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The Blast’s leading run-scorer since 2020 is eyeing an overdue Hundred contract in Thursday’s draft

Matt Roller21-Mar-2023Stevie Eskinazi has dyed his hair peroxide blond, and no wonder. He has been ignored by the Hundred throughout its first two editions and with the 2023 draft taking place on Thursday evening, he will do just about anything to get himself noticed.Across the last three seasons, nobody has scored as many runs in the Vitality Blast, the counties’ T20 competition, as Eskinazi. He has been playing for – and last season, captaining – the second-worst team in the country, Middlesex, but has churned out runs with remarkable consistency while scoring at a strike rate of 147.Yet in the Hundred, England’s new, premier short-form tournament which is played in the height of summer, he has been unwanted. In the competition’s first draft, back in 2019, that was understandable: he was relatively new to white-ball cricket, and had never managed more than 57 in a T20 innings.In 2021, after the Hundred’s first season was deferred by the pandemic, Eskinazi entered the re-draft as the second-highest run-scorer from the previous Blast season, but again went unpicked. Last year, after another strong Blast in 2021, he was overlooked again.He seemed a safe bet for selection as a ‘wildcard’ or a replacement player after taking his strike rate to new heights, past 150, in the 2022 Blast, but the phone call he hoped for never came. In the 50-over Royal London Cup, which runs parallel to the Hundred, he hit 146, 182 and 135 in three consecutive innings, then watched on with incredulity as batters with a handful of professional T20 appearances won replacement deals ahead of him.Performing with some success in Australia – he averaged 26.75 with a strike rate of 131.28 in his nine games for the Scorchers – and a pair of 50-over half-centuries for England Lions last summer have reinforced Eskinazi’s belief in his own ability. “It does spur you on a little bit,” he says.”I feel like I’m in a good position to try and capitalise on being a miles-better player now than I was at the age of 25. I’ve definitely tried to keep up with modern trends at the top of the order; put simply, it’s just go bloody hard, and don’t stop going hard.” At 28, he is approaching his peak as a batter, and retains hope of winning an England cap one day.But first, he has his sights set on Thursday’s draft. “I don’t reckon I could be sitting in front of the TV having done too much more than I have done in the last 11 months or so,” he reflects. “I’ll probably have my family around – and might have a beer or two, to either celebrate or commiserate.”He believes he has improved his game against spin over the winter after working with Adam Voges in Perth, and with Mark Ramprakash during Middlesex’s pre-season training, and hopes that providing a wicketkeeping option – “I’m not saying I’m Jack Russell, but I did a lot of keeping earlier in my career” – can finally secure him a deal.Yet counterintuitively, being overlooked repeatedly might just have made Eskinazi a better cricketer. At the time of the Hundred’s first draft in 2019, he averaged 30.95 in T20 cricket with a strike rate of 130.40; in the three-and-a-half years since, he has averaged 36.42 while striking at 144.25.”There’s been a bit of that ‘I’ll show them’ mentality,” he reflects. “Particularly last year, I was going out feeling a bit like me against the world: ‘these guys don’t think I’m good enough – I want to give them absolutely no reason not to select me next year.'”I’m enjoying going out and trying to entertain people by pushing the boundaries of my own capabilities, playing shots that I never thought I could, and just seeing how much fun I can have giving it an absolute whack, basically.”Whether that is good enough to merit a Hundred contract will become clear on Thursday evening.

In pandemic-era cricket, teams with a large pool of players have a huge advantage over those who don’t

Ian Chappell18-Jul-2021It has become abundantly clear during this pandemic-ravaged era that one of the prized ingredients in a cricket squad is depth. Ideally it should be both in batting and bowling.Even the home team squads are now larger in case concussion substitutes are required or for when players test positive. Touring parties are far larger to accommodate both replacements and pre-series inter-squad matches. This situation favours the wealthier countries and those with a robust development system.India displayed their ample depth – particularly in quick bowling – in defeating Australia on their recent tour. In making six changes from the first to second Test and still defeating England comfortably at Edgbaston, New Zealand surprised with their talent too.England have displayed both depth and flexibility by comprehensively blanking Pakistan in their three-match ODI series. Their prospects for the Ashes in Australia were also boosted by the skilful showing of both Saqib Mahmood and Brydon Carse, two bowlers whose pace should be an asset on bouncy pitches.History has shown that strength in fast bowling is a requirement for success in Australia, and England are building up an impressive group. However, good pace bowling alone isn’t a guarantee of victory in Australia. The bowlers need good catching support and sufficient runs to provide a decent margin for error. It is the latter that should most concern England.Related

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On that score, though, the forced selection of a whole new squad for the Pakistan series may turn out to be a blessing. I’m not convinced that Rory Burns and Dom Sibley, with their dubious techniques and quirky habits, will have much success against a thoroughbred Australian pace attack.Consequently, the reminders served by Dawid Malan and James Vince against a quality Pakistan pace attack should be sufficient for them to be included in an extended Ashes squad. On the last tour of Australia, Malan and Vince performed well at the Gabba and the WACA, showing they were comfortable coping with the extra bounce.Some might dispute that assessment of Vince, but his sublime half-century at the WACA was terminated by an unplayable shooter, and he was well on his way to a century in Brisbane until he was run out by a direct hit. If either of those innings had turned into something substantial, he might by now have well been an established member of the Test side. There’s no doubt he has the talent to be a very good Test batter. The only query is whether the mental side of his game can match it. Those reservations aside, there should be a place for both players in an extended Covid-era touring party.The other bonus England may gain from having to unveil a second team was legspinner Matt Parkinson. He is a big improver and his style of bowling can be useful in Australia. His ability to flight the ball and his typical “confident Northerner” temperament could make him a valuable Ashes asset.The one major team whose recent performances haven’t implied substantial depth are Australia. Batting is the main area of concern and the batters haven’t flourished in the Caribbean, with only Mitchell Marsh making his mark. But Marsh is unlikely to replace Cameron Green as the Test allrounder batting at six.Once again the Australian batting was shown to be fragile when David Warner and Steve Smith are missing. A glance at the Sheffield Shield batting performances for the last couple of seasons doesn’t inspire much confidence that the new wave of stars is on the horizon.When it comes to batting talent, India are best placed of all the teams. Their development system, which produces players with “traditional techniques” and provides ample opportunities at first-class level, is one to be envied.Mind you, the extent of India’s reserves will be fully tested on the England tour as they have already had to react to isolation requirements and they haven’t even played a warm-up game. Just another example of why modern cricket teams consider depth king.

تلقى مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك، خطابًا من هيئة المجتمعات العمرانية بشأن، أرض القلعة البيضاء في مرسى مطروح ومصيرها خلال الفترة المقبلة.

وأصدر الزمالك بيانًا خلال الساعات القليلة الماضية، يفيد بأنه تلقى خطابًا من هيئة المجتمعات العمرانية، أنها بصدد تطوير منطقة خليج الغرام، وسيتم استغلال أراضي الشواطئ ومسطح المياه بالمنطقة لتنفيذ مشروع قومي.

طالع.. رسميًا.. تأجيل مباراة الزمالك وبلدية المحلة في كأس مصر

ووأوضح الخطاب أنه في الفترة المقبلة سيتم إيقاف أي تعاملات أو إنشاءات جديدة، بشأن الأراضي التي سبق إصدار تراخيص بناء عليها والمصايف في المنطقة تحت ولاية الهيئة.

وشددت هيئة المجتمعات العمرانية في خطابها، على عدم قبول أي مقابل حق انتفاع للشاطئ للعام القادم 2026 ولأجل غير مسمى.

وفي نفس الإطار قرر مجلس الإدارة تكليف الشؤون القانونية بالرد على الخطاب الذي تلقاه النادي من هيئة المجتمعات العمرانية.

وكان الزمالك يمتلك مصيف في مرسى مطروح لأعضاء الجمعية العمومية بالنادي.

يذكر أن الزمالك، قد واجه أزمة بخصوص أرض الفرع الجديد في السادس من أكتوبر والتي قامت وزارة الإسكان بسحبها بسبب انتهاء المهلة المحددة لإنهاء مشاريع الأبيض عليها. بيان الزمالك بشأن مصيف مرسى مطروح

تلقى نادي الزمالك خطابًا من هيئة المجتمعات العمرانية الجديدة، جهاز تنمية القطاع الثالث للساحل الشمالي الغربي(مرسي مطروح)، يفيد بأنه في إطار التخطيط لتطوير منطقة خليج الغرام، وذلك لاستغلال أراضي الشواطئ ومسطح المياة بالمنطقة لتنفيذ مشروع قومي.

وعليه فإنه يتم إيقاف أي تعاملات أو إنشآت جديدة أو التي سبق لها إصدار تراخيص بناء على الأراضي، والمصايف الكائنة بولاية الهيئة بالمنطقة، وعدم قبول أي مقابل حق انتفاع للشاطئ للعام القادم 2026 ولأجل غير مسمى.

وكلف مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك إدارة الشؤون القانونية بالرد على الخطاب المرسل للنادي من هيئة المجتمعات العمرانية.

MatériaMais Notícias

O atacante Hulk ficou na bronca com a arbitragem do empate entre Atlético-MG e Bahia. Após o final da partida, o jogador questionou por que o árbitro Bruno Arleu de Araújo não revisou um possível pênalti para o Galo e acusou que o VAR está mandando no futebol.

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— O que não pode é fugir da responsabilidade. Infelizmente, o VAR está mandando no futebol brasileiro — disse.

Hulk ainda completou dizendo que, como o lance era interpretativo, o árbitro teria que assumir a responsabilidade de revisá-lo no monitor do VAR.

— Lance interpretativo quem define é o árbitro, quem manda no jogo é o árbitro. O árbitro decide se é mão ou não é, mas ele assume a responsabilidade de ver o lance. Cara, é triste para a gente. Não sei se foi pênalti, mas em lance interpretativo o árbitro tem de assumir a responsabilidade e olhar o VAR. Infelizmente, fica essa indecisão, por isso tem a reclamação no final – concluiu.

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Na reta final do segundo tempo, o Atlético-MG de Hulk pressionava o Bahia e teve bola alçada para a grande área. Alan Kardec disputou no alto com Biel, que tocou com o braço na bola. Bruno Arleu não marcou pênalti, e o VAR manteve a decisão de campo.

Tudo sobre

Atlético-MGHulk

Manchester United’s £200m spending spree over the summer window was a huge statement by INEOS in an attempt to help lead the club back up the Premier League.

The vast majority of the funds were invested into the Red Devils’ forward line, which has handed Ruben Amorim a deadly trio within the final third of the pitch.

Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha were all added to the first-team ranks, with the former of the trio currently sitting as the club’s top goalscorer.

However, other areas of the pitch are also in need of investment in the near future to help Amorim in his quest for success during his tenure in charge at Old Trafford.

The midfield department looks set to be the next area to be improved in the coming months, with additions expected to be made during the upcoming January window.

Man United looking to sign £100m + midfielder

Over the last couple of weeks, United have been just one side tipped with an interest in securing a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers star Joao Gomes ahead of January.

It has been reported that the player himself would be open to a move to Old Trafford this winter, leading to a £44m price tag being mooted for his signature.

However, no contact has yet been made between the two Premier League clubs, but that’s not to say a move could transpire in the weeks leading up to the window.

He’s not alone in being identified as a potential option for the Red Devils, with Real Madrid star Federico Valverde another star currently in the hierarchy’s sights.

According to one Spanish outlet, Amorim’s men are planning to make a club-record £105m bid for the Uruguayan’s signature in the upcoming window amid his struggles at the Bernabeu.

The report claims that he’s been in the middle of a dispute with current boss Xabi Alonso, and could be allowed to depart the LaLiga giants despite making 23 appearances across all competitions in 2025/26.

How Fede Valverde compares to Elliot Anderson

In United’s attempts to improve the options at the heart of the side, one name has constantly been on the tongue of a huge number of supporters – Elliot Anderson.

The Nottingham Forest star has endured quite the rise over the last 18 months, after he joined the Reds in a £35m deal from boyhood club Newcastle United in the summer of 2024.

He’s since racked up a total of 57 appearances for his current side, achieving a total of 10 combined goals and assists during that time – including a superb strike against Tottenham Hotspur last season.

The 23-year-old has gone from strength to strength in recent months, featuring in every minute of Forest’s Premier League campaign to date – leading to a consistent run in the England national team.

Such a feat is a huge credit to the player, but it’s only driven his price tag up further in recent months, with Sean Dyche’s side now valuing the youngster at around the £100m mark.

However, the aforementioned fee may be a risk given his short period of success at the City Ground, which could lead to a move for Valverde instead this January.

When comparing the pair’s respective stats from the ongoing campaign, the Uruguayan international has managed to outperform Anderson in key areas – which could make him a better option this window.

Valverde, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by one analyst, has completed more of the passes he’s attempted this campaign, with more of his efforts being defined as key passes.

Such tallies showcase he’s arguably better in possession than Anderson, handing Amorim that added ball-playing presence he craves at the heart of the side.

How Valverde & Anderson compare in 2025/26

Statistics (per 90)

Valverde

Anderson

Games played

13

12

Goals & assists

4

2

Pass accuracy

89%

83%

Key passes

1.6

1.5

Tackles won

62%

51%

Clearances made

2.1

1.1

Take-on success

50%

46%

Carries into final third

1.7

1.4

Aerials won

59%

48%

Stats via FBref

However, the main responsibility of any new addition will be to regain possession, something which the Real Madrid star has demonstrated in abundance this campaign.

He’s bettered Anderson for tackles won to date, whilst also making more clearances per 90 – subsequently offering a better option out of possession than the Englishman.

Other stats, such as a higher take-on success and more aerials won, showcase his all-round dominance over the Forest star – with the board needing to pursue a move for Valverde’s signature.

£105m would be a huge investment from the board, subsequently breaking the club record, but it’s a deal that would emphatically end their hunt for a new midfielder.

There’s no disputing Anderson is a top talent, but it would be rash of the hierarchy to spend such funds on him, especially when a proven talent of Valverde’s calibre is available for just £5m more.

Related Not Lammens: Man Utd flop is becoming their biggest liability since Onana

Manchester United have a player who has massively failed to deliver at Old Trafford since his transfer.

Posts 1 ByEthan Lamb Nov 27, 2025

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan looks set to leave the club at the end of the season as a free agent, with no new contract talks scheduled with the Serie A side. Juventus are closely monitoring the situation and are interested in bringing the Frenchman to Turin, while several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, are also considering a move for the highly-rated keeper.

Maignan to leave Milan at the end of the season

With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Maignan can begin negotiating with other clubs as early as January, raising the possibility of leaving Milan on a free transfer. Milan had reportedly offered an extension until 2028, increasing his salary from €2.8 million to €5.5m per year, but he has not been convinced to sign on the dotted line with reporting that no further talks are scheduled between the goalkeeper and club. Juventus have emerged as serious contenders for his signature, hoping to capitalise on the uncertainty and secure one of Europe’s top goalkeepers without a transfer fee.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportJuventus facing competition from Chelsea

Premier League clubs have also shown strong interest in Maignan, who has been a key player at Milan since he joined from Lille in 2021, with Chelsea emerging as the most serious contender. The London club are actively searching for a long-term replacement for Robert Sanchez and view Maignan as an ideal fit. Chelsea attempted to sign him in June but failed to reach an agreement with Milan. In fact, they were close to finalising a deal this summer before Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri intervened to block the transfer, partly influenced by the club’s ongoing efforts to sign Strasbourg right-back Guela Doue.

Chelsea’s chances may now improve, especially as Juventus’ renewed interest in the 30-year-old comes at a difficult moment for the Italian side. UEFA has opened fresh proceedings into alleged financial irregularities between 2022 and 2025, raising the risk of further sanctions. This could weaken Juventus’ ability to compete financially for a top signing.

With Maignan able to begin talks in January and Milan hesitant over his renewal due to concerns about his long-term fitness, the transfer race is increasingly favouring Premier League bidders – particularly Chelsea, who remain determined to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

Maignan's impact at Milan

The France international made an immediate impact at San Siro after replacing Gianluigi Donnarumma, helping the Rossoneri to the Scudetto in the 2021-22 season while recording the most clean sheets in Serie A. His shot-stopping, leadership and calm presence quickly made him one of the league’s standout goalkeepers. However, the following two seasons were disrupted by injuries that affected his consistency and availability, leading to concerns within the club about his long-term reliability. Despite those setbacks, Maignan has returned strongly in the current campaign. He has kept four clean sheets in the league and delivered decisive moments in big matches, including saving penalties from Paulo Dybala and Hakan Calhanoglu in crucial wins over Roma and Inter, respectively. His resurgence has re-established him as a key figure for Milan while also attracting interest from major European clubs.

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Getty Images SportCan Milan extend Maignan's contract?

Milan have reignited their Serie A title hopes under Allegri, highlighted by Sunday’s derby win over Inter thanks to a goal from Christian Pulisic. With no European commitments this season, Milan are serious title contenders, and the allure of silverware could be used to persuade Maignan to extend his contract. Juventus remain interested, viewing Maignan’s European experience as a valuable asset to rotate with Michele De Gregorio. Meanwhile, Chelsea are expected to reopen talks with his entourage, recalling their previous agreement with the goalkeeper. Enzo Maresca could push for the move, seeing Maignan as a potential final piece to strengthen Chelsea’s title ambitions. Maignan’s decision will be pivotal for Milan, with clubs across Europe keen to secure one of the continent’s top goalkeepers.

The Chicago Cubs are bolstering their bullpen, having agreed to acquire veteran closing pitcher Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros.

It's a trade that's been in the works for a while, though it couldn't be completed until Pressly agreed to waive his no-trade clause. Multiple reports indicate that he's given the green light to be dealt to Chicago, and the trade will be finalized pending a physical.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that Houston will send money to Chicago in order to cover some of Pressly's $14 million contract. The 36-year-old is entering the final year of his contract and will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season.

The return for Pressly's services has not yet been reported, though Chandler Rome of indicates that there will be at least one prospect headed to the Astros.

Last year, Pressly had a 3.49 ERA with 58 strikeouts across 56 2/3 innings. He registered four saves on the year, having returned to setup duties with Josh Hader serving as Houston's primary closer. Pressly, who had 90 saves from 2021 to '23, will likely be in the mix to close out games for Chicago.

This marks the second trade between the Cubs and Astros this offseason, as Chicago previously acquired three-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a separate deal.

England has been confirmed as the host of the next three World Test Championship finals – in 2027, 2029 and 2031 – following the country’s successful staging of the first three such events since 2021.The decision, which had been on the cards since Lord’s played host to South Africa’s five-wicket victory over Australia in the third WTC final last month, was ratified at the ICC’s annual conference in Singapore this week.Despite some speculation that the contest could be set for a relocation to India from 2027 onwards, the ICC cited the ECB’s “successful track record in hosting recent finals” in confirming its decision.Richard Gould, the ECB chief executive, said: “We are absolutely delighted that England and Wales has been chosen to host the next three ICC World Test Championship Finals. It’s a testament to the passion that fans in this country have for this treasured format of the game and the willingness of supporters from around the world to travel here for these games. Hosting these finals is a privilege, and we look forward to working with the ICC to build on the success of the previous editions.”The June window, early in the English summer, remains the ICC’s favoured time of year for staging the final, in the aftermath of the IPL and at a time of year when few other international fixtures are scheduled at that time of year.Furthermore, as was demonstrated at Lord’s last month, England’s ability to sell out venues for neutral fixtures remains unrivalled across the world game. This was also the case when the Kia Oval hosted Australia’s victory over India in 2023, and even at the inaugural event in 2021, which was staged in biosecure circumstances at the Hampshire Bowl with limited access for India’s and New Zealand’s fans.Speaking last month about the prospect of hosting the next three events, Gould told ESPNcricinfo: “We don’t think that we’ve got any absolute right to be the continual host of the WTC [final], but there are advantages to having it here.”Irrespective of who gets into the final, we will sell it out… We’re probably the only member nation within the ICC that could deliver that. We recognise that perhaps others would like to take it around the world at some point… But the worry is if you move it, end up with two neutral teams, and don’t get a crowd, the whole thing could devalue and deflate pretty quickly.”The atmosphere at Lord’s was noted at the last WTC final, with the ICC’s chair, Jay Shah visibly enthused by the sense of occasion that England’s most famous venue afforded the event.However, ESPNcricinfo understands that no decision has yet been made as to whether Lord’s will remain the preferred host for the final going forward.