Foakes is set to keep wicket from the second Test onwards with Jos Buttler rested

Matt Roller31-Jan-2021As Ben Foakes picked up his oversized Player-of-the-Series cheque following England’s clean sweep in Sri Lanka in November 2018, it was unthinkable – barring injury – that he would play only two out of their next 23 Test matches. But after a pair of underwhelming games in the Caribbean two months later he was squeezed out of the side, and with Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler ahead of him in the pecking order, he has found it impossible to get back in.Heading into the impending series in India, Foakes has an opportunity to show England what they have been missing. Buttler is due to fly home after the first Test, with Bairstow already back in the UK as the ECB rest and rotate their multi-format players, clearing the way for Foakes to take the gloves from the second Test onwards.”Obviously the way I started in Sri Lanka, I did expect to play for longer,” Foakes told the media from his hotel-room quarantine in Chennai on Sunday. “I did expect to get more of a run at that stage. I guess it’s tricky to control your emotions in that sense: I obviously got pretty high with all the things going on then and it gets taken away from you because I didn’t get runs in the West Indies. It happened so quickly.”It’s a tricky thing to get your head around I guess. I didn’t perform as well as I’d have liked when I went back to Surrey, had a bit of a break from cricket and came back pretty fresh and performed alright.”I know the strength of competition with the keepers is so high [that] there are going to be times when I’m not playing. That’s something I have to accept and be at peace with. If I do get a chance at any stage just try to enjoy it and embrace it, and do as well as I can.”The past 12 months have been frustrating for Foakes. After being named in the Test squad to tour Sri Lanka last year, he admitted in an interview with ESPNcricinfo that he had felt “burned out” by the end of the 2019 season, in which he averaged 26.13 in first-class cricket for Surrey.As a result, he took some time off the following winter rather than travelling to Australia with the Lions or seeking out a chance to play franchise cricket, and travelled to Sri Lanka with his love for the game rekindled. Two weeks later, the squad flew home with the Covid pandemic sending the world into lockdown, and he had to endure the frustrations of a summer running drinks while in the Test bubble as cover for Buttler.Foakes was man of the series in England’s clean sweep in Sri Lanka in late 2018•Getty ImagesPerhaps it is no surprise, then, that he is phlegmatic in his outlook on his imminent recall. “I haven’t had as much cricket as I would like in the last year and a half so I’ll just try to get back into competitive cricket and give it my all,” Foakes said.”I would expect it’s probably a case of Jos is the number one, and I’m just seeing these three games as a chance to try and stake my claim and do as well as possible and enjoy playing for England, and enjoy the experience.”India is an incredible place to play: [they have] a star-studded line-up and a country that is so passionate about the game. To get an opportunity out here would be amazing and something I’m really looking forward to.”Related

Jack Leach wants to 'cherish' every moment on first tour of India

England's XI for Chennai Test: Can James Anderson and Stuart Broad both slot in?

The India-England series will come down to a battle of the top orders

Buttler: Wicketkeeping fun in spinning conditions

Smith defends 'pragmatic' selection with Bairstow rested

If Foakes is somewhere near his best in India then the debate around England’s keeping options will doubtless rumble on. With the bat, he is excellent against spin but unproven against the quicks and lacks Buttler’s panache; with the gloves, Buttler has made clear strides in recent months but there remains little doubt that Foakes is the better keeper.And while he was fulsome in his praise for Buttler – “he’s been amazing, he’s a world-class player” – Foakes provided a glimpse into his own thinking on the role of the modern wicketkeeper when asked by a local reporter about his take on India’s parallel situation, which sees Wriddhiman Saha competing with Rishabh Pant.”I think you need a blend of both,” Foakes said. “You can’t have someone that can’t keep who is scoring loads of runs but makes loads of mistakes, but at the same time, however good a keeper is, they’re going to have to contribute with the bat.”It depends on a few things, like the balance of the side – I suppose if you’ve got a batting line-up that is banging out 600 every time then you go for a specialist keeper, but if you want a frontline batter then potentially you sacrifice a bit of the keeping ability.”Performances in the coming weeks will help England determine which combination they think is more attractive.

A highly-regarded player has made his transfer preference crystal clear, and will not sign for any other club except Arsenal this summer.

Who Arsenal could sign next after Riccardo Calafiori

Manager Mikel Arteta has little time remaining before the new Premier League season kicks off, as the Spaniard seeks to beat Man City to a title at the third successive attempt.

Arsenal's 30-cap international agrees to join new club with deal imminent

The Gunners are close to agreeing another exit.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 7, 2024

The Gunners fell narrowly short last term, pushing City all the way to the final day, and Arsenal may just be three or four players shy of going that one step further. Sporting director Edu Gaspar and the wider recruitment team haven't been too busy this window, with the north Londoners making just two major signings in David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori.

The latter, who joined from Bologna in an initial £34 million deal, comes in to bolster Arteta's defensive ranks after an excellent 23/24 campaign for Bologna and standout performances for Italy at Euro 2024.

Serie A Games

30

Goal Contributuion

7

Clean Sheets

15

Interceptions Per 90 Minutes

1.92

Tackles Per 90 Minutes

1.80

via WhoScored

Summer deadline day is just weeks away, though, so rumours have circulated in regard to who could be next through the door. It is believed Arsenal are keen to sign a new forward, with the likes of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres and Wolves' Pedro Neto all players who've been linked with moves to Arsenal.

Meanwhile, a new midfielder seems the most possible next deal for Edu and co, with Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino heavily linked. The 28-year-old, fresh off the back of an impressive Euros campaign for eventual champions Spain, is firmly on the agenda at Arsenal as his contract ticks down to expiry in 2025.

Mikel Merino only wants to join Arsenal this summer

Arsenal have been in talks over signing Merino for a while now, with journalist Steve Kay sharing an update to KS1TV (via TBR).

It is believed Merino doesn't want to join any other club except Arsenal, and the deal is on the verge of being done for around £25 million.

"My information is that this is on the verge of being done. Personal terms are agreed, a deal of around €30m (£25m)," said Kay. “The clubs have agreed. Merino doesn’t want to sign for anyone else. He’s not signing a new contract.

“From what I’m hearing it’s the total opposite of what other publications have come out with because as far as I know this will be done in the next couple of days.”

The Sociedad star scored eight goals and registered five assists in 45 appearances across all competitions last season, so £25 million could be considered a bit of a steal in this market, especially considering his glowing reputation.

"I think that tournament [Euro 2024] was a good reflection of him," said Miguel Flaño, a former Osasuna team-mate, to Sky Sports.

"He is used to starting games and being very important for his club. But his role at the European Championship was something different. Although he wasn't a starter, he showed a lot of humility, understanding he could still be important in another way.

"And as we saw, he was decisive, most of all with his goal against Germany but also in the games when he didn't score. He just puts the team first and thinks about how he can help."

Another ex-Osasuna player, Alfredo Sanchez, also called Merino a "top, top player".

Hoping to land their third permanent arrival of the summer transfer window, Everton are now reportedly one step away from signing a midfield reinforcement for Sean Dyche.

Everton transfer news

It's been a fairly busy summer at Goodison Park so far, with three fresh faces arriving in the form of Iliman Ndiaye, Tim Iroegbunam and Jack Harrison on loan from Leeds United once again. But it's not all been good news. Recent reports suggest that the Toffees are set to lose Amadou Onana after several rumours have seemingly culminated in a summer switch to Aston Villa.

However, whilst the Belgian's exit will leave a gaping hole in Everton's midfield, it will at least add to the Toffees' summer budget and send them back into the transfer market in search of a midfield reinforcement.

Everton register interest in signing £150,000-per-week Onana replacement

The Toffees are on the hunt for a new midfielder this summer.

By
Tom Coates

Jul 18, 2024

According to Corriere dello Sport via Goodison News, Everton are now one step away from signing Jesper Lindstrom on loan with an option to buy worth a reported £21m. The Napoli midfielder will take up another one of Everton's loan slots alongside Harrison and will arrive hoping to add an extra creative spark to Dyche's midfield ahead of next season.

A third permanent arrival of the summer, Dyche will hope that Lindstrom's arrival will be enough to balance out his side in pursuit of pushing beyond relegation battles once and for all. With just one month until the Premier League campaign gets underway, they'll hope to officially welcome Lindstrom sooner rather than later.

"Outstanding" Lindstrom should boost Calvert-Lewin

If Everton do want to push beyond relegation battles, then getting the best out of Dominic Calvert-Lewin again should be the key. The England international is an out-and-out goalscorer when firing on all cylinders and Newcastle United's reported interest proves that he's still got plenty more to offer in England's top flight. But it's Lindstrom who could unlock his best form.

League stats 23/24 (via FBref)	Jesper Lindstrom
Progressive Carries per 90	3.16
Progressive Passes per 90	2.98
Key Passes per 90	2.28
Ball Recoveries per 90	2.98
Minutes Total	513

It's no real surprise that Lindstrom is on the move after playing just 513 minutes and starting three times for Napoli last season, as the Italian club endured a title defence to forget in Serie A. Even without significant game time, however, the Dane managed some impressive numbers, with his passing numbers particularly standing out.

When handed the chance in the past at clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt, the 24-year-old has certainly impressed too. Frankfurt shot-stopper Kevin Trapp said via the official Bundesliga website: "Jesper has already made significant steps forward… you can see that he's an outstanding footballer and has very good technique."

Chelsea’s hunt for a striker feels as though it’s never-ending with new boss Enzo Maresca still yet to secure the services of a new centre-forward.

Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are just three players who have been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, but no moves are yet to materialise for any of the Blues’ transfer targets.

The club do currently have Romelu Lukaku at their disposal, but given his huge £325k-per-week earnings, they would be wise to offload the Belgian this summer with various sides interested in his signature this window.

It’s undoubtedly a frustrating situation to be in for the Italian boss, with the season just around the corner and owner Todd Boehly unable to fulfil his request of signing a striker who can catapult his side back to the top end of the Premier League in 2024/25.

As a result, the Blues could turn to one player who they have previously been linked with, but also previously employed during the early stages of his professional career.

Chelsea could re-sign former talent with £65m clause

In recent months, Chelsea’s striker hunt has seen them linked with former academy talent Dominic Solanke after his 19-goal campaign with Bournemouth during 2023/24.

After joining Chelsea at the age of eight, striker Solanke enjoyed a rapid rise through the club's academy setup, starring for various age categories before signing a scholarship with the club in 2012.

However, it wasn't enough to catapult him into the Blues' first team, with the forward failing to make a single appearance for Chelsea during the 2016/17 season, before departing Stamford Bridge for Liverpool at the end of his deal – with the Blues receiving just £3m for the forward.

Seven years on from his departure from west London, the club’s desperation in their attempts to sign a new striker could see them replicate a deal for Lukaku and pay over the odds for a player they let go at a bargain price.

It’s previously been reported that the 26-year-old has a £65m release clause in his current deal at the Vitality, with Solanke an upgrade on Maresca’s current centre-forward options.

Why Solanke would be an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson

Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson joined the Blues in a deal worth up to £30m last summer, scoring 14 goals in his debut Premier League campaign at Stamford Bridge.

However, despite his respectable tally of goals, it may not be enough to secure a regular first-team spot in 2024/25, with Maresca wanting a more senior option for Jackson to learn from.

Solanke could prove to be that type of player for the Blues, whilst also being a cheaper alternative to Victor Osimhen.

The Nigerian striker has also been linked with a move over £100m to west London this summer, with FBref claiming Solanke is a similar player to the Napoli forward – understandable given their all-round abilities and similar goal tallies of 19 and 15 last campaign, respectively.

The 26-year-old Cherries attacker has blown Jackson out of the water in recent times, providing that out-and-out centre forward option the club have been craving.

Games

38

35

Goals + assists

22

19

Shots taken

2.9

2.6

Aerials won

2.6

1.1

Aerial success rate

42%

36%

Goals per shot on target

0.5

0.4

Solanke managed more combined goals and assists whilst also managing a better goal per shot on target ratio than the former Villarreal talisman – undeniably living up to the “deadly” name tag given to him by former boss Scott Parker.

He’s also won more aerials per 90, whilst having a better aerial success rate – providing the option to play more crosses into the box by wingers such as Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer.

Given the length of the club’s pursuit to sign a new striker, they can easily bring the hunt to an end with the potential addition of Bournemouth's main goalscorer.

He's consistently demonstrated his goalscoring abilities in the Premier League, handing Chelsea a cheaper alternative to their current transfer targets whilst also improving on the current options at Maresca’s disposal.

Chelsea offered chance to sign incredible £75m Isak & Osimhen alternative

The Blues are still looking to sign a new centre-forward this summer.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 18, 2024

West Ham United have reportedly submitted an offer to sign a new forward who starred at the London Stadium last season.

Steidten’s promise of a busy West Ham summer coming true

Preparations are well underway ahead of Julen Lopetegui‘s first season in charge after replacing David Moyes, with three new additions already made to the squad.

Lopetegui was officially unveiled to the press as the new Hammers boss at the beginning of the month and was quizzed on transfers, to which he said:

“Of course we are working to improve (the squad). The first thing to highlight is that we’re happy with the players, but of course we’re going to try to improve. We have to work very hard to be ready for the Premier League, and we would like players as soon as possible, but it’s not easy.”

Steidten also promised a busy summer window, adding: “I can’t tell you specifics, but it will be a busy summer for us for sure. The owner and the board have done a really good job over recent years, so we’re in good shape financially. We’re trying to build up the squad. We’re not limiting ourselves to one position – we’re looking at all areas.”

He's been living up to that promise with Max Kilman becoming the latest senior signing of the summer in a £40m deal from Wolves, following teenage winger Luis Guilherme, who joined from Palmeiras and Wes Foderingham who left Sheffield United.

West Ham submit bid to sign Duran alternative who's better than En-Nesyri

Tim Steidten has made the first move to sign this Euro 2024 sensation.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 9, 2024

Now, attention appears to be on signing a striker, with personal terms agreed with Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran. A fee is yet to be agreed with those in the Midlands, though, which has left the Hammers possibly eyeing up alternatives to the Colombian.

West Ham make David Datro Fofana bid

According to Africa Foot, West Ham are working on a move to sign David Datro Fofana from Chelsea.

Premier League rivals Everton are also keen on the player, however, it is the Hammers who have reportedly submitted a bid in the region of €15m (£12.6m) for Fofana, whereas Everton are only in contact with the forward’s agent.

Those at the London Stadium may remember Fofana’s display against the Irons while on loan at Burnley last season. In a 2-2 draw back in March, the forward scored both goals for the Clarets including a stunning long-range strike. He came in for praise from Vincent Kompany following that performance, who called the striker “outstanding”.

“It seems like he's growing into the season and into the team as well. We will need performances like the performance he gave against West Ham. He was outstanding. The entire performance from Fofana was outstanding and we've needed it. Hopefully he can continue like that from now until the end of the season. These are the players who will help us."

It looks as if a move for the Chelsea striker could be one to watch, with the Blues’ response to the offer not shared in the latest report.

With a starting XI featuring Donovan, Wolff, Claudio Reyna and Gregg Berhalter, the USMNT cleared the floor of the Reggae Boyz

The U.S. men's national team is taking on Jamaica in the quarterfinals of the 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League in a two-legged affair, with Mauricio Pochettino facing his biggest test since taking over as USMNT coach.

The two nations have a storied history, including a tough record on Jamaican soil for the USMNT, with six of their previous 10 meetings at "The Office" in Kingston ending in draws.

GOAL looked back at some of the most famous moments between the two nations, including one standout performance in 2002 in which the USMNT claimed a 5-0 victory in an international friendly, with both Josh Wolff and Landon Donovan running the show in the attack.

On May 16, 2002, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, the USMNT claimed their largest-ever victory in one of their final tune-up matches ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Here's a look back at that match, and what it meant in this edition of… Throwback Thursday.

• AFP
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  It was their penultimate warmup match for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, just three weeks out from the prestigious tournament, and the U.S. needed all the confidence they could get ahead of the competition. Just one month prior in April, they suffered an embarrassing road defeat to Ireland in Dublin in an international friendly, and in March, a 4-2 loss to Germany.

  The U.S. needed a big victory to get lift their spirits. And they did just that. The USMNT defeated Jamaica 5-0, with four goals arriving in the second half.

  Just seven minutes into the match, the had a golden chance to take a 1-0 lead, but a stupendous 1v1 save from Kasey Keller kept the match scoreless. Then, after a scoreless opening 30 minutes, the breakthrough arrived when Wolff opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, pounding home a back-post header for a 1-0 lead.

  It was a close affair heading into the halftime break, but come the final 45 minutes, the floodgates opened.

  Just two minutes into the second half, Donovan combined with Clint Mathis, who scored from the edge of the box to double the lead. In the 60th minute, Wolff secured a brace, giving the USMNT a dominant 3-0 lead. Then, in the 84th minute, Donovan finally got his goal, handing the U.S. a 4-0 lead before the fifth arrived of the boot of DaMarcus Beasley in stoppage-time.

  Donovan recorded three assists and a goal, while Wolff scored a brace as the U.S. got the momentum boost they needed ahead of traveling to South Korea for the World Cup.

Advertisement

• WATCH THE GOALS

• AFP
  

  WHY IT MATTERS

  The U.S. went on to produce one of their best-ever performances at the 2002 World Cup, with Bruce Arena's team stunning the world. At the time, it was monumental for the growth of the game domestically, and for the U.S., it was an announcement that they had arrived on the biggest stage.

  Arena led the team to the Round of 16 in the tournament for the first time in 72 years, including an iconic victory over rivals Mexico in the group stage. In their knockout match that sent them home, they fell 1-0 to Germany – but it happened in controversial fashion. After an in-swinging corner from Claudio Reyna in the 50th minute, Gregg Berhalter hit a low-driven volley that beat German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, but was cleared off the line by the arm of defender Torsten Frings. However, the referee did not call a handball offense – despite the blatant infraction.

  Regardless, though, the U.S. roster in 2002 made waves across the global game with their performances, and it was the start of a budding career for many U.S. internationals such as Donovan – who went on to have a brilliant career with the USMNT.

  However, many attribute their success in the tournament to their thrilling victory over the just over a month prior to their journey to Korea.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHERE ARE THEY NOW

  The stars of that victory against Jamaica – Wolff and Donovan – are both active members of domestic soccer in the U.S. Wolff was head coach of Austin FC for five seasons from 2019 through 2024, until he was fired earlier this year. In his first senior head coaching role, he got the 2019 expansions side through their first years as an organization.

  Donovan, meanwhile, was appointed interim head coach of NWSL side San Diego FC earlier this year. The California-based club missed out on the postseason, meaning his contact is now up. However, it is yet to be determined what his next steps are as a manager – and if San Diego will look to re-appoint him in 2025.

The IPL is mulling the possibility of conducting the entire league stage of the 2021 season in Mumbai before moving to Ahmedabad for the knockouts. This is according to Parth Jindal, co-owner of the Delhi Capitals, during a chat with ESPNcricinfo soon after Thursday’s auction in Chennai.”From what I’m hearing and seeing, if England can come and tour, if the ISL (Indian Super League) can happen all in Goa, if Vijay Hazare Trophy (domestic 50-over competition) and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20 competition) can happen across venues, I can’t fathom the IPL moving out of India,” Jindal said. “I do believe the IPL will happen in India.”I believe they’re contemplating whether to have the league phase at one venue (city) and playoffs at another venue. There’s a lot of chatter about Mumbai being possibly being one venue because it has three grounds (Wankhede Stadium, Brabourne Stadium, DY Patil Stadium) and enough practice facilities, and Motera (Ahmedabad) hosting the knockouts, but it’s all unverified, it’s all just what I am hearing.”Jindal further stated having the league phase in Mumbai, for example, could be advantageous to the Capitals, who have a number of players from the city in their mix. Although the possibility of playing in Mumbai could be slim given Maharashtra’s recent spike in Covid-19 cases which has prompted a new round of lockdowns.”If you look at our selection of Steven Smith, we felt the wickets in Mumbai will suit his style of batting.””The fact that we have so many Mumbai boys – Prithvi [Shaw], Jinks [Ajinkya Rahane], Shreyas [Iyer] helps. Mumbai has true bounce, the ball moves a bit because it’s on the coast, and all that played a role. The other option is being mulled right now is, why not open up all venues, go everywhere and show the world we’re ready for the T20 World Cup? They [BCCI[] are still unsure, I think it all depends on how the covid situation plays out in India over the next two weeks.”A few other key personnel from other franchises offered a straight bat. VVS Laxman, mentor of the Sunrisers Hyderabad, said “things were still uncertain regarding venues”, while Venky Mysore, chief executive of Kolkata Knight Riders, echoed Laxman. Anil Kumble, head coach of Punjab Kings, meanwhile, said they’d picked a composition of their squad keeping “all options” and conditions in mind.”We’re extremely delighted with what we could manage,” Kumble said. “We had the largest purse which meant people would chase us and keep upping the price, but the squad looks like what we wanted. We have all bases covered. If the tournament’s going to be in India, we have all options covered. If in case it moves out, we wanted to cover those options as well [at the auction].”Mysore, meanwhile, said: “Every team you can see has gone for that balance to adapt to whatever conditions we’re given. These are unusual times and we’re all very supportive of the BCCI. That the IPL was held itself was fantastic given the pandemic. If it happens in India, we’re supportive of working through that and if it’s elsewhere too. Most important the collective effort towards the tournament happening and in the most unimpeded way.”The ongoing England series is BCCI’s first full International series at home since the pandemic broke out in February last year. After hosting the first Test in Chennai behind closed doors, they opened up the venue for the remainder of the series with crowds up to 50% of the stadium’s capacity, despite the Indian government allowing outdoor sports events to have capacity crowds. England are scheduled to play five T20Is in Ahmedabad followed by three ODIs in Pune to wind off the tour on March 28.”This year is going to be big as well because of what it is,” BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had said earlier in the week, without divulging further details on the venue. However, over the past few months, he has been vocal about prioritising hosting the tournament in its entirety in India. “We’ll see whether we can get the crowd back into the IPL, it’s a decision we’ll have to take very shortly. But it’s going to be another great tournament.”

Barcelona have surpassed Real Madrid in the pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah ahead of a possible summer move.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Tah could leave Leverkusen Centre-back in the final year of his contractBarca lead Real Madrid in the raceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Barcelona are in advanced talks to secure the services of Jonathan Tah and beat arch-rivals Real Madrid to his signature, according to El Chiringuito. Tah is yet to pen down a new contract with Bayer Leverkusen with a little over seven months left on his contract.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Barcelona want to strengthen their defence ahead of the next season. The club have immense faith in Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez, who have consolidated themselves as undroppable in Hansi Flick's setup, while they are also patiently awaiting the return of Ronald Araujo to full fitness. On the other hand, there is concern regarding the future of Andreas Christensen, whose injury problems have kept him out of action this season.

Tah is among the mainstays under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen and has become an important figure in the German national team as well. Tah refused to sign an extension with Leverkusen last summer, which means that he could be set for a free transfer to one of the big clubs next summer.

DID YOU KNOW?

Real Madrid's injury list keeps growing after Eder Militao suffered an ACL injury earlier this month. That leaves Los Blancos with just two natural centre-backs in the squad: Antonio Rudiger and Jesus Vallejo.

With David Alaba also yet to return from the ACL injury he suffered last year, Carlo Ancelotti wanted to bring another centre-back in January, with Tah among the list of candidates shortlisted by the club for a January move.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR JONATHAN TAH?

Tah will be leading the defence for Bayer Leverkusen when they taken on Heidenheim at the BayArena in Bundesliga on Saturday, November 23.

The two had breached Covid-19 protocols and were required to serve a three-day quarantine and return two negative tests

Umar Farooq21-Feb-2021

Daren Sammy and Wahab Riaz had left the bio-secure bubble to meet Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi•AFP via Getty Images

The PCB has allowed Wahab Riaz and Daren Sammy to reintegrate with the Peshawar Zalmi team without completing the three-day quarantine period, as the board had announced earlier. The pair had been placed in quarantine following a Covid-19 protocol breach – the violation took place when the two met franchise owner Javed Afridi outside the team’s bio-security bubble on Friday. Riaz led the team in their season-opener against Lahore Qalandars on Sunday in Karachi.Sammy, the coach of the PSL team, and Riaz, the team’s captain, were required to undergo the quarantine as well as return two negative tests, taken 48 hours apart, within that timeframe before being allowed to be with their team-mates, in accordance with the board’s protocols.A PCB official told ESPNcricinfo that, following the breach on Friday, Covid-19 tests were conducted the same night and then on Saturday, and both sets were negative. The test on Saturday is believed to have been arranged by the franchise itself, rather than the PCB as should have been the case according to tournament protocols.On the basis of those two negatives, as well as another set of negative tests in the week preceding the start of the season, Peshawar lodged an appeal with the league’s Event Technical Committee to allow the two to be reintegrated. The committee accepted the appeal on Sunday morning.”A player and an official of the side have been allowed to enter the bio-secure bubble after their side’s appeal was accepted by the Event Technical Committee on Sunday morning. This means the two individuals can now integrate with their side and participate in team activities.”The ETC had reached the decision after reviewing test results of the three individuals involved in Friday’s bio-secure bubble breach. These results included tests conducted last week as well as fresh tests conducted on Saturday.”The team has offered its regrets to the PCB on Friday’s breach and has thanked the PSL ETC for accepting their appeal. They have further assured protocols will be followed and respected as everyone wants the PSL to succeed.”The issue of their reintegration had caused a delay in both Peshawar and Lahore leaving for the National Stadium for the game on Sunday morning. As part of security protocols, both teams travel together in the bus to the ground but their departure on Sunday was held up after the Lahore squad had boarded the bus with no sign of Peshawar. The delay is said to be down to the wait for the ETC’s final decision and it was only after the decision came that Peshawar were ready to travel.The breach came three days after the PCB had briefed players, support staff and match officials to “religiously follow” all Covid-19 protocols. Each PSL franchise has its own Covid-19 compliance officer, who is responsible for testing, implementation of protocols, sanitisation, and players’ temperature checks. The whole process is bring regulated by the event doctor.On Saturday, the PCB had said, “The PCB is disappointed that two members of one of the sides showed carelessness and violated the bio-secure bubble protocols by coming into contact with a person who was not part of the bubble. As reiterated previously, the health and safety of all individuals associated with Pakistan Super League 6 is of paramount importance to the PCB and the event.”All players, player support personnel, match officials and family members are once again reminded to diligently follow the PCB Covid-19 Protocols as the PCB will not allow anyone to affect the integrity and credibility of the tournament.”

علق محسن صالح، نجم الأهلي الأسبق، على خسارة الأحمر أمام أورلاندو بايرتس الجنوب إفريقي، ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وحقق أورلاندو بايرتس الفوز على الأهلي في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم السبت في دوري أبطال إفريقيا بهدفين مقابل هدف.

طالع.. مدرب أورلاندو: الفوز على الأهلي أهم من صدارة المجموعة.. والحظ حالفنا وقال محسن صالح في تصريحات عبر قناة “الأهلي”: “الفائز ليس الأفضل، أورلاندو لم يكن أفضل من الأهلي، فقد سيطر الأحمر على أرض الملعب، لكن مفاتيح اللعب أو الهدافين الذين يعتمد عليهم الأهلي لم يكونوا في حالتهم”.

وتابع: “أتيحت عدة فرص ولم تُستغل، وكان من الممكن أن يٌنهي الشوط الأول بعدد كبير من الأهداف، لكن اللاعبين أضاعوا على الأهلي فوزًا سهلًا”.

وأكمل: “في الشوط الثاني، استمر الأهلي في الضغط والسيطرة، واستمر اللاعبون في إضاعة الفرص، لكن لابد أن نعطي أورلاندو حقه”.

وواصل: “أورلاندو لم يكن سهلًا؛ فقد ترك الاستحواذ للأهلي ولعب على المرتدات وخلق أكثر من فرصة في الشوط الأول، كانت أمامه فرصة تكاد تكون مؤكدة، لكنها ضاعت”.

وأتم: “أورلاندو يلعب كرة قدم سهلة وحديثة لا تعتمد على العنف وإضاعة الوقت، بل كرة مرسومة، لقد سير المباراة كما يريد، يدافع عندما يريد، ويهاجم بعدد محدود، ويصنع الفارق، ونجح في تسجيل هدف ورغم تعادل الأهلي، نجح في تسجيل الثاني وحافظ عليه”.