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New Islanders forward Duclair is out long term

Published in Hockey
Monday, 21 October 2024 10:41

New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair suffered a lower-body injury that will keep him out long term but not for the season.

Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello made the announcement Monday, adding that more will be known Tuesday after further testing.

Duclair, 29, was injured in the third period of Saturday's 4-3 win over the visiting Montreal Canadiens. Driving to Montreal's net, despite minimal contact from Habs defenseman Jayden Struble, Duclair fell to the ground in obvious pain and had to be helped off the ice. He had one shot on goal in 15:07 of ice time before the injury.

Duclair signed a four-year contract worth $14 million with the Islanders in the offseason. The Isles are his ninth team in 11 years.

The Pointe-Claire, Quebec, native has three points (two goals, one assist) in five games.

Duclair has 306 points (148 goals, 158 assists) in 568 career games.

Juve deny Güler signing after X account hacked

Published in Soccer
Monday, 21 October 2024 12:37

Juventus said one of their social media accounts was hacked on Monday, after fans were taken by surprise with the fake announcement of Real Madrid's Turkish teenager Arda Güler signing for the Italian club.

The transfer window may be closed, but followers of Juve's English account on social media platform X were left scratching their heads when a photo of Madrid midfielder Güler at an airport was posted.

"Welcome to Juventus, Arda Güler," the post said.

"The rising star of football is now part of the Juventus family."

Juventus then clarified the situation on their Italian account, much to the disappointment of their supporters, and the highly rated 19-year-old international will not be appearing in Serie A any time soon.

"Our Juventus English account has been hacked. Please ignore the false information being published on this account," the club's official post on X said.

Juventus host VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday having started the Champions League with a perfect record after opening with a 3-1 home win over PSV Eindhoven and a 3-2 victory at RB Leipzig

Motta's team have been prolific in Europe, netting six goals in those two matches, but their forward line has been less effective in Serie A, managing 11 goals in eight games.

"There is no difference between the league and the Champions League," Motta told reporters on Monday. "We must always have the same attitude, each match is a story in itself -- with evolving strategies and situations.

"It's not just us who have difficulties against teams that close down well, everyone struggles, football is like that and that's why we have to give our all and believe until the end.

"We must continue to improve in all aspects, both in terms of the game and mentally. We hope to perform well, playing good football, that is the way we will have a chance of winning."

Ancelotti backs Bellingham despite goal drought

Published in Soccer
Monday, 21 October 2024 12:37

Carlo Ancelotti has defended Jude Bellingham's Real Madrid form, saying the work he's doing for the team this season is "more important" than scoring goals.

Bellingham hasn't found the net in nine games for Madrid this season, after scoring 23 club goals in all competitions last campaign.

The England midfielder's role in the team has evolved since the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, starting on the right-hand side of the attack in Madrid's 2-1 LaLiga win away at Celta Vigo on Saturday.

"We're satisfied with his work, I'm very satisfied," Ancelotti said in a news conference on Monday ahead of Madrid's Champions League game with Borussia Dortmund. "He works a lot, he's always present, he competes, he fights, he sacrifices himself.

"It's true he hasn't scored the goals he scored last year, but the surprise isn't this year, the surprise was last year, when he scored lots of goals which nobody expected and helped us a lot. The problem this year isn't that we're lacking Bellingham's goals.

"We've always scored goals, and we'll always score, because we have talented players up front. For us, in this moment, the work he's doing is more important than the goals the scored last year."

Madrid host Barcelona in LaLiga in El Clásico on Saturday, three points behind the league leaders.

Mbappé scored against Celta -- and has six league goals this season -- and Ancelotti said he's not concerned by criticism of the France international's work off-the-ball.

"[I ask him] to score goals," Ancelotti said. "I prefer him to score goals rather than pressing. The centre forward role hasn't changed for us, I ask the same of Mbappé that I asked Karim [Benzema], to be ready when we win the ball, and try to make a fast transition."

Madrid are unbeaten in LaLiga this season, but haven't always convinced -- including against Celta -- while rivals Barça beat Sevilla 5-1 on Sunday.

"We aren't 100%, obviously," Ancelotti said. "We've got good results, but we have to improve in terms of our play, and little by little, we will... We have to defend better, as we did last year. Right now the team is less solid, and we're working on that."

Neymar makes return after year out with ACL tear

Published in Soccer
Monday, 21 October 2024 12:37

Neymar has made his first appearance in over a year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear, coming off the bench in the second half of Al Hilal's AFC Champions League Elite clash against Al Ain.

The Brazil star replaced Nasser Al Dawsari in the 77th minute, just after Salem Al Dawsari had scored to put Al Hilal 5-3 ahead. The former Paris Saint-Germain player nearly made an instant impact, exchanging passes with Aleksandar Mitrovic to create space before firing his shot just wide of the left-hand post.

The game finished 5-4 to Al Hilal after the United Arab Emirates-based Al Ain scored a last-gasp penalty to narrow the scoreline.

Neymar suffered the injury shortly after joining the Saudi Pro League (SPL) side while on international duty last October.

He had joined the Al Hilal in August 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain in a 90 million transfer, but played just five games before getting hurt.

Neymar, who is Brazil's all-time leading scorer, missed the 2024 Copa América that was won by Argentina.

He is eligible to play in the AFC Champions League as there are no restrictions on the number of foreign players. However, he will only be able to be registered in January for the second half of the Saudi Pro League season.

SPL teams have limits to the number of foreign players that can be registered.

Eight foreign players born before 2003 can be registered for the squad, while the rules allow for two foreign players born in 2003 or after. Neymar's contract with Al Hilal expires in June 2025.

Saudi champions Al Hilal, coached by Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, lead the domestic standings having won all seven of their games.

Brazil's Football Confederation (CBF), meanwhile, are hopeful of having Neymar available in time for the November World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay.

Brazil are fourth in their World Cup qualifying group, four points adrift of leaders Argentina after 10 games.

This is a big week for Arsenal, and another which they will have to take on without at least one of their top players. Whether it be through injury or self-inflicted disciplinary problems, Mikel Arteta's squad is being tested like never before and the strain is already beginning to show.

The 2024-25 Premier League season is now two months old and Arsenal prepare to face leaders Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday. They have uncharacteristically already dropped points, and defeat to Arne Slot's side would leave the Gunners seven points off the pace before the end of October. William Saliba, widely regarded as the best centre-back in the Premier League, is ruled out of the Liverpool clash after being sent off in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at AFC Bournemouth -- Arsenal's third red card in eight league games.

When Arsenal chased Manchester City all the way in the Premier League title race over the last two seasons, finishing a close second each time, they did so with the advantage of having a core of players who played all, or the vast majority, of their league games. Whether it was by good fortune in terms of avoiding injuries and suspensions, or good management by Arteta and his staff, Arsenal were able to take City to the wire by keeping mistakes and setbacks to an absolute minimum.

So dominant have City been under Pep Guardiola, winning six titles in eight seasons, that challengers have had to be almost perfect to beat them. Liverpool managed that in 2019-20 to win a first league title since 1990, but Arsenal couldn't quite do enough in 2022-23 and 2023-24, so they are giving themselves a mountain to climb with their start to this campaign.

In 2022-23, when Arsenal finished five points behind City after a title race that was neck-and-neck until the final month, Bukayo Saka (38 Premier League appearances), Ben White (38), Gabriel Magalhães (38), Granit Xhaka (38) and Martin Ødegaard (37) were all fixtures in Arteta's side. Last season, Saliba and Declan Rice were both ever-presents in the league while White (37), Kai Havertz (37), Ødegaard (35) and Saka (35) were also in the frame for virtually every game as the Gunners finished with 89 points but still didn't land the title.

But this season, injuries to Ødegaard (out since mid-September with ankle injury) and summer signing Mikel Merino, who has made just two appearances, have impacted on the consistency of selection that has been a key component of Arsenal's rise under Arteta. Saka's injury-enforced absence in the defeat at Bournemouth was another example of a crucial player missing out and Arsenal paying a price in points.

The absences are testing the strength of Arteta's squad and they are an occupational hazard, but the red cards for Rice, Leandro Trossard and Saliba have been self-inflicted and have exacerbated Arsenal's squad challenges.

On each occasion, Arsenal failed to win. For the first two they were ahead when reduced to 10 men. They drew at home to Brighton & Hove Albion when Rice was sent off for two yellow cards, and surrendered a 2-1 lead and drew at Man City after Trossard was dismissed -- also for two yellow cards and, like Rice, the second for kicking the ball away. Arsenal lost at Bournemouth with Saliba shown a straight red card on 30 minutes, with the score 0-0, for bringing down Evanilson when the striker was through on goal.

Arsenal's issue is that they are compounding their injury problems by losing players to suspension. When chasing Man City and Liverpool in a race for the title, Arsenal know that consistency of selection and results are crucial in any attempt to emerge as champions, but they are falling short on both right now.

The loss of Ødegaard to an injury sustained while playing for Norway is something that Arsenal could not predict or prepare for, just as injuries suffered by Saka and Riccardo Calafiori on international duty have been beyond their control. But the red cards -- certainly those issued to Rice and Trossard -- could have been avoided and their impact is hitting Arsenal doubly hard because of the absences caused by injury.

Arsenal's team is strong and the squad is getting better but it still lacks the depth of those at City, Liverpool and even Chelsea. As a result, it's no surprise that a combination of injuries and the consequences of red cards are turning the screws on Arsenal's title challenge at such an early stage of the season.

And the danger for Arsenal is that, by the time his squad is fully fit again, there may be too much ground to cover because the suspensions have hit them at a time when they couldn't cope with the additional strain on the squad.

Jay Shah could end up being the ICC chair for two terms of three years each instead of three terms of two years each, which is the current norm, after he takes over on December 1. This after the ICC Board, which met in Dubai over the weekend, recommended that the term - for the chair and the independent director - be changed.

In a statement on Monday, the ICC said that the recommendation will now be "circulated for approval" among its members, comprising Full and Associate Members.

While no reason behind the recommendation was made public, it is understood that the move is part of the ICC's drive for better governance. The ICC Board believes it will provide security and stability to both the chair and independent director, who sit on the ICC Board, without having to worry about elections every two years. Also, while the overall term of six years remains the same, there will be more continuity.

Shah, who is 35, was elected unopposed to replace outgoing ICC chair Greg Barclay, who has served two of his three terms since being elected in 2020 for the first time. The independent director's position, meanwhile, has been lying vacant since former Pepsico chair Indra Nooyi finished her three terms earlier this summer.

There were changes to the ICC men's cricket committee, too, with New Zealand businessman Scott Weenink appointed Full Member representative, and Scott Edwards, the 28-year-old Netherlands captain, named Associate Member representative.

Women's FTP for 2025-2029 to be out soon

The ICC Board has approved the next women's future tours programme (FTP) for the 2025-2029 cycle, which will be announced in a few days. It will be the second FTP for women following the one announced in 2022.

The ICC chief executives' committee (CEC) also approved shifting the calendar for the women's rankings annual update from October 1 to May 1 each year. In order for the rankings to reflect, the teams will have to play a minimum of eight matches per format (ODIs and T20Is) as opposed to the six currently. This is because of the increase in the volume of women's cricket.

The mechanism for Associate teams to gain ODI status has also been formalised. Currently, there are 16 women's teams with ODI status. Apart from the 11 Full Members, five Associate Members - Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand and USA - were included in the 2022-2025 cycle. For the 2025-2029 cycle, the top-two Associate teams that qualify for the women's ODI World Cup qualifier 2025 will gain ODI status, while the remaining three slots will be filled based on the T20I rankings at the time of annual update [May 1, 2025]. This will mean that their ODI status will hinge on their T20I performances.

The creation of two annual T20I tournaments between 2025 and 2028 for Associate teams has also been approved. This is to boost competition ahead of the 16-team women's T20 World Cup in 2030.

Batter Lauren Down has also made been included in the 15-member squad after she made her return from maternity break in July. The pair's inclusion is the only change to the squad that helped New Zealand win their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title.
From the victorious squad, fast bowler Rosemary Mair has been rested, keeping in mind her workload management following her return from a serious back injury, while offspinner Leigh Kasperek has been left out.

The core of the T20 World Cup-winning team, including the senior trio of Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu are part of the touring party. Devine will continue to lead them in the ODIs following her decision to step down as the T20I captain after the World Cup.

Inglis' strong performances in domestic cricket first helped her earn a contract and then a spot in the national squad. She scored 324 runs - the second-most in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 2023-24, the 50-over competition - at an average of 54 and a strike rate close to 80, largely batting the middle order. She also scored 103 in the three-match one-day series between New Zealand A and England A that they won 2-1.

"We're really excited to introduce Polly for her first tour," Ben Sawyer said in a NZC statement. "She put her hand up in last season's Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-day competition and throughout the New Zealand A series against England, so it's a great next step for her.

"Touring India is one of the great experiences in world cricket. It's such a special place to come and I know everyone is looking forward to the challenge ahead."

The three ODIs, to be played in Ahmedabad, are part of the Women's Championship. New Zealand are currently placed sixth on the table with a three-match series against Australia to follow. The top five teams plus hosts India qualify directly for the Women's ODI World Cup next year.

New Zealand squad for the women's ODIs against India

Sophie Devine (capt), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze (wk), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis (wk), Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

Danni Warren, Andy Tennant to take charge of Essex Women

Published in Cricket
Monday, 21 October 2024 10:11
Essex have appointed Sunrisers duo Danni Warren and Andy Tennant to oversee their women's set-up as they transition to Tier 1 status for next season.

Warren, formerly the regional director of women's cricket for London and the east, will transition into the role of performance director at Essex. Tennant, the former Scotland international, will take over as Essex Women's team director, having been head coach of Sunrisers.

"I'm incredibly excited to take on this new role with Essex Women as we enter a new era for the women's professional game," Tennant said. "Having worked with Danni and the majority of the staff and players at Sunrisers, I know the strength and potential of the team we're building here.

"Our focus will be on creating an environment where players and staff can thrive and fulfil their potential, both on and off the field. This is a fantastic opportunity to drive towards sustainable success and help Essex Women become a leading force in the game, and I know we all can't wait to get started."

Warren had been regional director at Sunrisers since 2020 and brought in Tennant as coach ahead of the 2023 season. Last summer, they oversaw Sunrisers' first title of the women's regional era, when they defeated South East Stars in the final of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants are among the IPL franchises that have submitted bids expressing interest to buy teams in the ECB-run Hundred.

ESPNcricinfo has learned that the GMR Group, recently unveiled as the new owner of Hampshire cricket, and Avram Glazer, co-owner of Manchester United Football Club, also submitted bids last week after the ECB set an October 18 deadline for potential investors to register their interest in buying stakes in the eight Hundred teams.

The bids submitted last week by potential investors is a one-time sum to buy a 49% stake, which the ECB holds in each of the eight teams. Expressions of interest could be for all eight teams, which would be culled to four in the next step which will start in November when the investors get to meet the host counties of each Hundred franchise. Following that, investors would need to prune their wishlist to four teams, as part of the second stage, which will then come down to two teams of which they would need to make their final choice.

While the ECB is keen to announce the final set of investors by early 2025, it has stressed that it won't be rushed and risk "underselling" what it believes is a valuable product. Recently, ECB chairman Richard Thompson said the board would even be open to adopting a hybrid model next year. This would mean the ECB owning some teams and private players the others.

Still, not everyone rushed to bid as the October 18 deadline closed. While virtually all IPL teams had shown curiosity in the Hundred a few months ago, not all have submitted bids. Punjab Kings have opted out of bidding for Hundred teams, while there has been no confirmation on whether five-times IPL champions Chennai Super Kings and equity major CVC, which owns Gujarat Titans, have submitted bids. Pakistan Super League (PSL) winners Multan Sultans, and global sports investors INEOS, owned by Jim Ratcliffe, which owns over 27% stake in Manchester United and run the football club's operations wing, have also opted out of bidding.

Among the biggest reservations, at least as far as the IPL franchises were concerned, was whether they would be happy being passive investors.
Recently, Lalit Modi, the architect of the IPL, rebuked the ECB's financial projections for the Hundred's growth beyond 2026, as listed in the prospectus distributed to potential investors, calling them "overly optimistic and disconnected from reality." However, the ECB brushed off the criticism, saying over 100 potential investors from not just india but also the USA had sought information on the privatisation. "The investment base is way broader and bigger than they expected," ECB CEO Richard Gould said recently.

Additional reporting by Matt Roller

Tua set to practice; Dolphins eye Sunday return

Published in Breaking News
Monday, 21 October 2024 12:51

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will return to practice this week after missing the team's past four games, coach Mike McDaniel said Monday.

Tagovailoa was placed on injured reserve after he was diagnosed with a concussion in Week 2, the third diagnosed concussion of his NFL career. In his absence this season, the Dolphins lost three of their four games and are two and a half games behind the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills with a 2-4 record.

McDaniel said medical experts have deemed it safe for Tagovailoa to return; barring any setbacks, Tagovailoa and the Dolphins are aiming for him to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

Tagovailoa spent the past month resting and meeting with neurologists in order to determine the viability of resuming to play.

Sources told ESPN that he hasn't displayed concussion symptoms in weeks, and Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert said Tagovailoa felt well enough to attend a Disney on Ice event with him, tight end Jonnu Smith and their families the weekend he was diagnosed with a concussion.

McDaniel reaffirmed Monday that the decision to place Tagovailoa on injured reserve was based on medical experts' recommendation. He said in September that the decision to place him on injured reserve removed the temptation for Tagovailoa to try to return as soon as possible, rather than allowing himself to heal.

Tagovailoa was injured when he initiated contact at the end of a scramble during Miami's loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. McDaniel said Tagovailoa will return to the field with an understanding of his responsibility to protect himself in similar situations in the future.

Tyler Huntley has started the past three games for the Dolphins but left Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts with an injury to his right shoulder. McDaniel said it's currently unclear who will be Tagovailoa's backup should he clear concussion protocol in time to play Sunday.

Miami's offense, which led the league in yards last season, has struggled without its starting quarterback. The Dolphins are averaging a league-worst 11.67 points per game and rank 23rd in passing yards per game.

Tagovailoa missed five games in 2022, including Miami's playoff loss to the Bills, and sustained a third blow to the head that ultimately led to the NFL altering its policy on how concussions are reported.

The NFL's leader in passing yards last season didn't miss a game in 2023 and signed a four-year, $212.1 million contract this offseason.

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