Southampton finished off their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 loss to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar at St. Mary's on Saturday ahead of next week's Championship opener.

Who have Southampton signed this summer?

Both of the club's summer signings featured in the defeat as Ryan Manning and Shea Charles lined up at the back for Russell Martin's team.

Manning has been brought in on a free transfer from Swansea, where he worked alongside the Saints head coach last season, and Charles has joined on a permanent deal from Premier League champions Manchester City.

The recently-relegated club still have plenty of time left to make further additions to their squad, though, and have been linked with interest in Sunderland centre-forward Ross Stewart.

He is in the final 12 months of his contract at the Stadium of Light and has rejected the Black Cats' efforts to extend his deal, which has opened the door to a summer transfer.

How many goals has Ross Stewart scored for Sunderland?

The Scotland international has racked up an impressive 40 goals in 80 matches for his current club and could arrive as a fantastic addition to Martin's squad.

His impressive form for Sunderland in the Championship last season, particularly alongside another striker in Ellis Simms, suggests that he has the quality to be an excellent performer for Southampton who could unlock the best out of Adam Armstrong at St. Mary's.

Stewart who was once hailed as "unbelievable" and a "revelation" by teammate Alex Pritchard, racked up ten goals and three assists in 13 second-division matches.

He started six games with Simms as his strike partner and produced five goals along with three assists in that time, which shows that the former Ross County man thrived next to another number nine.

This could make him the perfect signing to complement Armstrong as the former Blackburn Rovers ace excelled next to 6 foot 4 titan Sam Gallagher in the Championship during the 2020/21 campaign.

The English dynamo scored 28 goals and assisted five in 40 league outings for his previous team that season but failed to make the step up to the Premier League with Southampton as he has only plundered five goals in 67 appearances for the club to date.

Armstrong failed to find the back of the net more than twice in each of his two top-flight campaigns with the Saints. However, the ex-Newcastle United man is now back at a level where he has proven himself to be a reliable and prolific scorer.

The 26-year-old scored 44 Championship goals in his final two seasons with Blackburn combined and this suggests that the potential is there for him to be an outstanding option for Southampton, despite his Premier League struggles.

Martin could unlock the best out of his talents by signing Stewart from Sunderland as the 6 foot 2 marksman, who won 49% of his aerial battles last term, is a handful to deal with and a proven scorer who could take some of the attention away from Armstrong in the same way that Gallagher did at Ewood Park.

This could then allow the 5 foot 8 dynamo, who lost 76% of his aerial contests during his last Championship campaign, to go about his business as a huge goal threat without needing to engage in physical battles with opposition defenders.

West Ham United are reportedly eyeing an audacious move for Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, as David Moyes continues his quest to replace Declan Rice.

The Hammers obtained £105m for their captain, who departed for Arsenal earlier this month, with a host of talent identified as potential heirs to the Englishman.

Could West Ham sign Leon Goretzka?

As reported by Sky Sports in Germany last week, the Irons have emerged as one of the clubs eyeing Goretzka, whose future in Bavaria is ‘still uncertain’.

The report claims that the Germany international is one of ‘five candidates’ on the club’s list to replace Rice, with him valued between €40m-€50m (£34m-£43m).

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Ben Jacobs called the potential move a ‘dream’ for the east Londoners, saying in full:

"Goretzka, for West Ham, is kind of a dream. There's no denying that they like the player. But, at this point, there's nothing more advanced than that."

How good is Leon Goretzka?

Lauded as a “top-class” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 28-year-old has enjoyed an emphatic career in Germany, winning the Bundesliga on five occasions, as well as winning the Champions League with Bayern in 2020.

Now, a new challenge could be on the horizon in England, as the Hammers plot an ambitious move for the German.

For West Ham, the introduction of the VfL Bochum academy graduate could be the perfect coup in their bid to fill the void left by Rice, who was dubbed “admirable” by Tony Cascarino via talkSPORT after his 150th Premier League appearance.

While the 24-year-old’s departure will be a tough pill to swallow for the Hammers, Moyes could quickly forget about the former captain if he secured the signing of Goretzka.

The 28-year-old averaged 0.23 assists per 90 over the past year, ranking him in the top 4% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref.

Having registered a total of 38 Bundesliga assists in his career, the Bayern Munich gem could provide the Irons with a bolstered skill set on Rice, who was criticised by Gary Neville and Roy Keane for not scoring or assisting enough.

When comparing the respective 2022/23 league campaigns of the two midfielders, the numbers suggest that Moyes could sufficiently replace Rice with Goretzka, as per FBref.

The Bochum-born ace averaged 2.24 tackles and 1.09 key passes per 90 in comparison to the Englishman’s 2.17 tackles and 1.02 key passes per 90 in the Premier League last term.

A pivotal area for strength required in the engine room is an eye for progressive play, identified as a decimal mirrored by the two stars, with Rice averaging 6.60 progressive passes and 2.42 progressive carries to Goretzka’s 5.94 progressive passes and 2.19 progressive carries per 90.

Praised for his “aggressiveness and pace” by former Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac, the 28-year-old could be the difference maker for West Ham, in a player that could fill the void, and more, left by Rice.

Moyes could take the Hammers to further heights next season by signing the Germany international, who would no doubt be a dream replacement for their former skipper.

Arsenal continue to be handed a lifeline in the race for a true star who they have had their eye on multiple times in the past…

Is Moises Caicedo leaving Brighton and Hove Albion?

Although it might seem like Chelsea are now in the driving seat when it comes to signing Moises Caicedo, the Gunners have seemingly remained quietly interested in the background.

After all, although the report emerged earlier this week, it was noted by journalist Graeme Bailey that an outside chance remains.

Given they saw two bids rejected for him in January, their interest in the Ecuadorian general is common knowledge.

However, it is now the Blues who have felt the sting of Brighton and Hove Albion, who recently saw an £80m offer instantly pushed back, with their demands now rising to a mouth-watering £100m.

Whilst it seems unlikely that Mikel Arteta sanctions another deal of such magnitude, it has been noted that he is willing to offload plenty of deadwood to make way for additional signings, and the Seagulls sensation could be a just reason to do that.

How good is Moises Caicedo?

To lure such a relentless midfield maestro to the Emirates would represent a sensational coup for the north London outfit, who have already bolstered their ranks significantly this summer.

England stalwart Declan Rice has padded out the midfield at last, whilst Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz offer added solidity and firepower respectively.

It seems that – at last – they have a squad brimming with the sort of quality and depth that is capable of issuing a sustained challenge towards Manchester City.

This was supplemented by their January additions too, as Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard both joined the club as they sought to maintain their title charge.

Whilst unsuccessful in that venture, it cannot be said that the latter acquisition failed, given how instantly creative he proved to be under Arteta.

Signed for just £27m, the 28-year-old immediately forced his way into contention, recording eight goal contributions in his first 11 Premier League games, many of which were short cameo appearances from the bench. In the end, he would finish the term as the club's fifth-best performer with his 7.09 average rating in the league.

He deservedly garnered praise, with his new Spanish coach noting:

"Seriously, we knew about his quality and what he could bring to the team. We are really pleased with him, he can play on the right, he can play on the left, he can play as an attacking midfielder, as a nine, a false nine.

“He’s really contributing to the team and he really takes a lot of responsibility in games to make things happen and we love that.”

The hope will be that Caicedo would have a similarly revolutionary effect, with his figures last year – from the very same outfit in which Trossard arrived from – suggesting he would take little time to acclimatise; especially considering the wealth of improved quality he would be joining too.

Starring for a plucky outfit that defied all the expectations last season, he maintained a 7.08 average rating in the league, buoyed by his 89% pass accuracy, 1.2 key passes, 2.7 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game, via Sofascore.

For comparison, his rating would have made him Arsenal's sixth-best performer in the league, whilst his key passes per game matched that of Gabriel Jesus. He would have also stood alone as the club's top tackler too, also per Sofascore

.

Understandably, such a fine campaign drew praise – local journalist Andy Naylor even wrote: "Caicedo? He’s a machine."

Such maturity and star quality for a 21-year-old gem are truly exceptional, and with his entire career laid out in front of him, he could hold down Arsenal's midfield with Rice for the next decade.

It seems that not only would such an unlikely late swoop emulate their Trossard masterclass, but it could surpass it given the young enforcer's impossibly high ceiling.

يشهد اليوم الإثنين الموافق 22-4-2024، العديد من المباريات الهامة والمرتقبة على مستوى الدوري المصري، بالإضافة لمواجهات مُثيرة بالدوري الإسباني والإيطالي.

في الدوري المصري، الاتحاد السكندري يواجه الإسماعيلي في قمة ساخنة بكرة القدم المصرية، والداخلية وفيوتشر يبحثان عن فوز ثمين في صراع الدوري.

وعلى مستوى الدوري الإيطالي، عشاق كرة القدم على موعد مع قمة نارية بين ميلان وإنتر ميلان في معركة شرسة خلال صراعهما في البطولة.

ويستعد فريق كرة السلة الأول رجال بالنادي الأهلي لخوض مواجهة مرتقبة أمام بانجي بطل إفريقيا الوسطى، وذلك ضمن مواجهات بطولة إفريقيا لكرة السلة BAL.

ويخوض فريق الكرة الطائرة الأول رجال بالنادي الأهلي لاستكمال مشواره في بطولة إفريقيا للأندية، وذلك بمواجهة النصر الليبي.

وفي بطولة إفريقيا لكرة اليد، يلتقي الزمالك مع جي إي كي الكونغولي مساء اليوم الإثنين، في إطار مواجهات الدور الرئيسي لبطولة إفريقيا للأندية، ويواجه الأهلي مع بلدية ميلا الجزائري

طالع أيضًا | رسمياً | المقاولون يشكو حكام مباراة بلدية المحلة ويطالب بأطقم دولية في المواجهات القادمة مواعيد مباريات اليوم الإثنين 22-4-2024 والقنوات الناقلةمواعيد مباريات الدوري المصري اليوم

زد ضد الجونة، الساعة 4 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 5 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “on time sport”.

الاتحاد السكندري ضد الإسماعيلي، الساعة 7 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 8 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “on time sport”.

الداخلية ضد فيوتشر اف سي، الساعة 7 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 8 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “on time sport”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري الإسباني اليوم

إشبيلية ضد ريال مايوركا، الساعة 9 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 10 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 3”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري الإيطالي اليوم

روما ضد بولونيا، الساعة 6:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 7:30 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “AD SPORTS Premium”.

ميلان ضد إنتر ميلان، الساعة 8:45 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 9:45 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “AD SPORTS Premium”. مواعيد مباريات كأس آسيا تحت 23 عامًا اليوم

اليابان ضد كوريا الجنوبية، الساعة 3 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 4 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر شبكة قنوات “ssc”.

الإمارات ضد الصين، الساعة 3 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 4 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر شبكة قنوات “ssc”.

تايلاند ضد طاجيكستان، الساعة 5:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 6:30 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر شبكة قنوات “ssc”.

السعودية ضد العراق، الساعة 5:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 6:30 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر شبكة قنوات “ssc”. مواعيد مباريات بطولة إفريقيا لكرة السلة اليوم

الأهلي ضد بانجي، الساعة 8 بتوقيت مصر، 9 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر عبر قناة النادي الأهلي، والموقع الرسمي لبطولة الدوري الإفريقي لكرة السلة THE BAL. مواعيد مباريات بطولة إفريقيا للكرة الطائرة اليوم

الأهلي ضد النصر الليبي، الساعة 8 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 9 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر الصفحة الرسمية للاتحاد الإفريقي للكرة الطائرة. مواعيد مباريات بطولة إفريقيا لكرة اليد اليوم

الأهلي ضد بلدية ميلا، الساعة 3 عصرًا بتوقيت مصر، 4 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة صفحة الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة اليد، قناة الاتحاد الإفريقي عبر موقع يوتيوب.

الزمالك ضد جي إس كي، الساعة 9 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 10 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة اليد على اليوتيوب.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث المباريات لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا

Tottenham Hotspur seem to have identified a clever transfer switch around that could see the team moulded more in Ange Postecoglou's image…

Is Douglas Luiz leaving Aston Villa?

Given the Australian manager will seek to employ an all-action, attack-minded philosophy, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has seemingly been deemed surplus to requirements.

Despite impressing last term, the Danish international does not boast the dynamism required to occupy the midfield spots that underpin this new philosophy.

With Atletico Madrid showing interest, a fresh report from the Daily Mail is now suggesting that Douglas Luiz will be targeted as his direct replacement.

The Aston Villa machine has now been identified by the former Celtic boss as a perfect alternative, and with his Football Transfers valuation standing at €39.8m (£34m), this is a deal just waiting to be struck.

How good is Douglas Luiz?

Having moved to Villa Park permanently in 2019, the Brazilian quickly established himself as an imperative piece of the ever-changing Villans squad. Whether they have been battling to stay up, or more recently vying for European spots, he has always excelled.

However, it is not just his quality alone that will have piqued Postecoglou's interest.

The 57-year-old was famed in Scotland for his use of two number eights in his engine room, in an effort to strangle the opposition of the ball with their all-out attack. He demands relentless running and a touch of creative quality, neither of which are Hojbjerg's specialities.

Despite averaging a 7.11 rating last season in the Premier League, the 27-year-old's outstanding statistics came in the form of his 89% pass accuracy, 1.6 tackles and 1.7 clearances per game, via Sofascore. He was a solid defensive presence, skilled at screening the back four.

Yet when comparing these with Luiz's figures, it becomes clear just how Spurs' new boss seeks to shift his side.

The former Manchester City man would average a 7.10 rating of his own in the league, but instead earned this through his 12 goal contributions, 62% dribble success, two tackles and 1.2 key passes per game, via Sofascore.

It is worth noting that his rating also made him the best performer within Unai Emery's squad, as they clinched seventh spot ahead of the Lilywhites.

It is not a case of Luiz simply being a better player than Hojbjerg, but in terms of the system that will be employed in the coming campaign, he does mark a huge upgrade.

Journalist Martin Laurence had predicted a rise to prominence for the silky ace, with his 2021 prophecy set to potentially come true should he make the switch:

"Douglas Luiz is just outstanding. He's 22! Will play for one of the biggest clubs in Europe before long. Enjoy him while we can."

To place his quality beside James Maddison could mark the perfect blend of silky creativity and defensive steel, with his work rate at the level where he could dominate higher up the pitch, winning the ball back in key areas of danger for this attacking midfielder to then profit.

Having already begun to put his stamp on this squad, with plenty of new additions already welcomed, this potential midfield swap would mark one of the most wholesale changes Postecoglou could possibly have made.

However, it could also be a necessary statement of intent to continue purging the club of its failing mentality.

If a player is unwilling or unable to bend to his philosophy, the new boss boasts a cut-throat nature that makes him a force to be reckoned with. The players that earn his trust will feel the warmth and unbridled support, but those who break it will be shown the exit door.

Luiz is certain to gain the former with ease, given how his non-stop play style perfectly aligns with what he will demand of someone in his role.

Newcastle United are now interested in signing Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Jesper Lindstrom, but they will have to battle the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal for his signature, according to recent reports from Denmark.

What's the latest Newcastle transfer news?

There have been suggestions that Newcastle have made contact with Galatasaray over a move for Nicolo Zaniolo, as a result of the "excellent impact" he made for the Turkish club after arriving in January, but they have no interest in selling him this summer.

That has not deterred the Magpies, however, as they are expected to make an official offer this week, with Zaniolo emerging as one of their key midfield targets, but they do have a few other options in mind, including Flamengo youngster Victor Hugo.

Eddie Howe's side have "decided" to make a bid of around €24m (£21m) for the 19-year-old, having closely monitored him for some time now, and the Brazilian club will have to be prepared for an "astronomical proposal" this summer.

Read the latest Newcastle transfer news HERE…

There are no other clubs named as potential suitors for Hugo, but Newcastle are set to face a lot of competition in their pursuit of Lindstrom, with Ekstra Bladet, via Sport Witness, recently detailing that a whole host of clubs are vying for the Frankfurt star's signature.

Alongside the Magpies, Tottenham Hotspur, RB Leipzig, Inter Milan and Napoli are all interested in the 23-year-old, who could be on the move this summer, with his current club said to be planning for a sale.

Frankfurt would find it hard to say no to a good offer, and if an auction breaks out, the fee could rise as high as €55m (£47m), although he is valued at around €35m – €40m (£30m – £34m). At the moment, Arsenal, Liverpool and Juventus are the clubs that have taken the most concrete steps, having "already been in contact" with the Bundesliga club to discuss a deal.

How good is Jesper Lindstrom?

Football writer Seb Stafford-Bloor has praised the attacking midfielder on a number of occasions, describing him as "fun to watch", before recently adding:

"Jesper Lindstrom is a fascinating player. Really talented and unusual, but also hard to define."

Having arrived in the Bundesliga from Brondby ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, it was always going to take the Dane some time to adapt, but teammate Kevin Trapp believes he has already come on leaps and bounds since his arrival:

"Jesper is very young and came from a different league. The Bundesliga is a tougher league than the Danish league, you have to get used to it. It’s normal, and everyone in the club and the team knows that. Jesper has already made significant steps forward… you can see that he's an outstanding footballer and has very good technique."

Of course, a move to the Premier League would be another step up for the maestro, but he has proven he may be up to the task, having scored seven league goals last season, the third-highest amount in the squad. If Newcastle are able to sign Lindstrom for a fee close to his valuation of around £30m, he could be a quality addition, but it may be difficult to win the race for his signature, given the level of interest.

England’s players have discussed, for the first time, the “turbulent” circumstances that saw Charlotte Edwards retire after being removed from the captaincy in 2016.Mark Robinson, England women’s head coach, made the decision to shake things up after the team’s failure at the 2016 World T20, telling Edwards – still a world-class batsman and a pioneer of the game – she would not be part of his plans. Heather Knight was subsequently appointed as captain and went on to lead England to victory in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday.Speaking before the final against India, Robinson said he believed he had made the right decision and that the team “had to go in a different direction”, having come to the conclusion that his players didn’t have enough belief.”I just knew it was right,” Robinson said. “When it’s that simple in your mind – and it wasn’t against Charlotte because Charlotte was still a very good player, but the team had to go in a different direction and we had to put things differently in place and it was something like 18 months before the next competition, this one. It was too long to wait and get through to before you start making changes.”During interviews to chart the team’s progress from the defeat in the semi-finals of the World T20 last year to their success at Lord’s, Jenny Gunn, the experienced allrounder who had been Edwards’ team-mate for more than a decade, said the decision to move on had come as a “bit of a shock”.Fran Wilson, one of the younger players who has enjoyed increased opportunities over the last 12 months, expressed similar feelings but felt Robinson’s call had been vindicated.”It was quite a turbulent time because Charlotte’s always been a part of the England team, as long as I can remember,” Wilson said. “So when it first all happened it was quite a big shock and probably affected the girls a little bit. But, I think in the long-run, what Mark Robinson has done has been really good for the team. That’s just testament to Robbo and the kind of faith he’s shown in all of us.”The change of leadership had immediate benefits, as England’s new opening pair of Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield flourished during a run-soaked series win over Pakistan last year. Beaumont, in particular, has thrived under the guidance of Robinson, and was named Player of the Tournament after finishing as the top scorer in the Women’s World Cup.Beaumont won her first cap under Edwards, in 2009, and they opened together on several occasions. She gave credit to Edwards for laying the foundations for England’s future success.”It was a tough month or so,” Beaumont said. “Charlotte has been probably quite a big influence on the first half of my career. She’s also a good friend. It was hard to see her go through that but she’s moved on into the commentary box with dignity. She can look back at her career knowing that she did a great job for England and left us in a good place.”

The South African board president, however, insisted that income can be recovered with high-profile tours of Australia and India in the coming home season

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Sep-2017Cricket South Africa has announced an anticipated loss of around Rand 159 million for the 2016-17 financial year, during its annual general meeting on Saturday, but president Chris Nenzani stressed that the board remains in a healthy financial position and is expected to recover income with two high-profile home series over the summer.CSA stated that the decrease – their actual revenue of R 696 million for 2016-17 is considerably less than the R 851 million from the previous financial year – was expected due to “less commercially productive inbound tours”.Nenzani, however, was confident of money flowing in with tours of Australia and India scheduled for the home season. Australia will travel to South Africa in March for a four-Test series, after India’s visit. However, the fixtures and dates for the India tour are yet to be determined.”In commenting on the financial statements I would like to stress that CSA remains in a very healthy financial position,” Nenzani said. “We have a very strong balance sheet and a favourable cash position. Our income balance after taking into account the loss for the year is R655 million.”We have invested in major capital projects to grow the game of cricket and we are also in the process of building our own headquarters which will be a significant money-saving project in the long term.”As is well known our budgetary forecasts are based on a four-year rolling plan as the vast majority of our income comes from television revenue generated from incoming tours. As a result we anticipate a very strong financial year in 2018 as a result of the incoming tours from India and Australia.”CSA is also set to receive a cash injection of R 1 million from the government, for its Hubs and Regional Performance Center programmes, in addition to the funds it receives from the Department of Sport and Recreation.

Although there was only 25.3 overs’ play at Wantage Road on the third day of this game the cricket never wanted for intensity or purpose. Needing a further 281 runs to beat Northamptonshire and thereby settle the promotion issues in Division Two, Nottinghamshire had reduced that requirement to 207 when the umpires brought the players off for bad light just before lunch. Rain set in during the afternoon.Yet in making their modest progress the visitors had lost only their nightwatchman, Luke Wood, who for the second time in the match had fulfilled his primary duty on the evening of one day and then completed useful innings of 44 on the morning of the next. In addition Wood has taken four wickets in each innings, thus making this contest something of a numerophile’s delight in addition to its weightier fascinations.Wood is developing into a substantial cricketer. His left-arm swing bowling on the first morning was impressive and he is far more than a No9 batsman capable of facing the artillery in the last few overs of a day. And Nottinghamshire will need their top order to discharge their responsibilities as competently as Wood has done if they are going to face down a Northants attack strengthened by the availability of Richard Gleeson, who has recovered from the back spasm which prevented him bowling on the first two days.However, if Northants bowl as they did for the first 45 minutes of this morning’s cricket, Nottinghamshire’s batsmen should enjoy themselves. Rory Kleinveldt’s radar was awry in this period and runs came easily, 18 of them in the first three overs of play. On the other hand, if the Northants’ attack is as penetrative as it was in the next hour we are in for a splendid scrap. Some taste of the battle that might lie ahead was offered by Gleeson and Ben Sanderson, both of whom beat the groping bat regularly yet had only the wicket of Wood to show for their efforts. That fell when the nightwatchman attempted to pull Gleeson but only hoisted a skier which Alex Wakely ran back from mid-off to catch. The same fielder in the same position had dropped a low chance off the bowling off Kleinveldt when Wood had made 20.While Wood was scoring 31 runs on the third morning, Jake Libby set about anchoring the innings in a manner befitting someone who will bat on all four days of this match. Libby took his score from 6 to 30 in 100 minutes’ stout resistance and his defensive technique was admirable. Like Cheteshwar Pujara, he was tested to the uttermost by Gleeson, one or two of whose deliveries from the Pavilion End really did seem like fast leg-breaks, the sort that Len Hutton, on his best form, might have nicked. Sometimes, playing and missing is the best you can do, and if that is true for Pujara, it will probably satisfy the other Nottinghamshire batsmen as well. They might use Wood’s obstinacy as an example of what will be required.”It’s always nice to get out there and have a bat,” said the nightwatchman. “I pride myself on my batting so to get out there as a nightwatchman and do my job then get some runs in the mornings has been nice. We got a bit of momentum going today and they got a little bit more deflated than they had been previously in the game. We felt we were getting on top and if the weather’s good on the last day that can only help us really. We would have liked to have been chasing fewer runs but we feel this total is gettable. We have the players who can chase this total down.”

A round-up of the National Cricket League matches that ended on September 18, 2017

Mohammad Isam18-Sep-2017

Tier 1Rain in Cox’s Bazzar meant that play was possible only on the second day in the match between Dhaka Division and Barisal Division. Play was eventually called off early on the fourth day with the game predictably ending in a draw.The second day, which allowed 90 overs, saw opener Rony Talukdar (121) and No.3 Saif Hassan (106*) hit centuries to guide Dhaka to 309 for 2. Talukdar struck eight fours and six sixes in his 195-ball knock, while Saif hit nine fours and five sixes off 193 balls. The pair added 141 runs for the second wicket after Abdul Mazid was dismissed in the 28th over by Tanvir Islam. Monir Hossain was the other wicket-taker for Barisal.Rain also affected the Khulna Division-Rangpur Division match at the Shiekh Abu Naser Stadium and ensured another draw. Play was called off on the fourth day at 2.40, about two hours before the scheduled time for stumps.Mashrafe Mortaza, who returned to first-class cricket after three years, claimed match figures of 4 for 73, including 3 for 12 in the second innings, but Anamul Haque made a bigger impact, scoring his maiden first-class double-hundred.In reply to Rangpur’s 471, Khulna enjoyed an excellent start with Anamul and Robiul Islam Robi putting on 251 for the first wicket. The stand ended when Robiul was pinned lbw by Nasir Hossain for 100, but Anamul went onto make a big one. He struck 18 fours and two sixes during his 512-minute knock. The marathon innings came 10 days after BCB president Nazmul Hassan had made a recommendation to the selectors by asking them to consider Anamul as an opening option for the South Africa Test series later this month.Nasir took 5 for 70 before Khulna declared their innings at 495 for 9 on the fourth day. Mashrafe and Al-Amin Hossain reduced Rangpur to 37 for 4 in eight overs before rain forced a premature end.File photo – Mohammad Ashraful struck his 19th first-class ton, and first in four years•BCB

Tier 2Farhad Hossain’s 70 in the fourth innings – the only fifty of the match – proved the difference in a low-scoring clash as Rajshahi Division chased down 212 beat Sylhet Division in Rajshahi.Rajshahi lost their openers Mizanur Rahman and Jahurul Islam early in the chase, but Junaid Siddique, who made 46, and Farhad, who cracked 11 fours and a six in his 99-ball innings, lifted their side. Farhad fell when the hosts were nine away from the target, but Myshukur Rahaman and the other Farhad – Reza – wrapped up a six-wicket win on the final day.This after Rajshahi had been shot out for a mere 79 in reply to Sylhet’s 128. Offspinner Sayem Alam’s 6 for 32 proved vital in Sylhet securing a 49-run first-innings lead.Sylhet were then reduced to 22 for 4 in their second innings but a series of cameos from the middle order and the lower-middle order helped the side to 162, setting Rajshahi 212. Farhad and Junaid then gave the chase direction and set up the win.Rain thwarted Dhaka Metropolis’ push for victory against Chittagong Divison at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. After opting to bat, Dhaka posted 344 on the back of Mohammad Ashraful’s 19th first-class hundred, and first since 2013. He struck 12 fours and two sixes and added 148 for the fifth wicket with Mehrab Hossain jnr, who made 66.Nihaduzzaman’s 5 for 45 built on their good work and skittled Chittagong for 130 in 50.5 overs. After securing a 214-run first-innings lead, Dhaka scored 169 for 6 before declaring their second innings. Captain Marshall Ayub and Asif Ahmed hit fifties, setting Chittagong a target of 384.Dhaka had Chittagong at 193 for 4 before rain stopped play on the fourth day at 2.30pm. The rain refused to relent, and the match was ultimately called off at 4.02pm.