As Andre Onana continues to struggle at Old Trafford, Manchester United have reportedly turned towards a new La Liga target who could replace their error-prone shot-stopper.
Man Utd transfer news
Following a debut season to forget, Onana initially got off to a solid start in the current campaign before mistakes once again began to creep into his game as Ruben Amorim arrived. With a new system in front of him, the former Inter Milan star received less protection than ever and even the thought of a clean sheet seems nothing more than a fantasy.
Mistakes in both the Europa League and against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League haven’t helped Onana’s case, however, and he’s arguably on the list of players Manchester United must replace at the first chance they get this summer.
Amid such financial loss in the last year or so, however, it’s likely that INEOS will have to sell before they can welcome any upgrades, which could include a replacement for Onana.
According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are now considering an offer to sign Juan Musso from Atletico Madrid this summer. The shot-stopper has been forced to play second fiddle behind the impressive and experienced Jan Oblak this season, but could now find himself competing for a starting place at Old Trafford.
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Already 30 years old, United would be signing experience rather than a rising star which would likely split opinion. Given the current state of Amorim’s side, adding an ageing option may not solve United’s problems for very long. Instead, Musso would be papering over the cracks rather than setting the Red Devils back on course.
Man Utd should avoid Musso gamble
If the Red Devils want to take their seat back at Europe’s top table, then signing Atletico Madrid’s second-choice goalkeeper is not the way they should be going about it. Whilst the £53,000-a-week shot-stopper does have experience, it’s questionable whether he would be an instant upgrade on Onana and the last thing United need is further doubt between the sticks.
Juan Musso for Atletico Madrid.
Instead, INEOS would be better off sticking to their transfer strategy of welcoming rising stars rather than those gradually moving past the peak of their powers. There’s little doubt that they could do with an upgrade on Onana, but it must be the right option.
On course for a mid-table finish in the Premier League, INEOS are in for their biggest window yet in charge of Manchester United. Losing money and making harsh cuts as a result to steal headlines for all the wrong reasons, Sir Jim Ratcliffe simply cannot afford to get things wrong once again.
Whether that means Onana will remain Amorim’s goalkeeper of choice will certainly be interesting to see, as the former Sporting Club boss desperately seeks upgrades across his squad. The Red Devils are likely to be the club to watch when the summer arrives.
West Ham United have held recent talks with an “underrated” forward’s camp as Graham Potter’s side ponder signing him on a free transfer this summer, but the Hammers face stiff competition for his services.
West Ham already making summer transfer plans
In the January window, West Ham backed Potter with the loan signing of Evan Ferguson from Brighton, who came in to bolster their striking options after both Michail Antonio and Niclas Füllkrug were diagnosed with long-term injuries.
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Antonio’s horrific car crash means the Jamaica international is ruled out for the remainder of this Premier League campaign and beyond, while Fullkrug is expected to be out until around April with a hamstring injury (The Times).
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen has played in a makeshift centre-forward role under both Potter and Julen Lopetegui this term, most recently in a 2-1 defeat away to Chelsea, but Ferguson’s arrival provides the east Londoners with a much-needed extra option up front.
West Ham’s next five Premier League fixtures
Date
Brentford (home)
February 15th
Arsenal (away)
February 22nd
Leicester City (home)
February 27th
Newcastle United (home)
March 10th
Everton (away)
March 15th
The Republic of Ireland international could make his West Ham debut against Brentford on Saturday, but it is unclear whether he’ll start or come off the bench, as Potter could also seek to ease him in gently and start Bowen as a striker once again against Thomas Frank’s side.
It is worth pointing out that West Ham do not have an option to buy Ferguson at the end of his loan deal, meaning the club are making contingency plans for whether they cannot or do not strike a permanent move.
Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson has been linked with a summer move to West Ham this week, and Man United forward Rasmus Hojlund is also believed to be on Potter’s list of transfer targets as alternatives to Ferguson.
West Ham are also in pursuit of wide forwards, not to mention younger players with high potential who can bring the average age of their squad down.
West Ham hold talks with Antonio Cordero's camp ahead of free transfer
According to The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, Malaga winger Antonio Cordero is subject to real interest from West Ham.
The Spain Under-19 international is out of contract in July, meaning Potter and co are able to snap him up on a free deal. West Ham have apparently held talks with Cordero’s camp recently, but face a lot of competition from other interested sides, both abroad and in the Premier League.
Newcastle United are believed to be favourites for his signature right now, and the Magpies are convinced that they’ll end up winning the race for his signature, but there could still be time for West Ham to spoil the party.
The exciting 18-year-old boasts four goals and six assists from 25 appearances in all competitions so far this campaign, standing out as a shining light in an otherwise under-performing Malaga team, with scouts from elite clubs taking notice of his impressive performances.
TEAMtalk analyst and freelance scout Ben Mattinson has called Cordero an “underrated” attacker who’s comfortable playing on both wings, with the teenager also possessing a tendency to shoot at goal often.
International Olympic Committee’s final decision on whether cricket would be included in the Games is expected around October
Nagraj Gollapudi21-Jan-20230:34
Healy feels Olympic participation will make cricket a ‘global sport’
The ICC has recommended six-team T20 events for both men and women to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games organising committee (LA28), as it continues its push for cricket to be included in the biggest global sports events.Though there were reports that cricket had failed to make it to the 2028 LA Olympics, ESPNcricinfo understands that no decision has been taken yet and a final call will be taken by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) around October this year after the LA28 organisers finalise the list of new sports by March. These will then be ratified, at the IOC’s session in Mumbai, expected to take place around October this year.If the proposal is accepted, it is likely that the six participating teams would be the top six in the ICC’s men’s and women’s T20 rankings on a cut-off date.The ICC has not yet finalised a tournament structure – it is still discussing options for this with the LA28 organisers.T20 was the format proposed since both LA28 and the IOC had told the ICC that the format should be one in which there is a world championship conducted (that would rule out T10, for example), has a compact duration (ruling out ODIs) and significant spectator interest.Why only six teams for the Olympics?The key reason behind the ICC recommending six-team events is the IOC’s drive to become more cost efficient, which it has laid out as part of its strategic plan titled “Olympic Agenda 2020+5”. The best way to cut down on costs, the IOC has determined, is avoiding bloated squad sizes across disciplines as well as the overall contingents. As a consequence, the total athletes’ quota at the 2024 Paris Games will be 10,500, down from 11,300 at the previous Olympics, held in 2021 in Tokyo.As part of cost-saving “opportunities” under the 2020+5 strategic plan, which caters to several marquee events including LA28, the IOC has highlighted “evolving the event-based programme with a key focus on simplifying the venue master plan, and reducing cost and complexity in each sport”.Cricket has not been part of the Olympics since 1900•Getty Images
LA28 also told the ICC that the quality of the proposed event must not be compromised, and it would need to be contested by the very best. This, too, contributed towards the idea to limit the proposed event to the top-six teams for both men and women.IOC favours single venue for cricketCricket has its own range of complexities in terms of streamlining costs, with squads travelling with teams of support staff, and requiring a certain number of pitches for games along with training pitches for teams to prepare on. It is understood that during the discussions, the guidance the ICC received from LA28 was that both the men’s and women’s events would need to be restricted to a single venue.The ICC had already seen the advantage of such cost-saving measures at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last July-August, where women’s T20 cricket was one of the 19 disciplines. Originally, the ICC had recommended two venues for it, but the organisers limited it to one venue – Edgbaston – with 16 matches conducted across ten days with multiple double-headers.Cricket is competing with eight sports – baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, break dancing, karate, kickboxing, squash and motorsport – to make the 2028 Olympics. The IOC will review the proposals for all of them before finalising how many could be added to the list of 28 already finalised in February 2022.The ICC has been in constant dialogue with both LA28 as well as the IOC. An ICC delegation had even travelled to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. In December, ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice met with LA28 officials in Los Angeles.Jay Shah added to ICC’s Olympics working groupBCCI secretary Jay Shah has been added to the ICC’s Olympics working group, which is headed by Greg Barclay (ICC chairman) and also includes Indra Nooyi (independent director), and Paraag Marathe (former USA Cricket president).The addition of Shah, who is the BCCI representative on the ICC board as well as chair of the finance and commercial affairs committee, is a strategic move. The IOC has earmarked India as a key market, keeping in mind the country’s ambition to host the Olympics in the near future. And the ICC believes Shah’s involvement could lend an important and potentially influential push in its negotiations with the IOC for cricket to be included at sport’s biggest global event.It is learned that the working group has updated ICC members with a summary of the discussions it has had with LA28.
Jesse Lingard appears to have taken inspiration from Lamine Yamal in his new look, with the ex-Manchester United star joining the blonde hair craze.
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Barca starlet embracing bold style
Not the first to sport peroxide look
Lingard enjoying life in South Korea
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Barcelona wonderkid Yamal opted to get the dye out as he showcased a bold style for the closing stages of 2024-25. His bleached do was sported while helping to get Barca over the line in a La Liga title-winning campaign.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, who often opts for highlights in his hair, is another to have gone full peroxide over recent weeks. He was unable to prevent the Red Devils from suffering a Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
THE GOSSIP
Lingard would, given his strong ties to Old Trafford, have been an interested observer of that contest in Bilbao. The former England international is currently a long way from home as he represents South Korean outfit FC Seoul.
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WHAT NEXT?
The 32-year-old playmaker has a new look of his own after being given the blonde hair treatment during a photo and interview shoot for fashion magazine Men Noblesse. Lingard was initially surprised to learn of the transformation planned for him, but was soon fully on board.
It is fair to say that this season has not gone to plan for Wolverhampton Wanderers as they continue to fight against relegation from the Premier League.
The Old Gold started the campaign with Gary O’Neil in charge and dismissed him from his duties in December, bringing in Vitor Pereira as his replacement.
Wolves are currently five points clear of Ipswich in 18th place, with 11 matches to play, and were dealt a blow at the weekend when Matheus Cunha was sent off for violent conduct on Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.
Wage Burners
The Brazilian is set to miss three Premier League games due to his suspension, and potentially more pending the FA’s investigation that must be concluded by the close of play on Wednesday, which comes as a big blow given his form this season.
Matheus Cunha's form this season
The former Atletico Madrid attacker has been a shining light in a dark season for Wolves with his fantastic performances at the top end of the pitch.
Cunha, who racked up 14 goals and eight assists in all competitions for the club last season, has already scored 15 goals for the Old Gold in the 2024/25 campaign.
The Brazil international, reportedly on £79k-per-week, has scored 13 goals from 6.72 xG and racked up four assists from 12 ‘big chances’ created in the Premier League this term.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' MatheusCunhareacts
In his absence, Pereira will need other forwards to step up and Goncalo Guedes is one star who needs to do just that, as his form this season suggests that the manager must finally ditch him from the club in the summer window.
Why Wolves should sell Goncalo Guedes
The Portugal international, who was signed from Valencia for a reported fee of £27.5m in 2022, has not done enough on the pitch this season to justify his reported wages at the Molineux.
Goncalo Guedes for Wolves
Contracted till 2027, Guedes is reportedly on £91k-per-week – over £10k more per week than Cunha – but he has not secured a regular place in the starting XI, despite being the second-highest earner behind Pablo Sarabia (£110k-per-week).
The 28-year-old flop, who was described as “lightning quick” by talkSPORT’s European expert Andy Brassell, has only started seven of his 22 appearances in the Premier League this season and has been fortunate to record four assists, from two ‘big chances’ created and just 0.61 xA.
24/25 Premier League (Wolves)
22
2
4
23/24 Liga Portugal (Benfica – loan)
9
0
0
23/24 LaLiga (Valencia – loan)
17
3
2
22/23 Liga Portugal (Benfica – loan)
12
1
1
22/23 Premier League (Wolves)
13
1
1
As you can see in the table above, Guedes has consistently failed to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis, at Wolves or out on loan, since his move to England in 2022.
Therefore, given his reportedly huge wages – particularly in comparison to the far more productive Cunha – and lack of end product in the Premier League, Pereira must finally sell the winger in the summer transfer window, if there is any tangible interest in his services.
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That is, unless Guedes can take advantage of Cunha’s latest suspension to emerge as a key man for Wolves between now and the end of the campaign to prove that he still has a future at the club. The evidence of his career at the club to date, however, suggests that is an unlikely outcome.
Newcastle United could be set to enjoy their finest campaign under the leadership of Eddie Howe.
At the time of writing, the Magpies currently occupy sixth place in the Premier League table, although they are just three points off Manchester City in fourth.
With England likely receiving an extra Champions League spot this season, finishing in fifth position could see Newcastle qualify for the league phase of Europe’s premier club competition.
The club also has a chance to secure its first major trophy since 1969 when they face Liverpool in the EFL Cup final this month. Howe will be hoping that Alexander Isak returns from injury to feature, having missed the midweek loss to the Anfield side in the Premier League due to a groin injury.
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1
By
Ross Kilvington
Feb 10, 2025
The manager doesn’t have the best strength in depth, especially having failed to sign anyone during the winter transfer window.
However, there are several young players who have either been starring for the club or have the potential to in the future.
Newcastle have plenty of talented youngsters in their squad
With Isak injured, Callum Wilson came into the starting XI against the Reds in midweek, but offered little to no threat in the final third. Indeed, he managed just 17 touches and 8 passes before being subbed off.
William Osula replaced him with 20 minutes to go and showed more during his cameo than Wilson did in 70 minutes. There is no doubting his talent – he grabbed two assists and made three key passes during the club’s FA Cup clash against Birmingham City in February.
Lewis Hall is another youngster who has gone from strength to strength under Howe since joining the Magpies in the summer of 2023 from Chelsea.
He made 22 appearances during his maiden campaign in the north-east, but he has already surpassed that total this term, featuring 34 times in all competitions for the Toon.
Hall ranks in the top 15% for carries into the opposition penalty area per 90 (0.53) when compared to his positional peers in the Premier League, while he also ranks in the top 20% for successful take-on percentage per 90 (52.4%), demonstrating his attacking talents down the left flank.
Lewis Hall in action vs Man City's Savinho
These two have extraordinarily bright futures ahead of them and could both play a key part in Newcastle’s success over the next few years.
However, there is one player who has emerged from the academy that could outshine the pair, especially considering his impact aged only 18.
Lewis Miley looks like one of the best talents Newcastle have produced in recent years, and if he remains and develops at the club over the next couple of seasons, the Englishman could turn into a star.
Lewis Miley's Newcastle statistics
Miley shone for the U18 side during the 2021/22 season, scoring twice and registering two assists across 24 matches. These types of performances certainly grabbed the attention of Howe, who gave him his debut the following campaign.
On his 17th birthday in May 2023, Miley signed his first professional contract with the club and was lauded by academy director Steve Harper, who said:
“Everyone at the Academy is delighted to see Lewis sign his first professional contract at the club. He’s been with us from a very early age and credit goes to everyone who has played a part to date.
“The admirable support from his family has been very important too but, ultimately, it is Lewis who deserves the most credit. His hard work, attitude to learning, and training as well as his technical ability has got him to this point.
“The contract is a fitting reward for his progress.”
His breakthrough came last term, where he made 26 appearances for the club, including three in the Champions League, slotting into the heart of the midfield with ease, even registering an assist against Milan during their final group stage match in the competition.
The 18-year-old had to wait until 21st December to make his Premier League bow this season due to suffering a metatarsal fracture and his subsequent recovery.
Lewis Miley’s stats for Newcastle last season
Metric
Champions League
Premier League
Assists
1
3
Key passes per game
1
0.7
Big chances created
0
3
Total duels won per game
1.7
3.4
Shots per game
0
0.8
Via Sofascore
Despite playing just eight times in the top flight this season, Miley has already notched a goal, while the midfielder has also succeeded with 89% of his passes, recovered 1.3 balls per game and won an impressive 60% of his total duels since returning to the team.
He certainly looks like a new signing for Howe, and the more he plays between now and May, the better chance Newcastle have of finishing in the top five and securing a return to the promised land of the Champions League.
Lewis Miley for Newcastle United against Paris Saint-Germain.
The future is bright for Miley. The only downside is that the better he plays, clubs may begin to show some interest in the teenager. But given his market value, Howe could make a significant profit on the youngster should he decide to cash in.
Lewis Miley's market valuation at Newcastle
When Miley made his debut for the Magpies in May 2023 during a 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the Premier League, he was valued at just €2.5m (£2m) by Transfermarkt, which wasn’t a bad valuation considering his age and status in the squad.
Fast-forward nearly two years later, and the Englishman is now valued at €22m (£18m). This is a rise of 780% in less than two years, which is a staggering growth.
Should he continue to shine over the next few months, this market valuation will grow exponentially, especially if the midfielder can return to the starting XI on a regular basis under Howe.
Whatever happens, the manager has struck gold on the teenager, who made his debut aged just 17 before playing in the Champions League a few months later.
He won’t be looking to sell Miley, but if a massive bid comes in this summer, it might be difficult to turn down
"World class" £25m Brazil star almost certain to move with Newcastle keen
شهدت احتفالية تتويج مولودية الجزائر بلقب دوري المحترفين للمرة الثانية على التوالي والتاسعة في تاريخه، أحداثًا مؤسفة عقب إصابة عدد من المشجعين بجروح متفاوتة.
وجاء ذلك عقب سقوط المشجعين من المدرجات العلوية لملعب 5 يوليو في الجزائر العاصمة، والذي شهد حضور أكثر من 60 ألف متفرج، بحسب صحيفة الشرق الأوسط.
طالع| خاص | الزمالك يتحرك لتعويض زيزو.. والبديل جزائري
وقررت رابطة دوري المحترفين إلغاء حفل تسليم درع الدوري لمولودية الجزائر إلى إشعار آخر.
وتوج مولودية الجزائر باللقب للمرة الثانية على التوالي والتاسعة في تاريخه، إثر تعادله سلبيًا أمام ضيفه نجم شباب مقرة الذي هبط لدوري الهواة، في المباراة التي جمعتهما السبت، ضمن الجولة الـ30 والأخيرة من مسابقة الدوري.
وبحسب مراسل الإذاعة الجزائرية، سقط مشجعون من المدرجات العلوية نحو مدرج الصحافة من علو 6 أمتار على الأقل، في ملعب 5 يوليو، الأكبر في الجزائر.
وأوضح: “لم يكن من الممكن إقامة مراسم الاحتفال في ظل الأجواء الحزينة التي سيطرت على الجميع، بمن فيهم اللاعبون الذين كانوا يسألون عن أحوال المصابين”.
وأسرعت سيارات الإسعاف لنقل عدد من المصابين إلى المستشفى، فيما جرى إسعاف آخرين داخل الملعب بعدما تعرضوا لحالات إغماء.
GOAL spoke with Conrad at media day ahead of the veteran's upcoming games at TST 2025 in North Carolina
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Conrad acknowledges disappointment on Pulisic's decision
Understands the need for rest, but not during a tournament
Says young players can make a mark at the Gold Cup
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WHAT HAPPENED?
CARY, N.C. – Christian Pulisic's request to have the summer off from U.S. men's national team duty has drawn criticism since the announcement. The USMNT's superstar attacker, following a disastrous team showing at the Nations League in March, will not be participating in the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer – the last tournament the team will have ahead of the FIFA World Cup – and it's brought forth a plethora of opinions since.
Former U.S. international and member of the 2006 World Cup squad, Jimmy Conrad, was the latest to deliver his verdict.
"I would be lying if I didn't say I wasn't disappointed," Conrad told GOAL at media day for The Soccer Tournament 2025.
Conrad, however, said he can relate to Pulisic's perspective. The former defender, who had 27 caps for the Americans, pointed to the fact that he, too, asked for a break from the national team during a January camp call-up.
"I know what it's like to have the courage to have to really think about ‘I just need a rest,’ and so, imagine if we didn't give him that," Conrad explained. "You have to meet your players where they are, right? It's like the No. 1 thing of leadership… is there going to be some fallout? Yes, but it's up to the coach and the other members of the team to protect that space a little bit. So, yeah, competitively, I’m bummed he’s not there.
"It's a big opportunity to be a part of the group for a month – we're not going to have that leading up to the World Cup. However, for him to ask that means there's something bigger going on, and we need to respect that as well… Let's just focus on the players that are going to be there – and I'm excited to see if some players can take their chance."
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WHAT CONRAD SAID
Conrad broke out with the USMNT at the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup, one year before the 2006 World Cup, utilizing the regional tournament to make his case for the world's biggest sporting event.
His career is one that multiple U.S. players on the training camp roster for this month will be looking at to inspire them to push their way into the fold of selection ahead of next summer, and he's hoping they do so, too.
His message to players such as Patrick Agyemang, Paxten Aaronson, Diego Luna, Brian White, Damion Downs, and Jack McGlynn – among others – is to be the best teammate possible, while pushing to find the best version of themselves on the pitch, as well.
"What can I do to provide value? Like working hard to practice, pushing the guys, being a good leader, having presence…I mean, simple things, like, I'm just gonna pick up balls without being asked, not having any shred of entitlement," he explained. "Because when you get down to if you're gonna be like 18 through 23 or 23 to 26 on a World Cup roster, they have to know and trust that you're not going to cause them problems a week in because things aren't going your way."
Conrad said he would relish the opportunity to speak to the team about his World Cup experience.
"It's a really big opportunity, because now you can be around the coaching staff for five weeks to really, kind of put your fingerprints and stamp on 'This is how I'm going to be if you need me.' I'd love to sit down and talk with them, because I obviously nailed it, because I got into the World Cup roster in 2006. Yeah, not bad haha, young people. Didn't expect it, but it's because I had earned that trust from the coaching staff during that time."
(C)Getty Images
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Conrad is featuring at the 7v7 World Championships this week for the third-straight season, but this year, he's turned to the touchline to lead his squad, Kwik Goal FC. He will be joined by the likes of former MLS MVPs Sebastian Giovinco and Dwayne De Rosario, with action kicking off Wednesday.
The USMNT, meanwhile, begins their pre-Gold Cup training camp this week with Pochettino – though Pulisic isn't the only star missing. Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna are all playing in the Club World Cup, while Folarin Balogun was sent home on Sunday due to injury and Yunus Musah is not in camp for "personal reasons."
It's a new-look group for the U.S., and all eyes will be on Pochettino to see if he can maximize what he has available for the Gold Cup as the U.S. look to win their first title in the competition since 2021.
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The Soccer Tournament
WHAT NEXT?
Conrad and Kwik Goal FC take the pitch at TST this week as they look to march their way towards the $1 million prize for winning the men's division. The USMNT, meanwhile, plays Turkey on Saturday in an international friendly ahead of the Gold Cup.
Dhawan made 99 but his team couldn’t give him any support until the No. 11 came out and took an extremely minimal part in a fifty-run partnership
Deivarayan Muthu09-Apr-20233:34
Dhawan and the difficulty of being an anchor batter in T20s
Shikhar Dhawan watched nine wickets tumble around him, but he stood out amid the rubble, his unbeaten 99 taking Punjab Kings to a respectable 143 for 9. That total looked even more respectable when Sunrisers lost their openers Harry Brook and Mayank Agarwal early with the slower balls gripping the Hyderabad surface.But Rahul Tripathi rose above the conditions to score a sprightly half-century and give Sunrisers their first victory of the season. He contributed 63 in an unbroken 100-run stand off 52 balls with his captain Aiden Markram to help ice the chase and hand Kings their first defeat of the season.Bhuvneshwar, Jansen go bang, bang, bangOn Friday, Sunrisers’ seamers were neutralised on a black-soil turner. Two days later, Bhuvneshwar and co. were on the money from the get-go on a pace-friendly red-soil Hyderabad track. Bhuvneshwar struck first ball to trap Prabhsimran Singh lbw for a duck.Much like Bhuvneshwar, Jansen, picked ahead of legspinner Adil Rashid, exploited the early swing on offer. The left-arm seamer struck with his second legal ball to pin IPL debutant Matt Short lbw for 1. He won another lbw appeal from umpire Bruce Oxenford next ball, but Jitesh Sharma overturned the on-field decision on review. Jitesh managed four before Jansen had him chipping a drive to mid-off in his next over. T Natarajan also found swing in the powerplay as Sunrisers’ seam attack thrived at home.Dhawan or nothing for PBKSOnce the early movement disappeared for the seamers, Dhawan took some trips down the pitch and hit them over the top. However, at the other end, legspinner Mayank Markande, who was playing his first game for Sunrisers, tore through the middle and lower order with his stock ball and the wrong’un. The innings was going so badly pear shaped that Kings had to Impact Sub a batter for a batter, bringing Sikandar Raza in for the already dismissed Prabhsimran, but it didn’t really help matters. Together the two players contributed 5 runs off 7 ballsMarkande, meanwhile, came away with figures of 4 for 15 in his four overs. Dhawan quietly played him out, but laid into Natarajan and Umran Malik, taking 61 off 31 balls from them. He reached his fifty off 42 balls by launching Natarajan over midwicket for six and then went 6,4,6 against Malik in the 18th over. Dhawan was dropped three times along the way, but he carried on until the end of the innings. He contributed 52 in an unbroken 55-run partnership for a last wicket with debutant Mohit Rathee – an IPL record.Dhawan’s 69.2 was the second-highest percentage of runs scored in a completed IPL innings that went 20 overs or ended with a team all out. It was second only to Brendon McCullum in the first match of the IPL, where he shellacked 158 out of KKR’s total of 222 (71.2%).2:49
Moody: ‘Tripathi showed that he is of high value’
Tripathi, Markram see SRH homeSunrisers decided to shake up their batting line-up by pairing up Agarwal with Brook at the top. Brook seemed comfortable with pace on the ball, but when Arshdeep Singh cut it down to 117kph and bowled a knuckle ball, he was bowled through the gate for 13 off 14. Then, when Agarwal dared to sweep Rahul Chahar off the stumps, he spliced a catch to long-on, leaving Sunrisers at 45 for 2 in the ninth over.Tripathi and Markram then got together to settle the innings. When Chahar darted it quicker and flatter outside off, Tripathi used the pace to glide the ball behind point. When Chahar slowed his pace down and tossed up his legbreaks, Tripathi stretched out to either drive him inside out over extra cover or sweep him over midwicket. He treated Rathee with even more disdain, smashing him for two sixes and two fours in eight balls.Tripathi’s high intent and execution allowed Markram to sit back and tap the ball into the gaps. Fittingly, it was Tripathi who finished the game for Sunrisers with eight wickets and almost three overs to spare.
You cannot tell quite how pancake-flat a pitch is until you have seen both sides try to fill their boots on it. The truth of this apophthegm was made very plain during the final two sessions of this day’s cricket when Lancashire’s batters, having seen Somerset compile a respectable 441 in 122.4 overs, produced every article of footwear they could find and try to cram them with runs.The advance guard of this brutal assault was led by Luke Wells, whose 109-ball 82 was merely the latest example of this batting all-rounder’s renaissance at Emirates Old Trafford. But the onslaught was continued in the evening session by Keaton Jennings, who reached his first century of the season off 158 balls, having sprinted to his second fifty runs off 53.Close of play came early when Richard Illingworth and Russell Warren stopped the fight with ten overs still to be bowled. At that point Jennings and Josh Bohannon had added 148 runs in 22.5 overs of the evening session and the opener seemed well placed to follow his 318 against Somerset last July with another colossal score on Saturday.For once, these statistics and these alarming prospects matter. If Jennings and his colleagues continue to score at this rate, they will have a considerable lead by say, teatime on Saturday and might then be able to loose James Anderson on Somerset’s still rather frail top-order. And on today’s evidence, any comments about the bowler-unfriendly nature of this Taunton wicket should make a special exemption for a bowler of Anderson’s quality. As to Lancashire’s final total, well to borrow the helpful prediction of the association football pundit, it could be anything.But there was a purpose to this savagery and this curiously modern cricket beyond that of building a first-innings lead and possibly embarrassing Somerset on the final day. Five batting points will only be awarded this season if sides score 450 runs inside their 110 overs and teams will receive only five points for the draw, rather than the generous eight they were awarded last year. So given that most games played on wickets like this one at Taunton will be drawn, it becomes even more vital for batters to make the most of them.Wells was the first Lancashire batsman to fulfil this injunction on Friday and the chief sufferer was Jack Leach, for whom this was a bloody afternoon. Having quietly played out a maiden, the opener reverse swept the first three balls of Leach’s second over for two fours and a six. That was dismissive enough but when England’s premier spinner tightened his line he was merely driven straight and high and often. Nor did Wells’ dismissal end the torture; two of Bohannon’s first three scoring shots were sixes off Leach, whose figures at the day’s end were 17-1-103-0. One can only wish him a peaceful night’s rest.Then again, if the weather forecast had been accurate, we all might have enjoyed a little more repose today. But the rain that had been promised for two o’clock did not arrive until after the close and that gave Lancashire an opportunity they have seized with almost frightening relish. Nevertheless, the prospect of rain closing in from the east and the fact that first-class cricket was taking place nowhere else in the land at eleven o’clock made one determined to appreciate every good thing at Taunton this morning. We were presented with a varied box of delights, too, ranging from the expected discipline of Anderson, who completed a five-wicket return for the 54th time in his career to the unexpected mayhem of a 48-run partnership for the last wicket between the two Jacks, Brooks and Leach.Indeed, the second day began much as the first had, with Anderson taking two wickets inside the opening 45 minutes of play. Having played one of the most important innings of his young life, James Rew drove rather loosely but only edged a catch to George Bell, and Lewis Gregory was leg before for six when he missed a very straight ball. Meanwhile, the Quantocks faded into the mist and predictions about the afternoon became increasingly dire.We ignored them. Kasey Aldridge edged Anderson to Wells at first slip, thus giving the bowler his five-fer and Tom Abell, having beaten his previous career-best by one run, shaped to push George Balderson for a single but instead fell lbw for 151.Peter Siddle whacked two fours and a six but then became Saqib Mahmood’s first wicket in four-day cricket for three days short of an injury-wrecked year. The Australian’s innings, though, was merely the prelude to six overs of anarchy as Leach and Brooks’ bats described increasingly exotic arcs and the ball regularly disappeared to or over the boundary rope. The fun ended when Brooks hoicked Tom Bailey to long leg where Tom Hartley took a fine diving catch. Leach went off to tiffin, where he might have lamented the lot of the class batsman who runs out of partners. Unbeaten 40s do that to a chap. He little knew what was in store for him.The wind acquired an extra edge after lunch and the County Ground followed suit. The Thatchers Terrace, so often thronged with cider and opinions, resembled the . The ice-cream man, who on Thursday had been doling out scoops like an IPL addict, fell asleep in his van. The cricket slumbered, too, for half an hour or so but pardonably as Lancashire’s openers went about their business a trifle cautiously against Brooks and Gregory.Then Wells stroked Gregory through the covers on the back foot and the loud encouragements of the home fielders pierced the cool air. Four overs later, though, the same batter lifted Gregory into the Somerset Stand and Lancashire’s reply was infused with fresh purpose. Within a few overs Wells was running amok and Abell’s bowlers were powerless to prevent him.