Visitors bounce back from 58 for 6 on back of 82-run seventh-wicket stand with Adam Hose

ECB Reporters Network06-Jun-2024Notts Outlaws suffered their third defeat in three North Group matches as Worcestershire Rapids repeated their 2023 Vitality Blast victory at Trent Bridge to make it two wins from three.The Rapids recovered from 58 for 6 to finish on 154 for 8 after New Zealand seamer Nathan Smith hit a career-best 51 not out from 35 balls, sharing an 82-run seventh-wicket stand with stand-in skipper Adam Hose, who hit 36 from 37 after being dropped on nought.Kiwi left-armer Ben Lister (2 for 20) and leg spinner Calvin Harrison (1 for 14) were the pick of the Outlaws bowlers.With their biggest batting hopes back in the hut inside the powerplay, Notts were never really in contention in the face of some disciplined bowling and sharp fielding from the Rapids, Will Young top scoring with a modest 25. Seamer Tom Taylor took 2 for 23.After Joe Clarke remained still to win a toss as the Outlaws captain in this format, Hose opted to bat but after a flying start to a powerplay made up of six overs of pace, the visitors stuttered to 42 for 3 in the absence of the injured Brett D’Oliveira.The first two overs yielded 25 but then Olly Stone removed both openers in the space of four balls, Matthew Waite top-edging to short fine leg, Ed Pollock losing his middle stump to a peach. Dillon Pennington missed out when Hose was dropped behind the stumps but had Josh Cobb caught on the leg-side rope.Three wickets lost in as many overs then plunged the Rapids into serious trouble. Ethan Brookes risked a second run on a misfield and paid the price, Rob Jones, on his Rapids Blast debut, hoicked Lister to fine leg for 1 and Harrison bowled Taylor to leave Rapids six down in the ninth.Yet Hose and Smith batted smartly, the latter passing his previous best of 38 when he hammered Lister over long-on for his second six, and were not parted until Lister bowled the former with a slower ball in the 18th. Lyndon James picked up the wicket of Hayden Walsh in the last over but the Rapids had something to defend.And that defence started superbly as danger men Clarke and Hales were out in single figures, the former chipping tamely back to the bowler before Hales found Brookes on the square-leg boundary, When Haynes, one of three former Pears in the Outlaws side, was leg before to Adam Finch, Notts were 29 for 3 from 5.3 overs.By the halfway point, seven wickets remained intact with 94 still needed but Matt Montgomery and Young, who had added 44 in six overs, were out to consecutive balls, the former hitting straight to extra cover off Taylor, who then fortuitously diverted a James drive to run out Young at the non-striker’s end.When James holed out to deep midwicket in the 15th, the required rate was up to 13 runs per over. Harrison was a little unlucky to be run out, stumbling as he tried to recover his ground as Tom Moores send him back, after which Moores and Stone flung the bat gamely but were always destined to fall well short.

Leeds United have now approached a La Liga club over a deal to sign a 24-year-old defender alongside their now confirmed move for Jaka Bijol, according to a new report.

Leeds announce Jaka Bijol as second summer signing

The Whites earmarked Bijol as one of their top transfer targets this summer, and on Saturday it was confirmed that they have got their man. Fabrizio Romano reported that Bijol had signed his contract and the deal was given his trademark “here we go”, with the club since confirming a five-year deal until 2030.

It is claimed that the newly promoted side are going to pay Italian outfit Udinese £19 million to sign Bijol, although the announcement reports an “undisclosed” fee. The 26-year-old played 34 times in Serie A last season, which is the most he’s played in a single campaign in Serie A since joining the club back in 2022.

He has become Leeds’ second signing of the summer, as they made their first addition last week, bringing Lukas Nmecha in on a free transfer from Wolfsburg.

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Bijol will join the likes of Joe Rodon, Maximilian Wober, Pascal Struijk and Ethan Ampadu as the Whites’ recognised centre-back options. But that list could soon be extended, as the Championship title winners are now looking to bring in another new defender.

Leeds approach Real Betis over Natan signing

According to ABC (23rd June, Page 71), relayed by MOT Leeds News, Leeds have now asked Real Betis about the conditions of a deal to sign Natan this summer.

Natan joined the Spanish side on a loan deal last summer from Serie A winners Napoli. Real Betis had the option to make the deal a permanent switch, which they have triggered this summer. However, Leeds are now already working to find an agreement which could see Betis cash in on the 24 year-old immediately.

The Brazilian played 31 times in La Liga last season, helping the team keep four clean sheets while he was on the pitch, as well as averaging 1.1 tackles per game. Natan also played 15 times in the UEFA Conference League, as Betis made it all the way to the final before losing out to Chelsea.

Apps

31

Starts

23

Goals

1

Clean sheets

4

Passing accuracy per game

35.8 (89%)

Interceptions per game

0.9

Tackles per game

1.1

Balls recovered per game

2.4

Ground duels per game (won)

1.5 (62%)

Aerial duels per game (won)

2.2 (68%)

Natan’s potential arrival at Elland Road could see a complete overhaul to Leeds’ central defence for next season, as the Brazilian could be paired with Bijol right from the off – it feels hard to believe he would leave a starting role in La Liga for a spot on the bench.

Natan has never played in English football, but he would bring experience of playing at a high level with Betis and Napoli as well as European experience, which can surely only benefit the Whites in their quest for survival.

India spinner pleased with return to starting XI in Super Eight after sitting out first round

Melinda Farrell22-Jun-20241:23

Kumble: Kuldeep broke the back of the opposition in the middle overs

After spending the group stage waiting in the wings, Kuldeep Yadav continued his run as Super Eight specialist, taking 3 for 19 in India’s comprehensive victory over Bangladesh in Antigua.Kuldeep has now taken five wickets across India’s two Super Eight matches, after picking up 2 for 32 against Afghanistan on Thursday in Barbados.India held Kuldeep back for the Caribbean leg of the tournament in the belief the pitches would suit his left-arm wristspin more than those in the USA. And, while he admitted he was keen to play in the group stages, he knew once he returned to the islands where he made both his white-ball debuts for India, during the 2017 West Indies tour, his experience would be called upon.Related

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“I was helping out the team-mates and carrying the drinks [in the US]. That is more like playing,” joked Kuldeep. “I would have loved to bowl there. But it’s more like an Australian sort of wicket. But here I made my T20 [and] ODI debut back in 2017. I knew the conditions very well, just the length and trying to vary my pace. So it’s perfect for spinners to come here and bowl.”While there was a sound reason to bring Kuldeep into the side on Caribbean surfaces, having a bowler play their first competitive match so late and at such a crucial stage of a T20 World Cup is unusual. But Kuldeep said he didn’t feel any added pressure playing for the first time in the tournament at the Super Eight stage.Kuldeep Yadav was at the top of his game•CREIMAS

“It’s very important to play every game, take every game as a normal game. Now obviously we playing at Super Eight, obviously we have a lot of pressure as well. We’re going to play Australia in a couple of days’ time. The wickets are good for spinners, as you have seen in the last few games as well. Nothing changes. I’ve got four overs to bowl and that was my plan. Just sticking with the length and varying my pace. For me it’s nice.”Bowling in the middle phase, Kuldeep went wicketless in his first over but struck in each of his next three. He flummoxed Tanzid Hasan with a fizzing googly that jagged back in and cannoned into the front pad before foxing Towhid Hridoy with a straight one that struck the back pad. After Shakib Al Hasan slog-swept a looping delivery for six, Kuldeep tossed another one up as a tempter, but the slower pace and extra bounce drew a top edge and a third wicket.Kuldeep bowled his four overs from the Sir Andy Roberts End, which gave assistance to left-handed batters hitting into the wind on the leg-side and help to right-handers outside their off stump. But while the stiff cross breeze posed challenges, he said it was important not to overthink its effect.”It was difficult from this end as a spinner because my rhythm is like, not like running rhythm, it’s more like a one step and then aggressive. I didn’t think about the wind, just the length matters. And obviously reading the batter what they are expecting from me, just reading one step ahead, what they are thinking. So just keeping this in mind and changing the line and length, and obviously they were targeting the windy side, and just reacting to what they are doing.”When the other team needs 10 runs or 12 runs per over and the batter’s going against you my plan is to just stick with the length, and obviously when they try to attack you, if you have a proper plan against them and you are bowling in probably the better length, you have maximum chances of getting the batter out. So that is my thinking, not thinking I have to get him out, just the length.”

With the first stage of the summer transfer window set to come to an end this evening, Manchester United will certainly be trying to complete deals to improve the first-team squad.

Ruben Amorim has already bolstered his ranks, landing Wolves star Matheus Cunha for a reported £62.5m fee, but has yet to add to such business during the off-season.

Such a deal will undoubtedly be the start of the overhaul of the first team squad, with the likes of Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof all released at the end of their contracts.

All areas of the pitch have been subject to improvements from the hierarchy as they look to back the manager to turn around the form, which saw them register a 15th-placed Premier League finish.

A whole host of names have been thrown into the mix over recent weeks, with one name once again popping up and edging closer to completing a switch to Old Trafford.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions

In recent days, striker Viktor Gyokeres has once again been touted with a move to join United after previously playing under Amorim at Sporting CP in Portugal.

The hierarchy have been in contact with the Swede’s representatives over a move to Old Trafford this summer, looking to provide the added quality in the final third, as seen by his tally of 54 goals in 2024/25.

However, he could be joined in the final third by Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, with Sky Sports’ latest update seemingly moving the 25-year-old closer to a move to join the Red Devils.

They claim that Amorim’s side are set to return with a second offer for the Cameroonian international, after their previous bid of £45m plus £10m in add-ons was rejected.

Personal terms aren’t expected to be an issue with the £70m Bees attacker, after he stated his desire to move to join United over a switch to Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Why United’s £70m target could be Amorim’s own Cherki

Rayan Cherki has been in demand throughout the off-season, understandably so given his form for Lyon across all competitions throughout 2024/25.

The 21-year-old registered 32 combined goals and assists for the Ligue 1 outfit, helping the club claim a place in the Europa League under manager Paulo Fonseca.

He even scored twice against the Red Devils in the Europa League quarter-finals this campaign, but it wasn’t enough as Amorim’s side staged one of the greatest European comebacks of all time.

However, they’re likely to come up against Cherki once again next season, after rivals Manchester City agreed a £34m deal to take the attacker to the Etihad in 2025/26.

Despite the pending move, Amorim could be about to land his own version of the Frenchman with a deal for Mbeumo, with the Brentford star also featuring off the right and also able to operate in a central area.

The winger, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one analyst, has outperformed Cherki in various key areas, highlighting how much of an impressive addition he would be for United this summer.

He’s registered more goals than the soon-to-be City attacker, whilst posting a higher shot-on-target rate, subsequently posing a bigger threat in front of goal for United.

How Mbeumo compares to Cherki throughout 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)	Mbeumo	Cherki
Games played	38	30
Goals & assists	27	19
Shot-on-target accuracy	43%	42%
Take-on success	50%	49%
Carries into opposition box	2	1.8
Crosses completed	5.4	5.2
Aerials won	0.9	0.1
Stats via FBref

Mbeumo has also completed more take-ons this season, whilst registering more carries with the ball into the opposition penalty area – further highlighting his desire to get the ball into dangerous areas, something which United have often lacked.

£70m may seem a hefty fee for the forward, but the prospect of him linking up with Cunha within the final third at Old Trafford is certainly an exciting one, making the club a force to be reckoned with.

Should he replicate the levels produced in the capital this season, he would be a superb addition, with his talents undoubtedly improving the options currently at the manager’s disposal.

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The global player union has also established the Tim May medal for “outstanding service to the players’ association movement in cricket”

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jun-2024Cricket global players’ union has undergone a rebrand, with the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) to now be known as the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA). The decision was made following a board meeting and 25th anniversary celebration in New York, held concurrently with the ongoing Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.WCA has also established the Tim May Medal, named after the former Australia offspinner who was the first CEO of the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) and who went on to become the first full-time CEO of FICA in 2005. The medal will be awarded to “recipients who have provided outstanding service to the players’ association movement in cricket.”May himself and Richard Bevan were announced as the inaugural winners of the award. Bevan was the CEO of the Professional Cricketers’ Association, the player union for English cricketers, from 2003 to 2007.”There has never been a more important time for players to be collectively represented in their own countries, and at global level,” WCA CEO Tom Moffat said. “The vast majority of the best men’s and women’s players in the world are now affiliated to WCA, and irrespective of fragmentation in the game, the players will always be the talent and its biggest asset.”The name change to the World Cricketers’ Association reflects our desire to simply state and reflect our role in the game at global level.”In changing our name we acknowledge all of those who have contributed to and built FICA. Throughout its short history it has achieved a significant amount for players, their associations, and the game. We reflect on our first 25 years and the legacy of those who have built it, and look to the future of our game and collective player representation within it with optimism.”

Frank Duckworth, one of the inventors of the Duckworth-Lewis (later Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) method to determine results in rain-affected cricket matches, died on Friday, June 21 at the age of 84.The original method, devised by English statisticians Duckworth and Tony Lewis, was first used in international cricket in 1997 and was formally adopted by the ICC as the standard for setting revised targets in truncated games in 2001. In 2014, it was renamed the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method after the retirement of Duckworth and Lewis and the modifications made to the system by Australian statistician Steven Stern.Duckworth and Lewis were both awarded MBEs in June 2010.The DL method replaced the rain rule that was used previously to calculate targets in interrupted matches, most infamously during the 1992 ODI World Cup semi-final between England and South Africa in Sydney.Duckworth was a consultant statistician with the ICC until 2014.”Frank was a top statistician who was respected by peers as well as the wider cricket fraternity. The DLS method that he co-created has stood the test of time and we have continued to use it in international cricket more than two decades after its inception,” Wasim Khan, the ICC general manager – cricket operations, said in a press statement. “Frank’s contribution to the game has been immense and the world of cricket is poorer with his death. We send our condolences to his family and friends.”

Sunderland are back in the Premier League and have now engaged in talks over a signing that would send out a signal of intent to their competitors, according to Fabrizio Romano.

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In the modern day, club chiefs speaking out on the availability of a player or their current situation isn’t an uncommon practice at this time of year.

Subsequently, it will come as no surprise to hear that Brondby sporting director Benjamin Schmedes has addressed rumours surrounding Sunderland target Clement Bischoff amid links between both parties.

He stated: “Clement has one year left on his contract, and that puts us in a situation where we’ve had strong discussions for a long time. But nothing is official yet, so there’s no agreement.

“We’re in dialogue, and we’ll see where it ends. Noah has two years left, so it’s a different case.”

Making strides ahead of their official Premier League return, Clermont Foot midfielder Habib Kieta is also on Sunderland’s radar and QPR, Stoke City and Crystal Palace are also believed to be in the running for his signature.

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Inevitably, beating the drop will be the immediate priority for Sunderland in 2025/26. While Jobe Bellingham’s sale will enable money to be spent, they will need to invest wisely to compete with other financially secure competitors in the grand scheme of things.

Nevertheless, Sunderland hold a pull that is rare for a promoted side due to their rich history in the English top-flight, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see someone like Jordan Henderson return to the North East if a deal were right for all parties.

Letting their presence be known to others, the Black Cats are now reportedly plotting a swoop for an international goalkeeper that would make headlines.

Romano: Sunderland in active talks to sign Marcin Bulka

Taking to social media platform X, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Sunderland are in ‘active talks’ to sign OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka as part of their ambitious project to stay in the Premier League.

Despite being ‘approached’ by several other clubs, the Black Cats are the only side mentioned in the conversation and it remains to be seen whether further developments will occur down the line.

Labelled “superb” by PSG boss Luis Enrique, the Poland international kept eight clean sheets in 40 appearances last term and recorded a save percentage rate of 75.8% in Ligue 1.

Admittedly, Sunderland will need to rely on their goalkeeper next campaign to have a realistic chance of staying in the top-flight, so bringing someone of Bulka’s calibre in would certainly help, even if that puts Anthony Patterson’s future as number one in doubt.

When Bukayo Saka was ruled out following a nasty hamstring injury towards the back end of 2024, there was collective anguish amongst Arsenal supporters.

Saka is their star boy, a beaming ray of light in an otherwise struggling front line. Struggle, they most certainly did after his injury.

While it allowed Ethan Nwaneri a stage in which to consistently shine, their options on the left-hand side didn’t always deliver.

In 2022/23 Gabriel Martinelli scored as many as 15 goals. In 2023/24, Leandro Trossard found the net on 17 occasions. Yet, the season of 2024/25 was not as kind to the Brazilian and the Belgian, even if the former did score against Real Madrid.

Indeed, across 51 games and 56 games respectively, the pair of wingers only scored ten goals each. It’s safe to say this needed to be better with Saka out and the lack of a recognised centre forward.

So, it is unsurprising to learn that Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen his options on the flank this summer.

How Arsenal could strengthen out wide this summer

One of Arsenal’s priority targets this window appears to be Real Madrid winger Rodrygo with the Brazilian attracting serious interest from Andrea Berta and Co.

New reports over the weekend suggest that everyone at the club is aligned on the fact that the 24-year-old is the ‘ideal profile’ for Arsenal and as a result, they could launch a £59m bid in the coming weeks.

If a move fell through, then the Gunners do have other irons in the fire. One of them could be AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.

That’s according to Caught Offside, who, amid interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester United, suggest that Arsenal and Chelsea are also interested in signing the Portuguese winger this summer.

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Berta’s interest is not said to be serious yet but competition for a player valued at around £84m is evidently fierce. Chelsea have reportedly already held talks over a possible swoop.

How Leao compares to Rodrygo

From a goal threat alone, Rodrygo would be a better signing here. After all, in 2022/23, he scored as many as 19 goals, proving he knows what it takes to break down a defence.

Leao, on the other hand, has also been a consistent scorer of goals but is yet to truly explode, so to speak. Coincidentally, the best season of his career also came in 2022/23, where he beat the goalkeeper on 16 occasions.

Since then, the Milan forward’s form has been a little inconsistent, scoring 12 goals and supplying 13 assists this season, but his profile is truly scary, so much so that he reminds some of the great Thierry Henry.

Indeed, back in 2022, Milan coach Stefano Pioli said: “Leao reminds me a lot of the early Thierry Henry, who started wide then came inside.”

Possessing long strides and the ability to beat any defender in world football, Leao so often scampers down the left before cutting onto his favoured right foot and making something happen, just as Henry did when he first came to Arsenal.

It’s that sort of profile that makes him the dream alternative to Rodrygo.

Goals

0.34

0.40

Assists

0.24

0.31

Shot on target %

36%

36%

Key passes

1.91

2.06

Progressive passes

3.76

4.12

Shot-creating actions

4.71

4.60

Succesful take-ons

2.56

2.64

Progressive carries

5.63

5.20

If we compare their numbers from the most successful seasons of their career to date to the end of the 2024/25 campaign, you do get a flavour for just how similar their playstyles are.

Rodrygo Birthname RodrygoBirthdate January 9, 2001Birthplace Osasco, SP, BrazilHeight 174Weight 69Profession Athlete

Pros & ConsStrong dribblerRegular trophy winnerCreativityConsistencyAerial duelsPhysicality Rafael Leão Birthname Rafael LeãoBirthdate June 10, 1999Birthplace Almada, PortugalHeight 189Weight 79Profession Athlete Pros & ConsDribblingKey passesTrickeryPaceDefensive contribution

As far as dribbling and creating opportunities go, there’s not much between them, with Rodrygo coming out slightly on top for progressive carries but Leao the better for progressive passes.

What does separate them, however, is that Henry-like style.

Standing at 5 foot 9, Rodrygo is the more diminutive of the two players and would be more of an Alexis Sanchez type. Leao, on the other hand, is 6 foot 2. Now, we all know Arteta loves someone of a taller build and thus, the Portugal international feels like a dream profile here.

That extra strength and pace is just what Arsenal need on the left flank.

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