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Glamorgan 278 for 3 (Tribe 131*, Smale 83*) beat Leicestershire 274 (Hill 81, Norton 3-41, Franco 3-59) by seven wicketsYoungsters prevailed for Glamorgan against Leicestershire, to secure a consolation victory at the end of a sour, bottom-placed title defence of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.Asa Tribe’s second century in as many games backed up figures of 3 for 41 and 3 for 59 from 18-year-old pair Tom Norton, on debut, and Romano Franco respectively. Norton’s career got off to an impressive start as he dismissed Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood for a first professional wicket.Lewis Hill showed resistance for 81 in Leicestershire’s 274 before 21-year-old Tribe’s coming-of-age season was capped by his 131 not out, accompanied by Will Smale’s unbeaten 83 in a match-winning partnership against a much-changed Foxes side.It had been a poor campaign for the two teams who had shared the last two editions of the One-Day Cup. But Leicestershire came out the blocks firing despite being inserted, taking full advantage of a makeshift opening bowling pair lacking an out-and-out pace threat. Sol Budinger planted Andy Gorvin for two straight sixes inside five overs before being untimely dismissed, caught at deep third to a good low catch from Norton, in the first act of a strong fielding display.Zain Ul Hassan’s conceded five wides from his first ball, and four overthrows an over later was a reminder to snap back into concentation after Sol Budinger had threatened to take the game away early.At 44 for 1 from just five overs, Hill throttled back to ease to his half-century and looked less of a player in dire need of the runs, more one in full control.With Shan Masood and Peter Handscomb at four and five, Leicestershire threatened to take the game away from a side fielding two 18-year-old bowlers. However, Norton trapped Masood before another youngster Henry Hurle threw down Handscomb’s stumps to break an 84-run stand.At 176 for 4, Sam Wood arrived at number six, and with Leicestershire negotiating a few injuries and Hundred replacements, Glamorgan applied the pressure for a period of controlled ease, with no boundary for nearly eight overs after the 38th.A couple of Alex Green blows towards the back end helped the tail wag but Glamorgan finished in the driving seat after bowling a team out for the first time in their seven consecutive matches.Eddie Byrom started the chase with typical composure, milking singles before throwing away an off-side slash after getting himself in.Top wicket-taker in the tournament, Green, took just two balls to find himself a wicket – Hurle chopping the 18-year-old on.Kiran Carlson had three trademark sixes inside 13 balls before his cameo was ended prematurely, a partnership of 57 inside six overs while Tribe broke no sweat.Tribe went about his work quietly, remaining in Carlson’s shadow while still scoring at a-run-a-ball. He scored back-to-back boundaries to reach a 48-ball half-century, but that was just half the job done.The match-changing unbeaten partnership of 172 might have ended before it got going, when Smale drove a Green no-ball to backward-point on 3 for an early reprieve; another simple dropped catch followed when the damage had mostly been done.

Harry Brook has promised that the England team will rally around Sonny Baker ahead of the second ODI at Lord’s on Thursday, after the fast bowler endured a debut to forget in a brutally one-sided series opener against South Africa at Headingley.Baker, 22, was taken for 76 runs in seven wicketless overs – the most-expensive figures ever conceded by an England bowler in his first ODI – while his economy rate of 10.85 was the second-worst by any debutant to have bowled a minimum of six overs in the format.Baker’s day arguably peaked before the toss, when, in the presence of his family members, he was presented his England cap by his new team-mate Jos Buttler – a fellow alumnus of King’s College, Taunton. Thereafter, with England being bowled out for 131 inside 25 overs, he was on a hiding to nothing, starting from his own contribution to that scoreline: a first-ball duck courtesy of Keshav Maharaj.Baker was then thrown the ball for the first over of South Africa’s chase. He had come into the game with apparent form and confidence, courtesy of his explosive displays for Manchester Originals in the Hundred, but his combined figures of 6 for 81 in his previous 67 balls proved to be little preparation for Aiden Markram in a serious hurry. His skiddy pace was crashed for three fours in his first five balls, and 56 in his initial four-over spell, as Markram rushed through to a 23-ball half-century.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“It’s not probably the ideal start, having to defend 130,” Brook admitted at the post-match presentations, adding that England had “no excuses” after a batting display that “wasn’t good enough”.”Everybody will get behind him,” Brook added. “That’s the nature of this group. We are such a tight-knit group. We’re all good mates. We spend a lot of time away from the game together as well.”He’s had a tough day, but the way that he just kept on cracking on and digging deep, to keep on running in and try and get wickets there for us, even after getting a little bit of tap, was awesome to see. And that’s exactly what we asked of every bowler.”With the game as good as over after South Africa’s 67-run powerplay, Brook admitted that England treated the remainder of the innings as a de facto practice session, and turned back to Baker for a second spell – down the hill from the Kirkstall Lane End – in the 12th over. He initially fared better, conceding just two runs in his fifth over, but Markram and Ryan Rickelton continued to attack him thereafter as their opening stand reached 121 in 18 overs.Related

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“I was just trying to get him a wicket, to be honest,” Brook said. “Obviously we didn’t get off to the greatest of starts with the ball. After the start that they got, I knew that we were never really going to win the game. It was just a matter of trying to get him a pole at that time, and the lads trying to develop and upskill their skills, that they’ve been working on in practice and trying to take them into a game.”The way that they chased that, with Markham coming out and going really ultra-aggressive, was the perfect way to chase a low score, especially in the powerplay, when you’ve only got one or two people out,” he added. “It is tough to defend. So [Baker] might have missed his execution the odd time, but Markram played some extraordinary shots, so hats off to him.”Markram finished with 86 from 55 balls, eventually falling to Adil Rashid with a century just about within his sights.”I definitely didn’t pre-plan anything,” he said of his assault on Baker. “I’ve never faced him before, and there’s some really good talk about him and his abilities. So really I just trying to watch the ball. You want to see the action first, but if you can get a few away early, and you can get ahead of him, then you try and do that. But it won’t always be the case. If he’s got it on a string, he’ll be a really good bowler, for sure.”

Everton left it late but secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon thanks to Jack Grealish’s stoppage-time strike.

The win ended Palace’s remarkable 19-match unbeaten run, dating back to April, and kept momentum building under David Moyes.

However, while the result lifted the Toffees into eighth place on 11 points, the performance was far from convincing, with two summer signings failing to impose themselves on the game.

For long stretches, Everton were second best, trailing at the break after Daniel Muñoz’s first-half finish.

David Moyes’ side lacked tempo and fluency in possession, forcing the manager into half-time changes.

The introduction of Carlos Alcaraz and Beto injected fresh energy, but it was Grealish who ultimately delivered the decisive blow, scoring in the 93rd minute to cap off a memorable turnaround.

Everton can take confidence from their resilience, but questions remain over two new faces who were hauled off at the interval.

Barry’s subdued performance against Palace

Much was expected of Thierno Barry following his £27.6m summer move from Villarreal.

The France U21 international had impressed in Spain, scoring 11 goals and supplying four assists last season.

At 6 foot 5, his aerial dominance stood out. Barry’s physical profile drew comparisons to Dušan Vlahović and Ollie Watkins, offering Everton a forward capable of stretching defences and leading the line.

But against Palace, those strengths were nowhere to be seen.

Barry touched the ball just 19 times, completed only four of his eight passes, and failed to register a shot.

His attempts to dribble past opponents – two in total – both ended unsuccessfully, while he surrendered possession ten times.

Minutes

45

Shots

0

Passing Accuracy

50%

Ground Duels Lost

4

Possession Lost

10

Substituted at half-time for Beto, it was a sobering reminder that he will need time to adapt to the physicality and tempo of the Premier League.

Moyes himself has acknowledged Barry will require a bedding-in period, but with expectations high and Everton looking to sustain their push for Europe, patience may wear thin if his output doesn’t improve soon.

Everton star was as bad as Barry

While Barry’s struggles were evident, he was not the only Everton player to falter.

Tyler Dibling, the club’s marquee £42m summer signing from Southampton, also endured a frustrating evening.

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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Much was expected of the 19-year-old England U21 international, who arrived after interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich.

Everton had pursued him for months, and his signing was viewed as a statement of intent.

Dibling’s pedigree is clear. Last season, he made 33 Premier League appearances for Southampton, scoring twice and assisting once across 1,874 minutes.

His statistical profile stood out – ranking in the 92nd percentile for fouls drawn (2.49 per 90), 98th percentile for penalty kicks won (0.10 per 90), and 81st percentile for successful take-ons (2.16 per 90).

He also impressed defensively, sitting in the 88th percentile for tackles in the middle third (0.86 per 90) and 98th percentile for percentage of dribblers tackled (61.5%).

In short, he is a winger capable of carrying the ball and working hard out of possession.

But his Palace display told a different story. Dibling managed only 19 touches and completed six of his seven passes. He attempted three dribbles without success, lost possession eight times, won 30% of his duels and failed to register a single shot.

Withdrawn for Alcaraz at the break, it was a day to forget for a teenager still adjusting to his new surroundings.

Everton’s investment in Dibling reflected a determination to strengthen the right-hand side following the departures of Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrøm.

Moyes wants a winger who can combine industry with end product, and Dibling has the tools to be that player.

But against Palace, he struggled to impact the game in either half of the pitch.

With matches against Manchester City and a packed festive schedule looming, Everton will need more from their high-profile recruit or he can expect to find himself dropped to the bench again.

The raw talent is undeniable, but his first few weeks in blue have shown that even the most promising prospects can take time to settle.

Elsewhere, Palace may point to fatigue following their midweek Europa League trip to Dynamo Kyiv, but Everton will be encouraged by their fighting spirit.

Grealish’s winner showed the difference a match-winner can make – a lesson both Barry and Dibling will be eager to learn as they adapt to life under Moyes.

Fewer touches than Pickford: 4/10 Everton dud was saved by Grealish & Ndiaye

Everton ended Crystal Palace’s 19-game unbeaten run with a 2-1 win.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 5, 2025

Despite some nervy moments, Manchester United managed to hold on against Chelsea last weekend to win 2-1 at Old Trafford. The Red Devils secured the three points thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, despite a late Trevoh Chalobah header.

Despite playing against 10 men for much of the first half after Robert Sanchez’s early red card, Ruben Amorim’s side also had a man sent off. Casemiro was dismissed late in the first 45 minutes for a second bookable offence. It means that the experienced Brazilian will miss their Saturday lunchtime trip to the capital to face Brentford.

Amorim certainly has options as to who could replace Casemiro in the lineup, however.

The options to replace Casemiro?

Losing Casemiro in the centre of midfield is a huge blow for the Red Devils. However, it does give Amorim the chance to test the depth of his squad and allows another player to stake a claim and start more often.

It is incredibly puzzling that Kobbie Mainoo is unable to get into the starting lineup at Old Trafford. He burst onto the scene and is a sensational talent, but can’t get into the team under Amorim. Ex-United midfielder Owen Hargreaves said after the Manchester Derby loss, “I’ll never know” how he doesn’t get into United’s XI.

Mainoo is yet to start in the Premier League, and has played just 174 minutes across all competitions, despite performing strongly when given the chance.

Against City, he completed 100% of his passes, won 100% of both his duels and tackles, and created two chances.

If Amorim does choose to keep Mainoo out of the side, then Manuel Ugarte is another option. The Uruguay midfielder has struggled in that famous Red shirt of United, and has never managed to lock down a permanent starting spot under Amorim.

The former Paris Saint-Germain man perhaps lacks the on-ball quality needed in that pivot under Amorim. Last season in the Premier League, he averaged just 39 completed open play passes and lost the ball an average of 9.1 times per 90 minutes.

If Amorim continues to stubbornly overlook Mainoo, or deems Ugarte not the right profile for the trip to Brentford, there is another option he could go with.

United’s alternative to Casemiro

So, the obvious choice would surely be to pick Mainoo, or Ugarte if Amoirm decides against selecting the youngster again. But he does have another player in his squad who could be the ideal alternative to Casemiro.

Although he has operated as a number ten this season, Mason Mount could be ideal for the pivot next to Fernandes. Firstly, the pair played next to each other in that role earlier this season, away to Fulham.

Mount, with major injury issues now hopefully a thing of the past, has been a vital cog in the works for the Red Devils in 2025/26.

The 26-year-old has played five games across all competitions and has one assist in that time, against Grimsby in the Carabao Cup.

In terms of what he can offer United, playing in a deeper role, he obviously brings lots of quality on the ball. This season, he’s created 2.3 chances on average per 90 minutes.

Off the ball, he’s also impressed, winning five duels and making 4.1 ball recoveries.

Statman Dave said Mount is a “pressing monster”, and it is the out-of-possession energy the England star can bring that could mean Amorim selects him in the pivot. He’s no slouch on the ball either, with two of his four United goals to date having come against the Bees.

With Mount’s ability to press high from midfield and spring attacks from deep, it could be a shrewd selection from the Portuguese boss if he wants to add quality on the ball in midfield.

It would certainly be a bold call away to a physical Brentford team, but one that could be a good decision.

Bigger mistake than McTominay: Man Utd sold their own Trent for just £5m

Man Utd’s recruitment record has been called into question, with Scott McTominay not the only former star now shining…

By
Robbie Walls

Sep 23, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Athletico-PR ganhou um reforço em seus cofres, mas que não veio de nenhuma negociação recente, premiação por meta esportiva ou mesmo acordo de patrocínio. Isso porque o Santa Clara-POR, através de comunicado oficial, informou ter saldado o débito existente junto ao Furacão desde o ano passado envolvendo o atacante Cryzan.

Não há maiores informações sobre qual seria o valor exato da dívida em questão. Entretanto, o comunicado da representação do Velho Continente afirma que a mesma ‘ascendia a mais de um milhão de euros’, garantindo o recebimento do clube paranaense em algo superior a casa dos R$ 5,2 milhões devido a atual cotação da moeda estrangeira.

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>Assista aos jogos do seu clube do coração com aquela gelada! Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00

Em março de 2022, o avante brasileiro deixou a equipe lusitana e rumou para a Ásia, mais precisamente para o Shandong Taishan-CHN, pelo preço de dois milhões de euros (R$ 11 milhões na cotação da época).

Mesmo com o fato do jogador ter rescindido com o Athletico antes de assinar com o Santa Clara, em 2019, o Furacão ainda detinha 42,6% dos direitos econômicos de Cryzan. Logo, o clube teria de receber, na época de sua ida par o futebol chinês, R$ 4,6 milhões do montante total da transação, algo que não ocorreu.

Por conta dos juros acumulados desde que a dívida surgiu, o Santa Clara precisou fazer uma renegociação da dívida que já estava sob os cuidados da Fifa. Algo que, consequentemente, poderia acarretar ao clube de Portugal sanções como, por exemplo, ficar impedido de realizações contratações até conseguir honrar o compromisso com o Athletico-PR.

Transfer deadline day is always an exciting one for fans all over England, but today could prove to be a huge day for Tottenham Hotspur in their quest to end the window on a positive note.

Up to now, the business conducted by Thomas Frank has been a huge success, spending around £155m on new additions, with Xavi Simons being the latest big-money signing in North London.

The Dutchman joined in a £52m deal last week, adding to the £55m signing of Mohammed Kudus and a permanent move to land Frenchman Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich.

However, new boss Frank is evidently still hunting for further additions to help boost his chances of securing any form of success in Europe and or the Premier League this campaign.

Numerous names have emerged on their shortlist throughout deadline day, with progress being made on deals to land various top-level European talents.

Spurs’ hunt to land new talent on deadline day

Despite Simons’ transfer in recent days, Spurs have been hunting for the signature of Ademola Lookman over the last couple of hours – potentially costing a fee in the region of £43m.

The Nigerian, who scored 20 goals for Atalanta last season, has been desperate for a transfer this summer, potentially getting himself a move to North London before tonight’s deadline.

However, another name has emerged on their radar in recent hours, with Football Insider reporting the Lilywhites are keen on a late move for Conor Gallagher.

They claim that the Atlético Madrid star is available for €60m (£52m) in the coming hours, with Newcastle United also battling Frank’s side for a potential switch back to England.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be perfect for Kolo Muani

Alongside Lookman, Spurs are negotiating a deal with PSG for the signing of striker Randal Kolo Muani – despite the Frenchman looking certain to join Juventus this summer.

It’s been reported this morning that the Lilywhites are close to agreeing personal terms with the forward over a deal to North London – with a loan with an obligation to buy mooted before tonight’s deadline.

Such a deal has advanced after Dominic Solanke suffered a setback with his current ankle issue, with no timeframe currently placed on his return to first-team action.

Kolo Muani, who scored 10 goals in 22 appearances on loan in Italy last campaign, would offer another impressive option in the final third – potentially being aided by Gallagher in his quest for goals in 2025/26.

Whilst the former Chelsea star is primarily a ball-winning option, he’s also showcased his ability to break the lines and play key passes into attacking areas – having the tools to be a perfect box-to-box talent in Frank’s side.

His underlying stats from the 2024/25 campaign showcase the talent he possesses, with £52m potentially being an excellent price – should he replicate such figures in North London.

The 25-year-old, who’s been labelled “sensational” by journalist John Cross, ranked in the 89th percentile for tackles won (1.8) and in the 90th percentile for recoveries made (5.9) in LaLiga – showcasing his ability to regain possession should he move to Frank’s side.

However, in possession, the England international also impressed, making an average of 3.5 progressive passes per 90 at a pass completion rate of 85% – tallies which could provide Kolo Muani with constant chances in dangerous areas.

2.6 of his progressive passes last season were made into the final third, further showcasing his talent with the ball at his feet, offering added ammunition for the Frenchman should he join the Lilywhites.

£52m would be another huge investment from the Spurs hierarchy, but it’s a deal that could add further quality into Frank’s already impressive midfield department.

If he can replicate his numbers from LaLiga last season, it would be a sensational pickup and one that could allow Kolo Muani to adhere himself to the supporters in the process.

Frank's next Wissa: Spurs close to agreeing terms to sign £50m star

Tottenham are set for a frenetic finish to the summer transfer window.

2

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 1, 2025

Newcastle United have had a summer to forget. Of course, the ongoing saga with Alexander Isak, who has gone on strike and is refusing to play, has dominated proceedings at the club, and they have still not signed their primary target, a centre-forward.

With Isak on strike and Callum Wilson no longer at the club, it has meant that Eddie Howe has needed to get creative. Anthony Gordon operated as a makeshift striker against Liverpool in Monday’s 3-2 defeat, but he was sent off for a reckless tackle on Virgil van Dijk and is therefore suspended for the foreseeable future.

With the transfer window slamming shut on Monday, there is still time for the Magpies to sign a new centre-forward.

Latest on Newcastle's transfer pursuit

All summer, it has been clear that Howe wants to add another striker to his squad. Several names have cropped up, and one of the latest is Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, whom the Magpies could make a move for.

Transfer Focus

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

However, the one player whom the North East giants have been focusing on signing of late is Brentford attacker Yoane Wissa.

According to a report from Craig Hope, the Magpies are set to hold more talks for the DR Congo international, with the “deal still alive” ahead of Monday’s deadline.

This new information has been revealed after it was reported last week that the Bees would demand a fee of £60m for the striker. With Hope confirming talks will resume, this fee has seemingly not put the Magpies off from doing a deal.

Why Wissa would be a good signing

Described as an “unbelievable” player by former manager Thomas Frank, Wissa has certainly developed a strong reputation. Last season, he shone as the Bees equalled their best-ever Premier League finish, reaching tenth.

Last season, the Bees’ number 11 scored the most goals in his Premier League career, finding the back of the net 19 times.

That eclipsed his tally from the previous season, where he bagged 12 goals, the first time he hit double figures.

Indeed, some of the numbers from Wissa’s campaign last season show just how impressive he was.

For example, the 28-year-old averaged 0.8 goals and assists and had a conversion rate of 27.54% per 90 minutes, showing just how creative and clinical he was.

Goals and assists

0.8

23

Conversion rate

27.54%

27.54%

Chances created

0.9

27

Duels won

3.7

118

Recoveries

2.5

81

With the way Wissa is going about his current transfer situation, it is easy to see how he could become the new Gordon at St James’ Park. The DR Congo star was previously not training with Brentford in an attempt to push a move through to St James’ Park.

Well, that was similar to how Gordon handled the situation of his transfer when he moved from Everton to Newcastle. It was reported back in 2023 that the England international skipped training to try and force a move through to St James’ Park, before submitting a transfer request.

Looking back on that, Magpies fans might he glad he did.

The Liverpool-born star has since gone on to make 107 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals and assisting 23 in that time, including goals in both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final over Arsenal last term.

Well, one thing is for sure: Wissa is desperate to play for Newcastle. Skipping training is not something that is done lightly, and if he does manage to force through the move, the Geordie fans in the stands at St James’ Park would surely take to him instantly.

If he can replicate what Gordon has done so far in a Newcastle shirt, then he would be even more loved by the Magpies supporters. Wissa is a player with a fantastic Premier League record already, so building upon that in the North East would be important to win fans over.

It is easy to see how Wissa can be Newcastle’s new Gorson. By missing training, he seems to want to move to the North East desperately, just like their star winger. Now all that’s left is to replicate his incredible impact on the club.

He's like Isak: Newcastle make late approach to sign £61m Wissa alternative

Newcastle continue to search for strikers as the summer transfer window enters the final week.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Aug 25, 2025

Wrexham roared back into Championship form as Josh Windass marked his comeback with a blistering brace in a 3-2 victory over a limp Norwich City. The win eased the heat on Phil Parkinson, whose rocky start to life in the second tier had sparked murmurs of discontent. Norwich, however, remain in meltdown. Four home games, four defeats, the Canaries are spiraling.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Wrexham get the job done

  Parkinson rang the changes after last weekend’s 3-1 loss to QPR. Out went Conor Coady, James McClean, Matty James and Ryan Hardie. In came debutants Dominic Hyam and Issa Kabore, Ben Sheaf for his first full start, and the returning Windass, thrust back into the XI and given the captain’s armband for good measure. The tactical tweak was obvious. Lewis O’Brien and Windass pushed high, buzzing around Kieffer Moore as Parkinson looked to overwhelm Norwich with energy and width. From the first whistle, Wrexham’s intent was there.

  Norwich were toothless for much of the half, but when their moment came in the 39th minute, they punished Wrexham ruthlessly. David Jurasek slid a neat ball through for Jack Stacey, who darted clear and coolly tucked past Arthur Okonkwo. Against the run of play, the hosts led 1-0.

  Whatever Parkinson said at the interval could have peeled paint off the walls. Wrexham came out after the restart like a team possessed, and Norwich had no answers. Barely two minutes in, Windass was on the scoresheet. A sweeping diagonal ball released Kabore, whose low cross found the skipper lurking. One swing of the boot and it was 1-1. Minutes later, Windass almost turned provider, sliding O’Brien through, only for Vladan Kovacevic to save smartly.

  By the 54th minute, Wrexham had flipped the game on its head. Ben Sheaf worked the ball out wide to Kabore, whose delivery was precise. Ryan Longman pounced, firing into the net to make it 2-1. Norwich were reeling, their defence all over the shop, and Wrexham smelt blood. Just before the hour, the killer blow arrived. Tylor Cleworth’s cross evaded everyone in the middle, but not Windass. The captain shaped, curled, and delivered a beauty into the far corner to make it 3-1. In a devastating 15-minute spell, the Red Dragons had torched the Canaries. Although the hosts pulled one back deep inside stoppage time, it was too little too late to salvage a point at home for Norwich.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  MVP: Windass' brilliant brace

  Back from injury and wearing the armband, Windass was sensational. His brace, plus a hand in every key attacking moment, made him the undisputed MVP. After frustration on the sidelines, the forward looked reborn, driving Wrexham forward with pace and precision. 

• The big losers: Norwich's dismal backline

  If Windass was the hero, Norwich’s three centre-backs were the villains. Josh Cordoba, Harry Darling and Jakov Medic were statuesque as Windass ghosted through for his opener. The lack of awareness, the failure to track runs, and the absence of bite left them hopelessly exposed. Liam Manning's men looked brittle, nervous, and rudderless every time the ball came into their box.

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• Where next for Wrexham?

  With league pressure eased, attention now shifts to cup duty. Wrexham welcome Reading to the Racecourse Ground on Tuesday night for an EFL Cup third-round tie. Victory there could spark genuine momentum heading into the next Championship fixtures.

Family reunions in New Zealand help England captain find his equilibrium after turbulent month

Vithushan Ehantharajah26-Nov-2024Since Ben Stokes became Test captain in 2022, he has made a note of addressing his England squad ahead of each series.His first that summer was an array of individual chats which took place St George’s Park, England’s national football centre, where the team had gathered for medical screenings, outlining his vision. Ever since, they have taken the form of speeches to the whole group – usually a refresher on the values and ethos that have been cultivated (and challenged) over the last two years.This time, however, Stokes took a different tack. With the team congregating in Queenstown ahead of Thursday’s series opener against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, the captain stood up and, in his words, “cleared the air with the lads”.Perhaps for the first time, it was more for him than them. Stokes wanted to relay how unhappy he was with his conduct on the recent Pakistan tour. He had gone into the series still recovering from the hamstring tear that ruled him out of the Sri Lanka series at the end of the home summer. And though he was able to return to action for the second and third Tests in Multan and Rawalpindi after nine weeks out, he was not his best self, as England succumbed to a 2-1 defeat.He let his frustrations get the better of him on the field in Multan after an array of dropped catches and misfields, which he apologised for at the time. Then came a lax display of captaincy in the decisive third Test, compounded by two failures with the bat.Those around Stokes at the time noted something was off, and it soon emerged that his house had been burgled during the second Test, understandably taking his thoughts elsewhere. He wanted to return home to support his family, who were in the house at the time of the break-in, but stayed on in Pakistan at the insistence of his wife, Clare.Even with that mitigating factor, the weeks back home allowed Stokes to reflect that the image and negative energy he had projected was at odds with the leader he wants to be. The drive to regain fitness and his visible exasperations were, in his mind, selfish – counter-productive to the calm dressing-room environment he regards as a key pillar for an England side still working itself out.”It was one of my hardest trips,” said Stokes. “But also one that I’ve hugely benefited from.Related

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Stokes bullish after defeat: 'We've got the best top six in England'

Ben Stokes apologises for frustration after lapses cost England dear

“I had my hamstring injury, and as soon as I could get going again, I had a focus on a date to get back. I worked incredibly hard for a very, very long period of time. And then when we got out to Pakistan, obviously pushing and pushing and pushing myself to get ready for that first Test, made a late call and then tried to get myself ready for the second Test.”I’ve been pretty honest with myself and pretty honest with Baz and the team as well, that I got so individually focused on myself over a long period of time of trying to get back from injury.”I actually I did physically drain and ruin myself, which definitely had some kind of mental impact on me. I sort of almost worked myself too hard to get back to fitness, and then all of a sudden, I was out in a Test match.”It’s made me realise that me being a captain, me being the leader of this team, I can’t take myself into that sort of area ever again – focusing on myself so much as an individual. And there’s no doubt that my frustration was showing when things weren’t quite going our way.”That definitely has an impact on, not only the players around me, but also the group and the management around you as well. Because everyone’s walking on eggshells around you, because they can sense it. But it wasn’t till I got home that I realised that then, obviously, with the robbery happening, that made more of everything for me out there.”Ben Stokes has a hongi with a Ngāi Tahu member at Hagley Oval•Getty ImagesStokes’ words in Queenstown were understood to be well received, with an encouraging sense that no such apology was necessary, but appreciated nonetheless. So much of Stokes’ captaincy is about looking out for others, whether diverting praise their way or shielding them from criticism.In a year in which England have lost as many Tests as they have won (seven), along with a destabilising injury and home invasion, falling short of those high standards is only human. Nevertheless, the drive for improvement is admirable ahead of what will be a challenging three-match series against the Blackcaps.”It was a realisation for me that, right, okay, if I ever find myself in this situation again, I need to maybe take a step back and think about what’s best for the team,” he added. “Because I feel like when you’re in a position that I’m in, you always need to be focused on that, as opposed to yourself, if that makes sense.”It was nice to get home, relax, chill out … you know, assess Pakistan, individually, which I think should hopefully help the team go forward again. I think it’s another step forward for me as a leader, as well as understanding certain things where I need to be better.”If Stokes is keen to re-ground himself, he could not have picked a better spot. He was, of course, born here in Christchurch before moving to Cumbria at the age of 12.He tends to bristle when his New Zealand roots are brought up, mostly through cynicism that his background is often used to discredit his Englishness. But Stokes remains fiercely proud of his Kiwi roots. That was particularly evident when he and Blackcaps skipper Tom Latham led their sides in the Mihi Whakatau – a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony – on the Hagley Oval outfield.England know not to expect as warm a welcome on the field, having failed to land a series win in four consecutive visits since 2008, but things are a little different for Stokes. Family connections remain strong in the South Island’s largest city, led by his mother, Deborah. And while Stokes’ motivation to drive England forward remains strong, the setting adds a unique emotional layer for England’s captain.”This is a great place to tour for the team, but obviously for myself, it’s more than that,” he said. “It’s a chance to see family, catch up with family who I don’t get to see. You know, pretty much the whole of the Stokes family is in Christchurch. They’re coming down to the Test match this week.”I came out earlier than the team did to surprise my family. Only a couple of them knew. They managed to keep it secret. So this tour, obviously, is more than just cricket for me. I try and enjoy this country as much as I possibly can. It’s a great place to tour, but, yeah, it’s great for me to be able to see people who I don’t get to see that often. And so there’s more to it for me than there is for everyone else here.”

Arshdeep and Jansen have suggested that Centurion and Johannesburg will have more assistance for the quicks than Gqeberha and Durban

Hemant Brar12-Nov-20241:29

Arshdeep is ‘enjoying what India’s spinners are doing’ in South Africa

Pace and bounce. Those are the words that come to mind when one thinks of cricket in South Africa. However, things have been completely different in the first two T20Is of the current series. There was so much help for spinners that India looked more at home than the hosts.South Africa’s batters had no clue against Varun Chakravarthy, now an overspin bowler with more tricks in his bag than a magician. His eight wickets – and an economy rate of 5.25 – are the most in the series so far. Legspinner Ravi Bishnoi is the joint second on that list with four wickets and an economy rate of 6.12.In all, spinners from both sides have a combined 16 scalps and gone at 6.51 per over. Fast bowlers, despite bowling almost seven overs more, have 12 while going at 8.58.Related

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Arshdeep Singh, a fast bowler himself, does not mind that. Even though he went for 41 in four overs in the second T20I in Gqeberha. “I’m enjoying what the spinners are doing. I will be really happy if they take all ten wickets and I don’t have to do my job,” he said on the eve of the third T20I in Centurion.The conditions in the third T20I, though, are expected to be different from the first two. The first two were played in coastal cities, Durban and Gqeberha, and the teams could breach the 150 mark only once in four innings.The next two games will be played in Centurion and Johannesburg, high-altitude venues where the ball flies off the bat. In the most recent T20I in Centurion, in March 2023, West Indies posted 258 for 5, only for South Africa to pull off a record chase with more than an over to spare.So what is India’s plan for Wednesday? “The South Africa batters are struggling against spin,” Arshdeep said. “So the idea is to contain early on and give a good platform to our spinners to attack and take wickets.”Varun Chakravarthy bamboozled South Africa’s batters in the first two T20Is•AFP/Getty ImagesBut it will not be easy for Varun and Bishnoi to replicate their performance, and South Africa know this. “Playing spin here is a lot different than playing it in PE [Port Elizabeth, Gqeberha’s earlier name] or Durban,” their allrounder Marco Jansen said. “There is a lot more bounce here and they will probably try a fuller length. How we go about that is different for each individual.”I think we didn’t play spin as well as we wanted to in PE. There were a few soft dismissals where we felt we could definitely make better decisions and execute better.”It’s important we look to score straight against spinners. It’s the same for them; they don’t want to go too full because then it’s easier to play. They want to be shorter. It’s not turning a lot; the ball just skids on. So they know if they go fuller, it is easier to score. If it’s full, we can step out. If it’s short, we can stay back.”With the ball, South Africa’s plan looks different from India’s. Their lead fast bowlers – Jansen and Gerald Coetzee, both returning from injuries – have been quicker and more accurate than their Indian counterparts and will aim to strike early.”In the Highveld, the ball travels a lot more than at the coast,” Jansen said. “So it’s important to take wickets at regular intervals, because it’s very difficult to restrict the scoring rate.”Arshdeep is aware he may have to play a key role for India. “I am looking forward to what the wicket offers here,” he said. “It all depends on the conditions, the pitch, the situation whether to go for wickets or look to contain.”When you are bowling two overs at the start and two at the end, a lot depends on you – you can win a game or lose it. So there’s a lot of responsibility. When you bowl at the death, some days are good, some days are bad. You try to stay level-headed and not overthink. The endeavour is to keep things simple, not complicate them, and fulfil what the team demands from me.”