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Slowly and then all at once might be one way to describe Arsenal’s transfer window so far.

For weeks and weeks, it felt like very little was happening at the Emirates, but now Martin Zubimendi’s transfer is reportedly wrapped up, as is Kepa Arrizabalaga’s, and there have been reports of progress being made towards both Rodrygo and Viktor Gyokeres.

It’s not just incomings either, as Fabrizio Romano broke the news yesterday afternoon that Thomas Partey is now “set to leave” this month.

As if that wasn’t enough, yesterday also saw news come out linking Arsenal to Christian Nørgaard as a potential replacement, but if other reports are to be believed, Mikel Arteta could be looking to sign another midfielder who’d be even better than the Brentford star.

Arsenal target Nørgaard upgrade

While it’s been known for a few days now that the contract talks with Partey were not advancing and that there was, therefore, a real chance the Ghanaian could leave this summer, there were no murmurings that Nørgaard was being looked at as a potential signing.

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In fact, the report from Danish journalist Mads Glenn Wehlast on Wednesday morning was the first time most people had any idea the club were even supposedly interested in the 31-year-old.

The report claims that the Gunners have already submitted an offer worth around €11m in total, which is about £9m.

While that could end up being a good deal, there is still another midfielder the club are interested in, someone who’d be a better signing: Lucien Agoume.

According to a recent report from The Athletic, Arsenal are still very much interested in the Sevilla star, who has been the subject of talks.

A price for the young Frenchman is not mentioned in the report, but stories from earlier this week claim that he could be available for just £20m, although he is also a target for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

It might not be a big-name signing, but based on the ability Agoume has already shown, and the potential so many believe him to possess, it’s one Arsenal should fight for, especially as he would be a better addition to the squad than Nørgaard.

How Agoume compares to Nørgaard

So, if it ends up being a choice between signing Agoume and Nørgaard in the coming weeks, why should Arsenal opt for the former?

Well, the first argument, and its significant one, is the statistical one, as when we take a look under the hood and compare their underlying numbers, it becomes clear that the Sevilla star, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig described as “10 out of 10 talent,” is the more well-rounded midfielder.

The Dane might do marginally better in a few metrics, such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists and passing accuracy per 90, but he comes out a clear second-best in most other statistics that are relevant for a number six.

Agoumé vs Nørgaard

Statistics per 90

Agoumé

Nørgaard

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.14

0.18

Progressive Carries

1.23

0.45

Progressive Passes

5.74

4.92

Passing Accuracy

81.5%

81.6%

Key Passes

1.15

0.58

Passes into the Final Third

5.36

4.38

Shot-Creating Actions

2.55

1.85

Goal-Creating Actions

0.21

0.42

Tackles

2.98

2.52

Blocks

1.28

1.66

Interceptions

1.74

1.57

Errors Leading to a Shot

0.00

0.03

Successful take-ons

0.94

0.22

Aerial Duels Won

1.79

1.57

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

For example, the former Inter Milan gem comes out looking far better in things like progressive passes and carries, key passes, shot-creating actions and, most crucially, tackles, interceptions and aerial duels won per 90.

This suggests that not only does he have the Bees ace beat in plenty of attacking areas, but he’d also be able to better provide cover for the back four, and the fact he’s so good at winning balls in the air will be like music to Arteta’s ears.

Finally, there is another number that matters here: his age.

At 22 years old, the Yaoundé-born maestro has plenty of time to continue developing, and if he does do that, then the Gunners would have a serious midfielder on their hands down the line, whereas at 31, the Brentford star is only going to regress over time.

Moreover, if Zubimendi is going to be the starting six anyway, surely it makes sense to bring in a promising understudy to cover for him, someone who could seriously rival him for game time in a few years.

Ultimately, while Nørgaard wouldn’t be a bad signing by any means, Agoume just looks like the far better option, and therefore, Arsenal should be doing what they can to get him this summer.

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Scott Parker certainly lived up to his label as a serial promotion winner out of the Championship this season at the Burnley helm.

Securing second spot for the Clarets on a mighty 100 points means Parker has now won promotion three times up to the Premier League as a boss, with the uphill battle of attempting to keep the Lancashire underdogs afloat in the taxing division now the tough goal.

It’s been a less-than-ideal summer so far for the newly promoted side unfortunately, as CJ Egan-Riley nears ever closer to a sad Clarets exit, whilst Josh Brownhill’s future at the club is reportedly up in the air having attracted interest from West Ham.

But, it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom as the Clarets anxiously count down the days until the Premier League returns to Turf Moor.

How might the Clarets look in the Premier League? We’ve laid out their dream XI in the top-flight right here…

1 GK – James Trafford

Much like Egan-Riley, Burnley’s number one goalkeeper James Trafford has reportedly been the subject of interest from Newcastle.

But, Parker and Co will just aim to keep swatting away interested parties, knowing full well that Trafford is Premier League capable, having kept a ridiculous 29 clean sheets last season.

2 RB – Connor Roberts

Connor Roberts is also likely to retain his place as Burnley’s starting right-back in top-flight action.

He was another steady presence in the Clarets’ formidable defence last campaign, whilst also being able to boast a season of Premier League experience already with the Lancashire outfit.

3 CB – Victor Nelsson

The first brand-new purchase could see Burnley take a punt on 26-year-old centre-back Victor Nelsson in a bid to immediately fill the Egan-Riley void.

Previously linked with a €10m (£8m) move for Nelsson in January, the 6 foot 1 Dane has shown across his career to date his ability to shine in some top divisions.

Before falling out of favour at Galatasaray and heading to AS Roma on loan, Nelsson would pick up a hefty 11 clean sheets in Super Lig action across the 2023/24 season, finishing too with an imposing average of 5.3 duels won per contest.

With his spell at Roma not going to plan either, the Scandinavian could well fancy leaving Turkey behind for good which is where Burnley might capitalise.

4 CB – Maxime Esteve

Whilst the news of Egan-Riley’s expected exit will sting, Burnley being able to keep a firm grip on his usual centre-back partner in Maxime Esteve could at least come as some source of comfort.

The Frenchman has been linked with a switch away to Crystal Palace, but if the Clarets are serious about their survival hopes, they must keep Esteve around.

The 23-year-old already looks ready-made for the Premier League, with the ex-Montpellier enforcer both confident on the ball with a 91% pass accuracy averaged last season in league action, but also assured when launching into many a tackle.

5 LB – Josip Juranovic

Whilst normally a right-back by trade, Burnley’s lack of a main left-back option could see the Clarets swoop in for reported target Josip Juranovic for help.

The “immense” Croat, as he’s been previously lauded by European football expert Zach Lowy, has been a goal-and-assist machine wherever he’s gone across his nomadic career.

That’s seen in his career tally of 43 goal contributions – but it’s ability to slot in as a right-back, left-back or even as a centre-back with ease that will have piqued Burnley’s interest.

6 CM – Josh Brownhill

Much like Esteve, it would be a complete disaster if Burnley were to lose Josh Brownhill after his sublime promotion heroics.

But, with his contract running down, it could well be a sticky situation to solve.

Still, if they can get their exciting captain to say, it would make the world of difference to the Clarets’ survival odds, considering the wanted star fired home 18 strikes last season as Burnley’s top scorer.

7 CM – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Burnley-linked Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall might soon form a healthy working relationship with Josh Brownhill if the ex-Leicester City man is finally freed from his Stamford Bridge ordeal.

Whilst his time in West London has been rocky after a £30m switch last summer, he showed more than enough for the Foxes for Parker to consider a move, boasting 17 goals and 20 assists in total across his memorable King Power Stadium stay.

8 RM – Marcus Edwards

Now officially a permanent member of the Burnley camp, Marcus Edwards will be raring to go in the Premier League next campaign.

After all, he was once a heavily fancied kid off the block at Tottenham Hotspur, but he would never go on to make a top-flight appearance on the periphery in North London.

Now, after collecting a goal and an assist from 14 Turf Moor clashes, his opportunity finally awaits.

9 CAM – Hannibal Mejbri

Hannibal Mejbri is very much in the same camp as Edwards in attempting to show he belongs at the intimidating level.

He certainly showed he was worthy of competing at the top end of the Championship with Parker’s men, as seen in his respectable tally of one goal and five assists from the number ten spot. Therefore, he could come back to haunt his ex-employers, Manchester United.

10 LM – Jaidon Anthony

Jaidon Anthony will also be bursting with excitement about reentering the Premier League with the Clarets after penning a permanent deal at Turf Moor.

Whilst his team’s stern defence just stole most of the deserved plaudits, Anthony’s high haul of eight goals and seven assists from 43 league clashes went somewhat under the radar.

With Premier League experience also already under his belt with AFC Bournemouth, the 25-year-old could soon cause even more havoc down the left flank for Parker’s men.

Liverpool are already set to lose Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, and they may have to brace for the departure of another key player, with the Spanish side lining up another move.

Trent set to join Real Madrid

The Reds will be delighted to have managed to tie down Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah to new contracts, but Trent has now confirmed his decision to leave on a free transfer this summer, with the right-back expected to join Real Madrid.

There have been widespread reports suggesting the Spanish side could even look to get a deal done early by paying around £850k, as they are eager to have the right-back available in time for this summer’s Club World Cup, which is set to start on June 14th.

With the 26-year-old set to move on this summer, Arne Slot’s side have now stepped up their pursuit of a replacement, and they are set to make an offer for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, who could be available for the relatively low fee of just £30m – £34m.

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However, Alexander-Arnold is not the only Liverpool defender Madrid are keen on, with a report from Spain suggesting the La Liga side are now looking at snapping up Ibrahima Konate, whose contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026.

Madrid are not planning to make a move anytime soon, but they will look to make an approach closer to Konate’s contract expiry date, with the Reds at risk of losing yet another defender on a free transfer to the Spanish heavyweights.

Arsenal’s William Saliba and AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen are also named as targets for Madrid, however, so Slot will be hoping they choose to pursue a different centre-back this summer, rather than waiting for the 25-year-old to become available.

"Incredible" Konate would be huge loss for Slot

Slot has done a fantastic job to secure the Premier League title in his first season, and the French defender has been one of the players integral to Liverpool’s success, making 39 appearances in all competitions, having continued his fantastic partnership with Van Dijk.

The Frenchman has been a consistent performer for the Reds, even managing to average more tackles and blocks per game than Van Dijk in the Premier League, so it will be a worry that Madrid have now expressed an interest.

However, the Spanish side have a number of options on the shortlist, and Liverpool still have time to tie the £70k-a-week defender down to a new contract, with Madrid not planning to make an approach in the near future.

A fortress is made impregnable not through the initial conquering but the success in defending the territory claimed over so many years, and that means Liverpool will need to strengthen their ranks this summer.

It’s clear at this point that Arne Slot is going to win the Premier League in his first term in the hot seat, an incredible feat given Liverpool were effectively written off following Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

But Slot will want an abiding position at the forefront of English and indeed European football, and Liverpool’s frontline has looked a little out of kilter over recent months.

It’s clear that FSG are going to authorise one or two exciting summer bids.

Liverpool targeting new forwards

Mohamed Salah has meted out punishment on near every opponent he has faced this season, but Liverpool need more up front, with The Athletic among those to report Red interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.

However, number nine isn’t the only spot on the club’s radar.

As per Caught Offside, Liverpool and Arsenal are interested in signing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze; further suitors are in the running but the Premier League’s top two share the lead here as well.

Eze’s strong and potent performances under Oliver Glasner suggest he has what it takes to thrive at a top-performing club like Liverpool, who could do with such a dynamic attacker.

Last summer, the Eagles anticipated a swarm of interest in their silky star but no one came forward. Now, the ball is in their court and demands worth £60m have been put in place.

Why Liverpool want to sign Eze

Eze packs a punch. The 26-year-old has gone from strength to strength since leaving Queens Park Rangers in the Championship in 2020 and joining the Selhurst Park ranks for a £20m fee.

Hailed as a “superstar” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, Eze has hit 12 goals and 12 assists apiece under Glasner’s wing, featuring 48 times in total.

This season alone, he’s been in fine fettle, playing a more creative role than in 2023/24 but doing so to a fine effect.

Eze’s broad skill set lends itself to multiple positions, and while he’s been fielded routinely in the middle of the park this year, he has ample experience out on the left flank.

With that in mind, Eze could be the perfect signing to upgrade on Luis Diaz, whose uncertain future at Anfield suggests a replacement will be required sooner rather than later.

PL 24/25 – Eberechi Eze vs Luis Diaz

Stats (* = per game)

Eze

Diaz

Matches (starts)

25 (23)

29 (23)

Goals

2

9

Assists

6

5

Shots taken*

3.4

2.0

Pass completion

82%

86%

Big chances created

9

6

Key passes*

2.0

1.6

Dribbles*

2.1

1.6

Ball recoveries*

4.6

2.9

Tackles + interceptions*

1 8

1.2

Duels won*

5.4

3.8

Stats via Sofascore

While Eze hasn’t chalked up the greatest numbers in front of goal this season, his underlying data suggests that he’s outstripping Diaz across almost every department.

This is important. Diaz isn’t exactly revered for his clinical touch, instead effusively praised for his tricks and slicks, skill and will toward driving play forward and leaving defenders munching dust.

To sign a player who produces such qualities but to a higher standard, more relentless in the duel, creative in his playmaking duties, active in carrying the ball, it’s an intriguing proposition, one which might just dynamise Liverpool’s already progressive attacking outfit.

Moreover, Eze’s clinical side was on full show last season, firing 11 goals home across 24 Premier League appearances, missing just five big chances in an immense display of potency.

Indeed, the Englishman halted Jurgen Klopp’s bid for a farewell league triumph after scoring at Anfield in the 1-0 win in April, with journalist Keifer MacDonald noting that the playmaker had left Trent Alexander-Arnold “furious” due to his slow walk off the field when substituted late on.

Whether the Three Lions star, who scored his first international goal off the bench in a 3-0 win over Latvia last week, is bid for remains to be seen, but Eze has everything that Slot’s Liverpool need, especially if a clinical centre-forward is welcomed to the fold this summer.

In a more distinguished team like Liverpool, Eze may even find himself unlocking his full goalscoring potential. As per FBref, the £100k-per-week talent actually ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shots taken per 90.

Having been described as a “wizard” by Arsenal’s Declan Rice in the past, Palace’s main man may just be on the move this summer. Diaz has been a fantastic servant for Liverpool over the past several years and will be duly rewarded with a Premier League winners’ medal in the coming months, but the time might be right for a change.

The Colombian has only scored one goal across his past 19 fixtures in all competitions for the Reds – albeit assisting in four of his past six top-flight games – and at 28 is heading into the penultimate year of his £55k-per-week deal with sights set on a new bumper package or change of scenery.

There have been whispers of late that Diaz could be sold this summer to fund a freshen-up. Barcelona have a long-standing admiration and the Saudi Pro League are also there, quietly lurking.

How much of a vested interest sporting director Richard Hughes has in Eze at this stage, we don’t know. However, his efforts in south London over the past few years certainly indicate a future at one of the division’s European competitors, and Liverpool will be right there, ready to pounce if the right opportunity presents itself.

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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

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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

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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.

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Mal desembarcou nos Estados Unidos após anúncio oficial de sua contratação pelo Flamengo, e o uruguaio Matías Viña já estava com o grupo em Orlando (Flórida) para participar da reta final da pré-temporada da equipe. E antes do treino desta sexta-feira (26), o lateral-esquerdo deixou clara sua satisfação por estar no Rubro-Negro.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFlamengoFlamengo divulga novo uniforme com referência a seu DenirFlamengo26/01/2024FlamengoReforço do Flamengo, Viña deve agregar potência ofensiva e consistência defensivaFlamengo26/01/2024

– Estou muito feliz de estar aqui, vestindo esta camisa. Já cumprimentei todos meus companheiros no vestiário e ontem (quinta-feira, 25), quando cheguei. Recebi também o carinho do torcedor aqui nos Estados Unidos e agora esperando também para ir para o Brasil para receber o carinho da torcida no Maracanã, que acho que vai ser um momento muito lindo – declarou o jogador em entrevista à TV Fla.

Sobre a forma como foi recebido pelo grupo, Viña deixou claro que a presença dos compatriotas Varela, Arrascaeta e De La Cruz na equipe carioca vai ajudar na sua adaptação.

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– Fui muito bem recebido, conheço o Varela, Arrascaeta e De La Cruz, e isso torna mais fácil estar com a equipe. Outros, eu já enfrentei. Mas, no dia a dia, eu vou pegar mais carinho com os companheiros, conhece-los dentro de campo. Creio que minha adaptação vai ser muito rápida com eles – disse.

➡️ Tudo sobre o Mengão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Flamengo

O uruguaio também falou sobre a expectativa de estrear com a camisa rubro-negra no Maracanã.

– Estar do outro lado foi fo**. Não peguei muitos jogos com torcida, porque quando joguei foi durante a pandemia (de Covid). Mas eu sempre assistia aos jogos e falava com o Arrascaeta na seleção (do Uruguai) e brincava com ele. Agora, estou aqui, esperando a hora para estar no Maracanã com a torcida do Mengão – comentou o lateral-esquerdo.

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Matías Viña também revelou que contou com o apoio de Arrascaeta para fechar contrato com o Flamengo.

– Falei muito com ele (Arrascaeta) durante a negociação, e ele me perguntava quando eu chegaria. Agora estou aqui e feliz – concluiu.

O Flamengo joga neste sábado (27) contra o Orlando City, pela FC Séries, antiga Flórida Cup. A partida será às 16h (horário de Brasília), no Exploria Stadium, em Orlando.

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FlamengoMatías Viña

First impressions are not everything, but they count for a lot for any new signing – just ask Jadon Sancho at Manchester United.

A protracted pursuit of almost 18 months ended with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side finally getting their man in the summer of 2021, securing a deal for what looked to be a knock-down price of £73m.

Hindsight might suggest otherwise, but it’s easy to forget just how exciting a capture that appeared at the time, with the young Englishman having racked up 107 goals and assists in just 137 games at Borussia Dortmund.

A “forward player in the best traditions of Manchester United”, in the view of Solskjaer, the ex-Manchester City product appeared to have all the tools to succeed at Old Trafford, arriving in a statement window that also saw Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo welcomed into the fold.

Frustratingly hampered by an ear infection following his move, however, that early setback set the tone for what was to follow, as the winger never truly found his groove under a succession of managers.

Now out on loan at Aston Villa, the previously marquee signing could soon be heading for the ignominy of a free transfer exit from his parent club.

Latest on Jadon Sancho's future at Man Utd

It’s not wrong to suggest that Sancho never really recovered from that muted debut season, having registered just six goals and assists in the Premier League, while failing to score or assist at all under Solskjaer before the Norwegian was replaced.

2022/23 did start with a bang following the London-born star’s crucial strike against Liverpool under Erik ten Hag, although that relationship soon soured, with Sancho’s public criticism of the Dutchman a year later sparking the beginning of the end for his United journey.

Last season’s Community Shield aside, the 25-year-old has not played a competitive game for the club since that outburst amid the defeat to Arsenal in September 2023, since returning to Dortmund on loan, prior to joining Chelsea last summer.

There were signs of life for Sancho at Stamford Bridge, including his stunner in the Conference League final, although the Blues ultimately opted to pay £5m in order not to make the deal permanent, having failed to agree personal terms with the player.

A last-gasp move to Villa followed this summer, although the struggling talent – who last played for his country in 2021 – is yet to register a goal or assist, albeit while making an impact off the bench in the recent win over Arsenal.

United do have the option of extending his contract for a further year, with his existing deal set to expire in June, although the likelihood is that he will be allowed to leave for nothing, rather than the club having to fork out for his reported £150k-per-week salary.

There have been claims that former club Dortmund could look to re-sign their one-time boy wonder next summer, if he is available for free, with the Bundesliga perhaps representing the perfect place for his career to be revived.

A sorry tale then it has proved to be from a United perspective – let’s just hope it isn’t repeated.

Man Utd may have signed Sancho 2.0

From the woes of recruitment of recent years, this summer looked to be different.

Senne Lammens – a losing ‘keeper just once in his new surroundings – has settled in smoothly, while Bryan Mbeumo has already scored seven times across league and cup.

There is a sense that Matheus Cunha has been somewhat overhyped, amid club-led Eric Cantona comparisons, although the Brazilian has at least shown flashes of quality, notably teeing up Bruno Fernandes’ opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.

Reasons to be positive regarding all three of those deals, although questions might be being asked over the wisdom of forking out a total fee of £74m on Benjamin Sesko, with the Slovenian following Sancho in being another expensive, young addition from the Bundesliga.

A player whom United have tracked since his teenage years, having even turned down the chance to sign him for just £2.5m back in 2019, there was a feeling that Sesko would always end up at Old Trafford, just like Sancho before him.

Like the Englishman too, the 6 foot 4 striker had showcased his quality on a relatively consistent basis back in Germany, racking up 40 goals and assists in just 79 games during his spell at RB Leipzig.

Much like Sancho was tipped to be the long-term solution on the flanks, Sesko has been tasked with finally solving United’s centre-forward woes, following a string of short-term or expensive gambles, be it from Odion Ighalo to Rasmus Hojlund.

Frustratingly, however, things haven’t got off to the most positive of starts, with eyebrows raised when United’s number 30 was merely the tenth penalty taker in the defeat to Grimsby Town, albeit while having reportedly been suffering from cramp.

Indeed, like Sancho’s beginning at Old Trafford, a need to get up to speed fitness-wise impacted the forward’s involvement in the early weeks of the season, having not started in the league until the Manchester derby defeat.

Two goals have since followed against Sunderland and Brentford, although there is a real desire to see more, with the 22-year-old brutally described as looking like “an academy player” last month by Liverpool legend, Robbie Fowler.

His display against Brighton was particularly impressive, having teed up Mbeumo for his first of the night with a delightful turn and pass, although such moments have been few and far between.

Sesko vs Gyokeres – 25/26 PL stats

Stat (*per game)

Sesko

Gyokeres

Games

11

13

Starts

6

10

Goals

2

4

Assists

1

0

Goal conversion

11%

20%

Big chances missed

3

5

Big chances created

0

2

Key passes*

0.6

0.7

Touches*

18.8

19.2

Total duels won*

38%

37%

Stats via Sofascore

Indeed, two missed chances against Tottenham Hotspur ultimately proved costly as United had to settle for a draw, with Sesko having been absent since then through injury.

A return to action could occur in Monday’s clash with Bournemouth, although with the New Year approaching, it already feels like a period wasted for Sesko, with little evidence to suggest he won’t merely follow in the footsteps of Hojlund – and Sancho – before him.

As already stated, first impressions may not be fatal, but they are crucial in winning over fans and pundits alike. Sancho, unfortunately, was never able to do just that, with Sesko in danger of following suit.

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