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With Kuldeep Yadav also in the mix, Ashwin might end up sitting out the Jamaica Test even if India choose to field two spinners

Karthik Krishnaswamy27-Aug-2019Seven Tests, 24 wickets, an average of 30.16. That was R Ashwin’s record during India’s run of overseas tours last year.How good are those numbers? Well, that average is the best among those of the eight spinners with ten or more wickets in South Africa, England and Australia since the start of 2016. In that time, Nathan Lyon has averaged 36.71 in these three countries, Moeen Ali and Rangana Herath in the 40s, and Yasir Shah 56.03. Ashwin’s economy rate of 2.38 is the best on that list too.Those numbers reflected the role Ashwin ended up playing on those tours. Through his career, Ashwin has been known for his strike rate – which remains the best among all spinners with more than 200 Test wickets – but India’s strike bowlers on those tours were their quicks. Ashwin, for one reason or another, ended up playing a holding role.Think back to Adelaide, where he conceded only 149 runs in 86.5 overs – nearly a full day’s Test cricket – across the Test match, and picked up three wickets in each innings, but without getting ball after ball to leap out of the rough like Lyon did.Lyon bowled 16.5 overs less than Ashwin, but picked up two more wickets, including six in India’s second innings. He also conceded 56 runs more than Ashwin.How much of Ashwin’s bowling style – controlled and probing, but without the ripping turn and bounce that runs through sides – was down to design, and how much of it was down to his physical state?For any spinner, the amount of purchase they extract is proportionate to the work they put on the ball with their action. You can’t put as much body into your action if some part of your body is giving you trouble.The groin has been Ashwin’s problem area for a while. Soon after the 2016-17 home season – in which he bowled more overs than anyone ever has in a single season of Test cricket – he sat out the IPL to recover from sports hernia, a soft-tissue injury in the groin area, which is commonly seen among sportspersons who are required to put their body through repetitive twisting motions.The problem resurfaced on the England tour last year. Ashwin played despite being less than fully fit in Southampton – where Moeen, getting the ball to jump out of the footmarks in a way Ashwin didn’t, was England’s match-winner – and missed the next Test at The Oval. After his Adelaide exertions, Ashwin’s injury flared up again, and he missed the last three Tests in Australia.Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja came into the side, and ensured Ashwin wasn’t missed too much. He took seven wickets at The Oval, and five in a victory at the MCG. He also scored eighties at The Oval and the SCG. In Sydney, India played two spinners, and Kuldeep Yadav picked up a first-innings five-for.We can’t be sure how much of it was down to Kuldeep’s impressive bowling on a flat pitch, and how much to his impatience with Ashwin’s fitness issues, but India head coach Ravi Shastri, speaking to after the Australia tour, asserted that Kuldeep had become India’s “number one spinner in overseas Test cricket”.By the time the latest West Indies tour rolled around, therefore, Ashwin was in a fight to regain his place. There was room for one spinner in India’s combination in Antigua, and India went with Jadeja.Kuldeep Yadav is cheered by his team-mates after his five-for•Getty ImagesKuldeep may have been in contention, but his white-ball form had fallen away somewhat between Sydney and Antigua, and given that this was India’s first World Test Championship game, they may have wanted to pick someone with more experience, and perhaps more batting ability too. That left Ashwin and Jadeja.It couldn’t have been an easy decision to leave Ashwin out, given his outstanding career record, his numbers – with ball and bat – against West Indies, and his recent County Championship form for Nottinghamshire, for whom he picked up 23 wickets at 19.91 in three Division One games.But equally, Jadeja had made himself extremely difficult to drop. Since the start of the 2016-17 home season, his record with the ball has been neck-and-neck with Ashwin’s, while his batting returns have been significantly superior. In that time, he has been the world’s best allrounder in terms of difference between batting and bowling averages.In the end, Jadeja made a key contribution to India’s win in Antigua, scoring 58 and turning 189 for 6 into a first-innings total of 297. His bowling was less successful, with his two first-innings wickets coming either side of some stick from Darren Bravo, Roston Chase and Shimron Hetmyer – who scored a combined 46 off 55 balls against him – and his four second-innings overs going for 42 runs with Kemar Roach hitting three sixes off him.Spinners can sometimes end up with figures like that even when they have bowled well, and India won’t be unduly alarmed by Jadeja’s display in Antigua, especially when their quicks were so good. Now, unless India play two spinners – and perhaps even if they do – Ashwin will quite likely sit out the second Test in Jamaica too.It’s not an entirely unfamiliar situation for Ashwin – Jadeja briefly usurped him as the No. 1 overseas spinner back in 2013-14, and Karn Sharma played ahead of him in the 2014 Adelaide Test – but it will still irk him, given his status as one of India’s greatest match-winners, and given that so much of his recent struggle has come about thanks to factors not in his control. It can’t be easy to accept the Stuart MacGill role when you’ve been Shane Warne for so long.That said, the Ashwin-Jadeja dynamic is now perhaps more like the tussle between Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, which only resolved into a clear-cut hierarchy after the 2003-04 tour of Australia. Harbhajan returned home after aggravating a finger injury in the first Test, following which Kumble came into the side, picked up 24 wickets in the next three Tests, and became India’s undisputed No. 1 spinner. What further twists await us in the Ashwin-Jadeja story?

Incoming Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is now intent on signing a “world-class” duo in the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Berta drawing up plans for the summer

Although Berta is yet to be officially announced as the Gunners’ new sporting director, there have been suggestions the Italian has already started identifying a number of potential targets ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 53-year-old is believed to be a huge fan of Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios, as a result of the time they spent working together at the La Liga club, while he will also try to sign Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes.

The north Londoners are now in talks over a deal for Guimaraes, with Berta ‘in love’ with the Brazilian after trying to sign him for Atlético Madrid on a number of occasions.

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As such, the 27-year-old has now emerged as a key target for Arsenal, which could perhaps indicate Martin Zubimendi is no longer as high up the list, but a new report from GiveMeSport suggests otherwise.

According to the report, Berta is still intent on signing Zubimendi this summer, with the former Atlético Madrid man particularly keen on the Spaniard, alongside Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha.

Cunha provides a goal threat and creativity in attack, which makes the Brazilian a necessary addition to Mikel Arteta’s frontline, but he will not come cheap, given that he has a £62m release clause included in his contract.

Previous reports have stated Zubimendi will be a little cheaper at £51m, meaning Arsenal may have to shell out the huge sum of £113m to get the two deals over the line.

However, it is also detailed that Arteta’s side could listen to offers for Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli this summer, which may boost their budget significantly.

Zubimendi and Cunha could be "world-class" additions

Cunha has shown signs of year-on-year development since signing for Wolves, having already beaten his Premier League goal tally from last season by netting 13 times in 26 appearances this term, while also providing four assists.

The Brazil international has thus been hailed as “world-class” by members of the media, and Kieran Tierney has stated Zubimendi is in the same category.

“You have world-class players like [Martín] Zubimendi, [Mikel] Merino, Brais [Méndez]. It’s not that people don’t think they’re good; it’s just that if you’re only watching the Premier League every week, it’s hard to know. They’re world class.”

As such, the duo could be fantastic signings for Arsenal this summer, but Cunha should be Arteta’s priority, given that the manager is light on out-and-out centre-forwards, and the 25-year-old has proven himself as a reliable goalscorer in the Premier League.

Ahead of a crucial game between two sides sitting in the depths of the bottom-half, Ipswich Town could be forced to square off against Manchester United without two key men.

Ipswich injury news

With every week and every defeat, Ipswich once realistic survival chances have faded into more and more of a fantasy. Now five points adrift of safety in the Premier League, The Tractor Boys desperately need to get back to winning ways for the first time in 10 league games, having last shocked Chelsea at the end of December.

There was once a time when a visit to Old Trafford was the last thing that a side in Ipswich’s position need. Nowadays though, it’s exactly what the doctor’s ordered.

Kieran McKenna’s side arguably have their best chance to pick up three points since they allowed Southampton to pick up a rare victory in frustrating fashion. United are blunt going forward, vulnerable going the other way and there for the taking under Ruben Amorim, but Ipswich may not be at their best themselves following recent injury news.

As confirmed by McKenna, Ipswich could now be without both Kalvin Phillips and Jens Cajuste against Manchester United after both players limped off against Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

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1

By
Kelan Sarson

Feb 23, 2025

McKenna told reporters: “It looks like, hopefully, neither is a very, very serious injury. But they’re still getting some scans and assessments. Honestly, I don’t think we can rule anything in or out. That’s not being flippant.

“They’re getting some scans this morning which we’ll get the results of this afternoon. We don’t think either injury is severe and we can’t put any timescale on them at the minute.”

Facing a race against time to be fit, both Phillips and Cajuste will be desperate to fight back to full fitness and leave their mark on Old Trafford and the rest of Ipswich’s bid for survival.

Injury comes at frustrating time for Phillips

Having seen his time at Manchester City dominated by injury and a lack of game time, Phillips looked to be building momentum at last for Ipswich – starting three of their last four league games – only to suffer another blow. Now awaiting the result of his scan, the £150,000-a-week midfielder will be desperate to avoid another lengthy absence.

With just 12 Premier League games remaining, it will soon be decision time for Ipswich regarding a permanent move to sign Phillips. And whilst at times he has looked destined to bow out at Portman Road, recent improvement could yet ignite some hope that he could yet earn a summer switch.

Either way – whether courtesy of Ipswich or another willing club – the former Leeds United midfielder would be wise to end his Manchester City career on a permanent basis.

Before any of those decisions, however, Phillips must hope to play a part in what would be a miraculous recovery from Ipswich if they were to maintain their top flight status.

Manchester United have made an approach to sign a £50m-rated midfielder ahead of rival interest from both Liverpool and Manchester City.

Man Utd already eyeing Amorim replacements after poor start

The Red Devils have had a season to forget, which began under Erik ten Hag before they appointed Ruben Amorim. The current Portuguese boss is already under pressure in Manchester, though, with just five wins in 16 Premier League games and a place in the bottom half.

A number of managers have been linked with replacing Amorim at Old Trafford in recent days. Former Germany boss Joachim Low, Massimiliano Allegri, previously of Juventus and Unai Emery of Aston Villa are just three names mentioned to come in if Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS bring Amorim’s Man Utd tenure to a quick end.

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Man Utd are keeping a close eye on the youngster ahead of the summer transfer window.

ByBrett Worthington Mar 6, 2025

As well as looking at potential replacements for Amorim in the dugout, INEOS are also looking at the summer transfer window and possible signings.

Sky Sports have claimed that United are ready to bid £25m to sign Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP after sending both Marcus Rashford and Antony out on loan.

Elsewhere, the Red Devils are thought to be in pole position to sign Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund, with the pacey attacker another who could end up replacing one of Rashford or Antony.

In midfield, Man Utd are anticipating the departures of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, and it looks as if they may have identified the ideal addition to come in.

Man Utd make contact to sign Casemiro replacement

According to Caught Offside, Man Utd have made contact to ask for information over a move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson.

The Brazil international isn’t just wanted at Old Trafford, though. He has been a top target for neighbours Man City, and Liverpool have also made an enquiry.

Atalanta want around £50m for the 25-year-old, and this comes after the Red Devils made an offer for Ederson last summer. Dubbed a “machine” by Football Transfers’ Carlo Garganese, South American football expert Tim Vickery also previously described Ederson to Sky Sports as a “strong, well-built central midfielder.”

“Strong on the ball, versatile, box-to-box. Strong personality as well. The first time I remember him was his professional debut really. He was thrown in the deep end in a big team called Cruzeiro, who were really on the slide. They were relegated in dreadful form and even in this bad context, he stood out, so a lot of virtues.”

Appearances

129

Goals

12

Assists

4

Yellow cards

23

Red cards

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Ederson, who has been a regular for Atalanta since 2022, has made the majority of his appearances as a central midfielder but has also turned out in holding and attacking roles.

A move to England and Man Utd in particular could be one to watch, however, should the Red Devils have no European football to offer next season, they could be at a major disadvantage.

Arsenal now hold a strong interest in a “lethal” £50m striker, who is seen as an ideal solution to their attacking issues, according to a report.

Doubt over Havertz's Arsenal future

Although the Gunners are still in the Premier League title race, currently sitting six points behind Liverpool, there is a feeling they could have done with bringing in some extra attacking firepower during the January transfer window.

In a recent interview with Football Insider, former scout Mick Brown revealed Mikel Arteta is set to pursue a new striker in the summer, casting doubt over Havertz’s long-term future at the Emirates Stadium.

“I don’t think their position has changed since they first started looking at options. Arteta wasn’t happy that they didn’t strengthen in January, because they needed to.

“So if Arsenal can get a top-quality replacement, I expect them to do that in the summer.”

Arsenal keen on "special" £25m ace who's now available to sign this summer

The Gunners have set their sights on a hot prospect, who is being targeted by some of Europe’s top clubs.

By
Dominic Lund

Feb 9, 2025

Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko are among the main strikers to be linked with a move to north London in the summer, but reports from Spain have now revealed there is another name on the list of targets.

Arsenal are said to hold a strong interest in Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui, having been impressed by his performances this season, which has attracted the attention of a number of big clubs.

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are also ‘bidding strongly’ for Retegui, so there may be stiff competition for his signature, with Atalanta set to try and hold out for up to €60m (£50m).

With the Gunners still lacking a reliable striker, the Atalanta star is viewed as an ideal solution, but they are yet to make any concrete moves towards getting a deal done.

Retegui on fire in the Serie A

It is no surprise the Italian has attracted Arsenal’s attention, as he has been prolific in the Serie A this season, scoring 20 goals in 22 games, most recently bagging four in his side’s 5-0 victory against Hellas Verona.

Italy manager Luciano Spalletti was full of praise for the 25-year-old earlier this season, saying: “Inside the box, he is lethal. And now he has learned how to connect with the team better. He’s going to become a top player.”

If the Gunners are keen on an out-and-out striker, Retegui could be their man, given that he ranks in the 96th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

As you’d expect, Havertz outperforms the Atalanta forward on a number of key defensive metrics, while he has also provided far more assists during the same timeframe.

However, the most important thing for any striker is to find the back of the net, and the Argentina-born marksman certainly knows how to do that, so it is promising news the Gunners are considering a summer move.

Aaron Hardie claimed two wickets in two balls while Josh Hazlewood also impressed on return

Andrew McGlashan21-Sep-2024Mitchell Starc made a dramatic entrance to the ODI series with a searing inswinging yorker to England captain Harry Brook, after Alex Carey had produced a match-changing innings as Australia, strengthened by the return of key names, went 2-0 up in the series with a convincing 68-run victory at Headingley.Starc’s brilliant set-up of Brook, which he capped off with a wicked delivery that thundered into his pad as he was beaten for pace, added to England’s early problems in a chase of 271 after Carey’s 74 provided crucial late runs to a curious Australia innings. A short while later the home side were 65 for 5 when Aaron Hardie claimed two wickets in two balls, including a brilliant caught-and-bowled to remove the in-form Ben Duckett, to leave them with a mountain to climb.Jamie Smith and Jacob Bethell stopped the bleeding with a stand of 55 before Bethell somehow managed to skew a short, wide long hop from Glenn Maxwell to backward point. The game was just about done when Smith clipped Josh Hazlewood to midwicket for a very neat 49 although England’s lower order showed there were few demons in the surface.Australia had been bowled out with more than five overs remaining, having been nine-down in the 37th over before a last-wicket stand of 49 between Carey, only playing due to Josh Inglis’ quad injury, and Hazlewood. But with the visitors having welcomed back Hazlewood and Starc from illness, it still felt as though it would be a considerable test of an England side still trying to reestablish their one-day credentials. The Test duo would finish with five between them.Hazlewood landed the ball on a handkerchief to give Phil Salt a working over – a tough chance was put down at second slip by Matt Short – and it was little surprise when Salt slashed an edge to Carey. In the next over Will Jacks drove expansively outside off stump against Starc and this time Short held on safely in the cordon.Starc, playing his first game since the T20 World Cup in June, then produced a classy over against Brook, barring a delivery on the pads that was clipped for four, probing away across the right-hander before going fuller, straighter and with sharp inswing to have Brook trapped in front of leg stump.Alex Carey pulls during his fighting half-century•AFP/Getty ImagesDuckett had again played well, scooping Hazlewood over the keeper and sending a bottom-handed whip over the leg side for six, but toe-ended a slower ball to the left of Hardie who took a spectacular catch low to his left. Next ball Liam Livingstone glanced a leg-side delivery to Carey who took an excellent grab to his left and England’s frontline batting was nearly done.In the first half of the game, Australia were not as dominant with the bat as they had been at Trent Bridge. Mitchell Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne took them to 145 for 3 when Bethell and Adil Rashid, who claimed his 200th ODI wicket, took three quick wickets with another mini-collapse following a stand of 55 between Carey and Hardie.But Carey, who had been welcomed to the crease by a crowd needlessly reminding him of events last year, played smartly as he took singles late in an over to protect Hazlewood – who contributed just four to the stand – while exploiting boundary opportunities including handsome off-side sixes against Potts and Olly Stone.There had been movement for England’s new-ball attack, particularly Stone who was impressive after being recalled for the rested Jofra Archer, but Travis Head was just starting to move through his gears when he picked out deep backward square with a whip-pull off his hip. In his second spell, Potts nipped the ball both ways: movement away found Short’s edge then a peach of a delivery zipped back to take Smith’s off stump.Marsh and Labuschagne went about their task carefully and the run-rate slowed. They had to combat some sharp spin from Rashid, but Marsh flicked a switch with two sixes in three balls off the struggling Carse, the first a huge pull deep into the Western Terrace to take him to a 47-ball fifty and the second coming from a free hit after Carse overstepped.Adil Rashid claimed his 200th ODI wicket when he removed Glenn Maxwell•Getty ImagesThen, much as it did for Australia two days ago, spin made an impact. Labuschagne spliced a pull against Bethell to mid-on and Marsh missed a sweep to give the left-armer his second. Maxwell pummeled his first ball from Bethell for six but picked out deep midwicket while attempting a repeat to hand Rashid his 200th ODI wicket.Carey and Hardie played positively as they took advantage of Brook’s decision to squeeze out some extra overs of spin, with Livingstone and Jacks going for 34 in three between them. A curious innings involved another twist when Carse’s day took a turn for the better. Recalled to the attack, he removed Hardie first ball with a pull spliced to midwicket and next delivery had Starc flicking into the leg side.When Adam Zampa carved Rashid to point it appeared the innings was on the brink of a very early finish but the final-wicket stand, coupled with Australia’s start with the ball, put a very different complexion on the game.

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Caio Couto foi contratado para assumir a função de treinador principal da Portuguesa-RJ ainda em 2023, após comandar o Audax Rio na primeira divisão do Campeonato Carioca. Desde então, esteve à beira do campo em 28 jogos, conquistando 15 vitórias, 10 empates e apenas três derrotas, com um aproveitamento de 65,4% dos pontos disputados. Sua equipe ainda balançou as redes 50 veses (média de 1,7 gol por jogo) e sofreu 25 gols (média de 0,8 gol por jogo).

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نجح فريق الكرة الأول بنادي الزمالك، في إحراز الهدف الثاني في مرمى طلائع الجيش، ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري الممتاز. 

ويواجه الزمالك نظيره طلائع الجيش، في الجولة الـ13 من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي. 

طالع.. خالد الغندور: مباراة الزمالك وطلائع الجيش لن تنتهي 1-0.. وهناك أمر غريب

وتمكن ناصر ماهر لاعب الزمالك، من إحراز الهدف الثاني له ولفريقه أمام طلائع الجيش، في الدقيقة 48، بعد عرضية من أحمد فتوح ليسددها بالرأس ولكن تصدى لها محمد شعبان حارس مرمى الطلائع، ليتابعها ماهر بنجاح في المرمى. 

وتشير النتيجة إلى تقدم فريق الزمالك على نظيره طلائع الجيش، بهدفين نظيفين، حتى الآن.

ويطمح الزمالك في استعادة نغمة الانتصارات بعد غياب 4 مباريات متتالية، كان آخرها في الجولة الماضية أمام البنك الأهلي، وانتهت بالتعادل الإيجابي 1-1.  هدف ناصر ماهر في مرمى طلائع الجيش 

Brilliant gloveman never recovered from fateful decision to tour Apartheid South Africa in 1980s

Andrew Miller26-Nov-2022David Murray, the former West Indies wicketkeeper whose life and career was ruined by his fateful decision to join the rebel tours of South Africa in the 1980s, has died in his native Barbados at the age of 72.Murray, son of the legendary Sir Everton Weekes, played a total of 19 Tests and ten ODIs for West Indies between 1973 and 1982, and was hailed by the great fast bowlers of his era – Malcolm Marshall and Michael Holding among them – as the finest gloveman that they had played with.It was Murray’s misfortune that his career ended up being bookended by two of the most legendary Caribbean wicketkeepers of them all – his namesake (but no relation) Deryck Murray, who kept him out of the Test team for much of his pomp, and then at the start of the 1980s, his younger rival Jeff Dujon, who once admitted that Murray’s silky skills made his own glovework look like “Dolly Parton”, but whose superior batting brooked no argument with the selectors.Related

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Ultimately, however, Murray’s predilection for marijuana – a habit that he had begun aged 13 – was the catalyst for his downfall, first as an international cricketer and then, after his fateful decision to accept US$125,000 to tour Apartheid South Africa in the winter of 1983, as a member of society too. His final decades were spent in poverty in his native Barbados, selling drugs to tourists in Bridgetown, and trading on his infamy.In the early part of his career, while the quality of his glovework was earning plaudits, and with the fast-tracking that came from being the son of a West Indies great, Murray had been adamant that his drug use was beneficial to his cricket. “It gives you good meditation… concentration you know,” he told ESPNcricinfo’s Siddhartha Vaidyanathan back in 2006. “Not that you did it to enhance your performance … never in the breaks – you can’t do that.”Within the West Indies set-up, however, Murray could never shake the suspicion that his face did not fit, particularly while Deryck – Cambridge-educated and a key lieutenant to Clive Lloyd – was the favoured wicketkeeper. And when, after nearly a decade as the squad’s understudy, he did finally made his Test debut, against Australia in March 1978, it was due in large part to Deryck’s decision to join Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket. It was a source of much frustration – and arguably a factor in his subsequent South Africa decision – that he lost his place again the following year, when the Packer players were reinstated.In his brief time as the Test No.1, Murray still managed to score three half-centuries, with a best of 84 against India in Bombay in 1978-79, as well as a first-class double-hundred in Jamshedpur on the same tour.However, Murray had already been in trouble with the team management for his off-field antics, notably on the 1975-76 tour of Australia, when it took the intervention of Lance Gibbs to spare him an early flight home. And matters came to a head on West Indies’ return to Australia in 1981-82, where the emergence of Dujon gave the selectors a reason to dispense of a talented but increasingly erratic player.Bad luck played a major part in Murray’s downfall, too. Early on the tour, he had broken his middle finger while attempting to catch a drive off Lloyd in the nets, but having played through the pain with supreme skill – taking a West Indies’ record nine catches in the first Test at Melbourne – he was rested for the subsequent one-dayers, allowing Dujon to make his case for a permanent berth with a match-winning fifty at the MCG.Murray reacted badly to Dujon’s promotion. With his drug use now causing him to sleep through team meetings, he turned up for 12th-man duties at the subsequent Adelaide Test without his equipment, and was expelled from the tour by manager Steve Camacho after refusing to take the water cart onto the field.The die was cast for Murray’s recruitment on the South Africa rebel tour. The previous winter, a 12-man party of England cricketers, led by Graham Gooch, had flown into Johannesburg for a month-long tour that contravened the 1977 Gleneagles Agreement discouraging sporting relations with the Apartheid regime.David Murray of the rebel West Indies XI bats during a one-day match against South Africa in Durban•Adrian Murrell/Getty ImagesCompared to the mild censure (and swift forgiveness) that would come to the England players, however, the opprobrium heaped upon the West Indies tourists would be something else entirely. Murray’s tour fee, which he would quickly squander on “jeeps, new cars and partying out”, would be of no lasting benefit in the years to come.”I f***ed up,” Murray told Ashley Gray, author of the award-winning , which recounted the tale of the West Indian rebels. His first on-field act in South Africa had been to take a catch off Sylvester Clarke in a tour match against Border, but that, as he told Gray, had been a crushing moment in itself. “Lawrence Rowe said to me as a joke, ‘You can’t play for West Indies anymore.’ Only one delivery. It felt bad.”Murray’s personal life was upended by the South Africa decision, too. In the latter weeks of the Australian tour, he had married his fiancée Kerry McAteer in a private ceremony in Adelaide, but after initially being refused re-entry to the country due to a visa ban implemented by the anti-Apartheid prime minister, Malcolm Fraser, an ill-judged affair cemented his estrangement from his wife and new-born child, and left him rootless and ostracised back in his native Barbados.He returned home to a “vibe” of rejection, Murray related in . “‘He sold his birthright’. They don’t forget. They are narrow-minded. I still cop it. ‘He is a traitor’. I have no regrets.”His response was to turn to harder drugs, including cocaine, which in turn deepened his estrangement from his father, who feared he would steal from him to subsidise his habit. For the final decades of his life, Murray was skeletal-thin with matted dreadlocks framing his increasingly gaunt features.Nevertheless, in 1989, the West Indies Cricket Board rescinded its lifetime ban on the South Africa rebels, and to the extent that forgiveness was achieved in the Caribbean, it was available in Barbados. One of Murray’s fellow rebels, Ezra Moseley, went on to play Test cricket – famously breaking Gooch’s hand in the Trinidad Test in 1990, while Murray’s own son, Ricky Hoyte, was Barbados wicketkeeper in the 1990s, and might have broken into the Test team too had he not shared some of his father’s wayward (if less self-destructive) traits.Murray himself, however, remained a self-imposed outcast to the end.

Chelsea and Newcastle have been given a boost in their respective pursuits of Xavi Simons and Benjamin Sesko with both players left out by RB Leipzig.

Simons and Sesko left out of friendly squadChelsea close to signing Dutch midfielderNewcastle make big bid for Slovenian strikerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The German side are set to face Italian side Atalanta on Saturday afternoon and will be without their two young stars. Simons is edging closer to a move to west London with Chelsea after the Blues entered advanced negotiations and looked willing to match the expected asking price of around £60m ($81m). Meanwhile, Sesko's future has been a topic of discussion throughout the summer and on Saturday morning, Newcastle made their first bid of £70 million (€80m) for the Slovenian forward.

AdvertisementgettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

It is beginning to feel as if it is only a matter of time before both Simons and Sesko make permanent switches to the Premier League. The new question will now be how they fit into their respective sides. Chelsea already possesses numerous wingers and wide midfielders, and Cole Palmer occupies the number ten role that would most suit Simons – Enzo Maresca will be having selection headaches every weekend. As for Sesko, his move to Newcastle could spark a transfer domino that sees Alexander Isak move to Liverpool. The Reds' opening bid for the Swedish striker was rejected on Friday.

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After a poor season last year, Leipzig will be frustrated to be losing their key attacking players. Simons has contributed to 36 goals (18 goals, 18 assists) in the past two Bundesliga seasons to complement Sesko's 34 goal contributions (27 goals, 7 assists). They will hope the new signing and Simons' former PSV team-mate, Johan Bakayoko, will be able to replicate similar numbers.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LEIPZIG?

Leipzig have two games of pre-season left – one against Atalanta and then against RC Lens – before the new season starts. They will hope that after Simons and Sesko they do not lose any more of their star players as they look to finish higher than the 7th place they achieved last campaign.