Liverpool’s interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano and the whole gang of transfer reporters. While there is a long way to go, the chances of adding the Sweden star to Arne Slot’s ranks has become a more realistic thought.

With Newcastle pushing to sign Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, another top target at Anfield, we’re likely set for an interesting saga that could see the stars head in a number of different directions, if they move at all.

Whether Liverpool sign Ekitike or Isak this summer (if either of them, of course), remains to be seen at this stage, but there’s little question that Slot’s system would improve with such a frontman bagged to replace Darwin Nunez, who has been heavily linked with a move away, Napoli and Al Hilal both keen.

However, with Florian Wirtz already signed for a British-record £116m fee, a sale to go along with that of Nunez could help offset any financial imbalances.

And Luis Diaz fits the bill in that regard, with suitors hungry to secure the winger’s signature.

Why Liverpool could sell Luis Diaz

Liverpool owe much to Diaz’s performances over the past year, the versatile forward posting 17 goals and eight assists across all competitions, sometimes filling in at number nine as Nunez toiled.

Liverpool’s stance is that they will not be selling their Colombian forward, but then this is the same with Newcastle’s stance toward Isak’s future. Food for thought.

After seeing an opening bid reject, Bayern Munich, Sky Germany report, are planning to return with an improved offer for Diaz, who wants to leave Anfield, and if this falls into a ballpark Liverpool consider acceptable, things may well start to gather apace.

Diaz is a valued member of Liverpool’s squad, crucial in the Premier League triumph. However, aged 28 and with two years left on his deal, cashing in for the right place wouldn’t be the most egregious course of action for Hughes to take.

Indeed, given FSG’s position that they will only sell on their financial terms, the means to redirect the transfer cannon toward another marquee move for Slot might come to fruition.

Liverpool showing strong interest in superstar replacement

As per reports from Spain, Liverpool are showing ‘strong’ interest in Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, who might leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer after falling down the pecking order in Xabi Alonso’s fledgling system.

Arsenal are also keen on the Brazil international and are probably considered favourites at this stage, having been reported to be leading the race earlier this month.

Valued at £78m, the 24-year-old Rodrygo’s signature would be a hard one to attain, but if Liverpool sell Diaz, they might just find the stars align for a staggering signing.

What Rodrygo would bring to Liverpool

Rodrygo might be coming off the back of a campaign that has left plenty to be desired, but he’s also one of the most talented wide forwards in the business, with his former teammate Luka Modric even calling him a “world-class superstar”.

However, Rodrygo longs for a role on the left, something that is proving impossible with Real Madrid, for Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe both have priority in that regard.

With Los Blancos open to the player’s sale this summer, the chances of his switch to the Premier League grow stronger and stronger, and Liverpool must ensure it is they who win the race, should Diaz go.

Indeed, the £207k-per-week talent actually scored six goals and laid on six assists when playing on the left flank last season, even though he only made 12 of his 54 appearances from the position.

This makes the interesting comment that Rodrygo, four years Diaz’s junior, could actually prove to be an upgrade on a man who played so vital a part in Liverpool’s celebrations this year.

The data above gives you an illustration of the calibre of forward that Rodrygo. Indeed, in spite of spending the lion’s share of the 2024/25 La Liga season out of position, he’s still managed to maintain a level to be admired.

Just imagine how high he could rise under Slot’s wing on the left flank of a super-charged Liverpool frontline.

Furthermore, Liverpool need not fret over losing some of their big-game firepower. Rodrygo is one for the grand stage, with his record in the Champions League quite the thing.

Diaz is defined by more than his winged feet and electric movements. The Colombia international is clever, intuitive, crisp. His passing, in particular, aligns with the measured take Slot has on build-up play, knowing when to be creative and when to promote steady progression.

All good stuff, but Real’s wantaway forward does it better. As per FBref, the Brazilian ranked among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for pass completion and the top 12% for passes attempted per 90.

With Rodrygo playing a role of greater importance, entrusted by Slot to grow into the ‘superstar’ he has already been touted as, there’s every chance that Diaz’s prospective departure this summer could come to be a positive thing.

He’s been a wonderful part of Liverpool’s latest chapter, but Diaz could fetch a pretty penny this summer, and if that is redirected toward Rodrygo, who’s to say that the Premier League champions would be worse off?

Wirtz's dream CF: Hughes in talks to sign £63m "monster" for Liverpool

Isak and Ekitike aren’t the only high-level strikers Liverpool have their eye on.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 15, 2025

Leeds United have now been provided with an injury update on a key player, who manager Daniel Farke has previously described as “unbelievable”.

Leeds already struggling on the injury front

With three games played of the new Premier League season, Leeds are likely to be happy with the start they’ve made, having collected four points and kept clean sheets in both of their games at Elland Road.

That is despite the fact two first-team players have already suffered injury setbacks, namely Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu, who are set to spend a little while longer on the treatment table due to MCL issues.

Losing Tanaka will be particularly frustrating for the manager, as the midfielder made a fantastic start to the campaign, being voted Player of the Match for his performance in the 1-0 victory against Everton.

With the international break now upon us, the most important thing for Farke will be all his players returning to Elland Road unscathed, but there has already been a cause for concern.

As reported by the BBC’s Adam Pope, Joe Rodon has withdrawn from the Wales squad ahead of their matches against Kazakhstan and Canada, but thankfully it is not thought to be a major issue.

Pope added: “I’m told it’s not serious & he should be ok to face Fulham.”

It has since been widely reported that concussion protocols meant Rodon couldn’t be called up for his national side, which will no doubt be frustrating for the 54-time international, but it is a boost for Leeds that he should be fit for the trip to Fulham on September 13th.

"Unbelievable" Rodon has made impressive start to the campaign

Getting a positive result at the Emirates Stadium was always going to be a tall order, and the Whites struggled as expected, but otherwise they have made a promising start to the new campaign, and the Welsh defender has looked impressive.

The 27-year-old has started all three games, most recently putting in a solid display to keep Newcastle United at bay, with a point against a Champions League side certainly not to be sniffed at.

Farke has also made it clear just how highly he rates the defender, who is widely reported to pocket £40k-a-week, saying: “He has unbelievable pace and it is good when we have to defend that high in the field, it helps.

“He brings also aerial threat into our game, we have many smaller, not the tallest players, (it’s) also important for us in terms of set-pieces he is strong in duals and build up passes in his technique.”

As such, the Leeds boss will be grateful Rodon’s injury is likely nothing to be worried about, ahead of their trip to Craven Cottage in just over one week.

أعلن نادي نيس الفرنسي قائمة الفريق المختارة من المدير الفني فرانك هايس، للمباراة أمام رين بمنافسات بطولة الدوري الفرنسي.

ويلتقي نيس ورين مساء اليوم الجمعة ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري الفرنسي لموسم 2024-2025.

وشهدت قائمة نيس عودة المصري محمد عبد المنعم بعد غياب دام أربعة مباريات بسبب المرض.

وغاب عبد المنعم عن مباريات نيس أمام لوهافر ومونبيليه بالدوري الفرنسي، وسانت جيلواز في الدوري الأوروبي، ويو إس سي كورت في كأس فرنسا.

اقرأ أيضًا | تقارير فرنسية: خطط نيس في يناير تهدد مستقبل محمد عبد المنعم

ويحتل نيس المركز السادس في ترتيب الدوري الفرنسي برصيد 24 نقطة، خلال 15 مباراة حقق خلالها 6 انتصارات، و6 تعادلات، وتعرض لـ 3 هزائم.

وتنطلق مباراة نيس ورين في تمام العاشرة مساء اليوم الجمعة، بتوقيت مصر، الحادية عشر بتوقيت السعودية.

كشف فرناندو سانتوس، المدير الفني السابق لمنتخب البرتغال، عن متابعته للكرة المصرية منذ فترة طويلة، مشيرًا إلى أن مانويل جوزيه يعد أفضل مدرب برتغالي عمل في مصر.

وقال سانتوس في تصريحات عبر برنامج رقم 10 المذاع على الفضائية الأولى: “كنت أتابع مانويل جوزيه وكارلوس كيروش لأنني كنت أتوقع أنني سأكون في مصر يومًا ما لتدريب فريق”.

بشكتاش يعلن إقالة فرناندو سانتوس من تدريب الفريق

وأضاف: “جوزيه كان عنيدًا ومخضرمًا، وحقق نجاحات كبيرة، وكان الأفضل في مصر من وجهة نظري”.

وعن بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، تابع سانتوس: “البطولة مهمة جدًا، ومشاركة 32 فريقًا قرار مناسب ويزيد الحماس”.

وأشار: “الأهلي في مجموعة قوية تضم أربعة فرق كبيرة، وأي مواجهة ستكون صعبة، ولا يمكن توقع الفائز لأن الأمر يعتمد على الحظوظ”.

وتابع: “بالميراس هو أصعب فريق يواجه الأهلي، لكنه فريق قوي وصعب التغلب عليه إفريقيًا، ونحن في أوروبا نسمع دائمًا عن الأهلي ونشاهد فريقًا بشخصية قوية في مبارياته”.

واختتم سانتوس تصريحاته قائلاً: “تلقيت عروضًا للتدريب في مصر بعد رحيلي عن تدريب منتخب البرتغال، وسأدرس الخيارات المتاحة”.

لا جديد يذكر ولا قديم يعاد، لا يزال اللاعب والمهاجم آرون بوبيندزا يفتعل المشاكل في كل فريق يذهب إليه وآخرها رابيد بوخارست المنافس في الدوري الروماني.

وانتقل بوبيندزا إلى رابيد بوخارست في الصيف الماضي بعد أزمة كبيرة للغاية مع الزمالك، حيث أعلن الأخير عن ضم اللاعب ولكن الجابوني لم يحضر إلى القاهرة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. خاص | لاعب الزمالك يجمع متعلقاته ويخطر جروس بالرحيل

ونفى بوبيندزا في تصريحات صحفية في رومانيا أنه قد وقع أي عقود مع الزمالك وأن موقفه صحيح، لكن القلعة البيضاء قررت أن تقدم شكوى ضد اللاعب أمام الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا”.

المفاجأة، هي من خلال صحيفة “GSP” الرومانية التي تتابع معسكر رابيد بوخارست في دبي، وأكدت أن اللاعب لم يحضر التدريبات وسيرحل عن الفريق وهناك فريقين يتنافسان على ضمه.

وبحسب التقرير أن اللاعب يتدعي الإصابة في الكاحل في محاولة للضغط على رابيد من أجل الرحيل، حيث أغرته العروض التركية من ناديي سيفاسبور وبودروم.

سقط فريق ليفربول في فخ التعادل الإيجابي مع خصمه فريق نوتينجهام فورست، مساء يوم الثلاثاء، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واستضاف ملعب “سيتي جراوند” مباراة الفريقين في الجولة الحادية والعشرين من البطولة، حيث تعادلا بهدف لمثله.

وشارك نجم فريق ليفربول محمد صلاح في المباراة بأكملها، ولكنه فشل في تقديم أدائه المعهود عنه، حيث لم يسجل أو يصنع.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تقييم محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول ونوتينجهام فورست بـ الدوري الإنجليزي

وكشفت رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز عن هوية رجل مباراة ليفربول ونوتينجهام فورست.

وحسبما نُشر، فإن كريس وود لاعب فريق نوتينجهام فورست، هو رجل مباراة ليفربول في تلك الجولة من الدوري الإنجليزي.

وتمكن كريس وود من تقديم أداء جيد رفقة كتيبة نونو سانتو، وسجل هدف التقدم لصالح نوتينجهام في الدقيقة التاسعة.

أتم مجلس إدارة نادي الاتحاد السكندري، برئاسة محمد مصيلحي، إجراءات التعاقد مع المدافع الدولي محمود علاء، لاعب الزمالك ومنتخب مصر السابق.

ووقع علاء على عقد انضمامه لصفوف الفريق، والذي يمتد لموسم ونصف، بعد جلسة عقدها مع الأستاذ محمد مصيلحي رئيس النادي، بحضور محمد سلامة عضو مجلس الإدارة، وطلعت يوسف المدير الفني، واللواء عبد الجليل إمام مدير الكرة.

طلعت يوسف بعد الخسارة في الظهور الأول: الاتحاد السكندري سيعاني إذا استمر بنفس اللاعبين

وجاء التعاقد مع اللاعب بعد موافقة طلعت يوسف، الذي أشاد بالقدرات الفنية بـ علاء، واصفًا إياه بأنه أحد المدافعين المميزين.

وكان علاء، نجم نادي الزمالك السابق، قد أنهى خلال انتقالات يناير الحالية مشواره مع نادي السويحلي الليبي، مؤكدًا أنه سيعلن عن خطوته القادمة خلال أيام.

وكشف علاء في وقت سابق أن تأخر انطلاق الدوري الليبي كان سببًا في فسخ تعاقده مع السويحلي، كما أن الدوري الليبي أصبح يضم 36 فريقًا، والأمور ليست على أفضل نحو، لذلك قرر إنهاء مشواره معهم.

New Zealand’s performance on the second day at Trent Bridge was when their resolve finally betrayed them, but also one that exposed a bold gamble as a failure

Will Luke at Trent Bridge07-Jun-2008
Brendon McCullum was put in the firing line at No. 3, a waste of one of New Zealand’s main assets © Getty Images
New Zealand’s performance on the second day at Trent Bridge was when their resolve finally betrayed them, but also one that exposed a bold gamble as a failure. From the moment Brendon McCullum dropped Stuart Broad at second slip at the start of the day, England – not without the occasional slice of good fortune – dominated in the manner they have threatened but failed all year. New Zealand are renowned for their plucky resistance with the bat, but no longer can the cracks in their top-order be masked by lower-order doggedness.That they slipped to 96 for 6 was due to James Anderson, who picked up all six wickets in a breathless 15-over spell of outswing bowling, but it hasn’t always required brilliance for New Zealand’s ambitions to be shattered. Their top six have simply not delivered. In England’s tour during the winter, Jamie How averaged 33.5, Matthew Bell an unconvincing 19.5 and Mathew Sinclair 11.83. For New Zealand’s return tour here, How has begun more promisingly, with scores of 68, 64, 29 and 40, but the others have continued to flounder. Aaron Redmond (52 runs at 10.40), Daniel Flynn (42 at 21.00) and James Marshall (52 at 13.00) have all been in the firing line, consistently picked off by England’s four-man attack.Though they are quick to dispel the notion of being scarred by the loss at Old Trafford, it was their reaction to being dismissed for 114 which provides the key to understanding today’s batting failure. McCullum, shunted up the order to No.3, had his off stump pegged back for 9 by Anderson, and New Zealand’s most dangerous and talented batsman had departed with the score on 14 for 2. In theory, McCullum’s promotion was precisely what New Zealand needed – a touch of class to give succour to the raw recruits at the top of the order – but in practice, it was a disaster in the making.Like a football team that is forever being pinned in its own half by superior opponents, New Zealand’s cricketers are more than capable of springing regular surprises, but they invariably do so by taking their licks and hitting their opponents on the break. Using McCullum so far up front leaves him woefully out of position, because it is from No.6 backwards that New Zealand have been able to mask the frailties and failures of their top-order.In Hamilton during the winter, McCullum (51) and Daniel Vettori (88) helped lift New Zealand from a tricky 191 for 5 to a match-winning 470. Likewise in Napier, though they lost the Test, McCullum and Vettori again spared their team’s blushes with pairs of forties, helping New Zealand to recover from 172 for 5 to 431 all out. For a long time now, New Zealand’s batting line-up has been the wrong way round – but the solution to rebalancing cannot lie in promoting their most prized asset, McCullum, into the disaster zone.How provided a window into New Zealand’s mindset when, after the second day’s play, he spoke of his side’s confidence in light of the precarious position they find themselves. “We take heart from Old Trafford,” he said. “That game turned on its head pretty quickly, so hopefully that trend will continue. So hopefully we’re only a couple of partnerships away from posting a good score, and anything can happen.” Bold words indeed, but New Zealand are conditioned to believe that their tail will save them. More’s the pity that, on this occasion, it has already been docked.But then again, New Zealand’s tried-and-tested formula – top-order debacle, tail-end revival – has been rudely challenged this summer by the emergence of Ross Taylor. Though he fell for 21 today, Taylor has displayed plenty of the star quality that New Zealand have lacked since the retirements of Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle. His audacious 154 at Old Trafford was an innings of supreme quality, all the more so because it paid little heed to the familiar failings all around him – aside from How, no-one else in the top eight passed 40.In truth, their hands were forced. In trailing the series 1-0, they need to win. And with McCullum’s back injury forcing the call-up of their replacement keeper, Gareth Hopkins, New Zealand understandably chose a five-man attack, but in doing so have further weakened an already flimsy top-order.Right now, New Zealand are caught between two mindsets. Taylor’s successes – and, to a lesser extent, How’s reliability – have persuaded them that there may yet be a future in following convention, and playing their best batsmen in their rightful position. But somehow they’ve lacked the courage of their convictions. Oram, for instance, appeared to be back to his best after his Lord’s hundred. Since then, however, England have hounded him with bouncers, leaving him questioning his very worth. And in picking only five batsman, too great a responsibility rested on McCullum’s shoulders.Where is the logic in promoting McCullum but hiding Oram behind not only Gareth Hopkins, the debutant wicketkeeper, but also the grievously injured Daniel Flynn, who has far more of a right to be unsettled by the short ball after his experiences at Old Trafford? Vettori, who averages 40.83 in his last 10 Tests, might want to consider easing his way up from No. 8 as well if the McCullum experiment is to be continued, because right now it’s not clear whether New Zealand are searching for leaders or followers.

Jayasuriya’s return, after a terrific Indian Premier League and his Asia Cup final century, makes a massive difference to Sri Lanka, as he is the only real power player they have

Jamie Alter in Dambulla17-Aug-2008

In the months after the World Cup, Sri Lankan cricket went through a transition of sorts, as experienced cricketers like Marvan Atapattu and Russell Arnold retired and younger talent was brought in. All throughout Mahela Jayawardene called for the need to give the newer players more time and for the seniors to take up more responsibility.Now as the World Cup finalists they currently sit at No. 7 in the ICC ratings for one-day international sides, having won two out of six series. Immediately after the World Cup, Sri Lanka lost to Pakistan 2-1 in Abu Dhabi. A 3-0 whitewash of Bangladesh was followed by a rare home loss, and that to England, hardly the best ODI side in the game. After a poor CB Series in Australia Sri Lanka were beaten 2-0 by West Indies, ranked eighth in the world. It really couldn’t get much worse than that.The most consistent problem was a deficiency in the batting department, which failed to function as a cohesive unit. Sanath Jayasuriya blew hot and cold, Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara sparkled intermittently, and a lack of fire power in the middle and lower order hurt Sri Lanka. The middle order revolved around a mix of bits-and-pieces cricketers and one-day specialists, and no one stood out. One or two batsmen performed in each game, but that is rarely enough.In the last year Tillakaratne Dilshan averaged 29.76; Chamara Silva 24.42; Chamara Kapugedera 33.07; Maharoof, restricted to seven games due to injury, averaged 11.25. Chaminda Vaas failed to chip in with runs and the most successful lower-order batsman was Nuwan Kulasekara, who averaged 26.75. In one-day cricket you need runs on the board. Sri Lanka failed to always put those up.Like all sides searching for a settled team, they also experimented. Upul Tharanga and Mahela Udawatte opened the batting at times, with mixed success. In Pakistan Sri Lanka bumped Sangakkara up to open the innings because it was felt they needed another bowler. Kapugedera was shuffled around and injury to Maharoof only compounded their woes.Sri Lanka failed to bat well consistently against England at home and in Australia, where they only won two games. The 3-1 scoreline against England should have been the wake-up call to spur them into a period of intense development and progress as a team, but the CB Series was equally disappointing. Their highest total was 238 and the batsmen averaged just 22.44 runs per wicket – that doesn’t win you games. Sri Lanka failed to get big knocks from Sanath Jayasuriya and Sangakkara, like they played in last two games of the Asia Cup, and that has a huge effect on their performance.In the few games of the CB Series that two of the top three got starts, the rest were unable to work a way out when the opposition tightened its line. In a sense the senior Sri Lankan batsmen ignored the very lesson they had been stressing to their younger team-mates, of staying out in the middle as long as possible.Jayawardene admitted a few personnel changes also attributed to this dip in form, but he gave no excuses. “We did not consistently lift our standards since the World Cup,” he said. “We certainly are not there but we’re maintaining it. We turned it around a bit in the Asia Cup, where we were consistent with the bat, ball and on the field. That’s the toughest thing for international sides.”In a sense the Asia Cup marked a revival. Sri Lanka batted consistently well, but there was one massive factor – Ajantha Mendis. His success, come in such a short period, gives them the option – momentarily – of scrutinising their batting combination.Jayasuriya’s return, after a terrific Indian Premier League and his Asia Cup final century, makes a massive difference to Sri Lanka, as he is the only real power player they have. A well-rested Jayasuriya can offer dimension to Sri Lanka’s unit, but the fact is that plenty of responsibility falls on Jayawardene and Sangakkara. The middle order needs to come good.Sri Lanka have been able to fall back on a bowling unit which picked up a lot of wickets recently, but Jayawardene wants to move on from what happened in Australia. He recognised Mendis as a trump card, an attacking option, but called on others to contribute. Sri Lanka need to re-learn a lesson taught to them before the World Cup – when you cruise, you often cruise downwards.

The pitch was as bare as any in the preceding matches in the tropical Caribbean and just as heartbreaking for the bowlers

Tony Cozier at Chester-le-Street15-May-2009It might be the Test match ground nearer to the north pole than any other, with the corresponding chill in the air, but the opening day of the Test between the teams at the Riverside Ground was the Antigua Recreation Ground, Kensington and Queen’s Park Oval all revisited.The pitch was as bare as any in the preceding matches in the tropical Caribbean and just as heartbreaking for the bowlers. There was no bounce, no pace, no movement and, consequently, no excitement.The batsmen, in this instance Alastair Cook and the eager Ravi Bopara, gathered their runs with no fuss, just as Andrew Strauss had done with his three consecutive first innings hundreds in Antigua, Barbados and Trinidad.Ironically, while Strauss went cheaply this time, Cook and Bopara advanced past their hundreds, Bopara joining the elite company of Herbert Sutcliffe, Denis Compton, Geoffrey Boycott and Graham Gooch as the fifth English player with three in a row.The slowness of the surface curbed their more adventurous strokes, except for one over when Bopara lofted Sulieman Benn for four, six and four to move to within two of his landmark. He then apparently recalled Kevin Pietersen’s extravagance in the Sabina Test back in February when he hit four, four, six, also off Benn, and went for the glory of a six next ball to raise his hundred, only to lob a catch to the keeper. Bopara bided his time and got there with a single a few balls later.Even England’s first day scores were almost identical to those in the Caribbean – 301 for 3 at both the ARG and Kensington; 258 for 2 at Queen’s Park; 302 for 2 here.To their credit, the West Indies bowlers were undeterred by this continuing unfairness and plugged away all day, supported by enthusiastic fielding. One chance was missed, a difficult leg-side deflection off Lionel Baker when Bopara was on 51. A few edges were found and passed but there was nothing for the bowlers.More like this and, just as Chris Gayle
has warned, they will all be trooping off to the IPL and other Twenty20 events where four overs is the extent of their allotment. The main point of Gayle’s controversial and widely discussed comments before the match was that, as far as he was concerned, there is now so much cricket that he soon has to make a choice as to what to give up.As one tournament has followed another -Test, ODIs, Stanford, IPL – he, and a few others in the West Indies team, haven’t had a reasonable break for two years now.Gayle himself has been increasingly sidelined by injuries. Not unexpectedly, he said his choice would be for the shortest form of the game which just happens to be the most lucrative.
That inevitably is a threat to what the administrators refer to as the “primacy of Test cricket”, but pitches that contribute to give such bland, uneven contests such as this and those recently in the Caribbean and elsewhere, do so equally.A 101 reasons were put forward for the few thousand spectators sprinkled around stands yesterday – the early scheduling, the cold, the sporting public’s interest in the climax of the football season (in this neck of the woods, especially Newcastle United’s fight to remain in the Premiership), the recession and so on.More days like this, without any drama or tension, and with batsmen indulging themselves, will ensure that crowds, and television viewers, diminish even further.