Inter Miami boss Tata Martino reveals Lionel Messi's potential Sept. 14 injury return
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Messi nursing ankle injuryAiming to return later this monthHerons sailing smoothly even without their starWHAT HAPPENED?
The Argentine ankle sprained his ankle during the Copa America final and has remained sidelined ever since. However, Martino's men have had no trouble navigating the waters without their talisman as they boast an eight-point lead at the top of the Eastern Conference after a convincing 4-1 triumph over Chicago Fire on Saturday. Luis Suarez scored a brace in that win.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi had been in scintillating form for Inter Miami before he left for Copa America, recording 12 goals and nine assists in just 12 appearances. He has already started training with the group and soon the 2022 World Cup winner will make his return to the pitch, as revealed by Martino to reporters after the victory over Chicago.
WHAT MARTINO SAID
“Leo [is] doing well and spent time training with the group,” Martino said. “We felt that for the time he could give us in this match, it might be better to consider the next 15 days. Ultimately, we discussed it and concluded that this second option was better. So, we’re aiming to have him available for the match against Philadelphia [on Sept. 14]."
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?
The Argentine will be available well ahead of the MLS playoffs, which is a major relief to Inter Miami fans. He failed to inspire the Herons to a playoff spot in 2023 after he picked up an injury towards the end of the campaign. But this time, it seems that the record Ballon d'Or winner will be in action when the postseason starts in late October.
After securing automatic promotion back into the Championship, Derby County have shifted their focus towards their summer plans, with their first priority seemingly keeping hold of a future star.
Derby transfer news
The Rams weren't always on course to secure League One promotion, but Paul Warne's side battled well in the end to deservedly return to England's second division, finishing five points above closest challengers Bolton Wanderers.
The task must now be to put a squad together which is capable of staying up in the Championship – in an ideal world, this promotion will only be the start despite their limited finances. It wasn't so long ago when Frank Lampard's Derby young side were gunning for the Premier League and that's where the Rams must get back to.
It's not just the transfer market that will help ensure that survival and more, however. Those at Pride Park must also keep hold of players this summer, including youngster Darren Robinson.
According to Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider, Derby are in advanced talks with Robinson over a new deal at the club. As things stand, the 19-year-old is set to become a free agent at the end of the season in what would be a disaster for the Rams. The hope will be that the lure of Championship football is enough to convince the defensive midfielder to stay put, despite only making one appearance in the senior side this term.
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It's then next season that Robinson will be looking to secure more first-team opportunities. As Derby earned promotion in the current campaign, the Northern Irishman's only showing came in the EFL trophy against Wolverhampton Wanderers' U21s.
At a crossroads, the next few weeks will be crucial for Robinson's future, whether he decides to stay put at Derby or seek opportunities elsewhere.
"Major talent" Robinson needs first-team minutes
Given the fact that he's yet to really be handed an opportunity under Warne, it's not too surprising to see Robinson's future still up in the air. The midfielder needs first team minutes to progress and that must come next season, even with Derby now in the Championship. Journalist Josh Bunting is certainly among those who'll be waiting to see Robinson progress, having handed him significant praise at the end of last year.
Described as a "major talent", Derby should do everything they can to renew Robinson's current deal and avoid dropping the ball entirely by allowing a free exit this summer. The last thing the Rams should want is to watch their youngster leave for nothing, before becoming worth the type of transfer fee they could use to improve Warne's side even further.
Former India captain excited to be part of another dressing room at Kings XI Punjab
ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jul-2020Anil Kumble, the former India captain, doesn’t regret walking away as the team’s head coach in 2017, but feels “the end could have been better”. He stepped down immediately after the Champions Trophy in June, where India finished runners-up to Pakistan, after his partnership with captain Virat Kohli became “untenable.”Ahead of that tournament, reports of Kohli telling BCCI about players being uncomfortable with Kumble’s “overbearing” ways surfaced. “The one year I spent with the Indian team (2016 to 2017) was fantastic,” Kumble said in an Instagram Live with former Zimbabwe medium-pacer Mpumelelo Mbangwa. “We did really well in that one-year period.”During his term from June 2016 to 2017, India rose to become the No. 1-ranked Test team, beating West Indies (away), Bangladesh, New Zealand, England and Australia (all at home). In all, India won 12 and lost just one Test during his 17-match run as India coach.”I was really happy that there were some contributions made and there are no regrets. I was happy moving on from there as well. I know the end could have been better but then that’s fine. As a coach, you realise when it’s time to move on; it’s the coach who needs to move on. I was really happy I played a significant role in that one year.”Kumble currently chairs the ICC Cricket Committee, with still a year to go in his nine-year term. On the coaching front, he will be involved with Kings XI Punjab as director of cricket operations.”Kings XI Punjab haven’t been consistent in 12 seasons of the IPL, and it’s a challenge,” Kumble said. “I’m looking forward to being part of a dressing room again. I’m also towards the end of my term in the ICC Cricket Committee. It’s wonderful being part of the ICC, to keep yourself abreast of what is happening and to contribute in your own way is very special.”
Aston Villa's top-four finish in the Premier League has opened up a new world of possibilities for Unai Emery and his squad, who will now seek to consolidate their exciting new position among Europe's elite.
Entering this brave new world has its caveats and it has its setbacks, with the Villans likely needing to trim some superfluous parts to stay in line with the ever-imposing PSR rules.
Diego Carlos and Jacob Ramsey have recently been linked with moves away, the former due to his £100k-per-week salary and 2023/24 struggles and Villa's boyhood star due to growing interest in his signature – Liverpool are among the contenders – and his homegrown status, which would bring a pure-profit recoup for V Sports.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
But hang on, you cry. Villa have just qualified for the Champions League, transcending the hopes and dreams of the staunch support after club talisman Jack Grealish was sold to Manchester City in a £100m transfer in 2021, his sale preceding managerial dismissals of Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard.
This is the tortuous road that football now travels down. Aston Villa might need to juggle a few pieces, but they can certainly move for new players, with one currently lined up.
Villa lining up exciting winger
According to Spanish publications AS and Grada1 – via Sport Witness – Villa have registered an interest in Girona's Viktor Tsygankov, who has been valued at €28m (£24m) by the La Liga high-fliers after growing interest in his services.
Emery's side faces competition, however, with Premier League rivals West Ham United and Wolverhampton also eyeing up the 26-year-old, with the outfits ready to launch official proposals for his signature.
Tsygankov will compete for Ukraine at the 2024 European Championship and will likely settle his future after his nation's campaign, and Villa will be ready.
Viktor Tsygankov's season in numbers
Tsygankov signed for Girona in January 2023, joining from Dynamo Kyiv in his homeland for a bargain fee of €5m (£4m), having scored 94 goals and added 64 assists across 234 matches for the Ukrainian outfit after graduating from their youth academy.
He enjoyed a fruitful start to life in Spain after posting three goals and six assists from 19 matches in the Spanish top flight across the second half of last term, influential in helping the Whites and Reds toward a tenth-place finish in their first year back from a three-year struggle in the Segunda Division.
After joining the City Football Group in 2017, Girona have soared beyond the wildest dreams of supporters, revelling in the glow of financial investment but booming through Michel and Quique Carcel's tidy manager-sporting director relationship that has overseen sharp recruitment translated to on-pitch performance.
Tsygankov is not the most prolific of players, clinching six goals and six assists apiece across 29 La Liga matches this season, though he has also created 11 big chances, completed 83% of his passes and averaged 1.1 key passes, one tackle and 3.5 ball recoveries per game, as per Sofascore, showcasing his athletic prowess and commitment levels.
It's this calibre of performance that has led journalist Ben Mattinson to hail him as a “seriously talented” player just waiting for the big move to propel him to the top of the game – though, in fairness, he's already starring in a team that has defied the odds to clinch Champions League football.
But why are Emery and Villa's President of Football Operations Monchi seeking to strengthen with this particular signing?
Why Villa are interested in Viktor Tsygankov
Given that Leon Bailey has shouldered a heavy burden down the right flank at Villa Park this season and the versatile Nicolo Zaniolo is set to depart following the conclusion of his loan spell, moving for Tsygankov could be a very shrewd move to strengthen the squad.
Monchi has already demonstrated that he is not going to fall foul to the temptations of splurging on big names purely for the sake of rubber-stamping the newfound position of prominence. This has already been proven through the pursuit of Ross Barkley, with the former loanee closing on a return to the Midlands after an excellent year with Luton Town.
Tsygankov would mark another piece of business that could initially go under the radar while growing to win over the Villan faithful, with his creativity and agility offering an extra dimension to a multi-faceted team.
One of the principal strengths that would be found in signing Tsygankov would be the inevitable partnership with Ollie Watkins, who has enjoyed a first-class campaign as the Villa spearhead, winning the side's Player of the Season and bagging 27 goals in all competitions, also adding 13 assists.
Premier League 23/24: Most G/A Combined
Rank
Player
Apps
Goals
Assists
G/A
1.
Cole Palmer
34
22
11
33
2.
Ollie Watkins
37
19
13
32
2.
Erling Haaland
31
27
5
32
4.
Mohamed Salah
32
18
10
28
6.
Heung-min Son
35
17
10
27
6.
Phil Foden
35
19
8
27
Sourced via Statmuse
It's incredible that Watkins finished joint-second in the Premier League's most goals and assists this season, especially given the level of competition he was up against and the fact that the season before, the England international yielded 21 contributions from 37 games, finishing tenth in that ranking.
His dynamism and ability to switch up his direct threat and creative flair has led The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell to hail him as "virtually unplayable", and by providing him with a new partner in Tsygankov, there's no telling how productive he might be next term.
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ByAngus Sinclair May 24, 2024
Bailey created 12 big chances in the Premier League while averaging 1.5 key passes per game, so Tsygankov definitely produces adequate numbers to succeed, slotting right into Emery's system.
Now, efforts simply have to be made to bypass the competition and bring the Ukraine star to Villa Park.
كشف نجيب الورفلي رئيس نادي التحدي الليبي حقيقة وجود مفاوضات مع الزمالك لضم فهد المسماري لاعب فريق الكرة خلال فترة الانتقالات الشتوية المقبلة.
وقال نجيب الورفلي في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة اون تايم سبورتس: “لا توجد مفاوضات مباشرة مع إدارة الزمالك، لكن هناك لاعبين قدامى من الزمالك أصدقائنا تواصلوا معنا بشأن اللاعب”.
وتابع: “اللاعبون القدامي لهم تأثير على الإدارة، وقالوا لنا إن إدارة الزمالك ستتواصل معنا لكن إلى الآن لم يحدث أي اتصال”.
وبسؤاله عن موقف نادي التحدي في حال طلب الزمالك ضم اللاعب رسميًا، أجاب: “نحن ليس لدينا أي مانع، ما نتمناه أن يكون اللاعب في حالة تركيز مع الفريق، لأن الدوري سيبدأ يوم 10 ونريده في حالة تركيز والأمور الأخرى تأتي على مهلها”.
طالع | الزمالك يعلن تطورات إصابة ثنائي الفريق وموقفهما من مباراة إنيمبا في الكونفدرالية
واستطرد: “عقد اللاعب سينتهي بنهاية الموسم، ونتمنى أن يُقدم موسمًا جيدًا، وبعد نهاية الموسم يمكنه أن ينتقل أو ممكن أن ينتقل من الآن حسب رغبته”.
وحول هل مع وجود خالد جلال مديرًا فنيًا للفريق توجد نية للاستعانة بلاعبين مصريين؟، أوضح: “إذا كان اللاعبين حسب المراكز التي يريدها المدرب لا نُمانع إذا كان لاعبًا مفيدًا للفريق نتمنى من اليوم ضمه”.
After a disappointing season, Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have reportedly turned towards the summer transfer window and lead the race to sign a key target for Erik ten Hag.
Man Utd transfer news
Change is needed at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have gone from a Premier League top four place and Carabao Cup win under Ten Hag to failing to qualify for the Champions League in a season full of moments to forget. And whilst they've still got the chance to salvage the campaign in the FA Cup final against Machester City, it's clear that reinforcements are needed in abundance this summer.
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With that said, the Red Devils have already been linked with both Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo in a summer raid of Barcelona that would undoubtedly improve Ten Hag's current side. Araujo, in particular, would add some much-needed control next to Harry Maguire in United's backline, whilst De Jong could help to unleash Bruno Fernandes' best form.
florian-neuhaus-frenkie-de-jong-west-ham
If reports are to be believed, then Ratcliffe is certainly not messing around this summer and could even weaken a fellow Premier League side in the middle of his spending spree. According to ESPN, Manchester United are in pole position to sign Michael Olise from Crystal Palace this summer in a deal that would see them trigger the winger's reported release clause of between £50m and £60m, after initial reports indicated their interest.
Chelsea, of course, came close to signing the former Reading star last summer, before Palace sealed a new contract with Olise to pour cold water on any potential deal. Upping his release clause in the process, it is now United who are the frontrunners ahead of the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, despite not qualifying for the Champions League this season.
A player who has more than proven his quality in the Premier League, Olise could finally add some much-needed creativity to United's attack, where the onus has nearly entirely fallen on Fernandes this term.
"Wonderful" Olise can thrive where Sancho failed
Whilst there will be a lot of finger pointing as to why Jadon Sancho failed to find his best form at Manchester United, before heading out on loan to Borussia Dortmund, the conclusion is that a big-money arrival ultimately struggled to make the impact needed by such an expensive signing. Where he failed, however, Olise can shine at Old Trafford.
The winger has earned plenty of praise in the past, including from former Palace manager Roy Hodgson, who told the Palace club website after a match last season: “In the second-half he was spot on with everything. In the first-half we didn’t get enough out of him, and we couldn’t bring him into the game as much as we wanted. In the first-half he was a figure on the right but he wasn’t creating chances or showing aggression in his play. In the second-half he got it all right in both defence and attack and he showed what a wonderful player he is."
To sum up his form throughout the current campaign, Olise has managed seven goals and four assists in just 16 appearances. With 11 goal involvements in such little time, United fans may be left wondering just how impressive the winger would be in a season without injuries.
Tottenham Hotspur were a day late and a dollar short against Arsenal in the Premier League, with an infuriating North London Derby defeat exposing defensive frailties that have blemished a promising campaign.
Ange Postecoglou's side were ravaged by an error-strewn opening half that was aggravated by some contentious officiating decisions, but the fact remains that there is a canyon of quality between the Lilywhites and their title-chasing arch-rivals.
A second-half rally spoke of the desire, spoke of the ability of this brewing project, but there is much for Postecoglou to stew over and much for bruised Tottenham to reflect on, with the hopes of reclaiming a position among Europe's elite next year narrowing.
One such issue is that of central midfield. Yves Bissouma was dropped after a string of poor displays but his stand-in, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, failed to impress once again from the outset.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's performance vs Arsenal
Hojbjerg has not started often this season but his Malian counterpart's struggles called for intervention, and the Dane's express purpose of controlling and organising in the centre of the park convinced Postecoglou to throw him back into the mix.
It, quite literally, backfired, with Hojbjerg's skewed header following Bukayo Saka's corner handing Mikel Arteta's side a venomous opener down N17, 15 minutes on the clock.
His travails led him to a substitution just after the hour mark, having failed to contain the slick-moving visitors and being branded with a 4/10 match rating by football.london correspondent Alasdair Gold, who wrote: 'Making only his seventh start in the league and within 15 minutes he had headed the ball into his own net from a corner. Wasn't Spurs' worst player but it's another defeat to his name when he starts.'
As per Sofascore, the Dane might not have been the worst performer – James Maddison, ensnared still in the webbed net of post-injury strife – and he was at least at the heart of the action, taking 83 touches across his 64 minutes, completing 87% of his passes, pushing forward with two dribbles, making three tackles and winning six of his 11 contested duels.
James Maddison
But he choked on the big occasion once again and was too conservative in possession, failing to make a single key pass and losing possession 12 times.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's season in numbers
Does Hojbjerg have a future at Spurs? Does he fit the Ange-ball prototype, requisite for success and sharpened for prominence in this flowering new system at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?
Likely not. The 28-year-old was fiercely linked with a move away back in January and, out of contract in 2025 with just seven Premier League starts to his name this season, it would seem unlikely that he will retain his bit-part position in the side next season – especially with present interest from teams such as AC Milan.
Spurs PL 23/24 Stats: Hojbjerg Starting
Fixture
Date
Result
Minutes played
Fulham (H)
23/10/23
2-0 win
90'
Wolves (A)
11/11/23
2-1 loss
90'
West Ham (H)
07/12/23
2-1 loss
67'
Brighton (A)
28/12/23
4-2 loss
90'
Man Utd (A)
14/01/24
2-2 draw
90'
Everton (A)
03/02/24
2-2 draw
89'
Arsenal (H)
28/04/24
3-2 loss
64'
Stats via Transfermarkt
Moreover, let's just glance at the table above. It hardly denotes Hojbjerg's success, his compatibility in the fast-moving, free-spirited style that this craggy-faced Australian has blessed an outfit seeking respite from an interminably challenging series of campaigns, following the warm and sure football that Mauricio Pochettino instilled.
Hojbjerg was a product of Jose Mourinho's arrival, signed from Southampton for a shrewd £15m fee, but his time is surely up and it's difficult to imagine Postecoglou will be convinced to start him again this season, instead using his crisp in-possession quality in the later stages of matches.
Hojbjerg is a cultured midfielder, strong in the tackle and commanding in his short-placed passing game, but he faces yet another year of inactivity under Postecoglou's wing and he must now be sold.
Spurs 2-3 Arsenal: Player ratings & match recap
Arsenal took on Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
Josh Hazlewood is among Australia’s multi-format players who could face a difficult balancing act over the next few months as they negotiate the various challenges of touring in the current Covid-19 climate and how it may impact their preparation for the home international season.With the limited-overs tour of England looking increasingly likely to take place in September there is then the probability of an IPL filling the gap of the soon-to-be-postponed T20 World Cup which will overlap significantly with the start of the Australian summer.Under the current border restrictions players returning or coming to Australia would need to quarantine for two weeks. The Test summer is currently due to start with the one-off match against Afghanistan on November 21 in Perth, which would appear an unworkable time frame for any players involved until the latter stages of the IPL’s proposed period, ahead of the series against India from December 3.ALSO READ: Australians who could have IPL-state cricket clashHazlewood, who is part of the enlarged 26-man training squad that was named last week, has an IPL deal with Chennai Super Kings and will also be expected to be part of the Test attack. CA has previously recalled players from the IPL to prepare for international duty and among the Australians with deals Pat Cummins, Steven Smith and David Warner would also be Test certainties. Hazlewood is confident that he would be ready for Test cricket with as little as one Sheffield Shield outing, but said it would be vital for players, especially fast bowlers, to be able to train while undergoing quarantine.”As long as we can train during that period it will be okay, it’s if we come back and we can’t train during that two-week period,” he said. “We’ve built these loads up as fast bowlers then two weeks really hurts us coming into a summer of Test cricket.”As far as red-ball ball cricket goes I feel I only need one, maximum two games, to get ready for a Test. There have been summers where we’ve come from a white-ball tour and only played one [red-ball game] and it’s been fine. Everyone is a bit different, some guys need a bit more bowling and some less but we’ll try to get that balance right.”Hazlewood admitted the prospect of the IPL taking place creates some “tough” decisions for those with deals, but believes the benefits of the tournament outweigh the negatives of missing domestic cricket in Australia.Josh Hazlewood brings out the elbow bump after taking a wicket•Getty Images
“There are a few things to fall into place yet but the IPL is such a huge part of the year for a lot of players and probably the strongest T20 competition in the world, up there with the Big Bash, and you learn a lot about how to play your T20 cricket and how to play in those conditions,” he said. “You’ve seen guys come out of it much better players so there’s a lot of positives to it, so if that takes a few games off us playing for New South Wales in the build-up to the international summer that’s a tough call, [and] probably comes back to the individual.”ALSO READ: Australia’s limited-overs training squad: hopes of a recall, and an eye to the futureHazlewood has been back bowling at New South Wales’ pre-season for about five weeks and believes the enforced break has been a benefit for the quicks. With the England tour now on the cards he expects more restrictions to be placed on what players can do ahead of the trip to reduce the risk of catching Covid-19. Melbourne is currently under another lockdown, although Victoria-based players can still train, while cases are rising in New South Wales.The current England-West Indies series has provided the template for what biosecure cricket will look like, with the high-profile breach made by Jofra Archer showing how seriously protocols are being taken.”Jofra is one example and there’s been examples in the AFL and NRL, just by hugging a mate in the crowd you miss a week,” Hazlewood said. “Got to keep those strict lines in place to have the sport go ahead so we’ll learn from that mistake.”There was also the less serious mishap of Dom Sibley accidentally applying saliva to the ball during the fourth day’s play at Old Trafford in contravention of the new playing conditions. It led to the umpires cleaning the ball with a disinfectant wipe before play could continue. Hazlewood has been trying to train himself for the new processes but said it takes time to break habits.”It’s a pretty natural habit… it’s just such a reaction to see a spot on the ball that needs fixing and you go and put some saliva on. You’ve been doing it since five years old so it will take a while to break the habit but obviously conscious of it on the field.”
Fans hailed Wayne Rooney's stunning free-kick for Manchester United legends while claiming he is still better than the current crop of players.
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Rooney scores stunning free-kick for Man Utd legends
Fans hail club icon
Urge Rooney to teach struggling Rashford
WHAT HAPPENED?
The former England international handed United Legends the lead against Celtic Legends in the 41st minute as he found the back of the net with a curling free-kick through the top right corner. As Rooney showed he has still got it, Red Devils fans hailed the club's all-time highest scorer while claiming the now-retired player is still better than the current squad of players.
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WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING
A fan named Syed Hamza wrote on X: "Current Rooney still better than most of our current players."
A user named Jake Davies lamented the lack of players like Rooney and Carrick in the current team as he wrote, "Rooney with a free kick, goal top corner. What I'd do for players like Rooney and Carrick in this current MUFC side. Both ooze absolute class."
A handle named Name cannot be blanked urged Erik ten Hag to sign Rooney. He wrote, "Ten Hag sign him up."
Brian hailed the United icon as he wrote, "We will never get his material again."
Mike wrote on X, "Get him in our current team asap."
Hashir Sher urged Rooney to teach Marcus Rashford how to score goals as he wrote, "Teach something to Rashford, please rooney."
Getty
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Rashford, once hailed as one of United's brightest stars, has come under fire for what many perceive as a lack of effort on the pitch. The 26-year-old forward, who was instrumental during the 2022-23 campaign with an impressive 30 goals in 56 appearances across all competitions, has experienced a dramatic dip in form since then.
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WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?
Ten Hag's men, who have suffered two defeats out of their first three league games, will be back in action next weekend as they take on Southampton on September 14.
Craig McDermott’s son had recently returned to the Queensland side after a three-year absence
ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jul-2020
Getty Images
Alister McDermott, the quick bowler who played for Queensland and Brisbane Heat, has announced his retirement at the age of 29. Despite returning to his state side after a three-year absence in 2019-20, McDermott, son of former Australia quick Craig McDermott, remained sidelined due to a string of injuries, including a broken wrist, and persistent back trouble, prompting him to end his career.”From a young age I gave my full commitment to fulfilling my dream, looking to improve my fitness, strength, and skill level,” McDermott wrote on his website. “Even though I did not have the extended career I had dreamed of as a kid due to injuries, form and self-confidence, I have had some amazing memories that I can be proud of, and was fortunate to play with some absolute legends of the game.”Though he struggled with injuries, McDermott, who was part of Queensland’s Sheffield Shield (2011-12) and ODI Cup (2012-13) winning teams, and also Heat’s Big Bash League title win in 2013, had impressive numbers across formats. He took 75 wickets at 24.77 in 20 first-class appearances, the last of which came in November 2014, before he was cut from the contract list the following season.He also played 27 list A games, taking 48 wickets, and 25 T20s for 29 wickets. He played his last T20 in January 2015 in the BBL. McDermott was also a member of Australia’s Under-19 World Cup winning team in 2010, that was led by Mitchell Marsh and included the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Kane Richardson.Following a good showing in a List A match for Australia A against Durham, McDermott earned an Australia call-up as an injury replacement for the ODIs against Pakistan in the UAE in 2012. He was retained in the squad for the T20I leg of the tour as well, but did not get a look in.