Andrew Strauss, the director of England cricket, has defended his decision to allow key England players to participate in the IPL despite subsequent injury concerns

George Dobell30-May-2017

Andrew Strauss, the director of England cricket, has defended his decision to allow key England players to participate in the IPL despite subsequent injury concerns.Both Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes were obliged to sit-out games during the recent ODI series against South Africa after sustaining what have been described as minor knee and quad “niggles” respectively.But with the Champions Trophy starting in a couple of days, the decision to allow such important players to spend almost the entire IPL season in India is sure to come under more scrutiny. While the England team management remain confident both men will be fit for their opening Trophy match against Bangladesh on Thursday, there is a possibility that Stokes will be fit to play only as a specialist batsman.Strauss, however, is confident there are many benefits in IPL experience. Echoing comments made by Stokes and Woakes – and before them, the likes of Eoin Morgan and Kevin Pietersen – Strauss felt the experience in India could help.”The players who have gone over there have benefitted massively from the experience,” he said. “We’ve seen that already with the maturity that Ben is playing with the bat. And it looked like he’s improved his bowling at the death tremendously, too.”I think Chris Woakes was saying that to go there, to learn from the best players in the world and pit themselves against the best players in the world…they come back from that experience knowing they’re as good as anyone out there. The deep-rooted belief they get from that is massively important.”I’ve always seen the massive advantages of our players going out there. And that was on the back of us under-performing in white-ball cricket for year after year after year, and clearly falling behind some of the other teams.”There is no evidence that either injury was sustained in India. Indeed, you could argue that both men would have been required to play far more had they remained in England and been utilised by their counties. Moeen Ali, another of England’s allrounders, also missed the final ODI against South Africa with a minor groin strain and he did not play in the IPL.”That is the slight risk you take when you make people available for a chunk of cricket that is outside the international schedule,” Strauss said. “Injuries are part and parcel of life, but on one hand you weigh-up the potential risk and on the other you ask what they can potentially gain from that experience. That’s what forms the decision.”Thankfully I don’t think any of those injuries are of massive concern at this stage. It’s very much precautionary that they’re not playing at this stage. We want them to hit the ground running in the Champions Trophy.”Having said that, we’ve always got to balance that great opportunity for them with the schedules and workloads. And we just need to keep looking at this on a year by year and case by case basis. There will be times where it may be the smart thing not to play and at other times it might be the smart thing for them to play in the IPL.”Up until now, we’ve had mature, adult conversations with players about their availability. That’s why some of the guys came back for those Ireland internationals and some of the guys stayed at the IPL. And that’s what we’ll continue to do. When the opportunity is right for players to go – and when we feel they’ll benefit from that experience – we’ll try and make it possible.”While Stokes, Woakes and Jos Buttler were permitted to miss the two ODIs against Ireland in order to remain at the IPL this year, Strauss baulked at the suggestion that players would ever be allowed to miss a Test in similar circumstances.”Personally, I think that’s unlikely,” he said. “When you get to the stage where you’re missing Test matches to play in IPL that sends out a very strong message about where your priorities are and I would be uncomfortable with that.”It is a delicate balance Strauss must strike. As well as providing opportunities for players to benefit from experience in overseas leagues, he is also keen to help them benefit financially. And while there is no sense of the contractual wrangles that are currently clouding Australian cricket, as more money floods into the game, it is an issue on which the ECB will have to remain alert.”There are always negotiations between players and employers around what is a fair structure for salaries and pay,” Strauss said. “Our current agreement is tied in with our TV deal that runs till 2019. There will be conversations over the next couple of years to ensure we put together something that’s fair and everyone is happy with.”I’m in no way commenting on what’s happening in Cricket Australia, because I don’t know the ins and outs of it. But I’d be very surprised if anything other than a full-strength team turned out at the Gabba. I would have thought the Ashes will focus people’s minds to make sure they get a conclusion to where they are at the moment.”Then I’d like to think we can have some sort of mature conversations with TEPP [The Team England Player Partnership; the branch of the PCA that negotiates on behalf of England players] and the players themselves early enough to prevent us going down that sort of route. And as much as possible, behind closed doors and in the right sort of spirit.”What I’m focused on is making sure the relationships between ourselves as the national governing body and our players who are contracted to us are as good as they possibly can be. That’s the best way of ensuring that those conversations happen in good faith.”

The ex-Chelsea defender is in hot water for two controversies as he's established himself as an all-time antagonist

All the best stories are defined by their villain, and that theory certainly applies to sports. Fans see their teams as conquering heroes, warriors worth backing through thick-and-thin as they defend their club against anyone who stands in their path. But it's the villain that makes those stories so special, and the MLS Playoffs found theirs rather quickly in 2023.

This season's villain is none other than Matt Miazga, who has sent this postseason into chaos by battling the fans that once loved him so much. The FC Cincinnati star was at the center of it all during the club's first-round playoff clash with his former club, the New York Red Bulls. Miazga was criticized, booed and blasted for what many saw as a series of insults toward his former club that saw him blow fans kisses all the way to a suspension. And now, even with all of that going on, he finds himself in hot water for reportedly storming into the referee's locker room after the fact.

It's early on in the playoffs, and we all know that MLS chaos never ends, but it's hard to imagine someone taking Miazga's title from him in the coming weeks. He's always been a player that has walked the disciplinary tightrope, endearing himself to many as a result. However, this time around, he's emerged as the league's big bad guy, which will have a lasting impact not just on his team's MLS Cup hopes, but also his own international future.

Miazga vs Red Bulls

Up until this MLS postseason, Miazga was certainly regarded as a Red Bull success story. A homegrown kid that went from New Jersey to Chelsea, Miazga was an example of the club's investment into youth and what those players can become. He first arrived at the club as a child, and now all these years later, he was back at Red Bull Arena as a visitor in a playoff setting.

In his head, Miazga believed that the crowd in New Jersey would see him as that local kid, the one that was a key part of a Supporters' Shield triumph. He still had love for his hometown fans and he believed they'd feel the same way about him.

So, after scoring in a penalty shootout that, ultimately, led to the Red Bulls' playoff demise, Miazga marched towards the South Ward, the Red Bulls fan section. He made a heart with his hands and blew the supporters kisses in what he says was a gesture of admiration.

The Red Bull fans didn't see it that way. Instead, they saw an opposing player trolling them on their way out. They saw Miazga rubbing his role in their playoff exit in their faces. They saw a player that they once loved kicking them when they were down, and it made them mad.

As the boos rained down, Miazga continued. He blew more kisses towards the supporters. That was until referee Victor Rivas finally stepped in, giving Miazga a yellow card as Cincy went on to win 8-7 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw through 90 minutes.

Miazga had earned a caution earlier in the game, but, per the rules, wasn't sent off for the second yellow in a shootout. However, having earned a yellow in the opener, Miazga had now passed the three-card threshold, netting him a suspension for FC Cincinnati's next match.

The defender's stunt, earnest or not, had cost him and his team. Only Miazga can truly confirm why he interacted with Red Bull fans in the way he did, and everyone would probably say it was a gesture better saved for a cooler moment when his intentions couldn't be doubted. His reputation seemed to precede him as the fans weren't willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Regardless, whatever his intentions were, Miazga hurt his team in a big way.

AdvertisementGetty Images'I wanted to show them love!'

After the match, Miazga was desperate to explain himself and was quick to express his frustration with the referee for misinterpreting his intentions.

“I’m annoyed,” he told the . “The referee gave me a yellow card. For what? I went to my fans that I played for since I was 14 years old and gave them a heart. I gave them a heart and I was showing them my love. I get a yellow card for that? For what?… And I have to take (that) and I’m suspended now… And after the game he gives me a yellow card because I asked ‘what the hell are you doing?’ Everyone’s yelling at the referee. Of course. I feel singled-out. I was speaking to [Rivas] the whole game normally. He’s talking to me nicely all game.”

Neither Rivas nor the Red Bulls fans believes Miazga's version of events. He was given that yellow card for inciting the crowd and, well-intentioned or not, that's exactly what Miazga did. After the match, social media was filled with vitriol for Miazga, as Red Bull fans took aim at a player that many believe was mocking them at a place he once called home.

Regardless, there were no winners from Miazga's display. The Red Bulls were knocked out, of course, as their season came to an end. The player was handed a one-game suspension, ruling him out for the club's next game against either the Philadelphia Union or New England Revolution, and with the playoffs now switching to a single-elimination format, Cincy will now be without both Miazga and fellow starting centerback Nick Hagglund, who is out with a hamstring injury. The suspension, then, could very well derail Cincy's hopes of reaching an MLS Cup, and head coach Pat Noonan was all the more frustrated because it was 100 percent avoidable.

“Matt’s suspended for the next game and that shouldn’t happen,” Noonan said after the game. “Matt knows better, we shouldn’t be missing him for the next round, as simple as that.”

However, that was just the beginning, as the whole situation went from bad to worse on Tuesday. As it turns out, that one-game suspension may only be the start of the punishments heading Miazga's way.

GettyMiazga vs referees

On Tuesday, the Pro Soccer Referees Association took to social media to reveal that, following Cincinnati's win over the Red Bulls, a player attempted to gain entry into the referee's locker room.

"After the Nov 4th NYRB/FC Cincinnati match, a player gained unauthorized entry into the officials’ locker room & was forcibly removed by stadium security while acting in an aggressive & hostile manner," the statement read. "No one's safety should ever be at risk & we expect MLS to act accordingly.

"This is an unacceptable and, as we recall, unprecedented violation of league policy and sporting integrity. We have urged MLS to take appropriate disciplinary action against the player and to remind all league participants that violations like this will not be tolerated."

Shortly after, the confirmed what many had expected: the player in question was Miazga. A further report from , though, raised questions about the events. According to the report, the PSRA's version of events was vastly overblown. The report says Miazga wasn't removed by security, but rather a Cincy staffer, adding that the defender was attempting to speak with Rivas about the yellow card he'd received at the end of the game. The report cited a source saying that "the entire thing has been blown out of proportion".

Regardless, MLS is currently investigation the situation, and should the PSRA's version of events be confirmed, Miazga could very well be hit with a hefty suspension for attempting to confront a referee.

“Major League Soccer is aware of the report of a player gaining unauthorized access into the officials’ locker room following the New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati match at Red Bull Arena on November 4, 2023,” read a statement MLS supplied to reporters. “The safety of PRO officials but never be compromised and an investigation into this matter is being conducted.”

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A history of incidents

It feels so long ago, but it was Miazga's willingness to be the bad guy that first endeared him to the American soccer public. In one of his initial matches on the international level, Miazga provided the most famous moment of his career. Taking on Mexico, Miazga was quick to make his mark on North America's hottest rivalry, branding himself as an antagonist worthy of the occasion.

In that 2018 match, Miazga found himself battling with Mexican starlet Diego Lainez, then the prized prospect in El Tri's system. The two ended up chest-to-chest during a confrontation, with Miazga pointing to the difference in height between the two. The 6'4 Miazga was quick to mock the 5'6 frame of Lainez, signalling that the Mexican star was too small to do anything to him.

On the American side, Miazga's jibe was seen as hilarious, a masterful troll job of a heated rival. On the Mexican side? Miazga was seen as a bully, a villain that had taken things just a bit too far.

“It was just a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing. For me it's like, whatever happens on the field stays on the field. In the moment, there was a bit of trash talk. That kind of situation occurred and it was what it was,” Miazga told . “Obviously it did bring a lot of media attention, just because I think USA-Mexico is a big rivalry… You have respect for people no matter what, off the pitch as well, because he's obviously a good player. I think I played against him a few times afterwards as well, and we shook hands and embraced.”

After several up-and-down years during which he was in and out of the USMNT picture, Miazga was at the center of another incident this summer, one which didn't leave fanbases split in the slightest.

At the Gold Cup, the USMNT found themselves in a shootout with Panama in the semifinals after a notably tight affair. After burying his penalty kick, Miazga marched back toward his team-mates, but stopped on his way there to confront Panama's Cecilio Waterman. The American defender got right into the Panamanian veteran's face in an attempt to throw him off his game.

Right away, Miazga was criticized for being unsportsmanlike, and it didn't take long for the soccer gods to punish him. Panama went on to win the shootout, knocking Miazga and the USMNT out in the process.

The incident showed that, several years on, Miazga still has no problem with being the instigator, as the defender continues to have a reputation as something of a menace on the field.

Kieran Powell has been recalled to the West Indies squad for the first Test against Pakistan, while uncapped players Vishaul Singh and Shimron Hetmyer were also picked

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Apr-20171:51

Watch – Kieran Powell tries to break into Major League Baseball

Leeward Islands batsman Kieran Powell is in line to play his first Test in nearly three years after being recalled to the West Indies squad for the first match against Pakistan at Sabina Park beginning on Friday. The uncapped batting pair of Vishaul Singh and Shimron Hetmyer have also joined Powell in the 13-man squad, after all three batsmen made runs in the warm-up game against Pakistan.Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo and Leon Johnson were dropped from the squad that toured the UAE for three Tests against Pakistan in October.WI squad for first Test

Jason Holder (capt), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kieran Powell, Vishaul Singh
In: Shimron Hetmyer, Kieran Powell, Vishaul Singh
Out: Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Leon Johnson, Marlon Samuels, Jomel Warrican

West Indies chairman of selectors Courtney Browne said, “We have a young Test squad, which was admirably led by Jason Holder during the last series and, though there are some noticeable absentees, we believe that the players will give a good account of themselves especially in their own backyard.”Powell, 27, last played Test cricket in 2014 and briefly quit cricket altogether not long afterward in a failed attempt to break into baseball in America. He returned to the West Indies domestic scene last summer in the Caribbean Premier League with St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, and then finished as the leading scorer in the Regional Super50 competition in February, with 513 runs in eight innings at 64.12. He earned a recall to the West Indies ODI team for the three-match series against England in March and was subsequently picked for the ODI series against Pakistan earlier this month.Powell’s form in the domestic four-day competition is not as solid as his one-day record this season, with 342 runs at 28.50 and just two half-centuries. However, he produced scores of 58 and 84 not out for the West Indies President’s XI in the drawn three-day tour match against Pakistan that concluded on Tuesday.”We are happy to be able to give a recall to Kieran Powell for one of the opening slots, although he did not have the best regional first-class season,” Browne said. “He showed for the President’s XI that his experience can add value to our team.”West Indies cricket has invested heavily in him over the years and with the void of openers within the Caribbean, the panel felt a need to fast track him through our A-Team programme last year with a view in helping him to bridge that gap.”Singh, a 28-year old right-hand batsman from Guyana, similarly had an underwhelming season in the domestic four-day competition, with 317 runs at 26.41 and a best of 71. However, he was the third-highest scorer in the 2015-16 season with 712 runs at 50.85 and three centuries. Like Powell, he also produced a strong performance for the West Indies President’s XI, making an unbeaten 135 in the first innings.”Vishal has been one of the more consistent batsmen in the Regional 4-Day Tournament over the last few seasons and had a very good A-Team series against Sri Lanka last year,” Browne said. “His hundred over the weekend for the WICB President’s XI against the Pakistanis helped to fortify in our minds that he has a place in our squad. He gives us the option of a solid middle-order batsman around whom our more free-scoring players can bat.”Hetmyer, 20, captained West Indies to the 2016 Under-19 World Cup title in Bangladesh last year and had a promising campaign for Guyana in the four-day competition, scoring 496 runs at 38.15 including four half-centuries in 15 innings. He has just one first-class hundred in his 17-match career, but it came against Jamaica in the last match of the 2015-16 season to clinch the four-day title for Guyana.The ascension of Hetmyer coincides with the continuing impasse between Bravo and the WICB. Bravo was the second-highest scorer for West Indies in the Test series against Pakistan in October, but had his match contract cancelled for criticising WICB President Dave Cameron on Twitter in November. Browne said in January that Bravo would not be considered for selection again until the dispute was settled.Also dropped from the previous Test squad against Pakistan were Carlos Brathwaite and Jomel Warrican. Though he was part of the Test squad in the UAE, Brathwaite didn’t play any of the matches and his last appearance in the format was against India in Antigua last July. He is currently at the IPL and West Indies coach Stuart Law said he had been left out of the ODI squad ahead of the Test series to work on improving his fitness and bowling.

Chelsea are expressing "concrete interest" in signing Flamengo youngster Matheus Franca this summer, according to a recent update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Who is Matheus Franca?

The 19-year-old is a bright young prospect in his homeland of Brazil currently, making a name for himself at Flamengo with his attacking quality.

Franca has already scored nine goals in 53 appearances for his current club, invariably taking up an attacking midfield role but being capable of playing deeper or even further forward in attack, and he is also a six-time capped Brazil Under-16s international.

Chelsea are seemingly set to have plenty of competition in any potential move for the teenager, as Newcastle United have been backed to snap him up in the near future, with a move to the Premier League clearly on the cards.

A new update suggests that the Blues are now at the front of the queue to snap up Franca, however, as Mauricio Pochettino looks to bring in the right players during the summer transfer window, hitting the ground running after officially coming in as manager over the weekend.

Are Chelsea close to signing Franca?

Taking to Twitter, Romano confirmed Newcastle's interest but said that Chelsea are genuinely interested in signing Franca this summer, with talks set to take place this week, in order for a move to be sealed before others can swoop in:

"Chelsea are showing concrete interest in Brazilian talent Matheus França as per Mail — he was on Newcastle radar in January. Understand there’s still no official bid but talks will take place this week with Flamengo. Negotiations will be around €20/25m fee."

While Franca may not yet be a household name in the English game, there is no doubt that his arrival could be met with excitement, considering the flair and unpredictability that so many young Brazilian footballers can possess, whether it be Ronaldinho, Neymar or Vinicius Jr down the years.

The Blues are also set to sign his compatriot Angelo Gabriel this week, so the club's hierarchy clearly have a focus on building a real fresh dawn for their new manager to work on long into the future. France is someone with a high ceiling who could develop into a real force eventually, but if he does join Chelsea, he should be given time to adjust to his surroundings and get used to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, rather than be expected to be an instant hit.

In Pochettino, the hope is that the Blues have someone who is an expert at dealing with youngsters, as was the case at Tottenham with Harry Kane and Dele Alli at the time, for example, and if the manager sees Franca as an ideal target, he has to be trusted in the transfer window by Todd Boehly.

The Brazilian has been hailed as a "great finisher" by coach Fabio Matias – an attribute that felt lacking at Stamford Bridge too often last season – but he has described so many aspects of his game, too, saying: "He has many important aspects to his game. In addition to technical and tactical ability, he has a very good understanding of the game. That makes him stand out because he interprets spaces well. The most talented players have an understanding of space and how to manage that."

West Ham star Vladimir Coufal has been sent home in disgrace after reportedly visiting a nightclub while on international duty.

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Coufal sent home from Czech Republic dutyWest Ham star went clubbingCzechs could secure Euro 2024 qualificationWHAT HAPPENED?

Coufal and his Czech Republic teammates Jakub Brabec and Jan Kuchta were sent home on Sunday. Czech newspaper iSport reported that the trio visited a nightclub in Olomouc on Saturday night along with Czech FA chief Tomas Neumann. The Czech FA said the players broke national team rules.

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The incident happened a day after the Czech Republic drew 1-1 with Poland in Warsaw. The result means that the Czechs need only to avoid defeat to Moldova in Olomouc on Monday to qualify for Euro 2024. The trio were reportedly partying with local league players whose season had finished on Saturday.

WHAT THE CZECH FA SAID

A statement published by the Czech FA read: "Three players fundamentally violated the internal rules of the national team on Saturday night. Jakub Brabec, Vladimir Coufal and Jan Kuchta have left the national team meeting with immediate effect by the decision of the management."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR COUFAL AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC?

Coufal will return to London ahead of West Ham's trip to Burnley next weekend. Should the Czech Republic secure a place at Euro 2024, it's likely the defender will need to do some serious apologising in order to win back his place in the squad.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Michael Beale has decided to dip into the transfer market this summer to bolster his playing squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Light Blues boss has wasted no time in securing the signatures of six new signings, including Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland, Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers, and Abdallah Sima.

However, ins are not the only order of business for the Scottish giants in the off-season as they need to shift on some of their fringe players in order to create space for further additions.

Football Insider recently reported that Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq, who are now managed by former Gers boss Steven Gerrard, are interested in signing Scott Wright.

They claimed that a concrete move has been made in an attempt to land the winger, who could join the likes of Ruben Neves, Karim Benzema, Jota, and N'Golo Kante in Saudi Arabia next season.

How many goals has Scott Wright scored for Rangers?

The 25-year-old has only scored eight goals in 84 competitive appearances for the Light Blues and failed to find the back of the net on any occasion across 34 outings last term.

He has not provided much in the way of attacking quality out wide for Rangers, which is why Beale must now brutally ditch him in order to sign Chicago Fire starlet Brian Gutierrez – a reported transfer target for the club.

Wright racked up zero goals and two assists in 34 matches last season across all competitions, which works out as a goal contribution every 17 clashes on average.

This shows that the former Aberdeen man is rarely capable of making a difference in the final third, as 13 of his teammates were directly involved in more Scottish Premiership goals than him.

Gutierrez, meanwhile, has caught the eye with his creativity for the Fire in 2023. The 20-year-old, who is five years younger than Wright, has registered seven assists in 23 matches this year, which is one every 3.29 games on average.

Ryan Kent, who has since joined Fenerbahce in Turkey, was the only Rangers winger with more than seven league assists (eight) last season, which suggests that the potential is there for the USA U20 international to be a creative spark for Beale out wide.

The MLS prospect also produced two goals and six assists in 34 clashes throughout 2023, which shows that Gutierrez has plenty of experience under his belt – despite only turning 20 last month.

The exciting youngster, who was hailed as "incredible" and a player who has "got everything" by manager Frank Klopas, could arrive at Ibrox as a player with the potential to be a future star for Beale, potentially even forcing Wright out in the process.

Wright made 18 substitute appearances in the Premiership last season and that role could suit the 5 foot 10 ace initially as it would allow him to slowly adjust to life in Scotland.

He could then gain experience before pushing on and using his creative ability to make himself a go-to player for the manager further down the line.

India women’s wicketkeeper-batsman Sushma Verma, who hardly got batting opportunities in the past, cashed in on the chance against Pakistan with a 35-ball 33

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Jul-2017Sushma Verma has established herself as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper since making her debut in 2014. However, her contribution as a batsman has been minimal, largely because she has hardly had opportunities to prove herself. Prior to Sunday, she had batted just eight times in 22 ODIs, facing a grand sum of 56 deliveries, off which she scored 13 runs, a strike rate of 23.21.She batted at No. 8 or lower in seven of those eight innings. The last time she batted before Sunday, she was sent in at No. 10, even below Ekta Bisht, no more than a tailender. Until the Pakistan game, India’s third at the World Cup, this hardly mattered thanks to robust contributions from the top order. But on a sticky wicket with the top order having a rare off day, the team needed Verma to overcome her battles, and she did.Promoted to No. 7 ahead of the more-accomplished Jhulan Goswami, who has a reputation of being a big hitter, Verma exhibited tremendous composure and match awareness to make a 35-ball 33 to help India recover from 111 for 6 to 169 for 9. Her 34-run stand with Goswami for the seventh wicket, significant in the context of the game, earned plaudits from her captain Mithali Raj.”At that point in time, when we were losing wickets, it was important to slow down a little,” Raj explained of Verma’s promotion. “On a few occasions in domestic cricket, when our Central Zone side was in similar situation, she bailed us out. We expected her to play that role and she did until the 48th over. Those boundaries were also very crucial.”Her partnership [with Jhulan] got us to 170. We were looking for 170 when we lost the top four. When you play such matches, it’s important to continue the momentum but not every day will the same batters will score runs, so I’m happy someone has stood up to get those runs. It’s important we got this opportunity to reflect on our batting order.”Opportunities have been rare for Verma in domestic cricket too as she started her career with Himachal Pradesh and moved to Railways for better cricketing prospects. But moving to a more-established outfit also brought about a fresh set of challenges. Playing in a team that has a star-studded batting line-up that boasts of Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur and Punam Raut has largely meant that a berth in the top order, which she may have been guaranteed at Himachal, has been non-existent.In the entire 2016-17 season, she had four opportunities to impress, twice each in the one-dayers and T20 competition. She managed 21 in those four knocks. It’s a role she has taken awhile getting used to, but one she has grown to accept, Verma said. “The team management has been working a lot on the lower-order batting. We have been getting equal attention as the top and middle order. I was waiting for this opportunity.”I’ve understood I will have minimum balls to face, I need to make maximum impact. Today, there was such an opportunity. It’s not that I’m confident only because of wicketkeeping. For me, the main concern and focus is to score as many runs as possible in as little balls as possible.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as refused to rule out the possibility of out-of-favour goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale joining Newcastle in January.

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• Arteta refuses to rule out Ramsdale's January move
• Wants him to stay at the Emirates Stadium
• Ramsdale lost his starting XI spot to Raya

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ramsdale, who appeared in all 38 Premier League games last season for the Gunners, saw his game time drastically reduce after the arrival of David Raya from Brentford on loan in the summer. The English goalkeeper has played in just eight matches across all competitions and has lost the No.1 spot in Arteta's team to Raya. Ramsdale has been tipped to seek a transfer in January, with Newcastle thought to be leading the race for his signature.

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• WHAT MIKEL ARTETA SAID

  Arsenal manager Arteta does not want to lose Ramsdale in the upcoming window, but he did not rule out a possible transfer either as he claimed that he cannot stop anyone from leaving the club.

  Speaking to reporters, the Spaniard said: "I want Aaron with us. I am very happy to have two very, very good goalkeepers. We want to be better, so we want to add to what we already have. That's the intention that we have.

  "I cannot tell you that any Arsenal player is not going to leave in January. Or he is to stay here for the next three years. I won't say that no player is going to go to Newcastle. Or no member of the staff either. I won't say it. If you say yes or no, I won't say it. I cannot guarantee that nobody is going to be leaving in January. For Newcastle or any other club. So it is a no."

• (C)Getty Images
  

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  Wolves were reportedly keen on signing the 25-year-old custodian and approached the Premier League leaders with an offer, but the Gunners rejected their bid.

  Newcastle United are also on the lookout for a goalkeeper after losing Nick Pope to long-term injury. Pope dislocated his shoulder during their match against Manchester United and has been ruled out of action for up to five months. The Magpies also have former Red Devils star David de Gea on their shortlist.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  Arteta's side, who currently have a two-point lead over Liverpool at the top of the table, will be next seen in action in the Premier League on Tuesday as they take on Luton Town at Kenilworth Road. Arsenal will be back in action away at Aston Villa four days later as the fixture list starts to pile up heading into the festive period.

Sarah Taylor has declared that she is “back, and ready to face the World Cup and the scrutiny that professional sport brings,” after taking a year-long break from the game to combat an anxiety condition.Taylor, who is widely recognised as one of the most naturally talented female cricketers of her generation, took an indefinite break from cricket in the aftermath of last year’s World T20 in India. However, she was last week included in England’s 15-strong squad for the Women’s World Cup, which gets underway in just under a month’s time.Her inclusion followed a successful reintegration into the England set-up during a recent training camp in the UAE, where she took the field in a practice match against Ireland, scoring 26 not out in the second of three warm-up wins.”It’s been a tough 12 months and lots has been learned in that time,” Taylor said in an interview arranged by the ECB. “In terms of where I am with my cricket, I’m incredibly comfortable to be back playing and the girls have been absolutely brilliant. It’s just nice to be back around them and the fact that the World Cup is at home as well makes it extra special. To be back in time for the World Cup has been a hard journey but very worth it so far.”Prior to her diagnosis, Taylor’s condition was so acute at times that she found herself running off the field of play to be sick, while she also struggled with day-to-day issues such as taking public transport. A course of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helped her to overcome many of the most debilitating traits of her illness, although she does accept that the pressures and scrutiny of a home World Cup campaign will bring a whole new challenge.”I don’t think we can shy away from the fact that in a World Cup there will be pressure,” she said. “Through what I’ve dealt with over the last 12 months I feel like I’m probably mentally strong enough to deal with those pressures. All I want to do is help someone else get through it, so I don’t think I’m any different to anyone else.”To be honest, when I took that break I didn’t look too far ahead. I couldn’t. I was always told to not look too far in the future, to take it day by day and as it comes. Literally getting out of bed was the highlight of a day and then accept that doing something brilliant might mean walking outside, that was a tick in the box.Sarah Taylor has been absent from England duty for the past year•Stephen Pond/Getty Images

“To look towards the World Cup never even got into my head, it was never something I was striving for at the time, then all of a sudden I found myself wanting to train again and, like I said before, it actually benefitted my day-to-day learnings and my anxiety through that. Next thing I knew I was on a plane going to Abu Dhabi and that was a very last-minute decision.Looking ahead to the World Cup itself, Taylor Is in no doubt about the team’s overall aim for the tournament. “Ultimately you want to win the tournament, don’t you?” she said. “But for me it’s literally just a case of day-by-day assessing where I am – anxiety-wise, cricket-wise, everything in my head. If not, what can we do to help me get through a training session, a game, everything like that.”My success, from a very personal point of view, is obviously to perform and be consistent in my performances but flip that to the mental side of things and it’s about getting through the tour unscathed. I’m realistic that there probably will be some bumps but, actually, if I get through it I should look back and be completely proud of myself for doing it. I’m proud that I’ve even put myself out there to do it. I want to win as much as the next person – and I’m hoping that there’ll be success with my own mental health and we can see a trophy at the same time.”

Newcastle United are on the 'tracks' of Villarreal attacker Samuel Chukwueze this summer as Eddie Howe prepares his side for Champions League football this term, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

What's the latest transfer news involving Samuel Chukwueze and Newcastle?

As per Estadio Deportivo via Sport Witness, Newcastle United are keen on signing Chukwueze this summer and view him as a possible replacement for Allan Saint-Maximin.

The report states that the 24-year-old is out of contract at the Yellow Submarine in 2024 and he has no intention to extend his stay, with a path for an exit becoming 'more and more clear’ either this window or next off-season, where he could depart Villarreal on a free transfer.

One outlet in Spain claim that Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and the Magpies are all fighting to sign the Nigeria international, who has a clause of around €80 million (£68.6 million) inserted into his current terms at Villarreal, according to GOAL journalist Ruben Uria.

Calciomercato via Football Italia claim that AC Milan have already reached a verbal agreement on personal terms with Chukwueze, though they may fall below his valuation. Villarreal want around €30 million before considering selling the attacker, while AC Milan are planning a bid of around €20 million with add-ons.

Newcastle United have already added Sandro Tonali to the ranks from AC Milan in a transfer worth £55 million as Magpies' boss Howe kicks his transfer proactivity up a notch as the window progresses.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Galetti has revealed that Newcastle United are indeed one interested party in signing Chukwueze this summer.

Galetti stated: "Chukwueze is on the radar of some Premier League clubs. Also, in Serie A, AC Milan are really interested in him. But, the price tag, which is set at around €30m (£26m), is considered a little high for the Italian club.

"Coming back to England – Arsenal, Liverpool, and Newcastle United are on his tracks."

Would Samuel Chukwueze be a good addition for Newcastle United?

Capable of plying his trade on either flank or in central areas, Chukwueze is someone who has an exciting profile and could be a versatile addition to Howe's squad as they prepare to juggle both Premier League and Champions League football this term.

Last season, the 24-year-old enjoyed a productive time of things, registering 13 goals and 11 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Chukwueze, who has been hailed as a "beast", is something of an entertainer and managed to beat his marker with regularity in 2022/23, averaging around 2.3 successful dribbles per match in La Liga, as per WhoScored.

Providing opportunities for his teammates is a key strength of Chukwueze, evidenced by the fact that he completed 132 shot-creating actions combining his involvement in La Liga and Europa Conference League action, as shown on FBRef.

Newcastle United boss Howe will be intent on bolstering his wide options with the addition of Chukwueze; however, competition from the English top-flight and the continent will make any pursuit tough.

Nevertheless, the lure of playing in Europe's premier competition alongside potentially becoming a key part of the Magpies' project may be enough to entice him to St James' Park.