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Three top order stands, one after the other, led by Saif Hassan, then Towhid Hridoy, propelled Bangladesh to overhaul Sri Lanka’s 168, on a dry Dubai track.Saif’s 59-run stand with Litton Das came off 34 balls. It saw Bangladesh set the platform. Then Saif joined Hridoy for a 54-run stand off 45 balls, that consolidated their innings through the middle overs. Hridoy then took charge in a 45-run partnership off 27 balls with Shamim Hossain that put Bangladesh on the cusp of victory. There were some wobbles very late in the game, but those batters had done enough. Bangladesh only needed five to win going into the final over, and they got there with a ball to spare, even if they’d lost two wickets and almost a third scoring the winning run.Sri Lanka struggled for wickets right through the innings, with Saif especially good at keeping the seamers at bay in the powerplay. By the end of the 15th over, Bangladesh had still only lost three wickets, and needed only 39 more to win. It seemed highly unlikely they would lose from there. In fact, they had looked good for the majority of this chase.In Sri Lanka’s innings, Dasun Shanaka’s promotion to No. 5 had yielded results, as he struck 64 not out off 37 balls, to give Sri Lanka a decent – if not spectacular – finish. But two Bangladesh bowlers had also shone: Mustafizur Rahman took 3 for 20, and Mahedi Hasan claimed 2 for 25.2:07

Maharoof: Shanaka showed up when the chips were down

Saif neutralises Nuwan Thushara

When Nuwan Thushara dismissed Tanzid Hasan in the first over, you wondered if this would be another match which his first spell goes some distance to winning. He has tended to have rich hauls against this opposition. But in Saif, Bangladesh had a beautiful counter to Thushara. Saif was outstanding down the ground as Thushara kept going full (as he often does in the powerplay). Saif hit a four over the bowler’s head first ball of the second over, before running at Thushara next ball and depositing him over the rope. Thushara’s second and third overs would cost 14 runs each, Saif doing the majority of that damage.

Hridoy takes down Kamindu Mendis

Sri Lanka’s general strategy is to have Shanaka and one of the spin-bowling allrounders share four overs between them. Usually Charith Asalanka bowls himself. But in this game he chose not to bowl, and gave the 15th over of the innings to Kamindu Mendis. It would be the one in which the match would swing definitively in Bangladesh’s direction.Hridoy crashed him over cover for four second ball, then when Kamindu fired a shortish ball at the stumps, Hridoy got inside the line and launched it high over the deep square leg boundary. Later in the over, he slashed one between cover point and backward point to fetch another four. At the start of that over Bangladesh had needed 55 off 36 balls. Hridoy’s 16 runs off that over made the equation much simpler.1:55

Chopra impressed with Hridoy’s cricketing smarts

Shanaka’s blitz

Unlike Sri Lanka’s bowlers, Bangladesh kept striking regularly after Sri Lanka’s openers had put on 44 runs together. Shanaka was the only one to make a substantial score through the middle and later overs, crashing six sixes and three fours. He’d been dropped off the bowling of Mustafizur on 38, in a period in which Bangladesh gave at least three batters reprieves. Shanaka’s most productive over was against the spin of Nasum Ahmed, whom he clobbered for two sixes and a four in the 15th over.

Mustafizur and Taskin close well

Arguably the best over Bangladesh bowled was delivered by Mustafizur, who had both Kamindu and Asalanka caught in the 19th over, in which he conceded only five runs. Taskin Ahmed then bowled four dots to a mid-blitz Shanaka in the next over, delivering a clutch of good slower balls. He was hit for a six and a four too, but between them Bangladesh’s senior quicks had conceded only 15 in the last two overs, which Sri Lanka had been well-set to exploit.

Thomas Frank has enjoyed an impressive start to his tenure at Tottenham Hotspur, only losing three of his first 14 competitive games in charge of the club.

However, many fans still aren’t convinced by the Dane, especially after the defeat against Newcastle United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

The 51-year-old only made four changes to his starting eleven, but one of which proved to be a huge mistake – with Mohammed Kudus dropping down to the substitutes bench.

The Ghanaian has been the Lilywhites’ shining light in 2025/26, as seen by his tally of one goal and four assists within his first nine Premier League outings.

Such creativity was hugely lacking against the Magpies, with the £55m leaving the responsibility down to one of the other big-money names to move to North London this summer.

Xavi Simons’ best game in a Tottenham shirt

After spending £52m on the signature of attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, huge excitement was generated within the Spurs fanbase – but it’s safe to say he’s failed to live up to such expectations.

The Dutch international has registered just one assist and failed to score a single goal in any of his 11 outings, further backing up his lack of impact in North London.

However, his showing against Newcastle was arguably one of his best for the club, with Frank finally starting to utilise the 22-year-old in his natural attacking midfield role.

Simons featured for the entirety of the defeat, subsequently creating three chances for his teammates – but none of which resulted in a goal for Frank’s men.

Richarlison was often the man on the end of his chances, but the Brazilian’s wasteful nature was highlighted in his own tally of two big chances missed.

There’s no doubt he’s been unlucky during his opening few months in England, but the manager can certainly solve such an issue during the next couple of matches.

The Spurs player who can finally get Simons firing

In Spurs’ nine Premier League matches throughout 2025/26, the side have already netted 17 goals – subsequently averaging nearly two goals per game in England’s top-flight.

The goals have been spread around the first-team squad, as seen by centre-back Micky Van de Ven’s tally of three goals, which puts him joint-top of the goalscoring charts.

Richarlison has also netted the same number of goals, but has been called into question over the last few weeks for his inability to find the back of the net.

The Brazilian has failed to score in any of his last eight outings for the Lilywhites, often being wasteful within the final third – as seen by his misses against the Magpies.

Dominic Solanke has been unavailable over recent months due to an ankle issue, with Frank needing to hand fellow centre-forward Randal Kolo Muani the chance to impress.

The Frenchman joined on a season-long loan from PSG on deadline day, but has only started one game to date as he builds up match fitness after a stop-start pre-season.

However, despite his minutes off the substitutes bench, the 26-year-old has still demonstrated glimpses of his quality, which could see him handed a needed run of games as a regular starter.

He was even brought on with 25 minutes remaining at St James’ Park earlier this week, making an immediate impact with his direct run through the midfield, halted by referee Chris Kavanagh.

Kolo Muani, who’s been dubbed “phenomenal” by one analyst, may have failed to score for the Lilywhites to date, but his temporary spells elsewhere have showcased his clinical nature.

Randal Kolo Muani – stats in 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

22

Goals scored

10

Shot on target accuracy

55%

Goals per shot on target

0.4

Key passes made

1.4

Take-ons completed

1.5

Carries into opposition box

1.2

Aerials won

1.2

Stats via FotMob

He scored 10 goals in just 22 appearances with Juventus last campaign, even managing to put 55% of the shots he took on target – highlighting his accuracy in front of goal.

Such numbers would allow Simons to increase his own tallies in North London, with his incredible defence splitting passes falling into the path of a clinical talisman.

Creativity has been the Dutchman’s strong point prior to his move to England, but it’s been massively neglected given Richarlison’s inability to find the back of the net.

However, that could all be about to change if Frank decides to start Kolo Muani, with the pair having the talent to make the 2025/26 campaign one to remember for the Lilywhites.

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Newcastle United continue their Champions League campaign as Portuguese giants Benfica come to town.

Despite only picking up two victories in the Premier League all season so far, the Magpies did at least manage to entertain their die-hard fans last time out on Europe’s grandest stage.

Eddie Howe’s men went away to reigning Belgian Pro League champions Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and hammered the hosts 4-0.

They are winless on their own patch in the illustrious competition, however, as a Marcus Rashford-led effort ensured Barcelona travelled to Tyneside to collect a 2-1 win in mid-September.

Still, with Nick Woltemade finding the back of the net for fun at the moment, with the German actually in on the act in Belgium, too, it could be another game to remember for the 6-foot-6 menace against Benfica.

It’s safe to say memories of Alexander Isak are long gone now.

How Woltemade compares to Alexander Isak this season

Even while Newcastle haven’t been at their best so far this season, Woltemade has continually stood out as a thorn in the side for opposition defenders to thwart.

Indeed, the German attacker already has five goals next to his name for the Magpies from just eight appearances, with his strike last time in the Champions League for Howe’s men – which got the ball rolling against David Hubert’s side – coming about from just 42 touches of the ball.

He was instinctive once more for his new outfit against Brighton and Hove Albion, with a cleverly executed back-heel beating Bart Verbruggen in the Seagulls net, after the lethal number 27 had only amassed 31 touches across his 90 minute spell.

With a goalscoring frequency of every 99 minutes next to his name in the top-flight, it’s clear that Howe will be relying on Woltemade to unnerve Benfica under the St James’ Park floodlights later on, having already lived up to his tag of being an “absolutely ridiculous” finisher that he was previously handed to him by journalist Zach Lowy.

The towering centre forward is already emulating some of the greatest finishers the Toon have ever had and after fearing for their future without Isak in the summer, they now could care less that he was playing for Liverpool. After all, the German is streets ahead of Newcastle’s once much-loved striker.

Games

5

4

Goals

4

0

Shots

8

6

Shot accuracy

50%

16.67%

Conversion rate

50%

0%

Take-on success

40%

0%

Duels won per 90

4.8

2.2

Positive signs indeed, and to get more from his big summer arrival, Howe could be tempted to tinker with his wide options this week.

How Newcastle could make Woltemade even better

While Woltemade was a nuisance for the Seagulls to contain, the same can’t be said for his attacking teammate in Anthony Elanga.

Chalkboard

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

He remains without a goal or assist at Newcastle, since securing a £55m move to the club this summer from Nottingham Forest.

Howe was so disappointed by his forgettable showing on the South Coast that he was hauled off at the half-time interval, with the usually quick and hard-to-read winger failing to complete a single successful dribble from his minimal 20 touches of the ball.

In his place could come Jacob Murphy, who Woltemade would surely love lining up alongside if the experienced 30-year-old’s link-up play with ex-striker Isak is anything to read into.

Amazingly, 11 of Isak’s 62 strikes for the Toon came about from a Murphy assist, with journalist Lee Ryder just last season going out of his way to hail the number 23’s work alongside the Swede as “incredible”, when the pair combined for a goal against Ipswich Town.

Games played

4

Minutes played

114 mins

Goals scored

0

Assists

2

To further back up the argument, Murphy also has an assist next to his name in the Champions League this season – which bumped his assist haul for the club in total to a sizeable 36 assists – with a late cameo against Barcelona seeing him combine with Anthony Gordon for a consolation effort.

He might not be as flashy or as direct as Elanga can be, but Howe and Co know where they stand with Murphy and what can he offer, having once been noted as being an “unsung hero” by journalist Scott Wilson for how he slips under the radar.

He will want to be front and centre of a confidence-boosting victory, however, if he is selected, with Woltemade also no doubt ready to lurk in the danger areas again to power home an effort put on a plate for him by his seasoned teammate.

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ByKelan Sarson Oct 20, 2025

Sibley’s 25th century came up alongside Curran’s second during a 170-run stand between them

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay29-Jun-2025Surrey 407 for 3 (Sibley 169*, Curran 108, Lawrence 58*) vs DurhamDom Sibley and Sam Curran scored excellent centuries as champions Surrey made Durham rue their decision to field first on day one at the Kia Oval.Sibley’s batted all day for his unbeaten 169, his third century of the campaign, while Curran’s 108 from 117 balls was his first Championship ton of the season. The duo added 170 for the third wicket as the hosts piled up 407 for 3.Prior to their mammoth stand Rory Burns lit up the morning’s play with a half century full of trademark shots and laced with 12 fours and Dan Lawrence (58*) too passed 50 at better than a run a ball before stumps were drawn.Durham were without the services of Ben Raine from early afternoon and there was a nasty moment for England quick Matthew Potts, who collided with the advertising boards in stopping a boundary shortly before lunch. He didn’t appear at the start of the afternoon session but returned to bowl later, seemingly without issue.Shorn of the services of Brydon Carse, Mark Wood and Codi Yusuf, Durham nevertheless followed the accepted practice of bowling first at the Oval even with the Kookaburra ball in play.Burns soon caused them to question the wisdom of that decision, producing his full repertoire of strokes. Durham aided this process, guilty of bowling either short and wide to feed the cut shot or drifting onto the pads whereupon the former England opener would drive them through mid-on and mid-wicket.There was the odd cover-drive too, all of which meant Burns was not required to exert himself with too much running on a hot day. His 12th four raised his 50, at which point he’s scored only three aside from his boundaries.A loose stroke brought his downfall shortly before lunch and when Ryan Patel went cheaply soon after the resumption there seemed a tiny window of opportunity for the visitors. However, Raine (1 for 32) left the field in the wake of taking the wicket and Curran and Sibley soon slammed that window shut again.Curran bristled aggression from the start, taking a particular liking to the spin of George Drissell, clouting his first ball, a full toss back, over the bowler’s head and later muscling him over the ropes for six.Against seam he was ruthless given any width, his first 50 coming in only 48 balls. Only a tight spell from Will Rhodes dragged him back below a run a ball, but his sparkling hundred containing a six and 14 fours was completed soon after tea before Drissell gained a measure of recompense by having him caught in the deep.Sibley, who edged short of wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson on four in the second over of the day, was content to play second fiddle, though he did unfurl three boundaries in one Jimmy Neesham over, the former New Zealand Test bowler pressed into service with a red ball for the first time in three years.A lovely pull shot was among eight fours in his first fifty and while there were only two more on route to 100, reached in 238 balls, he was a man transformed thereafter.Two short-pitched balls were expertly guided to the fence at third, while a punch through mid-wicket, his 19th four in all took him past 150.A ramp shot and a drive on the up came out in the death throes of the day as he dominated a stand of 131 with Dan Lawrence, who in turn scored his 1000th run for Surrey as the 400 was raised shortly before the close.

Arsenal have made a name for themselves in scoring late goals, with their meeting against Manchester City at the Emirates yesterday another example of their late heroics.

Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal off the substitutes bench secured a vital point for Mikel Arteta’s men – keeping them just a couple of points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

However, despite the last-gasp effort from the Brazilian, the Gunners boss certainly made a few questionable calls which ultimately cost the side three points in North London.

There’s no denying that the investment over the summer has provided key depth to the Spaniard, but he’s still yet to figure out his best eleven on a regular basis.

One of the biggest issues that plagued his side yesterday was his selection in one area of the pitch – with such a decision being a conservative one rather than one to challenge Pep Guardiola’s side.

Arteta’s midfield disappointment against Man City

After Martin Odegaard was ruled out with the shoulder injury sustained against Nottingham Forest, Arteta had a huge dilemma as to who to utilise in his Arsenal midfield against Man City.

He decided to go with Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino as a flat trio, but it was a decision that ultimately proved to be the wrong one.

None of the aforementioned talents are a natural number ten, which saw the Gunners lack a huge amount of creativity, especially in the first 45 minutes.

The Spaniard’s side had 68% of possession in such a period, but only registered one shot on target – dominating the play but unable to break down the visitors’ backline.

Guardiola’s men were comfortable with the hosts maintaining as much of the ball as they did, putting their focus into counterattacks – as showcased by Erling Haaland’s first-half strike.

Arteta did eventually make the changes his side needed, which resulted in Martinelli’s late effort, with the manager needing to start one player on a consistent basis in the weeks ahead.

The Arsenal star who must start every game

Given the influx of additions, along with the players already at Arteta’s disposal, it was always going to take time for the manager to work out his best starting eleven.

The volume of competitions the club will take part in will require strength in depth, but it’s also vital that the boss creates a settled side in their title charge.

Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres have already cemented their place in the first eleven, both starting every one of the club’s first five Premier League outings.

However, fellow summer addition Eberechi Eze has had to bide his time in making an impact for the Gunners, after joining from Crystal Palace in a £60m transfer.

The England international has only started twice since his transfer, often having to resort to minutes off the substitutes bench to make an impact on proceedings.

He’d already registered an assist from a starting position, picking out Gyokeres for the second goal in the 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates last weekend.

However, Arteta decided that the 27-year-old would start on the bench against Guardiola’s men – a decision that proved to be a mistake given his impact after coming on at the break.

He completed 87% of the passes he attempted, two of which were into the final third, allowing him to create one big chance in the process – offering the side the needed attacking presence they craved in the first half.

Eze also provided the perfectly sighted pass over the top for Martinelli to run on to, further showcasing the superb creative nature he possesses when in possession of the ball.

As a result of his second half cameo, the Englishman was handed an 8/10 match rating by GOAL’s Sean Walsh – subsequently highlighting the impact he had off the bench.

Given his showing off the bench, Arteta simply can’t look past Eze for the Gunners’ next outing, with his talent massively aiding the club’s ambitions of ending their title drought.

It’s clear that the deep-lying midfield trio didn’t work against a side that’s prepared to sit deep, with Eze arguably being the perfect player to unlock the goods going forward.

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Ethan Lamb

Sep 21, 2025

Despite not looking fully fit, he pulled off a superb piece of fielding to seal KKR’s one-run win

ESPNcricinfo staff04-May-20252:04

Rayudu: KKR have to sort out their middle order and bowling changes

Rinku Singh played a crucial role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) last-ball win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Eden Gardens but may have injured himself in the process of keeping his team alive in the race to the playoffs in IPL 2025.He first scored an unbeaten 19 off 6 balls as KKR took 22 off the final over of their innings to post a total of 206 for 4. Then, when RR needed 22 off the last six balls of the chase, Rinku made a couple of critical saves. Off the first ball of the 20th over, he ran to his right at deep cover and dived full length to deny Jofra Archer a boundary, after which he was seen limping while holding the region near his right groin.Related

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With RR needing three runs off the last ball – two to take the game into a Super Over – Shubham Dubey dug out a yorker from Vaibhav Arora towards mid-off. Rinku charged in from his position on the long-off boundary, collected the ball, and threw it on the bounce to Arora, who ran out the diving Archer to seal a one-run win. Rinku was originally placed at long-on but was moved to long-off by captain Ajinkya Rahane just before that ball.Vaibhav Arora ran out Jofra Archer off the final ball•AFP/Getty Images”[The diving effort on 19.1] was very important because everyone in India knows that the outfield here is very fast,” Rinku told the broadcaster after the match. “So you have to react accordingly. Once the field restrictions are lifted after the powerplay, I field outside the 30-yard circle. I enjoy my fielding a lot. And to be honest, I like fielding more than batting.”ESPNcricinfo TimeOut expert Ambati Rayudu said Rinku always had his eyes on the ball and was impressed by the way he picked it up: “That was a great pick-up. The ball wobbled just before his hands but his eyes were stuck to the ball. So, it was a very good pick-up.”With KKR needing to win every game to have a realistic chance of making the playoffs, they put on a strong fielding performance while defending 206. In the first over of RR’s chase, Rahane ran backward from midwicket and took a diving catch to dismiss Vaibhav Suryavanshi despite having stitches on the webbing of his right hand, which was heavily bandaged.”Fielding is the factor where you can control as a unit,” he said after KKR moved to sixth place on the points table. “If you can save 10 or 12 runs in the field, that’s a bonus. That’s what we decided – let’s give our best in the field, bowlers are doing their job anyway. It is all about if you can take one or two brilliant catches, stop a couple of runs, and in the end that was the difference.”KKR’s next play Chennai Super Kings at home on Wednesday.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot revealed why star winger Federico Chiesa was left out of the Reds squad for their upcoming Champions League fixture against Galatasaray this week. The Italian displayed impressive performances in the club's last couple of matches. After starring with two assists in the win over Southampton, he scored the Reds' solitary goal against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

• Chiesa's impressive run of form

  Chiesa enjoyed an impressive run of form last week as he scored a goal and provided two assists for the Reds. He first starred with a couple of assists in the club's 2-1 win over Southampton in the Carabao Cup and then scored the only goal for Liverpool in their 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace in the Premier League. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Chiesa dropped from Liverpool squad for Galatasaray clash

  Earlier on Monday, Liverpool announced a 21-member travelling squad to Turkey that will face Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday. While Slot named a star-studded roster, Chiesa was a notable absentee from the list of players.

• Slot revealed why Chiesa was left out

  Speaking to reporters, the Liverpool manager said: "He got a little niggle, I think it is the word you use here in England, in the last game against Palace. He tried it today, he was on the pitch in the beginning but he couldn't end the session, so we decided not to take him because in a few days it's Chelsea again."

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  Chiesa important for key Premier League away fixture

  Chiesa has proved to be a key member of Slot's first-team in the 2025-26 campaign and the Dutch coach will hope that he recovers from his injury soon and be ready to take the field in their crucial away fixture of Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.

A patient Sam Konstas was dismissed for just three before his New South Wales captain Jack Edwards launched a stirring fightback in the Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at the Gabba.Queensland started day two well placed at 307 for 5, but lost wickets at regular intervals to be bowled out for 387.NSW were in all sorts of trouble at 39 for 5 in reply, but big knocks from Edwards (104 not out) and Matthew Gilkes (66) ensured the visitors went to stumps at a more respectable 237 for 7.Related

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Konstas set tongues wagging in his Test debut when he unleashed an array of ramps and other audacious strokes on the way to 60 off 65 balls against the Jasprit Bumrah-led India on Boxing Day.The 19-year-old flew back to Australia last week after missing out on a spot in the XI for Australia’s second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, with selectors keen for him to get red-ball experience at the Gabba.Keen to prove he’s not just a one-tricky pony, Konstas put away his ramps and slashes against Queensland in a bid to dig in as wickets tumbled around him.The rising star took 27 deliveries to get off the mark, producing a nice drive through covers to score three runs. But it would prove to be his only joy, with Konstas out for three off 33 balls when he feathered Xavier Bartlett behind.Nic Maddinson and Kurtis Petterson had already fallen by that stage, and Oliver Davies and Josh Philippe were quick to follow as the star-studded NSW line-up crumbled.But a 143-run partnership between Edwards and Gilkes thrust NSW back into the contest. Edwards brought up his century late in the day with a single off Mitchell Swepson to exit the nervous 90s.Earlier, Queensland’s Jack Clayton was only able to add one run to his overnight score before falling at the hands of spinner Chris Green.Allrounder Michael Neser scored 43, but Liam Hatcher was able to clean up the tail before any major damage was inflicted.

After agreeing a deal to sign Douglas Luiz, Nottingham Forest have now reportedly joined the race with Borussia Dortmund to sign a young Chelsea talent.

Nottingham Forest agree deal to sign Douglas Luiz

It’s been a hectic week or so at the City Ground. James McAtee, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Omari Hutchinson have all arrived, whilst Luiz is now reportedly on his way from Juventus. According to Fabrizio Romano, Nottingham Forest have now agreed a deal worth €30m (£26m) to sign the Brazilian midfielder, who is planning to travel to the Midlands as soon as possible to complete his move.

Evangelos Mariniakis has acted swiftly and ruthlessly in the transfer market ever since Nuno Espirito Santo aired complaints that his squad were not ready for the Premier League campaign.

The Nottingham Forest boss told reporters before the Greek owner returned to the market: “Dealing with doubts is the worst thing you can have in football. We have doubts, who is going to be [here], when are they [new signings] going to come? All these things create doubts.

“Not only me but in the club. What we want is game-by-game to have as many options as possible. Europe will come after, and for sure it will be better, but for now until that happens it is a major concern.”

With three signings sealed and another on his way since those complaints, Espirito Santo’s concerns have well and truly been put to rest. But Marinakus is not done. Reports are now emerging that he’s set his sights on signing a Chelsea gem this month.

Nottingham Forest join Chukwuemeka race

According to The Daily Mail, Nottingham Forest have now joined the race to sign Carney Chukwuemeka from Chelsea this summer. The midfielder has already been the subject of an offer from Borussia Dortmund, only for Chelsea to reject the German club’s proposal to leave the door ajar for Forest to make their move.

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After spending last year on loan at Dortmund, the Bundesliga giants are keen to welcome Chukwuemeka back for another year. Chelsea, however, are only willing to entertain permanent offers.

Earning praise from scout Jacek Kulig for a “fantastic” Dortmund debut, Chukwuemeka is certainly capable of playing at the top level when given the opportunity. Whether Forest hand him that opportunity and meet Chelsea’s demands remains to be seen, however.

The arrival of Luiz should solve any immediate midfield problems, but the 21-year-old may well represent a young talent that Forest chiefs believe can eventually step into Espirito Santo’s side as a long-term option.

India overcame Marco Jansen’s blitz to win the high-scorer by 11 runs

Firdose Moonda13-Nov-20244:26

India’s batting in 2024: Intent > consistency

Tilak Varma became India’s second centurion in the space of six days and ensured they cannot lose the four-match T20I series. They lead 2-1 with the final match to be played on Friday, and the hosts left with only the option of a draw. South Africa have not won a bilateral T20I series since beating Ireland 2-0 in August 2022 and have lost five and drawn two series in that time.At a time when the next major tournament is 15 months away, and with the knowledge they reached this year’s T20 World Cup final, that may not worry South Africa much. But there will be questions over their depth and some of their strategies after they conceded heavily and stumbled in the chase for the second time this series.South Africa’s seam strength without Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje, is, as expected, inexperienced. It showed in a messy display at Supersport Park which included 10 wides and three no-balls. Those numbers pale in comparison to that of Tilak, who, at 22 years and five days old, became India’s second youngest centurion after Yashasvi Jaiswal, and took just 51 balls to get to his hundred. He shared a 107-run second-wicket stand with Abhishek Sharma, and a 58-run fifth-wicket partnership with Rinku Singh, in which Tilak contributed 45. Though India were set for a total above 240, after bringing up 100 in the ninth over, Tilak still made sure they had enough.Related

India look to add more shine to already glowing T20 credentials

Tilak asks Suryakumar for No. 3 spot and owns it with dazzling century

With an asking rate of 11 needed, South Africa fell behind early on. They needed close to 12 runs an over by the end of the powerplay and as much as 17 an over in the last five. At that stage, they had their two biggest hitters, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller at the crease and their partnership had reached 58 off 35 balls. In an eerie reminder of Suryakumar Yadav’s catch on the long-off boundary in the T20 World Cup final in June, Axar Patel timed his jump at deep mid-wicket boundary to perfection and Miller had to depart.Tilak Varma leaps in celebration after bringing up his first international century•AFP/Getty ImagesMarco Jansen kept South Africa in it until the last over and ensured the result flattered them. He scored his first T20I half-century and blitzed four four and five sixes, three down the ground, to threaten a coup. But South Africa had left themselves with too much to do. Jansen was dismissed lbw to Arshdeep Singh with three balls left in the innings and 18 to get. South Africa lost by 11 runs.South Africa strike early; India strike backJansen got South Africa off to a perfect start when his second ball scythed through Sanju Samson. Samson’s all-or-bust time continued, with his last four T20I scores reading 111, 107, 0, 0 but India did not spend too much time dwelling on that. They promoted Tilak to No. 3 with astonishing results. He hit the second ball he faced through backward point for four and then smashed Jansen over third for six. Abhishek, who was dismissed for single-figure scores at both coastal venues, quickly rectified that when he took 14 runs off Gerald Coetzee’s opening over, and he showed the full range of his repertoire.Abhishek went through midwicket, over point and then through the covers. Coetzee was swiftly replaced by Lutho Sipamla, who Tilak pulled behind square, and Jansen by Andile Simelane, who bore the brunt of Abhishek’s aggression. He struck back-to-back sixes to opposite corners of the ground and India were running away with the powerplay. They were 70 for 1 after six overs, and South Africa were yet to bring on the spinners.Andile Simelane celebrates with his team-mates after removing Suryakumar Yadav•AFP/Getty ImagesMaharaj and Simelane apply the brakesIndia brought up 100 inside nine overs when Abhishek launched Keshav Maharaj over long-on but the spinner had the last laugh. Three balls later, he dragged a delivery wide of Abhishek, who reached out to try and send it through the leg side but missed and was stumped. In the next over, Simelane gave Suryakumar width and tempted him to cut but the India captain could only slice it to deep point. Maharaj’s second over cost 10 runs but he was kept on for a third, with success. Hardik Pandya missed a sweep, was hit on the pack pad and given out lbw. India lost 3 for 25 in 26 balls and South Africa pulled them back.But there’s no stopping TilakMaharaj is known for his ability to slow things down but by his last over, Tilak had had enough. He used his crease well to go 4-6-4 over extra cover, deep square leg and deep mid-wicket and Maharaj finished with 36 off his four overs. That was the warning shot. Coetzee took a pasting in his next over, which also included three wides, with Tilak finding the long and short boundaries. Jansen bowled a boundary-less 17th over and Rinku was bowled by a Simelane yorker in the 18th. But by then Tilak was unstoppable. He brought up his hundred when he smoked Sipamla past mid-off for his seventh four. Tilak went on to hit one more four to add to his seven sixes and ended unbeaten on 107.Flying ants stop playWe’ve had bees at the Wanderers but this is, to this amateur historian’s mind, the first time flying ants have stopped play. What, you may ask? Maybe you call them or or or but you probably know the ones. They come before the rain, are attracted to light and shed their wings upon landing, and there were so many of them at SuperSport Park, the umpires were concerned they would fly into the players’ eyes. The players were taken off after an over of South Africa’s chase and a light pylon at SuperSport Park was turned off in the hope the flying ants would go somewhere else. After 28 minutes, play could resume, with no overs lost. It’s wild out in Africa, they say, and so it was.India and South Africa players walked off the field due to flying ants•AFP/Getty ImagesVarun the victorForget everything history says about spinners struggling on the Highveld and just look at Varun Chakravarthy. He came into this match as the leading wicket-taker in the series (with double the number of wickets as his nearest rival) and added another to his name with his most unplayable delivery. South Africa have had no idea about his googly and Reeza Hendricks was done for a second time. He advanced on Varun, slogged wildly, missed and was stumped. South Africa finished the powerplay on 55 for 2.South Africa may have thought they had the better of Varun when Aiden Markram hit him for two sixes over long-on in his third over but it was a case of the opposite. Markram should have put the last ball away over mid-wicket but hit it straight to debutant Ramandeep Singh and extended a miserable run for himself. He has gone 27 innings without a T20I fifty and has not gone past 30 in his last 12 innings. Klaasen was the only player who could take some bragging rights after he hit Varun for three successive sixes, including the biggest of the match at 109 meters, in an over that cost 23. Varun finished with his most expensive T20I analysis but made two crucial breakthroughs and in the end, that’s all that matters. South Africa needed 86 off the last five overs and it was a bridge too far.