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Slowly but surely, the Matador Cup’s national footprint is expanding again. Its New South Wales-centric schedule has been a source of considerable angst among other teams since the tournament was moved to an early season carnival format three years ago, but a smattering of matches in Perth and Brisbane this year mean the Blues will not be the only team playing at home.Last season’s competition was affected by the cancellation of Australia’s Bangladesh tour for security reasons, meaning it was contested by full strength teams across all six states. This time around the scenario is rather different: not only is the Australian ODI team on tour in South Africa, but numerous bowlers, notably Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, are absent injured or resting.This means a knock-on effect for numerous states, most notably South Australia. The reward for emergent displays in both the Matador Cup and the Sheffield Shield last year mean than no fewer than four first-choice Redbacks – Travis Head, Adam Zampa, Daniel Worrall and Joe Mennie – are in South Africa. The coach Jamie Siddons has acknowledged the challenge ahead.”We feel ready despite missing bowlers from last year’s attack and it’s going to be difficult without them,” Siddons said. “But we have a couple of young guys that have some tricks in their repertoire. It’s not going to be easy or the same, we have to find another way of doing it with different types of players and we’re ready and aiming for similar success.”I think it’s really exciting watching the young guys play and the next step is to promote a few more of them like Jake Lehmann, Jake Weatherald, Alex Ross and Alex Carey – who are all really good chances of pushing their names forward now. Our aim is to be successful again and win games and if those guys step up like I think they will we should match last year – maybe we’re looking at batsmen to step up instead of the bowlers this time.”Victoria are another state needing to reach deeper into their squad for bowlers in particular, with John Hastings, Scott Boland and Chris Tremain in South Africa and Peter Siddle and James Pattinson still working their way back from injury. The new coach Andrew McDonald, only recently returned from Leicestershire to replace David Saker, must also work with Glenn Maxwell in the aftermath of the enigmatic allrounder’s ill-timed bid to move to NSW for the summer.McDonald’s old Bushrangers team-mate Brad Hodge has s still more vexing task as the mentor of the Cricket Australia XI, a youthful hodgepodge (no pun intended) of players from across the states who did not make it into the first-choice squads. This is the second of a two-year experiment with the XI, designed to provide additional opportunities for young players against the best of domestic players.The concept has not been universally loved, even if the CA XI recovered last season from a horrid start to win a game over Tasmania and produce a handful of players – Hilton Cartwright, Mitch Swepson, Jimmy Peirson – able to progress further over the course of the season that followed. Many among the states feel the team is emblematic of CA’s desire for central developmental control, rather than simply building the most competitive tournament possible. A lack of any senior players to leaven out the youth, even with the likes of Ben Rohrer, Chris Hartley and Chadd Sayers available, has only heightened that impression.Justin Langer, coach of Western Australia, spoke for many of the tension between development and competition. The Sheffield Shield too has been subject to numerous stratagems designed to help the Australian team overall, but experiments like pink ball matches and the use of Dukes balls for a portion of the shield this season has left Langer and others questioning their wisdom.”We make Cricket Australia very aware that we have to keep the integrity of the game,” he said. “We have the best domestic competition in the world, but it is frustrating at times. This season we will play two pink-ball games, three with red Kookaburras and five with Dukes balls and hopefully six with the Dukes. I like consistency.”Consistent or not, the Matador will afford many players the chance to either secure their state spots at the outset of the season, or put their names in lights for Australian selection into the future. Whether in Perth, Brisbane or Sydney, many a selection question will get closer to being answered.

Tottenham Hotspur could reportedly be set to make a fresh approach for long-term target, Paulo Dybala, following new developments involving the World Cup winner's future…

What's the latest on Dybala to Tottenham?

According to Italian outlet, Calciomercatoweb, the Lilywhites could finally get their hands on the experienced Argentine if they are to strike a deal for Roma's sporting director, Tiago Pinto, with the latter man said to be keen on bringing the 29-year-old with him to north London.

As per the report – as well as other sources – Spurs are believed to be keen on securing Pinto as the heir to Fabio Paratici this summer, with chairman Daniel Levy yet to fill that vacancy after the Italian was forced to resign from his role as managing director last month.

With regard to Dybala, the former Juventus sensation could well follow Pinto to N17 this summer, with the 38-cap forward said to be available for a fee of just €12m (£10m) due to the presence of a release clause in his current deal at the Stadio Olimpico.

Should Tottenham sign Dybala?

A move for the 5 foot 10 playmaker would certainly be a long-time coming for Levy and co, with reports as far back as 2019 having suggested that the Premier League side were close to snapping up the player from Turin, while further links emerged last summer prior to Dybala's eventual free transfer switch to Rome.

It was Pinto – who has been described as "world-class" Roma chairman Dan Friedkin – who was the 'driving force' behind bringing the one-time Palermo marksman to the Italian capital last year, according to iNews, with the hope being that the 38-year-old can repeat that trick by taking Dybala to England ahead of next season.

With the signing of the £141k-per-week "phenomenon" – as hailed by I Giallorossi legend Francesco Totti – Spurs could certainly be able to secure a notable coup, with the dynamic gem having dazzled in Serie A so far this season.

After previously bagging 115 goals in 293 games during his time at the Allianz Stadium, the highly-rated talent has since enjoyed a fine debut campaign in his new surroundings, scoring 16 times and contributing eight assists in 36 games across all fronts.

The former Instituto youth product has been particularly integral in helping to steer Jose Mourinho's side to the Europa League final, having scored four goals in just ten games in the competition so far this season.

With doubts surrounding the future of talisman Harry Kane in north London – amid interest in the 29-year-old from rivals Manchester United – the Lilywhites could well be in need of a new attacking figurehead like Dybala next season.

The hope will be that if a deal can be agreed for the aforementioned Pinto, then the Argentine could well follow suit and finally make his way to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The CARICOM has reaffirmed its resolve to dissolve the WICB and said it would soon create another prime ministerial sub-committee that would have wider say on cricket in the Caribbean

Nagraj Gollapudi08-Jul-2016The CARICOM has reaffirmed its resolve to dissolve the West Indies Cricket Board and said it would soon create another prime ministerial sub-committee that would have wider say on cricket in the Caribbean. A CARICOM cricket review panel had made the recommendation to dissolve the WICB in November 2015, in a report that termed the board’s governance structure as “antiquated”, “obsolete” and “anachronistic”.”We will do everything possible to effect the decision,” Grenada prime minister Keith Mitchell told the at the end of the CARICOM Heads of Government conference, which concluded on July 6 in Guyana. “We’re looking at legal options on the basis that cricket is a public good run by a private institution.”The regional body also discounted the remarks of Gaston Browne, the Antigua and Barbuda prime minister, who had categorically rejected the idea of dissolving the WICB.Mitchell, who is the outgoing head of the CARICOM sub-committee on cricket that had backed the panel’s findings last year, said the opposition to WICB’s current governance structure was not his alone, but a collective one and, hence, Browne’s opposition did not carry much weightage.”[It is a] common position of the Heads, not individual positions, and we cannot operate on the basis of individual positions, it’s about the Heads,” Mitchell was quoted as having said by . “When I expressed my sentiments on cricket, it was about what the Heads said – the committee that we established jointly with the West Indies Cricket Board – and we agreed between the subcommittee and the West Indies Cricket Board to implement the recommendations.”So it was not a Keith Mitchell decision, it was not a Keith Mitchell activity, it was a committee set up by the West Indies Cricket Board and the Heads of Government.”The CARICOM cricket review panel was appointed by the Prime Ministerial Committee on the Governance of West Indies Cricket in the wake of the crisis that engulfed the board after the BCCI suspended bilateral ties and slapped $41.97 million as damages following West Indies’ decision to pull out midway through their India tour in 2014. Set up to review the governance and administrative structure of the WICB, the five-member panel, comprising V. Eudine Barriteau, Sir Dennis Byron, Dwain Gill, Deryck Murray and Warren Smith submitted a damning report.Apart from its comments on the current set-up, the panel strongly recommended the establishment of an interim board in place of the WICB. However, Dave Cameron, the WICB president, rejected the panel’s findings, saying they were not supported by facts.The WICB received further support from Browne, who broke ranks with CARICOM. Browne continued to remain defiant even this week. “That (recommendation to dissolve) is a recipe for chaos and confusion and we are totally opposed to any forced dissolution of the West Indies Cricket Board,” Browne told the .Regardless, the CARICOM heads have refused to give up their stance on WICB. According to Roosevelt Skerrit, the Dominica prime minister and chairman of CARICOM, an additional sub-committee on cricket with a much wider scope will be appointed soon. “There were two before; one on governance issues and one of the larger issues confronting cricket…this is a new committee on cricket mandated to examine all matters relating to the development of cricket, which is a very wide area of concentration.”

كشف حسني عبد ربه نجم الإسماعيلي ومنتخب مصر السابق عن توقعاته لمشوار الفراعنة في كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023.

وتستضيف كوت ديفوار منافسات كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023، في الفترة بين 13 يناير وحتى 11 فبراير.

ومن المقرر أن يستهل منتخب مصر مبارياته في كأس أمم إفريقيا غدًا الأحد أمام موزمبيق.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كيسيه: نتحد مع جماهيرنا لرفع علم كوت ديفوار عاليًا في أمم إفريقيا 2023

وقال حسني عبد ربه في تصريحات لقناة “أون تايم سبورتس”: “روي فيتوريا الفترة الماضية، له وعليه، هذا الجيل يلعب منذ 10 سنوات معًا ولديه فرصة جيدة، يجب التركيز في لقاء ثم الآخر، أرى أن مواجهة موزمبيق هامة جدًا ورسالة لباقي المنتخبات”.

وأكمل: “نحن نبحث دائمًا عن الهجوم بشكل جيد، لكن يجب أن نُدافع أيضًا بشكل جيد، لأن وارد تحدث مفاجآت، يجب أن نُفكر في الفوز على موزمبيق، قبل مباراة غانا التي ستكون كبيرة جدًا”.

واختتم: “يجب أن نُعطي المنافسين رسالة إننا جئنا للتتويج بالبطولة، وفيتوريا سيرى ما هو التشكيل المناسب للمباريات، وأتمنى البداية تكون قوية، أنا أرى أن أي لاعب سيشارك سيؤدي بشكل جيد”.

Manchester United are reportedly interested in making a move for Athletico Paranaense attacker Vitor Roque during the summer transfer window.

Is Roque a wanted man this summer?

The 18-year-old looks like a player of enormous promise, having already made such an impression at his current club despite being so young. He has scored 10 goals in 40 appearances for Paranaense, as well as chipping in with three assists.

Such has been the meteoric rise of the one-cap Brazil international, there has been plenty of interest in Roque from European clubs ahead of a potential move this summer.

Barcelona are believed to be his preference currently, as is so often the case for players from his country – the likes of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho have all starred at Camp Nou in the past, among others – but there could be a strong battle for his signature.

It remains to be seen whether the La Liga giants will have the finances to sanction a move for the youngster, so other clubs would perhaps be wise to pounce if there are any second thoughts in Catalonia.

That's where United come into play, following the emergence of a fresh transfer rumour.

Could United snap up the teenager?

According to Globo Esporte [via Sport Witness], Roque's entourage has been in Europe looking at possible moves for the player, with United one of the clubs who they have spoken to over a potential summer switch. It is noted that two other Premier League clubs are planning to submit bids for the forward at the end of the season.

Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham are all mentioned as being in the conversation to sign the teenager, whose current deal at Paranaense doesn't expire until 2027, meaning a hefty bid may be required to sign him.

Roque appears to carry a lot of promise given his age and the stature of clubs interested in him. He has also been described as "one of the greatest players we have ahead of us" by former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, which is a huge statement to make.

For that reason, United should do all they can to beat others to his signature this summer, with Roque coming in as a raw player who can develop in England over time, potentially becoming a superstar and ensuring the Red Devils remain a force long into the future, assuming he reaches what looks like his absolutely huge potential.

Tottenham Hotspur's reported managerial target Roberto De Zerbi is believed to have a summer release clause in his contract at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Who do Spurs want as their next manager?

The north London club relieved Antonio Conte of his duties over the weekend after a string of underwhelming results culminated in a fiery press conference from the Italian after their draw against Southampton.

A number of managers are believed to have been shortlisted by the director of football Fabio Paratici, which is said to have included De Zerbi.

However, a fresh face has emerged as one of the frontrunners over the last week following the dismissal of Julian Nagelsmann from his role at Bayern Munich.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has revealed the current Brighton coach could become available in the summer for Spurs, with his contract holding a release clause:

"This is my information, and I can tell you what I know – I know there are different reports on the story. But from what I understand, there is a way out for Roberto De Zerbi from Brighton at the end of the season.

"Many can call that as a release clause. Many can call that as a compensation formula. Many can call that as a private agreement, but from what I understand, there is in the contract of Roberto De Zerbi and his staff, only for the summer – so not valid in March, in April, in May, but only in the summer period – the possibility for Roberto De Zerbi to leave Brighton, in case a club will pay that money.

"I'm told that this amount of money is more than the reported £10m. So it's something more than this."

Would De Zerbi be a good fit for Spurs?

Since joining the Seagulls, De Zerbi has done a stellar job, which sees Brighton sitting just seven points off Tottenham in the table whilst holding three games in hand over the north Londoners.

De Zerbi's side have also outshone Tottenham in the FA Cup having made it to the semi-finals where they will face Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.

However, there may be some concerns as to whether De Zerbi would be able to replicate his impressive record over to a club like Spurs where there are bigger egos to contend with.

Brighton remains a selling club despite their impressive 2022/23 campaign with their recruitment showing the likes of Tottenham up over recent years.

However, managing at a club with a bigger reputation and players of a bigger stature can prove a difficult transition as has been the case with Graham Potter at Chelsea.

On the other hand, it has to be noted Mauricio Pochettino made a similar transition from Southampton back in 2014 and his tenure at the club will be looked back on as one of the best in the club's history.

But it does seem as if Spurs may have to wait until the summer to appoint their permanent manager but they would have to be sure on De Zerbi if they were to pull the trigger.

Since Pochettino's departure, there has been a managerial merry-go-round in north London and fans will not want to see another manager come and go within the space of the next two years.

De Zerbi has still not had a full season of managing in the Premier League so there is certainly some risk linked with his potential appointment.

"His impact in England will be massive," said Pep Guardiola and praise of that magnitude could be an encouraging sign of what he could potentially do at Spurs.

Journalist Chris Jack has tipped West Ham United to be among the frontrunners to sign Scott McTominay this summer amid uncertainty over the Scotland international’s future.

What’s the latest on Scott McTominay to West Ham?

It remains unclear just how valued the midfielder is by Erik ten Hag at Manchester United and there has been talk that he could be on the move this summer.

For instance, Premier League outfit Newcastle United have been linked with a possible attempt to sign McTominay, with the player valued at £40m (as per ESPN).

What’s more, in a recent interview with former Man Utd defender Paul Parker, Rangers were tipped as a potential destination for the 26-year-old, while the Hammers’ own interest has emerged over the past week.

However, while speaking about this on the latest edition of The Rangers Review, Glasgow Times writer Jack said that the Ibrox outfit likely couldn’t afford to sign McTominay – but suggested that West Ham may well be a better fit.

Indeed, he said: “I am a fan of him for Scotland. I think he’s done well for Scotland. I’ve always had my doubts whether he is a Manchester United midfielder. Personally, I don’t think he is and I think he’ll probably find his chances limited there as the Ten Hag era unfolds.

“I think in terms of a move to Rangers or Celtic, wages will be a stumbling block, I would imagine. If you’re a Premier League player at the peak of your powers, the Old Firm are not a place that can offer you the type of money that you’re after.

“If you look at a West Ham, an Everton, even like a Leeds or something like that, maybe that’s the type of team I can see McTominay playing for, and they will blow the Old Firm out of the water.”

Could McTominay replace Rice at West Ham?

David Moyes’ men have actually been linked with a move for McTominay elsewhere recently. Indeed, despite the £40m touted in some reports, Football Insider suggest a fee in the region of £25m could get the job done with West Ham interested.

Of course, the Hammers will likely be looking for a new midfielder in the summer with club captain Declan Rice expected to leave for pastures new.

This would leave a big gap to fill in the middle of the park but the Englishman should fetch a tidy transfer fee – with fees in the region of £100m being touted – and so West Ham could potentially sign McTominay for around £25m and have money left other for more transfers.

The Man Utd man would at least arrive with plenty of Premier League experience, having played 137 times in the league, which isn’t far off Rice’s 192 – while he’s also scored three more goals than the Iron in this time.

Taking it all into account, perhaps this is one deal the east London outfit will consider.

Filip Helander is reportedly not expected to play for Glasgow Rangers again, given his long-term injury and contract situation at Ibrox.

The Lowdown: Rotten luck

Helander has had rotten luck with injuries at Rangers, having missed 109 games in total over the last three-and-a-half seasons, being sidelined since April of last year.

Michael Beale admitted in January that Helander could face up to another three months out, and with his contract up in the summer, the Gers have a big decision to make over whether to extend it or let him go on a free transfer.

The Latest: Played his last game?

As per Football Insider, Helander is not expected to play for the club again, according to ‘sources’ from the Light Blues and the player’s camp.

The Sweden international is thought to be one of their biggest earners, which suggests that the Teddy Bears would like to get him off of their wage bill.

The Verdict: Shame

It is such a shame to see Helander’s Rangers career hampered by injuries, and unfortunately with his contract up in the summer, it may be best for all parties to part ways.

Hailed as a ‘leader’ by former Gers manager Steven Gerrard, he was a player that the Englishman rated highly, as Helander played title-winning 2020/21 season.

The central defender is capable of producing in the big moments, notably scoring the winner against bitter rivals Celtic at Ibrox in 2021, but with the likes of John Souttar and Ben Davies joining in the summer, Beale will feel that he is well-covered at centre-back, and so can afford to let Helander go.

Footage has emerged which shows VAR ignored a potential push in the back on Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison during their midweek Champions League tie.

The Lowdown: Spurs lucky to still be in the game

While losing the first leg would have never been the plan for Spurs or Antonio Conte, the fact that AC Milan squandered two huge chances to potentially put the game to bed will make them feel this narrow defeat isn’t too bad.

Tottenham did indeed have chances of their own as Eric Dier mistimed his jump when unmarked less than 10 yards from the goal as his header bounced wide of the goal without troubling Milan goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu.

Spurs certainly weren’t threatening last night, mustering up an expected goals ratio of just 0.5 (as per FBref), but skipper Harry Kane could well have been handed a glorious chance to level things up had Richarlison been awarded a penalty.

The Latest: VAR ignores push in the back

As Richarlison was guiding the ball out of the Milan box, defender Rade Krunic appeared to barge the Brazilian in the back, which forced him to take a tumble, although VAR seemingly didn’t wish to get involved in the decision.

Given Kane’s high-profile penalty miss at the World Cup over the winter, there is no guarantee he would have netted in the San Siro, but it certainly would have been their best chance to level things up on the night considering their aforementioned lack of threat.

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The Verdict: Richarlison unlucky to not get a penalty

Tottenham clearly didn’t do enough to win or even get a draw out of the game, but if VAR had chosen to review this incident and awarded a penalty, Spurs could have been buoyed heading into the second leg.

The fact that VAR decided to not intervene with this decision when the level of Krunic’s contact is far from shoulder to shoulder as he clearly leans into Richarlison’s back will surely have fans and Conte fuming.

However, Tottenham can’t be relying on contentious penalty decisions going their way in the Champions League, as given how poor AC Milan have been this season – the reigning champions sit fifth in Serie A – Spurs should perhaps have been picking up some sort of positive result last night.

Tottenham Hotspur are ‘very interested’ in signing Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford this summer, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.

The Lowdown: Tottenham targeting goalkeeper

Tottenham are known to be in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer, with reports claiming that they are interested in Atletico Madrid superstar Jan Oblak, while they have also been linked to Robert Sanchez and David Raya.

The Spurs hierarchy appear to be assessing their potential options between the sticks, with journalist Michael Bridge recently telling GIVEMESPORT that he thinks Daniel Levy ‘would like’ Pickford if Everton get relegated.

The Latest: Update from Jacobs

In an interview with GIVEMESPORT, Jacobs seems to concur that the Toffees going down to the Championship could increase the interest on Tottenham’s behalf.

The journalist said:“He is likely to be a highly sought-after name, especially if Everton were to go down.

“Tottenham are very interested, but Chelsea could be there as well.”

The Verdict: Get it done

Hugo Lloris has improved in recent weeks, receiving the highest Sofascore match rating of any Spurs player in the last two Premier League matches, being awarded a 8.1 against Fulham and a 7.8 against Manchester City, making a total of five saves in the latter game.

Even though the Frenchman has rediscovered his form, however, it still must be taken into account that he is now 36 years old, and it is no doubt time to start thinking about a suitable long-term replacement.

Hailed as a ‘leader’ by former Tottenham man Jamie O’Hara, Pickford has the quality to take his place, with the Englishman enjoying another impressive campaign with Everton, most recently becoming just the second man to keep a league clean sheet against first-place Arsenal this season.

The shot-stopper would arrive with a breadth of international experience, keeping clean sheets in just under half of his 50 appearances for the Three Lions, displaying that he is ready for a move to a Champions League club.