دخل نادي برشلونة الإسباني فترة التوقف الدولي الحالية بنتائج مخيبة للآمال حيث تعرض لهزيمتين متتاليتين ضد باريس سان جيرمان وإشبيلية في دوري أبطال أوروبا والدوري الإسباني.
وكان أداء برشلونة الأكثر إثارة للقلق على الرغم من الهزيمة بهدفين لهدف ضد باريس سان جيرمان في دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وأبدى هانز فليك مدرب برشلونة بعض المخاوف بشأن المستوى البدني لبعض لاعبيه ويعمل على معالجة هذه المشكلة.
ووفقاً لصحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية فإنه من المرجح أن يبحث هانز فليك وبرشلونة عن صفقات في سوق الانتقالات الشتوية لتعزيز الفريق.
اقرأ أيضاً.. ديفيد فيا: لامين يامال سيرتجف إذا أدرك ما هو فيه
ويرغب فليك في الاجتماع مع ديكو المدير الرياضي لبرشلونة، لتحديد المركز الأكثر حاجة لتعزيزه سواء كان قلب دفاع أيسر أو مهاجم جديد.
ويثق هانز فليك مدرب برشلونة ثقة تامة في فريقه وأنه نفس الفريق الذي حقق الثلاثية الموسم الماضية، بعد ضم ثلاث صفقات جديدة ورحيل لاعب مهم مثل إينيجو مارتينيز.
وسيكون فليك منفتحاً على ضم لاعب رقم 9 جديد في حالة لم تحقق التجارب الهجومية النتائج المرجوة، كذلك أثر غياب الإسباني المخضرم مارتينيز على بناء ثنائي دفاعي ثابت هذا الموسم بسبب أنه قلب دفاع يساري ثابت ولذلك سيدفع البلوجرانا للبحث عن تدعيمات محتملة.
وكان برشلونة قد ارتبط في الأيام الماضية بضم ظاهرة مكسيكية يدعى جيلبرتو مورا، وقد وصل للنادي تقارير جيدة عن الموهبة الشابة والذي يعد أحد نجوم كأس العالم للشباب تحت 120 عاماً ويلعب بعمر الـ16 عاماً فقط.
Gerald Coetzee could be a doubt for the second Test against Sri Lanka after picking up a groin niggle during the first Test in Durban, which South Africa won by 233 runs on Saturday.Coetzee bowled in the morning session, beginning proceedings with Kagiso Rabada, but stopped after a three-over spell. His second spell of the morning was off just two overs, as Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal staged a spirited fightback for Sri Lanka after they had started the day five down and looking at a bigger defeat than they eventually suffered. Coetzee didn’t bowl again after that in the session, but did bowl three overs after lunch, sending back Chandimal caught and bowled.Shukri Conrad, the South Africa coach, said after the day’s play that Coetzee had spoken to him at lunch and told him he “felt a groin niggle”, and went back after the break “strapped up”. Coetzee, who picked up four wickets in Durban, will undergo scans tomorrow.That will be something fro South Africa to worry about ahead of the second Test, since Wiaan Mulder, the fast-bowling allrounder, is also injured – fractured right middle finger – and has already been ruled out of the second Test, to be played from December 5 in Gqeberha.”Not a big break between,” captain Temba Bavuma said in the presentation ceremony. “Wiaan is out of the series, we have to find a replacement. Gerald Coetzee, the medical team will have do to their best.”Two of South Africa’s three quicks that played the Durban Test – Rabada and Player-of-the-Match Marco Jansen – are fit for the second Test, and Dane Paterson is the other quick in the squad. South Africa might struggle to find another fast bowler to fit into the squad, though, with Nandre Burger out for the summer with a lower back stress fracture, and Lungi Ngidi out till January.Matthew Breetzke, the top-order batter, was named Mulder’s replacement earlier. “We will more than likely add another player to our group,” Conrad said.
Curran’s 86 counters Vaughan’s six wickets with Somerset 190 in front – for nine – in the second innings
ECB Reporters Network11-Sep-2024
Tom Curran cracked 86 off 75 balls to lift Surrey•Getty Images
Tom Curran launched an extraordinary assault on the Somerset bowlers as Surrey turned up the heat on the third day of the crucial Vitality County Championship match at Taunton.Making his first appearance in the competition for two years, the all-rounder smashed eight sixes and six fours in a game-changing innings of 86 from 75 balls, which rescued the Division One leaders from a perilous 228 for 8 in their first innings and allowed them to post 321 all out.Eighteen-year-old off-spinner Archie Vaughan finished with 6 for 102, while Jack Leach claimed 4 for 105. But Surrey had gained a slender advantage of four runs and soon built on it, reducing their opponents to 194 for 9 by stumps on a rain-interrupted afternoon, which saw Shakib Al Hasan take 4 for 83.Craig Overton was unbeaten on 40, having added 41 for the last wicket with a stricken Tom Banton (28 not out), batting heroically with a runner after suffering an ankle injury playing football in the warm-up for the day’s play.Only the most optimistic of Surrey fans could have expected a first innings lead when their team lost five wickets for 32 runs from a promising 196 for 3. Ryan Patel had added nine to his overnight score of 61 when top-edging a sweep off Leach to short third-man.Shakib made 12 before being caught and bowled by Leach off a leading edge. Then Vaughan added to his three second day victims by having Ben Foakes caught at short leg for 37 off 122 balls.It was 228 for 7 when Jordan Clark chipped a catch to the diving Tom Abell at mid-wicket off Vaughan, who struck again two balls later as Cameron Steel played down the wrong line and was bowled off stump.Surrey trailed by 89 runs. But Kemar Roach played a key role in contributing just five runs to a stand of 54 with Curran, who had begun his blitz with a six over long-on off Vaughan.Two more maximums off the same bowler followed by a four through the covers took Surrey to their first batting point and the all-rounder was far from finished. When Somerset skipper Lewis Gregory took the decision to remove Vaughan from the attack and introduce part-time spinner Lewis Goldsworthy, the left-armer’s only over went for 18 runs.The first ball was a full toss, dispatched over the mid-wicket boundary by Curran, who followed up with two straight sixes of the fourth and fifth deliveries. The story of the day was being transformed and by the time Roach was pinned lbw by Leach, Somerset’s lead was only 35.Still Curran ran riot, a six off Leach taking Surrey to a second batting point, celebrated by another six in the same over. A four off Vaughan gave the visitors the lead before the memorable exhibition ended with a skyed catch to long-on.Surrey team-mates gathered on their dressing room balcony to cheer Curran off the field, while Vaughan followed holding up the ball to acknowledge applause for his outstanding contribution to Somerset’s bowling. Lunch had been delayed and was taken between innings.Momentum was with Surrey and their bowlers soon increased it, reducing the hosts to 85 for five by the time rain forced an early tea. Vaughan was bowled playing around a delivery from Shakib and it was 12 for 2 when Goldsworthy suffered the same fate attempting to pull a short ball from Roach.Shakib claimed the key wicket of Tom Abell, lbw for 18 and, with Banton absent, Jordan Clark bowled Kasey Aldridge with his second ball of the innings before pinning Tom Lammonby LBW for 24.The final session, starting at 4.05pm, saw Gregory fall leg-before for 13, pushing forward to Shakib after a stand of 35 with Rew, whose composed innings of 29 ended when he edged the Bangladesh left-arm spinner to Dom Sibley at slip.Brett Randell fell cheaply and when Curran’s great day continued by having Leach caught behind for 13, Banton hobbled painfully and slowly to the crease with the total 153 for 9.Incredibly, with little or no foot movement, he struck four fours in helping Overton give Somerset genuine hope for the final day.
If there is one thing Arsenal need to add to the team this summer, it is goals.
The signings of Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arizabalaga and Christian Norgaard will undoubtedly improve the side, but to get to the next level, Mikel Arteta needs to reinforce his attack.
After all, the North Londoners have produced the best defence in the Premier League for two years on the bounce now, but still finished in a more distant second place last year.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetaduring a lap of appreciation after the match
Fortunately, after a couple of years in which they ignored it, the board do seem intent on bolstering the frontline this summer, with Viktor Gyokeres looking set to sign, and fresh links to someone who’d be unreal alongside him.
Arsenal target Gyokeres and world-class winger
Arsenal’s search for a new number nine has been one of the defining sagas of the summer so far, with Benjamin Sesko at one point looking like the man to lead the line for them next season.
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However, talks with RB Leipzig over the forward have practically come to a complete stop now, with it being reported that the German outfit wants around €100m for their young poacher, which is approximately £86m.
Instead, it is now Gyokeres who looks the most likely to be the Gunners’ new number nine, with him reportedly already agreeing to personal terms and even agreeing to give up €2m of his salary to help the talks progress.
While it hasn’t been confirmed yet, it does appear as if the final fee for the Swede will be around £70m, which is almost as much as the North Londoners might spend to secure his dream winger this summer: Rodrygo.
Yes, according to a recent report from The Athletic, Arsenal remain very interested in the Real Madrid star and have even held preliminary talks with his camp regarding a potential move.
The good news is that the Spanish giants are reportedly happy to let the Brazilian international leave this summer if the right offer comes in.
The bad news is that the right offer is likely to be in excess of 90m, which comes out to about £77m.
In all, signing Rodrygo this summer is going to be complicated and costly, but given his sensational ability, Arsenal should be doing all they can to make it happen, especially as he’d be a dream winger for Gyokeres.
Why Rodrygo would be the perfect winger for Gyokeres
The first and arguably the most crucial reason Rodrygo would be Gyokeres’ dream winger is that he’s a reliable source of goals and assists.
In fact, that undersells it somewhat, as even though Real have played him out of his preferred left-wing position over the last few seasons, the Brazilian has remained a seriously effective attacking outlet.
For example, since the start of the 23/24 campaign, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has scored 32 goals and provided 20 assists in 106 appearances, totalling 7229 minutes.
Appearances
52
55
Minutes
3777′
3452′
Goals
18
14
Assists
9
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.51
0.45
Minutes per Goal Involvement
139.88′
138.08′
That means the dynamic 33-capped international has averaged a goal involvement every 2.03 games, or every 139.01 minutes across two seasons, despite rarely starting in his actual position.
Furthermore, and this is the second reason the Swede will love playing with him, he’s someone who turns up in the big games, and rarely, if ever, gets overawed by the occasion.
For example, he has scored 25 goals in the Champions League, including eight game-winning goals and eight that have come in the knockout rounds.
This will be important to the Sporting star, as at 27 years old, he will not want to be playing alongside a ‘project’ winger or a prospect; he will want someone who can help him win major honours right away.
Finally, the former Coventry star is very much a penalty box poacher, as exemplified by his heatmap, so he’s going to need a winger who can get the ball to him in dangerous areas, either through passing or carrying, and fortunately, the former Santos gem excels at the former.
According to FBref, he ranks in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues and the Champions League for carries into the final third and pass completion, as well as the top 5% for progressive carrying distance and more, all per 90 minutes.
Ultimately, Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign Gyokeres and Rodrygo, as the Real Madrid star could help the Swede totally transform their attack and fire them to glory.
Bad news for Nwaneri: Arsenal set to submit bid to re-sign £60m "monster"
Ethan Nwaneri could suffer at Arsenal if the Gunners wrap up this £60m move.
يستعد منتخب مصر الثاني بقيادة حلمي طولان المدير الفني، لخوض أولى مبارياته الودية استعدادًا لبطولة كأس العرب في قطر، بمواجهة قوية أمام تونس.
ويستضيف منتخب مصر الثاني نظيره تونس، على أرضية ملعب هيئة قناة السويس في الإسماعيلية، في المباراة الودية.
ويشارك منتخب مصر في بطولة كأس العرب المقامة في قطر، في نسختها الثانية، التي تبدأ في 1 ديسمبر المقبل، وتختتم بالنهائي يوم 18 من الشهر ذاته.
طالع أيضاً.. فيديو | منتخب مصر على أعتاب كأس العالم 2026 بثنائية صلاح ومرموش أمام إثيوبيا
ومن المقرر أن يلعب المنتخب المصري مباراتين وديتين أمام تونس، اليوم موعدًا للمباراة الأولى، و9 سبتمبر موعدًا للثانية.
ويخوض منتخب مصر المباراة تحت بقيادة حلمي طولان مديرًا فنيًا ومعه أحمد حسن مديرًا للمنتخب وعصام الحضري مدربًا للحراس، بقرار من اتحاد الكرة المصري، بعد رفض حسام حسن المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر خوض البطولة في وقت الاستعداد لـ كأس أمم إفريقيا بالمغرب. موعد مباراة مصر وتونس الودية اليوم
من المقرر أن تُقام المباراة اليوم السبت في تمام الساعة الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة مصر وتونس اليوم
من المنتظر أن تُذاع المباراة عبر قناة “أون سبورت 1”.
ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.
Everton are in the market for a forward this summer and could now be narrowing down their options to replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin when he leaves the club, according to a report.
The Toffees are settling into life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but there is still a question mark hanging over whether a couple of their established stars will be at the club beyond this summer.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out of contract at Everton and looks poised to leave the club despite the offer of a new deal being on the table, which could spell the end to his long-standing status as their number one striker.
Everton's DominicCalvert-Lewinin action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha
71 goals in 273 matches is a respectable record considering the Toffees’ close brushes with relegation over the past few years, with the Three Lions international becoming a reliable focal point due to his hold-up play and instinctual nature.
However, injury struggles and a stalemate in negotiations over Calvert-Lewin’s wages have made him a prime candidate to move on unless an immediate agreement can be found.
In turn, David Moyes has begun his search for a new striker to fill the void, and Villarreal forward Thierno Barry could join Everton for £34 million amid reports they are ready to meet his release clause.
Everton plotting last-gasp move to hijack free signing of Argentina international
The Toffees could steal in ahead of Crystal Palace.
ByTom Cunningham Jun 13, 2025
Rangers striker Hamza Igamane is also on the Toffees’ radar, albeit West Ham United, Brentford, Lens, RC Strasbourg, Lille, and Stade Rennais are also tracking him.
Competition will be high for targets on the market this summer, meaning Everton need to harness their appeal in light of a new dawn for the blue half of Merseyside.
Scouring the market, they have now found a Premier League striker who could be available to make a switch that would create nationwide headlines.
Everton enter the conversation for Brighton & Hove Albion forward Evan Ferguson
According to The Irish Times, Everton are interested in Brighton & Hove Albion forward Evan Ferguson and he may be allowed to leave the South Coast on a permanent deal this summer.
Once valued at around £55 million, an unfortunate period of injury has seen the Republic of Ireland striker’s stock fall; however, he is still only 20 years of age and remains highly regarded among his peers.
Evan Ferguson’s Premier League record – could Everton reignite his fortunes?
Appearances
68
Goals
13
Assists
3
Labelled an “amazing player” by Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, he was most recently on loan at West Ham United and failed to register a goal in eight appearances.
Nevertheless, he was found on the periphery in East London, so it is hard to judge his impact based on the fact that he only completed 151 minutes of football under Graham Potter.
Continuous game time is critical for Ferguson to find his mojo again, and Everton could be the perfect environment in light of their need for depth in the forward areas.
In what would be a statement move in his first few months in the job, Arsenal’s new sporting director Andrea Berta has now reportedly made an approach to sign a top Manchester United target.
All eyes on PSG for Arsenal
With the Premier League title race over and Liverpool confirmed as champions, Arsenal have all of their focus on the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain next Wednesday. Heading to France with a 1-0 deficit to overturn courtesy of Ousmane Dembele’s early strike last time out, the Gunners have it all to do.
Bournemouth’s trip to The Emirates this weekend should simply be seen as the chance for Mikel Arteta to rest key men. In a season full of injuries, the Spaniard must take control of the narrative and avoid what would be the most frustrating absences heading into Wednesday.
The Arsenal boss rallied his troops after their disappointing 1-0 defeat against PSG on Tuesday, telling reporters: “It’s half-time. I said exactly the same message after we beat Real Madrid 3-0 [in the quarter-final first leg at the Emirates]. Go to Paris, win the game, and we are through.
“That’s what we have to do. We saw two teams that are very aggressive, intense, not a lot of margins. Their keeper made two saves that normally are goals and those are the margins you have in these games.”
Mega Kiwior upgrade: Arsenal initiate talks for "superb" £34m monster
The experienced international could be just what Arsenal need.
ByJack Salveson Holmes May 2, 2025
After frustration in the title race, Arsenal will be desperate to avoid even more heartbreak on the European stage. There’s no doubt that winning the Champions League would have a major impact on Arteta’s project on and off the pitch too, especially when chasing summer transfer targets.
Berta makes Arsenal approach to sign Trincao
Instantly ruffling a few feathers, Berta has reportedly set his sights on a top Manchester United target. According to Record in Portugal, Berta has now made an approach to sign Francisco Trincao from Sporting CP this summer and has already had scouts in place to take note of his impressive campaign.
The winger, who is represented by the same agency as United stars Manuel Ugarte and Leny Yoro, has been reborn in Portugal following a failed spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Now, four years on from leaving the Premier League and failing to make his loan move permanent, Trincao could be back with a vengeance courtesy of Arsenal.
By signing the winger, Arsenal would also solve a major problem of theirs by welcoming an added creative spark and someone who would provide instant backup for Bukayo Saka.
Starts
31
17
Goals
8
6
Assists
14
10
Key Passes per 90
2.42
3.02
Described as “terrific” by U23 scout Antonio Mango in 2022, Trinaco has only reached new levels ever since and his eye for an assist is particularly impressive. As Martin Odegaard’s numbers continue to fall too, it’s the type of passing ability that Arteta arguably needs at his disposal more than ever at Arsenal.
Liverpool are interested in completing the signing of a “really fantastic” Premier League midfielder this summer, according a new transfer report.
Liverpool's midfield in need of defensive nous
Arne Slot’s side may have stumbled of late, including losing 3-2 away to Fulham on Sunday afternoon, but they are still in a wonderful position to win their second Premier League title.
Liverpool have excelled in midfield throughout the season, with Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai making up Slot’s go-to trio in the middle of the park. Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott have also been good options, but there is still a feeling that one more signing is needed there this summer.
Atalanta ace Ederson has been linked with a move to Anfield in the summer transfer window, with the Brazilian potentially exactly what the Reds need. His tenacity in front of the midfield could add more balance to the team, as well as allowing more rotation and increasing the competition for minutes.
VfB Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller has been mentioned as an option for Liverpool in recent months, too, with the 24-year-old registering five assists in the Bundesliga so far this season, also winning three Man of the Match awards from WhoScored.
Liverpool eyeing move for Premier League midfielder
According to a new report from Caught Offside, Aston Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara is a target for Liverpool this summer, with Chelsea and Arsenal in the race to snap him up, too.
In fact, the Reds are “actively monitoring” the 25-year-old, with Inter Milan another team who are mentioned as potential suitors. As much as £51m could be required to prise him away from Villa Park.
Kamara could be absolutely ideal for Liverpool this summer, adding the defensive quality and energy that Slot wants alongside the guile of the likes of Mac Allister and Gravenberch in the middle of the park.
Appearances
19
31
Starts
14
31
Minutes played
1200
2658
Goals
0
0
Assists
0
3
Tackles per game
2.3
1.8
Clearances per game
2.1
1.6
Pass completion rate
89.1%
89.4%
The Frenchman has averaged 2.3 tackles per game in the Premier League this season, which is superior to Gravenberch’s tally of 1.8, and Villa manager Unai Emery is a big admirer.
“He has talent, but he works and he helps the other players on the field, he provides the cover and he has such versatility. He has played as a centre-back, a midfielder, a right-back, and he is always ready to do it, always focused on his new task. He is really fantastic and I appreciate this versatility a lot, and how he is showing us that his mind is open to everything we are trying to do.”
Not just Robertson: FSG must now sell "world-class" Liverpool star
Liverpool’s 26-game unbeaten run in the Premier League was ended on an error-strewn afternoon at Craven Cottage.
ByAngus Sinclair Apr 7, 2025
Kamara isn’t out of contract at Villa until 2027, so Liverpool may not find it easy to sign him, but the five-cap France international stands out as a great option, especially as he has already proven himself in England, making 63 appearances in the Premier League.
Where once greatness was expected, now only meaningful contributions are required, and Kusal Mendis is playing match-winning innings while also impressing with the gloves
Andrew Fidel Fernando19-Sep-20252:22
Maharoof: Mendis a nightmare for spinners once he gets going
“The prince”, “next great Sri Lankan batter”, “boy wonder” are some descriptions that have been assigned to Kusal Mendis. “Spoilt”, “useless”, “soft”, “touchy” are some others. Although at home he is a polarising cricketer, outside Sri Lanka, he is a pretty inoffensive presence – one of those South Asian wicketkeepers who doesn’t feel especially comfortable sledging in English, so there are no viral clips.And yet, few Sri Lankan cricketers have got into as many arguments with fans at the edge of the boundary as Mendis. When Sri Lanka were on one of their huge losing streaks in the late 2010s or early 2020s, Mendis was one of the guys to blame. Not taking sufficient responsibility was one accusation. Caring too much about social-media likes was another. People would say things like this to his face, and Mendis would respond just as quickly.But he is 30 now, and has, in his own way, carved out a place. He was a specialist batter for Sri Lanka when he started out, but had kept wicket at the age-group levels. Long after it became clear he was not about to be the saviour of Sri Lankan batting, choices were reassessed, expectations were toned down, and goals have been reset.Related
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka to kick off Super Four stage
Kusal Mendis, Nuwan Thushara knock Afghanistan out
He is now one of the few players that appears across formats for Sri Lanka. What is key to this deal is that he must keep wicket, and do it well. At international level, Mendis has been crushing it.Even just in this Asia Cup, he’s made his presence felt behind the stumps. Against Hong Kong – the opponents that tested Sri Lanka most in the group stage – he stuck pads out to stop extras, scrambled stumpings off bad ricochets, and took a high catch. The entire vibe of this team is that now, you find ways to make yourself useful. Nine years after he appeared in international cricket, perhaps Mendis has found his pocket.He is, as Afghanistan found out, brutal on errors of length, a master of varieties of the sweep, and an excellent manipulator in the middle overs. If there is a ball that can possibly be hit square of the wicket, Mendis tends to oblige. He also tends to far prefer spin. By necessity, he has now become a white-ball opener. But he’s always looked most comfortable when playing the sweep as often as possible.”We knew today they’d bowl a lot of spin,” Mendis said after the Afghanistan game. “What me and Kusal Perera talked about was to bat normally until the 12th over. But almost automatically, we were able to make eight or nine runs per over. That made things easier for us.”Even when Charith Asalanka came to bat, we were waiting for those seam-bowling overs, so we can score some runs off that.”If there is a ball that can possibly be hit square of the wicket, Kusal Mendis tends to oblige•Associated PressAlthough Asalanka faced zero seam-bowling deliveries through the course of his stay, Mendis’ theory held true – Afghanistan’s seamers are easier to get away with the older ball than their spinners. It was Kamindu Mendis, in the end, who helped Mendis take Fazalhaq Farooqi down. By that stage, there had been 12 successive overs of spin, through which Mendis’ sweeps, cuts, swivel-pulls and nudges had helped Sri Lanka stay in touch with the required rate.Then a 15-run over off Farooqi sealed the result. Mendis hit the winning runs, deservedly, crashing Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman through midwicket.Where once greatness was expected, now only meaningful contributions to the team are required. Mendis has had to reassess his role several times in his career. But he is now Sri Lanka’s wicketkeeper-batter across formats. And he is playing match-winning innings, while also impressing with the gloves.Sometimes all it takes is finding your niche.
Plight of teams like New Zealand, Australia and Sri Lanka throws spotlight on restrictions
Matt Roller02-Nov-20232:07
Have New Zealand been unlucky?
Picture the scene: two of France’s centre-backs have gone down with niggles, so a third is summoned halfway across the world 48 hours before a vital FIFA World Cup match. “We couldn’t risk being a defender down for Saturday,” explains Didier Deschamps, their manager, while awaiting scan results for his first-choice pairing.The idea seems anachronistic, not least in a sport that allows squads of up to 26 players at its World Cup. Yet it is exactly the situation facing New Zealand at the Cricket World Cup after Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry’s injuries left them with no choice but to fly Kyle Jamieson to Bengaluru as cover for Saturday’s game against Pakistan.Cricket is not football, and the existence of substitutions clearly demands a bigger squad in one than the other. But with several teams in India experiencing an availability crisis – Australia are picking from a squad of 13 against England on Saturday – it is time for the ICC to discuss the 15-man limit on squads at world events.Related
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Maxwell to miss England match after suffering concussion in golf accident
Matt Henry joins New Zealand's mounting injury list; Jamieson called in as cover
The issue was not raised internally at the ICC in the build-up to the World Cup but teams can propose a change via the men’s cricket committee – which incidentally, Gary Stead, New Zealand’s coach, sits on – or the chief executives’ committee. It is time they do so, because the current level is needlessly strict.New Zealand have been affected worse than most teams by injuries and left themselves open to the possibility of an availability crisis when they retained Kane Williamson in their squad despite his fractured thumb. But their scramble to find 11 fit players is a direct function of the tight cap on squad numbers.”15 men is not enough,” Steve Harmison said on ESPNcricinfo’s Matchday show. “There’s a lot of teams now having injuries at this time – and they’re all muscle injuries. There’s a lot of muscle injuries because you play, you travel, you play… it’s not easy getting around India for nine games in this space of time.”The overall impact is to damage the quality of the game: players are selected even if they are not fully fit due to the lack of viable alternatives, and teams are forced to rebalance their sides in the event of injury, even if they may not want to. It is a situation that suits nobody.Kane Williamson fractured his thumb against Bangladesh•ICC/GettyThere is a skill in selecting a squad versatile enough to overcome multiple injuries – but players can become unavailable at any time for any reason, as Australia’s absentees this week have shown: if Glenn Maxwell’s freak concussion was avoidable, then Mitchell Marsh’s return home for family reasons was clearly not.Another drawback is that selecting first-choice players who are carrying injuries – as Australia and New Zealand did with Travis Head and Williamson – becomes much more of a gamble than it should be. If the aim is to ensure the best players are involved, an extra two or three spots in a squad would help achieve that.The principal argument against bigger squads is financial. Under current regulations, the ICC funds travel, accommodation and expenses for 15 squad members and eight support staff, with teams left to foot the bill in the event that they wish to bring travelling reserves or additional staff – as many do.For most boards, the additional expenditure is nothing more than a rounding error on their balance sheet, but consider the Netherlands. Their travelling reserves, Noah Croes and Kyle Klein, have flown economy class and shared twin rooms throughout the World Cup, at a combined expense of around €22,000 across six weeks; according to the KNCB, that is more than the total cost of a short ‘A’ team tour to England.In theory, smaller squads should help competitive balance, denying the best teams the opportunity to use their depth. In practice, smaller teams are affected just as badly: Sri Lanka have carried – and paid for – travelling reserves, and have used more players in the tournament than anyone else.The 15-man cap has been constant since the 1999 World Cup despite fundamental changes to the sport and the format. There has been a marked shift in the physical demands on players, the athleticism that 50-over cricket requires and the tournament lasts significantly longer.There is also scope for more flexibility within a seven-week tournament for players to come in and out of squads. If the ICC insist on keeping the cap at 15, there should be reasonable scope for teams to replace players for a set period: if Henry is ruled out for the next week, why shouldn’t Jamieson be able to join the squad as cover for two games?At one stage of their defeat to South Africa on Wednesday, New Zealand only had 11 players fit enough to field; the same could be true for them against Pakistan this weekend. Their plight should be enough to prompt change.