Category Uncategorized

All roads lead to Bilbao in the Europa League, with Manchester United bidding to ensure that this drab season can end with a flourish, having been drawn against Lyon in the quarter-final stage.

A third trophy in three years for the Red Devils would certainly help to paper over the cracks of the club’s dire Premier League form, although, as manager Ruben Amorim has already admitted, any European glory would not be enough to “save” their season.

Regardless of what happens on the continent, work is seemingly already being done behind the scenes ahead of what is yet another vital summer transfer window.

Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven were acquired in January, while 17-year-old wing-back, Diego Leon, is set to arrive at the end of the season, after agreeing a £3m move from his native Paraguay earlier this year.

With departures expected – including the likes of Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen – Amorim’s ranks will need to be bolstered, with rumours already rife regarding the business that could be done over the coming months.

Latest on Man Utd's transfer search

It has been noteworthy in recent times that rarely have the Red Devils recruited from within the Premier League, with Erik ten Hag’s tenure notably seeing a raft of Eredivisie arrivals make the move to Old Trafford.

Since signing the likes of Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in 2019, the only senior signing – excluding academy moves, loans and free transfers such as Eriksen and Jonny Evans – to have come from another top-flight club is Mason Mount, with the Englishman joining on an initial £55m deal from Chelsea in 2023.

While that deal has backfired amid Mount’s injury woes – and his return of just one goal to date – it could be wise to once again attempt to cherry-pick the best in the division. Think landing a teenage Wayne Rooney from Everton back in 2004.

That scenario could be set to repeat itself, if recent reports are to be believed, with the Daily Mail reporting that United are among a raft of Premier League clubs to have begun working on a deal for Southampton’s Tyler Dibling.

As per the report, 17 top-flight sides have lodged an enquiry in their bid to land the 19-year-old sensation this summer, albeit with the Old Trafford outfit holding the trump card, due to Jason Wilcox’s connection to the Saints after serving as director of football at St Mary’s previously.

Transfer Focus

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

The piece indicates that United have already sent scouts to watch the England U19 international of late, with the race now on to see just who will win the battle for his signature.

Why Man Utd could be chasing their next Rooney

As alluded to above, at the peak of their powers under Sir Alex Ferguson, the Red Devils were able to poach the very best that the division had to offer, be it Dimitar Berbatov, Robin van Persie, or indeed, a young Rooney.

After two years in the first-team at Goodison Park, ‘Wazza’ – fresh off the back of his Euro 2004 exploits – was snapped up by Ferguson and co on a £27m deal, with United’s faith in that 18-year-old superstar duly rewarded amid his eventual rise to being the club’s all-time top scorer.

The former England skipper was something of a freak talent, it must be said, yet the aforementioned Dibling could well be on a similar trajectory, having been a firm fixture of Southampton’s first team in recent years, despite his youth.

Tyler Dibling’s PL season in numbers
Stat (*per game)	Record
Games (starts)	25 (17)
Goals	2
Assists	0
Big chances missed	1
Big chances created	2
Key passes*	0.7
Pass accuracy*	83%
Successful dribbles*	1.6
Fouled*	1.8
Tackles*	1.2
Stats via Sofascore

Handed his senior debut back in 2023, the teenage winger has particularly caught the eye in a dismal Saints side this season, notably starring against United on his first Premier League start back in September, after winning a penalty following a foul from Diogo Dalot.

While, unlike Rooney, Dibling is an England youth star rather than a central figure in the senior Three Lions side, it is telling that he has already solidified a regular role for himself at club level, particularly at a time when teenagers are not so readily thrown into the mix.

A return of four goals and two assists so far this term in all competitions is encouraging for the Exeter-born starlet, with it no surprise that he has earned rave reviews, having been hailed as an “unreal talent” by analyst Ben Mattinson.

In a way, he does possess that almost street footballer vibe that a teenage Rooney also had, with Dibling catching the eye with his low socks and innate dribbling ability. Indeed, he ranks in the top 7% of Premier League midfielders for progressive carries and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.

A “world-class talent” – in the view of Southampton academy manager, Andy Goldie – the silky sensation looks destined for the top, with it set to be intriguing to see if he can follow in Rooney’s footsteps and shine at an elite club like United, should a deal get done.

Van Nistelrooy 2.0: Man Utd offered chance to sign "best CF on the market"

Man Utd can finally end their search for a proven number one

1

By
Robbie Walls

Mar 25, 2025

PSG have reached out for talks with an Arsenal transfer target’s representatives, which also follows a mammoth bid from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr for the player.

Arsenal riding high off Real Madrid win as transfer plans made

Mikel Arteta said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Brentford that the Gunners’ sensational 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night will be remembered for many years.

Arsenal hold "high-level talks" to sign "bargain" attacker "in recent days"

Negotiations have apparently taken place this week.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 12, 2025

Two stunning Declan Rice free-kicks, followed by a brilliant Mikel Merino finish, downed the 15-time European champions and put Arsenal in cruise control heading into their second leg at the Bernabeu next week.

Brentford (home)

Today

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

April 23rd

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

It was truly a statement performance by Arsenal, who will still be coming down off what was one of the best Champions League nights in their history.

“Nights like we had the other day are going to be remembered for many, many years, and that’s the kind of night that gives you belief,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real.

“It gives purpose to the competition. It brings joy, and then it prepares you for the next one because you are waiting to experience a feeling like this again. That’s the most important thing, in my opinion, that people are looking forward to, to expend this kind of emotion with us.”

After that outstanding victory at the Emirates against Europe’s arguably most feared side, Arsenal fans have been handed real hope that they could even go on to win their first Champions League title.

Such a feat would also allow Berta to attract the continent’s most elite players, with Arsenal on the hunt for a star winger as one of their many reported items on the agenda this summer.

Berta has held talks with the representatives of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, according to multiple reports, and the Spaniard is seen as a top target with his £48 million release clause.

However, Williams isn’t Arsenal’s only wide target, and they’ve expressed an interest in West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus.

PSG open talks with Arsenal target Mohammed Kudus after £87m Al-Nassr bid

Arsenal were weighing up a January move for Kudus, according to talkSPORT, but reports at the time claimed that West Ham wanted around £100 million to let him depart mid-season.

As per Africafoot this week, Kudus remains on Arsenal’s agenda, but they face a looming threat from PSG and Al-Nassr, with the latter having already made an £87 million bid to sign the Ghanaian for this summer.

As well as the Saudis, it is believed that PSG have now made contact with Kudus’ representatives, so Arsenal may have to make their move quickly amid this growing battle from abroad for the forward’s signature.

Interestingly, despite West Ham setting a reported asking price of £74 million to sell in the next window, Al-Nassr appear to have gone above and beyond. It will be intriguing to see whether Arsenal decide to do battle with Cristiano Ronaldo’s side and PSG, but it is unlikely considering there are much cheaper, quality alternatives like Williams on the market.

Nevertheless, whoever ends up striking a deal for Kudus will be getting a player of real quality, with Michail Antonio calling his teammate “unbelievable” and a “starboy”.

Can you think of a team to stop this all-star combination?

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Apr-2019Twenty-two members of our staff picked their alI-time World Cup XIs, from which we compiled a composite team. A total of 39 players featured in at least one of those 22 individual teams. Ten players featured in half or more of the sides. Of these, Wasim Akram was the only unanimous choice.The battle for the final spot was a close one: Kumar Sangakkara pipped the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Steve Waugh, Kapil Dev and AB de Villiers.Only two of the players in the final XI featured in a World Cup before 1992, both a reflection of how the ODI game has evolved and the average age of the selectors.ESPNcricinfo LtdAdam Gilchrist (wk)Matches 31 Runs 1085 Average 36.16 Strike Rate 98.01 Dismissals 52
The destructive keeper-batsman has three World Cup titles. His finest moment came in his final World Cup match, when his 149 (aided by a squash ball in his glove) clinched the third of those title wins.Sachin Tendulkar
Matches 45 Runs 2278 Ave 56.95 SR 88.98 100s/50s 6/15
In the three World Cups where he opened throughout, Tendulkar topped the run-scoring charts twice, in 1996 and 2003; he was second in 2011, when India won the title in his record-equalling sixth World Cup.Ricky PontingMatches 46 Runs 1743 Ave 45.86 SR 79.95 100s/50s 5/6
Part of a record 34-match unbeaten World Cup streak during which Australia won a hat-trick of titles, two under his captaincy. Ponting’s best was a stunning 140 not out in the 2003 final. Also a gun fielder, with the most World Cup catches for an outfielder.Viv RichardsMatches 23 Runs 1013 Ave 63.31 SR 85.05 100s/50s 3/5
Two-time World Cup champion (and nearly a third). A trendsetter with the bat, who was voted the greatest ODI player by a jury in 2015. And don’t forget his electric fielding.Kumar SangakkaraMatches 37 Runs 1532 Ave 56.74 SR 86.55 100s/50s 5/7
Hundreds in four consecutive World Cup innings in 2015 – an ODI record. The leading run scorer among left-handers. Also the most dismissals for a keeper, though Gilchrist is first choice for that role in this XI.Imran Khan (c)Matches 28 Runs 666 Ave 35.05 Wickets 34 Ave 19.26
The man who delivered Pakistan’s 1992 triumph. Steady with the bat (he didn’t bowl in the 1983 edition) and deadly with the ball, Imran is also our pick to lead this side.Lance Klusener
Matches 14 Runs 372 Ave 124.00 Wickets 22 Ave 22.13
The least experienced member of this side makes it on the back of his legendary showing in the 1999 edition. The stunning numbers reflect how awe-inducing his finishing was. Also a handy fast-bowling option.Wasim AkramMatches 38 Wickets 55 Ave 23.83 Economy Rate 4.04 4s/5s 2/1
The greatest left-arm bowler of his generation, and perhaps of all time. He swung the 1992 World Cup final his team’s way with bat and ball, and led them to the final in 1999.Shane Warne
Matches 17 Wickets 32 Ave 19.50 ER 3.83 4s/5s 4/0
The wizard who cast memorable World Cup spells. He came up with Man-of-the-Match performances in the thrilling 1996 and 1999 semi-finals, and in Australia’s dominating win in the 1999 final.Muttiah MuralitharanMatches 40 Wickets 68 Ave 19.63 ER 3.88 4s/5s 4/0
His first World Cup was Sri Lanka’s remarkable 1996 victory, and he played a key role in their 2003, 2007 and 2011 campaigns, a constant menace to opposition batsmen.Glenn McGrathMatches 39 Wickets 71 Average 18.19 ER 3.96 4s/5s 0/2
The leading wicket-taker in World Cup history improved his performance with each edition, finishing with a record 26 wickets, the Player-of-the-Tournament award, and a hat-trick of titles in 2007.Do you have a better all-time World Cup XI in mind? Send in your team.

Alex Carey was the beneficiary when Shamar Joseph breached his defences only for a spinning bail to remain on its groove

Andrew McGlashan26-Jan-20241:57

Gabba Test, Day 2: Australia climb out of a hole

Do West Indies believe they can win? For a little while, as they cut through Australia’s top order in double quick time at the Gabba, it was just possible for the mind to drift back to the past. The quicks roaring in, a line of five slips stood well back and the ball climbing through past the edges, shoulders and heads of the batters, plenty of whom were soon in the dressing room.Steven Smith missed one that nipped back, Marnus Labuschagne fended into the cordon and was brilliantly held by debutant Kevin Sinclair, who had already scored his maiden Test fifty, Cameron Green drove to mid-off and Travis Head glanced down the leg side first ball. Australia went to dinner on 24 for 4. A short while later Mitchell Marsh’s brief counterattack ended with a miscued pull to mid-on.Then Alex Carey’s off bail refused to drop. The ball from Shamar Joseph nipped past the inside edge and there was an appeal for caught behind because of the sound. West Indies didn’t review. The replay showed the zing bail spinning in its groove. clocked the ball was travelling at 115kph. Carey was on 8 and had the bail fallen they would have been 72 for 6.Related

Khawaja, Carey, Cummins rescue Australia from 54 for 5

“We only saw it on TV inside. No one knew,” Kemar Roach said. “There was a noise, but everyone thought it was the pad. Sometimes you need some luck and it didn’t go for us today. Would have been a different game, I think, at 70 for 6.”At the end of the over Carey was on 10 off 15 balls; in another 23 deliveries he had brought up his half-century and the mood was changing. When he flicked to deep square leg and Mitchell Starc soon followed, the deficit was still 150. Yet before the close Pat Cummins, having flayed his career-best, felt confident enough to declare behind and have a crack at West Indies’ top with the new ball under lights.Alex Carey raced to his half-century in 38 balls•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

“I didn’t go out there with that [his scoring rate] in mind,” Carey said. “I felt like I reacted pretty well to what was bowled at me and had good intent. Think we’ve seen that this summer with Mitch Marsh and Travis Head, they play that way. Would have been nice to get a few more but to be where we are after a difficult start, we are certainly in this game of cricket.”Having made the major inroads, the West Indies were in a position rarely seen for visiting sides in Australia. Pakistan had a taste of it at the MCG when they had the home side 16 for 4, but Australia had taken a first-innings lead on that occasion. There was a realistic chance West Indies could earn a decisive advantage but, after Carey’s moment of fortune, they couldn’t stem the run rate. It finished as Australia’s fourth-quickest 250-plus total in Tests – two of those above it were in the second innings to set a target and the other back in 1902.”We knew that the wicket gets better after the new ball disappears so we knew it would be hard work and Australia bat deep,” Roach said. “We haven’t won [in Australia] in a long time. We don’t really come here too often, but guys really want to come here and leave a mark. To win a Test match in Australia as a young side with a lot of debutants and guys who have played less than ten Tests, that would set a really good mark for us.”Until the dying moments of the day it appeared West Indies’ openers would get through a nasty 35 minutes unscathed after Smith spilled a chance at second slip. Then Tagenarine Chanderpaul was given out caught behind on review to the smallest of spikes. West Indies lead by 35. Do they believe?

da bet7： Newcastle United supporters could hardly believe their eyes come the full-time whistle at Wembley on Sunday as the club’s long domestic silverware drought of 70 years was finally put to bed.

da bet7k： The Magpies pulled off a shock 2-1 win on the biggest stage over Arne Slot’s soon-to-be Premier League champions in Liverpool to lift the EFL Cup, with Eddie Howe’s camp now immortalised forevermore at St James’ Park as the group that put Tyneside firmly on the footballing map.

Not even all-time greats such as Alan Shearer could pull off a moment such as this when he was playing, with the notorious sharpshooter tasting silverware at Blackburn Rovers in the form of a top-flight title success, but amazingly went trophyless at the Toon.

Shearer's legendary status at Newcastle

No one can say Shearer didn’t enjoy great times donning his beloved black and white stripes.

Indeed, the now-retired striker went on to win three Premier League golden boots leading the line for his hometown club among other personal accolades.

The much-loved number nine’s long-standing association with the Toon would also see him become the division’s all-time top-scorer, with a jaw-dropping 260 strikes coming his way from 441 total league appearances, meaning a trophy here and there falling to the wayside is a pill that can be swallowed.

Shearer’s Premier League career @ Newcastle

Season

Games

Goals

1996/97

31

23

1997/98

17

2

1998/99

30

14

1999/00

37

23

2000/01

19

5

2001/02

37

23

2002/03

35

17

2003/04

37

22

2004/05

28

7

2005/06

32

10

Stats via Transfermarkt.

Shearer did get to two FA Cup finals as a Magpie, but both times Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United would outsmart Newcastle, leaving the 63-time England international empty-handed in that regard.

That’s where the Newcastle stars of today can one up the lethal marksman, with this equally deadly attacker now heading down the path of forging a better legacy for himself at St James’ Park than the goalscoring titan.

Newcastle star could leave with a bigger legacy than Shearer

Every single member of the starting XI against Liverpool will be remembered for some time now, with Dan Burn’s bullet header against the Reds reaffirming his status as a fan’s favourite.

Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore

Meanwhile, Bruno Guimaraes’ visible emotions at the end cemented his own tag as a memorable captain figure.

That’s before we’ve even mentioned the Swedish goal machine that is Alexander Isak, with the ex-Real Sociedad centre-forward sealing the historic victory in the English capital when smashing this early second-half effort past a startled Caoimhin Kelleher.

This crucial strike would give the Newcastle masses more breathing room to dream inside Wembley, with a two-goal cushion proving to be worthwhile come the end of the frantic contest, especially when Federico Chiesa got Slot’s men back into the game right at the death.

Ultimately, however, Isak’s 23rd goal of the season would gift Howe’s men their long awaited silverware, with the 6 foot 4 striker now up to a mightily impressive 58 strikes in total for the Magpies from 100 clashes.

Isak’s G/A record at Newcastle by season

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

24/25

33

23

5

23/24

40

25

2

22/23

27

10

2

Sourced by Transfermarkt

That’s some distance from ever eclipsing Shearer’s ridiculous goal haul, but it must be said that Isak has now bettered the distinguished Premier League Hall of Fame member when it comes to firing home strike after strike that then results in a jubliant trophy success.

Isak could well tarnish his ever-rising popularity at St James’ Park if he was to uproot this coming summer though, with the likes of Arsenal and now reportedly Slot’s men sniffing around, but his legacy if he does depart has been undoubtedly boosted by the heroics he provided on Sunday evening.

Alternatively, Isak could sense this is just the beginning for Newcastle in terms of picking up illustrious honours, as the “world-class” attacker – as he was once labelled by Shearer himself – aims to keep firing in the goals to round off the Toon’s successful 2024/25 season with a potential top four finish.

If he stayed and fired the Toon to even greater success, he could well better that man Shearer’s legacy at St James’ Park. Wouldn’t that be a story?

Related Not just Burn: 10/10 Newcastle ace had his "greatest game in black & white"

Newcastle United sealed a historic Carabao Cup victory.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Mar 16, 2025

da aposte e ganhe： With the rumours coming thick and fast over Marc Guehi’s Selhurst Park future, Crystal Palace have reportedly turned their attention towards a Champions League level defender who could replace their star man.

Crystal Palace transfer news

da leao： Whilst they may be back to their best under Oliver Glasner, that price could yet come at a cost when the summer transfer window arrives and their star men become the subject of serious interest.

The likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Guehi have already found their names in the headlines amid reported interest from the Premier League’s best clubs and that interest only looks likely to increase in the coming months.

Having rediscovered his golden touch in front of goal, Mateta has reportedly emerged as a potential target for Manchester United this summer as they look to end their striker woes once and for all. Whether the Frenchman swaps Selhurst Park for Old Trafford remains to be seen, however, especially given the bottom half place the Red Devils currently find themselves in.

Related Crystal Palace eyeing summer move to sign £13m ace who could replace Hughes

Hughes is yet to sign a new deal…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Mar 7, 2025

What’s more, Guehi’s form also hasn’t gone unnoticed. After Newcastle United were priced out of a move last summer, it’s Chelsea who are reportedly interested this time around and they’re unlikely to face the same money problem.

The Blues’ interest is certainly a concern for those in South London, who are seemingly planning for the worst. According to The Boot Room, Crystal Palace are now plotting a summer move to sign Cameron Carter-Vickers from Celtic.

The 27-year-old has attracted the attention of the Eagles alongside Aston Villa and Everton following another excellent campaign in Scotland almost three years on from leaving Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent basis.

A player who very nearly helped Celtic into the last 16 of the Champions League with a heroic performance only undone by a late Bayern Munich goal, Carter-Vickers should be high up on Palace’s list of candidates to replace Guehi this summer.

"Aggressive" Carter-Vickers can replace Guehi

Replacing Guehi, whether it’s this summer or in years to come, will be no easy task for Crystal Palace. In Carter-Vickers, however, they could welcome an ideal candidate to do exactly that. The defender is at the peak of his powers at 27 years old and ready to step back into England’s top flight to finally make his mark.

Earning praise from Brendan Rodgers for how he bounced back from an own goal against Club Brugge earlier this season, Carter-Vickers could now get the chance to bounce back from Spurs failure all those years ago courtesy of Crystal Palace.

The Celtic boss told reporters: “he’s a really, really tough character. He’s a great guy, he picked himself up. He was really strong and aggressive again in the game and got on with it and had a real bravery in the second half, because he was the one carrying the ball forward for us to start the attack.”

With the summer approaching, the American could be one to watch if Premier League and Crystal Palace, in particular, come calling in pursuit of replacing Guehi, who could commence a transfer merry-go-round in the coming months.

Barcelona fans have ripped Ronald Araujo to shreds, holding him accountable for the the final two goals Inter scored in their Champions League defeat.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Araujo trolled and called the 'Nunez of centre-backs'
• Barca fans vent their anger at Uruguayan's display
• Erratic defending cost Catalans a place in UCL final

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barca fans unleashed their wrath on centre-back Araujo, blaming him for the costly errors at the back which allowed Inter to equalise and eventually find the winner in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final at San Siro on Tuesday.

Advertisement

• WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  User @BCNOgi wrote on X: "Araujo is hilarious man. Can't even hate anymore. He just is what he is. [Darwin] Nunez of CBs."

  Barca fan @Bri_an2 tweeted: "I hope you guys start appreciating [Andreas] Christensen now. If [Hansi] Flick subbed him on instead of Araujo we would be celebrating right now."

  Another user, @agizzlefizzle12, wrote: "Players like Araujo make you hate the sport. The anger boiling inside of me right now isn’t good for my health man."

  Real Madrid supporter @RkFutbol was clearly overjoyed at Barca's elimination, writing on X: "Real Madrid should give a guard of honor to Araujo only next Sunday for all his contributions to Real Madrid fans."

  Barca fan @Ali400B was proud of every player, except Araujo, adding: "It’s not even about the loss, it’s about how we lost. Every player out there can hold their head high except Araujo. I’ll never forgive him. Lamine [Yamal], Raphinha, Pedri, [Gerard] Martin, Eric [Garcia], they all showed up. The traitor at the back just cost us everything."

  Man Utd supporter @UtdEIIis quoted: "Araujo costing Barca in back to back UCLs is nasty work man."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Araujo was brought on by head coach Hansi Flick in the 76th minute in place of Inigo Martinez, who carried the risk of a second yellow card having been booked early on. Upon Araujo's arrival, the match was delicately poised at 2-2 on the night and 5-5 on aggregate, before Raphinha scored in the 87th minute to seemingly put the tie to bed.

  However, it was not to be. Inter did not give up, scoring an equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time, as Francesco Acerbi crashed the box and held his own against the physicality of Araujo to slam Denzel Dumfries' low cross past a helpless Wojciech Szczesny. Araujo and Barca's night would go from bad to worse in the 99th minute, as substitute Davide Frattesi was afforded far too much space to slot the winner.

• WHAT RONALD ARAUJO SAID

  Speaking to (h/t Barca Blaugranes) after the game, Araujo took responsibility for Inter's third and fourth goals, admitting that he should have done better.

  “On the fourth goal, I was in front and it was the striker’s luck to place it perfectly in the corner,” he explained.
  “As for the third goal, I’m obviously very good at one-on-ones and I should have been better.

  “But in the end, it’s football, if you cover well, you can also keep those balls at bay. But hey, it’s football, you have to keep your head up and keep moving forward.”

Beau Webster’s brilliant all-round display of 83 and 2 for 17 not enough for Tasmania in a low-scoring affair

AAP and ESPNCricinfo25-Sep-2023An aggressive Peter Handscomb half-century has helped Victoria grind to a three-wicket win against Tasmania in the first round of the Marsh Cup.Chasing 225, Handscomb top-scored with 51 from 42 balls as Victoria reached 229 for 7 with 31 balls to spare despite an outstanding all-round display Tasmania’s Beau Webster, who made 83 and took 2 for 17 to give the visitors a chance.Tasmania’s top-order batters got bogged down against a disciplined Victorian attack on a tacky early season surface – all out on the last ball of their 50 overs for 224 – at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.Handscomb, along with opener Tom Rogers, deliberately avoided the same trap in their run chase. Rogers struck five fours and a six in making 45 from 49 balls and laid a solid platform. Although he fell in the 19th over, Victoria were well-placed at 110 for 3.Handscomb’s knock featured seven fours and a six before emerging 20-year-old left-hander Campbell Kellaway played a composed hand making 46 from 71. Will Sutherland sealed victory with an unbeaten cameo of 29 runs from 20 balls, including a six to finish the match.Tasmania’s Billy Stanlake and Webster were the only multiple wicket-takers, although Riley Meredith bowled a lightning spell downwind to finish with 1 for 29 from 10 overs.Earlier, the Tigers’ top-order batters struggled against some miserly seam bowling from Scott Boland and Fergus O’Neill. Boland took 2 for 30 from his 10 overs while O’Neill took 1 for 36 including a maiden.Opener Caleb Jewell was out in the fifth over, as Boland, from around the wicket, enticed an outside edge to Sutherland who completed a sharp ankle-high catch at second slip.Two balls later, in a fresh Boland over, the paceman trapped Mac Wright lbw for a duck and Jordan Silk soon followed. Jake Weatherald, opening for the Tigers for the first time since leaving South Australia, made 28 from 61 deliveries but fell to Sam Elliott.Weatherald’s dismissal left Tasmania wobbling at 72 for four in the 23rd over. Webster answered the crisis call, hitting nine fours and a six in an impressive counter-punch despite Test offspinner Todd Murphy conceding only 32 runs from his 10 wicketless overs.Webster was supported by Matthew Wade and Mitchell Owen as he lifted the Tigers to 224, helped by a late flurry from Sam Rainbird. But they were 30 to 40 runs short in the end.

Ryan Mason has already won himself one standout signing since entering the pressurised West Bromwich Albion hot-seat.

Indeed, the Baggies forked out £3m on the services of Nathaniel Phillips to strengthen at the back, with Phillips just fresh off a relegation-saving season at Derby County in the Championship on loan from Liverpool. Now, he’s West Brom’s first major foray into the market.

Transfers at the Hawthorns are unlikely to halt there, though, as West Brom aim to bolster all over the pitch in the wake of Baggies stalwarts Grady Diangana, John Swift, and Semi Ajayi all leaving for nothing.

West Brom interested in another centre-back

A big chunk of West Brom’s long-standing servants are now nowhere to be seen in the West Midlands, as Mason prepares to leave his mark on proceedings.

It’s been heavily commented on, but the 33-year-old does have his past Tottenham Hotspur connections he can fall back on when targeting some sensational summer acquisitions, with both Mikey Moore and Will Lankshear reportedly in their sights when assessing the cream of Spurs’ young crop.

Away from treading down this familiar North London path, however, West Brom could be about to win a much-talked-about 22-year-old prospect from the EFL.

West Brom-based X account DOOD has speculated that Mason and Co. are interested in the possibility of acquiring Stockport County powerhouse Ethan Pye this summer, although nothing is in motion as of yet.

It’s clear when looking at his sublime 2024/25 season – which ended with him winning every personal Hatters accolade possible – why West Brom are hunting him down as a possible partner for Phillips in the heart of defence.

After all, many of West Brom’s star performers once plied their trade in the lower depths of the EFL, as the promotion hopefuls now hope that Pye can be another to burst into life up a division, much like Tom Fellows managed after an early lower league education.

How Pye can be Fellows 2.0

Looking at the final West Brom lineup fielded at the close of the 24/25 campaign is enough to validate how many of the Baggies’ seasoned first-teamers have the third tier to thank for an initial boost in confidence, with Darnell Furlong once loaned out to Swindon Town in League One, before his big Hawthorns break.

Two goals and five assists would come the experienced right-back’s way during his formative County Ground switch, which is amazingly five more goal contributions than Fellows would register on the books of Crawley Town prior to his moment in the spotlight.

The rest is history now for the Solihull-born ace, however, with the homegrown product one of the first names on the Baggies’ teamsheet last season when collecting a blistering 14 assists in Championship action.

Pye will hope he can be as much of a standout figure for the second tier side down the line if a move is finalised, considering the Manchester-born defender has also had to endure many a lower league loan, before developing into one of Dave Challinor’s integral pieces of the jigsaw last season at Edgeley Park.

Games played

35

Goals scored

1

Assists

1

Touches*

73.7

Accurate passes*

44.4 (79%)

Ball recoveries*

4.5

Total duels won*

7.3

Clean sheets

11

Only two years prior to his breakout 24/25 offering Pye was plying his trade in the National League with Gateshead. Now, much like Fellows back at the Hawthorns, the Hatters’ success largely depended on the 22-year-old last season, with a mighty 7.3 duels won per game by Pye as Stockport dared to dream about promotion up to the Championship.

Hailed as “outstanding” by West Brom-based journalist Chris Hall, this could be a buy that sees West Brom repeat their unbelievable Fellows magic, with Pye more than ready to make a splash up a level.

It does appear to be only faint murmurs at this point, but West Brom will surely want to make more moves soon as the new season edges closer, with Pye perhaps the next figure to join the intriguing Mason project.

West Brom can secure perfect Swift replacement by signing "incredible" star

West Bromwich Albion could instantly respond to John Swift leaving the Hawthorns by snapping up this EFL ace.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 2, 2025

There is also an extended IPL window from March to May in the ICC’s new men’s FTP for 2023-27

Sidharth Monga17-Aug-2022India, runners-up in the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) that ended in 2021, have a relatively tough draw in the third and fourth WTC cycles, according to the ICC’s new Future Tours Programme for men that runs from 2023 to 2027.In the third WTC cycle, India play away series in South Africa, Australia and the West Indies; and in the 2025-2027 cycle, they will tour New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka as part of the WTC. With most teams being strong at home, away Tests become crucial for WTC points. Two out of three of India’s away opponents in the next two cycles have traditionally been strong at home, although India have won their previous two series in Australia.India’s home opponents in the 2023-25 cycle are Bangladesh, England and New Zealand; and in the 2025-2027 WTC cycle it is Australia, South Africa and West Indies.Related

FTP takeaways: Bangladesh the busiest, fewer ODIs for India, and T20 windows aplenty

IPL window extended; space for Hundred and BBL as well

Full members to play more international cricket in ICC's new FTP cycle

PSL set to go head-to-head with IPL in 2025

India are set to play a total of 141 bilateral international matches in the 2023-27 FTP, behind only Bangladesh (150), West Indies (147) and England (142). India will play 61 bilateral T20Is – the second most after West Indies; 42 bilateral ODIs – the second fewest ahead of South Africa; and 38 Tests – the third most after England and Australia.Having last played a five-Test series against Australia in 1991-92, India will go back to playing five Tests against them, making the Border-Gavaskar Trophy one of three marquee Test series along with The Ashes and India-England contests. India will tour Australia and England once each for five-Test series, and host them as well. The limited-overs matches between these teams – whether home or away – will be played during separate tours.The first five-Test Border-Gavaskar series will take place during the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle, when India tour Australia in the summer of 2024-25. Australia then tour India during the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle for five Tests in January-February 2027. India’s five-Test series against England are at home in early 2024 and away in 2025. There are no bilateral series between India and Pakistan scheduled in the FTP.India will also play eight five-match T20I series in the new FTP, which puts them among the busiest T20 international teams in the world. They also have an extended IPL window, during which very little international cricket has been scheduled, in April and May every year between 2023 and 2027.India’s emphasis on T20Is comes at the cost of bilateral ODIs. India will not be playing any bilateral ODI series longer than three matches in the 2023-27 FTP cycle.