O Fluminense tende a contar com um retorno significativo no confronto com o Cuiabá nesta segunda-feira (20), em jogo válido pela 21ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Em atividade realizada na manhã deste domingo (19) no CT Carlos Castilho, na Cidade de Deus, o técnico Marcão acenou com a possibilidade de Martinelli reassumir a titularidade do meio de campo no lugar de André, que cumpre suspensão automática.
+ Veja a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro!
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Martinelli está de volta ao Tricolor das Laranjeiras após duas partidas. O atleta havia sofridodores musculares e não disputou os confrontos com o São Paulo, pelo Brasileirão, e o Atlético-MG, pela Copa do Brasil. Além dele, Egídio, Gabriel Teixeira e Lucca ficarão à disposição de Marcão.
No ataque, Bobadilla superou a concorrência e terá a missão de ser o substituto de Fred, também suspenso. Eleformará a linha de frente ao lado de Luiz Henrique e Caio Paulista.
A equipe tende a ir a campo com:Marcos Felipe, Samuel Xavier, Nino, Luccas Claro e Danilo Barcelos; Martinelli, Nonato e Yago; Caio Paulista, Luiz Henrique e Bobadilla.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have suffered their first big blow of the transfer window, losing captain Max Kilman to West Ham United for £40m. This comes after several transfer rumours that more of their biggest stars could depart the club this summer.
Electric winger Pedro Neto has been linked with a move to North London, with Tottenham Hotspur thought to be one side that could pounce and bring in the winger. He is valued at around £60m. The other major outgoing at Molienux could be Hwang Hee-chan. The attacker is thought to have agreed personal terms to join French giants Marseille this summer, although Wolves rejected the opening offer of £16.8m.
Pedro Neto
This flurry of outgoing transfer activity comes one year after Wolves’ record sale was broken twice within the same window. Firstly, Ruben Neves’ £47m departure from Molineux to Saudi side Al Hilal set the record, before just weeks later they sold Matheus Nunes to Manchester City for a fee of £53m.
With all these outgoings, Wolves must balance the books this summer. Recently, they have been linked to one Kilman replacement who would add Premier League experience to their squad.
Wolves target Championship defender
The player in question here is Sheffield United and Bosnian centre-back Anel Ahmedhodzic. After being part of the Blades squad that was relegated last season, Ahmedhodzic could well make a return to the top flight via a transfer this summer.
According to a report from Alan Nixon of The Sun, Wolves are interested in bringing Ahmedhodzic to Molineux this summer, and currently 'head the chase' for the defender’s signature.
Nixon reports that Wolves would have to pay a fee of around £20m to sign the Bosnian this summer. However, he does state that Sheffield United are resigned to a lower fee if their demands are not matched.
The £20m price set for Ahmedhodzic this summer was one the Blades placed on him when Napoli showed interest during the most recent January transfer window. However, he remained at Bramall Lane, meaning he could now switch to the Midlands instead.
Why Ahmedhodzic would be a good signing
The 25-year-old defender was pivotal under Chris Wilder last season, although his side could not beat the drop. He played in 31 of their Premier League games, missing out only through injury and suspension.
Despite having a relegation on his CV, the defender does have plenty of credit in the bank. In 2022, he was 'widely praised' for keeping Kylian Mbappe quiet in a game between Bosnia and France, which Les Bleus won 1-0. He also 'kept Haaland quiet' when the Blades faced Manchester City last season, something football analyst Ben Mattinson praised him for.
Mattinson also explained that Ahmedhodzic 'loves to battle' with physical centre-forwards, and this is reflected in his Fbref stats. Like Kilman, the Bosnian is an excellent box defender, averaging 3.37 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, compared to Kilman’s 2.26.
The Sheffield United star is also impressive in the air. On average, he wins 1.73 aerial duels per game, with a win rate of 58%. Impressively, Kilman wins an average of 2.26 aerial duels, with a superb win rate of 70.5%.
Ahmedhodzic vs Kilman defensive stats
Stat (per 90)
Ahmedhodzic
Kilman
Tackles and interceptions
3.37
2.26
Aerial duels won
1.73
2.26
Aerial duel win %
58%
70.5%
Blocks
1.46
1.68
Clearances
4.66
4.79
Stats from Fbref
One of the areas in which the former Wolves captain excels is progressive passing. He easily trumps Ahmedhodzic in most metrics in this area, averaging 3.08 progressive passes and 2.87 passes into the final third per 90. In contrast, the Bosnian averages just 1.46 progressive passes and 1.39 passes into the final third.
However, take this number with a pinch of salt, as it is not necessarily a true reflection of Ahmedhodzic’s ball-playing ability. Last season, he was part of a Sheffield United team that had the lowest amount of average possession per game in the Premier League as per Fbref, with 35.8%. Extraordinarily, only Metz, with 35.6%, had less possession than the Blades in Europe’s big five leagues. Thus, the Bosnian’s stats on the ball are far more saturated.
Max Kilman celebrates
For just £20m, Wolves could bring in an excellent Kilman replacement in the form of Ahmedhodzic. Not only would they replace his impressive box defending, but also fill the leadership void created by his departure; the 25-year-old skippered the Blades 12 times in all competitions last season.
In what could be a big summer for Gary O’Neil’s side, bringing in a quality Premier League defender like Ahmedhodzic would be an excellent piece of recruitment.
Another Nunes situation: Wolves at risk of losing £50m "warrior"
Gary O’Neil will be looking to prevent one of his star players from leaving this summer…
“It’s an encouraging sign because it could lead to an influx of money and more sponsor interest”
Annesha Ghosh27-Dec-2020
The Women’s T20 Challenge had 105 million unique viewers tuning in for the 2020 edition•BCCI
The 2020 edition of the Women’s T20 Challenge (WT20C) logged 5.34 billion minutes in viewership in India. That’s a 2.45-times rise from the 2.20 billion minutes the 2019 edition recorded, with as many as 105 million unique viewers tuning into the three-team competition as opposed to last season’s 71 million viewers.Broadcast data obtained by ESPNcricinfo from Broadcast Audience Research Council India and Star, the media-rights holders of the BCCI, revealed that this year’s tournament, played alongside the playoffs of the IPL in the UAE, recorded a 147% increase in viewing minutes and 47% rise in unique viewers in India from 2019. The three-team tournament, held from November 4 to 9, was aired across 11 Star Sports channels as opposed to eight last year.Related
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“The record-breaking viewership for the Women’s T20 challenge is a testament to the love for women’s cricket in India,” Sanjog Gupta, Head of Sports at Star India, said. “At Star India, we amplified the reach and engagement through a mega cast in five language-feeds [Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada] across 11 channels, giving it an unprecedented reach, similar to that of IPL.”In November, the BCCI had labelled the tournament “financially independent”, the 2020 edition having earned a title sponsor and multiple official sponsors. As such, the plan was to make it a four-team event this year, but it was played with three because of – although never officially explained – the uncertainty around the Covid-19 situation and the clash in scheduling with the Women’s Big Bash League.”I am delighted with the way the tournament has been received by TV-watching people in India in such a challenging year,” Jhulan Goswami, the veteran India pacer and member of this year’s winning team, Trailblazers, told ESPNcricinfo.”Women’s cricket, especially Indian women’s cricket, has been dealt a severe blow by the pandemic, and nothing seems to be on the horizon to get the ball rolling. This news [of the numbers] could help motivate not just those of us (who participated in the tournament) but also young girls in India dreaming to be professional cricketers despite seemingly insurmountable odds.”Goswami, who has been part of all three editions of the WT20C, said the increase in viewership made a “case for giving every chance to increase the visibility” of India’s “established and up-and-coming female cricketers”, whose performances in recent world tournaments “have expanded the team’s and their own fanbase.””The shift in the Indian public’s perception of the women cricketers began in the 2017 [ODI] World Cup [where India finished runners-up],” Goswami, who on Sunday was named in the ICC’s Women’s ODI Team of the Decade, said. “Since then, our T20I team played a World Cup semi-final [in 2018] and this year, in Australia, the final for the first time. That World Cup also had a massive following. Why? Because we beat strong opponents like Australia, New Zealand on our road to the final, we played fearless cricket.”An ICC release from earlier in the year vindicated Goswami’s argument.”India’s success in making it to the final,” read the statement issued in June, “boosted audience interest” in the 2020 T20 World Cup, making it the “most watched ICC women’s T20 event in history”. “India live viewing hours were 86.15m which is 152% higher than the 2018 tournament, driven by India’s success and the broadcast of select India matches by Star Sports…,” the statement read.Jhulan Goswami – “These numbers prove that the average cricket-watcher in India will turn the TV on and watch us play”•PUNIT PARANJPE / AFP
But what does all this mean in real terms? Could the spike in numbers have a direct bearing on the marketability of women’s cricket in the country?”To have that kind of a jump [in viewership], a two-and-a-half-times increase in a single year, is significant, extremely significant,” brand specialist Santosh Desai explained. “Even if it was from a relative-response base, [it] doesn’t matter… It’s an encouraging sign because it could lead to an influx of money and more sponsor interest which can catapult the game to higher levels. We are potentially at a point of inflection here. If it sustains and continues over next year, we could see it become a significant part of the annual calendar [in the near future].”How spectacle-worthy a sport is becomes an important determinant of viewership. Tuning into women’s sport is the first barrier in India because of prevailing stereotypes. But several factors, including the pandemic, the Indian team’s performance in recent years, improved skill-sets, individual distinction and style of some players – could have accelerated that process.”Goswami, meanwhile, hoped that the sustained growth in viewership of the WT20C, considered a precursor to an IPL-style league in India for women, could lead to better investment at the foundational rung of the women’s game in the country.”These numbers prove that if the average cricket-watcher in India is given the opportunity to see Indian women cricketers play, it’s likely they will turn the TV on and watch us play,” she said. “The Indian team’s players had not played any cricket since the T20 World Cup in March, and then came the T20 Challenge [about eight months later], so when people got a chance to watch us again, they did. Hope it translates in to more investment at the grassroots.”ESPNcricinfo and Star are part of the Walt Disney Company
The Strikers lost six wickets for 44 runs in the last six overs of the first innings
Daniel Brettig08-Jan-2021A nerveless stand between Mohammad Nabi and Jake Fraser-McGurk lifted the Melbourne Renegades to a six-wicket victory over the Adelaide Strikers at Adelaide Oval to end a wretched seven-game losing run in the Big Bash League.The Strikers had kept the Renegades in the contest by breaking down badly in their final six overs, losing 6 for 44 after looking highly likely to pass 200 after strong contributions from Phil Salt, Alex Carey and Matt Renshaw – Jack Prestwidge’s spell of 2 for 20 was key in stemming their momentum.Mohammad Nabi and Jake Fraser-McGurk’s partnership took Renegades past Strikers•Getty Images
After Aaron Finch fell early, the Renegades were in danger of drifting to defeat once more, but Nabi formed a salvaging union with the promoted Prestwidge and then the pivotal one with Fraser-McGurk, who may also have done some longer-term damage to the Strikers by hammering a drive back into Peter Siddle’s left thumb. Siddle completed the game but was clearly uncomfortable as Nabi blazed the boundaries that took the Renegades home and nearly doubled his tournament aggregate in the process.Strikers find the Salt shakerThere had been discussion leading into this match about the place of Salt at the top of the order, after only one score above 30 in his first eight innings of the tournament. An outing against the bottom-placed Renegades afforded the chance to regain some poise, and in perfect early evening conditions at Adelaide Oval, Salt warmed nicely into his work alongside Renshaw, spending 12 balls to get settled before climbing into Noor Ahmad, Peter Hatzoglou and Imad Wasim.Renshaw, too, had his moments in an opening stand worth 61, striking a quintet of boundaries inside the Powerplay and exhibiting the power he has occasionally been able to showcase against both the white and red balls. Renshaw’s innings slowly lost momentum without quite so many gaps to find, and when he drove Prestwidge to mid-off it seemed an opportune time for the arrival of Carey to the middle.The Power Surge that wasn’t, then wasAdelaide were 1 for 104 and handily placed when Carey, it seemed clear to all and certainly the Renegades captain Finch, chose to utilise the Power Surge. Sizing up Kane Richardson as Finch brought all but two fielders inside the circle, Carey proceeded to blaze sixes over cover and long on from the first two balls of the surge, before bunting another two runs down the ground. After these three balls, there was suddenly a moment of conjecture when it became apparent that neither umpire had noticed Carey’s clear signal and Finch’s acknowledgement.For a few seconds, a pair of adversaries not quite as friendly as Carey and Finch might have entered a stand-off. Had Carey denied his signal – even if it was clear on the broadcast – the Strikers may have been able to get a fresh call for another two overs. But as it was, Carey and Finch worked very much within the spirit of the game by allowing the umpires to call the Power Surge belatedly to the scorers, and after Carey fell the following over, the Strikers’ innings was limited to 6 for 44 from their final 35 balls.Nabi comes to Renegades partyJust 78 runs in six innings so far had suggested Nabi’s previously handsome record with the Renegades was taking the same jolt as Michael Klinger’s coaching tenure. However a slower Adelaide surface that was beginning to take turn – more for Rashid’s leg break than is usually seen in Australia – was the sort of pitch Nabi had often prospered on at Docklands, and he was soon finding the boundary at the right times after Finch, Mackenzie Harvey and Sam Harper had all made it into the teens.Finch’s decision to promote Prestwidge after he delivered a decidedly useful spell with the ball gave Nabi an ally of similarly positive mindset, and together they clumped the runs that gave the Renegades the bonus point for bettering Adelaide’s tally at the 10-over mark. As wellas Rashid was bowling, their stand of 42 from 26 balls did not deserve to be ended by his googly: while Prestwidge was clearly beaten, the ball was arrowing comfortably down the leg side.Fraser-McGurk strikes a telling blowHaving already belted one six down the ground with the follow-through that is already familiar to those who have seen him in junior and state ranks, Fraser-McGurk was struggling to find a way past Siddle in a Power Surge over that ultimately cost just two when he laced a ball back straight and struck his former Victorian teammate a painful blow on the left thumb as he tried instinctively for the catch. Play was held up for several minutes as Siddle tried to recover, and the following over Fraser-McGurk hit a ramp shot about as cleanly as possible to hit another six, this time off Wes Agar. When the next ball was miscued over cover, Siddle dropped it as he still struggled with his left hand.This left Nabi with a very achievable scenario from the final four overs, allowing the fifth-wicket pair to take 10 from Rashid’s final over. Needing 21 off the final two overs, Fraser-McGurk benefited when another ramp was misfielded by Harry Conway, allowing three, before Nabi hammered Siddle straight then over cover-point for four then six. Now the Strikers’ fade in their final six overs came sharply into view, as the Renegades joyously knocked off the final five runs with a ball to spare.
Celtic are chasing a move for a long-term target this summer as they look to bolster their ranks ahead of the new Scottish Premiership campaign, it has been reported.
Celtic focus on permanent moves for loanees
Following the Scottish League and Cup double (both at the expense of bitter rivals Rangers), Brendan Rodgers' side have had a quiet summer. They have replaced the retired Joe Hart with veteran shot-stopper Kasper Schmeichel, who has joined on a one-year deal after his time with Belgian side Anderlecht came to a close.
"Celtic is one of the world’s proper football clubs, a massive name and a place of real passion and success." he told the club website.
They have also confirmed a deal for backup goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, with the 22-year-old arriving from Aston Villa. But much of the focus has been on trying to negotiate permanent moves for their successful loanees last season.
Striker Adam Idah was a priority for Rodgers at the end of the season after he scored nine times on loan from Norwich, but a deal is looking increasingly difficult to pull off.
Adam Idah's impressive Celtic spell
Appearances
19
Goals
9
Assists
2
Minutes per goal or assist
73.5
Speaking to the media last week, new Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup suggested he wanted Idah to remain at Carrow Road.
"Like we said from day one, he's a vital part of the group and of the squad here. Luckily, or maybe unfortunately, we have players where there's also interest from other clubs. But we should always strive to have that, that's important for us."
"But Adam’s working hard in training, a good guy with good energy. He's really doing well. And I hope it's obvious for him and everyone that he will play a vital part for this team."
They are having better luck with fellow loanee Paulo Bernardo though, with reports from Scotland claiming that a deal for the midfielder is "all but done" in a move that will see Celtic shell out just under £3.4m to bring the 21-year-old to Celtic Park.
He may not be the only midfield arrival, though.
Celtic set to resume long chase
That comes with Sport Witness relaying claims from Turkey that Celtic remain interested in midfielder Jakub Kaluzinski. The Hoops were keen to sign him during his time at Lechia Gdansk, the report suggests, but the young Polish midfielder completed a move to Turkish side Antalyaspor last summer.
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Now, 12 months on, Celtic remain interested, it is alleged, and there is no suggestion that he is unobtainable despite being under contract until 2026. On the contrary, it is added that a deal could be completed for just €4m (£3.3m), though Spanish side Rayo Vallodolid are also thought to be chasing his signature.
It remains to be seen whether a move for the 21-year-old talent is given priority given the other areas of need in the Hoops squad, but it is certainly one to keep an eye on ahead of the new campaign.
أعلن المدير الفني لفريق آينتراخت فرانكفورت، دينو توبمولر، التشكيل الأساسي لمباراة فرايبورج مساء يوم الثلاثاء في بطولة الدوري الألماني.
ويلتقي الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة السابعة عشر من الدوري الألماني، 2024/25، على ملعب “دوتش بانك بارك”.
ويحتل فرانكفورت حاليًا المركز الثالث برصيد 30 نقطة، في حين أن فرايبورج لديه 27 نقطة في المركز السادس.
اقرأ أيضًا.. موعد والقناة الناقلة لمباراة فرانكفورت وفرايبورج اليوم في الدوري الألماني
وحسبما نُشر، يتواجد النجم المصري عمر مرموش في التشكيل الأساسي لمباراة فرانكفورت اليوم أمام فرايبورج.
يأتي ذلك في ظل التكهنات المستمرة حول مستقبل مرموش وإمكانية رحيله عن فرانكفورت هذا الشهر وانضمامه إلى مانشستر سيتي.
وأكد الصحفي الشهير فابريزيو رومانو، اليوم، أن مانشستر سيتي قدم أول عرض رسمي لضم مرموش، وهو ما قوبل بالرفض من جانب فرانكفورت لانخفاض قيمته. تشكيل فرانكفورت أمام فرايبورج في الدوري الألماني
حراسة المرمى: كيفن تراب.
خط الدفاع: آرثر ثيت، روبن كوخ، كولينز.
خط الوسط: إلياس سخيري.
خط الوسط الهجومي: راسموس نيسين، هوجو لارسون، براون، جوتزه.
Neste domingo, o Grêmio recebeu o Sport na Arena e foi derrotado por 2 a 1, pelo Brasileirão.Vaiado pela torcida que compareceu ao estádio, o meia-atacante Douglas Costa marcou o único gol do time e falou sobre o confronto.
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+ Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada
– O gol apareceu, mas no momento difícil para nós. Eu fico triste pela paciência que não tivemos hoje. Tentamos martelar, mas tomamos o primeiro, o segundo. São muitos fatores, muitos jogadores se conhecendo. Me cobro bastante. Futebol é extraordinário e na próxima quarta tentaremos reverter esta situação – afirmou ao Premiere.
+ Veja a tabela do Brasileirão e simule os resultados dos próximos jogos
Com 22 pontos conquistados, o Grêmio termina a rodada na 18ª colocação do Campeonato Brasileiro.
أعلن كارلو أنشيلوتي المدير الفني لفريق ريال مدريد، تشكيل اللاعبين الذين سيخوضون مباراة سيلتا فيجو في منافسات كأس ملك إسبانيا.
وسيخوض ريال مدريد مواجهة اليوم أمام سيلتا فيجو في منافسات دور الـ16 من كأس ملك إسبانيا على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” في تمام الساعة العاشرة والنصف مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة.
اقرأ أيضاً.. ريال مدريد يتحرك لضم لاعب آرسنال
وتأهل ريال مدريد إلى منافسات دور الـ16، بعد أن فاز على ديبورتيفو مينيرا بخماسية نظيفة في مباريات دور الـ32 من كأس ملك إسبانيا.
بينما تأهل سيلتا فيجو إلى الدور ذاته وذلك بعد أن فاز في دور الـ32 على نظيره ريسنج بنتيجة 3/2.
ودفع كارلو أنشيلوتي المدير الفني لفريق ريال مدريد، بالمهاجم الفرنسي، كيليان مبابي، بالتشكيل الأساسي في مواجهة اليوم. تشكيل ريال مدريد أمام سيلتا فيجو في كأس ملك إسبانيا
حراسة المرمى: أندريه لونين.
خط الدفاع: فران جارسيا، أنطونيو روديجر، أسينسيو، لوكاس فاسكيز.
خط الوسط: داني سيبايوس، لوكا مودريتش، تشواميني.
خط الهجوم: فينيسيوس جونيور، كيليان مبابي، إبراهيم دياز. بدلاء ريال مدريد أمام سيلتا فيجو في كأس ملك إسبانيا
Leeds United have submitted a verbal bid to sign a new attacker this summer, according to a new report.
Leeds eyeing new winger to replace Summerville
The Whites are preparing for their Championship opener this weekend against Portsmouth at Elland Road, but one player who won’t be there is last season’s Player of the Year, Crysencio Summerville.
The Dutch winger has now left for Leeds for West Ham, with Daniel Farke admitting after Leeds’ final pre-season game against Valencia that the club would like to bring in a new wide player but still need to comply with financial fair play rules.
Leeds United's summer sales
New club
Fee (Transfermarkt)
Archie Gray
Tottenham
£34.7m
Crysencio Summerville
West Ham
£25.1m
Glen Kamara
Rennes
£8.4m
Marc Roca
Real Betis
£3.8m
Charlie Cresswell
Toulouse
£3.8m
Diego Llorente
Real Betis
£2.7m
Robin Koch
Eintracht Frankfurt
Free transfer
Jamie Shackleton
Sheffield United
Free transfer
Kristoffer Klaesson
Rakow Czestochowa
Free transfer
Luke Ayling
Middlesbrough
Free transfer
Ian Poveda
Sunderland
Free transfer
Cody Drameh
Hull City
Free transfer
Darko Gyabi
Plymouth Argyle
Loan
Sam Greenwood
Preston North End
Loan
Sonny Perkins
Leyton Oreint
Loan
"Our situation is also quite clear, obviously after selling a winger, an offensive player like Cree everyone knows we'd like to add a player in a similar position, there's no doubt.
"It's not like right now we receive a full player like Archie Gray or Cree Summerville also lots of money and right now we can spend it. At the moment we still have to pay for a few sins in the past and make sure we're in line with all the financial rules and this is also the reason why sometimes a club has to take a decision also to sell a player.
"Obviously when you ask me as a manager you always want to keep your best players and even add a few more top players but we still have the situation that we've done something not in the perfect way in former years and right now have to pay the price.
"In the last season we were pretty disciplined and careful with what we spent. We have to be careful and it's an open secret, it's not like we take all the money from a transfer like Cree and can spend it right now. We have pretty limited resources.”
The top target to replace Summerville currently appears to be Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe, with talks recently held over a deal for the England Under-21 international. Now, it appears as if Leeds and the 49ers Enterprises have gone one step further and have made an offer.
Leeds make verbal bid for Jonathan Rowe
According to Football Insider, Leeds have submitted a verbal bid worth £7m for Rowe, however, that is “nowhere near” Norwich’s valuation. The Canaries have swiftly responded to that proposal from Yorkshire, so it will be interesting to see if Leeds go back in with an improved offer.
Rowe enjoyed a solid campaign at Carrow Road when fully fit, scoring 12 goals and providing two assists in 34 Championship appearances.
He was also hailed by Norwich teammate Shane Duffy, who called Rowe a player who can produce “magic” and win games. "Give him a ball like that in that position, and he will do the rest – he's shown that since the start of the season when he picked up the ball on the halfway line and found the top corner. Jonny has got that bit of magic for us. He can win us games, and that's what you need at this level to be successful."
South African board suggests postponement compromises WTC and is seeking financial redress
Firdose Moonda08-Feb-2021
South Africa were due to take on Australia at home after their tour of Pakistan•AFP via Getty Images
CSA has written to the ICC asking it to consider means of redress for less wealthy nations to make up for financial losses when tours do not take place as scheduled. The communication came as a response to Cricket Australia’s decision to indefinitely postpone a three-Test series that was due to be played in South Africa in March citing an “unacceptable” level of risk because of the coronavirus pandemic.The letter, seen by ESPNcricinfo, called Australia’s unilateral decision to pull out of the series “against the spirit of sportsmanship”, with implications for the credibility of the World Test Championship (WTC), and raises concerns it will have a “serious impact on the financial well-being of less-wealthy” ICC members.”There’s got to be some understanding of how we manage the impact to less-wealthy nations,” Stavros Nicolaou, the chairman of CSA’s interim board told ESPNcricinfo. “Unilateral decisions of this nature are punitive to less-wealthy cricket-playing nations and there has to be some discussion around redress.”ESPNcricinfo understands that in order for the ICC to take action, it would first need to establish there was a dispute between CSA and CA and if that could be brought before its dispute resolutions committee. However, CSA has not lodged a formal complaint and sent its letter as a means of opening the door to communication about how best to manage the international cricket schedule during the pandemic, especially in the light of the WTC.Related
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CSA believes that as the Australia series was part of the competition it falls under WTC terms, and that if members “can unilaterally decide whether to fulfil their obligations or not” it will put the integrity of the WTC into question. Australia will now need certain results to go their way if they need to qualify for the WTC final.CSA was left extremely disappointed by CA deciding not to send its men’s team to South Africa after CSA went to every length to create a strict biosecure environment (BSE) for the series. That included obtaining government permission for Australia to receive VVIP treatment at the airport, which would not require them to even step into the terminal but proceed as diplomats would on to a bus, and additional assurances from the country’s health minister. Private hospitals also indicated they would make beds available to the Australian touring party if required.Despite that, and evidence that South Africa has passed the second-wave of the pandemic, the variant of the virus prevalent in the country saw CA receive medical advice against traveling. It communicated this to CSA last Tuesday, a little over three weeks before the touring party was meant to arrive in South Africa, and a day after the restrictions in the country were eased.”The reasons Australia cited seemed out of kilter with where the pandemic is,” Nicalaou said. “If we had got this communication from them in December it might be justified. The downward trajectory, even with the so-called South African strain, has shown a 75% reduction from the peak. Our preference would have been to ask for a consultation and we would have got the necessary experts on the call and explained the downward trajectory and we could have given assurances about the biosecure base. The decision should have been consultative and we would have seen what other measures we could have taken.”CSA has also written to CA, detailing its concerns and saying it will “lose much needed revenue but will also result in wasted costs which CSA can ill afford”, and that it “cannot over-emphasise the loss of revenue caused by your unfortunate decision as well as the reputational damage that is certain to follow.” It is expected that CSA’s costs and losses will run into the millions of Rands.Positive Covid-19 tests saw the curtailment of England’s tour in December•Getty Images
South Africa are further concerned that Australia’s decision creates the impression that it is unable to maintain a BSE, despite doing so successfully on three occasions. South Africa hosted Sri Lanka for festive Tests on the Highveld (at the same venue where Australia were due to stay), the Pakistan women’s team for three ODIs and three T20s in Durban, and have held the domestic one-day cup in a bubble in Potchefstroom.Their first attempt at creating a BSE, hosting England in Cape Town, did not go well after three South African players, two hotel staff and two members of the England touring party tested positive for Covid-19 (though the England tests were later confirmed negative); England pulled out of the tour before playing any of the three scheduled ODIs. However, that BSE was more lenient than any of the others, on the request of the ECB, and made allowances for players to leave the hotel to play golf at various different courses.The Australia bubble was due to be strictest yet, and would have included all staff staying at the hotel for a three-week quarantine period before Australia arrived. Australia’s demands exceeded globally accepted norms, which ask for a quarantine period of two weeks in most cases, but CSA was willing to accommodate it in a bid to make the series happen.Ultimately, CSA is also concerned that this postponed series will further entrench cricketing inequalities that see wealth and fixtures shared between India, England and Australia and which leaves the other nine Full Members behind. As an example, India have just returned from a tour to Australia and are hosting England. They will then travel to England in the northern hemisphere summer before England head to Australia for the Ashes. While these three teams will play several more Tests in 2021, South Africa do not have a single fixture confirmed.”The cancellation of our tour sends a hurtful message to the less-wealthy cricket-playing nations of the world,” CSA’s letter to CA said. “Our considered view is that it will have a deleterious impact on the stability of global cricket, its growth and its future.”