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The Royal Challengers Bangalore batted Glenn Maxwell at No. 4 in their chase against the Mumbai Indians specifically to give him a chance to settle in before going for his shots. Captain Virat Kohli said as much after his side chased down 160 to register victory in the IPL 2021 opening game. While things got closer than the Royal Challengers would have bargained for, and it came down to a classic AB de Villiers knock in the end, Kohli said the signs were very much there that giving Maxwell more time would be beneficial to the side.”We wanted Maxi to bat at four,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation. “The set-up was such that if we get a partnership [at the top], then Maxi comes into the game and he can do what he does [at the death]. But if we lose early wickets as well, it allows him to get into the innings and not start slogging from ball one. As a batsman, if that [hitting from ball one] doesn’t come off, it can start playing on your mind.”Today you saw the result of him playing 10-15 balls, he’s a different player then. He just took the game away from the opposition in those middle overs to be honest. His innings, I felt, in our partnership was that momentum changer and that made the job easier in the end. If he had stayed in, we probably would have finished a couple of overs earlier.”Maxwell made 39 off 28, with three fours and two sixes, and was involved in a stand of 52 with Kohli to set up the chase. This was his first game for the Royal Challengers, following a dreadful IPL for Kings XI Punjab in 2020, when he made 108 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 101.88, with not a single six to his name.When Maxwell fell, undone by a slower, short one from Marco Jansen, the Royal Challengers needed 57 off 35, and that became 54 off 30 before de Villiers went after Rahul Chahar, taking 14 off five balls against him to relieve the pressure. The Royal Challengers continued to fumble at the other end though, and another quiet over followed, leaving them needing 34 from 18 before de Villiers delivered again, this time against Trent Boult (14 more runs off five balls he faced in the over). There was still the matter of a Jasprit Bumrah over to negotiate, and de Villiers duly took two fours off it, before being run out in the final over and it all going down to the last ball for the Royal Challengers. To some, that might have been a familiar sight – de Villiers carrying the Royal Challengers in the end overs with not much support.Related

• Patidar ready to make a splash in IPL after 'amazing last few months'

• Talking Points – Should Bumrah have come on earlier against Maxwell? And Boult for the 18th?

Given how central he repeatedly is to their fortunes, did they err in shifting him down to No. 5 and not letting him bat for longer? “It’s a difficult one,” Kohli said. “AB is probably the only player in our team who is so versatile, and he can do what he did on slow pitches, today. A lot of other people will find it difficult to execute.”If there’s a partnership [at the top], you might see a totally different batting order. But in a tricky chase, you know you need experience in the back also. And a player that the opposition knows, ‘if he doesn’t get out, anything can be chased down’… Then the bowler gets into a different kind of headspace. So that’s something we want to bank on. But if Dev [Devdutt Padikkal, the Royal Challengers’ first-choice opener who missed out on Friday having just recovered from Covid-19] and me get off to a start and we bat through till nine-ten overs, we could see a totally different approach straightaway from ball one.”Kohli also expressed confidence in debutant Rajat Patidar, who batted at No. 3, making a run-a-ball 8. “Rajat is a very solid player, probably didn’t see enough of him in this game but he’s a really exciting prospect for us. He plays spin really well, good against fast bowling too. He’s going to be one to watch out for.”

After losing one of their jewels in the crown, Crystal Palace and Oliver Glasner will have a huge task this summer to replace Michael Olise after his move to Bayern Munich.

Palace finished tenth in the Premier League last season, and the challenge will now be for Glasner to improve upon this after a good second half of the year when he was appointed to take over from Roy Hodgson.

Reinforcements have already been made, with the signings of Chadi Riad from Real Betis, and Daichi Kamada from Lazio, but the next step is replacing Olise, and bringing in a forward who can offer a similar level of output, which the Frenchman bought for the team.

Crystal Palace transfer news

According to reports from LondonWorld, Crystal Palace are in discussions to bring Marseille winger Ismaila Sarr to the club. This would be a return to the Premier League for Sarr, who previously played for Watford from 2019-2023 in the top flight, and the Championship.

Marseille are said to be willing to let Sarr leave the club for "the right price", as new manager Roberto De Zerbi looks to build his own squad in his image. Sarr is said to be keen on a return to the Premier League, as his agents and Palace look to find a solution.

That solution appears to be edging closer with personal terms agreed between club and player already according to the Athletic.

Sarr made 35 appearances in all competitions last campaign for Marseille, scoring five goals, providing six assists, and totaling 2,074 minutes.

Sarr vs Olise comparison

To compare the output of both, you need to look at Olise's numbers last season for Palace. The Frenchman made 19 appearances for Palace in 2023/24, all coming in the Premier League, scoring ten goals and providing six assists in 1,278 minutes.

In Glasner's system, Olise was often deployed as the right attacking midfielder, somewhat of a hybrid between a right-winger, and a number ten. This role, of course, has some different requirements than a touchline winger, and this could actually suit Sarr, and allow him to increase his output.

Now, whilst Olise excels in pretty much all metrics over Sarr, you are talking about an elite talent that has just signed for Bayern Munich. The likelihood of finding a player of that level that is ready-made is extremely unlikely.

Instead, you need to approach the transfer market differently, especially with a club like Crystal Palace who need to spread their funds and assess other areas too. Sarr offers a similar threat on the counter as Olise, being able to offer himself as an outlet receiver, winning fouls and dragging his team up the pitch.

Sarr is also extremely fast, offering that on the break, and can use that to his advantage when progressing the ball via his carrying, which is a more direct style than the coordinated style of Olise.

The 26-year-old also has good non-penalty xG numbers, which could be further exploited in that inside forward role under Glasner. Let's also keep in mind that while his output at Marseille wasn't huge, he did once contribute with 16 goals and assists for Watford in the 2022/23 season. That was form that subsequently saw Ben Foster label him as a "freak".

What Sarr doesn't offer to the level of Olise, is the creative passing and shot-creation for not only himself, but for others. However, as we said, this is where you need to find other ways to replace those metrics, and this has been done with the signing of Kamada.

Kamada brings an average of 5.44 progressive passes per 90 to the squad, and 1.25 key passes per 90, which gives Palace an extra creative boost, with the loss of Olise.

This move and having big boots to fill could bring the best out of Sarr, as Jean-Louis Gasset made the claim that "he will become a very big player" when talking about Sarr last season.

Crystal Palace could sign "electric" £25m ace who'd make Eze even better

The impressive winger could be a surprise signing for the Eagles.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 21, 2024

As their official Premier League return approaches, Ipswich Town are yet to complete their summer business, with reports now linking the Tractor Boys to a top six midfielder who is expected to leave his current club.

Ipswich transfer news

Those at Portman Road have already welcomed as many as six fresh faces, with the most impressive being a permanent deal for star man Omari Hutchinson from Chelsea.

Following the winger has been the addition of high potential players like Jacob Greaves and Liam Delap along with top flight experience to the tune of Arijanet Muric and Ben Johnson, with full back Conor Townsend rounding off the business so far.

Speaking for the first time since completing the move, Townsend told Ipswich's official website: “I’m delighted to be here. To play in the Premier League again is a big challenge for me and this kind of opportunity doesn’t come around very often so I jumped at the chance.

“The move came around quite quickly and I’m excited to get started. I have had good conversations with the Manager and everyone speaks very highly of him, so I’m looking forward to getting started and working under him. I played against Ipswich twice last season and both were very tough games. What the team was able to achieve last season was special, so I’m excited to be a part of it now.”

Ipswich could fix Hirst headache by signing “ridiculous” goal machine

Ipswich Town could well need more reinforcements up top.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 8, 2024

The former West Bromwich Albion man may not be the final new face through the door, either. According to Matt Law of The Telegraph, Ipswich are now eyeing a move to sign Oliver Skipp, who is expected to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer and has attracted interest from all three newly-promoted sides.

A player with plenty of Premier League experience these days, despite still being just 23 years old, Skipp would be some coup for the Tractor Boys before deadline day at the end of the month, though he may need to take a hit on his current £40k-a-week (over £2m per year) wages.

"Amazing" Skipp would be an intelligent signing

Skipp is not someone who will steal the headlines – his role simply isn't that of a marquee arrival. But what he will do is quietly work away in front of Kieran McKenna's backline to provide a platform for the likes of Hutchinson to thrive. What's more, outside of his role, the midfielder would bring invaluable experience from the top of English and European football, having made 77 Premier League appearances and 10 appearances across European competitions.

The 23-year-old has earned plenty of praise during his time at Spurs, including from former interim manager Cristian Stellini, who told BBC Sport after Skipp scored a sensational goal in a 2-0 win over Chelsea in 2023: “Brilliant moment [for Oliver Skipp] and one that we expected for one year because it has been one year he stayed far from the pitch. Last season with physical problems and this year for tactical decisions.

“He is ready because he has trained a lot and pushed himself. He is an amazing guy and great player. A player like Skippy has to understand that if he trains a lot he will have possibilities to show his value."

It’s been all change for Chelsea this summer, after a season in which they narrowly missed out on multiple trophies, but managed to qualify for a European competition once again.

However, it was not enough to keep Mauricio Pochettino in the job.

Following his sacking at the end of May, the Blues board turned their attention to finding a new manager to take them into the 2024/25 season, opting for Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca, who led the Foxes back to the top flight at the first attempt.

The Italian has wasted no time in immediately bolstering his new side, as he attempts to lead the club through the transitional period to try and return to the Premier League’s top four.

He’s already added centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo and central midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to his Blues squad, bringing the latter with him from Leicester City this summer.

Despite the recent additions, Maresca is still looking to improve his side, including the addition of one player who has previously impressed in the Premier League.

Chelsea make contact to sign £50m superstar

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Chelsea have held talks with Barcelona’s Brazilian winger Raphinha over a move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

The 27-year-old has constantly been linked with a move back to the Premier League after his stint with Leeds United, but could finally be set for a return to England during the off-season.

He’s found game time hard to come by after the emergence of 17-year-old star Lamine Yamal, who won the Young Player of the Tournament at the recent European Championships.

Raphinha managed 37 appearances in all competitions last season, but is keen on a return to the Premier League, with the Spanish giants demanding a fee in the region of £50m for his services this summer.

His potential arrival in west London could see a slight change in position for Cole Palmer, but, it may allow the England international to reach the next level.

Why Raphinha’s arrival could allow Maresca to relocate Palmer

22-year-old Palmer enjoyed his best campaign to date in 2023/24, contributing with 33 goals and assists, the most of any player in the Premier League.

He enjoyed arguably his best game playing in the number 10 role behind the striker, scoring four goals against Everton in the Blues’ 6-0 victory at Stamford Bridge back in April.

However, he’s spent most of the 2023/24 campaign featuring on the right-hand side, yet Raphinha’s potential arrival could allow for a switch in role for the England international – with the Barca man typically operating on that flank.

When comparing the pair on FBref, Raphinha who’s previously been dubbed a “phenomenon” by Tottenham full-back Emerson Royal, has produced some impressive stats, some of which are much higher than even Palmer could muster.

Whilst he produced fewer combined goals and assists last season, the Brazilian managed more shots per 90 alongside a higher tally of shot-creating actions than Palmer.

Games

28

34

Goals + assists

15

33

Shots per 90

3.8

3.4

Shot-creating actions per 90

5.9

5.6

Take-on success

52%

50%

Aerials won

64%

20%

Raphinha also averaged a higher take-on success rate, winning more aerial duels, potentially adding a different option for Maresca’s side in the final third, boosting their chances of returning to the Champions League places.

Whilst the Blues may face competition from multiple other Premier League sides, it would be a huge addition and a statement signing for Maresca.

The club may have been focusing on recruiting youngsters for the future in recent months, but if they are to have an immediate impact and return to the top end of the Premier League, they must also consider additions such as Raphinha who will make an immediate impact at Stamford Bridge.

Forget Nico Williams: Chelsea targeting "unstoppable" £17m alternative

He’s been attracting interest from numerous Premier League sides this summer.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 19, 2024

Luke Wright has signed a new three-year white-ball contract with Sussex, and will remain with the club until the end of 2023.Sussex’s white-ball captain has already spent 16 years at Hove, but reconfirmed his value to the club this summer, finishing as their leading run-scorer in the Vitality Blast, and the third-highest scorer in the entire competition, as Sussex reached the quarter-finals for the third time in as many years.”I’m very happy to have signed an extension to my contract,” Wright said. “I believe I have a very important role at the club both as a player and in helping the next generation of players come through.”2020 has been a very challenging year for the club, and I sincerely hope to help get Sussex back to competing in all forms. This club is very special to me and my family.”Wright’s tally of 411 runs during the 2020 Blast was only bettered by Kent’s Daniel Bell-Drummond and Stevie Eskinazi of Middlesex, and his best performances came home and away against south-coast rivals, Hampshire.He has scored a total of 7,998 runs in the Blast for Sussex, and a further 5,126 in List A cricket. He also played 101 times for England across ODI and T20 cricket, including a key role in the World T20 triumph in the Caribbean in 2010.His highest England score was 99 not out against Afghanistan at the 2012 World T20 in Sri Lanka.Performance director, Keith Greenfield said: “It’s great that Luke has committed himself long term to Sussex Cricket.”Luke is an outstanding batsman in one-day cricket and his experience and skill means he continues to go from strength to strength as a player.”He is a valuable and important person within our club and his leadership to turn us into a winning team will be essential in the coming months and years.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Enquanto negocia com Rafael e tenta amortizar a situação financeira para concluir a negociação, o Botafogo apresentou outro lateral: Carlinhos, que atua pelo lado esquerdo da defesa, foi apresentado nesta quinta-feira, no Estádio Nilton Santos.

+ Ofensividade, confiança de Enderson e experiência: conheça Carlinhos, novo jogador do Botafogo

– Satisfação muito grande de estar vestindo essa camisa. Trabalhei duas vezes com o Enderson, uma no América-MG e outra no Fortaleza, é uma satisfação muito grande. Minha característica é mais ofensivo, mas nesse último ano tenho ficado mais focado ali atrás – afirmou.

Disposição e entrega: essas são duas das palavras não saem do dicionário de Carlinhos. O jogador garantiu que chega para contribuir da maneira que puder com o Alvinegro.

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– Mais um grande time na minha carreira, estou muito grato vestindo essa camisa e vou honrar demais. Todos os clubes que eu passei foram assim, então pode ter certeza que eu vou correr e me dedicar muito para conseguir os objetivos. Nosso primeiro objetivo é subir para a Série A, vai ser a entrega e determinação para lutar com meus companheiros – colocou.

O Botafogo foi atrás de um lateral-esquerdo após a lesão de Hugo, que vai perder a Série B do Brasileirão por conta de uma lesão na clavícula. Na posição, Carlinhos vai disputar com Guilherme Santos e Jonathan Silva, atual titular.

–É um desafio na minha carreira. Vim aqui para ajudar, a concorrência dentro de campo vai ser bem suave. Não vim para tirar o espaço de ninguém, vou dar meu máximo, trabalhar e ajudar meus companheiros. O mais importante é todo mundo se ajudar. Vai ser uma disputa sadia, tenho certeza. Nos clubes onde passei foi assim, então aqui não vai ser diferente – analisou.

MAIS DECLARAÇÕES DE CARLINHOS:

Conversa com Marcelo Benevenuto no Fortaleza
– Marcelo é um grande ser humano. Quando ele chegou lá foi bem recebido por todos nós. A gente conversou sim, ele passou informação daqui, falou que a gente iria se dar bem aqui porque o clube é gigante. Disse que seríamos bem recebidos, é um cara que mora nosso coração. Foi muito boa a conversa que tivemos antes de sair, só agradecer o Marcelo e o Botafogo.

Dobradinha na lateral-esquerda
– Professor Enderson tem uma leitura de jogo muito importante, já entendi a forma como ele joga. Ele faz a linha de três com o lateral, mas às vezes inverte com o lateral-esquerdo. Se tiver a dobra ali não tem problema nenhum jogar na linha de frente ou de trás. O mais importante são as vitórias.

Desafio
– Botafogo é time grande independente da série que está disputando. A camisa do Botafogo tem um peso e chegamos confiantes para esse desafio. A gente chegou em um ambiente muito bom e viemos para ajudar. Tenho certeza que no final da Série B teremos o nosso objetivo alcançado.

Former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain forward Jese Rodriguez has made the latest move in his journeyman career as he heads to Malaysia.

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• Jese signs for Johor Darul
• Former Real Madrid and PSG star at another club
• Was most recently playing in Brazil

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Jese has struggled to find a permanent home after leaving Los Blancos and had been on the club hunt again after a short spell in Brazil with Coritiba. The Spaniard had been training without a club since January but has now signed for Malaysian side Johor Darul in an attempt to return to match fitness.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Once tipped for stardom, injuries did not help Jese, who struggled to assert himself as a regular starter at Real Madrid behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale. Paris Saint-Germain took a chance on the forward in 2016 and paid €25 million (£21m/$27.5m) for his services. However, Jese was out of favour under Unai Emery in the French capital, struggling for minutes and making just 12 appearances for the club. A series of loan spells and subsequent club hopping has now led him to Malaysia.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Johor Darul have become the 10th club of Jese's career. Despite the forward only being 31 years old, Jese has played for Real Madrid, PSG, Las Palmas (twice), Stoke City, Real Betis, Sporting CP, Ankaragucu, Sampdoria and Coritiba. Only at Madrid and Las Palmas has Jese made more than 20 competitive appearances for the club.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JESE?

  Jese will join Johor Darul and link up with a number of Spanish-born players already at the club. Oscar Arribas, Natxo Insa, Juan Muniz and Jordi Amat – now captain of the Indonesian national team – will welcome their compatriot to Malaysia.

The brilliant Brazilian has voiced his frustrations at not being nominated for the 2024 award, but he needs to elevate himself to be recognised

Rodrygo was angry – albeit in a way that famous people express their frustration these days, by posting a cryptic series of messages to his Instagram story. The Brazilian hadn't been named to the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 men's Ballon d'Or, and he subsequently told that he was "upset" by his omission.

His comments, in truth, have been somewhat been blown out of proportion. Rodrygo wasn't pedantic, he wasn't stroppy, and he didn't call out anyone else who made it over him, even if he might have been justifed in doing so. Rather, he merely acknowledged what is probably true: he is one of the 30 best footballers in the world.

But it is one thing to have the talent, or even statistics, to crack the list of nominees, and another to have the kind of gravitas to make it over others. The kids these days probably call it 'aura', but the Brazilian, for all of his brilliance, has never quite done enough to carry the kind of star power that is admittedly befitting of his immense quality as a footballer.

Rodrygo is, in many ways, a victim of his own versatility, a footballer so good at doing a bit of everything in the final third while featuring in the same side as so many other good players means that his outright talent often goes overlooked. So, too, does his lack of a signature moment, and until he does something that proves he is great, that Ballon d'Or acknowledgment he covets might remain elusive.

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Part of the problem here comes from the misconception as to what, exactly, a player needs to do to win the most coveted individual prize in the sport. Rules changed after the 2021-22 season, but, broadly, players are nominated – and then voted on – via a series of factors. More than anything, judges are encouraged to consider individual performance over the course of a season. Next comes team success – the two being, in theory, intrinsically related.

In the past, a player's overall career was asked to be taken into consideration by those who cast their ballots. That would explain, for example, why Cristiano Ronaldo was among the 30 nominees in the 2021-22 season, despite scoring just 18 Premier League goals for a fairly miserable Manchester United side. That has since been scrapped, though. Now, it is, in theory, all about the previous season.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe raw numbers

For Rodrygo, that makes things reasonably difficult. The eye test would certainly suggest that he is deserving of a spot among the 30, but most judges, quite reasonably, are unable to watch the top 30 week in, week out. Numbers are perhaps unfair, but they are the most accurate measuring stick of performance.

His attacking output was agreeable without being spellbinding. His return – 10 goals and five assists La Liga, five and two in the Champions League – doesn't necessarily jump off the page. He finished tied for 16th in goals scored in the Spanish top flight, and stuck on 30th in assists. Six Madrid players had more assists, while three found the net with more regularity. Joselu, 34, lumbering, and formerly of Stoke City, matched his goal total.

Sure, that is nothing to be scoffed at. But the data suggests that this is a player who is neither prolific nor particularly creative.

Getty Best position?

And then, there is Rodrygo the footballer. The main issue is that so many of Madrid's key actors over the last 12 months had clearly defined positions. Jude Bellingham was brilliant as an attacking midfielderwhie Vinicius Jr will likely win the Ballon d'Or for his performances as a left-winger-turned-inside forward.

Rodrygo, for his part, doesn't really have a clearly defined role – or even a best position. This issue has been floating around for a few years now, and if he is to be taken at his word, Rodrygo is best used an attacking midfielder of sorts.

"With the 4-2-3-1, behind [Karim Benzema] is the position that I like the most and everyone knows this. I always talk about it with the coach. Of course, I can play in all positions, but that's where it's where I feel more comfortable when it comes to playing," he told GOAL in 2023.

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AFPNot the headline-maker

A glance over the existing Ballon d'Or nominees shows a list laden with Madrid's talent. The obvious ones are there: Vinicius, Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe. So too are the purists' picks: Toni Kroos, Antonio Rudiger, Fede Valverde. Dani Carvajal also makes the cut, likely on the back of his trophy cabinet from a year that also included him winning Euro 2024 with Spain.

Rodrygo can certainly have no complaints to see Bellingham, Mbappe and Vinicius on the list ahead of him. Given Kroos' overall impact on the season – and the sentimentality that has certainly crept into the decision-making since his retirement – it's hard to argue against him, either.

And therein lies the other issue. Rodrygo isn't the best player on this Madrid team. He isn't the second, third-best, either. He may be an excellent footballer, but he is probably the fifth-best on his own team, and doesn't have the national team success that comfortably propels him further up the list in the eyes of voters.

World Cup winner Emi Martinez has dusted off his trophy celebration when helping Argentina to parade their latest Copa America crown.

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• Routine started at 2021 Copa America
• Continued after Qatar 2022 triumph
• Team-mates still seeing the funny side

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Aston Villa goalkeeper has become famed for his somewhat bizarre antics on and off the pitch, with a reputation being earned as one of the best players of mind games in world football. As a result, Martinez has become something of a penalty-saving king.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  His exploits when facing nervous opponents in a battle of wills from 12 yards out have allowed Argentina to savour back-to-back Copa America triumphs and a World Cup win at Qatar 2022. At the first of those events, in 2021, Martinez picked up the coveted Golden Glove prize.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  He celebrated said triumph by sticking his award against his crotch – with that routine quickly becoming his party piece. He caused a storm when collecting another top keeper award in the Middle East, before seeing the families of team-mates emulate his efforts with the World Cup trophy.

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  WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

  Villa boss Unai Emery said he would “speak to” Martinez about his celebrations, but the 32-year-old sees no harm in his actions. He said in the wake of capturing a global title in Qatar: “The gesture I made with the best goalkeeper trophy was a joke with my team-mates. I had already done it at the Copa America, and they all said to me, ‘No way’ to do it again. Even Leo [Messi] told me that. I did it for them, nothing more. It lasted a second and that was it.”

Sam Curran is self-isolating in his room at the Ageas Bowl after feeling sick on Wednesday night.Curran made an unbeaten 15 on the first evening of England’s intra-squad warm-up match, but took no part in the game after suffering from “sickness and diarrhoea overnight”, according to an ECB statement.The statement added that Curran was feeling better on Thursday afternoon, but confirmed that he would play no further part in the ongoing warm-up match. He has been monitored by the team doctor, Mark Wotherspoon, who was wearing full PPE during the assessment, and was tested for Covid-19 during the lunch interval.The news will come as a concern for England so close to the first Test. There is no suggestion, at this stage, that Curran has come into contact with the virus, especially within the bio-secure arrangements at the Ageas Bowl, which make it one of the most low-risk environments in the country.However, his illness will undoubtedly be a source of frustration given that he has been unable to bowl in this warm-up match after going so long without competitive cricket. Indeed, it is now difficult to see how will play next week, not least with so many other seamers in contention.The results of Curran’s Covid-19 test are expected back on Friday, although the protocols in the event of a positive result are not at this stage being divulged by the ECB. However, he would be likely to go into a seven-day self-isolation – it is unclear whether that would take place within the team bubble or at home – and Public Health England would also be notified.The remainder of the England players and management are due to be tested again for Covid on Sunday. At this stage, that testing date is unlikely to be brought forward. An ECB spokesperson confirmed that the West Indies camp and other stakeholders within the team environment had been notified.Amar Virdi, the offspinner, was a late addition to Team Buttler – although he was officially replacing Jofra Archer, who experienced soreness from new bowling boots – having initially missed out on the squad. He came on to bowl shortly before the close on the second day and took the final wicket to fall.The ECB is expected to issue a formal update on Olly Stone’s availability on Friday. Stone has played no part in the warm-up match due to a niggle in his left hamstring.