Tourists take honours on first innings but Bethell fails to press Test case
AAP30-Nov-2025Jacob Bethell missed a chance to push for a spot in England’s top order, after failing to make an impression for the tourists in their win over a Prime Minister’s XI.With England’s Test players sitting out the match, Bethell had loomed as the most interesting prospect in what was effectively a Lions side on Sunday.But he was caught behind for 16 pushing at a ball outside off stump from South Australian quick Campbell Thompson, as the only tourist who batted not to pass 50.It came as England lost just two wickets as they chased down the hosts’ 308 for 8 declared in Canberra, shaking hands at 309 for 2 and claiming a first-innings victory.Openers Tom Haines and Emelio Gay both hit half-centuries against the pink ball, as did No. 4 James Rew and No. 5 Asa Tribe.The one concern for the tourists was a hamstring injury for Gay, who was forced to retire hurt in the first session on Sunday.Bethell, meanwhile, had arrived in Australia battling with Ollie Pope for a spot in England’s Test team.Pope was the preferred option and was close to England’s best batter in Perth, while Bethell has made scores of 3, 77 and 40 for the Lions in the past fortnight.The left-hander is still likely next in line if a tourist goes down, but a sizeable score in Canberra could have put pressure on if England’s batting fails again in the second Test at the Gabba.The Prime Minister’s XI used eight bowlers on Sunday with even Sam Konstas sending down one over, with Charlie Anderson taking 1-51 and Thompson 1-46.
Shafali Verma, originally not part of India’s Women’s World Cup squad – either the main 15 or the reserves – has received a late call-up as a replacement for Pratika Rawal, who has been ruled out with an ankle injury. Shafali, 21, is available for India’s semi-final against Australia on October 30.The selectors picked her over Tejal Hasabnis, who was the only batter among India’s reserves for the World Cup.When the World Cup squad was announced in August, Shafali was left out – and Rawal was preferred as Smriti Mandhana’s opening partner – because the selectors prioritised consistency over X-factor. Shafali hasn’t played ODIs for India since October 2024 but has been involved with India A in the 50-overs format. She scored 52 against Australia A in Brisbane in August and 70 against New Zealand A in Bengaluru in September.Related
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In December 2024, Shafali also scored 527 runs at an average of 75.28 and a strike rate of 152.31 in the domestic one-dayers for Haryana, including a top-score of 197 off 115 balls against Bengal. She followed that up with a sensational WPL 2025 season for Delhi Capitals, becoming the fourth-highest run-getter in the season and the most prolific Indian batter, with 304 runs at a strike rate of 152.76.As Rawal’s replacement, Shafali could come into the playing XI for the semi-final against Australia right away. The opening partnership between Mandhana and Rawal had been critical to India’s progress into the semi-finals. They have featured in two of the tournament’s top five batting partnerships so far – 212 against New Zealand and 155 against Australia. Rawal averaged 51.33 in six innings, with scores of 75 against Australia and a match-winning 122 in India’s crucial game against New Zealand.Pratika Rawal walks off the field after twisting her ankle•Getty Images
Rawal, the tournament’s second-highest run-getter, injured herself while fielding during India’s last league game against Bangladesh. In the 21st over of Bangladesh’s innings, Rawal twisted her ankle as her foot got stuck in the turf while she attempted to stop a boundary. She did not bat later, with Amanjot Kaur opening instead. The match was eventually washed out without a result. Only Mandhana has scored more runs than Rawal in this World Cup.If Shafali does not make the XI right away, India could open with Harleen Deol or Amanjot against Australia. Uma Chetry – who opened in the warm-up game against New Zealand, and played the match against Bangladesh with regular wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh out with a niggle – is another option, as is Jemimah Rodrigues, who has opened 18 times in ODI cricket previously.An ICC release stated that Shafali’s inclusion was approved by the Event Technical Committee on Monday evening. The committee includes Wasim Khan (Chair, ICC General Manager – Cricket), Gaurav Saxena (ICC General Manager – Events & Corporate Communications), Abey Kuruvilla (BCCI Tournament Director) and Mel Jones (Independent nominee).
After spending a reported £446m on new additions during the summer transfer window, the majority of pundits across the country expected Liverpool to retain their Premier League title.
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak’s arrivals saw the hierarchy break the Reds’ transfer record on two separate occasions, subsequently sending out a huge message to the rest of the division.
However, Arne Slot has so far been unable to find the winning formula with his big-money additions, as seen by the club’s recent form within England’s top-flight.
His side have lost six of their last seven league outings, with their slump seeing the club slide down the table and all but ending their chances of regaining the trophy come the end of May.
It hasn’t derailed their recent ambitions in the transfer market though, which has led to numerous high-profile names being linked with a winter switch to Anfield.
Liverpool’s hunt for new additions in January
Over recent weeks, Liverpool have been just one side mentioned over a possible move to land AZ Alkmaar wonderkid Kees Smit in the upcoming window.
The Dutch attacking midfielder has massively impressed in 2025/26 to date, subsequently registering six combined goals and assists in his 19 appearances across all competitions.
A £25m price tag has been reported for the 19-year-old, but other sides such as Real Madrid and Manchester United also remain keen on landing his signature in the coming months.
However, Smit isn’t the only player in the Reds’ sights, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo another player who has been strongly touted with a potential move.
According to Fabrizio Romano, numerous members of the club’s hierarchy have already discussed terms with the Cherries over a deal in the January market, having made a move to understand the conditions of the player’s release clause.
He also stated that a deal is expected to cost around £65m- a fee that would activate Semenyo’s clause – but that other Premier League clubs, such as Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, are also closely monitoring the situation.
Why Semenyo could get Isak firing at Liverpool
As previously mentioned, spirits were at an all-time high on Deadline Day for Liverpool supporters after a deal was finally announced for striker Isak from Newcastle United.
The saga dragged on for months before it reached its conclusion, with Slot’s men having to fork out an English record £125m for the services of the Swedish international.
His tally of 23 league goals last campaign made many think the Reds had finally found the number nine they have craved to complete the club’s impressive attacking department.
However, the 26-year-old’s move to Merseyside has been nothing short of a disaster, with the striker only netting one goal in his first nine appearances across all competitions.
Isak’s recent showing against Nottingham Forest further highlighted his struggles, with the talisman only notching a total of 14 touches before being replaced in the 68th minute.
He’s massively struggled to make the desired impact at Anfield to date, but that could change should the hierarchy complete a deal for Semenyo this winter.
The Ghanaian international, who’s primarily a left-winger, has massively impressed at the Vitality this campaign, as seen by his tally of six goals and three assists in his 11 outings.
However, his underlying stats further highlight the quality he possesses, with such numbers certainly aiding Isak in his own quest for success on Merseyside.
Semenyo, who’s been dubbed “the best winger in the country” by former footballer Chris Waddle, has completed 1.9 take-ons per 90 – often able to get into dangerous areas with the ball at his feet.
Games played
11
Goals & assists
9
Take-ons completed
1.9
Chances created
1.4
Progressive passes
3.6
Passes into opposition box
1.6
Shots on target
1.3
Recoveries made
5.3
He’s also been able to add the end product to his mazy runs in the Premier League, as seen by his tally of 1.4 chances created per 90 – not to mention his goal contribution tally.
The 25-year-old has registered 3.6 progressive passes and 1.6 passes into the opposition box per 90, with such numbers potentially falling perfectly into the hands of Isak to turn around his dismal start to life at the club.
£65m in the modern market is an excellent price for a player of Semenyo’s quality, but it remains to be seen how much the board are willing to spend in January after their recent spending spree.
However, if the club are to get Isak fully up to speed in the near future, he will desperately need added support, which could make the Bournemouth star the perfect man to ignite his stint in the North West.
Worse than Konate: Slot must drop 2/10 Liverpool flop who lost 100% duels
Ibrahima Konate was not the only culprit during Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest.
After another difficult evening for Celtic in the Europa League, they’ve now discovered the extent of the injury that Callum Osmand picked up in another frustrating blow.
The Bhoys fell to a 3-1 defeat against Midtjylland and remain with just the one win to their name on the European stage this season – making qualification into the next round a mere fantasy at this stage.
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For all the good work that Martin O’Neill has done so far this season, not even the Northern Irishman could turn his side’s fortunes around outside of domestic action and he once again distanced himself from the permanent job.
What the defeat has certainly done is pile the pressure on Dermot Desmond and the rest of the Celtic board to get their next decision right and get it done sooner rather than later.
Ange Postecoglou pulled out of the race for the job in the early stages and that dealt the Bhoys an undeniable blow. Since then, however, other impressive candidates have emerged such as Club Brugge’s Nicky Hayen and Kieran McKenna.
Reports have even gone as far as to suggest that McKenna is open to the job in what could hand Celtic quite the boost. The Ipswich Town boss has struggled to get the best out of his side in the Championship so far this season, but no one will be forgetting the history that he made at Portman Road anytime soon.
Alas, before any manager can arrive, it’s up to O’Neill to get the Hoops back to winning ways and do so without recent Old Firm hero Osmand.
Celtic discover extent of Callum Osmand injury
As revealed by O’Neill at full-time, Osmand suffered a pulled hamstring against Midtjylland and will now be missing for at least a few weeks. It’s a major blow for the 19-year-old, who just took his place in Celtic’s Europa League squad off the back of putting Celtic out of sight with his effort in the Scottish League Cup semi-final against Rangers.
With Celtic’s attack already coming under fire this season, they now have the task of squaring off against Kilmarnock and others without one of their most promising talents.
رفض نجم نادي برشلونة التهويل من الخسارة التي تعرض لها فريقه أمام تشيلسي بدوري أبطال أوروبا، موضحًا أن لاعبي البلوجرانا يعلمون جيدًا ما عليهم فعله.
برشلونة تعرض لخسارة ثقيلة أمام نظيره تشيلسي بثلاثة أهداف دون مقابل يوم الثلاثاء الماضي، ضمن الجولة الخامسة من مرحلة الدوري في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ولم يقدم برشلونة المستوى المطلوب أمام تشيلسي، والذي كان أفضل بكثير ونجح في النهاية في تحقيق انتصار مستحق.
واعترف مهاجم برشلونة، ماركوس راشفورد، أن فريقه ظهر وكأنه عاجزًا حقًا ضد تشيلسي، وذلك في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “سبورت”.
وقال راشفورد: ”كانت ليلة صعبة، إنهم فريق جيد جدًا شاب ونشيط، ومع طرد لاعب من قبلنا، من السهل القول إن المباراة أصبحت صعبة، لكنهم أحسنوا التصرف مع الكرة حيث استغلوا الفارق بشكل ممتاز وجعلوا من الصعب علينا الوصول إلى منطقتهم والدفاع”.
وأكد أن برشلونة كان عالقًا بين سيناريوهين، موضحًا: “إما أن نبقى متماسكين ويتوقف إيقاع اللعب، أو أن نحاول الضغط على الخصم وترك المساحات، إذا كان الخصم مرتاحًا مع الكرة فسيستغلون تلك المساحات”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. آس: توتر في العلاقة بين فليك ولاعب برشلونة
وأكمل: “العامل الحاسم واضح، لقد استحقوا الفوز والآن، بالنسبة لنا لم يعد هناك أي هامش لعدم الفوز، في مباريات دوري أبطال أوروبا المتبقية علينا الفوز”.
وأردف: “كان من الصعب جدًا الوصول إلى مرماهم، حتى خلق فرص حقيقية كان تحديًا صعبًا بالنسبة لنا، لقد استحقوا الفوز وعلينا أن نشيد بهم”.
وتابع: “عندما تخسر، من السهل دائمًا القول إن كل شيء يجب أن يتغير ولكن كانت هناك فترات كنا فيها متماسكين كفريق ومتمسكين بفكرتنا، لا يمكننا المبالغة في التفكير في هذه المباراة، نحن نعرف ما حدث وما يجب علينا فعله”.
وعن مواجهة ديبورتيفو ألافيس المقبلة في الدوري الإسباني، اختتم راشفورد: “علينا أن نتحسن ونعود إلى المستوى الذي أظهرناه في فترات أخرى من الموسم، الفرصة الأولى ستكون نهاية هذا الأسبوع وسنحاول الفوز بتلك المباراة”.
Toluca stirred controversy after booking their place in the Apertura 2025 Final and knocking out Monterrey, aiming their celebration directly at Sergio Ramos. The Spaniard had earlier silenced the Nemesio Diez crowd after scoring Rayados’ lone goal in a 3-1 defeat. After the elimination, the Diablos turned his gesture against him – and Ramos didn’t hold back.
Getty Images SportToluca mocked Ramos on social media
Ramos could not avoid the spotlight after Monterrey’s elimination, and his reaction quickly ignited social media. The veteran defender scored Rayados’ only goal in Toluca, and as soon as the ball hit the net, he brought a finger to his lips, signaling the Nemesio Díez crowd to be quiet -despite the fact Monterrey was still trailing 3-1 and already on its way out of the Apertura 2025.
Toluca wasted no time firing back. Once the final whistle confirmed their place in the Liga MX Final, the club’s social media account mocked Ramos with the message: “Silence, the ‘Pandilla’ is already resting.”
The post immediately went viral and triggered a wave of reactions – including one from Ramos himself.
Advertisement@SERGIORAMOSRamos' response
The Spaniard first replied by posting a screenshot comparing follower counts: Toluca’s roughly 600,000 against his more than 60 million. Minutes later, he doubled down by sharing another story, this time highlighting his extensive trophy collection alongside the jab:
“Lions don’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep," he wrote.
Getty Images SportThe semifinal marked Ramos’ final match in Liga MX
While Ramos’ exchange with Toluca became one of the talking points of the weekend, it also marked the end of his short-lived chapter in Liga MX. The semifinal was his final match in a Rayados shirt – something that had been reported a week earlier and that the defender finally confirmed after the game. The Spaniard leaves Monterrey after 32 matches and seven goals, a notable haul for a central defender.
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AFPWhat comes next for Ramos?
Ramos has not revealed his next destination, though reports suggest a possible return to European football.
Leeds United return to action in the Premier League this weekend after the international break with a clash against Aston Villa at Elland Road on Sunday.
The Whites have lost their last two matches in the top-flight, conceding six goals in the process, and their most recent outing was a 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest before the break.
Whilst this shows that there needs to be improvement on the defensive side of the game, Daniel Farke also needs to find a way to get more out of his players at the top end of the pitch.
The Championship champions have only scored 11 goals in their 11 Premier League games so far this season, with several members of the squad underperforming in front of goal.
Leeds’ biggest xG underperformers
Player
xG
Goals
xG differential
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
2.89
1
-1.89
Jayden Bogle
0.88
0
-0.88
Brenden Aaronson
1.79
1
-0.79
Joel Piroe
0.73
0
-0.73
Pascal Struijk
0.65
0
-0.65
Dan James
0.47
0
-0.47
Jack Harrison
0.41
0
-0.41
Stats via WhoScored
As you can see in the table above, too many of the team’s top attackers have underperformed against their xG in the top-flight, which shows that Farke does not have many reliable finishers.
With the January transfer window around five weeks away from opening for business, the Whites may already be starting to think about what they could do to improve their attack.
Why Leeds need to sign a winger in January
The West Yorkshire-based outfit need to go out and sign another wide option in the January window to bolster their options on the flank, because they have not had enough productivity in those positions this season.
As aforementioned, the Whites have only scored 11 times in 11 Premier League games, which shows that goalscoring is a clear area for improvement, and their lack of goals from wide players has been one of the causes of that particular struggle.
Leeds United’s wingers in the 25/26 Premier League
Player
Appearances
Goals + assists
Noah Okafor
8
2 + 0
Brenden Aaronson
11
1 + 1
Dan James
8
0 + 0
Jack Harrison
10
0 + 0
Wilfried Gnonto
4
0 + 0
Stats via WhoScored
As you can see in the table above, Noah Okafor is the only winger in the squad who has scored more than one league goal for the club this season, despite December being just over a week away.
The Switzerland international, who scored goals against Wolves and Spurs, has been the only wide attacker who has carried a fairly consistent threat at the top end of the pitch.
Farke will surely be frustrated with the lack of output from the majority of his wide options, which is why the club need to go out and splash the cash on a new option in those two positions at the turn of the year.
Leeds backed to sign Premier League forward
On that very topic, a former scout has backed the Premier League strugglers to sign one of their former players when the January transfer window opens for business.
Former Tottenham scout Bryan King has suggested that a move to Elland Road could be on the cards for Manor Solomon if Spurs decide to recall him from his loan spell with Villarreal.
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Speaking to MOTLeedsNews, King said: “If he (Solomon) isn’t going to stay at Villarreal, then I could certainly see him being sold in January. He definitely won’t get a game for Tottenham, there’s three or four people in front of him in his position.
“He did well at Leeds; he was a key part of their team that got promoted. I would have thought he’d be a very good option for Leeds. They haven’t exactly set the Premier League alight, and it looks as though they need more options.”
If Solomon, who has only started one LaLiga match with Villarreal, does get recalled in January, Leeds should pursue a deal to bring the forward back to West Yorkshire.
Why Leeds should sign Manor Solomon
The Whites should push to land another deal for the Israel international because he could arrive at Elland Road in the winter window as a huge upgrade on Brenden Aaronson.
As aforementioned, the USA international has produced one goal and one assist in the Premier League so far this season, as the first-choice right wing option, due to the change in formation that took away his favoured number ten role.
Solomon, meanwhile, has one goal and one assist in LaLiga, despite playing just four matches, and delivered three assists in his one appearance in the Copa del Rey, per Sofascore.
On top of providing more quality for Villarreal than Aaronson has for Leeds in all competitions this season, the right-footed winger also outperformed the American in the Championship last season.
The former Fulham attacker, of course, spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Elland Road from Spurs and caught the eye with his consistent performances at the top end of the pitch.
24/25 Championship
Brenden Aaronson
Manor Solomon
Appearances
46
39
xG
11.43
8.15
Goals
9
10
Minutes per goal
396
261
Big chances created
9
21
Key passes per game
1.6
1.7
xA
6.05
10.30
Assists
2
12
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Spurs loanee offered significantly more to the team at the top end of the pitch than Aaronson did in the second tier last term, with more goals from less xG and more than twice as many ‘big chances’ created.
Solomon, who was hailed by former Leeds boss Neil Redfearn for being an “unplayable” star who is “like tackling smoke” for defenders, has proven that he can excel in front of goal in a Farke team, even more so than the USA international.
The Villarreal forward also has experience in the Premier League, with Fulham and Spurs, which means that it would not be a culture shock for him to be thrown into the division in the second half of the campaign.
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Therefore, Leeds should explore the possibility of a reunion with Solomon because he could be an ideal signing to upgrade on Aaronson on the wing in the January window.
They have called for an indefinite boycott of the Dhaka leagues
Mohammad Isam08-Oct-2025Dhaka cricket clubs’ officials have called for an indefinite boycott of the Dhaka leagues in protest of the recently held BCB elections, which they are calling “illegal”. These are the same clubs that withdrew from the polls held on October 6 after claiming interference in the electoral process.Tamim Iqbal, who withdrew from the race before the election, was among the club officials present at the press conference in Dhaka on Wednesday. Masuduzzaman, the BCB councillor from Mohammedan Sporting Club, said that they had a majority of the clubs united in the boycott, which he said would also include district-level cricket.”Starting from the third-division cricket league, including the second and first-division leagues and the Premier League, all the organisers who are participating, we saw how the beauty of cricket got lost,” Masuduzzaman said. “Therefore, if you continue like this, we will not play cricket. We will also boycott cricket at the district level.Related
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“We will all remain united in announcing that cricket will be temporarily closed. We didn’t accept the elections. We said many times that this election should not be allowed to happen. But no one listened. In our opinion, he [Aminul Islam] has conducted an illegal election.”Hours later, BCB chief Aminul Islam said that they would protect the interests of the cricketers. “The betterment of Bangladesh cricket and the well-being of those who matter most – the cricketers – are the main objectives and goals of the BCB. We are all in this together; those within the board and those outside share the same philosophy and passion,” he said in a BCB press release.According to reports, at least 38 clubs are behind the boycott, including seven Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL) teams. These include defending champions Abahani Limited and their arch-rivals Mohammedan. The other DPL clubs are Legends of Rupganj, Gulshan Cricket Club, Brothers Union, Partex Sporting Club and Shinepukur City Club.Dhaka’s league structure has the DPL at the top of the pyramid, followed by the first-, second- and third-division leagues in a professional system that is the heartbeat of Bangladesh cricket. It is the competitive system that has sustained the country’s cricketers since the 1950s.As a result, the Dhaka clubs also enjoy the majority of positions in the BCB’s board of directors. Ahead of the elections this year, however, the Tamim-led faction had complained of interference, particularly after the BCB president issued a controversial letter on September 18, in which he asked the sports ministry to send a fresh list of councillors from the districts and divisions category.
Manchester United’s central midfield department has been one that has been up for debate, with numerous players trying to stake their claim for a regular starting role.
Ruben Amorim has often struggled to find his best partnership in such an area of the pitch, leading to countless players being utilised in the middle of the park since his appointment.
However, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro have been the manager’s duo of choice of late, with the pair starting each of the Red Devils’ five Premier League matches in a row.
The club have remained unbeaten during such a period, showcasing that the boss has made the right decision in opting for the pair instead of selecting the likes of Kobbie Mainoo.
However, with Casemiro now 33, he’s likely coming to the back end of his career at the top level, with the hierarchy already laying the foundations for a move for one player in the January window.
Man Utd’s hunt for a new midfielder in January
Over the last couple of days, it’s been reported that United are targeting a move for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson in the upcoming January transfer window.
It’s been claimed that the Red Devils have already made an approach to Sean Dyche’s side to register their interest in landing the 23-year-old England international in the coming months.
However, any deal would be a club record, with the Reds currently demanding a fee in the region of £100m to part ways with their star man during the upcoming market.
He’s not the only midfielder in their sights at present, as Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba has once again appeared on their radar, if recent reports are to be believed.
According to one Spanish outlet, Amorim and INEOS have made the Cameroonian international their “dream” target for January, but like Anderson, he would set them back a small fortune.
They also state that a £100m deal would be needed to prise him away from the AMEX, but that the player himself would be open to a switch to move to Old Trafford in the near future.
Why United’s £100m target would end Ugarte’s career
It wouldn’t be the first time United have splashed the cash on a new central midfielder, especially after spending a reported £50m for the signature of Manuel Ugarte back in 2024.
The Uruguayan’s transfer generated huge excitement within the Red Devils fanbase, with his arrival finally handing the side the disruptive presence needed to regain possession.
However, a little over 12 months on from his switch to England’s top-flight, he’s since dropped down the pecking order, as seen by his tally of just two league starts in 2025/26.
Amorim has undoubtedly lost faith in the 24-year-old at present, with a new addition only pushing the former PSG star further down the list – which could tempt the hierarchy to cash in on his services.
Spending £100m on a new addition would be a huge statement of intent, but it would no doubt put the future signing ahead of Ugarte in the pecking order due to the fee alone.
Baleba now appears to be the most likely candidate to join the Red Devils in January, with the youngster offering an immediate and long-term upgrade on the Uruguayan.
When comparing their stats from the 2025/26 campaign, the Brighton star has managed to outperform him in numerous key areas – potentially making his £100m price tag an excellent deal.
How Baleba & Ugarte compare in the PL (25/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Baleba
Ugarte
Games played
11
9
Games started
10
2
Pass accuracy
86%
85%
Log balls completed
54%
50%
Interceptions made
1.4
1.1
Duels won
6.5
5.1
Take-on success
63%
33%
Recoveries made
5.9
5.8
Stats via FBref
The 21-year-old has completed more of the passes he’s attempted this campaign, whilst completing more of the long passes he’s attempted – highlighting the dominance he has over Ugarte in possession.
He’s also completed more of the dribbles he’s attempted, further showcasing his all-round talents with the ball at his feet in the Premier League this season.
Out of possession, Baleba has won more duels per 90, whilst making more interceptions per 90 – subsequently offering the side a more dominant option out of possession.
£100m would be a huge statement of intent from the United hierarchy, but given his tender age, Baleba would be the perfect immediate and long-term solution to their problems.
As to Ugarte, such a transfer would likely spell the end of his time in Manchester, with the board needing to offload him to avoid losing a huge chunk of their £50m investment.
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Debutant hailed for seam skills at vital juncture of South Africa’s first innings
Firdose Moonda16-Dec-2024Another day, another impressive performance from an England Test debutant in Bloemfontein. This time it was Ryana MacDonald-Gay, the 20-year old seamer, who struck twice even as lightning could not, either side of a 45-minute weather-related interruption, as South Africa’s batting unravelled.Their collapse of 7 for 44 started when MacDonald-Gay, in her second spell and with the old ball, produced a delivery that held its stump-to-stump line, beat Marizanne Kapp’s drive and hit the top of off. It was a dream dismissal for any bowler, nevermind a complete newcomer taking her first wicket and that too, of one of the opposition’s most valuable players and a franchise team-mate. Kapp, who plays alongside MacDonald-Gay at Oval Invincibles, could only accept being undone.”She actually bowled the best out of all their seam bowlers,” Kapp said in the end-of-day press conference. “If you just look at her seam that they keep on showing on TV, that’s a massive standout. And if you are bowling with a seam like that, you’ll always get movement or a bit of nip or something.”Five balls after Kapp was bowled, the players were taken off the field with lightning visible in the distance. They spent 45 minutes waiting for the storm to pass and when they returned, MacDonald-Gay picked up exactly where she left off. New batter Nadine de Klerk had no answers for a back-of-a-length ball that was zoning in on off stump and nicked off.That opened the door to the South African tail with the second new ball still to come. The remaining five wickets fell when England took it, and Lauren Bell was the biggest beneficiary. She picked up three in seven balls and ended with a career-best 4 for 49 but agreed with Kapp that it would not have been possible without “Ree-Mac,” as she called McDonald-Gay.Related
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“I completely agree (that she was the best),” Bell said. “I think (Lauren) Filer and Ree-Mac both bowled unbelievably today. Filer’s pace and Ree-Mac, she presented the seam amazingly and just nipped it around, so she held length. On debut, yeah, she was outstanding today.”Filer’s 2 for 53 included the big wickets of Annerie Dercksen, whom she peppered with short balls, and Sune Luus and proved the value of England including a fourth seamer. With more resources available to her, Heather Knight could use Filer, especially, in short spells. She had only one five-over spell, split by lunch, but was mostly used in three-over bursts, when she could crank the pace up. “That’s the best way to get the best out of our seamers is short spells, go really attacking, and just keep it ticking,” Bell said.She marvelled at Filer’s barrage to Dercksen which ended when the South African No.3 top-edged an attempted cut and sent a chance to Knight at second slip who parried it to Sophie Ecclestone at first. “Filer’s pace is obviously really attacking and she (Dercksen) didn’t look comfortable,” Bell said. “She holds that pace really well throughout her spell and she got her in the end with that team catch.”After lavishing praise on her team-mates, Bell also had the chance to reflect on her own performance and she was happy to call herself a work in progress, both in this innings and overall.Maia Bouchier and MacDonald-Gay pose with their debut Test caps•ECB/Getty Images”The job I had today was to bowl into the wind and I think I wanted to just hold length and hold line as much as possible,” she said. “With the second new ball, I was happier. It took me a while to work out what my best option was in that pitch but by the end I felt really good. At this current moment in time, it’s a process that I am very much going through.”It’s not that I won’t bowl inswing, or that that inswing that I used to bowl is gone. I just have been practising away-swing so much and it’s what I’m most comfortable bowling at this current moment in time. But my game will hopefully get to a point where I’m really comfortable bowling inswing, I’m really comfortable bowling away-swing, I’ve got my wobble ball will obviously make me, I hope, a pretty challenging bowler to face.”Someone Bell may look to emulate is Kapp, who has been South Africa’s best seamer and bowled four especially tough overs to start England’s second innings. The outswinger is Kapp’s poison and she beat Beaumont’s bat several times on the second evening.That may not concern her as much as what happened in the first innings, when Kapp thought she had Beaumont out lbw second ball after pinning her on the pad but umpire Kerrin Klaaste was not interested.In the absence of DRS (due to CSA prioritising it for white-ball women’s matches because of the cost), Kapp could not review. When asked about it, she did not complain.”It’s a new thing that we have DRS available,” she said. “I don’t believe we’ve had it available for T20s and ODI cricket before so it’s really helped in those series. And if I have to be completely honest, I’d probably prefer having it in those two formats.”Laura Wolvaardt also appeared to want to review when she was given out lbw to Sophie Ecclestone when she was on 65 and indicated she had hit it but had to go. South Africa will hope that, if there is another decision they want to go their way, it’s third time lucky.