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Arsenal have identified a marquee Nottingham Forest star as one of their top transfer targets heading into 2026, according to a report this week.

Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta splashed nearly £270 million on new recruits last summer, and the Italian’s investments have paid dividends thus far.

This was evident in the North London derby last weekend, when Arsenal put arch rivals Tottenham to the sword in a 4-1 win, piling pressure on Thomas Frank and cementing Mikel Arteta’s side as the overwhelming Premier League title favourites.

A hat-trick from summer signing Eberechi Eze, who was once on the verge of joining Spurs before Berta hijacked the deal, and Leandro Trossard’s strike saw Arsenal claim all the bragging rights on Sunday while extending their lead at the top of the table to six points.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham

Another new recruit, Piero Hincapie, was also handed his first Premier League start by Arteta with star defender Gabriel Magalhaes sidelined due to a thigh injury.

The Ecuadorian shone in Gabriel’s stead, with Arteta hailing his exceptional display against Spurs on the eve of their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

Arsenal’s water-tight backline is one of the major reasons why they’re top of the pile and unbeaten in all competitions since August, with Arteta very well-stocked in defence after both Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera’s arrivals in the summer.

Both men have performed exceptionally when called upon, but according to Spanish media sources, Berta and co are still planning to reinforce their backline in future windows.

Arsenal identify Nottingham Forest star Murillo as top target

Indeed, it is now believed that Arsenal have identified Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo as a priority transfer target, entering a three-way battle with Chelsea and Barcelona for the Brazilian’s signature.

Arteta has apparently earmarked the young defender as crucial to strengthening his backline for the long term.

The Spanish tactician particularly values Murillo’s ball-playing prowess, ability to break defensive lines and his left-footed profile, which Arteta believes would bring even more balance to Arsenal’s central defence.

However, Forest have set a large price tag for their defensive jewel, and Evangelos Marinakis could charge up to £79 million for Murillo to ward off potential suitors like Arsenal.

Since arriving from Brazil, Murillo has become a cornerstone of Forest’s backline.

The 23-year-old’s links with a move away are nothing new, and Arsenal have been named as suitors for Murillo even before now. Despite their many options at the back, Berta’s admiration for the South American hasn’t gone away, and it is clear to see why.

Murillo ended 2024/2025 as Forest’s best-performer by average match rating in the Premier League last season, according to WhoScored, with only Matz Sels and Nikola Milenkovic playing more minutes than the ex-Corinthians sensation.

The Jupiter Hammerheads are the single-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. On Tuesday they began a six-game homestand against the Dunedin Blue Jays and it did not go well. The Blue Jays won 19-5 and it was even uglier than the final score suggests.

The Hammerheads pitchers combined to give up just nine hits, but walked 22 batters, which is apparently a minor league record.

They issued six bases-loaded walks and hit three batters, with one of those HBP's coming with the bases loaded for another run. They also threw three wild pitches, with one of them allowing a run to score.

The home team's announcer could barely take it.

"This is only my fifth season," he said. "And I’ve been in baseball a little under a decade because of my college days. I’ve never written so many RBI walks in a book before. This is, listen, I know that I’m supposed to be optimistic about our team here, but I mean, come on guys. I could go out there. Let me loosen up my shoulder. I’ll go help things out. Because you’ve gotta put it over the plate. You’ve gotta give your defense a shot. They’ve not been given a shot all game."

With five games remaining in this early season series it can only get better.

Being the massive club they are, Arsenal have had some genuinely world-class players represent them.

From the likes of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp in the Invincibles era, to Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and their backline today.

However, the Gunners also have more than their fair share of cult heroes, such as Sunderland’s current captain, Granit Xhaka.

The Swiss international left Arsenal in the summer of 2023, but it looks like Mikel Arteta might have someone in his squad today who could be the club’s next Xhaka.

Xhaka's turbulent Arsenal career

It’s summer 2016, and after a reasonably impressive Euros with Switzerland, Arsenal opt to splash around £34m on Xhaka.

Chalkboard

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

Unfortunately, while he certainly wasn’t one of the team’s worst players, the former Borussia Mönchengladbach ace was fairly underwhelming over the following few years.

However, given his experience, combative nature, and general personality, he was chosen by his teammates to become the club’s captain in September 2019, under Unai Emery.

It was a decision that would cataclysmically backfire just a month later, when, during a game against Crystal Palace, he was substituted off to a jeering crowd, to which he responded by throwing the shirt and armband to the floor and swearing.

At that point, it looked like his Arsenal career was well and truly over, but once he was appointed manager, Arteta was able to convince the fiery midfielder to stay and fight for his place.

Over the next two years or so, that is exactly what the Basel-born titan did, and finally, against all the odds, away to Brentford in September 2022, the fans began to sing his name once more.

The tough-tackling, all-action international had his best campaign in red and white that season, ending it with nine goals and seven assists in 47 games as the club launched a surprising title charge.

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46

4

3

17/18

48

3

8

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40

4

5

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41

1

2

20/21

45

1

2

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30

1

2

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47

9

7

It would prove to be his final year with the club, but instead of leaving in disgrace like so many thought he would, the Swiss icon was serenaded by an adoring Emirates crowd as he grabbed a brace and said his goodbyes.

Now, two and a half years later, it looks like Arteta could have his own Xhaka-type player in his Arsenal squad.

Arsenal's new Xhaka

Now, arguments could certainly be made for either Declan Rice or Martin Zubimendi becoming the next Xhaka for Arsenal, but instead, it’s actually Myles Lewis-Skelly.

It might sound a little out there at first, but there are a few reasons, such as the youngster’s natural position.

Yes, the teenager has played at left-back for the first team, but spent most of his time in the academy playing as either a defensive or central midfielder.

Moreover, when you watch him play, it is so apparent that he’s more of a central player, as not only does he have the spatial awareness and range of passing to thrive there, but he also has the carrying ability.

In fact, it was his incredible drive and assist for Gabriel Martinelli against Atletico Madrid that led one content creator to label him as one of the best in “world football” when it comes to carrying.

Furthermore, the 19-year-old has already shown the physical and mental strength Xhaka possess, and as Rice has pointed out, he seems utterly “fearless” on the pitch, regardless of the opposition.

Finally, in addition to the fiery attitude, the Hale End gem also has a wand of a left foot, and has already chalked up a few assists thanks to his weight of pass.

Ultimately, it is still so early in his career, but it’s clear that Lewis-Skelly shares some of Xhaka’s best traits and could become Arsenal’s new version of the Swiss monster.

Forget Dowman: Arsenal's "explosive" Hale Ender looks like another Saka

The impressive youngster could be the next Saka and the next talent off the block for Arsenal after Dowman.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 7, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras inicia a semana com foco total na partida diante do Atlético-MG, no Allianz Parque, pela 27ª rodada do Brasileirão.

RelacionadasPalmeirasAlém do volante Aníbal Moreno, Palmeiras planeja reforços para pelo menos duas posiçõesPalmeiras16/10/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras busca alternativas para abater dívida de R$ 50 milhões contraída na gestão BelluzzoPalmeiras16/10/2023VaivémPalmeiras acerta primeiro reforço para 2024, Cruzeiro afasta centroavante… O Fim de Semana do Mercado!Vaivém15/10/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Precisando voltar a vencer após mais de um mês sem saber o que vitória, a equipe de Abel Ferreira busca um triunfo que além de espantar a crise que cerca o elenco, também faria o Verdão respirar na tabela, uma vez que a briga pelo G-4 ficou acirrada nesta reta final de campeonato.

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Se os jogadores e Abel Ferreira poderiam sofrer com as cobranças da torcida após a eliminação para o Boca Juniors, na Libertadores, Leila Pereira tratou de trazer todo o foco da ira da torcida em sua pessoa.

Após a entrevista coletiva na dada na última semana, na Academia de Futebol, toda torcida alviverde se uniu contra a mandatária, e o que já era nítido durante o ano, ficou ainda mais exposto agora.

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+ Palmeiras se acerta com Aníbal Moreno e fica perto de confirmar primeiro reforço para 2024!

A cobrança da torcida nesta decepcionante temporada de 2023 terá sempre o foco maior na diretoria e não nesses jogadores e comissão técnica que entregaram tanto para os palmeirenses nas últimas temporadas.

O Verdão encara o Galo na próxima quinta-feira (19), a partir das 19h (horário de Brasília), com transmissão apenas do Premiere.

Arsenal are now willing to go all out to sign a “special” £130m Real Madrid star, who has made a fantastic start to the 2025-26 campaign.

Gunners looking to make another statement signing

Stan Kroenke & co backed Mikel Arteta considerably in the summer transfer window, making a number of statement signings, including Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze, and the owner has thus far been rewarded for spending big.

Indeed, the Gunners have made a flying start to the Premier League campaign, sitting top of the table after collecting 16 points from their opening seven matches, which is made even more impressive by the fact they’ve had some very tough fixtures.

Eze has received regular game time since his arrival, chipping in with two assists in the Premier League, and the England international may be set to keep his place in the side, given that Martin Odegaard continues to struggle on the injury front.

The Norway international was brought off after just half-an-hour in the 2-0 triumph over West Ham United, with it since emerging he has suffered MCL damage to his knee, but there is yet to be an update on when the captain could return.

It has subsequently been revealed that Arsenal may also look to bring in a new attacking midfielder, with a report from Grada3 revealing they are one of many clubs in the race for Real Madrid star Arda Guler.

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The likes of Newcastle United, AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in Guler, but the Gunners are thought to be particularly keen, with the report stating they are willing to do whatever it takes to ‘entice’ the 20-year-old.

Kroenke is prepared to go all out for the Turkey international, but it may take a huge offer to get a deal over the line, with previous reports suggesting he is valued at over £130m.

Signing "special" Guler would be statement of intent

With Odegaard and Eze on the books, there are doubts about whether it would be necessary to bring in another attacking midfielder, but it would be a major statement of intent if Arsenal were able to get a deal done.

Former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has hailed the starlet in the past, saying: “He is very effective, he scores a lot with little space, he has a special talent. He shows it better closer to the goal.”

This season, the Turk appears to have come on leaps and bounds, having already chipped in with six goal contributions in La Liga, meaning he needs just two more to match his tally across the whole of the 2024-25 campaign.

Guler would perhaps be a luxury signing for Arsenal, rather than a necessity, but Ancelotti’s comments, and the start he has made to the season, suggest the starlet has all the attributes to become one of the world’s best midfielders.

Lancashire attack finds bounce and movement to reduce Northamptonshire to 67 for 6 before lunch

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay09-May-2025Lancashire 133 for 3 (Harris 53*) trail Northamptonshire 238 (McManus 53, Balderson 4-55) by 105 runsLewis McManus led a spirited fightback with a fine 53 off 89 balls to rescue Northamptonshire after they suffered an early batting collapse on day one of this Rothesay County Championship match against Lancashire at Wantage Road.All-rounder George Balderson took 4 for 55 and Anderson Phillip 3 for 65 as Lancashire’s attack obtained plenty of bounce and movement to reduce Northamptonshire to 67 for 6 before lunch after electing to bat.But keeper-batter McManus forged a series of enterprising partnerships with the tail to wrestle back the initiative. The last four wickets added 171 runs in 38 overs as Northamptonshire finished 238 all out, Liam Guthrie hitting 43 to register his highest first-class score.Northamptonshire took two early wickets after tea, but Keaton Jennings hit a sparkling 41 off 45 balls, and with Marcus Harris making 53 not out (119 balls) in a sometimes nervy unbeaten stand of 74 with Matty Hurst (31), Lancashire closed on 133 for 3 trailing by 105.Earlier, Lancashire’s bowling discipline stood in contrast to some loose strokeplay from home batters, Ricardo Vasconcelos (39) the only top-order batter to prosper.Will Williams struck in the day’s second over, the ball flying off the splice of Luke Procter’s bat to gully. George Bartlett and James Sales took the score to 33 when Bartlett was adjudged caught at third slip off Balderson. Sales cracked Phillip through extra cover for four, but the West Indian squared him up next ball as he edged low to Jennings at second slip.Rob Keogh was next to go, pushing outside off-stump, caught low down by Harris at third slip.Vasconcelos meanwhile was finding runs all around the wicket, hitting six over square-leg, driving and pulling comfortably before Phillip jagged one back to trap him lbw.Three balls later Saif Zaib had a rush of blood, charging down the pitch to Balderson, edging to Jennings at second slip to leave Northamptonshire reeling.Harrison (29) and McManus showed greater application ensuring no further wickets fell before lunch and extended their seventh-wicket partnership after the interval to 60. Harrison hit three boundaries, muscling Balderson through midwicket and punching through extra cover.Lancashire shelled two catches in quick succession, with Harrison and McManus both benefiting. Phillip though returned to the attack to quickly break the partnership, nipping one back to take Harrison’s inside edge, keeper Hurst taking the catch.Ben Sanderson had some fun in a quickfire stand of 32 off 20 deliveries with McManus, driving square for four and edging over the slips for another boundary. He punched Willliams through cover before the bowler snared him lbw.McManus was in excellent touch, driving pleasantly and particularly strong off his legs. He clipped Bailey square for four and whipped him in a similar direction for six. He added 57 in 10 overs with Guthrie before falling in lowkey fashion, caught off the leading edge off Bailey, the ball ballooning up to Luke Wells running from mid-off.Guthrie played offense. Facing Balderson, he smashed through midwicket and pulled a no ball for another boundary, departing when he hit the all-rounder straight to mid-on.Guthrie then gave Northamptonshire the best start with the ball, trapping George Bell in front with his third delivery.Bohannon has proved Northamptonshire’s nemesis averaging 83.77 against them and scoring 155 at Emirates Old Trafford last month. He was unable to extend that run further though, Harrison pulling off an incredible diving catch at third slip off Sanderson.Jennings took four early boundaries off Guthrie, flaying Procter through deep extra cover and playing an exquisite late cut. He drove Procter down the ground to bring up Lancashire’s 50 in 12.5 overs but fell soon after, bowled by Australian quick Harry Conway, playing his first home game for Northamptonshire.Harris looked less comfortable early doors, edging just in front of the keeper and wide of the slips and was dropped in the slips on 28. He started to hit his stride though with some handsome drives.Dropped at short-midwicket before he had scored, Hurst played some attractive shots, cutting Harrison for four shortly before stumps.

Senior executives at Manchester United are convinced that the squad is behind embattled head coach Ruben Amorim. CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox have held informal discussions with members of the senior leadership team, including Bruno Fernandes. Those conversations have left the hierarchy at Old Trafford convinced there is genuine support for Amorim.

Man Utd players and execs discuss Amorim's future

reports that Berrada and Wilcox were not explicitly trying to "sound out" the players on Amorim's future, but feedback on the former Sporting boss and the atmosphere in the dressing room was positive. 

Berrada and Wilcox, both of whom were appointed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe after the businessman became a minority shareholder of the club in February 2024, have been tasked with taking a hands-on approach in understanding the current mood around the club. Both execs are based at the club's Carrington training facility. The compound has undergone a £50m makeover this year, which has facilitated more interactions between the club's execs and the players in and around the newly-designed group areas.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMount and De Ligt express public support for Amorim

This new report backs up the public utterances of senior players. After the Red Devils' 2-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday, Mason Mount he and his team-mates are giving Amorim their full support.

"We're 100% behind the gaffer," Mount said. "We've had some difficult results that hurt us, have been painful for the team, the staff and the fans, but it was important to win.

"It needs to be [the start of a winning streak] – we thought after Chelsea it would be the start of something, and then we go to Brentford and have a disappointing result.

"It starts [with the win over Sunderland], and we'll be working hard over the break. We want to get back-to-back wins, then three in a row and push on for the top four."

Matthjis de Ligt showed that even after a defeat, the players are unwilling to lay the blame solely at their boss's door. The Dutchman refused to blame Amorim's maligned 3-4-2-1 formation for their 3-1 defeat away to Brentford in September. 

"Of course, I mean it's always easy to look to the manager, but in the end the players on the pitch have to do it," said De Ligt. "We can't say the goals we conceded, or the chances we conceded, are because of what… I don't know, you guys always talk about the system. That also has a lot to do with focus, concentration, and, if that's lacking in key moments, it's going to make a difference."

Amorim appreciative of player support as outside criticism continues

Amorim will be grateful for the public and private displays of loyalty from his players, as the outside criticism of his tenure continues at pace. Not only has he had to deal with comments from prominent United legends such as Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney, he has also been negatively compared to flailing Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch by LBC host Nick Ferrari.

Specifically replying to Mount's comments after the Sunderland win, Amorim showed his appreciation for his players' continued efforts, while also suggesting they still have plenty to improve upon.

"I know they want to do the best, and I know they don't want to change the coach all the time," Amorim said.

"We need to show with actions. Sometimes, when we look at our team, I know for sure that when we see the games, in the end, they know sometimes we can do better. I feel [the support] during the week, but we need to show it on the pitch."

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Getty Images SportCan Amorim convert players' support into success?

The positive noises coming out of Carrington will be of scant comfort to United fans if it does not start translating into consistency on the pitch, and points in the league table. United return from the international break with a massive fixture against Liverpool. Given their arch rival's recent defeats, Amorim and his players might just fancy their chances in taking all three points at Anfield on October 19.

Scotland pulled off the first upset of the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers by denying Hayley Matthews, who single-handedly kept West Indies in the game despite leaving the field twice with severe cramps, and beating the side by 11 runs.Matthews became only the fourth player to take four wickets and score a century in an ODI but West Indies’ over-reliance on her cost them. She took four of the first five Scotland wickets and forced herself to return to the crease twice – once off a stretcher to keep batting when West Indies were nine wickets down – but it was not enough. Scotland were the side that rallied around Sarah Bryce’s 55 (off 56 balls) and her 82-run fifth wicket stand with Megan McColl and then their spinners. Offpinners Katherine Fraser and Darcy Carter and legspinner Abtaha Maqsood took six wickets between them to defend 244 and get their first points on the board.Temperatures were close to 40 degrees Celcius with humidity at around 60% and conditions took their toll across both games in Lahore. West Indies used cooling collars made of ice packs during drinks breaks, Scotland took shelter under umbrellas and Ireland’s Gaby Lewis received treatment on field three times for cramps during her 96 minutes of batting against hosts Pakistan.Related

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West Indies chose to bowl first on a green top at the LCCA Ground but Scotland were up to the task. Abbi Aitken-Drummond and Carter put on 48 inside 12 overs, in an innings laced with three boundaries each. Matthews brought herself on in the 12th over and had Aitken-Drummond and Kathryn Bryce caught behind in successive overs and Carter dismissed in her third and suddenly, Scotland were 69 for 3. When Chinelle Henry’s direct hit ran out Ailsa Lister West Indies finally looked like they had another player on the field and could run through Scotland.Sarah Bryce held the innings together but when she edged to slip, Scotland went into freefall. They lost 6 for 62 and were bowled out in 45 overs, as both Aaliyah Alleynne and Karishma Ramharack took two wickets each.The chase started poorly when Qiana Joseph gifted a caught-and-bowled to Carter. Zaida James was in at No.3 in the second over. She batted slowly but carefully and shared a 113-run stand with Matthews, which put West Indies well on track. They were 120 for 2 in the 27th over when James tried to hit Chloe Abel over fine leg but found the fielder at 45 and then chaos ensued.West Indies lost Shemaine Campbell, Stafanie Taylor and Henry in the space of 23 deliveries and of those, Taylor’s run-out was key but the required run-rate still manageable. West Indies needed 53 runs off 72 balls and Matthews was still batting, but only just.When Shabika Gajnabi was caught behind, Mathews was on 95 and hobbling. Cherry-Ann Fraser was out in the next over and it was clear Matthews was forcing herself to keep going but couldn’t. She left the field. Afy Fletcher lasted six balls and was dismissed for duck so Matthews came back on and hit four off the next ball she faced. She was on 99 and running out of partners. She fell to the ground wailing and then was stretchered off the field.Ramharack gave Fraser another caught and bowled to leave West Indies nine down when Matthews rolled herself off the stretcher and returned to bat. She brought a century and kept West Indies in the hunt but Alleynne couldn’t stay with her. She was out lbw in the 47th over, with West Indies 11 runs short. They have a day’s break before playing Ireland on Friday.File photo: Diana Baig picked up four wickets•Getty Images

In the day’s other match, hosts Pakistan had their bowlers, led by senior seamer Diana Baig, to thank for securing them a 38 run win over Ireland. Pakistan trudged through their innings to score 217 and Ireland were bossing the chase on 96 for 1 in side 24 overs. Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu took three wickets in four overs to leave Ireland’s middle-order exposed before Baig took care of the tail. She finished with figures of 4 for 35 in her first appearance for the team since their opening match of last year’s T20 World Cup and got Pakistan’s campaign off to a winning start.Ireland will have the same amount of recovery time – physically and emotionally – after believing they had done enough against Pakistan. Jane Maguire removed Gull Feroza early and Sidra Amin found run-scoring tough which meant the dot ball mounted up. Muneeba Ali tried to keep the scoreboard moving but Pakistan were 79 for 1 after 20 overs and going nowhere. Sidra was on 29 off 61 balls. Muneeba fell trying to get things going and was replaced by Aliya Riaz.Aliya showed more initiative and was scoring at a run-a-ball when Amin finally got to 50 off 110 balls and was then dismissed at the end of the 36th over. Pakistan were 153 for 3 after 36 overs and a score over 200 looked some distance away. Natalia Pervaiz came in ahead of captain Fatima Sana but was runmout for 12, by which time Aliya was also dismissed. Pakistan did not have the batters for a last ten-over push and lost 6 wickets for 42 runs from Aliya’s dismissal. They were bowled out with an over to spare for 217.That total didn’t look enough despite Baig’s new-ball breakthrough. She had Sarah Forbes given out lbw in the ninth over but a 69-run second wicket stand between Lewis and Amy Hunter started to take the game away. Ireland were 96 for 1 when Sandhu trapped Lewis on the back pad and dragged Pakistan into the game. Both Hunter and Delany played on, leaving Ireland 119 for 4 and Pakistan had the opportunity to burst through.Sadia Iqbal got rid of Leah Paul before Baig was brought back and removed Christina Coulter Reilly, Louise Little and Arelen Kelley in three overs. Cara Murray’s run-out confirmed Pakistan’s win. They will take on Scotland on Friday.

NSW recovered from 124 for 6 to finish the opening day in a healthy position after the match had started in dramatic fashion

Andrew McGlashan18-Feb-2025

Scott Boland again enjoyed himself at the SCG but Ollie Davies rescued New South Wales on a day where Sam Konstas’ batting approach came under the spotlight.In fifth before the round started, NSW are in more desperate need of victory in a push for the final but were in danger of being well short of a competitive total when Boland reduced them to 124 for 6, having earlier won a brief duel with Konstas who fell for a frenetic 10 off 7 balls when he attempted to sweep Boland in just the third over.Related

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2.1 overs, 30 for 1: Konstas involved in wild Shield start

With Nic Maddinson taking 20 off the second over of the match from Fergus O’Neill, the scoreboard read a bizarre 30 for 1 after 13 deliveries. Early in the afternoon, Boland took two wickets in three balls as NSW threatened to fall away but a seventh-wicket stand of 102 between Davies and Chris Green carried them to what appeared a competitive 238 on a surface expected to get tougher for batting.The home side were then able to take four Victoria wickets before the close with Green’s late removal of an aggressive Harry Dixon, who was caught a slip, tilting the day their way.Yet the major talking point of the day came in first 10 minutes. Konstas reverse scooped his second ball from Boland for four and thumped another boundary straight of mid-off. Then, having watched Maddinson target the short boundary with consecutive sixes, Konstas attempted to sweep Boland and was bowled.It provided plenty of fuel to the debate about how Konstas should style his batting, but while his brazen approach against Jasprit Bumrah had some tactical nous to it this felt purely reckless.”I knew Maddo was going to go after Fergus O’Neill, just because he’s so good at controlling his length and nicking people off,” Davies told ESPNcricinfo. “Maddo said, I just want to put him under the pump and get him off his game a little bit.”So that was Maddo’s plan, and I’m not sure what Sammy was doing. I didn’t speak to him about his plan before [he went out], but if he thinks that’s the best way he’s going to score runs, then I’ll back him in 100%. He has shown it before, at Test level and Shield level, that he can score hundreds and big runs. So I’m still backing him in. I hope there’s a big score around the corner, hopefully second innings from here.”Sam Konstas was bowled sweeping against Scott Boland•Getty Images

Normality returned to proceedings following Konstas’ departure and at 70 for 1 NSW had a solid platform. However, Maddinson, who did not take another boundary off O’Neill after his early onslaught, pulled to deep square leg and the in-form Kurtis Patterson edged a flat-footed poke at Boland shortly before lunch.On resumption, Matthew Gilkes was lbw offering no shot at O’Neill before Boland’s double intervention at the ground where he claimed 10 in the match against India on his previous appearance. Josh Philippe looked less than impressed at being given caught down the leg side but there was no doubt about Will Sutherland’s edge to first slip.Davies, another batter not shy of bringing out his shots, played positively but sensibly to resurrect the innings alongside the stubborn Green. He struck 13 boundaries and also collected a six over fine leg, which was a little more top edge than middle, to take him to fifty from 62 balls.He was given a life on 61 when Tom Rogers missed a chance at first slip and was in sight of a first century for the season before edging a drive off Sutherland as NSW lost their last four wickets for 12.Both Edwards and Jackson Bird struck early with the new ball – Edwards producing an excellent delivery that clipped Campbell Kellaway’s off stump – and when Peter Handscomb fell to Hanno Jacobs, Victoria were wobbling on 25 for 3.Dixon, who made his first-class debut in previous round, counterattacked including taking 16 off Jacobs’ fourth over but he couldn’t quite make it to stumps leaving a huge amount resting on Marcus Harris who was unbeaten with 33.

Fast bowler Jacob Duffy has been added to New Zealand’s squad for the ODI tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa beginning in Lahore on February 8. His inclusion is primarily as cover for Lockie Ferguson, who is currently playing in the ILT20 in the UAE.Duffy, 30, has played ten ODIs, and taken 18 wickets at an average of 25.94 and economy of 6.25. He recently took four wickets in two ODIs, and eight in three T20Is against Sri Lanka in a home series that ended earlier in January.The New Zealand squad departs for Pakistan on February 3 to play the tri-series followed by the Champions Trophy. Their two round-robin fixtures in the tri-series are in Lahore, against Pakistan on February 8 and South Africa on February 10. The final is in Karachi on February 14.New Zealand then play a Champions Trophy warm-up game against Afghanistan on February 16, followed by the tournament opener against Pakistan on February 19, with both those fixtures also being in Karachi.They then travel to Rawalpindi to play their second Group A fixture against Bangladesh on February 24, followed by a trip to Dubai for the game on March 2 against India, who are not playing any of their Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan because they did not get government clearance to travel.

New Zealand squad for tri-series and Champions Trophy

Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Jacob Duffy (tri-series only)