Che Simmons made a stunning impact on his first-class debut by blasting a gaping hole in the Essex batting with three wickets in 15 balls as Warwickshire gained a stranglehold on the Vitality County Championship match at Chelmsford.The 20-year-old Barbadian-born, British passport-holder, dubbed the ‘new Jofra Archer’ when he signed three years ago, sent back Tom Westley, Nick Browne and Matt Critchley in a venomous opening spell of 6-2-10-3 that reduced Essex from 52 for 2 to 63 for 5 en route to 162 all out.There were similarities with the England pace bowler as Simmons finished with 3 for 12 to enable Warwickshire to build upon Ed Barnard’s six-and-three-quarter-hour, career-best 165 that underpinned their first-innings 397.Essex were dismissed inside 52 overs, 235 runs adrift, though Warwickshire opted not to enforce the follow-on. They may live to regret the decision as they lost five wickets in 17.3 evening overs on day two while extending their lead by 43.Captain Alex Davies departed to the fifth ball, steering Sam Cook to second slip, before Will Rhodes was undone by Jamie Porter and went lbw. Barnard was unable to replicate his first-innings heroics, chasing a Porter delivery down leg-side and was caught behind for a golden duck.When Dan Mousley patted back Critchley’s second ball and Rob Yates fell to the last ball of the day, lbw to Simon Harmer, Warwickshire were starting to relive the nightmare of their first innings when they had slumped to 64 for 5.Simmons’s fellow Warwickshire debutant Michael Rae, the New Zealand pace bowler signed this week as cover for a lengthening injury list in the pace department, set the ball rolling when Essex batted. Feroze Khushi tried to whip him through midwicket but only chipped tamely to mid-on.Dean Elgar followed when edging an attempted cover drive off Oliver Hannon-Dalby to second slip.Then Simmons took centre stage. Westley was induced to hook to short square leg where Sam Hain took his second catch inches off the ground. Browne then hung out his bat and was caught behind and next ball Critchley left his bat dangling and departed to the same combination.Michael Pepper prevented Simmons celebrating even further by turning the hat-trick ball through midwicket. However, Hannon-Dalby replaced Simmons and had Pepper under-cutting and being caught behind.Jordan Cox refused to be tied down amid the carnage and hit Hannon-Dalby for three successive boundaries, two angled down to third and another driven straight. He pulled Yates fiercely for six, attempted a repeat next ball that struck short-leg Hain plumb in the helmet necessitating his removal from the action, and then missed a reverse sweep two balls later and was bowled for 47.Harmer had earlier completed his best season’s bowling figures of 3 for 93 and reached double-figures with the bat for only the second time in eight innings. However, when on 13 he got a thin touch to Rae to give wicketkeeper Michael Burgess a fourth catch.Yates wrapped up the innings for figures of 3 for 27 as Cook popped up a catch to Hain’s replacement at bat-pad and Porter left one alone and was bowled.Warwickshire batted for an hour and a half in the morning. Burgess lasted just seven more balls while adding three to his overnight 105 before edging Shane Snater behind to end a seventh-wicket stand of 209 with Barnard.Simmons was as equally confident with the bat as with the ball before he attempted to sweep Harmer and was bowled. Rae fell the same way but only after launching Harmer’s previous two balls for sixes.Barnard reached his 150 with a six off Porter and equalled his previous top score of 163 with another maximum over long leg’s head off Critchley. But two runs later he swung at the same bowler and was caught in the deep for his first dismissal of the day.

Manchester United have sent scouts to watch Fiorentina defender Pietro Comuzzo as the club weigh up a summer swoop.

• United scout Fiorentina defender
• Sunderland and Bournemouth also interested
• Ace is valued at €40 million (£35m/$47m)

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per Tuttosport, United have sent scouts to Italy to watch Comuzzo in action throughout pre-season, along with Sunderland and Bournemouth. The defender is valued at around €40m after a breakout season in which he played 33 times in Serie A. 

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Comuzzo is said to be focused on playing for Fiorentina this season and is not thinking about the prospect of a move away from the club. Nevertheless, United have taken a keen interest in the 20-year-old and may well be monitoring his development with a future move in mind. He has a contract until 2029.

• WHAT COMUZZO SAID

  The defender spoke to Radio FirenzeViola regarding his future and said"The contract renewal [earlier this year] was a strong signal from the club, a demonstration of respect. President [Rocco] Commisso is a wonderful person, and I have a special bond with him. 

  "When my mother passed away, he was one of the first to come and console me. This is also why I’m happy to have stayed here, in a city that is a second home to me."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  United are putting the finishing touches to their preparation for the new season. They play Fiorentina on Saturday, coincidentally, which may allow for talks over Comuzzo. 

The Red Devils have beaten Newcastle to the signing of the RB Leipzig hitman, who models himself on Erling Haaland and Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Manchester United first set their eyes upon Benjamin Sesko when he was just 16 years old, and even had the chance to snap him up for a pittance. They didn't take it, though, instead leaving Red Bull Salzburg to sign the Slovenian teenager in the summer of 2019 for just €2.5 million.

Meanwhile in 2022, Erik ten Hag's first summer in charge, the Red Devils had another look at Sesko, but again balked at the price, which had by then risen to €24m for a player who had only one season of top-flight football under his belt in the Austrian Bundesliga. Instead, Sesko agreed to jump ship to fellow Red Bull franchise RB Leipzig, although he did not make the move until the following year, which is when United signed Rasmus Hojlund for up to £72m.

To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, to miss out on a promising and prolific striker once may be regarded as a misfortune, to miss out twice looks like carelessness. But six years after first failing to sign the player once billed as the next Erling Haaland, United have, at the third time of asking, finally secured a deal to get Sesko to Old Trafford.

Having organised a secret trip to Germany, led by head of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who brought Sesko to Leipzig when he was the Bundesliga side's technical director, to try and get the deal done, United are now set to pay a huge price for their earlier indecision, with Leipzig having accepted an offer of an initial £66.5m ($89m), plus £7.5m ($10m) in achievable add-ons, for the 22-year-old, who was also being pursued by Newcastle.

Yet, despite the big fee and some concern that United could be about to make the same mistake they made with Hojlund by signing a costly 'project' in favour of a proven Premier League striker like Ollie Watkins, there is a lot of excitement about the striker heading to the red side of Manchester and completing Ruben Amorim's new-look attack…

Getty Where it all began

Sesko received his early football education in his hometown of Radece and began making waves in Slovenian football when he was barely a teenager, as he scored a stunning 59 goals in 23 matches for second division outfit Krsko's Under-15s side in the 2017-18 season. He subsequently joined two-time national champions NK Domzale, but far bigger clubs came calling just a year later as Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Ajax, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund all expressed their interest. So too did United, who tabled a bid of £1m for the then-16-year-old.

But it was Salzburg, who a year earlier had snapped up another precociously talented and physically imposing striker in Haaland, who appealed the most to Sesko and his representatives.

"The biggest clubs in Europe tried to get him. The interest in him was huge; I have never seen anything like it before," said Sesko's agent Elvis Basanovic at the time. "We had a lot of offers from really big clubs. Had we decided on the money, Benjamin would have moved to England or Italy. But we decided to look at the bigger picture and the Salzburg project."

Unlike Haaland, however, Sesko was considered too young and raw for the Salzburg first team upon arrival, and while the Norwegian was tearing it up in the top-flight and scoring against the likes of Liverpool in the Champions League, the Slovenian was drafted into Salzburg's reserve side, FC Liefering, who play in the Austrian second division. Sesko initially struggled to cope with the jump from youth to senior football and scored only one goal in 15 appearances in his first campaign. However, he got to grips with the level soon enough and netted 21 times in his second season.

AdvertisementGetty The big break

Sesko became Slovenia's youngest-ever player when he made his debut in June 2021 against North Macedonia, the day after his 18th birthday, and four months later, he became his country's youngest-ever scorer when he struck against Malta. That same year he was promoted to Salzburg's first team for the 2021-22 season, and at the end of the campaign he secured a move to Leipzig, despite only scoring five goals in the Austrian top flight.

He considerably improved on those numbers in his final season at Salzburg, scoring 16 league goals and setting up a further four, and by the time he left Austria for Germany, Sesko had averaged a goal or an assist every two games.

After an underwhelming debut season at Leipzig, Sesko suddenly hit a ruthless vein of form, scoring in each of his side's final seven league games. He also became the youngest player to score in seven consecutive games in the Bundesliga as his goal glut helped fire Leipzig to a fourth-placed finish in the table and a return to the Champions League.

How it's going

Sesko's hot streak increased the hype around him ahead of Euro 2024, although he underwhelmed at the tournament, failing to score in any of Slovenia's four games while missing two big chances in the last-16 tie against Portugal, which his side eventually lost on penalties.

Back on the domestic front, highlights of his second season at Leipzig included doubles against Juventus and Augsburg as well as a long-range trivela against Bayern Munich. He also provided an assist as Leipzig beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 to end the then Bundesliga champions' 43-game unbeaten run. The season ended in disappointment, however, as Leipzig finished sixth in the league and failed to qualify for European football for the first time in nine years.

There was some disappointment over Sesko's season too – he scored 13 league goals compared to 14 strikes in his debut campaign despite starting an additional 13 matches. Nonetheless, there was big expectation that he would make a big-money move in the summer, one year after signing a long-term deal with Leipzig which protected his value.

Arsenal were seen as the main candidates to buy him, but instead opted for Viktor Gyokeres, leaving United and Newcastle to battle for his signature. And though the Magpies offered more money than the Red Devils, the lure of playing at Old Trafford was enough to convince Sesko to join Amorim's project at United.

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Getty Images SportBiggest strengths

Sesko is an ideal build for a striker, standing at 6'4 (193cm) and boasting huge physical strength. He also has electric pace, famously clocking the same top speed as Kylian Mbappe when he was breaking through at Salzburg.

His pace and power makes him a formidable force running in between the lines and onto through balls, while Sesko also has impressive dribbling ability for a player of his size. The forward's ball-striking ability, which has led to him scoring a large number of long-range goals, also stands out.

"He’s extremely quick, has a great jump on him and is strong in the air. Benjamin is a real goal-scorer, who despite his height, is mobile and technically strong," is how Vivell described Sesko when unveiling him as a new signing for Leipzig. "His abilities make him a special player with a special profile."

Here’s how the KKR players and coaches reacted after their IPL title win

ESPNcricinfo staff26-May-20241:25

Moody: Gambhir has created stability and clarity for KKR

Andre Russell: “No words to explain right now. It means so much with all the fans that have been supporting us throughout the season. We are the players who go game after game and make sure that we get the job done. And it’s the first time we’re actually celebrating our victory and I think it’s the right moment. I’m happy that all of us, we are very disciplined and want the same goal. This franchise has done so much for me, with the fitness and everything. This is a big gift from all of us to them, so I’m happy.”Russell to Star Sports: “It’s my first final for KKR and to get three wickets as well, it means a lot to me and all the bowlers did their job. We keep it as simple as possible. In the first couple of overs we realised the wicket was on the slower side and we used the cutters well, we didn’t overuse it as well. We kind of mixed up the pace. I was happy with a 113 chase any day . I just mentioned to him [Mitchell Starc]. I said, ‘hey, big man, you saved the best for last’. And I’m happy with that because he started on the rough side and I kept feeling that he’s still a world-class bowler, he doesn’t take a few bad games to decide the destiny and I’m happy that he bowled that jaffa to that guy [Abhishek Sharma] and then we’re on our way.Related

Gambhir: 'I would love to coach the Indian team'

Shreyas Iyer: 'We played like invincibles throughout the season'

Cummins after loss to KKR: 'Old mate Starcy turned it on again'

KKR's bowlers rip through SRH to win third IPL title

“GG [Gautam Gambhir] has not just been a mentor, he’s been a leader in every department for us, and I think that’s what was key to our success. He made sure that every batter and every bowler was playing their part and GG is just an amazing guy to be in any set-up. The support staff always gave us what we wanted, made sure that we were satisfied leaving the nets and everything played a big part leading up to this championship. GG coming back, winning the IPL, amazing support staff, you don’t need anything more than that.”Varun Chakravarthy: “All I can think of right now is the person who’s built this Indian core. Obviously the international players have been doing very well always, but the main guy behind this is Mr Abhishek Nayar.”Varun to Star Sports: “It’s a result of hard work. Credit goes to two main people, Dinesh Karthik and Abhishek Nayar. They are the guys who set the Indian core about five years back and that’s bearing fruits now. You can bowl at any other ground if you’ve bowled at Eden Gardens. It’s such a small ground, smaller than the TNPL grounds.”It went great bowling with Sunil Narine. We spoke a lot. We lost to Punjab Kings earlier in the season. Gautam then told us: ‘This is the loss that’s going to make us win the final’. And that’s what happened now. That Punjab match was the turning point for us. After we gave away 260-plus runs, Shah Rukh Khan [team owner] told me not to expect any magic ball. He said, ‘Just focus on your basics and that’ll bring you magic; don’t run behind the magic’.”Abhishek Nayar, assistant coach: “It means everything. It has taken a very long time. Personally, I started playing IPL in the first season. It’s taken me 16 years before I got my championship, but I’m really happy for the boys. It’s been five-six years. I can’t express how happy I am. Can’t express it, with the big man [Russell] turning up as usual, but it’s the most surreal feeling that I’ve had in a very long time.”1:20

How dominant were KKR this season?

Venkatesh Iyer: “As Varun mentioned, credit has to go to Abhishek Nayar. You know certain things go unnoticed. I’ll make sure that they don’t go because that guy deserves all the credit in the world for the way he’s been working for this franchise. And this one is for the fans who turned up in huge numbers year after year, waiting for ten years. We have some superstars in our team still we did not win, but kudos to the fans who came in regularly to cheer and support us, this is for them.”Nitish Rana: “When Gautam Gambhir was signed as our mentor, I had congratulated him on WhatsApp. I wrote a long message to him and he thanked me, but he also said he’ll be the happiest when we’ll lift the trophy at the podium. Today is that day and I’ll remember that message forever.”Bharat Arun, bowling coach: “I think it’s been pretty tough last two years. It was touch and go, we didn’t qualify and there’s been a lot of introspection and we did find out what are the areas we really need to work on. We did exactly that. I think Mitch [Starc] coming into the team boosted the confidence of the other youngsters in the side. Mitch is probably one of the best bowlers in world cricket and he’s been in similar situations many times. I think it’s just about Mitch discovering what his strengths are and how the Indian conditions would suit him. Once he understood that, it’s magic all over.””They [Narine and Varun] have been outstanding. Not often you come across spinners who are experienced. Spinners mature with age and so Sunny [Narine] with his experience and also Varun has been in the IPL for four to five years – both bowling in tandem has worked exceptionally well for us. He [Narine] has brought a totally different dimension to our batting this year. I thought it was Gautam who insisted that Sunny opens and that was a move that really paid off. What Sunny did was outstanding.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A chuva tomou conta do CT Joaquim Grava nesta quinta-feira (5) em São Paulo, mas não impediu os trabalhos do Corinthians, que segue se preparando para a estreia no Campeonato Paulista.

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+ Confira quem sai, quem fica e as movimentações do Timão no mercado

Os atletas corintianos iniciaram as atividades na academia do clube, e posteriormente foram ao gramado para o aquecimento. Depois, o técnico Fernando Lázaro e sua comissão técnica organizaram um treino tático com todo o elenco.

+ Veja todas as movimentações do futebol brasileiro na nova ferramenta de mercado do LANCE!

O meia Renato Augusto, ausente nas duas últimas atividades do clube alvinegro para acompanhar o nascimento de seu segundo filho, voltou a marcar presença no CT e treinou normalmente nesta quinta-feira.

Como vem fazendo desde que assumiu o comando técnico do Timão, Fernando Lázaro chamou quatro atletas da base para completarem os treinos da equipe profissional: o lateral-esquerdo Gustavo Henrique (2005); o volante Cauan (2003); o meio-campista Adryan (2005); e o atacante Léo Agostinho (2005). O quarteto não está inscrito para disputar a Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior.

+ Veja tabela e simule os jogos do Paulistão 2023

O primeiro compromisso oficial do Corinthians no ano é contra o Red Bull Bragantino, no dia 15 de janeiro, às 16h, em Bragança Paulista, pela rodada inaugural do Paulistão.

continua após a publicidade

Jitesh Sharma will lead PBKS, who have only two overseas players available

Hemant Brar18-May-2024Match detailsSunrisers Hyderabad (third) vs Punjab Kings (ninth)
Hyderabad, 1530 IST (1000 GMT)Big picture – SRH, rusty or rejuvenated?A washout in their last game against Gujarat Titans means SRH are no longer in control of their fate. Even if they win against PBKS on Sunday afternoon, a top-two finish is not guaranteed. For that to happen, Rajasthan Royals will have to lose against Kolkata Knight Riders later in the day.Before the GT game, SRH’s previous outing was on May 8, against Lucknow Super Giants, when they chased down 166 inside ten overs. That means they will be in action after a gap of ten days. It needs to be seen if they will be rusty or rejuvenated.PBKS were ruled out of the playoffs race long back, and most of their overseas players have returned home for various reasons. Kagiso Rabada left with an infection in his lower limb; Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jonny Bairstow and Sikandar Raza for national duties; Chris Woakes for family reasons.Jitesh Sharma, who will lead the side on Sunday, has only two overseas players available: Rilee Rossouw and Nathan Ellis. With nothing to lose, this opens up an opportunity for domestic players to make an impression.Form guideSunrisers Hyderabad WLWLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)Punjab Kings WLLWWPrevious meetingWhen these two sides met earlier in the season, SRH found themselves on 39 for 3 inside the powerplay after being sent in. But Nitish Kumar Reddy’s 64 off 37 balls lifted them to 182 for 9. In response, PBKS also suffered a collapse before Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma revived them. Eventually, they fell short by two runs.Team news and impact player strategySunrisers HyderabadWill SRH bring back Aiden Markram for Sri Lankan legspinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth? Without Markram, the batting looks a bit thin but Viyaskanth impressed with figures of 4-0-27-0 against LSG. Another option is to draft in either Mayank Agarwal or Rahul Tripathi for allrounder Sanvir Singh.Abhishek Sharma could be their Impact Player if they bowl first and T Natarajan if they bat.Probable XII 1 Travis Head, 2 , 3 Mayank Agarwal/Rahul Tripathi, 4 Nitish Kumar Reddy, 5 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6 Abdul Samad, 7 Shahbaz Ahmed, 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Jaydev Unadkat, 11 Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, 12 Punjab KingsIn the absence of Curran and Bairstow, Rishi Dhawan and Atharva Taide could get a chance. Prabhsimran Singh and Arshdeep Singh are likely to be their Impact Player options.Probable XII 1 , 2 Atharva Taide, 3 Rilee Rossouw, 4 Shashank Singh, 5 Jitesh Sharma (capt, wk), 6 Ashutosh Sharma, 7 Rishi Dhawan, 8 Harpreet Brar, 9 Harshal Patel, 10 Nathan Ellis, 11 Rahul Chahar, 12 In the spotlight – Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal PatelBhuvneshwar Kumar started IPL 2024 with figures of 0 for 51 and 0 for 53. A few games later, he had 0 for 60 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. But after just four wickets in the first eight games, he has picked up seven in the last four. As usual, he has been at his best in the powerplay – ten of his 11 wickets have come in this phase, the most for any bowler this season.Harshal Patel has turned it around after a poor start to the season•BCCIHarshal Patel, too, did not have a great start to the season. He went for 44 or more in each of his first four games. But after that, he turned it around and is currently the leading wicket-taker of the season with 22 scalps. His economy has also come down to 9.51. With Rabada and Curran unavailable, he will have to shoulder extra responsibility if PBKS are to end on a positive note.Stats that matter Bhuvneshwar has dismissed Prabhsimran three times in 11 balls while conceding only 15 runs. Rossouw has scored only five runs in ten balls (no dismissal) against Bhuvneshwar and 14 runs in 12 balls (one dismissal) against Pat Cummins. Abhishek has hit Arshdeep for 34 runs off 23 balls without getting out even once. Harshal has dismissed Heinrich Klaasen three times in 30 balls while giving away only 38 runs. Reddy has enjoyed batting against Harpreet Brar: 38 runs in 16 balls, no dismissal.Pitch and conditionsHyderabad has been a high-scoring venue this IPL, with an average first-innings score of 203. Only the Arun Jaitely Satdium (10.69) has seen a higher run rate than Hyderabad’s 9.94. However, the weather could play spoilsport once again as there is a 30% chance of rain.Quotes”I am someone who is never happy [with his performance] but I love it when the team wins. I agree I have been a bit up and down but my intent was very good, my intention was very good. I think I had good learnings this year and because now I have seen this phase, it’s better for me in future.”

A 315-run partnership for the fifth wicket – a new Glamorgan record – came after the hosts were reeling on 41 for 4

ECB Reporters Network11-May-2024

A brilliant recovery led by hundreds from Colin Ingram and Kiran Carlson saw Glamorgan finish day two of their Vitality County Championship Match against Sussex on 411 for 9, a lead of 133 on first innings.Glamorgan were in real trouble in the opening session of the day after a burst of three wickets from Jayden Seales saw them slump to 41 for 4 before a record partnership of 315 from Ingram and Carlson took the home side into a first innings leadIngram was dismissed for 170 and Carlson made 148, by far the two highest scores of this match so far. Seales completed his third five wicket haul of the season just before the close as he further cemented his place as the leading wicket taker in Division Two.The day started with the ball dominating proceedings with Trinidadian Seales bowling with pace and late movement. A ball from around the wicket that seamed back into the left-handed Billy Root bowled the batter with him not offering a shot. 11 balls later it was Seales had his second when he bounced out Nightwatchman Mason Crane with a ball that lifted on him and was caught by wicketkeeper John Simpson.Seales claimed his third wicket when he had Sam Northeast caught behind off a good length ball to leave Glamorgan in real trouble. From there it was all about Ingram and Carlson who put on a record fifth wicket stand for Glamorgan going past the 307 made by Carlson and Chris Cooke against Northamptonshire in 2021.Once the shine had gone off the new ball it was all very straightforward for the Glamorgan pair and with Sussex without the spin option of Jack Carson due to a back injury he sustained while batting on day one as the visitors struggled for control.With the scoring rate hovering around four runs an over throughout the partnership, it was just after tea that Glamorgan went into the lead on first innings, a remarkable turnaround from where they were in the morning session.The second new ball saw Seales return to the attack but with two set batters he did not find the same penetration as in the morning session with Ingram scoring 14 runs from his first over back.Ingram became the leading run scorer in the County Championship as he made his third hundred of the season. Ingram’s form presents an interesting overseas player conundrum for Glamorgan with the arrival of Marnus Labuschagne imminent. Given their depleted bowling stocks Glamorgan may not be able to leave out Mir Hamza so that means only one of Ingram or Labuschange can play when the Australian does arrive with the club.When the breakthrough did come it came as a bit of a surprise, with Carlson hitting a ball into the hands of extra cover off Seales for 148. As has been the case in this match so far, wickets have tended to fall in bursts and Cooke was dismissed in the next over for one.Ingram was trapped lbw by Danny Lamb before the close as part of a spell of play that saw Glamorgan lose three wickets for three runs before a quick fire 26 from James Harris helped the home team reach 400 to claim their seventh bonus point of the match. Harris and Andy Gorvin both fell before the close to bookend the day with another cluster of wickets.

يستعد منتخب مصر الأول لكرة القدم للدخول في معسكره المقبل خلال شهر سبتمبر، في إطار التصفيات المؤهلة لنهائيات كأس العالم 2026، حيث استقر الجهاز الفني على ملامح القائمة المبدئية التي تضم 34 لاعبًا، مع وجود بعض المفاجآت في الاختيارات.

وعلم بطولات، أن نبيل عماد دونجا لاعب وسط الزمالك، ضمن الأسماء التي وقع عليها الاختيار في القائمة المبدئية، رغم الانتقادات التي وُجهت إليه مؤخرًا من بعض الجماهير ووسائل الإعلام، ويأتي ضمه بناءً على قناعة كبيرة من الجهاز الفني بقدراته وإمكانياته.

طالع أيضًا | ميدو: البعض يخشى عودة الزمالك “المرعبة” لـ دوري أبطال إفريقيا.. ويوضح كواليس التفاوض مع جون إدوارد

وأوضح المصدر أن مشاركة اللاعب نبيل دونجا مع الزمالك في مباراتي فاركو ووادي دجلة ستكون كافية لضمان وجوده بشكل رسمي في معسكر الفراعنة المقبل.

ومن المقرر أن يبدأ منتخب مصر معسكره المغلق يوم 1 سبتمبر باستاد القاهرة، استعدادًا لملاقاة إثيوبيا يوم 5 من الشهر ذاته، قبل التوجه إلى بوركينا فاسو لخوض اللقاء المقرر يوم 9 سبتمبر في الجولة الثامنة من التصفيات، حيث يتصدر الفراعنة المجموعة الأولى برصيد 16 نقطة بعد 6 مباريات.

Central Sparks made it three wins from three in the Charlotte Edwards Cup with a three-wicket victory from the final ball over winless Northern Diamonds in a rain-reduced match at Headingley.Despite losing wickets with regularity, Diamonds posted a competitive target of 81 from 11 overs thanks largely to Erin Burns’ impressive 30.And the hosts looked set to clinch their first win but Sparks captain Eve Jones’ nerveless unbeaten 26 saw her side home, with Georgia Davis striking two from the final delivery to clinch the victory.Heavy rain in the morning followed by frequent short showers delayed the start from the scheduled 2.30pm, with play eventually getting under way at 4.45pm and the match reduced to 11 overs-a-side.After winning the toss, Sparks were straight into their stride with the ball, taking wickets in each of the first four overs.Leah Dobson and Lauren Winfield-Hill were caught for a duck and five respectively looking for early momentum before Em Arlott claimed her second wicket by having Hollie Armitage caught behind for nought.Katie George bowled Bess Heath for three to leave Diamonds 23 for four in the fourth over.Erin Burns injected life into the innings with three early boundaries and Sterre Kalis started well to lift Diamonds to 44 for four after six overs.Davis had Kalis stumped for 17 and bowled Emma Marlow for seven but Burns continued to be aggressive in playing a lone hand for Diamonds.Her dismissal on 30, well held by Arlott running in from the deep off the bowling of Grace Potts, was key for Sparks.Grace Hall and Katie Levick came and went quickly but Katherine Fraser delivered late momentum with a four and a six from the final two balls to post 80 for nine. Davis claimed three for 23.Sparks started their chase strongly, easing to 16 without loss after two overs.Levick’s introduction brought the breakthrough as Chloe Brewer was trapped lbw for 14.Rachel Slater then piled the pressure on Sparks with two wickets in the fourth over, bowling Perrin for five and having Abbey Freeborn stumped for six to leave Sparks 26 for three.Courtney Webb’s dismissal by Burns for two in the next over had Diamonds on top and then Dobson claimed a brilliant boundary catch off Hall to remove George for nine, leaving Sparks 44 for five, needing another 37 from four overs.Sparks captain Eve Jones, who was dropped on four by Grace Hall, set about eating into that target as 13 runs came from the ninth over, leaving 15 required from the final two.Burns caught and bowled Charis Pavely for five and Sparks needed five from the final over, bowled by Levick.Arlott fell and new batter Davis needed two from the final ball, which she achieved with a chip down the ground to make it three wins from three for Sparks.

The Argentine coach spoke at a press conference this morning ahead of Inter Miami’s third Leagues Cup match.

Messi was subbed off in the 10th minute vs. NecaxaMascherano said it’s “a minor injury”Inter Miami sit in third place with five pointsGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Javier Mascherano confirmed on Tuesday that Lionel Messi will not be available for Inter Miami’s upcoming match against Pumas, after picking up an injury in their second Leagues Cup game against Necaxa.

Despite the setback, the Argentine coach assured it’s nothing serious and expects Messi to return soon.

“I spoke with him yesterday – it’s a minor injury. Within the bad news, it’s actually positive. Of course, we don’t like having him out, but we also avoid setting exact timelines. He’s very special and tends to recover quickly, so we’ll take it day by day,” said Mascherano in a press conference.

“He’s definitely out for tomorrow, but after that, we’ll see how he progresses based on the tests from the medical staff.”

Inter Miami currently sit third in their group with five points, and a win would secure their spot in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

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Following the muscle injury he sustained over the weekend against Necaxa, Messi’s recovery is expected to progress well, opening the door for a potential return to action this Sunday when Inter Miami resume MLS play against Orlando City. Should Miami advance to the Leagues Cup knockout stage, it would resume action in the tournament on either Aug. 19 or Aug. 20. 

In league play,currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference with 42 points.

Getty Images SportWHAT JAVIER MASCHERANO SAID

Another topic drawing attention is the future of Sergio Busquets at Inter Miami. The 37-year-old midfielder’s contract is set to expire in December, and questions remain about whether he’ll stay beyond that.

Mascherano expressed his hope that the Spaniard will continue.

“I hope he keeps playing – and if it’s with Inter Miami, even better. He still has a lot to offer,” said the coach. “But I’m not involved in the conversations between the club and him, so I don’t have any information on that.”

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Pumas will also be without their star player, former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who was sent off during their 3–2 win over Atlanta United. As a result, Wednesday’s match at Chase Stadium will be missing two global football icons.