'Proper big dog' coming to County, Moeen Ali on Kohli, Sports : Today Indya

'Proper big dog' coming to County, Moeen Ali on Kohli

Sports

timesofindia

NEW DELHI: Some assumptions in the Surrey dressing room are sure to come crashing down when "proper big dog" Virat Kohli joins the side, said England all-rounder Moeen Ali as he reflected on the Indian captain's much talked-about county stint next month.

While there aren't too many big local names in the Surrey squad, there are a few international stars in the line-up, headlined by South Africa's Morne Morkel, Tom Curran, Dean Elgar and Australia's Mitchell Marsh and Aaron Finch.

Moeen and his compatriot Chris Woakes are playing under Kohli for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL.

"I know a few of the Surrey guys and they are not what people make them out to be a lot of the time. But if anyone in that dressing room does think they are a big dog, they will need to sit down for a little while because there is a proper big dog coming," Moeen was quoted as saying by 'The Guardian'.

Moeen and Woakes also rejected the perception that the Indian captain is intimidating and aggressive.

"You see him on the field and people might think he's arrogant but it is the complete opposite. He's so humble it is almost weird how nice he is. He's the biggest name in India but will ring me to check I'm OK or ask if I fancy lunch.

"Sometimes a player will invite the squad to their house for a meal and it would be easy for him to say no. But he would always go. I can say with certainty that anyone who has a bad word doesn't know the guy," he said.

Endorsing Moeen's view, Woakes added: "You have your perceptions of someone like Virat, who is quite passionate, emotional, in your face and plays it hard. But off the field he's very calm and you can chat about anything.

"He's very down to earth and for someone who has such huge pressures and public focus in India, to see him go about his business in this way quite refreshing."

Woakes went to the extent of saying that any other player of the team is irrelevant when Kohli is around.

"In my first year of IPL I found as an overseas player you get a lot of attention walking through airports in India. But having him in the team - the No 1, the king - we're almost irrelevant.

"It makes you realise what his life is like. So county cricket will be much more chilled and he'll enjoy that. Playing at smaller grounds, which will be an experience too. Having spoken to him about it, he loves touring other countries - it's a release."

The English paceman also spoke of how Kohli approaches a match.

"Around 30 minutes before the bus leaves for a match, he does what he calls a 'priming session' in the gym. It's like a short burst of Olympic weightlifting.

"It's certainly different but it works for him. Overall, his fitness work is having a serious impact on the next generation of Indian players. He's leaner, fitter and more agile than those before."

Article Original Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/proper-big-dog-comi...

ENGLAND'S WORLD CUP SQUAD CONFIRMED: SOUTHGATE NAMES TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD IN 23-MAN TEAM

Sports

goal

Gareth Southgate has announced his final 23-man England squad for the World Cup, with high-profile absentees including Adam Lallana, Jack Wilshere, Joe Hart and Ryan Bertrand.

Former first-choice goalkeeper Hart has been dropped from the squad following poor form at West Ham for Burnley's Nick Pope , while Arsenal midfielder Wilshere has also been omitted from the group that will travel to Russia.

Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland are the other goalkeepers in the squad.

Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand is a surprise exclusion from the defensive line, though Liverpool youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold has been handed his first senior England call-up after a sensational season following his hand in helping the Reds reach the Champions League final.

Southgate has opted to go with John Stones , Kieran Trippier , Kyle Walker , Gary Cahill , Harry Maguire , Danny Rose , Phil Jones , and Ashley Young for his defensive options.

Seventeen-year-old Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon has not been selected for the squad despite a stunning season with the Championship side.

Jordan Henderson is likely to anchor the midfield, with Dele Alli , Eric Dier and Raheem Sterling also selected. Adam Lallana failed to make the cut following his recent fitness issues, while Jesse Lingard , Fabian Delph and Ashley Young will also form the heart of the Three Lions squad.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane will once again lead the England line, and is tipped to be captain, with support from Jamie Vardy, Danny Welbeck and Marcus Rashford , at the expense of Bournemouth's Jermain Defoe.

England's World Cup 2018 squad in full

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Jack Butland

Defenders: Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gary Cahill, Danny Rose, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Ashley Young

Midfielders: Eric Dier, Fabian Delph, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard

Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck

England will begin their Group G campaign against Tunisia on June 18, before fixtures against Panama on June 24 and Belgium on June 28.

Expectations aren't high for the Three Lions although favourable Group H opponents in the last 16 - Colombia, Poland, Senegal or Japan - could offer a potential quarter-final berth, where Germany or Brazil would likely await.

Article Original Source : http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/englands-world-cup-squad-confirmed-southgate...