Category Uncategorized

The stakes are higher than ever, and the stage is set for Jonny to be Jonny

Vithushan Ehantharajah04-Jul-2023The international schedule rightly gets a hammering for matches backing up on to one another. But all praise to it for ensuring we only have one more day of “spirit of cricket” discourse.Alex Carey’s Sunday stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s will have ideally run out of fumes by the time the third Test gets underway on Thursday. The actual cricket could not come back soon enough.That will certainly be how both protagonists feel. And though Carey might be the man in the sightlines of the frothier pearl-clutchers, he has the best insulation. The laws help keep the conscience clear, the 2-0 scoreline gives comfort of a job well done. One win away from enacting Australia’s first overseas Ashes win since 2001 keeping him focused.For Bairstow, things are not quite as clear cut. His mood is said to be pretty much as you would expect. And as such, his England team-mates are getting around him. On Tuesday evening, they head over to his house for a barbecue, which has become a loose tradition when the squad is up in these parts. Having numbers over will provide relief from the noise. But it would not be a surprise if some of them use the opportunity to wind him up a little further. Such is the situation England find themselves in, with three must-win games in a row, they need the angry Bairstow more than ever.Related

Cummins: England should focus on themselves, and not spirit of cricket

Broad to Cummins: 'All these boos are for you'

Travis Head claims Bairstow tried to dismiss him in a similar manner

Pope ruled out for rest of Ashes following shoulder dislocation

McCullum: Bairstow dismissal will 'galvanise' England in Ashes comeback bid

“Jonny does thrive off things like this,” Joe Root said on Tuesday at Headingley, a homecoming for both of them as well as Harry Brook. “Playing at his ground, I’m sure he will want to entertain the local crowd. I think it is set up nicely for him but you have still got to go and do it. You can bet your bottom dollar he will have the bit between his teeth.”When asked of Bairstow’s current mood, Root, who has played alongside Bairstow since Under-12 level at Yorkshire, opted for sarcasm: “No, he has been really placid,” before adding, “you can spot him from a mile off.” No one wears anger as obviously.The general awareness of Bairstow’s frame of mind is a good thing at a time like this. “Jonny is Jonny” is a phrase you often hear when asking after him. Essentially, an answer acknowledging the motivation of the question, with a knowing nod to how things are. Not too dissimilar from “it is what it is”.A rekindling of his talents in 2022 – 681 runs for the summer, four centuries, at an average of 75.66 – was down to Ben Stokes’s empathy, recognising exactly what Bairstow needs to thrive. After an eight-month spell out with a broken leg, Bairstow’s belief and ball-striking remain undimmed. But a reaction is needed from the most pugnacious cricketers going. No one wants it more than him, partcularly against these opponents.Bairstow has one of the more peculiar relationship with Australia. On statistics alone, they are a bit of an oddity, averaging more there (32.29) than he does over here (27.45). Both of his Ashes hundreds have been scored in Australia, a place where few modern English batters have excelled.His first taste of this rivalry came in 2013, playing the first four Tests in a forgettable 3-0 England win. A second, more bitter taste was around the corner during the 2013-14 whitewash. Bairstow, who replaced Matt Prior behind the stumps for the final two matches, was so on the periphery as England’s most successful collection of players of the modern era tore themselves apart that he often got mistaken for a Barmy Army supporter when walking the streets in team stash.Jonny Bairstow is back on home turf at Headingley•Getty ImagesThen there was the “headbutt” that wasn’t to Cameron Bancroft at the very start of the 2017-18 tour. A quieter 2019, saw him pitch in with an underrated 36 during the great Headingley heist, outscoring Stokes in a partnership of 86 for the fifth wicket.And then there was last Ashes, in 2021-22, when Bairstow was heckled and told to lose weight by an Australian fan as he returned to the pavilion at Sydney. He went on to score the only England century of the tour.The on- and off-field incidents of this series could end up trumping the lot. A fine opening knock of 78 was overshadowed by some lacklustre glovework, allowing Australia to triumph by two wickets in the first Test and restarting the Ben Foakes bandwagon.An over into the second, he was carrying a Just Stop Oil protester back to the Grandstand with one hand. Between that and idly strolling out of his crease was another tough spell as keeper, taking his byes this series to 31. He failed to make those runs up in front of the stumps, with an avoidable dismissal in the first inning as he punched Josh Hazlewood to mid-on for 16.Have we ever been more certain that Bairstow is going to do something this week in what will be his 93rd Test cap? His team-mates believe something special is in the offing.”You want to be watching every ball this week,” Root said. “There is always something in these big series and this is it I guess. And it would have to involve Jonny. What a week he had.”It was last year at Edgbaston that Bairstow previously dialled himself up to 11. He walked out against with England 44 for 3 after India had posted 416 in their first innings. Virat Kohli decided to engage Bairstow in some typically frosty back and forth. Bairstow responded with a 72-ball century and followed it up with an unbeaten 114 in the second innings to chase down 378.This time around, the stakes are even higher. An Ashes on the line, Australia and Australians gunning for him, Bairstow will step into his home ground with every corner mimicking the fervour of the Western Terrace knowing his country needs him more than ever before.The stage is set for Jonny to be Jonny.

Star seamer leaves Southampton after four fruitful seasons, and heads for club he originally signed for in 2020

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Feb-2025Mohammad Abbas, the Pakistan seamer, has swapped Hampshire for Nottinghamshire, where he will be available for six fixtures in the forthcoming Rothesay County Championship.Abbas, who has claimed 758 first-class wickets at an average of 20.66, will begin his stint in May, following the conclusion of Fergus O’Neill’s month-long spell with the side. He will then return to the club in September for the closing stages of the County Championship season.Abbas joins fellow seamer O’Neill and South Africa international Kyle Verreynne in agreeing terms as an overseas player for the upcoming red-ball campaign, with Conor McKerr (three-year contract) and Daniel Sams (Blast) having also joined the club ahead of the new season.He had originally agreed to join Nottinghamshire for the 2020 season, before his stint was curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic. He subsequently starred for Hampshire, claiming 180 wickets at 19.07 across four summers, with successive 50-wicket seasons in 2022 and 2023.In a statement, Hampshire explained that they had released Abbas due to a need to “rebalance their squad”, with James Vince’s retirement from first-class cricket meaning they are exploring options for an overseas batter.”Mohammad has consistently been one of the top performers in the County Championship and has unfailingly produced his very best for Hampshire time and time again,” Giles White, the men’s director of cricket said. “His character will be sorely missed in the dressing room and on the pitch, and everyone at the Club wishes him the very best in his career.Abbas’s first-class form earned him a recall to the Pakistan Test side against South Africa this winter. In total, Abbas has 101 international wickets in 30 matches across formats, while his domestic record also includes 79 wickets for Leicestershire between 2018 and 2019.”Trent Bridge is a special place to play cricket, so it will be great to call the ground home this summer – especially after not being able to come over and play for Notts five years ago,” Abbas said.”I’ve really enjoyed my time in the English game, and the squad at Notts is in an exciting place. There’s a good blend of young talent and senior players who’ve been around for a while and know their game really well, and I’m looking forward to contributing in any way that I can to their success.”Nottinghamshire’s head coach Peter Moores said: “Players of Mo’s experience and track record don’t come around all that often, so we’re really excited about what he can bring to us this summer.”His control and his ability to find a way of getting wickets on any sort of surface make him extremely valuable; he’s certainly been a tough opponent for us to face over the years.”We’ve already got an exciting group of bowlers at our disposal for the summer, and the addition of Mo’s craft and subtlety will add a different style of bowling to the rest of our attack.”

The No. 3 is now the batter under scrutiny heading into the World Test Championship final and tour of West Indies

AAP10-Feb-2025Selectors will wait to make a call on Marnus Labuschagne’s Test future as Australia brace for a batting squeeze in the World Test Championship final and beyond.It comes as in-form Steven Smith urged selectors to keep the faith in Labuschagne, saying it was not long ago he was in a similar predicament to the faltering No. 3.Related

• Green hopeful of Shield return and county cricket ahead of WTC final

• How Australia played like the home side in Asia masterclass

• Australia emerge from Test season with flying colours and new options

Labuschagne’s lukewarm form continued in Australia’s 2-0 series defeat of Sri Lanka with scores of 20 and 4 in his first two knocks. He looked to be finding his feet as he made an unbeaten 26 in a 37-run stand with Usman Khawaja that sealed victory in the second Test in Galle on Sunday.But despite that effort and handy half-centuries in Melbourne during the recent India series, Labuschagne has only made one century in his past 51 Test innings. Since the beginning of 2023, Labuschagne has averaged 31.54, well down on the 62.29 he managed across the four calendar years before then.The timing looks unfortunate with a glut of batting options available for the WTC Final against South Africa at Lord’s in June.Cameron Green is set to return to the selection frame as a middle-order option following back surgery, while Josh Inglis impressed with a century on debut in Sri Lanka.Sam Konstas is pushing for a recall after being ousted from the top to facilitate Travis Head’s shift from No.5 and Nathan McSweeney is vying for a first Test in his preferred middle-order spot.”It’s clear that we’ve got some players that have put their hand up, so there is a squeeze,” said coach Andrew McDonald. “Whoever misses out will be very unlucky.”Australia could change their XI around between the WTC Final and the three-match West Indies series that begins later in June. McDonald said it was “highly likely” the squads would be different for the two, but Australia will defer selection calls, including on Labuschagne, until closer to June.”England creates a different challenge and then off to West Indies, which can spin, it can also swing and seam,” McDonald said. “The beauty of it is we’ve got some time before we have to make some decisions.”It’s great to have options. Will they all be fit at that time? Who fits what conditions and when? I think that’s going to be the art of what transpires across the journey.”Smith remains confident Labuschagne is approaching a big score, sceptical about claims his close mate is even out of form. The stand-in captain went as far as to say he had recently been in a similar situation to Labuschagne, feeling at his best despite scores of 0, 17 and 2 to begin the home summer.Smith has since scored centuries in four of five Test matches since those lean figures against India and was player of the series against Sri Lanka.”Marn’s similar to me, in a way,” Smith said. “I’ve said this a lot of times about myself, there’s a difference between being out of form and out of runs. I don’t think he’s out of form, personally. I’ve watched him train, I’ve watched him play and a lot of the things that he’s done so well are there.”He knows he’d love to score more runs, we’d love him to score more runs, but in my opinion, it’s just around the corner.”

da dobrowin： Everton’s transfer business is starting to ramp up after a slow start to the window. Carlos Alcaraz is set to join on a permanent basis following a loan spell last season, while defender Kenny Tete is looking like the next summer arrival.

da realbet： David Moyes is also looking at signing a new centre-forward or two during the window. Villarreal star Thierno Barry is a player who could be close to sealing a move to Everton in the coming weeks.

These players will improve the current squad, but the newest player that Moyes is showing interest in would certainly trump them all.

Everton make enquiry for Ligue 1 sensation

With Moyes eager to bolster his first-team squad ahead of Everton’s maiden season at their new stadium, a marquee arrival would signify a statement of intent.

According to TEAMtalk, Everton have now made an enquiry about Lyon starlet Malick Fofana amid Lyon’s relegation from Ligue 1.

This decision could see the French side selling off their finest talent, something the Toffees have taken into consideration. They initially wanted £42m for the winger, but this fee might be dropped due to their financial crisis.

As many as ten Premier League clubs want to sign the youngster, indicating that Moyes has plenty of competition.

By landing the Belgian starlet, Moyes could sign Everton a bigger talent than Iliman Ndiaye.

Why Everton must sign Malick Fofana

Like Fofana, Ndiaye was at a Ligue 1 club before moving to Everton last summer. During his first season in the Premier League, he scored nine times, showcasing his talents on the big stage.

When compared to his peers in the top flight, Ndiaye also ranked in the top 6% for successful take-ons (2.52) and in the top 12% for interceptions (0.74) per 90. If he can build on these statistics next term, Ndiaye will be one of the club’s finest players.

There is no doubt that Fofana could be a bigger talent, however. The 20-year-old scored 11 goals and grabbed six assists for Lyon last term, enjoying a stunning breakthrough season in France.

Hailed as a “game-changer” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Fofana was at his best in the Europa League last season.

Malick Fofana’s stats in the Europa League last season

Goals

6

Assists

1

Big chances created

1

Key passes per game

1

Goal conversion percentage

50%

Scoring frequency

86 minutes

Via Sofascore

Indeed, when he was compared to his peers in Europe’s secondary club competition, Fofana not only ranked in the top 1% for non-penalty goals (1.05) per 90, but the winger also ranked in the top 1% for both progressive carries (7.88) and for touches in the opposition penalty area (8.23) per 90 for Lyon.

These statistics prove that he is among one of the finest young wingers on the continent, hence why so many clubs are keen on signing him.

Ndiaye has shown that there is plenty of value to be had in France, impressing at the Toffees since making his switch from Ligue 1 last year.

Fofana is certainly a bigger talent than the current Everton star, especially as he has plenty of years left before he hits his peak.

Related He'd be unplayable with Barry: Everton register interest in £25m PL star

Everton are looking for midfield reinforcements next season

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Jun 26, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have now made a late approach to sign a Manchester United target, who has already agreed personal terms for a move to Old Trafford, according to a report.

Tottenham pursuing new signings as Frank deal advances

It is looking increasingly likely that Thomas Frank will be the man to replace Ange Postecoglou at N17, with reporter Ben Jacobs recently revealing the terms of the deal have now been agreed.

As such, Spurs’ transfer plans may be subject to change, in order to make sure they bring in players suited to Frank’s system, although the Dane is known to be more flexible than Ange, having used several different formations during his time with the Bees.

Regardless of who Daniel Levy ends up bringing in as the new manager, it is clear that a new goalscorer would be useful, given that Brennan Johnson’s tally of 11 goals in all competitions was the highest of any player last season.

Frank may also be keen to bring in a forward that he knows very well, and a report from Caught Offside has now revealed Tottenham have held talks over a deal for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, recently making contact with the Bees.

Tottenham pushing to sign £34m Inter Milan star with exit "increasingly close"

A Spurs player could even go the other way.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 6, 2025

Mbeumo has already agreed personal terms to join Man United this summer, and Old Trafford remains his favoured destination, but Spurs could throw a spanner in the works by getting involved in the transfer battle.

Brentford have already knocked back one offer from the Red Devils, but they could come back in with a new bid worth a total of £60m, so the north Londoners may need to move swiftly if they are going to hijack the deal.

"Deadly" Mbeumo could be exactly what Tottenham need

Despite making a success out of the season by winning the Europa League, the 2024-25 campaign was far from ideal for Tottenham, finishing 17th in the Premier League, and the lack of a consistent goalscorer was a real problem.

As such, the £45k-a-week Brentford star could be exactly what Spurs need, having scored 20 goals in 38 Premier League games last term, while also providing eight assists.

Scout Ben Mattinson singled out the 25-year-old for praise, describing him as “deadly”, while prospective new Tottenham boss Frank was also left impressed, hailing the Cameroonian as “unplayable” last December.

It appears as though Mbeumo still has his heart set on a move to Old Trafford, but Spurs will be hoping that Frank can convince the forward to make the move to N17 instead.

تحدث مدرب مانشستر سيتي، بيب جوارديولا بعد فوز فريقه أمام إيفرتون في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، مساء اليوم السبت.

واستقبل مانشستر سيتي خصمه إيفرتون على ملعب “الاتحاد” ضمن مباريات الجولة الثامنة للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “البريميرليج”.

وتمكن مانشستر سيتي من تحقيق الفوز بهدفين دون رد، سجلهما إيرلينج هالاند في الدقيقتين 58 و63.

وقال جوارديولا في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي”: “المباراة المعتادة لما بعد فترة التوقف الدولي، لم نكن حاضرين في أول 15-20 دقيقة، افتقرنا إلى الحيوية، لعبنا بشكل جيد بعد الهدف الأول”.

وأضاف: “أتيحت لنا فرص سانحة وسنستغلها، إنه أمر إيجابي للغاية للاعبين البدلاء، فالحيوية موجودة، ولكن من الأفضل التحسن مع الفوز بالمباريات”.

وواصل بيب: “إيفرتون فريق جيد، كنا نعلم ذلك، فهم يلعبون كرات طويلة، ولم يكن أداؤنا في الشوط الأول مثاليًا، تسجيل الأهداف يساعدنا على ما هو قادم وهذا هو الوقت الذي نلعب فيه بشكل أفضل”.

وعن إيرلينج هالاند، علّق جوارديولا: “أشعر بخيبة أمل لأنه لم يسجل أربعة أو خمسة أهداف، كفريق، علينا أن ندرك أنه لا يمكننا الاعتماد عليه كليًا، إنه موجود دائمًا، لكننا بحاجة إلى اللاعبين الآخرين، الأجنحة ولاعبي الوسط المهاجمين، لتسجيل الأهداف وإلا فلن نحقق ما نسعى إليه”.

اقرأ أيضًا | رجل مباراة مانشستر سيتي وإيفرتون في الدوري الإنجليزي

وأكمل: “إيرلينج لاعب بالغ الأهمية، لكننا بحاجة إلى اللاعبين الآخرين، ولديهم الموهبة اللازمة لتحقيق ذلك، عليهم أن يسجلوا، نلعب لتزويد هالاند بالجودة والتمرير، لكن على اللاعبين الآخرين أن يُحسّنوا أداءهم، كانت الفرص سانحة، وعليهم التسجيل”.

وأكد: “في هذا المستوى، عليهم أن يُظهروا كفاءتهم، فرص سافينيو وجيريمي دوكو وتيجاني ريندرز، عليهم التسجيل، عليهم أن يُسجلوا، وإلا فلن نتمكن من تحقيق ما نُريده، إيرلينج يعيش من أجل ذلك، لقد أصبح تسليمنا للتمريرات أفضل، وإيرلينج هو لاعبنا الأساسي الآن”.

وعن نيكو أوريلي، أشار: “إنه شاب، ويلعب دقائق طويلة، أنا سعيد جدًا من أجله، إنه يتطور تدريجيًا، إنه لاعب طويل القامة، ويساعدنا في الكرات الثابتة، إنه قادر على التحرك في المساحات الصغيرة قليلاً ولكن خصوصًا في المساحات الكبيرة وقد مرر كرة مثالية إلى المرمى والباقي كان جيدًا أيضًا”.

وشدد: “حافظنا على مستوانا، منحنا دقائق لعب لأوسكار بوب وبرناردو سيلفا وريان شرقي، نحتاج عودة الجميع لأن لدينا الكثير من المباريات، المساهمة مهمة واللاعبون يدركون أهمية الاستعداد”.

وأتم: “بدأنا المباراة بصعوبة أمام توتنهام وبرايتون، لكننا استرجعنا توازننا منذ فترة التوقف الدولي الأخيرة، الفوز يساعدنا على تحقيق المزيد من الانتصارات، والآن علينا مواصلة مشوارنا في دوري أبطال أوروبا”.

West Bromwich Albion’s drawn-out search for a new manager has ended with Ryan Mason now officially in the Baggies’ hot seat.

There is plenty of intrigue surrounding this appointment as the Championship side ditch the tried and tested approach of Tony Mowbray for something left-field and fresher, with the 33-year-old taking on his first ever head coach role having only once been a stand-in option at ex-employers Tottenham Hotspur.

He will want to get down to business soon in the transfer market to begin to leave a lasting mark on his new side, with plenty of signings rumoured to be entering the building alongside the fresh-faced manager.

West Brom locked into talks with new striker

Mason could utilise those Spurs connections when adding to his Baggies squad, with North London prodigy Mikey Moore already being tipped to make a loan move to the EFL to expand his horizons, away from previous links suggesting Jamie Donley could call the West Midlands home shortly.

Further, it looks as if West Brom could win themselves a new deadly marksman in the form of Hearts’ goal machine Lawrence Shankland.

Journalist Mark Hendry has now revealed that West Brom are locked in talks about bringing the prolific 29-year-old to the Hawthorns, as the Hearts captain increasingly looks more and more likely to walk away from the Edinburgh giants on a free transfer.

But, the Championship promotion hopefuls aren’t alone in their interest, with Hendry surprisingly adding that both Al-Ettifaq and Al-Wedha are sniffing around from Saudi Arabia.

How Shankland could be West Brom's best striker since Maja

If West Brom were to pip these outfits to the coveted signature of the Scotsman, they could be about to seal their best striker signing since Josh Maja’s addition, with the equally lethal attacker going on to be a golden purchase up top himself, considering he joined the ranks in 2023 on a free transfer as well.

Maja has endured difficult periods at the Hawthorns, however, with a mammoth 44 games missed through injury over the last two seasons.

But, when he’s fit, there’s a real lack of strikers in the Championship that possess the same clinical edge the Nigerian has in abundance, with the devastatingly effective number nine picking up 12 goals last campaign, despite only being fit enough to line up for 26 league clashes.

Shankland has also displayed a “ruthless” cutting edge – in the words of pundit Chris Sutton – throughout his celebrated spell on the books of Hearts, with this last-gasp goal against arch rivals Hibernian just one of many crucial strikes the Glasgow-born attacker has powered home for Derek McInnes’ men.

Having played up and down the various Scottish leagues across his goal-laden career to date, it does feel like the time is right for Shankland to test himself in a new and challenging environment, with the 6 foot 1 menace hopeful he can take to the pressures of the Hawthorns in his stride, much like Maja did when taking the plunge two years ago.

24/25

43

9

11

23/24

47

31

8

22/23

47

28

4

After all, before his return to England, the ex-Sunderland forward had begun to garner his own reputation for being a reliable source of goals when leading the line for Bordeaux, with 29 goals tallied up from 93 appearances.

Therefore, when assessing Shankland’s monstrous total of 68 strikes from 137 contests for Hearts, he should find his shooting boots are an equally uncomplicated find in the EFL’s elite league.

Mason would love to welcome in Shankland then as one of his first signings, with the 33-year-old no doubt crying out for a potent forward line to help his new side instantly gun for promotion.

Mason can sign West Brom's next Fellows in young star who's like "Neymar"

Ryan Mason would love to welcome this stunning star to this brand-new West Bromwich Albion squad.

1 ByKelan Sarson Jun 4, 2025

Birmingham Bears picked up a second win in three days to keep their place among the North Group contenders with a seven-wicket Vitality Blast victory over Derbyshire Falcons at the Incora County Ground.On a used pitch that yielded runs only reluctantly, the visitors restricted Derbyshire to 133 for 7, left-arm spinner Danny Briggs taking 2 for 23 with David Lloyd scoring 50 and Brooke Guest an unbeaten 38. Richard Gleeson took two wickets in the powerplay but it was the Bears spinners largely responsible for tying down Falcons.Derbyshire’s spinners threatened to do a similar job but Dan Mousley and Sam Hain (43) showed considerable patience and eventually reaped the rewards, their 93-run partnership across 13.3 overs effectively winning the match, Mousley closing it out with his seventh four with seven balls to spare.Having opted to bat first, Derbyshire suffered a setback when the in-form Aneurin Donald fell for just 2 but seemed to be heading for a satisfactory start until Gleeson removed Cam Fletcher and Wayne Madsen in the space of three balls in the last over of the powerplay to give Bears an early advantage.A boundary apiece from Guest and Lloyd off Jake Lintott’s opening over hinted at acceleration but Falcons’ progress was unspectacular at 65 for 3 from 10. Lloyd drove a soaring straight six off Lintott and repeated the blow against Briggs to complete a 36-ball half-century but was then caught aiming to clear the midwicket boundary.Samit Patel perished cheaply, pouched at backward point when he skied one from Briggs as the competition’s all-time leading wicket-taker on 229 dismissed his closest rival. At 103 for 5 from 16, Derbyshire had been properly strangled by Bears’ spinners. Mousley’s offspin was wicketless but conceded only 16 in his allocation.Ross Whiteley lifted Chris Woakes into the car park on the leg side but once the ball had been found Woakes promptly bowled him with a full delivery off an inside edge. The over cost 13 runs but was one of only three across the innings to yield a tally in double figures and, after Zak Chappell was run out in the last over, 133 looked too little.Daryn Dupavillon, the South African quick, angled one in to bowl Rob Yates with his fourth delivery. Mousley picked up three quick boundaries but Alex Davies, having uppercut Dupavillon for four and lifted Pat Brown for an audacious six on the leg side was caught at midwicket as Brown exacted instant revenge. Mousley slog-swept Madsen for six and the Bears were 50 for 2 from six.Patel and fellow spinner Mitch Wagstaff applied the brakes, conceding just 29 in six overs bowling in tandem, but with 55 needed after 12 overs, and eight wickets in hand, the Bears were still favourites, more so after Mousley and Hain plundered 21 from the next two before Mousley swept Patel to go to fifty from 42 balls.The requirement was down to six from 17 balls by the time Brown bowled Hain after a 42-ball innings containing only one boundary. Mousley cut Chappell for his seventh four to complete the win.

Algerian left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri joined joined Manchester City from Wolves ahead of the Club World Cup. In just his second game under Pep Guardiola, the 24-year-old has sent fans into frenzy with a wonderful assist against Juventus in the Citizens' final group game of the tournament, which has fans calling him the 'best footballer in the world'.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Ait-Nouri wows fans with Man City
• Grabs wonderful assist against Juve
• Fans claim he is the 'best in the world'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ait-Nouri provided a wonderful assist to Jeremy Doku for Manchester City's opener in the final Club World Cup Group G game. The Algerian left-back has also had a great showing through the first half of the clash and their previous match, which helped the eight-time Premier League champions secure qualification to the knockout stages. Fans are now in awe at the 24-year-old's capabilities and are excited about the prospect of his talents under Guardiola.

Advertisement

• Manchester City
  

  WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  X user @MCIOusmane wrote: "Bro Ait-Nouri is the best footballer in the world what the HELL am I watching."

  City fan @StevenMcinerney added: "Ait-Nouri really is the one."

  @umirf1 wrote: "Ait-Nouri has been a revelation for us. Incredible footballer. That slide pass is proper David Silva stuff. Can get separation. Cross well. Great dribbling. He's just so good."

  @propsMCFC also added: "Ait-Nouri is absolutely incredible man."

  @radhoo12 concluded: "We absolutely robbed Wolves for Ait-Nouri. Unreal player."

  Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream now

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Manchester City struck a deal with Wolves earlier this month for Ait-Nouri for a £31 million transfer. His signing came under priority as the side had been struggling with options at left-back, with Josko Gvardiol having to be utilised as a makeshift.

• WHAT NEXT FOR AIT-NOURI?

  The 24-year-old will likely be a starter for Manchester City in their upcoming Club World Cup Round of 16. However, who they will play against remains under question, with Group H still being wide open between Real Madrid, RB Salzburg and Al-Hilal.

Retiring Jharkhand stalwart hopes to realise his dream of winning the Ranji Trophy by “helping the team from the outside”

Rajan Raj20-Feb-2024A day before the start of the Jharkhand vs Haryana Ranji Trophy fixture at Jamshedpur’s Keenan Stadium, while the local Jharkhand boys were training, a young boy strolled out to the turf. When a securityman stopped him, he teared up and said he only wanted a selfie with Saurabh . Saurabh Tiwary wasn’t around at the time, but the fans didn’t know that. After the boy, a few others attempted to get into the ground to try and meet him.Tiwary’s popularity in the Jharkhand cricket circles has to be seen to be believed. Plus, of course, a few days earlier, it had become known that Tiwary would retire at the end of Jharkhand’s run in the ongoing season, which came on February 19, also at the Keenan, as Jharkhand beat Rajasthan to finish their Ranji Trophy campaign. When Tiwary went out to bat a second time in that game, the opposition players lined up to give him a guard of honour.”Saying farewell to your favourite thing isn’t easy, my friend,” Tiwary, now 34, said afterwards. “When I left the dressing room and was entering the ground, it was very emotional. My whole journey, from the time I was a kid to now, flashed before my eyes. I started my career here [at Keenan Stadium] and am finishing here too. My favourite people, including my coach [Kajal Das] had come to be part of the occasion. Sometimes, it’s difficult to express the feeling.”Related

'Satisfied' Shahbaz Nadeem retires from all cricket in India

Vidarbha's Faiz Fazal retires from professional cricket

Varun Aaron to wrap up red-ball career after Ranji season

Once the farewell match got over, Tiwary walked over the pitch, tears in his eyes, bent down and kissed the turf. Das, who has also coached the Jharkhand team in the past, was in attendance, and recalled an old story that gives you a glimpse into Tiwary the person.”He must have been 15 or 16, and a ball hit his head during training. He needed some stitches. He went to the hospital and came right back to me. I told him to pad up and go bat in the nets [and he did so] – I wanted to see if he was scared and wanted to test him,” Das said. “I have never had a student as dedicated as Saurabh. His keenness to be at the ground and his hunger for runs is unmatched.”Tiwary wore the India cap – in three ODIs, in late 2010 – and had a lengthy run in the IPL, playing 93 matches across 11 seasons between 2008 and 2021, missing out only in 2014, 2018 and 2019. The only time Jharkhand won a domestic tournament, the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2010-11, Tiwary was the captain. Add to that 8076 first-class runs, 4050 in List A cricket, 3454 in T20s… one dream, however, remained unfulfilled.”Cricket has taught me two things. One is that you have to fight for everything, and the second is that you need to understand you won’t get everything in life. Some things will remain out of reach,” Tiwary said. “I had a dream that we will win the Ranji Trophy but I couldn’t achieve it. That takes us back to the thing about fighting for everything. I will now try to play my part in helping the team win the Ranji Trophy, but from the outside. And I will do whatever I can to make it happen.”