Rajasthan beat Tamil Nadu by 19 runs in the pre-quarterfinal in Vadodara
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jan-2025
Will Varun Chakravarthy’s 18 wickets in the Vijay Hazare Trophy help him make it to India’s ODI squad?•BCCI
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy strengthened his case for selection in India’s ODI squad by taking his second five-wicket haul in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but his performance could not prevent Rajasthan from eliminating Tamil Nadu in the pre-quarterfinal stage of the tournament.While Varun finished as the top wicket-taker with 18 scalps in six matches, the knockout game’s defining performance came from Rajasthan opener Abhijeet Tomar, whose 111 in the first innings set the foundation for a 19-run victory. They will play Vidarbha in the quarterfinal on January 12.Rajasthan were on course for 300-plus after losing the toss, cruising at 182 for 1 in the 32nd over when Varun took three wickets in three overs to trigger a slide. He first bowled Mahipal Lomror for 60 with a wrong’un that drifted in, pitched and squared the left-hander to hit the top of off stump.Having broken the 160-run stand between Tomar and Lomror, Varun then bowled Deepak Hooda with a carrom ball as he attempted a mow towards the leg side. His third wicket was the centurion Tomar, holing out to long-on for 111 off 125 balls. He picked up two more wickets to finish with 5 for 52 in nine overs.Rajasthan lost nine wickets for 83 and were all out for 267 in 47.3 overs. Left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore and seamer Sandeep Warrier picked up two wickets each.Tamil Nadu responded with a rapid opening partnership of 60 in 6.5 overs before Khaleel Ahmed bowled the slower opener Tushar Raheja for 11 of 20 balls. N Jagadeesan raced to a half-century, hitting Aman Shekhawat for six fours in an over that included five wides to cost Rajasthan 29 runs. His dismissal for 65 off 52 balls, however, caused panic in Tamil Nadu’s chase.B Indrajith and Vijay Shankar kept the innings going and at the start of the 36th over, Tamil Nadu needed 83 runs with five wickets in hand. The run-out of S Mohammed Ali for a run-a-ball 34, however, swung the game Rajasthan’s way.Shekhawat, the fast bowler who had Indrajith caught behind, bowled Vijay Shankar for 49, and sealed the game by dismissing Varun for 18 in a close finish. He finished with 3 for 60 as Rajasthan, runners-up of the previous Vijay Hazare Trophy, entered the final eight by bowling Tamil Nadu out for 248 in 47.1 overs.
Usman Khawaja will open the batting for Queensland in the opening three Sheffield Shield rounds, having previously batted at No. 4 while being the Test opener, as new coach Johan Botha looks to create more stability in the Bulls’ middle-order following a disappointing season last summer.Despite being the Test opener, Khawaja had batted at No.4 in his last eight Shield games since last opening in February 2022 just after he had been elevated to open in the final Test of the 2021-22 Ashes series. Australia’s selectors have not been prescriptive in directing state teams to bat players in their Test positions in Shield cricket and have been happy to let Khawaja and others bat wherever they were needed at domestic level.Related
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However, New South Wales coach Greg Shipperd has asked for guidance from the national selectors regarding where to bat incumbent Test opener Steven Smith when he returns to play Shield cricket at the start of the summer, with conjecture continuing to swirl around his batting position in the Test team for the India series.Meanwhile, Michael Neser is set to be available for the start of the domestic season after overcoming a calf issue but Xavier Bartlett is expected to miss at least the first month after the side strain he picked up in the first T20I in Southampton. It’s understood there is hope he could be fit for the Pakistan limited-overs series in early November.Khawaja, who was Queensland captain last season, opted to bat at No. 4 in his four Shield games last summer and scored two centuries. But he and new Queensland skipper Marnus Labuschagne are only set to be available for the first three Shield games this summer before leaving to play in the five-Test series against India. Khawaja is unlikely to be available to play Shield cricket again until the end of the Sri Lanka Test tour in February while Labuschagne may not return to Queensland until the end of the Champions Trophy in March.Jack Clayton was Queensland’s leading Shield run-scorer last season and made two centuries at No. 4 when Khawaja was absent but had to bat at No. 5 when the Australian opener returned and finished the season at No. 3. The promising 25-year-old left-hander looks set to settle at No. 4 this season and Botha praised Khawaja for helping create some stability in the Bulls’ middle order.”I know Uzzie has a good record for Queensland at No. 4, but I had a chat to him and he understood what we’re trying to do with giving the younger guys a bit of stability through Nos. 4, 5, 6,” Botha told ESPNcricinfo.Michael Neser is currently on track to start the Shield season•Getty Images
“I think he realized that if he went in at No. 4 then we’ll have to change our line-up around. And he’s been great with that. He said, ‘I’ll do whatever the team needs,’ and we want him to open so he’s going to do that for us to start with. So that’s a nice result for us. We can have a bit of stability through our Nos. 4, 5, 6 when the [Test players] leave after the third game.”Khawaja is already in some fine touch having helped his Queensland premier cricket club Valley claim the T20 Max title last week before smashing 114 off 119 balls in Valley’s first 50-over match of the season against a South Brisbane attack featuring Bulls seamer Gurinder Sandhu.On the bowling front, Neser looks set to be available for the start of the season after recovering from a calf problem. He got through six overs in a practice game for Queensland against South Australia last week and bowled 10 overs for his club side Gold Coast on Saturday.”He’s in a good spot,” Botha said. “You never want to be injured. But I think it came at a good time where he could freshen up a bit. He was over at Hampshire. So in a way, it probably worked out well. If he starts the season and he goes well, then it’s obviously worked perfectly, but we’ll have to see how that start goes and manage that maybe a little bit. But at the moment, he’s in a good space. He’s fresh. He’s good to go and he’ll be a big player for us this summer.”There have been concerns building over Australia’s fast bowling depth ahead of the series against India with Neser’s calf issue among a host of injury worries. Scott Boland is managing a long-term knee complaint while Lance Morris is set for a slow return following a stress fracture in his back.Bartlett’s significant side strain along with injuries to other white-ball quicks Nathan Ellis (hamstring) and Riley Meredith (side) has stretched Australia on the tour of the UK while they try to carefully manage Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc ahead of a huge workload against India.
A leaked video appears to show Myles Lewis-Skelly reacting excitedly to Viktor Gyokeres' impending move to Arsenal.
Gyokeres set for Arsenal switchLewis-Skelly leaked video emergesReacts excitedly to Gunners moveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Just as Arsenal close in on a deal worth £54.8m (€63.1m/$74.2m) plus £8.6m (€9.9m/$11.7m) in add-ons for the Sporting CP star, Gunners left-back Lewis-Skelly has been caught on film imitating the Swede's iconic celebration. The England international can be seen showing a photo of Fabrizio Romano's 'Here We Go' tweet on Gyokeres and celebrating the news with gusto.
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Barring any last-minute hiccups, this is a statement signing from Arsenal. Gyokeres scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting following his move from Championship side Coventry City in 2023 and is regarded as one of the world's best centre-forwards. Many have claimed that the Gunners need a top striker to finally help them end their 21-year Premier League title drought, and now they may have the final piece of the puzzle to make that possible.
Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT?
It may just be a matter of time before the 27-year-old Sweden international joins Arsenal this summer, with the ex-Brighton man expected to sign a long-term contract with Mikel Arteta's men until 2030.
da dobrowin： Liverpool’s mastery in the transfer market must leave rivals hot under the collar. FSG have their drawbacks, criticised for their frugality, but who can reasonably rail against their formula?
da prosport bet： Arne Slot, though, has exceeded expectations this season, winning the Premier League at a canter, somehow replacing the irreplaceable Jurgen Klopp.
Arne Slot and Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool
It’s frightening to think that Liverpool are now ramping up their transfer plans, rewarding Slot with a deep-pocketed transfer chest which has already led to the signing of Jeremie Frimpong, with his Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz lined up for a reported British-record €130m (about £110m) transfer.
With a deal for Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez also in the pipeline, Liverpool fans would be forgiven for indulging in fits of excitement: Slot and the powers that be are investing in a team ready to challenge at the highest European level for many years to come.
However, more is needed in attacking areas if the Reds are to do it all over again next year and keep Mohamed Salah, who turns 33 this month, on his A-game.
How Liverpool can keep Mo Salah firing
Last season, Liverpool won the Carabao Cup and restored their place in the Champions League after a wretched 2022/23 campaign, but failed to secure the biggest prizes.
Salah promised the Liverpool faithful he would put that right, and delivered on his promise by winning the Premier League under Slot’s wing, winning the clean sweep of individual prizes in the process.
It was, all in all, a rather good campaign for the Egyptian King, but there’s no question he was overburdened with responsibility at times, dragging his profligate teammates across the finish line.
Salah no doubt misses the seamless synergy that Jurgen Klopp pieced together when creating one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever frontlines, Salah joined by Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane in turning Liverpool back into a superpower over so many years.
Mohamed Salah in 2024/25
Competition
Matches
Goals
Assists
Premier League
38
29
18
Champions League
9
3
4
Carabao Cup
5
2
1
Stats via Transfermarkt
Now, Liverpool must reward their legendary veteran with new partners in the final third who maintain clinical rates of scoring, of supplying. Whether Salah will secure teammates on the level of Firmino and Mane remains to be seen, but FSG are certainly acting with the intent of achieving just that.
Slot driving ambitious Liverpool deal
As per TEAMtalk, Liverpool are considering ‘a fresh approach’ for Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon this summer, who is valued at around £80m.
Contacts were established one year ago when Newcastle fretted over ways to circumvent PSR, having failed to qualify for Europe. Liverpool were drawn to the possibility of signing Gordon, but in the end, Eddie Howe’s side found alternative routes to go down.
Anthony Gordon
Now, though, it’s become clear that Anfield’s interest has remained intact, and while the former Everton star would not force his way out of St. James’ Park, a return to Merseyside to sign for his boyhood club would be a big temptation.
Why Anthony Gordon could replicate Mane at Liverpool
Liverpool released Gordon from their academy when he was only 11 years old, leaving him adrift until washing up at Goodison Park, where he made his name.
Anthony Gordon for Newcastle
Newcastle paid Everton a £45m fee to sign Gordon in January 2023, and this was before he made genuine headway. Now, it’s understandable that the Magpies would want to bank nearly double that figure, and if Diaz is sold, Liverpool might just be able to make it happen.
Hailed for his “unbelievable” 2023/24 campaign by teammate Bruno Guimaraes, Liverpool’s interest came after a campaign that saw Gordon post 28 goal contributions across all competitions, earning Newcastle’s Player of the Season.
Despite winning the Carabao Cup and restoring his club’s place in the Champions League, the current season hasn’t been so kind to the England international, with injuries and suspensions disrupting the second half of the term.
The 24-year-old remains one of the most talented wingers in the Premier League, though, having pronounced himself a “nightmare for anyone” he plays against.
With levels still to scale as he makes improvements, Gordon might just be Slot’s long-term solution on the left flank, maybe even becoming Liverpool’s new version of Sadio Mane, with blistering speed and a dynamic danger to his skill set.
Sadio Mane Liverpool graphic
Last August, pundit Jamie Carragher actually tipped the Three Lions man to serve as Mane’s heir over on Merseyside, claiming he could make a “frightening” impact.
A player of such physicality and athleticism with ostensibly sharper weaponry than Diaz could certainly make a positive impact, striking a stunning partnership with the evergreen Salah, who will remain at Liverpool for at least two more years.
And if Darwin Nunez is sold and replaced by Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, with Liverpool locked in battle with Chelsea for the French forward, Slot might even have his own version of Firmino to complete a deadly new strike-force.
How to define Bobby Firmino? The Brazil forward was the glue which held Klopp’s iconic front three together, effortlessly brilliant and commendably selfless.
Mane and Salah were the goal-getters, but Firmino made it all tick, and given that Ekitike would join Liverpool as an up-and-coming Bundesliga talent, the similarities are clear to see, as Firmino arrived from Hoffenheim a decade ago for £29m.
Ekitike, 22, is a good goalscorer, having scored 22 times for his club this term, but he’s also so much more. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 10% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues this season for assists and the top 6% for shot-creating actions per 90.
Such quality would give Gordon an inroad to a new level of goalscoring success, especially with Salah shaping into one of the game’s superlative wide playmakers in recent years.
Liverpool have enjoyed tremendous success in Slot’s newly-crafted system, but with such signings, they could reach even higher, giving Salah a new attacking partnership for the ages.
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Heading into their contest at the Emirates Stadium, Newcastle United were still riding high off beating Chelsea 2-0 in the ongoing race to finish inside the Premier League’s Champions League spots.
However, the Magpies swiftly returned to reality after losing 1-0 to Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, meaning only point now separates Eddie Howe’s Toon from seventh placed Nottingham Forest. Unfortunately, only the top five are allowed a seat around Europe’s elite table.
Therefore, Newcastle will have to get back to winning ways at home to David Moyes’ Everton to cement a spot, with a number of underperformers very much at risk of being dropped from this crucial tie.
37
19
14
4
71
37
20
6
11
66
37
19
9
9
66
37
19
9
9
66
36
19
8
9
65
37
19
8
10
65
Newcastle's biggest underperformers vs Arsenal
Newcastle just didn’t enter into this contest away from home with the same clinical edge they showed against Enzo Maresca’s Blues, as wasteful finishing ruined their day throughout. In short, it was obvious they missed Alexander Isak who was ruled out through injury,
Come the end of the finely poised clash, Newcastle actually bettered the hosts in terms of shots, but Arsenal just displayed more self-control in crunch moments, particularly when Declan Rice’s latest stunner proved to be the difference-maker between the two teams.
The visitors just didn’t have this same composure in their locker, with Anthony Gordon a real letdown throughout in the attacking areas, leading to the ex-Everton winger finishing the game with no efforts attempted on David Raya’s net. On top of this, a misjudged dribble from the Liverpool-born attacker would culminate in Rice firing home.
Moreover, Harvey Barnes would only muster up 14 touches of the ball down the opposing left channel on a quiet day at the office from the former Leicester City man, whilst Jacob Murphy would also fail to provide a spark down the wings when failed to register an accurate cross.
But, the most anonymous body perhaps just started for the final time donning the famous black and white stripes.
4/10 dud must never start for Newcastle again
Newcastle were, of course, hindered on their travels by 27-goal machine Isak being injured, but Howe would have hoped those in reserve would step up to the mark in the Swede’s costly absence.
Instead, Callum Wilson really struggled leading the line for the Magpies throughout, resulting in the 33-year-old being hooked by his manager just after the hour mark.
Minutes played
64
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Touches
17
Shots
0
Accurate passes
8/8 (100%)
Successful dribbles
0/2
Total duels won
0/7
It hasn’t exactly been a standout season for Wilson away from his struggles in North London – with only one goal coming the former AFC Bournemouth striker’s way – but even this dire showing on the big stage against Arteta’s men felt like a low, especially as his St. James’ Park future hangs in the balance.
Across his forgettable 64-minute stint, Wilson failed to register a single shot on the Arsenal goal, failed to complete a single dribble to test the Gunners defence and further failed to win a solitary duel from seven attempts.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson
Just off this showing alone, Wilson is unlikely to be kept around past this season, particularly when there are promising young talents such as William Osula at Howe’s disposal in the striker department.
Osula came on in place of the 33-year-old veteran actually, and whilst he too didn’t test Raya, he did valiantly win two duels for the cause.
Therefore, the future may well lie with Osula now over persisting with a waning Wilson, with Chronicle Live journalist Lee Ryder equally displeased with the ageing forward’s performance when dishing out a low 4/10 rating his way.
Cursing his team’s careless finishing at the full-time whistle, Howe will pray he has Isak available again for the vital final day contest.
If he isn’t though, you would anticipate that Osula will be thrown into the deep-end, with Wilson now potentially exiting St James’ Park on a whimper.
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da bet vitoria： Vanderlei Luxemburgo segue sem vencer no comando do Corinthians. O Timão foi até o estádio Diego Armando Maradona e empatou com o Argentinos Juniors por 0 a 0, pela 4ª rodada da fase de grupos da Copa Libertadores. Paulinho saiu lesionado no primeiro tempo, e a equipe argentina jogou com um homem a menos nos últimos 20 minutos da partida em Buenos Aires.
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da spicy bet： + Jogador ex-Timão na seleção da Itália? Lembre brasileiros que defenderam ou podem defender outros países
Com o empate, o Timão chega aos quatro pontos no Grupo E, mesma pontuação do Liverpool-URU, mas segue na terceira posição pelo saldo de gols. Mais cedo, os uruguaios superaram o Independiente del Valle por 1 a 0. Dessa forma, os argentinos lideram com oito pontos, e o Del Valle ocupa o segundo lugar, com seis pontos.
+ ATUAÇÕES: Ataque faz jogo apagado e ‘luz’ do Corinthians na Libertadores começa a falhar
Os comandados de Vanderlei Luxemburgo voltam a campo na Libertadores no dia 7 de junho, em duelo de vida ou morte contra o Independiente del Valle, fora de casa. No domingo (28), a equipe alvinegra tenta sair da zona de rebaixamento do Brasileirão e recebe o Fluminense, na Neo Química Arena.
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+ Não perca nenhum lance do Timão na Liberta. Assine o Star+ por apenas R$40,90 por mês e torça onde quiser!
CRIA DO TERRÃO QUASE ABRE O PLACAR
Como esperado, o Argentinos Juniors teve o controle da posse de bola nos minutos iniciais, e o Corinthians repetiu a estratégia defensiva que aplicou nos últimos três jogos, com dificuldades para sair jogando do campo de defesa. A melhor chance do Timão veio aos 17 minutos, quando Murillo roubou a bola no ataque, Yuri Alberto rolou para Bruno Méndez, que cruzou na medida para o zagueiro, mas o Cria do Terrão, livre, chutou por cima do gol.
Aos 28 minutos, o Alvinegro teve uma péssima notícia. Paulinho dividiu bola com um atleta do El Bicho e imediatamente caiu no gramado com a mão no joelho esquerdo, pedindo substituição. Luxemburgo colocou Roni no lugar do camisa 15.
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QUASE UMA LAMBANÇA
O Argentinos Juniors cresceu com a saída de Paulinho e quase inaugurou o placar em um lance inusitado da defesa corintiana. Metilli invadiu a área pelo lado esquerdo e cruzou na área. Bidu tentou fazer o corte, mas pegou mal na bola e mandou contra a própria meta. Atento, Carlos Miguel evitou o gol.
SUFOCO ARGENTINO
O roteiro da partida seguiu o mesmo após o intervalo, com o Corinthians tendo dificuldades para sair do campo de defesa, e a equipe da casa rondando a área de Carlos Miguel e controlando as ações ofensivas, apostando em jogadas pelos lados. A primeira chance do Timão no segundo tempo veio aos 18 minutos. Bidu cruzou na área, mas Yuri Alberto testou por cima.
NA RUA!
Os ânimos das equipes esquentaram na parte final da partida, e o Argentinos Juniors ficou em desvantagem numérica aos 31 do segundo tempo. Nuss, que havia entrado minutos antes, acertou uma cotovelada em Roni. O árbitro havia dado cartão amarelo ao atleta argentino, mas mudou de ideia após ver o sangramento na cabeça do volante, e expulsou o atacante.
A expulsão deu uma injeção de ânimo no Timão, que tentou sem sucesso se lançar ao ataque em busca da vitória. Porém, a equipe de Luxemburgo não ameaçou o goleiro Arias. Mesmo com um homem a menos, os mandantes chegaram com perigo. Metilli disputou com a zaga e ajeitou para Heredia, que cabeceou batendo. A bola desviou e passou ao lado da meta de Carlos Miguel.
+ Timão vivo na Libertadores? Veja os resultados e como ficou o grupo do Corinthians após a rodada
ARGENTINOS JUNIORS 0 X 0 CORINTHIANS
Local:Estádio Diego Armando Maradona, em Buenos Aires, na Argentina Data e hora:24 de maio de 2023, quarta-feira, às 21h30 Árbitro:Carlos Ortega (COL) Assistentes:Alexandre Guzman (COL)eMiguel Roldan (COL) VAR:Jose Cabero (COL) Cartões amarelos:Roni, Murillo (COR) Cartões vermelhos:- Nuss (ARG) Público/Renda:Não informado Gols:-
ARGENTINOS JUNIORS:Martín Arias; Leonel González, Mac Allister, Torren e Montiel; Moyano, Fabrício Domínguez (Heredia, 10/2ºT), Cabrera, Álan Rodriguez e Metilli; Verón (Nuss, 21/2ºT).Técnico:Gabriel Milito.
CORINTHIANS:Carlos Miguel; Bruno Méndez, Gil, Murillo e Matheus Bidu (Fábio Santos, 45/2ºT); Paulinho (Roni, 28/1ºT), Fausto Vera e Maycon (Romero, 28/2ºT); Adson (Wesley, 45/2ºT), Yuri Alberto e Róger Guedes.Técnico:Vanderlei Luxemburgo.
Stumps Playing his first Test since 2019, Dane Piedt recorded his best figures in the format to put South Africa ahead on the second day in Hamilton. Offspinner Piedt picked up 5 for 89 as New Zealand collapsed to 211 in response to South Africa’s 242. At one stage, New Zealand were 143 for 3 but lost their last seven wickets within 68 runs to concede a lead of 31.It started with quick bowler Tshepo Moreki dismissing Rachin Ravindra at the end of a seven-over spell bowled either side of tea. He slanted one across the left-handed Ravindra, who went for the cut and got an inside edge on to his leg stump.A few moments later, Tom Blundell became the fourth batter on the day to play on. He was late to withdraw his defensive push against Dane Paterson; the ball hit the back of the bat and deflected on to the stumps.Piedt, who had dismissed Tom Latham and Kane Williamson earlier, then sent back Glenn Phillips with a big offbreak. The batter got an inside edge on to his pad and wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin grabbed the chance.Dane Piedt celebrates his first five-for in nine years•Hannah Peters / Getty
Will Young, batting at No. 5 for the first time in Test cricket, was fighting it out. But with wickets tumbling at the other end, he ran out of patience. He skipped down the ground to Piedt and holed out to long-on.Piedt could have had his fifth when Tim Southee edged one to first slip, but Shaun von Berg could not hold on to a low chance. Southee eventually fell to Paterson for 5.A miscommunication resulted in Matt Henry being run out, leaving New Zealand 183 for 9, still 59 in arrears. But Neil Wagner smashed 33 off 27 to eat into the deficit, before Piedt had him stumped to complete his second five-for in Test cricket.In the morning, South Africa could add only 22 to their overnight total of 220 for 6, losing their remaining wickets in just 8.2 overs. Debutant Will O’Rourke broke the stubborn seventh-wicket stand between Ruan de Swardt and von Berg when the latter edged one on to his off stump. The pair had accumulated 70 on Tuesday evening but could add only seven more to it.At the other end, Piedt gloved a Southee bouncer down the leg side, with Blundell running in and diving forward to take a low catch.Tom Latham started well for New Zealand, and had a good stand with Kane Williamson•Getty Images
Three overs later, O’Rourke had de Swardt playing on. The batter tried to defend a short-of-length delivery only to dab it on to his back heel. The ball went on to tickle the stumps and dislodge the bails. On the next ball, Paterson miscued a hoick giving O’Rourke figures of 4 for 59. He will be on a hat-trick when he bowls his first ball tomorrow.New Zealand did not have a great start with the bat either – Paterson had Devon Conway caught behind for a duck in the first over of the innings. Latham and Williamson chose the defensive route against tidy bowling. At one point, Williamson was on 1 off 21, and the partnership 17 in 12.2 overs. The first boundary of the innings came in the 14th over when Williamson swept a short ball from Piedt over square leg for four.At lunch, New Zealand were 27 for 1 in 16 overs. After the break, Latham and Williamson came out of their shells. Latham skipped down the ground to Piedt and launched him over long-on for a six, and Williamson pulled Paterson over midwicket before collecting another four off Piedt.The characteristic of Williamson’s innings was his leg-side play; off his 43 runs, only two came on the off side. Overall, both he and Latham looked unhurried and did not mind a string of dot balls. Their 74-run stand was broken when Piedt got one to turn past Latham’s outside edge to hit the off stump.Williamson hit two back-to-back fours off debutant von Berg but fell soon after, caught at short leg off Piedt. Ravindra and Young took the side to a strong position after that, but the collapse undid all the good work.
Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero is attracting major interest from Atlético Madrid ahead of the looming summer transfer window, and it has now been revealed what their manager, Diego Simeone, has communicated to the Argentine in recent contacts.
Tottenham star Cristian Romero wanted by La Liga heavyweights
The centre-back, who was signed by ex-Spurs managing director Fabio Paratici on an initial loan which turned into a £42.5 million permanent deal from Atalanta four years ago, has gone on to impress during his time in north London.
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Making 115 appearances for the Lilywhites across all competitions since joining in 2021, Romero also formed a stellar partnership with Micky van de Ven at the heart of an Ange Postecoglou high-line defence which managed to secure Europa League qualification last season.
Chelsea (away)
April 3rd
Southampton (home)
April 6th
Wolves (away)
April 13th
Nottingham Forest (home)
April 21st
Liverpool (away)
April 27th
The World Cup-winning defender hasn’t been able to contribute enough in 2024/2025 due to injuries, though, which have caused him to miss 25 games in total this season.
Tottenham’s league position reflects this, with Postecoglou’s side sitting 14th in the Premier League table after suffering 15 league defeats. The north Londoners have even been forced to deploy teenager Archie Gray as a makeshift centre-back for large periods, with Romero and van de Ven’s absences giving Postecoglou a major headache throughout the campaign.
This has, of course, had a major effect on their overall form. Romero, who’s captained the side on occasion, is seen as a real leader in the squad and one of Postecoglou’s star senior men – so he would be a really sore miss if the 26-year-old were to push for an exit this summer.
“The way our defensive side of the game has come together, the one constant and the rock in that [much-changed defensive unit] has been Romero, with the way he’s taken on that responsibility of guiding those other guys around him so that they look assured,” said Postecoglou last season (via BBC).
“I think they feel security having him beside them.”
It is reliably believed that Atlético are expressing a serious interest in Romero (Sky Sports), while a report from GiveMeSport last week claimed that their cross-town rivals Real Madrid have also held internal talks over a move for the ex-Serie A star.
Romero is very much a wanted man in Spain, and particularly by Simeone.
Diego Simeone's private message to Tottenham star Cristian Romero
According to South American journalist Uriel Lugt, taking to X, Simeone has “already contacted” Romero, where he presented the defender something in a private message.
During these behind-the-scenes talks, Atlético’s head coach explained the club’s sporting project, and it appears to be tempting the Spurs ace, as Romero is now “willing” to make the move to Europe this summer.
However, that being said, Daniel Levy won’t make it easy for the Wanda Metropolitano side, as the Tottenham chairman is set to demand a “high price”.
This follows other reports that Tottenham are now open to selling Romero, so his exit is becoming more and more of a possibility as we slowly approach the end of this season.
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made a £29m offer to sign a new defender who has been likened to Micky van de Ven.
Tottenham manager rumours with pressure on Ange after Fulham defeat
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is coming under more scrutiny in the media following the club’s latest Premier League defeat to Fulham.
In fact, Cottagers boss Marco Silva is thought to be a leading candidate to replace the Australian at Tottenham, should those in north London decide to part ways with Postecoglou.
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Speaking after the loss at Craven Cottage, Postecoglou said: “I said to the players, I’m not going to let anyone just think about Europa and nothing else. We can’t let this league season go the way it has. We’ve lost way too many games, unacceptable.
“I understand the supporters’ frustrations with that. It was another day where we let a game get away from us when we shouldn’t. We had chances to go 1-0 up which would have put pressure on them, then they scored a really soft goal. Today the opposition haven’t blown us off the park. For 75 minutes we were where we wanted to be, the fact we came out of that game with nothing is disappointing.”
Alongside Silva, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is on Spurs’ radar, with contact already made with his agents. Elsewhere, ex-Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has also said he’s open to returning to north London in the future.
However, with Postecoglou still in charge, transfer chiefs behind the scenes at Tottenham appear to be working hard and have reportedly tabled an offer to sign a new defender.
Tottenham make £29m bid to sign Premier League defender
According to Africa Foot, Tottenham have made a bid to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri.
The report claims that Spurs have tabled a bid in the region of €35m (£29m) for the 23-year-old, who is also wanted by Liverpool and West Ham.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' RayanAit-Nouriin action with Tottenham Hotspur's Pedro Porro
However, it is Tottenham who are leading the race and are ‘the most likely candidates to sign’ Ait-Nouri this summer.
A left-back at the top of his game with a career-high €35m Transfermarkt valuation, Ait-Nouri has been compared to a number of defenders by Football Transfers, including van de Ven.
Micky van de Ven
Tottenham
Javi Galan
Atletico Madrid
Valentino Livramento
Newcastle
Kieran Tierney
Arsenal
Luke Shaw
Man Utd
Ferdi Kadioglu
Brighton
He’s under contract at Molineux until 2026, although Wolves have the option to extend that by 12 months, however, following this update, it looks as if a move to Tottenham could be on the cards for the Algeria international.