All posts by h716a5.icu

Leeds United are now back where they started with regard to their division, having triumphantly returned to the Premier League in 2020 only to be miserably relegated just three years later.

It seemed that, when Marcelo Bielsa led them back to the top flight, the Argentine would then go on to forge a dynasty at Elland Road built on a free-flowing philosophy and backed by the financial might that such a promotion provokes.

However, questionable transfer dealings and a threadbare squad hung the now-Uruguay international manager out to dry, and he was subsequently sacked. However, his stubbornness was likely not exempt from such a decision.

Whilst it can be debated whether that was an intelligent move at the time, what followed was a string of thoughtless decisions that culminated in such a torrid campaign which always seemed destined to end in disappointment.

Jesse Marsch may have 'saved them' the year prior, but handing him two transfer windows after performances had been so dire was suicidal from Andrea Radrizzani, whose panicked state then saw him employ Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce in the space of just five months.

With Daniel Farke now entrusted with overseeing a new long-term project under the new ownership of the 49ers, the hope will be that they can muster up a quick turnaround to ensure their top-flight absence is not as long as the last.

However, there was one transfer move they perhaps could have made that might have shortened that last stint away from the Premier League, had they fought harder to keep Billy Sharp at Elland Road for a little while longer.

Why did Leeds United let Billy Sharp leave?

Having started his career at Sheffield United, and subsequently returned between 2007 and 2010, it was common knowledge that his heart belonged at Bramall Lane.

So, when the Whites employed his services in 2014, there was always a sense of unease that his stay might not be a long one.

At the very least though, there was hope that his goals could help fire them away from their troubles, given his track record of scoring at nearly every level in the English football pyramid.

After all, the clinical marksman had notched 45 in 102 games for Doncaster Rovers, and a further 55 in just 93 for Scunthorpe United, earning promotion to the Championship with the latter and then starring at that level with the former.

BBC 5 Live Sport's presenter Steve Crossman was incredibly keen to laud his contribution to English football, noting back in 2019: "He is a man who has had great personal trauma in his life and he's still there, he's still playing, and he is unquestionably a legend of the EFL."

This was then supplemented by broadcaster Mark Clemmit, who claimed: "Apart from that first spell at Sheffield United, where he just got those couple of games, he scored goals everywhere he's been. Magnificent".

Then, offering a Leeds perspective, Stephen Warnock noted: "I think when he was at Leeds, when he came in, he was everything we wanted and we believed that he would be the goalscorer that would get us into the Premier League."

Unsurprisingly, the peak of his powers came during his final spell with his beloved Blades, leading them back into the Premier League having scored 129 times in 377 appearances for them.

Although he perhaps didn't need to, he would still explain the reasons behind his Elland Road exit that led to such success in 2015: "The move to Sheffield United was a no-brainer. I started there as a kid and always wanted to play for the club because I’m a Sheffield boy. I felt it was a good time for me to return.

“I’m 29 and I am coming to the peak of my career. I feel like I have got better as a player since I was last here. If I can achieve success with my boyhood club, there would be nothing better than that.”

As someone wholly capable of firing teams up the football pyramid, in a similar way he fired himself up with his goals at every level, his brief tenure in Yorkshire was a frustrating one given the potential he had to be their promotion catalyst.

They desperately needed someone to take their plight by the scruff of the neck and drag them through, and arguably there are few better characters to do so with the aggression and passion needed than Sharp.

How good was Billy Sharp?

It is a testament to not just his quality, but his personability, that most who play with the 37-year-old rush to laud the man as well as the player.

John Fleck, a former teammate of his, was one such example, as he spoke in length to The Athletic back in 2020: "Billy has not just been an amazing goalscorer — and he still is, by the way — but he is also captain of the club. He runs the dressing room very well and always has done since I arrived. I am sure he will keep doing that as long as we are together as a group. He is in charge of everything.”

After all, having showcased his desperation to continue returning to Bramall Lane, this should come as no surprise, having spent roughly 12 years there across three separate stints.

377

129

44

102

45

16

93

55

55

40

11

5

35

5

1

All stats via Transfermarkt

Although his time at Elland Road was not quite as long or profitable as they might have hoped, with just five goals to his name, his impact as a goalscorer across League One, the Championship and even the Premier League cannot be disputed.

The 5 foot 9 ace would score 272 career goals and counting, given he now features for LA Galaxy in the MLS, as he seeks to usher in a quiet and calming retirement after a dogged career of scrapping for everything he earned.

Given Uwe Rosler would sanction his exit for just £500k, when the promotion he might have brought would have been much more lucrative, this marks one of many blunders the German made during his ill-fated three-month stint as manager.

However, the allure of Sharp's boyhood club was always bound to prove too much. After all, in the eyes of Chris Wilder, he is "Mr Sheffield United". Leeds could never have competed with that.

Andrew McGlashan talks to Mal Loye about his experiences in Australia, being dumped for the World Cup and how he is now focussed purely on Lancashire

Andrew McGlashan11-May-2007

Sweeping statement: Mal Loye refused to change the way he played when his England call came © Getty Images
While England’s top-order floundered in the Caribbean there was one player who would have at least tried to clear the boundaries. But he was splitting his time between a pre-season tour of South Africa and the early throws of a domestic season. With every delivery patted down the pitch or left outside off stump the situation was crying out for Mal Loye’s aggression and innovation.Loye wouldn’t have solved all England’s woes and meant they were the ones lapping up the adulation of an adoring public instead of the Australians. Far from it, the one-day problems run much deeper than the top three but they are symptomatic of the larger malaise. However, Loye would have gone down blazing rather than blocking and England’s total wouldn’t have crept to nine runs in the seventh over of the virtual quarter-final against South Africa.He could certainly be forgiven for feeling a little bitter about the way he was discarded by England following seven matches in the CB Series. “After missing out on the World Cup I had a bit of a sulk,” he admits, “but after that all I have focused on is Lancashire, it’s all I can do. It’s what has made me successful.”Loye’s career record reads more than 13,000 runs in first-class cricket and more than 8000 in limited overs matches. He was on the verge of a Test cap in 1998 when called up to face Sri Lanka after Mike Atherton was injured. But at the last minute the selectors had a change of heart and went for Steve James. “They wanted an opener for an opener and I was told thanks but no thanks.”Loye has had to deal with his fair share of poor communication over the years so, recently, took it as a positive that he received a phone call to tell him he wasn’t in the 25-man development squad. “The selectors let me know that but that’s the only contact I’ve had in my whole career so I’ll take a positive from that. Now it’s about kicking on and getting some scores under my belt.” It’s been a mixed start to the 2007 season for him, a century at Edgbaston and a run of innings in the thirties and forties. “It’s frustrating, I keep giving it away.” The selectors let me know that but that’s the only contact I’ve had in my whole career so I’ll take a positive from that Even if Loye’s international career is done and dusted his brief stint at the top level is still packed with incident, some before he’d actually arrived in Australia. When Kevin Pietersen was hit in the ribs at the MCG, Loye was in New Zealand during a club stint with Auckland. “I was getting text messages and phone calls from people back home who were watching the TV and they were basically telling me I was in. Then Ravi [Bopara] got called up, but I knew I was close so there was still hope.”However, injuries were never far away and it wasn’t long until Michael Vaughan pulled a hamstring at Hobart. “I’d actually just played my first game for Auckland after coming back from an injury,” Loye explains. “Then I came off and noticed that Vaughan needed a runner and I was pretty sure after the feedback earlier that week that I had a good chance.”Two days later he walked out at The Gabba with Andrew Strauss against Australia. Nerves? “I just remember thinking I had nothing to lose. I wanted to make the most of the day because it might have been my one and only chance. If I’d been 24 I would probably have gone in very differently and put extra pressure on myself but as I was 34 I just thought I had nothing to lose.” And just to show he wasn’t going to hold back, the trademark sweep came out, against Brett Lee of all people. “I had a look at it and realised what a good pitch it was. Even though it was a low-scoring game it was a belter, and after watching the Ashes and a disappointing start to the one-dayers I just thought taking them on was the best way to go. Glenn McGrath said a few things but I was just enjoying it so much that I didn’t hear a lot.”

Taking it on the chin: Loye took some battle scars away with him from Australia © Getty Images
The results were mixed – but mainly on the low side – as Loye found out that McGrath, Lee and Co. don’t take kindly to such treatment. But, given his chance again, Loye would do the same despite taking a crack on the chin in the second final at Sydney. “I wanted to do it again next ball,” he said before explaining his variation of getting back on horse. “It’s a bit like when I had a car crash as a kid and later that same day I wanted to drive because the longer you leave it the more you are going to doubt yourself. It’s a shot like a pull or a hook which you can get hit playing and you don’t stop using those.”So, having watched from the sidelines, what did one of the country’s most aggressive one-day batsmen make of England’s efforts in the Caribbean? “As openers now you have to have an all-round game, you can’t just go in and play one way.” But he still offers his support to Vaughan, the man who took his place for the World Cup. “It depends on conditions. Everyone is going on about Vaughan but I think he has the game to smack it around and also the technical ability when it is doing a bit.”Loye certainly hasn’t given up hope of having another taste of the big time and the Twenty20 World Championship in September is giving him a target to focus on. “Ultimately it’s always at the back of your mind and to play in a tournament like that would be amazing but it depends the route the new management wants to take. I don’t know how they are thinking so all I can do is score runs for Lancashire.”For someone who waited so long for an opening it would be easy to feel contented with a handful of one-day caps and playing a helping hand in a rare one-day success. However, for Loye there is certainly not a feeling of fulfillment. “I’m not satisfied at all. To play at the highest level is to play Test cricket and if that never happens I’ll look back and it will be a huge regret. But you can only do so much and the rest is in other people’s hands.”

Liverpool have been handed a huge boost ahead of their Premier League clash with Brentford, as Mohamed Salah is ready for a return to action.

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Superstar forward injured on AFCON dutyReturned to England for treatmentKlopp ready to hand him Premier League recallWHAT HAPPENED?

The Egyptian superstar picked up an untimely knock while away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. He returned to England for treatment after being laid low, with a muscular problem confirmed to be more serious than first feared.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT KLOPP SAID ABOUT SALAH

Salah’s last appearance for Liverpool came on New Year’s Day, when he bagged a brace in a 4-2 victory over Newcastle, but he has returned to the training ground this week and could see more game time in a trip to Brentford. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has said: “Mo is back in full training. That brings him automatically into contention.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Salah is not the only senior star back at Klopp’s disposal, with the German going on to say when delivering a full update on his squad ahead of a meeting with the Bees: “Ibou [Ibrahima Konate] is not suspended any more, Joey [Gomez] is fit again, Conor [Bradley] is back, Ali [Alisson] is back, so that's all positive.”

On those that are ruled out, with Trent Alexander-Arnold back on the sidelines, Klopp added: “Thiago [Alcantara], no. And Trent, no. I wasn't really aware of it but I caught some of the news there was a discussion we might have forced Trent back, he has had setbacks and nobody wants that. As long as I've been here we've never forced anyone back. But we work in a high performance area. We always try to catch them at the earliest moment, unfortunately when we catch that early nobody speaks about that. The last decision is always by the player. When the boys played they were fit, but the situation told us differently as it happened again. Very, very unlucky and unfortunate.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Liverpool head into the latest round of fixtures sat at the top of the Premier League table. They are only two points clear of defending champions Manchester City, who boast a game in hand, so will be delighted to have three-time Golden Boot winner Salah back as they look to build momentum.

There was plenty of love for Gio Reyna as he embarked on a surprise new chapter in his career with a loan move to Nottingham Forest.

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Reyna joins Forest in loan switchUSMT star seeks minutes after Dortmund strugglesPulisic and Bellingham among well wishersGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

There was plenty of love for Gio Reyna as he embarked on a surprise new chapter in his career with a loan move to Nottingham Forest.

The 21-year-old sealed a loan deal to Nuno Espirito Santo's side until the end of the season having been restricted to just 280 minutes of Bundesliga action this season after falling out of favour at Borussia Dortmund.

Sitting just two points above the relegation zone and with a potential points deduction hanging over them, Forest will be hoping that Reyna will provide a spark to fire them to safety.

AdvertisementWHAT GIO REYNA SAID

Posting a picture of himself arriving at a deserted City Ground, Reyna posted: "So excited to be here! Can’t wait to get started! Let’s gooo."

Quick to reply were Pulisic with a motivational "Let's get it bro."

Former Dortmund team-mate Bellingham chimed in with a simple: "Brother," alongside a heart emoji.

Timothy Weah, Matt Miazga and Folarin Balogun all wished their USMNT team-mate good luck with the move.

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

In what's turned out to be a quiet winter transfer window, Reyna's switch is one of the more intriguing moves. Whether the American can find the continuity he craves at a club where ambitious recruitment has seen vast numbers of players arrive and leave in the past number of windows remains to be seen. If Reyna can dovetail effectively with the talented Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga then Forest may have pulled off something of a coup. If not, they are under no obligation to sign the player on a permanent basis.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Reyna can seek advice on life in the Premier League from a familiar source. His father Claudio enjoyed six seasons in the English top flight after joining Sunderland in 2001. After two years on Wearside he moved on to Manchester City before returning to his native New Jersey.

Inter Miami are looking to make history again in 2024, with Lionel Messi “playing free”, but they are reluctant to be dragged into a play-off debate.

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Herons won first trophy in 2023Chasing down four honours this seasonOff to a winning start against RSLWHAT HAPPENED?

Many are tipping the Herons to put themselves in contention for MLS Cup glory, having secured a historic Leagues Cup triumph last season. With eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi on their books, and the new campaign opened with a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake, the Florida-based outfit appear ready to move through the gears.

Watch Inter Miami with the MLS Season PassStream nowAdvertisementGettyWHAT MARTINO SAID ABOUT MESSI

They have never won a play-off game, following two previous visits to that stage, but head coach Tata Martino is reluctant to start making wild predictions about rewriting the history books with there so much competitive action to come. He said when asked about Inter Miami’s post-season record: “You don't have to jump the gun. It was just one game.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

While wary of getting caught up in future talk, Martino is pleased with what he is seeing in the present. He added on watching Messi rediscover a spark following an injury-hit pre-season: “If anybody had been sceptical about what this team can do, I think the first half showed them. I saw [Messi] playing free on the field. And with the same fine touch he always had. And he showed some speed too. He has a characteristic that no other player has. He grabs the ball very far from the rival goal and the feeling he gives is that he will generate something and will end in a goal situation. The play he had alone against two players at the end of the game is a sign that he is good physically and also happy to be on the pitch.”

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Getty/GOALDID YOU KNOW?

Martino went on to say of Messi’s partnership with former Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez, which is being rekindled in the United States: “I had been saying since we got back from Japan two weeks ago that we needed to have more training sessions together for them to rediscover their rhythm. In their case, they know each other well, but it takes time for them to find that connection again that they had in Barcelona.”

Liverpool have been handed a boost in the race to sign a new striker, but a fresh report has revealed that they aren't the only club who are looking to bring him to the Premier League.

How have Liverpool started the season?

Jurgen Klopp’s side have made an excellent start to the new campaign having won five and drawn one of their opening six games, meaning that they find themselves second in the top-flight table having taken 16 points from a possible 18, as per the division’s official website.

The Merseyside outfit have no doubt been boosted by the four new summer arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, but the team’s improved performance levels hasn’t stopped club chiefs from assessing their options ahead of the upcoming transfer window in 2024.

Back in January of this year, Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko was the subject of an enquiry from FSG, who asked to be kept informed on his situation alongside Chelsea, Newcastle, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Whilst a deal for Germany’s youth international failed to materialise at the time, the Reds now appear to have been given the perfect opportunity to take a second bite of the cherry and secure the services of his 18-year-old target.

Are Liverpool signing Youssoufa Moukoko?

According to German outlet BILD (via TEAMtalk), Liverpool and Chelsea "have been encouraged" by learning the news that Borussia Dortmund are "open to selling" Moukoko in January.

The Bundesliga outfit are willing to sanction the sale of their prized asset at the start of the new year should an offer be put on the table that they are satisfied with, but it's worth noting that he's also attracting interest from La Liga side Real Madrid.

The Reds and the Blues once again being name-checked though suggests that their admiration could be ever so slightly stronger, so this may be one to watch as we approach 2024.

How many goals has Youssoufa Moukoko scored?

Since the start of his career, Moukoko has racked up a remarkable 190 contributions (155 goals and 35 assists) in just 167 appearances across all age levels which has seen him dubbed a goal scoring “machine” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, so it would be a massive coup if he was ever to join Liverpool in the future.

Sponsored by Nike, the left-footed centre-forward also has the ability to operate in three different positions, including as a second striker and out wide on the right-wing alongside his usual role when leading the line through the middle, so his versatility is another quality that would make him a useful player for the boss to have at his disposal.

In addition, Moukoko, who pockets £49k-per-week, shares the same agent, Wasserman, as both Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones, so this existing connection that his representative already has to the club could give the board a small advantage over their competitors should they decide to pursue a deal for the extremely prolific attacker in January.

Tottenham Hotspur have bolstered their attacking ranks significantly this summer, but could be set to make one final acquisition to cement Ange Postecoglou’s already impressive start to life in north London…

Who else will Tottenham Hotspur sign?

With James Maddison having endeared himself to his new fanbase with ease, and Manor Solomon a fine backup option having occupied the bench, it could be easy to assume that their attacking business for this window was coming to an end.

However, the rumour mill has continued to turn, with reports circulating suggesting various offensive stars who could still make the move to N17, especially given the departure of Harry Kane, and the goalscoring vacancy he has left.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

So, perhaps in an effort to create some additional chances to offset this absence, they could make their interest in Jeremy Doku tangible and fork up the £50m that Rennes are commanding.

How good is Jeremy Doku?

As a tricky wide man who has often deputised through the middle, it is clear that this Belgian magician has the skillset to both terrorise full-backs and bamboozle defensive midfielders wherever he is deployed.

In fact, such is his immense ability to forge chances for others, FBref even include Martin Odegaard on his list of ‘similar players’ despite their favoured positions being quite different.

This is likely due to the high volume of opportunities their excellence forges for teammates in the final third, with Doku using his speed and tricks whilst the Norway international prefers his technical prowess.

The latter allowed the Arsenal maestro to score 15 and assist eight in the Premier League last season, with his 7.35 average rating the highest of any Gunners player.

Such a figure was largely buoyed by his 2.1 key passes per game, which admittedly blows Doku’s figures out of the water.

He only managed one key pass per game last term in Ligue 1, yet his eight goal contributions allowed him to boast a 7.15 average rating in the French top flight, via Sofascore.

Then, as if to emphasise his starring qualities, when compared to other midfielders across Europe he sits in the top 1% for non-penalty goals, shot-creating actions, progressive carries and successful take-ons all per 90, via FBref.

His compatriot Kevin De Bruyne sought to laud his international teammate, noting:

“He is nimble, fast and he can dribble. Of course, he sometimes makes a mistake, but who doesn't? He is a diamond in the rough.”

Although Odegaard does not quite boast that same dynamism and ability to dance through numerous defenders, his sheer quality in possession is something which Doku will aspire to add to his game, although the foundation already seems very much in place.

Postecoglou would love to have another creator akin to Maddison within his side, in an effort to remove some of the focus away from the England international.

The former Leicester City maestro has enjoyed a fine start to the new campaign, recording two assists in their first two Premier League games; his presence seems to be underpinning the Australian’s revolution with a patented tireless work rate and elegance in possession.

Combining this with the explosive Doku, who mirrors the key man of their north London rivals, could help them bridge the gap that has opened up between them in recent years.

Manchester United are tracking an exciting young striker in the Premier League, but a reliable journalist has revealed that he isn’t the only option being considered.

How have Man United started the season?

The Old Trafford outfit haven’t made the best start to the new top-flight campaign as they find themselves sitting 11th in the table having picked up just six points so far from a possible 12, securing two victories but also suffering the same number of defeats.

Despite capturing Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta earlier in the summer, Erik ten Hag will still be looking to bolster his ranks at centre-forward with the future of Anthony Martial looking extremely uncertain, and the boss already seems to have set his sights on a potential candidate he’d like to recruit.

At Brighton and Hove Albion in April, Evan Ferguson signed a new contract which isn’t set to expire until 2028, but having firmly established himself as Roberto De Zerbi’s top-performing offensive player so far this term, he’s caught the eye of the manager in M16.

Back in May, Melissa Reddy credited the Red Devils and Tottenham Hotspur with an interest in the 18-year-old who she claimed had been earmarked as the perfect attacker to lead the line in the long-term future, and a new update has now emerged regarding the club’s pursuit of the Republic of Ireland international.

Are Man United signing Evan Ferguson?

According to The Daily Mail's Mike Keegan during a live Q&A, Man United do hold a concrete interest in Ferguson, but there are also other mystery stars who the hierarchy are looking at. He said:

“United have been watching Ferguson and monitoring his progress but the same could be said of dozens of players. They are already working two windows ahead, which is pretty commonplace across the rest of the Premier League. For each position they ideally have three or more players on a list which they scout and regularly update."

How many goals has Evan Ferguson scored?

For Brighton since getting promoted to their senior fold, Ferguson has posted 18 contributions (14 goals and four assists) in 33 appearances which shows how prolific he is, and the striker poses a constant threat in the final third.

The 6 foot 2 colossus, who pockets £20k-per-week, has recorded a total of 13 shots so far this season which is more than any of his fellow teammates, via FBRef, but he also has strong link-up play with his peers in the opposition’s half, ranking in the 97th percentile for pass completion.

Furthermore, Ferguson, who has been dubbed the “complete package” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is a versatile operator with his ability to play in five positions, including all across the frontline and even in attacking midfield, so this is another attractive attribute for Ten Hag and one that will be useful for him to have in the building should any unexpected injuries occur in other roles where cover may need to be provided.

It was none the revival of the one dominant theme surrounding this rivalry: Indian batsmen v Pakistani bowlers

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan in Delhi23-Nov-2007

Today’s play provided an illustration that the battle between India’s batsmen and Pakistan’s bowlers is still being furiously fought. © AFP
The Kotla Test is alive and well. There was a fear, especially after Pakistan’s insipid showing over the last few weeks, that this series was going to be consigned to the cricketing dustbin. It took a combination of factors to make the second day a riveting spectacle, none more so than the revival of the one dominant theme surrounding this rivalry: Indian batsmen v Pakistani bowlers.Turn the clock back and you have series after series hyped thus. Very often it’s been about India’s masterful wrists taking on Pakistan’s exotic brand of pace and legspin. It’s often simply trotted out as an overused cliché but the fact remains, and today was an example, that the battle is still being furiously fought.It was a day when red-hot pace (Shoaib Akhtar) met rock-solid defence (Rahul Dravid); when outlandish wrong-footed medium-pace (Sohail Tanvir) ran into willowy wrist-work (VVS Laxman); and when the artful legspin of Danish Kaneria jousted with Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s unconventional shot-manufacturing. It was also a day for two run-outs, umpteen raucous appeals, several verbal confrontations and an atmosphere that matched the quality of cricket on show. Heck, even the sun stayed out for most of the day.Tanvir has to be one of the most freakish cricketers around – not only with respect to his action but also his rapid rise. Six months back he was a nobody, in June he was one of the many young prospects attending Wasim Akram’s bowling camp, by September he was part of a side that reached the ICC World Twenty20 final, in October he broke into the one-day side (yet there were many still calling him “limited”).Today he snared two of the biggest wickets at hand. One came into the left-hander, sneaking through the gate that Sourav Ganguly opened; the other did the same to the right-hander, castling the technically superior Rahul Dravid. Stranger still, he reacted in stoic manner, without the hint of a smile. Here is someone whose arms, head and legs defy the laws of mechanics ball after ball. Yet he often appeared the most morose man on the field. At the media session early on in the tour he thought it best to introduce himself before answering questions – “Ladies and gentlemen, I am Sohail Tanvir, [the] left-arm fast bowler …” – but few will need any introductions now. Here is someone whose arms, head and legs defy the laws of mechanics ball after ball. Yet he often appeared the most morose man on the field Up against him was Laxman, a far more languid character whose smile can light up an entire room. Unlike Tanvir, there is no real effort in Laxman’s game, no jerky movements, no awkwardness. He walked in amid a mini-crisis but was soon executing flicks from his magical repertoire. In typically humble fashion he later dismissed all those gorgeous strokes, saying he “just played according to the merit of the ball”.The tough bit would have been handling Tanvir, occasionally swinging the ball both ways, but Laxman picked it off as delicately as if he were peeling an egg. “Tanvir is a very different kind of bowler so it is very important to get used to his style of bowling,” said Laxman, “and getting used to his style was challenging. Yet I thought Shoaib was the best bowler for them.”For sheer adrenalin-fuelled pace Shoaib has few equals. His run-up appeared shorter than usual but the strange bit was the manner in which he marked it – setting a mark on the ground and starting ten feet behind. He was used in short bursts and clocked around 145kph whenever given the ball. He was greeted by “Indy, Pindi, Rawalpindi” when fielding near the boundary-line but laughed it all away with one of those “What do you know about the donkey work” laughs.Dhoni was the most innovative one on view. He danced down the track to Tanvir, in an attempt to negate the swing, and brought out a few agricultural pulls down the ground against Danish Kaneria. He ran hard, fidgeted and didn’t hesitate giving the bowlers some lip. His free-flowing style eased the pressure on Laxman, one who has tended to be bogged down when batting with the tail. In contrasting styles they ensured that India’s batsmen ended the day with a slight edge over the Pakistan bowlers. Both sets can take a bow: it was the absorbing contest that – finally – ignited the series.

The allrounder scored his seventh first-class century as the hosts scored at over four runs per over through the day

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Feb-2018Stumps
Scorecard
Moises Henriques whips one to the leg side•Getty ImagesAn unbeaten century from Moises Henriques helped New South Wales put Tasmania to the sword on day one at the Sydney Cricket Ground.Henriques punished a tired Tigers attack in the second half of the day, having entered in the 50th over after the top four had laid a strong platform. Nick Larkin and Ed Cowan put together a 115-run stand for the second wicket. Larkin made 85 and Cowan 68. The latter fell to 17-year-old off-spinner Jarrod Freeman who was on debut.Henriques then joined Kurtis Patterson and the pair made 156 runs in less than 35 overs before Patterson was bowled by Tom Rogers for 72. Rogers picked up his third scalp, Nic Maddinson, shortly after, to finish with three wickets. Henriques and Peter Nevill will look to continue the carnage on day two.