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No one seems to be talking up South Africa’s chances, but Bavuma’s side head into the T20 World Cup in very good form

Firdose Moonda20-Oct-2021

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This is the first time South Africa will enter a major tournament completely under the radar. Unlike in the 1992 World Cup, they are not a new inclusion, who the world is waiting to see. Unlike at the 1999 World Cup or 2009 T20 World Cup, they don’t appear to have the potential to boss the event and unlike at the 2015 World Cup, theirs is not a squad filled with superstars. This is a group of industrious players, who are considered adequate without being outstanding, and who very few people expect to return home with a trophy. That means the usual World Cup pressure is off, but there are many others to consider.This is also the first time South Africa are being led in a major tournament by a black African. Temba Bavuma was appointed in March, has enjoyed relative success but is coming into the competition after suffering a broken thumb on South Africa’s last tour, to Sri Lanka in August. He is expected to be fully fit for their opening match and will want to lead from the front, especially as he follows a successful first black African rugby captain, Siya Kolisi, under whom South Africa won the 2019 World Cup.Bavuma’s race is important because South Africa have only just begun to reckon with the implications their segregated past has had on this sport and will continue to do so through the tournament. Cricket South Africa’s Social Justice and Nation-Building hearings resume on the same day the tournament starts – October 18 – and is expected to provide significant disruption. After a two-month recess, testimony will now be heard from those who were adversely implicated in the first round held between July and August. This includes current director of cricket, Graeme Smith, and the current national coach, Mark Boucher, who has already submitted a responding affidavit.

Recent form

As good as it can be. South Africa enter this tournament on the back of three successive series wins, albeit that two were not against teams in the main draw. But, say what you like about them beating Ireland and Sri Lanka, you can’t scoff at their 3-2 victory over a full-strength West Indies, who are also the defending champions.

Batting

South Africa have often appeared a batter short in this format, choosing to fill the XI with bowling options and top-load the line-up with openers. This squad includes four – Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks – and there is only room for three in the XI, while being light on middle-order hitters and big-finishers. If the top three or four come off, South Africa have been able to post decent totals and chase targets but if their innings starts poorly, recovery has proved challenging. In particular, the time it takes Rassie van der Dussen to get going and David Miller’s form are the biggest concerns.Temba Bavuma is expected to be fully fit for their opening match•AFP/Getty Images

Bowling

The era of the fast bowler has evolved into an embrace of the slower stuff for South Africa, and they have included three specialist spinners in this squad. Two of them, Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj, are almost certain starters but none of the trio is a genuine allrounder. Instead, South Africa will choose between seam-bowling allrounders Dwaine Pretorius and Wiaan Mulder, which could only leave room for two out of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje. The seamers have all learnt the value of pace off the ball, but they’ve been criticised for not bowling the yorker to good effect, especially at the end of an innings. And therein lies South Africa’s real issue: they have no designated death-bowler, with Andile Phehlukwayo confined to the reserves and Sisanda Magala not picked.

Player to watch

A worthy successor to Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi has both the crazy celebrations and the ability to control the game and has emerged as South Africa’s trump card in shorter formats. Since 2019, Shamsi has enjoyed a more sustained run in the national team and has become consistent in delivering his stock ball while also perfecting his variations, particularly the googly. He has moved from being an out-and-out attacking bowler to one who is comfortable with a containing role if need be. Shamsi is the leading T20I wicket-taker in 2021 and could extend his lead with a good T20 World Cup.

Key question

Usually, South Africa go into major tournaments with only this question: Is this the one?This time, with much less expectation and no one really expecting them to win the tournament, the real question is: how bad could it get? South Africa had their worst result at a major tournament in the 2019 World Cup, which led to Ottis Gibson’s termination a brief flirtation with the idea of a team director (Enoch Nkwe was appointed in an interim capacity for the tour to India in 2019) before a coaching overhaul, in which Boucher was installed. It’s been a bumpy ride for Boucher with inconsistent results and the shadow of the SJN looming, and a first-round exit could spell trouble for him. On the flip side, if South Africa reach the knockouts and, don’t say it too loudly, the final, it could be a major turning point for cricket in this country.

Likely XI

1. Quinton de Kock, 2 Temba Bavuma (capt), 3 Aiden Markram, 4 Rassie van der Dussen, 5 David Miller, 6 Heinrich Klaasen, 7 Wiaan Mulder, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Anrich Nortje/Lungi Ngidi, 11 Tabraiz Shamsi

Questions surround some of the long-term futures of Arsenal’s stars, with Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta poised for tough decisions.

The Gunners are preparing for a relatively quiet January transfer window, as is usually the case for them, following their hefty £267 million summer spending spree, but a few notable first-team players could still depart the Emirates Stadium as Arteta continues refining his squad.

Gabriel Martinelli, who’s currently racing to be fit for Arsenal’s looming North London derby on Sunday, has emerged as the most high-profile potential departure.

The Brazilian winger has slipped down Arteta’s pecking order following the summer arrivals of Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, according to The Mail, with Arsenal apparently prepared to entertain significant offers for Martinelli.

Arsenal haven’t actively pushed for Martinelli’s departure, but there’s been little in the way of contract extension talks, suggesting the club are open to different options.

Arsenal’s unbeaten run in all competitions since defeat to Liverpool
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
Burnley 0-2 Arsenal
Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

His current deal runs until 2027 with an option for a further year, meaning Arsenal hold a strong negotiating position. Interest from Saudi Arabian clubs and Bayern Munich has been mooted, though Martinelli himself has shown little desire to leave the Emirates, and even stated back in 2022 that he’d stay his “whole life”.

Meanwhile, it is believed that Arsenal would be open to offers for Ben White, despite Arteta’s admiration of the right-back. The competition for places at full-back, combined with his fitness woes, has limited White to just one Premier League game all season.

Leandro Trossard penned new and improved terms at Arsenal recently, but this didn’t include an actual extension, so with his deal expiring in 2027, the BBC suggest that Arsenal could decide to sell the 30-year-old, despite him being one of their best attackers this season with four goals and four assists in all competitions.

Another player who could leave Arsenal in January is Ethan Nwaneri, though the club has zero intention of letting him go permanently.

The 18-year-old wonderkid has managed just 163 Premier League minutes this season despite his obvious talent, with Eze’s arrival limiting opportunities further. A temporary loan move could be sanctioned to accelerate his development, though Arsenal remain extremely high on his long-term potential following the five-year contract he signed last summer.

Then, there is the matter of Gabriel Jesus, who is out of contract in under two years.

Gabriel Jesus makes Palmeiras admission amid doubts over Arsenal future

Jesus is back in training and working his way back from an ACL injury he picked up against Man United at the start of 2025, and Arteta has expressed how he cannot wait to welcome their ‘unpredictable’ weapon back on the field.

However, the 28-year-old has also confirmed his interest in joining Palmeiras after his spell at Arsenal, with Jesus making another admission to Globo Esporte.

The Brazil international told the South American media outlet, via Standard Sport, that he’s informed Palmeiras players of his intentions to eventually join them.

Interestingly, The Mail reported recently that Arsenal could be open to bids for Jesus in the new year, so his return to Palmeiras may even come sooner than he’d expected if they can foot the bill.

The former Man City star is currently on £265,000-per-week in N5, so the Brazilian Serie A side would need him to take a dramatic pay decrease for this move to be possible.

If not, it is certainly one to watch for the future.

Hardik Pandya is set to make a comeback to T20Is when India’s selectors pick the squad for the five-match series against South Africa on Wednesday. There are doubts about the availability of Shubman Gill, India’s T20I vice-captain.The Gill question is likely to be top of the agenda for the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel when they meet in Raipur, where India play South Africa in the second ODI.In Gill’s likely absence, Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the possible contenders to open the innings with Abhishek Sharma. While Samson was in the recent T20I squad that toured Australia, he played only two out of the five matches and batted only once – at No. 3. Jaiswal was not part of that squad.Gill had hurt his neck while batting in the first innings of the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, where he retired hurt and played no further part in the match. He missed the second Test too – which India lost to concede the series 2-0 – and the ongoing three-match ODI series against South Africa as well.It is understood that Gill’s injury involves a pinched nerve, and as per the initial timeline drawn up by BCCI medical staff, he would need to rest for a minimum of five weeks before resuming training. He arrived at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Monday to continue his rehab.The selectors are also likely to consider Riyan Parag for a slot in the 15-member squad. Parag last played for India in a T20I series against Bangladesh in 2024 and is currently leading Assam in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.Both the selectors and the Indian think tank will be happy about Hardik’s successful return – he led Baroda to a victory against Punjab on Tuesday in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy – having successfully recovered from the left quadricep injury he suffered during the Asia Cup in September. Hardik took 1 for 52 in four overs and scored a match-winning 77 not out in his first competitive game in more than two months. He had missed the five-match T20I series in Australia in October-November, which India won 2-1 with two washouts.The T20I series against South Africa begins on December 9 in Cuttack – after the ODI series ends on December 6 – followed by games in New Chandigarh (December 11), Dharamsala (December 14), Lucknow (December 17) and Ahmedabad (December 19).India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, are currently the top-ranked T20I team, while South Africa are in fifth place.

MatériaMais Notícias

Enfim a Seleção Brasileira está completa para a disputa da Copa América. Na tarde desta quarta-feira (5), Vini Jr, Rodrygo e Éder Militão se apresentaram após a conquista do título da Champions League, com o Real Madrid.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Vini Jr, autor do segundo gol do Real Madrid na final, que garantiu o título da Champions, apareceu com um visual novo. Agora, o atacante está usando tranças no cabelo.

Nas suas primeiras palavras após chegar em Orlando, nos Estados Unidos, Vini Jr projetou o título da Copa América com a Seleção. Além disso, o atacante do Real Madrid externou toda a felicidade ao se juntar ao grupo.

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Não fui campeão ainda, não tenho nenhum título pela Seleção, espero que seja agora

---

afirmou Vini Jr

– Nós estamos nos preparando muito bem para esse momento. A geração vem muito forte para ganhar grandes coisas com a Seleção – emendou o atacante do Real Madrid.

– Estou muito feliz de chegar aqui em Orlando e me juntar com todo o elenco, com toda a comissão técnica. A gente tem que fazer de tudo para ter uma boa preparação e logo em seguida uma ótima Copa América.

O trio Vini Jr, Rodrygo e Éder Militão perdeu os cinco primeiros treinos comandados por Dorival Jr. A partir desta quarta-feira, o técnico terá a possibilidade de esboçar a equipe que vai enfrentar o México no sábado (8).

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De todos os convocados, o zagueiro Gabriel Magalhães é dúvida. O jogador sofreu uma lesão no ombro direito e ainda não voltou a fazer exercícios de mais impacto com o grupo.

🗒️ CONVOCADOS POR DORIVAL JR:
Goleiros: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Athletico-PR) e Rafael (São Paulo);
Laterais: Danilo (Juventus), Yan Couto (Girona), Guilherme Arana (Atlético-MG) e Wendell (Porto);
Zagueiros: Beraldo (PSG), Bremer (Juventus), Éder Militão (Real Madrid), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) e Marquinhos (PSG);
Meias: Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Éderson (Atalanta), João Gomes (Wolverhampton) e Lucas Paquetá (West Ham);
Atacantes: Endrick (Palmeiras), Evanilson (Porto), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Pepê (Porto), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Savinho (Girona) e Vini Jr (Real Madrid).

*Ederson, goleiro do Manchester City foi cortado, e Rafael, do São Paulo, entrou no lugar. Bremer (Juventus), Ederson (Atalanta) e Pepê (Porto) foram convocados depois da Conmebol ampliar a lista de 23 para 26 jogadores.

Tudo sobre

Éder MilitãoFutebol NacionalRodrygoSeleção BrasileiraVini Jr

خاض فريق إنتر ميامي، بقيادة النجم ليونيل ميسي، مباراته في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الأمريكي نسخة 2025، في الساعات الأولى من صباح يوم الأحد، وذلك ضد نظيره فريق نيويورك سيتي.

واستضاف ملعب “لوكهارت” مباراة فريقي إنتر ميامي ونيويورك سيتي، في نهائي مرحلة البلاي أوف للقسم الشرقي، حيث حققت كتيبة خافيير ماسكيرانو فوزًا بخمسة أهداف مقابل هدف.

وتمكن إنتر ميامي من تسجيل الهدف الأول، في الدقيقة 14 من عمر الشوط الأول من المباراة، عن طريق اللاعب تاديو أليندي، الذي عاد لتسجيل الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 23 بعد تمريرة من جوردي ألبا.

وقلّص نيويورك سيتي الفارق بعدما سجل هدفًا في الدقيقة 37 عن طريق جاستن هاك، ولكن إنتر ميامي سجل الثالث في الدقيقة 67 عن طريق ماتيو سيلفيتي بعد أسيست من ليونيل ميسي.

وفي الدقيقة 83 سجل تيلاسكو هدف إنتر ميامي الرابع، في حين سجل أليندي الهدف الثالث له، هاتريك، والخامس لفريقه في الدقيقة 89.

بتلك النتيجة، تأهل إنتر ميامي إلى نهائي بطولة الدوري الأمريكي نسخة 2025 حيث سيلتقي مع الفائز من نهائي مرحلة البلاي أوف للقسم الغربي، الذي سيجمع بين فريقي سان دييجو وفانكوفر وايت كابس، التي ستُقام بعد قليل.

وستُقام مباراة نهائي بطولة الدوري الأمريكي لذلك الموسم مساء يوم السبت المقبل، 6 ديسمبر.

Ashmini Munisar’s 3 for 21 including a maiden went in vain after she brought back Amazon Warriors into the contest

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Sep-2025

Barbados Royals completed the three-peat in the WCPL•Randy Brooks/CPL T20/Getty Images

Barbados Royals seemed down and out with 27 needed off 16 balls. With just three wickets in hand, Shreyanka Patil, batting for the first time in WCPL 2025, walked in to face the hat-trick ball. She reverse hit the first two balls she faced to release the pressure. Aaliyah Alleyne then hit a four and a six in the following over that went for 15. And soon after, Royals were rejoicing as they had not just registered a come-from-behind win in the title clash against Guyana Amazon Warriors, but also completed a three-peat in the WCPL.While Royals soaked it all in – team-mates rushing to try and get Alleyne, who was flat on her back after hitting the winning run, up on her feet – Amazon Warriors’ Ashmini Munisar couldn’t contain her tears. She was involved in four of the seven Royals dismissals and picked up 3 for 21 in her four overs that included a maiden.It was Munisar, 21, who turned the game on its head with a wicket-maiden in the 14th over of the chase. She dismissed the set Kycia Knight for 31 off 37 balls to leave Royals needing 56 off 36 balls. In her last over, the 18th of the chase, she got rid of Courtney Webb, who was controlling the chase with her 27-ball 31. With her next ball, Munisar got Afy Fletcher stumped to pick up her eighth wicket in the competition, the joint-highest. She had earlier taken a stunning catch at backward square-leg to remove the dangerous Chinelle Henry, Royals’ captain in Hayley Matthews’ absence. But Patil and Alleyne scored the remaining 27 runs in just 14 balls to etch their names on the trophy again.Ashmini Munisar kept Amazon Warriors’ hopes alive with 3 for 21•Randy Brooks/CPL T20/Getty Images

The start of each innings highlighted the contrast in the batting between the two sides. Chamari Athapaththu hit two fours in the opening over of the 137-run chase, including one on the first ball. Royals hit eight fours in the powerplay whereas Amazon Warriors earlier hit their first on the 20th ball, and just four fours in the first six overs.Opting to field, Royals managed to keep Amazon Warriors in check despite not picking up a lot of wickets. Opener Amy Hunter, who finished second on the run-scorers’ charts, hit just four despite batting till the 13th over. Stafanie Taylor was on 15 off 12 balls when she had to be stretchered off with a leg injury. She did not participate in the game after that.Laura Harris looked Amazon Warriors’ best batter, hitting two fours and a six in her eight-ball 18 before missing the line against Alleyne’s in-ducker. Their total only gained some respectability thanks to the unbroken 56-run partnership between captain Shemaine Campbelle and Dane van Niekerk.Royals were off to a fluent start with Player of the Tournament Athapaththu leading the way. Even after she fell, Knight and Webb kept up with the ask. Unbeaten through the competition, a collapse of 5 for 29 briefly threatened to undo Royals’ good work. Munisar was threatening to make it a happy ending for her. Only for Alleyne and Patil to deny her.

Dean Huijsen has stepped forward to defend Lamine Yamal and Vinicius Jr, insisting both stars face unfair levels of scrutiny as media pressure intensifies around Barcelona and Real Madrid. The 20-year-old Madrid centre-back discussed the growing noise around Spanish football, calling for balance as the national team head into crucial World Cup qualifiers without the injured Yamal.

• Yamal & Vinicius criticism increases after dramatic Clasico

  Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Madrid in October saw Yamal embroiled in clashes with Dani Carvajal and surrounded by controversy after the final whistle. The 18-year-old faced criticism for his conduct, while his personal life has also garnered much attention, having faced scrutiny over a birthday party controversy and much speculation surrounding his recently ended relationship with Nicki Nicole.

  Meanwhile, much has been said of Vinicius Jr's visible anger after being substituted by Xabi Alonso in El Clasico, a moment that fuelled fresh doubts about his long-term future at the club amid reported tensions with the new Madrid boss. Huijsen, however, feels the media buzz that surrounds both players crosses the line as he leapt to the defence of both stars.

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  Huijsen defends Real Madrid and Barcelona stars

  In an interview with , Huijsen said: “Lamine is a normal kid, he’s 18 years old. Sometimes things get blown out of proportion. The same goes for Vinícius: he’s an incredible player and a really good guy, but when he does the smallest thing he gets criticised too much."

  He added a direct message to the media: “If we deserve criticism, then criticise us, but many times it goes too far.”

  The ex-Juventus and Roma defender addressed the intense spotlight he now lives under as a Madrid footballer, and said: “Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, it’s normal that there’s so much talk. I don’t read the press. I live my normal life, I go to training, I go home, and that’s it… I don't have a girlfriend. I only post football-related things on social media. Playing PlayStation is what relaxes me the most."

• Young defender feels the pressure at the Bernabeu

  Huijsen’s rapid rise in 2025 has been nothing short of remarkable. The 20-year-old joined Los Blancos in the summer after an impressive season in the Premier League with Bournemouth. He immediately became a key player under new coach Alonso, having started all 13 matches he has been available for across La Liga and the Champions League so far and becoming a regular in the starting XI for the national team under Luis de la Fuente.

  Madrid, who sit at the top of La Liga with a refreshed squad under Alonso, continue to face huge expectations, and Huijsen has learned quickly what pressure looks like inside Valdebebas.

  He also acknowledged what it means to have an off-day at Madrid: “At Real Madrid, if you have a bad game, it creates panic, but the season is long. You have to stay calm.”

  This pressure is magnified for personalities like Vinicius Jr, whose every reaction is dissected. Yamal, meanwhile, is now navigating a similar reality at Barcelona, becoming a generational hope for club and country at just 18. Both players remain key to their clubs’ attacking identities, and Huijsen’s message suggests that even teammates recognise the media’s tendency to exaggerate narratives around them.

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  Spain push ahead without Yamal in decisive World Cup qualifiers

  La Roja return to action with World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey this week, but without Yamal, who was withdrawn from the squad after undergoing invasive radiofrequency therapy to treat his ongoing pubalgia.

  Huijsen shared his understanding of the Barcelona winger’s situation: “He has some discomfort and it’s normal for him to go home, I did it too.”

  The teenager is expected to recover fully, but his absence means Spain will rely heavily on their emerging talents, Huijsen among them as they continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

Allrounder’s batting cameo at the death helps take home side beyond Gloucestershire’s reach

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay18-Jul-2025Ben Green conjured up an incisive performance with bat and ball as Somerset beat arch rivals Gloucestershire by 16 runs in a hard-fought Vitality Blast encounter beneath the Cooper Associates Ground floodlights.So often an unsung hero in the short format, Green top-scored with 36 not out from 22 balls with three sixes and dominated a crucial unbeaten stand of 42 for the eighth wicket with Craig Overton as Somerset posted 164 for 7 on a turning pitch after winning the toss.He then returned figures of 1 for 27 from four overs as Gloucestershire, buoyed by another half-century from overseas star D’Arcy Short, were restricted to 148 for 8, much to the delight of a sellout Taunton crowd.Gloucestershire skipper Jack Taylor claimed 3 for 19 with his offbreaks and his brother, Matt, 2 for 11 as the visitors made Somerset graft on a used surface. In the final analysis, Green’s heroics at the death made the difference in an uncharacteristically low-scoring contest.Short finished unbeaten on 71 from 52 balls with five fours and three sixes for Gloucestershire, while Jake Ball took 2 for 20 in four overs as Somerset, who had already secured a home quarter-final, finished their qualification campaign with 11 wins in 14 outings.Accustomed to scoring freely in powerplays at Taunton, Somerset did not have things entirely their own way against the nagging accuracy of Gloucestershire’s seamers. Tom Lammonby and Will Smeed came out breathing fire, only to fall to left-armer Matt Taylor as the home side were reduced to 46 for 2 in the sixth. Lammonby mustered a six and a four in raising 15, only to drill a length ball straight to midwicket, while Smeed plundered 20 off a Josh Shaw over before losing off stump to a Taylor inswinger and departing for 29.Tom Smith claimed 1 for 29 on his final outing as a professional•Getty ImagesMaking his final appearance for Gloucestershire before retirement, spinner Tom Smith lured James Rew into a trap, having the young left-hander held on the long-on boundary for 19 with the score 79 for 3 in the ninth. Trusting in pace off on a used pitch, the visitors introduced Ollie Price’s offbreaks at the River End in a bid to stifle Somerset’s renowned firepower. He struck in his first over, Tom Kohler-Cadmore feathering a catch behind and falling for 21 as the cider county reached halfway on 91 for 4.Bowling legspin, Jack Taylor then got in on the act, taking a looping return catch to remove Somerset skipper Lewis Gregory for 6 as the home side lurched to 105 for 5 in the 13th. Having scratched 14 runs, Sean Dickson then succumbed to Gloucestershire’s captain in his next over from the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion end, playing across the line and missing a straight one with the score 114 for 6. On a roll by now, Taylor struck again in the 17th, persuading Lewis Goldsworthy to hit high to long-on as Somerset were further reduced to 122 for 7.When Green hoisted Jack Taylor over midwicket for six in the penultimate over, it was Somerset’s first boundary for nine overs. He twice repeated the feat against David Payne at the death, 22 runs coming from the final over as Green and Craig Overton raised a valuable unbeaten eighth wicket alliance of 42 in 21 balls.Overton opened up with a maiden over, but Short and Miles Hammond both helped themselves to sixes in the second, bowled by Gregory, as Gloucestershire’s reply received a welcome shot in the arm. Hammond then put Overton over the rope at deep midwicket, only to perish in the fourth over, bowled for 16 by a slower delivery from Ball. Debutant Tommy Boorman got off the mark with a pulled six at the expense of Overton, who immediately avenged himself, having the youngster superbly held by Gregory at cover as the visitors slipped to 36 for 2.Spinner Goldsworthy was called into the attack to bowl the eighth and Short lifted him for six over long-on as the over yielded 11 runs. Jack Leach did rather better when replacing him at the River End, persuading Ben Charlesworth to hole out to midwicket for 16, while Jack Taylor was run out next ball without scoring as Gloucestershire subsided to 66 for 4 at halfway.With the required rate rising to 11 for the first time, Gloucestershire were in need of a big over. It came in the 14th, Price taking Leach for a six and a four to keep his side in the hunt. But when Price offered Green a return catch in the next over, last season’s Blast champions were 102 for 5, requiring a further 63 from 35 balls. Short went to his fifth half-century in six innings from 42 balls, but Gregory returned to remove James Bracey as Somerset took a vice-like grip on proceedings.

Sachin Tendulkar wanted to ensure that the Pataudi name would remain wedded to India vs England men’s Test series. So together with the BCCI and the ECB, he came up with the idea that the winning captain be granted a medal in the former India captain’s honour.Previously, an India tour of England would involve them playing for the Pataudi trophy. But now, it has been renamed to Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, honouring Tendulkar and James Anderson. While taking pride in that, Tendulkar spoke of how he wanted to preserve the legacy of one of India’s greatest leaders.”I remember some time ago,” he told ESPNcricinfo, “when the Pataudi Trophy was retired by ECB and BCCI, and then a few months down the line, when I was informed about this – the trophy being named after the two of us – that came as a pleasant surprise. The call that I made immediately after that was to the Pataudi family and I spoke to them; [I] also spoke about keeping the Pataudi legacy alive, [and] said, ‘I’ll have some ideas. I will come back to you’.Related

• Tendulkar predicts 3-1 series win for India

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“I shared my thoughts with BCCI and ECB. I thought the outcome was very good. We decided that the Pataudi Medal of Excellence would be given to the winning captain because he was known for his leadership skills. The legacy is kept alive. I’ve always believed that someone who’s contributed to Indian cricket and cricket across the globe should always be respected and remembered.”The new trophy features imagery of Anderson and Tendulkar in action, along with their engraved signatures. They are the most-capped players in the history of Tests: Tendulkar played 200 matches, and Anderson 188.”It’s a reflection of our contribution to our respective nations in Test cricket,” he said. “I’ve played for 24 years, and Anderson played for 21 years. So both of us put together, it’s a substantial number of years – 45 years put together of international cricket, especially Test. That makes me feel happy. I know the appreciation is in a different way as naming the Trophy after us.””It’s a proud moment for me and my family to have this iconic series named after Sachin and myself,” Anderson said in a statement. “The rivalry between our two nations has always been something special – full of history, intensity and unforgettable moments.”To be recognised in this way is a real honour. I’m looking forward to seeing the next chapter unfold in England this summer. It promises to be compelling, competitive cricket – exactly what you’d expect from two great sides. This is elite sport at its finest.”Tendulkar, who first faced Anderson in Tests in 2006, said playing against the fast bowler was an “integral part” of his career, recalling the “challenging” times playing in tough conditions in England.”In 2003, I played against him in South Africa during the World Cup,” Tendulkar said. “In England, I played against him in 2007. But along the way, there have been many battles, and some ended up in a good result, some didn’t. But all in all, when you look back, you feel that I enjoyed those challenging moments, and that’s what one prepares for.”That journey was a beautiful [one], and in that, multiple experiences taught to me so much in life. And playing in England was an integral part of that, and Anderson was an integral part of it.”The first Test between India and England begins at Headingley on Friday.

It feels like it’s a bit late to say the wheels have come off for West Ham United.

The Hammers were knocked out of the League Cup in the second round and have lost four of their five Premier League games, by a combined score of 5-13.

It felt like it was more a matter of when, rather than if, Graham Potter was replaced in the London Stadium dugout.

Lo and behold, despite being put in front of the press on Friday afternoon ahead of their clash with Everton on Monday, he was given the boot on Saturday morning.

Nuno Santo was quickly announced as his replacement but with only a couple of days of training before the clash with the Toffees, it will be interesting to see if the Portuguese makes many widespread changes.

James Ward-Prowse could be one player who drops out as Nuno chases a debut win.

Why Ward-Prowse has to be dropped

West Ham spent around £30m to bring Ward-Prowse to the London Stadium in the summer of 2023, and considering he was sent on an unsuccessful short-term loan to Nottingham Forest last year, it’s been a failure of a move.

However, while the fans were desperate for Potter to drop the former Southampton star from the lineup, he continued to persist with the Englishman, something that arguably played a hand in his sacking.

The 11-capped Englishman has had a brilliant career in the top-flight, and there was a point at which his deadball abilities made him a genuine threat for the Saints, but those days are long gone.

Instead, the 30-year-old is now more of a hindrance in the middle of the park than anything else, unable to offer much in attack and not being anywhere near mobile enough to help out in defence.

We saw this duel problem on full display against Crystal Palace, as even though he took 61 touches and completed 41 passes, he amassed a combined expected goal and assists figure of just 0.25.

Minutes

90′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

61

Accurate Passes

41/48 (85%)

Crosses (Accurate)

5 (1)

Shots on Target

0

Ground Duels (Won)

6 (1)

Aerial Duels (Won)

3 (0)

Lost Possession

14

Fouls

3

Dribbled Past

2

On top of that, he lost five out of six ground duels, all three aerial duels, was dribbled past twice, lost possession 14 times and gave away three fouls.

It was a horror show, and one that should see him nowhere near the starting lineup for quite some time, especially as West Ham have a new midfielder who could come in and surely do a better job.

West Ham's ideal Ward-Prowse replacement

While there are a few options Nuno could go with on Monday evening, he has to start Soungoutou Magassa in place of Ward-Prowse.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The former AS Monaco ace is certainly still young and somewhat inexperienced compared to the Englishman, but he deserves a chance to show the fans what he can do tonight.

More importantly, though, he offers something the former Saints star no longer can: dynamism and quality.

According to respected analyst Ben Mattinson, the 21-year-old is blessed with a combination of “pure athleticism” and an ability to “spray passes wide out to the wings” because his “passing range is top.”

Moreover, Mattinson has claimed that “defensively there’s a high potential” in the youngster, which is borne out in his underlying numbers.

According to FBref, he ranked in the top 1% of midfielders in Ligue 1 last season for dribblers tackled, tackles plus interceptions, and ball recoveries, as well as the top 5% for tackles won and more, all per 90 minutes.

He also put up some promising attacking numbers as well, ranking in the top 9% for successful take-on percentage and the top 17% for passes into the final third, also per 90.

Tackles (Mid 3rd)

2.37

Top 1%

Dribblers Tackled

2.20

Top 1%

Dribbles Challenged

4.04

Top 1%

Tkl+Int

5.97

Top 1%

Ball Recoveries

7.90

Top 1%

Tackles

4.13

Top 2%

Interceptions

1.84

Top 4%

Tackles Won

2.20

Top 5%

Successful Take-On %

65.2%

Top 9%

Touches (Mid 3rd)

45.57

Top 12%

Tackles (Att 3rd)

0.53

Top 16%

Passes into Final Third

5.88

Top 17%

Switches

0.61

Top 17%

Aerials Won

1.14

Top 12%

In short, while he is nowhere near the finished product, the “elegant” Frenchman, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, already appears to be a better player than Ward-Prowse.

Therefore, for Nuno to elevate the chances of claiming all three points, he should drop the 30-year-old and start Magassa.