David Byas was at his resilient best to earn Division One leaders Yorkshire a valuable 56-run advantage over Northamptonshire on another hot and humid day at Wantage Road.The visitors’ skipper hit an unbeaten 110 in five hours, and received excellent support from Ryan Sidebottom (20) as Yorkshire rallied strongly from 225-8 to 309 all out. Northants closed on 26-1 in their second innings, still 30 runs adrift.On a pitch offering some help to the spinners, Yorkshire ran into trouble against Jason Brown and Graeme Swann with only opener Matthew Wood (55) and Darren Lehmann (29) prospering for long.The ever-dangerous Lehmann fell to a superb throw from Brown on the third man boundary as he looked for a risky second run, and although Byas was batting with skill and patience Northants – bottom of the table – were bowling themselves into a promising position.But Sidebottom dug in with Byas, and the pair added 78 in 25 overs to wrest the initiative and secure a third bonus point. Byas completed a well-deserved century – his second of the season and 26th for the county – off 241 balls with 14 fours, displaying a wider range of attacking strokes as his innings progressed.Paul Taylor eventually mopped up the tail, but Sidebottom still enjoyed the last laugh as he had Adrian Rollins taken by Scott Richardson in the slips with his first ball to leave Northants firmly on the back foot at the close.
Manchester United’s heavy spending in the transfer market has been there for all to see in recent history, with huge funds being dropped on players who have failed to make the grade.
Ruben Amorim has already spent upwards of £200m since his appointment last November, adding to the £600m splashed by Erik ten Hag in just over two years.
The £800m spent has been wasted on countless players not at the level required for success in the Premier League, which has often resulted in numerous huge losses on various players.
As a result, it’s unclear how much the manager will have available to spend in the winter window, but it hasn’t stopped numerous top talents from appearing on their radar.
The January window could be make or break for the manager, with the 40-year-old needing to make full use of whatever funds he’s handed by the Red Devils hierarchy.
United make contact to sign PL superstar
Over the last couple of days, United have been in constant talks with Bournemouth over a deal to land Antoine Semenyo in January, with Amorim’s men looking to jump the queue for his signature.
The Ghanaian winger currently has a £65m release clause within his contract at the Vitality, but certain sides will have to act quickly, with such a clause ending on January 10th.
If the Red Devils are to complete any transfer for the 25-year-old this winter, they will likely have to fend off interest from rivals Manchester City, who are also keen on a move for his signature.
Semenyo isn’t the only Premier League star currently in their sights for January, with Nottingham Forest sensation Elliot Anderson another player being considered by the board.
According to David Ornstein, the Red Devils have already reached out to Sean Dyche’s side over a potential move for the 23-year-old who’s started every league game this campaign.
He also states the England international is the club’s top target at present, with the youngster seen as the perfect immediate and long-term solution to their midfield issues.
Ornstein stated: “We’re talking the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, plenty of others will be in the frame as well. I think some of them already calling Nottingham Forest, Manchester United have made their interest known. I think he’s top of their list, or there, or there abouts for a number six come this summer.”
Why Anderson would finally get Sesko firing at United
As part of Amorim’s recent shopping spree at United, he oversaw the completion of Benjamin Sesko’s arrival from German side RB Leipzig for a reported £74m.
Given the fee, the Red Devils fans were no doubt excited at the prospect of finding their leading talisman, but it’s safe to say the move has failed to take off as yet.
The Slovenian international has only netted two league goals out of his first 13 appearances, subsequently struggling to adapt to the demands of England’s top-flight.
He will certainly need time to get used to Amorim’s system, but any struggles could be eased if they complete a transfer to sign Anderson in the January window.
The English star may well be a box-to-box midfielder, but it’s his all-round game which could aid the 22-year-old with his efforts in front of goal in the final third.
His underlying stats showcase his talents at both ends, which could hand the manager the long-term fix to such an issue, which has often plagued him in 2025/26.
Anderson, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by one journalist, has completed 1.2 dribbles to date, whilst also winning 7.3 duels per 90 – showcasing his box-to-box talents – but also placing him in the top 5% of midfielders in the league.
Elliot Anderson – PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
17
Goals & assists
2
Pass accuracy
83%
Dribbles completed
1.2
Duels won
7.3
Ball recoveries
8.4
Progressive passes
8.4
Passes into final third
8.1
Stats via FBref
He has also made 8.4 recoveries of the ball per 90 in 2025/26, with his overall total of 142 in the first 17 outings, by far and away, the best of any player in England’s top-flight.
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However, it’s his efforts in possession that could hugely benefit Sesko at Old Trafford, with Anderson averaging a total of 8.4 progressive passes and 8.1 passes into the final third per 90.
Such numbers showcase the midfielder’s incredible ability at playing the ball into forward areas, which could see the Slovenian be the beneficiary of countless chances in front of goal.
To put Anderson’s numbers into context, he’s currently playing more forward passes than 95% of other midfielders in the league – a phenomenal feat for a deep-lying option.
Whilst he would reportedly cost around the £100m mark, a deal for the Forest star would certainly provide an immediate solution to the problems at the heart of the United midfield.
His creativity is certainly an added bonus, with such numbers only going to improve Sesko’s chances of success during his own time at the Theatre of Dreams.
Better than Anderson & Wharton: Man Utd join race to sign £52m midfielder
Manchester United have identified another top target for the midfield department ahead of January.
Lance Gibbs, the former world record holder, is concerned West Indies’ newest spin talent does not have enough variety to be a long-term force at international level. While Gibbs is pleased Sulieman Benn was picked for his debut against Sri Lanka last month, he said the left-armer had work to do to become a success.Benn, who is from Barbados, picked up three second-innings wickets during West Indies’ opening-Test loss in Guyana and is in the squad for the final match of the series starting in Port of Spain on Thursday. However Gibbs, the former offspinner who took 309 Test wickets, said Benn would have to improve.”He has got to bowl six different balls because on that type of track [in the first Test] batsman could get accustomed to you,” Gibbs said. “I would say he has got the ability but he’s got work to do.”He could become a success story but it is all in his hands, he’s got to learn the strengths and weaknesses as far as batsmen are concerned and use that effectively. In Guyana, Benn fought the wicket too much. As a spinner you’ve got to vary your pace, he was particularly flat and this is why he didn’t get any wickets in the first innings.”Amit Jaggernauth, the Trinidad and Tobago offspinner, is also part of West Indies’ squad and Gibbs said both should be in the side to face Sri Lanka. “I told Amit in Guyana not to be too disappointed,” Gibbs said. “It is best to start your Test career on wickets that you know and I’m sure he will be given a chance here.”
ScorecardRohit G Sharma and Pankaj Singh steered Rajasthan to the finals of the Ranji Trophy one-day tournament with a seven-wicket win over Punjab at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Chasing 262, Sharma laid the foundation with 62 while Singh polished off the target with a breezy 36 off 22 balls.Punjab won the toss and elected to bat first and the innings was anchored by opener Karan Goel, who scored 72. Ravneet Ricky chipped in with 48 and added 112 with Goel. Pankaj Dharmani and Reetinder Sodhi added the finishing touches to push the score to 261. Rajasthan began their reply in a steady manner with Sharma and Anshu Jain adding 89 for the second wicket. However a steady fall of wickets followed and Punjab clawed back, reducing the home side to 203 for 7. Rajesh Bishnoi and Singh ensured no further fall of wickets and took their side home with an over to spare.Rajasthan will meet Mumbai in the finals at the same venue on Wednesday.
South Africa 155 for 2 (Amla 50*, Kallis 25*) trail New Zealand 593 for 8 dec (Fleming 262, Franklin 122*, Ntini 4-162) by 438 runs Scorecard and ball-by-ball details How they were out
On a day of firsts at Cape Town, New Zealand maintained their supremacy but were left looking towards the heavens as the weather threatened to ruin their chances of squaring the series. After James Franklin had reached his maiden Test century, Jeetan Patel opened his Test-wicket tally with two scalps. However, Hashim Amla marked his return to the Test arena with a hardworking first fifty as he guided South Africa’s pursuit of the follow-on target of 394.Faced with a huge total – and a follow-on target of 394 – Graeme Smith and Boeta Dippenaar had made steady progress against the new ball after New Zealand extended their innings for 13 overs. Patel and Daniel Vettori were in action by the 13th over of South Africa’s reply, and both found appreciable assistance, with Vettori ripping deliveries past the edges of all the right-handers.Patel, though, was something of a surprise package. He has produced some promising performances in one-day internationals but a career average of over 41 in first-class cricket would not send shudders through a batting line-up. However, he made an immediate mark when Stephen Fleming threw him the ball flighting a full delivery to Smith, who tried to work it to the onside, but could only spoon it back to the bowler. Smith stood his ground, believing it to be a bump ball, but the TV evidence was clear and he was on his way.Patel wasn’t afraid to flight the ball and bowled an attacking line outside off stump, drifting the ball away from the bat. His second wicket, when Dippenaar dragged on an attempted cut, was reward for a impressive spell of patience and pressure building. This certainly isn’t a surface where New Zealand are going to rush through the South African line-up and Fleming realised this. He wasn’t afraid to rotate his attack and try some innovative field settings, such as removing the slips for Scott Styris and blocking up the run-scoring areas.
Amla stood firm on his return to the Test team and his extensive work with Gary Kirsten is paying dividends. On his last outing he was worked out by the England pace attack during the 2004-05 series and was returned to domestic cricket to hone his technique. A season’s average of over 50 has been rewarded, and although his flat-footed wafts at Franklin show there is still work to do, he has clearly made progress. In the brief period of play after tea, before the light closed in, he took two fours off Patel to reach his half-century, a battling effort off 132 balls.South Africa have long since conceded this Test is now purely an exercise in survival and Amla’s stand with Jacques Kallis showed this. Both were happy to concentrate primarily on defence although Kallis did produce some uncharacteristic wafts against the spinners.With the dodgy weather knocking around, Fleming may yet regret batting so long in the morning. Franklin struggled to pierce the field as he tried to tick off the seven more runs needed to reach three figures. However, he finally connected with a searing straight drive to bring up the milestone, the third of his first-class career.Once the weight of the approaching hundred had been removed, Franklin opened his shoulders and launched a mini-blitz on the weary South African attack. He crunched a couple of scorching drives through the offside and then picked Makhaya Ntini up over midwicket for a handsome six.Patel chipped in with some meaty thumps through the infield, but his main role was to perform with the ball. He did that with distinction and he is going to have plenty of work over the next two days – weather permitting. This match has turned into a race against time for New Zealand, while South Africa just need to bat. Amla has begun the process and Kallis, entrenched at the crease, is the perfect man to carry it forward.
How they were outSouth AfricaGraeme Smith c and b Patel 25 (36 for 1) Boeta Dippenaar b Patel 47 (108 for 2)
Cricket Australia’s coffers were boosted by US$500,000 in prizemoney today as reward for leading the ICC championship tables on April 1. James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, accepted the cheque that included two amounts of $250,000 for topping the Test and one-day ladders.Sutherland said the prize recognised the performance of the team and its behind-the-scenes management. “Off the field we have strong and dedicated administrative bodies at national and state level that provide tremendous support for the Australian and state teams.”Simon Katich, the Test and one-day batsman, said Australia were excited about the next five months and wanted to remain No. 1. “The ICC tables have us on top at the moment, but we are certainly not taking anything for granted,” he said. “Our immediate focus is on defending the Ashes before turning our attention in October to the Super Series.”The Test Championship was introduced in May 2001 while the ODI table was introduced in October 2002. However, this was the first time there was a financial incentive for finishing in front.
Chris Martin’s medium-pace caused a South African collapse in the morning, then Scott Styris hammered a breezy hundred as New Zealand fought back strongly on the second day at Auckland. Having restricted South Africa to 296, New Zealand were in a dicey position at 12 for 2, but Styris defied the bowlers with an aggressive 118, and by the end of the day his side were only 95 behind.Styris didn’t hold back, even when Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini moved the ball around. He attacked David Terbrugge with shots all around the wicket, and blasted Nicky Boje out of the attack. As his innings progressed, the bowling lost its sheen. Even Pollock, after a fine first spell, sprayed it around in his second stint as the score rolled along. Styris and Craig McMillan stepped on the pedal as the day wore on: they put on 64 in just 11.3 overs.In an attempt to make the most of the overcast conditions, the South African bowlers pitched the ball up to the bat, and Styris capitalised, creaming the half-volleys neatly. He also used the angles of the oddly shaped Eden Park ground shrewdly. Flicks and glides raced away, and some of his cover-drives were gorgeous. He bludgeoned Boje for a huge six, and brought up his third Test century with a majestic cover-drive. He had some good support, too. Mark Richardson made a patient 45, and McMillan (31 not out) joined in with bubbly enthusiasm. Richardson, though, threw it away as he slashed at a wide one from Kallis, and Herschelle Gibbs pouched the straightforward chance (137 for 3).Styris put New Zealand in control but it was Martin who had begun the rescue job. He deceived Jacques Kallis with a crafty legcutter – Kallis departed for 40, his quest for that record-equalling sixth century in as many Tests postponed to the second innings – lured Jacques Rudolph into a booming drive, baited Mark Boucher and Neil McKenzie into uppish drives, and polished Ntini off for a second-ball duck. Add Grame Smith’s wicket, which he snared yesterday, and his fine exhibition of swing and seam bowling was rewarded with 6 for 76. All that came after spraying it around on the first morning and being collared by Gibbs and Smith.Rudolph fell in the third over of the day, trying to wallop a full-pitched one. The edge flew to Michael Papps at third slip (235 for 3). Kirsten, playing in his 100th Test, made just 1 before Jacob Oram sneaked one through the gate – the ball cut in a shade after pitching and clipped the top of off stump (236 for 4).But the big one came in the next over. Martin bowled a few good incutters to Kallis, before delivering one that held its line. Kallis played inside the line of the ball and the edge was acrobatically collected by Brendon McCullum (240 for 5).
Boucher swished at a wide one while Pollock missed a straight ball that kept a shade low (273 for 7). But Martin wasn’t finished yet, and he completed the turnaround by nailing McKenzie and Ntini, before South Africa were finally all out for 296. Only 65 had been added to the overnight total, and South Africa had lost 10 wickets for 119 runs. This was partly due to the overcast conditions, but was mainly down to the complete change in the New Zealand bowlers’ discipline.South Africa’s opening bowlers continued in similar vein. Pollock snapped up his 331st Test wicket, passing Allan Donald to become the highest wicket-taker for his country, with a near-perfect legcutter. Papps had to play at it, and the edge was easily taken at second slip. Stephen Fleming poked at one tentatively and Kallis latched on as the ball was screaming past him (12 for 2).At that point, ten wickets had fallen in the day. But only one more fell afterwards, and Scott Styris’s attacking methods were chiefly responsible for that.
The bid by the England and Wales Cricket Board to have the World Cup match against Zimbabwe played at a South African venue has failed. The World Cup technical committee, which heard the fresh evidence that the ECB had to offer about security in Zimbabwe has, for the second time, dismissed that evidence and has awarded the points from the match to Zimbabwe.This still left the ECB with an opportunity to appeal to an independent judge, as happened on the first occasion the technical committee dismissed their case, but chief executive Tim Lamb, speaking at a press conference shortly after the decision was announced, said that they would not be taking that option although convinced of the legal strength of their submission.He said, "We feel we have done everything we could have done to persuade the ICC of the merits of our case."We feel the issue has gone on long enough. In the interests of the World Cup, it’s time to move on and put the whole protracted and unfortunate episode behind us."Lamb and the ECB’s head of legal affairs, Mark Roper-Drimie, had attended the seven-hour meeting in Johannesburg yesterday in an attempt to reverse the technical committee’s previous verdict.However, despite presenting the new evidence that it would have been unsafe for England to have travelled to Harare, the committee was unmoved when presenting its verdict this morning.ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed did say: "It’s a decisionwhich gives the committee no pleasure," but that will be of little consolation to England who now know that they must win at least two of their matches against the big three in their group – Australia, India and Pakistan – to have any chance of qualifying for the later stages of the tournament.Sympathy also came from Michael Holding, the former West Indies fast bowler who was a member of the committee. He said: "I can understand their feelings because I have been through it too. I had to look at what the security professionals brought forward.”England’s disappointment with the result of the hearing was in direct contrast to the sentiments of the president of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, Peter Chingoka, who said: "We are delighted. This puts the matter to rest and we can now focus on the tournament."England too can now focus on the rest of the tournament, although without the cushion of the eight points that Zimbabwe now enjoy following their win against Namibia and their victory in the conference room.However, despite the ECB’s decision not to appeal against the loss of the four points, it is unlikely that this will be the last to be heard about the matter. England may now face calls for compensation from the ICC for refusing to play in Harare. On this point, Speed said: “I don’t expect a quick resolution, not before May or June and certainly not before the end of the World Cup."
CricInfo Championship Division Two second-placed Hampshire hosts basement-strugglers Derbyshire at the Rose Bowl and welcome back Alan Mullally from international duty to the 12.Despite his seven wicket haul last week against Durham, Chris Tremlett is the likely candidate to miss out as Hampshire attempt to close the gap on leaders Middlesex.The hosts will be looking to re-enact their nine-wicket victory over the same opponents last month.Derbyshire are without skipper Dominic Cork, who is absent through injury. Chris Bassano, the South African born batsmen who created a new record last week by hitting two centuries on his Championship debut unsurprisingly holds his place.Hampshire: Giles White, Derek Kenway, Will Kendall, Robin Smith (capt), Neil Johnson, Laurie Prittipaul, Adrian Aymes (w-k), Dimitri Mascarenhas, Shaun Udal, Alex Morris, Alan Mullally, Chris TremlettDerbyshire: Stephen Stubbings, Luke Sutton (w-k), Michael Di Venuto, Chris Bassano, Matthew Dowman, Rob Bailey, Graeme Welch, Nathan Dumelow, Paul Aldred, Alex Edwards, Tim Munton (capt)
Liverpool have now set their sights on signing a £70m replacement for the injured Alexander Isak next month, according to recent reports.
Slot slams "reckless" Van de Ven challenge
When your luck is out, it is out and Isak’s luck is running on empty. Liverpool’s record signing emerged from the bench against Tottenham Hotspur to finally link-up with fellow big-money buy Florian Wirtz and open the scoring for the Reds.
It’s the type of goal that Liverpool would have been dreaming of all summer after their spending spree. What happened next, however, was an absolute nightmare.
Liverpool hold talks over move for £80m star who Klopp called "world-class"
The Reds could be presented with the opportunity to sign a new forward…
ByDominic Lund
Despite finding the back of the net, Isak couldn’t wheel away in celebration. Instead, he could only put his head in his hands and contemplate the next few months on the sidelines, courtesy of Micky van de Ven’s challenge.
The Tottenham defender’s desperate lunge fractured Isak’s leg and the forward will now be out for an extended period of time, disrupting what has already been a frustrating first first months at Anfield even further.
Arne Slot didn’t hold back when delivering his verdict on Van de Ven’s challenge, either. The Dutchman told reporters: “It’s going to be a long injury, for a couple of months. It’s a big disappointment for him and, as a result, for us.
“This was, for me, a reckless challenge. I’ve said a lot about the tackle of Xavi Simons (who was sent off dragging his studs down the calf of Virgil van Dijk) which for me was completely unintentional.”
Now, Liverpool’s attacking options down to a select few with Cody Gakpo also injured and Mohamed Salah at AFCON. As such, the hunt for reinforcements has reportedly seen Antoine Semenyo catch the eye as well as one more Premier League attacker.
Liverpool now eyeing Igor Thiago move
As reported by Caught Offside, Liverpool are also eyeing a move to sign Igor Thiago in the January transfer window, who could be an alternative to Bournemouth’s star winger.
The Brazilian has enjoyed an electric first-half of the season, scoring 11 Premier League goals in 17 appearances to attract interest from Spurs and now Liverpool.
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He won’t come cheap, though. Recent reports have claimed that Thiago could cost as much as £70m if Brentford get their way next month. After already losing Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa in the summer, it seems like the Bees are desperate to keep hold of their latest impressive forward.
The question that Liverpool must, therefore, ask themselves is whether they should spend big on Thiago or Semenyo. The latter is likely to be at the centre of the biggest January saga, given his £65m release clause, but would not be the out-and-out forward that the Reds need to replace Isak.
Thiago, albeit at a steep price, would instantly replace the Swede whilst he watches on from the sidelines in the hope of finally getting back to his best once back fit.