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In the match at Adelaide, Brian Lara took over as the leading runscorer in Test cricket, and faced Shane Warne, the leading wicket-taker. Has this ever happened before

Steven Lynch28-Nov-2005The regular Monday column in which Steven Lynch answers your questions about (almost) any aspect of cricket. We apologise for the lack of a column last week, which was caused by a family bereavement:

Leading run-scorer v leading wicket-taker, not happened since 1886-87. © Getty Images
In the match at Adelaide, Brian Lara took over as the leading runscorer in Test cricket, and faced Shane Warne, the leading wicket-taker. Has this ever happened before? asked Mathew Stephenson from Australia
It has happened … but not for a very long time. The last time the leading Test runscorer of the time faced the leading wicket-taker was back in 1886-87, in the first Test at Sydney, when Arthur Shrewsbury of England faced up to the Aussie “Demon”, Fred Spofforth. Going into that match Shrewsbury had 903 runs and Spofforth had 94 wickets. The last time the two record-holders were even in the same game was as long ago as 1903-04, at Melbourne, when Clem Hill and Hugh Trumble (in his last Test) both played for Australia against England.How many Test runs had Brian Lara scored when Sachin Tendulkar made his debut? asked Alvin Parish
That’s a nice easy one, because the answer is none – Tendulkar made his debut first, aged just 16, against Pakistan at Karachi in November 1989. Lara didn’t make his debut until 13 months later, also in Pakistan, in the third Test at Lahore in 1990-91. By then Tendulkar had scored 588 runs, in 11 Tests.What is the longest run of ODIs without losing? Did South Africa break the record recently? asked Johan van der Knaap from Kimberley
South Africa came very close: when they won the first match of the ongoing series against India at Hyderabad they had gone 20 ODIs without defeat. But they lost their next match, at Bangalore, to fall just short of the record of 21 – set by Australia in 2003, a run that included that year’s World Cup. For a longer list, click here.Which cricketer called his autobiography A Hell of a Way to Make a Living? asked Ben Forrest from Colchester
The man with the whimsical title was Ken Rutherford, the former New Zealand captain. His book was published by Hodder Moa Beckett in New Zealand in 1995. Actually New Zealand cricketers seem keen on zany titles for their books: Danny Morrison’s was called Mad As I Wanna Be, John Wright penned Christmas in Rarotonga, Ian Smith was Just a Drummer in the Band, while Gavin Larsen went for, er, Grand Larseny.I’ve often wondered, what are the top batting averages over a Test career, worldwide? I know that Don Bradman was 99-point-something. Is there anyone higher? asked Alf Lacis from Australia
You’ve proved a friend of mine wrong – he claimed that everyone in Australia knew Don Bradman`s exact batting average, which was 99.94! If he’d managed four runs in his final innings, rather than a duck, The Don would have averaged exactly 100. And, given a qualification of 20 innings, no-one comes close to him: next on the list is the South African Graeme Pollock, who averaged 60.97. The only others over 60 are the great West Indian George Headley (60.83) and the old England opener Herbert Sutcliffe (60.73). The highest current player is India’s Rahul Dravid, with 57.62, a whisker ahead of Sachin Tendulkar (57.25) and Jacques Kallis (57.07). For a full list of the highest Test averages, click here.I’ve been trying to find out about this but can’t: didn’t Shaun Pollock have some kind of dream debut with an English county side in the mid-1990s? I’m wondering, did I dream this up or is it true? asked Dilip D’Souza from India
No, you didn’t imagine it – Shaun Pollock made a sensational debut for Warwickshire in 1996. In his first match for them, against Leicestershire at Edgbaston, he took four wickets in four balls as Leicestershire crumpled to 9 for 5. He finished with 6 for 21 (and, not surprisingly, the Man of the Match award) as Warwickshire won by seven wickets.

Danielle Wyatt recorded the first-ever century by an England batsman in women’s T20Is to set up a record chase in the final T20I, a result that had no bearing on Australia’s hold on the Ashes

The Report by Daniel Brettig21-Nov-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsGetty ImagesDanielle Wyatt saw Beth Mooney’s blistering hundred and raised a barnstorming century of her own at Manuka Oval as England took the final Twenty20 match of a series that leaves the Ashes in Australian hands.In a last encounter thrilling for its high-scoring – the highest aggregate in all women’s T20 internationals – but also notable for signs of mental fatigue on both sides after seven matches in less than a month, the hosts seemed content with a tally of 2 for 178 built upon Mooney’s freewheeling 117 from 70 balls.However Wyatt’s response was bolder still, rattling England’s first ever T20I century from 56 deliveries in a victorious chase that was aided not only by captain Heather Knight’s typically mindful contribution, but also the dropping of no fewer than four catches by Australia.In the progression of the women’s game to full professionalism such lapses are likely, much as the advent of domestic T20 tournaments such as the IPL and BBL exposed domestic male players to hitherto unknown pressures from crowds and television cameras.ESPNcricinfo LtdRachael Haynes had been happy to win the toss for Australia as they fought to win the match and so claim the multi-format contest on points, having ensured the safety of the urn in the opening T20 at North Sydney Oval on Friday. Mooney was into stride quickly, taking a heavy toll on the usually exemplary Anya Shrubsole, who was so expensive as to only be called on for three overs costing 36.Alyssa Healy, Elyse Villani and Ellyse Perry all offered support, but it was very much Mooney’s show, backing up her equally arresting display in game one of the T20 matches. It left England with plenty to do, but a warm night under the Canberra lights and an effectively dead rubber as far as the Ashes were concerned gave Wyatt plenty of licence.She needed to show all her ability after three early wickets left England a decidedly wobbly 3 for 30, but a measure of Knight’s leadership was provided by how she did not panic, while also supporting Wyatt in her bolder approach. The dropped chances were telling in terms of mental fatigue, but they also served to let Wyatt carry on until the pursuit was all but completed.Like Shrubsole, the otherwise excellent contributions of Megan Schutt were somewhat sullied by a last game blowout. But the final win for England and the overall result for an Australian side shorn of Meg Lanning due to a shoulder surgery meant both sides could finish the night with happiness of different sorts.

Leicester City ramped up their preparations for the new Championship campaign this week with the signing of Callum Doyle on loan from Manchester City, but new head coach Enzo Maresca appears to be on the lookout for even more recruits.

Who are Leicester City signing?

The Foxes have so far brought in Doyle, Conor Coady and Harry Winks since being relegated from the Premier League in May, just seven years on from winning the competition.

Coady and Winks arrived from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur respectively for a combined fee of £17.5m, helping to offset the departures of James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Caglar Soyuncu among others.

The Foxes have been tipped to bring in another centre-back to potentially partner Coady, and TEAMtalk suggests Leicester are one of seven teams keeping tabs on Middlesbrough's Paddy McNair.

Middlesbrough are supposedly open to offers for the Northern Ireland international, who is on wages of around £20,000 a week at the Riverside Stadium, according to Capology.

What position does Paddy McNair play in?

McNair has shown his versatility across the past six seasons in the Championship with Sunderland and for his current side, the past five of those with the latter, having played at centre-back in central midfield and at full-back.

Indeed, as per WhoScored, McNair was used 28 times in the heart of defence last season, twice on the right and seven times in central midfield, making him a very versatile option for Maresca should he arrive.

As Boro boss Michael Carrick pointed out last season when praising McNair's "terrific" displays, it is at centre-back he prefers playing.

The 28-year-old can be trusted to do a job wherever he is fielded, with veteran Neil Warnock hailing him as the best player he has managed, while predicting he would be playing "at the very top" again one day.

It has not quite worked out that way just yet, but McNair is still clearly a man in demand, with promoted Premier League trio Luton Town, Sheffield United and Burnley also said to be interested.

McNair is particularly strong when it comes to his ability to move the ball forward from the back. As per FBref, he ranks in the top 4% of centre-backs for progressive carries (1.69 per 90) across the eight divisions most alike the Championship, and he is among the top 2% for progressive passes received.

Where the former Manchester United player let himself down last season was in terms of clearances per 90 (2.61) and interceptions per 90 (0.80), placing him among the bottom 4% and bottom 7% of centre-backs respectively.

Looking at Coady's figures from last season on loan at Everton, he averaged 3.78 clearances per 90 in the Premier League – only four team-mates could better that – and 0.60 interceptions.

Should they be paired together, it is likely that McNair will be the one tasked with taking the ball forward in a flexible formation – Pep Guardiola protege, Maresca is in charge, after all – while Coady will be more of a pure defender.

Either way, it will be one of the more experienced centre-back partnerships in the Championship should Leicester pull off the deal, and one with plenty of promise.

Jesse Lingard is gearing up for a return to football as the free agent continues to work out and train alone amid his search for a new club.

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Lingard a free agent since summerWinger training and working out aloneShared motivational post on social mediaWHAT HAPPENED?

The 30-year-old has been a free agent since he was released by Nottingham Forest at the end of last season. Lingard was unable to find a new team ahead of the current campaign but appears to be determined to get back into the game soon.

AdvertisementWHAT LINGARD SAID

The former Manchester United star posted images on Instagram of himself working out, adding the caption: "Gyming".

The England international included in his post a motivational quote that read: "Doors are opening for you. The wait wasn't punishment, it was preparation."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Lingard has regularly shared videos and images of his progress in training and the gym as he continues to wait for a new opportunity. He spent a month in Saudi Arabia training with Al-Ettifaq and even featured in a match for Steven Gerrard's team, but did not end up signing a permanent deal with the club and is back in England.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LINGARD?

With teams in the market to sign reinforcements as the January transfer window approaches, Lingard may field a few offers in the coming weeks and will hope to finally find a new side to continue his career.

After the Qalandars suffered their sixth defeat in six matches this season, McCullum suggested that a leadership change might be the best way forward

Umar Farooq09-Mar-2018Brendon McCullum, the Lahore Qalandars captain, has question the execution of his bowlers, and has offered to “offload” his captaincy in a bid to change the fortunes of the side, which has lost all six of its games this season. Effectively, Thursday night’s six-wicket defeat to Islamabad United was Lahore’s eighth straight loss going back to the end of last season. One of the most popular sides in the PSL is set to finish last for the third consecutive season.Lahore have played six different starting XIs this season, with their changes having no effect on their results. The biggest chance they have had was against Islamabad, when they had 163 – their biggest total so far – to defend but ended up losing with 14 balls to spare. With four games remaining Lahore aren’t mathematically out of contention for a spot in the playoffs but their chances are bleak.”Ultimately as captain you’re responsible for the performances. I feel like I’ve done the same things that I do in any team that I’ve led, but unfortunately that hasn’t resonated,” McCullum said. “So that’s the question we’ve got to ask tonight as well – whether it’s better offloading it to someone else and seeing if we can get better results. Doesn’t matter if you’re saying the right things, but if they’re not hitting home or the instructions aren’t being followed, then you’re always going to be pushing it uphill.”Lahore’s batting pattern has been similar throughout, with the openers making solid starts, the middle order collapsing, and the bowlers looking flat. They dropped Umar Akmal, one of their platinum picks, after five successive failures, allowing Anton Devcich to make his PSL debut. He smacked 62 off 42 balls to set up a fighting total. But Islamabad chased it down easily with the help of a 41-ball 77 from Luke Ronchi and Shadab Khan’s 32 off 24. When asked if Lahore’s total was 20 runs short, McCullum shot down the idea, ruing his bowlers’ performance instead.”No, not really. We bowled very poorly,” he said. “I thought it was a very, very good batting performance, set up by Anton Devcich in his first game, and [he] showed how hungry, competitive people are able to prosper. What we did after that, I was really disappointed with, to be honest. It’s not what we’re about and I don’t mind losing, but you expect to be hard to beat. We’ve got some questions to ask tonight and that’s all the way through.”He was particularly unimpressed with the lines they bowled to Ronchi, which he said had deviated from the tactics they had discussed before the match.”You can sit in bowling meetings all you want. You spend an hour today talking about bowling away from Luke Ronchi and then you proceed to run in and bowl at him every single ball, so there’s a disconnect there,” he said. “I don’t know what that is. It’s very hard on the support staff to prepare a team if guys aren’t prepared to listen, but if that’s the case, then we’re going to have to keep making changes, because there are young, enthusiastic guys in our team, which may be an opportunity, especially now since we’re out of the competition.”

Glasgow Rangers appear to have finally closed a deal for long-term Ibrox Jose Cifuentes this summer, with Football Insider reporting that they are set to confirm his signing in the early stages of next week.

How many games has Jose Cifuentes played?

The midfielder has played 19 times for his current club Los Angeles FC in the MLS this year and has already picked up where he left off last time around, with one goal and three assists to boot. It's helped to drag his side up to sixth in the standings, with the club finishing in second last year as well.

It was 2022 that proved to be his real standout year in the league, with the 24-year-old seemingly getting better as each campaign passes. Last year, he produced his best-ever goal contribution numbers, as he managed 13 in just 26 starts (seven goals, six assists). It meant that he ended the season with a rate of 0.50 goal contributions per 90 – one every other game.

He broke into double-digit figures in 2020 too, showing that it certainly wasn't just a one-off or a campaign where everything went right. His numbers have grown every year since he made his debut in 2016 at the tender age of just 16, and he has shown no signs of slowing down.

It's led to Rangers eagerly trying to sign him up for most of this summer, with the Gers trying desperately to sort out a deal that will bring him to the Scottish Premiership. Most recently, it seemed like a transfer was close and would be potentially completed this week.

Have Rangers signed Jose Cifuentes?

Now, according to Football Insider, things have advanced even more for Cifuentes. It now seems as though a full agreement have been reached and he will officially sign for Michael Beale's side – and be announced as a Rangers player – at the very beginning of next week.

It states that visas have been sorted and that a deal is now finally ready to go ahead – and it means that, come this time next week, he could be in Gers colours after a summer of long discussions over a deal for the midfielder.

It could be an excellent bit of business for the club too. LAFC general manager John Thorrington has spoken very highly of Cifuentes during his time with the club too, insisting that if he isn't "the most talented midfielder in the league" then he's certainly cutting it up there amongst them.

It shows that he is viewed as arguably one of the best in his area in the entire division – which is high praise considering just how many other central players there are in the MLS. Considering that he is only 24 years of age, it shows that he is already playing at the peak of his abilities with a career-high €12m Transfermarkt valuation – and you'd like to think there is room to get even better. If he can seal this move to Rangers and keep getting game time, then he could perhaps achieve the same feat in the Scottish Premiership.

Marc Overmars has been given a global ban by FIFA for "inappropriate messages" he sent to female colleagues during his time at Ajax.

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Overmars left Ajax in 2022Global ban now handed outHad been working for Royal AntwerpWHAT HAPPENED?

As per , Overmars has been given a global football ban by FIFA after being reported by the Dutch football association (KNVB), having previously been banned in the Netherlands for two years, with one year suspended, by an independent Dutch sports tribunal. He subsequently left Ajax in February of 2022 and had been working with Royal Antwerp, although it remains to be seen if he will be forced to resign.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT FIFA SAID

A statement from the governing body read: "FIFA can confirm that following a request by the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB), the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the sanction imposed by KNVB on Mr Marc Overmars to have worldwide effect."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The former Arsenal striker made his name with Ajax as a player, winning three league titles and the Champions League during his time with the Dutch club. He then moved to Arsenal, where he won the double, and finished his career with stints at Barcelona and the Go Ahead Eagles.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

A global ban being imposed is almost certain to affect Overmars' current employment status at Antwerp. He expressed remorse after leaving Ajax in 2022 and admitted to being "ashamed" as the messages he sent to his female colleagues were brought to light.

"Certainly for someone in my position this behaviour is unacceptable," Overmars added. "I now see that but it is too late. I see no other option but to leave Ajax."

Jurgen Klopp admits that news of Mohamed Salah picking up an injury on AFCON duty came as an unwelcome “shock” to those back at Liverpool.

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Reds forward away on international dutyLimped out of latest appearanceSet to undergo further medical testsWHAT HAPPENED?

The Egyptian forward is currently away with his country chasing down continental glory at the Africa Cup of Nations. He lasted less than 45 minutes in his latest outing at that event, with the 31-year-old winger limping off in a 2-2 draw with Ghana.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT KLOPP SAID ABOUT SALAH

Egypt boss Rui Vitoria says the problem is not “dangerous”, but Salah is due to undergo medical tests. Klopp has told reporters of learning that a talismanic part of his plans at Anfeld is nursing a knock: “We don't know anything about Mo. I spoke last night with him and (asked) how it is with his injuries. With these injuries they need further assessment, that's what they are doing now and we will know more. In that moment (it happened), it was a shock. I couldn't see it was like he was hit by something high intense and then go down. You can have these hamstring injuries in different ways, be he still felt it. We all know how rarely Mo goes off or needs to go off so it is definitely something, so we will see. There will be ultrasound and MRI and then we will see what Egypt plan. But it's too early.”

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Salah has missed Liverpool’s last two games, and could be absent for five in total. The Reds will not have any of their walking wounded back for a Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Sunday – despite seeing Trent Alexander-Arnold put his knee injury to the test during a visit to the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show in Milan – with Klopp adding: “Obviously he can walk on the catwalk! He is not ready but all are going in the right direction and getting closer. Some of them might be part of team training next week. I don't expect anybody back before then. If nobody else is out before, after Bournemouth and maybe for Fulham, we will see how the boys do but they are all close. Trent is close, Dom (Szoboszlai) is close, Robbo (Andy Robertson) is close. All are going in the right direction.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Alexander-Arnold could be back for the second leg of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final showdown with Fulham next Wednesday, but the Reds will have to cope without Salah for some time yet as they look to remain in contention for major silverware on four fronts in 2024.

Real Madrid are reportedly keeping tabs on Jude Bellingham's younger brother Jobe off the back of his impressive start to life at Sunderland.

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Jude Bellingham shining at MadridLos Blancos keeping tabs on JobeProgress at Sunderland not going unnoticedWHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Madrid are closely monitoring Jobe, who has scored four goals in 21 games for Sunderland this season. The report states the 18-year-old's rapid growth has not gone unnoticed and there are similarities between his and Jude's playing style. Moreover, the younger brother, who is 5cm taller than the England international, is seen as more versatile than his more illustrious sibling.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Older brother Jude has proven to be a remarkably successful signing for Madrid since swapping Borussia Dortmund for the Spanish giants in a £88 million ($110m) move, scoring 16 goals in 19 games. The 20-year-old is one of the best players in the world right now and Madrid will, perhaps, hope Jobe will follow in his brother's footsteps and secure his services along the way.

DID YOU KNOW?

Both Bellingham's came through Birmingham City's academy before moving on to pastures new. The Blues retired Jude's No. 22 shirt in appreciation for his contribution to the club when he signed for Dortmund in 2020.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR THE BELLINGHAMS?

Jude's Madrid side will take on Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday, whereas Jobe's Sunderland travel to Bristol City in the Championship on Saturday.

Real Madrid have been warned they must be cautious about signing a big name like Kylian Mbappe as the forward's arrival will not guarantee success.

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Madrid expected to sign MbappeWould be monumental transferClub warned to learn from 'mistakes'WHAT HAPPENED?

The Spanish giants are said to be closing in on a deal to land the French forward after he informed Paris Saint-Germain that he will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season. His signing could mark a new Galactico era for Madrid, recreating the time they signed Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham together. However, ex-Madrid star Ivan Helguera has warned they could end up failing to live up to their potential.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT HELGUERA SAID

Helguera said at a La Liga and DAZN event: "It could be, what happens is that you have to see the mistakes that were made , there were many figures and very good players… but nothing was won. In Madrid it is important to win every year. It is wonderful to have all those players, but you have to know how to balance with a good squad. For Mbappe to come to Real Madrid would be an impressive signing and upwards it would be difficult to beat."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Mbappe would be joining a a squad that already boasts the likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, as well as veteran stars Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Despite the quality at Carlo Ancelotti's disposal, the Santiago Bernabeu side failed to win La Liga or the Champions League last season.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MADRID?

The capital club are expected to seal the Spanish league title this season, and may also go on to claim their 15th European crown, while they work out a deal to bring Mbappe to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer transfer window.