Money talks — don't expect worst team to tour England to get another trip
How long was it before the realisation dawned that this was not an equal contest, that it was men against boys, seasoned Test match campaigners against wannabes? Five, six, seven overs? Ben Duckett got himself up and running with a brace of boundaries off Blessing Muzarabani in the eighth over; after that England never looked back.
It was help-yourself time for the batsmen, and they duly helped themselves, a task made even easier by an injury to Richard Ngarava, who did not bowl again after lunch.
At no stage did this feel like a truly competitive match. Unlike most England Test matches, too, it will have next to no influence on future planning. How can it when it is the equivalent of playing — at
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BBC News
38 minutes ago
- BBC News
Ireland cricket: 'For Bready to get the West Indies is huge'
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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
What will the expanded Club World Cup mean for Africa?
Fifa's expanded Club World Cup offers fresh opportunities to the quartet of African sides heading to the United States for the inaugural 32-team record 12-time continental champions Al Ahly, South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and Tunisia's Esperance are the teams looking to outperform European superclubs and other contenders from across the African side has won the Club World Cup, with only two reaching the final during 20 previous it now pays just to take part - the total prize pot stands at a staggering $1bn and, with $475m of that based on performance, success could secure a huge the tournament adds more games in an already packed calendar, Esperance coach Maher Kanzari says it is "a dream" for players to take sales have reportedly been slow before kick-off on 15 June, but one Sundowns fan is backing the new format introduced by Gianni Infantino, the president of football's world governing body, which is set to be held every four years."You can't live one life," Thabo Mothabela told BBC Sport Africa."You must change and establish new things. That's how we grow and explore." Representing Africa with pride Kanzari has called on his squad to "rise to the occasion" when they face Flamengo, Chelsea and Los Angeles FC in Group D."Representing Esperance, Tunisia and the African continent is a huge responsibility," he told the BBC."We know that the eyes of the fans will be on us, and we will give our utmost to demonstrate a level befitting African football."The four-time African champions will take part for the first time since 2019."Appearing in a tournament of the calibre of the Club World Cup is a dream for every player and coach," Kanzari Ahly, meanwhile, will face Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the opening match (Sunday, 00:00 GMT) before games against Brazil's Palmeiras and Cairo giants appointed Jose Riveiro shortly after winning their 45th Egyptian title, and have strengthened by signing Egypt forwards Trezeguet and who will miss out on next season's African Champions League after finishing third in the Moroccan league, open up their Group G campaign against Manchester City before facing Juventus and UAE outfit Al Ain. A disparity in finances All four African sides receive a participation fee of $9.55m - the same as the representatives from Asia and the North and Central American and Caribbean figure dwarfs the $4m prize money handed to this year's African Champions League winners African clubs are among the poor relations at the Club World Cup. South America's six representatives will all get $15.21m, while the payments for the 12 European sides range from $12.81m to a staggering $38.19m.A group stage victory is worth $2m and a draw $1m, and the overall champions crowned in East Rutherford on 13 July will pocket $ long-term question is whether the huge sums on offer could impact club competition back on the continent - especially given that between them Al Ahly, Esperance, Wydad and Sundowns won every edition of the African Champions League between 2016 and however, says that all revenues from the Club World Cup will be distributed to club football across the globe, and it has a target of $250m for its solidarity investment three to one by European clubs, Africa hopes to have a bigger share of the pie in future."It's a platform that we need to showcase our potential as African football clubs," Hersi Said, the chairman of the African Club Association, told the BBC."We need to push for more numbers in the next editions." A spotlight on Africa? Some hope that African teams playing in the Club World Cup could draw attention back to the continent's own club competitions, even if its Champions League lacks exposure and the revenue generated pales in comparison to its European African Football League was launched to great fanfare by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) in 2023 but has not returned since its inaugural eight-team competition won by Pretoria-based outfit, owned by Patrice Motsepe, the billionaire president of Caf, have established themselves as the dominant club in South Africa, scooping up the past eight league one supporter of a rival side thinks Sundowns' appearance in Group F, where they will take on Ulsan HD, Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense, could help boost the Premier Soccer League."If we are talking about the global stage, I don't think Sundowns are as known as the other clubs there," Kaizer Chiefs fan Wayne Magwaza said."Of the African teams, it's Al Ahly that everyone knows."If Sundowns do well it's going to have an impact on how people look at South African football and maybe bring attention to the PSL." Burnout worries The timing of the Club World Cup has already impacted the game on the continent, with the 2025 Africa Cup on Nations forced to move away from a proposed June-July slot and rescheduled to begin in players' union Fifpro and top European leagues lodged a legal complaint last year over what they claim is an "abuse of dominance" by Fifa, but the tournament will proceed Chukwueze's club side AC Milan will not be involved but the Nigeria winger thinks the extra games are "too much" for footballers."The only time players [can] have rest is the time they put the tournament," the 26-year-old added."It's very difficult playing so many games. You are going to weaken your legs and your mind, and you will not have the desire to play."[But] if it is a tournament, then you don't have any choice. You have to play."For supporters, the chance of glory is always alluring."Going to the Club World Cup is not child's play but we've got high hopes," Sundowns fan Mothabela said."The way the guys are playing gives us confidence. We believe they are going to be in the semi-finals."The chances of an African side returning with the trophy may be slim, but Fifa expects the Club World Cup to usher in a new era for the global the riches on offer in the USA drip down across the continent remains to be seen. Additional reporting by Morad Dakhil and Eshlin Vedan.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
With South Africa at 43-4, can Australia capitalise with the ball and bowl them out cheaply? Odds of 13/8 for the Proteas to score under 150 runs in the first innings of the WTC final
Day one of the World Test Championship final got underway at Lord's on Wednesday - with South Africa winning the toss and electing to bowl. The Proteas' talented pace attack starred with the ball early - taking four wickets prior to lunch to put Australia in a precarious first innings position. However - Steve Smith and Beau Webster managed to steady the ship at the crease - with the pair combining to score 138 runs. Despite Smith and Webster's efforts - Australia recorded a disappointing first innings score of 212 after Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen cleaned up the tail. Rabada particularly stood out - with the supremely gifted quick registering figures of 5-51 off 15.4 overs. With their confidence sky-high after a strong showing with the ball - South Africa were looking to get off to a good start with the bat and maintain the pressure on the defending WTC champions. They weren't able to do that - losing a wicket in the first over and finding themselves 43-4 at stumps on day one. For those who will be following day two closely - let's take a look at the two Price Boosts on offer for today's action. They include South Africa to score under 150 runs in the first innings at 13/8, and Smith to score the most runs for Australia and Rabada to take the most wickets for South Africa in the second innings at 16/1 (ties are losers). Rabada took the most wickets for the Proteas in the first innings, while Smith was Australia's second top runscorer on day one. Sky Bet Price Boosts for day two of the Word Test Championship final: South Africa to score under 150 runs in the first innings WAS 11/8 NOW 13/8 Steve Smith to score the most runs for Australia and Kagiso Rabada to take the most wickets for South Africa in the second innings (ties are losers) WAS 12/1 NOW 16/1
