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Durham remain in the hunt for the knockout stages, but Kent are now out of the reckoning

ECB Reporters Network11-Aug-2024ADD MAIN PICBen McKinney struck his maiden professional century•MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Durham pulled off a sensational win in the Metro Bank Cup on Sunday, beating the Kent Spitfires by seven runs in a thriller at CanterburyKent seemed to be cruising to victory after a regal 104 from Harry Finch, but the Spitfires collapsed from 223 for 3 and finished on 300 for 9, with George Drissell taking 4 for 38.Finch’s 91-ball knock included a six and 13 four and he put on 183 for the third wicket with Jack Leaning, who made 81, but Kent then lost six wickets for 71, leaving Colin Ackermann to successfully defend 17 off the final over.Earlier Ben McKinney hit a superb century as Durham were all out for 307 from exactly 50 overs. McKinney’s 115 came from 116 balls and included three sixes and 13 fours. Bas de Leede was the next highest scorer with 47.Jaydn Denly had the best figures of Kent’s nine bowlers with 3 for 15 and Marcus O’Riordan took three for 36. The result keeps Durham in contention for the knock-out stages, but Kent have been eliminated.Durham won the toss and chose to bowl on a sub-tropical day at The Spitfire Ground, watched by a crowd of 2,487. Beyers Swanepoel bowled Michael Jones middle stump for 12 but McKinney and Alex Lees responded with a stand of 87 that ended when the latter was lbw to Charlie Stobo for 35.Matt Parkinson removed Ackermann with his second ball, caught by Jack Leaning for seven but McKinney played with elegance and brutality, offering only the occasional half-chance. He nudged Marcus O’Riordan through midwicket to reach three figures then dumped Parkinson for a six that landed in the Old Dover Road gardens.He finally went when he was caught by Stobo trying to reverse sweep O’Riordan, who then took two wickets in four balls in the 40th over. He trapped Scott Borthwick lbw for 35 before getting Neil Wagner caught by Joey Evison for one at mid-off.De Leede and Haydon Mustard quickly wrestled back control. Mustard was on eight when he skied O’Riordan, but a dazzled Grant Stewart couldn’t pick out a ball that landed a foot in front of him and Parkinson’s next over, the 45th, went for 19.Mustard had made 35 when he was lbw to Jaydn Denly and Stewart then put down a caught and bowled chance when De Leede was on 45, before getting him caught on the boundary by Joey Evison. Denly then bowled George Drissell for six and had Johnny Bushnell caught by Swanepoel off the final ball of the innings.Wagner struck early to get O’Riordan caught behind for 11 and although Evison then hit Wagner for three successive fours, he went for 28, caught behind off de Leede, before Finch and Leaning responded with what looked like a match-turning partnership. Finch reached his hundred by hitting Borthwick back over his head for his first six but he fell four short of his best List A score when he cut Wagner to Ackermann.When Drissell bowled Leaning and then had Grant Stewart lbw for three nerves began to set in and Swanepoel was lbw to Ackermann. Denly skied Ackermann next ball and although Jones dropped a simple catch, Denly was lbw to Ackermann’s next delivery.Parkinson drove Drissell to Jones and the run rate soared, leaving Kent needing 17 from Ackermann’s final over. The first was a dot, Stobo scrambled two off the second and was run out by Bushnell off the third, chasing a second. When Garrett could only mange two off the next two balls, Kent’s fate was sealed.

Southampton are now plotting a move for a “really exciting” midfielder, who could jump at a move to St. Mary’s this summer, according to a report.

Still looking to build promotion-winning squad

In his first season as Saints manager, Will Still’s aim will undoubtedly be to return to the Premier League at the first opportunity, and Tony Pulis has insisted that nothing but an immediate return to the top flight will be deemed good enough next season.

Pulis said: “He will have the opportunity and the chance to definitely be successful in his first year and success there is promotion, nothing less than promotion.”

As such, Still has set out to build a promotion-winning squad, with Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg revealing the negotiations over a deal for FC Köln striker Damion Downs are now at an advanced stage, as the centre-forward has emerged as a top target for the Championship promotion-hopefuls.

Having a reliable goalscorer is, of course, a major factor in any side’s success, but it is equally important to have players capable of creating chances, and Still’s side have now set their sights on a new midfielder.

That is according to a report from Football League World, which states Southampton are now plotting a move for RB Salzburg maestro Bobby Clark, who joined the Austrian side from Liverpool for a fee of £10m last summer.

However, the move to Austria hasn’t panned out how Clark would’ve hoped, having recently been left out of the squad for the Club World Cup, meaning he could jump at the opportunity to move to St. Mary’s this summer.

Speaking about why the midfielder was left out of the squad entirely, RB Salzburg manager Thomas Letsch said: “I decided on other players. I wasn’t satisfied with Bobby’s training week and therefore told him he wasn’t in the squad.”

"Really exciting" Clark could reignite his career at St. Mary's

There may be some concerns over the fact the 20-year-old hasn’t been training well at Salzburg, but there are signs he could reignite his career at St. Mary’s, having previously displayed some promising signs at some of England’s top clubs.

During his time as a Newcastle United youth player, the starlet was lauded by reporter Lee Ryder, who said: “Bobby was Newcastle’s most promising youngster. He is a really exciting player with bags of skill and talent.”

Same agent as Downes: Southampton in "advanced" deal talks for "top" star

Southampton are now moving closer to signing a new striker this summer.

ByBrett Worthington Jun 30, 2025

The Newcastle-born starlet then decided to move to Liverpool, where he went on to put in some impressive performances at youth level, despite never quite making the grade as a first-team player, picking up 11 goal contributions in 37 games for the U21 side.

At this stage of his career, a move to a promotion-chasing Championship side could be ideal for Clark, and his exploits at youth level indicate that he could be a solid signing for Southampton, capable of setting up chances for Downs.

Arne Slot might not be a manager, framed as Liverpool’s head coach, but the Dutchman still has a significant say in Anfield’s comings and goings.

Working with sporting director Richard Hughes to improve Liverpool’s Premier League-winning squad this summer, the strategy appears to be working, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez slated to upgrade the defensive flanks while Florian Wirtz is targeted as the new playmaker-in-chief.

Engaged in direct and progressive talks with Bayer Leverkusen for Wirtz, 22, Liverpool are on the cusp of breaking their transfer record and signing one of the game’s most sought-after and talented forwards; the German is renowned for his vision, athleticism and output.

Trent Alexander-Arnold might be leaving, but wrapping said deals up will assuage the malaise surrounding the vice-captain’s expected free transfer to Real Madrid.

And with Liverpool planning to remodel the frontline, too, Slot’s side could even raise their level for the 2025/26 campaign.

How Slot is remoulding Liverpool's frontline

Mohamed Salah extended his contract by two years last month, and it’s a good thing too. The right-winger broke the record for goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League season, hitting 47, and claimed the full gamut of accolades.

However, he’s 33 next month and needs more support. That’s why a concerted effort to sign Wirtz has been mounted, with Liverpool looking to sign a new striker in Eintracht Frankfurt’s £84m-rated striker Hugo Ekitike too.

It’s not just incomings, though. Barcelona are known admirers of Luis Diaz, while Bayern Munich have recently registered their interest in Cody Gakpo.

There’s also the Federico Chiesa conundrum. According to The Athletic, a return to Italy is a strong possibility, though perhaps a loan move would be more plausible. Chiesa, 27 and wracked by injuries in recent seasons, has featured peripherally this year after joining from Juventus for a cut-price £12.5m fee last summer.

He may well leave. However, Salah’s getting on a bit and Slot has hinted that the Italy international will be afforded the chance to prove himself during pre-season, so a resurgence isn’t off the cards.

The £150k-per-week forward has been unfortunate, and fans would love nothing more than to see him turn his Premier League career around and play an important part for the Reds next term.

The same could be said for Darwin Nunez, however, after three seasons that have left plenty to desired, it’s crucial that, unlike with last summer’s recruit, the 25-year-old is sold during the looming off-season.

Why Liverpool must cash in on Darwin Nunez

It’s simple: if FSG fail to engineer an exit for Nunez this summer, Liverpool will not play the upcoming season with a much-needed new number nine.

It’s been an up-and-down journey for the Uruguay star, and certainly not without its entertainment, but Nunez needs to leave Liverpool for the good of his career.

He’s stagnated, staled, lacking the intensity and tenacity which characterised his maverick style upon arriving on Merseyside. Now, he’s been hammered into a shape that’s left him unfit for purpose in Slot’s system, too erratic and instinctive to absorb and implement the Dutchman’s sharp tactics.

Given that he arrived from Benfica for a fee rising to a club-record £85m, the disappointment is understandably palpable.

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It’s rather telling that Nunez has struggled to adapt to Slot’s vision. Take Ryan Gravenberch; take Gakpo; take, even, Salah. Players have raised their game, all right, but Nunez has regressed.

Given that he takes home some £140k per week, it’s clear Liverpool need to move him on and bid for a more effective class goalscorer, especially when considering how much more he earns than top target Wirtz.

The German superstar takes home £73k per week, which is a little over half of Nunez’s earnings. Of course, he’s in line for a bumper pay rise when concluding his transfer to Liverpool, but it goes to show how disappointing Jurgen Klopp’s signing has been, scorer of 25 Premier League goals across three campaigns having never fallen to a lengthy injury.

Slot has been displeased with the South American’s application, at times, speaking of his “disappointment” in the talisman and even stating he “can’t accept” his perceived lack of work-rate back in February.

This, of course, combines with the plain truth that Nunez’s finishing simply hasn’t come on. As per Sofascore, he’s missed 55 big chances across his three terms in the Premier League, only scoring 25 goals.

You might think that Wirtz would be the perfect player to resurrect the centre-forward’s English career, and indeed, his playmaking prowess suggests he stands a stellar chance of at least raising Nunez’s game, but it’s not a risk Slot can afford to take, especially if attacking threats such as Gakpo or Diaz were to part with the Premier League champions.

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak was the club’s top target, but he’s reportedly not going anywhere after Eddie Howe’s side succeeded in securing a place in next season’s Champions League.

If Liverpool find they must make their move for Ekitike instead, Slot will still get his mitts on “one of the best strikers out there,” as the Frenchman has been dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson.

As discussed earlier in the article, Ekitike would cost a significant outlay, maybe even scratching the same ballpark as Wirtz, but it would be money well spent for a player who would surely represent an upgrade on Nunez, who has sadly fallen by the wayside.

While there’s substance to the argument that Chiesa should stay on, providing cover for Salah, Nunez has failed to perform across three season, and now must be axed. It’s sad, for all of a Liverpool persuasion want him to succeed, but at this stage it would be a risk to keep him on with the league champions.

Not just Trent: World-class Liverpool star must not play for the club again

Liverpool are ready to make a series of sales in the transfer market this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair May 26, 2025

The champions of Europe may have already been crowned, although there is an even bigger prize on offer this summer, as 32 teams compete to be named the best club side on the planet.

Yes, amid much excitement and intrigue, the revamped FIFA Club World Cup is now finally on the horizon, with things kicking off on Saturday 14 June, ahead of what will be a month-long feast of football in the United States.

Every English club to play at the Club World Cup

Chelsea and Man City are preparing to head to the United States in the summer.

1 ByBrett Worthington Dec 6, 2024

Among those from across the globe who are bidding to reach the showpiece on 13 July are Premier League giants – and recent Europa Conference League winners – Chelsea, with the Blues set to take on MLS outfit LAFC on Monday (16 June).

The west Londoners have earned their place following their Champions League triumph back in 2021, while for their opponents, the Los Angeles-based hopefuls saw off Club America in a lucrative play-off showdown to secure the final spot in the competition.

Watch the FIFA Club World Cup live and on-demand here

Ahead of what should be an enthralling opening fixture for two of the four sides in Group D, here’s everything you need to know on how to watch – and who to be looking out for – when Monday rolls around…

Where to watch Chelsea vs LAFC at the Club World Cup

63 games. The world’s best players. All in one place. All without paying a penny. It really doesn’t get much better than that, does it?

Indeed, FIFA revealed back in December 2024 that this bumper Club World Cup edition will be available for free globally, with the world’s current largest sports streaming platform – DAZN – showcasing every game from this footballing extravaganza.

Available worldwide in 14 languages, DAZN really is the go-to place for this summer’s affair, with easy access provided to watch the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland – and many more – strutting their stuff at the highest level.

If you are already a DAZN subscriber, then the Club World Cup action will already become a part of your membership. For those who haven’t yet signed up, all you have to do is use your email address to register a free account on the DAZN website, with no hidden costs or fees added. You will then be able to watch every game on the DAZN app via your TV, computer, phone or even on your games console.

Chelsea vs LAFC (Monday 16 June – Atlanta – 8pm UK time, 3pm local time)

FIFA Club World Cup Current Champions Manchester CityFounded 2000Most Championships Real Madrid (5)

DAZN

Watch all FIFA Club World Cup games free on DAZN. The biggest clubs and the best players in the world compete in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Watch Every Game Live on DAZN Chelsea vs LAFC – Who to look out for

Fresh off the back of their recent European success, Enzo Maresca’s youthful side have already bolstered their ranks with a handful of key signings, with Strasbourg’s Mamadou Sarr joining Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap in making the move to Stamford Bridge.

Those two new arrivals will be in line to make their Chelsea debuts against their MLS opponents, while there is further excitement surrounding new man Dario Essugo and the returning Andrey Santos.

Delap, in particular, will strengthen a frontline that already includes the dazzling Cole Palmer, with the Blues talisman seeking to build on his return of 67 goals and assists in just 91 games for the club to date. Behind the Englishman, the South American duo of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo will likely prove crucial to the club’s fortunes once again.

As for the side hoping to throw an early spanner in the works, LAFC boast a handful of familiar faces to Premier League audiences at their core, with the World Cup-winning French duo of Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud operating at either end of the pitch.

This meeting will, of course, be something of a reunion for Giroud, following his prior three-and-a-half-year stay in west London, with the veteran striker memorably scoring six goals en route to Chelsea’s Champions League triumph four years ago.

The 38-year-old – who has scored just five goals during his time in the States – is not manager Steve Cherundolo’s danger man, however, with number 99, Denis Bouanga, having hit 20+ MLS goals in each of his last two seasons, prior to netting eight in 15 league games in 2025. One-time Roma and Marseille starlet, Cengiz Under, will be another for Chelsea to keep tabs on down the right flank.

Who else is in Group D?

Chelsea’s Premier League status will make them overwhelming favourites to progress from Group D, although Brazilian outfit, Flamengo, will provide a stern test, having won the Copa Libertadores back in 2022.

Those two sides go head to head in the second round of games, with that fixture providing the chance for another potential reunion, as former Chelsea man Jorginho bids to make his debut for the Serie A side, amid his recent free transfer exit from Arsenal.

16 June

Chelsea vs LAFC

Atalanta – (3pm/8pm)

16 June

Flamengo vs Esperance

Philadelphia – (9pm/2am June 17

20 June

Flamengo vs Chelsea

Philadelphia – (2pm/7pm)

20 June

LAFC vs Esperance

Nashville – (6pm/11pm)

24 June

LAFC vs Flamengo

Orlando – (9pm/2am June 25)

24 June

Esperance vs Chelsea

Philadelphia – (9pm/2am June 25)

Elsewhere, aside from latecomers LAFC, the final place in Group D has been taken by Tunisian outfit, Esperance de Tunis, with the relative outsiders having earned their place as the highest ranking eligible side in the CAF – African football’s governing body.

With the chance for new rivalries to be made, this quartet is not one to be overlooked…

FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Qualified teams, format, venues & how to watch

The FIFA Club World Cup takes place this summer, with plenty of teams set to head to the United States in July 2025.

ByRoss Kilvington Oct 30, 2024

There are only four games left of the Premier League season for Arsenal, and while the team and fans will be focusing on the Champions League, the club will be preparing for the summer.

In fact, it was only this month that Mikel Arteta told the media that the upcoming transfer window is set to be seismic, which is undoubtedly needed considering how poorly things have gone on the domestic front.

For example, on top of silly suspensions and some truly unlucky injuries, too many players have underwhelmed this season, such as Gabriel Martinelli.

The Brazilian might have stepped it up a bit in recent weeks, but it could be too little too late, as recent reports have linked the club to a superstar who could be the perfect upgrade.

Arsenal transfer news

With it looking set to be a mega summer for Arsenal, it’s worth going over some of the other stars who have been touted for moves to the club in recent weeks, such as Rafael Leao.

The AC Milan monster will supposedly be available for around £86m, which is probably a fair enough fee, as in 46 games this season, he’s scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists.

Another target who’d cost at least as much is Desire Doue.

Transfer Focus

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

The Paris Saint-Germain gem has been linked with several Premier League sides, including the Gunners, and it’s not hard to see why, as at just 19 years old, he has produced 25 goal involvements in 46 games this year.

However, in this instance, the player in question is someone the Gunners have already faced off against this season: Rodrygo.

According to reports from Spain, Arsenal ‘have set their sights’ on a few Real Madrid stars, including the Brazilian international.

Now, the report does say it would be a difficult deal to get done, but not impossible, although per reports from late last year, Los Blancos might demand up to £123m for their star.

It would be an incredibly costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given his incredible ability, it is one worth fighting for, especially as he could be a dream Martinelli upgrade.

How Rodrygo compares to Martinelli

So, the first thing to say is that while Rodrygo has made more appearances off the right in his career, he’s no stranger to playing off the left, and with Bukayo Saka in the squad, he’d almost certainly be tasked with playing there.

Therefore, his biggest competitor for game time would be Martinelli, but how do the pair stack up against one another?

Well, in terms of raw output, it’s a comfortable win for the Real star, who Carlo Ancelotti described as one of “the best players in the world” just last year.

For example, he’s racked up 13 goals and ten assists in 49 appearances, totalling 3245 minutes this season, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.13 games, or every 141.08 minutes.

In contrast, the Gunners’ number 11 has scored nine goals and provided six assists in 45 appearances, totalling 3068 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every three games or every 204.53 minutes.

Rodrygo vs Martinelli
Statistics per 90	Rodrygo	Martinelli
Non-Penalty G+As	0.61	0.41
Progressive Passes	4.68	1.94
Progressive Carries	5.06	4.77
Shots	2.67	2.03
Shots on Target	1.03	0.88
Passing Accuracy	85.7%	71.5%
Key Passes	2.08	1.64
Shot-Creating Actions	4.56	2.87
Goal-Creating Actions	0.42	0.26
Tackles Won	0.84	0.56
Successful Take-Ons	2.15	1.51
All Stats via FBref for 24/25

Then, when we take a look under the hood, at their underlying numbers, it’s another comfortable victory for the Los Blancos star.

For example, he comes out ahead in most relevant metrics, including but not limited to non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, passing accuracy and key passes, shot and goal-creating actions, shots and shots on target, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while he would cost Arsenal a fortune, it’s clear that Rodrygo would be a massive upgrade on Martinelli, and therefore they should go all out to sign him.

Their next Rice: Arsenal line up move to sign Chelsea's £43m "monster"

Arsenal could sign a player from Chelsea this summer.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Apr 25, 2025

A player who was described as the “best midfielder in the world” earlier this season is now reportedly keen on sealing a move to Manchester City this summer.

Guardiola eyeing Man City summer signings

The Premier League champions have been linked with plenty of potential new signings in recent weeks, with Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz said to be in talks over a summer move.

The Germany international may be considered a natural replacement for Kevin De Bruyne at the Etihad, with the legendary midfielder confirming that he is leaving City at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola is believed to be willing to pay £60m for the signing of Tottenham midfielder James Maddison, as he looks for more creativity in his squad. The Spurs ace has nine goals and six assists to his name in the Premier League this season.

At the other end of the pitch, Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has been sounded out as a new option between the sticks, possibly even being seen as an eventual replacement for Ederson.

World-renowned star keen on joining Man City

According to Manchester Evening News‘ Daily Briefly, Wirtz is now interested in joining Manchester City this summer, but Leverkusen will demand £129m for his services.

Real Madrid are also in the mix to sign the 21-year-old, and if Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso ends up replacing Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabeu then they could arguably become the favourites to snap him up, but City are “very tempting” to the player.

Wirtz is an outstanding footballer who has already achieved so much in his career, winning the Bundesliga title last season and earning 29 caps for Germany. The attacking midfielder can also thrive out wide, so his versatility could appeal to Guardiola, who loves to have attacking players who are fluent in the final third.

Meanwhile, former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes paid him huge praise earlier this season: “I was in the stadium for the Champions League match against Salzburg. What Florian Wirtz can do is absolutely exceptional for me. Probably the best midfielder in the world. I think that Wirtz has something different that Jamal Musiala isn’t quite ready for yet. I think Wirtz will simply move on in the summer. He has left huge shoes to fill in Leverkusen. With the way he plays football, he is an absolute hero there, the best player in the squad.”

Pep's "genius" is like a modern-day Aguero at Man City & it's not Marmoush

Man City could have one star following in the footsteps of Aguero

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 17, 2025

If City managed to sign Wirtz, albeit for huge money, it could be a wonderful piece of business, with the German arguably already a world-class player at the age of just 21.

Appearances

26

Starts

20

Minutes played

1915

Goals

9

Assists

10

Dribbles per game

2.8

Shots per game

2.5

Key passes per game

1.9

Hugely mature both in and out of possession, his end product is highlighted by a tally of 56 goals and 63 assists for Leverkusen, coming in a total of 192 matches, and he could fill the void left by De Bruyne.

Former Australia allrounder returns to Lord’s, the scene of his playing career’s crowning moment

Matt Roller16-Aug-2024Tom Moody is sprawled across the Nursery Ground at Lord’s recalling the crowning moment of his playing career. Moody was the unsung hero of Australia’s 1999 World Cup win, recast as a bowling allrounder late in his career, and he will always associate the ground with their victory over Pakistan in the final.”We came in as favourites, but we played poorly for the first half of the tournament,” he recalls. “We basically had to win seven in a row to be crowned champions.” Enter Moody, who had been left out of their first three games, which included defeats to New Zealand and Pakistan. “Being part of that journey for those seven games was pretty special.”The final was an utter thrashing: Australia won by eight wickets in a game that lasted 59.1 overs, with Moody dismissing Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood. “We had a long period of time in the dressing room to enjoy the experience of the journey and the occasion. All sorts of people came through, from family to famous cricket fans, but we were in our own bubble.”Several hours after the conclusion, the team gathered on the pitch to sing Beneath the Southern Cross. “Traditionally in the Australian team, we’d always sing that team song after a Test or a one-day series win,” Moody explains. “Ricky Ponting was the songmaster, and he delivered it on my shoulders, right in the middle. My lower back is still recovering.”Moody addresses his squad before the Hundred’s London derby•ECB/Getty ImagesTwenty-five years later, Moody is back at Lord’s with Oval Invincibles ahead of Sunday’s Hundred final, looking to win the title for a second season in a row. He “pulled stumps early” on the celebrations last year, leaving his players to enjoy themselves, but took pride from their recovery from 34 for 5: “In adversity, we had the characters to step up under pressure.”The Invincibles have not quite lived up to their moniker, but have only lost three games across the last two seasons and qualified directly for the final as group winners. “It’s a very calm, relaxed environment,” Moody says. “Everyone’s very clear on their position and their role… a lot of it is to do with personnel, and the leaders within the group.”Foremost among those is Sam Billings, the Invincibles’ captain, exemplified by his decision to retire himself out against London Spirit in order to get Donovan Ferreira in. “That reflects not only him as a leader, but the culture in the team,” Moody says; Billings describes Moody as the squad’s “cultural architect” in his role as head coach.The Invincibles have adapted well to the significant drop-off in scoring rates this year, which have dropped by around 15 runs per 100 balls in the men’s Hundred. Moody believes it has been prompted by the combination of a “narrower seam” on the ball and pitches with “quite a bit of grass on them” but his players have dealt with the challenge.Billings and Moody chat on the outfield•Alex Davidson/Getty ImagesThere have been difficult moments for some batters: Dawid Malan, who has replaced Jason Roy this year, managed 14 off 31 balls during a low-scoring win over Southern Brave. Where some teams would have dropped him, the Invincibles kept faith. “If anyone’s going to be able to navigate challenging conditions early, he’s one bloke that you’d put your marker on,” Moody explains.Moody has retained a core of players for all four seasons in Billings, Will Jacks, Sam and Tom Curran, Saqib Mahmood and Nathan Sowter. This is their first year without Sunil Narine, who had previously been a top-bracket signing; Adam Zampa has thrived in his place, and is the Hundred’s joint-highest wicket-taker with 17.”It was a difficult call,” Moody says. “Sunny’s a sensational player, but we had to juggle the salary cap and make everything work. What really made us think hard about it was that Sunny had committed to MLC, and we’d seen the contribution Zamps made when he played. He’s so underrated in white-ball cricket… he can walk into any team I have a hand in selecting, because he’s world-class.”Related

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Curran has been the star: he is level with Zampa as the tournament’s top wicket-taker, and only Nicholas Pooran has hit more sixes. “Sam – like all good players – likes responsibility,” Moody says. “He has welcomed that with the bat in his hand… I think he’s much better suited to that middle-order position in white-ball cricket [than] that No. 6 or 7 role.”It begs the question: has he been batting out of position for England in their T20I set-up? “He’s done the talking for himself through his performances,” Moody says. “I think he’s demonstrated his value in that role – but it’s not up to me to be telling England how to structure their white-ball set-up.”It is not impossible that it could be soon: Moody has not ruled himself out of contention to succeed Matthew Mott as England’s white-ball coach, though is unlikely to apply for the job unless approached. He would be a compelling candidate if he applied – and a second successive Hundred title on Sunday would further his case.

Sydney Sixers middle-order batter has had an outstanding season after missing the entire previous campaign

Andrew McGlashan23-Nov-2022Erin Burns has gone from being locked out of playing to having the season of her life for Sydney Sixers.She has been outstanding in Sixers’ middle order, making 294 runs at 36.75 with a strike rate of 147, a key component of a record-breaking regular season that brought 11 wins from 14 matches to put them on top of the table. It came after spending the 2021-22 season on the sidelines, hopes of playing the backend of the competition ended due to the lingering Covid-19 border closures after she missed the start of the campaign to be with pregnant wife Anna.Now this summer Anna and son Jack have been regular attendees at Sixers matches both at home and away as Burns has proved a master finisher.Burns, 34, knew she did not want to end her career by not being able to play, but she was off contract with Sixers after they had finished bottom for the first time in their history. However, a new two-year deal was offered and she has more than repaid the faith.Related

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WBBL: Burns, Ecclestone's stunning knocks take Sixers closer towards final

No grand farewell, but Haynes leaves an outstanding legacy

“Last season was incredibly frustrating. It was certainly something I thought about,” she said. “So having the opportunity to re-sign for the Sixers for a couple of years, guess there was a little bit more fire burning. I would have been pretty disappointed last year with the way it all panned out. For me, Big Bash is probably the thing I look forward to the most. I do really enjoy my state cricket, but I’ve always really enjoyed the short-format stuff. And also the fact it’s also six weeks. So I was always certain that I wanted to do another season.”So what has clicked for Burns this summer? “I’ve been asked that a lot,” she said, before talking of a new view on life that having a family brings. “I feel perhaps a bit more relaxed about it. I’ve always had a fairly good perspective around cricket…but having a family, it gives you a lot more perspective on the things that are super important in life and it’s allowed me to go into this and enjoy it for what it is.”

I was pretty disappointed not to be to get it the girls over the line in Adelaide, so for me it was quite redeeming to be in a similar situation and manage to finish it offErin Burns on her innings against Brisbane Heat at North Sydney

There was, though, a technical aspect as well having spent pre-season working on her leg-side game with New South Wales coach Gavan Twining. A bottom-hand dominant technique had left her vulnerable to being bowled and lbw, but during this season’s WBBL she has yet to be dismissed in that manner. “Just working on playing a little straighter for a little longer and utilising the crease a little more and that’s allowed me to free my hands a bit more and play a bit freer,” she said.And the runs have flowed at crucial times. Her three standout scores are 50 in the opening match of the season against Brisbane Heat, where Maitlan Brown’s first-ball six secured a vital confidence-breeding victory – “it was like a final,” Burns said – then 71 off 38 balls against Adelaide Strikers which narrowly failed to secure victory and then 51* from 32 against Heat at North Sydney Oval when she and Sophie Ecclestone added a remarkable 92 in 45 balls.”It was definitely something in my career that would be up there with one of the best wins that I’ve been a part of and to be there in the middle was pretty special with Sophie,” Burns said of that latter display. “Gives us that extra confidence that if our backs are against the wall, going into a final with that experience…personally I was pretty disappointed not to be to get it the girls over the line in Adelaide, so for me it was quite redeeming to be in a similar situation and manage to finish it off.”Erin Burns and Sophie Ecclestone put on an unbeaten 92-run partnership•Getty ImagesBurns has also regularly featured when the power surge has been taken – including in that game against Heat in Sydney – and she has enjoyed the new dynamic it has brought to the game for middle-order batters.”I kind of think ‘what are these openers whinging about, you’ve only got two out’,” she joked. “Think it’s been a really cool addition to the competition. Being in its first year, think teams are starting to figure it out now, at the start it was a little uncertain and more often than not it brought about a lot of wickets rather than a lot of runs.”I love it, you’ve seen a few balls, you are set then you can opt to take surge, especially here at North Sydney with short boundaries, or Adelaide when there was a massive wind coming across the ground, so it’s just trying to figure out bowlers you can capitalise on and the dimensions of the ground, areas you can chance your arm at.”Her prolific season, which saw her named in the team of the tournament, was enough to raise the question of an Australia recall after she was last part of the squad for the 2020 T20 World Cup. In the end she did not make the group to go to India next month, but national selector Shawn Flegler has been in contact to tell her next year’s World Cup in South Africa was not off the radar.”We had a good chat to Erin, she’s still firmly in the mix for World Cup selection,” he said. “We’re really pleased that she’s come out and performed as strongly as she has in the WBBL. She’s an experienced cricketer, she can come seamlessly into the squad if required, and provides a great middle-order batting option for us if that’s the role that we require.”For now, though, Burns’ only focus is on Saturday’s WBBL final at Sixers’ stronghold of North Sydney Oval. “You always have that burning dream to represent your country, but for me there’s a lot going on for me both on and off the field at the moment so just taking it day by day.”

Chappell, Benaud and Botham were among those who reacted strongly to the controversial no-ball call

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Apr-2020 #RetroLive This was the third time – all instances in Australia – that Muttiah Muralitharan was called during a live match for throwing. Things came to a head with Arjuna Ranatunga walking off with his team only to resume playing after a 15-minute interval during which many a discussion happened with the officials. A phone call was made back home to cricket board officials too. This is what the experts and the participants said about the incident at the time.The observersThis was the first time Umpires Ross Emerson and Tony McQuillan stood in a game involving Murali since they last called him back in 1996. So there was anticipation even before the actual no-ball call was made.”Quite amazing. The two umpires out there know more than the International Cricket Council. I think it’s all rather pathetic. It is a decision that has been made by some very respected people who have played a lot of cricket at international level and first-class level. And yet two people who might make that decision have played no more than a bit of club cricket.””The English batsmen will be sick in the stomach. I feel a little bit upset myself. Regardless of whether his action is legal or not, that should be decided at the end of the series. This is a team standing behind its bowler who has been cleared by 40 umpires across the world, but here he is called in the middle of the series…”I am a bit lost and saddened by the decisions this afternoon. Murali will be feeling sick in the stomach. He will be very confused. He has got 200 Test wickets. He has bowled a lot of overs in this series so far. Then all of a sudden he has been called for having an illegal action at the Adelaide Oval.””I have been through three of these. The first one was Ian Meckiff in Brisbane in 1963, then the second time was Muralitharan when he was called at the MCG [by Umpire Darrell Hair, whom Sri Lanka got barred from standing in their games]. Today the third time has produced the exact same feeling, which is very empty at the pit of the stomach. The ICC, I think now, will be dragged kicking and screaming into the region of solving the mess.”Getty Images”How come he can’t make a decision on that one with the naked eye and yet he can call the flick of an elbow with the naked eye? Miles out of the ground, but he relies on the replay, which is what he should have been doing with respect to the no-ball.””The fact that this has been allowed to interrupt the day’s play the way it did is quite sad. The thing that you have got to ask of the officials is how come it is allowed to happen in the middle of the arena? This is the third time in Murali’s case that it is happening in the middle of the international arena. All three times in Australia. And you would think that if somebody’s got a doubtful action, they would stop before they get to international cricket.”The officialDoug Insole was member of the ICC committee that cleared Murali, but he explained to Channel 9 the technicalities behind it, and that the on-field umpire had the right to call even a bowler cleared by them. That he said as someone who was called once for throwing, which shocked him too.”Of those that have been seen worldwide as it were, there are one or two who have got perfectly ordinary basic actions, but who stick a bit extra when they try to do a something bit extra. Then there are one or two who have a basic fault in their action. There is no way that ICC can say that that bloke is never going to throw again. You can’t say to an umpire that this bloke is cleared, and he must never be no-balled. What you can say is that as far as the panel is concerned, his basic action, as we have seen it, is okay.”It is a desperate thing to happen to a bowler. I feel sorry for the man himself. You’d be right in saying – and one has to be a bit cagey about this – on the basis of the videotape that we saw, and I can’t remember whether everyone was on the conference call or whether one two were missing or what, but certainly the general opinion at that time was that his action, as seen on that video, was legitimate.”PA Images via Getty ImagesThe participants”The question of Umpire Hair standing had to do with him making some comments prior to the tour in a book that he was publishing. It wasn’t in anyway connected with him no-balling Muralitharan before. As for the other two umpires, there was no question that the Sri Lankan cricket board nor any of the players felt his action was unfair. He had been cleared by 40 umpires all over the world, and a committee that had been set up of eminent bowlers. And one might say, umpires in this tournament as well. So there was never a doubt as far as it was concerned.”Arjuna walked off with his team merely to get a clarification as to how they must proceed. It would have seemed they were leaving the ground, but the basic intention was to find how they should proceed. The point was that the Sri Lankan board would have at no stage wanted the match to be abandoned because after all cricket has to continue and the lofty ideals of the game has to continue. Also we didn’t in anyway want to embarrass the Australian cricket board.”That he is different is one of the problems that has created this illusion: the permanently bent arm of his and that rotation of the shoulder and also the profuse use of the wrists, which I think creates this illusion, which umpires and people find something different in it.””I never thought it will happen because he has bowled all over the world and we have never had a problem. Then suddenly one guy comes and calls, I think it is really unfortunate. I think it is really bad on Australian cricket’s part.”Murali has a really bad arm, everyone knows about it. The person who calls, he must be having a really really good eye. I think any batsman would love to have that eye… the batsman will get thousand runs in two months if that eye comes to a batsman. The way Murali bowls, if you can pick that, he must be really amazing [to be calling him with the naked eye].”We knew we had to win the game for Murali, and that’s what happened today. We have the same umpires in a game towards the end of the tour so we have to take a firm decision what to do. We have to consult with the board and then it is up to the board or the government. It is very important. Murali has been a key person for the country and for Sri Lankan cricket.”I think we never had a problem anywhere except Australia. I think most of the cricketers will try to avoid Australia the way it goes now. And the public has been really bad on Murai, and the media has been really bad. I think it is pathetic that a person who has got 200 Test wickets is only called in Australia. I don’t think he should suffer like this. Everyone likes to come to Australia and do well in Australia but it is totally different the image we have now.””I am not allowed to comment unfortunately due to ICC regulations but what I will say is we have been brought up, if an umpire makes a decision, that’s it, you accept it and get on with the game. Today that didn’t happen.””There you are but again it comes down to the umpire, how he sees things. It is the same with lbw decisions or run-outs or whatever.” RetroLive

The New York Mets had their seven-game winning streak come to an end Monday night as they lost to the San Diego Padres, 7-6.

Home plate umpire Emil Jimenez had a brutal game behind the plate, frustrating both teams throughout the night with some bad calls. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was ejected in the third inning after arguing balls and strikes and Juan Soto appeared to come close to getting tossed in the seventh inning after he was rung up on a bad called third strike.

One of the Mets announcers was rightfully not happy with how Jimenez stared down Soto after making the call, saying:

"I mean you watch this pitch, it’s clearly above the zone. That’s at his elbow. He delays, calls a strike and then stares at Juan wanting a reaction. ‘OK, you want to say something?’ Don’t make yourself part of the action."

Here's that moment:

Fans ripped Jimenez: