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Hero of India tour, Young ready to slot into his old position at the top

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Player of the Series in the India Tests, he had been left out of the first two Tests against England. He will finally get a game in Hamilton

Vithushan Ehantharajah12-Dec-2024You would be forgiven for thinking New Zealand’s 3-0 victory over India was a figment of your imagination.India do not lose in India, and they certainly do not get swept in India. And so how could a team go from pulling off that impossible job with such panache and then succumb to a tame defeat in a three-match series inside just seven days? And not just that, but lose consecutive Tests comprehensively to an England side that had been trounced 4-1 by India at the start of the year?Bossing on Test cricket’s toughest frontier and falling meekly at home, all in the space of a month. Something does not quite add up.Related

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Adding to the familiar conspiracy theory theme of faked historical events was the absence of Will Young against England. Player of the Series against India with 244 runs at 48.40, yet unselected for the opening two Tests at home.Had he not graced the field as a sub during the first two Tests, the homemade “JUSTICE FOR WILL YOUNG” signs seen on the Hagley Oval grass banks might have snowballed into an hour-long Alex Jones rant by the time we got to Seddon Park. Thankfully, on Thursday, the man of the previous hour put everyone at ease as he addressed the media two days out from his return to New Zealand’s XI.”I’ve obviously got some supporters behind me,” Young said of the “hard luck” messages he has received. Just to add to the “did that really happen?” nature of what Young accomplished in India, he still does not have the Player-of-the-Series trophy back in his possession: “It’s in a box in transit (between Christchurch and Napier), I think,” revealed Young. “Hopefully I’ll get it soon.”That Young has been a key talking point this series without seeing action tells its own story. New Zealand have been outplayed by a more dominant, altogether more coherent England side. What started as an understandable decision to give Kane Williamson back his No. 3 spot at Young’s expense has morphed out of selectors’ control because of the underperformance of the rest.Williamson is the only member of the top six to average over 40 this series. That Young’s opportunity has come through the withdrawal of Devon Conway ahead of the birth of his first child has perhaps softened an impending decision on the opener’s spot, Conway having averaged 5.25 across four innings.Throw in the switch-up of emotion for Tim Southee’s retirement – a farewell tour arrives at his home ground with questions as to whether he should play in it – New Zealand Cricket is undergoing a good deal of introspection. Young’s first appearance of the home season offers temporary stability.He brought that in front of the microphones on Thursday. Even a bit of light relief regarding his drinks-carrying role over the past fortnight. “I’ve run a few now [in my career], so I know my way around. The boys were well-hydrated.Will Young had to make way for Kane Williamson in the first two home Tests•Getty Images”Look, to come back here, it’s disappointing – obviously you always want to play. It’s a very tough line-up to fit into and it’s just the way it is at the moment, and that’s fine.”It was a fantastic time in India and we did really, really well. I got the accolade of Player of the Series. But the fact of the matter is we all played outstandingly well and all stood up at different times. The nature of Test cricket is the balance of the side can change a lot.”Having one of NZ’s absolute greats in Kane coming back was always going to be a headache, so I was prepared to be back on the drinks and that’s what transpired.”I’ll wait in the wings for my opportunity and thankfully one has come here in the last Test against England.”He defended head coach Gary Stead’s part in the decision, and the subsequent status quo of selection when New Zealand went in unchanged for the second Test. An eight-wicket defeat in Christchurch was followed by a galling 323-run loss in Wellington.”Gary is pretty transparent,” said Young. “There’s nothing to talk about there. You hear his position, you understand it. At the end of the day he’s got the team’s best interest at heart, too. I understand, it’s just the way it is at the moment.”That Young will open this week adds a little more narrative to his return. There is familiarity, with 21 of the 32-year-old’s 34 Test innings come at the very top of the order. But a modest average of 22.76 in that position, set against his exploits in India at first drop – where he now averages 47.12 – represents the continuation of an ongoing challenge for the right-hand batter.He initially fashioned himself as an opener back in 2018, when New Zealand’s middle was occupied by the likes of Williamson and Ross Taylor. A clearer path further up saw him adopt the role for New Zealand A before assuming it domestically outright for Central Districts.”I’ve had various opportunities so far in my Test career,” said Young when asked of this week’s assignment. “As reserve batter, you’ve got to be capable of filling any role.”Most of the opportunities have come opening the batting. I know what it’s like at the top – certainly it can be challenging.”The key difference is the amount of time you’ve got between fielding and chucking the pads on. It can be quite rushed; you’ve got 10 minutes to get your mind back on the job. If you’re (No.) 3 or 4, you can also be in the first over, you know?It’s not a massive difference. I’m just keen to get any slot.”

Flying under the radar, Travis Head could play decisive hand for Australia in England

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Back in the middle order after a brief spell at the top, the left-hander can attack even in difficult situations

Andrew McGlashan05-Jun-2023You can go through Australia’s top order, and most have had a significant focus in the lead-up to two defining months of Test cricket. Whether David Warner has a final hurrah in him has often led the way, and will only ramp up after he mapped his own end point; Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have been visible in county cricket, which has provided plenty of fodder; the story of Usman Khawaja’s stunning return to Test cricket is never far away, and Cameron Green, with the IPL now among his successes, continues to be billed as greatness in the making.In all that, it feels like Travis Head is going a little under the radar. But he shapes as a key part of the top six, back at his regular No. 5 position after finding himself opening in India following a difficult start to that tour when he was omitted for the opening Test.And India also comes first for Australia on their tour of England – in vastly different conditions than they experienced in February and March – with the World Test Championship at stake this week at The Oval. But everything also points towards the Ashes. It was the last meeting with England, at home in 2021-22, where Head returned to the Test side a transformed player, or at the very least, a player able to express himself.Related

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In that, there are strong traits of how England have transformed themselves; and while theirs has been a team-wide overhaul of style and conviction, it was notable that Head was a player picked out by Ben Stokes during a pre-summer interview with Nasser Hussain for Sky Sports.”I think Travis Head is someone who since he came into the team has really taken his opportunity, and gone ‘This is how I’m going to play’,” Stokes had said. “Him being allowed to go out and play the way he has, he’s been so successful. He was so hard to bowl to in Australia when we were there last time because he just threw counterpunches, and those innings he played against us were really hard to bowl to, really hard to set fields to. But we are prepared for that.”Travball pre-dated Bazball by more than six months. During that last Ashes, Head had a strike rate of 86.02 across the four matches he was able to play – he missed the fourth Test in Sydney with Covid-19 which, it’s worth remembering, opened the door for Khawaja’s return.When Head had walked to the crease in first Test at the Gabba, Australia were on top, but England threatened a fightback as Ollie Robinson removed Warner and Green in consecutive balls. Head proceeded to flay 152 off 148 balls, the century coming in a session and from only 85 deliveries, in what became a pivotal few hours for Head’s career.After returning from Covid-19 for the final Test in Hobart, Head did it again – and on a green pitch being exploited by England’s seamers – as he surged to a 112-ball hundred and gave Australia enough runs to ensure their demoralised opponents fell short.

Prior to that – including the 2019 Ashes in England – Head’s Test career had been a mixture of promise, not least his Boxing Day hundred against New Zealand that summer, and some frustrations. Last time in England he made a half-century at Edgbaston and then helped save the Lord’s Test, but two matches later, found himself sidelined when Australia wanted Mitchell Marsh’s bowling at The Oval.The omission only lasted one match, with Head back for the start of the home summer when that MCG hundred was the highlight; but the following home season against India in 2020-21, he was dropped after two Tests.Minor technical tweaks followed, after some initial observations by then coach Justin Langer, which played a part in that prolific Ashes campaign. There was another outstanding home summer in 2022-23, where he filled his boots against West Indies before making a brilliant, counterattacking 92 on a spiteful Gabba pitch against South Africa’s strong pace attack.However, between those two summers, there was a more difficult time on the subcontinent in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which paved the way for his omission from the opening Test against India earlier this year. While there were arguments that could be made to support the decision where Matt Renshaw was preferred in the middle order, it felt odd despite Head’s average of 15.16 the previous winter. It led to “robust” conversations with coach Andrew McDonald.Travis Head opened in India but is set to return to the middle order in England•BCCIIn the end, Head’s absence lasted one game, although initially his recall in Delhi was talked up as much for his bowling. As it played out, before that second Test was over, he had found a new role, elevated to opening after Warner was subbed out with concussion.Head played superbly on the second evening, rattling India with his positive strokeplay, and resumed on the third morning 39 off 40 balls. However, he nicked R Ashwin early and Australia conspired to fall in a heap, losing 9 for 48, and a few hours later, finding themselves 2-0 down.Head was retained as opener for the remainder of the series, and played an important hand in chasing down a small target in Indore to secure a famous victory, and then made the most of more benign conditions in Ahmedabad, closing out with 90 on the final day of the series. It was a strong response to the initial omission.But the opening role will only be an exception for Head in Test cricket, with a possibility he will do it again in Sri Lanka much later in 2025. Rather, he brings dynamism to Australia’s middle order – either counterattacking from positions of difficulty and changing momentum, or taking advantage of tired attacks when the top four have done their work.The WTC final and the first part of the Ashes take place relatively early in the English season. Head’s challenge, as with all the batters, will come from the moving Dukes ball – he averaged 18.30 during his stint with Sussex in 2021 – but if Stokes’ order for “fast, flat” pitches is heeded, and the weather allows it, conditions in the Ashes may not be vastly different to what he has enjoyed at home. And even if not, he has shown that if the pace bowlers are dominating, he can wrestle back the initiative.He may not always be the first name picked out when Australia’s batting is discussed, but Head has it in him to play a decisive hand over the next few weeks.

Lovely spells but not many wickets – with Mohammad Abbas, it's a worrying pattern

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Why has there been a decline in Mohammad Abbas’ wicket-taking ability?

Osman Samiuddin06-Jan-2021At times, Mohammad Abbas bowled beautifully in the first Test against New Zealand in Mount Manganui, notably on that first morning with the new ball but also to start the second innings. He ghosted past both edges, hit them too, and more generally, gave Pakistan control whenever he was on – much as we have come to expect.At times, Mohammad Abbas bowled beautifully in the second Test in Christchurch, notably on the second morning and afternoon with the new ball. He ghosted past both edges, hit them too, and more generally, gave Pakistan control whenever he was on – much as we have come to expect.The sum total at the end of all this, though, was four wickets in two Tests, from 76 overs. Only one of those wickets could be considered meaningful – when Ross Taylor fell in Christchurch to leave New Zealand 71 for 3.Taken in isolation, this wouldn’t warrant deep attention. Bowlers bowling well for scant reward is a simple – and occasional – fact of the trade. Except with Abbas, this is becoming a pattern, at least ever since those heady times two years ago when, after a ten-wicket haul against Australia in Abu Dhabi, he became the No. 3-ranked Test bowler in the world.Related

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Two Tests later, after his 12th, he had 61 wickets, at an average of and no wonder Dale Steyn – and the world – was getting so excited. But he injured his right shoulder during that Test against New Zealand in Dubai and missed Pakistan’s next two Tests.And, since his return, there has been a lot of Abbas bowling well but very little of Abbas getting wickets. England last summer was a good illustration, where Abbas bowled some fine spells. Remember not just that Ben Stokes wicket, but the trouble he caused Dom Sibley, or a mini afternoon spell to Zak Crawley and Joe Root in the second Test. Yet he ended the series with five wickets (even though it is legitimate to wonder how many more he might have had in that heavily curtailed second Test).Since the injury, his strike rate has more than doubled, from 42.4 in his first 12 to 93.3 in 11 Tests since. The economy rate has not budged much (2.34 to 2.52) so he’s maintained control, but this young pace attack needs his wickets to feed off, and he’s only got 23 in that time.The injury itself is more a marker than a reason, even though there was a sense he returned too quickly – and given the PCB medical department’s track record with injured fast bowlers, it will come as little surprise if his rehabilitation was mismanaged.ESPNcricinfo LtdHis pace since has not changed drastically. According to analysis from , that covers around 75% of the total balls he’s bowled, his average pace has dropped from 128.6kph to 126.6kph. Small dip, though it could be argued that at his already slow pace, perhaps it makes a slightly bigger difference.The noticeable difference is in his lengths. Before the injury, nearly a quarter of all deliveries Abbas bowled (24.6%) were classified as full by ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data* (includes yorkers and full tosses). Since the start of January 2019 – when he returned in Cape Town – that has dropped to 8.4%.What defines Abbas, of course, is not so much the full ball as the one he lands on a length – or actually, that in-between length, where batsmen are not sure whether to go forward or hang back. Ball after ball, over after over, match after match.After his return, there has been an increase in both the percentage of his length and back-of-length deliveries, but at the cost of his fuller deliveries. And that’s significant because of his strike rates by length. Before the injury, his strike rate for fuller balls was 31.9 (20 of his 61 wickets). That strike rate has ballooned to 162 since, though the sample size of full deliveries is so small now that it’s difficult to conclude whether it’s become a less effective weapon. Compounding it is that his strike rate for length balls has doubled, from 41.6 to 95.6.A fair bit of this will be down to where Abbas has played. In his first 12 Tests, he played mostly on slower, lower surfaces in the West Indies, UAE and England. He thrived, allowing him to go full more often knowing that driving him – with lateral movement around or lower bounce – was loaded with risk. His last 11 Tests include matches in South Africa, Australia and now New Zealand where, generally, surfaces come truer and with more bounce. Driving, especially to Abbas’s pace, carries greater reward than risk. Pulling back lengths could simply be Abbas adapting to conditions.Except that when he played in Pakistan last winter, where he might be expected to bowl fuller more often, his full-ball percentages were even lower, at 4.6%. That suggests something else at play, something out of Abbas’ control.ESPNcricinfo LtdIncreasingly, over the last couple of years, batsmen with more exposure now have realised they can defang Abbas simply by taking guard well outside the crease. His pace doesn’t just allow it, it actively invites it, messing up his natural lengths and cutting down space for the ball to do something. Cricviz data confirms that the average interception point – where batsmen meet an Abbas delivery – has gone up from 1.83m (from the stumps) in his first year to 2.2m last year, and was 2.55m during the first New Zealand Test.Recall how prominent a feature it was when England’s top order played him last summer, even if the most memorable outcome was the Stokes dismissal. In Pakistan last winter, both Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Silva tried to take him on similarly, but found, as Aaron Finch did in the UAE with Abbas at his peak, that on those low-bounce pitches, pulling back lengths doesn’t necessarily take lbws or bowleds.The tactic has taken lbw out but it has possibly also impacted the edges Abbas is getting, a number of which have been falling short of slips. For good length and full balls outside off-stump, Abbas took 32 wickets before his injury, eight of which were caught by the wicketkeeper or in the slips region, and 13 of which were lbw. Since then, he’s taken eight (two lbws and two caught). Are edges not carrying because batsmen are so far down the pitch, where they also won’t be adjudged lbw? Off that line and length there is a very slight dip of 1% across the two periods in the false shots Abbas is inducing, so he’s still deceiving batsmen. Yet the final result – in terms of not getting wickets – is significant.The counter has been to have the wicketkeeper come up. In Karachi, in fact, Dickwella was bowled the very first ball after Mohammad Rizwan came up. But it’s not something that has ever looked like developing into a more sustainable strategy and, ultimately, the trade-offs from a keeper standing up to fast bowling over a longer term are unknown.It’s not as if he’s going to – or can, at no cost to something else – suddenly increase his pace. It’s also not as if he can recreate that Stokes delivery – not least on surfaces with greater bounce – on demand. Maybe there’s not much to do for now, except to accept that this is simply the kind of statistical regression to a mean that happens in every career which begins with such freakish numbers (barring one), and that, in conditions more suited, he will remain a wicket-taking threat. Not every batsman will take guard outside and it was no surprise that in Christchurch, Abbas looked at his best – and picked up the wicket of Taylor – when he was bowling to batsmen who didn’t. It just so happened that Kane Williamson was one of those, who saw off the best of Abbas where lesser batsman may not have.Otherwise, it might be worth focusing on developing the other fast bowlers in the attack – wicket-taking in nature – around him, because the control Abbas brings is still gold for Pakistan.

Keith Jackson shares what he’s "heard" from Rangers on Thelwell’s Ibrox position

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Many Rangers supporters want to see sporting director Kevin Thelwell replaced, and now a big claim has emerged regarding his position of power at Ibrox.

Thelwell feeling the heat at Rangers

The Gers’ 3-0 defeat away to Brann in the Europa League on Thursday has done little to silence the dissenting voices, with Danny Rohl experiencing a sobering life in charge at Ibrox. It is hard to blame the German, but this will only increase the magnitude of the job being asked of him.

There are high-profile characters galore at Rangers who are under huge pressure, including sporting director Thelwell, with former defender David Weir mentioned as an option to replace him by Heart & Hand.

There is no doubt that Thelwell hasn’t hit the ground running in his role, having arrived from Everton at the end of last season, and unless something drastic changes, it is hard to see him remaining in the job for too long.

The same applies to chairman Andrew Cavenegh and CEO Patrick Stewart, and now a big claim has dropped that highlights the level of power Thelwell has at Rangers at the moment.

Thelwell influencing team decisions at Ibrox

Speaking on Hotline Live [Ibrox News], journalist Keith Jackson claimed that Thelwell actually helped pick Rangers’ starting XI against Dundee United last weekend, and may have also influenced the line-up vs Brann.

“What I’ve heard, whether it’s right or wrong, but I suspect it’s correct – I think Thelwell had a hand in picking the team at the weekend when Steven Smith was in charge. Would it surprise me if there was a little bit of influence from the sporting director in that lineup (vs Brann)? Not in the slightest.”

This update perfectly illustrates the control Thelwell has at Rangers, and many will feel that him picking the team at home to Dundee United only undermined the job that Smith was doing. Not only that, but the Gers failed to win the game, falling further behind Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts in the process.

The 51-year-old Englishman has a huge amount to do if he is to win round the masses, and despite only being sporting director for a matter of months, the writing is arguably already on the wall for him, having blown a huge amount of money on the struggling

Youssef Chermiti and decimated the defensive ranks in the transfer window.

Rangers now told to replace Kevin Thelwell with "recruitment mastermind"

Would this be an upgrade for the Gers?

1 ByHenry Jackson Oct 24, 2025

Thelwell’s biggest hope of staying on at Rangers is enjoying a strong working relationship with Rohl, and helping oversee massive improvements on and off the pitch, but even then, his critics are unlikely to go away any time soon.

بدلاء منتخب مصر أمام الإمارات في كأس العرب 2025

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

كشف الجهاز الفني لـ منتخب مصر، بقيادة حلمي طولان، قائمة اللاعبين البدلاء في مواجهة الإمارات، التي تقام بين المنتخبين اليوم السبت.

ويلتقي منتخب مصر مع الإمارات، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثانية من مباريات دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس العرب المقامة في قطر.

وتنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة 8:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، وتنقل عبر قنوات إم بي سي مصر 2 وقناة الكأس وقناة بي إن سبورت المفتوحة بالإضافة إلى أبو ظبي الرياضية.

وكان منتخب مصر تعادل في لقاء الجولة الأولى من بطولة كأس العرب 2025، أمام الكويت، بنتيجة (1-1).

طالع | تشكيل منتخب مصر أمام الإمارات في كأس العرب 2025.. ثلاثي هجومي

ويتواجد منتخب مصر حاليًا في المركز الثاني من المجموعة الثالثة برصيد نقطة، بينما يتصدر الترتيب منتخب الأردن برصيد 6 نقاط حاسمًا التأهل من المجموعة قبل لقاء الجولة الختامية. بدلاء منتخب مصر اليوم أمام الإمارات في كأس العرب 2025

محمد عواد – علي لطفي – كريم العراقي – أحمد هاني – محمود حمدي “الونش” – هادي رياض – محمد مجدي أفشة – ميدو جابر – محمد مسعد – محمد شريف – حسام حسن.

Man City exploring move to sign £65m Premier League star alongside Anderson

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Manchester City are firmly in the Premier League title race and could bring a high-profile star to the Etihad Stadium in January after Pep Guardiola hatched a plan to land his signature.

Manchester City move on after seeing off Leeds United

Truthfully, Manchester City didn’t put on their best display against Leeds United. However, they will be delighted by the end result as Phil Foden’s classy winner prevented back-to-back defeats after losing out at Newcastle United.

Title races are never straightforward and always require steel in the face of uncertainty, albeit Guardiola reserved special praise for the scorer of the Citizens’ crowning strike as they kept on track in pursuit of the top-flight crown.

“It’s not the first time we saw that. A thousand, thousand, million times he’s done it. The quality, shooting, strong. Like his goal against West Ham to win the Premier League. Phil has to be around the box. Shoot or pass. His finishing is so quick. Phil is doing a really good season.”

Back-to-back blanks in front of goal for Erling Haaland may be a sign that more needs to be done in the way of recruiting someone to plug the gaps at the top end of the field. Still, Omar Marmoush is likely to be given more opportunities as the season continues to unfold.

Keeping pace at the top will require investment in January, especially given the Citizens’ rivals are likely to strengthen after a bruising festive period, which is set to stretch everyone’s squad to the limit.

Finding solutions when certain sources of goals dry up will be the challenge for all title contenders, not just Manchester City, but they could be the ones set to benefit early on in the January window if the Sky Blues can wrap up an exciting deal.

Elliot Anderson is one of their main targets but there are other irons in the fire.

Man City keen to activate Antoine Semenyo's release clause

According to The Times, Manchester City are exploring a move for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.

They are considering activating the winger’s £65m release clause on New Year’s Day, potentially beating other suitors to sign the Ghana international.

Although not set in stone, there is a feeling at the club that bringing in the Cherries attacker could be the difference in their hunt for the Premier League title, an opinion that many will share after his flying start to the campaign.

Semenyo’s 2025/26 record – all competitions

Appearances

13

Goals

6

Assists

1

Dubbed “talented” by Jamie Redknapp, Semenyo has also created 15 chances and completed 21 dribbles on Premier League duty, per Fotmob, showcasing his appeal to suitors keen to tempt him away from the South Coast.

Now, it will be over to City officials as they aim to convince Semenyo that moving to Manchester is the best course of action for his career. On the face of it, playing a part in a title chase could be an appealing prospect.

Alongside Anderson: Man City open talks to sign "top-drawer" £70m star

The Citizens are in the market for attacking reinforcements and have now identified a Premier League star.

BySean Markus Clifford Nov 30, 2025

Transfer twist at Leeds with 49ers ready to back Farke with £20m forward

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

Leeds United are on the lookout for attacking potency in January and could be set to back Daniel Farke in his pursuit to bring a talented forward to Elland Road.

The Whites find themselves embroiled in a fight against the drop, and not everyone is feeling wholly confident in the former Norwich City boss, even if his side has produced some encouraging moments this term.

All too often, fine margins determine the outcome of Premier League matches, and Farke’s side has been on the wrong side of them, leading some to question his ability to lead the Whites forward.

With that in mind, Leeds are keen to source proven quality in the form of Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling, even if his £325,000 wages may prove to be a stumbling block in negotiations.

Signings or no signings, Farke has vowed that his side won’t change as they aim to secure top-flight football for next term, claiming that their approach to being successful will pay off in the long run.

He said before his side took on Aston Villa: “If you follow our way of working over the past two and half years, you know exactly what we are doing, how we try to approach a game and try to be successful. This won’t change at all.”

Sticking by your principles can be the defining choice that determines whether a manager is successful in keeping their job. Farke has been a nice fit for Leeds since arriving at Elland Road, though he has routinely come under scrutiny and is now back under the spotlight.

Either way, the January transfer window is creeping closer, and the 49ers could now be set to back their man as they pursue an exciting striker.

Leeds in pursuit of Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia

According to The Mirror, Leeds are willing to sign Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia on an initial six-month loan with a £20 million mandatory purchase option in the summer as the 49ers aim to back Farke in the New Year.

However, there has been a twist as Los Blancos boss Xabi Alonso is said to have blocked the move, notifying the forward that he is still part of his plans both in the immediate term and further down the line.

Gonzalo Garcia at Real Madrid – all competitions

Appearances

21

Goals

5

Assists

3

Intriguingly, Leeds were confident that they could lure Garcia to England before the ex-Liverpool star’s intervention, and the Spain Under-21 international was also said to be keen on a move to the Premier League after finding regular minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu hard to come by.

Alonso is aware he will need to utilise his whole squad, potentially offering more openings for the 21-year-old to feature as Real Madrid chase more silverware both domestically and in Europe.

Leeds are also eyeing an alternative £20m forward

Bursting onto the scene at the Club World Cup, Garcia would certainly be a viable option in the Leeds attack if they were able to complete a deal, though any chance of that now looks to be unlikely unless circumstances change.

VIDEO: Premier League legend's son scores brilliant solo goal as England's Young Lions face Egypt at the U-17 World Cup

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

England's Young Lions needed just 14 minutes to open the scoring against Egypt at the Under-17 World Cup on Monday in Qatar. Manchester City star Reigan Heskey broke the deadlock with an excellent solo goal to give his team a great start to the match. His strike continued some fine form for the forward who played a key role last time out against Haiti as England won for the first time at the tournament.

Heskey shining for England

Heskey is the son of former England and Liverpool star Emile and added another international goal to his tally against Egypt. The Manchester City man was given too much time and space by Egypt in the early exchanges, allowing him to drive across goal and unleash a powerful low shot that curled past goalkeeper Omar Abdelaziz. It's Heskey's second goal in two games for the Young Lions, as he scored and bagged four assists last time out against Hatiti as England cruised to an emphatic victory.

AdvertisementWatch the clip

Like father, like son?

Reigan plays alongside his brother Jaden at Manchester City, with both players having been handed their debuts by Pep Guardiola earlier this year. Proud dad Emile has told the about the approach he takes with his kids as they aim to follow in his famous footsteps.

He said: "They are both very athletic. The young one is very quick. The older one is a bit of a beast like I was. They've both got similar attributes. I'm someone who stands really far back and I become a dad, really. If they want to ask me something, I tell them, or if they want to come out with me and do a little bit extra, then I'll take them, but I'm not the one who’s going to force them. They enjoy it, they love it. Yes, there are some times when I think 'I want to say something’, but the reality is it's not my career.

"Another reality is, what has the manager or coach told them to do? Because if I tell them to do something different then there's a conflict there. So I take a step back and I enjoy watching it, to be honest, as it's nice to see them progressing. I've watched them from the age of four and now they're 19 and 17, they're doing fantastic."

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GettyWhat next for England

England's match against Egypt is their final group fixture and Ryan's side will be hoping to progress to the next stage of the tournament. The Young Lions won the competition previously back in 2017, with a team including the likes of Phil Foden, Marc Guehi, Morgan Gibbs-White and Conor Gallagher, and would love to repeat that feat again in 2025.

Joe Root proposes limit to how often teams can request ball changes

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

“I personally think that if you want to keep getting the ball changed then each team gets three challenges every 80 overs and that’s it,” Joe Root suggests

Valkerie Baynes11-Jul-20253:04

Root: ‘Great to see Archer smiling, enjoying his cricket’

Joe Root has proposed that each team be given three chances to swap the ball over the course of 80 overs in a bid to ease frustration over the repeated changing of the Dukes ball during England’s home Test series with India.His suggestion, at the end of the second day’s play in the third Test at Lord’s, came after India had expressed their displeasure with the replacement for the second new ball, which came after just 10.3 overs of use.Jasprit Bumrah had taken three wickets in his first 14 deliveries with the original, but his side was unable to take another during the first session with Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse at the crease.Related

India unhappy with replacement ball as Dukes loses shape

The ball was changed again, 48 deliveries after the previous change, the incident adding to criticism of the Dukes ball during this series, and dating back five years, over its loss of shape and becoming soft too quickly.”I personally think that if you want to keep getting the ball changed then each team gets three challenges every 80 overs and that’s it, if you want to get it changed,” Root said when asked about the issue at the close of play. “But the rings have to be the right size, not too big.”That would be a nice way of compromising and saying it’s not all on the manufacturer. Sometimes these things happen but you can’t just keep asking and wasting time and slowing the game down at the same time.”But Root, who had been unbeaten on 99 overnight and brought up his 37th Test century with the first ball of the morning, also suggested teams needed to adapt to conditions regardless and get on with the game.”I don’t know the ins and outs of how they make it,” he said. “I do know that they’re handmade so you’re never going to get two balls exactly the same. I do think this summer has been a bit of an anomaly for us. We’re not used to getting this much sun and this much heat and squares as hard and outfields as firm so whether that plays a part or not [I don’t know].”It’s one of those things where if the balls are going out of shape, you change them, and you don’t make a big deal out of it. I don’t think it’s the end of the world. I think it adds a different dynamic to the game and you’ve got to be skilful enough to adapt to the changes, whether it stops swinging or starts swinging or does a little bit more.”Over rates also came under scrutiny for a second day running. After seven overs were lost on a slow opening day, a further 15 were left unbowled when stumps were called at 6.33pm on the second evening.”I don’t want to get myself in trouble by trying to rewrite the thing but I think that’s one way of policing the ball thing,” Root said. “In terms of over rates, it can be quite difficult on a day like today. We’re not used to this, are we? Thirty [degrees] in England feels like 45 elsewhere. But I guess just try and keep on top of it as much as you can.”Bumrah said he didn’t have a clear memory of the ball being changed during his two previous tours of England in 2018 and 2021 or the two World Test Championship finals he has played.5:34

How the Dukes ball is made and why it’s going out of shape

“The ball changes, I don’t really control that,” Bumrah said. “Obviously I don’t really want to lose out on money because I worked very hard, I bowled a lot of overs, so I don’t want to say any controversial statement and get my match fees deducted. But we were bowling with the ball that we were given and that’s how it is. We can’t change it, we can’t fight it. Sometimes it goes your way [and] sometimes you get a bad ball, that’s how it is.”Meanwhile, Root was understandably delighted with the brilliant catch he took mere millimetres above the ground at first slip to dismiss Karun Nair and move to 211 Test catches, clear of Rahul Dravid to hold the record outright.”I’ll be watching it back, for sure,” Root told . “It should’ve been a long time ago. There’s been a few drops in there, but it was an important one, so nice to cling on to it and keep contributing in the field today.”That’s the whole point, you want to try and contribute; you want to add to the team and find ways of affecting the game, if you’re out there in the field. I might bowl the odd over here and there, but there’s only limited ways that you can get yourself in the game. In order to drop catches, you’ve got to put yourself in those positions in the first place. That’s one thing I’ll always keep trying to do, [think] how can I make an impact? How can I help the lads? Standing at first slip is one of them.”

Wayne Rooney reveals difference in Liverpool-Man Utd rivalry in 3 brutal words

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has brilliantly described what makes his former club’s rivalry with Liverpool different from others in three words.

Slot looking forward to Liverpool-Man Utd clash

The biggest fixture in English football dominates the weekend’s Premier League matches, with the Red Devils making the trip to Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

It promises to be the next great chapter in a huge rivalry between the two clubs, and speaking ahead of the match, Reds boss Arne Slot assessed a much-anticipated occasion.

“I look forward to every single Premier League game but maybe even more towards the United one, because I know how special it is and I’ve experienced last season how special a game it is. We know that it’s probably the game that’s been watched the most all over the world. It’s special to be part of it but in the end it’s also a game where we have to be at our best, because United, in my opinion, has had a better start of the season than maybe the league table is showing.

“A very interesting game and a game to look forward to, especially because it’s played at Anfield. I think our fans have been so supportive for us as long as I’m here and long before I was here. I think they understand that the team that has lost three times in a row, they need to be ready, our team, but I think our fans can help us and will help us on Sunday as well.”

Rooney perfectly nails Man Utd-Liverpool rivalry in three words

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show [via Rousing The Kop], Rooney explained the “deep, deep hatred” that exists between Manchester United and Liverpool, and why that makes it different to the Merseyside derby with Everton.

Rooney is spot on in his assessment, with family members supporting both Liverpool and Everton, giving the rivalry a little less nastiness, even though the Merseyside pair still clearly dislike each other.

With United, it is different, though, with the two clubs having respect for what they’ve achieved throughout history, but also detesting each other most of the time, and wanting to get one over the other every time they play, with bragging rights unrivalled in the English game.

Sunday’s clash at Anfield will be no different, and for the Red Devils, they know that victory would put a major dent in Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes.

Gary Neville's hilarious Liverpool claim in 2023 continues to haunt him

This is one of his worst!

ByHenry Jackson Sep 21, 2025

On the flip side, a Reds victory would heap further pressure on Ruben Amorim, especially if they lose heavily, so there is an enormous amount to play for this weekend, as always.

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