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From playing for Kenya to moving to India in search of the bigger prize, it’s been a long journey for the batter. But his eagerness to contribute remains intact

Ashish Pant29-Nov-2023Tanmay Mishra was a starry-eyed youngster, part of a strong generation of Kenyan cricketers that had the promise of a new era. They had just made the 2003 World Cup semi-final, and talk of Full Membership was gathering steam. Then Kenyan cricket was driven into an abyss by power-hungry administrators.Two decades later, the veteran of three World Cups – two ODIs (2007 and 2011) and one T20 (2007) – is trying to rediscover his glory days in India’s far-east, in Meghalaya, after several attempts of breaking into India’s domestic system.His first opportunity came with Tripura in 2019. In just his second game, Mishra smashed his maiden List A century – a 101-ball 102 against a strong Madhya Pradesh attack that had Ishwar Pandey, Kuldeep Sen, Kumar Kartikeya and Venkatesh Iyer. He followed it up with three back-to-back fifties and finished the 2019 Vijay Hazare Trophy as Tripura’s second-highest run-getter. He also made his T20 and first-class debut during the season. It promised a bright, new beginning, but as fate would have it, Covid-19 struck, and Mishra’s career hit a snag.Once the domestic season restarted, budget constraints at Tripura meant he didn’t receive a callback, and it took him close to four more years before Meghalaya came calling. He hopes to cash in again, even though he hasn’t started as well as he would have liked.”One of the things is the learnings over the years, I want to sort of help the guys when I can,” Mishra tells ESPNcricinfo. “I just want to try and contribute to winning for the team. I know the sort of opportunity I have and I am grateful for this opportunity.”At times, though, Mishra can’t help but wonder what could have been.

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It’s August 2007. India A are in Kenya for a series. Rohit Sharma, fresh off an India debut, is on tour. As Mishra takes strike, Rohit dishes out a few verbal volleys.”He was just swearing at me, saying a lot of nasty things when he was standing at third slip,” Mishra recalls with a laugh. “And later that evening, after all the things he said, he came up to me and asked me about the places you could visit.”I just said to him, ‘you’ve been giving me such a tough time in the day and now you want me to host you’. So, like a proper Mumbaikar, he went , match (it’s a match, you’ve got to do it). We are here to win, you are here to win.

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“As a man, it’s kind of frowned upon to show mental weakness or a bit of softness,” he says after a ‘very special’ knock in Christchurch

Firdose Moonda25-Feb-20222:48

Sarel Erwee: ‘I was a phone call away from calling it quits’

Sarel Erwee was going to quit. It was the summer of 2019, he’d been playing cricket for a decade, was approaching his 30th birthday and thought his dreams of being an international cricketer were over. He had reason to. Erwee had gone almost two years and 30 innings without a first-class century and averaged 28.63. Even before that, his average across 75 matches hovered just above 35. He had just had enough.”I was a phone call away from calling it quits,” he said after becoming South Africa’s newest Test centurion in Christchurch.But then came an intervention. “I had huge support, when I sat down with my family, with my parents and they picked me up. I saw a sports psychologist and we worked through it daily. It was a hard slog to try and get motivated again, to give my best after wanting to give up,” he said. “All the years of hard work felt pointless and worthless at one stage.”Until they didn’t and the sessions Erwee went to worked.He went on to score two hundreds in two matches in early 2020 and to double his average to 54.80 in the last two years. He was selected for the South African squad to play Sri Lanka at home, then to tour Pakistan, West Indies and against India at home and, despite Aiden Markram’s waning form, didn’t get a game. It was only when Keegan Petersen contracted Covid-19 and was forced out of the visit to New Zealand and Markram was granted the concession of moving to one-drop, that Erwee got his opportunity and two Tests in, he has made the most of it.

“As a man, it’s kind of frowned upon to show mental weakness or a bit of softness. There’s a lot of work still to be done. I am in that process every day, every week, every month, where I am trying to better my mental wellbeing.”

He is the first South African opener to score a century in a year, since Markram in Pakistan. He shared the highest opening stand in 18 innings and helped the team score more runs on one day than they did in the entire first Test. His was an innings defined by the discerning leave – Erwee did not play at a third of the deliveries bowled to him – and the well-timed drive, and it was an innings that played out in front of his sister, Chantelle, who has not seen him for four years.Related

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Erwee “got a lump in my throat,” and wiped a tear from his eyes when he was asked what it was like to score a century alongside the batter he is likely to replace in the medium-term, Markram, and with a member of his family in the audience.”It was extremely special. They (Dean Elgar and Markram) are two good guys. They’ve taken me under their wing and helped me through this journey. It was lovely to be there with them and lovely to celebrate and get that hundred in front of my family. My sister lives here in New Zealand,” he said, as his voice cracked. “Sorry, I’ve got a lump in my throat here. She’s been through a tough time here, so it’s nice for her to have something to smile about.”Honest emotion, heightened by the global pandemic that has kept people away from each other for the last 24 months, is still rare in professional sport, especially among men. But Erwee has spent too long and worked too hard to hide his feelings. In the same week that a well-known South African rapper, Riky Rick, died by suicide, Erwee put mental health in front and at the center of the conversation and asked for it to be given more attention.Sarel Erwee struck his maiden international century•Getty Images”It’s a big thing and I don’t think we focus on it enough in South Africa, not just in cricket but in all sports,” Erwee said. “And in general life. As a man, it’s kind of frowned upon to show mental weakness or a bit of softness. There’s a lot of work still to be done. I am in that process every day, every week, every month, where I am trying to better my mental wellbeing. It’s a big part of my life and probably will be for a long time.”For someone in their second Test match, who has just achieved a century, to demonstrate the composure to discuss a topic so serious spoke about Erwee’s maturity, as a person and a player, and provides a reminder that Erwee is no overnight sensation. He is 32 and has done years in the often-overlooked-and-under-rated domestic game and maintained that it is a satisfactory training ground for the biggest stage.”You’ve got to get on with it at domestic cricket. You’ve got to prepare yourself. Whether it’s your first year or your sixth year, you’ve got to prepare yourself for international cricket if that’s what you want to do,” he said. “You’ve got to front up and show up every single day and make sure you get better. I am very fortunate that I had a year to settle into the squad and find my feet preparation-wise, and find out what it takes to do half decently or do well at this level. That’s just the help from team-mates. Preparation and fronting up is key.”Elgar also used the words “front up,” when he explained his decision to bat first – the only captain in 11 Tests to make that choice. On a pitch with less bounce than the first Test and strong winds making it difficult for the bowlers, his top three have so far proved him right but for Erwee, it’s not so much conditions as it is mindset that fueled South Africa’s performance. “We are here to win a Test match. We want to be one-all leaving the shores here. You’ve got to front up and that’s what we did today. We’ve got a goal in mind. If that means you have to bat first on a greenish wicket or a wicket that does something, so be it. That’s the nature of this game.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Ceará anunciou a contratação do técnico Mozart para a temporada 2026, quando o clube disputará a Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro. A nota oficializando o acordo foi publicada na noite desta sexta-feira (12).

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Vovô agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Ceará

Mozart iniciou a sua trajetória como técnico no CSA. Depois, passou por Chapecoense, Cruzeiro e Atlético-GO até chegar ao Mirassol. Na equipe paulista, obteve o acesso para a Série A de 2025. Já neste ano, o profissional venceu a Série B com o Coritiba.

O técnico de 46 anos assinou um vínculo até o fim da próxima temporada. Também desembarcarão em Porangabuçu os auxiliares técnicos Dênis Iwamura e Edu Brasil.

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➡️ Quando começa a Série B de 2026? Veja participantes

— Quero agradecer de coração ao torcedor do Vozão e à diretoria pela confiança em um projeto de resgate do Ceará. Chego com energia total, convicção e a certeza de que temos condições de fazer algo grande. Nossa missão é construir um ambiente vencedor, entregar dedicação, desempenho, resultados e trazer o torcedor para ser o nosso diferencial. Aqui começa uma caminhada de coragem, foco e trabalho duro em busca do retorno – disse Mozart ao site oficial do Vovô.

O Ceará não buscava um novo treinador desde a metade da temporada 2024, quando trouxe Léo Condé. O profissional obteve um acesso e um título estadual, mas a campanha irregular no Brasileirão terminou com o rebaixamento.

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➡️ Atacante deixa o Ceará e fecha com adversário da Série B

Campanha de Mozart na Série B

O Coritiba de Mozart foi campeão da Série B com 68 pontos: 19 vitórias, 11 empates e oito derrotas. A equipe teve a melhor defesa da competição (23 gols sofridos) e, ao mesmo tempo, apresentou o sexto pior ataque (39).

O treinador tinha manifestado o desejo de permanecer no clube paranaense, mas as negociações não se concretizaram. Assim, o Coxa anunciou a saída ao fim do campeonato.

Tudo sobre

BrasileirãoCearáFutebol NacionalSérie B

أصبح من المحتمل أن يغادر محمد صلاح صفوف ليفربول خلال سوق الانتقالات الصيفية لعام 2026، بعد أن تراجع مستواه هذا الموسم.

وفي الوقت الذي ارتبط فيه محمد صلاح بالانتقال للمملكة العربية السعودية في السنوات الأخيرة، فإن هناك حديثًا عن انتقال النجم المصري المحتمل إلى الدوري الأمريكي لكرة القدم.

وكشف “توم بوجارت” الصحفي المتخصص في أخبار كرة القدم الأمريكية، أن صلاح قد ينضم إلى نادي سان دييجو خلال سوق الانتقالات الصيفية لعام 2026.

وذكر بوجارت عبر يوتبوب: “في حالة انضمام محمد صلاح إلى الدوري الأمريكي لكرة القدم، فإني سأشعر بأمان كبير لأنه سيكون في سان دييجو”.

اقرأ أيضاً.. القائمة النهائية لجائزة أفضل مهاجم في العالم من جلوب سوكر.. موقف محمد صلاح

وأضاف: “سان دييجو يملكه مصري، لا أستطيع أن أتخيل سيناريو يتفوق فيه شيكاجو أو ميامي أو لوس أنجلوس إذا كنت ترغب في رؤية الأموال التي سيتم إنفاقها”.

وواصل: “صلاح سيتلقى عروض أكبر إذا أراد الانتقال للشرق الأوسط، نعلم أنه تلقى العروض والمبادرات قبل تجديد عقده مع ليفربول”.

وتابع: “لا أشير إلى أن هذا سيحدث بالتأكيد، لكن سأراهن كثيرًا على أن سان دييجو سيكون جاهزًا للتعاقد معه إذا انتقل صلاح للدوري الأمريكي”.

وختم عن النجم المصري الذي يرتبط بعقد مع ليفربول حتى نهاية يونيو 2027: “محمد صلاح إلى سان دييجو، يا له من عنوان رائع وممتع وسيكون من الرائع مشاهدته”.

سلطت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية الضوء على وقائع مباراة الأهلي والجيش الملكي المغربي ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وحل الأهلي المصري ضيفًا على الجيش الملكي المغربي أمس الجمعة، في إطار مباريات الجولة الثانية لدور المجموعات بدوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وشهدت المواجهة مشادات قوية بين لاعبي الفريقين، إلى جانب أعمال شغب جماهيري من قبل جماهير الجيش الملكي، أسفرت عن إصابة محمود حسن تريزيجيه، بسبب إلقاء آلة حادة نحو لاعب الأهلي.

واشبتك لاعبو الجيش الملكي معه للحصول عليها قبل أن يراها الحكم، وتدخل وليد صلاح الدين، مدير الكرة بالأهلي، لمنحها لحكم المباراة.

كما ألقت جماهير الجيش الملكي عدد لا يُحصى من الزجاجات الذي غمر أرضية الملعب، خلال المباراة التي انتهت بالتعادل الإيجابي بهدف لمثله.

اقرأ أيضًا | الأهلي يُعلن عن إصابة 5 لاعبين بعد معركة الجيش الملكي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

ورصدت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية تقريرًا عن تلك الأحداث بعنوان: “مُخزٍ! تريزيجيه يتعرّض لهجوم بسكين أثناء مباراة، والمنافسون يحاولون إخفاء الأمر”.

وافتتحت الصحيفة تقريرها موضحة: “شهدت الجولة الثانية من دوري أبطال أفريقيا، يوم الجمعة، مشهدًا أشبه بفيلم سينمائي، خلال مباراة الأهلي المصري والجيش الملكي الرباطي، في منتصف المباراة، ألقى أحد مشجعي الفريق المغربي سكينًا على تريزيجيه”.

واختتمت: “الأسوأ من ذلك أنه عندما حاول لاعب خط الوسط وزملاؤه إظهار السكين للحكم، حاول خصومهم إيقافهم بأي ثمن، حتى أنك ترى أحدهم – مرتديًا قميص اللاعب البديل – يضع السكين في سرواله، مشهدٌ مُخزٍ للغاية”.

Sunderland have been in dreamland this season, with the addition of Granit Xhaka’s top level experience a huge factor in their success, and Regis Le Bris has hinted at another major signing.

The Black Cats are set to return to action from the international break in the hope of picking up where they left off against Arsenal two weeks ago. They shocked the Premier League leaders by coming from behind to rescue a late draw at the Stadium of Light. Now, with a trip to face Fulham up next, Le Bris has admitted that he expects a “tough challenge” in West London.

Victory could take Sunderland to as high as second and just four points off leaders Arsenal if a number of other results go their way. It would represent the remarkable run that they’ve been on, which has already almost guaranteed safety and potentially allowed them to focus on other ambitions.

Much of their success has come courtesy of an excellent summer transfer window. The arrival of former Arsenal man Xhaka has proven to be particularly successful, with the midfielder ending some unfinished business in the Premier League.

It’s been such a success that the Black Cats may look to repeat their genius in 2026 by signing another former Arsenal man in Matteo Guendouzi. Le Bris recently had his say on a potential deal for the Frenchman.

Le Bris shares Matteo Guendouzi to Sunderland update

Speaking to reporters in his pre-match press conference before his side’s meeting with Fulham, Le Bris refused to rule out signing Guendouzi and even shared that he’s still in contact with the midfielder.

This follows reports from Italy that Sunderland have joined the race to sign the Lazio midfielder, who is valued at around €30m (£26m).

It seems as though it would certainly be a welcomed reunion for Le Bris, who worked with Guendouzi at Lorient in the early stages of both of their careers. Now, with the Frenchman far more experienced these days – he has 14 senior caps to his name – the Sunderland boss could reap the rewards.

Sunderland make decision on selling Granit Xhaka as Juventus eye January move

One of Regis Le Bris’ key players is now being targeted by a Champions League club.

ByDominic Lund Nov 18, 2025

Described as a “great professional” by former Germany defender Arne Friedrich in the past, Guendouzi could yet have the chance to follow Xhaka’s path and end some unfinished business in the Premier League, courtesy of Sunderland next year.

Sunderland make contact with Real Madrid over signing in-demand £17m+ ace