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The left-arm spinner came into the match with just nine first-class wickets

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Oct-2021Left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann completed the first ten-wicket haul of his career, more than doubling his career tally, as Queensland overcame a stubborn Tasmania second innings in Townsville.Kuhnemann, who before this match had just nine first-class wickets, gave Queensland an early lift when he removed Charlie Wakim. When Marnus Labuschagne had an lbw appeal upheld against Caleb Jewell to remove the opener for 90 – much to Labuschagne’s delight – Tasmania were 4 for 173 but they did not give in without a fight.Jake Doran, who took a nasty blow on the helmet when he was trying to avoid a short delivery, and Beau Webster added 65 before Kuhnemann worked his way through the middle order. Doran top-edged to short fine leg, Webster and Lawrence Neil-Smith were both lbw playing across full deliveries and Tom Andrews chipped tamely to mid-on.Marnus Labuschagne celebrates a wicket•Getty ImagesWhen Gabe Bell was caught behind Queensland were just a wicket away but that final blow took some time to come as the last-wicket pair of Jarrod Freeman and Riley Meredith added 64 to bring the required runs below 100.However, before it got into nervy territory debutant Connor Sully, who had claimed a wicket with his first delivery on the second day, wrapped up the match when Meredith pulled into the leg side.It was a notable result for Queensland who were without Michael Neser, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Xavier Bartlett and Billy Stanlake in their bowling attack.

After losing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Marseille this summer, Tottenham Hotspur could be about to bid farewell to another player, with a European club now considering a move.

Tottenham transfer news

It's been a mixed summer for those in north London, who have so far welcomed just two reinforcements in the form of Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray. The latter particularly stands out as a solid piece of business, but given that the Leeds United academy graduate is still just 18 years old, it remains to be seen how much he can impact Ange Postecoglou's starting side. And whilst welcoming a young player, Spurs have sold an experienced midfielder in Hojbjerg.

The Dane may not be the last player to head for the exit door, either, as Daniel Levy gets ruthless this summer. According to reports in Turkey (via The Spurs Web), Galatasaray have now joined the race to sign Emerson Royal from Tottenham this summer, putting themselves alongside the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Milan to sign the right-back before the window slams shut at the end of next month.

Tottenham have been in talks with £100k-per-week forward's camp for months

The Lilywhites regularly contact his representatives.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 26, 2024

Earning a reported £40k-a-week, Royal has struggled at times in north London and the arrival of Gray hands Postecoglou the right-back cover he needs for Pedro Porro. With European clubs lining up to sign Royal, it would be a deal worth sanctioning for the Lilywhites. What's more, Galatasaray could kill two birds with one stone for Spurs given that they're also reportedly interested in signing Bryan Gil – although he seems close to a move to La Liga outfit Girona.

With the Premier League campaign approaching, Spurs have just a matter of weeks to hand Postecoglou the strongest squad possible to open his second season in charge.

Tottenham no longer need "outstanding" Royal

Considering Royal struggled for starts last term, the emergence of Gray could only make matters worse next season. As things stand, the Lilywhites simply no longer need the Brazilian, despite Postecoglou's praise last season. The Spurs boss said via Football.london: "I see it on a daily basis, others don’t, but if you watch Emerson Royal train every day, you’d think he plays every game.

"He’s just outstanding with his attitude and demeanour around the place. There’s no time for anyone to feel down. When you see a guy like Emerson, and we’ve got a few in that boat this year like Fraser [Forster] or Ben [Davies], they train so hard every day, always have the greatest disposition in terms of their demeanour, it doesn’t give anyone else an excuse to not feel up for it."

A move to the likes of Milan, Dortmund or, indeed, Galatasaray wouldn't exactly be a bad next step either, but Spurs will want to make sure that they're cashing in on their right-back even if he is surplus to requirements in north London. With a month left until the window slams shut, the Lilywhites still have plenty to do.

Rangers are reportedly confident that they will secure the signing of an "amazing" 23-year-old ace this summer, with fresh comments claiming their interest in him is "legit".

Rangers transfer news

Last season was a good one at Ibrox, even if the Gers fell short in their quest for Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup glory, having to settle for the Scottish League Cup instead. Philippe Clement's side feel close to matching Celtic despite his short time at the helm, and new signings this summer will take them up another level.

Plenty of fresh faces have already come in, from Jefte to Connor Barron, and highly-rated 17-year-old Motherwell ace Lennon Miller has been linked with a move to Rangers this summer. He is arguably seen as an alternative or an addition to Joan Jordan, with the Sevilla midfielder 13 years his senior and also backed to seal a switch to the Scottish giants.

The Gers are believed to have submitted an offer for Porto attacker Goncalo Borges, too, as Clement looks to add to his attacking options, finding more match-winners in the process. He is a two-cap Portugal Under-21 international, as well as representing his country in three other youth age groups in the past.

Atletico Nacional striker Edier Ocampo is another mooted target for Rangers between now and the start of next season, with an offer already tabled for his services.

Rangers' interest in "amazing" ace is "legit"

Meanwhile, speaking on the Transfer Show, Simon Halloran claims that Rangers' interest in Morgan Whittaker is "legit", with club chiefs seemingly confident of getting a deal over the line for the Plymouth Argyle striker:

"We’re continuing to be linked with Morgan Whittaker. As far as we’re aware, this is legit, that we’re wanting him. We wouldn’t be pursuing if we didn’t believe a deal could be done."

Whittaker could be exactly what Clement is looking for this summer, adding a genuine goal threat to the squad after a standout season for Plymouth. The 23-year-old scored 19 times in the Championship in 2023/24 overall, which is more than any Rangers player managed in the Scottish Premiership – James Tavernier topped the pile with 17 – and he has also been lauded by Plymouth's director of football Neil Dewsnip.

"Well done Morgan Whittaker. He has excited us here throughout the season. He has scored some amazing goals and to get selected in that team with the quality that exits in this league is a major achievement. He should be really proud of himself. The supporters I hope enjoy watching him play."

It is hard to find many negatives when it comes to Rangers signing Whittaker, considering he is still a young player who has already proven himself in the English Championship, which is arguably one of the most competitive and relentless leagues in the world.

Rangers can forget about Jordan with move for "midfield machine"

Philippe Clement could lure a Premiership sensation to Ibrox during the transfer window…

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 29, 2024

The fact that those high up at Ibrox are reportedly confident of getting their man can only bode well, assuming Halloran is on the money with his update, and the Englishman could jump at the chance to represent a huge British club.

Two more Arsenal players are in ongoing talks to leave the Emirates Stadium with Emile Smith Rowe, who is said to be on the verge of a move to Fulham.

Smith Rowe close to joining Fulham from Arsenal in £35 million deal

The Hale End academy graduate, thanks partly to a knee injury last season, played just 347 minutes in the Premier League last season and started just three of his 13 top-flight appearances under Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal contact elite European club over signing £150,000-per-week forward

The north Londoners have reached out to them.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 25, 2024

Smith Rowe, who scored 10 league goals and registered a further two assists for Arsenal during the 2021/2022 season, his best campaign to date, also found himself competing with a host of star attackers to regain his place in Arteta's first team.

The Englishman has been heavily linked with a summer exit as a result, despite just how highly-rated he is in north London. Reliable journalist Charles Watts said earlier this week that Arsenal are reluctantly prepared to sell Smith Rowe for the right offer, and allow him to gain minutes elsewhere.

Arteta would ideally like to keep Smith Rowe at the club, but the attacking midfield ace is keen to play regular football and that is something which Arsenal cannot guarantee.

Appearances

115

Goals

18

Assists

13

Yellow cards

2

Red cards

0

Minutes played

5,846

(via Transfermarkt)

“In an ideal world, Mikel Arteta would keep Smith Rowe," said Watts.

"This time last year he made it clear that he would not be sold and I think his stance would be the same this time around if it was just down to a footballing decision. But Smith Rowe now has just two years left on his contract and has a strong desire to be playing regular football having sat on the bench for much of the last two seasons.

"So Arsenal would reluctantly let him leave should a good offer arrive from Fulham, Palace or anyone else."

Following on from that update, that desired bid appears to have arrived from Craven Cottage. As reported by The Guardian and other reliable media sources, Smith Rowe is now closer to joining Fulham in a £35 million deal, which would be a club-record fee for Marco Silva's side.

Fulham are believed to be confident of wrapping up an agreement soon, but Smith Rowe isn't the only player who could be departing London Colney in the near future.

Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson in talks to leave Arsenal

According to talkSPORT, both Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson are both actively attempting to find a new club as well.

The duo, on a combined £200,000-per-week, also found themselves struggling for consistent places in Arteta's starting lineups last season – and have been regularly tipped for the exit door before deadline day on August 30.

It is believed both Nketiah and Nelson are both in talks to leave Arsenal with Smith Rowe, but talkSPORT don't expand on which sides they are in discussions with. Nketiah has attracted serious interest from Marseille recently, with some reports claiming terms have been agreed, while Nelson has been a target for West Ham.

Leeds United have dipped into the transfer market to make four additions to their playing squad during the current summer transfer window so far.

Daniel Farke has added Joe Rodon on a permanent deal, after his loan spell at Elland Road, Alex Cairns, and Joe Rothwell, on loan from Bournemouth, to his squad.

The German head coach has also recently acquired Jayden Bogle from Sheffield United, officially welcoming him to the club on Saturday afternoon.

Their Championship rivals were said to be demanding a fee of £7m for the full-back, with it reported since the move was completed that they have paid a "significant, undisclosed fee".

Whilst Leeds welcome Bogle from across Yorkshire, the club have struck gold with one star who could return to the squad like a new signing for Farke at the start of next season – Pascal Struijk.

How much Leeds paid for Pascal Struijk

The Dutch defender signed for Leeds in January 2018 under the reign of Andrea Radrizzani on a free transfer from Ajax and initially joined as an academy player, rather than a first-team addition.

He only made five league appearances in his first 18 months at the club under Marcelo Bielsa, with all five of those outings coming during the 2019/20 title-winning campaign in the Championship.

His first market valuation on Transfermarkt came in October 2020, shortly after that season, as they valued him at just €750k (£629k) at the time.

The central defender then went on to play 27 or more games in each of the team's three years in the Premier League, as he established himself as a regular in the first-team.

Leeds struck gold with Struijk

At the time of writing, Transfermarkt values the 24-year-old enforcer at a whopping €15m (£12.6m) and that is significantly more than his first valuation of €750k four years ago and more than the £7m Sheffield United wanted for Bogle – who is one year younger than him.

This shows that Leeds struck gold when they signed Struijk on a free transfer as his value has skyrocketed over the years and he has emerged as a key first-team player for the club, which highlights his value on the pitch and financially as an asset.

Unfortunately, the Dutch ace missed the last 29 games of last season with a groin injury and that forced Ethan Ampadu to fill in at centre-back.

Appearances

23

Goals

3

Pass accuracy

90%

Ball recoveries per game

6.1

Ground duel success rate

61%

Aerial duel success rate

61%

As you can see in the table above, Struijk caught the eye during the first half of the season when fit as the defender won the majority of his duels on the deck and in the air, whilst being very reliable in possession.

The left-footed star, who was described as a "cornerstone" of the club's future by Farke, could return from injury like a fresh signing for Leeds next term, as they have been without his talents since New Year's Day.

Imagine him & Rothwell: Leeds preparing swoop to sign £40k-p/w star

The Whites are reportedly keen on a deal to sign the Premier League midfielder.

ByDan Emery Jul 16, 2024

It now remains to be seen whether or not the Whites will stump up the £7m required to sign Bogle but Struijk could walk back into the team like a £12.6m-rated new signing ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Cricketer by day, quality surveyor by night – Williams enjoying life after overturning 2018 retirement

Deivarayan Muthu30-Oct-2021Craig Williams bats in the top order for Namibia in the afternoon or evening. At night, the 37-year-old returns to his hotel room to write reports for insurance companies back home in Namibia.He wasn’t even supposed to be part of this Namibia team that is featuring in its first ever T20 World Cup. Williams had retired from the game in 2018 to shift his focus on his business and family, but head coach Pierre de Bryun valued his experience so much that he talked Williams out of retirement. Williams, ultimately, made a U-turn on his decision and is now relishing being part of Namibia’s incredible run in the UAE.Related

• Albie Morkel: 'Cricket was a dying sport in Namibia, but people have started watching again'

“See, I retired for personal reasons. Basically, just business, work, family, kids and there was a lot more responsibility,” Wiliams recalled. “So, it was personal reasons to retire. I’ve said it in previous interviews that when you retire it’s like a dark place and you always have a feeling in your heart that there’s more to offer and when Pierre de Bryun became head coach, we had a meeting in January 2019 and he asked me: ‘Craig, is there a possibility of coming back, returning to assist a very young squad?’ So, I was more than happy to come back.”I just felt that there was more I could offer. At that stage, I wasn’t sure how much I could play. I really wanted to try and help the youngsters. But I obviously haven’t had injuries and my form has been okay, so it has allowed me to contribute on the field as well. So, reflecting… [it’s] probably the best decision I’ve ever made. It was a tough decision at the time; I had to leave my work, unfortunately the guys…there was no space to play cricket at that level and give that much commitment to cricket and work, so it was very difficult decision to come back. It wasn’t easy. But, in hindsight I’m really glad that myself and my family made that decision to commit again and play.”Williams was particularly thrilled at the global exposure that Namibia’s players have got at this World Cup. He cited the example of how allrounder David Wiese is now nurturing Namibia youngsters by sharing his experiences of featuring in various T20 tournaments around the world.”Playing a tournament like this, especially playing in the last 12…the exposure for our guys has been fantastic,” Williams said. “At the end of the day, we want to see our youngsters and our best players playing around the world because then they will bring that exposure and experience that they’ve gained back into our squad and teach our youngsters. So, for example, just having David Wiese – he’s played around the world. The amount of experience he’s brought back into our change room and the lessons that he’s teaching us about how to handle pressure and how to handle playing against the best – it has been fantastic.”So, we’re hoping that with the last few games some of our guys can show themselves in the world stage and hopefully pick up some deals around the world and then it will be fantastic if we can get the likes of Gerhard Erasmus and JJ and Ruben Trumpelmanns, Bernard Scholtzs – all these guys playing around the world. Still looking for the first Namibian to play in the IPL (laughs). So, hopefully after this tournament, we can get one of those deals on the table.”Afghanistan vs Nambia will make for a clash of contrasts, especially on the bowling front. Namibia have packed their attack with left-arm seam (because they don’t have as many right-armers ) while Afghanistan’s strength is right-arm spin. Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman, in particular, have been lethal at different points during Afghanistan’s three matches in the Super 12s. Williams reckoned that Namibia’s familiarity with Afghanistan, however, would help his side in countering the opposition spinners.”Our conditions back home in Windhoek aren’t flat, quick wickets; they are quite low and slow,” Williams said. “So, we’ve done really well in the five series back home before coming to the World Cup against good spin attacks on low, slow wickets. So, we’ve put in really good preparation and we’ve put in extreme amount of analysis into the opposition and we’ve worked on individual game-plans for each batsman, so I think sitting where we are tonight, we’re in a very good place. Anything can happen in T20 cricket and we’ve played Afghanistan many, many times in the past. We know what they can do – so it’s just about on the day being able to handle the nerves and execute plans put in place.”So, in terms of playing spin, we’re extremely confident against spin. It’s just a matter of being able to execute your plan on that day against the best in the world because you know that’s who we are playing against.”Cricketer by day. Quality surveyor by night. Williams says that juggling between the two jobs can be challenging, but he’s prepared for greater responsibility as Namibia plan to go deep in the tournament.

كشفت تقارير صحفية تفاصيل جديدة تخص مستقبل مدرب ريال مدريد، كارلو أنشيلوتي، وسط التكهنات المستمرة حول إمكانية استمراره في ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”.

ويمتلك كارلو أنشيلوتي عقدًا ساريًا مع ريال مدريد حتى عام 2026.

وارتبط أنشيلوتي في وقت سابق بإمكانية مغادرة صفوف ريال مدريد من أجل تدريب منتخب البرازيل، ولكنه أكد مرارًا وتكرارًا أنه لا يفكر في هذا الشأن.

وحسبما ذكرت شبكة “ذا أثلتيك” العالمية، فإنه من المرجح أن يلجأ ريال مدريد إلى الإطاحة بـ كارلو أنشيلوتي من منصبه، حال عدم الفوز ببطولة الدوري الإسباني أو دوري أبطال أوروبا هذا الموسم.

ويحتل ريال مدريد حاليًا المركز الثالث في جدول الدوري الإسباني برصيد 54 نقطة، في حين فاز على أتلتيكو مدريد بهدفين لهدف في ذهاب دور الـ16 من دوري أبطال أوروبا.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أنشيلوتي يكشف سر “العلكة”.. ويؤكد: لن أقرر متى ستنتهي مغامرتي مع ريال مدريد

وأوضحت أنه في حال عدم فوز ريال مدريد بأي من البطولتين هذا الموسم، فإن استمرارية أنشيلوتي في منصبه ستصبح محل شك.

وأفادت أن تعاقد ريال مدريد مع تشابي ألونسو، مدرب باير ليفركوزن، أمر ممكن، خاصة مع وجود ارتباطات بينهما في وقت سابق.

وأشارت إلى أن معسكر أنشيلوتي يدرك كون ريال مدريد يرى أن ألونسو هو الأفضل لخلافة الإيطالي حال الاستغناء عن خدماته، حيث أن هناك وعيًا لدى ممثليه بوجود شيء ما يحدث خلف الكواليس.

ويعتقد معسكر أنشيلوتي أن مسؤولي ريال مدريد على تواصل مع ألونسو لترتيب خطوة تنصيبه مدربًا جديدًا لبطل أوروبا، حال وجود حاجة إلى ذلك.

وأكدت أنه إذا غادر أنشيلوتي ريال مدريد الصيف المقبل، سيُعرض على ألونسو خدمات تدريب الفريق.

أما بالنسبة لـ أنشيلوتي، فإن “ذا أثلتيك” أوضحت أنه سيكون هناك خيارين أمامه حال رحيله عن ريال مدريد، وهما إما تولي تدريب منتخب البرازيل أو تدريب روما وقبول دعوة الأسطورة توتي.

وزعمت أن أنشيلوتي ليس لديه أي نية للتدريب في الدوري السعودي، حيث يريد إنهاء مسيرته التدريبية بأفضل شكل ممكن.

Barcelona are reportedly plotting a swoop for Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who is into the final 12 months of his current contract.

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Salah's future at Liverpool is uncertainStar forward yet to renew contractBarca linked with potential moveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Salah's future remains the subject of speculation as the Egyptian star heads towards the end of his current deal that expires in the summer of 2025. The 32-year-old is willing to listen to offers and may receive one from Barcelona, according to . The Catalans spoke to Salah in 2021, before he renewed with Liverpool, but could not progress negotiations due to the Reds' high asking price and Salah's wage demands. Yet the situation may be different next summer, particularly as Salah will be available on a free transfer if he does not sign a new contract at Anfield.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Salah has yet to reveal his plans for the future but offered a cryptic update after scoring against Brighton last time out. The forward wrote on social media that he will never forget what it feels like to score at Anfield "no matter what happens." Salah would surely not lack for offers if he does decide on a new challenge after playing a starring role for Liverpool since joining the club from Roma in 2017. He has also shown few signs of slowing down, despite his advancing years, and has been in fine form once again in the current campaign with nine goals already for the Reds in all competitions.

DID YOU KNOW?

Barcelona certainly aren't lacking for goals this season. Hansi Flick's side have scored 40 goals in La Liga in 2024-25, the second-highest scoring record after their first 12 games of the season in their entire history.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR SALAH

Liverpool fans face a nervous wait to see whether Salah opts to continue his career at Anfield past the end of the season. Barcelona may be one of a host of clubs keeping tabs on the Egyptian's situation but are also thought to be willing to reignite their interest in Spain star Nico Williams next summer.

Already without Jofra Archer, the Rajasthan Royals will have to do without another key man

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Apr-2021Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the remainder of the Rajasthan Royals’ campaign in IPL 2021 with a broken finger in his left hand. The allrounder sustained the injury during the Royals’ opening game, against the Punjab Kings, when he ran in from long-on and dived forward to take Chris Gayle’s catch in the tenth over of the Kings’ innings.The Royals said in a statement on Tuesday that after Stokes picked up the injury, “subsequent investigations revealed that he sustained a broken finger, which will unfortunately rule him out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League 2021 season”. Stokes will continue to stay on with the Royals to provide “support and inputs off the field”, while the Royals cast around for a potential replacement signing.”Everyone at Rajasthan Royals absolutely admires Ben for being such a huge asset and a valuable member of the Royals family, both on and off the field, and wishes him a speedy recovery,” the Royals statement said. “We are delighted that Ben would like to stay with the group to provide his valued support and inputs off the field. In the meantime, we will be reviewing potential replacement options for the remainder of the season.”ESPNcricinfo understands that Stokes is being assessed by the team’s medical staff, with the ECB in the loop on the developments. “We are aware and he will be assessed over the coming days on the extent of the seriousness of the injury. At that point we will confirm the next steps,” an ECB spokesperson said.In the match against the Kings, Stokes had bowled the eighth over, but didn’t come on to bowl any more even though the Kings scored 221 for 6. He subsequently came out to open the innings for the Royals, but lasted only three balls before top-edging a pull back to the bowler Mohammed Shami to be out for a duck. The Royals lost the match by four runs.Stokes’ injury could disrupt the Royals’ plans significantly, especially because they are already without a first-choice player in Jofra Archer, who is recuperating and is expected to miss at least the first four games of the season. While Archer was cleared to return to training on Tuesday, it is still not clear when he will be able to resume playing.Without either Stokes or Archer, the overseas options for the Royals are limited. Both Jos Buttler and Chris Morris are first-choice picks, and for the other two slots, they have to choose from among Liam Livingstone, David Miller, Mustafizur Rahman and Andrew Tye. Rahman played in the first match and Livingstone – who can bat in the top order and turn his arm over for part-time offspin – could be the most likely to fill in for Stokes.The injury also puts a question mark over Stokes’ commitments for England. They are scheduled to play a two-Test series against New Zealand, starting at Lord’s on June 2, just four days after the IPL final, which is on May 30. Following the New Zealand Tests, England are due to play a five-Test series against India, after which is the T20 World Cup in India, followed by the Ashes in Australia.

His numbers with the ball are the stuff of legend, but Ashwin was more than handy with the bat too

Sampath Bandarupalli18-Dec-2024Ashwin finishes his career with 537 wickets in 106 Test matches, placing him seventh on the all-time wicket-takers list, behind Anil Kumble’s tally of 619 for India. His strike rate of 50.73 is the highest among the nine bowlers with over 500 wickets, while his bowling average of 24 ranks third.He achieved five or more wickets in a Test innings on 37 occasions, a number bettered only by Muthiah Muralidaran, who did it 67 times, while Shane Warne also managed it on 37 ocassions. He has also claimed ten or more wickets in a Test match eight times, the highest among Indian bowlers, alongside Kumble.ESPNcricinfo LtdDominance at Home
Ashwin’s remarkable success at home has contributed significantly to India’s impressive record in home Tests over the past decade. He has played every home Test since his debut in 2011, spanning 65 matches.Of those 65 home Tests, India won 47; only Sachin Tendulkar has featured in more Test wins – 52. Only Alastair Cook (89) played more home Tests than Ashwin without missing any, while the previous highest among allrounders was Tony Greig (31) and among bowlers was Dilip Doshi (21).ESPNcricinfo LtdAshwin took 383 wickets in those 65 home Tests, the most by any Indian bowler and the fourth-highest overall. His 29 five-wicket hauls at home are second only to Muralidaran’s 45. Ashwin’s tally of 303 wickets in Test victories at home is just two shy of Muralidaran’s 305.Among the 23 bowlers with 200-plus Test wickets at home, Ashwin’s average of 21.57 is the sixth-highest, while his strike rate of 46 is the fourth-best. It is also the best strike rate among the eight spin bowlers with 200-plus wickets at home.The ratio between Ashwin’s home average and that of other bowlers (32.47) in those matches is 1.51, the fifth highest among the bowlers with 200-plus wickets at home.ESPNcricinfo LtdContributions with the Bat
Ashwin’s success in Tests wasn’t limited to his bowling; he also made valuable contributions with the bat. He scored six centuries, four of which came while batting at No. 8 or lower, ranking just behind Daniel Vettori’s five.In four of the six matches where he scored a century, he also took a five-wicket haul – only Ian Botham (5) has achieved this double more frequently than Ashwin.Among the eight players with 500-plus wickets before Ashwin, only Stuart Broad and Kumble scored a hundred in Tests. Ashwin’s total of 3503 runs is second only to Broad’s 3662 runs among bowlers with 500-plus wickets.ESPNcricinfo LtdIndia’s very own match-winner
India won 61 of the 106 Test matches in which Ashwin played, with only Tendulkar (72) and Virat Kohli (62) featuring in more Test victories for India. Ashwin’s presence in the playing XI contributed to a win percentage of 57.55%, which is the sixth-highest among players who have played over 100 Tests.The only players with better win percentages are Australians: Matthew Hayden (68.93), Glenn McGrath (67.74), Justin Langer (66.67), Ricky Ponting (64.29), and Shane Warne (63.45), who all played during a dominant period for Australian cricket from 1993 to 2008.