Duo put on 77 to take Spirit up to second in the table

ECB Media13-Aug-2024Heather Knight and Deepti Sharma guided London Spirit to a vital seven-wicket win at Headingley in the Hundred to keep their team in the hunt for the play-off stages and knock out their opponents, Northern Superchargers.The pair put on 77 to take Spirit up to second in the table, on nine points, and they will now keep an eye on events at Trent Bridge on Thursday with the Trent Rockets and Oval Invincibles fixture deciding the final make-up of the top three.For Superchargers, a win today would have guaranteed their place in the last three for the second successive season but their campaign is now over.The damage was done by Spirit’s bowlers up top. After just 14 balls, Superchargers were three down – Tara Norris, Eva Gray and Dani Gibson each claiming a wicket to see the back of Superchargers’ top three – including the dangerous Phoebe Litchfield.Litchfield’s fellow Aussie, Annabel Sutherland – so often a stand-out player for Hollie Armitage’s side – attempted a rebuild for her side but when she picked out long-on off Deepti, hopes of a formidable total for the hosts fell away. Alice Davidson-Richards’ 33 ensured they had something on the board, but their 99 felt 7 felt below par.Superchargers were going to need early wickets and scoreboard pressure to make a game of it but Meg Lanning dispatched a couple of sixes in an 11-ball 20 to get Spirit ahead of the chase.Linsey Smith came on to dismiss Lanning, and briefly lifted Superchargers hopes with two more wickets, but that brought Knight and Deepti together and they weren’t to be separated.Initially patient, they accelerated towards the end and were relatively untroubled in what could have been a pressure chase – the experienced international duo showing their class to keep Spirit hopes alive and spell the end for Superchargers.Meerkat Match Hero Deepti said: “I think all credit goes to our bowlers. We had a meeting and we executed really well.”I think personally I’m used to these kind of conditions. The wicket is slightly on the slower side, sometimes skiddy, but we managed it really well in the first innings and the second as well.”I like challenges and really like to bowl and bat in those kind of situations. We only focus on our games and yeah we will sit there and [watch] the other games.”

Chelsea are set for a short pre-season after winning the Club World Cup final, with just five weeks separating their 3-0 win over PSG in New Jersey and their first Premier League game of 2025/2026 against Crystal Palace.

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They have scheduled just two pre-season matches as a result of their CWC triumph, needing to fit a holiday in for both players and staff after what was a successful but very long campaign.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

Chelsea will take on both Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan on August 8 and August 10 respectively, but as things stand, these are the only friendlies they’ll play before facing Palace in the top flight a week later.

It remains to be seen how Enzo Maresca’s side will fare given their minimal preparation, but the Italian did get a chance to try out new tactics during their CWC campaign in the US.

He also managed to give some of his major summer signings a run-out. Joao Pedro seriously impressed at the tournament in particular, scoring three goals in three CWC games, including a brace in their semi-final against Fluminense and a goal in the final against PSG.

Despite Chelsea’s need to sell players and balance out the squad due to a pact with UEFA (Kaveh Solhekol), Maresca could still add more fresh faces before their new season kicks off against Palace.

This will be dependent on departures (Simon Phillips), but perhaps Djordje Petrovic’s £25 million move to Bournemouth has freed up space for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan to come in.

The France number one was a serious target for Chelsea earlier in the window, and they tried to complete a deal for him before competing in the CWC. However, Milan and Chelsea failed to find an agreement, despite Maignan’s eagerness to join.

Despite reports to the contrary, Chelsea could go back in for Maignan before deadline day on September 1, with Robert Sanchez also told he’s free to find a new club away from Stamford Bridge (Graeme Bailey).

Mike Maignan very keen to join Chelsea, he's a top target

TEAMtalk have another update on the situation this week, claiming Maignan remains a top target for Chelsea.

The 30-year-old is also “enthusiastic” about joining Maresca’s side this summer, even if negotiations previously failed, with the main roadblock being Milan’s £22 million asking price – a figure deemed too high by Chelsea considering both his age and his contract situation.

However, given Maignan’s pedigree as one of world football’s most commanding shot-stoppers, £22 million is surely a price worth paying – especially if they sell Sanchez.

Every title-winning side in history have one thing in common – the presence of a world-class keeper. Maignan, who’s been lavished with praise by his fellow top-level players, arguably stands out as the best option by far this summer.

“He is physical, quick, he has clean technique. He is very strong. He is one of the best in the world,” said Liverpool keeper Alisson about Maignan’s quality.

“The quality of goalkeepers has really increased – Mike Maignan is within this elite.”

تحدث قائد ليفربول فيرجيل فان دايك، في مؤتمر صحفي اليوم الثلاثاء، قبل مباراة فريقه المرتقبة أمام أتلتيكو مدريد في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويفتتح ليفربول مشواره في منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا 2025-2026 بمواجهة أتلتيكو مدريد على ملعب “آنفيلد” بالجولة الأولى لمرحلة الدوري في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وبشأن أتلتيكو مدريد ومدربه دييجو سيميوني، أفاد فان دايك: “توديع دوري أبطال أوروبا مؤلم، إنه فريق يبذل جهدًا كبيرًا، ومدرب من الطراز العالمي يقول الكثير، فهو موجود معهم منذ فترة طويلة، ولديهم لاعبون وحارس مرمى من الطراز العالمي”.

وأضاف: “أتلتيكو مدريد فريق يصعب هزيمته، ولن يستسلموا أبدًا، ربما لم تكن بدايتهم في الدوري هي الأفضل، لكنني أعلم أنهم سيرغبون في تقديم أداء رائع، علينا أن نكون مستعدين”.

واستطرد: “عندما لا يكون لديك الكثير من الإصابات، يمكنك تغيير خطة اللعب وتدوير اللاعبين، هذا هو الهدف، الحفاظ على الثبات والمستوى، من السهل قول ذلك، لكن هذه هي مسؤوليتنا كلاعبين”.

وبشأن فرص ليفربول في دوري أبطال أوروبا، أوضح: “عندما وقّعتُ عقدي، كنتُ آمل الفوز بجميع البطولات التي سأشارك فيها، لكن للأسف، لا تسير الأمور على هذا النحو، إذ نواجه فرقًا قوية، أنا واثق من قدرتنا على إظهار قوتنا أمام أوروبا، لكن علينا العمل بجدٍّ لتحقيق ذلك”.

اقرأ أيضًا | فان دايك: إيزاك مهاجم متكامل جاء كبديل.. وليس لدينا سيطرة على أسعار اللاعبين

وأكد فان دايك: “غدًا بداية رائعة، آمالنا كبيرة، يمكننا أن نُظهر مجددًا مدى صعوبة التواجد في هذا المركز، علينا فقط أن نتعامل مع كل مباراة على حدة”.

وعن احتمال غياب جوليان ألفاريز عن أتلتيكو مدريد في المباراة، أشار: “ألفاريز لاعب رائع، لكن أتلتيكو فريق خطير للغاية، بلاعبين رائعين ومدرب رائع، علينا أن نكون في أفضل حالاتنا غدًا، أنا مستعد لأي شيء”.

وعن اللعب ضد ثنائي هجومي، استطرد: “في كثير من الأحيان، تلعب الفرق بثنائي في الهجوم، ربما ليس بشكل مباشر، طريقتنا الدفاعية دائمًا ما تكون من الأمام، وقد تكون مواجهة فردية أحيانًا، لكنها منظمة جيدًا”.

وأتم: “عليك التعامل مع الموقف، إنه جزء من كونك قلب دفاع، من الجيد في دوري أبطال أوروبا أن تواجه أحيانًا أنواعًا مختلفة من المهاجمين وطرق لعب مختلفة للفرق ضدك، أستمتع بذلك”.

Newcastle United have begun negotiations for a “perfect” player ahead of a move to the club this summer, with things expected to “accelerate” next week.

Howe realistic about Newcastle's summer business

Magpies supporters will hope to see various new faces arrive at St James’ Park in the summer transfer window, but the club now have to be sensible when it comes to adhering to financial rules.

Speaking after the final game of last season, Eddie Howe made it clear that it won’t necessarily be easy for Newcastle to snap up numerous established stars on big money.

That’s not to say that Newcastle won’t do any significant business, and Howe is thought to be calm about the situation at the club, with the likes James Trafford, Ousmane Diomande, Anthony Elanga and Dusan Vlahovic being linked with moves.

Newcastle talks underway to sign James Trafford

Writing on X on Monday morning, Romano claimed that Newcastle are in talks with Burnley over the signing of goalkeeper Trafford, with “next week” looking likely to see huge strides made regarding a move.

It would be a huge surprise if Trafford wasn’t a Newcastle player come the start of next season, with the Englishman likely to come straight in as an upgrade on Nick Pope – reports earlier this month revealed he is happy to accept the Magpies’ terms.

Trafford enjoyed a fantastic season with Burnley, being hailed by pundit Don Goodman: “On individual performance, it would be difficult to have a more perfect month than James Trafford. He didn’t concede a goal in any of Burnley’s six games in January and he was the hero at Turf Moor against Sunderland, saving two late penalties to keep his team’s unbeaten run intact.

“Burnley’s defensive stability is going to be the key in their bid for promotion and Trafford is central to that.”

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Still only 22 years of age, Trafford has the ability to be a great player for Newcastle for around a decade, and possibly even be seen as England’s future No.1, so there are no negatives to the Magpies signing him at his widely reported £30m price tag.

When will the draft take place?

It all happens on September 1. The WBBL draft will take place first, starting at 3pm AEST, followed straight after by the BBL draft.

What order do the teams pick in?

This was determined by a weighted lottery a few months ago, based on last season’s finishing positions. In the WBBL, Hobart Hurricanes came out with pick No. 1 and Perth Scorchers last with pick No. 8. In the BBL, Melbourne Stars will have first pick and Sydney Sixers the eighth one.Related

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There are four rounds in all. Round one involves Platinum players only; round two Platinum and Gold; round three Gold and Silver; and round four Silver and Bronze.In the BBL, Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder have traded their second-round picks as part of Wes Agar’s move to Thunder. So, in that round, Strikers have pick 11 and Thunder pick 13. In the WBBL, Strikers have traded picks 19 and 30 to Melbourne Renegades, getting picks 22 and 27 in returnThe third round (gold and silver) of each draft goes in reverse order. So, in the WBBL, Scorchers will have consecutive picks at 16 and 17 and in the BBL Sixers will have the same.The round one WBBL order reads: 1 Hobart Hurricanes, 2 Sydney Sixers, 3 Melbourne Renegades, 4 Melbourne Stars, 5 Sydney Thunder, 6 Adelaide Strikers, 7 Brisbane Heat, 8 Perth ScorchersThe round one BBL order reads: 1 Melbourne Stars, 2 Melbourne Renegades, 3 Sydney Thunder, 4 Hobart Hurricanes, 5 Adelaide Strikers, 6 Brisbane Heat, 7 Perth Scorchers, 8 Sydney Sixers.Cricket Australia

How many overseas players will be drafted?

Each team will need to draft a minimum of two overseas players on top of their pre-signed names, meaning they can pass in only one round. The new mechanism was introduced this season to allow clubs in both competitions to sign one player before the draft and on multi-year deals if they wish. All the clubs have already taken advantage of this option.During the draft itself, the clubs will need to nominate which round their pre-signed overseas players are allocated to, based on the value of their contract. While many of them will be Platinum – the highest paid – that won’t be case for all. Renegades, for example, have already confirmed that Tim Seifert won’t be a Platinum pick. It’s also understood that in the WBBL, Brisbane Heat allrounder Nadine de Klerk will go in one of the lower bands.Clubs can sign a fourth overseas player during the draft if wanted, but they would be considered a replacement player. A maximum of three can be fielded in an XI.Replacement players can also be signed after the draft but have to come from those who have nominated, unless the tournament technical committee approves them under special circumstances, as happened with Nat Sciver-Brunt last season.

Full list of pre-signed players

Adelaide Strikers: Smriti Mandhana, Ollie Pope
Brisbane Heat: Nadine de Klerk, Colin Munro
Hobart Hurricanes: Lizelle Lee, Chris Jordan
Melbourne Renegades: Hayley Matthews, Tim Seifert
Melbourne Stars: Marizanne Kapp, Tom Curran
Perth Scorchers: Sophie Devine, Finn Allen
Sydney Sixers: Amelia Kerr, Akeal Hosein
Sydney Thunder: Chamari Athapaththu, Sam BillingsCricket Australia

So how much are the players paid?

There are four price bands. These figures are in Australian dollars.WBBL
Platinum: $110,000 (depending on availability)
Gold: $90,000
Silver: $65,000
Bronze: up to $40,000BBL
Platinum: $360,000-$420,000 (depending on availability)
Gold: $300,000
Silver: $200,000
Bronze: up to $100,000

Can players be retained by their previous team?

Yes, each club gets one retention pick. The basic example of a player who can be retained is one who played for the club the previous season. But there are other ways players qualify for retention. If they were signed last year but did not play (such as Danni Wyatt at Scorchers), they can be retained this year. When a club confirms which round their pre-signed player places into, that classes as their pick in that round and therefore they can’t then also use their retention.

What is player availability like?

Both competitions have now been reduced to 40-game regular seasons, with the WBBL’s new structure coming into effect this year after the BBL in 2023-24. There’s more of a squeeze on the WBBL this year while the BBL faces its usual headwinds from rival T20 leagues (SA20 and ILT20) and international cricket.The WBBL starts just seven days after the T20 World Cup finishes. There’s also various bilateral cricket at either end of the competition. India are due to play New Zealand straight after the World Cup while South Africa face England, which overlaps with the finals. England players selected for that tour will leave the WBBL but some South Africans, including Marizanne Kapp, will be available throughout and miss the T20Is.In the BBL, it’s even more of jigsaw puzzle although most of the pre-signed players have committed to a full season including the finals (that is a requirement for the 2025-26 season onwards, but optional for this one). Last season’s finals were decimated by an exodus of players to the UAE. However, some that are signed in the draft itself will again likely leave early with a host of them stating availability of six to nine games.The fixture congestion has been amplified for this season because the ILT20 has moved forward to make room for the Champions Trophy in February and will start on January 11, two days after the SA20 starts.

When do the competitions take place?

The WBBL runs from October 27 to December 1 and the BBL from December 15 to January 27.

Chelsea are now “advancing” talks to sign an “exceptional” £70m player, with a formal offer expected “soon”, journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed.

Blues eyeing new attacker with Felix heading for exit

The Blues have been able to splash the cash this summer, in part due to their successful Club World Cup campaign, and they are still looking to make more additions to the squad, given that they are about to complete a big-money sale.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Joao Felix is now closing in on a move to Al-Nassr, which is set to raise up to £43.7m, while Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga and Armando Broja all still remain up for sale.

Even with the likes of Felix, Broja and Sterling due to depart, it is difficult to envisage where another attacker would fit into the starting XI, given that Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens have already been brought in this summer.

However, the west Londoners remain keen on signing another attacking midfielder, and Jacobs has now revealed they are “advancing talks” with RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, with the terms of a deal now broadly in place.

Direct talks with Leipzig are currently ongoing, which are described as “positive”, and the Blues are expected to submit a formal bid “soon”, with Romano recently revealing they remain confident about getting a deal over the line.

Simons could be "exceptional" signing for Chelsea

Enzo Maresca is, of course, already blessed with an array of attacking options, with Cole Palmer performing particularly well at the Club World Cup, picking up two goals and an assist in the 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final.

However, it remains to be seen what sort of effect competing out in the USA will have on the Blues’ regular campaign, and Maresca may need a bigger squad to cope with the increase in fixtures.

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As such, the £70m-valued attacking midfielder could be a necessary signing for Maresca, and there are signs he would be able to kick on at Stamford Bridge, having been lauded as an “exceptional player” by Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund.

Simons also recorded fairly similar attacking numbers to Palmer in the 2024-25 campaign, although it would, of course, be a step-up to move to the Premier League from the Bundesliga.

When Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season, it was widely felt that the German’s successor in the Anfield dugout would be set up to fall by the wayside.

Certainly, when Arne Slot, this little-known coach at Feyenoord, was chosen as Liverpool’s new boss after ostensible efforts for Xabi Alonso and Ruben Amorim failed to come to fruition, many Premier League rivals felt the Reds were set for a period of decline.

Even without Slot’s incredible league triumph last term, he has endeared himself to the fanbase and been accepted as one of this proud city’s own. He embodies the spirit of what it means to represent Liverpool, through the good times and through hardship.

Slot, moreover, has proved himself to be an elite tactician, working with sporting director Richard Hughes to identify players fit for purpose in this title-winning team. He has been aided by the brilliance of Mohamed Salah, who will be looking to go again next term, but the 33-year-old needs some help at the front of the ship after carrying an unbelievable weight of responsibility over the past year.

Liverpool have completed a wide sweep of signings already this summer, but there’s more still to come.

Liverpool's latest transfer plans

With Trent Alexander-Arnold having chosen to leave Liverpool and join Real Madrid, Hughes and co acted swiftly to sign Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen for £29.5m before turning to Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, both now part of Slot’s squad.

But the cream of the crop is, of course, Florian Wirtz, who arrives in England a £100m player, with the £16m in potential add-ons perhaps even coming to make him the most expensive player in British history.

Wirtz’s creative ingenuity makes him a dream for any centre-forward, and while he has the capacity to elevate Darwin Nunez’s game, the Uruguayan has gone three seasons at Liverpool leaving plenty to be desired, and improvements are needed.

Nunez, after all, has spent several years working with Salah, who must be craving a superior frontman to channel his qualities toward. Deadly striker he may be, Salah has also racked up 40 assists across the past three Premier League seasons alone.

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike is among the most coveted names on Liverpool’s list, and curiosity in his services will increase to something more substantial if Luis Diaz leaves, with the versatile forward being pursued by a host of suitors, including Bayern Munich and Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

However, Diaz’s sale wouldn’t only affect the front of the ship. Indeed, it might also advance Liverpool’s interest in another elite talent on the global stage – and he’s looking to play on the left.

Liverpool enter race for superstar winger

According to Spanish outlet AS, Liverpool have registered their interest in Real Madrid’s Rodrygo as they prepare for the eventuality of Diaz’s departure.

FSG haven’t tabled an official approach yet, but then neither have Arsenal, who are considered the Reds’ main rivals in the race for the Brazilian’s signature, with Bayern Munich also keen.

Valued in the region of £78m, Rodrygo would clearly represent a significant outlay for the Anfield side, but if Diaz is sold, this could be the perfect move for them to make, perhaps even starting the beginning of something special with Salah over on the right flank.

Why Rodrygo could be a dream for Salah

Rodrygo is fed up. Despite being considered a “world-class superstar” by former teammate Luka Modric and “probably the most gifted player in the squad” by his current colleague Jude Bellingham, the 24-year-old has slipped into the background at Los Blancos.

One of the biggest issues Rodrygo has at Real Madrid is the rarity of his deployment on the left wing, in spite of this being his best position, his most productive and where his prolific potency is best served.

Even so, to have recorded 25 goal involvements across the season while being recognised to have been distinctly out of sorts bears testament to Rodrygo’s lofty level.

And though Rodrygo will be thoroughly disappointed with his 2024/25 campaign, he has previously demonstrated an aptitude that soars beyond the capabilities of most other forwards across the globe.

While Liverpool already have a world-class winger in Salah, he’s approaching the autumn years of his historic career in English football and will want a player of such a calibre winging Slot’s system to a resounding effect.

Rodrygo could do this. Take, for example, his efforts in La Liga last season. He scored six times, but also missed only one big chance, as per Sofascore. This highlights his natural goalscoring instinct.

Furthermore, the South American sensation registered 12 goal contributions across the season as a left winger, and that’s despite his only playing 12 of his 54 matches in the role, limited due to Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe perching higher up the pecking order.

Rodrygo – Real Madrid Career by Season (all comps)
Season	Apps (starts)	Goals	Assists
24/25	54 (39)	14	11
23/24	57 (43)	17	9
22/23	57 (41)	19	11
21/22	49 (25)	9	9
20/21	33 (13)	2	8
19/20	26 (16)	7	3
Data via Transfermarkt

This emphasises the jackpot Liverpool could hit by bringing him over to Merseyside, establishing a winger with the depth and dynamism of Salah and with similarities in ball-striking too.

Liverpool’s talisman, after all, finished the recent season with 34 goals and 23 assists across all competitions, so crucial in setting his new boss off on trophy-winning footing.

Given that Rodrygo ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, as per FBref, he’s also proven himself to have the ball retention levels and the technical confidence to thrive in Slot’s precise system.

Liverpool need to make their move, securing a wonderful new wide forward who can emulate Salah and thus preserve the brilliance of the Egyptian’s skill set across the coming year, widening the dimensions of Slot’s offensive system too.

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Warwickshire bundled out for 78 on home soil

ECB Reporters Network17-Sep-2024Essex’s seamers bowled Warwickshire out for just 78 to take immediate control of their Vitality County Championship match at Edgbaston.Put in on a bowler-friendly track, the home side was skittled in 27.4 overs by Shane Snater – with 5 for 13 – Jamie Porter and Sam Cook. Sustained resistance came only from Will Rhodes (29) on his last home appearance before joining Durham.Essex then dipped to 50 for 5 but recovered to close the opening day on 189 for 9 thanks to astute contributions from Michael Pepper (37), Snater (33 not out) Matt Critchley (32) and Simon Harmer (31). Ed Barnard took 3 for 36 and Craig Miles 3 for 53 but a lead of 111 already looks decisive.Essex have laid the platform for a second successive emphatic win while Warwickshire’s supporters digest one last moderate instalment of a deeply uninspiring home championship campaign.Porter and Olly Hannon-Dalby started the day as the country’s joint leading wicket-takers on 46 and the former took just 16 balls to move to 48 by removing Warwickshire’s openers; Rob Yates lbw and Alex Davies caught at third slip. When Sam Hain, trapped in the crease, was lbw to Cook, Warwickshire were 18 for 3.Eighteen-year-old Hamza Shaikh got stuck in for 37 balls for eight runs before Snater struck twice in seven balls. Shaikh’s off-stump was sent flying and Barnard’s would have been if his pads hadn’t been in the way.Rhodes, warmly applauded to the crease by supporters aware of the void he will leave in Warwickshire’s top order, eked 29 from 98 minutes of toil before edging a peach of an away-cutter from Snater to wicketkeeper Pepper. Any Bears’ hope of recovery vanished with the last ball of the morning when Cook knocked out Michael Burgess’s middle stump.From 73 for 7 at lunch, the innings imploded in another 16 balls, Snater wrapping it up with an lbw decision against Hannon-Dalby to secure his eighth first-class five-for.Batting remained troublesome at first when Essex replied and they lost Robin Das, lbw to Hannon-Dalby, to the 13th ball. Westley decided that positivity was the solution and struck seven fours in a 22-ball 30 but was then also trapped in front by the big Yorkshireman.When Barnard broke through twice in three balls – Dean Elgar caught at first slip and Paul Walter played on – and Noah Thain edged Chris Rushworth airily to second slip, Essex were 50 for 5, but the lower order batted wisely and patiently as the pitch eased in the late afternoon sunshine.Critchley reined in his attacking instincts, taking 23 balls to get off the mark, and with Pepper added 55 in 18 overs against an attack which lost Rushworth injured. Critchley edged Barnard to second slip and Pepper leading-edged a return catch to Miles but Harmer and Snater added a valuable 39.Miles removed Harmer and Cook in three balls but Snater’s cameo, including three successive fours off Miles, lifted the lead over 100.

India
Despite the loss in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, India stay in a healthy position at the top of the table. For them to get enough points to seal their place in the WTC final regardless of other results, they need at least four wins and one draw (52 points) in their remaining seven Tests, which will give them 65.79 percentage points. South Africa can get up to 69.44 if they win each of their remaining six Tests, but Australia can only reach 62.28 with four wins and one draw (assuming they lose two to India and draw one, and win the other four Tests).If India get fewer than 52 points, then there is a possibility of them not being in the top two. For instance, if they win four Tests (48 points, 64.04%), then it’s possible for Australia and South Africa to overtake them. Sri Lanka can finish with more than 67% too, but wins for them will be at the expense of points for both Australia and South Africa. That will work in India’s favour as Australia and South Africa could then both finish below India. New Zealand can finish as high as 64.29% if they win each of their five remaining Tests.Australia
Currently in second place at 62.5%, Australia can finish on a maximum of 76.32 if they win each of their remaining seven Tests. The two teams against whom they play their remaining series, India and Sri Lanka, are also strong contenders for the final, so wins against them will doubly help Australia’s cause. Five wins will lift their percentage to 65.79, but India and South Africa can still go past them. Things will be clearer by the time they start the series against India, though, as the visitors would have finished their three home Tests against New Zealand.South Africa
South Africa’s victory against Bangladesh in the Mirpur Test has kept them in the race for a top-two finish. If they win each of their five remaining Tests they will finish with 69.44%, which will surely be enough for qualification, as only one out of India or Australia can go past that number. Four wins and a draw will leave them with 63.89, which will still keep them in contention, while four wins and a defeat will lower the percentage marginally to 61.11, which will still give them a chance if other results go their way. The second Test against Bangladesh, ahead of four home Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan later this year, is shaping up as a crucial fixture.Sri Lanka
With a full 24 points gained from their last two Tests, Sri Lanka have made a strong push towards a top-two finish in this WTC cycle. Their four remaining Tests are against two opponents who are also contenders for the final. If they win each of those matches and take home 48 more points (keep in mind over-rate deductions are always a threat), they will finish on 69.23% and assure themselves of a place in the final regardless of other results. If they lose one and win three they will end up at 61.54, which will still leave them with a chance of qualifying, depending on other results.Australia would have a clearer picture of qualification ahead of the home Tests against India•AFP/Getty Images

New Zealand
New Zealand can still finish with a percentage as high as 64.29 if they win all five remaining Tests, but that remains a tough ask despite their victory in the first Test against India in Bengaluru. Even if they win three of those five Tests and lose two, they will finish at only 50%.England
After winning and losing their first two Tests in Pakistan, England can no longer finish with more than 60 percentage points. For them to qualify with that score, they will need several other results to work in their favour.Bangladesh
The two defeats in India and now one at home to South Africa have hurt Bangladesh badly – from 45.83% they have dropped to 30.56. Even if they win each of their three remaining Tests, it is unlikely to be enough for a place in the top two.Pakistan
Pakistan’s win against England in Multan has pushed their percentage points above 20, but they can’t get above 60 even if they win all their remaining matches in this cycle.West Indies
West Indies have already played four series and have only scored 20 points out of 108. Even if they win their last four Tests, they can only finish on 43.59%.

Manchester United are now showing an interest in signing a “strong” £38 million defender who has been watched live in action by club scouts, according to a recent report.

Despite the delay in the signing of Bryan Mbeumo, it has been a productive transfer window for the Red Devils so far, as they have added creativity and goals to a team lacking in both. But with still over a month of the window left, United are still looking to be active in the market.

He'd be amazing with Cunha: Man Utd to discuss deal to sign £60m "monster"

Manchester United are reportedly considering a move to sign a star who would be amazing with Matheus Cunha.

ByDan Emery Jul 28, 2025

According to Caught Offside, Man United are now in a race with Tottenham Hotspur to sign Aleksander Mitrovic from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. The Serbia international joined the Saudi side in August 2023, and to no surprise, he has continued his excellent goal-scoring exploits. The forward scored 28 goals in 28 league games in his first campaign and then followed that up with 19 goals in 23 league games last season.

Mitrovic is the latest striker to be linked with a move to Old Trafford, as they search for a new number nine after the disappointments of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who both struggled to make a big impact in front of goal.

Interest in Mitrovic comes after it was confirmed that United maintains an interest in signing Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace. The Red Devils are currently not interested in signing Nicolas Jackson and Ollie Watkins due to their price tags.

Man Utd eyeing Italian defender

Addressing United’s forward line looks to be a top priority for Ruben Amorim, but the Portuguese is also looking at how he can improve his defence. According to Tuttomercatoweb, relayed by Sport Witness, Man United are among the teams interested in signing Pietro Comuzzo from Fiorentina.

The 20-year-old, who played 33 times in Serie A last season, has now caught the eye of not just United, but Sunderland and Nottingham Forest as well. These three sides from England are showing “strong interest”, but as of yet no one has placed an offer for the centre-back.

Comuzzo, who joined Fiorentina at a young age, is under contract at the Italian side until 2029, and it’s been previously reported that Fiorentina value the young centre-back in the region of £38 million, which is no surprise given his Transfermarkt value skyrocketed from €700k (£600k) to €25m (£21.6m) last season.

The Red Devils may hold an advantage in the race to sign Comuzzo, as it’s already been reported that United sent scouts to watch him live in action earlier this season.

Apps

33

Starts

24

Clean sheets

6

Interceptions per game

0.9

Tackles per game

1.3

Dribbled past per game

0.2

Goals

1

Touches per game

47.4

Passes per game (accuracy)

32.5 (86%)

New Fiorentina manager Stefano Pioli spoke around two weeks ago about Comuzzo, and while he didn’t commit to his future, he did label the Italian a “strong” defender: “Comuzzo? He is a strong player; he is here to play for his place and be a starter.”