Tag Futebol

Journalist Samuel Luckhurst has slammed Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford following his 'Ineffectual" display in the club's recent defeat.

What's the latest on Marcus Rashford and Man United?

The Red Devils took on Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon with both teams pushing for a spot in the Champions League places.

Man United's ambitious took a major blow, however, as they lost 2-0 at at St James' Park, which means they now slip two fourth while their opponents leapfrog them into third thanks to superior goal difference.

After a well-fought first half, Joe Willock eventually broke the deadlock after 65 minutes and then Callum Wilson sealed the deserved win late on with a header.

It was clearly a bad day for all involved from the Red Devils' point of view but it seems as though one man stood out for Luckhurst.

In his player ratings for the Manchester Evening News, he gave Rashford and 3/10 for his efforts.

He explained why, writing: "Struggled to get going so much he swapped wings with Antony and had no joy against the more cumbersome [Dan] Burn. Ineffectual."

Is Marcus Rashford fit?

Journalist Michael Plant of Manchester World seemed to concur as he went even harsher and handed Rashford a 2/10 for his performance.

His player rating read: "Another who failed to have much of an impact on the game. Rashford didn’t have enough touches and was poor when in possession."

When you look at the player's stats on SofaScore, it doesn't make for pretty reading either. Indeed, his 6.1 score was the worst on the field for either team.

What's more, he lost the ball 10 times, won 0/4 duels, completed 74% passing, didn't have a single shot at goal (on or off target), failed with two dribble attempts, and managed just 29 touches in 90 minutes.

To put that in perspective, even Wout Weghorst at least managed to get one shot at goal (albeit off target), and fellow winger Anthony completed two dribbles and won five duels.

To be fair, Rashford – who makes £200k-p/w – had actually pulled out of the England squad during the international break and he was an injury doubt coming into this game.

On the evidence of his latest display, it's probably safe to assume he wasn't 100 per cent (much like his passing). Even so, his manager wouldn't have played him if he wasn't ready to make an impact, so there really is no excuse to be quite as poor as he was.

West Ham are crying out for a clinical striker who can do it all, as they continue their battle against relegation from the Premier League this season.

Michail Antonio is past his best, Danny Ings offers goals but can't hold the ball up, while summer signing Gianluca Scamacca has failed to live up to the big expectations of him at the London Stadium, and looks likely to follow in the footsteps of several disappointing strikers who preceded him.

David Moyes will, therefore, be wishing that the club still had a powerful, talented goalscorer such as Marko Arnautovic, who impressed under the Scottish manager in a two-season stay at West Ham having initially been brought in by Slaven Bilic.

Could Marko Arnautovic save West Ham now?

West Ham would sign the Austria international from Stoke City in 2017 in a club-record deal worth £20m, having hit 26 goals and 32 assists during his time with the Potters.

He would manage double figures for league goals in both the 2017/18 and 2018/19 campaigns for West Ham, finishing his time with the east London side on 22 goals and 12 assists in just 65 appearances, before completing a move to China, where he joined Shanghai SIPG.

Former Hammers midfielder Jack Wilshere sang his teammate's praises after he joined the club on a free transfer in 2018.

He said: “He is up there. He is right up there.

“Ability-wise, he’s powerful, got so much in his game. His attitude is brilliant. He’s a good character and is one of the leaders in the team as well."

West Ham's woeful form in the Premier League so far this campaign certainly suggests that they are missing leaders in the dressing room, while their lack of goals on the pitch has been a major factor in Moyes' downfall.

Only five sides have scored fewer top-flight goals than the Hammers, while Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen currently lead the way for goals in Moyes' squad, with only four to their name, which emphasises how poor the attacking options have been so far this campaign.

Even at 33, Arnautovic is still outperforming all of West Ham's attackers with Bologna, as he boasts eight goals in 15 Serie A appearances so far this term.

Considering that Scamacca was signed for big money from Italy in the summer but now cannot get a game in Moyes' side, the Scottish manager will perhaps be wishing that he still had Arnautovic at his disposal.

Indeed, with his goals and Premier League know-how, the chances of West Ham suffering a shock relegation would surely be significantly lower.

Paris Saint-Germain remain positive when it comes to keeping Kylian Mbappe, with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi saying the forward “loves the club”.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Deal set to expire in 2024
• No extension agreed as yet
• La Liga giants watching on

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The World Cup winner is into the final year of his current contract at Parc des Princes. He has opted against signing an extension and will become a free agent in the summer of 2024 if no fresh terms are agreed. Mbappe would also be allowed to enter into talks with interested parties from outside of France in January.

Advertisement

• Getty/GOAL
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Real Madrid have been sniffing around for a while, with some reports suggesting that they have already thrashed out personal terms with the prolific 24-year-old. They have previously failed with a number of big-money bids – with offers on the table reported to have passed the €200 million (£173m/$212m) mark at one stage.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  PSG have refused to enter into sale discussions and Al-Khelaifi believes that Mbappe can be talked into staying put. He has told  when asked if the France international will still be in Paris next season: “Kylian Mbappe is a PSG player. He loves the club. He’s a fantastic player. He's the best in the world. We are very happy to have him and we will have him.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Teams from England have also been linked with Mbappe, but the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool are considered to be outsiders in any race for the most sought-after of signatures. The superstar attacker has plundered eight goals through six games for PSG this season, and is already the club’s all-time leading scorer.

Leeds United could look at more than one signing in the January window, according to an exciting claim made by a journalist.

Leeds eyeing left-back move

The Whites are currently short of left-back options under Daniel Farke ahead of a busy period in the Championship after Sam Byram suffered a hamstring injury at Blackburn Rovers that is expected to keep him out for three weeks. Junior Firpo is already sidelined with another injury of his own, and reports have suggested that he is a target for former side Real Betis heading into 2024.

Farke has recently hinted at bringing in a new left-back, with Phil Hay saying the manager “was thinking about that even before Byram/Firpo got injured”. However, adding to the club’s full-back ranks may not be the only idea for the 49ers Enterprises and co, with more than one loan spot available at Elland Road.

Talking to GiveMeSport, journalist Dean Jones was speaking about the possibility of two loan moves being made by Leeds in January that could help them get promoted. Jones said that alongside a left-back, “there's always going to be the tendency to go for an attacker”.

“If there is space for Leeds to do two loans, then it is something they should be looking to do. You probably feel that if Firpo, for example, does end up moving on, one of the best ways to replace him in that squad, for now, is to bring in a loan signing and then look at it again in the summer and see where you are.

“There are a couple of spots available to bring loans in, and when you think about how well somebody like Joe Rodon’s done, that's what you have to strive for again. The loan market is a fantastic opportunity for a team in Leeds' current position. The January market is always better for loans than for permanent deals. If Leeds can get this right, they’ll be right in the promotion mix, and they can get themselves up. So, there’s probably going to be a Firpo-type replacement, and then there's always going to be the tendency to go for an attacker that can somehow add some goals into the mix.”

Leeds' attacking options

Goals haven’t been a major problem for Leeds this season, with Crysencio Summerville, Dan James, Jol Piroe and Georginio Rutter establishing themselves as Farke’s preferred front four. Alongside the quartet, the Whites also have the likes of Wilfried Gnonto, Patrick Bamford and Jaidon Anthony to call upon, as well as youngsters Joe Gelhardt and Mateo Joseph.

However, if the right opportunity presents itself, adding two new faces in January could be just what is needed for the second half of the season as Leeds continue to chase down Leicester City and Ipswich Town. It may prove to be a busy start to 2024, and hopefully, by the end of the year, Farke and Leeds will be back in the Premier League, going from strength to strength.

Nottingham Forest could be set to table a bid for an exciting player, but a new report has revealed that they aren’t the only club looking to bring him to the Premier League.

What's the latest transfer news at Nottingham Forest?

Over the summer, Steve Cooper was extremely busy in the window, bringing in a total of 14 fresh faces which included the likes of Ibrahim Sangare, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Divock Origi just to name a few, but whilst there were plenty of new recruits entering the building, a big number of players also completed departures.

In terms of outgoings, Brennan Johnson led the big-name permanent exits, whilst the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Emmanuel Dennis and Lewis O’Brien were all sent out on loan, as per Transfermarkt, and with a bit more space in the squad having been freed up, this will allow the boss to bolster his ranks further in January.

One of the players he could turn his attention to is Benfica’s defensive midfielder Florentino Luis, who despite still having another four years remaining on his contract, could find himself on the move having previously been linked with a switch to The City Ground.

The Reds reportedly joined the race to sign the 24-year-old back in August, and whilst the same outlet claimed that they were preparing an approach, a deal failed to come to fruition before the deadline, though if the following update is to be believed, the hierarchy are now considering taking a second bite of the cherry.

Are Nottingham Forest signing Florentino Luis?

According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (via Sport Witness), Nottingham Forest could make an “irrefutable” offer for Luis, alongside Fulham, Barcelona and Bayern Munich who are also named as interested parties.

Benfica’s central talisman, who is sponsored by Adidas, has a €120m (£103m) release clause included in his contract, but his current market value is only €20m (£17m), meaning that a cheaper deal could be available.

The Eagles are already looking for a replacement as they know their star is likely to be on his way out in the new year, and with his list of admirers growing, it “isn’t known” how much longer they will be able to hold onto their prized asset.

Is Florentino Luis a good player?

Previously, Luis has been dubbed a “Portuguese Octopus” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig and the way that he protects his backline when sitting in front of them is remarkable, so it comes as no surprise to learn that Cooper and Nottingham Forest have reignited their interest in their former target.

The Team of Future client currently ranks in the 99th percentile for interceptions and the 96th percentile for tackles, via FBRef, displaying his ability to win back possession for his team and get stuck into challenges, but he’s also capable of having a positive impact at the opposite end of the pitch.

Since the start of his career, Luis, who has the versatility to operate slightly higher up in central midfield alongside his usual role, has posted 13 contributions (ten assists and three goals), so being such a well-rounded player, it would be a massive coup if he was to put pen to paper in the Midlands in January.

USMNT fullback Kristoffer Lund scored a long-range missile for Palermo in their clash against Ternana.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Lund scores missile for Palermo
• USMNT fullback's first Serie B goal
• Ternana win 3-2 in disappointing loss

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The leftback opened the scoring for the Italian side in their match on Tuesday, scoring a brilliant top-bins effort in the left corner of the net to level things 1-1 in the 19th minute. However, his stupendous goal was not enough for Palermo on the day, with Ternana scoring two more in the second half to claim a 3-2 victory.

Advertisement

• WATCH THE CLIP

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  With no true backup to starting fullback Antonee Robinson on the left side of the pitch, Lund emerged in 2023 as one of the latest dual-national commits for the USMNT. He impressed during his three international appearances toward the end the calendar year, and is now being considered for a first-team roster spot heading into major tournaments in 2024.

  The Concacaf Nations League semifinals this March will see the USMNT take on Jamaica, while this summer will see them compete in both the Copa America and the Paris Olympic Games.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR LUND AND PALERMO?

  In their push for promotion to Serie A, they took a step backward on Tuesday, but Palermo have had a brilliant campaign so far regardless. They sit 5th in Serie B, four points outside an automatic promotion spot – with the likes of Cremonese and Venezia in spots 1 and 2.

West Ham United are one of several clubs who have expressed an interest in one of Leeds United’s most promising talents…

What’s the latest West Ham transfer news?

According to The Athletic, Irons boss David Moyes is keeping a 'speculative eye' on Cody Drameh, amid the uncertainty of his contract situation at Elland Road.

Crystal Palace and Brentford are also keeping tabs on the youngster's situation in west Yorkshire.

However, Southampton could arguably be the leading contender for his signature, as boss Russell Martin is described as one of his “biggest admirers” and previously tried to sign him when he was coaching at Swansea City.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

Drameh’s current deal expires next summer and there is no offer of an extension on the table.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke is yet to properly utilise the 21-year-old gem, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in training a few weeks ago.

Nevertheless, the article underlines that Drameh has been told he is in the club’s plans this season, but he is waiting to see if that chance materialises, knowing if the game time doesn’t arrive, he has a vast array of potential suitors.

Would Cody Drameh be a good signing for West Ham?

The Yorkshire giants signed the £2.5k-per-week man from Fulham in 2020 and would’ve hoped by now he would have progressed as a first-team regular.

However, the defender’s senior development has largely taken place at other clubs, where he has looked to be a consistent and solid asset.

His first loan spell occurred at Cardiff City in the second half of the 2021/22 season.

During this time, he made 22 Championship appearances and averaged the most tackles per game (3.8) and dribbles per game (1.1) in the squad, and won 56% of his ground duels – despite only spending five months at the Welsh outfit, Drameh was named the club’s Young Player of the Season and the Player of the Season.

Bluebirds manager Steve Morrison appreciated the 5 foot 9 dynamo's contribution, lauding him as “excellent.”

Ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, you would have expected to result in a notable first-team breakthrough at Leeds, but he only managed three outings in all competitions and was sent out on another second-tier loan to Luton Town.

In 19 games for the Hatters, he averaged the second-highest number of tackles per game (3.3) and interceptions per game (1.2), as well as the most dribbles per game (1.1), as the club secured promotion to the Premier League.

Despite two exceptional loan spells, Drameh’s future is still murky and complicated, and if moved to the London Stadium, he could form a glowing partnership with Konstantinos Mavropanos.

The former Arsenal defender recently joined the Hammers from Stuttgart for £19m. In three seasons with the German club, he has become established as one of the Bundesliga’s most talented and coveted centre-backs.

The 25-year-old ranks within the best 8% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive carries per 90, successful take-ons per 90, interceptions per 90, and aerials won per 90.

Therefore, the prospect of these defensively solid and technically astute players appearing together in the West Ham backline is an exciting thought for Moyes.

Manchester United have now come forward to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, but he has allegedly agreed personal terms with another club, according to a report from France.

What's the latest Man United transfer news?

Man United are still searching for a new central midfielder, despite having already added Mason Mount to their ranks this summer, and they are still firmly in the race for Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat, who they seemingly stand a good chance of signing.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, journalist Ben Jacobs has now suggested Amrabat would be keen on a move to Old Trafford, saying:

“On the Amrabat side, I think the personal terms and the player desire have all been simpler, which is great for Manchester United's point of view because it means they can control the transfer’s timeline.”

Journalist Dean Jones has claimed that United are "hot on" the Fiorentina midfielder, but they could still face competition for his signature from Liverpool, who are said to have done their "due diligence on the player side."

As such, it is important the Red Devils have some alternative options in mind, and according to the print edition of L'Equipe (via PSG Talk), they have come forward for Verratti in recent days, with a move to Old Trafford still a possibility, but there's a problem.

The Italian is said to have already agreed personal terms on a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, who are now negotiating with PSG to finalise the deal in the coming days, so Man United may have to move swiftly if they are to hijack the deal.

Not only will United have to fend off interest from Al-Ahli, but there is also interest from reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, so there is likely to be stiff competition for the 30-year-old's signature.

Read The Latest Man United Transfer News HERE

What team did Marco Verratti play for before PSG?

The Italy international, on £238,000-a-week, has made a name for himself in Ligue 1, but he first made his breakthrough with Italian side Pescara, making 31 appearances in the 2011-12 Serie B season before completing his move to the Parc des Princes.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has lavished praise on the maestro in the past, saying:

“I’m in love with him. He is exceptional. Even under pressure, he manages to find those passes that allow the midfield to be free.

“He’s not a player for long passes but you can always count on him to build the game. We managed to control him better in the second half but in the first half he was really exceptional.”

Although the former Pescara man does not offer much in the way of attacking contributions, failing to score a goal last season, he makes up for it with his exceptional passing ability, and his defensive output, ranking in the 94th percentile for tackles per 90 in the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

The midfielder could be a great signing for Man United, but they will have to move swiftly, given that he is closing in on a move to Al-Ahli, so it could be one to watch.

A key feature of Erik ten Hag's Manchester United tenure so far has been the Dutchman's ruthless streak, with the former Ajax boss having notably shown Cristiano Ronaldo the door last season following the striker's bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, while also calling time on David De Gea's 12-year stint at Old Trafford earlier this summer.

The 53-year-old also looks set to allow Harry Maguire to join West Ham United after stripping the Englishman of the captaincy, while Brazilian enigma, Fred, is another who appears to be up for grabs after spending the last five years in Manchester.

It looks as if no one is truly safe from the axe with Ten Hag in charge, with the experienced coach also seemingly set to allow Donny van de Beek to move on before the September deadline, despite the playmaker having thrived under his compatriot during their time together in Amsterdam.

Will Van de Beek leave Man United this summer?

According to recent reports, the 26-year-old has been the subject of interest from Real Sociedad as his nightmare stint in English football looks set to be coming to a close, with the £40m signing having scored just twice and provided only two assists in 60 games in all competitions for the Red Devils.

Read the latest Manchester United transfer news HERE…

Despite previously chipping in with 75 goals and assists in 175 games in all competitions during his time in the Eredivisie, Van de Beek has since been unable to enjoy a consistent run of games since being snapped up by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and co back in 2020, having notably missed the second half of last season after suffering an unfortunate injury blow in January.

In what has been a rather luckless three years for the midfielder, in truth, the one-time Everton loanee has hardly impressed when he has featured in a United shirt, with journalist Samuel Luckhurst suggesting last year that playing the Netherlands international simply "doesn't work".

With Van de Beek likely to be on his way sooner rather than later, it may well provide a chance for Hannibal Mejbri to stake a claim for a more prominent role in the first-team squad, although the Tunisian isn't the only youngster who could be deserving of a promotion, with Isak Hansen-Aaroen also catching the eye of late.

Who is Isak Hansen-Aaroen?

The former Tromso starlet is yet to make a senior, competitive appearance since signing for United back in 2019, although at the age of just 18, the Norwegian maestro still has time on his side to force his way into Ten Hag's thinking over the coming years.

The teenage talent did take his chance to impress during the pre-season encounter with rivals Leeds United last month, with Manchester Evening News journalist Rich Fay writing that the £1.1k-per-week gem was 'direct and dangerous whenever he got on the ball in front of a noisy home crowd'.

That rare outing was followed up by another sparkling cameo against Lyon a week later in Edinburgh, with MEN's Steven Railston also writing glowing about the playmaker's performance, stating: 'His passing was progressive and he looked to initiate attacks whenever in possession.'

Previously part of United's FA Youth Cup-winning side back in 2022, the Norway U19 international has been dubbed a "beautiful footballer" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, with the respected insider also writing that the precocious prospect "has football in his veins".

That has come amid hefty praise from his former Tromso teammate Yttergard Jenssen, who has previously likened Hansen-Aaroen to his compatriot, Martin Odegaard:

"I realised that this was a talented boy already in the first training. He has some skills that are completely raw. He's so playful with the ball. And the way he moves on a football field… There's something artistic about it. He is a bit reminiscent of Martin Odegaard."

While yet to prove himself on the senior stage at the Theatre of Dreams, it would be no surprise if Hansen-Aaroen were to follow in Alejandro Garnacho's footsteps and cement his place in Ten Hag's squad moving forward, with the likely exit of Van de Beek set to leave a space up for grabs in those attacking midfield berths.

Tamim Iqbal’s expected return could give visitors batting lift; Victory will help South Africa leapfrog India in ODI rankings

The Preview by Firdose Moonda17-Oct-2017Big PictureBangladesh’s tour is one match away from derailing. After losing by big margins in the Tests, they were expected to be more competitive in the 50-over format. But South Africa strolled to the biggest 10-wicket win in the series opener.Bangladesh haven’t been undone by pace and bounce or fire and fury, but by themselves and a South African side that has stuck to simple game plans. Therefore, it isn’t impossible to find a way out of this mess.In the Tests, Bangladesh didn’t help their cause by bowling first on batsmen-friendly surfaces. In the first ODI in Kimberley, their bowling let them down. Not only did they fail to take a wicket, they also couldn’t apply the slightest hint of pressure on Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock. With an inexperienced seam-bowling group that isn’t getting the kind of assistance they would’ve liked, discipline should be their best option.Bangladesh’s batting is getting better and Mushfiqur Rahim’s hundred in Kimberley provided a much-needed highlight, but they can’t rely on him alone.For South Africa, things have come too easy, perhaps why it’s also difficult to judge their performances. They’d like to be pushed ahead of challenging assignments against India and Australia. New coach Ottis Gibson couldn’t have asked for a gentler landing. He may as well enjoy it while it lasts.Form guideSouth Africa: WLLWL (completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh: LLWLWIn the spotlightTamim wary of injured thigh

Even while he prepares to play on Wednesday, Tamim Iqbal is aware that his left thigh is vulnerable: another strain to the muscle could rule him out for at least two months, he said on Tuesday.
“If my fitness test goes well today, I don’t see why I can’t play tomorrow,” Tamim said. “[But] injuries need time. This is not my last match, nor is it Bangladesh’s last tour. If I get injured again [in the same spot], then I will be out for two months which I hope the team management doesn’t want and neither do I.”
He did not play the Kimberley ODI because the physio, Thihan Chandramohan, had advanced him not to, Tamim said. “I was excited to play the last but since there was pain, I took the expert’s advice. I have probably had three batting sessions in the last 15 days, which is not ideal. I am trying to get prepared mentally. But I think I am ready for it, depending on my fitness test.”

AB de Villiers was not needed with the bat and had a barely-there showing in the field on his international return after five months. He’ll be itching to get involved. More pressingly, observers will be anxious to see the effects of him giving up captaincy.Bangladesh’s bowling has been underwhelming all tour, but they can salvage something still. Success in South Africa could do wonders for someone like young Taskin Ahmed . He’s delivered in the past, against India, England and Sri Lanka. Now, it’s just a question of finding the right lengths and bringing in some consistency.Team newsSouth Africa could delay experimenting, considering the series hasn’t been won yet. That means allrounder Wiaan Mulder, who was withdrawn from a first-class game to replace the injured Wayne Parnell, Temba Bavuma and Farhaan Behardien may all have to wait their turn. South Africa: 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Faf du Plessis (capt) 4 AB de Villiers, 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Andile Phehlukwayo, 8 Dane Paterson, 9 Dwaine Pretorius, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Imran TahirBangladesh are hoping Tamim Iqbal, who couldn’t recover in time for the series opener due to a muscle strain, is fit and available. He could displace Imrul Kayes at the top of the order. However, Imrul may yet be needed if Mushfiqur Rahim, who tweaked a hamstring while scoring his hundred on Sunday, is rested. Shafiul Islam will join the side as cover for Mustafizur Rahman whose twisted ankle is likely to keep him out.Bangladesh: 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Liton Das (wk), 3 Shakib al Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim/Imrul Kayes, 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Sabbir Rahman, 7 Nasir Hossain, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza, 9 Mohammad Saifuddin, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Taskin AhmedPitch and conditionsWith only 10 ODIs played at this venue, it is one of the lesser-known grounds for teams touring South Africa. The surface tends to play slowly and occasionally takes turn. But, like Kimberley, it should hold no demons.Boland Park, the designated home venue for Stellenbosch Kings in The T20 Global League franchise, was revamped in anticipation of the now-postponed tournament. Though the new lights won’t be put to use just yet, the new stands are expected to be packed. After a drizzly build-up, match day should be fine and clear.Stats and Trivia: South Africa could go ahead of India on the ODI rankings with a 2-0 series lead. Boland Park has not hosted an ODI in more than four years. New Zealand was the last oveseas side to play here, in January 2013. The average score batting first is 258. Only two teams have scored more than 300 here: India and South Africa against Kenya and Sri Lanka respectively.Quotes”The bowlers haven’t fulfilled expectations on this tour but it doesn’t mean they can’t do it tomorrow.”
Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal