All posts by h79snht.top

Karachi Kings knocked out of PSL 2025 after posting a below-par 190

Madushka Balasuriya22-May-2025

Abdullah Shafique scored 65 off 35 deliveries•PCB

Fakhar Zaman set it up and Abdullah Shafique knocked it down, as Lahore Qalandars overcame a sloppy outing in the field to overhaul a competitive but eventually below-par target of 191 to knock out Karachi Kings. Qalandars will play Islamabad United in the second Qualifier on Friday.David Warner’s 75 had earlier kept Kings in the game, but on a good batting surface supporting contributions were few and far between. Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers for Qalandars with figures of 3 for 35, but it was the pressure exerted by the spinners through the middle that derailed Kings’ innings.Related

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In fact most of Qalandars’ battle wounds were self inflicted, with them dropping Warner twice – the nadir of an abysmal fielding performance – but once the chase began, all that was swiftly forgotten.Fakhar set the tone, before Shafique expertly broke the chase with a pair of game-breaking partnerships. He was visibly upset at not being able to see the game through, but by the time he was dismissed the contest was as good as done.Fakhar sets it up for ShafiqueFakhar continued his rich vein of form at the top of the order, this time rollicking 47 off 28 to give Qalandars the ideal start to their chase. Thirty-eight of those runs came in boundaries, and propelled him to a healthy strike rate of 167.85But while Fakhar was in full flight, his team-mates trundled along closer to the ground. For a while it seemed Qalandars might fail to capitalise on Fakhar’s platform – despite his innings, they were scoring at less than the required 10 an overEnter Shafique, who alongside Kusal Perera, set about putting together an 83-run stand, which essentially turned the game in Qalandars’ favour. Perera, usually a dominant figure in the middle, identified early the mood Shafique was in and simply focused on turning over the strike. Shafique fulfilled his role, finding boundaries when required to keep Qalandars within touching distance of the required scoring rate, before settling in and upping the ante. It took an outstanding grab from a backpedaling James Vince to dismiss him, but by then the requirement had been brought down to 33 off 28.David Warner top-scored for Karachi Kings with 75•PCB

Qalandars blow hot and coldDuring the pitch report, 200 was deemed a par score, so having restricted Kings to 190, one would assume Qalandars would have been relatively happy with their first innings having been asked to chase. Well, yes and no.On a fairly belting track, Qalandars would have been forgiven for thinking they’d given Kings an unnecessary lifeline in an innings that the Kings were in danger of letting flounder. On most days the two drops off Warner – on 47 and 61 – would be bad enough, but those were just the most egregious of the four dropped catches in the innings. Add to this four no-balls and the resulting free hits, 12 wides and countless examples of sloppy fielding, and there is an argument that Qalandars might have been able to cut Kings’ score by at least 20%.But despite one of the worst fielding efforts of this PSL, Qalandars’ bowlers stuck to their tasks diligently. Rauf was the pick of the bunch with his three wickets, while Mohammed Naeem’s three overs went for just 15 – both bowlers though were guilty of dropping a chance each, and having a chance spilled off their bowling.Middle overs make the differenceAfter weathering a Warner-led rapid start, in which Kings were ticking along at quicker than 10 an over inside the powerplay, Qalandars dragged things back through the middle overs courtesy some tight overs of spin from Naeem and Shakib Al Hasan – a period that might have been even better, had Qalandars simply held on to their chances.But even with those dropped catches, Kings lost four wickets through overs 7-16, while scoring just 74 runs. They managed to raise their scoring at the death to put forward a fighting total, but it always seemed a little short.But where Kings struggled, Qalandars found a spark. Led by Shafique, they struck 104 runs through the same middle over period and lost two fewer wickets. It meant the Sri Lankan pair of Perera and Bhanuka Rajapaksa were given the fairly straightforward task of knocking over the remaining runs at a touch over run-a-ball, which they did with minimal fuss.

تمكن فريق الكرة الأول بنادي فاركو، من تحقيق الفوز على نظيره الإسماعيلي، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية عشر من الدوري المصري الممتاز. 

وواجه فريق الإسماعيلي نظيره فاركو، في تمام الساعة الثامنة مساء بتوقيت القاهرة، على ملعب برج العرب، ضمن مباريات الجولة الـ12 من بطولة الدوري الممتاز.

وحقق فريق فاركو الفوز الأول له في الدوري الممتاز هذا الموسم، على حساب الإسماعيلي بهدف دون رد، أحرزه بابكار نداي، في الدقيقة 45 من الشوط الأول. 

طالع.. ميلود حمدي: فضلت الإسماعيلي على يانج أفريكانز.. وكنت أعلم صعوبة المهمة

وبهذه النتيجة، رفع فاركو رصيده إلى 9 نقاط في المركز الـ18 في جدول ترتيب الدوري الممتاز، بينما توقف رصيده الإسماعيلي عند 7 نقاط في المركز الأخير. 

من جانب آخر، حسم التعادل الإيجابي، مباراة طلائع الجيش وزد إف سي، في الدوري المصري الممتاز، بنتيجة 2-2، ذلك ضمن مباريات نفس الجولة الـ12.

وتعادل فريق طلائع الجيش مع زد بهدفين لمثلهما، أحرز هدفي الفريق العسكري، كريم طارق في الدقيقتين 8 و38 من الشوط الاول، بينما أحرز لزد اللاعب محمد ربيعة في الدقيقة 35، ومصطفى سعد ميسي في الدقيقة 89 من تسديدة قوية من داخل منطقة الجزاء. 

وبهذا الفوز رفع فريق طلائع الجيش رصيده إلى 12 نقطة في المركز الـ16 في جدول ترتيب الدوري الممتاز، بينما توقف رصيد زد عند 15 نقطة في المركز الـ10.  أهداف مباراة طلائع الجيش وزد في الدوري المصري 2-2

أهداف مباراة الإسماعيلي وفاركو في الدوري الممتاز

Everton have come on leaps and bounds under David Moyes’ leadership (again), but Tuesday evening’s defeat at Molineux was a tough one to take.

Yet again, the Toffees have fallen from the League Cup at an early stage. Four times in five seasons have they exited in the third round, and Moyes will very much plan to revive the outfit’s trophy-winning ambitions after so many years without silverware.

However, there’s ample reason to be excited as the Merseysiders continue to make headway in the Premier League and shape back into an outfit of a higher station.

And it’s rousing to note that Jarrad Branthwaite has yet to kick a ball this season, injured but preparing for a comeback that could take Everton to the next level.

The latest on Branthwaite's fitness

For the second season running, Everton have kicked things off with Branthwaite in the infirmary. This year, though, the Blues have avoided an early-season slump, sat in tenth place with seven points after five fixtures.

The 23-year-old’s return will work wonders, though, with Branthwaite recognised as one of the most talented and valuable centre-backs in the country.

Solid, strong and deceptively dynamic on the ball, Branthwaite will calm a backline hardly in need of placation, and he will improve the overall fluency of an Everton side transitioning to a more modern-tailored form.

A look at the England international’s past two Premier League campaigns tells you all you need to know about his prowess.

Branthwaite in the Premier League

Match Stats (* per game)

23/24

24/25

Matches (starts)

35 (35)

30 (28)

Goals

3

0

Assists

0

1

Clean sheets

12

8

Touches*

52.2

51.9

Accurate passes*

31.4 (80%)

32.7 (83%)

Ball recoveries*

5.2

3.1

Tackles*

1.9

1.2

Interceptions*

1.4

0.9

Clearances*

4.5

6.3

Ground duels won*

2.5 (67%)

1.9 (69%)

Aerial duels won*

2.7 (68%)

2.1 (59%)

Data via Sofascore

The defenders are doing well, but Everton still need a bit more solidity and dynamism in midfield. Branthwaite’s return will help in that regard, but certain stars, such as Tim Iroegbunam, have left plenty to be desired over the opening weeks of the term.

Iroegbunam is still young, but he’s not been at the races so far, branded a “passenger” against Aston Villa by Everton writer Lyndon Lloyd, and then looking unconvincing against Wolves on Tuesday.

Everton could do with an upgrade, and instead of breaking the bank in next year’s transfer market, they might fancy repeating a trick that worked well with Branthwaite and promoting Harrison Armstrong to Moyes’ first team.

Armstrong could become an Everton starter

Armstrong, 18, is widely regarded as one of Everton’s most talented players within the academy system, and on transfer deadline day, he joined Preston North End in the Championship on loan until the end of the season.

Everton view this as a campaign of significance for the teenager, who is considered a potential superstar and who is anticipated to dovetail into Moyes’ senior set-up in the coming years.

Already he has featured eight times for Everton’s senior side, claiming three assists. Against Mansfield Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup this term, he started and played the full 90, registering two assists, winning four duels and completing 91% of his passes (data via Sofascore).

During a previous loan spell with Derby County, John Eustace described the prospect as one of “phenomenal” potential, and there has been little since to have dissuaded the Toffees hierarchy from maintaining this stance.

His tenacity in the duel and flowering quality on the ball, creating chances, has already seen him win over the Everton fanbase, with some no doubt hankering for his presence ahead of Iroegbunam’s in the Toffees centre.

There are more who will be frustrated with the decision to loan him out, but Everton are well-stocked, and a short-term stint in the Championship could work wonders in the long run.

After all, Armstrong may well be looking to take a leaf out of Branthwaite’s book

Branthwaite cut his teeth over in Holland with PSV Eindhoven during the 2022/23 campaign, and he returned to the Premier League a more refined and robust defender, hailed by pundit Ian Wright as a “monster” who has “got everything” needed to be an elite centre-half.

Still young and with much to learn, Branthwaite is already regarded as one of the Premier League’s best defenders, and Moyes’ side are only going to improve when he returns to full fitness.

The club’s Young Player of the Year across each of the past two terms, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Armstrong emulate him there, slotting into the middle of the park with ease, providing new levels of technical support while shielding the backline too.

Branthwaite came back a better player after his year abroad, and now, Armstrong has opted to develop his talents away from Everton before returning the full package.

When he does return to his parent club, it feels likely that Moyes will look to hand the youngster plenty of opportunities to prove himself, and that may well come at Iroegbunam’s expense.

The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland remarked toward the end of pre-season that there is an “awful lot to like” about Armstrong, and if he completes another successful term in the second tier, there is every belief among The Friedkin Group officials and Moyes and Everton that he will grow into a leading light at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

His rise may indeed hinder Iroegbunam’s own prospects of thriving at the club, but if that is for the greater good of Moyes’ Everton project, it’s something of a no-brainer.

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Posts ByDan Emery Sep 25, 2025

Every batter who takes the field in the IPL is now having to go through a bat-gauge test. Here is why

Nagraj Gollapudi17-Apr-20255:00

Rayudu: Bat checks done on the field can affect batters’ focus

Why has the IPL started measuring bats all of a sudden during IPL 2025? That has become a significant question ever since April 13, when match officials began using a gauge to measure bats.While the IPL has not put out an official statement on the reasons, ESPNcricinfo has learned the move has been made with an eye on maintaining the balance between bat and ball and ensuring that batters do not derive an undue advantage from using bigger bats.Related

Essex hit out at 'stupid' ECB after club is docked points for illegal bat

Narine and Nortje's bats fail the gauge test in PBKS vs KKR game

It is understood that the move was initially discussed by key decision-makers of the IPL before it was ratified by the tournament governing council and formally introduced on April 13. While the IPL has checked bat dimensions in previous seasons, the process involved the fourth umpire measuring the bat dimensions on the day before the match, with players chosen at random. It did not matter, then, if the player would be part of the team on match day. And not all bats of the player were checked, which meant that a batter could have one bat tested and walk in with another on match day.Why now?To plug that loophole, the IPL decided during discussions at the start of the 2025 season that it would be better check bats during the match rather than during training. It is understood that some match officials had privately expressed concern over the size of some bats players had been using. So instead of being subjective and selective in their assessment, it was decided a better approach would be to uniformly check the legality of the bats of all players during a live match.Girish TS/ESPNcricinfo Ltd

It is understood that the IPL decided to adopt a rule that was originally used by the ECB. In 2018, the ECB introduced, as part of its domestic playing conditions, checks on bat sizes to make sure they conformed to Law 5 of the MCC’s Laws of Cricket, which restricts the thickness of bat edges to 4cm (1.56 inches), the overall depth of bats to 6.7cm (2.64 inches), and their width to 10.8cm (4.25 inches).How does the bat gauge work?The guage is a rectangular implement with a house-shaped cut-out through which the bottom part of the bat is inserted. The cut-out conforms to the bat dimensions permitted under Law 5, which is also part of the IPL playing conditions. To be deemed legal to use, the bat must be able to pass through the gauge, even if it has been fitted with “[p]ermitted coverings, repair material and toe guards, not exceeding their specified thicknesses”The gauge in use at the IPL to test bat sizes•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

When do the checks happen?It is understood that the IPL informed all teams before mandating the bat checks from April 13. Teams were also given bat gauges so their players could themselves check their bats before the match.On matchdays, on-field umpires carry a bat gauge each to assess the bat of the incoming batter. The fourth umpire is tasked with checking both openers’ bats at the start of each innings. Any bat was found exceeding the specified dimensions is marked and cannot be used during a match. In case a batter asks for a bat change, the new bat is also checked.So far, only two bats have failed the gauge test: they belonged to the Kolkata Knight Riders pair of Sunil Narine and Anrich Nortje.What are the sanctions?Just like the ECB has done, the IPL too has put the onus on players to ensure that their bats comply with Law 5. However, there is a significant difference when it comes to sanctions. The ECB has imposed severe sanctions for any breach, as Essex bitterly experienced during the 2024 County Championship season when they were docked 12 points after one of their batters used an oversized bat during the opening match of their season.The IPL has decided not to impose any sanction other than disallowing bats that have failed the gauge test. While the ECB’s bat checks are random, the IPL checks every bat that enters the field of play.It is understood that batters have been caught off-guard by the move. A tailender at a title-winning team was left in a spot when his entire set of bats, numbering seven or eight, failed to pass through the gauge. Such a situation could prove particularly tricky for overseas batters, particularly those whose bat manufacturers are based outside India.Specialist batters usually request manufacturers to design bespoke bats with custom measurements. In the past, since bat checks were only carried out at random by match officials, and usually only on the eve of the match, there was a certain amount of leeway for players to get away with measurements that exceeded permissible limits. Even if a bat or set of bats was rejected on training day, a player could still use a matchday bat that had never gone through the gauge.The IPL has decided to discourage such actions in the quest to maintain the balance between bat and ball.

MatériaMais Notícias

Além da importância esportiva e financeira da sofrida classificação do Internacional contra o River Plate, na Libertadores, um forte simbolismo também esteve presente no confronto da última terça-feira (8), no Beira-Rio.

Isso porque, tendo o clube uma política de constante incentivo ao programa de sócio-torcedor, a presença de 100% dos torcedores sendo de sócios no confronto continental decisivo também foi exaltada pela gestão do clube atualmente encabeçada por Alessandro Barcellos.

RelacionadasFora de CampoRenata Fan se veste de Chapolin Colorado para comemorar vitória do Internacional; vejaFora de Campo09/08/2023InternacionalConmebol divulga análise do VAR em Internacional x River PlateInternacional09/08/2023Futebol LatinoApós classificação, Estudiantes tira sarro de foguetório em hotelFutebol Latino10/08/2023

>Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Inter com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

Na avaliação do atual presidente do Inter, o aspecto do pioneirismo e o engajamento demonstrados pelos torcedores do Colorado são pontos dignos de comemoração e incentivo a continuidade da filosofia.

– Ter a bilheteria 100% preenchida por sócios torcedores é o que todas as agremiações almejam. Esta conquista do Internacional não surpreende, pois o clube possui um trabalho voltado para sócios muito estruturado e bem avaliado, sendo um dos pioneiros no Brasil na implantação do programa de sócio-torcedor – disse o mandatário, completando:

– Não me recordo de termos alcançado uma marca como essa no pós-pandemia, apesar de nossa taxa de ocupação com os associados ser sempre alta. Isso é um reflexo de vários fatores, como a grandeza e importância da partida, mas também a assiduidade e engajamento do torcedor com o nosso programa de sócios.

Manchester United did some impressive business on paper during the summer transfer window as they brought Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko in to improve their options at the top end of the pitch.

Mbeumo has hit the ground running since his move from Premier League rivals Brentford, with goals against Grimsby and Burnley in recent weeks.

The summer transfer window was not perfect, though, as the Red Devils were unable to get a deal done for Brighton & Hove Albion central midfielder Carlos Baleba.

There was also a scare late on in the window when Fabrizio Romano revealed that Kobbie Mainoo had told the club that he wanted to leave on loan for the season.

The England international wanted to go out on loan, but was not entertaining any permanent transfers away from Old Trafford, in order to play regular minutes ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

However, Manchester United were unwilling to lose the academy graduate, even on loan, so close to the end of the window, which means that he remained at the club.

Why Man Utd need to get the best out of Kobbie Mainoo

Ruben Amorim must find a way to get the best out of Mainoo now that the player is staying at Old Trafford, because he has proven himself to be an exciting young talent.

His only start of the season so far came against Grimsby in the League Cup. It was an awful night for the club, losing on penalties, but the midfielder showed his quality in and out of possession in midfield.

There should be little doubt over whether or not Mainoo is good enough to be starting matches for Manchester United when you consider his form prior to Amorim’s arrival.

23/24 Premier League

Kobbie Mainoo per 90

Percentile rank vs CMs

Take-ons attempted

2.71

Top 20%

Take-ons completed

1.42

Top 18%

Take-on success rate

53.4%

Top 28%

Goal-creating actions (take-ons)

0.09

Top 4%

Goal-creating actions (shot)

0.09

Top 2%

Goal-creating actions (fouls drawn)

0.05

Top 9%

Stats via FBref

As you can see in the table above, the 20-year-old starlet was one of the most impressive central midfielders in the Premier League at driving with the ball and making things happen in possession in the 2023/24 campaign under Erik ten Hag.

Now, at the start of this season, Mainoo was an unused substitute in the first two matches of the Premier League season, against Arsenal and Fulham, and Amorim explained that it was because he is competing with Bruno Fernandes for a place in the team.

Whilst you can rationalise what the manager says in the quotes above, as his midfield two typically has one creative player and one enforcer to complement each other, it seems like a waste of the talent that he has available to him.

Mainoo is capable of producing quality in the Premier League, such as the goal in the clip above, whilst Manuel Ugarte has made more appearances in the league than him this season, despite his disappointing performances.

The Uruguay international, who was signed from PSG in 2024, has not done enough to suggest that he should be prioritised over Mainoo, and INEOS must finally cash in on him when the transfer window opens again in January.

Why Man Utd should sell Manuel Ugarte

Per Capology, Ugarte currently earns £120k-per-week at Old Trafford. That is over four times as much as Mainoo earns per week (£25k), but his performances do not justify that expense.

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Football FanCast’s Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.

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The former Sporting star is a midfield destroyer who ‘suits’ Amorim’s system as a partner for Bruno Fernandes or Mason Mount because he is naturally defensive-minded.

However, Ugarte was dribbled past 1.3 times per game in the Premier League last season, per Sofascore, whilst Mainoo was only dribbled past 0.6 times, which shows that opposition midfielders found it too easy to get the better of him.

He also won 53% of his duels and made two errors that led to shots or goals. Mainoo, meanwhile, won 45% of his duels and made one error that led to a shot or goal, per Sofascore, which suggests that they were both fairly indifferent in physical contests.

Ugarte is, therefore, not enough of an upgrade, if at all, in a defensive sense, to rationalise him playing in the first two Premier League games off the bench ahead of the England international.

These comments on Sky Sports from last October still ring true to this day, as the Uruguay international’s ‘lackadaisical’ play on the ball was an issue for him throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

24/25 PL

Ugarte

Rank vs midfielders

Non-penalty goals

0.05

Bottom 41%

xAG

0.06

Bottom 30%

Shot-creating actions

1.56

Bottom 16%

Progressive passes

3.08

Bottom 18%

Progressive carries

0.81

Bottom 23%

Passes into the final third

2.96

Bottom 36%

Passes into the penalty area

0.45

Bottom 20%

Stats via FBref

As you can see in the table above, Ugarte was one of the worst central midfielders in the Premier League last season when it came to progressing play and making an impact at the top end of the pitch.

Therefore, the ex-PSG man has flopped at Old Trafford because he has not been reliable defensively, given how easy it has been for players to dribble past him, and he has struggled badly in possession.

In fact, a former Netherlands international claimed in October of last year that Ugarte was “walking” around the pitch and criticised Ten Hag and the club for signing players who are “not even good”, referring to the midfielder.

INEOS must, therefore, cash in on Ugarte when they next get the chance to, because he is standing in Mainoo’s way, despite not being better than the English starlet, and has been a big flop since his move from PSG with his underwhelming performances on the pitch.

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Posts ByHenry Jackson Sep 6, 2025

علق عبد الرحمن مجدي، لاعب فريق بيراميدز، على التتويج ببطولة السوبر الإفريقي على حساب نهضة بركان المغربي.

وتوج بيراميدز ببطولة السوبر الإفريقي للمرة الأولى في تاريخه على حساب نهضة بركان المغربي، بهدف دون رد أحرزه فيستون مايلي.

طالع | لاعبو بيراميدز بعد التتويج بالسوبر الإفريقي: نجني ثمار المواسم الماضية  وقال عبد الرحمن مجدي في تصريحات لبرنامج “كورة كل يوم” على قناة “الحياة”: “نشكر الله على تحقيق اللقب، جلسنا منذ أول الموسم وتعاهدنا أن ننافس على كل البطولات وهذا ما حدث”.

وتابع: “أمامنا بطولة الدوري وبطولات أخرى، نحصد بطولة وبعد ذلك نغلق الصفحة ونفكر في البطولة التي تليها”.

واختتم: “كان هناك بعض الإجهاد، وواجهنا فريقًا كبيرًا واحترمناه، مثل هذه المباريات لا تلعب ولكن أهم شيء المكسب، وهذا ما اختلف لدينا عن السنوات الماضية، كنا نؤدي بشكل جيد في مباريات ولكن لا نفوز”.

Marizanne Kapp is also among the group, underlining her commitment to continue playing international cricket

Firdose Moonda17-Mar-2025

Annerie Dercksen was named the ICC’s Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year for 2024•ICC via Getty Images

Allrounder Annerie Dercksen, who was named the ICC’s Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year for 2024, has earned her first national contract for South Africa. Dercksen was named on a 15-player list for the 2025-26 season which excludes Lara Goodall and Delmi Tucker from last year’s group.Goodall and Tucker have been on the fringes of the first-choice squad while Dercksen has established herself across all formats and appears regularly, leading to her promotion.The rest of the contracted squad includes familiar and experienced names including captain Laura Wolvaardt, former captain Sune Luus, allrounders Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk, senior batter and seamer Anneke Bosch and Ayabonga Khaka and left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba.Significantly for South Africa, Marizanne Kapp is also among the group, underlining her commitment to continue playing international cricket after being talked out of retirement early last year. She is understood to be considering this year’s ODI World Cup as a swansong but with the next T20 World Cup 15 months away, may also be eyeing that tournament as well.There are no new names among the squad, which demonstrates the consistency in South African selection but could point to concerns about the next generation coming through. Under-19 wicketkeeper batter, Karabo Meso, for example, who has already been capped at senior level was not considered for a national contract despite being named batter and player of the recently completed SA20 Schools competition. However, South Africa’s director of cricket Enoch Nkwe is pleased with the continued development of the current players and sought to reward them for that.”The continuity in the squad recognises the team’s outstanding achievement in reaching a second consecutive World Cup final, highlighting CSA’s commitment to rewarding consistent performance and building on the team’s recent success on the global stage,” he said, in a statement. “As we prepare for a pivotal year with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India, this squad offers the right balance of experience and youthful energy. We believe this group is well-equipped to compete at the highest level and continue making the country proud.”South Africa have been on an extended break since December, when they hosted England at home and won only one of the seven matches across all formats. They head to Sri Lanka in April for a tri-series which also includes India in preparation for the ODI World Cup, and will also play a series in West Indies for three ODIs and three T20Is in June before the tournament.South Africa contracted squad: Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt

It’s been an extremely long time coming, but after eight years outside of the Premier League promised land, Sunderland are finally back.

Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats would go on to stun Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United 2-1 at Wembley courtesy of a last-gasp effort from Tommy Watson, with the tense tie looking to be going in the favour of the Blades, before a remarkable Sunderland comeback was kick-started.

Now, an exciting summer awaits the newly promoted side as they attempt to land some statement deals ahead of the challenge of top-flight football.

One deal that will go through is Enzo Le Fee joining Le Bris’ camp permanently after his standout loan stint more than helped the Wearside outfit seal a dramatic path back up to the Premier League.

Le Fee's heroics at Sunderland

Whilst the skilful Frenchman didn’t pick up a goal or an assist at Wembley, he would still prove his worth during the two semi-final clashes versus Coventry when collecting two assists.

Therefore, nobody will be up in arms about the Black Cats having to fork out £20m to land Le Fee for good, with that fee coming in as a mandatory amount to fork out if the high-flyers were to win promotion.

There will also be an expectation in the air that Le Fee can deliver when making the gigantic leap-up, considering he does have plenty of top-flight experience in his native France up his sleeve with soon-to-be ex-side Lorient, when tallying seven goals and 14 assists from 132 Ligue 1 encounters.

Moreover, despite only being 25 years of age, the entertaining number 28 is arguably one of the more senior members of Le Bris’ promotion-winning side, meaning he shouldn’t hopefully fold when the Premier League spotlight is beamed onto him.

Sunderland lineup vs Sheffield United

Age

1. GK – Anthony Patterson

25

2. RB – Trai Hume

23

3. CB -Daniel Ballard

25

4. CB – Luke O’Nien

30

5. LM – Dennis Cirkin

23

6. RM – Chris Rigg

17

7. CM – Dan Neil

23

8. CM – Jobe Bellingham

19

9. LM – Romaine Mundle

22

10. ST – Enzo Le Fee

25

11. ST – Eliezer Mayenda

20

Sourced by Transfermarkt

To help calm down the inexperienced team’s nerves more, Sunderland could go all in to land this former star who knows the Premier League inside out.

The incredible signing Sunderland could make

The Black Cats will already be up against it reentering the top-flight, with the last six teams that went up all coming straight back down miserably.

Therefore, if Sunderland are able to win back the services of former homegrown ace Jordan Henderson – with Football Insider reporting a return could be on the cards – they should go full steam ahead to snap him up, with this signing potentially as exciting as Le Fee’s was when he surprisingly entered the building in the second tier.

Henderson, before his career fell somewhat to the wayside in Saudi and now at Ajax, was the heartbeat of many a successful Liverpool side in the daunting division, skippering the side to Premier League and Champions League glory.

Jurgen Klopp referred to the midfield veteran as “incredible” during their memorable days together at Anfield, with the 34-year-old’s numbers below speaking for themselves in terms of how he could offer plenty of know-how.

Henderson’s numbers at Liverpool

Stat

Henderson

Games played

492

Goals scored

33

Assists

58

Premier League titles

1x

Champions Leagues

1x

Footballer of the Year

1x

Sourced by Transfermarkt

So good has Henderson been at the top level that he amazingly picked up a Footballer of the Year accolade at the close of the 2019/20 season, with a hope now that the former Reds captain can roll back the years upon his potential return to the Stadium of Light.

Indeed, with Sunderland in need of a calming and steady presence to complement the more livewire figures of Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg and the attack-focused Le Fee, the local lad would be the dream addition for Louis-Dreyfus and Co as they enter a new dawn.

Surely a return to your hometown club on the eve of their first Premier League season in eight years is motivation enough to get back to your dominating best, with this deal perhaps going down as another steal like Le Fee’s if all goes to plan, particularly if he can keep his boyhood side afloat.

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Everton are set to embark on an exciting new era at Bramley-Moore Dock and could make a bargain signing to kick off their summer business, according to a report.

Everton preparing for summer of mass changes

David Moyes has comfortably ensured top-flight survival for Everton and has managed to revive a squad that has plenty of uncertainty hanging over it heading into the summer.

With the Toffees set to say farewell to Goodison Park, key figures such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young are yet to commit to extensions, while several loanees find themselves in limbo.

Abdoulaye Doucoure has commented on his future at the club, stirring debate among supporters, stating: “There’s not been any talks so far with Everton. I think personally, I don’t wait for them to give me a contract or not, because my contract is finished. I already have some proposals on the table, to be honest, and I think in the next three weeks, I will have to take my decision — whether I stay or not.”

Clearly, Moyes has plenty of work to do in the market before his squad is in ideal shape for next season. Ipswich Town pair Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson have emerged as Everton targets, offering an inkling of the direction his recruitment strategy could take.

Burnley’s Josh Brownhill could join the Toffees on a free transfer, which would be a wise move in the face of PSR regulations, which could otherwise create problems in a moment of positivity.

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Tapping into that theme, another star from the EFL Championship may also arrive this summer without the Toffees having to spend a penny in transfer fees.

Everton want to land Leeds United full-back Junior Firpo

According to Everton News, as per journalist Graeme Bailey, Junior Firpo could make a surprise move to Everton this summer on a free transfer once his contract expires at Leeds United.

While Spain is thought to be his preference, Everton appear to be at the front of the queue if the defender opts to remain in England.

Labelled “immense” by Conor McGilligan, the Dominican Republic international has registered four goals and 10 assists this campaign, playing a major role in the Whites’ promotion back to the top flight.

Similar players to Junior Firpo (FBref)

Ricardo Chavez Soto

Monterrey

Ryan Hollingshead

Los Angeles FC

Jesus Gallardo

Toluca

Anton Gaaei

Ajax

Juan Sanabria

Atletico San Luis

Earning £60,000 per week at Elland Road, it is said that Firpo also has admirers from Spain, where he came through the ranks at Real Betis before joining Barcelona back in 2019.

Previously, the Santo Domingo-born defender struggled with life in the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa, but he has been a key attacking force down the left flank this term and appears primed for another tilt at the top flight.

Now, Everton’s task is to put forward a convincing argument that they are a better proposition than Leeds in the long run. Given their newfound stability, they stand a good chance of winning the race for his signature.