All posts by h716a5.icu

India have a long history of playing ODI cricket around their method of taking games deep, but batters were out going for big shots against Australia

Deivarayan Muthu23-Mar-20235:46

Rohit: Surya really unfortunate, we wanted to give him the last 15-20 overs

Virat Kohli has just brought up a typically risk-free half-century. A massive roar reverberates around Chennai’s newly-renovated MA Chidambaram Stadium. There are no signs of dew and the ball is gripping and turning sharply for Australia’s slower bowlers, but a Kohli century seems almost inevitable. At the other end, Hardik Pandya has run away to 28 off 20 balls. India are 185 for 4 in 35 overs, chasing 270, with batting all the way down to Ravindra Jadeja at No.8.Kohli then collapses his back knee and atypically hits the ball in the air, despite not reaching the pitch of an Ashton Agar delivery that breaks away from him. He looks to take on deep cover, but ends up plopping the ball much straighter to long-off for 54 off 72 balls. Kohli usually takes these chases deep and kills them off, but this time he has veered from his approach and holed out. David Warner pumps his fist after taking the catch and Australia captain Steven Smith pulls his collar up; Chepauk is hushed.The pitch plays more tricks. A skidder from Agar keeps low and storms through the defences of Suryakumar Yadav, who bags his third straight golden duck in the series. Hardik, too, holes out while trying to hit a six, leaving the door ajar for Australia. The visitors capitalise and consign India to their third bilateral ODI series defeat since 2015.Related

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Hardik and Adam Zampa have some history: six years ago, Hardik had said he could hit a six off Zampa anytime he wanted to. But Zampa is at the peak of his powers now. Since the end of the 2019 ODI World Cup, no spinner from a Full Member nation has more wickets than his 66, and only Alzarri Joseph (69) has more wickets during this period. In Chennai, both Zampa and Agar were getting some balls to spin viciously from the line of the stumps.KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja all fell trying to hit Adam Zampa for a six•Getty ImagesWith the asking rate hovering around eight and with Jadeja at the other end, Hardik could have seen out Zampa’s last two overs and targeted the medium-pace of Marcus Stoinis, who ended up bowling the 48th and 50th overs. With Mitchell Marsh playing as a specialist batter this series, Australia did not have a sixth-bowling option. However, despite the presence of a straight long-on, wide long-on and deep midwicket, Hardik throws his hands into a low-percentage slog against a Zampa legbreak and slices a catch to extra-cover. KL Rahul and Jadeja are also dismissed trying to hit Zampa for a six.India captain Rohit Sharma wasn’t too critical of India’s uncharacteristic batting approach, but he called for greater application on tricky tracks like the one at Chepauk.”No, I don’t think it was too many runs,” Rohit told at the post-match presentation. “The wicket was a little challenging towards the second half, but I didn’t think we batted well. The moment we thought we had a partnership, we lost a wicket. So, yeah when you want to win games like this, partnerships are crucial and it’s something that we failed to do today.”A bit of both [the nature of the wicket and manner of dismissals] actually disappointed me. You’re born and brought up playing on these kinds of wickets, so sometimes it will be challenging, but it’s important to apply yourself and try and give yourself a chance. We were not chasing 300, we were chasing 270. After the start we got, it was important for one batter to carry [on] as long as possible and take the game deep. But, again, having said that, we know these things can happen and all of us were trying our best to go out and achieve that, but it just didn’t happen.”At the press conference, Rohit said the team management would not judge the batters based on the batting malfunction on Wednesday. “If you look at the last few overs, it was probably a run-a-ball or probably more than that,” Rohit said. “So someone has to take a chance. We didn’t want to wait till the end for the last couple of overs. We’ve always spoken of playing a little fearlessly and if someone feels like they can take the bowlers on, we’ve given them complete freedom to go and do that. And while doing that, there’s a big possibility that they might not be able to achieve what they want to achieve, which is fair. Which is fine by us.”You will learn from that and we will definitely not judge [players] based on a couple of poor shots. All these guys have a lot of potential and they can play shots whenever they want and we want to encourage them to go out and do that quite often.”India have a history of winning ODIs with their tried-and tested method of taking games deep, and perhaps the batting failure in Chennai was just an anomaly.

Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan are also likely to be retained by the franchise

Nagraj Gollapudi30-Oct-20245:23

IPL 2025 retentions: Shami a risky retention for Gujarat Titans?

Gujarat Titans are likely to retain Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, B Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan, leaving them with one right-to-match card (RTM) option at the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction.While the amounts for each player are not yet known, GT will have at least INR 51 crore deducted from their purse of INR 120 crore for retaining three international players and two uncapped players. If they pay more than INR 51 crore to retain five players, then the higher amount will be deducted from their purse.October 31 is the deadline by which the ten franchises have to submit their list of retained players to the IPL ahead of the mega auction. The teams have been allowed to retain up to six players ahead of the mega auction before the 2025 season, of which a maximum of five can be capped internationals and two can be uncapped players. While the IPL has set minimum deductions from the auction purse for each player retained – INR 18 crore for the first player, INR 14 crore for the second, INR 11 crore for the third, INR 18 crore for the fourth, INR 14 crore for the fifth, and INR 4 crore for an uncapped player – the franchises are free to pay more or less than those amounts to their retained players.Gill and Rashid were picked by GT before the auction in 2022, when the franchise had just entered the IPL. While Rashid got INR 15 crore (USD 1.807 million approx. then), Gill got INR 8 crore (USD 963,000 approx. then). While Rashid remains their lead bowling allrounder, Gill was given the GT captaincy for IPL 2024 after Hardik Pandya was traded to Mumbai Indians.Related

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While the retention of 23-year-old Sudharsan ahead Mohammed Shami and David Miller might be a surprise, GT believe the left-hand batter from Tamil Nadu is a long-term player who can perform a key role in the top order. Sudharsan, who was bought for INR 20 lakhs in 2022, was sixth highest run-maker in IPL 2024 with 527 runs with an average of nearly 48 and strike rate of 141. He is considered as a potential future Test player too by India’s selectors and the team management lead by Gautam Gambhir. It is learned Sudharsan was discussed as a candidate for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Tewatia and Shahrukh, both uncapped allrounders, were among the most expensive buys for GT and have been retained for their power-hitting ability in the lower-middle order. Tewatia, who was bought for INR 9 crore ($1.084 million approx. then) in 2022, has played several impactful knocks as a finisher and has been a key sounding board for GT’s leadership group with his knowledge the domestic Indian players. Shahrukh, who is also a part-time offspinner, is among the strongest hitters in domestic cricket and was bought in 2024 auction for INR 7.4 crore ($891,000 approx. then).

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich Town for a reported fee of £37.5 million ($51m). Hutchinson joined Ipswich from Chelsea on loan during the 2023-24 campaign and helped the club gain promotion to the Premier League, after which he made his transfer permanent last summer. However, following the club's relegation, the attacking midfielder has joined Forest.

Forest sign Hutchinson from IpswichFormer Chelsea star joins Forest on a five-year dealForest spending heavily in the summerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Forest have confirmed the arrival of Hutchinson from Ipswich Town on Saturday. The club had earlier seen a bid worth £35m ($47m) rejected by the Tractor Boys, however, they finally sold the player for £37.5m, according to . The official statement from Forest read: "Nottingham Forest is delighted to announce the signing of Omari Hutchinson, who has signed a five-year deal."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT HUTCHINSON SAID

After signing a five-year contract, Hutchinson told Forest's official website: "I’m really excited to be here and can’t wait to get started. I’ve played at the City Ground a few times and it’s always felt like a hostile atmosphere, so I’m looking forward to playing here with the fans behind us. I’m going to give it my all and I’m looking forward to the challenge as it’s a new chapter for me, but I feel ready."

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Nuno Espirito Santo's side are also on the verge of completing the signing of James McAtee after agreeing to pay £30m ($40m) to Manchester City. McAtee will undergo his medical in the coming days before formally completing his move. Forest are spending heavily this summer after getting the Europa League slot at the expense of Crystal Palace. 

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR FOREST?

Forest will kick off their Premier League 2025-26 campaign on Sunday as they host Brentford. 

Pep Guardiola has not been afraid to be ruthless when it comes to selling players at Manchester City. One of the best examples would have to be Joe Hart.

The former Citizens number one left the Etihad on loan for Torino in 2016, before exiting the club on loan for West Ham United the year after and leaving on a free in 2018.

More recently, you might look at Raheem Sterling as an example of this ruthlessness. After years of exceptional service for the club, City’s Spanish boss was happy for him to join Chelsea, a move which proved to be a good decision.

It could well be the case that Jack Grealish was on the receiving end of this ruthlessness from Guardiola this summer.

Why Grealish left Man City

City spent a huge fee on Grealish back in 2021, paying his boyhood side, Aston Villa, then-British record of £100m. There is a perception that things didn’t work out for the attacker, but his Champions League medal suggests otherwise.

Nonetheless, Grealish did fall out of favour under Guardiola. He played 157 games for City, but last term only managed 32 appearances across all competitions. However, from Boxing Day and beyond, the attacker only played seven times in the top flight.

After being snubbed in the FA Cup semi-final, with Guardiola opting to bring on youngster Claudio Echeverri for his debut, it seemed like the England star’s time at City was done. Alan Shearer said on the Rest is Football podcast afterwards that he “has to leave.”

Leave, he did. Everton swooped in to sign Grealish on loan with an option to buy him for £50m. It has been a hugely successful move for the winger, too. He is thriving under David Moyes and has five goals and assists to his name in 13 games.

Unfortunately, there is a City star who finds himself in a similar predicament this season, who could be the next to face Guardiola’s ruthless nature.

Man City's next big departure

Looking at this season, it hasn’t been easy to break into the City side. They have a settled 11, especially in attack, with the likes of Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden locking down spots in the lineup and Guardiola sticking with them week in, week out.

This has meant there are fewer opportunities for some players to get into the side. This can certainly be said for Savinho, who has found there have been limited chances this season in a City side performing well on the whole.

The 21-year-old has played 62 times for City now, and did impress last term. He scored and assisted 14 goals across all competitions, but has struggled for that form in 2025/26.

He’s bagged once in the Carabao Cup against Huddersfield Town, and has only assisted twice, in 14 appearances.

Indeed, his performances in 2025/26 have received criticism from fans and pundits alike. Sports writer Amos Murphy said he has been “awful” this term and that his efforts in the 2-1 defeat away to Newcastle United last weekend were “unacceptable.”

Last season, a campaign where City failed to win a trophy, Savinho’s underlying numbers were impressive. For example, he created an average of 2.3 chances each game, down this term to 1.8 per 90 minutes.

Key passes

2.3

1.8

Dribbles completed

2.8

2

Big chances created

0.5

0.4

Expected goal involvements

0.46xG

0.28xG

Tackles and interceptions

1.4

1.3

Savinho’s performances certainly need to improve soon. As the season goes on, Guardiola will need the entirety of his squad to be at their top level in order to push for titles in the Premier League and Champions League.

However, at the rate of his performances, it is easy to see Savinho becoming another Grealish, and really falling out of favour under the Spaniard. Perhaps the Brazilian will be the next player to face the ruthless side of City’s boss.

New Foden: Man City star who will "surprise everybody" is one of PL's best

Manchester City need their stars to step up as Erling Haaland continues to dominate the centre stage.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 22, 2025

The 19-year-old is joined by Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft but there is no place for Matt Renshaw

Tristan Lavalette14-Oct-2024Teenaged opener Sam Konstas will audition for a Test spot in national team colours after being named in the Australia A squad for the upcoming red-ball series against India A.His spectacular rise has continued after being included in a 17-man squad for the two four-day games in Mackay and the MCG.Konstas, 19, lit up Australian domestic cricket by scoring twin centuries against South Australia in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield. He became the first teenager to achieve that feat in the Shield since an 18-year-old Ricky Ponting in 1993.Related

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With allrounder Cameron Green ruled out of the summer due to a back injury, and Steven Smith likely to move back to No. 4, Konstas has emerged as a contender for next month’s first Test against India in Perth.”He’s in the mix as are plenty of others. I certainly don’t want to single him out,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “Think the consistency of Cam Bancroft over a number of years, the consistency of Marcus Harris over a number of years, they’ve both had a look at Test cricket as well, so don’t think there’s a need at this stage to put any undue pressure or expectation on Sam.”He’s five games into his first-class career, he’s had a good start and certainly looks like he has a well-organised game that we are really exited [about] and looking forward to seeing at the A level and we’ll continue to watch as that progresses.”Harris and Bancroft are both in the squad but Matt Renshaw, who was the spare batter in the series against West Indies and New Zealand earlier this year, has not been included.Harris started the season strongly after scoring a century and a half-century against Tasmania albeit on a benign Junction Oval surface. Bancroft, who made a pair, and Renshaw both had double failures in the match between Western Australia and Queensland at the WACA.”We still really like Matt’s ability to play,” Bailey said. “As far as Australia A selection goes, part of the process around that is trying to identify opportunities that may come around in the short term but also making sure we do keep an eye on developing opportunities for those players who may become important in different roles in the future as well.”Whilst there’s an Australia A squad there, I think Matt Renshaw, Pete Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, as three examples, are guys who we’ll continue to watch really closely in Shield cricket.”South Australia skipper Nathan McSweeney will captain Australia A in a role he has fulfilled several times previously. Allrounder Beau Webster, the reigning Shield player of the season, has also been named and could be in the mix for Test selection if Australia’s hierarchy decide to go with a like-for-like replacement for Green.Fringe Test quicks Scott Boland and Michael Neser, who claimed a five-wicket haul against WA, have been selected while Victoria quick Fergus O’Neill has been rewarded for his Shield success.Offspinners Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli are also in the squad and will be firmly in the mix for Australia’s Test tour of Sri Lanka early next year.Cooper Connolly, who made his ODI debut in England, is the only player named in both the ODI and the Australia A squads.Josh Philippe, who left WA for NSW in the offseason, and Jimmy Peirson are the wicketkeepers.The first four-day game in Mackay ends on November 3 ahead of the first ODI on November 4 while the second four-day game at the MCG runs from November 7-10 with the second and third ODIs being played on November 8 and 10.The depth of Shield teams will be firmly tested with those series clashing with the third round of the Shield starting on November 1.”We are really excited by this squad, particularly after some of the tremendous performances to start the Sheffield Shield season,” Australia national selector George Bailey said.”As always with Australia A selection we have picked a side we hope can present performances which are compelling for the upcoming Test summer, whilst also rewarding players for strong domestic form in roles we see as being important further afield.”It will be a great opportunity for these players to shine against a strong Test nation looking to prepare for what is going to be a captivating summer of Test cricket.”Australia A squad vs India ANathan McSweeney (captain), Cameron Bancroft, Scott Boland, Jordan Buckingham, Cooper Connolly, Ollie Davies, Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Michael Neser, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Jimmy Peirson, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Mark Steketee, Beau Webster

He has always been able to bowl these unreal spells, but this one was doubly special

Vithushan Ehantharajah18-Feb-2023We were all thinking it.The Barmy Army had awoken from their early evening slumber on the third day of this Test, pushing right up to the picket fences at the City end in Mount Maunganui, a thousand corner men hyping their prize fighter. The hums were deafening, yet no words among them. You could swear you heard the knowing looks cast into every set of eyes that looked back.But no one dared to say it. Not out loud. Not even when Devon Conway (2) and Kane Williamson (0) had their stumps rearranged in the two overs from that end. The knees were pumping, the tail was up. And as Stuart Broad set off for his third over of demonic hour, even though you knew he was in the midst of it, you wouldn’t want to be the one who jinxed it. Form the words “one of those Broad spells” in your mind, sure. But don’t risk speaking it.With the second ball, a drop. Zak Crawley, for the second time in the match, shells a regulation slip chance. Someone’s said it, haven’t they? Tom Latham scampers away for two. Couldn’t help themselves, could they? It’s hard to begrudge, to be fair.Related

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Broad's Magnificent Seven

Stuart Broad runs riot through the night to leave New Zealand in tatters

Australia at The Oval in 2009. India at Trent Bridge in 2011, South Africa at Headingley in 2012, New Zealand at Lord’s in 2013. Australia at Chester-le-Street in 2013. Australia at Trent Bridge in 2015. South Africa in Johannesburg in 2016. Why not New Zealand at Bay Oval in 2023? Why wouldn’t you want to turn to the person next to you and tell them you were living the next one?No doubt that chatter has happened more times than during the seven above, all of which saw Broad take five or more wickets unchanged. You here reading this might have been one of those jinxes. Baseball has its “perfect game”, where pitchers go for no base hits and those two words must never be uttered until it is done. Maybe it’s the same deal with “one of those Broad spells”, or words to that effect. Don’t utter it to yourselves, each other and certainly not to the player at the centre of it all. They, of course, wouldn’t dream of it.Except that Broad did. As Crawley cursed under his breath and Latham breathed a sigh of relief, Broad stomped back to his mark. James Anderson joined him for part of the stomp, the pair now out in front as the most prolific bowling duo in Test history thanks to Broad’s early inroads. “Pfff, you know – what if that had been taken?” Broad said he told Anderson. “I feel it could’ve been my day.”Four deliveries later, Latham’s off stump was knocked back.ESPNcricinfo LtdOf course, Broad is immune to universal whims. How could he not be? Three overs later, first-innings centurion Tom Blundell had his middle stump knocked back. New Zealand were reeling on 28 for 5 in pursuit of what now looks an unlikely fourth-innings chase of 394 – Broad clean bowling four of them for just 15 inside 6.2 overs. “I can’t think I’ve done that before,” he said cycling through spells in his head like Springsteen being asked for his favourite lyric. As it happens, he became the first Englishman to bowl the top three since Fred Trueman against West Indies in Kingston in 1960.There was no over-complication in Broad’s mind, because there has never been when he is in this groove, and he knew he was. No thoughts on swinging one way or the other, mixing up lengths, or lining up a batter’s movements. There was no one else there. It didn’t matter if he spoke of what was to come – all there was to him were three sticks in the ground.There would be no fifth. Broad reluctantly went as far as a tenth over, eventually closing out on 4 for 21 with five maidens. “I was buggered,” he admitted, explaining he had lost the snap and energy in his delivery that made the most of the movement on the pitch accentuated by nightfall. “I didn’t want a tenth but Stokesy wouldn’t have it.”It seems like the captain himself was saying it aloud, too. Which matters far more than what the rest of us were or weren’t.Over the last couple of years, it has been hard not to talk of Broad’s powers dwindling. It was at its loudest in 2021 when he returned just 12 wickets from 13 innings – comfortably his worst from a calendar year in which he has played more than one Test. The emergence of Ollie Robinson and the prolonged brilliance of Anderson made it a little easier to fathom. Even when both he and Anderson were dropped for the West Indies series last March, it looked terminal for one, and it wasn’t the bloke about to turn 40, even if both had thoughts about retiring altogether. The natural consequence of being a great in a greater great’s shadow. The breakdown of their combined dismissals has Anderson over a 100 in front, despite Broad’s effort to even the scales here.But since Ben Stokes became captain, Broad has bowled the third-most overs after Jack Leach and Anderson, while taking 34 wickets. His time is clearly not up, his purpose not served. The one new factor to consider is that a starting berth is no longer guaranteed, which he acknowledges: “I can’t control whether I play or not, but I can control whether I’m fit, fresh, in rhythm and hungry. And my competitive spirit is high.”Of course, without the requisite stage, there would not have been an opportunity for Broad to own it. England’s Super Smash Bros blitzed 158 for 4 in the first session before a more subdued 112 for 2 from 27.5 overs in the second. A brief flurry after the second interval allowed them to reach 374 in their second innings to lead by 393 and, importantly, give them what turned out to be 23 overs against an accomplished top order.”The way we set the whole game up throughout the day, we were sort of building towards wanting to bowl as much as possible under the lights, with the harder pink ball,” Broad said. “It’s drier than it is in the first innings but we found it nips pretty quickly under lights.”As it happens, Broad thought he could be in play in a big way long before he took the field on day three. Tim Southee had just nipped a few through Joe Root in the morning session, and it was at that point, he says, the bowlers looked at each other. Each of them knew they had a part to play. And for all the talents of the other two, only one could have played it like this.Agony and ecstasy: Kane Williamson bows his head while his conqueror Stuart Broad wheels away•Getty ImagesThere’s something to be said for regarding this spell as something of a throwback. Yes, it has all the trappings of the modern era: fast-paced, mind-melting exhilarating, hitting fast-forward on the match itself. But that it has transferred into one of the most Bazball fixtures of the 11 so far, not just given the scoring but the fact Ben Foakes batted above Stokes because the skipper was sat on the toilet, speaks to something greater. Aspects of what made the old era great are being allowed to flourish in the new.Which brings us neatly to the Nighthawk. Coined by Stokes last summer as a byproduct of an environment cultivated by the coach Brendon McCullum where no idea is too ridiculous, and given to Broad, the role and its purpose are relatively straightforward: go out and swing in the moments when a traditional nightwatcher may block.The original Hawk swooped into our lives on Friday night (Sorry Rehan, but you were an understudy) after McCullum tipped Broad off the physio table and into his pads at 8.45pm on day two. It didn’t work, of course. Six off 13 overnight, then 7 off 17 three overs into the day was neither the 30 off 10 nor the 0 off 1 regarded as success for the role. But that’s not the point. Maybe it never was.The Nighthawk could just be a way to coax the chaos out of Broad which, truth be told, has been missing. Perhaps since the last of “one those Broad spells” in 2016. And lo and behold, this Frankenstein’s monster made up of one-part tactic and two-parts banter has given Broad a new lease of life.As he strode out to assume the role for the first time, the 13-hour time difference was such that those at home had roused themselves enough to get #NightHawk trending in the UK. A day later, his real name was top of the viral pops. The man himself proving once more that no alias, mask or cape is required for him to arrive in the nick of time.Time moves faster when you’re 36, and each day brings us closer to when his powers will truly dissipate. It was hard not to wonder if it was approaching sooner rather than later after 1 for 72 in 17 overs of the first innings.Does Mount Maunganui 2023 ranks alongside the Oval 2009, Trent Bridge 2011, Headingley 2012, Lord’s 2013, Chester-le-Street 2013, Trent Bridge in 2015 and Johannesburg in 2016? Broad replied, “If I would have got five tonight then maybe.”Suddenly panic. Could we say the next one was coming on Sunday to bump it up, as England close in on victory? “Not yet,” he added. “Always room for improvement.”

Amid doubts over their bid for Ademola Lookman, Inter have turned their attention to RB Leipzig's Antonio Nusa as they look to strengthen in attack.

Inter identify Nusa as possible new signingNerazzuri-Lookman deal still a stalemateNorway star seen as the right alternativeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , as negotiations continue regarding the Nigerian, Nusa's name has been brought to the table, with sporting director Piero Ausilio keeping other options open. Inter are expected to navigate this option in case they don't reach an agreement with Atalanta regarding Lookman.

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Lookman had agreed terms with Inter; however, his transfer fee stands at a stalemate, with Atalanta adamant about their financial demands. The player, meanwhile, has skipped training and has also publicly criticised Atalanta for rejecting Inter's initial offer. With less than three weeks left of the transfer window, Ausilio is exploring other options with Lookman possibly being forced to stay in Bergamo.

DID YOU KNOW?

Nusa, who joined Leipzig last year, debuted for the Norway national team in 2023 and since then has recorded five goals and seven assists in 15 appearances.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Inter will hope to have a new attacker in place by the time the new Serie A campaign kicks off on August 25, with Christian Chivu's side taking on Torino in their opening game.

No head of the committee has been named but it now means that since August 2021, Pakistan have used 26 different selectors

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Oct-2024The PCB has reconstituted its selection committee again, the latest on the day of another home Test thumping, this time at the hands of England. Shortly after England completed an ultimately comfortable innings win in Multan, the PCB announced Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali as the new members of the panel, joining Asad Shafiq, the analyst Hassan Cheema, and the captain and the coach, who were already part of the committee.All seven members will have a vote on selection. In addition, there are four non-voting members in Azhar Mahmood (the assistant coach), Bilal Afzal (an advisor to the PCB chairman), Nadeem Khan (director – high performance) and Usman Wahla (director – international cricket).The additions came ten days after Mohammad Yousuf’s resignation from the panel. No head of the committee has been named but it now means that since August 2021, Pakistan have used 26 different selectors.The appointments came within an hour of Pakistan’s innings-and-47-run defeat, becoming the first team in Test history to lose a Test by an innings after scoring over 550 in the first attempt. It was Pakistan’s third Test loss at home in a row and their seventh in their last nine home Tests.The immediate task for the new committee will be to pick a squad for the second Test, also in Multan, which starts next Tuesday – the PCB had only announced a squad for the first Test. The members met at the PCB’s National Cricket Academy in Lahore on Friday afternoon, and will travel to Multan on Saturday to meet the head curator, captain Shan Masood and head coach Jason Gillespie, after which they will finalise the squad.Changes are likely with the performances of four to five players under the scanner. And despite scoring a hundred in the first innings, Masood’s captaincy is likely to be a subject of discussion given his longer run of indifferent form and a record that now reads zero wins and six successive losses. Pakistan have now slipped to the bottom of the WTC points table with only 16 points from eight games.When asked at the post-match presentation in Multan if Pakistan could see some new faces for the second Test, Masood said, “Look, we’re in the middle of the series. We’ve talked about a squad mentality. We’ve talked about consistency. Where I’d like the team to improve is no matter what the pitch is like, we must find a way out. And England showed us the way in this Test match, you have to give huge credit to them.”The selection panel had been restructured only earlier this year – with no chief selector – under PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, but has since seen Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq sacked after Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup in June, without any replacements named. Yousuf’s resignation at the end of last month also did not lead to a replacement immediately, which left Shafiq as the only voting member outside of the captains and coaches.Dar’s appointment is bound to attract attention, given how rare it is for umpires to become selectors. Though he stepped down from the ICC’s elite panel last year, he has continued to umpire domestically and in home internationals. He announced recently, however, that this season would be his last as a professional umpire.

Newcastle United have only gone from strength to strength since Eddie Howe replaced Steve Bruce at the helm in November 2021, currently preparing for their second Champions League campaign in three years.

Last season, the Magpies also won the Carabao Cup, ending 70 years of desperate searching for domestic silverware. The club are riding the crest of a wave, but need to consolidate their enviable position by making impactful summer signings ahead of a crucial year.

However, there’s no denying there have been several setbacks for Howe and co to contend with since wrapping up a successful 2024/25 season.

Joao Pedro has signed for Chelsea for £60m after being locked in United’s sights. Compounding this, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo has informed his club he will only leave for Manchester United this summer, in spite of Newcastle’s interest.

While this has rocked a transfer window that fans awaited with fervour as the season wound down, a big effort is now needed to prove to the faithful that they will watch several exciting new stars plying their trade in black and white soon.

And there’s one in particular who the outfit are pushing to sign.

Premier League star wants to join Newcastle

Newcastle cashed in on Miguel Almiron in January, selling the 31-year-old winger back to Atlanta United in the MLS for around £8m.

Though Jacob Murphy has been exceptional on the right flank, it’s clear that the Toon need more depth, and that they have indeed been pushing to sign a fitting upgrade on the departed Paraguayan.

Well, Newcastle’s persistence might just pay off, in regard to Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga, that is.

According to i News, Newcastle are aiming to kickstart their window with the acquisition of the Sweden international, who is thought to want the move.

Newcastle are still in dialogue with the Tricky Trees after seeing an opening £45m offer knocked back in June.

Transfer Focus

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

Forest qualified for the Conference League after an extraordinary season, and have made it known that they will only consider offers in excess of £60m.

What Anthony Elanga would bring to Newcastle

Two years ago, Nottingham Forest signed Elanga from Manchester United in a deal worth just £15m.

Having struggled for minutes at Old Trafford, the wideman’s decision to move has been vindicated and then some, having settled into his role as a key part of an ambitious project.

Across his two seasons at the City Ground, the 23-year-old has scored 11 goals and assisted 21 more, racking up 17 goal involvements across Forest’s recent Premier League season alone, earning praise for his “special” ability from his manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

You can only imagine how effective the forward’s playmaking might be under Howe’s wing. As per FBref, Elanga finished the 2024/25 Premier League campaign ranked among the top 6% of attacking midfielders for assists and the top 3% for crosses per 90.

Paired with Anthony Gordon on the attacking flanks, Newcastle might just find themselves in with the ideal attacking duo to dynamise a frontline that is already so proven, so fluent.

Matches (starts)

38 (31)

34 (28)

Goals

6

6

Assists

11

5

Shots (on target)*

1.2 (0.6)

1.7 (0.6)

Big chances missed

6

10

Pass completion

78%

81%

Big chances created

9

6

Key passes*

1.3

1.5

Dribbles*

0.7

0.

Ball recoveries*

2.3

2.9

Tackles + interceptions*

0.7

1.1

Duels won*

3.0

4.4

Gordon and Elanga actually bring similar attacking qualities to their respective flanks, with both being positionally versatile too. Howe’s tactics are tuned toward swift transitional play, and this is something the Forest star excels at, declaring himself to be “one of the fastest players in the Premier League”.

Though his meagre dribble return across the 2024/25 campaign fails to illustrate this quality, the eye test proves that he is indeed perfect for the brand of football Howe implements on Tyneside. Gordon is a testament to that.

The England international utilises his rapidity to a similar effect, claiming on Three Lions duty last summer that he’s a “nightmare for anyone” he comes up against due to his electric movements and tenacious attitude.

Though Gordon produced a campaign that left plenty to be desired, struggling to replicate his incredible 2023/24 term, notching 26 goal contributions and winning United’s Player of the Year, he could be back to his rip-roaring best if fielded alongside a maverick like Elanga.

With all-consuming striker Alexander Isak set to stay put, The Athletic’s David Ornstein even claiming there’s “no chance” he leaves St. James’ Park this summer after Newcastle got their feet back under Europe’s elite table, this could be a strike-force to be feared, such dynamic skills and blistering speed combining with the striker’s devastating finishing ability and rounded game.

While Newcastle have been dealt several blows across the window so far, Howe still has a clear vision in mind and will raise his team’s attacking level by adding Elanga to the ranks. After all, he hoped to complete a deal for the winger last year, only to see a late-stage offer rebuffed.

In any case, United’s perseverance might just seal the deal here, giving the manager a vibrant wide duo to propel the club even further forward.

Next Ben Arfa: Newcastle set to bid £50m for "electric" Elanga alternative

As Newcastle chase Anthony Elanga, should they instead go for an “electric” winger, one who is reminiscent of former fan’s favourite Hatem Ben Arfa?

ByBen Gray Jul 3, 2025

Five players who were almost forgotten but are now putting in match-winning performances

Deivarayan Muthu20-Apr-2023Ajinkya Rahane (Chennai Super Kings)He had struggled to keep pace with T20 cricket in the past. More recently, he was dropped from India’s Test team. But Ajinkya Rahane has scripted an unexpected turnaround in IPL 2023 – his strike rate of 222.22 in the powerplay is by far the best among those who have scored at least 100 runs during that phase in an IPL season.After a hamstring injury had curtailed his stint in IPL 2022, where he managed just 133 runs in seven innings at an average of 19.00 and strike rate of 103.90, he was bought by Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2023 auction for his base price of INR 50 lakh. Rahane didn’t start for Super Kings this IPL, but after Moeen Ali was sidelined with a stomach bug, he dashed out of the bench and regularly hit over the top against both pace and spin in the powerplay.ESPNcricinfo LtdSuper Kings would have expected Rahane to perform the role Robin Uthappa used to do before his retirement from international and Indian cricket. But, with his high intent and role clarity, Rahane has exceeded all expectations so far.Rahane hasn’t been fielding at slips – MS Dhoni has often posted Moeen in that position – but he has been manning the hotspots in the outfield. His spectacular leap right at the edge of the long-off boundary at the Chinnaswamy Stadium denied Glenn Maxwell a six and saved five runs for Super Kings. Royal Challengers ended up hitting one six fewer than Super Kings’ 17 and losing by eight runs.Sandeep Sharma (Rajasthan Royals)After having played every IPL season from 2013 to 2022, Sandeep Sharma went unsold in the most recent auction. However, after Prasidh Krishna was ruled out of the entire IPL 2023 with a stress fracture, Sandeep joined Rajasthan Royals as his replacement and has been a reliable bowler in both the powerplay and at the death.Sandeep Sharma nailed yorkers in the final over against MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja to seal a tense win at Chepauk•BCCITasked with defending 20 in the last over against Dhoni at Chepauk, Sandeep started the over with two wides and then conceded back-to-back sixes, but he held his nerve to stop Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja with back-to-back yorkers. Sandeep had also set up Royals’ defence of 175 by dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad in the powerplay. After the game, Sandeep said that he had been nailing his yorkers at the nets and perhaps that’s why Sanju Samson backed him to bowl the final over to Dhoni ahead of Kuldeep Sen, who can generate extra pace and bounce.After Sandeep helped Royals breach CSK’s fortress, he took the key wickets of Shubhman Gill and David Miller to set the scene for another away win, this time against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.Related

Mohit is back, and he's the same bowler he used to be

Rahane encouraged by Dhoni to 'be Ajinkya Rahane'

Mishra, 40 and looking it, brings Lucknow the warm and fuzzy

Piyush Chawla (Mumbai Indians)Piyush Chawla was ignored at the mega auction in 2022. In the next auction, the 34-year-old was the last player to be bought by Mumbai Indians for his base price of 50 lakh before the start of the accelerated rounds. Chawla is currently Mumbai’s highest wicket-taker this season with seven strikes in five games at an economy rate of 7.15.He rolled back the years against Delhi Capitals , when he took 3 for 22, including the wickets of Rovman Powell and Manish Pandey, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Chawla also got his legbreaks and wrong’uns to rip against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium, where he sent their chase into a tailspin with the wickets of Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen.Piyush Chawla is currently the leading wicket-taker for Mumbai Indians•BCCIAmit Mishra (Lucknow Super Giants)Just like Chawla, Amit Mishra had gone unsold in the IPL 2022 mega auction. Just like Chawla, he got a gig this year and has proved once again there’s still room for old-school flight and dip in the age of fast legbreaks and mystery spin.Mishra, 40, was the oldest player at the auction, where Lucknow Super Giants snapped him up for his base price of INR 50 lakh. Super Giants unleashed him on Sunrisers on a black-soil turner at the Ekana stadium, where he came away with 2 for 23 from his four overs. He could be a regular feature for Super Giants at home, especially if they continue to use black-soil pitches. Plus, the introduction of the Impact Player rule means he doesn’t have to toil in the field like Rahane and can just put his feet up in the dressing room after finishing his bowling shift.Mohit Sharma (Gujarat Titans)Before IPL 2023, Mohit Sharma’s last season as an IPL regular was in 2018. Before that, he was the Purple Cap winner in 2014 and was part of the India team that reached the semi-final of the 2015 ODI World Cup.Injuries then ravaged his career, but a net-bowling stint in IPL 2022 with the eventual champions Gujarat Titans paved his way back. Ashish Nehra, the Titans coach who had also worked with Mohit at Super Kings, liked what he saw in the nets and Titans bought him at the IPL 2023 auction for his base price of INR 50 lakh. He was then brought into the XI ahead of Shivam Mavi and R Sai Kishore, after Yash Dayal was smashed for successive five sixes by Rinku Singh in the final over the match.Mohit marked his return, against Punjab Kings, with into-the-pitch offcutters and back-of-the-hand slower ones that had once impressed Dhoni at both CSK and India. He conceded only 18 runs in his four overs to go with the wickets of Jitesh Sharma and Sam Curran in a Player-of-the-Match-winning performance. Comebacks don’t get better than this.