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England seamer happy to talk up rivalry ahead of attempts to reclaim the urn this summer

Alan Gardner29-Mar-2023Ollie Robinson has been likened to Glenn McGrath for his height and metronomic bowling style, and the England man seems keen to fulfil a similar pantomime villain role when it comes to the Ashes.Having suggested a couple of weeks ago, in an interview with BBC local radio, that England could give Australia “a good hiding” this summer, Robinson was happy to once again talk up his side’s chances while on pre-season media duties for Sussex at Hove. “The way we’re playing cricket, we feel like we can really stick one on them and win the series comfortably,” he said with a smile.For Robinson, who ended the previous Ashes in Australia under scrutiny about his fitness levels, having been last man out at Hobart to complete a 4-0 drubbing, this summer’s contest also represents an opportunity to atone – albeit 11 wickets at 25.54 put him second on the England averages in 2021-22.Related

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“There’s definitely a desire there still, a hunger to put it right,” he said. “I felt when I got back from that trip I didn’t leave it all out there and I’d let myself down and the side down a little bit. So it’s definitely something I want to put right and there’s a few fellas in that position as well. So there’s a lot of hungry boys this summer to beat the Aussies again.”Of his recent comments, he said he was happy to have fired the first shots in the 2023 Ashes phoney war: “I was talking to local radio but I was happy that it got out. I mean it’s been happening in every Ashes series for years – Glenn McGrath says 5-0 every Ashes. We say 5-0 every Ashes. It’s one of the biggest series we play, it only comes around every four years in England, so why not talk it up? Get it going, get it big and give the fans what they want.”I think the cricket we’re playing at the moment makes it such an exciting time to play them. We’ve been dominating teams in all conditions for 12 months now. In England we dominated, in Pakistan we dominated and in New Zealand we played most of the cricket for nine days and lost on the last day because we probably weren’t quite there. But I think the way we’re playing cricket, we feel like we can really stick one on them and win the series comfortably.”Robinson is currently No. 6 in the world on the ICC’s bowler rankings, and looks a leaner, fitter presence after heeding the advice of his Test captain, Ben Stokes, last year. He is set to play “three or four” of Sussex’s opening six County Championship games, as part of his preparations for the Test summer, and said that he had already begun to focus his training on pitching the ball up again, after feeling that he had slipped into bowling “pretty” lengths during England’s 1-1 draw in New Zealand last month.He will also be able to practice his Ashes smack talk in the dressing room in a few weeks, with Australia’s Steven Smith due to arrive for a three-game stint with Sussex in May.”It’ll be good to have him here,” Robinson said. “For county cricket it’s great to have Steve Smith at Sussex. For myself, it’s not going to change a huge amount. I’ll prepare the same way. I might get a better look at him in the nets.”I might not bowl at him to be honest. We’ll see how it goes. But we had [Cheteshwar] Pujara here last summer and we played India and I bowled at him a lot. I don’t read too much into it. He’s a good player, he’s going to get runs whether I bowl at him here or not. It’s one of those things.”The signing of Smith, who will be looking to attune himself to English conditions ahead of Australia’s appearance in the World Test Championship final against India, and then the subsequent Ashes, prompted familiar questions about whether the county system should be providing such a service for England’s great rivals.But Paul Farbrace, Sussex’s new head coach and England’s assistant the last time they won the Ashes in 2015, argued that the presence of Smith could potentially be of benefit to Stokes and Brendon McCullum in the long run – with Tom Haines, who scored a century on debut for England Lions over the winter, foremost among a crop of young batters at Hove who will be looking to learn from the way Smith goes about his business.”We want to keep county cricket strong and we want the best players coming to play county cricket,” Farbrace said. “In Tom Haines we’ve got a player who could very much be playing for England in the next 12-18 months. If he spends a month with Steve Smith, batting in the middle and learning about international cricket from him, then Steve Smith is doing English cricket a huge favour.”As long as we can remember, county cricket has been the finishing school for cricketers from all over the world. I was lucky enough to play against Viv Richards and Richard Hadlee and people like that. These players came over and enhanced county cricket. Either we want county cricket to be the best version of cricket in the world it can be or we want it to be second-rate where we don’t want overseas players.”If you ask members and supporters, they want to watch the best players. We moan when we can’t see our own international players, so let’s get the best internationals we can over here and make county championship cricket the best it can be. If it means Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne come and get an opportunity before the Ashes, why not? Absolutely why not?”

IPL 2023

Jason Behrendorff (Mumbai Indians)
The 31-year-old left-armer returns to Mumbai having played his only five IPL games there in 2019 but he spent the last couple of seasons as a squad member at both Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. He is coming off his best-ever BBL taking 21 wickets in 14 games at an outstanding economy rate of 6.69 in Perth Scorchers’ title. Jhye Richardson’s absence from the IPL for Mumbai due to a hamstring injury and Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness queries, as well as Jofra Archer’s workloads, could present opportunities for Behrendorff.Tim David (Mumbai Indians)
The globetrotting gun-for-hire was underused by Mumbai last year after they paid big money for him prior to even being selected for Australia. The retirement of Kieron Pollard means David becomes a key cog in Mumbai’s middle order and a lot will be expected of him with the other overseas batters in Green, Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs all being relatively inexperienced.Nathan Ellis (Punjab Kings and Hampshire)
He returns for his third season at Punjab. He’s only played five IPL games in his first two seasons. He only played two matches in 2022 with Punjab having a strong group of first-choice overseas players. He has established himself as an international quality T20 bowler having bowled superbly in his limited opportunities for Australia. Ellis will also return to Hampshire for the T20 Blast where he was a key part of their title last year.Cameron Green (Mumbai Indians)
Mumbai splurged $AUD3.15 million on the emerging superstar after he tore India apart in the brief T20I tour last year. His Test century in Ahmedabad will only add to Mumbai’s excitement but Green is still very raw in T20. It is unlikely he will play every game for Mumbai and it may be a development year for him given the squad’s overseas depth. Australia’s selectors will be concerned however about his physical and mental fatigue ahead of the World Test Championship final and the Ashes, given he will have spent four straight months in India and does not travel home or play any red-ball cricket prior to heading to England.Can Josh Hazlewood prove his Test fitness?•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Hazlewood’s class is not in question but his fitness is. He was sent home from the Test tour of India due to Achilles tendonitis that has plagued him for two months. That came after he damaged his side in the first Test of the summer in early December 2022 and missed three Test matches. He has barely played any Test cricket over the last 18 months due to injury but he has hardly missed any T20s and has been outstanding in the last two IPLs. Australia’s selectors will keep a close eye on him with the World Test Championship final starting just a week after the IPL final. His lack of red-ball preparation will be a major issue.Mitchell Marsh (Delhi Capitals)
Marsh will be itching for the IPL to get going so he can continue the rich vein of batting form that he is in on the back of being Player of the Series in the 2-1 ODI victory over India. He is likely to bat at No. 3 although Rilee Rossouw’s presence in the squad makes Capitals’ overseas configuration a little more complicated. Marsh hasn’t bowled since returning from ankle surgery and that would only add to his value at Capitals. He has stated that he would also love to be considered for the Ashes as a back-up for Green but he would need to be bowling in order for that to happen.Glenn Maxwell (Royal Challengers Bangalore and Birmingham)
Maxwell’s fitness remains a concern as he continues to recover from his broken leg. He pushed to play the ODI series against India but was clearly underdone. He is a key figure in RCB’s team with both bat and ball but he hasn’t bowled much during his recovery due to soreness. It will be interesting to see how many games he is able to play for RCB. He has also signed to play the T20 Blast for Birmingham Bears.Daniel Sams (Lucknow Super Giants and Essex)
Sams joins his fourth IPL team in four years having played three games for Delhi Capitals in 2020, two games for RCB in 2021, and 11 games for Mumbai Indians in 2022. He looks set to be a depth player for LSG. He had a good finish to the season with the ball last year for Mumbai but hasn’t shown his full batting capabilities in the IPL. Sams will also return to Essex for the T20 Blast. Matt Short (Punjab Kings)
The BBL Player of the Tournament has earned a late call as Jonny Bairstow’s replacement. It is a great opportunity for Short to further press his claims to be in Australia’s plans for the next T20 World Cup. He was superb for Adelaide Strikers, making 458 runs with a strike-rate 144.47 including a thrilling 59-ball century in a huge chase against Hobart Hurricanes and claimed 11 wickets with his offspin. With Aaron Finch having retired he could be an option to open for Australia.Big chance: Matt Short’s BBL form has been rewarded•Getty Images

Marcus Stoinis (Lucknow Super Giants)
His IPL stock remains high despite some injury issues over the last 12 months. He only played eight games in the recent BBL due to ongoing side problems that have plagued him for years and he hasn’t bowled a lot, although he did bowl well in the ODI series against India. Bowling in back-to-back games remains a challenge for him.Matthew Wade (Gujurat Titans)
Wade returns to the IPL after winning a title with Gujarat last season although he did spend a period of the season out of the team. He has become a global T20 player in the last 12 months, forgoing Sheffield Shield cricket for Tasmania after the BBL season ended to play in the South Africa T20 league for Joburg Super Kings and in the Pakistan Super League for Karachi Kings. He will likely play a flexible for Titans having kept and batted in every spot in the top seven in the last 12 months and played as a batter only in the PSL.David Warner (Delhi Capitals)
Warner will be eager to make a statement in the IPL as he has done in the past after an unusual last few months. He is coming off a fractured elbow having missed the last two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar series and he only made his return to playing in the final ODI of the recent three-match series where he batted at No. 4. He has been named Delhi captain in Rishabh Pant’s absence and will relish the responsibility having captained Sunrisers Hyderabad to an IPL title previously, and having been denied the chance to captain in the BBL. But he won’t get to play any red-ball cricket in the lead-up to the World Test Championship final and the Ashes which will no doubt be a cause for concern for Australia’s selectors.Adam Zampa (Rajasthan Royals)
The abundance of spinners in the IPL has meant that Zampa’s opportunities have been limited despite being one of the world’s best at T20I level for Australia. He joins his third IPL team having played for Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016 and 2017 and RCB in 2020. He is unlikely to play many games for Rajasthan with R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal set to be first-choice spinners.Marcus Harris will be looking for more runs with Gloucestershire•Getty Images

County Championship and T20 Blast

Sean Abbott (Surrey)
Abbott is one of those players who could end up very unfortunate not to have a stab at Test cricket, although this county stint puts him in the right place should injuries hit during the Ashes. He had previously joined Surrey in 2021 before his season was cut short by a hamstring injury.Cameron Bancroft (Somerset)
Far and away the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield with almost three hundred more than the next best. Bancroft has made a very strong claim for a place in the Ashes squad having briefly returned to the Test fold after his ban in the 2019 series. Has signed for a short four-match stint with Somerset although the selectors have probably already made their minds up either way.Peter Handscomb (Leicestershire)
Handscomb has a considerable amount at stake as he looks to secure a spot in the Ashes squad. Had an encouraging return to Test cricket in India where he impressed on the tough surfaces. However, his record in England across various county spell is modest with an average of 30.14 and just one hundred from 30 matches. His ability to be a back-up wicketkeeper adds value.Marcus Harris (Gloucestershire)
Like Handscomb, Harris is pushing for a back-up spot in the Test squad and will still have ambitions of being David Warner’s long-term replacement when the vacancy arrives. Was picked apart by England’s quicks during the 2019 Ashes and has failed to build on glimpses of promise at Test level although was unlucky to lose his spot during the 2021-22 series.Matt Kuhnemann (Durham)
The rapid rise of left-arm spinner Kuhnemann continues. A few months ago he was not first-choice for Queensland then he earned an Australia Test call-up and claimed a five-wicket in Indore. Now Durham have secured him in place of Todd Murphy who became unavailable for the first part of the season as CA watch his workload. Quite how conducive home conditions in April and May will be for Kuhnemann remains to be seen.Marnus Labuschagne (Glamorgan)
Labuschagne has a long association with Glamorgan and his 2019 stint became a key part of his narrative after being parachuted into that summer’s Ashes as Steven Smith’s concussion substitute at Lord’s. He made three Test centuries in four innings during 2022 (including a double against West Indies) and continues to be a run machine.Michael Neser is ideal for English conditions•Getty Images

Chris Lynn (Northamptonshire – T20 Blast)
Lynn had a superb T20 campaign for Northamptonshire last year with 516 runs at a strike-rate of 159.25. After plenty of behind-the-scenes dealings he negotiated a deal to play the majority of the BBL being taking up an ILT20 contract.Nathan McAndrew (Sussex)
A developing allrounder, McAndrew had a very good season for South Australia where he claimed 28 wickets at 30.46 and scored 289 runs at 48.16. In 2022 he played for Warwickshire, taking 20 wickets at 37.85 and scoring 278 runs at 34.75, including two fifties.Ben McDermott (Hampshire – T20 Blast)
Has drifted down the pecking order for Australia’s white-ball sides after a strong ODI series in Pakistan last year when a number of first-choice players are missing. A poor BBL with Hobart Hurricanes where he averaged just 16.33 has left him with a lot of catching up to do to be in the frame for next year’s T20 World Cup.Lance Morris (Northamptonshire)
Once of the quickest bowlers in Australia, Morris has a good chance of being part of the Ashes squad having been around the Australia team over the last six months including throughout the India tour without yet earning a Test debut.Michael Neser (Glamorgan)
Will be very much in the frame for the WTC final and Ashes squads given a skillset that is ideal for English conditions. However, it could be that the selectors feel he’s better off playing regular cricket and calling him up if required. He is coming off the back of a career-best Shield season for Queensland where he claimed 40 wickets at 16.67 although did pick up an injury late in the campaign.Kane Richardson (Kent – T20 Blast)
Remains a very effective T20 bowler but it feels as though he is slipping down the Australia hierarchy and faces a challenge to be in the plans for the 2024 T20 World Cup.Peter Siddle (Somerset)
Still going at 38, Siddle returns to Somerset for another season. Last year, he claimed 27 first-class wickets at an average 23.92. Had a solid Shield campaign for Tasmania with 24 wickets at 25.58. Is returning to Victoria next summer.Steven Smith’s short deal raised some eyebrows•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

Steven Smith (Sussex)
Smith flies in for a three-match stint during May in what has proved the most controversial of the pre-Ashes signings, but it is a fantastic opportunity for Sussex’s young batters to learn off the best. Spare a thought for the Sussex net bowlers and those giving throwdowns. He will come up against Labuschagne when Sussex face Glamorgan on May 18.Will Sutherland (Essex – withdrawn)
Was unlikely to be in Ashes contention barring a huge spate of injuries, but Sutherland is one of the emerging players in the Australian game. Has enjoyed an excellent all-round season for Victoria and took on their Sheffield Shield captaincy, guiding them to the final. However, his hopes of a season with Essex have been ended by a stress fracture of his back revealed after the Shield final.Chris Tremain (Northamptonshire)
The chance of a baggy green has likely passed Tremain by, but he remains a very consistent domestic performer. He has signed a short three-match stint with NorthantsAJ Tye (Northamptonshire – T20 Blast)
His international days are likely behind him but Tye remains a fine T20 bowler who has put on, or rediscovered, some pace. Had an outstanding season for Perth Scorchers where he took 26 wickets.Sam Whiteman (Northamptonshire)
A solid left hander, Whiteman could be an outside chance of pushing for higher honours if he can put together a strong county season then back it up at home. In this year’s Shield, he responded to an early-season pair with a career-best 193 against South Australia but wasn’t quite able to build on that.

Having lost both the T20 & ODI series to South Africa, India are in post-mortem mode. In this wide-ranging analysis, Sanjay Manjrekar reflects on five areas of concern

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Oct-2015Pace-bowling concerns
India’s pace attack lacked wicket-taking ability and leaked runs, especially in the final ODI in Mumbai where Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohit Sharma went at over 10 runs an over.1:33

Manjrekar: India’s pacers have limited talent and have to be smart

Where is the next allrounder?
While there have been bits-and-pieces players who have been used as allrounders, India are still searching for a genuine allrounder.1:34

Manjrekar: India have not found a genuine allrounder

Middle-order muddle
India chopped and changed batting positions during the ODI series, which left their line-up unsettled.2:02

Manjrekar: Rohit can be a middle-order option

Raina’s future comes under a cloud
Suresh Raina, having managed only 68 runs, including two ducks, failed when India needed him to fire in the death overs. Raina was hurried by pace and his short-ball problem continued.1:45

Manjrekar: Raina continued to struggle against the short ball

What will be the impact of the ODI series on the Test series?
South Africa will be confident after winning both the T20 and ODI series, but will be challenged on turning pitches.1:11

Manjrekar: South Africa will be challenged on turning pitches

Ruben Amorim has identified AC Milan's Mike Maignan as Andre Onana's replacement but Man Utd will face competition from Chelsea and Aston Villa.

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Amorim not pleased with Onana's performances Has identified Maignan as an able replacement Chelsea and Villa also vying for the Milan goalkeeper Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to a transfer exclusive from Caught Offside, Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has identified AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan as the ideal replacement for Andre Onana, who is likely to depart after two unconvincing seasons in goal. However, United could face competition from fellow Premier League sides Chelsea and Aston Villa, who are also interested in the Frenchman.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Onana's future at Old Trafford is nearing an inevitable end. Indeed, the Cameroonian was dropped by Amorim from United's squad for last weekend's Premier League fixture against Newcastle United, which the Red Devils ultimately lost 4-1. “We need to improve every position on the field – the goalkeeper is the same. But we can work with Andre [to make him better]," Amorim told reporters ahead of the Europa League return leg against Lyon on Wednesday after Onana was confirmed to start in the second leg.

DID YOU KNOW?

That's where Maignan comes into the picture, whose renewal talks with Milan have taken an eternity with no conclusion in sight. The goalkeeper is under contract with the Rossoneri until June 2026, meaning that a summer sale would be the most likely outcome should the contract extension talks collapse. Per the report from Caught Offside, Milan will demand at least €40 million (£34m/$45m).

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

Although the Red Devils are safe from the drop, they currently languish in 14th position on the Premier League table and are on course to record their worst-ever finish to a league season in decades. They will take on Lyon in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday, April 17, at Old Trafford, after the first leg ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw.

This is a new year. Is this Liverpool’s year? Let’s not be too hasty – especially with Arsenal narrowing the deficit in the Premier League title race with an impressive win at Brentford – but the Reds are fixed in pole position.

The Saka-less Gunners reduced the gap to six points, leapfrogging Nottingham Forest into second place. There’s still a sizeable gap to bridge toward Liverpool, who also have a game in hand, but too many false dawns have stretched across Merseyside in recent years.

Liverpool have plenty of success stories over the past decade, but plenty more agonising flashbacks besides. That’s football. It’s staggering that Arne Slot has done so well after gripping Jurgen Klopp’s baton last summer, taking Liverpool to another level that promises, at least, gripping showdowns across multiple cylinders.

Signings are needed though to complement – hopefully – some stirring contractual resolutions. Liverpool merely dipped their toes into the market last summer, but will need to strengthen considerably this year, lest their rivals catch up and overtake them this year and next.

Liverpool looking at big signing this year

As per Football Insider, Liverpool have made Morgan Gibbs-White their top target this year, with the dynamic midfielder endowed with the completeness to make more than a few ripples within Anfield’s squad.

It’s claimed that FSG’s recruitment team have upped their interest in the Nottingham Forest star ‘ahead of the January and summer transfer windows’, suggesting that a move this winter isn’t out of the question.

Gibbs-White has been the life-juice of Nuno Espirito Santo’s third-placed side this year, and prising him away won’t be easy. In fact, he was valued at £60m by his outfit during the off-season and they will hardly be looking for a reduced figure after the progress this term.

What Morgan Gibbs-White would bring to Anfield

Nottingham Forest appeared to splurge upon their return to the Premier League in 2022, scattergunning across the market as they sought to preserve their place back in the big time. It worked. Just.

But English football felt that business had been conducted haphazardly. English football was wrong. The Tricky Trees have burgeoned into one of the most steely and cohesive units in the Premier League, with Gibbs-White pulling the strings from the middle.

Forest signed Wolves’ talent in August 2022 for a fee rising as high as £42.5m, something that was met with derision from many circles of the Premier League’s sprawling support base. The Tricky Trees will feel that they’ve had the latest laugh, for Gibbs-White is one of the highest-performing midfielders in the Premier League this season.

Still only 24, Gibbs-White has now claimed 35 goal contributions from 95 appearances, and having been praised as a “monster in transition” by one analyst, the Englishman’s general play is highlighted, with such an impressive distinction through his playmaking, yes, but also his defensive work and on-the-ball retention.

Also praised for his “magic tricks” by reporter Jamie Martin, the £80k-per-week star has the quick-footed, fast-thinking style that works perfectly at the City Ground, marrying flair with tactical pragmaticism.

There’s also a combativeness to him and a sense of responsibility too. The free-scoring Chris Wood has commented on Gibbs-White becoming a “really positive leader for Forest” who is “always looking to progress the team.”

Bearing the full package, Gibbs-White could even become Slot’s own version of Steven Gerrard at Liverpool. That’s a bold claim, but just hear us out.

Slot's own Steven Gerrard

Steven George Gerrard. Liverpool’s ultimate superstar. The iconic England midfielder engineered the greatest Champions League triumph in history, played 710 times for his boyhood club and registered 341 goal contributions.

The Premier League title eluded him but he remained on Merseyside throughout his European career and knitted a connection with the city that will endure forever.

He was the perfect centre-midfielder, in many ways, for his all-encompassing nature made him a force to be reckoned with across the various roles. Eight, six, ten – he could do it all, and with panache at that.

Gibbs-White has the prototypical skill set to assume the kind of dynamic approach that Gerrard once plied in the Premier League, with his ball-playing and -carrying skills reminiscent of the Scouse hero. Moreover, Forest’s midfield talisman has fostered an impressive defensive game through Nuno’s strategic system.

The skills learned during this time are transferrable, and Liverpool would be sure to reap the rewards of such an impressive tactical range. In fact, Gibbs-White has even been warmly referred to as the “Aldi Jude Bellingham” by BBC analyst Raj Chohan, praising his athleticism and ability to plough through even the most noble of defensive lines.

Matches (starts)

15 (15)

14 (14)

Goals

3

6

Assists

3

4

Shots (on target)*

1.7 (0.9)

1.4 (0.6)

Pass completion

80%

89%

Key passes*

1.8

1.1

Dribbles*

1.4

1.1

Ball recoveries*

4.1

3.0

Tackles + interceptions*

2.3

3.0

Total duels (won)*

5.3 (46%)

5.4 (57%)

Bellingham is cut from a similar cloth as Gerrard, describing the retired pro as his “hero” and admitting that he has attempted to incorporate similar aspects into his own game.

Jamie Carragher has also waxed lyrical about Bellingham and drawn him against a prime Gerrard, with his strength across every single area something unique and hardly replicable.

Ultimately, Liverpool know that their lionised skipper is someone who will never be replaced, not really, but through Gibbs-White, whose silky ranged passing, crunching challenges and leadership skills provide him with the template, there could be a second coming to a lesser degree.

One thing’s for certain: Slot’s tactical acumen would only elevate Gibbs-White’s impressive game over the coming years, and while he’s been eye-catching since moving to Nottingham, at Liverpool he would raise his game by many levels.

Worth more than Trent: Liverpool have hit gold on £115m star in the making

Arne Slot has turned this Liverpool talent into a superstar.

ByAngus Sinclair Jan 2, 2025

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be hoping to remain outside of the bottom three in the Premier League as they prepare to take on Bournemouth at the Molineux on Saturday.

Gary O’Neil’s side are above 18th-placed Ipswich Town on goal difference and are one point above Crystal Palace in 19th, which means that they could end the weekend in 19th place if results do not go their way.

A win against the Cherries would almost guarantee their place outside of the relegation zone, though, unless Ipswich and other teams muster up big wins, and that should be the aim on Saturday.

The Old Gold secured their second win of the Premier League season last time out, beating Fulham 4-1 at Craven Cottage, and have to follow that up with another positive performance and result.

Goals from Matheus Cunha (x2), Joao Gomes, and Goncalo Guedes sealed all three points for Wolves against Marco Silva’s side, as Cunha starred once again for the club this season.

The Brazilian magician has enjoyed a terrific start to the 2024/25 campaign and has emerged as a huge talent and asset for O’Neil in the midlands.

Matheus Cunha's form this season

The 25-year-old forward has showcased his ability as both a scorer and a creator of goals on a regular basis in the Premier League so far this term, to become a shining light in a disappointing team that has only won two matches.

As a goalscorer, Cunha has found the back of the net seven times from an xG of just 3.13 and he has only missed one ‘big chance’. This shows that the attacker has been incredibly ruthless in front of goal as he has not wasted many opportunities to score.

The Brazil international scored 12 goals from 9.49 xG across 32 appearances in the Premier League during the 2023/24 campaign, and is now on course to better his tally in the current term.

As you can see in the table above, Cunha’s current form would mean that he would end the season with more goals, more ‘big chances’ created, and more assists than he managed in the previous campaign.

He has, quite simply, been electric for Wolves and his quality in the final third will be crucial to their chances of avoiding relegation down to the Championship. The Brazilian ace, in fact, scored two and provided one assist in the 4-1 win over Fulham to lift the team out of the bottom three last weekend.

Whilst Cunha thrived at Craven Cottage, one player who could be dropped from the starting XI after an underwhelming display is attacking midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.

Why Jean-Ricner Bellegarde should be dropped

The French gem started as one of the two number tens behind Jorgen Strand Larsen, alongside Cunha, but was unable to produce a quality performance with his work in or out of possession for the Old Gold.

It was his first start since the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in September and he did not do enough to suggest that O’Neil should select him from the start for a second match in succession.

Bellegarde has managed one goal and one assist in 11 appearances and seven starts in the Premier League so far this season, after he was unable to add to his tally of goals or assists in the convincing win over the Cottagers.

As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old attacking midfielder had very little impact on the game as he ended his appearance with zero shots and zero chances created for his teammates.

The former Strasbourg star also failed to offer much out of possession for his side, with three of his seven duels won and one tackle completed, whilst being dribbled past once.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

O’Neil must, now, ruthlessly ditch the former Ligue 1 ace from the starting XI for this home clash with Bournemouth, as Goncalo Guedes could come in as a superior option at the top end of the pitch.

Why Goncalo Guedes should be unleashed

The Portuguese whiz returned to Molineux in the summer after spells with Benfica and Villarreal on loan during the 2023/24 campaign and is now fighting for a regular spot in the team under O’Neil.

Guedes scored one goal in 13 Premier League matches during the 2022/23 season, after his move from Valencia, but seemed to find his form again in Spain last term.

In nine starts in LaLiga during the second half of last season, the 28-year-old whiz produced three goals from 2.3 xG and two assists from four ‘big chances’ created.

Guedes, who was once hailed as a “great talent” by ex-PSG icon Pauleta, has since shown plenty of promise in limited minutes with Wolves in the current campaign.

The experienced forward came off the bench against Fulham last weekend to score the fourth goal in the game, getting on the end of Larsen’s pass to rifle an accurate shot into the bottom corner.

As you can see in the table above, Guedes also caught the eye with his performances in the League Cup earlier this term, with three goals and one ‘big chance’ created in starts against Burnley and Brighton.

This means that the Portuguese winger has produced four goals, one assist, and two ‘big chances’ created in 11 appearances and two starts in all competitions for Wolves this season.

The former Valencia star’s goalscoring form for Villarreal and Wolves in 2024 suggests that he could be perfect alongside Cunha as a second attacking midfielder, as the Brazilian has only been rewarded with three assists from nine ‘big chances’ created in the league.

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By
Joe Nuttall

Nov 26, 2024

Guedes is a player with the finishing quality to make the most of Cunha’s creativity and that is why Bellegarde should be dropped from the XI for the 28-year-old against Bournemouth.

Taylor had retired hurt on 51 in the third ODI on Monday and is yet to recover

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Sep-2022West Indies allrounder Stafanie Taylor has been ruled out of the first two T20Is against New Zealand after having suffering an injury while batting in the third ODI in North Sound on September 25. Taylor had retired hurt on 51 on Monday and will be replaced by Sheneta Grimmond, who last played a T20I in September 2020, for the first two T20Is.Grimmond, the 24-year-old offspin-bowling allrounder, was in good form for Trinbago Knight Riders during the side’s run to the inaugural women’s CPL title. She picked up three wickets in as many games at an economy rate of six. Prior to the WCPL, Grimmond had taken four wickets in five games at the women’s 6ixty at an economy rate of 5.36. She will assist fellow offspinners Hayley Matthews and Karishma Ramharack in the West Indies attack.”This five match series forms part of the team’s preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup,” Ann Browne-John, the lead selector, said. “Unfortunately, Stafanie Taylor has been ruled out of these two matches after being injured while batting in the third CG United ODI. This squad for the 1st and 2nd T20Is sees the return of offspinner Sheneta Grimmond who had a good WCPL performance, and we believe her offspin will provide added support to the other offspinners, Hayley Matthews and Karishma Ramharack.”All five T20Is will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound. New Zealand won the preceding ODI series 2-1.Squad: Hayley Matthews (capt), Shakera Selman (vice-capt), Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Kyshona Knight, Natasha McLean, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Rashada Williams

Could performances at the tournament have any bearing on T20 World Cup selection?

Andrew McGlashan03-Aug-2022Sean Abbott (Manchester Originals)His Sri Lanka tour was over before it had really started when he fractured a finger in training. Has developed into one of the leading domestic allrounders in Australia, capable of packing a punch with bat and ball. Is among those who will leave before the end of the tournament due to the Zimbabwe ODIs in Townsville.Hilton Cartwright (Oval Invincibles)Capable of giving the ball a tremendous thump with the bat and one of the best fielders in the game. Has been playing for Derbyshire in the lead-up to the Hundred.Related

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Tim David (Southern Brave)One of the most talked-about players in the Australian game at the moment with all eyes on whether he gets a place in the T20 World Cup squad. A strong return for Brave will keep that bubbling ahead of decision day in mid-September. Made two appearances last season.Nathan Ellis (London Spirit)Won Hampshire the Blast title twice, holding his nerve in extraordinary scenes after being called for a no-ball, to cap a tournament where his death bowling stood out. Making a strong push for the T20 World Cup squad, which he has spoken about after his late call to the Hundred to replace Riley Meredith.Josh Inglis (London Spirit)The wicketkeeper-batter made 173 runs at a strike-rate of 136.22 for Spirit last season and this time will take over from Glenn Maxwell when he leaves for international duty having himself not been included for the ODIs.Glenn Maxwell (London Spirit)Will be one of the headline overseas names and is a player capable of winning white-ball matches off his own bat, regardless of how many balls are involved. However, he will be one of the Australians leaving early for international duty.Ben McDermott (London Spirit)McDermott finished the T20 Blast for Hampshire very strongly, producing the top score in the final, after being picked as a Hundred wildcard. Likely to be Spirit’s wicketkeeper.Kane Richardson (Birmingham Phoenix)No longer holds a CA contract but remains part of the white-ball plans, although may start to face pressure from Ellis so a strong Hundred could be useful for him ahead of T20 World Cup selection.Daniel Sams (Trent Rockets)Picked up as a wildcard, Sams’ power with the bat could be as valuable as his left-arm pace bowling. During the T20 Blast for Essex he struck 71 off 24 balls against Sussex. Was a reserve at last year’s T20 World Cup and remains on the fringes of the team.Marcus Stoinis (Southern Brave)Stoinis had his Sri Lanka tour cut short by a side injury so this tournament will be his return to action ahead of the Australian season. Has become a finisher in Australia’s T20I side but opens in the BBL so it will be interesting to see where Brave use him. Won’t be available all tournament.Ashton Turner (Manchester Originals)Had his T20 Blast campaign with Durham interrupted by a dislocated shoulder and largely struggled to make an impact.Matthew Wade (Birmingham Phoenix)Enjoying a final flourish to his international career as Australia’s T20 finisher, and has stated the upcoming World Cup will be his swansong.Adam Zampa (Welsh Fire)One of the leading white-ball spinners in the world, the Hundred will be Zampa’s first outing since the tour of Pakistan having skipped Sri Lanka for the birth of his first child. Should be a key weapon in Fire’s attack before heading back to Australia to play against Zimbabwe.

Mustafizur Rahman’s record-breaking exploits were watched by his family all over Bangladesh, and it proved he was not going to be easy to read

Mohammad Isam21-Jun-2015Mustafizur Rahman’s family watched him intently from all over Bangladesh – his sister and cousins watched him from the Shere Bangla Stadium, his father and a couple of his brothers watched from his Tetulia village, and his eldest brother and mother from Khulna. At a newspaper office in Dhaka, one of his uncles watched with cheering colleagues. They celebrated every time he picked up wickets, some times even calling each other and celebrating his wickets on the phone.Mustafizur followed up his five-for on debut with a six-wicket haul on Sunday, becoming only the second bowler after Zimbabwe’s Brian Vitori to take five-fors in their first two ODIs. He took one more wicket than Vitori when he dismissed Ravindra Jadeja just after the long rain break, giving himself a unique place in history by getting 11 wickets.After Mustafizur had taken 5 for 50 in the first game, there were suggestions that India would read him better in the second. After all, all five wickets fell to offcutters. Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha had said Mustafizur would have to be on his A-game now that the world has seen a bit of his variation.On Sunday, however, Mustafizur brought out some of his other skills. Unlike in the first game, Mustafizur took a wicket in his first spell when he got Rohit Sharma with the angle he created. The second spell remained similar. He first got Raina to edge a cutter that bounced to the wicketkeeper, and MS Dhoni, with whom he had collided in the first game, was also sucked in by his slower delivery. Dhoni got out in the last over of the batting Powerplay, giving Bangladesh the advantage heading into the last 10 overs.What Mustafizur did next set his bowling in the second game apart from the first game. He surprised Axar Patel with a straight, quick delivery that struck him right in front. In the 42nd over, he got R Ashwin to edge behind with another offcutter. After the two-hour rain break, he came back and stung Jadeja with a full ball, quicker one again. He had completed a six-wicket haul, doing what he knows best, but the look of surprise on his face was the expression of someone who wasn’t expecting such results.All this time, his family kept calling each other. They wished they could have been together, watching him bowl in an international match against India, in front of a TV set without any power cuts. But they had to make do with wishing each other from long distances.According to his uncle Shariful Islam, deputy chief reporter of the , the family members tried their best to be in front of a TV. There was a power cut before the presentation ceremony in the first match, and his brother in Khulna called up Sharif to ask what Mustafizur was saying after winning the Man-of-the-match award.”We were not sure whether he would be playing the first game but when we heard that he got selected in the XI, we were anxious how he would do,” Shariful said. “When he was selected in the 14-man ODI squad, my brother who lives in Ohio promised to gift him an iPhone if he took three wickets. After he took the five-for in the first game, he immediately bought the phone and is now trying to find someone to send it to Dhaka.”When Mustafizur couldn’t get to play for a club in Dhaka, it was his brothers and uncles who communicated with the right people to get him a place or a trial in the pace foundation. Mustafizur, according to them, is grateful to have the full support of his family.

Tahir, Shamsi to play for Guyana Amazon Warriors; Kuggeleijn returns to St Lucia Kings

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jul-2022Barbados Royals have signed up South African heavyweights Quinton de Kock and David Miller for the upcoming season of the CPL.It will be de Kock’s maiden appearance at the CPL, while for Miller, Royals will be his third franchise in the competition after stints with Jamaica Tallawahs and St Lucia Kings [earlier St Lucia Zouks]. Royals also have in their line-up Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the Afghanistan spinner who has previously played with Jamaica Tallawahs, as well as Pakistani batter Azam Khan and South African allrounder Corbin Bosch. They still have five more spots to fill at the players’ draft tomorrow.Tallawahs, meanwhile, have roped in Mohammad Amir for the upcoming season. The Pakistan fast bowler had turned out for Royals last year, when he claimed 11 wickets at an average of 13.54. Sandeep Lamichhane, Imad Wasim, Chris Green and Migael Pretorius are the other four overseas signings by Tallawahs. All four players have represented the franchise in earlier editions.Guyana Amazon Warriors have added a rich South African flavour to their set-up. They have signed up Imran Tahir, the leading bowler for the franchise with 60 wickets from 43 outings for a fifth successive season. Additionally, they have also included wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi, batter Colin Ingram and wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen for the upcoming season alongside Paul Stirling, the Ireland opener.Related

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St Lucia Kings have brought on board New Zealand’s Scott Kuggeleijn after releasing him last year. Kings are now left with just one more overseas spot left to fill, with last year’s captain Faf du Plessis, Tim David and David Wiese in their ranks as well.Kuggeleijn, who played for Kings in 2020, was the leading wicket-taker that season. He was, however, released by the franchise last season along with the Afghanistan pair of Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran.Kings’ other big acquisition is Johnson Charles, who had represented Barbados Royals in 2021, scoring 216 runs in ten games at a strike rate of 122. Charles came on board as a pre-draft signing.Among players from the islands, Roston Chase, Kesrick Williams, Alzarri Joseph, Mark Deyal and Jeavor Royal have been retained by the franchise. Kings have seven spots left to fill now, including the one for an overseas player, and those are expected to be announced soon.The notable omissions from last year’s squad are Rahkeem Cornwall, who was recently dropped from the list of CWI’s centrally contracted players, Wahab Riaz, Andre Fletcher – who has been signed by St Kitts & Nevis Patriots – and Keemo Paul, who has returned to Guyana Amazon Warriors.Kings finished runners-up, losing to Patriots in the final, last season. That made it back-to-back final appearances for them – they had lost to Trinbago Knight Riders in 2020 – after failing to make the title round in the first seven editions of the tournament.