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Manchester United might now be winless across their last two Premier League matches, but there aren’t any alarm bells ringing.

Indeed, the Red Devils have shown plenty of fight and determination – qualities that were sorely lacking during the early days of Ruben Amorim – to pick up two consecutive 2-2 draws on the road.

United even had to temporarily play with ten men away at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday lunchtime, when Benjamin Sesko limped off with a late injury, but that didn’t stop the imperious Matthijs De Ligt in his mission to rise above a sea of white shirts to head home a last-gasp equaliser.

In previous years, United would have just folded but there is a hard-to-beat quality deep within Amorim’s side now, with Bryan Mbeumo once again receiving plenty of plaudits at the full-time whistle after he bagged his fifth Premier League goal of the season against Thomas Frank’s hosts.

Ranking Man Utd's summer business

Ex-United midfielder Owen Hargreaves would compare the ex-Brentford forward to Mohamed Salah after the entertaining draw, stating that he always has a “clear picture” of what he wants to do in front of goal.

Having gone his first seven Premier League games in United red with just one goal next to his name, the £71m recruit has now come into his own to be seen as one of the standout bits of business INEOS signed off on in the summer, as his calmly tucked away header got the ball rolling for Amorim and Co in North London on Saturday.

It was another top-drawer display from the Cameroon international, who playing on the left-hand side on this occasion, also missed a big chance from his two shots and won two fouls.

It’s safe to say the winger has started off brightly in United colours, with three goals put away with the same ice-cold nature last month, seeing Mbeumo collect the October player of the month accolade in the Premier League.

Matheus Cunha has also gone down as a sterling summer purchase from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with a first United goal finally coming his way against Brighton and Hove Albion at the close of October, even if he did fire blanks against Spurs.

Moreover, Senne Lammens continues to stand out as a rock-solid buy in goal, even if he did fall victim to a late deflected effort from Richarlison, with two saves under pressure from the Belgian ensuring the visitors came away from the contest with a share of the points.

INEOS has managed to rewrite the narrative after falling victim to a few transfer blunders last summer, notably Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee but the window of 2024 wasn’t all a complete failure.

Man United's future "captain" is outshining Mbeumo

When the ship was very visibly sinking at Old Trafford, there was a real lack of leaders attempting to turn the waning club’s fortunes around.

Thankfully, many of the senior figures Amorim has at his disposal – who once shied away from the spotlight – have come into their own over recent matches, with Casemiro now going on to be labelled as the “glue” that holds United together by content creator Liam Canning.

Moreover, Bruno Fernandes showed his immense quality during the 2-2 draw, too, as his inch-perfect corner late on turned the aforementioned De Ligt into a last-minute hero.

De Ligt has further emerged as a dependable performer Amorim knows he can rely on, with ex-United great Rio Ferdinand even stating, back in September, that the Dutchman should be “the first name on the teamsheet.”

He has become undroppable, with a battling performance away at a physical Nottingham Forest outfit seeing him win all ten of his aerial duels, as his aerial prowess was even clearer for all to take in against Spurs, when he headed home the crucial equaliser.

It’s been quite the turnaround in fortunes for the ex-Ajax colossus, with the 26-year-old even once being branded as “awful” by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher after a ropey debut season, which saw the former Eredivisie titan collect just three clean sheets from 29 league outings.

Now, however, the previously mentioned Manning is hailing De Ligt as a “serious contender for the next captain” of the Red Devils, as another “clutch” display was put in by the 6-foot-2 battler against Frank’s men.

Of course, signings such as Mbeumo’s will likely steal more of the headlines, with the flashy £71m attacker now living up to his steep price tag.

But, for £42.9m, United seriously hit the jackpot, sealing De Ligt’s signature when they did, as the much-improved number four – who has featured in every possible second of United’s resurgent league campaign to date – now aims to become a permanent fixture in the Red Devils’ defence for many years to come.

It's not Mbeumo: "Unbelievable" Man Utd star looks like Amorim's new Bruno

Bryan Mbeumo stole the show again for Manchester United – but he wasn’t alone…

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 9, 2025

The power of South Africa’s lower middle order has allowed de Kock to take his time early on, and the results have been spectacular

Sidharth Monga01-Nov-20232:13

Harmison: Should SA have gone harder with the bat?

When he knew it was all over, Tony Montana pulled out the machine gun and said the legendary line, “Say hello to my little friend.”It is almost impossible to imagine Quinton de Kock getting so expressive, but in his last World Cup, right at the end of an international career in which he has perhaps felt trapped like Montana at times, he has brought out his own, actual little friend: a desire and a method to bat long.Not that he didn’t always have it. When de Kock first announced himself with three centuries in a week against India late in 2013, back when he was almost the Simba the senior players loved to hold aloft, he was – despite his methods and scoring areas – an old-fashioned ODI opener, who would start off watchfully and look to play deep into the innings.Related

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In the middle chunk of his ODI career, though, de Kock became more of an enforcer and less of a long-innings player. From 2018 to 2022, he didn’t have a single year with more than one ODI century, but his strike-rate over that period (98.78) was higher than it had been before (94.62).And then came 2023. South Africa have developed a strategy where they want to give their power-hitting lower middle order not much more than 20 overs to cause havoc in. It has allowed de Kock to perhaps go back to his original style. When batting first this year, he has struck at just 4.61 an over in the first powerplay, having gone at 6.09 and 5.44 in the same phase in 2021 and 2022.Quinton de Kock is all smiles after bringing up his fourth hundred of this World Cup•Associated PressThe desire to bat longer is clear, and the method is to somehow get past the early movement. Thanks to South Africa’s consistently firing lower middle order, de Kock knows it is okay to start off slowly. So slow that South Africa have gone even slower than Pakistan in the first powerplay in this World Cup.There is good reason for South Africa’s leadership to be fine with de Kock starting off slowly. In 32 innings in Asia, de Kock has gone past 50 on 10 occasions; eight of them have been centuries. In innings where de Kock has gone past 30, he has achieved better control figures in Asia than in any other continent. It clearly suggests an expertise in these conditions. His IPL experience no doubt helps.Even without these figures, if you went just by feel, you can well imagine what nightmare it would be for bowlers if de Kock decides to, and finds a way to, bat deep. For he is not the kind of batter whom fields can restrict. As the numbers suggest, he has a grip on the conditions in Asia. He will always catch up.A good example was this slow start in Pune against New Zealand. He was on 13 off 25 after 10 overs. His reaction was not to do anything dramatic. He sweated on his favourite pick-up pull against Tim Southee. That shot is a hard-length neutraliser like no other. Now de Kock is no surprise package, and Southee is a wily bowler. He kept denying de Kock the shot, mostly by going wide and across him. De Kock waited for just the right ball, and when he got the right line, out it came, at the start of the 16th over.Quinton de Kock waited patiently until he got a chance to play his favourite pick-up pull•ICC/Getty ImagesWith that shot came the fluency although there was never perhaps a time when either he or Rassie van der Dussen got entirely comfortable on what looked like a slightly tricky surface to begin with.There was gradual acceleration until the 30th over, after which he began to manufacture shots, moving inside the line and targeting the long-leg area. It was consistent with how he has gone through this World Cup: watchful at the start, pick up in the middle overs, and then start hitting after the 30th. If it comes off, we are in for Montana-like fireworks; if it doesn’t, South Africa don’t lose out on much because the batters coming in are better off using those deliveries.The result of this change in approach for de Kock is that this was his fourth hundred already in this World Cup with at least three – and possibly four – innings to go. There is a joy to watching him wind down his ODI career with the freedom to bat the way he did when he started out.At 152 innings right now, it is all too brief a career, but this little friend of de Kock has helped him take his frequency of hitting hundreds to bang between the gold standards of ODI batting in his era. Virat Kohli scores one every six innings, approximately, and Rohit Sharma once every eight digs; de Kock is slightly slower than a century every seven innings. It will take a brave person to bet against him improving that rate.

Tom Abell says South Group table-toppers “desperate” to land first T20 title since 2005

Alan Gardner14-Jul-2023Somerset topped the South Group (which provided all four semi-finalists in this year’s Blast) with a record 12 wins from 14. Somerset have the leading wicket-taker in the competition and the most consistently destructive top three going around. Somerset are at Finals Day for the third year running and just two more wins from securing their second T20 title.At which point, if you are a Somerset fan, you’re already beginning to fear the worst.Since winning the third edition of the Twenty20 Cup back in 2005, Somerset have been to Finals Day and had their hopes dashed seven times. Throw in the six County Championship runners-up finishes since the turn of the century and you can see why they might be wary of ending up on bridesmaid duty once again.Tom Abell has been involved in the three most-recent episodes of Edgbaston heartbreak, in 2018, 2021 and 2022, and captained the side in last year’s semi-final defeat to eventual winners Hampshire. He has since handed the reins back to Lewis Gregory (skipper when losing to Kent in the final two years ago) and conceded that the hurdles Somerset must overcome are mental as much as those presented by the opposition.Related

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“We’ve been here the last few years and we’re obviously desperate to try and get over the line,” Abell said. “Of course, when you’ve had a couple of experiences, I think you probably you want it that little bit more and you care so much about it, that you almost forget the most important things, which is to try and trust what’s been working for us.”We’ve obviously been playing so well through the group stages. But we know that counts for very little, all that matters is how you play and how you turn up on Finals Day.”Abell was also refusing to set much store by Somerset’s form to this point, which has seen them win 13 games overall while picking up 131 wickets – another competition record. They finished six points clear at the top of the South Group, although one of their two defeats did come against semi-final opponents Surrey.”I don’t really think that [topping the group] counts for too much tomorrow,” Abell said. “As I say it’s all about who turns up and plays the best cricket on the day. Obviously, every team has got to know each other pretty well. We play each other both home and away in the group stages and yeah, four very dangerous teams. There’s matchwinners in each team. I guess that’s what we love about T20, anyone on their day can beat anyone.”But we’re in pretty confident mood. I think the way we’ve been playing, we’ve had some really strong performances and so probably the most pleasing thing for us has been some of those games where maybe we haven’t been at our best, still finding a way to win. So I think there’s a lot to be said for that as well.”Somerset did come through a significant test in their quarter-final against Nottinghamshire, when they recovered from 62 for 5 at the halfway stage chasing 158 to win. With the big guns at the top of the order having failed, it was left to Gregory and Ben Green to get them over the line with an unbroken 96-run stand. “We certainly feel like we’ve got match-winners [from] one to 11 and we’re pretty clear with our roles within the team,” Abell said.Tom Banton gets a fist bump from Tom Abell•Getty Images”We know we’re capable of beating any team if we play to our abilities. So we like to believe that the last few years will put us in good stead. But of course, you know, what’s gone before and what’s gone this season counts for very little. It’s all about who deals with those pressure moments the best and as I say, there’s been times when we’ve been really tested this year, and I think we’ve come out the other side. We’re pretty happy with where we’re at as a side and I’m just excited for tomorrow.”Somerset look to have all the tools needed to end their hoodoo. Green’s medium-pace has reaped a competition-leading 27 wickets, with New Zealand quick Matt Henry not far behind on 24, while the signing of Henry’s compatriot Ish Sodhi as a late injury replacement gives them a wristspin option to go alongside Roelof van der Merwe’s left-arm darts.Then at the top of the order is the unholy trinity of Tom Banton, Will Smeed and Tom Kohler-Cadmore – all of whom have scored 400-plus runs at strike-rates north of 150 this season.”TKC has been an absolutely phenomenal signing for us across formats, and obviously having Smeedy and Bants at the top as well, both on their day they’ll win the game on their own,” Abell said.”For us in the middle order, those top three, the way they’ve been playing, it make our lives a lot easier. But yeah, I saw something TKC said the other day, ‘I think everybody’s contributed at some point through the competition’. And if you want to go all the way, we’re going to need that tomorrow as well. So, we pride ourselves on being a team. And we’ve certainly shown that through the competition and I think we’ve built belief and trust in each other. So we’re going into tomorrow in really confident mood.”

Australia’s Mitchell Starc, meanwhile, lamented the state of the old pink ball and his team-mates’ lack of situational awareness

Matt Roller04-Dec-2025

Jofra Archer played a valuable hand batting at No. 11 for only the second time in Test cricket•Darrian Traynor/CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images

England believe that the chaotic final half-hour at the Gabba swung the opening day of the second Ashes Test in their favour, after Joe Root and Jofra Archer’s unbroken tenth-wicket stand of 61 took them to 325 for 9 under lights.At the scheduled 9pm close, England were 269 for 9 after 68 overs, with Root unbeaten on 111. It was a remarkably similar situation to the opening day of the 2023 series between these teams in Edgbaston, when Ben Stokes declared with Root on 118 to give England four overs to bowl at Australia before the close.The added element of the pink ball – and the opportunity to bowl at Australia under floodlights – strengthened the case for a declaration, prompting David Warner on Fox commentary to say he was “absolutely baffled” that Stokes had not pulled the plug on England’s innings.Related

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Steven Smith, who had floated the prospect of opening the batting with two nightwatchers in such a scenario, was at pains to slow the game down as much as possible, and Root remonstrated with umpire Sharfuddoula at Australia’s apparent time-wasting when Travis Head got padded up to spend a single ball under the helmet at short leg.But Root and Archer seized the opportunity to tee off, adding 56 runs in the final six overs of the day in a partnership that Zak Crawley said had changed the mood of the day for England’s players, who watched on from the viewing gallery outside the away dressing room. “We definitely won that last hour,” Crawley said. “We’re positive going into tomorrow.”Joe Root and Jofra Archer added an unbeaten 61 off 44 balls before stumps•Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Archer, batting at No. 11 for only the second time in Test cricket, started the carnage by charging Scott Boland and swiping him over square leg for the first six of the day off the first ball of an over that cost 19 runs. He then swung Mitchell Starc’s full toss over the sprawling Brendan Doggett at long-on, and Root reverse-scooped Boland over deep third in the following over.By stumps, Archer had registered a new Test best of 32 not out, while Root reached 135 overnight. Their stand was England’s first half-century partnership for the tenth wicket since Jonny Bairstow and James Anderson added 66 in the drawn Old Trafford Test in the 2023 Ashes, and their first in Australia since Norman Cowans and Derek Pringle in 1982.Starc, whose six wickets had put Australia firmly on top, was exasperated not only with the state of the old pink ball, but with his team-mates’ lack of situational awareness. “If you have a look at that ball, it’s basically bowling with a tennis ball,” he told SEN radio. “They chanced their arm, there were a few that dropped short. I think there’s a little bit of tactical nous in there as well.

“Hopefully, we take that tenth one early tomorrow and get batting with the sun out. We saw that it [the ball] didn’t do a whole lot, and day two is generally a good day to bat on. If we can get stuck into batting early tomorrow when there’s sun on the wicket – and their balls go soft as well – it could be a good day’s cricket.”Crawley, who had briefly changed back into his whites in anticipation of fielding, said that the situation had been “perfect” for England. “There was no talk of a declaration,” he said. “We were just saying, ‘Go really hard,’ and it was a win-win: if it comes off, then we’ll get 50 runs like we did, or if you got out, then we could have a crack at them under lights.”They’re valuable runs and it would’ve worked out either way… We were pretty happy with [being bowled out for] 260 and having an hour at them at that point, to be honest. We were quite optimistic about that last hour, and then it turned out we batted for all of it. It felt like it was a great chance for us either way – with bat or ball – to seize that last hour.”Australia only bowled 74 overs out of the scheduled 90 on the first day, which Simon Katich described as “an absolute joke”. They risk being docked World Test Championship points if they fail to bowl England out inside 80 overs. “The over rates are what they are,” Starc said. “If we keep taking the wickets, they won’t worry about it.”

da cassino： What a tough season it has been so far for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Old Gold find themselves 19th in the Premier League, which might be a shock to many including Phil McNulty, the chief football writer for BBC Sport. He said “I think Wolves can avoid danger” at the start of the season, but so far it is not working out like that.

da betano casino： It will be all change in the next few weeks too, after Gary O’Neil’s recent sacking. Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira is officially the new manager, and he has a lot of work to do to salvage the season.

With that in mind, here’s a look at Wolves’ dream lineup using Pereira’s favoured 3-4-3, with some potential January signings, too.

1 GK – Sam Johnstone

It has been a lean season so far for Wolves, conceding 40 goals, the most in the Premier League. Sam Johnstone and Jose Sa have battled it out for the gloves, with Sa being O’Neil’s preferred choice.

With that being said, Johnstone has conceded 17 goals in seven games in the top flight, which is made to seem far worse given he let in five in one game against Brentford. He averages fewer goals conceded per game than Sa, with 2.42 compared to 2.55. He could well get the nod.

2 RWB – Nelson Semedo

Newly appointed Wolves captain Nelson Semedo will surely be a key player under Pereira. It seems unlikely that his countryman will rock the boat further by removing the Portugal right-back’s captaincy.

From a defensive standpoint this term, the former Barcelona defender has been crucial. As per FBref, he has made the most clearances amongst Wolves players with 59, and the fourth most tackles and interceptions with 39. He is a crucial player.

3 CB – Craig Dawson

Experienced centre-back Craig Dawson had a moment to forget a few weeks ago during the clash against Everton. His two own goals contributed to half of the goals they conceded in a 4-0 win at Goodison Park.

His poor form meant O’Neil dropped him for his final two games in charge, but that did not make much of a difference for the Midlands club. It could be that Pereira could reinstate him, looking to lean on his experience.

4 CB – Ben Godfrey

The first of the two new potential signings in this hypothetical XI is former Everton man Ben Godfrey. According to the Daily Mail, the Old Gold are ‘understood to be among the clubs keen’ to sign him on loan, alongside the likes of Nottingham Forest.

The defender has been a bit-part player for an incredibly successful Atalanta side this season, who he joined in the summer from the Toffees. He would bring experience to the backline at Molineux, given he has played 112 times in the Premier League, exactly the sort of addition that could help keep them up.

5 CB – Toti Gomes

25-year-old Portuguese international Toti Gomes has been another important player for the Old Gold in 2024/25, despite their defensive frailties. He has made 14 Premier League appearances this term.

One thing the Wolves number 24 can bring to their defence is progression on the ball. This season, he has played 31 progressive passes, more than any other centre-back, with Dawson the second-highest on 19. Not only is he a solid defender, but a big asset if Pereira wishes to play out from the back.

6 LWB – Rayan Ait-Nouri

Rayan Ait-Nouri has been one of the only players who have performed to a high level for the Old Gold this term. He is yet to miss a top-flight game, although will be banned for their next outing in the Premier League.

The Algerian left wing-back has been flying up and down the flank for O’Neil this season, and his three goals and three assists so far show what kind of impact he can have. There are question marks over his future at the club, with Manchester United linked with a £60m move as per GiveMeSport. However, Pereira would be no doubt desperate to keep him at the club.

7 CM – Andre

It has been a tough start to life in the Midlands for summer signing Andre. He has played 12 times in the top flight but has not been a first choice in the middle of the park, featuring for just 733 minutes in total.

However, it seems like Pereira might back him given the new manager’s experience in the midfielder’s native Brazil. Having managed Corinthians and Flamengo, he will have faced the former Fluminense man before and will know the quality he has to offer.

8 CM – Joao Gomes

Andre’s midfield partner could well be another Brazilian, Joao Gomes. He was a mainstay in the Old Gold midfield this campaign until the most recent game against Ipswich Town, playing in 15 from 16 games.

Gomes’ ability in the middle of the park to win the ball back is vital for the Molineux side. He has made 80 ball recoveries this season, more than any of his teammates, and has also completed 60 tackles and interceptions so far. His work rate without the ball will be crucial for Pereira.

9 AM – Miguel Almiron

The second of the potential new signings for the Old Gold in January is Miguel Almiron. According to The Sun, the Newcastle United winger is of interest to Wolves on loan, with Leicester City and Crystal Palace also keen.

The attacker, who earns £60k-per-week at St James’ Park, could slot into the side as a number 10 or a false winger, replacing former club captain Mario Lemina in the side.

He hasn’t played much this season, but is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League, scoring 11 times in the 2022/23 season.

10 AM – Matheus Cunha

People are running out of superlatives for Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha. He has been sublime for the Midlands club again this term, with eight goals and three assists. That includes two goals and one assist in Wolves’ second win of the season against Fulham.

Everything good that has happened for the Old Gold has more than likely been because of Cunha. He makes things happen and has the highest number of shot-creating actions per 90 minutes amongst teammates who average five full games or more, with 3.91.

Director of cricket declares Brook to be ‘better leader’ than Pope after promotion to vice-captaincy

Vithushan Ehantharajah24-Sep-2025England men’s managing director Rob Key has called time on Chris Woakes’ Test career after the seamer was overlooked for the Ashes, while also stating Harry Brook’s credentials as “a better leader” led to him replacing Ollie Pope as vice-captain.Key was speaking 24 hours after England announced their 16-man squad for this winter’s tour of Australia. While the presence of Will Jacks was the only surprising name in the touring party, the absence of Woakes and a new deputy to Ben Stokes – which had been teased by head coach Brendon McCullum – were the main talking points in an otherwise predictable touring party.Woakes is a veteran of two previous Ashes tours. Though he possesses an average of 51.68 in Australia, he had enjoyed a new lease of life as England’s attack leader following James Anderson’s retirement at the start of the 2024 summer. Of his 62 caps, 17 have come during Stokes’ reign, with 62 wickets at an average of 27.25. That includes a player-of-the-series performance in 2023’s home Ashes, in which he was parachuted in for the final three Tests, and claimed 19 dismissals to help England square the series from 2-0 down.This summer, Woakes and Mohammed Siraj were the only quicks to start all five matches of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy. However, he badly dislocated his shoulder on day one of the fifth Test at The Kia Oval. Having come out to bat in a sling on the thrilling final morning of the match, he subsequently opted against surgery to give himself the best chance of making the Ashes.England’s management, however, felt Woakes was too much of a risk. And with the seamer turning 37 in March, and out of a central contract next month, Key revealed he will not feature in their plans beyond the Ashes.Brook is deemed the better option to lead England in Stokes’ absence•Getty Images”It’s been as tough a time for someone, I think, in cricket terms, the timing of it (the shoulder dislocation) as much as anything else, and the chance of reoccurence for the immediate future for Chris Woakes,” Key said.”He was running out of time to be ready for the start for the Ashes. And then once you get out of an Ashes series, you’re often looking at the next cycle, really. So Chris Woakes isn’t in our plans at the minute… at all.”Brook’s elevation to vice-captain was the other big decision for the selectors. Key revealed that he, McCullum and Stokes had spoken to Pope ahead of the announcement, but said the move had no bearing on whether he would make way for Jacob Bethell at No.3, when the Ashes get underway at Perth on November 21.Pope had previously stood in as Test captain on five occasions, most recently in the Oval Test against India. However, England have been impressed with how Brook has taken to the limited-overs captaincy since replacing Jos Buttler in March. This extra responsibility confirms him as the likeliest candidate to take over from Stokes in the long term, as well as being the best short-term replacement in Australia should the captain miss any Ashes action through injury.”It’s pretty simple, really – we think (Brook) is the best person for the job,” Key said. “He has had more experience now in leadership and I think that Harry Brook deserves it. There are no other ulterior motives, other than the fact that we think Harry Brook is the best person to be the best vice-captain.”I think he (Pope) felt that it was coming. Vice-captaincy is not always the most important decision you have to make. We could have gone down the road of not having a vice-captain. When Popey has done it, he’s done it well. He’s fitted into so many different roles that we’ve asked him to do over the past few years and done them all well. Harry Brook is just the better leader and will be the better leader going forward, so that’s why he gets that job.”Pope has been a stable presence as Stokes’ deputy, averaging just under 40, and 41.60 at first-drop, while also standing in as wicketkeeper on five occasions. But he has come under increasing pressure from the emergence of 21-year-old Jacob Bethell, who sowed the seeds of change with an impressive showing at No.3 in New Zealand last year.Related

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Bethell managed just 6 and 5 in his only subsequent Test appearance – under Pope’s captaincy at The Oval. However, he emerged from the summer with credit despite limited playing time, scoring a maiden professional century in the ODI series against South Africa, before becoming England’s youngest-ever captain on the recent T20I tour of Ireland. Further opportunities to state his case will come in October’s white-ball tour of New Zealand that will be used to build towards Australia.Such has been the consistency of the Pope-Bethell debate that Stokes accused the media of an “agenda” against the former earlier this summer. Key, however, said such conversations were inevitable at the sharp end of the international game, as is the possibility of Pope losing his spot to a player who may be deemed a better option against Australia.”I just think it’s international cricket,” he said. “If it’s not Ollie Pope, it’s someone else. There’s always a talking point and things like that drive interest towards the game. Someone like Ollie Pope has played really well in a tough position, he has had to deal with this all along, as have any players when they have lost a bit of form. That’s part and parcel of being an international cricketer. That is why it’s tough.”There is not, like, an elaborate scheme where, if we take the vice-captaincy off Ollie Pope, it makes him easier to drop. It doesn’t matter if you are vice-captain or not. If we don’t feel you are the right person wherever you are batting – whether that’s an opener or No.5 – we’ll end up bringing in someone we think can do the job better.Looking ahead to the Perth Test in just under two months’ time, Key added: “Ollie Pope is the man in possession. We’ll find out what that XI will be, probably two days before.”

Along with 90s from Shan Masood and Ben Cox, Foxes dominate Kent attack

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay16-Sep-2025Kent 17 for 0 trail Leicestershire 459 for 7 dec (Patel 114, Cox 93, Masood 90, Hill 54) by 442 runsA fine century from Rishi Patel, along with 90s from Shan Masood and Ben Cox, saw Leicestershire secure maximum batting bonus points and left them the verge of securing the Division Two title as they dominated a callow Kent attack after being put into bat at the UptonSteel County Ground.Beginning the match 25 points clear of second-placed Glamorgan, the Foxes could not have hoped for a better second day of this Rothesay County Championship match after the first was entirely lost to the weather.It made for a chastening first-class debut for 19-year-old all-rounder Corey Flintoff – one of a remarkable five teenagers in the Kent side – who, with father Andrew watching, bowled 15 wicket-less overs for 91 runs, though he did take a catch.Kent openers Harry Finch and Ben Dawkins survived a difficult nine overs before the light closed in.After the loss of the entire first day to the strong winds that made handling the covers too dangerous to undertake, it was a relief to see the ground ready for play from the start.Flintoff, the second son of former England allrounder Andrew to be embarking on a career as a professional cricketer, following in the footsteps of brother Rocky, took his place in what must surely have been the youngest slip cordon ever formed in county cricket, all three slips and gully being in their teens.They were in the game early, when Jaydn Denly at second slip dropped a straightforward chance given by Sol Budinger off the bowling of Joey Evison. To make matters worse, Denly left the field with illness soon afterwards, while Evison’s feelings will not have improved when Budinger casually swung an in-swinger over the midwicket boundary for six. The Kent allrounder had his revenge soon afterwards however, when Budinger again edged to second slip and this time Flintoff held on.Patel, however, looked in good touch from the start. The 27-year-old has struggled for consistency this season after missing the early weeks with a thumb injury, but has recently shown signs of finding the form which saw him called into an England Lions training camp, and he took full toll on the regular loose deliveries from the visiting attack.There were plenty of testing balls too, and George Garrett produced a beauty to square up and bowl Ian Holland, but a score of 151 for 2 off 30 overs at lunch told its own story. Having hit ten boundaries in going to his half-century, Patel hit another ten in going to three figures, his second Championship century of the season, shortly after lunch.Kent were already looking down the barrel, but Patel played too soon at an Ekansh Singh delivery and got a leading edge that looped to mid-on, a maiden first-class wicket for the 19-year-old, and Lewis Hill, having registered his seventh half-century of the season, slashed a wide short ball from Michael Cohen straight to point.When Steve Eskinazi, who never settled, went leg before to Evison, Leicestershire were in danger of wasting their flying start, but the elegant Masood was calmness personified, and he found lively support from Cox. Together they added 161 for the sixth wicket and both seemed certain to reach three figures, but Garrett, bowling with the new ball, pushed one across Masood to find an edge which carried to slip before Grant Stewart took a fine leaping catch at mid-on to dismiss Cox off the bowling of Evison.

Duckett and Crawley add 188 to break the back of 371-run chase at Headingley

Andrew Miller24-Jun-2025

Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley played a vital hand in the run-chase•Getty Images

Ben Stokes, England’s captain, heaped praise on his opening pair of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley after their crucial final-day stand of 188, as history repeated itself with a spectacular 371-run chase in the first Test against India at Headingley.Three years after the two teams’ last meeting in England ended with Stokes’ men hunting down a record 378 to square the series at Edgbaston, this latest epic was sealed in the first over of the match’s final hour. Jamie Smith’s slog-swept six over wide long-on capped an unbroken 71-stand for the sixth wicket with Joe Root, who finished unbeaten on 53, after India had threatened a fightback with England at 302 for 5.The bulk of England’s work, however, had been done across the first two sessions, and Duckett was named Player of the Match for his scores of 62 in the first innings and a brilliant 149 from 170 balls in the second, an effort that spanned the first 55 overs of their chase.Related

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“It was unbelievable,” Stokes said at the post-match presentations. “Unless you’re involved in it, [it’s hard to know] the pressure of the fourth innings, going out there. Opening the batting is hard enough, especially in England. So that partnership that Zak and Ben got us off to was just incredible.”Those two complement each other so well. Obviously, Ducky got the big score that contributed towards us winning this game. But I thought the way that Zak was able to stay composed, and stay in the moment, and sense that Ducky was getting off to the flyer [was crucial].”Despite England’s recent reputation for aggression from the get-go, the pair took a more measured approach to this latest chase. Faced with the dangerous Jasprit Bumrah in gloomy morning conditions, they set themselves to build a platform through the morning session, and it was only when the change bowlers, Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur, entered the attack that Duckett accelerated through to a 66-ball half-century.”In that period, it was really important that me and Zak got through without losing any wickets,” Duckett said at the presentations. “It was pretty clear to us this morning. If we batted for the whole day [at the tempo that] we normally do, we’d probably get the total, so we didn’t overthink anything. Certainly we had to get through Jasprit’s first spell and that new ball, and from there on, we were just playing our natural games.”He’s a world-class bowler,” Duckett added, after England had denied Bumrah any wickets in the second innings, despite his brilliant five-for in the first.3:26

Harmison: Not sure India believed they could get Duckett out

“In that first innings, he was superb, so to limit his damage was massive for us. Our individuals are all going to go about it differently, but I thought we did play him very well today.”Despite the flourish with which they finished the Test, Duckett acknowledged that England “had been completely behind the eight-ball” at certain periods of the game, thanks to Bumrah’s brilliance as well as a total of five individual Indian centuries, including one in each innings for wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.However, Stokes was especially pleased with the spirit in adversity that his team showed, and singled out Josh Tongue’s key helpings of “rabbit-pie” in each innings, with his seven wickets helping to restrict India to 7 for 41 in the first innings, and 7 for 73 in the second.”There’s been a lot of skill that’s contributed towards us winning this Test match,” Stokes said, “but also the attitude that the team has showed towards this game.”We’ve been in the field for long periods of time twice throughout this game, but I thought every session we turned up with the attitude that we could blow this game open at any point. We always knew that we were only a couple wickets away from running through the pack, and Josh Tongue’s spells in both innings were massively game-changing.”2:38

Is Stokes’ bowling workload a worry?

England’s five-wicket victory was their sixth in a row at Headingley, dating back to 2018, and on each occasion they had bowled first.On this occasion, Stokes’ decision at the toss had looked like back-firing, with former England captain Michael Vaughan saying he was “staggered” at India being given first use after they finished the opening day on 359 for 3. Stokes, however, insisted that at no point had he second-guessed his call.”You don’t know what’s going to happen before a ball is bowled, you’ve got to go with what you think is going to give you the best chance of winning the game,” he said. “The wicket here on day one looked like there was a bit of grass on top of it. There was a bit of moisture underneath it.”We backed ourselves to win that toss and bowl first, and try and strike a couple of early poles. But the opposition is allowed to play well. This is international-level cricket, where the quality of players on either side are very good. We bowled pretty well on that first session. But India played incredible.”

Celtic kick off their Scottish Premiership title defence this weekend against St Mirren and could now be closing in on a defensive reinforcement, according to reports.

Chris Sutton urges Celtic to do more transfer business

Underwhelming is the word most Celtic fans would use to describe their summer transfer window despite Kieran Tierney, Ross Doohan, Benjamin Nygren, Hayato Inamura, Callum Osmand and Shin Yamada coming through the Parkhead entrance.

Despite the reigning champions being linked with plenty of names over recent weeks, Chris Sutton has urged Celtic to sign a left-back, striker and winger to avoid being caught short in the name of squad depth.

He stated when asked about their remaining business: “A striker. I think left-back is still an issue as well. I think the signing of Kieran Tierney is really exciting. They’ve got Inamura in as well, but I still think that’s an area of concern.”

Later, he added on wide reinforcements: “You look at the wide areas, losing Nicolas Kuhn even though it was good money. If anything happens to Daizen Maeda, you’re in trouble. James Forrest. You’ve got Yang. I think Marco Tillio’s back as well. You get the sense it’s not where Brendan wants to be.”

Sarpsborg winger Sondre Orjasaeter has been targeted by Celtic, but Brendan Rodgers could now be dragged into the latter stages of the window as he looks to recruit options on either flank.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha has told Royal Antwerp he wants to join Celtic

The Bhoys are in the market for more recruits this summer.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Jul 24, 2025

Truthfully, Celtic have been slow to act on the transfer front. Whether that is a by-product of waiting for quality to become available near the end of the window is one thing, though they could finally be set to strengthen an area in need of work.

Celtic in pole position to loan Manchester City's Jahmai Simpson-Pusey

According to Manchester Evening News, Celtic are in pole position to loan Manchester City defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey despite the 19-year-old being the subject of alternative interest from Championship clubs.

Previously, the Hoops made contact over a swoop for the Citizens talent, and it is said that he has been earmarked for a temporary move elsewhere following an outstanding campaign last year that saw him claim the Premier League 2 Player of the Season gong.

At first-team level, he featured six times for Manchester City across all competitions, leading Pep Guardiola to praise Simpson-Pusey’s “composure” in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Injury and arrivals at the Etihad Stadium in central defence have clogged his pathway to senior stardom, though a straight loan at Celtic would allow the former England Under-18 international to sample challenging for domestic trophies and competing in Europe.

In recent years, Celtic have been an unspoken friend of the City Football Group, which has seen the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Patrick Roberts and Olivier Ntcham go on to be landmark names at Parkhead.

After losing Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki, Simpson-Pusey could be the ideal candidate to offer depth and potential within the Hoops’ backline.

Seifert will reunite with Finn Allen and Corey Anderson at San Francisco Unicorns, who finished runners-up in 2024

Deivarayan Muthu25-Apr-2025New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert is set for his maiden MLC (Major League Cricket) stint in the US after having been signed by San Francisco Unicorns for the 2025 season. Seifert, 30, will reunite with his New Zealand opening partner Finn Allen and former Northern Districts team-mate Corey Anderson at Unicorns.Under Anderson’s captaincy, Unicorns finished runners-up in MLC 2024.Both Seifert and Allen are not contracted to the NZC but have committed to making themselves available for all of New Zealand’s T20I series in the lead-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup. Seifert and Allen were recently reintroduced into the New Zealand T20I team for the home series against Pakistan and were talked up as “New Zealand’s bash brothers” after forging explosive partnerships at the top.Related

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“I’ve been following MLC from afar over the last couple of seasons, particularly keeping a close eye on some of the Kiwi contingent,” Seifert said. “I can’t wait to get started this summer and add some more firepower with a team that is already stacked with talent and in a great position to take things one step further than last year.””We look for both quality cricketers and quality personalities when bringing players into the Unicorns fold, and Tim definitely checks both those boxes,” Unicorns head coach Shane Watson said. “His skills with the gloves will also be a major asset this year, especially with the new wickets in Oakland and Fort Lauderdale offering something of an unknown for spin bowling. He’s also coming in with impressive form with the bat, adding to an already dominant top order alongside Finn [Allen], Shorty [Matt Short], and Jake [Fraser-McGurk].”Both Seifert and Allen are currently in action in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).Ross Taylor has been named Seattle Orcas ambassador for MLC 2025•Getty ImagesNew Zealanders have been in demand among other MLC franchises as well. Offspin-bowling allrounder Michael Bracewell, who was central to New Zealand’s run to the Champions Trophy final in March, has been signed by MI New York (MINY). Bracewell will join Trent Boult at MINY; Boult is currently part of MI’s teams in the MLC, SA20 (MI Cape Town) and IPL (MI Indians).Daryl Mitchell, who had missed MLC 2024 for Texas Super Kings with injury, has re-signed with the franchise for the upcoming season. In Mitchell’s absence last year, TSK had brought in Afghanistan wristspinner Noor Ahmad, who has now been retained for MLC 2025 along with Devon Conway.Tearaway Adam Milne will link up with Mitchell and Conway at TSK. Milne was part of Washington Freedom in the inaugural MLC in 2023 and has worked with TSK head coach Stephen Fleming at CSK in the IPL.Daryl Mitchell will reunite with Stephen Fleming at Texas Super Kings•Associated PressTSK have also snapped up the South Africa pair of Nandre Burger and Donovan Ferreira, who both play for Joburg Super Kings (JSK) in the SA20.Former New Zealand stalwart Ross Taylor has been named Seattle Orcas ambassador for MLC 2025. He had previously worked as a batting coach at Orcas during the first two seasons of the tournament. Former England batter Ian Bell will take over from Taylor as Orcas’ batting coach.New Zealand Cricket recently became the first national governing body to invest directly in an overseas T20 league after joining forces with MLC to launch one of the competition’s new teams in 2027, when the league expands.The 2025 edition of MLC will be played from June 13 to July 14 with Oakland’s Coliseum to host matches for the first time.