Still on the hunt for an Andre Onana upgrade, Manchester United have now reportedly submitted an opening offer worth £13m to sign a Champions League-winning shot-stopper.

Man Utd's goalkeeper search still ongoing

Having already reinforced their attacking options with the arrival of Matheus Cunha and with negotiations ongoing to sign Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United have turned their focus towards their goalkeeper department.

Onana’s position as Old Trafford’s No.1 has seemed at risk since his debut season and the former Inter Milan man could finally be forced to relinquish his role if United get their wish this summer.

To that end, a number of names have been mentioned as potential options, with the most prominent of which being Emiliano Martinez.

The World Cup winner reportedly prefers a move to Manchester United over Barcelona and could be on his way out of Aston Villa amid their PSR concerns this month.

Meanwhile, what would help speed things up in the goalkeeper department is if AS Monaco complete their move to sign Onana. The Ligue 1 side are reportedly interested in signing the Cameroon international in an unexpected move this summer.

By showing Onana the door, it would almost be a guarantee that Manchester United will welcome another goalkeeper this summer. It would just be a matter of who. As much as Aston Villa will be concerned about their PSR situation, they’ll no doubt be desperate to avoid selling one of Unai Emery’s star players to a Premier League rival this summer and that may leave INEOS scrambling for other options.

If the Villans successfully fend off any interest from United, then the Red Devils could yet reportedly welcome a two-time Champions League winner in the coming months.

Man Utd submit first Andriy Lunin bid

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United submitted a bid worth €15m (£13m) to sign Andriy Lunin from Real Madrid but have since had that offer rejected by the Spanish giants. A deal is still there to be made, however, even if the Red Devils must increase their offer.

Having rejected the £13m offer, Real Madrid are reportedly demanding around €25m (£21m) to sell Lunin this summer in what should be seen as an affordable price for those at Old Trafford to match.

Whilst the Ukraine international deserves credit for how he stepped up for Thibaut Courtois at times last season, there remain question marks over his ability to become a permanent No.1 elsewhere.

It is Lunin’s ability on the ball that stands out rather than his shot-stopping skills according to Ben Mattinson, however. The analyst was full of praise for the Madrid man, dubbing his ball-playing ability “great” albeit whilst also describing the goalkeeper as a “top shot stopper”.

Amorim keen: Bayern Munich now open to selling Man Utd target for just £30m

Ruben Amorim wants to sign him this summer.

1

By
Henry Jackson

Jun 22, 2025

Although the jury is still out on Lunin, it’s clear that United must replace Onana this summer and doing so by signing a two-time Champions League winner could be the way to do exactly that.

Hampshire chip away in pursuit of victory after enforcing follow-on

ECB Reporters Network02-Jul-2024

Jack Leaning and Ben Compton gave Kent a chance of saving a Vitality County Championship draw against Hampshire.Leaning led the resolve in the first innings by returning from injury to score 118, before Compton bedded in with 71 not out in the second innings.But their determination came with a backdrop of a 162-run first innings deficit, meaning Hampshire forced them to follow-on, and just eight wickets in hand heading into the final day.The duo ended the day with a 84 unbroken partnership with Kent up to 132 for 2, with the deficit down to just 30 runs.After James Vince’s swashbuckling 211 on day one, and a fast-paced day two, the third day never progressed from sedate. Leaning returned on 73, having guided the visitors around an unconvincing evening session which saw them end up six down and trailing by 299 runs.He survived Vince dropping him at first slip on 84 but was otherwise restrained and oozed leadership in his fightback while marshalling the tail.Leaning had missed the last seven weeks with a broken hand, which he suffered during the drawn match with Worcestershire in May.In that innings he had scored an unbeaten 179 and he made it back-to-back hundreds in 207 balls, the 10th of his career, sixth since joining Kent and second in his last three visits at Utilita Bowl.Around Leaning, two wickets fell on either side of the second new ball.Charlie Stobo’s sensible 28 was ended two overs before the new ball was unveiled when James Fuller pinned him leg before. And then four balls into the new cherry, Grant Stewart was rapped on the pads by Mohammed Abbas.But Matt Parkinson took more time out of the game with Leaning, and minimised the deficit with a no-thrills 24. The pair put on 44 to frustrate the hosts.But Leaning’s majestic innings was ended when Kyle Abbott splayed his stumps and Kent were bowled out for 343 when Parkinson fended Keith Barker to first slip – Barker ending with 4 for 85.The last four Kent wickets put on 137 to almost avoid the follow-on, but despite their efforts Vince was able to turn them back around.Feroze Khushi was more restrained than during his thrilling first-innings 53, but fell for a short-ball trap to top edge Barker to long leg.Daniel Bell-Drummond lasted slightly longer before Liam Dawson extracted enough turn to cannon into off-stump. But Compton found company with that man Leaning to take any sting out of the day.Opener Compton reached fifty in 114 balls with a reverse sweep.Leaning was dropped by Vince for the second time in the day but was otherwise solid to all but wipe out the deficit.Hampshire will need eight wickets and likely a bit of a chase on the final day, and might be without Barker – who pulled up during a delivery midway through the evening and didn’t return.

نجح فريق بيراميدز في تحقيق الفوز على منتخب مصر للشباب بهدفين مقابل هدف، في المباراة الودية التي جمعت بينهما اليوم الإثنين.

والتقى بيراميدز مع منتخب الشباب، على ملعب الدفاع الجوي، ودياً، في إطار استعدادات الفريق لمواجهة أوكلاند سيتي النيوزيلندي في بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال.

ويستعد نادي بيراميدز لمواجهة نظيره أوكلاند سيتي النيوزيلندي بطل أوقيانوسيا يوم 14 سبتمبر الجاري في إطار الدور الأول من بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال.

طالع أيضاً.. بيراميدز يعلن خضوع لاعبه لجراحة وغيابه عن الفريق لمدة 4 أسابيع

وسجل بيراميدز هدفيه عن طريق المهاجم يوسف أوباما الذي سجل في الشوطين الأول والثاني، وسجل منتخب الشباب هدفه الوحيد من ركلة جزاء في الشوط الثاني.

وشهد الشوط الثاني مشاركة رمضان صبحي وإيفرتون دا سيلفا ووليد الكرتي، ودودو الجباس، وعمر طارق السعيد، ومالك معتصم.

يذكر أن منتخب الشباب خاض تلك المباراة في ختام معسكره الحالي قبل السفر إلى تشيلي لخوض معكسر مغلق تحضيرًا لخوض نهائيات كأس العالم.

Everton have looked to make reinforcements in attack this summer. After it was confirmed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin would not be signing a new deal with the club, they needed to sign a new striker, so Thierno Barry signed for the Toffees from La Liga side Villarreal for a reported fee of £27m.

The Frenchman, who played at the recent under-21 European Championships, adds to the Toffees’ attacking ranks that include Iliman Ndiaye, Dwight McNeil and Beto. They will certainly be hoping to improve on the 42 goals they scored last term, which, as per Understat, was only better than the three relegated sides.

To help enhance that attacking output, the Toffees could make a move for one of the stars of those relegated teams.

Everton’s latest attacking target

There is no doubt that the Toffees’ fortunes in front of goal could be far better. Thus, after signing Barry to help with putting the ball in the back of the net, they have seemingly turned their attention to helping create chances for him.

Transfer Focus

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

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According to a report from talkSPORT, the Merseysiders are one of the sides showing interest in Leicester City and Morocco international Bilal El Khannouss. They have reportedly ‘made checks’ about the attacking midfielder’s situation this summer, suggesting contact has already been made.

However, this is by no means a straightforward deal, because several other sides are interested in the 21-year-old. Premier League rivals Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United are in the race, as are Ligue 1 side AS Monaco and Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen.

Everton, or indeed any interested club, will need to pay his £22.5m relegation release clause.

Why El Khannouss would be a good signing

The 2024/25 campaign was a poor one for Leicester City. Despite changing manager halfway through the campaign, they were unable to stay up. However, one positive from an ultimately grim season was the performances of El Khannouss.

The Morocco international, who is an academy product of Belgian side Genk, made 36 appearances in his first season with the Foxes. In that time, he managed to score three goals and grab five assists, playing mainly as a number ten, but at times as a left winger.

If there is one thing that the youngster will add to this Everton side, it is attacking flair in the final third. Football scout Antonio Mango described him as “technically superb”, and assists like this for Jamie Vardy last season highlight exactly that. The one-two round the corner to Luke Thomas and the perfectly weighted cross is mesmerising to watch.

Should El Kahnnouss make the move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium next season, Everton fans will be hoping he can be the second coming of Iliman Ndiaye. The Senegal star is another player with masses of technical quality, and was described as a “magician” by football analyst and writer Tactically Matt over on X.

The 25-year-old was phenomenal in his first campaign as an Everton player. He bagged 11 goals in 37 appearances, including nine in the Premier League. Arguably, the best of those strikes was this effort against Tottenham Hotspur, with quick feet and a thumping finish showing just how good he is.

The stats on FBref for 2024/25 suggest that El Khannouss has the ability to become the second coming of Ndiaye. He created more chances on average than the Toffees’ number 10, with 1.72 compared to 0.67 per 90 minutes.

The ball carrying numbers are close, too, with Leicester’s Moroccan star averaging 2.92 progressive carries compared to Ndiaye’s 3.19 each game.

El Khannouss and Ndiaye key stats compared

Stat (per 90)

El Khannouss

Ndiaye

Goals and assists

0.24

0.33

Key passes

1.72

0.67

Progressive passes

5.36

2.19

Shot-creating actions

3.16

2.41

Take-ons completed

1.36

2.52

Progressive carries

2.92

3.19

Stats from FBref

For a fee of just £22.5m, this could be one of the bargains of the summer. Ndiaye is already a handful for Premier League sides, so adding El Khannouss and his bags of technical quality to the firepower in attacking areas is hugely exciting for Toffees fans. As analyst Ben Mattinson noted, he is a “sensational prospect”.

If Everton do complete this deal, it certainly feels like a big step towards their attacking output and technical quality increasing.

Related Ndiaye 2.0: Everton pushing to sign 'the 2nd best dribbler in the world'

David Moyes wants to add some more attacking quality at Everton this summer.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Jul 15, 2025

Nottingham Forest are now looking to capitalise on a European’s club’s horror situation and sign a “true icon” for just £21 million, according to a recent report.

Nottingham Forest in talks to sign two new players

The Reds are now closing in on the signing of Igor Jesus from Brazilian side Botafogo in a deal believed to be worth £10 million, but the forward could soon be joined by fellow new arrivals. According to ESPN Brazil, Forest have opened talks to sign winger Pepe from FC Porto.

The Portuguese side are looking to get around £12 million for the 28-year-old this summer, and Forest’s interest in Pepe comes as Newcastle United continue to circle around Anthony Elanga.

The Magpies have been keen on the former Man United man for a while now, and they decided to formalise that interest with a £45 million bid last week, which was rejected straight away.

As well as looking at potential replacements for Elanga, Nuno also wants to strengthen other areas of his team, as they have to deal with European football next season. Despite Ola Aina impressing a lot last season, the Reds have now made a £5 million bid to sign Pablo Maffeo from Mallorca.

The Premier League side are pushing to find an agreement with his club, and they have already agreed personal terms with the defender.

Nottingham Forest could land a better signing than Weah in £21m "mosquito"

Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to sign a Brazilian winger

By
Ross Kilvington

Jun 29, 2025

The list of potential new arrivals doesn’t stop there for Forest and Nuno, as they are now among the teams interested in a new striker.

Forest to capitalise on Lyon situation with Mikautadze move

According to TEAMtalk, Nottingham Forest are among the teams in a race to sign striker Georges Mikautadze from French side Olympique Lyon.

The 24-year-old only joined the French giants last summer, but given their relegation to Ligue 2, which is under appeal, and their financial situation, he could be one of many players that is allowed to leave in this transfer window.

TEAMtalk reports that as well as Forest, AS Roma and Eintracht Frankfurt are also keen on a deal for the Georgia international, who is valued at €25 million by Lyon, which is roughly £21.4 million.

Some good form during a loan spell with FC Metz made Mikautadze one to watch going into the European Championships last summer, where he earned a share of the golden boot with three goals for an exciting Georgia side.

Lyon swooped in as a result, and he then scored 11 times in 34 Ligue 1 games last term, as well as a further four goals in the Europa League.

Should Mikautadze, who has been dubbed a “true icon” by scout Jacek Kulig, join Forest in this transfer window, he would be up against Chris Wood, Taiwo Awoniyi and likely Igor Jesus for a starting spot, so it would not be a surprise to see Awoniyi search for a move elsewhere if a deal goes through.

أشاد الإعلامي حازم إمام، نجم الزمالك السابق، بمسيرة لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالقلعة البيضاء، مؤكدًا أنه واحد من أبرز أساطير الكرة المصرية في العصر الحديث.

وقال حازم إمام في تصريحات عبر إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”: “عبد الله السعيد واحد من أساطير كرة القدم المصرية وسيظل كذلك، الموسم الحالي هو رقم 20 في مسيرته وما زال يسجل أهدافًا”.

وتابع: “عبد الله السعيد كان نجمًا في الإسماعيلي والأهلي وبيراميدز وأخيرًا الزمالك، ورغم أنه انضم للقلعة البيضاء وعمره 37 عامًا، إلا أنه نموذج للاعب الذي يجبرك على احترامه مهما كان انتماؤك، لأن الناس في مصر يُقدرون اللاعب الجيد”.

طالع أيضًا | حازم إمام يشيد بلاعب الزمالك: الكرة جميلة بين قدميه.. لكن أداءه يهبط عند الدقيقة 60

وأضاف: “عبد الله السعيد هو (الحاجة الحلوة في مصر الآن)، وأتمنى أن يتعلم منه كل اللاعبون، إنه لاعب غير طبيعي، وفي المباراة الأخيرة أمام المصري كان أفضل لاعب رغم أنه على وشك إكمال عامه الأربعين”.

وواصل: “بعد أن تألق مع الأهلي وانتقل إلى بيراميدز قالوا إنه انتهى، لكنه كان هداف الدوري، ثم انضم للزمالك وقيل نفسي الشيء، والآن هو أفضل لاعب في الفريق”.

واختتم حازم إمام، تصريحاته قائلًا: “أي لاعب يريد أن يصنع اسمًا كبيرًا في كرة القدم، عليه أن يرى ما يفعله عبد الله السعيد ويقتدي به، لأنه النموذج الذي نتمنى أن نرى كثيرًا مثله في مصر”.

Tottenham Hotspur will have to balance the books soon by making key player sales, especially with the plethora of non-locally trained players in their squad, which could result in them having to submit a weakened Champions League squad.

£100k-a-week Tottenham star now wants to join elite manager at another club

Spurs need to sell players due to a key UEFA rule.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 11, 2025

Due to UEFA rules, Spurs require at least eight ‘locally trained’ players to be named in their 25-man list, and if they cannot meet this quota, then their total of A-list players will be reduced to make up the deficit.

While Morgan Gibbs-White’s potential arrival – which has now been delayed due to legal complications – could have a positive impact on this, given he came through the Wolves academy, their recent signing of Mohammed Kudus means that the north Londoners currently boast around 24 non-locally trained players in their current squad, even if this does include the likes of Manor Solomon, Bryan Gil, Yang-min Hyeok, Luka Vuskovic and Kota Takai.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Taking this into account, The Telegraph reports that Tottenham will need to sell at least one player this summer, and there are plenty of candidates.

Gil and Solomon are very likely to be sold after spending 2024/2025 out on loan at Girona and Leeds United respectively, with the former already confirming his intention to leave N17 in the coming weeks.

“That’s something my agent will tell me where things are going, but they [Spurs] told me, and I told them, that the best thing is for us not to continue being linked to Tottenham,” said Gil to Estadio Deportivo in April.

“They bet on me when I was young, and they’ve treated me fairly well, but if I have to go back there, I’ll focus on giving my best as always. I’m calm because no one can have a bad word to say about me not being professional. Without playing, I’ve always trained well, I’ve done what I had to do, so whatever has to happen, will happen. We’ll see where we are next year.”

Son Heung-min has entered the final 12 months of his contract and may be sold by Spurs, according to recent reports, with Yves Bissouma also attracting interest from Turkey.

However, another option could be injury-plagued striker Richarlison.

Richarlison likely to leave Tottenham as Vasco de Gama phone him

They’re very unlikely to make a substantial fee back off the £60 million they paid Everton to sign the Brazil striker in 2022, but Tottenham’s signings of Gibbs-White and Kudus will only push him further down the attacking pecking order.

Spurs are also still interested in signing Brentford star Yoane Wissa, and if they were to sensationally bring in the Bees star too, it would surely draw the curtain on Richarlison’s north London career.

The 28-year-old, barring a fine purple patch under Ange Postecoglou midway through 2023/2024, has found life very difficult at Spurs overall – with journalist Leonardo Lacerda, via Bolavip, sharing that clubs in Brazil could offer him a route back home.

Lacerda is quoted saying that Vasco de Gama president, Pedrinho, has personally phoned Richarlison to gauge the possibility of a transfer, but the ex-Watford man also has admirers in Saudi Arabia.

“It’s happening! President Pedrinho, accompanied by a member of the Vasco leadership, contacted Richarlison directly through a phone call,” said Lacerda.

“The goal was to get a closer look at the striker’s situation, as he’s unlikely to remain at Tottenham next season. In addition to Vasco, the striker is attracting interest from Fluminense, Flamengo, and Palmeiras. Two Saudi Arabian clubs have also entered the fray—Al Ahli and Al Ittihad.”

With Richarlison emerging as a real man in demand, it is now Levy’s task to set a realistic asking price, with reports suggesting Spurs will let him go for around £20 million.

Liverpool could only wonder what it would be like to sit back at the top before Jurgen Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers way back when.

But the strong desire for greater success has since been realised, in full colour, over a sustained period of success that has returned every shape of silverware to Anfield’s trophy cabinet.

And when Arne Slot replaced the German last summer after he had ‘run out of energy’, in his own words, many thought that was it, that was the end of an illustrious period that would be remembered for years and years.

That hasn’t proved the case. Most rivals expected the Reds to fall by the wayside, or at least stumble, ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, but Liverpool are Premier League champions, deserving winners, dominant winners.

Multiple threads connect the two eras, but that all-important piece of twine, central to everything good on the red half of Merseyside across recent years, is Mohamed Salah.

And he’s set to continue his iconic journey.

Mohamed Salah's Liverpool future

Liverpool ended months of anxious speculation in April, extending Salah’s contract at Liverpool for an additional two years. His £350k-per-week deal was set to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season.

He’s no longer a spring chicken, but Salah is very much still reflecting his greatness on the field. Last term, he spearheaded Slot’s Premier League title charge, notching 47 goal contributions across the league campaign (an all-time record for a 38-game season).

His vicious blend of deadly shooting and intelligent playmaking have established him as one of the finest forwards of his generation, indeed hailed by Liverpool podcaster Lewis Aspinall as “the best right winger in Premier League history”.

Salah is now 33 years old, but he has all the tools to forge another successful season for himself and his team. With someone like Florian Wirtz, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for a British-record £116m fee, supplying him, is there really any doubt?

Moreover, Liverpool are hoping to sign a centre-forward to replace Darwin Nunez, and he could be perfect for the Egyptian King.

Liverpool hold talks for new striker

As per Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool remain interested in signing Hugo Ekitike this summer and have been in contact regarding the player, though they face stiff competition from Newcastle United.

Transfer Focus

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

Chelsea have also shown interest this summer, but their recent £60m acquisition of Joao Pedro will have tempered their desire.

The Eintracht Frankfurt striker is among the most coveted players on the market, but he’s valued at £85m, and this has dissuaded suitors from making concrete moves.

Nonetheless, if Liverpool bank sums from Nunez (with Luis Diaz attracting intrigue from Bayern Munich and Barcelona too), they will have the means and the focus to push ahead and sign a frontman who has what it takes to become a superstar.

Why Liverpool want Hugo Ekitike

Ekitike was recognised as an exciting attacking talent from his days as a fledgling on the professional stage, with talent scout Jacek Kulig saying, “he could reach world-class striker levels”.

He has demonstrated as such in the Bundesliga over the past year, scoring 22 goals and supplying 12 assists across all competitions last season. He had spent a half-season on loan with Die Adler previously, warming himself up to a senior role away from the bloatedness of Paris Saint-Germain’s fringes.

And what a decision it was to forge his own path away from the French capital. The data is certainly kind to Ekitike, for he ranked among the top 16% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last season for goal involvements, the top 6% for shot-creating actions, the top 4% for both progressive carries and successful take-ons, and the top 20% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.

That latter metric is interesting. Ekitike is a man of mobility and swiftness. He gets things done himself, scarce one to linger in wait of deliveries posted onto his doorstep.

This is especially important for the continued success of Salah, for the Liverpool legend is indeed getting on a bit, and a robust and reliable centre-forward such as Ekitike will aid him in conserving his energy for the critical moments.

The Frenchman might not be on the same prolific level as Salah, but he’s got a similarly varied approach to his attacking play, and this could bear dividends for Liverpool’s offensive fluency next season.

It’s important to remember that Ekitike isn’t the finished product yet, but then he’s already been hailed as “one of the best strikers out there” by analyst Ben Mattinson, with his progress a rising thing over the past several seasons.

He would certainly prove an upgrade on Nunez, who has been heavily linked with a move to Napoli this summer.

Goals scored

0.53

0.40

Assists

0.28

0.16

Shots taken

4.00

2.70

Shot-creating actions

3.55

2.46

Touches (att pen)

6.88

5.88

Progressive passes

1.86

2.14

Progressive carries

3.27

1.83

Successful take-ons

1.83

0.64

Ball recoveries

3.06

3.26

Tackles + interceptions

0.81

1.99

Nunez has been known for his connection with Salah, having assisted the right-winger 11 times across his Liverpool career. Can you imagine how a more refined and established forward like Ekitike would play with him, in turn providing a far superior goal threat?

Moreover, the forward is blessed with a certain instinctiveness that will allow him to latch right onto Salah’s inventive passes, his whipped crosses and deft lay-offs.

This “incredible” young prospect, as described by teammate Rasmus Kristensen, is on the fast track to the top of the game, and Liverpool must do all they can to ensure he winds up at Anfield this summer.

He might even be the perfect partner for Salah over the next couple of years, bringing an energy and dynamism to feed off the 33-year-old’s technical brilliance.

Huijsen 2.0: Liverpool enquire to sign one of the 'most complete teen CBs'

Liverpool could be set to target their next centre-back sensation, in the mould of Dean Huijsen

ByRobbie Walls Jul 10, 2025

Hasaranga had been ruled out of CPL 2024 earlier but now comes in for Sikandar Raza

Deivarayan Muthu04-Sep-2024

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, who had been depleted by injuries in the opening week of CPL 2024, have now been bolstered by the return of Wanindu Hasaranga* and signing of New Zealand’s big-hitting allrounder Josh Clarkson. Hasaranga had been ruled out of the tournament only last month because of a hamstring injury, and was replaced by Tabraiz Shamsi at the time, but he now comes in for the injured Sikandar Raza. Clarkson, on the other hand, will slot in for Tristan Stubbs, who will return to South Africa for national duties.Shamsi is also headed home for CSA commitments for a week, and he will be temporarily replaced by the Pakistan-born USA wristspinner Mohammad Mohsin. Mohsin, 28, has played 14 games for Stephen Fleming’s Texas Super Kings in the MLC, picking up 15 wickets at an economy rate of 7.43.Clarkson is arguably the hardest hitter of a cricket ball in New Zealand and can also bowl at brisk pace. On Tuesday, Clarkson was awarded his first New Zealand central contract, but he is not in the Test scheme of things yet, so he has signed up for his first franchise T20 league stint. Clarkson has played 89 T20s so far, scoring 1673 runs at a strike rate of 147.40 and taking 11 wickets at an economy rate of 9.15.Related

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Stats – Pooran breaks Gayle's T20 six-hitting record

Josh Clarkson awarded New Zealand central contract

Patriots head coach Malolan Rangarajan, the former Tamil Nadu allrounder who also works with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, rued the injuries, which have disrupted the balance of their side. “Obviously, we started off the tournament with an unfortunate injury to Sikandar Raza, who was a well-thought out and important pick for us,” Malolan said on Tuesday before Patriots had announced Clarkson as their new signing.”We’ve scrambled and we’ve tried to sign a replacement and we’ve had a few hiccups at the start of [the season], with Sherfane [Rutherford] missing out the first game and Rilee [Rossouw] getting injured in the first innings of our fielding. But I think the boys have responded brilliantly to all the challenges that’ve been posed at them.”While Patriots began the season with a thrilling last-ball win against Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in Antigua, they suffered back-to-back defeats at home against Trinbago Knight Riders and St Lucia Kings. They posted 200-plus totals in both innings, but their bowlers came in for heavy punishment in both games. Their fielding has also come into sharp focus: they have dropped at least seven chances so far. Patriots captain Andre Fletcher has called for a stronger response from his team.”Well, it’s all about execution,” Fletcher said. “We’ve been working hard as a bowling unit, I must say. Even before the tournament started, we had a camp here in St Kitts and then we played a practice game in Nevis. We’ve been working hard as a bowling unit. The guys have been putting in the effort as to bowling with the wet ball and bowling [at the] death and bowling actually to one side of the field, thinking about whether this batter from the other team is playing and how we’re going to bowl to this batsman. The effort is there and the practice as I mentioned we put in a lot, but it just boils down to execution. We haven’t been executing as well as we ought to but, I’m confident.”Fletcher: ‘I’m big on players being comfortable and enjoying themselves’Losing and losing on the bounce might result in an unhealthy dressing room – Patriots have just won two out of their 12 games across the past two seasons – but Fletcher said that they have stuck together and blocked the outside noise.”As a leader, I try to be not under pressure,” Fletcher said. “Yes, I know a lot will be going around, especially when you lose a game. The first game we win…spectators and fans will be like: ‘good leader and great leader’ and two games lost ‘you’re the worst’.”It’s expected and they always want a win. For me, I just try my best to see where maybe I can improve as a leader. I wouldn’t doubt myself; I’ve done it before and it’s just a matter of getting the guys together. One thing I don’t want is pointing fingers and we’ve responded well after the two losses, so we are gelling really well as a team and for me that’s important. When teams lose people start segregating and the vibe of the team tends to go down, so I’m big on players being comfortable and enjoying themselves.”A chain is as strong as its weakest link, so for me as a leader I will continue to keep the guys together and ensure that they’re comfortable. People would love to see us go out there and entertain them, but it doesn’t make sense to entertain with a loss. We have to entertain with a win and it’s straightforward.”*0315hrs, September 5, The story was updated after the CPL sent a release about the replacement players

Birmingham Phoenix put themselves back into the knockout positions in the Hundred with an important win at Edgbaston, knocking Trent Rockets out of this year’s competition in the process.Tim Southee claimed a five-wicket haul, to restrict the Rockets to 118, before Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell helped the Phoenix to overtake Northern Superchargers in third with a measured chase.”It was a pretty good performance,” Southee said. “I think the bowlers assessed the conditions well and then the way the batters went about it towards the end, Bethell and Livingstone knocked it around and chose great options. So, I think it was a pretty good all-round performance.”I think we have had really good consistency over the last few games and have got to know each other a bit better. Obviously, Adam Milne and I have played a lot of cricket together, but for everyone else it’s great to have that experience of playing a few games together.”We adapted to conditions as quickly as possible, which helped us tonight and the surface offered us a little bit which we tried to get as much out of as we could.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

The Phoenix won the toss and chose to bowl, which proved a great decision from Moeen Ali, as his pace attack put on an exhibition of swing and seam bowling at the start of the first innings. The dangerous quartet of Tom Banton, Alex Hales, Joe Root and Rovman Powell were dismissed in the first 30 deliveries, as the Rockets fell to 22 for 4.Tom Alsop – making his debut in The Hundred – and Pakistan international Imad Wasim rebuilt for the visitors with a fifty partnership, before Imad was retired out on a run-a-ball 29, to be replaced by Chris Green. The Australian allrounder returned for the Rockets, replacing the injured Rashid Khan, but he was to last just five balls before being removed by Adam Milne, who took a well-deserved wicket.Alsop reached his half-century, and was then dismissed by the excellent Southee, who finished with 5 for 12 and momentarily thought he’d taken a hat-trick before being denied by an overturned LBW decision.Trent Rockets set Phoenix 119 to win, and Ben Duckett got the chase off to a flying start with 30 from 16 before Rockets came firing back at them. Luke Wood dismissed Duckett and Jamie Smith in consecutive balls to put the breaks on Birmingham’s fast start.Moeen Ali and Livingstone steadied the ship for a while before the impressive John Turner (2 for 17) removed captain Moeen and Dan Mousley.Livingstone and Bethell celebrate after taking the Phoenix home•Gareth Copley/Getty Images

The away team sensed it was their chance to build the pressure with the ball in the chase and they began to restrict Phoenix’s scoring opportunities, before Luke Wood released the pressure with a no-ball free-hit that Bethell deposited into the stands to give the home side some breathing room.Bethell (38* off 29) and Livingstone (30* off 32) then took Phoenix home with a half-century partnership, as they chased it with seven balls to spare.With one game left each, the result leaves three teams with a chance of joining Oval Invincibles in the knockout rounds – Phoenix, Southern Brave and Northern Superchargers. Defeat for Trent Rockets means that, like London Spirit, Manchester Originals and Welsh Fire, their tournament is over.