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Tottenham and West Ham are both considering swoops for Aston Villa's £40 million-rated midfielder Jacob Ramsey.

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Villa would be open to dealSelling homegrown player beneficial for PSR rulesNewcastle also monitoring the midfielderFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Mail Sport understands Villa are open to selling Ramsey, as he would represent pure profit on their balance sheet against the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. While Spurs and West Ham are interested in the player, the £40m ($55m) price tag might be prohibitively expensive for both clubs.

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Newcastle have also expressed interest in the player, however the Mail suggests a long-mooted swap deal with Harvey Barnes is no longer a viable option.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ramsey has become a consistent performer for the Villans, and is a trusted member of Unai Emery's squad. The 24-year-old has made 90 appearances under the Spanish manager, contributing 10 goals and 16 assists in all competitions.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR RAMSEY?

Villa find themselves in a less perilous position with PSR this summer. There will be no repeats of the mad rush to offload Douglas Luiz to Juventus to avoid a points deduction, but if the Villans are able to pursue high-ticket targets in the window, offloading assets like Ramsey might turn out to be a necessary evil.

Manchester United have a new £70m forward on their radar who has been called the “next” Kylian Mbappe, as per one Sky Sports reporter.

Man Utd eyeing new forward as Hojlund breaks goalscoring duck vs Leicester

The Red Devils have struggled in front of goal in the Premier League under both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim this season with 13 sides netting more than United’s tally of 37 in 29 games.

Rasmus Hojlund, who cost more than £70m back in 2023 from Atalanta, has only netted three times in the top flight in 24 games in 2024/25, although he did end a 21-game wait for a goal in the recent 3-0 win at Leicester City.

Talking after the game, the Denmark international said: “I think it comes down to my performances as well. I think obviously I’ve not been on top of my game as I wanted to and we’re still adapting to a new system and some new positions.

“But I think I’ve been growing into it lately and starting to look a bit better. But I’m just happy to get on the scoresheet and I’m sure they will come more now. I’m happy, but it’s not all about goals. I’m obviously very happy to get my goal and it gives me a lot of confidence.

“I think we’re starting to get a bit more of a connection between myself and the players, then starting to understand what my qualities are even more and playing to them as well.”

Man Utd now make big £58m offer to sign Brazil star who Amorim wants

He’s been one of Europe’s best players this season.

1

By
Barney Lane

Mar 17, 2025

Despite this, Man Utd are still looking to bring in a striker ahead of Amorim’s first full season in charge and have been linked with the likes of Liam Delap, Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko. Now, a new name has emerged on the Old Trafford radar.

Man Utd eyeing £70m forward Hugo Ekitike – Sky Sports

According to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, Man Utd also have their eyes on Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

Alongside, Gyokeres, Osimhen and Sesko, Ekitike is also being discussed as a target by Red Devils officials. Reports elsewhere have claimed that Ekitike, called the “next Mbappe” by Graeme Bailey, is valued at £70m.

The 22-year-old only joined Frankfurt on a permanent deal last summer from PSG following a successful loan spell, and he has continued his fine form in front of goal in Germany.

So far this season, Ekitike has scored 19 goals and provided eight assists in 38 games in all competitions, and by the looks of things, he will be one to keep an eye on for Man Utd over the coming months.

Everton have work to do in the transfer market this summer.

David Moyes deserves all the plaudits for his hard work since taking the reins in January, but The Friedkin Group need to build a lasting era of success and that can only be achieved with precision and guile.

The Premier League will house the Toffees once again next year, but how high will Moyes’ vision stretch? Much depends on the summer transfer window, with plenty of stars approaching the culmination of their contracts.

Everton's summer plans

The Athletic report that 15 Everton players are set – as things stand – to depart at the end of the season. Angus Kinnear, incoming Director of Football, has his work cut out for sure.

However, not all will go. Moreover, some of these players are currently out on loan – Neal Maupay and Mason Holgate being two cases in point – while Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom are both loanees, neither pulling enough weight this season to justify permanent extensions.

Everton have the tenth-highest wage bill in the Premier League, per GIVEMESPORT, and while that will drop following expected departures of players such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Michael Keane, Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman (35-year-old Idrissa Gueye may be handed a short extension), there’s one player earning above all others who must leave for the greater good of the club.

Everton need to axe high-earning star

As Everton step into a new era at Bramley Moore, there’s little question that Moyes is going to need to oversee a flurry of activity. In fairness, though, The i Paper report that TFG are willing to hand him significant transfer powers – with the promise of big investment.

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It’s indeed going to be a case of out with the old and in with the new. Abdoulaye Doucoure very much falls into that bracket.

The experienced attacking midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and given he’s pocketing more in earnings than any of his teammates, it makes sense to part ways.

1.

Abdoulaye Doucoure

32

2025

£140k-per-week

2.

Jordan Pickford

30

2027

£125k-per-week

3.

Idrissa Gueye

35

2025

£120k-per-week

=4

James Tarkowski

32

2026

£100k-per-week

=4

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

27

2025

£100k-per-week

Everton signed Doucoure from Watford for a £20m fee in 2020, and you’d have to say – for the most part – they’ve received bang for their buck. Even so, earning £140k per week, he’s been quite the costly figure, actually taking over £20m in earnings since first arriving.

However, every dog has his day and all that. Doucoure is now 32 years old and perhaps not providing the same kind of sharp attacking presence as before. Everton writer Ell Bretland has even claimed that he “can’t start games,” suggesting that the Blues are a more fluent and purposeful outfit when he is reduced to second-half cameos.

The Malian midfielder has started 24 Premier League matches this term but there are clear signs of regression. As per Sofascore, he’s won just 36% of his ground duels, also scoring just twice.

With Charly Alcaraz only five games away from seeing his loan deal become permanent, Everton have to part with their veteran ace.

It’s time to shake things up at Everton. Doucoure has earned over £20m in wages across his near-five-year stay; couple that with the £20m figure, and he’s cost a pretty.

There are no regrets over his time on Merseyside, but it’s the right time to go.

Not Harrison: Everton have their new Bilyaletdinov in "frustrated" flop

Everton may have found their new version of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov & it is not Jack Harrison.

ByDan Emery Mar 24, 2025

Leeds United are eyeing a move for a teenage winger who is enjoying a superb breakthrough season in Ligue 1, according to a new report.

Leeds drop points again in the Championship with draw at QPR

A month ago, Leeds United were the runaway leaders at the top of the Championship, five points ahead of second-placed Sheffield United.

After just one win in four games, however, that lead has now been eliminated, with Daniel Farke’s side now only leading the Blades on goal difference.

Following a draw at West Bromwich Albion and a defeat to Portsmouth, the Whites’ latest setback came at the weekend as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Queens Park Rangers.

Leeds had trailed Martí Cifuentes’ side by two goals before the break, but fought back to rescue a point, which was enough to ensure they stayed at the top of the Championship.

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“During this period of the season when you have to play the third game in six days and you are 2-0 down after 30 minutes, it’s a good point,” Farke said after the match, according to BBC Sport.

“QPR deserved to be in the lead because we were poor in the first 25-30 minutes. What was good was the reaction of my team today,” he added. “Yes, of course, we wanted to win this game [but] after the story of the game it’s a good point on the road.”

Leeds eyeing move for teenage winger Guirassy

Regardless of whether Leeds end the season by gaining promotion back to the Premier League or not, it already appears they are looking to improve their squad for next year.

According to Le Républicain Sportif, the Whites are already eyeing a summer move for Nantes youngster Herba Guirassy, who is enjoying a fine breakthrough season in Ligue 1.

The 18-year-old winger has scored twice in 15 games in the French top flight, and has impressed with his pace and skill out on the right flank.

Celtic are also understood to be interested in the Guinean, and Le Républicain Sportif report that Nantes, who are currently 13th in the league, could be willing to let him go for a fee in the region of €10 million (£8.4 million). Leeds and Celtic are interested in the attacker due to his ‘impressive technical skills’ and see his ‘potential as a major asset for the future’.

According to Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, Guirassy is a similar mold to former Arsenal and AS Roma star Gervinho, with his strengths being “pace, acceleration, ball control, dribbling, bravery, [and] athleticism.”

The teenager signed his first contract with Nantes in June 2023, and is currently tied to the French club until 2028.

Leeds United are planning to open transfer talks over the signing of a Premier League club’s “unplayable” star, according to a recent report.

Leeds United news

The Whites welcome Sunderland to Elland Road in a game that Daniel Farke’s side need to win if they are to return to the top of the Championship table.

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He’s a man in demand…

By
Tom Cunningham

Feb 15, 2025

Ahead of the game against the Black Cats, Farke claimed Leeds are in a healthy position at this stage of the campaign, as they only have two players out injured in Max Wober and Patrick Bamford.

“Touch wood, apart from these two injuries, to have everyone available is quite good and crucial. There are many games to play, and you want to have the players available and in the best possible shape.

“When everyone is ready to go and fit, it’s more or less the best situation you can have as a manager,” Farke said in his pre-match Sunderland press conference.

Away from injury news, there has also been some transfer news regarding the Whites, with it being reported that Leeds are in a battle to sign Koni De Winter from Genoa this summer. The centre-back has impressed in Serie A and has West Ham, Wolves and Juventus all chasing his signature.

Leeds want to sign £60k-p/w player in the summer

De Winter is not the only player on their radar, as according to TEAMtalk, Leeds are looking to open talks with Tottenham Hotspur over the permanent signing of Manor Solomon, who has been labelled “unplayable” by former Whites boss Neil Redfearn.

The report states that a lot of what Leeds want to do in the summer will be based on them winning promotion to the Premier League. The Whites took Solomon on loan in the summer and are keen on keeping him at Elland Road on a permanent basis given the impact he has made this campaign.

Despite Leeds’ desire to keep Solomon at the club long-term, they may have to let Wilfried Gnonto leave in the summer. The winger has been in and out of the starting XI this season, with Farke preferring to opt for Dan James and Solomon, and with Gnonto not happy warming the bench, a move could be on the cards in the summer, even if Leeds are promoted.

The Italian’s contract situation means that Leeds may be in line for a decent windfall in the event of Gnonto’s departure, with the 21-year-old contracted in West Yorkshire until 2028, having only signed a new deal in August.

Solomon, who earns £60,000 a week, has scored seven goals and recorded seven assists in 25 Championship games for Farke’s side. The 25-year-old looks really settled at Leeds, and if promotion is secured, it would make sense for the Whites to keep him on board, as they will want as much attacking quality as they can get in the league above.

It would be fair to say that for much of this season, there has been very little for Tottenham Hotspur fans to celebrate.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have struggled for the majority of the domestic campaign, languishing in the second half of the Premier League table and already being out of both cups.

However, they’ve started to see a number of injured players return and, against Ipswich Town, picked up their third league win on the bounce.

Moreover, one of the surprise stars of this season could now replace one of Antonio Conte’s signings, who has struggled this year.

Conte's most important Spurs signings

Before we get onto the Conte signing, who could see himself replaced in the coming weeks, it’s worth looking at a few of the Italian’s Spurs signings who are still key members of the first team.

The first player who comes to mind is undoubtedly Dejan Kulusevski, who completed his 18-month loan move to N17 in January 2022.

While he has endured ups and downs in the capital, he is now arguably one of the most talented players in the entire squad and is frankly undroppable.

For example, in just 41 appearances, totalling 3030 minutes, the “world-class” dynamo, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored ten goals and provided ten assists, which comes to a goal involvement every 2.05 games, or every 151.5 minutes, and makes him the most productive player in the squad.

During his time in the hot seat, the former Chelsea manager welcomed Rodrigo Bentancur, who joined alongside the Swede, and Yves Bissouma, who joined the club from Brighton & Hove Albion for around £25m in June 2022.

Now, while neither one has been as effective as Kulusevski, they’ve still played prominent roles within the first team this season, with the Uruguayan making 28 appearances thus far and the Malian 32.

Finally, a player who is arguably just as important to the starting lineup but has barely played this season thanks to injury is Cristian Romero, as even though he completed his loan move to the club under Nuno Espírito Santo, it was under Conte’s management that he made his move permanent.

However, there are still two more signings made by the serial winner who are still in the first team picture, although one looks like he could be set to replace the other.

The Conte signings in competition at Spurs

In terms of surprise packages for Spurs this season, the first name that probably should come to mind is Djed Spence, who has fought his way back from being left out of the Europa League squad to being one of the most critical players in the team.

In fact, the Englishman, signed under Conte’s tenure for around £20m in July 2022, has been so impressive this term in attack and defence that he looks ready to replace another of the Italian’s signings at right-back: Pedro Porro.

In fact, with Destiny Udogie back at left-back on the weekend, that is what happened, as the former Middlesbrough player started off the right of the back four, while the £40m former Sporting CP star started on the bench.

Now, the Spanish full-back is most certainly a brilliant outlet going forward, as shown by his nine-goal involvements this season, but he has been something of a liability in defence at times, with his performance against Ipswich in the reverse fixture earlier this season earning him particular ire from journalist Mitch Fretton, who described him and Radu Dragusin as “absolute horror shows” at the back.

There have also been a few occasions this season in which he has been shown up by opposition attackers, such as in the FA Cup game against Aston Villa and by Leandro Trossard away to Arsenal.

Moreover, when we compare the 25-year-old’s underlying defensive numbers to the Englishman’s, it becomes increasingly apparent who the more reliable defender is.

Tackles

3.02

2.31

Tackles Won

2.50

1.67

All Blocks

1.77

1.62

Shots Blocked

0.73

0.60

Passes Blocked

1.04

1.03

Aerial Duels Won

1.15

0.43

For example, the “unbelievable” 24-year-old ace, as dubbed by the iconic Ian Wright, comes out on top for tackles and tackles won, all blocks, shots blocked, passes blocked, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, it’s hard not to look at Spence as the better full-back at the moment, as while he might be slightly less effective going forward, he can do his primary job to a much higher standard.

So, with stories touting Porro with an exit in the past, it might be time for Daniel Levy to stick with the Englishman and cash in on the Spaniard.

Tottenham's "future £100m" star could become their biggest sale since Bale

He could be worth an awful lot of money if Spurs cash in…

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 25, 2025

They will earn INR 15 lakh per Test, six lakh for each ODI and three lakh for a T20I

Shashank Kishore27-Oct-2022

India’s centrally-contracted women cricketers are set to earn the same match fees as their male counterparts for appearances in international matches, according to BCCI secretary Jay Shah, in accordance with the board’s new pay equity policy.Under this policy, the women – like the men – will earn INR 15 lakh for a Test, 6 lakh for an ODI and 3 lakh for a T20I. These amounts are significantly higher than the flat INR 1 lakh that India women players currently earn for an ODI or T20I appearance, and 2.5 lakh for a Test match.While describing the move as “the first step towards tackling discrimination”, Shah thanked the BCCI’s Apex Council for its support in implementing the move, which he said was a “commitment to our women cricketers.”As things stand, there are no changes to the BCCI’s annual retainers for women players. Currently, those in the highest retainer bracket take home INR 50 lakh, while Grade B and Grade C are valued at INR 30 lakh and INR 10 lakh respectively. In comparison, the male cricketers are divided into four categories with Grade A+ players taking home INR 7 crore, and those in Grades A, B and C collecting INR 5 crore, 3 crore and 1 crore respectively. ESPNcricinfo understands the BCCI has been engaging with the country’s top women cricketers to work out changes to the annual retainers. Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain, is believed to have attended a meeting held at the board’s Mumbai headquarters.Contracts and match fees aside, the inaugural women’s IPL, which the BCCI formally announced at the Annual General Meeting earlier this month, is also understood to have been on the agenda with the board putting together a process for TV rights and franchise ownership. There are also discussions ongoing over whether the league will follow a draft process or an auction for the players.India women have had significant success in recent months. They followed their silver-medal finish at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in August with a record 3-0 ODI series sweep of England in England in September. Earlier this month, India beat Sri Lanka to clinch a record seventh Asia Cup crown in Bangladesh. They are set to host Australia next for five T20Is in November and December.

Everton have started the (second) David Moyes era with promise, losing narrowly against Aston Villa but then following that disconcerting defeat with an extraordinary Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur.

More attacking intent was showcased at Goodison Park than had been even fractionally with Sean Dyche at the helm, but it’s clear that there is work to be done in order to break away from the relegation fodder and back toward the limelight.

It’s been a while, but the Toffees are looking to grow and have set their sights on a talented midfielder to advance the project.

Everton looking to sign PL midfielder

According to transfer insider Ben Jacobs, speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Everton are interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka this month.

TFG are understood to have already made a loan enquiry for the progressive midfielder, who has found game time hard to come by since leaving Aston Villa for Stamford Bridge for £20m in August 2022.

Chelsea are willing to sell the 21-year-old but have set a ‘hefty price tag’ on his signature, with other sources supposing his market value to stand at £40m.

Transfer Focus

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

What Carney Chukwuemeka would bring to Everton

Chukwuemeka might not have enjoyed the most productive time in Chelsea’s first team, but this is hardly to the detriment of his obvious qualities.

Since joining, he’s only clocked up 32 appearances, scoring two goals and one assist. Talent scout Jacek Kulig has described him as a “superstar in the making” and he might thrive in more settled conditions on Merseyside.

Unfortunately, Chukwuemeka’s data pool under Enzo Maresca’s leadership has been slim, but his sole Conference League start, against Astana, showed that he has the many-faceted skill set to become one of the finest midfielders in Everton’s modern history, perhaps stepping into the shoes of someone like Ross Barkley, who coincidentally move to Chelsea from Everton.

Barkley has since revived his career after struggling in west London, but it’s hard to dispute that there was a certain avidity to the powerful midfielder when he moved through the gears with Everton, hailed for his “dangerous” style by former boss Ronald Koeman.

A rapid rise saw him become an Everton regular and he amassed 179 outings, posting 27 goals and 25 assists, before finally departing in 2017 after notching 13 goal contributions in the 2016/17 Premier League season, averaging 2.4 key passes and winning 4.8 duels per game, also completing 64% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.

His dynamic talent was patent, and now Chukwuemeka – another player filled with creative gile and duel-winning ability – could emulate that presence with a fine blend of physicality and technical flair.

For such a “phenomenal talent,” as he has been called by Sky Sports’ Melissa Reddy, Chukwuemeka deserves to be featuring regularly for a team that recognises his worth and applies it effectively on the field.

Chelsea pinched Barkley from Goodison Park but failed to give rise to his best football. Now, Everton can strike back, ensuring Chukwuemeka realises his potential under Moyes’ wing.

A better signing than Nuamah: Everton make enquiry to sign English talent

Everton are looking at a “Messi-like” star who would be even better than Nuamah

By
Connor Holden

Jan 22, 2025

Sunderland have a tricky February ahead with their Championship automatic promotion credentials no doubt put under the microscope across the course of the frantic month.

Two difficult away games up against Middlesbrough and Leeds United will really test the Black Cats who will enter into this set of fixtures slightly low on confidence after an underwhelming 2-2 draw with Plymouth Argyle closed out January.

Regis Le Bris will still feel his side has enough to keep up the pace with the top two positions in the taxing league, however, especially if the Wearside outfit manage to keep Jobe Bellingham on their books past the transfer window shutting.

Bellingham's importance at Sunderland

Even with Bellingham failing to score or assist in his side’s last six league matches, he has shone in recent weeks for his team as a keen battler.

During his side’s recent hard-fought away win at Derby County, Bellingham would win four duels and block one effort to ensure his team got over the line to secure a slim 1-0 victory, away from showing off his attacking expertise.

At the peak of his powers this season, however, the 19-year-old has been a joy to watch up top with four goals and three assists coming his way.

Off the back of these bright spells in the Black Cats first team, Bellingham has begun to be linked with a major move away to the likes of Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, with Le Bris and Co bracing for some last-minute bids between now and Monday’s deadline as those elite clubs try and tempt the talented teenager away from the Stadium of Light.

Le Bris will be praying that Bellingham stays put as lots more could still come from the 19-year-old as the season chugs along, with the Sunderland number seven perhaps even welcoming in this new teammate soon.

Sunderland could land a bigger talent than Jobe

As reported by journalist Gokmen Ozcan last week, Sunderland are believed to have submitted a loan-to-buy deal for promising Besiktas attacker Semih Kilicsoy.

The switch would only become permanent if Le Bris’ men were successful in their aims to reach the Premier League, however, with a fee in and around the €20m (£17m) mark allegedly on the table.

Having been linked with a whole plethora of strikers this window including Emil Riis Jakobsen among others, Kilicsoy – who analyst Ben Mattinson dubbed a “physical monster” – could well be the best option available, with the Istanbul-born attacker arguably an even more exciting prospect than Bellingham.

After all, other interested parties looking at the Turkish hotshot include Aston Villa and Newcastle United according to further reports, with his explosive goalscoring record in the Super Lig for his current employers meaning he could well become a similarly clinical goal machine when making the move to England.

Kilicsoy’s senior G/A record at Besiktas

Season

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

24/25

29

2

6

23/24

35

11

3

22/23

4

0

0

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Kilicsoy’s first full season in the senior mix at Beskitas saw him fire home a blistering 11 strikes from 35 games, with the 19-year-old’s unselfish ability to tee up his teammates for chances – away from being an ice-cold finisher – coming to the forefront more so this season with six assists tallied up.

Bellingham has 11 goals overall during his senior career to date – when contrasting his numbers next to the 5 foot 11 forward’s breakout 2023/24 season – with the potential here for Kilicsoy to only get better surrounded by the likes of the aforementioned number seven and other exciting young attackers such as Eliezer Mayenda if he does end up leaving his native country behind.

Once heralded as a “fantastic” star for the future by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Beskitas number nine would love to take the English game by storm if a move did get finalised, with Wilson Isidor potentially fearful for his first team spot as Sunderland prepare to go all guns blazing for promotion.

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Australia’s captain said their collapse from 298 for 5 on the second morning was “an opportunity missed”

Andrew Fidel Fernando11-Jul-2022They won an attritional series in Pakistan, and dominated Sri Lanka in what was essentially a two-day win last week. But this loss in Galle, by an innings and 39 runs, might be a “reality check” for an Australia team intent on improving their long-form cricket in Asia.So said captain Pat Cummins, after the second Test hurtled to a conclusion on the fourth evening – Australia collapsing to 151 against spin inside 41 overs.”Some batters went out with a really clear plan, and you just get a ball with your name on it earlier than you would’ve liked,” Cummins said. “It’s a good reality check for people touring over here that it’s really hard. So many positives out of last week, that we did find methods that work. One small hiccup doesn’t mean you have to change everything. And it makes for more learning than after a win.Related

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“I think half our batting line-up and half our bowling line-up hasn’t played a lot over here in the subcontinent. So the experience on these two vastly different wickets [in the two Tests], I think we got a lot of lessons out of it to take to India next year.”Cummins pointed to the second morning as a session in which Australia let the match slip. Although they had won the first day, ending at 298 for 5 at stumps, they then lost their last five first-innings wickets for 35 runs, finishing at 364 all out. This was after Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne had hit hundreds, and while Smith remained at the crease, the wickets fell at the other end.”That was probably an opportunity missed. The way we set up the game on day one, we were hoping to get 400-plus, which history suggests here puts you in a really good position,” Cummins said. “Unfortunately none of us hung around with Smith long enough to get up to the 400-plus, which meant even if we were out there for 180 overs you were kind of level at the turn.”Dimuth Karunaratne and Pat Cummins pose with the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy, which they shared•AFP/Getty ImagesAustralia’s second-innings collapse took less than two sessions, after they started 190 runs behind. Usman Khawaja and David Warner put on 49 to begin, suggesting the surface remained decent for batting. But then they lost 10 wickets for 101.”Certainly as the game went on the footmarks started to react a bit more,” Cummins said. “A fresh bowling side always makes a bit of a difference as well. So it all happened pretty quickly, and unfortunately we were on the wrong side.”The plan had been to just bat. It was still close to five sessions left in the game. I think if we were behind by just over 100 we were still in the game, but 200 probably put it beyond us. We were trying to bat for the rest of the day then come up with a plan for tomorrow.”Australia’s tour has come in the backdrop of a crippling economic crisis and a major political crisis in Sri Lanka. Cummins and the Australia team have made efforts to reach out and understand the situation better, even making appeals for fundraisers. On day two of this Test, large protests were seen on the fort overlooking the ground, and at the central intersection at Galle, which is right outside the stadium.”We’ve got protests round the ground, it really hits home how lucky we are to be travelling the world but also in some ways it’s more than just being here to play cricket, you can see the impact it can have. It hasn’t been lost on our group, something we speak about quite a bit.”You couldn’t escape the protests on Saturday. We got lots of messages from back home, just saying ‘How is it? Hope you’re ok.’ And we felt totally fine.”