All posts by n8rngtd.top

It is fair to say that it has already been a busy summer for Chelsea Football Club. Following the conclusion of last season, they decided to sack Mauricio Pochettino, despite the fact he got the Blues into an FA Cup semi-final, came runners-up in the Carabao Cup and ensured European qualification for his side.

However, the Argentine was removed from his post and was replaced by Leicester City’s Championship-winning manager Enzo Maresca. The Italian signed a five-year deal with the option of a further year at Stamford Bridge. Already, since the appointment, the Blues have been fairly active in the transfer market.

Chelsea have secured two signings already, bringing Tosin Adarabioyo to the club on a free transfer, after his old deal with Fulham expired. They are also set to sign Marc Guiu from Barcelona for just £5m. The young striker has already had a medical in London according to Fabrizio Romano.

Other potential incomings to Stamford Bridge at this moment include Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who could depart Leicester and reunite with Maresca at Chelsea. Not only that, they are also in need of a centre-forward at the club and are thought to be interested in one player who could bolster their front line.

Chelsea target Bundesliga striker

The player in question here is Hoffenheim and Germany striker Maximilian Beier. The 21-year-old has had a very impressive season for the Bundesliga club, and has now been linked with a move away, with clubs including Chelsea thought to be interested in signing him this summer.

According to a report from Christian Falk for CaughtOffisde, the Blues are “interested” in bringing Beier to Stamford Bridge over the summer transfer window. However, Falk confirms that the striker is “not yet convinced” about moving to West London ahead of next season.

Not only that, the Blues will not be the only Premier League side who are vying for the youngster's signature over the summer. Liverpool are thought to be particularly keen on the move, although fellow Merseysiders Everton, as well as relegated Burnley and Chelsea’s fellow London side Brentford are also hopeful of doing a deal this summer.

In terms of price, Beier has a very cheap release clause that makes a deal even more attractive given the quality of the player in conversation here. Interested clubs can activate his £27.5m release clause to sign the striker this summer, a deal which the likes of Chelsea – or rivals Liverpool – would be able to pull off.

Why Beier would be a good signing

Should Chelsea manage to pull off a move for Beier, it would be reminiscent of their move for Kai Havertz in 2020, whom they paid £71m for from Bayer Leverkusen.

It would be a similar switch given Chelsea would be adding the next big thing amongst German centre-forwards to their squad. Football talent scout Jacek Kulig called Beier “the best German striker at the moment” in March 2024.

Whilst it did not work out for Havertz at Stamford Bridge – aside from his Champions League-winning goal against Manchester City – he put up some very similar numbers in his final season in the Bundesliga to what Beier has racked up in 2023/24, with the pair proving their clinical nature in Germany’s top-flight.

Of course, Havertz has now left the Blues, instead plying his trade down the road for Arsenal. He did not prove to be the striker Chelsea were searching for in the long run, but perhaps Beier will be that man, instead.

In terms of Beier’s profile, the 21-year-old is a tall striker, who has impressive hold-up play, will run the channels well and has a real eye for goal. In terms of pure goals, he was outscored by only four players last season; Harry Kane scored 36 times, Serhou Guriassy found the back of the net 28 times, Lois Openda scored 24 goals and Deniz Undav scored 18 times.

The 21-year-old is an excellent ball carrier, using his lanky frame to his advantage. The German likes to pick up the ball from a wide area and drive into the penalty area. As per FBref, he averages 1.34 carries into the penalty area per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 11%. Football scout Antonio Mango called the striker “exceptional”, and it is attributes such as his impressive carrying from wide areas such a well-rounded player.

For just £27.5m, the signing of Beier could be ideal for Chelsea. They would be able to bring in another genuine number nine, who can compete for the starting spot with Nicolas Jackson. Whilst the transfer itself would be similar to that of Havertz, the Blues will no doubt be hoping Beier can have a more successful time of things at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea plot to steal ace who’d be as influential as Palmer for Maresca

The Chelsea target reached double figures for goals and assists last season.

By
Tom Lever

Jun 28, 2024

ESPNcricinfo previews the 2012 season for teams in Division Two of the County Championship

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Apr-2012

Derbyshire

Captain Wayne Madsen
Coach Karl Krikken
In David Wainwright (Yorks), Peter Burgoyne, Matt Lineker
Out Greg Smith (Essex), Luke Sutton (retired), Steffan Jones (retired)
Overseas players Martin Guptill (Apr-June), Usman Khawaja (June-Sep), Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (T20)
Last year 5th in CC Div 2; 7th in FLt20 North Group; 3rd in CB40 Group A
Prospects
You have to hand it to Derbyshire, their stability repeatedly ridicules those who think that a pared-down county game would be better off without them. Their finances are stable, The County Ground is much improved – weddings are doing a roaring trade – and they produce England players at age-group level. But it is hard to see a squad now led by the South Africa-born opening batsman Wayne Madsen achieving much more than an occasional day to remember, especially if they overly commit to young players to bring in extra age-based incentives from the ECB. Former director of cricket David Houghton has returned to the county as a specialist batting coach.
One to watch
David Wainwright’s departure from Yorkshire disappointed many White Rose supporters. He was respected as a plucky cricketer, a lower-order batsman organised enough to make championship hundreds, a left-arm spinner – Yorkshire’s history makes that instantly respected – and a decent thinker on the game. But Wainwright’s slow left-arm faltered and chances for betterment were rare. Derbyshire is a good move for him; it would be no surprise to find him county captain one day.
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Website www.derbyshireccc.com
David Hopps

Essex

Captain James Foster
Coach Paul Grayson
In Greg Smith (Derby), Charl Willoughby (Somerset), Ben Foakes
Out Chris Wright (Warwickshire), Max Osborne (released)
Overseas Alviro Peterson (until June), Peter Siddle (T20)
Last year 7th in CC Div 2; 6th in FLt20 South Group; 3rd in CB40 Group C
Prospects
Following an underwhelming 2011 on all fronts, and revelations during the trial of Mervyn Westfield that damaged the county’s image off the field, Essex need to retrench. The bowling, led by the Championship’s leading wicket-taker last year, David Masters, and supplemented by South African veteran Charl Willoughby, looks strong but a couple of the promising young batsmen in the squad need to fructify – nobody reached 1,000 runs in 2011 (wicketkeeper-captain Foster topped the list with 931) and Essex’s haul of 29 batting points was the second worst in the country. With T20 central to their finances, winning the competition for the first time must be an ambition.
One to watch
Fast bowler Tymal Mills is raw, having only taken up the game in his mid-teens, but showed enough talent after making his senior debut last summer to be drafted on to England’s Performance Programme and tour with the Lions. The 19-year-old is only likely to get quicker as he builds up his body strength and Essex fans may glimpse a potent future new-ball partnership in the making should he share the attack with fellow tyro Reece Topley.
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Website www.essexcricket.org.uk
Alan Gardner

Gloucestershire

Captain Alex Gidman
Coach John Bracewell
In Dan Housego (Middlesex), Paul Muchall
Out Jon Lewis (Surrey), Chris Taylor (released), Vikram Banerjee (released)
Overseas players Kane Williamson (April-June) Muttiah Muralitharan (T20)
Last year 4th in CC Div 2; 8th in FLt20 South Group; 6th in CB40 Group C
Prospects
Gloucestershire may have punched above their weight in the Championship over the past three seasons, with their one-day form – which is miserable – perhaps a truer reflection of their squad. Doomsayers will also point to the loss of stalwart seamer Jon Lewis to Surrey and the release of batsman Chris Taylor as evidence that the wooden spoon is back on the radar. But they have a young batting line up – led by the very capable Chris Dent – who now have a couple of seasons under their belts. If they can find runs, there is still plenty of bowling to win enough matches and mount another promotion challenge.
One to watch
The county’s batting has struggled for some years and the departure of Taylor makes their line-up look even more fragile. Housego is a promising player who actually began his career at the academy in Bristol. At 23 he could be ready to come of age as a consistent run-getter after a prolific 2nd XI season last year for Middlesex where he was the topscorer. His new employers will certainly need runs from him for the club to find success.
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Website www.gloscricket.co.uk
Alex WinterLeicestershire will attempt to defend their FLt20 crown•Getty Images

Hampshire

Captain Jimmy Adams
Coach Giles White
Overseas players Simon Katich, Shahid Afridi (T20)
In
Out Dominic Cork (retired), Nic Pothas (released), Johan Myburgh (released), Friedel de Wet (released), Michael Lumb (Nottinghamshire), Simon Jones (Glamorgan), Jamie Miller (released), Benny Howell (retired)
Last year: 9th in CC Div 1 (relegated); FLt20 semi-finalists; 4th in CB40 Group B
One to watch
Michael Carberry missed half of last season due to a series illness which, for a time, threatened his career but returned to play eight Championship matches and averaged 56.64, including an unbeaten triple hundred. Carberry had a brief taste of Test cricket in Bangladesh and was in the Lions squad when illness struck. Opener is one area where England do not have a clearly defined reserve and though not part of the current set-up Carberry can put his name back in contention.
Prospects
They paid the price for a horrid start to last year’s Championship campaign, which left them too much ground to make up. And they may not be able to bounce straight back. The bowling looks a little thin, a fit Kabir Ali is vital and Danny Briggs needs to bring his 2011 average of 36 down into the high 20s. The batting has plenty to offer, though, and should be able to post decent totals particularly now the Tiflex ball has been ditched. They should be a force in T20 with Shahid Afridi in the line up and it’s a format where Briggs excels.
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Website www.ageasbowl.com
Andrew McGlashan

Kent

Captain Rob Key
Coach Jimmy Adams
In Charlie Shreck (Nottinghamshire), Michael Powell (Glamorgan), Ben Harmison (Durham), Scott Newman (Middlesex, loan), Mark Davies (Durham), Ivan Thomas, Fabian Cowdrey, Benedict Kemp
Out Joe Denly (Middlesex), Martin van Jaarsveld (retired), James Goodman (released), Robbie Joseph (Leicestershire)
Overseas Brendan Nash
Last year 8th in CC Div 2; FLt20 quarter-finalists; 4th in CB40 Group A
Prospects
There have been significant changes to the squad which finished second-bottom in 2011, with leading runscorer Joe Denly departing for Middlesex and Martin van Jaarsveld’s retirement. Rob Key remains, though, and Kent have replenished the squad with several financially shrewd signings; Charlie Shreck and Mark Davies could well have fun after dropping down a division, provided they stay fit. Daniel Bell-Drummond, who topped the batting averages in England Under-19s’ winter tour of Bangladesh, is Denly’s likely successor at the top of the order and, in a dogfight division, they could cause a surprise. Any team that can call on Azhar Mahmood is likely to be competitive in one-day cricket.
One to watch
Adams, the first West Indian to coach in county cricket, replaces Paul Farbrace with a remit to get Canterbury tails wagging once again. The former West Indies batsman knows he must make changes to turn around the fortunes of one England’s grand old counties and his fresh perspective may be just what Kent need. After working with West Indies Under-19s and a spell as Jamaica’s Technical Director, this is Adams first major coaching role – he won’t be short of challenges.
Switchboard 01227 456 886
Website www.kentcricket.co.uk
Alan Gardner

Leicestershire

Coach Phil Whitticase
Captain Matthew Hoggard
In Robbie Joseph (Kent), Rob Taylor
Out Paul Nixon (retired), James Taylor (Nottinghamshire), Harry Gurney (Nottinghamshire), Tom New (released)
Overseas Ramnaresh Sarwan, Abdul Razzaq (T20)
Last year 9th in CC Div 2; FLt20 winners; 6th in CB40 Group B
Prospects
It was all or nothing for Leicestershire last year and this season could be more of the same. Improving on 18th in the country in the Championship might seem a modest target but without James Taylor’s runs, much will be required of Ramnaresh Sarwan, who averaged just 31.57 during his previous spell in county cricket with Gloucestershire. The club’s financial position has improved significantly, though chief executive Mike Siddall has warned they can’t expect the windfall that came from winning the FLt20 again. No county has won England’s domestic T20 competition two years running but Abdul Razzaq’s return will boost Leicestershire’s chances of a defence.
One to watch
Nathan Buck suffered a difficult season in 2011 – after bursting on to the circuit with 49 Championship wickets the year before – but he was quietly effective for the Lions over the winter, taking 10 wickets at less than 20 apiece in 50-over cricket on slow, subcontinental pitches. With Matthew Hoggard to tutor him in the subtleties of right-arm swing, the 20-year-old could soon swell England’s plentiful pace bowling options even further.
Switchboard 0871 282 1879
Website www.leicestershireccc.co.uk
Alan Gardner

Northamptonshire

Captain Andrew Hall
Coach David Capel
Overseas players Chaminda Vaas, Cameron White (T20)
In Kyle Coetzer (Durham), Con de Lange
Out David Lucas (Worcestershire), Mal Loye (released), Tom Brett (released), Gavin Baker (released)
Last year 3rd in CC Div 2; 9th in FPt20 North Group; 3rd in CB40 Group B
Prospects
Bearing in mind how dramatically Northants snatched failure from the jaws of success last season, it would be a brave or foolish fellow who made too bold a prediction regarding their fortunes this year. Going into the T20 campaign, they stood top of the Division Two table and were unbeaten in the CB40. Indeed, in mid-June, they had won their first five CB40 games and five of their eight Championship matches. For some reason – maybe weariness, maybe a lack of unity, maybe injury – they won only one of their next seven Championship matches and one of their final seven CB40 games. They eventually missed out on promotion by a couple of points. Anything can happen this year, but achieving promotion will not be any easier. They may have blown their best chance.
One to watch
Jack Brooks had his pick of counties towards the end of last season. On the way to claiming 43 first-class wickets at 21.90, the 27-year-old seamer attracted the attention of several Test-hosting clubs, including Yorkshire and Warwickshire, but chose to remain with the club that gave him his opportunity having plucked him from minor counties cricket. He made a fine impression over the winter as part of the England Performance Programme and could, given some luck and another fine season, start to challenge for an international place.
Switchboard 01604 514455
Website www.northantscricket.com
George DobellYorkshire hope to have Ajmal Shahzad fit and firing for their promotion campaign•PA Photos

Yorkshire

Captain Andrew Gale
Coach Jason Gillespie
In Alex Lees, James Wainman, Callum Geldart, Alex Lilley, Dan Hodgson
Out David Wainwright (Derbyshire), Ben Sanderson (released), Lee Hodgson (released)
Overseas players Phil Jacques (applying for UK status)
Last year 8th in CC Div 1 (relegated); 6th in FLt20 North Group; 6th in CB40 Group A
Prospects
Jason Gillespie has already brought a new sense of optimism and purpose to a young Yorkshire squad still stung by an unexpected relegation from Division One of the Championship. A coaching clear-out was long overdue and with Martyn Moxon, the director of cricket, shifting his emphasis to a broader role, Gillespie will be left to plot the immediate promotion that is expected. Yorkshire have already won a pre-season tournament in Barbados, collecting an unusual trophy, depicting a fish out of water, that might have been designed to encapsulate their troubles last summer. Improvement in one-day cricket is overdue.
One to watch
Ajmal Shahzad had a dispiriting 2011. He was troubled for much of the season with a damaged ankle that required surgery in October and lost much of his bowling threat as a result. He is one of county cricket’s biggest triers so to be regarded one of those condemned for “unacceptable” performances by his chairman, Colin Graves, as Yorkshire were relegated, cut deep. A fit and firing Shahzad would go a long way to strengthening Yorkshire’s seam-bowling resources.
Switchboard 0871 971 1222
Website www.yorkshireccc.com
David Hopps

Captain admits England “dominated us from the start” but remains confident in side’s ability

Matt Roller30-Oct-20212:07

Moody: Lack of batters’ form hurting Australia

Aaron Finch has insisted that Australia are “a very good team in T20 international cricket” despite their eight-wicket hammering against England in Dubai on Saturday night, but he recognised that the scale of their defeat – with 50 balls to spare – leaves them with two “must-wins” against Bangladesh and West Indies in their last two Super 12s fixtures.Australia opted to revert to the six-batter, five-bowler strategy that they had ditched on the eve of the T20 World Cup, bringing Ashton Agar back into the side in place of Mitchell Marsh, but Finch was immediately left rueing the decision as he watched wickets fall around him. Australia slipped to 21 for 4 and then 51 for 5, and despite a late flurry taking them to 125 all out, then watched England knock the runs off two wickets down inside 12 overs.”It was just one of those nights,” Finch said. “Davey [David Warner] got a decent one early, Smithy [Steven Smith] toe-ended one and Maxi [Glenn Maxwell] missed a pick-up off his pads which you’d generally expect him to hit. That can happen in the powerplay when you’re looking to be aggressive. [We were] just blown away.”They completely dominated us from the start. Any time you go a handful down in the powerplay… every time we felt like we started to get a partnership together, we just kept losing a wicket and it just meant we had to sit in longer, try and get a total of 150, and see if that would be competitive. As it was, we probably needed a few more.

Watch highlights on ESPN+

If you are in the USA, watch the Australia vs England highlights on ESPN+ here in English, and here in Hindi

“It wasn’t too long ago that we were No. 1 in the world. I still think we’re a very good team in T20 international cricket. Everyone’s got their own opinion so that doesn’t really matter; what really matters is results. If you think that we’re a really ordinary side, that’s okay.”Finch explained that the decision to restore Agar to the side owed to the fact Australia saw him as “a really good match-up for England”, given their openers’ relative struggles against left-arm orthodox spin and his previous success against them (he took five wickets and conceded 7.83 runs an over on their tour there last year).Related

• Australia expect 'trial by spin' against Bangladesh as semi-final hopes hangs in balance

• Chris Woakes basks in honeymoon phase of his second T20I coming

• Rise of Woakes, Moeen adds to England's World Cup power play

• As it happened – Australia vs England, Men's T20 World Cup, Super 12s

“Clearly when you go three down in the powerplay, it’s not an ideal scenario when you go in with that structured team,” Finch said. “The reason Agar was in there was that we felt he was a really good match-up for England.”His ability to bowl in the powerplay and through the middle overs in the past against England has been really good so we just felt that was the way to go tonight. It was not a reflection on how Mitch has been going at all – it was purely just a match-up thing for this game. It was unfortunate that we didn’t get the job done.”I think obviously in the powerplay, they bowled very well, put us on the back foot, and we were under pressure to try and get to a competitive total. All credit to England, in that powerplay, the way that they squeezed us, kept taking wickets… when you go in with six specialist batters, that is going to leave you a little bit short at times.”Australia may need to win both of their remaining Super 12s games to ensure qualification after the hit to their net run-rate, with games against Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday and West Indies in Abu Dhabi on Saturday to come – both of whom beat Australia in their recent T20I series. Finch said that the squad would have a couple of days off after a short turnaround following their win against Sri Lanka, and acknowledged that they could not afford another off-night.”The boys deserve a couple of days off,” he said. “We’ll recharge the batteries, have a couple of strong days of training and then be back into it: I’m not concerned about carrying baggage into a different game against a totally different opposition.”They’re definitely must-wins. Our net run-rate took a hammering tonight so we’re going to have to be at our best. Bangladesh are a very, very good side and so are the West Indies – a lot of firepower in their team, a lot of experience. It’s must-win from now on – but we’re looking forward to it.”

Incoming Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim is already plotting a raid of his former club, as the Red Devils eye up young star Geovany Quenda.

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• Amorim taking charge this month
• Eyeing Sporting star Quenda
• Squad shake-up needed

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 39-year-old is one of Europe's most highly-rated young coaches, following his two Primeira Liga title wins with Sporting CP in 2020-21 and 2023-24. In the latter stages of Amorim's Sporting reign, teen talent Geovany Quenda emerged as one of his most important players, and now reports are suggesting that the new United boss is already looking to bring the 17-year-old to Old Trafford.

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• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  According to Portuguese sports publication , Amorim is following Quenda's progress closely and are already considering the possibility of signing the young winger, potentially to take Antony's place amid his struggles at Old Trafford. However, this is unlikely to be one of Amorim's most pressing concerns when he first arrives at Carrington; despite making some strong signings in the summer, United are in extremely poor form and badly need a reset on the pitch before they can turn their attention to the January transfer window.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Quenda made his debut for Sporting on 3 August 2024 and became the youngest player to score for the club, netting his first goal aged just 17 years and 95 days. He was born in 2007, meaning that the last time United won the Premier League he was only six years old.

• Getty/GOAL
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR QUENDA & AMORIM?

  Amorim doesn't take charge at United until 11 November, so he still has a small amount of time to impart some extra wisdom to his young winger. That being said, if the Red Devils have their way, it's possible Quenda could end up joining the club in January. Either way, Amorim's clear knack for developing youth is a positive sign for United youngsters like Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho.

Nottingham Forest have reportedly tabled a £4m offer to sign a teenage gem from Brazil this summer, it has emerged.

Forest chasing Brazilian goalkeeper

Following their Premier League survival on the final day of the season, Nuno Espirito Santo's side have turned their attentions to the summer transfer window. Under some pressure from financial fair play rules, they have already seen several players leave.

Harry Arter, Wayne Hennessey, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Loïc Mbe Soh, Scott McKenna and Felipe have all reached the end of their contracts at the City Ground and will not be offered fresh terms, leaving as free agents.

Meanwhile, Gonzalo Montiel, Divock Origi, Gio Reyna, Rodrigo Ribeiro and Nuno Tavares will all leave at the end of their loan spells with the club, with none having done enough to earn a permanent move to Nottingham.

That will free up significant wages in the Midlands, and while there remains pressure to sell before the June 30th deadline, the club are hoping that they can avoid cashing in on any of their star men, with the likes of Joe Worrall, Emmanuel Dennis and Lewis O'Brien thought to be free to leave and the latter attracting interest from Ipswich Town.

As a result, there is confidence that compliance will be achieved, and now they have turned their attentions to incomings. One player seemingly on the verge of joining the club is goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, with the club having triggered his £3.4m release clause and a medical expected this week to bring the shot-stopper to the Midlands. But Forest have also made another offer for a Palmeiras player.

Teenager in the Reds' sights

Now, reports from Brazil have revealed Forest have made a bid for young striker Riquelme Fillipi, who plays among the youth ranks with Palmeiras. The 17-year-old is yet to play senior football, and has only scored four times in 14 games for the U20 side this season, but that has not stopped the club from taking a keen interest.

Nottingham Forest must finally sell flop who earns more than Elanga

The club are looking to raise funds before the PSR deadline later this month.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 19, 2024

As per UOL (via Sport Witness), they have tabled an 'official proposal' for the teenager, which totals 5m euros (just over £4m). This consists of half up-front, with the other half in bonuses, though there is no discussion of what those bonuses may be, while Palmeiras are yet to respond to the offer.

It is added that European giants Paris Saint Germain and Porto are both also interested, though neither side have made a bid for the youngster as of yet. Should any side prove successful in their hunt for the signature of Fillipi, they will have to wait until September before he could arrive, with the youngster not turning 18 until then.

Extreme pitches have minimised the chance of draws and levelled the playing field, but what about the contest between ball and bat, and between runs, wickets and time?

Karthik Krishnaswamy15-Nov-20256:00

A ‘miscalculation’ in pitch preparation?

If the Eden Gardens Test ends the way it seems likeliest to after two days of cricket, India and South Africa will have a 3-3 record over their last six Test meetings. These six Tests – five in South Africa, and one now in India – have produced breathtaking cricket at times, showing just how good these two teams are, and how closely matched.Most of these contests, however, have lacked any semblance of balance between bat and ball. India have passed 200 only five times in 10 innings when they’ve had the chance to get that far (they chased down a target of 79 in the other innings), and 250 only twice. South Africa have passed 200 only four times, and 250 just once, in 11 innings.Only one of the six Tests has gone into a fifth day, and if the Kolkata Test finishes on Sunday, as it looks set to, it will be the third in a row to end in three days or fewer. The Cape Town Test of January 2024 ended inside two days, and lasted just 642 legal balls; the shortest of all result matches in Test history.Related

• With 'small hands' and strong instincts, Bavuma shows self-assurance of a player at his peak

• The Bavuma-Bosch 'turning point' in Harmer's Test at Eden Gardens

• Shubman Gill under observation, out of remainder of Eden Gardens Test

• Shubman Gill retires hurt with neck injury

• India smell victory after 15-wicket day on a tough Eden Gardens pitch

This, with some exceptions, has been the way of the World Test Championship (WTC), where the reward for Test wins (12 points) and the relatively negligible benefit of draws (4 points) over losses (no points) have led teams en masse to roll out bowler-friendly decks in home Tests.Kolkata, though, has been a head-scratcher. It has served up extreme conditions, but it’s unclear whether they’ve come about through the usual route of the home team demanding them.Through their last Test series against West Indies, India suggested more than once that they were looking to move away from their post-2021 trend of square turners, and prepare home-Test pitches aiming for balance between bat and ball. Both the pitches in that series roughly corresponded to this template, with Ahmedabad starting out with help for the seamers before flattening out, and Delhi playing slow and low throughout.And in the days leading up to this Kolkata Test, neither team, judging by their public pronouncements, expected anything other than a traditional Indian pitch where batters could hope to score big runs in the first innings, and where wear and tear would begin to show its effects only around day three or thereabouts. South Africa left out their third spinner and picked a third seamer. India picked two seamers and as many as four spinners, which suggested they were expecting a heavy bowling workload.Wiaan Mulder was undone by the extra bounce•Getty Images”I think the conversation, leading up to the game, was that it was going to be a good wicket and it’s going to be hard work for us,” India bowling coach Morne Morkel said in his press conference at the end of day two. “We planned and focused more on how we are going to attack and target the South African batting line-up, we sort of took the thought of the conditions out of the equation and said, okay, we’ll adapt on the day, play it session by session.”But we definitely thought it was going to be a good wicket and sort of deteriorate as the Test match goes on, and play it from there.”The deterioration, as it turned out, began virtually from the first over of the match, during which one ball from Jasprit Bumrah kept low and two reared up. Uneven bounce has only grown more frequent and more pronounced in the sessions since, with the ball routinely causing bits of the pitch’s top layer to disintegrate and explode on impact.With 27 wickets already having fallen, 39 remains the highest individual score, even though there have been nine scores of over 20, suggesting that this is the kind of pitch where a batter is never , and where an unplayable ball is just around the corner.Matches like this often make for riveting viewing. And just as they are in other kinds of Test match, every run and wicket is earned. Batters are always remembered for scoring runs in difficult conditions. And if tricky conditions make wickets likelier to occur, they also ramp up the pressure bowlers face to take them, with fewer runs to play with, with every opposition partnership bringing greater consequences.For all that, though, this Kolkata Test, like so many others of its kind, has lacked two defining elements of Test cricket.One is time pressure. Runs, wickets and time are the three sides of the triangle of tension that elevates some Test matches to epic status. Without the pressure of time, you lose the possibility that a game could go into its final session, or even its final day, with all four results still possible.The other is the full physical challenge that Test cricket poses, asking fast bowlers if they can maintain their speed and intensity into their third spell of the day; asking spinners if they can keep sending down ball after ball, over long spells, with both control and high revolutions; asking batters if they can stay sharp, physically and mentally, through two, three, even four sessions at the crease.2:57

Philander: Batters being challenged technically here

The ideal Test pitch, then, would create conditions for the runs-wickets-time triangle to exist. It would challenge, physically and mentally, batters and bowlers of all types without leaving them feeling that their exertions will be futile. It would reward bowlers for bowling good lines and lengths, and punish them from straying from them. It would have true bounce, which would ensure edges carry to close-in fielders, and allow batters to trust their defensive and attacking strokes if executed properly. If these conditions are met, the ideal pitch could be tilted either towards seam or spin.Pitch preparation, of course, is far from an exact science, and the best intentions of curators can often come to nothing, particularly if the weather comes in the way. But Test matches like Cape Town 2024 and Kolkata 2025 leave in their wake the question of whether the best intentions existed – or were allowed to exist – at all.That home teams influence pitch preparation all over the world is incontestable. India have experienced both sides of this in recent years. They tend to come up against pitches designed to negate their spinners when they travel outside Asia and the West Indies – New Zealand, for example, prepare noticeably greener pitches against India than they do against South Africa or England. And at home, India have prepared numerous pitches designed to weaponise their spinners at the cost of the opposition’s fast bowlers.In Nagpur in 2023, for example, they prepared a true designer pitch against an Australia side full of left-hand batters. It was selectively watered, rolled and mowed to have bare patches on a spinners’ good length, particularly in the areas outside the left-handers’ off stump at both ends. It turned out less spiteful than it appeared, but the intentions were clear.Ravindra Jadeja spun a web around South Africa•AFP/Getty ImagesThis Eden Gardens pitch was the opposite, looking more benign than it proved to be. Was it, then, what India wanted, and asked curator Sujan Mukherjee to prepare? Or was it a pitch prepared to hold together for much longer than it did, which ended up behaving in an unexpected manner? Or was it caught between two sets of intentions?The answer isn’t clear-cut, but on TV commentary, the former India keeper Dinesh Karthik suggested that the pitch had not been watered on the eve of the match. If this happened, India’s team management probably had a role to play.Now India aren’t alone in having a significant influence on their home pitches, so it would be wrong to point fingers only at them. But does a thing become okay if everyone does it? And is it, well, good for Test cricket?You could legitimately argue that it is. That extreme pitches minimise the chance of draws. That, rather than exaggerating home advantage, they have actually levelled the playing field, enabling West Indies to win Tests in Australia and Pakistan in the last two years, and New Zealand to pull off one of the greatest upsets of all time by beating India 3-0 in India. That this Kolkata pitch has left South Africa with a chance, still, of going 1-0 up.You could argue that all the costs – such as, for example, the Test averages of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, which suffered irrevocably from a relentless diet of seaming, turning and/or uneven tracks from 2021 to the ends of their careers – are worth the upside of a Test-match landscape with fewer draws and a greater likelihood of unexpected results.But what of Test cricket as a contest between ball and bat, and between runs, wickets and time? What of Test cricket as a showcase for the full range of the sport’s bewitching skills?

Tahlia McGrath’s superb form continued with an unbeaten half-century

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Oct-2021A sharp performance with the ball and in the field, followed by more runs for the in-form Tahlia McGrath, set up Adelaide Strikers for a convincing eight-wicket over Melbourne Renegades to maintain their promising start to the WBBL.Alongside the defeat, there was also a significant injury scare for Renegades with legspinner Georgia Wareham appearing to hurt her knee in the outfield. She went down in visible pain after an attempted stop but was able to make her own way off the ground after being assessed by the physio and doctor.Although they lost a couple of early wickets, Dane van Niekerk’s powerplay charge of 29 off 14 balls with seven boundaries put them well above the rate with Laura Wolvaardt and McGrath coolly completing the chase with 15 balls to spare in an unbroken stand of 82.McGrath brought up her fifty late in the contest having been dropped the ball before at mid-off.Strikes kept a hold of the scoring rate in Renegades’ powerplay and the pressure brought Sophie Molineux’s wicket when she lofted to deep cover where Bridget Patterson added another fine catch to her collection with a superb running grab low to the ground.In the next over Courtney Webb was bowled by a good delivery from Jemma Barsby that went straight on. Jemimah Rodrigues, who couldn’t get going, slog-swept to deep midwicket.Harmanpreet Kaur played well and was dominating the scoring when she also found deep midwicket against Darcie Brown and it was left to Eve Jones to guide the innings to the 20-over mark but it always felt like they were well short.

Taking a corner kick for the Rossoneri, Pulisic's attempt curled straight into the back of the net for a first half goal.

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• Milan defeat Club Brugge 3-1 in UCL
• Pulisic scored Olimpico
• U.S. star in brilliant form

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  U.S. international Christian Pulisic pulled a new trick out of his bag Tuesday afternoon, scoring a superb Olimpico goal for AC Milan, as the defeated Club Brugge 3-1 in the UEFA Champions League Tuesday.

  Lining up from the corner of the pitch, Pulisic's in-swinging corner went past the defense and the goalkeeper to land straight in the back of the net for an Olimpico goal in against Club Brugge Tuesday afternoon. Two more second half goals from midfielder Tijjani Reijnders sealed the victory, and an important three points, too.

  Their first victory of the UCL campaign, it was a moment of relief at full-time for Paulo Fonseca and his roster.

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• WATCH THE CLIP:

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Pulisic has been in fine form in 2024-25, with Tuesday's strike being his second goal in three UCL matches this season. In total, though, his effort made it 10 goal-contributions in 11 appearances across all competitions for the Italian side this season.

  The USMNT star leads the club in scoring and is tied atop the assists chart in Serie A, too, becoming the focal point of their attack under the leadership of Fonseca.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PULISIC?

  The and Pulisic are back in action Saturday in Serie A when they clash with Bologna. Sitting fourth in the standings, Milan will look to earn an important three points as they search for their second-straight league victory.

Chelsea are in talks to sign a £20 million defender amid their reported negotiations over Barcelona starlet Marc Guiu and Lille striker Jonathan David.

Chelsea in David and Guiu talks as Maresca eyes attackers

Widespread reports have claimed that the west Londoners are targeting both David and Guiu, with new head coach Enzo Maresca seeking reinforcements for his attack ahead of 2024/2025.

Todd Boehly now willing to make significant Chelsea bid for £85 million PSG star

The Ligue 1 champions are demanding a premium.

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Emilio Galantini

Jun 26, 2024

The latter has a tantalising £5 million release clause in his Nou Camp contract, so he could depart Catalonia on the cheap, with some Spanish reports claiming Chelsea are on the verge of signing Guiu and the teenager could announce his farewells shortly.

David, who scored 27 goals across 49 appearances in all competitions for Lille last season, could also be available for an affordable price this summer as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.

The Canada international could even leave Lille for as little as £17 million, and it is believed by some media sources in England that Chelsea have already held talks with David as Todd Boehly seeks to back Maresca with a prolific new frontman.

Chelsea were also in a very public chase to sign Michael Olise from Crystal Palace but were ultimately beaten to the punch by Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. Olise chose to join Vincent Kompany in Bavaria over a move across London, but Fabrizio Romano backs that Chelsea are still keen to bring in two new attackers.

They could also bolster their ranks defensively. Romano, writing in one of his Daily Briefings recently, tipped Chelsea to potentially bring in two centre-backs – with one already coming through the door in Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from Fulham.

"It will continue to be a busy summer at Chelsea," wrote the reporter.

"It won’t be completely crazy but they will try to make smart things happen, including a new goalkeeper and I expect them to try for at least one new centre-back, but it could be two. I also expect Chelsea to be busy with the striker position."

Chelsea in talks to sign Aaron Anselmino from Boca Juniors

According to The Athletic, that second defender could well be Aaron Anselmino from Boca Juniors.

Chelsea are in talks with Boca over signing Anselmino, who the Argentines value at around £20 million. The Blues, though, want to do a deal for less and are currently in discussions over a cut-price fee.

It remains to be seen if Boca oblige, but the 19-year-old seems to be rated pretty highly across the continent. Indeed, he could certainly add to Chelsea's ever-growing contingent of young stars.

Pep Guardiola heaped praise on Southampton boss Russell Martin after watching his Manchester City side secure a narrow 1-0 win against the Saints.

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• Southampton impress in City defeat
• Guardiola praises Saints' 'incredible effort'
• Martin's side winless in Premier League

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  It appeared that Southampton were in for a difficult afternoon after Erling Haaland scored after just five minutes at the Etihad Stadium. But the Saints were resilient in defence thereafter, with Haaland struggling after his early goal, and tried to take the game to their opponents; Martin's side had more possession than City midway through the first half, and they completed a respectable 461 passes in the match.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Martin has come under criticism for his refusal to change his ways after seeing his tactical approach yield not a single win in the Premier League. Southampton are bottom of the table and their insistence of playing out from the back has led to some costly errors, but Guardiola was impressed by what he saw from the visitors, praising their "incredible effort" at full-time and admitting he will learn from Martin's approach.

• WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  "Today it was not how they [Southampton] defend deep it was how good they play with the ball with the keeper and the movement," Guardiola told . "It's a good game to learn as a manager. I am going to learn a lot with Russell because they did really well. We were humble and accepted that they did really well.

  "Last two games, Wolves and Southampton, are at the bottom of the league and if this is the level that shows how tough this Premier League is. They played really good. They didn't create many chances but it was an incredible effort to get the ball from us. We created chances that we couldn't convert but the result is good.

  "The build-up is exceptional. They open the channels. They link well with the striker and every moment makes sense. I knew after what people had said to me about Russell and we tasted it today. The players were not bad, they were good. When a team plays that level you have to accept it."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY AND SOUTHAMPTON?

  City now face four away games on the bounce, starting with a trip to London on Wednesday for their Carabao Cup round-of-16 meeting with Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham. Southampton host Stoke City in the cup competition on Tuesday.