully, pulling off some absolute blinders. Is there any particular catch that is a favourite?
It is probably the one in the recent [home] Test against West Indies, the catch of [Shivnarine] Chanderpaul. It was when, I suppose, we didn’t get the runs that we liked in the first innings and then we rolled them and the way we took our catches was a great feeling. It was nice getting catches there at the gully position and I suppose I do enjoy that. I do see it as a good challenge.What are some of the key aspects for a fielder standing in that position?

Certainly better catchers than me are out there. What I try to do is stay low and as still as I can, watch the striking area and react. I suppose some catches are easier than others. There are ones that you might remember, but often you are just reacting. Those are the little things that I do while at gully.You have captained New Zealand a few times. Do you have goals and personal ambitions to lead New Zealand in all formats some time in the future?
I don’t really have a goal to do that, but it certainly would be a great honour if the opportunity were to come. A few times that I’ve led, I felt that you want the players in your side to come up to you, accepting you as a leader, and also you cannot come up with your own agendas. That is what I believe. It will be a huge honour to lead New Zealand, but in the meantime, I will just try and contribute to the team’s performances. Ultimately, that is what it is all about.I want to talk a bit about the New Zealand team itself. You have a great set of fast bowlers, and also a very good set of batsmen. Currently, the team is ranked seventh in the ICC rankings. Where do you see it going?
This is a positive and a good young group – a group that can win a lot in the coming years and ultimately move higher and higher in the rankings. That would be, without a doubt, the goal for us. We have got the talent there, we know that. Our fast bowlers have been great. Most of us are very young. And we have some very talented batsmen. We have to get good experience at this stage and move everyone’s game forward. Then we can do well in the future.Finally, the World Cup is coming home next year. The last time it was there, New Zealand were in the semi-finals. Is there any pressure on you guys to equal or better that performance?
Yes, naturally, playing in your home conditions, it probably brings a bit more expectations. The nature of the tournament is pretty cut-throat and you want to be at your peak as soon as you hit the tournament. We know our conditions, and we have played really good cricket recently in World Cups. If we can do that, we will be positive and confident going into the tournament.*This interview was conducted during the World T20 in Bangladesh in April

You are likely to find special reports in newspapers and sports shows on TV on the way a certain Sachin Tendulkar has been getting dismissed

Aamod Desai25-Feb-2013Along with the statistics for India’s win in Bangalore, you are likely to find special reports in newspapers and sports shows on TV on the way a certain Sachin Tendulkar has been getting dismissed, and quantification on his lack of three-figure scores for a year and a half now. Some will go a step ahead and suggest the man needs to hang up his boots. Valid facts and obvious consequent emotions, but where is the cricketing logic among all this, to rationalise the observations?Ex-players like Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Manjrekar have suggested that age appears to be catching up with Tendulkar and that fast bowlers are trying to get him bowled or leg-before by bowling full, and his once above-the-rest hand-eye co-ordination is now at the level of most others. There is a certain basis to why these ex-players are suggesting reasons for Tendulkar’s form and manner of dismissals, but unintentionally that has got almost every Tom, Dick and Harry discussing his technique, skill and ability, including those whose knowledge of Test cricket does not go beyond the numbers on the scorecards.The expectations from Tendulkar are so high that every dry innings becomes a disappointment, a 50 or a 70 doesn’t get elicit much of a reaction, a ton missed is equated to nervous nineties and a longish period of no hundreds (like the one currently) is correlated to age, impending retirement and lack of ability; and mostly this hasn’t changed for the last couple of decades.Before I start listing reasons for his lack of form and manner of dismissals, a disclaimer: these are just observations and I have no intention of making this go beyond that. Let us try and delineate the discussion around him getting bowled/leg before too often first. The year 2010 was probably the most productive year for Sachin in recent times; he was dismissed on 20 occasions in Tests during that period, which included 8 (40%) bowled (3) or leg-before (5) dismissals. The year 2011 had Sachin dismissed as bowled (2) or leg-before (5) on 7 occasions out of 16 (43.75%). His career stats read 110 bowled (51) or leg-before (59) dismissals out of 282 times he has had to walk back (39%). These numbers are indicative that the sudden series of ‘bowled’ dismissals shouldn’t be more than an aberration.Harsha Bhogle and Aakash Chopra have suggested that Tendulkar’s recent dismissals have got to do with him looking to hit straight balls through midwicket. It’s a fair point, which would indicate that his balance is falling over to the off side. Normally Sachin’s on drives have a certain direction based on the balls’ delivery points. His flick from off stump towards midwicket off a left-arm seamer is rarely fallible, while on-drives off right-arm quicks go along the virtual V-line or behind square if he times it late; but his dismissals in this series have been exactly the opposite. His balance in executing certain shots is looking as good as ever, the feet appear to move in sync with the weight transfer and hence the trying-to-hit-through-midwicket inference isn’t complete.Last year you saw him getting trapped lbw a bit too often; a possible reason to see him getting bowled so often this year, could be due to an alteration in his stance to keep the pad from getting in the way of straight deliveries. When you look at his recent knocks you will realise that he is struggling with form in terms of scoring the runs rather than touch, for certain patches in his innings are trademark stuff, if not better. The system appears to work smoothly and then suddenly it encounters a glitch.It’s said that batting hours in the nets is completely different from spending time in the middle and probably that is what is happening with Tendulkar. When you are in form the confidence that goes along with it takes care of certain unintentional movements, but when you aren’t, a single glitch can keep recurring.Tendulkar is too good to not notice the shortcomings in his movements, and there are plenty of wise men to suggest the desired corrections. For a young boy who loved the challenge of defending against a one rupee coin to improve his skills, it would be unreal to suggest that Tendulkar isn’t concerned about the way he is getting dismissed; his reaction in Bangalore is pretty much self-explanatory. In a way the vocal criticism about Tendulkar is good – it will provide him with a fresh challenge and a few extra hours in the nets to iron out a rare flaw; just like any other challenge that he has loved to face all through his career.

ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the day of the first day of the Durban Test between South Africa and India

Sidharth Monga at Kingsmead26-Dec-2010The lead
When Virender Sehwag walked out to bat on Boxing Day, after yet another lost toss, and with a new, inexperienced opening partner, he saw M Vijay run past him and towards the pitch. Sehwag walked to the pitch, had a little chat, and decided to take strike to the first ball. When Gautam Gambhir is with him, or even when Vijay is opening on friendlier tracks, Sehwag always prefers for the other man to take first strike. His responsibility today was rewarded with a stinging first ball that hit his hand.The leave
It’s always said that to do well in South Africa, you need to leave the ball alone well. Vijay took that to the next level today. Twice he meant to leave the ball alone, twice he found that it hit the middle of his bat even as he was pulling it out of the way. One of them went along the ground towards the slips cordon, and the other one, became an immaculate steer through it. All along the ground. Four runs.The six
After straight-driving Dale Steyn for a four, VVS Laxman did something he has done only five times in his career: hit a six. What a shot it was. Steyn bowled short, Laxman seemed to have enough time to set up for the pull, and he sent it careening – flat – over the square-leg boundary. His other sixes have come off Brighton Watambwa of Zimbabwe in 2001, Shaun Pollock in 2001-02, Paul Wiseman in 2003-04, and Danish Kaneria in 2004-05.The catch and the consequent look
You have played three Tests, have never taken a catch, your team-mates think – jokingly – that you “can tend to fall asleep” in the field. And what do you do? You pull off a stunner at straight midwicket to remove the best-looking batsman on the day. Lonwabo Tsotsobe, take a bow. When Laxman pulled Steyn again after that six, it looked like it was going for four until Tsotsobe went full-stretch and low to his right – his unnatural side – and plucked it inches off the ground. Laxman’s disbelieving look – reminiscent of his look when Mark Waugh pulled off a stunner in Chennai in 2000-01, at the same position – said it all. If that look didn’t didn’t say it all, Steyn, who took four wickets today, added more: “I actually took only three wickets, that wicket was his [Tsotsobe’s].”The delay
When it had finished drizzling in the morning, with time still left before the start of play, Mike Haysman of went out to do the pitch report. Midway through his report, it started drizzling again, and you could see the groundstaff itching to rush in and put the covers back in their rightful place. However, they had to wait for the pitch report to finish. Thankfully, it was not hard rain.

Two late wickets were reward for New Zealand’s application – particularly that of Chris Martin whose wiry frame belied an extra yard of zip that none of England’s bowlers could replicate (least of all Steve Harmison). But perhaps more significantly, the b

Andrew Miller in Hamilton06-Mar-2008
Alastair Cook fell for 38 – a stark reminder of the frailties of England’s batting lineup © Getty Images
For 85 overs of the second day at Hamilton, the first Test between England and New Zealand was dying a slow death. The application shown by Ross Taylor and Daniel Vettori during their 148-run stand was admirable but foreboding. England’s bowlers found no swing, seam or spin to help them on their way, and when their own batsmen replied in kind with an 84-run opening stand, the worst sort of stalemate was already being envisaged.But then, Alastair Cook went and played a pull shot that had “mug” tattooed all over it, and suddenly there was life in the match once again. Two late wickets were reward for New Zealand’s application – particularly that of Chris Martin whose wiry frame belied an extra yard of zip that none of England’s bowlers could replicate (least of all Steve Harmison). But perhaps more significantly, the breakthroughs were a reminder of the frailties of England’s batting line-up.Daniel Vettori made a point of bigging up England’s top six on the eve of the series, remarking how they all averaged in excess of 40. What he omitted to mention is that they all too frequently reach that score then give their wickets away. In Sri Lanka before Christmas, England were overwhelmed by three totemic innings – 152 from Kumar Sangakkara at Kandy, and then 197 and 213 not out from Mahela Jayawardene at Colombo and Galle respectively. In reply they mustered a solitary hundred in six attempts, and that came from Cook at the last gasp, when the series was already irretrievable.Taylor’s hugely mature 120 wasn’t quite in the class of those three knocks, but it was a performance of great resolve and substance, the like of which England aren’t too keen to replicate these days. As a squad they have mislaid the art of the meaningful innings – and they can’t even manage it in one-day cricket, where their last centurion was Owais Shah at The Oval against India last summer, 11 matches ago.Andrew Strauss used to score centuries for fun, with 10 in his first 30 Tests, but he was dropped after failing to reach three figures in 25 subsequent innings. Now he’s back in the mix, thanks entirely to the shortcomings of others, and he’s out in the middle already – at least a session sooner than he had envisaged. There’s no time like the present for ending his run-drought either. Ian Bell is incapacitated, Tim Ambrose is on debut, and Ryan Sidebottom – for all his merits – is hardly fit to lace Vettori’s boots at No. 8.New Zealand are flushed with unexpected confidence after the success of their batsmen this morning, and they sense that England are beatable.”We think we can win the game,” said Taylor. “If they were none-down or one-down it would be a pretty even game, but to have them two-down when it is starting to slow up and take a bit of turn, I’m sure the first session tomorrow will be big. If we can put some pressure on England early on then you never know.”Pressure was what England’s bowlers singularly failed to apply after resuming on 282 for 6. “We’re disappointed that we didn’t bowl as well as we did yesterday,” said Ryan Sidebottom, who with 4 for 90 was England’s stand-out bowler and, for once, had the figures to prove it. “We were fired up to get the four wickets and we were stupidly searching for wickets this morning, rather than doing what we did yesterday. We were trying to bowl too quick instead of plugging away, and they scored 100 more than we expected.”Apart from watching him on TV, I haven’t had a lot to do with him [Steve Harmison] but he can bowl at 130kph as much as he wants, because it makes it easier for me. He’d be a hell of a bowler to face if he was bowling at 145-150kph, especially on a bouncy deckRoss Taylor gives a damning assessment of Steve Harmison”Bowling too quick.” That may have been true of the two specialist swing bowlers in the line-up, but oh for such an accolade to be uttered in Harmison’s direction. Taylor could hardly believe his luck when reputation finally met with reality, and he faced up for the first time to the bowler who was once the most fearsome in the world. “Apart from watching him on TV, I haven’t had a lot to do with him,” said Taylor, “but he can bowl at 130kph as much as he wants, because it makes it easier for me. He’d be a hell of a bowler to face if he was bowling at 145-150kph, especially on a bouncy deck.”It was a pretty damning yet utterly honest assessment from a man in only his third Test match. Taylor came to the crease with a reputation for big hitting and a career-best score of 17, and yet he bedded in to bat for more than five hours. “I got off to a bit of shaky start in my first four digs in Test cricket, so it was good to silence a few people who doubted me and whether I was good enough to play at this level,” he said. “It was definitely the most circumspect I’ve ever batted.”England are capable of emulating such feats. Strauss was back to his compact self during the warm-up in Dunedin, while Kevin Pietersen is bristling for a big one after failing to reach even fifty in Sri Lanka. But to judge by the verve and aggression showed by Martin and Mills with the new ball, and the steep bounce and not-insignificant turn extracted by the spinners, Vettori and Jeetan Patel, New Zealand’s bowlers are more up for the challenge than their English counterparts proved to be.England were, after all, bundled out for 131 in their warm-up at Dunedin. “That showed us that England can be beaten,” said Taylor. “It was only a three-day game and it did do a lot on the first morning of that game, but it gave the players in that match a bit more belief they could foot it with England. It showed we are still in the game.”

Kathryn Bryce scored a superbly-judged unbeaten half-century to propel Charlotte Edwards Cup finalists The Blaze to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Western Storm at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens.Chasing 135 to win, The Blaze achieved their target with eight balls to spare thanks to an innings of 54 not out from 35 balls by Bryce, who shared in stands of 66 and 41 with Georgie Boyce and Marie Kelly for the third and fourth wickets respectively.Put in to bat, Storm slumped to 49 for 4 and were indebted to Emma Corney, who top-scored with 23 and shared in a restorative stand of 42 for the fifth wicket with Sophie Luff, while Alex Griffiths clubbed 19 not out at the death.But Blaze were always in control, Grace Ballinger taking 2 for 24 with the new ball and Kathryn Bryce weighing in with 2 for 17, including the key wicket of Luff, as Storm were restricted to 134 for 7.Having already qualified for Saturday’s final at New Road, Worcester, group winners Blaze ensured they finished with a 100 percent winning record, extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 matches in 2023. A team in transition, Storm won three of their seven fixtures to claim fifth place.Even without star players Kirstie Gordon, Tammy Beaumont, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sarah Glenn, who were involved in England’s two-day training match ahead of the women’s Ashes, Blaze proved too strong for a Storm side that were missing Heather Knight, Dani Gibson and Lauren Filer.Ballinger made a breakthrough in the first over, bowling Nat Wraith for four with her second delivery from the River End, after which she and Nadine de Klerk sent down 10 consecutive dot balls to apply immediate pressure.Orla Prendergast had registered a superb hundred on debut in her last appearance at Sophia Gardens in April, but managed just 19 from 14 balls on this occasion as Storm slipped to 35 for 2 in the fifth over. The Ireland international plundered three consecutive fours at the expense of Ballinger, who then exacted a swift revenge by pinning Prendergast lbw next ball.Although the powerplay yielded 44 runs, Storm continued to lose wickets and Niamh Holland, promoted to open the batting in the absence of Gibson, was run out by de Klerk, having contributed a 23-ball 21. Fran Wilson went in the very next over with the score on 49, driving at a length ball from Sophie Munro and finding Kathryn Bryce at extra cover.Charged with the task of rebuilding, Luff and Corney played spinners Josie Groves and Lucy Higham well, combining deft placement and quick running between the wickets to keep the scoreboard ticking over during the middle overs.Corney enjoyed a large slice of good fortune when, having scored seven, she was dropped by Beth Harmer at mid-on off the bowling of Groves with the score on 76. But there was no let-off when Luff stepped in front of a straight ball from Kathryn Bryce and was adjudged lbw in the 15th over. Storm’s influential captain had raised 19 from 18 balls and helped add 42 runs in 6.5 overs for the fifth wicket, but her dismissal represented a body blow to the home side, who were 91 for 5 in the 15th over.Previously deployed in the role of chief support, Corney now picked up the cudgels, driving fluently to register her highest score in the competition, advancing to 23 from 32 balls before being bowled by the returning Kathryn Bryce as Blaze sought to reimpose their earlier dominance. Sophia Smale was bowled by de Klerk for 10 in the penultimate over, but Griffiths was able to score an unbeaten 19 at a run-a-ball to haul Storm to respectability.Prepared to take a risk at every opportunity, Sarah Bryce and Beth Harmer rode their luck to provide the Blaze reply with early momentum, the opening pair adding 28 in 4.2 overs. But Harmer then scooped off spinner Claire Nicholas to short fine leg and departed for 12 and Smale had Bryce held at mid-off for 15 in the next over to reduce the visitors to 30 for 2.Unperturbed by that double setback, Kathryn Bryce and Boyce initially went about their business in workmanlike fashion, finding the gaps and running hard to keep the rate down. When Bryce hoisted Smale over mid-wicket for the first six of the match and then drove her next ball through the covers for four, Blaze were 69 for 2 at the halfway point of their innings, requiring a further 66 at 6.6 an over with plenty of wickets in hand.Becoming ever-more expansive, Bryce then helped herself to three boundaries in the twelfth over, sent down by Prendergast, at which point the rate was below a run a ball for the first time. Nicholas returned to have Boyce caught at mid-off for a 27-ball 26 in the 14th over, in the process terminating a productive stand that had yielded 66 runs in 8.1 overs and giving Storm renewed hope.But skipper Kelly slammed the door shut on West Country ambition, seizing the initiative in a forthright knock of 20 in 18 balls, which put the outcome beyond doubt before Bryce raised her 50 from 31 balls with her sixth four in the 18th over.

نجح الفريق الأول لكرة اليد رجال بالنادي الأهلي، في تحقق الفوز على نظيره سموحة بنتيجة 32-19، خلال المباراة التي جمعت بينهما اليوم ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري المحترفين.

المباراة أقيمت على صالة الأمير عبد الله الفيصل، بمقر الأهلي في الجزيرة وقدم خلالها الأحمر عرضًا قوياً على الصعيد الهجومي والدفاعي.

وشهد الشوط الأول تقدم رجال يد الأهلي بنتيجة 15-10، قبل أن يستمر الأداء المميز للفريق في الشوط الثاني، ليحسم الأهلي المباراة لصالحه بنتيجة 32-19.

طالع أيضاً.. الزمالك يفوز على العبور في دوري المحترفين لكرة اليد

وكان فريق رجال يد الأهلي قد حقق الفوز في المباراة السابقة على الترسانة بنتيجة 30-20، ضمن منافسات بطولة ‏الدوري‎.

يُذكر أن الأهلي توج بلقب كأس الكؤوس الإفريقية لكرة اليد، بعد الفوز على الزمالك بنتيجة 31-28 في المباراة النهائية التي أقيمت على صالة الأمير عبد الله الفيصل بمقر النادي بالجزيرة.

MatériaMais Notícias

O planejamento do Vasco para a temporada de 2023 pode passar por alternativas caseiras. Com a despedida de Andrey Santos, que tem acordo encaminhado com o Chelsea, o técnico Maurício Barbieri volta suas atenções para um meio-campista que alia o combate à criatividade: Marlon Gomes.

+ MERCADO DA BOLA: fique por dentro das movimentações dos clubes na janela de transferência

Formado nas categorias de base do Cruz-Maltino, o jogador de 19 anos chamou atenção da torcida em 2022 por sua versatilidade. O jovem atuou como meia-armador e jogou nas duas pontas em partidas na Série B. Com a lacuna deixada por Andrey Santos, há uma chance do jovem ser aproveitado como volante, setor no qual atuou com frequência no sub-20.

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Marlon Gomes teve um ano acima da média em 2022 desde as categorias de base. Em 21 jogos no sub-20, anotou sete vezes e contribuiu diretamente para dois gols cruz-maltinos. Isto credenciou tanto na convocação para a Seleção da categoria quanto em sua ida para os profissionais, onde disputou 18 partidas, marcou duas vezes e fez a jogada para um gol da equipe na Série B.

Empenhado, o jogador de 19 anos rapidamente conseguiu entrosamento com o elenco e chamou atenção pela tranquilidade na distribuição de passes. Em uma temporada de 2023 na qual o Vasco investirá mais e terá a chegada de reforços, Marlon Gomes tem um desafio a mais.

O Cruz-Maltino ainda procura um reforço ideal para o setor. Vinícius Zanocelo, do Santos,e Léo Naldi, da Ponte Preta, são nomes que estão em pauta para fazer a função de camisa 8 na Colina. Enquanto isso, o técnico Maurício Barbieri tem feito testes no elenco. Figueiredo chegou a treinar no setor.

Em um ano de renovação para o Vasco, Marlon Gomes tenta se afirmar e comprovar que tem condições de brigar pela titularidade em São Januário.

Ending a wait that lasted eight years, Mumbai lifted their 42nd Ranji Trophy title in front of a jubilant home crowd at the Wankhede. Up against a stubborn Vidarbha team that refused to give in, Mumbai were eventually comfortable in defending 538 to win the final. Captain Ajinkya Rahane credited the triumph to the vision instilled in the team by head coach Omkar Salvi.”I think our journey started in June and it was all because of Omkar’s vision. We all had a vision as a team, but it came from Omkar,” Rahane said in the post-match press conference. “We focused on player fitness, creating a great culture in the team and giving freedom to all the players, not only on the field but off the field as well.”And you know, when someone is not doing well, you have to back that individual. It’s a team sport. Some players will do well in the team, few players won’t do well. But it’s all about backing all the players in the right time,” Rahane said. “So I think massive credit to Omkar. He has worked hard for this moment. Today I am really proud of him, really happy for him. His hard work has really paid off.”Related

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Rahane said that the title win, and the fact that there are several players from Mumbai representing India, bodes well for the team.”This victory means a lot. 42nd title, waiting seven-eight years. Last year we played really good cricket but unfortunately because of one run we couldn’t qualify for the playoffs. But this 42nd title means a lot. And as you mentioned, ten players representing Indian cricket, it’s massive.”He also underlined the importance of players turning up in domestic cricket.”I want to mention one thing about BCCI giving importance to domestic cricket which is a very good thing, telling players to play domestic cricket. Which is very important,” Rahane said.”From here on, for Mumbai cricket, it is important to keep growing, to keep thinking about how can we get better in all formats,” he said. “Winning the championship after eight years, we did this, but again, we want to repeat this in the coming years. Our focus will be on that.”But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Mumbai on the fifth day of the final as Vidarbha skipper Akshay Wadkar and rookie Harsh Dubey played out a wicket-less morning session, sparking chatter about a potential upset of epic proportions. It wasn’t to be, but Rahane was the first to tip his hat to Vidarbha’s resilience.”The way they played cricket, the way they have fought in this match. When you concede a 120-run first-innings lead and are chasing 538, it’s easy to give up. But the sport teaches you that if you don’t give up and believe in your abilities, anything can happen,” Rahane said.”Chasing 538, the character which they have shown in the second innings was a great learning experience for all of us. The grit and determination with which they batted was very good.”The last 7-8 years they have been doing really good. They had a couple of championships and they won Irani Trophy once or twice. They are playing really good cricket.”Dhawal Kulkarni took the final wicket to seal Mumbai’s victory•PTI

Wadkar: ‘Never thought we were out of the game’

At stumps on the fourth day, Karun Nair had said that Vidarbha, 290 runs away with five wickets in hand, were faced with a “tough task” but also that they are a team that would not quit.Wadkar and Dubey exemplified that in their defiant partnership that saw Vidarbha go into lunch on the final day 85 runs closer to their target with no more damage to the wickets column. Wadkar scored his second century in Ranji Trophy finals, while Dubey brought up his second first-class fifty.”When we had our huddle, when we spoke in our team meeting, when we were speaking in our partnership, we didn’t think even 1% that we are out of the match,” Wadkar said.”We were just thinking that all the batters together, we’ll win the match. Because it’s the final and the last inning, so there was no scope of giving up or thinking negative. You have to go for the win, so we just believed that we will win.”Wadkar said that the Mumbai team kept having many discussions on their tactics since the fourth day, when he put on a 90-run stand with Nair and started his 130-run partnership with Dubey, but at no point did Rahane or his team look flustered, which meant that he knew Vidarbha still had a long way to go in the match.”[Mumbai] were having discussions since yesterday. When I was batting with Karun, when I was batting with Harsh. So they had discussions on field changes and bowling changes,” Wadkar said. “I was just observing their captain, Rahane, that what are his expressions? Is he talking a little harshly with the bowlers? Because then we would know that we are in the game.”But from his attitude, it looked like he was cool and calm. He didn’t let it show if he was getting frustrated or that we were getting close to the game.”So we also felt that we are quite far in the game and we have to go a long way. We did have a long way to go, of course, but from the attitude of the opponents, you get vibes about what they are thinking. But from his attitude, it didn’t look like [they were getting frustrated].”Akshay Wadkar scored his second century in a Ranji final•PTI

MCA increases prize money for Mumbai

While Mumbai were already receiving INR 5 crore from the BCCI for winning the Ranji Trophy, the Mumbai Cricket Association decided to double the prize money with a prize of INR 5 crore of their own.”MCA President Amol Kale and Apex Council has decided to double the Ranji Trophy prize money. The MCA will pay additional sum of Rs 5 crore to the winning Mumbai Ranji Trophy team,” the MCA said in a statement.Mumbai coach Salvi praised the board for the move, saying it would give the players more security.”I think nowadays there are very less institutions that provide jobs [to players]. I think BCCI taking that step and giving that money and along with that MCA putting that step forward to equal that amount is a great help for the players who don’t have jobs or other sources of earning,” Salvi said.”It also gives an inspiration. Definitely I feel [Inspiration] should be intrinsic but the monetary help will give them the security and it will stabilise them mentally and financially and they will give more to the game.”

Liverpool have reportedly drawn up a three-man striker shortlist but Arne Slot's team must sell a key player to fund such a move.

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• Liverpool have three-man striker shortlist
• Need to sell key player to fund a move
• Reds eye another statement signing

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Liverpool have added Napoli striker Victor Osimhen to their list of attacking targets, reports The Mirror. The Nigerian, who spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, reportedly joins Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike and Newcastle United's Alexander Isak on the Reds' number nine wishlist.

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  Ekitike is understood to be valued at around £85 million ($116.5m), and Osimhen is said to have a £63m ($86.5m) release clause, while Isak could cost upwards of £100m. However, the report states that a new striker signing will only be possible if they sell players, with Darwin Nunez the most likely candidate.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Frankfurt chief Markus Krosche has already made it clear the German side will not be bullied in the transfer market when it comes to Ekitike.

  The club's CEO said: "If the price isn’t right, then he’ll simply stay with us. We don’t have to sell Hugo.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Liverpool have already spent close to £200m on Bayer Leverkusen duo Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong this summer, along with Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez. But more big arrivals could be on the way as well for the Premier League champions.

Arsenal stars jetted off to Oslo to attend club captain Martin Odegaard's wedding ceremony with Bukayo Saka headlining the celebrations.

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Arsenal stars reached Oslo to attend Odegaard's weddingSaka, Trossard, Havertz attended the ceremonyOdegaard got married last November Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Odegaard and his partner, Helene Spilling, secretly tied the knot in November last year in a closed ceremony, and a month later, the couple gave birth to their first child. Now, seven months later, the Gunners' captain decided to celebrate the nuptials with a grand ceremony in Oslo, Norway.

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The reports that Arsenal and England star Saka attended the wedding in a black tux and was accompanied by his girlfriend, Tolami Benson. The Gunners players who graced the occasion were Leandro Trossard and his wife Laura Hilven, and German forward Kai Havertz.

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Per Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang, Odegaard has already changed his status to married in the national register, while his wife adjusted her name to Helene Spilling Odegaard.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

After a hectic 2024-25 campaign, the Arsenal players and coaching staff are enjoying a well-earned break. They will reassemble under manager Mikel Arteta in End July before heading to Asia for pre-season training.