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Sussex spinner takes nine in the match but hosts get over the line to close gap at top of Division Two

ECB Reporters Network25-Aug-2024Yorkshire dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s on a four-wicket Vitality County Championship victory over Division Two pacesetters Sussex at Scarborough during the fourth morning to boost their hopes of promotion.Resuming on 28 for 2 from 10 overs in pursuit of 103, the home side clinched a 21-point haul in exactly an hour’s play despite losing four wickets to offspinner Jack Carson.Opener Adam Lyth top-scored with 40 as Yorkshire claimed their third successive Championship victory dating back to June, consigning the league leaders to only a second defeat in 10 matches this season. The excellent Carson claimed his four consolatory wickets to finish with a career-best 9 for 120 in the match.Yorkshire started this fixture in third, 27 points behind Sussex, but are now only nine adrift with four rounds remaining.The White Rose county have won three Championship matches in a row for the first time since the early stages of 2021 when they beat Kent and Sussex away and Northamptonshire at Headingley.Upon clinching victory, Yorkshire moved to second in the in-play Division Two table – but dropped back to third after Middlesex beat Northamptonshire at Merchant Taylors’ School.Yorkshire and Middlesex face each other at Headingley from Thursday. Sussex, meanwhile, host Derbyshire at Hove next as they look to bounce back from a first defeat since May.Lyth set the tone in the day’s third over when he took back-to-back boundaries off Jaydev Unadkat’s left-arm seam – one flicked to fine-leg and the other cut through backward point.He then pulled Carson over midwicket and cut Ollie Robinson over backward point for sixes in the following two overs, taking the score to 59 for 2. The writing was on the wall for Sussex.They actually started the day minus three on the over rate, with counties deducted a point for each over they are behind the rate.So it was no surprise to see Carson employed early by captain John Simpson in a bid to speed things up. Realistically, improving that was their main target for the day, and they achieved it.Although Lyth led the way, he was importantly helped out by nightwatcher Dan Moriarty, who contributed 17 to a third-wicket partnership of 51. They came together at 18 for 2 late on day three and extinguished Sussex’s slim hopes of a turnaround.Moriarty, Yorkshire’s regular No. 11, was lbw to Carson – 69 for 3 – before the same bowler had Lyth caught behind down leg at the second attempt by Simpson with a further seven runs added to the total.Carson also trapped James Wharton lbw to bring Jonny Bairstow to the crease with only eight to win, and he holed out to deep midwicket for a two-ball duck. Yorkshire captain Jonny Tattersall hit the winning runs.

Sunderland haven’t always found life in the Premier League to be the smoothest experience.

Indeed, the Black Cats have finished rock bottom of the top-flight pile a miserable total of three times, with Regis Le Bris now desperately hoping he won’t be another dire face added to the list of managers who have sunk the Wearside outfit.

Sunderland’s chances of immediately staying afloat have been negatively impacted by Jobe Bellingham’s expected departure to Borussia Dortmund officially going through, but new signings galore will certainly soften that blow.

The top-flight underdogs won’t just be hunting down midfielders to replace their teenage sensation, however, with one new potential defensive addition already being lined up that could see the Stadium of Light outfit land their next version of Patrick Van Aanholt.

Van Aanholt's memorable Sunderland stint

Now back in his native Netherlands to see out his career, the attack-minded left-back was previously a fan’s favourite on Wearside when the Black Cats were in the Premier League during the 2010s.

In total, Van Aanholt would go on to amass a hefty nine goals and ten assists for the regular Wearside strugglers from 95 appearances, before banking Sunderland a sturdy £14m in 2017 when moving onto Crystal Palace.

Le Bris will hope as his team embarks on their new Premier League adventure that they can be as daring as the Dutchman once was coming out from defence, with right-back Trai Hume already proving last season his gung-ho qualities when chipping in with three goals and six assists in league action.

To complement Hume’s forward-thinking approach on the right channel, the Black Cats could be about to welcome a modern iteration of Van Aanholt into the building, with this goal-and-assist-heavy Spaniard now tipped to join the newly promoted team’s ranks.

Sunderland targeting new Van Aanholt

Le Bris’ men are slightly light in the left-back department, with the Premier League new boys only having Dennis Cirkin and Leo Hjelde to call upon there.

To boost their numbers down the left-hand side, Sunderland could soon snap up the services of wantaway Aston Villa defender Alex Moreno, with reports from Spain filtering through that the Black Cats are keen on adding the left-back to their roster for only £5m. They aren’t alone in their interest, unfortunately, with fellow newly promoted side Burnley also eyeing him up.

Before being chucked out on loan to Nottingham Forest for more minutes, Moreno did operate as a useful bright spark for Unai Emery’s men, as seen in this delightful effort cannoning in when Villa plied their trade in the Conference League back in 2023.

That is just one of three goals the “sensational” ace – as he was once labelled glowingly by football journalist Charlie Haffenden – has managed to pick up for Villa, with his vast career beyond England also further affirming his eye for a goal and assist.

His defensive class has been evident too, after picking up a respectable seven clean sheets across his Premier League playing days to date.

Moreno’s G/A numbers by club
Club played for	Games played	Goals scored	Assists
Rayo Vallecano	127	9	9
Real Betis	122	6	14
Villa	48	3	3
Elche CF	41	2	4
RCD Mallorca	32	2	1
UE Llagostera	31	2	0
Nottingham Forest	19	0	1
Sourced by Transfermarkt

In total, Moreno has collected a healthy 56 goal contributions across his varied career, meaning he could soon go on to be Sunderland’s second coming of Van Aanholt down the left, such is his front-foot approach. Like the Dutchman – whom the Black Cats signed from Chelsea – Moreno would also be arriving from a Premier League rival, should he move to Wearside.

It will be a tough ask for Sunderland to come out on top in the race for the experienced full-back’s services – with Leeds United also hunting down the 32-year-old’s in-demand signature – but it would be a real statement buy if they were successful.

After all, Van Aanholt was last regularly rampaging down the left at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland were a Premier League regular, with Moreno perhaps the sort of buy the Black Cats need to make to become a top-flight staple again.

Sky Sports: Sunderland now in direct contact to sign £17m Ligue 1 forward

The Black Cats are looking to continue their summer business.

By
Tom Cunningham

Jun 10, 2025

Liverpool are showing “concrete interest” in signing a hugely talented young player in the summer transfer window as FSG kick their summer plans into overdrive.

Fabrizio Romano: Liverpool "on fire" in summer transfer window

With Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez expected to join the Reds imminently, from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively, attention may now turn to a new striker, amid exit claims surrounding Darwin Nunez.

Liverpool have reportedly made an approach for RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko, seeing him as an alternative option to Eintracht Frankfurt marksman Hugo Ekitike. The Slovenian is also seen as a leading target for Arsenal, so the Premier League champions could be looking to swoop in ahead of them.

Another fresh face in the Reds’ midfield also wouldn’t go amiss before next season gets underway and Crystal Palace youngster Adam Wharton has been backed to move to Anfield. The England international is a hugely exciting player who also possesses so much maturity, and he could be perfect as a squad option to begin with.

Luis Diaz continues to be linked with a move away, with Barcelona mentioned plenty in recent weeks, and Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has been mentioned as a possible replacement.

Indeed, Fabrizio Romano reported on Sunday evening that Liverpool are “on fire” and “busy” in the market, and it seems they’ve now turned their attentions to a youngster with massive potential.

"Here we go is coming" – Romano says Liverpool will sign two stars imminently

He is perfect for the Reds.

ByHenry Jackson Jun 16, 2025 Liverpool interested in signing £51m star

According to a fresh claim from Caught Offside, Liverpool have “concrete interest” in Southampton teenager Tyler Dibling this summer.

The 19-year-old is expected to leave Saints before the end of the window, following their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship, and the Reds are one of many clubs keen on him. Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Tottenham and Manchester City all get a mention in the report, and he is valued above £50m.

Dibling looks like an outstanding prospect, having stood out as a rare positive in a dreadful 2024/25 season for Southampton, scoring four goals and registering two assists in all competitions.

An aesthetically-pleasing player to watch, the Englishman has a lovely ability to glide across the turf and create with his left foot, with Danny Murphy not holding back in his praise for him last December.

“It is difficult to get too over the top with these young players, because he has just come on to the scene, but he is going to be something special. It is great for him getting all these minutes at Southampton. They are giving him the freedom to play and giving him time to learn the game. He is just enjoying himself and he is playing with a real belief in himself. He is just instrumental in this team.”

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Granted, Dibling wouldn’t be a cheap signing, and he would have to bide his time before becoming a regular, but he has the tools to grow into an elite footballer, proving to be adept at shining in his preferred right-sided role or as a No.10.

Last month, Liverpool officially confirmed that Mohamed Salah had put pen to paper on a new two-year contract extension with the club to extend his stay at Anfield.

The Egypt international’s deal was due to expire this summer, making him a free agent, but he has decided to commit to the Reds until the summer of 2027.

Salah has scored 33 goals and provided 23 assists in 49 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool so far this season, which illustrates how big of a boost this news was to Arne Slot.

The forward told the club’s official website: “Of course I’m very excited. We have a great team now. Before also we had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football.”

The news of his new contract at Anfield also means that the right-wing position has been locked down for next season, as Salah’s form suggests that he will be the first-choice in that role for Slot for another two years.

Who plays on the left side of the front three on a regular basis in the 2025/26 campaign remains up for debate, though, as does the future of Luis Diaz.

Why Luis Diaz could move on from Liverpool

Earlier this week, CaughtOffside reported that Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal are eyeing up both Diaz and Darwin Nunez for moves in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The outlet claimed that Slot would rather keep hold of the former Porto star, but that the club would be prepared to cash in on him if an offer of £67m comes in for his services.

It revealed that Al Hilal are ready to pay big to land the winger, who has also been of interest to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, this summer, which means that his future at Anfield is currently up in the air.

Appearances

37

33

xG

11.88

9.99

Goals

8

12

Big chances missed

13

9

Big chances created

5

8

Assists

5

5

As you can see in the table above, Diaz’s output has improved in the Premier League in comparison to last term, after he struggled in front of goal in the 2023/24 campaign.

Liverpool, however, may also see this as inconsistency from a 28-year-old forward who should be in the prime years of his career, and may wonder if it is sustainable or if his finishing will revert to type next year.

Therefore, the club could decide that now is the right time to cash in on him for £67m, amid interest from Saudi Arabia, whilst his value is high off the back of a strong season.

Liverpool would need to have a top-quality left-wing option to replace him, though, and their interest in a Ligue 1 star could be the end of Luis Diaz.

Liverpool eyeing move for Ligue 1 star

According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool are one of the teams interested in a deal to sign Lyon forward Malick Fofana in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Reds and fellow Premier League side Arsenal are the two main suitors for the Belgium international, as they look to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It reveals that Liverpool are planning a swoop to sign the 20-year-old starlet, as they look to take advantage of Lyon’s ‘financial problems’, whilst the likes of PSG, Juventus, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United are also said to be eyeing him up.

CaughtOffside adds that the Reds are serious about a move for the Ligue 1 sensation, who is valued at roughly £42m by the French outfit, and that they are looking at him amid doubts over the future of Diaz and Diogo Jota.

With this in mind, FSG swooping to sign Fofana from Lyon in the summer transfer window could spell the end of Luis Diaz’s career at Anfield.

Why Malick Fofana could be the end of Luis Diaz

If the Reds complete a deal to sign the 20-year-old star from Lyon this summer, the club could be even more open to cashing in on the Colombian forward amid strong interest from the Saudi Pro League.

Having turned 20 at the end of March, Fofana is a young player with plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve, which would make him a long-term addition for the club. He is eight years younger than Diaz and could, therefore, provide more to the team over the next five or six years, or more.

Last month, talent scout Jacek Kulig claimed that the forward has “enormous potential” and a “big future ahead”, and that is backed up by his impressive performances for Lyon at such a young age this season.

Despite being a teenager for the majority of the 2024/25 campaign, Fofana has featured regularly in both Ligue 1 and the Europa League, and chipped in with more than ten goals across both competitions.

Appearances

28

10

xG

3.72

2.17

Goals

5

6

Big chances created

5

1

Assists

4

1

As you can see in the table above, the £42m-rated star has scored 11 goals and provided five assists, and outperformed his xG by roughly five goals.

Fofana also ranks within the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Men’s Big 5 Leagues and European competitions for progressive carries per 90 (6.69) over the last 365 days, which illustrates how effective he is at getting his team up the pitch through dribbles.

Diaz, meanwhile, ranks in the top 32% with 4.17 progressive carries per 90 in that time, which suggests that the Lyon star could immediately provide more to the team as an outlet to get the ball up the pitch and into dangerous positions.

Fofana’s finishing this season, outperforming his xG by more than five goals, also suggests that the potential is there for him to provide a similar goal threat if Liverpool’s other forwards can get him into high-quality positions on a regular basis.

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Could a shock move to Anfield materialise this summer?

ByHenry Jackson May 9, 2025

Therefore, Liverpool signing the Lyon star could be the end of Diaz at Anfield because he is an incredibly talented player, who plays in the same position, and the club could bring him in as the long-term option on the left flank, leaving the door open for a move to Al Hilal for the Colombian star.

Manchester United have contacted the representatives of an “elite” player ahead of a potential move to Old Trafford this summer, according to a new transfer update.

Man Utd must replace under-fire players

Ruben Amorim will be targeting lots of new signings in various areas of the pitch ahead of next season, bringing in players who can perfectly suit his style of play. There are individuals who simply need to be improved upon if United are to make a big jump up the Premier League table, with an upgrade on Andre Onana required in goal. The Cameroonian has enjoyed good moments in a Red Devils shirt, but he makes too many mistakes to be the long-term option between the sticks.

Similarly, changes are needed down the middle of United’s attack, with neither Rasmus Hojlund nor Joshua Zirkzee looking like they will lead the line competently enough for years to come. Both remain relatively young, in fairness, but a world-class striker would make a huge difference.

Napoli ace Victor Osimhen has been mentioned as an option for Amorim, with the Nigerian expected to leave permanently having spent this season on loan at Galatasaray, while Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui has been backed to come in as an alternative choice.

Man Utd make contact with agents of Joan Garcia

According to Cope [via Sport Witness], Manchester United have made contact with Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia’s entourage over a summer move to the club, as they look to nail an upgrade on Onana.

The 23-year-old is described as a standout player for his side this season, and there is hope that the Red Devils could sign him for as little as £21m, triggering his release clause in the process. That figure will rise to £25.5m in the final 15 days of the summer transfer window, though.

Meanwhile, Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza has admitted that a move away isn’t out of the question, saying: “There’s a lot of noise, but nothing is happening. There’s no firm movement like there was in the previous [summer] window. There may be movements because he’s a top-level goalkeeper, but we’re calm, and most importantly, the kid is very calm.”

Garcia could be just what United are looking for this summer, with the Spaniard an impressive young ‘keeper already proving himself is one of Europe’s top leagues. He has started 32 games in La Liga for Espanyol this season, winning five Man of the Match awards from WhoScored in the process, and analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as “elite”.

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His coach, Manolo Gonzalez, has even compared him to Lionel Messi: “Joan Garcia is going to be a global reference, no doubt about it. I really hope so, because he deserves it, both for his ability and for who he is. It’s like when Barcelona had Messi. There were tough matches, and Messi would resolve them. Well, we have that in goal with Joan Garcia.”

All this points towards Garcia being a fantastic addition for United ahead of the 2025/26 season, and given his age, he could be a regular for the next decade if the move is a successful one.

Their 287 for 3 was also the second highest in all men’s T20 cricket, and included the most sixes in an IPL innings

Sampath Bandarupalli15-Apr-2024287 for 3 – Sunrisers Hyderabad’s total against Royal Challengers Bengaluru is the highest in the history of the IPL, bettering the 277 for 3 they posted against Mumbai Indians three weeks ago.1 – Number of men’s T20 totals higher than Sunrisers’ 287 for 3. The only one higher is 314 for 3 by Nepal against Mongolia in the Asian Games.549 – Runs scored by Sunrisers and Royal Challengers on Monday at the Chinnaswamy Stadium – the most
for any
T20 match. The previous highest match aggregate for a T20 game was 523 runs between Sunrisers and Mumbai Indians earlier this
season in Hyderabad.Related

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22 – Sixes hit by the Sunrisers’ batters against RCB are the most by any team in an innings in the IPL. They broke the record held by Royal Challengers for their 21 sixes against Pune Warriors in 2013, also in Bengaluru.38 – Sixes hit in Bengaluru – the joint-most in any T20 match, equalling the record set by Sunrisers and Mumbai during their face-off in Hyderabad earlier this season.81 – Boundaries hit by both teams on Monday, also the joint-most for a T20 match, equalling the record held by South Africa and West Indies in Centurion in 2023.262 for 7 – Royal Challengers’ total against Sunrisers is now the highest in a losing cause by any team in T20 cricket. The previous highest was 258 for 5 by West Indies against South Africa in Centurion in 2023.39 – Balls Travis Head needed for his hundred is the fourth-fastest in the history of the IPL. Chris Gayle’s 30-ball century at the same venue in 2013 against Pune Warriors is the fastest-ever.The 39-ball ton by Head is also the fastest for Sunrisers, bettering David Warner’s 43-ball effort against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017.ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 – Sunrisers became the first team with multiple 250-plus totals in the IPL, before RCB became the second during the course of their innings. Surrey (3), Yorkshire (2), Czech Republic (2) and Somerset (2) are the other teams with multiple 250-plus totals in all T20s.4 – All four pace bowlers of RCB conceded 50-plus runs in Sunrisers’ innings – Reece Topley (68), Yash Dayal (51), Lockie Ferguson (52) and Vijaykumar Vyshak (64). It is the first-ever instance of four players conceding 50-plus runs in the same innings in men’s T20 cricket. In the IPL, before this game, no more than two bowlers had conceded 50-plus runs in the same innings.4 – Four fifty-plus partnerships in Sunrisers’ innings, including a century opening stand. It is only the second instance of four fifty-plus partnerships in a T20 innings. Kolkata Knight Riders had 50-plus stands for each of their first four wickets on the opening night of the IPL in 2008, also against RCB in Bengaluru.7 – Number of fifty-plus partnerships in total on Monday in Bengaluru. No T20 match had had more than five 50-plus stands previously.13 – Hundreds conceded by RCB in the IPL – the most by any team, going one ahead of Mumbai Indians (12). The Bengaluru franchise now has conceded 15 T20 hundreds, the joint-most in the format, alongside Kent and Northamptonshire.76 – Runs by Sunrisers in the powerplay on Monday is their third-highest of this IPL alone, behind the 81 against Mumbai Indians and 77 against Chennai Super Kings. They are now the first team with three powerplay totals of 75-plus runs in the same IPL season.14.6 – Overs needed for Sunrisers to reach the 200-run mark. It is the third-quickest team 200 in the IPL. Sunrisers needed 14.4 overs to reach 200 in their match against Mumbai Indians earlier this season. However, the fastest is off 14.1 overs by RCB in a 15-over game in 2016 against Kings XI Punjab, also in Bengaluru.

With big players sitting out the South Africa series, here’s a chance for others to answer key questions and stake a claim for a ticket to Australia

Hemant Brar06-Jun-2022India turn their focus on preparations for the T20 World Cup, to be held in Australia in October-November, with the five-match T20I series against South Africa starting on Thursday. With Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah being rested, it’s a chance for some of the back-ups to stake their claims.One big conundrum India face is fitting Dinesh Karthik in the XI, but that is a discussion on its own. Here are a few other questions that need answering.Related

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Who fits into the open middle-order slot?
Only one spot is up for grabs in India’s middle order. But it’s like a government job opening in the country – there are way more candidates than positions to be filled.First, there is Shreyas Iyer who destroyed Sri Lanka with 57* off 28, 74* off 44 and 73* off 45 before the IPL. All those runs came from No. 3, a slot Iyer feels is best for him. But in all likelihood Kohli, his current form notwithstanding, will bat there at the World Cup. Iyer has done equally well at No. 4 too in the past, so it’s not like he cannot bat lower down the order. The only thing is he prefers to take his time to settle in, something he would need to work on.The next candidate is Deepak Hooda, fresh from his best IPL ever with 451 runs at a strike rate of 136.66. More importantly, he batted everywhere from No. 3 to No. 6 with equal ease. Another thing that goes in his favour is he can also chip in with the ball if need be.Then there is Suryakumar Yadav, currently out of the side with a forearm injury but a 360-degree batter who can attack from the get-go. With Rahul Tripathi and Sanju Samson also knocking on the door, this series is a golden opportunity for Iyer and Hooda to make their case.ESPNcricinfo LtdWho is the second spinner?
With 27 wickets in IPL 2022, Yuzvendra Chahal confirmed his status as India’s No. 1 T20I spinner, but the second spinner’s slot is not yet sealed. A year ago, Ravindra Jadeja would have walked into that role, but a below-par IPL followed by an injury has opened the door for others.In Axar Patel, India have a like-for-like replacement for Jadeja. Axar can bowl four overs regularly, score quick runs in lower middle order and is an excellent fielder. But like Jadeja, he is not a wicket-taking bowler and spins the ball in the same direction as Chahal. The latter could be a problem against a side with multiple left-hand batters.That’s where Kuldeep Yadav comes in. An attacking wristspinner, Kuldeep appears to have found his rhythm again after a few tweaks to his action. He also spins the ball away from left-hand batters, complementing Chahal.Ravi Bishnoi is another contender, bringing along quick googlies, sliders and legbreaks. He made a good first impression during the West Indies series in February 2022 but remains a work in progress.Which version of Ishan Kishan will turn up?•BCCIWill India find their back-up opener?
India’s search for a back-up opener for Rohit and KL Rahul is still on. For the 2021 T20 World Cup, the selectors had picked Ishan Kishan for that role, saying he could also bat in the middle order if required. That he bats left-handed was seen as an “important” quality, and his wicketkeeping was a bonus.However, his current form flatters to deceive. In IPL 2022, he did score 418 runs but at a strike rate of just 120.11. And if Karthik makes it to the World Cup squad, India will not need a third keeper with Rahul also available to keep.As an opener, Kishan faces stiff competition from Ruturaj Gaikwad. While Kishan is seen as an aggressor, Gaikwad is more of an anchor. Gaikwad didn’t have a great IPL, but he showed glimpses of occasional brilliance. The South Africa series will give both batters another chance to impress.Who will win the race among the fast men?
With Bumrah not in the squad, there are likely to be plenty of opportunities for those next in line.At his best, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is among the top seamers in the world. He had a decent IPL, but India would want him to display consistency and potency. In the absence of Mohammed Shami and Deepak Chahar, he can make great strides towards being India’s preferred new-ball bowler. Not to forget, he can be as good as anyone in the death overs as well.From the new crop, there’s Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh. Both had head-turning IPL seasons. Malik set the stage alight with his pace and emerged as the middle-overs enforcer for Sunrisers Hyderabad, taking 22 wickets in 14 games.Arshdeep relied on his consistency to keep batters quiet at the death. He had only ten wickets from 14 games but his death-overs economy of 7.58 was second only to Bumrah’s 7.38 (min. ten overs). For both Umran and him, it will be about replicating their IPL success at the international level if the opportunity presents itself.Between new and old is Avesh Khan. He has been around the team for a while now but made his T20I debut only earlier this year. Unlike Umran and Arshdeep, he can bowl in all phases of the innings. Essentially, India are spoilt for choice in the fast-bowling department.

Bengal coach says BCCI must take a look at Rajkot surface which was ‘dusting on the first day’

Shashank Kishore in Rajkot09-Mar-2020The Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) has reacted strongly to Bengal coach Arun Lal’s criticism of the Rajkot pitch after the opening day of the Ranji Trophy finals. In a press release issued on Wednesday, the third day of the final, the SCA defended their curator, who worked under the BCCI neutral curator, to prepare the surface “in less than four days” owing to the semi-finals between Saurashtra and Gujarat.Mahendra Rajdev, SCA chief curator said: “I was surprised to see the rather critical statement of Mr. Arun Lal, the Bengal coach, after the first day’s play when Bengal held the upper hand. The pitch may not have had extra bounce which Bengal bowlers were looking for, but that does not make the wicket poor. It is a rather hasty and poor judgment by the Bengal Coach and it may not be beneficial for their own players when the coach makes a statement like this. It is the same pitch for both the teams, which was prepared under the neutral curator from the BCCI.”In their first Ranji Trophy final in 14 years, Bengal faced the very real possibility of seeing the match run away from them on the first day itself. They had lost the toss on a on a visibly dry surface that threatened to negate their three-pronged pace attack – one that had ensured no team has crossed 250 against them this season. Saurashtra were batting in their own conditions, and they had India’s No.3 padded up in the pavilion.There was hardly any nip with the new ball and Wriddhiman Saha kept collecting deliveries below his knees. The signs were evident that the pitch would get increasingly up-and-down as the game wore on. In all of the first session, maybe five or six deliveries deviated off the deck. It was not a surface that pleased Lal, and he minced no words in asking the BCCI to look into a pitch he said could be a “disgrace”.”Very poor wicket,” Lal said after the first day’s play. “The board has to look at things like this. The ball is not coming up. The surface is dusting on the first day. You’ve got neutral curators, why not send them 15 days before? Imagine, a fast bowler is running in with one slip in the first session of a final, with the knowledge that it won’t carry. It could be a disgrace if the ball starts rolling through on the third day, there’s a good chance of it happening as well. This isn’t the wicket you prepare for a final, involving two sides that have fought hard to finish at the top.”Vishvaraj Jadeja, who hit one of two half-centuries scored on the day, agreed that the pitch was not the typical one found at the SCA Stadium, but felt the home team’s total of 206 for 5 at stumps (Cheteshwar Pujara having retired hurt because of a throat infection and a fever) was reasonable.”This isn’t your typical Khanderi pitch,” Vishvaraj said. “I can’t say we’re safe, but it’s not easy to score. There is low bounce, the ball is holding onto the deck. It’s not easy to score against both pace and spin. I won’t say I am surprised, but this is a tough pitch. My dismissal, the ball cut back in suddenly when the same delivery earlier did nothing. We lost one wicket too many. If we get 100-150, we will be in an excellent position.”

“The board has to look at things like this. The ball is not coming up. The surface is dusting on the first day. You’ve got neutral curators, why not send them 15 days before? This isn’t the wicket you prepare for a final, involving two sides that have fought hard to finish at the top.”Arun Lal, Bengal coach

That Saurashtra didn’t manage a more commanding position was down to Bengal’s doggedness and patience. Shahbaz Ahmed, Bengal’s only frontline spinner, was introduced in the eighth over. There was hardly any turn. Yet, Bengal kept repeating their boring methods, over and over again. Not allowing a flurry of boundaries, stringing together tight overs in the hope of wickets. Once it was clear merely accuracy wasn’t enough, Ahmed went to an over-the-wicket line to the right-handers, looking to pitch the ball outside leg. While this may have seemed like a negative tactic, Bengal knew what they were doing. Ahmed’s first seven overs went for just 10.”On the face of it, you can call it negative or whatever, but it was a plan, a proper strategy that comes with the knowledge of having seen such wickets,” Lal said. “He was incredible, to do a containing job when absolutely nothing was happening was a superb effort from him.”
That control allowed Bengal to not let the match slip away as Saurashtra’s Day 1 run-rate was just 2.54. Lal said, half in jest, that if he had a magic wand he’d not want to see Saurashtra add to their overnight 206, but “anything under 300 will be a job well done, even if it will still be a big challenge from there.”On a tricky pitch, with Pujara still potentially capable of coming out to resume his innings, the Bengal bowlers’ performance has kept them in the hunt. This story has been updated to reflect SCA’s response to Arun Lal’s comments

Australia hold nerve and find new plans on the fly as England’s campaign ends as it began

Vithushan Ehantharajah29-Sep-2024Well, that’s one way of coming back down to earth. Flawless at Lord’s, floored in Bristol.Just two days after England put together a near-perfect performance with bat and ball to bring them back into the contest, Australia flexed their muscle and nous to take it, eventually, with ease.What experience they used to crush a brilliant start in the first innings was channelled to launch a series-clinching one of their own in the second. If the rain saved anyone this time around, it was England. Australia were breezing this long before the winds picked up to give this summer an appropriately wet finish.There’s a reason Australia are world champions in this format. Adjustments were made on the fly and executed precisely after Phil Salt, then Ben Duckett and Harry Brook had blitzed their way to 202 for 2 with a ball to go in the 25th over.England picked up where they left off from Lord’s against Adam Zampa, targeting the legspinner – his first two overs went for 30 – with Brook nailing him for sixes at will. Nevertheless, pace off was clearly the way to go to starve England’s swing-happy batters of scoring opportunities. Aaron Hardie bowled the 21st over, Mitchell Starc the 45th – and everything in between was made up primarily of wily offies. Hazlewood and Starc ended up bowling just 12 overs between them. Not since Princes William and Harry played Stormtroopers in Star Wars: The Last Jedi has such royalty disappeared into the background.Travis Head’s removal of Duckett, who had assumed the responsibility of giving the innings a late kick, was not just the first of four wickets to the part-timer but also began a boundary drought that lasted 52 deliveries. All in all, “spinners” – and with all due respect, that definition does require inverted commas – sent down 194 deliveries, a new Australian record in ODIs. Some going on an overcast day at the end of September.Did England get ahead of themselves? Well, yes. Both Brook and Duckett fell attempting to land multiple blows – the former after striking Zampa for back-to-back sixes at the start of the over, the latter right after sending Head over the fence down the ground. No surprise that the two grooved on “Test Cricket According to Baz” decided to mark one attacking stroke with another.Jamie Smith was bowled by Glenn Maxwell•PA Photos/Getty ImagesGone are the days of knocking a single after a boundary. But Brook had half the innings to go, and Duckett was the only adult left for the hosts. Not to mention the two are England’s best players of spin, and the form batters, finishing as their team’s top scorers in the series.Responsibility was not shirked, , but it certainly wasn’t seized when the game was there to be taken well out of Australia’s reach. Brendon McCullum has promised to bring the joy back to England’s white-ball teams – and this has been a promising month on that front – but much as has been the case with his Test team, there will no doubt be conversations about adopting a more cut-throat attitude.”We’ve been bowled out again today as we didn’t adapt to the pitch quickly enough,” answered interim head coach Marcus Trescothick when asked about areas of improvement. It was in keeping with the opening two defeats; England were dismissed for 315 at Trent Bridge – having been well set on 213 for 2 – and 202 in Leeds, flunking a chase of 270.”If we look at all the games we’ve lost in the series, there were periods in all those games where we could have made an impact and won the game, and the story of the series could’ve been very different. I just mentioned to the boys in the dressing room about keeping the pressure on, like we’ve done in this game and across the whole series. We should be maintaining it and be smarter for longer… we can elongate that while playing over 50 overs.”This collapse of 8 for 107 in 24.3 overs was felt harshly by a bowling attack still finding its feet. They had had things their way in helpful seam conditions under lights in the fourth ODI, squaring the series by dismantling Australia for 126. But they were left exposed when Bristol’s shorter dimensions were flipped against them.Head and Matt Short were always going to race out of the blocks. But their powerplay carrot was thicker and juicier with England only just crawling beyond the 300 mark, having had 450 in their sights. The impending storm, wending its way up the Bristol Channel all through the afternoon, brought extra urgency.Olly Stone and Matthew Potts found themselves in the crosshairs of an opening stand of 78 from seven overs. Steve Smith and Josh Inglis then cracked on to ensure Australia were 45 ahead of the DLS par at the magic 20-over mark. England had tried to keep that figure at bay, with sub-fielder John Turner coming on at regular intervals to eat up whatever seconds he could. Brook said he was still trying to take wickets, hence Adil Rashid was used even though his two overs would have taken longer had they been bowled by a seamer.A touch of naivety from the stand-in skipper? Ultimately, Australia were just sharper. And perhaps most humbling was they bettered the best of what England produced in this finale. The 11 sixes they struck in the first 25 overs was England’s most since 2006. Australia had nine by the 20th over.Related

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Even their achievement in coming back from 2-0 down was ultimately trumped by a group of tourists who had been blighted by illness throughout the series and were desperate to get home, but still managed to turn on the style one last time in bleak conditions. “I’d be lying if I say I wouldn’t prefer it to be in July – with a bit of heat,” Mitchell Marsh, their captain, said, and he even had the benefit of wrapping up warm, away from the elements, as Smith took on the captaincy duties in Bristol.These are two teams at different ends of the spectrum on their journey. The theme of Australia’s tour, according to Marsh, was “flexibility”, as evidenced by the way they used their spinners on the field here, including 50-over debutant Cooper Connolly, as well as the fact Head has had two different opening partners in the last three days.Brook, meanwhile, spoke of the importance of players becomingwith the “tempo” of ODI cricket, particularly for a batting group reared on T20. After an impressive series as stand-in skipper, he used his last media appearance in the role – for now – to put these last five matches into context.”They’re the best team in the world,” Brook said of their vaunted opponents. “We’re playing against some of the best bowlers to ever play the game, and some of the best batters to have ever played the game as well. The fight and desire we’ve shown to bring that [series] back has been amazing.”Travis Head was all over England’s lower order•Getty ImagesThe next stage for this team is unknown. The next white-ball series in the Caribbean is sandwiched between the Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand. As such, Brook, Duckett, Jamie Smith, Potts, Olly Stone and Brydon Carse – who leave for that first three-match series on Tuesday – are unlikely to feature despite occupying key roles this month.Factor in Jos Buttler slotting back in as captain after Brook’s impressive showing, and there is either a hint of awkwardness, or a solution, on the horizon. Similarly, the mooted returns of Joe Root and Ben Stokes ahead of February’s Champions Trophy bring bigger selection matters to decipher.And that is arguably where England wanted to be as night fell on the final day of the 2024 English summer. This month against Australia has not been about immediately righting wrongs, or knocking the world champions off their perch.It was all about discovery after a limited-overs summer that began, in June, with a T20 World Cup that showed England’s most successful limited-overs generation had reached the end of the line. The first batch of the next generation are here and have taken their first steps on a different path, but one they hope leads back to where English white-ball cricket once was.

The baseball world knew that Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh could play before 2025—let's get that out of the way. Extrapolated to 162 games, he averaged about 4.0 bWAR in his first four seasons—very-good-starter-to-lesser-All-Star stuff.

His performance this year, however, has been something else entirely. Raleigh is slashing .260/.379/.595—MVP-type numbers that put his '25 in conversation with the best catching seasons in history.

On Friday against the Minnesota Twins, the "Big Dumper" slammed his 20th home run of the season. With that blast, per the Mariners, Raleigh became the first catcher in history to hit 20 home runs before the end of May.

The record for most home runs by a primary catcher is 48—set by the Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez in 2021. Raleigh is currently on pace to hit 57, which would obliterate that mark (in fact, Seattle's franchise record is 56, set twice by center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. in the 1990s).

As if he weren't showing off enough, he also has six stolen bases to his name this season. He's on pace for 17, which would be the most in the American League by a catcher since Ivan Rodriguez of the Texas Rangers swiped 25 in 1999.