All posts by h79snht.top

Australia’s captain took some frustration out with the bat as her team cantered to victory

Valkerie Baynes01-Aug-2022

“Are you going to have nightma…””Yep!”The question wasn’t even fully formed and Meg Lanning had given her answer. No, she would not be sleeping well after dropping the catch that would have handed legspinner Alana King a hat-trick, just the second for her country in women’s T20Is.In fairness, Lanning, the Australia captain, was as good-natured as anyone could possibly be about the situation, from burying her face in the Edgbaston turf right there at slip where if you gave her 99 similar chances she’d take them, to wincing in the background as reporters quizzed King a couple of metres away afterwards about the incident and then fronting up to the same journalists, knowing full well what was coming.”I’ll have nightmares,” Lanning said. “I wanted to dig a hole and jump in it as quick as I could. I tried my best and I dropped it.”Softening the blow somewhat was the fact that Australia had one foot in the Commonwealth Games semi-finals with Barbados 53 for 8 at that point. Barbados managed just 64 before being bowled out. Then Australia, led by Lanning’s unbeaten 21-ball 36, overhauled the target with 71 balls to spare and sealed a place in the knockout stages with one group game to go.Asked if her innings was a response to her faux pas in the field, Lanning said: “I wasn’t overly pleased, let’s put it that way. I was just disappointed for Kingy. She was bowling so well and to let her down like that was not ideal. But that’s cricket, I guess.”I was just keen to contribute really. I was just pouncing on some loose balls when I got them and giving myself a chance and it felt like I was able to do that.”Deandra Dottin conceded 25 runs off her first over, the last of the powerplay, all to Lanning and extras as Australia, via their captain, accelerated after a watchful start on a slow, hybrid pitch staging its sixth match in three days. From that point, Alyssa Healy joined the fray also, moving from four runs off 14 balls to 23 not out off 24 as Australia eased to victory.For her part, King was understanding.”That’s cricket, right? No one means to drop a ball or anything,” King said. “It’s just the way the game goes, but I’m just happy that I could contribute in any way I can.”Every ball I bowl, I’m trying to get a wicket so that was no different but it caught the outside edge and yeah, that’s just cricket, I guess. But I’m just really happy with how I played today.”I felt that there was definitely a bit more bite in the wicket today. It is the sixth game on it so it’s a bit tired, a bit slow, which works into our hands a little bit.”King entered the attack in the eighth over after Lanning had won the toss and sent in Barbados, who lost captain Hayley Matthews early for what turned out to be their top score, on 18.King struck with her second ball, brushing the outside of Dottin’s front pad in line with middle stump as she knelt down to tuck the ball to fine leg, having faced 22 balls for her eight runs.After Tahlia McGrath claimed the first of her three wickets when she had Kycia Knight caught by Megan Schutt at deep backward square and Ashleigh Gardner bowled a tight spell, including a double-wicket maiden to remove Kyshona Knight and Trishnan Holder, King roared back into action.At the end of her second over, King dismissed Aaliyah Alleyne playing across a ball that pegged back leg stump. Then, with the third ball of her third over, King pinned Shakera Selman lbw and then struck Shamilia Connell on the back leg next ball. What followed as Keila Elliott’s edge somehow popped out of Lanning’s hands at first slip was the stuff of bad dreams. Fortunately for Australia, it was all right on the night.

أشاد سيد عبد الحفيظ مدير الكرة السابق بالنادي الأهلي، بالأداء الرائع الذي يقدمه فريق النك الأهلي، وذلك بعد الفوز الذي حققه اليوم على بيراميدز برباعية مقابل هدفين ببطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

والتقي البنك الأهلي مع بيراميدز على أرضية استاد القاهرة الدولي، في الجولة الخامسة من المرحلة النهائية للدوري.

وقال سيد عبد الحفيظ في تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “بعد مباراة الأهلي وبيراميدز، قلت إن السماوي بعيد، واضح أن نهائي إفريقيا أخذ من تركيزه كثيرًا، وسأظل أكرر، الفرق التي تفتقد الجماهير سهل أن تعاني، وبيراميدز بالفعل يعاني حاليًا”.

طالع أيضاً.. فيديو | مصر تهزم تنزانيا وتتأهل إلى ربع نهائي كأس أمم إفريقيا للشباب

وتابع: “البنك الأهلي فريق محترم يستحق ترتيب أفضل في الدوري، فازوا على سيراميكا كليوباترا وتعادلوا مع الزمالك وفازوا على بيراميدز والمباراة القادمة أمام الأهلي”.

وأضاف: “أما بيراميدز تعادل مع الأهلي وخسر من حرس الحدود والبنك الأهلي وفاركو، الزمالك فاز على حرس الحدود ولم يلعب مباراة الأهلي، وتعادل مع البنك الأهلي وخسر من المصري، وسيواجه بيراميدز في المباراة القادمة”.

وأفاد: “عماد النحاس يؤدي عملًا رائعًا، ولكن البنك الأهلي يستحق الإشادة والتقدير”.

وأكمل: “هذه الأجواء أكدت لي أن هناك عقول ُتفكر بطريقة أن عوامل خارجية تساعد في حسم الدوري، رغم أنهم يبتعدون عن الواقع، بيراميدز كان متصدرًا ثم تراجع، والبيانات التي يُصدرها تؤكد الفكرة، والزمالك نفس الأمر، كان يظهر ذلك من خلال بياناته، لكن الأهلي فعل العكس تمامًا وفكر بشكل احترافي، وركز في المباريات المتبقية له وتصدر الدوري الآن، الناس سفكرون في العوامل الخارجية ويبتعدون عن الواقع”.

واستكمل: “لا أعرف ماذا ستفاجئنا لجنة التظلمات يوم 15، لكن أؤكد أن الأهلي عليه التركيز في الثلاث مباريات المتبقية في المسابقة”.

وواصل: “رأيي الشخصي، لو عماد النحاس أخذ الدوري المصري يجب أن نعطي له الفرصة، مع استقرار النادي والدفعة المعنوية والاستقرار المالي، رغم أن إن الأهلي العام القادم سيكون فريقًا جبارًا، كما أنه من أبناء النادي”.

وأتم: “لو الأهلي فاز ببطولة الدوري أرجح أن يستمر في قيادة الفريق، لكن لو أجنبي، أظن أن جوميز سيكون مناسب لأنه يعرف الأجواء”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Para garantir a classificação às oitavas de final da Copa Libertadores, o Flamengo enfrenta a Universidad Católica (CHI) nesta terça-feira, às 21h30, no Maracanã. Invicto e líder do Grupo H após quatro rodadas, o Rubro-Negro chega para a partida com três jogadores pendurados com dois cartões amarelos: João Gomes, Willian Arão e Thiago Maia.

+Vidal e esposa se declaram ao Flamengo: listamos 15 “cavadas” que já aconteceram no futebol

RelacionadasFlamengoFlamengo x Universidad Católica: prováveis times, desfalques e onde assistirFlamengo16/05/2022FlamengoFlamengo x Universidad Católica (CHI): jogo pela Libertadores tem 40 mil ingressos vendidosFlamengo06/05/2022FlamengoLibertadores: Flamengo conta com trunfo para encarar pressão em partida contra a Universidad CatólicaFlamengo16/05/2022

E MAIS: Veja a classificação do grupo do Flamengo na Libertadores!

João Gomes e Willian Arão estão entre os mais utilizados por Paulo Sousa e devem iniciar a partida contra a Universidad Católica. Thiago Maia volta a ficar à disposição do técnico após desfalcar o time contra o Ceará. Caso sejam advertidos nesta terça, ficarão de fora da rodada final do Grupo H, contra o Sporting Cristal, no dia 24, no Maracanã.

Na Libertadores, os cartões são zerados ao final da fase de grupos. Contudo, caso algum atleta seja expulso ou receba o terceiro cartão amarelo na última rodada, cumpre suspensão na partida de ida das oitavas de final.

Fulham have now submitted an offer to sign a 53-cap international defender on a loan deal with an obligation to buy, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Cottagers pushing for the top six

Goals from Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz completed a second-half turnaround for the Cottagers at St. James’ Park on Saturday, propelling them up to ninth in the Premier League table.

After the impressive victory over Newcastle United, Marco Silva’s side are now knocking on the door of the European places, just four points behind rivals Chelsea, who currently occupy sixth place.

It has been a quiet January transfer window for the west Londoners, however, and Silva may feel some new additions are needed before tomorrow’s deadline if his side’s European dreams are to become a reality.

Related Fulham working on late double deal after submitting offer for "Mitro-regen"

The Cottagers have left it late…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Jan 29, 2025

Earlier this week, it was reported Fulham were pursuing two forwards, in the form of St. Johnstone’s Brodie Dair and Partisan Belgrade’s Dusan Jovanovic, with an offer for the former being accepted by the Scottish club.

Now, it appears as though the Cottagers are also keen to strengthen their backline, with Romano revealing they have submitted a loan bid for AS Roma’s Zeki Celik, which includes an obligation to buy clause.

The Italian side are now said to be evaluating the offer for Celik, with Claudio Ranieri yet to give the green light, and talks are set to continue before the transfer deadline.

Fulham’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Nottingham Forest (h)

February 15th

Crystal Palace (h)

February 22nd

Wolverhampton Wanderers (a)

February 25th

Brighton & Hove Albion (a)

March 8th

Tottenham Hotspur (h)

March 16th

A report from Gianluca Di Marzio makes it clear Roma want to get the right-back off the books permanently, having brought in former Ajax captain Devyne Rensch this month, so a loan deal which includes an obligation to buy could be appealing.

Kenny Tete replacement needed at Craven Cottage

With Kenny Tete set to be sidelined for a considerable period of time due to a knee injury, Silva could do with more options at right-back, so it makes sense to pursue a deal for the Roma right-back before the window slams shut.

The Turk is highly experienced at international level, having amassed 53 caps for his country, and he has received consistent game time in all competitions for his current employers this season, including seven outings in the Europa League.

Castagne has by and large been solid at right-back in Tete’s absence, so it may be difficult for Celik to force his way into the starting XI immediately, but it is certainly good news that Silva is looking to bring in additional depth in defence.

Goals from Jimenez and Muniz to secure the win at St. James’ Park on Saturday underlined the fact that Silva’s side are well-stocked in attack, with the former now on nine Premier League goals this term, so a new right-back appears to be the priority target.

تعادل منتخب نيجيريا أمام مصر، في المباراة المقامة بينهما اليوم الأحد، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا للشباب المقامة في مصر.

ويتواجه منتخب مصر مع نيجيريا، في مباراة تحديد المركزين الثالث والرابع ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا تحت 20 عامًا.

وسجل لمنتخب نيجيريا، لاعبه بيديمي أمولي، في الدقيقة 47 من زمن المباراة.

وكان منتخب مصر، تقدم عن طريق اللاعب عمر أسامة، في الدقيقة الثالثة من عمر الشوط الأول للمباراة.

وكان منتخب مصر فشل في التأهل إلى المباراة النهائية لبطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا، بالخسارة أمام المغرب، بهدف دون رد.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians demonstrou apoio a Robson Bambu após o arquivamento da acusação de estupro contra o zagueiro. O clube se manifestou no Twitter, dando respaldo ao defensor, que pouco antes já tinha se manifestado, agradecendo “a quem esperou o desfecho do inquérito e acreditou na Justiça, sem julgamentos precipitados”.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansRobson Bambu, do Corinthians, se manifesta após suposto caso de estupro ser arquivadoCorinthians19/05/2022CorinthiansDu Queiroz evolui com Vítor Pereira, sobrevive a rodízio e se torna fundamental no CorinthiansCorinthians19/05/2022CorinthiansCorinthians passa nos testes fora de casa e inicia sequência na Arena para embalar na temporadaCorinthians18/05/2022

> GALERIA – Relembre a sequência invicta do Corinthians contra o São Paulo na Neo Química Arena

-É isso Robson, o Corinthians jamais assumirá a função que cabe apenas a juízes. Nosso papel será sempre o de: 1. respeitar a denúncia; 2. apoiar a colaboração do atleta com as investigações; 3. acompanhar o caso e confiar na decisão soberana da Justiça. A juíza aceitou o arquivamento. Então seguimos juntos e fortes no nosso trabalho – escreveu o Timão respondendo à postagem do defensor nas redes sociais.

O defensor do clube alvinegro e o seu amigo Wellington Ferreira Barros, conhecido como Pezinho, eram acusados de estupro de vulnerável.

Na quarta-feira (18), a juíza Paloma Moreira de Assis Carvalho, do Foro Central Criminal da Barra Funda do Tribunal de Justiça de São Paulo, acatou o pedido de arquivamento feito pelo Ministério Público, encerrando o caso.

Robson Bambu tem trabalhado normalmente com o resto do elenco alvinegro. Ele foi titular no empate por 1 a 1 com o Boca Juniors, na Bombonera, pela Libertadores.

TABELA – Confira e simule os jogos do Timão no Brasileirão

Sobre o caso

No dia 3 de fevereiro, a ocorrência que associava Robson Bambu ao crime de estupro foi apresentada por uma mulher de 25 anos, que se apresentava como a vítima.

De acordo com a denunciante, ela estava em uma casa noturna, no bairro do Tatuapé, na Zona Leste de São Paulo, com uma amiga, e lá conheceu Robson e um amigo do jogador, cujo o apelido é Pezinho.

Ambas, então, foram para um hotel com a dupla, a suposta vítima com Pezinho, e a amiga dela com Bambu. No local, todos admitiram inicialmente que mantiveram relações sexual de forma consensual. Porém, a suposta vitima mudou a sua versão posteriormente, dizendo que estava inconsciente no momento do ato.

A mulher foi submetida a um exame toxicológico que não apontou substâncias alcoólicas, ainda que ela tenha admitido a ingestão de alguns copos de vodca. O que foi encontrado foi o registro de canabidiol, principal elemento da maconha. A denunciante disse que fumou um vaper (espécie de cigarro eletrônico), mas não sabia se nele havia a droga.

As divergências principais no depoimento, no entanto, apareceram na manhã seguinte do suposto crime, quando a suposta vítima afirmou acordar com Robson sobre ela, introduzindo a mão nas partes íntimas dela. Ainda segundo a versão da mulher, Pezinho estava no mesmo local e via tudo com consentimento.

Robson, contudo, nega que isso tenha acontecido. Segundo o jogador, o grupo chegou ao hotel por volta das 6h30, foram para os quartos separados e, por volta 10h30, acordaram, porque Bambu precisaria visitar alguns apartamentos.

Após duas tentativas de ligação para o quarto de Pezinho e a suposta vítima, que, de acordo com o zagueiro corintiano, não foram atendidas, ele foi até o cômodo. De acordo com Bambu, a mulher estava deitada e se irritou ao saber que já era perto das 11h, pois ela tinha um compromisso comercial e havia perdido o horário.

Contudo, de acordo com o Bambu, a confusão começou minutos depois, no quarto do jogador, quando a suposta vitima se exaltou, queria jogar água na amiga para acordar e foi impedida.

No depoimento, Pelezinho, amigo de Robson, admitiu que ofereceu ajuda à denunciante, por conta do valor do dia de trabalho perdido, mas que ela teria dito para ele que gostaria de uma boa quantia de dinheiro.

O caso, então, foi levado à Justiça pela mulher. No dia 16 de maio, o Ministério Público solicitou o arquivamento do inquérito. O promotor do caso, Márcio Takeshi Nakada, justificou o pedido de arquivamento afirmando que não houve indícios suficientes nem justa causa para a deflagração de ação penal contra o atleta e seu amigo.

A juíza Paloma Moreira de Assis Carvalho, do Foro Central Criminal da Barra Funda do Tribunal de Justiça de São Paulo, acatou a decisão do MP, encerrando o caso.

Robson Bambu segue treinando e sendo relacionado para partidas normalmente. Até aqui, o jogador tem cinco jogos disputados pelo Timão.

Consultation document distributed to counties with view to voting in changes next month

Matt Roller26-Aug-2022

A revamped 50-over competition and a smaller top division of the County Championship are among the key recommendations made by Andrew Strauss’ high-performance review into English men’s cricket.The review, launched in response to England’s 4-0 defeat in the 2021-22 Ashes series in Australia, has reached its “consultation stage” which will see the panel’s findings discussed by the PCA, county chief executives, chairs and directors of cricket over the next week, before final proposals are issued to counties on September 9.County chairs will then meet at Lord’s on September 20 to vote on proposals, with a two-thirds majority required to implement any changes.Related

Cricket is changing, but not for the worse

Keaton Jennings argues against reduction in number of County Championship fixtures

Richard Thompson pledges to resolve 'worst game of Jenga' in focus on County schedule

Strauss says ECB to launch high-performance review of English game

Brailsford joins ECB high-performance review as Andrew Strauss targets five-year plan

The Royal London Cup, the men’s domestic 50-over competition, has been played in tandem with the Hundred for the last two seasons and has been shorn of the country’s leading white-ball players as a result. The situation saw two players – Jake Lintott and Will Smeed – make their List A debuts while playing for England Lions last month.The Championship has featured a ten-team top division this season, with each county playing 14 games each. As a result, there is an uneven fixture list in which teams play some teams once and others twice, reducing the competition’s integrity. Increasing the number of teams in Division One, a change voted for in 2018 but only introduced this summer due to the impact of Covid, has diluted quality.In a post on the ECB’s blog, Strauss, the chair of the ECB performance cricket committee, said that the first-class county chairs representative board has proposed that the number of Championship fixtures for each county should remain at 14 in 2023, allowing “more time for the debate about the best long-term structure from 2024 onwards to take place”.”Our aim is simple – to have a high-performance system for English men’s cricket which enables our men’s teams to have sustained success across all formats, while having a thriving, future-proofed domestic game,” Strauss wrote. “The findings, draft ideas and proposals have been informed by a thorough process including analysis of a range of important research as we consider how best we can achieve these goals.”Amongst other findings, the research – which covers cricket across the world since 2014 – looks at the areas we can target to reduce the gap between the domestic game and international cricket.”The analysis tells us that English players struggle more than players from other countries to transition from domestic to international cricket, how domestic spinners get less opportunities than in other countries and how overseas first-class experience is beneficial to Test cricketers.”A 37-page consultation document, prepared by the sports intelligence agency Twenty First Group, was sent to counties on Thursday evening and is intended to be used as the basis for upcoming discussions. It is available to view in full on the ECB’s website.”Our research shows that the first-class counties play a higher volume of cricket compared to the rest of the world, while feedback from players is that a reduction in the amount of men’s domestic cricket played is essential,” Strauss wrote.”Initial options for the game to discuss include a revamped 50-over competition and a smaller LV= Insurance County Championship top division to ensure higher standards and more intense best v best red-ball cricket.”The review also recommends playing first-class North vs South fixtures in the UAE, “elevating” the England Lions programme through a more consistent schedule and a strong red-ball focus, and offering multi-year central contracts to leading multi-format players.”We will now debate the panel’s proposals with many people in the professional game,” Strauss wrote. “Between now and then I am looking forward to a healthy and constructive debate over the coming weeks before the men’s high-performance review produces a final report, which will provide the game with a clear and well-researched pathway to sustained England Men’s success and a healthy, vibrant, domestic game.”

يلتقي فريق النادي الأهلي مع نظيره فاركو، مساء اليوم الأربعاء، في مواجهة مرتقبة وحاسمة ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

الأهلي يواجه فاركو، في الجولة الثامنة من عمر منافسات المرحلة النهائية لبطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، للموسم الحالي 2024-2025.

وتعد مباراة الأهلي وفاركو، حاسمة في لقب الدوري المصري، حيث في حالة تحقيق المارد الأحمر الفوز أو التعادل سيتوج ببطولة الدوري المصري بشكل رسمي.

وتشهد بطولة الدوري المصري، صراعًا شرسًا بين ناديي الأهلي وبيراميدز، على لقب بطولة الدوري، حيث يتصدر المارد الأحمر الترتيب برصيد 55 نقطة، بينما السماوي يتواجد في المركز الثاني برصيد 53 نقطة.

طالع | الأهلي يطارد النجمة 45 أمام فاركو.. ليلة حسم الدوري في استاد القاهرة موعد مباراة الأهلي وفاركو اليوم في الدوري المصري

تقام مباراة الأهلي وفاركو، اليوم الأربعاء 28 مايو 2025، في تمام الساعة 8 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي وفاركو اليوم في الدوري المصري

تنقل مباراة الأهلي وفاركو، على قناة أون سبورت.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا

Tawanda Muyeye, Zak Crawley show way of club’s future as long-time legend bids farewell

Vithushan Ehantharajah27-Sep-2022

It was fitting that, at the end of Stevo Day, Kent’s Division One status was confirmed for another season. Needing 10 points to stay up on games won in the event of Warwickshire achieving a full 24-point win over Hampshire, Kent achieved eight bonus points within the first two days of their final match at Canterbury, bowling Somerset out for 202 inside 64 overs then responding with 405 for 7 after 88 overs. By the time they walked off on Tuesday for bad light at 5:35pm, news filtered through from Edgbaston that the hosts had declared on 272 for 4 to counter the weather, thus giving up three batting points.There was no real celebration from the Kent dressing room, or those few braving the September chill by the time stumps were eventually called at 5:55pm. Players and fans have been dismayed at just how badly things have gone with the red ball this season. Nevertheless, they have come good when the pressure was on. As things stand, they could still finish fifth.What emotion there was today was saved for Darren Stevens, given a final, rousing farewell at the lunch interval. He, by all accounts, managed to hold back the tears. As expected.Those at Kent County Cricket Club who have known him for all or the majority of his 18 seasons at the club know it takes a lot to draw that kind of emotion from the great man. It has only got harder, perhaps because we get more vulnerable with age, particularly at 46. And rallying against vulnerability of any kind has driven Stevens in these final years at Canterbury.The eyes, however, did fill. Again, as expected. At the lunch interval on Tuesday, Stevens walked through a guard of honour made up of current Kent players and staff. A video showcasing some of Stevens’ highlights – all of them would have taken more than the break’s allotted 40 minutes – including this summer’s Royal London Cup success was shown and was presented with a framed shirt bearing his number three, which will be retired. He then embraced friends and family on the field before greeting as many of the 1,042 supporters in attendance who by now were almost falling over the hoardings along the Pavilion End to get a little bit closer to their man as he said his final goodbyes. This was day two of Kent’s final Championship match of the season against Somerset, with Division One safety on the agenda. But this was Stevo Day.Stevens maintains he could have continued, and though this is the end of an era, at this point, it isn’t quite retirement. And though there remain plenty of fans both at this county and further afield who believe this particular exit premature, it was hard to watch Kent go about their business today and not realise a new generation are building on their promise.Related

Yorkshire face grim fight for survival as grim season reaches climax

Warwickshire sinking in the showers as relegation fears grow

Keaton Jennings, George Balderson miss milestones but Lancashire are sitting pretty

Ben Allison makes his mark with bat and ball as Essex take control on rain-hit day

A high-profile win over Hampshire last week to keep survival in their hands has been built on emphatically. Nathan Gilchrist (22 years of age), missed out on a hat-trick with his first ball of the morning but went on to claim the final Somerset wicket – the impressive Lewis Goldsworthy for 94 – for a career-best six to dismiss the visitors for 202. Within 30 overs – up to lunch – Tawanda Muyeye (21) and Zak Crawley (24) had 149 between them (Kent’s third century stand between openers this season). Following further contributions from skipper Jack Leaning (28), a bright half-century from soon-to-be-Durham-bound Ollie Robinson (28), and darts from new signing from Nottinghamshire Joey Evison (20) and Hamidullah Qadri (21), 400 was passed and relegation avoided in style. Just in time for a more private audience with Stevens in the Les Ames stand. “He might have had a couple of beers to loosen him up and give a nice speech,” joked Crawley, before heading over to join his teammates.Crawley’s knock of 79 from 102 deliveries set the tone – particularly the first 50, which took just 59 deliveries thanks to nine fours, five of which came in the space of six deliveries. It felt like an extension of the form he finally found in the last Test match, against South Africa at the Kia Oval, when he finished unbeaten on a match- and series-winning 69.At the other end, Muyeye was showing just why they rave about him in these parts, wedding an eye for length and quick touch for 85 for only his second Championship half-century of the summer in seven innings. An edge behind off Kasey Aldridge, the pick of the Somerset attack with 4 for 83, left the right-hander short of bettering his previous first-class best of 89. Nevertheless, by the time he departed (190 for 2), the visiting attack had already been put through the wringer.That opening stand of 176 – scored at 4.76 an over – was as much down to intent as the desire for these two to score at will. The overall equation of survival assured before a definitive match result was something Kent were aware of Warwickshire did not get 350, even though they assumed 350 would be achieved. But Kent still had plenty to do, and Crawley and Muyeye were keen to set the tone.”‘Intent’ was the word we used a lot with each other,” said Crawley. “We kept their good balls out and put their bad balls away. And T (Muyeye) batted brilliantly. For someone so young to put a good bowling attack to the sword like that was class.”Particularly evident was how Somerset, who used seven bowlers within the first 25 overs, struggled to adjust their lengths. While both Crawley and Muyeye are right-handers, the height difference of about a foot meant the same length required different fields, which was tough to keep on top of as the strike was rotated so often.”I feel like we ran really well and had a lot of singles, so they constantly had to mix up the lengths. Because a good length for me, Tawanda’s pulling. And a good length to him, I can drive. We were quite a good partnership like that. He’s a chilled lad so we took a bit of pressure off each other.”Crawley made a point of mentioning Stevens at this juncture. Part of the great man’s on-field charisma, particularly when he was batting, was seemingly opting for entertainment first: perpetual appointment viewing, whether in the flesh or on a stream. And Crawley, who has always been an engaging batter – hence why Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes are so enamoured with him at Test level, even in a summer of famine – felt a sense of pride that they were able to take a page out of Stevens’ book today.”I was thinking of Stevo before this game, and exactly how he’s always played – try and take the game on, try and give the crowd something to watch. That’s exactly how we want to play our cricket and there was plenty of crowd here loving how we play our cricket.”We’ve got a lot of young players who are really good prospects. The next ten years should be good, hopefully.”It was worth noting the attendance from first to second session dropped considerably. Many had simply turned up to bid Stevens farewell before getting on with the rest of their day. Life moves on, cricket moves on. As will Kent, into another season of Division One cricket.

Arsenal had an “opportunity” to potentially sign an “underrated” striker for Mikel Arteta near the end of January, according to reliable journalist David Ornstein.

Arsenal fail in pursuit of new striker as transfer window ends

Gabriel Jesus is set to miss the rest of 2024/2025 after rupturing his ACL, while goalscoring winger Bukayo Saka won’t be back until next month.

Related "World-class" Arsenal player in pre-summer talks to leave with deal close

This looks like his final season at the Emirates.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Feb 5, 2025

This made bringing in a world-class, prolific new marksman arguably imperative for the Premier League title chasers, but Arteta’s side couldn’t quite manage to land on their desired option, in what is viewed as a real disappointment.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Leicester City (away)

February 15th

West Ham (home)

February 22nd

Nottingham Forest (away)

February 26th

Man United (away)

March 9th

Chelsea (home)

March 16th

Arsenal take on Newcastle United in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United, looking to overturn a two-goal deficit at St. James’ Park, but they’ll be taking on Eddie Howe’s side without that extra injection of attacking quality.

The Gunners, as widely reported, did make a late bid for Ollie Watkins. However, after Jhon Duran sealed a last-gasp move from Aston Villa to Al-Nassr in a big-money move, it was always unlikely that Unai Emery’s side would sanction his departure afterwards.

There were reports that Arsenal planned a second offer for Watkins, but that failed to come to any fruition, with Ornstein shedding further light on that story in a post-window claim.

Arsenal had "opportunity" to strike Ollie Watkins deal

As per the reliable reporter, Arsenal did have an “opportunity” to sign Watkins, with Villa not entirely closed off to negotiating a deal. However, Arteta’s side actually offered a low-ball amount of £40 million, despite contrary reports that they put £60 million on the table.

“On Watkins, naturally these things are not easy when it gets to such a late point in the window. Clearly, Villa gave Arsenal the opportunity to do this deal or have a conversation on the basis of a £60 million possibility,” said Ornstein, via The Athletic’s podcast on YouTube.

“That was something clearly Arsenal were not prepared to do at that value for a 29-year-old, who in their eyes is probably not worth that much. They decided to suggest around the £40m mark. Villa were being serious when they suggested £60 million because that’s where they value him and if they need to make the numbers work, with PSR and whatever else.

“That’s what they would have been prepared to have a conversation for. We don’t know if it would have led to an offer being accepted, but the door was clearly opened at that level and Arsenal weren’t prepared to go there.

“Some people I’ve spoken to say Arsenal should’ve bit their hand off and gone and done that in a flash. But immediately when you suggest £40 million, and they’ve got the Duran possibility on the horizon, Aston Villa pivoted immediately and saw out the Duran situation. There was no further dialogue to my knowledge, at least of substance.

“Now, clearly, for somebody that has gone on record saying he’s an Arsenal supporter as a boy, and it would have been his dream move etc, perhaps Watkins would have pushed for it if it came close, but it didn’t come close. There was no attempt by Arsenal to go again or be more concrete.”

Called an “underrated” centre-forward, Watkins has bagged 11 goals and assisted nine others in all competitions this season.