Celtic ensured that they will be lifting the Scottish Premiership title for a third year in a row with a thumping 5-0 win over Kilmarnock on Wednesday night.

The Scottish giants fought off competition from their closest rivals to win the division and, after their final league game of the campaign on Saturday, they will then have the SFA Cup final to focus on.

Following the end of the 2023/24 campaign, Brendan Rodgers and his team will turn their attention to the upcoming summer transfer window and how they can make changes to the squad to improve their performance next term.

The Hoops were knocked out of the League Cup and the Champions League during the first half of the season and may want to fare better than an early exit from Europe next time around.

It will be interesting to see who Celtic decide to go ahead and pursue to bolster their squad in the summer. One player they must push to sign if possible is a forward from the English Championship.

Celtic's interest in Championship star

Earlier this year, it was reported by Football Insider that the Hoops are interested in a possible swoop to sign Blackburn Rovers attacker Sammie Szmodics.

They are not the only team in the running to land his signature, though, as the outlet claimed that Premier League side Brentford are also set to be in the mix to sign the Republic of Ireland international ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Football Insider went on to reveal that other teams from the bottom half of the Premier League could also join Celtic and the Bees in the pursuit of the former Colchester star, which suggests that there could be a big battle for his services.

However, the same source then provided an update at the start of April that made it seem unlikely that the Scottish giants will be able to get a deal over the line, as the English teams are said to have the advantage over them given what they can offer as a fee and wages.

That second report did, though, claim that Blackburn may not be able to keep hold of the attacking midfielder amid strong interest from elsewhere, which suggests that there may be an opening to exploit this summer.

Should the Irish sensation become available as an option for the Hoops to bring in, Rodgers could finally reignite Luis Palma by snapping him up ahead of next season.

Luis Palma's inconsistent season

The Bhoys reportedly splashed out a fee of £3.5m to sign the Honduras international from Greek side Aris FC during last summer's transfer window.

He started the season in fantastic form at the top end of the pitch, with a return of five goals and nine assists in 16 appearances in the Premiership in 2023.

14 direct goal involvements in 16 matches in the league shows that the attacker was contributing on a regular basis as both a scorer and a creator for Rodgers.

The exciting winger hit the ground running in Glasgow and looked set to be a terrific signing for the Northern Irish manager. However, there is a stark contrast between his form over the last five months and the first half of the season.

Since the turn of the year, Palma has only produced two goals and one assist in 14 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants.

11 of those games came in the Premiership and he chipped in with one goal and zero assists for the side in that time.

This shows that his form has dropped off a cliff during the second half of the campaign and Celtic must find a way for him to hit his best levels again next season.

Appearances

27

Starts

17

Goals

6

Assists

9

Big chances created

13

Key passes per game

2.4

As you can see in the table above, Palma is a creative talent who has the quality to provide his teammates with high-quality opportunities in front of goal.

Therefore, Rodgers could, potentially, finally reignite the forward, after months of poor form, by signing a player – Szmodics – who could make the most of his creativity on the flank.

How Sammie Szmodics could reignite Luis Palma

Firstly, it is worth noting that Celtic's first-choice centre-forward for the majority of this season has underperformed in front of goal, given the quality of chances that have been created for them.

Kyogo Furuhashi has scored 13 goals from 17.49 xG in the Scottish Premiership, which is an underperformance of 4.49 – the highest of any player in the Hoops squad.

The 29-year-old attacker, who has averaged one goal every 187 minutes, has missed a staggering 23 'big chances' in the final third, to go along with his 13 goals in 33 matches.

This means that the forward was not able to make the most of Palma's creativity, which is illustrated by the winger's nine assists from 13 'big chances' created.

Szmodics, who journalist Josh Bunting claimed is "dangerous", rattled in an astonishing 27 goals from 21.41 xG for Blackburn in the Championship this season, which is an overperformance of 5.69.

The 28-year-old star scored a staggering 33 goals in all competitions for the English outfit, with six goals in three FA Cup matches alongside his 27 league strikes.

He only missed 17 'big chances' in 44 Championship appearances for Blackburn and ranked within the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the division for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.62).

These statistics suggest that Szmodics would be a far better option than Kyogo in the final third, due to his sensational finishing quality.

The Ireland international is a clinical and prolific forward who has proven that he has the ability to find the back of the net at an exceptional rate.

Alongside O'Riley: 9/10 star just helped secure the title for Celtic

The Hoops star justified his selection with a terrific performance at the top end of the pitch.

ByDan Emery May 16, 2024

Therefore, Rodgers could reignite Palma by bringing Szmodics into the club to provide the winger with a lethal attacker, who can make the most of the 'big chances' that he has proven he can create consistently.

It is now down to the club to battle it out to win the race for the Blackburn star ahead of rival interest from English sides in order to bolster his attack with a terrific new signing.

Glasgow Rangers can end their season in style as they prepare to travel away from Ibrox to Hampden Park for the SFA Cup final on Saturday.

The Light Blues won the League Cup earlier this term, shortly after Philippe Clement's arrival in Glasgow, and they now have an opportunity to complete a clean sweep of the domestic cup competitions in Scotland.

They missed out on the Scottish Premiership title, as they finished second behind their closest rivals, and they can dish out a bit of revenge on Saturday by beating Celtic to secure the SFA Cup trophy.

The Gers come into this game off the back of a 3-3 draw with Hearts in the Premiership on the final day of the season last weekend, as the Jam Tarts struck an equaliser in stoppage time.

Clement could now make a few changes to his starting XI from that draw in order to give his team the best chance of lifting another piece of silverware this weekend.

With that in mind, here is FFC's predicted Rangers lineup to take to the field at Hampden Park for this cup final clash with the Hoops…

1 Jack Butland

Starting off between the sticks, Jack Butland should be selected to play as he has been the manager's first-choice shot-stopper throughout the season so far.

Signed on a free transfer from Crystal Palace last summer, the former England international kept 18 clean sheets in 38 Premiership outings for the Gers.

2 James Tavernier

The captain, James Tavernier, should retain his position at right-back. He knows how to step up on the big occasion, as the English whiz did in the League Cup final at Hampden Park earlier this term.

Tavernier scored the only goal of the game against Aberdeen in the final to secure the trophy for the Light Blues, and the ex-Newcastle United prospect may hope for similar success this weekend.

3 Leon Balogun

The first change to the starting XI could come at the heart of the backline as Leon King could be brutally dropped to the bench to make space for Leon Balogun to return.

Football Insider's Sean Fisher handed King a player rating of 4/10 for his performance against Hearts, as Lawrence Shankland enjoyed great success against him, and FFC published an article urging Clement to ruthlessly bin him from the XI for the cup final.

Balogun, who was once hailed as a "tremendous" player by ex-Rangers man Alex Rae, is an experienced operator who played the full 90 minutes against Aberdeen in the League Cup final earlier this season, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win.

Therefore, the manager should unleash the Nigerian titan, who won 68% of his duels in the Premiership, from the start to marshal the backline.

4 Ben Davies

On the left of the centre-back pairing, Ben Davies could retain his position in the starting XI to offer a naturally left-footed balance to that side of the pitch.

With John Souttar and Connor Goldson both missing out on the matchday squad against Hearts, the former Liverpool man may also be the only experienced option available to partner Balogun.

5 Borna Barisic

The second change to the starting XI could come at left-back as Borna Barisic could come in to start ahead of B team prospect Robbie Fraser.

Ridvan Yilmaz is a big doubt for the game after coming to Clement with an injury issue this week, which leaves the Croatian international as the only experienced option in this position.

Fraser only played two Premiership matches this season, with one start, and it would be a risk to chuck him in from the start for a cup final, which opens the door for the experienced Barisic to come in.

6 Mohammed Diomande

Mohammed Diomande should line up at the base of the midfield once again and look to bring dynamism to the middle of the park against the likes of Reo Hatate and Matt O'Riley.

The 22-year-old star won 53% of his duels in the Premiership as he proved that he can hold his own in physical contests in Scottish football.

7 Nicolas Raskin

Alongside Diomande, Nicolas Raskin could be trusted to compete in midfield after his impressive performance against Hearts, when he won 12 duels and completed seven tackles.

The Belgian battler could use his tenacity and workrate to close down Celtic's players and stop them from dominating the middle of the park at Hampden.

8 Ross McCausland

Academy graduate Ross McCausland should start on the right side of the attack after a fantastic run of form in recent weeks for the Scottish giants, with two goals and two assists in his last four matches.

The Northern Ireland international offers direct running and pace down the right flank and could help to push Greg Taylor back, to limit his impact going forward.

9 Todd Cantwell

In the number ten position, Todd Cantwell's recent form suggests that he is the best man to select in this role once again for this cup final clash.

The English attacking midfielder has produced two goals and one assist in his last two appearances for the Light Blues, and will be looking to be a difference-maker against Celtic.

10 Abdallah Sima

The third change to the starting XI could come on the left flank as Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Abdallah Sima could return to the team ahead of Scott Wright.

After ending the Premiership season with two goals, both of which came in a recent 5-2 win over Dundee, and zero assists in 23 games, Wright should not be trusted to make an impact against Celtic at the top end of the pitch.

Sima, who scored 11 goals and provided two assists in 17 league starts, should replace him in the XI after making his return from injury off the bench against Hearts.

Carlo Ancelotti's side followed a fantastic first half with a poor second, and were perhaps fortunate to run out winners

Real Madrid started in style before finishing in uncertainty in a tense 3-2 win over Alaves. For 45 minutes, Los Blancos were rampant, the Vinicius Jr-Kylian Mbappe-Rodrygo trio purring to give the home side a 3-0 lead. But two late Alaves goals made things interesting – and almost saw Carlo Ancelotti's men collapse.

The Madrid opener came from an unlikely source, Lucas Vazquez sweeping Vinicius' cutback into the bottom corner. Mbappe made it two shortly before half time, a quick interchange with Jude Bellingham leading to an easy finish for Los Blancos' big summer signing.

Rodrygo scored the third shortly after half time, sliding one through the keeper's legs after far too easily evading two Alaves defenders. Endrick came close to adding a fourth within minutes of entering the fray, his deflected shot pinging off the post.

Alaves stuck around, though. Carlos Protesoni grabbed the first, curling one off the post from outside the box. Veteran Kike Garcia added a second two minutes later, setting up a nervy finish. Los Blancos held on, though, some smart defending securing a win that turned out to be far from easy.

GOAL rates Madrid's players from Santiago Bernabeu…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Thibaut Courtois (5/10):

Nothing to do until the 85th minute, when he was beaten by a long range strike. Couldn't stop the second either.

Lucas Vazquez (5/10):

Scored the opener with a smart finish. Gave it away for the Alaves first, and could have been tighter on the second.

Antonio Rudiger (7/10):

A few nice bursts of pace halted opposing attacks. Can't be blamed for either goal, really.

Eder Militao (7/10):

Spent most of his time passing the ball sideways, and had very little defensive work to do. Madrid were markedly worse at the back when he went off.

Ferland Mendy (6/10):

Went about his usual shielding role with aplomb. His defensive cover allowed Vinicius to do all of the fun attacking things.

AdvertisementAFPMidfield

Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

Recycled possession and passed it forward when he needed in the first half – probably his best 45 minutes of the season. Followed it with an unsteady second.

Federico Valverde (8/10):

Never stopped running. Won the ball deep, got involved in the final third. A fine shift.

Jude Bellingham (7/10):

Held onto the ball for too long at times, but was more decisive when it mattered. Combined wonderfully with Mbappe for the second. Less effective – and perhaps a bit tired – in the second half.

Getty Images SportAttack

Vinicius Jr (8/10):

Spent most of the game making opponents look very silly. Assisted the opener. Unlucky not to grab a goal of his own.

Kylian Mbappe (8/10):

Was a more willing runner than in past weeks. Took advantage of the acres of space offered to him by opposing defenders. Dropped deep and connected well, when needed. Much, much better.

Rodrygo (8/10):

Held width, stayed patient, got his goal. Did some important defensive work, too. Still playing out of position, but was incisive when it counted.

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Endrick (5/10):

Hit the post within minutes of coming on. Could have been sent off for a reckless kick.

Luka Modric (5/10):

Lacking defensively, didn't add much going forward.

Jesus Vallejo (3/10):

A rare appearance to give Militao a rest. Had a nightmarish 15 minutes.

Arda Guler (N/A):

Made a couple of vital defensive interventions late.

Fran Garcia (N/A):

Late legs for Vini.

Carlo Ancelotti (5/10):

What a confusing one! His side were rampant in the first half, but so, so poor after the break. A few more minutes on the clock and they really could have throw it away. He won't be happy whatsoever.

It might be an old cliché, but Crystal Palace fans really have endured a campaign of two halves in the Premier League this season.

The arrival of Oliver Glasner has wholly rejuvenated the South Londoners in 2024, and their emphatic 4-0 win over Manchester United last Monday is the perfect game to encapsulate that.

There were several standout performers during those 90 minutes, but perhaps one stood above everyone else on the pitch.

This star has become one of the most exciting players in the country, and his wages have come to reflect that.

Michael Olise's Crystal Palace career

Yes, the man in question is none other than France U21 star Michael Olise, who was unplayable against the Red Devils and has arguably been one of the Eagles' best players for a couple of years now.

The South Londoners paid just £8m to sign him from Reading in the summer of 2021 following an impressive campaign with the Championship side in which he scored seven goals and provided 12 assists in 46 appearances.

In his first campaign in red and blue, the Hammersmith-born dynamo scored four goals and provided four assists in just 31 appearances before notching up 11 assists and two goals in 40 games the following season.

Michael Olise's Crystal Palace Career
Season	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24
Appearances	31	40	18
Goals	4	2	10
Assists	8	11	5
Goal Involvements per Match	0.38	0.32	0.76
All Stats via Transfermarkt

It's been an odd campaign for the 6-foot winger this year as injuries have seen him play just 18 games for Palace, yet in those 18 appearances, he has scored ten goals and provided five assists, a seriously impressive return.

With a clear uptick in his output season after season at Selhurst Park, it wasn't surprising that the club offered him a new contract with a significantly improved wage last summer.

The finances of Michael Olise's deal

When Olise first joined the Eagles in 2021, he agreed to a relatively modest wage of £45k-per-week, which meant that 14 players at the club were earning more than him at the time.

The "outstanding" attacker, as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, remained on this deal until August last year, when, in the aftermath of Chelsea's failed attempt to sign him, he agreed to a bumper new deal of £100k-per-week, which represented a cool 112% increase on his weekly earnings.

Crystal Palace's top earners
Player	Wage	Position
Michael Olise	£100k-per-week	RW
Eberechi Eze	£100k-per-week	AM
Dean Henderson	£100k-per-week	GK
Odsonne Edouard	£100k-per-week	ST
Nathaniel Clyne	£100k-per-week	RB
All Data via Capology

This new deal meant that the former Reading ace was now the club's joint top earner, alongside Eberechi Eze and Dean Henderson.

The young world-beater's new deal is set to run until June 2027, but with interest from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and even Newcastle United, the Eagles may struggle to keep a hold of their talented winger for another season.

That said, whatever happens in the summer, Palace played an absolute blinder with Olise, and if Glasner can convince him to stay for another year, they could be one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the country next season.

Crystal Palace could already have the perfect Olise replacement in teen gem

The youngster has “blistering pace” and could save the club millions.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 3, 2024

يرى فاروق جعفر، نجم الزمالك السابق، أن الأهلي قادر على تخطي باتشوكا المكسيكي في بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال والوصول إلى النهائي.

وقال جعفر، في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورت 2”: “الأهلي يمكنه الفوز على باتشوكا، لا هم يعرفوننا ولا نحن نعرفهم، قد يُعبر الأهلي عن نفسه وشخصيته وقدراته وتاريخه في الوطن العربي وإفريقيا”.

طالع.. إصابة لاعب الأهلي واستبداله قبل مواجهة باتشوكا في كأس إنتركونتيننتال وتابع: “اللاعب يُمثل 75% من الأداء بناءً على توظيف المدرب وقدراته، ولاعبي الأهلي مرهقين بالتأكيد، لكن أرى أنه إذا ركزوا مع الإعداد النفسي الجيد للمباراة، ووضعوا نصب أعينهم على الوصول إلى النهائي، فسيحققون ما يريدون، فإن القرار في النهاية يعود إلى اللاعب”.

وواصل: “لا بد أن يكون لدينا فكر واضح بأن المدرب مجرد ضيف، واللاعبون هم من يحددون استمراره أو رحيله، اللاعبون هم أصحاب القرار، قد يطلب المدرب أشياء طلبات فنية معينة ولا ينفذها اللاعبون، والمدير الفني هو من يتحمل النتائج وسيرحل إذا لم تتحقق الأهداف، لذلك المدرب دائمًا يُعتبر ضيفًا”.

وتنطلق مباراة الأهلي وباتشوكا اليوم السبت 14 ديسمبر الجاري، في تمام الساعة السابعة مساءً بتوقيت مصر، الثامنة بتوقيت السعودية وقطر.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na manhã deste sábado, a Seleção Brasileira conquistou o ouro na Olimpíada de Tóquio ao vencer a Espanha por 2 a 1, no Estádio Yokohama Internacional. Dentre os jogadores presentes no elenco bicampeão, estava Nino, zagueiro do Fluminense, que foi peça importante para a conquista do Brasil e, consequentemente, ficou em evidência no mercado.

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Segundo dados do site “SofaScore”, Nino, que atuou em todas as partidas, teve a maior eficiência nos duelos entre os jogadores da Seleção, com 68%. Além disso, ele cometeu apenas duas faltas em toda a competição. Isto o deixa com uma média de 0.3 falta por jogo. Ainda vale destacar que o defensor sequer levou um cartão nos Jogos Olímpicos.

> O Fluminense avançou na Libertadores! Veja a tabela

O site ainda revela que o zagueiro do Fluminense acertou 263 dos 301 passes que tentou durante toda a Olimpíada, o que resulta em um aproveitamento de 87%. Na média, foram 43.8 passes certos por jogo, o que foi, inclusive, a quarta melhor marca do Brasil.Dessa forma, como foi um dos jogadores mais consistentes da Seleção nos Jogos Olímpicos, Nino,naturalmente, fecha sua participação em Tóquio valorizado.

Vale ressaltar também que Nino fez história para o Fluminense na Olimpíada de Tóquio. O zagueirose tornou o primeiro jogador da história do Tricolor Carioca a ser campeão dos Jogos Olímpicos no futebol.

Assim que a bola rolou, inclusive, Nino entrou para a história olímpica do Fluminense. Isso porque se tornou o primeiro jogador de futebol do clube a disputar uma final, garantindo ao menos a medalha de prata. Antes dele, Thiago Silva e Thiago Neves haviam se tornado os primeiros representantes do Tricolor a subirem no pódio, com o bronze da Olimpíada de Pequim, em 2008.

– Isso representa muito para mim. Eu devo muito ao Fluminense o fato de estar aqui. Tenho certeza que eu represento o clube em todos os momentos. Fico muito feliz com o carinho que tenho recebido da torcida, de todos que torcem e acompanham cada passo que eu dou aqui no Japão. Fico muito feliz de ter entrado para a história do clube, podendo representar a seleção aqui – disse Nino ao site oficial do Fluminense antes da decisão.

Aston Villa have been tipped to make a move for a long-term Premier League target this summer as they look to bolster their ranks ahead of a return to the Champions League.

Ollie Watkins' incredible season

It is safe to say that Unai Emery's ability to get the best out of his strikers has once again played out in the midlands, with Ollie Watkins the beneficiary. The former Brentford star recorded his best ever season, finding the back of the net 19 times in the Premier League and grabbing 13 assists to go with it, while he did it all without being the club's designated penalty taker.

He penned a new contract in October, and is now wanted by the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, though a departure from Villa Park this summer looks highly unlikely.

Ollie Watkins' amazing Premier League season

Appearances

37

Goals

19

Assists

13

Minutes per goal contribution

100.5

Shots on target per 90

1.31

Key passes per 90

1.26

Stats provided by fbref

But with added elite games on the calender for next season and no assurances that Watkins will be able to play virtually every game for Emery's side as he did this season, it is understandable that Villa are on the hunt for cover.

As it stands, young talent Jhon Duran is the only other recognised striker at the club, though Moussa Diaby has played there at times during his stint at Villa Park. But it is clear a new face is needed, and now they may have found the perfect alternative to Watkins.

Monchi wants familiar face

Now, the Villans have been credited with a strong interest in Sevilla hitman Youssef En-Nesyri, who has been a long term target for West Ham United and has been linked with a move to Manchester United in recent months.

The Moroccan striker, who led the line for his nation as they reached the last four of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has just 12 months left to run on his £50,000 a week deal in the south of Spain.

And Sevilla have identified the 26-year-old as an option to help them raise funds this summer, despite the striker finding the net on 20 occasions last season to help steer his side away from relegation to Spain's second tier.

An offer of around 25m euros (£17m) should be enough to secure his services, and Monchi is personally leading Villa's interest, as the Sporting Director is keen to be reunited with a player he worked with during his time in Seville.

Aston Villa targeting Watkins' dream transfer in £30m star

He has 14 goals and assists in Serie A this season.

ByJoe Nuttall May 29, 2024

He is leading the Aston Villa charge for En-Nesyri, and appears to have won out with the Midlands club now ready to cough up for the frontman, according to the report.

Should he arrive, he would certainly offer a different option to Watkins, with the striker having previously been described as "such a handful in the air" and having the stats to back it up.

At club level, 25 of his 88 goals have come courtesy of his head, while he jumped to a mammoth 9 foot 1 to net his side's winner against Portugal at the most recent World Cup, higher than Cristiano Ronaldo managed for his famous goal against Sampdoria during his time as a Juventus player.

Still in the prime of his career and with plenty of pedigree in Europe, he could well be a smart addition to help share the workload with Watkins.

Saif Zaib’s useful cameo takes game away from Somerset

ECB Reporters Network30-Aug-2020Adam Rossington defied a hand injury as he struck a quickfire half-century to lead Northants Steelbacks to a nine-run win over Somerset at Wantage Road.Rossington was left grimacing in pain for the majority of his 51 from 31 balls after he was pinned on the right hand by Somerset seamer Ollie Sale and required treatment on the field.But the wicketkeeper-batsman, profiting from targeting the leg side, played the match-defining innings and he shared an 81-run stand with captain Josh Cobb.Rossington was then unable to take his place in the field as the hosts held on to defend 171 for six, with 39-year-old allrounder Gareth Berg, making his Northants debut in the Vitality Blast, claiming 2 for 31.Somerset made a bright start to their chase, reaching the end of the six-over Powerplay at 54 for 1, but lost four wickets in the next five overs as Berg’s experience and changes of pace proved invaluable.Berg initially fooled debutant George Bartlett with a slower ball that found his off stump after a 50-run partnership with James Hildreth.Hildreth played fluently for 34 but picked out Saif Zaib in the deep off Berg before Tom Abell and Eddie Byrom fell cheaply from successive deliveries.

Heads! https://t.co/8dFjdygtAT pic.twitter.com/BRVLJMeYQm

— Northamptonshire CCC (@NorthantsCCC) August 30, 2020

Ben Sanderson removed the big-hitting threat of the Overton twins, on his way to 3 for 36, but Roelof van der Merwe kept Somerset’s faint hopes alive with an unbeaten 41 from 25 balls.Van der Merwe shared an unbroken 46-run stand for the ninth wicket with Sale, but with 21 needed from Sanderson’s final over he was left with too much to do.Northants will now await injury news on Rossington, who missed last week’s Bob Willis Trophy match with a right finger injury, as the only misfortune of their otherwise fine start to the Vitality Blast.After an opening-night washout at Gloucestershire the Steelbacks thumped last season’s finalists Worcestershire Rapids by nine wickets on Saturday before casting aside a Somerset side in good spirits following their Bob Willis Trophy form.Paul Stirling, the hero of Northants’ opening win over the Rapids, had picked up where he left off by carving Craig Overton over point for six but was out next ball edging behind as he stepped away to try and replicate the shot. Richard Levi was then unluckily run out backing up when Craig Overton got a finger to a Cobb straight drive.Rossington suffered the blow to the hand early and while he was in visible pain, struck seven fours and a six, before an athletic diving catch from Sale at backward square leg off Max Waller.The impressive Sale was the pick of the Somerset attack and produced another smart piece of fielding off his own bowling when he held a reflex catch to dismiss Cobb, for 42 from 41 balls, just as the home captain looked set to accelerate.Zaib ensured the late hitting with an unbeaten on 28 from 13 balls – including 10 from the final two deliveries – which proved invaluable.

Legspinner adds another milestone to fairytale career

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Aug-2020

Pravin Tambe belts out an appeal

Forty-eight-year-old legspinner Pravin Tambe has added another milestone in a fairytale career, becoming the first Indian player to play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He was picked in the Trinbago Knight Riders’ (TKR’s) starting XI against St Lucia Zouks on Wednesday, as one of three spinners alongside Fawad Ahmed and Khary Pierre.Sunny Sohal, the 32-year-old former India U-19 player, who played for three IPL franchises in its early years, had played for Barbados Tridents in the 2018 edition of the CPL, but had been picked as a US national at the time.Tambe, who had never played any senior-level cricket till he was picked in IPL 2013 by the Rajasthan Royals aged 41, also becomes the oldest player to debut in the tournament. He had come to the fore in the erstwhile Champions League T20 tournament in 2013, where he finished as the highest wicket-taker and was consequently called up to Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad that year.ALSO READ: The wait pays off for TambeTambe was one of two Indian players – Asad Khan being the other – who had entered the CPL draft earlier this year. Indian players are currently not allowed play in overseas leagues unless they have retired from domestic cricket, which Tambe did in 2018 in order to take part in the unsanctioned T10 League.He was disqualified from playing in the IPL as a result, but curiously, Tambe was still allowed to register himself in the 2020 IPL auction, where he was picked up by TKR’s parent company for the Kolkata Knight Riders. That is understood to have happened because of an administrative error from the IPL governing council, who then withdrew his selection.

When does the squad fly out?The 21-man squad, along with coaches and support staff will come from around Australia and link up in Perth for a direct chartered flight to London on August 23 which avoids the need for any international stopovers on route which may have complicated the journey. They will arrive in London the following day and immediately transfer to the County Ground at Derby which will be their first biosecure base for the tour. The ground has been used by Pakistan and the England Women’s team this season.How have the players been getting ready?The Australia selectors named a 26-man squad last month so that those in the frame could start to prepare. However, things have differed state-to-state because of the various levels of Covid-19 restrictions in place around Australia. Melbourne is currently in a Stage 4 lockdown after a spike in number of cases, which has made things more challenging for Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell. The New South Wales-based Australia players have trained away from their state team-mates and been told to avoid public places – such as cafes and restaurants – in recent weeks to minimise the risks. In other states it’s been more like normal pre-season. South Australia had nets in Adelaide on Friday and Marnus Labuschagne, the only Queensland player in the squad, made 92 when the state players trialled the Hundred format recently.Can Australia train straightaway?Yes, once they shake off the jetlag, they’ll be straight into preparing for the internationals. Because they are moving into a biosecure environment, plus the fact there is an approved air bridge between Australia and the UK, it means they won’t be confined to their rooms for a quarantine period on arrival. The reason they won’t go straight to the Ageas Bowl, which hosts the T20Is, is that England’s Test series against Pakistan isn’t due to finish until August 25. That tour then returns to Old Trafford, the other major biosecure venue, for the T20Is so Australia need a base for a few days before heading to the Ageas Bowl on August 27.ALSO READ: Warner, Smith, Maxwell, Cummins set to miss start of IPL 2020How will Australia prepare?Like West Indies and Pakistan, it will be with intra-squad matches (only Ireland, who played England Lions, have faced genuine opposition). Australia are due to play three T20 and one 50-over warm-up before facing England. They are taking 21 players with them which isn’t quite enough for a proper 11-a-side match, so there will need to be some creativity in the games themselves, but if the intra-squad match before last year’s Ashes is any indication, they could still be lively with established players up against those looking to make an impression.So what about the internationals?They will come in two batches, beginning with the T20Is on September 4, 6 and 8 before the squads relocate to Manchester for the ODIs, which are part of the World Cup Super League, at Old Trafford on September 11, 13 and 16. That journey between the venues will be under strict biosecure protocols as well, which is where Jofra Archer found himself in trouble earlier in the season after a detour home. The fact the two grounds have hotels onsite has been a key factor in the ECB managing to pull together this season.Remind me, when did Australia last play?The men were last in action on March 13 when the world was already changing. They played a behind-closed-doors ODI against New Zealand at the SCG – so were the first team to experience what has become the norm, for now at least – before that series was called off the next day when New Zealand had to return home due to borders being closed. Although they reached the World Cup semi-finals a little over a year ago, Australia’s ODI form has been very patchy with just two wins in seven matches since then. However, they have had much more success in T20Is and were shaping as one of the favourites for the now-postponed T20 World Cup. Going back to February 2019, they have won nine of their last 11 T20Is.What happens after the tour?This is where things get a bit complicated again and there are still some aspects to be confirmed. The players who take up their IPL deals will be dropped off in the UAE (Australia and England players will share the same flight) from which point on they come under the umbrella of the IPL’s protocols. The remaining Australia players and staff will continue back to Perth where, under Australia government regulations, they will have to quarantine for 14 days. CA hopes they will be able to negotiate that players will be able to train during that period but that’s an ongoing negotiation with the Western Australia government. It would be especially problematic for the pacemen if they weren’t able to keep their bowling loads up. After that period, they will be able to rejoin their states but it is likely they will miss some early-season games if the summer gets up and running on schedule.