da bet sport： Nottingham Forest have not been shy about spending big money since they returned to the Premier League three seasons ago. After two campaigns battling against relegation back to the Championship, they have flown out of the traps this term.

da 888casino： Impressively, the Midlands club sit third in the Premier League table, one point ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea, their nearest challengers for a top-four spot. They have been superb defensively, conceding just seven times, the second-fewest in the top flight, behind only Liverpool.

So far, the men in Garibaldi Red have had a superb season. They are no doubt desperate to maintain this form and have been linked with a player who could add great strength to the squad in January.

Nottingham Forest transfer news

The player in question here is Bayern Munich and French under-21 international attacker Mathys Tel. The 19-year-old has struggled for game time at the German giants, and could well depart the club in the 2025 winter transfer window.

According to a report from Florian Plettenberg, the Midlands club are “interested” in signing the French winger, and “have already made contact” with Bayern over a potential deal. They will not be alone in their hunt for his signature, however, with German outfit Werder Bremen also chasing him.

Any potential deal would reportedly just be a loan rather than a permanent move at this stage, There could, however, be a crucial stumbling block to signing Tel this winter, with Plettenberg reporting that he “has no plans to leave” Bavaria on a temporary deal.

Why Tel would be a good signing

It would be a fantastic statement of intent to sign such a hot prospect this winter from the Midlands outfit. Interestingly, he is a player whom Edu reportedly wanted to sign at Arsenal. The Brazilian will join Forest’s owner Evangelos Marinakis in an unspecified boardroom role following a shock resignation from Arsenal. There is certainly a link between Tel and Edu.

It has been a tough start to the season for the young Frenchman. Under new boss Vincent Kompany, his minutes have not really increased, playing 224 minutes across seven games so far, two of which include starts. The dynamic winger has yet to find the back of the net, either.

With that being said, the teenage sensation, described as a “jewel” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, has a good record for the Bavarian side. He has played 76 times so far scoring 16 goals and grabbing six assists in just 2230 minutes, equivalent to 24 full 90 minutes.

Should the Midlands outfit bring in the attacker, who is valued at £33.5m by Transfermarkt, he could be an upgrade on Callum Hudson-Odoi. The Chelsea academy graduate has been an important player for the Midlands side this term, scoring two goals in ten Premier League games, but statistically, Tel edges him in many metrics.

When looking at the pair’s stats from last season, there is a clear difference between each. It is worth considering that one played for a high-possession, attacking side in Bayern, whereas Forest were scrapping against relegation. However, in some metrics, there is still a clear gap.

As per FBref, Bayern’s starlet averaged more passes into the final third, with 1.97 each game, and more passes into the penalty area, with 1.62. In contrast, the English winger played 0.97 passes into the final third and 1.55 passes into the penalty area.

The Frenchman also had more success in take-ons last term than the Forest number 14. He completed 3.16 per game, with a 55.2% completion rate, compared to just 2.09 for Hudson-Odoi, who completed 53.8%.

Tel vs Hudson-Odoi (2023/24 season)

Stat (per 90)

Tel

Hudson-Odoi

Goals

0.6

0.39

Expected goals

0.32

0.13

Passes into final third

1.97

0.97

Passes into penalty box

1.62

1.55

Take-ons completed

3.16

2.09

Take-on success rate

55.2%

53.8%

Carries into penalty area

2.65

1.89

Stats from FBref

It would certainly be a statement of intent from Forest – and the incoming Edu – to bring Tel in. Not only could he challenge and potentially upgrade Hudson-Odoi, but they would be adding a highly-rated youngster who can play right across the forward line.

In terms of signing a young, hungry player who would continue to fuel a shock European charge, there are perhaps few better.

Related Edu and Nottingham Forest make contact to sign "machine" versatile attacker

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Posts ByCharlie Smith Nov 5, 2024

“Playing one or two matches against India and Pakistan in top-level tournaments is not enough,” assistant coach says

Shashank Kishore09-Sep-20223:00

Raees Ahmadzai: Panic set in after the last match

Raees Ahmadzai, Afghanistan’s assistant coach, has implored the ICC and the Full Members to play them more often to help develop quality, improve game sense, and learn how to close out matches under pressure.”It’s important for a team like us to play against top-level teams,” Ahmadzai said after Afghanistan’s 101-run loss in their final Super 4s Asia Cup fixture against India on Thursday. “It’s not easy. I can’t remember when we last played India or Pakistan. Playing one or two matches against them in top-level tournaments is not enough. It will help if we play them more often.Related

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“Only then can our players learn to control their emotions, control pressure and learn from [the experience]. I feel we deserve that. The way we started in the Asia Cup, giving a tough time to the other teams, I think we did well. Our win over Sri Lanka was a one-sided win, we beat Bangladesh. But we have to improve on the basics. Our players realise where we should be more focused so that we can finish the way we started.”Since 2021, Afghanistan have only played Ireland, Netherlands, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in bilateral series. Their maiden tour to Australia, which was first postponed because of Covid-19 in 2020, was called off late last year.Their last opportunities against other Full Members prior to the Asia Cup were at the 2019 World Cup in England, where they came within touching distance of beating India and were well in control before slipping under pressure against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.At the Asia Cup Super 4s, after running Sri Lanka and Pakistan close, they unravelled quite spectacularly against India. Afghanistan reprieved Virat Kohli early and then saw him blast his first T20I century, which also helped break his long drought without an international hundred. India posted 212 for 2, and it was game over for Afghanistan six overs into their chase when they slipped to 20 for 5.Afghanistan had a tough schedule, having to turn up for the India game less than 24 hours after losing to Pakistan in an emotionally and physically sapping contest. Ahmadzai revealed the team had been “sleepless” following the Pakistan loss, because of how much it took out of them mentally, having lost a game they believed was theirs.Defending 130 on a ground with small dimensions, Pakistan had been reduced to 118 for 9 with seven balls left. Then Naseem Shah walloped two sixes off full tosses from fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi to finish the game.”To be honest, everyone panicked in that situation [when Pakistan were nine down],” Ahmadzai revealed. “But then we played back-to-back games, and we tried our best. The way we looked at the wicket, I thought we could restrict India to 170 or 180. But if you drop a catch of a good player like Kohli, he won’t give you too many opportunities.”Afghanistan can look back on some fine individual performances. They proved there was more to their attack than just their spin superstars Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Their young fast-bowling unit, led by Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq and Fareed Ahmad, showed there was potential to work with.Afghanistan had to turn up for the India game less than 24 hours after their game against Pakistan ended•AFP/Getty Images

In the batting department, Najibullah Zadran smashed an unbeaten 17-ball 43 to help beat Bangladesh, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz impressed when he top-scored with 84 in their first Super 4s fixture against Sri Lanka. Ibrahim Zadran made scores of 42*, 40, 35 and 64*, showing the kind of consistency their batting has often lacked.For Ahmadzai, these were areas of encouragement as they build towards the T20 World Cup in Australia. “I think we did very well, especially our young boys,” he said. “We learnt a lot from our first two wins. Then the way we defended 130 against Pakistan was a good learning process for our players ahead of the World Cup.”If you’re playing against the big names, the big stars, you always get to learn a lot. We saw how Kohli or KL Rahul batted. During the tournament we spent some time with the Pakistani and Sri Lankan players also. It was a good experience, something our players can learn [from] and apply at the World Cup.”Overall, the biggest positive was the way we started this tournament with two wins. The way we beat Bangladesh, the way we gave a tough time to Pakistan. I’m happy to see our youngsters going a great job. These are things we will carry forward.”

New Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim takes charge of his first game this weekend, looking to make the perfect start to his tenure at the club.

The Red Devils travel to Portman Road to face an Ipswich Town side who are yet to win a home Premier League outing after their promotion last season, with the meeting producing an opportunity for the 39-year-old to claim all three points.

Before the international break, United claimed a 3-0 win over Steve Cooper’s Leicester City at Old Trafford, in what was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final game in temporary charge before the arrival of Amorim.

As for the hosts, they claimed their first league win last time out, causing an upset in the process, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in North London – moving the Tractor Boys out of the drop zone.

Super Sunday never fails to deliver, but the big question is who the new United boss will opt to start with in his first game at the helm.

United’s injury news ahead of Ipswich clash

Over the last couple of weeks, United have been plagued with various injuries that have seen the side look depleted in numerous key areas.

The defensive unit has taken the biggest battering, with Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Victor Lindelof all looking set to miss the trip to East Anglia on Sunday evening.

Kobbie Mainoo hasn’t featured since the 0-0 draw away at Aston Villa back at the start of October but has been pictured training during the recent break under Amorim.

Along with the injuries, many positional questions will be answered by Sunday afternoon, with many wondering whether the new boss will utilise his 3-4-3 system or the 4-2-3-1 that has been tried and tested at Old Trafford over the last couple of years.

It could allow for numerous players to stake their claim for a regular starting role under Amorim, having endured an unsuccessful stint under former manager Erik ten Hag.

One player in particular may fit perfectly into the 3-4-3 system, deserving of a rare start in the meeting tomorrow evening.

The man who Amorim needs to unleash against Ipswich

Midfielder Mason Mount arrived in a £60m deal from fellow Premier League side Chelsea last summer, but has endured a torrid spell with injuries over the last 12 months.

The 25-year-old made just 20 appearances in all competitions during his debut year in Manchester, registering just two combined goals and assists.

However, the arrival of the 39-year-old could allow him to have a bigger role in the first team, featuring in one of the two attacking midfielder roles behind the striker of Amorim’s three-back system.

2023/24

Unknown

37

6

2023/24

Calf

110

21

2024/25

Hamstring

22

3

2024/25

Head

2

0

Total:

4 injuries

171

30

The “outstanding” Mount, as dubbed by former coach Jody Morris, has previously featured in such a role during his time at Stamford Bridge, registering 13 goals and 16 assists during the 2021/22 campaign with his boyhood outfit.

He’s yet to demonstrate anywhere the level required of a player who costs £60m but, should he play in one of those aforementioned roles, he could well produce some performances to showcase why he cost such a hefty fee.

The clash against Ipswich could provide the perfect time to utilise the former England international in such a role, with Bruno Fernandes likely to feature in a deeper eight position.

It will take time for the squad to adapt to such a new system, but it could allow Mount in particular to have a huge revival under the former Portugal international at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag's Man Utd flop is now outscoring Zirkzee & Hojlund after leaving

The former Manchester United player has recaptured his form away from Old Trafford.

1 ByEthan Lamb Nov 22, 2024

حسم التعادل الإيجابي بهدف لكل فريق، مباراة الإسماعيلي وغزل المحلة، التي أقيمت اليوم الخميس، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز موسم 2024- 2025.

وأقيمت مباراة الإسماعيلي وغزل المحلة، على ملعب استاد الإسماعيلية ضمن منافسات الجولة الثامنة من مرحلة الهبوط في الدوري المصري الممتاز موسم 2024-2025.

طالع.. متغيرات كثيرة.. رامي ربيعة يبرر رحيله عن الأهلي ويوجه رسالة إلى الجماهير

وافتتح الإسماعيلي، أهداف اللقاء في الدقيقة 73 من عمر المباراة عن طريق مروان حمدي بعد كرة من ركلة ركنية خدعت حارس غزل المحلة.

وتعادل المحلة، عن طريق عمرو الجزار في الدقيقة 76 من كرة رأسية سكنت شباك الدراويش لينتهي اللقاء بالتعادل الإيجابي.

ورفع الإسماعيلي رصيده إلى 23 نقطة، في المركز الثامن من جدول ترتيب مجموعة الهبوط بينما عزل المحلة ارتفع رصيده إلى نفس الرصيد في المركز التاسع.

Chelsea legend Joe Cole has named the 'world-class' Blues star who should be in Thomas Tuchel's England side ahead of the international fixtures.

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James puts in great shift against CopenhagenCole wants Tuchel to call up James for EnglandEngland call-up likely over the next few daysFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Tuchel has decided to begin his stint as head coach of the England national team by providing all eligible players a clean slate in relation to whatever happened during Gareth Southgate's stint. Chelsea and England legend Cole has urged Tuchel to consider bringing in the Blues captain Reece James for his first Three Lions squad.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT COLE SAID

Speaking to TNT Sports, Cole said: "He’s got so much to offer Chelsea and so much to offer England. It’s so great to see him impacting the game like he did tonight. Don’t give up on Reece James because there is still a real, real world-class player in there who can be a massive player for Chelsea and England. Hopefully, he can keep going now."

Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Cole's comments about James come after the right-back's spectacular performance against Copenhagen on Thursday in the Europa Conference League. Cole added: "He will have the respect of every player at Chelsea because of what he can do technically and physically. When he was at his best, he was as good as anyone in the world, no doubt about that.

"It’s just about him finding his inner peace and managing him into games. He can play in midfield, he did it when he was on loan at Wigan and got Player of the Year there as a young kid. He looks comfortable there."

WHAT NEXT FOR JAMES?

Tuchel is set to announce his first England squad over the next few days as the March international break looms around the corner, however, it is possible that James may not make the cut for the call-up as the Chelsea star has not had a lot of action this season due to injuries.

Brest boss Eric Roy has joked that the Champions League minnows “tried to contact” Tom Cruise ahead of their ‘Mission Impossible’ against PSG.

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• Ligue 1 rivals preparing to lock horns
• Brest have won a host of admirers
• Face huge challenge in European tie

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Ligue 1 outfit, who have won a host of admirers during their European campaign in 2024-25 – particularly among the CBS Sports punditry panel – are preparing to face domestic rivals in the knockout phase play-offs.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Few are giving Brest much hope when it comes to making the last 16, with assistance from a Hollywood superstar that knows all about taking on difficult challenges seemingly required in order to keep continental dreams alive.

• WHAT ERIC ROY SAID

  Roy told reporters at his pre-match press conference: “Today, we are not in the same world as PSG, you only have to look at the budget between the two teams. We started our impossible mission two days ago. We saw that Tom Cruise was in Paris, we tried to contact him, but he was not available. As always, we will have the ambition to be a player in this match.”

• Getty
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Brest have suffered defeat in 15 of their last 17 meetings with Paris Saint-Germain, with 40 years having passed since they last toppled the capital giants. Roy added on the size of the task that he faces: “It inspires me that it's a great challenge to take on. This Brest team has been racking up records for two years. I sometimes hear them in the locker room… So if we can beat Paris at least once in this double confrontation… But I'm not very attached to statistics. On the other hand, you taught me something, I might use it in my talk.”

Arsenal had flattered to deceive, but then, suddenly, Mikel Arteta’s project had taken flight. The Gunners are now locked in for their third successive season challenging for the Premier League title, one point off first-placed Liverpool after seven matches.

The best part? There’s a real feeling that Arteta and his squad have only scratched the surface of what they can achieve together. Improvements have come in increments, and now might be their time.

Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s attacking centrepiece, recently claimed: “I don’t want to put too much pressure on us… but I do think this is the year. We’ve been close the last two years, we’re getting closer… I hope this will be the year.”

He’s certainly doing all he can to make it happen.

Bukayo Saka's start to the season

Saka has rarely missed a moment in the Premier League since establishing himself as one of the key pillars of the Emirates’ rise, and he’s possibly hit his richest vein of form yet as Arsenal look to make it third time lucky in their top-flight title bid.

His prolific qualities are complemented by some pretty astounding underlying metrics. As per FBref, the England international ranks among the top 1% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for shot-creating actions and successful take-ons as well as the top 4% for progressive carries per 90.

Hailed as “one of the best players in the world right now” by his teammate Gabriel Martinelli earlier this month, the 23-year-old might just have the confidence and quality to make a difference in what is gearing to be a compelling title race.

He’s good enough to make any player see improvements, but with such unbelievable playmaking, Saka might ensure the success of one transfer target who may move to north London in a matter of months.

Arsenal transfer news

According to Football Insider, Arsenal are looking at bolstering their midfield in 2025 and have focused their attention on Shakhtar Donetsk’s Georgiy Sudakov, with Tottenham Hotspur also in the race.

It’s thought that both sides are doing due diligence on the Ukrainian, who has been tearing it up in his homeland, though, given that he is likened to Mykhaylo Mudryk, the Gunners will be wary.

Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reported earlier in the year that Sudakov has a £128m release clause embedded in his contract, but there’s no way that Arsenal would cough up that much and instead would look to negotiate an affordable transaction.

Transfer Focus

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

Why Georgiy Sudakov could thrive at Arsenal

Sudakov, aged 22, has only completed 11 career appearances for Shakhtar since graduating from the outfit’s youth ranks, but he’s showcased a wonderful skillset that has seen him garner attention from plenty of European sides across the past year or two.

Shakhtar recognise that they hold a remarkable talent in their ranks but so do they recognise that he will not ply his trade in Ukraine for much longer, with the club’s CEO, Serhii Palkin, claiming in April: “He will definitely move to a top European club this summer.”

That didn’t happen but interest from top teams like Arsenal remains – and why not? He’s as dynamic as they come, capable of operating across myriad placements, and he’s demonstrated sharp intelligence qualities that have led him to adapt and bend into situations, a pliability that will serve him well as he potentially steps into the Premier League.

Hailed as a “sensation” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, this could be the perfect move for Sudakov at this stage of his career, joining the likes of Saka in a wonderful attack under Arteta’s influence, serving as a foil for Martin Odegaard and supporting Kai Havertz in the centre-forward position.

Odegaard’s recent injury has emphasised the need for another creative midfielder, especially after Emile Smith Rowe was sold to Fulham in the summer and Fabio Vieira moved back to FC Porto on loan.

The 23-cap international’s performances in the Champions League last season saw him drawn as a comparable player to the Gunners skipper by FBref’s comparison model.

Operating as a sort of roaming number ten with a propensity to drift out to the left, Sudakov carries himself with an all-encompassing approach to his craft that might just see him thrive in the Premier League.

He’s a natural-born goalscorer from deep, but his athletic and physical presence could also see him succeed where Mudryk has not, with the Chelsea winger endowed with great talent but lacking the bite and bulk to succeed as was anticipated on English shores.

He’s ceaseless in his attacking drives and with a playmaker of Saka’s distinction partnering him at Arsenal, there’s no telling how much havoc could be wreaked across the Premier League and Champions League.

Arsenal have been excellent in the top flight over recent campaigns but have faltered in Europe and within domestic cup competitions, and must now ensure they bolster their ranks with a player like Sudakov to reach a level unseen in north London for several decades.

Arsenal wasted £56m on a bad signing who earned more than Timber

Arsenal have unfortunately had some notable duds throughout the years.

By
Matt Dawson

Oct 14, 2024

The five oldest cricketers to have played in the IPL

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Apr-2015Shane Warne Age: 41y 249d
Teams: Rajasthan Royals
What he did: ‘Hollywood’ provided the IPL with the perfect story in its inaugural season: his captaincy, big-game temperament and ability to infuse self-belief in little-known players led the unfancied Royals to the title in 2008. The results weren’t as spectacular in the three seasons that followed, but there was another story perfect for the IPL in his final year: a high-profile romance with Hollywood star Liz Hurley•AFPMuttiah Muralitharan Age: 42y 35d
Teams: Chennai Super Kings, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Royal Challengers Bangalore
What he did: Test and ODI cricket’s leading wicket-taker didn’t make quite the same impact in the IPL – he was an integral performer in the first three seasons with Chennai Super Kings, after which he was a fringe player for four years•AFPPravin Tambe Age: 43y 198d
Teams: Rajasthan Royals
What he did: Perhaps the most heart-warming story in the IPL. At 41, senior cricket seemed to have passed him by, before Royals made another of their punts to give Tambe a chance at big-time cricket. It proved to be one of their most astute investments, as he has developed to become a certain starter over the last two seasons•BCCIBrad Hogg Age: 44y 81d
Teams: Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders
What he did: He was one of Royals’ wildcard picks in 2012 but only played 10 lukewarm matches over two seasons. Two years later, Knight Riders’ love of unconventional spinners and Sunil Narine’s unavailability due to doubts over his action provided Hogg another shot•BCCI

MatériaMais Notícias

da 888casino： Prestes a encarar o Palmeiras em etapa decisiva válida pelas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, Rogério Ceni projetou o encontro do São Paulo com a equipe.

RelacionadasSão PauloCom foco em pênaltis e cobrança de falta, São Paulo encerra preparação para clássico decisivo com PalmeirasSão Paulo13/07/2022São PauloComo derrota de virada para o Palmeiras sacramentou renovação de Rogério Ceni com o São PauloSão Paulo13/07/2022São PauloSão Paulo renova contrato de Rogério Ceni até 2023São Paulo12/07/2022

da betano casino： Galeria
>ATUAÇÕES: Defesa do São Paulo se destaca, mas ataque não corresponde e quase não assusta

Tabela
> Veja tabela da Copa do Brasil

Mesmo com a vantagem de um gol, marcado por Patrick, no jogo de ida no estádio do Morumbi, o acontecimento da final do Campeonato Paulista vem à tona.

Na ocasião, o Tricolor também estava com uma vantagem numérica no placar, que foi revertida pela equipe alviverde no confronto de volta, também no Allianz Parque. Ceni destacou que considera o Choque-Rei desta quinta-feira (14) um jogo difícil, mas afirmou que traz aprendizados da última decisão.

– É um jogo tático, duro, difícil. Tivemos uma experiência negativa lá da última vez, mas acho que podemos ter tirado lições e aprendido. É um jogo que tem uma conotação muito maior que passar de fase. Acho que é tentar recuperar algo que ficou para trás na final do Paulista- disse o treinador.

Rogério Ceni, que teve seu contrato renovado na última terça-feira (12), também ressaltou que não medirá esforços contra o Palmeiras. De acordo com as suas palavras, o treinador mostrou bastante confiança em seu elenco.

– Acho que recuperamos um pouco mais jogadores, alguns que não jogaram na última partida estão descansados. Acho que não mediremos esforços para tentar fazer o São Paulo passar de fase na Copa do Brasil – concluiu.

As equipes se enfrentam nesta quinta-feira (14), às 20h, pelas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, no Allianz Parque.

England consigned India to two reverse-swing-induced collapses whereas India bowlers mainly relied on the new ball’s movement and uneven bounce by hitting the deck hard

Sidharth Monga15-Jul-2014There was a time when reverse-swing was a strictly Asian art. Well, Pakistani first, and then rest of Asia’s. The rest of the world has caught up with it now. Dale Steyn and James Anderson might even be the finest exponents of it. Still, when an England side outdoes India in almost Indian conditions on the reverse-swing front, it must hurt them as much as it should England or Australia if India or Pakistan bowl at top of off more often than them in green seaming conditions. In Nottingham, on a slow and low surface acknowledged by both sides as more Indian than English, the hosts out-reversed India.England consigned India to two reverse-swing-induced collapses whereas India bowlers mainly relied on the new ball’s movement and uneven bounce by hitting the deck hard. There are three aspects to a contest of reverse-swing, and India were short on all three: maintaining the ball, then actually bowling with it, and weathering the storm with the bat once the opposition starts getting it to go.Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane seem to be India’s designated ball shiners. They worked hard on it through India’s bowling, but there is more to maintaining the ball for reverse swing. Those commentators who were watching closely, looking for signs of reverse, say England simply maintained the ball better.Earlier in the year, a Test between South Africa and Australia, played in similar conditions in Port Elizabeth, got ugly because the umpires took an exception to the repeated banging of the ball into the ground by infielders. England were smarter here.They waited for the ball to go just far enough to justify that throw on the bounce. On occasions throws from mid-off or mid-on reached the stumps at the striker’s end on a half-volley, which forced Matt Prior to go back and collect them on the bounce. Stuart Broad didn’t mind sticking the boot out when fielding in his follow-through. In 2008, Wasim Akram, the king of reverse-swing, told ESPNcricinfo in an interview: “Sometimes bowlers used to stop the ball played back at them with their foot. If the boot spikes hit the rough side, it was Christmas. If it didn’t, you shone the ball and moved on.” Liam Plunkett bowled a spell made up almost exclusively of bouncers before lunch on day one, and the ball began to go just after lunch.The reverse might not have been a direct result of all this, but England were trying more than India. And this is not ball-tampering. Not until it gets so excessive that umpires start to take notice. You have to keep trying, and keep trying within reasonable limits. After maintaining it, though, you need to bowl well with it too. The England quicks do seem to have more pace and accuracy, than India’s, to be able to exploit reverse. At various stages, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami have shown they can cause damage with reverse, but they are not quite Zaheer Khan with it. When Cheteshwar Pujara was asked if it was disappointing that England did more with the old ball than India, he bemoaned the lack of carry in the pitch, but isn’t the lack of carry the necessity in the first place?Also India are familiar with batting on such pitches, which is why their two periods of struggle against the reversing ball should come as a disappointment. In the first innings, Pujara went hard at one slightly slower inswinger from Anderson, and offered a catch to short mid-on. This was just when the ball had begun to go with the shine. Virat Kohli followed Pujara by becoming too mindful of inswing, and poked at a delivery wide enough to be left alone in normal circumstances.The second innings was worse. On the final day, which began with the ball reversing, Kohli committed the biggest mistake: a drive across the line. Ajinkya Rahane repeated Kohli’s first-innings mistake by looking to cover for the inswing, thus playing at a delivery wide enough to be left alone. It was a nervous shot, but also a better delivery than what Kohli got in the first innings. MS Dhoni became a victim of inswing later in that session, which could have cost India the Test.The conditions, by all popular expectations, are not likely to change drastically over the series. It is hard to tell if India are pleased or displeased: they will welcome the soft launch for their batsmen, but these conditions eliminate their spinners and their quicks have struggled to bowl sides out twice for a long time. Reverse-swing promises to be a big factor in the rest of the series, and India will need to get better at dealing with it both when bowling and batting. Watch out for those throws into the ground and stuck-out boots.