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Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Brighton last weekend showed why Mikel Arteta’s men should be taken seriously as Premier League title challengers.

The Gunners are currently first in the league, winning approximately 70% of their games this season and only losing twice.

Even though the Spaniard has one of the best squads in the league, he wants to make a new addition to his side in the form of a young defender.

Arsenal transfers latest – Jorrel Hato

According to journalist Suleyman Öztürk via Dutch outlet SoccerNews, Jorrel Hato is being watched by Arsenal and Manchester City after his rapid development this season.

It is believed that if he continues to perform, the defender may become the first player to be sold from Ajax for €100m (£87m).

However, a move is unlikely this January as the Gunners must raise funds to fit in with financial fair play guidelines.

Jorrel Hato’s style of play

It is no surprise that Hato has already been dubbed "one of the most talented CBs of his generation" by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, as at just 17 years old, the Dutch defender has made his international debut and worn the captain’s armband at Ajax.

Arsenal could repeat Rice move by signing "perfect" £100m star

Mikel Arteta wants to sign a Premier League star this January.

ByTom Lever Dec 21, 2023

The left-footed defender has all the qualities of a modern centre-half and is very reminiscent of William Saliba in terms of his ability to be mobile, dynamic, and progress play.

The table below shows how Hato's on-the-ball ability compares to other centre-backs from this season's Europa League. It's certainly impressive reading.

Passes completed

63.37

Top 14%

Passes completed (short)

24.50

Top 15%

Carries

56.33

Top 17%

Successful take-ons

1.17

Top 3%

Touches

81.5

Top 16%

As you can see, Hato is one of the best ball-playing centre-backs to have graced the competition this season, and he would slot perfectly alongside Arsenal’s French defender. With Arteta’s obsession with control and extremely technical players, the Ajax star would surely thrive.

He is also an excellent carrier of the ball and can step into the midfield, which would be of great use when Arsenal faces a low block. The Ajax academy graduate also possesses a vast passing range, but he preferes to move the ball quickly with short passing.

Although the 6-foot star has featured at a centre-back in 20 of his 24 matches this season for Ajax, he has also shown versatility to play as a left-back. Arteta will particularly like this aspect of his game, with the Spaniard often using his left-sided defender, Oleksandr Zinchenko, in an inverted position.

Hato is comfortable and dominant when defending in wide channels, which will help with the Ukraine international’s role by controlling the left if the ball is overturned in the middle of the park, ultimately allowing Arsenal to take more risks and commit more players forward.

The defender may well be just 17 years old, but it's clear he has an immense future in the game. Indeed, there is the potential that Saliba and the Netherlands prospect could become the face of Arsenal Football Club and dominate the Premier League for years to come. It's a potential defensive partnership to salivate over for those at the Emirates Stadium.

Darwin Nunez has fuelled the transfer rumours raging around him at Liverpool by removing Reds-related images from his personal Instagram account.

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Uruguayan frontman joined Reds in 2022Questions asked of his future at AnfieldHas been linked with Liga giants BarcaGOALWHAT HAPPENED?

The Uruguay international forward moved to Anfield for £85 million ($107m) in the summer of 2022. He has hit 33 goals through 94 appearances, but has also missed a number of big chances to see questions asked of his long-term value to the cause on Merseyside.

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There has been talk of Nunez potentially moving on in the next window, with La Liga giants Barcelona being credited with interest. They are said to be in the market for a successor for prolific Polish frontman Robert Lewandowski, who could cut short his time in Catalunya amid links to teams in MLS and the Saudi Pro League.

DID YOU KNOW?

Nunez has done little to quash the exit talk at Anfield with his activity on social media. While his profile picture on Instagram still features a red Liverpool shirt, the only images on his account are of him turning out for Benfica and Uruguay.

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WHAT NEXT FOR NUNEZ?

The South American forward still has four years left to run on his contract, through to 2028, but is said to have expressed interest in one day turning out for Barcelona. It remains to be seen whether such an opportunity ever presents itself and what the immediate future holds for him in England.

England midfielder Jordan Henderson could reportedly leave Ajax this summer despite having only joined the club in January.

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Henderson joined Ajax in JanuaryMay have to leave club this summerClub facing financial difficultiesGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Last summer, the Liverpool legend made a move to the Saudi Pro League. However, after reports of unhappiness with Al-Ettifaq in the first half of this season, the 33-year-old made the move to Ajax as they struggled for form in the Eredivisie. In another twist, The Athletic has now reported that the Three Lions star could be forced to leave the Dutch giants this summer.

AdvertisementTHE EXPLANATION

When Henderson joined the club earlier this year, he signed on with De Godenzonen as one of their top earners. The same is the reason that Henderson could be forced to leave, as the Dutch club is going through financial issues having missed out on the Champions League for next season. The report suggests that the four-time European champions would prefer to keep Henderson at the club and make sales of other players but the sale of the former Liverpool star could be considered as a real possibility.

Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

As per the report, former Tottenham Hotspur winger Steven Bergwijn is in the same boat as Henderson and could be considered for a possible sale to alleviate Ajax's immediate monetary troubles as they also look to sign a new head coach for the summer. They had reportedly held talks last month with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter, who rejected the offer due to its low monetary value.

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WHAT NEXT FOR HENDERSON?

As it stands, no club has inquired about the Three Lions midfielder's availability this summer, and a return to the Premier League remains highly unlikely going into the summer transfer window.

Half-centuries from Paul Horton, Hasan Azad and Mark Cosgrove gave Leicestershire a seven-wicket victory over Sussex

ECB Reporters Network08-Apr-2019Leicestershire made a winning start to their Specsavers County Championship campaign with a seven-wicket victory over Sussex at Hove. Half-centuries from captain Paul Horton and Championship debutant Hasan Azad set things up before Australian Mark Cosgrove saw his side over the line with an unbeaten 53 as Leicestershire sealed their win 50 minutes after lunch.It was Leicestershire’s first Championship success at Hove for 24 years and the calm way in which they approached a potentially tricky target of 230, on a pitch that did not deteriorate as much as Sussex had hoped, will give Horton and coach Paul Nixon them plenty of encouragement for the summer ahead.They had resumed in a good position on 99 for 1 and Horton and Azad took few risks against some accurate bowling, particularly from Ollie Robinson, as they extended their second-wicket stand to 88 from 31 overs.Horton looked especially secure and it was a surprise when he drove hard at a ball from Robinson which nipped off the seam and thick-edged to second slip. Phil Salt parried it and Chris Jordan completed the catch at first slip. Horton batted for nearly three hours for his 61, facing 112 balls and hitting seven fours.Azad proved even more difficult to dislodge and a square drive off Mir Hamza took him to his maiden Championship fifty with his seventh boundary just before lunch. Only 77 runs were scored in 30 overs during the morning session, but Leicestershire were in no hurry.Two balls after the resumption Robinson surprised Azad with extra bounce and had the left-hander caught off the shoulder of the bat at second slip. He had faced 173 balls and hit six fours, adding 61 with Cosgrove. Leicestershire still needed 54 at that stage and Sussex had a glimmer of hope, but Cosgrove and the equally experienced Colin Ackermann quietly chipped away at the target.Cosgrove opened his shoulders to drive Jordan through extra cover to reach his half-century but it was Ackermann who cut Jordan past backward point for the winning runs. Ackermann was unbeaten on 20 while Cosgrove’s 53 not out came off 86 balls with eight fours.

Tottenham Hotspur were overpowered by Brighton & Hove Albion's high-octane approach last time out in the Premier League, snapping a three-match winning run, but Ange Postecoglou will be sanguine about his injury-hit side's chances of success over the forthcoming period.

The best way to steady the ship will be close the turbulence of 2023 with a victory over Bournemouth on home turf, with the south coast club excelling across recent weeks, now with a ten-point cushion over the relegation zone.

Spurs, who have been marred by inconsistency across the past few months, are only four points off top four at the season's midpoint and will hope that a successful transfer window and the return of key players will turn the tide after the new year.

For now, the Lilywhites must make do, and Football FanCast predict that Postecoglou will enforce three changes from the side that lost against the Seagulls last time out.

1 GK – Guglielmo Vicario

As has so often been the case this season, Guglielmo Vicario departed with his head held high at the AMEX Stadium despite shipping four goals, receiving an 8/10 match rating from football.london's Alasdair Gold, who noted his flurry of 'top-drawer' saves.

2 RB – Pedro Porro

A rogue shout for Spurs' player of the season so far, Pedro Porro has been immense down the right flank, racking up six assists from 18 Premier League appearances, also averaging 2.9 tackles and 5.2 ball recoveries per game.

3 CB – Eric Dier

Postecoglou's decision to field a backline made entirely of full-backs is not going to plan, and while youngsters Ashley Phillips and Alfie Dorrington will be eager to earn a starting berth, Eric Dier should get the nod, replacing Emerson Royal.

The England international, 29, is out of contract at the end of the campaign and not favoured one bit, but with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven both injured it might be wise to hand him a start.

4 CB – Ben Davies

Thumped home a header last time out but could only serve a slice of consolation after Brighton put four past his keeper's sticks, but Ben Davies has been an excellent stand-in, for the most part.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Distribution

Tackling

Ball retention

Aerial duels

Crossing

*Sourced via WhoScored

Having started the past eight Premier League matches, Tottenham's second-choice left-back will play a central role once again for his threadbare team.

5 LB – Destiny Udogie

Proclaimed to get "into nearly every team in the world already" by footballJOE's Hunter Godson, Destiny Udogie has been a revelation at left-back for Tottenham this season, and has started all 16 matches that he has been available for.

6 CM – Oliver Skipp

Oliver Skipp missed out due to injury in midweek but should return tomorrow; ranking among the top 14% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, as per FBref, his composure and metronomic presence will be crucial in establishing control against the Cherries.

He will replace the £100k-per-week Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the centre of the park, who was once dubbed a "monster" by Morten Bisgaard but has not reached his past heights under Postecoglou's management.

7 CM – Pape Matar Sarr

Still only 21 years old, Pape Matar Sarr exudes confidence and belief like a cultured veteran after starting 15 league games this term, described as a "wonderful" prospect by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

The Senegalese midfielder will be expected to produce a fine display before jetting off to the African Cup of Nations, and he will appreciate the industriousness of Skipp alongside him in the centre of the park.

8 RW – Brennan Johnson

Brennan Johnson flattered to deceive last time out but remains an exciting prospect after signing from Nottingham Forest for £47.5m in the summer.

The 22-year-old has posted one goal and three assists from just ten starts for his new club, and having been noted for his "frightening" pace by international teammate Joe Allen in the past, could be vital in stretching the visitors' defence.

9 AM – Giovani Lo Celso

Giovani Lo Celso looked to have finished his failed transfer to Tottenham after spending the past season-and-a-half out on loan with Villarreal and not received a starting role from any of the opening 12 matches of the 2023/24 campaign, but he has played an important role recently and scored in successive games against Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Once dubbed the "master of the last pass" by reporter Milena Gimon, Lo Celso ranks among the top 1% of positional peers for pass completion, passes attempted and progressive passes, and the top 8% for shot-creating actions per 90.

10 LW – Heung-min Son

When Harry Kane was sold in the summer, Spurs turned to Heung-min Son to assume the role as talisman, something that the newly-appointed captain has taken in his stride, scoring 11 goals from 19 matches.

Not just a goalscorer, the South Korean offers so many qualities and has created ten big chances in the Premier League this term, a number surpassed only by Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Cooke reaches career-best 161 while Root chimes in with 98 to send Gloucestershire packing

ECB Reporters Network30-Apr-2019Chris Cooke’s career-best List A score of 161 guided Glamorgan to a 74-run Royal London One-Day Cup victory over Gloucestershire at Bristol.The 32-year-old South African smashed 12 fours and 8 sixes in an exhilarating 127-ball innings, sharing a fourth-wicket stand of 234 with Billy Root, who contributed 98 to a Glamorgan total of 331 for seven after winning the toss.In reply, Gloucestershire slumped to 26 for 4 as Marchant de Lange claimed three early wickets. They were eventually dismissed for 257, Jack Taylor top-scoring with 75 from 70 balls and de Lange claiming 3 for 41.Both sides face the prospect of elimination from the competition before the knock-out stage. It was only Glamorgan’s second win in six matches, while Gloucestershire have three victories from the same number of games.Cooke and Root transformed the visitors’ innings after they had struggled to 53 for 3 in the 13th over. David Lloyd was unlucky to be run out at the non-striker’s end when bowler Ryan Higgins got a fingertip to a Jeremy Lawlor straight drive.Lawler was caught at deep cover off the left-arm spin of Graeme van Buuren and when Marnus Labuschagne was caught behind down the leg-side off Chris Liddle, Glamorgan looked in trouble.Patience was needed to assess the pace of the pitch. Both Cooke and Root showed that quality in spades as they took the score to 137 for three after 30 overs.The two batsmen than cut loose, adding 101 runs in the next ten overs. Cooke reached a 66-ball half-century with a six over fine-leg off David Payne and Root soon followed.Billy Root attempts an acrobatic shot•Getty ImagesCooke launched two more big sixes in moving to a century off 99 balls and then needed only a further 21 deliveries to reach 150, passing his previous best List A score of 137, made against Somerset at Taunton in 2012.He finally fell for the third highest score ever by a Glamorgan batsman in one-day cricket to an unusually expensive Benny Howell, bowled attempting a ramp shot. The 234-stand with Root, a Glamorgan record for the fourth wicket in List A games, had occupied fewer than 33 overs.After a couple more wickets, Root, who had lost little in comparison to Cooke, was run out attempting a second run from the last ball of the innings. He had faced 103 balls, hitting nine fours and a six.Glamorgan’s total looked well above par and so it proved as Gloucestershire’s top order were rushed into some rash shots. Lukas Carey removed Gareth Roderick, caught at point in the first over, while the impressive de Lange, working up good pace, accounted for Miles Hammond, Benny Howell and James Bracey.Chris Dent was bowled by a slower ball from Graham Wagg, pushing forward, for 30 and, at 62 for 5, Gloucestershire looked beaten.Taylor and van Buuren, the two batting stars of the win over Somerset on Sunday, added 34 before the latter was caught behind for 41, edging an attempted pull off Wagg.Labuschagne’s leg-spin accounted for Ryan Higgins, caught at long-off for a brisk 38, while Tom Smith fell to a catch at fine leg off a long-hop from off-spinner Root, the bowler’s first List A wicket for Glamorgan and only his fifth in total.Taylor went to a 56-ball half-century with two sixes off successive balls from Dan Douthwaite and Payne batted well for his unbeaten 36, but it was too little too late.

Celtic are keen to strengthen to bolster their hunt for the Scottish Premiership title and are now believed to be edging closer to their first January signing, according to a report.

Celtic eyeing attacking reinforcements

Besides a brief period under Ange Postecoglou, Celtic have notoriously been slow movers in the January transfer window as they look to take stock of available options before looking to identify the correct profile of player to bring to Parkhead.

Nevertheless, the Hoops now look like they are finally stepping up their market activity and individuals are now beginning to be floated as potential mid-season additions for Brendan Rodgers.

Rodgers could ignite Kyogo with Celtic move for £3m SPFL star

The Hoops have been touted with an interest in the impressive centre-forward.

ByDan Emery Jan 10, 2024

One man who continues to be mentioned in connection with Celtic is Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt, who is reportedly on their radar alongside arch-rivals Rangers due to the fact both clubs are keen to recruit reinforcements in attack ahead of the resumption of Scottish football following the conclusion of the winter break.

In Italy, an outlet has even claimed that the Hoops could be offered the chance to sign Bologna forward Sydney van Hooijdonk, who is the son of club icon Pierre, in exchange for allowing Republic of Ireland Under-21 star Rocco Vata to join the Serie A high-flyers.

Speculation persists with respect to the permanent future of on-loan Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo and Football Scotland believe that the buy option in his agreement at Parkhead sits at around £6 million. There is no indication whether or not Celtic will trigger this over the course of this month.

Nonetheless, Celtic now seem to be closing in on their first signing of the window after fresh information has emerged regarding one of their transfer pursuits, according to reports.

Celtic close in on Nicolas Kuhn deal

According to Mailplus reporter Mark Wilson, Celtic look to be on the verge of bringing in Rapid Vienna winger Nicolas Kuhn. The outlet reports that Rodgers' men are increasingly confident over their chances of being able to sign the 24-year-old, following the news of a bid on Wednesday.

Nicolas Kuhn key statistics in 2023/24 – Austrian Bundesliga (Sofascore)

Shots per game

1.8

Tackles per game

1.4

Big chances created

11

Big chances missed

8

Average match rating

7.22/10

Taking to social media platform X, Sky Sports News reporter Anthony Joseph had indicated that Rapid Vienna are looking for just under £3 million for the former Germany Under-20 international, so we may be looking at a deal around that number.

Capable of playing anywhere across the front three, Kuhn has made 22 appearances in all competitions this campaign, registering three goals and seven assists (Kuhn statistics – Transfermarkt).

Celtic are in need of variation on the flanks to help pick the lock when faced with a low block, and Kuhn certainly looks like a creative presence who could add some extra intuition to Rodgers' side moving forward.

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana says team-mate Marcus Rashford is one of the world's best players despite his struggles this season.

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Man Utd face Man City in FA Cup finalKeeper Onana defends Rashford's formSays he's one of the world's best playersWHAT HAPPENED?

The England international scored 30 goals last season but this term he bagged just eight. The 26-year-old has been left out of the latest Three Lions squad ahead of Euro 2024 and he has been linked with a United exit this summer. Despite his struggles, team-mate Onana has backed Rashford to bounce back.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT ANDRE ONANA SAID

He told : "How many goals did he score last season? How many goals did he score this season? We are talking about the same player. He's a bad player? So last season he was good, this season he is bad? No. It is just a moment. You can have a bad season, you can have a bad start. But the most important thing is how you end, and Rashy, for me, is one of the best players in the world. But he is facing difficulty, like us, not only him and me, but the whole club. And he will come back, and I know my killer will score some important goals for us. Hopefully Saturday he will score two and we win the FA Cup."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Rashford has been a shadow of his former self this season compared to last and United are reportedly willing to listen to offers for the Red Devils academy product. In the space of a year, he's gone from the main man at Old Trafford to one who could be surplus to requirements.

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(C)GettyImagesWHAT NEXT?

Rashford, who has not scored for Erik ten Hag's men since before the March international break, will hope to feature for United in their FA Cup final clash with Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.

A crazy release clause reportedly won't put Liverpool off appointing a manager who Pep Guardiola thinks highly of, according to a new report from abroad.

Liverpool manager latest

The news that Jurgen Klopp is leaving his job as Reds boss at the end of the season has rocked the football world, at a time when he was generally expected to at least stay until his contract expiry date of 2026.

The German's exit is going to hit Liverpool hard considering he is one of the most influential people in the club's great history, winning huge trophies while being adored by supporters.

The Reds have to accept that they are going to face life without Klopp later this year, and the importance of nailing his successor cannot be downplayed.

Xabi Alonso has arguably emerged as the favourite to take over in the summer, having been a hugely popular player at Anfield and now shining in management with Bayer Leverkusen.

He certainly won't be the only option to come in, though, with Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi and Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann potentially in the running, too. Now, another name has been thrown into the hat, as Liverpool work hard on finding Klopp's replacement.

Liverpool could appoint Ruben Amorim

According to Correio de Manha [via Sport Witness], Liverpool won't be put off by the €20m (£17m) release clause that exists in Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim's deal, seeing him as an option to replace Klopp with. That clause is among the highest in the history of the game, with Graham Potter topping the pile with a €23m (£19.6m) fee prior to joining Chelsea.

It reportedly "won't be an impediment" for the Reds, with the 39-year-old believed to be "ready for higher goals" in his career. The idea of a move to the Premier League appeals to him.

Amorim is arguably one of Europe's most exciting young managers at the moment, so it is only natural that he is seen as a contender for the Liverpool job. He is someone who is admired by Manchester City boss Guardiola, who has said of him and his Sporting team in the past:

"A year ago we won by five in Lisbon at this stage of the Champions League and they said 'how bad Sporting is'. What a poor team. They had won the league. From my point of view, their coach is one of the best at the moment.

"His team, it was very, very good. Do you know what happened there? Five opportunities, five shots, five goals. It was 100%. How good is the coach, huh?"

Liverpool could sign dream Klopp heir with swoop for "serial winner"

Anfield was rocked by Jurgen Klopp’s announcement that he will leave the club at the end of the season.

ByAngus Sinclair Jan 26, 2024

Amorim has built up a winning mentality at Sporting, winning three Portuguese League Cups and one Primeira Liga title, and at just 39, he would represent a long-term appointment.

Ultimately, the decision rests with FSG, and the truth is that whoever comes in is going to have one of the hardest managerial jobs in many years, trying to replace a truly iconic figure in Klopp.

More than 700 runs were scored at Trent Bridge as Australia took another big step towards the semi-finals

The Report by Daniel Brettig20-Jun-2019Crowds of people left Trent Bridge. They think it’s all over, and it probably is now. Australia battered Bangladesh with the bat and then squeezed them slowly but surely with the ball to complete a victory that more or less settled the top four places for the World Cup semi-finals, with near enough to three more weeks of qualifying games remaining.Alongside England, India and New Zealand, Australia are firmly ensconced in the semi-final placings, seeing off a Bangladesh team who, by dint of their sparkling displays against South Africa and the West Indies, had been the last of the genuine challengers from outside the top quartet.There was plenty to like about the day’s cricket in Nottingham, from a powerful century by David Warner, nifty support from Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja, a brief but spectacular display by Glenn Maxwell, and plenty of doughtiness about the chase for a distant target, earning Mushfiqur Rahim an unbeaten century and Bangladesh their highest ever ODI total. But there was not quite the sting in the finish of this match, nor now the tournament entire, that any global event should have.This is not to say that Australia should feel bad about putting on their most consistent batting display of the Cup so far. Granted a strong batting platform, they went another step further in mid and late innings acceleration than they had managed in successive games against Pakistan and then Sri Lanka, although still with enough room for improvement to occupy the coach Justin Langer and his assistant Ricky Ponting.Australia’s fielding, too, was not always their sharpest, although the return of Marcus Stoinis from injury added balance to the bowling attack and agility in the field even though there were occasional signs that he is still not exactly 100% fit after a side strain.Bangladesh will bemoan a couple of injury enforced changes on match morning, and then the early drop of Warner by Sabbir Rahman in the gully, the same place West Indies had picked him up on this ground earlier in the competition. On a friendly pitch and fast outfield they were left looking defenseless at times, but resolved in the afternoon to fight the contest out – much to the credit of Mushfiqur’s rearguard. A gap in sixes hit – 10 for Australia, four for Bangladesh – formed part of the wider picture.WATCH – David Warner’s scintillating 166 on Hotstar (India only)Finch was overdue to win a toss and this was a good one to get, the sun shining over Nottingham and the pitch looking slow and dry without undue moisture. With Stoinis, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Adam Zampa back in the side, balance looked a little more prevalent in Australia’s combination, although Nathan Lyon must wonder whether it is time to start brandishing the red Dukes ball in training ahead of the Ashes.Precious little seam or swing was on offer early for Bangladesh’s seamers, and they were to rue spurning the only chance offered early, a Warner slice through the hands of gully. Anything dropping short or floating too full was pounced on by Finch and Warner – a lusty carve over cover by the captain and a hook shot by the left-hander reaping the first sixes of the morning.Mushfiqur Rahim celebrates his century•Getty ImagesIf Warner was still struggling for his best timing, Finch did his best to dissuade his partner from too much frustration, an effort in terms of mid-pitch support that would reap handsome rewards later. Finch himself appeared eager to accelerate sooner rather than later, moving around on the crease and sizing up the shorter of Trent Bridge’s boundaries, but just as he and Warner seemed ready to launch, Soumya got a shortish delivery to pop a fraction, causing Finch to bunt a catch to short third man.His frustration at being dismissed was added to apparent confusion about who was to come in to bat next, as Khawaja rather than Smith or Maxwell walked to the middle. For a time, Khawaja and Warner left themselves open to criticism for hastening a little too slowly, but once Warner had his hundred and Khawaja his bearings, the runs grew from a stream to a flow and then a torrent. Warner mixed perseverance with brutality, while Khawaja’s timing and placement were at times reminiscent of no less a left-hander than Brian Lara himself.With 16 centuries, Warner is now level with Adam Gilchrist on Australia’s all-time ODI list, and trailing only Mark Waugh (18) and Ponting (30). His role in this tournament has at times been difficult to decipher, given his evident struggles for timing and placement, but his determination to succeed cannot be doubted, nor the appreciation his run-making has drawn out of team-mates who had only recently been reacquainted with him.The treatment was meted out evenly across the Bangladesh attack, leaving Mashrafe Mortaza with few safe options including himself. Warner’s emulation of Finch in passing 150 at this tournament signalled further acceleration, and his exit after an innings that had been both platform and launch served only to bring Maxwell to the middle. Helped by a Rubel Hossain no-ball that allowed him a free-hit from which to unfurl an otherworldly back foot/front foot inside/outside drive over long off for six, Maxwell was rapidly in full destruction mode.WATCH – Maxwell’s blistering 32 on Hotstar (India only)Momentarily anything looked possible, capping a seven-over stretch from 40 to 46 in which the Australians ransacked 109 runs. But Khawaja’s acceptance then refusal of a quick single left Maxwell stranded in mid-pitch, and his evident anger at the manner of his run-out hastened a miniature collapse of 3 for 8 in seven balls, as Khawaja (caught behind, hooking) and Steven smith (lbw to a full toss) also exited. Rain delayed the final over for 23 minutes, but Stoinis found the boundary twice to lift Australia beyond 380.If this seemed a lot, Bangladesh had the knowledge they had been on course to run down a target even loftier in their beating of West Indies in Taunton, and for a time while Tamim and Shakib were together, anything looked possible. Soumya’s stay had been ended by a Finch direct hit when Bangladesh’s openers also became mixed up between the wickets, but the Australians were starting to look a little apprehensive when Stoinis’ off-break slower ball coaxed a front edge from Shakib and a simple catch for Warner at mid off.Sensing blood, Finch brought Starc back and was rewarded when Tamim dragged a 146kph projectile onto his stumps, before Liton Das was welcomed with a bouncer that struck his helmet and forced a replacement. Another promising union between Mushfiqur and Liton was scuppered when Zampa fizzed a quicker ball through to pin the latter lbw on the crease, and though Mushfiqur kept grinding out the runs with the hard-hitting aid of Mahmudullah, the asking rate grew evermore prohibitive, and ultimately impossible.Mashrafe’s late blow took his men to a bigger tally than any Bangladesh team before them, a fitting marker for the fight they had shown, but there could be only one winner.