All posts by h716a5.icu

Kristen Beams will look to return to cricket for the Melbourne Stars in the Women’s BBL, after being ruled out of action with a finger fracture

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Nov-2016Australia women legspinner Kristen Beams has been ruled out of the remainder of the home ODIs against South Africa due to a finger injury. She had fractured her right little finger during the third match on Wednesday in Sydney and parted with the squad on Friday.While the Australia squad headed to Coffs Harbour for the last two ODIs of the series, which they lead 3-0, Beams returned to Melbourne after undergoing surgery. Beams had bowled six overs for 35 runs and one wicket on the day.”You never want to see one of your team-mates get injured,” seamer Rene Farrell said before training at Coffs International Stadium on Saturday. “We’ve all been there and we’ve all had finger injuries before. Hopefully she’ll be right around the middle of the WBBL season. I know she’ll come back stronger, she’s a tough character.”Beams had broken her finger after bowling four overs on Wednesday and received medical treatment near the boundary line before returning to bowl another two and dismissed centurion Lizelle Lee in her final over.”Her finger was still dislocated and she bowled her last two overs for us,” Australia opener Nicole Bolton said. “That shows the strength of character of someone like Beamsy, who we heavily rely on with the ball, and for her to come out and do that for us was just incredible.”Beams had a terrific tour of Sri Lanka in September, across four ODIs and the lone T20I. She was the leading wicket-taker in the ODI series, which Australia whitewashed, with 13 scalps at a stunning average of 5.92 and took two four-fors. In the T20I, her figures of 3 for 11 from four overs restricted the hosts to 59 for 8. She had bettered her career-best figures in both formats on the tour.She is also Australia’s leading wicket-taker (18) in ODIs this year, behind South Africa legspinner Suné Luus (30), England’s Katherine Brunt (21) and Luus’ team-mate Ayabonga Khaka (21).

Rangers have signalled their interest in signing Los Angeles FC winger Kwadwo Opoku, though their Old Firm rivals are also in the race, according to a recent report.

What's the latest Rangers transfer news?

With Ryan Kent leaving Ibrox this summer, Michael Beale will need to bring in a replacement, and the manager has started to run the rule over a number of potential targets.

Having missed out on him in January, the Gers have recently reignited their interest in signing Swansea City's Morgan Whittaker, while Sunderland's Jack Clarke is also an option, with Beale trying to get the majority of his transfer business done early.

The Light Blues have also considered some more unknown players from abroad, including Aris Thessaloniki star Luis Palma, as well as Brian Gutierrez, who currently plays for MLS side Chicago Fire.

Another MLS player that Beale has set his sights on is Opoku, according to Fussball Transfers (via Sport Witness), with it being reported that Los Angeles FC may allow him to leave for anywhere between €3.7m and €4.8m (£3.2m-£4.1m)

Both Rangers and Celtic have signalled their interest in the Ghanaian, placing him on their summer target list, but there is set to be a great deal of competition for his signature, with the likes of Stuttgart, Nice and Bordeaux also named as potential suitors.

At the moment, Los Angeles FC are under no pressure to sell the 21-year-old, as he is contracted until the end of this calendar year, with the option of an extra year.

Who is Kwadwo Opoku?

The Accra-born attacker has started to make a name for himself in MLS, after signing for Los Angeles FC back in October 2020, weighing in with seven goals and two assists in the 2022 regular season.

During the current campaign, the starlet has picked up where he left off, making 13 appearances in the league, and he has averaged 1.5 dribbles per game – the fourth-highest figure in the squad – while 0.8 key passes ranks him fifth.

Football scout Jacek Kulig has previously given an overview of the 5 foot 7 speedster's key traits, claiming that he possesses "pace", "acceleration" and "flair" – all of which are important qualities for an attacking player.

Opoku is still young and relatively unproven, so signing him would undoubtedly be a risk, but he has all the key attributes to become a top-quality player.

Unlike the recent past, there is no No. 1 Test ranking on the line for Australia and South Africa but that is unlikely to have an impact on what is expected to be an enticing series

The Preview by Brydon Coverdale02-Nov-2016Match factsNovember 3-7, 2016
Start time 1030 local (0230 GMT)Big PictureSo often in recent years, series between Australia and South Africa have been heavyweight title fights. Two of the most successful Test nations of the past two decades, they have more than once met with a No.1 ranking on the line. When they last played, in 2014, Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson bowled Australia to a series triumph in Cape Town that resulted in South Africa losing top spot and Australia gaining it when the ICC recalibrated its rankings a few weeks later. In fact, only once since the Test rankings were introduced in 2003 have these teams started a series with neither of them holding top spot. That was the two-Test battle in South Africa in 2011, when Graeme Smith’s men were No.2 and Michael Clarke’s side held No.4.This year, it is more of a middleweight bout, with Australia sitting at No.3 and South Africa having slipped to No.5, an unprecedentedly low combination of rankings for these two teams at the outset of a campaign. And yet it remains an enticing contest. How could it not, given the history? One remarkable feature of Australia-South Africa battles is that the home advantage means almost nothing. In fact, of the past six series between these two sides, the away team has won five and the other was drawn. Not since 2005-06 in Australia – the era of Warne, McGrath, Ponting, Gilchrist et al – has the home side won an Australia-South Africa or South Africa-Australia series.The odds might look to be stacked in favour of Australia breaking that drought this summer. South Africa have won only two of their past 12 Tests, and are without their captain and arguably best player AB de Villiers. Australia, meanwhile, have not lost a home Test series since the last time South Africa visited, in 2012, and last summer crushed New Zealand and West Indies such that by the end of February they were – albeit briefly – top of the rankings again. But facing Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada and co will be a very different challenge, as will keeping the likes of Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis quiet. Bear in mind too that Australia’s strike bowler, Mitchell Starc, is coming off a nasty leg injury and has just one fairly underwhelming innings of first-class bowling to his name since then.And then there is the venue. For more than two decades Australian Test summers have started in Brisbane, and such has been their dominance at the Gabba – West Indies in 1988 were the last to beat Australia at the ground – that it has been nicknamed the Gabbatoir. But this year, to allow for the Gabba hosting a day-night Test later in the season, the summer opener has been moved to the WACA. And that holds no fears for South Africa, who have played three Tests at the WACA for two wins and a draw. Australia have never beaten South Africa at the ground. And as many as seven of South Africa’s likely XI – Steyn, Amla, du Plessis, JP Duminy, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Dean Elgar – have experience of winning WACA Tests.Who cares if it’s not a heavyweight bout this time? Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Robinson and Jake LaMotta were all pretty good to watch. Middleweights, all of them.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)

Australia: LLLWW
South Africa: WDWLD
Peter Siddle has been preferred as Australia’s third fast bowler•Getty ImagesIn the spotlightSouth African readers may wish to look away now. Put your hands over your eyes and scroll down to the next paragraph because you don’t want to see these figures. David Warner’s Test average at the WACA: 95.85 (from four Tests). Warner’s Test average against South Africa: 68.09 (from six Tests). Warner’s last innings against South Africa: 173 (in a Cape Town ODI last month). Warner’s last first-class innings: 134 (in the Sheffield Shield last week).Welcome back, South Africans. You will be happier to read this section. Australians? Yeah, you might want to flick ahead to the team news. Faf du Plessis’ Test average against Australia: 63.37 (from five Tests). Du Plessis’ Test average in Australia: 146.50 (from two Tests). Du Plessis’ score in South Africa’s last warm-up game in Adelaide: 102 (retired).Team newsAustralia confirmed their XI on the eve of the match, with Peter Siddle preferred for the third pace-bowling position. The uncapped Joe Mennie has been named 12th man.Australia 1 David Warner, 2 Shaun Marsh, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Steven Smith (capt), 5 Adam Voges, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Peter Nevill (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Nathan Lyon.South Africa’s main question is whether to include Morne Morkel as a fourth fast man alongside Steyn, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada, or whether to pick a specialist spinner. The left-arm orthodox spinner Keshav Maharaj would seem to have the front-running if the selectors want a spinner, but Morkel’s experience would be tempting them. However, having missed the series against New Zealand with a back injury, Morkel would need to convince the selectors he is ready to get through five days.South Africa (possible) 1 Stephen Cook, 2 Dean Elgar, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Faf du Plessis (capt), 5 Temba Bavuma, 6 JP Duminy, 7 Quinton de Kock (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Keshav Maharaj/Morne Morkel.Pitch and conditionsThe WACA provided a disappointing high-scoring draw last summer, and the curator is hoping to avoid such a road this year. He has left a little extra grass on the surface, which he hopes will also have more pace in it. The forecast for the whole Test is sunny with temperatures in the high 20s and low 30s.Stats and trivia Dale Steyn needs six wickets to go past Shaun Pollock as South Africa’s all-time leading Test wicket taker Australia have won only five of their 10 most recent Tests at the WACA South Africa have never lost a Test in PerthQuotes”They will take comfort in the fact that they are playing in home conditions. When we went to India and we lost there, we were a little bit scarred and we took comfort in going home but it took time. Guys needed to find form.” “

Celtic's season ended in style as they beat Inverness 3-1 at Hamdpen in the Scottish FA Cup final on Saturday to secure the domestic treble.

Their incredible success on the pitch should be enjoyed during the off-season but the uncertain future of manager Ange Postecoglou is casting a shadow over their achievements.

The Sun recently reported that the Australian coach could be appointed as the new boss of Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur this coming week and that would leave the Hoops in search of a replacement.

Who could replace Ange Postecoglou at Celtic?

Celtic must reignite their interest in out-of-work manager Jesse Marsch as the former Leeds United chief would be the dream heir to Postecoglou at Parkhead.

Back in 2021, the American coach was linked with the Celtic job and told BBC Sport: "It's an amazing club and it would be an honour to even be considered (for the role)."

At the time, Marsch questioned whether the club would suit the way he wants to build a team and referenced investing in the academy and in young players.

Postecoglou has done exactly that by placing faith in the likes of Jota, 24, Liel Abada, 21, Matt O'Riley, 21, and academy graduate Anthony Ralston – who all played over 1000 minutes in the Scottish Premiership in 22/23 – among others.

This suggests that the ex-RB Leipzig boss has the right mentality to carry on the Australian's work by developing and producing excellent young talents at Celtic.

The 49-year-old coach, who Falkirk midfielder Stephen McGinn claimed plays "front foot" football, has also proven himself capable of managing a winning team in the past. He won two Austrian Bundesliga titles in two seasons with RB Salzburg and averaged 2.31 points per game or more across both campaigns.

Postecoglou, meanwhile, has averaged 2.64 points per match across his 66 games in the Premiership to date, which shows that both managers are capable of maintaining excellent, title-winning, form over the course of a season.

This suggests that the ex-Leeds man has the ability to continue the 57-year-old's dominance in the top-flight of football in Scotland by winning the division again next term.

Marsch also has experience managing in the Champions League.

The American tactician has won five of his 17 matches in the competition, including qualifying ties, whereas the current Hoops boss has failed to win any of his eight games in Europe's premier tournament.

This suggests that the out-of-contract coach could, potentially, be an upgrade on Postecoglou in terms of what he is able to achieve on the continental stage, which is a setting in which the Spurs target has failed to flourish.

Therefore, Celtic must reignite their interest in Marsch as the American, with his youth-based philosophy and experience in Europe and in winning titles, could be the dream heir to the hot seat at Parkhead.

In a match that Sri Lanka A dominated West Indies A, legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay picked up 6 for 47 to set up a 138-run victory in Dambulla

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Oct-2016
ScorecardFile photo: Jeffrey Vandersay picked up his ninth five-for in 29 first-class matches•AFPLegspinner Jeffrey Vandersay took 6 for 47 in the final innings to lead Sri Lanka A to victory in Dambulla. West Indies A were set a target of 333 but with no one even managing a fifty, the hosts wrapped up a 138-run victory, and with it the series 2-1.The chase had begun positively with Kieran Powell, who had briefly flirted with a career in baseball, back at the top of the order and kicking things off with a 41-ball 44. West Indies A were 124 for 3 – chugging along at a run-rate just under four – when Vandersay blitzed through their middle order to bowl them out for 194. He took two wickets in the 48th over, including that of captain and top-scorer Shamarh Brooks for 46, handed the opposition five of their six single-digit scores and completed his ninth five-for in 29 first-class matches.While the bowling they faced was good, West Indies A would rue the fact that they collapsed from reasonably strong positions. In the first innings they had Shimron Hetmyer – 94 off 91 balls, with 17 fours – and Brooks – 54 off 100 balls – doing well before they lost eight wickets for 104 runs to concede a lead of 75. In the second innings, West Indies lost seven wickets for 70 runs to concede the match.Another measure of where West Indies A lost the match lay in the number of partnerships over 50. There were eight overall – and they contributed only two of them.Meanwhile, Sri Lanka A had begun the game with an agenda-setting 133-run stand between openers Kusal Perera (69) and Sandun Weerakkody (79) in the first innings. It was key to building a total of 318.Then fast bowler Kasun Madushanka and left-arm wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan took three wickets each and left-arm seamer Lahiru Gamage chipped in with two of his own to bowl West Indies A out for 243. All three were picked in Sri Lanka’s Test squad to play against Zimbabwe in Harare next Saturday.Sri Lanka A swelled a lead of 75 to match-and-series-winning proportions in their second innings with Weerakkody smacking 48 off 36 balls and Asela Gunaratne collecting 69 off 126 balls. Rahkeem Cornwall was the only opposition they faced, the offspinner picking up 4 for 87 from 26 overs to finish with 23 wickets from three matches.

After defeating Barnsley in the play-off final to seal a return to the Championship, Sheffield Wednesday look set to raid another of their South Yorkshire rivals this summer.

The Yorkshire Post suggests Wednesday are one of at least three Championship clubs; Millwall and Swansea City being two of the others – to have eyed up a move for Rotherham United forward Chiedozie Ogbene.

Who is Sheffield Wednesday target Chiedozie Ogbene?

Since arriving from Irish football in 2017, Ogbene has spent six seasons bouncing between League Two, League One and the Championship.

The Nigeria-born forward spent the 2022/23 campaign in the Championship with Rotherham, scoring eight goals in 39 appearances as the Millers suffered relegation back to the third tier.

Despite playing for a team struggling at the bottom end of the division, Ogbene continued to be picked by the Republic of Ireland last season, having pledged his allegiance to the nation in July 2020.

With four goals from 15 senior international caps, plus his team-high eight goals for Rotherham last season (Conor Washington was next highest with five), Ogbene will clearly feel he is better than a League One player.

Indeed, Ogbene was lauded as "spectacular" by Ireland boss Stephen Kenny last year after scoring one and assisting another in a 2-2 draw with the world's top-ranked national side Belgium.

Where would Ogbene fit in at Wednesday?

Wednesday are no strangers to poaching players from Rotherham, having signed Michael Ihiekwe and Michael Smith from their neighbours last summer. As regulars in the Owls' promotion-winning side, it is fair to say those two transfers paid off handsomely.

As pointed out by manager Darren Moore earlier this week in an interview with talkSPORT, it is imperative Wednesday get their transfer business spot on again as Championship football returns to Hillsborough.

"We have to consistently move forward and with the recruitment process it's essential that we bring the right ones in to keep the continuity of the club moving forward," he said.

As a free agent who was earning £1.5k-per-week this past year, according to Capology, the 26-year-old appears to be a smart gamble worth taking by second-tier clubs such as Wednesday.

There is room for Ogbene in the Wednesday side, too, with the former Cork City and Limerick player particularly impressing in terms of progressive carries (2.97 per game) and dribbles (1.5 per game).

To put that into some context, only one Wednesday player – Alex Mighten (1.1) – managed more than one successful dribble per game on average last season in League One.

Indeed, Ogbene ranks in the top 3% for progressive carries and top 7% for successful take-ons among his positional peers, so he is clearly a player who knows how to beat his man and get the ball forward.

After crossing paths with Rotherham by returning to the Championship last month, Wednesday are now well positioned to strike another blow and land one of their rivals' key assets.

Aston Villa have been linked to a La Liga ace, in a signing that could bolster Unai Emery’s midfield this summer.

The Spaniard has enjoyed an emphatic first season at Villa Park, however, is on the path to exceed further expectations, having secured the club European football next campaign.

From Marco Asensio to Pau Torres, the Midlands outfit has been rumoured to be a potential new home for an array of stars in the Spanish top division, with the latest rumoured target following suit.

What’s the latest on Andre Almeida to Aston Villa?

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported earlier this month that the Valencia midfielder, Andre Almeida, has 'caught the attention' of Aston Villa.

The Portuguese midfielder is also rated by Brighton, with the struggling Spanish giants aiming to free up finances this summer to reinforce other areas of the squad.

The report claims the 23-year-old could be sold for a figure around €30m (£26m) after shining in what has been an abysmal season for Los Che.

What could Andre Almeida bring to Aston Villa?

Despite being part of a Valencia side still mildly threatened by relegation from the Spanish top tier, Almeida has settled into his surroundings impressively since signing from Vitoria Guimaraes last summer.

Likened to Newcastle United ace Bruno Guimaraes by FBref, the defensive midfielder enjoys a battle in the engine room, as well as being a strong distributor of the ball and competent in transitioning play.

Such strengths are supported by his numbers, with the 23-year-old “talented” gem – as per scout Antonio Mango – averaging 2.42 tackles per 90 minutes, as well as flexing his ability in moving the ball in averaging 7.11 progressive passes and 2.64 progressive carries per 90.

In La Liga this season, the Portuguese ace has maintained an accurate passing rate of 85%, and has secured four assists, showcasing his competency as a ball-playing midfielder – as per Sofascore.

The youngster could be a strong addition for Emery to introduce to his midfield, and could prove to be a perfect pairing for Boubacar Kamara, who has had his game time limited since arriving due to injury.

The Frenchman, like Almeida is a strong asset to have in deep midfield, branded as a “monster” by Villa pundit Ty Bracey, the 2022 signing showcases a more combative side to the art of the defensive role, which could balance the attacking expertise of the Portuguese.

While the Valencia star’s numbers are more influential in progressive play, Kamara is better defensively, averaging 2.94 tackles per 90 to his 2.42, as well as ranking in the top 3% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for blocks per 90, with 1.92 – as per FBref.

Having a midfield pivot of two defensively competent players with one ball player is a combination for the ages, and one that has been successful throughout the history of the Premier League.

Take Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri for Manchester City this season, and Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka for Arsenal, both duos are powerhouses in retrieving the ball, with one individual in each partnership excelling in playing the ball.

While Douglas Luiz’s position in Emery’s midfield is paramount, competition could allow the Spaniard to exercise what his best formation and combination in the middle of the park may be, making Almeida a strong contender this summer.

As New Zealand try to avoid a whitewash against the No. 1-ranked Test side in the world, they will be buoyed by the return of their captain Kane Williamson, for Indore’s Test debut

The Preview by Sidharth Monga in Indore07-Oct-2016Match factsOctober 8-12, 2016
Start time 0930 local (0400 GMT)1:17

Injuries plague India-New Zealand series

Big PictureAs we move from Kanpur’s correct Hindi to Kolkata’s formal and slightly archaic English to the delightful informal mix of Hindi and Urdu in Indore, one thing has not changed. Kanpur’s Green Park is a 10-minute walk from the district court. One of Kolkata’s Eden Garden’s ends is called the High Court End. And now Indore’s Holkar Stadium turns out to be located under a kilometre from the Madhya Pradesh High Court. It is fitting considering a larger court’s shadow has loomed while the series has gone on.The Kanpur press box was used by Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri to further the BCCI’s old guard’s view; president Anurag Takur himself made a visit to the Eden Gardens press box. None of it could make you look away from some high-quality Test cricket watched by encouraging crowds barring the second day of Kolkata. Indore, making its Test debut, has thrown up thousands to just watch the nets; this Test should be a spectacle too.The scoreboard reads 2-0 India, which is obviously a fair indicator, but the margins of defeats – 197 runs and 178 runs – don’t do New Zealand justice. R Aswhin, the series’ leading bowler, was gracious enough to acknowledge the fight New Zealand have shown despite injuries and limited experience in such challenging conditions. “The best thing about this New Zealand team is they don’t give anything easily,” Ashwin told . “They have come with a gameplan, and it is really showing. They are making us work very hard for every single wicket and run.”As New Zealand try to avoid a whitewash against the No. 1-ranked Test side in the world, they will be buoyed by the return of their captain Kane Williamson, who missed the Kolkata Test because of illness. Williamson said he was “certainly very hopeful” of playing as he worked to get his energy levels back up after a virus attack. It’s not just New Zealand who have had to fight injuries and illnesses. India have lost Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar from their bowling department. The loss of two openers – KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan – will result in uncertainty at the top as Gautam Gambhir looks to come back once again, at a week short of 35.India have kept finding ways to win crucial moments and sessions in this series. With uncertainty around their board, they will need to keep finding ways if they are to realise their unstated – for obvious reasons of not putting too much pressure on themselves – dream of going unbeaten through the whole home season.Form guideIndia WWDWD (last five completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand LLLDWKane Williamson said he was “certainly very hopeful” of playing in Indore•BCCIIn the spotlightTom Latham, who doesn’t play too much limited-overs cricket at the international level, has never played in such heat and humidity. He has fought awfully hard for 455 minutes in the middle, but has still been able to get only 135 runs in four innings. He has been playing a game that doesn’t come naturally to him, which has brought him the respect of the opposition, but he will want to play that big innings that defines a match.Rohit Sharma paid back the first instalment for the faith shown in him by the team management when he scored 82 runs coming in at 43 for 4 in India’s second innings in Kolkata. His critics worry this might just be a one-off. Now the second-highest run-scorer in the series, Rohit himself said he has not been under any pressure; even if he was, this innings should have eased it, but he will also know the next instalment should not take too long.New Zealand spinners are rarely asked to win Tests on their own. They are usually asked to do the containing role to support their quicks. As in Kanpur, they will again be asked to win New Zealand the Test. Right now they average 35 (Micthell Santner), 50 (Ish Sodhi) and 58 (Jeetan Patel). They will need to cut out the loose balls for starters, and then give the ball enough opportunity to assume the natural variation off a pitch that looks dry.Team newsIndia have lost Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shikhar Dhawan from the last Test. Gambhir should replace Dhawan, and depending on the nature of the pitch either Umesh Yadav or Amit Mishra should come in. A left-field selection could mean a debut for either paceman Shardul Thakur or offspinner Jayant Yadav.India (probable): 1 M Vijay, 2 Gautam Gambhir, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt.), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Rohit Sharma, 7 R Ashwin, 8 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 9 Ravindra Jadeja, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Amit Mishra/ Umesh YadavWilliamson’s return will mean Henry Nicholls misses out with Martin Guptill expected to be given another chance. Matt Henry’s impressive performance in Kolkata could mean he stays in and Neil Wagner makes way for the third spinner Ish Sodhi.New Zealand (probable): 1 Tom Latham, 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Kane Williamson (capt.), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Luke Ronchi, 6 Mitchell Santner, 7 BJ Watling (wk), 8 Matt Henry/Neil Wagner, 9 Jeetan Patel, 10 Ish Sodhi, 11 Trent BoultPitch and conditionsThe Indore pitch is known to provide assistance for quicks and value for shots, but don’t expect it at the cost of home advantage. The word is that the pitch is expected to behave similarly to Kanpur. Virat Kohli said it was a hard surface, which should have some carry. Williamson, though, said the pitch was soft and bare at both ends. He expected turn, but also felt that the softness of the pitch with the weather around was a factor. There has been some rain around in the lead-up to the Test, but the forecast is for an uninterrupted match.Stats and trivia Virat Kohli has won all his six tosses at home India have been unbeaten in their last 13 home Tests. They have won 11 and drawn two Samandar Singh Chauhan, the curator at Holkar Stadium, is the man responsible for the pitches that gave ODI cricket its first two double-hundreds. Sachin Tendulkar did it in Gwalior, and Virender Sehwag here Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor and BJ Watling have averaged under 20 in this seriesQuotes”One thing that stands out for me as a learning is how to control a session that’s not going your way. The session when the other team is batting well, you should know how to control runs and at the same time not go negative.”
“We know we are up against a stiff challenge in India but at the same time we are yet to have played our best cricket. Although we’ve come off the back of a couple of losses we do feel if we can put out our best performance we can get a result in this part of the world. But we certainly need to improve on our last couple.”

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is personally ready to "promise" Arne Slot control over transfers and his coaching staff to get him over the line, according to reports.

What's the latest Spurs manager news?

Spurs are believed to be stepping up their chase for Antonio Conte's replacement, coming two months after the Italian's departure from north London.

The Lilywhites are said to have shortlisted a variety of managers for the head coaching role in recent weeks, with the likes of Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton), Celtic's Ange Postecoglou and Sporting CP's Ruben Amorim making their way on to the shortlist (Evening Standard).

Tottenham are also believed to have held talks with former Barcelona and Spain manager Luis Enrique, though reports now claim that Feyenoord's Slot has entered pole position for the job.

There are even suggestions that his appointment could happen within the next week, coming as quite promising news for Spurs supporters who will remember the long, drawn out wait for Jose Mourinho's successor in 2021.

Chairman Levy is apparently determined to get Slot to N17, so much so that he is ready to concede on major factors in a bid to seal his hire.

According to Football Insider and journalist Pete O'Rourke, Levy is personally ready to "promise" Slot control over transfers and his coaching staff – as stated in the headline.

The Lilywhites chief is apparently set to "concede ground" on recruitment and staff, which has been the point of contention in negotiations so far.

Talks have apparently gone well so far and are believed to be at an advanced stage, and Levy's intentions to relinquish control over two key factors surely comes as great news for Slot.

Who is Arne Slot?

Fresh off the back of his first ever Eredivisie title, the 44-year-old could bring back an exciting brand of football, with journalist Marcel van der Kraan even calling him an "ultra-attacking" coach in the same vein as Man City boss Pep Guardiola.

"The best thing about Arne Slot is that he is probably the best attacking coach I have seen in the last 35-40 years at Feyenoord," said Van der Kraan to talkSPORT."He is very similar to Pep Guardiola, his ideas are very similar, he is a massive fan of Pep and he plays the same time."He goes ultra-attacking, he is almost like a maniac. Not on the touchline but it is fantastic to see how he has turned an average side into a wonderful attacking machine."

This come as a very promising statement for Spurs supporters who wish to see the return of fluid, attacking football at Hotspur Way.

Slot is also unlucky not to hold more silverware, having narrowly missed out on a UEFA Europa Conference League crown to Roma last year.

Rob Keogh’s first century of the season in the Specsavers County Championship, backed up in a partnership of 159 with Steven Crook, put Northamptonshire in control on the first day against Worcestershire at New Road

ECB Reporters Network23-Aug-2016
ScorecardRob Keogh struck 21 fours and three sixes in his innings•Getty ImagesRob Keogh’s first century of the season in the Specsavers County Championship, backed up in a partnership of 159 with Steven Crook, put Northamptonshire in control on the first day against Worcestershire at New Road.The 24-year-old Keogh made 154, with three sixes and 21 fours from 236 balls, and Crook provided aggressive support with an unbeaten 84 from 123 deliveries in their side’s progress to 345 for 6.The end for Keogh, after nearly five hours, came from a misjudgement when he was run out by Ed Barnard, swooping from mid-off as the batsmen went for a sharp single.This was a big change of tack for Northamptonshire. Three days after winning the NatWest T20 Blast trophy at Edgbaston, they needed to refocus on avoiding the Division Two wooden spoon in the Championship.Thanks to Keogh’s guidance, it’s a case of so far, so good. Having started the day 17 points clear of bottom county Derbyshire, they extended the gap by taking three bonus points in a challenging response to Worcestershire’s decision to bowl first.The initial skirmishing marginally went in the home side’s favour as Northants lost their fourth wicket at 118 after a hard-fought 41 overs, but in the 90 minutes up to tea Keogh and two partners scored 128 in 23 overs.Richard Levi was first to raise the tempo, although the South African would have been disappointed to fall into a Worcestershire trap after making 33 out of 54 in 10 overs.Tempted by a short ball from Charlie Morris, he pulled it straight to deep square leg for a comfortable catch by Joe Clarke, one of two men posted for the shot.By then, Keogh was approaching his best score of the season, 75 against Sussex at Arundel, and ready to avoid Levi’s mistake when he succeeded in clumping a similar shot over the rope.Crook was just the man to put pressure on a quartet of seamers, toiling on a hot afternoon. Not for the first time at New Road, the allrounder took the game to the bowlers as a new partnership raced along at five runs an over.Keogh hit another six and duly reached three-figures with his 15th four from 144 balls. His innings was perhaps not quite chanceless after a couple of flirtations outside off stump, but it was a high-value performance in straightening out his team’s early problems.Rob Newton, after a double century in the previous match, was out in the sixth over, a leading edge off Barnard falling to Morris at mid-off, and Ben Duckett, after a bright start, went for 26, driving Joe Leach to extra cover.Alex Wakely followed up his valuable runs on T20 finals day by making 25 out of 64 added for the third wicket, but was out soon after lunch, pushing at a ball from Barnard for a routine catch by wicketkeeper Ben Cox.Levi was involved in a stand of 54, at more than twice the rate, and Worcestershire were pushed back by the force of Crook’s half-century from 64 balls.Keogh was on 106 at tea and could have gone without addition when pulling Barnard to deep mid-wicket, but Tom Fell, having made ground to his left, was unable to take a difficult chance.