Dan Christian’s 37-ball hundred was the second quickest in England and the seventh fastest of all time as Notts Outlaws ruled the roost at Wantage Road

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jul-2018
ScorecardDan Christian struck the one of the fastest hundreds in the history of T20 to get Nottinghamshire off the mark at the second attempt in the Vitality Blast with a 58-run win at Northamptonshire.Christian’s 37-ball century with seven fours and eight sixes was the joint-seventh fastest in the history of the format and the second-fastest in the domestic game. It was Christian’s second T20 hundred and the third T20 hundred by a Notts batsman.His brutal hitting saw Notts rack up 219 for 6 – equalling the highest T20 total at Wantage Road only set on Wednesday – and despite Ben Duckett’s 88 from 45 balls, Northants were bowled out for 161.Northants’ captain Alex Wakely said: “I was pretty proud of the response after our defeat in the first game. We were a bit of a shambles on Wednesday but we were on the ball today and put them under early pressure before one bloke came out and played a pretty special knock.”Christian arrived at the crease with Notts 81 for 4 in the 10th over having been sent in and set about dismantling the Northants bowling with some of the cleanest hitting seen at Northampton. He struck three consecutive sixes off Graeme White’s left-arm spin – over deep midwicket, long-off and then a huge strike a long way back over long-on.

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He saved his biggest strike for Nathan Buck who was hammered over his head and onto the roof of the Ken Turner Stand among an over that cost 28 before the final over of the innings, bowled by Rory Kleinveldt, disappeared for 22 with two more Christian sixes. 80 runs came from the final five overs.Christian’s partnership with Samit Patel added 97 runs in 45 balls to take Notts to a total beyond their ambitions at the half-way stage. Patel skipped down to lift White over long-on and heaved him through midwicket for four in his 35 in 26 balls.Northants had removed their usual tormentor, Riki Wessels, for just 6 – bowled trying to pull Ben Sanderson – and also picked up Tom Moores for 15 and Steven Mullaney for 21 in a Powerplay that yielded 50 for 3 but Christian’s brilliance from there effectively won the game.Duckett kept Northants in the game for the first half of the chase, by flashing past fifty in only 17 balls. He took 30 from the third over, bowled by Samit Patel with a succession of sweeps. Three consecutive sixes preceded three consecutive fours. He swung Mullaney into the sight-screen at the Wilson End but trying to hit the same bowler over the off side, top-edged to Paul Coughlin who claimed a fine catch on his Notts debut.But Duckett was the only batsman to show for Northants who lost Richard Levi to a leg-side strange for just 3 and Josh Cobb caught at deep-midwicket for only 6. The chase suffered a huge blow when Alex Wakely was sent back by Duckett trying to come back for a second run and was run out for 11 after a diving save on the boundary by Will Fraine.After Duckett’s dismissal, Northants subsided and when Harry Gurney took out Buck’s leg-stump, victory was completed by a handsome margin to get the defending champions underway for 2018.

Bukayo Saka gifted his shirt to a young fan who bizarrely happened to shared his name after Arsenal's win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.

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Saka gifts shirt to young fan of same nameWinger's strike decisive in road winGunners gear up for Liverpool showdownWHAT HAPPENED?

The winger put Arsenal into a 2-0 lead in front of a jubilant away support at the City Ground but the Gunners were made to sweat late on, holding off a rally from the home side before they were finally able to celebrate three points in front of their fans.

Among those celebrating was a child with a sign saying 'My name is Saka', which proved eye-catching enough to persuade the England star to hand over his jersey.

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Both Sakas will be delighted that Arsenal managed to take three points from a ground that has proven to be a miserable place to visit in recent seasons. A then-Championship Forest bundled Mikel Arteta's side out of he FA Cup two years ago and then officially ended the Gunners' title dreams when the two sides met on Premier League terms in May 2023.

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WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Arsenal fans and players will be watching on eagerly tonight, willing title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City to drop points. Then they'll have a chance to take matters in to their own hands on Sunday when Jurgen Klopp's farewell tour reaches the Emirates

Liverpool have been strongly linked with a move for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha and a key development in the saga has now emerged.

What's the links with Joao Palhinha?

The Reds have spent all summer making huge changes to their midfield, having experienced so many issues there last season, from ageing players to individuals who couldn't stay fit.

Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have left for Saudi Arabia while Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo have come in. James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all departed when their respective contracts expired back in June.

Liverpool will still hopefully sign another defensive midfielder before the end of the month, as well as a left-sided centre-back, and a host of names have emerged, from new Chelsea signings Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Crystal Palace's Cheick Doucoure.

Palhinha is another player who has been considered as a potential addition, having excelled for Fulham last season, being hailed for his "presence" and as "fantastic" by former Reds midfielder Jamie Redknapp.

FSG reportedly like the Portugal international but are wary of his £60m price tag, and a new update has been revealed this weekend.

What's happening with Joao Palhinha?

According to Football Insider, Palhinha's possible move to Liverpool this summer is now unlikely to develop due to two major issues – his price tag and a recent injury:

"Liverpool's interest in Fulham star Joao Palhinha has stalled after his recent injury, sources have told Football Insider. Palhinha suffered a shoulder injury in a pre-season game last month and is yet to return to action for the Cottagers – missing their opening-day win over Everton last week.

"It is believed Fulham’s price tag for the midfielder is also a problem, with Liverpool feeling the Londoners are trying to price them out of a move."

Palhinha is an excellent player whose energy and quality in the middle of the park stood out so much last season – he made more tackles than any other Premier League player – but he doesn't feel like the best possible option for Liverpool this summer.

Having already signed 30-year-old Endo, a younger option is required in defensive midfield such as Doucoure, whereas the Fulham ace is now 28. He wouldn't represent a long-term signing, so the Reds could find themselves again looking for a new No.6 in a few years, which is far from ideal.

Not only that, but Palhinha's current fitness is clearly an issue, and Liverpool have had such bad luck with injury-prone midfielders in recent times, whether it be Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Thiago or Curtis Jones, that they cannot afford to take a risk with someone who is out of the team currently.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

While the Portugal international could easily come in and be a really good signing for three and four years, adding legs in the middle of the park, it is a move where the negatives slightly outweigh the positives, so it is good to see the Reds moving on.

It should now be a case of trying to nail down Doucoure's signature and completing what has been an enormous midfield rebuild this summer.

Liverpool's need for midfield reinforcements in no secret, even after they overcame the odds to defeat Newcastle United at St James' Park and extend their unbeaten run to start the season to three Premier League games.

The Reds were, of course, on their way to a fairly successful transfer window, with the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, but the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia threw a spanner in the works.

Since then, they have welcomed Wataru Endo, but it could be argued that a more high-profile name is still needed.

With that said, though, the club have reportedly ruled out signing one particular midfielder.

What's the latest Liverpool transfer news?

As the summer transfer window edges closer and closer to slamming shut, Liverpool are scrambling for the extra reinforcements needed to ensure that Jurgen Klopp has a side capable of returning to the Premier League's top four, after missing out last season.

The name at the forefront of their current list of targets seems to be Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch, who the Bavarians could reportedly soften their stance on in the coming days.

As Gravenberch rises to the top of Liverpool's list, however, it is Sofyan Amrabat who has reportedly been ruled out altogether.

According to Manchester Evening News, who were reporting on Manchester United and Liverpool's interest in Amrabat, the Reds have clarified that they will not be making a move for the Fiorentina man this summer.

This news comes at a time when Amrabat has been frozen out at the Serie A club, with La Viola dropping the Morroco international from both first-team games, and training until his future is resolved, as per Fabrizio Romano.

Should Liverpool sign Sofyan Amrabat?

Liverpool's stance on Amrabat is a surprising one, given their need for midfielders, and Fiorentina's reported price-tag of just €30m (£25.6m) this summer.

Statistically speaking, too, the Moroccan would be an upgrade on the options that Klopp waved goodbye to this summer.

According to FBref, Amrabat outperformed Henderson in some key areas throughout the previous campaign.

Player

Progressive Carries Per 90

Blocks

Pass Completion Rate

Tackles Won

Sofyan Amrabat

1.62

23

88.8%

24

Jordan Henderson

1.61

21

83%

23

Meanwhile, the 27-year-old earned plenty of praise during the 2022 World Cup, as he helped Morroco to reach the semi-final stage, in the surprise of the tournament.

Alan Shearer praised the midfielder, saying on BBC's Match of The Day, via the Liverpool Echo: "He gets it and then he can feed the ball in, and you can see him go back there. He’ll be reluctant to get forward as he wants to protect, he’ll want to do that.

"He really enjoys that and he’s really good at that – ‘get off the ball, I’m having it’ – and he’s setting his team forward. He’s been key. He does that, he protects, he can get out there and help his full-backs, and that’s what he’s in that role to do – to stop, and be a spoiler – he’s excellent at it. Then he drives forward and they’re on their way. He’s been magnificent, he really has."

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

Nonetheless, despite the praise and the stats, Liverpool reportedly remain unlikely to push ahead for Amrabat's signature this summer.

There were a few catches put down during the record-breaking T20 at Eden Park, but one very valuable one was taken

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Feb-2018There were a few catches put down during the record-breaking T20 at Eden Park, but one very valuable one was taken.Mitchell Grimstone, a 20-year-old student, earned himself NZD50,000 courtesy of a local drinks sponsor when he leaned over the railing at deep midwicket to pluck Ross Taylor’s penultimate-ball six out of the air with his left hand.His reaction was priceless (or, well, worth 50K) as he was mobbed by those next to him in the stands.”I’m not left-handed,” he said. “But somehow I put it there and it stuck, and then everyone was jumping over me.”After the match, Taylor also presented him with his gloves and the match ball while offering congratulations.Having had a major boost to his bank balance, it’s probably a good thing Grimstone is studying accounting at university.

Congratulations Mitch on a great catch and 50k Enjoy my gloves and the match ball #tuicatchamillion #blackcaps #nzvaus

A post shared by Ross Taylor (@rossltaylor3) on Feb 16, 2018 at 2:25am PST

With the summer transfer window nearing its end, Tottenham Hotspur could yet welcome more reinforcements, especially after the exit of star man Harry Kane.

So far in the current window, the North London side have welcomed eight reinforcements in total, with the likes of James Maddison, and Manor Solomon making the switch.

Now, they have reportedly turned their attention to strengthening their attack even further.

What's the latest on Ernest Nuamah to Tottenham Hotspur?

According to Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, Spurs are very keen admirers of Nordsjaelland winger Ernest Nuamah, but face competition for the 19-year-old from West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Burnley, with the Hammers reportedly placing a bid.

With that said, if the North London club do want to welcome the young winger to the club this summer, they may need to act fast, and potentially match West Ham's offer before the end of the window.

The last thing that Spurs will want to do is miss out on a potential future star to their London rivals. From Nuamah's perspective, he seemingly has the world at his feet, and could face an important decision in the next week or so. It's certainly one to keep an eye on.

Should Tottenham Hotspur sign Ernest Nuamah?

Welcoming a young winger who appears to have the potential to go on to achieve great things could represent a superb piece of business for Spurs, who would have the added bonus of beating West Ham to his signature.

Of course, game-time may be difficult to come by for Nuamah, but learning from the likes of Heung-min Son could be a crucial stage in his development as a player.

The left-footed attacker has already left many impressed with his performances at Nordsjaelland, earning deserved praise, including from manager Flemming Pederson, who said, via Breaking The Lines:

"Ernest is first and foremost a dribbler. He is incredibly fast, has a huge acceleration, and a good agility. He is primarily left-footed, but can also use the right. He is a great individualist with tremendous power, who has great potential to also become a skilled team player."

With that said, everything is pointing towards a player who has the ability to star for a side such as Spurs on the biggest stage.

If the Lilywhites managed to fend off interest from elsewhere to secure the services of Nuamah prior to the end of the summer transfer window, they may see it as a solid coup.

Spurs, of course, have a long way to go under Ange Postecoglou, but have shown plenty of signs of turning it a side to watch out for in England's top flight.

The former Celtic boss started his reign with an end-to-end 2-2 draw against Brentford, in a game that showed both the strengths and weaknesses of his new side. Spurs were then at their best against Manchester United, defeating the Red Devils 2-0 in comfortable fashion.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

The North London side will now hope to use the result as a foundation for success in the coming campaign, with or without any further reinforcements in the remainder of the summer window.

The absence of Rising Pune Supergiant, the runner-up in the last IPL, has given rise to an interesting challenge for the tournament organsiers, who have not yet announced the final schedule for the 2018 edition. The IPL has only said that the tournament will commence on April 7 in Mumbai, which will also host the final on May 27.Usually, the eliminator and the second qualifier are held at the home venue of the runner-up in the previous season. By that token, Pune should be the automatic choice. However, ESPNcricinfo understands that some of the other state associations are lobbying to host those two play-off matches. Lucknow and Kolkata are two venues that have been pushed as potential favourites to replace Pune.In a move to eliminate rival states from staking claim, the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) president Abhay Apte sent an e-mail to the IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla on Monday, requesting that the eliminator and the second qualifier be staged in Pune as per norm.In the two-page letter, Apte noted the MCA request was only valid because the IPL had been following an “unwritten rule” of allotting the tournament opener, the Qualifier 1 and the final to the home venue of the defending champions. “For past several years we are observing a practice, which has become an unwritten rule of playing the first (tournament opener), and Qualifier 1 as well as the final match at the venue of last year’s champions and playing the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 matches at the venue of the runners up team,” Apte said in the e-mail. “Pune IPL team (Supergiant) was the runner-up during the last year’s IPL and of course the home venue was Pune. As such, the venue of the last year’s runners-up of IPL team i.e. MCA’s Gahunje, Pune should be the logical choice to stage the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 matches.”Apte pointed out that “history” could not be changed just because the Supergiant team no longer exists.Pune is also the second choice home venue for the Rajasthan Royals, who are awaiting a final verdict from the Rajasthan High Court on whether matches can be staged at the Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur.

Blue cards are set to be introduced to football as part of a trial from the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

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• Blue cards set to be trialed
• Will mean temporary expulsion
• Won't be used in the top-tier

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  IFAB has approved the introduction of the new cards which is the first change of its kind since yellow and red cards were brought in at the 1970 World Cup, reports. The announcement will be made on Friday.

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  THE EXPLANATION

  Blue cards will be used as part of a sin-bin trial to send players off the field for 10 minutes for committing cynical fouls – infractions that prevent a promising attack – or dissent, the report says. Top-tier competitions will not be part of the trials, which could start next season, but cup competitions could be volunteered.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Sin bins have already been in use at grassroots level but will be added to the professional game as of next season. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has already spoken out against the idea, saying: "It’s not football anymore."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  IFAB will announce the trial of blue cards on Friday, with the trial expected to begin next season. The temporary banishments will not be used in the European Championship this summer or the 2024-25 Champions League.

Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino has revealed whether injured Lionel Messi will take to the field against Newell's Old Boys.

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• Martino provided update on Messi's condition
• Suffered hamstring injury during Asia tour
• Set to face boyhood club Newell's Old Boys

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Inter Miami are all set to face the Argentine club in their final pre-season friendly in Miami before they kick off their 2024 Major League Soccer season campaign next week. Lionel Messi, who remained out of action for the majority of the team's tour to Asia, has been cleared to face his boyhood club as confirmed by manager Gerardo 'Tata' Martino.

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• WHAT GERARDO MARTINO SAID

  Speaking at an event held at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center in Miami, the former Barcelona coach revealed that the 36-year-old has regained full fitness and is ready to start against his former side.

  Martino told reporters, "Lio (Messi) is fine and will start. He's a starter."

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  The World Cup-winning Argentina skipper landed in trouble with Chinese authorities after he failed to play even a minute during the club's friendly encounter against a selected Hong Kong XI last week. A hamstring injury forced the star player to remain out of action but his absence on the pitch angered local fans and officials. The Beijing Football Association has reportedly cancelled Argentina's international friendlies against Nigeria and Ivory Coast where Messi was supposed to feature in March.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

  The Herons are on the verge of completing the signing of another Argentine star as they are set to beat Bayern Munich in the race to sign Federico Redendo – son of former Real Madrid star Fernando Redondo. They will begin the new MLS season on February 22 against Real Salt Lake.

Glasgow Rangers star Kieran Dowell is ruled out of tonight’s Champions League qualifier vs PSV Eindhoven, and Michael Beale has also delivered a fitness update on the rest of the squad.

What's the latest on Kieran Dowell's injury?

At Ibrox last week, Rangers secured a 2-2 draw in the European first leg against Peter Bosz’ side and they will now be hoping to secure a victory when they take on the Dutch outfit once again tonight at the Philips Stadium, with kick-off being at 8pm UK time.

The Light Blues’ attacking midfielder was absent during Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Ross County, and when the boss was asked after the game what caused the 25-year-old’s absence, he claimed that he’d sustained a knock but failed to specify what the actual problem was.

Since putting pen to paper on a free transfer from Norwich City last month, England’s former youth international has already made six appearances for the Scottish Premiership club, but if the following update is to be believed, he won’t be involved in the action this evening, meaning that the rest of the team will have to try and get the win over the line without him.

How long is Kieran Dowell out for?

Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Beale confirmed that Dowell will be missing from Rangers’ matchday squad vs PSV and revealed that it’s his knee which is the area that he’s sustained the injury in. As quoted by the club’s official website, he said:

“The only [player] that is missing is Kieran Dowell, who has still got this slight problem with his knee. It's not a big problem, this game is just too soon for him. The team selection won’t be too far from last week, there won’t be too many surprises. Across our squad we do have a variety of options in the final third and we need to be better with the ball this week."

According to journalist Josh Bunting, Dowell was “unplayable” during his time at Wigan and he’s already shown plenty of promising signs following his arrival at Rangers, so the fact that he won’t be available for selection this evening will come as a huge blow to Beale.

The Ormskirk-born talent currently ranks in the 97th percentile for blocks and is averaging 1.5 interceptions per league match, so is extremely strong in the defensive aspect of his game, but having already hit the back of the net once, he’s clearly capable of making a positive impact at both ends of the pitch which is why he was brought to the club in the first place.

Dowell, who is naturally left-footed, is also a versatile operator having been deployed in seven different positions since the start of his career, including four roles in the midfield and even three in the final third, so he’s a great option for the manager to have at his disposal, though that won’t be the case tonight, therefore, the player will be hoping to stage his comeback as soon as possible.