England player-turned commentator honoured in Queen’s Birthday Honours list

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jun-2021

England cricketer-turned commentator Ebony Rainford-Brent has become an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to cricket and charity.Rainford-Brent was recognised for her work with the African Caribbean Engagement (ACE) Programme. The organisation was founded in January 2020 to engage young people from African and Caribbean heritage in cricket following a decline in the number of Black British professional players.She also spoke powerfully of her own experiences of racism alongside Michael Holding in a programme aired during Sky Sports’ coverage of the first day of the first Test between England and West Indies last summer.”You never imagine the day you hit your first ball that you’ll get this sort of recognition,” Rainford-Brent told Sky Sports, with whom she is commentating on the ongoing second Test between England and New Zealand at Edgbaston.”It’s been an incredible year. Everything from working on the ACE Programme, my broadcasting career and the feature with Michael Holding, which shows the direction of travel. I’m really honoured and hope to continue to use my platform for good.”Rainford-Brent said she turned off her social media in anticipation of a backlash against the video on racism in cricket and society with Holding. But she described the positive response to the piece as “mind-blowing”.”It showed me that the world is ready to talk about these sorts of issues,” she told Sky.In addition to her commentary work for Sky and the BBC, Rainford-Brent is chair of the ACE Programme set up by her club, Surrey. The initiative has been awarded a £540,000 grant from Sport England and has expanded to work with communities in London, Birmingham and Bristol. She is also a trustee of the Chance To Shine charity.Rainford-Brent, 37, played 22 ODIs and seven T20Is between 2001 and 2010. She was part of the England side that retained the Ashes and won the World Cup and World T20 in 2008-09.Also recognised was Ian Nairn, former captain of the England Physical Disability team, who was awarded an MBE. Nairn led his team to their first ever global Physical Disability Cricket tournament in Bangladesh in 2015; they reached the final of the Physical Disability World Series in Worcester in 2019 in his last series in charge.Chris Edwards, England Learning Disability captain, and William Craig both received a British Empire Medal.ECB chief executive officer, Tom Harrison, said: “Cricket has an incredible power to connect communities and improve lives, and all of those honoured today have embodied that work throughout their careers.”Ebony is an inspiration who has broken down barriers throughout her career and inspired countless people to get involved in cricket. We’re proud to be supporting the ACE Programme she helped to establish, which is doing such important work in giving opportunities to young Black cricketers.”Ian and Chris are both outstanding role-models. They have represented their country on the highest stage to great effect and they deserve to be recognised on a national scale for their outstanding service.”We’re proud of all those involved in cricket who have been honoured today, and on behalf of the whole game I’d like to say a huge thank you – and congratulations.”

With Joachim Andersen seemingly on his way to Fulham, Crystal Palace have reportedly turned their attention towards a late replacement, even submitting an opening offer.

Crystal Palace transfer news

After losing Michael Olise to Bayern Munich earlier this summer, it looked as though Palace were on course to keep hold of the rest of their stars, but late rumours could yet leave Oliver Glasner scrambling for options. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Fulham have reached an agreement to sign Andersen in a deal worth £30m which will see the defender return to Craven Cottage four years on from leaving.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United are still chasing Marc Guehi's signature, with their most recent offer reportedly reaching the £65m mark, only to be rejected by those at Selhurst Park. In the final days of the window, there's every chance that Palace could lose their starting centre-back partnership, which has resulted in chairman Steve Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman turning their attention to additions.

According to TEAMtalk, Crystal Palace have tabled an opening offer to sign Tomas Araujo, but have already seen their bid rejected by Benfica for the 22-year-old centre-back. Araujo is reportedly a top target for the Eagles, but it remains to be seen just how much their first offer was and whether they go back to negotiations with a second bid.

Concrete option: Crystal Palace working on deal to help replace Olise

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ByConnor Holden Aug 22, 2024

Palace may soon have the money spare to sign such talents if both Andersen and Guehi depart this summer. With just over a week until the summer transfer window slams shut, however, any business will need to accelerate quickly in the coming days.

"Great" Araujo is ready for Premier League move

Whilst his ability to start for a side in Europe's top six leagues could have been questioned last season as he struggled to become a starter for Benfica, the same questions cannot be asked of Araujo this time around.

The 22-year-old has started both of Benfica's opening two games in Liga Portugal, with one shock defeat against Famalicao and one comfortable victory over Casa Pia in that time. It's a rise that Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig saw on the cards, having praised Araujo in his loan spell at Gil Vincente in the 2022/23 campaign, describing the defender's spell there as "great".

Potentially left with a decision to make in the final days of the summer window, Araujo could quickly emerge to become an ideal replacement for Andersen who could realise his potential in the Premier League.

MatériaMais Notícias

Vice-campeão da Sul-Americana, o Red Bull Bragantino junta os cacos e tenta se recuperar de qualquer maneira para fechar o ano de uma forma mais honrosa.

+ Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada

Apesar da chateação pelo vice-continental, o entendimento no clube é que o Massa Bruta precisa manter a ‘pegada’ nos bastidores e reforçar o elenco.

Na avaliação de Thiago Scuro, o plano traçado desde 2019 tem que ser mantido e ele abriu o jogo sobre as contratações.

‘Independente do resultado desportivo, esse é um processo contínuo. Desde lá de trás, desde 2019, venho falando isso de, pelo menos, três anos na Série A para qualificar o clube em todos os níveis. A temporada de 2022 é o terceiro ano deste primeiro ciclo que desenhamos. É um processo natural, de ir qualificando o elenco em posições que, por alguma razão nós ainda detectamos que ainda não está no nível que precisa. Então, com certeza, a expectativa é que a gente possa dar outros passos na construção deste grupo de jogadores’, afirmou Scuro em entrevista à Rádio 102 FM.

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Newcastle United have thrived since the PIF takeover of 2021, with the transfer business under Eddie Howe more or less on the money.

Indeed, the Magpies have got bang for their buck, with Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Sven Botman (injuries aside), all worth significantly more than they were paid for and playing instrumental roles in qualifying for the Champions League or performing within it.

Injuries did dominate throughout the 2023/24 season, pulling Newcastle away from European qualification, but there was one man who exceeded expectations above all others. Gordon thrived.

Anthony Gordon's 2023/24 season

Gordon was crowned Newcastle's Player of the Season last year after an exceptional campaign, posting 12 goals and 11 assists across all competitions and being hailed for his "unbelievable" performances by teammate Guimaraes.

He'd struggled to settle after signing from Everton for £45m in January 2023 but has since gone from strength to strength and earned attention from Liverpool during the off-season, with a deal worth £75m almost being completed before United found alternative means to combat their PSR problem.

Newcastle will be delighted that he still sits on the books, having scored during his side's draw against Bournemouth in August, averaging 2.7 key passes and 5.3 successful duels per game (Sofascore) and entering a regular role for England's national set-up.

Premier League 23/24: Anthony Gordon

Stats (*per game)

#

Matches (starts)

35 (34)

Goals

11

Assists

10

Touches

44.9

Shots (on target)*

2.3 (0.9)

Big chances created

16

Pass completion

82%

Key passes*

1.6

Tackles + interceptions*

1.8

Ball recoveries*

3.6

Dribbles*

1.5

Total duels won*

5.3

Stats via Sofascore

With 13 goals since the start of last season, Gordon is starting to look like quite the prolific presence. Although, there's actually a former Newcastle star sold after Gordon moved to Tyneside who has outscored him since – and in the Premier League too.

The player who's outscored Gordon since leaving

Indeed, Chris Wood flattered to deceive in black and white, but he's enjoyed a renaissance since signing for Nottingham Forest last year.

Wood joined Newcastle from Burnley for a £25m fee in January 2022, having been a steady goalscoring presence in the Premier League under Sean Dyche.

The hulking centre-forward was one of the torch-bearers at the start of the present era and arrived having hit double digits across each of his four full top-flight campaigns with the Clarets, but he fell by the wayside with Newcastle, scoring five goals over 39 total outings.

He was remarked to have looked "a bit lost" during his stay by pundit Tam McManus, scoring only twice across 18 Premier League games across the remainder of the term, also earning quite the pretty penny at £80k per week.

He's loving life at the City Ground. After starting slow due to an injury, Wood served as the attacking centrepiece last year, firing 14 goals home across 31 Premier League fixtures – including a hat-trick at St. James' Park that condemned Newcastle to a bitter winter defeat.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

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The 32-year-old has also opened his account for the current campaign with two goals across three matches, crucial in starting the year off unbeaten. This means that he has scored 18 times since moving to Nottingham in January 2023, surpassing Gordon's 14 goals since joining the Toon at the same time.

Wood currently ranks among the top 7% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals scored per 90 (0.67), as per FBref, so he's certainly enjoyed a resurgence.

Would he have hit such a vein of form under Howe? It's hard to tell, but Newcastle recouped £15m for his services and have elite strikers in Isak and Wilson. There aren't too many regrets.

Still, he's outscoring Gordon, which emphasises the kind of prolificness that United might have had…

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Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Sep 12, 2024

Chelsea star Cole Palmer is trying to trademark his iconic celebration – but he might not be able to stop other players copying it.

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Palmer trying to trademark iconic celebrationMight not be able to stop others from mimicking himChelsea take on Everton on SundayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The England international might not be able to stop other players from copying the celebration on a football pitch, but he can protect it from being used in the commercial sphere outside of the ground through his attempts to trademark the shivering move.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Palmer performed the celebration for the first time in December 2023 in Chelsea's 3-2 win at Luton Town in the Premier League. He reportedly got the idea from former Manchester City academy team-mate Morgan Rogers, who performed it after scoring for Middlesbrough. Indeed, Rogers performed the celebration after scoring for Aston Villa in their 2-1 win against Manchester City on Saturday.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

Speaking on talkSPORT, intellectual property, data and contract lawyer Ben Milloy said: "We're probably used to sports stars protecting their names and their logos and that kind of thing. But it is possible to protect what's called a non-traditional trademark. And that's what Cole Palmer has done. He's sought to protect a gesture or a technical emotion mark.

"But instead of filing a name or a logo, he's uploaded a short video of him performing the shiver celebration. And he has sought to protect it for a range of goods and services. And they are the typical merchandise that you'd expect. But as you say, it is quite wide-ranging. You've actually got baking powder in there as one of them. And underwater vehicles. So it's an indication of what Cole Palmer might have in store."

He added: "I mean, I don't really see it as a complication. I had to think about this. I suppose it's possible because we're just talking about intellectual property rights and there are various intellectual property rights and they all have quite a sort of confined scope.

"So I suppose it's possible for Morgan Rogers to say that he has some kind of copyright. If he treats his goal celebration as a form of performance art as a sort of dramatic work then it may qualify for copyright protection. And that might give him some theoretical claim. But it seems there would be lots and lots of hurdles and it seems basically it would not be successful."

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DID YOU KNOW?

When asked if Palmer can stop other players from mimicking the celebration on the pitch, Milloy added: "What we're focused on really is Cole Palmer being able to stop people from using it off the football pitch in the commercial sphere, as it were.

"So he wouldn't be able to stop another player on the football pitch from mimicking the celebration or paying homage to it, whatever because that's not in the commercial sphere. So trademarks are designed to protect their kind of outside interests, their merchandising, their licensing deals and that kind of thing."

حقق لاعب منتخب مصر في لعبة سلاح الشيش، عبد الرحمن طلبة، الميدالية البرونزية في بطولة الجائزة الكبرى المقامة في إيطاليا.

وأقيمت البطولة خلال الفترة ما بين 7 وحتى 9 فبراير الجاري، قدم عبد الرحمن طلبة أداءً قويًا خلال مشواره بالبطولة.

وخسر عبد الرحمن طلبة في دور نصف النهائي أمام بطل التشيك اليكساندر تشوبينتش بنتيجة 15-6، ليكتفي بالمركز الثالث والميدالية البرونزية.

وكان عبد الرحمن طلبة قد افتتح مشواره بالبطولة بتحقيق العلامة الكاملة في دور المجموعات بالأمس، حيث فاز في 6 مباريات من أصل 6 لقاءات على أبطال أستراليا، هونج كونج، إسبانيا، تركيا، المكسيك والمانيا.

وفي الأدوار الإقصائية، واصل طلبة تألقه، حيث تغلب في دور الـ64 الرئيسي على بطل إيطاليا فرانسيسكو إيجارجيولا بنتيجة 15-11، ثم تجاوز دور الـ32 بالفوز على بطل هونج كونج شون ين ريان بنتيجة 15-12، قبل أن يحقق مفاجأة قوية في دور الـ16 بإقصاء المصنف الأول عالميًا، كا لونج شيونج لاعب هونج كونج، والحاصل على ذهبيتي أولمبياد طوكيو 2021 وباريس 2024، بنتيجة 15-12.

طالع | “المصنف الأول عالميًا”.. عبد الرحمن طلبة يحصد ذهبية كأس العالم لسلاح الشيش

وفي دور ربع النهائي، واصل طلبة مشواره المميز وتغلب على بطل إيطاليا ديفيد فيليبي بنتيجة 15-12، ليحجز مقعده في نصف النهائي، لكنه لم ينجح في العبور إلى النهائي بعد الخسارة أمام بطل التشيك.

وتعد هذه الميدالية إنجازًا جديدًا لطلبة، الذي يواصل تألقه بعد فوزه مؤخرًا بالميدالية الذهبية في بطولة كأس العالم للناشئين التي أُقيمت في كرواتيا.

Nottingham Forest are believed to be plotting a move for a “fearless” attacking player who has shone at the City Ground in the past, according to a fresh transfer rumour.

Nottingham Forest impressing under Nuno

Optimism wasn’t necessarily too high at Forest heading into the new Premier League season, but supporters will be enjoying what they are seeing currently, certainly in terms of results.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side sit eighth in the table after five matches, not losing in that time and picking up a famous 1-0 win away to Liverpool earlier this month. Last Sunday, they also battled their way to an impressive 2-2 draw at Brighton, proving to be a hard team to get the better of.

That’s not to say that new signings aren’t still being looked at, however, with Galatasaray forward Baris Yilmaz one player who has been linked with a move to the City Ground once the January transfer window arrives. Tottenham are also among the clubs interested, though, so it won’t be easy for the Reds to get their man.

Meanwhile, free agent Oumar Solet has also emerged as a potential immediate addition for Forest, having been without a club since leaving RB Salzburg last Saturday when his contract was terminated. Another player has now also been backed to seal a switch to the Midlands club, as they look to strengthen Nuno’s squad.

Nottingham Forest eyeing "fearless" EFL ace

According to a new report from Football Insider, Nottingham Forest are keen on completing the signing of Burnley winger Luca Koleosho.

The Reds are said to be “stepping up their interest” in the 20-year-old, with fellow Premier League sides Brighton and Wolves also “monitoring” him. All three clubs have watched him in action this season, seeing him as a player who can add depth in attacking areas.

Koleosho is a player who should be known to Forest supporters, considering he starred at the City Ground last season, providing an impressive assist for Zeki Amdouni last season when Burnley drew 1-1 against the Reds, with the forward dominating Gonzalo Montiel who had to be replaced.

The 20-year-old already has two goals to his name in the Championship this season, while former Clarets manager Vincent Kompany had this to say about him last November:

“He’s just a fearless player, it doesn’t really matter who he’s up against. He was up against a top full-back against Arsenal but he’s done it in every single game, because in every game he’s managed to create and make something happen. Against Arsenal it was also a better performance defensively for him because that’s something he can put in the memory bank and draw back on. He’s a player that is eager to show his talents in this league and he’s showing good signs.”

Depth is so vital in the modern game, so Koleosho could be an ideal long-term addition for Forest.

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He could represent both the present and the future, having the potential to grow into a formidable winger who can light up the City Ground for many years to come.

After a quiet summer transfer window, Liverpool have already turned their attention towards 2025 and potentially signing one particular winger who their scouts have reportedly just watched in the Champions League.

Liverpool transfer news

Now that Arne Slot has a better understanding of his new side – an understanding that will only grow with time – it should be far easier to identify transfer targets throughout his tenure.

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As Slot was finding his feet at Anfield in the summer, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes seemed to be focusing on only landing opportunities they felt they couldn’t turn down rather than running the risk of signing a square peg for a round hole. This, of course, saw both Federico Chiesa and Giorgi Mamardashvili arrive with the latter instantly sent back on loan to Valencia as Alisson’s future heir.

Chiesa, meanwhile, made his Liverpool debut in the rather fitting San Siro as he made a swift return to Italy off the bench in the Reds’ 3-1 victory. Now, his Anfield debut is likely to be on the horizon with Liverpool playing host to Bournemouth this weekend. But as he continues to settle in, recent rumours suggest that those in Merseyside have their eye on further competition down the right-hand side.

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool took their first steps in their chase to sign Viktor Tsygankov from Girona by sending officials to watch the winger in Girona’s last-gasp defeat against Paris Sant-Germain in the Champions League.

Whether the Reds’ scouts were impressed by what they saw remains to be seen, but Slot is reportedly a fan of Tsygankov who is open to a Premier League switch amid interest from both Liverpool and Aston Villa. Now 26 years old and in his prime, it may well be now or never for the winger to complete such a move.

"Dangerous" Tsygankov is similar to Chiesa

It’s worth remembering that, as things stand, Mohamed Salah is set to leave Liverpool as a free agent at the end of the season to hand the Reds the impossible task of replacing one of the best wingers that the Premier League has ever seen.

Whilst Chiesa’s arrival will help ease that potential blow, Liverpool’s tactic may simply be to reinforce the right-hand side and spread the responsibility of replacing the Egyptian’s goals around their side. Tsygankov, is a “dangerous creator”, as described by analyst Ben Mattinson, who thrives in one-on-one situations in two similar traits to Chiesa.

With eight goals and seven assists to his name as Girona shocked Spanish football to qualify for the Champions League last season, meanwhile, it’s clear that Tsygankov is not a player who would win Premier League Golden Boots, but perhaps one who would unlock the likes of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, whilst failing to disrupt Liverpool’s wage bill at £23k-a-week.

One more Arsenal star could miss their trip to Atalanta in the Champions League alongside Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Odegaard, with all three seen as potential injury doubts for Thursday’s clash.

Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal as Arteta seals North London Derby win

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta took all the north London bragging rights on Sunday, as his side battled with a weakened team to overcome Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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Star defender Gabriel Magalhaes scored the only goal of the game on 64 minutes with his header from a corner, taking advantage of Tottenham’s set piece weakness right now to guide the ball past Guglielmo Vicario from close range.

Spurs had the majority of the possession and threatened more times on their home turf, but Arteta’s men did well to shut up shop and come away with all three points in what was an encouraging defensive display.

Date

Result

15th Sept 2024

1-0 Arsenal win

28th April 2024

3-2 Arsenal win

24th Sept 2023

2-2 draw

15th Jan 2023

2-0 Arsenal win

1st Oct 2022

3-1 Arsenal win

12th May 2022

3-0 Spurs win

26th Sept 2021

3-1 Arsenal defeat

Arsenal came into the game without Odegaard, Calafiori, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino, who were all absent for the encounter, though the Premier League title hopefuls still found a way past Ange Postecoglou’s hosts to nick all three points and get back to winning ways.

Arsenal are now unbeaten in their last five derbies, and have won their last three away at Tottenham – which is the Gunners’ best run in the fixture for 35 years.

“I’m super happy, obviously,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Spurs.

“We know what it means to our club, to our people to win a London derby, and we have the power to try to make them very happy. So hopefully we have achieved that and that makes it very special. On the performance we had moments in the game, some really good ones, some others that we have to suffer. We suffered because we have to adapt a little bit the plan because of the players that we had available.

“I loved it because since the day that we started to get by, the team got hungrier and hungrier to play the game and that’s a big compliment to everybody at the club to behave in a certain way.”

With their looming trips to Atalanta and fierce rivals Man City, supporters will be hoping the likes of Calafiori and Odegaard can make a return, with an update now coming out of London Colney.

Oleksandr Zinchenko a doubt for Arsenal vs Atalanta

As per Standard Sport, left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, who also missed their North London Derby win at Tottenham with a calf injury, has question marks over his availability on Thursday – alongside both Odegaard and Calafiori.

It apparently remains to be seen whether the £150,000-per-week defender can play against Atalanta, with Zinchenko an injury doubt for Arsenal as a result.

Club captain Odegaard and summer signing Calafiori are fitness concerns alongside the Ukraine international, but some good news for Arteta is that Arsenal are confident Bukayo Saka will return for Atalanta, after the Englishman was forced off during their victory over Spurs.

“I think everyone knows there is a big gulf in the teams. But we do have match-winners,” he says about facing South Africa

Matt Roller09-Jul-2021

Andy Balbirnie has said there will be “no excuses” if his Ireland team fail to qualify for the 2023 World Cup, after a slow start to the Super League campaign which will determine whether or not they have to play in a separate qualifying tournament.India qualify for the tournament automatically as hosts, and seven other highest-ranked teams in the Super League will join them, but the bottom five teams will be required to take part in a qualifying event, with only the top two reaching the 10-team World Cup.Related

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Ireland pulled off an upset by beating England in their third Super League game last summer, but have struggled for consistency since then, losing 3-0 to Afghanistan in the UAE and 2-1 against Netherlands last month, putting a major dent in their chances of automatic qualification.”It gives us two chances to qualify for a World Cup,” Balbirnie said, two days before the start of a three-match Super League series against South Africa. “If you don’t qualify, you’ve got no excuses. I understand it’s a bit tricky for the teams who float in and around the No. 6, 7, 8 mark in the rankings, but you’ve got to give everyone a fair opportunity.”That’s what we were crying out for when they reduced the World Cup [to 10 teams] – we wanted a good opportunity to qualify for it. We’ve got that now, and that’s what we’re really trying to do, one way or another. If it’s through the Super League, great. If it’s not, we’ll go wherever the qualifying tournament is held and try and get through there. If we don’t at the end of it, well, we only have ourselves to blame.”Their five defeats this year mean that Ireland face an uphill battle to qualify, not least having lost their most recent series 2-1 against the only associate member in the competition, the Netherlands. While Ireland were not happy with the quality of pitches provided in Utrecht – “pretty poor” was Balbirnie’s description – their failure to provide enough support to Paul Stirling, the leading run-scorer in ODI cricket worldwide this year, cost them.”I don’t think we adapted as quickly as we should have,” Balbirnie said. “A few days after, having to do our quarantine [meant] a lot of time to reflect. What we can take forward is that we now have an opportunity to play one of the top teams in the world on our home soil. That’s the beauty of this league – you get an opportunity to rectify the mistakes made in the previous [series].”A lot of people on the outside will look at this and say there’s only one team winning this series, and that’s fair enough because it’s a really impressive South Africa side. I don’t have to keep harping on about how good a team they are – I think everyone knows there is a big gulf in the teams.”But we do have match-winners in our team. We showed that last year when we played England. We maybe haven’t got the results we’d want recently, but whenever we’re put in front of a really tough challenge, we tend to come out with something. The guys are going to go out and express themselves and hopefully can come out with a good result.”I’m not going to sit here and say we’re going to win the series willy-nilly – we’re going to have to play really good cricket and potentially catch them on an off-day – but that’s the beauty of this format. You have these opportunities to put yourself on a platform against the world’s best. You could say [it’s] David and Goliath, but I suppose David beat Goliath in the end.”There is an intriguing subplot in this series, with Curtis Campher – the allrounder who is returning from an ankle injury – playing against the country of his birth for the first time. Campher played for South Africa’s age-group teams up until Under-19 level, but decided to use the Irish passport he holds through his grandmother to commit to the national team in early 2020, making his debut against England last summer. Eight games into his ODI career, he is averaging 50.83 with the bat and 30.62 with the ball.”Our medical team have done a great job with him to get him back on the park this early after an operation, and naturally he’s very excited to play against South Africa, having spent the majority of his life there,” Balbirnie said. “Everyone is obviously aware of where he’s come from and his quick turnaround to play for Ireland last year. It’ll be a really proud day for him and his family. He’s gone a different route than most of us, but he’s one of us now and is a really important player for us [so] I’m really excited to see how he goes against his old country.”William Porterfield, the veteran batter and Balbirnie’s predecessor, will open the batting alongside Stirling on the back of an anchoring hundred in the Inter-Provincial 50-over competition last month. He has been in and out of the side and has not made an ODI fifty since May 2019, but following Kevin O’Brien’s recent retirement from the format, he will be expected to bring some experienced to a relatively young side.