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Batter Jemimah Rodrigues and allrounder Pooja Vastrakar have been named in India’s Test and white-ball squads for the upcoming home series against South Africa, but their selection is subject to fitness.Rodrigues had missed the five-match T20I series in Bangladesh in April-May with a back injury and underwent rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Vastrakar, however, had played all five games in Bangladesh and the BCCI media statement did not specify the nature of her injury.Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry was also included in all three squads. She replaced Yastika Bhatia who was out injured after playing just one T20I in Bangladesh. Chetry had also been part of the India’s Asian Games squad that beat Sri Lanka to win gold in Hangzhou in 2023.

South Africa tour of India

June 13: tour game vs Board President’s XI, Bengaluru
June 16: 1st ODI, Bengaluru
June 19: 2nd ODI, Bengaluru
June 23: 3rd ODI, Bengaluru
June 28 – July 1: One-off Test, Chennai
July 5: 1st T20I, Chennai
July 7: 2nd T20I, Chennai
July 9: 3rd T20I, Chennai

Top-order batter Priya Punia, who last played for India in July 2023, earned a call-up to the Test side. Medium-pacer Arundhati Reddy, who has played 26 T20Is so far, was called up to the Test and ODI squads as well. However, fast bowler Titas Sadhu, who was part of the T20Is against Bangladesh as well as India’s last ODI and Test assignments (against Australia last year), missed out.Punia had linked up with the India squad ahead of the one-off Test against Australia last year as cover for Shubha Satheesh.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Following a decent run in the WPL 2024, where she picked up eight wickets in nine games for Delhi Capitals, Reddy impressed with both ball and bat in the Senior Women Inter Zonal Multi-Day Trophy in April. She scored 174 runs, including two fifties, and took two wickets, in two games for South Zone.Legspinner S Asha, who had made her T20I debut in Bangladesh, earned her maiden ODI call-up while D Hemalatha, who had made her comeback in that series in Bangladesh, could return to ODI action after almost two years. Hemalatha also retained her place in the T20I squad.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Harleen Deol, who was part of the squad for the ODIs and one-off Test against Australia in December-January, was left out. She had picked up a knee injury early in WPL 2024 and underwent surgery in March. The other absentee from the ODI squad against Australia is left-arm spinner Mannat Kashyap.Related

• Powerplay: An all-South African affair

• India vs SA: Bengaluru and Chennai to host women's all-format series

South Africa’s all-format women’s tour of India will begin with a three-match ODI series, then move to the one-off Test, and end with the three T20Is. The ODIs, as well as a one-day warm-up game for the visiting side against a Board President’s XI side, will be played in Bengaluru, while the rest of the games will take place in Chennai.The one-off Test wasn’t part of the ICC’s FTP originally. It was added since BCCI and CSA have both been trying to promote women’s Tests of late. This will be India’s third Test in seven months, having played against England and Australia in December last year, both at home.

India’s squad for women’s ODIs vs South Africa

Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues (subject to fitness), Richa Ghosh (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Dayalan Hemalatha, Radha Yadav, Asha Sobhana, Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, Pooja Vastrakar (subject to fitness), Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Priya Punia

India’s squad for one-off women’s Test vs South Africa

Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Shafali Verma, Shubha Satheesh, Jemimah Rodrigues (subject to fitness), Richa Ghosh (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Saika Ishaque, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Pooja Vastrakar (subject to fitness), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Meghna Singh, Priya Punia

India’s squad for women’s T20Is vs South Africa

Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Shafali Verma, Dayalan Hemalatha, Uma Chetry (wk), Richa Ghosh (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues (subject to fitness), Sajana Sajeevan, Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Asha Sobhana, Pooja Vastrakar (subject to fitness), Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy
Standby: Saika Ishaque

Rocky Flintoff makes England bow alongside three other debutants in 65-run loss

ECB Reporters Network28-Jun-2024Sri Lanka U19 294 for 6 (Perera 58, Shanmuganathan 57, Abeywickramasingha 52) beat England U19 229 (Thain 58, Benkenstein 51) by 65 runsA fourth-wicket partnership of 90 between Essex pair Noah Thain and Luc Benkenstein on home turf at Chelmsford could not prevent England Under-19s subsiding to a 65-run defeat in the first of three one-day internationals against Sri Lanka.Benkenstein was the more flamboyant, hitting two sixes in his 50-ball 51, but Thain anchored the innings with six fours in his 58 from 69 balls.However, when Thain and his captain departed eight balls apart after a 16-over stand, it left England facing an uphill task in chasing down 295 to win in 50 overs. They fell well short with 27 balls unused.Sri Lanka’s 294 for 6 was powered by three contrasting half-centuries from the middle-order with Dinura Kalupahana smashing his 52 from just 37 balls, while Sharujan Shanmuganathan required 75 balls for his 57 and Mahith Perera taking 60 balls for his 58.Set to score at just shy of six an over, England were up with the rate after six overs when they lost their openers in the space of six balls to Sri Lanka’s off-spinner pair of Vihas Thewmika and Thisara Ekanayake. Freddie McCann was bowled by one that kept low and Keshana Fonseka, who had driven sweetly for five fours in his 25, chipped to short third man.Charlie Allison had been playing second fiddle to his Essex team-mate, Noah Thain, and tried to remedy it by hitting Thisara straight out of the ground and was caught on the boundary for eight from 20 balls.The second all-Essex partnership proved more productive with Benkenstein launched sixes over midwicket and long-off, followed by a classic cover drive for four. Benkenstein went for another big heave two ball after reaching his half-century and was caught on the midwicket boundary off Hivin Kenula.Rocky Flintoff bats on his England Under-19 debut•Getty Images

Praveen Maneesha then ripped the heart out of England’s batting in the space of seven deliveries when he had Thain playing around one and Haydon Mustard late on another. Rocky Flintoff, the 16-year-old son and Freddie, was Hivin’s second wicket when he tried to beat mid-off and Farhan Ahmed lasted two balls before lobbing back to Vihas Thewmika. Harry Moore played defiantly for his 26 before falling to Vihas and Noah Cornwell was bowled to end the match.Middlesex’s Cornwall claimed 3 for 54 on his ODI debut including dismissing the Sri Lankan openers in an over after England had won the toss and put the visitors in in a green-tinged wicket of variable bounce.Pulindu Perera had hooked fellow pace bowler Harry Moore over the wicketkeeper’s head for six in the previous over, but fell edging an inswinger to first slip. Thisara followed, violently pulling Cornwell to short fine leg.Thain claimed the third Sri Lankan scalp when Gayana Weerasinghe hooked into deep square leg’s hands and England were in the ascendency.Dinura led the counter-offensive, however, contributing 34 of the first fifty in a fourth-wicket stand worth 73 with Sharujan including lofting McCann over midwicket for six. But he departed one short of a half-century, playing down the wrong line to be lbw to Benkenstein.Sharujan had been more tortoise to Dinura’s hare, but scampered the single that took him to a 64-ball fifty. However, he fell seven runs later when sweeping the parsimonious off-spinner Farhan Ahmed to short fine leg after helping Mahith add 67 for the fifth wicket.Mahith and Diniru put on in the last 10 over with Mahith nudging Cornwell for the single that took him to his fifty from 55 balls. Diniru slapped Moore over square leg for a second maximum before reaching his own half-century from just 34 balls. He became Cornwell’s third victim when bowled off the penultimate ball of the innings.

Last Wednesday at the IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad set the record for the highest IPL score: 277. What should have been a once-in-a-decade effort was very nearly taken down by a marauding Kolkata Knight Riders batting unit tonight in Visakhapatnam. Sunil Narine plundered his personal best in T20s – 85 off 39 – almost home-grown Angkrish Raghuvanshi matched him with 54 off 27, and Andre Russell added the finishing touches with 41 off 19.A searing yorker from Ishant Sharma to get Russell in the last over prevented the record being broken, but the 272 KKR put up was more than enough to register a comfortable win – by 106 runs – and join Rajasthan Royals with three wins from three matches at the top of the table. In taking four wickets in the powerplay, two each for Vaibhav Arora and Mitchell Starc, KKR ticked another box in a season in which they have presented themselves as serious title contenders.

Pant fined for slow over-rate again

Rishabh Pant, the Capitals captain, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate against KKR in their 106-run loss in Visakhapatnam. As it was Capitals’ second offence of the season – in just four matches – Pant was fined INR 24 lakh, while the rest of the members of the playing XII, were each fined either INR 6 lakh or 25% of their respective match fees, whichever is lower.

Narine, Raghuvanshi hammer Capitals

Khaleel Ahmed and Ishant Sharma set Capitals’ win in the previous match in Vizag with swing early on. Here, though, probably because of Narine’s presence, both of them started slightly short of a length. The one ball that Khaleel pitched up swung to beat Narine.It seems ridiculous now but Narine took six balls to get off the mark. Capitals had managed to keep Narine quiet, but had they missed the small window of swing to try to get him out? Another chance would arrive soon to a short-of-a-length delivery, but neither Ishant Sharma nor Rishabh Pant heard the edge. No appeal, no review.Narine and Phil Salt had got down to work by then, but Capitals could still have got Narine for 24 off 13 had they listened to Mitchell Marsh and reviewed. Then again, reviews were not the only thing they were getting wrong. They kept offering Narine room, when they went short they didn’t get it high enough, and the ball had stopped swinging by now.Sunil Narine smacked seven fours and as many sixes in his 39-ball innings•AFP/Getty Images

Anrich Nortje got rid of Salt in the fifth over, but Raghuvanshi, trained from the age of 11 by KKR’s own Abhishek Nayar, walked out and laced fours off the first two balls he faced. Mukesh Kumar is not express, but his injury has left DC with even less of a pace threat. Narine jumped on Rasikh Salam’s medium-pace in the last over of the powerplay, hitting him for three fours and a six to bring up his half-century in just 21 balls. Their 88 for 1 in the powerplay was the highest by any team so far at IPL 2024.The end of the powerplay brought DC relief only for one over, bowled by Sumit Kumar, but Narine ended any threats of variations in the attack by hitting two sixes off Axar Patel, who wouldn’t bowl again. Raghuvanshi matched him with a reverse-pull over short third for a six. Their 135 for 1 was the third-highest 10-over score in the IPL – all three have come this season.

Wickets fail to slow KKR down

Eventually it was the short ball from Marsh that got the better of Narine, but it wasn’t just one short ball. He kept bowling short and wide outside off with changes of pace. Narine still ended with a boundary every two-and-a-half balls, and the wicket came too late anyway. The 13th over was the right point of entry for Russell, and he punished the samey attack. Capitals didn’t go back to spin despite right-hand batters at the wicket, and Nortje was the only one who presented the batters with an inbuilt challenge.Andre Russell and Rinku Singh smashed 32 runs off 11 balls for the fifth wicket•AFP/Getty Images

Russell was too good for the rest, and when Nortje started the 19th over with one fewer fielder on the fence because of a poor over-rate, Rinku Singh got stuck into him, taking 25 off the over.Ishant then produced a beauty that drew an applause from Russell himself and prevented Capitals from ending up on the wrong side of the record.

Arora announces himself

One of the two tall domestic fast bowlers in the KKR stable, Arora came on as the Impact Player and found inswing immediately. It wasn’t just swing, though. He mixed it up with accurate bouncers. Prithvi Shaw fell to the inswinger before Abhishek Porel top-edged a bouncer.Vaibhav Arora took 3 for 27 in KKR’s clinical win•BCCI

At the other end, Starc took care of his Australia team-mates, Marsh caught trying to square-drive and Warner playing on immediately after slogging him for a six. These were his first wickets this IPL after his eight overs in the first two matches had gone for 100 runs.At 33 for 4 in the fifth over, even batting for net run rate would need heavy hitting and risks. For a while Pant and Tristan Stubbs managed to score quickly. Pant was especially pleasing as he continues his return from a life-threatening accident, but their fifties were never going to be enough to deny KKR a third consecutive win – the first time they have started a season with three wins in three in their history.

da apostaganha： Premier League rivals Man City and Liverpool are now believed to be targeting a Chelsea “superstar” this summer, with an approach already made for him ahead of the first window which opens on June 1st.

Chelsea's main transfer plans for this summer

da fezbet： As per reliable journalist Simon Phillips, sharing a fresh update on Enzo Maresca and BlueCo’s transfer plans, there are three main positions which they’d like to strengthen before next season.

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The ‘special one’ elected to part company.

Posts 3 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 23, 2025

Chelsea are thought to be after a new centre-back, winger and striker as their three main priorities, and could even look to reinforce a host of other areas throughout the squad as well, but this will depend on many factors – like Champions League qualification and player sales.

“Chelsea’s priority is a new striker, centre back, and a winger,” said Phillips, via his Substack.

“But not just that. After those three, Chelsea are also discussing signing a new left back (or a defender who can play left back), a second centre back to arrive as well as the priority one (could be a hybrid CB/LB), a new goalkeeper, and a versatile attacker.

Chelsea’s next five Premier League fixtures

Date

Everton (home)

April 26th

Liverpool (home)

May 4th

Newcastle (away)

May 11th

Man United (home)

May 16th

Nottingham Forest (away)

May 25th

“However, some of the latter will be Champions League-dependent as well as player sales-dependent.”

Their Club World Cup campaign may also be a crucial factor, as Maresca’s side are thought to be taking it very seriously with £100 million worth of prize money potentially on the line.

Meanwhile, Chelsea will most likely be looking to offload a host of players when the summer window opens, including the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Alfie Gilchrist, Armando Broja, Raheem Sterling, David Datro Fofana, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi and João Félix – who are all away from Stamford Bridge on loan and don’t appear to have a long-term future.

Trevoh Chalobah is also likely to leave Chelsea, after initially being allowed to join Crystal Palace on a temporary deal before Maresca and co activated his recall clause, and a few more current squad members could well join him as BlueCo look to raise funds.

Man City and Liverpool eyeing move for Chelsea star Cole Palmer

However, one player who Maresca won’t want to ship out the door is Chelsea forward Cole Palmer.

The England sensation was by some distance their Player of the Season last term, and despite a slight dip in performance level this campaign, Palmer remains one of their most crucial assets and a truly unstoppable force on his day.

His £42.5 million signing from City in 2023 was an absolute snip, but according to Phillips, Pep Guardiola’s side are actually eyeing a move to re-sign their former academy star.

As per the reporter, both Liverpool and City are targeting Palmer from Chelsea, with the latter even making an enquiry recently, even if it is unlikely that the Blues would even entertain letting him go.

The “superstar” forward, according to reports in Spain last year, could even cost as much as £165 million – so it appears Chelsea could price their man out of the market.

Sheffield United head into the Championship’s latest round of fixtures later today keen to get back to winning ways and eager to ensure Burnley’s stay at the very summit is premature.

Indeed, the Blades fell to an unexpected 1-0 defeat at the weekend away at relegation-threatened Oxford United, with a Siriki Dembele strike for the U’s the difference between the two sides.

Now, it’s up to Chris Wilder to inspire his troops to a win back on home turf, with Scott Parker’s Clarets only one point ahead at the top.

Millwall will be a stern opponent in South Yorkshire, but the United boss will know if he can get the very best out of certain key individuals, a much-needed three points will be heading their way.

Best summer signings at Sheffield United

Wilder should be commended – regardless of what happens this season – with how quickly he’s got his team back believing in themselves, considering they dropped out of the Premier League bottom of the pile last campaign.

Of course, he was helped last summer by a whole host of positive new additions entering his camp, with the £2m signing of Michael Cooper in-between the sticks proving to be a particularly inspired pick-up.

The former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper has settled in swimmingly to his fresh South Yorkshire environment, with Cooper conceding just 28 goals from 38 Championship encounters, leading to a high 19 clean sheets piling up.

Moreover, away from how few goals are being conceded, Tyrese Campbell – who entered the building last summer on a free transfer – is ensuring there are plenty of strikes hitting the back of the opposing nets, with the ex-Stoke City attacker boasting ten Championship goals.

Whilst Campbell and Cooper are both undoubtedly transfer success stories, the South Yorkshire outfit have fallen foul to some blunders in this department, with one high earner often in the treatment room instead of playing on the Bramall Lane pitch.

The "outstanding" United striker who could be axed

Wilder would have expected this signing to be a rip-roaring success, considering the striker in question’s glittering goal record in the EFL.

Before joining the Blades, Welsh talisman Kieffer Moore had tallied up 56 career goals in the Championship alongside 33 League One strikes, but his time with the promotion chasers to date has been bumpy.

Games played

23

Goals scored

5

Assists

0

Games missed through injury

17

Days missed through injury

82

Wage per week

£25k-per-week

Looking at the table above, it’s clear to see that the ex-Cardiff City striker’s stay at Bramall Lane has been severely disrupted by injury, with Moore out of action for both club and country this season for a bumper 17 clashes.

Annoyingly, the experienced EFL head has shown spurts of his obvious quality when injury-free – with his five goals this campaign even seeing Wilder herald the 6 foot 5 attacker as “outstanding” – but Moore’s long absences from the side still fail to justify his steep £25k-per-week pay packet.

The United number nine’s wage looks even more extortionate when you consider both Campbell and Cooper earn less at £15k-per-week and £17.5k-per-week respectively, despite being concrete parts of Wilder’s starting XI during these last few crunch months in the tricky league.

With Moore not getting any younger either, it could be time for the Blades manager to consider the Welshman’s long-term future, with the signing so far going down as a slight misfire, despite some promising early performances from the unlucky centre-forward.

Sheffield United already sold their own Cannon who has "massive potential"

Sheffield United could well have dropped a clanger getting rid of their own Tom Cannon.

2 ByKelan Sarson Apr 7, 2025

تحدثت تقارير صحفية برتغالية حول أحد المدربين الذي انضم مؤخراً لقائمة المرشحين لتدريب النادي الأهلي لخلافة خوسيه ريبيرو.

وبحسب صحيفة “أبولا” البرتغالية فإن النادي الأهلي قد حاول التعاقد مع المدرب البرتغالي ريناتو بايفا والذي غادر فورتاليزا في البرازيل.

وقد تواصل النادي الأهلي المصري مؤخراً مع ريناتو بايفا لكنه رفض العرض في النهاية، ويرتبط القرار برحيله مؤخراً عن فورتاليزا في البرازيل وهو ما دفع المدرب لإدراك أن الوقت لم يحن بعد لبدء مشروع جديد.

ورغم الرفض فقد اعترف ريناتو بأنه يتشرف باهتمام النادي الأكثر تتويجاً في إفريقيا، ويملك الأهلي 45 لقبا في الدوري المصري و12 لقبا في دوري أبطال إفريقيا وهو ما يضعه في صدارة كرة القدم القارية.

أقرأ أيضاً.. رسميًا | الأهلي يعلن تمديد التعاقد مع أديداس

ويرتبط الأهلي بعلاقات وطيدة مع كرة القدم البرتغالية بعد أن سطر مانويل جوزيه بعضاً من أروع فصول تاريخ النادي محققاً أربع بطولات دوري أبطال إفريقيا قبل تولي جوزيه بيسيرو وريكاردو سواريس تدريب النادي أيضاً.

وكان الأهلي بطل الدوري المصري والذي يعد أكبر قوة كروية في مصر قد شهد بداية مخيبة للآمال هذا الموسم بعد فوز واحد وتعادلين وخسارة واحدة خلال مبارياته الأربع الأولى في الدوري.

وكانت النتائج السيئة قد أدت لإقالة خوسيه ريبيرو المدرب الإسباني من منصبه مما فتح الباب أمام البحث عن بدائل ومن بينها ريناتو بايفا.

After years of depending on Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh finally have the skill and depth to say they have the spin department covered

Mohammad Isam in Dhaka02-Dec-2018By taking all 40 wickets in the 2-0 series win over West Indies, Bangladesh’s spinners have now established their ascendancy in favourable conditions. It is the latest proof that they can now push for big wins even when the batsmen don’t entirely contribute. And when they do, as it happened in the Dhaka Test, the spinners can be unstoppable.Mehidy Hasan Miraz took career-best figures of 12 for 117, and found great support at the other end from Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan. For the first time, Bangladesh didn’t bother picking a frontline seamer in their XI, after the four spinners had combined similarly well in the first Test in Chittagong. There, Nayeem and Taijul starred with five-fors.Shakib said that he enjoyed watching the West Indies batsmen struggle constantly against the spinners, which he felt also motivated the fielders into making extra efforts.”I feel good when I see batsmen finding it tough facing every ball bowled by our spinners,” Shakib said. “It energises the fielders too, as everyone then thinks a chance is on the way. I think everyone was on their toes when our spinners were bowling. Enough quality bowlers and pitches that help spinners have combined to give us a formidable spin bowling attack at home.”Shakib was particularly impressed with Taijul, who finished the year as Bangladesh’s leading wicket-taker in Tests.”I hope we continue to bowl well against all sides, particularly when we are in form. When you have four spinners in the line-up, at least two are certain to do well. Taijul has had a stellar year with 40-45 [43] wickets. He has bowled consistently well, and he is rewarded for his hard work. I hope he bowls this way next season too. Our team can do well if we get contributions from all the departments.”Mehidy achieves career-best Test ranking

Mehidy Hasan has leaped 14 places to 16th in the ICC Test rankings for bowlers after his 12-wicket haul in the Dhaka Test. Mehidy had begun the series ranked 28th, and had fallen to 30th after the Chattogram Test. With this significant jump, he becomes the highest-ranked bowler for Bangladesh, going past Shakib Al Hasan (21) and Taijul Islam (22). It is the first time Mehidy has broken into the top 20.

Shakib said that Mehidy, who picked his second 12-wicket haul in Tests, must continue making simple plans in order to do better in the future, adding that it was the offspinner’s first innings 7-for that paved the way for the big win.”He has been bowling well since the second day. I think he can bowl even better if he can think more simply,” Shakib said. “Our plan was to try to hit the stumps all day, and give as little away as possible. It is important to simplify our bowling plan. I think we become too attacking at times. We expect a wicket almost every ball. I think if we can control that thinking, and bowl in partnership, we can do better.”His first innings bowling was really important and he was outstanding. We never expected to bowl them out so cheaply but that belief returned through Miraz’s bowling. His 7-58 in the first innings really set the course of the match,” said Shakib.One of the ways in which Mehidy contributed was by removing Shimron Hetmyer in all four innings of the series. These were crucial blows as the young left-hander’s attacking style became the only barrier for Bangladesh. Mehidy said that his experience of playing against Hetmyer since their U-19 days helped him plot his dismissals.”I have played against him for a long time. We have played in two U-19 World Cups, and now at the international level. I know a lot about his batting, which made planning against him easier and brought me good results,” said Mehidy.He said that while his 12-wicket haul against England in his maiden Test series in 2016 was a “turning point” in his life, this one is also important as he is now a more well-rounded spinner.”The first 12-wicket haul was a turning point in my life, so that one will be kept ahead. Now I have played for two years, learned a few things from the seniors and feel I am more experienced. I wouldn’t say that this was any lesser as I now know better about bowling against each batsman,” he said.In the last two years, Bangladesh’s spinners have been instrumental in beating England, Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe and now West Indies. In these six Test wins, they have bowled well for long periods, triggered quick collapses and delivered knockout punches at crucial moments.The additions of Taijul and Mehidy have given Shakib a supportive boost after eight years, between 2008 and 2016, when he was the talisman. With a perpetually unsettled pace attack, he had to do the bulk of the work in the bowling department for a long time.The emergence of Sohag Gazi, Robiul Islam, Jubair Hossain and Elias Sunny had briefly raised hopes of a shared bowling workload but neither could stick around for too long. A similar feeling must have followed when Taijul began with a five-for on Test debut in West Indies and took 8-39 against Zimbabwe in his first two months as an international bowler in 2014, or when Mehidy took 19 wickets in his debut Test series against England in 2016.But both have now proved that they are good enough for Test cricket, and can complement each other in helpful conditions. Nayeem’s emergence, too, must be heartening as it ensures depth in the spin department. The quartet came together to take all the wickets in this Test series and whether they play together in another Test or not, it is an assuring feeling for Bangladesh that they are potent with at least one part of their bowling attack.

Nottingham Forest may have their work cut out keeping hold of their stars this summer, with a player who has been “superb” this season now being targeted by a Premier League rival, according to reliable reporter Ben Jacobs.

Forest pushing for the Champions League

After the shock 5-0 defeat at AFC Bournemouth at the end of January, Forest got their push for the Champions League back on track with a 7-0 battering of Brighton & Hove Albion in their last Premier League outing.

The Tricky Trees now find themselves six points clear of fifth-placed Manchester City, having surpassed all expectations this season, and there is a real possibility they could qualify for Europe’s elite competition.

The only downside that comes with the remarkable overperformance is the fact some of Nuno Espirito Santo’s key players are now being targeted by Europe’s biggest clubs, with Liverpool and Real Madrid keen on signing Murillo as a result of the defender’s impressive displays this season.

Nottingham Forest make £30m+ bid to sign new Real Madrid "beast" for Nuno

He would be a serious statement of intent from Forest.

1

By
Ben Browning

Feb 10, 2025

Murillo is not the only player being targeted by one of Forest’s Premier League rivals, however, with reliable reporter Ben Jacobs telling GiveMeSport’s Market Madness podcast that Newcastle United are keen on signing Anthony Elanga.

Jacobs said: “Absolutely [Newcastle will sign a right winger]. Put your mortgage on it. They’ve got to replace Miguel Almiron. Amongst others, they still like Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga.”

The Magpies were also plotting a move for Elanga before the January transfer window, at which point a deal wasn’t possible, with the Tricky Trees presumably unwilling to sell an important player mid-way through what could end up being a memorable season.

Elanga enjoying a "superb" season at Forest

It is little wonder the winger is attracting the attention of Forest’s Premier League rivals, given the level of his performances this season, receiving praise from BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone for the way he has kicked on since leaving Manchester United.

The Sweden international has three goals and eight assists to his name in the Premier League this term, following up an impressive debut season at the City Ground.

With the 22-year-old contracted until 2028, Nuno’s side should be in a strong negotiating position, and there is also a decent chance they will finish above Newcastle this season, considering they are currently six points clear.

If Forest were to qualify for the Champions League at Newcastle’s expense, it seems unlikely Elanga would pursue a move to St. James’ Park, but Forest should still be wary of the Magpies’ interest, as losing the £25k-per-week forward would be a major blow.

The Philippe Clement era at Rangers is over.

Last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat at the hands of St Mirren, the Buddies’ first victory at Ibrox since 1991, proved to be the Belgian’s 86th and final match in charge, enjoying 55 victories but unable to lead the Gers to a 56th title.

His sacking was announced a week ago before, the following morning, it was confirmed that Barry Ferguson, who made 410 appearances for the club, will be in interim charge until the end of the season, assisted by a trio of fellow-former Rangers players, namely Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor.

Given that, as noted by Graham Ruthven of the Total Soccer Show, Ferguson has no pedigree as a top-level manager, previously taking charge of Clyde, Kelty Hearts and Alloa Athletic with mixed success, he’s unlikely to get the job permanently.

So, should Rangers’ potential new investors, namely Paraag Marathe of 49ers Enterprises, look to a manager from farther afield, with Pep Guardiola’s approval no less, as Clement’s long-term successor?

What went wrong for Philippe Clement at Ibrox

Ever since Rangers were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Queen’s Park, beaten at Ibrox in that competition by a team from a lower division for the first time ever, it was only a matter of time until Clement lost his job.

With his team also currently 16 points adrift run-away Premiership leaders Celtic, speaking on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club, former Hibs and Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart said he could not see how Clement could survive such an historic cup shock.

Meantime, speaking on the Scottish Football Show, Findlay Marks believes Clement has been a ‘dead man walking’ ever since that cup exit, adding that while the Belgian is clearly a good manager, he ‘never figured out… how to play in Scotland’.

Clement failed to win any of his first six Glasgow derbies, two of which came in cup finals, another reason why Mark Atkinson of the Scotsman believed ‘most Rangers-minded individuals wanted him gone’ a while ago.

With Rangers marooned in second spot in the Premiership, not going to catch Celtic and equally unlikely to be overtaken by Aberdeen, they can start planning for next season, which they know will commence on 22 or 23 July with the first leg of a Champions League qualifier.

By then, the Light Blues could have new owners, given that 49ers Enterprises are attempting to purchase a ‘controlling stake’ in the club, as reported by Jordan Campbell of the Athletic, so should they look to the other side of the world for their first managerial hire?

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Rangers' ideal Clement successor

According to David Irvine of the National, Kevin Muscat is currently third-favourite to be the next Rangers manager, having been interviewed for the job back in October 2023, when Clement was appointed instead, a decision that left him ‘disappointed’.

As a player, Muscat made 26 appearances for Rangers in the 2002/03 season, also representing Crystal Palace, Wolves, Millwall as well as various clubs across Australia, infamously deemed to be too hot-headed by manager Alex McLeish to play in an Old Firm.

He’s since become something of a globe trotter in management, in charge of Melbourne Victory for six years, winning two A-League titles, before a brief stint as Ange Postecoglou’s assistant at the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia.

After little over a dozen matches in charge of Sint-Truiden in Belgium, he then succeeded Postecoglou at Yokohama F. Marinos, after his compatriot became Celtic head coach, winning the J1 League in 2022.

Since December 2023, Muscat has been in charge of Shanghai Port in China, winning the Chinese Super League and Chinese FA Cup double last season, beating Shandong Taishan 3-1 in November’s final in Wenzhou, as he pointed out himself, achieving the club’s very first double.

“Guardiola has approved of Kevin Muscat’s high-tempo attacking football” as noted by digital producer Sacha Pisani, with the Manchester City boss saying of Muscat’s Yokohama side “wow… they are dynamic in their process, the build-up, everything they do. I like it.”

So, let’s see how he compares to Clement.

Matches

86

200

116

46

Wins

55

95

67

33

Wins %

63.95%

47.5%

57.76%

71.72%

League titles

Zero

2

1

1

Cups

1

2

0

1

As the table underlines, Muscat has won a league title in three different countries, not many can boast that, while his Shanghai Port side won last season’s Chinese Super League title with a record-breaking 78 points, dropping only 12 points all year.

Thus, the 51-year-old’s pedigree means he has to be a serious candidate to fill the current vacancy at Ibrox.

Philippe Clement sacked: 6 things the new Rangers manager must do at Ibrox

The next Rangers manager will have a big to-do list.

ByRoss Kilvington Feb 24, 2025

Real Madrid are keen to sign Huijsen in time for the Club World Cup having been dogged by defensive injuries this season.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Madrid agree £50m Huijsen dealSpaniard expected to play in Club World CupSpent just one season at BournemouthFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Real Madrid have reached an agreement in principle with Bournemouth to sign Spain defender Huijsen for £50m, according to ESPN. Los Blancos have made the 20-year-old a key target in recent months and the youngster is said to be extremely keen on the move after just one season in England with the Cherries.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Madrid have struggled with injuries in central defence throughout the campaign, with Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and David Alaba all missing significant portions of the season. Manager Carlo Ancelotti had to field Raul Asencio and Jacobo Ramon in central defence during the 2-1 win over Mallorca, while ostracised defender Jesus Vallejo made just his second league appearance this term as he set up the winning goal for Ramon.

DID YOU KNOW?

Madrid were keen on signing Huijsen when he was a youngster on the books at Malaga, but his family opted to move to Juventus instead. He spent a season on loan with Roma before making a permanent transfer to Bournemouth, impressing under Andoni Iraola with his ease on the ball and tactical awareness.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR HUIJSEN AND REAL MADRID?

Huijsen and Bournemouth have the weekend off before they face Manchester City on Tuesday ahead of their final game of the season against Leicester. Madrid's Club World Cup campaign kicks off on Wednesday 18 June when they take on Al-Hilal in Florida.