Conway will take up a deal in the SA20 in January, following the path taken by Kane Williamson

Andrew McGlashan15-Aug-2024Devon Conway and Finn Allen have become the latest New Zealand players to turn down central contracts, but Conway has signed a casual agreement similar to Kane Williamson and has made himself available for all internationals except for the Sri Lanka white-ball matches in January when he will take up an SA20 deal.ESPNcricinfo understands that Conway is set to play for Joburg Super Kings in what will be his first appearance in South Africa since leaving the country and moving to New Zealand in 2017.Allen, the hard-hitting white-ball opener, will pursue franchise opportunities and has not been offered the same agreement by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) although remains eligible for selection on a case-by-case basis. ESPNcricinfo understands that Allen is expected to sign for the BBL. Both Conway and Allen had been included in the contract list last month and will now be replaced.Related

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Finn Allen set for two-year Perth Scorchers deal

Captain Southee may not play all upcoming subcontinent Tests

Latham says New Zealand need to be 'fluid' with player contracts

Conway, who has been named in the Test squad to face Afghanistan and Sri Lanka next month, is available for all of New Zealand’s nine upcoming Tests and has also committed to warm-up matches ahead of the Champions Trophy in February which include an ODI tri-series in Pakistan.”Firstly, I’d like to thank New Zealand Cricket for their support through this process,” Conway said. “The decision to move away from a central playing contract isn’t one I’ve taken lightly, but I believe it is the best for me and my family at this present time.”Playing for the Blackcaps is still the pinnacle for me and I’m hugely passionate about representing New Zealand and winning games of international cricket.”I’m excited to be part of the upcoming Test squads for an important period in the ICC World Test Championship cycle and am looking forward to being involved in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next February if selected.”NZC chief executive Scott Weenink reiterated that casual contracts were only an option for a select number of the leading players but believed it was a prudent way to manage the evolving landscape of franchise cricket.”We’re delighted with Devon’s decision to commit to the Blackcaps – he’s a quality player who’s made a strong contribution to the team over the past few years,” he said. “In the current environment it’s important to have flexibility in our system to navigate some of the challenges posed by franchise cricket – and this is another example of how we’re working hard to retain our best players.”Speaking last month, Test vice-captain Tom Latham said that New Zealand had to be flexible with their contracting system.Conway and Allen join Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne in moving away from central contracts although Williamson, who will also play the SA20 in January, has not ruled out taking one in the future.Under the NZC system, to be eligible for a central contracts players need to make themselves available for the domestic Super Smash tournament when they aren’t playing international cricket.

Birmingham City have “reached an agreement” with the club of a player once hailed as “world-class”, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Attackers top of Birmingham's summer agenda

The Blues now know the full fixtures for next season, following their promotion from League One to the Championship, opening the campaign with a home clash with Ipswich Town, which will be a big early test.

Excitement is building ahead of Birmingham’s return to the second tier of English football, but Chris Davies will know that new signings are badly needed, in order for his side to compete near the top of the table, rather than at the bottom of it.

Attackers appear to be a priority currently, with former Celtic ace Kyogo Furuhashi linked with a move to St Andrew’s, having departed the Scottish Premiership giants to join Ligue 1 side Rennes back in January.

Holstein Kiel attacker Shuto Machino is also seen as a strong option for Birmingham, as they look to provide healthy competition for star striker Jay Stansfield next season. The 25-year-old scored 11 goals in 23 Bundesliga starts in 2024/25, highlighting what an exciting signing he could be.

Birmingham reach agreement with star winger

Now, according to Jacobs on X, Birmingham have “reached an agreement” with Al-Ettifaq over the signing of Demarai Gray from the Saudi Pro League club on a free transfer.

This feels like such a positive signing for Birmingham, assuming the move goes through, not least because they are Gray’s boyhood club, with the 28-year-old making 78 appearances there at the start of his senior career.

Since then, the winger has gone on to enjoy an excellent career, appearing 200 times in the Premier League and even winning the title with Leicester City in 2015/16, in what remains one of the greatest achievements in English football history.

At 28, this isn’t the Blues signing a player who is past his best either, with the Jamaica international still having lots to offer in his career, and he will surely be desperate to prove his worth at his former club.

Gray has so much natural ability out wide, with Ian Wright once even lauding him as “world-class” during his Everton days, following a memorable goal against Nottingham Forest back in 2022.

Stansfield 2.0: Birmingham close in on "unbelievable" signing after Gray

Birmingham City are close to securing another standout transfer.

1

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 27, 2025

It will be fascinating to see how he fares back in English football, following a two-year stint in Saudi Arabia, and if he hits top gear, he will be a potent weapon for Birmingham next season.

تحدث بابلو توري، لاعب نادي ريال مايوركا، عن رحيله عن صفوف نادي برشلونة خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي الأخير، موضحًا أنه غادر البلوجرانا من الباب الكبير.

توري رحل عن صفوف نادي برشلونة بشكل نهائي خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي، وذلك لينضم إلى ريال مايوركا بعقد طويل الأجل.

ووجد توري صعوبة كبيرة في حجز مكان أساسي له في تشكيلة برشلونة ليرحل في نهاية المطاف هذا العام.

أقرأ أيضًا .. فليك يحسم موقف لامين يامال من المشاركة أمام فالنسيا ويوجه رسالة خفية لـ دي لا فوينتي

واعترف توري في تصريحات إلى صحيفة ماركا، أنه لم يرغب في الرحيل عن برشلونة، حيث قال: ”صحيح أيضًا أن لا أحد يريد مغادرة برشلونة، ومن الصعب المغادرة، لقد تعلمت الكثير هناك أيضًا وأعتقد أنها تجربة رائعة، لا أندم على وجودي هناك إطلاقًا، حتى لو لم ألعب”.

وأضاف توري في حديثه: ”أكن مودة كبيرة للجميع في برشلونة، بدءًا من مجلس الإدارة الذي لطالما عاملني ببراعة، وصولًا إلى جميع اللاعبين، ووصولًا إلى جميع العاملين داخل النادي”.

وأوضح توري: ”في برشلونة يمتلكون أشخاص رائعون حقًا، قد يبدون غرباء داخل الملعب لكنهم أشخاص رائعون داخل غرفة الملابس وخارجها”.

وأردف: ”في الحقيقة، أفتقد الجماهير، لكنني أواصل الحديث معهم وكان من دواعي سروري أن أكون هناك وأتعلم منهم جميعًا، لأنهم ساعدوني على التطور كثيرًا في كل شيء وبالنسبة لي كان اللعب لبرشلونة أمرًا رائعًا”.

Rockets recover from back-to-back defeats with clinical 22-run win over London Spirit

ECB Media07-Aug-2024

Alex Hales wound back the clock to fire Trent Rockets back into the top three of the Hundred men’s competition with a 22-run win over London Spirit at Trent Bridge.The 35-year-old T20 World Cup winner cleared the ropes five times in a typically powerful innings of 68 from 42 balls, before Rashid Khan claimed three wickets in his first six balls to effectively ice the game, save for a couple of massive blows from Andre Russell.”The most important was pitching the ball in the areas I wanted to,” Rashid said, adding of his battle with Russell: “That’s what makes this competition beautiful: playing against the best in the world. I always enjoy such competition with the good batters and that’s true about Russell.”Rockets, who had lost their previous two games after botching run chases, posted 166 for 4 with Tom Banton and Joe Root providing hard-hitting support of their own for Hales.Hales had not passed 38 in his previous 11 innings in the competition but found his groove as the Rockets added 93 from the second 50 balls of their innings – the only moment of concern coming when Hales was temporarily felled by a Nathan Ellis beamer.Alex Hales on his way to fifty•ECB via Getty Images

Banton thrashed 36 from 25 balls to set a platform while Root’s enduring know-how ensured a strong finish to the innings with 32 from 23 balls.Afghanistan legspinner Rashid then made an immediate impact with the ball on his way to figures of 4 for 24.Spirit skipper Dan Lawrence’s attempt to attack Rashid early backfired, picking out Rovman Powell on the rope from his second ball, before Shimron Hetmyer was judged lbw on review from the next.Keaton Jennings hit 31 from 18 only to direct his normally reliable reverse sweep into the gloves of Banton as Rashid again showcased the match-defining qualities that has made him a star in white-ball competitions across the world.Russell responded by dispatching Rashid out of Trent Bridge with a mighty six that got the 10,564 fans off their feet. The Jamaican allrounder crunched another massive blow into the stands while John Turner had to be removed from the attack as a second beamer hit Russell.But just as the hosts had started to feel the pressure, Luke Wood expertly produced a slower ball that kept low and found Russell’s off stump.Matt Critchley offered some late hitting, with 37 from 30 balls, but Sam Cook closed him out and there was too much left to do as defeat left Spirit with just one win from their five games and their hopes of reaching the knockout stage all but over.

Liverpool kicked off their pre-season tour in Asia with a 4-2 loss against AC Milan. Results do not matter in pre-season, of course, but it is interesting to see the likes of Florian Wirtz in action.

The attacking midfielder, who joined the Reds from Bayer Leverkusen for a British-record £116m fee in June, was all neat flicks and cute turns and intelligent one-twos. The German maestro is the real deal, all right, and could be the difference-maker as Arne Slot looks to defend his Premier League title while chasing glory across other fronts.

Hugo Ekitike didn’t feature, for he only played out his first training session with his new club on Friday, having finalised his £79m move from Eintracht Frankfurt earlier in the week.

You can be sure to expect the Frenchman’s participation in the weeks ahead. Though in what capacity remains to be seen, with the Reds chasing a deal for Alexander Isak, who has informed Newcastle United that he wants to sign for the Merseysiders.

However, one player who won’t be taking part is Joe Gomez, who has been dealt another cruel injury blow and has been forced to head home.

Liverpool's defensive situation

Jarell Quansah was sold to Bayer Leverkusen for £35m last month, thinning out Slot’s backline. In Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool have an elite pairing, but little else in the way of depth.

However, Gomez does have a chance to shine at the rear next year, having been utilised centrally by Slot last term after principal full-back displays across Jurgen Klopp’s final term.

Well, that was the case until the England international had to withdraw from Liverpool’s summer camp due to what has been reported as a ‘minor Achilles injury’.

There’s no doubt that this blow exacerbates Liverpool’s comparatively frail defensive depth, and may well see sporting director Richard Hughes forge ahead with plans to sign Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.

Liverpool emerged as leading contenders for Guehi in June, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the Anfield side’s interest in the centre-back.

With just one year left on his current deal, the Reds are optimistic that they can sign the 25-year-old in a cut-price £40m package. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen.

Why Liverpool must sign Marc Guehi

It’s funny that Liverpool have spent so heavily this summer and yet still feel fragile and thin at the back.

And with the non-committal Konate entering the final year of his £70k-per-week deal, and with Real Madrid hoping to snap him up, it feels crucial that the Reds add a player of Guehi’s quality to their ranks.

The one-time Chelsea prospect has made quite the name for himself at Selhurst Park, playing 132 games in the Premier League and winning the FA Cup last season, keeping a clean sheet against Manchester City in the final.

Liverpool need a centre-back, but Guehi isn’t any old defender. He’s perfect for Slot’s expressive yet composed system, hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson as “England’s best player” at the 2024 European Championship and described as a “monster in defence” by reporter Bobby Manzi.

Indeed, as per FBref, Guehi ranked among the top 9% of centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues last season for goal contributions, the top 12% for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for through balls and the top 20% for successful take-ons per 90.

The 6 foot titan, not the tallest, made up for his so-called weakness in regard to stature by winning 63% of his ground duels in the Premier League last term, as per Sofascore, underscoring the kind of first-class defending Slot would be welcoming to his ranks.

There’s even a case to be made for Guehi being a more important signing than Isak.

Make no mistake, the Sweden forward is a world-class player. Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher even said that he was “the best striker in the Premier League” last season, and it’s praise that many would agree with.

Mohamed Salah, as is so often the case in the record books, was the only man to have outscored Isak in the league last year, and the Newcastle man played just 31 matches altogether, bespeaking his clinical style.

Now, while Isak would prove an incredible, level-raising signing, have Liverpool not already added Ekitike to their ranks? Data-led site FBref even reveal that the Newcastle man is one of Ekitike’s most statistically comparable players.

And with Liverpool already such a devastating attacking force, the French forward is in the perfect place to foster his burgeoning skills.

1.

Liverpool

1st

80

2.

Man City

4th

66

3.

Newcastle

3rd

65

4.

Arsenal

2nd

63

5.

Tottenham

16th

62

However, Liverpool are but a Van Dijk injury away from disaster at the back, and it would be inconceivable to enter the fresh campaign, primed to defend their title, having sold themselves short in spite of such heavy spending.

That’s why Guehi’s signature could prove such an important one for Slot’s vision. Gomez simply isn’t reliable enough to serve as the skipper and Konate’s deputy, having missed the entire second half of the 2024/25 campaign with a hamstring injury; he returned in May but failed to make it off the bench.

Liverpool know that they need to get their purse out once again this summer, turning away from the spending up front and fashioning a complete and deep defensive line.

There are many centre-halves who could make a difference, but Guehi would be the pick of the bunch, and he might even prove a more important signing than Isak when the campaign is well and truly underway.

Bigger loss than Diaz or Nunez: Barcelona charge into race for £70k-p/w Liverpool star

The Reds could lose a key man.

ByTom Cunningham Jul 26, 2025

أعرب الأرجنتيني دييجو سيميوني، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي أتلتيكو مدريد، عن غضبه واستيائه من الهزيمة أمام ليفربول ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وحقق ليفربول فوزًا مهمًا على حساب أتلتيكو مدريد بثلاثية مقابل هدفين في المباراة التي جمعتهما مساء الأربعاء، في الجولة الأولى من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، على “آنفيلد”.

وتحدث سيميوني عن المباراة في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية: “هناك عدة أمور، لم يبدأ الفريق بشكل جيد، لم يحالفنا الحظ بتسجيل ليفربول هدفا مبكرا، مما أخرجنا عن الطريق، ثم جاء الهدف الثاني، وكان هدفًا رائعًا لكن الفريق بروحه المعنوية وعمله المخلص وجودته العالية، بدأ في معادلة النتيجة، وخلق فرصا هجومية، وأثبتنا أننا قادرون على ذلك”.

وأكمل: “أنهينا الشوط الأول بنتيجة 2-1، وهو أمر مشجع، وفي الشوط الثاني رفعنا مستوى لعبنا أيضًا، وكنا أكثر هدوءً، واجهنا بعض الهجمات المرتدة لكننا حافظنا على هدوءنا، انتهت النتيجة بالتعادل 2-2 ثم سجل فان دايك هدفًا رائعًا، هذا يترك لنا مرارة الهزيمة ولكن أيضًا الروح التي نحتاجها للعب مع أتلتيكو”.

اقرأ أيضًا | فان دايك يكشف لغز أهداف ليفربول في الدقائق الأخيرة.. ويصرح: لاعبو أتلتيكو مدريد عدوانيون

وعما حدث للجمهور بعد هدف فان دايك، أردف: “دائمًا ما يتحدثون عن الاهتمام والاحترام لكنهم يهينونك من وراء الكواليس طوال المباراة، لا أستطيع قول أي شيء لأني المدرب، رد فعلي غير مبرر لكن بعد 90 دقيقة من الإهانات لم يكن الأمر سهلًا، أخبرني الحكم أنه فهم الموقف، آمل أن يتحسن ليفربول في هذا الجانب وعندما يحددون هوية الفاعل، ستكون هناك عواقب”.

واستطرد: “تلقينا إهانات طوال المباراة وإيماءات أيضًا، أنا من يجب أن أحافظ على هدوئي ويجب أن أتحمل الإيماءات والإهانات وأي موقف لماذا؟ لأنني في وضع يسمح لي بتحملها”.

وعن الجانب الإيجابي من المباراة كشف: “الروح المعنوية كانت ما نحتاجه، هناك الكثير من اللاعبين الجدد يتأقلمون، لعبنا على أرضية صعبة ضد خصم شجاع، يتقدمنا ​​2-0 في البداية، لم يكن متوقعًا أي شيء جيد لكننا استطعنا العمل والقتال وبذل أقصى جهد ممكن في المباراة، إذا كان علينا الخسارة، فلنخسر هكذا”.

After two days lost to the weather, Leicestershire finished on 264 for eight after their season-ending Vitality County Championship with East Midlands neighbours Derbyshire at last saw some action.With Derbyshire’s 17th Championship wooden spoon confirmed by Glamorgan’s victory over Gloucestershire, this match has little at stake beyond local pride, although Leicestershire could overtake Northamptonshire to finish fourth in Division Two.Leicestershire opener Sol Budinger will remember it at least for a career-best 87. There was a half-century, too, for Liam Trevaskis.Derbyshire’s spinners prospered in the final session of an 80-over day. Mitch Wagstaff, in his sixth first-class match, finished with two for 24 from his leg breaks, his best figures so far, with skipper David Lloyd picking up three wickets from his offies.Glamorgan and Gloucestershire, similarly hit by the late-September rain, forfeited an innings each to facilitate a positive result in Cardiff. For there to be a winner here, it may need a similar arrangement.After the downpours of the first two days, the start of day three was delayed until noon. On a green-tinged pitch, Derbyshire opted to bowl first after the toss had gone their way and should have had early wickets to show for it.But catching has not been their strong suit this season – not much has, by the evidence of the table. Ian Holland, on three and again on nine, plus Budinger on 42 were given lives in the hour of play before lunch.All three chances were created at the pavilion end. Holland was spilled by wicketkeeper Brooke Guest off Zak Chappell, before Martin Andersson saw Aneurin Donald give Holland his second let-off at gully and Budinger put down by Lloyd at first slip in his next over.At the other end, Budinger had profited from five boundaries in the same over as the 17-year-old pace prospect Harry Moore struggled to find the right length and Leicestershire were 54 without loss at the first interval.Holland, his luck plainly in, enjoyed a third escape not long after the restart, Guest again unable to cling on down the leg side as the former Hampshire all-rounder top-edged a pull on 28, Moore having returned at the more favourable end.They were not inexpensive mistakes. Budinger, a left-hander with natural ball-striking talent, reached 51 from 40 deliveries with his ninth four and went on to pass his previous first-class best of 72 with his 14th boundary. A maiden century looked his for the taking until, 13 runs away from it, he shaped to drive the left-arm seamer Luis Reece but somehow managed to spoon the ball into the hands of the bowler.The wicket was all-rounder Reece’s 200th in all formats for Derbyshire to go with more than 8,000 runs. He is the first to achieve both those milestones for the county since Dominic Cork in the 1990s.Budinger’s partnership with Holland, which was worth four at the moment of the first dropped catch, had put on 120. Reece picked up his second wicket in the same spell when Holland cut straight to the man at backward point for 44.Lewis Hill, in his first appearance since announcing he would step down as captain at the end of the season, twice cut Chappell to the boundary before driving him handsomely down the ground for another but was adjudged leg before to Chappell – Derbyshire’s player of the year – just before tea.Harry Swindells, making only his second Championship appearance of the season, helped Trevaskis take the total beyond 200 but departed in comically dreadful fashion, ballooning an awful full toss straight to mid-on as Wagstaff took a wicket with his fourth delivery.Trevaskis completed his second half-century of the season before being bowled by Lloyd for 57, before Ben Mike and Ben Green were both caught behind to give the two spinners another wicket apiece, Lloyd picking up his third as Tom Scriven was leg before sweeping.

Kent look set to go down after visitors rack up 393 for 6

ECB Reporters Network17-Sep-2024Nottinghamshire took a hefty stride towards safety in Division One of the Vitality County Championship by reaching 393 for 6 at stumps after a dominant first day against Kent at Canterbury.Openers Ben Slater and Haseeb Hameed demoralised the division’s basement side with a stand of 196 for the first wicket: Slater made 160 from 217 balls, with 22 fours, while Hameed made a more pedestrian 56 from 142.Jack Haynes then inflicted further punishment with 62 and Nottinghamshire, who began the day in eighth, were aided by a total of 37 extras, 30 of which came from no-balls.Games at the Spitfire Ground have followed a pattern for Kent fans this season: a slow erosion of hope during the first innings before despair sets in during the second; there’s admirable but futile resistance in the third and then defeat in the fourth, if it goes that far.Last week’s trend-bucking draw with Hampshire at least allowed members a micro-measure of optimism going into this “48-pointer”, but even that had gone within the first half hour. In a pivotal game for both sides’ chances of staying in the division, Kent chose to bowl, only for Notts to race to 50 in just 53 balls.Kent handed a home debut to Akeem Jordan, but his first three overs went for 36 and he was replaced at the Pavilion End by Nathan Gilchrist.Slater was on 41 when he slashed at George Garrett, only for Jack Leaning to drop him at second slip and his 50 came after a misfield from Jordan. It was 134 for 0 at lunch, and the afternoon was only slightly less lopsided. Slater cracked Gilchrist through point for four to reach three figures and Hameed steered Jordan through third man to bring up his 50, before their stand was finally ended when Joey Evison bowled the latter.Freddie McCann then walked after he edged Gilchrist to Leaning for 8, although replays suggested it may not have carried, and Joe Clarke went for 18 when he pulled George Garrett to Gilchrist at deep fine leg, leaving Notts on 271 for 3 at tea.Leaning had Slater caught at first slip by Tawanda Muyeye but Haynes and Lyndon James responded with a partnership of 60 before Haynes was caught off a bottom edge by Muyeye off Gilchrist.James then fell to Jordan for 34 in the penultimate over, given out caught by Muyeye after a lengthy consultation by the umpires, leaving Luke Fletcher and Dane Schadendorf to bat through to stumps on 10 and 8 respectively.

Leeds United now want to sign an “amazing” attacker who was once the top goalscorer in the Europa League, according to a new report.

Leeds chasing new attacking signings after Nmecha

The Whites have already added Lukas Nmecha as an attacking signing to their squad this summer, but it appears, given recent speculation, that Daniel Farke is keen to add more options to his forward line.

49ers now weighing up Leeds move to sign "electric" £20m+ Ligue 1 striker

Contact has already been made by the Whites.

2

By
Brett Worthington

Jul 13, 2025

Lecce centre-forward Nikola Krstovic remains a mooted target for the Yorkshire side, and it has been claimed they could be ready to make a new offer for the striker. But the Championship title winners do face a problem, as Krstovic is reportedly keen on either staying in Italy or playing for a team competing in Europe.

Meanwhile, Graeme Bailey has revealed that Leeds are also eyeing a move to sign Josh Sargent from Norwich City. The USA international has worked with Farke before at Carrow Road, and the German is thought to be keen to reunite with the player once again, but they face stiff competition, as fellow Premier League rivals Burnley are also keen on striking a deal.

But the list of attacking options doesn’t stop there, as the Whites are even considering a move to sign Evann Guessand, who is expected to leave OGC Nice this summer. Leeds reportedly made contact with the player last month, but they face competition from fellow Premier League teams Sunderland and Brentford.

Leeds want to sign "amazing" attacker who was once Europa League top scorer

As well as a new striker, Farke is also looking at improving his attacking midfield options, and according to RMC Sport, relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds are interested in signing Yusuf Yazici from Greek side Olympiacos.

The attacking midfielder only joined the Greek giants in September last year, but given he only made one appearance before suffering an injury that has seen him on the sidelines for eight months, he could now be on his way out. Despite his injury, Yazici is attracting transfer interest, as the Whites and an unnamed French side are keen on signing the 28-year-old.

It is unclear how much Yazici could cost Leeds, but he is still under contract until 2027. The Turkey international is very versatile, as he can operate anywhere as an attacking midfielder, right-winger or centre-forward. In fact, despite his main position being an attacking midfielder, Yazici surprised many during the 2020/21 season, as he finished the Europa League campaign as the top goalscorer with seven goals for Lille.

In the past, Yazici has also impressed many high-profile players, with former Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Özil labelling Yazici as an “amazing” number 10. Ozil said: “Yusuf Yazici is an amazing No. 10. We have a lot of similarities his left foot, his position, his passing, and his calmness on the ball.”