Tag Futebol

Glasgow Rangers’ transfer model over the years has been remarkably inconsistent, with players arriving from various leagues and countries to different degrees of success.

One area tends to stand out, however, and that is south of the border. Since the Light Blues secured promotion in 2016, very few players have arrived from England and shone.

Of course, there have been a few exceptions, such as Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey and Connor Goldson, but the overwhelming majority failed to shine.

Joey Barton, Jordan Rossiter and Matt Crooks arrived in the summer of 2016, but they all struggled in Glasgow. As did Graham Dorrans and Declan John, who signed the following season.

Elsewhere, Ben Davies, Tom Lawrence and George Edmundson failed to transition well from English football, never quite living up to expectations north of the border.

While there have been a few successes, Martin must tread carefully in English waters, especially if he wishes to sign players who will improve the squad.

Emmanuel Fernandez has been signed from Peterborough, but first impressions suggest he could turn out to be like Bassey rather than another Davies.

One of the worst signings made by Rangers in recent years is Kieran Dowell. The midfielder was brought to Glasgow by Michael Beale in the summer of 2023, but he turned out to be a waste of a wage.

Kieran Dowell's dismal Rangers record

On the surface, securing Dowell’s signature on a free transfer appeared to be a decent bit of business for the club.

The midfielder made his breakthrough with Everton, playing twice in the Premier League during the 2015/16 season.

Loan spells with Nottingham Forest, Derby, Wigan and Sheffield United saw him prove his worth in the second tier and he eventually made the move to Norwich City in 2020.

He made 75 appearances for the Canaries between 2020 and 2023, which included 19 games in the top flight, before swapping East Anglia for Glasgow.

The attacking midfielder won the U20 World Cup with England in 2017, before making 16 appearances for the U21s, but a senior cap never came.

Kieran Dowell’s Premiership stats for Rangers
Metric	2023/24	2024/25
Goals	2	0
Assists	2	0
Big chances created	1	3
Touches per game	33.8	16.6
Key passes per game	0.7	0.7
Via Sofascore

A move to Rangers was the chance for Dowell to reinvent himself, but he didn’t get the chance. Indeed, the 27-year-old played just 16 times for the club during the 2023/24 campaign.

The first half of 2024/25 saw Dowell feature 17 times for the Ibrox side, yet only three of those came in the starting XI, and he was loaned to Birmingham City for the second half of the season.

Across his 12 Premiership matches last term, he created just three big chances, while winning less than 50% of his total duels per game and averaging 16.6 touches per match.

Dowell spent the second half of last season out on loan at Birmingham City, helping them return to the Championship.

With Martin needing to move players on this summer, the former Everton starlet must surely be offloaded in order to raise funds and free up the wage bill.

In the future, the Gers must be wary of the English market, but it looks as though they have been linked with another midfielder from down south recently…

Rangers eyeing up move for former West Brom midfielder

Both Joe Rothwell and Fernandez have secured moves to Rangers over the previous few days, as Martin seeks to bolster his first-team squad.

Transfer Focus

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

He won’t be finished there, however, especially with major surgery required this summer.

Luton Town’s Norwegian midfielder Thelo Aasgaard is reportedly in talks with a move to Ibrox according to the Scotsman, while Nasser Djiga of Wolves is also another transfer target.

A new name has appeared, according to Sports Boom, with former West Bromwich Albion midfielder John Swift reportedly being eyed for a move north of the border in the coming weeks.

The Englishman – who is also attracting interest from a raft of EFL clubs – is out of contract and wouldn’t cost the club a penny should he move to Glasgow.

Given the fact Martin has already signed Rothwell, plus is looking to bring Aasgaard to Scotland, a swoop for Swift certainly appears unnecessary.

Indeed, he could turn out to be another Dowell-like signing. A player who fails to truly showcase his true class if he made the move to Rangers.

Why Rangers should avoid a move for John Swift

Swift did impress significantly at Reading, having made the move from Chelsea in 2016. Across 202 games for the club, he scored 34 goals and grabbed 37 assists in all competitions.

His form saw Leeds prepare a bid for the midfielder in 2019 and journalist Billy Meyers even said that Swift is the “perfect type of player that Bielsa should be targeting” upon the link. Former Baggies boss Tony Mowbray has also hailed him as an “amazing footballer” at his best.

While his numbers in the second tier have been decent – 15 goal contributions in 2022/23 and ten during 2023/24 – the midfielder is now 30 and isn’t exactly at his peak.

Last season, he only managed three goals and one assist for the Baggies in 36 league matches. Furthermore, he only created one big chance last term for the club, while averaging just 0.3 dribbles and one key pass per game in the second tier.

He even ranked in the lowest 30% for progressive carries (1.55) and successful take-ons (0.62) per 90 when compared to his positional peers in the Championship last term.

Additionally, Swift also ranked in the lowest 23% for assists (0.05) and in the lowest 8% for touches in the attacking penalty area (1.6) per 90 for West Brom.

Considering he spent the campaign playing as an attacking midfielder, these figures are worrying, to say the least. As such, avoiding a move for Swift, despite the fact he is available for free, is perhaps the best course of action.

Martin will be able to use that sort of wage on a player or two who are not only younger, but who could potentially make the Gers a profit in the years to come.

Swift could turn into Dowell 2.0, that’s for sure.

Perfect for Rothwell: Rangers in advanced talks to sign £3m "machine"

Following Joe Rothwell’s arrival at Rangers, could the Glasgow giants sign another midfielder, labelled a “machine” by a former Scotland star?

By
Ben Gray

Jul 3, 2025

Career-best 94 not out salvages run-chase after four-wicket haul had bowled out Northants

ECB Reporters Network24-Jul-2024Derbyshire 236 for 8 (Chappell 94*, Whiteley 65, Weatherall 4-50) beat Northamptonshire 235 (Gay 59, Bartlett 50, Chappell 4-39) by two wicketsZak Chappell smashed a List A career-best unbeaten 94 to propel Derbyshire to an unlikely eight-wicket victory over Northamptonshire in their Metro Bank One-Day Cup clash at Wantage Road.Chappell came together with his skipper Ross Whiteley with Derbyshire in tatters at 79 for seven chasing 236 to win, but they turned the game on its head with a record eighth-wicket partnership of 131 (23.4 overs) for the visitors against any opposition.Despite Northamptonshire’s teenage pacer Raphy Weatherall sparking the initial collapse and finishing with figures of four for 50 on his List A debut, the momentum was all with Derbyshire as Chappell and Whiteley made hay.Earlier Emilio Gay (59) and George Bartlett (50) each struck half-centuries in a partnership of 79 in 15 overs. Saif Zaib and Lewis McManus then picked up the mantle and looked set to propel Northamptonshire towards a competitive total during a stand of 69 in exactly 11 overs.But their departure precipitated a Steelbacks collapse, five wickets falling for 22 in 33 balls. On a day to remember for Chappell, the quick bowler finished with career-best bowling figures of 4 for 39, while veteran all-rounder Samit Patel took 3 for 41 as the hosts were bowled out for 235 in 47 overs, which looked well below par.Northamptonshire rued losing two early wickets to poor shots as Chappell made a double breakthrough. He first removed last season’s prolific run-scorer Prithvi Shaw, caught in the deep by David Lloyd after he top-edged an attempted hook. In Chappell’s next over, Ricardo Vasconcelos flashed at one outside off-stump and was caught at cover without scoring.Gay was enjoying himself, tucking into the bowling of Sam Conners, stroking five boundaries as he drove down the ground and swung hard through midwicket.While an inswinging yorker from Luis Reece accounted for Rob Keogh’s leg stump, Bartlett was soon into his work. Fresh from a ton against Norfolk, he opened his account with a textbook cover drive, followed by another boundary through midwicket before powering Patel over his head.Gay brought up his half-century by smiting Reece over mid-off (68 balls), but when he came down the wicket to Patel, he was smartly stumped by keeper Brooke Guest.Next over Bartlett, who had posted his own half-century (57 deliveries), pulled Harry Moore straight to Lloyd who took another well-judged boundary catch.McManus showed early intent, muscling a short ball from Conners through midwicket but gained a reprieve when Lloyd failed to hold onto a more straightforward boundary catch.Zaib announced himself by going down on one knee to flick Reece over fine leg for six. He put away a slow ball beamer from Reece for four and then swept the free hit for another maximum before gaining a life when Patel put down a chance at fine leg.Derbyshire broke through when McManus was bowled playing back to Patel for 25 and Zaib was caught behind off Chappell, attempting to run the ball down to third.Wickets tumbled as Patel trapped Ben Sanderson lbw and Gus Miller was brilliantly run out by Mitch Wagstaff attempting a risky single. Chappell then comprehensively bowled Jack White to wrap up the innings.In Derbyshire’s run chase, Harry Came made 21, but his stay was soon ended by Sanderson, bowled off the inside edge. Reece greeted Weatherall by pulling him behind square for four, but Northamptonshire built pressure and after nine dot balls, Guest prodded at one from Weatherall, Shaw taking an excellent diving catch at first slip.Weatherall struck again in his next over, this time having Reece caught off the leading edge by Miller at backward point. Next over White, who was finding significant movement, was into the action having Matt Lamb caught behind. Weatherall struck again three balls later when Patel pulled him straight to Gay at fine leg.Lloyd carved Miller square for four as he and Whiteley sought to rebuild. The pair put on 33 for the sixth wicket before spinner Keogh found some drift to trap Lloyd lbw for a run-a-ball 21, Derbyshire ending the 20th over in disarray on 78 for 6. Three balls later, they were seven wickets down when Wagstaff edged Sanderson to Shaw at slip.That, though, brought Whiteley and Chappell together, who profited when Northamptonshire introduced the slower bowlers despite the seamers extracting plenty of movement, and Derbyshire started the final 10 overs needing a comfortable 53 to win.Whiteley hit Keogh through extra cover before taking a boundary off Zaib to reach his 50 off 78 deliveries.In a display of power hitting, Chappell punched Weatherall through the onside and pulled him high over midwicket. He smashed Zaib down the ground and went to 50 off 48 balls before crunching Keogh through midwicket to pass his previous highest score. When White was unable to hang onto a diving catch in the deep off Weatherall, Chappell responded by smashing the teenager down the ground for consecutive boundaries.Weatherall finally broke the partnership, Whiteley playing an unnecessary big shot and Gay taking a well-judged catch on the boundary. But with only 26 still needed in six overs and Chappell still there, Derbyshire sealed the win with eight balls to spare.

First, what is a drop-in pitch?

A drop-in pitch is the same as a normal 22-yard cricket strip, but is prepared and kept encased in a steel tray and not developed at the ground, as is traditional. It is prepared in favourable conditions – it can be outside the ground or at a turf farm – and comprises layers of soil, clay and grass that are bedded in together for a period of time. Once it is “dropped in” on the main square, the pitch gets the same care as a traditional pitch. This includes rolling, watering, and cutting the grass before match days.Related

• Two great cricket rivalries have fizzled out at the T20 World Cup, but there's still one to watch

• The curious case of Pakistan's World Cup 15

• Pakistan's predicament adds spice to India match-up in New York

• New York's beautiful monster

• Undercooked pitch could undermine India-Pakistan spectacle

Why were drop-in pitches chosen for New York?

While the ICC had cast the net wide to identify the right big venue for the World Cup in 2021, it was only in September 2023 that the Nassau County venue, located in Eisenhower Park in Long Island, was finalised. Mindful of the tight timeline, the ICC decided on drop-in pitches as a turnkey solution. Accordingly, ten drop-in pitches – four for the main ground and six for the practice facility in Cantiague Park, a few miles from the main venue – were used.The original trays were prepared in Adelaide by Adelaide Turf International, which also oversees the preparation of the drop-in pitches at Adelaide Oval. The trays were shipped in December 2023 to Florida because it is sunnier and warmer there compared to New York, which has freezing temperatures from December to March. The pitches were then moved to New York at the end of April before being fixed in the main square and practice venue in early May.

Is it usual for international cricket to be played on a drop-in pitch before any trial games?

Usually, a fresh, relaid pitch at a stadium’s main square will be tested with several practice matches and even domestic games before international cricket is played on it.In the case of the New York project, the organisers had to raise the entire venue from scratch in just 106 days between January and May before South Africa played Sri Lanka on June 3. Two days prior to that, Bangladesh and India played a warm-up match at the venue – it was the first proper match there.Eight of the 16 matches in the USA leg were allotted to the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York•ICC via Getty Images

What is the nature of the drop-in pitches at Eisenhower Park?

Damian Hough, the head curator at Adelaide Oval, who made the drop-in pitches for the New York project, explained that strips usually need high clay content to facilitate good pace and bounce. In this case, for the soil, Hough used the local American variety of soil called BlackStick, which has a clay content of over 60% [considered high], similar to the Adelaide Oval. Bermuda grass has been used both for the pitch and the outfield, which is commonly used for cricket grounds.

Was there an ICC inspection before the venue got the go-ahead?

As part of its protocol, the ICC sends an expert team to carry out due diligence at all their venues – including the ground itself, the pitches and practice facilities – before granting them international status. While there was no formal announcement of the New York venue getting international status, on May 15, the ICC launched the stadium for the World Cup.

Is the scheduling an issue?

Yes. Eight of the 16 World Cup matches of the USA leg of the T20 World Cup were allotted to New York, and these have been scheduled across ten days between June 3 and 12, with the last six matches – including the marquee game between India and Pakistan on June 9 – on consecutive days. Such a schedule is unprecedented at an ICC event. This has been the biggest challenge for Hough and his team, because it is not just one pitch, but the entire square comprising all four strips that need attention at all times.India will play Pakistan in New York on June 9•ICC/Getty Images

How many pitches have been used so far?

Three*. Pitch No. 4 has been used for three matches so far: Bangladesh vs India warm-up (June 1), India vs Ireland (June 5) and Canada vs Ireland (June 7). Pitch No. 1 was used for the South Africa vs Sri Lanka game on June 3. Pitch No. 2 was used for the Netherlands vs South Africa game on June 8. Pitch No. 2 was a more true pitch than the others, but fast bowlers still had a bigger say.

Has the ICC identified any factor(s) contributing to the variable bounce?

ESPNcricinfo has learned that Hough had spotted lines of grass sprouting in the cracks in some spots on the pitch, which he suspected could have contributed to the uneven bounce that frequently caused distress to batters in the South Africa vs Sri Lanka and India vs Ireland matches. Another contributing factor was the overcast conditions – the moisture played a role in the exaggerated sideways movement, and the swing the fast men generated.

Was any remedial work carried out?

It is understood that ahead of the Canada vs Ireland match on Friday, Hough covered the areas where grass shoots were growing under the cracks with topsoil and rolled it to make the surface much flatter.

Did it make a difference?

On Friday, while the odd ball did keep low, the surface was much truer, albeit a bit sluggish as a consequence of overnight rain. Ireland captain Paul Stirling pointed out that the pitch looked totally different to the one used for the India match, with much of the greenish tinge wiped away.

It will be fascinating to see whether Jadon Sancho will remain at Chelsea beyond this season. The England international is currently on loan at Stamford Bridge from Manchester United, and has a £25m buy obligation in his contract.

However, a recent report from the Mirror suggested the Blues will not activate the option and will instead send Sancho back to Old Trafford this summer. His record in West London is respectable, with four goals and ten assists in 39 games for the club this season. Eight of those goal involvements came in the Premier League.

If Chelsea decide not to keep Sancho beyond this season, they will be in the market for a new winger and could make a move for one former Premier League star.

Chelsea’s search to replace Sancho

One of the most interesting sagas in the summer transfer window will be that of Leroy Sane. The Bayern Munich star, formerly of Manchester City, could well be on the move again this summer, with a return to the English top flight on the cards.

Transfer Focus

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

According to a report from Football Insider, Chelsea are thought to be ‘are intensifying their interest in the winger’ and could make a move for him this summer.

With a view to replacing Sancho, the German could be one of their primary targets.

However, they will not be alone in the race for Sane, who is out of contract next month. London rivals Arsenal are also interested in the 29-year-old, with the Gunners and Enzo Maresca’s Blues considered the ‘frontrunners’ this summer.

Why Sane would be a good signing

Should Chelsea sign Sane this summer, there is no doubt about the experience and quality he would bring to Stamford Bridge. The German international has had another impressive season, helping Bayern reclaim the Bundesliga title under his former teammate, Vincent Kompany.

In 44 appearances this season for the German giants, Sane has managed 13 goals and six assists across all competitions. 17 of those goal involvements have come in the Bundesliga, in just 29 appearances.

The former Schalke academy star is a consistent goalscorer, too. He has only ever gone four games this term without a top-flight goal or assist, although he managed just one goal and no assists in 13 Champions League games.

What a player Sane was during his first stint in England, for City. He managed 39 goals and 44 assists in 135 games. According to Statman Dave, the 29-year-old was “phenomenal” at his peak for City.

Well, his Premier League numbers speak for themselves. Not only did he help City to two top-flight titles during his three full seasons at the club, but he managed to score and assist 55 goals in 90 appearances in the competition.

Sane stats per PL season for City
Stat	2016/17	2017/28	2018/19
Games	26	32	31
Minutes	1787	2424	1867
Goals	5	10	10
Assists	4	15	11
Mins per G/A	198	96	88
Stats from Transfermarkt

Chelsea will surely be hoping Sane can replicate the impact Cole Palmer has had at Stamford Bridge. Of course, there are parallels between the two, given that they both played for the Citizens, although Palmer’s opportunities were few and far between at the Etihad Stadium.

He played just 41 times for Pep Guardiola’s side, and since his move to West London, has become “the best player in the Premier League”, which Jamie Carragher claimed back in October.

If Sane can somewhat replicate the England international’s 40 goals and 25 assists in 88 appearances in Blue, he will be a successful signing, to say the least.

Palmer has certainly been an excellent addition to the club, and Sane would surely hope to follow in his footsteps in that sense.

For what would be a free transfer, this seems like a deal Chelsea can’t miss out on. They would be signing a proven Premier League player who can still contribute at the highest level.

A better signing than Osimhen: Chelsea in talks to land the "next Haaland"

Chelsea appear to be making moves to land a star who would be better than Victor Osimhen.

1

By
Ethan Lamb

May 14, 2025

Leeds United supporters are in dreamland at the moment as Daniel Farke’s men – who notoriously make things hard for themselves – managed to lift the Championship title on the final day.

The true character and resolve of Farke’s men was on full display away at Plymouth Argyle, with a last-gasp goal from Manor Solomon managing to turn the tie around to gift Leeds that much-needed victory to be crowned champions.

Solomon’s memorable impact upon proceedings surely means he’s up there as one of Leeds’ best buys from last summer, with the Tottenham Hotspur loanee’s constant class a big plus during his team’s successful pursuit of Premier League football.

Solomon's promotion-winning heroics

Snapping up Solomon’s services, albeit on a temporary basis, would have been viewed as somewhat of a risk last August, considering the 25-year-old attacker’s injury-prone status back at his parent employers.

Indeed, across both the 2022/23 season for Fulham and the following campaign for Spurs, the dimunitive forward would miss a substantial 50 clashes owing to injury, which adds up to 425 days missing from action.

However, it’s fair to say he’s made up for all that lost time whilst on the books of Leeds, with Solomon uttered in the same breath as Elland Road legend Pablo Hernandez now when picking up a blistering 22 goals and assists this season from 39 league outings.

Leeds would love to hold onto their silky number 14 for good, with a potential now for one of Solomon’s teammates in North London to link up with the on-fire attacker in West Yorkshire.

Leeds could seal Solomon repeat with £30m "nuisance"

Of course, not every risky move in the transfer market pays off like Solomon’s did.

But, Leeds could be about to try and a seal repeat of the 25-year-old’s golden deal anyway with a new striker purchase, with The Boy Hotspur now reporting that the newly promoted side are just one suitor intrigued by a potential deal for Spurs attacker Richarlison.

Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also named as keen onlookers, but Leeds will hope they can advance to the front of the queue for the Brazilian’s services, knowing full well he can be a lethal finisher of chances in the Premier League when on his A-game.

Unfortunately, much like Solomon, the South American is prone to a spell on the sidelines due to injury, but his superb goal record at the level when injury-free really does speak for itself.

Richarlison’s record in the PL by season

Season

Games

Games missed through injury

Goals

Assists

24/25

13

37

4

1

23/24

28

10

11

4

22/23

27

11

1

4

21/22

30

13

10

5

20/21

34

2

7

3

19/20

36

2

13

3

18/19

35

0

13

2

17/18

38

0

5

4

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Looking at the table above, the former Everton hero has managed to amass a sturdy 64 Premier League strikes from 241 total appearances in the competition.

Four of those have come about this season even whilst Richarlison has wrestled with various different injury issues, meaning he could kick on and be the star Farke desires up top next campaign when the treatment room is hopefully left behind.

Previously praised as a “constant nuisance for defenders” by current boss Ange Postecoglou, the £30m-rated forward’s arrival on the scene could just be what Leeds need to become clinical up a level.

Yet, splashing out such a high amount on an injury-heavy presence might well be deemed too risky, but as was seen in Solomon’s success story, hazardous deals are sometimes worth signing off on.

Related Pablo Hernandez 2.0: Leeds seriously eyeing move for "dazzling" £35m star

Leeds are interested in signing a Premier League star who could be the club’s new Pablo Hernandez.

Posts ByDan Emery May 4, 2025

Chelsea, BlueCo and chairman Todd Boehly want to sign three high-profile players for Enzo Maresca this summer, and the trio could end up costing the Stamford Bridge side around £200 million.

Chelsea "ready to spend big again" in the transfer market

According to reliable Blues journalist Simon Phillips this week, Chelsea are “ready to spend big again” in the next transfer market, with Champions League football potentially on the line, not to mention their participation in the Club World Cup.

Chelsea make contact for "elite" player who could go for cut price of £34m

The west Londoners are set for another intriguing summer.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 8, 2025

The west Londoners will also have from June 1st to June 10th to sign players before the CWC, an opportunity Chelsea could well seize considering Maresca’s side stand a chance of winning £100 million in prize money from the tournament.

Ipswich Town (home)

April 13th

Fulham (away)

April 20th

Everton (home)

April 26th

Liverpool (home)

May 4th

Newcastle (away)

May 10th

Qualification for the Champions League will be crucial in determining who they’ll get over the line this summer (Simon Phillips), with Chelsea looking to reinforce many areas throughout Maresca’s squad before his second full season in charge.

Chelsea are targeting a new striker this summer, and it is rumoured that they have their eyes on Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. Meanwhile, it is also believed that Maresca has asked Chelsea to sign a new goalkeeper, with concerns surrounding both Filip Jorgensen and Robert Sanchez.

Chelsea are also in the market for a new centre-back, while there is believed to be BlueCo interest in Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado as a potential partner for Moises Caicedo in the midfield.

With Kepa Arrizabalaga, Alfie Gilchrist, Armando Broja, Raheem Sterling, David Datro Fofana, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi all likely to leave the club this summer as well, once they return from their loan spells, Chelsea appear set for yet another busy summer indeed.

Chelsea want Huijsen, Gyokeres and Rodrygo in £200m triple summer deal

Now, a major claim has surfaced from Europe on the club’s plans to bolster Maresca’s squad – with Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, Real Madrid starlet Rodrygo and Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen all on the agenda.

According to a report from Spain, Chelsea want to sign Gyokeres, Rodrygo and Huijsen this summer, who could all set the club back around £200 million in total.

They’re apparently planning to trigger Huijsen’s £50 million release clause, while Chelsea have allegedly “already” made an offer of around £65m for Gyokeres.

Chelsea also want to “tempt” Rodrygo to the English capital with a promise of regular football, but he’s said to be valued at around £86m. Maresca’s side are hatching this “ambitious plan” to bring all three of the aforementioned players to Chelsea, a triple signing which would “revolutionise” their project.

Huijsen has stood out as one of the Premier League’s most promising young defenders after his excellent season at Bournemouth, while Gyokeres is enjoying another incredibly prolific campaign in Portugal with 44 goals and 11 assists from 44 appearances in all competitions.

Rodrygo has predominantly showcased his best on the right wing for Real this season, enjoying a real purple patch of form midway through the campaign, and his quality is evident for all to see despite tailing off a bit lately with no goals or assists in La Liga since January.

South Africa have picked a team best suited for the subcontinent, but conditions here expose even seasoned teams, let alone first-timers

Firdose Moonda11-Nov-20251:47

Phillander: South Africa’s young team has had ‘phenomenal preparation’

South Africa’s last two tours to India have been tests of character and conditions, and it would not be too harsh to say the visitors failed on both counts. After their nine-year unbeaten run away from home was broken when they were outspun in 2015, South Africa were on shaky ground in 2019: without a permanent coach and on the cusp of an administrative unravelling that changed the game.But six years is a long time in sport, and South Africa have rebuilt from the ground up. They’re once again a champion Test side, more inexperienced than their predecessors but equally street-smart. At full strength, they have not lost a Test series under coach Shukri Conrad since his appointment in January 2023, which makes the New Zealand series of 2024 (when Conrad was forced to take a makeshift squad because of clashes with the SA20) the only time they’ve been defeated. So they’ll believe this is their best chance to beat India at home since they last did it, in the year 2000.Related

• In India, captain Bavuma pursues the final piece of his validation

• Graeme Smith: 'Crucial for South Africa to start well' in India

• South Africa return to India without fear of the Turnado

• Bavuma comment: Against India, SA will prepare for the worst and hope for the best

• De Zorzi and Stubbs – SA identify their horses for Asian courses

To do that, they’ve assembled a squad who have been there but haven’t done that. This includes the captain Temba Bavuma, opening batter Aiden Markram, pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, and what appears to be sub-continent specialists, albeit that for many, this is their first experience of Tests in India.Overall, eight of South Africa’s squad have never played a Test in India before and three others have limited experience but could still add value. Batter Zubayr Hamza and left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy were on South Africa’s 2019 tour to India and Simon Harmer on the 2015 one. Hamza has also been on three A tours to the country, where he averages 42.09 in red-ball cricket. As for the rest, this is what they will bring to the table.Ryan RickeltonOpening batter Ryan Rickelton had never been to India before this year and will now make a second trip in nine months after his maiden IPL stint in 2025. There, he was Mumbai Indians’ third-leading run-scorer, hitting three fifties from 14 matches while striking at 150.97.While those numbers will give him confidence, Rickelton knows he will need to summon the discipline he “puts away,” in his own words, when transitioning from red-ball to white-ball cricket. His two Tests in Bangladesh last year brought just 40 runs, though he was batting out of position at No. 5, but he enjoyed better returns in Pakistan. Rickelton batted for more than three hours and scored 71 in the first innings of the first Test in Lahore, where he showed the patience to play the long game.Tony de Zorzi After losing his place to Rickelton earlier this year, Tony de Zorzi got another opportunity when Bavuma missed the Pakistan series through injury and took it. He scored a century in Lahore, which was his second Test hundred and second in the subcontinent, and 55 in Rawalpindi. His ability to play spin must make him a strong contender for the starting XI even though he is the only member of the squad who has never played a match, in any format, in India.2:43

Philander: South Africa batters will carry IPL learnings into Tests

Dewald Brevis India is very familiar with Dewald Brevis after he earned his first IPL contract off the back of performances at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup but the early hype barely paid off. Brevis had two quiet seasons for MI and was re-examined as a replacement player for Chennai Super Kings this year. Two half-centuries in quick time towards the latter end of the campaign showed his credentials.Since then, Brevis scored a half-century on his Test debut and enjoyed his first ODI appearance. He had a curious tour of Pakistan, which was all or nothing with two ducks and a run-a-ball 54 in the Tests. That doesn’t bother South Africa, who see Brevis as a wild card with the ability to change the game in the space of a session, and specifically surprise the opposition with his batting tempo.Tristan StubbsIt has been a difficult year for Tristan Stubbs, who has struggled for form across formats including at the IPL. He scored 300 runs in 14 matches for Delhi Capitals with a top-score of 41* but found some rhythm with half-centuries against Australia and England and another in the Rawalpindi Test. The conundrum with Stubbs in Tests seems to be where South Africa want to bat him. He has played at Nos. 3, 4 and 5 and his century in Bangladesh came at No. 3 which may inform how South Africa use him in India, if at all. He is likely competing for a spot against de Zorzi or Wiaan Mulder.Kyle Verreynne Known as one of South Africa’s best players of spin, this series is an important one for Kyle Verreynne, with the bat and with the gloves. Verreynne has only played two List-A games in India on a South Africa A tour in 2019, which was also his first trip to the subcontinent. In the years since, he has shown himself to be a versatile and adaptable cricketer in a variety of conditions including the County Championship. With three hundreds in the previous cycle, Verreynne was the South African with the most centuries, and he also has one in Bangladesh which speaks to his credentials in the region.Wiaan Mulder has done nearly everything for South Africa in Tests•Zimbabwe CricketWiaan Mulder It’s still unclear how exactly Mulder fits into South Africa’s plans as he has done everything from opening the bowling to batting anywhere from No. 3 to 8, to standing in as captain, and this tour may provide some direction. Mulder is one of three seam-bowling allrounders and the only one with some decent red-ball returns in India. He was part of a South African A side that toured India in 2019 and was their leading run-scorer.Mulder’s inclusion may depend on whether South Africa anticipate some swing and how they plan to stack their line-up. His century in the second Test against Bangladesh last year, which came after a fifty in the first Test, will mean he is fairly high up the pecking order but with the resources at South Africa’s disposal, may not be high enough.Marco JansenYou only need to remember the 2023 ODI World Cup to summon memories of how good, and how bad, Marco Jansen can be on the big stage. After searing through Powerplays in most of the group stage, Jansen suffered a severe case of stage fright against India.He has since worked on his big-match temperament and was the best-performing South African bowler at the most recent IPL. What Jansen brings in terms of his left-arm angle, aggression, and even big-hitting is well known and this series will be a test of whether he can translate that to Tests in India. Jansen has played 50 matches in India, including one red-ball game on the 2019 A tour, where he took 2 for 59. He has only played one Test in the subcontinent before, going wicketless in Rawalpindi.Corbin Bosch A late international bloomer, Corbin Bosch has enjoyed a magical last year in which he has debuted across all formats for South Africa and earned an IPL contract. He played just three games for MI, which is the extent of all his experience in India but has been preferred over someone like Lungi Ngidi for his skill set. Bosch is genuinely fast, regularly hitting speeds above 140kph, and he’s a confident ball-striker too. He performed well in the white-ball series against Pakistan and, though he may not get into the XI immediately, he provides strong backup.

Also: what’s the highest fourth-innings total in a ten-wicket Test win?

Steven Lynch02-Apr-2024Kamindu Mendis had a Test average of 109 after three innings. What’s the highest average at that point of a career? asked Sa-aadat Parker from South Africa
In what was only his second Test, Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis hit 102 and 164 against Bangladesh in Sylhet recently. As he’d scored 61 in his only other Test, against Australia in Galle in July 2022, this gave him an average of 109 after three innings.This is not terribly exceptional: Mendis lies 29th of the 43 batters who had an average of 100 or more after three Test innings. Top of the list is England’s Ian Bell, who averaged 297 after three innings (70, 65 not out and 162 not out). Faf du Plessis averaged 266 (78, 110 not out and 78 not out), and Frank Worrell 256 (97, 28 not out, 131 not out). As those scores suggest, many of these averages were boosted by not-outs: Mendis actually has the highest average of anyone who was dismissed in all three innings.To answer another question, Mendis was the first to score twin centuries in a Test after coming in at No. 7 or lower in both innings. And his partner in two big stands in Sylhet, Dhananjaya de Silva, was only the third to score two from No. 6, after Allan Border (Australia vs Pakistan in Lahore in 1979-80) and another Sri Lankan inTillakaratne Dilshan (against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2008-09).Who has hit the most sixes in an IPL season? asked Sadanand Patel from India
Chris Gayle leads the way here, with 59 sixes for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2012. He’s also third on the list, with 51 in 2013, and fifth with 44 in 2011. In between come Andre Russell, with 52 sixes for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2019, and Jos Buttler, with 45 for Rajasthan Royals in 2022.Overall, Gayle still leads the way, despite not having featured in the IPL since 2021. He hit 357 sixes in all in the IPL, and is still nearly 100 ahead of the next man, Rohit Sharma.What’s the highest total made in the fourth innings of a Test to win by ten wickets? asked Laurie McKenzie from England
The highest to win a Test by ten wickets is Australia’s 173 for 0 against England in Brisbane in 2017-18, when David Warner made 87 and Cameron Bancroft 82. That just eclipsed Australia’s 172 for 0 to beat West Indies in Adelaide in 1930-31, when Bill Ponsford scored 92 and Archie Jackson 70.There is one higher fourth-innings total in a draw: West Indies ran up 250 for 0 against Australia in Georgetown in 1983-84 (Gordon Greenidge 120, Desmond Haynes 103) after being set 323 to win in 260 minutes. For a list, click here.The highest to win a men’s ODI by ten wickets is South Africa’s 282 for 0 (Quinton de Kock 168, Hashim Amla 110) against Bangladesh in Kimberley in 2017-18, while the T20I record is Pakistan’s 203 for 0 (Babar Azam 110, Mohammad Rizwan 88) against England in Karachi in 2022-23.In women’s ODIs, Australia made 221 for 0 (Annabel Sutherland 109, Phoebe Litchfield 106) to beat Ireland in Dublin in 2023, while in T20Is Sri Lanka scored 143 for 0 (Chamari Athapaththu 80, Harshitha Samarawickrama 49) to beat New Zealand in Colombo in 2023.Cameron Bancroft and David Warner starred in Australia’s ten-wicket win against England in 2017, cobbling together an unbeaten 173 for the fourth innings•Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty ImagesWho was the youngest Test cricketer to die? And who holds this sad record in one-day and T20 internationals? asked Zaheer Ahmed from the United States
The holder of this mournful record is the Bangladesh allrounder Manzural Islam Rana, who played six Test matches during 2004 but was only 22 when he was killed in a road accident in Khulna in March 2007. Next comes someone who, coincidentally, was mentioned in the previous answer: the brilliant Australian batter Archie Jackson hit 164 on his Test debut, against England in Adelaide in 1928-29, when only 19, but died of tuberculosis four years later.Manzurul is also the youngest male ODI player to die; next is the Sri Lankan seamer Stanley de Silva, who was 23 when he was killed – also in a road accident – in 1980. The youngest T20 international player to pass away was Australia’s Phillip Hughes, who was just short of his 26th birthday when he succumbed to injury after being hit in a match in November 2014.I noticed that despite playing 277 international matches in all, Jonny Bairstow has never bowled a single delivery. Is there anyone who has played more and never bowled? asked Nair Ottappalam from India
Jonny Bairstow turns out to come in surprisingly low on this particular list: his 277 matches without bowling places him only 12th. Leading the way is Mushfiqur Rahim of Bangladesh: the second Test against Sri Lanka in Chattogram was his 462nd international match, and he didn’t bowl in the first 461.Next come Adam Gilchrist, who played in 396 international matches without ever bowling, and the first non-wicketkeeper in Eoin Morgan (379).Bairstow is only the fourth player to appear in 100 Tests without bowling at all: Ian Healy leads the way with 119, Stephen Fleming played 111, and Andrew Strauss also 100.Kumar Sangakkara played 404 one-day internationals without ever bowling, Mark Boucher 295, Gilchrist 287, and Mushfiqur 271 so far. Two non-wicketkeepers lead the way in T20 internationals: the South African David Miller has so far appeared in 116 without bowling, while Morgan played 115.Alyssa Healy has so far played 153 women’s T20Is without bowling, Smriti Mandhana 128, and Tammy Beaumont 102. To date Healy has played 263 internationals in all formats without being called upon to bowl, Beaumont 220 and Mandhana 216.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

Extraction of Williamson for third time in series epitomises soft skills of hard competitor

Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Jun-2022Zaheer Khan, Hasan Ali – and now, Matthew Potts. It’s not a trio you would naturally throw together, even if they’d make a pretty tidy bowling attack. Beyond that, there is probably not too much in common given the age differences along with the era and environments they grew up in. The Beastie Boys, they are not.But on Saturday at Headingley, a thread that existed between Zaheer and Hasan was sewn unto Potts. For they are now the only three bowlers to have dismissed Kane Williamson three times in a Test series. Zaheer was in his 15th year in the format, while Hasan did so a year after making his debut in 2017. It’s taken Potts a matter of weeks.It’s no measure to rank them, by any means. Especially given that, when Zaheer made his India debut in 2000, Williamson was a 10-year-old, gently guiding balls behind the car and into the garage door. But it is a neat summation of how quickly Potts has felt at home at this level, to have stamped the New Zealand captain’s card in all but one of the four innings he’s had. Had Covid not intervened at Trent Bridge to rule out two more meetings, Potts might have earned enough points to be entitled to a free Kane Williamson.The set-up and punchline for this final battle was Potts in a nutshell. Four deliveries came from an almost identical release point at the crease, before he went wide while serving up a ball that behaved just like the others. Williamson, by now conditioned to a ball coming into him, approached this one exactly the same, offering a straight bat, but failed to register that it was a little wider, thus probably one to cut. He knew he was done as soon as contact was made, and arched back to look to the sky in despair as Jonny Bairstow took the catch with the gloves and Potts wheeled away.Having just lost Devon Conway, and with Williamson set on 48 after nearly three hours at the crease, it was an incision that tipped the afternoon England’s way, maybe even the match. New Zealand still lead by 137, with five wickets still to get.ESPNcricinfo LtdAs it stands, Potts is England’s leading wicket-taker for the series with 13 at an impressive average of 21.53. And although he started with a bang at Lord’s with four for 13, followed by three for 55 in the second innings, his work so far at Headingley might be his best showing yet.He was unfortunate to leave the first innings with just one wicket for 34 from his 26 overs, especially considering he’d twice got the better of New Zealand’s eventual centurion Daryl Mitchell. An lbw on eight was not reviewed after being adjudged not out, then an edge on 80 was taken out of Joe Root’s hands at first slip when wicketkeeper Ben Foakes leapt across to snatch at it.But you knew, deep down, Potts’ rewards were not going to be too far away. As he mentioned on Sky Sports at stumps on Saturday, he is consistent with his method: “I don’t think there’s any great secret. Just a bit of wobble, maybe the occasional swinger. Just try and hit it on a good length and hopefully something will happen.” As it did against Williamson, and earlier when he got England’s hunt for ten second-innings wickets up and running with a delivery that left Will Young and coaxed a prod to Ollie Pope at third slip.As for the moments when it doesn’t quite happen? “It’s not a drama,” he shrugged, like a bloke who knows full well that none of this caper is life and death. Yet even in those moments when the pitch flattens out, he’s still running in, still hammering that length and doing it accurately enough for England to operate without a fine leg, giving them an extra fielder to use in a more threatening position.A quick arm, an awkward action and what those in on the term call “fast nip” – Potts’ ability to lose little pace after the ball pitches – are misjudgement-inducing themselves, even before his skills come into the equation. Those skills got a tune-up over the winter, and ultimately led to his international calling, including the acquisition of a wobble-ball. Add it all together, even an average pace of 81 miles per hour (both in this Test and the series as a whole), CricViz calculates he elicits false shots 17 percent of the time – essentially more than once an over.That he is now doing all this as James Anderson’s replacement is not for nothing, either. The burden of deputising for 651 dismissals doesn’t register, because his remit hasn’t changed. When so many have tried to mimic the great man, Potts was his own man, doing things in his own way.Related

Ben Stokes hails 'unbelievable' mindset switch as England power to 3-0 series win

Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root rampage to England's seven-wicket win, and series clean-sweep

Ollie Pope, Joe Root break England's chase after Jack Leach stars with maiden ten-for

'The ball was there to hit and I just hit it to the wrong place' – Jamie Overton rues the ton that got away

Kane Williamson at a crossroads as form slump mirrors New Zealand's decline

There’s something to be said for Potts’ personality, too, because it’s not quite as obvious on the field as it is with others. While Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow took turns between balls to conduct the Western Terrace like they were warming up the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, Potts managed to do so when the ball was live.You could probably apportion some of the credit for Henry Nicholls’ wicket (caught and bowled by Jack Leach) to Potts, considering he was responsible for the decibel levels that made Headingley feel that little bit smaller and that little bit more enclosed for New Zealand’s batters. And it said all you needed to know about his attitude to the game, and the grind, that he was hurrying back to his mark even as darkness closed in, to try and prise one or two more deliveries out before the day was done.Alas, his scampering before the rains came in to end day three proved in vain, and he will return on Sunday morning with one ball remaining in his 10th over.There is a selflessness to his graft: Potts is the type of person who’d run through a brick wall for his team-mates and then clean up the debris. It is why, even before he had bowled a ball in an England shirt, Stokes – his Durham team-mate – championed him as not just an “athlete” but “everything I expect this team to be going forward”.Typically, he wasn’t having it when he was asked of the thrill of having a player like Williamson, a generational great, in his back pocket. “I wouldn’t say he’s sitting in my pocket,” he replied, as much of a correction as it was a statement of the sort of humility necessary to make it in this arena.”To be honest, that could be anyone. Anyone in that line-up, I’m trying to get them out. And if I’m not, I shouldn’t be in the team really.”Well, he is. And he should be, for a good while yet.

South Africa’s search for players to take on key roles could receive a fillip with a series win against Australia

Firdose Moonda25-Feb-2020Not for the first time this summer, South Africa have the opportunity to close out a series against top-quality opposition but unlike the other two occasions, they only have one shot at it. After taking the series lead against England in the ODI and T20I rubbers earlier this month, South Africa went on to lose the fixtures that followed (the second ODI against England was rained out) and were denied the chance to claim a trophy outright.Wednesday’s T20I against Australia presents an opportunity to change that and for the new coaching regime under Mark Boucher to earn their first cup, and although they see results as secondary at this stage, the team’s assistant coach Enoch Nkwe did find reason to say, “We’re going to take it like a knock-out game or a World Cup final.”That important.Boucher and his team were hired with the next 50-over World Cup as the end goal, which may make the two T20I tournaments in-between seem incidental, but they are very much part of the plan. Whether South Africa can seriously think of the winning this year’s event may not become clear until later, when they put the final touches to their squad and their form becomes apparent.For now, Nkwe said they are focused “finding the formula” by experimenting with combinations and working through inconsistencies. “By the time we get to West Indies [in July-August], it’s important that we’ve formed something special as a unit and we understand each other’s game and what makes us tick.”South Africa already know that Quinton de Kock has embraced the extra responsibility of being a leader. He has scored two fifties since being named permanent captain in T20I cricket, and also has two more from when he stood in for Faf du Plessis in India last September. They also know the batsman most likely to open with him, Temba Bavuma, but that will have to wait until he has recovered from a hamstring injury. The rest of the line-up is much less certain with positions from No. 3 to No. 6 up for grabs.Du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, Jon-Jon Smuts, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Pite van Biljon are the six players currently competing for four positions.Faf du Plessis takes the plaudits for a spectacular catch•AFPDu Plessis sits on top of that pecking order, considering he is South Africa’s fourth-highest run-getter in T20Is and brings a skill-set they simply can’t do without in this time of transition. “He is blending in nicely,” Nkwe said. “It’s never going to be easy from being in that [captaincy] position, giving it up and trying to find where you fit in. We have given him a different leadership role to assist Quinton and you saw in Port Elizabeth they worked on together tactically. We need that experience. We can’t throw it away.”Van der Dussen is not far off becoming a mainstay either, having emerged as a cool head and a clean-hitter, but there is stiff competition among the rest.Smuts offers a bowling option with his left-arm spin, Klaasen is an aggressive strokemaker who can win matches on his own and van Biljon has not had enough of an opportunity to show what he can do yet, which adds to the pressure on Miller to step-up. Miller is still seen as a player with potential than a proven match-winner, which is what he needs to be now that he has been in international cricket for a decade. When Nkwe was asked if Miller’s experience guarantees him a place in the T20 World Cup, he answered, “I don’t think anyone is certain.”South Africa have to walk a tightrope at the other end as well because, unless Smuts plays, the make-up of their XI only gives them five bowling options (as was the case in Port Elizabeth). Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo are competing for the allrounder’s spot with the frontline pace attack made up of three out of Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Dale Steyn.Rabada’s role is particularly important after he was given an extended period of rest for the England series, then returned with 0 for 45 in three overs at the Wanderers, before tightening up in Port Elizabeth. Nkwe believes Rabada still has room for improvement. “I feel there is a lot more. He feels the same,” he said. “He is working hard. He is about 60-70% to his best. Hopefully tomorrow he manages to give himself the best chance to be as close as possible to his best but sometimes it does take a while to get going.”The same can be said of South Africa but Boucher and co will hope that some of the kinks have been ironed out just enough that they can savour a first series win on Wednesday.