All posts by h716a5.icu

Abbott picked up three wickets as Stoinis’ half-century went in vain

AAP06-Jan-2023English import James Vince fell short of a century but delivered at the top of the order to steer the Sydney Sixers to a six-wicket win over Melbourne Stars.Marcus Stoinis blasted 52 off 28 balls to lift the Stars to a competitive 5 for 173 at the MCG on Friday. But Sixers reached their target with just one ball to spare on the back of Vince’s unbeaten 91 from 59 deliveries and some late hitting from Jordan Silk.Silk belted a six from the third ball of Luke Wood’s dramatic final over and was controversially given out caught behind before Dan Christian hit the winning runs.The result was the Sixers’ ninth consecutive win over the Stars – a record BBL period of dominance by one club over another.It left the Stars languishing in last place, while the Sixers are level on wins at the top with the Scorchers and Thunder.The Sixers required 36 off the final three overs when Vince belted back-to-back sixes off Trent Boult (1 for 39).A further 11 runs were required off the last over and Vince should have been run-out looking for two off the first ball, but fellow Englishman Joe Clarke missed his first swipe at the stumps with the batter short his ground.The massive six from Silk (15 off 10) tilted the match the Sixers’ way but he was judged to have nicked Wood’s next ball behind and was given his marching orders. Christian hit his only ball faced off Wood for four, steering the Sixers to 4-176.Vince’s season-high innings included nine fours and two sixes as he fell narrowly short of becoming the first player in Sixers history to score a century.Earlier, Stoinis showcased his value as one of the BBL’s great entertainers in his first match since announcing a deal to play in the ILT20.The Stars’ premier power hitter was travelling at run-a-ball for his first 12 deliveries faced and exploded with 38 off the next 12, bringing the home crowd to life.Stoinis blasted seven fours and two sixes, playing the lead role as the Stars took 34 runs off Chris Jordan and Hayden Kerr during the power surge.Stars opener Tom Rogers, signed as a replacement for injured skipper Glenn Maxwell, rode his luck at times and cashed in with a career-best knock of 48 from 33 deliveries.But he was denied a maiden half-century at BBL level when he fell to a brilliant diving catch by Jordan in the outfield.Sean Abbott (3-31) was the game’s only multiple wicket-taker.The Stars lost Campbell Kellaway to a cut hand after he was hurt taking a catch to dismiss Daniel Hughes (28).

Cole Palmer and Phil Foden have been warned they're behind Morgan Gibbs-White for England as Thomas Tuchel plans for their June internationals.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Foden & Palmer have struggled with form

Gibbs-White fuelling Forest's UCL hopes

Alan Hutton believes he should be preferred over othersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Gibbs-White has enjoyed a remarkable campaign under Nuno Espirito Santo, becoming one of the driving forces behind Forest's turnaround after seasons of battling near the foot of the Premier League. His consistent output and creative influence have sparked renewed discussions about his role in the national setup while also being linked with a move to Manchester City as a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Despite his excellent performances throughout the season, Gibbs-White was initially omitted from Tuchel’s first England squad earlier this year, a decision that raised eyebrows among supporters and pundits alike. It wasn’t until Palmer withdrew due to injury that Gibbs-White was brought into the squad. However, the former Wolves midfielder didn't get a chance to prove himself on the pitch. He was left out of the matchday squad for the 2-0 win over Albania at Wembley and was an unused substitute during the following fixture against Latvia.

WHAT ALAN HUTTON SAID

Foden and Palmer are battling their dip in form this season, and this has led Alan Hutton to advocate Gibbs-White’s inclusion in the England starting XI.

Hutton told BoyleSports, who offer the latest Champions League odds: "Gibbs White has been brilliant, absolutely brilliant. He's probably one of the main reasons why Nottingham Forest are where they are at this moment in time. Looking at other options for England, Palmer has kind of dropped off a little bit. Foden is probably not playing as much as he would like. As class players as they are, these things happen. You have drops in form or whatever it may be.

"Even for England, it goes back to the old thing where you think of Morgan Gibbs-White. He wasn't in the initial squad last time, then he got brought in through injuries, which is quite incredible. If you're picking off form, he should definitely be there, but he needs to continue to play at that high level if they want to make the Champions League."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

WHAT NEXT?

While Palmer and Foden remain central figures in England’s long-term plans, their current situations leave them vulnerable to being overtaken by in-form competitors. With just a few Premier League fixtures left before Tuchel announces his squad, players vying for selection know every performance counts. Gibbs-White has put himself firmly in the conversation – and if his current trajectory continues, he could well find himself starting in an England shirt this summer. The Three Lions resume their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Andorra on June 7 before hosting Senegal in a friendly at the City Ground on June 10.

Leeds United are now likely to make a move for an “excellent” attacker if they are promoted from the Championship, with his club setting a £20m asking price, according to a report.

Leeds storming to promotion

Leeds’ dramatic turnaround against Sunderland earlier this month felt like a big moment in the season, with Pascal Struijk bagging a late double to secure a 2-1 victory against a fellow promotion-chasing side at Elland Road.

However, the Whites have since followed it up with an even more impressive win, defeating Sheffield United 3-1 away from home in a real statement victory last time out, moving five clear of the Blades at the top of the Championship table in the process.

Daniel Farke’s side have lost just three league games all season, and they have given themselves a great chance of returning to the top tier next season, but the manager will be aware of the need to strengthen in the summer if his side are to return to the Premier League.

Leeds expected to move for "fantastic" £15m striker; he's "keen" on joining

The Whites have been tipped to make a summer move for a forward who is excited by the prospect of moving to Elland Road.

ByDominic Lund Feb 25, 2025

Some loan players have played a key role in Leeds’ promotion push, namely Joe Rothwell and Manor Solomon, and there has been talk of a potential move to sign the latter player on a permanent basis in the summer.

According to a report from GiveMeSport, it is now likely the Championship leaders will enter negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur over a deal for Solomon, should they achieve their aim of promotion to the top flight.

Spurs are willing to sanction the winger’s departure this summer, but he could be a relatively expensive signing for the Whites, as the asking price is now believed to be £20m, which is an increase from the previously reported number between £10m and £15m.

Everton have also been named as potential suitors for the 25-year-old, who is keen on a return to the Premier League, so there may be competition for his signature.

Solomon has been "excellent" in 2025

The Israeli’s loan spell got off to a slow start, often being utilised as a substitute, while also missing a number of matches due to a hamstring injury, but he has been in red-hot form in 2025.

The Spurs loanee has now amassed 14 goal contributions in the Championship, with eight of those coming since the turn of the year, having now established himself as a regular starter.

CBS Sports’ Jake Winderman lauded the left-winger as “excellent” for his performance against Norwich City, and he has also put in some impressive performances in the top flight in the past, scoring four Premier League goals for Fulham in the 2022-23 campaign.

As such, there are signs that Solomon is ready to make the step-up back to the Premier League, so Leeds should definitely pursue a move this summer, although a fee of £20m for a player with very limited top-level experience feels a little high.

England left needing 55 to win when light intervenes after Rehan’s historic day

Matt Roller19-Dec-2022England need another 55 runs to win the third Test in Karachi and inflict Pakistan’s first-ever men’s Test series whitewash on home soil, after Rehan Ahmed became the youngest man to take a five-wicket haul on debut at 18 years and 128 days old.Rehan, who was held back until the fourth hour of the third day by Ben Stokes, titled the game back in England’s favour when he broke a determined fourth-wicket stand between Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel, then ran through the middle and lower order to finish with 5 for 48 in only his fourth first-class appearance.Related

Babar Azam offers delusion over solution as Pakistan's shortcomings are exposed

Rehan Ahmed, putting the game in super fast forward

'Nighthawk' cameo caps Rehan Ahmed's match-seizing day

England were set 167 to win and with a nominal 22 overs left on the third evening, they set about trying to chase the runs before the close. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett thrashed 87 runs in 11.3 overs, Rehan was promoted to No. 3 as a “night-hawk” and Stokes threw his bat towards the square leg umpire trying to heave Nauman Ali for six, but bad light intervened with 55 more runs required.Jack Leach had taken three wickets in the space of six balls in the morning session to remove Pakistan’s top order and after a long wait before returning to the attack, Rehan made a similar impact on the game in a five-over burst before the tea interval.His first wicket was a freebie, Babar pulling a drag-down straight to Ollie Pope at short midwicket after bringing up his second half-century of the match. But his next two came from good balls: the second, a legbreak that gripped and found Mohammad Rizwan’s outside edge; the third, a hard-spun googly that Shakeel top-edged straight to square leg on the sweep.Rehan returned in the evening session to polish off the lower order: Mohammad Wasim hacked him to mid-off, and Salman Ali Agha miscued a sweep to backward square leg. He sank to his knees to perform a , then beamed from ear to ear as he led the team off. His father Naeem, watching from the stands, wiped away tears as he applauded.ESPNcricinfo LtdThat led to a sprint towards the finish line, which started with Crawley skipping down and whipping the first ball through wide mid-on for four. Duckett exchanged boundaries with his opening partner as Pakistan’s shoulders slumped, and England raced to 58 for 0 after six overs.Babar turned to his seamers, who briefly slowed the scoring, seemingly ensuring that the game would go into a fourth day, but England continued to show their attacking intent. When Crawley was trapped lbw by Abrar Ahmed, Rehan strode out – having batted at No. 8 in the first innings – and flogged his first ball down the ground for four.He lost his off stump shortly after for a shot-a-ball 10 off 8 and despite Stokes’ best efforts alongside Duckett – who quietly racked up a 38-ball half-century, his fourth 50-plus score of the series – England fell just short of the finish line. They are unlikely to hang around on the fourth morning.Earlier, Shan Masood had hit the first two balls of the day for four as Pakistan looked to grow their lead, but after a positive start, lost his leg stump while bottom-edging an attempted reverse-sweep off Leach.Azhar Ali was greeted with handshakes by England’s fielders but his final innings before his retirement from international cricket was all too brief. His fourth ball was full, pitching on leg stump, but turned sharply away from the bat as he looked to whip wristily through midwicket. It crashed into the top of off stump. Azhar trudged off through a guard of honour from his team-mates.At the start of his next over, Leach struck again, trapping Shafique lbw with a ball that skidded on off the pitch. Shakeel survived the hat-trick ball, but Pakistan were effectively 4 for 3. He dug in alongside Babar either side of the lunch break for a stand eventually worth 110 – but Rehan’s introduction half an hour before tea changed the game.

According to police, Shaw “refused to take a selfie for the second time with two people”

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Feb-2023India batter Prithvi Shaw has been involved in an incident in the suburbs of Mumbai, in which his friend’s car was allegedly attacked by a group of people, against whom a case has been filed with the police.”Oshiwara Police has registered a case against 8 persons over an alleged attack on the car of a friend of Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw after Shaw refused to take a selfie for the second time with two people,” Mumbai Police was quoted as saying by ANI.In videos circulated on social media, Shaw can be seen on the street at night, in the presence of police personnel. The person filming the video can be heard accusing Shaw and his friends of attacking them.Shaw has played 12 matches for India – five Tests, six ODIs and one T20I – the last of which came in July 2021. He recently returned to the T20I squad for the series against New Zealand at the start of this year but didn’t get a game. Shaw has been scoring heaps of runs in the domestic circuit in recent times – including a triple-century in the Ranji Trophy last month – but according to reports, he has been out of the India squad for disciplinary reasons.Shaw’s last game for Mumbai was against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy in the second half of January.

Gabriel Agbonlahor has warned Liam Delap against joining Manchester United and has advised him to move to West Ham instead.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Delap warned off United switchHas been heavily linked with Ipswich exitWest Ham touted as ideal moveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Former Aston Villa forward Agbonlahor has warned Ipswich striker Delap against joining United amid rumours linking him with a move to Old Trafford. Chelsea are reported to be leading the race for Delap's signature after the Tractor Boys' relegation, but the 22-year-old has been advised to move to east London instead.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Delap has a reported £30 million ($40m) release clause in his contract after Ipswich's relegation and he now looks poised to have his pick of clubs this summer. The former Manchester City centre-forward has scored 12 Premier League goals this term.

WHAT AGBONHALOR SAID

Speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor said: "If I was him, I wouldn't be going there. I wouldn't stay at Ipswich, I'd go to West Ham, go and prove yourself at West Ham, the next step. They need a striker, Evan Ferguson will go back to Brighton, it hasn't worked out."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Delap will hope to add to his tally in the final two games of the season as Ipswich round out a deeply disappointing season against Leicester and, ironically, West Ham.

Let’s face it, it’s been hard to argue with much of the work done at Manchester City during the Pep Guardiola era, with the legendary tactician having overseen a stunning period of domestic dominance after claiming four successive Premier League titles.

Things have unravelled somewhat slightly this season, yet the Citizens still appear on course to claim a top-four finish, while FA Cup glory could also be on the agenda again come the end of the campaign.

That said, questions have begun to be asked regarding the club’s recruitment decisions in recent times, with a raft of academy products having gone on to shine elsewhere.

In the Premier League this season, Liam Delap – who departed for £20m last summer – has scored ten goals for relegation strugglers Ipswich Town, while in the Championship, former City stopper James Trafford has been a central part of a Burnley side who have conceded just ten league goals in 2024/25 to date.

Perhaps the biggest frustration, however, may lie in the decision to move on Morgan Rogers on the cheap, with it looking as if the club may well have repeated that mistake prior to the current campaign…

How much Man City sold Morgan Rogers for

Hindsight is a wonderful thing in football, yet Guardiola and co might perhaps have a tinge of regret regarding the decision to part ways with Rogers back in 2023, with the young Englishman having exploded since making the move to Aston Villa.

Still just 22, the midfield machine has already made two senior appearances for his country, while racking up a stellar return of 12 goals and six assists across all fronts. To put that into context, Phil Foden, for instance, has registered just ten goals and six assists across various competitions for Man City this term.

Likened to Real Madrid hero, Jude Bellingham, by pundit Jamie Redknapp, the former Middlesborough ace has dazzled since signing for Villa back in January 2024, with that initial £8m fee looking like a real bargain for the Midlands side.

Boro, too, may also be thankful for having made a significant profit on their initial investment, with Rogers having left the Etihad for a meagre fee of only £1m, after failing to make a first-team appearance for the club.

Formerly of West Bromwich Albion’s academy – which he left in 2019 to move to Manchester – the Halesowen-born starlet has certainly blossomed in his new surroundings.

The fear will be that the same might occur with another rising star, Kane Taylor…

Man City already sold the next Morgan Rogers

Losing the likes of Delap and Trafford – the latter of whom cost the Clarets an initial £15m – perhaps does not sting too greatly considering the sizeable fees that were raked in, hence the greater frustration regarding Rogers’ exit on the cheap.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

That frustration may well be replicated after losing midfield starlet, Taylor, over the summer, with the 20-year-old having returned to former club Villa for a reported fee of just £750k.

A promising midfield talent, in a similar mould to Rogers, the elegant left-footer had originally left Villa Park for the Etihad as a teenager back in 2019, only to make his return to Birmingham back in August.

Player

Current club

Market value

Phil Foden

Man City

£117m

Cole Palmer

Chelsea

£109m

Michael Olise

Bayern Munich

£54m

Morgan Rogers

Aston Villa

£34m

Romeo Lavia

Chelsea

£34m

Rico Lewis

Man City

£34m

Brahim Diaz

Real Madrid

£29m

Jadon Sancho

Chelsea

£26m

Felix Nmecha

Borussia Dortmund

£23m

Unlike Rogers, Taylor has made a direct switch to the Midlands side from City, although he now has the chance to follow in his compatriot’s footsteps by making his mark under Unai Emery.

A first-team chance has yet to emerge for the versatile talent – who can also play at left-back or centre-back – although he has racked up 17 appearances for Villa’s U21 side this season, scoring once.

Described as a player who is ‘who is highly rated within scouting circles’ by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, the youngster also mirrors Rogers in being a ‘powerful midfielder’ who typically operates in an advanced central role, as per Man City’s website.

While the blow of losing such a talent has been eased by the presence of a 25% sell-on clause as part of the deal last summer, as Tanswell noted, it remains to be seen whether City will be left to rue their decision to let him go over the coming years.

Pep could unleash his own Chido Obi in Man City's 18-year-old "goalscorer"

Man City could well have their own teenage goal machine brewing…

1 ByRobbie Walls Mar 5, 2025

There could be a big summer on the horizon for Everton football club as David Moyes prepares for his first full transfer window in charge of the Toffees for the second time.

It is also the club’s first summer transfer window ahead of their move to the new stadium for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, in which they will want a successful debut at their expensive home.

This means that there could be some ruthless decisions that are made on players to be sold, and kept, as well as new signings coming in to bolster the squad.

Angus Kinnear is set to arrive from Leeds United to assume the role of CEO at Everton at the start of June, and he may instantly look at the wage bill to inform his decisions in the transfer market.

What Everton's wage bill will look like for Kinnear

The Leeds chief may look at how the club have been using the funds available to them this season and look to ruthlessly ditch the players who have not been value for money.

Iliman Ndiaye has been the poster boy for value for money this season with six goals in 22 Premier League starts, despite being on £45k-per-week at Goodison Park.

Abdoulaye Doucoure

£130k

Jordan Pickford

£125k

Idrissa Gueye

£120k

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

£100k

James Tarkowski

£100k

Jack Harrison

£90k

Michael Keane

£80k

Vitalii Mykolenko

£58k

Seamus Coleman

£55k

Beto

£50k

As you can see in the table above, Ndiaye is not even in the top ten earners at the club this season, whilst in-form centre-forward Beto only just makes the list.

The Portuguese striker has scored five goals in the Premier League since Moyes took the job in January, establishing himself as the go-to number nine for the Scotsman.

With this in mind, Kinnear could hit the ground running at Everton this summer by instantly ditching English striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Why Everton should sell Dominic Calvert-Lewin

As shown in the table, the former England international is one of the most highly-paid players at the club on £100k-per-week, but he has not done enough on the pitch to justify that expense.

Calvert-Lewin has been unreliable from a fitness perspective during his time at Everton, missing 78 competitive matches through injury since the start of the 2021/22 campaign.

This means that managers have not been able to rely upon him during a season as he has had to deal with multiple injury absences that have prevented him from being consistent on the pitch.

24/25

22

6.11

3

23/24

32

12.93

7

22/23

17

5.84

2

Total

71

24.88

12

As you can see in the table above, Calvert-Lewin has also been unreliable on the pitch with his lack of quality in front of goal, underperforming his xG by almost 15 goals since the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

This, essentially, means that the former Sheffield United man has consistently failed to make the most of the high-quality opportunities that his teammates have created for him in recent years, costing his team points in the process.

Earlier this season, talkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara described his finishing as “embarrassing” and claimed it is “why he’s not gone to a top side”, which is hard to argue with when you look at his performance against xG.

Beto and Ndiaye, despite earning less than Calvert-Lewin combined, have both outscored the £100k-per-week forward, who has managed three goals in the top-flight, this season.

The 28-year-old striker’s contract with Everton is due to expire this summer and Kinnear must ruthlessly ditch him by allowing it to run out without offering him an extension, due to his unreliability both on and off the pitch for the wages that he is on.

He's like Moise Kean: Everton ready bid for "sensational" DCL upgrade

Everton are set to spend in the transfer market this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Mar 19, 2025

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma watched tennis world No.1 Jannik Sinner cruise through the first round at French Open.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Donnarumma watched Sinner in actionWorld No.1 wins in straight setsSinner hailed the PSG star as the "best"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPWHAT HAPPENED?

Italian tennis star Sinner, who is the top-seeded player at Roland Garros 2025, cruised through the first round at the French Open as he beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 6-3, 7-5. PSG and Italy national team goalkeeper Donnarumma was in attendance at the venue as he watched his compatriot dominate.

AdvertisementWHAT JANNIK SINNER SAID

After the match, Sinner acknowledged Donnarumma's presence as he said: "I have to thank all of you guys. Very special guest up there. Gigio.. thank you for coming. He’s the best goalkeeper you have, guys."

WATCH THE CLIPENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPWHAT NEXT?

After winning Ligue 1 and the French Cup, Luis Enrique's PSG side are now aiming to bag the treble as they take on Inter in the Champions League final this Saturday at Munich's Allianz Arena.

Dawid Malan century keeps hosts on front foot in first outing after bleak winter

David Hopps07-Apr-2023An elderly Headingley cricket historian observing Rehan Ahmed’s attempts to build on his achievement as England’s youngest Test cricketer might just have recalled the experience of one of Yorkshire’s most famous sons, Brian Close, the man who until last winter held that claim to fame for 70 years and more, and reflected that no matter how great Rehan’s talent, building on his breakthrough won’t necessarily be all plain sailing.It is one thing for rich potential to be recognised by an England leadership team with gamblers’ instincts – debuts granted in all three international formats by the age of 18, including five wickets in a Test debut in Karachi, which unsurprisingly brought the happy pronouncement that it was the best day of his life.But it’s another challenge entirely to build the foundations on pitches in an English spring to support a reputation already granted. Leicestershire’s has begun that task over the past two days at Headingley and, if the pitch was still slow and the breeze still chilly, at least this time there was sun to provide some encouragement.Rehan collected three for 89 in 15 overs which was a bit of an escape considering that Yorkshire racked up 517 at more than five an over. His first over, on the previous day, had gone for 22, including a shoulder-high full toss, and his start to the second day was not much better, 15 conceded this time as the nightwatchman, Matt Milnes, collected three boundaries on his way to 75 from 105 balls. Milnes made room to good effect and played him comfortably, his innings ending lbw during Michael Finan’s unpredictable spell with the second new ball.The ghost of Closey might well have popped up when Rehan’s satisfaction was at its lowest, jabbing him meaningfully in the chest, and telling him to pull himself together. There would have been no need to be offended if he had because he told everybody that. Close made his own debut at 18 against New Zealand in 1949, his National Service delayed for the privilege, and went on to do the Double that season of 1,000 first-class runs and 100 wickets, but even though he became one of the most loved players in Yorkshire’s history, and skippered England 17 years after that Test debut, his international career always spluttered along, his immense talent too often betrayed by a wandering mind.If there is any point in this comparison across the ages, it is to remark that it is unfair to expect too much from someone acclaimed so young. Reputation can hang heavily, even for a player who is widely praised by those in the know for his quiet maturity and level-headedness, an accolade rarely enjoyed by Close. Rehan is still a teenaged professional learning his trade – that Karachi Test debut was only his fourth first-class match and he still has only 19 first-class wickets.He took three good ones here. When Dawid Malan reverse-swept a full toss to extend his overnight 91 to 132, extending a remarkable if only occasional run-scoring record on this ground, Rehan was beginning to look tentative. But two balls later, Malan plonked one to long off. From the bowler, there was not the merest hint of relief or celebration. He just rubbed his nose and accepted a high-five that he didn’t have much heart for.His second wicket was cleverer, quicker and wider to set up a stumping for Peter Handscomb as George Hill advanced down the pitch; a token half-raise of his arm to mark this one. By the time he bowled Dom Bess (49 from 43 balls) to wrap up Yorkshire’s innings, he was happier in his work. A stocky 5ft 9ins, he reputedly bowls a little quicker than Adil Rashid, hunting the stumps, and there was air of the hunter in this dismissal, a quicker ball that beat Bess on the pull and caused Rehan to punch his palm in satisfaction. It completed the sense of a bowler who even so early in his career appears to have the wherewithal more often than not to survive the tough days.Dawid Malan made another century for Yorkshire•Getty ImagesThere will be more challenges like this over the summer, often fought out when scrutiny is conspicuous by its absence. That will bring its own test. By his own admission, until he shared in the joy of the Karachi Test win, he used to see the longer formats as “a boring game”. He has serious pretensions as an all-rounder and while he commits himself to his first full county season, he is likely to be giving more of an eye to events in the IPL.Leicestershire acquitted themselves well in response to Yorkshire’s 517. Sol Budinger looked more like Sol Budweiser – two beers for the price of one – as he attempted a series of intoxicating hacks at Milnes, four boundaries within six balls, none of them convincing, before he sliced an attempted leg-side hit to mid off.The new ball brought two more breakthroughs. Lewis Hill edged Ben Coad to slip, pushing warily forward, and Jordan Thompson rescued a good return catch, diving forward, to account for Ryan Patel.But this is a sedate surface, offering little lateral movement for the first week of April and Handscomb and Colin Ackermann played with poise in an fourth-wicket stand of 121. Even the sight of Bess’ new-look platinum hairstyle could not unnerve them. The crowd settled back, arms folded, huddled in winter coats, looking in the Rugby Stand like flies on a white wall, not quite as short-sighted as your average fly, to be fair, but probably a good deal easier to swat.It was the first little test of how Yorkshire’s dressing-room spirit and common sense has survived the winter’s ructions. Quite well, on this evidence, as Milnes, acquired from Kent, had the satisfaction of two late wickets with Ackermann patting a return catch and Wiaan Mulder edging behind. The announcement, too, that Pakistan opener Saud Shakeel finally has his visa – and a four-match deal – emphasised that their ambition is an immediate return to the First Division, potential points penalties or not.