Man United: Ten Hag may lose second player alongside possible Sancho exit

Manchester United could be set to let one of their midfield options leave the club today despite the English transfer window being closed, according to reports.

What's the latest news from Man United?

The Red Devils are stewing over their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal and will hope to use the international break to reflect on what has been a disappointing start to the campaign, which has involved bruising losses against the Gunners and Tottenham Hotspur.

Off the field, there is also a sense of negativity as the stock market value of the Premier League giants has fallen by more than £600million (16%) due to the much-maligned Glazer ownership taking the club off the market at Old Trafford, as per The Daily Mail.

In short, the Glazers were not happy with the bids they received to relinquish control of Manchester United and have now paused the sale process in the hope of receiving a larger bid for the club later in proceedings.

Jadon Sancho also could be cut adrift at the Red Devils following an outburst aimed at Erik Ten Hag due to the Dutchman commenting on his level of performance at training, according to The Mirror.

Former Borussia Dortmund man Sancho took to social media to express his feelings that he has been branded a "scapegoat" figure at the club and Ten Hag may decide to make him train away from the first team as an appropriate punishment, casting his future into doubt at Old Trafford.

Italian journalist Rudy Galetti has claimed that an unnamed Saudi Arabian club has submitted an "official offer" to Manchester United to try and lure Sancho away from the North West and has branded his potential move away as an "evolving situation" on social media outlet X.

Who else is leaving?

According to NOS via Sport Witness, Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek is "hopeless" at the club having been left out of the Red Devils' Champions League squad for the latest instalment of Europe's elite club competition and could now leave to join a side in Belgium or Turkey.

Royal Antwerp are keen on the Netherlands international, who lit up Dutch football at Ajax under the stewardship of Ten Hag. At the same time, Turkish giants Galatasaray are also ready to pounce to offer Van de Beek an escape route from his nightmare spell in England.

The Belgian window closes on Wednesday evening, so his exit could quite literally be a matter of hourse away from completion if Antwerp is his destination – Turkey's window closes on September 15.

Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek.

A Spor via The Daily Mail claim that Fenerbache are another side keen to offer £120k-a-week earner Van de Beek a move away from Manchester United to get his career back on track.

Since joining Manchester United for a fee in the region of £39 million back in 2020, Van de Beek has been dogged by struggles with injury and has gone on to make just 60 appearances for the club in all competitions, registering two goals and two assists, as per Transfermarkt.

It may be best for both Manchester United and Van de Beek to part ways if a reasonable solution can be found in the coming hours.

Tottenham: Spurs Star Now "Pushing" To Leave This Summer

An update has come to light on the future of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani Lo Celso with Real Betis making a late move for him.

Who will Spurs sell?

New manager Ange Postecoglou, speaking to the media recently, candidly admitted that Spurs may need to trim their bloated squad numbers before making any further signings this summer.

"The reality of it is we can't just keep acquiring players," said Tottenham's head coach.

"We've got too big a squad as it is. It affects the training, the players themselves because they all want to play and be involved.

"It's not so much one has to happen for the other but our focus at the moment is trimming the squad down and seeing where that takes us in terms of reinforcements. We're assessing that on a daily basis. There's still two weeks to go in the window and I'm sure you'll see some movement."

Exits will, therefore, be absolutely key at Spurs in the final days of the transfer window, but they're running out of time with just nine days remaining to conclude all of their business before January.

ange-postecoglou-premier-league-preview-tottenham-hotspur-manchester-united-oliver-skipp

There have been many players linked with a move away from Spurs, including Tanguy Ndombele, Lo Celso, Djed Spence, Davinson Sanchez, Japhet Tanganga and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who are all on the chopping block with moves away.

Young striker and Republic of Ireland international Troy Parrott is another to be mentioned, and could be set for a shock move to the Eredivisie after Postecoglou's cold shoulder (TEAMtalk).

The aforementioned could join Harry Kane, Harry Winks, Lucas Moura and Joe Rodon out of the exit door, but it's Lo Celso who is central to a new claim.

Indeed, it is now believed the Argentina international is "pushing" for a move away from Spurs this summer, as his former side Real Betis attempt a late transfer.

That is according to journalist Rudy Galetti, who took to X with what he's heard on Lo Celso and where he may go.

"Lo Celso, Real Betis are still trying to understand if there’re margins for a loan move with buy option," said Galetti.

"Talks with Tottenham are on: Giovani is pushing for his return at Betis. THFC are open to let him go but – to date – only including a buy obligation."

How good is Giovani Lo Celso?

The South American hasn't quite lived up to his price tag in a Spurs shirt, but has thrived on loan at Villarreal under Unai Emery on previous loan spells.

Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, speaking to Super Deporte in 2022, even branded Lo Celso a "top player in the world".

"He gives us a plus as a team," said Rulli.

"He helps us improve and I don’t discover anything by saying that he is a top player in the world. I know him well as a player and a person, so I hope he does very well."

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

While he may not be a match made in heaven for Spurs, Lo Celso can turn it on when at his very best, and perhaps a move back to Spain would suit all parties.

Liverpool Eyeing Swoop For New Jones Partner In £26m "Monster"

Liverpool have been linked with a move for a Premier League rivals' top target, and according to reports have now re-entered negotiations to secure his signature.

Who are Liverpool going to sign?

According to a print edition of Corriere dello Sport (via Paisley Gates), Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is hoping to secure the signature of Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat this month, though face intense competition from Manchester United.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE..

The Merseyside outfit missed out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea and now face a scramble to restore their midfield, with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson both completing transfers to Saudi Arabia this summer.

Amrabat is expected to command a fee of around €30m (£26m) and has been a prime target for the Red Devils for several months now, so Liverpool's hopes hang on swaying the Moroccan's head Anfield way.

How good is Sofyan Amrabat?

Amrabat caught the eye and then some on the international stage last year, starring as the fulcrum to Morocco's exploits at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they became the first African nation to record a final-four finish.

Hailed as the "best central midfielder in the tournament" by reporter Carlo Garganese, the 26-year-old completed 85% of his passes, also making 2.3 tackles and 1.4 clearances per game in his string-pulling role in the centre of the midfield.

The standout attribute of Amrabat's game is his ball-playing composure, ranking among the top 6% of midfielders throughout Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 11% for passes attempted and the top 11% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.

The £32k-per-week machine would thread the different facets of Klopp's Liverpool system together as the metronomic heartbeat, dictating the play and controlling the tempo.

He has already proved himself against the most formidable of Premier League opposition too, having been praised to have taken Declan Rice "to school" – as claimed by writer Muhammad Butt – in last year's Europa Conference League final, and while West Ham United secured a narrow victory on the night, the La Viola titan completed 91% of his passes, winning nine of his 20 duels and making four tackles.

With Amrabat's powerhouse-like presence in the middle, perhaps the burgeoning Curtis Jones could continue his rise to the fore, with the 22-year-old Englishman cementing a regular starting spot for himself at the business end of last term, coinciding with the Reds' late purple patch.

Indeed, Jones started the final 11 matches of the campaign and avoided defeat each time, winning seven, and was praised as the "complete #8" by one analyst & scout.

He ranks among the top 6% of midfielders for goals, the top 4% for pass completion, the top 14% for progressive carries, the top 3% for touches in the attacking box and the top 12% for tackles per 90.

What this illustrates is a roundedness, an all-engulfing hunger to his game, that allows Jones to thrive across the different elements to a thriving midfielder, and while he is just as slick in his passing as Amrabat, his forward-thinking approach suggests he would benefit from a creative focal point behind him.

Once dubbed an "absolute midfield monster" by WhoScored analyst Ben McAleer, Amrabat could be the fiery presence to reignite Liverpool's central verve, and his acquisition could fully unlock a rising star in Jones, who will be hoping to make a big impact this season.

West Ham Could Sign £40m ‘Physical Monster’ To Partner JWP

West Ham United are finally beginning to ramp up their transfer business following weeks of inactivity.

David Moyes has already invested some of the £105m secured from the sale of Declan Rice by luring Edson Alvarez to the Premier League for a fee of £35.4m, while he could add some attacking reinforcements with a move for Manchester United striker Antony Martial.

It looks as though Moyes is pushing to sign another player from Old Trafford however…

Who are West Ham signing this summer?

According to Football Insider, West Ham are looking to push for the signing of McTominay should Lucas Paqueta secure a move to Manchester City.

City have seen a bid of around £70m rejected by Moyes for the Brazilian but they could perhaps come back with a further bid, this time including youngster Cole Palmer as part of the deal.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

Selling another midfielder for big money would allow the Scot to make a concrete offer for his compatriot at United.

The 26-year-old is reportedly valued at £40m and with two years left on his current deal at the Old Trafford side, Erik ten Hag will surely be looking for as much money has possible.

How good is Scott McTominay?

Alongside Alvarez, Moyes has now added James Ward-Prowse to his midfield options for a fee believed to be around £30m and this is another player who could bring something different to the club.

The former Southampton gem was their one shining light during a woeful campaign in 2022/23, racking up nine goals and four assists in the top flight, while creating nine big chances and averaging two key passes per game, suggesting he was a massive threat going forward.

scott-mctominay-newcastle-transfer-premier-league

To put those numbers into context, he would have ranked first across the West Ham squad for goals and assists and key passes per game while sharing the honours with Jarrod Bowen for big chances created. It's clear, then, that Moyes has undoubtedly signed a player who will improve the team this term.

Adding McTominay into the side will also give Ward-Prowse a huge boost, especially with his defensive attributes which would surely allow the England international to thrive.

When compared to positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, the £60k-per-week United midfielder not only ranked in the top 1% for clearances per 90 (3.21) but also in the top 2% for aerials won per 90 (2.83) indicating just how impressive his defensive abilities are at the heart of the midfield.

McTominay also ranked in the top 13% for tackles per 90 (2.83) with this clearly suggesting that he could give Ward-Prowse so much more freedom by focusing on the dirty aspect of the game and making sure the ball is won back often.

This robust nature was praised by former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who lauded him as a “physical monster” back in 2020 and having started just 16 games across all competitions during the 2022/23 campaign, a fresh start could reinvigorate his game.

In the process, Moyes could form a dream duo, with both McTominay and Ward-Prowse looking to take West Ham to the next level.

Cosgrove sustains Leicestershire prospects

Mark Cosgrove guided Leicestershire to victory•Getty Images

Leicestershire ensured they will go into their final group match, against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, knowing that a win will see them qualify for the quarter-finals.The Foxes’ four wicket win over the Falcons means that Derbyshire must also win their final match, at home to Worcestershire, to be certain of going through to the knockout stages for the first times since 2005 – although they will also qualify if Leicestershire are beaten by Notts.”We’re over the moon. We knew we would probably have to win our last four games to qualify, and we’ve still got a chance of doing that – it’s not how you start a competition, it’s how you finish it that counts,” Leicestershire head coach, Pierre de Bruyn, said.”We were very good in the field tonight, and Aadil Ali isn’t really a part-time bowler, he’s worked really hard on his offspin over the last year. Then Mark Cosgrove was outstanding, you need a calm head from a senior player in these sort of circumstances, and he controlled our innings.”We know what we’re up against at Notts, but we have momentum, and they will know we are a dangerous side. It’s like a mini quarter-final for us.”Put in on a slightly slow pitch, Derbyshire struggled from the start, scoring just 34 from the six-over Powerplay, and losing their three leading run-getters in reaching just 46. First to go was Billy Godleman, the left-hander losing his leg stump to Gavin Griffiths bowling around the wicket, and Luis Reece quickly followed, caught and bowled off a leading edge by Ali.The key wicket, however, was that of Wayne Madsen, who came into the match having hit 457 runs in the competition this season, but had scored only 10 when he reverse-swept Ali straight into the hands of Callum Parkinson at backward point.With wickets falling at the other end, opener Matt Critchley set his stall out to bat through, and did so successfully, going to a run-a-ball 50 with a six, and finishing on 72 off 60 balls as the Falcons hit 44 from the last four overs of their innings to give their bowlers something to bowl at.Leicestershire’s reply was a nervous one, though it should not have been after they were given their customary flying start by Luke Ronchi. The former New Zealand international lost opening partner Cameron Delport to a fine diving catch by Madsen at backward point, but had hit 32 off 14 balls before he holed out to Alex Hughes at mid-on off Madsen.Colin Ackermann was run out after a fine piece of fielding by Matt Henry, but Cosgrove’s experience was vital as the Australian shepherded the Foxes home, reaching his 50 off 40 balls, and winning the match in the penultimate over with a four over midwicket.Derbyshire captain Daryn Smit said: “It was a strange surface, it looked good, but it didn’t really come on to the bat, and perhaps we should have played a little differently. The batters have done in week in week out this season, but they were bound to have a slip-up eventually. Critch was brilliant but we knew we were 20 runs shy and we’d have to be unbelievable in the field the restrict them. We weren’t far off but one good innings by Cosgrove got them over the line.”We kept fighting though, and showed a lot of character. We have to win tomorrow to be sure of going through, it’s in our hands and we have to go out and do it in front of a good crowd.”

Tottenham Offered Chance To Land "Incredible" Maddison Partner

The door could well be open for Tottenham Hotspur to strike a deal for Japanese international, Daichi Kamada, following the midfielder's recent exit from Eintracht Frankfurt.

What are the latest Tottenham transfer rumours?

According to 90min, the Lilywhites have reportedly been offered the chance to land the free agent this summer following the collapse of his proposed move to AC Milan, with the north Londoners – as well as Newcastle United – having been 'informed' about the 26-year-old's situation.

As per the piece, the 6 foot sensation – who has been without a club since coming to the end of his contract at Frankfurt last month – had reached an agreement regarding a move to San Siro, albeit with subsequent changes to the hierarchy at the Serie A outfit leading to the club pulling out of a deal.

This follows reports in Germany that revealed Tottenham's interest in the former Sagan Tosu man heading into the January transfer window, following the playmaker's impact at the World Cup in the winter.

Who is Daichi Kamada?

The 29-cap dynamo notably started all four games for his country during their run to the last-16 in Qatar, having also impressed in the Bundesliga last term after scoring nine goals and chipping in with six assists from his 32 league outings.

Prior to that, Kamada had been part of the Frankfurt side that claimed Europa League glory during the 2021/22 campaign, notably scoring five goals in 13 appearances in the competition that season, including in the first-leg, semi-final victory over West Ham United.

As journalist Josh Bunting stated back in August, the exciting gem is not only an "incredible talent" but is also simply a "joy to watch", hence why the likes of Spurs and Newcastle have been paying such close attention to him of late.

James Maddison

If Ange Postecoglou is to seal a deal for Kamada ahead of those rival suitors over the coming weeks, the 57-year-old could seemingly find a perfect partner for recent addition, James Maddison in the centre of the park, with the latter man having joined on a £40m deal from Leicester City.

With the ex-Celtic boss likely to utilise his preferred 4-3-3 formation next season which includes two advanced midfielders – or number eight's – then the Greek-Aussie could be able to slot Kamada in alongside Maddison in that system.

Like the Englishman – who notably averaged 1.7 tackles per game in the Premier League in 2022/23 – the Frankfurt machine can also muck in defensively having averaged 1.6 tackles per game last term.

Also lauded as a player with "intelligent movement in and around the box", according to Bunting, Kamada showcased a real desire to get forward and impact proceedings in the final third as he ranks in the top 10% among midfielders for touches in the attacking penalty area, with Maddison sharing that front-foot approach as he ranks in the top 1% in that regard.

The duo are also alike due to their ability to net themselves or tee up others with quality service, with the former Foxes ace – who registered 19 goal involvements in the top-flight last season – ranking in the top 1% for both non-penalty goals and assists, while Kamada is not too far behind as he ranks in the top 5% and the top 15% for those same two metrics, respectively.

To potentially have two players who possess that same attacking and creative intent is a truly exciting prospect as far as Spurs are concerned, with it no doubt set to be a real bargain if Postecoglou can snap up the in-demand asset on a free.

Taylor prepared for scrutiny of World Cup return

Sarah Taylor has declared that she is “back, and ready to face the World Cup and the scrutiny that professional sport brings,” after taking a year-long break from the game to combat an anxiety condition.Taylor, who is widely recognised as one of the most naturally talented female cricketers of her generation, took an indefinite break from cricket in the aftermath of last year’s World T20 in India. However, she was last week included in England’s 15-strong squad for the Women’s World Cup, which gets underway in just under a month’s time.Her inclusion followed a successful reintegration into the England set-up during a recent training camp in the UAE, where she took the field in a practice match against Ireland, scoring 26 not out in the second of three warm-up wins.”It’s been a tough 12 months and lots has been learned in that time,” Taylor said in an interview arranged by the ECB. “In terms of where I am with my cricket, I’m incredibly comfortable to be back playing and the girls have been absolutely brilliant. It’s just nice to be back around them and the fact that the World Cup is at home as well makes it extra special. To be back in time for the World Cup has been a hard journey but very worth it so far.”Prior to her diagnosis, Taylor’s condition was so acute at times that she found herself running off the field of play to be sick, while she also struggled with day-to-day issues such as taking public transport. A course of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helped her to overcome many of the most debilitating traits of her illness, although she does accept that the pressures and scrutiny of a home World Cup campaign will bring a whole new challenge.”I don’t think we can shy away from the fact that in a World Cup there will be pressure,” she said. “Through what I’ve dealt with over the last 12 months I feel like I’m probably mentally strong enough to deal with those pressures. All I want to do is help someone else get through it, so I don’t think I’m any different to anyone else.”To be honest, when I took that break I didn’t look too far ahead. I couldn’t. I was always told to not look too far in the future, to take it day by day and as it comes. Literally getting out of bed was the highlight of a day and then accept that doing something brilliant might mean walking outside, that was a tick in the box.Sarah Taylor has been absent from England duty for the past year•Stephen Pond/Getty Images

“To look towards the World Cup never even got into my head, it was never something I was striving for at the time, then all of a sudden I found myself wanting to train again and, like I said before, it actually benefitted my day-to-day learnings and my anxiety through that. Next thing I knew I was on a plane going to Abu Dhabi and that was a very last-minute decision.Looking ahead to the World Cup itself, Taylor Is in no doubt about the team’s overall aim for the tournament. “Ultimately you want to win the tournament, don’t you?” she said. “But for me it’s literally just a case of day-by-day assessing where I am – anxiety-wise, cricket-wise, everything in my head. If not, what can we do to help me get through a training session, a game, everything like that.”My success, from a very personal point of view, is obviously to perform and be consistent in my performances but flip that to the mental side of things and it’s about getting through the tour unscathed. I’m realistic that there probably will be some bumps but, actually, if I get through it I should look back and be completely proud of myself for doing it. I’m proud that I’ve even put myself out there to do it. I want to win as much as the next person – and I’m hoping that there’ll be success with my own mental health and we can see a trophy at the same time.”

Mushfiqur asked to give up wicketkeeping

Mushfiqur Rahim has been informed that he will play the upcoming Tests against Sri Lanka as a specialist batsman. Liton Das will take over the wicketkeeping duties

Mohammad Isam02-Mar-20171:33

Isam: Liton’s gain, Sabbir’s loss

Bangladesh’s manager Khaled Mahmud has said that Mushfiqur Rahim has been informed he will play the upcoming Tests against Sri Lanka as a specialist batsman, and has to give up his position as the designated wicketkeeper. This means Liton Das, the other specialist wicketkeeper in the Test squad, will take over the role.Mushfiqur’s wicketkeeping came under focus after he missed plenty of chances during the Afghanistan series last year. In Bangladesh’s last Test, against India in Hyderabad last month, his missed stumping of Wriddhiman Saha cost the team and highlighted his frailties behind the stumps. During the interim, the BCB had said that the matter will be discussed with Mushfiqur, which is what the team management has done ahead of the Test series in Sri Lanka.”The coach [Chandika Hathurusingha] and I have informed Mushfiqur officially [that he will play only as a batsman],” Mahmud told the Bengali daily . “He is the best batsman in the team. He is in such form that we believe he will be able to give more to the team, which is why he will bat at No. 4 and will not be keeping wickets. Mushfiqur has taken the decision positively, which is the best part.”We gave him examples of Kumar Sangakkara and Brendan Taylor whose batting improved as soon as they gave up wicketkeeping in Tests. It is hard to play as wicketkeeper, captain and batsman.”Liton kept wickets in the three Tests he played in 2015, against India and South Africa. The last time Mushfiqur was told to play as a batsman was during the 2016 Asia Cup T20s when he shared the duty with Nurul Hasan during the tournament at home.With Mushfiqur now slated to bat at No. 4 and Liton being confirmed a place in the XI, the team management will now have to decide between Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman in the middle order. While Mahmudullah has just struck his first Test fifty after a long gap, Sabbir hasn’t got a big Test score despite a promising start to his career.

Smith replaces Dhoni as Pune Supergiants captain

MS Dhoni will not captain his IPL franchise Rising Pune Supergiants this season, with Steven Smith set to lead the team in the tournament that starts on April 5

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Feb-20170:51

Quick facts – MS Dhoni as IPL captain

Rising Pune Supergiants have replaced MS Dhoni with Steven Smith as captain for the tenth season of the IPL, which starts on April 5.The switch emerged on the eve of the IPL player auction, in Bangalore on February 20, less than two months after Dhoni resigned as India’s ODI and T20I captain ahead of the recent home series against England.”I have the highest regard for MS Dhoni as a leader and a person. Dhoni will continue to be an important part of our team,” Sanjiv Goenka, owner of the Pune franchise, said in a statement. “He is supportive of the decision keeping the franchisee’s best interests in mind.”At the toss for what was billed as his last match as captain of India – when he led India A against the England team in a tour match in January – Dhoni had said he wasn’t done with captaincy and that he was still going to captain in the IPL and domestic cricket. After giving up the India captaincy, Dhoni showed good form, scoring his first ODI hundred in four years and his maiden Twenty20 international fifty.Under Dhoni, Supergiants finished second last in their maiden IPL season in 2016, winning only five games and losing nine in a campaign ravaged by injuries to key players. It was the first time a team led by Dhoni failed to make the IPL playoffs. Dhoni scored 284 runs in 12 innings at a strike-rate of 135; Smith, who captains Australia in all three formats, made 270 in seven innings at a strike-rate of 153.Later in the day, Harsh Goenka – brother of Sanjiv Goenka, and chairman of the business group that owns Supergiants – tweeted of the decision:

Dhoni was the franchise’s first-choice pick in a player draft ahead of the 2016 season. That was Pune’s first season in the league, having been brought in as one of two new teams – the other was the Gujarat Lions – in the wake of the suspensions of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals after the IPL corruption scandal in 2013. This is the last year of the two-year contract the Supergiants signed with the IPL.Until then Dhoni had been captain of the Super Kings since the IPL began in 2008. He was bought at the first player auction for $1.5 million, the highest paid player at the time and led Super Kings to the IPL title in 2010 and 2011, as well as the Champions League title in 2010 and 2014. Under him, Super Kings also finished runners-up in the IPL on four occasions.

Australia team doctor asks ICC to consider concussion substitutes

The introduction of concussion substitutes should be “very seriously” considered by the ICC, Australia’s team doctor Peter Brukner said after opening batsman Matt Renshaw was ruled out of the Sydney Test due to concussion

Brydon Coverdale at the SCG06-Jan-2017Australia’s team doctor Peter Brukner has said that the introduction of concussion substitutes should be “very seriously” considered by the ICC, after opening batsman Matt Renshaw was ruled out of the ongoing Sydney Test against Pakistan due to concussion.Renshaw was struck twice on the helmet, once while batting on the opening day, and then again while fielding at short leg on day three. He was cleared of concussion after the first blow. But he left the field with a headache following the second hit, and with the ill-effects still being felt the next morning, he was ruled out of the match by Brukner.Cricket Australia’s concussion protocols leave such a decision solely in the hands of medical staff, and Brukner said coach Darren Lehmann and captain Steven Smith had been fully supportive of the decision. However, it means that Australia will be one player short for the remainder of the Test, after the ICC last year rejected a CA proposal to allow concussion substitutes in first-class cricket.CA has this summer trialled the use of concussion substitutes in the Matador Cup and BBL. However, it is not permitted in the Sheffield Shield, as that would require the ICC to alter the playing conditions for first-class cricket, which it has so far declined to do.”The more examples we have of this, the more common it is, the more pressure there will be on the ICC to do something about a concussion sub,” Dr Brukner said on Friday. “The concern we have is there’s a tendency for the player and coaches and so on to want to continue, because they don’t want to let the team down.”It would be helpful in that regard if we had a sub, it would make it easier to pull players out with a concussion. But that’s for the ICC and the politicians to sort out … We introduced it in the non-first-class cricket in Australia and it seemed to be successful. I think it’s something that certainly needs to be looked at very seriously by the ICC.”In June last year, at a two-day meeting at Lord’s, the ICC’s Cricket Committee discussed the idea of concussion subs, but decided that it was not necessary to introduce the system in first-class cricket. “The committee considered a proposal from Cricket Australia for a ‘concussion substitute’ to be trialled for two years in domestic first-class cricket,” the ICC said in a statement at the time.”The committee acknowledged the seriousness of the issue of concussion in cricket, and stressed the need for consistent concussion policy to be implemented in all countries, but its view was that the current laws and playing conditions allow players to receive the best possible medical treatment, and further change to the regulations in this area is not required at present.”Renshaw does not have any playing commitments over the next few weeks as he is not part of a BBL squad, which should allow him plenty of recovery time before he returns to training. He is not expected to be in any doubt for Australia’s next Test series.Dr Brukner said Renshaw had passed concussion tests on both days one and three of the Sydney Test, but on the fourth morning “still had a headache, dizziness and felt a bit foggy”. He said it was impossible to know whether Renshaw’s susceptibility to concussion from the fielding blow had increased as a result of being struck on the helmet while batting on day one.”We’ll never know if he’d only had that one hit yesterday whether he would have had the same symptoms or not,” he said. “There is sometimes a suggestion in the research that cumulative blows may be a factor, but it’s very hard to say. He was certainly hit hard enough yesterday to have had a concussion just as a one-off.”

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