Celtic have struck gold on Hoops star who's now worth even more than Nygren

Celtic appear to be closing in on an exciting addition to their attacking arsenal as they pursue a deal for FC Nordsjaelland winger Benjamin Nygren.

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph recently claimed that the Hoops are close to agreeing a fee to sign the Sweden international from the Danish outfit.

For a fee of around £2m, the 23-year-old attacker could be a very cost-effective and shrewd signing for Brendan Rodgers ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Why £2m is a bargain fee for Benjamin Nygren

The Scottish giants appear set to land a bargain deal for the left-footed winger because his contract with Nordsjaelland is due to expire at the end of December.

This means that the Danish outfit have to cash in now, for a reduced fee, because they would otherwise risk losing him for nothing in the January transfer window at the start of next year.

It also looks to be a bargain because of the quality that he could provide at the top end of the pitch, after the flanker scored 15 goals in 30 league matches this season.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

The £2m fee also means that Nygren is set to be worth less than the majority of the Celtic squad, including centre-back Liam Scales, who the club have hit gold on.

Celtic have hit the jackpot on Liam Scales

The Hoops swooped to sign the Ireland international from Shamrock Rovers in the summer of 2021 for a reported fee of £500k, which has turned out to be a bargain fee for the defender.

Scales has scored six goals in 97 appearances for the Scottish giants in all competitions to date, and has been a regular starter at the back under Rodgers in the past two seasons.

Liam Scales

The left-footed titan even made the PFA Team of the Year, alongside defensive partner Cameron Carter-Vickers, at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, thanks to his impressive showings in the Scottish Premiership.

Scales’ emergence as a regular starter, and excellent performer, for the Hoops in the last two seasons has caused his market value to soar way beyond the £500k they initially paid for him, and beyond the fee they are set to pay for Nygren.

Liam Scales’ soaring market value

Date

Market valuation

July 2021

£500k

December 2022

£600k

December 2023

£1.7m

May 2024

£2.1m

October 2024

£3m

December 2024

£3.4m

March 2025

£3m

June 2025

£3.4m

Valuations via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old defender’s value is now at a whopping £3.4m, which is significantly more than the £500k they invested in him four years ago.

It also means that Scales, who was dubbed “underrated” by Neil Lennon, is worth £1.4m more than a winger who scored 15 league goals this season, Nygren, which is still impressive in spite of the forward’s contractual situation.

His market value shows that Celtic hit the jackpot by snapping him up from Shamrock Rovers for a modest fee, as he has developed into a regular starter and a very valuable asset who could make the club a healthy profit in the future if they decide to cash in on him.

As exciting as Nygren: £7m star is now a target for Celtic this summer

Celtic are eyeing up another forward alongside the signing of Benjamin Nygren.

By
Dan Emery

Jun 17, 2025

Hopefully, Scales will continue to be a dependable figure at the back for the Scottish giants next season, which could lead to his value soaring even higher.

Morris turns up to the heat as WA thrash Queensland

The defending champions reignited their season with an impressive performance at the Gabba

AAP20-Feb-2025Reigning champions Western Australia have revived their quest for Sheffield Shield history, trouncing Queensland by an innings and 12 runs to rise from last to third on the ladder.WA paceman Lance Morris claimed three wickets as Queensland were bowled out for 153 in their second innings on day three at the Gabba on Thursday.Related

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WA, seeking to become the first state to win four consecutive shields since Tasmania entered the competition in 1977-78, started the fixture at the foot of the ladder. But they rose to third with NSW (32.87) taking second spot after defeating Victoria, while Queensland (28.45) slid from third to fifth.WA’s victory came only 11 days after being humiliated on home turf by SA when they posted scores of 120 and 66 in a six-wicket loss.”We had a good little reflection … but you can only talk so much,” captain Sam Whiteman said. “To put some actions into place and perform really well with both the ball and the bat is pleasing – it’s a tough spot to win at, the Gabba. It gives us the best chance heading back home for the two final games.”Morris tore through Queensland’s tail and was on a hat-trick after dismissing Xavier Bartlett and bowling Mark Steketee for a golden duck. He sprayed his hat-trick attempt, sending a delivery to Mitch Swepson wildly down the legside to miss the milestone.Queensland made 147 in their first innings when offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli took a career-best 7 for 52. WA, with Sam Fanning (95) falling just shy of his maiden first-class century, replied with 312 to take a stranglehold on the fixture.Queensland’s batters struggled again in their second innings with Ben McDermott and Lachlan Hearne top-scoring – both made 33. Angus Lovell, his opening partner Matt Renshaw and Michael Neser were the only other batsmen to reach double-figures.WA’s Morris collected 3 for 35 from 13 overs – he also removed McDermott with a brute of a short ball which reared at the batter, who edged to wicketkeeper Joel Curtis.Rocchiccioli finished with his best first-class match figures of 9 for 79 while paceman Joel Paris and Cameron Gannon also took multiple second-innings wickets.”Awesome reward for him to get his first 5-for,” Whiteman said. “He has taken over 100 Shield wickets without a five-for, so to finish with nine for the match is amazing. He’s such a weapon for us on day one when it’s spinning.”After this round, all states have two games remaining before the final. WA host NSW from March 6 and Victoria from March 15 at the WACA Ground in Perth.Queensland will be on the road for their remaining fixtures, against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval and South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval on the same dates.

Fabrizio Romano: Arsenal star also about to sign new deal with Lewis-Skelly

Arsenal have agreed to tie rising star left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly down to a new long-term deal, in what is a major boost for Mikel Arteta, but according to Fabrizio Romano, he’s not the only one poised to commit his future at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal offered 21-goal striker who's a "priority signing" for Tottenham

The north London clubs could go head-to-head.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 19, 2025

The teenage defender enjoyed a stellar breakout season over the course of 2024/2025, cementing himself as Arteta’s preferred left-back option with a string of impressive displays, which included excellent showings against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

He also scored his first senior goal for Arsenal during their 5-1 win over Man City, and his big-game displays have earned Lewis-Skelly an official nomination for this year’s PFA Young Player of the Year award.

Lewis-Skelly earned his first senior caps for England at international level along the way too, so you’d be hard-pressed to find another player who’s enjoyed the 2025 this young man has.

The versatile full-back/midfielder was so convincing, in fact, that Real started to express an interest in Lewis-Skelly amid their repeated links to fellow star Gunners defender William Saliba.

Myles Lewis-Skelly for Arsenal

His contract was set to expire in 2026, which would’ve undoubtedly piqued Xabi Alonso’s interest further, but according to reliable media sources, Lewis-Skelly won’t be going anywhere any time soon.

The Athletic claim these fresh terms could see Arsenal’s sensation become “one of the best-paid young players in the world”, and you can argue this lucrative new pay-packet is very much deserved.

News of Lewis-Skelly’s extension comes as more welcome news for Arteta, who recently saw Gabriel put pen to paper on a new deal until 2029.

Talks are ongoing over more new contracts, with Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Leandro Trossard, and Ethan Nwaneri all set to be rewarded with new offers to remain in N5 for the foreseeable (Charles Watts).

Ethan Nwaneri set to sign new Arsenal deal with Myles Lewis-Skelly

According to Romano, Lewis-Skelly’s new contract could be immediately followed by Nwaneri penning new terms.

According to the reliable transfer journalist, it is merely a “matter of time” before Arsenal’s fellow PFA Young Player of the Year nominee also signs his extension, following Nwaneri’s own impressive campaign.

The 18-year-old became Arsenal’s youngest-ever debutant in 2022, and he’s followed up that early promise with an array of convincing outings across 2024/2025.

Nwaneri scored nine goals and notched more assists over 37 appearances in all competitions last term, and he’s likely to play an even more regular role in 2025/2026, as Arteta seeks to end the club’s long wait for a league title.

“That’s what we love about him – he’s very aggressive. Before that [goal], he had another action where he made the right choice, he went for it,” said Arteta after Nwaneri scored his first ever Champions League goal in January.

“He never [looks nervous], he’s so composed, calm and confident in his ability. At 17, scoring a really important goal in the Champions League is not very common.”

Inglis soaks in dream debut as Australia's batting options blossom

After being on the fringes of the Test side for some time, Inglis took his opportunity with both hands

AAP31-Jan-2025

Josh Inglis celebrates his debut Test century•Getty Images

Josh Inglis was like a “kid on Christmas morning” when he learned he’d be making his Test debut – and then he batted like Rudolph guiding Santa’s sleigh.On day two of the series opener against Sri Lanka, Inglis became the first Australian in a decade to score a century on Test debut, his 102 from 94 balls helping Australia to an imperious 654 for 6 declared.It had been a tremendous debut years in the making for Inglis, a 55-time white-ball international routinely stuck behind wicketkeeper Alex Carey for Test opportunities.Related

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Stats – Australia's new Asian high, Khawaja's big effort and Inglis' dream debut

Sri Lanka's spinners find no answers to Australia's proactive gameplan

But a strong start to the Sheffield Shield summer increased the 29-year-old’s chances of being called up as a specialist batter for the two-match series in Galle. When he heard a knock on his hotel room earlier this week, Inglis knew the wait was finally over.”I thought, ‘This could be ‘Dod’ [selector Tony Dodemaide], I think the cleaners have already been’,” he explained at stumps on Thursday. “[Partner] Megan was in the room with [son] Oscar and I went out into the hallway and he told me. I ran in like a kid on Christmas morning to Megan and told her the good news. It was nice.”After Usman Khawaja (232) was dismissed, Inglis brought up his century on the 90th ball he faced – the second-fastest century by a debutant in Test history. He punched Nishan Peiris to deep extra cover to reach triple figures in the second session and gestured to his family in the Galle crowd. Walking down the wicket, Inglis embraced batting partner Carey, who has had a box seat to the West Australian’s long journey for a first cap. “It was nice to share that moment with him,” Inglis said.A member of the ODI team that won the 2023 World Cup in India, Inglis looked comfortable in the conditions from the outset. He notably struck Jeffrey Vandersay for four to mid-on on the first ball he faced, unfazed that the legspinner had trapped legendary Steven Smith (141) lbw the previous delivery.Just after lunch, Inglis became the third Australian in a row to bring up a half-century in his first Test knock after Sam Konstas and Beau Webster did the same in the India series. But he was not done there, whacking Vandersay over long-on for six to move into the 80s, and finishing that over with a four through the covers.”I just tried to be really proactive and put the bowlers under pressure when I could and tried to get down the other end,” Inglis said.By the time he hit Prabath Jayasuriya to cover, Inglis had become the 21st Australian – and first since Adam Voges in June 2015 – to score a century on Test debut.His promotion to the XI had not been without controversy, given it came at the expense of star teenager Konstas – dropped to allow Travis Head to move to the top of the order. But Inglis has now given selectors a headache, with Head likely to slot back to No. 5 in home conditions and Konstas vying for a recall at the top.For now, he just seems content to take the moment in. “I’m just really happy, it probably hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said.

Weverton cala críticos e volta a pegar pênalti no tempo normal após quatro anos no Palmeiras

MatériaMais Notícias

da realsbet: O goleiro Weverton foi um dos nomes da virada histórica do Palmeiras sobre o Botafogo na última quarta-feira (1), no Engenhão, no jogo que colocou definitivamente o Palmeiras na briga pelo título do Brasileirão 2023.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasCertas vitórias valem mais que títulos; no Engenhão, o Palmeiras viveu uma dessaPalmeiras03/11/2023PalmeirasSaiba quantos pontos o Palmeiras precisa para conquistar o BrasileirãoPalmeiras03/11/2023PalmeirasEndrick vence duelo contra Tiquinho Soares e rende milhões ao Palmeiras com gols sobre BotafogoPalmeiras02/11/2023

da jogodeouro: + Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Após ser criticado pela torcida pelos três gols sofridos no primeiro tempo, principalmente o do ex-palmeirense Tchê Tchê, o goleiro respondeu com maestria na segunda etapa, quando pegou o pênalti de Tiquinho Soares e que com o gol de Endrick segundos depois, colocou fogo na partida.

Weverton não pegava uma penalidade no tempo normal há exatos quatro anos. Foi na vitória alviverde diante do Ceará, no Allianz Parque, pelo Brasileirão de 2019.

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Muito criticado pela torcida por não conseguir pegar penalidades, o goleiro falou recentemente em entrevista ao Bola da Vez, da ESPN, que uma hora ele ia conseguir brilhar nos penais, tanto que brilhou também diante do Boca Juniors, na semi da Libertadores, ao pegar o pênalti de Cavani, na batida que abriu a série.

Após perder vaga na Seleção Brasileira e não fazer uma temporada tão brilhante com a camisa do Palmeiras, talvez essa penalidade defendida pelo goleiro faça com que ele retome a confiança para esta reta final de Brasileirão.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

Weverton é um jogador muito importante e decisivo para o Verdão conseguir os seus objetivos finais nesta reta final de 2023.

O goleiro está pendurado com dois amarelos, e caso sofra algum cartão nos próximos jogos, terá que dar lugar ao ser reserva imediato, Marcelo Lomba.

خاص | موقف الزمالك من إقالة يانيك فيريرا قبل السوبر المصري

سقط نادي الزمالك، في فخ التعادل الرابع له ببطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، هذا الموسم، أمام فريق البنك الأهلي، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما مساء أمس الخميس.

الزمالك واجه البنك الأهلي، في الجولة الـ12 من عمر منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري، وانتهي اللقاء بالتعادل الإيجابي 1-1.

طالع.. فيديو | الزمالك يواصل نزيف النقاط ويتعادل مع البنك الأهلي في الدوري

ويحتل نادي الزمالك المركز الرابع في جدول ترتيب بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، برصيد 19 نقطة، بعدما خاض 11 لقاء حتى الآن، في ظل التراجع الكبير للنتائج والأداء يتردد بقوة أنباء إقالة المدرب البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا من تدريب الفريق.

وأفاد مصدر من داخل الزمالك لـ بطولات: “الاتجاه داخل الزمالك في الوقت الحالي هو استمرار يانيك فيريرا على رأس القيادة الفنية حتى بطولة كأس السوبر المصري”.

وأضاف: “الرأي المقترح بتواجد مدير فني آخر قبل السوبر قوبل بالرفض من قبل جون إدوارد المدير الرياضي بسبب ضيق الوقت”.

وأكمل: “لكن النتائج في بطولة كأس السوبر المصري، لنادي الزمالك ستكون الفيصل في مسيرة يانيك فيريرا”.

ويلعب الزمالك مع طلائع الجيش، يوم الأحد المقبل، في منافسات الجولة الـ 13 ببطولة الدوري، ثم يسافر إلى الإمارات للمشاركة في بطولة كأس السوبر، حيث يستهله بمواجهة بيراميدز في دور نصف النهائي يوم 6 نوفمبر.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto Had Classy Move in Dodgers' Dugout After Second Complete Game

It doesn't matter what you do for work, the absolute last thing you want to do after a long day is take out the trash. Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto must feel differently, though.

After pitching what was his second consecutive complete game in Los Angeles's Game 2 World Series win on Saturday, Yamamoto stayed behind and apparently cleaned up the trash in the Dodgers' dugout before heading back into the clubhouse, according to MLB analyst Ben Verlander.

Not what you'd expect a tired pitching superstar to do after the game of his life, but pretty cool he did it anyway—especially because the Dodgers were visitors at Rogers Centre on Saturday night.

Not only was Yamamoto's performance great news for Los Angeles, who evened the series at 1–1 with a 5–1 victory, but it was also historic. He is now the first pitcher to throw a complete game in the World Series since 2015, and joins an elite club of just 11 pitchers to have gone the distance in a Series game dating back to 1990.

Pretty sweet stuff. Now, the Dodgers will head back home to California for Game 3 with a win in their pocket.

Stats: Mumbai's margin breaks 92-year-old record, Bengal batters shatter 129-year-old record

All the stats from the quarter-finals of the Ranji Trophy 2021-22

Sampath Bandarupalli09-Jun-2022725 Win margin by runs for Mumbai in their quarter-final against Uttarakhand, the biggest win in terms of runs in first-class cricket. The previous biggest was 685 runs for New South Wales in the 1929-30 Sheffield Shield game when Queensland were bowled out for 84, chasing a target of 770.ESPNcricinfo Ltd540 Bengal’s win margin by runs against Orrisa in the 1953-54 season, the biggest win in terms of runs in the Ranji Trophy before Mumbai’s 725-run triumph. The previous highest win by runs in Indian first-class cricket was South Zone’s 552-run win against Central Zone in the 2010-11 Duleep Trophy.533 First-innings lead for Mumbai against Uttarakhand, their highest first-innings lead in a first-class match. Their previous highest was 530 runs against Maharashtra in the 1950-51 Ranji Trophy.1 Instances of a team not enforcing the follow-on after taking a lead of over 500 runs in Indian first-class cricket, before Mumbai against Uttarakhand. The previous instance was by Jharkhand, who decided not to enforce the follow-on recently against Nagaland, despite a 591-run lead during the pre-quarters of the ongoing edition of Ranji Trophy.

252 Suved Parkar’s score during Mumbai’s first innings. He is only the fifth batter to score 250-plus runs on his debut in first-class cricket. Four of those five scores have come in the Ranji Trophy.9 50-plus scores in Bengal’s first innings against Jharkhand, the first ever instance of nine players scoring 50-plus runs in the same innings in first-class cricket. There has been only one previous instance of more than seven 50-plus scores in a first-class innings – eight by the touring Australians against Oxford and Cambridge Universities way back in 1893.773 for 7 Bengal’s first-innings total against Jharkhand is their highest in first-class cricket. Their previous highest was 760 against Assam in the 1951-52 Ranji Trophy.

18 Balls for Akash Deep to complete his fifty against Jharkhand. It is the joint third-fastest known fifty in the Ranji Trophy. Only Bandeep Singh (15 balls) against Tripura in 2015-16 and Pankaj Jaiswal (16 balls) against Goa in 2017-18 recorded fifties in fewer balls than Akash.

Talking Points: What is the secret to Devdutt Padikkal's success this IPL?

Also, why didn’t the Capitals try to knock the Royal Challengers out?

Alagappan Muthu02-Nov-2020What is the secret to Devdutt Padikkal’s success this IPL?The basics. A tall left-hand batsman with quick feet and outstanding timing, he has made 472 runs in 14 matches so far. No uncapped Indian in his debut season has made more.Padikkal’s success is built on his off-side play. And in case anyone’s forgotten, bowlers still target the top of off stump with the new ball, even in T20 cricket.Anrich Nortje tried to do that and was lofted for a one-bounce four over cover point. The shot brought Virat Kohli up to his feet, his eyes bulging out of his head. It was hit that cleanly.No left-hander has made more runs (236 at a strike rate of 136) through the off side than Padikkal. His weight transfer into the ball, his balance at the crease and his timing are all great assets for him going forward.Why didn’t Capitals try to knock Royal Challengers out?If you make the playoffs, wouldn’t you rather play a team that didn’t have Kohli and AB de Villiers in it?And when all you need to do for that is score 153 in 17.3 overs – that’s a run-rate of 8.7 – it seems a worthwhile pursuit.But remember, the Capitals were coming off four back-to-back losses. A theme of those losses was their batting malfunctioning badly.They couldn’t afford that in this must-win game. They had to ensure their own qualification first. And to do that, they simply had to win the game.That’s why they never really went after the target with the intention of knocking their opposition out of the IPL.Is the outswinger a weakness for Prithvi Shaw?His game is about hitting the ball on the up. When he is in form, he simply times the ball. When he is not, he looks like he’s trying to hit it too hard. And that’s where the problems begin.Since Shaw likes room to hit through the off side, he usually stays leg side of the ball. Since he’s more of a back-foot player, he can also at times be stuck on the crease. And with his bat starting around second or third slip as it comes down, he also has a tendency to get squared up.The outswinger can exploit all of these tendencies, whether it is by getting a nick through to the keeper or by beating the edge and knocking back the off stump as Mohammed Siraj did in the second over of the chase.According to ESPNcricinfo’s data, he has made 21 runs off 20 outswingers this season and lost his wicket to them three times. That translates to an average of 7 and a strike rate of 105.ESPNcricinfo LtdAre there better end-overs options than the wide yorker?On a slow pitch? Possibly.There was an offcutter that Daniel Sams bowled to Padikkal in the 15th over that didn’t just grip in the pitch. It almost refused to go to the other end.Eventually it did, but only so it could give the batsman three different headaches. Extra bounce. Lack of pace. And turn like a Muralitharan offbreak.Padikkal tried to scoop it, but the ball popped out to where short square leg would have been.Given that evidence, Sams should have been concentrating on hitting just back of a length with his slower balls. So long as he didn’t give any room, he would be golden. Instead he went for those wide yorkers in the 18th over and got whacked around by de Villiers and Shivam Dube for 18 runs.

England win tactical tussle to prevent repeat of semi-final defeat

In another closely fought contest, New Zealand were unable to replicate last year’s stunning chase

Danyal Rasool01-Nov-2022What happened at Lord’s in 2019 will likely never be supplanted as the most iconic contest between these two sides. But while that might be easy to compartmentalise as the unrepeatable freak event it was, last year’s T20 World Cup semi-final between England and New Zealand felt far more replicable. This may not have been a semi-final, but for all practical purposes, it was a knockout for England, and, for large parts, New Zealand seemed to be clocking that what worked in Abu Dhabi worked pretty well in Brisbane, too.It was a game of fluctuating quality, some sensational power hitting countered by canny spin bowling, stunning displays of athleticism neutralised by simple dropped chances. There was the cat-and-mouse game around match-ups and data, as each team jostled to gain the slenderest of statistical edges, unsurprising for two modern teams with little disparity in ability to distinguish them. There was enough tactical nous to keep contemporary T20 afficionados interested, enough emotional jeopardy for casual viewers and nervous partisans alike. It was, to stoop to cliché, a fantastic advert for the T20 game.England were arguably the better side in Abu Dhabi, and deservedly got their reward in this game – even if one win out of two might be the least reward they could expect. Even winning the toss felt like a key moment for an England side that have won eight of 10 completed games defending scores this year, and just three of 12 looking to chase.Related

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Jos Buttler, Sam Curran fire as England ignite World Cup campaign

As it happened – England vs New Zealand in Brisbane

There was nothing fortunate about what followed, though. Opening has been a problem for England this year, but Jos Buttler and Alex Hales had the composure to play themselves into the contest, even as New Zealand cleverly bowled out the bulk of their slower bowlers before England’s vaunted spin-slaying left-handers had found their way to the middle.Mitchell Santner was bowled out by the 11th over, and Ish Sodhi three overs later, the pair having kept Hales and Buttler relatively leashed; their combined figures saw England manage 48 in eight overs. But the fast bowlers until then had gone for 62 off six, and it was Buttler’s assault on Lockie Ferguson that ended up having the more telling impact.The England captain came into the game with a strike rate of 160 against Ferguson, and the eight balls he faced off his first two overs only saw that go north. Ferguson was smashed for 21 runs – a sitter shelled by Daryl Mitchell notwithstanding – prompting Williamson to hold back his final two overs for the 18th and 20th.That wasn’t terrible in itself – Ferguson isn’t the worst death bowler – but it meant bowling Boult out by the 17th. But Boult is statistically New Zealand’s best death bowler since 2021, with an economy rate of 6.70 in the last four overs. On this occasion, he ended up with 0 for 40 in four; identical to his figures in that Abu Dhabi semi-final this threatened to replicate for so long. But it was just the seventh time in the last 24 T20Is he has gone wicketless. England had denied New Zealand’s best bowler wickets, as well as overs at the death. Boult has historically been more expensive against England than any other side, but they were more than making up for their caution against spin with belligerence against pace.Mitchell Santner picked up 1 for 25•Getty ImagesPerhaps, on certain days, there’s nothing you can do about Buttler in top form (other than hold on to catches, of course), but England showed they could deploy spin to useful effect just as well. While New Zealand had held Santner back until the fourth over in the hopes of extracting an early wicket via Boult’s prodigious swing, Moeen Ali was spinning it away from Devon Conway as early as the first over. When the first wicket fell and Kane Williamson walked out, Adil Rashid was called up. It was the first time since November 2021 that both Moeen and Rashid have bowled with fielding restrictions in place, but it made sense: Williamson had scored six boundaries in 157 T20 balls against spin this year.The death by match-ups only intensified, though. Finn Allen, New Zealand’s likeliest outlet for a Buttler-style blitz, was pitted against Sam Curran in the fourth over. The opener has fallen to that type of bowling once every 11 balls; it took just four balls on the night for the tactic to pay off.New Zealand had played their part in turning this contest into a cerebral battle of wits, but finding themselves outflanked, appeared to retreat into the comfort zone of what they knew. Where England had front-loaded with bat and ball at every opportunity, New Zealand treated that Abu Dhabi contest almost as their psychological happy place, and chose to backload heavily again. As Williamson tickled and tapped his way through an innings that at no point seemed to endanger England, the burden on Glenn Phillips, and the lower order to come, continued to accrue.Williamson had lasted just 11 balls in the 2021 semi-final, scoring 5, but here he hung around for a run-a-ball 40. In a lower-scoring game, or with his side ahead of the game, it might have been the anchoring knock New Zealand were after, but the asking rate was nine at the start, and 12 when he was dismissed. It’s the sort of innings that looks like poor batting at first, but in a chase, seemed even more indefensible.England, however, dealt with what had happened in a manic final three overs in Abu Dhabi like the aberration that it was rather than the template New Zealand seemed to treat it as. England are simply too good, too clever, and too disciplined to allow 60-odd runs at the death every time. And in a format where percentage play factors into just about all decision-making, New Zealand – in choosing to follow precedent – paid the price for going for the lowest-percentage option of all.

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