These days every player is handled particular roles. Last season, Suryakumar Yadav was performing the finisher’s role. This season it is more flexible where he has been asked to bat in the middle order and play according to the match situation

Nagraj Gollapudi09-Apr-2015Even Jacques Kallis was impressed. Having an informal discussion about their dominant victory over Mumbai Indians on Wednesday evening at Eden Gardens, Kallis, now the Kolkata Knight Riders’ mentor, singled out Suryakumar Yadav’s dashing 46 that came off 20 balls and included five sixes. “Kallis was talking about batting, and suddenly he looked towards Surya and said, ‘Man, you’ve to teach me how to play that shot.'” Vijay Dahiya, Knight Riders’ assistant coach, says.That shot was the lap shot. Suryakumar unleashed that stroke immediately on taking guard when, off the second ball he faced, he quickly moved inside the line of a fuller-length ball from Vinay Kumar and flicked it over backward square leg for a six. Suryakumar made the shot appear effortless, but it was a stroke that sent the message to the bowler: I can hit you whatever you bowl.Regardless of the match situation, struggling or dominant, Suryakumar always wears the same face mask: a combination of bravado and confidence. “His body language is a huge plus point because he gives you the impression that he is always in control of things,” Dahiya says.Knight Riders were aware of the previous instances when they had lost the match from winning position despite having wickets in the bag. On Wednesday, they adapted quickly deciding not to stretch the match to the last over just because they had more batsmen like Shakib Al Hasan and a powerful hitter in Andre Russell yet to come.Manish Pandey triggered this positive approach which was taken further by Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir who trampled on the Mumbai Indians spin pair of Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha to swing the momentum quickly into the home team’s favour. But such a bold strategy has to be laced with risk. As Pandey lofted Harbhajan into the hands of Kieron Pollard at long-on, Suryakumar walked in quickly. It was a bit of surprise to see him bat ahead of Shakib, who was their fifth-highest run-scorer last season.But the move to promote Suryakumar was part of the plan. “At that time we wanted to send somebody who could rotate the strike and has ability to hit the big fours every over. And that is what you need in the middle overs. He is a very busy sort of a player,” Dahiya points out.These days, especially in compressed format like Twenty20, every player is handled particular roles. Last season Suryakumar was performing the finisher’s role. This season it is more flexible where he has been asked to bat in the middle order and play according to the match situation.Incidentally Yadav does not bat in the nets the day before the match. Instead, he sets himself a challenge while taking throwdowns from Dahiya. “We always plan. For example you are playing last 24 balls of an innings. He sets the target, say 35-45 runs.” And that is how Suryakumar puts on the match-face in the days leading to the actual match.Understanding your role is one thing. But coaches also value players who mature over the years and start taking their own decisions. Suryakumar has improved steadily from least season in that respect. “Let us not forget about the kind of knocks [he played] for us last year. The franchise values him so much because in those crunch situations where there is so much of a pressure he would go out and take off the pressure from the other guy as well,” Dahiya says. What also helps is Suryakumar is never shy to walk up to Gambhir or the coaching staff to figure out what his role is and what the team needs, so he is aware what is needed of him.One big reason last year’s IPL was a transformative one for Suryakumar also because the Knight Riders gave him continuity•BCCIAccording to Ajit Agarkar, former Mumbai and India fast bowler, who has led Suryakumar at Mumbai in first-class cricket, there is a marked difference between the way the youngster prepares in domestic cricket compared to the IPL. So Suryakumar’s ability to adapt across formats is one big change that people, who have seen for long, point out.According to Praveen Amre, the former Mumbai coach under whom Suryakumar made his Mumbai debut, for this format he has a distinct style. “He has his own approach. Even if opposition captains put fielders to challenge him to go for the lap shot, Surya still takes them on,” Amre said recently. When Amre returned to coach Mumbai last season after a gap of three years, he immediately noticed the change in Suryakumar. “He seems more calmer now.”When Suryakumar walked in to bat on Wednesday, the asking rate was nearly nine per over with Knight Riders needing 71 runs from the last eight overs. By the time Gambhir left, 48 runs were still needed from 34 deliveries. The very next ball Suryakumar flicked Mumbai’s young pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah over long leg for his second six. He would hit Bumrah for two further sixes and when Lasith Malinga tossed a full toss, Suryakumar lustily clubbed it for a straight six to reduce the margin to four runs from the final two overs.Domestic cricket brought Suryakumar to the notice of the franchises but it is at Knight Riders where he is polishing his skills especially in terms of mental discipline which he is steadily taking back to his Mumbai cricket. He is still far from a finished product. Having started off on a confident note as Mumbai captain last seaon, Suryakumar was asked to step down from the leadership position because of disciplinary measures.Last IPL Suryakumar remained unbeaten on five occasions, the most for an uncapped player. Out of those five times, Knight Riders finished thrice as winners – twice while batting first and once while chasing. He was also the only uncapped player to score 100-plus runs in the last five overs of the innings last year.Of all his innings the most crucial one came against Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi. Knight Riders were under pressure at 85 for 3 while chasing 153. Only seven overs were left. The match finished in a tie with Suryakumar making 31 from 19 balls.One big reason last year’s IPL was a transformative one for Suryakumar also because Knight Riders gave him continuity. He was part of the group of players that played all 16 matches. This was in contrast to a single match he played during his three years at Mumbai Indians. “That [continuity] gives you confidence and a sense of responsibility and you think the team is banking on me and I need to go out and execute,” Dahiya says.Players like Suryakumar now understand that one good over is what can turn a match. A few bad balls from the opponent can swing momentum in your favour. Against Mumbai, batting on 26, having hit a six on the third ball off Bumrah, Suryakumar was hit on the helmet by a well-directed bouncer. The next ball Suryakumar stayed still, and when Bumrah delivered a full toss, Suryakumar sent it into the stands behind long-on. Nothing changed. No pressure.

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jan-2016He added 57 for the opening wicket in the company of Kane Williamson•Marty Melville/AFP/Getty ImagesPakistan, however, clawed their way back with two quick wickets•Marty Melville/AFP/Getty ImagesNew Zealand were dealt another blow when Ross Taylor retired hurt for 6•Marty Melville/AFP/Getty ImagesCorey Anderson, though, launched a counterattack that featured six fours and four sixes•Marty Melville/AFP/Getty ImagesGrant Elliott provided him support in an 80-run stand for the fourth wicket before getting run out in the 18th over•Marty Melville/AFP/Getty ImagesAnderson remained unbeaten on 82 off 42 balls to propel the hosts to 196 for 5•Marty Melville/AFP/Getty ImagesPakistan made the worst possible start to their big chase when Mohammad Hafeez was dismissed in the second over•Marty Melville/AFP/Getty ImagesWickets continued to tumble freely, as the visitors struggled to muster even a single meaningful stand•Marty Melville/AFP/Getty ImagesAnderson followed up his blazing half-century with the key wickets of Ahmed Shehzad and Shoaib Malik, as New Zealand eventually wrapped up the match and series by 95 runs•Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images

Graeme Swann returns in mentor role, as Tom Abell takes charge of white-ball team

Vithushan Ehantharajah13-Jan-2023

Haseeb Hameed was in fine form in 2022 after a tough Ashes tour•Getty Images

Haseeb Hameed will captain England Lions for their red-ball tour of Sri Lanka next month.The Nottinghamshire opening batter will take the reins for a three-day warm-up match in Colombo on January 25, before leading the Lions in two four-day “Tests” against Sri Lanka A in Galle. Somerset captain Tom Abell will then skipper the white ball team for three unofficial ODIs against Sri Lanka A in Colombo.Hameed earned the most recent of his 10 Test caps at the start of 2022 in Sydney before being dropped for the fifth and final match of a disastrous Ashes campaign. He looked revitalised for Nottinghamshire in the summer, however, playing a key role in their promotion from Division Two of the County Championship with 1,235 runs at an average of 58.80, with four centuries and a top score of 196. Not only was it his most productive summer in terms of tally and average across a domestic campaign, but a strike-rate of 62.40 suggested a change of tack from the 25-year-old, to become more of a run-getter than an accumulator.That was particularly evident on the Lions training camp in the UAE last November when Hameed scored 145 from 172 deliveries against the full England team ahead of their tour of Pakistan. Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, who have led the revolution that has resulted in the Test side playing in a more authoritative manner, were suitably impressed by the manner in which Hameed had showcased his higher gears.Hameed has previously captained England at Under-19 level, and captained Nottinghamshire in last season’s Royal London One-Day Cup having been appointed vice-captain of the club. Speaking about the decision to hand him more responsibility, men’s performance director Mo Bobat praised his qualities as a leader.”We thought long and hard about the options and there were lots of good options, people I’d regard as senior players,” Bobat said on Friday, having also overseen the UAE training camp, which began with three intensive weeks in Dubai in October. “You’ve got Alex Lees, who’s done a little bit of Lions captaincy before, he could no doubt do this pretty well. Tom Abell himself has captained Somerset, he could easily have captained the Test stuff. You’ve got other experienced players, Sam Cook, Matt Fisher who I regard as pretty senior players, Tom Haines who has captained at Sussex. Loads of good options but we felt Haseeb would be a good shout.”When he did bits of leadership on the training camp we found he was very astute tactically and very creative with how we might take wickets in those conditions, which is going to be important in Sri Lanka. He’s done bits of captaincy and been vice-captain at Notts and captain in Royal London. He’s done some age-group captaincy with England so it’s great to give him that opportunity.”Neil Killeen will operate as head coach of the Lions across both formats, having joined the ECB this week as men’s elite bowling coach. He will be assisted by Ian Bell and Min Patel, who reprise their winter roles as batting and spin bowling coach respectively. Somerset’s Paul Tweddle will oversee fielding and wicketkeeping duties, though mainly for the limited-overs part of the tour once he has fulfilled off-season duties at Taunton.Graeme Swann has been a regular in the media since retirement but is inching towards a coaching role•Getty Images

There will also be a return to the Lions set-up for Graeme Swann. Regarded as one of England’s greatest spinners, with 255 dismissals across 60 Tests, Swann will act as a mentor for the first half of the trip, a role not just restricted to working with the spinners.It is a job he fulfilled in the UAE before taking on commentary duties for the T10 and something he has long craved. Players and staff were impressed by Swann’s knowledge and energy among the group.That was his first formal involvement with an England team since his retirement at the end of 2013. His move into coaching is a recent development, though he has spoken often about his willingness to help the next generation of English spinners. He was part of the backroom staff for Trent Rockets in 2022 during their successful men’s Hundred campaign.That he is back hints at a greater involvement in the national set-up as a whole going forward. Indeed, Bobat believes the manner in which Swann approached his game is aligned with what Stokes, McCullum and director of men’s cricket Rob Key are trying to instil throughout the English system.Related

Jofra Archer to step up injury comeback at England Lions training camp

Graeme Swann to mentor England Lions' spinners

Ben Stokes puts prep over precedent as England ease towards Pakistan challenge

“It will be great to have him supporting the spin bowlers in particular,” Bobat said. “But not just them. He added so much value in the UAE, with all players around tactical understanding and insight.”The type of cricket the Test team is trying to play, Swanny’s a great example of that with his positivity and energy and even just tactically, working with the captains.”When Keysy first started, he and I spoke about trying to get the right personalities and characters around our players, people who really embody the type of cricket we’re trying to play. He [Swann] was someone who certainly came to mind.”We all saw the way he approached his bowling. He used to take a lot of wickets in his first over, freakishly so. It was often because he literally tried to take a wicket. It sounds so basic but often a spinner will start thinking ‘I’ll ease into my spell’ or ‘I’ll start with sweepers out and build to attack’.”But Swanny just thought from ball one: I’m here to attack. That fantastic mindset we want our players to embody. The way he embodied his spin bowling, yes, but also the way he batted. He was always aggressive, had an impact with the way he batted and approached things in the field. It’s infectious.”He brings great energy as well and you want to have that in the environment. He’s had great success in the sub-continent and will know how to win Test matches in that part of the world. More importantly, getting him to work with the spinners, to think about attacking lines, attacking lengths, attacking fields. Thinking non-conventionally, like Stokesy has done as captain, is something Swanny has done really well.”

Gerard Pique was "brought to tears" during his trial over alleged fraud and corruption regarding regarding the Supercopa de Espana deal.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Pique's role under scrutiny over Supercup tender
• Kosmos has allegedly taken commissions of €10m
• Ex-defender pleaded innocence in his statement

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The case revolves around Pique’s company, Kosmos, which played a central role in securing an agreement to relocate the tournament to Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The 37-year-old football icon has been accused of fraudulent business dealings and corruption, with authorities investigating whether he unfairly profited from the contract.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  According to , Kosmos earned more than €10 million (£8m/$11m) in commissions through the agreement, with €1.6m of that sum being paid to Pique himself earlier this year. Also implicated in the case is former RFEF president Luis Rubiales, who faces additional accusations of money laundering. While under questioning, Pique strongly refuted any wrongdoing, insisting that his role as a Barcelona player at the time of the deal had no bearing on the financial compensation he received.

  However, according to Pique did acknowledge that he had personally reached out to Rubiales for assistance in securing his payment after Saudi Arabian authorities initially failed to transfer the agreed funds. In response to controversies surrounding player involvement in business ventures with the federation, the RFEF has since implemented regulations preventing active footballers from engaging in commercial agreements with the governing body.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  During his statement, Pique became visibly emotional, with reports stating that he was on the verge of tears while addressing the court. With a trembling voice, the former defender expressed the emotional toll the case has taken on him, stating that the legal battle had caused him "enormous damage" both personally and professionally. He maintained that he had negotiated the best possible contract for the RFEF and insisted that he did not deserve the negative consequences he was facing. In a particularly striking comment, Pique suggested that his contributions to football were being overlooked, saying, "In another country, I would have a statue."

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Documents further reveal that the agreement stipulated it was "essential" for the RFEF to guarantee an annual commission of €4m (£3m/$4m) – a clause that has raised legal concerns. Rubiales and former interim RFEF president Pedro Rocha are also set to provide their testimonies.

  As proceedings continue, Pique’s legal team will seek to clear his name, arguing that all transactions were conducted transparently and within legal frameworks. However, the court’s final ruling could have significant implications for both Pique and the RFEF, particularly in light of recent efforts to reform governance and financial oversight within Spanish football.

Looking to rediscover their best form under Unai Emery, Aston Villa are now reportedly plotting a move to sign a Champions League midfielder worth up to £37m in 2025.

Aston Villa transfer news

Amid a difficult run of form in which they went eight games without victory, the last week has been incredibly important for Aston Villa, who followed up a 3-1 defeat of Brentford in midweek with a narrow 1-0 win over relegation contenders Southampton.

With Jhon Duran back on the scoresheet at the perfect time, the Villans will now turn their attention towards European action against RB Leipzig on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, with the January transfer window now under a month away, those in the Midlands may well be thinking about just how to take Emery’s side back up to the level needed for Champions League qualification in what would be the ultimate success.

Names such as former midfielder Douglas Luiz have already been mentioned in recent weeks, but it’s a new target who could emerge to provide the Villans with a welcome boost.

According to CaughtOffside, Aston Villa are now interested in signing Felix Nmecha, with Borussia Dortmund now open to offers in the region of €40-45m (£33-37m) in 2025.

However, the Midlands club aren’t the only ones interested, as Manchester United and Newcastle United are also reportedly eyeing moves to sign the ex-Manchester City academy star.

Better than Duran: Aston Villa's "outstanding" 8/10 star stole the show

Aston Villa secured their second league win this week

ByRoss Kilvington Dec 8, 2024

Signing Nmecha would certainly hand Aston Villa a boost in the middle of the park, creating quite the partnership alongside summer signing Amadou Onana. That said, it remains to be seen whether the Villans will splash out as much as £37m when either January or the summer transfer window arrives.

"Fast" Nmecha could partner Onana

Squad depth is key for any side competing in the Champions League and Premier League as Newcastle learned last season – and as Aston Villa are learning the hard way in the current campaign.

Emery’s side have so far struggled to maintain success on multiple fronts, but adding a player of Nmecha’s calibre would go a long way towards doing exactly that.

Progressive carries

3

8

Progressive passes

41

23

Tackles won

13

15

Ball recoveries

40

36

Two players who have gone stride for stride so far this season and two who progress play in different ways, Nmecha and Onana could form the perfect balance at the heart of Emery’s side.

It’s also no surprise that the Dortmund midfielder has found himself at the centre of praise, with sporting director Sebastian Kehl saying (via the Bundesliga website): “Felix Nmecha is a fast, technically adept and physically strong player who will enhance our midfield both offensively and defensively with his profile.”

Villa didn’t hesitate to splash the cash on Onana last summer and should now do the same to complete their midfield with the addition of Nmecha.

Liverpool are riding on the crest of a wave right now, and they face Manchester City at precisely the right time.

While the Anfield side are currently on a 15-game unbeaten run across all competitions, City have failed to win any of their previous six games, going through their most difficult period under Pep Guardiola.

The Reds hold an eight point lead at the top of the table and should Arne Slot’s side go on to defeat City this afternoon, it could put another dent in Guardiola’s title ambitions.

Manchester City’s defensive frailties

Since their win over Southampton on October 26, the club have conceded 17 goals in just six games, scoring only seven times during that time period.

Guardiola’s defenders certainly struggled, most notably Kyle Walker, who was helpless against Tottenham Hotspur last week as they ran riot, scoring four without reply to inflict one of the heaviest defeats the former Barcelona manager has endured.

Date

Competition

Result

26/11/2024

Champions League

Drew 3-3 with Feyenoord

23/11/2024

Premier League

Lost 4-0 to Spurs

9/11/2024

Premier League

Lost 2-1 to Brighton

5/11/2024

Champions League

Lost 4-1 to Sporting CP

2/11/2024

Premier League

Lost 2-1 to Bournemouth

30/10/2024

Carabao Cup

Lost 2-1 to Spurs

Walker may have won four of his five total duels contested, yet the right-back made just one tackle and one clearance in the defeat as he was run ragged by Heung-min Son for Spurs, who shone on the left wing.

If Liverpool aim to secure all three points, then targeting the 34-year-old could be one way of piling on more misery for City this weekend, that’s for sure.

Who will Slot unleash on the left flank, however?

The Liverpool star who can terrorise Walker

There is no denying how impressive Luis Diaz has been this term, registering 11 goal contributions – nine goals and two assists – in just 18 matches under Slot.

Against Real Madrid in midweek, Diaz wasn’t quite at his sparkling best, missing two big chances, winning just two of his nine ground duels and losing possession ten times during the clash.

Cody Gakpo entered the game with 20 minutes left, taking over from Darwin Núñez, and he ended up getting on the scoresheet along with succeeding with 100% of his dribbles and making one key pass.

Although he was deployed through the middle against the La Liga side, perhaps Slot could unleash the Dutchman on the left flank so he can terrorise Walker this afternoon.

In the Premier League last season, Gakpo ranked in the top 15% for successful take-ons per 90 (1.69) and in the top 28% for progressive carries per 90 (2.35), clearly indicating that he could be a major threat out wide for the Reds.

During the 2022 World Cup, Statman Dave hailed his performance against Qatar as “unstoppable” and if he can replicate this sort of form, Walker is in for a rough 90 minutes, that’s for sure.

The Anfield side have a wonderful chance to stretch their advantage at the top of the table with a victory against City. If they do, then Slot’s men could be difficult to catch in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool eyeing move for "amazing" ace who stole show in front of scouts

He could become their replacement for Mohamed Salah.

1 ByTom Cunningham Nov 30, 2024

Spinner Molly Strano returned to the top of the all-time WBBL wicket-taking list as her Hobart Hurricanes stayed in semi-final contention with an eight-wicket win over the Melbourne Renegades.Renegades were dismissed for 80, the lowest complete innings score of this season’s competition. Hurricanes cruised to their small target at Blundstone Arena with 56 balls to spare, taking 10.4 overs.The win lifted fifth-placed Hurricanes to within two points of Perth Scorchers in fourth and they having a game in hand. Hurricanes have the best net run rate of any of the eight teams.Spinner Strano spearheaded the Hurricanes bowling efforts as they dismissed the Renegades in 17.2 overs. Her haul lifted her WBBL career tally to 131, one ahead of Brisbane Heat spinner Jess Jonassen.”It does not drive me, it actually sits better with me when JJ is at the top of the table because she is more skilful than I am,” Strano told .Strano hinted she may have been a trifle fortunate to get one wicket as Josie Dooley was given out lbw after appearing to hit the ball with the bottom edge of her bat.”You can probably call it a half-hearted appeal, just a very polite inquiry,” Strano said.The heavy loss dropped Renegades back to last spot on net run rate below Sydney Thunder, who they beat on Sunday.Only Courtney Webb and Hayley Matthews provided any resistance against Hurricanes’ battery of spinners and medium pacers. Captain Sophie Molineux was the only other double-digit scorer for Renegades but her dismissal from a catch off a miscued shot triggered a collapse.Their last seven wickets fell for 34 and they had a disastrous powerplay, losing 3 for 3.When Hurricanes batted, Molineux dismissed their two South African stars, with Coyte taking a fine one-handed catch at backward square leg to remove Lizelle Lee and Mignon du Preez falling lbw.Elyse Villani, who had scored just 56 runs from her six previous WBBL innings, returned to form in making a season-high unbeaten 41 off 34 balls.

The runners-up will collect $800,000 and the two losing semi-finalists $400,000 each, just like in the last edition

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Sep-2022The winners of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia will take home a prize money of US $1.6 million, the same amount as the last year’s edition, the ICC announced on Friday. Similarly, the runners-up will collect $800,000 and the two losing semi-finalists $400,000 each.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe 16-team tournament, starting October 16, will be played in two rounds.The eight teams – Namibia, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, UAE in Group A and West Indies, Scotland, Ireland and Zimbabwe in Group B – will play the first round. For any win in this round, a team will receive a prize money of $40,000.Four teams – the top two from each group – will qualify for the Super 12 round. They will join Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa there. The ones who get knocked out in the first round will get $40,000 each.In the Super 12 phase too, each win will fetch a team $40,000. The eight teams who exit at the Super 12 stage will receive $70,000 each, just like the 2021 edition.The total prize money for the tournament is $5.6 million.

Qualification scenarios: What Sri Lanka, Ireland and South Africa need to do to gain direct entry to the 2023 World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Feb-2023South Africa’s hopes of direct qualification for the ODI World Cup later this year have suffered a setback after they were docked one point from their tally in the Super League standings for maintaining a slow over-rate during their defeat to England in the third ODI in Kimberley on Wednesday.Match referee Jeff Crowe imposed the sanction, finding Temba Bavuma’s team to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. South Africa were also fined 20% of their match fee for the offence.South Africa are currently ninth with 78 points – they had 79 before the penalty – in the ODI Super League. The top eight teams gain automatic qualification to the 2023 World Cup, while the bottom five in the Super League will have to play the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier along with five Associate teams. Two teams from that qualifier will then progress to the World Cup and complete the line-up of ten contenders.Seven of the top eight spots in the Super League have already been taken by New Zealand, India, England, Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The only spot that is still open is presently occupied by West Indies, who have 88 points, with South Africa (78), Sri Lanka (77) and Ireland (68) in the running as well.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Qualification scenarios for the 2023 World Cup

South Africa

Two wins for South Africa will take them to 98 points (barring any further over-rate penalties). Sri Lanka can go past them if they win all three ODIs in New Zealand, which is a tall order given that New Zealand have a 17-4 win-loss in home ODIs in the last four years. With South Africa being docked a point, Ireland can also catch up with them on 98 if they win all three matches against Bangladesh. In that case, net run rate will come into play (NRR is the second tie-breaker behind wins, but in such a scenario both teams would have the same number of wins).If the South Africa-Netherlands series ends 1-1, South Africa will finish level with West Indies, while Sri Lanka can move past them with two wins (or one win and two washouts).Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will qualify for sure if they beat New Zealand 3-0 (or if they win 2-0 with one washout). However, if they lose a game, then they will depend on other results going their way: both South Africa and Ireland can go past them if they finish on 97.Ireland

They have two series three-match ODI series against Bangladesh on their calendar. One in March which doesn’t count towards the Super League and one in May which does. A 3-0 series win in that will take Ireland to 98 points, which will be enough for qualification if Sri Lanka don’t win all three games in New Zealand, and if Ireland finish ahead of South Africa (on points or NRR).West Indies

West Indies have completed their eight bilateral series in the Super League, and can only hope that none of the other teams in contention pass 88 points. Since the first tie-breaker is wins, West Indies would finish ahead of any of South Africa, Sri Lanka and Ireland if they finished level on points.For West Indies to make it, South Africa should lose at least once to Netherlands, Ireland should win at most twice, and Sri Lanka should win no more than one game in their remaining series.February 3 1800 GMT – This piece was updated to reflect that wins are the first tie-breaker, then net run-rate.

Tottenham Hotspur’s poor run of form got even worse last night.

Ange Postecoglou returned to Glasgow to take on Rangers in the Europa League, but instead of getting one over his old rivals, he oversaw a rather dismal 1-1 draw.

However, while it ended a point a piece, the hosts were undoubtedly the better team and, on another night, could and probably should have been two or three goals up before the Lilywhites equalised.

That said, while it was a night to forget for Spurs, there was at least one starter who could hold his head high, a starter Lionel Messi thought could have joined him at Barcelona in the past.

Spurs' poor performers

Before we get to the player in question, we have to look at some of Spurs’ worst performers from last night, as while they got out with a point, it was an abysmal showing from one of the Premier League’s ‘big six.’

The starter who has been getting the most stick is Timo Werner, who was hooked at halftime for what might have been his worst game for the club since his arrival mid-way through last season.

That’s an opinion likely shared by Postecoglou, as in his post-match press conference, he slammed the German, saying his display “wasn’t acceptable,” which might even be too kind, as in just 46 minutes he lost the ball 16 times and received a 2/10 match rating from journalist Alasdair Gold.

Other than the former Chelsea ace, Pedro Porro was a disaster in attack and defence; Brennan Johnson went from ineffective off the right to anonymous off the left when Dejan Kulusevski came on, and the midfield duo of Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur might as well have sat on the bench all game as they were so easily bypassed.

Overall, it was the sort of showing that can get a manager the sack.

However, aside from Kulusevski, who scored but still looked somewhat off his best, there was one starter from last night who almost single-handedly kept Spurs in the game, a player lauded by Messi over a decade ago.

The Spurs star who proved Messi right

So, to get straight to the point, the player in question is, of course, goalkeeping veteran Fraser Forster.

The six-capped Englishman spent a significant period of his career playing for Celtic, and it was with the Hoops that he left a seriously good impression on the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner following a 2-1 Champions League victory against Barcelona in 2012.

The 36-year-old was an immovable object for those 90 minutes, facing 14 shots on target and keeping the Catalans out until Messi finally scored a consolation goal in the 91st minute.

It was such an incredible showing from the Hexam-born shot-stopper that the Argentine megastar later told the press that it was the “best goalkeeping performance I have seen” and that the team “even talked about him playing here.”

Unfortunately for the Englishman, that path never presented itself to him, but last night, against Rangers, he rolled back the years once more and ensured that Spurs came away with a point from Ibrox.

In his 93 minutes of action, the “magnificent” veteran, as dubbed by former manager Neil Lennon, made five saves, four of which were inside the box, prevented 0.73 goals, made one punch and high claim, took 41 touches, maintained a passing accuracy of 85%, and made one clearance.

Unsurprisingly, it was a showing that impressed the watching press, with Gold awarding him an 8/10 match rating at full-time and crediting him for his ‘crucial’ save against Cyriel Dessers just five minutes from time.

Minutes

93′

Saves

5

Saves inside the Area

4

Goals Prevented

0.73

Punches

1

High Claims

1

Touches

41

Passing Accuracy

23/27 (85%)

Clearances

1

Ultimately, the majority of the Spurs team were utterly dire against Rangers, but Forster put in another strong showing against his old rivals and, in turn, justified Messi’s high praise from all those years ago.

4/10 Spurs star was just as bad as Werner vs Rangers

Spurs slipped up again, this time in Europe against Rangers.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 13, 2024