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Victory over Derbyshire not enough to qualify for knockouts as Hampshire’s win at Bristol denies Essex third place

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay26-Aug-2025

Essex 366 for 6 (Westley 118, Benkenstein 74, Allison 64) beat Derbyshire 322 for 9 (Came 139, Montgomery 108, Critchley 3-63) by 44 runsHarry Came’s highest List A score of 139 from 120 balls was in vain as Derbyshire Falcons lost to Essex by 44 runs in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup Group A game at the Central Co-op County Ground.But victory for Essex was not enough to qualify for the knock-out stages as Hampshire’s win at Bristol denied them a third-place finish.Came shared a second-wicket stand of 225 from 178 balls with Matt Montgomery, who made 108 off 91, but once Simon Harmer (2 for 45) broke through, the Falcons’ chase of 367 stalled as former Derbyshire all-rounder Matt Critchley claimed 3 for 63.The home side finished on 322 for 9 with all-rounder Martin Andersson unable to bat after injuring a hand in the field.Essex’s 366 for 6 was built around Tom Westley’s 118 from 110 balls, 74 off 48 by Luc Benkenstein and Charlie Allison’s 64 with Zak Chappell taking 2 for 64.Essex chose to bat on a pitch which was used for Friday’s high-scoring game against Surrey and lost Critchley in the second over.Critchley made only 2 on his return to Derby for the first time since he left the county four years ago when he missed a full length ball from Ben Aitchison.Paul Walter marked his first List A game since 2021 by flicking Rory Haydon over the deep square leg boundary and pulled the young spinner Joe Hawkins for two sixes in the 14th over.The Falcons were relieved to see him get a big leading edge to mid-off in the next over but Westley and Allison were soon finding the ropes or clearing them with regularity.After Westley went to his 50 from 60 balls, Allison reached his off 46 by dispatching Hawkins for successive sixes.Hawkins failed to cling on to a difficult chance running back from mid-off when Allison was on 57 but the Falcons broke the stand three overs later.Allison tried to drive the medium pace of Amrit Basra over cover but Caleb Jewell took a good catch above his head.Westley edged a drive at Jack Morley to reach his 100 which came off 98 balls and contained 14 fours and a six but was well caught at deep midwicket off Haydon in the 42nd over.Benkenstein initially struggled to beat the fielders but when he found his range, he did so spectacularly, driving and pulling Haydon for six to reach 50 from 38 balls.He dispatched Morley for two more sixes before a mistimed pull was taken at long on but Harmer’s unbeaten 29 off 20 balls took Essex to an imposing total.The Falcons’ chase started badly when Charlie Bennett moved one in to bowl Jewell in the third over but Came and Montgomery got them back on track.Came advanced to drive Jamie Porter for six and then Montgomery dismissed a free hit over wide long on for another maximum.Montgomery nudged Harmer to the third boundary to reach 50 from 37 balls with Benkenstein’s leg-spin coming in for some harsh treatment.Came completed his 50 off 61 balls and after 25 overs, the game was in the balance with the Falcons on 168 for 1, needing another 199.Essex were struggling to exert any control with Came driving Critchley for six, the pair reaching their hundreds in consecutive overs as the 200 stand came up off 163 balls.Harmer made the breakthrough when Montgomery dragged a drive into his stumps and four balls later he turned one through Basra’s defence.Came drove Shane Snater for six but Essex struck again when Walter’s throw from cover ran out Brooke Guest, leaving the Falcons to score 90 from the last 10 overs.Critchley gave the contest a decisive twist when he bowled Chappell and with the asking rate above 10 an over, Came was stumped to end the Falcons hopes.

There have been some iconic left-backs in previous generations – from AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini and free-kick specialist Roberto Carlos to Premier League greats like Ashley Cole.

Previously, a top left-back was a world-class defender who could also chip in with the odd goal going forward. Now, we have a new up-and-coming class of attacking left-backs who are crucial to their team’s build-up play, but who is the best in the world right now?

Ranking factors

To help rank the left-backs in order, we have considered the following criteria:

• Current form – how well a player has been performing
• Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their team
• Role – how unique their skillset is
• Reputation – what others are saying about them

15

Marc Cucurella

Chelsea and Spain

The Premier League has plenty of impressive left-backs, and Marc Cucurella has been making his mark at Stamford Bridge over the last 12 months.

Now one of the first names on the teamsheet under Enzo Maresca, Cucurella has shown why Chelsea splashed the cash on him from Brighton back in 2022.

Maresca called Cucurella “very important” and even wants seven players like him in his Blues side.

14

Rayan Ait-Nouri

Man City and Algeria

New Man City signing Rayan Ait-Nouri is another who has been catching the eye at former employers Wolves in recent seasons.

The 24-year-old now holds a career-high €35m Transfermarkt valuation and hit double figures for Premier League goal contributions in what has been a struggling Wolves side.

13

Destiny Udogie

Tottenham and Italy

Spurs have seemingly struck gold after signing Destiny Udogie from Udinese, with the Italian’s market value more than doubling since moving to north London.

Once called “the most underrated player in the Premier League” by Paul Merson and a full-back who “has everything” by Luciano Spalletti, Udogie, who is still just 22, may only get better in the coming years.

12

Ferland Mendy

Real Madrid and France

Ferland Mendy has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, but when fully fit, is one of the best left-backs around in Europe.

The Frenchman has made more than 200 appearances for Real Madrid since signing from Lyon and was dubbed a “quiet force” by fellow teammate and countryman Kylian Mbappe. Carlo Ancelotti called him “the best in the world”, however, his lack of attacking output has him low down the list.

11

Theo Hernandez

Al-Hilal and France

Since leaving Real Madrid for AC Milan in 2019, Theo Hernandez has gone from strength to strength and has earned the praise of legendary left-back Paolo Maldini, who hailed the Frenchman as “special”.

Hernandez, who sealed a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in 2025, also has the blistering pace required to get back from attacking phases and show his defensive qualities.

10

Andrea Cambiaso

Juventus and Italy

Arguably a player who has been going under the radar is Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso. Labelled as an attacking left-wing back with “world-class” vision and “elite passing ability”, the 25-year-old’s Transfermarkt valuation has rocketed to €35m.

Previously linked with Man City, Cambiaso, who actually doesn’t have a weak foot, could soon be the next star left-back to try his luck in the Premier League.

9

Alvaro Carreras

Real Madrid and Spain

Part of Real Madrid’s youth set-up from 2017 to 2020 before joining Man Utd, Alvaro Carreras is now back at the Bernabeu after impressing for Benfica in recent seasons.

Madrid paid €50m and gave Carreras a six-year contract, and he has slotted straight into Xabi Alonso’s defence.

8

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Arsenal and England

Another impressive youngster starring on the big stage has been Myles Lewis-Skelly at Arsenal. The Englishman has even featured as a left-back under Thomas Tuchel with England, despite coming through the Gunners academy as a midfielder.

Mikel Arteta has used the 19-year-old as a left-back at the Emirates, and Jamie Carragher has even compared Lewis-Skelly’s “football arrogance” to Jude Bellingham and Wayne Rooney.

7

Milos Kerkez

Liverpool and Hungary

Milos Kerkez only cost Bournemouth £15m from AZ Alkmaar back in 2023, and the Cherries made a nice profit on the left-back who has joined Liverpool.

The Hungarian is already on his way to the top, so it’s no surprise to see the Reds come in for “one of the most talented left-backs in world football”.

6

Riccardo Calafiori

Arsenal and Italy

Riccardo Calafiori now appears to have taken over at Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s first choice left-back, with the Italian also capable of filling in at centre-back if required.

Arteta hailed Calafiori’s unpredictability, saying his attacking edge can be “very difficult to control for the opponent”. His stunning first Gunners goal against Man City highlights that.

We've been on a roll with our plus-money props.

Let's see if we can keep it going with a pair of striekout props today that look like good value on Monday night.

MLB Best Bets for Monday, June 17Paul Skenes over 8.5 strikeouts (+130) at DraftKings

It's Paul Skenes Day again!

Last week, we took the over for plus money on his 7.5 K prop, and we cashed. Skenes ended the day with eight strikeouts vs. the Cardinals, and he pitched into the seventh inning. Today's prop is even higher, and it's a lot harder to get to nine strikeouts than eight, but here are a few reasons why we are going for it.

First, true MLB fans are obligated to always take the over when Paul Skenes pitches.  

I'm kidding (sort of).

Second, the Reds have the third-highest strikeout rate in the league when facing right-handed pitching (26.3%),  and this is the first time they will have seen Skenes. The advantage goes to the pitcher in that scenario. 

Remember: Skenes' fastball is 

Third, Skenes is striking batters out at a 34.5% clip, for an average of 12.42 batters per nine innings.  If Skenes can make it into the seventh again, he has an excellent chance to exceed this prop.   

Skenes has exceeded this prop in only two of six starts; however, he did it vs. the Tigers and the Cubs, who have the sixth and seventh highest K-rates vs. right-handed pitching, respectively. The Reds are even more strikeout-prone, as mentioned above. 

For a juicy +130 payout, I'm willing to pull a ticket. 

James Paxton under 3.5 strikeouts (+125) at DraftKings

Paxton has been punching out batters at a mere 5.28 per nine innings this season. 

No, that is not a typo. 

The Rockies hit better and strike out less against left-handed pitchers and at home. Paxton has not logged more than three strikeouts since May 24th, and he's only reached four or more strikeouts in five of 12 starts this season.  

Paxton's FIP is 5.27, and things could get away from him at Coors. I don't see him going deep into this game, so for plus money, I'll bet on the under. 

Harry Kane has, during an exclusive either/or quiz with GOAL, pieced together a star-studded XI made up of Premier League and Bundesliga legends. The England captain has, of course, graced both of those divisions across spells with Tottenham and Bayern Munich. He has now made some intriguing selections from a list that includes the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Oliver Kahn and Gerd Muller.

• Kane's goal record in England and Germany

  Kane rewrote the history books in his homeland with Spurs, moving 47 efforts adrift of Alan Shearer’s record-breaking tally of Premier League goals, before stepping out of his comfort zone in the summer of 2023. A move to German has proven to be productive, with long-awaited major silverware being secured when landing the Bundesliga title in 2024-25.

  Kane has added two more Golden Boots to his collection in Bavaria, while passing 100 goals for the European heavyweights, and continues to maintain remarkable individual standards at 32 years of age. There could come a day when he goes down as a bonafide legend in English and German football.

Advertisement

• Watch Kane piece together Bundesliga vs Premier League XI

• Kane's selections: Premier League just shades it

  For now, Kane is happy to pick between performers who already enjoy icon status. He was charged with the task of compiling a team made up of Premier League and Bundesliga greats that would have lined up in a 4-5-1 formation.

  The list of players given to Kane and his selections were:

  Oliver Kahn vs Petr Cech

  Philipp Lahm vs Gary Neville

  Mats Hummels vs John Terry

  Franz Beckenbauer vs Bobby Moore

  David Alaba vs Ashley Cole

  Michael Ballack vs Steven Gerrard

  Bastian Schweinsteiger vs Paul Scholes

  Lothar Matthaus vs Frank Lampard

  Arjen Robben vs Theo Walcott

  Franck Ribery vs Eden Hazard

  Gerd Muller vs Alan Shearer

  The Premier League just about claims bragging rights in Kane’s team, with the English top flight boasting six selections compared to five from the Bundesliga.

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  Kane explains differences between Premier League & Bundesliga

  Kane has previously spoken of the “confidence” that he gets from being mentioned in the same breath as World Cup-winning England captain Moore – as he now fills that armband with the Three Lions. He has previously said of being inspired by legendary No.9 Muller after stepping into his boots at Bayern: “I wanted to find out what he was like and how he played. He was an incredible goalscorer and, from what I hear, above all, an incredible person. It’s very special for me to follow in his footsteps.”

  Kane is now fully adjusted to life in Germany, alongside wife Kate and their four children, with a new experience proving to be everything that he hoped it would be. Kane said shortly after his move to the Allianz Arena of noticeable differences between the Premier League and Bundesliga: “It was my first transfer after a really long time at Tottenham, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I just believed in myself and my abilities. It was clear to me that I would be joining a great team, but I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect and how everything would work out. But now I’m totally happy with how I’ve settled in in Munich and with the team. Bayern Munich was a really good option for me. I wanted to experience something different, I wanted to get to know European football.”

  He added: "In the Bundesliga more teams try to play out from the back, more teams press and sometimes even play man against man. Therefore, the spaces are a bit bigger, which we can take advantage of by bringing pace into our game. In the Premier League there's probably a bit more structure – a few more teams defend in block. Regarding the atmosphere, it's fantastic in Germany – completely different to the Premier League.”

Big picture: Zimbabwe eye series win

After the thriller in Sylhet, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe would be expected to deliver another close Test in Chattogram. Zimbabwe were largely in control of the Sylhet game except for the last hour on the fourth day, but they held on. Bangladesh just didn’t have enough to play with and are under severe pressure to avoid a series defeat.Zimbabwe had their impressive bowling line-up, particularly the pace attack, to thank for getting them into a strong position in Sylhet. Blessing Muzarabani was the natural leader of the attack, with career-best match figures of 9 for 122, but it was the rest of the attack that surprised Bangladesh. Richard Ngarava and Victor Nyauchi were relentless, while Wellington Masakadza and Wessly Madhevere didn’t let the lower order settle.They would be a little worried about their batting, though. Brian Bennett struck twin fifties and Sean Williams got a half-century in the first innings, but otherwise they had to rely on lower-order runs. Nyasha Mayavo’s wicketkeeping will also concern the side after he dropped a few sitters.But Bangladesh have bigger problems, particularly in their batting line-up. Their openers haven’t scored an inidividual hundred or put together a century stand for more than two years. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto isn’t staying for long enough, while Mominul Haque hasn’t got a big one since their India tour.The Mushfiqur Rahim question hovers over the team management, as the veteran hasn’t got a fifty in the last 12 innings. At the same time, Jaker Ali now has a fifty in each of his first four Tests, which suggests he needs to be promoted as he mostly ends up batting with the tail.The onus, therefore, is on Bangladesh’s bowling attack to get the win in Chattogram. They are without Nahid Rana, who has left for the PSL. Hasan Mahmud and Khaled Ahmed could get Tanzim Hasan as the third seamer, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who got a ten-wicket haul in Sylhet, and Taijul Islam as the main spinners. Mehidy and Taijul, however, will have to do more early in the game to give Bangladesh a chance.

Form guide

Bangladesh LWLLL
Zimbabwe WLLDLMushfiqur Rahim has not scored a half-century in his last 12 Test innings•AFP/Getty Images

In the spotlight: Mushfiqur Rahim and Brian Bennett

The pressure is on Mushfiqur Rahim after his lean patch extended to 12 innings. His last major contribution was the 191 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, but that was eight months ago. In the Sylhet Test, he was out cheaply twice. Mushfiqur is expected to play his 100th Test match later this year, so it is crucial that he starts scoring, as questions are beginning to mount about his place in the team.Brian Bennett struck two fifties in Sylhet, both times dominating the Bangladesh attack. He said after his first half-century that Rana’s pace didn’t bother him. “The faster the ball, the further I can hit,” Bennett said. He has looked confident with his off-side shots, particularly the square cut. But both times he got out just after reaching his fifty, the second of them a worry since Zimbabwe lost their way for a bit from a strong position when he was dismissed.

Team news: Bangladesh could rejig top order

Bangladesh have brought in Anamul Haque to boost their top order. They have also added the uncapped left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam, while quick bowler Tanzim Hasan awaits his debut.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Anamul Haque, 2 Shadman Islam, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 7 Jaker Ali (wk), 8 Taijul Islam, 9 Hasan Mahmud, 10 Khaled Ahmed, 11 Tanzim HasanBrian Bennett scored half-centuries in each innings in the first Test•AFP/Getty Images

Zimbabwe have Johnathan Campbell, Trevor Gwandu, Vincent Masekesa and Tafadzwa Tsiga on their bench, but might not want to break their winning combination.Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Ben Curran, 2 Brian Bennett, 3 Nick Welch, 4 Craig Ervine (capt), 5 Sean Williams, 6 Wessly Madhevere, 7 Nyasha Mayavo (wk), 8 Wellington Masakadza, 9 Richard Ngarava, 10 Blessing Muzarabani, 11 Victor Nyauchi

Pitch and conditions: Welcome to the batting haven

Chattogram is Bangladesh’s best batting pitch, with the last two teams batting first here scoring 500-plus each. It is hard to bowl teams out here, which could be detrimental for the home side as they try to level the series. There is a forecast for rain on the first three days.

Stats and trivia

• Muzarabani’s 9 for 122 in Sylhet is Zimbabwe’s best match returns against Bangladesh. The previous best was Grant Flower’s 8 for 104 in Chattogram in 2001.
• During their second innings of the Sylhet Test, Bangladesh’s batters all got out to catches. The only other time it happened for Bangladesh was against West Indies in 2021.
• Mehidy now has three ten-wicket hauls in Test cricket, the most for Bangladesh, going past two each by Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul.
• This will be David Boon’s 87th and last Test as match referee.

Quotes

“Yeah, I think it’s really important to obviously understand the processes that got you to that Test win. It’s not about putting added pressure on ourselves just because we are 1-0 up and there’s an expectation to come in and win the series. We need to break it down into small bits and make sure we stick to our processes and stick to our plans.”
“I don’t think we lost strength. We lost pace. There’s nobody here with Rana’s pace. The skills are there however, especially how to bowl in Chattogram. It has always been a slower wicket. Hopefully we can extract a bit of turn and the seamers can do the job with their skills.”

Manchester City are looking to cement themselves as the team to beat in the Premier League and they could go some way to doing that if they are able to tempt their latest transfer target to the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City react to Champions League league phase draw

In an eventful week, the Champions League league phase draw is now complete and Manchester City now know who they will face for a place in the knockout rounds of the competition.

From the eight sides they will take on, ties against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli are the standouts, though the Citizens have landed a favourable run off games on paper and will feel confident they can progress.

Man City’s Champions League opponents

Real Madrid (A)

Borussia Dortmund (H)

Bayer Leverkusen (H)

Villarreal (A)

Napoli (H)

Bodo/Glimt (A)

Galatasaray (H)

AS Monaco (A)

Fixture dates TBC

Speaking after the draw, Pep Guardiola expressed his delight at being able to welcome former Manchester City heroes Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane back to the Etihad Stadium.

He stated: “I’m really pleased he (Kevin De Bruyne) will come back here and of course, we have to beat the teams Napoli and Galatasaray (with Leroy Sane), nice to welcome him back. I’m sure the people will give a great welcome to them, they deserve it.”

Nevertheless, attention turns to their clash against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend alongside transfer activity, and the Citizens are plotting move to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid.

Admittedly, that may come down the line in January, though it shows that Guardiola’s ambition is through the roof as his side look to get back to dominating English football. Fermin Lopez could also move to the Etihad from Barcelona, and they are lining up another significant play for one of the world’s finest stars amid growing uncertainty over his future at a global superpower.

Man City lining up record Vinicius Junior bid

According to reports in Spain, Manchester City are lining up a £130 million bid to sign Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, given he has two years on his contract left in the Spanish capital.

The Brazil international is at loggerheads with Los Blancos over an extension and Guardiola is ready to swoop in, given his pace and ability to burn past defenders in one-on-one situations.

Man City could bid for £276k-p/w star who called the Etihad "incredible"

The Blues are lining up a shock move for a player Pep Guardiola has praised in the past…

ByDominic Lund Aug 28, 2025

Similar to their pursuit of Alexander-Arnold, the Citizens may wait until 2026 to move for the winger, who has been nominated for the 2025 Balon D’Or and has previously been labelled “quality” by scout Jacek Kulig.

Starting the campaign with a bang, Vinicius registered a goal and an assist in Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Real Oviedo last weekend, but his situation is growing slightly more uncertain as the weeks go by.

Manchester City are no stranger to a statement signing, and manging to push a deal over the line for someone of such a high pedigree would be guaranteed to make global headlines.

England coach suggests white-ball captain suffered from formats not being prioritised

Danyal Rasool28-Feb-20255:09

Who will England’s next white-ball captain be?

Sat alongside his departing captain Jos Buttler, perhaps it was telling the first emotion England coach Brendon McCullum voiced was sadness rather than pride. As Buttler announced he was quitting as England’s white-ball captain, expressing his own disappointment at the way events had panned out, McCullum’s initial reaction was to offer sympathy for Buttler and how much he had invested into a role that hasn’t quite worked out.McCullum suggested that was down to the circumstances Buttler had to lead his side in, rather than any shortcomings in his captaincy itself. Even as England struggled in white-ball ICC events since winning the 2022 T20I World Cup, Buttler often found himself leading sides on bilateral tours that weren’t close to full strength.On an ODI and T20I tour of West Indies late last year, sandwiched between Test series against Pakistan and New Zealand, none of England’s all-format players were part of the squad. Against Australia in September, Joe Root was rested after a busy Test season, while a number of players, including Root and Mark Wood, sat home while England toured West Indies at the tail-end of 2023. England lost all three ODI series.Related

Buttler goes down with the ship as England journey comes full circle

All-but-through SA hope to pile more misery on out-of-contention England

Jos Buttler quits as England's white-ball captain after Champions Trophy exit

Decline and fall: England face up to scale of ODI rebuilding job

McCullum appeared to allude to those circumstances as he spoke of England’s next white-ball captain, and his desire to avoid putting him in similarly unenviable circumstances. “That’s something Keysy [Rob Key] and myself and the ECB are trying to ensure, that we give every format the most amount of attention that we possibly can,” he said. “It’s a tricky balancing act at times.”McCullum has been Test coach since 2022, and had his pick of players for that format. But with all three formats now falling under his stewardship, he hinted that full availability for Test cricket may no longer be as set in stone in future.”Looking back even on these most recent series, you’d argue that you could rest some players for some Test series and try and balance things out across formats,” he said. “Give us a couple of weeks to work things out and digest what’s unfolded here, work out what areas we’ve been short in and done okay in, work out the structure of how we want to do things moving forward. We’ve got a couple of months before our next assignment, so there is a bit of time to work that out.”McCullum kept returning to the theme of Buttler’s captaincy, and how he felt it would be remembered more kindly than raw results might suggest. He said Buttler had set a solid foundation for his replacement, comparing it to the health of the England Test side following Joe Root’s resignation as Test captain in 2022 after a series of indifferent results.2:16

McCullum: England fans deserve to see better results

“I said to the boys tonight in the team room sometimes it’s not necessarily the time that you’re in the post and the results that you get during that time. The impact you have in leadership positions can be felt after you left the post, and I’m sure that’ll be the case. I think Joe Root was a classic example of that with the Test captaincy. He was able to at least hold the fort to a degree under incredibly trying circumstances, and then the uplift of performance when Stokesy [Ben Stokes] took over sort of followed from that, and hopefully it’ll be the same across the white-ball teams whenever we decide on who that person is going to be.”The ECB had hoped linking up Buttler with McCullum, two preternaturally attacking white-ball players, would help unleash England’s white-ball potential in the way managed by Eoin Morgan following the 2015 World Cup. However, with results spiralling, England and McCullum have been criticised for what has come to be seen as a simplistic approach, not necessarily suited to the skillsets of the specific players England’s white-ball sides have at their disposal.McCullum pushed back against that notion firmly, pointing out the close margins England had missed out by this tournament. “We’ve had our opportunities and played some okay cricket,” he said, “and both games we could have won, and then we’re sitting here and talking about something slightly different. I genuinely believe we’ve got immense talent in English cricket across all forms.”If anything, we are lacking confidence. There’s a perception out there that we’re a happy-go-lucky, arrogant type of team. We couldn’t be further from that. These guys are too hard on themselves, they’ve got immense talent they are desperate … to perform. That’s actually stymying the ability of us to get the performance we want. They care too much. That’s not a bad thing. They’re just desperate to perform and do right by all those who support the team, and support them. Until we get to the stage where we’re able to still handle walking out there and playing, without wearing disappointment so heavily, then we’re always going to stymie ourselves. That’s our job over the next little while.”While Harry Brook is the favourite to succeed Buttler, McCullum said England had not decided on a successor. While that is partly because, in McCullum’s words, Buttler’s resignation “came a little sooner than expected”, he felt it also spoke to the characters in the England side.”There’s some really good leaders that have developed,” McCullum said. “That’s the mark of Jos’s captaincy, he brought on other leaders within the group. They’re not necessarily seasoned players, but they are young guys who have got good cricketing knowledge and he’s encouraged them to learn and develop as leaders. Whoever we settle on, we’ve just got to make sure we’re giving them the right support so that we can improve our performances.”

After the spinners limited England to 132, India’s batters aced the chase to go 1-0 up

Vithushan Ehantharajah22-Jan-20251:34

Manjrekar: India’s spinners made it impossible for England to recover

India brutally cast aside England in the first T20I at Eden Gardens, as Abhishek Sharma’s 79 from just 34 deliveries munched a meagre target of 133 with 43 balls to spare.Abhishek’s third 50-plus score in the format capped an accomplished all-round performance from India. A combination of Arshdeep Singh’s 2 for 17 up top and Varun Chakravarthy’s 3 for 23 through the middle accounted for England for 132, scuppering their attempts to mark Brendon McCullum’s first match in charge in the format with the attacking verve he craves.But for Jos Buttler’s 68 – his 26th T20I fifty – things could have been worse. Buttler’s evening had begun by losing a crucial toss to Suryakumar Yadav. With the 7pm start in Kolkata, moisture was in the air throughout, and dew a factor in the first innings itself. Both captains wanted to bowl, and only one got the chance.Related

Can England's batters find a way to test India's bowling depth?

Varun's overspin renaissance shows no sign of slowing down

Abhishek: 'I have been told to keep my attacking intent'

Arshdeep made the best of the conditions, removing openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett in his first 11 deliveries. Those dismissals took the left-arm seamer to 97 wickets in T20Is, leapfrogging Yuzvendra Chahal as India’s top wicket-taker in the format.By the time Buttler departed in the 17th over, he had provided 68 out of the 109 on the board, with Harry Brook the only batter to reach double-figures before Jofra Archer pitched in with 12 from No. 9.Brook’s 17 was part of a stand of 48 with Buttler, the vice-captain and captain setting about a rebuild that was ended by Varun’s googlies. Varun bowled Brook and Liam Livingstone in the space of three deliveries to turn England back to rubble. His third was Buttler, holing out to deep square-leg.Whatever little jeopardy there was in the chase, was restricted to just the fifth over, when Archer removed both Sanju Samson – who had done the early running – and Suryakumar for a duck in four deliveries. Archer, who bowled his four overs on the bounce having opened the innings, was comfortably the pick of England’s bowlers with 2 for 21. By contrast, Gus Atkinson was taken apart for 38 runs across his two overs, with his first blitzed for 22 by Samson.The onus was then on Abhishek, who was put down by Adil Rashid on 29 off 16. He would bring up his half-century just four balls later.Though Rashid eventually got his man, India had all but established a 1-0 lead in this five-match series by then. A top-edged four from Tilak Varma off Mark Wood’s bouncer off the penultimate ball of the 13th over confirmed it.ESPNcricinfo LtdArshdeep Singh sets the toneBefore England were choked through the middle by a three-pronged spin attack, they were clipped up top by the lone Indian full-time quick. Since debuting in 2022, Arshdeep has been a new-ball banker for India’s shortest format. Consistently devastating and devastatingly consistent.It was fitting that on the night he became India’s leading T20I wicket-taker, he reinforced his credentials as one of the format’s leading seamers in an opening three-over spell of 2 for 10. Movement away and up off a good length did for Salt, who could only sky a leading edge, and it was followed by nip the other way that left the left-handed Duckett for a similar demise.Of those initial 18 deliveries, a remarkable 12 were dots, which saw him get the better of Buttler and Brook without reward. On another day, their feelers outside off stump may have resulted in edges, bringing more joy Arshdeep’s way. But rather than bemoan missing out on those extra notches in the wicket column, he seemed happy enough with his work, having opened the door for his spinners.Jos Buttler top-scored for England with 68 off 44 balls•Getty ImagesFamiliar failingsThere is no shame in falling to India’s spinners in any format, least of all when they are operating at home. But there was a haunting familiarity about England’s failure at Eden Gardens – and it has nothing to do with what happened here in that final in 2016.Eight years on from that heartbreak, England were roughed up in 2024’s semi-final in Guyana, as Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja combined to take 6 for 58 from 11 overs. Only Axar remained this time around, but the results were about the same – 12 overs of web-spinning prising out five for the concession of just 67.It is easy to say the likes of Brook, Livingstone and Jacob Bethell should have taken cues from Buttler, particularly his ability to pick length. But Buttler’s vast IPL experience and superior ability makes that hard to replicate. Credit belongs to the bowlers, particularly Varun.Despite the grass on the surface, the spinner was unperturbed. His IPL nous came to the fore at a ground where he has taken 24 wickets at 22.20 from 16 appearances.A holding pattern of deliveries just short of a length kept the ball out of hitting arcs, and he was not pre-occupied with spinning the ball past the edge – even though he beat the insides of Brook’s and Livingstone’s bats. “Bowling sidespin, I cannot beat batsmen with sidespin. The only way I can beat batsmen with bounce,” Varun, as he nursed a deserved Player-of-the-Match award, said. Perhaps most galling for England is he rated his display a humble “seven out of ten”.Nitish Kumar Reddy took a running, tumbling catch to send back Jos Buttler•AFP/Getty ImagesIndia’s cleaner handsBethell’s drop of Abhishek, charging in from deep midwicket, tracking the ball all the way only to see it spill through his hands as he dived forward, did not matter.A ball later, Abhishek was caught at longoff. An over later, India had confirmed their win. But the sight of one of England’s best fielders fall short in that moment highlighted the gap between the two fielding efforts on Wednesday evening.It would have been one hell of a take, but still not the best of the night. That honour belonged to Nitish Kumar Reddy, who pulled off a tougher version of Bethell’s effort, sprinting in at a greater rate of knots and intercepting the ball so close to the ground that the umpires asked for a second look. Buttler, whose charge was halted by that brilliance, had already made it back to the dugout when the television umpire finally gave it the all-clear.Despite playing no part with bat or ball, Reddy got plenty of airtime, taking a simpler catch to remove Jamie Overton and scurrying about the deep on a one-man mission to restrict England’s boundary count. That endeavour was matched by those in the ring, with Rinku Singh setting the tone when he claimed a leading edge off Duckett that required him to sprint back from cover with one eye over his shoulder.Of course, Bethell’s drop was not even the worst off Abhishek. Rashid’s was a far simpler caught-and-bowled chance. The legspinner was duly punished when the left-hand batter blitzed three boundaries – the last two sixes over midwicket, then straight down the ground – off the remainder of his over. England’s heads dropped – a nod to the nourishing effect of taking your catches.

Newcastle United’s summer has been anything but straightforward.

With the new Premier League campaign just days away, the club are still scrambling to resolve the situation at the top of the pitch.

Star striker Alexander Isak has made it clear he has no intention of reintegrating into the squad, regardless of whether he is sold before the close of the transfer window.

The Swede’s stance follows a drawn-out saga sparked by interest from Liverpool.

The Magpies have made it clear a deal will only happen if they secure a replacement, but time is ticking.

Newcastle’s pursuit of Benjamin Šeško ended in disappointment when the Slovenian opted to join Manchester United, and while Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson is also on their radar, he is far from a guaranteed arrival.

Howe’s side are keen to kick on after reinforcing other areas of the squad this summer.

Powerhouse striker on Newcastle's Radar

Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw, and Aaron Ramsdale have all arrived, while a £40m deal for Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey is also close.

But for all these moves, one priority towers above the rest: finding a forward capable of leading the line immediately.

That need has now led Newcastle towards a different profile of striker – one whose power, aggression, and direct approach offers a striking contrast to Isak’s elegance and technical artistry.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Newcastle are expected to submit a bid for FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, a forward described by talent scout Jacek Kulig as “a true monster in the making.”

Porto are understandably reluctant to lose their talisman, particularly so late in the window, but are braced for offers after the 21-year-old’s outstanding season in Portugal.

Since joining from Atlético Madrid last summer in a deal worth around £15 million, Samu has netted 27 goals in 45 games, including 19 in the league and six in the Europa League.

Standing at 1.93m, he blends physicality with pace, making him a constant threat in attack.

Porto are holding firm with a £70m valuation, buoyed by the fact Atlético Madrid hold a 50% sell-on clause, making any sale difficult.

Samu is said to be open to a Premier League move, drawn by the league’s competitiveness and profile, but happy to stay at Porto if no deal materialises.

For Newcastle, though, his mix of power, directness, and ruthless finishing could be exactly what is needed to replace Isak and keep their attacking structure intact.

A contrasting style to Isak

Newcastle’s interest comes with good reason.

According to FBref, Samu ranks in the 75th percentile for non-penalty xG per 90 (0.43), the 86th percentile for total shots (3.10), and a remarkable 96th percentile for pass completion (77.8%).

His 5.45 touches in the opposition penalty area per game reflect a striker who lives on the shoulders of defenders, while his high work rate – ranking in the 73rd percentile for interceptions – shows his willingness to press from the front.

While both Isak and Samu are prolific centre-forwards, their playing styles differ significantly.

Isak combines close control and quick footwork to manoeuvre through tight spaces.

He excels in link-up play, often dropping deep to bring teammates into the attack, and shows exceptional composure when finishing with either foot.

His intelligent positioning and subtle movement make him difficult to mark, opening channels for runs in behind from the likes of Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon.

Samu, on the other hand, is a more direct, physically dominant striker.

He thrives on aggression, often backing into defenders to hold up play before spinning into space.

His aerial presence is matched by a powerful burst of acceleration, making him ideal for counter-attacking situations.

Unlike Isak’s more measured style, Samu looks to unsettle defences through constant pressure, using his frame to win duels and his pace to exploit gaps.

In statistical terms, Samu’s higher volume of shots and penalty-box touches suggest a striker who is more frequently the direct end point of attacks, whereas Isak’s strengths lie in creating space for others as well as for himself.

The potential shift from one profile to the other would require tactical adjustments.

Newcastle may become more direct in transition, with a greater emphasis on exploiting Samu’s physicality rather than the intricate build-up play often used to accommodate Isak’s style.

For Eddie Howe, that change could also provide a fresh dimension.

Newcastle’s transfer strategy this summer has already been shaped by necessity.

Missing out on Šeško and facing stiff competition for other targets has narrowed their options, but Samu’s profile stands out.

If Newcastle can push a deal over the line, they won’t just have a like-for-like replacement for Isak, they’ll have a completely different type of threat, one capable of bullying defenders, dominating aerially, and finishing with the same efficiency that has made him one of Europe’s most coveted young strikers.

Whether that change will ultimately strengthen the Magpies’ attack or force an adjustment period remains to be seen – but in the short term, it could be the bold, aggressive step they need to keep their season on track.

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Posts ByWill Miller Aug 13, 2025

يستضيف فريق مانشستر سيتي، عصر السبت، خصمه بيرنلي وذلك في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لكرة القدم، موسم 2025/26.

تأتي تلك المباراة في خضم لقاءات الجولة السادسة من الدوري الإنجليزي لذلك الموسم، على ملعب “الاتحاد”.

ويمتلك مانشستر سيتي 7 نقاط في المركز التاسع في جدول الدوري الإنجليزي، بينما يحتل بيرنلي المركز السادس عشر برصيد 4 نقاط.

ويسعى مانشستر سيتي إلى تحقيق الانتصار على بيرنلي في مباراتهما المرتقبة اليوم من أجل تعويض ما حدث في صدام آرسنال، الجولة الماضية، عندما تعادل السكاي بلو في الوقت القاتل.

ولن يشارك النجم المصري عمر مرموش في مباراة اليوم حيث لا يزال يعاني من الإصابة التي تعرض لها في الركبة خلال مباراة منتخبي مصر وبوركينا فاسو، في وقت سابق من شهر سبتمبر الجاري. تشكيل مانشستر سيتي المتوقع أمام بيرنلي في الدوري الإنجليزي

حراسة المرمى: جيانلويجي دوناروما.

خط الدفاع: ريكو لويس، روبن دياز، جفارديول، نيكو أوريلي.

خط الوسط: رودري، برناردو سيلفا.

خط الوسط الهجومي: تيجاني ريندرز، فيل فودين، جيريمي دوكو.

خط الهجوم: إيرلينج هالاند.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.