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Lions leapfrogged Warriors at the foot of the table after winning a tight game at Buffalo Park by 14 runs. Set 258 to win on the last day after an overnight declaration by Lions, Warriors slipped to 44 for 2 before staging a series of fightbacks. First came a 112-run fifth-wicket partnership between Colin Ingram (46) and Lesiba Ngoepe (77 off 104 balls, 9×4), before both fell in the space of 16 balls. It was 183 for 8 following two more quick wickets, and Warriors seemed on the brink of a comfortable win, when Simon Harmer (45) and Anrich Nortje (26 off 24 balls) jolted them with a 54-run ninth-wicket stand. It wasn’t quite enough, though, as Warriors dismissed both of them in the space of nine balls. Beuran Hendricks, Ayavuya Myoli and Bjorn Fortuin took three wickets each.Only 30.3 overs were possible on the first day’s play after Warriors chose to bowl first. Starting day two on 107 for 3, Lions were bowled out for 307. Opener Stephen Cook (50) and No. 5 Rassie van der Dussen (82 off 175 balls, 10×4) were their top scorers while the fast bowler Nortje picked up four wickets.Then, with both teams looking to make up for time lost on day one, came a pair of declarations. Warriors were 104 behind when they closed their first innings, after an unbroken 80-run seventh-wicket stand between Somila Seyibokwe (52*) and Harmer (31*) had rescued them from 123 for 6. Then Lions lost two early wickets to Basheeru-Dean Walters before Dominic Hendricks (76*) and Temba Bavuma (52*) added a brisk, unbroken 113 to set up a second-innings declaration at 153 for 2.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has emphasised the need for his batsmen to give his bowlers a chance on the tour of South Africa by getting runs in tough conditions. Mathews said the team had been batting on granite to try and get used to extra bounce ahead of the three-Test series beginning on December 26.”With Dushmantha Chameera coming back into the team and young Vikum Sanjaya earning his spot, we have got a fairly decent pace attack which can put them under pressure, but we need to score runs as a batting unit,” Mathews said ahead of the team’s departure for South Africa. “It’s going to be our main challenge; the boys have worked extremely hard in the past few weeks.”Part of that hard work was facing deliveries coming off granite surfaces to try and mimic the conditions in South Africa. “The pace the boys are used to, it’s just the the bounce and the conditions that we need to get used to,” Mathews said. “We used a lot of granite stuff, especially the batters. When you use a piece of granite, the ball is coming on to you quicker. The granite is laid down on the pitch and you can throw the ball on it so that it comes on quicker.”We’ve done everything possible to try and counterattack the South African fast bowlers and get used to their conditions. We have about 12 days before we play our first Test on Boxing Day. We’ll try and use those days to the maximum so that we get things right.”Mathews was aiming to break the predominant trend in modern-day cricket, where teams struggle to win away from home. Sri Lanka won a Test series 2-0 in Zimbabwe in October and November but South Africa, who won 2-1 in Australia recently, are significantly tougher opponents. When Sri Lanka last toured South Africa, in 2011-12, they lost the three-Test series 1-2.”Most of the teams do well and win at home but struggle overseas. It happens to any team but we want to try and achieve some wins overseas and turn the tables,” Mathews said. “I am confident that my team can do it. We got a good combination where we have five fast bowlers, two experienced spinners and a solid batting order.”Sri Lanka’s batting was boosted by the return of Mathews, who recovered from a leg injury, and Dinesh Chandimal, whose broken hand had healed. They will slot into the middle order along with Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva. Mathews hoped that his side would have stability, which he said was a reason for South Africa’s success.”Except for one or two changes, they are pretty much a settled team for the past four-five years,” Mathews said of South Africa. “They have been going with the same sort of players, maximum 20. They have managed a set combination and now the results are showing. The settled combination is the one that has led to their success today.”We are now doing the same, we talked about it a lot. The solution is not to chop and change but be patient with the players.”Sri Lanka have a three-day warm-up game in Potchefstroom before the first Test in Port Elizabeth from December 26. The second Test is in Cape Town from January 2 and the third in Johannesburg from January 12, after which the teams play three T20Is and five ODIs.

West Ham United's magical continental campaign, which culminated in Europa Conference League success last week, clouded what was a disappointing domestic season.

David Moyes was under huge pressure at one point with West Ham at serious risk of dropping out of the Premier League, but they ultimately finished six points above the relegation zone.

With a third successive season of European football to factor in next season – this time back in the Europa League – West Ham will know the importance of strengthening their squad to ensure they are not dragged into another relegation scrap.

With Declan Rice confirmed to be moving on if the right offer is tabled, just a year on from the retirement of Mark Noble – the man he succeeded as captain – the Hammers could equally do with finding a midfield general this summer.

In Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse, West Ham can tick both of those boxes with one fell swoop, even if the Saints are reportedly demanding £40m for their prized asset. That said, the Irons do currently lead the race for any potential signature.

Is Southampton's James Ward-Prowse a good fit for West Ham?

Despite Ward-Prowse's best efforts last season, it was not enough to keep Southampton in the Premier League, meaning the Saints will be plying their trade in the Championship in 2023-24.

With three years to run on his contract, the ball still remains in Southampton's court, even if they could do with bringing in some funds through the sale of long-serving Ward-Prowse.

West Ham may well be tempted to splash out a fairly sizable sum for a second-tier player, especially given his ability to lead a team – something United will lack if Rice gets his big-money move away in the coming weeks.

As pointed out by Southampton team-mate Kyle Walker-Peters, Ward-Prowse is a "leader" and someone who is not afraid to bark out instructions to others.

More than that, though, Ward-Prowse can provide goals and creativity from midfield – and that is not to mention his deadly ability from set pieces.

Indeed, that is an area West Ham struggled last season following the retirement of club legend Noble. In his final season at the London Stadium, Noble ranked highest for the number of passes played from free-kicks per 90 minutes for West Ham by an outfield player (2.70), as per FBref.

Noble was also assured on the ball, as reflected by his team-high 70.8 completed passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League. To put that in some perspective, Manuel Lanzini ranked highest for West Ham this past campaign in that same metric with a lowly 52.1.

In fact, Rice was the only other Hammer to manage over 50 passes per 90 minutes on average in the top flight (50.7), making that an area Moyes' side desperately need to improve.

Ward-Prowse has an eye for a pass, particularly from set-pieces, averaging 3.95 per 90 minutes from free-kicks last season, compared to 1.64 for Nayef Aguerd – West Ham's highest-ranked regular outfielder.

The 11-cap England international's ability from set plays is not just restricted to passes, either, with his 17 goals direct from free-kicks just one off equalling David Beckham (18) for the all-time Premier League record.

Ward-Prowse's consistent ability to beat goalkeepers from range has been described as "ridiculous" by Independent writer Benjy Nurick, with Beckham's record surely likely to fall should the midfielder remain in the Premier League.

If that was not enough, Ward-Prowse is also reliable from penalties, scoring 17 of them so far in senior competitions. With 40 successful spot-kicks to his name during his time at West Ham, the efficiency showed by Noble from 12 yards is just one more aspect Ward-Prowse can match.

For while he may not be the big-name signing some are hoping for in the summer if Rice departs, Ward-Prowse can be the man to not only fill that void but also the one left by Noble 12 months prior.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsDevendra Bishoo collected career-best figures of 8 for 49•AFP

A 16-wicket day brought the Dubai day-night Test to life as Pakistan’s 400th Test swung one way and then the other. After Yasir Shah’s three wickets – which brought him a five-wicket haul and his 100th Test scalp – helped Pakistan secure a 222-run first-innings lead, Devendra Bishoo hit back with a career-best 8 for 49 to skittle Pakistan for 123 and leave West Indies with an outside chance of victory.West Indies lost Kraigg Brathwaite early in their chase of 346, before Leon Johnson and Darren Bravo shared a 60-run stand to lift the team. But Johnson’s late dismissal and Marlon Samuels’ early struggles against the legspin of Yasir served a reminder that West Indies still had an uphill task on the final day.Having declined to impose the follow-on, Pakistan chased quick runs and lost two early wickets before tea. Sami Aslam and Babar Azam added 57 off 70 balls after the interval to steady the innings and swiftly build the lead. But Bishoo then benefitted from some ambitious shots, and some good, spinning deliveries to rip through Pakistan, taking seven of the eight wickets that fell either side of the dinner break.With the score at 77 for 2 and the lead at 299, Azam played a loose cross-batted shot onto his stumps off Bishoo. Aslam played a late cut into the hands of Jermaine Blackwood at first slip and Misbah-ul-Haq was bowled after missing a slog sweep. The left-handed Mohammad Nawaz shouldered arms to his third ball, only to see a fizzing leg break cannon into his off stump. When Wahab Riaz miscued a slog sweep to Brathwaite at deep midwicket, Bishoo had his sixth of the innings. Jason Holder then had Yasir caught and bowled off the last ball before dinner.Bishoo wrapped up the innings within five balls of the resumption, getting Sarfraz Ahmed stumped, before hitting Mohammad Amir’s middle stump, his fourth bowled dismissal of the innings. That capped a collapse of eight wickets for 46 runs. Bishoo’s plunder and Pakistan’s slump still left West Indies with a daunting target, but they could hardly have dreamed of a better outcome at the start of the day.Day four had begun much as day three had done – with an early wicket for Yasir. A very full legbreak pitched just in line with the stumps and spun in before hitting the batsman’s pads. Dowrich had played across the line and missed.Bishoo and Holder then survived a stern short-ball examination from Amir and Wahab, putting on a 21-run stand that raised West Indies’ hopes of extending their resistance. That was not to be – Yasir got through Holder’s defences with a tossed-up googly and then bowled Miguel Cummins with a big-spinning leg break that evaded the batsman’s wild swipe. That was Yasir’s 100th Test wicket, in his 17th match, making him the joint-second fastest bowler to the mark. Nawaz finished the job in the next over. It had taken Pakistan just 14.5 overs to take the remaining four wickets, bowling West Indies out for 357.West Indies responded by making a couple of breakthroughs before tea. Shannon Gabriel trapped first-innings triple-centurion Azhar Ali in front for 2, a ball after Azhar had successfully reviewed a caught-behind decision. Then Asad Shafiq missed an attempted sweep off Bishoo and, while West Indies’ appeal for lbw was turned down, their review was successful.After tea, Gabriel and Cummins subjected Aslam and Azam to the type of short-ball barrage with which Pakistan had exposed the West Indies batsmen. While Aslam held his own, Azam struggled, showing a tendency to take his eyes off the ball. A Cummins bouncer hurried Azam into a top-edged hook that went high in the air between Gabriel at long leg and Brathwaite at deep-backward square. It was probably Brathwaite’s catch, but Gabriel went for it and could not hold on after a full-length dive.Cummins bounced Azam again in the next over and the batsman half-swayed and half-ducked while leaving his bat in the air. The ball brushed his glove on the way to the wicketkeeper, but Azam survived once again when replays revealed that the bowler had overstepped. Azam eventually got out to Bishoo, precipitating Pakistan’s collapse as the legspinner from Guyana went on the rampage. West Indies then moved to 95 for 2 by the close.While a wicket-filled day brought West Indies back into the match, they will require the balance to shift back in favour of the batsmen if they are to score the 251 more runs needed for victory on a fifth-day Dubai pitch.

Presenter Terry Flewers has said on The Football Terrace that Arsenal could land Mason Mount as their next Martin Odegaard even if he's not wanted by all supporters.

What's the latest on Arsenal and Mason Mount?

It appears the Gunners are in line for a busy summer with Bayer Leverkusen hoping to land Granit Xhaka while West Ham United captain Declan Rice could be signed for big money.

Another name to add to the mix is Chelsea midfielder Mount. Indeed, the player has rejected contract offers from the Blues and so could depart soon with Arsenal discussing the Englishman as a potential target.

As a player who stars for a rival London club – and even divides his own fans – many Gooners might not be keen on this deal for the £80k-p/w man.

Flewers seems to think that but he believes this could be a good deal to get done regardless of what the fanbase may feel.

He told The Football Terrace (1:14:06): “The way I'm seeing Gooners going "no" to Mason Mount, there's a part of me that just thinks will history repeat itself and him be like an Odegaard.

"He was someone that Gooners didn't want, as an example."

He continued: "In the summer, most Arsenal fans online picked Richarlison over Gabriel Jesus. Now I'm not saying you don't need more than Gabriel Jesus, but out of the two, one has been a resounding success – comparatively to a guy that's been booked more times for taking his shirt off than he's scored goals."

Did Arsenal fans slam the signing of Odegaard?

Flewers is certainly right in claiming that some Arsenal supporters haven't always been right with their opinions on new incomings.

For instance, there was a major backlash online when the club announced the signing of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, with the player saying: "I saw the backlash.

"That’s when I made the decision to turn comments off, notifications off for people I don’t follow on Instagram and Twitter."

But seeing as Odegaard, Jesus, and Ramsdale have all been regulars for Mikel Arteta this season as they pushed for a Premier League title, it's safe to say those deals have come good even if there may have been doubt regarding those deals initially in some sections of the fanbase.

With that in mind, if the club do decide to chase and sign the £80k-per-week Mount from Chelsea this summer, the fanbase certainly shouldn’t jump to any damning conclusions before at least seeing him turn up in an Arsenal shirt first.

Watch more of The Football Terrace on YouTube now!

Middlesex strengthened their hold at the top of Division One of the Specsavers Championship when John Simpson’s six gave them a two-wicket win with two balls to spare in a thrilling run chase at Taunton

ECB Reporters Network13-Jul-2016
ScorecardJohn Simpson celebrates his winning hit•Getty ImagesJohn Simpson celebrated his 28th birthday by blasting Middlesex to a sensational two-wicket Specsavers County Championship win against Somerset at Taunton after 96 runs had been needed off the final eight overs.An enthralling game seemed to be heading for a draw when Tim Groenewald took four wickets to help restrict the visitors to 185 for 5, chasing 302 to win.But Simpson, with 79 not out off 80 balls, including four sixes and five fours, and James Fuller produced a stand of 86 off less than eight overs. A Craig Overton over went for 23 and, although Fuller fell, Middlesex wrapped up victory with just two balls to spare.The winning hit was a six over fine leg by Simpson off Jim Allenby after eight had been needed from the final over. The Middlesex wicketkeeper, who had claimed nine catches in the match, threw both arms in the air in celebration.Nick Gubbins contributed 76 to the run chase and, although Groenewald finished with five for 90, Middlesex took 23 points to Somerset’s three after four exceptional days of Championship cricket.Simpson said: “I’m almost speechless. The feeling of elation when that ball went for six to win the game was unbelievable. Jim Allenby was swinging the ball into my pads, so I just went with the swing. At first I thought it was going to be a one bounce four, but the ball kept on travelling over deep backward-square.”Credit the whole team because we never gave up trying to win. After a period of consolidation, James Fuller’s innings provided a real lift and I was able to finish things off.”I’m not sure how I am going to celebrate my birthday. We are staying down for the T20 game on Friday night and there is talk of golf in the morning. By then I will either be hungover or very tired.”Set 302 to win from a minimum of 46 overs, the visitors made a promising start and were 108 for one in the 17th over when Overton took a stunning catch at third man to dismiss Dawid Malan.Gubbins and Malan had produced an array of attacking shots to add 76 for the second wicket. Then Malan got a top edge off Groenewald and Overton made 30 yards running to his left before diving full length to hold the ball two-handed inches off the ground.Gubbins had faced 70 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes, when he miscued a back-foot forcing shot off Groenewald to Allenby at deepish extra-cover.When George Bailey was bowled by a perfect Groenewald inswinger for four it was 155 for 4 and Middlesex had to think twice about chasing a target of around seven an over.Allenby cemented Groenewald’s good work with an economic spell from the River End, earning reward when pinning James Franklin lbw for 28.The departure of the skipper at 185 for 5 seemed to signal the end of Middlesex victory hopes. But Simpson and Fuller changed all that with an astonishing assault, Fuller hitting three sixes and two fours in his vital knock.Jack Leach struck twice in the closing overs to increase the tension, but it was Simpson’s day.Earlier, the hosts had extended their second innings score from an overnight 348 for 6 to 446 for 9 declared, Peter Trego making 138, three short of his best score on his 200th first class appearance.Groenewald and Leach shared an unbroken tenth-wicket stand of 42, using up valuable time, but it still seemed a generous declaration by Chris Rogers against his old county in excellent batting conditions.In fact, it produced a wonderful finish and Championship cricket at its best.Somerset director of cricket Matthew Maynard said: “I am proud of our players. It was a fantastic game of cricket and we have come up just a bit short. We took a gamble on using a green pitch, knowing we would be asked to bat first, and the lads gave everything. Losing Jamie Overton was a blow.”Overton pulled out of the game midway through an over on the second day and will miss the Lions series against Sri Lanka next week. Somerset will investigate his lower back injury over the next few days but are hopeful there is no stress fracture.

Man United forward Antony has come in for some criticism from former player Gabriel Agbonlahor, with the ex-striker claiming the Brazilian is an "idiot" for his actions last week, report Football Insider.

What's the latest on Man United and Brighton?

Since his big-money move to Old Trafford in the summer – the winger reportedly cost the Red Devils £86m – the player has struggled to find regular form for the club. He has played on 22 occasions for United in the Premier League this term but has so far produced only four goals and one assist.

If the player doesn't add to that total before the end of the campaign, it will be his worst season since he burst onto the scene at Ajax. Antony never dipped below eight league goals during his time in the Netherlands and his current rate of 0.23 goals per 90 is also the lowest he has managed to date.

There have been flashes of the winger's brilliance though, with the Brazilian really impressing in the Red Devils' 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. During that fixture, the forward fired his side into the lead before teeing up teammate Diogo Dalot for the second. He subsequently picked up the Man of the Match award for his efforts.

However, the player has struggled in recent weeks and after an altercation during his side's game against Brighton, talkSPORT pundit Agbonlahor dished out some harsh words for the attacker. He told Football Insider: "I think he’s a bit of an idiot, to be honest. There was no need for that tackle on Mac Allister, and then he’s trying to go chest to chest with a giant in Lewis Dunk. He’d have destroyed him.

"Ten Hag has got to speak to him about it. He’s got to calm down or he’ll get red cards."

How did Antony perform against Brighton?

During that fixture, Antony didn't have his best game according to WhoScored. He managed only a 6.5 rating during the match and despite having three shots, couldn't find the back of the net either. He was also dispossessed twice and was eventually substituted off for Jadon Sancho.

Compared to Mac Allister, the man he committed the controversial foul against, he was outperformed by the Brighton man. The Seagulls midfielder was rated as the best player on the field (8.19) and bagged the goal that gave his team the three points. Antony then had a bad day at the office – but he has proven he is well capable of producing better and will be looking to get back to his best when he can.

استهل منتخب مصر الأول تحت القيادة الفنية للمدرب البرتغالي روي فيتوريا، تدريباته بمعسكره المغلق المقام خلال الفترة الحالية استعدادًا لخوض غمار منافسات كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023.

وتستضيف كوت ديفوار بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا التي كان مقررًا انطلاقها في الصيف الماضي، لتقام خلال شهر يناير الجاري، بحضور 24 منتخبًا قاريًا.

أحمد حسن يوجه رسالة إلى لاعبي منتخب مصر قبل كأس أمم إفريقيا.. ويقدم روشتة التتويج

ويتواجد منتخب مصر على رأس المجموعة الثانية التي تضم إلى جواره منتخبات غانا وموزمبيق والرأس الأخضر.

وشارك في المران 26 لاعبًا وهم: محمد الشناوي وأحمد الشناوي ومحمد أبو جبل ومحمد صبحي وعمر كمال ومحمد هاني وأحمد حجازي وعلي جبر وأحمد سامي ومحمد عبد المنعم وأسامة جلال ومحمد حمدي وأحمد فتوح ومروان عطية وأحمد نبيل كوكا ومحمد النني ومحمود حمادة وحمدي فتحي وإمام عاشور وأحمد سيد زيزو ومصطفى فتحي  وعمر مرموش ومحمود حسن تريزيجيه ومصطفى محمد ومحمود كهربا وأحمد حسن كوكا.

اتحاد الكرة يعلن موعد انضمام محمد صلاح إلى معسكر منتخب مصر

وأدى محمد الشناوي وأحمد الشناوي ثنائي حراس المرمى ومعهما أسامة جلال، تدريبات تأهيلية تحت إشراف الجهاز الطبي لمنتخب مصر بقيادة محمد أبو العلا.

وحضر مران منتخب مصر، حازم إمام عضو اتحاد الكرة والمشرف على المنتخب الأول لكرة القدم.

Leeds United do boast a smattering of talent within their ranks despite the relegation battle they are once again enduring, which makes their current predicament all the more baffling.

It is clear that a lack of belief and form are combining to exacerbate their troubles, and as such the Whites sit just two points clear from the drop zone, constantly straddling danger despite Javi Gracia’s minor turnaround in their form.

Should the Spaniard achieve safety come the conclusion of this campaign, he will likely seek to purge this squad that has been assembled by two managers that prioritised chaos.

He has instead brought a pragmatism, although that was swiftly unravelled in their recent 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Crystal Palace.

All progress made under the new boss was expunged, as the Yorkshire outfit dropped one of the worst second-half displays in recent memory. This saw many of this aforementioned talent wilt, with even their most experienced and well-thought-of assets disappointing.

Illan Meslier put in a particularly shocking display, as the man who allowed those five goals to sail into his net.

Given how the Frenchman’s reputation and value have soared in recent years, perhaps Gracia could seek to cash in on this shot-stopper come the summer in order to fund his own additions.

How much is Illan Meslier worth now?

Having been signed permanently for just £5m in 2020 after a successful loan spell that led to their promotion, the 23-year-old remained raw but full of immense potential.

His first season in the Premier League saw him translate that form, but since then the £30k-per-week gem has been embroiled in two relegation scraps.

Just last year saw journalist Barry Collins brand him a “liability”, and with his display against the Eagles, it seems little has changed.

Earning an abysmal 5.7 rating, the inconsistent 'keeper made just two saves all game alongside one punch, via Sofascore.

However, it was his rash attempt to clear a set piece that allowed Marc Guehi to steal in for the equaliser; a crushing blow right before half time, that completely altered the trajectory of the game.

The rest was history, as Meslier oversaw a further four goals, few of which he covered himself in glory for.

Given that Football Transfers now rate the apex of his expected Transfer Value at €35.7m (£31.3m), the 526% increase from his initial sum paid makes his potential sale all the more tantalising.

With Tottenham Hotspur one reported willing suitor, to offload the out-of-form dud marks a no-brainer for Gracia.

The future of Glasgow Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos is still up in the air and with just a few months remaining on his current deal, as it stands, he will depart the club for free come the end of the current season.

This isn’t ideal obviously, especially considering the Colombian hitman has enjoyed a solid start to life under Michael Beale, scoring seven goals and grabbing six assists, and he is clearly benefiting from a more fluid role while leading the attack.

Having netted 122 goals since arriving in Glasgow back in 2017, Morelos has gone down as something of a cult hero amongst the Ibrox faithful and thoughts might soon turn to who could potentially replace him.

The Ibrox coffers won't stretch that far and spending money could well be limited this summer, meaning Beale may have to turn to the academy for talent and Robbie Ure could be the ideal choice.

Who is Robbie Ure?

Ure is similar in nature to Morelos, an out-and-out striker who knows where the goal is, and he has certainly proven that this season for the Rangers B side. Across 37 matches in the Lowland League and UEFA Youth League, Ure has netted 19 goals and grabbed a further 10 assists, showcasing his eye for goal.

His form in the UEFA Youth League was particularly pleasing, especially considering the step-up in opposition. He scored against Napoli and Liverpool and Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie even described the teen dynamo as the Gers' “standout” performer in their 3-2 defeat of the Italian side last year.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave him his first taste of senior action in a League Cup tie against Queen of the South at the start of the season, and it didn’t take long for him to demonstrate his abilities, scoring within the first ten minutes of his debut.

Scott Arfield was full of praise for the striker following the victory, dubbing his young teammate as “magic” and it clearly shows he is thought of highly among his peers.

The likelihood of Morelos leaving increases with every passing day and with Kemar Roofe permanently injured, it leaves just Antonio Colak as the club’s main striker. If Beale wants to challenge Celtic for the Premiership title next term, more strength in depth will be required, however, promoting Ure to the first team may also be a wise move and once he begins scoring, he might never stop.