Rangers are believed to have made contact with an "excellent" player over a move to Ibrox in the January transfer window, according to a fresh update.
Rangers' left-back search
It looks as though the Gers will look to sign a new left-back this month, with a number of different players linked with coming in and filling the potential void left by Ridvan Yilmaz, should he leave the club.
Hellas Verona defender Josh Doig is one individual who has emerged as an option for Philippe Clement, as he possibly looks to return to the Scottish Premiership, while Liverpool youngster Owen Beck is also seen as an option to come in and provide more quality down the left flank.
Over the weekend, Bristol City's Cameron Pring is another name who has been thrown into the hat, providing competition for the players mentioned above, while Benfica's David Jurasek has also been backed to possibly trade the Portuguese giants for Rangers.
Much may depend on what happens regarding Yilmaz, of course – various links have suggested that he could depart this month – but a significant update has now emerged regarding one of the left-back targets.
Rangers make contact over David Jurasek
According to A Bola [via Ibrox News], Rangers have now been in contact with Benfica over left-back Jurasek and a move to the club this month.
The 23-year-old looks set to be available, assuming Manchester United youngster Alvaro Fernandez heads to Benfica, and he "must now go on loan", according to the report. Ligue 1 pair Marseille and Lens have both also been seen as possible suitors for Jurasek, with the former also thought to be interested in rivalling Rangers for the signing of Doig.
David Jurasek's Primeira Liga stats this season
Total
Appearances
6
Starts
2
Tackles per game
1.5
Clearances per game
1.5
Key passes per game
1.2
Pass completion rate
80.4%
The Benfica man appears to stand out as a good option for the Gers in January, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig heaping praise on his overall game, saying:
"Attacking full-back, fast, powerful & athletic, inexhaustible energy, vertical player who’s always looking to push forward at every opportunity. Superb crossing skills, tenacious & committed in duels, high work rate, determination & winning mentality 22 years of age. Excellent left-back we will see in a top league rather sooner than later."
Jurasek is still only 23 years of age, so Rangers would be snapping up someone who could improve a lot in the coming years, and the fact that he is a five-time capped Czech Republic international shows that he has been deemed good enough to get a chance on the biggest stage.
Rangers now weighing up offer to sign "really good athlete"
He could be a replacement for Ridvan Yilmaz.
ByHenry Jackson Jan 14, 2024
This season, the left-back has made three appearances in the Champions League, not to mention registering one assist for his country in Euro 2024 qualifying, so he could bring so much quality to Clement's team in the Scottish Premiership title battle.
يستهل الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، مشواره في بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا موسم 2024- 2025 بمواجهة جورماهيا الكيني.
ويلتقي الأهلي، بفريق جورماهيا الكيني، ضمن منافسات دور الـ32 من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا ذهابًا على ملعب نيابو الوطني.
طالع..رسميًا | الأهلي يعلن قيد 5 لاعبين جدد في القائمة الإفريقية
ولم يشارك الأحمر، في دور الـ 64 حيث أعفاه الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم بسبب تصنيفه في البطولة.
في الجهة المقبلة، كان جورماهيا تأهل إلى الدور التمهيدي الثاني لملاقاة الأهلي، على حساب المريخ جوبا بالفوز عليه بنتيجة 5-2 بمجموع المباراتين.
ويستهدف الأهلي، الحفاظ على لقب دوري الأبطال ورفع رصيده من الألقاب إلى 13 بطولة، حيث توج بالنسخة الماضية على حساب الترجي الرياضي التونسي.
الأهلي توج بلقب دوري أبطال إفريقيا 12 مرة في تاريخة، في أعوام 1983، 1987، 2001، 2005، 2006، 2008، 2012، 2013، 2020، 2021، 2023، وأخيرًا 2024. موعد مباراة الأهلي وجورماهيا الكيني في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
تقام المباراة بين الأهلي وجورماهيا، الأحد المقبل الموافق 15 سبتمبر الجاري، في تمام الساعة الثالثة عصرًا بتوقيت مصر والسعودية.
ويستضيف استاد القاهرة مباراة الإياب بين الأهلي وجورماهيا، يوم 21 سبتمبر، في تمام الساعة السابعة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي وجورماهيا الكيني
وفقًا لصفحتها الرسمية على منصة إكس أكدت قناة أبوظبي الرياضية، نقل مباراة الأهلي ضد جورماهيا بشكل مجاني. تردد قناة أبو ظبي الرياضية الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي وجورماهيا
England’s smooth build-up hits a snag on eve of warm-up fixture at Southampton
George Dobell at the Ageas Bowl24-May-2019An optimist, they say, views the glass as half full. A pessimist, they say, views it as half empty. And a regular supporter of England at World Cups expects the glass to explode at any moment, killing all present with fragments of glass. It is an expectation conditioned by years of grim experience.So there wasn’t a great sense of surprise when news of Eoin Morgan’s injury began to filter around the Ageas Bowl (or the Hampshire Bowl as the ICC, always mindful not to allow ‘ambush marketing’ would have us call it; they’ve spent the last few days putting masking tape over any tradename or logo across all World Cup venues). It was more a sense of ‘here we go again, then’.And then the relief. News a few hours later that Morgan had sustained “a small flake fracture” provided hope that he might – should, even – be fit for England opening World Cup match. Suddenly that glass was looking half full again.In some ways, England are quite well covered should Morgan suffer injury. The team, generally, know their roles inside-out, Jos Buttler has shown himself to be an astute captain and James Vince looks in decent form with the bat. Morgan’s withdrawal wouldn’t necessarily prove a fatal blow.But so important is Morgan to this team – so talismanic his presence, so unblinkingly positive his leadership and such good form is he in with the bat (he is averaging 94.50 at a strike-rate of 105.73 in his last 16 ODIs) – that his absence would surely weaken this side that has been created, in many ways, in his image. Nobody has played more ODIs for England (the opening match of the tournament should be his 200th) or scored more runs. He is probably as close to irreplaceable as anyone in the squad.While the England management insist Morgan will make a “full recovery” and be available for their opening match, against South Africa at the Kia Oval (it’s hard to resist teasing the ICC just a little) on May 30, there must be some doubt as to his fragility. While he should be fine while batting – protective equipment is excellent these days – there may be more concern about how he would fare in the field if he sustained another blow to the same area. He generally fields in the ring so is likely to encounter plenty of balls hit with great power.ALSO READ: Eoin Morgan sustains ‘flake fracture’ in fielding incidentDid the use of the words “small” and “flake” in the ECB media release suggest they were protesting a little too much? Maybe only to those of us who have watched England in recent World Cups – and not so recent, really – and seen them beaten like a snare drum. But this is a different England and maybe we shouldn’t allow bad memories to dim our enthusiasm.England would have been put in a tricky position had the x-ray showed a full break. While that might have put Morgan out of action for anywhere between three and five weeks, they would have been loath to call a new player into the squad. Under tournament regulations, a replaced player cannot subsequently be recalled and England might well have been prepared to carry Morgan for the first half-dozen or so group games in the hope he could make an impact in the final half of the event. There will be great relief in the camp that they have not been forced into such a dilemma.Morgan is not the only injury concern. Adil Rashid also misses Saturday’s match with a view to managing his long-standing shoulder problem. He is not thought to be in doubt for the South Africa game, though it does provide a reminder of how many of these players are going to have to be nursed through the tournament. It is hard to imagine Mark Wood or Chris Woakes playing every game, either. Perhaps partly for that reason, England will utilise 12 players on Saturday to ensure the bowlers’ workload is limited. These warm-up games do not carry List A or ODI status and can involve up to 15 players a side.Rashid’s absence provides an early opportunity for Liam Dawson to slip back into England duty. It is not ideal that Dawson has not featured in the England side this year but he has, at least, been in excellent form for Hampshire. He has played for England in all formats and is, by all accounts, a down-to-earth character. Indeed, in his press conference on Friday, he reacted to questions about his late call-up with all the apparent enthusiasm of a man taking delivery of a new filter for his Hoover-unbranded vacuum cleaner. For journalists hungry for a soundbite it wasn’t ideal, but such an equable temperament may prove invaluable for England over the next few frenetic weeks.It remains a shame that Dawson – and his Hampshire colleague, Vince – should be forced to miss Saturday’s Royal London Cup final against Somerset at Lord’s. The domestic Lord’s final used to be one of the showcase events of the season; now it is not – arguably, anyway – even the biggest match of the day. Both games will be broadcast by Sky with the England game available on Sky Mix, which means it is free-to-air for some customers.How such a clash of events has been allowed to happen remains unclear. The cynical might suggest the ECB are looking to undermine and overshadow their own 50-over competition ahead of its downgrading next year. The cynical are often right.
Rangers are in a three-way tussle to acquire the signature of an "absolutely brilliant" Premier League player, according to a new transfer update.
Rangers transfer targets
Philippe Clement is looking to bring in some fresh faces during the January transfer window, as he gets his first opportunity to sign individuals who he feels are right for his style of play. Various players have been linked with a move to Rangers before the end of the month, with the club's interest in Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland refusing to go away. Hellas Verona left-back Josh Doig, formerly of Hibernian, is also seen as an option to come in and be a key player.
Everton's Ben Godfrey has been backed to move to Ibrox in the recent past, too, should Clement feel the need to further add to his defence, and Michy Batshuayi is another name who has been thrown into the hat, though that one looks to have hit a wall.
Rangers want Ben Johnson
Now, according to Football Insider, Rangers are interested in signing West Ham defender Ben Johnson, but they aren't the only club keen on snapping him up.
Leeds United transfer target Ben Johnson before a Premier League game with West Ham.
"Rangers, Leeds United and Sheffield United are among the sides keen on landing West Ham star Ben Johnson this month, sources have told Football Insider. It is believed Southampton are also in the mix for the 23-year-old – who could leave the London Stadium on loan before the 1 February deadline.
"Johnson is entering the final six months of his West Ham contract and is keen to play regular first-team football after struggling for game time with David Moyes’ side. He has rejected several offers from the Irons over a potential new deal. It is believed Johnson has lots of interest from clubs in England and north of the border – with Rangers, Leeds, Sheffield United and Southampton the most keen on a deal."
Johnson could jump at the opportunity to move to Rangers this month, having fallen almost completely out of favour under David Moyes at West Ham, only featuring twice in the Premier League this season, just one of which was a start.
At 23, the Englishman is a key point in his career, in terms of not wasting some of his best years, and he could add both quality and versatility to the Gers' defence, capable of playing at centre-back and in either full-back role, as well as in midfield. Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has hailed him in the past, too, saying: "Johnson’s performances have been of such merit that he deserves to be in the team. There is no doubt about that in my eyes. He has been absolutely brilliant since he has come in."
Rangers officials now battling to bring in-demand defensive gem to Ibrox
The Gers could land a defensive boost…
ByTom Cunningham Jan 11, 2024
There is the threat that Johnson could want to remain in England, potentially giving Leeds United and Sheffield United an advantage, but a move to Rangers would give him a chance to win the Scottish Premiership title this season, and hopefully in the coming years as well.
It's been quite the ride down the N17 this season, with Ange Postecoglou's summer appointment proving to be a masterstroke after excellent early-season form threw Tottenham Hotspur to the front of the Premier League table.
Few expected such a swift ascent, with Tottenham lumbering to an eighth-placed finish in the English top-flight and consequently missing out on European football entirely.
Such woes were compounded when Postecoglou's pre-season preparations took a big blow as Spurs' club record scorer Harry Kane completed a transfer to Bayern Munich, having spent the duration of his professional career at Tottenham.
Spurs' 5 ft 10 "nuisance" could be more important than Kulu vs Everton
Ange Postecoglou’s side will be confident of beating the in-form Toffees in London.
ByAngus Sinclair Dec 23, 2023
But it mattered not and the Lilywhites marched into some sublime form that got English football chattering over the possibility of an unlikely title challenge.
This was derailed by a recent slump, now ended, and while the five-match winless run was unacceptable, terrible luck with injuries and suspensions proved to be the club's undoing, and Postecoglou will now attempt to rectify this by bolstering effectively in January.
Spurs transfer news – Tosin Adarabioyo
The Spurs manager has revealed that his priority is to sign a centre-back this winter, with £43m summer signing Micky van de Ven picking up a hamstring injury back in November and remaining sidelined to date – it was this injury that had such a detrimental effect on the progress.
Multiple options have been discussed, with recent reports suggesting that the London club could be back in for Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo, having waged transfer battle against AS Monaco in the summer for his signature, with both sides ultimately failing.
Tosin Adarabioyo for Fulham
And now, according to the Sun, Tottenham have been boosted by Adarabioyo's declaration that he will not sign a new deal with the Craven Cottage side, with his contract expiring in June.
Why Spurs are interested in Tosin Adarabioyo
Having shipped an embarrassing 63 goals in the league last term, Tottenham needed to respond emphatically and indeed did so with the capture of Van de Ven, who formed a fearsome partnership with Cristian Romero to restore the backline's solidity.
But his injury has illuminated the fragility of Postecoglou's team and a player such as Adarabioyo could provide adequate cover to alleviate the burden on the starring defensive axis.
Securing his signature could be a repeat of the deal to sign James Maddison, aged 27, from Leicester City in the summer, improving the ranks at the expense of a Premier League rival.
Indeed, one of Postecoglou's first ports of call after arriving from Celtic was the £40m acquisition of Maddison, one of English football's most influential playmakers.
He's definitely lived up to the plate, winning August's Premier League Player of the Month award and posting three goals and five assists from 11 matches.
Sadly, like Van de Ven, Maddison is sidelined until the new year in what has been a definitive factor behind Spurs' startling loss of form, but the mere fact that he plies his trade in Tottenham white is a galvanising thought for his teammates.
Adarabioyo could recreate this effect from a defensive standpoint, having been described as a "magnificent" player by writer Muhammed Butt.
Tosin Adarabioyo's style of play
Adarabioyo is a towering titan with impressive command in the rearguard, and having amassed 113 appearances for Fulham, he has been instrumental in the promotion push and subsequent cementation of Premier League status.
This season, as per Sofascore, the Englishman has only played five times due to injury but has started the past three games and scored in Fulham's 5-0 romp over West Ham United.
Completing 83% of his passes, the 26-year-old has also averaged 2.8 clearances per game and won 71% of his contested duels, proving his worth as one of the most underrated defenders in the division despite the lack of match action this season.
As per FBref, the one-time Citizen ranks among the top 19% of centre-halfs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive passes, the top 10% for shots taken, the top 1% for clearances and the top 15% for aerial wins per 90.
The 6 foot 5 titan would be a credit to Tottenham's blooming project and would be the perfect replacement for Eric Dier, who is set to depart at the end of his contract next summer.
Given that he is a former Manchester City youth product too, it's clear that Adarabioyo boasts a ball-playing proficiency to align with Postecoglou's fluid, fast-paced style.
Player
Club
Joachim Andersen
Crystal Palace
Harry Maguire
Manchester United
Ibrahima Konate
Liverpool
*Sourced via FBref
Adarabioyo, in short, would be a terrific addition and whether Spurs sign him on a cut-price deal in January or opt to offer him a contract at the end of the campaign remains to be seen at this stage, but he could be the perfect alternative for Jean-Clair Todibo.
Why Spurs are interested in Jean-Clair Todibo
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have opened negotiations with French side OGC Nice to discuss the possible transfer of Todibo, and while he is top of the list, it is stressed that it will not be an easy one to get over the line, with Manchester United also interested.
A fee of around £35m would be enough for Nice to consider his January sale, but with reinforcements needed across multiple positions, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy may be dissuaded from parting with such a sum.
As such, drawing up plans to sign Adarabioyo appears to be a prudent and resourceful move, with Marco Silva recently heralding the player's "special" skill set after Fulham advanced to the Carabao Cup semi-finals after defeating Everton.
It would perhaps be something of a blow to miss out on Todibo, however, with the Frenchman ranking among the top 8% of positional peers for passes attempted, the top 5% for successful take-ons and the top 7% for tackles made per 90, but then it would be a foolhardy approach to place all of their eggs in one basket.
Therefore, Adarabioyo would be an appropriate alternative, and who knows, given that he is a Premier League-proven player, he could even end up being the best deal to make.
Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo revealed League Two teams used to be jealous of Wrexham as they constantly fought them after every game.
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League Two teams were jealous of Wrexham
Fought the Red Dragons after every match
Okonkwo enjoyed remarkable form for the Welsh side
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Arsenal loanee enjoyed a stellar run of form for the Red Dragons in the 2023/24 season as he kept 14 clean sheets in 36 starts and played an important role in his club gaining promotion to League One.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
After a successful season with the Welsh side, the 22-year-old revealed how their League Two rivals were always used to be jealous of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side and how they practically treated every league game during the campaign as a cup final.
WHAT ARTHUR OKONKWO SAID
Speaking to the , the English custodian said, "I don’t think there’s a lot of teams who like us in the division. Just because of the club, there’s some jealousy and I think every game we played was like a cup final. If we lost a game then they would celebrate. It would be unbelievable. With the fans jumping into crowds, fighting us at the end of games, pushing us and saying to us, ‘You’re rubbish’ and stuff like this. It’s definitely a different experience! We had pressure on our shoulders, we were determined to get promoted and we showed we can handle it."
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WHAT NEXT FOR ARTHUR OKONKWO?
The player will become a free agent when his contract with the Gunners expires at the end of next month. Phil Parkinson's side are working hard to try and sign him permanently before competing in the third tier.
With Christmas approaching, Leeds United find themselves third in the Championship table as they look to gain promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt following last year's relegation.
Right now, the gap to the automatic promotion spots stands at a significant ten points, with Leeds losing ground to the top two after a defeat at Sunderland and a 1-1 draw at home to Coventry. It looks as if Daniel Farke's side may have to be content with a play-off place, but history has shown that path is fraught with danger.
With the right incoming business in January, Leeds will hope to make a fresh push towards Leicester and Ipswich, and ensure they're looking up rather than down in the second half of the season. Already, though, Farke has encountered a blow, with the club walking away empty-handed after talks to sign a winger in January.
Leeds hold talks for Galatasaray star Akturkoglu
Earlier this week, Turkish outlet Fanatik reported that Leeds were among the teams to "frequently contact" the management of Galatasaray's Kerem Akturkoglu, with Italian club Lazio also named as a potential suitor. The club's interest in making a move in the January transfer window had apparently escalated in talks over the past fortnight.
Akturkoglu, 25, joined Galatasaray three years ago from 24 Erzincanspor, and while he's predominantly a left winger, he can also play as a second striker and on the right of the front three (via Transfermarkt).
Akturkoglu transfer "vetoed" by Buruk
Now however, Beyaz Gazette claims that Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has spoken to both Akturkoglu and his equally coveted teammate Sacha Boey, who plays as a right-back, and informed them they won't be allowed to leave in January.
Buruk has exercised his right to veto the proposed moves away, and told the two to wait until the end of the season, with the Istanbul outfit currently level on points with Fenerbahce at the top of the table and also looking to secure a place in the Europa League round of 16 in February's play-off round.
It doesn't look like either player will try to force their way out either, because their reaction to the manager's blunt message has apparently been positive. It's a shame that Leeds won't be able to sign a player dubbed "Football's Harry Potter" by journalist Sam Cunningham (a nickname he justified by mimicking the use of wand as he celebrated a goal), at least until next summer.
Akturkoglu has consistenly put up excellent numbers for his side, scoring 31 goals and providing 35 assists since the start of the 2021/22 season (via Transfermarkt). This season, he's managed eight apiece in all competitions, none more notable than his goals in both of Galatasaray's Champions League group-stage meetings against Manchester United. Those strikes helped Buruk's side qualify for the Europa League and dump Man United out of Europe altogether.
As of the start of November, Akturkoglu was tied with Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr for the most assists by players in Europe's top 10 leagues and domestic cup competitions in 2023 with 19, and a big part of his threat is his crossing (via Zach Lowy).
Using his pace – Barcelona manager Xavi called him "very fast" after a Europa League encounter in 2021,via Goal, he's able to get down the line and fire the ball into the penalty area. Indeed, he ranks fifth in the Super Lig for crosses per game this season at 1.7 (via WhoScored).
He would have been an electrifying watch at Elland Road, but maybe there's hope that this one gets revived at the end of the season.
CONMEBOL have announced that match officials will have a pink card, alongside yellow and red, during the 2024 Copa America.
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New pink card in Copa America To be used to indicate a concussion substitute Teams can opt for a sixth change with this rule WHAT HAPPENED?
In a groundbreaking move to enhance player safety, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has mandated the use of a pink card for the upcoming continental tournament. This innovative measure aims to address the serious issue of head injuries and concussions in football by providing a clear protocol for concussion substitutions.
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This summer's Copa America, scheduled to take place in the United States from June 20 to July 14, will see referees wielding pink cards alongside the traditional yellow and red ones. The pink card signifies the need for a player to be substituted due to a suspected concussion or head injury. This new rule was passed ahead of the tournament as part of CONMEBOL's ongoing efforts to prioritize player health and safety.
It allows for a sixth substitute to be introduced in matches if a player is suspected of suffering from a concussion. According to CONMEBOL, the process requires the team’s coach to inform the main referee or the fourth official, who will then show the pink card to indicate the substitution. Moreover, the opposing team will also be granted an additional substitute to maintain fairness in the game. This means both teams can potentially benefit from an extra substitution if a player suffers a head injury.
WHAT CONMEBOL SAID
A statement from CONMEBOL read: "The CONMEBOL Directorate of Competitions and Operations announced that, to the five changes per team authorised by the regulations, a potential sixth will be added to take care of the health of the footballers. This is an extra substitution in the event of suspected head trauma and concussion. To do so, the main referee or the fourth referee must be informed and a pink card will be used."
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DID YOU KNOW?
Once a player is substituted under the pink card rule, they are not allowed to return to the field of play. The affected player will be taken to the dressing room or a medical facility for further assessment and care. This ensures that the player receives appropriate medical attention and avoids the risks associated with returning to play prematurely. Team doctors must then complete and submit a detailed report to CONMEBOL's medical commission within 24 hours, outlining the concussion assessment findings, regardless of whether the player was substituted or not. This documentation is crucial for monitoring and ensuring that concussion protocols are properly followed.
Alex Hales has been withdrawn from all England squads ahead of the international season in the wake of his 21-day ban for using recreational drugs.According to an ECB statement, Ashley Giles, ECB’s managing director of England men’s cricket, and the England selectors, headed by Ed Smith, took the decision after considering what is in the best interests of the England team.”Consideration was given to creating the right environment within the team and ensuring that there are no unnecessary distractions and that the team is in the best position to succeed going into this crucial period,” read the statement.Hales will not travel to Ireland for a one-off ODI on Friday in Malahide and has also been removed from England’s squad for the T20I, the one-day series against Pakistan, and the preliminary World Cup squad.”We have thought long and hard about this decision,” Giles said. “We have worked hard to create the right environment around the England team and need to consider what is in the best interests of the team, to ensure they are free from any distractions and able to focus on being successful on the pitch.”I want to make it clear this is not the end of Alex’s career as an England player. The ECB and the PCA will continue to aid Alex and work alongside his county club Nottinghamshire to give him the support he needs, to help him fulfil his potential as a professional cricketer.”England will name a replacement for the ODI series against Pakistan in due course.Last week, it was announced that Hales had failed a drugs test, having tested positive for a recreational drug in recent weeks.He is currently serving a 21-day ban after returning a second positive test, having pulled out of Nottinghamshire’s Royal London Cup campaign, shortly after the World Cup squad was announced, for undisclosed personal reasons.The drugs violation is understood to have been detected after Hales underwent a routine hair-follicle test, which all professional men’s cricketers and centrally contracted women’s players undergo at the start and finish of every season.This incident is just the latest disciplinary issue to have affected Hales’ career. In December, he was handed a six-match ban – four of which are still suspended – and fined by the ECB following the Cricket Disciplinary Commission’s inquiry into the fracas outside Mbargo nightclub in September 2017 that led to Ben Stokes’ arrest and subsequent trial for affray.Hales has not been a first-choice player in England’s white-ball squad since being dropped in the wake of that incident, with Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy forging a successful partnership at the top of the order.However, in June last year, Hales’ 147 from 92 balls was the key innings in England’s world-record total of 481 for 6 against Australia at Trent Bridge, and the strength that he would have added to England’s squad depth will be keenly missed, especially now that his most obvious understudy, Sam Billings, has been ruled out of the season due to a dislocated shoulder.England have until May 23 to finalise their World Cup 15, and so the coming series against Ireland and the Pakistan matches represent a huge opportunity for a replacement batsman to make his case for selection. The current front-runner would appear to be Hampshire’s James Vince, who made a career-best 190 from 154 balls against Gloucestershire last week.
In a top order-heavy Royal Challengers batting line-up, Parthiv Patel has made peace with his role as an opener and the uncertainty of his position, should he lose his form
Sruthi Ravindranath in Bengaluru05-Apr-2019
Parthiv Patel steers one towards third man•BCCI
How does one stand out in a team that has Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in it?Just ask Parthiv Patel. He is currently Royal Challengers Bangalore’s top run-scorer in IPL 2019, with 138 runs in four games, 45 ahead of the second-placed de Villiers. Yet, nearly half the questions asked of him at the press conference on the eve of the match between Royal Challengers and Kolkata Knight Riders were about the Big Two in his side. And all Parthiv did was respond, breaking into his trademark crinkle-eyed smile. By now, he’s probably accepted that they’re always going to be the talking point.”Obviously they set very high standards, there is no doubt about it,” Parthiv said on Thursday, in Bengaluru. “The reason everyone is talking about Virat and AB is because of the performance they have given for Royal Challengers, and with Virat for India and AB for South Africa. I think more than anything, they will try and score big. AB had a good game against Mumbai here and Virat got a 40 as well in the same game. I am sure as everyone else, they will be as hungry as possible.”Royal Challengers have endured a rough start to the season, losing all four games. Their most recent match, against Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, ended in another heavy defeat but a look at the scorecard throws up just one noteworthy batting performance: Parthiv’s 67 off 41 balls.In that game, he had a cautious start, making 22 off 13 in the Powerplay, going after just the bad balls while letting Kohli take most of the strike. After Kohli and de Villiers’ wickets in succession, and another batting collapse, it seemed like Parthiv was the only one who could avert another disaster. Although he kept his wicket intact till the 18th over, he could not accelerate as expected and the team managed 158 for 4.Rewind to the opening game of IPL 2019, where Parthiv kept his cool and batted deep in a collapse which saw Royal Challengers crumble to 70 all out against Chennai Super Kings, after Kohli and de Villiers had fallen for single-digit scores. He was the only Royal Challengers batsman to get to double figures and also came close to carrying his bat: he was the last batsman to be dismissed for 29 off 35 balls.In a tournament – and a format – synonymous with big numbers, bringing up Parthiv’s statistics is unlikely to do him favours. He has played 129 matches in the IPL and has 2613 runs at an average of 22.5. His strike rate of 119.14 is the second-lowest among openers who have played at least 50 IPL matches. While he can bring out the big shots, he isn’t known as a batsman who can go wham from the first ball. Since March 2017, he has a Powerplay strike rate of 148.67 but after the first six overs, it fizzles down to 119.83. In the last five years, his average has touched 30 in just one completed season (in 2018).BCCI
Yet, Royal Challengers have kept faith in the 34-year old, buying him back in 2018 even after his below-par stint with them in 2014.Parthiv has featured in all the editions of the tournament and has played for six different IPL teams. He’s had 22 different opening partners through the years; eight at Royal Challengers over three seasons and three in the last four games of IPL 2019 alone. But with Kohli admitting that the side haven’t found the right balance yet and that more chopping and changing are on the way, just a few bad scores for Parthiv could probably keep him out of a top-order heavy line-up. Considering the fragility of Royal Challengers’ batting order, it’s unlikely they would keep him just as the experienced wicketkeeper who would float around the order depending on the needs.Ask Parthiv about his role in the team and this is all he says: “Personally, I have played for so many teams and played with so many openers, it doesn’t matter that much to me. I have played a lot with Virat and with Moeen [Ali] together. I know what my role is and it doesn’t worry me too much.”Parthiv has indeed managed to show his value and has been trying to prove that he belongs in that Royal Challengers line-up. While accepting that the spotlight is always going to be on them, he probably realises he might not always be given the long rope, especially at the top of the order.”Obviously I am quite happy the way I have played but individual performances doesn’t matter as much. Whoever plays in the XI tries to do well and exactly what I have been trying to do,” he said. “Every time I get a chance to play, I try to perform to the best of my ability and I am glad the performances have come so far.”