خرج روبن أموريم مدرب مانشستر يونايتد في مؤتمر صحفي ليتحدث عن لقاء مانشستر سيتي في ديربي العاصمة يوم الأحد على ملعب الاتحاد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وقال أموريم عن جاهزية كونيا وماونت ودالوت في تصريحات نشرتها “مانشستر إيفنينج نيوز” :”إنهم خارج المباراة ولا أعرف كم سيستغرق الأمر، نحتاج لهؤلاء اللاعبين لنكون فريقا تنافسيا، لدينا لاعبين ممتازين جداً، متحمسين للعب”.
وسئل أموريم عن مدة غياب الثلاثي ليرد: “لا أريد أن أقول، إذا تحدثت مع كونيا سيقول إنه قادر على لعب المباراة، إنهم يبذلون مجهودات كبيرة”.
وأشاد أموريم بفريق مانشستر سيتي: “هم فريق من الطراز الرفيع بقيادة أفضل مدرب في الدوري، فريق يصعب تخيل أدائه، نحن مستعدون ونثق بفريقنا، ستكون مباراة رائعة ونعرف ما يجب فعله وتدربنا بشكل أفضل وترتيب الدوري الحالي لا يهم”.
أقرأ أيضاً.. جوارديولا يستفز ليفربول بعد تعاقده مع إيزاك ويوجه رسائل للراحلين عن مانشستر سيتي
وحول إذا كان مانشستر يونايتد تحسن أدائه منذ فوزه على ملعب الاتحاد، قال: “أصبحنا أفضل بالنظر للبيانات، نحن مستعدون وعلينا إظهار ذلك”.
وعبر أموريم عن سعادته بضم لامينز: “نحن سعداء للغاية، هو حارس مرمى يتمتع بإمكانيات هائلة، نحن في مرحلة تتطلب من حارس المرمى أن يكون قوي جداً وذو خبرة واسعة ولكن علينا النظر للحاضر بتركيز على المستقبل، لذا هو مزيج وسيكون جاهزاً”.
وأجاب أموريم عن سبب التعاقد مع لامينز: “أحياناً كنادي نحاول البحث عن خيارات مختلفة، لدينا خيار يمكننا من تحقيق نتائج مختلفة في الوقت الحالي ولكنه يملك إمكانيات كبيرة ليكون حارس مرمى الفريق لسنوات عديدة”.
وحول إذا كان بايندير سيبدأ في مركز حراسة مرمى مانشستر يونايتد ضد مانشستر سيتي أكد: “نعم، أفعل الشئ نفسه مع مراكز مختلفة لكنه سيستمر، إنه دوري وبلد وتدريب وكرة قدم مختلفة لذا سيتنافسون على المركز”.
وعن ثقته بحارسه بايندير أتم أموريم: “أفكر أحياناً في التواصل مع أونانا الذي قدم موسم رائع مع إنتر، الجودة موجودة لكن في النادي تزداد الأمور صعوبة يوماً بعد يوم، لكن في هذا النادي الضغط شديد في كل التفاصيل وأحياناً نحتاج للتغيير وأؤمن بأن بايندير جاهز للعب”.
وختم في رسالة لحارسه السابق أونانا الذي انتقل لطرابزون سبور: “كان من الممكن التفكير في بقائه، لكني أعتقد أننا كنادي، فهمنا حاجته للتغيير، أحياناً يصعب تحديد السبب، الأداء واللحظة وسوء الحظ في بعض المواقف كنا قاسيين للغاية عليه، كنا نفكر في التغيير لكني اتمنى التوفيق له، لقد كان بارع جداً في العمل ومساعدة زملائه”.
Celtic are preparing for another exciting campaign under Brendan Rodgers, but they may have to lose one of their key stars while preparations are ongoing ahead of pre-season.
Celtic's early window priorities start to emerge
Next campaign, Celtic don’t have the luxury of automatic qualification in the Champions League, which may bring their transfer planning forward regarding targets in a few key positions.
Kieran Tierney will return to Parkhead on a free transfer from Arsenal to address their left-back berth, leaving an element of mystique regarding who will compete with the Scotland international in his position.
Further up the field, Brendan Rodgers is also keen on a new striker after opting not to replace Kyogo Furuhashi following his move to Rennes in January.
In a rapid turn of events, Telstar forward Youssef El Kachati has rejected a move to Hannover amid interest from the Bhoys. Available under freedom of contract, the 25-year-old has confirmed he will make his next destination known soon.
He stated before playing a starring role in his current side reaching the Dutch top-flight: “I think it is 100 per cent certain that I will make a fantastic step this summer.
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“But first, I want to leave something behind at Telstar that will make them never forget me. I think it is very important that I end my time here well.”
Speculation over incomings will dominate the landscape for supporters as the Bhoys look forward to another campaign they hope will be littered with success.
However, they may now have to proceed forth without one of their established stars if recent reports are anything to go by.
Celtic star Greg Taylor presented with exit proposal
According to Greek outlet Sportal, Celtic left-back Greg Taylor has been presented with a two-year contract offer by PAOK and they are now ‘anxiously awaiting’ a response from the Scotland international, who could leave Parkhead for nothing this month.
Out of contract in Glasgow’s east end, he has been offered a greater salary than his current terms at the Hoops and is said to be the main defensive target for Razvan Lucescu’s men this summer.
Greg Taylor’s Scottish Premiership statistics in 2024/25 (Fotmob)
Chances created
36
Successful dribbles
10
Pass accuracy
88.1%
Tackles won
22
Duels won
109
Recoveries
111
Labelled “instrumental” by Rodgers, the 27-year-old has registered nine goals and 33 assists in 216 appearances across all competitions at Celtic, contributing to the delivery of 11 trophies during his extremely successful spell.
Seeking replacements, the Bhoys have reportedly made an approach for Peterborough United youngster Harley Mills. The 19-year-old is also attracting interest from Fulham regarding a move during the off-season.
Either way, the wheels certainly appear to be in motion as Celtic plan for the coming months, though they may need to part ways with Taylor officially before making advances for his successor.
Glasgow Rangers have yet to make a signing under new manager Russell Martin, but could all that change in the coming days?
The Ibrox side has reportedly shown interest in strikers Matija Frigan and Dor Turgeman recently as Martin seeks to bolster the club’s attacking options.
With Cyriel Dessers closing in on a move to AEK Athens, adding a striker or two could be vital.
Bringing in another centre-back is also high on the wishlist for the new boss, especially with Leon Balogun leaving at the end of last season.
The Nigerian defender was a superb servant for the Gers across two spells. But could Martin sign an upgrade on him this summer?
Rangers search for a new defender
Robin Propper is another defender who looks set to leave Ibrox while Ben Davies appears not to have a future at Rangers.
This leaves Martin with just John Souttar, Clinton Nsiala and Leon King as options at the heart of the defence.
According to The Rangers Review, the Gers are still interested in signing centre-back Harry Darling. His contract has expired at Swansea City, which means Martin wouldn’t have to pay a penny to reunite with his former player.
The Englishman played under the former Southampton boss at MK Dons and Swansea; therefore, he knows him well.
On a free, with the likelihood of Darling not breaking the bank wage-wise, the signing could be a shrewd one for the Glasgow side.
Balogun was loved by the supporters. That much is certain. Could Darling be an upgrade on the veteran, however?
Why Rangers must sign Harry Darling
Balogun was a titan at the back during his spells with the club. He won three trophies and helped Rangers reach the 2022 Europa League final.
Across 20 Premiership games last season, he won an impressive 62% of his total duels contested, while being dribbled past on just 0.3 occasions per game.
Leon Balogun
The 6ft 2 defender was a nightmare for opposition strikers as his physicality was superb, and that is also the case for the Swansea defender, who won 65% of his duels and was only dribbled past 0.3 times per game in the Championship.
In the second tier last season, Darling registered eight goal contributions for the Swans. Add this to the fact he recorded five the season before, and it is clear he thrives in set-piece scenarios.
Harry Darling’s Championship stats with Swansea (2024/25)
Goals
5
Assists
3
Accurate passes per game
53.9
Clean sheets
12
Total duels won per game
4.9
Balls recovered per game
3.9
Via Sofascore
Indeed, when compared to his positional peers in the Championship during 2024/25, the centre-back ranked in the top 12% for assists (0.08) and in the top 7% for non-penalty goals (0.13) per 90.
Furthermore, he even ranked in the top 12% for progressive carries (1.05) and in the top 23% for progressive passes (3.7) per 90, suggesting that he loves to bring the ball forward from the defence, whether he is passing or dribbling.
In this sense, he would make for an ideal upgrade on Balogun, especially considering he is also 11 years younger than the former Gers man and would provide far more long-term value to the club as an asset that could increase in value.
Dubbed “heroic” by manager Luke Williams earlier this season, Darling would be a dream first signing for Martin and a big upgrade on Balogun. No doubt about it.
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Rangers will be keen to sign a defender this summer
This isn’t the summer for sagas. Manchester United need to get things done quickly this time around, with far too many transfer windows having descended into chaos and deadline day desperation.
Thankfully, for Ruben Amorim’s sake, it would appear that the club are keen to get their business done early, with Premier League duo Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha having been identified as leading early targets.
In the case of Cunha, the Brazilian appears to be edging ever closer to agreeing on a move to Old Trafford, with the 25-year-old having enjoyed a fine campaign after netting 15 times in the league alone.
Formerly of RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid, among others, the £62.5m star has adapted nicely to English football in recent seasons, with 42 goals and assists to his name in just 80 Premier League appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Signing a ready-made, proven talent like Cunha could help to buck United’s recent trend of looking abroad – and in the Eredivisie especially – for new signings, with Amorim in desperate need of players who can make an immediate impact from the get-go.
Cunha would then be ideal in that regard, although that’s not to say every summer move has to be with a Premier League focus…
Man Utd's search for a forward
Aside from incomings, there will also be a keen eye on potential outgoings from Old Trafford, with a worst-case scenario likely to be the departure of influential skipper, Bruno Fernandes, amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
According to Football Transfers, if the Portuguese hero does opt to seal a shock move away from the club to join Al-Hilal, among other suitors, the Red Devils have lined up a potential replacement in the form of Athletic Club star, Oihan Sancet.
As per the report, while negotiations haven’t started regarding a move for the 25-year-old, it is claimed that internal talks have been held in Manchester, with Amorim a ‘huge admirer’.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The in-form Spaniard – who missed both legs of the recent Europa League semi-final meeting due to injury – does still have seven years left to run on his existing deal in Bilbao, ensuring it would not be easy to prise him away from the LaLiga outfit.
Indeed, the report adds that Sancet would cost in the region of €80m (£67m), amid the presence of a release clause in his contract, with it yet to be seen whether INEOS will firm up that interest, should Fernandes depart.
Even if the United captain does stay put, there is an argument that Sancet could represent a worthy alternative to Cunha if required, with the Athletic man just as big of a talent.
How Oihan Sancet compares to Cunha
As noted previously, it has been a fine season for Cunha to date, with the wantaway star netting 15 goals in the top-flight for the Old Gold, alongside a further two goals in the FA Cup.
Sancet, meanwhile, has also matched that tally of 17 goals in all competitions, having scored twice in the Europa League, while also netting 15 goals in Spain’s top-flight from his advanced midfield role.
As noted by analyst Ben Mattinson, he is a “box-crashing” talent in that almost second-striker role, showcasing “striker-like instincts” that could make him perfect for one of Amorim’s two number ten berths.
Something of a Scott McTominay in that regard, perhaps, Sancet has also been described by Mattinson as “one of the most underrated players in Europe” right now, further evidence of just what a talent he is.
As indicated in the table below too, while Cunha provides a greater creative spark, it is Sancet who is the bigger goal threat. Indeed, his 15 goals have come despite making only 18 LaLiga starts this season.
Games (starts)
31 (28)
26 (18)
Goals
15
15
Goal frequency
166min
100min
Big chances missed
2
5
Big chances created
13
1
Assists
6
1
Key passes*
1.8
0.7
Pass accuracy*
79%
84%
Total duels won*
46%
40%
Aerial duels won*
26%
48%
Possession lost*
15.7
8.4
It could be argued that for a side who have now failed to score in 14 Premier League games in 2024/25, United are desperately in need of that type of clinical presence in front of goal, with Sancet’s goal return of one every 100 minutes certainly a reason for encouragement.
What also stands out is that the 6 foot 2 ace is also far less erratic on the ball, as indicated by his pass accuracy rate and possession lost count, with potentially a calm head needed to counterbalance the maverick talents of the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo.
Oihan Sancet celebrates for Athletic Bilbao.
Of course, it would appear that Sancet will only be considered if Fernandes departs, although there is an argument to be made that he might actually be a dream alternative to Cunha, should that deal hit the skids.
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With Kyle Walker heading for the exit door, Manchester City have reportedly joined the race to sign a Bundesliga talent who could solve Pep Guardiola’s right-back problem.
Walker set to leave Man City
After spending the second half of the current campaign on loan at Milan, reports have indicated that Walker is expected to leave the Etihad on a permanent basis this summer, even if the Serie A giants decide against triggering their buy option.
The former Man City captain will bow out alongside Kevin De Bruyne as an incredible era of success begins to come to an end under Pep Guardiola.
The veteran right-back will go down as one of the best in his position in Premier League history and earned the praise of Guardiola even as he headed for the exit door in January.
The City boss told reporters back in January when Walker asked to leave the club: “Two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad.
“We cannot understand [what] the club did these years without Kyle. It’s impossible. He’s been our right-back, giving us something we didn’t have. But now in his mind, for many reasons, he would like to explore if he can go to another country to play his last years.”
Kyle Walker’s Man City achievements
Times Won (via Transfermarkt)
Premier League
17/18, 18/19, 20/21, 21/22, 22/23, 23/24
UEFA Super Cup
23/24
FA Cup
2019, 2023
League Cup
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Community Shield
18/19, 19/20
Champions League
22/23
Club World Cup
2024
After a sensational run, all good things must come to an end, and Manchester City must now turn their attention towards solving their right-back problem once and for all this summer.
Guardiola cannot afford to turn towards the likes of Matheus Nunes if he is to take his side back to the top of English football. Instead, he could have the chance to call on one particular Bundesliga talent.
Man City join race to sign Kiliann Sildillia
According to CaughtOffside, Manchester City are now racing to sign Kiliann Sildillia from SC Freiburg alongside Premier League rivals Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Just 22 years old, the right-back is reportedly valued at around €16m (£14m) and is likely to be granted a departure from Freiburg when the summer transfer window swings open.
Dubbed a “complete full-back” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig when he was just 20 years old, Sildillia has only improved since then and has deservedly earned the interest of some of the Premier League’s best sides.
With a decision to make, Manchester City will be hoping that the young defender chooses to work with Guardiola like many have in the past and many will likely go on to do.
A lucky break during Covid-19 took Simarjeet Singh to international cricket, but finding his way back to that level has proved difficult
Daya Sagar29-Sep-2025Simarjeet Singh’s eyes still light up when he is reminded of the time he got to wear the India blue and spend time in the national team’s dressing room. He didn’t get a chance to make his international debut on that Sri Lanka tour during Covid-19, in June 2021, after moving up from being a net bowler to the main squad, but it suggested a rise through the ranks for a bowler who has struggled with injuries and lack of consistency throughout his career.”I was not making too many mistakes, but I was trying to do things too quickly,” Simarjeet, familiar to cricket-watchers for his time in Chennai Super Kings’ yellow, tells ESPNcricinfo. “I was also changing my plans constantly. I always used to think that my process must be perfect, but nothing in this world is perfect. [Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat] Cummins also told me the same thing, to focus on giving my best and not think about perfection. So now I focus more on how I can improve.”Except for a few stray games in the IPL where he did decently – 11 wickets in 14 games with a best of 3 for 26 and an overall economy rate of 10.00 – 27-year-old Simarjeet’s story has been one of struggle, even to make the Delhi team in the domestic circuit. In the last seven seasons, he has played only 15 first-class, 23 List A, and 39 T20 matches, in which he has taken 46, 23, and 44 wickets respectively.Related
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At the IPL, though, with the teams looking for Indian bowlers to fill their sides with, Simarjeet has been around, for three seasons now – 2022, 2024 and 2025 – first with Mumbai Indians, then with CSK, and most recently with SRH, where the interactions with Cummins happened.”It feels surreal just to think that you have played with a world-class bowler like Cummins. As a fast bowler, if your captain is also a fast bowler, then he not only backs you but also teaches you many things by giving you new ideas,” Simarjeet says. “Apart from that, Cummins is a big name and playing with him makes me feel very lucky.”Though I did not get too many chances there, and when I got them, I could not perform that well, I always thought about what new things I could do at training. I also used to ask [head coach Daniel] Vettori and [bowling coach James] Franklin how to improve myself. They talked about different bowling plans and stressed on how I could implement those plans better on the field. Even after the IPL, I am continuously working on them.”And [Mohammed] Shami did not just talk, he taught by showing us. He used to tell me ‘today we will focus on yorkers’, or sometimes slower bouncers, or some other variations. Then when I bowled, he himself used to stand there and tell me what I was doing right and what could be improved. Cummins also did the same. With both, there were continuous talks about action, speed, and other aspects of bowling.”Simarjeet Singh gets some assistance from MS Dhoni during his time with Chennai Super Kings•BCCIIt’s a career that has also been blighted by injury. He missed the entire 2022-23 domestic season and continued to struggle till IPL 2024.”I have had so many injuries that I don’t even remember how many,” he says. “I just remember that each time it was a different injury. I never really got injured while bowling. But sometimes it happened while batting during practice or while standing somewhere and a shot from another batter hit me. Sometimes it also happened that I slipped on the field and got a serious injury.”It was disappointing, and I was also losing opportunities, I was losing consistency. But what can you do? Sometimes, I just laughed thinking about my injuries. But after that, I became very disciplined and started following a regular routine, which had details like how much gym I had to do, when to run, how to bowl, everything. When you follow that, you get results.”It was at the Delhi Premier League recently that Simarjeet put all those lessons to good use, picking up 20 wickets (the joint-highest) in 11 matches and an economy rate of 10.00 with a best of 5 for 23 as his team Central Delhi Kings finished runners-up. Now he has one more shot to impress, if he gets the chance, in the first one-dayer for India A against Australia A, in the hope that he finds that elusive consistency to claw his way back up the ladder.
Bowlers let the team down last year but the likes of Harshal Patel and Chris Woakes have strengthened the attack
Ekanth17-Mar-2024Where Punjab Kings finished last seasonEighth, with six wins. They were tied with KKR on points, but had a lower NRR.Kings squad for IPL 2024Shikhar Dhawan (capt), Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Liam Livingstone, Atharva Taide, Harpreet Bhatia, Ashutosh Sharma, Shashank Singh, Rishi Dhawan, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Shivam Singh, Chris Woakes, Harshal Patel, Vishwanath Singh, Tanay Thyagarajan, Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Ellis, Arshdeep Singh, Vidwath Kaverappa, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Prince ChoudharyRelated
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Player availabilityKings have all their players available for the season. However, if they make the playoffs – and also the final, which is expected to be played on May 26 – they might be without Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran, who could be instead playing for England in a five-match T20I series against Pakistan at home, which begins on May 22.What’s new with Kings this year?Harshal Patel. He brings with him the ability to bowl in the middle overs and at the death. Capable of bowling 24 slower balls, he can vary his lengths depending on the pitch. Harshal strengthens the pace department that also has Kagiso Rabada, and the left-arm duo of Sam Curran and Arshdeep Singh.Rilee Rossouw and Chris Woakes are top-order and new-ball back-ups, respectively. Rossouw can be a dangerous batter across phases. Woakes, though, didn’t feature in the last three editions of the IPL, but has enough experience to make handy contributions with the ball and bat.Harshal Patel’s presence will be a huge boost for Kings in the bowling department•AFP/Getty ImagesThe good: Several all-round optionsKings have multiple bowling allrounders, like Curran, Rishi Dhawan and Sikandar Raza, who are strike bowlers and also lengthen the batting. It allows them to use an Impact Player as a bonus rather than as a necessity.They also have a well-rounded Indian bowling contingent. Arshdeep, Harshal and Rahul Chahar have experience, and offer variety in the attack. Harpreet Brar’s left-arm spin and Vidwath Kaverappa’s pace offer Kings a conditions-based selection call. So they can go into each game with six or seven bowling options.The bad: lack of Indian middle-order battersKings do not have a strong Indian core in the middle order. They let go of M Shahrukh Khan and brought in Shashank Singh, albeit with some confusion at the auction.Jitesh Sharma, who impressed as a finisher last year, will be key, but Kings might still be over-reliant on their experienced batters Dhawan, Bairstow and Livingstone to come good this season. Though Livingstone can clear boundaries at warp speed, he is coming off a poor SA20 campaign, where he scored just 109 runs in nine innings.Kings also have Raza in the squad, but might have a headache fitting him in the XI, with Curran, Livingstone and Bairstow being the first-choice overseas starters, along with Rabada. They will also hope Shikhar Dhawan stays fit and has a good season because their probable XII is thin on captaincy candidates.Schedule insightsKings will start their season on March 23 against Delhi Capitals with the comforts of home, albeit a new one – the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, which will host its first-ever IPL match. Two days later, they play Royal Challengers Bangalore in Bengaluru. That is followed by five-day gaps between both their games against Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans, both on the road.The big question
The left-arm seamer missed out at U-19 level in 2016, and then at senior level in 2021, but now he’s stronger than ever and raring to go
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Obed Mccoy: ‘Improved fitness has helped me be consistent’
The build-up to the second T20I in St Kitts was bizarre. The match, which was originally scheduled to start at 10.30am local time, eventually started at 1.30pm local time – around the time it was supposed to end – as the team kits and luggage arrived late from Trinidad.Once the action got underway, though, Obed McCoy turned up and ambushed Rohit Sharma, aka the master of the pull shot. The left-arm quick ran in hard from over the wicket, hit the pitch harder and got a back-of-a-length delivery to rear up and seam away outside off. Rohit was perhaps caught between pulling it and jabbing at it, but McCoy had so much going for him that he squared up the batter and snagged the outside edge near the shoulder of the bat. The ball ultimately landed in the hands of short third.Rohit, gone for a golden duck. In his next over, McCoy, generating speeds close to 150kph, surprised Suryakumar Yadav, too, and had him caught behind. India were 17 for 2 and suffocating.
****
McCoy had started his T20I career as a slower-ball specialist at the death after having done that job in the CPL. He was West Indies’ sixth bowler on T20I debut and bowled overs 13, 15 and the 20 against England in Basseterre, the same venue, where he picked up 6 for 17 to knock India out. At the CPL, McCoy had perfected the big, dipping back-of-the-hand slower variation. In a way, it’s the left-arm version of Dwayne Bravo’s calling card.”I’ve been bowling that slower ball from about 14-plus years,” McCoy had told in the lead-up to CPL 2021. “I’ve realised the game was changing and I was telling myself that pace don’t matter anymore, unless you mix it up and keep the batsmen thinking. And I’ve been working on that for a number of years and in CPL 2017, I was actually scared to bowl it because I hadn’t perfected it as yet. It was pretty difficult to bowl – the control was pretty hard at first. I used to drop half-pitch, on my toes, over the batsman’s head, off the pitch, but I just stuck with it. Once I master the slower ball, I would have to keep the same arm speed and same action and try not to change anything about it.”
I’ve realised the game was changing and I was telling myself that pace don’t matter anymoreObed McCoy
It was that back-of-the-hand slower ball that hoodwinked Australia when they had toured the Caribbean in 2021. Bravo was often at mid-on or mid-off, mentoring McCoy during that series. West Indies’ grand plan was to pair McCoy up with Bravo in the T20 World Cup that year in the UAE. Remember, how McCoy was originally picked in the main squad ahead of Jason Holder? But, a shin injury put him on the sidelines and limited his World Cup stint to just the opening game.This was history repeating itself. McCoy had been in contention for the 2016 Under-19 World Cup, which West Indies won, but a split webbing on his bowling hand days before the tournament ruled him out.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe 2021 injury also denied him the chance to play in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2021-22. So all that was left was the IPL. McCoy linked up with Rajasthan Royals, who managed him carefully and opted against rushing him back into action.”At RR we had a well-structured program, which helped Obed ,” AT Rajamani Prabhu, the strength and conditioning coach of the franchise who has also worked with R Ashwin as his personal trainer, tells ESPNcricinfo. “For specific strength training we had Steffan Jones, for bowling skill training there was [Lasith] Malinga sir and my role was to develop the general strength and endurance and recovery of the player. I think per day Obed used to do one session each with us. As a team, we decided that we had to reduce his load to the leg and overall workload since he is coming back from the leg injury.”Obed is generally a strong guy, normally all West Indians are. But our main goal, at the start of the season, was to make him available for all nets and training sessions and slowly build strength by reducing impact. We took a lot of care and I think in about four weeks he was on the field and ready for matches, bowling important overs for us. The more the bowlers bowl in matches, the better they get. Obed just got better and better.”Credit to Sanga [Kumar Sangakkara] sir and the management because we didn’t have soft-tissue injuries and those who came in with injuries like this improved after training.”Obed McCoy was part of a Rajasthan Royals team that went to the IPL final in 2021•BCCIHaving turned heads in the IPL, the Vitality T20 Blast for Sussex and more recently for West Indies, this is now . And, after bagging the best bowling figures by a West Indies player in T20Is, he attributed his recent success to his focus on fitness.”[Fitness has helped] a lot because it has helped me be consistent,” McCoy says. “I’ve been experienced in Indian conditions and England. Different batsmen play different shots and conditions have taught me that I’ve to be smarter and also have a clear head.”I’m proud because I’ve been putting in the hard work after having the injury for many months. That kind of made me depressed in a way. I wasn’t playing cricket and the hard work I’ve been putting in… that actually helped a lot. I just can’t really explain the feeling [of holding this record for West Indies]. All I can say is hard work pays off.”McCoy has done all of this while his mother is ailing. He even dedicated the record haul to his mother after beating India’s IPL superstars to square the series at the time. Rajamani, however, isn’t surprised by how McCoy has overcome setbacks – both on and off the field.”I used to sit in the back row of the [team] bus along with Obed and [Shimron] Hetmyer,” Rajamani says. “I don’t think many knew about him dealing with this problem [his mother’s illness] at the start. He is always calm and focused on his training, recovery and bowling. He was very open-minded and I think he was enjoying every moment with the team.”
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Had Sheldon Cottrell been fit, McCoy might not even have got the opportunity to bowl with the new ball in the ongoing T20I series against India. Having blown away India’s top order with pace and the middle order with the lack of pace, McCoy is now the front and centre of West Indies’ revamped attack. He is fitter, stronger and finally ready for a World Cup.
He has scored five centuries at No. 4 or lower since 2014 in his team’s successful chases
Bharath Seervi05-Feb-2020348 – The target successfully chased down by New Zealand, is their biggest ever in ODIs. Their previous biggest chase was a target of 347 against Australia, also at Seddon Park in Hamilton, in 2007. New Zealand’s previous best chase against India was 281 at the Wankhede Stadium in 2017 in which also Ross Taylor and Tom Latham were the stars in the chase.Ross Taylor has starred in New Zealand’s big chases in ODIs•ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 – Bigger successful chases against India than the 348 by New Zealand on Wednesday. Australia had chased down 359 in Mohali last year, which is the highest.5 – Number of times Taylor has scored a century in successful chases batting at No. 4 or lower since 2014. No other batsman has scored more than two centuries in successful chases at those positions in this period. Two of Taylor’s centuries have come against India and three against England. In three of the top-four chases for New Zealand, Taylor has scored hundreds. In the top-three successful chases for New Zealand against India, Taylor has scored two hundreds and a 95.10.48 – Run rate of the Taylor-Latham partnership for the fourth wicket – 138 runs in 79 balls. It is the second-quickest century partnership while chasing for the fourth wicket or lower in ODIs (where balls are known). The only quicker stand was of 120 off 55 balls at 13.09 between Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina against Sri Lanka in Hobart in 2012.369 – Runs scored by Nos. 4 and 5 in this match, the second-highest aggregate in any ODI. Shreyas Iyer (103) and KL Rahul (88*) from India and Taylor (109*) and Latham (69) were the Nos. 4 and 5. The third and fourth-wicket partnerships for both sides combined to 438 runs, which is the third-highest in any ODI. It was only the third instance of both the No. 4 batsmen scoring centuries in the same ODI.111 – Runs scored by New Zealand in a span of eight overs between the 34th and 41st overs, at a run rate of 13.88, which tilted the match towards them. Latham scored 54 off 24 and Taylor got 48 off 25 in that phase. Since 2001, where ball-by-ball information is available, only once a team has scored more runs in those overs – 115 by South Africa against Netherlands in the 2007 World Cup.84 – Runs conceded by Kuldeep Yadav in his 10 overs, his most expensive figures in ODIs. His previous most expensive figures were 75 against Australia in Indore in 2017.
India spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been named Tamil Nadu captain for the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, beginning November 26. Narayan Jagadeesan will be the vice-captain.Varun played a handy role in India’s recent T20I series win in Australia, taking five wickets across three completed matches. This will be his first captaincy stint at any level. He replaced M Shahrukh Khan in the role and was appointed ahead of R Sai Kishore and Jagadeesan, both of whom have prior captaincy experience.India left-arm seamer T Natarajan is also part of the squad, as is his fellow left-arm seamer Gurjapneet Singh. Two more left-armers, Sai Kishore and M Siddharth, will lead the spin attack.Tamil Nadu are having a modest run in the ongoing Ranji Trophy and are placed sixth in their group after two losses and two draws in four games.In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, they are in Elite Group D alongside Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Tripura, Jharkhand and Saurashtra. They will open their campaign against Rajasthan in Ahmedabad.
Tamil Nadu squad
Varun Chakravarthy (capt), Narayan Jagadeesan (vice-capt, wk), Tushar Raheja (wk), VP Amit Sathvik, M Shahrukh Khan, Andre Siddarth, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Shivam Singh, R Sai Kishore, M Siddharth, T Natarajan, Gurjapneet Singh, A Esakkimuthu, R Sonu Yadav, R Silambarasan, S Rithik Easwaran (wk)