All posts by n8rngtd.top

Manchester City are continuing to push to complete the signing of a “wonderful” new forward player, with Txiki Begiristain leading the pursuit, according to a reliable journalist.

Man City transfer news

The Blues’ woes in the Premier League continued on Tuesday evening, as they surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Brentford. Pep Guardiola’s side have a lot of work to do if they are to get not only near the top of the table but also into the top four; therefore, it isn’t a surprise to see City enter the transfer market to strengthen their squad.

Man City must finally sell £50m star who has been "irreplaceable" to Pep

One of Manchester City’s most-experienced players is on the brink of leaving this month, but now is the right time to sell.

By
Ben Gray

Jan 15, 2025

One player City are close to signing is defender Vitor Reis from Brazilian side Palmeiras. Fabrizio Romano reported that City have reached a verbal agreement for a package under £33 million to sign the player. The Blues want Reis to join them straight away, and all that is left for the deal to be completed is for the player to complete his medical and sign his contract.

Reis is not the only defender that is close to arriving at the Etihad, as City have also agreed to a deal to sign Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov. The Premier League champions have agreed to a £33.5 million fee with the French side, and Khusanov is now set to undergo a medical and again complete the necessary paperwork before becoming a City player.

Txiki personally leading Man City chase for new attacker

Guardiola doesn’t want to stop there, as according to Sky Sports German reporter Florian Plettenberg, City and Begiristain are pushing to find an agreement to sign Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt, hoping to agree to a deal worth £59 million plus add-ons.

Marmoush, who has been dubbed “wonderful” in the past, has become a top target for City in this transfer window. The 25-year-old, who joined Frankfurt on a free transfer in 2023, has been an impressive performer for the Bundesliga side, with 15 goals to his name in 17 league games this season. The forward was in action on Tuesday evening and scored one goal and registered two assists as Frankfurt beat Freiburg 4-1.

His performances have placed him on City’s list of targets, with it being reported that Marmoush and City have already agreed personal terms. However, a transfer fee is yet to be agreed upon, but that is not expected to be an issue, as Plettenberg states that the two clubs are not that far apart now and could even bridge their gap in the next two days.

The Bundesliga side wants €80 million (£67m) for Marmoush, but City’s offer for the forward is below that. The Blues believe they can get their man for a fee in the region of €70 million (£59m) plus €5-10 million add-ons. Begiristain is pushing to find an agreement in the next 48 hours, and at this stage, it is unlikely that Marmoush will play for Frankfurt in their game against Borussia Dortmund on Friday.

The Canterbury wicketkeeper-batter has ground it out for close to a decade in domestic cricket and believes he’s finally ready for his Test cap

Deivarayan Muthu27-May-20223:33

“I loved wicketkeeping and I had quite good hands, but it became pretty clear that in the modern day you need to be able to bat as well”

Nine years after he made his debut for Northern Districts, Canterbury wicketkeeper-batter Cam Fletcher has been called up as part of the New Zealand squad to England, his second Test call-up after the South Africa tour earlier this year, but this time he’s hoping for his maiden Test cap.Fletcher was raised in Auckland and went to Kelson Boys’ High School, one of the top rugby schools in New Zealand, but then moved to Northern Districts and then to Canterbury to build a cricketing career. After grinding it out in domestic cricket for almost a decade, he’s now also on the radar of New Zealand’s white-ball sides.Fletcher, now 29, made his first-class debut for Northern Districts in 2013, but only had a peripheral role, with BJ Watling being the frontline keeper there. Gary Stead, the then-Canterbury coach, invited him to shift south to Canterbury the next season, which turned out to be a career-defining move for Fletcher. Eight years later, he now finds himself in the New Zealand side, once again coached by Stead.Related

• Colin Ingram injury forces Glamorgan to call up NZ's Cam Fletcher

• Gary Stead: Red-ball cricket will suit Kane Williamson

• Sussex vs NZ: Visiting batters make most of valuable workout

• Robinson, Sibley named in County Select XI to face NZ

• Bracewell earns NZ Test call-up for England tour

“It is [coming full circle]. I’ve talked about it a couple of times recently [with Stead],” Fletcher tells ESPNcricinfo. “It’s quite funny (). When I first moved down to Canterbury, Gary didn’t really know me that well and he hadn’t seen me play much. I had only played a handful of first-class games at that point, but he gave me that opportunity and that’s something I’m extremely grateful for.”Someone like Gary now understands quite well what I do, but also I had to work to get on his good side. For him to be able to tap me on the shoulder and be like ‘this is your opportunity’, it’s a pretty cool feeling.”It has been an eventful few weeks for Fletcher on the personal front as well. He married his partner Isabelle in April, at the end of New Zealand’s domestic home summer.”It was a long summer back home in New Zealand and there was plenty that happened. By the back end of the season I knew that I was getting up to the wedding and I was pretty excited for that,” Fletcher recalls. “And all of a sudden this [tour of England] came up as well and I was like: ‘Man! It’s pretty incredible'”Getting married to my wife was probably the best day of my life, and then to be able to experience something that I always wanted to do [be part of the New Zealand side] is incredible really.”Fletcher had scored 364 runs in 12 innings at an average of 40.44 in the Plunket Shield and was the fourth highest run scorer in the 2021-22 Super Smash. Although Canterbury lost to Northern Districts in the final, Fletcher’s middle-order power-hitting in the tournament – he struck a chart-topping 23 sixes – was impossible to ignore.Fletcher on his Test call-up: “All the preparation isn’t just the last week, it’s the last ten years of your career”•Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesWhen he started out, Fletcher was primarily a wicketkeeper who could bat a bit, but he has now transformed himself into a dynamic batter who does the tough job of finishing an innings. He puts his recent success down to his improved fitness and gym work. He was so passionate about his fitness he even did a stint as strength and conditioning co-coach at North Harbour Cricket in Auckland.”When I was younger I tried to bowl a bit, tried to bat a bit, but not that well,” Fletcher says. “I loved wicketkeeping and it became the thing that was unique – only one person could become the keeper. I had quite good hands and that really worked for me. I really enjoyed being in the game, being able to move around, and take catches and stumpings.”As I got more opportunities to play, it became pretty clear that in the modern day you need to be able to bat as well. It took me a long time really to figure out the kind of player I wanted to be and the skills that were required, especially in first-class cricket.”[Gym] helped me with that mental side of my game but also the confidence – I felt that if I was able to be fast and strong, I would be confident in taking that out to the middle. Whether at training or at the game, I could hit boundaries or clear the rope. It’s a great feeling when you do that, especially when the field is on the boundary and you know if you get this off the middle, it’s going over. I think gym helped me with that from a mental point of view as well as the physical side.”New Zealand already have Devon Conway, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen in their white-ball keepers’ mix, but Fletcher hopes to break into the team in a T20 World Cup year.”At the moment, I’m pretty grateful to be here [in England] and to be playing, but, it’s definitely a goal of mine to keep pushing for that [T20] kind of cricket,” Fletcher says. “I’ve really enjoyed T20 cricket in the last few years, my kind of role in the middle order – try to hit the ball as hard as I can, see if I can finish games, or help the team in some way. I feel that when the time is right, I can bat anywhere in the order, but I’ve enjoyed batting in that middle-order position for Canterbury in the last few years. If opportunities are there, you always want to take them.”Apart from Stead, current Canterbury head coach Peter Fulton has had a big influence on Fletcher’s game and Canterbury’s overall. Under Fulton, Canterbury won the Plunket Shield and Ford Trophy in 2020-21 and then finished runners-up in Plunket Shield and Super Smash next season. Having also played alongside Fulton in his early years, Fletcher was all praise for his tactical sharpness.Fletcher and Gary Stead at Canterbury in 2016-17: “Gary now understands me quite well in what I do, but also I had to work to get on his good side”•Getty Images”He seems like quite an intimidating guy at the start – big, tall guy – but he’s quite traditional with the way he does things. I’m a keeper and a bit chirpy. Having him at first slip, I’ve looked at a lot of him over the years – how to keep my game and not overcomplicate things too much. I definitely did that during some points of my career, but over the last two seasons especially, since Fulton has come back in as head coach, he has definitely simplified Canterbury’s cricket.”He’s big on the tactical side of things – game-awareness and game plans – but he’s also allowed players time to focus on things outside of cricket. There’s an expectation when you come back into the environment, cricket is No. 1, but when you leave training and the game, that’s your time. He’s been massive for my game, definitely, in the last couple of years.”Over in England, Fletcher could come up against Ben Stokes, his one-time team-mate at Canterbury and now England’s new captain. Fletcher played six white-ball games alongside Stokes in 2017, when the allrounder had originally arrived to visit family.”He’s world-class, and for us first-class cricketers at that point, it was awesome to have his presence around,” Fletcher says of Stokes. “He was extremely gifted and was quite firm when he needed to be. There were a couple of games where we didn’t perform well and he had a few words, saying we should’ve done better, and it was quite cool to hear that.”Fletcher is also looking forward to reuniting with his mates at Sandwich Town, a club he represented in the Kent Premier League in 2019. He was lined up for a return to the club in 2020 before the pandemic intervened. Fletcher reckons that the spell with Sandwich Town helped him rekindle his enthusiasm for cricket and maintain a healthy work-life balance.”I’d finished my university and with my wife, I went to experience English club cricket and also travel a bit,” Fletcher recalls. “It took time for me [to adapt] – the wickets were a lot lower and the Dukes ball did a bit. Over the course of the season, you’re always learning, though you’re not playing as much cricket as you’re used to [in New Zealand].Fletcher and Canterbury team-mate Blake Coburn (left) caught the 2019 Ashes Edgbaston Test after Marnus Labuschagne passed them tickets for it•Cam Fletcher”I enjoyed the cricket for what it was. It’s a game and it’s not just [about] performance in those environments; people want to come together and enjoy playing cricket after working all week. I used to be quite serious and performance-driven, so it was a nice opportunity to push it to the side and have a lot of fun. It helped me move forward in my game as well.”At Sandwich Town, Fletcher caught up with Marnus Labuschagne, who had turned out for the club in the northern summer of 2014. Labuschagne even gave Fletcher tickets to the 2019 Edgbaston Test.”The atmosphere was incredible,” Fletcher said of his first experience of watching the Ashes live. “You kind of visualise yourself out in the middle one day… the thought of being out there [at international level] and experiencing it is hard to explain.”Marnus played a number of years before I did for Sandwich Town. He developed big friendships at the club, something that I did as well. He has a great network of people – it’s actually a family kind of environment at Sandwich. He even came back for a friend’s wedding during that period. I got to meet him and have a few chats with him. That’s how he ended up passing tickets for the Edgbaston Test.”Ian Smith, the former New Zealand keeper and now commentator, recently reminded Fletcher of Smith’s own debut, when they spoke on the podcast, and urged Fletcher to be ready. The incumbent Warren Lees hurt his hamstring during warm-ups, ahead of the Gabba Test in 1980 and Smith had 40 minutes’ notice to prepare for his Test debut. Fletcher says he’s well prepared if he gets the job at some point on tour.”I’ve played for a long time, and it [playing for New Zealand] is something I want to do. All the preparation isn’t just the last week, it’s the last ten years of your career. The ups and downs and the not-so-good days give you the best chance to go out there and contribute for your team. I hope the opportunity comes at some point and if it’s on this tour, I want to go out there and give it everything. There’s no guarantee for performance, but I will put everything out there for the team.”

Whilst their pursuit of Kevin Danso continues, Wolverhampton Wanderers are also reportedly racing to sign a former Premier League midfielder who’s keen on a return to England’s top flight.

Wolves transfer news

After already signing Emmanuel Agbadou this month, Wolves have seemingly set their sights on a second defensive reinforcement in the form of Danso. The Midlands club have even reportedly seen a first bid worth £16m rejected by the Ligue 1 club and must now up their offer if they want to welcome the central defender before the end of the transfer window next Monday.

Centre-back isn’t the only area of concern for those in the Midlands, however. They are also in need of a replacement for Mario Lemina, who looks destined to depart before the end of the month amid interest from Saudi Arabia.

Their former captain, Wolves must replace the midfielder’s experience and can do just that and more by signing one particular target for Vitor Pereira this week.

According to The Sun, Wolves are now racing to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Besiktas this month but face competition from relegation rivals Leicester City and Championship leaders Leeds United.

Wolves now working to sign another new defender for Pereira after Agbadou

Wolves and Pereira have their eye on at least one more addition before the transfer window closes.

1

By
Brett Worthington

Jan 26, 2025

The former Liverpool and Arsenal man has fallen down the pecking order at Besiktas and is now reportedly keen on a return to the Premier League. A midfielder who’s won it all in English football, if Wolves want experience then Oxlade-Chamberlain is their man.

Crucially too, they would be denying Leicester the chance to sign such a reinforcement by securing his signature before Monday’s deadline. Whether or not they can thrash out a deal in time remains to be seen though.

"Super" Oxlade-Chamberlain can replace Lemina

At 31 years old, Oxlade-Chamberlain has one last Premier League stint in the tank and it’s Wolves who could benefit. Having missed a number of games through injury last season, the £67,000-a-week man is now seemingly past his issues having missed just one game due to injury in the current campaign.

Playing next to Matheus Cunha in the advanced midfield role, Oxlade-Chamberlain would certainly get the chance to roll back the years in the Midlands and once again unleash some vintage strikes that he often stole the headlines with during his Anfield days.

Full of praise for his shooting ability, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp told reporters in 2023: “It was everything: he came here, had played from time to time at wing-back at Arsenal, winger for sure, and he became a proper No.8 here in the way we wanted to play – super-energetic, technically outstanding.

“I remember early and we had our first finishing sessions and I looked and thought, ‘He didn’t score that many goals in the past, if I could shoot like you I would start in the morning at seven and finish shooting at nine or 10 o’clock because it’s incredible!”

Temba Bavuma made a valuable fifty in the Perth Test, bowled useful overs to help ease the burden of Dale Steyn’s absence, and then dismissed David Warner with one of the all-time great run-outs

Firdose Moonda in Perth08-Nov-2016Kagiso Rabada commanded respect and Keshav Maharaj sparked curiosity, but Temba Bavuma has crept into Australian hearts as a pint-sized talent with a Midas touch. The called Bavuma the “X-factor” in South Africa’s WACA win, with praise for his stoic batting, stunning fielding, surprisingly effective bowling, and continuous quest to seek out a high-five.”Everybody loves him at the moment.He is a guy that things seem to happen around,” said South Africa coach Russell Domingo.Bavuma’s fielding first caught international attention last November , when he was substituting for an injured Dale Steyn in Mohali. Bavuma was positioned at short leg when M Vijay inside edged a googly from Imran Tahir to his left. He dived full length to take the catch.Later in the tour Bavuma impressed again when, with the series already lost, he was asked to open the batting in the final Test in Delhi. In an unfamiliar position, Bavuma scored 22 and 34 but spent more than four hours at the crease, longer than his predecessor Stiaan van Zyl had in five innings before he was dropped. That innings showed Bavuma’s temperament to bat in Test cricket but few outside the team guessed he could bowl at this level too.”Temba does a bit of bowling in the nets and everyone is like, “Woah, Temba, that’s pretty good,”‘ Rabada said.Most were pleased to hear that Bavuma can catch Rabada’s attention somewhere, because he can be easy to miss on the field. When Rabada bowled Usman Khawaja on the second day of the Perth Test – South Africa’s first wicket after Steyn had left the field with a broken shoulder – Bavuma waited and waited for his chance to congratulate Rabada. Eventually, it needed a tap on the shoulder before Rabada responded. The video went viral, watched many more times than training footage of South Africa’s bowling coach Charl Langeveldt in discussion with Bavuma.The conversation – which Langeveldt later said was about using the seam – hinted that Bavuma might be called on to make up for some of Steyn’s absence. Australia’s batsmen must have been looking forward to the relief. At 1.61 metres tall, with only 200 first-class balls to his name before the Test, how dangerous could Bavuma really be?Dangerous enough to hit a crack, move back in and hit Usman Khawaja plumb in front of leg. Had Bavuma not overstepped, he could have been only the 21st bowler in Test cricket to take a wicket with his first ball. That his delivery stride occupies the entire area from the bowling crease to the popping crease will only add to his budding cult aura. The beamer that unsettled Josh Hazlewood the ball before Bavuma claimed his first Test wicket delighted his team-mates and the small WACA crowd.For all the fun of his on-field heroics, Bavuma himself was ultra-serious in his analysis when he spoke to “I was obviously quite disappointed at that. We’ve spoken long and hard about no no-balls,” he said. “As one of the batters who keeps on shouting at the bowlers for a no-ball, obviously it’s not a great thing. I was happy to get a chance to bowl and things went decently (after that).”Domingo confirmed Bavuma was similarly critical about his half-century in the first innings, knowing the responsibility he had in the middle order. “He will be the first to say he is disappointed that he didn’t kick on after getting fifty,” Domingo said. “He played really beautifully in that first innings and held it together for us. He is still learning but he is a good kid and a great asset for our team.” newspaper agreed, calling Bavuma a “competitive and wily” cricketer. For South Africans to see their players being so warmly embraced at what was once seen as among the most hostile places to tour, is a reassurance that the stresses of last summer may be overcome after all. For them to see their players of colour – long suspected of being included in squads to make up numbers – attract so much admiration and awe is another reassurance that this time, cricket’s efforts to embrace change could be genuine, that opportunities are being provided to the right people, and that they are taking them, making names and winning hearts.

Aaron Judge continues to etch his name alongside previous Yankee greats as he adds to an already impressive career in pinstripes. The slugger launched his 45th and 46th home runs of the season on Thursday night in a 9–3 victory over the Tigers, bringing his total with the franchise to 361.

That's enough to tie Joe DiMaggio for fourth-most in a Yankees uniform. Earlier in the series against Detroit, Judge passed Yogi Berra with his 359th homer.

Aaron Boone, Judge's longtime manager, spoke after the blasts about what it's like to ride shotgun on such a ride.

"Joe DiMaggio—that feels like that’s been there forever, right?” Boone said. "Joe DiMaggio, in a lot of ways, transcended baseball. To be next to him on the list, he’s going to be waving as he goes by. It’s been a privilege having a front-row seat to that."

Judge's greatness is no secret and at this point he has been doing it awhile. This is his 10th year and everyone that hasn't been cut short due to injury has been filled with incredible power. Still, it is sort of strange to realize in realtime that he will go down in Yankees lore in the same way the names he's chasing and catching have.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has personally earmarked a highly-rated forward as one of his top targets for the end of the January window, with NSWE responding by planning a late move for him.

Aston Villa open to making another January signing

Speaking ahead of Villa’s clash against West Ham United on Sunday, Emery hinted at the possibility of his side making another January addition, especially considering Diego Carlos has now sealed a move to Turkish Süper Lig side Fenerbache.

Aston Villa set to make fresh bid for £25m Olympian after January talks

Unai Emery’s side have been in negotiations for another signing.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jan 25, 2025

Villa have already signed Donyell Malen in a £21 million deal from Borussia Dortmund, with Andres Garcia soon following the Netherlands international after putting pen to paper on a switch to the Midlands from Levante.

However, Carlos’ departure, alongside any other potential outgoings, could force Villa back into the January market – confirmed Emery on Friday.

“We are open to trying to improve the squad until the last moment, and as well, we are open in case someone is leaving,” said Emery.

“Of course, Diego Carlos left in the last week, and we have to replace him, and of course we are as well focusing on which players could be potential players to replace Diego Carlos.”

Some reports suggest that Villa are poised to submit a second January bid for Sevilla defender Loic Bade, following claims that they had a previous offer rejected and have been in talks throughout January.

However, Emery’s side are not just eyeing up new additions to their backline, as it is believed by some that another new forward accompanying Malen through the door is entirely possible as well.

Besiktas starlet Semih Kilicsoy could be that man, with the versatile 19-year-old attacker standing out as one of the Süper Lig’s brightest young talents over the last two campaigns.

The teenager can play out wide and up front as a natural striker, which may come as attractive for Emery. Kilicsoy’s form at Besiktas even prompted a call-up to Turkey’s national team squad for Euro 2024, where he briefly featured in their quarter-final against the Netherlands.

Aston Villa plan late move for Semih Kilicsoy after Unai Emery call

As per Football Insider and journalist Pete O’Rourke, Villa are planning a late January move for Kilicsoy, coming after Emery personally identified the Turk as a top transfer target over the coming days.

He’s scored two goals and assisted six others in all competitions so far this campaign, but while these numbers aren’t exactly mind-blowing, Kilicsoy has been called one of Turkey’s most exciting ones to watch in recent years.

“I want to say that he will play for Beşiktaş for many years, but I don’t think we can keep him,” admitted Besiktas chief Feyyaz Uçar in an interview with Fanatik. “He is one of the most talented Turkish players in recent years,”

Tottenham were linked with a swoop for Kilicsoy after scouting him last year, as were other Premier League sides, so a move to England could be on the cards for him if Villa up the ante. However, it has also been reported that he could cost up to £25 million.

Stats highlights from Bangladesh’s convincing 90-run win against Sri Lanka in Dambulla

S Rajesh25-Mar-20175 Wins for Bangladesh in 39 ODIs against Sri Lanka – they have lost 33 while one was washed out. However, this is their first win when batting first; their previous four victories had all come in chases. This is also their second win against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, after the three-wicket triumph in Pallekele in 2013.324/5 Bangladesh’s total, their third-highest in ODIs, and their best away from home. Their two higher totals – 329 and 326 – have both come against Pakistan in Mirpur. This is their tenth 300-plus total, but their first in an away game against a higher-ranked team.90 The margin of victory, in terms of runs. Only once have they beaten one of the top eight teams by a larger margin, when they beat West Indies by 160 runs in Khulna in 2012.127 Tamim Iqbal’s score, the seventh-highest in ODIs for Bangladesh. Tamim features five times in the top eight ODI scores for Bangladesh.144 The partnership between Tamim and Shakib Al Hasan, which is Bangladesh’s fourth-best for the fourth wicket in all ODIs, and their best for any wicket against Sri Lanka. In fact, this is only their second century stand in ODIs against Sri Lanka: the previous one came almost 13 years ago in Colombo, when Manjural Islam Rana and Mohammad Ashraful added exactly 100 for the fifth wicket.14/8 Bangladesh’s win-loss record in ODIs since the 2015 World Cup, with five wins in seven series. Among teams which have played at least 20 ODIs during this period, only South Africa and England have a better win-loss ratio.9.25 Lahiru Kumara’s economy rate – he leaked 74 in eight overs. It is the worst economy rate for any bowler who has bowled eight or more overs in an ODI against Bangladesh. The previous worst was 8.50, by Mitchell McClenaghan, who went for 68 in eight.

After a series where their depth of allrounders stood out, but familiar batting failings remained, ESPNcricinfo looks at how England’s players performed

George Dobell15-Aug-2016

9

Chris Woakes (177 runs at 35.40, 26 wickets at 16.73)Outstanding. The top wicket-taker in the series, Woakes bowled with pace, skill, control and consistency and looked, in almost every spell, the most dangerous of England’s bowlers. After earning multiple honours board mention at Lord’s (he claimed five-wicket hauls in both innings), he took another seven wickets in Manchester (and contributed a composed half-century as nightwatchman) and five more in Birmingham. He finished having set a new record for the number of wickets by an England bowler in a series against Pakistan.

7.5

Alastair Cook (423 runs at 60.42)Cook batted with fluency – only Moeen Ali scored his runs more quickly – and consistency against a fine bowling attack. If there were times it seemed he squandered his platform – pulling on to his stumps at The Oval and pushing at one away from his body at Edgbaston – it was a sense magnified by the lack of contribution from others in the top order. Cook also demonstrated his growing captaincy skills by coaxing an out of sorts (Woakes aside) bowling attack to victory at Edgbaston and suggesting Anderson apologise after his disagreement with the umpires. Lost half a mark due to his drops in the slips. Needs to find a way to improve England’s over-rate, though.Joe Root (512 runs at 73.14, 1 wicket at 27)It is probably unreasonable to expect more from a 25-year-old than Root produced here. So infuriated was he with himself after his two impatient dismissals at Lord’s that he produced perhaps the most mature innings of his career at Old Trafford. And, if he endured a disappointing game at The Oval, again allowing his impatience to get the better of him, it was a reminder that England have come to rely on him too heavily. Not at his best in the slips, though he remains a fine catcher.Jonny Bairstow (366 runs at 52.28; 14 catches, one stumping)After a poor miss at Lord’s, Bairstow enjoyed an improved series with the gloves and another consistently good series with the bat. While he may have some frustration at not converting any of his four half-centuries into centuries, he twice departed selflessly trying to up the pace to set-up a declaration. Guaranteed to start the winter as first choice keeper.Moeen Ali found his batting form over the last two Tests•AFPMoeen Ali (316 runs at 63.20; 11 wickets at 46.54)The simple summary would state that Moeen shone with the bat and subsided with the ball. The truth, though, is a little more complex. After a poor Tests at Lord’s, Moeen’s place in the side looked as precarious as at any time since his early Tests. But he weighed in with five wickets at Old Trafford, two vital half-centuries at Edgbaston and a high-class century at The Oval. While his economy rate of 4.62 an over is simply not good enough, he did end the series with a better strike-rate than every England bowler other than Woakes. He suffers, in part, for being the least bad spinner (arguably, anyway) in a period when England’s spin resources have never been so low.

6.5

James Anderson (nine wickets at 25.66)After missing the first Test – controversially according to some – Anderson was as tight and controlled as ever for the rest of the series. While he admitted his pace had dropped, he suggested his experience and skills compensated. Sure enough, he bowled with great skill in harnessing the reverse swing at Edgbaston, but looked just a bit toothless at The Oval.

6

Stuart Broad (13 wickets at 28.61)Claimed six wickets at Lord’s and finished with perfectly respectable bowling figures, but this was a slightly underwhelming series from a man who has become accustomed to match-turning spells. Though there were moments of great skill – he produced a lovely cutter to account for Asad Shafiq at Old Trafford and produced a sharp spell at The Oval – but he was generally content to provide a holding role on these sluggish surfaces, bowling within himself and concentrating on moving the ball into right-handed batsmen.

5

Steven Finn (5 wickets at 70.40)While never quite at his best, Finn bowled some way better than his figures suggest. The slow pitches and dropped catches did him few favours, but he was generally unable to recapture the pace that rendered him so dangerous on his return last year or in South Africa at the start of this year. Dropped for the second Test, he returned with two important wickets in the second innings in Edgbaston and retained his place for the final Test. Hard to see how he makes it into the Test team in Asia, though.There were again doubts as to whether Alex Hales was the right man to open the batting•Getty Images

4.5

Gary Ballance (195 runs at 27.85)Top-scored in the first innings at Edgbaston but failed to cement his return to the side. While three dismissals to balls turning sharply from outside off hinted at a problem against spin that could be exploited this winter, there were few signs of the problems against left-arm pace that bothered him last year. In danger of being branded alongside Hales and Vince, but in reality looked a little more assured.

3.5

Alex Hales (145 runs at 18.12)After the apparent progress made against Sri Lanka, this was a hugely disappointing series. Only once could Hales reach 25 and five times in the series his uncertainty around off stump was exploited with catches to the cordon. He remained fallible in the field and provided a glimpse into his growing anxiety by remonstrating with the third umpire at The Oval. There was one important innings – he helped his captain erase the first innings deficit in Edgbaston – but Hales faces an anxious wait to see if his success against Sri Lanka earned him the credit to secure his place in Bangladesh and India.James Vince (158 runs at 22.57)There were moments – not least in the second innings at Lord’s and in the Edgbaston Test in which he contributed 81 runs – when it appeared Vince might be learning the discipline and denial required in Test cricket. But even at Edgbaston he enjoyed some fortune and a tally of five dismissals to edges to the keeper or the cordon and a poor shot in the final innings at The Oval suggested a recurring fault outside off stump that threatens his future at this level. Seven Tests in succession without being able to repay the selectors’ faith with a half-century leave him unlikely to make the tour squad. Rarely convincing in the slip cordon.

N/A

Jake Ball (one wicket at 88)Given only one Test, on a slow, low wicket at Lord’s, Ball bowled a little better than his figures suggest and produced a nice yorker to account for Azhar Ali. While he will remain part of the squad of seamers England look to over the next few years, it is hard to see a role for him in Asia.Ben StokesBroke down with a calf tear at Old Trafford in his comeback Test after knee surgery. If the recurrence of injury raised questions over his long-term prospects – memories of Andrew Flintoff came to mind – his absence was alleviated in part by the emergence of Woakes. The ability to play them both provides England will enviable options and depth.

Moeen Ali demonstrated that he had learned from his experience at Chittagong, but England were lucky to be let back into the game

George Dobell in Mirpur28-Oct-2016There have been many memorable comebacks in cricket. Headingley 1981, for example. Or Koltata 2001. Or the remarkable tale of Middlesex’s Harry Lee, who, at the Battle of Fromelles in 1915, was captured by the Germans after spending three days bleeding and broken in no-man’s land. He defied the doctors, and even a memorial service held by his nearest and dearest, and went on to play one Test during an injury crisis on the South Africa tour of 1930-31.By comparison, England’s comeback on day one in Dhaka seems pretty tame. But, after a wretched first three hours when it appeared they might be facing a vast first-innings score, they could feel pretty satisfied in restricting Bangladesh to a first-innings total of 220. Certainly when they were 171 for 1 and England’s bowlers were struggling to hit the cut strip, it seemed as if things would be much, much worse. To take the final nine wickets for the addition of just 49 runs did, at least, show some character.But impressive though the comeback was, encouraging though the bowling of Ben Stokes, in particular, continues to be, this was a performance that will not have left them quaking in India.If England bowl like this in India, they will be thrashed. They will not be able to afford a session as bad as the first one here and they will not be let back into the game as easily as Bangladesh allowed them back here. The India batting is too strong, too ruthless and too motivated to allow England to get away with such loose cricket.For England got away with it here. From the moment Imrul Kayes thrashed a Chris Woakes long-hop to point in the day’s third over, England benefited from loose Bangladesh batting. While Tamim Iqbal batted beautifully, the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Shuvagata Hom will reflect on their dismissals – wafting outside off stump – with little joy. Bangladesh may still have provided the defining innings of this game, but they will know they have risked letting England back into this game when they should have closed them out completely.There was some progress discernable for England. Moeen Ali, in particular, demonstrated that he had learned from his experience at Chittagong to claim the second five-wicket haul of his Test career. His Test bowling average dipped below 40 as a consequence.We already knew that, on such surfaces, he presented a terrific challenge to left-handed batsman. But none of his five victims in Chittagong was a right-hander and, given the India top-order is packed with them, that was a concern.Moeen Ali claimed the big wicket of Tamim Iqbal for 104•Associated PressHere, by bowling round the wicket, he maximised the benefit of any natural variation. He aimed at leg stump, brought the leg slip and short leg into play if the ball turned and the keeper and slip into play if it did not. And, most of all, he knew that, if the batsmen missed, he was in with a good chance of gaining an lbw decision.Moeen modestly admitted afterwards that he had not bowled an intentional arm-ball but, reasoning that if he didn’t know which ones were going to spin and which ones were going to drift away, the batsmen had even less chance. In all, he claimed the wicket of three right-handers, though the wickets of the left-handers Tamim and Mominul Haque with deliveries that skidded on were perhaps the most satisfying.”It was just natural variation,” he said. “I don’t feel I bowled great. I just tried to bowl tight, which I don’t really do normally. I said to Cooky ‘If I’m not bowling maidens, just take me off.’ It’s something I need to do better.””I did all right. I don’t really have much success as a spinner, but I think the pace I bowl helps and I’m trying to be more consistent. I’m nowhere near where I want to be as a spinner, but I’m trying to be accurate and the 30 games I’ve played have helped me a bit.”Moeen also admitted that Stokes had been England’s “main man”. And it is true that Stokes had, once again, defied the slow surface to hurry batsmen with his strength and pace and defeat them with his control of reverse swing. To have hit Mushfiqur Rahim with a bouncer on such a surface was remarkable. Both Moeen and Tamim described him as “brilliant” and he now has a Test bowling average of 16.33 since January 10. He is no batsman who bowls; he is the real thing as an allrounder. India will have taken note, but perhaps also taken note of England’s over-reliance upon him.Perhaps they will not be so reliant in India. The last time England looked as hapless in the field as they did in the first session here was the Edgbaston Test of 2012 when Stuart Broad and James Anderson were rested. It might be optimistic to expect Anderson to play much of a part in India, but Broad’s absence was felt keenly here. There is no way he would have bowled with so little control.Moeen also revealed that the coach, Trevor Bayliss, urged the team to refocus when they came in at lunch.”He just said that we’re going to have sessions like this in the winter and we’re going to have to get better at recognising it and understanding how to change it,” Moeen said. “He wasn’t really angry. He was just a bit disappointed but he never shows when he’s angry. He just made us focus a bit more on what we needed to do.”And what they needed to do was bowl maidens. Or at least apply some control. Not until the 27th over bowled by spin, did any of England’s trio manage a maiden. It is no coincidence that, with both Stokes (who conceded only 13 from 11 admirably controlled overs) and Moeen bowling with impressive control, the wickets started to fall. It won’t be so easy in India, but it did at least show the direction of travel they must take.None of that disguises the faults. It doesn’t disguise the struggles of Zafar Ansari, who might be excused on the grounds of nerves, or Adil Rashid. And, most of all, it doesn’t disguise the continuing struggles of the top order. So far this series, England’s third wicket has fallen on a score of 21, 28 and 42. They might get away with that in Bangladesh; they are most unlikely to do so in India. But, for now, it did just about keep them in this game.

In showing no bias in pointing out various conflicts, and in naming names, Ramachandra Guha has penned a document that is bold and unprecedented

Sidharth Monga02-Jun-20174:22

Sambit Bal: “Guha saying CoA hasn’t fulfilled its mandate”

When Ramachandra Guha was appointed to the Committee of Administrators, there were sniggers from various quarters. What did a historian living in an imagined utopia know about running Indian cricket, it was asked. Having found the kitchen too hot, it will be said, he has quit. He has quit all right, and arguably without accomplishing the primary objective of seeing the reforms through, but he has left with an important piece of what all his detractors consider him good for: writing.Not many pieces have said more about the state of Indian cricket administration than Guha’s resignation letter to Vinod Rai, the chairman of the CoA. The superstars of Indian cricket, of the recent past and present, stand exposed as lacking accountability and conscience. The BCCI has been reaffirmed as a manipulative body that allows the excesses of these superstars to keep them on its side. In the case of Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and Kapil Dev, their cheerleading of the board comes as a bonus.Not all of this is new but it is coming from a man who had the mandate from the highest court of the country, a man who spent four months in the system and was clearly frustrated by the inaction.He saw the BCCI subvert a Supreme Court order, and he saw his colleagues not do much about it. He saw the old guard try to hold a world event hostage, and he saw his colleagues let it happen before swooping in at the last minute. He is seeing a coach being shunted out to supposedly appease a superstar captain, and he sees his colleagues – by the virtue of their silence – complicit in it. Perhaps the CoA can provide a counter-argument because the BCCI old guard will be happy with this chaos and confusion.Guha would have done well to mention the irony that Kumble himself was appointed coach through the subversion of another process last year. Otherwise, from Dravid to Gavaskar to Dhoni to Kohli to Ganguly, Guha has mentioned them all. In Dravid’s case, allowance could be made that his BCCI contract allows him to work in the IPL for two months a year; and he has also asked the board for clarity on his role in the past. He might be making a fair point, but Guha might also have been better off leaving Dhoni’s contract grade to the men charged with these decisions: the national selectors.However, in showing no bias in pointing out the conflicts of interest, in naming names, and in the clarity with which it does so, this is a bold and unprecedented letter. It says a lot that such a brave assessment can only be made by someone on the outside and with no designs of gaining materially from Indian cricket.

Rai and Limaye are practical men from the practical world who seem to be looking for practical solutions, but they could have done more to take along with them a man with intentions as noble as Guha’s

These are not concerns that have emerged overnight out of love for Kumble, with whom, and Bishan Bedi, Guha had once taken a selfie and tweeted, “two of my greatest heroes”. Guha has quoted emails in his letter to indicate that he has had these concerns ever since he joined the CoA, and that they had not been acted upon. Those who know him say he has been frustrated for a long time.To be fair to Guha’s colleagues at the CoA, their hands have been tied in certain cases by what is, in parts, an ambiguous order from the Supreme Court. In many instances, the CoA was reduced to going back to the Court for instructions. For example, when the CoA intervened to prevent disqualified members from attending BCCI meetings, the court order put the onus on the members to judge for themselves if they were disqualified or not. Or else. Such “or elses” have clearly not worked because N Srinivasan and Niranjan Shah, to name two of the disqualified members, attended the BCCI SGM in Delhi.Perhaps, in a hyper-nationalistic age, the CoA didn’t want to come across as the one who lost the BCCI part of what it used to get from the ICC, though the BCCI’s insistence at the cost of globalisation is a bit like the USA pulling out of the climate deal. Perhaps it was also mindful of any disruptions to India’s showcase event, the IPL, which is why it hasn’t yet shown the old guard the full might of its mandate.The CoA has also been looking at pushing for constitutional changes with minimal controversy as its primary objective. There is nothing stopping the committee from working on the issues Guha mentions – it did take up player contracts – but its bigger concern is the implementation of the Lodha Committee’s reforms, which the BCCI old guard keeps resisting.Even having made these allowances, the CoA has been slow and cautious, arguably overcautious. Whatever the reasons, it had the mandate to block some of these unfortunate events. For example, it intervened only one day before the BCCI was set to pull out of the Champions Trophy.Rai and Limaye are practical men from the practical world, who seem to be looking for practical solutions, but they could have done more to take along with them a man with intentions as noble as Guha’s. If a lawyer was changed – as alleged – without taking Guha into confidence, it could say a lot about what the committee thought of him and arguably, by extension, his concerns. If a man within the committee began to doubt the committee, those outside are bound to question whether the committee has forgotten its mandate.It will be all too easy to say that if Guha cared so much he should have stayed and tried to change the system, but that is also to say that Indian cricket is no place for straightforward men with straightforward intentions, even if they come armed with Supreme Court orders.Perhaps we are better off looking at the circumstances that led to this. Perhaps this jolt will bring the urgency that Guha wanted to see in the CoA. Perhaps this is, as ESPNcricinfo’s editor-in-chief Sambit Bal put it in the video above, a plea to the Supreme Court to unshackle the CoA a little. If that happens, it might be worth a couple of clinking glasses in the BCCI old guard.