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SLC also confirmed that it is looking at arranging “one or two” tours for women in the next few months

Madushka Balasuriya02-Jun-2021Former Sri Lanka captain and batter Hashan Tillakaratne has been appointed the new head coach of the Sri Lanka women’s team, SLC confirmed on Wednesday.He took up the role officially on June 1 and will be contracted up to December 31, 2021. It is understood that an extension is a mere formality, with SLC set to renew several contracts at the end of the year. Tillakaratne will likely be in the position for a further two to three years.His first job will be in preparing the team for the 2022 ODI World Cup and Commonwealth Games qualifiers scheduled for early next year. SLC also confirmed that it is looking at arranging “one or two” tours in the next few months. The Sri Lanka women’s team hasn’t played any international cricket since the T20 World Cup last March, owing to the pandemic.”It’s an honour and a privilege to work with the girls,” Tillakaratne told ESPNcricinfo. “They’re very talented and skilful. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”Tillakaratne, a World Cup winner who was also in charge of the Sri Lanka Under-19 side from 2018 to 2020, is the most high-profile appointment for the post of women’s head coach. The move, he believes, is a sign that SLC is seriously looking at popularising the women’s game in the country.”What they want is to justify the money being put into women’s cricket by the ICC,” Tillakaratne said. “Everyone knows about Chamari Athapaththu, but there are other talented girls also. They just need to be handled properly.”While Tillakaratne hasn’t had a chance to link up with his players yet, in his capacity as coach in Sri Lanka’s high-performance set-up he had seen several of the national players first-hand. As such, he already has a few plans on where improvements can be made.”We need to analyse and identify what our strengths are. One key aspect I’m looking at is their fitness. Right now, the girls are doing their fitness workouts on their own, and they’re sending us over their video clips. So they’re quite keen and committed, that’s a plus point.”During his playing career, Tillakaratne was renowned for his dogged displays with the bat and his impressive close-in fielding. In 83 Tests, he racked up 4,545 runs at an average of 42.87, while his 200 ODIs brought him 3789 runs at 29.60. Having made his debut in 1986, he retired from international cricket in 2004 and all forms of cricket in 2006, before turning his eye towards coaching.

England fast bowler Jofra Archer will not be available for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2021 IPL. The decision was taken on Friday by the ECB who said Archer would be “stepping up” his training intensity after spending time in rehab to tend to the finger surgery carried out recently as well as a longstanding elbow injury.Archer has been training with Sussex at Hove this week as he works his way back to fitness. England coach Chris Silverwood and elite pace bowling lead Jon Lewis were in attendance to see his progress on Thursday, when Archer underwent a full session of batting and bowling in the nets, followed by some running work.He was back at the ground on Friday, doing some sprints on the outfield during the lunch break of Sussex’s match with Yorkshire, in which England captain Joe Root is also playing.”The England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed that England and Sussex bowler Jofra Archer will not play in the 2021 Indian Premier League,” the ECB said in a media release on Friday. “Archer returned to bowling this week with higher intensity, and the ECB and Sussex medical teams will continue to monitor his progress.”The ECB pointed out that Archer was “expected” to return to playing cricket in the “next fortnight” if he could “bowl and prepare pain-free.” It is understood that Archer could return to playing in a second XI match in the next fortnight followed by a Championship game for Sussex in mid-May.The Royals were initially optimistic about Archer’s return, accounting for the strike bowler missing out on at least their first four matches in the league phase. Such optimism evaporated soon after the ECB said on April 11 that while Archer would be returning to training there was no date set for his return to playing.The other big deterrent for Archer, who was the Most Valuable Player in IPL 2020, was the mandatory week-long quarantine participants have to serve upon entering the IPL bubble this season. All three concerned parties, Archer, the ECB and the Royals, agreed that it would interrupt the fast bowler’s preparation and bowling build-up.Archer returned to England in March after T20Is in India for surgery on his right hand to remove fragments of glass wedged in during a fish tank accident at home in January. Simultaneously, Archer also received treatment for a longstanding elbow injury for which the fast bowler has taken cortisone injections.At the outset of this IPL, Kumar Sangakkara, the former Sri Lanka captain and now the Royals’ team director, had said while Archer’s unavailability was a “big blow”, the franchise could not act “selfishly” and would take a “holistic view” about his return.

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe will be hoping for a much improved Premier League campaign in 2024/25 – after his side only managed to finish in seventh place last time around.

They would’ve been featuring in Europe had it not been for Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph, but it gives the Magpies a less hectic fixture schedule to allow them to potentially reach the heights they set in 2022/23.

Their excellent performances secured Champions League football for the first time in 20 years – an unimaginable feat at the time of the Saudi PIF takeover in 2021, a sign of how far the club has progressed in such a short period.

However, now the fanbase have had a taste of Europe’s elite at St James’ Park, it’s an expectation that the club are constantly competing at the level, potentially even securing a first trophy under the new ownership.

To meet those expectations, new signings may be needed to provide added depth and quality, with Howe’s side entering talks with one player who would dramatically improve the options currently at his disposal.

Newcastle make contact to sign international star

According to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato, Newcastle have made contact with the representatives of midfielder Adrien Rabiot over a potential move to Tyneside this summer.

The 29-year-old is a free agent after rejecting a new contract with Juventus at the end of the last campaign, with the report claiming it’s the Frenchman’s priority to feature in the Premier League.

However, the Magpies aren’t the only English side in the hunt for his signature, with Manchester United and Liverpool also in contact with the former Paris Saint-Germain man.

He was a key part of the French national side at Euro 2024 this summer, with his stats undoubtedly aiding Newcastle’s Champions League push, whilst allowing them to sign a talent who is similar to one of the best midfielders in world football.

Why Rabiot could be like Rodri for Newcastle

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has cemented himself as one of the most talented players in Europe after his recent success at club and international level.

The Spaniard only recently saw a 74-game unbeaten run come to an end with defeat in the FA Cup final, having won multiple Premier League titles, along with the Euros this summer, where he was crowned the Player of the Tournament.

His form at the European Championships this summer is just an example of the quality that he possesses, but he only just bettered Rabiot in numerous key areas – with the Frenchman going under the radar.

The pair are ranked as similar players via FBref, with the comparison understandable when looking at their respective figures from the tournament.

The “extraordinary" ace, as described by Juve legend David Trezeguet, only registered a 1% lower pass accuracy rate whilst pretty much matching the Spaniard for progressive passes.

Games played

5

6

Minutes played

374

521

Pass accuracy

92%

93%

Progressive passes

6.8

6.9

Successful take-ons

1.2

0.4

Tackles won

2.2

2.4

Interceptions

0.2

0.2

However, defensively is where Rodri excels, but he was unable to better Rabiot for interceptions per 90 with the pair averaging the same amount of 0.2.

Rodri did win slightly more tackles, but Rabiot has demonstrated that he’s capable of being a threat in and out of possession – a feature that would hugely improve the Magpies’ midfield.

With Rabiot being available on a free transfer this summer, it is a risk worth taking for Newcastle, with the Frenchman’s experience at the highest level of club and international football massively increasing their chances of returning to Champions League football next season.

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“When we’re in bubble after bubble and away from family, I think the ECB have made a good decision”

Alan Gardner19-Feb-2021Mark Wood has backed the ECB’s policy of resting and rotating England players throughout their lengthy winter tour of the subcontinent, despite a much-changed side falling to defeat in the second Test in Chennai and subsequent criticism about the handling of Moeen Ali’s departure from the squad.Wood has just completed his period in quarantine after flying out to India, having been rested for the first two Tests of the series, and will reinforce England’s pace-bowling options ahead of the day-night game in Ahmedabad – amid hopes that a more seamer-friendly game at the reconstructed Motera ground can help the tourists bounce back after being thrashed by 317 runs on a turning pitch earlier this week.England are attempting to balance the demands of several months on the road, and life in a succession of bio-secure environments, with a schedule that will see them contest 17 Test matches – including an Ashes series – as well as a T20 World Cup in 2021. Wood said the ECB stance should be seen “as a positive” and suggested it was the best way to get the most out of England’s playing group in the long run.Related

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“There’s a lot of cricket this year,” he said. “When you have such a unique position, where we’re in bubble after bubble and time in hotel rooms and away from family, I think the ECB have made a good decision and are looking after players. I know it’s come in for criticism but from my point of view, especially as a multi-format player, when would you get that break or that switch-off, or would you be able to keep performing at the level required, if you’re mentally tired or physically tired?”So it’s good that different people are getting breaks at different points, it allows you to use different players for what’s coming ahead. We’ve got a massive squad and huge depth of talent, so it gives an opportunity for everyone. And you just got to try and take your opportunity when it’s your turn.”Following the defeat at Chepauk, England’s head coach, Chris Silverwood, was prompted to defend an approach that has allowed players such Moeen and Jos Buttler to miss Tests in India despite planning to feature in the IPL.Former players such as Kevin Pietersen have lambasted England for not putting out a full-strength team but Wood, who withdrew from this week’s IPL auction in order to prioritise time with his family, denied any suggestion that Test cricket wasn’t being given the same billing as T20.Mark Wood cranks up the pace in Sri Lanka•SLC

“No I don’t agree with that,” he said. “If things had been different or we didn’t have so much cricket, or there wasn’t these bubbles, I think we would play our best team as much as we could. We have to go down that route because of everything going on and we should maybe see it as a positive, that the ECB are looking after their players in that way. Other nations might follow this, down the track if coronavirus was to keep going.”You look at both sides of the argument. I get why people are saying that but from within the playing group I think it’s seen as a positive. Of course you want to play every game, and you don’t want to be rested and rotated, especially if you’re doing well. But in the long run, the endgame, especially for the multi-format players, is to make sure that everyone’s fresh and raring to go.”Wood agreed that, without breaks, some players could be susceptible to burnout, although he added there was recognition that “we’re very lucky to do this when people are struggling at home”. On the subject of the IPL, Wood admitted to a sense of unfinished business, having played just once for Chennai Super Kings during the 2018 tournament, but said that during a busy year he wanted to put his family and England first.England’s quicks had their first training session at the new, 110,000-seater stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, and were encouraged by the swing and durability of the pink SG ball; the sight of plenty of grass on the pitch, albeit several days out from the game, led Jofra Archer to tweet simply: “Showtime!”

Celtic have less than two months left to bring in any additions they want to make to the squad before the summer transfer window slams shut.

The Hoops are reportedly confident of securing a permanent deal to sign Irish forward Adam Idah from Norwich City on a permanent deal, following his loan spell at Parkhead last season.

Brendan Rodgers' side are also said to be in talks over a swoop to bring back Paulo Bernardo on a permanent transfer, after his loan stint from Benfica.

The Scottish Premiership champions are now reportedly looking at another potential signing to bolster their options in the middle of the park.

Celtic eyeing up young midfielder

According to Football Scotland, the Scottish giants are keen on a deal to sign central midfielder Jakub Kaluzinski from Turkish side Antalyaspor.

The report claims that the Hoops have been keeping tabs on the Polish starlet for a long time, predating back to his spell with Legia Gdańsk in Poland before his move to Turkey.

It states that a deal to sign the 21-year-old maestro would cost around £3.5m and that Spanish side Real Valladolid have already tabled an offer, which means that the Bhoys may have to move quickly if they want to sign him.

Therefore, it remains to be seen whether or not the Hoops can get a deal over the line for the young talent. However, if they can then they could secure a dream upgrade on Tomoki Iwata in midfield.

Why Celtic should sign Jakub Kaluzinski

The Japanese midfielder emerged as an option for Rodgers in the number six role during the second half of last season and provided a platform from which the likes of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Bernardo, and Matt O'Riley were able to build.

Kaluzinski, however, is six years younger than Iwata and his form during the 2023/24 campaign suggests that he would already offer more to the team.

The 21-year-old ace, who has been described as a 'big talent brewing' by Scouting Polska on X, is an athletic midfielder who can provide reliability in possession whilst also putting himself around on the field to win duels.

23/24 season

Jakub Kaluzinski (Super Lig)

Tomoki Iwata (Premiership)

Appearances

31

19

Big chances created

5

1

Key passes per game

0.6

0.4

Pass accuracy

88%

90%

Duels won per game

3.1

1.9

Aerial duel success rate

52%

47%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Polish gem provided his team with more creativity, with more key passes and 'big chances' created, than Iwata at league level last term.

He also won more duels and came out on top in the majority of his aerial contests, which suggests that the £3.5m ace could add more steel to Celtic out of possession in the number six role.

Kaluzinski also averaged 4.9 ball recoveries per game in comparison to Iwata's 3.7 and this shows that he can sweep up play to win the ball back more frequently in midfield.

Overall, these statistics indicate that the Hoops transfer target could come in as an upgrade on the Japan international, whilst also having six extra years on him to continue to develop and improve, which is why the club should push to sign him.

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