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Jackson Bird will return to Tasmania for one more Sheffield Shield season after thinking his career was going to finish with New South Wales.Bird, 38, started his Shield career in Tasmania way back in 2011-12 having moved down from NSW to begin a career that saw him play nine Tests for Australia.He returned to NSW two seasons ago with a view to finishing his career in Sydney. He took 34 wickets at 17.20 in seven games last season to finish fourth among the Shield’s leading wicket-takers for the summer. He will now get the chance to finish career where he started in Hobart.Related

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“Two years ago, I probably didn’t think I would get the opportunity to play for Tassie again,” Bird said. “I am really grateful to be able to come back here and finish my career with Tassie after spending so many years here.”Bird is one of only five bowlers in Shield history to have taken 400 wickets and is only 35 wickets shy of going second on the all-time list while he is seven games away from playing 100 Shield matches. He is already Tasmania’s all-time leading wicket-taker in Shield cricket with 350 and will likely add more.Tasmania’s high-performance manager Salliann Beams said Bird’s return would be invaluable for Tasmania after they had injury issues among their fast-bowling ranks last year, and also lost star allrounder Beau Webster to Test duty at key times.”I’m so pleased we’ve been able to find a role for Jackson that has been mutually beneficial,” Beams said. “His talent and bowling expertise around our group once again should excite all of Tasmanian cricket.”Our bowling stocks were tested last season through injury, and the experience of Jackson will give us another reliable option in a bowling line up, while being able to provide his mentorship to a bowling group that has an exciting future.”Tasmania have signed tall left-arm quick Marcus Bean after his surprise emergence in the BBL for Hobart Hurricanes while Riley Meredith has also signed a new deal to remain with Tasmania after being linked with a move to Victoria.

كشف الإعلامي أحمد شوبير عن آخر مستجدات ملف تجديد عقود بعض لاعبي النادي الأهلي، وعلى رأسهم أحمد عبد القادر وأليو ديانج، موضحًا الموقف الحالي من المفاوضات وقرارات الجهاز الفني الجديد بشأن قائمة الأجانب.

وقال شوبير في تصريحات عبر برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الثلاثاء: “هل أحمد عبد القادر جدد عقده مع الأهلي؟ لا، لم يُجدّد بعد، والنادي لم يفتح معه ملف التجديد حتى الآن”.

وتابع: “هل الأهلي يرغب في التجديد له؟ نعم، الأهلي يريد تجديد عقده، وهل عبد القادر منفتح على الأمر؟ نعم، اللاعب أيضًا منفتح ومستعد للتجديد مع الأهلي”.

طالع أيضًا | المدير الرياضي السابق لـ أوجسبورج يوضح مميزات ييس توروب مدرب الأهلي الجديد

وأضاف: “أما عن موقف أليو ديانج، فما زال غير محسوم، حيث تم ترك القرار للمدير الفني ليُحدد موقفه، وهو من سيقرر من بين اللاعبين الأجانب من سيستمر ومن سيغادر الفريق”.

ويستعد النادي الأهلي لمواجهة فريق إيجل نوار البوروندي، يوم السبت 18 أكتوبر، في إطار مباراة الذهاب لدور الـ 32 من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

Roberto De Zerbi was delighted to banish Marseille's struggles on the road after they beat Strasbourg 2-1 away from home on Friday evening. The game seemed destined for a draw until Michael Murillo struck deep in stoppage time, giving Les Phocéens their first points on the road this season and ending a losing streak against Strasbourg that had lasted since 2022.

From Paris scalp to Strasbourg triumph

Marseille’s resurgence has been remarkable. Earlier this week, they stunned Paris Saint-Germain in Le Classique with a 1-0 victory, thanks to Nayef Aguerd’s fifth-minute strike, ending nearly 14 years of home league frustration against the Parisian giants. That win seemed like a flash in the pan, but the Strasbourg triumph lifted Marseille to the top of the Ligue 1 table, temporarily at least.

AdvertisementAFPDe Zerbi demands away day grit

De Zerbi was candid about his frustration with past away performances, saying at a press conference: "[The poor away form] was starting to annoy me. I was thinking about it in the stands. I don't want to be a team that's only good at the Velodrome. I want us to be good in Lyon, at the Parc des Princes, or in Strasbourg. Since the end of the transfer window and the arrival of [Benjamin] Pavard, Aguerd, and [Matt] O'Riley, there has been a surge in new signings. Since then, we've won three games in three, with only one goal conceded."

De Zerbi warns against complacency

Marseille were forced to come from behind to get the three points on Friday, with Strasbourg opening the scoring early in the second half, but a 78th minute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang strike followed by a stoppage time winner from Amir Murillo wrapped up the points. The Italian tactician was glad to see them fight back, but stressed they must maintain their intensity.

"Marseille of August isn't far off," he warned his troops. "We can never relax. There's always something that can happen every day. We must always be attentive, humble, and down to earth. We can obviously be happy and celebrate the victory. We must never forget the match against Rennes, against Lyon, even the home match against Paris FC. We felt we were having trouble expressing ourselves. It was different against PSG."

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AFPEyes on Europe and the next league test

Marseille now have a tough schedule ahead. Next up, they host Ajax in the Champions League, a game that will test their mettle against Europe’s elite. After that, they travel to Metz for another Ligue 1 encounter on October 4.

As their battle with Manchester United to sign Benjamin Sesko continues, Newcastle United have reportedly initiated contact to sign a Serie A alternative this summer.

Sesko deals Newcastle fresh blow

It’s the story of their summer, but a story that is far from finished and the latest twist to the tale is that Sesko now reportedly prefers a move to Old Trafford rather than St James’ Park in the next month. For all they’ve got to offer over Manchester United these days, the RB Leipzig forward is seemingly destined to join a long list of players to turn down a move to Newcastle this summer.

It’s a list of rejections that Newcastle didn’t anticipate ahead of this summer and one which includes Hugo Ekitike, James Trafford and potentially now Sesko.

Just where the Magpies go from here is the big question. After endless rejection, those at St James’ Park will find themselves back at square one just two weeks before the Premier League campaign gets underway if Sesko joins Manchester United.

Before the impressive striker has even made his decision official, however, Newcastle have at least reportedly set their sights on some equally impressive alternatives.

Howe's own Gyokeres: Newcastle in race for "monster" £69m Sesko alternative

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ByJoe Nuttall Jul 31, 2025

Ollie Watkins, for example, is a player now on Newcastle’s radar amid Aston Villa’s PSR problems and their own desperate need for an attacking reinforcement. What’s more, if Sesko chooses United, then the Magpies may well be out on their own in the race for Watkins’ signature in what would feel somewhat refreshing given how this summer has gone.

The Aston Villa man isn’t the only name on the shortlist, though. Alongside him, Newcastle have also reportedly set their sights on a Serie A star.

Newcastle initiate contact to sign Dovbyk

As reported by Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, Newcastle have now initiated contact to sign Artem Dovbyk from AS Roma. The forward has reportedly been shown the door at the Serie A club after returning to pre-season with fitness struggles.

Available for just €38m (£33m) as a result, Newcastle have now reportedly made their first move for a player who was named in the Ballon d’Or top 30 last season.

Minutes

2,418

2,380

Goals

12

13

Assists

2

5

Expected Goals

11.9

10

When compared, it’s clear to see why Dovbyk has become an option for Newcastle. For around £40m cheaper, the Ukraine international could provide Eddie Howe with a similar level of output and another forward who outperformed his expected goals last season.

There are still some concerns to address, however. Dovbyk’s fitness struggle in pre-season, for one, should not be ignored. Then, Newcastle must decide whether splashing out on a younger option would be a smarter plan this summer even if their immediate output only matches or is even less than Dovbyk’s.

Dovbyk may have been dubbed a “great finisher” by Italian legend Daniele De Rossi, but the Roma forward has arguably reached his peak at 28 years old and Newcastle should set their sights on a striker who has the ability to eventually reach 20 goals a season.

Orla Prendergast, 22, has been named vice-captain

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Oct-2024

Gaby Lewis made her Ireland Women debut at the age of 13•Getty Images

Ireland Women are looking to the future with the appointment of Gaby Lewis as their new captain taking over from their most experienced player ever, Laura Delany.Delany represented Ireland 207 times across formats, and for the past eight years she’s been leading them as well. They were unable to make the Women’s T20 World Cup but have had recent success, levelling a bilateral contest with Sri Lanka 1-1 in August, when Lewis scored a century and was named Player of the Series. They beat Sri Lanka 2-1 in the ODIs that followed.”I know when I first came into the senior set-up, Dells was one of those team-mates you looked to for inspiration,” Lewis, who is currently in Melbourne, playing club cricket, said. “Moving from the amateur to professional era, she has continually looked to develop and improve her game, and I look forward to playing alongside Dells on many more occasions as we move into the next stage of our squad’s development.”Lewis made her debut for Ireland when she was just 13. She is their highest run-scorer with a tally of 3,742 at 28.95 across formats with two centuries and 21 half-centuries. The 23-year-old has also captained her country 12 times and will now take over full-time ahead of tours to Bangladesh and India coming up in November and January respectively.”I am delighted to be asked to be Ireland Women’s captain on a permanent basis,” Lewis said. “I thoroughly enjoyed acting in the role during the summer and am genuinely excited about the young talent coming through the system. While we are a young squad, the results in recent years have shown that we can compete with the best.”Ireland selector Ciara O’Brien confirmed that Delany would continue playing for the team and head coach Ed Joyce praised her contributions through the course of a career that began in 2010.”I have been privileged to work closely with Laura over the last five years,” Joyce said, “And have profound respect for the work she has done, both on-the-field and off.”Not only has she led the squad through the transition from the amateur to professional era, but the incredible support she offered the squad during those Covid years goes largely unrecognised. Laura’s one of the most competitive and focused players I have worked with, and I have greatly enjoyed every minute.”Orla Prendergast, 22, has been named Ireland’s vice-captain. She made a telling contribution with both bat and ball as Ireland came from behind to draw a T20I series against England in September.”Orla also got the opportunity to lead the team this summer when both Laura and Gaby were injured, and we were very impressed with how she handled some high-pressure situations during the Sri Lanka series,” Joyce said. “Gaby and Orla together then worked very well as the leadership team in the games where both played.”We have tours of Bangladesh and India this winter, an Under-19s Women’s T20 World Cup and a crucially important year ahead in 2025. Not only will we have another busy home summer, but there are qualifying tournaments to navigate for both the 2025 50-over World Cup and 2026 T20 World Cup. As such, we considered now the right time in the cycle to give the new leadership team time to settle in and begin planning.”

Hosts go 2-0 up in series after New Zealand fall short in severely rain-affected game

Valkerie Baynes09-Jul-2024Alice Capsey and Maia Bouchier lifted England to an impressive total which proved more than enough when Charlie Dean ripped into a struggling New Zealand line-up to seal victory in a rain-affected second T20I in Hove.Persistent rain delayed the start by two hours and cut the match to nine overs per side. Capsey’s 28 off 15 balls and Bouchier’s 23 off 15 set England up for a total of 89 for 6, then Dean took 2 for 3 in a single over as New Zealand crumbled to 42 for 5 in 6.4 overs before the rain returned to end the match even more prematurely than expected, the hosts taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series which moves to Canterbury on Thursday.New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first. They made two changes to the side which lost the opening match at Southampton on Saturday by 59 runs, bringing in seamer Hannah Rowe and offspinner Leigh Kasperek for Fran Jonas and Eden Carson. England, meanwhile, brought back Lauren Bell – rested after her five-wicket haul in the third and final ODI – and called up Dani Gibson to replace Freya Kemp and Linsey Smith.Dry, not dullHove’s enviable drainage – and hardworking ground staff – ultimately delivered a playing surface that was sufficiently dry. But, at nine overs per side, the match promised not to be. Although there were no big individual scores, Capsey and Bouchier found, and cleared, the boundary with finesse while Heather Knight struck three fours in her 14-ball cameo of 15 and Sophie Ecclestone hammered a six off the only ball she faced to end the England innings in the best possible way.It took four legitimate deliveries for Bouchier to get off the mark but to do so she despatched a shorter ball from Jess Kerr over backward square leg and into the stands and she followed up with four through midwicket off Rowe’s first delivery. When Danni Wyatt fell for a third-ball duck, Capsey arrived and helped herself to back-to-back fours off Sophie Devine, a lap through fine leg and a glance through third. Bouchier overcame a knock to the grille via an edge onto her own glove attempting a reverse off Lea Tahuhu to find the boundary twice more but her attempt at a third in a row went awry when she holed out to Maddy Green at long-on.Georgia Plimmer put down a straightforward chance off Jess Kerr running in from deep square leg when Nat Sciver-Brunt was on 3 and Sciver-Brunt looked to capitalise when she swung Tahuhu into the grounds of the flats which sit beyond the fence at deep midwicket. She survived a review for caught behind next ball but fell moments later as Tahuhu pegged back middle stump. Capsey, who had smashed a six off Jess Kerr over wide mid-off, welcomed Kasperek back to T20Is for the first time in a year by launching her third ball over midwicket and into a hospitality tent, but fell next ball, caught by Jess Kerr at short third.Amelia Kerr grabbed two wickets in three balls with a return catch to remove Knight and tempting Gibson down the pitch and beating the bat as Izzy Gaze whipped off the bails. That left Ecclestone one ball to face and she muscled it into the stands over long-on.Dean defeats damp squibDevine promised the most in terms of fireworks and walked out to open with Suzie Bates, but she fell for just 9 spooning Lauren Bell tamely to Capsey at mid-on. Then Amelia Kerr picked out Capsey at midwicket off Sciver-Brunt and England had two prize wickets inside the three-over powerplay. Sciver-Brunt fell to the ground, rolled over and stayed there, waiting for it to swallow her up after she parried a Brooke Halliday slog over the rope for six. But Dean managed to remove Halliday in the next over, pinned lbw for 14 and New Zealand were 28 for 3 needing 62 off 29 balls.Sarah Glenn held an excellent catch diving forward from short third to remove New Zealand’s remaining big hope, Bates for just 4, giving Dean her second wicket in the space of five balls and, after Jess Kerr picked out Knight at extra cover to give Ecclestone her first, the rain returned. The players left the field with 2.2 overs remaining and the rain set in, with handshakes exchanged a short time later, the weather deciding the result in the end on the DLS method and Dean walking away with impressive figures of 1-0-3-2.

Middlesex had an unlikely chase of 80 in six overs after Essex reached 129 for 4 in the 13th

ECB Reporters Network13-Jun-2024

Jordan Cox was 31 not out from 19 when the rain curtailed Essex’s innings•Getty Images

Essex Eagles claimed their third successive Vitality Blast victory after overcoming Middlesex by 16 runs in their heavily rain-affected South Group game at Lord’s.The visitors reached 129 for 4 after 12.4 overs, with Jordan Cox unbeaten on 31 from 19 balls when a heavy downpour enveloped the ground.Middlesex’s target was revised to 143 from 12 overs – and subsequently 80 from six after another rain stoppage, but that unlikely equation proved beyond their reach.Despite a valiant effort by Max Holden, who hammered an undefeated 41 from 24, the home side fell short on 63 for two.After an initial 25-minute delay due to earlier showers, Adam Rossington immediately set about Middlesex’s bowling in the powerplay with two sizzling cover boundaries off Tom Helm.Rossington bludgeoned his way to 20 before slicing Noah Cornwell into the hands of deep third and the young left-armer, who took 2 for 29, also castled Michael Pepper (23 from 12), swinging across the line.Dean Elgar (28 from 17) was next to depart, with Luke Hollman taking a skier off his own bowling, but Cox looked assured straight away, dispatching his first ball for four with a classy straight drive.Although Ryan Higgins bowled Walter around his legs, pinpoint placement brought Cox successive boundaries off Blake Cullen and he also launched Hollman into the grandstand before rain returned, resulting in a delay of more than an hour.When the pitch covers were eventually removed, Holden and Stephen Eskinazi had barely taken guard when another heavy shower descended and the players left the field without a ball being bowled.The equation morphed into 80 from six overs when the game’s final instalment began and Eskinazi did his best to sustain Middlesex’s pursuit, hitting successive Shane Snater balls for four and six.However, Walter effectively settled the contest by capturing the wickets of Eskinazi and Higgins during his first over, which went for just four runs – and, although Holden kept the battle going, it was not enough.

Liverpool have already made a series of intelligent moves this window, and Arne Slot is now looking to see off some of his closest competitors for the Premier League title to strengthen his engine room, per a report.

Liverpool close in on Florian Wirtz deal

Following Jeremie Frimpong’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, the Reds have returned to the Bundesliga outfit in an attempt to seal a deal for one of Germany’s most talented assets.

Despite the assumption that Florian Wirtz is close to having his feet under the table at Anfield, Liverpool have made an improved £113 million move for the playmaker as they look to match Erik ten Hag’s £126 million valuation of the Pulheim-born man.

His opener during Germany’s Nations League semi-final defeat to Portugal wasn’t enough to see off Cristiano Ronaldo and Co, but his impressive display will have pleased plenty of supporters ahead of his seemingly inevitable move to Anfield.

Nevertheless, he is far from the only player on the radar in Merseyside. Talks have been held between Liverpool and Real Madrid star Rodrygo amid speculation about the Brazil international leaving the Santiago Bernabeu, which may be a sign of things to come.

Financial expect Kieran Maguire has indicated the Reds have plenty of capital available to invest in targets after taking a minimalist approach to last season’s transfer window.

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot will need to welcome a new winger into the fold if Luis Diaz is sold.

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He explained: “I think for Liverpool it’s not a case of how much they’ve got to spend because they can spend as much as they want. If they spent £250m, that would not be a problem.”

In light of this, Liverpool have now identified another candidate to strengthen their thriving squad, though they may need to fend off stiff competition.

Liverpool in three-way battle to sign Morgan Gibbs-White

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are battling Chelsea and Manchester City to sign Morgan Gibbs-White following his excellent campaign at Nottingham Forest.

Valued at around the £70 million mark, the Three Lions international is considered by Slot as a valuable option to bolster his engine room. However, the outlet also notes that he is seen as an alternative should their pursuit of Wirtz hit a snag.

Five similar players to Morgan Gibbs-White (FBRef)

Mattia Zaccagni

Lazio

Lee Jae-sung

Mainz 05

Adrien Rabiot

Marseille

Kamory Doumbia

Brest

Tete Morente

Lecce

Praised for having ‘so much talent’ by Nuno, he has certainly lived up to that billing this season, notching seven goals and ten assists in 38 appearances across all competitions for Nottingham Forest.

Gibbs-White also created 51 chances on Premier League duty and became central to their eventual Europa Conference League qualification at the City Ground.

Liverpool are already well-stocked in midfield, but you can never have too many technicians capable of producing match-winning moments when in the hunt to bring regular silverware to your chosen club.

Leicester City are preparing for life back in the Championship and could now land a bargain signing as they begin to build for next season and beyond, according to a report.

Leicester City begin to build for life after relegation

Relegation is hardly a death sentence, but this season is something Foxes supporters will be keen to forget about as they return to England’s second-tier under Ruud van Nistelrooy or indeed a new boss. The former Netherlands international is under scrutiny at the King Power Stadium and may be at risk of the axe despite securing a rare Premier League victory over Southampton last weekend.

With Leicester’s managerial position potentially up for grabs, Bristol City boss Liam Manning could replace Van Nistelrooy in the dugout after leading the Robins to the Championship playoffs this campaign.

Russell Martin and Danny Rohl are other reported Foxes candidates, which could cause a temporary hold-up when it comes to transfer dealings as their hierarchy decide whether to stick or twist. Earning promotion at the first attempt is never easy. Still, the theory of clubs in receipt of parachute payments standing a better chance has proven to be true over recent years.

Related Leicester City eye move for new 40 y/o manager who has same agent as Vardy

He’s been in the Championship before.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Apr 9, 2025

If anything, there is still encouragement for Leicester in the face of some dark recent times. Jamie Vardy’s departure signals the end of an era, but a new one can begin provided the club make some savvy additions in the next few months.

Pre-season will breed optimism that they can return to the top-flight, and supporters could now have another reason to be excited following recent developments.

Leicester City ready to strike for Manchester United's Jack Kingdon

According to EFL Analysis, Leicester are one of four clubs circling for Manchester United youngster Jack Kingdon, who is set to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer once his contract expires at the end of the month.

The former Scotland Under-19 international is also on the radar of Wrexham, Millwall and Derby County following an impressive spell on loan at Rochdale.

Jack Kingdon’s combined statistics in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

25

Goals

0

Assists

1

Only Southampton have conceded more goals than the Foxes in the Premier League this season, which may have prompted Van Nistelrooy and company to seek reinforcements to counter inevitable outgoings this summer. Realistically, Kingdon is unlikely to be a first-team starter straight away at 19 years of age, though his availability on a free transfer and potential to develop could be worth taking a chance on.

Lausanne Sport tried to sign the central defender in January and have been mooted as another potential destination amid Manchester United’s decision not to offer the Bolton-born man fresh terms.

Kingdon is likely to have the pick of several exciting destinations this summer, and Leicester will hope to convince the prodigious talent that there is a place for him to learn and develop at the King Power.

A “great” Sunderland player is believed to be wanted by rivals Newcastle United ahead of the summer transfer window, according to a worrying new update from The Athletic.

Sunderland preparing for Championship playoff drama

It has been an excellent season for the Black Cats under Regis Le Bris, with a place in the Championship playoffs now mathematically certain, which is a great achievement from this young squad.

That’s despite Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Swansea City, which has to go down as one of the more disappointing results of the campaign, considering their opponents are in 12th place with little to play for.

Sunderland sit fourth in the Championship table and 12 points ahead of Bristol City below them, as well as four points adrift of third-place Sheffield United, who have lost their last three matches.

For that reason, it doesn’t look like the Black Cats’ position will change between now and the end of the season, meaning Le Bris’ side will face a playoff semi-final against whoever ends up finishing fifth.

Scouts love him: Sunderland plotting move to sign experienced 13-goal star

The Black Cats have turned their focus towards the summer transfer window.

ByTom Cunningham Apr 9, 2025

A place in the Premier League next season would improve their chances of keeping hold of key men, and a big update has emerged regarding one such player.

"Great" Sunderland ace being eyed up by Newcastle

According to a report from The Athletic, Newcastle are eyeing highly-rated Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg this summer.

It is also stated that “West Ham scouts have monitored the development” of the £25m-rated teenage star, with the Magpies and Manchester United also “among his admirers”.

Seeing Rigg leave Sunderland for Newcastle doesn’t even bear thinking about for anyone of a Black Cats persuasion, given the rivalry between the two clubs.

Not only that, but the 17-year-old is also arguably the club’s most prized asset, with Jobe Bellingham waxing lyrical over him last month after he and his teammate won a Young Player of the Year award:

“Every day he trains like he wants to get better, with a great ambition and a great desire. So that’s the best thing for me really. The talent kind of comes secondary, which he definitely has, but him as a person, he’s always going to keep improving because of that hunger that he’s got, which for me is like, they’re the players you want to be playing with. So Riggy fully deserves the award, as I’ve said, and he’s just got to keep going because he’s on to big things.”

Realistically, Sunderland will be aware that they can’t keep hold of Rigg forever, with the midfielder likely to have lofty ambitions, potentially ending up at one of the biggest clubs in the country.

A switch to rivals Newcastle would be controversial, however, with Magpies supporters no doubt reminding Black Cats fans of it for many years to come, should a transfer materialise.