All posts by h716a5.icu

Promotion and relegation could be introduced into Test cricket as early as 2019, if ICC chief executive David Richardson has his way

George Dobell01-Jun-2016Promotion and relegation could be introduced into Test cricket as early as 2019, if ICC chief executive David Richardson has his way. Richardson admitted that Test cricket required added “meaning and context” if it is to survive and revealed that the ICC hopes to unveil plans for the introduction of two divisions and, potentially, a number of new Test nations within the next few weeks.Speaking to promote the 2017 Champions Trophy, Richardson also confirmed an intention to stage an extra World T20 tournament in 2018. The event would, he said, involve “a minimum of 16 teams” and be staged in either South Africa, Sri Lanka or the UAE. The final decision over the event’s go-ahead will be made by the ICC’s broadcasting partner, Star.But it was the plans to reinvigorate Test cricket that were the most eye-catching and radical. Accepting the diminishing returns of current bilateral series, Richardson offered the prospect of Test status to the likes of Nepal, Ireland and Afghanistan, but warned more established nations – notably West Indies – that they could find themselves playing Division Two cricket if they are unable to improve their red-ball form.”There’s a general realisation now that, if we’re going to keep Test cricket going well into the future, we can’t just say it’s going to survive on its own,” Richardson said. “Unless we can give some meaning to these series beyond the rankings and a trophy, then interest in Test cricket will continue to waver. The same applies if we allow uncompetitive Test cricket to take place too often.”If we really want Test cricket to survive, we can’t have the number of Test teams diminishing. We have to create a proper competition structure which provides promotion and relegation and opportunities to get to the top.”A number of member countries are finding that they’re not getting as much from their TV rights for bilateral cricket and they see the need to change and introduce some meaningful context.”The beauty of leagues is that, in theory, you will have a more competitive competition and teams playing each other that are of a more equal standard.”They will all be striving for something. There’s something at stake. They will be thinking ‘We could end up in the Intercontinental Cup if we’re not careful here.’ Hopefully that will inspire performance and make the matches more competitive.”While the details of the plan remain open to debate – Richardson hopes they will be agreed by the end of this month – there is a favoured option, involving the introduction of a top division of seven teams and a second division of five teams. It is likely that the plan would see one team promoted and relegated in each two-year cycle, though it remains possible that a second team could be promoted if the ICC embraced a play-off model with the sixth team in Division One playing the second team in Division Two.Richardson hopes that each qualifying Test series would consist of a minimum of three Tests, though he acknowledged that the growth of domestic T20 leagues might render that impractical. The Ashes series would still consist of five games, with every Test carrying ranking points but the overall number of points in the series not exceeding those available in a three-Test series.”The feeling is that if you want to sustain interest in a competition, you probably can’t go longer than two years with it,” Richardson said. “If you had a top division of seven teams, you’d have six tours – three home, three away – over a two-year period. It works well mathematically.”We could probably make it work in 2019 because hopefully whatever we implement will be better than the current arrangement. It’s the sooner the better as far as we’re concerned. We might need to have some negotiations with broadcasters who have deals in place, but they might be willing to change. This is a marvellous opportunity for the game.”There are two catalysts to the changing mood of an ICC board who, only a few months ago, appeared to have little concern for any interests beyond their own. The first is the election of the new chairman, Shashank Manohar, who seems genuinely committed to growing cricket as a global game and running the ICC as a governing body for the good of all 105 members rather than a favoured few.The second is the diminishing financial value of bilateral series to the Full Member boards, which has allowed Manohar fertile ground on which to plant his ideas.The combination has offered the prospect of unprecedented opportunities for Associate nations in the next few years.Ireland and Afghanistan have ambitions to play Test cricket•ICC/Saleem Sanghati”The new chairman has gone out of his way to reverse the sense that the ‘Big Three’ are in control,” Richardson said. “There is a bigger desire to regard the ICC as an organisation with 105 members, not just 10 Full Members who are a select, secluded club with no one else allowed in. We want to be more encompassing and allow opportunities for Associate Members to graduate.”We have 105 members at the moment and we want 105 members to be able to play T20 internationals. Obviously not all against each other at the same time but everybody should want to play the T20 format and it will appeal to all of our members. Then the better ones, the top 30 to 35, would graduate to the 50-over game and be involved in global competitions catering to approximately that number of teams.”And then Test cricket is towards the other end of the spectrum, where the top 18 teams perhaps are playing a multi-day format of the game, be it the Intercontinental Cup or part of a Test league.”Countries that you never thought would have ambitions to play multi-day cricket actually have got the potential. Countries like Nepal, Afghanistan and Ireland are keen. But Ireland and Nepal aren’t getting any opportunities. Zimbabwe hardly play. West Indies are focusing more on T20 cricket. Creating a competition and a financial model that underpins it, it will allow them the resources to fund a team and provide incentives for their players to be available to play Test cricket for them.”Richardson also suggested that membership rules could be changed, to decouple Test status and Full Membership.”We’re reviewing the criteria for Full Membership, which will enable countries like Ireland and Afghanistan to become Full Members. But we don’t want to link it to Test cricket. The competition structure is set separate to membership status. It’s about voting or funding opportunities.”As the ICC’s original broadcast deal did not include plans for a global tournament in 2018, it will have to gain permission from its broadcast partner, Star, before confirming the World T20 for 2018.”We’re having discussions now with broadcasters about having a second World T20 in a four-year cycle,” Richardson said. “If they agree – and the board agrees – it would be in 2018 and the venue needs to be decided. The broadcasting agreement says we can’t hold another event without them agreeing to it. So they will have a say in where the event will be held.”The broadcasters obviously want the matches to be played at times which are good for the broadcast market in India. But it probably won’t be India as we’ve just been there. And the timing issue rules out West Indies, Australia and New Zealand. We’re currently unable to play in Pakistan, so that leaves Sri Lanka, South Africa or the UAE as the only options probably. It is too early for America.”It also emerged that England, the hosts of the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2019 World Cup, retain hopes of hosting a possible World T20 in 2022, and the World Cup qualifiers in 2018. Those qualifiers are currently scheduled to be played in Bangladesh but if Bangladesh qualify automatically – they are currently ranked seventh and on target to do so – it is likely the qualifiers would be moved to the country where the main tournament will be played the following year.

Rangers have made a surprise move for Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres, having recently enquired about how much the striker would cost this summer, according to a report from Football Insider.

What's the latest Rangers transfer news?

It has now been confirmed that Alfredo Morelos is set to leave the Gers this summer, with Michael Beale unwilling to offer the Colombian a new contract, meaning a new striker will be required in the upcoming window.

To replace the 26-year-old, the Light Blues could look at signing Swansea City forward Joel Piroe, having scouted the Dutchman earlier this season, while Bordeaux's Josh Maja could also be considered as a potential option.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors striker Cho Gue-sung has been touted for a move to Ibrox, with the South Korean set to consider his future in the summer, however Rangers are now also looking at a player from closer to home.

According to a report from Football Insider, the Gers have made a surprise move to sign Gyokeres, having enquired about the cost of signing the Coventry City marksman in the summer transfer window.

The Sky Blues are said to value the marksman at £20m, meaning Beale would have to break the club's transfer record to bring him to Glasgow, but the manager may be tempted, given that he is said to be a "huge" fan.

The move is considered a surprise as there are a number of Premier League teams interested in the 24-year-old, but Rangers are now also in the race, with a top-class number nine deemed a priority for the club in the upcoming window.

Should Rangers sign Viktor Gyokeres?

The Sweden international has played an integral part in Coventry's fantastic 2022-23 campaign, with the club currently sat fifth in the Championship, very likely to finish inside the playoff places.

In 45 league appearances, the 6 foot 2 striker has weighed in with 21 goals and ten assists, meaning he has amassed more goal contributions than any other player in the English second tier.

Given that stellar record in front of goal, it is no wonder clubs are queuing up to sign the "unplayable" £4.5k-per-week forward, but while he would be an excellent addition to Beale's squad, the transfer fee required is likely to be too high for Rangers.

The most the Light Blues spent on any player last season was €4.7m (£4.2m), and given that a rebuild will be needed this summer, with a number of first-team players out of contract, forking out £20m on one player is unfeasible.

Mitchell Starc has admitted to feeling a little frustrated at having to sit out of matches in the ongoing tri-series in the West Indies, but said he understood that his workload management was important

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jun-2016Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has admitted to feeling a little frustrated at having to sit out of matches in the ongoing tri-series in the West Indies, but said he understood that his workload management was important with a busy season ahead.Starc, who made his international return in this series after a long injury lay-off, played only two of Australia’s four matches so far, taking five wickets. He is expected to play against South Africa on Sunday.Khawaja acknowledges team support during Ramadan

Australia batsman Usman Khawaja has acknowledged the support of the team management while he observes the Muslim fasting period of Ramadan. Khawaja told that he had been fasting whenever possible during the series, while managing playing and training.
“It’s been alright. It’s something that I really enjoy doing, but if it’s affecting my cricket or my training in too much of a negative way, then I probably won’t do it,” he said. “It just depends on the situation.
“They don’t force me to do anything. It’s a choice, it’s my personal choice. They know that at the end of the day I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise the team in any way.
“And what I’m doing now, I’ve said to them before that when I fast, I make sure I do everything as well as I can. And if I’m not doing it as well as I can, I will stop doing it and catch it up later on, which is always an option.”

“It’s part of the plan unfortunately,” Starc told . “Being fit this time around and watching from the side can be a little bit frustrating. But I’ve got to look at the bigger picture and there’s a lot to come in the next six months, so I’ll stick by the plan and stick by what the medicos tell me to do. I don’t have too much say in it. I want to play every game.”The bigger picture (is) we have three Tests against Sri Lanka, a one-day series that follows that, a one-day series in South Africa and then we’ve got the home summer. It’s feeling really good, but I’ve just got to manage that at this point in time. That’s for the medicos to do and me to sit back, unfortunately.”Starc said he was accustomed to having the team’s medical staff determine his playing schedule to keep him fit over the course of a season, particularly after his previous struggles with fitness. Starc battled long-term ankle problems and the injury flared up again during the Ashes Test in Cardiff last year. He then underwent surgery on the ankle in December while recovering from a fractured foot he suffered during the Adelaide Test against New Zealand.Australia also have a packed calendar in 2016-17. After the tri-series, they will tour Sri Lanka and then play an ODI series in South Africa. They will host four teams over the home summer – South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka – before ending their season with a tour of India in February-March 2017.”I’m getting used to being told what to do,” Starc said with a smile. “It’d be really nice to play every single game, but the sheer amount of cricket we play these days, if you play every game, you’re going to break down at some point, so you have to be a little bit smarter about it.”At the moment, I’m feeling really good. I’m feeling strong and ready to go at every point. It’s about me getting right for the next game, and if that involves playing, that’s lovely. But if it means I have to rest or sit out here and there, I’ll have to cop that on the chin as well.”It’s about finding that happy medium, where you’re not bowling yourself into the ground and you’re injured every 12 months. But at the same time, you want to keep that rhythm and be fresh enough to play as much as you can.”Starc, who has played 48 ODIs and taken 95 wickets, is within sight of a record. He needs five wickets to become the fastest bowler to 100 ODI wickets, a record currently held by former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who got to the landmark in 53 matches.Incidentally, Australia have lost both matches in which Starc was rested. With two wins in four matches, they are placed second on the points table, behind South Africa, who lead with 10 points after their two bonus-point victories.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are now officially safe from relegation and will be competing in the Premier League again in the 2023/24 campaign.

Julen Lopetegui's side are nine points clear of 18th-placed Everton with two matches left to play and can use these last couple of outings to offer minutes to younger players in the squad to see if they have what it takes to step up next term.

This season, one of the club's top performers has been one of their most experienced gems in the form of Portuguese central midfielder Joao Moutinho.

The ex-Monaco man has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.90, which ranks only behind Ruben Neves out of all the outfield players, across 31 appearances in the top flight.

At the age of 36, Moutinho is still going strong and averaged 2.2 tackles and interceptions and 1.2 key passes per game whilst completing 84% of his attempted passes – as per Sofascore.

The veteran has proven himself to be an ultra-reliable option in the middle of the park and a maestro who can open up defences, to create chances for his teammates, whilst also being strong enough to win possession back for his team on a regular basis off the ball.

However, he is out of contract this summer and it remains to be seen if the magician will remain at the club beyond the end of the current campaign.

Wolves could alleviate any concerns about Moutinho's possible departure, though, by swooping to sign one of their reported transfer targets – Enzo Le Fee.

Who is Enzo Le Fee?

The 23-year-old French central midfielder currently plays for Lorient in Ligue 1 and has caught the eye with his impressive performances this term.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig once likened him to Joao Moutinho, by naming the French gem as a "similar" player, while listing the Frenchman's strengths as "passing, vision, and technique"; sound familiar?

Le Fee has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.24 in the league for Lorient in 2022/23 and made 2.1 key passes and 4.2 tackles and interceptions per match, which shows that the prospect can open up opposing defences and win the ball back for his team – similarly to the way the current Wolves star does.

The £9m-rated youngster, who Kulig once hailed as one of his club's "golden" trio of stars, has created nine 'big chances' for his teammates and ranks in the top 4% of players in his position in Europe's top five leagues over the last 365 days for tackles per 90.

These statistics show that the talented maestro has the quality and stylistic profile to be Lopetegui's perfect Moutinho heir with the midfielder having the ability to impact games at both ends of the pitch with his combative and creative play.

Glamorgan continued their remarkable form in the NatWest T20 Blast against Sussex with a win that extended their undefeated run in the competition to seven matches

ECB Reporters Network07-Jul-2016
ScorecardTim van der Gugten’s early wickets made the difference•Getty ImagesGlamorgan continued their remarkable form in the NatWest T20 Blast against Sussex with a win that extended their undefeated run in the competition to seven matches.A 55-ball 81 from David Lloyd set up a total that was about par on a slow Cardiff pitch but it was made to look a lot more valuable than that when Glamorgan’s Dutch bowler Timm van der Gugten ripped apart the Sussex top order at the start of the Sussex chase and finished with 4 for 17.The story of Glamorgan’s season has been the coming of age of Lloyd. He made his third first-class hundred of the season against these same opponents on Wednesday and tonight he continued that fine run of form. He looked all set to pass his career best T20 score of 97 not out made against Kent this season but he fell in the 17th over when He mistimed a pull shot off Chris Jordan.Lloyd shared decent partnerships with Colin Ingram and Jacques Rudolph, but he was the most impressive Glamorgan batsman by a distance. The next highest score was Rudolph with 24 who had dropped himself down to No. 4 as he searches for a return to form.Rudolph had looked very well set in this innings, at one point hitting a massive six off Chris Nash that is now residing at the bottom of the River Taff. Just when it appeared that he might make his first truly significant T20 contribution of 2016 he drilled a ball from Nuwan Kulasekara to Luke Wright in the covers.A four-over spell from England bowler’s Chris Jordan and Tymal Mills in the final overs prevented Glamorgan from getting a truly daunting total. Mills was particularly impressive as he took two wickets for five runs in his two overs at the death. He bowled with pace and with accuracy showing why he made his England bow this week.Glamorgan stumbled to a total of 159 for 8, but it ended up being more than enough as the ever more impressive van der Gugten took three wickets in three overs at the start of the Sussex innings to leave them 22 for 3 in the seventh over.With the Sussex top order gone the run rate just kept going up, but a partnership between Ross Taylor and Matt Machan that was worth 37 gave Sussex some hope. When both of those men fell within seven balls of each other any feint hopes of an away win were gone.With that partnership broken it became a procession of Sussex wickets as they finished on 113 all out. Michael Hogan, Craig Meschede and Graham Wagg picked up two wickets.Shaun Tait bowled very fast on his return to Glamorgan after his brief spell with the club in 2010 but he was the only seamer to go wicketless.

Newcastle United could be set to capitalise on Premier League rivals Leicester City's woes and raid the club for their most coveted asset, James Maddison, this summer as the Foxes scramble against the threat of relegation.

What's the latest on James Maddison to Newcastle?

According to The Telegraph, the high-flying Magpies are preparing for a busy summer and set to rekindle their move for Foxes phenom Maddison this summer, having failed in their pursuit of the playmaker one year ago.

Last summer, manager Eddie Howe attempted to sign the 26-year-old with a £50m bid but failed to meet the £60m valuation which still stands, enquiring unsuccessfully once more during the winter transfer window.

City are 18th in the top-flight with three matches to play and could plummet into the second division, which would all but confirm Maddison's departure from the King Power Stadium, with Newcastle poised to pounce.

How would Maddison do at Newcastle?

PIF have enjoyed much success since the £300m takeover of the Tyneside giants in October 2021, swiftly appointing Howe as manager and lifting the club from the pit of the Premier League towards prominence, securing a comfortable mid-table finish before ascending to Champions League contention this term.

Indeed, Newcastle reside in third with just four matches to play, three points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool, who have played an additional fixture.

The signings made over the past three transfer windows have been transformative and adding a creative midfielder of Maddison's ilk could ice the cake and cement this remarkable newfound stature.

Having signed for Leicester from Norwich City for £24m in 2018, Maddison has played 200 matches and scored 55 goals and served 41 assists, crucial in the gleaning of the FA Cup and Community Shield.

However, the outfit's fortunes have taken a dramatic turn and now relegation from the Premier League could become reality in a matter of weeks, despite the best efforts of the £110k-per-week menace.

As per Sofascore, the two-cap England international has recorded a remarkable average rating of 7.4 in the league this term, scoring ten goals, providing nine assists and averaging 2.9 shots and 2.5 key passes per match, assured with his 80% passing accuracy and tenacious with 1.6 tackles per outing.

Ranking among the top 8% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for rate of goals, as per FBref, the top 4% for rate of assists and the top 10% for progressive passes per 90, Maddison is clearly one of the foremost creative talents around, and could spark excitement into Toon hearts at a level scarcely seen since infamous midfield wizard Hatem Ben Arfa graced the St. James' Park pitch.

The Frenchman signed for Alan Pardew's United in January 2011 after converting a loan move to a permanent deal, alighting English football with his defence-splitting weaving runs and sorcery with the ball at his feet, with Pardew hailing the mercurial ace as a "maverick" who has the "x-factor".

The cult hero scored five goals and six assists from just 16 starts in his first full season in the Premier League, but failed to display the discipline to parallel his brilliant natural prowess with a football, making an unsuccessful loan move to Hull City in 2014 and subsequently ending his career in England.

Maddison holds much of that same flair and guile, hailed as a "monster" by journalist Josh Bunting, but has exhibited his own prowess with sustained, trophy-winning performances across multiple seasons, and could be the heir to Ben Arfa's throne in Newcastle to truly send the city into deafening rapture.

Surrey have dragged themselves out of the bottom two of the Championship first division after Gareth Batty and Stuart Meaker ensured a last-ditch win against bottom club Hampshire

Vithushan Ehantharajah20-Jul-2016
ScorecardGareth Batty produced a matchwinning return•PA PhotosIt is hard to remember a Championship win that asked more of a bowling side. The pitch, for much of this game, looked like it would take the points and a few bowlers with it. Most of the Ageas Bowl pitches have. But with great focus and effort, and the sort of performance from Gareth Batty that will be remembered well beyond his career, Surrey sent Hampshire down for an innings and 13 runs.Batty was not so much leading from the front as picking up those around him, yapping under the helmet and then getting the job done himself. A century in the first innings began his work before two for 78 in the Hampshire reply was bested by a sensational six for 51 in the follow-on. Throw in Stuart Meaker’s reverse swing addled 18 overs of four for 40, and you wonder where the doubt in obtaining a result came from.But with 10 overs left in the day, hope had all-but gone. At the end of Batty’s 24th over (56th of the match) he walked duck-footed to mid off, shoulders slunk, cap in hand, dreading what might be. Of all long-form cricket’s gut punches, the handshakes after a drawn fixture take the most out of a skipper who has spent the last few hours on top. And Batty’s side had been ahead for the last three days.Summoning one last push, Batty returned to take two in his next over. Lewis McManus, having started the day with bat in hand, looked like he would finish it, too. But, after six hours and 21 minutes of crease time across both innings, he was finally dismissed to a fast arm ball. Three balls later, Andrew’s outside edge was found with a perfect off spinner. It was left to Meaker to finish things off. Late movement into the right hander did for Gareth Berg, before Mason Crane was the recipient of a bouncer that would haunt the most weathered opening batsmen, let alone a 19-year-old number 10.Surrey currently sit outside the relegation zone, 10 points away from Nottinghamshire, who have replaced them in the bottom two. Even if Hampshire were to win their game in hand with full bonus points, they would only go one ahead of Surrey. It bears reiterating: rarely will you see a side work so hard to achieve a four day win of this magnitude.On the evening of day two, Surrey’s players went to bed preparing themselves for what they knew would be six of the toughest sessions of cricket many of them will have experienced in their lives. So, too, did Hampshire. But Surrey, staying at the Ageas’ Bowl own hotel, will have drawn their curtains looking out onto the very field that would ask for as much energy and sweat as they could give and not necessarily provide anything in return.They needed 18 wickets to win the match: at least 18 chances to be created, certainly 18 to be taken to ensure that they are in control of their own destiny with five matches left to play. And while their own first innings of 637 for 7 taunted Hampshire throughout this match, it sent Surrey to sleep that night with a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of this road. The skip was taken out of Crane’s step after 51 overs of toil.Even Surrey’s captain Gareth Batty was concerned, believing he was “thrown under the car” by Will Smith and Hampshire’s senior bowlers – Gareth Berg had the next greatest workload with 30 overs. “That wouldn’t be happening under my watch.”That part of Batty’s mantra as captain is to look at what is best for the individuals has, at times, seen him make calls that, from afar, confuse a touch. But given the task at hand, across two of the hottest days of the year, it was this sensitivity that ultimately saw Surrey triumph in extraordinary fashion.With 11 wickets to get on day four, the first ball to do something off the straight was the run out of Brad Wheal. Lewis McManus, who finished the first innings unbeaten on 133, was desperate to retain the strike when Aaron Finch, prowling the off side outfield, hurled down the stumps at the nonstriker’s end from all of 50 yards. Theirs was the longest partnership of the innings, clocking in at 37.1 overs. Surrey now needed 10 more wickets in the next 84 overs, having just taken the same amount from 133 overs.The first two to fall took 19 overs with them: Jimmy Adams tempted into one that left him late from Meaker, Tom Alsop edging Batty to first slip. For a while, that was their lot. The bowlers were cycled through, each getting a burst: an over or two at first to state their case. As “overs remaining” ticked to 44, Mark Footitt was removed from the Pavilion End after a spell of four that seemed to settle Smith and Ryan McLaren. The all rounder looked totally at ease while Smith, 18 from 112 balls at this point, was putting the finishing touches on a fort he had no intention of relinquishing.Batty brought himself on to bowl and, with various changes of pace, found a sliver of light shining through a gap in the closed drawbridge. Somehow a fizzed delivery snuck off Smith’s bat and between his legs to bump into his leg stump. Surrey were in. Adam Wheater, tea interval on the mind, left a reverse swinging delivery from Meaker that almost sent his off stump back to the pavilion with him.After tea, Batty came into his own. It was not so much the spin, but the changes in pace: the appreciation that keeping the interest of those around the bat – there were up to six for Batty – required enough fluctuations in delivery to put a batsman’s timing out of sync. Sean Ervine was hurried into guiding a ball to Aaron Finch at leg slip. Ryan McLaren pressing forward early and popping a catch up to Dominic Sibley at bat-pad.But so the overs ticked on, with four wickets still to get. But so Batty ticked on and these four wickets were claimed.He was naturally punchy in victory, using the opportunity to not only champion his young team, having grumbled away the opportunity to talk about his own century and eight wickets in the game, but to stick up for his coach, Michael Di Venuto, who has spent the aftermath of many a four day game fighting fires on Twitter.To Di Venuto’s credit, he looks to interact and appease each tweet sent his way, countering calls for change with the insistence that the hard work behind the scenes will soon be evident on the field. Most of the comments to Di Venuto comes from an honest place: fans worried about the plight of their club and wondering, out loud, what could be done differently. A handful have question Di Venuto’s merits as a coach. One or two have made their attacks personal.”I think it’s disrespectful. Unjust. The two run outs [Burns to remove Ervine and Finch to remove Wheal] – that’s from him working on us hitting the stumps. He takes all credit there. Nobody else. We’ve been very close in a couple of games and not got over the line. I think it’s very unjust for the man’s record, both as a player and a coach.”In victory, Surrey are bullish and you get a sense, from the way they have acquitted themselves throughout this match, that whatever they have left to give will be left on field before the season is up.”There have been a lot of people lobbing knives at us but we have pulled a few out of our back,” said Batty. “I say to them,- I hope you are enjoying the win tonight.”

Liverpool choosing to snub their pursuit of Jude Bellingham could help to accelerate the progress of discussions with other midfield targets at Anfield, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

What's the latest news involving Jude Bellingham?

As per ESPN, Liverpool pulled out of making a move to try and sign Borussia Dortmund sensation Bellingham in order to focus on rebuilding their squad this summer.

The report states that the Reds would've been committing a large portion of their spending power in the forthcoming transfer window to the deal and wouldn't have been able to strengthen adequately ahead of 2023/24 in other areas.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has since updated the world with the news that Bellingham looks set for a move to La Liga giants Real Madrid on Twitter, stating: "Real Madrid are already preparing the official bid for Jude Bellingham. After personal terms agreed on long-term deal 2 weeks ago, proposal will be sent to BVB and it will include add-ons. Timing also depends on Bundesliga title race; Real will be respectful with Dortmund."

In 2022/23, the 19-year-old has made 42 appearances in all competitions for his current employers, registering 14 goals and seven assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs has indicated that he expects Liverpool to have a busy transfer period this summer.

Jacobs told FFC: "I sense with the whole, pulling out of the race for Jude Bellingham was not only Liverpool not wanting that to eat up a large proportion of their budget and the saga drag out. It was also a situation whereby they will have known that there were other gettable targets that they could focus their attention on and as a consequence, I expect Liverpool have lined things up and, in the early part of the window, be really quite busy."

Who else have Liverpool targeted in terms of midfielders?

Liverpool have targeted several midfielders ahead of the summer as Jurgen Klopp looks to beef up his engine room with some fresh legs.

As per Football Insider, Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has been mooted as a possible target and it is said that the Blues will sell him in the transfer window if they cant get him to agree to a contract extension.

Bayern Munich anchorman Ryan Gravenberch is also someone of interest to Liverpool and is believed to be open to a move to Anfield due to frustration over a lack of regular minutes, according to The Mirror.

PSV Eindhoven enforcer Ibrahim Sangare has also attracted attention from the red half of Merseyside, signifying that Liverpool fans are in for an exciting few months ahead as they plot a squad restructure ahead of 2023/24.

Manchester United are believed to be considering a move for Brighton and Hove Albion starlet, Evan Ferguson, albeit with any deal not set to take place until next summer.

What's the latest on Ferguson to Man United?

According to journalist Melissa Reddy, the Red Devils – as well as rivals Tottenham Hotspur – are seemingly lining up a swoop for the 18-year-old sensation in 2024, with United having previously missed out on the teenager's signature despite taking him on trial in the past.

Writing on Twitter, the respected insider stated: "Manchester United and Tottenham have both earmarked Evan Ferguson as the forward that can lead their line long term, with groundwork having started over a future move…"

In her attached piece for Sky Sports, Reddy explains that the Republic of Ireland international – who recently signed a new deal with the Seagulls – is viewed as a '£50m-plus mistake' by those at United due to their previous failure to sign him, with Erik ten Hag and co now lining up the sparkling youngster as a target for the long-term.

Should Man United sign Evan Ferguson?

The former Bohemian striker has certainly caught the attention of late following what has been a real breakthrough campaign at the Amex, with the precocious talent having scored ten goals at senior level in all competitions this term.

The much-coveted striker – who also boasts a tally of five goals in just six Premier League 2 games this season in the youth ranks – has been earmarked as a potential "£100m phenom" of the future, according to Reddy, while Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has suggested that the 6 foot 2 ace could become one of the "best strikers in the Premier League".

Likened to one-time Man United man, Michael Owen, for his "ice cold" finishing prowess – as per talkSPORT pundit Scott Minto – Ferguson is deservedly earning rave reviews for his standout recent form, with it set to be no surprise if he kicks on again for the south coast side next season.

If the four-cap powerhouse does eventually end up at the Theatre of Dreams, Ten Hag could well have the makings of a truly mouthwatering, long-term attacking partnership involving Ferguson and fellow teen, Alejandro Garnacho, with the latter gem having also been a breakout star in the top-flight this term.

The FA Youth Cup-winning winger has netted five goals and provided five assists across all fronts at senior level to date, only recently marking his return from injury with a late strike off the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

While still only 18 himself, the Argentine speedster has already emerged as a real "game changer" for United – according to Manchester Evening News journalist, Samuel Luckhurst – with Ten Hag hailing the "brave" youngster as a "huge talent" following his effort against the Old Gold.

Although the Madrid-born dynamo will need to maintain his initial, first-team impact next season – as too will Ferguson at the Amex – the signs are that Garnacho could well be a real star of the future for the Red Devils.

To think that the teen machine could be well be partnered with the clinical Brighton man at some stage over the coming years is exciting, indeed.

For the fifth time in the series Sri Lanka batted first and a vaguely familiar match played out as Australia ran down the hosts’ 195 in the 43rd over, zipping up the series 4-1

The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando04-Sep-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsDavid Warner came back into form with a hundred•Associated PressFor the fifth time in the series Sri Lanka batted first and a vaguely familiar match played out as Australia ran down the hosts’ 195 in the 43rd over, zipping up the series 4-1. Mitchell Starc was denied his customary early wicket this time, but Sri Lanka’s middle-order collapse happened anyway, as it often has in the past two weeks. Australia’s top order then delivered another consummate performance on a spinning track; the margin of victory was five wickets, but it seemed even more comfortable than that.It was David Warner, who provided the spine to this particular chase. He capped an outstanding eight days as captain by scoring Australia’s first ODI century in Sri Lanka – his 106 from 126 balls measured and delicate, in contrast to his usual maurauding style. Warner’s 132-run third-wicket stand with George Bailey effectively ended the contest. The pair had come together at 25 for 2, but Sri Lanka’s score always seemed about 40 runs light.The hosts had squandered their best start of the tour in their own innings, losing batsmen in clusters, then failing to produce significant partnerships before the next cascade of wickets came around. Dhananjaya de Silva and Danushka Gunathilaka were surging along happily against the new ball – making 73 for the first wicket – then three wickets fell for five runs. Before they had properly recovered from that dive, the next set of rapids was upon them. Sri Lanka lost their fourth and fifth wickets for eight runs, and sixth and seventh wickets for 20. And the last three fell within 11 runs of each other. Sachith Pathirana scored a fourth 30-odd of the innings, in the company of the tail, to go with those from the openers and Kusal Mendis.Starc made up for missing out on his customary early wicket by helping blast out the tail and taking 3 for 40. Each of the other five Australia bowlers also made at least one breakthrough.As has been the case for much of the tour, Australia’s bowling was disciplined rather than devilish, but Sri Lanka’s batsmen folded alarmingly when even a little pressure had built up. De Silva mis-hit James Faulkner to mid-on in the 14th over to set the collapse in motion. Six balls later, Gunathilaka misjudged the line of an Adam Zampa ball, and had his leg stump rattled when he missed a lap sweep. Dinesh Chandimal and Mendis were both out poking outside the off stump – though the latter did play some sublime strokes before the dismissal. Upul Tharanga slapped a Travis Head ball to point, and Dasun Shanaka was bowled by a Zampa slider. Starc’s full and straight deliveries were beyond the skill of Sri Lanka’s lower order to defuse.The new ball nipped around under lights for Suranga Lakmal, and Dilruwan Perera immediately had the ball spinning sharply, but beyond the first 12 overs, Sri Lanka failed to exert substantial pressure. Having opened the innings in place of Aaron Finch, who had injured a finger while fielding in the slips, Matthew Wade gloved a ball behind as he attempted to sweep, and Usman Khawaja was soon caught off the leading edge.Warner and Bailey had close calls themselves in the initial period, but soon began to sweep, reverse sweep, and advance down the track, with increasing confidence. Bailey was merely tapping into a body of strokes that has brought him success right through the tour, but Warner’s attempt to return to form was the more compelling of the two innings. He collected his first four with a reverse-lap off Dilruwan in the second over, but was content to score in singles and twos for much of his early stay – his second boundary did not come until the 21st over.Dinesh Chandimal rifled through his many spin options, and though half chances were created throughout the partnership, edges continued to fall into space, and marginal decisions went against the hosts. By mid-innings, the track had begun to take dramatic turn, yet Warner and Bailey marched on, scoring off the loose balls, and scratching together runs – the ball sometimes traveling to unguarded spaces off unintended parts of the bat. Warner reached his first half-century of the series off his 72nd delivery, then hit three fours off the next five balls to herald a more attacking approach. His second fifty came off 39 balls, and the celebration upon reaching his first ODI ton in Asia was uncharacteristically restrained, as the innings had been.Bailey fell with 39 runs to get, then Head and Warner followed not long after, but the wickets merely served to narrow the winning margin, rather than provide Sri Lanka with any real hope.Just about the only area of success for Sri Lanka was their opening partnership, which survived past the fifth over for the first time on tour. De Silva was particularly good against Starc again, driving him gracefully through the covers in the first over, then cutting and flicking him to the fence in the fifth. Gunathilaka was punchier, putting John Hastings into the sightscreen in the fourth over then leaning back to slap him over the point region soon after. Sri Lanka’s first 50 runs came in 9.1 overs, but once the wickets began to fall, they could not arrest the slide.