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Kolkata Knight Riders have a perfect home record against Sunrisers Hyderabad, who will be looking to change that with their strong bowling line-up

The Preview by Rachna Shetty14-Apr-2017Match factsKolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad
Kolkata, April 15, 2017
Start time 1600 local (1030 GMT)3:49

Agarkar: Will pick Shakib ahead of Woakes

Head to headLast season: Kolkata Knight Riders beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in two of their three encounters – by eight wickets and 22 runs respectively. The only match they lost was the Eliminator, where Sunrisers won by 22 runs on their way to a maiden IPL title.Overall: Knight Riders have won six out of the nine matches between the two sides. At Eden Gardens, their record stands at four wins in four matches.Form guide

Knight Riders (second): beat Gujarat Lions by 10 wickets; lost to Mumbai Indians by four wickets; beat Kings XI Punjab by eight wickets

Sunrisers Hyderabad (third): beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 35 runs; beat Gujarat Lions by nine wickets; lost to Mumbai Indians by four wickets.

In the newsMoises Henriques missed Sunrisers’ last match due to an illness, after scoring successive fifties in the first two. A team source said he trained with them on the eve of the match but the only spot available to him might be Ben Cutting’s. David Warner is the captain, Mustafizur Rahman is likely to get a longer run and Rashid Khan has performed impressively enough to stay in the XI.For Knight Riders, Trent Boult’s early form could be a source of concern. The New Zealand quick has been unlucky, with fielders having missed catches off his bowling in the last two matches. He has also conceded 123 runs for one wicket so far with an economy rate of 10.39, the third poorest among those who have bowled more than 10 overs this season, after Ashok Dinda (11.9) and Mitchell McClenaghan (10.75).The Knight Riders’ middle order has not had much to do in two of their three games so far. That might change, given the potency of Sunrisers’ attack. With Chris Lynn still recovering from a shoulder injury, KKR might look to fill his spot with an allrounder. Colin de Grandhomme performed the role on Thursday, but he could face competition from Shakib Al Hasan and Rovman Powell, whose playing style has been likened to Andre Russell’s by the franchise’s CEO.Likely XIsSunrisers Hyderabad: 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 David Warner (capt), 3 Deepak Hooda, 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 Ben Cutting / Moises Henriques, 6 Naman Ojha (wk), 7 Vijay Shankar / Bipul Sharma, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Ashish Nehra, 11 Mustafizur RahmanKolkata Knight Riders: 1 Gautam Gambhir (capt), 2 Robin Uthappa (wk), 3 Manish Pandey, 4 Yusuf Pathan, 5 Suryakumar Yadav, 6 Colin de Grandhomme / Shakib Al Hasan / Rovman Powell, 7 Chris Woakes, 8 Sunil Narine, 9 Piyush Chawla, 10 Umesh Yadav, 11 Trent BoultStats Barring Lasith Malinga, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the most successful bowler in the last five overs against Knight Riders in the IPL. The Sunrisers seamer has struck 13 times in this period and averages 8.92 runs per dismissal. In the 2017 IPL, Sunrisers have the second-best economy rate in the slog overs – 7.65 – and the second-highest wicket tally (10). Knight Riders, despite taking eight wickets, have conceded runs at 10.44 runs per over. David Warner and Gautam Gambhir hold the record for the most half-centuries (centuries excluded) in IPL. Gambhir brought up his 33rd against Kings XI Punjab on Thursday. Sunil Narine’s economy rate of 7.06 is second-best among spinners who have bowled at least 40 overs in the IPL since 2015. However, his average and strike rate – which were 16.13 and 16.7, respectively, the best for spinners before 2015 – have dropped to 30.60 and 26 respectively.The only Knight Riders batsmen Mustafizur Rahman has dismissed in the IPL so far are Jason Holder and Andre Russell. Against Gambhir, Manish Pandey and Yusuf Pathan, combined, Mustafizur has bowled 43 balls and given away 62 runs. There isn’t much difference between the overall run-rates of Sunrisers and Knight Riders in the last five overs – 9.14 and 9.29 respectively. However, in head-to-head encounters, Sunrisers have only scored at a rate of 7.96, their lowest against any team. Knight Riders, meanwhile, have managed to score at a rate of 9.24 in the last five overs against Sunrisers.

Ben Coad’s joyous season came up Roses as he demolished Lancashire at Headingley with career-best figures

Paul Edwards at Headingley02-Jun-2017
ScorecardThe first day of the Roses match began late, ended early and saw 216 runs scored, most of which had to be chiselled like flakes of granite from the rock face of the Yorkshire attack. A few followers of county cricket may view such a rate of progress in 69.2 overs as suggestive of slightly turgid cricket; yet to those schooled in the tempo and ethos of these encounters, such stately progress is familiar and almost reassuring. And for Ben Coad the afternoon’s play could scarcely have been more exciting, for it saw him pick up a career-best 6 for 25, thus setting a seal on an early season which has been overflowing with delights.Bowling from the Football Stand End, Coad removed the heart of Lancashire’s batting in a seven-over spell during which he took 4 for 16, at one stage taking three wickets in seven balls. When he had Stephen Parry, Lancashire’s joint top-scorer with 30, caught by Adam Lyth to end the innings, he joined Hampshire’s Kyle Abbott as the leading wicket-taker in Division One with 29 victims. No one has taken more than his 32 wickets in all first-class cricket this season.Coad is a remarkable young talent; he effervesces with slightly abashed enthusiasm and there are Test cricketers in this Yorkshire side who should yield their places to him should Andrew Gale and Gary Ballance ever have a full-strength squad from which to select.Coad is 6ft 3ins and still willowy; he has achieved his success by bowling a yard quicker than he managed last season and so straight that he rather deserved the leg side strangle to Andy Hodd that caused the dismissal of Dane Vilas. Much more typical of his virtues was the ball that nipped away yet caught the edge of Haseeb Hameed’s bat when the opener had laboured to good purpose for an hour over nine runs. Equally incisive was the lifting delivery on off stump which took the edge of Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s bat and gave a comfortable catch to Peter Handscomb at fourth slip.He nipped one back off the pitch to have Steven Croft leg before on 16 and later returned from the Kirkstall Lane End to lull Tom Bailey into chipping a catch to midwicket before that final dismissal of Parry was the prelude to as warm a standing ovation for a young cricketer as Headingley has seen in its recent summers of glory.”We couldn’t have asked for anything more today and I think that’s the best I’ve bowled this season,” said Coad. “Obviously the pitch has benefited me massively and the overhead conditions helped me out but I’m very happy with that. It’s a great feeling to be bowling as I am at the moment and I do know there are times when it’s going to be tough, so I’m just loving cricket at the minute.”Ben Coad rocked Lancashire with four wickets in 18 balls•Getty Images

And Yorkshire supporters in their turn are warm in their appreciation of Coad, no one more so than the county’s former president, Dickie Bird, who said yesterday that he would select him for next month’s first Test against South Africa. That Bird should express such a view is hardly astonishing; he would also have Ballance in Joe Root’s eleven, yet those who might mock his partisanship should not overlook his passion, his loyalty, his service. And after all, who was selecting Haseeb Hameed for the tour of India at this time last year?For Lancashire’s cricketers this was a desperately disappointing day. Parry and Ryan McLaren offered as much stern resistance as they could manage but McLaren eventually became Ryan Sidebottom’s third victim, the left-arm seamer having confirmed his return to full efficacy by removing Alex Davies and Luke Procter with successive deliveries in the seventh over of the day.Yet as Lancashire’s innings disintegrated before them, travelling supporters may have been wondering why their captain had chosen to bat when Yorkshire officials had been insisting all week that there would be “a bit in the pitch”. Perhaps coach Glen Chapple and captain Steven Croft were relying on the 12th axiom of Harry Makepeace to the effect that when a Yorkshireman says one thing about a Roses wicket, it’s a good idea to believe the opposite. If so, they were grievously in error and should have trusted the evidence of their eyes, not least the cloud cover and the moisture left in the atmosphere after the rain which had wiped out the morning’s cricket.Yorkshire’s pursuit of Lancashire’s poor total lasted 25.4 overs before rain returned. In that time Alex Lees batted very skittishly to make five and Handscomb played some lovely strokes before an ugly cut edged a catch to Davies off Procter. Lancashire had to be happy with such scraps of consolation, just as Hameed had to be content with the calmness and composure he showed in batting an hour against the Yorkshire’s pack of slavering seamers.Immense comfort settles on an opening batsman when he lets the ball go and ponders the energy expended by the panting bowler. Hameed reconnected with his strengths on the first day of this game, albeit in an innings of only nine runs. All the same, his innings in the Rajkot and Mohali Tests must seem distant memories for him just as this season is still fresh as paint for the immensely likeable Coad.The day’s cricket ended with Adam Lyth, another opener, making 40 not out, his best first-class score of the season, and some Lancashire supporters doubting whether the game would last beyond Sunday. They were not prophesying an away victory

يستعد فريق ريال مدريد لملاقاة ريال مايوركا غدًا السبت، في منافسات الدوري الإسباني “الليجا”، قبل مواجهته المرتقبة أمام مانشستر سيتي بدوري أبطال أوروبا.

وخاض الفريق حصة تدريبية اليوم الجمعة استعدادًا للمباراة أمام ريال مايوركا، التي تلعب ضمن مواجهات الجولة الحادية والثلاثين للدوري الإسباني.

وتغيب المهاجم البرازيلي رودريجو عن تدريبات فريقه ريال مدريد، بحسب ما أوضحت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية.

اقرأ أيضًا | أكانجي: ريال مدريد يسجل من العدم.. والفوز عليهم برباعية كان الأفضل على الإطلاق

ويعاني رودريجو من كدمة لكن لن تمنعه من المشاركة أمام ريال مايوركا، بحسب ما أوضح التقرير.

كما يستمر غياب الثنائي المصاب ديفيد ألابا، وحارس المرمى تيبو كورتوا، ويواصلان التعافي من الإصابة.

وكان ريال مدريد تعادل إيجابيًا أمام مانشستر سيتي بنتيجة 3-3 على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”، وسيلتقي الفريقان مجددًا يوم الأربعاء القادم لخوض مباراة الإياب على ملعب “الاتحاد”.

West Ham United are 'ready to finalise' a deal for Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria and the Italian giants are open to sanctioning his departure on loan or a permanent basis, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

Is Denis Zakaria going to West Ham United?

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, West Ham United and Juventus are locked in talks over Zakaria as he has returned to pre-season training with his parent club.

The Hammers are believed to have offered €13 million for the £90k-a-week ace; however, there is a gap in valuation between the two sides, as cited by Tuttosport.

Italian outlet Tuttosport claim that Juventus value Zakaria, who has been hailed as a "sharp" player, at between €20-25 million as negotiations continue between both parties to try and find an agreement.

Juventus are seeking to make a profit on the 26-year-old this summer. Nevertheless, West Ham United are not expected to bow to their demands immediately despite running into a healthy financial situation following the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal.

Initially, it was thought that West Ham United and Juventus would negotiate on the premise of Zakaria moving to the London Stadium on a loan deal with an option-to-buy, as per The Evening Standard.

Former Chelsea man Zakaria is 'surplus to requirements' at the Allianz Stadium and would welcome a move back to London if a transfer can be agreed by the two respective clubs.

Last term, Zakaria endured a difficult time of things due to encountering various injury struggles and finished the campaign with one goal in 13 appearances, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Galetti thinks that there is a 'confidence' from both sides that a deal can be struck either on a loan agreement or permanently.

Galetti stated: "West Ham are ready to finalise the deal for Zakaria. The talks are well addressed for an overall figure of around €18million to €20million.

"Juventus want a permanent move, but would also accept a loan deal with a buy obligation. Discussions are in progress on the formula, but there is a lot of confidence.

"The player agreed personal terms and gave the green light for the move. The Swiss midfielder is not in the plan of Allegri, so Juve want the transfer as well, and it shouldn't be so difficult to agree the last details."

Who else have West Ham United been looking at this summer?

Strengthening in midfield following the departure of club captain Rice is likely to take priority for David Moyes this summer as he tries to fill the huge void left by the England international.

Manchester United star Scott McTominay is a target that could provide an alternative to Rice at the London Stadium. The Hammers are expected to firm up their interest in the Scotland international now that Rice has officially left the building, as per The Independent.

According to The Guardian, West Ham United have failed with a loan swoop for out-of-favour Manchester United defender Harry Maguire. Erik Ten Hag is open to letting the former Leicester City man depart Old Trafford, though the Irons would only be keen on putting together a loan deal with an option-to-buy due to the excessive cost of trying to sign Maguire permanently.

The Sun report that Moyes has seen a £40 million bid turned down for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha; nevertheless, more discussions are scheduled for this week and the Hammers hold hope that they can land the Portugal international for under £50 million.

اعترف المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول، يورجن كلوب، أنهم لا يستطيعون تحقيق لقب الدوري الإنجليزي إذا كرروا أداءهم في مباراة الأحد ضد كريستال بالاس.

واستضاف ملعب “الأنفيلد” مباراة الفريقين في إطار منافسات الجولة الثالثة والثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كلوب يثير القلق حول إصابة لاعب ليفربول أمام كريستال بالاس

وتعرض ليفربول لهزيمة مفاجئة على أرضه، بهدف دون رد، ليتجمد رصيده عند 71 نقطة في المركز الثالث.

ويتصدر مانشستر سيتي حاليًا جدول الدوري الإنجليزي برصيد 73 نقطة، في حين يتواجد آرسنال في المركز الثاني برصيد 71 نقطة بفارق الأهداف عن ليفربول.

وقال كلوب في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ديلي ميل” الإنجليزية: “أنا لست غبيًا، الجواب سهل جدًا، إذا لعبنا كما فعلنا في الشوط الأول، فكيف سنفوز بالدوري؟”.

وأضاف: “إذا لعبنا بنفس الطريقة التي لعبنا بها في الشوط الثاني، فيمكننا الفوز في المباريات، علينا أن نكون متواجدين عندما يعاني الآخرون، إذا كانوا يعانون”.

وواصل: “علينا التعامل مع سلسلة من 4 مباريات صعبة خارج أرضنا الآن، لا يوجد شئ آخر، هذا هو الشئ السهل”.

وأردف: “الانتقادات في هذه اللحظات جيدة تمامًا، إنها صحيحة تمامًا، الأمر كله يتعلق بكيفية تعاملنا معها”.

Surrey are currently working on development plans which would make the ground the largest dedicated cricket stadium in the country

George Dobell09-Jun-2017

Surrey hope to increase the capacity of The Oval to 40,000 in time for the 2023 Ashes. The club are currently working on development plans which would make the ground the largest dedicated cricket stadium in the country and increase capacity sharply on the current 25,500. Their aim, subject to planning permission and funding agreements, is to begin work after the 2019 World Cup.The centrepiece of the project would be a replacement for the Bedser Stand which could add up to 8000 seats. There would also be an enlargement of the existing OCS Stand. Surrey already have planning permission for a large development next to the pavilion – No. 1 Oval Square – which will incorporate additional capacity and facilities.The Oval has an outstanding record of attracting spectators. Surrey have led the way in optimising the domestic T20 market – their first Friday night fixture of this season’s campaign, versus Kent, has already sold out – and hope to host one of the newly branded teams in the competition scheduled to start in 2020.”The time is now right for cricket to think on a bigger scale,” Surrey chairman Richard Thompson said. “This summer we have seen unprecedented levels of demand for cricket at the Kia Oval. We need to build on this success and have a ground that can satisfy the unprecedented demand we have created.”Richard Gould, the club’s CEO, said: “Our business has taken off over the last five years and our reserves have quadrupled in size along with significantly higher profits. This has largely been driven through T20 cricket and an increase in our non-matchday business, but sales for international cricket also remain very strong. Most of our major games now sell out, either for county cricket or international cricket, and we need more seats to meet demand.”The schedule for the 2023 Ashes has yet to be announced but it is anticipated that the Ageas Bowl, near Southampton, will be competing with The Oval for the right to host a Test. The Oval’s staging agreement with the ECB (whereby they are guaranteed a Test a year) expires in 2022 and Surrey may fear that their opposition to the new-team T20 competition has done little to ingratiate them with the decision makers at the ECB. They are understood to have consulted with the ECB over their new plans, though it is unclear if they have been given assurances over future major match allocations.Certainly there seems to be increasing competition for the major match market. With the ECB looking at cutting the number of Tests each summer, the existing venues will be fighting harder than ever to retain the level of cricket they require to sustain themselves. And with talk of utilising other venues – such as the London Stadium (formerly the Olympic Stadium) – continuing, even the bigger grounds such as Lord’s and The Oval are not immune to these changes.It is telling that the news comes as the MCC announces the timetable for its planned redevelopment of Lord’s. While both MCC and The Oval are wealthy, it is possible that both will borrow heavily to fund the schemes, reviving memories of the ‘arms race’ of a decade or so ago that saw grounds across the country sink heavily into debt as they sought to build venues that would persuade the ECB to grant them more major matches.

Manchester United will have to act quickly if they are to poach a transfer target from a rival, even if it is to copy one of their star assets.

Is Mohammed Kudus joining Manchester United?

Although The Athletic has reported that Chelsea are the latest to move to sign Ajax's Mohammed Kudus, their interest is long prefaced by the Red Devils' fascination with the Ghanaian trickster for whom the list of suitors only seems to grow.

Whilst links have been sparse since that March report, they could seek to reignite that desire to sign Erik ten Hag's former star in order to prevent their rivals from improving.

Funnily enough, the acquisition of the 22-year-old could actually provide the Old Trafford outfit with their own version of the Blues' new star man, replicating Christopher Nkunku.

However, the reported £40m price tag could prove a stumbling block for a side that has already spent big this summer, and likely have a new striker higher on their priority list.

How good is Mohammed Kudus?

Last season marked a true breakout year for the versatile young ace, whose performances at the World Cup made many stand up and take note of just how influential he had been for his side. He maintained a 7.70 average rating despite their group-stage exit, scoring twice in just three games, via Sofascore.

Even during the 2021/22 campaign Kudus had impressed, but his seven goal contributions paled in comparison to the 18 goals and seven assists posted across all competitions most recently.

It is likely why the clientele has shifted from Everton last summer to some of England's European-chasing sides now.

The ability of the magical maestro to float into various roles, showing up on either flank or just behind the striker, is what would draw natural comparisons to Nkunku.

After all, the Frenchman too has enjoyed a standout year with RB Leipzig, operating as a shadow striker just off the number nine. Such a role has helped him enjoy one of his best goalscoring and creative terms, with 23 goals and nine assists across all competitions imperious but still a far cry from the 55 goal contributions he recorded the year earlier.

Should Ten Hag seek a reunion with Kudus, he too could operate in a similar role and star, with the hope he might reach such lofty figures.

After all, he has been lauded on occasion for his consistency, which paired with his classy play style and tireless work ethic, make him an outstanding option to join the Premier League.

Legendary Dutch striker Marco van Basten sought to outline these traits, but could not resist leaving a cutting remark about last summer's marquee signing Antony:

"I find Mohammed Kudus a much better football player than Antony. Antony has his skills, but he is confused with the things he is trying to do!

"Kudus has much better technique and he knows what he is doing. Antony may be faster, but Kudus is smarter and more technical. He is much more of a footballer, you can place him anywhere on the pitch, an all-rounder for the team. In fact, I like him much better than Antony. He’s more fun to watch play."

His unpredictability makes him unique, but that is exactly what has given Nkunku such success early on in his career. He even noted himself: "I play where the coach decides. I don’t want to be a problem but a solution. But I can be up front, in support behind or on the wings. I have this ability to adapt – I like to be free."

Perhaps Ten Hag could once again unleash Kudus with the potential deal in question, taking a leaf out of their rivals' book with regard to a new role for him to fulfil.

أكد مدافع الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي دريمز الغاني، ريتشارد مانساه، أنهم قدموا مباراة رائعة للغاية أمام الزمالك خارج الأرض في ذهاب نصف نهائي كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.

ونجح دريمز في فرض التعادل السلبي على الزمالك في “إستاد القاهرة الدولي” يوم أمس الأحد على أن يتم حسم بطاقة التأهل إلى النهائي من خلال مباراة الإياب يوم، الأحد المقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا | جوميز: حزنت من لاعبي الزمالك بعد التعادل مع دريمز.. وعلينا القتال لتحقيق الفوز في غانا

وتواصل “btolat.com” مع مانساه للحديث عن مباراة الأمس، وقال: “اعتقد أننا قدمنا مباراة تكتيكية بدرجة كبيرة أمام الزمالك”.

وتابع: “نجح الفريق من خلال التزامه بتحقيق نتيجة إيجابية خارج الديار وعلينا أن نستغل هذا من أجل حسم التأهل على أرضنا وبين جماهيرنا”.

وأضاف مدافع دريمز: “كلاعبين نحلم بالوصول إلى نهائي كأس الكونفدرالية، نريد أن نحقق حلمنا وأن يكون اسم نادينا على مسمى بالفعل”.

واستمر: “لدينا كل الإمكانات الفنية المطلوبة من أجل الفوز على الزمالك في لقاء الإياب في غانا والوصول إلى النهائي للمرة الأولى”.

وأتم: “سنقدم كل ما لدينا في المباراة المقبلة وعلينا أن نستغل كل الفرص السانحة لتسجيل الأهداف للمنافسة على اللقب”.

There has been an update regarding Manchester United's pursuit of Fiorentina playmaker, Sofyan Amrabat…

What's the latest on Amrabat to Man United?

Following reports that an "agreement" has been reached with the 26-year-old regarding personal terms, Sportitalia have claimed that the Red Devils have 'presented' an offer to the Serie A side, with a fee of around €35m (£30m) having been suggested.

The piece notes that the Moroccan international is now just 'one step away' from joining the Old Trafford outfit, with the player himself said to be 'ready to leave' Florence in order to make the move to the Premier League.

The former Club Brugge ace – who worked under Erik ten Hag previously at FC Utrecht – currently has just a year left to run on his existing contract, thus allowing United to wrap up a deal without breaking the bank.

What is Sofyan Amrabat's style of play?

While Ten Hag began his summer spend by acquiring Mason Mount from rivals Chelsea, it looks as if the former Ajax boss is seeking to bolster his midfield ranks even further, particularly with the likes of Fred and Donny van de Beek facing uncertain futures at the club.

With Mount set to bring extra "dynamism" to United's midfield in an attacking number eight berth – in the words of his manager – the addition of Amrabat is seemingly set to help solve a different need, with the Netherlands-born ace set to offer a composed, ball-playing presence in front of the back our.

In many ways, the "underrated" talent – as described by writer Muhammad Butt – takes on a similar role to that of Jorginho at Arsenal, and before that at Chelsea, with the two men both said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities, according to FBref.

That likeness between Amrabat and the Italy international – who also made the move to England from Serie A – can be seen by how they typically operate in a deep-lying midfield role and are unlikely to bomb forward too regularly, with the Fiorentina star ranking in just the bottom 6% among his European peers for touches in the attacking penalty area, while the ex-Napoli man ranks in just the bottom 28% in that regard.

What that disciplined nature does is allow the pair to attempt to dictate the tempo of the game in the centre of the park as well as look to get the ball forward to the more attack-minded talents where possible, with Jorginho notably ranking in the 9% for attempted passes and the top 11% for progressive passes, while Amrabat ranks in the top 11% and the top 8% for those same two metrics, respectively.

The beauty of having such assets at the base of the midfield is that they also rarely play their team into trouble or squander possession, with Amrabat and Jorginho ranking in the top 5% and the top 15%, respectively, for pass completion as a sign of that innate composure.

That comparison to the latter man is of note as it was not too long ago that the Brazil-born maestro was dubbed the "best midfielder in Europe" by ex-United boss, Jose Mourinho, with the 31-year-old having also claimed the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award back in 2021.

The experienced asset did endure his early teething problems while at Stamford Bridge – having suffered early criticism from Blues supporters following his arrival from Naples in 2018 – although has since come out the other side to prove the doubters wrong.

For Ten Hag to find his own version of the Champions League winning playmaker in the form of Amrabat could then represent something of a coup, with the 6 foot 1 gem also offering the benefit of having an added edge to his game, having been branded "a raging bull" by Moroccan journalist, Amine El Amri.

With Jorginho having made a success of himself in the Premier League, perhaps the 49-cap ace can too.

Given Lions’ desperation for stability following a season in which they have lost five players to corruption-related bans, Cook’s all-format appointment comes as an obvious choice

Firdose Moonda07-Aug-2017

South Africa’s discarded Test opener Stephen Cook is set for a bumper summer at home. Not only has Cook been included in the South Africa A side to play India A in a bid to reclaim his Test place, but he will also captain his domestic franchise, the Lions, in all three formats.At face value, that may present an immediate contradiction. If Cook is able to get back into the national team, he will leave his franchise without a leader. Considering Aiden Markram is the favourite to take over from Heino Kuhn as Test opener, and the Lions’ desperation for stability following a season in which they lost five players to corruption-related bans, Cook is an obvious choice. He has led the team in first-class cricket before, but had not been a regular member of the white-ball teams. Now though, he has been confirmed as a participant in all three formats.”We have been impressed with the manner in which Stephen has been able to head up the team […] it is aligned to our brand and is themed with discipline, diligence and a fighting spirit,” Dr Oupa Nkagisang, chairman of the Lions’ board said. “We are clear in our goal to improve on the performance of last season and to put the loss of experienced players behind us. On paper, we have a talented squad that can go head-to-head with the best out there and we are relying on Stephen and the coaching squad to ensure that the performance on the field resembles that.”The Lions went without a trophy last season and have struggled for consistency amid a glut of player departures. Apart from those who were involved in the Ram-Slam corruption saga, Lions also lost Quinton de Kock and Chris Morris to the Titans since both live in Pretoria; and Temba Bavuma has returned to his home in the Cape. For the coming season, they have acquired the services of Omphile Ramela and Beuran Hendricks from the Cobras, and Craig Alexander from the Dolphins. Cook hopes Lions’ transition phase is ending.”We have had time to recover from the movement of players and just seeing the incredible players coming through our ranks, the time is right for us to execute our skills and be a formidable opponent,” he said.Still, the Lions have some uncertainty over personnel as they enter the home summer. Their coach Geoffrey Toyana applied for, and was interviewed for the position of South Africa head coach, until Ottis Gibson’s name was mentioned. Up until that point, Toyana was considered to be the favourite for the post. Toyana has been with the squad during the pre-season, but he may still be lost to the Lions given he could become the national assistant coach. The Lions have recently appointed a batting coach, Justin Sammons, and there is talk the national under-19 coach, Lawrence Mahatlane, may be on their radar as well.