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Manchester City will start the new Premier League season without the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed last week that the Spaniard will be absent due to an injury suffered in the Club World Cup against Al-Hilal.

Of course, that is a huge blow for City, but they have made recent signings to help cope with the loss. Nico Gonzalez joined last January, and Tijjani Reijnders was a summer acquisition from Italian giants AC Milan. He made the move to the Etihad Stadium for a fee of £46.5m.

However, it does seem like the Citizens will be chasing a new midfielder before the summer window slams shut in two and a half weeks.

Man City’s latest transfer targets

One of the areas of the pitch in which City are looking to strengthen is on the wing. It was reported earlier this week that they are plotting a move for Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo, in a deal that could be worth £85m.

Transfer Focus

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

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The big spending might not stop there. According to a recent report from Caught Offside, it is believed that Guardiola’s side are ‘stepping up their interest’ in Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba.

Their Spanish boss is ‘known to be a long-time admirer’ of the Cameroon international.

However, they face a fight to acquire his signature. Cross-city rivals Manchester United are said to be ‘leading the race’ to sign the Seagulls star this summer. A fee of £100m is reportedly what Brighton will demand if he is to leave the Amex Stadium this month.

Why Baleba would be a good signing

Few players in the Premier League are spoken of as highly as Baleba at the moment. The 21-year-old was described as a “powerhouse” midfielder by Ryan Adsett of Talk Seagulls.

Last term for the Seagulls, the former Lille star was a key player. He made 40 appearances in all competitions, with 34 of those coming in the Premier League. More often than not, he played as a number six, although he operated further forward as an eight, and even as a centre-back at times.

The midfielder is known for his spectacular goals, too, and is a good contributor going forward. Last season, he chipped in with four goals and two assists across all competitions, including this stunning hit in the 93rd minute to secure all three points against West Ham United.

There is certainly a case to be made that the 21-year-old is a bigger talent than Reijnders. City’s new number four has only played three times for the club, but is already someone who you can see will be a “special footballer” for City.

At least, that is according to City social media presence Steven McInerney.

Indeed, in those three games for his new side in the Club World Cup, the Dutchman has left a big impression. He dazzled with his quick feet, sharp touches in tight spaces and ball-carrying ability, on show in this video.

Factor in the cost difference, however, with Brighton’s asking price for Baleba double what City paid for Reijnders, and it is easy to see how the 21-year-old is a bigger talent.

The stats from domestic football last season back that up, too. For example, in the Premier League, Baleba averaged more completed open play passes with 37.9 and won more duels with 6.8 each game. Compared to Reijnders, he completed an average of 36.3 open play passes and won just 2.7 duels per 90 minutes.

Baleba and Reijnders key stats compared

Stat (per 90)

Baleba (PL)

Reijnders (Serie A)

Open play passes completed

37.9

36.3

Long balls completed

2.2

1.8

Take-ons completed

1.2

1.1

Aerial duels won

1.4

0.2

Ground duels won

5.4

2.5

Ball recoveries

6.7

3.6

Stats from Squawka

There is a strong case to be made that Baleba is a far bigger talent than Reijnders. Not only do the stats reinforce that idea, but he is valued at double the price, and well spoken about by one of the leading analysts in the game.

A fee of £100m is hefty, but there is little doubt that Baleba would improve this City team leaps and bounds. As analyst Ben Mattinson has noted, he is already “one of the best midfielders in the league”.

Related He's Cherki 2.0: Man City now targeting "technically beautiful" £60m star

Man City have still got business to do this summer

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Aug 14, 2025

Matheus Cunha has shared a cryptic update on his injury status as the Brazilian continues his recovery during the international break. Cunha was forced off the pitch in Manchester United's 3-2 win over Burnley in their last Premier League clash and the striker later withdrew from the Brazil national team. The new United signing is now eyeing a return to action ahead of the Manchester derby next weekend.

Cunha shared a cryptic injury updateSuffered injury against BurnleyAiming to return to action ahead of derbyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

United initially felt that their summer signing could spend a prolonged spell on the sidelines, however, later reported that Cunha's knock is far less severe than first thought. Now, the belief within the camp is that the 26-year-old could even make it back in time for the crunch clash against Manchester City at the Etihad on September 14.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Amid speculation over his condition, the Red Devils star has now shared an update on his injury status, as he continues with his recovery. Cunha is not the only United star who has suffered an injury setback. Mason Mount’s fitness is also a growing concern, with the midfielder’s unspecified injury casting doubt over his participation in the derby. Mount soldiered on for half an hour against Burnley before being replaced at the break by Kobbie Mainoo.

WHAT CUNHA SAID

On his Instagram story, Cunha posted a photograph of himself working out on an exercise bike and wrote: "The time is flying". 

IG:@cunha

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

Amorim's side will now aim to make it two wins in a row as they face an under-fire Manchester City side next Sunday.

It hasn’t always been this way. There was a time, not too long ago, when Liverpool were scraping to qualify for Europe, or indeed failing to qualify for Europe.

The Luis Suarez-led Premier League title charge of 2013/14 will forever remain an incredible, awe-inspiring season, but it stood as a lonely outlier across a number of years of strife and disappointment.

But Jurgen Klopp changed all that, remoulding Anfield and placing Liverpool back among the big-hitters on the global stage. For many, it was a return to the old days of excitement and glory at the top.

Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley were joined by another in the shape of the larger-than-life German manager, who signed and grew, organically, a team capable of challenging for the biggest prizes year on year.

Liverpool had created superstars like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Bobby Firmino. They joined the likes of John Barnes and Kenny Dalglish and the like from an era of old.

And now, there’s a new wave.

Slot's Liverpool rebuild

Arne Slot led Liverpool to their first Premier League title in five years last season, and in the first year since Klopp stepped down too.

He did it without any proper transfer investment, only bringing Federico Chiesa, who scarcely played for several reasons, over in a £12.5m deal.

He’s since been rewarded. Liverpool have spent a British-record £116m sum on Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, and are looking to smash their own record with a bid for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak. The Sweden striker wants to sign for the Reds, and a first informal approach has been made.

Such players have the potential to evoke nostalgia on Merseyside, for sure, but Liverpool are planning to sign yet another high-class footballer this summer with something of a stylistic connection to a former icon.

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Liverpool are still hoping to make a few more moves in the summer transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 1, 2025

Indeed, the aforementioned Barnes was quite the player back in his heyday, and Liverpool have a similar player in their sights.

Liverpool make contact with CL superstar

As per Spanish journalist Siro Lopez, Liverpool have been in contact with Real Madrid star Rodrygo as Slot looks to replace Diaz.

The Brazilian forward, 24, is anticipated to leave Xabi Alonso’s fledgling project after falling out of favour, but he remains one of the game’s most talented wingers and could be available for a fee in the region of £69m.

Rodrygo has also been coveted by Arsenal this summer, and with Leandro Trossard rumoured to be leaving the Emirates, FSG might want to act swiftly with this one.

Why Liverpool should sign Rodrygo

Like Barnes, Rodrygo is an elegant and dynamic forward, though he’s, of course, more accomplished at this stage of his career than when Dalglish agreed a £900,000 fee with Watford to bring the now-retired great to Anfield in 1987.

The Los Blancos sensation has scored 68 goals and supplied 51 assists across 270 senior showings in the Spanish capital, winning the full gamut.

Rodrygo is a big-game player and could prove a fantastic Diaz replacement in that regard, filling in a void and ensuring that Liverpool have the technical quality and firepower to make an impact on the grand stage.

His talismanic approach adds a further level to the argument that he’s apt as the club’s new Barnes.

Barnes, when operating on the left side of the midfield, was a powerful and direct player, renowned for his speed and athleticism, his purposeful strides and (at times) clinical finishing.

He led a storied career, but it was at Liverpool that Barnes enjoyed his finest hours, notably winning two top-flight titles, two FA Cups and leaving as a two-time Liverpool Player of the Year.

Liverpool

406

107

92

Watford

237

64

9

Newcastle

41

7

1

Charlton

11

–

–

Though it’s unlikely Rodrygo would take a leaf from Barnes’ book and relocate to a deeper-lying midfield role in the deeper stretches of his career, there’s little question that the Brazilian shares some of the 61-year-old’s one-time versatility and cleverness on the pitch.

Former England international Tom Finney once said, “Players like John Barnes come along just once in a lifetime.” His pace, power and sheer will to win allowed him to thrive as one of the game’s elite, and these are traits also found within Rodrygo’s skill set, for sure.

As per FBref, Rodrygo ranked last season among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe for pass completion, the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 20% for successful take-ons per 90, highlighting his mix of sharp passing and high-speed, controlled running with the ball.

The right-footer might not have enjoyed his best season in 2024/25, only scoring six times in La Liga, but he was routinely played out of position and could find a permanent home on the left flank in Slot’s Liverpool.

Carlo Ancelotti might have hailed his “special striker” for being able to “play in all positions”, but coming off the left flank, his potency and creativty are maximised.

Should sporting director Richard Hughes pull this one off, perhaps we will see the spirit of Barnes reborn in Slot’s Liverpool, adding that extra bit of quality to take this illustrious project to the next stage.

Bigger mistake than Diaz: Liverpool ready to sell Slot's "monster" for £47m

Liverpool sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, and now face the exit of another star player.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 31, 2025

Australian stars with bat, ball and in the field in one-off appearance to ruin Flintoff coaching debut

ECB Media26-Jul-2024Trent Rockets 185 for 5 (Banton 66, Hain 49) beat Northern Superchargers 138 for 8 (Dwarshuis 40*, Green 3-14) by 47 runsAn immense all-round performance by Australian star Chris Green propelled Trent Rockets to a commanding 47-run victory against Northern Superchargers at a packed Headingley.Asked to bat first, the Rockets’ openers dominated the powerplay, putting on 44 before Adam Lyth mis-timed a drive to give Ben Dwarshuis his first wicket.Matthew Potts, hotfooting it from Edgbaston having been left out of the England Test XI, then hurried up Alex Hales, who was well caught by Adam Hose on the long-on boundary.Thereafter Sam Hain joined Tom Banton and they played out a compelling duel with the Superchargers’ spin twins, Adil Rashid and Callum Parkinson, Banton edging the exchanges to reach a classy fifty from just 27 balls.Potts finally checked their progress, spearing in a brilliant yorker to remove Banton on 66, the Banton-Hain partnership having yielded 65 from just 36 balls.Hain’s mix of orthodoxy and invention brought him 49 (28), and it was Green’s magical seven-ball 25 – featuring three sixes – that blasted the Rockets up to 185, their third-highest score in the competition’s history.In reply Ollie Robinson and Graham Clark plundered six fours and a six inside the powerplay but when Clark was clean bowled for 17 (12) by Imad Wasim, the floodgates opened.Superchargers skipper Short was magnificently caught by a diving Green at long-on, Robinson was trapped in front by a Green off-break, and when Green removed Hose and Nicholas Pooran, the Superchargers were languishing on 62 for 5.Green’s perfect night was made complete with a smart run-out of Clark, and despite some spirited late-order hitting from Potts and Dwarshuis, the Rockets ran out comfortable winners.Green, who returns to Australia after the game, was the Meerkat Match Hero: “That was a lot of fun, my first taste of The Hundred. Short and sweet! I was told to go out and give it a whack and luckily it was my night to have some fun with the bat. I got good info from the other batters who’d done a great job up top.”I enjoyed bowling out there tonight, it was conducive to spin. I saw that if you hold your length for as long as possible and spin it hard you could put the batters under pressure.”I’ve only been here for five days and unfortunately this is my last day, but the staff at Trent Rockets have been fantastic and I wish them all the best for the remainder of the tournament. I think they’re going to be a good team.”

From Xavi and Andres Iniesta to modern greats like Kevin De Bruyne and rising stars such as Jude Bellingham, the debate over just who takes the midfield crown has been rumbling on for quite some time.

In many ways, the question is what do you want to see from a midfielder? If you require technical excellence, then look no further than those Spanish superstars and the likes of Zinedine Zidane. They have often been the jewels in football’s crown no matter the occasion.

But sometimes beauty is in the long-range strikes, the ruthless tackles and the workhorse engines. And if that is the case, then the attention should drift towards stars such as Manchester United’s Roy Keane and Paul Scholes.

If it’s simply a matter of honours on the table, then it would be Barcelona and Real Madrid who shine brightest, as La Liga’s two mega clubs have dominated the European scene while several of their biggest names thrive on the international stage.

Best midfielders of all time in pictures

Then there is the measure of iconic moments to remember. Steven Gerrard in Istanbul, Modric taking the Ballon d’Or crown and Iniesta’s World Cup winning goal – the list could quite easily go on.

Perhaps the best measure of all-round talent however is the verdicts from those who played with the greats, and Spain legend and superstar goalscorer Fernando Torres believes there is only one answer.

Torres says Gerrard is the best player he ever played with

Torres is perhaps one of the best placed figures in football to judge greatness, having starred for Spain’s dominant international side that won the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, either side of the World Cup in 2010.

And the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker, who spent four seasons on Merseyside with Gerrard, revealed the Liverpool captain was even better than his Spain teammates.

From his very first Liverpool game, Torres and Gerrard’s partnership blossomed into one of the most clinical that Anfield has ever seen. The Spaniard was quick and deadly in front of goal and Gerrard was as precise as it gets behind him to form the perfect duo.

Assisting 13 of Torres’ 81 Liverpool goals, Gerrard’s partnership with the Spaniard was particularly strong during his debut season. It’s then that the forward may have realised just how talented his captain was, perhaps reaching the conclusion then and there that he would never play with better.

Torres played with Frank Lampard – in what is a debate for another day – as well as Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and others. Yet, even without a Premier League medal to his name, El Nino still believes that Gerrard is the best midfielder that he’s ever seen.

Sir Alex Ferguson named Liverpool star as the best player in England and as good as Keane

This could settle the debate once and for all…

3

By
Ben Goodwin

May 17, 2025

On a day when spin bowling was supposed to take a back seat, Bangladesh’s man for all moments stepped up with another telling overseas performance

Mohammad Isam31-Aug-2024Mehidy Hasan Miraz wasn’t supposed to be a big factor on what was effectively the first day of the second Test in Rawalpindi. The pitch had such a green tinge that both captains said they would bowl first if given the choice. Najmul Hossain Shanto got the call correct at the toss, so he got the first use of the pitch.Bangladesh’s fast bowlers, however, couldn’t quite break through as expected, and a century stand from the second-wicket pair of Saim Ayub and Shan Masood moved Pakistan to a promising 107 for 1 inside the 28th over.Bangladesh needed someone to step up. Enter Mehidy.Related

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This has been the story of Bangladesh’s tour so far. In the first Test, they were six down and 116 runs adrift of Pakistan’s first-innings total when Mehidy walked to the crease. He had proceeded to add 196 with Mushfiqur Rahim, a Bangladesh record for the seventh wicket. Then, on the following morning, he had picked up four wickets including the crucial scalps of Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha. Mushfiqur was adjudged Player of the Match for his 191, but Mehidy’s all-round contribution was just as vital to Bangladesh’s historic win.On Saturday, Mehidy could not expect too much help from the surface. But he has tools to compensate for that, and he showed this shortly after the lunch break. He likes to target the left-handers’ pads while bowling round the wicket to left-handers, releasing the ball with his arm slightly away from his ears, creating a testing angle into the batters. He often gets the ball to go through straight with the angle, but sometimes he gets one to grip and turn. He bowled one such ball to Masood, and sneaked past his bat when he played slightly across the line. Masood reviewed the lbw decision, but he had to walk back when the ball-tracking projection showed the ball hitting middle and leg stump.Six overs later, Mehidy had Ayub stumped when the left-hander tried to flog him down the ground. You could sense that Mehidy knew the shot was coming, as Ayub had stepped out a number of times against him. It was instructive to look at the speedgun reading: this ball clocked 83.8kph, significantly slower than the 88.3kph ball that had dismissed Masood, which is more in the range Mehidy tends to operate in. Ayub ended up a long way from the pitch of the ball, and nowhere near it when it turned past him.Those two wickets changed the complexion of the day’s play, and Mehidy continued to operate steadily as Bangladesh chipped away at the opening Mehidy had created. When they got to the lower order, Mehidy burst through it, much as he had done on the final day of the fourth Test. He had Khurram Shahzad caught at mid-off, then got Mohammad Ali to edge to slip, before Abrar Ahmed missed a delivery that turned a bit, giving Litton Das his second stumping.Mehidy has taken 10 or more wickets in an away series three times, more often than any other Bangladesh bowler•Associated PressThat wicket completed Mehidy’s third five-for on foreign soil to go with his seven at home. He has had to fight a reputation of only doing well at home; this performance will do him a world of good in that regard.And this tour hasn’t been a one-off by any means. Since the start of 2022, he averages under 30 in away Tests, a period in which Bangladesh have toured New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies and now Pakistan. He took three-fors in each innings in Durban, and his last four away Tests have brought him three four-fors or better, in Antigua and now twice in Rawalpindi.Mehidy has now picked up 10 or more wickets in three separate overseas Test series. He is the only Bangladesh bowler to do this, with Shakib Al Hasan having done so twice.Mehidy’s rise has come at a pivotal time for Bangladesh. They have an ever-improving pace attack. They still have Shakib as their lead spinner, and the dependable Taijul Islam too. Mehidy is beginning to show now he can step up in difficult moments, with his captain able to trust him to hold an end up in unhelpful overseas conditions and take up a more central, wicket-taking role in home Tests.Speaking at the end of the day’s play, Mehidy reflected on the work he had done behind the scenes on his game when he was not part of Bangladesh’s squad at the T20 World Cup in June.”It was a very good wicket, but then I got some turn towards the end of the day,” Mehidy said. “I think there are days when luck also favours you. It was an overall good day. It feels great to take a five-wicket haul in Pakistan. It is a huge thing for me. People often say that I get a lot of five-fors at home, but it is always a happy occasion to get a five-for on foreign soil, that too on a good wicket. There are more challenges for spinners in these conditions. I want to continue, and develop my skill more.”I got four months to prepare myself when everyone was away at the T20 World Cup. I used that time in Dhaka very well. I camped with the Bangladesh Tigers. I worked hard under Sohel [Islam] sir with my bowling, and my batting with [Mizaunur Rahman] Babul sir. I think this series is a result of that preparation for me.”In Bangladesh’s post-Shakib future, Mehidy Hasan Miraz will likely have to bat up the order more often•Getty ImagesMehidy’s batting too has improved immensely over the last few years, to the point where he played as a middle-order batter in the ODI World Cup last year. His century against Afghanistan during the Asia Cup convinced the Bangladesh team management that they could play around with their combination and batting order by using Mehidy as a floater.He has a more fixed role in Tests, where he generally bats at No. 8.”I always try to contribute with the bat,” he said. “I am often the last recognised batter. It is funny because our batters rely on the fact that I am there at the end. Everyone relies on me. At the end of the day, it is good that everyone can rely on me. I have done well when I have been promoted up the order. I know that I can’t bat above this position [right now], which is okay with me.”Mehidy’s development as an allrounder has come in the shadow of Shakib, Bangladesh’s most illustrious cricketer and one of the greatest allrounders in cricket history. This initially meant Mehidy wasn’t always noticed, because the fans, the media, and probably even oppositions were focused on Shakib all the time. It probably helped Mehidy, ensuring that all he had to worry about was his own growth as a cricketer. It must have suited him perfectly too, since he has always come across as a straightforward, grounded individual, focused on his cricket and his family.Having Shakib around has had other benefits too. Shakib bats higher up the order, and tended to bowl more overs too, at in the early part of Mehidy’s career.”We have played together for a long time, Shakib and myself,” Mehidy said. “He gives the team a huge advantage. When we play together, the team gets two batters and two bowlers. I have got opportunities up the order when he doesn’t play, but then I come back to No. 8 when he is in the team.”At some point, both Bangladesh and Mehidy will have to think about life without Shakib, and that point may not be too far away. At that point, Mehidy will have to step up as the team’s main allrounder. So far, the signs are that he is eminently capable of doing so.

Australia thought they could not be faulted for preparation, but it seemed to make no difference to the outcome

Alex Malcolm11-Feb-20233:17

Chopra: ‘Australia just couldn’t play against spin’

What now for Australia? They came here with a plan. A plan to pick horses-for-courses at the cost of the in-form Travis Head. A plan to be proactive with the bat and stick to their individual methods. A plan to bowl dry and control the tempo of the game and attack with two spinners and reverse swing.In the end, nothing went to plan. As Mike Tyson famously said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Australia got punched in the mouth not once, not twice but three times with India throwing a 1-2-3 combination from Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin to knock Australia down and score the first points in this heavyweight Border-Gavaskar fight.It leaves Australia staggered and wondering what to do next. Australia have had a habit of making fast starts on tours to India. They won the opening Test in 2001, 2004, and 2017 and went close in 2010. But in Nagpur in 2023 they have been annihilated in two days and two sessions.Related

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For all the pre-match worry about a made-to-order pitch that would rag square from specifically curated rough patches outside the left-hander’s off stump, Australia’s batters were beaten on the good part of the pitch. The same pitch where Rohit compiled a sublime 120. The same pitch where India’s No.9 Axar Patel made his highest Test score of 84. The same pitch where India’s No.10 Mohammed Shami made 37. Australia’s only score higher in the Test match was Marnus Labuschagne’s 49 in the first innings.”I think everyone came with pretty clear plans,” Australia captain Pat Cummins said in the aftermath. “I think the challenge is under the furnace to be brave enough to be proactive at the time. They will be the conversations over the next couple of days. We faced some pretty tough bowlers at times.”Each player had prepared their own individual method. But the plans simply didn’t work. For all the preparation against spin, Usman Khawaja and David Warner both fell to pace against the new ball in the first innings.In the second, Khawaja edged a very full delivery trying to drive Ashwin out of the rough while Warner went completely into his shell. He defended for his life for 41 balls and it yielded just 10 runs. His crease-bound defence meant he was a sitting duck to Ashwin. He was dropped at slip by Virat Kohli off the outside edge by one that gripped, before being beaten on the inside edge by one that skidded and pinned lbw. He now has just three half-centuries in 18 innings in India, averaging 22.16, and had the look of a defeated man as he trudged off.2:53

Can Warner overcome the Ashwin challenge?

Labuschagne was beaten trying to play forward and trying to play back. His 49 in the first innings was Australia’s best innings of the match. He played some glorious shots, including driving Ashwin inside-out through cover against the turn and clipping Jadeja wide of mid-on against the turn. But after looking near flawless in two hours of batting he was lured out to drive Jadeja and was beaten by flight and spin to be stumped. It wasn’t dissimilar to his dismissal to Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya in Galle in Australia’s innings defeat last year. Having been burnt using his feet in the first innings, he was trapped on the back foot in the second to Jadeja and pinned lbw to a fuller length.Steve Smith looked outstanding in both innings. He played some sublime lofted drives off the left-arm spinners. But having worked so diligently not to be beaten on the inside edge by left-arm orthodox in India in 2017 to great reward, he was beaten on the inside by Jadeja in both innings. He was bowled twice through the gate by balls that skidded on. He was only reprieved in the second thanks to a no-ball.Matt Renshaw was preferred over Head as the better horse for the course against spin, yet he was pinned on the crease lbw in both innings trying to defend for 0 and 2. He did not unfurl any of the sweeps, reverse sweeps, or powerful drives he possesses.Peter Handscomb defended as well as any Australian in the first innings and looked impressive for his 31. But he too was pinned twice lbw while trying to defend from the crease.Alex Carey’s plan to sweep and reverse sweep everything was clear for all to see and he was prepared to do it from ball one. He found the boundary with a reverse sweep first ball in the first innings and a conventional sweep in the second. His proactivity caused India’s bowlers to rethink their fields in both innings and he looked as free-flowing as any Australia batter in the game. But he lived by the sword and died by the sword, out attempting premeditated reverse sweeps from the line of stumps in both innings.Alex Carey’s positive knock in the first innings was ended when he dragged on a reverse sweep•Getty ImagesAustralia’s bowlers contributed 18 runs across two innings of the Test match, while India’s last four batters compiled 130 between them in one innings.Cummins believes that both Smith and Carey’s proactivity was still the way to go despite their limited success in the Test match.”You saw Smithy and Alex Carey at times put the pressure back on the bowlers,” Cummins said. “I think it takes a bit of bravery, it’s easier said than done. If you’re just facing ball after ball and the bowler’s pretty good, you’re going to get one with your name on it. Again, that will be the conversation this week. If we get the same conditions, the same bowlers, what are we going to do differently? I think at times probably being more proactive.”Do Australia’s batters now stick or twist? Do the selectors stick or twist? All the advice coming to India was for Australia’s batters to find a method and stick to it. But as Cummins notes, that is easy to say and harder to do. How do you stick to a plan when you’ve been punched in the mouth?

Also: who were the two uncapped players who played in the World XI in 1971-72?

Steven Lynch25-May-2021The Dutch batter Max O’Dowd just scored his third half-century in three ODIs. How many people have started like this? asked Mike Kramer from Belgium
The New Zealand-born Netherlands batter Max O’Dowd started his one-day international career with 86 not out and 59 against Zimbabwe in June 2019, and added 82 against Scotland in Rotterdam last week (his sequence ended when he was out for 8 in the next game).Remarkably, the only other man to make half-centuries in his first three ODIs also played for the Netherlands – Tom Cooper began with 80 not out and 87 against Scotland, then 67 against Kenya in 2010. The Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu hit half-centuries in his first three ODI innings, but that sequence included a match in which he did not bat.In the women’s game, Hayley Matthews of West Indies made 55, 89 and 60 in her first three ODIs, against Australia in November 2014. I believe there has been one first-class hat-trick in which all three victims were stumped. When was this? asked Naval Patel from India
The match concerned was a long time ago – in the early days of the official County Championship, in August 1893. During a game in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire’s amateur wicketkeeper William “Sam” Brain ended Somerset’s second innings by stumping three batters off successive deliveries from Charles Townsend, a big-turning legspinner who was only 16 years old at the time. Wisden called it “a sensational incident”, while the Times noted that “the innings was finished in a summary manner by young Mr Townsend”. Six years later, he played two Tests in the 1899 Ashes series.In all, Brain made five stumpings in the match, four of them off Townsend’s bowling and the other off WG Grace. This was Brain’s final season of county cricket, though he remained active at club level. He joined the family brewing business (which still survives), eventually becoming its chairman.Is Khokhan Sen the only player who was born in what is now Bangladesh who played Test cricket for another country? asked SM Nazmus Shakib from Bangladesh
The Bengal wicketkeeper Probir “Khokhan” Sen, who played 14 Tests for India, was born in 1926 in Comilla, which was then part of India but is now in Bangladesh. The only other male Test player I can see who was born in present-day Bangladesh appeared in the very first Test of all, for Australia against England in Melbourne in March 1877; Bransby Cooper was born in Dacca, as Dhaka was known at the time. Cooper had played county cricket in England for Kent and Middlesex before moving in 1871 to Australia, where he worked in the Customs department.The Pakistan fast bowler Niaz Ahmed, who won two Test caps in the late 1960s, played for East Pakistan before it became Bangladesh – but he was actually born in Benares (now Varanasi), in Uttar Pradesh in India.Tony Greig (middle row, third from left) and Hylton Ackerman (middle row, extreme right) had not made their Test debuts when they played as part of the World XI in 1971-72•Fairfax DigitalApparently there were two uncapped players in the Rest of the World team that toured Australia in 1971-72. Who were they? asked Chris Beckett from Australia
The World XI you’re talking about undertook a full tour of Australia in 1971-72, replacing a trip by South Africa which was cancelled owing to the political situation there at the time. Garry Sobers reprised his role as World XI captain from 18 months previously in England, but this team was not as strong as that awesome 1970 line-up. After some criticism of his side’s approach – they were bowled out for 59 in the second unofficial Test in Perth – Sobers unfurled one of the greatest innings of all in the next match, in Melbourne, spanking a memorable 254. “The innings was probably the best seen in Australia,” said the watching Don Bradman, who played a few useful innings himself. “The people who saw Sobers have enjoyed one of the historic events of cricket. They were privileged to have such an experience.”The 1971-72 touring party included two players who had not appeared in official Tests at the time. One was Tony Greig, who had played against the Rest of the World XI in 1970 in matches later ruled as unofficial Tests. Greig made his full debut for England a few months after this series in the 1972 Ashes, and went on to win 58 caps. But the other man remained uncapped, thanks to South Africa’s sporting isolation: opener Hylton Ackerman had a long career with several provincial teams at home, and spent some time with Northamptonshire. His son HD Ackerman did win four Test caps.Further to last week’s question about centuries in successive Tests, who has the similar record for centuries in the most consecutive innings? And what about five-wicket hauls? asked Adam Wilson from England
The great West Indian Everton Weekes, who died last year, is the only man to score centuries in five successive Test innings, against England in 1947-48 and India in 1948-49 – the sequence was ended by a questionable run-out decision when he had scored 90 in the fourth Test in Madras (now Chennai). By coincidence, the wicketkeeper who whipped the bails off was Khokhan Sen, who is mentioned above. Weekes recalled: “I went forward and started running but came back into my crease and watched the whole thing happen. The umpire might have thought he had seen enough of me for the series…”Jack Fingleton (Australia), Alan Melville (South Africa) and Rahul Dravid (India) all scored centuries in four successive innings.As far as the bowlers are concerned, the old Australian Charles “Terror” Turner is alone is recording six successive five-fors, all against England during 1888. Three bowlers have managed five in a row: the Surrey and England seamers Tom Richardson and Alec Bedser, and rather more recently, the West Indian offspinner Shane Shillingford.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

MatériaMais Notícias

Yuri Alberto fez o primeiro gol do Corinthians na vitória por 2 a 0 sobre o Nacional-PAR, mas foi a insistência de António Oliveira que fez o atacante ser relacionado para o duelo na Sul-Americana.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoTorcedores do Corinthians vão à loucura com Carlos Miguel: ‘Melhor do mundo’Fora de Campo07/05/2024CorinthiansSem brilho, Corinthians vence o Nacional-PAR e ‘respira’ na Sul-AmericanaCorinthians07/05/2024Fora de CampoTorcedores do Corinthians detonam opção de António Oliveira por meia: ‘Medo de jogar’Fora de Campo07/05/2024

➡️A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta!

Yuri Alberto está se recuperando de uma tendinite de bíceps femoral da perna direita, que vem atrapalhando sua mobilidade no joelho. O camisa 9 revelou que o treinador insistiu para ele viajar e estar à disposição da comissão técnica.

➡️ Siga o Lance! Corinthians no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Timão

– Se não fosse este cara (António Oliveira), não estaria aqui, teria ficado no CT tratando. Estou com uma dificuldade no joelho, ainda não estou 100%, mas esse gol me dá uma motivação grande. Feliz de poder voltar a correr como um cavalo, frear como um cavalo. Esse problema estava me limitando nos últimos jogos – disse Yuri durante entrevista coletiva.

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A comemoração de Yuri Alberto, que colocou as mãos no ouvido, chamou a atenção da torcida do Corinthians. O atacante explicou que gosta de barulho e queria que gritassem o nome dele de novo.

-Eu gosto de comemorar de vários jeitos. Seja escorregando, soco no ar ou batendo no ouvido. Eu queria que eles gritassem meu nome de novo, fazia tempo que eles não gritavam – esclareceu.

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➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários de todos os jogos da Sul-Americana

Yuri Alberto não tem presença confirmada no time titular do Corinthians para a partida de sábado, contra o Flamengo, mas deve viajar com a delegação alvinegra para o Rio de Janeiro.

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
NACIONAL-PAR 0 X 2 CORINTHIANS
COPA SUL-AMERICANA – FASE DE GRUPOS – QUARTA RODADA

🗓️ Data e horário: terça-feira, 7 de maio de 2024, às 19h (de Brasília)
📍 Local: Estádio Defensores del Chaco, em Assunção, no Paraguai
GOLS: Yuri Alberto e Matheuzinho
🟨 Árbitro: Angel Arteaga (VEN)
🚩 Assistentes: Alberto Ponte (VEN) e Freker Colmemares (VEN)
🖥️ VAR: Carlos Orbe (EQU)

Tudo sobre

CorinthiansYuri Alberto

Tottenham have been handed a pitiful Dominic Solanke injury update as a new potential timeline emerges for his return to action.

Dominic Solanke's injury woes as Spurs left short up front

Solanke’s second season at Tottenham has descended into a frustrating saga of persistent ankle problems that have restricted the club-record signing to just three substitute appearances spanning a meagre 49 minutes.

The Englishman has not featured since a 12-minute cameo against Man City in August, with a recurring ankle issue that initially disrupted pre-season now transforming into an agonizing absence exceeding four months.

What Thomas Frank initially described as a small ankle issue requiring ‘minor surgery’ in late September has mysteriously evolved into one of the Premier League’s most perplexing injury situations.

Solanke underwent what was deemed a straightforward procedure in October, sparking optimism that his return was fairly imminent.

However, over two months later, the England international appears no closer to rejoining Frank’s depleted squad despite sporadic updates suggesting he was “weeks away” or “making progress” in training.

Thomas Frank confirms injured Tottenham star won't be back for a "long time"

The timeline is unclear.

ByEmilio Galantini 6 days ago

The striker’s prolonged absence triggered UEFA regulations permitting Tottenham to temporarily replace him in their Champions League squad with summer signing Mathys Tel, who was originally left out of their 22-man league phase list.

Frank admitted that he would have selected Tel had he anticipated Solanke’s extended rehab, but supporters are increasingly demanding more clarity in regard to the striker’s actual condition.

Questions revolve around why a supposedly minor procedure has morphed into such a protracted recovery.

The forward himself refused to establish a definitive return timeline during a recent interview, acknowledging his frustration whilst expressing eagerness to work under Frank.

Solanke’s unavailability has placed enormous pressure on PSG loanee Randal Kolo Muani and Richarlison, who spent most of last term out injured himself, while Tel and youngsters come as inexperienced alternatives.

This has led to suggestions that Spurs could sign a new centre-forward in January, with Frank stating last week that Solanke “is not close to rejoining the squad”.

That said, he did downplay fears that the striker would be out long-term in his post-match press conference on Tuesday when responding to questions about why they replaced him with Mathys Tel in their Champions League squad.

Asked if Solanke has suffered a setback, Frank insisted: “No, it was just an opportunity to get Tel in, which is nice to have that opportunity. And we can change back if we want to do that.”

Tottenham handeda pitiful Dominic Solanke injury update

Despite those words from Frank, reliable Lilywhites insider Paul O’Keefe has suggested that the 28-year-old could be out until as far down the line as February, with Spurs handed a pretty grim estimation on his potential return.

This means that Solanke could be in line to miss crucial games against the likes of Liverpool, Sunderland, Aston Villa, West Ham, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, Man City and potentially Man United — depending on how far into February it is.

The England international finished 24/25 as Spurs’ second-top scorer with 16 goals across 45 appearances in all competitions, trailing only Brennan Johnson.

Nine of those came in the Premier League, including a brace at home to Aston Villa and a strike away to Man United at Old Trafford.

Crucially, Solanke delivered pivotal moments during Tottenham’s Europa League triumph — including a nerveless penalty in the quarter-final second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt and the opening goal in their semi-final victory over Bodo/Glimt.

His energy, physical presence and ability to lead the line are a sore miss for Frank, with a reliable focal point conspicuously absent this campaign.

The Lilywhites need him back for crucial fixtures both domestically and in Europe past the new year, with Kolo Muani and Richarlison tasked to undertake huge responsibility as things stand, unless Spurs decide to enter the market.