Australia captain “really easy” about some of the squad arriving late, having taken time off to unwind after the IPL

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jun-2024Mitchell Marsh, Australia’s captain at T20 World Cup 2024, will not bowl in the initial part of the tournament but hopes to be able to do so in the latter stages.Marsh, who was ruled out of the IPL midway due to a hamstring tear, has had a much slower recovery than initially expected. He didn’t bowl during Australia’s warm-up matches against Namibia and West Indies either.”Yeah, I won’t be bowling early on in the tournament,” Marsh said on Saturday. “And I always joke as captain – I hope I won’t bowl late in the tournament either. But yeah, I’ll progress that slowly over the next 10-12 days and hopefully be available for them at the back end of the tournament.”Related

Australia down to nine players for T20 World Cup warm-ups

For their warm-up matches, Australia had only nine players available from their 15-member squad. At one stage, they had four substitutes on the field comprising head coach Andrew McDonald, batting coach Brad Hodge, fielding coach Andre Borovec and national selector George Bailey.Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis were the ones who were to join the camp late. Except for Stoinis, all the others were involved in the IPL playoffs. Marsh was asked his opinion on the players having joined the camp late. Australia play their first game against Oman in Bridgetown on June 5.”For me, it’s really easy,” he said. “We really value a bit of family time. The guys have obviously been at the IPL, which I think is great preparation for a World Cup. And then, yeah, just the value of seeing their families and getting them in their own bed for one or two nights is really important. As a whole, we’ve all bought into that and it’s really easy to do.Mitchell Marsh won’t be in action with the ball for a little while yet•Getty Images”We have still got [Mitchell] Starc and Maxi [Glenn Maxwell] to arrive this morning, or lunchtime. But after that we are all here. I think for the guys to get a couple of days at home is really important for us as a group and for them personally. Obviously, it takes a few days to get here from Australia so that adds a few challenges but they’ll be ready to go come the 5th.”Did Australia learn anything from their two warm-up games, having won one and lost the other? “I think we got exactly what we needed to get out of those games,” Marsh said. “Obviously, Hodgey won’t be available for selection, not quite up to it (laughs). So that was disappointing for him, he misses out. But yeah, for the guys who have had time off at home, to come back and get a bit of game time, that’s really all I needed from those practice games. So we certainly feel like we’re ready to go now.”This is the biggest-ever T20 World Cup, comprising 20 teams. And unlike the last couple of editions, there is no qualifying round before the tournament proper starts. According to Marsh, that adds a lot of excitement to the tournament.”I think it certainly feels like a World Cup,” he said. “I got presented a Ugandan playing shirt the other day in our team hotel and that was a really special moment. And it’s things like that, it’s not just about the cricket throughout these World Cups, it’s about opportunity and teams have earned the right to be here. I think that adds a lot of excitement to the whole tournament, so it’s really special, I think.”However, he offered dead defence when asked if there should have been a longer break between the end of the IPL and the start of the T20 World Cup.”I don’t really have an answer to that question and I don’t make those decisions – so as a group we’re here to win. Things may look a little bit disjointed at the beginning and I think most teams are in the same boat with guys that are playing the IPL or coming out of the shop. But that’s the nature of the beast of international cricket these days. We come from all over to tours and we’ll get around each other the next few days and come together and kick off on the field for us.”

da doce： Leeds United did manage to seal the Championship title with a bumper 100 points come the end of the 46-game marathon, but Daniel Farke’s side certainly made life a lot harder for themselves in the goalkeeper department.

da casino： Illan Meslier’s error-prone performances between the sticks nearly proved costly, resulting in the German having to bring in stand-in keeper Karl Darlow for the final few tense clashes of the second-tier campaign.

Whilst the ex-Newcastle United stopper did prove himself to be a solid performer in goal, it’s unlikely that Farke will solely rely on the Wales international to be his outright number one in such a daunting division.

Therefore, a whole host of new faces are being linked to step up and take on the first team mantle in goal, with this alternative target now being tipped to make the switch to Elland Road over the heavily fancied Caoimhin Kelleher.

Leeds' pursuit of a new keeper

Kelleher is one of the main names being touted to become Farke’s brand-new number one ahead of Premier League football returning to West Yorkshire, with the Irishman reportedly available for around the £30m mark.

He is mentioned as a possible Meslier replacement by the Daily Mail too, but the new report from the Mail does suggest that other top-flight experienced ‘keepers are on the Leeds agenda, such as ex-Arsenal man Aaron Ramsdale.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ reserve keeper Sam Johnstone is also floating about as a potential number one option, but if Leeds want to land an even more impressive buy than Kelleher, they should be going all in for Ramsdale over other figures.

The 27-year-old has suffered from shaky performances here and there, but he was once Mikel Arteta’s concrete first-team choice at Arsenal, where he proved himself as a top performer at an intimidating level.

Why Ramsdale would be even better than Kelleher

Of course, Kelleher has never been able to prove himself as a number-one option at Anfield, having always played in the shadows to the likes of Allisson.

But, regardless of whether he’s been given a fair crack under Arne Slot and other Reds bosses or not, if Leeds can land a far more experienced keeper at the level in Ramsdale for a slightly cheaper £25m, it feels like a pick-up they should prioritise over the promise of the 26-year-old coming good as a main starting presence.

At one point during his topsy-turvy Gunners career, Ramsdale was on cloud nine with his imperious displays in between the sticks, with this unbelievable save coming during the 2021/22 campaign that saw the ex-Sheffield United stopper collect an impressive 12 clean sheets from 34 league outings.

Heralded as “phenomenal” by ex-Arsenal legend David Seaman off the back of his glimpses of quality at the Emirates, it will just be up to Ramsdale to try and reach these lofty heights once more, donning a Leeds strip.

After all, he is well accustomed to the trials and tribulations of a relegation battle, having just accumulated a high 4.2 saves per Premier League tie for basement side Southampton.

Ramsdale’s overall PL numbers

Stat

Ramsdale

Games played

183

Matches won

70

Losses

89

Saves made

595

Penalties saved

3x

Errors leading to goals

6x

Goals conceded

278

Clean sheets

41

Stats from the Premier League

The table above definitely reinforces how experienced Ramsdale is in the Premier League, despite only being a year older than Kelleher, with a near 200 games now played in the elite division. To add context, as a back-up face at Liverpool, his Cork-born counterpart has barely hit 30 clashes at 25 overall.

Therefore, whilst he will have an error in his back locker like Meslier, Leeds fans would surely feel more confident that the 27-year-old would come good over the gamble of Kelleher at £30m.

It will be fascinating to see who the Whites do eventually pick up in his vital position, knowing they cannot rely on Meslier if they are to beat the drop.

Related Gnonto 2.0: Farke continuing Leeds talks to sign £10m “physical monster”

Leeds United might secure their next Wilfried Gnonto by purchasing this £10m-rated youngster.

Posts ByKelan Sarson May 30, 2025

Barcelona may be forced to delay Joan Garcia's registration as Marc-Andre ter Stegen weighs up surgery on a recurring back injury.

Ter Stegen weighing up second back surgeryBarca could unlock funds via injury exceptionJoan Garcia’s registration depends on captain’s decisionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Barcelona are waiting on a crucial medical decision from club captain Ter Stegen that could impact their transfer activity. The German goalkeeper is still struggling with recurring lower back problems and could undergo another surgery, which would sideline him for up to four months. The 33-year-old, who previously underwent a similar procedure in December 2023, has not trained during pre-season and is set to miss the club's tour of Japan and South Korea.
With pre-season underway and the La Liga opener approaching, coach Hansi Flick is keen to have clarity over who will be his starting goalkeeper and whether Joan Garcia can be included in the squad.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

If Ter Stegen opts for surgery and is ruled out for the long-term, Barca would receive around €2 million in compensation from FIFA and be allowed to use 80 per cent of his annual salary for a replacement under La Liga’s injury exception rule. That would allow the club to register new goalkeeper Garcia, formerly of Espanyol, who is still awaiting clearance. Barca are currently outside La Liga’s 1:1 rule, meaning they must balance income with outgoing contracts and sponsorships before registering new signings.

Wojciech Szczesny, who recently signed a new deal, is also pending registration but does not qualify under the injury exception rule due to him signing a new contract after his previous one had expired. Barca would need to free up additional funds through sales, sponsorship income, or by activating a new financial lever, such as the VIP box revenue transfer currently under audit by Crowe.

DID YOU KNOW?

Barca used the same injury exception mechanism last season to register Dani Olmo after Andreas Christensen was ruled out. The club hope to include new VIP seat revenue in the audit to boost their financial fair play margin and allow them to register other players.

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

All eyes are now on Ter Stegen’s decision now, if he agrees to surgery, Barca can move quickly to register Garcia for the upcoming campaign. However, if the captain delays or avoids surgery, the club will need to pursue alternate methods to get Garcia and Szczesny on the books. Either way, Barca's ongoing financial struggles and salary cap limitations will continue to shape their transfer window strategy.

Derbyshire two down and 176 behind in second innings after being made to follow on

ECB Reporters Network31-Aug-2024

Wayne Madsen scored a century but couldn’t prevent Derbyshire following on•Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Sussex go into the final day of their Vitality County Championship match against Derbyshire as clear favourites to extend their lead at the top of Division Two with their sixth victory of the season.But some resolute batting by the Derbyshire batters second time round has given them an outside chance of saving the game. In their first innings Derbyshire had been 24 for 4 in reply to the massive Sussex score of 607 for 7 declared. But after being asked to follow on, 317 runs behind, they ended the third day on 141 for 2, still 176 in arrears.Openers Harry Came and Luis Reece dropped anchor with a first-wicket stand of 46 in 23.4 overs as they saw off the opening burst from Ollie Robinson and Jaydev Unadkat with the Kookaburra ball. At 29 for 0 after 16 overs the Sussex captain John Simpson – who was influenced by the fading light – switched to his spinners. And it was James Coles qho made the breakthrough in the 24th over when Reece, sweeping, was caught by Fynn Hudson-Prentice at deep backward square leg for an 88-ball 27.At 47 for 1, just before tea, the players went off for bad light, and were off the field for an hour. But tea was taken and ultimately only four overs were lost. When play was resumed Brooke Guest was more positive, striking three fours and sweeping Carson for six before he fell lbw on the back foot to the Sussex spinner. But then Came and first-innings batting hero Wayne Madsen defied the Sussex attack with an unbroken half-century third-wicket stand.In an extended morning session, Derbyshire had been bowled out for 290, having started the day on 178 for 6, still a massive 429 runs behind. Madsen, resuming on 79, scored 138, his 38th first-class century and his fourth against Sussex. He faced 210 deliveries, striking 21 fours and three sixes. Offspinner Jack Carson, following his nine wickets in the previous match against Yorkshire, had figures of 5 for 90, becoming the first Sussex spinner to return a five-for against Derbyshire since Chris Waller in 1985.Zak Chappell was first out, lbw to Carson for 25 as he attempted to slog-sweep, having added 54 with Madsen. Jack Morley was less obdurate, losing his middle stump to one that turned sharply from Carson for a seven-ball duck. But Madsen found another ally in Daryn Dupavillon, the pair adding 47 for the ninth wicket.Madsen decided to take the attack to Carson, hitting him for 16 from three deliveries, with successive leg-side sixes, before hoisting the bowler to deep midwicket. Dupavillon was last out, having hit three fours and two sixes in his 54-ball 28. He was bowled by Henry Crocombe, and wicketkeeper Simpson had to take evasive action as the ball ricocheted off the stumps.

أشاد لاعب نادي مانشستر سيتي بقدرات محمد صلاح، نجم نادي ليفربول، واختار الدولي المصري كأصعب لاعب واجهه على مدار مسيرته الكروية بالكامل.

ويعتبر محمد صلاح من بين أبرز اللاعبين على مستوى العالم خلال السنوات الأخيرة، وقدم ابن الـ33 عامًا مستويات ولا أروع مع ليفربو،  وقاد الريدز للفوز بلقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز مرتين، عامي 2020 و2025.

وواجه محمد صلاح، مانشستر سيتي، خلال السنوات الماضية مرات عديدة، واستطاع الملك المصري تسجيل العديد من الأهداف في مرمى الفريق السماوي.

اقرأ أيضًا .. كاراجر يتغنى بـ هالاند: أعظم هداف في تاريخ الكرة الإنجليزية

ويرى جوسكو جفارديول، مدافع نادي مانشستر سيتي، أن محمد صلاح هو أصعب لاعب واجهه في مسيرته الكروية، وذلك في مقابلة مع شبكة “إي إس بي إن”.

وقال جفارديول عند سؤاله حول أصعب اللاعبين الذين واجههم في مسيرته: ”حسنًا ، سأقول ليونيل ميسي ومحمد صلاح، وإيرلينج هالاند كذلك في التدريبات”.

وعن أفضل قلوب دفاع في العالم بالنسبة له، اختار جفارديول الثلاثي مانويل أكانجي وجون ستونز ، إلى جانب روبن دياس، رفاقه في مانشستر سيتي.

وعن أفضل اللاعبين في تاريخ الدوري الإنجليزي أجاب جفارديول: ”سأذهب إلى اختيار كيفن دي بروين، ليس هناك ما يمكنني أن أقوله عنه، نفتقده كثيرًا”.

وأوضح: ”عندما كنت صغيرًا كنت اعتاد على مشاهدة واين روني كثيرًا، هناك سيرجيو أجويرو أيضًا”.

واختار جفارديول كلًا من ماتيو كوفاسيتش وماتيوس نونيس، زملائه في مانشستر سيتي، إلى جانب مواطنه كريستيان ياكيتش، لاعب نادي أوجسبورج الألماني، كأقرب اللاعبين له خارج المستطيل الأخضر.

واختار جفارديول ميسي وكريستيانو رونالدو، نجم البرتغال والنصر السعودي، إلى جانب أسطورة إنجلترا المعتزل، دافيد بيكهام، كأشهر اللاعبين في العالم.

These world class forwards gave Joško Gvardiol a tough time 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/GDjojVNMp7 — ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) October 5, 2025

Glasgow Rangers have failed to win the Scottish Premiership title in each of the last four seasons, having last lifted the trophy under Steven Gerrard in 2021.

The English head coach led the Ibrox giants to the title in the 2020/21 campaign, going unbeaten in the process, and none of his successors have been able to match that feat.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale, Philippe Clement, and Barry Ferguson have all tried and failed to win the division in the subsequent four seasons.

During that season, Gerrard had an excellent squad that were able to deliver consistently brilliant performances on the pitch, and Ryan Kent was one star who stepped up time and time again.

The English winger racked up ten goals and nine assists in 37 appearances in the Premiership, as he provided a regular threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals for the Gers.

However, Rangers have failed to find another left-winger as influential as Kent since he left Ibrox on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, which is one of the problems that the 49ers should sort out this summer.

Why Rangers need their next Ryan Kent

During the 2024/25 campaign, Clement and Ferguson did not have a regular starter in the left wing position, as several players played out wide on the left.

Hamza Igamane, a centre-forward, and Ianis Hagi, an attacking midfielder, are two players who were utilised in that role, whilst Nedim Bajrami and Oscar Cortes failed to deliver enough quality at the top end of the pitch.

Rangers have already confirmed that Hagi will be released by the club at the end of his contract this summer, and Igamane is a centre-forward by trade, so he should not be a long-term option on the left wing.

That leaves Bajrami and Cortes as the left-wing options for the new head coach to assess in pre-season, and their respective performances in the Premiership do not suggest that they are good enough to be the first-choice in that role.

Appearances

24

28

10

Goals

4

2

0

Big chances created

6

4

0

Key passes per game

1.7

1.0

0.4

Assists

5

1

0

As you can see in the table above, neither player managed more than three goal contributions in the top-flight, whilst Cortes did not provide a single goal or assist in his ten appearances in the division.

This does not suggest that they are likely to reach the incredible tally of 19 goals and assists that Kent managed when Rangers last won the Premiership title under Gerrard.

Therefore, it should come as good news to Rangers supporters that the club are reportedly interested in a deal to bring a new left winger to the club ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Rangers eyeing deal for Leeds star

According to TEAMtalk, Rangers are eyeing up a deal to sign winger Largie Ramazani from Premier League side Leeds United in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Light Blues have emerged as a potential suitor for the Belgian forward, who only started seven matches in the Championship on his side’s way to the league title.

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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It states that Ramazani has shown ‘flashes of brilliance’ since his £10m transfer from Almeria last summer, but the Gers are now hoping to capatilise on his lack of minutes by swooping for him this summer.

TEAMtalk adds that the Scottish giants are monitoring his situation at Elland Road for now, and that a decision could be made on his future by Daniel Farke during pre-season, which means that any move is unlikely to happen until next month.

Sporting director Kevin Thelwell should, now, push for a deal to be done whenever Leeds make a final decision over his future because he could finally replace Ryan Kent at Ibrox.

Why Largie Ramazani could finally replace Ryan Kent at Rangers

First and foremost, Ramazani is a natural left winger who likes to play on that side of the pitch to cut inside onto his stronger foot, just as Kent did during his time in Glasgow.

Whereas, Bajrami is more of an attacking midfielder who wants to be in central positions. Cortes is a natural left-winger, like Ramazani and Kent, but his return of zero goals and zero assists in ten league games simply was not good enough this season.

Despite his lack of game time at Elland Road, the £10m-rated winger showed plenty of signs of the kind of quality that he could deliver as a regular starter on the left flank.

The Whites star, who was described as an “explosive” forward by journalist Joe Donnohue, scored six goals and provided two assists in 28 matches in the Championship, despite starting just seven times.

Ramazani also produced three goals and five assists in 16 starts in LaLiga for Almeria during the 2023/24 campaign, which shows that he can perform well in Europe’s major leagues.

Appearances

29

Starts

7

xG

4.67

Goals

6

Touches per game

16.0

Big chances created

1

Assists

2

As you can see in the table above, the 23-year-old star was clinical in front of goal, outperforming his xG, and landed eight goal contributions despite only averaging 16 touches per game.

For context, Kent averaged 58.8 touches per game in the Premiership during the 2020/21 title-winning campaign, and Bajrami averaged 34.6 touches per match in the league this term.

Now, imagine the kind of impact Ramazani could have at the top end of the pitch, bearing in mind what he did with minimal touches at Leeds, if he had between 34 and 58 touches a game on the left wing week-in-week-out in the Premiership.

The exciting attacker could thrive as a regular starter at a lower level in Scotland, reviving his career after a season of riding the bench for the most part, and that is why he could finally be the replacement for Ryan Kent that the Gers desperately need.

Dessers upgrade: 49ers want to make "living legend" 1st Rangers signing

The 49ers are interested in making this star their first signing for Rangers, and he could be an upgrade on Cyriel Dessers.

ByDan Emery Jun 3, 2025

It now remains to be seen whether Russell Martin, who is reportedly set to be the new head coach at Ibrox, would be interested in working with the Leeds dynamo.

All-rounder Lewis Goldsworthy hit a career-best 67 as Leicestershire Foxes maintained their push to win a place in the quarter-finals of the Vitality Blast with a five-wicket victory over East Midlands rivals Notts Outlaws at the Uptonsteel County Ground.New Zealand’s Jimmy Neesham backed up Goldsworthy’s performance with 44 from 22 balls as the Foxes won with an over to spare – despite having been six for three at the start of their chase – condemning the Outlaws to an eighth defeat in what has been comfortably their worst season in the current Blast format.With seven of the nine North Group counties chasing four qualifying places in a tight finish to the group season, the Foxes have 14 points but may still have to defeat group leaders Birmingham Bears in their final fixture at Edgbaston next Friday if they are to go through.Ben Martindale, the 21-year-old left-hander, made 44 from 42 balls – his best in a fledgling T20 career – and skipper Joe Clarke 39 from 23 as the Outlaws made 160 for six, a mid-innings collapse rescued to a degree at the death by Liam Patterson-White (28 from 16) and Lyndon James (22 from 11), Scott Currie taking two for 35 for the Foxes.But it was a score that proved not enough despite Olly Stone taking two for 22 from his four overs, Rehan Ahmed chipping in with 34 from 38.Having opted to bat first, the Outlaws would have been pleased to be 49 without loss from six given their recent form. After taking only 10 runs from the first 16 deliveries, Clarke and Martindale plundered seven boundaries from the next 20.Clarke lifted a Rehan full toss over the short boundary on The Meet side of the ground for his second six, quickly adding two more fours, but the partnership was broken on 68 as he fell to a catch on the cover boundary.After a tentative start, Martindale grew in confidence, reverse pulling six off Goldsworthy but Notts were checked again in the 11th when Jack Haynes was caught at deep midwicket in a wicket-maiden by Josh Hull.Martindale briefly broke free from a Foxes squeeze as he slogged Currie over the midwicket rope but an attempted repeat was brilliantly caught by Louis Kimber, keeping the ball in the air as he crossed the boundary and stepping back to take it inside.Matt Montgomery and Tom Moores fell cheaply as the Outlaws slipped to 115 for five in the 17th but Liam Patterson-White, who hit back-to-back sixes off Hull before being caught off Currie off the penultimate ball, joined Lyndon James (22 not out off 11) in adding 45 from 20 balls to give the innings substance.Indeed, 160 looked a decent total as the Foxes made a calamitous start, losing Sol Budinger, pulling to deep backward square, and Peter Handscomb, miscueing to extra cover, and Rishi Patel, bowled off an inside edge, to be six for three from 14 balls.It could have been much worse for the home side, with two difficult slip chances and one comparatively comfortable return catch put down, Patterson-White giving Rehan a life on 21 in the third instance. As it was, by the halfway point, with no further losses, the Foxes needed 100 runs to win.Rehan was caught at mid-off off James after the fourth wicket pair had added 76 but Goldsworthy, on loan from Somerset, chose the right moment to make his biggest contribution so far, hitting two sixes and six fours in a fine innings before holing out to deep midwicket off Patterson-White.He added 54 with Neesham for the seventh wicket, leaving 25 more to get with his departure, the New Zealand all-rounder going most of the way to finishing the job with three sixes and two fours before Louis Kimber drove Fazalhaq Farooqi for the winning boundary.

It may not quite signal his arrival at Test level, but Keaton Jennings rewarded the selectors’ patience with a big step forward in Galle

George Dobell in Galle08-Nov-2018These are the rewards for patience and persistence. Not just the patience and persistence of Keaton Jennings, who took 76 overs – and almost two years – to reach the second century of his Test career, but patience and persistence him.By the end of the English summer, it seemed unthinkable that Jennings could be selected for this tour. He had, after all, gone 10 Tests in succession without a half-century – a record for an England opener – and averaged just 19.20 in six matches since his recall. Almost unbelievably, he had averaged just 1.33 against deliveries that would have hit the stumps from seamers in the five-Test series against India and went through a spell of dropping chances in the cordon that hinted at a frazzled mind. Twice he was dismissed leaving a ball and it seemed the selectors would leave him, too.Jennings admitted to doubts, too. With the pervasive effects of the media – both social and professional – allowing him no escape from the pressures of the job, it got to the stage where he admits he had to “bluff himself” into believing he was good enough to prosper at this level. By the end of day three in Galle, he had everyone fooled.”When you’re waking up at 6.30am, having a cup of coffee and reading about your technical deficiencies, it’s not human to say it wouldn’t affect you,” Jennings said as he reflected on the last few months. “I’ve been waking in the night panicking, stressing and going through some tough times.”You read things and that doubt gets created. The pressure gets created to the point where I suppose you wake up and doubt what coffee you’re having in the morning. Something as simple as that. So you try to ask yourself ‘where is this pressure coming from?’ And it’s just from a lack of runs.”You have to keep believing. Whether it’s daft of yourself to believe or not, as a sportsman there are times you need to bluff yourself into thinking you’re capable of it. The thought did cross my mind during the India series that I might not make this tour.”ESPNcricinfo LtdAhead of The Oval Test against India, Ed Smith, the national selector, justified Jennings’ continued inclusion by pointing out that his average across the English summer was about the same as all the other openers involved in the Test season. And while that was, at the time, broadly speaking correct, it was followed by Alastair Cook making 71 and 147, and KL Rahul 149, in that final Test.Beyond that, though, Smith pointed out that Jennings’ record against spin made a strong case for his inclusion in the squad to Sri Lanka. Jennings had made a century on debut in Mumbai and, while he seems overly-reliant upon the sweep and reverse-sweep (with which he brought up that maiden century), he has not been dismissed in Test cricket playing either shot. Indeed, as CricViz pointed out ahead of this innings, he has been dismissed once every 78 defensive strokes against spin at this level – compared to once every 25 defensive shots against seam bowlers – and never by a ball that turned less than 4.5 degrees.The ECB system deserves some credit for that. Jennings feels the breakthrough in his batting against spin came when he was sent to the UAE as part of a Lions tour. There he worked on his game with Graham Thorpe and Andy Flower – both fine players of spin themselves, of course – and was subsequently called up to the Test tour to replace the injured Haseeb Hameed. That century in Mumbai followed soon afterwards.”I suppose I’m going to get slated at some point for playing a stupid reverse sweep,” he said. “But I see it as a big strength of mine. I see it as a shot that, in a way, gets me out of jail.”I think at times on turning surfaces, like day one here, if you play with a straight bat you feel like you’re going to nick balls and get out. I felt that reverse sweeping or sweeping was less of a risk.”The team management liked Jennings’ apparently equable character, too. While many players – think of Jonathan Trott or, perhaps, Mark Stoneman towards the end of his spell in the side – allowed the inevitable failures that occur at this level to eat away at their confidence, Jennings has the unusual ability to shrug off failures and remain as calm and positive as ever.That temperament was on display here. There were times he was beaten on the outside edge, but you would hardly have known it: he simply settled for the next delivery and attempted to play it on its merits.The roots of that calm nature may well have been born in crisis, however. After his first spell in the side ended with him being dropped, Jennings realised he needed to recalibrate his life. He started to appreciate that cricket, while important, was not the only way he should be defined and that there were many joys to be had away from the game. It’s not that he doesn’t care – far from it – it’s just that in order to be at his best, he needed to find a way to release the pressure.

I felt a lot more happy in my life away from cricket this year compared to last. I didn’t feel like the stress of selection was hanging over me all the timeKeaton Jennings after his Galle hundred

“I’ve been guilty of feeling the pinch in the way I [just] see myself in terms of runs,” he said. “But cricket is a job. You do it from 8am until 7pm and then you go home enjoy a beer, a rum and coke and time with your niece and nephew. You spend time with your family and actually have a life outside of cricket.”I should say a big thank you to the people – my mum and dad, my uncle – who have stuck with me over the last 18-months backed me through some tough times. I felt a lot more happy in my life away from cricket this year compared to last. I didn’t feel like the stress of selection was hanging over me all the time. I did the previous year.”At times, this year and last year, it’s kept me sane. It lets you feel stable. Hopefully I can continue to bubble myself in that sort of environment.”There was context, too. Had Cook not retired, had Hameed not suffered a catastrophic loss of form, had most viable alternatives not already been tried and discarded, it seems unlikely England would have persisted with him. But they didn’t want to thrust two debutant openers into the fray, they didn’t want to force one of their middle-order batsmen into the position and there weren’t obvious candidates making irrepressible cases for inclusion.So, for this specific tour and in these specific circumstances, there was some logic in his inclusion. And the selectors deserve credit for seeing it. This was Jennings third Test in Asia and he has scores of 112, 54 and 146 not out among them.But a couple of generations of former England batsmen – the likes of Tim Robinson (who averaged 66 after 10 Tests), Alan Butcher (who scored 22,000 first-class runs and won one Test cap), Alan Jones (who made 1000 runs in a season 23 times in succession without winning a Test cap), Hugh Morris (who played two of his this three Tests against a West Indies side containing Marshall, Ambrose, Patterson and Walsh), Kim Barnett (player of the match in his only ODI), Graeme Fowler (final three Test innings: 201, 1 and 69) – could be forgiven for wondering what they might have achieved had they been shown such confidence and support. Jennings knew he was a little fortunate to win this opportunity.The reverse-sweep was a productive outlet for Keaton Jennings•AFPThere was little fortunate about this innings, though. While he survived one leg-before shout on 58 that would have been out had Sri Lanka called for a review, he generally looked admirably solid. Putting to one side the aggression that characterised the batting of England’s top-order in the first-innings, he settled for crease occupation and the unhurried accumulation that befits a side starting their second innings on the second day of a Test.There were 59 singles and just six boundaries in his century and, while he did not come down the pitch to the spinners until he had reached three figures, he swept (both reverse and conventionally) with such assurance that it appeared it was sometimes used as a defensive ploy and played irrespective of the field.Some caution is required, though. There may be several openers in the county game – the likes of Sam Robson (who looks a fine player of spin), Adam Lyth, Stoneman, et al – who would make a century every 10 games or so if given the opportunity. This innings, admirable though it was, does not signal Jennings’ arrival as a Test player. No, the players who can sustain a career at this level, have to produce runs with some degree of consistency.This was a large step forward for Jennings, but he has played 10 Tests in England, not made a half-century and averaged 17.72. Like the sombrero bought in Mexico or the kaftan worn on holiday in the Middle East, what works abroad doesn’t always sit so comfortably at home. England won’t play three spinners at home; it’s possible they won’t play Jennings, either.”This is just a starting point,” he acknowledged. “You have to make sure you do it over and over again. Look at Alastair Cook: he scored 33 Test hundreds and played 161 matches yet there were still doubts about his place at times.”I’ve got to make sure I put it this in context, come out again tomorrow and continue to try and get better. It’s been a tough 18 months, but I sit here tonight really proud.”

Chelsea have reportedly submitted their opening offer for a Serie A star who’s openly admitted that he’ll consider offers to leave his club, with Enzo Maresca’s side expected to move quickly in the transfer market after their Conference League victory.

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Former Real Madrid star Isco gave them a hard time in the first-half, with Moises Caicedo struggling to contain the Spaniard, and it didn’t take long for Betis to secure a surprise early lead through Abde Ezzalzouli on the nine-minute mark.

Chelsea failed to kickstart any sort of momentum until midway through the second period, when Maresca’s side suddenly came to life and sparked a tremendous comeback against Manuel Pellegrini’s underdogs.

Goals from Enzo Fernández, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Caicedo, in the space of just half an hour, put the result beyond all doubt, with Chelsea taking home the Conference League spoils and confirming Maresca’s first piece of silverware since taking over as manager last year.

“We’ve improved a lot since we started,” said Maresca about Chelsea’s evolution in the last few weeks.

“We also started to win games in an ugly way. That is something with a young squad that you struggle to do that, but I think, for instance, in the Nottingham Forest game we won in a little bit of an ugly way. We found the way to win the game, that was very, very important.

“And then the best picture for me for tonight that made me understand that we were in the right direction is when we scored the first two guys to celebrate was Malo Gusto and Benoit Badiashile. The two that we changed. And this, probably sometimes we judge games, but this for me, for a manager, when you change players that they are not playing good and they are the first that they enjoy the celebration, that means a lot.”

Palmer in particular was vital in their comeback against Betis, putting in a genius attacking display, and BlueCo reportedly have every intention of providing the England international with quality new teammates this summer.

Chelsea submit opening bid for Lazio star Mario Gila

One of the key items on their agenda is the signing of a centre-back, according to Simon Phillips and other reliable sources. Chelsea held rounds of talks with Dean Huijsen before his switch to Real Madrid, but they haven’t given up on their chase for a new defender after missing out on the 20-year-old.

According to newspaper Il Messaggero, Lazio centre-back Mario Gila has now found his way onto Chelsea’s shortlist of targets as they seek an alternative to Huijsen.

The 24-year-old was a mainstay of Lazio’s backline throughout 2024/2025, with only midfielder Matteo Guendouzi playing more league minutes for them than Gila. However, he may well have played his final game for Marco Baroni’s side, and admitted midway through the campaign that he’s ready to listen to other offers despite becoming a “special” figure in Rome.

“I am very happy. Since last year, I started playing midway through the season, and everything is going very well. For a player, being a special figure is very important,” said Gila.

“At this moment, I am happy to be here. After that, whatever happens, I am ready to listen to everything. I have ambitions, and if there are options, I will listen to them and evaluate them. But I am very happy here; the team values me.”

Now, it would appear the Blues have taken him up on this.

Il Messagero reports that Chelsea have made an offer of around £29 million for Gila, but Lazio value him somewhere closer to £44 million, given his key player status and the fact Real Madrid possess a 50% sell-on clause – meaning they’d get half of any transfer fee received for the Spanish defender.

Gila is a reliable centre-half, possessing a unique blend of youth and experience at the top level, which leaves little surprise that Maresca’s side are now expressing a serious interest.

He underwent scans after reporting soreness following the third ODI, where he bowled a spell of sustained short balls

Andrew McGlashan27-Sep-2024Australia face a nervous wait on the fitness of allrounder Cameron Green after he was ruled out of the final two ODIs against England with a back injury.Green underwent scans after reporting soreness following the third ODI in Durham, where he bowled a spell of sustained short balls, and will undergo further assessment on returning home to understand the full extent of the injury. He has already left the tour.”Cameron Green has sustained a back injury and will play no further part in the ODI tour of England,” a Cricket Australia statement said. “Scans in London overnight revealed the injury after Green reported soreness following the third ODI against England in Durham. He will return home for further assessment where his return to play management plan will be determined.”Green has previously suffered stress fractures of the back as he was coming through the domestic system and again in 2019, the year before he made his Test debut.”Obviously disappointing for him,” Travis Head said after the Lord’s ODI. “He’ll go home and get things sorted. I don’t know a hell of a lot of details but he’s been through these things before, Cam, it’s disappointing but he’ll know the way to get back.”While no timeline has yet been laid out for any potential layoff, if Green was sidelined for an extended period, it would have various knock-on effects to Australia’s planning for their home summer, and particularly the Test series against India, beyond the fact Green was appearing to re-establish himself in the Test side after the 174 not out in Wellington.Related

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He is currently a key figure amid the debate about the structure of Australia’s top order and where Steven Smith bats. If Green wasn’t available there would be a middle-order vacancy which would allow Smith back to No. 4 and the potential of a specialist opener coming in alongside Usman Khawaja.Earlier this month, head coach Andrew McDonald said the incumbent top six of Australia’s Test side would, barring injury, be the players who start the series against India but whether Smith will open was up for debate.If there was a need to bring in a player from outside that group it would open the door for the likes of Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Harris. Renshaw was the reserve batter during the series against West Indies and New Zealand earlier this year following David Warner’s retirement.Then there would be the loss of Green’s overs. Last month Pat Cummins talked about his expectations that Green and Mitchell Marsh would have a vital role to play in sharing the workload with Australia’s frontline attack during the Tests. If it was only bowling that proved an issue for Green there would be the option of playing him as a specialist batter.”We know with Cameron Green, he has had stress fractures in his back in the past. Let’s hope it’s not that,” Ricky Ponting said on . “They still have the option of playing him as a batsman if it’s not too bad.”Without Green’s bowling it would put the spotlight back on Marsh’s role. He had not bowled since picking up an injury during the IPL until taking the ball at Lord’s where he removed Will Jacks in his second over. Marsh’s lack of recent bowling had not been a significant concern for the limited-overs teams with a number of pace-bowling allrounders available.Green had been expected to feature in at least one Sheffield Shield match in October before the start of Australia’s home international season. Pakistan visit for T20Is and ODIs ahead of the Tests against India which start on November 22 in Perth.