Anunciado na última segunda-feira e apresentado nesta terça, Fábio Santos já está pronto para fazer sua reestreia pelo Corinthians nesta quarta-feira, diante do Vasco, em São Januário, pela 18ª rodada do Brasileirão-2020. Isso porque o nome do lateral-esquerdo apareceu no BID da CBF nesta tarde e as questões burocráticas já estão resolvidas para que ele possa ser relacionado para jogar.
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Mais cedo, em entrevista coletiva virtual por conta de sua apresentação, Fábio disse que estava preparado fisicamente para ficar à disposição do técnico Vagner Mancini e só dependida da regularização dos documentos para estar apto. Sendo assim, o lateral deve estar na lista daqueles que viajam ao Rio de Janeiro em voo fretado após o treinamento desta tarde no CT Joaquim Grava.
-Faz tempo que não jogo partidas seguidas, mas treinos e viagens eu vinha tendo normal, o quanto antes quero ajudar em campo. Isso agora é mais questão de contrato na CBF – disse o camisa 26 do Alvinegro.
Nesta temporada, Fábio Santos atuou em 13 partidas oficiais pelo Atlético-MG e marcou dois gols. Por lá, ele era reserva de Guilherme Arana e seu último jogo foi no dia 10 de outubro, quando entrou aos 34 minutos do segundo tempo, na vitória do Galo por 3 a 0 sobre o Goiás, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.
A tendência é que Fábio Santos esteja na lista de relacionados e deve brigar pela titularidade com Lucas Piton, atual dono da posição, já que Sidcley, contratado com status de titular, não se firmou e não terá seu empréstimo (que termina em dezembro) prorrogado junto ao Dínamo de Kiev-UCR. Carlos Augusto, que era outro lateral-esquerdo, foi vendido ao Monza, da Itália.
Kolkata Knight Riders: lost to Mumbai Indians by 13 runs, defeated Chennai Super Kings by six wickets, defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by six wickets Mumbai Indians: defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 13 runs, defeated Kings XI Punjab by six wickets, lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore by 14 runs
Big picture
When TS Eliot penned “April is the cruelest month” in , it’s quite likely he was talking about Mumbai Indians.They’ve always struggled through the season’s first half, only to blossom as the tournament enters May. This season is no different, and with three wins in their last four games, Mumbai are now fifth, and might just be one win from jumping to fourth on the points table.Mumbai are finally finishing games well – the inablity to do so hurt them in the first half – and are clinching important moments in their matches. Jasprit Bumrah did that in Pune and Indore while Hardik Pandya displayed that skill on Sunday, when he followed up a late flourish with the bat with a six-run 18th over to shut KKR’s middle order down.KKR, on the other hand, find themselves one defeat, potentially, from falling off the top four. Their situation reflects the chinks they are yet to iron out, which have so far kept them from going on a run of wins.Mitchell Johnson no longer strikes fear into opposition batsmen while Shivam Mavi and Prasidh Krishna still have some way to go as fast bowlers. Robin Uthappa has gone past 50 only once this season, while Nitish Rana’s poor strike rate in the middle overs has put extra pressure on Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell.KKR will need to sort out these issues given the momentum Mumbai bring to the contest, and given Mumbai’s record at Eden Gardens. The venue is truly a home away from home for Mumbai, who have won nine of their 11 games there. They’ve also won their last seven games against KKR, home or away, and their captain Rohit Sharma has exceptional numbers in Kolkata.Kolkata Knight Riders have not beaten Mumbai Indians for over three years now•ESPNcricinfo Ltd
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik propelled Mumbai to 181 for 4. Hardik led the defence too, finishing with 2 for 19 from his four overs, and KKR fell short of their target by 14 runs.Mumbai Indians’ pacers gave Knight Riders the short stuff•ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Strategy punt
Against KKR on Sunday, Mumbai changed their lengths to shut down KKR’s scoring. Mumbai’s pacers bowled 69% of their deliveries either short or short of a length – while conceding 7.75 per over – and earned three wickets. Expect more of the same at the pace-friendly Eden Gardens.Vinay Kumar, meanwhile, could also be a left-field choice for KKR to combat Rohit. Vinay has dismissed Rohit in each of their six meetings. Rohit’s strike rate against Vinay is only 66.67.
Stats that matter
The side winning the toss has opted to bowl in all 12 matches at Eden Gardens since IPL 2017, and have won 66.67% of those games.
The brothers Pandya are reliable middle-overs operators. Krunal’s economy rate is only 6.7 in overs 7-15, while Hardik goes at 7.2.
Dinesh Karthik has never been dismissed by Hardik or Bumrah. He strikes at 172 against Hardik, and at over 200 against Bumrah.
Chris Lynn, on the other hand, has terrible numbers against Hardik and Bumrah. He’s fallen to Bumrah three times in five games while Hardik has dismissed him twice in seven balls.
Fantasy picks
How can you go against Rohit in Kolkata? At the Eden, he’s made 264 against Sri Lanka in an ODI, 177 on Test debut, a Ranji Trophy double-hundred, 109* in the 2012 IPL, 98* in the 2015 IPL and 84* in the 2016 IPL. In all, he’s gone past 30 five times in 11 IPL games.If you’re a KKR fan, stick with the spinners. They’ve taken 21 wickets among them at home, at an average of 18.1 and a strike rate of 14.4. With three spinners giving you four overs each, that’s an average of five wickets per game.
A lower-back stress reaction has ruled the South Africa fast bowler out of the IPL
ESPNcricinfo staff05-Apr-2018
AFP
South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada faces up to three months on the sidelines because of a lower-back stress reaction. He will not be able to play IPL 2018, as a result, for Delhi Daredevils who had bought him for INR 4.2 crores (USD 646,000) at the player auction in January.Rabada had complained of tightness and discomfort during the fourth and final Test in Johannesburg, and bowled only eight overs in Australia’s second innings. A subsequent scan revealed the injury, according to South Africa’s team manager Mohammad Moosajee. Rabada was adjudged Play of the Series for taking 23 wickets in four Tests.”Kagiso has been diagnosed with a lower-back stress reaction which will rule him out of cricket action for up to three months,” Moosajee said. “He will need a month’s break from all physical activity before commencing with a rehabilitation programme to get him ready for the series against Sri Lanka in July.”South Africa’s next international engagement is a tour of Sri Lanka in July to play two Tests, five ODIs and a T20I.
Everton finally claimed that all-important first win of the season last Saturday, as they brushed aside Brentford in emphatic fashion to leave the Gtech Community Stadium with a 3-1 win.
It was a result that Sean Dyche always felt was coming, given how their performances were yet to merit the results they craved, and with two favourable Premier League home fixtures on the horizon now, he will hope to build upon the four points already amassed.
It has been a tough job for the former Burnley manager since joining the Toffees, as he inherited a club riddled with financial woes that left them hamstrung in the markets. In the January window where he was appointed late, their only major business was to sell Anthony Gordon, bringing in no replacements.
Then, in the summer just gone, although they did invest in a number of positions, this was largely funded by the departures of Demarai Gray, Alex Iwobi, Moise Kean and a number of academy graduates.
Everton manager Sean Dyche.
With a takeover looming that has also drawn scrutiny, it is admittedly a trying time to be a blue. But with that victory, things are now looking up.
Their current predicament is born of years of fiscal mismanagement, with the club placing trust in undeserving figures who would then spend outside of their means. Although Ronald Koeman and Steve Walsh might be the two biggest culprits guilty of such actions, Marco Silva cannot be completely absolved of blame either…
Who was Marco Silva's worst signing at Everton?
The Portuguese boss was a long-term target of Farhad Moshiri's back in 2017, having first tried to pry him directly from Watford, before eventually moving again after his sacking.
With a free-flowing style of football expected to light up Goodison Park, their first campaign under his leadership showed enthralling signs of the bright future the club and manager might build together. After all, Director of Football Marcel Brands had noted: "One of the most important things is that he’s a guy who wants to play attractive, attacking football and also wants to work in the structure we have at Everton. He will be a very good manager for Everton."
However, leading them into European football would actually prove detrimental, and after being thrashed across the continent, Silva was sacked with his side languishing around the relegation zone.
It was not a completely thoughtless decision to wholeheartedly back the man who had led them to such debut-term success, but with hindsight many of his subsequent acquisitions were questionable.
Yerry Mina and Jean-Philippe Gbamin have both proven a waste given the injury turmoil suffered, whilst Alex Iwobi only really enjoyed the final few years of his time in Merseyside before leaving last summer. Even Fabian Delph, who seemed like a shrewd acquisition at the time, somehow devolved into a financial mess given his high wages and persisting injuries.
However, it could be argued that Silva's worst signing was actually his cheapest, given the excitement that surrounded Bernard's 2018 signing, and the disappointment that was to follow.
After all, the Brazilian joined with a big reputation as a diminutive trickster with enough technical prowess to thrive in the physical Premier League. His 63 goal contributions in 157 games for Shakhtar Donetsk only added to the joy at his capture, with Silva claiming: "Bernard is a quick player, very good technically and he can play on the left or right wings and as an offensive midfield player behind the striker.
"He has experience of playing in the Champions League for Shakhtar Donetsk for the past five years and the fact he has 14 caps for Brazil is a further reflection of his quality."
However, just eight goals in his 84 appearances for the club would severely underwhelm, and he would depart in 2021 for UAE Pro League club Sharjah. A severe case of what could have been for Silva and Everton, Bernard will forever be remembered as a man whose entire career on Merseyside saw him flatter to deceive.
How much did Everton pay for Bernard?
It would surprise most to hear that someone mentioned in the conversation for worst signings came on a free transfer, but the 31-year-old managed that feat.
After all, following the end of his contract with the Ukrainian side, a lucrative deal was the only way to tempt the 5 foot 5 dud to choose Everton over the likes of Chelsea, AC and Inter Milan, all of whom were reportedly interested.
Given just how quiet a stint the winger would endure, it puts into perspective just how poor he was across his three years with the club, that a free capture still managed to be a shocking signing.
What was Bernard's salary at Everton?
The real financial blunder was handing Bernard a long, lucrative contract, rather than any potential transfer fee he might have cost in the past.
After all, the forward managed to snag himself a £120k-per-week deal and £6.2m a year, making him easily the club's highest-earner in that debut year alongside Mina, via Capology.
3
1
0
6.77
15
3
2
6.71
25
1
3
6.64
Therefore, across the three seasons spent slowly draining the club, he accumulated £18.72m in wages alone.
Did Bernard deserve to earn £120k-per-week?
It has already been well-established that Bernard did not deserve nearly as much as he earned, but this was merely a case of ensuring they were the ones to secure his signature rather than the other European giants reportedly interested.
However, writer Peter Guy took little time to work out the Brazilian, writing in 2018: "Walcott, Bernard aren’t good enough."
This would be a notion supported by Liverpool Echo journalist Gavin Buckland, who slated the winger on an episode of Royal Blue: The Everton FC Podcast in 2020: "Bernard, for me, is a major concern. He’s been here two seasons. If you’ve been at a club two seasons and you’ve not really nailed down a first-team place, you’ve got to be asking questions about what your long-term or medium-term future is.
“He’s far too lightweight. He has his moments of excellence, as we well know, but whether he’d be somebody you’d hang your hat on to produce good performances week in week out is open to question.”
Given the money he took from the club, and the output he offered, it actually works out that the club paid Bernard £2.3m for every goal he scored. A truly torrid return, he is just one of the many blunders made that have put Dyche in the awful position he finds himself in.
O técnico Cuca revelou em entrevista coletiva ao fim do empate em 0 a 0 contra o Ceará, nesta quarta-feira (28), pelo confronto de ida das oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, na Vila Belmiro, que o atacante Soteldo sentiu um desgaste e por isso foi substituído aos 35 minutos do segundo tempo, promovendo a entrada de Arthur Gomes.
– Lógico que é desgaste. É peça importantíssima. Três minutos antes, estava puxando ar. E não é último jogo do ano, precisamos no domingo e não correremos risco. Entrou Arthur para dar novo fôlego – afirmou o comandante do Peixe.
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O Alvinegro tem vivido uma maratona intensa de partidas. Nesta sexta-feira (30) completará dois meses que o elenco do Peixe não possui semanas livres para treinamento e recondicionamento físico. Como o Santos disputa a Conmebol Libertadores, entrou apenas na atual fase da Copa do Brasil, e partir e agora acumula três competições em sequência – além das duas citadas também tem o Brasileirão.
Conjuntamente a maratona, os santistas ainda vivem o drama de estar impedido de registrar novos atletas, devido a punição imposta pela Fifa por conta das dívidas que o clube tem com o Huachipato (CHI) e Atlético Nacional (COL), por conta do não pagamento pela contratação de Sotelo e Felipe Aguilar respectivamente no ano passado. Isso faz com que o grupo esteja reduzido e as opções de revesamento sejam escassas para Cuca.
– Elenco é curto e vou utilizá-los. Vou dar uma deixa sobre a cabeça com Cuca. Bahia, Ceará, Red Bull, Internacional e Athletico. E terça tem LDU em Quito. O que eu faço? Eu já imagino. Temos que dosar. A gente não tem condição de tirar quatro ou cinco, eles fazem falta. Não podemos abrir mão de competição nenhuma. Temos equilibrado a equipe fisicamente no decorrer dos jogos – disse Cuca.
O Peixe “troca a chave” neste fim de semana, pois tem compromisso pelo Campeonato Brasileiro no domingo (01º), às 18h15, novamente na Vila Belmiro, contra o Bahia, pela 19ª rodada, a última do primeiro turno. Já na próxima quarta-feira (04), o Alvinegro joga a sua classificação às quartas de final da Copa do Brasil, visitando o Ceará, no estádio do Castelão, às 19h.
Crystal Palace are back in action this evening as the Eagles welcome Nottingham Forest to Selhurst Park.
Roy Hodgson will be hoping that his side can build on their impressive result against Manchester United last time out in the league, where they defeated the Red Devils 1-0 at Old Trafford.
This evening’s fixture is set to be another test for the hosts, with both sides evenly matched ahead of the showdown in south London based on their respective starts to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.
With Palace occupying ninth with three wins from seven, and Steve Cooper’s side sitting in 12th with two wins, the stage is set for a closely contested affair at Selhurst as both teams will push for three points.
What is the latest Crystal Palace team news?
After suffering a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup earlier last week, Palace eliminated the disappointment of the result by winning in Manchester that weekend.
It was an assured and brave performance by Hodgson’s side, who took three points back to the capital with just 23% of possession and facing 19 shots from Erik ten Hag’s struggling 11, via Sofascore.
Unfortunately for Palace, it was not all rosy for the Eagles, as star player Eberechi Eze was withdrawn just before the full-time whistle after suffering an injury, which has since been revealed as a hamstring blow.
The Englishman will be unavailable for around six weeks, adding him to the club’s growing list of absentees with Dean Henderson also being replaced early against his former club with injury.
In lighter news, summer signing Matheus Franca has begun full training after nursing an injury and building his fitness, meaning that the 19-year-old could make his debut in some capacity against Forest.
The main concern is obviously the blow to Eze, however, Hodgson could be spared of worry by unleashing one of the club’s most exciting prospects, who is on the fringe of the first team.
Should Jesurun Rak-Sakyi start against Nottingham Forest?
After a phenomenal loan spell at Charlton Athletic in League One last season, versatile winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi could be the ideal replacement for Hodgson to exert over Eze this evening.
While the 21-year-old, who celebrated his birthday this week, has had a fast start with the academy in the Premier League 2, making two goal contributions in two appearances, he has also made his mark in the top flight.
rak-sakyi-crystal-palace
The Palace academy graduate has made three appearances in the Premier League this campaign, more than he has previously for the Eagles, suggesting that he could be on the cusp of a full breakthrough with his boyhood club.
At Charlton, Rak-Sakyi directly had a hand in 23 goals in League One, scoring 15 and assisting eight to claim the club’s Supporters Player of the Year award.
Once described as “lively” by journalist Joe Donnohue, the 21-year-old could be given the chance to showcase his threat against Forest, and earn further appearances in the side as Eze recovers from injury.
As told by Palace’s official site, the winger continues “modelling his game” on Eze, adding further fuel to his claim to replace the Englishman during his spell on the sidelines.
In what is set to be an even affair against Forest, Rak-Sakyi could cause Cooper’s side some problems if he is handed the chance to show his worth from the off this evening.
A potentially decisive weekend awaits South African cricket when CSA’s board meets, ahead of its annual awards, to discuss the fate of the T20 Global League and the position of the CEO, which has been occupied in acting capacity by Thabang Moroe since Haroon Lorgat’s departure last September.Moroe’s term ended on Thursday, but he remains in a decision-making capacity until advised further. CSA have not advertised for new candidates, which makes it likely Moroe will continue in the role for at least another month.In his nine months as CEO, Moroe has overseen some of the most turbulent times in South African cricket, including the postponement of the first edition of the T20 Global League after massive financial losses were predicted in the absence of a broadcast deal. Moroe has since been on various task-teams working to revive the tournament but CSA’s Member’s Council – made up of the presidents of the provincial affiliates – have yet to approve a proper structure for it.ESPNcricinfo understands there is a push within CSA to make the T20 Global League happen in November, even if it takes place on a smaller scale than originally planned. When the league was launched last June, it was an eight-team affair (with seven of them owned by foreigners) and boasted many international players. But if it is to take place in 2018, it would likely resemble the domestic T20 tournament, with several South African national players taking part but few big-name overseas stars. SuperSport appears to be the likeliest broadcast partner.If the board does not make a decision on the league this weekend, a final one is expected by the end of June, when CSA also hopes to sign a new MOU with the South African Cricketers Association (SACA) after the old one expired in April. All players, both international and domestic, remain on contract thanks to a temporary extension of the previous MOU.
When Cristiano Ronaldo departed Manchester United in 2009 for a fee of £80m, it marked a landmark day in the world of football.
A new world-record price tag had been shelled out by the Spanish side in a deal that sent shockwaves throughout Europe.
Madrid meant business as they bought a global icon to the capital of Spain in the hope of rivalling the great Barcelona side of the time.
Remarakbly, such a price now would fetch you Harry Maguire. Even Moises Caicedo cost £35m this summer in a British record transfer.
Unsurprisingly United needed to find a replacement for Ronaldo but have very rarely ever come close.
It marks the tale of Gabriel Obertan then, a fascinating one.
How much did Man United sign Obertan for?
In a bid to replace a global superstar the summer Ronaldo left, Sir Alex Ferguson welcomed a certain Obertan to Old Trafford.
The riches that fell the way of the Red Devils were clearly being reserved for another time as a mere £3m was handed to Bordeaux in order to lure the French starlet away from Ligue 1.
He was very much a raw talent at the time, but coincidentally was also being eyed up by Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.
The transfer was barely a risk at such a price, as he joined alongside Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia, only to see his career never reach the dizzy peaks that were expected.
What was said about Obertan when he joined?
Joining in the same summer as Ronaldo left was never going to be ideal for the budding French forward who did his utmost to ensure comparisons between the two were players were kept to a minimum.
Unfortuantely, expectations were high for the now 34-year-old. He allegedly boasted high potential at that period in his career and arrived at United after positive endorsements from Ferguson's former defender Laurent Blanc.
Aged 20 at the time, he signed a four year deal in the north of England and acknowledged that it would take some doing to emulate the great Portuguese that had gone before him, saying: "But I know I still have a lot of work to do to get to Ronaldo's level."
He was also keen to downplay any similarities, noting in a separate interview: "I am not Ronaldo's successor. For now there is no comparison, I am just trying to be Gabriel Obertan. I have only been here for six months and I cannot do what he did in that time.”
The comparisons duly came, however, notably from one Manchester Evening News contributor who revealed several years later than he thought Obertan was "the perfect replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo."
At the time, it was clear to see why some comparisons were there. This was a silky young winger with the world at his feet, one who had just been named the most valuable player at the prestigious Toulon international youth tournament.
How many goals did Obertan score for Man United?
The lofty expectations thrust upon the Frenchman clearly became too much as his career at Man United was nothing short of a nightmare.
He only scored once in 27 appearances for the senior side, contributing four assists in total over a two year stay. Obertan was, at least, more prolific for the reserve side at the time, finding the net on eight occasions in 22 U21 matches, while providing five assists.
That development and form may well have been exciting but the fact of the matter is that he never made the grade.
Next up on Obertan's agenda was a move to Newcastle United in 2011, although he didn't fare much better at St James' Park, scoring on only three occasions in 75 games.
Where is Gabriel Obertan now?
Obertan has seemingly been round the houses since setting foot in Manchester all those years ago.
The hope was that the young French star would replace Ronaldo but his career has taken him so far away from that remarkable comparison, it scarcely defies belief.
After Newcastle, the winger headed to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala then back to England with Wigan, before joining Levski Sofia, then Turkish second division side Erzurumspor.
Rather strangely, the veteran attacker is now plying his trade in America. No, he's not in MLS, but instead the third tier of USA football where he dons the Charlotte Independence jersey.
Obertan may well be at the end of his career now but 14 years on, that is quite the fall from grace.
Even in the States he's struggled to find the net with too much regularity, netting 12 goals across 53 appearances.
Like many young footballers, this is a classic tale of what could have been. Either way, that £3m gamble back in 2009 never really paid off.
Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters has delivered a definitive update on his future at the club during a new interview following a summer of uncertainty in the Championship.
How old is Kyle Walker-Peters?
The St. Mary’s right-back is 26 years of age and has plied his trade on the south coast for the past three years having permanently joined in 2020 following a successful loan spell from Tottenham Hotspur, via Transfermarkt. To date, he’s made a total of 126 appearances.
England’s former international still has another two years remaining on his contract with Russell Martin’s side, but over the summer, his future was looking extremely uncertain having attracted attention from several high-profile clubs in the Premier League.
Arsenal, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Fulham have all been credited with an interest in the defender over the past couple of months, but with a deal having failed to come to fruition before the deadline on September 1st, he remained in the second tier.
Is Kyle Walker-Peters leaving Southampton?
Speaking to The Daily Echo, Walker-Peters opened up on his future at Southampton amid the interest he received over the summer and shared his stance on a potential exit, whilst commenting on life under Martin. He said:
"Of course, I was aware that there was a lot of interest. I'm not someone who was going to try and force my way out or have things put in the media. That’s not my style.
"I came in and spoke to the manager on day one and I got to work. I worked as hard as I could to learn the gaffer’s new style. I’m really enjoying working with him. My main focus is on Southampton and getting the club back into the Premier League. Hopefully we can do that.
“First and foremost, I love Southampton. With the new gaffer coming in, he was excellent with me. He was excellent with everyone actually. He has implemented his style really well. I’m enjoying it. The focus for myself and everyone in the dressing room is to try and get back into the Premier League."
Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters.
How good is Kyle Walker-Peters?
Members of the media have called Walker-Peters a “top-class” full-back, and whilst he’s naturally a defender, he is much extremely good in the attacking aspect of his game having racked up ten goal contributions (seven assists and three goals) since putting pen to paper.
The Edmonton-born talent, who pockets £20k-per-week, also ranks in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons and pass completion, highlighting his desire to dribble past his marker, burst down the flank and link up the play with his teammates in the final third.
Furthermore, Walker-Peters has the ability to operate in four different positions over the pitch, so his versatility is another attribute that makes him a great option for the boss to have at his disposal, and Martin will be hoping to fend off any further interest in January.
A double century from James Vince, an injury to Jack Leach and questions of succession planning make for a fascinating announcement on Tuesday
George Dobell14-May-2018Before Ed Smith picks his maiden Test squad in the coming hours, he is sure to have asked himself what the team’s aims are for the next few years.Smith, England’s new national selector, has suddenly become one of the most powerful men in English cricket. With none of Joe Root (England’s Test captain), Paul Farbrace (England’s assistant coach) or Andy Flower (the England Lions coach) officially selectors – though they will surely be consulted – and Trevor Bayliss simply too busy to get around the counties as he would like, the onus of selection falls on one man more than it has for some time. Yes, Angus Fraser and Mick Newell continue to provide their thoughts, but it is Smith who will pick his own deputy and Smith who appears to have been given more power than his predecessor, James Whitaker.And Smith’s problem – one of his problems – is that planning for the future could compromise England’s short-term aspirations. So while he is naturally keen to win this summer’s home series against Pakistan (who drew with England on their last trip) and India (who look far better equipped than they were on their last visit), he will also have an eye to the future and a determination to improve their current Test ranking of fifth.If England are content with home success then their current formula requires little tinkering. Armed with Dukes balls and surfaces that help their seamers, they are a formidable side. There is a home Ashes series little more than a year away and, in the past, that milestone has blinded everything beyond it.But if Smith’s ambitions are greater – and they surely are – his thoughts will extend beyond the English summer. He will know that, to reach the top of the Test rankings, they must improve their grim away record. They have not won any of their last 13 Tests away from home and, in both India and Australia, the limitations of their bowling tactics – which is basically to bowl tight and wait for errors – has been shown-up by flat pitches and high-quality opposition with the hunger to bat all week. If England keep fielding four right-arm, fast-medium seamers – especially the same four right-arm, fast-medium seamers – that is unlikely to change. They need more variation. They need more pace. They need better spin. And they need to plan for life after James Anderson and Stuart Broad.That’s not to say that Anderson – aged 35 but still England’s best bowler – and Broad – aged 31 but bowling better than he has for some time – should be dropped. Far from it; they should be savoured. But it does mean that, in the coming weeks and months, Smith needs to find a way to introduce new players with a view to the challenges beyond the next two series. Players who can unlock good batting line-ups on the surfaces expected in India. Bowlers who can get something out of the surfaces expected in Australia. Players who can revel in the spin-friendly conditions expected in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. Bowlers with the pace or skill to shape games rather than try to suffocate them.Such players are out there. While the likes of Sam Curran and Olly Stone are not the finished articles – batsman who have faced Stone in recent weeks talk of a sharp variation in pace which might be due to a tendency to lose his action at times – they have the potential to make a difference. Josh Tongue, too, is one to keep an eye upon. It would be stretching a point to compare him to Glenn McGrath but there is just a hint of that sort of bowler about the way he hammers a length that challenges the top of off stump and the outside edge. This squad probably comes too soon for all of them, but they may well represent the future.Dominic Bess and Amar Virdi could play a part soon, too. The two offspinners, aged 20 and 19 respectively, might have anticipated a summer learning their trade in the county game. But now, with Mason Crane and Jack Leach injured and Moeen Ali having not bowled a red ball in anger since he was dropped in New Zealand, there may be an opportunity to accelerate their promotion. Matt Parkinson, the 21-year-old legspinner from Lancashire, might be an outside bet, too.Mark Wood back in action for Durham•Getty Images
In the short-term it seems Mark Wood, Chris Woakes and Craig Overton are probably vying for the final place in the seam attack. All are fine cricketers. But expecting Wood to play three or four Tests in a row despite all the evidence to the contrary seems optimistic, while Woakes – with a home Test bowling average of 24.28 (even better than Anderson’s) and an away-Test bowling average of 61.77 – might provide a microcosm of England’s issues. Overton looked as if he had the temperament but not the pace in Australia. There might be room for one of Curran, Stone or Tongue to replace them.Smith’s main choice, at first glance at least, might be whether to stick or twist with two of England’s top-order. The case of James Vince, for example, offers one of the more problematic selection quandaries of recent times. In his 13 Tests to date Vince has shown he has plenty of time for the ball and plenty of shots to prosper at the top level. The one thing he does not have – as an average of 24.90 shows – is plenty of runs. The sense remains that, with a bit more time, he will surely come good and his double century against Somerset may be very well timed. There will be generations of former England players wishing they had been given such patience, however, and with Joe Clarke scoring runs in a struggling team, Vince will know he really does need to reward the faith shown in him almost immediately.Mark Stoneman, too, has looked the part at times. But a top-score of 60 after 10 Tests is disappointing and the fact he has made such an unpersuasive start to the season – he has failed to reach 30 in seven innings – will have done him few favours. Nick Gubbins, a fine player of pace but with something to prove against spin, may well become Alastair Cook’s latest partner; the 13th since Andrew Strauss retired.James Vince pulls during his lengthy innings•Getty Images
The struggles of his opening partners – Stoneman, Alex Hales, Adam Lyth et al. – has shifted attention from Cook. But his recent record – he has reached 40 only once in his last 17 Test innings – is modest and, if there is a temptation to retain him with a view to next year’s Ashes, it might be noted that his averages in the three previous Ashes series held in England are 24.66, 27.70 and 36.66.It is to Cook’s advantage that potential rivals for his spot – the likes of Haseeb Hameed and Ben Duckett – have endured horrid starts to the season. His long-term record makes a compelling case for his retention, too, while the the fact that Smith defended Cook’s place in the ODI team even after he was dropped just ahead of the 2015 World Cup suggests he will be reluctant to make such a change. Cook is more vulnerable than he has been for some time, though. Rory Burns, benefiting from the relatively flat Oval surfaces, and Keaton Jennings are among those waiting in the wings.Ben Foakes is pressing for selection, too. There’s no doubt he is a fine keeper, perhaps the best in the English game now that James Foster is 38, and an accomplished batsman. But to take the gloves off Jonny Bairstow now would be odd reward on several years’ investment and offers uncertain rewards in terms of the effect on his batting.There are other options for various positions. James Hildreth, at 33, is now regularly scoring runs under pressure and could provide three or four years’ service, while Samit Patel, also 33 and a fine player of spin and an increasingly reliable left-arm spinner, might also be an asset over the next 12-months on the surfaces anticipated in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. Selectors often favour potential over maturity but perhaps Smith may prove different.Possible Lord’s XI Alastair Cook, Nick Gubbins, Joe Root, James Vince/Joe Clarke, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Mark Wood/Chris Woakes, Dom Bess, James Anderson, Stuart Broad