في خطوة تؤكد نية نادي الزمالك فرض الانضباط الكامل داخل صفوف الفريق الأول قبل انطلاق الموسم الجديد، اتخذت إدارة الكرة بالنادي قرارًا تأديبيًا حاسمًا ضد أحمد فتوح، الظهير الأيسر للفريق، على خلفية تصرّف لم يُرضِ مسؤولي القلعة البيضاء.
وتأتي هذه الخطوة بعد ساعات من نفي عبد الناصر محمد، مدير الكرة بالزمالك، ما تردد عن انقطاع اللاعب عن معسكر الفريق المقام حاليًا في العاصمة الإدارية، حيث أوضح حينها أن اللاعب حصل على إذن مسبق بالغياب بسبب ظرف عائلي، مؤكّدًا التزامه الكامل وعدم وجود أي مشاكل بينه وبين الجهاز الفني.
إلا أن تطورات لاحقة غيّرت الصورة تمامًا، بعدما ظهر أحمد فتوح في حفل غنائي بالساحل الشمالي بصحبة لاعب الأهلي، إمام عاشور، وهو ما اعتبرته إدارة النادي إخلالًا باللوائح وتجاوزًا صريحًا، خاصة أن ظهوره جاء بالتزامن مع فترة غيابه عن التدريبات بحجة وجود ظروف أسرية.
طالع أيضًا | طارق يحيى: الأهلي يشعر بالقلق بسبب الزمالك.. ولا لوم على ضمه لـ زيزو
وبناءً على ذلك، قرر المدير الرياضي لنادي الزمالك جون إدوارد، بالتنسيق مع مدير الكرة، توقيع عقوبات صارمة ضد اللاعب، تتضمّن تغريمه مليون جنيه، وإيقاف مستحقاته، وتحويله للتحقيق، تأكيدًا على أن الالتزام والانضباط خط أحمر داخل منظومة الفريق.
وتأتي هذه القرارات في إطار سياسة جديدة يتبعها الزمالك لضبط سلوك اللاعبين، وإعداد الفريق بأقصى درجات التركيز والانضباط قبل خوض تحديات الموسم الجديد محليًا وقاريًا.
Home pace attack sets up important win on seamers’ paradise at Sophia Gardens
ECB Reporters Network20-Aug-2023
David Payne claimed two wickets as Welsh Fire restricted London Spirit•Getty Images
Welsh Fire’s seamers set them on the path to a victory which keeps their top three hopes alive, with Jonny Bairstow top scoring as they chased down 110.Captain Tom Abell and Glenn Phillips finished the match with a partnership of 41 off 24 balls, after the platform had been set by the seam bowlers who took 8-65 between them.New Zealand pair Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson impressed in their first game while David Willey and David Payne also took advantage of a seam-friendly wicket, all taking two wickets each. London Spirit had Ravi Bopara to thank for getting them to three figures after an early batting collapse, while Dan Worrall took three early wickets to give them hope in the field.The result sees the two teams swap places in the table between fifth and sixth, while Welsh Fire are level on points with third place, but behind on net run rate.Welsh Fire had lost Pakistan pair Shaheen Shah Afridi and Harris Rauf as they returned to international duty, but Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson flew in from New Zealand as quality replacements. The new-look bowling attack was soon unleashed after London Spirit captain Dan Lawrence won the toss and elected to bat.The tone was set by David Willey who did not concede a run in his opening five balls to Zak Crawley. He did not have to wait long to add a wicket, returning for the third set and dismissing Crawley, caught behind by Joe Clarke via bat and pad.Henry was proving equally effective as his bounce saw the end of Lawrence second ball, caught in the covers by Tom Abell, soon followed by Australian Matthew Wade caught behind trying to scoop Willey.In-form Adam Rossington had been watching the carnage from the other end, but he fell trying to hit Henry out of the ground, a top edge well taken by Abel running back. Willey and Henry bowled all the first 30 balls between them and the Spirit score at that stage was just 21 for 4.Daryl Mitchell and Ravi Bopara started rebuilding, but could only amass 42 at the half way stage. Then Mitchell went to David Payne, Willey taking the boundary catch from a short ball. Matt Critchley’s breezy 21 came to an end when he skied an attempted pull from Ferguson, Glenn Phillips taking the catch.The run rate was always slow, it was only the 92nd ball that the runs equalled the balls bowled for the first time. Ravi Bopara played responsibly, finishing 24 not out off 20, while Liam Dawson’s 24 was a useful contribution as well as Spirit crept up to 109 for 9.The bowling figures were impressive, Willey, Henry, Ferguson and Payne all getting two wickets each, with Henry, Willey and Payne all conceding less than a run a ball.Any possible complacency in the Welsh Fire line-up would soon have been dispelled by Spirit opening bowler Dan Worrall, whose away swing with the new ball proved hard to play. Steve Eskinazi went on the attack and skied the ball, while Joe Clarke and Luke Wells both were caught behind misjudging the swing.Worrall bowled 20 of the first 25 balls, Bairstow hitting a couple of fours to leave the Australian’s final figures as 3 for 24. Bairstow and Tom Abell put on fifty before Barstow was bowled for 41 going for a big swipe off Liam Dawson.Abell survived to see it through, given good support by Phillips, the pair taking 15 from a Daryl Mitchell set of five balls to settle nerves in the final section of the innings. Phillips finished it with a straight six off Nathan Ellis. Abell finished on 37 and Phillips on 21.
A manhã desta sexta-feira (9) contou com mais um trabalho do Corinthians visando o clássico contra o São Paulo, que acontecerá neste domingo (11), às 16h, no estádio do Morumbi, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.
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+Manto do Corinthians: veja os modelos finalistas para quarta camisa do Timão em 2023
Diferentemente do que aconteceu nos últimos dois dias, hoje não houve retornos de atletas que estavam ‘de molho’ por problemas físicos, como Fagner e Renato Augusto que voltaram a treinar na última quarta-feira (7), e Lucas Piton e Adson que participaram do treinamento de ontem (8).
Também oposto ao que ocorreu no treino da última quinta-feira (8), o técnico Vítor Pereira não comandou trabalhos táticos. Nesta manhã, o comandante corintiano optou por treinar movimentação ofensiva de ultrapassagens, cruzamentos e finalizações com os atletas, que finalizaram com uma atividade de enfrentamento em campo reduzido.
VP tem diminuído a carga dos treinamentos a fim de não comprometer fisicamente os seus jogadores nos dias das partidas.
+ Confira a tabela do Brasileirão e simule os próximos jogos do Corinthians
O destaque individual do treino ficou para o lateral-direito Léo Maná, que foi o único atleta da base que participou do trabalho desta manhã. O jogador treinou com o elenco principal desde o início da semana, mas hoje foi o único das categorias inferiores a completar o treinamento.
Como Rafael Ramos ainda está entregue ao departamento médico, por conta de dores na região posterior da coxa direita, a tendência é que a prata da casa seja relacionada para o clássico contra o São Paulo neste fim de semana.
O Time do Povo vai fechar os trabalhos visando o Majestoso neste sábado (10), véspera do confronto, no período da tarde. Ainda não se sabe se a equipe alvinegra poupará atletas, já que na próxima quinta-feira (15) tem pela frente o jogo de volta da semifinal da Copa do Brasil, contra o Fluminense.
Caso não preserve jogadores, a tendência é que o time titular do Corinthians contra o Tricolor do Morumbi, neste fim de semana, seja: Cássio; Fagner, Gil, Balbuena e Fábio Santos; Fausto Vera, Du Queiroz e Renato Augusto; Gustavo Mosquito, Yuri Alberto e Róger Guedes.
Confiança pode não ser o forte do São Paulono momento para reverter a vantagem do Atlético-GO na luta por uma vaga na final da Copa Sul-Americana. Isso porque quando entrar em campo às 21h30 (de Brasília) desta quinta-feira (8), o Tricolor buscará alcançar o placar que lhe classifica direto, sem pênaltis, apenas pela sexta vez no ano no Morumbi.
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GALERIA + Relembre o retrospecto do São Paulo em semifinais de competições internacionais
Pesa a favor dos são-paulinos o retrospecto de que duas das cinco goleadas aplicadas este ano em seu estádio foram válidas pela competição continental: (3 a 0 no Jorge Wilstermann, em maio, e 4 a 1 no Universidad Católica, em julho).
A última vez que o placar necessário para esta quinta foi atingido bate justamente com a última vitória do Tricolor em jogos oficiais: 3 a 0 sobre o Bragantino, em 14 de agosto, pelo Brasileirão (desde então foram seis jogos, com quatro derrotas e dois empates).
O São Paulo perdeu para o Dragão por 3 a 1 no duelo de ida, semana passada. Vitória por dois gols de diferença leva a disputa da semifinal para os pênaltis.
Contando o placar necessário para levar a disputa por uma vaga na final para este tipo de desempate, o Tricolor conseguiu somente outras quatro vezes o resultado até aqui no ano no Morumbi.
Confira abaixo as vitórias pelo placar necessário para esta quinta do São Paulo no ano no Morumbi (em negrito o placar necessário para a classificação direta):
16/03 – 2×0 Manaus -Copa do Brasil 22/03 – 4×1 São Bernardo – Paulista 30/03 – 3×1 Palmeiras – Paulista 10/04 – 4×0 Athletico-PR – Brasileiro 14/04 – 2×0 Everton – Sul-Americana 12/05 – 2×0 Juventude – Copa do Brasil 19/05 – 3×0 Jorge Wilstermann – Sul-Americana 07/07 – 4×1 Univ. Católica – Sul-Americana 14/08 – 3×0 Bragantino – Brasileiro
TABELA > Confira classificação, jogos e simule resultados do Brasileirão-22 > Confira todos os jogos da Copa do Brasil-22 > Confira todos os jogos da Copa Sul-Americana-22 > Conheça o novo aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!
تغادر بعثة النادي المصري البورسعيدي، اليوم السبت 19 يوليو، إلى تونس للدخول في معسكر إعداد خارجي استعدادًا لانطلاق الموسم الكروي الجديد، على أن يستمر المعسكر حتى الأول من أغسطس المقبل.
ويتخلل المعسكر خوض ثلاث مباريات ودية قوية أمام أندية تونسية كبرى، حيث يلتقي الفريق مع الصفاقسي يوم 20 يوليو، ثم يواجه النجم الساحلي يوم 23 من الشهر نفسه، على أن يختتم مبارياته بمواجهة الترجي الرياضي يوم 27 يوليو، قبل العودة إلى القاهرة في الموعد المقرر.
طالع أيضًا | المصري البورسعيدي يقترب من ضم مهاجم تونسي بارز
ويستعد المصري للموسم الجديد وسط تطلعات كبيرة وتحديات قوية، أبرزها المشاركة في بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية، إلى جانب سعيه للمنافسة في الدوري المصري الممتاز.
ويأمل المدير الفني للفريق، التونسي نبيل الكوكي، في تحقيق بداية قوية وتهيئة الفريق بدنيًا وفنيًا، بما يضمن الظهور بشكل مشرّف يعيد المصري إلى مكانته المعهودة بين كبار الكرة المصرية.
يذكر، أن فريق المصري البورسعيدي، أنهى الموسم الماضي من الدوري المصري 2024-2025، في المركز الرابع برصيد 42 نقطة، ليحجز مقعده للمشاركة في بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية.
When it comes to superstars, few clubs in England have had more than Arsenal.
With the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp, Mesut Özil and most recently, Bukayo Saka, the Gunners have long been a club that can boast a tradition of fielding icons of the game.
However, the North Londoners have also had more than their fair share of cult heroes over the years, from Santi Cazorla to Emmanuel Eboue and Lukas Podolski.
Lukas-podolski-arsenal
The former German international didn’t spend much time with the club, but he certainly ingratiated himself with the fans, and based on recent reports, the club could be about to sign a player who could be a repeat of the powerful ace.
Arsenal's summer plans
It’s no secret that the one position Arsenal need to strengthen above all others this summer is striker, and based on reports from the last few weeks or so, that’s where most of their attention seems to be at the moment.
For example, just a couple of days ago, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that the club were developing a ‘strong interest’ in Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokerescelebrates after the match
Just a day later, reports claimed that the North Londoners were also incredibly keen on RB Leipzig’s up-and-coming Benjamin Sesko, who has scored 23 goals in 37 appearances this season.
That said, while a new striker is of paramount importance, it’s not the only area of the frontline that needs to be addressed, nor is it the only position the club are looking to bolster.
According to a recent report from Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal are interested in signing Bayern Munich star Leroy Sané.
Plettenberg claims that while the winger wants to stay in Bavaria and is negotiating a new deal, he has also held “concrete talks” with the Gunners regarding a free transfer in the summer.
However, according to other reports, North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur have also held talks with the player’s camp, so moving fast could be imperative to seal a deal.
Leroy Sane for Bayern Munich
It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Sané’s ability and experience, it is worth fighting for, especially as he could be Arsenal’s next Podolski.
Why Sane would be Arsenal's new Podolski
So, to kick things off, the pair would have joined the Gunners from the Bundesliga, with Podolski moving to the Emirates in a £10.9m deal from FC Koln in the summer of 2012.
Moreover, the Gliwice-born star also spent a few years playing for FC Hollywood, scoring 26 goals and providing 20 assists in 106 appearances between July 2006 and July 2009.
In addition to their similar careers at club level, the pair are also left-footed attackers who have amassed an impressive number of senior caps for Germany.
The former Manchester City star is now on 69, and the Górnik Zabrze ace retired from international duty with 130.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the pair are both positionally versatile players who can thrive out on the left and have an impressive track record of scoring and providing assists in their careers.
Sane & Podolski’s senior records
Player
Sane
Podolski
Appearances
403
678
Goals
111
227
Assists
101
136
Goal Involvements per Match
0.52
0.53
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, in 403 senior appearances, the Bayern star has scored 111 goals and provided 101 assists, which comes out to a stellar average of a goal involvement every 1.90 games. Is it really any surprise that Julian Nagelsmann once proclaimed he was “one of the best players in Europe.”
The former Gunners star, on the other hand, has scored 227 goals and provided 136 assists in 678 appearances, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.86 games, which is remarkably similar to his younger compatriot.
Ultimately, Arsenal need more than just a striker this summer, and Sane looks like he could provide them with more threat off the left, just like Podolski did during his time with the club.
Arteta can finally axe Merino by unleashing Arsenal's £27m "wizard" up top
The dangerous international could be the answer for Arsenal.
He replaces JP Duminy, who has now moved to the South Africa men’s white-ball set-up
Firdose Moonda02-Aug-2023Former South Africa batter Hashim Amla has been appointed batting coach of the Johannesburg-based Lions for the next three years. Amla joins former South Africa coach Russell Domingo at the Wanderers and replaces Michael Smith, who has moved to the Big Bash. Domingo is also new to the role and took over from Wandile Gwavu, who is the South African’s men’s white-ball fielding coach.This is Amla’s first role with a provincial team in South Africa after he had served as batting consultant for MI Cape Town in the SA20 and in the same role for the Cape Town Blitz in the now-defunct Mzansi Super League. His move into full-time coaching comes in the same year that he last played the game; Amla featured in two matches for the World Giants in the Masters Legends League earlier this year, but has retired from all other forms of the game.”I am truly delighted to work with Lions Cricket. They are one of the largest Protea producing teams in the country and to work with their players is an honour,” Amla said in a statement issued by the Lions on Wednesday. “The head coach Russel Domingo and I go back many years: I had him as a coach whilst with the Proteas and his experience as an international coach is something I am eager to team up with and share in.”Amla’s duties begin with immediate effect, with South Africa’s domestic teams in pre-season training though the fixtures for the 2023-24 season are yet to be announced. All eight division one teams are expected to play seven first-class games, compete in the fifty-over one-day cup and to play a T20 competition. The Lions are among South Africa’s more successful franchises and have won five titles in the last four seasons.
With one Gold Cup group stage game remaining, the USMNT players know there's still so much to prove
ARLINGTON, Texas – The permutations for the U.S. men's national team's are straighforward. They've already locked in a spot in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup, booking that in their 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Thursday. A win on Sunday vs Haiti would see them top the group. So, too, would a draw.
Even a narrow loss would probably be fine, given the six-goal difference standing between them and Saudi Arabia. But rest assured that Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT won't be doing a deep dive into the mathematics of it all.
This is still a prove-it summer, and there's still so much to prove.
That continues on Sunday against Haiti in their Gold Cup group stage finale, kicking off at 7 p.m. ET in Dallas. Having built momentum with consecutive victories over Trinidad and Tobago and Saudi Arabia, Pochettino's side will have plenty to play for on the macro level, as players continue to establish themselves with many of the team's top stars – Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, et al – not in this pool.
On the micro level, there are spots up for grabs and, after two consecutive games with the same XI, there will likely be different players looking to make their cases. Rotation backfired for Pochettino in the pre-Gold Cup friendly against Switzerland, but Haiti – which lost to Saudi Arabia 1-0 and then drew T&T 1-1 in its first two matches – doesn't present that kind of threat.
That makes it an opportunity for some potential new starters on Sunday.
GOAL looks at five keys for the U.S. against Haiti.
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Rotation or continue riding the wave?
There will be some rotation on Sunday. It would be silly not to. Pochettino has stuck with the same XI for each of these first two games and, even with the time off between this match and the knockout rounds, there will surely be some changes to the XI.
The question, of course, is how much? Does Pochettino shake things up, giving other guys a good look, or does he stick with many of the regulars in pursuit of more momentum heading into the knockout rounds?
It's a delicate balance. Players will no doubt be tired after a hot one in Austin on Thursday, and several who logged heavy minutes should almost certainly be given the time off. However, Pochettino will have memories of that Switzerland game just before the Gold Cup, when he rotated heavily after a decent performance against Turkey. Against the Swiss, the U.S. were battered, partly due to a lack of chemistry and partly due to the fact that there were several players who just weren't up to that level.
Haiti are a notch below, to be sure, but even so, there's a case to be made for building momentum and continuing to uplift those who have performed well. Is it more beneficial for Malik Tillman to continue to develop confidence? Could this be a game for Patrick Agyemang to get a few shots on goal? Is it worth continuing to see how newer faces such as Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten adjust to different game situations?
Pochettino has some decisions to make, not just to set his team up for Sunday, but also for the rest of the tournament.
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The center-back situation
If Mauricio Pochettino had to pick a center-back duo to play one game right now, all indications point to it being Chris Richards and Tim Ream. There is data behind the assumption. In a tournament that allowed him to mix and match pairings, Pochettino stuck with Ream and Richards in each of the first two games.
Heading into game three, though, is it worth seeing what else is in the pool? Richards is CB1. Ream could not possibly gain any more experience. As for the others, there are points to prove.
Mark McKenzie has plenty to gain as he fights to usurp Ream and claim that second spot. He had a rough game against Switzerland, but who didn't? For most of this cycle, McKenzie has been on the fringes, in the team but not quite in a starting spot. With a World Cup looming, nothing feels locked in and, having missed out on the last tournament as one of the team's final cuts, McKenzie doesn't want to leave anything to chance.
"It's something that's stuck with me and something where I don't want to leave a doubt going forward," he said this week. "Every time I step into camp, I try to showcase what I can do and, ultimately, showcase that I'm a player who deserves to be part of the team."
Both Walker Zimmerman and Miles Robinson will have the same feeling. Both are veterans, and both have also been left out of the starting XI to start this tournament. They, too, will be looking for a chance to bring some stability to the backline, just as Richards and Ream have at the start of this tournament.
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The Tyler Adams dilemma
After coming on as a second-half substitute against Saudi Arabia, Tyler Adams was asked about that pesky foot injury that had been bothering him all tournament. He responded that he's at 100 percent.
"I'm on the right path," Adams said. "I'm ready to plan, man. I'm ready to play."
Adams may be ready, but does this team need him in this game? With the USMNT already through to the quarterfinals, the most important thing is having Adams ready for the tougher challenges to come.
No disrespect to Haiti, but they aren't one of those challenges. There are two lines of thinking here: play Adams and let him get some minutes in his legs before the knockouts, or rest him and make sure hes's good to go for the quarterfinals.
It doesn't necessarily have to be one or the other. Pochettino could give him a half or so. He could use him as a late sub, as he did against Saudi Arabia. There's merit to each of these choices. Adams will no doubt want to play, and the U.S. will certainly be better if he is on the field. But is it worth the risk?
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USMNT's mystery man
Damion Downs is the USMNT's big mystery. He's gotten a total of 43 minutes so far this summer, featuring against Switzerland and Saudi Arabia with a bout of illness in between. Having played so little, Downs is an interesting player heading into this final group stage game. Can he be a difference-maker in the attack?
After a breakout season in which he hit double figures for FC Koln in the 2. Bundesliga, Downs has been used as a second striker in his two USMNT cameos, featuring behind the No. 9. It offers a different look for the U.S., and it put another legitimate goalscorer on the field, which could be vital as this tournament moves on.
"I think he brings something a little different than everyone," Adams said of Downs. "I feel like we have different profile players in every position, and he can play as that No. 10 as well. He can play underneath as that second striker or play up top. He offers runs in behind and he's good around the goal, too."
Though the illness is behind him, it's worth noting that Downs was working out in the gym on Saturday, not in training with the rest of the team. If he's fit, Sunday could be a chance for him to earn a role for the knockout rounds and, potentially, beyond.
Maurizio Sarri rejected big offers from Saudi Arabia and rejoined Lazio, saying he chose passion over money.
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Sarri reappointed as Lazio coach after 15-month sabbaticalItalian rejected big offers from Saudi ArabiaVows to make the best out of the situation in RomeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Sarri is one of the coaches who has risen from the bottom and has been deeply involved in the intricacies of the game. The Italian's spell with Empoli, which saw them gain promotion to Serie A, was a significant achievement in his career that eventually led him to join Napoli. After a spell away from the game, he recently returned to the Lazio hot seat after rejecting lucrative offers from the Middle East, with Sarri saying his motivation stems from chasing passion rather than material gains.
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When Sarri wanted to end his sabbatical, many Italian clubs tried to hire him, but his heart was set on Lazio. There were multiple offers from the Saudi Pro League as they sought to bring in more big names in the transfer window. However, for Sarri, it has always been his passion that has taken centre stage in his decision-making, and as a coach, he believes even if champions are moving to Saudi, he'll train the so-called 'less talented' ones at his disposal.
WHAT SARRI SAID
Sarri said to Alfred Pedulla: "This year too I had a negotiation with a Saudi team, where I would have earned in a month as much as Lazio would have earned in a year. Since last year I said that I would go where my heart would take me, not money. I’m not interested. I’ve always played football for passion, I wouldn’t want to start doing it now for money."
Asked why he rejected Saudi money, the Lazio manager said: "I don’t know, it’s something that, if I think about it, doesn’t provoke emotional reactions in me and doesn’t give me motivation. It would be difficult for me to coach there. If they bring the champions there, I will train the bad ones here."
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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR LAZIO?
With Sarri's reappointment, the focus of the club shifts to bringing in players for their upcoming campaign. The Italian's first move was to extend Pedro's contract with the club. The Italian club will focus on bringing a balance of young and seasoned talent to Stadio Olimpico before the league kicks off in August.
Invincibles skipper believes bowling focus has influenced T20 Blast approach as well
Andrew Miller26-Aug-2023Sam Billings, Oval Invincibles’ captain, says he is a converted Hundred sceptic ahead of the men’s final at Lord’s on Sunday, and believes that the tournament’s greater focus on bowling strength has already begun to affect how sides approach their tactics across the board in English T20 cricket.With six wins and a tie from their eight group games, Invincibles have been this season’s outstanding side – a fact that Billings admitted had been a factor in his heightened appreciation of the competition. As a captain, however, he feels his game has progressed significantly in the course of this campaign, due to the format’s subtle nuances – in particular, the prospect of “instant feedback” for any given decision in the field.”Of course it helps when we’re playing really well,” Billings said. “But it’s definitely felt different this year.”I’ll be honest, it’s taken a while for me to really invest myself into the format. I was sceptical, like a lot of people in the first year. But I’ve loved the format actually. It’s gone from strength to strength, and the quality of cricket this year has been as high a level as I’ve seen in this country.”One of the key themes of the tournament has been the difficulty of opening the batting, against a swinging Kookaburra ball and a range of teams armed with potent fast bowlers. Invincibles have been as tooled up as any of the teams in that regard, not least with Gus Atkinson’s eye-catching pace earning him a maiden England call-up.”I know people are sceptical of the speed-guns at times, but that’s as quick as I’ve kept to in a very long time,” Billings said, recalling Atkinson’s display against Manchester Originals in the week of the England squad announcement, in which he was clocked at 95mph/153kph. “I was [standing] miles back. I’m still spewing about the five byes that went over my head that should have been wides, but it really is proper pace. And we know that in any format of the game, ball speeds make a huge amount of difference. That’s a huge asset, not only in England, but everywhere around the world now.”The key difference between the Hundred and conventional T20 cricket is, of course, the use of sets of five balls rather than six. On the one hand, these can allow bowlers an early escape from punishment in the event of an unfavourable match-up, but it also allows the pressure to be maintained through back-to-back blocks of ten balls when any given batting line-up is put under pressure.Billings has led Oval Invincibles into Sunday’s final at Lord’s•Getty Images
That was the case, for instance, in Birmingham Phoenix’s final match of the group stage, when New Zealand’s fast bowler Adam Milne reduced London Spirit to 3 for 3 in the first ten balls of their run-chase.”It definitely has brought bowlers back into game because, as a batsman, you can get stuck,” Billings said. “If you’re really struggling, you get stuck down one end, and if you stink up ten balls, that’s a tenth of the innings.”There’s definitely different challenges, different rhythms to the game, and it’s way faster as captain, so it has definitely progressed my captaincy. You’ve got to make quicker decisions. And you get instant feedback from those five balls. Then you change ends, and you’ve got to really think on your feet. So I can’t say anything but positive things about the cricket this year.”As for whether such nuances are unique to the Hundred, however, Billings reckoned he had already seen signs of “front-loading” being carried over to the T20 Blast – most obviously with the success of Somerset in this year’s tournament, who not only lifted the title with a record 15 wins in 17 games, but also claimed a remarkable 151 out of 170 wickets across the competition.Related
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“In terms of making decisions, whether it’s with the data behind it or your gut feel, it definitely does develop you as a captain,” Billings said. “Somerset did it brilliantly this year in the Blast with Craig Overton and Matt Henry bowling in that powerplay and breaking the game wide open by taking wickets.”We’re seeing a lot more front-loading in terms of pace bowlers. If someone’s bowling really well, you’re worrying about saving two or three at the death. If it’s going right, you want to get your best bowler on, try and get their best players out, and then if we have to bowl an over of spin at the end, then so be it.”One of those spinners who Billings was able to trust at the death was Australia’s Adam Zampa, who did for Trent Rockets’ Colin Munro at a crucial juncture of their five-wicket victory at The Oval, but who will be missing – along with the left-arm quick Spencer Johnson – following his call-up to Australia’s ODI squad in South Africa.”It’s a shame, but that’s just one of the challenges that directors of cricket face,” Billings said. “There’s just so much cricket on that you can’t get everyone available for blocks nowadays. But it’s brilliant in terms of opportunities that it will provide for one of the guys who have got us to the final.”One of those, inevitably, will be Zampa’s fellow Australian legspinner, Nathan Sowter – one of the stories of this year’s competition after fearing this time last year that his professional career was over. “He’s a fiery little fella, and he just gives everything on the pitch. He’s a brilliant team man,” Billings said. “I’m so happy for him.”However, Billings acknowledged that, when it comes to big-game players, there are few in his team with a more proven record than Sam Curran. He was the player of the match and tournament when England won the T20 World Cup in Australia last November, and with another big final looming, his captain backed him to come good once again.”It’s pretty much ingrained in him,” Billings said. “For such a young player, he’s got a huge amount of evidence behind him to suggest that he is that big-game player and does it consistently.”He’s a huge asset to have on your side, character-wise and off the pitch, regardless of how on the pitch he’s going. He’s someone I’d have on my side every single day of the week.”