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Litton and Shamim bring the power with the bat before Rishad and the seamers skittle the hosts

Madushka Balasuriya13-Jul-2025
Bangladesh snapped their six-game losing streak in dominant fashion as they handed Sri Lanka a 83-run defeat in front of a packed house in Dambulla, and with it levelled the three match series 1-1.Litton Das’ 76 off 50 – he put to rest a 13-match run without a fifty – headlined Bangladesh’s innings, but it was Shamim Hossain’s destructive 48 off 27 that shifted the winds in Bangladesh’s favour.Chasing 178, Sri Lanka’s top order failed to fire – unlike in Kandy – and an excellent Bangladesh effort with the ball and in the field ensured the Sri Lanka middle and lower order were not able to bail them out either.To the crowd’s credit they hung around as wicket after wicket fell, but as early as the 12th over the droves began to filter out, as the last recognised batter – Dasun Shanaka – fell with just 73 runs on the board. Sri Lanka’s innings lasted just 15.2 overs.The Shamim showIt was the 12th over of the Bangladesh innings that shifted the game in the visitors’ favour, as it brought Shamim to the crease earlier than might have initially been planned. At the time though, the innings looked anything but redeemable.The openers had thrown their wickets away in what might be described as cosplay efforts of aggression on a good batting surface, while Litton and Towhid Hridoy’s efforts at consolidation had helped their side avert a collapse.However, when Towhid sliced one to short third and Mehidy Hasan Miraz scooped another to short fine leg, it looked as if all that consolidation had gone to waste. But Shamim’s entry changed the dynamics of the innings, and indeed the game.Off just second ball he faced he cut one away from close to the stumps. A couple of deliveries later the pace was taken off, but Shamim responded with a bat swing that was even more rapid. Shamim’s next boundaries came against Sri Lanka’s death-bowling specialists – three off Nuwan Thushara, and one each off Maheesh Theekshana and Binura Fernando.But the expert ball-striking and placement was only a small part of Shamim’s innings. Across his 27 deliveries faced, only five were dots. Shamim was then at the heart of disrupting Sri Lanka’s chase, effecting the run out of Kusal Mendis and holding on to running catch in the deep to remove Avishka Fernando.His energy was infectious, and even if his eagerness for singles might have eventually led to his – and Jaker Ali’s – downfall in the final over as they sought to steal runs to the keeper, the momentum he had created would create the conditions for Bangladesh’s ultimate victory.Litton’s lifelinesLitton hadn’t come into this game in any great form. He’d scored a pair of 40s this year, but his last 50-plus score in T20Is had come all the way back in June 2024. Even his coach had to acknowledge prior to the game that his skipper wasn’t in the best of form.So, when Litton sauntered down the track and missed a wide one from Jeffrey Vandersay, it seemed inevitable that lean run was destined to continue. Kusal Mendis, however, was unable to gather this wide legbreak that spun even wider, and Litton survived. He was on 30 at the time.Had he fallen then, perhaps Sri Lanka might have pressed home their advantage further. But in reality, the more painful missed chance came some six overs later, with Litton shanking an attempted sweep on 56, only to be dropped by Theekshana at mid-off in the 16th over.By the time Theekshana had dismissed Litton three overs later, he had added a further 20 runs to his total and the momentum had decidedly shifted in Bangladesh’s favour.SL’s middle order fails the testIn the first T20I, the chase was effectively killed inside the powerplay by the sheer belligerence of Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka. In those two, Sri Lanka have power-hitters to rival some of the best in the world, but the question lingered around the capabilities of the rest of the batting.In Dambulla, that question was put to the test. Kusal was run out early, and some tight bowling by Bangladesh’s revamped bowling attack – both Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam were drafted in for this game – meant Nissanka was kept quiet for long periods before eventually falling tamely.But at the first time of asking this series, the collective grade was a resounding ‘F’. None of Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera or Charith Asalanka were able to provide the sort of counterpunch demanded in such scenarios. Though the lower-order enforcers in Chamika Karunaratne and Shanaka fared little better, the chase was always beyond Sri Lanka’s reach. Such was Bangladesh’s hold on the game.

The run-glut in England has sparked a discussion about whether a bowling side should have to use two new-balls in ODIs. Here’s what’s happened

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jun-2018

Having flirted with inconsistency for a long time, the senior team has started to reap the rewards brought about by improved infrastructure and a streamlined feeder system

Akshay Gopalakrishnan in Thumba18-Dec-2016Over the last four seasons, Jharkhand have been consistently inconsistent. The quarter-finalists of 2012-13 were relegated to Group C in the following season. They finished fourth in 2014-15 before earning a promotion with their second-place finish last year. Now, they are the toppers in a group comprising traditional power houses Delhi and Karnataka. Having set themselves up to climb the summit – they’ve never been there before – the side is keen to prove the old adage of ‘two steps forward and three steps back’ doesn’t come back to haunt them.With a quarter-final berth sealed even before their final league game against Odisha in Thumba, Jharkhand had an opportunity to build on their gains. They could have opted to experiment, but they were ruthless in their demolition, winning by an innings to set up a quarter-final clash with Haryana.The reasons for their irregularities over the years are manifold, ranging from inexperience to lack of opportunities. But having invested in youth, their patience is slowly bearing fruit. That they haven’t been afraid to leave out experienced seniors like Shiv Gautam, Samar Quadri and Rameez Nemat is indication of their change in focus.Four members of their core this year – Ishan Kishan, Kaushal Singh, Virat Singh and Ashish Kumar – made their debuts two seasons ago. While Kishan – earmarked in Indian cricket as one for the future – has scored over 600 runs, Ashish, their pace spearhead, has taken 31 wickets. More importantly, he’s delivered in the absence of Varun Aaron, the designated captain, who has been out for most parts of the season.What stands out about their resurgence has been their brand of cricket; a defensive mindset has given way to a more flamboyant approach. It has resulted in them pushing harder to secure outright wins and not just settle for a lead. The turning point, according to Saurabh Tiwary, the stand-in captain, was an interaction MS Dhoni had with the team during a pre-season camp.”He speaks from the heart,” Tiwary told ESPNcricinfo. “One of the things he said was, when a spinner is bowling, we should be trying to score at least three-four runs every over. Previously, we used to bat an entire day and score 220-230. But look at our scores this season: we have scored over 300 in a day. So there has been a shift in our mindset that has resulted in us pushing for wins. Whatever he said were the basics, but that’s exactly what many don’t understand.”The results are there for everyone to see. In 2014-15, Jharkhand had just two outright wins. The season before that, they were winless. But they have picked up a total of nine wins in the last two seasons – five this time, along with Karnataka, being the most by a team across all groups.Jharkhand have made a conscious decision to shift from a defensive to a more flamboyant approach this season•KCA/Ranjith Peralam”The key has been not just in individuals identifying their roles and playing them well, but as importantly, in finishing what they set out to do,” explains Shahbaz Nadeem, their talismanic left-arm spinner and senior member. “Knowing why you are in the team and in what situation your skills come into play as a fast bowler or a spinner is very important, and we have done that well this time. My role as a senior is to communicate to all the bowlers and help them plan dismissals.”Nadeem and Tiwary have been two of the most consistent performers for Jharkhand. In four seasons prior to this one, they topped Jharkhand’s bowling and batting charts thrice. This year, Nadeem has again been their highest wicket-taker while Tiwary has taken the backseat only to Kishan and Ishank Jaggi.Jharkhand’s first outright win came in their season opener, against Maharashtra. In the next match, they conceded the first-innings lead to Karnataka but have since displayed remarkable consistency, beating Rajasthan, taking the first-innings lead against Vidarbha and Delhi, crushing Saurashtra by an innings, beating Assam by five wickets and then thrashing Odisha inside three days.Part of that consistency has been due to the importance given to fitness. Players have been given weekly fitness targets that have been monitored throughout the season. The results of some of that were discernible in the match against Odisha where Jharkhand impressed with their running between the wickets and fielding.That isn’t to say everything is perfect. There is still room for improvement, with Tiwary, who the team has monitored closely, being a case-in point. He limped off on the second day with cramps after scoring a half-century, albeit in sapping conditions. “We are only 40 percent there,” coach Rajiv Kumar explains. “Sometimes, when a good partnership is going, you need that one brilliant run-out. But creating that opportunity can happen only if you are fit.”Jharkhand let go of their defensive approach after spending time with MS Dhoni during pre-season•PTI Jharkhand also benefitted from comprehensive preparation that started with camps as early as in June last year. That apart, the players also took part in the Buchi Babu, before travelling to Bengal and then again playing a few matches in Ranchi. “In the past, 70 percent of the boys had no cricket before the Ranji season,” Rajiv says. “Things are different now.”As happy as they are with the immediate results, the association doesn’t want to sit back and rest on their improvements. Identifying the need to have a feeder system, JSCA president Amitabh Chaudhary said, was the first step towards improvement.If youngsters like Kishan have shone, it is because of a significant shift to a structured Under-14 and Under-16 system. More tournaments have been introduced and turf wickets have been installed across districts. To select a team for the Vijay Merchant Trophy, India’s premier U-16 tournament, there is now a districts league, and a detailed league-cum-final knockout inter-district tournament. Besides, the state has been split into four divisions that take part in a divisional league and the process is repeated for all levels from U-19 to seniors.”It takes a heavy toll in terms of finances and the collective energies of the associations, but it’s worth it,” Chaudhary says of the expansion plans. “And the best thing is with such an elaborate and comprehensive system in place, nobody can act funny with the selection process. The system is insulated.”Ten years ago, there would be a total of 50 matches. Today, we have over 50 tournaments. We’ve tried to cover even the remote corners of the state. There is a place called Torpa in the Khunti district, adjoining Ranchi. If you go there during mid-day, you will find it absolutely desolate. Guys from such areas are coming in and playing.”Of course, there is always room for improvement. And, as it is, we never believe in any sensational steps taken and anything with the intent of making a splash. We have been trying to put some systems in place and it’s taken some time. But we’ve had the satisfaction of seeing the systems finally falling in place and bearing fruit.”While getting to the knockouts is seen as a victory in itself, the team management has impressed on the need to dream big. Of that, there has been plenty of evidence during the course of the season. Now, for them to build on the improvements.

Three glaring dropped catches off the bowling of Lasith Malinga were pivotal as Sri Lanka’s “pathetic” fielding cost them a semi-final place

Andrew McGlashan in Cardiff12-Jun-2017Lasith Malinga was stretching between almost every delivery of his final over. His body can’t do what it used to. And there would be no miracle. Sarfraz Ahmed angled a short-of-a-length delivery, at not much above medium pace, fine of third man and started sprinting off in a random direction with a celebratory run to rival Imran Tahir.We might not see Malinga in a global competition again. It could have been such a different story.This may have been the most exciting match of the Champions Trophy, but it was also the lowest quality barring the burst between Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan which dissected Sri Lanka’s middle order. In many ways it was astonishing they got themselves into a position to be considered favourites.They scrambled to 236 but when Fakhar Zaman burst to a 33-ball fifty it looked to have broken the game. Somehow, though, Sri Lanka claimed seven wickets for 88 with, basically, a three-man bowling attack although Thisara Perera chipped in with the scalp of Mohammad Hafeez. However, Perera’s key part in the afternoon was still to come.One-by-one Pakistan’s top order offered a helping hand, though Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep were once again impressive with their perseverance. But with the flying start provided by Fakhar, Angelo Mathews had to throw his lot in with his main bowlers. Pradeep was done by the 37th over, Lakmal by the 42nd.Fielding first, as they did against South Africa and India, it is easier to absorb the weaker bowlers because a captain knows they’ll have a chance to chase whatever is set. It worked against India in record-breaking fashion. But defending a low total the attack was thin beyond the main three. Mathews insisted there was no other option, needing the extra batting cover even though it was Dhananjaya de Silva who had only arrived 48 hours ago.Everything had to go their way in the field. It needed a faultless display. Instead a familiar foe reared its head.Malinga returned to the attack for the 39th over. The stand between Sarfraz and Amir had reduced Pakistan’s requirement to 44. The balls remaining wasn’t even an issue. It was bowl them out or lose the game.Malinga loosened himself up – as much as he could – with a bouncer. The next delivery was an attempted slower-ball yorker which drifted down the leg side. Then he followed it with another slower one, straighter this time, and Sarfraz was early on his shot. The ball spooned, almost in slow motion, towards mid-on. Pakistan were going to be eight down; Sri Lanka favourites again. Except Thisara thought he was catching a bar of soap. And it ended up on the shower floor.To a man, Sri Lanka had their hands on their heads. Mathews, who later termed Sri Lanka’s fielding “shambolic” wore a look of thunder. But that wasn’t the end of it; it hadn’t even been the start.Seekkuge Prasanna’s reprieve of Sarfraz Ahmed was the toughest of three chances put down off Lasith Malinga•Getty ImagesIn the opening over of the chase, Azhar Ali cut firmly to Danushka Gunathilaka at point – a man who has taken blinding catches in that position – but the chance went down. It was simple, but not as simple as Thisara’s.”It was unfortunate that we dropped his catches today, he would have been a different bowler, but still he came out and gave his heart out, and he is a champion bowler for us,” Mathews said.Malinga, whose own drop of Faf du Plessis at The Oval was another crucial moment, had been able to stew at mid-on after Thisara’s blunder, often with his arms crossed as though he had no intention of fielding a delivery but his next over was of Keystone Cops proportions.It began with another slower bouncer which Sarfraz hooked in the air towards deep square. The fielder, substitute Seekugge Prasanna had to run it and dive forward for the catch. The ball hit his hands and then the ground. It was the toughest of the catches put down, but Sri Lanka needed a moment of inspiration and it had passed them by again.Next delivery, Amir pushed the ball into the covers where it slipped through the legs of the fielder. Two balls later, Amir is then beaten, it bounces before reaching wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella who couldn’t get a glove on it, the ball ricocheting off his leg to fine leg for four byes.But the over wasn’t done there. The next delivery was prodded to short cover and, again, was let through for a run. The final ball was blocked. There was a loud cheer. It sounded as though it was from the Pakistan contingent for a solid shot, but it may have been from the Sri Lankans for the fact the ball was picked up without drama.”The boys have worked extremely hard,” Mathews said. “Today we dropped three catches, but there has been a genuine effort from the boys and from the support staff, and we’ve expressed a lot about our fielding, we’ve talked about it a lot, and we put a lot of energy on our fielding. So, there has been a genuine effort on fielding.”Four overs later, the game was done. The stuffing knocked out of Sri Lanka by 15 minutes of mayhem in an error-strewn match. In years gone by, even the 11 runs that Malinga had to play with when he started his final over may have been enough for something special. This time, though, Sarfraz comfortably picked off what was needed then charged off in celebration. No one was catching him. Least of all the Sri Lankans.

Tottenham Hotspur have now opened talks to sign an £8.5m “goalscorer” who previously starred at Spurs’ stadium.

Tottenham and Ange eye new signing before deadline

Things haven’t been going to plan for Ange Postecoglou and his side on the pitch, with Spurs now in real threat of finding themselves in a relegation battle following the latest loss at home to Leicester City.

Prior to that defeat, Postecoglou admitted that his injury-hit squad could do with bolstering before the deadline: “I have daily communication with Johan in particular and he’s trying everything he possibly can to get the help we need. I don’t think I’m stating anything other than the obvious and for me to come here and say something else would be disingenuous. This playing group needs help, there’s no doubt about that.

“We’re sort of playing with fire by not bringing anyone in, but the flip side of that is the club is trying to change that situation.”

So far, goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky is the only winter window addition in north London, but there have been rumours of another attacker arriving.

Tottenham exploring move for £80k-p/w ace they've wanted since Kane left

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Names including Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel and Lyon‘s Rayan Cherki have been mooted as attacking targets, and the club are now in talks for a Premier League forward.

Tottenham open Yoane Wissa talks

As per journalist Santi Aouna, Tottenham have opened discussions to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford, who is seen as a concrete target for Spurs before the deadline.

Within his report for Foot Mercato, Aouna states that Tottenham have approached Brentford over a deal and have also been in contact with Wissa and his representatives to express their interest.

Recently, Bees manager Thomas Frank said: “There’s a lot of rumours. For me, he’s a Brentford player, and in my opinion, Wissa is not for sale.”

Frank also hailed Wissa as a “goalscorer” back in 2023 after a 3-0 win over Fulham. “It’s about enjoying the wins that we get. Great goal by Wissa. It’s not as easy as it looked.

“I think they are super players. Wissa, we knew, has always been a goalscorer. He scored seven goals in the first season and seven in the second in the Premier League, for a player that didn’t play much. It’s remarkable. I definitely think he is best as a 9. He’s got that nose for goals.”

The 28-year-old, who cost just £8.5m back in 2021, has been in impressive form this season, averaging a goal every other game in all competitions.

Appearances

24

Goals

12

Assists

2

He has already matched last season’s tally of 12 goals in all competitions in 12 fewer games, so appears to be at the peak of his powers in England and even starred at Tottenham’s stadium back in 2023, scoring and providing an assist in a 3-1 win for Brentford.

It remains to be seen how likely a late January deal is for Wissa, but by the looks of things, it will be one to keep an eye on ahead of the deadline.

Setting their sights on midfield reinforcements, Manchester United are now reportedly plotting a move to sign a young versatile La Liga star for Ruben Amorim in what could be a bargain deal.

Man Utd transfer news

Bargain is certainly a word that Manchester United will be keen to hear both this month and during the summer transfer window, with the club reportedly walking a fine line when it comes to profit and sustainability issues at a time when they once again need several reinforcements. The last thing that they need is to run into any sanctions on that front and that could yet see player sales take priority this month.

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Out-of-favour stars such as Alejandro Garnacho could, therefore, provide the Red Devils with a parting gift if he does complete a mid-season switch to Chelsea as rumours suggest is certainly a possibility.

The same can be said for Marcus Rashford. Dropped since missing out on derby victory over Manchester City, the Carrington graduate desperately needs a move away and one which could yet fund the Red Devils’ pursuit of Patrick Dorgu this month.

His departure could also aid those at Old Trafford in pursuit of a summer target. According to Caught Offside, Manchester United are now plotting a cheap deal to sign Lucien Agoume from Sevilla this summer. The 22-year-old midfielder would reportedly not cost a substantial fee this summer, leaving the door ajar for United to potentially make a much-needed bargain move.

A rising star, Agoume would be well worth the gamble for a bargain fee this summer. The Frenchman could even become the missing piece in Amorim’s midfield next to Manuel Ugarte, whilst also providing centre-back cover thanks to his key versatility.

Whilst the Sevilla man is not a name that will instantly steal a number of headlines, he could quickly play a pivotal role in transforming Amorim’s side in his first full season in charge.

"Amazing" Agoume could partner Ugarte

Slowly but surely, Manchester United are moving beyond the need for Christian Eriksen and Casemiro in what should be a crucial step towards returning to the Champions League. But at least one more option must still arrive to compete with Kobbie Mainoo for a place alongside Ugarte and that may well prove to be Agoume this summer.

The Sevilla star certainly has the traits to step into the Old Trafford midfield, with analyst Ben Mattinson praising his “composed” ability to dictate play and “top ball retention” before dubbing him an “amazing #6 profile” at the end of last year.

With plenty to do when the summer arrives, Agoume should be among the options that Manchester United should consider if his valuation is, indeed, set at a cheap price.

MatériaMais Notícias

da wazamba： Com os dois gols contra o Atlético-MG na última terça-feira (1), no empate por 2 a 2, Calleri se consolidou como o terceiro maior artilheiro estrangeiro da história do São Paulo. Agora com 48 gols marcados com a camisa do Tricolor paulista – somando suas duas passagens – ultrapassouGustavo Albella, que atuou no clube entre 1952 e 1954.

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da betsson： ATUAÇÕES: Calleri brilha em empate do São Paulo; Ferraresi vai bem

Veja tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro e simule os próximos jogos

Agora, o argentino conta com somente dois nomes á sua frente neste ranking – e um deles com um número de gols bem próximo da sua marca. Calleri está atrás deAntonio Sastre, seu compatriota com 56 gols, e do uruguaio Pedro Rocha, que conta com 119 gols.

Este ano foi, sem dúvidas, o melhor ano de toda a carreira do camisa 9. Seus feitos pelo São Paulo ultrapassaram todas as suas passagens em outras equipes – inclusive, seu período na Europa, do qual somando todas as equipes, marcou 33 gols.

Com os feitos contra o Galo, Calleri retornou a luta da artilharia no Campeonato Brasileiro também. Agora com 18 gols, se igualou a Pedro Raúl, do Goiás, que estava na vice-artilharia da competição. Agora, os dois jogadores estão atrás somente de Germán Cano, do Fluminense, com 21 gols.

Uma das grandes metas de Calleri, ao encerrar a temporada com o posto de artilheiro do Campeonato Brasileiro, é igualar um recorde alcançado há 50 anos, por Pedro Rocha – o maior estrangeiro que passou pelo São Paulo.

Desde 1972, o Campeonato Brasileiro não conta com um artilheiro estrangeiro.Este ano, após quase meio século, dois gringos estão acirrados novamente na disputa pela artilharia da maior competição nacional. No caso, Calleri e Germán Cano.

Mesmo com a brilhante fase, o camisa 9 do Tricolor paulista sempre destaca que reconhece a importância dos seus gols, mas ainda busca algo que não tem: títulos pelo São Paulo.

Durante a zona mista após o duelo com o Atlético-MG, Calleri trouxe este assunto à tona novamente, ressaltando inclusive a necessidade de garantir a classificação da equipe para a Copa Libertadores no próximo ano.

– Eu estou satisfeito com o meu ano. Não conseguimos dar o título, que era o mais importante. Posso fazer 20, 30 gols, se a gente não conseguir as conquistas, não adianta nada. Para ter um 2023 bom, precisamos classificar para a Libertadores – disse.

Wolverhampton Wanderers fans will hope the Vitor Pereira bubble doesn’t burst heading into January, as ex-Old Gold boss Nuno Espirito Santo prepares to bring his high-flying Nottingham Forest troops to Molineux next in Premier League action.

Before that fixture gets underway on the 6th, however, there will be plenty of eyes on the transfer window swinging back open, with fears growing in the air that a higher up poacher could win Matheus Cunha at some stage across the hectic month.

On the contrary, Pereira picking up two wins and a draw from his opening three games in charge might well mean the Brazilian star isn’t tempted by a move away.

On top of having to stay alert regarding outgoings, Wolves will also be looking to add in some players this January to maintain positive spirits around Molineux.

Wolves' search for a striker

As reported late last week, Wolves are looking to sign Borussia Mönchengladbach star Tim Kleindienst when the window reopens in order to boost their attacking ranks even more.

The suggestion is that the Old Gold have asked for more information on the explosive German, who is also on the radar of Everton as they too search for more goals to aid their ongoing battle against the drop.

Now capped by his nation at a senior level after showing off his deadliness in front of goal in the Bundesliga, it remains to be seen whether the breakout 29-year-old could make a name for himself in a similar manner in England.

If the £39k-per-week striker enters the English game with this same goalscoring prowess coursing through his veins, he would be a big upgrade on Nordic attacker Jorgen Strand Larsen, who has impressed those at Wolves this season with his own promising displays up top.

What Kleindienst would offer Wolves

Coming in at a towering 6 foot 4 frame – which is identical to Larsen’s own imposing build – Kleindienst can boast that he has more goals next to his name playing in Germany this season than the Wolves number nine has managed to tally up.

In total, the Gladbach ace has fired home a stunning nine strikes in the Bundesliga, whilst also picking up four assists, with Larsen just coming up short in contrast with seven goals and two assists himself.

Always just finding himself in the right place at the right time to power home a strike, it’s been a remarkable rise for Kleindienst, who had been playing in the lower depths of German football most of his playing days before Gladbach swooped in.

Everywhere he has been to date, Kleindienst has proven himself to largely be a goal machine, with anticipation in the air that he could be prolific for Wolves all the same if a big move was to occur.

Competition played in

Games played

Goals scored

Bundesliga

74

23

2. Bundesliga

140

67

3. Liga

35

13

Sourced by Transfermarkt

As can be seen looking at the table above, the in-demand 29-year-old has been a success at every step he has played at in his native country, with 103 career goals tallied up across Germany’s top three divisions.

Whilst Larsen has been a success at points this season for the Old Gold, he only boasts one goal from his last six league games, with Kleindienst – who is an “exquisite one-touch player”, according to The Athletic’s Seb Stafford-Bloor – perhaps the better option as a lofty centre-forward if a move can be reached.

Wolves majorly gambled on Hwang Hee-chan to work when snapping him up from RB Leipzig, and that move has worked for the most part with two goals coming his way under Pereira’s short stint so far.

Everyone at Molineux would be hoping Kleindienst can be a success story too, in what would be a dream first signing for Pereira, with his crucial contributions potentially seeing the Old Gold rise up the league and away from any relegation danger.

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da bet nacional： With rumours regarding Andreas Pereira’s potential exit not going away, Fulham have now reportedly set their sights on signing an in-demand Premier League midfielder for Marco Silva.

Fulham transfer news

da jogodeouro： The Cottagers remain one of the most exciting sides to watch in the Premier League. No longer a side scrapping away in the battle to avoid relegation, Fulham have once again become an established top-flight side under Silva – who is doing an excellent job. His side’s recent success may not come without its consequences, however. In fact, they could fall victim to their own success.

Related Fulham now keen to sign "special" Man City star ready to leave in January

He’s a man in demand…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Dec 28, 2024

With the January transfer window now open, Fulham are reportedly fearful that Marseille could reignite their interest in Pereira and secure the Brazilian’s signature this month. And they’re not the only club reportedly interested. Recent reports have indicated that Brazilian club Fluminense are progressing in talks to sign the midfielder in what would be a major blow this month.

It seems as though that fear has led them straight to a potential replacement too. According to Football Insider, Fulham are now eyeing a move to sign Will Hughes in what could come at no cost at all if he leaves Crystal Palace as a free agent at the end of the season.

The London club aren’t the only side interested, however, with West Ham United and local rivals Brentford also keeping an eye on the situation. A player with plenty of experience in the top flight, the interest in Hughes’ signature should come as no surprise.

From a business standpoint, selling Pereira for an impressive fee and welcoming a possible replacement in the summer without having to splash out, themselves, could represent a shrewd move for all involved at Fulham.

"Leader" Hughes could seamlessly replace Pereira

More combative than the elegant Pereira, Hughes would step straight in to replace the Brazilian at Craven Cottage and sit next to both Alex Iwobi and Sasa Lukic. Forming a tireless midfield three, Silva’s side could even benefit from swapping the old for the new all whilst wisely cashing in.

Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref)

Will Hughes

Andreas Pereira

Goals

0

2

Assists

3

1

Tackles Won

21

4

Ball Recoveries

66

62

Also able to create whilst completing impressive work off the ball, it’s no surprise that Hughes has been at the centre of Oliver Glasner’s praise throughout his Crystal Palace tenure.

The Palace manager told reporters as relayed by Tribal Football last month: “Will Hughes not just a performer, he’s also a leader in the dressing room. He’s an experienced guy, an English guy, he’s been here for several years, he knows the club, he knows his teammates, and of course he’s an outstanding good football player.

“His passing, his fighting spirit, and he’s one of the few players, maybe a little bit old generation, who is talking on the pitch. Every manager is looking for some guys who are talking on the pitch, he’s one of them, so he’s very important for our game.”

Crystal Palace do have the option to extend Hughes’ Selhurst Park deal, but if they don’t, Fulham could be in a position to pounce in a cheap transfer.

Brook and Joe Root score unbeaten tons during 294-run stand to lift England out of trouble

Alan Gardner23-Feb-2023Harry Brook came into the Wellington Test in possession of some of the most outrageous stats in the history of the game for a batter at the start of their career – and promptly turned the amps up to 11 with an astonishing display on day one at the Basin Reserve.It began with Brook tip-toeing to the crease amid the wreckage of England’s top order, as New Zealand’s reshaped seam attack capitalised on helpful morning conditions to reduce the tourists to 21 for 3. He walked off with the weather closing in again, but with England in a far sunnier mood. In between times, Brook had peeled off a career-best 184 not out from 169 balls, taking his Test average above 100 (and with a strike rate of 99.38 into the bargain).Oh, and Joe Root scored an immaculate, unbeaten hundred, too.Their unbroken stand of 294, already the third-highest for England’s fourth wicket in Tests, turned the tables completely on New Zealand after they had made what seemed an impeccable start on winning the toss and choosing to bowl for the second week running.Related

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Believe the hype: Harry Brook is heading where few have gone before

As in Mount Maunganui, England’s aggression helped wrest the initiative away – by the time the forecast rain arrived midway through the evening session their overall run rate was 4.84. But that only told part of the story, with Brook and Root employing different methods to counterattack after Matt Henry and Tim Southee had made the early incisions on a green pitch that was expected to flatten out.Brook, as has been his wont during a patch of regal scoring that began with a century in his second match, in Rawalpindi before Christmas, chose barely fettered aggression throughout his innings. Southee was dispatched for three consecutive boundaries in his fifth over, and that set the tone for Brook’s approach; in all, 24 fours and five sixes came from his bat during another coruscating display.He moved to fifty just before lunch, as England reached the break on a more even keel, then raised a 107-ball hundred – his fourth in nine Test innings – during the afternoon session, during which the visitors rattled off 136 runs in 27 overs to transfer the pressure on to New Zealand’s beleaguered attack.Brook’s assault, audacious as it was, displayed a high degree of calculation. With New Zealand picking only three frontline bowlers – Henry, back after the birth of his child, and top-order batter Will Young coming in for Mount Mauganui debutants, Blair Tickner and Scott Kuggeleijn – Brook in particular chose to go after the support.Against Daryl Mitchell, nominally the fourth seamer, he struck four sixes – three towering blows down the ground and one impudent ramp to fine leg – and went at a strike rate of 158.06. Michael Bracewell’s offspin was dispatched for 22 off 15, while Neil Wagner saw his short-ball tactics dismantled for the second Test running, conceding six fours and a six. Only Henry, who gave Brook a few moments of concern early on, kept things tight, conceding just 33 off 49 balls bowled.While Brook plundered runs almost at will, adding his third fifty from just 38 balls, Root was content to slipstream his junior partner. His 29th Test hundred featured just seven boundaries, the majority of which came during the latter stages of the day – one via a perfectly executed reverse-ramp off the bowling of Wagner, the shot which had brought his downfall in the first innings last week at Bay Oval.He was on 23 at lunch, coasted along to 72 at tea and was visibly relieved to bring up three figures for the first time in 12 innings, turning Wagner into the leg side from the final delivery before the rain began to fall in earnest.Such a position of English dominance took on even more outlandish proportions given how incisively New Zealand had begun the morning session. Basin Reserve has a reputation for flattening out, never mind how green-tinged the surface, and most captains winning the toss look to eke out whatever small advantage they can: it is more than a decade since a team opted to bat first in a Wellington Test.Southee knew all this, saying that New Zealand were “accustomed to a very good cricket surface” at the ground, and would therefore have been delighted by the start for his side. Henry struck twice in his first three overs and Southee added a third as Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett all failed to make much headway.Henry beat Duckett with a beauty in his first over, although a review only proved the ball had flicked the trouser pocket. There were just a handful of scoring shots in the opening exchanges, as England were forced to temper their Bazball instincts, and the card read 5 for 1 in the fourth when Crawley felt at a wide ball from Henry – albeit on a perfect length – to be dismissed for his fourth single-figure score in six knocks.Pope fired off a volley of attacking shots in response but he was soon gone, as Henry jagged one away on an off-stump line to find the edge. Bracewell held the sharp chance at third slip, and then took an even better catch in the following over to leave England three-down. Duckett was again looking to be proactive, driving hard at one in the channel from Southee, and the edge flew to the left of Bracewell, who threw himself full length for a one-handed take, even managing to juggle it safely as the ball threatened to pop loose after his arm hit the turf.England were on the back foot, but soon began landing their punches in a familiar counterattack. Brook’s first boundary was edged wide of the cordon as Henry got the ball to kick from a length, but England’s form batter launched into Southee next over before clubbing Mitchell down the ground and then taking on Wagner with a series of belligerent blows through the leg side. Brook was on the move and soon looked unstoppable – which to all intents and purposes he was.