All posts by h716a5.icu

It is very possible that Everton will look to sign a new midfielder in the summer transfer window, according to a key update from journalist Alan Myers.

Are Everton looking for new signings?

The Blues endured another disappointing season in the Premier League last time around, having gone into the campaign with an element of hope that a positive year could be enjoyed.

Instead, Everton had to wait until the final day to secure their safety, with their 1-0 victory over Bournemouth keeping them in the top flight and preventing what would have been a damaging relegation to the Championship.

It is now imperative that a repeat of the last two seasons doesn't happen, however, with Sean Dyche and his players needing to find a new level in 2023/24, ahead of a move to their new ground in the near future.

For that to happen, it is clear that new signings need to come in, bringing a freshness to proceedings, and most importantly, adding more quality and depth to Dyche's squad. It looks likely that Atalanta will beat them to the signing of primary attacking target El Bilal Toure, which is a blow, but other areas of the pitch also need to be focused on.

There have already been players brought in, though. Ashley Young was the first to join, signing on a free transfer after leaving Aston Villa, and he has since been followed by Arnaut Danjuma, who has made the move to Merseyside on loan from Villarreal.

Another new face, this time in the middle of the park, could also be on the cards.

Will Everton sign a new midfielder?

When asked by a fan on Twitter whether Everton would bring in a new midfielder this summer, Sky Sports reporter Myers responded with a simple but promising two-word response regarding the situation:

"Very possibly."

While no specific player is mentioned in the report, it is encouraging to hear that a midfielder could arrive at Goodison soon, hopefully in time for the start of the Premier League season, with Everton entertaining Fulham in their opening game on August 12th.

Chelsea and England midfielder Conor Gallagher has been linked with a move to Merseyside and he could be an ideal option, although he isn't without suitors, with West Ham thought to be in the running to snap him up, having tabled a £40m offer for his services.

The 23-year-old is renowned for his energy levels and would provide a fresh impetus in the middle of the park, not to mention an eye for goal, having scored eight league goals on loan at Crystal Palace in 2021/22.

Whoever ends up coming in – you could argue he needs to be the right age and profile for Dyche, arriving as a key man from the off and providing strong competition for the likes of Amadou Onana, Idrissa Gueye and Alex Iwobi.

These next few weeks really could decide how Everton will cope and potentially even finish in the league in 2023/24, and if key additions don't come in across several different positions – centre-back, midfielder and centre-forward all stand out – there is the definite risk of yet another painful relegation battle, but it looks as if a new midfielder could be one to watch.

Celtic are reportedly close to signing Busan I-Park midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu this summer.

What’s the latest Celtic transfer news?

The Hoops and Brendan Rodgers could spend up to £30m this summer, with those at Parkhead looking to build on a brilliant 2022/23 treble-winning season.

Midfielder Odin Thiago Holm and winger Marco Tilio have signed five-year deals in Glasgow, joining from Valerenga and Melbourne City respectively.

Further reinforcements are on the agenda, especially after Jota departed for Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad in a deal worth £25m. Gangwon FC forward Yang Hyun-jun has been a key target and he previously admitted he would give up his salary to force through a deal with the Scottish Premiership champions.

"Celtic is a good offer, so I want to go. I have to do my best as a member of Gangwon. But I think the desire to go will still be there.

"I want to go to Celtic this summer. I hope Gangwon will allow me to transfer. If the transfer fee isn’t enough, I’ll even give my salary."

It looks as if Celtic will soon get their man, with Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph revealing on Friday that the two clubs have agreed on a £2m+ fee for the winger.

“Celtic are closing in on the signing of Gangwon FC winger Hyun-jun Yang. It's understood the clubs have now agreed a fee of just over £2m.

“Personal terms with the 21-year-old are not expected to be an issue.”

Alongside Yang, though, it seems as if the Hoops are also in for Kwon. Sports Chosun reporter Yun Jin-man shared a story on Friday regarding, stating that not one but two South Korean players ‘will join Celtic’ this summer.

It is believed that Kwon, the core midfielder of Busan I-Park, will follow Yang to Parkhead, saying that there is a high possibility a move goes through. The report states that Kwon has been a major target for Celtic, who first made an offer for the player back in December and have increased that bid this summer, although they don’t cite any specific figures.

Who is Kwon Hyeok-kyu?

Kwon is 22 years of age and is primarily a holding midfielder but can also turn out in a more advanced role or in the left if needed, showing how he could be a versatile option for Rodgers, should a move go through.

Sponsored by Nike and a South Korea U22 international, Kwon appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €550,000 Transfermarkt valuation and has made 43 senior appearances for his current employers, scoring three times and providing one assist.

Kwon has also spent time out on loan with fellow South Korean side Gimcheon Sangmu during his career, turning out on 36 occasions, and it appears as if he could come in and challenge Celtic’s eight current holding or central midfield options.

He has been compared to Manchester City star Rodri by the media in South Korea, and by the looks of things, he could be the next player to leave Asia for Scotland, following in the footsteps of Yang.

Dane Vilas made a career-best 224 before James Anderson ripped out three wickets on a steamy evening at Old Trafford to leave Lancashire in charge

Paul Edwards at Old Trafford21-Jun-2017
ScorecardThe signing of Dane Vilas was not greeted with general rejoicing in Lancashire. “What do we need another ruddy wicketkeeper for?” was probably nearer the mark, with the player’s South African origins also featuring in the opprobrium. Disapproval in a comparable vein also welcomed the recruitment of Ryan McLaren and Shivnarine Chanderpaul and it was expressed with predictable feeling.So one rather wonders what the critics thought as Vilas and McLaren shared a record-breaking sixth-wicket stand of 221 on the third day of this game; or as Vilas’ career-best 244 helped Lancashire build a first-innings lead of 198, the sort of advantage which should enable Steven Croft’s bowlers to complete what would be a remarkable victory as early as the final morning of this match.One of Vilas’s most significant achievements was that his 434-minute flogging of Hampshire’s knackered bowlers and fielders also sapped the mental strength of the visitors’ established batsmen, some of whom were already out of form in any case. James Anderson tends to fall on such weakness with the compassion of a ravenous wolf and the evening’s cricket proved that he had lost none of his effectiveness in steamy conditions against demoralised opponents who were searching for the ball rather than seeing it plain.Anderson began Lancashire’s evening fun by dismissing both Jimmy Adams and Rilee Rossouw for nought with successive deliveries in the third over of Hampshire’s second dig. Adams poked tentatively forward like a blindfolded man in a minefield and was leg before; Rossouw, whose 34 runs in seven innings has now included four noughts, fished sadly outside off stump and was caught at third slip by Croft. Four overs later Michael Carberry played no shot at Kyle Jarvis and had his off stump knocked back.Anderson’s best wicket was that of George Bailey, who was lbw for 10 to a ball which swung back into him. If Trevor Bayliss needed reassurance that England’s leading wicket-taker could still cut it, figures of 8-4-5-3 may do that job very nicely. And if Hampshire’s batsmen thought their despond was done with when Anderson was removed from the attack, they were rudely disabused of that notion as James Vince drove McLaren straight to Rob Jones at short extra-cover. It will now be a fair effort should Hampshire’s batsmen extend this game beyond lunch on Thursday.And yet when Anderson’s bowling has been duly praised, this was still Vilas’s day, one on which his commitment to the Red Rose was made abundantly clear during a 275-ball innings. No one could have played with more devotion to his team’s cause than Vilas, as storms and predictions of storms filled the weather charts and forecasts. Having been dropped off the second and third balls he faced this morning when Sean Ervine at slip and Carberry at mid-off grassed perfectly catchable opportunities he set himself to bat as long as he could. His 25 fours and quartet of sixes were only two measures by which his triumph could be gauged.Vilas’ stand with McLaren, who reached his first century for Lancashire with three successive boundaries off Kyle Abbott, set a new sixth-wicket record for the county against Hampshire. The pair added 129 runs in the morning session and they all but broke any vestige of resistance from Hampshire in the process. This was to be a desperate day for Bailey and his players.Still Vilas was not finished and a glance at his statistics would have made ominous reading for the Hampshire attack as they were broken on the wheel. Almost all batsmen talk about “going on” once they have reached three figures, yet few make the word flesh with quite Vilas’ ruthlessness. He has now made 13 centuries, in seven of which he had scored over 150 runs. Only twice has Vilas been dismissed between 100 and 150. These statistics indicate an approach to cricket and a level of fitness which young players like Alex Davies or Jones can learn.Vilas’ destruction of the Hampshire attack in the afternoon and evening session – the way he defended the good balls but also whacked three sixes of one Brad Taylor over – is evidence of a formidable talent, one whose influence may be felt over the coming months in the Old Trafford dressing room. By scoring the runs, he also helped Anderson take the wickets.Where does it leave the overseas players’ debate? Well some folk of firm principle will not have changed their views. Nowhere, apart from Yorkshire, perhaps, is the development of local talent more highly prized than in Lancashire. Those of such a persuasion might suggest that the ideal Lancashire cricketer was born on the banks of the Ribble, has been raised on hotpot and is capable of quoting Jack Iddon’s ten highest innings at the drop of a clog.Far more seriously, they would argue that organisations like the excellent Lancashire Cricket Board exist to develop home-grown talent and what is the use of not giving opportunities to the fine players produced by Lancashire age-group teams? The engagement of overseas players who arrive one week and clear off a fortnight later empowers that question. Yet Glen Chapple might respond that the development of the seven and often eight north-west based players in each of his teams is only assisted by the presence of players like Vilas, McLaren and Chanderpaul, all of whom are with Lancashire for the entire season. And perhaps we should let one of that trio explain his approach to the business of batting”When you get to a hundred, you want to go on and get a big hundred, that’s what the team needs,” Vilas said. “I know how frustrating it is to get a hundred and then get out, and we have said in the changing room that when it’s your day you need to dig deep and go as big as you can for the team.”All the hard work you put in, the sweat, the tears – when you bat like that, it’s what you work for, it’s a brilliant feeling. I’ve seen guys get hundreds and lose concentration and that makes it difficult for the next guy coming in. I don’t want to be the guy who puts pressure on the next man coming in.”Who would not want a cricketer like that in their team?

Manchester United have been on an extensive search to identify their next big-name striker this summer and now a new update has emerged from a reliable source on the club's pursuit of one particular target.

What's the latest on Man United's interest in Rasmus Hojlund?

According to journalist Rudy Galetti, Manchester United are preparing a "new proposal" to sign Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.

Galetti revealed on Twitter:

"Talks on between #ManUTD and #Atalanta for #Højlund.

"Understand that after the closure of the deal with Inter for Onana, #MUFC will prepare a new proposal for Rasmus.

"The position of the 🇮🇹 club for the 🇩🇰 striker is the same: £50m to evaluate his farewell."

What is Rasmus Hojlund's style of play?

It is no secret that Erik ten Hag is keen to bolster the centre-forward role at Old Trafford following the premature exit of Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of last year, and the club has been linked with a number of strikers across Europe.

Harry Kane, Goncalo Ramos and Victor Osimhen are just some of the big-name goal machines that have been tipped for a move to the Theatre of Dreams this summer, however, it is looking increasingly likely that the United boss will put his faith in Hojlund to develop and flourish under his guidance.

The 6 foot 2 youngster has been a stand-out performer for Atalanta owing to his strong stature and hold-up play that allows others to become involved in his attacking prowess, which has ultimately led to comparisons to Erling Haaland already.

In an interview, Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini claimed:

"Hojlund has this spirit, energy, intensity, but also the technical quality that is just remarkable. He still has so much margin for improvement, too.

"He has very similar characteristics to Haaland. He is so quick, he’s under 11 seconds over 100m and that’s not even trying very hard. Considering his height, he has a low centre of gravity. I am convinced he’ll have a great career, he just gets stronger every day."

This style of play could be perfectly complemented by the presence of Mason Mount in midfield – United's first signing of the summer – and the pair could form an attacking partnership next season that would be unstoppable against opponents, both in the Premier League and on the European stage.

According to WhoScored, the former Chelsea maestro boasts strengths in taking set-pieces, key passes and through balls, as well as his highest-rated position (6.89) last season being in the no.10 role just behind the striker, proving that he would be the perfect candidate to provide goal-scoring opportunities to Hojlund next season.

Whilst it may seem more favourable to sign a striker with a lot more experience to lead the forward line into future success, there is an opportunity for Ten Hag to mould and develop Hojlund into the exact profile of centre-forward that he wants to deploy in front of goal and at just 20 years old could deliver a decade of service.

With that being said, the signing of Hojlund – once hailed a "monster in the making" by Jacek Kulig – would be a great piece of business for the Red Devils this summer and if the young goalscorer could quickly strike up a good connection with Mount, it could take the side to the next level next season.

The BCB has punished two clubs and its players, captains and managers, and umpires, for “tarnishing the image of Bangladesh cricket” in their role in two controversial lower-tier league matches held last month

Mohammad Isam02-May-2017The BCB has punished two clubs and its players for “tarnishing the image of Bangladesh cricket” in their role in two controversial lower-tier league matches held last month. Both Tasnim Hasan and Sujon Mahmud have been banned for 10 years each while their clubs, Lalmatia Club and Fear Fighters Sporting Club, have been scratched from playing in any division of the Dhaka league. The captains, managers and coaches of both teams have also been handed five-year suspensions.The board had formed a special committee to look into a Dhaka Second Division League match during which bowler Sujon had conceded 92 runs off four balls while playing for Lalmatia against Axiom Cricketers.During the investigation the BCB’s special committee found that Fear Fighters’ Tasnim had also voluntarily conceded 69 runs in 1.1 overs against Indira Road Krira Chakra in protest of alleged biased umpiring, on the day before the Lalmatia-Axiom game.Umpires Shamsur Rahman and Azizul Bari, who were umpiring in both matches in question, have been banned for six months for their inability to handle the matches properly.Sheikh Sohel, one of three BCB directors in the special committee, said the committee had interviewed everyone who had been at the game. He also said the bowlers, Sujon and Tasnim, had done what the team management had asked them to do.”They willingly tarnished the image of Bangladesh cricket,” Sohel said. “There was no championship or relegation at stake. It was done intentionally to tarnish our image around the world. From the first day I have said that we won’t tolerate such things. It was a crime.”A bowler won’t be able to do such a thing without the order of their team management. There was no match-fixing in this, not that they got any money for doing such a thing. From the whole investigation we realised that it was done to hurt Bangladesh cricket.”

West Ham are thought to be leading the race to sign Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi in the summer transfer window, according to a new update.

Are West Ham linked with Guendouzi?

The Frenchman is known to Premier League supporters as a former Arsenal player, having burst onto the scene as a youngster at the Emirates. He has since returned to his homeland, however, becoming a key man for Marseille over the past few seasons.

Last term, the £42,000-a-week-earning Guendouzi featured in 33 of his side's 38 Ligue 1 matches, starting 25 of them, and he enjoyed an 87.9% pass completion rate in that time. He also averaged a tally of 1.2 tackles per game in the competition, not to mention making one appearance for France at the 2022 World Cup.

It could be that the 24-year-old leaves Marseille ahead of the new season, however, and a return to the Premier League could possibly be the most likely outcome. West Ham are one of the clubs who have been linked with a move for him, as David Moyes looks to bring in a number of new signings – not least someone who can help fill the upcoming void about to be left by Declan Rice, who is on the verge of joining Arsenal.

What's the latest news on Guendouzi to West Ham?

According to La Provence [via Hammers News], West Ham are now the favourites to acquire Guendouzi's signature during the summer transfer window, potentially pipping rivals such as Aston Villa to his services in the process. It is they and the Villans who have the "hottest leads" in the race to snap up the midfielder.

Admittedly, the France international's time at Arsenal ended badly, hence his return to his homeland, but he could be a really strong signing by the Hammers.

He was a more immature player during his Gunners days, almost bordering on petulant at times, but he has come on leaps and bounds in his overall impact as a footballer, and remains a relatively young player who could be a long-term acquisition for Moyes' men.

One of the biggest positives is that Guendouzi already has plenty of experience in the Premier League, making 57 appearances in the competition, so there wouldn't the risk of him coming in and being overawed by the speed and power of the division, as can be the case with some new signings.

He has also been hailed as "fantastic" by Gary Neville in the past, and while not necessarily on Rice's level – few in Europe arguably are in his position currently – he could be someone who fits in nicely at the London Stadium, combining tackling ability with intelligent use of the ball.

The fact that Guendouzi's current Marseille deal expires in the summer of 2025 could also mean that the Ligue 1 side see this as a good chance to sell him for the biggest amount of money possible, before his value threatens to diminish the closer his contract comes to running out.

The injured fast bowler has said India’s attempts to sledge Australia were a ‘defensive mechanism’ in response to the fear that they might lose the series

Daniel Brettig22-Mar-20170:25

Steven Smith upbeat after Ranchi draw

Australia’s injured spearhead Mitchell Starc has said India’s verbal confrontations with the tourists were the result of fear over losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after their unexpected defeat in the opening Test of the series in Pune.Starc, who flew home with a foot stress fracture after the second Test in Bengaluru but hopes to be fit in time for the ICC Champions Trophy later in June, stated that a young Australian side had not gone to India looking for fights but found themselves in several stoushes after the dramatic result in Pune.”It’s probably come a lot more from their side than ours,” Starc told . “There’s been a lot made of it before the series, there was so much hype before the series, and I think we’ve gone about the cricket as we have done for a long time now. As a young group, we’re probably still finding our way. We’re still learning about each other’s games and how we’re going as a team probably since the Hobart Test match [last year].”It’s probably showed in how the guys have been playing their cricket, especially the way they batted [in Ranchi]. A couple of young guys performed outstandingly well, [like] Peter Handscomb. It shows who we are as a group and things have come hard, and it’s almost a defensive mechanism for them that we won the first Test match, we’re here for the challenge.”They were scared of us, beating them in India the way they’ve been playing as well. So it was almost a defensive mechanism for them and obviously they come out in the second Test match, performed really well and got back into it.”‘I think we can win. I think we’ve showed throughout the series that we’re definitely up for the challenge’ – Mitchell Starc•Associated PressAustralia’s attitude on the tour has been one of learning and humility, as demonstrated by the way Handscomb and Shaun Marsh played out the final afternoon of the Ranchi Test to secure a draw under concerted Indian pressure. Starc pointed to the eagerness of 20-year old Matt Renshaw to learn about the game – so much that he has tried the patience of some team-mates – as an example.”The more time he spends out in the middle the less time we have to listen to him,” Starc said, laughing. “He’s different but he’s a lovely kid. Loves his cricket, just loves batting – so I think that’s obviously shown in how he’s gone about his cricket in India.”His first trip there, he’s learning – he’s probably not eating the right things, being sick all the time – but he’s performing quite well. He says some strange things, he comes up with some strange theories. He talks a load about [Don] Bradman and whether he scored those runs. He keeps talking about bats these days. He talks like he’s 35.”Starc said his foot fracture was not as serious as the one that kept him out of much of the 2015-16 season. “The foot is okay. It’s not snapped in half like the one 18 months go,” he said. “It’s the same foot, so I did the third metatarsal the last time, this is the fourth. Nice fracture. It’s not displaced though.”I don’t need a boot fortunately. I’m still in the gym getting myself ready for when I do come back whenever that might be. I see the specialist on Thursday and hopefully get a clearer picture then. But the Champions Trophy is clearly not out of the picture.”Looking ahead to the final Test in Dharamsala, Starc said the Australians had demonstrated their ability to defend and attack at the right times. “I think we can win. I think we’ve showed throughout the series that we’re definitely up for the challenge,” he said. “We’re in the fight – we have been for three Test matches. We can knuckle down when we need to but we can attack when we want to and we can.”

Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League after a terrible campaign, and while a late-season purple patch instiled optimism back into Anfield, it was too little, too late.

Despite failing to finish in the top four for the first time in seven seasons, there will be optimism that the 23/24 term can bring brighter fortunes for Jurgen Klopp's outfit, especially considering the onus is on patching up the midfield this summer – the crux of the club's problems this year.

While few, if any, supporters of the Merseyside outfit will welcome Europa League football next season, it presents an opportunity for Klopp to complete the whole gamut of silverware during his tenure while simultaneously opening the door for the younger, more peripheral players of the squad to impress on the European stage, especially in the maiden phase of the competition.

One such starlet who could find opportunities easier to come by is Layton Stewart, who has been a talismanic force for Liverpool's U21 team over the past few years and might finally be able to complete the ascent to first-team prominence.

Who is Layton Stewart?

While Liverpool's senior side have been floundering for much of the 22/23 campaign, posting 11 goals and two assists from just 12 starts in the Premier League 2 and adding another in the EFL Trophy, scoring against Salford.

It's all the more impressive when considering the detrimental ACL injury that the 20-year-old sustained in March 2021, effectively halting the progress he had made by 18 after scoring 15 times from ten appearances in the U18 Premier League in 20/21, dubbed "prolific" by journalist Glenn Price.

According to the Liverpool Echo, he has even been likened to former Reds phenom Fernando Torres, who signed for the club in 2007 for a – then – club-record £20m, and went on to plunder 81 goals and 20 assists from 141 displays, once praised as a "world-class talent" by former captain and teammate Steven Gerrard.

How could Layton Stewart perform next season?

Speaking to Football FanCast, The RedMen TV's Ste Hoare explained how Liverpool's forthcoming Europa League campaign could actually be a blessing in disguise for some of those frequenting the bench with regularity, and Stewart, who is awaiting his breakthrough to Klopp's first-team, could benefit.

Hoare said: "Maybe Europa League; that's an option for young players. In the ideal world, you'd go through the Europa League group as quick as you can and give some young players experience. Jurgen [Klopp's] done that.

"Even the Champions League, we played a dead-rubber in Milan and he picked a very inexperienced team there. So that's one option."

It certainly looks to be the perfect platform from which a precocious talent such as Stewart can use as a foundation for a prospectively 'prolific' career under Klopp's wing, and he could use the opportunity to form a deadly partnership with prodigious midfielder Stefan Bajcetic.

The 18-year-old Spaniard made 19 appearances this term and scored one goal, a surging effort against Aston Villa, and brought intensity and youthful exuberance into the squad at a time they had plummeted from prominence, with Ben Bocsak stating he looks "so mature and composed for his age".

Bajcetic would see his "exceptional" – as Klopp described – breakout season cruelly ended in March after an abductor injury ruled him out of contention until the summer, and while the Merseyside outfit are bolstering the midfield ranks ahead of the 23/24 campaign, the midfield machine will surely still play a part after his blistering maiden success.

Stewart's talismanic aura could complement Bajcetic's all-encompassing central game, and with the duo only set to continue their ascent over the next few years, the Europa League could be the perfect starting point for what could be a starring duo on the major stage for Liverpool's ambitious manager.

The allrounder batted for more than three hours to make 75 off 159 balls in the tour game against India A, who responded in kind with Shreyas Iyer smacking an unbeaten 85 off 93 balls

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Feb-2017
ScorecardMitchell Marsh followed in his brother Shaun’s footsteps, with a fifty-plus score in the tour game against India A to perhaps bolster his chances of a Test recall. He spent over three hours at the crease in Mumbai, making 75 off 159 balls with 11 fours and a six to help the Australians declare on 469 for 7 on the second day.Australia have been struggling for an allrounder to make the No. 6 spot their own and Marsh had himself enjoyed a considerably long run before he was dropped after the home series loss to South Africa late last year. He averages only 23.18 from 19 Tests so far and bowls seam up, which may go against him considering the conditions in India and the fact Australia already have Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in their squad to swing the new ball and reverse the old.However, with his 17th first-class half-century, Marsh has done his bit to stay in contention. His nearest competitor appears to be Glenn Maxwell, who has his own issues with regards to playing up to potential in Test cricket. He is not established as a batsman, but on his day can still be explosive and can also chip in with a few overs of part-time offspin.”I’ve certainly batted more than ever over the past few weeks, just trying to get better and trying to learn as much as I can,” Marsh said of the opportunity presented by the need to rest his bowling shoulder. “You never want to get injured but it was nice to get a couple of weeks off, I’m feeling really strong at the moment so hopefully the body can hold up.”Probably the biggest thing for me has just been softening my hands, in my defence and also in my attack as well. The later you hit the ball, the easier it is to hit gaps especially in the subcontinent when it’s turning. If you have a solid defence, you can attack the balls that are there to attack and really back your defence.”That’s something I’ve learnt, playing in the subcontinent a couple of times now through my own experiences. I think I’ve just faced a lot more spin over the time, and I’ve learned that rotating the strike is really important, especially in the subcontinent for getting off strike.”India A’s batsmen too profited on a Brabourne stadium pitch that was quite true. Shreyas Iyer smashed 85 off 93 balls with five sixes and seven fours at No. 3. He was unbeaten at stumps, alongside Rishabh Pant, who was batting on 3.For the Australians, Jackson Bird was highly economical with a spell of 11-7-15-2 while Nathan Lyon provided the first wicket of the innings, dismissing Akhil Herwadkar and later accounted for Priyank Panchal, the top-scorer in India’s premier domestic first-class tournament, the Ranji Trophy, in 2016-17.

AB de Villiers rallied the middle and lower order to help South Africa score 271 for 8 before their fast bowlers scripted New Zealand’s collapse for 112

The Report by Andrew McGlashan in Wellington25-Feb-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:38

McGlashan: NZ batting beginning to look a little flaky

AB de Villiers had called on his batsmen to take responsibility for an innings and he showed the way in Wellington as South Africa surged to a crushing 159-run victory. De Villiers’ controlled 85, during which he became the fastest player to 9000 ODI runs, turned the tables after a middle-order slide, then the pace bowlers combined with unnerving accuracy to dismantle New Zealand for 112 in the 33rd over.Another Latham duck

6 Number of lower scores at home for New Zealand than the 112 they made against South Africa. This was also New Zealand’s lowest score against South Africa in ODIs. The previous lowest was 134 at Newlands in 1994.
3 Ducks scored by Tom Latham in his last four innings. Latham has scored 13 runs in this period.
5 Consecutive fifties for Quinton de Kock in ODIs. He equaled the record for most consecutive fifties for South Africa joining Jonty Rhodes. The overall record for most consecutive fifties is held by Javed Miandad who made nine such scores in 1987.

On a slower-than-normal pitch that offered assistance for seamers, especially in the evening, South Africa’s 271 for 8 – bolstered by a seventh-wicket stand of 84 in 10.4 overs between de Villiers and Wayne Parnell – had the makings of a demanding chase and it soon proved that way.Kagiso Rabada, back in the side after missing Christchurch, set the tone with an exemplary new-ball spell. He was followed by Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius who removed the cream of New Zealand’s batting by nabbing Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor in the space of five deliveries. The pair bowled nine overs between them in their first spells, returning figures of 4 for 16, in the sort of seam-friendly conditions that could be on show in the Champions Trophy. Pretorius finished with 3 for 5 from 5.2 overs.New Zealand had entered this match buoyed by their batting performance at Hagley Oval, but this display will raise a few concerns as they fell in a heap in a manner not often seen. Tom Latham collected his third duck in four ODI innings and there was another failure for Neil Broom.They had made one change, replacing legspinner Ish Sodhi with the pace of Lockie Ferguson and may ponder if that was correct after he went for 71 in his 10 overs – the most expensive bowling performance of the day.Quinton de Kock, with his fifth 50-plus ODI score in a row, and Faf du Plessis led South Africa to 114 for 1 in the 23rd over but then followed a collapse of 5 for 66. Colin de Grandhomme gave New Zealand the control they strived for, claiming two wickets in four deliveries and bowling his 10 overs straight through, while Mitchell Santner produced another impressive performance of left-arm spin.De Grandhomme removed du Plessis who riffled a drive low to mid-off, then in what is becoming a habit on this tour, de Kock picked out the leg-side field having set himself for a century. He hung his head and could barely drag himself off.De Villiers was greeted by a hostile delivery from Ferguson which rammed into his gloves but quickly ticked off the five runs he needed to jump past Sourav Ganguly to top the 9000 list. However, senior batsmen came and went. JP Duminy, who had struggled for fluency, was run out by a direct hit from Tim Southee at backward point and David Miller chipped a low catch to midwicket which was upheld by the third umpire.AB de Villiers scored his 51st ODI half-century•AFPIn each of the three matches in this series, someone from the lower order has stepped forward for South Africa. It wasn’t Pretorius this time – he was bowled by Ferguson – but Parnell helped de Villiers stop New Zealand in their tracks.De Villiers had been above a run-a-ball early in his innings, but bided his time as he lost partners for the closing overs. Back-to-back boundaries off Ferguson, rasping shots through midwicket and cover, hustled him through the 40s and the half-century came from 59 deliveries. He went from 39 off 51 balls to 85 off 80; it was not one of de Villiers’ more explosive innings, but it was a masterclass in repairing damage, judging conditions and not overreaching.And his efforts were soon put into context. Latham middled a square drive but picked out point. Dean Brownlie then feathered to the keeper off Rabada who found considered seam movement and proceeded to work over Williamson.Williamson was dropped at slip on 4 by Hashim Amla off Parnell and alongside Taylor weathered the new balls for a period although scoring was always hard work and the pressure did not relent.Phehlukwayo had conceded just four runs into his third over when Williamson, trying to dab the ball to third man, played into his stumps and in the next over, Taylor fell across a full, straight delivery from Pretorius. He was not far off walking for the lbw decision. The stuffing had been knocked out of New Zealand’s innings and there was precious little else on offer. Broom’s poke outside off against Phehlukwayo was a poor shot and Pretorius’ miserly spell, as he nipped the ball around off the seam under the lights, also accounted for Mitchell Santner.New Zealand’s total was their lowest completed innings at home since being bowled out for 73 by Sri Lanka, in Auckland in 2007, and the result their heaviest runs defeat to South Africa.