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BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has said that the Indian board is willing to extend all kinds of help to Afghanistan, who want to use an Indian venue to play their matches

ESPNcricinfo staff15-May-20150:33

‘Afghanistan want a home ground in India’ – Thakur

BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has said that the Indian board is willing to extend all kinds of help to Afghanistan, who want to use an Indian venue to play their matches.”Afghanistan Cricket Board has requested BCCI that they want to come and play here, use the infrastructure and also to have one venue as the Afghan venue,” Thakur told . “Their board has requested to create one centre in India which can be dedicated to Afghanistan cricket.”BCCI will be more than happy to accommodate the Afghan cricket team for any kind of help for the promotion of the game.”Asked if any kind of financial assistance will be given to the Afghanistan team by the BCCI, Thakur said: “Let’s see, let them write to BCCI. Any knowledge, any kind of help which Afghanistan board requires, we are more than happy to help them.”Afghanistan have used Sharjah as the venue for some of their bilateral series in the past.

ESPNcricinfo previews the match between Auckland Aces and Perth Scorchers at Centurion

The Preview by Kanishkaa Balachandran22-Oct-2012

Match facts

October 23, 2012
Start time 1330 local (1130 GMT)Nothing less than an outright win will help Auckland progress•Associated Press

Big Picture

The Champions League rolls on to its final day of league matches, and the semi-finalists are yet to be decided from Group A. The other group, in contrast, wasn’t quite as open or competitive, with Sydney Sixers and Lions already booking their slots in the semis, thereby making Monday’s games inconsequential.As for the opening game on Tuesday, only one of the two teams has something to play for. Auckland Aces are currently third with six points and to beat Perth Scorchers to keep their hopes alive. An outright win will take them to ten points. Their progression will then depend on the result of the second game of the evening, between Delhi Daredevils and Titans. Daredevils will move to 14 points if they win, but if they lose, they will be locked on 10 points with Auckland, and therefore only one of the two will progress, based on superior net run-rate. If Auckland can secure their four points tomorrow, they will hope for a Daredevils victory as it cuts out the net-run-rate scenario.There’s nothing at stake for Perth, though, who were eliminated after losing to Daredevils in a low-scorer at Newlands. Following two consecutive defeats, the Australian side would want to save face with a consolation win. A Perth win will make the second game a dead rubber. Auckland were properly tested for the first time last week when they lost comprehensively to the Titans at Kingsmead. After restricting teams to below-par totals from the qualifying stage, they were set to chase 173, but fell 59 short. Their next game, against Daredevils, was washed out without a ball bowled. Auckland will hope the weather cooperates at Centurion, so they can pick up four points. They have to win, and then watch.Auckland will be without their allrounder Andre Adams, who picked up a abdominal muscle tear while batting against Titans. Having returned home, he is likely to be out for up to three weeks.

Watch out for…

Lou Vincent has made starts, with scores of 20, 19, 30 and 6, but hasn’t lasted more than 16 balls in any innings. He’s in the side to provide strong starts, and a lengthier stint at the crease should make a difference. Vincent has reportedly been keeping the team’s spirits alive by giving “motivational speeches” with his Justin Bieber doll. Some runs with the bat will lift the team greater.Perth’s Mitchell Marsh has hit one of the biggest sixes in the tournament and is the only player from the squad to score 100 runs or more. Perth have only managed scores of 124 (chasing 164) and 121 in their two completed games and if Marsh can fire at the top, he could help his team to an above-par score and test Auckland.

Quotes

“We certainly haven’t played anywhere near what we did last summer, and hopefully that’s going to bug quite a few of the guys to put in a good performance to finish well.”

ESPNcricinfo previews the Kolkata Knight Riders v Warriors CLT20 match

The Preview by Nikita Bastian30-Sep-2011

Match facts

Kolkata Knight Riders v Warriors, October 1, Bangalore
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)Johan Botha is among the most economical bowlers in Twenty20 cricket and is closing in on 1000 runs•AFP

Big Picture

Kolkata Knight Riders have finally arrived. After an unconvincing win against Auckland in the Champions League T20 qualifiers and three consecutive losses, the team clicked against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday. The bowlers prised out six wickets in the first 15 overs and kept the run rate below 7.00, before the inevitable late surge. The top order, apart from a few unsightly swings from Brad Haddin early on, were efficient.The question though remains, has it all come together a little too late for the Knight Riders? It’s still down to net run rates and other results going their way. They have all but wiped out their negative net run rate by easing past Royal Challengers, but, to have any chance of a semi-final berth, will need another big win against a team that has looked the best unit in the CLT20 so far: Warriors. In game one, against Royal Challengers, Warriors showed they had the temperament to fight their way out of a tough situation. In their second match, they blew away South Australia. A win here will all but guarantee them a place in the semi-finals.In an aside, Mark Boucher had made it clear he wants to use the tournament as a platform to re-launch his international limited-overs career. With South Africa wicketkeeper AB de Villiers picking up an injury on Wednesday during a practice session with Royal Challengers, Boucher will be eager to make a difference in this match.

Watch out for …

Johan Botha followed up his match-turning partnership with Ashwell Prince against Royal Challengers with a stifling three-over spell against South Australia, in which he picked up Michael Klinger’s wicket and conceded only 11 runs. He boasts of the best economy rate (200 overs minimum) in the shortest format – 6.01 – and is 24 runs short of 1000 Twenty20 runs. Will he get past the landmark on Saturday?Returning after a nasty concussion, Gautam Gambhir looked scratchy in the short time he spent at the crease in Knight Riders’ previous two matches. Against Royal Challengers though, he seemed to regain his touch, manoeuvring the spinners with ease and stroking sixes down the ground. His return to form is a big boost for a side that’s fighting for survival.

Team news

Knight Riders got their opening combinations just right on Thursday – Jacques Kallis bowling up front and Haddin at the top of the batting order worked well. They have finally seem to found some rhythm, so it seems unlikely that they will tamper too much with their XI. One change they will ponder is whether to bring back the experienced L Balaji for Jaydev Unadkat, who went for plenty against Royal Challengers.Warriors made only one change in their last match, playing Kelly Smuts in place of Justin Kreusch down the order, and are unlikely to tweak their line-up much here either. The big-hitting Craig Thyssen has been dismissed cheaply in both games, but as he hasn’t had much of a chance to get going, he should play.

Stats and trivia

• So far in the tournament, JJ Smuts has the most runs from boundaries in an innings – 52 off his 88 runs against South Australia came in fours and sixes
• Kallis and Gambhir’s century partnership against Royal Challengers is the second-highest for any wicket in the tournament

Quotes

“Brett and Kallis bowled tremendously in the first six overs [against Royal Challengers]. But we have concerns regarding our bowling at the death and that needs to be addressed.”
“We would like to finish first.”

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has expressed shock at the appointment of Misbah-ul-Haq as Test captain for the upcoming series against South Africa

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Oct-2010Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has expressed shock at the appointment of Misbah-ul-Haq as Test captain for the upcoming series against South Africa.”I was surprised when I heard that Misbah has been named the Pakistan captain,” Akram told Mobile ESPN. “He has been out of the team since the beginning of the year and to bring him back as a captain was a bit shocking.”Misbah was a regular member of the Pakistan middle-order in all formats following his comeback to the side in 2007. He was dropped after a lean trot during the Test series in Australia that ended in January this year. Despite a surprise appearance for the 2010 World Twenty20 in the West Indies in May, few expected him to make another Test appearance.Pakistan’s current leadership crisis, following Shahid Afridi’s latest retirement from Tests and Salman Butt’s suspension for alleged involvement in spot-fixing, forced the board to recall Misbah and appoint him as their fourth Test captain in 2010 alone.”They did not have too many choices,” Akram reasoned. “Kamran Akmal is there but he is inexperienced. They have also tried Shoaib Malik. Mohammad Yousuf is making a comeback after a long time and he should just concentrate on his batting at the moment.”If they have named him the captain for one series, it’s okay. He is already 36 and the PCB needs to find a long-term solution to this problem. I do not know the vision of the selectors.”Pakistan have endured a torrid period following the controversial tour of England and Akram noted Misbah would have a key role as a leader in the South Africa series, both on and off the field. “Misbah will be under pressure. He will have to improve the image of Pakistan cricket. For Misbah handling the media and getting runs himself could be demanding.”The wickets in Dubai might suit Misbah’s style of batting, but you cannot take the South Africans lightly. They are a very tough opposition under any conditions. Misbah needs to work hard and make sure he earns the faith of the team. If he gets runs, everything else will take care of itself.”

After being incredibly unfortunate not to pick up anything last time out against Arsenal, West Ham delivered an emphatic response as they thrashed Wolves 4-0 at the London Stadium.

The Hammers looked as good as they have been in a very long time, and some clinical finishing saw them run away with it by the end. And with two goals to his name, there was no doubting Jarrod Bowen stole the show for David Moyes’ side.

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The former Hull City man looked inspired out on the right-hand side, and his opening goal was the perfect example of the confidence running through his veins. Slipped in by Pablo Fornals, Bowen drove at Roman Saiss before bending one into the bottom corner.

And after seeing his goal-scoring display, West Ham fans took to Twitter to share their reactions.

A couple of Hammers fans compared Bowen to former Bayern Munich superstar Arjen Robben, with one supporter just hoping that he isn’t as injury prone as the Dutchman.

If West Ham can get Bowen firing on all cylinders, then they stand a good chance of enjoying a very successful campaign this season.

At Hull, he was someone who could chip in with plenty of goals, with his final full season there seeing him net 22 times in 46 Championship games.

His display against Wolves may just have lit the blue touch paper.

According to The Athletic, Milan have pulled out of the race to sign Tottenham defender Serge Aurier this summer.

What’s the word?

The Ivory Coast international has been linked with a move away from north London all summer, with earlier reports claiming that the likes of Milan and Bayer Leverkusen were after his signature.

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Now, with The Athletic confirming that Wolves right-back Matt Doherty is closing in on a switch to Spurs, it is also revealed that Milan have pulled out of negotiations for the right-back.

The news comes just after Milan’s sporting director, Frederic Massara, insisted that the “conditions” imposed on Aurier’s transfer were far too restrictive, and thus making it too difficult for them to continue their pursuit.

Unforgivable from Levy

Whilst Daniel Levy playing hardball and getting the best possible deal can reap some rewards – reports are even claiming that Spurs are set to sign Doherty for around £15m (£5m less than the original asking price) – it can also have some major consequences too.

Aurier has been a player Spurs have been looking to move on all summer, and just when things seemed like they were beginning to pick up pace and that the former PSG right-back could finally be on his way out of the clubs, Levy’s stubbornness has come back to haunt them.

With around a couple of weeks before the start of the new Premier League season, Levy’s penny-pinching over the £70k-a-week defender means Jose Mourinho could well have an unwanted player during first-team training. And if Leverkusen don’t follow up their own interest in Aurier, then Spurs may have to contend with the Ivorian simply staying put in north London.

So whilst Doherty’s signing may be a major plus point, Levy’s handling of Aurier’s exit is something unforgivable.

Key information about Liberty Stadium

Liberty Stadium was built in 2003 but wasn’t officially opened until 2005 and is now the home of Swansea City. The ground is located in the Landore area of Swansea in Wales and is the largest purpose-built venue in the county.

Its capacity is 21,088 and it has a pitch that measures 105m by 68m. The surface is covered with hybrid grass with undersoil heating already installed and no running track surrounding it.

The record attendance at the Liberty Stadium was set on 1 May 2016 when 20,992 spectators watched Swansea take on Liverpool.

A history of Liberty Stadium

At the beginning of the new millennium, Swansea City had to move away from their previous home, Vetch Field, because the ground was deteriorating and was simply outdated by that point. After all, they had been playing their football there for over a 100 years and a change was long overdue.

In 2003, with the help and support of City and County of Swansea Council, the Liberty Stadium was built along with the Morfa Retail Park only a stone’s throw away from the very centre of Swansea City. The whole project was reportedly worth around £50m and would entail a bowl-shaped venue for 20,520 seats.

On 10 July 2005, Liberty Stadium was finally opened – even though it broke ground two years prior to that – and officially became the home of both Swansea City football club and the Ospreys – one of four professional rugby union teams in the country.

The first game to be played at the ground was a friendly clash against Fulham which ended in a 1-1 draw. The club then erected a statue of Ivor Allchurch, a legend of the squad, and this was followed by the first league game ever played at Liberty Stadium – Swansea City against Oldham Athletic in October 2005.

Interestingly, the first capacity crowd recorded there was for a rugby game between the Ospreys and Australia A with the home side winning 24–16. Swansea City would have to wait until 1 May 2016 to tally their record attendance of 20,992 for a clash against Liverpool.

The most recent changes to the ground were first made at the beginning of the 2014/15 campaign with new screens and advertising boards added over time. There were more expansion plans conceived that could potentially boost the capacity to over 40,000 but we’re still waiting for the ideas to materialise.

IInterestingly, in European matches, the Liberty Stadium is called Swansea Stadium due to UEFA regulations on sponsorship while on 8 May 2015 it was renamed The Katie Phillips Stadium for one night only following a competition won by Ospreys supporter Katie Phillips.

Tickets to watch Swansea City at Liberty Stadium

All tickets to watch Swansea City play at Liberty Stadium can be found and purchased on the club’s official website. The average adult ticket will cost you around £35.

However, there are memberships discounts as well as a season ticket scheme that can save you money in the long run.

Related links

https://www.swanseacity.com/ – Official website of Swansea City

https://www.swanseacity.com/club/liberty-stadium – Information on Liberty Stadium

https://www.eticketing.co.uk/swanstickets/ – Swansea City Ticket Office

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo-SP conquistou o acesso à Série C do Campeonato Brasileiro e também vê seu número de sócios-torcedores crescer. O clube de Ribeirão Preto ultrapassou o Goiás, que disputa a elite do Nacional, no Torcedômetro, ranking nacional do Movimento por um Futebol Melhor.

Atualmente, o Botafogo-SP conta com 1.344 sócios-torcedores e aparece na 41ª colocação do Torcedômetro. Logo atrás vem o Goiás, com 1.329 associados.

Além de ajudarem seus clubes, os sócios também aproveitam os descontos e benefícios oferecidos por Ambev, Unilever, Pepsico, SKY, TIM, BIC, Centauro.com.br, Easy Taxi, Multiplus, Editora Abril, Méliuz e Raízen, empresas parceiras do Movimento por um Futebol Melhor.

Desde 2013, o Movimento concedeu mais de R$ 60 milhões em descontos aos associados. Em julho, o projeto atingiu a histórica marca de 1 milhão de sócios e contribui para uma receita estimada de R$ 400 milhões/ano no futebol brasileiro.

Some Newcastle United fans hate the latest takeover update coming from Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope after he shared his article on his official Twitter page.

As per the report, the writer claims that the Premier League are set to revamp the owners’ and directors’ test in light of the moral, political and legal difficulties presented to the top flight by the proposed £300 million takeover backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

The deal is awaiting approval from England’s highest division as the process is understood to have been held up given the complexity of broadcast piracy allegations against the Saudi state.

The outlet has been told that the likelihood remains that the deal will be approved, in part because the Premier League tests are badly drafted and do not take issues like piracy specifically into account.

However, judging by some of the comments, members of the Toon faithful are becoming increasingly frustrated with added delays and this is yet another obstacle that the Tyneside club may have to face in order for the deal to go through.

These Magpies in particular hated the update:

Geordies, what do you make of the update? Comment below!

Despite running away with the Premier League this season, the one thing Liverpool must ensure they don’t do this summer, is rest on their laurels.

Jurgen Klopp’s side did virtually nothing in the transfer market at the end of last season, before bringing in RB Salzburg ace Takumi Minamino in the January window.

But this time around, the Reds will surely have a bigger target on their back heading into next season, and their rivals around them will be looking to make up the lost ground.

And that’s exactly why a swoop for Wolves winger Adama Traore is an absolute must.

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According to Spanish publication Todofichajes, Klopp has already called the 24-year-old over a potential move to Merseyside, and that the Reds are hopeful of agreeing a deal over the next few weeks.

Traore has been the biggest bright spark of Wolves’ campaign thus far, with his average match rating of 7.61 as per Whoscored, the highest by far of any of his teammates – in fact, only Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne (7.92) is ahead of him in the Premier League rankings.

And when you look at the kinds of numbers he has produced, it’s easy to see why. He’s scored six times and provided ten assists in 43 games across all competitions, including starring in games against the top-flight’s ‘big six’.

He struck both goals in a 2-0 win against City at the Etihad, before getting on the score-sheet again against Pep Guardiola’s side back home in a 3-2 triumph – that’s also not to mention his assist against Liverpool in a defeat at Molineux.

The 24-year-old is as direct as they come, and his astonishing average of 5.2 dribbles per game is the most of any Premier League player this season, and even Liverpool’s own Andy Robertson has admitted that the Spaniard is an incredibly tough opponent. He said: “Traore, this season, ripped me apart, to be fair.”

The Spaniard is the ultimate game-changer with his pace and dribbling, and whether he’s used as an attacking weapon off the bench, or as someone to slot straight into the front-three, Traore could be the kind of signing that ensures the title stays at Anfield next year.

Whilst Timo Werner has dominated the headlines, it’s Wolves’ stocky monster who could prove to be the statement signing that sends a hammer blow to the Reds’ rivals.