Allrounder takes four in each innings as Madsen battles to 95 not out for Derbyshire
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay02-Jul-2025
George Balderson sealed Lancashire’s first Championship win of the season•Getty Images
Lancashire 367 (Green 121, Jennings 106) and 406 for 6 dec (Turner 121, Balderson 82, Jones 63) beat Derbyshire 261 (Andersson 79, Madsen 70, Balderson 4-71) and 251 (Madsen 95*, Guest 46, Balderson 4-54) by 261 runs George Balderson ended Lancashire’s red-ball drought when he bowled them to a crushing 261-run victory over Derbyshire in the Rothesay County Championship match at Chesterfield.The all-rounder took 4 for 54 and eight in the game as the Red Rose finally celebrated a first Championship victory of the season with Derbyshire dismissed for 251 which ended their unbeaten run in Division Two.Set an improbable 513, skipper Wayne Madsen made an unbeaten 95 and Brooke Guest 46 but once the fourth wicket pair were parted, the hosts collapsed with Tom Bailey taking the last two wickets to finish with 3 for 39.The grey clouds over Queen’s Park suggested the conditions were good for the bowlers, especially Jimmy Anderson, and although the bat was beaten, Derbyshire survived the first hour in relative comfort.Madsen eased Anderson to the cover boundary on his way to his second fifty of the match which came off 86 balls and when the former England fast bowler failed to take a wicket in his four over opening spell, Derbyshire had achieved their first objective of the morning.With Anderson out of the attack, Madsen and Guest kept the board ticking over without taking any risks and the stand was worth 127 in 18 overs when Lancashire finally broke through.The decision to bring on Chris Green at the Lake End was rewarded when Guest tried to shovel the off spinner through mid-wicket, missed, and was lbw.That would have come as a relief to Lancashire who might have been starting to get a little anxious but they were soon celebrating again.Martin Andersson had top scored in the first innings but this time he got a good ball from Balderson that straightened to take the off stump.The morning got even better for the visitors when Anuj Dal, who has figured in several Derbyshire rearguard actions, tried to whip Green off his legs and was bowled.When Balderson again found just enough seam movement to bowl Zak Chappell, Madsen was in danger of being stranded and he saw another wicket fall in the last over of the session.Ben Aitchison edged Balderson low to second slip where Green took a good catch which meant Derbyshire had lost 5 for 33 in 11 overs.Madsen went into lunch unbeaten on 78, his eighth 50 in 15 innings this season, and it was now a question of whether he could convert that into three figures.He was denied by Bailey with the new ball which accounted for Blair Tickner and Jack Morley with Anderson taking the catch at third slip which sparked Lancashire’s long awaited celebrations.
Referee Maurizio Mariani has been stood down by a "furious" chief after his performance in the heated clash between Napoli and Inter. Mariani and his assistant are being punished for a "short circuit" call on a controversial penalty while also missing an "obvious" handball claim for Inter as Napoli ran out 3-1 winners against Christian Chivu's team.
Major setback for the referee
Mariani has been stood down from Serie A duties and faces a potential demotion to Serie B following a performance laden with "too serious errors" during Napoli's 3-1 victory over Inter on Saturday.
According to a report from , Italian referee designator Gianluca Rocchi was left "furious" by the display at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and has immediately "stopped" both Mariani and his assistant, Daniele Bindoni, from officiating. The decision comes after a match defined by controversial penalty decisions that heavily influenced the outcome.
Advertisement'Short circuit' over late Napoli penalty call
The primary incident that angered Rocchi was the controversial penalty awarded to Napoli in the 33rd minute. The report describes the contact as "very slight," noting that some on the refereeing panel considered it a non-penalty.
However, the "short circuit" that proved fatal for the officiating team was procedural. Assistant referee Bindoni flagged for the foul eight seconds after the incident occurred, a delay that triggered the whistle. The report states that had Mariani called the foul immediately, the "perception" of the call would have been different, even if the contact was minimal.
Rocchi is reportedly furious with the awarding of such "slight" penalties, which VAR rarely intervenes on as contact was present. Kevin De Bruyne converted the resulting spot-kick to give Napoli the lead.
Mariani's performance was further criticised for a crucial decision that went against Inter. The Nerazzurri were incensed after being denied what the report calls an "obvious" penalty for an outstretched arm by Napoli's Alessandro Buongiorno, which made contact with a touch from Lautaro Martínez.
This missed call, combined with the "slight" penalty given against them, fuelled the post-match controversy and triggered the review from Rocchi's National Referees Commission (CAN).
Inter also reportedly questioned Mariani's game management, specifically why Napoli’s Billy Gilmour was not penalised for a foul committed shortly after teammate Giovanni Di Lorenzo had been booked.
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AFPWhat next for Mariani and officiating team?
The consequences for the "too serious" errors were swift. Mariani, who had only refereed two Serie A matches this season after officiating the Under-20 World Cup final, has been removed from the schedule for the midweek round.
He will also be sidelined for Matchday 10. The report indicates he may be reassigned to Serie B or moved to a VAR role for the time being. Assistant Bindoni has also been stood down and will not be included in the upcoming squad of officials.
The move is part of a wider disciplinary action by Rocchi, who has also stood down referee Daniele Chiffi for significant errors in the Parma-Como match. Chiffi is also expected to be moved to a VAR role, so he can "understand what it means to be on the penalty line or out."
The incidents overshadowed a crucial win for Napoli, who remain top of the Serie A table. After De Bruyne's opener, Inter equalised through a penalty of their own from Hakan Calhanoglu, but goals from Scott McTominay and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa sealed the 3-1 win. Inter remain in fourth place.
Only 10.1 overs were possible on Thursday evening before the game was called off
Sreshth Shah08-May-2025
The PBKS-DC game in Dharamsala was called off after only 10.1 overs•Associated Press
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Delhi Capitals (DC) match in IPL 2025 in Dharamsala has been called off after 10.1 overs.”The Punjab Kings v Delhi Capitals match (Match#58) in Tata IPL was forced to be abandoned due to a significant technical failure at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala,” an official statement from the IPL said. “Due to a power outage in the area, one of the light towers at the HPCA stadium malfunctioned. BCCI regrets the inconvenience caused to the in-stadium attendees.”In the 10.1 overs possible, PBKS openers Priyansh Arya (70) and Prabhsimran Singh (50*) dominated proceedings, stitching up a 122-run opening stand off 61 balls.Arya fell in the first ball of the 11th over, top-edging a T Natarajan slower-ball bouncer onto his helmet, which popped up for a simple catch. The players then left the field due to a floodlight failure at the stadium. Around 9.40pm IST, the match was called off.Before the abandonment, Arya and Prabhsimran took down Mitchell Starc and Dushmantha Chameera in the powerplay as PBKS raced away to 50 for no loss in four overs.After the powerplay, the pair took down Kuldeep Yadav as well, smashing him for two sixes and two fours. Arya reached his third fifty-plus score of the season in the seventh over off just 25 balls. Prabhsimran reached his own fifty in the tenth and in the process became the first uncapped batter to hit four half-centuries in a row in the IPL.PBKS next play Mumbai Indians (MI) on May 11, a game that was shifted from Dharamsala to Ahmedabad. DC will play Gujarat Titans (GT) in Delhi on the same day.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, after a hectic summer transfer window, is maintaining his busy schedule behind-the-scenes long after the summer transfer window’s closure.
Mikel Arteta was backed with eight summer signings costing north of £250 million, including the addition of talismanic striker Viktor Gyokeres and England international playmaker Eberechi Eze.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
£5m
Martin Zubimendi
£60m
Christian Norgaard
£15m
Noni Madueke
£52m
Cristhian Mosquera
£13m
Viktor Gyokeres
£55m
Eberechi Eze
£67.5m
Piero Hincapie
Loan
The on-pitch result of these key deals will be crucial in determining whether the Gunners can end their long wait for a Premier League title, which has now spanned 21 years, and the pressure is on Arteta to deliver silverware with no place to hide.
Arsenal take on Nottingham Forest, now managed by former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, this Saturday and only a victory will do to recover from their damning 1-0 defeat against English champions Liverpool prior to the international break.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetacelebrates after Bukayo Saka scores their second goal
That being said, whilst Arteta has been backed to the hilt, the Spaniard does have injury problems to contend with.
William Saliba and Bukayo Saka will be out for the foreseeable future alongside Kai Havertz, who is expected to be out for many weeks after undergoing knee surgery.
The German’s injury prompted Berta to hijack Tottenham’s once-advanced deal for Eze, and Arteta couldn’t predict the number of months he’ll be out for when speaking about Havertz at a recent press conference.
Havertz isn’t the only versatile forward out of action right now, as Arsenal continue to wait for Gabriel Jesus’ return to the fold.
The Brazilian enjoyed a terrific purple patch of form midway through last season, but unfortunately ruptured his ACL during an FA Cup defeat to Man United in January — ending Jesus’ season as he still continues to recover.
Jesus might not be back for Arsenal until 2026, by which time the former Man City striker may not even be at the club anymore.
Arsenal could now sell Gabriel Jesus in January
As per Football Insider and journalist Pete O’Rourke, Arsenal are planning to potentially sell Jesus in the January transfer window, and could be one of two “big name” players to make way alongside Leandro Trossard.
Even once the £265,000-per-week star returns to full fitness, he is expected to be behind both Havertz and Gyokeres in the pecking order — meaning that the writing could be on the wall for Jesus’ departure next year.
Given their seismic summer investment, it is highly likely that Berta will be forced to sell if he wishes to add players mid-season — with Jesus and Trossard coming as the most likely sacrifices alongside Gabriel Martinelli.
According to other reports, Martinelli could also be sold by Arsenal in January, as the Gunners maintain an interest in Real Madrid star Rodrygo.
France head coach Didier Deschamps admitted that he has no doubt that Paul Pogba's goal is to return to the national team ahead of next year's World Cup in the USA. At a press conference on Thursday, Deschamps explained what the 32-year-old must do in order to earn a recall to Les Bleus' squad, with the ex-Manchester United and Juventus player expected to make his Monaco debut later this month.
Pogba nearing Monaco debut
After being hit with an 18-month ban from football for testing positive in doping tests, Pogba is inching closer to his much-anticipated return to football. Over the summer, the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder signed a two-year deal with Ligue 1 outfit Monaco and broke down in tears. The France international has already expressed his ambition to feature for Les Bleus at next year's World Cup.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDeschamps opens up on possible Pogba return to France squad
Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Thursday, Deschamps said: "Yes, he's getting closer to the moment when he'll become a football player again. A return to the French team? That he wants it and that it's a goal in his mind, I have no doubt. After that, he has steps to take. The next one is when he has the Monaco jersey and sets foot on the pitch. I hope it goes well for him. After that, we'll see. That's all I wish for him, just to get through this first step. That will be a huge joy for him.
"Whether it's possible [to return to the France team], if I say yes, it will be: 'Wow, Pogba's back.' If I say no, I'll look like an idiot, so that's not going to work either. That's all the bad I wish for him to already get through this first stage."
Pogba's last game for France came in 2022
It's been almost four years since Pogba last played a game for France and Deschamps. Indeed, the last time he featured for the 2018 World Cup winners was on March 29, 2022, in a friendly against South Africa. France registered a comfortable 5-0 win, with Pogba assisting Wissam Ben Yedder's goal to make it 4-0 after coming on as a substitute for Olivier Giroud in the 65th minute.
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Getty Images SportWhen will Pogba make his Monaco debut?
In June, Monaco mapped out a three-month training program to help Pogba get up to speed after being out of action for two years. Head coach Adi Hutter reiterated back in July that the 32-year-old was still a long way away from regaining match fitness. However, fans can expect Pogba to make his Monaco debut this month, after Hutter confirmed earlier this week that the midfielder could be named in one of his squads after the international break. At the earliest, he could make his first appearance for Les Rouge et Blanc on October 18 against Angers.
Newcastle United’s search for a new striker has intensified as the transfer window enters its decisive stages.
The club are locked in a complex situation involving Alexander Isak, who has made it clear he has no intention of reintegrating into Eddie Howe’s squad.
The Swede has not featured in either of Newcastle’s opening Premier League fixtures and has refused to train, citing broken promises and a desire for change.
Without a recognised number nine, the Magpies have looked blunt in attack.
Against Aston Villa and Liverpool, Newcastle created opportunities but lacked a clinical edge, with makeshift forward Anthony Gordon even seeing red in the latter fixture.
That dismissal leaves William Osula as the only available striker, underlining the urgency of the situation.
Newcastle line up move for new striker target
Eddie Howe’s men have moved for several targets already this summer.
Bids for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen have been rejected, while they’re also now tracking Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth.
Transfer Focus
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With Liverpool circling around Isak, the club have turned to the continent for solutions.
According to reports in Italy, via Sport Witness, intermediaries are attempting to engineer a deal between Newcastle United and AS Roma for Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk.
The Magpies are said to have proposed a dry loan, though Roma are holding firm: they want either a permanent sale or guarantees that a deal will eventually be made permanent.
Villarreal are also interested in the forward. The Spanish side, having agreed a £26m deal to sell winger Yeremy Pino to Crystal Palace, have the funds available to pursue Dovbyk, though they too have only offered a loan arrangement.
Roma are demanding around €30m (£25m) for the 28-year-old, who joined from Girona last summer.
Why Dovbyk could be a better fit than Sørloth
Dovbyk scored 12 goals and registered three assists in 32 Serie A appearances during his debut season in Italy, following on from a remarkable final campaign in Spain where he fired Girona into the Champions League with 24 goals and eight assists.
The Ukrainian international has 36 caps and 11 goals for his country and has drawn praise from some high-profile figures.
Former Manchester City, Liverpool and Italy forward Mario Balotelli recently remarked: “In terms of style, I would say he is similar to Haaland.”
With Isak unwilling to return and Callum Wilson having left for West Ham after his contract expired, the Magpies are short of options.
Newcastle United'sCallumWilsonsalutes their fans after the match
Dovbyk is now seen as one of the most viable replacements to fill the void and give Howe the focal point his system demands.
The arrival of a new number nine at St James’ Park has been a pressing issue for months, and much of the conversation has centred on whether Newcastle should prioritise Dovbyk or another prominent target: Sørloth.
Sørloth, who enjoyed a prolific campaign with Atlético Madrid last season, netted 20 goals and supplied two assists across 35 La Liga appearances.
The 29-year-old Norwegian stands taller than Dovbyk’s 1.89 at 1.95m and has extensive international experience, with 63 caps and 24 goals for his country.
His form in Spain has reignited his reputation following a disappointing spell in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, where he failed to score in 16 appearances.
By comparison, Dovbyk is slightly younger at 28 and has demonstrated consistency in two of Europe’s top leagues.
His record for Girona marked him out as one of the most lethal strikers in La Liga, and his transition to Serie A saw him continue to contribute regularly.
For Newcastle, that track record of adaptation could be crucial in the Premier League. A statistical comparison between the two highlights the differences in their playing styles.
Stats – 2024/25
Stat
Sørloth
Dovbyk
Matches Played
35
32
Goals
20
12
Assists
2
2
Progressive Carries
32
24
Progressive Passes
31
16
Source: FBref
Sørloth’s numbers showcase his volume shooting and ability to dominate games as a target man.
According to FBref, he registered 4.48 shots per 90 last season with Atlético compared to Dovbyk’s 2.27, and scored 19 non-penalty goals compared to Dovbyk’s ten.
His shooting accuracy was also higher, with 51.3% of attempts hitting the target against Dovbyk’s 41%.
AS Roma's Artem Dovbyk celebrates scoring their first goal withLorenzoPellegrini
However, Dovbyk edges his rival in other areas. He is more efficient in possession, completing 74.1% of his passes compared to Sørloth’s 63.8%, and averages more shot-creating actions per 90 (1.94 to 1.73).
He is also less reliant on sheer volume, with his ten non-penalty goals last season coming from an expected goals figure of 10.3 – suggesting he converts chances at the rate they are expected, without overperforming.
Sørloth, by contrast, scored 19 from 16.0 expected goals, hinting at a potentially unsustainable level of finishing.
Alexander Sorloth celebrates scoring for Atletico Madrid.
Stylistically, Dovbyk offers Newcastle a profile closer to Isak’s. He can link play, operate as a focal point, and combine technical quality with aerial presence. Sørloth, meanwhile, provides sheer firepower.
His 22 goal involvements outweigh Dovbyk’s 14, but his reliance on high shooting volume may raise concerns about sustainability in a league where space is harder to find.
For Newcastle, the decision could come down to balance. They require not just goals, but a striker who complements their pressing game and fluid attacking style. Dovbyk’s blend of technical skill, physicality, and adaptability suggests he may be the more suitable long-term option, particularly if Isak departs for Liverpool.
Gordon upgrade: Al-Rumayyan in talks to sign £65m "nuisance" for Newcastle
Newcastle are approaching crunch time in their drawn-out bid to sign a striker this summer.
Both sides unchanged after England’s emphatic eight-wicket win in opening Test at Christchurch
Andrew Miller05-Dec-20242:14
Why is Brydon Carse like Paul Mescal in Gladiator 2?
Big picture: The Basin revisitedTwenty-one months later, there’s still so much to unpack from that last extraordinary contest between New Zealand and England at Wellington. A packed crowd at the Basin Reserve had been invited in for free to witness one of the most extraordinary finishes in Test history – one that left even the vanquished James Anderson smiling at the absurdity of it all, after he gloved another bumper from the indefatigable Neil Wagner to traipse off to a defeat by the barest of all margins.It was the best of Bazball, but arguably the worst of Bazball too… utter commitment on the one hand to the cause of entertaining, engaging Test cricket, but – after enforcing a needless follow-on that loosened their grip on the game – the first example, too, of Brendon McCullum’s charges going “too far” in their exploration of the limits of attacking cricket. “We look at the bigger picture of what everyone’s enjoyed and seen here today,” Ben Stokes said after that loss. “It’s probably bigger than the disappointment at the moment.”Do they dare feel quite so flippant about Test setbacks anymore? That loss was followed soon afterwards by two further defeats from winning positions in the 2023 Ashes, and until their victory in last week’s first Test at Christchurch, England had won seven, lost seven in 14 previous matches in 2024. Seeing as Stokes had launched that match with another apology to his team for losing his cool during their 2-1 series loss in Pakistan, it’s clear that something has hardened in the interim. Now, he’s reserving his rattiness for the ICC’s over-rate adjudicators, which probably won’t get him very far on the WTC front, but it might just be a more galvanising outlet for his frustrations.And yet, what might have been had New Zealand held their chances in Christchurch? An extraordinary eight drops in England’s first innings mean the teams are probably all-square in the generosity stakes now – and given that five of those came off the bat of the “jammy” Harry Brook, it’s little wonder the rest of that match was one-way traffic.Brook’s 171 was a formidable knock in spite of the let-offs – and it hoisted his record in New Zealand to precisely 500 runs at 100.00. Now, however, he’s back at the scene of, quite possibly, his most domineering knock of all. His first-innings 186 back in 2023 began, much like last week’s effort, with England on the ropes, at 21 for 3 after Matt Henry and Tim Southee ripped out the top-order in the space of 40 balls. But for the rest of a truncated opening day, it was one-way traffic. Had the weather not lopped off 25 of the day’s overs while he was sitting pretty on 184, Brook would surely have surged past his double-century there and then, and – who knows – maybe that Multan triple-century wouldn’t have been his first either.New Zealand bounced back then, as they can now – and Kane Williamson’s ominous form on his return from a groin strain was hugely encouraging in that regard. But their flaws at Christchurch extended beyond their fielding lapses. Despite Devon Conway’s important contributions to that epic series win in India, he is averaging 21.10 across the past 12 months, while Tom Blundell’s form is of even greater concern. He’s managed one fifty in 25 innings since that epic Wellington win, when his vital 90 was instrumental in turning the tide.And then there’s the question of Tim Southee, into the final approach of his magnificent Test career, but so visibly the weak link in Christchurch as Brook and Ben Duckett took turns to take him down. Nevertheless, he still had his moments, particularly in that window of opportunity, early in England’s first innings, when the clouds had rolled over and the ball was talking loudly. England’s flaws against the moving ball, be it spin in Asia or seam and swing elsewhere, have not been adequately disproved in their uneven displays this year. If there’s a way back into the series for New Zealand, it’s surely to be found on a good length, and nipping back through the gate.Harry Brook gives the thumbs-up on his return to the Basin Reserve•Getty Images
Form guideNew Zealand LWWWL England WLLWLIn the spotlight – Brydon Carse and Will O’RourkeBrydon Carse’s ten-wicket haul at Christchurch confirmed what we had already gleaned from his formidable displays in Pakistan: England have found themselves a real contender here. His pace and aggression was once again unstinting, while his accuracy was barely less of a factor in his penetrative displays across both innings. His match haul of 10 for 106 emulated that of Ryan Sidebottom at Hamilton in 2008, the last England seamer to claim ten wickets in an overseas Test, and caps a remarkable resurgence following the betting ban in the summer that prevented his debut from occurring any sooner. His three-month sidelining may have been a blessing in disguise, given that he’s hit these winter tours with a freshness that Gus Atkinson is arguably lacking after his summer’s exertions, but the challenge of backing up last week’s efforts will be a significant one all the same.With a little more luck on his side, Will O’Rourke might have delivered figures to rival those of Carse. He’s not quite as tall as the much-missed Kyle Jamieson, currently sidelined for a year with another stress fracture, but he used his 6ft4 frame to wonderful effect at Christchurch, generating speeds in excess of 145kph to hassle England’s batters to a far greater extent than his match haul of 2 for 165 would suggest. Three of those eight first-innings catches went down off his bowling, and even with 104 to defend second-time around, he struck with his first ball to dislodge a rampant Ben Duckett, then came within a whisker of delivering Joe Root’s first Test pair. No-one was ever entirely comfortable with his sharp pace and bounce, even when the runs were pouring in the victory charge. A blank slate and a fair wind at Wellington is the least he deserves.Team news: Both sides unchangedNew Zealand have a few worries, and not simply their catching. A stronger all-round batting contribution, bolstered by big scores from Conway and/or Blundell wouldn’t go a miss, nor would Southee getting fully into his groove. Nevertheless, the hosts have opted for an unchanged side for this second Test, in keeping with captain Tom Latham’s assessment post-defeat in Christchurch that no major overhaul of their approach was required.New Zealand: 1 Tom Latham (capt), 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Rachin Ravindra, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Glenn Phillips, 8 Nathan Smith, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Will O’RourkeOllie Robinson (the Durham version) has arrived in New Zealand as a wicketkeeping replacement for Jordan Cox, but it looks like it will have been a futile search for a valid passport. England named an unchanged XI two days out from the toss, with Ollie Pope having proved more than adequate behind the stumps – just as he did in similarly emergency circumstances against Pakistan in 2022. Factor in his vital 77 from No.6, and Jacob Bethell’s precocious debut at No.3, and England seem to found a handy balance in adversity. England have opted against rotating their seamers, while Stokes is expected to be fit to bowl after sustaining a mid-over back niggle in New Zealand’s second innings.England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ollie Pope (wk), 7 Ben Stokes (capt), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Gus Atkinson, 10 Brydon Carse, 11 Shoaib BashirPitch and conditions: Another run-fest in store?England may be forewarned after the placid conditions they faced on day one in Christchurch, having won the toss and bowled on an apparent greentop. This Wellington deck “is green, but I’m not sure if it’s as green as what last week was,” said Chris Woakes, two days out from the Test. With a brown tinge in places, it looks set to dry out further and is likely to prove full of runs, if the events of England’s last visit to Wellington are any guide. Speaking on match eve, Latham didn’t expect the pitch to turn, based on first-class games played this year.Stats and trivia New Zealand have won 23 and lost 21 of their previous 68 Tests at the Basin Reserve, with 24 draws. Six of those wins, however, have come in their last eight Tests at the venue since 2017, with one draw against Sri Lanka in 2018, and a loss in their most recent outing against Australia in February. Tim Southee, who has a maximum of two Tests left in his career, needs five more sixes to reach 100 in Tests, having struck two in defeat in Christchurch. Southee also needs 13 wickets to reach 400 in Tests, although that is as many as he has claimed in nine Tests this year. The Test will feature four of the top-five batters in the ICC’s rankings, with Joe Root and Harry Brook occupying positions 1 and 2, with Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell at 3 and 5.Quotes”Looking at the surface here, looking at the games that have been played here this year, we saw last year that the wicket took a little bit of spin which surprised us a little bit. Going by the games here, the Wellington first-class games, I think the balance that we’ve gone in with is the right balance for this wicket. We obviously have some spin options in that top seven anyway. We think it’s the right fit and the guys are looking forward to the challenge.” “”I don’t regret doing it. It ended up being a good game and we were only ever one run away from winning. It would be nice to be in that situation this time, and scratching my head wondering whether we enforce the follow on or not.”
Leeds United are interested in a move for an “outstanding” £35m player in the summer transfer window, according to a transfer update.
Farke in need of attacking signings for Leeds
The start of the new Premier League season is now less than two weeks away, with the Whites preparing for their return to the top flight after two years away.
Daniel Farke will be pleased with some of Leeds’ summer transfer business, not least midfield additions such as Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff, but he will also know that further attacking signings are important, stressing as much over the weekend.
Everton striker Beto has been linked with a move to Leeds this summer, with the Blues seemingly happy to move him on after completing the signing of Thierno Barry from Villarreal earlier in the window.
Meanwhile, Fulham ace Rodrigo Muniz has also been backed to come in at Elland Read, in what would be a statement of intent signing by the Whites.
He scored eight goals in as many starts in the Premier League last season, including finding the net in a win over eventual champions Liverpool.
Leeds keen on "outstanding" £35m Sara
Now, according to a new report from Caught Offside, Leeds and 49ers Enterprises are one of six clubs who are eyeing Gabriel Sara from Galatasaray this summer.
The £35m-rated midfielder is also being eyed up by the likes of Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Wolves, with the former thought to be the “most advanced” in their efforts to snap him up.
Galatasaray'sGabrielSarashots at goal Andreas Hillergre
Sara is a top-quality footballer who could be perfect for Leeds, not least because he is capable of taking up both defensive and attacking midfield roles, showcasing his versatility.
The 26-year-old Galatasaray ace has experience of English football already, having played for Norwich City in the past, being praise by David Wagner during their time working together.
“He is an outstanding player. Not only for us but in this division – no one has a doubt about this. It’s crystal clear. All the goals, (barring) the penalty which was lucky, were top class.”
Sara has never beaten Leeds in his career, failing to achieve victory in four attempts, and he was part of the Norwich team that got thumped 4-0 at Elland Road in the Championship playoffs back in 2023/24.
Chris Wood 2.0: Leeds pursuit of £26m star is a "work in progress"
Leeds United are reportedly still considering a swoop to sign a Premier League forward who could be Chris Wood 2.0
ByDan Emery Aug 2, 2025
That’s not to say that he couldn’t be brilliant for the Whites, however, adding so much quality in the middle of the park and providing stiff competition for Stach, Longstaff and others.
Teenage prodigy Sam Konstas has announced himself on the big stage, striking a coming-of-age century for New South Wales against South Australia in Sydney.Konstas went to his maiden century on day one of the Blues’ Sheffield Shield season opener, hitting 152 as the hosts went to stumps on 297 for 7 against South Australia at Cricket Central.One of the leading lights of Australia’s U19 World Cup success last year, Konstas has long been touted as one of the country’s best young talents. And the opener showed why on Tuesday.The 19-year-old cover-drove superbly throughout his innings, and took to spinner Ben Manenti by hitting him down the ground for three sixes. He then brought up his century off his 163rd ball in the final over of the second session, nudging Brendan Doggett down to backward-square for a single. Konstas’ first Sheffield Shield ton came with Australia’s chief selector George Bailey in attendance. And while the right-hander is not yet in the conversation for the Test opening spot, good judges expect him to one day figure.Konstas made his Shield debut for NSW last summer, and amid glimpses of promise he brought up a maiden half-century in the last round against Queensland. But he looks a far more accomplished and confident batter this summer.He used his feet well to spin, and swept Nathan McSweeney for a big six before offering up his only chance with a missed stumping by Alex Carey.The youngster then brought up 150 by flat-batting a Lloyd Pope full toss over the legside. He was eventually caught at slip off the legspinner, when adjudged to have inside-edged a ball onto Carey’s legs before it was caught by McSweeney.”It was an amazing achievement. Obviously, it’s good to get my first one,” Konstas said. “I just have to be hungry for runs. And whatever teams I make, it’s a bonus.”With Shane Watson as his mentor, Konstas is a regular meditator before games and rushes to the wicket at the start of his innings.”A big thing [I learned from last summer] was my mental stuff, just keeping simple plans and how can I do it for longer?” Konstas said. “I try to be calm.”I did [meditate] this morning, and then I was trying to do that on the field. Just breathing and using it to switch me on and off.”It worked today.”Konstas’ runs came as wickets fell around him under heavy cloud cover and light drizzle. Moises Henriques (five) and Matthew Gilkes (10) both fell to loose shots outside off stump, while Nic Maddinson was caught charging Manenti on 12.Oliver Davies provided some brief fireworks before being bowled by Jordan Buckingham for 37, while Josh Philippe hit 56 in his first Shield game for the Blues.Philippe was eventually stumped off Pope, as the South Australia spinner finished the day with 3 for 61 and NSW suffered a collapse of 3 for 17. Umpires called off play shortly after due to bad light, infuriating visiting captain McSweeney given he had kept his spinners bowling.
Manchester United have been desperately hunting for a new striker throughout this summer transfer window, understandably so, too, given their lack of clinical edge.
Ruben Amorim’s side registered just 44 goals in their 38 Premier League outings this season, with only four sides scoring fewer – three of which were relegated to the Championship.
Their inability to find the back of the net on a consistent basis undoubtedly contributed to their lowly league standing, with no player in the squad managing to hit double figures for goals.
Rasmus Hojlund, who was the Red Devils’ main talisman, only netted four goals, highlighting the need for reinforcements in such a department this window.
Countless players have already been touted with summer moves to Old Trafford, but it remains to be seen which talisman the hierarchy will go after for the manager.
The latest on United’s hunt for a new striker this summer
Viktor Gyokeres is a player who appeared out of reach this window, but it appears United have been handed a lifeline after it was confirmed he would be open to a reunion with Amorim in 2025/26.
He’s not the only talent on their radar, with Juventus star Dušan Vlahović also considered as an option, potentially leading to a swap deal with Jadon Sancho moving to Italy as a result.
However, the aforementioned duo aren’t the only ones being considered, as work is being done over a potential deal to land RB Leipzig talisman Benjamin Sesko, according to TBR Football.
They claim that internal talks have been held behind the scenes at Old Trafford in recent weeks, with the Slovenian popping up as an option after netting 21 goals in 45 appearances this year.
It also states that the staff behind the scenes have been extensively monitoring the 22-year-old in recent times, but confirmed that no deal is yet at an advanced stage.
Why United’s latest target would become world class alongside Bruno
Bruno Fernandes will go down as one of United’s best ever additions, thriving beyond all imagination after his £47m move from Sporting CP back in January 2020.
The Portuguese international rapidly made himself a fan favourite, offering a creative and clinical threat that the side had often been lacking before his arrival.
However, he’s sustained such levels, registering over 20 combined goals and assists in each of his seasons in Manchester, often being the shining light in tricky periods – none more so than this campaign
The 30-year-old accumulated a total of 37 combined goals and assists, with it unimaginable to think where the side would be without his contributions in 2024/25.
He undoubtedly has the creative nature, but has been lacking that lethal striker ahead of him, which could further bolster his tallies should the hierarchy land one in the coming months.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates their second goal scored by Lukas Klostermann
Sesko could prove to be the beneficiary should he move to Old Trafford, having the chance to thrive alongside Bruno, who managed to create 2.7 chances per 90 this season.
He also registered a pass accuracy of 82%, which aided him, allowing him to notch 18 assists, something which the Slovenian could take his game to the next level with.
The Leipzig star, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by talent scout Antonio Mango, registered 1.2 shots on target per 90 at an accuracy rate of 44% – handing Amorim’s side the talisman they’ve needed.
The youngster has also completed 52% of the take-ons he’s attempted, whilst coming out on top in 59% of aerial battles, with his all-round nature certainly handing the side a new dimension.
Games played
33
Goals & assists
18
Shots on target per 90
1.2
Shot on target accuracy
44%
Take-ons completed
52%
Aerials won
59%
Progressive carries
1.8
He’s also demonstrated his desire to run in behind and play off the shoulder of the defender, a skillset that is extremely rare in today’s game, making himself a real nuisance to the opposition backline.
Such a deal would be a phenomenal one for the Red Devils, allowing them to take a huge step under the guidance of Amorim throughout 2025/26.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskobefore taking a penalty
If he can strike up a partnership with Fernandes next season, it would massively help the Red Devils catapult up the table, making the club a force to be reckoned with once again.
He's better than Gyokeres: Wilcox plots Man Utd move for £150m talisman
Manchester United have joined a long list of suitors in the race to sign a new striker.