Pair score maiden first-class tons for Derbyshire’s highest sixth-wicket partnership but hard work remains

ECB Reporters' Network07-Sep-2021A record-breaking stand between Brooke Guest and Anuj Dal rescued Derbyshire on the third day of the LV=Insurance County Championship match against Leicestershire at Derby.The pair scored maiden first-class centuries as they passed Derbyshire’s previous highest sixth-wicket stand of 212 by Garnet Lee and Stan Worthington against Essex at Chesterfield in 1932.They added 227 in 73 overs with Guest scoring 116 and Dal 106 to lift Derbyshire from 56 for 5 to 313 for 8 although 65 is still needed to avoid following on.The prospect of Derbyshire frustrating Leicestershire’s bowlers looked unlikely when two wickets fell in the first seven overs of another hot morning.Related

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Resuming on 41 for 3, a daunting 487 runs behind, Derbyshire lost Billy Godleman and Matt Critchley with only 15 added.Godleman was drawn into playing at a ball from Chris Wright that moved just enough to take the outside edge and give Harry Swindells his fourth catch.If there was some mitigation for the Derbyshire captain, there was none for Critchley, who launched a loose drive at Ben Mike and edged the ball into his middle stump.At that stage, the chances of Derbyshire getting close to the follow-on target of 378 appeared slim but Guest and Dal showed the application required.A delay caused by one of Dal’s contact lenses falling out did not disturb their concentration as they wore down the Leicestershire attack.Both showed patience and judgement to survive until lunch and they prospered in the afternoon with Guest cutting Mike for his seventh four to reach 50 off 98 balls.Dal drove George Rhodes to the cover boundary to bring up his 50 from 122 balls and Guest swept the off-spinner for four to earn Derbyshire a batting point in the 68th over.There was little assistance for Callum Parkinson’s left-arm spin but he delayed taking the new ball until after tea when Guest survived a strong lbw shout against Wright.His hundred, which came off 221 balls arrived with three fours in an over off former Derbyshire seamer Will Davis, and Dal followed by pulling Mike for his 15th four to reach three figures from 210 balls.The stand ended when Dal miscued a pull and after Alex Thomson was lbw to Parkinson, Guest was caught behind cutting to still leave Derbyshire with work to do on the fourth day.

As the pressure continues to build on Erik ten Hag, INEOS reportedly sent scouts to watch a surprise candidate to replace the Dutchman as his side picked up an impressive victory.

Ten Hag is a man under pressure

No matter how often his trophy haul is reiterated at Manchester United, Ten Hag is simply struggling to impress at Old Trafford and is under growing pressure to turn things around. The Dutchman no longer has the excuse that he wasn’t backed with the right players or that the hierarchy behind him is in poor shape in its own right, with Dan Ashworth arriving alongside a plethora of fresh faces to steer a sinking ship in the right direction in the summer.

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The new sporting director welcomed new signings such as Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Nousssair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte to improve the Red Devils all across the pitch in the summer, but is yet to see the rewards for his recruitment. Instead, it’s been a case of fresh faces, same Manchester United under Ten Hag, whose side are currently winless in four games in all competitions, having recently drawn 3-3 against Porto despite taking a 2-0 lead.

Recent rumours have hardly helped Ten Hag either, with a fresh candidate now emerging to replace the former Ajax boss. According to Swedish outlet Aftonbladet, via Sport Witness, INEOS are now plotting a surprise move for Oscar Hiljemark, having sent Manchester United scouts to watch Elfsborg’s recent 1-0 victory over AS Roma in the Europa League, as the manager’s 3-4-3 system enjoyed another success.

Just 32 years old, Hiljemark would be one of the youngest managers in Europe’s top five leagues in a move that would see Manchester United follow a similar path to that of Brighton & Hove Albion, who hired 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler in the summer.

Hiring Hiljemark would be huge risk for Man Utd

The Manchester United role is one of the biggest in Europe and one that has only been made more pressurised thanks to the failure of every single manager that has dared to follow Sir Alex Ferguson.

David Moyes was supposed to be the successor, only for the Scot to just be the beginning. Louis van Gaal soon followed, only to suffer a similar fate in what some will still argue was a harsh decision. Even Jose Mourinho couldn’t take the Red Devils back to the top of English football. Now, Ten Hag looks destined to become the latest failure. So, if INEOS turn towards a 32-year-old manager for the vacant role, they’d be taking their biggest risk yet.

In many ways, the argument could be made that those at Old Trafford have exhausted every tactic when it comes to selecting their managers, from former players to serial winners, so why not turn to the next generation? But, for Hiljemark, the risk would also be one to take into consideration, given how failure would stop his progress in its tracks.

On a tough pitch to bat on, the visitors slipped to a 23-run defeat chasing a modest 132 for victory

Sreshth Shah03-Aug-2021

Nasum Ahmed returned his career-best T20 figures to script Bangladesh’s victory•AFP

Bangladesh recorded their first T20I victory against Australia in five attempts by defending 131 with the help of their frontline spinners who picked six wickets in 12 overs for just 65 runs.Australia had the upper hand at the halfway mark but the dismissal of Alex Carey first ball, followed by two more batters by the third over, meant that they had their backs to the wall early on. After that, though Mitchell Marsh tried to keep Australia in the contest with a patient run-a-ball 45 from No. 3, wickets at regular intervals left them 23 short in the end.Bangladesh used spin right from the first ball. Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed shared the new ball with Mahedi Hasan and finished with 4 for 19, his best in T20s. Mahedi and Shakib Al Hasan picked up early wickets too, and kept things tight all through.Shakib also made a crucial contribution in the first half after Australia opted to bowl, scoring 36 off 33, on a surface that was not easy to bat on. Bangladesh’s batters struggled with timing too, as the Australia bowlers varied their pace. And it took a late cameo from Afif Hossain – 23 off 17 – to take them to a decent total.Australia flounder against spin
Mahedi and Shakib both struck with their first balls and Nasum struck with his fourth, leaving Australia reeling on 11 for 3 after 13 balls. Mahedi got one to slide in from around the stumps and beat Carey’s cut to shatter his stumps.Next over, Josh Philippe was stumped trying to drive Nasum through the covers. And Moises Henriques’ sweep off Shakib had the ball go between his legs and hit the stumps.Matthew Wade and Marsh tried to bring Australia back with patient play against the spinners, who were bowling with a lot of control and confidence. Wade explored the square region on both sides to keep the runs ticking, while Marsh preferred the straight region. But a lapse from Wade came soon after as, chasing a wide ball that pitched outside leg and turned away further, he pulled it straight to short fine leg, undoing all the effort of the previous 22 balls. Australia were now 49 for 4 in the tenth over.The two Ashtons – Agar and Turner – tried to stitch partnerships with Marsh but Bangladesh broke through again. Agar was hit-wicket trying to flick Nasum, and Turner sliced a catch to extra cover off Mustafizur Rahman.Marsh looked to change gears in between, and although a few boundaries did come, he perished looking to slog sweep. From 84 for 6, it looked like Australia might struggle to reach three digits but they just about got there, courtesy Mitchell Starc’s 14, before being shot out last ball.Hazlewood leads bowling effort
Barring Mohammad Naim’s two sixes off Starc early on, it was all Australia in the opening stages of the first innings. Hazlewood nearly had Naim chopping onto the stumps, and would soon account for Soumya Sarkar as the left-hand batter backed away to cut but ended up playing on.Shakib and Naim then carefully saw off the powerplay, in which Bangladesh scored only 33. Naim impressed by not giving into temptation by chasing deliveries too wide but was bowled for 30 trying an uncharacteristic reverse sweep off Adam Zampa in the seventh over.Although Shakib and Mahmudullah enjoy playing spin, Zampa and Agar did not give them much room. Bowling stump to stump, and with a little turn on offer, the batters kept getting the occasional boundary but the run rate hovered under six.When a change in gears was imminent after 12 overs with eight wickets in hand, Hazlewood removed both senior batters. First, Mahmudullah sliced a slower ball to mid-off on 20, and then Shakib also chopped on in Hazlewood’s next over as he finished on 3 for 24 in his four, with three overs left in the innings.Afif’s crucial cameo
Afif walked in at No. 6 with Bangladesh’s run rate still under six. With Shakib and Shamim Hossain – who had successfully finished games with his blitzy performances in Zimbabwe – both falling, Afif was the last recognised batter in the death overs.He began by clobbering Hazlewood to the long-on boundary, and then cracking a lofted cover drive off Starc. In between, he pushed his batting partners for doubles, even if it wasn’t him getting on strike, which added a few crucial runs. He would then end by reverse scooping Starc over the keeper in the final over, and although he fell off the last ball, his knock pushed the hosts to over 6.50 an over.

Leeds United look set to finally cash in on one of their players that is no longer needed under manager Daniel Farke, according to a new report.

The Whites now have under two weeks to prepare for their next Championship game, which comes against Sheffield United, and Farke will hope this international break has come at the right time, as he looks to get some of his injured players back.

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The Yorkshire side come into this October international break feeling slightly disappointed in how their last game went. Leeds looked on course to beat table topping Sunderland on Friday night, but a blunder from goalkeeper Illan Meslier ensured it was a point apiece.

It was a mistake that caused a lot of debate, but it was also one that it saw talkSPORT pundit Jeff Stelling ripped into Junior Firpo for walking straight down the tunnel at full-time and not consoling his teammate.

However, on the positive news for Leeds, it appears that they could be about to welcome a returning star to the first team. Farke has revealed that he hopes to have Daniel James back available for the game against Sheffield United. The Welsh international has been out since late August with a hamstring injury, but he now looks to be closing in on his return, as Leeds need to bolster their squad options.

As the international break gets underway and Leeds start to prepare for the game against the Blades, there is a transfer update regarding a player who seems not wanted at Elland Road anymore.

Europa League side now planning to sign £10m Leeds player

According to Sky Sports German reporter Florian Plettenburg, Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt want to sign Leeds’ Rasmus Kristensen on a permanent deal. The 27-year-old joined the German side on loan during the summer, and only a few months into that loan, they are already keen to sign him on a permanent basis in a deal which could be worth up to £10m.

Kristensen joined Leeds in July 2022, back when the Yorkshire side was in the Premier League, and after playing the majority of games that season, the defender hasn’t played for Leeds since. Kristensen spent last season on loan at AS Roma, playing 31 times in all competitions, and, of course, was then shipped out on loan once again this summer.

It was reported earlier this year that the Danish international didn’t fit into the plans of Farke, and that was why he was allowed to leave on loan once again. Therefore, Frankfurt looking to sign Kristensen on a permanent deal shouldn’t be an issue, as Leeds are likely to be looking to cash in.

Apps

30

Goals

3

Assists

1

Plettenberg states that the hierarchy of Frankfurt are “satisfied” with Kristensen, and he states that the Bundesliga side will look to trigger their option to buy the player. Kristensen has so far played nine times for Frankfurt in all competitions, scoring one goal and grabbing an assist in the Europa League this season.

Chris Dent hit an unbeaten 112 as Gloucestershire cruised to an eight-wicket win over Kent Spitfires in the Royal London Cup at Beckenham, with 74 balls to spare.Graeme van Buuren added an aggressive 51 not out as Gloucestershire closed on 219 for 2, leaving the visitors with an anxious wait to see if Lancashire would deny them a place in the quarter-finals by beating Essex at Old Trafford.Ollie Robinson made his highest List A score of 75 but Kent failed to build on a solid opening partnership and were restricted to 218 for 9. Van Buuren took 3 for 34, with James Bracey taking five catches.Gloucestershire began the day in sixth place in the table, but knowing they would qualify on points-per-game in third if they won and Lancashire lost to Essex.The visitors won the toss and asked Kent to bat under unexpectedly cloudy skies.Robinson was dropped on 12 and 21 and Kent advanced to 61 without loss, but the hosts toiled after Tawanda Muyeye pulled Jared Warner to Tom Smith at midwicket for 30.Van Buuren then bowled Jack Leaning for 16 and had a disgruntled George Munsey caught behind off the next ball. Harry Finch bottom-edged the hat-trick ball for a single but fell in the next over for one, becoming Ollie Price’s maiden victim at county level when he was caught behind.Robinson then edged Van Buuren behind and Bracey claimed his fourth catch of the innings when Josh Shaw found Grant Stewart’s inside edge and was out for six.Darren Stevens gave Kent some hope with 40, but when he was caught by Bracey off Matt Taylor Kent were down to the bowlers, with six overs remaining. Harry Podmore made 19 but when he tried to accelerate he holed out to Taylor and Smith took a steepling catch.Warner bowled Nathan Gilchrist for five and it was left to James Logan and Matt Quinn, unbeaten on 17 and 3 respectively, to nudge the total towards something defendable.Just how defendable it was became clear as Gloucestershire marched to 72 without loss before Price was lbw to Leaning for 24 in the 12th over. Logan trapped Bracey lbw, attempting to reverse sweep for 23 and Muyeye was unlucky not to take his first Kent wicket when Dent was dropped on 70, but the Spitfires were doomed by failure to make any further inroads.A Van Buuren six over midwicket sent a number of supporters to the exit and Dent reached his century with an edge through the vacant slip area for a single off Quinn, before cutting Stewart to the boundary for the winning runs.

West Ham are looking to return to European football next season, having recently had Europa League and Conference League runs.

The Hammers won the UEFA Conference League in 2023, beating Fiorentina 2-1 in the final, with Jarrod Bowen scoring a dramatic winner, and sealing victory for the Hammers.

Last season, West Ham failed to qualify for Europe, finishing ninth in the Premier League, which saw David Moyes’ reign in charge come to an end for a second time, with a new era beginning this season, under new manager, Julen Lopetegui.

Regardless of their start, he might well wish he had a prime Jesse Lingard at his disposal.

Jesse Lingard at West Ham

Lingard spent six months on loan with West Ham, joining in January 2021. The English midfielder was a sensation during his stint in east London, enjoying some of the best days of his career.

Indeed, he made 16 appearances for the club in which he netted nine goals and provided four assists across 1,425 minutes played.

Lingard had managed to rediscover the form that had once seen him in the England national team setup, having scored 13 goals and provided seven assists in the 2017/18 season, before heading to the World Cup with the Three Lions in 2018, scoring one goal, and providing two assists there.

There were claims at the time that West Ham had found their new Dimitri Payet, making attempts to bring the midfielder to the club on a permanent deal during the summer of 2021.

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The Frenchman was a genius player during his own stint in the capital, scoring 15 goals – of which many included some beautiful free-kicks – and supplying 22 assists.

Sadly, the Hammers were unable to strike a deal, and Lingard ended up joining Nottingham Forest a year later.

How Lingard compared to Payet

A failure to bring Lingard back to the London Stadium saw him stay for one last season at Manchester United, making 22 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing one assist.

The ex-England international was then released in the summer of 2022, which saw Nottingham Forest acquire his services on a free transfer.

Lingard’s career has slowly fizzled out since, only making 20 appearances for Forest in the 2022/23 season where he registered four goal contributions. It’s a far cry from the days of being compared to Payet. Speaking of which, how did they compare?

Lingard vs Payet (2020/21) comparison
Stats (per 90 mins)	Lingard	Payet
Goals	0.51	0.31
Assists	0.22	0.31
xG	0.28	0.27
Progressive Carries	3.73	2.91
Progressive Passes	4.75	5.23
Total Shots	2.70	1.57
Goals/Shot	0.17	0.16
Key Passes	1.14	2.55
Shot-Creating Actions	3.99	4.35
Stats taken from FBref

Whilst Lingard was showing signs of replacing Payet at West Ham, the 33-year-old Frenchman was still putting up good numbers for Marseille across the 2020/21 campaign. Payet still averaged 0.31 assists per 90, and made more progressive passes, key passes, and shot-creating actions per 90. That being said, besides key passes, they did rank pretty closely.

Lingard was back to his best infront of goal though, scoring 0.51 per 90, 0.20 more than Payet, and scoring at a rate of 0.17 goals/shot, again bettering the former France international.

It’s sadly now a story of what might have been for the Man United academy graduate who is now valued at just £1m and playing out his final years for FC Seoul in the K-League, having made 18 appearances for the club and scored four goals.

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Santos have teased Neymar's impending transfer amid Richarlison sending a hilarious message of support to his Brazilian compatriot.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Al-Hilal terminate Neymar contract
• Santos tease Brazilian's return
• Richarlison sends message of support

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After Al-Hilal terminated Neymar's contract this week, the 32-year-old's former club Santos have tried to sign the forward. Ahead of the Brazilian's impending arrival at the Serie B champions, Santos have dropped a big hint he is coming "home" again. And Tottenham forward Richarlison, whose full-back tattoo features Neymar, has suggested the forward is heading to Santos following a humorous social media post.

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• WHAT SANTOS AND RICHARLISON SAID

  The Santos post translates to: "There is no place like home. 🏠"

  And Richarlison's Instagram post reads: "Neymar returning to Santos. Me automatically:"

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Neymar has had a dire 18 months or so at Al-Hilal, where he made just seven appearances in an injury-ravaged stint in the Middle East. The ex-Paris Saint-Germain star, who cost €90m (£77m/$98m) to sign, may go down as one of the biggest transfer flops in history. But for his sake, the Brazilian will hope he can resurrect his career at the club where he made his name.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Neymar, who bid farewell to Al-Hilal's fans this week, could be unveiled at the Brazilian giants in the coming days in what would be an emotional return for the ex-Santos star.

It has become a familiar sight at Aston Villa.

With the game ticking past the hour mark, Unai Emery looks to his bench in need of a solution, some way to kick the contest into life. Enter Jhon Duran.

The latest entrant to the list of famed Premier League ‘supersubs’, the Colombian marksman has more than made the most of his limited minutes so far this season, netting four times in just seven Premier League outings – all of which have come from the bench.

On the European front, the 20-year-old was also the difference maker in the statement win over Bayern Munich at Villa Park, catching out an advancing Manuel Neuer with his trademark precision and power.

For all the youngster’s stellar impact, however, Emery has so far resisted the urge to deploy the former Chicago Fire starlet from the outset, with Duran’s only start coming against Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Cup – a game in which he also duly scored.

The running theme this season would suggest that the ex-West Ham United target will again be among the substitutes for the trip to Fulham later today, although perhaps Emery might finally relent and give supporters what they want.

Why Duran should start against Fulham

The ‘problem’ facing the former Arsenal boss is that he already has a clinical, consistent striker at his disposal in the form of Ollie Watkins, with the Englishman shaking off a slow start to now boast four goals and two assists in seven league games in 2024/25.

Having also looked lively for his country at the weekend – after teeing up Declan Rice for England’s third against Finland – the 28-year-old is now in a rich vein of form and simply doesn’t deserve to be ousted from the starting lineup.

The solution then? Well, Emery could – for the first time this season – start Watkins alongside Duran as the spearhead of his attack, having previously admitted that the pair can play together.

There may be a sense of why change what isn’t broken, but the Villans looked particularly blunt in front of goal against Manchester United last time out, a point rubberstamped by the fact that a 36-year-old Jonny Evans claimed the Man of the Match award.

Of course, perhaps the hangover of the events against Bayern just a few days prior was a factor in that drab affair, yet if there was a time to try out a new look attack, now could well be it.

The player who should give away for Duran

Emery revealed in his pre-match press conference that he will “more or less have every player available”, ensuring there will be a wealth of options at his disposal to choose from.

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If the experienced tactician does deploy Duran alongside Watkins, it certainly shouldn’t come at the expense of January arrival, Morgan Rogers, with the England U21 international boasting three goal involvements from his last three top-flight outings.

The former Middlesbrough and Manchester City asset has earned rave reviews for his form in the early knockings of the campaign, even despite not always racking up goals or assists, with talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino notably likening him to German sensation, Jamal Musiala.

If not Rogers, then one man who could well make way in the attacking set-up is Leon Bailey, with the previously “unplayable” winger – as described by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell – enduring a muted first few months of the new season.

In all, the Jamaican speedster only has one assist and no goals to show for his efforts in all competitions, with Birmingham Live’s John Townley stating after the draw with United that he ‘looks to still be carrying an injury’.

6 games (5 starts)

0 goals

1 assist

2 big chances created

1.0 key passes*

75% pass accuracy*

0.3 tackles & interceptions*

2.8 balls recovered*

0.8 successful dribbles*

46% total duels*

10.2x ball lost*

Whether that is the case or not, the former Bayer Leverkusen star has gone from racking up 28 goals and assists last term, to looking like the player who flattered to deceive under Steven Gerrard – for whom he provided just three goal involvements in 23 appearances.

Perhaps, taking the 27-year-old out of the firing line would be sensible for the trip to Craven Cottage, with Emery instead utiltising Duran and Watkins in tandem up front, with Rogers on one flank and either the likes of Jaden Philogene or John McGinn on the other.

In a sense, Bailey could then look to take on Duran’s role as that game changer off the bench, with such selection decisions emphasising the depth of quality that the Villa boss now has in these exciting times for the Midlands outfit.

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Tailenders seal recovery from 34 for 5 after Joe Weatherley drags Hampshire to 150

David Hopps18-Sep-2021

Ben Green’s late charge brought Somerset back into the contest•Getty Images

Somerset 153 for 8 (Abell 50, Green 35) beat Hampshire 150 (Weatherley 71, Davey 4-34) by two wicketsIf Hampshire could have designed a pitch on which to put Somerset in their place, it would have looked something like this. Edgbaston was slow, grippy, inhibiting. Somerset might have been packed with audacious young strokemakers, but it was Hampshire who were capable at winning ugly.After five defeats in Edgbaston semi-finals, it seemed for all the world as if Hampshire would finally win one. Somehow, in a most unlikely twist, Somerset pulled off a stunning heist.Tom Abell, who has endured a disheartening few weeks as Somerset’s Championship captain – three thrashings in a row – must have wondered when his torment would ever end. When he was the seventh Somerset player to be dismissed, they were 48 short with 20 balls remaining.Abell’s half-century had glued Somerset together, although when he reached it, he offered the most token acknowledgment of the applause, bat raised and lowered in less than a second: impressive bat speed. When he struck Scott Currie to deep midwicket later in the over, the game appeared to be up only for Ben Green (35 from 18) and Josh Davey (11 from 3 to follow his four wickets) to turn the tables.It has been a packed season and the pitches on the international grounds are pleading for mercy, especially the pitches in line with the TV gantrys. This Edgbaston surface was sound enough but it invited speculation that batting could be even harder work by final time. What joy for Hampshire. They had defended 125 on a crabby Trent Bridge surface in the quarter-final and, with their own surface at the Ageas Bowl not exactly a batting haven, they were well versed in doing a dirty job well.With 150 in the book, they had assembled a defendable score – and Joe Weatherley carried their fight almost single-handedly. His 71 from 50 was an impressive finish to a strong T20 season and left him with 365 runs at 36.50 and a strike rate of 143. He has grown markedly as a player this summer and slog-swept well. When a slog-sweep went awry, he was savvy, too, winning a reprieve on 20 because of his own game awareness.Hampshire finished the Powerplay at 43 for 3. But they should have been 37 for 4. Weatherley’s top-edged slog sweep against Davey was pouched in the legside by the wicketkeeper, Tom Banton, but Weatherley is clearly a sharp sort and, as Somerset celebrated, he advised the bemused umpires that Somerset did not have enough players in the circle.Josh Davey’s four wickets were just the start of his day’s efforts•Getty Images

With the umpires off the pace, and third umpire Neil Bainton trying to study an aerial shot that would not have been a prototype on Google Earth, Weatherley’s protestations needed a fielder to fess up that he had been dozing and the suggestion was that Marchant de Lange did just that. Weatherley, by way of celebration, chipped Davey’s Free Hit straight for six.Hampshire have had a split personality in T20 this summer – abysmal in early season, yet somehow making a remarkable recovery to reach Finals Day. The old Hampshire turned up for much of their innings. Then, from 111 for 7, they roused themselves with 39 off the last three overs.Hampshire are a thin batting side and the loss of early wickets constrained them. Two teenagers, Toby Albert and Tom Prest, were both confounded by Davey. Albert, an 18-year-old from Basingstoke, and perhaps the youngest player to play on Finals Day (although Sussex’s Archie Lenham was about to trump him), perished to a ramp shot. Prest was bowled first ball by a good nip-backer.The prize wicket, though, was Vince, the prince, and his first attempt at aggression saw him caught at the wicket, cutting. It was a relief for the bowler, Craig Overton, who had dropped a simple return catch from Vince at the end of his first over.Hampshire’s innings hung in there long enough for James Fuller and Chris Wood to provide some power at the back end. Weatherley should have been run out as he took an uncertain single to reach his fifty but Lewis Gregory’s underarm throw was weak. De Lange, who bowled four overs at the death, found little to cheer him after his daydream in the field. Overton, oddly, did not bowl a final over. But Davey, the pick of the attack, added two late wickets to finish with 4 for 34. He knew it should have been five.Related

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Somerset’s Powerplay was as troubled as Hampshire’s, a grind to 30 for 3. Tom Banton, willowy and long-levered, gave deep midwicket catching practice. Will Smeed, who could audition for The Incredible Hulk (Early Years) charged a few and then picked out Vince at mid-off. The pinch-hitter at No 3, Roelof van der Merwe, fell there, too, a tougher catch, Vince diving forward, rightly confirmed as clean by the third umpire.When Lewis Goldsworthy was run out by Fuller from midwicket, sent back attempting an unlikely second, and the legspinner, Mason Crane, turned one to have the left-hander, Tom Lammonby, first ball, Somerset were 34 for 5 after 6.5 overs.Unlike Somerset, Hampshire had two quality spinners, in Crane and Liam Dawson, to squeeze the middle. In Dawson’s last over, Abell rallied spirits with a beautiful inside-out six over long off, but his contentment was shortlived as Gregory was bowled, pulling a shortish ball. By the time Hampshire’s spinners were done, Somerset were 91 for 6, still 60 needed from five, and Abell on 41. It was time to find out the truth and he probably sensed it would not be the answer he wanted. How wrong could he be.Green then turned the match on its head, taking Brad Wheal and then Wood for three sixes but holed out with seven balls to go.Somerset needed 10 from the final over, bowled by Wheal. Some of us wanted the muscular smiter, De Lange, to come in at no 10, but Davey drove the third ball over long-on before flicking off his toes for four to win it.

Manchester United could be set for a transfer U-turn as INEOS eye the signing of a player the club have just recently sold, according to a new report. Given the Red Devils’ poor start to the campaign, United may be set for a busy January as they continue to be linked with new recruits who they hope will improve the team.

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Posts ByBrett Worthington Oct 9, 2024 Man Utd transfer news

United brought in five new players during the summer, but given that there were a lot of departures, there could be room to add one or two more when January arrives. One area they may address is goalkeeper, as while Andre Onana has done very well this season, there is little serious competition behind him.

United have their eye on Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle, as scouts have taken in performances of the shot stopper and left impressed with what they have seen. At 22 years old, United see him as someone who can provide cover and competition for Onana.

Another area that may need addressing at Old Trafford is at left-back, as Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia continue to recover from injuries, which means Diogo Dalot has been heavily relied upon to fill the void. So, United are considering their options, and they have an interested in signing Ben Chilwell from Chelsea. The Red Devils have made him their top target, and they believe they can sign him when January arrives.

However, Chilwell is not the only left-back that United are looking at, as they are also considering re-signing a former player.

INEOS may now buy back £5m Alvaro Carreras

According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester United are closely monitoring Benfica defender Alvaro Carreras, while Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are also keen.

The 21-year-old is well known at Old Trafford, as he spent four years with the Premier League side between 2020 and 2024. Carreras joined United from Real Madrid’s youth team but failed to make a first team appearance, spending time on loan at Preston, Granada and Benfica.

The left-back joined the Portuguese side on loan in January this year, and then that deal was made into a permanent switch, as Benfica paid 6 million euros, which is around £5 million. The 21-year-old has cemented himself in the Benfica team, appearing nine times in all competitions this season.

Alvaro Carreras’ Benfica stats

Apps

25

Goals

1

Assists

1

That hasn’t gone unnoticed, as his performances have caught the eye of the three named teams, with all three sending scouts to watch him in action. United have a buyback clause in his deal that saw him join Benfica, and they will be able to activate that to try and beat Barça and Madrid should they wish to do so, though there seems to be an element of chaos in buying back a player you just sold to fix a position with two injury-prone players.