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England duo star on county return after Luke Wood mops up resistance with three wickets

ECB Reporters Network17-Jul-2024Lancashire 136 for 2 (Salt 70, Livingstone 54*) beat Nottinghamshire 131 for 7 (James 51, Wood 3-23) by eight wicketsLancashire became the second North Group side to qualify for the Vitality Blast quarter-finals, brushing struggling Nottinghamshire aside by eight wickets chasing 132 at Emirates Old Trafford as England duo Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone starred on their return to county action.Second-placed Lightning joined leaders Birmingham in progressing courtesy of their seventh win in 13 games, set up by a polished bowling display led by left-arm quick Luke Wood’s season’s best three for 23 in limiting his former county to 131 for seven.All-rounder Lyndon James top-scored with a career best 51 off 38 balls before Salt underpinned a successful chase with a more destructive 70 off 42, including five sixes, in his first innings after T20 World Cup duty.Livingstone, another returning international, also contributed a wicket, three catches and 54 not out off 37 with three sixes. He shared a second-wicket 112 with Salt as victory was sealed with 5.3 overs remaining.Lancashire became the first county to achieve 150 wins in Blast history.From the moment Outlaws captain Joe Clarke got a thick edge behind off Saqib Mahmood’s pace, leaving the visitors two for one after eight balls, Lightning controlled things.The Outlaws, inserted, slipped to 28 for four inside six overs, Wood claiming his first – Jack Haynes caught at deep square-leg – added to other scalps for spinners Chris Green and Tom Hartley.The latter, England’s left-arm spinner, had Matt Montgomery caught at deep square-leg for his first wicket in any format since May 12, owing much to him being a squad member only at the recent T20 World Cup.In terms of games won, Nottinghamshire (144) are the second-most successful side in Blast history. But they will want to forget this campaign having only won twice so far.James and Tom Moores shared a fifth-wicket 53 inside eight overs and hit a six apiece to stem the tide and at least get the Outlaws into an innings which saw home captain Keaton Jennings employ four spinners to share 12 overs.Irish overseas debutant George Dockrell wasn’t one, but Livingstone was.And he broke the partnership when Moores miscued a wider delivery to long-off for 26 – 81 for five in the 13th over.After Wood struck again to get Liam Patterson-White caught at deep cover, James reached his fifty off 37 balls – by which time Nottinghamshire were 122 for six early in the 19th over.But, having mixed power with invention, James fell next ball to a brilliant diving catch from Livingstone at deep mid-wicket to hand Wood his third wicket.The visitors did well to get the total they did, though it just didn’t feel like one to threaten Lancashire’s progression through to a 17th quarter-final in 22 seasons.Afghanistan quick Fazalhaq Farooqi had Luke Wells caught at point in the second over of the chase – 14 for one – to raise Outlaws’ hopes.Livingstone, in at three, was dropped in the deep on five and 20 en-route to a fifty later achieved with the winning hit – a pulled six off Farooqi.Salt pulled Olly Stone for an early six and hit Luke Fletcher for two more in succession over the off-side shortly afterwards.By the time Salt reached his fifty off 31 balls, Lancashire – now on course for a home tie in the quarters – were motoring at 84 for one in the 10th over.Salt hit two more sixes off Fletcher’s seam to bring up the century partnership with Livingstone before falling to Patterson-White’s spin.

Crystal Palace hold a strong interest in an “explosive” forward, and they are now ready to submit a £7m offer to complete a deal, according to a report.

Palace eyeing new signings amid Europa League uncertainty

Palace secured qualification for the Europa League for the first time, courtesy of their FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City, but they are now at risk of being kicked out of the competition, due to issues surrounding multi-club ownership.

John Textor has since admitted that he is trying to sell his majority stake in the club, in order to allow the Eagles to compete in Europe next season, saying: “We are trying to help separate it and sell. We wanted to buy but it’s become clear that isn’t going to happen and so we’re trying to help Palace and the situation with UEFA. That’s about all I can say.”

Textor also adds that a “good meeting” was held with UEFA, which suggests there is hope that Oliver Glasner’s side will take part in the competition, but there is still a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the situation.

Eberechi Eze exit stance as Arsenal and Tottenham eye Crystal Palace star

The England international is a wanted man this summer.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 31, 2025

The lack of clarity could also affect summer transfer plans, as Selhurst Park will not be as attractive a destination without European football on offer, but the south Londoners continue to run the rule over potential new signings.

According to a report from Africa Foot (via Sport Witness), Crystal Palace hold a strong interest in Watford winger Kwadwo Baah, who spent four years at Selhurst Park as a youth player from 2013 to 2017.

Such is Palace’s level of interest, they are now ready to submit a €8m (£7m) offer to complete a deal for Baah, although it is unclear whether Watford would accept a bid in that region, or hold out for a higher amount.

The winger’s versatility is of particular appeal to the Eagles, having regularly featured in both attack and right wing-back throughout the 2024-25 campaign.

"Explosive" Baah could be ready for Premier League move

The German’s time at Selhurst Park as a youth player didn’t work out, but he has managed to work his way up the football pyramid, spending time with Rochdale and Burton Albion in League One before making a name for himself with Watford.

The 2024-25 campaign was the 22-year-old’s most impressive to date, collecting four goals and three assists in the Championship, and displaying his versatility by featuring in a range of different attacking positions, including striker.

Former manager Tom Cleverley was also impressed by the forward, saying: “He is so skilful, so explosive, so powerful and direct. He’s been excellent for us this season.”

As such, Baah could now be ready to test himself in the Premier League, and a move to Selhurst Park would surely be of great appeal, particularly if UEFA sanction Glasner’s side playing in Europe.

A “superstar” striker, who’s reportedly held talks with Arsenal, has now announced that he’s set to leave his club this summer in an emotional statement.

Andrea Berta set for competitive Arsenal summer transfer window

While the Gunners’ move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi appears done and dusted, with the Spain international looking set to become Andrea Berta’s first major signing as sporting director (Fabrizio Romano), Arsenal face stiff competition to sign other players at the top of their transfer wishlist.

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The Gunners have reached out and made contact.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini May 14, 2025

Arsenal were believed to be lead contenders to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, but a plethora of Wednesday evening reports from credible media sources now indicate that Real Madrid are set to pip all Premier League clubs to his signature.

Race for Champions League qualification with 2 games remaining

Points

2. Arsenal

68

3. Newcastle United

66

4. Man City

65

5. Chelsea

63

6. Aston Villa

63

7. Nottingham Forest

62

The 20-year-old decided to give priority to Bernabeu switch, with Real moving in and agreeing a deal with Bournemouth to pay his £50 million release clause. Huijsen’s representatives are now in the Spanish capital negotiating with Los Blancos over the defender’s contract, and Xabi Alonso’s side are thought to be on the verge of sealing a full agreement.

This dramatic late swoop from Real, which eventually doomed Arsenal’s chances of signing Huijsen, emphasises why there is a need for Arsenal to show no hesitation in the market and, ideally, strike deals for their most desired targets as soon as possible.

Arsenal are prioritising the signing of a striker, and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres appears to be a serious target for Berta. However, with Enzo Maresca also on the hunt for a prolific marksman, there are reported fears within Arsenal that Chelsea could hijack their deal for Gyokeres.

Jonathan David announces Lille exit after rumoured Arsenal talks

Another centre-forward who is likely to be courted by a host of top sides, and one who will definitely leave his club, is Lille star Jonathan David.

The “superstar” Canada international has been free-scoring in Ligue 1 since joining them from Gent in a £23 million deal five years ago, bagging 25 strikes in 48 appearances this season, adding to his all-time Lille total of 109.

However, his contract is set to expire this summer, and David’s representatives have reportedly held talks with Arsenal, among other clubs.

The 25-year-old is set to be one of the most coveted free agents of 2025, with David now confirming that he’s set to leave Lille in a statement this week.

“I wanted to tell you myself that after so many years at the club, it’s time to say goodbye,” said the striker on social media, as translated by LW.

“I’ve had five wonderful seasons here. I know that it hasn’t always been easy but I hope that with my goals and celebrations, that I’ve managed to bring you some joy. Notably the Ligue 1 title and the Trophee des Champions and I think that with these two trophies together, we have brought a lot of pleasure and joy.

“I would like to thank all of my teammates, all the coaches, staff, technical and medical teams, the managers and everyone that I have met over the months at the club. Thank you very much for everything you have brought me over these years, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

With David readily available, this could be a very intriguing opportunity for Arsenal, but they’ll have to move in quickly. Even though he can join on a Bosman, journalist Sacha Tavolieri recently claimed the overall cost of a deal could still reach £28 million due to his yearly salary, additional commission fees and signing bonus.

Arsenal could now swoop fast for a bargain forward signing after getting advice from a top former Real Madrid scout behind-the-scenes, according to an intriguing new report.

Arsenal set for season-defining Champions League tie against Real Madrid

Mikel Arteta called tonight’s clash with Real in the Champions League his biggest-ever game in management, which highlights the serious importance of their two-legged tie against the European champions.

£77m striker now gives Arsenal move green light after talks with Berta

A “lethal” striker has now said yes to signing for the Gunners, with Andrea Berta playing a key role in convincing him.

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By
Dominic Lund

Apr 6, 2025

With nothing left to play for domestically and Liverpool on course to become Premier League champions, all eyes are on whether Arsenal can make history and upset Carlo Ancelotti’s Champions League heavyweights.

If Arsenal can knock Real out of the competition, they could even be considered favourites to win their first-ever Champions League title, and Arteta is taking tonight’s first leg very seriously.

“100%”, said Arteta when asked if their first game against Real is his biggest night in management.

“A joy to prepare the game, to look at them, just to look at the reaction of people and how we feel about ourselves coming into a game of this magnitude. The excitement around the club, the people, this is the stage that we want to be and where Arsenal has to be consistently. We are very proud to be there and now we’re very ready tomorrow to deliver.

“I think we deserve it [luck] but we have to earn it, and we have to earn it again tomorrow evening. We’re going to put all the ingredients, everything that is in our hands to play the game that we want and to take the game in the direction that we want. In order to achieve that, we’re going to need our people playing every single ball with us and that’s going to make a huge difference, because that’s something that is really needed.”

Attention is also turning to Andrea Berta’s first summer transfer window as their new sporting director, and the Italian is being helped by ex-Real scout Paolo Xavier behind the scenes.

Arsenal could "move quickly" for Vasco de Gama starlet Rayan

That is according to TEAMtalk, who state Arsenal have now joined the race for Vasco de Gama sensation Rayan.

The Brazil Under-20 international is apparently a recommendation of Xavier, who formerly worked at the Bernabeu and is now a “top” scout at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal could “move quickly” for Rayan after also learning that the South American forward has a tantalising £15 million release clause written into his contract, with Xavier identifying him as a target and the north Londoners “seriously” considering a deal.

However, they will indeed have to act fast, as Tottenham, Liverpool, Brighton, Bayern Munich and Fiorentina are all believed to have the teenager on their radar.

Nottingham Forest are also believed to be expressing an interest in Rayan, so this could turn out to be a pretty hectic battle for his signature this summer.

Captain Bavuma and head coach Conrad are happy for curators to prepare the pitches as they would like

Firdose Moonda25-Nov-2024It’s a stereotype as common as they come: go to the subcontinent and expect to be spun out, come to South Africa and watch your head (and all your other belongings – but that’s a different conversation). Except this time.South Africa will not prepare green tops for their four must-win Test matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan this summer.Despite what gut instincts may say about the best way for them to maximise home advantage and even though they are playing Sri Lanka at venues where they lost five years ago, South Africa will leave it to individual ground staff to and hope for fair surfaces for their matches.Related

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“We’re not at liberty to instruct the groundsmen to prepare what we’d like. We just try to play on whatever has been prepared,” Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s captain said in Pretoria, where the team held their preparation camp before traveling to Durban for the first Test. “And there’s not a lot of concern from my side where we are playing Sri Lanka. Obviously Sri Lanka will be confident in those two venues because they were successful but we’re not going to ask for specific conditions”Sri Lanka beat South Africa in Durban and Gqeberha in 2019 but lost the next series in 2020-21, when they were beset by a spate of injuries. But that 2019 series was the first time a subcontinent side had beaten South Africa in a home series, which some say makes the decision to go back to those venues curious. Durban, in particular, has been a difficult place for South Africa in the last 15 years. Since March 2009, South Africa have played 10 Tests at Kingsmead and lost seven, including two each to Sri Lanka (their first Test win in the country came in 2011), Australia and England and one to India. Their last outing was in March 2022, when they beat Bangladesh by 220 runs, at the end of the Covid-19 restrictions, with a side that was depleted by the absence of IPL-bound players, which made up most of the first-choice attack.But Test coach Shukri Conrad is not buying into the talk that the coastal venues are more suited to subcontinent teams and wants to reclaim them as places South Africa consider their own. “You can’t play all your cricket at Centurion and the Wanderers,” he said earlier this month, referring to the Highveld venues which do give pace bowlers the edge. “We’ve got a fan base in Durban. We’ve got a fan base in Gqeberha and we’re looking forward to playing Test matches there.”Like Bavuma, he does not expect the groundstaff to prepare anything other than what is usually expected of them. “We just want good cricketing wickets,” he said. “That’s all I can ask for.”Keshav Maharaj is expected to play an important role in South Africa’s upcoming home Tests•AFP/Getty ImagesSo what might that be?First up, at Kingsmead, Durban’s long-serving groundsman Wilson Ngobese will retire at the end of this year and has been handing over the reins to his successor Wonderboy Khanyile. Along with former Newlands and Wanderers groundsman Evan Flint, a prodigy of Ngobese’s, who has been working in Kwa-Zulu Natal as a consultant, they have prepared the Test pitch together. It should be livelier than it is for domestic matches, where the local team, the Dolphins tend to prefer it slower and lower.”I was in conversation with Evan and it’ll be one of the new wickets and Evan guarantees me there’ll be some good pace,” Conrad said. “Domestically, they prepare it to spin because of the strength of their bowlers so I think the Dolphins go out deliberately preparing spinning wickets.”That is in stark contrast to the messaging of five years ago when, under Ottis Gibson, South Africa’s groundstaff were instructed to prepare green-tops, particularly for a 2017-18 series against India. The Wanderers got it so badly wrong that the pitch was rated poor and they were handed three demerit points, which have since expired. Gibson wanted to maximise the advantage an attack of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi could give South Africa, at the expense of their batters. South Africa’s ability to score big runs diminished to the point that between January 2018 and December 2021, only West Indies (among teams in the World Test Championship) had fewer centurions.The second Test at St George’s Park could see plenty of movement off the seam and perhaps even reverse swing come into play. “If you look at the records domestically, [Warriors allrounder] Beyers Swanepoel, for example, takes a host of wickets there,” Conrad said. Swanepoel has 52 first-class wickets from nine matches at the venue at an average of 14.44. “It can be very favourable for seamers as well.”It is also known to take turn later on, and South Africa back their first-choice left-arm spinner, Keshav Maharaj, to take centre stage. “You want spin later on in the game and why we play arguably one of the best spinners in the world in Keshav in our side,” Conrad said.South Africa have also included spin-bowling allrounder Senuran Muthusamy, who took a career-best 4 for 45 in Bangladesh last month, in the squad but have no room for offspinner Dane Piedt or wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi, which suggests that even if there is turn, they’re not expecting it to be that big.All the discussion over home advantage is pressing because of what is at stake for the hosts. South Africa need to win all four of their remaining matches to guarantee a place in the World Test Championship final. They could still get there with three wins but would be dependent on other results. Either way, their fate lies in their own hands and they don’t plan on putting it in conditions.

When Gill walked off to a standing ovation after a 60-ball 129, it felt like another chapter had been written in his T20 transformation

Shashank Kishore26-May-20231:24

Manjrekar: Gill a once-in-a-generation player

Showmen like the big stage. They are at their best when the arclights are firmly on them. They embrace pressure and meet it with the sort of confidence that says, ‘I’m ready’.On Friday night, Shubman Gill had the stage, and was at his best.When a thunderstorm sent everyone scurrying for cover before the toss, Gill was pacing up and down the long stairway at the stadium. Perhaps it was the keenness to finish a job he couldn’t quite in Chennai. Or maybe it was simply his way of warming up.He exuded the confidence of a man at the peak of his game, ready with answers to anything Mumbai Indians were going to throw at him. When he walked off to a standing ovation after a 60-ball 129, you sensed another chapter had been written in Gill’s T20 transformation.Related

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From an accumulator who tried to bat long to make up for middling starts, to someone who goes for quick runs without trying to bash every ball – such a game can’t be without risks, but to have the belief that such risks are worth taking takes quite some doing.Gill’s batting is a train of simple batting mechanics; one frame segues into another. A stable base, still head, minimal and unexaggerated back lift, and nimble feet movement – quick but unhurried. It’s all proper coaching manual. But beyond everything, more than anything, there’s the calmness – he can send the ball where he wants.This can only come with clarity, not just in his game but also in the way he trains.When Rahul Dravid was India Under-19 coach, he had a theory about judging a player’s maturity. One part of it was to gauge how quickly they could develop a routine, even if it was something as simple – or, perhaps, ridiculous – as not batting in the nets prior to a big game, instead of simply following a set of instructions that players can get used to.1:54

Manjrekar: Gill took his T20 game to the next level in 2022

Last week, prior to the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Gill exhibited a deep understanding of his own routines. He didn’t bat for long in the nets, but the kind of work he put in within that time underlined this maturity Dravid has spoken of.Gill batted for all of 15 minutes, not longer. The aim seemed to be to train specifically on his set-up against the short ball when it’s aimed at the body from wicked angles. It involved a quick trigger movement from middle to off, and the opening up of the leg side to try and use as much pace from the bowler as he could and pick them behind square. Not in front, mind you, but behind.The one in front of square is a shot Gill plays as well as anyone. So this was mostly to try and work towards strengthening another aspect of an already robust leg-side game. Twenty balls – same boring routine, of setting up, shuffling and manoeuvring deliveries bowled into his ribcage at different speeds and angles – and he walked out with the satisfaction of knowing his preparation was done.The IPL is a beast, not least because of the travel and the stream of matches that come and go thick and fast, but because it can be difficult to get in quality training sessions within that whirl. It can leave you on a high when the runs are coming, but when they are not, it can be your biggest bugbear. Which is why Gill’s training method and the sharp nature of it is intriguing.The game that followed the session was a display of fearless six-hitting that sent RCB packing and, far away, Mumbai Indians soaring. A week on in Ahmedabad, it was the sequel of sorts. It was pure, unhurried and beautiful. And it sent Mumbai Indians packing.You couldn’t help but will him to keep batting. The home crowd certainly felt that way. Maybe everyone did, except Tim David, who grassed a tough opportunity to reprieve Gill. He was on 30 then. You would never know what could have been had that catch been taken. And that’s the beauty of sport – it’s unscripted and leaves you guessing what’s coming next.Gill has certainly left everyone in wonder, having peeled off layer after layer to a robust game. Just when you wondered how much more he could unlock, he came up with something you didn’t expect, but have now accepted as perfectly normal.Shubman Gill got to his third century of the season in just 49 balls•BCCILike that six off Cameron Green in the 15th over, when you wondered for a split second how he would create something out of a 140kph short ball angled to cramp him. And, next moment, he made you go “wow”. As he moved sideways and out of the crease, the bat changed position and was held almost vertically, like one would hold one of those battery-operated mosquito-killing bats.Then it was a swat more than a shot. And he had hit it for six over cow corner. The bat speed to meet the ball, the wrist work, the forearm power and precision, all boss level.There was more of this in store.Like when Chris Jordan thought he had slipped in a perfect wide yorker, only to see Gill convert it into a low full toss by meeting the ball early and then deliberately opening the bat face to send it to the left of sweeper cover. Or when he hit that no-look pick-up shot for six over long leg and sauntered down the pitch to fist bump his partner – a bit of Sir Viv’s gum-chewing swagger.There was a visual from the dugout soon after Gill got to his hundred. Of Hardik Pandya smiling away looking at the screen that was replaying some of the shots from the innings, his expression almost one of disbelief, even as the rest of the dugout applauded. It was, after all, a knock where Gill pushed the boundaries of his own game.He had exhibited a full-blown sequel to his Bengaluru epic. Will there be a trilogy in the final?

Bairstow is only partially culpable for his batting struggles since his recall

George Dobell06-Mar-2021Like taking out your frustrations at the waiting times in A&E upon the receptionist, blaming individual England players for their series loss in India might be understandable, but it’s largely facile.Of course, these results look ugly. And more than the results, the margins of the defeats (317 runs, 10 wickets and an innings and 25 runs respectively) and the paucity of the batting efforts jar: for any team to average 144 over their most recent seven innings is clearly inadequate.Experience suggest that, in such circumstances, there will be casualties. Four of the team that played the Sydney Test of 2014, for example – Michael Carberry, Kevin Pietersen, Scott Borthwick and Boyd Rankin – never played another Test for England.Some will suggest that this defeat should prove a similar watershed moment. And it’s true, a few England players – not least Dom Bess and Jonny Bairstow – may have played their last Test for a while.In such moments, though, it is important to maintain some perspective. Yes, these last three Tests have seen England humbled. And yes, they have exposed faults within the side – and the system – that will take time and effort to remedy. Most pertinently, it will remain desperately tough for England to win in India if they do not learn to bowl and play spin far better.But England had won their previous four series, two of them (in South Africa and Sri Lanka) away from home. They had, until the second Test of this series, won six successive Tests in Asia. Barely a day before the fourth Test ended, it seemed they had earned themselves an unlikely opportunity to level the series. Maybe they simply came up against a better side, in conditions which they rarely encounter. Really, was it realistic to expect them to win?Indeed, there is a strong case to suggest that by winning a Test – a result that proved beyond them on their previous tour of India – England exceeded expectations. In this era, it is hard to think of any XI that England could have put out which would have won this series. England face a significant challenge to retain their impressive home record when India travel to play them later in the year.No doubt, their rest and rotation policy caused some issues. But possibly fewer issues than if there had been no such policy. Who knows how many of this squad might have chosen to miss the tour without it? Or even opt out of Test cricket altogether? It’s unrealistic to expect players to forego opportunities in the IPL or to spend up to five months in a biosecure bubble. Rest and rotation doesn’t just seem responsible; it seems essential.This England team is clearly far from perfect. One or two areas are in urgent need of attention. But if anyone thinks there are loads of obviously better candidates in county cricket they are deluding themselves. The truth is much grimmer than that.Consider this, for example: when was the last time the county game produced a top-three batsman who proved an undisputed success at Test level? You could argue it was Joe Root (who averages 39.16 in the top three) who made his Test debut in 2012. Perhaps it was Jonathan Trott (42.94) who made his debut in 2009, or Alastair Cook (45.17) who made his debut in 2006. But either way, it’s been a long time. There are no quick fixes to the problems facing English cricket.Perhaps that context is most important in evaluating the career of Bairstow. His first-ball dismissal here, flicking one to leg slip, betrayed a mind scrambled by doubt and failure. And you can understand why: it was his third duck in four innings in this series, and meant that, in his most recent nine Test innings against India, he had failed to score on six occasions, with a top score of 28 and an average of 5.77.It’s not just against India that he has struggled. Since May 2018, Bairstow has averaged 23.17 in 22 Tests. For a man who averages 50.74 in first-class cricket for Yorkshire – a benchmark that is likely to prove beyond any of those who may replace him – that is a troubling level of under-achievement. It is entirely possible that he has played his last Test.Bairstow has struggled in Tests since May 2018•Getty ImagesThat date – May 2018 – is relevant, though. For that was when Bairstow was asked to move up the order. It was an intriguing decision: Bairstow had, over the past two-and-a-half years, averaged 47.07 with the bat in Test cricket. In 2016 alone, he had scored 1,470 runs, a record for a Test keeper in a calendar year. He had improved significantly with the gloves, too. His role wasn’t really a weakness that required strengthening.But England wanted to find room for Jos Buttler. And fearing that he might struggle in the top or even middle order – where most specialist batsmen might be expected to play – they picked him as a No. 7.The problem with that was, England already had several players who looked at their best at No. 6 or No. 7. And with Ben Stokes locked in at No. 6 at the time, Bairstow had to be promoted to No. 5.

Jonny Bairstow has six ducks in his last nine Test innings against India pic.twitter.com/JW3piZ8ynJ

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 6, 2021