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Moeen set to deputise, but captain expected to travel to World Cup as planned on Friday

Matt Roller27-May-2024Jos Buttler is set to miss England’s third T20I against Pakistan on paternity leave.Buttler travelled home to London after captaining England to a 23-run victory at Edgbaston on Saturday, giving them a 1-0 lead in the four-match series after the opening match at Leeds was washed out. He and his wife Louise are expecting their third child imminently.He missed Monday afternoon’s training session in Cardiff and is considered unlikely to feature in Tuesday evening’s match. It is not yet clear whether he will return in time to play in the final match of the series, at The Oval on Thursday night, but at this stage it appears that he will travel to the Caribbean for the T20 World Cup with the rest of the squad on Friday.While the news is disruptive to England in the short term, Buttler’s absence should ensure that he is with the team throughout their World Cup campaign, which begins next Tuesday (June 4) in Barbados against Scotland. He had previously confirmed he would be at the birth regardless, raising the prospect that he could miss a group-stage match.Related

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Moeen Ali is England’s vice-captain, and last week played down the significance of a leadership change. “Obviously if it happens, then it’s a great honour – as it always is,” Moeen said. “I’ll be fine. Nothing will change too much: it’s just taking over from what he’s doing and then when he comes back, he takes over.”Hopefully, the baby comes at the right time where he doesn’t miss too many games. For me, it’s just whatever will happen, will happen. [Deputising] is not really difficult, to be honest with you, because we speak often, me and Jos. We talk about other things, the team, and all that. We’re on the same page anyway.”Buttler underpinned England’s innings at Edgbaston on Saturday, hitting 84 off 51 balls while opening the batting. In his absence, the most likely change to their side would see Will Jacks and Jonny Bairstow moving up a spot each and Ben Duckett batting at No. 4, though they could instead add another bowling allrounder to their side in Sam Curran.There is also a case for Duckett to replace Buttler at the top of the order, which would give England’s first-choice batting line-up the chance to bat in their likely roles for the World Cup. Jacks looked in fine touch on Saturday, hitting 37 off 23 balls from No. 3, but admitted on Monday that he is still “learning on the job” having opened for most of his T20 career.”It’s no lie that I’m new to batting at No. 3,” he said. “The biggest thing I’ve found is just the uncertainty of not knowing when I’m going in: obviously if I’m opening, it’s 0 for 0 every time, bowling first or second. I know exactly what’s going to happen: I’m facing the swinging ball or, if it’s a spinner opening, I know what the field is going to be.”[Batting at No. 3] is just a different scenario each time, which is more of a mental thing. I know I’ve got the game and the technique. It’s just adjusting to coming in outside the Powerplay, coming in the fifth over: when do I put my foot on the pedal? It’s about figuring out what I need to do at the right time… it’s all about the team, not about yourself.”Mark Wood had a long bowl before Saturday’s match with his knee heavily strapped, and could come into contention in Cardiff if England opt to take a cautious approach to Jofra Archer’s fitness following his international comeback. Despite England being keen to give Tom Hartley his T20I debut before the World Cup, ESPNcricinfo understands he won’t be involved in this contest.In any case, Tuesday night’s match is under threat from the weather, though Jacks suggested that playing a shortened match could serve as useful preparation for the World Cup. “Preparation is not always ideal, but we have to be adaptable and T20 is all about thinking fast on your feet, and assessing the situation as quickly as possible,” he said. “We’ll be ready for anything.”

Mitchell Johnson has scoffed at Cricket Australia (CA) inviting him to an awards night just a week after the governing body cancelled two of his speaking engagements.CA axed two of the retired fast bowler’s guest speaking jobs during the first Test in Perth last week due to his highly controversial column about David Warner and chief selector George Bailey.Related

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Johnson, who is commentating on radio with Triple M this summer, had kept quiet after it was revealed he had been stood down from the paid talks.But the former left-arm firebrand quick let rip on social media after receiving an invite to the 2024 Australian Cricket Awards.”Is Cricket Australia serious??,” Johnson wrote on Instagram, including a screenshot of his invite and the Rage Against The Machine song ‘Take the Power Back’.”Last week I was cancelled from 2 speaking engagements. This week I’m invited to celebrate with them.”Johnson tore into Warner, his former Australia team-mate, about the opener’s “hero send-off” and opened up old wounds from Sandpapergate in an explosive article for the .Mitchell Johnson worked as a broadcaster during the first Test•Getty Images

The 42-year-old was also critical of Bailey’s position, saying his other former team-mate had a conflict of interest in deciding on Warner’s future.After the heavy criticism, Warner came out in the opening Test against Pakistan and smashed 164 to guarantee his SCG farewell from red-ball cricket.Johnson later admitted the column was personally motivated after receiving messages from Warner and Bailey earlier in the year.”I tried to ring [Warner] to talk to him about it, which I’ve always been open about with the guys,” he explained on his Mitchell Johnson Cricket Show podcast with broadcaster Bharat Sundaresan.”It was never a personal thing then. Until that point. That is what prompted me to write the article, or part of it, as well. It’s definitely a factor.”Warner has refused to add fuel to the fire, saying Johnson is entitled to his opinions.

The success of the other batters has papered over Bavuma’s failures, but he must start scoring some runs with the knockouts approaching

Firdose Moonda04-Nov-2023Temba Bavuma is confident that, with South Africa’s campaign at the World Cup entering a crucial stage, he will rediscover the touch that made him enter this tournament as South Africa’s leading run-scorer in ODI cricket this year.With 111 runs from five matches, Bavuma is the least profitable of South Africa’s top six at the World Cup at the moment, and has also scored fewer runs than their No. 7, Marco Jansen, but the form of his team-mates means he does not have to feel the pressure yet. “You always want to be making contributions,” he said in Kolkata ahead of South Africa’s meeting with India. “The other batters are smashing it at the moment, and I take comfort in the fact that I’ve been involved in some partnerships with Quinton [de Kock] up front.”Bavuma and de Kock shared a 108-run stand against Australia in Lucknow, to which Bavuma contributed 35, but none of their other partnerships has topped 38. That 35 is Bavuma’s top score. He has been dismissed by left-arm seamers twice but there isn’t much more of a pattern to his (mis)fortunes other than the obvious – he has just been finding fielders. So, while the numbers say that Bavuma is struggling, some of the shots he has played – think the twin cover drives against New Zealand just before he edged Trent Boult to slip – and the ways in which he has got out suggest that things are not as bad as they may seem and de Kock agrees.Related

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“Temba has been batting really well,” de Kock told the media on Friday. “He has looked very solid up front. He has somehow found a way to keep getting out. He is still feeling good about his own game and is very confident. Temba always backs himself, which is a good thing and a good trait to have. He is not fazed. At least I hope he is not – it doesn’t look like he is.”And 24 hours later, Bavuma confirmed that he is, indeed, unfazed. “From my side, maybe it’s just one of those patches again where I am kind of scratching, but I think I’ve got to keep that belief that the opportunity will be there for me to make a big play within the team. That’s where my head is,” he said. “I take a lot of comfort in the fact that we’ve been getting starts in that first ten overs and obviously with the guys being in form, they’ve been able to exploit that and play the way that they’ve played.”But that does not mean there is no expectation of Bavuma and de Kock has predicts that one of the next few games – and South Africa have at least three matches left – will see the best of the captain. “I got a feeling one or two of these games – especially an important game – that’s when he is going to come through for us. That’s Temba Bavuma in a package,” de Kock said.Asked whether the backing of his team-mates is a balm during tough times, Bavuma appeared at his brightest in what could have otherwise been an intimidating press engagement. “I take a lot of confidence from that. That’s something that I feel every day within the team,” he said. “And I think it’s probably due to the fact that there’s a group of batters who’ve been with each other for the last three or four years. We’ve seen each other go through the little ups and the downs and we know that all of us mentally have what it takes to get over the little challenges that we face.”Temba Bavuma has found ways to get out despite looking in good touch•Associated PressOne of those challenges would have been the pre-match press conference. There were more journalists than at any of South Africa’s other matches and one of them was direct in asking whether South Africa have faced their demons.”Have you talked about not choking in this important match?” a reporter asked Bavuma, as there was some awkward shuffling in the room.”I don’t know how to answer that,” Bavuma replied. “I think if we come unstuck tomorrow, I don’t think it’ll be a matter of choking. I doubt you would say that about India as well if they come unstuck that they would choke.”And that may have been the mic-drop. Bavuma is not a hostile or confrontational character but a soft-spoken, thoughtful and intellectual cricketer. And as this World Cup reaches the business end, he is proving to be one who has both internalised the challenges that he faces as the captain of a South African team, with all the history that comes with that role, and as an opening batter, albeit one who is due some runs.”Mentally, I’ve obviously got to keep staying there. There’s still got a lot of cricket to go within this tournament. And I believe that I’ll have a part to play somewhere within the tournament.”

Allrounder Lata Mondal has returned to the 16-member Bangladesh side for the tour of South Africa. The tour begins with three T20Is followed by three ODIs which will be part of the 2022-25 Women’s Championship.Mondal, who had missed Bangladesh’s home series against Pakistan, last played in the ODIs against India in July. Bangladesh won both the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan 2-1.Meanwhile, 15-year-old offspinner Nishita Akter, who made her debut in the Pakistan series, left-arm spinner Sanjida Akter, opener Sharmin Akhter and left-arm pacer Fariha Trisna are all part of the reserves. Opener Shathi Rani who was part of the T20I squad against Pakistan, misses out.

Bangladesh tour of SA

1st T20I: Dec 3, Benoni
2nd T20I: Dec 6, Kimberley
3rd T20I: Dec 8, Kimberley
1st ODI: Dec 16, East London
2nd ODI: Dec 20, Potchefstroom
3rd ODI: Dec 23, Benoni

Bangladesh begin the tour with the first T20I in Benoni on December 3, followed by two T20Is in Kimberley on December 6 and 8 respectively. The ODIs will be played in East London, Potchefstroom and Benoni on December 16, 20 and 23.Bangladesh are seventh on the championship table with three wins from 12 matches whereas South Africa occupy the fifth spot having played nine games and winning seven of them.That apart, Bangladesh have beaten South Africa only two times in the 18 ODIs and only once in 11 T20Is.Bangladesh squad: Nigar Sultana (captain), Nahida Akter (vice-captain), Shamima Sultana, Murshida Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Fargana Hoque, Lata Mondal, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Shorifa Khatun, Sumaiya Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Disha Biswas

Celtic’s pursuit of a sixth treble in just nine seasons continues under Brendan Rodgers.

Last Saturday, the Hoops swatted aside Hearts 3-0 at Parkhead; Daizen Maeda scoring a brace, with Jota on target in-between.

This leaves Rodgers’ side 13 points clear at the top of the Premiership, looking to move three points closer to the title when they visit McDiarmid Park on Sunday.

Having also reached the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in 12 years, they’ve certainly had an excellent season, but would this team be even stronger had they been able to keep hold of their “exciting” homegrown talent, a player now similar to Arne Engels?

How Arne Engels' first season at Celtic has played out

A few eyebrows were raised when Celtic broke their club-record transfer fee to sign Arne Engels from Augsburg on deadline day last summer, paying a reported £11m.

So far this season, the 21-year-old has scored ten goals and provided 12 assists across all competitions, becoming a full Belgian international too, debuting for the Red Devils against Israel in the UEFA Nations League back in September.

Graeme McGarry of the Herland believes the midfielder has ‘huge potential’, while Rodgers hails him as a “young player of real quality”, even if he has, at times struggled to live up to his hefty price tag.

So, could Celtic have saved themselves that £11m by keeping hold of a homegrown talent?

What happened to Celtic's academy superstar

Rocco Vata, son of former Celtic defender Rudi Vata, joined the club’s academy at the age of seven, impressing at youth level, featuring in the Lowland League, SPFL Trust Trophy and UEFA Youth League.

He made his senior debut for the club at Easter Road against Hibernian in December 2022, before scoring his one and only goal for the club during a 5-0 demolition of Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup in January last year.

However, a few months later, following the expiration of his contract, Vata did not renew, instead signing for Watford, with the Hornets paying a £237k compensation fee.

Well, still only 19-years-old, his performances in the EFL Championship have certainly garnered some attention, including from Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout, who believes he has ‘an exciting future ahead’.

Meantime, Conor McEvoy of the Irish Times describes him as ‘electric’, adding that he has been Watford’s ‘most threatening attacking player’ for much of this season, with Tom Cleverley’s team currently ninth in England’s second-tier.

According to Transfermarkt, his value has skyrocketed up to £1m, almost five times what the Hornets paid for him.

This form actually saw Vata earn his first-ever senior cap for the Republic of Ireland last week.

He was introduced by Heimir Hallgrímsson as a second-half substitute against Bulgaria in Plovdiv, choosing to represent the Boys in Green, despite also being eligible for Scotland, Montenegro and Albania; his father won 58 caps for the latter.

So, let’s see how Engels and Vata compare?

Arne Engels vs Rocco Vata 24/25 comparison
Statistics	Engles	Vata
Appearances	44	26
Minutes	2,734	1,192
Goals	10	4
Assists	12	3
Chances created	45	10
% of shots on target	44.74%	42.11%
Passing accuracy %	84.79%	72.41
Ball recoveries	73	30
Touches in opposition area	81	58
Touches per 90	48.98	44.25
Stats via Transfermarkt & Squawka

The table outlines that, right now, Engles is a better midfielder, considering he comes out on top for all the attacking and passing metrics included.

Nevertheless, Vata has only played a little over 1,000 Championship minutes since making the move down south, and is still only a teenager, two years younger than the Belgian.

Also, the table emphasises that, stylistically, the two players are very similar. That can be seen more closely when you study Vata’s record in the Lowland League last season, scoring 12 times in 15 games, proving they both have a knack for finding the back of the net.

Indeed, the youngster found the net 12 times in 15 games during the 2023/24 Lowland League season.

That underlines the point that Celtic would have been better off, certainly in the long run, had they been able to convince the young Irishman to stay.

Celtic ace left for £600k, now he's similar to a future Ballon d'Or winner

The player Celtic lost for just £600k is now similar to a star who has been tipped to win the Ballon d’Or.

By
Dan Emery

Apr 1, 2025

Setting their sights on the summer transfer window, Newcastle United have now received a green light from manager Eddie Howe to make their move for a defensive reinforcement worth over £30m.

Newcastle readying £30m+ move

The Magpies have been forced to sit out of transfer drama in recent years, but look set to come flying out of their profit and sustainability shackles to welcome a number of key reinforcements. As a result, the rumours have been coming thick and fast over just who Howe and his side could welcome with open arms when the summer arrives.

Names such as Jonathan David, for example, have been mentioned in what would instantly ease any Newcastle fears over replacing Alexander Isak. The LOSC Lille star has matched the Swede for goals this season and could yet replace the Arsenal-linked forward if he decides to leave in the coming months.

What Isak’s exit would certainly do is hand PIF their greatest spending power since arriving at St James’ Park, perhaps accelerating the Magpies’ progress under their Saudi owners.

With or without the sale of Isak, however, those on Tyneside have already reportedly set their sights on one summer target. According to The Times, Howe has now given Newcastle the green light to sign Jarell Quansah with PIF now reportedly readying a move worth £30m, plus add-ons in the coming months.

The Magpies initially wanted the central defender last summer when Liverpool came in for Anthony Gordon and it seems as though their interest in the Anfield academy graduate has remained.

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He could form quite the partnership with Isak…

By
Tom Cunningham

Mar 26, 2025

One year on, a deal could be far easier to advance, given how Quansah has struggled to make his mark under Arne Slot. In the face of those struggles, Newcastle reportedly hope to lure the defender to St James’ Park using the prospect of consistent game time.

"Complete" Quansah needs Newcastle move

After flying under Jurgen Klopp, Quansah has seen his wings clipped by Slot since the Dutchman’s Anfield arrival. Having started against Ipswich Town on the opening day of the season, the defender’s struggles started from the very first game of the campaign with Slot deciding to haul him off for Ibrahima Konate at half time.

Since then, things haven’t improved. The England defender has started just one Premier League game since that frustrating afternoon at Portman Road, ironically coming in a 3-3 draw against Newcastle. Having been dubbed “complete” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig last season, Quansah desperately needs a move if he is to rediscover that level.

Newcastle could certainly do with a young defender too. As things stand, Howe has just one central defender below 30 years old in the form of Sven Botman, who has endured plenty of injury struggles in the last two seasons.

Australia batter should be fine to play in next week’s final, despite taking a hit to his left elbow in nets a couple of days ago

Osman Samiuddin03-Jun-2023David Warner would like to see the World Test Championship (WTC) final played as a three-Test series instead of a one-off game.Australia take on India at The Oval from June 7, the first step in a big six months for them as they challenge for the Test title, the Ashes and then the ODI World Cup. Warner has played in World Cup finals before – has won them too – but is looking forward to a first five-day title.”I think it’s great,” he said ahead of a training session in Beckenham. “I have been – I won’t say critical – but I do think it should be at least a three-game series with Test cricket only. You play two years of good cricket, then you play on a neutral venue against an opposition. We’ve all played here before but [this game is] not against the same [host] nation.Related

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“It’s a great reward for the two best teams. Two world-class bowling attacks bowling with a Dukes ball on foreign land. It’s great and we’re excited for that.”Given an increasingly cramped calendar and the demands on a schedule a three-Test series will make on any host nation, it is unlikely Warner’s wish will become reality anytime soon. Speaking last week, the ICC’s general manager cricket, Wasim Khan said that though there is constant review of the structure, the current feedback from members was that the league and one-off final was “continuing to work as it is”.Members have committed to the league and final for the next eight-year cycle.Warner cops blow on elbow but he’s good to goWarner should be fine to play in the final, despite taking another hit to his left elbow in nets a couple of days ago. It hit him on the same spot as the Mohammed Siraj delivery in the second innings of the Delhi Test earlier this year. That blow resulted in a hairline fracture which ruled him out of the remaining two Tests of the series.”It was sore, it got me right on the same point from a different angle,” he said. “It went numb, had to get it strapped. It’s fine now, a little bit sore. Luckily it didn’t hit me on top.”The last one hit from above and had a hairline fracture. This one was a straight blow on the corner of the elbow which was quite sore. Just one of those things, you get hit, you get hit, can’t do anything about it.”Warner goes into the final with questions around his Test form. He averages 26 since the start of 2022 but said he’d been batting in the nets better than he ever remembers.”I remember 2013, I was in the nets and copping it left, right and centre in the media about getting bowled by Mitchell Starc and all the other guys and how I wasn’t in form in the nets. I found that a bit bizarre because I’m probably one of the worst netters going around. But here, I’ve actually been superb, in terms of how my feet have been moving. My energy’s been moving, I’ve been up and about. I’m probably batting better than I ever have in the nets.”David Warner gets cracking as Australia get ready for the WTC final•ICC via Getty ImagesWith a Test underway at Lord’s already and the Ashes to start in just under two weeks, the WTC final – in England but without England – has had to fight a little for its share of the attention. Warner, at least, was clear about his immediate priorities: Stuart Broad later, Mohammed Shami and Co for now.”I haven’t really worked on that [plans for Broad] yet,” he said. “I’m concentrating on the WTC final. Mohammed Shami and [Mohammed] Siraj and Shardul Thakur is what’s on my mind first. That’s what important to us right now, then I’ll switch on and worry about Stuart Broad if they select him for the first Test this time.””We’ve played some outstanding cricket over the last 18-24 months. We know what India will bring to the table. It’s a great neutral venue, two world-class bowling attacks with a Dukes ball and from a batter’s perspective, I can’t wait to get out there.”

Mumbai are coming into the game after a five-day break but KKR are playing their second game in 48 hours

Nagraj Gollapudi15-Apr-20234:09

Do KKR need to consider a change at the top against Mumbai?

Big Picture – Knight Riders seek quick fixesForty eight hours after playing at home against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders play an away match, which happens to be an afternoon game. Mumbai Indians, their opponents, on the other hand, will start the home contest after a five-day break. Knight Riders are among three teams – along with Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings – who will play back-to-back matches this IPL within a 48-hour turnaround; that is, a night game, followed by an afternoon game two days later.Knight Riders, who landed in Mumbai late afternoon on Saturday, are unlikely to express their displeasure at the schedule in public, but the paucity of any downtime could be a key factor as they attempt to breach Mumbai’s fortress. Incredibly, Knight Riders have beaten Mumbai at Wankhede just once – in 2012 (overall they have won at the venue only four times). However, Nitish Rana’s team would also point out that Knight Riders have won the last three contests between the teams.Harmanpreet to walk out with Rohit?

There will be two Mumbai Indians captains turning up at toss on Sunday afternoon. It is understood that Harmanpreet Kaur will accompany Rohit Sharma to the centre as part of the franchise’s initiative to support young girls.
The initiative, called Education and Sports for All and run by the franchise in association with Reliance Foundation, will also have the Wankhede Stadium filled with over 19,000 young girls. In a media release issued by Mumbai, the franchise said these girls are from 36 NGOs in the city. No tickets have been put on sale for the public otherwise.

Both teams have significant question marks to address. For Knight Riders, it is the beating their fast bowlers have been getting. Overall this season, their seamers have recorded the worst numbers in terms of average, strike rate and economy. They have also taken the lowest number of wickets – seven – despite having experienced heads like Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson.Fitness concerns over Andre Russell have compounded their pain. Russell bowled for the first time this season on Friday, against Sunrisers Hyderabad, before leaving the ground after delivering 2.1 overs. India allrounder Shardul Thakur, who bowled just five deliveries against Sunrisers to wrap Russell’s third over, has played mainly as a middle-order batter.Related

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Mumbai, too, have struggled with their fast bowling – their quicks have bagged just eight wickets in three matches so far. Jofra Archer, their main strike bowler this season, has sat out the last two matches due to an elbow issue. Archer, who had a light bowling session on Saturday afternoon, just before the team’s training began, is also under a fitness cloud.IPL 2023 form guideMumbai Indians: WLL (most recent match first)
Kolkata Knight Riders: LWWLTeam news – David Wiese could replace Andre RussellIf Archer is absent, Riley Meredith is set to continue.Knight Riders will keep their fingers crossed over Russell’s fitness – he reportedly suffered cramps. If he is benched, then David Wiese could be a likely replacement.Toss and Impact player strategyBatting second has been a winning card at the Wankhede Stadium. Knight Riders should continue to utilise Suyash Sharma as their Impact Player (in combination with Venkatesh Iyer), while Mumbai will look at swapping Tim David and Jason Behrendorff after starting with three overseas players.Jofra Archer, Mumbai’s main strike bowler this season, has sat out the last two matches due to an elbow issue•BCCIMumbai IndiansPossible bowl-first XI: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Ishan Kishan (wk), 3 Suryakumar Yadav, 4 Cameron Green, 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Nehal Wadhera, 7 Hrithik Shokeen, 8 Arshad Khan, 9 Piyush Chawla, 10 Riley Meredith, 11 Jason BehrendoffPossible bat-first XI: Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Ishan Kishan (wk), 3 Suryakumar Yadav, 4 Cameron Green, 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Tim David, 7 Nehal Wadhera, 8 Hrithik Shokeen, 9 Arshad Khan, 10 Piyush Chawla, 11 Riley MeredithKolkata Knight RidersPossible bowl-first XI: 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) 2 N Jagadeesan, 3 Nitish Rana (capt), 4 Andre Russell/David Wiese, 5 Rinku Singh, 6 Shardul Thakur, 7 Sunil Narine, 8 Lockie Ferguson, 9 Umesh Yadav, 10 Varun Chakravarthy, 11 Suyash Sharma.Possible bat-first XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) 2 N Jagadeesan, 3 Venkatesh Iyer, 4 Nitish Rana (capt), 5 Andre Russell/David Wiese 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Shardul Thakur, 8 Sunil Narine, 9 Lockie Ferguson, 10 Umesh Yadav, 11 Varun Chakravarthy.Pitch and conditionsA dry pitch is expected with afternoon temperatures hovering in the early 30s C.Stats that matter Sunil Narine has bowled one over in powerplay in each match this season. Expect him to continue that trend considering he has dismissed Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma seven times in the IPL – the most by any bowler. Rohit is 44 runs adrift of becoming the fourth Indian batter to get 6000 runs in the IPL. He also needs to hit five more sixes to become the first Indian batter, and third overall, to record 250 sixes in the tournament.Quotes”We get great support here and we want to make this our fortress. We want to get good results here all the time and make it somewhere that we’re confident about the style of cricket we’re going to play and take on every team.”

As INEOS look to raise some much-needed funds, Bayern Munich have reportedly opened shock talks to sign a Manchester United player who’s finally beginning to find form.

Man Utd transfer news

Ruben Amorim was once again forced to provide an honest and blunt answer when asked about Manchester United’s position to spend money when the transfer window arrives, telling reporters in the build-up to this Sunday’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur: “We know with the moment of the club, I have to understand these problems, but that problem is not new.

“You know the rules of (financial) fair play, we have a problem at the moment, but my focus is on that and not the other things. Here is simple, to do something we need to sell players. My focus is to prepare the game. The window is closed and we have to focus on the next game then in the summer we will see.”

Scouts wowed: Man Utd now closely monitoring £55m talent alongside Quenda

They believe he could be a future superstar.

ByBen Browning Feb 15, 2025

Of course, those sales failed to come to fruition in the January transfer window with those at Old Trafford forced to settle for loan moves to make room for Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven, which saw both Marcus Rashford and Antony leave.

When the summer arrives, however, those loan exits could prove to be fairly worthwhile for the Red Devils. According to reports in Spain, Bayern Munich have now opened shock talks to sign Antony amid his recent resurgence on loan at Real Betis – scoring twice in three games.

Setting their valuation at a reported €50m (£42m) this summer after initially signing the Brazilian for close to £82m in the summer of 2022, Manchester United could at least make back half of what they paid out, which has often looked unlikely given he scored just 12 goals in a red, a return rate of nearly £7m spent per goal.

In what is becoming quite the trend, meanwhile, Antony has instantly found his best form since leaving Old Trafford.

"Brave" Antony now following Man Utd trend

Whether it’s been Alexis Sanchez or, more recently, Scott McTominay, the trend of Manchester United players finding top form away from an Old Trafford nightmare is only growing. In an instant, Antony has stolen the headlines at Real Betis – scoring a particularly impressive goal in their recent 3-0 victory over KAA Gent in the Europa Conference League.

It’s the type of finish that those at Old Trafford last saw the Brazilian unleash in the early days of his Manchester United career in a period which saw him earn the praise of Erik ten Hag.

The former United manager told BBC Sport in 2022: “I know what he can be. On the pitch he is brave. During the transfer window we looked for players with the right character, who can fight and battle.”

That bravery is now on show in Spain as Manchester United continue to struggle under Amorim and Antony potentially heads towards a shock move to Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool are now set to send scouts to watch a “special” £25 million defender in action ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Liverpool prepare for Newcastle and PSG

The Reds are back in Premier League action tonight, as they welcome Newcastle United to Anfield, where depending on other results this evening they could further extend their lead at the top of the table.

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Liverpool currently have an 11-point lead over Arsenal in second place, but with the Gunners facing Nottingham Forest, it is a chance for Arne Slot’s side to extend that lead.

The game against the Magpies comes at an important time for Liverpool, as they also face a huge game against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League next week, but Slot is reluctant to rotate his squad as he believes his team is ready for this.

“I’m not so sure. It is difficult because these players are trained for this, and they are ready for this. They are in a certain rhythm, and they have shown this season many times that they are able to do it. But it was the reason that I changed the line-up so drastically against Plymouth [in the FA Cup] because I don’t think you can do this all season.

“You need once every four or five weeks, a normal week – and what I mean by a normal week is two games a week, not three games a week. Of course, it hurt us in the FA Cup, but it also means that these players are now able to play five games in a row at the highest possible level.”

Liverpool to send scouts to watch £25m Ajax star

As Slot and co. focus on the upcoming games, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool chiefs are set to send scouts to watch Ajax defender Jorrel Hato ahead of the summer transfer window opening.

Romano states that the Reds are tracking the versatile defender, who can play left-back or centre-back and was said to be valued at £25 million in January. He goes on to say that Liverpool scouts are ready to watch Hato soon, who has been dubbed “special” by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Speaking on his YouTube channel (relayed by Liverpool World), Romano said: “Liverpool are looking at an important centre-back and will sign an important centre-back. Liverpool love to invest in a young player, and not only Huijsen, but also Hato is being monitored by Liverpool.

“I’m told Liverpool are planning, with their scouting department, two or three missions in the Netherlands to follow Hato closely and his progress and will assess what they want to do.

Apps

20

Starts

19

Goals

2

Assists

6

Big chances created

5

Clean sheets

7

Interceptions per game

0.7

Tackles per game

2.3

“They have been following this player for a long time. Top clubs always scout players and make a decision on who they want, but Hato is on Liverpool’s shortlist, but there are several players following the player. Chelsea were looking at him at some point between October and November in 2024. Let’s see who is going to go to Ajax and try to reach an agreement for one of their best players.”