حقق الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي المصري البورسعيدي، فوزًا ثمينًا على البنك الأهلي، في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم الجمعة، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز بهدف نظيف.
والتقى المصري مع البنك الأهلي، على ملعب السويس الجديد، ضمن منافسات الجولة العاشرة من مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
طالع.. لاعب الأهلي يتوج بجائزة أفضل هدف في الجولة التاسعة من الدوري
وجاء هدف المصري البورسعيدي، عن طريق أحمد الفرموطي في الدقيقة 46 من المباراة ليقود فريقه لحصد ثلاث نقاط غالية.
وشهد اللقاء طرد باهر المحمدي، مدافع المصري بعد حصوله على البطاقة الحمراء في الدقيقة 53.
ورفع المصري البورسعيدي، رصيده إلى 18 نقطة في المركز الأول مؤقتًا، بينما تجمد رصيد البنك الأهلي عند 11 نقطة في المركز الـ12. هدف فوز المصري على البنك الأهلي
Tottenham Hotspur are entering a new era under Thomas Frank this summer, with the Dane the latest manager to try and catapult the side to sustained levels of success.
The 51-year-old signed a three-year deal after joining from fellow Premier League side Brentford, subsequently wanting to take his managerial career to the next level in North London.
However, if he wants to achieve both of his goals, he will require serious investment from the hierarchy to provide him with the tools for success at the Lilywhites.
Tottenham Hotspur managerThomasFrankcelebrates after the match
He’s already added Mohammed Kudus to his ranks, but despite the Ghanaian’s move to the club, other additions will be needed in key areas of the pitch.
Countless players still remain in their sights during the current market, opening the door to further big-money signings to improve the options at Frank’s disposal.
The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer
James McAtee is the latest player currently on their radar, potentially softening the blow after missing out on Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White.
It’s been reported that Spurs could be about to jump ahead of Nuno Espírito Santo’s side in the race for his signature, after the Reds had a £25m bid rejected for the Manchester City youngster.
Manchester City'sJamesMcAteecelebrates after the match
However, he’s not the only Premier League player on their radar, with Fulham centre-forward Rodrigo Muniz also a player they’re considering, according to TBR Football.
They claim that talks have already been held with the 24-year-old’s representatives this window, opening the door to a move to North London for the Brazilian forward.
It also states that the player has yet to receive a suitable offer to renew his contract, potentially leading to a departure, with Leeds United also circling for his signature.
Why Spurs’ latest target could be Frank’s next Wissa
During Frank’s stint as Brentford boss, he managed to unearth multiple gems that allowed him to turn the Bees into an established top-flight outfit.
Yoane Wissa is just one player he managed to transform into a top-level talent, with the DR Congo star managing to torment countless backlines in the division.
The 28-year-old made 35 appearances in the league last time around, registering a total of 19 goals and four assists, forming an excellent partnership with Cameroonian international Bryan Mbeumo.
Given his tremendous form in recent times, he’s also been linked with a move to join Spurs this window, potentially following the manager in moving to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
However, Newcastle United and Forest are also interested in a deal for his signature, making any move for his services somewhat tricky, leading to other options being considered.
Brentford's YoaneWissacelebrates scoring their first goal
That’s where a move for Muniz comes in this summer, with the Fulham star being the next key talisman to try and make a name for himself under Frank’s guidance.
He’s been labelled as a similar player to the Bees star by FBref, also managing to outperform the DR Congo international in numerous key areas throughout last campaign.
How Muniz & Wissa compare in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Muniz
Wissa
Games played
31
35
Goals & assists
9
23
Goals & assists (per 90)
0.84
0.71
Shot on target accuracy
49%
45%
Take-on success
33%
30%
Fouls won
2.9
1.5
Aerials won
6.3
0.9
Aerial success rate
52%
45%
Stats via FBref
Muniz, who’s been labelled “one of the best strikers in the Premier League” by teammate Willian, posted a better goal and assist rate per 90, whilst notching a higher shot on target accuracy rate – having the added ability to thrive in the final third.
He also managed to complete more of the take-ons he attempted last campaign, possessing a more all-round ability to thrive and create carnage to the opposition’s backline.
The Brazilian’s talents are further reflected in his ability in the air, winning a higher percentage of his aerial duels, offering Frank a needed focal point, which the Spurs side are currently lacking ahead of 2025/26.
Whilst it’s unclear how much Marco Silva’s side are demanding for his signature, it’s evident that the youngster has all the tools needed to be a fan favourite with the Lilywhites faithful.
Fulham's RodrigoMunizcelebrates scoring their third goal
If he can transform his game and match the goals produced by Wissa under Frank’s guidance, he would be a superb signing that would massively bolster the club’s chances of success next year.
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Zafar Gohar claimed his 300th first class wicket in taking 6 for 76 as Gloucestershire bowled out Sussex for 311 on the second day of this County Championship match at Bristol.But the left-arm spinner’s efforts could not prevent Sussex, the Division Two leaders, taking a commanding first innings lead of 202, Jack Carson top scoring with 71 and sharing a seventh-wicket stand of 112 with skipper John Simpson, who made 61.By the close, Gloucestershire had posted 140 for 3 in their second innings and still trailed by 62. Chris Dent was unbeaten on 61, having battled away for 157 balls, while Miles Hammond hit 41.The day began with Sussex 149 for 4 and already 40 runs ahead. With the pitch expected to offer increasing turn, Gloucestershire opened with Gohar from the Pavilion End and he struck his first blow with the total on 161, bowling James Coles for 46 attempting a reverse-sweep.With 19 more runs added, another Sussex player perished to an injudicious shot as Henry Crocombe went to hit Gohar back over his head and skyed a catch to mid-on. Simpson also went on the attack early, striking the Pakistani spinner over long-on for six before settling down to build a potentially winning lead with Carson.Neither looked in much bother. A Carson clip of his toes for four off Tom Price moved the score to 250 shortly after the second new ball had been taken and in the same over the Sussex allrounder reached a 76-ball fifty, with nine boundaries.At lunch, the scoreboard read 259 for 6, Sussex having added 110 runs during the morning to lead by 150. Carson was unbeaten on 56 and Simpson 34 not out.The afternoon session saw Simpson produce an exquisite cover drive for four off Price before a quick single took him to a half-century off 96 deliveries, with five fours and a six. He and Carson had extended their side’s lead to 183 when the latter dragged a wide ball from Gohar onto his stumps, having increased his boundary count to 13.Eight more runs secured a second batting point. But it proved a disappointing maiden first-class innings for debutant Bertie Foreman, who had made just 2 when bowled through the gate by a turning delivery from Gohar.With the confidence of four wickets to his credit, Gohar then had Simpson caught behind pushing forward and pinned last man Jaydev Unadkat lbw to notch his 300th first-class victim in a career stretching back 11 years. But Sussex could feel well satisfied with a lead of over 200 on a dry surface starting to fulfil pre-match predictions.Zafar Gohar took his 300th first-class wicket•Getty Images
Gloucestershire openers Dent and Joe Phillips knocked 43 off the deficit with few alarms, Dent striking Carson over long-off for six. But the offspinner had turned his first delivery of the innings sharply as a warning.It was Unadkat who broke the partnership with his fifth wicket of the match, trapping Phillips on the crease and dismissing him leg before for 21. By tea, Gloucestershire were 53 for 1 from 18 overs, with Dent unbeaten on 22, and looking set to make a fight of it.Those hopes suffered a blow early in the final session when Ollie Price, on 11, fell to a reflex slip catch by Tom Haines, who stuck out a left hand to hold the sharpest of chances after the Gloucestershire man had advanced down the pitch to aim an attacking blow off Carson.At 59 for 2, the hosts still trailed by 143 runs. Under clear late afternoon skies, Dent and Hammond set about putting their team back in the game.Dent, who only recently returned to Gloucestershire’s red ball team after a lengthy absence battling anxiety, gave a reminder of the form that has brought more than 11,000 first-class runs, moving to a 126-ball half-century, with seven fours and a six.Hammond looked equally comfortable and had faced 75 balls, hitting 4 fours, when tempted by a ball from Carson tossed up outside off stump and edging an attempted drive through to wicketkeeper Simpson. The stand of 79 with Dent in 26.1 overs had given Gloucestershire hope.
Newcastle United are in the hunt for a striker this summer and Eddie Howe may be growing in confidence that he can land a proven Premier League marksman, according to a report.
Newcastle United's search for reinforcements
Eddie Howe has become something of a recruitment specialist at St James’ Park, producing an excellent track record that means more additions become hits than not when convinced to move to Tyneside.
Hoping to continue that feat, Keith Wyness reckons Newcastle may sacrifice some stars to expand their potential to spend even with the threat of PSR being a live consideration to ponder.
Newcastle United managerEddieHoweapplauds fans after the match
He stated: “It used to be that when you sold a big player, you had loads of money to spend. Newcastle are going to have to work hard in this window.
“I think there will be some disposals. Sean Longstaff may have to move on, and there will be others going too. Anything that will allow Newcastle to spend as big as they can, they will do.”
That much may be true, but where do Newcastle plan to strengthen their arsenal? According to reports, Manchester City star Jack Grealish could move to Tyneside, potentially adding a sprinkle of European pedigree as the Geordies prepare for a return to the Champions League.
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Brentford’s Mikkel Damsgaard is also wanted by Newcastle, demonstrating that they mean business in a summer that could produce a fair amount of incomings and exits in the North East.
Evaluating their forward line, the Geordies now have one of the Premier League’s hottest properties on their radar and confidence is growing over their chances of landing his services.
Newcastle United accelerate move for Joao Pedro
According to The Telegraph, Newcastle are confident they can strike a deal for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro as his future on the South Coast becomes increasingly uncertain.
The Brazilian forward is open to a move to the North East and is admired by Howe and his coaching staff due to a degree of versatility than can see him feature through the middle or on either flank.
Joao Pedro’s Premier League statistics in 2024/25 (Fotmob)
Shots
47
Shots on target
20
Chances created
30
Completed dribbles
29
Aerial duels won
42
Labelled “amazing” by Billy Gilmour, Pedro registered ten goals and seven assists in 30 appearances across all competitions this term as the Seagulls narrowly missed out on a place in Europe.
Internally, there is now a feeling that Newcastle can complete a deal to sign the former Watford striker, though there is still plenty of work to be done before that dream can become a reality.
Alexander Isak is the main man in attack for the Geordies. Nevertheless, Pedro is a force to be reckoned with at full flight and could be another dangerous asset against opposition domestically and on the continent.
Leeds United face the unenviable task of having to recruit for a season in the Premier League after they won the Championship title to earn promotion to the big time.
The last six teams that were promoted from the second tier were all relegated in their first seasons in the top-flight, which speaks to how difficult the task ahead will be for the Whites.
However, Leeds already know what it takes to achieve survival in their first season back in the Premier League, because they finished in the top-half under Marcelo Bielsa in the 2020/21 campaign.
The West Yorkshire outfit lost 4-3 to Liverpool in a thrilling match on the opening day of the term, before they went on to comfortably avoid relegation.
Exceptional recruitment work done by Victor Orta and Bielsa underpinned their success that season, as they made several key signings to bolster the squad.
Arguably, the most successful signing that the Whites made ahead of the 2020/21 campaign was the addition of Raphinha from Rennes on a permanent deal.
Leeds hit the jackpot with Raphinha
Leeds swooped to sign the Brazilian attacker from the French side in a deal that was reported to be worth £17m plus add-ons, and it turned out to be a huge bargain.
Coming up from the Championship, Bielsa’s side needed an injection of quality to bolster their efforts to stay in the Premier League, and that is exactly what Raphinha provided with his quality at the top end of the pitch from a right wing position.
20/21 Premier League
Raphinha
Appearances
30
Goals
6
Big chances created
12
Key passes per game
2.1
Assists
9
Dribbles completed per game
1.9
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Brazil international made an instant impact in the top-flight with a return of 18 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in 30 appearances.
Raphinha was not done there, though, as the left-footed magician scored 11 goals and created ten ‘big chances’ in 35 appearances in the Premier League in the 2021/22 campaign to steer Jesse Marsch’s team clear of relegation.
Raphinha’s incredible form for Leeds in the Premier League in his two seasons at Elland Road, unfortunately, attracted interest from elsewhere, and he signed for Barcelona in a deal worth a reported £55m in the summer of 2022.
In the present day, the former Whites star has scored 34 goals and provided 25 assists in 56 matches for the Spanish giants this season, in what has been a phenomenal campaign for him on an individual level.
Whilst Raphinha has kicked on to become a superstar in European football with Barcelona, Leeds are still looking for their next winger to shine on the Premier League stage.
Leeds United's wingers since Raphinha left
Leeds United were relegated from the Premier League in the season after the Brazilian sensation moved on from Elland Road, which points to how important he was to the side.
Raphinha-Leeds-Stats
The Whites ended that term without any of their wingers scoring more than five goals or assisting more than seven goals in the top-flight, which shows that they failed to adequately replace Raphinha’s impact at the top end of the pitch.
Leeds United’s top-performing wingers since Raphinha left
Season
Most goals (all comps)
Most assists (all comps)
24/25 (Championship)
Dan James (12)
Manor Solomon (13)
23/24 (Championship)
Crysencio Summerville (21)
Crysencio Summerville (10)
22/23 (Premier League)
Luis Sinisterra (7)
Jack Harrison (10)
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, Dan James hit double figures for goals and Manor Solomon hit double figures for assists, but it remains to be seen how that translates to the top division, after Crysencio Summerville’s struggles this term.
The Dutch forward, who left Leeds to sign for West Ham last summer, only scored one goal and provided one assist in 19 Premier League games for the Hammers this season, which suggests that he has failed to make the step up to the top tier as of yet.
Leeds, therefore, have not had a winger who has had the quality to make a consistent impact at the top level since Raphinha left, but they could change that by signing reported transfer target Dazien Maeda, who is reportedly valued at £25m.
Why Leeds should sign Daizen Maeda
The Whites should swoop to sign the Celtic superstar in the upcoming summer transfer window because he could be their best winger signing since they brought Raphinha in from Rennes in the summer of 2020.
Daizen Maeda
Maeda, dubbed an “amazing role model” by Brendan Rodgers, just ended his 2024/25 campaign with the Scottish giants and enjoyed an unbelievable year on a personal level.
The 27-year-old sensation scored a staggering 33 goals and provided 12 assists in 53 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, which means that Raphinha only outscored him by one goal for Barcelona, and he has scored at least 12 more goals than any other Leeds winger has in one season in the last three years.
These statistics show that the Celtic star has the potential to be an exceptional addition to the Leeds squad as a winger, who typically plays on the left flank, with the quality to score and create goals at an incredible rate.
Some supporters may question the quality of Scottish football and how it translates to the Premier League, as is the case with the Championship, but Maeda also showcased his quality on the biggest stage of all in the Champions League.
24/25 Champions League
Daizen Maeda
Appearances
9
xG
2.80
Goals
4
Conversion rate
27%
Big chances created
1
Assists
0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Hoops star outperformed his xG to score an impressive four goals in nine Champions League games, which included goals against German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
This shows that the Japanese ace, who has been described as a “machine” by coaches, has the quality to make a big impact in the final third against some of the biggest teams in Europe, which suggests that he could adapt to the level of the Premier League.
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Therefore, Leeds could sign their best winger since Raphinha by splashing £25m on Maeda in the upcoming summer transfer window, because he has the statistics and the performances at the top level to suggest that he would be a high-quality addition to Daniel Farke’s squad.
Celtic are on the verge of a domestic treble and could have some exciting signings lined up moving into next season under Brendan Rodgers at Parkhead.
Celtic eye flourish to campaign ahead of summer window
The Scottish Premiership title is destined to reside in Celtic’s trophy cabinet, and the Bhoys could ratify their fourth successive league triumph by claiming a point against Dundee United on Saturday.
Rodgers led his side into the Scottish Cup final against St Johnstone at Hampden last weekend, setting up a showcase occasion with Aberdeen that could see the Irishman become the first manager at Parkhead to win three trebles in charge.
Casting an eye to the summer, there is every reason for the Irishman to be backed as Celtic scale up for the task of navigating Champions League qualifiers.
Crystal Palace Jesse Derry has become a Hoops target after opting not to sign an extension at Selhurst Park, though he would likely be a developmental capture at Lennoxtown.
Soon-to-be free agent Danny Ings is also admired by Celtic, albeit it remains to be seen whether the former England international could emerge as a potential arrival.
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With a place in Europe’s premier competition not a guarantee ahead of next campaign, additions will need to be finalised swiftly to ensure they have an adequate bedding-in period at the reigning champions.
Complacency also can’t be allowed to creep in amid a renewed domestic challenge from Rangers, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see a squad refresh at Celtic involving movement in both directions.
Tapping into that school of thought, Prutton has predicted that the Bhoys could come up trumps in their pursuit of an attacking livewire.
Celtic backed to seal deal for Stoke City winger Million Manhoef
Recently, Celtic’s interest in Stoke City winger Million Manhoef came to light, and the Bhoys found out they may need to pay £10 million to prize the Dutchman away from the bet365 Stadium.
Now, Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has claimed Celtic would be a “tremendous” move for Manhoef should circumstances align this summer, per Football League World.
Million Manhoef EFL Championship statistics – 2024/25
Goals
5
Assists
5
Chances created
49
Successful crosses
23
Successful dribbles
49
Touches in opposition box
117
Prutton stated: “I think firstly, you can instantly see the attraction of what being a Celtic player would be. Never having had the privilege of being north of the border playing, but knowing people that played for both sides of that particular divide, their description and their passion for it is all-consuming.
“So, I think swapping a club that’s perennially bottom-half in the Championship, which again, from Stoke’s point of view needs to be addressed ASAP; a glaring gulf between a team as we saw on Monday in Leeds heading back to the Premier League, and a team in Stoke that were once part of the Premier League furniture is there for all to see.
“A chastening reminder for Mark Robins about the job that needs to be done at Stoke, and if Million is not going to be part of that, then if he ends up at Celtic, it’s a tremendous move for him.”
Ultimately, Celtic’s potential to play Champions League football may be the deciding factor for Manhoef, who now has plenty to consider ahead of the summer.
Moving north of the border may give him a unique shop window, but Burnley, Sheffield United, Genk and Club Brugge are also mooted to be in the hunt for his services.
England allrounder on life, love, happiness and an extraordinary run of batting form post-marriage
Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Jun-2024″I didn’t really think at the time it would blow up as much as it did,” Nat Sciver-Brunt says. “It just felt like the normal reaction, I guess.”The allrounder is talking about a photo (below) taken after England’s defeat to Australia in 2022’s ODI World Cup final. As Nat starts to process the loss, physically and emotionally exhausted after almost single-handedly carrying England’s pursuit of a 357-run target with 148 not out, her now-wife, Katherine Sciver-Brunt, teary-eyed, holds her face and consoles her.It is a beautiful shot. There they stand, among a throng in the middle of the Hagley Oval, and somehow alone together. Love and pain in oddly comfortable harmony.”I like the photo,” Nat adds. “Well, I like the photo more for Katherine’s face than what’s gone on in the game.”This intimate shot of England cricket’s first openly same-sex couple went viral on social media. Though the pair don’t really indulge beyond “the odd scroll here and there”, they were aware of the volume of positivity sent their way for being themselves and being so visible while at the peak of their sport. It is something they hear first-hand, too.”You might be signing autographs, and people will say little bits to me and Katherine as well. In that way, it’s quite nice that it’s in-person, and people are able to say directly to us how either we’ve inspired them, or they’re really happy for us.”Those comments reinforce the role cricket can play in the LGBTQ community. This year, England Cricket are celebrating the Rainbow Laces between June 29 and July 7, with professional and recreational clubs marking the campaign at games across the country. An array of representatives from English cricket – beyond simply the ECB – will also march in the Pride in London parade.Katherine Brunt consoles her then-fiancée Nat, after England’s loss in the 2022 World Cup final•ICC/Getty ImagesUnfortunately, Sciver-Brunt has yet to attend a Pride march because of the regular clash with cricket. This year, it’s the second of a three-match ODI series against New Zealand, which begins on Wednesday. “I suppose I have to do my work in other spaces,” she says.”I guess being myself and being free in that is my best way of displaying that. Me and Katherine being who we are, together in public and just being normal about it all, really – that’s our way of being part of Pride. Pride to me is being comfortable enough to be who you are, and not having to hide it. That’s our way of being part of the march.”Achieving that “comfort” has come in stages for Sciver-Brunt.”I’m not really sure if there were any gay people at school,” she says. “There’s something about moving away from home and probably not having the expectations of your family, or living under that roof. You’re sort of left to your own devices and working out your own way of doing things.”Going to uni and not having anyone to tell you what to do or anything like that. People grow up in that phase, don’t they?”Playing for England added an extra dimension. Sciver-Brunt arrived on the scene in 2013, just as women’s cricket was about to undergo a dramatic evolution. The fact that this coincided with her own emergence as one of the sport’s finest allrounders brought its own challenges of fame and interest. She eventually warmed to both, and, in October 2019, Nat and Katherine announced their engagement in an interview with “There was no hiding within the team,” Sciver-Brunt says, when asked about coming out via the engagement. “It was just a matter of timing before doing a few media interviews around it.
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“Being in the public eye sort of found me, rather than seeking it out, if you know what I mean? I had to spend time in that space before feeling comfortable about it. I do now.”There were still aspects to overcome. She used to put her left hand in her pocket to hide her engagement ring to avoid awkward conversations about her relationship. Now, the only awkwardness comes from forgetting to put her wedding ring back on.”Katherine’s always like – ‘get that ring out, you show people!’ It feels weird when I forget to put it back on, actually. I take it off quite a lot and I don’t always remember to put it back on – but not through not wanting to put it back on!”But people are, I don’t know, more understanding, more welcoming, feel more inclusive. It’s not a thought in my mind to hide it.”It’s worth noting that marriage has had a profound effect on Sciver-Brunt’s cricket. Since tying the knot on May 29, 2022, her batting averages across formats are through the roof; 76.50 in Tests set against a career average of 43.26; 73.91 compared to 46.72 in WODIs; 35.10 to 27.21 in WT20Is. Not only has she scored her only Test hundred since tying the knot, but four of her nine 50-over hundreds have come in this period too.She laughs when this matrimony streak is brought up. It has been a point of conversation in the dressing-room.”Well, Kate Cross actually told me when we were playing against Pakistan in that final game (when she scored that ninth WODI century). So, I sort of roughly know the stats.Related
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“But I need to tell Katherine the actual numbers now. Because I’m sure she’ll be like ‘see, well, it’s inevitable. You’ve got married to me, obviously – it was always going to happen’.”She cannot pinpoint what changed. But she does know it goes beyond watching the ball and holding better shapes into her more full-blooded slaps down the ground.”Maybe it’s more maturity? Or knowing what I need as a cricketer? What my best training would be like? What best prepares me for a game? Just being mentally ready for those challenges. And probably after I took a break from cricket (in 2022), I feel more comfortable knowing where I am mentally.”It coincided with everything just clicking, I guess? More people should just get married, shouldn’t they?”Cricketers often say having kids also has a liberating effect on their output. Sciver-Brunt grins: “Well yeah … look out!”At the start of the summer, she missed the first T20I against Pakistan to have her eggs frozen. The procedure would allow her, at 31, to continue playing without worrying about when her and Katherine could start a family. Both would like to carry a child.”You start with going to see the doctors, and you’re injecting yourself every day. From start to finish, it’s about three or four weeks until you start feeling right to push yourself in training.”Finding the time was difficult, but ultimately, if it’s something really important to you, you just do it whenever you’re ready. Cricket will be there when you get back. It’ll be waiting for you.”It certainly will be for some time. Series victories over Pakistan now lead into a ODI and T20I series against New Zealand. Another season with Trent Rockets in the women’s Hundred follows before matches against Ireland ahead of the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh – all before November.Having returned to bowling in her last appearance at the end of May against Pakistan – taking 2 for 11 “very slowly” – she has been using the time since to build herself back up. Sessions have centred around fitness and strength conditioning instead of skills. She regards the last four weeks as invaluable.”I’m sort of raring to go again, which is nice.”Nice for Sciver-Brunt, nice for England and nice for those who see her as an inspiration.
What exactly was said, we’ll never know but Kohli didn’t awaken a beast – he’s been up for a while
Vithushan Ehantharajah03-Jul-20225:48
#PoliteEnquiries: Is Kohli allowed to sledge Bairstow?
The easiest excuse – indeed the best for Search Engine Optimisation purposes – is to blame Virat Kohli.Jonny Bairstow was just 13 from 61 deliveries, with only a single four to his name. He’d survived an lbw appeal from Jasprit Bumrah, and had just about made it through a stern examination from Mohammed Shami, who beat both edges of Bairstow’s bat five times up to that point. England’s hero of the summer so far was in desperate need of rescuing.And then Kohli decided to engage Bairstow. What exactly was said, we’ll never know. But there he was, personifying India’s bolshiness at the time, with the Dukes ball doing just as much baiting of the opposing batters as the former captain. Bairstow boomed a drive at the next delivery, missing completely. Kohli bellowed with laughter. Then Bairstow struck 93 off his next 79 deliveries and moved onto his 11th Test hundred.Kohli, however, did not awaken a beast. “There was literally nothing to it,” said Bairstow with a smile in his press conference at stumps.Besides, the beast has been up for a while. And no longer is it fuelled by antagonism. New Zealand didn’t say a word to Bairstow and look what happened to them.Related
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Ravindra Jadeja, India's 'Mr Dependable', comes to the rescue again
India's bowling depth trumps Bairstow's third straight Test century
Test century No. 5 of 2022 means Bairstow is well on course to beat the English record of six in a calendar year, with an innings to come here, three Tests against South Africa before the summer is over, then a couple of Tests in Pakistan in December. Joe Root equalled that record only last year, and no one in their right minds would have thought it would be under threat so soon. We’ve only just got into July.Weird as it feels to say when someone blitzes the last 87 runs of their 100 from 58 balls, but this was pretty regulation by Bairstow’s new standards. Shami and Bumrah were tonked down the ground, and by the time Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj came on, the Jonny Eyes were in. Both were taken for six deep into the leg side in among the fours flicked off the pads and slapped straight or driven square. The boundary that took him over the line, a punch to the cover-point boundary, was more of timing than malice, and still beat the fielder to the sponge.You’d think after three hundreds in the last 20 days, in which time he has scored 8.96% of all his Test runs, we’d have a better answer than “clarity” when asked to explain this absurd hot streak. But that’s exactly it.”I’ve never been a great technician, have I?” he joked. “That’s why you lot have torn me to shreds a few times: going leg side of it, going off side of it, bowled through the gate. Nah, genuinely, I’ve not really thought of technique and stuff like that to be honest with you. I’ve just stripped everything back and trying to focus on watching the ball. There’s my honest answer.”The result is a man batting in a way that is uniquely him. If Root is the poster boy of conforming, perfecting the side on, straight lines of this world, then Bairstow is the radical who is thriving by being himself. No longer is he hamstrung by the need to make all the necessary shapes to fit in. He’s simply trusting his eyes and hands, in turn making believers of countless doubters who had made their minds up on him after, in their defence, averaging 21 in 18 Tests between the start of 2019 and the end of 2021, while he was still trying to do an impression of a Test cricketer.Jonny Bairstow scored his fifth Test century of 2022•Getty ImagesWe should also note, it hasn’t just been brute thrashing, regardless of what a breakdown of his 485 runs so far this summer suggest. The strike rate is 110, and 67% of his runs have come in boundaries (75 in total, 12 of them sixes), with one every 5.9 deliveries. But only four of those have been what you might term “loose”, meaning even at his most aggressive, the likelihood of him going for a big shot and nailing it exactly where he wants is 94.7%. Of the 44 batters who have hit 50 or more to the fence in an English summer, no one has exhibited more control.The other conclusion to take from all of this is that “Bazball” is nothing without Bairstow. In fact, had he not batted as he did at Trent Bridge, blitzing 136 from 92 to see England most of the way to a chase of 299 from 50 overs, “Bazball” might not even be a thing. The broader concept of getting players to express themselves and play for enjoyment and entertainment might still be there, but the scale of belief, the sense of altruism and the fearlessness would not. All of which has come almost exclusively from Bairstow.On Sunday, we perhaps got our clearest indication he can only do so much to carry the team, and that his clear thinking isn’t quite catching on. Root’s tame demise for 31 on the evening of day two, edging behind when trying to cut Siraj when the ball was too close, was compounded by captain Ben Stokes slapping Thakur to Bumrah at mid off. Having been dropped twice, including the ball before by the Indian skipper, Stokes offered an immediate chance to make amends. England were eventually 284 all out and trail India by 257 going into day four, with seven second-innings wickets still to be taken.For all the excitement of Stokes’ charges down the wicket and Root’s reverse lap sweeps, their method carries a freneticism that Bairstow’s does not. They are both more than capable of pumping up the run rate and moving games along, as they’ve shown in previous eras, without needing to take the kind of risks they are. No need to chug – just sip the Kool-Aid.”Whatever they set, they set, and we’ll go about it whatever,” announced Bairstow, reading straight from the pamphlet. “We’ll be going about it in the same manner and we’re looking to take the game forward. Why not?”We know he will. The question is – who else is going to join him?
He has not been sleeping very well leading into the Wellington Test, but come match day, he stood up to make it count
Karthik Krishnaswamy in Wellington22-Feb-2020It was poised to be that kind of day for India. A day when they were bowled out cheaply, just when conditions were getting better to bat in. A day when their bowlers weren’t doing a whole lot wrong, but weren’t at their best either. A day when New Zealand were threatening to pull away.But they kept themselves in the game, just about, thanks mostly to Ishant Sharma.Ishant was coming back from a grade-three ankle injury, having recovered from it at an almost miraculous pace. He had landed in New Zealand less than a week before the Test match, and was still struggling with jetlag.”I could only sleep for 40 minutes last night,” he said, at his end-of-day press conference. “The night before that, I slept for only three hours.”Sleep-deprived and perhaps not yet entirely back at his physical peak, Ishant didn’t bowl the long spells he usually gets through. The 15 overs he sent down on day two were rationed into five separate spells, the longest of which lasted four overs.India looked flat and in need of inspiration almost every time Ishant began a new spell. The others weren’t doing badly, but they weren’t doing well either. This might have been okay on another day, but India had only put 165 on the board here.Jasprit Bumrah was playing his first Test since returning from a stress fracture, and the rhythm wasn’t quite there. He had seemed to find it in the warm-up match, where he hit his lengths almost as soon as he began his first spell, but here he looked edgy, walking back to his mark a little too quickly between deliveries, bowling good balls without necessarily stringing them together into pressure-building sequences, and looking like he was searching a little too eagerly for that one wicket that would make everything okay.Mohammed Shami had begun well, squaring Tom Blundell up twice in his first three overs and finding his leading edge both times. Those balls had fallen safely, though, and the batsmen had become used to the spongy bounce of the Basin Reserve pitch. But as a result of those two balls to Blundell, maybe, Shami was bowling a touch too short, not bringing the batsmen forward enough.R Ashwin was getting the ball to grip and turn more than a fingerspinner might usually do on a second-day Wellington pitch, and had spun one between Blundell’s bat and pad early on, only for bounce to save the batsman from getting bowled. But Kane Williamson was not allowing him to settle at all; against lengths that may have drawn other batsmen forward, he was trusting his back-foot game to keep punching Ashwin into the covers, where a defensive fielder, two-thirds of the way to the boundary, would soon appear.Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah share a light moment•AFPIshant had gotten a little lucky with his first wicket, Tom Latham strangling a catch down the leg side. That dismissal seemed to have happened a long time ago when Ishant came back for his third spell. New Zealand were 72 for 1, with Blundell and Williamson both batting on 30.Little seemed to be happening in the air or off the pitch at that stage, with the sun out, the wind down to a simmer, and the batsmen well set. Ishant’s first ball, however, seemed to swing a long way into Williamson. The ball may have gotten a lesser batsman in trouble, but Williamson had all the time in the world to work it off his stumps and down to fine leg for one.His third ball started on around fifth stump, and seemed once again to swing, this time away from the right-hander. It wasn’t a difficult leave for Blundell, but the fact of the ball leaving the right-hander, that too in the air, suggested Ishant might be finding reverse-swing.Perhaps it was all just an illusion. “No, it was not reversing,” Ishant said. “Actually, nothing was happening. I was trying that something might happen from the wicket. So I was just not holding the ball on the seam but trying different things. Kookaburra, after 40 or 50 overs, the seam really gets soft. So you need to come hard and hit the length very hard if you hold the ball cross-seam. That’s what happened.”So cross-seam then. The next ball jagged off the pitch, inwards, from the perfect length, which had brought Blundell forward but not far enough. A gap appeared between his front pad and defensive bat, and the ball snuck through. New Zealand 73 for 2.They were 91 for 2 when Ishant finished his three-over spell, with Ross Taylor, playing his 100th Test, having just kicked his innings into gear with a slog-swept six off Ashwin. By the time Ishant came back into the attack, 17 overs later, the score was 152 for 2.Williamson and Taylor were batting beautifully, putting together the kind of third-wicket partnership India fans have seen numerous times in their home Tests, between Dravid and Tendulkar, for instance, or Pujara and Kohli. The two best batsmen in the team chugging along effortlessly to consolidate a position of strength, and refusing to let the visiting bowlers settle into any sort of rhythm.Ishant Sharma goes up in appeal against Tom Latham•Getty ImagesTaylor, for instance, wasn’t letting Ashwin bowl his best ball – the flighted offbreak landing outside off stump. He’d played that slog-sweep when he’d only just come in, and when Ashwin tried that line again later in his spell, he got down low to paddle him fine for four. In between, as a result, Ashwin mostly bowled stump-to-stump and a little flatter and fuller than he’d ideally have liked to bowl, just to prevent Taylor from sweeping.Shami and Bumrah, stretching themselves to break the partnership, erred in line or length every now and then. Williamson caressed drives either side of mid-off, or got on his toes to punch through point. Taylor played a couple of leg glances, off balls that may have gone on to hit leg stump or even part of middle, his hands somehow whirring through the shot despite his having to play around his front pad.By the time Ishant returned, eight of the previous ten overs had contained a boundary. New Zealand trailed by a mere 13 runs. The pitch, which had offered so much sideways and vertical assistance on day one, was now appearing a lot more straightforward to bat on.But there was still something in it, and the taller bowlers – Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee during India’s innings, Ishant now – were seeming to extract that little bit more from it.”I’m not sure,” Southee said, when asked about this at his press conference. “It seems like one of those wickets where the odd one, every now and then, stands up a little bit, and I guess when you’re a little bit taller you can kind of expose that a little bit more.”Ishant had a square-ish leg gully in place when he bowled to Taylor now, in his fourth spell. With the first ball of his third over, he bowled the perfect delivery to produce a lobbed catch to that fielder, and there’s no way he could have bowled it entirely on purpose. Taylor, pressing onto the front foot with his trigger movement, was in no position to deal with one that spat up from just short of a length, all the while jagging back in and cramping him for room.Even if Ishant couln’t have bowled it entirely on purpose, there was still a method to the dismissal, and it was much the same as the method employed by Jamieson on day one. But where Jamieson had used his short ball to push batsmen back, and then used the fuller one as his wicket-taking ball, Ishant had gone the other way.Of all the fast bowlers to have bowled on the first two days – not including the medium-paced Colin de Grandhomme – Ishant bowled the greatest percentage of deliveries (64.44) that brought the batsmen onto the front foot, according to ESPNcricinfo’s data. Southee came closest (63.64) while Shami (48.04) and Jamieson (48.96) brought up the rear.Different bowlers have different methods, and there’s no right or wrong one, but committing batsmen onto the front foot will most certainly heighten the danger of your short ball. Or the shortish ball that rears up unexpectedly.It was just the ball a somnolent India had needed to jolt back to life, even if the man who bowled it would have much rather been in bed himself.