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Despite putting in a serious shift for most of the match, Ipswich Town managed to lose their third Premier League game on the bounce yesterday afternoon.

Kieran McKenna’s side may have gone 2-0 up by the 31st minute, but by full-time, they had conceded four times to lose 4-3, and while there were some impressive performances from the boys in blue, there were a number of seriously disappointing ones too.

However, perhaps the worst of the lot was 23-year-old Harry Clarke, who was so bad on his Premier League debut that he also ruined the first start of one of his teammates.

Clarke's performance in numbers

So, after not being included in the squad for the first six match weeks of the season and making his first appearance off the bench in the defeat to Everton last week, McKenna opted to hand Clarke his first Premier League start against Brentford yesterday afternoon and to say it backfired on the Northern Irishman would be an understatement.

Unfortunately for the Ipswich-born full-back, what should have been a brilliant day for him was anything but, as while he looked reasonably comfortable in the early exchanges, the tide soon turned, and he put in what can only be described as a horror show of a performance.

Now, that might sound hyperbolic, but it’s an opinion shared by the East Anglian Daily Times’ Alex Jones, who awarded the starter just 4/10 on the day, describing his display as a ‘nightmare’ and while he was unlucky at points, he ‘shouldn’t give the referee a decision to make on a booking.’

Moreover, the five foot 11 defender is now only the second player in Premier League history to have scored an own-goal, given away a penalty and be sent off in the competition, alongside former Southampton defender Jan Bednarek, who completed the not-so-glamorous triple crown.

Lastly, aside from the headline-grabbing actions of the penalty and sending off, Clarke also produced some rather lacklustre statistics from the encounter.

For example, in his 69 minutes on the pitch, he produced an expected assists figure of just 0.02, was dribbled past once, maintained a passing accuracy of just 78%, lost three of his five ground duels, lost the ball 11 times, committed two fouls, misplaced 100% of his crosses, took no shots and was accurate with just 50% of his long balls.

Clarke’s game in numbers

Minutes

69

Expected Assists

0.02

Dribbled Past

1

Passing Accuracy

18/23 (78%)

Ground Duels (Won)

5 (2)

Lost Possession

11

Fouls

2

Crosses (Accurate)

1 (0)

Shots

0

Long Balls (Accurate)

4 (2)

All Stats via Sofascore

In all, the unfortunate right-back had a full debut to forget, and in the process, he also ruined the full league debut of one of his teammates, a teammate who played well.

George Hirst's impressive performance

Yes, the player in question is 25-year-old centre-forward George Hirst, who, like Clarke, was making his first Premier League start yesterday.

However, unlike the defender, the Sheffield-born poacher was excellent in 73 minutes of action, scoring once, providing an assist and surely putting himself in the picture for more minutes and potentially even more starts as the season progresses.

We aren’t the only ones who were seriously impressed with the “powerful” striker, as dubbed by journalist Alan Biggs, either, as Alex Jones was full of praise, awarding him an 8/10 on the day and writing that it was a ‘really strong showing on his first Premier League start’ and that ‘he was a nuisance running in behind’ throughout his time on the pitch.

Unfortunately for the 6 foot 3 marksman, all of his hard work in earning the Blues a two-goal lead was undone in large part thanks to his teammate’s own goal, the penalty he gave away and the sending-off to boot.

However, with all of that said, while Clarke’s disaster class ultimately means Hirst’s brilliant display amounted to nothing, the fans, and more crucially, McKenna, now know how effective he can be in certain situations in the top-flight.

Related £8m profit: Ipswich hit gold selling goalscorer once compared to Shearer

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 25, 2024

Journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed that Everton and the Friedkin Group are now pushing to retain the services of an “excellent” star in the January transfer window.

Latest Everton news

The future of Sean Dyche is one of the big talking points at Goodison Park currently, with the Englishman doing enough in the last couple of Premier League games to keep his job for the time being.

That hasn’t stopped other managers being linked with replacing the 53-year-old, however, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst the latest name to be thrown into the hat. The Dutchman only took charge of Besiktas earlier this year, but he has emerged as a contender to come in.

In terms of new signings, DR Congo and VfB Stuttgart attacker Silas has been linked with a move to Everton, with the 26-year-old currently out on loan at Red Star Belgrade.

The Friedkin Group have reportedly made it clear what their overall plan is in January, with three positions being seen as priority areas to add depth. A new full-back is wanted, as well as a winger and a striker, with a lack of firepower in the final third still too evident this season.

Everton now want to keep "excellent" ace

Speaking to Geordie Boot Boys, Bailey claimed that Everton are now pushing hard to keep Dominic Calvert-Lewin in January, seemingly looking to tie the forward down to a new deal before the New Year.

“Everton’s situation is changing now with the change of ownership. They’re building towards this new stadium and they do not want to lose their best players – that includes Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He’s a very good player and has shown that this season. He would be very hard to replace.

“My understanding is that Everton are pushing hard to keep him now. The project they can offer him is different now, and that could be tempting for him. They’re trying to get it done before January. Newcastle will be very interested in his contract situation.”

This is a hugely encouraging update for Everton supporters, considering what an important player the £100,000-a-week Calvert-Lewin is when he is fully fit and firing. He has scored two goals in seven league games this season, as well as winning a monstrous average of five aerial duels per game in the competition, and Dyche has lauded him, saying:

“I thought he was excellent. He’s had a bit of illness. We’re hopeful that has passed, he had it before the game, so I must commend him on that. His physical performance was outstanding, He’s not quite over it but we hope it settles down a bit.”

This update suggests that a new deal could be coming Calvert-Lewin’s way, considering his current contract expires next summer, with the Englishman possibly liking the potential he could soon see under Friedkin.

1/10: Media slam "jittery" Everton star after poor international display

He had a terrible night at the office.

ByHenry Jackson Oct 11, 2024

Granted, the 27-year-old’s injury problems are a concern, but retaining his services rather than losing him is the far more preferable option, especially considering he still has plenty of years left in him.

Arne Slot believes Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract uncertainty could help him motivate the other players in the Liverpool squad.

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Slot is not bothered by Trent's contract uncertaintyReal remain interested in English defenderLiverpool take on Man Utd on SundayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Alexander-Arnold has been closely linked with a move away from Anfield, with Real Madrid holding a long-standing interest in the player. The defender's current deal expires next summer and he is yet to agree to sign a new contract. Los Blancos reportedly approached the Reds with an initial offer to sign the player in January on New Year's Eve which was promptly rejected, however, the Spanish champions remain determined to secure the full-back's signature.

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Amid uncertainty over the England international's future, manager Slot explained how he could use the current situation to his advantage and motivate the other Reds stars to give their best on the pitch. The Merseyside club are now considered firm favourites to win the Premier League title in the 2024-25 campaign as they enjoy a six-point lead and a game in hand at the top of the table.

WHAT ARNE SLOT SAID

Speaking to reporters, the Dutch coach said: "Maybe it's even helpful now you ask me. Because if it is only about how great we are doing then maybe every week I have to have a meeting telling the players 'it is not perfect yet' and we have to do better – now maybe it is also about different things (in the press) and not everyone is telling them how great they are.

"So sometimes that can help as well. But for me it doesn't distract at all, I think we get enough credit for the way we play – and here in the building, we don't even talk about this (speculation). Maybe in the building, we do, but me with the players, we don't talk about these situations."

He added: "It doesn't distract at all, it is part of the business we're in and in the month of January it happens at every club in the world. People talk about, 'Will he come in? Will he go away?'. It doesn't distract me at all and I don't think (it does for) the players either."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Slot's side will be back in action this Sunday as they host rivals Manchester United in a crucial Premier League fixture at Anfield.

So far so good for Arne Slot. Liverpool have won both of their opening Premier League fixtures and have yet to concede, but a trip to Old Trafford marks one of the most significant occasions of the campaign.

Manchester United have not started the season in the finest of form but that all goes out of the window in Europe's pre-eminent derby, with the arch-rivals pitted against each other and hoping to give their season the early boost that comes from a momentous result in this particular fixture.

With Arsenal dropping points at home against Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool will hope to claim an advantage and silence the Theatre of Dreams.

Liverpool team news

Liverpool were pretty quiet throughout the summer, with Federico Chiesa joining for an initial £10m fee this week in what was the only senior incoming at Anfield.

It's an exciting signing but Slot has revealed that the dynamic winger is not expected to take part, instead honing his skills throughout the looming international break.

Curtis Jones is the sole injury absence, and though Liverpool are not likely to throw Chiesa into the thick of things on the right flank, there's a certain winger who might fancy his chances…

Mohamed Salah's record vs Manchester United

Salah is a fine scorer of goals – one of the very best in Premier League history. Since signing for Liverpool from Roma in a £34m deal, he has bagged 213 across 351 appearances, winning the whole gamut and adding 90 assists.

He might now be 32 years old but the esteemed Egyptian has started life under Slot with a resounding bang, scoring and assisting against Ipswich Town on the opening game of the campaign before netting once again last weekend, at home against Brentford.

You wouldn't bet against him scoring against the Red Devils, indeed boasting the most remarkable record against today's opposition.

Premier League

13

11

4

FA Cup

2

3

0

Chiesa might not quite be ready to be unleashed on English shores, but Salah will hold down the fort and will do so with the incredible style that has established him as one of the greatest forwards of his generation.

However, he might not actually prove to be the most important winger against Erik ten Hag's men. Indeed, Luis Diaz might just find himself proving the star performer.

Why Luis Diaz could be the difference-maker

Diaz, who signed in a £37m move from Porto, ebbed and flowed throughout the 2023/24 campaign but he was nearly always fit and raring to go. Still, 13 goals and five assists across 51 matches in all competitions left something to be desired.

His fleet-footedness and 110% work ethic make him a pillar of Liverpool's team, but if he can keep on playing like he did last weekend, against Brentford, then he could be set for his best season yet as a Redman.

The Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle handed the Colombian an 8/10 match rating for his efforts, writing: 'Hounded the Brentford defence during the opening quarter with direct running and took his goal well. Remained a danger and played ball in for the second.'

Matches (starts)

37 (32)

2 (2)

Goals

8

1

Assists

5

1

Touches*

43.8

47.0

Shots (on target)

2.5 (0.9)

3.0 (1.0)

Big chances missed

13

1

Pass completion

85%

92%

Key passes*

1.8

3.5

Dribbles*

1.8

3.0

Ball recoveries*

3.4

5.0

Total duels won*

4.6

7.0

It's early days, of course, but Diaz, hailed as a "livewire" by journalist Peter Hall, is performing at a superior level to that of last season, with his combativeness and ball-carrying ability evident through his duel success and dribbling metrics.

Man United's backline was exposed last week, during their defeat against Brighton, and Diaz could inflict significant damage through such qualities.

Liverpool have stepped into a new era, but with forwards like Diaz and Salah, the club might just prevail against their biggest rivals.

Move over Chiesa: Liverpool could have signed a "monster" Salah heir

Arne Slot missed out on a current Premier League winger

ByRoss Kilvington Aug 31, 2024

Captain backs positive approach after batters get caught in two minds on final day

Nagraj Gollapudi23-Jun-20213:57

What’s ailing Cheteshwar Pujara?

Virat Kohli, India’s captain, says that his batters may need to take more “risks” in tough conditions to provide more support to their bowling attack.Kohli’s India were bowled out for 217 and 170 in their two innings in Southampton, en route to an eight-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the inaugural World Test Championship final.Though they began the final day with an overnight score of 64 for 2 and a lead of 32, India were bowled out before tea in the best weather conditions of the match, with New Zealand’s four main seamers sharing the wickets around before Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor sealed a 139-run chase with 7.1 overs remaining in the match.Only Rishabh Pant, dropped on 5 in the morning session, found any meaningful resistance as he improvised his way to 41 from 88 balls before holing out to deep backward point, and during the post-match presentation Kohli told Michael Atherton that India were about “30-40 runs short” of a defendable target.Expanding on that point afterwards, Kohli said that some of India’s batting might have been too circumspect in their attempts to combat a well-structured and versatile New Zealand bowling unit.Related

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Pant’s innings attracted criticism in some quarters, particularly the shot that led to his wicket, but Kohli warned that it would be counter-productive to cramp his expansive style – one that has proved crucial in recent months, from their historic series win in Australia last winter to the more recent home victory over England.”Rishabh is just going to be a very expressive player whenever he gets an opportunity,” Kohli said. “Whenever there is a situation that needs to be understood, I think he assesses it really well. When things don’t come off, you can say that it was an error of judgment and that’s acceptable in sportKyle Jamieson celebrates after dismissing Cheteshwar Pujara•AFP via Getty Images

“We don’t want him to lose his positivity or his optimism in changing the situation for the team, and that’s where his USP lies, and we will definitely continue to back him to play that way and find ways to put pressure on the opposition and find ways to score runs, which is his natural game.”India’s next assignment is a five-Test series against England, starting in August, and Kohli warned that his team would need to heed the lessons of this defeat if they are to combat a similarly well-disciplined seam attack, featuring the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who won the corresponding series in 2018 by four Tests to one.”You need to find ways to disrupt that,” Kohli said. “If you don’t put their bowlers under pressure then they have the fitness and the consistency to bowl long spells and keep bowling all day in the same areas and trouble you, and the more momentum you give them, then invariably they get the breakthroughs they want.””The mindset has to be to score runs and find ways to score runs,” he added. “You can’t be too worried about getting out because you are [then] bringing the bowler into the game completely and not moving the game forward. We know that, as a batting unit, if we consistently put up 300 on the board then it is a different kind of pressure on the opposition with the kind of bowlers that we have.”The idea from here on will be to try to score runs and not worry about getting out in testing conditions,” Kohli said. “That’s the only way you can score and put the opposition under pressure, otherwise you’re just literally standing there hoping that you don’t get out and eventually you will because you’re not being optimistic enough.”I think you have to take more risks and calculated risks and be confident about taking those risks against a quality bowling attack like New Zealand.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo recebe o Atlético-MG, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, neste sábado (30), em mais um capítulo de uma rivalidade revigorada. Os dois times tiveram duelos decisivos ao longo das últimas décadas do futebol brasileiro, mas, nos últimos anos, com o crescente poderio financeiro de ambos prometem rivalizar pelos principais troféus nacionais. E não vai ser diferente no Maracanã, a partir das 19h

O Galo pode dar mais um passo rumo ao cobiçado título da Série A, caneco que ele não vê desde 1971, quando venceu seu único Brasileirão. Os mineiros lideram o campeonato com folga, 59 pontos em 28 partidas disputadas – dez a mais que o vice-líder Palmeiras. Já o Flamengo, com 46 pontos, está na quinta colocação, porém tem três jogos a menos e ainda pode sonhar com o tricampeonato consecutivo, caso saía vencedor no embate de gigantes.

Na KTO.com, as odds para o duelo indicam duelo equilibrado, com ligeiro favoritismo dos donos da casa. O Flamengo paga 2.33 para cada R$ 1 apostado em sua vitória. Já os confiantes no triunfo atleticano no Maracana podem embolsar até três vezes o seu investimento, odds de 3.00. O empate tem odds de 3.25 na casa de apostas.

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The Bangladesh head coach is also pleased with the “good energy and attitude” brought by the returning Shakib Al Hasan

Mohammad Isam05-Jul-2021

Tamim Iqbal is doubtful for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe that starts on Wednesday. According to coach Russell Domingo, the opener is yet to recover fully from a knee injury that he picked up during the Dhaka Premier League last month. Domingo, however, had better news about Mushfiqur Rahim’s recovery from the finger injury.”We are still not 100% sure about Tamim,” Domingo said. “There’s still a lot of doubt regarding him. I think a decision will be made in the near future. Mushfiq is pretty confident that he will be fit to play. He has done his rehab really well. Everything seems to be on track. I am pretty confident that he will play.”Domingo was pleased to see the renewed energy and focus of Shakib Al Hasan too, who returned to the Test side having missed the Sri Lanka Test series in April.”Shakib looks really hungry to play Tests again,” he said. “The thing that’s always the key with big players is their desire and attitude when they come into a Test series. It is great to have him back. He balances the side really well.”He bats in the top six, and he is a frontline bowler. He is what every international team is looking for, so it is really pleasing to have him back. He has brought really good energy and attitude on this tour as well.”Related

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The Harare pitch is generally on the slower side. Keeping that in mind, Domingo expected his players to remain patient and play “hard, attritional cricket”.”I think when playing in Harare, patience is very important with bat and ball,” Domingo said. “I have been here a few times and scoring rates haven’t been very high. You have to maintain pressure for long periods of time before getting wickets. It is definitely not a venue where you run through a batting line-up or score 350 runs in a day. It is hard, attritional cricket. They play smart cricket here. We will have our task cut out in the next few days.”That also means Bangladesh will have to be on their toes in the field all the time; their catching hasn’t been up to the mark in the last six months.”We have to be patient, disciplined and hold on to the chances, which might not come around often. When they do come, we have to be mentally ready to take those chances.”Bangladesh are yet to have a look at the pitch, though. “Unfortunately, the groundsman hasn’t allowed us to look at the pitches,” Domingo said. “So once we have had a good look at the pitch, either later today or tomorrow, we will have more ideas about what sort of bowling attack we will be looking at.”

أكد محمود كهربا لاعب فريق الكرة بـ الأهلي مروره بفترة صعبة خلال إيقافه عن المشاركة بالمباريات بسبب عدم تسديد الغرامة الموقعة ضده لصالح الزمالك.

وكان الزمالك قد حصل على حكم بتغريم كهربا، بعد الرحيل إلى نادي ديسبورتيفو أفيش البرتغالي ومنه إلى ناديه الحالي الأهلي.

وقال كهربا في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “الصفقات واللاعبون الراحلون لا أستطيع التعليق بشأن هذا الأمر، والجمهور له الحق أن يرى قائمة لاعبين كبار ولكن لا أعرف السبب”.

وبسؤاله عن فترة إيقافه؟، أجاب: “الخطيب وقف معي وقفات غير طبيعية وساندني وكان سببًا لاستمراري في عالم كرة القدم، ولم أكن سأواصل اللعب لأن الغرامة المالية كانت كبيرة، وأنا كنت أولى بهذه الأموال”.

واستطرد: “دفعت رقمًا كبيرًا في الغرامة منها وقدمت إعلانًا تجاريًا، وغرامة الزمالك بالكامل 76 مليون جنيه دفعت منها نصف الرقم، وإذا تكرر الأمر سأدفع الغرامة لارتداء قميص الأهلي وحصد البطولات، وتعرضت للظلم وراضي بأي شيء في الدنيا”.

طالع | كهربا: تناولت 3 أقراص منومة بعد مباراة باتشوكا وقلت “يا رب مصحاش”

وتابع: “أصعب شيء للاعب الكرة الابتعاد عن الشيء الذي يحبه ولا أعرف أعمل شيء غير الكرة، وتعرضت للظلم بسبب غرامة الزمالك وشعرت بالقهر، ووالدي ووالدتي ساندوني كثيرًا خلال فترة التوقف”.

وأردف: “الخطيب ساعدني من أجل عمل إعلانات لسداد غرامة نادي الزمالك، كل الغرامات الموقعة في النادي الأهلي معلنة، ولا أفتعل مشاكل داخل النادي، ومحمد الشناوي شخصية جميلة جدًا ونتحدث مع بعض”.

وواصل: “إمام عاشور موهبة غير طبيعية وأنا أريد أن أنجح في النادي الأهلي، وغرف الملابس جميلة جدًا ولا أفتعل مشاكل، وعلاقتي بمحمد مجدي أفشة جميلة، وعمرو الساعي لاعب قوي جدًا”.

وحول رأيه في الأزمة بين الشحات والشيبي؟، أجاب: “الموضوع لم يكن من المفترض أن يحدث، ولكنه كان (نرفزة ملعب)”.

واختتم: “كنت أتواجد بأحد النوادي وليس ملهي ليلي والفيديو الذي انتشر كان قديما، وتواجدت في خطوبة صديقي بأحد النوادي وليس ملهي ليلي، واتخذ اجراءات قانونية في هذا الأمر”.

Pakistan batting coach Younis Khan appealed for patience, warning people not to heap too much pressure on a young Pakistan squad ahead of the series against South Africa. He said a lot of people had over the years been picked in Test cricket for performances in other formats, but it was necessary to give this side time to adapt their game to the highest level.Pakistan named nine uncapped players in a 20-man squad for a two-match Test series against South Africa following a disastrous New Zealand tour, dropping several Test regulars – Shan Masood, Mohammad Abbas, Imam ul Haq, Haris Sohail and Naseem Shah. A dramatic overhaul saw white-ball specialists Haris Rauf and Abdullah Shafique making into the side alongside with a slew of players from domestic circuit. These included Kamran Ghulam, Salman Agha and Saud Shakeel, prolific run-scorers on the domestic circuit, as well as Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan and Tabish Khan, similarly successful in the wicket-taking department.Since January 2010, Pakistan have had handed Test debuts to 43 cricketers, but of those, only Azhar Ali (83), Asad Shafiq (77) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (48) have played more than 30 Test matches. Babar Azam, with 29 Tests, has showed enough promise to build a successful Test career, but several have faded away after a handful of games. While handing chances to new players hasn’t been an issue, Pakistan have continued to struggle to enable them to last the course once they are promoted to the Test side.”Ideally, a player should have lots of cricket behind them before being selected for the top national team,” Younis said. “When we talk about other players from successful teams, they come with an excess of 100 first-class matches, and we are missing out on this. We have so many players inducted into the team after playing T20I matches and ODIs so, in terms of Test cricket, it takes time to understand your role and transform your game accordingly from one format to another.”There is definitely a lack of cricket behind them when they are picked for the national side. We [Younis, Inzamam etc] used to play a lot of cricket from the top to grade 2 level and had more tough conditions overall. But these days it’s different, with a lot of players picked after one-off performances. But when they are selected too early, they are found out on the international stage, with a lot of weaknesses highlighted that are not apparent on the domestic level.”Pakistan have struggled to find their feet in Test cricket since rising to the top of the rankings in 2016. For much of the past four years, they have dropped back down to the lower half of the table, and currently sit in sixth place in the ICC Test rankings.Since 2016, when the first edition of the PSL took place, a number of players who rose to prominence in the T20 league have made it into the Test side, but Younis insisted he did not want to see the importance of the domestic first-class system erode. That was evident in the number of players plucked from first-class cricket for Pakistan’s series against South Africa, and Younis wanted to see these players get an extended run, confident they would make the grade.”International cricket is all about yourself, how you go about your skills, hone them, and evolve as a player,” Younis said when asked why so many Pakistan players couldn’t stay the course at the international arena. “I won’t say its technique and tactics but it’s more about focus. When I started, I used to play with different styles and techniques and in a few years’ time, I realised I had to stick with what was best for me to survive. So I’m there to help the players but not overwhelm them with too much input. They tend to make mistakes and there will be failures and that is how they will learn. They need to be given the freedom and we have to understand that young players need time and should be given time.”Coaches can identify the problem and tell the players the solution, but then at the end of the day, it all comes down to the players. They themselves have to take initiatives and work hard towards their goals.”I wish that the young lot of players we have selected for the South Africa series should be given at least two to three series. Because when you chop and change, it’s really tough not only for the players but for coaches. It happened in the past and I wish this doesn’t happen again and I get to work with the boys to make a difference. We don’t have to look for their performances right now and we have to show belief and trust in them.”

Opener admits to finding life in the bubble strange, as January arrival clashes with likely dates

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Dec-2020

Rory Burns has indicated he may choose to miss England’s tour of Sri Lanka in January, so that he can attend the birth of his first child.Although the dates of the Sri Lanka tour are not yet known (the ECB was due to confirm them this week but had to postpone the announcement) the two-Test series is likely to begin in the middle of the month, with the team set to depart on January 2.And given the expectation of strict Covid-19 protocols in Sri Lanka and India, where England are also due to tour in the new year, it is unclear whether Burns would be able either to leave the tour early or arrive in the country late.”I’m not too sure at the minute,” Burns told London’s Evening Standard. “I’m waiting to see what the dates are. I don’t know them yet, so it’s a judgment call closer to the time.”I’m not sure [whether he would miss a Test]. I’d like to be there for the birth, especially with it being the first one. I will need to decide a bit closer to the time, when there’s a little bit more knowledge of what’s going on.”Burns had also been due to miss England’s postponed tour of Sri Lanka in March, after damaging ankle ligaments while playing football during the preceding South Africa series.However, he played a full part in all six of England’s summer Tests against West Indies and Pakistan, albeit with mixed success, as he followed a haul of 234 runs at 46.80 in the former series with 20 runs at 5.00 in the latter. In the same interview, he conceded that the strictures of England’s bio-secure environment may have played a part in that downturn in form.”The summer was short and sharp and it just got away from me at times,” he said. “It was great to win both series. [Against] West Indies I played quite nicely, Pakistan I think I got some good balls. Suddenly, the summer’s done.ALSO READ: England concerned about bio-secure integrity, says SA team doctor”Bubble life was different. It’s not something I personally enjoyed that much. I like getting out and about a bit more, to do different things. It seems rugby has learned from that, they’ve been getting in and out of the bubble. That’s quite important.”When I have played my best, it’s when cricket’s not been the be-all and end-all,” he added. “I found that you couldn’t get away from cricket. You walk from one end of the ground to the other.”I like to go for a coffee, see a mate or my missus; refreshing yourself by not thinking cricket — and that’s a lot harder to do in the bubble setting. That was the main challenge for me. It sounds quite trivial, but everyone’s experiencing this period differently.”Should Burns decide not to join the Sri Lanka tour, the England management are sure to take a sympathetic view of the situation – the captain, Joe Root, missed the first Test of last summer to attend the birth of his second child, with Ben Stokes taking over as captain.However, he would be inviting pressure for his place at the top of the order, with Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley having demonstrated their aptitude for the role in the past 12 months, and with Keaton Jennings also a possibility for selection, having enjoyed previous success as an opener in Asian conditions.Jonny Bairstow, who last played a Test in South Africa 12 months ago, is also expected to earn a recall for the Sri Lanka trip, having pulled out of his Big Bash deal with Melbourne Stars, while Jofra Archer – a mainstay of England’s Test bubble in the summer – is likely to be rested ahead of an arduous 12 months across formats.”I’m not sure what’s happening in Sri Lanka, but I know at least I’ll be home for Christmas,” Archer told Sky Sports, prior to his departure from England’s current South Africa tour. “And whatever happens I should be well refreshed to take on whatever is going on in the new year.”The guys here have given us their full backing. If anyone is saying they want to get out of the bubble, they will try their best to accommodate it. We have a T20 World Cup coming up, and an Ashes, so I think we’ll prioritise the tournaments coming up.”