All posts by n8rngtd.top

The India captain has been in the spotlight off the field, but his returns on it are dwindling

Shashank Kishore27-Sep-20252:05

Is captaincy affecting SKY’s form?

Suryakumar Yadav’s last act on the field against Sri Lanka on Friday was a punch through the covers to seal India’s victory in the Super Over. But before that moment of assurance at the finish, he had seemed like a man just beginning to be affected by his poor form.During India’s first innings, Suryakumar had chosen to review an lbw decision against him despite knowing that it was almost certainly out. One of T20 cricket’s most feared batters had scores of only 0, 5 and 12 in his last three innings at the Asia Cup.His performance in this tournament is in keeping with a pool of scores that is hard-hitting. In ten innings this year, India’s T20I captain has managed just 99 runs with three ducks, while striking at 110. Go back further, from just after India’s T20 World Cup win in June 2024 to now, his numbers get only marginally better: 329 runs in 19 innings with two half-centuries.Related

• Suryakumar found guilty of breaching code of conduct

• Suryakumar: India vs Pakistan isn't a rivalry anymore

• Arshdeep's masterclass helps India pull off heist

There doesn’t seem to be an apparent weakness or loophole in his game, though his propensity to premeditate – like that pick-up flick he plays nonchalantly – has caused his downfall a few times in this Asia Cup alone. Away from the glare of the game, there seems to be no issue with Suryakumar’s batting. He’s striking the ball sweetly at training, but that fluency has been missing on match days. This lean run has come at a time when the spotlight is on him for different reasons – for his gestures, expressions, comments, press conference quips, and the biggest of them all, handshake-gate. There have been disciplinary hearings off the field and drastic batting-order shuffles on it.On Friday, Suryakumar had an opportunity to find his rhythm in a dead rubber, but he flickered before fizzling out for 12 off 13 balls. An on-the-up cover drive for four off Maheesh Theekshana was as good as it got. He kept getting beaten while playing down the wrong line. A nip backer from Dushmantha Chameera beat his inside edge, and he got a leading edge over point off a slower one.Suryakumar Yadav fell for another low score against Sri Lanka•AFP/Getty ImagesSuryakumar’s first attempt at a sweep also resulted in a leading edge on to the grille of his helmet as he misread the length. He was lbw in the same over, premeditating a sweep against Wanindu Hasaraga, getting caught in a tangle and hit flush on the pad by a full delivery. He walked off tossing his bat, with a rueful look up to the sky.His only significant innings in this tournament was in the group game against Pakistan, when he struck an unbeaten 47, finishing the chase with a six and walking off with his usual gum-chewing swagger. That knock barely registered because the discourse was dominated by handshake-gate.Through all this, his commitment to his team’s needs has not wavered. He’s been the loudest advocate for flexibility in batting roles, that everyone below the openers must be ready to move up or down. Against Oman, Suryakumar chose to push himself down to No. 11, giving the likes of Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav time in the middle instead.Thirteen T20I innings without a fifty is uncharted territory. Suryakumar endured barren series in South Africa and at home against England, but had a blazing IPL before this Asia Cup. He amassed 717 runs at a strike rate of 167.91 for Mumbai Indians, scoring 25-plus in 16 consecutive innings, which is why the continued downturn in international cricket is a surprise.After the Super Four game against Pakistan, Suryakumar made headlines for his proclamation that India vs Pakistan is no longer a rivalry. For all his chatter and quips, nothing will speak louder than runs in Sunday’s Asia Cup final against Pakistan.

Sheffield Wednesday have suddenly kicked into life in the transfer department of late, with the surprise capture of former Sheffield United defender Max Lowe on a free transfer getting the ball rolling.

Danny Rohl's men won't stop there, however, especially if they do end up losing attacking midfield star Josh Windass soon, with contract talks reportedly stalling to the point where the 30-year-old has turned down a new deal, to explore options elsewhere.

This doesn't have to be completely soul-shattering news from the perspective of the Owls though, with Windass blowing hot and cold for large portions of his stay in South Yorkshire, alongside the fact this could open up the floor for the Championship side to sign this exciting 21-year-old.

Wednesday eyeing up young Brentford gem

Keen on bringing in this gem in January, when the Owls were eyeing up new recruits to help pull off a great relegation escape, new reports in the Sheffield Star indicate that Wednesday's prior interest in Myles Peart-Harris could be reignited this summer.

The Brentford youngster opted to join Portsmouth in January on loan from his parent club, with this spell going down as a relative success, and the Bees could now look to see how their 21-year-old starlet handles the step up a division with the Owls.

Capable of playing in Windass' usual number ten spot, or down the wing if required, this could be a worthwhile capture for Rohl and Co this summer, who managed to bring in a number of shrewd buys using the loan market last campaign, which included Ike Ugbo bagging seven strikes up top, after joining from Troyes.

There could well be a weight on Peart-Harris' shoulders to be as electric as Ugbo, particularly if he is signed in the aftermath of Windass leaving, who certainly left his mark on proceedings last season during monumental matches in Wednesday's bid to survive, with six goals tallied up.

What Peart-Harris could offer Wednesday

Despite only making 12 appearances in total for Pompey whilst out on loan, fans of the South Coast club still ended up raving about the potential of the 21-year-old, with his final game for John Mousinho's men resulting in the above strike being netted.

It will be supporters of now non-league Forest Green who will have even more to say about the Brentford youngster, who he amassed ten goal contributions with during the 2022/23 campaign, an impressive return considering his loan club would slide down to League Two at the end of a poor overall season.

First attracting the services of Thomas Frank's men after a stunning few seasons in the youth ranks at Chelsea, Rohl might well view Peart-Harris as a player he can get even more out of at Hillsborough, as the German manager looks to wave goodbye to more of the old-guard soon in South Yorkshire.

Preferring young and hungry attackers worked wonders last season in the battle against the drop, with Anthony Musaba, in particular, sticking out, with the 23-year-old picking up eight goals and five assists, after once being an unknown, but potentially exciting, entity when signed from AS Monaco by Rohl.

Peart-Harris – who has played three times in the Premier League – could well be as effective if given time. Indeed, Windass' hit-and-miss nature for Wednesday over the years means his loss might not hurt as much as everyone thinks, having scored three of his six league goals for his current South Yorkshire employers last season, in the final three clashes, whilst drawing blanks routinely elsewhere.

Wednesday will just pray losses such as Windass, and the already confirmed departure of Will Vaulks, aren't too unsettling, however, as they aim to be comfortable in the Championship next season, as opposed to being in a constant dog-fight at the bottom.

Sheffield Wednesday must avoid future Vaulks repeat with £1.1m-rated ace

Sheffield Wednesday won’t want to repeat their Will Vaulks woes with this star.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 16, 2024

Jose Mourinho has been living in a lavish five-star hotel since joining Fenerbahce as he eyes revenge over Manchester United in the Europa League.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Mourinho living it up in plush hotel
• Running up huge bill at the Four Seasons Bosphorus
• Preparing to take on Manchester United

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mourinho joined Fenerbahce in the summer and received a rapturous welcome from supporters after moving to the Turkish side. The 61-year-old has been living in the five-star Four Seasons Bosphorus hotel since his move and has already racked up a huge hotel bill of £142,000, according to the Daily Mail. Mourinho's new residence boasts five restaurants, two swimming pools, a fitness suite and a spa – with the cheapest room costing an eye-popping £1,000-a-night.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mourinho may be living it up at the Four Seasons but life hasn't been too rosy on the pitch for the Portuguese icon's new side. Fenerbahce were beaten by Lille in Champions League qualifying, while Mourinho was mocked after defeat to rivals Galatasaray and has been accused of "generating unhappiness and helplessness" in the dressing room. Next up for Mourinho is a clash against former employers Manchester United, who have also had a tough start to the season, but victory would certainly lighten the mood at the Turkish club.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Mourinho has won just two of his last 17 games against sides he’s previously managed. He's lost 11 and drawn four of those games, but one of the wins was a 6-1 victory against Manchester United with Spurs in October 2020.

• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT

  All eyes will be on the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on Thursday when Mourinho faces the Red Devils once more. United head to Turkey with just two points from their first two games in the competition, while Fenerbahce have four after beating Union-Saint Gilloise and drawing with FC Twente.

Celtic are looking to snap up an in-form star for a cut-price fee during the 2024 summer transfer window.

Celtic transfer rumours

2023/24 was another largely dominant season for Celtic. They once again beat Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title and clinched the Scottish FA Cup. Their displays in the League Cup – a second-round exit – and their Champions League showing were by no means impressive, but it was still a largely solid season for the Hoops, who continue to be the thrusting force in Scottish football.

Kelleher signs, £8m star bought: What Rodgers' dream Celtic XI could be

A look at what the Hoops team could be next season if they have a successful summer transfer window.

By
Dan Emery

Jun 15, 2024

However, as is the case with any top team, Celtic will need to keep improving and freshening things up if they are to maintain their place as the best team in Scotland. To do this, Brendan Rodgers and co. are seemingly looking to make a few new additions to their squad during the 2024 summer transfer window.

The Hoops are said to be one of a number of teams interested in a possible swoop to sign Bristol City centre-forward Tommy Conway. With Joe Hart having hung up his boots at the close of this past campaign, Celtic are in the market for a new goalkeeper and are preparing a 'formal approach' to sign Newcastle United shot-stopper Martin Dubravka this summer.

Elsewhere, Celtic have been credited with an interest in Salernitana defender Flavius Daniliuc, who spent his formative years at Real Madrid. Manager Brendan Rodgers is also said to be 'desperate' to sign loan star Adam Idah from Norwich City after his impressive stint with the club this year.

Celtic eye cut-price move for player who scored more than Maeda

Now, a fresh name has been linked with a move to Celtic Park. The player in question is Dundee midfielder Luke McCowan. Sky Sports are reporting that the champions are 'keeping tabs' on the 26-year-old as he prepares to enter the final year of his current contract.

McCowan's contract situation means Celtic could land the winger in a cut-price deal, as while he enjoyed a stellar 2023/24 campaign, Dundee will likely have to sell him this summer or risk losing him for nothing this time next year. McCowan was one of Dundee's standout stars as they finished 6th in the league, and losing him will no doubt be a blow for the Dark Blues.

However, his arrival could also be bad news for Celtic's Daizen Maeda. Both players generally operate in the same position for their respective sides, and after McCowan dominated Maeda in the SPFL this past term, Rodgers may opt to bench the 26-year-old in place of his new signing if he is utilised in an attacking-midfield role.

Wheal lends support in unbroken fifty stand to wrest control from Warwickshire

ECB Reporters' Network06-Sep-2021A compelling LV=Insurance County Championship contest is unfolding at Edgbaston where Hampshire closed the second day on 260 for 8 in their second innings, 233 ahead of Warwickshire.The home side had Hampshire 208 for eight, just 181 in front, but former Edgbaston favourite Keith Barker dug in with Brad Wheal to add an unbroken 52 up to stumps.After taking a five-for on the first day, Barker continued to impede his former team-mates’ title bid with an unbeaten 49 off 124 balls with power to add. Warwickshire will face an awkward chase in pursuit of a victory which would keep them top of the table.On a hot afternoon, Liam Norwell led the Bears’ bowling manfully with 4 for 64 while Danny Briggs wheeled away skilfully for 36-17-38-2 but their injury-hit attack was exposed as other bowlers, notably home debutant Chemar Holder, struggled for control.After the freak clatter of wickets on the first day, a good pitch was put into proper perspective on the second when wickets had to be much harder-earned. Trailing by 27 on first innings, Hampshire resumed on 41 without loss and took the score to 55 before Norwell made the breakthrough. The big-hearted paceman swung one in to win an lbw appeal against Joe Weatherley.Ian Holland and Tom Alsop added 54 before the Bears struck a double blow just before lunch. Holland edged Norwell to Rob Yates at slip to be out for 44 and then Briggs got one to lift at Nick Gubbins and Will Rhodes took a sharp catch at slip.Briggs bowled with great control after lunch and added the scalp of Alsop, adroitly stumped by Michael Burgess, before Norwell trapped Liam Dawson lbw.James Vince batted diligently for 48 off 67 balls with seven fours and it was a surprise when he perished carelessly, pulling Craig Miles to Matt Lamb at long leg. Four balls later, Miles hit the middle stump of James Fuller but the Bears were held up by the obdurate Felix Organ who went into tea unbeaten on 3 from 72 minutes and made 16 in exactly two hours before falling lbw to Norwell.Barker batted with great composure and Wheal supported him ably in the last hour to tilt this tight and intriguing match Hampshire’s way.

ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the first day of the fourth Test between Australia and India in Adelaide

Sidharth Monga at the Adelaide Oval24-Jan-2012The sight
Two slips only until the second over of a Test match. The pitch was flat as promised, and Umesh Yadav didn’t get off to an accurate start, conceding 12 in his first over. The stand-in captain, Virender Sehwag, reacted promptly, and took out one of the slips. That’s how it stayed for most of the day.The chase
In that second over of the day, David Warner drove Yadav down the ground, between the stumps and mid-off. R Ashwin, from mid-off, started slow, hoping it would go for four, but the ball held up just inside the long straight boundary. It was one of the rare cases in modern cricket when the batsman ran all four, but still would have kicked themselves for not running enough.The sight II
Sehwag was not shy of eyebrow-raising moves. In the fourth over of the first day of a Test in Australia, he brought on the spinner, R Ashwin. And it worked. Ashwin began with back-to-back-maidens, some control was reassumed, and India got the better of the first session with three wickets. Two of them, Shaun Marsh and Ed Cowan, went to Ashwin.The MS Dhoni moment
In the 45th over of the innings, Michael Clarke cut at a short and a wide delivery, edging it between the keeper and a wide slip. It was strictly a half chance for the keeper, but Saha didn’t even go for it, in homage perhaps to the keeper he is replacing who makes it a point to not go for catches between keeper and slip unless they are dying. At least Dhoni usually has the excuse of a slip standing close to him. For Saha, though, the slip was fairly wide, and if any man was going to catch it, it was Saha.The appeal
Just before tea, Clarke stole a single to square leg, from where Ashwin shied at the stumps at the non-striker’s end. The throw hit Clarke’s bat, and ricocheted towards the straight boundary. Ashwin showed presence of mind, and appealed for obstructing the field. As per the revised rules, a batsman can be given out if he changes his direction to come in the way of the throw. Replays, though, suggested that Clarke was in the right, and never changed his line of running. Perhaps miffed that the appeal was made, Clarke chose to run overthrows off his bat, which batsmen usually turn down. Later, he apologised and asked the umpire if those runs could be revoked. He just did it instinctively, he said, and would like to undo it if he could. Of course, he was not allowed to do so.

Teenager paves way for visitors as Stars leapfrog rivals to go top of Group A

ECB Reporters' Network28-Aug-2021South East Stars 167 for 4 (Capsey 61) beat Southern Vipers 147 for 7 (Elwiss 45, Capsey 2-9) by 20 runsSouth East Stars beat Southern Vipers by 20 runs at the Ageas Bowl in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, thanks to a boisterous half-century and a return of 2 for 9 from 17-year-old Alice Capsey.Capsey’s 61 from 46 balls, combined with useful contributions from Bryony Smith (42 from 25) and Phoebe Franklin (30 from 29), helped the Stars to 167 for 4 – the most runs conceded by Vipers in the competition. Vipers desperately missed strike bowler Lauren Bell, isolating after close contact with a Covid-positive case.In reply Vipers sunk to 32 for 3 in the Powerplay, with both openers caught trying to hit out against Capsey – Georgia Adams at short extra cover and Tara Norris at mid-on.Vipers recovered to reach 147 for 7 thanks to a smart innings from Georgia Elwiss, with 45 from 32 balls, and some late heroics from Alice Monaghan, who hit an unbeaten 30 from 17 balls and tonked the only six of the day over deep midwicket, but their early losses cost them.The win puts Stars at the top of the table with one round to go.Vipers had won the toss and chosen to field but Stars teed off early – Aylish Cranstone punishing Norris’s first over for 15 runs, before the left-armer trapped her lbw. Smith took over where Cranstone left off, hitting the ball hard down the ground as Stars racked up 56 runs in the Powerplay.By contrast Capsey started slowly with 5 from 13, but the dismissal of Smith in the ninth over – caught at long-on, handing debutant Chiara Green her first wicket of the competition – seemed to galvanise her. Two overs later she audaciously scooped Elwiss to the boundary, and followed that up by smashing three boundaries – including a lofted drive down the ground – from Norris’s next over.Capsey shared a 64-run partnership with the fluent Franklin, helped by some uncharacteristically poor fielding in the deep from Vipers. Franklin was bowled by Adams in the 17th but Capsey was unfazed, bringing up a 41-ball half-century with a single in the 19th.She was eventually run out with one ball of the innings to go after a bad fall prevented her making her ground at the non-striker’s end, and limped off clutching her quad. But she came roaring back to open the bowling for Stars to great effect.

Barcelona are reportedly plotting a bold move to sign Manchester City's star forward Erling Haaland in time for the Camp Nou's grand re-opening.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Barca to go all out for Haaland
• Laporta wants to unveil star player during Camp Nou re-opening
• Haaland in great form for Man City again

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per Sport, despite the club's ongoing financial struggles, president Joan Laporta is determined to bring the Norwegian goal machine to Barcelona. Laporta aims to unveil the City star at the grand re-opening of Camp Nou which is scheduled for 2026.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Haaland has been linked with a move away from Etihad Stadium for some time amid interest from clubs like Barca, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. The 24-year-old has won it all since moving to England from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. He bagged consecutive Golden Boot awards in the English top flight and won the treble with the Cityzens in his maiden season in the Premier League.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  In the 2023-24 season, the Norway international is off to a flying start having already scored 10 goals in seven league appearances for City, and has two hat-tricks to his name.

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ERLING HAALAND?

  The striker will be back in action for Pep Guardiola's side this Sunday as they take on Wolves away from home in the Premier League. Haaland remains under contract at City until 2027.

Arsenal may have ended the season empty-handed this year, but the North Londoners pushed Manchester City all the way in the Premier League, only officially losing out on the final day.

There are a few similarities between the two sides. Their managers have worked together, they play a stylistically similar brand of football, and both teams are lucky enough to field a superstar brought up through the academy who looks set for a massive summer with England.

We are, of course, talking about two of the best players in the country in Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden, and based on recent reports, the Gunners could be about to sign a player who has been compared to both in the way he plays the game.

Arsenal transfer news

According to recent reports via Football 365, Arsenal are interested in Barcelona winger Raphinha ahead of the summer window, and have already seen a €40m – £34m – offer rejected.

The report has claimed that the Catalan club will have to sell players over the coming months and that the Brazilian has been earmarked to be sold, although they are waiting for around €60m – £51m.

Alongside the Gunners, Liverpool, Al Nassr, and Chelsea have been named as interested parties, although it would appear that the two London clubs are the best positioned to secure the winger's signature.

Even at the increased asking price, this looks like it could be an excellent chance for Mikel Arteta to sign a ready-made backup to Saka; the fact he's been compared to the Hale End star and Foden is just the icing on the cake.

Raphinha's comparisons to Saka and Foden

So, comparing a winger to two of the brightest young stars in English football at the moment is certainly bold, especially when one of them has produced 39 goals and assists in 53 games for the league champions, and the other has racked up 20 goals and 14 assists in 47 games for the runners-up.

However, this comparison is less about raw output and more about their underlying numbers, and it comes from FBref, which looks at players in a specific position across Europe's top five leagues and draws a top ten of the most similar players based on their statistics.

According to this, Saka is the most similar winger to the "dangerous" Brazilian, as dubbed by former manager Xavi, while Foden comes in as number five. These similarities can be seen best in individual underlying statistics, such as their non-penalty expected goal figures, number of shot-creating actions, successful take-ons, clearances, ball recoveries, and more per 90.

This just demonstrates that while Arteta wouldn't be getting a player perhaps on the same level as the two Englishmen, he'd be getting one capable of filling in when needed and maybe even fighting for a spot in the team should the Arsenal star's form dip, as shown by his 15 goals and assists in 28 La Liga games this season.

Ultimately, with the Ealing-born superstar having already made 226 first-team appearances for the North Londoners at just 22 years old, it's imperative that Edu and Co bring in a talented right-winger who could lighten the load, and Raphinha, or "one of the best players in the world", as Xavi once described him, looks like he could be the perfect fit for that.

Arsenal could land Martinelli upgrade in "unstoppable" £80m Sesko partner

The incredible attacker could be transformational in North London.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 1, 2024

Hampshire openers add 174 for first wicket to leave hosts in danger of missing top flight

ECB Reporters Network12-Jul-2021Hampshire 270 for 5 (Weatherley 78, Holland 74) lead Gloucestershire 229 (Phillips 47, de Grandhomme 4-31) by 41 runsJoe Weatherley and Ian Holland put Hampshire on top at Cheltenham with a 174-run opening stand as their side made 270 for 5 to lead Gloucestershire by 41.Having taken the final four Gloucestershire wickets for only 15 runs inside six overs of day two to bowl the hosts out for 229, Weatherley and Holland shared a partnership into the 52nd over of the reply.Weatherley made 78 – his first half-century of the season – and Holland continued his fine campaign with 74 – the sixth score of 50 or more for Hampshire’s leading run scorer.When they were finally parted, Gloucestershire mounted a comeback taking five for 58 but they are playing catch-up in a game they now cannot afford to lose.The home side resumed 214 for 6 with a second batting point in their sights but it proved a disastrous opening.Jack Taylor, resuming on 34, fell to the 11th ball of the day as a sharp lifter from Kyle Abbott caught him on the glove and popped up for midwicket to run in and take a good catch.Two balls later, the other overnight batsman, Ollie Price on 18, went to hook Colin de Grandhomme and gloved behind, Hampshire clearly having done their homework on the 20-year-old.Matt Taylor propped forward and was lbw next ball and Gloucestershire had lost three wickets without adding a run. Dan Worrall pulled Mason Crane to midwicket and Gloucestershire were left with only one point.With a spring in their step, Hampshire’s openers gave their side a perfect start.Weatherley drove Worrall through cover and Matt Taylor through mid-on before a thick-edge to third man raised fifty in 101 balls.Holland had the home attack pulling their hair out with his tendency to play to leg. He flicked three boundaries through the on-side and punished a wide ball from Taylor in his 129-ball fifty.Gloucestershire were seeing their dreams of Division One disappearing quickly but struck on the stroke of tea as Glenn Phillips found some turn and Holland’s inside edge. Phillips then held Weatherley and Tom Alsop, for 15, at slip.Tom Prest, on 18, and de Grandhomme, for a five-ball duck, both pushed at balls and were held by Ollie Price in the cordon – the first an outstanding one-handed take – but Nick Gubbins and Lewis McManus took Hampshire to the close in command.