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India, Afghanistan and most likely Bangladesh will be their opponents in the next stage

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff15-Jun-20242:48

Wade: ‘I would’ve been sacked if we didn’t win the 2021 T20 World Cup’

A trial by spin awaits Australia in the T20 World Cup 2024, with them looming as the odd team out in an otherwise all-Asian Super Eight group.Having won their first three games, Mitchell Marsh’s side will progress to the next stage of the tournament whatever happens in Sunday’s clash with Scotland in St Lucia.The main talking point of that match will be the impact it has on England – with an Australia loss enough to knock out the defending champions. But that aside, Australia’s path to a second T20 World Cup and the capture of all three current men’s ICC global titles is becoming much clearer.Related

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Based on pre-tournament seedings, Australia will meet India and Afghanistan in their Super Eight group. Bangladesh are in the box seat to join them, after Nepal fell one run short of shocking South Africa on Saturday.That trio will make for a significant challenge against an Australia team who have traditionally had difficulties on spinning wickets.”A lot of us have prepared for plenty of spin depending on what venue you get to,” Australia’s vice-captain Matthew Wade said. “Guys have been preparing for that through the world, through IPL into the start of this World Cup.”We expect nothing different, and on their day they’re all going to be very very hard teams to beat. We’re expecting them to hit us with a fair bit of spin over the next little bit.”India have so far relied more on their quicks for their matches in the USA, but have Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav at their disposal for the slower Caribbean pitches.Afghanistan can call on Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed and Mohammad Nabi, although have lost Mujeeb Ur Rahman to injury, while Bangladesh will also fancy their spinners as the wickets grow tired. Legspinner Rishad Hossain, who Australia have not faced before, has impressed with seven wickets in three matches.There was significant help for the spinners in the South Africa-Nepal match in St Vincent where Australia will meet Afghanistan.Meanwhile, Wade added he hoped this tournament would not signal his farewell for Australia. He was expected to retire after the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, but at 36 has continued to be a threat for Australia batting at No. 7.”I’m at my best when it’s the last opportunity,” Wade said. “Hopefully I can pull some good stuff out in the next little bit, but it will be the same conversation at the end of this one. There are going to be players go out of this team. I’m more than comfortable if I’m one of them to get the next cycle of players coming in to play for Australia.”

Over the past couple of seasons, Chelsea have signed several players who played for Manchester City’s academy. Cole Palmer was the first, and they have also brought in the likes of Tosin, Jadon Sancho on loan and Liam Delap will be the next addition who fits the trend.

Well, in the last few days, Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers, who also came through City’s academy, has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. Indeed, reports suggest the Blues are ‘prepared to bid for him’ this summer.

However, it is by no means a guarantee that they will sign him. If Rogers is off the table, then Chelsea seem to be lining up the dream alternative.

Chelsea's dream Rogers alternative

Whether or not it was planned, the Blues have certainly signed a number of players from City’s academy but if a move for Rogers doesn’t materialise, they could turn to a player from Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy, instead.

Transfer Focus

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

According to a report from TEAMtalk, the West Londoners ‘are seriously considering an approach’ for Xavi Simons, RB Leipzig’s talented, versatile attacker. They are thought to be ‘primed to launch a formal approach’ for the Dutchman after contact with his representatives.

However, they will face tough competition from sides in the Premier League. Two of those hail from London, with rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur interested.

The other is newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool. Chelsea, or indeed any of the other interested sides, will have to pay upwards of £67m, as per another report from TEAMtalk back in March.

Why Simons is the dream Rogers alternative for Chelsea

Despite being just 22 years of age, Simons has been a key player once again for German outfit Leipzig. The versatile forward, who was born in Amsterdam, overcame injury issues to put in some excellent performances in the 2024/25 campaign, showcasing why he is “one of the best 10s in the world” in the words of one analyst on social media.

His numbers speak for themselves. In 33 appearances across all competitions last season, he managed 11 goals and eight assists. When you break that down further and look at his numbers in the Bundesliga, they read ten goals and seven assists, in just 25 games.

Simons’ goal and assist per game tally last term in the German top flight was impressive. In total, he averaged 0.67 goal involvements per game, showing excellent consistency throughout the campaign.

Interestingly, that is a better goals and assist ratio per game than Rogers. Last term for Villa, the England international played 37 games in the Premier League, scoring and assisting 19 times. That left him with a tally of 0.52 goals and assists per game, some way under Simons’ tally.

It is perhaps worth mentioning that the Englishman played over 20 more games than Simons last term.

He was also successful in the Champions League, a competition where the Dutchman struggled. Rogers contributed to seven goals, including a hat-trick against Celtic in the group stage.

One thing that is quite similar between the two players is their versatility. In the 2024/25 campaign, Simons played as both a number 10 and a left-winger, with Rogers slotting in the same roles, as well as playing as a right-winger and a number nine.

Interestingly, there is evidence to suggest that Simons would be a perfect alternative to Rogers when looking at the FBref underlying stats. For example, the Leipzig star averages more key passes per 90 minutes, with 2.13 to Rogers’ 1.47.

Goals and assists

0.67

0.52

Key passes

2.13

1.47

Progressive passes

5.86

3.55

Shot-creating actions

4.52

3.04

Progressive carries

3.56

3.29

There is no doubt that SImons is a “magic” player, something Statman Dave once said about him. He would add a goal threat and creativity to this Chelsea attack, whilst being able to play in numerous different positions.

At just 22 years of age, he will surely only get better and grow into the project at Stamford Bridge. If Rogers is unattainable this summer, then surely Simons is the perfect alternative.

Better than Gittens & Sancho: Chelsea targeting "electric" £49m star

Chelsea are looking for a new winger this summer, amid Jadon Sancho’s expected exit

ByJoe Nuttall Jun 4, 2025

Leeds United are preparing for life back in the Premier League and are looking to make a mark in the transfer window.

Chairman Paraag Marathe said at the end of the Championship title-winning season that the Whites will spend as much as they are allowed to bolster Daniel Farke’s squad.

As to be expected for a newly promoted side, there have already been a plethora of players linked with moves to Elland Road, with Leeds looking at additions all over the pitch to give them the best possible chance of survival.

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But who do AI think Leeds will sign ahead of the 2025/26 season? Grok, the AI tool on X, gave us five players it thinks will be brought to Yorkshire by the 49ers Enterprises.

AI predicts 5 players Leeds will sign this summer 5 Nick Pope Newcastle (£30m)

Starting in goal, Leeds have been on the search for a new goalkeeper to replace Illan Meslier after he was dropped by Farke for the Championship run-in.

Meslier may well exit Elland Road if a suitable offer arrives, leaving Karl Darlow and Alex Cairns as back up options to a new first choice keeper. AI thinks the new number one will be Nick Pope, with the Newcastle United ace potentially leaving St James’ Park this summer.

The Magpies have been heavily linked with James Trafford of Burnley, and with Leeds keen to sign Pope, AI feels a transfer could be on the cards for up to £30m.

4 Nico Elvedi Borussia Monchengladbach (£20m)

A centre-back who was being linked with a move to Leeds before they won promotion was Borussia Monchengladbach’s Nico Elvedi.

A Switzerland international, Elvedi has now been with the Bundesliga side for 10 years and worked with Farke during his brief stint as Monchengladbach boss.

Games

34

Goals

3

Yellow cards

2

Minutes played

3,007

A central defender to rival Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk, AI states that a deal for Elvedi could be worth £20m.

3 Christantus Uche Getafe (£15m)

Versatile attacking midfielder Christantus Uche has been catching the eye in La Liga with Getafe and is the next arrival AI think Leeds will make this summer.

The Whites have their eye on the Nigeria international, who can play in a mixture of midfield and attacking roles. AI say that ‘versatility and potential fit Farke’s preference for players who buy into the club’s project, likely costing £10-15m.’

2 Igor Paixao Feyenoord (£25m)

A new winger is also on the cards for Leeds ahead of the 25/26 season, as it remains to be seen whether or not Manor Solomon will return to Yorkshire from Tottenham following a successful loan spell.

Igor Paixao of Feyenoord, a right-footed winger who plays on the left, has also been mooted as a target for the Whites after scoring 18 goals and registering 19 assists in 24/25. Despite reports suggesting a €40m (£34m) asking price, AI thinks a deal may only cost £25m.

1 Davie Selke Hamburg (Free)

Finally, a new striker to rival Joel Piroe and Patrick Bamford is wanted by Leeds, and a host of names have been linked, including some that won’t command a transfer fee.

Davie Selke fits the bill of being mentioned as a target, and he’s set to be available on a free transfer with his Hamburg contract set to expire. The 30-year-old scored 22 goals in 31 appearances last season and stands at 6ft 4.

AI say his ‘physicality and goal-scoring record in the 2. Bundesliga make him a cost-effective option’, with Leeds recently making contact to sign Selke.

The representative of a “complete player” is actively pushing for his client to join Chelsea, according to reports, with a deal also being worked on behind-the-scenes.

Chelsea eye new defender for Enzo Maresca this summer

While their qualification for the Champions League is set to have a big impact on their summer plans, that hasn’t stopped BlueCo from laying the groundwork for potential transfers.

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The ex-Blue is contemplating a return to Stamford Bridge.

ByEmilio Galantini May 6, 2025

Chelsea are competing in the Club World Cup this summer as well, and will have the chance to sign new players before the tournament kicks off, thanks to a special edition window, which will be open from June 1st to June 10th.

Newcastle (away)

May 11th

Man United (home)

May 16th

Nottingham Forest (away)

May 25th

The first window is therefore just weeks away from opening, and Chelsea are reliably believed to be eyeing a centre-back as one of the main priorities on their agenda.

They’ve already been linked with a host of new defenders, including Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, Ajax sensation Jorrel Hato, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Burnley ace Maxine Esteve, but one name who keeps being mentioned is Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen.

The Spain international is set to be one of the Premier League’s most sought-after defensive targets this summer, amid reports of a £50 million release clause written into his contract following a very impressive debut campaign in the English top flight.

Ali Barat pushing Dean Huijsen to join Chelsea

Chelsea have held productive talks with Huijsen’s camp in recent weeks, according to journalist Simon Phillips, and the reporter now claims that his agent, Ali Barat, is determined for him to seal a west London move.

Phillips claims Barat is pushing for Huijsen to join Chelsea as he actively works on a deal, even if the player’s father, Don, would prefer it if he joined Liverpool.

“Agent Ali Barat is working on the deal and is pushing Huijsen towards Chelsea,” said Phillips, via his Substack.

“The player’s father has so far been keen for him to join Liverpool. The player has always said that he won’t make a decision until the season ends, but Chelsea continue to work on it, as do Liverpool.”

The 20-year-old has been outstanding this term, and is now an undroppable member of Andoni Iraola’s starting eleven, prompting members of the media to call Huijsen a perfect modern-day defender.

“He is so cool, so composed, so chill, as he said,” said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp.

“He just makes the game look so easy and so effortless. For a 20-year-old to be playing at this level and doing what he is, that’s why he’s coveted by pretty much everyone in Europe.

“If you’re creating a footballer, the modern-day centre-back, you’ve got a bit of the influence from the Netherlands, the influence from Spain, where they come out with the ball and all the great defenders they’ve had.

“And then you’ve got that Italian mark on it as well so the journey, the mixture that he’s got, is pretty perfect, and now he’s found himself in the Premier League. The elements are good, everything is right for him. You have to get all the right ingredients to be a top player.

“He’s a complete player, this young man.”

A fortress is made impregnable not through the initial conquering but the success in defending the territory claimed over so many years, and that means Liverpool will need to strengthen their ranks this summer.

It’s clear at this point that Arne Slot is going to win the Premier League in his first term in the hot seat, an incredible feat given Liverpool were effectively written off following Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

But Slot will want an abiding position at the forefront of English and indeed European football, and Liverpool’s frontline has looked a little out of kilter over recent months.

It’s clear that FSG are going to authorise one or two exciting summer bids.

Liverpool targeting new forwards

Mohamed Salah has meted out punishment on near every opponent he has faced this season, but Liverpool need more up front, with The Athletic among those to report Red interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.

However, number nine isn’t the only spot on the club’s radar.

As per Caught Offside, Liverpool and Arsenal are interested in signing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze; further suitors are in the running but the Premier League’s top two share the lead here as well.

Eze’s strong and potent performances under Oliver Glasner suggest he has what it takes to thrive at a top-performing club like Liverpool, who could do with such a dynamic attacker.

Last summer, the Eagles anticipated a swarm of interest in their silky star but no one came forward. Now, the ball is in their court and demands worth £60m have been put in place.

Why Liverpool want to sign Eze

Eze packs a punch. The 26-year-old has gone from strength to strength since leaving Queens Park Rangers in the Championship in 2020 and joining the Selhurst Park ranks for a £20m fee.

Hailed as a “superstar” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, Eze has hit 12 goals and 12 assists apiece under Glasner’s wing, featuring 48 times in total.

This season alone, he’s been in fine fettle, playing a more creative role than in 2023/24 but doing so to a fine effect.

Eze’s broad skill set lends itself to multiple positions, and while he’s been fielded routinely in the middle of the park this year, he has ample experience out on the left flank.

With that in mind, Eze could be the perfect signing to upgrade on Luis Diaz, whose uncertain future at Anfield suggests a replacement will be required sooner rather than later.

Matches (starts)

25 (23)

29 (23)

Goals

2

9

Assists

6

5

Shots taken*

3.4

2.0

Pass completion

82%

86%

Big chances created

9

6

Key passes*

2.0

1.6

Dribbles*

2.1

1.6

Ball recoveries*

4.6

2.9

Tackles + interceptions*

1 8

1.2

Duels won*

5.4

3.8

While Eze hasn’t chalked up the greatest numbers in front of goal this season, his underlying data suggests that he’s outstripping Diaz across almost every department.

This is important. Diaz isn’t exactly revered for his clinical touch, instead effusively praised for his tricks and slicks, skill and will toward driving play forward and leaving defenders munching dust.

To sign a player who produces such qualities but to a higher standard, more relentless in the duel, creative in his playmaking duties, active in carrying the ball, it’s an intriguing proposition, one which might just dynamise Liverpool’s already progressive attacking outfit.

Moreover, Eze’s clinical side was on full show last season, firing 11 goals home across 24 Premier League appearances, missing just five big chances in an immense display of potency.

Indeed, the Englishman halted Jurgen Klopp’s bid for a farewell league triumph after scoring at Anfield in the 1-0 win in April, with journalist Keifer MacDonald noting that the playmaker had left Trent Alexander-Arnold “furious” due to his slow walk off the field when substituted late on.

Whether the Three Lions star, who scored his first international goal off the bench in a 3-0 win over Latvia last week, is bid for remains to be seen, but Eze has everything that Slot’s Liverpool need, especially if a clinical centre-forward is welcomed to the fold this summer.

In a more distinguished team like Liverpool, Eze may even find himself unlocking his full goalscoring potential. As per FBref, the £100k-per-week talent actually ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shots taken per 90.

Having been described as a “wizard” by Arsenal’s Declan Rice in the past, Palace’s main man may just be on the move this summer. Diaz has been a fantastic servant for Liverpool over the past several years and will be duly rewarded with a Premier League winners’ medal in the coming months, but the time might be right for a change.

The Colombian has only scored one goal across his past 19 fixtures in all competitions for the Reds – albeit assisting in four of his past six top-flight games – and at 28 is heading into the penultimate year of his £55k-per-week deal with sights set on a new bumper package or change of scenery.

There have been whispers of late that Diaz could be sold this summer to fund a freshen-up. Barcelona have a long-standing admiration and the Saudi Pro League are also there, quietly lurking.

How much of a vested interest sporting director Richard Hughes has in Eze at this stage, we don’t know. However, his efforts in south London over the past few years certainly indicate a future at one of the division’s European competitors, and Liverpool will be right there, ready to pounce if the right opportunity presents itself.

Slot could boldly axe "special" Liverpool star who's the new James Milner

Who will stay and who will go in the transfer market for Liverpool this summer?

1 ByAngus Sinclair Apr 1, 2025

Shami bowled 17 overs for East Zone on the first day of their Duleep Trophy opener against North Zone

Ashish Pant28-Aug-2025Mohammed Shami has, of late, spent more time trying to prove his red-ball fitness than he has playing red-ball cricket.Since the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final, his only first-class game was a Ranji Trophy match for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in November last year. It’s part of the reason he did not make it to India’s Test squad for the tour of England. Nine months on, he’s playing his second red-ball game in the Duleep Trophy season opener for East Zone against North Zone at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence on the outskirts of Bengaluru.Shami, now nearly 35, bowled 17 overs across four spells on the first day of the 2024-25 Duleep Trophy, progressively getting more incisive as the day went on. East Zone had won the toss and opted to bowl under murky skies. He was given the first over, and while he hardly got any movement, his lines were tight. He bowled five overs in his first spell, mostly within himself, and conceded ten runs with two maidens. It was evident that Shami was trying to ease himself back into the red-ball grind, concentrating more on the seam position and his lengths.Related

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Shami bowled his second spell just before the lunch break, a three-over burst pretty similar to his first, where he conceded ten runs. He beat the batters a few times and drew a few false shots, but the Shami sharpness was missing.That changed after the lunch break. Having found rhythm, there was a marked difference in Shami’s run-up and delivery stride. He bowled five overs in his third spell – two of then maidens – and conceded just nine runs. The batters, who were until then playing Shami fairly comfortably, were suddenly getting beaten for pace. There were plenty of plays and misses, inside-edges onto pad, and the occasional false shot. Having found his lengths, Shami’s focus was now on upping his speed.Despite the improvement, Shami did not have a wicket yet. He should have had North Zone’s wicketkeeper-batter Kanhaiya Wadhawan caught down the leg side early in his fourth spell, but Kumar Kushagra dropped a relatively straightforward chance behind the stumps. He eventually found success when he had Sahil Lotra caught behind late in the day. It was a nippy length ball well outside off stump that Lotra chased and edged to the wicketkeeper.Mohammed Shami made his international comeback in January this year•Associated PressShami bowled the second-most overs among the six bowlers East Zone used on the opening day, only behind left-arm spinner Manishi, who bowled 19. He went through the day without any visible hiccups and will hope to put in more miles on day two. In all, Shami conceded 55 runs in 17 overs for one wicket.Shami has struggled with fitness ever since injuring his ankle during the 2023 ODI World Cup. He underwent surgery after playing through pain during India’s run to the final and then missed all of India’s fixtures in 2024 due to his injury, recovery from surgery, and subsequent knee issues.He was part of India’s limited-overs series against England and the Champions Trophy earlier this year, and played nine matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign. Following that, he was not picked for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar suggesting that Shami’s “workload is not where it needs to be.”There is still a month and a bit to go before India’s next Test series – at home against West Indies – and Shami will, through the course of the Duleep Trophy, aim to put in the work needed to prove to the selectors that he is ready to get back to Test cricket.

And did Yashasvi Jaiswal have the highest score for an opener on Test debut?

Steven Lynch18-Jul-2023In Dominica, R Ashwin bowled Tagenarine Chanderpaul, having already dismissed his father in a Test. How many people have achieved this double? asked Ahson Atif from India, among others
India’s R Ashwin completed this rare feat by bowling Tagenarine Chanderpaul in the first Test against West Indies in Roseau last week; he’d dismissed Tagenarine’s father, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, four times in Tests in 2011 and 2013.Ashwin was the fifth bowler to dismiss a father and a son in a Test. The previous two also involved the Chanderpauls: Mitchell Starc of Australia, and the South African offspinner Simon Harmer have also accounted for both. The first two cases involved the New Zealanders Lance and Chris Cairns, who were both dismissed by Ian Botham and Wasim Akram.Did Yashasvi Jaiswal break the record for the highest score by an opener on Test debut? asked Priyanth Kumar from India
The Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 171 on his Test debut against West Indies in Roseau last week. He was the 17th Indian to score a century on Test debut, and the third opener.The highest score by any opener on debut is 201 not out, by Sri Lanka’s Brendon Kuruppu, against New Zealand in Colombo in 1986-87. The only other double-century – and the highest by a left-hander – was Devon Conway’s 200 for New Zealand against England at Lord’s in 2021.Next, and the highest for India, comes the 187 of Shikhar Dhawan, against Australia in Mohali in 2012-13.Earlier this summer Pat Cummins won three successive Tests after losing the toss. Was this a record? asked Rahul Sompura on Facebook
Although Pat Cummins lost the toss in the World Test Championship final against India and the first two Ashes Tests, Australia won all three matches. This turns out to be the 15th occasion a captain has lost the toss but won three Tests in a row. There are five cases of four – by Australia’s Warwick Armstrong (starting in 1921), Viv Richards (1988-89), Stephen Fleming (2005-06), Graeme Smith (2008-09) and Steven Smith (2017-18). But leading the way, with five successive Tests won after losing the toss, is MS Dhoni, in a sequence that started in 2013. Shivnarine Chanderpaul lost seven successive Tests after losing the toss, starting in 2005-06.This strikes me as a rather contrived record, as it relies on the captain being repeatedly unlucky at the toss, which is unusual – even though England’s Nasser Hussain once lost ten tosses in a row (Dhoni and Sunil Gavaskar come next, with nine). Perhaps a better marker is successive Tests won after losing the toss (ignoring matches where the toss was won); Australia won 12 in a row in which Ricky Ponting lost the toss from 2007-08, and South Africa 11 under Graeme Smith (starting 2008-09). Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh lost eight successive Tests in which he won the toss, starting in 2018.MS Dhoni went on to win five successive Tests at home after losing the toss, starting in 2013•BCCIWhat is the lowest number of wickets a team has lost while winning a Test match? asked Sanket Amdalli from the United Arab Emirates
There have now been five Test matches in which the winning side lost only two wickets, all of them innings victories. The most recent was by South Africa (637 for 2 declared) over England (385 and 240) at The Oval in 2012, in the match in which Hashim Amla scored 311 not out. South Africa also beat Bangladesh in Chattogram in April 2003 while losing only two wickets.The first three instances were all by England: against South Africa at Lord’s in 1924, New Zealand at Headingley in 1958, and India at Edgbaston in 1974.There are 11 further Tests in which the winning side lost only three wickets, the most recent by Sri Lanka against Ireland in Galle earlier this year.George Headley played Test cricket against Wilfred Rhodes, who made his debut in 1899, and also against Tom Graveney, whose last Test was in 1969 – a total span of 70 years. Has any other Test player covered a longer period with opponents and/or team-mates? asked Stephen Parker from Australia
The 70-year span you mention for the great West Indian George Headley actually comes in second on this particular list: in his first Test, England’s Wilfred Rhodes played alongside WG Grace (debut 1880) and in 1929-30, against Headley, who played on till 1953-54, a total span of more than 73 years.Freddie Brown of England played alongside Frank Woolley (debut August 1909) and Brian Close, whose last match was in July 1976 – a span of almost 67 years. George Gunn played against Australia’s Syd Gregory (debut 1890) and Headley, whose last Test was in 1953-54 (total span more than 63 years), while Woolley played against Gregory and with Brown, whose last Test was in 1953 (span almost 63 years. Here’s the list of the longest Test careers .Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

India have left R Ashwin out for all four Tests so far, and India’s win at The Oval helped them shut out “outside noise”

Osman Samiuddin07-Sep-2021He didn’t play the innings of the match. That was played, arguably, by the Player of the Match Rohit Sharma; or if it is a mood-change we are measuring, then Shardul Thakur in the first innings. Umesh Yadav ended up with more wickets, and Jasprit Bumrah bowled the spell of the Test on the final day.Ravindra Jadeja did none of this and yet was absolutely central to India’s win at The Oval. This is just how he rolls. The two wickets of Haseeb Hameed and Moeen Ali were important but not as much as the sum of his bowling: 30 overs on a track aiding no bowler let alone one as prosaic as a slow left-armer, as many as 11 maidens and an economy rate of well under two. He bowled just under a third of the overs in the innings, which, in a five-man attack on one of the hottest days of the summer, is an important proportion given the load it took off the four quick bowlers.It becomes especially noteworthy because it came in the aftermath of the continued non-selection of R Ashwin. That has been one of the main talking points right through this series, but nowhere did it reach a higher pitch than at The Oval, when Virat Kohli revealed his Ashwin-less team at the toss.Related

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A vast body of opinion – “the noise on the outside”, Kohli would later call it – thought India had erred. On the surface, The Oval hasn’t been, for the last decade at least, an especially spin-friendly Test surface. But spinners average 24 from day four onwards, the best for all grounds in England with more than a Test played since 2014. There has been something for spinners then, but it doesn’t change the fact that this Oval surface was not especially spin-friendly, either to the eye, or in numbers: seven wickets in all for 220 runs.Kohli’s reasoning at the toss only amplified that noise, in arguing that Jadeja’s match-up against England’s four left-hand batters was a good one. Ashwin’s record against left-hand batters, as we are regularly reminded, is freakishly good.4:32

Why did India promote Jadeja ahead of Rahane?

The more Ashwin has not been picked, however, the more it has seemed as if this is not a like-for-like comparison between the two, or even a trade-off. This has been about India looking for its best combination, an aim complicated by the emergence of Thakur, who would do well to retire now because four Tests in, his career all-round figures are so good they have only one direction to go in. If anything this three-into-two conundrum highlights, it is the depth that India enjoy.Jadeja offers a more solid batting option than Ashwin, which, with India’s middle order struggling as it has, is important. His being left-hand, as batting coach Vikram Rathour said, has helped break up an all right-hand top five. But the real issue is that Thakur has ended up scoring runs and taking wickets, and India have now won three and drawn one of their last five away Tests in Australia and England without Ashwin.”Within the group we know what we focus on and we take a collective call as to what feels like the best combination for us to walk on the field with,” Kohli said at the presentation after the game. “And whatever feels best balanced we just go ahead with it, and we believe we can win Tests with that bowling line-up or batting line-up. Whatever the noise on the outside we don’t bother with that. We just have belief in our group and we carry forward with that.”None of this should deflect from Jadeja’s actual performance with the ball. Final day or final innings – or a combination of both – are nervy occasions for spinners because of the pressure of expectations: this is where they make their name, if not their living. Wickets are crucial, of course, but in a fourth innings, with a side trying to bat out a draw or chase a win, control is as important.Monday wasn’t the first time for Jadeja though. He bowled 32 overs in the fourth innings at Lord’s in 2014, conceding just 53 as India defended 319 on a slow surface.Ravindra Jadeja ended with 11 maidens out of 30 overs, which included two wickets•AFP/Getty ImagesAt the MCG in 2018, on an even less responsive surface than The Oval, he wheeled out 32 economical overs in the fourth innings in another win. There is Jamaica 2019 and Galle 2017 too, and in only one has he not been the lone spinner. So when Rathour said on the fourth evening that India expected Jadeja to “play a massive role [on the final day]”, he wasn’t simply resorting to an easy soundbite.”[On] the fifth-day wicket, there is rough outside the left-hander’s off stump. So, he will play a massive role,” Rathour reasoned. “He bowled really well, I thought. He bowled with a lot of control, the last 5-6 overs he bowled did create a lot of opportunities.”This is what India expected and this is precisely what he did, hitting that rough relentlessly and ensuring, primarily, that he wasn’t going to cede runs. They could keep him out, or kick him away, but he wouldn’t let them score off him. Eleven maidens out of 30 is a high proportion, but it more or less matches his career rate: he bowls a maiden every three overs in the fourth innings. Of active Test bowlers, only Nathan Lyon, James Anderson and Stuart Broad have bowled more fourth-innings maidens; and all three with far lesser frequency.The wickets were the bonus and that, at the other end, the likes of Bumrah worked off him, feeding off the pressure, and creating their own magic.

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O presidente do Santos, Marcelo Teixeira, não aprovou algumas decisões da equipe de arbitragem da final do Paulistão, contra o Palmeiras.

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No primeiro gol alviverde, marcado por Raphael Veiga de pênalti, a princípio o juiz Raphael Claus não assinalou a infração sofrida por Endrick. Chamado pelo VAR, ele mudou a decisão.

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Teixeira contestou a marcação e ressaltou que, na cobrança de tiro de meta de Weverton, que encontrou Endrick no ataque, a bola estaria em movimento.

– A gente não vê lance em detalhes, mas o trio de arbitragem foi muito bem, conduziu bem. O detalhe foi a decisão do VAR. O VAR chama e eles estão conversando, o próprio (Raphael) Claus dá sinal de dar continuidade ao jogo. O nosso goleiro quase bate o tiro de meta. Dizem que a bola estava em movimento no tiro de meta (cobrado pelo Weverton). Independente dessas questões, não vi erro do Claus. São detalhes que podem ocorrer. Ele poderia ter revisto essa questão da bola rolando, mas fui ao vestiário cumprimentá-lo – disse, em tom ameno.

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Após a final diante do Palmeiras, o Santos estreia na Série B na sexta-feira (19), contra o Paysandu, na Vila Belmiro.

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Allrounder Will Jacks will make his first Test appearance in three years after leapfrogging Shoaib Bashir as England’s spinner for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.Jacks, a left-field pick for the tour of Australia, will replace fast bowler Mark Wood, who was ruled out through injury. It will be the Surrey allrounder’s third Test cap, having earned his first two in Pakistan in 2022, taking 6 for 161 on debut in the first Test in Rawalpindi.The 27-year-old was one of multiple spinners on both those occasions but now finds himself not just thrust into an Ashes with England 1-0 down, but as their primary spinner in the day-night Test, which begins on Thursday.Jacks has played just five first-class matches in the last two seasons, and took just five wickets in three County Championship appearances in 2025 at an average of 38.80. Should he pick up a wicket in the upcoming Test, it will be only his 50th in first-class cricket since debuting in 2018.Related

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He has been used intermittently as a spinner in limited-overs cricket, with 50 caps across ODIs and T20Is with just nine wickets. It helped his case for selection on the tour that he had spent the summer working with head coach Brendon McCullum upon his return to the limited-overs set-up in May. Jacks was subsequently awarded a two-year central contract in October.”It’s something I’m really looking forward to,” told the ECB’s in-house media. “To be on an Ashes tour in the first place is something I wouldn’t have been expecting a few months ago. But it’s been amazing to be here, be around this team… to be in the XI is a dream come true, to play an Ashes series away from home.”Personally, I’ll just be looking to add a little bit to the team in each three facets of the game. I know I can effect the game in a positive way like that, and I’ll just be doing my best to support whenever the team needs me.”Obviously I play a lot of white ball cricket under lights and hopefully that will suit me and the conditions won’t feel too foreign to me. Mostly, I’m just looking forward to getting out there and trying to do my best.”Will Jacks was included in England’s side for the second Test•PA Images/Getty

Though primarily a tactical decision to opt for Jacks given he is a far superior batter to Bashir, it marks a significant moment in the latter’s career. Since becoming Ben Stokes’ No.1 spinner from the start of the 2024 summer, debuting in India earlier that year, this is the first time Bashir has been left out.The 21-year-old missed the last two Tests against India this summer with a broken finger on his left hand, though he did take the final wicket in a thrilling victory at Lord’s having suffered the injury in the same game. That bravery further enamoured him to Stokes, who has been Bashir’s biggest advocate since spotting him two years ago on social media bowling to Alastair Cook on first-class debut for Somerset against Essex.He has since gone on to earn 19 caps, taking 68 wickets at 39.00 but is now without a county after his deal with Somerset expired at the end of the season, though he is on a central contract. After making England’s 12-man squad for the first Test at Perth, Bashir now finds himself lower down in the pecking order.Ironically, part of the attraction to Bashir is his high release point and the over-spin he imparts on the ball – characteristics England deem vital in Australia based on Nathan Lyon’s success. That Lyon boasts an impressive record across his 13 day-night Tests – 43 dismissals at 25.62 – has prompted England into changing their all-pace tactic from the first Test.”Talking about the tactical element of a day-night game, you do try to look at Australia,” Stokes said. “They play a lot of day-night cricket here, how they use their spinner as an attacking option, or more to give the bowlers an easier rotation and to get through the overs quicker to have more time with the new ball under lights. There’s both those elements we will consider with how a spinner is to be used in a day/night game.”England XI: 1 ⁠Zak Crawley, 2 ⁠Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 ⁠Harry Brook, 6 ⁠Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jamie Smith (wk), 8 Will Jacks, 9 Gus Atkinson, 10 ⁠Brydon Carse, 11 Jofra Archer