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Experienced domestic batsmen should come in handy for a Kolkata Knight Riders squad that is light on bench strength

Sreshth Shah03-Apr-2017

Likely first-choice XI

Gautam Gambhir (capt), Robin Uthappa (wk), Manish Pandey, Shakib Al Hasan, Yusuf Pathan, Suryakumar Yadav, Chris Woakes, Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav, Trent Boult

Reserves

Batsmen – Sheldon Jackson, Darren Bravo, Chris Lynn, Ishank JaggiBowlers – Ankit Rajpoot, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Sayan Ghosh, Piyush ChawlaAllrounders – Colin de Grandhomme, Rovman Powell, Sanjay Yadav, Rishi Dhawan

Strengths

Knight Riders’ strength lies in their roster of experienced domestic cricketers, especially with the bat. Read: Gambhir, Uthappa, Pandey, Suryakumar. A measured start, with wickets in hand, followed by a late flourish from their allrounders has been the tested winning formula for the two-time IPL champions. And they have quite a few power-hitting allrounders to do that for them this time too: Yusuf, Shakib, Rovman. Knight Riders also have three spinners – each of whom have their own style – in Narine, Kuldeep – who will be raring to go after a memorable domestic season that culminated in a Test debut at Dharamsala – and Chawla. The spin-bowling department possesses variety that can unnerve even the best.

Weaknesses

Their bench strength is not the best, with the only experienced, big names in the reserves being Lynn, Coulter-Nile and Bravo. Furthermore, Knight Riders’ bowling remains over-dependent on Narine’s spin. The West Indies bowler has been crucial to the franchise’s successes and failures, and his average show last year – 11 wickets, at an economy of 7.12 – corresponded with his team’s moderate performance. In addition, Umesh’s absence for the first couple of weeks is likely to affect the team dynamics early on in the campaign.

Where they finished in 2016, and what’s different this year?

Lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator after finishing fourth in the league.Knight Riders have preferred to be sparing with their team changes, but will be forced to make some alterations this year. They have already had to make one with Colin de Grandhomme being called up to replace Andre Russell, who, considered “irreplaceable” by Gambhir, will miss the IPL after a doping-code violation ban. Lynn’s top form at the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League and Big Bash League, along with other new allrounder reinforcements in Woakes and Powell, might put pressure on Shakib – currently the world’s best allrounder across all formats. Boult, currently recovering from injury, is another new entrant and will spearhead Knight Riders’ pace-attack on a relaid Eden Gardens pitch that offered seamers more help in the recent India-New Zealand Test there than it would have previously.Kolkata Knight Riders will hope Kuldeep Yadav’s fine form continues•BCCI

What have their players been up to?

• Chris Lynn – Having been on and off in the Knight Riders XI, Lynn’s superb recent form in T20s might get him many more opportunities this season. In the most-recent BBL season, he scored 309 runs in five games – including unbeaten knocks of 85, 84 and 98 for Brisbane Heat. He was also the 2016 CPL’s highest run-scorer.
• Rovman Powell – With comparisons to Andre Russell already made, Powell has big shoes to fill for Knight Riders. With a penchant of hitting more sixes than fours, Powell was crucial to Jamaica Tallawah’s CPL title-win, and Knight Riders will look for more of the same from the young allrounder.
• Kuldeep Yadav – A successful season where he took 35 wickets in the Ranji Trophy, Kuldeep also stood out with the bat, top-scoring for Uttar Pradesh with 466 runs, including a maiden first-class century. His Uttar Pradesh and Knight Riders team-mate Piyush Chawla’s presence in the squad might challenge Kuldeep for a first XI spot, but then his consistent performances helped him force his way into UP’s XI for the pink-ball Duleep Trophy, where he was the tournament’s highest wicket-taker.
• Yusuf Pathan – Yusuf’s ability to change a game within a few deliveries keeps him relevant in the IPL year after year. Last year, he finished with an average of 72.20 and was Knight Riders’ third-highest scorer with 361 runs. Despite a lacklustre domestic season, Knight Riders will be hopeful Yusuf maintains his ability to not lose his wicket: last season, he was dismissed only five times out of the 13 times he batted.

Overseas-player availability

Two of Knight Riders’ overseas players have international commitments during the IPL. Shakib’s commitments in Sri Lanka will see him miss Knight Riders’ opening match against Gujarat Lions on April 7, while the Ireland-Bangladesh-New Zealand tri-series in May will see him and Boult leave the tournament before Knight Riders’ final league game against Mumbai Indians on May 13.

Home and away record in 2016

With four victories out of seven matches at the Eden Gardens, Knight Riders fared better at home than away, where their win-loss record stood level at four each in eight matches. Out of the eight times they won, six of them were while batting second.

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ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the third one-day international in Sharjah

George Dobell17-Nov-2015Chance of the dayHad Jos Buttler been stumped before he had scored – as he probably should have been – England would have been 103 for five and in the midst of a familiar collapse against spin bowling. Buttler, facing just his third ball, had skipped down the wicket against Shoaib Malik and effectively yorked himself. But Sarfraz Ahmed could not take the ball cleanly and Buttler regained his ground. He went on to score an unbeaten 49 and added an unbroken 117 for the fifth-wicket with James Taylor in a partnership which settled the game.Run out of the dayThis was an unusually competitive category, with three Pakistan batsmen succumbing to run outs and each a contender for the most embarrassing. But perhaps it was Shoaib Malik who should take the accolade. As the last recognised batsman, Pakistan could well have done with him to shepherd the tail and ensure the team utilised all their overs. Instead, backing up to Wahab Riaz, he attempted an all but impossible run to the best fielder in the England squad, displayed the turning circle of an oil tanker and was run out by some distance to become the fifth wicket to fall in the space of just 29 runs. It is hard to imagine there would have been a run in any circumstance – Wahab turned the ball pretty much straight to midwicket – but the fact that it was Chris Jordan placed there made it all the more unlikely.Setback of the dayPerhaps the most significant blow in this encounter was struck the day before the game. Yasir Shah, the Pakistan legspinner, injured a knee in training the day before the match and was ruled out of contention. While he conceded 70 runs in the previous ODI, he took seven wickets in the Test on this very pitch barely a couple of weeks ago and would surely have relished the conditions. His replacement, Zafar Gohar, did pretty well but, bearing in mind England’s long term record against legspin, Yasir’s absence may have proved the difference between the sides.Milestone of the dayThe wicket of Eoin Morgan was Malik’s 150th in ODI cricket. Quite a ball it was, too. Drifting in to Morgan, it then spun sharply, beating the outside edge of the bat as he remained on the back foot and clipping the top of off stump. It seemed, at the time and with Morgan having batted so well, as if it may be the wicket to settle the game: England were 93 for 4 and 209 looked far away.Start of the dayWhatever their problems in developing another generation of batsmen, Pakistan’s ability to unearth new bowlers is uncanny. Here, with Yasir injured, they gave an opportunity to a 20-year-old with only 19 List A games behind him. And if Gohar’s first wicket – Joe Root – owed a little to fortune (Root slog-swept a full toss, just Zafar’s fifth delivery in international cricket, down the throat of deep square leg), his second, Alex Hales, was the result of a fine ball that drew the batsmen into a stroke but then spun sharply to take the outside edge. Zafar also drove David Willey for a straight six and, if he could improve his consistency and his fielding, looked a fine prospect for such an inexperienced cricketer.

Cycling through the scenic countryside around Nelson is the best way to experience the New Zealand way of life

Peter Watson21-Nov-2014Biking has become the new cool way to get around while visiting Nelson. Dressed in their distinctive lime-green or orange high-visibility safety gear, people of all ages and levels of fitness are flocking to the region’s many cycle ways and tracks.While Nelson offers some of the best mountain biking in New Zealand, it is the opening of the first sections of the Tasman Great Taste Trail that has really sparked the boom. Though only two-thirds complete, the 175km loop trail is already on the verge of being named one of New Zealand’s great rides. Besides being easy to ride and cutting across some beautiful scenery, it is a safe and leisurely way to sample some of the Nelson-Tasman region’s best food, wine, beer and art.A growing number of tour companies now provide guided and self-guided trips and bike rentals. Most people access the taste trail from the Nelson city end.Here they have two options: They can either cycle 31km through vineyards, market gardens and farmland to the village of Wakefield, or they can do the first 33km stage of the coastal section of the trail to the seaside town of Mapua. This takes them around the edge of the Waimea estuary, which is rich in bird life, over boardwalks and along stop banks to Rabbit Island – an excellent swimming and picnicking beach. It is just a short ferry ride to Mapua with its charming waterfront restaurants, brewery and quirky arts and crafts galleries.Both these trips take on average about three hours one way (depending on how many stops are made at cafés and elsewhere), and are over flat land.From Mapua, the trail heads inland into the Moutere hills, but those making the slow climb past vineyards, olive groves and orchards are rewarded with panoramic views over the Tasman Bay and a quick descent into the town of Motueka, where they can relax and refuel. This 22km section takes about two hours and requires a bit more effort.Don’t end your trip at Motueka, though, because another 14km on is Kaiteriteri, one of the scenic jewels of the region and the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park, famed for its golden sand beaches ringed by lush native bush. The short ride there is a splendid one along the waterfront, through more orchards and up into the forest, before it drops down into picture-perfect Kaiteriteri, which is a great place to swim and sightsee.If you are feeling energetic there is a purpose-built mountain bike park in dense bush above the village, offering an impressive variety of tracks for all skill levels, from wide and gentle to narrow and steep. It is one of six mountain-bike parks in the region, which mirror Nelson’s diverse terrain, ranging from the coast to high in the hills and covering bush, forestry blocks and open tussock land.Within 10km of Nelson city, there are over 30 trails of all types and grades.Codgers Mountain Bike Park, overlooking the city, is a good place to begin, as its trails start in the Brook Valley, just a ten-minute drive away from the central shopping area. It has tracks suitable for beginners and families through to fitness fanatics and downhill thrill-seekers. Based around three hills rising to about 400m, the tracks are well signposted and maintained and take between 30 minutes to two hours each to ride.For the more experienced and fitter bikers, the Dun Mountain Trial – rated one of the country’s top rides – is a must. It follows the route of New Zealand’s first railway up more than 800m above the bush line into an unusual alpine mineral environment, offering sweeping vistas before plunging back down into the city. Take a jacket, your camera and plenty of food and water, and allow all day to enjoy the 43km round trip.A cyclist on the Tasman Great Taste Trail enjoys the quiet solitude of the Moutere hills•Alden Williams/Fairfax MediaThere are many other excellent rides further afield, with one of the best being the Rameka Track, which starts on top of Takaka Hill, where some of the scenes were filmed amidst the limestone outcrops and beech forest. It takes about 90 minutes to get to the start from Nelson city. Before you start your descent, take time to check out Harwoods Hole, at a jaw-dropping 357m the deepest vertical shaft in New Zealand which leads to a major caving system under the mountain.The bike track – situated in the Abel Tasman National Park – is a 19km downhill adrenaline rush through bush and farmland into Takaka, a town noted for its arts and crafts and cruisy ambience. Make sure you stop to take in the stunning views overlooking Golden Bay. Be aware that the twisting track can be challenging, with tree roots, boulders, fallen logs, loose rock and creeks to negotiate.If this is all too strenuous, then Nelson city has a good network of paved cycling paths and underpasses, where you can pedal serenely from café to shop to beach without worrying about traffic, while taking in the sea air and views. It’s a good way to see the city, get some exercise and sharpen your thirst and appetite.

From Benjamin Matthews, United Kingdom

Cricinfo25-Feb-2013Getty ImagesThe retirement of Andrew Flintoff (MBE) after the current Ashes series is sure to ignite varying forms of debate over the next few weeks. Matters of opinion from the media pack may criticise the allrounder for the timing of his announcement, while other voices will no doubt pen glowing tributes to the talismanic Lancastrian. Flintoff will continue to make himself available for England’s future ODI and Twenty20 squads. The carrot of future IPL contracts looming large may cast doubts for some over the motives behind his decision to leave the longer format of the game, but none can debate the match-winning contributions he has made for the English team over the years.Charismatic, inspiring, down-to-earth are all compliments that spring to mind for a man whose appeal transcends class and cricketing opinion. Minor antics off the pitch have at times marred an underlying focus and dedication to the game that some have occasionally overlooked. Relentless pace and a fiery all-or-nothing attitude have been drawn from honing high levels of fitness which were doubted at the beginning of his career; many focussing on his heavy set frame. Such a build, whilst undoubtedly a major asset to his stinging bowling and power hitting, has also unfortunately been to his detriment.The reoccurring knee injury sustained while playing in the IPL flared up again after this series’ first Test and after multiple ankle surgeries, Flintoff has decided to call it a day. The relentless rigours of the five-day game have proven to be too much for his body to cope with, Flintoff having missed 25 of England’s previous 48 Tests. Flintoff took his bow into international Test match cricket in 1998 against a strong touring South African side. Unfortunately the prized wicket of Jacques Kallis was his only real reward of note in that series and subsequently, his county form suffered.There were always glimpses of his destructive capabilities during this uncertain period, most notably an explosive 135 from 111 balls in the quarter-finals of the Natwest Trophy in 2000. “We have just watched one of the most awesome innings we are ever going to see on a cricket field” gushed David Gower. A Man-of-the-Match 42 not out in a ODI against Zimbabwe followed, causing Flintoff to enthuse: “not bad for a fat lad!” High praise and high jinx indeed, but it wasn’t until the England management packed him off to Rod Marsh’s ECB academy in 2001 that he began to realise his huge potential.That short, sharp, shock culminated in a reformed, more dynamic Flintoff who toured India that winter; proving his startling revelation as a tight, aggressive seam bowler. The relief of his coming of age was plain to see when he ripped off his shirt in celebration after the final ball of that tour, Flintoff having bowled an exceptional over to level the one day series. His Test career really started to take shape on the 2002 tour to New Zealand, where in Christchurch on his 13th Test appearance, Flintoff scored his first international century. 137 from 163 deliveries signified a concentration and temperament well suited to Test cricket.By 2003, he had become a consistent performer in the Test arena. A magnificent 142 from 146 balls against South Africa, followed three Tests later by a match-swinging 95 to help England save the series cemented his position as an integral part of the English Test batting unit. An ability to force such a momentum change was testament to the fact he had become a player who could not just change the face of a one-dayer, but a player who could change the face of the modern English game forever.Despite having become England’s most consistent Test bowler by this stage, 5 for 58 versus the West Indies in Barbados 2004 (including the wickets of Brian Lara, Ridley Jacobs and Shivnarine Chanderpaul) was Flintoff’s first major haul. He was named the Man of the Series later that year for his performances in the home white-wash of the same touring opponents. Again, the indications of his leading influence with both the bat and ball – 603 runs and 24 wickets – were being displayed and were acting simply as precursors for yet even greater things still to come.2005 was his annus mirabilis largely due to his performances in the triumphant Ashes series of that year. It was the series in which he left an indelible mark on Test cricket not only for his contribution towards the series win, but for his contribution to the playing of the game: hard, but always fair. The iconic portrait of Flintoff consoling Brett Lee after victory at Edgbaston is a gesture of sportsmanship synonymous with the all-rounder, as well as an image etched into the consciousness of all cricket fans forever more. Being named ICC Cricketer of the Year was his reward for averages of 40.20 with the bat and 27.29 with the ball. His 402 runs and 24 wickets won Flintoff the Compton-Miller medal and inspire some to call it ‘Fred’s Ashes’.Memories of that series will linger forever in the mind of the man who inspired England to victory in that series, as they will in the minds of a cricketing nation whose love affair with the shorter modes of the game are somewhat supplanting their affections for the truest form of the game. So Freddie 2009 – one last hurrah? Reignite those final embers and bring that urn home.

Ashwin now has 11 Player-of-the-Series awards, the joint-highest with Muthiah Muralidaran

Sampath Bandarupalli01-Oct-202415 – Test matches for India against Bangladesh without a defeat, out of which they have now won 13. Only two teams have played more Tests against an opposition without losing a single game: 20 by Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe and 17 by New Zealand against Zimbabwe.18 – Consecutive Test series wins for India at home, a streak that began with a whitewash of Australia in 2013. England, in 2012, were the last team to defeat India at home in a Test series.India haven’t lost a Test series at home or away since their defeat to South Africa in 2021-22. They have won six of the seven bilateral Test series played in this period.312 – Balls batted by India across the two innings in Kanpur – the fourth-fewest by any team to win a men’s Test. The lowest is 276 balls by England against West Indies in Barbados in 1935, while India batted only 281 balls for their win against South Africa earlier this year in Cape Town.ESPNcricinfo Ltd7.36 – India’s run rate across the two innings in Kanpur, the highest for any team in a Test match where they scored 300-plus runs. The previous highest was 6.80 by South Africa, who made 340 in 50 overs in the only innings they batted in against Zimbabwe in 2005.1040 – Number of balls bowled in Kanpur, making it the third-shortest completed Test match to have gone into the fifth day.The 2000 Centurion Test that ended on the fifth day saw only 883 balls bowled, but both South Africa and England forfeited one innings each on that occasion.England needed only 909 balls to complete a win against South Africa at The Oval in 2022, where no play was possible on the first two days.128.12 – Yashasvi Jaiswal’s strike rate in Kanpur is the third-highest among the batters with fifty-plus scores in both innings of a men’s Test (where data is available). The highest is 137.7 by David Warner against Pakistan in the 2017 Sydney Test, while Harry Brook had a strike rate of 132.59 in the 2022 Rawalpindi Test.1 – Jaiswal is now the first Indian batter to score fifties in both innings of a Test match in fewer than 50 balls. Nine others have had fifties in less than 50 balls in the same Test, with the last being Pathum Nissanka against England at The Oval in September.ESPNcricinfo Ltd8 – Fifty-plus scores for Jaiswal in 13 Test innings at home – all have come in 2024. These are the most fifty-plus scores by any batter in a calendar year on Indian soil in Tests.His 901 runs are also the third-highest in a calendar year in India, behind GR Viswanath’s 1047 in 1979 and Virat Kohli’s 964 in 2016.11 – Player-of-the-Series awards for R Ashwin in Test cricket, the joint-highest alongside Muthiah Muralidaran.7 – Instances of a team winning a men’s Test match despite no player scoring 75-plus runs in an innings and no bowler with a four-plus wicket haul.No Indian took a four-wicket haul in Kanpur despite four three-wicket hauls across two innings, while Jaiswal’s 72 in the first innings was their highest individual score in the match.

Bangladesh look set to be the story of the tournament, and the no-fuss response to the non-striker run-out was perfect

Raunak Kapoor18-Jan-2023

Throwback to the simple times

No DRS, not even a TV umpire in the group stage, a practice that has been in place for the men’s U-19 tournaments over the years, and players have happily accepted cricket in its imperfect form here in South Africa.Umpires have a quick word with boundary riders on whether they have pulled the ball back or not, and even a batter who feels her foot was grounded on a close stumping call, accepts the umpire’s ‘out’ decision and walks off without complaint. A new batter promptly takes guard even before the previous one has crossed over the boundary cushions.All of it put together means extraordinarily impressive over rates, at times even 18 per hour.Of course, it won’t happen at the highest levels, and it shouldn’t when the stakes are higher and when the right call is more important than how long it takes to get it, but for all of cricket’s troubles with wasted time, there was a sweet feeling in a World Cup being played with such simplicity.

Bangladesh could well become the story of the World Cup

It’s perhaps unfair to use terms like Group of Death here, but if you had to apply it here, it should be for Group A: Australia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh (along with the USA). And Disha Biswas’ Bangladesh side is the story of Round 1.That they beat Australia and Sri Lanka convincingly in their opening two games is only part of it. They’re arguably the best fielding side on show. They started their campaign with a sharp chance taken at slip by Shorna Akter against Australia in the opening game of the tournament. They caught and stopped everything on a day when Australia dropped four, which seems to be the norm for a number of sides – the UAE dropped Richa Ghosh alone four times, while Ireland vs West Indies saw ten go down.They have powered their side at the top with Afia Prottasha, who took down Sri Lanka, and Shorna in the middle – she hit the biggest six of the tournament, into the stands in Benoni against Australia. The internationally capped Dilara Akter plays perfect foil at No. 3, while Marufa Akter and captain Biswas get it to swing and shape at pace at the beginning, and then land their yorkers at the death. It’s early days still, but if they keep this going, Bangladesh could well be the surprise of the tournament.

The heat after a historic hat-trick

I had the privilege of calling 18-year-old Madison Landsman’s hat-trick, the first at the tournament, on commentary, and it was pure emotion.South Africa were 43 for 6 at one stage in the game, against Scotland. They had already lost to India. They had to win here, else they would be staring at early elimination in a home tournament.They somehow scrapped to 112 and were diving and catching everything to successfully defend the lowest score of the competition so far. The hat-trick happened and the feat found its way to the unforgiving world of social media, subject to ridicule for Landsman’s slow legbreaks.Yes, she bowls slow legspin. Yes, Scotland’s lower order, in a bid to whack everything with the asking rate rising, helped her cause. But Landsman, a part-time bowler primarily in the side to score runs in the middle order like she did against India, was part of something as special as it was unexpected.That she screamed “Oh my god!” as she ran to her team-mates in celebration demonstrated her own disbelief. There will be more wonderful stories of innocence and celebration from these women in what is the first World Cup of its kind, so let’s be kind in response. Also, World Cup hat-tricks come in all shapes and forms. Just ask Steven Finn and Mohammed Shami.Legspinning allrounder Madison Landsman picked up four wickets including a hat-trick•ICC via Getty

Theertha’s Tamil

Chennai-born UAE captain Theertha Satish took to cricket after watching the 2018 Tamil film Kanaa, a story about a farmer’s daughter aspiring to play international cricket to bring a smile to her cricket-loving father’s face after his heartbreak at seeing India knocked out early at the 2007 ODI World Cup. As UAE came up against the might of Shafali Verma’s India in the second game for either side in Benoni on Monday, Theertha’s Tamil was on constant display from behind the stumps with her strike bowler Indhuja Nandakumar and legspinner Vaishnave Mahesh (both also Chennai-born), at the receiving end of India’s onslaught.The utterances included: [not bad, you’re bowling well] and [like this only, keep going] as well as [Vaishu, bring it from behind – bowl a googly] and [Indu, just change it up slightly, do something different] and [it’ll happen]. As it turns out, as many as 11 of the UAE’s 15-member squad were fluent in Tamil. India had none.Theertha’s cricketing heroes include MS Dhoni and, true to her idol, she remained calm through the day, played some high-quality attacking shots, albeit in a brief innings, and said all the right things in the post-match presentation. “It was super exciting to play India,” she said. “We want to play the strongest sides because this is the only platform we have to face such teams, it’s not on a regular basis that we play cricket at this standard, and I’m pretty sure if we play such Test-playing teams and get the right practice, we’ll get up there. Watching Shafali and Richa [Ghosh] just shows us how much experience matters.”A number of the UAE squad’s parents were in attendance. I had bumped into Theertha’s father earlier in the day and noticed he was paying close attention to his daughter’s interview at the presentation. He had the proudest smile on his face.Shafali Verma chats with Theertha Satish•ICC via Getty Images

Karabo Meso, another talkative keeper

Sticking with chatty keepers, the funniest moment for me in week one was courtesy Karabo Meso, South Africa’s 15-year-old wicketkeeper, who pretty much did most of the commentary during the seventh and eighth overs of Scotland’s innings via the stump mic. After seven overs, Scotland were 32 for 2 needing 81 from 78. Scotland batter Nayma Sheikh was finding it tough, not off the mark after facing eight deliveries. Then Meso took off. “Welcome to Minecraft – Block. Block. Block.” “Test match, Test match.” And, “Look at the board, it’s saying T20, man, no Test.”Sheikh offered a caught-and-bowled chance while on nought off ten balls, which was dropped by legspinner Seshnie Naidu, and the next ball saw an appeal for lbw turned down. “She’s tired of this, Sesh, she wants to give up, she wants to give up,” came the commentary. “Sesh, I told you she’s tired, I told you. Just give us your wicket, man, I’m ready.”Scotland were eventually bowled out for 68. Meso took the last catch, on a day where she had the last word, among many others, too.

And another thing…

Also, a shout out to everyone involved with dismissal No. 9, on the fourth ball of the last over, Pakistan vs Rwanda in Potchefstroom.To Pakistan seamer Zaib-un-Nisa for running out the non-striker backing up too far even though it seemed immaterial to the state of the game.To Rwanda’s Shakila Niyomuhoza for walking off without a fuss.And to umpire Virender Sharma for giving it out instantly.No checking with square leg, no review petition before the fielding captain on whether the appeal stands. And somehow everyone still seemed to enjoy themselves for the rest of the afternoon, as if the spirit of the game remained intact.

A host of players have produced impressive performances in the first stage of the Shield season

Andrew McGlashan07-Nov-2020Australia’s selectors will sit down next week as the first stage of the Sheffield Shield season concludes to pick the Test squad to face India.The enlarged group is expected to number around 17 – “give or take,” national selector Trevor Hohns said – so if it’s assumed that the 12 players used last season (James Pattinson for the injured Josh Hazlewood was the only change) are locked in. That potentially leaves five spots up for the grabs to provide cover for all positions and options for various conditions.It has been a fascinating Shield season so far – both in terms of the quality of the cricket and those making an impression – but who could be closest to joining the established players?Will PucovskiHe has been close before – in the 2018-19 summer against Sri Lanka – but could this be the season for his highly-anticipated Test debut? His start, delayed by Victoria’s quarantine-hit build-up, could not have gone any better with a career-best unbeaten 255 against South Australia as part of the record Sheffield Shield stand of 486. It was the first time he had opened in first-class cricket and while he will face more demanding conditions, his concentration and hunger for runs stood out (not to mention some of the strokeplay). He would also bring the advantage of providing cover for any position in the top six.Marcus HarrisThe other half of that record stand, Harris’ 239 was an early reward for the hard work he has put in during pre-season to make some small technical adjustments following his first stint as a Test opener – the latter part of which ended after a poor Ashes tour. As with Pucovski, it was an almost faultless display against the Redbacks and big hundreds tend to stand out for the selectors. However, if Pucovski and the player next on this list earn spots, then there may not be room for another batsman.Cameron GreenThe allrounder has been the centre of a lot of discussions already this season – he made a superb career-best 197 against New South Wales – and earned his maiden call-up to the limited-overs squad a couple of weeks ago. And his figures in those formats, albeit from a small number of matches, are paled by his first-class numbers with bat and ball. He returned to the bowling crease in the previous match for the first time in a year and sent down 12 overs across four spells. The feeling is, though, that such is his batting pedigree the selectors are keen to get him in regardless.Michael Neser, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Swepson and Cameron Green have all impressed•Getty ImagesMichael NeserNeser knows all about carrying the drinks for the Test side. It has been a case of so near yet so far in terms of that first Test cap for the Queensland allrounder. It remains hard to see him getting past the big four quicks unless for injury although four Tests in a month means that reserves will need to be ready. He made a tremendous start to the season with a five-wicket haul followed by a maiden first-class century against Western Australia while his run out in the closing moments of the thrilling match against New South Wales was another reminder of his all-round commitment.Sean AbbottHe has had two impressive matches for New South Wales to push himself into Test contention. His nippy seam bowling has earned ten wickets while he has a brace of half-centuries – he is better than a career batting average of 19.81 – included top-scoring in the first innings against Queensland then holding his nerve to seal victory. A similar cricketer to Neser in a lot of ways, but whether he gets in may depend on how many extra pace bowlers are needed.Mitchell SwepsonThe legspinner is the leading wicket-taker in the early stages of the Shield having played a central role in Queensland’s first two games. He helped secure victory against Tasmania – bowling 45.2 overs in the second innings – and a career-best match haul of 10 for 171 came close to snatching a win against New South Wales. He was in the squad for the SCG Test against New Zealand in January and that would probably be his chance in this series barring an injury to Nathan Lyon.Will Pucovski on his way to a century•Getty ImagesAshton Agar In terms of bowling, Agar does not match Swepson in the spin stakes – although did take a five-wicket haul against South Australia – but he provides a more multi-dimensional option as shown by his century at No. 6 in the opening game. While the allrounder talk is centred around Green, Agar would be potentially another way for Australia to balance their side if they wanted two spinners at any stage.And a few others…Shaun Marsh has been in fantastic form but, at 37, surely his time has gone. Team-mate Sam Whiteman has made two centuries to show his opening credentials while Cameron Bancroft appears to be recovering from an awful 2019-20 season. Moises Henriques has earned a limited-overs recall and made 167 in his first Shield innings of the season.In pace bowling, Scott Boland was magnificent against South Australia on a flat pitch taking 6 for 61 in the second innings and Trent Copeland reminded everyone he’s as good as ever.With Matthew Wade in the Test set-up, he may be sufficient wicketkeeping back-up for Tim Paine, but if another one is required Alex Carey, who has been at the IPL, would be favourite although Josh Inglis is averaging an eye-catching 114.50 this season.

Will Arsenal hit the ground running when they return following the international break?

Well, if they’re going to win the Premier League title, they’re going to have to.

Last time out, Mikel Arteta’s team swatted aside West Ham 2-0 at home, thanks to goals from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

That made it four victories on the spin for the Gunners across all competitions, having conceded just three times in ten outings so far.

Next up in the Premier League, Arsenal’s next four fixtures are against Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sunderland, while also facing Atlético Madrid in Slavia Prague in the Champions League, as well as Brighton in the EFL Cup between this international break and the next.

If Arteta’s team are to be considered the serious team that they appear to be, this has to be a sequence of wins, especially in the Premier League, so he will need his big players to come to the fore, notably that man Viktor Gyökeres.

Viktor Gyökeres' miserable international break

While many football fans up and down the country bemoan the international break, another person who is probably pleased to return to club duties is Gyökeres.

This window could hardly have gone any worse for Sweden, losing both World Cup qualifiers, beaten 2-0 by Switzerland in Stockholm on Friday night, before an ignominious 1-0 defeat when Kosovo, world-ranked 91, visited Göteborg on Monday.

The Blågult are therefore rock-bottom of Group B with just a solitary point to their name after four matches, in serious danger of missing out on a third successive major tournament.

Sweden are pretty much guaranteed a play-off spot, by virtue of having won promotion to Nations League B a year ago, Gyökeres the competition’s top scorer with nine goals, but the way they’re playing at the moment, Jon Dahl Tomasson’s team don’t appear likely to make much headway in March’s play-offs.

The Swedish media were ultra-critical of strike partner Alexander Isak, frustrated by his lack of sharpness, but Gyökeres did not get off lightly, with outlet Fotbollskanalen exclaiming that he was ‘a shadow of the striker’ he was before.

In the defeat to Switzerland, Arsenal’s new big-money signing registered just 33 touches, that’s four fewer than goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, before touching the ball only 35 times at the Ullevi on Monday, ranked 20th in the match.

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Across the two defeats, Gyökeres mustered four shots, only one of which found the target, and was largely ineffective, which obviously isn’t all his fault, but this won’t have helped boost his confidence, now without a goal in eight appearances for club and country.

As the centre-forward seeks to end that barren period at Craven Cottage on Saturday, should Arteta also unleash Arsenal’s “little magician” who enjoyed his international break rather more?

Arsenal's "little magician" who should start vs Fulham

While Gyökeres was not having a pleasant evening in Göteborg, just 155 miles west of North London, Leandro Trossard scored his 11th international goal for Belgium, rubber-stamping a vital 4-2 victory over Wales in Cardiff, leaving the Red Devils on the brink of World Cup qualification.

It was a classic Trossard goal, making sure he was in the right place at the right time in the penalty area before finishing crisply as if it was no effort at all.

Back at club level, already this season, the 30-year-old has scored on the road against Athletic Club and Port Vale, cementing 2-0 victories both times, as well as assisting Gabriel Martinelli’s opener at San Mamés and Martín Zubimendi’s header against Nottingham Forest.

Ever since he arrived from Brighton in January 2023, Arsenal very much thankful they ended up with the Belgian rather than Mykhailo Mudryk, he has consistently produced end product, as the table below documents.

Since Trossard’s debut in late January 2023, only Bukayo Saka has scored more goals for the club than the Belgian, with only Saka and Martin Ødegaard ahead of him in terms of assists too.

This is despite the fact that he has not always been a guaranteed starter, with 55 of his 132 appearances for the club coming off the bench, while 11 of his 30 goals have been scored as a substitute, including both this season.

Following a win at Wolves in April 2024, Arteta labelled Trossard a “little magician”, adding that he is “so composed, so cool… it’s just a joy to have him in the team”.

Meantime, Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who scored 185 goals for the club, asserted that the Belgian is Arsenal’s “best finisher and most clinical finisher of chances”, praising his movement and suggesting he deserves to start on a more regular basis.

Thus, at Fulham on Saturday, with Ødegaard sidelined, Eberechi Eze is likely to be deployed centrally in the number ten role.

This leaves the left-wing position up for grabs, and Trossard’s form probably warrants a start, even if Martinelli himself scored for Brazil against Japan in Tokyo on Tuesday; he isn’t a bad alternative.

Nevertheless, Trossard’s goal-scoring prowess will help alleviate the pressure on Gyökeres’ shoulders, aiming to bag the goals that the Gunners need if they’re to land the Premier League title.

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Aston Villa centre-forward Ollie Watkins recently ended his goal draught with an impressive brace in the 4-3 win over Brighton in the Premier League earlier this month.

The England international had gone 11 matches without a goal, per Sofascore, and only had one goal to his name in the top-flight before those two strikes against the Seagulls.

After blanking against Arsenal on Saturday, though, Watkins is now on three goals, from 4.49 xG (Sofascore), in 15 appearances in the Premier League this season, which is far from an ideal return for the Villans striker.

The former Brentford marksman’s underwhelming form on the pitch this season may force Unai Emery to consider adding to his squad to bolster his firepower in the final third.

Aston Villa eyeing deal for Ligue 1 striker

The Villans are reportedly looking at a potential striker signing who could come in and be an upgrade on Watkins for the second half of the 2025/26 campaign.

Transfer Focus

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According to TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Strasbourg centre-forward Joaquin Panichelli in the January transfer window.

The report claims that the Villans, West Ham United, and Chelsea are all keeping close tabs on the Argentine marksman, ahead of a possible swoop for his services.

It adds that it could be difficult for any of those clubs to get a deal done for the 23-year-old star in January, as Strasbourg want a ‘big profit’ on the forward they paid £14m to sign from Alaves in the summer.

However, it is not impossible and Aston Villa should push to get a deal done ahead of West Ham and Chelsea because he could improve their squad in the centre-forward position.

Why Aston Villa should sign Panichelli

The Villans could land an upgrade on Watkins, who has struggled this season, by signing the Strasbourg star, because his form in Ligue 1 has been hugely impressive.

After a return of 21 goals in 44 matches on loan at Mirandes in LaLiga 2 in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore, it was unclear whether or not the Argentine striker would be able to handle the step up to playing in one of Europe’s major leagues.

It is fair to say that he has made the step up with ease after his £14m transfer to Strasbourg, since his form so far this season has attracted interest from Villa, Chelsea, and West Ham.

U23 scout Antonio Mango described him as “one of the most in form Strikers in Europe” at the end of October, and that statement still rings true in December.

Panichelli has scored nine goals from 8.58 xG in 15 appearances in Ligue 1, compared to Watkins’ three goals from 4.49 xG in the Premier League, and only five striker in the top five leagues in Europe have outscored him.

The Strasbourg centre-forward, as shown in the table above, has been one of the most prolific number nines in Europe at league level this season, which illustrates the level of quality that Villa could bring to the club.

On top of his domestic form, Panichelli has scored one goal from 0.23 xG in two Conference League outings, per Sofascore, whilst Watkins has no goals from 1.63 xG in five Europa League appearances for the Villans.

These statistics suggest that the Argentine striker could be the ruthless finisher that Emery’s team have lacked this season, due to Watkins’ dismal form in front of goal as a finisher.

Panichelli has been one of the most prolific scorers in Europe, whilst also doing so efficiently against his xG. This suggests that his goalscoring is sustainable if chances continue to be created for him.

Therefore, given that Watkins has had chances created for him that he has failed to make the most of, the Strasbourg star could arrive at Villa Park as an upgrade in the centre-forward position if they beat Chelsea and West Ham to his signature.

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Emilio Galantini

Dec 6, 2025

It is now down to the board to ensure that they put enough money on the table to convince the Ligue 1 side to part ways with the impressive striker in the January transfer window.

Patrick Dorgu’s Manchester United career so far was summed up in one moment on Monday evening against Everton.

A rare piece of attacking quality saw Joshua Zirkzee flash a ball across the box in the first half, and with Dorgu perfectly positioned at the backpost, the chance was there for the 21-year-old to fire home his first goal for the club following his January arrival from Lecce.

Just days on from cooly converting in Denmark’s eventual 4-2 defeat to Scotland in World Cup qualification, the young wing-back could not repeat the feat, instead lashing his attempt wide in what has, unfortunately, almost become trademark fashion.

Like against Manchester City – where Dorgu had more touches in the opposition box than any other player (12) – he routinely gets himself into promising openings, although is simply unable to make the most of it, having registered just two assists in 32 games under Ruben Amorim to date.

In truth, the left-footer is drifting into Rasmus Hojlund territory as a promising, but raw Danish arrival from Serie A who has almost been made first-choice in his position too soon, with little in the way of competition.

Thankfully, Amorim might well have an in-house solution, although it will continue to irk supporters that £30m was splashed out on Dorgu, while a certain Alvaro Carreras departed for just £5m a year earlier.

How Dorgu & Carreras compare this season

One of the most head-scratching decisions of the Erik ten Hag reign remains the choice not to hand an opportunity to Carreras at senior level, with the young Spaniard never actually making a first-team appearance before his eventual departure – initially on loan – to Benfica in January 2024.

Despite notably claiming Preston North End’s Young Player of the Year award following a standout 2022/23 season in the second tier, Ten Hag repeatedly overlooked the academy asset, even amid the long-term absences of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

In 2023/24, for instance, the Dutchman tried numerous, makeshift options at left-back, ranging from Sofyan Amrabat to Victor Lindelof, making it all the more puzzling that Carreras remained out in the cold.

Still only 22 years old, the Real Madrid youth product is now flourishing back at the Bernabeu, having re-joined his former employers on a £42m deal over the summer.

Comfortable at left wing-back or left-back, Carreras has started 16 of Madrid’s 17 games in LaLiga and the Champions League this season, scoring a belting effort in the 4-0 win over Valencia.

Notably likened to new teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold for his attacking, creative quality from the flanks, the Ferrol-born starlet looks like a real upgrade on Dorgu on current evidence, with United left looking red-faced over their handling of him.

Initially signed as a 16-year-old in 2020 – the same time in which Alejandro Garnacho arrived from Atletico Madrid – Carreras will seemingly remain a case of what might have been as far as the Red Devils are concerned.

Hopefully, a similar scenario doesn’t occur under the new INEOS regime.

Man Utd's "stream train" can derail Dorgu's Man Utd stay

Question marks remain over the midfield unit and number nine berth at Old Trafford, but perhaps the biggest issue for Amorim – and INEOS – is at wing-back, not least on the left.

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The fact that the Portuguese frequently opts to deploy Diogo Dalot in that role is both damning on the club’s squad building, but also on Dorgu, with the more natural option hardly pulling up any trees down that side.

Dorgu isn’t even a year into his Old Trafford stay, but questions are beginning to be asked of his suitability and quality for Premier League football, with his woes highlighted by the fact that he ranks in the bottom 8% of top-flight full-backs for pass completion, as well as in the bottom 3% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

It simply isn’t working right now on that left flank, hence why a chance could arise for 18-year-old summer arrival, Diego Leon, with the Paraguayan still waiting for his first chance at senior level in Manchester.

Like Carreras, Leon has been plucked as a promising teenager with one eye on the future, with a deal having initially been struck with his former club Cerro Porteno in January.

Signed for a fee of around £6m, the bulldozing defender has featured in matchday squads this season, albeit without getting onto the pitch, having largely operated for the U21 side to date.

There is a danger that he could follow in Carreras’ footsteps as an almost forgotten figure in the academy set-up, yet much like in Ten Hag’s tenure, there is a left-sided issue to be solved – Amorim needs to be brave.

Leon, of course, is unproven and untested in English football, but he’s no stranger to life in the first-team, having scored four times in just 33 games back in his native Paraguay.

Already capped at senior level for his country too, the teen full-back appears to have the physical capabilities to be able to thrive in the Premier League, with analyst Ben Mattinson suggesting that he runs “like a steam train”.

That pace and power was evident during Leon’s stunning, solo goal against Tottenham Hotspur’s U21 side, picking the ball inside his own half and driving into the opposition box to convert.

Also described by Mattinson as a “physical, explosive, marauding” left-back who is “similar to a Patrick Dorgu type”, Leon will hopefully showcase the best of what Dorgu has to offer, but with far greater end product.

The over-reliance and burden on Dorgu has gone on too long, with the ex-Lecce man having seemingly regressed rather than progressed under Amorim’s watch.

Time is on his side, but with an even younger, high-potential talent like Leon waiting in the wings, he might already be on borrowed time.

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