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George Bailey said “it gives you great confidence…when you know your opening batters are locked away”

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff11-Nov-2021Marcus Harris will open the batting with David Warner in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, chairman of selectors George Bailey has confirmed.Harris’ place at the top of the order had presumed to be in doubt, having been in and out of the team for three years.But he is the incumbent after partnering with Warner the last time Australia played Test cricket – the agonising defeat to India at the Gabba in January. Bailey, however, has placed faith in the 29-year-old to nail down his spot.”It gives you great confidence as a selector when you know your opening batters are locked away as far as a Test series go,” Bailey told RSN radio. “It’s a hard spot to bat and to get those places settle, it’s really important.”Harry’s only had a limited opportunity in the past, and he’s been in and out a bit, so we’d love nothing more than for him to hopefully to get an opportunity to get an extended run at it.”What we have liked is his consistency. He’s obviously been a prolific run-scorer at domestic level here, but also love the fact he went overseas and had a great year for Leicester as well.”Related

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Harris fell cheaply in both innings of Victoria’s recent Sheffield Shield clash with NSW, but he did score a gritty century against the Blues last month. After 10 Tests, Harris is averaging 23.77 and his top score of 79 came against India at the SCG in 2019.Will Pucovski, who made his Test debut as an opener against India last season, has seen his chances of being part of the Ashes recede after another concussion which means he has yet to play for Victoria this summer.Bailey confirming the opening combination will come as sweet relief to Harris, who had been staring down some blistering form from Queensland veteran Usman Khawaja. But Khawaja could still earn a spot in the middle order for the first Test on December 8, with Bailey saying the No.5 spot “is certainly open” although he added the selectors were close to a decision.South Australia captain Travis Head has been in promising form and could win back the spot he lost after last year’s Boxing Day Test.The Australia selectors are expected to announce next week 25 players who will join up in Queensland to also form an Australia A side, for both an intrasquad warm-up and a match against England Lions. The final Ashes squad may not be confirmed until after the intrasquad fixture which could play a similar role to the one that took place ahead of the 2019 Ashes in England.While only the No. 5 slot would now appear up for debate there will be jostling for positions among back-up quick bowlers. James Pattinson’s international retirement means the tag of first reserve is up for grabs. The uncapped Michael Neser has picked up a hamstring injury in the current Sheffield Shield match although it is hoped it will still be available. Sean Abbott, Jhye Richardson, Mark Steketee and Scott Boland could also be in contention.

On the occasion of his 100th Test, Andrew Strauss looks back on his journey, and at the tough times when even playing international cricket seemed inconceivable

Interview by George Dobell15-Aug-2012May 1999
Taking the step up
The year before, I was really questioning whether I was going to make it. I’d started at Middlesex in 1997 and was immediately given a rude awakening. I soon realised I was miles away from the standard required to be a professional cricketer. In 1998 I worked much harder and things started to go a bit better. I had become more professional and woken up to what being professional meant. I made my first-class debut at the end of the 1998 season and I scored a few runs. So, by 1999, I was very confident I could make a career out of cricket, but I had no idea how far I could go in the game. I was just trying to establish myself in the Middlesex first team. I was still on the periphery at that stage, but I was highly motivated and I had learned my lessons from a time as a student joker when I was just playing at the idea of being a professional cricketer.I was very fortunate to be one of the early recipients of the MCCU scheme while I was at Durham University. The centre of excellence at Durham was a big step forward and had a massive impact on me. Graeme Fowler, who was the coach there, transformed a talented but drunken bunch of students into aspiring young professionals, with training programmes, developmental plans and access to sports psychologists. Our eyes were opened to what we needed to do, and it was a huge help to me.May 2002
Promotion and a role model
Justin Langer was very important early in my career. He was a great example. He was playing for Australia at the time, but he was at Middlesex, scoring runs every week. And he was training hard. He was doing things that the majority of players weren’t doing. That was the key thing I took from him: I realised that if I wanted to play for England, I couldn’t just do what everyone else was doing. I wasn’t going to get better than them that way. I had to do more. I had to dig deeper, work harder and challenge myself more.I was fortunate that I was made captain, too. That gave me the extra impetus to lead by example and push myself harder. I started to score runs more consistently as a result of that. I’m not sure whose decision it was to make me captain. John Emburey was Middlesex coach at the time. There were a couple of other senior players that might have been given the job: Paul Weekes was one; Phil Tufnell was another, though I suppose he was an unlikely captain. Anyway, Angus Fraser retired suddenly just a few weeks into the season and, as vice-captain, I was given the job. It forced me to grow up very quickly. I was only 24. I had no idea of all the demands that came with the job. I had no training in how to manage other players, how to deal with committees or anything like that, so I had to learn very quickly.The Napier innings, in 2008, that turned things around•Getty ImagesMay 2007
England humbled 5-0 in the Ashes and then eliminated early from the World Cup
That was a horrendous winter. We went to Australia full of enthusiasm and anticipation of what we thought would be a great series. We fell flat on our faces in Australia against a fantastic side. And then we never got going in the World Cup. It was devastating collectively and individually. I didn’t play well and I was dropped from the ODI team for the first time during the World Cup. The whole experience really knocked the wind out of my sails.Looking back, though, I’m convinced you learn more in defeat than in victory. And I’m sure that the seeds of our success in Australia in 2010-11 were sown in 2006-07. The things we did wrong helped us to approach things much better a second time around. As a batsman, it gives you great confidence to come through such an episode. I suppose nearly all players have had a spell like that. You either disappear back into obscurity or you find a way to deal with it. Once you have come through it, you know you can deal with it should it come again.March 2008
A career-saving century in Napier
I was in the last-chance saloon, wasn’t I? I had been dropped from the side for the Sri Lanka tour, and, having been brought back, I hadn’t scored many runs. I was fortunate, really: I came in to bat for the final innings of the final Test against New Zealand. The wicket was flat and I was able to concentrate hard. I scored a century. It concentrates the mind when you know your place is in jeopardy. There was no way that I was going to be caught at extra cover in that innings. There was nothing carefree or relaxed about that innings. I just battled.I never really questioned my ability to play at that level. What people don’t appreciate is the mental journey you go on as an England player. When you start you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. But then the pendulum swings, the expectations grow and you demand more of yourself. You are always faced with the best players in the world, too, and mentally things do grow harder the longer you play. I was stuck in a rut and I had to fight my way out of it.January 2011
England retain the Ashes in Australia

One of my great ambitions was always to go to Australia and win. So to achieve that, and to achieve that in such an emphatic fashion, was very special. I honestly felt very proud and fortunate to be part of such an outstanding group of cricketers. On the back of that Ashes victory, I felt we had the opportunity to go and create something special. We’re a little way down the line now and there is a lot still to do, but I feel we’re still progressing.Our coach, Andy Flower, deserves a huge amount of credit. He has been instrumental in everything we’ve done. He has challenged the players, he has broken down the methodology of how we do things in the England set-up, and he has had an incredible drive and ambition to take the team somewhere new and exciting. He has great respect from all the players and it has been a pleasure to work with him as captain.We didn’t start in the best of circumstances. [It was the tour to the Caribbean in 2009, just after the previous coach-captain pair of Peter Moores and Kevin Pietersen had been fired.] But, in a way, it was helpful. Everyone wanted to move in a fresh direction, and after one game together [the Test in Jamaica where England were bowed out for 51 in their second innings] there was an acceptance of where we were and where we needed to go.Ashes glory, four years after the 5-0 humiliation•PA PhotosAndy is so valuable to us. Hopefully, there will be an opportunity at some stage for him to take a bit of a break. Of course, he would benefit from a rest as much as any of the players. But he is very much present in everything and he wants to be present in everything as much as possible. He still has a lot of energy and a lot of drive and ambition. I’m sure he will be around for a good few years yet.The present day
The next 12 or 18 months are probably a defining period for us. We’ve done exceptionally well to get to No. 1 and the next period will determine how good we really are. I’m excited about it. It’s just the sort of challenge – or the series of challenges – we need as a group. Our versatility will be tested. We are going to be tested in different conditions by the best cricketers in the world. And that’s exactly what you want as an international cricketer. You want to be tested by the best in conditions that stretch you. I have faith in the group of players we have that we can come through all those tests and emerge on top.The guys have achieved a lot. I don’t take the credit for our improvement. The players have worked incredibly hard and I’m very proud of them. They have bought into everything that Andy Flower and I have tried to instil in the team and they have consistently performed under pressure. I’m very proud of the cricketers we have and I feel we’re in a good place. We have further to go, but we are heading in the right direction.

Wright the pragmatist wanted more control over selection than Buchanan the analyst but NZC decided the former was more expendable

Andrew Alderson01-May-2012You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. John Wright’s face appeared equal parts incredulity and apprehension last March, when told New Zealand Cricket was seeking a new director of cricket. Wright had been casually informed by New Zealand’s three-person 2011 World Cup media contingent in the palatial lobby of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel on Mumbai’s waterfront.The fact two-time World Cup winning coach John Buchanan was appointed several weeks later is less relevant than the wider scope of the role: Wright would have a new direct boss and the autonomy he so desperately sought as head coach would inevitably be compromised. Perhaps Buchanan’s appointment was the beginning of the end. Wright’s decision to step down as coach of the New Zealand team after the upcoming West Indies tour – a stint of just over 19 months – has been a tale of two coaches, two contracts and two cricket philosophies. Wright might have beaten Buchanan 2-1 as the respective coaches of India and Australia in 2001 during one of the greatest Test series in history but Buchanan has wrestled one back.Wright wanted the NZC board and chief executive David White to reduce Buchanan’s powers. He didn’t get it. As someone who has achieved plenty as a player and coach before taking on the New Zealand role, Wright consequently decided there was more to life, especially given the expectation he would sign until the end of the 2015 World Cup. If the 57-year-old had stayed in the role he faced numerous intense tours over the next three years.
It’s understood Wright did not demand a salary increase and was happy to concede more administrative responsibility to manager Mike Sandle but, in return, wanted absolute power over the coaching and selection of the team.The “positive tension” oxymoron White previously spoke about between Wright and Buchanan was at the core of the problem. Wright is a pragmatist, Buchanan is an analyst. Both have been successful international coaches before joining NZC. Yet less Buchanan influence around the selection table became a non-negotiable for Wright.It placed NZC in a difficult position. It could accept Wright’s position and avoid the awkwardness of a public hero stepping aside prematurely. The downside (in the board’s eyes) would be reducing Buchanan’s control, or, given the pair might struggle to work together, paying Buchanan off. In tough economic times Wright was more expendable, given his contract finished after the West Indies tour. Likewise, if Wright wanted to adjust his staffing situation, which included three Australians – Kim Littlejohn (selection manager), Trent Woodhill (assistant coach) and Damien Wright (bowling coach) – it would potentially require more ‘money-for-nothing’ pay-outs. NZC’s hand was forced.An endorsement of Wright’s tenure was not helped at board level by perceived inadequacies in his communication skills. The board was initially believed to have given White carte blanche to secure Wright’s signature. However, its outlook became less generous over time. Concerns were raised that, regardless of inspirational dressing room talks, Wright could not afford to cut corners in the modern cricketing environment and needed to communicate more clearly with players and management outside the shed.
One example had Wright adamant players should not have to fill out a substantial 2011-12 season review document. Wright preferred an old-school “sit down with a beer at the bar” approach to counselling players.Wright was also disappointed NZC failed to appoint former Otago coach Mike Hesson – now in charge of Kenya – to either the selection manager or team manager roles eventually secured by former Bowls Australia high performance manager Littlejohn and ex-Blues rugby manager Sandle respectively.Sadly Wright’s decision means New Zealand cricket fans got only a fleeting glimpse of what might have been possible. Unless something spectacular occurs in the West Indies his tenure will forever be marked with a tentative “showed promise”. Under Wright, New Zealand secured the country’s first semi-finals spot in a World Cup on the subcontinent (after 11 straight ODI losses in that part of the world at the start of the tournament). They followed that with their first Test win in 18 years against Australia and added further Test wins, home and away, against Zimbabwe. No silverware was earned against South Africa but – the second Test aside – there were signs the team could at least compete for sustained periods. Wright also proved a masterful selector at times, based on form (Mark Gillespie, Dean Brownlie and Kruger van Wyk) and intuition (Doug Bracewell and BJ Watling).

“The ‘positive tension’ oxymoron between Wright and Buchanan was at the core of the problem”

After four years with NZC in various capacities, Wright can presumably return to short-term contracts, perhaps with English and Indian teams, while spending further time on his Canterbury farm.The non-renewal of Wright’s contract means the coaching position remains a poisoned chalice. Since John Bracewell resigned in 2008 the reins have been held in various capacities by Andy Moles, Mark Greatbatch, Roger Mortimer and Wright. The team won’t slide back to square one but Wright’s exit means they have lost valuable kudos in the public perception stakes. The former skipper is forever etched in the nation’s memory through cricketing achievements, including his famed prolonged and painful exits from the batting crease. When Wright was dismissed the cricketing nation grieved with him, as they do now.Few obvious replacements spring to mind. Chennai Super Kings coach and former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, Kenya’s Hesson, Northern Districts coach Grant Bradburn, Wellington and former Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons and even Lancashire and former England coach Peter Moores have been touted as possible successors, provided they can get out of their current contracts.As New Zealand’s most successful Test leader and with an IPL title as a coach, Fleming would be the preferred choice. Convincing him to step into the full-time role and away from his young family, multitude of business interests and Chennai coaching cameo would require serious levels of persuasion, patriotism and cash.Hesson seems suitable but, given he was overlooked for the team manager and selection manager roles, he might not be top of the recruitment list. He also needs to be bought out of his Kenya contract.Bradburn ideally needs to serve a couple more seasons in charge of Northern Districts, despite securing his second Plunket Shield title in three years this season. Bradburn is a consummate professional with Test experience and a proven capability for bringing through fledgling talent.Siddons has international coaching experience but the creation of a fully Australian management panel (Sandle excepted) seems a risky public relations exercise in the current fragile environment. Moores would be a wildcard, although his name has been bandied in local cricket circles after his stint with England ended prematurely courtesy of a disagreement with then-captain Kevin Pietersen.

With 24 needed from 12 balls, Asif hit four sixes off Janat in the 19th over to win it

Sidharth Monga29-Oct-2021The modern rivalry between Pakistan and Afghanistan produced yet another instant classic, but in the end Afghanistan ran out of bowling depth to lose with one over to go. Pakistan, who will know they manufactured a crisis especially with captain Babar Azam losing his wits around Rashid Khan, are now practically in the semi-final with Asif Ali bailing them out with four sixes in the 19th over.It was as loud as it was tense off the field with scenes of stampede outside the stadium when trying to keep out ticketless fans reminiscent of the rioting during the 2019 World Cup match at Headingley between these two sides. On the field, Afghanistan made all the running, be it a frenetic start, the slowdown to avoid getting bowled out, the finishing quick, the Mujeeb Ur Rahman attack first up, the holding back of Rashid, the Naveen-ul-Haq 18th over to create pressure.

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Pakistan kept absorbing the blows before Asif struck the deciding ones in the 19th over. With one whole bowler’s quote to be made up of Karim Janat and Gulbadin Naib, who didn’t bowl on the night, Afghanistan just had too few to defend in 147.Helter skelterThe start was pure no-holds-barred manic Twenty20 energy. Three batters’ first scoring shots in the powerplay were sixes. Haris Rauf bowled the joint-fastest ball of the Super 12s stage. Shaheen Afridi didn’t get a wicket in the first over, but got one in his second. Imad Wasim took out a left-hand batter in his first and got carted two right-hand batters in his second. All told Afghanistan were 49 for 4 after the powerplay.It didn’t stop there. After a couple of overs’ lull, Najibullah Zadran reverse-swept Shadab Khan for four followed by a four and six off him in his coming overs. In between Imad got Janat. Shadab’s response to the six was the perfect wrong’un to take Najib’s edge and make it 70 for 6 in the 13th over.The Nabi-Naib showBy the time Najibullah got out, Mohammad Nabi scored just five off 12. He would continue going slow to 20 off 23 at the start of the death overs. They knew they had lost too many wickets up front, and now needed wickets in hand if they were going to get big runs in the back four. Rauf conceded just three in the 17th. In the 18th, though, Nabi exploited the short leg-side boundary to take down Hasan Ali and then capitalised on a couple of errors from Rauf. Forty-six off the last four gave Afghanistan something to work with.Mujeeb ties Pakistan downThat something became more substantial as Mujeeb started off superbly with his variations and accuracy, bowling four overs on the trot for 14 runs and the wicket of Mohammad Rizwan. By the time Mujeeb was done, Pakistan were just 44 for 1 in seven overs.Rashid Khan is congratulated after becoming the quickest to 100 T20I wickets•Getty Images

Holding Rashid backAfghanistan could have bowled an over of Rashid here looking for a wicket but they put all eggs in his basket by trying to bowl medium pace in the next three overs. This is when Babar, stuck on 11 off 17, found some momentum and got to a run a ball. When Rashid was finally brought on, Pakistan needed 76 off 10 overs with nine wickets in hand.Rashid turns it aroundIt is a matter of magic that with such an easy equation, with dew expected, with a few indifferent overs in the bag to capitalise on, Rashid still managed to create panic. In his first two overs, he drew nine false responses. At the other end, Fakhar Zaman got out looking to make up for the quiet at Rashid’s end. Babar failed to pick which way Rashid was turning it. He barely survived the wrong’uns and the edge off the legbreak went wide of slip. Mohammad Hafeez was not so lucky, holing out to long-on. Thirty-eight required off last four.The end gameAfghanistan now had a choice to bowl Naveen in the 17th and 19th overs so that their weakest bowler, Janat, is used only in the 20th, but they went ahead with Rashid in the 17th. Shoaib Malik eased all the pressure with a six second ball, but Babar still played panic-stricken shots without knowing which way the ball was turning. He was dropped first ball, but was out bowled last ball of the over.Naveen backed it up with a composed over in which a slower ball bamboozled Malik and the quicker one got him out. Shadab wanted to steal a single last ball of the over, but Asif wasn’t even looking at him. Time for dealing in quick singles was over.It was now time to exploit Afghanistan’s weakest bowler and the short leg-side boundary. First ball he went deep into the crease to convert the yorker into a half-volley and go miles over long-off. Next one was a perfect yorker. The third one was short, and he pulled it for a flat small six. Next one again a perfect yorker. The last two, though, missed the length and Asif ended the game.

Whilst there are a number of reasons as to why Manchester United's season fell flat in 2023/24, much of the blame can be attributed to the team's lacklustre displays in front of goal, something that the club are eager to change this summer.

Red Devils want to bolster attack this summer

Whilst an FA Cup win went some way to softening the blow, much of the Old Trafford faithful will have come away from last season bitterly disappointed with their side's performances.

Man United express interest in summer deal for £260k-per-week star

Manchester United could sign one of Erik ten Hag’s former players this summer.

By
Josh Barker

Jun 16, 2024

Most prevalent to the Red Devils' woes was their failure to find the back of the net. United scored 57 league goals last season, leaving them on negative goal difference for the first time in their Premier League history. The goal tally put up by United also paled in comparison to the league's top six, only adding to their poor season.

In order to rectify their issues in attack, the Red Devils have lined up deals for a number of highly rated attackers. Joshua Zirkzee appears to be at the top of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's wishlist with the Bologna striker scoring eleven goals in the league last season. United have also been keeping an eye on Stade Rennais and France under-23 international Desire Doue, who has impressed at just 19 years of age.

With an attacking talent clearly the number one target for the higher ups at Old Trafford it appears that Erik ten Hag has made it clear who he wants the club to sign.

Ten Hag wants Man Utd to target Argentine forward

As first reported by Sport Witness, the Italian press have claimed that United have identified AS Roma’s Paulo Dybala as a target for the summer window. The outlet states that the Red Devils could tempt the 30-year-old to Manchester after ten Hag made a "specific request" for his side to sign the forward this summer.

Dybala currently has a release clause of around £10million inserted into a current contract which wouldn't be an issue for a club of United's stature. The only stumbling block in the deal could be the Argentine's wage reuqests, which reportedly sit at a little over £100,000 per week.

Despite the wage packet he would be commanding, Dybala would be a strong addition to the Red Devils' attack. The 30-year-old won the World Cup with Argentina back in 2022 and had 52 goal contributions in 77 games during his most recent spell with Roma.

It was his performances for the Rome outfit that caught the eye of former Roma and United boss Jose Mourinho, who sang Dybala's praises back in January: "Dybala is a truly special player, who in recent years has played in teams with lots of other special players. We don’t have another with his characteristics."

With improvements in attack an important part of Ratcliffe's transfer strategy this summer, bringing in a player of Dybala's quality would be a strong move from the Red Devils.

New Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim believes hat-trick hero Viktor Gyokeres could follow him out of Sporting CP at the end of the season.

Article continues below

Article continues below

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• Gyokeres fires hat-trick against City
• Striker linked with Arsenal & Man Utd
• Amorim opens up on transfer rumours

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Gyokeres outshone Erling Haaland on Tuesday night as the Swede fired a hat-trick in Sporting CP's 4-1 win over Manchester City in the Champions League. The striker has been in remarkable form since joining Sporting in the summer of 2023, scoring 66 goals in 67 appearances, as speculation around his future continues to grow.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Amorim has already said he won't try to sign Gyokeres in the January window but that may not stop the incoming United boss from trying to convince INEOS to make a move in the summer. Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked with a move for the former Coventry City forward, who has developed into one of Europe's most prolific stars.

• WHAT AMORIM SAID

  "I can’t make fun of it, right now, it was hard for me to leave, if I start joking about this Gyokeres situation I’ll get in trouble," Amorim said on TNT Sports. "This is my city, this is my country, so I’ll respect it."

  The Portuguese coach then added: "Viktor has to stay until the end of the season, and then his life maybe is going somewhere else."

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR GYOKERES?

  The 26-year-old will be one of the most sought-after players in the world next year should he continue to score with ease, with Sporting set to cash in on a player they signed for around £20 million just a year ago.

The former Zimbabwe captain and England men’s team coach joins Shaun Tait and Lance Klusener on the coaching staff

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Oct-2021Andy Flower, the former Zimbabwe captain, has been named Afghanistan consultant for the T20 World Cup starting later this month.An Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) release said Flower, who oversaw England’s title-winning 2010 T20 World Cup campaign during his time as head coach between 2009 and 2014, has entered the Afghanistan team bubble. He joins a coaching staff that also includes former Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait, who was appointed the bowling coach in August for a five-month tenure, and head coach Lance Klusener.Related

• Andy Flower named Lucknow IPL franchise head coach

• Lance Klusener: 'The fairy tale of Afghanistan cricket is what they've achieved with few resources'

• Afghanistan revise T20 World Cup squad, Mohammad Nabi to lead

• Men's T20 World Cup 2021 – what the squads look like

• Rashid Khan steps down as captain protesting against Afghanistan's T20 World Cup squad selection

“We are delighted that Andy has joined ACB. Andy has worked with a number of our players in various franchise completions and his vast experience will be very beneficial and useful to help the team in the World Cup,” ACB chairman Azizullah Fazli said in a statement.Flower, 53, represented Zimbabwe in 63 Tests and 213 ODIs between 1992 and 2003, and has been a sought-after coach on the franchise cricket circuit since his England stint. He has held coaching and consultancy positions in IPL, CPL, PSL, T10 and the Hundred.Afghanistan departed Kabul for Doha, Qatar, on October 6 to take part in a preparatory training camp ahead of the T20 World Cup which will be played in the UAE and Oman from October 17. Pooled in Group 2 alongside Pakistan, India, and New Zealand, Afghanistan are scheduled to play all their group matches of the tournament in the UAE. They kick off their campaign on October 25 in Sharjah.

West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui will have already started chewing on his team's opening run of Premier League fixtures to start his tenure off.

The Spanish tactician has already bolstered his squad with the signing of 18-year-old winger Luis Guilherme – signed from Palmeiras for £25.5m – and while the wings and sundry other positions are being targetted this month, the most pressing concern perhaps lies at the base – central defence.

According to The Athletic, Nayef Aguerd is expected to leave and club captain Kurt Zouma's future is also uncertain amid Saudi Arabian interest. Bolstering the backline is paramount.

West Ham might have taken an interest in the Brazilian market since Lopetegui replaced David Moyes in the dugout, but recent rumours suggest that the London club are now preparing to raid a divisional rival.

West Ham transfer news

In May, West Ham agreed a £15m deal with Brasileiro Serie A team Flamengo for the transfer of central defender Fabricio Bruno, but the move has since collapsed after a failure to agree personal terms.

This has turned Tim Steidten's gaze toward West Ham's immediate surroundings, with Lopetegui's admiration for Max Kilman leading to "concrete interest", says Fabrizio Romano.

Kilman played 24 times under Lopetegui, who previously managed Wolverhampton Wanderers, but would cost around £45m – as per talkSPORT – to bring to the capital.

Max Kilman's 23/24 season in numbers

While Wolves are hoping to hold onto Kilman this summer, cashing in would mark a significant profit for the Old Gold, who purchased the 27-year-old from non-league side Maidenhead United for a paltry £40,000 fee.

Having amassed 151 appearances, posting three goals and three assists apiece, Kilman has been praised as a "monster" of a player by presenter Tom Parker and was even awarded the Molineux captaincy for the 2023/24 campaign.

Last season, the Wolves titan – who played every single minute in the top-flight – scored two goals, completed 86% of his passes, averaged 4.7 ball recoveries and clearances per game and won a whopping 71% of his aerial battles, as per Sofascore.

Kilman has entered the ostensible prime of his career and if West Ham can convince him that the London Stadium is the best place for him to realise his potential, things could start to move pretty quickly, with Lopetegui desperate to briing him on board.

Why Max Kilman should be signed

Kilman's leadership qualities make for an obvious reason that bringing him in would be such a boost to a club in transition – especially if Zouma, who, frankly, won't go down as the most inspiring and vocal captain in Irons history, is to leave for pastures new.

Former West Ham midfielder Alan Devonshire called the centre-half "a leader by example", stating that while he's not the most garrulous of characters on the pitch, barking orders and baying at peers, he exudes authority and inspires his teammates into action.

The 68-year-old continued: “He’s not scared of communicating. You won’t see him barking orders, but I think football has moved away a little bit from the more frantic characters and now people want their leaders to be the more composed players in the team. And he fits that profile perfectly.”

Brought back under Lopetegui's wing, Kilman could even emerge as West Ham's best leader since Declan Rice, with the esteemed England international leaving his long-time club for Arsenal in a record £105m deal last summer.

Rice is a superlative midfielder but he was also an instrumental leader as Moyes' squad surged toward the Europa Conference League title in 2022/23, captaining the team for the lion's share of the term and being hailed for his "tremendous leadership qualities" by Gareth Southgate.

A ubiquitous presence in the engine room, the very lifeblood of his side's success – be that West Ham, the Three Lions or Arsenal's – Rice is a unique talent. But while he organises and cuts a commanding figure, he too is not the bark, bark, bark kind of leader.

Kilman, of course, is not Rice, but he does boast some of the core qualities that make a good leader on the pitch, and if Zouma is indeed to leave then this is the move to make.

At the end of the 2022/23 Premier League season, Kilman ranked among the top 7% of centre-backs for successful take-ons (0.52 per 90) and the top 10% for blocks made (1.91 per 90), as per FBref.

This illustrates, firstly, the 6 foot 1 star's athleticism and eagerness to advance the ball forward himself but also suitability to Lopetegui's brand of football, with the Spanish manager of the opinion that "it is easier to control and win games by having possession of the ball."

Further on that point, the £50k-per-week defender ranked among the top 13% for long passes and the top 10% for switches, proving that, while his prime ball-playing responsibility will be to establish controlled patterns, his long-passing quality offers an extra dimension that Lopetegui has already made good use of.

He's clearly suited to Lopetegui's style. If the manager wants him, why not appease him and provide him with a cog fit for purpose?

Imagine him & Bowen: West Ham want to sign "world-class" £30m star

The club in question may need to cash in on this talented forward.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 18, 2024

Phil Foden and Pep Guardiola were in awe of Erling Haaland after he scored a draw-dropping volley for Manchester City in the Champions League.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Norwegian struck unreal volley against Sparta
• Goal reminiscent of scorpion strike vs Dortmund
• Guardiola explained why he took him off

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Manchester City striker pulled off an outrageous backheeled-volley during his side's 5-0 rout of Sparta Prague which brought back memories of a goal he scored against Borussia Dortmund two years ago.

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• AFP
  

  WHAT FODEN SAID

  Foden told : "I just spoke to him, I said, 'Mate if I tried to do that I'd pull my groin!' I don't know how he does it. It's just how long his legs are. He's a freak! He has this talent that no one else can do."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Haaland followed up his acrobatic strike by completing a blistering team move to score again. However, Guardiola hauled him off in the 81st minute, meaning he was not on the pitch and unable to complete his hat-trick when City were awarded a late penalty, which Matheus Nunes converted. Haaland looked annoyed at Guardiola for taking him off and denying him his treble but the coach insisted that the striker understood the decision.

  "I said to him he has to go the game is over, Erling knew he had to be replaced," Guardiola said. "Look at his smile, he understands the decisions, he's so generous with the team. It's an incredible joy for Manchester City to have this player."

• Getty Images
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Haaland has now scored 44 times in the Champions League and on Wednesday he moved ahead of Neymar in the competition's all-time scoring charts. He is now level with Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, reaching his tally in just 42 games.

Your one-stop destination to know all about the 13th edition of the tournament that will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka

Srinidhi Ramanujam25-Sep-2025

An ODI World Cup in India? Tell me more… when is it?

Yes, that’s right. The Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, hosted by India with a few games to be played in Sri Lanka, starts September 30. The semi-finals are on October 29 and 30 and the final on November 2.A total of 31 matches will be played over 34 days in a round-robin format, with the top four teams progressing to the knockouts. All matches will begin at 3pm IST (0930 GMT) except New Zealand vs England on October 26, which will start at 11am IST (0530 GMT).This is the fourth time India is hosting the Women’s ODI World Cup, having done so in 1978, 1997 and 2013, and the first time for Sri Lanka.Related

• Harmanpreet: 'This time we will cross the line'

• Athapaththu's goal? A maiden semi-final for SL

• The 2025 World Cup promises to take women's cricket to brand-new heights

• Suzie Bates: 'I feel like there's no milestones on my list anymore'

• Devine to retire from ODIs after the World Cup

Tell me about women’s ODI cricket since the last World Cup

It has never been more high-scoring. Before the 2022 ODI World Cup, the participating teams for the current edition had crossed the 300 mark a combined 44 times. Since then, they have had 34 totals of 300 or more between them, with Australia and India posting 400-plus once each. This surge highlights the growing skill and depth in women’s batting, setting the stage for an exciting tournament.The tournament will feature an all-female line-up of match officials. The prize pool, meanwhile, has soared to US$ 13.88 million – nearly four times of what it was in 2022.

Which teams are playing?

Eight teams are participating. India qualified by virtue of being the hosts and were joined by the top five teams – Australia, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, South Africa – in the Women’s Championship cycle.Bangladesh, Ireland, Pakistan, West Indies, Thailand and Scotland competed in the World Cup Qualifier in Lahore, where Pakistan and Bangladesh secured their spots.

So no West Indies?

That’s right. This is the first time in six editions since 2000 that West Indies will not be part of a Women’s ODI World Cup. They narrowly missed out after Bangladesh pipped them by 0.013 on net run rate.Australia are the defending champions•AFP/Getty Images

Tell me about the venues

Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam and Navi Mumbai in India, and Colombo in Sri Lanka will host the games. Colombo will host ten matches – all Pakistan games, the first semi-final, and the final if Pakistan qualify. Originally, Bengaluru was one of the host cities but was removed after the M Chinnaswamy Stadium was denied police clearance following the stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations in June.

Do India have home advantage?

Not quite. While India are the co-hosts, the venues tell a different story. The Holkar Stadium in Indore has never hosted women’s internationals. The Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati is yet to stage a women’s ODI, and its last women’s T20I was back in 2019. Visakhapatnam last hosted a women’s ODI in 2014, and while Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium has seen sold-out crowds for women’s T20Is and the WPL, it has never hosted a women’s ODI. The unfamiliarity with these grounds means India may not enjoy the advantage host countries generally do.

Isn’t it going to rain in Colombo?Yes, probably. The north-east monsoon looks like it has arrived a little early this year, and the cricket is almost certain to be affected. In the week leading up to the tournament, it seems as if the monsoon hasn’t settled in properly yet however, which means while there are showers around, they don’t stay all day. As Sri Lankan grounds get fully covered, generally this means cricket can usually happen every day. Expect rain-curtailed matches, however.

Are Australia still the favourites?

On form, yes. They have lost just four of their 31 ODIs since the start of 2023 and remain the benchmark in the format. They have a settled core and an unmatched tournament pedigree, having won the title seven times.India are yet to play an ODI in three of their four World Cup venues•Getty ImagesBut India won’t be far behind. They have had a strong run in 2025, losing only four of their 14 ODIs so far. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur believes her side can “beat Australia on any day” and they showed glimpses of that in the recent 2-1 series loss to them. Even Australia captain Alyssa Healy acknowledged that this is the “most stable” Indian team she has seen. That said, England, New Zealand and South Africa cannot be ignored.

Where and when will the high-profile contests take place?

Defending champions Australia kick things off with a high-octane trans-Tasman showdown against T20 world champions New Zealand in Indore in the second match of the tournament, on October 1.One of the most anticipated contests is the face-off between India and Australia on October 12 in Visakhapatnam. Australia will take on their Ashes rivals England on October 22 in Indore. Then there is India vs England on October 19, Australia vs South Africa on October 25, and New Zealand vs England the following day, all of which could have a big say in the semi-finals line-up.Pakistan’s Sidra Amin is in sensational form•PCB

What about India vs Pakistan?

That will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on October 5. In women’s cricket, the India-Pakistan rivalry has been firmly one-sided. The two teams have faced off 11 times in ODIs, with India winning every single game. The gulf in experience, infrastructure and depth has been evident over the years.

Hmmm… Tell me more about the players. Who are the ones to keep an eye on?

Left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux has returned from her knee injury to boost Australia’s chances. Even though she hasn’t played an ODI since December, she remains vital in spin-friendly conditions. England’s Charlie Dean, another fingerspinner, could also be a key player.Among the batters, South Africa’s Tazmin Brits, India’s Smriti Mandhana and Sidra Amin of Pakistan are in the form of their lives. Brits and Mandhana have already scored four ODI hundreds this year.This will also be Heather Knight’s first tournament after she relinquished England captaincy.

What about those playing a World Cup for the first time?

In just ten months since her debut, India opener Pratika Rawal has scored six half-centuries and one century in 17 innings, and has an average of 50.12. Her ability to score consistently in different conditions has made her a crucial part of India’s batting line-up.Jemimah Rodrigues is yet to play in an ODI World Cup•Getty ImagesAmong bowlers, England spinner Linsey Smith announced her arrival in ODIs with a five-for on debut against West Indies in May. Having made her T20I debut at the 2018 T20 World Cup, she had to wait six-and-a-half-years for a chance in ODIs.This will also be the first ODI World Cup for Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal. Though she made her ODI debut in 2019, it’s only in the last couple of years that she has become a regular in the team, thanks to her wicket-taking ability. Incredible as it may sound, this is also India batter Jemimah Rodrigues’ first ODI World Cup.

Are there a few players for whom this could be the last ODI World Cup?

Certainly. New Zealand captain Sophie Devine has already said so, just like Megan Schutt and Alyssa Healy as well. It could be the same for Suzie Bates, Marizanne Kapp, Chamari Athapaththu, Heather Knight, and a few others. Harmanpreet will be 40 by the time the next edition rolls in, so it could be her last too.

Where to watch the games?

All matches will be live on the JioStar network and the JioHotstar app in India, Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, Amazon Prime Video in Australia, Sky TV in New Zealand, PTV and Ten Sports in Pakistan, Maharaja TV in Sri Lanka and Willow TV in the USA and Canada.