All posts by n8rngtd.top

Aston Villa must win their remaining two Premier League matches if they are to secure qualification for the Champions League next term.

Depending on other results, it might still not be enough. But if Unai Emery is to continue signing world-class players, playing in the competition is imperative.

It will be a busy summer for the club in the transfer market, with plenty of ins and outs looking likely.

With Ollie Watkins’ future unclear, Villa will be in the hunt for a new striker.

Aston Villa’s chase for a new striker

Watkins has played second fiddle to Marcus Rashford since he arrived on loan in the winter window.

The striker claimed he was “fuming” after playing just 20 minutes against PSG I each of the quarter-final ties. Could this see him leave in the summer? Especially with Arsenal interested.

According to Caught Offside, Villa are showing strong interest in Atlético Madrid centre-forward Alexander Sorloth this summer, as they push to land the former Crystal Palace attacker.

Newcastle United also have the striker in their sights, and surely only a club that will be playing Champions League football next season stands a chance of signing him.

No transfer fee has been mentioned as of yet, as it appears Sorloth isn’t seeking a move away from Spain.

Should Villa submit a bid too good to ignore, however, things could change quickly indeed.

Alexander Sorloth could replace Ollie Watkins

“Ollie Watkins is very fantastic.” Said Emery after Watkins became the club’s highest ever Premier League goalscorer after netting against Bournemouth.

Not something he would say if Watkins was planning on being sold, but if a big offer arrives when the window opens, Emery might just strike when the iron is hot, especially with them needing to make a big sale.

A total of 87 goals across 221 games for the club will be difficult to replace, but in Sorloth, Villa had the ideal man to take over the mantle.

He has been in stunning form for Atlético this season. In 33 La Liga games, the Norwegian has netted 17 goals, with 21 his overall tally this term.

He was dubbed “legendary” after scoring the earliest hat-trick in La Liga history during a recent victory over Real Sociedad, netting three times in the first 11 minutes. Indeed, he finished the game with four goals.

When compared with his positional peers across Europe’s big five leagues, Sorloth ranks in the top 1% for non-penalty goals (0.96) and in the top 3% for total shots (4.24) per 90 over the previous 365 days.

This suggests he would make for a dream replacement for Watkins should the Englishman be keen on moving away from the Midlands this summer, which is further evidenced by his strong form in LaLiga this term.

Facing profit and sustainability (PSR) issues this summer, if they don’t make a big sale, Emery might be forced to cash in on one of his prized assets.

Given his age, Watkins might be the chosen candidate. If so, a move for Sorloth must be given the go-ahead because he has showcased his finishing quality and ability to find the back of the net consistently in one of Europe’s major leagues.

Aston Villa register formal interest in signing "dominant" contract rebel

Monchi and Aston Villa could make their move…

By
Tom Cunningham

May 15, 2025

Arsenal are ready to fork out the asking price for a star transfer target after loosely agreeing contract terms with him, according to reports, with Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta now set to put full focus into the summer window after the Gunners’ Champions League defeat.

PSG end Arsenal's Champions League dream after 2-1 victory

Luis Enrique and PSG put an end to Arsenal’s hopes of ending the season on a high and winning Europe’s most prestigious trophy.

Arsenal: Berta wants £119k-per-week PSG star after failed Atletico deal

Berta attempted to sign him for the La Liga side.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 7, 2025

Goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi gave PSG a comfortable 3-0 lead on aggregate last night, comfortably ending the semi-final tie before Arsenal star Bukayo Saka grabbed a consolation, even if the Englishman gave Arteta’s side brief hope of an unlikely comeback.

The north Londoners’ dismantling of Real Madrid in the last round gave many supporters real optimism Arsenal could win their first ever Champions League title, but they are now set to end 2024/2025 trophyless after Liverpool also cruised to the Premier League title.

Some questions are even being asked of Arteta, with Arsenal boasting just one trophy since the Spaniard took charge, despite registering a net spend of around £500 million on transfers in that period.

In any case, Pep Guardiola’s former understudy has also guided them from the fringes of a top six place to genuine title contenders, and they were desperately unlucky not to win the Premier League last season after accumulating nearly 90 points.

It is now back to the drawing board for Arteta, who has a fresh weapon at his disposal in the form of new sporting director Berta, who is set to back the Arsenal boss this summer in an anticipated summer rebuild.

Arsenal are expected to finally sign a proven goalscorer when the window reopens, and they’ve been repeatedly linked with a move for Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

A report from Football Transfers earlier this week claimed that Arsenal are “edging closer to finalising a deal” for Gyokeres, with both the Swede and Arteta’s side “aligned” on the contract package he would receive.

With personal terms said to be loosely agreed, the main obstacle between Arsenal and the 26-year-old’s signature is Sporting.

Arsenal "ready to pay Sporting's asking price" for Viktor Gyokeres

While further meetings and talks are required to shake hands on a club-to-club deal, Football Transfers have now shared another update on Arsenal’s ambitions for the ex-Coventry City star.

The outlet reports that Arsenal are “ready to pay Sporting’s asking price” for Gyokeres, but they don’t state exactly what the Primeira Liga side would demand.

Other media sources, like Fabrizio Romano, claim the package could be somewhere in and around £60 million, while Portuguese newspaper A Bola reports that the demand for Gyokeres’ signature may skyrocket his price to near the £85 million release clause in his contract.

While discrepancies surround the requirements to sign Gyokeres this summer, Arsenal appear very serious about striking a deal for the striker who’s scored a truly exceptional 52 goals in 49 appearances this season.

Described as a “phenomenon” by Sporting boss Rui Borges, it appears inevitable the forward will depart Portugal very soon.

A number of top clubs are said to be taking “concrete steps” to complete the signing of a Manchester United attacker in the summer transfer window.

Man Utd's attack unconvincing all season

While the Red Devils can still win the Europa League this season, which would save their campaign and see them qualify for the Champions League, it has still been a bitterly disappointing past nine months or so.

United have struggled to convince all over the pitch, and in attack, far too many players have flattered to deceive, either lacking consistency or simply not offering anywhere near enough quality.

Bruno Fernandes has been a star performer, in fairness, but the fact that the Portuguese is his side’s top scorer in the Premier League with just eight goals highlights the issues they have had in the final third. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have netted just four and three times in the competition this season, which is particularly poor.

For that reason, it is vital that significant attacking reinforcements arrive at Old Trafford when this season comes to an end, with additions needed both centrally and out wide. Now, an exit rumour has emerged regarding one under-fire player.

Juventus pushing to sign Hojlund from Man Utd

According to Calciomercato journalist Daniele Longo [via Sport Witness], Juventus are taking “concrete steps” to sign Manchester United striker Hojlund in a quick exit this summer. The report states that contact has already been made with the £85,000-a-week Dane over an immediate switch to the European giants, having previously reportedly had an agreement in place with Zirkzee.

At just 22, Hojlund is still such a young player, so selling him now would bring with it some risk for United, but there is an increasing feeling that he isn’t at the level required, following a tough campaign. This is despite former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner lauding him as “top class” and scout Jacek Kulig calling him a “Danish beast”.

United simply must put a lot of their focus on signing an elite striker in the summer window, from Victor Osimhen to Viktor Gyokeres, and in truth, it makes sense to move on either Hojlund or Zirkzee. While the latter has hardly set the world alight this season, he has arguably offered more than the former, and the fact that the Red Devils could still receive good money for Hojlund means now could be the logical time to move him on.

Worse than Bayindir: 2/10 flop must now never start for Man Utd again

Manchester United suffered their 16th league defeat of the season, losing 4-3 to Brentford.

2

By
Matt Dawson

May 4, 2025

His passion and commitment cannot be called into question, and the idea of him staying this summer is far from a disaster, but there is plenty of sense in bringing an end to his time at the club.

Tottenham Hotspur lost for the 19th time in the Premier League this season when they were hammered 5-1 by champions Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Spurs took a shock lead on Merseyside when Dominic Solanke found the back of the net with a brilliant header from James Maddison’s corner, but it was not a sign of things to come for Ange Postecoglou’s side in the game.

Defensive frailties were on display yet again for the Whites on a dismal afternoon at Anfield, as Liverpool had 25 shots on goal and seven efforts on target.

The Daily Mail recently reported that Postecoglou is ‘likely’ to move on from the club at the end of the season, and results like this will not do his chances of keeping his job any favours.

Tottenham’s manager cannot be spared any blame for the team’s poor form this term, because they have lost 19 matches in the division, but he has not been helped by the performances of some of the players on the pitch.

Spurs have an incredibly youthful squad, with the hope that they will develop and improve over time, and that was on display at Anfield, as Archie Gray struggled.

Why Archie Gray has struggled this season

Tottenham reportedly splashed out a fee of £30m to sign the 19-year-old midfielder from Leeds United last summer, and it has been a difficult year for the teenager.

Gray made his 24th appearance and 15th start of the Premier League season against Liverpool on Sunday, and he is still trying to establish where his best position on the pitch is.

It was his fourth start as a defensive midfielder, to go along with five starts at left-back, eight starts at right-back, and 19 starts at centre-back due to the injury issues Spurs have had in that area of the park.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Gray, who played as a right-back typically for Leeds last season, has not had a settled position that he could make his own and deliver consistent performances in, which may be why his campaign has been fairly unimpressive on paper.

As you can see in the table above, the England U21 international has failed to deliver much in the way of quality on or off the ball, with zero goal contributions and a below-average success rate in duels.

His first-half display against Liverpool before being withdrawn at the break was more of the same. Gray did not create any chances or register a shot on goal, and he only won one duel, whilst completing 80% of his attempted passes.

As you can see in the clip above, Ryan Gravenberch found it far too easy to hold off the midfielder to allow Alexis Mac Allister to fire in from range to put Liverpool 2-1 up.

It was a disappointing display from Gray, who is still learning and adjusting to Premier League football at the age of 19, but his fellow 19-year-old Lucas Bergval was even worse than him.

Why Lucas Bergval was even worse than Archie Gray

The teenage talent was selected alongside the Englishman for the trip to Anfield, leaving Spurs with a very young midfield despite having Yves Bissouma available and on the bench.

It was a difficult match for both Gray and Bergval, and that is reflected in their statistics, as the Swedish flop was even worse than the former Leeds man, notably taking fewer touches (43) than even goalkeeper Vicario (49).

As you can see in the table above, the Sweden international was far more wasteful with the ball at his feet, completing a lower percentage of his passes, failing with his only attempted dribble, and losing the ball almost three times as much.

Bergval did win more duels than Gray but had a worse success rate and was dribbled past once, in what was a disappointing overall display from the youngster.

Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville went as far as to say that his efforts to clear the ball from a corner for Cody Gakpo’s goal were “appalling”, as his weak headed clearance fell straight to the Dutch forward inside the box.

Going to Anfield to face the champions is never an easy task, and it was a big ask from Postecoglou to put Gray and Bergval in midfield together without an experienced midfielder alongside them, as they only had James Maddison, who is an attacking player by nature, around them.

That resulted in a poor evening for both players and Spurs, who now have to prepare for a first-leg clash with Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals of the Europa League on Thursday.

Tottenham cannot afford for their midfield to be as below-par as it was against Liverpool, as this is their last chance to win a trophy this season, and that is why Postecoglou must ruthlessly ditch Bergval from the starting XI for the clash with the Norwegian outfit.

Bissouma was an unused substitute against Liverpool on Sunday and may, now, be in contention to come back into the side after Gray and Bergval’s disappointing performances in the middle of the park.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion man has averaged 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game and won 61% of his duels in the Europa League so far this term, which suggests that he could provide some steel at the heart of the midfield on Thursday night.

Worth more than VDV: Spurs have struck gold on their "Swiss army knife"

The incredible talent will be a superstar for Spurs.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Apr 25, 2025

It is now down to Postecoglou to drop Bergval from the starting line-up in order to make room for Bissouma to come back into the team against Bodo/Glimt.

It feels like the walls are starting to close in on Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Australian might be two favourable games away from a Europa League Final, but there can be no denying that domestically, at least, this season has been nothing short of a horror show.

In the Premier League, for example, his side have lost 18 games, which may have been relegation form in seasons past.

So it’s not been surprising to see reports linking the club to potential replacements again in recent weeks, including one candidate who could be something of a Mauricio Pochettino repeat.

Tottenham's manager search

Before getting to the man in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other names that have recently been touted for moves to N17, such as former player Scott Parker.

The former midfielder has just led Burnley to a record-breaking promotion to the Premier League, his third overall, but it would be fair to say that this feels like an appointment that would upset more fans than it would please, considering how he’s got on in, the top-flight previously.

However, a name that might inspire more hope in the Lilywhites faithful is Marco Silva.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

The Portuguese manager has been in the Fulham hot seat since July 2021 and, to his credit, has done a marvellous job, turning what has been a yo-yo club in the past into a comfortable mid-table side.

Yet, when it comes to managers overachieving with their club this season, it’s impossible to overlook Andoni Iraola, and it seems like Spurs aren’t.

According to a recent report from the Mail Online, there is a feeling at the club that Postecoglou will be axed regardless of what happens in Europe and that the Spaniard would be among the leading candidates to replace him when a decision is made.

It would be a bold, exciting, and potentially risky appointment, but the club should follow through with it, especially as it would feel similar to Pochettino’s hiring.

Why Iraola could be Poch 2.0

So, while it might sound like a reach, there are some clear reasons why hiring Iraola could be something of a Pochettino repeat.

For example, like the Argentine with Southampton, he would be moving from a club he’s transformed from relegation fodder into a genuine top-half contender in Bournemouth.

Moreover, unlike Parker, for example, the Spaniard, who analyst Ben Mattinson claims is “one of the best in the league,” has an evident dedication to playing entertaining, exciting football – his side has scored just nine goals fewer than second-place Arsenal – like Poch, but not to the point of self-sabotage, as Postecoglou has been prone to in the past.

On top of that, he’d be coming in to help build something in North London with a squad that has some more senior stars in it but plenty of young and tremendously exciting prospects as well, like Mikey Moore, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray.

Last but not least, before the current USMNT boss was handed the reins in N17, he led former side Espanyol to two surprising mid-table finishes in La Liga, which saw him get the job on the south coast.

Likewise, before making his way to Dorset, the Cherries boss built quite a reputation for himself in Spain, helping guide perennial underdogs Rayo Vallecano to an unexpected promotion in 2021.

Ultimately, Iraola has the CV, the playing style and the potential to be a sensational appointment for Spurs, and the fact that his hiring could so closely mirror Pochettino’s is just the icing on top.

Their new Lucas Moura: Ange has struck gold on "generational" Spurs talent

The promising youngster could be great for Spurs.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Apr 23, 2025

Well, we aren’t sure even the most die-hard Arsenal fans saw last night’s result coming.

The Gunners played host to European juggernauts Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, and to say it was the best performance of the Mikel Arteta reign wouldn’t be hyperbole.

They just about edged the first half and then utterly dominated the Spanish giants in the second to come away with a sensational 3-0 victory.

It was a stellar display to a man, although a couple of starters just about stood out, including Declan Rice and someone who proved he wouldn’t look out of place starring for Los Blancos.

Rice's magical game vs Real Madrid in numbers

Arsenal fans like to sing that they got Rice for half price when they paid a club-record £105m fee for him in 2023, and while some may see it as a joke, last night suggested it is not.

The former West Ham United captain was incredible from the first whistle to when he came off, covering every blade of grass and still providing a consistent threat through well-timed runs.

He opened the scoring with a Roberto Carlos-esque free-kick – with him in the stands, mind – and then somehow scored an even better one 12 minutes later, placing it so perfectly in the far corner that Thibaut Courtois had no chance of saving it.

On top of winning the game for the North Londoners, the Englishman is now the first player to score two direct free-kicks in a UCL knockout game.

Unsurprisingly, such a sensational display impressed the press, with the Express’ Charlie Parker-Turner awarding him a 9/10 at full-time, which was more than backed up by his stats.

For example, in his 80 minutes of action, he scored two goals, produced a combined expected goal plus assists figure of 0.55, took 43 touches, took four shots on target, completed 100% of his dribbles, lost the ball just four times, made one clearance and one interception.

In all, it was the sort of showing that proves Rice more than belongs at the very top of the game, just like his teammate who also shone last night.

Arsenal's other stand-out player

As mentioned above, there were sublime displays across the pitch for Arsenal last night, but when it came down to it, the other starter who impacted the game as much as Rice was Bukayo Saka.

It was the Hale Ender’s first start since his hamstring injury in late December, and while he didn’t score, he was undoubtedly the best attacker on the pitch.

What made him so devastatingly effective in the first half was his ability to cut in and use his left foot or run to the byline and use his right – David Alaba just didn’t know what he was going to do.

Then, in the second half, he was the one who won the two free-kicks for Rice, as the Real players couldn’t do anything but foul him.

He ended up winning 100% of his duels on the night and did so well that former professional turned pundit Daniel Sturridge claimed that he “proved” he’d be good enough to star for Real Madrid.

He left quite an impression on others in the media as well, with Parker-Turner awarding him a 9/10, while content creator Joe Thomlinson simply described his showing as “utterly ridiculous.”

Ultimately, it might only be half-time in the tie, but Arsenal deserve all the plaudits they’re getting at the moment, and it was just another night in which Rice and Saka reminded the world that they are some of the very best in the business.

Their new Mesut Ozil: Arsenal preparing bid for "generational" £30m star

The incredible prospect could be something truly special at Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Apr 8, 2025

After starting poorly at the top of the order, the batter moved lower down and began to have spectacular results

Danyal Rasool11-Sep-20253:12

Jaffer: Pakistan clearly taking a new T20 route

There’s something slightly ersatz about players feted solely for their ability to score big at the top of a T20 batting order. The ball is at its hardest. There are open spaces on the boundary. There’s often no situation-induced pressure, and ample license from the management to go for it. It’s early enough that a first-over dismissal will be too far removed from memory of most viewers to be scapegoated as a match-influencing error.Boasting about big runs at furious strike rates at that stage is a bit like bragging about not being frightened of walking alone at night when you live in a city like Reykjavik. Every possible condition to produce a desirable outcome has been catered for; it’s no surprise there is a surfeit of players eager to move up the order to give themselves the best chance of success.For a while over the past few months, Hasan Nawaz appeared to be exactly that sort of player. In a team beginning to shake off the Babar Azam-Mohammad Rizwan approach to batting for something more volatile, Pakistan gambled on Nawaz, plumping for him in five T20Is in New Zealand earlier this year on what, in retrospect, looks surprisingly scant evidence of his record in domestic cricket. Nawaz later said he had “never played in conditions like [these].”Related

• First-timers Oman face in-form Pakistan

• 'No agenda, just honesty' – Hesson defends assesment of senior players

Aqib Javed was still interim coach of the Pakistan side in March, having been in the role nearly as long as his full-time predecessor Gary Kirsten, and actually overseen more games. Some might argue that punting on Nawaz was a stroke of inspiration. But, in truth, Javed has a penchant for tinkering based on little more than hunches. Weeks earlier, he had promoted Babar to open the batting in the Champions Trophy, a role he had performed only on two occasions a decade ago, and one which bore no fruit.Nawaz’s elevation into the side and up to the top also backfired disastrously; four of his five innings in New Zealand combined to produce a total of one run. In fact, five of his first ten T20I innings were ducks, the most for a player of a Full Member nation. The belief that Nawaz would succeed in New Zealand was rooted solely in the T20 Champions Cup in 2024-25, where he finished as the second highest run-scorer with a strike rate over 142. But as far as more substantial evidence went, there was none: Nawaz’s previous cricket of any pedigree had come a full 13 months before that.Fortunately for him and Pakistan, in the middle of those four low scores in New Zealand, Nawaz produced an astonishing counter-attacking knock – an unbeaten 105 off 45 balls that helped Pakistan win their only game of the tour, chasing down 205 at Eden Park with four overs to spare.Like good films that seed the final reveal early, there were signs of the kind of player Nawaz could become. They lay not in the powerplay, where he appeared as scratchy as he did in the other four innings that series and was fortunate not to nick off more than once early on. Post-powerplay, though, as the field spread out, Nawaz went on a tear, pummelling 77 runs off 28 balls, punishing both pace and spin to rip the game out of New Zealand’s hands.Hasan Nawaz has scored the fastest century for Pakistan in men’s T20Is•AFP/Getty ImagesBoth his PSL franchise Quetta Gladiators and latterly Pakistan took time to work out how to use him, but now having cracked that code, his results down the order have been spectacular. During Gladiators’ run to the final of PSL 2025, Nawaz’s strike rate after the powerplay was behind only Kusal Perera and Sikandar Raza’s for any Gladiators batter to have faced a minimum of 80 balls. But more remarkable was Nawaz’s reliability despite his high-risk game in the tournament. He faced more non-powerplay deliveries than any other batter in the league, and averaged a staggering 121.66 while striking at 166.66.Nawaz’s powerplay numbers are well below average: he strikes at just over a run a ball in the first six overs, ranking 190th of 232 batters who have faced at least 60 balls in the powerplay this year. Despite that handicap, only Abhishek Sharma, Dewald Brevis and Tim Seifert have superior T20I strike rates this year among players with 300 T20I runs. Nawaz’s ranking among those elite batters is due to his big hitting when others typically slow down, striking at over 174 outside the powerplay. It is a number exceeded only by Brevis and Tim David among players from Full Member nations.That potential to go big lower down is invaluable for Pakistan. They may have stocked their lower-middle order with batting potential to have more depth, but true explosiveness is hard to find outside the top order, especially during the horror run Mohammad Haris is enduring in the middle overs. Against less decorated bowling attacks, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Nawaz have made valuable contributions, but Hasan Nawaz’s six-hitting ability when the squeeze is on remains unmatched.It may be evident with the eye test, but raw numbers make for equally startling reading. Nearly 60% (34 of Nawaz’s 57 T20I boundaries) are sixes, the highest among players from Full Member teams with at least 50 boundaries in T20Is. While that makes sense on some level – after all, a high strike rate when more fielders are on the boundary means you’ll have to clear them rather than thread gaps – his ability to sustain that number across a widening sample size makes Nawaz’s player profile an almost uniquely exciting one.Hasan Nawaz’s six-hitting ability when the squeeze is invaluable to Pakistan•Emirates Cricket BoardFor context, Nawaz has already hit more sixes than Ahmed Shehzad or Kamran Akmal managed in their entire Pakistan careers, just two behind Saim Ayub, three short of Asif Ali, and four behind Shadab Khan. And though Nawaz favours pace on, those sixes have been split equally between spinners and seam bowlers at 17 apiece.There are, invariably, caveats to each spring of optimism. Nawaz is a 23-year old precocious talent in the hands of a nation with a supremely efficient history of turning such players into a 27-year-old domestic cricketing journeyman. That hundred at Eden Park came at one of the smaller grounds in world cricket. PSL form hasn’t always been a reliable indicator of prolonged success at international level. Pakistan haven’t necessarily played against the highest class of opposition – certainly nowhere close to what they will encounter against India in the Asia Cup on Sunday. And in the three games against Afghanistan, who boast among the world’s best spin attacks – Nawaz’s one clear weakness – he was subdued: 33 runs in three innings at a run a ball, with Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan dismissing him once each.Pakistan cricket will always give you reasons to curb your enthusiasm. But in a cricket board and a nation that has, of late, come to question the authenticity of everything that happens around them, there is nothing ersatz about Hasan Nawaz.And that, on its own, is perhaps getting worth excited about.

Australia won with 21 balls to spare as New Zealand’s early batting troubles meant their total was far too less

Andrew McGlashan01-Oct-2025A bludgeoning display from captain Mitchell Marsh powered Australia to a comprehensive victory in the opening match of the Chappell-Hadlee T20I series in Mount Maunganui after Tim Robinson had compiled a superb century to haul New Zealand out of early trouble.New Zealand slid to 6 for 3 in the second over with Ben Dwarshuis putting himself on a hat-trick. But Robinson overcame the sticky start against the new ball to compile score his maiden T20I century from 65 balls in a match where he likely wouldn’t have played had Rachin Ravindra not suffered a series-ending facial injury in training yesterday.Despite Robinson’s best efforts – and Australia offering him five lives – the home side struggled to accelerate during the second half of their innings. An opening stand of 67 in 5.3 overs between Marsh and Travis Head broke the back of the chase inside the powerplay.Even with Australia missing Cameron Green, Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell, the outcome of the chase never felt in doubt after that start, although Marsh couldn’t quite see it home himself, falling 15 runs short of a century. It was only the second time a chasing side had won a T20I at the venue.Robinson’s brilliant rebuild, with a little helping handIt was a dire start for New Zealand after Marsh continued his preferred route of bowling first, despite ground data suggesting a bat-first venue. Marsh has never batted first when winning the toss in a T20I. Josh Hazlewood struck in the first over when Tim Seifert picked out mid-off then Devon Conway’s drive was beaten by Dwarshuis’ swing. Mark Chapman next tickled one down the leg side which Australia successfully reviewed.Initially it was Daryl Mitchell who counter-punched with a combination of the edge and middle of the bat. Robinson, in contrast, laboured to 10 off 14 balls before striking a flat six off Marcus Stoinis in the final over of the powerplay. A terrific strike over the off side against Xavier Bartlett followed and he skipped to a 31-ball fifty. The fourth-wicket stand with Mitchell was worth 92 in 55 deliveries.The first of Robinson’s reprieves came on 55 when Matt Short couldn’t hold a return catch above his head and he was spilled twice by Head (at short third and backward point) on 62 and 74. Between those moments, Alex Carey missed a stumping chance when Robinson was beaten by Adam Zampa. A fifth life followed on 76 when Tim David spilled a catch at long-on in what became a ragged display from Australia.With two balls of the innings remaining, Robinson had strike on 96 when he flicked Dwarshuis to fine leg then signed off with a six over the leg side.Tim Robinson celebrates his maiden T20I century•Getty Images

Zampa defies conditions as Australia squeezeDespite their early trouble, New Zealand had reached 93 for 3 at the 10-over mark. By then, Zampa had sent down two overs for 18, which was already a fightback after his first delivery, a long hop, had been launched for six by Robinson.The cold, windy conditions were fiendishly difficult for a legspinner, with the added challenge for Zampa that he has Raynaud’s syndrome which means he loses feeling in his fingers during colder weather (and even on some warmer days).But Zampa conceded just nine off his last two overs – the 13th and 15th of the innings – which was a key part in New Zealand struggling to find lift off. He twice should have dismissed Robinson wicket on those two overs. After the first-ball six, he conceded 21 off 23 deliveries.Overall, Bevon Jacobs’ struggle was particularly notable as he made 20 off 21 balls before being brilliantly run out by teamwork. Stoinis, running around the backward-square rope, flicked the ball between his legs to Head who then provided a bullet return to Carey. The partnership for the fifth-wicket was 64 off 47 balls, but with Robinson also losing some impetus it meant Australia never really lost control.Marsh muscles itNew Zealand’s bowlers – much like West Indies and South Africa of recent months – felt the force of Australia’s top order. Four of the powerplay overs went for double figures and when Head picked out midwicket against Henry it was barely a blip. After the powerplay, Australia had struck 12 fours compared to New Zealand’s 11 overall.There had been a few questions being asked of Marsh’s returns with the bat while most of his team-mates flayed away in the recent series, but he made a half-century in the final match against South Africa which he carried into the ODIs that followed. Now across the Tasman he put on a brutal display of his power.He had four fours and a huge straight six by the end of the third over, with his driving down the ground and over the off side particularly eye-catching. He brought up a 23-ball fifty with a second consecutive six off Zak Foulkes, then in the 11th over was able to send Matt Henry over the off side for six from the back foot.There was a chance of maiden T20I hundred, but he picked out cover. Short made an encouraging return with 29 off 18 balls until missing a full toss from Kyle Jamieson before David swiftly ended the game.

In terms of legacy, Root has surpassed his two recent England counterparts, and he still seems to have plenty left in the tank

Greg Chappell29-Jul-20254:14

Manjrekar: ‘Serious chance’ for Root to break Tendulkar’s record

Joe Root is arguably England’s best batter of the modern era. Since making his debut in 2012, he has compiled 13,409 runs at an average of 51.17, including 38 centuries – a record that places him ahead of both Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen in several key areas. His highest score, a commanding 262 against Pakistan in 2024, showcased his ability to not only build innings but dominate the opposition across conditions.Root’s longevity – he has now been 13 years at the highest level – sets him apart from many of his contemporaries. Having eclipsed Pietersen, and Cook’s monumental tally of 12,472 runs, a mark once considered untouchable for English batters, he now has his sights on the incredible record of Sachin Tendulkar. Perhaps most impressive is not just the quantity of Root’s runs but the consistent quality of them across eras, formats and conditions.What separates Root from many gifted players is his willingness to evolve. The Covid-enforced break in 2020 was not a pause but a pivot point. While the cricketing world was on hold, Root immersed himself in data, scrutinising his modes of dismissal and identifying patterns in his own vulnerability.This period of introspection and analysis catalysed a technical and mental reboot. He refined his game to address weaknesses – particularly against spin and short-pitched bowling – and returned with a stunning run of form that saw him average over 60 in two years, including landmark hundreds in Sri Lanka, India, and at home.Root’s ability to dissect his own technique, to probe the whys behind failures, reveals a mind as dedicated as it is curious. This is what separates the elite from the excellent. Like Tendulkar before him, Root embodies the mindset that greatness is not inherited but earned – over and over again.Final countdown: 13,409 down, 2512 more to go to GOAT status•AFP/Getty ImagesAt 33 he continues to bat with the hunger and intensity of a debutant. There is a lightness to his presence at the crease, a joy that belies the immense pressure of expectations. His commitment to improvement and passion for batting have become the lifeblood of his sustained success.And yet, a looming challenge remains. Root has never scored a Test century in Australia – a curious gap in an otherwise glowing résumé. It is a fact that fans and critics alike have noted. While that shortcoming can partly be attributed to the quality of Australia’s recent attacks – Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon – it remains a mountain left to climb. The Ashes series at the end of this year may offer Root a final opportunity to correct that omission and complete his batting CV.Among English batters of the last 30 years, the debate over the best often centres on Cook, Pietersen and Root. Each has left an indelible mark on the game, but their journeys and impacts have been distinct.Cook, the grinder and accumulator, played 161 Tests, scoring those 12,472 runs in the most demanding of positions as an opener, at 45.35, with 33 centuries. His hallmark was his durability and unwavering concentration. His legacy was built on the volume of runs and sheer time spent at the crease – an unmatched feat of mental fortitude.Pietersen, by contrast, was a maverick – flamboyant, fearless, and fiercely individualistic. In 104 Tests, he scored 8181 runs at 47.28 with 23 centuries. His batting was all about impact, match-turning brilliance, and dominant shot-making, especially at home where he averaged 52.78.Root sits between these two in style but ahead in legacy. His away average of 46.66 is marginally higher than those of both Cook and Pietersen, demonstrating his adaptability in hostile conditions. While his conversion rate is lower, his consistency – 104 scores of 50-plus in 157 Tests – and leadership during a period of flux place him firmly at the top of the modern English batting pantheon.The closest Root got to a hundred in Australia was his 89 at the Gabba in 2021•AFPRoot’s tenure as England captain (2017-2022) was a mixed bag in terms of results, and he averaged six runs fewer with the bat during his captaincy than before. But while Cook led England to the top of the world rankings, and Pietersen often dominated under pressure, Root has been the glue holding the team together through transitions.What makes Root’s ongoing excellence even more extraordinary is the relentless mental pressure. Being a top-order Test batter in a high-visibility role is mentally and emotionally draining. The phenomenon I call Elite Performance Decline Syndrome (EPDS) – a gradual erosion of the mental sharpness required to succeed at the top – looms large over players entering their mid-30s. Signs of EPDS often include slower starts, indecisiveness, and dwindling confidence. Root, however, shows few signs of decline. His footwork remains assured, his decision-making sharp, and his appetite for runs undiminished. The challenge will be sustaining all of this into a potential record-breaking chase over the next three years, culminating – perhaps heroically – on the 2028 India tour.To surpass Tendulkar’s Everest-like 15,921 Test runs, Root still needs 2512 more – a career’s work in years gone by. It is a daunting ask, particularly in an era where Test matches are fewer and physically gruelling. If Root were to reach that milestone on the 2028 tour of India, it would mark 16 years at the top level, a feat almost unparalleled in modern sport, let alone in one as mentally taxing as Test batting.Such a scenario would thrust him into the glare of history, of expectation, and of unrelenting scrutiny. How he navigates those final few thousand runs – whether with grit like Cook, flair like Pietersen, or reinvention like in his own career previously – will define the closing chapter of a storied career.Root approaches challenges with humility, resolve, and an ever-present smile. As Ian Chappell put it on this website last year, he is “a batting phenomenon, but he has two big exams coming up” – implying that performance in Australia, and eventually, surpassing Tendulkar’s record, will complete the picture.Root is not just one of England’s finest batters, he is one of the game’s most thoughtful and universally admired players. His career, still unfolding, offers lessons in resilience, humility, and the enduring power of curiosity. He is both craftsman and scientist, artist and technician. As Eoin Morgan observed, he’s England’s “most complete batsman”. Whether or not he ultimately surpasses Tendulkar, he has already carved out a legacy worthy of reverence. Add to this his brilliant catching and better than part-time spin bowling, along with his mentoring of the next generation of English batters, and he is a priceless asset to the team.Batter, spin-bowler, mentor, rock: Root has been whatever England needs him to be•Getty ImagesIn an era of fleeting fame and white-ball dominance, Root’s dedication to Test cricket is refreshing. He is, quite simply, the Peter Pan of batting – a boy who never tires of the game he loves, and a man who might just defy time itself.

****

At Old Trafford, India conjured a thrilling escape to draw the fourth Test, frustrating an English side that had sniffed victory but ran out of puff and poise. A century eluded KL Rahul but Shubman Gill brought up his fourth for the series. Their dogged resistance, alongside the calm defiance of Washington Sundar and the ever-reliable Ravindra Jadeja, ensured India walked away with honours even – and perhaps even the upper hand. England’s bowlers looked weary by the final session, but it was their loss of composure, not stamina, that will be most remembered.What should have been a celebration of Test cricket’s enduring drama ended in an ugly scene: England’s fielders aiming barbs and bouncers at India’s centurions-in-waiting. For a team that has traded on the breezy moralism of the Bazball era, the petulance was jarring. England, often quick to claim moral victories, inadvertently surrendered the high ground here. India, conversely, left Manchester buoyed not only by resilience but also by the visible cracks in the English facade.More significantly, India may have unearthed a genuine all-round gem. Washington, with a technique built on simplicity and courage, played with the assuredness of a top-order batter. He has the temperament, shot range, and maturity to be a long-term fixture.Looking ahead to The Oval, India must act boldly. It’s time the selectors back their batting depth and field a balanced attack capable of taking 20 wickets. The message is clear: go deep, deeper, and deepest – bring in Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav.

Even three-time MVPs make mistakes sometimes.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani commited a so-called cardinal sin of baseball during the club's 5-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning and reigning World Series MVP Freddie Freeman at the plate, Ohtani found himself on second base after swiping the bag moments before. As Blue Jays lefthander Brendon Little delivered a strike to Freeman, Ohtani took off for third in another stolen base attempt but was caught stealing for the last out of the inning.

One of baseball's oldest adages is, never make the last out of an inning at third base. Effectively, the logic is, don't kill a potential two-out rally. While one can quibble about the veracity of this statement, it seems that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts at least partially subscribes to the thinking..

"That was his decision," Roberts, addressing the sixth-inning play, told reporters after the game. "Not a good baseball play."

Aside from the baserunning blunder, it's difficult to pin the blame for Sunday's loss on Ohtani, who belted his 41st home run of the season, tied for the National League lead, while collecting another hit and a pair of walks.

Roberts's frustration with Ohtani's aggressiveness gone wrong on the basepaths was likely a microcosm of how he felt about the game as a whole. Los Angeles had chances to add to its thin 3-2 lead throughout the game, stranding 16 baserunners and going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. The Dodgers' struggling bullpen then surrendered the lead in the top of the eighth inning when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Addison Barger both homered off of Blake Treinen.

"This is frustrating because I just felt there’s no way we should lose this game today," Roberts said. "We had them on the ropes numerous times. And for us not to win is so frustrating."

The Dodgers, clinging to a two-game lead in the NL West, will next take on the Los Angeles Angels before a pivotal divisional face-off against the surging San Diego Padres.