India limited-overs captain MS Dhoni has worked with his state team, Jharkhand, as mentor in the lead up to the Buchi Babu All-India Invitational Cricket Tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Aug-2016

India limited-overs captain MS Dhoni has worked with his state team, Jharkhand, as mentor in the lead up to the Buchi Babu All-India Invitational Cricket Tournament. He also might join the team in the same capacity during the latter stages of the Buchi Babu tournament, which is a pre-season competition run by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA).”Dhoni was with the boys during the camp in Ranchi,” Rajesh Verma, the secretary of Jharkhand State Cricket Association, told . “The boys are thrilled as it gives them a chance to tap into his experience. The original plan was for him to be there from the beginning [of the tournament], but he now has a meeting in Delhi. So, he will most probably join the team around August 12.”This year, apart from Jharkhand, the Buchi Babu tournament will feature Hyderabad, Chhattisgarh, Railways and Uttar Pradesh as invitational teams, alongside three local teams in TNCA President’s XI, TNCA XI and TNCA Districts XI. The tournament is set to run from August 5 to 18.

Tottenham Hotspur saw their hopes of Champions League qualification disappear following their defeat at Aston Villa, and Cristian Romero has been singled out for particular criticism for his performance.

How did Romero play at Villa Park?

The Argentina international was one of many poor performers as goals from Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz confined Spurs to yet another defeat.

The £42m centre-back was reckless yet again, making three fouls, one of which directly led to Luiz's free-kick goal. The 25-year-old also lost the ball eight times, lost four of his six ground duels and received a yellow card as per SofaScore.

In his post-match ratings for Football.London, journalist Alasdair Gold awarded Romero a low three out of ten rating for his display, bemoaning his lack of composure.

"Went flying in the build-up to Villa's opener and left himself out of position," he stated.

"Made a good tackle in the box on Ramsey early in the second half. Made the late tackle that handed Villa the free-kick Luiz scored from and another late lunge earned him a yellow card. Last week he was excellent, today he was back to reckless."

What next for Spurs?

The defeat at Villa Park sealed the Lilywhites' fate as it confirmed that they would not qualify for the Champions League next season, and they have now gone nine away league games without a win.

The club is in chaos on and off the pitch, with no sporting director or permanent manager in sight for next season, and Harry Kane's future up in the air.

Kane dispatched a late penalty to pull one back for the visitors, his 29th goal of the season, and he has been linked with a move away with just one year left on his contract.

Romero was one of many poor performers for Spurs, who have a busy summer ahead as they look to strengthen the squad to be able to compete for a top-four place again, but the uncertainty at executive level means that business could be difficult.

The lack of Champions League football could also mean they struggle to attract top-quality players in the window, and this summer could end disastrously if they are unable to find a manager and a strategy to deal with the issue of Kane whilst strengthening other areas of the team.

Today's defeat came at the hands of Unai Emery's Villa, who could still overtake them in the table before the end of the season, and the difference in mood at both clubs is stark.

Celtic have already clinched the Scottish Premiership title for the 2022/23 campaign but this will not stop Ange Postecoglou from bolstering his squad this summer.

The Hoops have found success domestically and could now push on to compete in the latter stages of one of the three European competitions, after being knocked out in the group phase of the Champions League this season.

Earlier this month, the Daily Record reported that the Hoops are eyeing up a possible swoop for Albirex Niigata attacking midfielder Ryotaro Ito and he could come in with a view to improving their chances in Europe.

It was claimed that the club are keeping tabs on the 25-year-old, as Postecoglou is hoping to strengthen his midfield and attack in the upcoming transfer window, and the forward could come in to partner Kyogo Furuhashi in the final third.

How has Ryotaro Ito performed this season?

The playmaker, who is yet to be capped at senior level by Japan, has enjoyed a terrific start to life in the J1 League after catching the eye in the second division last term.

Ito has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.54 across 14 appearances. He has scored seven goals and created 3.3 opportunities per game for his teammates so far, which illustrates the huge impact he has made in 2023 after he plundered nine goals and 11 assists in 42 outings in the J2 League in 2022.

He is a number ten with the ability to deliver goals and create chances on a regular basis and according to one Japanese author, boasts characteristics that make him a "mix of Jota and Reo [Hatate]."

Journalist Bence Bocsak further hailed the Celtic target as "intelligent" and stated that he has been "pulling the strings" for his side in the top-flight this year, which is backed up by his impressive chance creation numbers.

Ito's 3.3 key passes per match are 1.2 more per game than any Celtic player has managed in the Premiership this term, with Matt O'Riley's 2.1 leading the way for the Hoops. This suggests that the Niigata maestro could come in and be the standout creative force in midfield for Postecoglou.

Kyogo has scored 25 goals from 15.28 xG in the Scottish top-flight this season, proving that the Japan international is a lethal finisher who can magnify the quality of chances he is provided with due to his impressive finishing.

The 28-year-old is a proven and reliable scorer who could thrive from the creativity that Ito can provide from a number ten position if his compatriot can adapt to life in Scotland.

Therefore, Postecoglou could form an exciting and lethal duo at the top end of the pitch by landing the Niigata wizard, who also carries a goal threat with seven goals in 14 matches this year, to partner Kyogo domestically and in Europe in 2023/24.

Jeet Raval may have to wait little longer for his first taste of Test cricket after intermittent rain meant no play was possible on the opening day in Christchurch

The Report by Shashank Kishore17-Nov-2016First day abandoned
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsSome rain is forecast for the second day in Christchurch too, but not as much as on the first•Getty Images

Jeet Raval will have to wait little longer for his first taste of Test cricket after intermittent rain meant no play was possible on the opening day of New Zealand’s 2016-17 home summer in Christchurch. Covers were on for most parts of the day at the Hagley Oval, which meant even the toss wasn’t possible.With chances of a start looking bleak, umpires S Ravi and Ian Gould called off play at 4pm, shortly after the scheduled tea interval. Play will start 30 minutes early on each of the next four days – at 10.30 am – to make up for lost time, weather permitting, although intermittent showers are forecast for the second day too.There was hope of a start time shortly before lunch when the sun broke through to allow Pakistan’s players a football session, but the rain returned soon to force them indoors. A scheduled inspection at 2.45pm had to be called off as the drizzle persisted.Pakistan’s preparation coming into the two-Test series has been less than ideal. Their three-day practice match in Nelson was completely washed out. They arrived in New Zealand last week straight out of a long series comprising three T20Is, three ODIs and three Tests against West Indies in the UAE.Pakistan have not lost a Test series in New Zealand since 1985. They won by a 1-0 margin, also under Misbah-ul-Haq who is set to captain in his 50th Test, on their previous tour to New Zealand in 2011.

Eoin Morgan, and any other players still uncertain over whether to tour Bangladesh, have until Saturday to make up their minds, according to Andrew Strauss

Andrew McGlashan07-Sep-20162:20

Will Morgan travel to Bangladesh?

Eoin Morgan, and any other players still uncertain over whether to tour Bangladesh, have until Saturday to make up their minds with Andrew Strauss, the team director, saying there can be no guarantees given to anyone who relinquishes their place.Morgan has been among the players with the most reservations about the trip but Strauss, who had called for a full-strength squad to commit to the tour as soon as it was given the green light last week, reiterated that he would “absolutely” want both England’s captains to undertake the Test and ODI legs of the trip.Alastair Cook has given private assurances that he will lead the Test side, but Morgan’s uncertainty seems set to linger into the weekend when England’s central- and incremental- contracted players gather for two days of end-of-season fitness assessments and appraisals.Over the course of those two days, Strauss will ask for a ‘yes or no’ over a player’s willingness to be available for the Bangladesh tour, with the squad now due to be named at the end of next week. The announcement has been pushed back to give players more time after the conclusion of the series against Pakistan.Though Strauss did not issue any ultimatums – the ECB’s stance continues to be that touring is an individual choice – he did acknowledge that being captain brings other responsibilities”Would I like both our captains to be on that tour? Absolutely, definitely,” Strauss said. “The captain has certain roles and responsibilities that are greater than just looking after themselves. He obviously has a duty to the team. But they’re still human beings – and I think that’s an important point to make. They have their own thoughts, concerns, issues and views on life – and we’ve got to understand that.”I can’t force anyone onto that plane. I cannot literally force people up the steps and say ‘you have to go to Bangladesh’. People have their own decisions to make.”Though Strauss insisted he was not delivering any ultimatums, Morgan may nevertheless wish to consider the subtext in his comments. Writing in the Daily Telegraph last week, Kevin Pietersen – who was faced with a similar situation during his time as England captain in India in 2008-09 – warned that Morgan would “have a red cross against his name” in ECB circles if he refused to make the trip.”When the going gets tough for him in the future, with the team losing, or a run of personal low scores, then he will find that the loyalty from his bosses will not be the same because he went against them,” Pietersen wrote. “That is just the way it is. In the end it will come back to haunt him.”Alex Hales, another player reported to be uncertain about the tour, has previously said how it is a difficult decision because you are forgoing your place in the side. This is especially true of someone such as Hales, who is struggling to cling to his Test berth, while there are an abundance of young players striving to get in the one-day side even if Hales has just become England’s individual record-holder in ODIs.”I think, at its most simple, the big consequence for not going is you are giving someone else an opportunity to step into your shoes and stake a claim for themselves,” Strauss said.”That’s just the same as if someone gets injured, you are out of possession of that spot in the team for a certain period of time, and if someone does really well then you can’t give any guarantees.”But that’s a choice people have to make themselves, and they have to weigh up all sorts of different things when they come to this decision. Everyone has a different attitude to risk, different thoughts about what their priorities in life are. That’s fine – that’s their decision.”Strauss stopped short of saying that a player’s decision on the Bangladesh tour would affect their position for the India leg, a situation more relevant to the Test team where the seven matches in Bangladesh and India are being seen in their entirety, but again encouraged them to take heed of the security assessment put together which got the tour approved.”I’m very assured by the report that Reg gave to me and translated to the players. But everyone will look at that and take their own observations,” Strauss said. “I’m still very hopeful that everyone gets on that plane because I believe the security plan we have in place mitigates the risk to an acceptable level.”I genuinely believe that and that is why I’m encouraging every player to use that incredibly detailed and experienced view point from Reg to make a judgement.”

Tottenham Hotspur have made a formal job offer to Leicester City’s former manager Brendan Rodgers, according to reports.

What's the latest manager news at Spurs?

Back in March, Antonio Conte was sent packing by the hierarchy following his public outburst during a post-match press conference and was replaced by his assistant Cristian Stellini until the end of the season, but even his reign was ended prematurely after the 6-1 Premier League defeat to Newcastle United, so Ryan Mason is now in charge as interim boss before being succeeded by a new long-term appointment over the summer.

BBC Sport played down suggestions that Bayern Munich’s former coach Julian Nagelsmann is one of the candidates being considered and Daniel Levy’s latest blow has come in the form of Feyenoord’s Arne Slot who has ruled himself out of the running and reaffirmed his commitment to seeing out the project in the Eredivisie.

The Lilywhites have since been linked with several names, including Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim, but a surprising contender is Rodgers who has been out of work since April having been sacked by Leicester City, and it would appear that he’s already a preferred choice among the board having reportedly been gifted the opportunity to take to the dugout in the capital.

Is Brendan Rodgers joining Spurs?

According to Football Transfers, Tottenham have "formally offered" Rodgers the chance to become the new permanent manager in N17. The Spurs hierarchy are "trying to keep a low profile" by not announcing that they have taken this big step to "avoid any further embarrassment", should the 50-year-old turn them down.

The Northern Irishman is "not a favourite" of Levy, but the rest of the chiefs are "otherwise all for" bringing him on board. Should their new target reject the proposal, it's stated that Graham Potter and Luis Enrique are the two other names on the "shortlist" of options.

Tottenham could be better off appointing someone who already has Premier League experience and Rodgers has plenty of that having taken charge of 312 matches in total, and having also been hailed a “class” character off the pitch by journalist Josh Bunting, he may well prove to be an ideal candidate for Spurs to take a chance on ahead of the 2023/24 term.

The Carnlough-born coach, whose preferred formation is a 4-2-3-1, has a solid track record of facing Spurs having won eight and drawn one of 17 meetings, so if he is able to get a visiting team performing like that, imagine what kind of magic he could work with the calibre of players like Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min at his disposal.

Rodgers, who knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level having secured nine trophies throughout his managerial career, is also a free agent on the market, so no compensation would need to be paid to acquire his services, therefore making this even more of a strong case to end the club's lengthy search for a new manager.

Newcastle United have to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze in the summer transfer window, according to former striker and now pundit Gabby Agbonlahor.

Are Newcastle keen on Eze signing?

The Magpies have enjoyed a season to treasure, qualifying for next year's Champions League and arguably proving to be well ahead of schedule under Eddie Howe. It is now essential that they continue to kick on in the summer, bringing in more top-quality players and ensuring they don't rest on their laurels.

Someone who has recently been linked with a move to St James' Park is Eze, who has enjoyed a fantastic season for Palace, standing out as arguably their best-attacking player. The £30,000-a-week Englishman had scored 10 goals and registered four assists in the Premier League before the final day of action, and while his current deal doesn't expire until the summer of 2025, the Eagles could find it difficult to keep hold of him.

Could Eze be a star at St James' Park?

Speaking to Football Insider, Agbonlahor, who contributes for the BBC, talked up the idea of Newcastle signing Eze this summer, saying he would be a "really good" and "fantastic" signing alongside James Maddison.

"It would be a really good signing. He’s completely different to Conor Gallagher – he’s a million times better. He can run with the ball at speed, change direction with skill, he’s adding goals to his game, can play in the number ten or off the wing – it’s a fantastic signing.

"If I’m Newcastle, I’m going for him and Maddison. You’d then have competition that can take Newcastle to another level. I love Eze and I think there’s going to be a lot of clubs after him."

Eze could be a special signing for Newcastle if they manage to snap him up this summer, with the 24-year-old really feeling like he is heading into his prime as a footballer, following his most productive season yet for Palace.

Eagles teammate Joel Ward has hailed him as "incredible", such is his ability, and he is someone who could provide Newcastle with that extra magical attacking spark, possibly coming in as an upgrade to Allan Saint-Maximin, who has scored just once in 24 Premier League outings this season.

Palace may well demand a huge fee for Eze's services, but you'd expect the funds could be there for Newcastle to splash the cash, and he could be a hugely exciting long-term option.

Shaun Marsh has been forced home from the tour of Sri Lanka after breaking his finger while fielding in Australia’s win in the third ODI in Dambulla on Sunday.”Shaun suffered an injury to his left little finger whilst fielding in the match yesterday,” Australia’s physio David Beakley said. “An x-ray after the match confirmed a fracture and Shaun will now return to Perth to allow time for this to heal.”As a result of Marsh’s injury, Usman Khawaja will stay on with the squad in Sri Lanka for the two Twenty20s that follow the remaining two one-day internationals. Khawaja is yet to play in the limited-overs portion of the tour, but will likely step into the No.3 position for Wednesday’s fourth match in Dambulla in the absence of Marsh.Australia’s ODI squad has undergone several changes since the original 15-man group was announced a month ago. First, the batsman Travis Head was added as a 16th player, and then allrounder Mitchell Marsh was sent home ahead of the series to rest up ahead of a busy summer.Captain Steven Smith has also flown home for a break, and fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile was ruled out mid-series with a stress fracture of the back. Fast bowlers John Hastings and Scott Boland, who were named in the squad for the two T20s, arrived in Sri Lanka early and have effectively acted as ODI cover as well, with Hastings playing in the third game in Dambulla.

Manchester United return to Premier League action at home to in-form outfit Aston Villa this afternoon, with Erik ten Hag and his charges likely to still be reeling following Thursday's second-half collapse away to Tottenham Hotspur.

Having largely been in control of proceedings heading in at the break, the momentum shifted after the interval as the north Londoners produced a spirited display despite their recent woes, with Heung-min Son sealing a point late on for new caretaker boss, Ryan Mason.

The United manager may well be regretting his substitutions in that chaotic second period as those alterations saw the visitors "relinquish control", as per club legend Rio Ferdinand, with another former Red Devils man – Owen Hargreaves – subsequently suggesting that Ten Hag will need to "address" the squad "depth" this summer, such were the woes of those who entered the fray in N17.

It was not only the substitutes who somewhat underwhelmed in midweek, however, with summer signing Antony having done 'little' in the second half, in particular, according to Manchester Evening News journalist, Samuel Luckhurst, after 'fading into the fringes of the game' – as per 90min's Sean Walsh.

That limited impact from the Brazilian – as well as the quick turnaround in this hectic fixture schedule – could spark a need to freshen up the forward line against the Villans, albeit with teen sensation Alejandro Garnacho still not yet ready to return.

With Anthony Martial also undeserving of a starting berth after looking 'off the pace' in the capital, according to Luckhurst, it could be a chance for young Facundo Pellistri to make what would be just his second start for the club.

Will Pellistri play against Villa?

It would be something of a gamble to throw the Uruguayan in against a side who have won five of their last six Premier League games, although the 5 foot 9 gem is clearly a "special talent" – as per journalist Fabrizio Romano – having showcased that quality in flashes this season.

While there have been reports that the wide man could be moved out on loan next term, in the meantime the 21-year-old could still have a part to play over the coming weeks, having previously been described as a player who can "create danger" by experienced teammate, Raphael Varane.

Although he has just one assist to his name in nine first-team outings to date, Pellistri has made his mark in his brief cameo appearances of late, having memorably produced a "scintillating" run – as per journalist Alex Turk – in the build-up to United's fourth goal at home to Real Betis in the Europa League last-16 last month.

The £9m youngster was subsequently handed a first start in the second-leg meeting with the La Liga side and 'took it with both hands' – according to 90min's Jamie Spencer – having been so 'exciting to watch on the ball'.

The Montevideo native is still waiting for a consistent run in the side having thus far made just three league appearances, although today's meeting at Old Trafford could be an opportunity for Ten Hag to put his faith in the promising talent.

Manchester United look increasingly likely to sign Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae in the summer transfer window, according to a new update.

Have United been linked with Kim Min-jae?

The South Korean has seen his stock rise hugely this season, following a memorable campaign that has arguably led to him gaining legendary status in Naples.

Kim was one of Napoli's standout performers as they won their first Serie A title since all the way back in 1990, and he is now possibly regarded as one of Europe's best centre-backs. The 26-year-old started 35 of his side's 38 league matches, averaging 3.5 clearances per game in the division, as well as 3.6 in the Champions League, as per WhoScored.

United are on the lookout for a new central defender before the start of next season and the Napoli hero has emerged as a primary target, with various reports linking him with a summer move to Old Trafford. Now, a new claim has emerged – one that further suggests he could be on his way to the Premier League.

What's the latest regarding Kim Min-jae's future?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport [via Sport Witness], "insiders" at Napoli now "take it for granted" that Kim will be a United player this summer and feel a transfer is all but done. They are ready to trigger his release clause, which is a minimum of €50m (£43m), sealing the move in the process.

What that fee ends up being reportedly depends on the Red Devils' turnover in 2022, with the hope being that he could be signed for a relatively cheap amount, but it does look as if the defender could be on his way to England.

Kim really could be the perfect centre-back signing for United this summer, coming in and bolstering their options hugely and taking them up another level. Harry Maguire could well move on, with the same potentially applying to Victor Lindelof, and while Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have shone in stages as a partnership, although the latter is now 30 years of age and injury-prone.

For that reason, Kim could be viewed as the future of United back-line, alongside Martinez, with his combination of defensive expertise and ball-playing quality both attributes that could make Erik ten Hag's side a real force, having enjoyed a 91% pass completion rate in Serie A in 2022/23.

Former Reds hero Park Ji-sung has described his £33,000-a-week compatriot as "extraordinary" which is high praise from someone who knows how to make the grade at Old Trafford, and the club must do all they can to seal his signature in the coming weeks.