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Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon issue statement following Cameron Bancroft’s latest comments

ESPNcricinfo staff18-May-2021Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon have reiterated that they did not know anything about “a foreign substance being taken onto the field of play to alter the condition of the ball” at the Newlands Test of 2018, infamous as Sandpapergate. In a statement addressed “to the Australian public”, Australia’s bowling unit from that Test said that they had became aware of the use of sandpaper on the ball only after “we saw the images on the big screen”.Related

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“We pride ourselves on our honesty. So it’s been disappointing to see that our integrity has been questioned by some journalists and past players in recent days in regard to the Cape Town Test of 2018,” the statement read. “We have already answered questions many times on this issue, but we feel compelled to put the key facts on the record again.”We did not know a foreign substance was taken onto the field to alter the condition of the ball until we saw the images on the big screen at Newlands.”And to those who, despite the absence of evidence, insist that ‘we must have known’ about the use of a foreign substance simply because we are bowlers, we say this: The umpires during that Test match, Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth, both very respected and experienced umpires, inspected the ball after the images surfaced on the TV coverage and did not change it because there was no sign of damage.

“We’ve all learned valuable lessons and we’d like to think the public can see a change for the better in terms of the way we play”

“None of this excuses what happened on the field that day at Newlands. It was wrong and it should never have happened.”We’ve all learned valuable lessons and we’d like to think the public can see a change for the better in terms of the way we play, the way we behave and respect the game. Our commitment to improving as people and players will continue.”We respectfully request an end to the rumour-mongering and innuendo. It has gone on too long and it is time to move on.”The statement followed an interview with Cameron Bancroft in the where the batter, one of the three – Steven Smith and David Warner were the others – to serve a ban following the incident, said that it was “self-explanatory” that the bowlers had to know the ball had been tampered with.Since then, former Australia captains Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist have offered their views on the issue, with Clarke saying he suspected more people knew what was going on, and Gilchrist suggesting that the incident had not been investigated thoroughly by Cricket Australia.*Nick Hockley, the interim CA chief executive, said the governing body’s integrity unit would not be contacting the former assistant coach David Saker in the same way that it had reached out to Bancroft following his comments. “No, not at this stage. We’ve put out the general message publicly that if anyone feels they have new information, they should come forward,” Hockley said.”We saw the media reports and our integrity unit reached out to Cam directly to ask whether he had new information. He came back overnight to confirm he’s had no new information since the original investigation, and we’re appreciative of him confirming that. We’ve also said publicly if anyone has any new information that they should come forward and present it.”As for what would happen should such information be presented, Hockley would not elaborate on the sort of action CA might then take. “I’m not going to speculate,” he said. “We’ve got to work on the facts that we’ve got, at the moment we’ve got no new information since the original investigation.”Hockley said the episode had been a difficult one for many in cricket, as a re-opening of old scars from 2018. “It’s challenging in the sense that it’s re-opening or taking us back to what was a very bruising time for lots of people,” he said. “A full and thorough investigation was done at the time, sanctions were handed out and they were served. Since that time there’s been new leadership, who I think have done a tremendous job.”You only have to watch documentary to get great insight into the culture and how making Australians proud is a central tenet of the culture that that leadership has built and created. I’m really focused on taking all the learnings and the confidence we have from delivering a fantastic summer just gone, to taking that forward to what’s going to be a massive Ashes summer ahead.”**The Australian captain Tim Paine said that Bancroft had been “caught on the hop” with his comments, leading to the bowlers’ joint statement. “They felt they wanted to get that out there, and that’s fair enough,” Paine said in Hobart, a day after the bowlers issued their statement. “An investigation was done three years ago and positions on that haven’t changed since and our behaviour since then has been exemplary, so for me as captain it’s important we keep looking forward, we keep trying to be the best role models we can be, and we want to keep looking forward, not backwards.”Some of the guys have spoken to Bangers, I don’t think it was intentional to do anything. I think he was just caught on the hop a little bit, it happens, and the guys have responded ad now we’re looking forward to a huge summer of cricket. The ball wasn’t even changed on the field so there was no damage to it. If the umpires aren’t seeing it then I’m not sure what the bowlers are supposed to see.”I think they’re frustrated that it keeps popping up but that’s part and parcel for everyone who played in that Test match. It’s going to keep popping up and you have to get used to that. their mood was fine, they’ve spoken to Bangers, cleared the air there and everyone’s looking forward to moving on.”*GMT 1316, May 18: The story was updated to include Nick Hockley’s statement.*GMT 0400, May 19: The story was updated to include Tim Paine’s quotes.

MatériaMais Notícias

A goleada do Atlético Mineiro sobre o Fortaleza, por 4 a 0, nesta quarta-feira, no Mineirão, trouxe marcas importantes para o time. Além da grande vantagem obtida para o jogo de volta das semifinais da Copa do Brasil, o Galo ultrapassou a marca dos 100 gols na temporada – algo que não havia feito em 2020 – e ainda se tornou a segunda equipe com mais bolas na rede na história da competição nacional.

RelacionadasNúm3ros da bol4Atlético-MG supera os 100 gols na temporada; Flamengo lidera rankingNúm3ros da bol421/10/2021Núm3ros da bol4Goleada do Atlético-MG é uma das maiores na história das semifinais da Copa do BrasilNúm3ros da bol421/10/2021VídeoVÍDEO: confira os melhores momentos da goleada do Atlético-MG contra o Fortaleza pela Copa do BrasilVídeo21/10/2021

O duelo com o Leão foi o de número 173 dos mineiros na Copa do Brasil. No retrospecto geral, são 87 vitórias, 38 empates e 48 derrotas, tendo sido campeão em 2014. O clube agora soma 338 gols marcados e 200 sofridos.
O Flamengo, que também segue na disputa pela taça e que empatou com o Athletico Paranaense por 2 a 2 nesta quarta, segue liderando o ranking.

TIMES COM MAIS GOLS NA HISTÓRIA DA COPA DO BRASIL

1º – Flamengo – 344 gols em 192 jogos
2º – Atlético-MG – 338 gols em 173 jogos
3º – Vasco – 334 gols em 192 jogos
4º – Grêmio – 315 gols em 197 jogos
5º – Cruzeiro – 313 gols em 170 jogos

West Bromwich Albion have made contact with Juventus in a bid to sign a Belgium Under-20 international, according to a new report.

The Baggies got their Championship campaign up and running on Saturday, and they got off to a perfect start as they claimed all three points against Queens Park Rangers. However, the club suffered a cup upset on Tuesday evening as the Midlands side bowed out of the EFL Cup, suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to League Two side Fleetwood Town.

The cup wouldn’t have been a priority for Carlos Corberan and his side, but it will be disappointing to go out so soon. The focus can now be on the league and what remains of this transfer window, as the club look to add to their new arrivals.

West Brom can finally replace Thomas-Asante in swoop for PL "handful"

West Bromwich Albion would welcome this new striker in through the door with open arms.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 14, 2024 West Brom’s summer signings

West Brom reached the Championship play-offs last season but fell short when they came up against eventual winners Southampton. The aim will be to improve on last season and go a step further. That is why Corberan will have been keen for the club to be active in the transfer market.

Torbjorn Heggem

Brommapojkarna

Gianluca Frabotta

Juventus

Devante Cole

Barnsley

Ousmane Diakite

TSV Hartberg

Joe Wildsmith

Derby County

Paddy McNair

San Diego

Lewis Dobbin

Aston Villa

So far, the Baggies have brought in seven new faces over the course of the summer, with the majority of the additions being free transfers, as well as two loan deals and the addition of Torbjorn Heggem, who cost the club a transfer fee.

West Brom’s transfer business so far has seen them add players such as Joe Wildsmith, Paddy McNair, Ousmane Diakite, and Devante Cole. Their latest additions are Gianluca Frabotta, who has joined on a free transfer, and forward Lewis Dobbin, who has arrived on a loan deal.

Aston Villa have sent Dobbin to The Hawthorns in a bid for the striker to get valuable first-team minutes, and Dobbin himself sees this as the perfect opportunity. He told the club’s official website: “It’s the perfect opportunity to get first-team minutes and show what I can do. I’ve heard a lot about the Championship, and I know it’s a tough, competitive league. I’m ready for it, though. I really want to show what I’m about."

But it appears as though the club is not stopping their transfer business there, as they eye a deal for a midfielder.

West Brom make contact with Juventus over signing Joseph Nonge Boende

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, West Brom are now in direct contact with Serie A giants Juventus over a deal for Joseph Nonge Boende. The Baggies have sent their first offer for the midfielder, which is a straight loan until the end of the season, with no option to buy.

Furthermore, the 19-year-old is said to have already spoken with Corberan and is keen on the move to the Midlands. Tavolieri goes on to add that personal terms for this deal shouldn’t be a problem.

The Belgian has been with Juventus since 2021 when he joined the club’s academy from Anderlecht. He has spent most of his time in the club’s academy set-up, but he did feature twice in Juventus’ first team last season.

Cole Palmer single-handedly helped Chelsea secure a European spot last season after a campaign of inconsistent performances on the pitch.

However, the 22-year-old was consistently a bright spark for the Blues, registering 22 Premier League goals – the second most of any player in the division, with only Erling Haaland scoring more than the Englishman.

Todd Boehly spent £40m to bring the attacker to Stamford Bridge from rivals Manchester City last summer – an absolute bargain 12 months on from his move given his superb form in West London.

Including his 11 assists, Palmer was involved in 33 out of Chelsea’s 77 Premier League goals last campaign – contributing to 43% of the efforts, a reflection of how crucial he was during a dismal season for the club.

Despite his hugely successful first season at the club, he could further increase his tally in 2024/25 should new boss Enzo Maresca secure a deal for a player previously on the club’s radar.

Chelsea could land £75m talent this summer

In recent months, Chelsea have been on the hunt to sign a new talisman to help push the Blues back towards the top end of the Premier League after missing out on the top four last season.

Various names have been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, including Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins – as reported earlier this month – who enjoyed a stellar campaign under boss Unai Emery.

The 28-year-old scored 19 times and registered 13 assists in his 37 Premier League appearances during the 2023/24, helping fire Villa to the Champions League for the first time in a generation.

His subsequent form earned him a call-up to the England national side for Euro 2024, scoring the crucial goal in the semi-final victory over the Netherlands – sending the nation to their second successful Euros final under Gareth Southgate.

Whilst it’s unclear how much he would cost the Blues this summer, less than a year ago, Villa placed a £75m price tag on his head – with any deal for Watkins at around that price a bargain for a player of his quality.

He could prove to be a cheaper and better alternative to a talent who has constantly been linked with a move to West London during the summer window.

Why Watkins would be a better option than Osimhen for Chelsea

Over the past couple of years, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has been constantly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, with this summer no different in the club’s pursuit for a new talisman.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the Blues were still interested in a move for the Nigerian, with current Napoli boss Antonio Conte wanting to sign current Chelsea man Romelu Lukaku this summer.

However, when comparing his stats to Watkins’ from 2023/24, he was unable to match the Englishman in numerous key areas for a centre-forward in Maresca’s system.

The attacker, who’s a “nightmare to play against” as described by Leicester City defender Conor Coady, registered 14 more combined goals or assists with a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate than the Nigerian.

How Watkins & Osimhen compare per 90 in 2023/24

Statistics

Watkins

Osimhen

Games played

37

25

Goals + assists

32

18

Shot-on-target accuracy

44%

42%

Pass accuracy

75%

67%

Progressive passes

1.5

1.1

Take-on success rate

41%

40%

Stats via FBref

He also excelled in finding hidden teammates, achieving an 8% higher pass completion rate and averaging 1.5 progressive passes – fitting into Maresa’s philosophy of being comfortable in possession.

Watkins loves to play on the shoulder of the defender, making him perfect for Palmer who could improve his tally of 11 assists should the England international move to Stamford Bridge this summer – the playmaker notably having been the man to tee up the striker against Holland.

It may be a tricky move for the Midlands side to complete, but it would certainly bolster the club’s ranks in the centre-forward position, helping the Blues mount a charge for the top four this season.

The project could be an intriguing one for Watkins despite Villa’s recent success, with the 28-year-old having the ability to form an excellent partnership with his international teammate and take the club back to the top of the English pyramid once again.

As a proven Premier League striker – reaching double figures for goals in all four of his top-flight seasons – Watkins could represent a sure-fire success for the Blues, rather than taking a gamble on a newcomer to English football in Osimhen.

Related Outscored Osimhen: Chelsea could sign bigger star than Gyokeres in £20m ace

The Blues’ hunt for a new centre-forward continues…

Posts ByEthan Lamb Aug 1, 2024

Cricket South Africa’s interim board has expressed concern over the men’s national team’s response to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement but maintains it will not compel the squad to act in a particular way. Instead, board chairman Judge Zak Yacoob has written to director of cricket Graeme Smith and national coach Mark Boucher noting individuals’ right to freedom of expression but stating he felt that South Africans should show “the world that all of us are together in opposing racism at every turn”.Yacoob has also made himself available for any player who felt strongly about demonstrating the message of anti-racism to contact him directly and stressed the interim board’s stance in favour of BLM.”The interim board (IB) reaffirmed the significance of the current world-wide movement against systemic racism in sport, noting that it was not a sectarian political cause but a broad social justice campaign garnering wide support from athletes all over the world, bringing together a coalition of support across national, racial, class, religious and generational lines,” an interim board statement read. “The IB feels black lives matter has a particular meaning given South Africa’s apartheid past. Therefore, the IB has confirmed CSA’s support for BLM – first expressed on 9 July in the aftermath of the letter sent to CSA by 36 former national players and senior coaches.”Related

• Jason Holder calls for more action around anti-racism in cricket

• South Africa to 'raise our fists' in support of BLM at start of Boxing Day Test

• SA's cricket elite shows united face in moving tribute

• SA's culture camp yields respect, belonging, empathy

• How issues of race have cast SA cricket into turbulence

While CSA as an organisation and individual players such as Kagiso Rabada have repeatedly thrown their weight behind the BLM movement, the national team, as a collective, has not been as strong in its stance. The team did not take a knee on its return to international cricket, against England, on November 27 – the first time they played together since March – but wore black armbands to mourn the lives lost in the coronavirus pandemic. Two days before the game the team issued a statement expressing their commitment to dismantling anti-racism by “building commitments to one another and demonstrating ways of engaging that we simply never have before as a team”.In that statement, the team harked back to the exhibition 3TeamCricket (3TC) game in July, where all 24 players and every member of support staff involved took a knee. Coach Mark Boucher said that in that act the team felt “we have done what we needed to do”. The team then U-turned slightly on that and a banner reading: “We stand in solidarity against racism and gender-based violence” was on display in the stands at Newlands when they played England in two of the three T20Is. The third match was in Paarl and the banner was not transported to Boland Park.Between July and November, CSA also set-up a Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) Committee, chaired by former independent board director Eugenia Kula-Ameyaw. The committee had a vast range of responsibilities, which included considering reparations for those players who had been discriminated against in the past. An ombudsman, advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza, was unveiled in August and tasked with managing an independent complaints system. That process, along with the entire SJN, has been placed on hold while the interim board obtains a legal opinion on how to move forward.

MatériaMais Notícias

A tentativa do Vasco se aproximar do pelotão da frente da Série B novamente esbarrou em uma sucessão de erros. Na noite desta sexta-feira (3), o Cruz-Maltino só conseguiu o empate em 1 a 1 com o Brasil de Pelotas, em jogo marcado por pênalti desperdiçado de Germán Cano, vacilo de Vanderlei e de novo controvérsia nas linhas do VAR. Erison fez o gol da equipe gaúcha e Daniel Amorim, na reta final, igualou o confronto válido pela vigésima-segunda rodada da Série B.

Os comandados de Lisca chegaram a 32 pontos e estacionaram no meio da classificação. Já o time de Cleber Gaúcho continua no Z4. O Vasco volta a campo na próxima segunda-feira (6), quando enfrenta o Avaí, na Ressacada, às 20h. Já o Brasil volta a campo no dia seguinte, para duelar com o Confiança no Bento Freitas, às 11h.

> Veja a classificação completa da Série B!

VASCO NÃO ENGRENA

O Vasco tomava as rédeas da partida, mas tinha dificuldades para furar o bloqueio adversário devido aos sucessivos erros de passe. A primeira oportunidade veio em uma cobrança de falta de Zeca que passou rente à trave.

Aos poucos, os cruz-maltinos encontraram brechas na defesa xavante. Caio Lopes lançou e, após Marquinhos Gabriel escorar, Gabriel Pec bateu rasteiro, mas Matheus Nogueira defendeu à queima-roupa. Em seguida, Léo Jabá abriu caminho para Marquinhos Gabriel arriscar. O goleiro do Brasil salvou com a ponta dos dedos. Léo Jabá e Andrey ainda tentaram, mas não tiveram sucesso.

PÊNALTI… NÃO, ESPERA!

Diante de um time muito retraído, o Vasco chegou a recorrer a uma série de cruzamentos, mas que se esvaíam pela falta de pontaria. O panorama pareceu melhorar aos 33 minutos, quando Léo Matos caiu em uma dividida com João Siqueira e o pênalti foi assinalado. Contudo, atendendo a uma consulta ao VAR, o árbitroAlisson Sidnei Furtado revisou a jogada e voltou atrás após três minutos.

XAVANTE LEVA PERIGO

O lance do pênalti freou os ânimos do Vasco e abriu caminho para que a equipe de Cleber Gaúcho ensaiasse uma surpresa. Kevin cruzou a bola e Vanderlei teve de saltar para evitar que a bola chegasse à meta vascaína. Em seguida, Erison encontrou espaço para concluir de sem-pulo e obrigou o camisa 1 cruz-maltino a encaixar. Rômulo também já havia levado susto em finalização.

DURO DE DESENCANAR

A entrada de Morato no lugar de Gabriel Pec na volta do intervalo trouxe novo fôlego ao Vasco. Em sua primeira jogada incisiva, o camisa 10 desceu pela esquerda e foi derrubado por falta ao tentar passar por Arthur Henrique. O árbitro marcou pênalti. Germán Cano partiu em busca de quebrar seu jejum de sete partidas. Porém, o camisa 14 cobrou rasteiro e no meio do gol, e a bola parou nas mãos de Matheus Nogueira.

COCHILO CUSTA CARO

O domínio escapou de vez dos pés do Cruz-Maltino em mais um vacilo da equipe na competição. Vanderlei errou um passe e permitiu que Netto roubasse a bola de Leandro Castan. O atacante entrou na área, finalizou e, após defesa do camisa 1, Erison se antecipou a Miranda para estufar a rede e colocar o Brasil na frente.

A equipe xavante quase ampliou em tentativa traiçoeira Netto. Coube a Vanderlei saltar para espalmar.

DA TENSÃO À CONTROVÉRSIA

Com as mudanças, o Vasco voltou a se impor em campo. Contudo, a equipe era atabalhoada e via as finalizações de Morato e Marquinhos Gabriel não chegarem a ameaçar. A entrada de Daniel Amorim fez a equipe de Lisca aumentar a série de cruzamentos, só que o goleiro Matheus Nogueira se mostrava seguro ao sair da meta.

Aos 37 minutos, os vascaínos chegaram a celebrar um gol. Andrey cobrou falta na trave e, na sobra, Daniel Amorim, completou para rede. Entretanto, a jogada foi anulada por impedimento do centroavante com uma tremenda polêmica: ao “Premiere”, a CBF informou que não foi possível traçar as linhas do VAR.

UMA (LEVE) EUFORIA. E SÓ…

Em meio ao “abafa”, o Vasco chegou ao empate graças à bola aérea. Andrey cobrou escanteio para a área, Daniel Amorim subiu mais do que os zagueiros e estufou a rede. Na ansiedade pela virada, o Cruz-Maltino engatou mais jogadas e viu Morato cruzar para Daniel Amorim encher o pé. A bola parou nas mãos de Matheus Nogueira. Após uma reta final picotada, o empate persistiu em um resultado que não agradou ninguém.

FICHA TÉCNICA

VASCO 1 x 1 BRASIL DE PELOTAS

Data/Hora: 03/9/2021, às 19h
Estádio: São Januário, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Árbitro: Alisson Sidnei Furtado (TO)
Assistentes: Fábio Pereira (TO) e Cipriano da Silva Sousa (TO)
VAR: Gilberto Rodrigues Castro Junior (PE)

Cartões amarelos: Lisca, Andrey (VAS), Ícaro, Matheus Nogueira, Allan Dias, João Siqueira (BRP)

Gols: Erison, 20/2T (0-1), Daniel Amorim, 43/2T (1-1)

VASCO: Vanderlei; Léo Matos, Miranda, Leandro Castan e Zeca; Andrey, Caio Lopes (Matías Galarza, 25/2T) e Marquinhos Gabriel (Daniel Amorim, 31/2T); Gabriel Pec (Morato, intervalo), Léo Jabá e Germán Cano (Figueiredo, 31/2T). Técnico: Lisca

BRASIL DE PELOTAS: Matheus Nogueira; Vidal, Arthur Henrique, Ícaro e João Siqueira; Diego Gomes (Alan Dias, 37/2T), Romulo (Gabriel Terra, 25/2T), Bruno Matias e Kevin (Héverton, 25/2T); Netto (Rone, 25/2T) e Erison (Caio Rangel, 45/2T). Técnico: Cleber Gaúcho

USA Cricket commercial partner buys lease rights to renovate Dallas baseball facility into ODI venue

Peter Della Penna19-Nov-2020

The AirHogs Stadium in Dallas, which will soon become a new cricket facility•USA Cricket

USA Cricket has announced that its commercial T20 franchise league partner, American Cricket Enterprises, has signed a 15-year lease to acquire AirHogs Stadium, formerly a 6,000 seat minor league baseball and soccer facility located in the Dallas suburb of Grand Prairie, Texas.According to ACE co-founder Sameer Mehta, the ambition for the venue is to host a Major League Cricket franchise for the league’s opening season in 2022, develop a USA national team high performance center and “hopefully be the home of USA Cricket”.The $20 million stadium venue opened in 2008 and housed the Texas AirHogs, an independent minor league baseball team for the last 13 seasons. However, the AirHogs folded in the summer of 2020, one of numerous minor league baseball organisations to go under as a consequence of the devastating financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.Major League Baseball made the decision in June to cancel the entire minor league season for all of its affiliate franchises. It opened the door for ACE to take over the facility with a new lease agreement, including plans to spend at least $10 million to renovate the facility into a cricket-exclusive ODI-accredited turf wicket venue, ready to open by the summer of 2022.”This is a watershed moment for us. We’re pretty excited,” said USA Cricket chairman Paraag Marathe, who also serves as executive vice president of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, during a Zoom press conference on Wednesday. “We’re going to put Grand Prairie on the global map because hopefully when we get World Cups and international events, this is going to be one of the key stadiums we’re playing matches in. The flagship where we’re going to be first putting up our flag and announcing USA Cricket to the rest of the world is going to be right here in Grand Prairie.”One of the major challenges that USA Cricket officials may have is overcoming a string of underwhelming ventures in other cities. National cricket administrators were similarly enthusiastic about the opening of the $6 million Indianapolis World Sports Park before city officials subsequently ripped up a three-year contract to host the USA Cricket National Championship from 2014-16. After hosting a solitary ICC Americas T20 championship in 2015, the venue has mostly laid dormant to international cricket.Similarly, the Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida was approved with hopes of drawing warm-up matches, if not full-fledged tournament games, for the 2007 World Cup hosted by the West Indies. The $70 million park venue eventually opened in 2008 and has hosted a string of T20 internationals, including India v West Indies to 12,000+ crowds in 2019.However, the venue has struggled to attract similar support for USA national team matches, with just 20 people attending USA’s first ever ODI on home soil in September 2019 against Papua New Guinea, six weeks after India and West Indies played to a full house. Similarly, the Caribbean Premier League pulled the plug on their foray into Florida after three years. Though CPL organisers were able to sell out a doubleheader slate for 10,000 fans in 2016, crowds had shrunk to as few as 700 people in 2018 for a weeknight contest featuring Andre Russell’s Jamaica Tallawahs and Steven Smith’s Barbados Tridents.However, Marathe and Mehta believe that the Grand Prairie facility is much better suited to drawing people in. Mehta introduced data stating that Willow TV, a major rights holder cable network for US market TV cricket rights content, has 250,000 subscribers that are based between Dallas and Houston, demonstrating a strong local appetite for international cricket viewing.The stadium venue is adjacent to Lone Star Park horse racecourse and is a short drive along Interstate 30 from AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Park, home to the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. Marathe also stated that the success of the venue should not be judged by attendance figures or profits.”We just have really great infrastructure around AirHogs Stadium,” Marathe said. “The opportunity to grow and develop, whether it is bringing in a high performance center in the Dallas-Grand Prairie area, whether we do other things as the Mayor said, adding more pitches as demand and popularity grows, there’s the infrastructure that’s already there to grow more. We also feel really good about the opportunity to expand this current stadium. That’s from a geography and infrastructure standpoint.”The measurement of growth when you’re trying to build something and make something very special… we’re not just looking at dollars and cents. We’re looking at building popularity and building interest. That doesn’t just mean what your profit is on events or how many fans are attending. Number one I think we’re going to have a tremendous amount of fan support, especially in the Grand Prairie area. We’re really excited about that.”But at the same time, we’re also building viewership. We’re also building people who are hopefully watching it when they’re not sitting in the stadium and we’re building a groundswell of popularity for it. We’re not just looking at the bottom line of dollars and cents. It’s really just building the popularity and putting us on a path.”

Chelsea star Cole Palmer has been hailed as the "best player in the world" by fans after scoring four first-half goals against Brighton.

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Chelsea face BrightonPalmer scores four in first halfFans hail him as world's bestWHAT HAPPENED?

After falling behind to a Georginio Rutter header in the seventh minute, England international Palmer scored a hat-trick, only for Carlos Baleba to make it 3-2 after 34 minutes. Seven minutes later, former Manchester City ace Palmer added his fourth to complete a remarkable opening 45 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday – as football fans gushed about the 22-year-old on social media.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

@CfcSheikh posted on X: "4 GOALS FOR COLE PALMER. THIS GUY IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD."

@the_berneese_ tweeted: "If you ever compared Jude Bellingham to Cole Palmer you can apologize now."

@LyesBouzidi10 wrote: "Chelsea need to rip that 10 off Mudryk at halftime and give it to Palmer if they have anything about them."

@TheEuropeanLad added: "OH MY F****** WORD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COLE PALMER ARE YOU MAD ?!?!?!?!!?!!? THAT'S ALREADY THE GOAL OF THE SEASON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A HATTRICK WITHIN 31 MINUTES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

@SportsarenatzTz also commented: "He deserves the ballon d’or."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Palmer has become the first player in Premier League history to score four goals before half-time in a single match. He had just 16 touches and from his five shots and found the net on four occasions. He has proven to be an incredible signing from City.

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After this enthralling encounter, Enzo Maresca's team return to Europa Conference League action on Thursday night when they host Gent. Brighton, on the other hand, entertain Tottenham in the Premier League on October 6.

Burnley have reportedly begun looking to life without Vincent Kompany by eyeing up one of his former teammates to take over at Turf Moor.

Kompany heads for Germany

After managing just five wins in the Premier League across the 2023-24 season and seeing his Burnley side relegated, Vincent Kompany was a shock appointment for German giants Bayern Munich.

The Belgian, who spent time at Anderlecht before being appointed as the Clarets boss, had guided Burnley out of the Championship but struggled to compromise on his playing style in the top flight, a fact which ultimately cost the Lancashire outfit their place in it.

Burnley could forget Cooper by hiring "innovative" promotion winner

Burnley will look elsewhere for their next manager after Steve Cooper’s rejection.

ByKelan Sarson May 30, 2024

That did not stop Bayern from turning to him after a long list of failures in their attempts to hire a new coach, with the likes of Oliver Glasner, Unai Emery, Xabi Alonso and several more all touted for the role before turning it down.

Burnley revealed that "changing dynamics" made a move inevitable for the ex-Manchester City star, and have placed Craig Bellamy in interim charge while they hunt for a new boss.

"Whilst we were initially confident in retaining our manager, the changing dynamics of the situation made this impossible", they wrote on X.

"We understand the allure and prestige of a club like Bayern Munich and respect Vincent’s ambition to explore new opportunities. We wish only the best for Vincent and would like to put on record our appreciation for his dedication every single day he was a part of this football club."

After Steve Cooper turned down Burnley's advances, they remain in search of a new manager. Now, they may have identified their man.

Talks to be held with 45 year-old coach

That comes as The Boot Room report that the club are ready to hold "formal talks" with former teammate of Kompany and Chelsea icon Frank Lampard over a return to the dugout.

The pair spent a season together at Manchester City, sharing the pitch on 20 occasions during the 2014/15 campaign, and both have since gone into management.

Lampard, who has had two spells as Chelsea boss as well as stints at Everton and Derby County, has been out of work since the end of the 2022-23 season.

Frank Lampard's Managerial record

Games managed

196

Wins

83

Win %

42%

Points per game

1.47

Now, he has been offered a route back as the report claims that he had been "offered the head coach job" at Turf Moor, and that "talks are now underway" over a potential move to Lancashire.

Transfers will likely form a hot topic of conversation: Kompany spent liberally upon return to the Premier League, while Lampard can boast a transfer record that has seen him hire £290m worth of talent headed by the likes of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.

Whether or not Burnley will be willing to match the ex-Chelsea man's ambition on and off the pitch remains to be seen, but he certainly fits the mould of wanting a younger coach eager to prove himself, something he could do by securing promotion back to the top flight.

Glamorgan 8 for 0 trail Somerset 296 (Davies 81, Brooks 72) by 198 runsSteven Davies and Jack Brooks transformed a modest Somerset total with a last-wicket stand of 107 on the opening day of the Bob Willis Trophy match against Glamorgan at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.The hosts had looked set to miss out on any batting points when crumbling to 149 for eight, Ruaidhri Smith claiming three of the wickets.But after Josh Davey had contributed 20 to help revive Somerset fortunes, last man Brooks came out to smash a 38-ball half century on his way to making 72, off 58 deliveries, with 9 fours and 2 sixes.Davies, who had been dropped twice, top-scored with 81 not out, off 108 balls, with 9 fours, as the menace went out of the Glamorgan seam attack. Somerset were finally bowled out for 296 before their opponents replied with 8 for no wicket.It was a day of mixed fortunes for Smith, who finished with three for 41, but was forced to hobble off injured in the closing session.Before play started there was a minute’s silence in recognition of those who have lost their lives to the coronavirus pandemic.The players also took the knee in support of improving diversity and inclusion in cricket and the community ahead of the opening ball being delivered.Somerset won the toss, but were soon being put under pressure in overcast conditions on a pitch offering pace and bounce.Young openers Tom Lammonby, making his first class debut, and Eddie Byrom did well to take the score to 38 against some testing pace bowling before being parted.Byrom was bowled off an inside edge by Graham Wagg (two for 59) for 22. Tom Abell, on three, had his stumps scattered by Marchant de Lange (two for 37), and James Hildreth was caught at point off Dan Douthwaite for 16.At lunch, the score was 92 for three and Glamorgan’s position would have been stronger had Charlie Hemphrey not dropped Lammonby on 14 at second slip off the impressive de Lange.The 20-year-old Devonian left-hander batted through the morning session to be unbeaten on 40 at the break. But in the fifth over off the afternoon Lammonby fell lbw to the accurate Michael Hogan for 41.Smith picked up three wickets in the session, sending back George Bartlett, who was worked over by the sharp de Lange before falling for a battling 23, Roelof van der Merwe and Jamie Overton.Douthwaite accounted for Craig Overton leg-before and Glamorgan were well on top as Davies survived a couple of chances to slip on his way to a 76-ball half-century.Davey began the recovery, helping Davies add 40 for the ninth wicket, but when he top-edged a steeply rising ball from de Lange to mid-on Somerset were still 11 runs short of a batting point.Brooks played positively from the start and had blazed his way to 45 with a succession of belligerent shots before being dropped off Wagg, a tough chance to Billy Root over his shoulder at mid-wicket.It was all the luck Brooks needed to register his first half-century for Somerset since joining them from Yorkshire. He bludgeoned a tiring attack and Davies lost little by comparison as the pair ensured a respectable total.When Brooks was eventually caught and bowled by Wagg, Glamorgan were left with seven overs to bat in the day. Nick Selman and Hemphrey found the new ball seaming around for Craig Overton and Davey.Overton conceded four byes with a bouncer that flew over wicketkeeper Davies’ head and the first six overs were completed without a run off the bat as the openers concentrated on survival.