The T20I series has been decided in the blink of an eye and Sophie Devine’s team need to quickly find some answers

Andrew McGlashan28-Sep-2020It took barely more than 24 hours for Australia to reassert their superiority after a six-month lay-off, but though the final T20I in Brisbane on Wednesday is a dead game in terms of the series, it shapes as a vital match in this short tour if New Zealand are to avoid things running away from them ahead of the one-day contests.Though the format will change next weekend, New Zealand’s record in the Rose Bowl ODIs doesn’t bode well for their chances of halting Australia’s dominance: it is 20 years since they have held the trophy, with one drawn series their best result in the last 17 attempts.Australia, who secured their tenth T20I prize in a row with this series victory, will be eyeing the world-record of 21 consecutive ODI wins – the milestone held by the men’s team in 2003 – and New Zealand desperately need a response in the final T20I after the one-sided contest yesterday.ALSO READ: Modest Alyssa Healy doffs hat to the bowlers after surpassing MS Dhoni’s recordAlyssa Healy believes Australia have a mental edge in knowing they can win from any position – a skill that came to the fore in tight circumstances at the T20 World Cup and in the opening game of this series when they were 5 for 82.”I’d like to think so. We really pride ourselves with cricket in this country that we know how to win and when our backs are against the wall we find ways to win games,” she said. “We showed that [on Saturday], we lost a few wickets and looked under the pump. I guess it’s some sort of psychological edge but saying that think our skills are fantastic at the minute.”Unsurprisingly, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine was not buying the notion of her team being overwhelmed by their Trans-Tasman rivals and believed they were the side who should be playing with more freedom.”If you are intimidated by teams you may as well not walk on the park,” she said. “For us we’ve got nothing to lose, they are the ones with all the pressure on their shoulders, they are world champions, and have had a great run against use lately but we know we can go out there with a sense of freedom because we aren’t the world champs. Don’t think there’s any psychological intimidation out there for us.”The balance of New Zealand’s side has come under scrutiny, especially when they named an unchanged XI for the second match and did not bolster their spin department. They have been hampered by the absence of offspinners Leigh Kasperek, who couldn’t make the tour due to travel restrictions, and Anna Peterson, who was unavailable for personal reasons.A lot has rested on the shoulders of legspinner Amelia Kerr – whose record against Australia is significantly inferior than her overall numbers – while part-time offspinner Maddy Green was pressed into service in the second match. They have offspinner Jess Watkin and uncapped legspinner Deanna Doughty in the squad and will need to consider bringing at least one into the side with the same pitch expected to be used again.”It can be a blessing and a curse having games that close together, you don’t have much time to dwell on things and likewise you might not have the time to correct a few wrongs,” Devine said. “We were poor again, completely outplayed by a quality Australia side in all facets of the game. We’ll take the next or two to really recoup and look at our plans again and what we need to do to beat a really strong side.”It’s what makes Australia such a great side, they don’t let you get away with too much. We were really confident going into this match, we were targeting 150 on that pitch which we knew if we got close to that we could put some pressure on them but getting late 120s won’t be enough.”Meg Lanning said before the series that Australia would not be handing caps out for the sake of it but there may be a temptation to give another player or two an outing before the ODI series. Tahlia McGrath, Annabel Sutherland, Belinda Vakarewa, Erin Burns, Molly Strano and the uncapped Maitlan Brown are the other available members of the squad.Ellyse Perry is continuing her recovery from the hamstring injury suffered at the T20 World Cup and ahead of the opening match said she had suffered a minor setback in recent days meaning she may not be ready for any of these New Zealand games.

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O Corinthians estreou com vitória no Campeonato Paulista Feminino na noite da última terça-feira. Fora de casa, o Timão venceu a Ferroviária por 3 a 0, com gols de Gabi Zanotti, Jheniffer e Diany. Foi o primeiro jogo do Timão após 44 dias de pausa por conta dos Jogos Olímpicos de Tóquio.

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TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão Feminino-2021 clicando aqui

> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

GALERIA
> Relembre a estreia de grandes jogadores do Corinthians na última década

Após um começo de jogo estudado entre as equipes, o Timão passou a criar mais oportunidades, principalmente em jogadas criadas pela direita, com a atacante Gabi Portilho. Depois, as donas da casa até buscaram pressionar, mas pararam na atuação brilhante da goleira Kemelli.

Assim, aos 16 minutos, Gabi Portilho novamente conseguiu escapar em velocidade pela direita do ataque, invadiu a área e rolou para Gabi Zanotti completar para o gol, abrindo o marcador em Araraquara.

Depois, aos 27, foi a vez de Jheniffer partir nas costas da zaga após grande passe por elevação de Cacau. A camisa 9 invadiu a área, saiu na cara da goleira e, com muita calma, bateu firme para fazer o segundo.

No segundo tempo, mesmo com a vantagem, o Corinthians seguiu pressionando e marcou o terceiro pouco depois dos 15 minutos. Aos 17, Yasmim cobrou escanteio com extrema precisão, na cabeça de Diany, que testou para fechar o placar.

Agora, o Timão volta suas atenções para o confronto diante do Avaí-Kindermann, pelas quartas de final do Campeonato Brasileiro Feminino. O jogo acontecerá neste domingo, às 20h, com transmissão da Band TV.

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Quarta-feira começando com bola na rede!

Bora acompanhar os gols da nossa vitória de ontem, por 3 a 0, sobre a Ferroviária! O primeiro foi da @GabiDemoner, o segundo da @Jhenii09 e o terceiro da @dianyxavier.

E fiquem ligados, que ainda hoje teremos os bastidores!

🎥- FPF TV pic.twitter.com/PZeRoQpLWg

— Corinthians Futebol Feminino (@SCCPFutFeminino) August 11, 2021

Robert Lewandowski has lauded Lamine Yamal as the best winger in the world, at the age of just 17.

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• Barcelona striker lauds team-mate
• Teenager enjoyed stunning rise
• Lewandowski urges him to keep grounded

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Lewandowski is approaching the twilight of his career at the age of 36, especially compared with 17-year-old Yamal. The latter has enjoyed an incredible rise, already making 59 appearances for Barca, and also winning 17 caps for Spain.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Yamal has 11 goals and 14 assists in 59 games for Barca and also has three goals in his 16 caps for Spain, one of which came in the Euro 2024 semi-final against France. And Lewandowski believes he has already established himself as the finest player in his position in the world.

• WHAT LEWANDOWSKI SAID

  Lewandowski told B/R Football, when asked if Yamal can become one of the best players in the world: "Of course. Now it will be easy to say, of course I see him as the best winger in the world. But of course, he is 17 years old. A football career is so long, sometimes it's not important how you start, what's more important is how you finish or how will be the next years, not two or three years but the next 10-15 years. And in the next 15 years, he will be 32.

  "When I see the next generation, they have a huge challenge, from them, in the social media. One day, you are the hero, but the next day, you are on the ground. I wish for him that he will be strong for the long career, and it doesn't matter what the people are saying now, or what the people are going to say, he stays on the ground and thinks 'okay, that is part of my life, the football that I want to enjoy, I want to give the fans a lot of happiness in the end'."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Barcelona are next in action against Osasuna in La Liga. They are looking to extend their perfect start to the season domestically, having won all seven of their league fixtures.

Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou's attentions have already turned to summer business following the conclusion of the Premier League season, and a tough decision has been made on one man according to recent reports.

Tottenham secure Europa League football

Tottenham kept a grip on Europa League football for next season courtesy of a final day win over Sheffield United, thanks to two goals from Dejan Kulusevski and a brilliant strike from Pedro Porro.

The Lilywhites can now begin planning with certainty, something that would not have been the case had they lost and finished sixth, which could yet provide a UEFA Conference League spot rather than Europa League should Manchester United win the FA Cup.

8/10 Spurs ace who outshone Kulusevski just silenced his haters

The Spurs ace created four chances and had a pass accuracy of 95%.

By
Tom Lever

May 19, 2024

It was not the end to the season Spurs would have hoped for, with Champions League seemingly a certainty at one point only for five losses in six games to derail that hope and leave them clinging onto fifth place ahead of a resurgent Chelsea, who contributed to one of those losses when the two sides met a fortnight ago.

But given the fears at the beginning of the season that a new manager in charge of a Harry Kane-less Tottenham might struggle to even grasp European football, the campaign will go down as a success in the eyes of many. The exciting brand of football being instilled by Ange is an improvement in itself, following years of fans rather watching paint dry than their own side play under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

Spurs defender set to leave for free

There will be plenty of departures from north London this summer, with the likes of Emerson Royal, Ben Davies, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Oliver Skipp all seemingly surplus to requirements.

Another that is set to leave is Ryan Sessegnon, who is expected to be allowed to depart for free this summer when his contract expires. Signed for £25m back in 2019, the Englishman has seen his nascent career plagued by injuries and has managed just 57 appearances across five years for the Lilywhites.

He has managed just seven minutes of football across the season, with a hamstring injury seeing him miss the entire campaign under Postecoglou.

Ryan Sessegnon's Tottenham career
Appearances	57
Starts	41
Minutes player	3403
Goals	3
Assists	4
Games missed through injury	93

When he has played, he has been the target of plenty of praise from previous Spurs bosses. Jose Mourinho dubbed him "absolutely fantastic" while Antonio Conte hailed him as a "reliable" and "important" player during his tenure.

"He is a reliable player and he has great confidence. He is strong physically and improved in his quality and technically", the Italian revealed.

But now, Spurs are not set to activate the optional 12 month extension in his £55,000 a week contract, with Fabrizio Romano revealing that he is expected to leave for free this summer to try and carve out a career for himself elsewhere.

Though only a fringe player for the Lilywhites, his departure is likely to be a sign of things to come under Postecoglou this summer, with plenty more set to follow suit.

Crystal Palace were on a tear towards the backend of the Premier League season this year as they won a seriously impressive six out of seven games, beating teams like Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester United along the way.

Unfortunately, the side effect of playing such brilliant football is that teams start to look at your best players, and that's no different for the Eagles.

Michael Olise, one of the most exciting wingers in the entire league, let alone at Palace, has consistently been touted for a move away over the last few weeks.

While he would be a huge loss, Steve Parish and Co might be able to bring in a perfect replacement, at least based on recent reports.

Crystal Palace transfer news

According to a recent report from Graeme Bailey, Raheem Sterling's name has been brought up in conversations between Palace and Chelsea over the potential transfer of Olise.

The report does not mention whether it would be a straight swap deal or a Sterling plush cash offer, but considering the Frenchman has a release clause worth £60m in his contract and the Englishman is valued at around €40m – £34m – by the CIES Football Observatory, it would likely be the latter.

It might not be so straightforward for the Eagles, though. The report mentions West Ham United as another interested party, as well as teams from Turkey and Saudi Arabia, although the winger has supposedly turned down a move to either of those leagues.

Couple that with his wages and things do seem unlikely. The winger currently takes home £325k-per-week, making him the sixth-highest earner in the whole Premier League.

It might not necessarily be a transfer that goes down well with fans to begin with, but if Parish and Co can bring in Sterling plus a sizeable fee for the 22-year-old, this could be a fantastic transfer, as the former Manchester City man has shown his quality in the past.

Why Sterling would be a good replacement

So, the first reason Sterling would be a great player to replace Olise is simple: his track record is remarkable.

In 549 games of senior football across his career, the 82-capped England international has scored 173 goals and provided 103 assists, meaning he has averaged a goal involvement every 1.9 games for his entire career.

In comparison, the former Reading gem has scored 23 goals and provided 39 assists in 163 games of senior football, which equates to a goal involvement on average every 2.6 games.

Senior Appearances

549

163

Goals

173

23

Assists

103

39

Goal Involvements per Match

0.50

0.38

The second reason why the former Liverpool gem would be a great replacement is his versatility.

Based on his career thus far, he would be able to fill in on the right in place of the Frenchman, on the left in place of Eberechi Eze, and even down the middle at times if Glasner wanted a different outlet for some games.

The third reason is that over the last ten years, the 5 foot 8 "monster", as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has only missed 41 games through injury, which is around four per season.

In contrast, the Palace prodigy has missed 21 games in the last two seasons alone, which could become a serious problem in the long term. As they say, availability is the best ability.

Lastly, while the four-time Premier League winner hasn't set the world alight over the last two seasons, he has still racked up a respectable 31 goals and assists in 81 games, suggesting that he could get back to his incredible best in the right environment and Oliver Glasner's Palace might be precisely that.

Ultimately, it looks as if Olise is going to leave Palace this summer, and with every transfer always being a gamble, bringing in a fee and a player with the track record of Sterling in one go seems like it could be a brilliant move from Parish and Co.

Crystal Palace are about to do something that may make Wharton even better

The Eagles look set to sign a “dangerous” star who’d help the Englishman get better and better.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 11, 2024

Eve Jones’ 115 not out is in vain against Lightning’s chart-topping 303 for 5

ECB Reporters Network19-Sep-2020

Sarah Bryce on the drive•Getty Images

Opener Sarah Bryce hit a List A career-best 136 not out as Lightning wrapped up their Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy campaign with a comfortable victory over Central Sparks.The 20-year-old Scotland international struck 14 fours in her 133-ball innings, sharing partnerships of 61 with opening partner Bethan Ellis, 69 with Abbey Freeborn and 127 with Teresa Graves, whose 65 was also a career-best in the format, as Lightning racked up 303 for 5 from their 50 overs, the highest total by any side in the eight-team competition.Sparks skipper Eve Jones led with a fine unbeaten 115 but after sharing an opening partnership of 103 with Gwenan Davies, who reached 48, could not find the support that was needed to have any chance of overhauling such a demanding target.Off-spinner Lucy Higham, with 2 for 35, was the pick of the Lightning bowlers, her miserly spell key to sapping the visitors’ momentum at a key stage of the innings. All-rounders Kathryn Bryce and Bethan Ellis weighed in with three apiece in the last 10 overs as Sparks threw the bat in vain.Sparks had already seen their outside chance of pipping Northern Diamonds to a place in the final as North Group winners disappear with the Diamonds’ win over Thunder earlier in the afternoon.Having won the toss, Sparks chose to bowl first, their initial target to break the partnership between Bryce and Ellis that was primarily responsible for their defeat against Lightning at Worcester earlier in the competition, when the Lightning openers shared a stand of 148.They could not separate them in the Powerplay, although Emily Arlott went close when Bryce sliced over the head of slip in the eighth over. Uncannily, at the completion of the 10th, Lightning were 39 without loss, just as they had been at New Road.The breakthrough was not long coming and it was the introduction of Hannah Baker’s leg-spin at the pavilion end that brought it about, the 16-year-old celebrating after only her third delivery as Ellis edged for Anisha Patel to take a fine catch at slip, her departure for 25 ending the partnership at 61.A bowling change paid off again as Patel joined the attack to provide leg-spin from both ends, dismissing Kathryn Bryce via a thin edge to wicketkeeper Davies in the 19th over. Sarah Bryce – who survived a chance to the ‘keeper off Issy Wong on 42 – completed her fifth half-century of the competition from 59 balls with five fours as Lightning hit the halfway point at 114 for 2.Strong on the cut and sweep, Freeborn then led an acceleration in Lightning’s scoring, racing to 40 off 43 balls with seven fours and damaging Baker’s figures, before bowling changes paid off again for Sparks. The medium pace of Clare Boycott brought the end of Freeborn, who cut again but this time straight to Baker at point, the third-wicket pair having added 69 in 12 overs. When Patel returned for a second spell she immediately bowled Higham, beaten by the turn as she tried to sweep.But the arrival of Graves quickly restored Lightning’s momentum, the 21-year-old striking the ball cleanly and with power, taking the pressure off Bryce, who had gone more than a dozen overs without a four when a full toss from Liz Russell enabled her to hoick the ball through the mid-wicket boundary.A lovely clip off the legs off Arlott gave her an eighth four in the next, taking her to 99, and she was able to work the next delivery into the onside for a single to move into three figures off 116 balls.Bryce and Graves then went after the Sparks’ bowling, in the next five overs adding 65 runs. Graves, who surpassed her previous highest List A score when she moved to 38, launched Wong for a huge six into the sightscreen at the Bennett End, then celebrating her maiden half-century by cracking three consecutive boundaries off Arlott.By the time she was run out in the final over of the innings, she had notched up nine fours and a six in reaching 65 from just 57 balls and the partnership with Bryce had added 127 in 16 overs.Sparks made a blistering start in reply, openers Jones and Davies putting on 67 in the opening Powerplay to be ahead of the required rate, Davies setting the tone with 39 off 33 balls. By the 16th over, their alliance was worth 100, but it was broken soon afterwards as Davies, swishing at a widish ball from left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon, was adjudged to have made thin contact with it before it thudded into the gloves of Freeborn.The combination of Gordon and Lucy Higham’s accurate off-spin put the brakes on the Sparks’ scoring and at the half-way stage of the chase they had fallen behind the pace at 139 for 1, although they received a somewhat unexpected and controversial bonus when umpires Paul Pollard and Malinda Underdown awarded five penalty runs against Lightning after a player used offensive language in disputing a not-out verdict following a run-out appeal.It was the second example in less than 24 hours on this ground of umpires applying the tough new sanctions available under Law 42 governing fair and unfair play. Five runs had been awarded against Nottinghamshire Outlaws for distracting the batsman in Friday night’s Vitality Blast fixture hosted by Leicestershire Foxes, with umpired Pollard again involved.Jones, meanwhile, had completed a half-century off 67 balls and her partnership with Marie Kelly for the second wicket had added 57 in 12 overs to keep the Sparks in touch at 160 for 1 after 30.Their prospects were weakened when Higham’s excellent spell was rewarded with two wickets in her final over as she had Kelly caught by Graves at deep backward point and bowled Arlott to finishing with 2 for 35. Gordon dismissed Poppy Davies leg before as Sparks slipped further behind, with 105 still needed from the final 10 overs. Jones completed her century off 123 balls but Sparks lost their last six wickets for 20 runs.

Manchester United have decided to say “goodbye” to Erik ten Hag and have already held talks with their new top managerial target, according to Sky Sports' international reporter Gianluca Di Marzio.

Man Utd manager rumours

The Red Devils are currently preparing for the FA Cup final in what is looking increasingly likely to be Ten Hag’s final game in charge. The Dutchman and United have had their struggles this season, and defeat at Wembley to Manchester City would see the club finish trophyless and with no European football next season.

Man Utd hold talks to sign £85m star to replace Harry Maguire

The Englishman is up for sale.

ByCharlie Smith May 22, 2024

Should Ten Hag depart, then Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS may need to make a quick decision on who will replace the current manager. A number of names have been linked, including Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino. Both bosses are seemingly keen on the idea of replacing Ten Hag, however, neither Tuchel nor Pochettino appear to be the main Old Trafford candidate.

Man Utd have “spoken to” Kieran McKenna

Sky Sports reporter Di Marzio provided a Man Utd manager update in the last 24 hours, claiming that a decision has been made to say “goodbye to Ten Hag”.

Talking to Soccernews, Di Marzio also revealed that the Red Devils' top target as they “are mainly hoping for McKenna”, and have even spoken to the Ipswich Town boss already over a possible move.

McKenna, who was previously the assistant at Old Trafford to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (168 games), Jose Mourinho (24 games), Ralf Rangnick (3 games) and even Michael Carrick (3 games), has worked wonders at Portman Road.

The 38-year-old has taken the Tractor Boys from League One to the Premier League in just two seasons, so you can see why he is also attracting interest from Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea.

Days in charge

885

Games

131

Wins

76

Draws

35

Losses

20

Goals scored per game

1.96

Goals conceded per game

0.93

Promotions

2

Therefore, United and Ratcliffe may have to act quickly if they want to seal a deal for their main candidate, but if not, it looks as if Pochettino is a back up option, according to Di Marzio.

Newcastle United are looking at alternatives to Crystal Palace's Michael Olise as they consider selling a £60,000-a-week fan favourite to make room for a new arrival, according to reports.

Newcastle transfer rumours

Newcastle were plagued with injury issues in the 2023/24 season, and this was very much reflected in their form across the campaign. The Magpies were eventually able to put together a string of positive results to secure a 7th-place finish in the Premier League, but Manchester United's FA Cup win means that there will be no European in the North East next term.

Newcastle can replace Bruce signing with deal for £28m "goal machine"

Newcastle are looking to make more additions after the arrival of Lloyd Kelly.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 15, 2024

In turn, Eddie Howe and co. are no doubt eager to strengthen this summer as they battle it out to once again finish inside the Premier League's top four. Newcastle's summer plans are already in full swing, with the club having already signed out-of-contract Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly, who is understood to have penned a five-year deal with the club.

In terms of further potential incomings at St James' Park, former Arsenal star Matteo Guendouzi is believed to be of interest, Ferran Torres has been linked with a move to St James' Park, with Barcelona potentially willing to move him on, and Juventus' Samuel Iling-Junior has also been backed to join the Magpies before the 2024/25 season gets underway.

Newcastle eye Michael Olise alternative to replace £60k-p/w star

Another star who has been linked with a move to St James' Park of late is Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, with recent reports claiming Newcastle, Chelsea and Bayern Munich had all made contact with the Eagles regarding a move for the Englishman.

However, given Newcastle have no European football in 2024/25 and both Bayern and the Blues are more established top European sides, the Magpies may face a tough battle when it comes to persuading the player, who has a reported £60m release clause, to join them.

In turn, it is not too surprising to see alternative transfer targets emerging for Newcastle. Give Me Sport report that the Magpies know Olise may be too "ambitious" of a target, but definitely want to sign a right-winger this summer, so are looking at Juventus and Italy star Federico Chiesa instead.

Chiesa has already earned high praise from England, including from Manchester United and Premier League legend Rio Ferdinand, who previously labelled the winger as "fantastic".

"He’s just a fantastic footballer," he said. "The intensity with which he plays with, we saw in the Euros he was the main goal threat for the Italians who went on to win the tournament."

The report adds that Chiesa could be available for half the price of Olise, which would put his transfer fee at about £30m.

This is perhaps seen as a low sum for a player of his quality, but his contract is set to expire in 2025, which means the Turin-based out may need to sell this summer or risk losing him for free. To help fund a move for the Italian, the Magpies are said to be willing to part ways with Miguel Almiron, who is currently earning £60,000-a-week on a deal that runs until 2026.

Stats

Almiron

Chiesa

Appearances

33

33

Goals

3

9

xG

4.55

6.43

Assists

1

2

Big chances created

6

12

Stats via Sofascore

في خطوة مهمة لرياضة كرة اليد المصرية، أعلنت اللجنة الأولمبية المصرية، برئاسة المهندس ياسر إدريس، عن اعتماد نتائج انتخابات مجلس إدارة الاتحاد المصري لكرة اليد للدورة الانتخابية الجديدة 2024-2028.

وقد أسفرت هذه الانتخابات عن فوز خالد فتحي برئاسة الاتحاد، وتشكيل مجلس إدارة جديد يضم نخبة من الخبرات الرياضية. مجلس إدارة الاتحاد المصري لكرة اليد الجديد

الرئيس: خالد فتحي

نائب الرئيس: خالد ديوان

أمين الصندوق: نبيل خشبة

الأعضاء: عبير عقيل، عمرو فتحي، أحمد زقزوق، خالد صالح، عمرو العدل، محمد جمال هليل.

طالع أيضًا | عمرو صلاح: حققنا مكاسب كبيرة لصالح منظومة كرة اليد

ويعد فوز خالد فتحي برئاسة الاتحاد المصري لكرة اليد حدثًا هامًا، حيث يتحمل المسؤولية الآن عن قيادة هذه الرياضة خلال الفترة المقبلة، ويتوقع أن يشهد اتحاد اليد خلال الفترة المقبلة العديد من التطورات والإصلاحات، وذلك بفضل الخبرات والكفاءات التي يضمها المجلس الجديد.

ويعول الكثيرون على المجلس الجديد في تحقيق نقلة نوعية في رياضة كرة اليد المصرية، وتحقيق نتائج إيجابية على المستويين المحلي والدولي، ويتمنى الجميع أن يساهم هذا المجلس في تطوير اللعبة ورفع شأنها.

سيبدأ المجلس الجديد مهام عمله خلال الأسبوع المقبل، حيث سيقوم بإجراءات التسليم والتسلم مع المجلس السابق، ومن المتوقع أن يعقد المجلس الجديد اجتماعاته الأولى لتحديد أولويات العمل خلال الفترة المقبلة.

West Indies allrounders Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews believe that having a “strong mindset” proved pivotal in keeping themselves motivated through the Covid-19 pandemic-induced off season. It helped them overcome fears that “we wouldn’t have any women’s cricket for the rest of the year” after the T20 World Cup in Australia ended in early March.The 2021 Women’s World Cup has been postponed by a year. That along with the cancellation of several bilateral women’s series, even after international men’s cricket resumed in July, threatened to leave the women’s calendar vacant for the rest of 2020, outside of Australia’s home series against New Zealand which begins September 26.However, the ECB successfully drew up contingency plans to make up for India and South Africa’s withdrawal for tours in July-August by inviting West Indies. Their first T20I against England in Derby on Monday is set to mark the return of top-level women’s international cricket 196 days on from the T20 World Cup final at the MCG.”The whole time in the pandemic I just thought that that was it for the year for women’s cricket,” Dottin, the West Indies vice-captain, told ESPNcricinfo. “I think this pandemic [has taught] that mentally you’ve got to be strong. You’ve got to have a strong mindset. It [is] something that you can’t easily give up.”I actually thought we wouldn’t have any women’s cricket for the rest of the year. I just kept training and doing things here and there and kept motivating myself in all ways. I started playing cricket with my cousins, the boys, just to keep active and keep that work up: of playing cricket.”Matthews echoed her team-mate’s apprehensions. She was, like Dottin, part of West Indies’ 2016 T20 World Cup-winning side. She has also been a sought-after name in domestic T20 competitions, plying her trade in the WBBL, the now-defunct KSL and the Women’s T20 Challenge.ALSO READ: West Indies women in England: ‘Women’s cricket needs this’ – Stafanie Taylor“It’s obviously something very challenging,” said Matthews, who will play for the Hobart Hurricanes in the WBBL later this year. “You have to have a strong mentality to go out there, still be training, and putting in all the hard work, not knowing if you’re going to be able to be playing again this year. I’m just really glad we are able to get back over again and that Cricket West Indies and ECB have [made that possible] for us to play.”We also see the Women’s Big Bash League; it seems it’s going to come off as well. It’s really good to see these boards are stepping up at this point and get cricket played – not only for the men’s sides but the women’s sides as well.”Hayley Matthews leaves the field after her dismissal•Getty Images

West Indies have lost (19) more times than they’ve won (17) in their 37 T20Is since their 2016 T20 World Cup victory. Like the side, Matthews, the Player of the final in that tournament, too, has struggled to replicate the abandon that became a hallmark of the side’s maiden world title triumph four years ago. In her last 15 T20I innings, she has reached 30 only thrice, her maiden T20I hundred in May last year included.In the T20 World Cup earlier this year, Matthews, who opens for the side, made only 26 runs in three innings as eventual semi-finalists England knocked West Indies out in the league stage with a game to go. Their poor performance prompted then head coach Gus Logie to describe their performance in the world tournament as “timid” and possessing a “fear factor”.Matthews, however, was hopeful the upcoming five-T20I series against England could be a starting point for West Indies to make up lost ground.”Probably of late, the pressure [on us] has eased off a bit,” Matthews said. “If you look at our performances [from the recent past], because they probably weren’t the best, the expectations from us for a lot of people aren’t as high.”I don’t necessarily say that as a bad thing, though. Coming back after the pandemic and being given the opportunity to start afresh, especially against a team like England, we’re going out there knowing we’re the underdogs. I think it kind of gives us that freedom to really be able to go out there and play our natural game and play freely and express ourselves as players and as a team as well.”With Logie’s tenure having ended with the T20 World Cup, Andre Coley, who was West Indies women’s head coach in 2012, has stepped in an interim capacity. He’s overseeing the tourists’ 18-member squad, which will be based in a biosecure environment in Derby throughout the tour and is without Anisa Mohammed, the veteran offspinner who declined the invitation to tour, with uncapped Guyanese left-arm spinner Kaysia Schultz included.Matthews, 22, underlined that the opposition’s lack of familiarity with the West Indian rookies could hold them in good stead as would the experience of the seasoned campaigners in the likes of captain Stafanie Taylor, legspinner Afy Fletcher, Dottin and herself.”We have a lot of versatility,” Matthews said. “We have a lot of different players that have stepped in, including the new players. Obviously, there wouldn’t have been much footage on them out there and stuff, so it definitely brings something new to the table when we face up against England.”We also have a lot of experience within the team: people have been playing for the last five, ten years now, so that makes our combination pretty good, and hopefully it will win us some games as well.”