Left-arm wristspinner Jake Lintott signs first professional contract at Warwickshire, aged 27
Matt Roller12-Feb-2021
Naveen-ul-Haq celebrates a wicket for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL•Randy Brooks – CPL T20 / Getty
Leicestershire have announced the signing of Naveen-ul-Haq, the Afghanistan seamer, as an overseas player for the T20 Blast.Naveen, 21, has quickly developed a reputation as one of the game’s best young death bowlers, with an array of slower balls and an action that evokes Jasprit Bumrah. He has played in the CPL, LPL and Abu Dhabi T10 in recent months, and will become the second Afghanistan international to play for Leicestershire after Mohammad Nabi in 2018.”I am delighted to have signed for Leicestershire in the T20 Blast,” Naveen said. “It has always been an ambition of mine to play county cricket in England.”I have heard great things about the T20 Blast. It is exciting to be joining Paul Nixon and his talented squad. I hope to help the team push for T20 silverware this year.”Nixon, Leicestershire’s head coach, said: “Naveen is an extremely consistent T20 performer in all global competitions. His clever changes of pace mixed with quicker balls delivered with his unique bowling action make it very tough for opposing batsmen.”As well as being a talented player under pressure, our young team will learn a lot from a high-class performer like Naveen.”Leicestershire were one ball away from reaching their first Finals Day since 2011 in last summer’s Blast. Their quarter-final against Nottinghamshire ended in a tie thanks to a final-ball misfield in the deep, and they were eliminated having lost more wickets.They announced the signing of Wiaan Mulder, the South Africa allrounder, as an overseas player for the County Championship and Royal London Cup last month, and confirmed this week that Callum Parkinson – the twin brother of England spinner Matt – has been installed as vice-captain following a contract extension.Related
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Elsewhere, left-arm wristspinner Jake Lintott has signed his first professional contract at the age of 27, with Warwickshire tying him to a three-year deal. Lintott took 10 wickets in last year’s Blast while conceding just 6.30 runs per over, and has signed a deal to play for the club across formats.”Jake made a fantastic impression during our Vitality Blast campaign in 2020 and we’re thrilled to secure his immediate future with the club,” Paul Farbrace, Warwickshire’s director of cricket, said. “Slow left-arm unorthodox bowlers are not easy to discover and Jake provides another dimension to our spin bowling attack, alongside slow left-arm orthodox Danny Briggs and offspinner Alex Thomson.””It’s been a long time coming but it’s an amazing feeling to secure my first full contract in the professional game,” Lintott said. “To join such a big county with the traditions of Warwickshire and to make Edgbaston my home ground for the foreseeable future is something that I have always aspired to.”
Ever since Liverpool signed Virgil van Dijk from Southampton for a world-record £75m fee, things began to change. Jurgen Klopp's tenure had already seen a thrilling resurgence for a club that had languished below the surface for what felt like an age, but the centre-back's arrival lifted Liverpool to new heights altogether.
Borne from the seismic £142m sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, the Netherlands giant's arrival has coincided with the most fruitful and trophy-laden period in Liverpool's modern history, with Premier League and Champions League titles backed by triumphs in the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup (twice), as well as several other honours.
Since that fateful day, that watershed moment, the Reds have indeed established themselves as the elite of the elite on the continental stage, but transfer activity has waned in recent years, and new head coach Arne Slot, appointed in May, has yet to make a senior signing.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
FSG aren't exactly resting on their laurels, rather, biding their time as Slot works with his existing options, fringe players and all, before targetting an impactful signing or two in the later phase of the window.
A host of names have been thrown about, but there's one above all else that has had the fanbase rapt and could yet complete a move.
Liverpool transfer news
As per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool may yet sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United this summer, should the conditions be right. Newcastle are demanding a ballpark fee of £75m, and it remains to be seen whether this could prove to be a sticking point.
The Magpies held discussions with Liverpool earlier in the window as Gordon's possible sale was mooted, though the Tynesiders' PSR concerns have been put to bed through several alternative sales.
Now, they are hoping to enter contract talks with the 23-year-old to extend his stay at St. James' Park and put the Reds' interest to bed, but as Romano says, Liverpool "remain interested" and could launch a move in the coming weeks.
Why Liverpool want Anthony Gordon
If Liverpool were to complete the signing of Gordon, whose efforts last season earned him Newcastle's Player of the Year award and a Three Lions call-up for Euro 2024, it wouldn't actually be his first time on the club's books.
Anthony Gordon for Everton
Gordon was actually released by Liverpool during his formative years in the academy, thus beginning a career at Everton that saw him shine before joining Newcastle in a £45m deal in January 2023.
Upon reaching the end of the 2022/23 campaign, many fans might have questioned what all the fuss was about: the winger had only scored seven times for Everton across 78 fixtures and failed to register a goal contribution under Eddie Howe's wing across his opening 15 games, breaking his duck against Chelsea on the final day of the term.
Jamie Redknapp remarked that he wanted "to see a lot more" from the Englishman after his slow start with the Toon, adding potency to his athletic acumen, and in fairness, he's done that with a flourish across the past year.
Last season, across all competitions, Gordon scored 12 goals and added 11 assists as his dynamic displays earned him widespread acclaim in the Premier League, with The Athletic's Chris Waugh commenting that his "elite mentality sets him apart".
Premier League 23/24: Anthony Gordon vs Luis Diaz
Statistics
Anthony Gordon
Luis Diaz
Matches played
35
37
Matches started
34
32
Goals
11
8
Assists
10
5
Big chances created
16
5
Pass completion
82%
85%
Shots taken per game
2.3
2.5
Key passes per game
1.6
1.8
Tackles per game
1.6
0.9
Ball recoveries per game
3.6
3.4
Dribbles per game
1.5
1.8
Duels won per game
5.3
4.6
All stats via Sofascore
Gordon looks to have the mark of a more rounded winger than that of Luis Diaz, Liverpool's star man on the left flank, though (four years younger) he is already far more prolific and effective with his goalscoring and playmaking.
It's the kind of statement signing that can make a world of difference to a trophy-hunting team like Liverpool, one that could have shades of Van Dijk's capture in 2017, revolutionising Liverpool's attack.
Biggest signing since Van Dijk
Gordon has proved that his underlying quality can be backed up with goals and assists aplenty, but it's the manner in how he strikes on goal, outstrips his man out on the flank, leaves backlines in ruin, that has established him as one of the Premier League's most coveted players.
Harking back to the comparison table with Liverpool's Diaz, Slot already wields a tenacious and talented option on the left wing but he could now score a level-up that would see his outfit, performing at a good level, rise to new heights entirely.
Would it be a move of the same weight as that of Van Dijk? It may well be the club's biggest signing in any case, especially when considering that United's £75m demands mirror that of Southampton's way back when.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
Van Dijk, projected to be "the best defender in the history of football" by none other than Paolo Maldini, has been one of the most formidable defenders in Europe since his move to Liverpool, averaging a duel success rate of 72% – as per Sofascore – across his Liverpool career, which is frankly absurd.
Having completed 270 appearances for the Anfield side, Van Dijk has indeed established himself as one of the goliaths of the modern defensive game, with the 33-year-old ranking among the top 10% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 9% for progressive passes, the top 4% for shot-creating actions and the top 3% for aerial duels won per 90, as per FBref.
Hailed as a "menace" by journalist Antonio Mango, Gordon might not grow into the best-left winger in the world, but he could certainly rise to the fore with Liverpool, proving to be a transcendent signing to lift Liverpool's attack's ceiling.
Diaz is an immense player but he's simply not blessed with that Midas touch in front of goal; Gordon, however, could bring everything that the Colombian offers and more.
Liverpool need to get it done, for it could make all the difference for Slot's fledgling project, pointing towards success.
Liverpool in the race to sign £60m "monster" who could be better than Gordon
FSG must seriously consider advancing their interest in this Premier League star.
تمكن فريق خيتافي من تسجيل هدف التعادل في شباك فريق برشلونة، في مباراتهما الجارية حاليًا في بطولة الدوري الإسباني، 2024/25.
ويحل برشلونة ضيفًا على خيتافي في ملعب الأخير، في إطار منافسات الجولة العشرين من الليجا (لمتابعة اللقاء من هنا).
ونجح خيتافي في تسجيل هدف التعادل في شباك برشلونة، في الدقيقة 34 من عمر الشوط الأول.
جاء الهدف عن طريق اللاعب ماورو أرامباري، بعد عرضية سددها كوبا ولكن ترتطم بـ كوندي وتسقط أمام زميله ليسجل في مرمى الحارس إينياكي بينيا. هدف تعادل خيتافي أمام برشلونة في الدوري الإسباني
كان كوندي قد سجل هدف التقدم لصالح برشلونة، في الدقيقة التاسعة من عمر الشوط نفسه ضد خيتافي.
تمكن فريق خيتافي من تسجيل هدف التعادل في شباك برشلونة، في مباراتهما الجارية حاليًا في بطولة الدوري الإسباني، 2024/25.
O empate por 1 a 1 entre a Ponte Preta e o Avaí, na última terça-feira, foi comemorado pela equipe da Macaca. Lutando para se afastar da briga da zona de rebaixamento, o time paulista viu com bons olhos o ponto somado fora de casa diante do vice-líder da Série B. Segundo o atacante Niltinho, foi um ponto valioso devido às circunstâncias do clube na competição.
+ Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada
‘Temos de comemorar esse empate porque é um ponto valioso na nossa briga pela fuga da zona de rebaixamento. Todo ponto somado é importante nessa trajetória, sobretudo por ser fora de casa e num jogo difícil como foi esse diante do vice-líder’, disse Niltinho.
Com o empate, a Ponte Preta chegou aos 34 pontos, na 15ª colocação. No próximo dia 16, a equipe de Niltinho volta a campo diante do Náutico, atual nono colocado, às 16h, no Estádio Moisés Lucarelli, pela 30ª rodada da Série B.
‘Agora teremos outra partida complicada, contra uma equipe que vem numa sequência de vitórias, e esperamos manter essa pegada para conquistar os três pontos diante da nossa torcida’, falou.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers are ready to take on the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. The backline might need a bit more work but there's enough there to fill Gary O'Neil and the club's many supporters with optimism.
Pedro Neto's £54m sale to Chelsea this week does hand the Old Gold some financial leeway, and while that defensive line still needs some work, there's no doubt that landing another wide forward to replace the Portuguese talent wouldn't go amiss.
Wolves transfer news
According to Sport over in Spain, Wolves are a shock contender to sign Ansu Fati from Barcelona this summer. The winger is surplus to requirements at Camp Nou and his sale would help the financially-stricken giants in strengthening their frontline.
Having completed a middling loan spell with Brighton & Hove Albion last year, Fati proved that he has what it takes to succeed in the Premier League, albeit being pulled back by injuries that have marred his once-prodigious development.
But Molineux could present the perfect conditions for the 21-year-old to rebuild his career, with his agent Jorge Mendes looking at multiple suitors and willing to engineer an initial loan stint with a buy clause inserted.
Why Ansu Fati could be the perfect Neto replacement
Neto is undoubtedly a first-class winger, easily Wolves' most technically talented star last year, but for a player who averaged 15 top-flight stats per season to be sold for £54m is something of a no-brainer.
Pedro Neto: Premier League Stats by Season
Season
Apps
Starts
Goals
Assists
2023/24
20
18
2
9
2022/23
18
13
0
0
2021/22
13
5
1
1
2020/21
31
30
5
6
2019/20
29
9
3
3
Stats via Transfermarkt
Fati, while hardly free of fitness setbacks himself, could fill that Neto-shaped hole with his fleet movements and ability to blend into various attacking combinations has led former Barca boss Xavi to praise his "extraordinary" potential.
While only scoring four goals and adding one assist across 30 matches for the Seagulls, Fati was only handed nine starting berths across all competitions, and deeper statistical analysis suggests that he could bear fruit in a second shot at English football.
As per FBref, Fati ranks among the top 11% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 1% for shots taken per 90 and the top 1% for pass completion.
Speaking of an innate goalscoring quality and technical sharpness that could reap rewards for Wolves, completing a deal for this talent could be a masterstroke in hindsight, and O'Neil must fiercely consider landing him instead of fellow target Yoane Wissa.
How Fati compares to Wissa
Wissa has perhaps gone under the radar at Brentford, with the DR Congo international not quite viewed in the same breath as Bryan Mbeumo or Ivan Toney but still forming a crucial part of Thomas Frank's frontline.
A tenacious and versatile forward, Wissa has been a constant threat throughout three terms in the English top flight, signed from French side Lorient for £8.5m in 2021, shortly after the Bees' promotion from the Championship.
The Athletic's Jay Harris called him "simply incredible" last year and his seven-goal (x2) and 12-goal (last season) returns in the Premier League have highlighted a clinical quality that a team like Wolves could really benefit from.
According to The Telegraph's Mike McGrath, Wissa is among the options at Molineux following Neto's sale, with funds readied to launch at such a player, whose dynamism fits into the mould of the Portuguese's multi-functioning wide role.
But in Fati, six years younger than the Brentford man, O'Neil could have a weapon of mass destruction in his grasp, possibly requiring awhile to revivify his teenage talent – talent that led Xavi to also laud him as a "generational player".
Moreover, Fati still proved himself prolific last season, as FBref's data crunch will tell you. Just imagine the kind of quality that could be bestowed on the outfit if injury issues are put firmly to bed.
His £160k-per-week wages with La Blaugrana might seem to present an issue, but Brighton only paid £128k-per-week last year, and while Wolves' top earners pocket £90k per week, the Spain international's bleak few years could convince him to take a reduction and repurpose his career as a highly-rated forward.
Brentford: All-time Top Scorers (Premier League)
Rank
Player
Apps
Goals
1.
Ivan Toney
83
36
2.
Yoane Wissa
102
26
3.
Bryan Mbeumo
98
22
4.
Mathias Jensen
100
8
4.
Vitaly Janelt
104
8
Sourced via Statbunker
Wissa would be a safer pick, but let's make no mistake: he's a good player, with stripes earned and pinned in the Premier League. The £25k-per-week ace even ranked among 15% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the league last year for goals scored and aerial won per 90, shining a light on the clinical edge and robust body that would be cast into Wolves' attack.
But, again, let's consider the possibilities. Fati has proved himself as something rather special, walking into life on the senior stage with a strut in his step, scoring eight goals from 33 matches in 2019/20 as a 16-year-old.
Injuries have truly wrecked his chances of standing in his early 20s as one of Europe's most exciting players in a generation, but the talent is there nonetheless, latent, waiting to be channelled.
It might seem overambitious to imagine such a player could join Wolves, and not try his hand with an outfit in the Champions League, but his time at Brighton proved that he needs such a ground to host his potential and allow it to bloom.
Wolves simply have to move for Fati over players like Wissa. Talented as the Brentford star may be, he's not going to rise to the highest level of football, whereas Barcelona's wayward prodigy – who once inherited Lionel Messi's number ten shirt at Camp Nou – could restore his giddy potential and lift the Old Gold with him.
Wolves targeting "unplayable" PL machine who could be Hwang 2.0
علقت جماهير ليفربول على أداء الدولي المصري محمد صلاح، في مباراة ليل مساء الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وفاز ليفربول على نظيره ليل الفرنسي بنتيجة 1/2، خلال المباراة التي جمعت الفريقين على ملعب “أنفيلد” (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا). ملخص لمسات محمد صلاح امام ليل في دوري ابطال اوروبا
وكالعادة عبرت جماهير ليفربول عن آرائها في أداء النجم المصري، خلال مباراة ليل، عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي المختلفة.
ونجح محمد صلاح في تسجيل هدف ليفربول الأول بحلول الدقيقة 34 من عمر الشوط الأول. ردود أفعال جماهير ليفربول على أداء محمد صلاح أمام ليل
“يا له من إنهاء رائع بواسطة الملك محمد صلاح”.
What a finish by King Mo ⚽️🔴⚽️🔴⚽️ — TheBullishS◎Ldier ⚽️ (@darren5534) January 21, 2025
“محمد صلاح يستحق عقداُ لمدة 9 سنوات ونصف”.
Salah deserves 9.5 years deal at Liverpool — Daviid.O 💰 (@Daviido_Offsial) January 21, 2025
“امنحوا جائزة الكرة الذهبية لـ محمد صلاح، فهو يستحقها”.
Give Mo Salah the Ballon d’Or tonight. He deserves! — Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 21, 2025
“نهاية ممتازة من قبل هذا النجم”.
Excellent finish by star boy — GARFIELD JP (@GarfieldUtd) January 21, 2025
“50 هدف أوروبي لـ محمد صلاح”.
50 European goals 🔴💪 👑 — RedGman NYC (@RedgmanNyc) January 21, 2025
“الملك محمد صلاح يفعلها مجدداً”.
King Mo does it again! — Good Vibes (@GoodVibesNote) January 21, 2025
“محمد صلاح هو اللاعب الأعظم في تاريخ دوري أبطال أوروبا”.
Mo Salah is the greatest player in the history of the champions league — JEFF TYMER 🇬🇭🏴 (@Jeff_Tymer_) January 21, 2025
“الملك محمد صلاح، امنحوه كل ما يريده”.
GIVE HIM WHAT HE WANTS! King Mo 👑 — Mr. Clean (@MrCleanArneSlot) January 21, 2025
“واو هدف من لمسة سحرية واحدة”.
Wow , goal from one magic touch ☝️👑🇪🇬 — Dr Mohamed Saeed (@Sir_Fouda22) January 21, 2025
“صانع التاريخ محمد صلاح، تستمر الأرقام القياسية في التعثر”.
History maker Mo the records continue to tumble for the 🔴👌 — Neil McGuinness (@NeilMcGuinness5) January 21, 2025
Jogo de extremos: ao mesmo tempo que o Botafogo ficará frente a frente com Edu, artilheiro da Série B do Brasileirão, vai encarar a defesa do Brusque, a segunda que mais permitiu gols em toda a competição – 40 ao todo. As equipes se enfrentam às 20h30 nesta quinta-feira no Estádio Nilton Santos, pela 31ª rodada.
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+ Botafogo x Brusque: prováveis escalações, desfalques e onde assistir
O LANCE! aponta fatores que precisam ser observados no Botafogo para a partida. Se vencer, a equipe comandada por Enderson Moreira abrirá cinco pontos de vantagem no G4.
Carli e Kanu: a dupla, que levou apenas um gol atuando juntos nesta Série B – contra o Vila Nova -, terá um teste de fogo. Com 16 gols marcados, Edu é um dos jogadores mais perigosos da competição e marcou mais da metade dos gols do Brusque no Campeonato Brasileiro.
Dinamicidade: o meio-campo do Brusque é um dos mais agressivos – no “bom sentido” do significado – da Série B. A equipe catarinense possui médias de 16.5 desarmes e 11.7 interceptações por partida, com o setor sendo forte neste aspecto.
Rafael Navarro: se Edu causa um ‘frio na barriga’ da defesa do Botafogo, a recíproca é verdadeira por parte do Brusque. Os catarinenses têm a segunda pior defesa da Série B – levaram 40 gols, sendo 30 em partidas fora de casa. O camisa 99 do Botafogo, por outro lado, é o jogador que mais participou de bolas na rede na competição.
Chay: ainda dentro do fato do Brusque defender mal, o Tricolor levou mais de dez gols de meias nesta Série B. Assim como Navarro, Chay tem, na teoria, um cenário favorável para marcar. O camisa 14 não balança as redes há dez jogos.
Carlinhos: mesmo com pouco tempo no clube, é o lateral com mais participações em gols na temporada. Contra o Brusque, deve recuperar a titularidade e ter espaço para atacar e progredir diante de um turbulento sistema defensivo.
Says Pant’s hundred ‘best counterattacking innings I’ve seen’ and pays rich tribute to curators
Varun Shetty06-Mar-20213:22
What made Axar Patel so effective?
India head coach Ravi Shastri was at his expressive best after India completed a 3-1 series win against England, saying his team had been like “zombies” during the first Test and needed a “kick in the backside” to overturn the 0-1 deficit. Shastri also said the 3-1 scoreline didn’t necessarily reflect how close the series had actually been.”I think the first Test in Chennai would have been different if we had a few more days off,” Shastri in an interview with broadcaster . “It’s no excuse; England outplayed us there. The boys were like zombies. They were tired, and the fact that there was no crowds didn’t help. Because everything was flat. So was the performance. But then a kick on the backside to re-ignite the pride in the system can make a lot of difference. And it showed in the last three Tests.”Related
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The gloriously disrespectful Rishabh Pant
India had lost the first Test in Chennai by 227 runs, labouring as the side that bowled first on a flat surface where England put up 578 after batting more than two days. Their win in the second Test by 317 runs – also in Chennai – began a running narrative in the media about the quality of pitch that lasted for the rest of the series. The theme of those discussions, in general, was various players from the Indian team either playing down the topic or taking stern stands as R Ashwin did after the third Test. Shastri took a subtle turn in that direction as well at the end of the fourth Test, using a prompt about his not holding back with the team to bring the pitch – and the curator – into the conversation.”Why should I hold back? I attribute [this] to the groundsman, since you don’t want me to hold back. I think Ashish Bhowmick [BCCI’s chief curator] is an outstanding groundsman,” Shastri said. “He knows his job, he’s learnt the hard way. He’s worked with Daljit Singh who was a master curator. And who will complain about tracks like this? I mean it’s fantastic entertainment, both teams are in the game. The result 3-1 doesn’t suggest how close the series was. It’s like our series in England when we lost 4-1, we had our opportunities. England had their opportunities here. Had they grabbed those opportunities, the result could have been different. But we seized on the opportunities that came our way and drove home the advantage. But the scoreline really doesn’t suggest how close the series was.””We seized on the opportunities that came our way and drove home the advantage.” – Ravi Shastri•BCCI
The 3-1 scoreline confirmed India’s spot as finalists in the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship, and Shastri said it was a result of two-and-a-half years’ efforts, and a further six to set things up before that. India deserved to be in the final after putting 520 points on the board, he said, and was effusive in his praise of the younger players he has had to mentor.”It’s a great feeling. [Mentorship] is something that you’ve done all your life and it is particularly satisfying in this role when you see youngsters coming through the ranks and performing in situations that are real tough,” he said. “Yesterday what Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar pulled off was unreal. Because the pressure was back on us: we were trailing by 50 [59], still had to get runs on the board. And from there to get 360 [365] was an outstanding achievement. Full tribute to them. I think they’ll learn a lot from this. And this whole team. I think they’ve worked hard. This is not something that’s come overnight.”If you look at this Indian side over the last eight Test matches, they’ve been in every situation. They’ve been on top, they’ve driven home the advantage. They’ve been in the dumps, they’ve responded after that. They’ve been in a corner and they fought from there. Not just in Australia, even here. That, for me, makes it special. This side refuses to give up. We were the irrepressibles in Australia. We are irrepressibles here, too.””Pant’s hundred best counterattacking innings I’ve seen” Rishabh Pant’s first home hundred drew praise from across the world, including from Adam Gilchrist on Twitter on Friday. The 23-year-old’s recent surge to become India’s first-choice wicketkeeper, alongside what now look like career-defining knocks, came after the team had gone hard on him, Shastri said.”Simply magnificent. Because we go hard on him. Nothing comes easy. He was told in no uncertain terms, he’s got to respect the game a little more. He’s got to lose a bit of weight, he’s got to work hard on his keeping. We know the talent he has; he’s a genuine match winner. And he’s responded. He’s worked like hell over the last three or four months. And the results are showing.”I mean yesterday’s innings is probably the best Test counterattacking innings I’ve seen in India by an Indian batsman. Especially at No. 6 where it’s not easy. When the ball is turning, the wicket is spicy. From there to respond in the fashion he did – with two separate innings. For me it was fearless all the way. And more fearless in the first half of his innings, because he played against the grain. He played against his nature. That’s also a challenge. Every time when you come out, you know this guy’s going to play shots but then to go against the grain, build a partnership with Rohit, and then turn it on after 50 – where all hell broke loose – he got a magnificent hundred. And that confidence rubbed on Washington Sundar. Let’s not take [away] anything from Washy as well. But since the question is on Rishabh – I think, simply magnificent. His keeping was outstanding.”
Brunt strikes twice in first over as England defend 128 with ease
ESPNcricinfo staff07-Mar-2021
Katherine Brunt is pumped up after claiming a wicket•AFP/Getty Images
England fast bowler Katherine Brunt led the way in a commanding bowling performance in Wellington, as her team comprehensively beat New Zealand by 32 runs to complete a 3-0 series sweep.Six different England players got among the wickets, as New Zealand, chasing 129 for a consolation victory, failed to get any sort of momentum going, eventually being dismissed for 96 in 18 overs.The hosts were pegged back very early in the chase, as Brunt trapped the openers Sophie Devine and Hayley Jensen lbw for ducks in the first over. Amy Satterthwaite at No.3 provided a brief resistance, top-scoring with 25, but once she was dismissed by Sarah Glen in the eighth over, New Zealand withered away, losing at least one wicket each over till the 13th. Offspinner Mady Villiers struck three times in the space of 10 deliveries to reduce the hosts to 60 for 8, before Sophie Ecclestone and Natalie Sciver mopped up the tail to seal the win.England had earlier recovered from a slow start to post 128 for 9, thanks largely to Fran Wilson’s unbeaten 23-ball 31, while Sophie Dunkley chipped in with 26. For New Zealand, Devine was the pick of the bowlers, ending with figures of 4-0-30-3.Sciver stood in as England captain – her first time leading the side – after Heather Knight pulled up from the second match of the series with a hamstring injury. Sciver was pleased with England’s bowling performance after the efforts of Wilson and Dunkley, who are both trying to establish themselves as regulars in the team, had lifted them to a competitive total.”We didn’t really have a big partnership,” Sciver said. “With that I think we could have got up to 140, 150. But in the end, over the tour, our bowlers have done really really well to take take wickets, especially in the in the T20 series. We’ve been hot on that, so yeah, we managed to defend it pretty well.”
Glasgow Rangers saw their chances of appearing in the Champions League group stage end after a loss at Hampden on Tuesday night.
The 2-0 defeat to Dynamo Kyiv means the Ibrox side will play in the Europa League for the second year in succession, a result which could alter Philippe Clement’s transfer business.
The tie was on a knife edge during the first half, with both clubs having chances to open the scoring, yet the match turned on its head just five minutes into the second half…
Jefte's dismissal vs Kyiv
It is fair to say that in such a pivotal game you need luck to be on your side, but on this occasion, the Premiership outfit certainly didn't get the rub of the green.
Jefte – who was booked during the first 45 – went in for a 50/50 with a Kyiv player and clearly won the ball fairly, but Marco Guida, the referee, flashed a second yellow card to the Brazilian, reducing the Gers to ten men.
It was a truly horrendous decision – the worst Clement had seen in "more than 30 years of football" – and this gave Kyiv all the momentum heading into the final 40 minutes of the clash.
Rangers vs Dynamo Kyiv: Key stats
Metric
Rangers
Kyiv
Shots
7
5
Fouls committed
11
6
Corners taken
4
5
Yellow cards
3
0
Offsides
1
6
Via UEFA.com
Two late goals sealed progression, but several players were far from at their best, including James Tavernier.
James Tavernier's performance vs Kyiv
In times like these, the captain should lead by example and push the team on to achieve new heights. Tavernier’s mentality has arguably been weak for quite some time now, with the defeat to Kyiv proving to be the nadir.
Of course, the sending off didn’t help matters, but the Light Blues still created a few chances after that, yet they couldn’t convert.
The Englishman delivered a few decent crosses into the opposition box during the first half, but defensively, he was torrid yet again.
Vladyslav Kabayev ran rings around him for Kyiv, highlighting Tavernier’s defensive frailties. While this is not fresh news, the defender has started the season poorly so far.
James Tavernier
Indeed, the National gave him a match rating of 6/10, which was generous to say the least.
What Rangers do now
While there was no guarantee that Clement would have gotten the better of RB Salzburg coach Pep Lijnders in the playoff round, crashing out in such a frustrating manner will no doubt sting.
With a massive financial windfall blown due to the defeat against Kyiv, it feels as though the Light Blues are currently operating at a Europa League level. Even if they did make it through the group stages of Europe’s premier club competition, the thought of facing the likes of Real Madrid or Manchester City surely would have sent shivers down every supporter’s spine.
Between now and the end of the month, Clement must use what limited funds he has to bring in another attacking midfielder. Truth be told, the vast majority of the squad needs improvement, proving that this summer has been yet another failed rebuild.
Tavernier’s display against the Ukrainian side may be the final straw for much of the Ibrox faithful. Having been touted for an exit earlier this summer, the former Newcastle United youngster will remain at the Gers, for another season at least.
Unless his performances drastically improve in the coming weeks, many will feel that this summer was a missed opportunity to secure a transfer fee for the right-back, especially with his poor displays of late.
After Cerny: Rangers table offer for "high potential" Tavernier replacement
Philippe Clement could be set to sign another South American talent…