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Jonathan Trott, the England batsman, has been named the Cricketer of the Year for 2011, the ICC’s top accolade. He received the Sir Garfield Sobers trophy at the annual ceremony in London, after his team-mate Alastair Cook had won the Test Cricketer of the Year award.”It’s fantastic to be part of a successful team and I never envisaged winning this award. It’s a brilliant feeling to be recognised,” Trott said.In 12 Tests during the period under consideration, Trott scored 1042 runs at an average of 65.12, including four centuries and three half-centuries. He also played 24 ODIs, scoring 1064 runs at an average of 48.36 with two centuries and nine 50s. Trott was chosen for the award ahead of Cook, last-year’s winner Sachin Tendulkar and South Africa batsman Hashim Amla.Previous winners of the Cricketer of the Year award include Rahul Dravid (2004), Andrew Flintoff and Jacques Kallis (joint winners in 2005), Ricky Ponting (2006 and 2007), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (2008), Mitchell Johnson (2009) and Sachin Tendulkar (2010).Cook, however, won the Test Cricketer award after having a prolific year in the format. Cook played 12 Tests, and in 18 innings he scored 1302 runs at an average of 76.58, including six centuries and four half-centuries. His 235 not out against Australia in Brisbane kick-started England’s first Ashes victory away from home since 1986-87.Kumar Sangakkara, the former Sri Lanka captain, was the only player to win two awards on the night. He was named the ODI Cricketer of the Year and also picked up the People’s Choice Award. Sangakkara scored 1049 runs at an average of 55.21 in 25 ODIs. He also had 26 catches and 10 stumpings as wicketkeeper and led Sri Lanka to the final of the 2011 World Cup.Though India spent most of the period under consideration at No. 1 in the Test rankings, and won the 2011 World Cup, their only award winner was the captain MS Dhoni, who was given the Spirit of Cricket accolade. Dhoni was not present at the ceremony despite being in England.The ICC chose West Indies legspinner Devendra Bishoo, ahead of other nominees Darren Bravo, Wahab Riaz and Azhar Ali, for the Emerging Player Award. Bishoo, 25, played five Tests in the voting period and took 21 wickets at an average of 35.42. He also picked up 19 wickets at 21.57 each in 11 ODIs.Ryan ten Doeschate, the Netherlands allrounder, was named the ICC Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year for the third time in four years, and for the second year running. ten Doeschate was chosen ahead of Afghanistan allrounder Hamid Hassan, and the Irish duo of Paul Stirling and Kevin O’Brien, both centurions in the 2011 World Cup.New Zealand seamer Tim Southee won the award for Twenty20 International Performance of the Year, for his spell of 5 for 18 against Pakistan in Auckland.Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar has won the David Shepherd trophy for the Umpire of the Year for the third consecutive time. He beat competition from Steve Davis, Ian Gould and five-time winner Simon Taufel.Stafanie Taylor, the West Indies women’s allrounder, was named the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year.

Sri Lanka’s interim coach, Stuart Law, says that the time for talking is over, as Sri Lanka seek to atone for their dreadful final-day display in Cardiff by bouncing back to form in Friday’s second Test at Lord’s. Despite being renowned as one of the best batting line-ups in world cricket, Sri Lanka proved powerless to resist as England rolled them aside for 82 to win the match by an innings and 14 runs, and Law admitted that embarrassment had been the over-riding emotion in the dressing-room after the match.”We didn’t really compete on that last day,” Law told reporters after Sri Lanka’s practice session at Lord’s. “It was obviously very disappointing but embarrassing as well, to get bowled out in 25 overs with some of the world’s best batsmen in our line-up. We sat down for a good 40 minutes after the day’s play and spoke about different aspects and ways of coming back. We didn’t dwell on the negatives. We batted well in first innings, we batted well in second innings in Derby [against England Lions], but in each game we haven’t batted well in both. That’s what we need to do in this Test.”The events of the final afternoon in Cardiff were quite extraordinary. A game that had been meandering to a soggy draw burst into life after a 3pm start, thanks to some outstanding bowling from Chris Tremlett and Graeme Swann, as well as an inhibited Sri Lankan line-up that baulked at the prospect of batting for 51 overs to secure the stalemate. With nothing apparently at stake, the players simply failed to switch on mentally, and were caught napping by an England team that has now secured six innings victory in the past 12 months of action.”It can’t be a skills issue because our boys are highly skilled players,” said Law. “It was a stop-start Test match with weather intervention, and we were not sure when we were going to start and always guessing when we’d be ready to go. We had a mental block coming into bat because we should have been able to bat for 51 overs easily, but suddenly you lose a few wickets and you’re under pressure. It’s amazing what pressure can do to you, it makes the mind think wrong decisions.”Having lost an unloseable Test in Cardiff, Sri Lanka are now back at a venue where, five years ago, they drew an undrawable one. At Lord’s in the first Test of the 2006 tour, England led by 359 runs on first innings with almost two-and-a-half days in which to close out the match. However, with Mahela Jayawardene leading the way with his second Lord’s century, Sri Lanka dug in for 199 overs to save the match with nine wickets down.”It’s a good thing we’ve come straight to Lord’s, it’s a good inspiration,” said Law. “The wicket will as always be even paced and even bounced, and it’s one of my favourite grounds to come and play, so hopefully that will inspire our boys to greater heights. The boys aren’t stupid, they know what’s expected, and there’s no-one more disappointed than the 11 guys who played that game in Cardiff. They are ready to go out and show they can compete at this level, because if things continue like that it won’t be much fun on the rest of this trip.”The bowling attack that awaits them, however, could be one of the most physically daunting line-ups in Test history, with Tremlett, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn – James Anderson’s likely replacement – all measuring between 6’6″ and 6’8″. The uncapped Jade Dernbach could yet be selected to provide variety to the pace attack, but he will not exactly provide respite, having picked up nine wickets in that Lions game in Derby.The challenge of replicating such a towering line of attack is a stiff one for Sri Lanka, none of whose bowlers come close to such heights, but Law appealed to his batsmen to rediscover the fighting qualities that went missing in the closing stages at Cardiff.”Whichever combo they play will be tough work, but we have to come up with better plans on how to attack and defend,” he said. “It’s difficult trying to get into the mindset of getting forward to a half-volley that’s hitting you in the chest, but that’s what we’ve got to face, and our players are skilled and talented enough to work it out.”Talk is cheap,” he added. “You can provide talk and words, but it’s a matter of the players absorbing that and putting it into action. The talking is finished. We can’t just keep talking a good game, we’ve got out to play a good game.”Despite lacking depth with the bat and a cutting edge with the ball during England’s only innings at Cardiff, Law insisted that Sri Lanka had no regrets about the balance of the side they put out for the first Test, and hinted they would persevere with five specialist batsmen in a bid to take the 20 wickets needed to get back into the series.”We’re 1-0 down, but we’re not here to lose,” said Law. “I don’t think the combination we played in Cardiff was wrong, we just didn’t play well for 25 overs. Sri Lankan cricket should never go into its shell. Our players should always think positive, because when they think positive they think clearly, and that’s half the battle won.”Law said that he expected Dilhara Fernando to be available once again after missing the first Test with a knee injury, and hinted that the spinner Ajantha Mendis would be regarded as a horses-for-courses pick after struggling on an unresponsive Cardiff surface. But one player he did not envisage calling upon at this stage is the veteran Chaminda Vaas, who claimed match figures of 10 for 82 in Northants’ innings victory over Glamorgan on Wednesday, and who has signalled a willingness to return to international cricket at the age of 37.”It’s good to see Vaasy going strong, and he looks after himself,” said Law. “But we’ve picked a squad, and settled on it, so to draft someone in to make up numbers wouldn’t be the right way to go about it. We’ve got to put faith in the players we’ve got in the squad now, and try to go forward, although if there’s an injury then we’ll consider.”But now we’ll be better for the knowledge on the England players, and how to bowl in Test match cricket in England. For this Test we’ll be better prepared.”

داخل ناديا ليفربول وبايرن ميونخ في صراع شرس على حسم صفقة جديدة لتدعيم خط وسط الفريق الأول لكرة القدم في كلًا منهما خلال فترة الانتقالات الشتوية الحالية.

ويبحث ليفربول عن التعاقد مع لاعب وسط في يناير، هناك اهتمام بضم ماتيوس نونيز من ولفرهامبتون ولكن هناك هدف آخر يدخل على رادار الريدز.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كاراجر يوجه تحذيرًا إلى كلوب: بيلينجهام لن يحل مشاكل ليفربول

وبحسب شبكة “سكاي سبورتس” ومتخصص سوق الانتقالات، فابرزيو رومانو، أن ليفربول يريد الحصول على خدمات لاعب وسط بوروسيا مونشنجلادباخ، كواديو كوني.

يبلغ كوني من العمر 21 عامًا وشارك في 14 من أصل 15 مباراة مع فريقه في الدوري الألماني.

لكن ما يصعب الصفقة وجود أندية أخرى مهتمة باللاعب الفرنسي وهي بايرن ميونخ، باريس سان جيرمان ونيوكاسل.

يذكر أن عقد كوني مع بوروسيا مونشنجلادباخ مستمر حتى يونيو 2025، لكن ليس هناك أي مانع من قبل النادي الألماني في الموافقة على بيع اللاعب إذا جاء عرضًا ماديًا كبيرًا.

MatériaMais Notícias

Apesar da derrota para o Corinthians em São Paulo, os jogadores tricolores avaliaram como positiva a postura do Fluminense na estreia do Brasileirão. Para Renato Chaves, o time de Abel Braga mereceu um resultado melhor e lembrou que o campeonato é longo, projetando uma evolução na sequência.

– Merecemos a vitória, mas saímos com a derrota. Estávamos bem, conscientes, marcando firme. Eles tiveram duas chances e fizeram dois gols. Mas é o primeiro jogo do campeonato, aqui é difícil de jogar. Vamos nos manter firmes, que vamos conseguir chegar – afirma o zagueiro do Fluminense.

Sem culpa nos dois gols de Rodriguinho, Júlio César destacou o potencial da jovem equipe do Fluminense para os próximos jogos do Brasileiro e lembrou dos gols sofridos nos minutos finais dos dois tempos disputados em Itaquera.

– Um bom jogo, duas equipes de bom potencial. Tomamos o gol quase que no último gol do primeiro tempo. Quase viramos o jogo. Foi de igual para igual. Tiveram mérito de fazer o gol. Agora, é hora de pensar no próximo jogo.

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Steven Finn marked his first Ashes Test by claiming a career-best 6 for 125, which – as a 21-year-old with just eight months of international experience to his name – is no mean feat whatsoever

Andrew Miller at the Gabba27-Nov-2010Regardless of the toil that preceded his rewards, Steven Finn marked his first Ashes Test by claiming a career-best 6 for 125, which – as a 21-year-old with just eight months of international experience to his name – is no mean feat whatsoever. In so doing he emulated Bill Voce and John Snow as the only other Englishmen to collect such a haul at the Gabba, but afterwards he remained reassuringly downbeat about his achievement.As a man who models himself on Glenn McGrath and who has, in Angus Fraser, the perfect role-model for parsimonious seam bowling, Finn was well aware that his economy rate of 3.71 was England’s most expensive of the day, and at times during the 307-run stand between Brad Haddin and Michael Hussey he was powerless to restrict the run-flow. Nevertheless, having finally persuaded Hussey to hook to square leg for 195, he ran through the tail with an effectiveness that augurs well for future challenges, as Australia lost their last five wickets for 31 runs.”I picked up the wickets but I was the least consistent bowler and I’m aware of that,” he said. “Jimmy and Broady and Swanny at times bowled fantastically well, and when we work together as a unit that’s when we get our wickets. These wickets are for the unit, but personally, there are still a lot of areas I need to improve on and I’m well aware of that. I want to go for less runs, take more wickets and I’ve got a lot of work to do.”England’s day could well have gone a whole lot better, however, had Anderson been rewarded for a fine new-ball spell, in which Hussey survived two lbw appeals on 82 and 85, the first of which was overturned by the Umpire Decision Review System, before the second was left hanging as a plain not-out, after England had unsuccessfully used up their own appeals on day two.Finn admitted that the situation had been frustrating, especially after believing they had made such a key breakthrough in the third over of the day. But, he added, they had refused to let it derail them, despite how it might have appeared as they ended up going wicketless throughout the first two sessions.”It was a frustration that wasn’t going to affect our performance,” he said. “We realised we didn’t have any reviews left and so there was nothing we could do about it. We had to keep putting the ball in the right areas. When you’re in the huddle there and you think you’ve got the wicket, you’re over the moon and then it gets taken away. But if it gets you emotional then it takes you away from what you want to do and how you want to play the game.”It’s easy to look at things in retrospect, but we have to push forward,” he added. “We can only play what’s put in front of us. If those decisions had gone our way we’d be in a different position but it’s something we can’t look at. Those two guys played really well, they didn’t give us a chance, they rode their luck and survived the tough times, and that’s what it takes to score hundreds like that in Test cricket. That’s all we can look at.”Another distraction for England in the past three days has been the health of their coach, Andy Flower, who spent the day in hospital recovering from an operation to remove a cancerous melanoma from under his right eye. Finn, however, insisted that for the squad it had been business as usual, with Richard Halsall, the fielding coach, taking temporary charge.”I wouldn’t say it’s an upset,” he said. “Obviously we’re concerned about Andy, but he’s fine, he’s pulling through, but it hasn’t drawn anything away from what we’ve been doing as a team. We’ve got highly capable back-room staff who are filling in, and we’ve gelled together as a unit, and that helps us through times like this.”Despite the team’s predicament, Finn was sure that the two sides were far more evenly matched than the state of the game would suggest. “I think Test cricket ebbs and flows,” he said. “That’s the nature of the game and to say there is a gulf in class is grossly wrong because I think we’ve played some good, hard cricket these past few days. Australia are on top at the moment but the nature of the way we’ve played our cricket over the past 18 months will stand us in good stead in that dogfight.”

According to a report from Turkish outlet Fanatik (via the Liverpool Echo), Liverpool are interested in signing Getafe striker Enes Unal. 

The lowdown: Career so far

The 24-year-old has taken a rather nomadic path to stardom having moved to Manchester City from Bursaspor for £2million in 2015 (Sky Sports).

Since then, Unal has spent time on loan at Genk, NAC Breda and FC Twente before making a permanent switch to Spain. Having initially signed for the Reds’ UEFA Champions League semi-final opponents, Villarreal, the Turkey international was loaned to Real Valladolid ahead of a move to current club Getafe.

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Now, after finally finding some career stability, another move could be forthcoming for the well-travelled star…

The latest: Liverpool interested

As per Fanatik (via the Liverpool Echo), the Anfield club are believed to be keen on signing Unal as Jurgen Klopp prepares for life after popular cult hero, Divock Origi.

It’s claimed that the 26-cap Turkey ace is the ‘most suitable name’ on the list of targets as incoming sporting director Julian Ward attempts to replace the enigmatic Belgian in the Liverpool squad.

Described as ‘very good’ by legendary Brazil frontman and Real Valladolid president Ronaldo, Unal is currently under contract until 2025 (Transfermarkt).

The verdict: Worth the risk

This season has been a coming of age campaign for the Turkish ace and Liverpool have certainly developed a knock of plucking out the hottest talents just as they enter their prime, most notably the signing of previous Premier League flop Mohamed Salah.

So far this term, Unal has scored 15 times and provided one assist in 32 La Liga outings whilst also earning an impressive 7.04 average Sofascore rating in the process – the highest out of the entire Getafe squad.

Standing marginally over 6 foot, unsurprisingly Unal possesses strong aerial ability as well as finishing, long-range shooting and defensive contribution (WhoScored), making the Turkish centre-forward an ideal addition to Klopp’s ranks as a direct replacement for super-sub Origi.

In other news, an expert has made a Liverpool transfer claim. Read more here.

أعرب كارلوس كيروش المدير الفني البرتغالي لمنتخب إيران الأول لكرة القدم عن سعادته بالفوز الذي حققه على ويلز بالجولة الثانية من المجموعة ب ببطولة كأس العالم قطر 2022.

وبعد الخسارة بسداسية من إنجلترا يوم الإثنين الماضي، تمكن المدرب البرتغالي من قيادة إيران للفوز بثنائية نظيفة في وقت قاتل أمام ويلز اليوم الجمعة.

طالع أيضًا | مدرب ويلز: أتحمل الخسارة من إيران.. وعلينا الاستعداد للديربي أمام إنجلترا

وقال كيروش في المؤتمر الصحفي للمباراة بعد نهايتها: “اليوم لعبنا بشخصية مُذهلة، بوحدة وتماسك، لأننا منذ مباراة إنجلترا ونهدف لتقديم هذا الأداء”.

وأضاف: “النقطة الثانية، كانت التخلص من هذا الشعور السيء الذي ظل معنا 5 أيام منذ مواجهة إنجلترا، ليس لأنك فزت أو خسرت، ولكن لأنك لم تقدم أفضل ما لديك”.

وشدد: “في بعض الأحيان تفقد كرامتك وشرفك، ولكن في مباراتنا أمام إنجلترا كنا ننزف في كبريائنا. وكانت هذه هي الفرصة للرد، لذلك وضعنا وشاحًا جيدًا، وضمادة لوقف النزيف”.

واختتم: “لعبنا ببراعة واستحقينا الفوز، الجميع كانوا في يومهم، وهذا أهم ما يمكن قوله في ليلة رائعة مثل هذه”.

Keith Downie has revealed some enticing news that he has now heard from Newcastle United involving Eddie Howe.

The Lowdown: Another win for Newcastle

The manager won his eighth game in charge of the Tyneside club on Friday night as they beat Wolves 1-0 at St James’ Park thanks to a penalty from Chris Wood.

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They have had an amazing turnaround since the departure of Steve Bruce and now find themselves 10 points clear of the relegation zone with just seven games left to play this season.

The Latest: Downie reveals Howe effect

Speaking to This Is Futbol, Sky Sports journalist Downie has revealed that Howe’s work ‘behind the scenes’ has been noted by the players. He stated:

“Without doubt, he puts so much work in behind the scenes and you hear that from the players who talk about him, and I think that has shown in the performances and the results.”

The Verdict: Enticing

It certainly is enticing to hear of how much Howe is committing to Newcastle and just how much his work is being appreciated by the players.

Things got pretty toxic in the end under Bruce, with reports of some players being ‘angry’ with him over his tactics and training schedule.

Nonetheless, they seem to have settled very quickly under Howe, which is impressive considering the number of fresh faces who came through the door in the January transfer window.

The Magpies now look all but safe from relegation in the Premier League, when the situation looked rather bleak before Howe came in.

In other news, find out which Toon target scored a goal and supplied an assist this weekend

Aston Villa’s poor form continued on Saturday afternoon, with Steven Gerrard’s side falling to a 1-0 defeat to Watford.

The Hornets hadn’t scored in their previous four Premier League games but Emmanuel Dennis’ late header earned the visitors three vital points.

Villa dominated the ball and had 20 shots, however, they are now winless in three, picking up just one point against Leeds, Newcastle and Watford.

Here at The Transfer Tavern, we’ve used statistical experts SofaScore to analyse Villa’s three worst performers to have played at least 45 minutes. In total, these players lost the ball 21 times, were second best in 71% of their aerial and ground duels and also failed to have a shot on goal.

Danny Ings – 6.3/10

First up is Ings, who came in for Ollie Watkins for a rare start under Gerrard. Unfortunately, the striker failed to take his chance from the off and was Villa’s worst-rated starter by some distance.

Ings gave possession away seven times, won just one of his 10 duels and failed to have a shot on target. He did hit the woodwork but managed just 33 touches all afternoon, ending with a rating of 6.3/10.

Douglas Luiz – 6.7/10

Luiz, who was slammed by Gregg Evans on Saturday, also makes the list.

The Brazilian only played 58 minutes and hardly contributed, failing to make a clearance or interception. The midfielder gave the ball away twice, lost three of his four duels and made just one tackle all afternoon.

Calum Chambers – 6.8/10

Last up is Chambers, who kept his place in the side with Ezri Konsa still suspended.

The centre-back ended with a rating of 6.8/10, losing possession on 12 occasions and losing seven of his 13 duels. Chambers made just one tackle and failed to make an interception and was unsuccessful in half of his attempted long balls.

In other news: Sky Sports man: Steven Gerrard may now sell ‘frustrating’ Aston Villa ace after storming off. 

Crystal Palace are looking to make Jean-Philippe Mateta’s move permanent.

That’s according to journalist Tom Barclay, and, as to be expected, a number of Eagles fans have been reacting to the news on social media.

Palace brought Mateta in 12 months ago from Mainz on an 18-month loan which included an option to buy. [BBC]

The 24-year-old has scored against rivals Brighton and Millwall during his time at the club and has featured regularly under Patrick Vieira in recent months.

And it now seems as if he has done enough to make a Selhurst Park stay permanent, with Barclay stating he has won Vieira over in recent months.

The journalist added that a deal is not done yet, but a full-time transfer appears to be on the cards for the Frenchman.

Palace fans react

This is what these Eagles supporters had to say in reply to Barclay’s post, with one ‘buzzing’ for the forward and another labelling it as ‘incredible’.

“Good. Goals against Millwall and Brighton. I’m a fan forever.”

Credit: @HunterCPFC

“Buzzing for the man, Vieira clearly rated him above Benteke and at 24 years old we could get him on the cheap”

Credit: @ReeceJMT

“YESSSSSS”

Credit: @EvilSashPioneer

“Would be incredible if he goes on to be a big player for us”

Credit: @SWPalace

“YESSSSS”

Credit: @MattCPFC

“Get in”

Credit: @Rpcpfc

In other news: ‘Onto the next one, sorry Donny pal’ – Many Palace fans react as Romano shares ‘bonkers’ update.