Jadeja scored his fourth successive half-century to leave England frustrated
ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jul-2025
Ravindra Jadeja notched up a fourth straight half-century•Getty Images
India had two wickets standing at the end of lunch on day five, and still 81 runs away. But Ravindra Jadeja refused to let them buckle, scoring his fourth successive half-century and from the fact he didn’t bring out the sword celebration, it was clear that he had other priorities.Ben Stokes was in the middle of bowling himself into the ground, a 10-over spell leading England to tea after an 9.2-over spell had made them favourites in the morning. Neither man deserves to come off second best in this battle, which also included a bizarre moment when Stokes, in addition to figuring out where to set his fields and whether his body could take the workload he was putting himself through, had to sign off on Jadeja’s bathroom schedule. He did. Begrudgingly. India were nine down at the time and 33 runs away.Tea was pushed half an hour back when England broke an eighth-wicket partnership that was stubborn enough to last 132 balls and eke out 35 runs. Jasprit Bumrah faced 55 balls. Only twice has he faced more deliveries in a Test innings. His new-ball partner Mohammed Siraj showed just as much heart, standing up to a short-ball barrage with two short legs and a leg slip crowding him. Jadeja’s leadership helped India’s tail survive and now they are tantalisingly close – 30 runs from victory.Earlier, Jofra Archer picked up Rishabh Pant in the third over of play. Stokes struck from the other end to dismiss India’s best batter in this game, KL Rahul. Nitish Kumar Reddy stemmed the England tide and it looked like they would be able to go through to lunch with both of their allrounders standing firm but Chris Woakes took the ball and broke through. “Only a matter of time,” Harry Brook said while he was trying to unsettle the batters. He remains correct, but England are definitely starting to feel the pressure now.
There are plenty of appetizing matchups for both hitters and pitchers on Tuesday, and I'm using the player prop market at FanDuel Sportsbook to cash in.
Jose Berrios has been pitching above expectation all season, but it's time for a setback to come, and I'm fading his strikeout prop on Tuesday against a surging Astros team.
Find out why I'm going against Berrios on Tuesday as well as my two other favorite prop bets on the card.
Best MLB Prop Bets for Tuesday, July 2nd
Kyle Gibson Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-128)
Jose Berrios Under 4.5 Strikeouts (+102)
Dylan Cease Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-102)
Kyle Gibson Over 4.5 Strikeouts
Gibson has some underlying regression coming for him, but he has been more than capable at striking batters out of late.
He has punched out five or more batters in eight of 15 starts this season and in four of the last five starts.
The righty will face a Pirates lineup that swings freely, fourth in strikeouts this season, and are going to chase Gibson’s offspeed pitches.
This number is a tad too low not to bite at Gibson’s over.
Jose Berrios Under 4.5 Strikeouts
Berrios is a prime regression candidate, and it may come as soon as Tuesday against a streaking Astros team.
Houston is full of capable hitters, but also disciplined ones. The team strikes out fewer than any team in baseball this season, and that can keep down Berrios’ strikeout marks.
The right hander has a Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) of 4.96, far higher than his 3.38 mark, indicating he can see his performance decline with some negative variance. Against an Astros team that doesn’t strikeout much to begin with, I expect Berrios fails to get to five strikeouts, something he hasn’t done in four of his last five starts.
Dylan Cease Over 6.5 Strikeouts
Cease is one of the premier strikeout artists in the big leagues, sitting down 32% of batters he has faced this season.
Against a struggling Rangers lineup that is bottom 10 in the big leagues in batting average against right handed pitchers, this matchup should set up nicely for Cease to get to his quote of seven strikeouts.
Cease has cleared this in 10 of 17 games this season, which translates to 58%. For what it’s worth the implied probability of this prop hitting is 50.5%. Given we need a near-average outing from Cease, I’ll bank on it at these odds.
MLS Decision Day lived up to expectations as teams learned their playoff fates and Messi sent a warning with a hat-trick
For about 120 seconds, it seemed as if the Colorado Rapids were on their way to the MLS postseason. Denver native Darren Yapi scored an 88th-minute goal to put them up 2-1 against LAFC, and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park erupted – with good reason.
Their Rocky Mountain rivals, Real Salt Lake, were unexpectedly trading goals with St. Louis City SC – a team that finished 13th. All Colorado had to do was hold firm. But their luck ran out in the 90th minute, when Andrew Moran and LAFC hit the Rapids on the break for a deflating equalizer. Despite a late push, the match ended 2-2 – and with it, Colorado’s season.
The cheers in Commerce City turned to boos.
That’s the magic of Decision Day. Up until midnight on the East Coast, teams in the West were fighting for playoff positions. In the Eastern Conference, Lionel Messi emphatically sealed his first MLS Golden Boot with a three-goal night against Nashville SC, while San Diego FC climbed back atop the Western Conference after edging Vancouver in their season-long duel.
GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from the 2025 MLS Decision Day.
Getty Images Sport
WINNER: Lionel Messi
Messi scored his first hat-trick of the 2025 campaign on the final day of the regular season to finish with 29 goals. His closest contenders for the Golden Boot – Nashville's Sam Surridge and LAFC's Denis Bouanga – each notched two hat-tricks this year.
It was Messi's best performance of a remarkable season, and secured another first for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner: the league's Golden Boot. Last season. Messi led the league in goals per 90 minutes at 1.08, but due to an injury at the Copa America final, he was limited to just 19 MLS appearances. He still managed 20 goals, but D.C. United's Christian Benteke finished with three more.
Picking up his first Golden Boot in MLS could mean more history awaits the 38-year-old. He is also tied at the top of the league for assists at 19, pointing to an all-but-certain second MVP award. Miami manager Javier Mascherano is convinced.
"The reality is that Leo has been exceptional, as he usually is," he said. "I think if anyone had doubts about his regular season, he has cleared them all. He will surely be awarded the MVP."
Messi would be the first player in the league's 30-year history to win MVP in back-to-back seasons.
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LOSERS: Paxten Aaronson and Zack Steffen
The Rapids will rue letting a late lead slip against LAFC, especially since RSL dropping points meant they would have secured a play-in spot against the Portland Timbers. But the reality is they shouldn't have gotten to this position in the first place.
Colorado sat in seventh place on Aug. 17, just four days before they announced their blockbuster signing of Paxten Aaronson. Since that point, the team won only one game, and that's with Aaronson putting up decent numbers. More concerningly is that this rut wasn't the result of an entirely brutal schedule.
The team dropped six points to Sporting Kansas City and the LA Galaxy, two opponents who were well out of the playoff picture. Aaronson and Steffen both played well on Saturday, with the former scoring and the latter making an impressive seven saves. Yet with the loss, the two USMNT hopefuls won't play in a club game until next February.
Getty Images Sport
WINNER: San Diego FC
Kudos to San Diego FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps for going back and forth in an entertaining race in the Western Conference. In the end, it was San Diego who held firm in their final game of their expansion season, demolishing another playoff team, Portland, 4-0. Much of the credit has to go to Anders Dreyer.
The Dane didn't garner the hype Hirving "Chucky" Lozano did on his arrival in MLS this season, but he's been more impactful. Dreyer finished the season with 19 goals and 19 assists. In any other year, including Messi's MVP campaign, Dreyer likely walks away with the MVP. And on Saturday, he was at it again, scoring a brace along with an assist to power the team's win.
San Diego are arguably MLS's most intriguing team heading into the playoffs. They topped MLS's most competitive conference in their inaugural season. In theory, they should be playing with house money at this stage, but with the top seed, this could be an unprecedented postseason for Mickey Varas' team.
Outside of Bob Bradley's upstart Chicago Fire in 1998, there hasn't been another expansion club to win MLS Cup. San Diego could change that this season.
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LOSER: Wilfried Zaha
This has been a roller coaster season for Charlotte FC's Wilfried Zaha, who has impressed in flashes but also created several controversial headlines off of it.
Zaha finished the campaign with 10 goals and 10 assists, but won't look back fondly on his final regular season match. Zaha, who scored the opener in a 2-0 win over Philly, got into the face of a Union player and made contact. He was booked for his second yellow of night – thus a red card.
Charlotte fought hard the entire campaign to secure a home seed in the playoffs. Now, they have to contend against a NYCFC side who have been in good form without their best player for the opening game of a three-match series.
Liverpool scored their customary last-minute goal on Wednesday evening, with Virgil van Dijk smashing a header from Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner past Jan Oblak to make it 3-2.
And so Liverpool’s Champions League campaign is up and running. Atletico Madrid did well to scrape back from two goals down, with Marcos Llorente yet again a scourge on Anfield’s vociferous fans.
But this time, Diego Simeone’s strategems did not come up trumps, with Arne Slot’s Reds mastering the art of late pressure, applying vicious intensity on their opponents to reel away the victors when just moments before it looked like the spoils would be shared.
Liverpool’s Winning Goals in 25/26
Opponent
Goalscorer
Goal Time
Bournemouth
Federico Chiesa
88′
Newcastle
Rio Ngumoha
90’+10
Arsenal
Dominik Szoboszlai
83′
Burnley
Mohamed Salah
90’+5
Atletico Madrid
Virgil van Dijk
90’+2
Three times already this season, the Merseysiders have squandered a two-goal lead, and that’s a big concern. However, there’s so much to like about this squad, who seem ready to challenge across multiple fronts while defending their Premier League title too.
A host of new signings have been made, but in recent days, it has been the veteran superstars, skipper Van Dijk and talisman Mohamed Salah, who have stepped up to keep the Slot machine pushing forward.
Liverpool's veterans keep on going
It was crucial that Liverpool tied Salah and Van Dijk down to contract extensions at the backend of the 2024/25 campaign. With a hectic summer of spending anticipated, calming forces would be needed to welcome and integrate the newbies.
And they are leading by example. The 34-year-old Van Dijk has been indomitable throughout the opening weeks of the term, while Salah retains his potency, even if his all-round performances have left something to be desired so far.
But not against Los Colchoneros. The Egyptian King, 33, turned back the clock with a bouncing display, assisting and scoring inside six minutes. Alexander Isak was making his debut for the Reds after his record-breaking move from Newcastle United, but it was Salah, so often Salah, who took the plaudits, reminding everyone that he is still the Reds’ go-to man in the final third.
These long-serving heroes have entered the final years of their joint Liverpool journey, and they will soon pass the torch.
Liverpool still plan to invest in an elite centre-back in the coming markets, but the frontline is all but secure, with two players in particular suggesting they can become talismanic figures themselves, playing with an air of Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard’s one-time connection against Atletico in the Champions League.
Slot's own Suarez & Gerrard
We’ve already mentioned him, but Isak arrives at Liverpool with the opportunity to cement himself as a modern great. Anfield’s bosses forked out quite the pretty penny for his signature, and they expect to be repaid in a sea of goals.
Described as an “absolute nightmare” for defenders by Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer, Isak established himself as one of the best centre-forwards in Europe across his three years with Newcastle, and a new chapter on Merseyside promises the opportunity to take that one step further and rival Erling Haaland and Harry Kane as the very best in the business.
Isak is not just a deadly goalscorer but a dynamic and intelligent player. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 8% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive passes, the top 7% for both progressive carries and successful take-ons, and the top 16% for shot-creating actions per 90.
Signs of this were seen under the bright Anfield lights on Wednesday, with Florian Wirtz putting in his best performance in a Liverpool shirt and showing off some delightful link-up play with the new number nine. The Athletic’s James Pearce noted he “played with a swagger” and that “his link up with Isak certainly bodes well”.
Against Atletico, Wirtz had seven touches in the penalty area, created five chances and two big chances, the most for each metric of any player on the field (data courtesy of Squawka).
There’s a budding connection there with Isak, for sure, and it very much could lead the pair toward something similar to that of Gerrard and Suarez in the past.
Before Suarez, there was Fernando Torres. Gerrard played with some fantastic forwards across his illustrious Liverpool career, but the Urugayan might just have been the pick of the bunch, remarking in 2012 that Suarez was the best player he had lined up with.
Eight times did Stevie G serve Suarez a goal, but that number could be dwarfed by Wirtz in providing Isak, so mighty is Liverpool’s project. They are expected to play many games together, Isak and Wirtz, and in a team that is comfortably among the best, the most dangerous in Europe.
Suarez was one of the best strikers in the world during his time at Liverpool. In 2013/14, he scored 31 goals and provided 13 assists in the Premier League, backed by Liverpool’s legendary No. 8, who commanded the midfield and fought tirelessly to open clear lanes toward the danger area, pinging aerial passes and threading through balls through to the maverick in the box.
Xabi Alonso shaped Wirtz into the player he is today at Bayer Leverkusen, and he noted that the attacking midfielder “is a genius”.
Even though the German has endured something of a slow start to life in England, yet to score or assist across five matches in the Premier League and one in Europe, the signs of a world-class player are there to see, and the 22-year-old has the full backing of his manager, having two key passes per game in the Premier League and looked likely and tenacious in the build-up.
With Isak, proven and deadly in the Premier League, now part of the team, Wirtz will expect to hit fluent form sooner rather than later, and fans will eagerly await Sunday’s Merseyside derby, Everton coming to Anfield at noon. One analyst has already remarked that the record signings’ “link-up looks terrifying”.
Just as with Gerrard and Suarez once upon a time, Liverpool now have two new sensations in the attacking third, and they might have what it takes to create a partnership for the ages, one akin to that of before, but this time giving rise to a trophy-laden period in Liverpool’s rich history.
Not Salah or Van Dijk: Liverpool star is now "one of the best in the world"
Liverpool left it late once more to collect a Champions League victory at Anfield over Atletico Madrid.
Tottenham Hotspur have held a fresh round of talks over a deal for a “brilliant” star, and they are now ready to submit a huge bid, with chiefs “hoping for a twist” as we enter the final week of the transfer window.
Tottenham pushing to sign forward before transfer deadline
Thomas Frank has made a fantastic start to life as Tottenham boss, winning his opening two Premier League games, and the most recent victory was undoubtedly the most impressive, with his side extending their fantastic record against Manchester City.
Spurs ran out 2-0 winners at the Etihad Stadium, with Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha getting on the scoresheet, while Richarlison grabbed an assist, with the Brazilian following up a brilliant performance against Burnley on the opening day, during which he bagged a brace.
The Lilywhites’ attacking quality has been on full display in their first two matches, but they are evidently a little light on options, given that Wilson Odobert, who the north Londoners are willing to sell, has featured in both Premier League games thus far.
As such, it is vital that Daniel Levy brings in another winger before the rapidly approaching deadline, and according to a report from TEAMtalk, a huge bid for Man City’s Savinho is now ready, with Tottenham prepared to pay over £69.2m for the Brazilian.
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Spurs have held a fresh round of talks over a deal for the winger, but City have been reluctant to sanction a departure, which means many club chiefs now believe that a deal will not be possible.
However, according to reporter Rudy Galetti on X, the north Londoners are still attentive to the situation, and are “hoping for a late twist”.
Savinho could be "brilliant" signing for Tottenham
A fee of over £69m would be a huge outlay for the Brazil international, but he could kick on at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he would be more likely to receive more game time, given the lack of depth at Frank’s disposal.
The starlet made a fantastic start to life in the Premier League last season, picking up 11 goal contributions in 29 outings, and Pep Guardiola described the City forward as “brilliant” back in May.
Savinho still needs to improve some aspects of his game, with Guardiola admitting the youngster struggles in “final positions”, which is evidenced by the fact he scored just one Premier League goal last season, but the City ace clearly has a lot of potential.
West Ham United have now held talks over signing a £15m “animal” as a replacement for Nayef Aguerd, who is heading to Marseille.
West Ham eyeing defender to replace Aguerd
Despite Graham Potter’s desire to keep hold of the centre-back, Aguerd now looks set to complete a move to Ligue 1, having refused to take part in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
In fairness, West Ham didn’t look like they missed the Moroccan defender at all, keeping a clean sheet for the first time this season, with Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos being given the nod at centre-back.
However, Potter will be a little short on options when Aguerd departs, meaning work has now started on bringing in a replacement, with Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell on the radar.
However, another transfer target from much closer to home is now emerging, with Fabrizio Romano taking to X to reveal the Hammers are now “exploring a move” for Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Igor Julio.
There is no agreement in place just yet, but talks over a deal for the Brazilian have already taken place, with Romano also confirming Aguerd is set to sign for Marseille.
It is unclear what sort of fee Brighton would be looking for, but the Seagulls are known to have forked out £15m to sign the 27-year-old from Fiorentina back in 2023, while Crystal Palace are also heavily linked with a deal which could drive the price up.
The Eagles are searching for a replacement for captain Marc Guehi, who is strongly linked with a deadline day move to Liverpool, and it now appears like a two-way race between the London teams for Julio’s signature.
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ByKelan Sarson Sep 1, 2025 "Animal" Igor could be good fit in Potter's system
While he has struggled to do so, Potter has attempted to implement a possession-based style of football since his arrival at the London Stadium, and the Brighton defender could be an ideal fit for the West Ham boss.
Over the past year, the former Fiorentina man has vastly outperformed Kilman in terms of passes attempted, progressive passes and pass-completion rate per 90.
Average per 90
Max Kilman
Igor Julio
Passes attempted
52.26
68.37
Progressive passes
2.96
4.59
Pass completion %
87.1%
91.9%
Former Brighton and Hove Albion coach Inigo Calderón has also praised the Brighton ace for his passing ability, saying:
“The first thing that comes to mind is that Igor is an animal, a centre back I really like for many reasons. He wins duels and has a good footwork for releasing the ball, both passing and dribbling.”
There may be some concerns over the fact Igor is a bit-part player at Brighton, having made just 13 appearances in the Premier League last season, but he could be a good fit in a Potter system, so it is worth taking a chance on the defender.
R Smaran, meanwhile, turned a maiden first-class ton into a double as Karnataka ground Punjab into the dust
Shashank Kishore24-Jan-2025Thakur Lords over J&K after Rohit misses out againRohit Sharma briefly caused bursts of excitement among early-morning office-goers in Mumbai’s financial district with a typically attractive start. He hit three sixes and two fours as Mumbai began their second innings against Jammu & Kashmir with a half-century stand between Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The pair wiped out more than half their 86-run first-innings deficit, before Rohit fell for 28, mistiming a heave to midwicket. The two shots that stood out were a hooked six off Umar Nazir and a flat-bat hit down the ground for six off Auqib Nabi, who eventually dismissed him.Related
Another day, another audacious rescue act by Shardul Thakur
Day 1: Siddharth Desai misses perfect ten
Thakur on his rescue act: 'I like batting in difficult situations'
Rohit’s dismissal opened the floodgates as Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube fell in quick succession. Then, from what was effectively 15 for 7, Mumbai roared back thanks to an outstanding hundred from Shardul Thakur; his unbroken eight-wicket stand of 163 with Tanush Kotian leaves Mumbai with a lead of 188 going into day three.A win for either side will take them a step closer to the playoffs. A loss won’t mean the end of the road either. But J&K have a tougher next opponent in Baroda, who are the current table-toppers, as compared to Mumbai, who play minnows Meghalaya.Ravindra Jadeja picked up 7 for 38 in the second innings to go with 5 for 66 in the first•PTI Jadeja takes 12; Pant endures unhappy Ranji returnFew teams in domestic cricket have used home advantage as well as Saurashtra. They had spoken of the need to get two outright wins in the back-end of the group stage, and had decided that ‘spin to win’ was the way to go at home. Ravindra Jadeja duly unleashed himself on a brittle Delhi batting line-up, and picked up five-wicket hauls in each innings to secure a bonus-point win that vaulted Saurashtra from the bottom half of Group D into third position.Jadeja bettered his first-innings figures of 5 for 66 with 7 for 38 in the second innings after they had taken a first-innings lead of 83. Jadeja’s haul included the wicket of Rishabh Pant, who made 17 to go with 1 off 10 in the first innings. Pant, who began by reverse-sweeping Jadeja for his first boundary, was the second-highest run-scorer for Delhi in their capitulation; they were bowled out for just 94 before Saurashtra knocked off their 12-run target inside three overs to complete a two-day victory.
You know who!#WhistlePodu #RanjiTrophy pic.twitter.com/c7Jj23KnEy
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 24, 2025
Smaran’s time in the sunLast week, R Smaran, 21, hit a match-winning century in the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Vidarbha. This week, he converted his maiden first-class century into a double to open up a 420-run first-innings lead for Karnataka against Punjab at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.In the first half of the season, Smaran had scored 145 runs in seven innings without a half-century. But the selectors kept faith in him and other youngsters, and phased out a key senior player in Manish Pandey ahead of the white-ball leg of the season. Smaran took Pandey’s position at No. 4, and played an innings that hinted at a bright future.Smaran’s initiation into the Karnataka set-up comes on the back of plenty of runs at the Under-23 level. In 2023-24, he hit 872 runs in the CK Nayudu Trophy, including a match-winning hundred in the final against Uttar Pradesh. He also enjoyed a stellar run at the Maharaja Trophy, the state’s local T20 competition.
for Shardul Thakur
A crucial knock under pressure
The celebrations say it all#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank
What to look forward to on Saturday He was preparing for a Test debut at this time last year, but Rajat Patidar now finds himself lower down in the pecking order after missing out even on the India A tour of Australia. But a strong back end of the first-class season, and a good IPL, could propel him back. For starters, he will look to covert his unbeaten half-century into a big innings as Madhya Pradesh look to build a sizeable lead after conceding first-innings honours to Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram. In Bengaluru, Shubman Gill will face a stern test against a young Karnataka pace attack after Punjab have been run ragged for nearly two days. Having begun their second innings facing a 420-run deficit, they are 24 for 2. Gill, who was out to an inside-edge to the keeper while attempting a drive off left-arm seamer Abhilash Shetty in the first innings, is batting on 7.
As they prepare to step up their chase for Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United are now also reportedly keen to sign a talented midfielder who former star Michael Carrick labelled “terrific”.
Man Utd readying first Sesko offer
Despite missing out on European football last season, Manchester United have maintained their attraction this summer and have welcomed both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo as a result. Both attacking additions had other options, but chose to hand Ruben Amorim two instant upgrades in his Old Trafford frontline.
It’s a decision which some may question, but one that Sesko could now follow. According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United are now readying their first bid to sign the RB Leipzig star, who favours a move to the Red Devils over Newcastle United this summer.
Whilst many have suggested that United have simply won the bidding war to sign players such as Cunha and Mbeumo, Amorim has insisted that money has not been the deciding factor.
He told reporters: “Cunha and Bryan, they had different solutions [offers]. They had Champions League offers. And they wanted to come here. People that say that they come here because of the money… that is a lie. That I know for sure. So, I’m really happy with that.
“That is the key point. They have to want to come here. I think what we can do to the fans is that we want players who have proved [themselves] already.”
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Even with Sesko potentially following suit, however, Manchester United’s business may not be done there. Reports are now suggesting that they’ve also set their sights on signing a midfield talent this summer.
Man Utd keen to sign Hayden Hackney
According to GiveMeSport, Manchester United are now keen to sign Hayden Hackney ahead of interest from Tottenham Hotspur this summer. The Middlesbrough midfielder is keen to leave the Teesside club and is willing to wait it out for the likes of Spurs and potentially United to come calling in a deal worth around £20m.
Of course, if the Red Devils want to know more about the England U21 star then they could turn towards Michael Carrick for answers. The former Old Trafford star worked with Hackney for three years at Middlesbrough and was often full of praise for the 23-year-old.
Hayden Hackney for Middlesbrough.
The former Boro boss told reporters after the midfielder signed a new contract at the club in 2022: “I think it’s the right thing, it’s fair from both sides,” said the head coach.
“Hayden has been terrific since I came and the couple of games before that he played really well. That’s kind of how it works, you get rewarded for your good work. He fully deserves it. He’s been a credit to himself and his family with the way he’s handled it.”
The 19-year-old is joined by Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft but there is no place for Matt Renshaw
Tristan Lavalette14-Oct-2024
Sam Konstas celebrates his second century in the match against South Australia•Getty Images
Teenaged opener Sam Konstas will audition for a Test spot in national team colours after being named in the Australia A squad for the upcoming red-ball series against India A.His spectacular rise has continued after being included in a 17-man squad for the two four-day games in Mackay and the MCG.Konstas, 19, lit up Australian domestic cricket by scoring twin centuries against South Australia in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield. He became the first teenager to achieve that feat in the Shield since an 18-year-old Ricky Ponting in 1993.Related
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NSW teen prodigy Konstas shines with Ponting-like feat
Carey and McSweeney hundreds deny New South Wales after Lyon's inroads
With allrounder Cameron Green ruled out of the summer due to a back injury, and Steven Smith likely to move back to No. 4, Konstas has emerged as a contender for next month’s first Test against India in Perth.”He’s in the mix as are plenty of others. I certainly don’t want to single him out,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “Think the consistency of Cam Bancroft over a number of years, the consistency of Marcus Harris over a number of years, they’ve both had a look at Test cricket as well, so don’t think there’s a need at this stage to put any undue pressure or expectation on Sam.”He’s five games into his first-class career, he’s had a good start and certainly looks like he has a well-organised game that we are really exited [about] and looking forward to seeing at the A level and we’ll continue to watch as that progresses.”Harris and Bancroft are both in the squad but Matt Renshaw, who was the spare batter in the series against West Indies and New Zealand earlier this year, has not been included.Harris started the season strongly after scoring a century and a half-century against Tasmania albeit on a benign Junction Oval surface. Bancroft, who made a pair, and Renshaw both had double failures in the match between Western Australia and Queensland at the WACA.”We still really like Matt’s ability to play,” Bailey said. “As far as Australia A selection goes, part of the process around that is trying to identify opportunities that may come around in the short term but also making sure we do keep an eye on developing opportunities for those players who may become important in different roles in the future as well.”Whilst there’s an Australia A squad there, I think Matt Renshaw, Pete Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, as three examples, are guys who we’ll continue to watch really closely in Shield cricket.”South Australia skipper Nathan McSweeney will captain Australia A in a role he has fulfilled several times previously. Allrounder Beau Webster, the reigning Shield player of the season, has also been named and could be in the mix for Test selection if Australia’s hierarchy decide to go with a like-for-like replacement for Green.Fringe Test quicks Scott Boland and Michael Neser, who claimed a five-wicket haul against WA, have been selected while Victoria quick Fergus O’Neill has been rewarded for his Shield success.Offspinners Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli are also in the squad and will be firmly in the mix for Australia’s Test tour of Sri Lanka early next year.Cooper Connolly, who made his ODI debut in England, is the only player named in both the ODI and the Australia A squads.Josh Philippe, who left WA for NSW in the offseason, and Jimmy Peirson are the wicketkeepers.The first four-day game in Mackay ends on November 3 ahead of the first ODI on November 4 while the second four-day game at the MCG runs from November 7-10 with the second and third ODIs being played on November 8 and 10.The depth of Shield teams will be firmly tested with those series clashing with the third round of the Shield starting on November 1.”We are really excited by this squad, particularly after some of the tremendous performances to start the Sheffield Shield season,” Australia national selector George Bailey said.”As always with Australia A selection we have picked a side we hope can present performances which are compelling for the upcoming Test summer, whilst also rewarding players for strong domestic form in roles we see as being important further afield.”It will be a great opportunity for these players to shine against a strong Test nation looking to prepare for what is going to be a captivating summer of Test cricket.”Australia A squad vs India ANathan McSweeney (captain), Cameron Bancroft, Scott Boland, Jordan Buckingham, Cooper Connolly, Ollie Davies, Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Michael Neser, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Jimmy Peirson, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Mark Steketee, Beau Webster
Manchester United are now believed to be leading the race to sign a hugely young prospect, with the Red Devils ahead of rivals Manchester City in the battle to snap him up.
Mbeumo likes Man Utd player's post
Bryan Mbeumo has emerged as a priority target for United this summer, with the Brentford ace standing out as one of the best right-sided players in the Premier League last season.
Meanwhile, current Bees director of football, Phil Giles, has openly admitted that there is a “significant” amount of interest in the Cameroonian attacker.
“There is significant interest in Bryan. His current preference has been well publicised. He had an unbelievable season, and we expected interest in him. From what I understand, he is also, if needs be, happy to stay at Brentford next year as well. We’ve spoken to Bryan and his representatives. It’s not a given that he’s going to depart this summer. If we get the right offer, there is the potential for a deal to be done, but there is only so much we can say now on that.”
Now, Mbeumo has further stoked the fires ahead of a potential move to United this summer, liking a photo posted by centre-back Leny Yoro on Instagram.
Elsewhere, it looks as though the Red Devils are also looking at the long-term picture, with a new young talent backed to head to Old Trafford.
Man Utd leading race to sign young midfielder
According to The Athletic‘s Laurie Whitwell on X, Manchester United are in pole position to sign Fulham teenager Seth Ridgeon this summer, with talks taking place over a move for him and Tyrese Noubissie “seen as among best in country”.
“MUFC in talks to sign two 16-year-old midfielders seen as among best in country: Seth Ridgeon from Fulham + Tyrese Noubissie from Man City. Competition for both, who have been invited to facilities by academy staff, but United making good proposals.”
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In his story for The Athletic, Whitwell adds that ‘United are believed to lead the race should Ridgeon leave Craven Cottage’ ahead of the likes of Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool. While many United supporters will be focusing on the club bringing in players who could be immediate starters next season, this update is exciting in its own right.
The Red Devils should always be looking to snap up the most eye-catching homegrown talent, as they have throughout history, bringing in Wayne Rooney as a teenager, for example.
Ridgeon, 16, is a potentially special talent, being capped by England at both Under-16 and Under-17 level, and beating City to his signature could feel like a major coup.
England Under-17s
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England Under-16s
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United have fallen down the pecking order in recent years, having been at the top of the football tree for so long in the 1990s and 2000s, but signing the best teenagers around would be a positive step in the right direction.