تقدم منتخب ألبانيا بهدف سريع للغاية في شباك منتخب إيطاليا، في مباراتهما الجارية حاليًا في بطولة كأس أمم أوروبا.
ويستضيف ملعب “سيجنال إيدونا بارك” مباراة المنتخبين في إطار منافسات الجولة الأولى من دور مجموعات يورو 2024 (لمتابعة المباراة من هنا).
وتمكن منتخب ألبانيا من تسجيل هدف التقدم، بعد مرور 22 ثانية فقط من صافرة البداية. هدف ألبانيا الأول أمام إيطاليا
جاء هدف تقدم منتخب ألبانيا عن طريق اللاعب نديم بايرامي، الذي يُعد أسرع هدف في تاريخ كأس أمم أوروبا، محطمًا الرقم السابق لديميتري كيريتشينكو، 67 ثانية، والذي سجله لصالح روسيا ضد اليونان في عام 2004.
Arsenal are now keeping close tabs on a winger who's been compared to Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, according to a report.
Are Arsenal signing a winger?
The Gunners had a relatively busy summer transfer window, during which they strengthened in a number of key areas, but they did not bring in any back-up options for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, despite being linked with several options.
At the very start of the summer, it was reported that Mikel Arteta had four targets in mind, namely Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Moussa Diaby and Wilfried Zaha, but the manager ultimately opted to stick with the wingers he already had at his disposal.
However, ahead of the January transfer window, it now seems likely the north London club will renew their interest in a winger, having recently made it clear they are interested in Club Brugge wonderkid Antonio Nusa, who's been compared to Neymar.
Another young option for Arsenal is Borussia Dortmund starlet Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, with Dean Jones revealing he could be on Arteta's shortlist, as the manager is on the lookout for "new alternatives out wide."
However, it has now been reported that the Gunners could move for a more established winger, with The Mirror detailing they are one of three Premier League clubs keeping a close eye on Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele.
Tottenham and West Ham United are also named as potential suitors for Dembele, who has not gotten off to the start he would have liked after completing a move to the Parc des Princes from Barcelona in the summer, joining in a £50m deal.
The Frenchman is without a goal in his first five games for PSG, sparking calls for him to be dropped, although the report makes it clear it is unlikely they will consider a sale this early into his career with the club.
However, if the French champions change their stance ahead of the January transfer window, then Arsenal could be waiting in the wings, with Arteta searching for a forward player capable of taking the burden off Saka and Martinelli.
Why did Ousmane Dembele leave Barcelona?
The 26-year-old decided to leave Barca for a number of reasons, but a key factor was learning that the La Liga club had explored the option of sending him and Gavi on loan to PSG in exchange for Mbappe, indicating he was not viewed as an important player.
The former Barca man has been compared to his new teammate in the past, with Spanish football expert Terry Gibson saying: "Dembele can be just as effective as Mbappe. He can be unplayable at times"
During his time with the Spanish club, the France international went through phases of being very impressive, picking up 13 assists in 21 La Liga games in the 2021-22 season, but he did not perform at that level consistently enough.
As such, Arsenal should be wary about shelling out a huge fee on the forward, but if he is available for a cut-price amount, then it could definitely be worth pursuing a deal in the January transfer window.
After the Tim and Trent show on the first day, it was the turn of Neil Wagner and Todd Astle to impress on the final day at Eden Park
Andrew McGlashan27-Mar-2018
Todd Astle is ecstatic after dismissing Craig Overton•Getty Images
The Tim and Trent show stole the early headlines at Eden Park, but for New Zealand coach Mike Hesson there was huge satisfaction in his side showing they are an attack for a variety of conditions as they put in the “grind” to bowl England out a second time and secure an innings victory.There were still four wickets shared by Southee and Boult in England’s second innings but the other six went to Neil Wagner and Todd Astle. For Wagner it was just another example of his match-seizing capability when the going gets tough, but for Astle his 3 for 39 was his first significant intervention in Test cricket five-and-a-half years after making his debut.”I think we’ve got first-innings bowlers and second-innings bowlers which is what you need,” Hesson said. “Neil Wagner is testament to that and I thought Todd Astle did a great job.””The balance of the attack allows Neil to play that role, particularly in the second innings. When not a lot is happening he can make things happen. It was such a good surface we needed something special and Neil provided that again.”In just his third Test, and having waited until the 69th over for his first bowl, Astle dragged a few down in his first spell – although it didn’t stop him picking up Jonny Bairstow at midwicket – but in the evening session produced a teasing display where his googly caused a number of problems. He trapped Craig Overton lbw before claiming the final wicket when James Anderson spooned to mid-off.A couple of days earlier, fellow legspinner Ish Sodhi had claimed a career-best 7 for 30 in the Plunket Shield and there were a few murmurings about why he had not been preferred to Astle. Partly, New Zealand will have wanted to cover for the loss of an allrounder in Mitchell Santner but Hesson said Astle’s position in the side was no less than he deserved.”A lot of the selection debate comes from people who don’t watch first-class cricket,” Hesson said. “Todd has been amazing in first-class cricket for three or four years and is a fine bowler. He probably just hasn’t got the opportunities that he’s earned over time because we’ve had Dan Vettori and Mitchell Santner in that role. Todd has good variation, he brings the stumps into play. We thought the lbw and bowled would be crucial.”Victory in Auckland has put New Zealand on the brink of just their fourth series win over England heading into the final match of their season in Christchurch as the format switches back to the red ball. There have been results in all four Tests at the ground with New Zealand winning three and there will be no thoughts of playing it safe.”This is a huge opportunity, you don’t go in thinking about drawing,” Hesson said. “It’s been a big series, we’ve been planning for the last six months and need to make sure we use the next few days wisely.”
يلتقي منتخب ألمانيا مع نظيره الدنمارك مساء اليوم السبت، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس أمم أوروبا، يورو 2024.
ويتواجه المنتخبان ضمن منافسات دور الـ16 من مسابقة يورو 2024، بملعب “سيجنال إيدونا بارك”.
وتأهل منتخب ألمانيا إلى منافسات الدور ثمن النهائي من البطولة الأوروبية عقب احتلاله المركز الأول في ترتيب المجموعة الأولى برصيد 7 نقاط، بينما حل المنتخب الدنماركي وصيفاً بالمجموعة الثالثة بـ3 نقاط. موعد مباراة ألمانيا والدنمارك اليوم في يورو 2024
تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، والمملكة العربية السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة ألمانيا والدنمارك اليوم في يورو 2024
تذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN sports Max 2. معلقين مباراة ألمانيا والدنمارك في يورو 2024
سيعلق عصام الشوالي بالإضافة إلى أحمد البلوشي على أحداث المباراة.
ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.
Perdeu algo do que rolou no sábado e no domingo? O LANCE! traz um resumo dos assuntos que agitaram o mundo do esporte no último fim de semana!
Hamilton vence mais uma e se isola na liderança Após bater o recorde de vitórias na semana passada, Lewis Hamilton venceu mais uma e se isolou na liderança dos maiores pilotos com triunfos em corridas na história da Fórmula 1. O GP de Ímola, na Itália, na manhã do domingo (1), foi a 93ª vitória da carreira do inglês.
Aposentadoria de Anderson Silva Derrotado por nocaute técnico no quarto round ao enfrentar Uriah Hall no último sábado (31), na luta principal do UFC Vegas 12, Anderson Silva anunciou sua aposentadoria.O brasileiro, que passou os últimos 14 anos de sua carreira lutando pelo Ultimate, sendo campeão peso-médio da organização por sete anos, postou uma mensagem de agradecimento e afirmou que não imaginava estar “tão feliz”, mesmo sendo derrotado por Hall em sua luta de despedida.
São Paulo goleia Flamengo com show de Volpi O São Paulo conseguiu um resultado histórico em pleno estádio do Maracanã, pela 19ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro 2020, na tarde de domingo (1). Jogando contra o Flamengo, o Tricolor contou com a estrela do goleiro Tiago Volpi para derrotar o time da casa por 4 a 1. O arqueiro do time paulista defendeu dois pênaltis e ainda deu uma assistência para o gol de Luciano. Tchê Tchê, Brenner e Reinaldo (pênalti) marcaram os outros gols do São Paulo. Pedro fez para o Flamengo.
Corinthians volta a vencer na Neo Química Arena Na noite do sábado (31), o Corinthians derrotou o Internacional jogando em casa, por 1 a 0, pela 19ª rodada do Brasileirão 2020. O gol do Timão foi marcado pelo atacante Matheus Davó e deixou a equipe na 10ª colocação, com 24 pontos, para se afastar da zona de rebaixamento.
Santos vence Bahia em casa O Santos derrotou o Bahia por 3 a 1, na noite de domingo, pela 19ª rodada, na Vila Belmiro. Os gols do Peixe foram marcados por Jobson, Marinho e Madson. Daniel descontou para o Tricolor baiano.
Brasileirão feminino 2020 chega à semifinal Três dos quatro jogos de volta da fase de quartas de final do Campeonato Brasileiro feminino foram disputados nesse domingo. O São Paulo derrotou o Santos por 2 a 0, no clássico paulista, e se classificou para a semi. As meninas do Palmeiras eliminaram a Ferroviária nos pênaltis e também avançaram. Kindermann e Internacional ficaram no empate de 1 a 1. O time catarinense eliminou as gaúchas porque havia vencido o confronto de ida. As meninas do Corinthians enfrentam o Grêmio hoje, às 19h, pela quarta e última vaga na semifinal do nacional. O timão venceu o primeiro jogo por 3 a 0 e carrega ampla vantagem.
Rodada agitada no Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20 Pelo Brasileirão Sub-20, o Fluminense venceu o Internacional por 1 a 0 e assumiu a liderança da competição. O Goiás goleou o São Paulo por 4 a 1 e, pelo mesmo placar, o Flamengo bateu o Santos. Enquanto o Palmeiras derrotou o Ceará com um placar de 3 a 1, o Corinthians perdeu para o Vitória por 2 a 1.
Arsenal x United na Premier League Na Terra da Rainha, o Arsenal (9º) derrotou o Manchester United (15º) por 1 a 0, jogando fora de casa, pela rodada 7 da Premier League. Aubameyang marcou o gol dos Gunners no Old Trafford, cobrando penalidade. O líder Liverpool venceu o West Ham por 2 a 1.
Cristiano Ronaldo se recupera da Covid e marca dois O atacante português Cristiano Ronaldo mostrou que já está recuperado da contaminação do coronavirus. CR7 voltou a jogar nesse domingo (1), contra a Spezia, e marcou dois dos quatro gols da vitória de 4 a 1 da Juventus. Com seis rodadas disputadas, A Velha Senhora está na 3ª colocação do Italiano, com 12 pontos. O líder da competição nacional é o Milan, que venceu a Udinese e chegou aos 16 pontos.
Falcão estreia no Futebol de 7 O Rei do Futsal trocou as quadras pelas arenas. Aos 43 anos, o craque assinou com o Grêmio para jogar o Futebol de 7. Já na sua estreia, o Imortal bateu o Estudiantes (RS) por 9 a 2, pela Liga Nacional Fut7, com 3 gols de Falcão.
Vôlei: começa a Superliga 2020-2021 Na primeira rodada da Superliga masculina, o Cruzeiro venceu o Guarulhos, o Minas derrotou o time do Vôlei Ribeirão e o Sesi-SP bateu o Caramuru. As próximas partidas da primeira divisão nacional de vôlei acontecem esta semana.
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England’s limited overs captain Eoin Morgan tuned up for the Australians as he joined Middlesex team-mate Paul Stirling in striking a century in Bristol
ECB Reporters Network06-Jun-2018
Eoin Morgan acknowledges his hundred•Getty Images
ScorecardPaul Stirling and Eoin Morgan hit centuries as Middlesex ended their Royal London One-Day Cup South Group campaign with a 33-run victory over Gloucestershire at Bristol.Middlesex posted 322 for 3 after losing the toss, under clear blue skies, with Stirling batting through the innings for 127 not out, Morgan contributing exactly 100 as he tuned up for England’s one-day series against Australia and Hilton Cartwright hitting a rapid 60 off 41 balls.In reply, the hosts scored 289 all out, Ian Cockbain top-scoring with 106 not out and former Middlesex player Ryan Higgins making 65.James Franklin claimed 3 for 42 against his old county, but results elsewhere meant it was too little too late for his side to reach the knockout stage.Decent opening spells from Higgins and David Payne saw Middlesex struggle to 48 for 2 in the 13th over, Dawid Malan falling to a brilliant diving catch by wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick off Higgins and Nick Gubbins playing-on to Chris Liddle.Payne, making his first appearance of the season following ankle surgery, hobbled off after bowling six overs. Stirling was ready to settle in for the long haul as Morgan went on the attack, reaching a 39-ball fifty with a six over Graeme van Buuren over wide long-on.Left-arm spinner van Buuren suffered as Morgan hit three more maximums in a single over. Stirling cut loose with a big six into the flats at the Ashley Down Road End off Benny Howell as the pair added 158 in 23 overs.Morgan’s century occupied 69 balls. He was out shortly afterwards as van Buuren exacted some revenge by catching him off a skier to give Benny Howell a wicket.Stirling, dropped on 53 by Cockbain at point off Higgins, went to three figures off 128 balls and provided the base for a big total, while Cartwright smashed five sixes off the weakened Gloucestershire attack in what proved a decisive flourish.In reply, the home side raced to 42 off five overs before a clatter of wickets saw openers George Hankins and Chris Dent depart either side of Howell. Franklin claimed two of the wickets.Gareth Roderick was run out by Cartwright in a shambolic mix-up with Cockbain over a quick single and Gloucestershire were in disarray at 74 for 4.Cockbain counter-attacked with sixes off successive deliveries from Nathan Sowter and Jack Taylor hit a breezy 33 before being bowled by the leg-spinner, playing across the line.Higgins moved confidently to fifty off 59 balls and celebrated with a big six over mid-wicket off Tom Helm before miscuing an attempted big hit off the same bowler and skying a catch to Stirling at cover.He and Cockbain had added 116 in 19 overs. The latter went on to record Gloucestershire’s one and only century in the competition off 109 balls, but his efforts were in vain as the tail folded tamely.
Manchester United appear to be further away from winning a Premier League title than they were just a few months ago, with Erik ten Hag overseeing a poor start to the campaign.
The club haven’t won a top-flight title since 2012/13, when Sir Alex Ferguson rolled back the years to create a team which steamrolled all in front of them to ensure the great man went out at the very top.
Of course, the subsequent decade has been filled with a series of poor managers, a list of even worse players and aside from a few trophies, virtually no progress on the field.
When the Dutchman took charge last year, it finally looked as though the Red Devils had a progressive coach who would use his experience to guide the club back to the summit of English football, but this doesn’t look like it’s going to happen anytime soon.
Although there have been a few impressive signings such as Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro, spending £86m on Antony appears to be a massive error, along with shelling out £60m on Mason Mount who had just a year left on his contract at Chelsea.
Mason Mount
He isn’t the only United boss to make mistakes in the transfer market, with every Fergie successor repeating the same mistakes, yet even the wily old Scot was prone to the odd howler or two during his wonderful reign in Manchester.
Having just departed the club following 12 years of service, Phil Jones must go down as one of his worst signings during his latter period managing the club, especially considering the fortune he rinsed them of over the years.
How much did Phil Jones cost Manchester United?
Following yet another Premier League winning campaign, Ferguson aimed to further bolster his squad during the summer of 2011 as he looked to swat away the emerging force of Manchester City, who looked prime to be challengers in the ensuing years.
This led him to signing Jones from Blackburn Rovers for a fee in the region of £16m and on the surface, it looked like a smart piece of business.
The defender was only 19 at the time, and it was clear Ferguson was going in the direction of youth as he was rebuilding his first-team squad.
What happened to Phil Jones?
The Englishman certainly settled in well at the Old Trafford side, going on to make 42 appearances in his debut campaign, yet they ended up finishing trophy-less following a stunning climax to the Premier League season as City clinched the title with a late goal against QPR.
Not to be undeterred, Fergie set his squad out during 2012/13 with ambitions of winning a record-extending 13th Premier League title and Jones played his part.
The defender did only make 17 league appearances (24 overall), yet it was enough for him to claim a winner's medal and receive wonderful praise from his manager too.
Ferguson said: "Jones, arguably the way he is looking, could be our best ever player. I think Jones may be one of the best players we have ever had, no matter where we play him.
"At 21 years of age, he is going to be a phenomenal player. I think he can play anywhere on the pitch. He has such a massive influence, with his instinct and reading of the game. He has a drive about him."
High praise from arguably one of the finest managers in the history of the game and the future appeared bright for the former Blackburn gem, who was just getting started at the club.
Things didn’t go well for David Moyes, who was charged with taking over from Ferguson and Jones struggled to replicate his promising early form at the club, as from the start of the 2014/15 season, he would fail to make more than 26 appearances during a single season over the next nine campaigns.
Writer Denise Evans even criticised him in 2017, saying: “Phil Jones just cannot be in a United shirt next season. He is woeful on an embarrassingly high level. If that's technically possible.”
Jones also struggled with several injury problems during his time in Manchester and would go on to miss a staggering 251 matches for both club and country between 2012 and 2022.
Having not played a single game for Ten Hag, Jones announced he was departing the Red Devils when his contract expired in the summer, claiming it had been a difficult few years, saying: "I wish I could have played more. I wish I could have given more to the many squads I played amongst. I will say, from the bottom of my heart, I did everything I could. It's been very difficult, the last couple of years, there's no denying that.”
How much did Phil Jones earn at Manchester United?
Throughout the course of his United career, the Englishman earned a staggering £35m during his 624 weeks at the club and considering his severe lack of impact, especially across his final five years at Old Trafford, it is a remarkable amount of money to spend.
Indeed, combining his wage with his transfer fee of £16m works out at Jones costing the Red Devils a grand total of £51m from 2011 to 2023 and considering how many games he missed due to injury, this sum would have been far better being spent elsewhere.
What once looked like an ideal signing by Ferguson soon turned into a nightmare for both the player and the club, with Jones failing to live up to lofty expectations while struggling to maintain a solid run in the first team.
Phil Jones' Man United transfer by numbers
Financial commitment
Finances involved
Transfer fee
£16m
Total salary
£35m
Total cost
£51m
Per appearance
£227k
Per goal
£8.6m
It proves that the legendary icon did make the odd mistake or two during a career filled with extraordinary heights, yet he will perhaps look back to the signing of Jones and realise he made a grave error of judgment.
Of course, hindsight is a wonderful thing and managing to lure a promising defender to the club for a bargain fee looked like it would benefit the club for years to come. It didn’t work out that way and Jones eventually drained the club for 12 years in total.
Na luta contra o rebaixamento, o Bragantino terá um reforço importante. Trata-se do volante Ramires, que foi emprestado ao Massa Bruta para a sequência da temporada 2020.
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Fora dos planos de Mano Menezes, o meio-campista precisou buscar um clube no mercado e achou o time paulista, que tem o hábito de adquirir jovens promessas do futebol nacional.
Na última quarta-feira, Ramires foi ao CT do Red Bull Bragantino para conhecer as instalações e realizar exames médicos antes de assinar o contrato.
Passagem na Europa
Antes de chegar ao Bragantino, o atleta teve uma experiência com o Basel-SUI. Cercado de expectativa, ele se machucou e disputou apenas 11 partidas. Sem sucesso, ele foi devolvido ao time brasileiro.
Situação na tabela
Com 20 pontos conquistados, o Bragantino aparece na 16ª colocação, uma acima do Botafogo, primeiro time da zona de rebaixamento.
West Ham United will be "front of the queue" to sign a "dictating" player in the January transfer window, according to reports this week.
Who will West Ham sign in January?
David Moyes and the Hammers have enjoyed an excellent start to the new Premier League season, winning four out of a possible eight league games so far. Impressive victories against the likes of Chelsea and in-form Brighton have displayed their brilliance as a very hard to beat side, with just Man City and Liverpool able to defeat Moyes' men this early in the campaign. West Ham's record-breaking European run is also something to be praised, as they're undefeated in their last 17 encounters outside of England.
Regardless, it is still believed Moyes, technical director Tim Steidten and sporting director Mark Noble are plotting ways to reinforce the Irons squad this winter. Amid doubts over the futures of defensive duo Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma, a new centre-back could come through the London Stadium doors. Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba and AC Milan ace Malick Thiaw have been linked with moves to West Ham most recently, while they could also sign a new left-back like Chelsea starlet Ian Maatsen (TEAMtalk).
An injury to striker Michail Antonio would spell trouble for Moyes as well, prompting reports of a potential striker move. Stuttgart's Serhou Guirassy, who's racked up a quite incredible 13 league goals in just seven domestic outings already, is one name rumoured to be on the West Ham agenda for 2024.
Harry Maguire transfer update
Going back to the centre-back position, West Ham were targeting Man United defender Harry Maguire in the summer, but after a move fell through, they opted instead to sign Greek star Konstantinos Mavropanos. Maguire, who's an established player at international level with England, hasn't quite enjoyed the same form at club level over the last year.
Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof
Starting just one league game under Erik ten Hag this season, the £200,000-per-week ace has been subject to fierce criticism and may well opt to leave Old Trafford if his fortunes don't improve. This is where West Ham come in, as a report by Football Insider and journalist Pete O'Rourke shares the latest Maguire transfer update.
It is now believed the Irons are in pole position and will be "front of the queue" for his signing, if Maguire does in fact decide to leave in January. Any deal will likely be an initial loan, but a transfer will be "hard" to facilitate given the defender's stance on leaving mid-season and his sky-high salary. Despite his questionable form in parts, Maguire has been praised by United's manager for his "dictating" style of play.
Harry Maguire's style of play
Likes to play long balls
Indirect set-piece threat
"Definitely. I'm really happy with the progress that Harry is making in this moment," said Ten Hag to the press in March.
"He's more dominant and dictating, he's taking more initiative on the training pitch and I think also in the Real Betis game, he showed leadership, especially in those aspects of initiative and dictating of the game."
It’s not just that Australia are currently lacking half a first-choice team due to injury and suspension, and it’s not just that India are currently rated No. 2 in the ICC’s ODI and IT20 rankings. There’s little doubt that, after a 6-0 start to the white-ball leg of England’s home summer, the true examination of their limited-overs progress is just about to begin.After all, this India side contains at least two of the best batsmen in limited-overs history – certainly Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni qualify in that category – and a bowling attack that contains an enduring source of heartbreak for England teams: good-quality spin bowling – in particular wrist-spin.If that sounds like an exaggeration, consider the last time these teams met in this format. On that occasion we were treated to a batting collapse to rate with some of the most dramatic in England’s history (and the competition for that accolade is pretty stiff) when, confronted with the potent mix of a demanding target (203) and a good leg-spinner (in Yuzvendra Chahal), they lost eight wickets for eight runs on the way to a 75-run loss.To make matters worse – for England, anyway – both these limited-overs series are set to be played in conditions that should encourage spin and negate any advantage England might have had from ‘home’ conditions. With the country in the middle of an unusually hot and dry spell – by English standards, anyway – the surfaces encountered in this series (and probably the Test series that follows) might be expected to assist spin more than normal. The distinctive smell of burning wood – there are two major moorland fires near Manchester – provides an even greater sense that this first match might as well be taking place in an Indian city.”Generally, it is a different challenge when you play against subcontinent teams,” England’s captain, Eoin Morgan, said. “It normally exposes sides like ourselves, South Africa and Australia to spin and reverse swing: different challenges to that we are normally used to. But we are in the middle of our summer and we have played a lot of cricket. Hopefully we will be able to deal with it”The weather normally has a big impact on the pitch that’s produced. The grounds we go to in the T20 series normally take a bit [of spin] as well.”Like everything, if you play against a side with good players and you focus on one or two of them, say the spinners, it’s more than likely it’s the seamers who will actually get the wickets. It can have a completely different impact if you focus on two guys too much within a team. They are a strong side and have other components to their game. It’s going to be a difficult challenge.”There are reasons for optimism from an England perspective. For a start, they are a better side than many of those that preceded them and they are, after overwhelming Australia home and away, playing joyful, confident cricket.Perhaps more importantly, the sense of mystery that once accompanied them in any series against overseas sides – and India in particular – has been diluted by exposure to the IPL. Ten of this squad (including the injured Ben Stokes and Tom Curran) have IPL experience and one of them (Moeen Ali) played alongside Chahal for RCB.Yuzvendra Chahal was among the wickets once again•Getty Images
“That has a big impact,” Morgan said. “When I was coming through to the international team, playing against somebody like a Chris Gayle for instance, who you’d built up as quite a significant player in the game, you felt a million miles away from that, whereas our guys are rubbing shoulders with the best, competing and doing quite well.”I think our experience of playing in the IPL is of benefit to us. It exposes our players to the biggest competition in the world. We had nine players picked up in the auction, with 13 eventually going including replacement players, which is the most we’ve ever had. It’s great experience and exposure for our players, but it also shows where we are at as a team.”Whatever happens over the next few weeks, England’s eyes will remain – in this format, at least – upon the next World T20 tournament in Australia in late 2020. Gone are the days of using the format to take a look at players with a view to the ODI side and gone are the days of resting players with a view to keeping them fresh for Test cricket. With a global event on the horizon – albeit distant at present – the format will take greater precedence.That was a point confirmed by Morgan ahead of the series. As well as stating he would like to continue as captain to that World T20 tournament, he said England would continue to tinker with their line-up – and batting order, in particular – with a view to finding their optimum strategy over the next 12 months or so.”I’d love to do it [the captaincy],” Morgan said. “2020 [and the World T20] is where all our plans are going in this format.”You will see more experimentation [in this series]. I think we have to be open to what might be the best combination down the line. I don’t think here and now that making a solid decision and sticking with it for the next two years is productive or healthy. We have to be as adaptable as we can be, going forward with one eye on the World T20 in Australia. And we have also the Big Bash: some of our guys might go down there and absolutely tear it up. So you have to be open-minded.”Two men who are clearly in with a chance of selection are Reece Topley and Matt Fisher. Both were considered for selection for this squad once it become clear that Tom Curran was not fully fit. Fisher, aged 20, has long been thought of as a promising player and made his Championship debut for Yorkshire aged just 17, while Topley has recently recovered from a stress fracture of the back and was overlooked for Hampshire’s team that won Saturday’s Royal London One-day Cup final.Ultimately, the England management raised some eyebrows with the decision to select a batsman – Dawid Malan – to replace a bowler (Curran). But they reasoned that allowing Topley and Fisher to play for England Lions against India A may be more beneficial than calling them to Old Trafford with little realistic prospect of playing.