The former Australia allrounder leaves his role as an assistant coach with Sydney Sixers
AAP14-Jun-2024
From player to coach: Cameron White is back at Melbourne Renegades•Getty Images
Former Australia white-ball captain Cameron White has been identified as the man to coach the Melbourne Renegades back into contention in the BBL.White has signed a three-year deal to replace David Saker, who moved on in May after a disappointing seventh-place finish in his third season at the helm.The 40-year-old White is taking on his first head-coaching job but has worked under Sydney Sixers boss Greg Shipperd for the past two years and was previously an assistant at the Adelaide Strikers.Related
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He inherits a Renegades roster that includes white-ball run-machine Jake Fraser-McGurk, superstar spinners Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon and prized recruit Josh Brown.”I’ve got so many great memories here as a player and achieving success, so to be back in Renegades colours several years later is a thrill,” White said. “The idea of working with this playing group – some really exciting players there, both young and experienced – is really exciting. I’m really looking forward to ripping in and starting my journey as coach.”Renegades came out with pick two in the BBL overseas draft order announced on Thursday.As a player, White represented Australia 142 times across all three formats. He was best known for his contributions as a middle-order batter in the white-ball sides.While his Test career was limited to four appearances on a 2008 tour of India, White captained the T20I side six times and the ODI side once, in 2011.He was also a member of the Australia side that beat New Zealand in the final to win the ICC Champions Trophy in 2009. Domestically, White played during the Renegades’ only BBL championship in 2019.Victoria’s longest-serving Sheffield Shield captain, White amassed more than 7000 first-class runs between his debut as a teenager in the 2000-2001 summer and his final match in 2019.
Both teams have seen enough of each other in recent times to treat the contest as a serious game of cricket, and not much more
Sidharth Monga08-Jun-20244:48
Rohit: Only openers’ batting position is fixed
The 2011 ODI World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan in Mohali was such a significant occasion that the then India coach Gary Kirsten and the rest of the staff left the meeting room to give the players a moment to themselves.”After the show [a presentation by the team analyst] is over, Gary says the support staff is mostly non-Indian,” R Ashwin writes in the book . “They value this team, and it’s a big game for them too, but they can’t even begin to imagine how big playing Pakistan in a World Cup is for us players. He says they’re all leaving now, so we can be alone and conduct the rest of the meeting ourselves.”That was about two hours before the match, which was to be played in the presence of the highest political leaders of both countries, many celebrities, and packed stands. Sachin Tendulkar gave a rousing speech, about how he had been thinking for the last two-three years of facing Pakistan in the semi-final or the final and winning the trophy. Everybody left the meeting with goosebumps.Related
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India versus Pakistan, but different
2011, though, was a different world. These matches used to happen rarely and organically. Now, there’s a World Cup every year and groups are planned so India and Pakistan play in the league stage. The occasion remains significant, but the edge is taken off a little.Results in ‘big matches’ have become a millstone around the current Indian team’s neck, though they don’t necessarily play poorly in such fixtures. On the eve of the match against Pakistan, Rohit Sharma was asked whether anything was different about games where expectations and stakes are higher. Small markers such as how their brains work in the lead-up, how well they sleep, how they feel during warm-ups. Not much, said Rohit.”Nothing has changed from last seven months because we played them [Pakistan] in the Asia Cup, the ODI World Cup, and now the T20 World Cup,” Rohit said. “Earlier it was a different ball game because we used to play them every maybe once in four years, or two years, now it’s a different ball game. We literally played seven months back in Asia Cup and the World Cup and here we are again now.”So, for me, I think nothing changes. I want to approach this as another international game where I get myself collected and make those decisions on the field. I am sure everyone will have their own way of dealing with games like these, but I have my process. Being a captain, I have to make decisions on the field. So, I think what’s more important for me is to just think about what I need to do right now, or this particular over – not to even think of how much do we need to get after 20 overs, or how much we need to bowl them out for. I think it’s about that one over, how we want to finish that over, staying in the present, and literally just nailing down maybe over by over, and think about what you need to do in that particular over, and that is where the skill of captain comes into play.”I’m sure other captains think differently. Everyone has their own way but this is how I like to think about that one particular over. Because this is literally a place where you can’t think too far ahead. Game changes every over here. So, you need to think about that particular over and how you can win that one over and then move on to the next over. I know there’s a lot of thinking that needs to go in this kind of thought process, but I’m okay with that.”Gary Kirsten has been on both sides of the India-Pakistan rivalry•ICC via Getty ImagesRohit was not part of the semi-final 13 years ago but he has won a World Cup final before and a few games against Pakistan too. India’s coach in 2011 is Pakistan’s coach in 2024. A bowler who took a five-for that day in Mohali is now a selector, and Wahab Riaz couldn’t keep himself from bowling in the nets on Saturday.Not only has he been India’s coach in the past, Kirsten has also worked with players such as Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill as director of cricket at Gujarat Titans in the IPL. When asked if his experience brings valuable intel, Kirsten said Pakistan’s players didn’t need it.”That’s a good question and the way I’d answer that is I think these players have seen enough of each other and how they play,” he said. “In the end we want to make sure that we get our game right. Look at the conditions and what is required on the conditions because I think that’s going to be a big day tomorrow.”Kirsten said the vibe also felt different. “I think it is a little bit different because it’s not in India or Pakistan,” Kirsten said. “I went for a ride early this morning, which I like doing most mornings, and I certainly rode around the stadium a little bit and I kind of felt that there’s going to be a good vibe there tomorrow. So that’s going to be exciting for us all to have that many people that have come out to support the two teams.”If Rohit is going to approach it as any other international match, Kirsten’s advice is to embrace the occasion. “Well, not to hide from the fact that it’s a big game, but to treat cricket like cricket should be treated,” he said. “Every game you need to play well, you need to hit the ball in the right areas, you need to score enough runs, you need to take your catches and field well. I don’t think it’s ever changed the game. It changes a little bit because of the formats, but that’s certainly what we’re going to go out and try to do tomorrow. If we play a really good game of cricket with our abilities, we have a good chance of winning the game.”
Sheffield United are now keen on signing an “excellent” forward who is soon to be a free agent, according to Sky Sports.
Blades weigh up Chris Wilder’s future
Before a ball was kicked in the 2024/25 campaign, the Blades were expected to be one of the three sides to gain promotion to the Premier League, despite the fact they suffered a points deduction. The Yorkshire side lived up to those expectations to a degree, but the brutal reality is the season will be looked at as a failure.
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The last-minute defeat to Sunderland in the play-off final not only means the Blades remain in the Championship, but questions are now being asked of Chris Wilder. Football Insider reported at the end of last week that United are going to decide in the next week whether to sack Wilder or not.
Club chiefs are said to be assessing his position as manager, and the club’s new owners, American-based consortium COH Sports, are considering letting Wilder leave, despite his current deal running until the summer of 2028.
Sheffield United keen on Emil Riis
Despite Wilder’s future at Bramall Lane being up in the air, the club are still actively looking at ways of improving the team for next season. According to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph, Sheffield United are interested in signing Preston North End striker Emil Riis Jakobsen on a free transfer.
The 26-year-old is coming to the end of his contract at Deepdale, and it looks as though he could be on the move this summer. The Blades are not the only team chasing the forward, as Frank Lampard’s Coventry City are also keen on the Dane. Joseph reports that Riis Jakobsen wants to join a team with ambitions to gain promotion to the Premier League, which both of these clubs will be looking to do.
Riis Jakobsen, who was once dubbed “excellent” by former Preston boss Ryan Lowe, has been at Deepdale since October 2020. During that time, the forward has been a regular contributor in front of goal, netting 12 goals in 45 Championship games last season.
Apps
172
Goals
41
Assists
11
That tally has only been beaten once since moving to England, and that was in the 2021/22 season, when he scored 16 goals. The Blades do already have Kieffer Moore, Rhian Brewster, Tyrese Campbell, and Tom Cannon up top, so there will be plenty of competition for a starting spot.
And the uncertainty over Wilder’s future could disrupt their pursuit of the forward, as Riis Jakobsen is going to want some guarantees about playing time before he makes his decision on where to play next.
The 2024/25 Premier League season was disappointing for West Ham United with the Hammers coming 14th in the Premier League.
Whilst they were never in any real danger of relegation, they would have been hoping for a much better performance across the board. They lost 17 games in total in the top flight.
It could be all change for Graham Potter this summer with some big outgoings on the cards. One of those is Mohammed Kudus, who, as recently as the 6th of June, was reportedly offered to Chelsea, according to Sky Sports.
If someone as prominent as Kudus does leave the London Stadium this summer, they will, of course, need a replacement.
West Ham's potential Kudus replacement
It does indeed seem like Kudus could be on his way out of West Ham this summer and considering his performances since moving to the English capital, he will be hard to replace.
Fortunately, the Irons seem to have someone in mind already.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Indeed, if the Ghanaian attacker does leave West Ham in the next few weeks or months, they could be set to replace him with Anderlecht attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens.
A report from Belgian outlet Votebal Belgie suggests that he has been on the Hammers’ ‘wish list for some time’.
In fact, they are already believed to have made a bid for the talented 20-year-old.
The report suggests West Ham made an £8.5m offer, which was promptly rejected by the Belgian giants. Instead, they could ask for as much as £17.1m to make a deal happen.
Why Stroeykens would be a good signing
Belgium U21 international Stroeykens has certainly made a big impression for Anderlecht last season. After coming through the club’s youth academy, the attacking midfielder has gone on to become a key player.
Last season in all competitions, Stroeykens featured 39 times across all competitions, contributing to five goals and seven assists. After starting the season strong with nine goal involvements in 13 league games, he suffered from a ligament injury, which slowed his progress.
The 20-year-old, who was born in Zellik, just outside of Brussels, would also bring European pedigree to the London Stadium. He played 430 minutes in the Europa League last term, both scoring and assisting in that time. The goal he scored was a sublime effort, showing his excellent technical quality.
Replacing the 24-year-old Kudus would not be easy for Stroeykens. The Ghana international has impressed for the Hammers in the 80 appearances he has made, scoring 19 times and registering 13 assists.
His first season in Claret and Blue saw him score and assist 23 times, including five goals in nine Europa League appearances. However, last term was not as fluid, with the Hammers’ number 14 managing just nine goal involvements.
Despite the struggles Kudus endured last season, there is no doubt about his importance to Potter’s side when at his best. That leaves Stroeykens with a big job to replace him, but as football scout Antonio Mango said, he is a “creative force” and can certainly look to match the output of the Ghana star.
The underlying stats via FBref suggest that the Belgian youngster, who tends to operate as a number 10, can indeed step up in Kudus’ absence.
For example, last term he averaged 1.54 key passes and 6.63 progressive passes each game, compared to 1.08 key passes and 2.74 progressive passes per 90 minutes for the Hammers star.
Stroeykens and Kudus key stats compared
Stat (per 90)
Stroeykens
Kudus
Goals and assists
0.41
0.28
Key passes
1.54
1.08
Progressive passes
6.63
2.74
Shot-creating actions
4.02
3.72
Goal-creating actions
0.77
0.35
Ball recoveries
5.21
4.79
Stats from FBref
Those stats highlight the creativity that Mango was talking about. They certainly suggest that Stroeykens has the ability to step into Kudus’ boots and take on some of the creative burden that will be there if, or when, he leaves.
FC Porto's Otavio in action with Anderlecht'sMarioStroeykens
For just £17m, this could be a brilliant addition for the Hammers, who will be hoping Stroeykens can become a key player for the club in the long term.
Free transfer: West Ham in contact to sign £100k-p/w star who Potter loves
Glasgow Rangers officially confirmed the first signing of the Russell Martin era last week when they unveiled Max Aarons as their latest arrival.
The right-back has joined on a season-long loan from Bournemouth to bolster the manager’s options at right-back, becoming the second signing of the summer after Lyall Cameron, who agreed to join in January.
Although Martin has never managed him before, the former England U21 international is a player the manager knows well from their time together as players at Norwich City in England.
The boss told the Rangers website: “Max is a player who I have always kept a keen eye on since he was emerging through the youth ranks while I was coming to the end of my time at Norwich as a player. He is a wonderfully talented player who is hungry to develop, improve and help deliver success for his side.”
Norwich defender Max Aarons.
The English full-back is now looking to kick on and get back to his best on the pitch after a difficult couple of years since moving on from Norwich in 2023.
Why Max Aarons is a risky signing for Rangers
On the one hand, this is a relatively low-risk signing for the Light Blues in the sense that he is only on loan for the season and they do not have an obligation to make it permanent next summer.
This means that the Gers will not have wasted millions of pounds on a long-term deal if Aarons ends up struggling and failing to make the grade in Glasgow.
On the other hand, it is a risky signing for Martin through the lens of next season, because the way the last two years have gone for the defender suggests that there are no guarantees that he will be a success.
Aarons has missed 17 matches through injury and only played 31 times in all competitions since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, including nine appearances this term.
This shows that Rangers have brought in a full-back who has not played much football in the last two years, whilst suffering through injuries, and his last two successful seasons, with Norwich, came in the 2018/19 and 2020/21 campaigns.
Starts
41
45
Goals
2
2
Big chances created
6
5
Assists
6
2
Clean sheets
11
17
Tackles + interceptions per game
2.7
1.6
Duel success rate
58%
53%
As you can see in the table above, Aarons showed his quality in and out of possession at right-back for the Canaries in those two title-winning seasons in the Championship, but it has been years since that success.
This is why the 25-year-old gem is a risky signing with next season in mind, despite having the potential to be a key player, given how long it has been since his last successful campaign.
Rangers in talks to sign English defender
Rangers, however, are also eyeing up another defender from England who would arrive with less risk attached and be a better signing for Martin.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to the Daily Record, talks are still ongoing between the Scottish Premiership giants and Championship side Leicester City over a deal for Conor Coady.
The report claims that Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises have invested £20m to bolster the club’s budget for the summer transfer window, yet it remains to be seen how much of that budget will be eaten up by a move for the former England international.
Coady’s current contract at the King Power is due to expire in the summer of 2026, and the ongoing talks suggest that the Foxes will not allow him to leave on a free transfer earlier than expected, which means that the Gers will have to pay a fee for his services.
It now remains to be seen whether or not the Ibrox side will be able to reach an agreement with Leicester to bring the centre-back to Glasgow this summer.
Why Conor Coady would be a better signing than Max Aarons
If Rangers can get a deal over the line for Coady in the coming days or weeks then they will land an even better signing than Aarons for the defence.
As aforementioned, it has been several years since the former Norwich starlet enjoyed a successful season on the pitch, as he has been a bit-part player for Bournemouth, and on loan at Valencia, in the last two years.
Coady, however, played 22 times in the Premier League for Leicester last season and helped the Foxes to secure the Championship title in the previous term.
In the 2023/24 campaign, the veteran central defender showcased his impressive quality in possession in a ball-dominant Enzo Maresca side in the second tier in England, which speaks to his suitability for a possession-oriented Martin style of play.
Passes completed
84.99
Top 5%
Pass accuracy
93%
Top 1%
Progressive passes
7.20
Top 1%
Passes into the final third
7.20
Top 2%
xAG
0.05
Top 16%
Progressive passing distance
556 yards
Top 3%
Through balls
0.26
Top 2%
As you can see in the table above, the 32-year-old titan was one of the best centre-backs in the league, if not the best, at progressing the ball through the thirds to build up attacks for his team.
These statistics suggest that Coady, who was lauded as an “immaculate professional” by ex-manager Sean Dyche, would be the perfect fit for Martin’s style of play, as he can ensure that dominating possession does not involve constant sideways and backwards passing, with his progressive play at the back.
These performances were also in the 2023/24 campaign, which means that he has demonstrable success on the pitch in a recent season, unlike Aarons, whilst the centre-back also completed 91% of his passes in the Premier League for the Foxes last season, which suggests that he would not be as risky of a signing.
At the age of 32, Coady would arrive as an experienced and proven performer who could hit the ground running on and off the pitch as a leader for the Light Blues, which is another reason why he could be an even better signing than Aarons.
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The former Wolverhampton Wanderers captain has quality on and off the ball, fits the style of play, has recent success on the pitch, and brings leadership qualities, and all these attributes come together to explain why this could be a good move for the club.
Sunderland are the early big spenders out of all the newly promoted teams heading up to the Premier League.
Leeds have secured three new buys in the form of Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol, and Sebastiaan Bornauw, but the Whites’ promising business has been blown out of the water by the Black Cats’ lavish approach, as seen in Sunderland forking out a combined £50m to land both Enzo Le Fee and Habib Diarra.
Plenty more luxurious buys could soon be on the menu away from this club-record £30m deal, as Regis Le Bris eyes up Ligue 1 and beyond to improve his budding squad.
More transfers expected at Sunderland
Le Bris must know the French top division inside and out, having previously been at the helm of ex-employers Lorient in the division.
Transfer Focus
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He’s certainly clued up on those who he thinks could take the Premier League by storm, with Sunderland reportedly interested in the likes of Lyon’s electric attacker Georges Mikautadze and standout Toulouse centre-back Charlie Cresswell to immediately improve their first-team options, while they are also allegedly keeping close tabs on 20-year-old starlet Arthur Evom Ebong.
Yet, his next buy could see him venture out to Serie A to try and link up with Matteo Guendouzi.
Matteo Guendouzi at Lazio
Indeed, reports from Italy suggest that Lazio are scared about the prospect of keeping their star Frenchman around this summer, with Aston Villa, neighbours Newcastle United and Sunderland named as interested parties.
19/20
34
0
3
18/19
48
1
2
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Although it is reported that Sunderland may have to splash out a club-record £43m to land Guendouzi, it could be a worthwhile splurge to make, even as the Black Cats edge closer to adding Noah Sadiki to their plentiful midfield options.
His wealth of Premier League experience could potentially be invaluable to the Wearside underdogs as they climb back up to the top-flight, alongside the fact that the 26-year-old has turned into an even more formidable central midfield option in Italy.
Former Arsenal player Matteo Guendouzi
Why Guendouzi would be a better signing than Sadiki
Of course, Sadiki could go on to be another youngster that Sunderland manage to get the very best out of, with the Congo international no doubt joining the Stadium of Light ranks dreaming of becoming the Black Cats’ next Jobe Bellingham-style project.
Last season, the 20-year-old undoubtedly impressed those out in Belgium, with the versatile Saint-Union Gilloise number 27 helping himself to two goals for his Europa League-competing outfit across the 2024/25 campaign, leading to Sunderland making their £17.75m move.
Yet, if it’s immediate success Sunderland are after – instead of waiting around for a youngster to learn the Premier League ropes – Guendouzi is their next best possible buy.
The 6-foot-1 battler is very much well-versed in what it takes to be a competent performer in some top leagues, having now made a mammoth 151 appearances in both Ligue 1 and Serie A, away from just his 57 top-flight outings in North London.
He will no doubt be chomping at the bit to return to England, too, considering he wasn’t always the star of the show at the Gunners. Still, even from just 23 Premier League starts during his final Arsenal season, he still showed off his presence as a “monster” – as he’s been glowing labelled by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – winning 4.8 duels per game.
Games played
37
Goals scored
1
Assists
3
Touches*
68.3
Accurate passes*
52.1 (91%)
Ball recoveries*
4.7
The 26-year-old has since refined other aspects of his varied game at the Stadio Olimpico, with the table above showing off his well-rounded characteristics as a far more confident and assured performer when averaging a mightily impressive 91% pass accuracy last season in the hustle and bustle of Serie A.
If there’s any manager that could get even more of Guendouzi, too, it’s Le Bris, with the popular Wearside boss once coaching the Frenchman during the early stages of his football education at Lorient.
Also hailed as possessing “something special” by journalist Aaron West in the past, it does feel as if the time is right for the ex-Gunners midfielder to return to England and be a star, whilst Sadiki waits for his moment in the spotlight down the line.
Shades of Cresswell: Sunderland now in advanced talks to sign £4m star
Sunderland will be looking to the future if they successfully snap up this £4m gem.
Newcastle United, like every other Premier League side, found out their fate with the new fixtures getting released on Wednesday morning.
The Magpies will be hoping to start the campaign strongly, looking to build momentum heading into their Champions League campaign and get themselves into the top four.
It will not be an easy start for Eddie Howe’s side. They face Aston Villa away from home, followed by a visit from champions Liverpool as their first game at St James’ Park. To end August, the North East outfit have a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United.
Howe will need his biggest players to step up and perform at the start of the season, and they might well be adding someone to the squad this summer who can help with that.
Newcastle’s latest transfer target
It is no secret that the Magpies are looking for a new attacker this summer, due to a need to strengthen and a lack of clarity on Anthony Gordon’s future. One Liverpool insider recently revealed that the Reds are ‘in active contact’ with the winger over a move.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Names like Brighton’s Joao Pedro and Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga have both been touted but Newcastle could actually look to bring a Manchester United attacker to St James’ Park instead.
Caught Offside report that Marcus Rashford is ‘being eyed up’ by Howe’s side. The Toon side are said to be ‘names to watch in the Premier League’ as the race for Rashford’s signature goes on.
It remains unclear whether this will be a loan deal or a permanent move. Aston Villa, one of the other sides interested in Rashford, had a £40m buy option in his loan contract, so he may well be valued at the same price by United. Other interested parties included Tottenham Hotspur and European giants Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
Why Rashford would be a good signing
After a tough first half of the 2024/25 campaign for Rashford, he really made a strong end to the season during his short stint at Villa Park. The 27-year-old reminded the world why he is such a deadly attacker.
In 17 games for the Villans, the England international scored four times and grabbed six assists. What makes that even more impressive is the fact that he played just 940 minutes, the equivalent of 10.4 full 90-minute games, leaving him with a rate of almost one goal involvement per game.
Of course, let’s not forget the sensational career Rashford has had at Old Trafford. The Wythenshawe-born superstar scored 138 goals and registered 79 assists in 426 games for his boyhood club.
Man United forwardMarcus Rashford
The winger was once described as a “big-game player” by Statman Dave. That is good news for Newcastle, who need that kind of quality with the start to the season they have. They have been on the receiving end of it too. He scored against the Magpies in the 2023 Carabao Cup final.
If the Magpies do sign Rashford, he would arguably be a perfect replacement for Gordon. The Newcastle star scored and assisted 16 goals in 42 games last season, fewer than Rashford’s 20 in 41 games for both United and Villa.
Last season, there were several standout moments for the winger, who could soon depart to Anfield, it seems. He scored in both legs of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal, but did miss the final against Liverpool, after a red card in the Premier League.
Their numbers on FBref stack up well with each other, too. For example, Rashford last season averaged 3.55 shot-creating actions per game, compared to Gordon’s 3.74. This shows that both wingers are constantly involved in chances, even if they don’t end up being the one who has the shot, which is a good trait for an attacker to have.
Goals and assists
0.57
0.41
Expected goals
0.3
0.3
Key passes
1.77
1.89
Take-ons completed
1.14
1.41
Shot-creating actions
3.55
3.74
Losing Gordon would be a huge blow for Newcastle, but if they were to sign Rashford as his replacement, he’d be the perfect alternative. The goals and assist numbers from the United star were better last season, and he would keep the same level of directness Gordon offers.
Whether this is a £40m move or a loan deal, it could be the type of signing that keeps Howe’s side as true competitors across all competitions.
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Ben Green claimed four wickets as holders Somerset leapfrogged Sussex Sharks into second place in the Vitality Blast South Group with a six-wicket victory at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.Sussex could post only 158 for 9 after losing the toss, Harrison Ward top-scoring with a rapid 39 and medium-pacer Green finishing with 4 for 17 from three overs.Somerset chased their target down with 2.2 overs to spare, George Thomas blasting 42, with seven fours, Tom Abell making 47 not out and Sean Dickson adding 28. Tymal Mills was the most successful Sharks bowler with 2 for 28.The result ensured Somerset of a quarter-final place and made them favourites to secure a home tie with one group game left to play.The batting highlights of the Sharks’ six-over powerplay were Daniel Hughes’ three successive fours in the third over, bowled by Craig Overton, and the first six of the match struck by Ward off Jake Ball in the fifth over.Hughes had fallen earlier in that over, miscuing a pull shot to mid-on and at the end of the powerplay Sussex were 49 for 1. That became 66 for 1 when Ward greeted the introduction of Jack Leach with a four and six off his first two deliveries.But the England left-arm spinner quickly struck back by having the opener caught sweeping after facing 23 balls, and that was as good as it got for the visitors as Somerset turned the screw in the middle overs.Green struck twice in his first over, removing Tom Clark and John Simpson to catches in the deep, including a diving effort from Thomas, and at the halfway point in their innings the Sharks were struggling on 71 for 4.Tom Abell’s 47 not out helped Somerset over the line•Getty Images
Tom Alsop was dropped by Thomas off the first ball of the 13th over, sent down by Green, but perished to the next delivery as Overton pouched a comfortable catch at mid-on off a full toss.James Coles, who hit a brisk 26, and Nathan McAndrew (20) paid the penalty for testing Dickson’s arm from the boundary edge and were both run out attempting to turn one run into two, while Green claimed his fourth wicket when the same fielder held a simple catch off McAndrew.The Sussex total never looked likely to be enough. So it proved, as Tom Banton and Thomas got Somerset off to a flying start with a stand of 34 in four overs, ended when Banton clipped a catch to deep square off Mills’ first ball of the game.At the end of the powerplay the hosts were 56 for 1, with Thomas and Tom Kohler-Cadmore going well. They took the score to 70 in the eighth over when Thomas was caught at long-on off Danny Lamb, having faced 30 balls and enhanced his growing reputation as replacement for the injured Will Smeed.Abell survived a caught and bowled chance to Mills, but the pace bowler struck later in the tenth over as Kohler-Cadmore, on 20, lofted a catch to deep cover. It mattered little as Abell and Dickson both cleared the ropes and Dickson ended any doubt about the result with three successive boundaries off McAndrew at the start of the 13th over.With ten runs needed, Dickson was run out by Clark’s direct hit from the boundary, but he had already done his job.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank is already making his mark when it comes to his new club’s summer recruitment drive, starting with their £30 million permanent deal for Mathys Tel.
In the build up to Sunday morning’s announcement that the Frenchman is now an indefinite Spurs player, reports claimed that Frank personally advocated for Tel to remain in north London.
Tottenham ready to spend big on hijacking Barcelona talks for Brazilian
Spurs are in the running for his services.
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By
Emilio Galantini
Jun 17, 2025
The 51-year-old’s wish was ultimately granted by chairman Daniel Levy, with Frank set to utilise the now-former Bayern Munich sensation throughout his debut season in the Lilywhites dugout and beyond.
Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025
Average match rating
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
However, their pursuit of new wingers won’t end with Tel’s signature, as Spurs are believed to be in the market for a Timo Werner replacement on the opposing flank as well (Ben Jacobs).
Links to Southampton starlet Tyler Dibling have re-emerged this week, following reports that Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo are both top targets for Spurs as well.
Brentford's BryanMbeumoreacts
While Mbeumo currently prefers a move to Man United as things stand, the Cameroonian is still intrigued by a move to Tottenham (Sky Sports), while other media sources claim Spurs have reached out to Semenyo’s representatives.
Another intriguing wide option for Frank comes in the form of £300,000-per-week Man City star Jack Grealish.
The England international was a key member of City’s treble-winning side of 2023, but he’s since struggled to establish himself as a firm fixture in Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven since that famed campaign.
Manchester City's JackGrealishon the substitutes bench
Guardiola addressed his future in a Club World Cup press conference this week, stating that the 29-year-old needs to showcase his true quality on a weekly basis.
“Jack is an exceptional player. The only reason why he didn’t play last season is, of course, my decisions,” said the City boss.
“And we decided he has to play, and the club was honest, he’s honest. He’s incredibly respected and loved by the team, and we decided the best is for him to stay [behind] and have a place he feels he can play and come back to being the player that was in the year of the Treble or all his career at Aston Villa.
“Without him it wouldn’t have been possible, it would’ve been more difficult to get what we achieved in the Treble season. But the fact is, the last two seasons, he didn’t play much, and he has to come back to play and have the butterflies in his stomach that he can play every three days and show again the quality he has.”
Thomas Frank holds talks with Tottenham about signing Jack Grealish
With Werner leaving and a summer exit for Son Heung-min on the cards, amid interest from Saudi Arabia, there is every possibility that the ex-Aston Villa star could be a mainstay under Frank next season.
According to Football Transfers, the Dane is already taking a keen interest in Grealish, who’s come up regularly in “extensive” conversations about recruitment between Frank and the Tottenham hierarchy.
Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish celebrate
During these internal talks, Frank was keen to discover the state of play regarding Spurs’ talks with Grealish’s representatives, and it has emerged that the winger is actually open to joining them before deadline day on September 1.
However, Grealish’s hefty salary is posing a real issue, so Tottenham will need to find middle ground there.
Other reports claim Grealish could leave Eastlands on loan, but if Levy wishes to strike a permanent deal, the price is around £50 million.
تحدثت تقارير مغربية، عن مستقبل اللاعب المغربي أشرف داري مدافع النادي الأهلي، خلال الفترة القادمة، بعد إصاباته المتعددة مع الفريق.
أشرف داري كان قد تعرض للإصابة خلال مباراة الأهلي وبيراميدز، مؤخرًا، وغاب عن معسكر منتخب المغرب الحالي بسبب تلك الإصابة.
ووفقًا لصحيفة “المنتخب المغربية”: “النادي الأهلي يبحث عن منفذ للتخلص من أشرف داري مقابل التعاقد مع لاعب أجنبي آخر خلال الميركاتو الشتوي المقبل”.
طالع | وليد صلاح الدين يوجه رسالة للاعبي الأهلي.. ويصرح: هدفي رد الجميل
وأضاف: “يأتي ذلك بسبب أن الفريق لا يستفيد من خدمات اللاعب لكثرة الإصابات التي تلاحقه، وبالتالي أصبح الفريق المصري يبحث جديًا عن إيجاد عروض في البطولة السعودية”.
وكان أشرف داري انتقل إلى صفوف النادي الأهلي في 2024 قادمًا من بريست الفرنسي، وقد تعرض لإصابات عضلية متعددة غاب على إثرها عن كثير من مباريات النادي الأهلي.
ومن المقرر أن يستأنف النادي الأهلي مبارياته في بطولة الدوري المصري، بعد نهاية فترة التوقف الدولي الحالي، بمواجهة إنبي في الجولة السادسة وذلك يوم 14 سبتمبر.