T20 World Cup 'unrealistic' and 'unlikely' this year – Cricket Australia chairman

Earl Eddings says CA has presented different options to the ICC Board

Nagraj Gollapudi16-Jun-2020Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings believes it is “unlikely” and “unrealistic” that the Men’s T20 World Cup will take place in Australia as scheduled this year. The fate of the tournament, scheduled between October 18 and November 15, is being deliberated fiercely by the ICC Board which last week deferred to take the final call.The ICC has continued to remain optimistic despite the growing likelihood of the tournament being postponed in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. After the ICC Board meeting convened to discuss contingency planning last week , ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney had said that there was only “one chance” to make the decision and it needed to be the “right one” which he said would be arrived at after consulting all stakeholders, from the broadcaster to the players.Eddings, who sits on the ICC Board, though, felt time was running out. He pointed out that with many of the 16 participating countries still under the grip of the pandemic it was “very, very difficult” to stage the tournament and said that CA had presented different options to the ICC Board for the tournament to be moved.”I sit on the ICC and we’re having meetings as we speak,” Eddings said on Tuesday. “It’s a bit of a moving feast at the moment. I’d say it’s unlikely, while it hasn’t been formally called off this year or postponed, trying to get 16 countries into Australia in the current world where most countries are still going through Covid-19 spiking, I think it’s unrealistic or would be very, very difficult. We’ve put forward a number of different options to the ICC we’re working through at the moment.”This is the second time in the last month Eddings has asked the ICC to consider postponing the T20 World Cup. Last month, he addressed an email to the ICC’s Finance & Commercial Affairs Committee, proposing Australia and India swap hosting the tournament over the next two years. Contents of Eddings’ correspondence to the ICC were reported by the recently.Eddings suggested that Australia host the event in October-November 2021 and India stage the tournament a year later in 2022. Doing that, Eddings said, would financially help all the member countries. If not, Eddings said it would be “detrimental to cricket” in case the “cancellation” of the World Cup in Australia this year was “replaced by award of” the tournament in October-November 2022.Last month Kevin Roberts, who was sacked by CA as chief executive on Monday, had pointed out that there was a “very high risk” of the T20 World Cup taking place in October-November. Roberts, though, had indicated the “implications” of postponing the tournament were not straightforward and the ICC was “juggling a lot of balls” as it was “looking at the windows that are possible over the coming year.”One of those windows, as ESPNcricinfo reported could be moving the Men’s T20 World Cup at the back of the Women’s ODI World Cup which is scheduled in New Zealand for February-March 2021. In case that happens, the women’s tournament would need to be advanced to January in order to fit in the men’s edition. Doing that would help the ICC and CA retain the local organising committee for the Men’s T20 World Cup to continue and smoothen the logistics and costs.Nick Hockley, CEO of the T20 World Cup local organising committee, and appointed as Roberts’ temporary replacement, said CA would be ready for any eventuality including the tournament being postponed. “There’s a huge amount of work going on around [T20 World Cup] contingency planning,” Hockley said on Tuesday. “I think there’s meetings coming up next month at ICC level where some decisions will be made and we’ve got a fantastic local organising committee who are busy preparing for every eventuality and the decision that will come forth.”

Leeds star who dropped a 2/10 at Wembley just cost them promotion

Leeds United fell victim to their horrible play-off curse yet again at Wembley, winless now in their last six attempts at gaining promotion via this unpredictable lottery, as Southampton clinched an instant return back up to the Premier League by winning 1-0.

The Saints managed to fire home early on courtesy of prolific attacker Adam Armstrong finding space due to some lax Whites defending, with the Saints sharp-shooter proving to be the difference-maker for the now-promoted South Coast side, when the Leeds forwards were otherwise misfiring.

The likes of Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter and Wilfried Gnonto all had notable off-days in attack for Daniel Farke's side travelling down to Wembley, with only one shot on target mustered up by the out-of-sorts trio in the 1-0 defeat.

Crysencio Summerville also disappointed as the last remaining component of this usually feared quartet, letting his team down on the biggest occasion to miss out on leaping straight back up to the top division with the Whites.

Crysencio Summerville's performance in numbers

The usually electric Dutchman never truly got going when his team needed him to become their superstar to seal a dramatic win, fading in and out of the contest before being hauled off late into the second 45 minutes.

From Summerville's lacklustre 74-minute shift, the Leeds number ten failed to have a single shot on target with two efforts going wide – including one speculative curler that nearly left Alex McCarthy stationary to the effort going in – and another two blocked by the valiant Saints defenders.

Summerville vs Armstrong – head-to-head stats

Stat

Summerville

Armstrong

Goals scored

0

1

Shots on target

0

2

Touches

42

21

Accurate passes

16/25 (64%)

7/11 (64%)

Successful dribbles

0/1

0

Duels won

2/9

0/2

Possession lost

15x

9x

Stats by Sofascore

Not far off Armstrong's game in certain aspects, Summerville's potency was miles off the Southampton striker's, however, who needed just half of the Dutchman's touches to fire home the crucial winner.

Only completing 16 accurate passes in the slim loss, losing possession 15 times in the process, Summerville just couldn't get the better of a rigid Saints defence that had clearly done their homework on the 22-year-old winger's trademark weaving runs, with none of those darts forward working in Leeds' favour.

It was no real shock to see Summerville receive a horrendous 2/10 rating after the game from Football Insider's James Murray, therefore, who stated the forward 'had a really poor afternoon'.

This could now end up being a very drab farewell for the in-demand Leeds number 10, who will no doubt have a queue of suitors lining up now to take advantage of his side falling at this final hurdle, with the Whites potentially preparing for a future now without their star-man.

What the future holds for Summerville

Even if his performance on the big stage against Southampton left a lot to be desired, Leeds will be a far less exciting watch next campaign if Summerville does depart this summer.

The nimble 22-year-old has reportedly been admired by Liverpool in the past, and with reports stating that Farke's men would potentially have to suffer from a fire-sale in the off-season to balance the books, the ex-Feyenoord man could now go for a hefty sum.

In a theoretical world, Summerville could have been the leading man for Farke's men as they aimed to solidify as a Premier League club, having wreaked havoc across the Championship with 31 goal contributions in all competitions.

Leeds winger Crysencio Summerville

Now, however, it looks likely that the Whites number ten will bow out in underwhelming fashion on what could have been a very special day.

Yet, the West Yorkshire outift have been here before and will look to bounce back next campaign, regardless of who ends up staying and going from Elland Road.

The 10 best Championship play-off finals – ranked

This year’s final is drawing closer.

ByCharlie Smith May 23, 2024

حسين الشحات: سنحقق شيئًا في كأس العالم للأندية 2025.. ومواجهة ميسي تاريخية

كشف حسين الشحات، مهاجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، عن رأيه في مجموعة المارد الأحمر في كأس العالم للأندية 2025، وذلك بعدما أُعلن عنها في الحفل الذي أقيم مساء أمس الخميس.

وأسفرت القرعة عن تواجد الأهلي في المجموعة الأولي من مجموعات كأس العالم للأندية رفقة كل من بالميراس البرازيلي، وبورتو البرتغالي، وإنتر ميامي الأمريكي، وستقام المواجهة 15 يونيو 2025، على ملعب هارد روك في ميامي.

وقال حسين الشحات في تصريحات عبر قناة “الأهلي”: “سنلعب بطولة كبيرة وعالمية الكل يراها، إن شاء الله سنحقق شيئًا فيها ونسعد جماهيرنا، ونتمنى التوفيق، هذا حدث تاريخي للأهلي وجماهيره، هذه أول بطولة كأس العالم للأندية بمشاركة 32 فريقًا”.

طالع أيضاً.. ردود أفعال الصحف الأجنبية على قرعة كأس العالم للأندية 2025.. ميسي في الاختبار الأول أمام الأهلي

وأكمل: “سنكون متواجدين في حدث كبير، وأتمنى إن شاء الله نكون موفقين وفي أعلى درجات التركيز ونسعد جماهير الأهلي وجمهور مصر في البطولة”.

واستكمل: “سنكون سعداء لأننا نمثل الأهلي في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية والعالم كله يراك، 32 بطلاً سيشاركون في البطولة، شعور لا يوصف”.

وفيما يخص مواجهة ميسي مع إنتر ميامي قال: “أفضل لاعب في التاريخ هو ورنالدو لمدة 15 سنة ينافسان بعضهما على أفضل لاعب في العالم، هذا شيء كبير وحدث كبير جدًا، شيء كبير أن الأهلي سيلعب بطولة كأس العالم للأندية”.

وأتم: “أتمنى أن نحقق شيئًا كبير في البطولة يليق باسم النادي”.

Destaque do Grêmio, Léo Fenga fala sobre campanha no Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20

MatériaMais Notícias

Com 16 pontos em sete rodadas disputadas, oGrêmio ocupa a segunda posição do Campeonato Brasileiro sub-20, estando três atrás do líder São Paulo.

Cabem no seu time? Veja os 20 jogadores brasileiros mais valiosos sem clube

Com 15 gols marcados, o Imortal tem o melhor ataque do torneio junto com a equipe paulista. Muito desse ótimo desempenho ofensivo se deve ao atacante Léo Fenga, que já soma quatro gols e quatro assistências na competição.

– Esse bom começo de campeonato é fruto de muito trabalho, juntamente com a comissão técnica e com meus companheiros as coisas acontecem naturalmente, estamos nessa pegada desde o começo do ano. – disse o ponta.

Debaixo de muita chuva, o Tricolor Gaúcho empatou com o Internacional na última rodada por 2 a 2. Com uma assistência e um gol marcado, Fenga foi mais uma vez o nome da equipe no confronto.

GRÊMIO DEIXA O Z4? SIMULE OS JOGOS DO BRASILEIRÃO 2021

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– O campo atrapalhou um pouco, porque choveu muito e não dava para tocar muito a bola. Nosso time tenta sempre trabalhar muito a posse de bola, mas tivemos que utilizar mais bolas longas que o normal. – avaliou.

Com dois gols a menos que Arthur Sales, do Vasco, a promessa gremista também sonha com a artilharia da competição.

– Em primeiro lugar penso sempre na equipe e no título, mas tenho sim vontade de ser artilheiro da competição, sei que a premiação individual acontece de forma natural com os bons resultados do time. – frisou.

O Grêmio volta a campo pelo torneio nesta quinta-feira (29), às 15h, quando enfrenta a Chapecoense na Arena Condá.

No comando do Botafogo, Enderson Moreira busca ascensão na carreira após recentes trabalhos ruins

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de uma semana, a espera por um novo treinador acabou. Na noite da última terça-feira, o Botafogo anunciou a contratação do técnico Enderson Moreira para a sequência da temporada. Agora, sob o comando do time da Estrela Solitária, ele terá a oportunidade de ascenderna carreira após uma sequência recente de trabalhos ruins.

> ATUAÇÕES: Gilvan recebe a pior nota do Botafogo na derrota para o Goiás

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Os últimos 33 jogos de Enderson Moreira foram à frente de Goiás e Fortaleza, em 2020. No total, o treinador conseguiu apenas 12 vitórias nesse período de tempo. Isso evidencia que, nos últimos 33 compromissos, Enderson conseguiu vencer apenas 36,4% deles.

Vale ressaltar que a passagem pelo Esmeraldino foi especialmente ruim. Por lá, foram três empates, sete derrotas e nenhuma vitória. À época, Enderson deixou o Goiás na lanterna da Série A do Brasileirão, com apenas 12 pontos conquistados.

> Veja a tabela da Série B

Meses depois, Enderson assumiu o Fortaleza, que, coincidentemente à época, havia demitido o até então técnico Marcelo Chamusca. Pelo Leão do Pici, a campanha também não foi boa, mas foi o suficiente para que o time não acabasse rebaixado para a Série B.

No total, foram 23 partidas pelo Tricolor, com 12 vitórias, quatro empates e sete derrotas. Ao olhar apenas para a campanha da reta final da Série A do Brasileirão, contudo, foram três vitórias, seis derrotas e um empate. Os números não foram bons, mas nos critérios de desempate, o Fortaleza cravou a 16º colocação na tabela e se salvou.

Já sob o comando de Enderson Moreira, o Botafogo volta a campo no próximo sábado, às 16h30, contra o Confiança, em Aracaju, no Batistão, em partida válida pela 14ª rodada da Série B. É a oportunidade do treinador apresentar um grande trabalho e mostrar que ainda é o mesmo que conquistou as Séries B de 2012 e 2017, com Goiás e América-MG, respectivamente.

Ele, inclusive, já chega com respaldo e confiança da diretoria. O diretor de futebol do clube, Eduardo Freeland, destacou que há convicção de que Enderson contribuirá com o objetivo do Alvinegro, que é conquistar o acesso para a primeira divisão.

-Hoje anunciamos o Enderson Moreira, tem bons trabalhos, dois títulos da Série B, bons aproveitamentos nos clubes que passou. Estamos bastantes convictos que vai contribuir.Acreditamos que com a chegada do Enderson vamos colocar o bico do nosso avião para cima, e a torcida pode esperar que a gente vá buscar pontos novamente e comemorar o acesso no final da temporada. Ninguém está satisfeito, mas estamos trabalhando para reverter esse cenário – disse Freeland.

Injured Chris Jordan misses England's ODI squad to face Ireland

Sam Billings, David Willey return to white-ball reckoning as England name behind-closed-doors training squad

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jul-2020

Chris Jordan takes a running catch over his shoulder•Getty Images

Chris Jordan will miss England’s ODI series against Ireland after suffering an arm injury.Jordan was among three players in an extended training group who were not considered for England’s 24-man training squad named on Thursday due to injury. The three day-night matches are to be played against Ireland behind closed doors at Southampton’s Ageas Bowl on July 30, August 1 and August 4.Pat Brown, who had overcome a back injury suffered while training with Melbourne Stars ahead of the BBL was also left out with another back issue, along with Dawid Malan, who has not recovered from a calf injury.Jordan posted on Instagram shortly after the squad was announced, with a picture of his arm in a sling saying he had recently had surgery on it.

A number of players are set to return to white-ball action for England after time on the sidelines, including Sam Billings and David Willey.Billings, who had any hope of joining England’s victorious World Cup campaign dashed by a dislocated shoulder at the start of the 2019 domestic season, endured a disappointing T20 series in New Zealand at the end of last year and missed the subsequent tour of South Africa.ALSO READ: ‘I don’t want to be pigeonholed as a white-ball player’ – BillingsWilley, who was heartbroken to have been omitted from England’s World Cup squad last year after playing in the warm-up series against Pakistan immediately before the tournament, has not played a white-ball match for his country since.Also returning are Liam Dawson, Liam Livingstone, James Vince, Ben Duckett and Reece Topley.The group will enter a closed training bubble at the Ageas Bowl on July 16 and play two intra-squad warm-up matches on July 21 and 24 before a final squad is named.England assistant coach Paul Collingwood will assume the head coach role for the three-match series while Chris Silverwood guides the Test squad. Collingwood will be supported by batting coach Marcus Trescothick, who has been seconded from Somerset.Ed Smith, the national selector, said that even with a number of multi-format players unavailable due to Test commitments, the white-ball group contained plenty of depth.”With the captain, coach, they’ve got to make the call they believe in to win the game too whilst also having an eye on the future clearly, and the upcoming challenges we’ve got in white-ball cricket with the T20 World Cups and then obviously building for a new cycle in the 50-over World Cup as well,” Smith told Sky Sports.”What we had before the World Cup that obviously England just won in 2019, was a situation where we had more players who we we wanted to pick than we could put in the squad, and that’s what you want. You want to create over-supply, and you want to give yourself those headaches.”England’s behind-closed-doors training squad for the ODI series against Ireland•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Saqib Mahmood presents an interesting case. Named as a reserve for the Test squad currently at the Ageas Bowl for the first of three fixtures with West Indies, Mahmood was also named in the ODI squad.Smith told the BBC’s TMS programme that Mahmood would stay in Southampton and link up with the white-ball squad provided Olly Stone had recovered sufficiently from a hamstring problem to travel to Manchester for the second and third Tests.Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali, who were left out of the Test squad, were likely to remain part of the white-ball set-up this summer after being named in the squad preparing to face Ireland, subject to medical protocols. Moeen recently made himself available for Test selection again after opting out last winter, having lost his central contract and citing a desire for rest.Smith said only if health and safety guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19 were relaxed, would there be any possible movement of players between Test and limited-overs training bubbles.”The point about Moeen is that we’re really pleased he’s available for all formats for England,” Smith told TMS. “Moeen is a trusted and valued England cricketer, he’s had some really good moments across all formats in an England shirt. He’s now available for Test cricket. He came here, he did his prep, worked hard and that was all really good to see.”As it turned out, we retained consistency of selection and Dom Bess is selected in the 13 and in the XI. He finished the winter very strongly in those three consecutive victories on the road in South Africa in that 3-1 series win and that all makes perfect sense.”

حازم إمام: مهاجم الزمالك لم يقنعني.. ويجب استغلال كأس الرابطة للدفع بالناشئين

تحدث حازم إمام قائد فريق نادي الزمالك الأسبق عن أداء الفارس الأبيض في مباراة اليوم أمام غزل المحلة، وعن اللاعبين الذين شاركوا في اللقاء.

وكان الزمالك قد نجح في تحقيق الفوز على نظيره غزل المحلة برباعية دون رد، في الجولة الرابعة من عمر الدوري المصري الممتاز “النيل”.

وقال إمام في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “أون تايم سبورتس”: “فريق غزل المحلة لم يكن في يومه وتعرض لطرد مُبكر واحتسب ضده ركلة جزاء وتلقى هدفا من تشتيت للكرة”.

فيديو | الزمالك يفوز على المحلة برباعية مثيرة ويعود لوصافة الدوري

وأضاف: “الزمالك استغل الفرص وحالة ارتباك المحلة على أكمل وجه، لأن المحلة فجأة تغير كل ترتيبه طوال الأسبوع بعد أول دقيقة بسبب الطرد”.

وتابع: “جوزيه جوميز منح وقتا للاعبين الذين يحتاجون لفرصة، خاصة بعد الهدف الثالث، مباراة جيدة للزمالك بالتأكيد والظروف ساعدت الفريق، لكن يُحسب لجوميز واللاعبين استغلالها”.

واستكمل: “الزمالك اليوم أدى بشكل أفضل من الثلاث مباريات الماضية، اللاعبون في حالة تركيز واستغلوا المساحات، كنت أخشى أن يحدث فتور في الشوط الثاني ويعود المحلة للقاء، لكن الأبيض نزل وضغط مرة أخرى”.

واستطرد: “من الواضح أن فريق غزل المحلة دخل المباراة متحمسا فارتكبوا أخطاء مثل الطرد والتهور، على الناحية الأخرى الزمالك كان أكثر هدوءًا، وأحمد فتوح وبنتايج قدما جبهة قوية”.

وأكد: “مهاجم الفريق عمر فرج لم يُقنعني، وما أقلقني أنه في الدقيقة 88 وصلت له عرضية وهو أمام المرمى، لكنه تعامل مع الكرة وكأنه ليس رأس الحربة، طريقة تعامله لا تدل على أنه مهاجم”.

واستأنف: “كونراد ميشالاك لعب أفضل ربع ساعة منذ أن انضم للزمالك، راوغ مرتين وأرسل عرضيتين”.

رجل مباراة الزمالك وغزل المحلة في الدوري المصري

وتابع: “أنا أحب جوميز كمدرب، يعمل في ظروف صعبة وقليلًا ما يشكو، ويُقدم أداءً جيدًا، الزمالك الموسم الماضي كان يلعب بشكل أفضل بقوام أقل من ذلك، عكس أول 3 مباريات في الدوري هذا الموسم، دائمًا يعرف كيف يستحوذ على الكرة ونظام اللعب يجعل الفريق يؤدي بشكل جيد”.

وأتم: “يجب أن يستفيد الزمالك من مباريات كأس الرابطة، ولا يخوض البطولة باللاعبين الأساسيين بشكل كامل، بل يدفع بمواليد 2005 مع اللاعبين مثل عمر فرج وميشالاك ومحمود الونش، كأس الرابطة سيكون مفيدًا للأبيض”.

West Ham eye "superb" defender dreaming of England despite Napoli interest

West Ham could hand incoming manager Julen Lopetegui the perfect start to his reign by landing an impressive new addition staight away when the transfer window opens, it has been reported.

Changing of the guard at West Ham

David Moyes' long reign at West Ham came to an end with a whimper on Sunday as his side were comprehensively beaten by champions Manchester City on the final day of the Premier League season, a result which saw Pep Guardiola's side lift the Premier League title in the process.

Now, BBC have confirmed the worst kept secret at the club, that ex-Sevilla and Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui will be taking over from the Scot, with the deal set to be confirmed "later this week" in order to allow him to begin shaping the squad and experimenting across pre-season.

Moyes's second West Ham tenure

Games

230

Win %

45%

Points per game

1.53

Highest finish

6th

Trophies

1

Moyes will not be the only one leaving the London Stadium, with Michail Antonio having potentially played his final game for the Hammers ahead of his contract expiring this summer, while Ben Johnson is also set to leave as a free agent amid widespread interest in the versatile 24-year-old.

Michail Antonio scores for West Ham

Veteran pair Aaron Cresswell and Angelo Ogbonna are also out of contract this summer, while decisions will have to be made on Lukas Fabianski, Danny Ings and Kurt Zouma, who will have just 12 months left to run on their contracts in east London.

There will need to be plenty of new faces at the London Stadium, and now the club may well have just identified their first.

Hammers eye up young defender

Foot Mercato credit West Ham with an interest in RB Salzburg defender Oumar Solet, who is set to be on the move this summer. Under contract with the Austrian club until next summer, he is ready to leave in search of a new challenge, with the 24-year-old on the radar of a whole host of clubs across Europe including Bayern Munich and Napoli.

West Ham already on the verge of first summer signing from Arsenal

The Hammers have wasted no time.

ByTom Cunningham May 19, 2024

He has previously been vocal in his desire to play in England, telling GOAL about his career ambitions: "To play for the best teams in the world, of course. To be an example for young players. I just want to show my skills to the whole world. Since the youngest age, I've been a fan of the Premier League, but from now on, I am really open about every top league."

Solet has drawn plenty of praise for his performances for Salzburg, with journalist Zach Lowry taking to X to dub him a "superb" defender after one particular performance against Sevilla in the Champions League.

Now, Foot Mercato reveal that the Hammers have shown "strong interest" and "intend to take advantage" of his contract situation, which could see him leave for less than perhaps his market value would usually be.

It remains to be seen whether West Ham can beat their rivals across Europe for the Frenchman, but the early signs suggest that Lopetegui's arrival could bring with it some exciting new faces at the London Stadium this summer.

West Brom could seal a "very special" signing to transform Thomas-Asante

West Bromwich Albion just didn't have enough in the tank in the end to overcome Southampton in the Championship play-offs, but losing 3-1 over two legs to the eventual promotion winners wasn't an outrageous disgrace by any means.

Carlos Corberan's men now potentially face somewhat of a summer of upheaval in the West Midlands, with a number of contract decisions involving first-team personnel remaining up-in-the-air, alongside the fact Corberan may well walk away for a different job with Birmingham City and Burnley eyeing up the Spaniard.

It doesn't have to be an unsettling off-season, however, with some continuity potentially comforting West Brom fans, if a permanent deal can be struck for this golden loanee to stay put, who remains unwanted by his parent club.

West Brom must consider "very special" star

With Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers declaring that this summer could see an overhaul occur, Scottish outlet Daily Record are predicting that Mikey Johnson could be one casualty from the Hoops squad on his return from England.

West Brom would, no doubt, be straight at the front of the queue for Johnston if this was the case, with former Leeds United player turned football agent Ian Harte predicting with Football League World that he will be sold on to "recoup some money" after a frustrating time at Celtic Park.

Mikey Johnston

Johnston's valuation, according to Football Transfers, stands at only £1.4m currently, meaning the Baggies could win themselves a bargain, especially after his blistering loan spell helped West Brom dream about a Premier League return momentarily and even saw him be described as being "very special" by Corberan.

He could also breathe life back into Brandon Thomas-Asante over a full campaign if re-signed, with the ex-Salford City centre-forward anonymous for large portions of the season towards the crunch few months he was needed to step up in.

Why Thomas-Asante will love Mikey Johnston

The 5 foot 9 winger wasn't exactly the most charitable when it came to his assist count during his short half-season stint at the Hawthorns, only amassing two assists from 20 games, with his mazey darts forward often resulting in a sumptuous shot being fired.

Johnston's eight goals from 20 games could well inspire Thomas-Asante to get back to his lethal best, however, who managed just three more strikes from 23 more matches, but still reigned supreme as the overall top scorer for the Baggies come the conclusion of the gruelling campaign.

His Celtic numbers, however, indicate that he can be a creative force bombing forward as much as a goalscoring menace, collecting 12 assists from 93 contests with his goal tally only coming in at one more with 13.

Combining these assist numbers, with his electric goalscoring wearing a Baggies strip, could make Johnston an even harder winger to contain next season in the Championship, with Thomas-Asante feeding off his gung-ho teammate's energy.

Thomas-Asante's numbers for West Brom/Salford

Season

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

2023/24

41

11

2

2022/23

43

15

2

2021/22

43

13

4

2020/21

49

6

3

2019/20

27

6

4

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Never really being a prolific goalscorer throughout his career to date, even when emerging onto the scene back at Salford before his major West Brom move, Thomas-Asante could well just need a teammate who can put chances on a plate for him to awaken a poacher-like finisher in him in the form of Johnston.

With the likes of Grady Diangana and Tom Fellows also wanting to tee up Thomas-Asante when venturing forward as tricky attackers, the Baggies could be a far more easy-on-the-eye team next season to watch, particularly if Johnston signs on the dotted line permanently and picks up from where he left off instantly.

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Two South Africa men's players test positive for Covid-19

CSA conducted tests on 50 players and support staff members

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Aug-2020

CSA has not disclosed the names of players who tested positive for Covid-19•BCCI

Two South Africa men’s team players have tested positive for Covid-19, CSA said in a release on Thursday. CSA had conducted 50 tests on players and support staff overall. CSA did not disclose the names of the two players.The tests were carried out before the men’s team culture camp comprising 32 players in Skukuza from August 18 to 22. The two players who tested positive will miss the camp as they have begun isolation protocol.”The testing is in line with fulfilling the organisation’s obligation and commitment to control the spread of the virus,” the CSA statement said. “There were no replacements made for the two players who tested positive. All those unable to attend the camp will join the proceedings virtually.”Faf du Plessis was unable to attend the camp “due to the imminent birth” of his second child, and Theunis de Bruyn, who was to initially miss the camp due to family reasons, has now joined the team in Skukuza.The culture camp was being held against the backdrop of increasing racial polarisation in South African cricket. The group was to have a workshop around the team’s identity and environment and outline performance goals.CSA had conducted similar tests before the training camp for South Africa women’s team in July, when three members out of the squad and support staff had tested positive out of 34 tests overall.The following players were to participate in the camp: Aiden Markram, Andile Phehlukwayo, Anrich Nortje, Beuran Hendricks, Bjorn Fortuin, Daryn Dupavillon, David Miller, Dean Elgar, Dwaine Pretorius, George Linde, Glenton Stuurman, Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, Jon-Jon Smuts, Junior Dala, Kagiso Rabada, Keegan Petersen, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Verryenne, Lungi Ngidi, Lutho Sipamla, Pieter Malan, Pite Van Biljon, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Rudi Second, Senuran Muthusamy, Sisanda Magala, Tabraiz Shamsi, Temba Bavuma, Zubayr Hamza.

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