Australian Craig Howard, meanwhile, takes over as spin-bowling coach

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Nov-2022Former New Zealand men’s international Dean Brownlie has been named batting coach of the New Zealand women’s team. Joining him in the White Ferns set-up is spin-bowling coach Craig Howard.Brownie, who retired at the end of the 2019-20 season with a total of 14 Test caps and 21 white-ball caps, was New Zealand men’s interim batting coach in March 2022 when the side played Netherlands at home. More recently, he served as network coach at Northern Districts and also joined the Black Caps coaching staff for the T20 World Cup in Australia.”I’ve been fortunate to experience cricket all around the world in different conditions, and I want to be able to share my knowledge of the game to help take this batting group to the next level,” Brownlie said via an NZC statement. “This batting group has a mix of world-class players and exciting young players coming through as well, so there’s a unique playing dynamic that I hope to add value to.”There’s some really experienced players in this group that know their game really well and will require support when needed, and there’s younger players who are just starting out on their international cricket journey who I can provide a bit more guidance with, so it’s individual with how I will contribute.”Howard, a former first-class cricketer with Victoria, will work closely with spinners Amelia Kerr, Eden Carson and Fran Jonas. He has been involved with the White Ferns on a tour-by-tour basis in the past, and will be with the side for the home series against Bangladesh and then stay on at least until next year’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in February. He has previously been spin consultant with Cricket Australia, South Australia and Adelaide Strikers, where he worked with Nathan Lyon, Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux.”With the World Cup around the corner we will mainly continue to work on their strategy and mindset in the different formats and phases – making sure they’re high percentage and giving them the best chance of performing their role which will be to limit the oppositions ability to score and take wickets,” Howard said.New Zealand are set to play Bangladesh at home for three T20Is and three ODIs starting December 2, and then go to the T20 World Cup where their first game is scheduled against Australia on February 11.

India allrounder Hardik Pandya is fine with bowlers running non-strikers out if they stray out of the crease. Speaking on , ahead of the start of the T20 World Cup in Australia, Hardik also said he isn’t fussed about spirit-of-cricket debates around the mode of dismissal.”We need to stop making a fuss about this. It’s a rule – [as] simple as that,” Hardik said. “To hell with the spirit of the game. If it’s there, [then] remove the rule – as simple as that. The ones who have a problem, good for them; it’s fine.Related

• Hardik Pandya: unflustered, indifferent, and the gold standard for an allrounder

• India not looking to rest players, says bowling coach Paras Mhambrey

• Starc calls for short-run penalty if non-striker strays out of crease

• MCC moves to de-stigmatise non-striker run-outs

• Buttler queries 'wishy-washy' law

“Personally, I have no problem. If I am walking out [of the crease], and someone runs me out – fair enough. It’s my mistake, not the bowler’s. He is taking the rules to his advantage – [as] simple as that. That’ll not make a big deal.”The debate surrounding the spirit of cricket and fairness of such a dismissal was reignited last month when Deepti Sharma ran Charlie Dean out at Lord’s in the deciding ODI of the series between England and India. England were nine down and needed 17 off 39 balls before Deepti flicked the bails off to catch Dean short.Earlier this March, the MCC had de-stigmatised running non-strikers out by shifting the move of a player being run out by the bowler while backing up from Law 41 (which deals with unfair play) to Law 38 (which deals with run-outs) in its recent update. More recently Australia quick Mitchell Starc suggested umpires use on-ground cameras to make “short-run” calls if the non-striker tries to gain an advantage. Starc spoke after informally warning Jos Buttler about the England batter leaving the non-striker’s end before he released the ball. Starc felt that docking the batting side a run in such circumstances would leave “no grey area”.”Every time the batter leaves the crease before the front foot lands, dock them a run. There’s no grey area then,” he had said. “And in T20 cricket where runs are so handy at the back end and games can be decided by one, two, three runs all the time, if all of a sudden you get docked 20 runs because a batter’s leaving early, you’re going to stop doing it, aren’t you?”Bowlers like R Ashwin have been vocal about promoting the use of the dismissal, having run Buttler out the same way in an IPL game in 2019. Running a non-striker out has historically been one of cricket’s most controversial and opinion-dividing topics. In the past, bowlers who practiced running non-strikers out – like West Indies’ Keemo Paul, for example, at an Under-19 World Cup game – have taken a step back from doing so after receiving backlash over their decision.

Chelsea are planning imminent transfer talks with the representative of a forward, who’s even flown to London for direct negotiations, as the player’s camp drive a potential switch to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Chelsea targeting new attacker for Enzo Maresca this summer

Manager Enzo Maresca and co ultimately didn’t end up signing a new attacker in January, which was met with criticism following injuries to Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke in the forward area.

Real Madrid target offered to Chelsea as agents push for £50m summer exit

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1 ByEmilio Galantini Feb 26, 2025

However, that is something they plan to rectify in the summer, with a prolific striker in particular seen as Maresca’s final missing piece.

“Our top SPTC source has heard this weekend that Chelsea are ‘going big’ for a new goalkeeper, centre back, and a striker in the summer transfer window,” wrote reliable journalist Simon Phillips, via his Substack, in the last few days.

“He also mentions other positions such as a new full back, but we have no definitive news on that just yet.

Leicester City (home)

March 9th

Arsenal (away)

March 16th

Tottenham (home)

April 2nd

Brentford (away)

April 5th

Ipswich Town (home)

April 12th

“Chelsea pushed to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich all through the January window but his fee was far too much then. Revisiting this deal in the summer is still very much expected, and Chelsea would have absolutely signed him in the winter window if they could have got his price down. The expectation is that if his club get relegated, then they will be able to get him much cheaper in the summer. They will return for him regardless though.

“He’s not the only name being looked at. Chelsea also still like Viktor Gyokeres and he has never left our striker shortlist after having an approach knocked back recently. Our source says that Gyokeres is still one to watch especially with his release clause. With Gyokeres though, there is a belief that this will be Champions League qualification dependent.

“We have not heard anything new on Victor Osimhen but obviously they tried and failed to sign him last summer so there’s always a chance they try again when he should be cheaper at the end of this season.”

Chelsea could also target a new winger, as per multiple reports, with an update coming to light on their links to River Plate star Ian Subiabre.

Chelsea poised for imminent talks with Ian Subiabre via his agent

According to GiveMeSport, Chelsea are poised for “face-to-face” talks with Subiabre’s agent, who’s jetted to the English capital for discussions.

They aim of this meeting will be for Maresca’s side to gauge the conditions of a potential deal, and it is believed that the 18-year-old’s camp has been driving these negotiations to happen, which has ultimately convinced Chelsea as they take the bait, alongside a recommendation from their South American scout Alysson Marins.

The report from yesterday afternoon stated that these talks will happen within these next 24 hours, but it will take a fee of around £20 million to sign the highly-regarded Argentine.

أعلن نادي مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي، في بيان رسمي، صباح يوم الثلاثاء، تعاقده مع مساعد جديد للمدير الفني للفريق، بيب جوارديولا.

ويستعد مانشستر سيتي للمشاركة في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، التي ستنطلق في أمريكا الأسبوع المقبل.

وحسبما جاء في بيان مانشستر سيتي، فقد تم التعاقد مع بيب ليندرز ليصبح مساعدًا لـ بيب جوارديولا في ملعب “الاتحاد”، إلى جانب التعاقد مع جيمس فرينش كمدرب للركلات الثابتة.

بدأ ليندرز مسيرته المهنية عام 2022، حيث عمل في البداية ضمن فريق الشباب في آيندهوفن ثم بورتو، قبل أن ينضم إلى ليفربول في 2014.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جوارديولا في خطاب تاريخي: علينا رفض الصمت تجاه ما يحدث في قطاع غزة

وعمل ليندرز في البداية كجزء من الجهاز الفني لـ بريندان رودجرز في ليفربول، قبل أن يعمل مع يورجن كلوب منذ 2015.

وتولى ليندرز مسؤولية تدريب إن إي سي الهولندي في بداية عام 2018، قبل عودته إلى ليفربول من جديد في صيف ذلك العام، ليرحل عن “أنفيلد” في صيف 2024 مع كلوب.

وتولى ليندرز بعد ذلك تدريب سالزبورج حيث لم يقض سوى 6 أشهر مع النادي النمساوي.

في حين انضم جيمس فرينش إلى مانشستر سيتي قادمًا من ليفربول، ليتولى مسؤولية التدريب على الركلات الثابتة، مع العلم أنه عمل مع الريدز منذ 2012 واستمر في منصبه 13 عامًا.

Heading into game week 25 of the Premier League campaign, Crystal Palace currently sit 12th in the table, just four points off of a top-half spot.

They have managed to drag themselves away from a relegation battle, now sitting 13 points ahead of 18th-place Leicester City.

The Eagles are averaging some of the worst attacking numbers in the league. But, on the flip side, their defensive shape and quality are their biggest asset right now under Oliver Glasner, conceding 30 goals in 24 games and averaging 13.1 shots against them per game (ranking 10th in the league for this metric).

Crystal Palace face Everton at Selhurst Park in their next Premier League fixture, who currently sit 15th in the league, but are coming off of a very strong string of results, beating Tottenham, Brighton and Leicester in the league and drawing 2-2 with Liverpool.

Crystal Palace team news

Glasner will remain without Joel Ward (calf injury), Chadi Riad (knee injury) and Cheick Doucoure (knee injury) heading into the Everton game this weekend. Doucoure will now need to undergo surgery on his knee, which means he will miss the entirety of this season.

The likes of Eberechi Eze, Eddie Nketiah and Ismaila Sarr are all being assessed ahead of the Toffees game, with the first two currently having knocks/slight injuries and the latter having missed the last match due to illness.

Luckily for the Eagles, Adam Wharton has made his return to action in recent weeks, just in time to take over in midfield from Doucoure, which will give Palace a strong boost.

But after making some new signings in January, and the few injuries they have picked up, Glasner could look to change things up against Everton, adding a new dynamic to his side.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Crystal Palace's new dynamic against Everton

Crystal Palace could look to line up with both new signing Ben Chilwell and academy graduate, Tyrick Mitchell for the first time against Everton, finding a strong balance of attacking output and defensive stability on that left-hand side.

Goals + Assists

0.43

0.11

Progressive Carries

2.35

1.94

Progressive Passes

2.59

2.07

Shots Total

2.23

0.36

xG

0.16

0.03

Key Passes

1.73

1.29

Shot-Creating Actions

2.84

2.28

Tackles

1.85

2.67

Blocks

1.11

2.20

Interceptions

0.74

0.29

When you look at Chilwell’s underlying numbers from his last season under Thomas Tuchel in a back three system which allowed him to play as a wing-back, you can see the value he provides from that position, getting forward, getting shots off, attacking the box and being a threat on goal. In that sense, he could well be a better option for Glasner.

However, that doesn’t mean that Mitchell should miss out. Instead, it means the current incumbent of the left-back role could operate in a slightly unfamiliar left centre-back role in a back five/back three.

This would allow him to still defend in similar left-sided wide areas and add some protection behind the likes of Chilwell and Eze on that side, if/when their talisman is available.

Ex-Chelsea boss, Mauricio Pochettino praised Chilwell as “one of the best” left-backs in the world at his best, while Brendan Rodgers labelled him as “exceptional”, and if Glasner can get that level out of him, it would play a huge part in Palace’s bid for a second top-half finish in a row.

Crystal Palace have hit gold on Eagles star who's worth more than Chilwell

Crystal Palace now have two amazing options at left-back.

ByConnor Holden Feb 9, 2025

Sam Curran, who was player of the final and the tournament at the 2022 World Cup, is among 21 men who have listed the maximum reserve price of INR 2 crore (approx US$ 246,000) for the 2023 IPL auction.Not a single Indian player is listed in the 2 crore bracket which includes marquee names like England Test captain Ben Stokes, Australian allrounder Cameron Green, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and Nicholas Pooran who stepped down recently as West Indies white-ball captain.Related

• Curran, Stokes and Green to be in second set at IPL 2023 auction

• Bravo retires from IPL, takes over as Chennai Super Kings' bowling coach

• Pollard, Williamson, Bravo, Mayank released: How the IPL teams stack up ahead of the 2023 player auction

A maximum of 87 players can be bought at the auction (squad strength of 25 each) of which 30 can be overseas names. The auction is scheduled on December 23 in Kochi.A total of 991 players (714 Indian and 277 overseas) are part of the initial long list which the IPL shared with the 10 franchises on Thursday. The IPL will prune this down based on input from the franchises, who have until December 9 to get back to the tournament authorities.A break down of the IPL 2023 auction long list•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Agarwal, Rahane part of Indian group
In what is a first, not one Indian player is listed in the highest reserve price band of 2 crore. The list of 19 capped Indians mainly comprises discarded national players including Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma and Mayank Agarwal.Rahane was released by Kolkata Knight Riders having bought him for 1 crore in the last auction. His base price this time is 50 lakh. Ishant, who had gone unsold in 2022, is asking for 75 lakh.Agarwal was the first player to be retained ahead of the mega auction last year by Punjab Kings and was also handed captaincy of the team. However, a below par season, both for the player and the franchise, forced Kings to release Agarwal, who had been paid 14 crore last season.Agarwal has listed his base price at 1 crore. Left-arm fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat, who has been among the highest-paid players at IPL auctions, has listed his base price at 50 lakh. Unadkat, who has been in stellar form having led Saurashtra to the Vijay Hazare Trophy final, where he is the leading wicket-taker, was released by Mumbai Indians, who had bought him for 1.3 crore in 2022.Focus on Curran, Stokes, Green
The most keenly awaited part of an IPL auction – mega or mini – has been the order in which a player’s name comes out for bidding. And usually franchises pay a lot of attention, and money to the marquee names*. It is fair to assume that Curran, Stokes, Williamson and Pooran will be part of this set along with probably Agarwal.Overseas allrouders have always been a mega hit at mini auctions and the in-form trio of Curran, Stokes and Green will fancy a fat pay cheque as an early Christmas present on December 23. While Green has never featured in IPL, the England duo have significant experience.Currran last played in the tournament in 2021 for Chennai Super Kings before a stress fracture in his lower back forced him to miss a lot of cricket. The Super Kings had bought Curran for 5.5 crore and will once again aim to buy him though rival franchises like Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings, who go in with the two biggest purses, will have a better chance of landing the England allrounder who is a proven match-winner both with ball and bat.The year 2021 was also the last time Stokes played the IPL. Representing Rajastthan Royals, Stokes left the season at the halfway stage due to an injury. Royals had bought Stokes for 12.5. crore in 2018 and had retained him for the next three years. In 2022, Stokes opted out of the IPL.As for Green, he recently said despite the massive workload confronting Australian players leading to, and immediately after, IPL 2023, he was excited to participate in the tournament. Green turned a lot of heads during Australia’s white-ball series in India just before the T20 World Cup where he scored 118 runs at a strike rate of 214.54 while opening the batting. Coupled with his bowling the 23-year old could prove to be a big asset in T20 cricket.Notable misses
Dwayne Bravo looks to have said goodbye to the IPL (at least as a player). Having been released by the Super Kings ahead of the auction, his name was not among the 991 put forward in the long list.Bravo is a three-time IPL winner and the tournament’s highest wicket-taker (183). MS Dhoni’s team had brought him on in 2011 and had kept faith in him through to 2022. But at 39 years of age and battling injuries, it is likely that the West Indian will now shift to a backroom role much like his great friend Kieron Pollard has at Mumbai Indians.Among the 14 overseas countries, Australia with 57 players have the most in the auction. But two of their very best – Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne – are missing from the list. Although given how neither of them had any takers last year, and are likely to be heavily involved in Ashes preparation with the series starting June 16, it may not be too much of a surprise that they’ve chosen to skip the IPL. Australia’s Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins has pulled out as well.The 2 crore band: Nathan Coulter-Nile, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Tymal Mills, Jamie Overton, Craig Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Kane Williamson, Rilee Rossouw, Rassie van der Dussen, Angelo Mathews, Nicholas Pooran, Jason HolderThe 1.5 crore band: Sean Abbott, Riley Meredith, Jhye Richardson, Adam Zampa, Shakib Al Hasan, Harry Brook, Will Jacks, Dawid Malan, Jason Roy, Sherfane RutherfordThe 1 crore band: Mayank Agarwal, Kedar Jadhav, Manish Pandey, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Moises Henriques, Andrew Tye, Joe Root, Luke Wood, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Heinrich Klaasen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kusal Perera, Roston Chase, Rakheem Cornwall, Shai Hope, Akeal Hossein, David Wiese

MatériaMais Notícias

Na classificação para as quartas de final da Libertadores nos pênaltis contra o Boca Juniors, Cássio viveu mais uma noite histórica pelo Corinthians. Além de ter defendido duas cobranças na disputa por pênaltis, o camisa 12superou o lateral Zé Maria, ídolo corintiano nas décadas de 70 e 80, e se tornou o 4º atleta com mais partidas pelo clube alvinegro, com 599 jogos.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansO atestado de milhões! Há 10 anos, torcedor ‘abandonava’ trabalho para ver o Corinthians na BomboneraCorinthians05/07/2022Fora de CampoNeto critica quantidade de lesionados no Corinthians e dispara: ‘Quem está machucado no Palmeiras?’Fora de Campo05/07/2022LibertadoresCorinthians ‘devolve’ 2013, supera o Boca Juniors nos pênaltis e avança às quartas de final da LibertadoresLibertadores05/07/2022

+ GALERIA – Onde estão os jogadores do Timão que conquistaram a Libertadores há 10 anos

Após a partida, o goleiro afirmou que essa foi a sua melhor partida na Bombonera. Ele elogiou a torcida xeneize e valorizou a eficiência da equipe nos pênaltis.

– Joguei algumas vezes aqui, mas penso que esse foi o melhor resultado, uma classificação, eliminar o Boca é muito difícil. Torcida do Boca não tem o que falar, é uma torcida que canta e puxa o jogo todo. Feliz pela classificação e pelo torcedor. Jogamos da maneira que dava, sofremos, e nos pênaltis fomos mais eficientes e saímos com a classificação – disse.

Pelo elevado número de desfalques por lesão, o clube alvinegro teve que jogar de forma mais defensiva. O capitão corintiano valorizou a entrega dos companheiros em campo.

– Tem que ler o jogo e fazer o que dá para fazer. Estávamos com muitos lesionados, que tentaram até o último momento estar aqui, mas não estavam aptos. Lutamos com o que tínhamos, todo mundo se dedicou ao máximo e a recompensa veio – comentou.

Agora, o Timão espera o vencedor do confronto entre Tolima-COL e Flamengo. Cássio não quis apontar o clube alvinegro como um dos favoritos ao título, e disse que a equipe está focada no próximo adversário.

– Nós passamos de fase, muito feliz, mas temos que nos preocupar com o próximo adversário. Continuar trabalhando, se dedicando, temos mais duas competições. Espero que todos os jogadores se recuperem, grupo cheio. Pode ser que a gente enfrente equipes com mais qualidade, mas vontade e dedicação aqui tem bastante – concluiu o goleiro.

Além de mais uma atuação histórica, Cássio tende a se tornar o segundo jogador com mais partidas disputadas pelo Timão ainda em 2022, sendo o primeiro entre os goleiros, ultrapassando Ronaldo Giovanelli. Faltam apenas quatro jogos para que o camisa 12 do Timão consiga o feito.

Top-5 de mais jogos pelo Corinthians na história
1º – Wladimir: 806 jogos
2º – Luizinho: 606 jogos
3º – Ronaldo Giovanelli: 602 jogos
4º – Cássio: 599 jogos
5º – Zé Maria: 598 jogos

+ TABELA – Simule o mata-mata da Libertadores

O dia 2 de fevereiro de 2022 marcou dez anos da apresentação do goleiro no alvinegro paulista. Desde então, ele se tornou um dos maiores ídolos da história do Corinthians, sendo protagonista nas conquistas da Libertadores e Mundial de Clubes em 2012. Com nove títulos, ele só está atrás de Marcelinho Carioca (10) como recordista de títulos no Timão.

No início da temporada, Cássio teve o seu vínculo com o clube o alvinegro estendido até o fim de 2024. Ele chegou no Parque São Jorge em 2012.

A delegação corintiana volta para São Paulo na madrugada de terça para quarta. Na manhã do dia 6 de julho, o elenco do Corinthians se reapresenta no CT Joaquim para um trabalho regenerativo.

The spinner was on course for a record debut haul, but Zahid Mahmood got in on the act to finish off the innings

Andrew Miller09-Dec-2022Pakistan 107 for 2 (Babar 61*, Shakeel 32*) trail England 281 (Duckett 63, Pope 60, Abrar 7-114) by 174 runs Abrar Ahmed – or Abrar-cadabra, as Ben Stokes might agree he should be called – provided the mystery and the mastery that Pakistan’s attack had so lacked in Rawalpindi last week, to rush to stunning debut figures of 7 for 114 in 22 overs in a sensational fast-forwarded performance in Multan.After just 45 overs of England’s innings, Abrar had become the third Pakistan cricketer to take seven wickets on debut, and he was on course to claim all ten until fellow legspinner Zahid Mahmood got in on the act with the final three wickets of the innings, including two in two to pick off wickets eight and nine. Nevertheless, with Bob Massie and Narendra Hirwani’s historic debuts still out there as inspiration – and with Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel putting Pakistan on course for a useful total as their third-wicket stand of 56 reduced the overnight arrears to 174 – the prospect of further records in the second innings for Abrar seems very much on the cards.England’s Bazballing batters certainly won’t be clamming up against his threat in a hurry. Despite a significantly more adverse scenario than they had faced on the flattest of decks in the first Test, Stokes’ men still hurtled along with their new fearless approach, racking up their runs at a rate of 5.43 across 51.4 overs. En route, they even set another new Test record in an extended two-and-a-half-hour morning session, reaching lunch on 180 for 5 from 32 overs – the most runs ever made in the first session of a match, and eclipsing the 174 for 0 they’d managed at the same stage in Rawalpindi.ESPNcricinfo LtdIt all made for a fascinating battle of punch and counter-punch, in conditions that could not have been further removed from the bat-dominant first Test – and when Mark Wood’s long handle picked off eight fours in an unbeaten 36 from 27 balls in a priceless last-wicket stand with James Anderson, England might even have considered they were above-par for the conditions.With the new ball in hand, Anderson’s early extraction of Imam-ul-Haq briefly reinforced that notion, as he feathered a lifter outside off and trooped off bemused for a duck. But Babar, pushed up to No. 3 following the axing of Azhar Ali, assumed familiar command of the reply. By the time the sun had set, he had eased along to 61 not out in an 14.3-over partnership with Shakeel, and if the ovation that greeted his half-century rivalled even that for Abrar’s feat, it came too with the sense that he is the man to ensure that such a bowling display does not go to waste.Despite some intermittently sharp turn for England’s own spinners – including Jack Leach, who found Abdullah Shafique’s edge for 14 but lacked a touch of control – and a rowdy four-over burst from Wood in which he touched 97mph/156kph, the early signs were that Abrar offers Pakistan a weapon that England will struggle to match, let alone master when their turn comes again. Notably Ollie Robinson, Player of the Match last week, didn’t bowl a single over, and though hindsight is a tedious thing, England were maybe wishing they’d trusted their own mystery-man, Rehan Ahmed, for a debut in these conditions.Babar Azam reached a rapid half-century•Matthew Lewis/Getty ImagesEither way, England are no longer a team prepared to wait for the ball with their name on it when the ball is ragging sharply, and not even the loss of Zak Crawley to a sublime googly in Abrar’s first over could persuade them to temper their aggression for long.Having stood tall to the seamers to punch three trademark fours through the covers, Crawley was bowled clean through the gate for 19 from 37 balls as Abrar, with little discernible change of action, flicked out a fifth-ball wrong’un to take out the top of off stump.Previous England teams would doubtless have been spooked by such unassuming brilliance. Instead, Ollie Pope – fresh from his century at Rawalpindi – announced his own arrival by reverse-sweeping Abrar first-ball for four, and as he and Ben Duckett took the fight back to the bowling, England began to tick along at more than a run a ball for the third innings in succession in this series.The fact that these conditions were significantly more bowler-friendly than at Rawalpindi, however, was telegraphed by Zahid, Pakistan’s other legspinner, whose own debut in the first Test could hardly have been more contrasting – on that occasion, his four first-innings wickets had come at a eye-watering cost of 235 runs. Twice in his first over here, however, his high-kicking legbreaks beat Pope’s outside edge, and when the batter responded by reversing his hands on a sweep next ball, he was initially given out lbw for 11 – but was saved on review after replays showed the impact had been glove, not pad.Ben Duckett made a 40-ball half-century•Matthew Lewis/Getty ImagesDuckett, by this stage, was once again showing he is a magnificent manipulator of angles in spinning conditions, as he rushed along to a 40-ball half-century with a showcase of sweeps, reverse-sweeps and wristy late cuts. On 61, however, he too survived a curious case of glove before wicket, as he stooped for another reverse off Abrar and was given out on-field – but his reprieve mattered little. Before the over was done, Abrar had his man, as Duckett this time missed a conventional sweep and Babar successfully reviewed the on-field not-out.At 117 for 2 after 19 overs, there was no thought of a consolidation. Joe Root, their best player of spin, played back to another big-turning legbreak from Abrar, and was again sent on his way on review. And when, four overs later, Pope top-edged a reverse-sweep to be caught at backward point for 60, England had slipped to 164 for 4. There was time for further damage before the interval too, as Brook – fresh from 240 runs from 181 balls in Rawalpindi – scuffed a slog down the ground high to Mohammad Nawaz at mid-off, to complete Abrar’s debut five-for in the space of 12 astonishing overs.Stokes, relatively becalmed but still eager to take the positive option, could have made it six before the interval when he all but holed out to long-on. But when Abrar did get his man it was a collector’s item. On 30, and having seemingly bedded into a telling innings, Stokes was drawn forward by another incredible googly that burst from leg to hit the top of off, and left England’s captain as dumbfounded as Virat Kohli had been in 2018, when Adil Rashid memorably did him in in an ODI at Headingley.Will Jacks batted with poise but impermanence for the third Test innings in a row, reaching his new top-score of 31 before missing a sweep to become victim No. 7. But just when it seemed there could be no stalling the onset of history, Robinson climbed through the line against Zahid and top-edged to midwicket to break Abrar’s stranglehold. Leach was then bowled first-ball on the reverse sweep to leave England’s innings precarious at 245 for 9. But Wood’s late walloping kept the team ethos on track, in spite of the renewed threat from their opponents.

Gus Poyet insists Chelsea have "no more excuses" as they aim to qualify for the Champions League and win the Conference League.

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• Blues aiming to finish in top five
• Must win final two games
• Poyet urges Maresca's side to get over line

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Chelsea face Manchester United on Friday evening and are acutely aware that they must win their final two games of the season if they are to guarantee qualification for the Champions League. They currently sit fifth, the final qualification spot this season, but are level on points with Aston Villa and are only one clear of Nottingham Forest in seventh.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Chelsea also have a Conference League final against Real Betis to prepare for, which comes just three days after their final game of the season against fellow Champions League hopefuls Forest. Nevertheless, Poyet insists standards have slipped at Stamford Bridge – a stadium that has witnessed the Blues lifting the Premier League trophy – and has told manager Enzo Maresca that he has no excuse if the club fail to finish in the top five.

• WHAT GUS POYET SAID

  Poyet told : “Chelsea must qualify for the Champions League next season. It was too early to call in the middle of the season, and then they had a great run of form. People even thought they could challenge for the title. After Enzo Maresca played down their chances, they went on a really bad run.

  “Can they balance their focus between the Premier League and the Europa Conference League? There are no more excuses for Chelsea. The expectation used to be top two, then top three, then top four and now top five! Qualifying for the Champions League would stop the slide.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Chelsea face United on Friday night. With Aston Villa playing Tottenham Hotspur on the same evening, the Blues will hope their London rivals can do them a favour.

As Aston Villa look to make it five games without defeat in all competitions, they may be forced to do so without both Tyrone Mings and another one of Unai Emery’s key men against Crystal Palace.

Aston Villa injury news

The Villans’ injury concerns have gone under the radar ever so slightly in recent weeks. At various points they’ve been without Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa and remain without Ross Barkley, Pau Torres and Amadou Onana. Emery has coped nonetheless, however, and watched on as his side came from behind to defeat Chelsea late on last time out.

With January arrivals Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio combining for both goals, Aston Villa’s recruitment has seemingly come good at the perfect time once again as they look to push on towards Champions League qualification.

As things stand, those in the Midlands sit just two points adrift of fourth-place Manchester City, albeit having played a game extra than the Blues. It’s certainly a tight battle, and one which could take another twist when they travel to face an in-form Crystal Palace this evening potentially without two key men.

As revealed by Emery, Aston Villa could now be without Morgan Rogers against Crystal Palace as well as Mings in what would be two frustrating injury blows for the Villans.

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Emery told reporters when quizzed on Rodgers’ availability after he limped off against Chelsea: “His wish is always to play even when he was telling me on Saturday he was good. He was telling me he could continue.

“He is important. The idea is to have substitutes performing well. One of them is Rogers. In case he is not available, we can use other players.”

Also asked about his defensive options, the Spaniard provided an update on Axel Disasi, Torres and Mings – telling reporters: “Axel Disasi can play tomorrow. Mings, we will see how he feels. Konsa feels good and Pau is close to adding to us, maybe this week or next week.”

"Fantastic" Rogers is growing in importance

The jury was still out on Rogers when he first arrived from Middlesbrough in January of 2024, but the midfielder has proved any doubters wrong ever since to become one of Emery’s most important players. A driving force behind everything good that this Aston Villa side do, it’s no surprise that the former Manchester City academy man has earned such high praise.

After watching the 22-year-old score a hat-trick in the Champions League against Celtic, former Aston Villa star Stiliyan Petrov told TNT Sports: “He looked like he is going to be a star. He could have scored another two.

“In the second half, Brendan Rodgers changed the tactics a little bit, he put two players to man mark Rogers, and he has just managed to adapt, to move to a different position and find space so he can score goals. He was absolutely fantastic.”

With 11 goals to his name in all competitions so far this season, Rogers’ absence would certainly deal Aston Villa a major blow if he fails to win the race to be fit ahead of his side’s trip to Selhurst Park.