Richarlison could be on the way out of Tottenham Hotspur this summer, after new manager Thomas Frank gave the Brazilian forward permission to leave.
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كشفت تقارير إعلامية برتغالية اليوم الأربعاء، حقيقة تولي مدرب بنفيكا السابق، برونو لاج، تدريب الأهلي المصري خلال الساعات القليلة المقبلة.
وورد أن الأهلي يرغب وبقوة في التعاقد مع لاج، ليصبح الأخير هو المدير الفني الجديد للمارد الأحمر خلفًا لخوسيه ريبيرو المقال من منصبه.
الأهلي أقال ريبيرو من منصبه كمدير فني للفريق خلال شهر أغسطس الماضي، في ظل سوء نتائج الفريق وخسارته للعديد من المباريات مع بداية الموسم.
وارتبط الأهلي بالتعاقد مع العديد من المدربين خلال الفترة الماضية، من بينهم فرناندو سانتوس، مدرب منتخب البرتغال السابق، وروي فيتوريا، مدرب منتخب مصر سابقًا.
طالع.. وكيل برونو لاج يكشف عبر “بطولات” مفاجأة في مفاوضات الأهلي
وبحسب شبكة “TSF” البرتغالية، فإن مسئولي الأهلي متواجدون في مدينة لشبونة بالبرتغال، من أجل التفاوض مع وكيل أعمال لاج والمدرب نفسه حول إمكانية الإشراف على تدريب الفريق القاهري.
وأضافت أن لاج في بداية الأمر كان يميل إلى رفض تدريب الأهلي، لكن بعدما تحدث مع عائلته فإن المدرب البرتغالي منفتح على فكرة تدريب النادي المصري وتجربة أجواء جديدة في قارة أخرى.
وأقيل لاج من تدريب بنفيكا خلال الأسبوع الماضي بشكل رسمي، بعد سوء نتائج النادي البرتغالي مع بداية هذا الموسم وتم تعيين جوزيه مورينيو بدلًا منه.
الأهلي في الجانب الآخر يدربه عماد النحاس بشكل مؤقت، لحين التعاقد مع مدير فني أجنبي.
After a week of anxious waiting, today is the day Arsenal could book themselves a place in the Champions League final for only the second time in the club’s history.
However, Mikel Arteta’s men will need to put in the best performance of the season and make amends for their incredibly underwhelming display in the first leg.
In particular, club captain Martin Odegaard will have to show the fans just why he was handed the armband in 2022, as to describe his personal campaign this year as disappointing would be quite an understatement.
The Norwegian has looked like a different, far less effective player for much of it, and there is a chance the club are already looking at their options, with recent reports linking them to a Premier League star who’d be a massive but costly upgrade.
Arsenal transfer news
Given Odegaard’s lacklustre form this year, it’s hardly surprising that, in recent weeks, Arsenal have been linked to a plethora of midfield talents, such as Brahim Diaz and Desire Doue.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former is reportedly available for around £51m and has enjoyed a decent enough campaign with Real Madrid, racking up a haul of six goals and seven assists in just 2058 minutes of first-team action.
On the other hand, Doue could cost as much as £86m, but with a staggering tally of 13 goals and 12 assists in 49 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain this season, it would be hard to say he wouldn’t be worth it.
However, given the Gunners’ desperation to win the Premier League next season, they may want someone who already knows the league, which is where Morgan Rogers comes into play.
According to a recent report from Football Transfers, Arsenal are ‘firmly in the race’ to secure the Aston Villa star’s signature in the summer, with Sporting Director Andrea Berta said to be ‘a huge admirer.’
However, the report also claims that Manchester United and Chelsea are interested in the Englishman, while another story from March valued him at a whopping £100m.
It would be an incredibly complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Rogers’ immense ability and potential, it is one well worth fighting for, especially as he’d be a massive Odegaard upgrade.
How Rogers compares to Odegaard
The first thing to say is that while Unai Emery has been playing Rogers on the wing at points this season, his most played and undoubtedly preferred position this season has been attacking midfield.
Therefore, were he to join Arsenal for the fees being banded around, then he’d most certainly do so with the intention of starting every game, in turn putting him up against Odegaard – but who comes out on top?
Well, when it comes down to their raw output this season, it’s Villa’s “machine,” as dubbed by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, who comes out on top and quite comfortably at that.
Appearances
51
41
Minutes
4233′
3162′
Goals
14
5
Assists
13
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.52
0.39
Minutes per Goal Involvement
156.77′
197.62′
For example, in 51 appearances, totalling 4233 minutes, he’s scored 14 goals and provided 13 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.88 games, or every 156.77 minutes.
In contrast, the Gunners’ captain has scored five goals and provided 11 assists in 41 appearances, totalling 3162 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.56 games, or every 197.62 minutes.
On top of that, the former Manchester City prospect comes out far better when we take a look at some of the other important attacking metrics, such as conversion rate, chances created, and take-ons completed.
Finally, while this isn’t massively important today, the Halesowen-born maestro is four years younger than the former Real Madrid wonderkid, so if Arteta were to bring him in, he might not need to worry about replacing him for the best part of a decade, which could allow the club to focus on other areas of need.
Ultimately, while Odegaard is a talented footballer, Rogers appears to be far superior in most ways, and if Arsenal can sign him this summer, they should do all they can to do it.
Drop him: Arteta must axe £50m Arsenal "warrior" who's as bad as Odegaard
Martin Odegaard isn’t the only underperformer in Arsenal colours.
ByJack Salveson Holmes May 7, 2025
The India captain tried to encourage the outgoing coach to reapply for the position but was keen not to talk-up sending him off with a trophy
Sidharth Monga04-Jun-20242:15
Rohit: Tried to convince Dravid to stay
India’s captain Rohit Sharma unsuccessfully tried to get the outgoing coach Rahul Dravid to stay on in the job. Rohit, who played under Dravid, with Dravid, then against Dravid in the IPL and against teams coached by him, said he wanted the association to carry on. Dravid, though, decided not to seek an extension after the current term ends with the T20 World Cup 2024.”I tried convincing him to stay, but obviously, there are a lot of things that he needs to look after as well,” Rohit said. “But yeah, I’ve personally enjoyed my time with him. I’m sure the rest of the guys will say the same. It’s been great working with him and I hope…I’m not going to say anything, actually. I’m not going to say anything.”In the end Rohit was trying not to jinx it by saying that he hoped they sent Dravid off with a trophy. He could look back at fond memories, though. “We have not really thought of it,” Rohit said when asked if they were looking to do something special for the outgoing coach. “But my equation with him goes a long way back. He was my first international captain when I made my debut in Ireland. Then I’ve seen him play while I was just coming into the team, Test matches, when he was captain. And such a big role model for all of us. Growing up, we watched him play.Related
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“We know what he’s achieved personally as a player and also what he’s done for the team over the years, bailing out the team from difficult situations. And that is what he’s known for. He’s shown a lot of great determination throughout his career, and that is something that, when he came here as a coach, I wanted to learn from him. It’s been very fruitful, other than the big silverware I think we’ve won all the major tournaments and series and all of that.”Having said that, I think I’ve enjoyed every bit of it, working with him, deciding what direction the team needs to head. And for him to buy into that thought makes a huge difference. And he was the first one who came and said, this is what we need to do as a team.”Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid go back a long way•PTI
That missing silverware has become a bit of a stumbling block for India. Rohit’s international career began in 2007 when he was part of the T20 World Cup winning team. Virat Kohli was part of the ODI World Cup win in 2011. They both won the Champions Trophy in 2013. Since then, though, India haven’t won a world title. Losing the final after a dominant run at home in last year’s ODI World Cup left Rohit heartbroken. He has spoken of the struggle getting out of that funk. Now, he said, he wanted to not think of the title before making it to the summit clash.”I have thought a lot about all this,” Rohit said. “Now I’m just going to play my game and help the team in whatever way I can and get everyone together to play as a team. That is what I’m going to be focusing on. Not looking at the larger picture. I don’t think those kinds of thoughts will help so much. Staying in the present and doing what is required at that particular time which is important, and I’ll be focusing on that.”I’m sure everyone in the team have their own way of dealing with tournaments like World Cup. And I’m sure they’ll take the right calls as well. But for me, I think it’s important not to look too far ahead. Just think about what we need to do tomorrow. Play the game well and then take it from there. We won’t think too much and put ourselves under pressure.”
da 888casino： Birmingham City are thought to be in talks with an EFL star after clinching promotion back to the Championship.
Birmingham City going for silverware after League One promotion
da marjack bet： The Blues have had a brilliant campaign under Chris Davies and sealed promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking in midweek.
A 2-1 victory at Peterborough United sealed a guaranteed top-two spot, and the League One title could also be won if Wrexham fail to beat Wigan Athletic on Saturday lunchtime.
Birmingham are on course to comfortably clear the 100-point mark in the third tier, however, they are actually preparing for Wembley this weekend.
The Blues will once again take on Peterborough in the final of the EFL Trophy, so it could be a double celebration if things go to plan this weekend.
Birmingham eyeing free deal to sign "fantastic" Championship contract rebel
He’s yet to sign a new deal at his current club.
ByTom Cunningham Apr 8, 2025
Ahead of the summer transfer window, Tom Wagner and Tom Brady already appear to be working on St Andrew’s signings ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign, and one player who the Blues will face this weekend is a target.
Birmingham City in talks to sign Kwame Poku for free
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, talking to EFL Analysis, Birmingham City are in talks to sign Peterborough United star Kwame Poku.
The 23-year-old actually scored the Posh’s goal against the Blues in midweek and has enjoyed a fine season in the third tier.
However, according to Bailey, Birmingham aren’t the only side in discussions, including Premier League side Crystal Palace and Scottish giants Rangers.
“His people are in talks with a number of clubs – and yes, one of them is Birmingham. There are others, though – Crystal Palace, Millwall, Luton and Norwich among them.
“However, the big danger is Rangers – they want him and have watched him numerous times. Talks have continued but complicated by their takeover and then new manager.”
Poku’s stats for Peterborough 24/25
Games
27
Goals
12
Assists
11
Minutes played
2,081
The winger has impressed Sky Sports co-commentator and pundit Don Goodman this season, who said last month that Poku appears to be ready for the step up to the Championship.
“Kwame Poku, 10 goals and six assists this season from just 20 games, 19 starts, is very impressive. It’s on the back of 11 goals and seven assists last season.
“He’s been on my radar for a couple of seasons now, along with Ephron Mason-Clarke, who is now doing really, really well at Coventry.
“So whether he’s ready for the Premier League just yet is a debate to be had, but certainly if I was a Championship club and I needed an exciting, ball-carrying winger that both scores and creates goals, he would be on my radar.”
It looks as if a move to the Midlands will be one to watch over the coming months, with Poku actually out of contract at the end of the season, meaning a transfer may not cost a penny.
تحدث الإسباني لامين يامال، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة عن الانتقادات التي يتعرض لها خلال الفترة الماضية ومرشحينه للفوز بالكرة الذهبية.
وتعادل الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة أمام نظيره رايو فاليكانو بهدف لكل فريق بالمباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا”.
وعن المرشحين الأوفر حظًا إذا لم يفز بالكرة الذهبية قال لامين في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس”: “نيمار وميسي، سأمنح واحدة لـ”ني”، أعتقد أنه يستحقها، “ني” عندما كان يلعب في برشلونة أو باريس سان جيرمان كان سيفوز بها الآن بالتأكيد، كنت أتمنى لو فاز بها هو، وبالطبع ميسي، لأنه الأفضل في التاريخ”.
وعن صيحة فليك في مباراة رايو فاليكانو أكمل: “أعتقد أن الأمر يتعلق أكثر بعدم بدء الموسم بنفس القوة التي بدأناها في نهاية الموسم الماضي، وليس بالغرور في غرفة الملابس، بعد التعادل يخرج المرء من مزاج سيئ وفي النهاية يجب أن يفوز”.
اقرأ أيضًا | لامين يامال: من يقول إنه لا يريد الفوز بالكرة الذهبية كاذب
وأضاف: “حصدنا 7 نقاط من أصل 9 على ملاعب صعبة للغاية، وهو أمر لا يُحتسب كثيرًا، أنت محق في أننا ارتكبنا العديد من الأخطاء لكن هذا وارد، علينا أن نستعيد أفضل ما لدينا في أسرع وقت ممكن، لم يكن ذلك بسبب الغرور”.
وعن إمكانية الفوز بالدوري الإسباني مجددًا أردف لامين: “نحن متعطشون للمزيد، فلم نفز فقط بـ 4 ألقاب في دوري أبطال أوروبا أو 4 ألقاب متتالية في الدوري، ما زلنا في بداية الطريق، الدوري الإسباني طويل وعلينا أن نحافظ على مستوانا”.
وعن زملائه نيكو وفيرمين أتم: “المهم هو أن يستمتع نيكو بمكانه، لستُ ممن يُملي عليه مكان ما، أرى فيرمين سعيدًا جدًا في برشلونة، إذا رحل أحدهم فهو قراره الشخصي، نحن مجموعة شابة متحدة، ولا توجد بيننا أي مشاكل لا أعتقد أن أحدًا يرغب في الرحيل، سألناه مازحًا عما يحدث في إنجلترا لكنه قال إنه يريد البقاء”.
Cameron Gannon’s five-wicket haul helped secure a 100-run lead but the home side hit back
Tristan Lavalette12-Mar-2024Victoria’s attack hit back against Western Australia late on a dramatic day two as the fight for a spot in the Sheffield Shield final intensified.In what has been a see-saw contest with so much at stake, 15 wickets fell in the day’s play in tough batting conditions at Junction Oval.After dismissing Victoria for 144 to gain a 100-run lead, WA’s top-order fell apart to slump to 31 for 4 before Cameron Bancroft and Josh Inglis provided a steadying 75-run partnership.Related
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Boland makes his return count to lift Victoria in finals race
Inglis fell for 45 near the close, but Bancroft held firm with a gutsy unbeaten 42 off 151 balls to stretch WA’s lead to 219 runs.With top-placed Tasmania in a major battle against South Australia in the concurrent fixture, WA could leapfrog them with victory and clinch a home final starting on March 21.Tasmania have already secured a place in the five-day decider and they will play either Victoria or WA, who only need a draw to get through.Victoria fought back well after their batting order wilted to be bowled out in 43 overs as their bid for a third straight final’s appearance nosedived.Having overlooked spinning allrounder Ashton Agar, who has been unable to squeeze into the Shield line-up this season, WA were vindicated with their quartet of seamers menacing on a green-tinged surface marked by widening divots.After searing heat on day one, conditions cooled considerably as per Melbourne’s notoriously fickle weather. Cameron Gannon and Joel Paris relished the overcast skies as Victoria lost three wickets in the opening 30 minutes to slump to 21 for 4 in reply to WA’s first innings of 244.WA were ignited by a spectacular one-handed catch from wicketkeeper Inglis, who dove low to his left to remove Marcus Harris for 17. Paris then took over with the wickets of Campbell Kellaway and Peter Handscomb in successive overs.An onlooker to the flurry of wickets, Mitchell Perry dug in to continue his knack of producing indefatigable knocks as a nightwatcher against WA. He combined in a steadying 90-run partnership with Matthew Short, who scored runs quickly in a counterattack.Short raced to his half-century, but gifted his wicket after holing out to left-arm quick Liam Haskett on what was the last ball before lunch. It triggered a collapse after the interval with Victoria losing 5 for 33 as a number of their batters provided catching practice to WA’s outfielders.Skipper Will Sutherland tried to play aggressively, but fell into an awkward position to miss-hit a short-pitched Haskett delivery to fine-leg. Perry’s 95-ball rearguard ended tamely when he hit Haskett straight to square leg as Victoria’s lower-order offered little resistance.Without injured frontline quicks Jhye Richardson, Lance Morris and Matt Kelly, WA’s deep pace stocks have been underlined by the strong performances of Gannon and Haskett, who combined for eight wickets.Victoria desperately needed early wickets and Fergus O’Neill stood up with a terrific new-ball spell to dismiss opener Sam Whiteman before claiming the wickets of Jayden Goodwin and Hilton Cartwright on successive deliveries.WA’s collapse continued when Perry had Aaron Hardie caught at second slip with a cracking delivery that bounced sharply and shaped away. But Inglis came out firing after tea with his best shot being a belligerent pull shot to whack a short delivery from Scott Boland for six.WA appeared to have regained a stranglehold until offspinner Todd Murphy provided a late twist by having Inglis edging to Short at slip. He then had Charlie Stobo stumped in his next over as this crucial contest is fittingly headed for a grandstand finish.
The bench also slapped Nepal legspinner with a fine of Rs 300,000
ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jan-2024Nepal spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been sentenced to eight years in jail by a Kathmandu court for rape, the has reported.A single-judge bench of the Kathmandu District Court had last month found Lamichhane guilty of of raping an 18-year-old woman, and the sentence was announced on January 10. The bench also slapped him with a fine of Rs 300,000 (USD 2255 approx) and ordered him to pay Rs 200,000 (USD 1500 approx) in compensation to the victim. Lamichhane’s lawyer, Saroj Ghimire, told that he “will appeal the decision in a higher court.”On January 11, following the verdict, Lamichhane was suspended by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). “We inform you that Sandeep Lamichhane has been suspended from any kind of domestic and international cricket activities as he has been convicted and sentenced,” CAN said.In early September 2022, Lamichhane, then the Nepal captain, was suspended by CAN after an arrest warrant was issued against him in Kathmandu over the matter. It followed the news that a complaint against Lamichhane had been lodged in a Kathmandu police station.Related
Kathmandu court finds Lamichhane guilty of rape
Lamichhane suspended by Nepal board after arrest warrant against him
At the time, Lamichhane was in the West Indies with Jamaica Tallawahs taking part in CPL 2022. The club announced that Lamichhane would be leaving the tournament with immediate effect. Upon landing at the airport in Kathmandu in early October, he had been taken into custody.Shortly before being arrested, Lamichhane had written on Facebook that he would “fully cooperate in all stages of the investigation and will fight a legal battle to prove my innocence” and called it a “conspiracy and wrongful allegation”.He returned to the Nepal side in February last year – amid protests from rights groups at home – for a Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series at home, against Namibia and Scotland, during which opposition players did not shake his hand after the games. Subsequently, he was not considered for Nepal’s squad for the Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series in Dubai in early 2023, but joined the team later as an injury replacement. He has continued to turn out for Nepal since then, including at the ODI World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe in June-July last year and the ODI Asia Cup in August-September.On the day of his conviction, December 29, Lamichhane had led PARSA Club XI to a win over Nepal Army Club in a Nepal Pro Club Championship match in Birgunj.
Enzo Maresca's side recovered from a woeful first half to crush the Spanish side after the break in Wroclaw
Chelsea pulled off an incredible second-half comeback to demolish Real Betis 4-1 in the Conference League final on Wednesday. The Blues fell behind early on and looked shaky all over the field before becoming a dominant force in the second half, with Cole Palmer setting up two quickfire goals before Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo wrapped up the win.
After a bright start to the match, Chelsea were behind just nine minutes in when Malo Gusto gave the ball away in the middle of his own half. An ingenious pass from Isco to Abde Ezzalzouli found the winger in space and he smashed it beyond Filip Jorgensen. Shortly afterwards, Marc Bartra tried his luck from distance with Jorgensen off his line, but the goalkeeper did well to push it out for a corner.
Chelsea were second-best for the majority of the first half as Isco caused problems with his passes in the final third, but they sparked into life at the start of the second half. They had a penalty shout denied 10 minutes after the break when Nicolas Jackson was clattered by the goalkeeper, and the Senegal striker had a tame shot saved moments later.
Enzo Maresca's side looked more than capable of pulling level, however, and the moment finally came in the 66th minute as Palmer burst deep into Betis' half and sent a diagonal cross into the box, where Enzo Fernandez rose to divert it past Adrian.
Less than five minutes later, Palmer carved out another goal, beating his man on the right wing and smacking it in via Jackson's chest. The Senegal striker then had the chance to make it 3-1 as he drove forward on the counte- attack, but let the ball get too far ahead of him to let Adrian stop the threat.
The fun wasn't over, though as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, fresh off the bench, charged towards goal before unleashing fellow substitute Sancho, who sent it curling into the net. And just before full-time, Caicedo completed the rout when he blasted in following a pass from Fernandez.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Wroclaw Stadium…
Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Filip Jorgensen (5/10):
Made two saves, but had little to do in the second half.
Malo Gusto (3/10):
Gave the ball away for the opening goal due to playing a bizarre inverted role and was brutalised on the right of the defence. Understandably hooked at half-time.
Trevoh Chalobah (5/10):
Not the best partner for Badiashile and his passing was questionable.
Benoit Badiashile (4/10):
Was torn apart by Betis fairly easily and was taken off shortly after a yellow card early in the second half.
Marc Cucurella (6/10):
Had a tough time against Antony, but did well to keep him quiet at times.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALMidfield
Enzo Fernandez (7/10):
Headed in the equaliser from close range with a great run towards the back post.
Moises Caicedo (6/10):
Humiliated in the first half as Betis squandered a chance, but recovered with a better display in the second half, culminating in scoring the fourth goal.
Cole Palmer (8/10):
Picked out Enzo with a sublime ball to tie it up after driving into space and then created the second moments later.
Getty Images SportAttack
Noni Madueke (5/10):
Tried to create something with his crosses after finally growing into the game, but had little impact.
Nicolas Jackson (7/10):
Struggled to get into the game in the first half and got clattered 10 minutes into the second, but was well placed to nudge in the second goal.
Pedro Neto (5/10):
Had a rather quiet game overall.
AFPSubs & Manager
Reece James (6/10):
Provided an immediate boost in Gusto's place.
Levi Colwill (6/10):
Helped settle the defence as Chelsea became dominant.
Jadon Sancho (7/10):
Got into good positions but couldn't do much with it until he pulled out a gorgeous goal to kill the game off.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (6/10):
On for the last 10 minutes and went on a great run to set up Sancho.
Marc Guiu (N/A):
Only on for the last few minutes.
Enzo Maresca (8/10):
His team were woeful in the first half, but the turnaround in the second was tremendous as they managed to bring Palmer and Jackson into the game.
Zak Crawley will consider entering the next IPL auction and is lining up a return to the Big Bash League this winter. Fresh from an Ashes series in which he finished as England’s leading run-scorer, he is plotting a route into their white-ball set-up.Crawley’s opportunities in white-ball cricket have been sporadic since his Test call-up in 2019. His three England ODI caps to date came two years ago, as part of the second-string team that whitewashed Pakistan, and he is yet to make an appearance in T20 internationals.But Crawley is targeting a place on the tour to the Caribbean in December, when England are likely to rest several first-choice players after the ODI World Cup, and hopes that he can earn his spot through performances for London Spirit in the Hundred over the next three weeks.”I’d love to go on that tour,” Crawley told ESPNcricinfo. “We’ll have to see how selection goes but the Caribbean is an awesome place to play – and I haven’t had the chance to go on a white ball tour for England yet, so any opportunity I get would be awesome. If they want me for that tour, I’d absolutely love to go.”After Alex Hales’ recent international retirement, there could be a vacancy alongside Jos Buttler at the top of England’s T20I batting order. “There’s obviously a few guys ahead of me at the moment,” Crawley said. “But if I score some runs then hopefully my name starts getting thrown into the hat.”England do not play another Test until late January, when they begin a five-match series in India. “I’m trying to look at where I can go, which leagues, before the tour of India,” he said. “I went to the Big Bash last year and loved it so if they would want me back then that would certainly be something I’d consider.”Zak Crawley played eight BBL games for Hobart Hurricanes last season•Getty Images
Crawley made a single half-century in his eight appearances for Hobart Hurricanes last year, but was a popular member of the dressing room and could return: “I can’t speak highly enough of him,” said Nathan Ellis, one of his team-mates. “He’s not only one of the most talented batters in the world, he’s one of the nicest guys as well.”And beyond the BBL, Crawley is considering nominating himself for the next IPL auction. “It’s the biggest franchise tournament in the world,” he said. “It’s the only place to see all the best playing against each other. It’s great cricket and to be able to test yourself in that tournament would be awesome.”We’ll see how I go. If I score some runs and it looks like I’ve half a chance then, then potentially I will [put my name forward]. I’m a realistic guy though, so if I feel like there’s no chance then I won’t… If I was good enough one day to play in the IPL and someone wanted me, then I’d absolutely love to go.”Earlier this year, he watched Harry Brook score an unbeaten hundred for Sunrisers Hyderabad in his fourth IPL game. “Obviously I’d love to do that,” Crawley said. “He’s going to do a lot of stuff that I wish I could do throughout his career. I won’t get too cut up on what Harry does otherwise I’d be pretty disappointed my whole career.”Related
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Crawley’s white-ball ambitions meant that, rather than going on holiday after the end of the Ashes, he played for Spirit in Manchester five days after the end of the fifth Test. “I wanted to get straight into it,” he said, speaking at the launch of KP Snacks’ community cricket pitches initiative.”I played a bit of the Hundred last year, but that was stop-start… I probably haven’t played as much white-ball [cricket] as I would have liked. I’m glad that the schedule now has allowed for the full Hundred. That’s why I was very keen to get going and play some white-ball cricket: it looks like it’s going to be the future of the game so you don’t want to be left behind.”KP Snacks are funding 100 new community cricket pitches over the next three years. To find out more and search for a pitch visit: www.everyonein.co.uk/pitchfinder